BACK IN THE FRONT
23 Sep 2024Jav Marlo
BACK IN THE FRONTAfter suffering grave injuries during the collapse of the Titan Taranis, commander Jav Marlo has kept away from the fight. For the last four months, he has partnered with engineers Ishmail Palin and Ram Tah to develop an AX combat vessel based on Guardian technology. In the meantime, Ram Tah has perfected a protection field that could prevent Guardian components from melting under the Thargoid anti-Guardian field. The new device could allow commander Marlo preserve the Guardian cybernetics that keep him alive and rejoin the fight, and he is about to test it.
16 SEPTEMBER 3310, Bachman Port, Sugalis, Thargoid invaded system.
Bachman Port
Bachman Port… a remote civilian outpost in one of the poorest systems of the Pegasi sector. It is so far from the main star that is always surrounded in darkness. Strategically meaningless. But it is one the last systems in the orbit of the Titan Raijin still controlled by the Thargoids. And that means it needs to be cleared to allow assault on the Thargoid hive ship. So the Anti Xeno Initiative is trying to rally independent commanders to join the meagre Aegis forces still resisting around Bachman Port. To me is the perfect place to test the Ajax and its Guardian Plasma Chargers. And to return to the front.
The Ajax approaching Bachman Port
The outpost has been evacuated but, despise the heavy damage, they are keeping a skeleton crew and one dock operative to give minimum support to the Aegis forces still protecting it. Just enough to provide basic repairs, refuel and ammo reload between Thargoid waves. That is all I need.
The Ajax landing at Bachman Port
For two weeks a ragtag group of Aegis fighters and some wandering AXI commanders have been barely resisting the offensive. Combats have been brutal, with the Thargoids opening portals around the outpost and throwing combinations of scouts and interceptors. And despite the heavy Thargoid activity, the itching in my chest and the humming in my head has been significantly reduced. It seems that the Guardian cybernetics in my lungs are holding well, thanks to Ram Tah.
Combats on Bachman Port
So far, the Ajax performance has been excellent. But I found a flaw on its design. It is true that the Plasma Chargers cause mayhem among the Cyclops and Basilisks and can melt their shields with a couple of bolts, but the short range needed to cause proper damage is a big disadvantage when facing Medusas or Hydras. I have managed to face and destroy the most powerful interceptors in the last days because I was flying in a wing, but the amount of damage I have taken has been too much. I still believe that the only way to hunt those monsters solo with some chances of survival is by keeping distance cold orbiting and sniping them with Guardian Gauss Cannons. Anyhow, I have taken down dozens of Cyclops in the past, but I never managed to obliterate a Cyclops so fast than with this Plasma Chargers. Overall, the Ajax is a formidable ship.
The Ajax obliterating a Cyclops
Ayumi and I will remain in Bachman Port for as long it can hold. If we manage to resist and repel the invasion, we will be closer to start the attack on the Titan Raijin. Just Raijin and Cocijo are still standing. And with the new device installed on my chest, I might be able to resist the influence of the Titan. For the first time in months, I hold hopes that mankind being able to win this war.
Jav Marlo signing out
The Ajax landed at Bachman Port