Humans are weird: Orbital Drop Assault
As the species of the universe began ever expanding from their home world it became increasingly common for different species to meet each other on the galactic stage. Some were met with caution, unsure of the others intentions. Others were met with joy and celebration, confirming that they were not alone in this wide open universe. More often however, these meetings were the prelude to open conflict and war. The last option was unfortunately what resulted in the first contact between the Zigellie and Humanity. A Zigellie scout ship entered the human controlled system of Lopalla and made their way to the colony world of Hayden 9. Due to the systems numerous asteroid belts a series of asteroid displacement guns had been spread across the planets atmosphere in high orbit which shot down any asteroid that reached close enough to be deemed a threat. Because the weapon system was not programmed to register any other vessel aside from human vessels the weapon emplacements mistook the Zigellie scout vessel as an unnatural asteroid and opened fire destroying the craft after several salvos.
The Zigellie interrupted this as an attack unwarranted as their ship had been merely exploring and had shown no hostile intentions. Before calmer heads could prevail a hastily assembled strike force was dispatched to Hayden 9 and in short order destroyed the orbiting asteroid weapons and then left the system.
Without the orbiting defense weapons a series of asteroids fell upon Hayden 9 and destroyed much of the established colony including the atmosphere generators. Without these terraforming devices the surviving population quickly began to choke and die from the naturally toxic environment. With both sides claiming to be the victim it did not take long for the rousing calls for war in the government buildings to be conveyed into the thunderous roars of the populace and within a year both sides had mustered for war and it was Humanity that made the first opening move by a critical strike on the Zigellie's military rallying world of Havona. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Human fleet holding orbit above us commander." The war room was eerily quiet for such a tense moment and the sensor officers announcement cut through the silence like a thunder clap. In an instant the room began swirling with activity as officers relayed status updates and mobilization orders to all forces stationed on the planet all the while commander Yel's eyes were transfixed on the display monitors.
They had been gathering their military strength here for several months now and by the last count there were one million Zigellie warriors on the planet waiting for transport to human territory. With the exception of the transport vessels the navy had remained in a neighboring system's dockyard facilities making final preparations to escort the transports and begin the campaign. No one had expected the human fleet to arrive so quickly let alone knock out the orbital defenses in such short order. Now the human fleet had taken high orbit over the military headquarters leaving the Zigellie waiting for the next hammer to fall. Before Yel could even speak the sensor officer cut him off. "Contacts dropping from human fleet!" "On display, now!" At Yel's command the monitor switched to an orbital view of the area just above the military headquarters. A series of red icons were breaking away from the human fleet and from their trajectory were heading straight for the compound.
"Are they firing on us?" "Sensors are reading the objects are a solid mass; no energy signatures." "Fire thermal lances and smash them from our skies!" More commotion as the monitor showed several lance batteries aligning to the targets. Massive columns jutting out of the ground like spikes, the thermal lances focused heat and discharged it in a concentrated arch strong enough to turn stone to lava. "Lances firing." came the gunnery officer, and the screens were filled with searing light. The monitors traced several orange lines that sprouted from the base and were slowly drawing nearer to the descending targets before finally impacting.
"Hits confirmed on all targets." A rousing cheer came from the command staff at the sensor officers remark, but before Yel could join in he saw a flash of disbelief come across the officers face.
"Targets are still closing!" they shouted as the cheers died instantly. "No change in their trajectory."
"That's impossible," one of the nearby officers said, "those guns can melt through anything."
"They must be heat resistant!" one of the nearby officers called out as they examined a data screen. "Fire again!" Yel shouted and once more the monitors were blinded with light from the weapons fire. The searing light once again shot towards the encroaching targets and hit them.
"No change in target!" The sensor officer was panicking now, "Impact in sixty microns!"
Yel grabbed his communicator and practically screamed into it "Attention base, brace for incoming fire!"
The command staff braced and Yel took hold of the nearest console and closed his eyes, expecting his life to finally come to an end after a lifetime of service for his people.
A series of earth shattering impacts rocked the entire base. Lights were ripped from the ceiling and thrown across the room, consoles fizzled and exploded, and the command staff let out collectives wails of despair as the chaos felt like it would never end.
Finally the shaking stopped and Yel opened his eyes. The command center was a mess, with officers scattered around like thrown dolls, but the building still stood. One by one they began steadying themselves to their feet and assessing the situation.
"Status report?" Yel's commanding voice cut through the dim aftershock and officers began resuming their posts.
"Objects have made landfall inside the base and have damaged the vehicle depot and armory."
Before Yel could begin issuing orders when he stopped himself. It was very faint but he could hear something just outside the command bunker; the sound was strange and almost barking in nature.
"Enemy units are in the base!"
"WHAT!?"
Security officers were huddled around their screens as warning alarms began blaring. "Confirmed, enemy units have breached the compound and are engaging our forces."
"On screen!" Yel nearly threw aside one of the security officers so he could take a closer look at the security feeds.
Figures clad in strange black and grey armor were methodically sweeping through corridors and streets gunning down any Zigellie they came across. Yel watched as one of the figures kicked down the door to a barracks block and opened fire on full auto before chucking a strange black device in and moving to the next. Shortly after a crushing explosion ripped through the barracks leaving it a burning husk.
"Where did they come from!?" Yel rounded on his sensor officer and picked him up by the scruff of his uniform. "Did you fail to notice troop transports!??!!!"
"There was nothing!" the officer replied as they wiggled in his grasp, "There was nothing but the mass icons in the skies!"
Yel was contemplating snapping the officers neck for his failure when he heard the loud barking coming from outside the command room.
"They've breached the building!"
"Defend yourselves!" Yel roared as he cast aside the sensor officer and reached for his weapon. He had just enough time to grab it and bring it to bear on the entrance just as the human drop troops blew open the door.
