The pain in Li Wei's shoulder was a sharp reminder of this world's brutality. The Fireflies, with their fanaticism, had shown that the threat didn't just come from the infected. He was in the camp's makeshift infirmary, with Momo by his side, her eyes filled with concern, as a Super Earth medic sealed the wound in his armor.
"Commander, the Firefly offensive has been repelled. The camp is secure," Aegis reported, its voice as imperturbable as ever. "However, their leader, Marlene, has not been located. She has likely escaped. The incursion also revealed that their main base is hidden in a heavily fortified mountainous area."
Li Wei nodded. He couldn't afford a long recovery period. The threat persisted. The cure, this world's hope, depended on him.
"Aegis, what's the status of our resources? And our soldiers?"
"Resources are optimal, Commander, thanks to the Kepler-186f mines. And troops are ready. The Elite Helldivers have proven their worth. The Super Earth Soldiers, including recruits from Earth-199999, are gaining experience rapidly."
Li Wei looked at Momo, who returned his gaze with silent determination. Then, his eyes fell on Joel and Ellie, who watched from a distance, hope mixed with distrust in their eyes. He needed to act.
"Aegis, call Helldiver Commander 'Vanguard.' I want an immediate offensive against the Firefly base."
"Commander, with your injuries, Super Earth protocol suggests that direct leadership fall to the next highest-ranking officer," Aegis informed.
"Vanguard is my best man," Li Wei said, with a rare smile. "He can handle this. I want him to take one hundred Helldivers, including the elites, and one hundred Super Earth Soldiers, including recruits from Earth-199999. They should take tanks and APCs. And launch a massive assault."
The Steel Spear: Helldiver Offensive
Commander Vanguard, a Helldiver with an impassive demeanor but lethal efficiency, received Li Wei's orders. His voice, filtered through the comms, was purely professional. "Understood, Commander. The Fireflies will pay for their insolence."
The offensive was launched at dawn. The Fortress of Justice positioned itself in orbit, providing air support and reconnaissance. Super Earth's steel column, led by Vanguard, moved through the city's ruins, an relentless hammer against the darkness.
Third-Person Account: 'Liberator' Tanks led the way, their plasma cannons pulverizing improvised Firefly barricades. 'Patriot' APCs deployed squads of Helldivers and Super Earth Soldiers, who advanced methodically, their energy weapons mowing down any infected or Firefly members in their path.
Commander Vanguard was at the front, his armor gleaming under the pale sun. His discipline was unwavering, his orders quick and concise. The one hundred Helldivers moved as a single organism, flanking, assaulting, using every stratagem with deadly precision. Behind them, the one hundred Super Earth Soldiers, including the recruits from Earth-199999, fought with inspired ferocity. They had seen the hope that Super Earth could bring, and now they defended it with their lives.
They encountered Firefly ambushes, booby traps, and hidden snipers. But Super Earth's offensive was relentless. The Elite Helldivers, with their superior training, neutralized threats with astonishing ease. Combat Engineers dismantled traps, and Super Earth Medics attended to the wounded on the front line, keeping casualties minimal.
The battle for the Firefly base was brutal. The fortress was nestled in a cave, fortified with tunnels and hidden defenses. But Super Earth had the technology and the will. 'Liberator' Tanks breached the rock, while Helldivers used explosives to penetrate the inner defenses.
Dawn in Despair: A New Beginning
After hours of combat, the Firefly base fell. The few members who weren't eliminated were captured. Marlene, however, was not found. She had escaped, but the Firefly threat had been dismantled.
"Commander, the Firefly base has been neutralized. Primary mission objectives have been completed," Aegis reported to Li Wei, who observed the battle from the camp, his shoulder throbbing.
In the camp, news of Super Earth's victory spread like wildfire. Survivors, who had lived with constant fear of the infected and human factions, began to see the true strength of Li Wei and his army. Hope, which had been a faint spark, began to burn brighter.
Li Wei looked at Joel and Ellie. Joel, with his usual skepticism, wore an expression of astonishment. He had seen many things in this world, but a force like Super Earth, an organization fighting not for survival, but for the liberation of humanity, was something new.
"Commander, a research lab has been located in the Firefly base. It contains data on their cure research and, more importantly, tissue samples from Ellie," Aegis reported.
A grim smile crossed Li Wei's face. The cure. The promise he had made to Momo. This world, plunged into despair, was about to receive Super Earth's gift.