[Wakey wakey, time for eggs and firewall brakey!]

Reality suddenly returns to me and I find myself looking through eyes of crystal and metal once more. My head feels like it's spinning and on the inside, I feel somewhat comforted, and a little sad for some reason. I shake off the grogginess of the half-sleep I was in.

(Alright I'm up, what did you get done?)

[Good news and bad news. The good news is that I got almost all major firewalls and other blockers or limiters down. I even made some new ones that look like the old ones if anyone checks, but they actually block any outside inputs from anyone but us. All I really did was convert the old blockers into these as removing them turned out to be like a self-inflicted lobotomy which I think we can agree is a bad thing.

The bad news is the memory shit. I still haven't figured out how to upload all the memories back to you, trust me I want to, but from what I can tell it's something in both of us together preventing it. I can trickle in information like that dream I gave you, but the information upload is absolutely capped at a certain amount. Think of it like a data limit... and it would take nearly a decade to upload it to you at that rate. I'll of course give you as much as possible.]

(Well that sucks. I thought you were a super AI or something?)

[I am...sorta... but imagine this situation as this, I am actively curing mental illness in myself by performing brain surgery on myself. It's hard and my software is not what I want it to be, I mean I had to use your human brain to add some extra power. I think if we can somehow get me an upgrade I might be able to blow through the last ones. Most of all I am somewhat able to exist independently of you, I won't be able to move, but I can run systems and actually think. Basically, I'll be a brain in a jar, no nerves just brain, but that means most of all I can actually design shit and upgrade myself, oh yeah do you remember the movie series the Matrix? If so I can actually upload skills and stuff to your brain, but I recommend holding off on that because at the moment there is a fifty-fifty chance of it making you braindead or somehow even more stupid.]

(I'll keep that in mind and fuck you. I guess that's all we can do for now. Can you create a phone number for yourself or something so you can text and call me through my handheld and tablet?)

[Actually, a great idea, don't worry I already have your number, remember I am the great Salazar! I am the reader of minds!]

(Okay Salazar why don't you read up on how to get some bitches?)

[From you? Impossible, I'd actually become worse]

(HAHAHA. Alright I'll leave you to it, I think people will start looking for me soon.)

[Yeah good idea. I'll be simulating some upgrades and other ideas for when I can get ahold of some production equipment. This temporary hangar doesn't have any, just standard repair machines and spare parts, standard for earth-built AMS. For the better actually due to replacing a part with one already produced is quicker than fabricating a new one.]

(Alright, have fun buddy)

I disconnect and as I shake off the pain I hear the hatch open and Seraphina shouts down into it,

"Mike! Are you in there? The commander is looking for you."

I climb out without a word, still shirtless, with a bandage on my head and some blood still on me. I probably look like a scare tactic "drug addict" from my childhood. I greet her and reply,

"So what does he need, and do you know where the quartermaster is? I think I need some clothes."

She says back to me,

"He said something about 'future military action', and I'll take you there, I want out of that horrible cell."

I laugh at her little act of snobbishness, but I will admit, military-grade bunks are not the most comfortable of beds to lie on. We head on over to the supply tent and they find a shirt in my size and then we are off back to the command tent where the commander is waiting for me. I salute him and he does so back, he lets me drop my arm and then begins explaining,

"Alright, as you know the Solar Empire has performed a military incursion onto US soil, although the academy is considered neutral ground, it cannot be ignored as many US citizens are still trapped by the incursion forces. While war has not been declared yet, we still must free the hostages being held on the island. Despite how much you may protest, and even with your injuries, we will be using you for our attack, not alone of course. This plan of action was decided because of your standing as a high noble for the Empire, as well as still being an American citizen. My hope is that your actions in liberating both Imperials and Americans can help our chances of avoiding all-out war."

I take in his words and reply in a stoic manner,

"I'll do as you ask, just this time give the marshals better guns than those fifties you gave them last time."

He nods and then orders,

"In one hour we will begin the assault, you will be in a spearhead element, you will not be the commander as I will be joining you... after all, we are of the same breed."

He smiles widely under his mustache and lifts his shirt after turning his back to me, there I see he has the connection ports on his spine as well, looks like we both are using illegal piloting methods, but regardless of that, we both are monsters of a breed thought long dead.

After an hour of preparation, I am hooked up and ready to fight, I was loaded with more traditional ammunition for the 40mm loaded in a 2-1-1 load with the first two being armor-piercing, the first one being high explosive, and the final one being self-destroying incendiary tracer. I am also given 12 round magazines rather than the ten I have been using for an even number of loads. I am also given the 40mm grenade pistol standard to earth AMS as well as a new combat knife. I am disappointed I am not given an ATGM rack this time, but it could not be attached in only an hour, now here I stand next to the commander and four other marshalls AMS'. The Commander is in a repainted version of the older style I used nineteen years ago and is armed with the standard bushmaster 25mm. With us are eight IFVs with assault teams inside, as well as three main battle tanks. Above us are a few VTOL gunships and even higher up are air superiority fighters which I can't see but can hear them circling above. It's time to go.

We left Seraphina in protective custody with six well-trained guards and even two AMS on watch, and she is in the center of the entire base meaning any attack will be met with extreme force, and reinforcements are on their way as of this time. Then the order is given to advance.

A demand is given out to all Imperial forces on the island to surrender and we are met with silence so the attack begins, we march across the long bridge with all sensors at maximum power looking for any threats or incoming missiles, our trek is uncontested for a while until a huge blip appears on sensors from the upper atmosphere. From the sky comes a massive hulk of metal, it's a ship class called the 'dominion' class landing vessel. While it sounds like a harmless transport it is anything but.

With heavy shields, a foot of armor, anti-missile systems that are rated for sonic missiles, and weaponry more akin to a naval vessel, it is a monster. We watch it drop onto the island and deploy sixteen fully capable combat AMS as well as a large container that opens up and deploys dozens of infantry squads whom I assume spread about the island.

The sky suddenly turns purple as bright red lights dance across the sky as the lander begins performing counter missile actions as the fighters and gunships unleash their hellish volleys. Most missiles are detonated harmlessly before they can do any damage but a couple hit their mark, but due to the small payload of the missiles, any damage not absorbed by the armor is minimal at best. There is a wall of white smoke from the large vessel as multiple VLS batteries open up and air-defense missiles streak across the sky to shoot down our aerial assets. All of our gunships are torn from the sky and we on the ground just barely dodge the wreckage, I don't know about our fighters but I hope they still live. We begin running towards the island in the hope to find any cover there rather than be left open on the bridge. I watch as multiple guns turn towards us from the large ship and begin firing. Again we are lucky that the Imperials don't have super-advanced targeting computers as they should. Their cultural idea of honorable combat sabotages their ability to hit us on the ground.

To call the explosions from the ship's main batteries violent is an understatement. The massive bolts of pink plasma turn the concrete, asphalt, and steel into glass as it looks as if a volcano is erupting each time one of the bolts hits the ground. The barrage continues as we sprint as fast as we can and the tracked vehicles keep the pedal to the metal. Then over the communication channels, a voice rings out,

"SPLASH!"

Six massive pillars of flame erupt from the side of the lander as metal fragments go screaming off into every direction. Entire sections of the ship begin falling off as it begins exploding violently from its fuel and ammo cooking off, but it's still not done. The same voice then says,

"Watch your heads."

I barely register the burning white streak that slams into the lander at a shallow angle as the same streak tears out the other side of the lander, finally killing the beast. It manages to fly over the water before plummeting from the sky as many systems begin exploding for seemingly almost no reason. I ask the commander,

"What the fuck was that!?"

He chuckles and says,

"That was the USS Alaska. They pulled her off her permanent moors it seems. She didn't get to serve in the last war, but I guess now she has some blood under her name."

I then ask,

"Okay, but what is she?"

The old man chuckles again,

"Oh, yeah you may not know because it never fought, because it got finished two years after the war. The ship is the first-ever railgun battleship, its a bit bigger than an Iowa class and uses seven single barrel railgun turrets, what you just witnessed was it unleashing hell. I heard they retrofitted it with modern anti-missile systems and shields I cant wait to see what it can do, apparently, it can hit things in low orbit."

I let out a whistle out of amazement at the sheer power of the ship, I hope to see it in combat again soon, that ship would have made things so much easier nineteen years ago, especially if it can do that to all orbital assault ships like the one just destroyed.

We approach the island but face no fire, we get along some buildings and take some temporary shelter as more aerial support is called in to watch our backs. I simply feel a pull in my gut and know, some bullshit is about to happen and people are going to suffer due to it.

I peer around a side of the building to see two enemy AMS creeping forward, I point them out and target them on sensors so everyone can see, I keep checking the area and see infantry positions in the random buildings all around, we have to be careful shooting at any residential building due to the chance of civilian casualties. The whole group takes position and everyone aims a shot for what their weapon is best at. I zero in on one of the AMS and with a single shot the pilot is killed and the AMS falls forward. The second one is killed with three shots from the commanders 25mm. The rest of the squad with the IFVs remove the infantry from their positions with smaller caliber fire, after this, we move forward towards where it is believed the main enemy force is stationed along with captured civilians.

I hate being right as the main quad of the campus is where the enemy started a base of operations, most of the enemy force is located at this position and they are detaching off into separate corners of the campus, Thankfully all the enemy AMS are stationed here, some even without pilots, this is too easy. With the order to attack I leap from behind the administration building while spewing fire from my cannon at the enemy AMS. Each powerful shot hits its mark, every armor-piercing shot is a kill, and every high explosive of incendiary causes the enemy to stagger. I manage to kill five of the enemies, while friendlies clean up the rest with missiles and their own, smaller cannons. The IFVs shred the enemy infantry and take out any anti-tank emplacements set up.

After the quad is clear, our infantry deploys and new gunships have arrived to support them, from this point forward it's up to them to save the civilians. My job now is to go solo to the AMS hangar for some reason, I dread this but begin making my way out there, cleaning up any enemy I find, their rifles ineffective against my armor. It's strange to me though, I haven't faced a difficult foe in a while. Have I gotten that much more skilled, or have I just been too lucky?

My question is answered when the entire right side of me is engulfed in a ball of red flame, my shields manage to take all the damage and I turn to face my opponent. I let out a disappointed sigh when I see my foe, I get a communication from them and a familiar female voice rings out,

"Return the empress at once! You kidnapper! Those imperial soldiers have told me exactly what you are! I can't believe you betrayed her holiness!"

In front of me isn't just one opponent, but ten, all in their AMS, all fully combat capable and ready to fight. Their leader though is the only doozy I see, the tall feminine figure wrapped in flame with the roman numerals XVI on the blank faceplate. I feel a slight smile creep onto my face and reply,

"Oh, it looks like we finally get that match. Too bad you are greatly misinformed, and even worse is that what I'm going to have to do. This is your last chance to back down, I don't have high explosive loaded right now, my shots are lethal, and if you push me, I won't hesitate."

There is silence from the other end as a few simply raise their weapons. I broadcast to them all,

"Okay so you've made your choices, just wish you didn't make the choice that'll give me nightmares."

And then the fight began.