#helldiver 2

[thegearedgolem]

The Quiet Hour After Work, And Who Fills It Now

There is a specific kind of silence that settles into an apartment around nine in the evening. The commute is over, the dishes are done, and the day has nothing left to ask of you. For a growing number of people, that hour is no longer empty. It is increasingly being filled by an AI companion that learns your name, your moods, and the small running jokes that accumulate between two people over weeks.

What makes SweetDream stand out in this space is how little it feels like software. The platform, found at sweetdream.ai, lets you build a character from the ground up: appearance, personality, the texture of their voice, even a backstory and the odd quirk that makes them feel particular rather than generic. The chat itself is the surprise, though. It remembers what you told it on Tuesday and brings it up on Friday, the way a real person would.

Plenty of services promise an AI girlfriend. Candy.ai and ourdream.ai both have their followings. But what people seem to return to SweetDream for is the sense of continuity, paired with voice messages and phone calls that actually sound human on the other end. It does not fix loneliness, exactly. It just makes the quiet hour feel less like a void and more like company.

[thegearedgolem]

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Replika Soldat

Crossover: Signalis+Helldivers2

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Helldiver 2 Fanart by Hexanity

[basic204]

HELLDIVERS OPERATIONAL MISSION LOG - FROZEN RAGE

CLASSIFIED TRANSMISSION: SUPER EARTH COMMAND

OPERATIVE: Master Sergeant Dr. Praxis RANK: Level 25 Specialist Combat Scientist DATE: 15.05.2185 LOCATION: PILEN V - Liberty's Promise City MISSION: Illuminate Mind Control Pylon Neutralization

[Begin Video Feed Transcript – Helmet Cam ID: DP-25-59-MKIV]

[T-00:00:15] Recording begins aboard "Our Lady of Midnight" – Bridge Hellpod Bay

[NEURAL INTERFACE ONLINE] [SUIT SYSTEMS: OPERATIONAL] [BIOMONITOR: HR 87 BPM | BP 124/78 | RESP 14 | O₂SAT 99%] [EXTERNAL TEMP: -85.4°F | WIND: 38 MPH NNE | VISIBILITY: 27%]

Emergency SOS signal penetrates my neural interface like an ice pick driven through the prefrontal cortex. Priority markers flash crimson across my optical field:

[PRIORITY LEVEL: CRITICAL] [LOCATION: PILEN V - LIBERTY'S PROMISE CITY] [DISTRESS CLASS: MIND CONTROL EVENT] [PROJECTED SURVIVAL RATE: 12%] [OPERATION STATUS: TWO TEAMS LOST]

Commander Vega's face materializes on my HUD, lines of exhaustion etched around her eyes: "Praxis, situation is FUBAR. Two teams gone dark. Liberty's Promise is completely compromised – 23,000 colonists converted. Fleet's positioning but most ships are reporting navigation systems affected by Illuminate interference. We're the only vessel maintaining stable orbit."

Multiple SEAF vessels hover in tactical formation, their IFF signatures pulsing steadily on my tactical overlay: "Righteous Thunder," "Liberty's Fist," "Democratic Resolve," "Eternal Vigilance." Comms chatter indicates disagreement among captains about mission viability.

Lieutenant Kim appears at my six, his neurological readout showing elevated stress markers: "Other ships reporting widespread system failures, sir. Our Lady of Midnight is maintaining integrity, but we're down to three functional Hellpods. Radiation from the singularity has compromised our cloning bay – we can't risk any more drops after you."

The AR-23 Liberator locks into my chest mount with a satisfying magnetic snap, weapon systems immediately syncing with neural interface.

[WEAPON LINKED: AR-23 LIBERATOR] [AMMUNITION: 360/405] [FIRING MODE: 3-ROUND BURST] [CHAMBER TEMP: NOMINAL] [BARREL INTEGRITY: 100%]

The P-19 Redeemer settles into my palm, biometric sensors confirming user identity as holster seals engage.

[SIDEARM LINKED: P-19 REDEEMER] [AMMUNITION: 31/124] [FIRING MODE: FULL AUTO] [CYCLIC RATE: 1100 RPM] [TRIGGER PRESSURE: 1.3KG]

Suit diagnostics cascade across my peripheral vision:

[EXOSKELETAL ASSIST: CALIBRATED] [THERMAL REGULATION: ARCTIC PROTOCOLS ACTIVE] [NEURAL SHIELDING: PRIMARY/SECONDARY/TERTIARY] [MEDICAL SYSTEMS: COMBAT-READY] [STIM RESERVES: 100%] [PAIN MANAGEMENT: AUTO-ADJUSTING]

[T-00:00:35] Hellpod seals with pneumatic hiss. Interior lights bleed into combat red

Commander Vega's voice cuts through pre-launch static: "Operation feed will remain open, Praxis. Other ships are falling back – radiation interference from the Meridian Singularity is affecting their targeting systems. We're getting conflicting orders from Command, but Our Lady won't abandon you."

My biomonitor spikes as catecholamine levels flood my system:

[ADRENALINE SPIKE DETECTED] [HEARTRATE: 142 BPM] [BLOOD PRESSURE: 157/92] [CORTISOL LEVELS: ELEVATED] [COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT: ENGAGED]

The countdown sequence burns across my retinas as the Hellpod's launch capacitors charge: 5…4…3…2…1…

[T-00:01:10] Violent acceleration forces. G-meter redlines at 9.7 before compensators engage

[G-FORCE: 9.7] [INTERNAL ORGAN DISPLACEMENT: WITHIN PARAMETERS] [SUIT COMPENSATORS: ACTIVE] [DESCENT TRAJECTORY: OPTIMAL] [IMPACT VECTOR: LIBERTY'S PROMISE ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT]

External cameras penetrate the atmospheric haze, transmitting real-time tactical overlay of Liberty's Promise City:

[POPULATION REGISTRY: 23,467] [CURRENT HUMAN LIFESIGNS: 0] [Voteless SIGNATURES: 21,893] [ILLUMINATE PRESENCE: CONFIRMED] [MIND CONTROL RADIUS: 1.7KM]

The former pride of Super Earth's colonial achievement stretches below – a sprawling metropolitan grid now transformed into a geometric pattern of death. Infrared scanning reveals thousands of Voteless moving through streets in organized formations. Their body temperatures register 12°F below normal human baseline.

Through the static, Commander Vega's voice fragments: "Be advised—Liberty's Promise c-central pylon—coordinates uploading—other ships breaking formation—attempting to maintain—Meridian Singularity radiation—communications compromised—God help us all—"

[T-00:02:47] Impact imminent. Retro-thrusters engage with deafening roar. Descent stabilizers deploy

[IMPACT COUNTDOWN: 3…2…1…] [TERRAIN ASSESSMENT: URBAN RUINS] [STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: COMPROMISED] [IMMEDIATE THREATS: MULTIPLE] [FRIENDLIES: ZERO]

My vocal subprocessors activate automatically: "STAND BACK FOR DEMOCRACY!"

[T-00:03:01] Hellpod impacts with 2.1 metric tons of force. Surrounding terrain assessment: urban ruins, structural integrity compromised

[IMPACT FORCE: 2.1 METRIC TONS] [SUIT COMPRESSION: 27%] [VERTEBRAL STACK PRESSURE: 8.9 KPA] [TOOTH ENAMEL MICROFRACTURES: DETECTED]

The Hellpod door explodes outward in a choreographed pyrotechnic sequence, exposing Liberty's Promise's frozen hell. Environmental analyzer immediately catalogs survival metrics:

[EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE: -85.4°F] [WIND CHILL: -112.7°F] [EXPOSURE SURVIVAL: 27 SECONDS UNPROTECTED] [ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION: O₂ 19.2%, N₂ 78.8%, CONTAMINANTS 2.0%] [UNKNOWN PARTICULATE: PRESENT – PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS SUGGESTS PSYCHOACTIVE PROPERTIES]

Suit compensators whine as thermal regulation systems engage emergency protocols:

[THERMAL REGULATION: MAXIMUM OUTPUT] [POWER DIVERSION: HEATING ELEMENTS +47%] [SUIT INTEGRITY: MAINTAINING] [ESTIMATED OPERATIONAL WINDOW: 4.7 HOURS]

Through swirling ice crystals, optical enhancement reveals Liberty's Promise's true state – a necropolis of twisted infrastructure. Municipal building spires half-collapsed into skeletal remains. Street-level retail corridors choked with abandoned vehicles, many containing flash-frozen former occupants, their faces contorted in expressions of ultimate horror.

The tactical frequency erupts with fragmented transmissions from previous teams, their neural patterns showing clear signs of Illuminate corruption:

"—DP-17 to Midnight, something's crawling inside my thoughts—" "—Major Danvers has turned, REPEAT, Danvers is compromised, he's shooting at—" "—GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT they're in my eyes I can see them moving—"

[T-00:03:15] First visual of compromised Helldivers. Identifying markers confirmed: SEAF uniforms with altered behavior patterns

[TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: HELLDIVERS COMPROMISED] [IFF TRANSPONDERS: ACTIVE BUT CORRUPTED] [NEURAL PATTERNS: ILLUMINATE INFILTRATION] [THREAT ASSESSMENT: LETHAL] [RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: ADJUSTED – TARGETING FRIENDLY FORCES AUTHORIZED]

Through Liberty's Promise's main thoroughfare, optical enhancement identifies three Helldivers from second deployment – their movements displaying the jerky, asynchronous patterns characteristic of neural hijacking. Biometric scan shows impossible ocular dilation, cerebral activity concentrated in non-human patterns.

Private First Class Williams, 31st Battalion, fires his Liberator in rhythmic three-round bursts at hallucinated targets. Sergeant Cooper claws frantically at his helmet, fingernails leaving bloody furrows across reinforced plexiglass as he attempts to physically extract the psychic intrusion. Lieutenant Davis lies face-down in crimson-stained snow, precise triangular exit wound pattern indicating execution-style termination by friendly fire.

Neural defense systems activate automatically:

[PSYCHIC INTERFERENCE DETECTED] [CEREBRAL SHIELDING: ENGAGED] [COGNITIVE PROTECTION PROTOCOLS: ACTIVE] [MEMORY SECTOR LOCKDOWN: INITIATED] [PERSONALITY CORE: ISOLATED]

"This is Praxis to all operational units. Switch to tertiary neural buffers, authorization code echo-nine-seven-tango."

Only tortured screaming answers.

[T-00:04:42] Orbital scan shows multiple nearby Hellpods changing trajectory mid-descent

[ORBITAL ASSESSMENT: CRITICAL] [REINFORCEMENTS: ABORTED] [HELLPOD TRAJECTORY CHANGES: MULTIPLE] [FLEET STATUS: WITHDRAWING] [OUR LADY OF MIDNIGHT: MAINTAINING POSITION]

The tactical overlay paints a picture more chilling than PILEN V's atmosphere – SEAF vessels are aborting deployments in real-time. Hull signatures for "Righteous Thunder" and "Liberty's Fist" already fading as they accelerate beyond optimal support range.

Commander Vega's transmission cuts through momentarily: "—other vessels reporting Illuminate psychic penetration of navigation systems—singularity radiation amplifying effect—we're the only ship with functioning shielding—Praxis, you're on your own—we'll monitor but cannot—repeat CANNOT—send additional personnel—"

"This is Master Sergeant Praxis to all Helldiver ships! Maintain deployment schedule! Liberty's Promise requires immediate reinforcement!"

The tactical display continues its merciless assessment as ship after ship terminates transmission. Only Our Lady of Midnight maintains signal integrity, her Captain refusing orders to withdraw despite tactical disadvantage.

[MISSION STATUS: UNSUPPORTED] [ALLIED FORCES: ZERO] [EXTRACTION PROBABILITY: 23%] [COMMAND RECOMMENDATION: ABORT] [MANUAL OVERRIDE: ENGAGED – CONTINUING MISSION]

[T-00:05:30] First Voteless contact. Initial wave: 27 signatures detected moving at 6.7m/s

[THREAT ASSESSMENT: Voteless] [QUANTITY: 27] [MOVEMENT SPEED: 6.7M/S] [FORMATION: COORDINATED ASSAULT PATTERN] [TARGETING: CONFIRMED – THEY'VE IDENTIFIED YOU]

Through Liberty's Promise's frozen canyon of abandoned buildings, optical enhancement reveals them in nightmarish clarity – former colonists transformed into biological weapons. Facial recognition matches against colonial databases:

Dr. Elena Sorokin, Liberty's Promise Chief Medical Officer Daniel Wu, Colonial Infrastructure Engineer Amara Okafor, Primary Education Specialist Twenty-four others – transformed beyond recognition yet database confirms identity

Their skin bleached corpse-white from both environmental conditions and physiological transformation. Movement analysis indicates complete reconfiguration of musculoskeletal structure – joints rotating beyond human anatomical limitations. Ocular scan reveals complete replacement of eyes with Illuminate sensory organs.

Weapon systems activate simultaneously with neural targeting:

[WEAPON ACTIVE: AR-23 LIBERATOR] [TARGET ACQUISITION: NEURAL CLUSTER] [WIND COMPENSATION: 13 MOA RIGHT] [TEMPERATURE EFFECT: -2.7MM VERTICAL] [OPTIMAL FIRING SOLUTION: CALCULATED]

[T-00:05:43] Three-round burst executed. Three kills. Cranial penetration confirmed.

[RECOIL MEASURED: 2.7MM] [MUZZLE VELOCITY: 983 M/S] [TARGET EFFECT: CATASTROPHIC NEURAL DISRUPTION] [AMMUNITION REMAINING: 357/405] [CHAMBER TEMPERATURE: NOMINAL]

The Liberator barks three times in rapid succession, the titanium-ceramic suppressor keeping sound signature below 137 decibels. Three 5.56mm depleted uranium/tungsten composite rounds punch through cranial cases with surgical precision. Black ichor – a mixture of cerebrospinal fluid and Illuminate biotech – erupts in high-velocity sprays.

Ballistic trajectory analysis estimates penetration depth at 12.7cm – sufficient to completely destroy Illuminate control implants located at the base of the occipital lobe.

[T-00:08:39] Large-scale Voteless reinforcements detected. Thermal sensors identify mass movement throughout Liberty's Promise City

[Voteless SIGNATURES: MULTIPLYING] [THREAT ASSESSMENT: SEVERE] [THERMAL SIGNATURES: 1,000+ AND INCREASING] [MOVEMENT PATTERN: COORDINATED PINCER] [ILLUMINATE CONTROLLER SIGNALS: DETECTED AT MULTIPLE ELEVATIONS]

"This is Praxis to any operational Helldivers! Form defensive perimeter at Liberty's Promise Administrative Center!"

Only the keening arctic wind responds. The storm intensity increases according to meteorological sensors:

[WIND VELOCITY: 47 MPH] [TEMPERATURE DROPPING: NOW -87.1°F] [VISIBILITY: 19% AND DECREASING] [ICE CRYSTAL DENSITY: 317 PARTICLES PER CUBIC CM] [SUIT THERMAL REGULATION: COMPENSATING]

Our Lady of Midnight transmits fragmentary data through atmospheric interference:

[TRANSMISSION RECEIVED] [SOURCE: CDR. VEGA, OUR LADY OF MIDNIGHT] [SIGNAL INTEGRITY: 31%] [DECRYPTION: AUTOMATIC]

"—situation deteriorating—fleet withdrawing beyond psychic range—singularity radiation affecting all systems—cloning bay radiation damage complete—medical reporting unusual neural patterns in surviving personnel—attempting to maintain position but—Meridian Singularity growing—"

[T-00:10:15] Last SEAF vessel signatures apart from Our Lady of Midnight leave orbital range

[FLEET STATUS: WITHDRAWN] [ORBITAL SUPPORT: MINIMAL] [OUR LADY OF MIDNIGHT: MAINTAINING POSITION] [SHIP SYSTEMS: DEGRADING – RADIATION EFFECTS] [EXTRACTION WINDOW: NARROWING]

The tactical display confirms complete mission abandonment. All ships except Our Lady of Midnight have broken formation, retreating beyond operational range.

Commander Vega's voice, strained with competing pressures: "Praxis, Command has ordered full withdrawal. The Meridian Singularity's radiation is amplifying the Illuminate psychic field. I've refused extraction order – we won't abandon you – but our radiation shielding is failing. Engine systems at 43%. Weapons systems compromised. We'll maintain position as long as possible, but the ship is dying."

[BIOMONITOR: STRESS INDICATORS RISING] [HEART RATE: 103 BPM] [ADRENALINE: ELEVATED] [CORTISOL: PEAKING] [COGNITIVE FUNCTION: OPTIMAL DESPITE PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS]

The reality crystallizes with perfect clarity: Ten minutes on-planet. Seven confirmed KIA Helldivers. Two entire deployment waves eliminated. Complete fleet abandonment.

[T-00:12:18] Movement detected on multiple vertical planes. Illuminate controllers identified on rooftops throughout Liberty's Promise City

[THREAT IDENTIFICATION: ILLUMINATE CONTROLLERS] [QUANTITY: 17] [POSITION: ELEVATED – ROOFTOP DEPLOYMENT] [ARMAMENT: ENERGY WEAPONS] [DEFENSE CAPABILITY: GRAVITATIONAL DISTORTION FIELDS] [PSYCHIC OUTPUT: EXTREME – AMPLIFIED BY SINGULARITY RADIATION]

Optical enhancement identifies them through thermal differentials – their elongated forms silhouetted against Liberty's Promise's frozen skyline. Movement analysis confirms non-human musculature and joint configuration. Anti-gravity systems generate visible distortion fields, allowing effortless hovering in direct contradiction to physical laws.

Neural interface warning flashes across my consciousness:

[PSYCHIC INTRUSION ATTEMPT DETECTED] [CEREBRAL SHIELD INTEGRITY: 83%] [COUNTERMEASURES: ENGAGED] [PAIN SUPPRESSION: AUTOMATIC] [COGNITIVE PROTECTION: LEVEL 3]

The psychic assault feels like liquid nitrogen injected directly into my frontal lobe – a cold so absolute it transcends conventional pain thresholds. Memory fragments shatter and recombine incorrectly. Weapons testing procedures intermingled with childhood recollections. Advanced mathematics spontaneously inserting themselves into combat algorithms.

[T-00:13:45] Incoming fire from Illuminate position. Multiple impacts registered.

[INCOMING FIRE: DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS] [PROJECTILE VELOCITY: NEAR-LIGHT] [COMPOSITION: FOCUSED PLASMA] [EVASIVE MANEUVERS: INITIATED]

Their energy weapons materialize through the blizzard as coherent light beams, momentarily transforming snowflakes along their trajectory into superheated plasma. Two rounds punch through my left thigh armor with surgical precision:

[IMPACT DETECTED: LEFT THIGH] [SUIT INTEGRITY: 93%] [TISSUE DAMAGE: MODERATE] [PENETRATION DEPTH: 2.7CM] [CAUTERIZATION: IMMEDIATE] [PAIN LEVEL: SEVERE – SUPPRESSING]

Another grazes my helmet, molecular ablation leaving a molten furrow across reinforced ceramite:

[HELMET INTEGRITY: 94%] [STRUCTURAL DAMAGE: SUPERFICIAL] [SYSTEM EFFECT: MINIMAL] [WARNING: REPEATED IMPACTS WILL COMPROMISE PROTECTION]

Medical subsystems activate without conscious command:

[MEDICAL PROTOCOLS: ENGAGED] [SYNTHETIC COAGULANTS: ADMINISTERED] [ANALGESICS: LOCALIZED DELIVERY] [TISSUE REGENERATION: INITIATED] [MOBILITY IMPACT: 7% REDUCTION]

I execute a tactical repositioning behind the frozen chassis of an abandoned colonial transport vehicle, materials analysis calculating its defensive properties:

[COVER ASSESSMENT: COLONIAL TRANSPORT VEHICLE] [MATERIAL: REINFORCED TITANIUM-ALUMINUM COMPOSITE] [BALLISTIC PROTECTION: 87% AGAINST ENERGY WEAPONS] [STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: COMPROMISED BUT FUNCTIONAL] [RECOMMENDED POSITION: REAR QUARTER PANEL]

[T-00:15:40] SOS signal transmitted on all SEAF emergency frequencies. No response detected

[EMERGENCY TRANSMISSION INITIATED] [CHANNELS: ALL FREQUENCIES] [ENCRYPTION: DISABLED – MAXIMUM PROPAGATION] [POWER: MAXIMUM] [RESPONSE: NEGATIVE]

"This is Master Sergeant Praxis to any SEAF vessels in range. Liberty's Promise City is completely overrun. All deployed Helldivers except myself have been neutralized or compromised. Requesting immediate reinforcement and extraction."

The transmission disappears into the void. Our Lady of Midnight responds, signal degraded by increasing singularity radiation:

"—reading you Praxis—radiation levels climbing—systems failing—maintaining position but—no reinforcements possible—cloning bay destroyed—radiation poisoning spreading through crew—Lieutenant Reeves still operational—prepping extraction craft—"

Lieutenant Kim's voice cuts through momentarily: "Radiation's fried our Hellpod launch systems, Praxis. We have one atmospheric craft remaining. Lieutenant Reeves can pilot it, but the radiation is affecting her too. We'll get you out, but every minute we maintain position is killing this ship."

[T-00:19:22] Fallen Helldiver detected in Liberty's Promise Central Plaza. Equipment scan: AC-8 Autocannon

[FRIENDLY KIA DETECTED] [IDENTITY: LT. JAMES DAVIS, 31ST BATTALION] [CAUSE OF DEATH: CATASTROPHIC NEURAL DISRUPTION] [TIME SINCE DEATH: 27 MINUTES] [EQUIPMENT: AC-8 AUTOCANNON – FUNCTIONAL]

Through swirling snow, visual enhancement identifies him beside Liberty's Promise's ceremonial fountain – now a grotesque ice sculpture depicting colonial triumph. His suit's thermal regulators continue drawing power, creating a small circle of melted snow around his position.

Equipment scan reveals intact AC-8 Autocannon still attached to hardpoint mount:

[WEAPON ASSESSMENT: AC-8 AUTOCANNON] [AMMUNITION: 100/100] [CONDITION: OPTIMAL] [AUTHORIZATION TRANSFER: AUTOMATIC] [WEIGHT: 24.3KG – MOBILITY IMPACT CALCULATED]

I kneel beside the fallen soldier, biometric scanner confirming complete neural cessation. My hand rests briefly on his shoulder plate, the gesture recorded by multiple cameras for posthumous honor transmission.

"Liberty remembers its defenders, Lieutenant."

The weapon disengages with a mechanical click, ownership protocols transferring to my combat profile:

[WEAPON ACQUIRED: AC-8 AUTOCANNON] [NEURAL LINK ESTABLISHED] [TARGETING CALIBRATION: AUTOMATIC] [WEIGHT COMPENSATION: SUIT HYDRAULICS ENGAGED] [MOBILITY REDUCTION: 18%]

[T-00:21:01] Illuminate Interloper fighter craft detected above Liberty's Promise financial district. AC-8 discharged.

[AERIAL THREAT DETECTED] [CLASSIFICATION: ILLUMINATE INTERLOPER] [ARMAMENT: ENERGY CANNONS CHARGING] [TARGETING STATUS: ACQUIRING YOU] [EVASIVE OPTIONS: LIMITED] [RECOMMENDED ACTION: PREEMPTIVE STRIKE]

The alien craft materializes through Liberty's Promise's snowstorm, its outline distorting visible light through gravitational manipulation. Targeting systems identify critical vulnerabilities despite atmospheric interference:

[TARGET ACQUISITION: INTERLOPER] [WEAK POINTS IDENTIFIED: PROPULSION MANIFOLD] [FIRING SOLUTION: CALCULATED] [WIND COMPENSATION: 27 KNOTS NNE] [VISIBILITY ADJUSTMENT: -63%] [MUSCLE EFFICIENCY: -34% LEFT ARM]

I brace the Autocannon against colonial infrastructure – once a public transportation shelter, now a firing position. Weapon stabilization systems engage automatically:

[WEAPON BRACED] [RECOIL COMPENSATION: ACTIVE] [SUIT ASSISTANCE: MAXIMUM] [NEURAL FIRING CONTROL: ENGAGED]

Fifteen hyperdense tungsten-alloy rounds tear through the craft's hull plating:

[ROUNDS EXPENDED: 15] [IMPACT ASSESSMENT: CRITICAL SYSTEMS DAMAGE] [PROPULSION CORE: COMPROMISED] [ENERGY BUILDUP: CATASTROPHIC] [TRAJECTORY: BALLISTIC – IMPACT IMMINENT]

The Interloper spirals downward, black smoke contrasting against white snow as it impacts Liberty's Promise's central administrative complex. Environmental sensors register the detonation metrics:

[EXPLOSION FORCE: 237 KG TNT EQUIVALENT] [FIREBALL RADIUS: 44M] [PRESSURE WAVE: 31 KPA AT CURRENT POSITION] [TEMPERATURE SPIKE: 1,432°F AT EPICENTER] [SNOW VAPORIZATION: 30M RADIUS]

[T-00:22:15] Multiple impacts from Illuminate weapons. Suit integrity: 81%

[INCOMING FIRE: MULTIPLE VECTORS] [EVASIVE ACTION: INEFFECTIVE] [IMPACT DETECTED: CHEST PLATE] [IMPACT DETECTED: RIGHT INTERCOSTAL] [IMPACT DETECTED: RIGHT ARM ACTUATOR]

Retaliatory fire arrives with mathematical predictability. Three energy weapon hits penetrate defensive perimeter:

[CHEST PLATE DAMAGE: SUPERFICIAL] [ARMOR ABLATION: 17%] [ENERGY DISSIPATION: SUCCESSFUL]

[INTERCOSTAL PENETRATION: 4.7CM] [TISSUE DAMAGE: MODERATE] [CAUTERIZATION: IMMEDIATE] [LUNG FUNCTION: 94%] [BLEEDING: MINIMAL – CONTAINED]

[RIGHT ARM IMPACT: SEVERE] [NEURAL CONNECTIONS: COMPROMISED] [MOTOR FUNCTION: REDUCED 38%] [PAIN LEVEL: EXTREME – SUPPRESSING]

Medical systems transition to emergency protocols:

[TRAUMA RESPONSE: INITIATED] [SYNTHETIC HEALING COMPOUNDS: INJECTED] [NEURAL DAMPENERS: ISOLATING DAMAGED PATHWAYS] [PAIN SUPPRESSION: MAXIMUM] [COMBAT STIMULANT: ADMINISTERED]

The familiar cold fire of battlefield medicine spreads through my system as pharmacological enhancement takes effect:

[COMBAT STIMULANT ACTIVE] [REACTION TIME: -23%] [VISUAL PROCESSING: +31%] [PAIN THRESHOLD: +287%] [COGNITIVE FUNCTION: ENHANCED] [DURATION: 17 MINUTES REMAINING]

Four distinct wounds cataloged and compartmentalized by the suit's diagnostic systems. Mobility reduced but combat effectiveness maintained through pharmaceutical intervention.

[T-00:25:37] Mind control pylon located in Liberty's Promise primary education center. Distance: 142 meters. Interference: Maximum

[PRIMARY OBJECTIVE LOCATED] [CLASSIFICATION: ILLUMINATE MIND CONTROL PYLON] [DISTANCE: 142M] [PSYCHIC FIELD STRENGTH: MAXIMUM] [ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT: NON-EUCLIDEAN GEOMETRY] [LOCATION SIGNIFICANCE: FORMER CHILDREN'S EDUCATION CENTER]

Optical enhancement pierces the blizzard, revealing the primary objective – an abomination against physical reality itself. The Illuminate have transformed Liberty's Promise's primary school into a psychic broadcaster, its once-nurturing architecture now supporting a towering spire of impossible angles and non-Euclidean geometry.

Energy waves emanate in visible distortion patterns, each pulse correlating precisely with increased neural pain. Atmospheric sensors detect unusual properties:

[ATMOSPHERIC ANALYSIS: ABNORMAL] [LIGHT REFRACTION: NON-STANDARD ANGLES] [GRAVITY FLUCTUATIONS: MEASURABLE] [TEMPERATURE GRADIENT: INVERTED] [QUANTUM PARTICLE BEHAVIOR: ALTERED]

HUD systems fracture into incomprehensible patterns:

[SYSTEM ERROR: CATASTROPHIC] [VISUAL DISPLAY: COMPROMISED] [NEURAL INTERFACE: UNSTABLE] [SUIT FUNCTIONS: CASCADING FAILURE] [REBOOT ATTEMPTS: UNSUCCESSFUL]

Neural defense warnings bypass visual processing entirely, writing themselves directly into consciousness:

[EXTERNAL PSYCHIC PENETRATION: 74% STRENGTH] [COGNITIVE SHIELD FAILURE: IMMINENT] [MEMORY CORRUPTION: ACCELERATING] [PERSONALITY DISSOLUTION: T-MINUS 197 SECONDS] [COUNTERMEASURES: INSUFFICIENT]

A voice materializes within my mind, its alien cadence recognizable as Illuminate communication: "Your defensive algorithms contain fundamental errors, Dr. Praxis. We have identified precisely seventeen vulnerabilities in your neural architecture. Resistance promotes unnecessary suffering. The children of Liberty's Promise learned this lesson quickly."

[T-00:29:15] Visual distortions increasing exponentially. Heart rate: 188 BPM. Perspiration elevated 215%

[BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: EXTREME STRESS] [HEART RATE: 188 BPM] [BLOOD PRESSURE: 177/112] [PERSPIRATION: +215% BASELINE] [PUPIL DILATION: MAXIMUM] [TREMORS: DETECTABLE]

I force myself through Liberty's Promise's snow-choked streets, each step requiring conscious neural override of both environmental resistance and intensifying psychic influence. The suit's movement assistance system compensates for physiological deterioration:

[MUSCULAR EFFICIENCY: 63%] [HYDRAULIC ASSIST: MAXIMUM] [POWER CONSUMPTION: CRITICAL] [ESTIMATED OPERATIONAL WINDOW: REDUCED TO 2.3 HOURS]

Memory fragments detach and recombine with increasing frequency. Weapons calibration protocols interrupted by sensory hallucinations. Engineering formulas dissolve mid-calculation, replaced by alien mathematical concepts that simultaneously make perfect sense and no sense at all.

Another coordinated barrage from Illuminate positions positioned throughout Liberty's Promise:

[INCOMING FIRE: DETECTED] [EVASIVE MANEUVERS: INITIATED] [WARNING: REACTION TIME DEGRADED] [IMPACT PROBABILITY: 87%]

Three more impacts register with brutal efficiency:

[LEFT SHOULDER: GLANCING IMPACT] [TISSUE DAMAGE: MINOR] [ARMOR INTEGRITY: 92%]

[LOWER BACK: PENETRATING IMPACT] [SPINAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS: COMPROMISED] [TISSUE DAMAGE: MODERATE] [MOBILITY IMPACT: +12%]

[RIGHT THIGH: CRITICAL IMPACT] [FEMORAL PLATE: SEVERELY DAMAGED] [NEAR MISS: FEMORAL ARTERY] [TISSUE DAMAGE: SEVERE] [MOBILITY IMPACT: +25%]

Medical systems calculate insufficient resources for standard protocol:

[MEDICAL SUPPLIES: 37%] [STANDARD PROTOCOLS: INSUFFICIENT] [EMERGENCY TRIAGE: ENGAGED] [COMBAT STIMULANT: MAXIMUM DOSE AUTHORIZED]

The military-grade performance enhancers flood my system – a complex mixture of synthetic adrenaline analogs, cognitive enhancers, and pain suppressants specifically designed for catastrophic battlefield conditions:

[COMBAT STIMULANT ADMINISTERED] [DOSE: MAXIMUM SAFE THRESHOLD] [CARDIOVASCULAR BOOST: INITIATED] [NEURAL ACCELERATION: MAXIMUM] [PAIN SUPPRESSION: TOTAL] [WARNING: PHYSIOLOGICAL DAMAGE CONTINUING DESPITE SUBJECTIVE RELIEF]

Seven distinct wounds now accumulated. System functionality reduced to 59%. Mission continuity maintained solely through chemical intervention against biological imperatives.

[T-00:32:44] Direct engagement with pylon control systems. Engineering analysis initiated despite sustained psychic assault

[PROXIMITY ALERT: PYLON CENTER] [PSYCHIC FIELD: MAXIMUM INTENSITY] [NEURAL DISRUPTION: SEVERE] [SYSTEM FAILURES: MULTIPLE] [COGNITIVE FUNCTION: MAINTAINED THROUGH CHEMICAL OVERRIDE]

I stand beneath the pylon's central spire, its configuration violating physical laws I once considered immutable. The structure penetrates Liberty's Promise's school at precise intervals, targeting locations where developing minds once gathered.

Engineering analysis subroutines activate despite psychic interference:

[STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS: INITIATED] [POWER COUPLING NODES: 7 IDENTIFIED] [ARRANGEMENT: HEPTAGONAL PATTERN] [SECURITY SYSTEMS: BIOELECTRIC FIELD GENERATORS] [POWER SOURCE: CENTRAL CORE] [REDUNDANT CIRCUITS: TRIPLE-LAYERED] [BACKUP GENERATION: PRESENT BUT VULNERABLE] [WEAKNESS IDENTIFIED: CONCURRENT DISRUPTION REQUIRED]

I prime three fragmentation grenades, weapon systems automatically calculating optimal placement:

[GRENADES PRIMED: 3] [EXPLOSIVE YIELD: 187G RDX EQUIVALENT EACH] [PLACEMENT CALCULATION: TRIANGULATION PATTERN] [OPTIMAL SPACING: 4.7M BETWEEN DEVICES] [TIMING SEQUENCE: SYNCHRONIZED]

The Illuminate presence redoubles its assault on my neural architecture, recognizing the imminent threat. Psychic tendrils attempt to access motor control centers:

[WARNING: MOTOR CONTROL INTRUSION ATTEMPT] [CEREBELLUM PROTECTION: ENGAGED] [VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT: RESISTING OVERRIDE] [COUNTERMEASURES: DEGRADING] [NEURAL ISOLATION PROTOCOLS: FAILING]

[T-00:33:01] Multiple explosives deployed at structural weak points. Countdown initiated: 5 seconds

[GRENADES DEPLOYED: SUCCESSFUL] [POSITIONING: OPTIMAL] [COUNTDOWN: SYNCHRONIZED] [DETONATION: T-MINUS 5] [RECOMMENDED ACTION: WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY]

I stagger away through Liberty's Promise's frozen pathways, biomonitor recording severe physiological stress:

[HEMOGLOBIN SATURATION: 84%] [BLOOD PRESSURE: 181/110] [RESPIRATORY RATE: 32 PER MINUTE] [CORE TEMPERATURE: 101.7°F DESPITE EXTERNAL COLD] [MUSCLE TREMORS: INCREASING]

The psychic presence tears free with almost physical sensation – like barbed neural hooks being forcibly extracted from gray matter. Blood vessels rupture in both eyes, crimson clouds obscuring 23% of visual field.

[T-00:33:06] Detonation confirmed. Pylon structural integrity: 0%. Mind control field: Dissipating

[DETONATION REGISTERED] [EXPLOSIVE FORCE: SYNCHRONIZED] [BLAST RADIUS: 27M] [STRUCTURAL DAMAGE: CRITICAL] [PYLON INTEGRITY: CATASTROPHIC FAILURE] [PSYCHIC FIELD: COLLAPSING]

The explosions transform Liberty's Promise's skyline, primary blast waves converting accumulated snow to superheated steam. Visibility temporarily improves across a 70-meter radius as precipitation molecules undergo flash vaporization.

Secondary fragmentation patterns spread in calculated vectors, maximum dispersal achieving 87% coverage of target area. Several shards penetrate my already compromised armor:

[IMPACT DETECTED: LOWER BACK] [PENETRATION: 3.7CM] [SPINAL PROXIMITY: 0.8CM] [BLEEDING: MODERATE] [PAIN SIGNALS: BLOCKED BY STIMULANTS]

Eight distinct wounds now cataloged. System functionality reduced to 51%. Combat effectiveness maintained solely through pharmaceutical override of natural biological limitations.

The sudden absence of psychic pressure creates disorienting cognitive vacuum – neural pathways accustomed to resisting suddenly encountering no opposition. The mental equivalent of pushing against a door that unexpectedly opens.

HUD systems reboot sequentially:

[SYSTEM REBOOT: INITIATED] [DIAGNOSTIC PROCESSING…] [PRIMARY SYSTEMS: RESTORED] [SECONDARY SYSTEMS: 73% FUNCTIONALITY] [TERTIARY SYSTEMS: 41% FUNCTIONALITY] [SUIT POWER: 61% REMAINING]

Liberty's Promise City resolves into its actual state – a frozen necropolis momentarily illuminated by the pylon's catastrophic failure, shadows dancing across buildings as alien technology collapses.

[T-00:35:22] HUD objective update: [PRIMARY: COMPLETE] [SECONDARY: FAILED] [TERTIARY: INCOMPLETE]

[MISSION UPDATE] [PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: COMPLETED – PYLON DESTROYED] [SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: FAILED – ALL HELLDIVERS KIA] [TERTIARY OBJECTIVE: INCOMPLETE – FLAG NOT DEPLOYED] [RECOMMENDED ACTION: PROCEED WITH TERTIARY]

Tactical assessment confirms total loss of allied forces. Seven Helldivers confirmed KIA within visual range of current position. Four eliminated by friendly fire during mind control episodes, neural structures unable to withstand Illuminate manipulation. Three by direct enemy action. All abandoned by command vessels that chose withdrawal over engagement.

Liberty's Promise requires symbolic reclamation. Democracy must be physically manifested despite tactical disadvantage.

[T-00:37:50] Super Earth flag located in Liberty's Promise municipal building debris. Flag integrity: Functional

[OBJECT LOCATED: SUPER EARTH FLAG] [POSITION: MUNICIPAL BUILDING RUINS] [CONDITION: FUNCTIONAL] [SYMBOLIC VALUE: MAXIMUM] [TACTICAL VALUE: TERRITORIAL CLAIM]

I recover the standard from the frozen grip of Communications Specialist Rivera, her facial features preserved in crystalline detail by flash-freezing. Biometric confirmation:

[DECEASED HELLDIVER IDENTIFIED] [NAME: SPECIALIST ELENA RIVERA] [UNIT: 31ST BATTALION, COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION] [TIME OF DEATH: APPROXIMATELY 47 MINUTES AGO] [CAUSE: EXTREME CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGING CONSISTENT WITH PSYCHIC ASSAULT]

Her fingers maintain death-grip on the chrome pole, requiring careful separation. Rigor mortis enhanced by flash-freezing of biological tissues.

Every movement sends fresh waves of agony through my eight wound channels, registered by the suit but suppressed from conscious awareness:

[PAIN LEVELS: EXTREME – SUPPRESSED] [MOBILITY: 47% OF BASELINE] [BLOOD LOSS: MODERATE – CONTAINED] [STIMULANT LEVELS: DECREASING] [ESTIMATED COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS: 53%]

Medical systems issue comprehensive diagnostic warning:

[PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT] [RIB FRACTURES: 3 (7-9, RIGHT SIDE)] [CONCUSSION: MILD (OCCIPITAL IMPACT, 11G FORCE)] [PSYCHIC TRAUMA: SIGNIFICANT (FRONTAL LOBE, HIPPOCAMPUS, AMYGDALA)] [HEMORRHAGE: CLASS II] [CORE TEMPERATURE: 96.1°F – HYPOTHERMIA RISK]

Commander Vega's voice materializes through static: "—reading you Praxis—pylon destruction confirmed—radiation exposure critical—ship systems failing—Lieutenant Reeves prepping extraction craft—Lieutenant Kim mapping safe approach vector—"

I prepare the flag assembly at Liberty's Promise's central plaza – once the vibrant heart of colonial life, now a frozen battlefield. The servo-assisted deployment mechanism functions despite extreme conditions:

[FLAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM: OPERATIONAL] [SERVO MOTORS: FUNCTIONAL DESPITE COLD] [POWER CELLS: 82%] [EXPECTED DEPLOYMENT TIME: 60 SECONDS] [SYMBOLIC IMPORTANCE: MAXIMUM]

[T-00:41:15] Flag deployment zone reached. Liberty's Promise city center coordinates optimal for territorial claim

[DEPLOYMENT ZONE REACHED] [POSITIONING: OPTIMAL] [VISIBILITY: MAXIMUM DESPITE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS] [TERRITORIAL SIGNIFICANCE: HIGH] [DEPLOYMENT SEQUENCE: INITIATED]

As deployment sequence initializes, sensor array detects massive convergence patterns:

[PROXIMITY ALERT: MULTIPLE VECTORS] [Voteless SIGNATURES: HUNDREDS] [APPROACH SPEED: 8.3 M/S – EXCEEDS HUMAN CAPABILITY] [FORMATION: COORDINATED ASSAULT] [ILLUMINATE CONTROLLERS: DETECTED ON ELEVATED POSITIONS] [ESTIMATED TIME TO CONTACT: 37 SECONDS]

Thermal imaging reveals hundreds of heat signatures approaching simultaneously through Liberty's Promise's radial street pattern:

[THERMAL SIGNATURES: 300+] [TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL: MINIMAL (+4°F ABOVE AMBIENT)] [MOVEMENT PATTERN: UNNATURAL FLUIDITY] [COORDINATION: INHUMAN PRECISION] [TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: OVERWHELMING FORCE]

The loss of the control pylon has transitioned Illuminate strategy from mental domination to physical elimination through overwhelming numbers.

[T-00:42:01] Flag deployment begins automatically. 60-second sequence initiated

[FLAG DEPLOYMENT: INITIATED] [PROGRESS: 1%] [TIME REMAINING: 59 SECONDS] [DEFENSE REQUIRED: IMMEDIATE] [WEAPON SELECTION: AR-23 LIBERATOR]

They emerge from Liberty's Promise's snow-clouded avenues as the flag begins its ascent—former citizens converging with single-minded purpose:

[Voteless IDENTIFIED: FORMER COLONISTS] [AGE RANGE: 7-93 YEARS] [FORMER PROFESSIONS: VARIED – COMPLETE SOCIETAL CROSS-SECTION] [MOVEMENT PATTERN: SYNCHRONIZED] [CONTROL SOURCE: ILLUMINATE CONTROLLERS POSITIONED ON ROOFTOPS]

Behind them, Illuminate controllers direct the assault with mathematical precision from elevated positions throughout Liberty's Promise, compensating for the loss of direct mental control with coordinated tactical deployment.

The Liberator responds with disciplined three-round bursts:

[WEAPON FIRING: AR-23 LIBERATOR] [MODE: 3-ROUND BURST] [TARGETING: NEURAL CLUSTERS] [AMMUNITION CONSERVATION: PRIORITY] [ROUNDS REMAINING: 273/405]

Each trigger activation results in precise neural disruption of Voteless targets:

[TARGET NEUTRALIZED: FORMER COLONIAL ADMINISTRATOR] [TARGET NEUTRALIZED: FORMER MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN] [TARGET NEUTRALIZED: FORMER CHILD – AGE ESTIMATE 9]

The ethical subroutine registers momentary conflict before tactical override engages. These are no longer human. They are weapons aimed at Liberty's Promise's reclamation.

[T-00:42:37] Liberator ammunition depleted. Switching to AC-8 Autocannon

[MAGAZINE EMPTY: AR-23 LIBERATOR] [RELOAD TIME: NOT VIABLE] [SWITCHING WEAPONS: AC-8 AUTOCANNON] [WEIGHT TRANSFER: COMPENSATING] [MOBILITY IMPACT: SIGNIFICANT]

The Autocannon's substantial mass strains compromised musculature, each movement sending fresh pain signals that medical systems struggle to suppress:

[PAIN SUPPRESSION: 87% EFFECTIVE] [MUSCLE EFFICIENCY: 41% OF BASELINE] [HYDRAULIC ASSIST: MAXIMUM] [POWER CONSUMPTION: ACCELERATED] [ESTIMATED OPERATIONAL WINDOW: DECREASED TO 1.8 HOURS]

I establish defensible position beneath the rising flag, using Liberty's Promise's urban infrastructure for cover:

[POSITION ESTABLISHED: MUNICIPAL PLAZA FOUNTAIN] [COVER QUALITY: MODERATE] [FIELDS OF FIRE: 270°] [MOBILITY: LIMITED] [DEFENSIBILITY: 63%]

Firing solution algorithms optimize ammunition expenditure against target density:

[FIRING SOLUTION: CALCULATED] [TARGET DENSITY: EXTREME] [AMMUNITION CONSERVATION: MINIMAL CONCERN] [RECOMMENDED PATTERN: SWEEPING FIRE] [ACCEPTABLE COLLATERAL DAMAGE: 100%]

The AC-8 roars to life, its recoil managed by suit hydraulics:

[AC-8 AUTOCANNON: FIRING] [RECOIL FORCE: 24.7KG PER ROUND] [SUIT COMPENSATION: 73% EFFECTIVE] [SKELETAL STRESS: MODERATE] [MUSCLE STRAIN: SEVERE – CHEMICAL SUPPRESSION ACTIVE]

The Voteless fall in geometrically precise rows around Liberty's Promise's central plaza, their bodies creating concentric circles of the dead.

[FLAG DEPLOYMENT PROGRESS: 43%] [TIME REMAINING: 34 SECONDS] [THREAT DENSITY: STILL INCREASING] [AMMUNITION: AC-8 DEPLETING] [ROUNDS REMAINING: 64/100]

[T-00:43:12] Second Illuminate Interloper fighter detected above Liberty's Promise commercial district. Range: 63 meters. Descent trajectory: Attack pattern

[AERIAL THREAT DETECTED] [CLASSIFICATION: ILLUMINATE INTERLOPER] [RANGE: 63M AND CLOSING] [WEAPONS: CHARGING] [TARGETING: CONFIRMED – YOUR POSITION] [DEFENSIVE OPTIONS: LIMITED]

Another fighter craft materializes through Liberty's Promise's snowstorm, energy signatures indicating weapons cycling to critical charge. Targeting systems locked on my position with inhuman precision.

Ammunition status critical:

[AC-8 AUTOCANNON: DEPLETED] [AR-23 LIBERATOR: EMPTY] [AVAILABLE WEAPON: P-19 REDEEMER] [TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: INADEQUATE] [SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 17%]

I draw the P-19 Redeemer—a pragmatic acknowledgment of tactical desperation:

[WEAPON READY: P-19 REDEEMER] [AMMUNITION: 31/124] [EFFECTIVE RANGE: 37M] [TARGET RANGE: 63M] [PROBABILITY OF EFFECT: 12%]

Knowledge of propulsion system vulnerabilities guides targeting solution toward theoretical weakness identified during weapons development:

[TARGETING: GRAVITATIONAL STABILIZER] [LOCATION: VENTRAL PORT NACELLE] [VULNERABLE COMPONENT: COOLING SYSTEM] [REQUIRED PRECISION: EXTREME] [ASSISTANCE: SUIT TARGETING ENHANCEMENT ENGAGED]

[T-00:43:20] P-19 Redeemer discharged. Three consecutive bursts at maximum effective range. Impact confirmed: Minimal effect

[ROUNDS FIRED: 9] [IMPACTS: 7] [DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: MINIMAL] [PENETRATION: INSUFFICIENT] [CRAFT STATUS: UNDETERRED]

The Interloper continues its attack vector through Liberty's Promise's urban canyon, weapons systems charging to lethal capacity:

[FLAG DEPLOYMENT PROGRESS: 83%] [TIME REMAINING: 10 SECONDS] [INCOMING ATTACK: IMMINENT] [DEFENSIVE OPTIONS: EXHAUSTED] [SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: DECREASING]

[T-00:43:42] Stratagem beacon activated. Request: Gatling emplacement

[STRATAGEM SELECTED: GATLING EMPLACEMENT] [CODE SEQUENCE: DOWN-UP-RIGHT-RIGHT-UP] [NEURAL TRANSMISSION: ENGAGED] [TARGETING COORDINATES: TRANSMITTED] [REQUEST STATUS: ACCEPTED]

My fingers execute the stratagem code with autonomic precision despite neural damage. The beacon launches skyward from Liberty's Promise's central plaza, target coordinates locked to optimal defensive position.

Commander Vega confirms: "Stratagem authorized—Liberty's Promise coordinates confirmed—Gatling deployment in 3…2…1—"

[T-00:43:57] Hellpod impact in Liberty's Promise central plaza. Gatling emplacement deployed

[HELLPOD IMPACT: CONFIRMED] [DEPLOYMENT: SUCCESSFUL] [SYSTEM INITIALIZATION: AUTOMATIC] [TARGETING: ACQUISITION IN PROGRESS] [PRIORITY TARGET: ILLUMINATE INTERLOPER]

The automated weapon system initializes with mechanical efficiency, its deployment temporarily clearing the immediate area of Voteless through kinetic impact alone:

[GATLING OPERATIONAL] [RATE OF FIRE: 6,000 RPM] [AMMUNITION: 12,000 ROUNDS] [BARREL ROTATION: OPTIMAL] [TARGETING: ACQUIRED]

Armor-piercing rounds tear through the Interloper's hull with systematic precision:

[IMPACTS REGISTERED: MULTIPLE] [PENETRATION: SUCCESSFUL] [CRITICAL SYSTEMS: COMPROMISED] [ENERGY CONTAINMENT: FAILING] [DETONATION: IMMINENT]

The craft shudders under the assault before primary power containment fails catastrophically. Sensors register the explosion parameters:

[DETONATION ENERGY: 312KG TNT EQUIVALENT] [BLAST RADIUS: 73M] [FIREBALL TEMPERATURE: 2,700°F] [STRUCTURAL DAMAGE: SIGNIFICANT TO SURROUNDING BUILDINGS] [Voteless CASUALTIES: 47 TERMINATED IN BLAST]

Flag deployment reaches completion:

[FLAG DEPLOYMENT: 100% COMPLETE] [SUPER EARTH BANNER: FULLY EXTENDED] [TERRITORIAL CLAIM: ESTABLISHED] [SYMBOLIC OBJECTIVE: ACHIEVED] [DEMOCRACY: MANIFESTED]

The standard stands fully extended above Liberty's Promise City, reclaiming the colony symbolically if not practically.

[T-00:44:15] Coordinated Illuminate counterattack. Multiple weapons converge on position. Suit integrity: 43%

[INCOMING FIRE: MULTIPLE SOURCES] [EVASIVE ACTION: NOT POSSIBLE] [DEFENSIVE POSITION: COMPROMISED] [IMPACT IMMINENT: CALCULATING VECTORS]

Three more energy weapon impacts converge simultaneously from different positions throughout Liberty's Promise:

[IMPACT: LEFT ARM] [PENETRATION: COMPLETE] [NEURAL CONNECTIONS: SEVERED] [FUNCTIONALITY: 0%] [ARM STATUS: INERT]

Suit seals breaches automatically, but damage assessment is terminal for the limb:

[SUIT INTEGRITY: 43%] [AUTOMATIC SEALING: ENGAGED] [MEDICAL INTERVENTION: INSUFFICIENT] [REGENERATION PROTOCOLS: EXCEEDED] [FUNCTIONALITY LOSS: PERMANENT WITHOUT SURGICAL INTERVENTION]

Eleven distinct wound channels now documented in the suit's medical log. Blood loss reaching critical thresholds:

[BLOOD VOLUME: 73% OF NORMAL] [PRESSURE: 97/64 – STABILIZING THROUGH CHEMICAL INTERVENTION] [TRANSFUSION RECOMMENDED: NOT AVAILABLE] [SYNTHETIC BLOOD SUBSTITUTE: DEPLETED] [STIMULANT COMPENSATION: MAXIMUM]

Core temperature continues declining despite thermal regulatory systems:

[CORE TEMPERATURE: 95.3°F] [HYPOTHERMIA: EARLY STAGE] [THERMAL REGULATION: MAXIMUM OUTPUT] [POWER CONSUMPTION: CRITICAL] [ESTIMATED SYSTEM FAILURE: 74 MINUTES]

The Voteless advance continues unabated throughout Liberty's Promise, their numbers seemingly infinite. The entire former population mobilized against a single defender.

[T-00:45:01] Stratagem beacon activated. Request: 500 Kiloton Bomb

[STRATAGEM SELECTED: 500 KILOTON BOMB] [YIELD: 500KT CONVENTIONAL EXPLOSIVE] [CODE SEQUENCE: UP-RIGHT-DOWN-DOWN-DOWN] [NEURAL TRANSMISSION: ENGAGED] [TARGETING COORDINATES: CURRENT POSITION] [WARNING: MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE REQUIRED]

My functioning arm executes the stratagem sequence with practiced efficiency despite degraded neural transmission. The beacon launches skyward from Liberty's Promise's central plaza, penetrating the snowstorm toward Our Lady of Midnight.

Lieutenant Kim's voice cuts through interference: "500 kiloton deployment confirmed—Liberty's Promise target locked—detonation in 15 seconds—RUN, Praxis!"

[T-00:45:08] Stratagem accepted. Orbital bombardment inbound. Detonation in: 15 seconds

[ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT: INBOUND] [TARGET: LIBERTY'S PROMISE CENTRAL PLAZA] [DETONATION: T-MINUS 15 SECONDS] [MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE: 800M] [CURRENT DISTANCE: 0M] [SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 0% WITHOUT IMMEDIATE EVACUATION]

I force my body through Liberty's Promise's snow-choked streets, each step requiring neural override of multiple system failure warnings:

[MOBILITY: 31% OF BASELINE] [SPEED: 3.7 M/S – WELL BELOW OPTIMAL] [DISTANCE COVERED: CALCULATING…] [SAFE RADIUS PROBABILITY: CALCULATING…] [FATALITY RISK: EXTREME]

Suit administers final reserves of performance enhancers:

[EMERGENCY RESERVES: ACCESSED] [STIMULANT COCKTAIL: DEPLOYED] [CONCENTRATION: BEYOND SAFE PARAMETERS] [CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: SEVERE] [NEUROLOGICAL RISK: SEVERE] [JUSTIFICATION: SURVIVAL PRIORITY EXCEEDS MEDICAL SAFETY PROTOCOLS]

The chemical flood creates momentary superhuman capability:

[STIMULANT EFFECT: IMMEDIATE] [STRENGTH BOOST: +73% BASELINE] [SPEED BOOST: +81% BASELINE] [PAIN SUPPRESSION: TOTAL] [COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT: MAXIMUM] [DURATION: LIMITED – PHYSIOLOGICAL BURNOUT IMMINENT]

[T-00:45:23] Minimum safe distance achieved: 1.2 seconds before detonation

[DISTANCE FROM EPICENTER: 803M] [MINIMUM SAFE DISTANCE: 800M] [MARGIN OF SAFETY: MINIMAL] [DEFENSIVE POSITION: INADEQUATE] [RECOMMENDATION: PRONE POSITION, HEAD COVERED]

The detonation wave lifts me bodily from Liberty's Promise's snow-covered streets, hurling me against reinforced infrastructure with physics-defying force:

[G-FORCE EXPERIENCED: 7.3G] [ACCELERATION: NON-SURVIVABLE WITHOUT SUIT PROTECTION] [IMPACT ENERGY: EXCEEDS SUIT ABSORPTION CAPACITY] [SKELETAL STRESS: EXTREME] [INTERNAL ORGAN DISPLACEMENT: SIGNIFICANT]

Suit sensors record the detonation metrics with scientific precision:

[DETONATION YIELD: 500KT] [FIREBALL RADIUS: 0.67KM] [BLAST WAVE VELOCITY: 2,400 M/S] [TEMPERATURE AT EPICENTER: 2,700°F] [INFRASTRUCTURE DESTRUCTION: TOTAL WITHIN 0.5KM] [Voteless TERMINATED: ESTIMATED 3,000+]

The conventional explosive's mushroom cloud rises through Liberty's Promise's skyline—momentarily clearing a perfect circle of visibility. The snow around the blast zone vaporizes instantly, revealing frozen permafrost beneath.

Internal sensors record additional trauma:

[IMPACT DAMAGE: MULTIPLE] [RIB FRACTURES: 2 ADDITIONAL] [SHOULDER DISLOCATION: RIGHT] [SPINAL COMPRESSION: MODERATE] [CEREBRAL ACCELERATION: SUB-CONCUSSIVE] [MEDICAL ALERT: INJURIES NON-CRITICAL BUT ACCUMULATING]

[T-00:46:40] Visual confirmation: Flag remains standing despite blast

[VISUAL ACQUISITION: SUPER EARTH FLAG] [STATUS: INTACT DESPITE BLAST WAVE] [MATERIAL INTEGRITY: MAINTAINED] [POSITION: UPRIGHT] [SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE: MAXIMUM]

The standard endures above Liberty's Promise—fabricated from materials I personally helped engineer during my time in weapons development:

[FLAG MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS] [COMPOSITION: REINFORCED CARBON-TITANIUM WEAVE] [HEAT RESISTANCE: 3,000°F] [TENSILE STRENGTH: 7,200 PSI] [RADIATION SHIELDING: BUILT-IN] [SYMBOLIC REINFORCEMENT: DEMOCRACY ENDURES]

[T-00:49:15] Movement detected throughout Liberty's Promise's remaining structures. Pursuit force. Voteless reinforcements: 300+ signatures

[PROXIMITY ALERT: MULTIPLE VECTORS] [SIGNATURES DETECTED: 300+] [CLASSIFICATION: Voteless] [DISTANCE: VARIED – NEAREST 147M] [APPROACH SPEED: 8.7 M/S] [BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT: INCREASED AGGRESSION]

They emerge from Liberty's Promise's white void once more. Illuminate controllers having withdrawn to safe operational distance, still directing their biological weapons with inhuman precision from surviving high-rise structures.

Physiological systems approach terminal failure parameters:

[PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS: CRITICAL] [WOUNDS: 11 DISTINCT TRAUMA SITES] [BLOOD VOLUME: 68% OF BASELINE] [OXYGEN SATURATION: 91%] [CORE TEMPERATURE: 94.7°F] [STIMULANT LEVELS: TOXIC BUT NECESSARY]

Cognitive processes maintained solely through pharmaceutical override of biological limitations:

[COGNITIVE FUNCTION: MAINTAINED] [DECISION-MAKING: INTACT] [TACTICAL AWARENESS: FUNCTIONAL] [PAIN PERCEPTION: CHEMICALLY SUPPRESSED] [SURVIVAL INSTINCT: DOMINANT]

P-19 Redeemer clutched in functioning hand:

[WEAPON STATUS: P-19 REDEEMER] [AMMUNITION: 22/124] [EFFECTIVE RANGE: 37M] [FIRING MODE: SEMI-AUTOMATIC FOR CONSERVATION] [TARGETING: MAXIMUM PRECISION REQUIRED]

[T-00:53:22] Incoming transmission detected. Source: "Our Lady of Midnight"

[TRANSMISSION DETECTED] [SOURCE: OUR LADY OF MIDNIGHT] [SIGNAL INTEGRITY: 27%] [RADIATION INTERFERENCE: SEVERE] [DECRYPTION: AUTOMATIC]

Commander Vega's voice materializes through static storms: "Praxis—ship status critical—radiation levels beyond survivable parameters—Lieutenant Reeves prepping final extraction—northeastern evacuation zone—coordinates uploading—emergency package deployed—this is our last shot—"

Lieutenant Kim adds: "Half the crew showing radiation sickness already—Reeves is symptomatic but still operational—we're deploying everything we have left—get to those coordinates—"

[T-00:54:01] Stratagem impact at Liberty's Promise northeastern evacuation zone: Resupply package. Contents: AMMUNITION + MEDICAL

[STRATAGEM IMPACT DETECTED] [LOCATION: NORTHEASTERN EVACUATION ZONE] [CLASSIFICATION: RESUPPLY PACKAGE] [CONTENTS: AMMUNITION + ADVANCED MEDICAL] [DISTANCE: 173M] [ROUTE: CALCULATING OPTIMAL PATH]

The Hellpod impacts near Liberty's Promise's designated evacuation point, its contents representing potential survival:

[SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: INCREASED TO 37%] [OBJECTIVE: REACH PACKAGE] [OBSTACLES: Voteless CONCENTRATION] [MOBILITY: SEVERELY COMPROMISED] [AMMUNITION: CRITICALLY LOW]

Tactical movement algorithms calculate optimal route through Liberty's Promise's urban battleground:

[ROUTE CALCULATED] [DISTANCE: 173M] [ESTIMATED TIME: 46 SECONDS AT CURRENT MOBILITY] [COVER POINTS: IDENTIFIED] [CHOKE POINTS: FLAGGED] [Voteless DENSITY: HIGHEST ALONG CENTRAL AVENUE]

I execute precision movement through snow-choked terrain, each step precisely calculated despite physiological deterioration:

[MOVEMENT MODE: TACTICAL ADVANCE] [COVER UTILIZATION: MAXIMUM] [NOISE DISCIPLINE: OPTIMAL] [VISIBILITY: MINIMIZED] [ENERGY EXPENDITURE: PRECISELY MANAGED]

Three Voteless intercept path. The Redeemer responds with mathematical precision:

[TARGETS ACQUIRED: 3] [DISTANCE: 23M] [FIRING SOLUTION: CALCULATED] [ROUNDS EXPENDED: 3] [NEURAL DISRUPTION: CONFIRMED] [AMMUNITION REMAINING: 19/124]

I reach the resupply package, medical systems immediately integrating with suit infrastructure:

[PACKAGE ACCESSED] [AMMUNITION TRANSFER: AUTOMATIC] [AR-23 LIBERATOR: RELOADED 405/405] [P-19 REDEEMER: RELOADED 124/124] [MEDICAL PACKAGE: IDENTIFIED]

The combat medical package connects directly to central venous access point:

[MEDICAL INJECTION: INITIATED] [CLASSIFICATION: MILITARY-GRADE BATTLE RESTORATION] [CONTENTS: NANITE HEALING SWARM + SYNTHETIC BLOOD + COMBAT STIMULANTS] [DELIVERY: INTRAVENOUS] [EFFECT: IMMEDIATE AND PROFOUND]

Effects manifest throughout physiological systems:

[TISSUE REGENERATION: ACCELERATED 400%] [PAIN SUPPRESSION: EXCEEDING NORMAL PARAMETERS BY 250%] [NEURAL FUNCTION: ENHANCED BEYOND HUMAN BASELINE BY 173%] [BLOOD VOLUME: RESTORING THROUGH SYNTHETIC REPLACEMENT] [COGNITIVE FUNCTION: HYPER-ACCELERATED]

The eleven wound channels begin reconstructive processes using military-grade medical nanotechnology:

[NANITE SWARM: DEPLOYED] [TARGETING: WOUND CHANNELS] [FUNCTION: ACCELERATED HEALING] [DEBRIS REMOVAL: ACTIVE] [INFECTION PREVENTION: 100%] [SCAR FORMATION: MINIMIZED]

[T-00:55:40] Extraction zone identified. Distance: 340 meters across Liberty's Promise's northern district. Terrain: Urban ruins covered in deep snow

[EXTRACTION ZONE IDENTIFIED] [COORDINATES: LIBERTY'S PROMISE SPACEPORT] [DISTANCE: 340M] [TERRAIN: URBAN RUINS + DEEP SNOW] [Voteless CONCENTRATION: EXTREME] [ROUTE CALCULATION: INITIATED]

Our Lady of Midnight transmits: "Extraction craft preparing—Lieutenant Reeves still conscious—ETA 9 minutes—we've lost engineering deck to radiation—life support failing—this is our final—repeat FINAL—operation—"

Each step calculated for maximum efficiency through Liberty's Promise's frozen battlefield:

[MOVEMENT EFFICIENCY: OPTIMIZED] [ENERGY CONSERVATION: PRIORITY] [COVER UTILIZATION: CONTINUOUS] [THREAT ASSESSMENT: CONSTANT] [WEAPON READY: AR-23 LIBERATOR]

The Liberator creates precision defensive patterns that exploit Liberty's Promise's urban architecture:

[FIRING SOLUTION: CALCULATED] [TARGETING: NEURAL CLUSTERS] [AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE: CONTROLLED] [KILL EFFICIENCY: 97.3%] [ROUNDS REMAINING: 378/405]

The Voteless fall in geometrically satisfying configurations, their frozen corpses forming tactical cover positions that I exploit systematically as I traverse Liberty's Promise.

The advanced battlefield pharmaceuticals create cognitive enhancement exceeding human capability:

[COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT: EXTREME] [TIME PERCEPTION: SLOWED 40%] [VISUAL PROCESSING: HYPER-DETAILED] [ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS: TOTAL] [THREAT IDENTIFICATION: INSTANTANEOUS] [FIRING SOLUTION CALCULATION: ACCELERATED]

[T-01:02:14] Extraction zone reached at Liberty's Promise spaceport facility. Tactical assessment: Initially clear

[DESTINATION REACHED: LIBERTY'S PROMISE SPACEPORT] [AREA ASSESSMENT: TEMPORARILY CLEAR] [Voteless ACTIVITY: CONCENTRATED ELSEWHERE] [DEFENSIVE POTENTIAL: MODERATE] [EXTRACTION ETA: 2 MINUTES 17 SECONDS]

Tactical experience dictates caution despite apparent security. Stratagem beacons deployed in optimized defensive configuration:

[STRATAGEM DEPLOYED: GATLING EMPLACEMENT] [POSITION: MAXIMUM COVERAGE OF APPROACH VECTORS] [FIELD OF FIRE: 270°] [AMMUNITION: 12,000 ROUNDS] [TARGETING: AUTONOMOUS]

[STRATAGEM DEPLOYED: ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES] [ARRANGEMENT: OVERLAPPING DETONATION ZONES] [COVERAGE: ALL SECONDARY APPROACHES] [QUANTITY: 24 DEVICES] [TRIGGER SENSITIVITY: MAXIMUM]

[STRATAGEM DEPLOYED: STATIC FIELD] [GENERATOR POSITION: OPTIMAL] [COVERAGE RADIUS: 50M] [EFFECT: MOVEMENT REDUCTION 42%] [POWER: MAXIMUM]

From orbit, Our Lady of Midnight transmits final approach data:

[TRANSMISSION RECEIVED] [SOURCE: OUR LADY OF MIDNIGHT] [EXTRACTION CRAFT: EN ROUTE] [PILOT: LT. REEVES] [STATUS: RADIATION SICKNESS STAGE 2] [DETERMINATION: MAXIMUM] [ETA: 1 MINUTE 43 SECONDS]

Commander Vega's final transmission: "Ship breaking apart—reactor containment failing—Reeves is our last operational pilot—radiation has—everyone else—doing this on stimulants and willpower—get on that craft—complete the mission—democracy must—"

The transmission dissolves into unintelligible static. Radiation has claimed Our Lady of Midnight's communication systems.

[T-01:03:35] Multiple subterranean access points detected throughout Liberty's Promise spaceport. Voteless emerging: All sectors

[PROXIMITY ALERT: MASSIVE MOVEMENT] [SUBTERRANEAN ACCESS: MULTIPLE POINTS ACTIVATING] [Voteless EMERGENCE: SIMULTANEOUS] [QUANTITY: BEYOND COUNTING CAPACITY] [COORDINATION: PERFECT] [TACTICAL ASSESSMENT: OVERWHELMING FORCE]

They emerge simultaneously from all vectors within Liberty's Promise's spaceport facility—maintenance tunnels, collapsed infrastructure, ventilation systems. Illuminate tactical brilliance on display as they spring the perfect ambush.

Defensive systems engage automatically throughout Liberty's Promise's extraction zone:

[GATLING EMPLACEMENT: ACTIVATED] [FIRING RATE: 6,000 RPM] [TARGETING: HIGHEST CONCENTRATION AREAS] [AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE: RAPID] [EFFECTIVENESS: HIGH BUT INSUFFICIENT]

[ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES: DETONATING] [PATTERN: SEQUENTIAL AS TRIGGERED] [CASUALTIES: NUMEROUS] [EFFECT: TEMPORARY CHANNELIZATION OF ENEMY MOVEMENT] [LIMITATION: RAPIDLY DEPLETING]

[STATIC FIELD: OPERATIONAL] [EFFECT: Voteless MOVEMENT -42%] [COVERAGE: 50M RADIUS] [LIMITATION: SLOWING BUT NOT STOPPING ADVANCE] [ASSESSMENT: BUYING TIME ONLY]

Analysis confirms defensive inadequacy:

[DEFENSIVE ASSESSMENT: INSUFFICIENT] [ENEMY NUMBERS: EXCEEDING DEFENSIVE CAPACITY BY 317%] [AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE: UNSUSTAINABLE] [PERIMETER BREACH: INEVITABLE] [EXTRACTION WINDOW: NARROWING]

[T-01:04:12] Full defensive engagement. Liberator discharged continuously throughout Liberty's Promise extraction zone

[WEAPON STATUS: AR-23 LIBERATOR] [FIRING MODE: FULL AUTO] [RATE OF FIRE: MAXIMUM] [TARGETING: PRIORITY THREATS] [AMMUNITION CONSERVATION: DEPRIORITIZED]

The weapon's thermal signature exceeds design parameters:

[BARREL TEMPERATURE: 742°F] [COOLING SYSTEM: OVERWHELMED] [FEED MECHANISM: STRESS INDICATORS] [FAILURE PROBABILITY: INCREASING WITH SUSTAINED FIRE] [AMMUNITION REMAINING: 217/405]

The combat pharmaceuticals reach maximum saturation:

[STIMULANT LEVELS: MAXIMUM SATURATION] [PERCEPTION ALTERATION: EXTREME] [TIME DILATION: SUBJECTIVE 40% SLOWDOWN] [COGNITIVE PROCESSING: HYPER-ACCELERATED] [MOTOR CONTROL: ENHANCED BEYOND HUMAN CAPABILITY]

[T-01:05:01] "Our Lady of Midnight" extraction craft detected on approach to Liberty's Promise spaceport

[AERIAL CONTACT: IDENTIFIED] [CLASSIFICATION: EXTRACTION CRAFT] [IFF: OUR LADY OF MIDNIGHT] [PILOT: LT. REEVES] [APPROACH VECTOR: OPTIMAL DESPITE CONDITIONS] [ETA: 27 SECONDS]

The craft's engines cut through Liberty's Promise's storm conditions with determined precision. Lieutenant Reeves' voice materializes through static:

"This is—Reeves—one approach—no second chances—radiation levels—systems failing—hold position—coming in hot—"

Her voice reveals the strain of stage 2 radiation sickness – vocal tremors, periodic breaks, the determination of a pilot who knows this is her final flight.

Landing zone increasingly compromised by enemy concentration. Defensive perimeter contracting as Voteless numbers overwhelm established killzones:

[PERIMETER STATUS: COLLAPSING] [GATLING AMMUNITION: 27%] [MINES: DEPLETED] [STATIC FIELD: FAILING] [LIBERATOR AMMUNITION: 143/405] [TACTICAL OPTIONS: DIMINISHING]

Liberator thermal warning indicators exceed maximum threshold:

[WEAPON WARNING: CRITICAL TEMPERATURE] [BARREL INTEGRITY: COMPROMISED] [COOLING FAILURE: IMMINENT] [CONTINUED FIRING: NOT RECOMMENDED] [SWITCHING TO: P-19 REDEEMER]

The sidearm's rapid fire creates interlocking fields of terminal ballistics:

[WEAPON ACTIVE: P-19 REDEEMER] [FIRING MODE: FULL AUTO] [RATE OF FIRE: 1,100 RPM] [RECOIL MANAGEMENT: AUTOMATIC] [TARGETING: MAXIMUM DENSITY ZONES]

Voteless drop in mathematically predictable patterns, immediately replaced by identical units emerging from Liberty's Promise's urban labyrinth.

[T-01:05:27] Final defensive stand. Ammunition critically low

[DEFENSIVE POSITION: BACK TO LANDING ZONE] [MOBILITY: MINIMAL – STATIC DEFENSE] [FIELD OF FIRE: 180°] [AMMUNITION STATUS: P-19 REDEEMER 47/124] [RELOADING: NOT VIABLE]

My position established with back against extraction craft's projected landing zone. Firing solutions executed with maximum efficiency across Liberty's Promise's spaceport approach vectors:

[FIRING PATTERN: OPTIMIZED] [TARGET SELECTION: PRIORITY THREATS] [AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE: PRECISELY CALCULATED] [NEURAL TARGETING: ENHANCED BY STIMULANTS] [KILL EFFICIENCY: 100% - ZERO WASTED ROUNDS]

Double-tap technique delivering cranial impacts to each Voteless. Ammunition conservation protocols in full effect despite desperate situation.

[T-01:05:49] Extraction craft landed at Liberty's Promise spaceport. Boarding ramp deployed

[EXTRACTION CRAFT: LANDED] [POSITION: 2M BEHIND CURRENT POSITION] [BOARDING RAMP: DEPLOYED] [ENGINE STATUS: MAINTAINING POWER] [DEPARTURE WINDOW: EXTREMELY LIMITED]

Lieutenant Reeves visible through cockpit transparency, her face showing clear radiation sickness symptoms – nosebleed, facial lesions, capillary hemorrhaging in eyes. Her voice struggles through the comm system:

"Get—aboard—now—systems failing—singularity radiation—affecting stabilizers—thirty seconds—maximum—"

Three remaining rounds in the P-19 Redeemer. Three final Voteless charging position:

[TARGETS: 3 FINAL Voteless] [RANGE: 7M AND CLOSING] [AMMUNITION: 3 ROUNDS REMAINING] [TARGETING SOLUTION: CALCULATED] [PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS: 97.3%]

Three perfect shot placements. Three former colonists returned to stillness.

[T-01:06:02] Board complete. Extraction craft sealing. Altitude increasing above Liberty's Promise City

[BOARDING: COMPLETE] [RAMP STATUS: CLOSING] [SEAL INTEGRITY: COMPROMISED – Voteless INTERFERENCE] [ALTITUDE: INCREASING] [WARNING: HULL BREACH ATTEMPT IN PROGRESS]

As the craft lifts from Liberty's Promise's frozen surface, multiple Voteless attempt to climb aboard:

[HULL BREACH ATTEMPT: MULTIPLE Voteless] [QUANTITY: 7 SPECIMENS] [ATTACHMENT POINTS: BOARDING RAMP, LANDING STRUTS, SENSOR ARRAY] [THREAT LEVEL: CRITICAL] [ACTION REQUIRED: IMMEDIATE]

The P-19 Redeemer's magazine empty, I grab emergency tool from bulkhead:

[EMERGENCY TOOL: ACCESSED] [CLASSIFICATION: MAINTENANCE PRY BAR] [LENGTH: 73CM] [COMPOSITION: HARDENED STEEL] [EFFECTIVENESS AS WEAPON: LIMITED BUT VIABLE]

First Voteless breaches partially sealed boarding ramp, fingers extending through 7cm gap:

[Voteless BREACH: IN PROGRESS] [LOCATION: BOARDING RAMP] [GAP SIZE: 7CM AND WIDENING] [TIME TO FULL BREACH: 12 SECONDS] [ACTION: REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY]

I drive maintenance tool through gap with hydraulic assistance from suit, penetrating Voteless cranial cavity:

[IMPACT DELIVERED: MAXIMUM FORCE] [PENETRATION: COMPLETE] [TARGET STATUS: NEUTRALIZED] [TOOL STATUS: RETRIEVABLE] [REMAINING THREATS: 6]

Lieutenant Reeves' voice cuts through ship's internal comm: "Hold—something—emergency protocols—"

She engages emergency thruster sequence, acceleration pushing craft beyond safe atmospheric exit parameters:

[G-FORCE: 7.3G AND INCREASING] [STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: STRESSED] [Voteless ATTACHMENT: WEAKENING] [ALTITUDE: 1,700M AND CLIMBING] [ATMOSPHERIC EXIT: IMMINENT]

External temperature sensors register dramatic increase as friction heats external hull:

[EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE: 1,473°F] [HULL MATERIAL: APPROACHING THERMAL LIMITS] [Voteless ATTACHED: COMBUSTING] [THREAT ELIMINATION: PROCEEDING] [ESTIMATED CLEARANCE: 7 SECONDS]

[T-01:06:25] Stratagem beacon activated. Request: 500 Kiloton Bomb

[FINAL STRATAGEM: ACTIVATED] [TARGET: LIBERTY'S PROMISE CENTRAL PLAZA] [AUTHORIZATION: TRANSMITTED] [BEACON DEPLOYMENT: SUCCESSFUL] [DETONATION: PENDING ORBITAL CALCULATION]

One final contribution to mission parameters. Left-Down-Right-Right-Left-Up. Beacon away, targeted at Liberty's Promise's city center.

Lieutenant Reeves acknowledges through pain-strained voice: "Final—package—away—detonation—thirty seconds—"

[T-01:06:52] From altitude: Detonation observed. Blast radius: 1.7km. Estimated casualties: TOTAL

[DETONATION OBSERVED] [YIELD: 500KT] [BLAST RADIUS: 1.7KM] [TARGET: LIBERTY'S PROMISE CITY CENTER] [Voteless CASUALTIES: ESTIMATED 9,000+] [ILLUMINATE CASUALTIES: UNKNOWN BUT SUBSTANTIAL]

Through the extraction craft viewport, Liberty's Promise's flag remains visible for 3.8 seconds before atmospheric disturbance obscures visual confirmation. Still standing. Democracy endures within Liberty's Promise despite abandonment by its designated defenders.

The craft achieves orbital insertion, violent shuddering indicating structural compromise:

[ORBITAL INSERTION: ACHIEVED] [CRAFT INTEGRITY: 73%] [RADIATION LEVELS: EXTREME] [LIFE SUPPORT: FAILING] [PILOT CONDITION: CRITICAL – RADIATION POISONING]

[T-01:09:17] Medical intervention initiated aboard extraction craft

[MEDICAL SYSTEMS: ACTIVATED] [SUIT DISENGAGEMENT: INITIATED] [TRAUMA ASSESSMENT: COMPREHENSIVE] [TREATMENT PRIORITY: STABILIZATION] [SURVIVAL PROGNOSIS: GUARDED BUT VIABLE]

Suit disengagement reveals the full extent of Liberty's Promise operation damage:

[PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT: WOUNDS CATALOGED] [ENERGY WEAPON IMPACTS: 8] [PENETRATION DEPTH: VARIED 1.7-4.7CM] [FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS: 3] [SKELETAL FRACTURES: 9] [INTERNAL HEMORRHAGING: MODERATE BUT CONTROLLED]

The ship's medical AI begins triage protocols:

[TREATMENT INITIATED: PRIMARY STABILIZATION] [SYNTHETIC BLOOD: ADMINISTERED] [NANITE HEALING SWARM: REINFORCED] [SKELETAL STABILIZERS: APPLIED] [WOUND CLOSURE: IN PROGRESS]

Combat stimulants being systematically filtered:

[STIMULANT REMOVAL: INITIATED] [DETOXIFICATION PROTOCOLS: ENGAGED] [LIVER SUPPORT: ARTIFICIAL] [KIDNEY FUNCTION: ASSISTED] [NEUROLOGICAL MONITORING: CONTINUOUS]

The pain returns in waves as suppression chemicals degrade:

[PAIN LEVELS: INCREASING] [SUPPRESSION: DECREASING] [NEURAL TRANSMISSION: RETURNING TO NORMAL] [BIOLOGICAL FEEDBACK: RESTORING] [CONSCIOUSNESS: MAINTAINED DESPITE DISCOMFORT]

I reject additional analgesic compounds offered by medical system:

[PAIN MANAGEMENT: OFFERED] [RESPONSE: REJECTED] [JUSTIFICATION: TACTICAL AWARENESS PRIORITY] [COGNITIVE FUNCTION: MAINTAINED DESPITE PAIN] [MISSION FOCUS: ABSOLUTE]

[T-01:12:40] Video feed concludes – Helmet removed

[HELMET REMOVAL: COMPLETE] [VIDEO FEED: TERMINATED] [NEURAL INTERFACE: DISENGAGED] [MISSION RECORDING: SAVED TO SECURE SERVER] [TRANSMISSION TO COMMAND: PENDING]

[End Combat Footage]

[T-01:13:22] Orbital communication established with Our Lady of Midnight

Lieutenant Kim's voice materializes through static: "Praxis—Commander Vega is gone—radiation—ship breaking apart—we have one more mission—Illuminate mothership—behind singularity—you're patched up enough—democracy needs—final strike—"

MISSION ASSESSMENT:

Illuminate mind control pylon neutralized within Liberty's Promise City with extreme prejudice

Territory secured and claimed for Super Earth

Democratic principles maintained against overwhelming odds

Casualty ratio: 1:562 (Helldiver:Enemy)

Total wounds sustained: 11

Mission abandoned by all SEAF vessels except "Our Lady of Midnight"

SOS transmitted by original Liberty's Promise team, then by surviving operative - no response received except from operative's assigned vessel

Secondary mission requirement identified: Illuminate mothership beyond singularity

INQUIRY FOR COMMAND: This operative formally requests immediate investigation into command structure decisions regarding Liberty's Promise operation on PILEN V. Specific inquiry demanded into commanding officers who withdrew support assets after deploying personnel into active combat zone. Their abandonment of deployed forces constitutes dereliction of duty, violation of Helldiver operational protocols, and direct contravention of democratic principles that our organization exists to defend.

PHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION:

Multiple fractures (9): Ribs (5), clavicle, radius, ulna, left orbital socket

Energy weapon penetration wounds (8): Various locations with associated tissue carbonization

Fragmentation wounds (3): Lower back, right thigh, left shoulder

Mild traumatic brain injury: Consistent with blast exposure and psychic assault

Combat stimulant toxicity: Level 4 (requiring 72-hour detoxification protocol)

Current operational capacity: 37% of baseline

Recommended recovery period: 96 hours (Rejected by operative)

Return to combat status: IMMEDIATE

PERSONAL ADDENDUM: On Earth, I designed weapons systems based on theoretical operational parameters. I calculated survival probabilities using pristine mathematical models. I developed defensive countermeasures against theoretical threats.

Liberty's Promise rendered theory obsolete. The mission failure point wasn't technological—it was psychological. The fundamental breakdown occurred not in our weapons or defenses, but in the willingness of command structure to maintain support when resistance intensified.

I survived eleven distinct wounds and completed all mission parameters throughout Liberty's Promise. Others abandoned their posts without engaging the enemy. The comparison requires no elaboration.

I will return to operational status immediately, not because physical recovery has occurred, but because Super Earth requires personnel who understand that democracy demands continuation despite resistance. Who comprehend that an SOS response creates binding obligation toward mission completion rather than justification for withdrawal.

The physical wounds will heal according to predictable biological processes. The systemic failure of command structure integrity represents damage beyond conventional repair parameters.

The Illuminate mothership awaits beyond the singularity. Our Lady of Midnight is dying. Lieutenant Reeves is dying. Every crew member sacrificed to radiation poisoning deserves completion of this final mission. Democracy will be delivered to the source of the threat, regardless of personal cost.

For Super Earth. For Democracy. For Liberty's Promise.

Dr. Praxis, Master Sergeant Weapons Systems Design Division (Formerly) 59th Helldivers Combat Battalion (Currently)