Planet Master

173- Last Stand (1)

Chief Bore became the second in command of the entire Rodentia since the planet would become a battlefield, its heaven would be filled with spaceship fleets while its ground would be filled with anti-air and anti-space weapons.“Is the preparation ready?” Bore asked the adjutant what the military had given him. The adjutant was a Lizardfolk, but she was a respected figure in the military, Zin.

Zin replied, “Sir, all of the weapons are already deployed. The spaceships are also deployed in orbit. Do you want to go up there?”

“Yes. Certainly, I will go up there to resolve a matter.” Bore nodded while clenching his hand. He felt overwhelming power right now but it was an illusion created by the increase in power.

Bore, along with the other Marine Corps, was subjected to Super Soldier Serum and the result was that it was a success. The scientists even wanted to replicate it but so far ended in failure, making Bore and his Marine Corps the only successful batch.

Super Soldier Serum as the name implied, was used to create a super soldier who was capable of supernatural abilities and enhanced physical prowess.

Bore looked at the reflection of himself on the puddle of water and saw himself getting slightly bigger but much stronger. But he did not know whether he was strong enough to fight against Ame or Tatsumi for the matter.

Then a spacecraft slowly descended in front of Bore and his Marine Corps.

“Prepare for takeoff.” Bore said before he and his Marine Corps along with Zin, entered the spacecraft.

Bore sat down on his seat and looked at the planet which was his homeworld and could not help but squint and clenched his fist.

Then he felt a huge force that took him to slam into his seat. This was the feeling when the spacecraft increased its speed.

“Chief, how are you feeling?” one of the marines asked this legendary Rodent who even survived the encounter with the enemy’s strongest transcendent.

Bore then turned his head to look at the speaker.

As far as he knew, every member of his Marine Corps was going through the Accelerated Growth Serum. It meant that they were grouped together on purpose. And that purpose was to foster a relationship that the enemy would sever and then they would focus more on eliminating the hateful enemy that had harmed their brother-in-arms.

But fortunately, Bore was capable enough, if not lucky enough, not to let every member die; instead, he could bring them back safely.

Now, Bore was not sure if he could bring them back because the enemy would not hold back.

“What’s wrong?” Bore asked in a daze.

“Uhm, I was asking. Are you dozing off, Chief?” The one who spoke was the only female Rodent on the corps.

“Ah, I am good. Just concerned about something you need not to worry about.” Bore replied quickly, afraid that his mind was being judged into scrutiny.

“But you look desolate and empty. Even Sister Zin is concerned about you.”

“Tch, Zin is a bit annoying despite her good intention.” Bore clicked his tongue and let out a screech.

“Listen, this might be the last time we can even gather together like this. Don’t waste time on something trivial and only worry about yourself.” Bore patted her on the shoulder, his expression serious.

“Oh…yes, sir.” The female Rodent nodded but Bore was sure there was something more to her talking to him like this but he could not put it into words.

“That’s why you need to get important things done before then, understood?” Bore then asked for confirmation. As a Chief, he often led his corps to infiltrate, destroy and got out so his tone could be commanding.

“Hmm.” The female Rodent nodded her head vehemently.

Then the female Rodent was a bit dejected but a resolute light shone on her eyes as she got back to er seat.

Bore was once again staring at the scene outside. Now that the spacecraft had reached the outer space, most of it became a starry sky as well as black covered the scene outside.

And he was uninterrupted this time.

-

“I need to tell you something.” Ame suddenly came to Tatsumi as he just polished Dragonsbane.

“Is it coming from Ivana? Really, that child is really something.” Tatsumi tilted his head, with a smile tugging at the edge of his mouth.

“Yes. So the intelligence said that the Yul Municipality will send the Accelerated Growth Rodents to fight on the frontline.”

Tatsumi frowned. The child soldiers issue was gnawing at him ever since meeting with Bore but now he could not help but want to tear those responsible. They pushed underage children to the battlefield. Although their bodies matured faster, their minds were still those of a child.

“Can we isolate them and arrest them? I am starting to get irritated hearing that.” Tatsumi honestly showed his stance on this.

What gnawed at him was not the current situation but the hypothetical situation when the situation was reversed. If humanity were forced to do that, what would he do? Would he reject that or would he accept that?

‘You will definitely reject that.’ Smagenrog’s voice reverberated strongly inside his heart.

‘What do you know about me? How can you be so sure?’ Tatsumi was surprised to hear the dragon’s words so certain.

‘Hah, that’s simple. You might be selfish but you are principled. You definitely learn about creatures created in stages and develop in stages, right? The fact that the Rodents were doing that is forcing people to grow beyond their stage of development. You probably know that skipping stages comes with hidden consequences.’ Smagenrog’s voice explained.

Tatsumi blinked in realization.

Ame, on the other hand, just stood near him without interrupting. She knew that Tatsumi was in direct communication with Smagenrog thanks to the others' warning her.

‘You cared about the people with lower stages of development than you. Even though they are children of the enemy civilization, you still cannot help but be angry.’

Smagenrog’s explanation was so convincing that Tatsumi could not deny it.

‘But now they will likely go to the frontline once more. I believed that I should eliminate him and those who followed him since this is still in the Star Battle.’ Tatsumi’s thoughts became complicated.

‘It is really up to you how to handle things. Fixing the broken things is not easy, I know but you have to decide things yourself. I mean, you don’t need to listen if you want to. Don’t let others stuff in your mental framework.’ Smagenrog advised.

Tatsumi’s breath became rapid, as if he held something heavy. Now that his thought was exposed, he felt like before. He had become indecisive.

‘Hmm.’ Tatsumi felt confused and did not know what to do. Giving the enemy mercy during the Star Battle was already costly since the enemy would become stronger and could gleam some information about his civilization.

“You are too fixated on worrying about doing things wrong.” Suddenly a hand slipped and grabbed his hand.

Tatsumi realized that the hand was soft and cool to the touch. Tatsumi knew that Ame was advising him but he did not know where this would bring him.

Tatsumi turned around and looked at Ame who had been raising her hand, her wristwatch showing the projection of Charlene.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Do you doubt something? You can tell us, you know.” Charlene’s voice calmed him while her eyes went into a crescent.

“Well, sparing the enemy is a taboo but we did it by the order of Father God. Now, I am going to do it without His permission. Furthermore, the code of conduct during the Star Battle stipulates that no one should show mercy during the Star Battle until one side’s god declares their surrender.” Tatsumi explained his problem.

“Is it because you saw child soldiers?” Charlene asked.

“Right. Ideally, I want to deal with him without killing. But if the others know about this, will they start to imitate me and spare the enemy? If so then I’d rather not do this in the first place.” Tatsumi said.

Charlene chuckled. Then she told him something that should have made sense to him.

“Well, mercy is the privilege of the strong. When you are strong enough, you can not kill your enemy. Additionally, even if the enemy gets stronger, as long as you remain strong, you can handle it. Simple, right?”

Tatsumi’s mouth was wide open. The logic was sound, if you were strong, you could do whatever you wanted. But that was not enough.

“But some of the people will try to imitate me. How would you handle that?” Tatsumi said again.

“Simple, say that you are doing this because you are strong and capable. Only follow my move when you are strong and capable yourself.” Charlene raised her finger and pointed at him.

“Now, how do you think? Isn’t that good?”

Tatsumi thought for a moment. He had heard about it and felt that it made sense.

“Fine, you made sense. How can you say such a thing?” Tatsumi had to admit it and asked, since he did not think about it until he was informed.

“It is not hard to think about it. Everyone admired people with strength and wanted to follow their example. You have a sense of responsibility which starts to grow.” Charlene said.

“Now you cared about something beyond your own people, which you are supposed to protect.” Ame added.

“Is that so? I think I will take your advice. But we still need to fight the others so please tell me whether they are just people of age and the ones who have undergone Accelerated Growth.” Tatsumi said with a slight smile of relief.

And with that, a decision was made that altered the trajectory of fate for the Rodents and humanity.

-

The spaceships of the Federation finally gathered after resupply and repairs. That included the Gling’s biological spaceships as well as the Undead Race’s spaceship.

They had gathered in the surroundings of the Solont planet. Now, it had reached the final preparation for the last battle.

The objective was to conquer the last bastion of the Rodents, Rodentia planet.

“Are you okay?” the dwarf asked Hatten, who was sitting in the shared lounge near the hangar.

“I am nervous. Can’t you see?” Hatten replied but his hands and feet were trembling. He tried to regulate his breath but it was hard to do. But speaking with someone familiar alleviate some of it.

“I know but if talking to me makes you relax, then keep talking.” The dwarf then sat next to Hatten.

He opened a gourd of alcohol and drank it at leisure.

“Ah, the feeling of drinking this never ceases to amaze me.” The dwarf enjoyed this. It helped him relax and forget about the heavy matter on his mind, even if temporarily.

“Do you use that to relax? How enviable.” Hatten honestly said that.

“You are now someone important so try to relax and live in the present. Don’t worry too much about the uncertain future.” The dwarf said while he was starting to get drunk.

‘Looks like that alcohol is strong.’ Hatten commented in his mind.

“Hatten, do you have someone back at home?” the dwarf asked suddenly.

“What’s with the sudden question? Of course, I have someone.” Hatten said while putting his hand on his forehead.

But remembering that caused him to recall something bittersweet.

“Ah, I remember you told me about a child. Is it because of her?” The dwarf remembered that Hatten let something slip and the dwarf remembered it now.

“Well, she is my daughter. That is why I need to come back to her so that she can grow well. I want to see her growing well.” Hatten exhaled and felt his nervousness dissipate. Replacing that feeling was the resolve to return to his home, where his daughter was waiting.

“Then do this mission well. You are one of the pilots of the Silpheed. Your performance will be considered to be a military achievement by you and those who make the Silpheed.” The dwarf patted Hatten’s shoulder happily.

Hatten became dazed as he was thinking about what he should do now and for the future. It had been almost half a year since the Star Battle commenced and he had missed his daughter.

“Perhaps, I should look at what the people at the highest hierarchy of the Federation are doing before I can decide.” Hatten murmured.

“What did you say?” the dwarf did not listen fully since he was drunk. But he clearly heard Hatten say something.

“Nothing.” Hatten shook his head.

Just then, an alarm sound reverberated throughout the entire spaceship.

“Warning, warning, spatial fluctuation detected. It is a space-based attack coming from Rodentia.”

Hatten stood up from his seat and he did not forget to pat the dwarf a bit harshly since the dwarf was drunk.

“Wake up. The alarm has been sounded. It’s likely an enemy attack.” Hatten reminded the dwarf.

“Whoa, quickly go to battle station!” the dwarf then sobered himself and shook his head.

The two as well as the others were running around to their designated location.

The space-based weapon of the Rodents actually used quite a huge number of energy units to operate. But it was an effective method to make the Federation fleets, which had gathered, be thrown into disarray.

Then…

“Warp fields have been detected. The enemy is striking us first!” The officer who monitored the change in the space detected warp fields, which means that the enemy fleets had come.

“All spaceships, evasive maneuver.”

The captain’s voice reverberated in the quantum communication channel, and the Federation fleets did an evasive maneuver. This reduced the damage done to the fleets, but the damage was done.

While they did this, the enemy spaceships had come and headed straight toward the nearest Federation spaceship.

“They’re trying to board our ship!” the captain shouted.

“Prepare for interior ship defense.”

Then the two spaceships were connected and the people from both sides were ready to give the others a nasty surprise.

“But there is no sign of life from the other spaceships.” The officer added.

“Are you sure about this?” the captain tried to confirm.

Because it meant that whatever was attacking them was not a living being but something like a machine designed to kill or terminate them.

When the two spaceships became fully connected, the answer became immediate. From the camera at the entrance of the connection, dozens of what the people could call robots had been stepping out from the entrance along with their weaponry.

“Laser weapon!” the captain shouted.

As for the defense marine on the spaceship, they were surprised to see laser weaponry but it did not deter them from firing at the robots.

“Suppressing fire, damn it!” the leader of the marines in the entrance was trying to suppress fire but the robots which had the form of the Rodents were firing as if they did not care about the bullets hitting their frame.

Even with the large fire barrage, the robots did not even flinch. Instead, they managed to make the marines in the entrance was thoroughly suppressed by the robots.

“Designed for battle, does not afraid of attack, they are the nightmare for us flesh and blood.” The leader commented.

Then one of the marines used Gauss Rifle instead. Although he knew that it would damage the interior of the spaceship, he had no choice but to use it.

An electromagnetic field formed in the rifle before the bullet from the chamber was shot, penetrating the head of the robots, yes, several of them at once, causing them to convulse and then fall for good.

“The head, aim for the head!” The leader noticed this and shouted.

But the casualties on his side became bigger since some of them were caught by surprise by the robots’ resilience.

Only after aiming at the head repeatedly did another robot fell. The battle became harder for the Marines since their numbers were dwindling.

The localized battlefield had the people injured by the laser, anguished from the hole in some parts on their bodies while there were deaths around.

“This commotion should’ve gathered so many of us. But the number of robots is constant. There will be another one for one we fell.” The leader then aimed at the robot's head before firing the assault rifle and tried to take down the robot, even to the point of emptying the magazine.

Another robot fell to the ground, unresponsive.

“We are here!” a familiar voice sounded and the leader of the marines saw that his brother-in-arms was there to assist him.

“Take cover and aim for their heads!” the leader suggested.

The reinforcement had come and heeded his warning. This caused the casualties to drop while the effectiveness in making the robots fell became more effective.

Gunshot reverberated along with the laser, letting out a piercing voice when it hit someone.

Both sides were giving their all before the number of robots finally decreased. The ammunition for the Marines was running low, and finally, the robots stopped appearing.

The leader gasped for breath. All the focus on defeating the robots had drained him of his energy. But when he saw some of the injured ones, he could only order his men to drag the injured to the medical bay for recovery, while the dead would be processed differently.

He also realized that this was probably one of the trump cards of the Yul Municipality and decided to counterboard the enemy spaceships.

He knew that this would be dangerous but he would do it even if no one wanted to. At least if there were traps, he alone would bear it. But if there was something there that could be considered intelligence, then he needed to secure it for the Federation.

Then he boarded the enemy spaceship.

What surprised him the most was the feeling that the spaceship was designed specifically for the robots. Finding the control room proved to be a bit difficult but he was glad that there was a hint that the robots needed to follow and he just needed to backtrack it.