Chapter One

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :



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

[Wynn]

At first nothing happened, then the ground suddenly launched upward for Xaldius, into the ceiling instead of the hole that was newly made. The Archangel flipped around and landed on his feet, cracking his neck as he landed. "That trick is getting old you know." He says with a smile. If Xaldius thought back, he would see the armor actually covering the back of the archangel's neck, with a light shield even.

Xaldius glared at the Archangel. "[censored] it all..." He grabbed the sword out of the ground. "That's the last time i pull my punch." The Archangel would notice a change in how Xaldius was carrying himself. His etticut had changed. "No, seriously, come and get me."

[Quantum Rain]

The archangel just breathed in deeply, as energy swirled around him violently. After a singular moment of its gathering, it lashed out at Xaldius, like whips only more lethal. The Archangel started walking calmly toward the kid, bent on his death obviously, as the sabers he conjured in his hands glowed brightly against the lack of lighting in this room.

[Wynn]

The archangel just breathed in deeply, as energy swirled around him violently. After a singular moment of its gathering, it lashed out at Xaldius, like whips only more lethal. The Archangel started walking calmly toward the kid, bent on his death obviously, as the sabers he conjured in his hands glowed brightly against the lack of lighting in this room.

Xaldius would charge into the energy, ignoring the injuries it would cause to him. He sprinted, and flipped of the Archangel's head. He landed back to back with the archangel and stabbed backwards into him. The force of the hit would actually lift him off the ground. Xaldius quickly turned, grabbed the mans arm and cut a circe around himself, grabbed the sword, and flung him off at the blockade watching off to the side. As he took the sword out of the archangel, the circle cut in the floor would give way and fall to the next level. A moment later, They would hear Xaldius screaming at the top of his lungs.

Down below, Xaldius would be barely holding the sword in one hand, and his arms hanged almost entrely limp from his side. He didnt know it, but the amount of energy he had just exherted in the last move had actually caused his muscles to crush some of his bones. He tried to shove aside the pain and ran for it before the soldiers could aim down the hole and shoot him.

[Quantum Rain]

"The Archangel will get back up soon, but we don't have the time or the energy to finish the job. Security is locking down the entire building now and shutting down my access to unlock doors and shut down barriers. Run towards the door one more floor below, it should still be unlocked, and then sprint to the other side of the hallway, don't stop for anything!" The AI spoke into Xaldius's ear, strained it seemed, but calm nonetheless.

The Archangel was groggy, that was for sure, as his wounds healed slowly, he slowly got on his feet, the troops marching down the stairs after the kid. He got up and started walking, still off-balance, but definitely not downed as the armor took most of the damage and he did manage to avoid any seriously lethal injuries.

[Wynn]

"The Archangel will get back up soon, but we don't have the time or the energy to finish the job. Security is locking down the entire building now and shutting down my access to unlock doors and shut down barriers. Run towards the door one more floor below, it should still be unlocked, and then sprint to the other side of the hallway, don't stop for anything!" The AI spoke into Xaldius's ear, strained it seemed, but calm nonetheless.

The Archangel was groggy, that was for sure, as his wounds healed slowly, he slowly got on his feet, the troops marching down the stairs after the kid. He got up and started walking, still off-balance, but definitely not downed as the armor took most of the damage and he did manage to avoid any seriously lethal injuries.

Xaldius would sprint faster than he had been before. He would reach the door below, and just run into it, breaking it down since he didnt have any real use of his arms any more. When he came across guards, he'd either detour if they were too far away, or just run them over if they were right in front of them.

[Quantum Rain]

"I'll blast open an access to the outside, you'll have to jump, but it is better than the alternative of death at this rate. Understand that once you jump, I can't help you outside of this base, so don't get caught again. Wouldn't want a [censored] like me to mock you again, nor would I." Xaldius would hear her sarcastic voice coincide with a very loud explosion ahead, obviously where he needs to go. "I can keep them distracted for a short time, and I have configured your armor to help." There were subsequent turret fire in the hallways as she said this, followed closely by the shouts of guards under fire, and counter strikes back at their defense systems.

[Wynn]

"I'll blast open an access to the outside, you'll have to jump, but it is better than the alternative of death at this rate. Understand that once you jump, I can't help you outside of this base, so don't get caught again. Wouldn't want a [censored] like me to mock you again, nor would I." Xaldius would hear her sarcastic voice coincide with a very loud explosion ahead, obviously where he needs to go. "I can keep them distracted for a short time, and I have configured your armor to help." There were subsequent turret fire in the hallways as she said this, followed closely by the shouts of guards under fire, and counter strikes back at their defense systems.

Xaldius sprinted even faster, having the incentive of finally escaping. He reached the hole in the wall and didnt even hesitate, he jumped out through the hole and would fall down twoards whatever awaited him below.

[Quantum Rain]

What awaited him below was open water, the base having been built next to an ocean. It was crisp and clear and the air greeted him with much needed oxygen, but this was short lived as he flew straight down through the water, a hard landing, but the armor he wore helped him by absorbing much of the shock and then lightening in response to allow him to swim instead of sink. "There is a city near here, you should be able to hide out in there. Vires be with you kid, you are going to need it more than anyone."

"... YOU [censored]!!" The command yells out, slamming on the controls. "It would have been great to tell me our own AI was working against us this entire time!! Useless pieces of [censored]... TAKE DOWN THOSE DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND CHASE THAT BASTARD CHILD WHEREVER HE GOES!!!" He yelled out, the whole base hearing that last set of orders over the intercomm.

[Wynn]

What awaited him below was open water, the base having been built next to an ocean. It was crisp and clear and the air greeted him with much needed oxygen, but this was short lived as he flew straight down through the water, a hard landing, but the armor he wore helped him by absorbing much of the shock and then lightening in response to allow him to swim instead of sink. "There is a city near here, you should be able to hide out in there. Vires be with you kid, you are going to need it more than anyone."

"... YOU [censored]!" The command yells out, slamming on the controls. "It would have been great to tell me our own AI was working against us this entire time!! Useless pieces of [censored]... TAKE DOWN THOSE DEFENSE SYSTEMS AND CHASE THAT BASTARD CHILD WHEREVER HE GOES!!!" He yelled out, the whole base hearing that last set of orders over the intercomm.

Xaldius would swim while only kicking his legs, his only remotely useable hand holding the sword still. He would swim up to shore and go to a shop. He struggled to lift an arm to grab a few articles of clothing and took them back into a fitting room. There, he wedgedone of the hooks on the wall between the magnetic clip on the clothing and snapped it off. He spent almost ten minutes getting on a pair of jeans, a shirt, and a gray hoodie. He walked outside, keeping the set of armor tucked under the hoodie and ditched it in a dumpster in an alleyway. He then walked down the street, doing what he could to blend in and looked over his shoulder once in a while.

[Quantum Rain]

--Ultra Vires, ISF Sword of Vires--

Rain was walking calmly through the hallways of the ship, his mind swirling for once at being called so soon after a previous combat onto another mission. He just got up not but one hour ago just to hear that Dominae is being officially reassigned to Serien, having been under the command of High Sovereign Cross for some time now, for a long-standing mission of some sort. And before that, he was lectured thoroughly by his vice about his reckless behavior as of late. I do what I must, even if it costs me in the end... He thought in response to her concerns, disregarding them as he approached the door. It opened on his approach, revealing his commanding officer, Elite Commander Serien, whom stood amongst several holographic displays of reports, maps, and other news feeds.

"Good morning Commander." Serien announced him out of the peripherals of his eyes. "You may be wondering about your next assignment, but I can assure you that it is nothing but interesting." He said, tossing a datapad at him, to which Rain caught perfectly and read. After a few minutes, he looked back up at Serien, confused. "I'm chasing after juveniles, sir?" "At first glance, that may seem like it, but this juvenile just tore apart one of our transport ships and managed to escape a military base. Amongst other achievements that deserve his imprisonment." "So I am to kill a juvenile, sir?" "I would prefer you capture him, but the standing order is to kill him if the opportunity presents itself."

"I don't kill kids who can outwit incompetent security guards, sir." Rain said drily, disconcerted at his new orders. "As I said, commander, you are to kill him if the opportunity presents itself... but kids these days just love their hide and seek games, don't they?" "... I understand, sir. I will endeavor to do my best regardless. Although I would prefer to be more informed..." "You are going to conduct a full investigation once you arrive at Anima Prime. I'm very reluctant to disclose any biased or half-true information from the base commander's reports. Once you collect the necessary information you need, report it back to me and continue the operation. Is that understood, commander?" "Yes, sir."

--In transit to Anima Prime, aboard the ISC Starfire--

Rain stood on the bridge of the vessel, off to the side as he wasn't the one in command, he was merely a passenger. Sending a cruiser to deal with a kid, is this the paranoia of our commanders at work these days? "*Sigh*...I guess it can't be helped with tensions rising these days..." He turns around and walks into the turbolift, being greeted by, once again, a concerned Lara. "I'm not going to argue with you again, Lara." Rain said bluntly before she could speak. "Orders are orders, whether we like them or not." "Rain, this just doesn't feel right... We haven't even been given a picture, just a name and a location." "He wants me to conduct an investigation and relay the information back to him, what part of that is confusing?" "Intelligence should be able to do this job for us, why are we the ones doing all of the work suddenly? We're soldiers, not murderers and oppressors." "Lara, if I had a choice in the matter, I would gladly dismiss these orders, but right now, we don't have a choice. We continue as planned. Once we arrive, I'll go ahead and gather the information, the rest of Dominae will search for the trail. Is that clear Lara?" "...Yes." She said reluctantly as the turbolift doors open and Rain walks out. "Do you think that, one of these days, we won't have to fight anymore?" He asked, stopping just outside the door. Lara went to respond, but the turbolift doors closed and it continued on its way.

--Anima Prime, Military Installation, near Astral City--

Rain was greeted by a rather spikey-headed base commander, with an obvious ill-temper, and some dismayed security guards behind him, serving as escorts. Oh great, another lunatic. Rain thought, as the command announced to him. "Welcome to paradise, [censored], I hope you enjoy it here." And he has a mouth. This just gets better with every passing hour. "You already know why I am here. So fill me in on the details of what you have here." Rain said plainly, not enthusiastic with having to deal with a semi-neurotic officer. "To put it bluntly, these [censored] couldn't capture a simple delinquent kid who doesn't know what the hell he's doing! How he infiltrated one of our ships and brought it down is beyond me, but these bastards sure didn't help!" He half-said to Rain, and half-yelled to his own soldiers.

Rain sighed and walked forward. "[censored]..." The commander breathed out under his breath, as Rain swiftly responded with a sword to the officer's neck. "Let me make one thing clear, Colonel Hertz." Rain said with disdain and contempt clearly in his voice. "You're going to watch your mouth and actions around me and my team, and as a Special Forces commander, I expect proper respect from an underling such as you. Fail to comply and I will cut off your head, slowly, as to ensure that you will be an example. Is that understood, or do I need to demonstrate?" The colonel was silent at first, staring Rain straight, unyielding. "So you're not quite the [censored] I took you for. Fine, but you better stay out of my way." "As long as you don't purposely step on my feet, we won't have any problems to discuss." Rain said, withdrawing the blade and continuing on his way.

[Wynn]

Xaldius walked through the crowds, looking at is reflection in the windows of shops he passed. The reflection shook its head at him. "You're [censored] the moment someone comes for you. You nixed your only way of defending yourself."
Xaldius shook his head. "[censored] you, I did the only thing i could and you didnt do [censored], but make our situation worse..." He walked down the road after a few moments the world began to blur and he felt pain surging through his entire body. At first, he brushed it off, but the pain continued to intensify. The pain soon became so great that he fell to his knees and struggled to even breathe. To anyone around him, it would look like he were starting to have a heart attack. Xaldius opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out of his mouth. This must be the pain that voice was talking about! Xaldius thought to himself. So much for blending in...

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

A man in a white lab coat and abnormal, blue-purple hair ran up to the kid, uncertain as to who he was or what was wrong with him, but he was the only one to seek to help the kid out of the crowd the just walked past him, avoiding him. Weird kid. He thought, noting the wounds he could already identify, being a plethora amount. I wonder what he's been doing to get himself two broken arms, internal bleeding, and not to mention several other superficial wounds... The man lifted the kid up and carried him, fireman fashion due to the fact that the kid probably couldn't walk, and sprinted off toward the hospital, which happened to be nearby. He ran awfully fast for a visibly not so strong person, and carried himself as if the kid didn't weigh anything. This kid is all bones. Probably anorexic...

---

--Anima Prime, Military Installation--

Rain was watching the video footage of Xaldius's infiltration and subsequent slaughtering of the ship's crew, taking note of the various changes in skin color, attitude, and voice tone. When he started viewing the intruder's escape from this very base, he noticed immediately his lack of magic attacks the other video footage of him clearly had. The colonel was nearby, reviewing the footage with him, due to a lack of anything better to do really. "What a [censored], not using his powers..." He said, Rain returning it with a plain voice, "... It isn't that he's not using his powers, but he clearly doesn't know
about them, otherwise that archangel would have been far easier to
defeat... Furthermore, I can't feel anything mystical aside from the archangel's doing..." Rain thought for several minutes after the video ended. "You said he had the help of an AI in the system. I take it she has been isolated?" "Obviously." The commander said drily. "We isolated her entirely into a single chip, currently held within the same holding chamber, and entirely separated from any system besides a holo-projector and speaker attached to a pedestal." "She may know more than us." Rain said, walking out of the room and towards the interrogation chamber. Holding AI's in prisons... that's definitely a first.

As Rain walked in, the AI projection turned on to greet him. "Lieutenant Commander Jacen. Good afternoon." "Good afternoon, Sairene. No doubt you know why I am here, so if you feel talkative, go right ahead." "... humans and their arrogance." "It's impatience, actually... So, why did you help that intruder?" "... I don't believe in killing innocents." "Video footage clearly shows him killing dozens of our soldiers, damaging IS property, and escaping imprisonment rather violently. How exactly do you presume his innocence?" "Simple, you saw as I did the distinct difference between his personality aboard the ship versus how he acted here. As well as the sure difference between casualties. If you noticed, this base had none." "... So then what are you saying? That the kid is neurotic?" "More than likely, if I have to give a psychological examination, he has a multiple-personality disorder that requires professional help, which you humans refused to give. So I showed you." "A rather risky move. Are you sure it paid off?" "I don't really care if he lives or not after these events, and with how I am being mistreated here." "... So where did he go then?" "Wouldn't you like to know... He went into the nearby city. Where else? We're on an island, it isn't as if he could go anywhere really." "..." Rain didn't reply, and instead just walked out of the room. Now I see why Serien called this mission interesting... Now I just need a good picture of the kid's face... The footage provided was poor at best, no doubt because of the AI's hacking and the ship's damage respectively...

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

A man in a white lab coat and abnormal, blue-purple hair ran up to the kid, uncertain as to who he was or what was wrong with him, but he was the only one to seek to help the kid out of the crowd the just walked past him, avoiding him. Weird kid. He thought, noting the wounds he could already identify, being a plethora amount. I wonder what he's been doing to get himself two broken arms, internal bleeding, and not to mention several other superficial wounds... The man lifted the kid up and carried him, fireman fashion due to the fact that the kid probably couldn't walk, and sprinted off toward the hospital, which happened to be nearby. He ran awfully fast for a visibly not so strong person, and carried himself as if the kid didn't weigh anything. This kid is all bones. Probably anorexic...

---

--Anima Prime, Military Installation--

Rain was watching the video footage of Xaldius's infiltration and subsequent slaughtering of the ship's crew, taking note of the various changes in skin color, attitude, and voice tone. When he started viewing the intruder's escape from this very base, he noticed immediately his lack of magic attacks the other video footage of him clearly had. The colonel was nearby, reviewing the footage with him, due to a lack of anything better to do really. "What a [censored], not using his powers..." He said, Rain returning it with a plain voice, "... It isn't that he's not using his powers, but he clearly doesn't know
about them, otherwise that archangel would have been far easier to
defeat... Furthermore, I can't feel anything mystical aside from the archangel's doing..." Rain thought for several minutes after the video ended. "You said he had the help of an AI in the system. I take it she has been isolated?" "Obviously." The commander said drily. "We isolated her entirely into a single chip, currently held within the same holding chamber, and entirely separated from any system besides a holo-projector and speaker attached to a pedestal." "She may know more than us." Rain said, walking out of the room and towards the interrogation chamber. Holding AI's in prisons... that's definitely a first.

As Rain walked in, the AI projection turned on to greet him. "Lieutenant Commander Jacen. Good afternoon." "Good afternoon, Sairene. No doubt you know why I am here, so if you feel talkative, go right ahead." "... humans and their arrogance." "It's impatience, actually... So, why did you help that intruder?" "... I don't believe in killing innocents." "Video footage clearly shows him killing dozens of our soldiers, damaging IS property, and escaping imprisonment rather violently. How exactly do you presume his innocence?" "Simple, you saw as I did the distinct difference between his personality aboard the ship versus how he acted here. As well as the sure difference between casualties. If you noticed, this base had none." "... So then what are you saying? That the kid is neurotic?" "More than likely, if I have to give a psychological examination, he has a multiple-personality disorder that requires professional help, which you humans refused to give. So I showed you." "A rather risky move. Are you sure it paid off?" "I don't really care if he lives or not after these events, and with how I am being mistreated here." "... So where did he go then?" "Wouldn't you like to know... He went into the nearby city. Where else? We're on an island, it isn't as if he could go anywhere really." "..." Rain didn't reply, and instead just walked out of the room. Now I see why Serien called this mission interesting... Now I just need a good picture of the kid's face... The footage provided was poor at best, no doubt because of the AI's hacking and the ship's damage respectively...

The kid would be shaking violently as if he were shivering, but much more intense than a normal shiver, the man could hear him hyperventillating on his shoulders. He didnt say a world. What he couldnt see is that Xaldius had gone into a state where he couldnt see, hear, or sense the world around him in any shape or form, all he could do is feel the pain.

[Quantum Rain]

Going into shock are we? Well that's just dandy... Now I have a hyperventilating kid on my shoulders while I should be eating lunch right about now. I WANT MY STEAK DAMMIT! The man thought as he entered through the hospital doors. He walked past the secretary at the front, whom responded by abruptly standing up and yelling after the man that he can't go back there. "Not listening to you!" The man yelled back as he turned along the hallway, entering an elevator. It rose up in response, stopping at the desired floor as the man walked out and into an unused emergency room. He placed the kid on a nearby medical bed and looked around for the proper tools.

"Let's see, sedatives first, strong ones obviously, then we can get to work on those broken bones..." He said to himself, injecting a rather strong dose of sedatives into the boy's blood stream, likely causing him to pass out cold within a few seconds of the injection. The man grabbed a nearby tool. "...an antiquated version of a nano-tool, but it will do." He said, as he started repairing the bone tissue.

---

Rain sat there, waiting for Serien to respond to his report. His face looked concerned, thinking. "I see... Alright then, you know what to do. I've been informed that the local military has already begun search and destroy operations. You are going to have to beat off one wolf and catch another. Think you can handle it?" "This lone wolf is not faster than I am. I should be able to rather easily." "Overconfident today?" "No, sir, just speaking facts. However, his other... form... may prove problematic." "Nothing you can't handle, commander. Vires watch over you, and good luck." He said as the transmission ended there. Well then... time to get to work. He said, walking off again, this time for Astral City.

[Wynn]

Going into shock are we? Well that's just dandy... Now I have a hyperventilating kid on my shoulders while I should be eating lunch right about now. I WANT MY STEAK DAMMIT! The man thought as he entered through the hospital doors. He walked past the secretary at the front, whom responded by abruptly standing up and yelling after the man that he can't go back there. "Not listening to you!" The man yelled back as he turned along the hallway, entering an elevator. It rose up in response, stopping at the desired floor as the man walked out and into an unused emergency room. He placed the kid on a nearby medical bed and looked around for the proper tools.

"Let's see, sedatives first, strong ones obviously, then we can get to work on those broken bones..." He said to himself, injecting a rather strong dose of sedatives into the boy's blood stream, likely causing him to pass out cold within a few seconds of the injection. The man grabbed a nearby tool. "...an antiquated version of a nano-tool, but it will do." He said, as he started repairing the bone tissue.

---

Rain sat there, waiting for Serien to respond to his report. His face looked concerned, thinking. "I see... Alright then, you know what to do. I've been informed that the local military has already begun search and destroy operations. You are going to have to beat off one wolf and catch another. Think you can handle it?" "This lone wolf is not faster than I am. I should be able to rather easily." "Overconfident today?" "No, sir, just speaking facts. However, his other... form... may prove problematic." "Nothing you can't handle, commander. Vires watch over you, and good luck." He said as the transmission ended there. Well then... time to get to work. He said, walking off again, this time for Astral City.

Xaldius would wake up a day later, disoriented. "Where the [censored] am I?" He looks over at the window and ses his reflection. "Oh, ... that's right..." he would remember the agony and being chased. The reflection laughed. "Not happy to see me are we? or did we just plain wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" "Both" He would get up and pain would shoot through his abdomin and arms. "Motherfucker!" He managed to keep to a moderate grunt. He got up more carefully and looked around the room. He saw the sword he took from the archangel a day ago. He took it off the table and slipped it through one of the belt loops on his jeans.
"I need to get out of here." He would look out the window and see what floor he was on. "Damn." He turned and walked twoards the door and cracked it and looked to see what was on the other side. Least I can actually use my damn arms now...

"Would you like a tip?" The voice in his head asked tauntingly.
[censored] off.

[Quantum Rain]

--Unknown World--

The Primitus vessel's shields fail moments after the heavy fire converges onto it, as much of the volley impacts on the armor. However, the shields were not the only powerful defense, as the ship still holds long enough for all of the vessels to phase out, the remaining volley flying through that one ship and into any other vessel unfortunate enough to be the victim of friendly-fire. However, drones continue pouring out, at rates even faster than before due to the fact that the hosts are no longer diverting energy to weapons.

The Primitus signatures seem to double in size as they approached, and the unknown signatures mysteriously vanish from sensors on the eve of their approach. Estimated time to arrival is 5 minutes for the Primitus and 7 minutes for the unknown.

---

--Anima Prime, Astral City Hospital--

There was a note hanging on the door when Xaldius went to open it. It read, in rather fancy handwriting:

If you're reading this then good morning to you. You fell over in the streets and I carried you over here to the hospital and treated your wounds myself. Attached should be a few credits for a nice meal. Stay out of trouble.

~Dr. Reeds

p.s. If I find you doubled over in pain during my lunch break again, I'll purposely leave some of those wounds unattended when you wake up. I value steak rather highly.

As Xaldius opened the door, he would see no one but the occasional passerby. No one seemed to come to check up on him, or even acknowledge that the room was in use as they walked by. Furthermore, there were no guards as far as he could see from his limited view.

---

--Astral City--

Rain was walking along the sidewalks, not entirely sure of his destination, but he did have a small lead. He heard some gossip about some kid falling over and a man in a white lab-coat carrying him off. It wasn't much, and probably isn't him, given the clothing styles weren't at all similar, but it was worth a shot. The rest of Dominae is spread out amongst the city, finding any other leads, so I might as well jump at the smallest opportunity.

[Wynn]

--Unknown World--

The Primitus vessel's shields fail moments after the heavy fire converges onto it, as much of the volley impacts on the armor. However, the shields were not the only powerful defense, as the ship still holds long enough for all of the vessels to phase out, the remaining volley flying through that one ship and into any other vessel unfortunate enough to be the victim of friendly-fire. However, drones continue pouring out, at rates even faster than before due to the fact that the hosts are no longer diverting energy to weapons.

The Primitus signatures seem to double in size as they approached, and the unknown signatures mysteriously vanish from sensors on the eve of their approach. Estimated time to arrival is 5 minutes for the Primitus and 7 minutes for the unknown.

---

--Anima Prime, Astral City Hospital--

There was a note hanging on the door when Xaldius went to open it. It read, in rather fancy handwriting:

If you're reading this then good morning to you. You fell over in the streets and I carried you over here to the hospital and treated your wounds myself. Attached should be a few credits for a nice meal. Stay out of trouble.

~Dr. Reeds

p.s. If I find you doubled over in pain during my lunch break again, I'll purposely leave some of those wounds unattended when you wake up. I value steak rather highly.

As Xaldius opened the door, he would see no one but the occasional passerby. No one seemed to come to check up on him, or even acknowledge that the room was in use as they walked by. Furthermore, there were no guards as far as he could see from his limited view.

---

--Astral City--

Rain was walking along the sidewalks, not entirely sure of his destination, but he did have a small lead. He heard some gossip about some kid falling over and a man in a white lab-coat carrying him off. It wasn't much, and probably isn't him, given the clothing styles weren't at all similar, but it was worth a shot. The rest of Dominae is spread out amongst the city, finding any other leads, so I might as well jump at the smallest opportunity.

"...Thanks, Reeds...." He pocketed the letter and credits, and took a better look out the door. Once he was sure it was clear, Xaldius closed the door and crept across the hall and got behind a desk. He waited for the next person to pass by and crept to the elevators and pressed the button. He saw his demented reflection on the elevator again. [censored] OFF ALREADY!

The voice laughed. "You really did wake up on the wrong side of the bed." Xaldius hid n a corner and waited for an elevator. He would rush at the door when it opened. If anyone was inside, he would promptly grab them, push them against the wall and put them in the sleeper hold until they passed out.

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime, Astral City Hospital--

The elevator was empty when Xaldius rushed in. The doors closed in after him as well, so no one tried to walk in either. The ride to his destination was silent, eerily so actually, but uneventful. As the doors opened again, there was a similar amount of activity on this level as there was the previous.

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime, Astral City Hospital--

The elevator was empty when Xaldius rushed in. The doors closed in after him as well, so no one tried to walk in either. The ride to his destination was silent, eerily so actually, but uneventful. As the doors opened again, there was a similar amount of activity on this level as there was the previous.

Xaldius put his hood up and walked casually out of the elevator with his hands in his pockets, trying to look like a slobbish visitor. He walked out of the hospital and walked down the street again. "Take two..." Xaldius muttered to himself. He walked down and saw a restaurant and thought back to the note. "....what the hell." He said rhetorically, and walked into the restaurant and sat down at a table by himself.

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime, Astral City Hospital--

Rain walked along the sidewalks into the hospital, just as Xaldius walked out. Rain didn't take notice of him quite yet. As he walked in, he approached the front desk, stating his name and rank, and asking the obvious question, "Did anything suspicious happen yesterday?" in a dull tone. "Uhm, no sir... well, actually, there was. A man named Dr. Reeds brought in this beat up kid from the streets. He didn't say anything though, just walked in and treated him." "Dr. Reeds, huh? Interesting..." Rain said to himself, then questioned the girl again. "Could you identify the kid in question?" "Well, I think he just left actually. We keep an open door policy, so long as you check in with the front desk, but Dr. Reeds had authorization, so I didn't stop him. Sorry, sir." "... thank you, I'll be on my way." Rain replied, turning around and walking out.

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

As Xaldius entered, a waitress walked up and asked him the usual questions, and then promptly seating him, telling him her name, as usual. She took the kid's order of drink and walked off, allowing him to choose which meal from the menu.

[Wynn]

Xaldius drank some soda, and looked at the menu. He saw prime rib and counted his money. He had enough so he ordered it. After a while, the steak came out and Xaldius took a bite. "...holy [censored]..." A grin creeped across his face. "This... is the best thing ever..." He continued eating and took his sweet time to enjoy it.


The reflection on the table glared at him. "Is this really the best time to eat when people are out for--"
Xaldius moved his plate over his reflection and continued eating.

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

Rain thought for a few moments, trying to recall of whom the secretary could be talking about. Then he remembered the person he just passed not that long ago. He fits the description alright. So then... where did he go? Rain wondered, reaching out with his mind, but with little success. He continues to do so while walking along the sidewalks of the city. He's not getting away from me.

After a few minutes of searching, he found his target. Oddly, he was in a restaurant. I know this place... Matt gets his cravings for ribs from here. Rain thought as he walked in. The waitress started to ask the usual but Rain interrupted by informing her of whom he worked for and then walked past her into the restaurant, looking around for the kid.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Unknown World, Space--

*In phase, the Primitus vessels are attacked again by...something. The damaged ship itself is subject to another barrage.*

*The allied fleet takes a respite, though still struggling to counter the besieging drones. Their strikecraft and point-defense weapons concentrate heavy fire on each drone to destroy it.*

--Planetside--

*The combined squad continues retreating toward the landing zone, losing two avians and an additional Hiigaran to the guns of the pursuing mechs. Finally, they reach the entrance to the ruin complex--only to shrink back inside the arched walls as energy blasts erupt on the ground in front of them. Peering around the wall, Rohar sees several wings of Primitus drones circling the area and firing at the team.*

Rohar: Featherless!! [COMM] Rohar to Mission Control--we're pinned down by hostile fightercraft and our wings are grounded! Can you send air cover?

Ackbar: Copy that, ground team. Air support is on its way; make it count!

*Soon, half a dozen avian gunships lumber down from the sky and begin attacking the Primitus drones, providing enough of a distraction for the team to break cover and get to their transports. Behind them, the mechs begin pouring out of the entryway and down the stars, firing as they go. Then, just as the team prepares to board their craft, a stray shot from the aerial battle strikes the avian gunship, igniting its fuel reserves. The resulting explosion destroys the gunship completely, forcing the avians to pack into the Hiigaran corvette with their allies. There is room for all but two.*

*Rohar and the Hiigaran squad leader glance at each other and nod grimly, then step away from the corvette's boarding ramp. Squawks and shouts of protest follow them, but the two ignore these.*

Hiigaran Squad Leader: Pilot, take off now. That's an order.

Pilot (comm): Y...yes, sir.

*The corvette ignites its engines and lifts off. As the avian gunships struggle bravely but ultimately futilely against their adversaries, the corvette blasts into the sky. Soon after it vanishes from sight, the Primitus drones finish off the gunships and begin to descend upon the two allies, standing steadfastly on the ground below. They ready their weapons, defiant to the last, and exchange one final look.*

Rohar: Your name, sir?

Hiigaran Squad Leader: Gelarn Somtaaw, of Kiith Somtaaw.

Rohar: Whatever happens beyond, I'm proud I fought with you today.

Gelarn: You and your people have shown bravery of the highest order. Let's show those bastards that they will never break us.

*The chicken leaps into the air and begins firing at the oncoming drones, while Gelarn takes practiced aim and blasts away at the advancing mechs. The two fight to the death, watched in shocked awe by the rest of the fleet. After they go down, it is a long moment before anyone speaks.*

Soban: Alright, alright, stay sharp! The moment those ships phase back, open fire on the damaged one! Flak frigates, interceptors, and PD, take those goddamn drones out!

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

Rain thought for a few moments, trying to recall of whom the secretary could be talking about. Then he remembered the person he just passed not that long ago. He fits the description alright. So then... where did he go? Rain wondered, reaching out with his mind, but with little success. He continues to do so while walking along the sidewalks of the city. He's not getting away from me.

After a few minutes of searching, he found his target. Oddly, he was in a restaurant. I know this place... Matt gets his cravings for ribs from here. Rain thought as he walked in. The waitress started to ask the usual but Rain interrupted by informing her of whom he worked for and then walked past her into the restaurant, looking around for the kid.

Xaldius took another bite and stopped half way through chewing when he spotted the man who had just walked in. "[censored]..."
the voice in his head would tell him, "i was about to tell you so..." Xaldius took more bites, hoping to just blend in, but what noone would notice is he had an unusual tight grip on his knife with his left hand and his right hand was ready to grab the plate and throw it at him. I was in Heaven a minute ago, im not about to let you drag me to Hell. "This is Heaven?" I didnt ask your opinion!

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

Rain looked about, ready to just leave due to the fact that he wasn't even sure if he did sense the kid and not some other passerby when he finally found the hooded figure he was searching for... eating steak of all things. ... he and Matt would be best of friends in another world. Rain thought as he turned around and started to walk out. Planning how to catch the kid by surprise.

---

--Unknown World, Orbit--

The Primitus ships responded by using quite accurate, advanced Point defenses to take down the oncoming volley as the damaged ship was shielded by the others from what did pass through. More drones still poured out from the ships, however, some of which stayed phased and intercepted some of the volley.

The Primitus signatures arrived, unfortunately for the allied fleet, bringing with them two higher class ships, one appearing to be a carrier of some sort, due to its configuration, while the other seemed to be a capital ship of some sort, bristling with advanced weaponry. They brought along with them six more cruiser classes. Obviously, they did not like intruders on their installations.

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