[b][i]History is But a Cycle...[/i][/b] [b]Northeast Syoki Desert, Tatakai[/b] [i]The still silence of the hot desert afternoon was shattered as five Orbital Assault Landing Craft broke the Tatakaian atmosphere, moving towards the great open sands of the desert. The five gargantuan spacecraft were visible from quite a ways away, each nearly three times as long and twice as tall as the average aircraft carrier. Each of the bristled with weaponry, their shields pulsing, visible blue hexagonal patterns visible around them. Each of them also bore the same insignia painted on the bow, an eagle soaring into the wind. After breaking atmosphere, they moved into their formation, forming a sort of perimeter around a large section of land, before moving to land. Dust and debris flew everywhere, the powerful thrusters of each OALC kicking it around. As soon as each of the craft touched the ground, their transport bays began to open, and hordes of men, armored vehicles, supply trucks, combat mechs, and aircraft poured out. Construction equipment followed, along with prefabricated fortifications. Everything they had bore the same insignia, the eagle flying in the wind. They were on Tatakai to establish their presence, courtesy of none other than Lucien Farcon and Inferno. Had any been around to see them, their gear appeared to be fairly advanced, though they were by no means super-futuristic. Most of their weapons appeared to be ballistic, though some of their soldiers sported some rather advanced-looking rifles. They appeared to sport varying units of power armored soldiers and combat hardsuits, along with varying hard, medium, and light armor. Tanks were the most notable thing, all of which looked to be somewhat based on 21st Century main battle tanks. Their armored vehicles appeared based upon both modern MRAPs and a futuristic redesign of German halftracks from the Second World War. Various artillery pieces were quickly moved into position, some self-propelled, others pulled by trucks. Missile defense systems, SAMs, and CIWSs were moved into place as the massive army began to deploy and construct what would be their main operating base. While the majority of the military force set about establishing their base on the planet, contingency units remained aboard the three supercruisers in high Tatakaian orbit. Their orbital weapons systems were primed, but utilizing them would be far too dangerous, and thus despite their readiness, they would not and could not be used. The sheer size of whoever this army was was massive, but what did their arrival have to do with anything? Why would such a massive force arrive out of nowhere? Or was it really out of nowhere? As the base began construction and defensive perimeters were set up, aircraft began their sorties from the OALCs, interceptors looking very similar to the 20th Century F-14 Tomcat multirole fighter, though perhaps a bit bulkier, sporting thrust vectoring nozzles rather than the usual afterburners. They were establishing air cover. With the fighters up, soon reconnaissance drones were sent up and out, and towards both the Dojo and Dojoville. With full visual established, the expeditionary force could be sent forwards to make contact. Such a force was less by an up-armored and heavily modified redesign of a halftrack. Sporting a mounted minigun and an armored troop transport bay, it led the column, followed by four more of its kind. Behind them, ten tanks, all looking somewhat similar to an Abrams, though definitely sporting more advanced armor patterns and cannons. Some appeared to be sporting rail cannons. All of them also carried a secondary turret atop their main cannon, sporting twin 25mm autocannons, with an M3A1 atop that for the commander. On the flanks of the group were several combat mechs, all carrying large shields and 25mm autocannons. Behind them were armored trucks, which presumably were carrying soldiers. All in all, the expeditionary force was quite ready should they be assaulted. Despite their intense armament, their goal was simple. Make contact with the Dojo and Dojoville. Make contact with the specified friendlies. The orders had been given to the commander of the expeditionary force, who also happened to be the commander of all of the forces now on Tatakai, a mercenary who was quite experienced with the Dojo at one time. Sidewinder sat atop the minigun on the lead halftrack, his cybernetic arm resting on the weapon’s receiver. His orders had come straight from Inferno. Inferno’s orders had come straight from Farcon. The group arrived on the outskirts of Dojoville the next morning, the sound of heavy armor nigh-unmistakable to anyone in the town. It wasn’t exactly as if they were going for stealth. Upon arrival in Dojoville, soldiers began piling out of the armored trucks, soon moving to surround their own vehicles, before the column advanced into the town. Sidewinder kind of assumed that driving an armored column straight into a civilian town would get someone’s attention. It worked better than sending one man. He rather liked using intimidation and shows of force to do his bidding for him. It generally worked.[/i] [spoiler]Oh my God it’s good to be back doing what I do best. Open. Go find out what’s up in Dojoville.[/spoiler]