Chapter One

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :



----Intro post shall arrive later----

[Quantum Rain]

--Etti IV--

Siber looked at the men, and mentally 'scanned' them, memorizing armaments, possible weakpoints, attitudes, all in a few short seconds, as he turns toward the woman that approached him during that time. "...Fine." Siber said simply, as he looked at her the same way he did her men, coldly, but calculating.

---

--Piram II, Primitus Installation--

Rain wasted no time in pulling out his two sabers, and activating their energized blades, slicing through the drones with relative ease surprisingly. "Unshielded, defense drones... fan out and sweep them up." Rain ordered, as the others in his team brought out various weapons, and formed a loose line, firing and slashing away at the drones that kept pouring out of the entrance there. "Rain, what did you do to piss them off this time?" Lara spoke through the commlink, obviously saying that her team were engaged by drones as well.

---

--Piram II, Orbit--

"Ma'am, we're reading several energy signatures rising up from the surface, and a larger one further into the installation..." An officer reported from his station, as the crew worked hard to get up to date information as soon as possible. "Launch all automated strikecraft to deal with the drones." Marion ordered calmly, as she looked like she was in complete control of the situation still. "Keep a lock on that larger signature." "Yes, ma'am." The captain replied, as the order went out and several hundred strikecraft launched from the various ships and, moments later, engaged the drones, creating a defensive line for the larger ships.

[Roach]

--Etti IV--

Siber looked at the men, and mentally 'scanned' them, memorizing armaments, possible weakpoints, attitudes, all in a few short seconds, as he turns toward the woman that approached him during that time. "...Fine." Siber said simply, as he looked at her the same way he did her men, coldly, but calculating.

---

--Piram II, Primitus Installation--
---Eventually---

---

--Piram II, Orbit--
---Eventually---

Siber was lead to a penthouse apartment in Courscant's upper levels the Three that been escorting him waved him into a dimly lit sitting room Were Slavik sat wailing a bottle Of Vodka on the table accomplished by two glasses.

[Quantum Rain]

--Coruscant--

Siber stood there, being polite for once by waiting to be offered a seat. ...I don't drink... He thought, as he looked at the vodka being poured into the glasses. He looked back towards the man, analyzing him like he did for his subordinates.

[Roach]

--Coruscant--

Siber stood there, being polite for once by waiting to be offered a seat. ...I don't drink... He thought, as he looked at the vodka being poured into the glasses. He looked back towards the man, analyzing him like he did for his subordinates.

Slavik looked up and Chuckled "Your analyzing me what kind of man am I. Am i armed, am I dangerous?" Slavik Motioned Siber to sit down taking a swig from his glass. "Might i offer you a drink? Imported from Ramius the best in the galaxy. But im guessing your the type who does not drink. I am Anton Slavik I am the leader of the black hand of nod and the coordinator of the Free Peoples intelligence office."

[Quantum Rain]

--Coruscant--

"I haven't lived this long by trusting people." Siber said simply, taking his seat but not the glass of vodka. "...You can call me Siber." He said somewhat less coldly than before, relaxing only a little. An intelligence agent doing a bounty hunter's job. Odd.

[Roach]

--Coruscant--

"I haven't lived this long by trusting people." Siber said simply, taking his seat but not the glass of vodka. "...You can call me Siber." He said somewhat less coldly than before, relaxing only a little. An intelligence agent doing a bounty hunter's job. Odd.

"A pleasure." Slavik said coolly "I'm sure your wondering why an intelligence office is doing the work of bounty hunters. The reason for that is Kane, Tsar Putin and Roach the leaders of our faction do not trust any one they do not know they asked me to investigate." Slavik sat his drained glass on the table and pulled scanner from his pocket a scanning beam shot up and down Siber's body in a quick flash. "You are who you say you are. We are looking for the same person it does no harm for us to work together."

[Quantum Rain]

--Coruscant--

"...Just don't become a hindrance." Siber said, immediately returning to his detached, cold disposition. "My causes are my own," He says, standing up now, "and every second wasted the further the target gets away."

[Roach]

--Coruscant--

"...Just don't become a hindrance." Siber said, immediately returning to his detached, cold disposition. "My causes are my own," He says, standing up now, "and every second wasted the further the target gets away."

"We hear he was working with the black sun. They have an enclave in the lower city be a good place to start." Slavik stood up walked over to the closet he put on his power armor and grabbed his Assault rifle it clicked magnetically to his back a pair of grenade too their place on his left side and a large hand gun on his right. "Lets go."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, The Great City of Sapare

*The seconds come and go, and the Great War officially enters the first day of its 500th year. In the hours of the morning before dawn, the fighting heats up once more. The True Children of Aves fight savagely against the United Children of Aves, but with their air power almost completely obliterated and a huge portion of their army captured, the True Children are steadily pushed back across the Great City of Sapare. Finally, only the Government district remains in enemy hands.*

*Ackbar oversees the final stages of the battle from bridge of his command airship, the Unbroken, and sighs. Addrson stands beside him.*

Ackbar: It figures. It was never truly about worshipping Aves or any of that other propaganda I saw in my youth. No, it was always about power--complete power over everything and anything. But if they had been victorious over us, how would they have kept all this power after they clearly didn't need it anymore...?

Addrson: I suspect, sir, that they would have simply tried to hold onto power as long as they could, and then when it became apparent they no longer could maintain their grip, the True Children would have destroyed everything rather than give it up.

Ackbar: Better we're not finding out, then.

Addrson: Most likely, Commander.

*The True Children have mounted hastily-assembled anti-aircraft turrets all over the Government district, forcing the United Children's forces to fire on the majestic buildings. The battle now turns into a bloody melee, structure by structure, street by street. The True Children fight to the last avian, making their opponents pay in blood for every step taken toward the center of the Government district.*

*The fighting is long, hard, and bloody, but at long last the United Children of Aves push through the last defenses and break into the Capitol building. What they find defies conventional explanation.*

Ackbar: Report!

Squad Leader (comms): Commander, we've swept the building and there's no resistance left, but...you wouldn't believe it.

Ackbar: I'm coming down. Addrson, you're with me.

*A few minutes later, the hawk is flying through the bombed-out corridors of the Capitol building. Addrson and several burly guards fly with him, but his attention is nowhere near focused on them. It is fixated, horrified, on the scene of mass carnage adorning the once-elegant halls. Avians are dead everywhere, but these are no soldiers. The bodies, horrifically mangled by energy bolts, bear the garb of civilians, with some government officials interspersed among them. Ackbar's eye is drawn particularly to a hawk chick, with his skull melted. The irregular light provided by the guards' gun flashlights only serves to enhance the horrific effect. Tears run down the Supreme Commander's face, but he keeps going until his party arrives in the office of the Avatar of Aves--the leader of and spiritual idol for all the True Children of Aves. The Avatar's body is there, along with nearly two score others--all brutally murdered.*

Ackbar: What...what in the name of Aves...is this?!?! *The hawk's voice is a mixture of complete, utter sorrow and total outrage.

Squad Leader: Best we can tell, sir, a mass suicide. Not always voluntary.

*Addrson notices something on the wall above the doorway through which they have entered.* Addrson: Uh, Ackbar... *He points.*

*The Commander looks up and, when a nearby soldier illuminates the wall with his flashlight, nearly sobs in anger and horror. Viscous, dripping red symbols adorn the wall's surface, written in the most ancient, sacred language of the True Children of Aves.*

Ackbar (murmur): "These Children go now to the spirit of Aves. Never will they know the tainted filth of the abominable runners and their soulless, traitorous slaves. Aves bless us all."

*The room is completely silent except for the slow drip, drip, drip of the blood writing. Addrson slowly walks around, his face stoney, checking for survivors. There are none.*

*Suddenly, the room's living occupants hear scrabbling nearby. The guards instantly come to alert, guns pointing everywhere. They begin looking for possibly entrances into the room by any remnant enemy troops, but there are none. Ackbar traces the scuffling to the Avatar's desk--the noises are coming from inside it. Slumped against the desk's door is the body of a female Sparrowhawk in civilian attire, her breastbone melted from an energy bolt. The Commander gently lifts the body, saying a prayer to Aves for her, and moves it aside. Before he can open the desk door, he stops, frowning. A voice seems to be whispering to him, though none of his companions can hear it. The hawk strains to make it out.*

Voice: Bularr...Bularr...Bularr...

*Then, as quickly as it came, the voice fades into nothingness. The Commander waits for another moment before opening the desk.*

*Instantly, light beams shine into the space, revealing the fluffy body of a nestling Sparrowhawk. As the harsh light hits it, the nestling squeaks pitifully and Ackbar waves the guards off.* Ackbar: Stop! It's just a nestling.

*The lights go away, leaving the little creature in darkness once more. Uncertain about what to do next, Ackbar gently reaches into the space with a wing and brushes the nestling, eliciting another squeak--this time of fear--from the little creature. The hawk begins speaking slowly in soothing undertones.*

Ackbar: Shhh...shhh...it's okay...it's over now. Everything's going to be okay...we'll help you...don't worry...shhh...

*The nestling sniffles and then slowly, cautiously brushes against his wing again. The hawk continues encouraging it, and gradually it begins inching itself toward him. Ever so gently, Ackbar folds his wing over the nestling and reaches out with a foot to encircle its middle with his talons and pick it up. The nestling makes a pitiful screech of fear as it is lifted by strange talons, but Ackbar's continuously soothing words soon quiet it down.*

*The room has grown deathly quiet, save for the nestling's occasionally pips and Ackbar's calming murmurs.*

Addrson: ...sir? What are you going to do with that nestling?

*Ackbar looks at his friend, then at the nestling, and there is a long pause before he answers.* Ackbar: I don't know.

*Silence. Outside, night begins fading into day in earnest. The sun is rising on the first day of the 500th year of the Great War--and its final day.*

Ackbar: Get the word out. It's over. *His voice is strangely flat and emotionless.* At long last, it's finally over. *Pause.* I am returning to the Unbroken and will be in my cabin. I'd prefer to be left undisturbed for an hour or two. *Pause. He gestures around the room.* Get these...get them out of here. Bury them. Bury the civilians with full honors, but do not let the government officials have such. They were the architects of this...atrocity. *He points to the dead female sparrowhawk.* Let me know where she is buried once it is done.

Addrson: Yes, sir. I'll see to it.

Ackbar: Thank you, Addrson. *Without another word, the Commander lifts off with the nestling cradled against his chest. He flies through the now-dimly-lit corridors still strewn with bodies. At length, he emerges from the building-turned-mass grave and begins flying toward the Unbroken, waiting in the sky.*

*Once in his cabin, the Commander fashions a crude nest for the baby hawk using furniture and then flies to his perch with a glass of nectar-based wine in his foot. He looks out the cabin window at the devastation, then orders the window to darken, blotting out the sight. The hawk takes a long sip of his wine, and covers his face with his wing. Soon the nestling's whimpers are joined by another, similar sound: the sound of sobbing.*

--Aves System, Dark Side of Gas Giant--

Hiigaran Special Operative "Wraith": Situation log 010-337. Success! I've finally managed to establish a link to Command. Beginning comms now.

*Seconds later.*

Wraith: Operative Wraith to Hiigaran High Command. Does anyone read me?

*The reply is faint and plagued by static, but it's there.*

Command: Yeah, we read you, Wraith. What's the situation?

Wraith: I've got important data that could change everything we know about the Progenitors and their enemy, but I've got a ship hunting for me. I have to transfer the data now before it finds me.

Command: Opening a priority transfer stream now.

Wraith: Thanks, Command. Prepare to receive data in--

*Suddenly, an FTL portal opens up almost right on top of Wraith's stealth ship.*

Wraith: Kiith's Blood!! Command, it's found me!

Command: Roger, Wraith! Do you need assistance?

Wraith: Negative, negative!! That thing could wipe out half the Hiigaran Defense Fleet without breaking a sweat! Keep that stream open and prepare to receive the sand-cursed data!

*The portal disgorges a ship, larger than Wraith's and of completely alien make, with vicious angles and curves adorning its superstructure. Before the portal has even begun to close, a missile streaks from the ship, slamming into Wraith's vessel and vaporizing its comms array.*

Wraith: [censored]!!

*Wraith springs into action, putting up her shields and engaging her engines into overdrive. The Hiigaran stealth ship begins fleeing across the system with the other ship in hot pursuit. Wraith diverts any remaining power to her ship's meager weapons, which begin firing back at the hostile vessel. The shots have no discernible effect, and the other ship returns fire with a blistering hail of energy bolts and beam shots, which Wraith only just manages to avoid.*

Wraith: Situation log 011-068--The hunter's found me and has blown my comms array to space dust!! I'm gonna try to outrun it and lose it in the Outer Sectors!

*The Hiigaran stealth ship soon begins approaching Aves.*

Wraith: I'm now coming up on the only inhabited planet in this star system!

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, Aboard the Unbroken--

"I'm afraid you don't have much time for mourning the dead, admiral." A being said from the other side of the room, just randomly appearing there it seemed.

---

--Coruscant--

"..." Siber just walked towards the door and walked out, waiting for some guide or something to lead him the rest of the way.

---

--Piram II, Primitus Installation--

"You guys keep these drones busy and advance to Lara's position if you can, I'll deal with the defenses myself..." Rain said, taking both sabers, cutting through the drones, and walking through the entrance to the massive pit of blackness below. "Good luck." Rain said to the others, to which Will replied, "With what you're about to do, you need the luck more than we do." Rain just smiled, as he jumped down, slicing and dicing the drones in his path as he was free-falling towards the bottom of this chasm.

[Roach]

--Aves, Aboard the Unbroken--

"I'm afraid you don't have much time for mourning the dead, admiral." A being said from the other side of the room, just randomly appearing there it seemed.

---

--Coruscant--

"..." Siber just walked towards the door and walked out, waiting for some guide or something to lead him the rest of the way.

---

--Piram II, Primitus Installation--

"You guys keep these drones busy and advance to Lara's position if you can, I'll deal with the defenses myself..." Rain said, taking both sabers, cutting through the drones, and walking through the entrance to the massive pit of blackness below. "Good luck." Rain said to the others, to which Will replied, "With what you're about to do, you need the luck more than we do." Rain just smiled, as he jumped down, slicing and dicing the drones in his path as he was free-falling towards the bottom of this chasm.

Slavik and his men along with Siber take a transport to the black sun enclave in the dark depths of Coruscant. Slavik troops take positions around the Enclave some taking up sniper positions other in positions were they could provide cover fire quickly Their advanced armor making them invisible to sensors and their adaptive camouflage making them hard to spot. Slavik And Siber approach the black Sun base.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, the Unbroken--

*Ackbar's head jerks up, startled, and his wine glass falls from his foot to smash upon the cabin floor. Then, as he ascertains the source of the voice, his shoulders slump again and he slowly shakes his head.*

Ackbar: It's Commander still, Shadow, not Admiral... *He suddenly flares up in anger.* Why didn't you tell me this would happen?!?! Bad enough that millions of soldiers died today--this atrocity was the True Children's final blow and one that will linger!! I always thought you were here to help me prevent my own mistakes!!

--Kargul--

*The Turian interceptors cut into the Sansha fighter swarms. Though they take heavy casualties, the fighters are able to proceed with delivering their deadly payloads of disruptor torpedoes onto the Sansha-Blood Raider fleet. Multiple enemy capital ships explode, unable to endure the horrible stresses visited on their hulls by the torpedoes' warping of space-time.*

*Once they have finished launching their ordinance, the Turian fighters break off to return to their host ships and re-arm, while the interceptors cover them. Nimble Hierarchy frigates move to destroy the pursuing Sansha fighters, their GARDIAN arrays wreaking havoc among the enemy strikecraft. However, the Sansha-Blood Raider capital ships keep up a steady fire on the Hierarchy main fleet, destroying several dreadnoughts, carriers, and cruisers in violent fireballs.*

Septimus: All dreadnoughts prepare to fire SOVEREIGN cannons on the hostile supercarriers!

*The Hierarchy Invictus-class dreadnoughts angle new turrets toward the Sansha's Revenant-class supercarriers and open fire, directing a river of molten alloy toward the abominable ships. The streams impact on the vessels, effortlessly punching through their shields and burrowing deep into their armor. Several of the carriers explode, sending enormous shockwaves through the combined Sansha-Blood Raider fleet. Still firing, the dreadnoughts angle their cannons to spread out the river of molten metal into a flood that lacerates the attackers. More battleships explode, and at last, the Sansha/Blood Raider fleet begins to retreat from Kargul.*

Septimus: That's right, you bastards. Run. *He shouts above the din of the bridge activity.* Report!!

Deck Officer: 100,000 civilians abducted, 5,000 dead. 35 ships lost, about half the crew from them accounted for.

Septimus: This battle has cost us, once again. How long can the Hierarchy keep this up...?

--Unknown System--

*The creatures continue the construction of their home further into the volcanic mountain range, careful not to tunnel into lava channels but also sticking close enough to take advantage of their warmth. Small hunting parties occasionally go out, lead by the second-largest creature, to bring back the savage beasts that stalk the harsh landscape. Occasionally, some of the smaller creatures are lost to the monsters' claws and teeth, but the hunts almost invariably grow well. Then, one night the leader returns from staring at the stars to one of the newly excavated chambers. The second-largest creature joins it in the chamber.*

[Roach]

--Kargul---

*several hours after the battle The Litany Of Defiance Appears*

"Broadcast this on all channels Dawson." Roach stood up and stepped to the Comm Panel. "This Is high admiral Tom Roach of the Free Peoples I have come to discuss the Sansha blood Raider threat."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Kargul--

*The Legion, currently overseeing restoration efforts to the colony, receives the transmission cautiously and responds.*

Septimus: Admiral Roach, this is General Septimus of the Turian Hierarchy. No offense, but how do I know you aren't in league with those bastards?

[Roach]

--Kargul--

*The Legion, currently overseeing restoration efforts to the colony, receives the transmission cautiously and responds.*

Septimus: Admiral Roach, this is General Septimus of the Turian Hierarchy. No offense, but how do I know you aren't in league with those bastards?

Roach grinned. "Because they have attacked our colonies in the paragon soul region if you wish i can send you the data we have collected from their assaults as evidence. Also as a gesture of good faith i can supply materials to aid in the rebuilding of your colony."

*A pair of unarmed heavy cargo hauler filled with medical supplies and building materials uncloak next to the Litany.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, the Unbroken--

Shadow looked somewhat annoyed for having the blame of people's lives thrown on him, but kept calm nonetheless. "Ackbar, I showed you those memories to change the flow of time, your choices remained their own, and that of others. Don't presume to cast blame to me for that, by all rights and purposes, Aves should have been destroyed by now." Shadow replied coldly, and bluntly to the avian, as the broken glass reassembles itself on top of the desk, with the wine included. Shadow looked toward the smaller bird Ackbar rescued earlier, lightening up a bit at the sight of it. "...If you're going to protect one thing, you always sacrifice something else in return."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, the Unbroken--

*Ackbar's feathers, having been previously fluffed up in anger, slowly fall into place and he sighs wearily. Retrieving the wine glass, the hawk takes another sip of the sweet drink.* Ackbar (mumble): If only we'd been faster...

(Pause, then to Shadow) Why are you here?

--Aves Orbit--

Wraith: I am now over the planet! The hostile ship is gaining on me--I'm going to try and slingshot around the world's gravitational field! Kiith's Blood, it looks like they've got quite a war going on down there...large patches of the planet are barren wastelands and the oceans are not blue anymore.

[Link the hero of time]

Malara begins scavanging what she can for her ship, her men continue to celebrate with xtra rum rations.

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, The Unbroken--

"Well, Ackbar, in about, oh say, ten minutes or so, a great fireball of doom is going to come crashing down, followed by some other, unexpected, and especially most unwelcome, guests." Shadow said, being rather blunt than his normal, usually vague, sage-like prophetic talk. "So, I'll just say it simply that today is your peoples' day to fly. Or to come crashing down like a fallen phoenix despite your endeavors, one of the two."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, the Unbroken--

*Ackbar stares at Shadow, his eyes half-slitted in disbelief.* Ackbar: To think I thought you were on crystal eggs before...what in the name of Aves are you talking about, Shadow? Fireball of doom? Unwelcome guests?! I've stuck it out with you so far, but--

*His PDA suddenly beeps, interrupting him, and he answers it.* This is the Admiral.

Addrson: Sir, I don't mean to disturb you, but the astronomers at Korthaal are reporting some strange flashes in space.

*Ackbar shoots a glance at Shadow and then replies.* Ackbar: ...I don't mean to be rude, Addrson, but exactly why are you telling me this?

Addrson: Well, sir...I didn't believe it myself, but...the astronomers said that the flashes are not natural celestial occurrences, and that they've triangulated their location to be very close to the third gas giant in the Aves system.

--Aves Orbit--

*The deadly chase continues. Despite the hail of energy bolts and beam blasts pursuing her, Wraith manages to keep from being hit by the alien ship. Just when she appears to be escaping it, however, the hostile vessel launches a missile that begins rapidly gaining on the Hiigaran stealth ship. Out of options, Wraith is forced to try a desperate move: just before the missile hits her, she suddenly pulls a screeching turn to the left, putting enormous strain on her ship's systems. It succeeds, however--the missile overshoots her ship and fails to reacquire, beginning to fall towards the planet.*

*Suddenly, a blazing beam cannon shot erupts from the alien ship and scores a direct hit on the Hiigaran vessel, effortlessly blowing through its shields and causing a huge explosion on its ventral surface. The ship immediately begins to list.*

Wraith: [censored]--I'm hit!! I'm hit!!

*Multiple alarms blare in the pilot's station, and one in particular carries worse meaning than the rest.*

Wraith: Heavy damage! Orbital stabilizers compromised--I'm caught in the planet's gravity well! Can't maintain orbit...I'm going in!!

*Streaming fire and smoke from the huge gash in its hull, the Hiigaran ship's breakneck speed now turns toward the planet surface. The familiar wall of fire soon builds around the it, violently shaking and threatening to tear the crippled ship apart.*

--Aves, the Unbroken--

Ackbar: ...what?

Addrson: Yes, sir. I--(Distant) What? (On the line) Sorry, sir, something else has just occurred. I'll report to you again later; permission to go?

Ackbar: Granted. Dismissed.

*He puts the PDA down, turns back to Shadow, and looks at him expectantly.* Well?

--Kargul--

*The Hierarchy dithers for a moment, and then relents.* Septimus: Scan those cargo ships!

Sensors Officer: Results show nothing but humanitarian aid supplies on those things, General. No signs of cargo masking either.

Septimus: ...very well. Let them down to the colony.

*The freighters are allowed to pass by the Legion and begin their duties. Septimus opens a transmission back to the Litany of Defiance.*

Alright, you've proved that you're not here to shoot us up or abduct more of our civilians...at least for now. What do you want?


--Unknown Volcanic Planet--

*The next day, many ovular objects of varying size fill the chamber that the leader and the second-largest had occupied the night before. The structures are secured by a carpet of maroon-colored organic material that now covers the floor of the chamber and appears to slowly spread, growing up the walls of the room and beginning to venture into the tunnels bored through the volcanic rock. The material gently "cups" the objects around their bases, and tendrils growing up their surfaces provide further stabilization.*

*The chamber is empty save for the objects, but before long, several of the middle-size creatures come down the tunnel leading into it and leave the carcass of an indigenous predator at the chamber's entrance, right at the edge of the organic material. Soon after they leave, the material grows up to the body and spread more tendrils into its mass. The carcass begins slowly begins to shrivel, while the organic material grows at a slightly accelerated pace.*

*Construction of the rest of the hive continues apace.*

[Roach]

"A military alliance we are both facing the same enemy and as the great Sun Tzu said "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Quite frankly my tactical annalists tell me that in three months my military will be completely over run and after they have taken my territory they will tun all their resources on you. We have been fortunate that our enemy is split on two fronts but if those two fronts were united our enemies may be the ones on retreat."

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, The Unbroken--
"Oh, come on, Ackbar, you got all those memories of yours, and you're telling me you can't make a connection? Exactly what causes fireballs in space, hmm?" Shadow says, rather enjoying himself this time, oddly. "I mean, if it isn't natural..."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, the Unbroken--

*Ackbar shakes his head, bewildered.* Ackbar: I thought I told you already--they don't all come back to me at once! And I can't just summon them up on com--

*The Unbroken suddenly shudders violently, cutting him off. The nestling, which had previously begun to quiet down, is nearly thrown from its makeshift bed and starts to wail again. The Commander grabs his PDA and flies to the pitiful creature to begin calming it down, while yelling into his device.* What the--report!!

*A slight pause follows before he receives a static-plagued reply.* Bridge Officer: Impact against shields logged, sir! No structural damage, but the shields are almost gone from that one hit!

Ackbar: What is it? What's going on? Is it True Children remnant forces?!

Bridge Officer: No, Commander. Sensors indicate that it was a large chunk of metal, half-molten and of unknown material composition.

Ackbar: What the... *After a moment, he springs into action.* Reroute all available power to recharging the shields! And tell all our forces to keep an eye out for more incoming objects!

Bridge Officer: Done, sir.

Ackbar: Good, dismissed!

*He tucks the PDA into his sash and snatches up the nestling before turning back to Shadow.* Come with me, but don't let any-bird see you.

*Without looking back, he opens his cabin door and flies out. The corridors of the airship are alive with activity as crewbirds and soldiers rush back and forth. At length, he arrives in the ship's hangar and flies straight out of it, before looping around and heading towards a nearby skyscraper. Before long, he arrives at its top and begins scanning the sky frantically.*

*Several more fiery objects come from the south and impact at various points throughout the devastated city, causing giant explosions and shockwaves that rock the skyscraper currently serving as Ackbar's watchtower. He observes another, brighter light to the south that steadily grows stronger as he watches, until it bursts through a cloud into full view.*

*It is impossible to tell what the object is for sure, due to the shroud of fire covering it. However, one thing is for sure: it is large and loud, projecting a roar that vibrates in Ackbar's very bones. The object passes over the city, shedding fire and smaller offshoots of itself to crash among the buildings, and continues north. Shortly after the object passes over the horizon, a monstrous flash lights up the northern sky, and the ground shakes for an extended period of time before finally settling. The glare persists for much longer, however.*

Ackbar: What... *He instinctively clutches the nestling more tightly to his chest.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, City Skyline--

Shadow hovers there, invisible to all but Ackbar, as black wings protrude from his back, sustaining his altitude perfectly. "Here's where the real battle begins, Admiral." He says, with a grin, having greatly anticipated this day it seems.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*Ackbar opens his beak to remind Shadow that he's still a Commander, not an Admiral, but then something causes him to stop. The entire planet seems to hold its breath as the glare to the north reaches its zenith and then begins to fade. The hawk's PDA beeps again; he is forced to put the nestling down to answer it.*

Ackbar: Yes?

Addrson: Sir, I was just calling to tell you that a giant fireball in the sky was reported by our occupation garrisons on the south of the continent, but...somehow I think that's a little redundant right now.

Ackbar: No, Addrson, it's quite useful information, actually.

*Their conversation continues. Meanwhile, the still-blind nestling begins casting about for a parent figure, crawling pitifully along the skyscraper's windblown peak. It starts to get close to the edge of the balcony, near where Shadow is hovering, and somehow senses his presence. It begins to squeak pathetically.*

--Kargul--

*Septimus ponders over Roach's offer.* Septimus: ...I see. At any rate, Admiral, your assistance is appreciated, but making such an alliance would not be under my authority. That power belongs to the Primarchs--more specifically, the High Primarch, Garrus Vakarian. However, I will include in my report back to Palaven your help here and your request for an alliance. I'm certain the Primarchs will act on it. Now, if you will excuse me, Admiral, I have a colony to help rebuild and the aforementioned reports to file. I will make sure your cargo ships return home safely once their duty is done.

--Unknown Volcanic Planet--

*The organic material continues to spread, having grown almost to the ceiling of its chamber of origin and also having ventured far down the corridor outside. The creatures continue tunneling industriously, with the network of catacombs beginning to expand into other volcanoes in the range.*

[Sponsored content]