Looking out the window into the beautiful blackness of space, with its infinite stars and planets that span across its endless reach, only the subtle glint of steel dancing into view floating around the haul of the massive warships like countless trophies collected over its years of service.

Off in the distance, a massive blue giant dominates this section of space. Within the rings of that sun lay the homeworld of the most powerful enemy the human race has ever faced. No other planets can sustain life in this system. Soon the window will continue to tint blocking the light from the sun as we come closer.

Stepping away from the window "Not to long now" I say to no-one but myself.

Slowly making my way to the hangar from the observation deck. Boots gentle thumping against the clean steel grates of the floor. Gunmetal grey bulkheads with pipes and electrical boxes breaking apart the symmetry of the endless passageways, Some display panels line the walls showing the outside view of the ship, or some having UGF-News playing on them.

In my path, some Navy men and women are standing before one such pannel with the news playing. Taking a glance as I walk by, an elegant business dressed woman is standing in front of a repeating video of multiple ships heading into space. A scrolling box to the right has a list of deceased being shown, on the bottom of the broadcast has other news stories that are less important, - "Alien bug infestation reported in nearby star system", "Spice on Sarak: spices in demand, prices soar" my hud scanning over both.

My HUD pulling up options from each "Would you like to know more?" Blinking.

Ignoring the prompt. Passing many others watching the news, as I make my way to an elevator, doors sliding open, and a few Marines and servicemen step out, most looked at me with contempt after noticing my outfit. Walking in my black and gray combat suit with my matte black helmet firmly tucked under my arm, always disliking it on the mount on the back at my neck, putting pressure on my old interface. Which puts unwanted pressure on it. Reaching back and gently scratching it like a bad itch just thinking about it. The newer models have less versatility but a much faster connection which gives less lag in some of the newer warframes.

Elevator opens, right before my stop, letting on a few servicemen. Taking in their young age and single stripe upon their uniforms both obviously cadets. Shaking my head, pushing my thoughts into the back of my mind. Door open on my deck, "Excuse me," I say, pushing past the cadets to my deck.

Suddenly, a loud blaring fills the hauls of the behemoth class ship, "Enemy inbound, repeat enemies inbound" an artificial female voice announces over the ship's intercom. Warning of an incoming attack. "Little far," I thought. The enemy had a strategic advantage within the rings of the sun. Electrical interference messing up any sort of radar or early warning system we would have. Setting up ambushes would be easy, why, why throw away lives like that.

My comms coming alive, "Lock and load, we're already in the hangar boss. Your frame is already loaded, kept the seat warm and ready." a female voice said.

Mentally switching my comms to reply, "Already on my way, be there in a sec," I say hurrying my steps a little faster, even though I know we won't be launching for another hour. "The frames already set in the spikes?" I ask.

"Yeppers boss, we are set to rock and roll", loud music blares over the comms for the whole team to hear. Not muting but turning it down as I walk.

Arriving in the amidship hanger, showing my ID, doors slide open. Ascending the steel stairs, making my way across the catwalk to my personal mech, an older model but with lots of modifications. Passing by my team, all within their own warframes, only the top of each shown above the railing. The dull and scuffed black armor of my warframe showing many pits, scratches, and small dents from years of combat. Each one telling a story spanning from galaxy to galaxy. My mech, barely visible within the matte black spike, no reflection cast off of its, less than 1% to be exact.

The spike itself was something my team came up with just for this mission, allowing for atmospheric entry into a planet, specially designed to pierce the shields generated by the planet's defensive halo. The spikes look like a long dull octangular nail, the warframe would be protected but defenseless as it flew through space. It was not quite stealth tech but close enough.

Stopping at the steel scaffolding in front of my mech, the floor and railing extended to the cockpit, slowly climbing in, getting comfortable in the seat. Starting the reactor and closing the hatch around me, armor plates sliding over the hatch. Ears popping with the change of pressure when the hatch sealed. Screens all around me come alive, projecting a full 360-degree field of view, showing the outside of the sleek black spike across the cockpit. The low hum of the generate beneath me was like a warm welcome from a good friend.

Waiting to pull the harness over my battle suit, Sitting my helmet off to the side. Cutting my comms and closing my eyes, Getting more comfortable to try and get a quick power nap in.

The whole ship shuddered, waking me, opening an eye. Not hearing any klaxons going off. Closing my eye again. Within seconds my comms come alive. "Boss, you seeing this?" the same female voice coming through the comms channel again.

Yawning before replying "Nope....whats up?" beginning to stretch as much as I could within the small cockpit.

"Check out the news feed quick, it's almost done, hurry," she sounded very excited.

The news popping up on my main projector. The headline read "The first skirmish breaks out with an overwhelming victory." underneath the headline showed the same behemoth that we are on, showing a much smaller ship in the distance. The battle showed each side launching fighters. The UGF fighters winning the fight without any losses. The enemy ship launching hundreds of drones but the behemoth point-defense easily taking them out. The behemoth lining up its main armament. A long triangular cannon, the triple mag. The heavy gauss rifle capable of firing 3 rounds at ultrasonic speeds. The rounds in a triangle spread, hitting the smaller vessel, shearing it in half, breaking the ship apart on impact.

A deep voice came over my comms. "Commander Smith, we are arriving near your launch coordinates. Are you sure you want to attempt this, not going to lie, but this seems like suicide to me, even if you get past their shields, you have no way to get back to the Themis even if you complete your mission?" The commander said.

"Thank you commander for your concern. We are still going through with this. Even if we cannot complete our mission yours is just as important." I say.

"Well, godspeed and good luck to you Zero," The commander said.

A timer popping up on my HUD. Launch time: 2 minutes and 30 seconds and counting. Strapping my 3 point harness, and securing my helmet. Finally syncing with my warframe. Feeling all the readouts of my mech like an extension of myself. "Closing the spikes, get ready for launch," I say.

A red skull appearing on my armored visor. The projection of the skull with a zero cut into the forehead, similar to every other member of the reapers, each with a different skull adorning their helmet.

The timer hitting zero, taking a slow deep breath. Opening an open comm channel to my team and the bridge of the Themis.

"Reapers.. launching" with that I issue the final command, the floor under the spikes open revealing only the dark blackness of space, surrounded by infinite sparkling stars. The spikes each shooting out of the ship at high velocity. Using only correctional thrusters around the orbit of a long-dead planet, using its gravity to perform a slingshot, gaining needed speed towards their final destination.

Hidden within enemy space, five ominous black spikes flew unnoticed.