There was an air of agitation in the facilities of The Cathedral's technology institute on Alpha colony. Since the early hours of the day, an unusual movement had taken over the corridors, rooms, and hangars. And this was happening across all divisions and sectors; everyone seemed to be preparing for something large-scale, and it was no different for Helena Kjestein and her squadron, summoned for a meeting scheduled for the morning.
Only squadron leaders, Majors, and generals participated in the first meeting; the second, which would happen in minutes, brought together the entire staff from The Cathedral's various segments. There were rumors of a counter-attack on Earth, and the thirst for revenge of those who had lost loved ones in the destruction of Zeta and Gamma colonies fueled the hope that the rumors would prove true.
In the third row of seats in the auditorium, Helena sat beside Laila, August, and Elijah, and the group's new recruit, chosen to replace the deceased Joshua Balogun, Immanuel Kaul. The 30-year-old pilot had been chosen by Helena for his experience, including in her late husband's squadron. The captain's idea was to balance the youth and talent of her three young companions with First Lieutenant Kaul's long military experience.
In front of the auditorium, The Cathedral's current military leader, Rafael Hertzog, prepared to make his speech. Helena observed the group of men and women at the front, and her eyes stopped on Director Mathias Granqvist and his usual impassive expression, but which this time, did not hide a worried tone that the captain managed to detect even from so far away; she had known the man for over a decade, after all.
"Comrades, we are gathered here today to present to you our plan for executing a massive counter-attack against the terrestrial forces. Our intelligence has finally obtained information on Aegis bases scattered across Earth. Without our satellites, identifying them would be an impossible task, but thanks to our spies, we already have the locations of the 8 enemy bases and research centers."
Helena's squadron seemed to get excited by the news, exchanging enthusiastic glances. The captain, however, leaned back in her seat, thinking about the newly received information. She didn't doubt the intel, but rather the way it was acquired. She knew the difficulties faced by the U.S.C.'s now almost non-existent intelligence on Earth after the destruction of the organization's bases on the planet; such a turnaround didn't make sense.
"Our mission will be simple: we will use our gravitational bombs and attack the targets simultaneously."
One of the majors in the front row raised his hand, and the supreme commander allowed the man to ask his question.
"And what about the enemy's defense system? They will certainly be prepared for an attack of this nature; we no longer have the advantage of the lunar base."
"Precisely for that reason, we will make them choose."
On the large wall behind the auditorium stage, an image with gravitational missiles—approximately 30 heading towards Earth—indicated The Cathedral's plan.
"Our targets will not only be the bases; we will simultaneously attack Earth's major cities. If they want to deal with our missiles heading for the bases, they will have to choose between them and the cities that will also be our targets.
They called their last operation Heaven's Fall. Let us show them the true meaning of this: JUSTICE BE DONE, EVEN IF THE HEAVENS FALL!"
(Original: Fiat justitia ruat caelum!)
Rafael Hertzog's cry inflamed the packed auditorium; shouts of "For The Cathedral! For Zeta and Gamma!" echoed. Helena and her companions stood up, following the others, but unlike the rest, the Ice Queen did not share their excitement. She observed Mathias again, and he too, like her, seemed to be thinking about the consequences of the counter-attack.
<>
In Mathias Granqvist's office, Rosemarie Molineux stood beside him as they watched Helena Kjestein's squadron lined up before them. They were about to receive a fine gift, courtesy of Rose, who had insisted that these five be the first.
"In this operation, you will be responsible for defending the missiles and fleets that will attack Asia. I know your M.M.U.s are already modified versions, but I believe an upgrade is in order."
The woman gestured quickly, and a hologram of the M.M.U. Sagittarius appeared in the middle of the room, between the pilots and her.
"As of today, your squadron will be the first fully equipped with our new Sagittarius units. The battle data we collected was sufficient to promote the test unit to flagship."
Satisfaction could barely be contained, and when they left the room, shouts of joy escaped. Laila was the first.
"Finally, we'll be able to keep up with the captain!"
"We have scores to settle, Laila, August. Let's make sure we're prepared."
Helena smiled faintly at her subordinates, who, embarrassed, regained their composure. And then she gave the last orders of the day.
"I share the same excitement. Finally, we will fly with the same colors and power. Rest well today; tomorrow we will begin preparations for the long journey. Dismissed."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The three younger ones went down the corridor, while Helena and Immanuel watched. When they were far away, the veteran spoke for the first time since his introduction.
"You didn't seem very pleased with the mission, Captain."
Helena observed the man for a few moments before answering.
"I just don't like it when impulsiveness ends up being the trigger for a mission as large as this one."
"I don't disagree, but at this point in my career, I simply let them make the decisions. I will enjoy our rest, Captain. See you soon."
Making The Cathedral's salute, bringing his fist over his heart, the man bid farewell. Immanuel Kaul acted like the tool he believed himself to be, and Helena knew that for the mission's success, she would have to do the same.
<>
At the end of that same day, at Alpha colony's spaceport, Helena held her two children by the hand, accompanied by her sister Amelia. As she had suggested, Amelia would go with the two children to the Ita colony in the vicinity of the planet Neptune, the furthest of all from Earth, and where her sister's husband was currently working.
Helena knelt to be at her youngest son Bernard's height and gave him a warm kiss. Similarly, she did the same with Miriam, who increasingly resembled her mother, but this time, it was the child who hugged her first. The captain held back her tears and said goodbye to her children and sister with a smile.
After waving, Helena watched her family disappear in the distance until they entered the boarding gate. She instinctively brought her hand to the necklace she wore, which held a photo of her children and husband, to encourage her, to help her find the way in the nebulous future that awaited her.
"It seems we thought the same thing, Captain Kjestein."
Helena turned, startled, upon hearing her name called by a familiar voice. With a sad smile, Mathias Granqvist observed her.
"I just sent my wife and daughter to Neptune. Now imagine what they would say if one of The Cathedral's directors was caught sending his family far away because he doubted the U.S.C.'s chances of victory."
"It wouldn't be much different for me, Director."
"Certainly not."
They began to walk together towards the exit. Mathias, however, asked a question that caught Helena by surprise.
"Do you believe in the possibility of peace, Captain?"
"At this point, it seems like nothing more than a fool's dream, Director."
"You're right. The only thing we're sure of is that the aggressions from both sides are only getting more brutal. We've let politics and ideological differences decide who is friend or foe for too long. Perhaps one day that can change..."
After exiting through the automatic door, Mathias bid Helena farewell, heading for his car. The captain looked at the false stars that hid the real ones in Alpha colony's sky, praying for a safe journey for her children and her sister, and why not, for the peace that she, and certainly more people in the U.S.C., and who knows, even on Earth, desired. But for now, all that was left for her was to bring more destruction and death.
<>
In the dark room of a humble church on the outskirts of Alpha colony's metropolis, Fons D'Agostino sat in his favorite chair, while in front of him, four displays with Greek alphabet letters floated. Until recently, there had been six displays, but now two had ceased to exist. A necessary sacrifice, Fons believed, for the sake of a future he certainly would not be part of.
His fellow cardinals, however, could not hide the fury and fear they clearly felt. Beta had been vociferating for several minutes after the battle that took place in the vicinity of his colony. Fons smiled silently; this thought, this arrogance in believing that that was theirs, was one of the main reasons they needed to cease to exist.
"You're uncommonly quiet today, Alpha. Worried your colony might be next!?"
Beta's petulance no longer bothered Fons, but Delta disliked the tone.
"You're crossing some lines today, Beta. I know you faced great difficulties, but the mere mention of an attack on Alpha colony should be enough to make you tremble. If they fall, we fall."
Fons took a sip of his wine while the other cardinals bickered. This discussion, these actions, were calculated in his plan. For the sake of humanity, separated by distance and political choices, everything needed to change. The two true enemies were clear; he and his secret group had worked for this to happen, for them to deliver themselves on a silver platter to humanity. Now, all he could do was pray they would fall, preferably together.
Aegis and The Cathedral—the cancer he helped create, and which he now used his last days to ensure its destruction.
March 12, 2239. The Cathedral prepared for its largest offensive against Earth in decades; 90% of its force would be mobilized, with the aim of neutralizing the rapid terrestrial technological advancement. The millions of lives that would be lost in the attack were a mere consequence.