Operation: First Contact is the name of the first deployment of the United States Empire's forces during the investigation of the loss of contact with its colony on the planet New Madrid. After arriving in high orbit over New Madrid, the fleet was suddenly attacked by massive anti-orbital gun batteries that belonged to the then-unknown Arm of Orion, which necessitated emergency evasive actions in order to allow Sky Crane to quickly deploy infantry onto the planet. The 8th Armored Infantry Division was one of the first units deployed onto the scene and was tasked with securing various control points near the weapon batteries in order to disable them, securing a relatively safe beachhead for the rest of the USIF assault forces. Battling Arm forces for the very first time, USIF Private Alex C