"PRIORITY ALERT
The Automaton commander known as the Devil of the Creek has been sighted on Tien Kwan. Previously encountered on Malevelon Creek, this entity is believed to be responsible for the deaths of countless brave heroes of Democracy.
Contrary to previous sighting on Malevelon Creek, the Devil of the Creek is now accompanied by a previously unknown unit of Automatons, whose construction appears to be less lacklustre than the rest of the malfunctioning horde which besets our beloved Federation. Nevertheless, these wicked warmachines remain far inferior to the technology of Super Earth, and should pose no threat to the chosen champions of Freedom.
For its numerous crimes against Super Earth, the Devil of the Creek shall be decommissioned once and for all. Helldivers are advised to immediately report any sighting of the Automaton commander before engaging it and bringing it to justice, so that a record can be kept of its position.
By order of High Command, the brave Helldivers who finally rid Super Earth of this mechanized monstrosity shall be honored as true heroes of Democracy, and be granted an immediate rank increase commensurate with their manifest valor.
Claims that the Devil of the Creek is some manner of revenant created from the desecrated remains of fallen Helldivers using treacherous cybernetic technology have been disproven beyond all doubts by Super Earth's intelligence efforts. All rumors to the contrary are mere undemocratic hearsay at best, dissident propaganda at worst, and should be signalled to your Democracy Officer at once."
Ministry of Defense briefing material to the Helldivers Corps deployed in the Tien Kwan system, March 15th, 2184.
***
March 16th, 2184 – Tien Kwan
The Hellpod plunged through the skies of the besieged world, like a bullet fired from the heavens straight at Liberty's enemies. Inside, clad in his panoply of war, General Brasch breathed deeply, and waited. Despite all the improvements that had been applied to his wargear, there was only so much Super Earth's technology could do to make a Hellpod comfortable.
The Hellpod impacted, and his armor immediately began injecting him with a low-concentration stim. As the death-delivering device opened and pushed him up, time seemed to slow, while his every muscle felt overcharged with righteous Democratic fury.
Brasch's first sight of Tien Kwan was of a violent ongoing battle, the air thick with smoke, bullets, laser bolts, and screams. He had been deployed on the planet's equator, in the middle of a fierce confrontation between the SEAF and the Automaton Legion. Mere hours after the initial landings, thousands had already laid down their lives in service of Freedom, and his target had been located leading the hordes of soulless killing machines.
He couldn't yet see her, but that was no matter. There were plenty of foes deserving of his wrath. Without hesitation, he drew his pair of Senator pistols and started blasting. At once, his armor's Fantastic Routines for Eliminating Enemies kicked in, guiding his aim by displaying targeting arrays inside his helmet and subtly correcting the position of his wrists as he fired at the mass of soulless constructs advancing toward him.
Thanks to the FREE software, every shot hit perfectly, striking at the weaker spots in the Automatons' bodies which had been deduced by Super Earth's elite analysts using countless hours of footage from the brave Helldivers who had given their lives to hold back the metallic tide.
The Automaton troopers fired back in his direction, but their laser bolts couldn't penetrate his armor, couldn't even slow him down. Still firing one-handed, he took a grenade out of his belt and threw it, trusting the FREE software's guidance. The explosive projectile landed in the middle of the Automatons' line and detonated with enough strength to punch a hole through the mindless killers' formation.
Brasch stood tall, a beacon of Democracy for the beleaguered SEAF units to rally around. Even as he continued hosing the Automaton lines with a hail of bullet-shaped ballots, he caught sight of a Colonel rallying the troopers around him with shouted orders. Artillery barrages were called in from distant support teams, and more Helldivers plummeted from the skies, adding their own considerable firepower to the unfolding symphony of destruction.
The tide of battle was shifting once more in Super Earth's favor, Brasch could feel it. And, just as he had predicted, his true enemy couldn't abide such a thing.
Brasch saw her, flying above the battlefield on wings of smoke and fire, propelled by one of the Automatons' inferior copies of Super Earth's jump-pack technology. She landed amidst a platoon of SEAF soldiers, followed by more of her flying socialist minions, and they began butchering the poor defenders of Democracy at once.
The Devil of the Creek was cutting through SEAF troopers and Helldivers like a plasma gun through reconstituted protein. That could not stand, and now that he was here, it wouldn't for much longer.
"Devil !" He roared, his helmet amplifying the sound of his voice so that it could be heard booming across the battlefield. "Your reign of terror is at an end ! I, General Brasch, will avenge the countless innocent lives that have been lost to your evil campaign of tyranny !"
She sneered at him, but didn't reply. Not that he would have paid any heed to her anti-democratic screed in any case.
"Justice has found you at last !" he roared, and charged. "For Democracy !"
One of the towering mechanical monstrosities at the Devil's side let loose a stream of rockets in his direction. They slammed into his advanced SH-32 Shield Generator, which withstood the detonation without issue, and Brasch kept advancing unflinchingly. Around him, he heard the cheers of the SEAF soldiers, their hearts filled with patriotic pride at this display of Super Earth's invincible might.
Another Automaton ran toward him, its clawed feet carelessly trampling the corpses of its own kin. This one was a four-armed, hulking abomination similar to the Berserkers the Helldivers had encountered on Malevelon Creek, with two arms ending in brutal chainsaws and the other two ending in laser canons which fired at Brasch's energy shield with no more success than the rockets had found.
However, the energy shield couldn't protect the General from the howling chainsaws. But the FREE software displayed the trajectories of the weapons ahead of time, and with his reflexes boosted by stims, he managed to dodge them, before drawing one of his Senators.
In one fluid motion, he jammed the pistol underneath the skull-plated face of the killing machine and pulled the trigger, turning its head to shrapnel. It staggered back for a few steps before collapsing, revealing the Devil of the Creek standing behind him, her face contorted in a grimace of rage.
He fired at her, but the FREE software couldn't help him here, as very little footage of the Devil had made it off Malevelon Creek, and what had been obtained involved precious few actual hits being landed on the vile cybernetic abomination. His bullets slammed into the crimson energy shield that protected her – yet another sign of her cowardice, to hide behind such technology instead of facing her enemies directly like a true warrior.
He holstered his pistols and drew the melee weapon he'd been equipped with for this mission : a saber called Liberty's Edge, forged from the most advanced alloy the scientists of the Federation could design, and whose blade had been sharpened to a single molecule's width through the use of Freedom Whetstones.
The Devil cocked her head to the side as he crossed the last few meters separating them, observing his weapon with the same cold, unchanging glare she directed at everything. Then, at nearly the last moment, she fell into a defensive stance.
As their respective energy fields met and the conflicting energies of Democracy and Tyranny clashed, they crackled and sparked. Brasch's first blow was parried by the Devil's claws, and he dodged out of the way of a point-blank shot of her canon.
They were surrounded by her honor guard, but now that they were locked in melee none were interfering, their programming keeping them from doing anything that risked hurting their dark mistress – another weakness the warriors of Super Earth didn't possess, for all were willing to give their lives if doing so advanced Liberty's cause.
For one timeless moment, they duelled, surrounded by the mayhem of battle, the binary screeches of the Automatons and the screams of men and women. In their respective armor, they were of equal height, though he could tell from what little of her flesh was exposed – no doubt to mock her foes by revealing her defilement of the human form's innate perfection – that she would be much smaller than him without it.
She reminded him of his daughter, and he used the disturbing sense of familiarity to fuel his righteous fury even more.
They moved back and forth across the broken earth, dodging and blocking each other's blows in a deadly dance that pushed the old soldier beyond anything he had ever experienced. Her claws raked the side of his chest, leaving deep gouges in his armor; his sword nicked her rifle arm, causing a shower of sparks that told him the weapon was disabled.
Yet eventually, despite the stims, despite the discreet exoskeleton built into his armor enhancing his strength, Brasch began to tire. His muscles burned with effort, and his vision was beginning to blur from too much stimulants in his bloodstream. For a fraction of a second, his guard slipped, and that was enough. Four bladed talons rammed into his chest, piercing through armor, skin, flesh and bone before erupting out of his back in a shower of gore.
As his life bled from him, the mask of the invincible General Brasch slipped away, and Anson Sue tried to speak, but only blood came out of his mouth, splattering inside his helmet and tinting his vision red.
"Let me tell you a secret," the Devil of the Creek whispered into his ear as she pulled him closer, in a morbid parody of an embrace.
"You are the third Brasch I've killed."
No. She was lying. She had to be lying. This was just a lie, one final cruelty visited upon him by a being whose humanity had been replaced by cold, soulless iron –
"And I doubt you will be the last."
Then the Devil closed her metallic claws, tearing his guts apart, and ripped his still-beating heart out of his chest. For several seconds, the man who had been given the honor of taking up General Brasch's mantle watched in mute horror, before the damage to his body finally became too much for the stims flowing through his body, and darkness claimed him.
***
"Yesterday, after a brief battle against General Brasch, the Devil of the Creek fled like the coward she is, as all enemies of Democracy do when faced with the unstoppable might of Super Earth's champions.
The sight of their commander fleeing and abandoning them has crushed the Automatons' non-existent morale, and the mechanized minions of Communism are now in full retreat across the planet.
The liberation of Tien Kwan is imminent. All Helldivers are advised to keep up the pressure on the Automatons, in preparation for the next stage of our peacekeeping campaign against the Automatons' rampant and unjustified aggression.
Remember : there is no greater honor than dying in the service of Democracy."
Helldivers briefing, delivered by the Ministry of Defense on March 17th, 2184.
***
"[MRS SUE],
It is with great grief and sorrow that we must announce to you that your [HUSBAND], [COLONEL] [ANSON SUE], tragically perished in action on [TIEN KWAN].
He was a true champion of Managed Democracy, and his [HEROIC SACRIFICE] against the [AUTOMATON LEGION] shall be remembered forever.
The Martyrdom Payment of [COLONEL ANSON SUE] has been transferred to your account, with the appropriate taxes already collected."
Message from the Ministry of Defense to Mrs Sue, March 18th, 2184.
***
March 20th, 2184 – Tien Kwan
"Colonel Lergen," a familiar voice boomed as Lergen entered the command center. "Welcome."
The rank insignia on the man's uniform indicated that this could only be General Brasch, the only Helldiver in history to hold the rank of Super 10-Star General. He was the very image of the heroic figure displayed on countless posters across the Federation : a grizzled veteran, his skin tanned and almost leathery from exposure to the perils of untold alien worlds where he'd raised the torch of Liberty high and banished the darkness of fascism and communism wherever he went.
But Lergen had seen Brasch die, slain by the Devil. His unit had been torn to pieces around him while the two demigods had duelled, but he had still seen the cyborg girl cut out Brasch's heart with her bladed claws and crush it in her fist. He'd heard the dismayed cries of the soldiers around him, even as he'd directed the withdrawal and called in the artillery support which had covered their retreat.
Even now, several days later, the image of the Devil's cold, soulless eyes watching him unerringly as they ran made him feel as if the ice of the world outside the center ran through his veins. Very few soldiers had made it out of that particular meat grinder, and from what Lergen could tell, he might very well be the only survivor of the group who had been close enough to the duel to see how it had ended – and how it differed from the version being broadcast by High Command.
Lergen wasn't stupid. He could put two and two together just as well as anyone else who'd finished the Federation's Mandatory Education for Nurturing Talent in All for Liberty program. He had a good idea of what had happened, and why he might be here. But he didn't say anything. The SEAF Colonel hadn't missed the pair of white-clad Truth Enforcers standing in the back of the room, watching Lergen as he approached the living legend and saluted. He wasn't going to say anything potentially treasonous, at least not until he knew more about what was going on.
"I asked you to come here to congratulate you on your admirable performance out there, Colonel," said Brasch. "I am sure you will continue to do Super Earth proud as Operation Rightful Exorcism unfolds."
Lergen blinked. "Sorry, sir, Operation Rightful Exorcism ? I haven't heard anything about that."
"Of course not," Brasch chuckled. "It's all top secret stuff, very hush-hush. Why, if you had known about it before I told you, these two nice fellows over there would have to shoot you !"
Lergen laughed weakly at his superior's 'joke'. Thankfully, the General changed the subject before he had to say anything in response.
"High Command has re-evaluated the threat posed by the Automatons in light of recent events," said Brasch, sounding more serious. "With Operation Valiant Enclosure concluded and the Terminid Control System online across the barrier planets, the Terminid Horde has been safely contained within their assigned areas. We still need to be vigilant in case some of the bugs left outside their assigned areas act out, obviously, but by and large we can afford to focus our efforts on kicking the robots' metallic behinds all the way out of our galaxy. As such, a new Major Order is going to be issued soon, so that the Helldivers know to focus their efforts on the western front of the war."
"I see. And the name is a reference to … a certain Automaton commander, I presume ?" Lergen tentatively asked, forcing himself not to glance toward the Truth Enforcers.
"That's right," confirmed the General. "Despite the best efforts of the Democracy Officers, Helldivers are still worried about facing her in the field. Now that I've clashed with her myself, I can understand why." His expression darkened, though it never lost its humor completely. "She's a slippery one, that's for sure, but she won't escape me next time we meet. You can bet on that, Colonel, as sure as Super Earth's steel."
Wisely, Lergen kept his mouth shut.
"Anyway, you're going to be part of the next push to Draupnir, alongside the Helldivers Corps," said Brasch, and Lergen ignored the sinking feeling he got in his stomach at the thought of fighting the Automaton hordes again. Cowardice was one of the most unforgivable crimes against Super Earth, second only to outright treachery, and while he couldn't control his fear, he wouldn't let it affect his actions. "We're combining those units which took the heaviest casualties together, and after your exemplary conduct on the battlefield, you're going to be in command of one of them."
What could Lergen say in response to such a statement ? Well, actually, many possible answers flashed through his mind, but the presence of the Truth Enforcers made sure the one which passed his lips was the correct one :
"Thank you, General. I will not disappoint you or Super Earth."
"Thank me by spilling oil, boy," the General guffawed and clapped him on the shoulder with enough strength to make him stumble. "Super Earth needs men and women like you to spread peace and Managed Democracy across the universe !"
***
"WEISS (Weaponized Entity of Immense Skill and Strategy)
The WEISS model is designed to be of use in every combat situation, as well as provide guidance to the rest of the Jet Brigade. Its design is based upon that of the Berserker model, albeit with an additional pair of limbs each carrying a potent laser cannon. Its internal memory banks are loaded with all the combat data on the forces of Super Earth that has been obtained during previous engagements, and its short-range communication array allows it to direct the rest of the Brigade should the Nephilim Commander find herself otherwise occupied.
KONIG (Killing Organics to Neutralize Incoming Gunfire)
The KONIG model is designed for elimination of specific high-value targets. It is equipped with a high-penetration sniper rifle, with an effective range of over five kilometers and enough firepower to pierce through the armor of a Shredder Tank. An advanced stealth field generator, based on the models which were field-tested in the jungles of Malevelon Creek, is also built into its chassis, allowing it to infiltrate enemy positions to dispose of its targets using the knife and silenced pistol built into its right arm.
NEUMANN (Noble Enforcer of Unity by Massacring All Negligent Neighbours)
The NEUMANN model is designed to deal with large numbers of enemy combatants. In addition to the pair of heavy-calibre machine guns built into its arms, it is equipped with two improved Devastator-class rocket pods. In order for its jump-pack to be able to lift the added weight, a miniature fusion reactor is built into its torso, providing power to the prototype anti-gravitic technology lowering its weight.
GRANTZ (Generalized Reckoning And Nuking Target Zones)
The GRANTZ model is designed to destroy enemy installations and material assets. Its design was inspired by the firepower the Federation of Super Earth bestows upon its brainwashed Helldivers : while GRANTZ is more than capable of defending itself, its true purpose lies in being a communication hub capable of connecting to any Automaton artillery piece and orbiting ship and transmitting enemy coordinates, along with calculating the optimal firing solution.
All four specialized models are controlled by a Class-Four Artificial Intelligence, capable of operating without support from the greater Automaton network as well as learning and adapting to the battlefield. These individual AIs are backed up aboard the Ghost of Cyberstan's computers, with regular updates planned after every mission. The flagship also contains all the parts and facilities required to repair the specialized models and, should it be necessary, provide the AIs with entirely new bodies.
In addition to the four specialized models, a large number of improved Trooper models have been assigned to the Jet Brigade. These models are based on the standard Trooper model, with improved durability through the use of more expensive alloys in their construction, and the installation of jump-packs."
Automaton briefing document on the Jet Brigade (for the eyes of Nephilim Commander Tanya only).
***
"NAME : MARY SUE
AGE : 17.4 YEARS OLD
CITIZENSHIP LEVEL : B
LOYALTY EVALUATION : A+
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE : B+
TACTICAL PERFORMANCE : C
TOTAL FREEDOM SCORE : 99 out of 10
HELLDIVER CANDIDACY : APPROVED
SENT TO TRAINING."
Internal memo of the Recruiting Office of the Helldivers Corps, March 24th, 2184.