Chapter One

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :



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

[Wynn]

Instead of one, which would have been far opposite of the kid's luck, there must have been fifteen soldiers there, plus the very distinct commander, with his super-spiked yellow hair, sunglasses, and unlit cigarette combination. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR DUMBASSES!? I SAID FAN OUT!!" He yelled again, as the soldiers jumped and started practically leaping every which direction, complying with their commander's orders.

Xaldius glared. "That's right, fan out, [censored]." He muttered to himself, waiting for his chance.

[Quantum Rain]

The commander suddenly twisted around, as two soldiers remained, the standard escort obviously. He looked around to where he thought he heard a noise. "...Hell, now I must be imagining [censored]... [censored] bastard has me all worked up." "Sir!" The intercomm yelled out, specifically in the commander's area. "You are needed in the command center asap!" "I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR YOU DUMBASSES! USE YOUR [censored] COMMUNICATORS!" He said, storming off now, as the two soldiers accompanied him. A soldier marched by not too long afterwords, trying to find the missing blood trail. "...blood just doesn't disappear." He said to himself, curiously, kneeling down to the floor, examining it for any traces.

[Wynn]

The commander suddenly twisted around, as two soldiers remained, the standard escort obviously. He looked around to where he thought he heard a noise. "...Hell, now I must be imagining [censored]... [censored] bastard has me all worked up." "Sir!" The intercomm yelled out, specifically in the commander's area. "You are needed in the command center asap!" "I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR YOU DUMBASSES! USE YOUR [censored] COMMUNICATORS!" He said, storming off now, as the two soldiers accompanied him. A soldier marched by not too long afterwords, trying to find the missing blood trail. "...blood just doesn't disappear." He said to himself, curiously, kneeling down to the floor, examining it for any traces.

The soldier would hear someone from the closet go "Psst, hey over here!" In a low tone. In the Closet Xaldius would hide behind a few mops and wait for his moment for the guard to walk in.

[Quantum Rain]

The soldier instantly reacted by raising his gun and staring at the door for several seconds, his intent gaze trying to scan within. He stood up and slowly advanced toward the door. "...Who the hell is there?!" He asked, his reply going silent. His curiosity got the better of him though, as he opened the door quickly, once he was close enough, and looked inside, gun raised.

[Wynn]

The soldier instantly reacted by raising his gun and staring at the door for several seconds, his intent gaze trying to scan within. He stood up and slowly advanced toward the door. "...Who the hell is there?!" He asked, his reply going silent. His curiosity got the better of him though, as he opened the door quickly, once he was close enough, and looked inside, gun raised.

Xaldius would be hidden just well enough to not be seen until the very last second. He would bring his fist down on the back of the soldier's head knocking him unconcious. Moments later, Xaldius would emerge, wearing the uniform and helmet, hiding his face entirely, he had left the soldier in the closet with nothing but his undergarments on. "Subtle enough..." Xaldius muttered to himself.

[Quantum Rain]

No reaction came forth from the small amount of noise emitting from the knock-out blow. So far, aside from the alarms, which have gone silent now, and the red, flashing lights, alongside the distant sounds of closing blast doors, nothing hostile emerged yet.

[Wynn]

No reaction came forth from the small amount of noise emitting from the knock-out blow. So far, aside from the alarms, which have gone silent now, and the red, flashing lights, alongside the distant sounds of closing blast doors, nothing hostile emerged yet.

Xaldius jogged down the hall with his gun in a slightly raised position as if he were ready to aim his gun, but it was still pointed down. I've got to get off this tin can, he thought to himself.

[Quantum Rain]

As Xaldius would go to take another step forward a vaguely-familiar voice pronounce clearly in his ear. "Take another step and you'll be blasted into subatomic particles." As she said so, footsteps could be heard approaching, several of them in fact, quite fast too.

[Wynn]

As Xaldius would go to take another step forward a vaguely-familiar voice pronounce clearly in his ear. "Take another step and you'll be blasted into subatomic particles." As she said so, footsteps could be heard approaching, several of them in fact, quite fast too.

Xaldius would stop in place and hold his hand up to the communicator, and speak quietly. "Firstly, who are you? And secondly, the [censored] do you care?"

[Quantum Rain]

"We can either argue or you can live, do you really have a choice? IS soldiers will question if you're out of formation, and if you get too close, may not recognize you as a friend. Hide or get shot repeatedly." The voice replied rather coldly in response to Xaldius's rather rude nature it seemed.

[Wynn]

"We can either argue or you can live, do you really have a choice? IS soldiers will question if you're out of formation, and if you get too close, may not recognize you as a friend. Hide or get shot repeatedly." The voice replied rather coldly in response to Xaldius's rather rude nature it seemed.

"Goddamn it..." Xaldius groaned and sprinted down the hall way and went past the closet. He would turn and go into the cafeteria, into the kitchen. He turned a valve on an oven all the way shut, then broke off the wheel that made it turn then hid inside the oven he just disconnected. "Now what's this about, you [censored] little know-it-all?"

[Quantum Rain]

"Coming from the man who was saved twice earlier for his mess of a blood trail and how easily he could have been wiped out by the static defenses..." She said bluntly, annoyed even more by this kid's crudeness, she thought. "It doesn't really matter who I am, nor whoever you are, regardless of how many of you there really is. What matters is that you listen to the person saving your [censored] from being blown to bits. Is THAT clear enough for you?"

[Wynn]

"Coming from the man who was saved twice earlier for his mess of a blood trail and how easily he could have been wiped out by the static defenses..." She said bluntly, annoyed even more by this kid's crudeness, she thought. "It doesn't really matter who I am, nor whoever you are, regardless of how many of you there really is. What matters is that you listen to the person saving your [censored] from being blown to bits. Is THAT clear enough for you?"

Xaldius chuckled. "You're an idiot. You think that just telling me this will make me believe you? How do i know this isnt something that ill end up being kept alive only as long as you need? How do i know youre not just going to lead me into a trap that i absolutely cannot escape?"

[Quantum Rain]

"You don't. You can either trust me and hope you don't die, or not trust me, and then die. You don't really have a choice in the matter. I was almost sure that even an idiot such as you could see that." The voice replied harshly, simply. "So, what is it going to be?"

[Wynn]

"You don't. You can either trust me and hope you don't die, or not trust me, and then die. You don't really have a choice in the matter. I was almost sure that even an idiot such as you could see that." The voice replied harshly, simply. "So, what is it going to be?"

"Oh, im an idiot now am i? I JUST CAME INTO EXISTENCE A FEW [censored] HOURS AGO AND AM NOW ALREADY THE MOST [censored] WANTED!!! SO I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD LAY OFF THE [censored] FACTOR ALREADY!!!" Xaldius was obviously losing his grip as-is.

[Quantum Rain]

"You can't afford to make such demands when all you do is go around accusing people of the same thing, yelling in their faces, and refusing help when it is clearly needed. If you really wish to die, then I can do it right now. It would be easy to hit the switch and flood that kitchen room you're in with anti-matter and thus kill you, but that doesn't seem to have happened yet. So, I shall repeat myself for the second time. You can trust me, and hope you don't die, or you can move about freely in which would end with pain or death."

[Wynn]

"You can't afford to make such demands when all you do is go around accusing people of the same thing, yelling in their faces, and refusing help when it is clearly needed. If you really wish to die, then I can do it right now. It would be easy to hit the switch and flood that kitchen room you're in with anti-matter and thus kill you, but that doesn't seem to have happened yet. So, I shall repeat myself for the second time. You can trust me, and hope you don't die, or you can move about freely in which would end with pain or death."

There would be silence on the other end of the communicator. Whoever this is, here's to hoping i get rich and can put a massive bounty on her head for her mouth.

[Quantum Rain]

"I'm not waiting forever, kid." The voice replied coldly, growing impatient obviously. "You've got a short time window to get out, so if you really want to live, get out and turn left, towards the far exit in the cafeteria. Don't act out of the ordinary, they still have access to the cameras here."

[Wynn]

"I'm not waiting forever, kid." The voice replied coldly, growing impatient obviously. "You've got a short time window to get out, so if you really want to live, get out and turn left, towards the far exit in the cafeteria. Don't act out of the ordinary, they still have access to the cameras here."

"...motherfucker..." Xaldius would grunt, knowing he doesnt have any choice. He would get out of the oven and follow her directions. He would have the rifle in both hands, but not acting too overly ready, but ready enough to take someone down on a moments notice.

[Quantum Rain]

"No But If the Turians Seek to annihilate the Rachni species then they will have to go through my star fleet. Though I have forestalled them well with Subterfuge they will eventually attack that is when they must make their decision I will not allow them free passage to cause the extinction of a species."

"I wish you good fortune in your endeavor then." Jonas replied, thinking of what next to ask or converse with, with this foreigner. He wasn't quite sure of what else to say or do.

[Roach]

"No But If the Turians Seek to annihilate the Rachni species then they will have to go through my star fleet. Though I have forestalled them well with Subterfuge they will eventually attack that is when they must make their decision I will not allow them free passage to cause the extinction of a species."

"I wish you good fortune in your endeavor then." Jonas replied, thinking of what next to ask or converse with, with this foreigner. He wasn't quite sure of what else to say or do.

"Well I'm sure I have taken far to much of your time though if your people would be willing to send an Ambassador we would be glad to discuss a trade agreement. I find that trade is often the first step in a friendship between nations."

Just as Roach finished his comm badge chimed. Roach tapped the device on his bicep.

"Go ahead." Roach said

"Admiral tune your holoviewer to the C.O.N.C.O.R.D band you wont believe this news report."

Roach tapped a button on the under side of the table the room darkened and a large holoprojector engaged showing a veiw of a Gallente News caster who began to speak as soon as the transmission was established.

"And in other News the Amarr, Caldari alliance surrendered today after a drawn out siege by Gallente and Minmatar Forces. Empress Sarum Stepped down from her position and the people of Amarr have begun the Negotiation of a peace treaty. The Gallente President announced some of the terms of the treaty would be the freeing of all Minmatar slaves held by the Amarr and a full withdraw of Caldari forces from Gallente space. Ambassador Lucas Roach Eldest Son of the Famed High Admiral Roach the great explorer of the free peoples called this a victory for freedom and liberty. He also went on to say he looks forward to the Amarr and Caldari's election of a democratic government by the people for the People."

The Screen Flashed to a scene of a massive Gallente and Minmatar Fleet In a liberation Parade through the center of the Amarr system Roach stood nearly dumbstruck.

"A war that has been raging for nearly seventy years finally ends, And to see my own son on the news words cannot describe my emotional state at this moment." Roach sank into his chair deep in thought seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

[Quantum Rain]

"I'm sure you must be quite proud. However, I cannot really say it is advisable to contact us specifically..." The agent replied. "Especially for his sake and the rest of your people. When people are on the brink of war, everyone knows it, feels it. It is just a matter of when it occurs, and how it ends. Isn't that right, admiral? I think your son dealt a swift end quite well, you're truly lucky."

[Roach]

"I'm sure you must be quite proud. However, I cannot really say it is advisable to contact us specifically..." The agent replied. "Especially for his sake and the rest of your people. When people are on the brink of war, everyone knows it, feels it. It is just a matter of when it occurs, and how it ends. Isn't that right, admiral? I think your son dealt a swift end quite well, you're truly lucky."

"yes" Roach said stroking his long black braided beard "The end to New Edens Civil war is a boon how ever with trade from all four of the Empires we will be stronger, and i may now be able to convince the Gallente to lend their aid against the Blood raiders. And best of all i may finally get to see my son in person again for the first time in nearly a decade. He calls via the holonet every week speaks to me and his baby brother but its not the same. You know it is sad my peoples history has been defined by war this nation is founded on war. We have become a proud warrior culture. Just for a Century id like to see my people at peace, though i fear most would become bored and I'd be out of a job."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, Farruvian, Several Hours Later--

*A Hiigaran fleet holds position over Farruvian, though it is composed of different ships than the one that preceded it. It is smaller in size and contains several frigate- and corvette-sized diplomatic vessels. One of the smaller consular ships has detached from the main body of the fleet and flown towards a landing pad, hastily-prepared by the avians. Ackbar stands in full formal attire at the forefront of a contingent of avians, but his normally razor-sharp concentration wavers as he worries about Bularr.* I sent search parties out after him. There's nothing more I can do! I have to concentrate--concentrate on the importance of this meeting. If I screw this up, my race and the entire [censored] galaxy is doomed. Focus! FOCUS!!

*The hawk does his best to banish his thoughts of Bularr and concentrate on the task at hand. The corvette's hatch opens and connects somewhat awkwardly with the platform's boarding ramp, but manages the job well enough and a small group of Hiigarans in flowing robes disembarks. Their attire bears different symbols for each wearer, and Ackbar recognizes them as the emblems of the various kiithid.*

*The avians respectfully allow the Hiigarans to come to them until the lead one stands directly opposite Ackbar. He looks down upon the avians' leader, not unkindly but rather because of height differences. The man's face is leathered and timeworn, but his eyes still exude youthful vigor and laugh lines etch his skin. His robes bear the symbol of Kiith Manaan.*

*As the Manaani diplomat stops in front of him, Ackbar lifts his foot up in a handshake gesture and greets him in New Hiigaran.* Ackbar (New Hiigaran): Honored One, I am Ackbar, leader of the world of Aves and speaker of my people, the avians.

*With a surprised smile, the Manaani shakes the proffered foot and replies.* Aliak (New Hiigaran): And I am honored to meet you, Ackbar. My name is Aliak Manaan, and these are my colleagues--Niith'ral Soban, Torthaan S'jet, Forthe Mo Somtaaw, and Abjul LiirHra. *Each one comes forward as Aliak indicates them, to be greeted by Ackbar.* We have heard but a little of how much you have done for your people, and already we are most impressed. If I may, Ackbar, could we perhaps adjourn to a place more suitable for negotiations?

Ackbar: Absolutely, Honored One. Right this way... *Ackbar leads the Hiigaran delegates to a waiting transport aircraft, and they follow suit. The vehicle proceeds to take its passengers up to the building that houses Ackbar's office, and the meeting begins one floor below the office in a large room with a round table in its center. The table is outfitted with perches and cushions based on who sits where, and the Hiigarans are given the cushions normally reserved for flightless birds. The seating plan itself shows high hopes for success: the two sides are not segregated but seated together all around the table. The negotiating begins, and Ackbar has an easier time of it because avian researches, with his help, have devised a translating device capable of translating New Hiigaran into Avian Common and vice versa.*

--Several Hours Later--

Niith'ral: ...certainly a hardy people, given how much you have been through--what was it, 500 of your years?

Addrson: Yes, indeed, Honored One. It has cost us and our world dearly--but we shall persevere. We shall persevere.

Niith'ral: Indeed. That is no small feat--no matter that your years may be different from ours.

Ackbar: Thank you, Honored One. (to Aliak) We have, through methods we shall keep to ourselves for now, acquired information regarding the threat of the Primitus. *Aliak flinches slightly as he hears the word. Ackbar continues.* Information enough to discern just how much of a danger they are and to know that they are coming. And more. (He pauses to let that sink in.) Honored Ones, no single sentient race can fight the destroyers on their own. Surely you know this much--your own agent, Wraith, can attest to the terrible power that one ship alone wields. My friends, if any of us try to stand against the monsters alone, we shall all perish.

*The Hiigarans lean in to listen.* Forthe (interested): What are you proposing, Ackbar?

Ackbar: I shall be forthright, Honored Ones. An alliance between Aves and Hiigara is our best hope for survival.

*Delegates from both sides draw in a sharp breath, and then the room is deathly quiet. After a long moment, Aliak responds.* Aliak: I see, Admiral. And how is that our best hope for survival? I do not mean to condescend, but what does the Daiamid have to benefit from allying with a race that has nearly destroyed itself?

*Several avians and even Torthaan look shocked at Aliak's rather patronizing tone, despite his best efforts not to sound such. Ackbar remains unfazed, however.* Ackbar: Firstly, Honored One, we have information. As I said before, we have procured important data that will be instrumental in the coming war. For make no mistake, there shall be a war--one that will leave trillions dead, thousands of worlds burned to ashes, and shatter the very foundations of the galaxy itself. In order to survive, we must unite, Honored Ones. Furthermore, even as we heal our wounded planet, ships are being forged in great yards all across Aves--ships that will carry our people across the stars to settle new worlds. Not all of these ships will carry colonists, however. One in particular shall rise in a few months' time: a vessel powerful enough to challenge the Primitus themselves and emerge victorious. It shall be the guardian of my people out there in the galaxy...but it is only one ship. We are a race that has stared death in the face and not blinked, and now we shall rise. Join us.

*His impassioned speech captures the attention of all present. Aliak sits back, pondering, and then nods with a smile.* Aliak: Very well, Admiral. You shall have your alliance. I am the Kiith'Sa of the Daiamid, and these are representatives from the largest Kiithid. Together, we have the authority to make such an agreement. Let us draft it here and now.

*The other delegates cannot help but burst into applause, partly at Ackbar's speech and partly at Aliak's acquiescence. In just a few hours, the treaty is finalized and signed by all the necessary authorities. The Aves-Hiigara Alliance is officially created, and soon afterward, Aliak and his companions leave, bound for their homeworld with the wondrous news that the Hiigarans do not stand alone against the coming darkness.*

*As the Hiigaran fleet departs Aves, Ackbar receives hearty congratulations by all the avian delegates. Uncomfortable, he retires to his office and leaves orders for him not to be disturbed except at the utmost end of need. He sits on a the edge his office's balcony, overlooking the Greenbough Forest, with a cup of nectar-wine in his foot and sips from it. Night soon comes, and still the hawk sits.*

Ackbar: Shadow, if you're there...I hope you're really happy this time. Having to give that stupid speech while my thoughts kept going back to Bularr was one of the hardest battle's I've ever fought. Hell, that entire...THING was one of the hardest things I've ever done. So much hinged on the outcome of those negotiations...(sarcastic) No pressure, right?

[Quantum Rain]

A slightly different voice answered Ackbar this time, with a different tone and accent altogether. "Well, I'm not Shadow, but I can be the first to congratulate you." The man said, and as Ackbar turned around to see this newcomer, he would look upon a white-haired, blue-eyed man who, while looking very much like Shadow, had a slightly paler skin-tone and his clothes were brighter looking. "Good afternoon, Ackbar, my name is Light. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

[Sponsored content]