Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
A Remote Front Emerges
The Heavies invade Earth before a unified military front drives them away. In 2033, reinforcements arrive at Outpost 37 in a demilitarised border zone.
Key Events
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Heavies Invade Earth — The Heavies invade Earth and quickly gain ground against an uncoordinated international response. Characters: The Heavy
Location: Earth
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USDF Replaces United Nations — The United Nations is replaced by the USDF, which drives the Heavies from Earth. Characters: The Heavy
Location: Earth
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Outpost 37 Established — Reinforcements and embedded journalists arrive at one of the last USDF outposts. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
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Villagers Assault Outpost — Local villagers attack the outpost after relations deteriorate over continued violations of their sovereignty. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
The Village Turns Hostile
Relations between the outpost and nearby villagers deteriorate after repeated sovereignty violations. Reports of animal mutilations lead the soldiers into a dangerous investigation.
Key Events
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Reinforcement Reaches Outpost — After a soldier is wounded, Hans arrives as a replacement for the primarily American unit. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
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Animal Mutilations Reported — Reports of mutilated animals prompt soldiers to investigate the surrounding villages. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
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Heavy Ambushes Patrol — A Heavy opens fire from a hill, forcing the soldiers to retreat from the village. Characters: North, Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Hills above the village
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North Disappears — The soldiers discover North is missing after the ambush and fail to find him. Characters: North, The Heavy
Location: Village outskirts
Abduction Behind The Lines
A Heavy ambushes the patrol and abducts North, revealing that the aliens have adopted new tactics. The soldiers struggle between rescue efforts and restrictive orders.
Key Events
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Abduction Appears On Video — Recovered helmet footage shows that the Heavies abducted North. Characters: North, The Heavy
Location: Outpost 37
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Captain Leaves For Briefing — The captain leaves to discuss the Heavies' new ambush and abduction tactics with superiors. Characters: North, The Heavy
Location: Outpost 37
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Drone Finds Saleem — Unable to launch a formal rescue, the soldiers use a drone and discover Saleem is in danger. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Reconnaissance area
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Heavy Captured — The soldiers disobey orders to rescue Saleem and capture a Heavy during the operation. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Rescue area
The Hidden Control
Saleem attacks the base after appearing strangely dazed, and Omohundro finds evidence of an implant. North's return and coded blinking expose a wider mind-control threat.
Key Events
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Captured Heavy Executed — The returning captain executes the captured Heavy and orders the soldiers to stop searching for North. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Outpost 37
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Saleem Attacks Base — Saleem appears dazed, opens fire on the soldiers, kills one, and is then killed by the captain. Characters: Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
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Mind Control Incision Found — Omohundro discovers an incision on Saleem's head, suggesting an implanted mind-control device. Characters: Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
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North Recovered — The soldiers find North wounded and nearly unconscious in Saleem's village and return him to the base. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Saleem's village
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Coordinates Decoded — North's rhythmic blinking is decoded as coordinates while he remains in a coma. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
The Structure Below
The soldiers abandon Outpost 37 and follow North's coordinates to an alien structure. They destroy it despite heavy casualties and stop a plan to resupply the Heavies.
Key Events
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North Demands Death — North awakens under apparent mind control, attacks the captain, and demands to be killed. Characters: North, Omohundro
Location: Outpost 37
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Outpost 37 Destroyed — After finding similar incisions among attackers, the soldiers abandon and blow up the outpost. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Outpost 37
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Alien Structure Discovered — The soldiers follow North's coordinates and discover an alien structure containing contractors and missing villagers. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Alien structure
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Structure Assaulted — Mind-controlled locals and Heavies attack as several soldiers enter the structure under fire. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Alien structure
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Alien Resupply Plan Foiled — The soldiers destroy the structure, freeing controlled villagers and preventing the Heavies' resupply plan. Characters: Omohundro, The Heavy
Location: Alien structure
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Survivors Receive Commendations — The surviving soldiers receive commendations, though the journalist doubts the public understands their sacrifices. Characters: Omohundro
Location: USDF command
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Second Invasion Begins — A post-credits scene shows survivors with advanced prosthetics fighting a second invasion. Characters: The Heavy
Location: Earth
A documentary crew follows an elite unit of soldiers in the wake of an alien invasion.