Chapter One

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :



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

[Quantum Rain]

... son of a [censored]! Rain thought, raising his arm and calling forth a massive surge of power. One warning shot. He thought, as he brought his sword to bear and swung, calling forth a great, wide, and not to mention tall wave of energy at Daniel. ...[censored], I overdid it...

[Wynn]

... son of a [censored]! Rain thought, raising his arm and calling forth a massive surge of power. One warning shot. He thought, as he brought his sword to bear and swung, calling forth a great, wide, and not to mention tall wave of energy at Daniel. ...[censored], I overdid it...

Daniel saw the wave coming at him, and backfliped over the wave, and into the alley behind him. He would quickly slip into the building they were just on and slip into a large trash can sitting near the entrance. In hindsight, I should've kept going, that bastard can probably sense me... "No [censored], Sher-" I thought i told you to go [censored] yourself.

[Quantum Rain]

Rain went to go after the target, but found himself glued in place at first. His emotions refusing to allow him to move forward until an overwhelming amount of pain surged up, originating from his arms. He tried to move his right arm, but found it unresponsive and numb. After looking down at it, he noticed that there were blisters all across it and that the mystic energy dissipated. ...She is so going to have my [censored] for this. He thought as he found the power to move forward, replacing his sword with another rifle, the previous one having been dropped elsewhere on the roof, which soon disintegrated as well. He ran to the edge of the roof and dropped down, landing on his feet. He looked around, trying to pinpoint his target's location.

... He isn't going anywhere outside this city. Just keep moving... To the left! You can't let him see your arm. Rain thought, obeying said objectives for now, having only a few more minutes of clear thought remaining as pain washed out the rest of the confusion and other emotions. Pain he could deal with, pain was his friend compared to the rest, but he didn't know why they were there to begin with... pain always has a reason for being, something he could solve, but the others, they were foreign to him, or so he believed. He walked onward, to the left, pretending as if he didn't sense or see the kid in the back of the building.

[Wynn]

Rain went to go after the target, but found himself glued in place at first. His emotions refusing to allow him to move forward until an overwhelming amount of pain surged up, originating from his arms. He tried to move his right arm, but found it unresponsive and numb. After looking down at it, he noticed that there were blisters all across it and that the mystic energy dissipated. ...She is so going to have my [censored] for this. He thought as he found the power to move forward, replacing his sword with another rifle, the previous one having been dropped elsewhere on the roof, which soon disintegrated as well. He ran to the edge of the roof and dropped down, landing on his feet. He looked around, trying to pinpoint his target's location.

... He isn't going anywhere outside this city. Just keep moving... To the left! You can't let him see your arm. Rain thought, obeying said objectives for now, having only a few more minutes of clear thought remaining as pain washed out the rest of the confusion and other emotions. Pain he could deal with, pain was his friend compared to the rest, but he didn't know why they were there to begin with... pain always has a reason for being, something he could solve, but the others, they were foreign to him, or so he believed. He walked onward, to the left, pretending as if he didn't sense or see the kid in the back of the building.

Xaldius quietly fumbled around in the trash can and gripped his sword, ready to stab him whenever the time came. Then, he felt the trashcan begin to move. "Mother [censored]..." he muttered to himself. Someone pushed the trash can out of the building, out into the alley, and ultimately left it next to a dumpster. The man walked away, leaving the garbage can where it sat. Im outside... Mental note, castrate the garbage man who works in that building...

[Quantum Rain]

... Keep walking, just keep walking... Rain thought, his hands gripping the sword ever more tightly as he walked by, and then he started to relax as he put some distance between them. Rain then unfolded his wings and took off, taking to the skies for, hopefully, some solitude.

---

--Unknown World, Orbit--
---Freedom's Sword---

Admiral Mercer stood, watching the battle unfold. I was ordered to collect these Derelicts, but now I have two obstacles in my way... He sighed, and listened to the message again, then looked back at the scene in front of him. They're learning more and more but they won't break down their shield that way... He thought, then raised his hand, the captain standing up immediately. "Order the fleet to flank the enemy from behind. I have no idea what species they are, but we might as well give them the courtesy of our aid for the moment. Move our ship up front of the enemy capital ship as well. Ensure that drone production remains at one-hundred-fifty percent while doing so, and charge our main weapon. Divert any necessary power."

"Yes sir." The captain replied back, typing orders straight into the pad attached to his chair, found on the left arm. The bridge suddenly became much more lively with this new string of orders as well. First they trespass into our space, then they steal from our relic, and now they are ruining my plans of capturing functional Primitus ships. The Arbiter is not going to enjoy my report on this.


The foreign fleet started to move, in two groups. One small group escorting the flagship while the rest cloaked from visibility. The Primitus fleet did not react to this, however, and focused entirely on the allied fleet. While the shield took a considerable beating, it still stood, weakened some more, but still strong enough to protect the fleet within it. In response to their aggression, though, more drones were produced and a more powerful volley of fire was thrown in return. Furthermore, the allied fleet could detect an energy buildup within the capital ship in the center of the fleet.

[Wynn]

... Keep walking, just keep walking... Rain thought, his hands gripping the sword ever more tightly as he walked by, and then he started to relax as he put some distance between them. Rain then unfolded his wings and took off, taking to the skies for, hopefully, some solitude.

---

--Unknown World, Orbit--
---Freedom's Sword---

Admiral Mercer stood, watching the battle unfold. I was ordered to collect these Derelicts, but now I have two obstacles in my way... He sighed, and listened to the message again, then looked back at the scene in front of him. They're learning more and more but they won't break down their shield that way... He thought, then raised his hand, the captain standing up immediately. "Order the fleet to flank the enemy from behind. I have no idea what species they are, but we might as well give them the courtesy of our aid for the moment. Move our ship up front of the enemy capital ship as well. Ensure that drone production remains at one-hundred-fifty percent while doing so, and charge our main weapon. Divert any necessary power."

"Yes sir." The captain replied back, typing orders straight into the pad attached to his chair, found on the left arm. The bridge suddenly became much more lively with this new string of orders as well. First they trespass into our space, then they steal from our relic, and now they are ruining my plans of capturing functional Primitus ships. The Arbiter is not going to enjoy my report on this.


The foreign fleet started to move, in two groups. One small group escorting the flagship while the rest cloaked from visibility. The Primitus fleet did not react to this, however, and focused entirely on the allied fleet. While the shield took a considerable beating, it still stood, weakened some more, but still strong enough to protect the fleet within it. In response to their aggression, though, more drones were produced and a more powerful volley of fire was thrown in return. Furthermore, the allied fleet could detect an energy buildup within the capital ship in the center of the fleet.

After a few moments, Xaldius poked his head up and opened the garbage can just a crack. He saw nothing and slowly got out. His sword was sheathed, but he walked with his hand gripping it the whole time. He walked out of the alley and began walking down the street. If im going to fight special forces, im going to need an upgrade to my arsenal. This sword, alone, isnt going to cut it... He walked down the street and walked into a department store. There he grabbed a kitchen knife, a drawer slide, some mirror wire, key rings, some screws, and a spring. He walked around the store, acting like he was looking for more items, and eventually found a trashcan and dumped the sack of items into it. He walked out of the store. Considering the man just moved the trash can outside earlier, i figure it's trash day. I figure about two hours and it should be in a dumpster outside.

[Quantum Rain]

Rain remained content to float amongst the clouds for some time, as the nanites in his bloodstream started their work on repairing his damaged arm. ...What the hell was that?! He thought to himself, as the pain started to subside and the confusion returned, stronger than before. ... I felt like I knew him from somewhere... but I can't remember where.

[Wynn]

Rain remained content to float amongst the clouds for some time, as the nanites in his bloodstream started their work on repairing his damaged arm. ...What the hell was that?! He thought to himself, as the pain started to subside and the confusion returned, stronger than before. ... I felt like I knew him from somewhere... but I can't remember where.

Moments later, he would walk into the alley behind the store. Feel like a [censored] possom hiding in the alleys and scavenging [censored]... "Like you have much of a choice? You let that guy get away. He saw your face, you are officially [censored], my friend." Im not your friend, [censored] head. He heard a man walk out an hour later, and hear stuff being dumped. He waited for the man to go inside, then jumped into the dumpster. He dug around on the surface. Where are you? He dug around, and evenually spotted a plastic bag. "Aha!" He said out loud. He grabbed the bag. "There you are!" He took the bag and walked out of the alley and began looking around at all of the buildings. Now i need a damn shop...

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Another explosion nearly throws Soban off his feet.* Deck Officer: Admiral--decks A2-A10 are compromised!

Soban: Get as many of the crew out of there as possible and seal them off. Soban to Ackbar; we can't keep this up!! Those ships are powering up...something and it'll rip us to shreds in minutes! We have to retreat!

Ackbar: No, Admiral, we can't! Not after coming this far--keep fighting! *The Spirit of Aves's main cannon continues firing at the weakened shield section, despite the increasing risk of damage to the ship.*

Soban: Why?! We got what we came for and at the cost of who knows how many lives and ships already--why stay and fight a battle we can't win?!

Ackbar: Because we can win, Soban! That shield is severely weakened and when it breaks, they'll be powerless against us! And more importantly, we'll have fought against the Primitus on equal terms and won--don't you see how much of an impact this will have?

*Soban looks at his bridge display, at the damage levels increasing all across the Dreadnought and the rest of the Hiigaran fleet. Even as he watches, two frigates, a destroyer, and a battlecruiser succumb to the terrible pounding of the Primitus. Then, he looks around the bridge itself as Hiigaran crewpeople race back and forth, more explosions rock the room, and sparks hiss out of conduits.*

Soban (mutter): But at what cost... *He shakes his head.* Kharak forgive me...Soban to all vessels. The plan didn't work. But we're still in the fight. It's down to us or them--and we'll fight until we're slag. Torpedo frigates and any other ships too damaged to keep fighting, get the hell out of here. All other ships, prepare for the fight of your lives. We're going all-out--close to knife range! Concentrate all remaining firepower on that weakened shield section and don't stop until it goes!

*Several Hiigaran ships disengage from the fight, get to FTL range, and jump out. The rest of the allied fleet presses in on the Primitus battlegroup, battering the weakened shield at point-blank range with everything they have left.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Unknown World, Orbit--

The large, foreign dreadnought parked itself just above the allied fleet and turned toward the Primitus fleet, offering light fire but plenty of drone support. The support ships largely targeted the drones. Now, as the energy buildup grew larger and larger, the capital ship was clearly seen transforming, as spikes of some unknown sort protruded from its sides and energy arced between them. The shields visibly started to weaken even more under the bombardment, but it wasn't fast enough, as the energy signature stopped growing, and its readings were off the charts. Soon afterwords, it fired, several beams of energy lancing out from the spikes and aimed at various targets, mostly the three dreadnoughts in the fleet, but these did not meet their target. At the last moment, several beams of similar energy flew out of the foreign dreadnought and countered the Primitus weapon, hitting them dead-on. Now clearly, the Primitus weapon was stronger, but with the opposition in play against it, it not only weakened the beam, but held it long enough* for the allied fleet to make its move.

(*This meaning that there was a constant energy stream put into both weapons at play, causing a constant collision of energy.)

At this precise moment, the rest of the unknown fleet uncloaked immediately behind the Primitus and started bombarding them. While the Primitus still had shields there, they were far weaker than the frontal shields, which was given priority at the time. In response, energy was diverted to both sides, creating stress on the shield as holes started appearing within it, and weapons fire started seeping through. However, the Primitus were not to be underestimated, as their return volley was doubled, directed both at the unknowns and still the allied fleet alike.

[Wynn]

Xaldius walked down the street and his eyes came across a repair shop. He walked into it, and saw that one side was unused. He looked at everyone at the counter, who seemd pre-occupied, and slipped in. He quickly found power tools and grinned. Ill have a surprise for you, next time, [censored]. He poured all of the materials out onto a bench and opened all of the packages. He tore a poster off the wall right hand and grabbed a pen in his left hand. He began drawing out the design of what he wanted on the back of said poster. "You wont know what hit you, you son of a [censored]..."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The Hiigaran fleet positions itself so that their heaviest capital ships take the worst pounding, and two more of their battlecruisers explode. Soban grits his teeth as the battlecruisers wink off the display, but then cheers go up as the shield finally begins to break.*

Soban: Fire the Phased Cannon Array and all ion-beam cannons into those holes! Soban to Ackbar--do you see?

Ackbar: We do! Shifting fire now!

*The allied fleet fires all of their most powerful weapons into the holes in the shield, while keeping up a steady bombardment of its intact areas with their conventional weapons to weaken it further. The monolith ships and their smaller counterparts also fire their powerful beam weapons into the holes. The ships behind these holes are subject to a major beating.*

[Quantum Rain]

The Primitus ships start taking damage, but their armor is still tough, even more so when the shields start to shrink to compensate for lack of time to spend to regenerate them. However, they were failing faster than they could shrink, and soon, they became useless. With this knowledge in hand, their shields completely failed, but that left more power being poured into regenerative systems and weapons batteries, so they were firing even more as the same amount of drones kept pouring out.

--Freedom's Sword--

"Well now... It's time for the fun part of this gauntlet. Divert all power to the primary weapon, focus on overpowering that Primitus capital ship, and then finish off the other cruisers. The carrier is a low priority target." Admiral Mercer said aloud, still issuing orders to his men.

---

*Five hours later*
--Anima Prime, Military Installation, Barracks--

Rain stood, looking at his team, whom were quite relaxed, especially after they listened to what Rain had to inform them of. "So the kid is better than we expected?" Matt asked, relaxing on the couch. "Hey, at least that means the kid will be a challenge for Oliver!" William yelled out loud, Oliver jumping up and tackling William in response. "Hey! Take that back!" He exclaimed, fighting with the elder. Lara was talking to Cameron, the team's medic, over in the corner of the room, as the rest looked at Rain, taking in the new intel. "So, you know exactly who were looking for now, and his presence is familiar to you?" "Yes, which means I am obviously leading the charge, and the rest of you are going to continue following leads. You are to go in groups of two, for an easier capture, but make sure not to stand out in any way. This kid knows that we're on to him now." "...And we are not to kill Xaldius, sir?" Claudia asked, concerned. "Seek to capture. And stay ten steps ahead of the military. We want to avoid confrontation if at all possible... Is that clear, Dominae?" "Yes, sir!" Most of them responded, instinctively.

[Wynn]

Xaldius grabbed a soldering iron and practiced on a piee of metal. He took a few test runs and nodded after a fifth practice solder. "That'll do..." He began soldering small loop screws onto the bottom of the drawer slide. He spent a few moments making sure it coold and the loop was in place. "Done." He fashioned a straight piece of metal to have a loop on the end and one in the middle then drilled a hole in the back of the slide. "Almost..."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Cheers go up across the fleet as the shield, at last, breaks.* Ackbar: YES!! Press the attack--we're going to destroy them, one ship at a time, and we're not stopping!

Ironbeak: Ackbar, we have a hull breach on deck 112!

Ackbar: Save all the avians you can and then seal that compartment off! HURRY!

*The monoliths, their cruisers, and the allied fleet divert all their firepower onto the most-damaged Primitus ship. Their PD grids, drones, and strikecraft all keep up steady pressure to counter the seemingly endless tide of Primitus drones. The Spirit of Aves momentarily stops firing its main cannon to aim, and then immediately resumes hammering its target with both the cannon and its secondary weapons. The one Primitus vessel receives a monstrous pounding that is exacerbated when the monoliths launch several energy spheres at it that envelope the ship completely and then implode, causing it massive damage on all sides.*

[Quantum Rain]

Primitus drones found themselves squaring off against the allied and foreign strike craft, while the main weapon of the Primitus were playing tug of war with the other dreadnought. Meanwhile, the cruisers were split between attacking the enemies behind them and those in front, though diverting every last drop of energy into their weapons and regeneration. Doing so allowed them to last far longer than normal.

Eventually, though, the ships phased out and started to retreat, in different vectors as a small contingent remained and flew to the other side of the planet. Some of the various destinations were the edge of the galaxy, Hiigara, and even Aves itself.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The allied fleet finally subsides into exhausted rest, as do the strangers, though their ships appear much better off than the rest.* Admiral Soban: Damage and casualty report!

Deck Officer: Sir, we've lost 55% of the fleet. Very nearly all the survivors are damaged to varying degrees. Our battlecruisers took the worst beating, but even the Dreadnought had it pretty hard. Additionally, almost all our strikecraft have been destroyed and the rest are barely flying as it is. We've managed to recover about half the crew from the destroyed ships, but our own are in bad shape.

*The Hiigaran Admiral wipes sweat from his brow.* Soban: Do what needs to be done. Comms, get a channel open to the Spirit of Aves. Soban to Ackbar--what's your status?

Ackbar: We had a hull breach, but it didn't compromise too much of the ship. Still, that was the hardest battle I've ever been in; not even my worst fight in the 500-Year War was as bad! And our gunships fared terribly against those fightercraft...we lost a lot of avians today. I knew retrofitting atmospheric craft for space combat was a bad idea, but there just wasn't time and the ship needed strikecraft...

Ironbeak: We did our best under the circumstance, sir.

Ackbar: Yes, yes, I know. Navigation, plot the predicted trajectories of those things if you can!

Ironbeak: What's your thinking, Admiral?

*The hawk's reply is tinged with dread.* Ackbar: I have a very bad feeling about. That was no disorganized retreat against a superior foe. They were disengaging to attack a target, or targets, of more significance.

*As the navigation officers work, the allied fleet receives an insistent hail from the strange ships. Upon patching it through, they receive a message in some language that none of them can make any sense of, and then another that sounds completely different but equally opaque, and another.*

Transmission: K'rek kreek-ex ch'ezok oto-nak brak zik? ...ooh-lahh muurlin naaalsa? ...daka nok milak var'tai urdu kona praada? ...ligi t'aan filap bota niskha a-migi?

Ackbar: Ackbar to Soban--do you understand any of that?

Soban: Not a damn thing.

*The language cycles continue thus, sounding more frustrated over time. Then, on the very last one, Soban starts.* Soban: Yes--yes! I recognize that! Open a channel back on that frequency!

Ackbar: What did it say?!

Soban: I'll bounce it down to you in New Hiigaran. *Ackbar listens eagerly as the translated message is sent to the Spirit of Aves.*

Transmission: Repeat, to these foreign ships, do you understand this transmission?

*Soban speaks his reply in a language completely foreign to Ackbar, and the reply is soon sent.*

Ackbar: What language was that? And what did you say?

Soban (New Hiigaran): It's a language used by some of the other races in the galaxy, called Galactic Basic by some and English by others. We Hiigarans only discovered it recently, and quite by accident--I'll tell you the details another time. As for the other part, I said, "We understand in the language of Galactic Basic/English. I am Admiral Soban of the Hiigaran Daimaid, in command of all but one of the vessels here." *A beep sounds on the bridge.* Ah--they want to open a sustained channel. Patch it through!

*For the next several minutes, Ackbar listens to the exchange between Soban and the one who speaks for the strangers. The other's voice sounds strangely grating and yet slightly reedy, but despite this, it seems ever-so-slightly familiar to Ackbar. As he listens, Ironbeak walks up with the navigator's report and the two look it over. The hawk's sense of dread returns and rapidly mounts until he cannot contain himself.* Ackbar: Ackbar to Soban. I hate to interrupt, but I have something here you may want to see.

*Soban pauses, then says a few more things in Basic, receives a reply, and then switches over to New Hiigaran.* Soban: What is it?

Ackbar: My navigator's report plotting the predicted trajectory of the various groups of vessels. I'll forward it to you, but this is what it shows...one group appears to be headed for a seemingly empty area of space, which is in reality is as empty as an egg. Another is headed straight for Hiigara. *Soban lets out a startled exclamation.* And the third and final one is heading straight for Aves.

*Total silence.*

Soban: ...what...what the [censored] do we do?!

Ackbar: The only thing we can do. I will have the Spirit of Aves return to our world and defend it if we can. Some of us must pursue the first group of warships, but I understand you will have to go back to Hiigara.

Soban: What?! Chase the first group?! Wherever they've gone--

Ackbar: Is clearly a place of significance to commit such strength of warships. Whatever is there, it has to be important. We cannot drop a lead like this!

*Soban's mind races.* Soban: I'll send all but the Dreadnought back to Hiigara. The Dreadnought itself will go to this place where the first group seems likely to arrive. If we're lucky, we'll catch them off-guard and destroy a few before they destroLet y us. I just hope the loss of a Progenitor warship is worth this...this mad venture.

Ackbar: Thank you, Admiral. Let us prepare to--

*The voice of the stranger returns. Soban pauses to listen.* Soban (helplessly): Admiral...the stranger says that the commander of the third party that just participated in that battle wants to talk to us and won't let us leave until we do.

*The hawk takes a deep breath.* Ackbar: ...very well. What do they want?

*Soban repeats the question, and the stranger does so until the message gets back to the third-party fleet.*

[Quantum Rain]

Admiral Mercer stood there, listening to the intercepted messages sent back and forth in a mix of basic, and two other foreign languages. He was quick to catch similarities between words, linking one to the next, but translating them was mostly impossible to him as far as making full sense of it all. "...Well, at least someone can speak basic." The admiral remarked, as the comm officer hailed back.

(Basic) "This is Admiral Mercer of the Verus Imperial Domain, you are trespassing in our sovereign territory and managed to screw up our surprise party pretty badly. Care to explain why first contact is between four different races and why it is so bloody?"

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar: Admiral...what's the stranger's name?

Soban: Best I can tell, he is called Tokhta the Just and is something called the Morru'Qu'aan of the...Morrigi? The Morrigi Tribes.

Ackbar: Let's assume it's a position of significance. *They listen to Mercer's reply.* Soban, don't tell him too much--we don't know if he could be a friend or enemy. Say we didn't know that this place was their territory, that we didn't know their plans and were investigating a lead on the Primitus. Also, give him our apologies for trespassing on their territory.

*Soban repeats the message. Tokhta also elects to explain himself.* Tokhta: The Travelers make no apologies for coming to the aid of those in need, but we are mollified at coming uninvited into another's nest. This flock was on a mission of great import for all the Tribes when we happened upon this battle and came to the aid of the enemies of the Destroyers. We have no quarrel with you if yours is with them.

[Quantum Rain]

"I see... Well then, Admiral Soban Sha and... Tokhta, we noticed that the Derelicts displayed a rather odd form of intelligence than in prior engagements we have had. They also split off in several directions, unlike before. Under normal circumstances, they should be dead by now, however, we noticed these locations were various worlds. Am I to assume that these Derelicts hold a special grudge against you?" The Admiral asked, noting that these people were being very cautious and non-forthcoming. He already knew they were on the planet, and he knew that they know more about the Primitus than he originally thought. Destroyers? Interesting name choice for a loose group of renegade, low-intelligence AI's with metal casings...

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Soban: We don't know about the possibility of any special grudge. This was our first time encountering these ships. If they nearly destroyed us so easily here, we are...concerned about what they could do if they reach a populated world of either of our peoples. I know you have little reason to trust us, Admiral Mercer, but today we have seen a common enemy and only a fraction of what it is capable of. If you help us stop these ships from wreaking terrible destruction on us, we would be in your debt.

[Quantum Rain]

"..." Admiral signals the comm to be muted for the moment as he turns to address his officers. "What did the scans about the Primitus AI patterns reveal?" He asked, one officer turning with a triumphant smile on his face. "Just as we predicted, they act as a singular unit, combining processing power. That's why they were so much more intelligent than before." "Interesting, and their weapons?" "These ships were made earlier than expected, and their weapons show obvious signs of improvement. Also, some of the repairs seemed rather recent and too well done for simple regeneration. Likely, there is a half-functioning shipyard installation nearby." "Hmm... Contact HQ and inform them of our progress so far. Also request additional ships to scout the area for this hidden installation. Having a bees nest so close is troubling... almost as much as these new guests."

Mercer turned back to the display, signalling to un-mute. "We understand your plight, and are willing to assist, however, any wreckage and refuse is our property. Do endeavor to not steal from us again like you did from the installation below." He replied coolly.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Soban prepares to angrily retort to the jibe, but Ackbar stops him in time. Instead, he replies just as cooly.* Soban: Thank you for your assistance, Admiral Mercer. However, we are not thieves--we knew this place to be an empty, dead world. Please do not treat the Exiles as such.

Tokhta: This flock shall come as well. We have known the terror of the Destroyers, and while they are not the only great threat on the horizon, we will help.

Ackbar: Very well. But where to send our new allies...? *He ponders for a moment.* Soban, have Tokhta and his people accompany you to this...place. Send Admiral Mercer's vessels to Hiigara.

Ironbeak: But sir, what about Aves?

*The others voice their concerns.* Ackbar: We shall have to wait out the storm. Prepare for depature!

*The Spirit of Aves is the first to leave, vanishing into FTL travel, then the battered Hiigaran fleet heading back home, then the Dreadnought and the flock for parts unknown.*

--The World of New Song--

*Before the Oblivion missiles can destroy the rest of the Turian armada, several unstable quantum rifts open up in the midst of the battle, releasing energy pulses that completely destroy the Oblivion missile swarm. The fighting suddenly stops, as the remnants of the turians inspect the new development, wary of what could come out of it.

[Quantum Rain]

--Unknown World, Verusian Space--

"Understood. We'll save as many as we can." The admiral replied, signaling the navigation officer to engage ftl towards the second planet in the Derelict hit list, otherwise known as Hiigara. "Set drone production to full, I want to hit the ground running."

---

--World of New Song--

What emerged were five ships of unknown origin, class, or purpose, but they battered, visibly. They looked as if they just emerged from a recent battle, but were quickly regenerating to full strength. As they emerged, swarms of thousands of drones flew out at the enemies, engaging Turians, Rachni, and Alliance alike, as they started charging up weapons. To follow up the drones, several missiles, beams, and... odd-looking torpedoes emerged forth from the rift, that offered them semi-protection against retaliation.

While old as they were, one could not deny their technological might as their weapons were stronger than any encountered thus far, and their shields, though weak as they may be from whatever battle they came from, were still fending off retaliatory fire like it was nothing at first. Equalizing this new threat, more drones still emerged like wasps from a nest, only they never stopped.

---

--Hiigara--

Several quantum rifts suddenly opened, revealing a force of eight Primitus cruisers and a carrier, and one could detect several ships still on their way to the planet. The newcomers wasted no time, two cruisers instantly starting to bombard the planet below with new weapons not seen from the previous battle. They seemed like odd forms of torpedoes, but they partially phased through shielding upon impact. The others focused on any defenders within the immediate area. This combined with an endless amount of drones provided by the cruiser and moreso by the carrier ensured quite a bit of damage would be received before defenders or the Hiigaran and Verusian fleets could arrive.

---

--Aves--

A Primitus capital ship and two cruisers emerged in a similar fashion as stated earlier. However, there were no stations, so they got right down to business and launched drones and various pods down at the planet rather than bombarding it outright just yet. They started their orbit around the planet as, before the Spirit of Aves entered the system, the capital ship cloaked out of view.

[Roach]

Soban: We don't know about the possibility of any special grudge. This was our first time encountering these ships. If they nearly destroyed us so easily here, we are...concerned about what they could do if they reach a populated world of either of our peoples. I know you have little reason to trust us, Admiral Mercer, but today we have seen a common enemy and only a fraction of what it is capable of. If you help us stop these ships from wreaking terrible destruction on us, we would be in your debt.

Roach reacted quickly. His ship had regenerated and the pinpoint fire power of the litany's Jovian beam Arrays swatted the oncoming drones in droves while they were shredded by antimatter flack bursts fired from free people's cruisers The Pyotr rejoined the battle much of its damage repaired it fired its remaining Transphasic Torpedoes at the Unknown vessels. The Free Peoples fleet formed a defensive bubble allowing all their shields to overlap nearly tripling their defenses.

"Dawson I need those oblivion missiles again as soon as possible!" Roach barked.

"We are working on it admiral we are venting the reactor as fast as we can!" Dawson shouted back from the science station.

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