* Computer and radio sounds * Pilot: “Command this is Vector 17-0. Be advised, we have left orbit. I repeat, beginning our descent onto the burning planet, over.” Blueround: “Alright boys. We’re going to Radion...again. It’ll be hot. So pack some extra water. This time we won’t be staying. The DOX Drones have pushed us too far back. Initiate Zeta Protocol.” Cadet: “Roger Sergeant” Pilot: “Thrusters on. Vector 17-0 to forces on the ground, ETA 1 Mike.” Blueround thinking: Just 2 hours ago I was standing in a cell lock prep talking my men. “Remember how hard you’ve worked just to be here,” I’d tell them. Now all the hard work is complete. All the preparation is done. I say a prayer as I head back into battle against my oldest and greatest enemy… the machine. Pilot: Command we are completing our descent. ‘Hundred meters out of AO. Prepare for contact. Command: Solid copy Vector 0. Ground trooper 1: Clear to engage. Ground trooper 2: We’ve got 10 minutes before the enemy drill hits the surface, go, go, go! Ground trooper 3: 1-1 Alpha, this is 1-6 Romeo, visual confirmation, over. Ground trooper 4: Hey I need some ammo up here!

Radio Chatter: Commander, we’ve got a situation up there. What is it Lieutenant? Enemy cruisers spotted up ahead. Alpha class scanning capabilities detected. Switching to passive radar. Wife: Am I ever going to see you again? Trooper: I'll come home, I promise. Daughter: Daddy wait! Trooper: I've gotta go sweetie. Intercomm: All personnel, report to station for t-minus 10. High in the sky, up at the speed of light Traveling through the stars Nothing can stop us now. Because when we stand together I can take on the world. You’ll always be by my side And I cannot let you go. Every needs a champion And you are mine. Radio chatter: Goliath-1 to ground control, we have lift off. Roger G-1. Watch your heading, stay on course.

We knew the drones would all turn on us eventually. It's them versus us now. The choice is clear. We fight or we die. We don’t rely on them anymore. The factions are well established and the line is clearly drawn. You’re either with us or forgotten. To abandon this effort is to fall with no glory. Humanity is in this together, because what choice did we have? We could have continued to point fingers, argue, and fight each other as we did on Earth, but what good would it do? The day the DOX Drones landed, our differences as humans, as nations, grew ever insignificant in the shadow of the growing threat of our complete annihilation. Humanity: an endangered species. The drones would leave none of us alive. Suddenly our ancient feuds and tribal prejudices didn't really matter so much. But one thing is certain: wherever mankind goes, conflict and bloodshed will follow. To fight an unhuman enemy we needed a leader -- one like none before him. A leader without which we would surely fail. A leader that could consolidate our resolve to survive by reaching into our hearts to show us that at the core of every human soul lies the indisputable drive to preserve ourselves, to reach for the stars, and perhaps now more than ever, to right our wrongs.

Blueround: The Sereth Rift. 350 miles of pure punishment. Home to some of the Human Federation’s biggest nightmares. When the long gone Verbatians tried to terraform RM-587, they failed, destabilizing the planet’s core. The expansion on the surface opened monstrous chasms, leaving behind rivers of fire, everywhere. Of all these cracks on the charcoal black surface, “Sereth” is the biggest one observed to date. By the time we showed up, scans revealed more promising resource deposits than any of our previous sectors, especially along the Sereth Rift. But the DOX Drones beat us to the punch again, and while they were at it, they filled the entire valley from nose to tail with some of the largest and most high tech defenses that we know of. This is probably the most dangerous place in the universe for any human right now, but we’re being sent in for the first time, to save an old friend of mine… and thousands more. Briefing Commander: Your mission is to break into Sereth prison. Ever since the DOX Drones commandeered it in the 2070s, well let’s just say they’ve made a few… renovations. If you make it back, tell us if you like what they did to the place. *soldiers laugh* Commander: Aight lads, let’s get down to business. Your VIP is SGT Greenscope413 of Bravo Division. It just so happens he’s a good friend of Dr. D. Turns out friends in high places can save your life now and then. Ok, now the facility. The heavy defenses you’re all familiar with were built right on top of this thing. You thought Alcatraz was impenetrable? Wait til you see this place. Since the prison is directly in the center of the rift, I know we’re all thinking the same thing... We’ve got to flatten this place once and for all. Strategically, it sounds like a bloody mess waiting to happen, believe me, I know. But here’s the plan. Since we don’t have enough scanning intel, an aerial insertion is out of the question. We’ll be wiped out in a matter of seconds. Instead we’re landing to the east and west of our target, nice and clear of enemy detection. After that our chaps of Hammer Division are gonna enjoy themselves a nice ride across the planet’s surface. Luckily the land around the Sereth Rift is plateaued. This is our main strategic advantage. Now as soon as they approach range of defenses on top of the rift, that’s when our highly calculated orbital strike surprise attack begins. With sniper and artillery support place outside the rift, you’re gonna push through defenses with the help of Zeus Armor Division. …This won’t be another quick smash and grab lads. It’ll be a long night in hell. This is likely the most dangerous mission that many of you are ever going to have. Now I know everyone at central command is not 100% on board with this operation, I get that. But you can at least be sure you’ve got my support, all the way. I believe you. Now get out there and knacker some robot scum!

Sgt. Blueround: No, it's not over. Listen to me! Nobody on this ship has to die today! When I joined this unit, it was assigned zeta protocol twice in one year but that didn't stop it. It was dead set on the mission it was formed to accomplish with absolute certainty in its ability to succeed. None of you had a single streak of doubt to speak of. No men under my command were ever anything less. Those of you standing here today are the fraction fortunate enough to have made it this far. The skill sets that each one of you has to offer are non-identical and irreplaceable, and the things this team can do... well in all my years serving, I've never seen anything like it. Mark my words, you all have what it takes! As bleak as things look now, we can still win this!!... Look the person in the eye to your left and to your right. Each one of you has something special; I believe it. And if you already think this is over, you're a fool for joining up! Rhino squad never quits! I need a team I can count on through thick and thin. Some of you I've fought alongside for many years; others, just a few days, but each one of you has lived up to that name no matter the cost! You're the most loyal band of brothers I've ever had the privilege of serving with, and if we improvise like I know you can, we can still make it out of this alive. Pilot: Aye, mate. Just tell us what we need to do. Look these bots have one weakness. I've seen the codes myself but we're gonna have to work together. I know this isn't exactly what you've been trained to do, but you are the best. SpeedFollow my lead and let's blast some cyborg scum. Who's with me?! Grab a flight suit. I'll meet you on deck. Never forget that what's inside of you is more important than any skill, intellect, or strength you can muster against the machines because your traits and character are what makes us who we are. Your individual selves are what make us better than them! The machines don't have that; they're all identical. Our passion and heart is what makes us human. As long as you hang onto that I promise you can count on one thing no matter what happens; whether we live or die today, we'll get through this as a team.