Hellstein's Anathema

Hellstein: "We must carry on the attack"

The news of Commander Kael’s death was music to the ears of Chief Democracy Officer Hellstein and Defence Minister Covington.

Eleven days had passed since the former President’s death during the defence of Super Earth—and since the Battle of Afoyay Bay, where Chaos forces had successfully rescued eight million dissidents.

In Super Earth’s Oval Office war room, cabinet officials gathered to strategize their next moves.

Seated around the table were the newly elected President, Defence Minister Covington, Chief Democracy Officer Hellstein, Ten-Star General Harlan Rexford, Admirable Admiral Hess, and other high-ranking generals and admirals.

President: “Gentlemen, thank you for gathering here today. The events of the past two weeks alone equal a century’s worth of crises. We successfully repelled the Illuminate Great Host and crippled these obscure rebels who emerged from the shadows. However, our fleet strength is critically depleted. I yield the floor to the Defence Minister for a briefing on resources.”

Defence Minister Covington: “Thank you, Mr. President. We have indeed suffered a severe blow to logistics and resources. Troop numbers remain sufficient, and morale is high following our major victory, but war fatigue is setting in alongside persistent dissident issues. The CECOD must be rebuilt in a secure location within Super Earth’s direct reach—better protected from external threats, whether alien or human.”

President: “Understood. The Ministries of Truth and Unity are already working on it. Our primary focus now must be the rebels. They need to be dealt with swiftly.”

Defence Minister Covington: “That will not be difficult, Mr. President. There is no need to rush; they cannot match Super Earth’s experience or capability. In an arms race, we will achieve superiority—we produce more ships and troops per capita than they ever could.”

Chief Democracy Officer Hellstein: “With all due respect, I must interrupt. Every day we delay, their legitimacy grows, and Super Earth bleeds moral authority by their mere existence. My view is clear: cut out the cancer at the root while it is still early. We must respond with an iron fist and annihilate these scum from the galaxy.”

President: “A valid point, Chief Hellstein—we cannot appear weak. What is the current rate of dissidence within the Armed Forces? Any notable incidents?”

Defence Minister Covington: “Incidents have always occurred, but they have increased recently. The Chaos forces’ broadcasts are contaminating young minds, and we have internal whistleblowers—such as the Erata Prime case.”

Chief Democracy Officer Hellstein: “I handled that one personally. He was no whistleblower—just a confused mind who misinterpreted classified documents. He was not the spark; something else ignited this. Mind control cannot be ruled out. Regardless, we must deal firmly with anyone who fancies themselves a ‘whistleblower,’ whatever their intentions. Their actions yield only harmful outcomes. I have devised a plan to address internal dissidents.”

President: “Proceed, Mr. Hellstein.”

Hellstein: “Purge. There is no alternative. I propose the Super Earth Purge Initiative. We will assemble a purge task force to interrogate dubious individuals within the forces and determine whether they face re-education or immediate execution—in black-site facilities, of course. We cannot afford further bad publicity. Secondly, the initiative must extend planet by planet. Any world that has welcomed Chaosdiver landings must be purged and, if necessary, erased.”

The President paused in silence, weighing the proposal, before finally nodding:
“Agreed.”

President: “Army and Navy perspectives—how much preparation time do you require?”

Ten-Star General Rexford: “From a pure infantry standpoint, Mr. President, we could launch tomorrow. Manpower supremacy is decisively on our side.”

President: “And from the fleet perspective?”

Admiral Hess: “Given that the enemy has proven full of surprises and highly unpredictable, the safest course would be an arms race. However, since we agree on giving them no breathing room, I can commit to launching once we outnumber them three-to-one in fleet strength.”

Defence Minister Covington: “We can initiate the operation in ten days at the earliest, one month at the latest. Super Corvettes and Super Destroyers are rolling off the lines faster than the enemy can match. Let us prepare thoroughly—the exact day of assault will remain classified.”

Hellstein: “I will oversee this personally. I intend to be on the bridge of the armada’s flagship alongside the generals. I will ensure the brains behind this chaotic abomination are executed by my own hand. Let us commence Operation Hammer of Justice.”

The war room reached consensus. Preparations for Operation Hammer of Justice began immediately.