The Offworld Saga: The Rise of the Survivalist Federation Force

17:21

23 miles southwest of the Kithan border

“Report, Sergeant Devolle!”

The leader of the Survivalist Federation Force’s Outer Strike Team, a Dathorian, sat in the floating Mobile Makeshift Base of Operations along with guards flanking him as the flickering hologram of the Director of Operations for SFF’s new campaign, General Aligarke Mithros, faced him. The human, a large scar running down his left cheek, glanced back at the horned humanoid sergeant dressed in a blue uniform complete with SFF’s skull and guns.

Devolle took a breath and reported to his superior. “Sir, Major Guraff , Captain Rena’s scouts, and the drones have made several reconnaissance runs and what they have found will astound you. The Kithar’s defenses have been lax ever since their war with the Kaneens had concluded with the Treaty of Fengsho. Their patrols have been halved while all but several of their war machines and air defense systems are operational. I am scanning you the intel right now. Attached you will find the layout of the city as well as their military bases.”

Motioning to a page girl, a mousy Skymarian indentured servant, the sergeant spectated as the girl nervously scanned the intel page. The hologram of Mithros glanced down at his own tablet and scrunched his brow in thought. Finally, the broad-shouldered man snickered as he glanced back at his subordinate.

“Great work, underling.” The General’s voice crackled. “I give you the green light to take over Kithan. Bomb them into submission if you have to. I don’t want to report back to SIN if you fail to do so.”

“Of course not, General.” Devolle gulped as he heard the name of SFF’s leader. “It will be over in a matter of hours if not less. I will report my success to you by nightfall.”

“Very good. You may begin the assault when ready.”

As soon as the hologram petered out, Devolle contacted his fellow Survivalist commanders and gave them the go.

“Give no mercy, show no weakness. Hail survival!”

“Hail survival!”

The sounds of gunships, helicopters, warplanes, and other machines of war thundered on to the Kithar borders, drowning out the cheering by the high-ranking officers.

---

17: 44

Kittyopolis, Kithan

I really need some rest and a nice bowl of shrimp Scadon.

The late afternoon wind caressed Bartleby’s face as he left the Archives. He had an early morning shift today and had recently clocked out. He was eager to holo-call his sister and her kids to see how they were doing. If he wasn’t mistaken, Lairby’s birthday was coming up and he had yet to choose the young kit a present.

If I recall correctly,the young man really likes Ultra-Gargoyle. I’ll make sure to purchase a model for him.

As he made it to his apartment complex, the 29 year old veteran of the 2nd Kithar-Kaneen war glanced up and noticed several dark clouds scattered about the cobalt blue sky and the yellowish horizon.

Now that is an ominous sign if I ever seen one.

Before he could make it to the lift that would levitate him to his floor, a shrill screech like that of an approaching Ptero-Roc filled the air. Soon, a thunderous rumble ensued, resulting in the orange-yellow humanoid cat glancing skyward. Several formations of black-blue planes streaked overhead, flanked by several gray and red planes that were bulkier than their predecessors. Bartleby’s eyes grew wide as he recognized the planes as fighter-bomber squadrons.

No way! Has war erupted yet again? Have the dog-faced morons decided to disregard the treaty and launch a preemptive strike?

That would seem foolish as the rest of the Offworld would see the Kaneens as aggressors and condemn them with military attacks and economic sanctions. Also, the warplanes he had just spotted didn’t resemble the Kaneen’s in anyway. The color scheme and design were off. Could this be?

Screams and shouts from the terrified onlookers caught his attention as loud explosions shook the vicinity. Bartleby used his tail to hang onto the railing of the 2nd floor to keep from losing his balance. The warning klaxons started their haunting wail, signifying that the enemy had succeeded in their air raid.

Who are these invaders? What do they want?

Frantically, the Kithan glanced around as the crowd below him started to disperse, trying to find safety. Ahead of the chaos, Bartleby spotted green ,black, and blue armored vehicles and tanks merge into the street, crushing those unlucky enough to be in their way like ants. Soldiers dressed in matching armor and gear fired into the crowd indiscriminately, trying to see which one of them could kill more innocent bystanders. The buildings surrounding them were ablaze, a thick haze of smoke covering the air like a glove. Glancing skyward once more, the Kithan could spot several gray shapes of gunships swoop down like birds of prey and spray red lasers at whatever came in sight.

Oh dear, this doesn’t look good at all.

“Please, we have nothing that you desire! Leave us alone!”

Startled by the voice of a female in distress, Bartleby spotted a black and white mother Kithan hold her two kids close as a soldier bearing the face of a coyote cornered her. Enraged, Bartleby recognized it as a Gamran, a race that is a despicable result of breeding done by humanoids and animaloids. The Gamrans were famous for volunteering their services as mercenaries for the Survivalist Federation Force. Did that mean...?

Doesn’t matter, no soldier treats a woman like that!

Letting out a shout of fury, Bartleby felt his conditioning kick through his veins as he leapt off the stairs and appeared between the helpless woman and the offending Gamran, who snarled at him menacingly.

“Who the hell are you? Doesn’t matter anyway, be gone or you’ll taste my 0.32 laser rifle!”

Bartleby firmly stood his ground. “If you want the woman, you’ll have to get through me!”

The Gamran chuckled as he drew his weapon. “With pleasure.”

Before he could fire, an explosion knocked the enemy soldier off his feet. Utilizing the disorientation of his foe, Bartleby ushered the would-be victims of the lecherous coyote-human inside a burnt-out military van.

“Thank you!” The woman smiled as him as the four flattened themselves inside to avoid the prying eyes of the soldiers patrolling the streets. Eavesdropping on a conversation between two of the attackers, Bartleby was able to discern the identity and the allegiance of these black-clad invaders.

“Well, it seems that we have secured this sector. Let’s alert the General that SFF has successfully infiltrated into Kithan territory. We should annex the rest of the land as the locals are offering little to no resistance.”

---

“You may come in.”

Marshal Mathers turned to see the attache rush into his office, his face flushed from breathing. hard.

“Sir, you need to see this. This is bad!”

The Marshal of the Royal military frowned as he leaned over his desk, nearly knocking down the holographic pictures of his family. “What is it?”

“It’s SFF. They are back and now they have conquered land on the edge of the Outer Lands, severing our connection with the Jarkan mountains.”

SFF?The Marshal frowned, scratching his beard.Impossible! Those rats were torn apart decades ago after the Royal Alliance and the Fantine Air Corps laid a number on them. The last time I saw them, they were decimated and on the run.

After viewing the video feed, the evidence had proven what the attache had informed him. He took out his holopad to contact the Emperor and his advisers. Desperate times are back once again.

Hi all! I’m back with a reboot of one of my oldest series I had written as a pre-teen. I decided it was time to revive it by giving it more bulk. Hope you all like it :)

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