Chapter Two

[Quantum Rain]

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As the forum auto-splits topics every 50 pages, the next topics will be named further chapters accordingly. This is chapter two, guys, KEEP IT UP!

Post.
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POST!

---

Reeds just kept on whistling as guards and crew cleared out of his path. Eventually, he stopped at a door, the label addressing it as 'Science Lab 2A.' He smiled as he opened the door and Lae saw that the science lab was not small by any means. It was massive, in fact, taking up at least five rooms and two floors entirely on its own. It also seemed to host a massive range of equipment, some of which were entirely foreign to him. With all of the technology, equipment, and stores here, one could only wonder what Reeds' intention was with this lab.

He rolled the cart up next to two others and then proceeded to rummage around for a datapad. "Sit down, my fine lab rat." He said friendly still as he finally found his desired object, turning it own and turning toward Lae, a mischievous grin on his face.

[Wynn]

"Are you playing to my sense of pride? Because if you are, you're one hundred percent correct!" He said, calling a datapad from its resting position. "However, under the time constraints, I really cannot give you better than cloaking from a lower class demon at close range. The further you are, the better shape you will be in." He explained, apparently already having an idea of what the device will come out to be. "Come back in an hour, I should have something for you, and if you see any rats on your way out, they're probably mine."

Lae nodded. "Thanks," He replied. "and I cant exactly guarantee their safe return if i see them. If i see one im going to kill it, as per containment protocol..." He would lean in and whisper, "Ill do what i can to bring it back in one piece, since you're doing me this favor." He would then walk out and get all of his gear on and return a while later to Reeds' office. In one hand, he had a large glass jar with a rat in it. He knocked on the door.

[Quantum Rain]

The reply was a rather loud explosion on the other side, and moments later, Reeds finally replied that it was safe to enter. "But be careful about the shards of reinforced glass." He announced just as Lae entered. What he would see was a giant black scorched area around a formerly cylindrical container. Whatever laid inside was long gone now. "Well that failed rather badly." He commented to himself, throwing his glasses to the side and grabbing a cigarette instead, lighting and relaxing.

[Wynn]

The reply was a rather loud explosion on the other side, and moments later, Reeds finally replied that it was safe to enter. "But be careful about the shards of reinforced glass." He announced just as Lae entered. What he would see was a giant black scorched area around a formerly cylindrical container. "Well that failed rather badly." He commented to himself, throwing his glasses to the side and grabbing a cigarette instead, lighting and relaxing.

Lae entered, wearing his violet asassin robe and gold armor with his hood off. He looked around and just chuckled to himself. "Looks like it went as well as any war plan..." Lae joked. "By the way," He held out the jar with the rat in it. "I found one of these little cretins for you.

[Quantum Rain]

"If he tried to bite you in the elbow, it was probably Jacob." He said, accepting the jar, setting it down on the cart. "I finished your new toy fifteen minutes ago. Started testing on anti-photon explosives, which, as you can see, are quite volatile... but so fun! Anyway..." He grabbed a pocket-able device with only three various buttons on it and a link up to an armor slot or mini-generator. "This is the cloaking device. The first button camouflages yourself, the second hides your 'presence', or in unscientific terms, your being. The third hides any other form of energy that demons can detect, should you be radiating any. It has a limited supply of power, though, so use it sparingly. It has an effective range of 10 meters before low class demons can sense you, but for the sake of safety, avoid being within 20, especially if they're stronger than a second rate drone."

[Wynn]

"If he tried to bite you in the elbow, it was probably Jacob." He said, accepting the jar, setting it down on the cart. "I finished your new toy fifteen minutes ago. Started testing on anti-photon explosives, which, as you can see, are quite volatile... but so fun! Anyway..." He grabbed a pocket-able device with only three various buttons on it and a link up to an armor slot or mini-generator. "This is the cloaking device. The first button camouflages yourself, the second hides your 'presence', or in unscientific terms, your being. The third hides any other form of energy that demons can detect, should you be radiating any. It has a limited supply of power, though, so use it sparingly. It has an effective range of 10 meters before low class demons can sense you, but for the sake of safety, avoid being within 20, especially if they're stronger than a second rate drone."

Lae took the device and smiled. "Perfect." He pocketed it. "Hopefully I wont end up needing it..." He grinned, "but as you of all people should know, it's best to have insurance." He put his hood up and thanked Reeds before he walked out and headed for the ship.

[Quantum Rain]

Reeds watched Lae leave, taking another puff of smoke from the soothing stick of cancer and addiction. "So, Jacob." He said, poking the jar. "You should stop biting people. Especially me." The rat started to stir again, and then tried to ram through the jar's glass walls. Reeds watched with mild interest, thinking of how this next mission will go. Then he shrugged and went back to work. "Explosives are so much more entertaining anyway." He said to himself as the container reassembled itself.

---

There were several shuttles going to and fro the frigates, carrying supplies, troops, and various military equipment. Most notably, repair equipment, in case the base was damaged in any way. Rain was watching it all unfold before he took the last shuttle, with Lara and Lae. Regnum was on the other shuttle, headed upward. Rain waited until the shuttle landed, and only showed such signs whenever the ramp opened for him to walk down.

He didn't say a word as he headed toward the bridge, Lara following suite while Regnum was busy organizing the troops. It was rather busy and crowded in the ship, but it was more surprising that the ship was even capable of holding this many people on board alongside the tanks, walkers, and various crates of equipment.

[Wynn]

Reeds watched Lae leave, taking another puff of smoke from the soothing stick of cancer and addiction. "So, Jacob." He said, poking the jar. "You should stop biting people. Especially me." The rat started to stir again, and then tried to ram through the jar's glass walls. Reeds watched with mild interest, thinking of how this next mission will go. Then he shrugged and went back to work. "Explosives are so much more entertaining anyway." He said to himself as the container reassembled itself.

---

There were several shuttles going to and fro the frigates, carrying supplies, troops, and various military equipment. Most notably, repair equipment, in case the base was damaged in any way. Rain was watching it all unfold before he took the last shuttle, with Lara and Lae. Regnum was on the other shuttle, headed upward. Rain waited until the shuttle landed, and only showed such signs whenever the ramp opened for him to walk down.

He didn't say a word as he headed toward the bridge, Lara following suite while Regnum was busy organizing the troops. It was rather busy and crowded in the ship, but it was more surprising that the ship was even capable of holding this many people on board alongside the tanks, walkers, and various crates of equipment.

Lae looked at all the tanks and walkers getting on the ship for a moment. He took the bow off his back, and took an arrow out of his quiver and looked at them. He looked back at the battallion and back to the bow and arrows. "Wow..." He looked at the battalion. "Talk about inefficiency, we dont need this much..." He put the arrow and bow back, and went straight to the drop pod he would use to drop into the city. He sat down, closed the hatch and crossed his arms and bowed his head.

Xaldius: Seems like a bad idea to fall asleep here.
Lae: Shut up.

Despite the warning from an unwanted voice, Lae fell asleep within the drop pod.

[Quantum Rain]

--"Farseer" Task Group, the Knighted Star--

Rain emerged onto the bridge, into a rather efficient mass of officers and crew working together fluidly. Were this not expected of special forces task groups, he would be impressed. He decided to ignore the fact though, and moved towards the command chair, taking his seat and looking out into the view screen. Three ships, all frigates, all with one goal, and hundreds almost thousands of lives at his disposal. He had to wonder, though, if Command knew more than they let on... but again, there was nothing to be done with that... "All stations, prepare to jump." He said into the intercomm as Lara took a seat next to his. Obviously the first mate's chair, were this a normal combat ship. She just smiled as Rain looked over curiously. "Worried?" He inquired, Lara just shrugging her response back. Rain took that as an affirmative, though, and went back to the task. "Helm, take us out." He ordered, the ship flared forward, followed by the two others. In perfect sync, the task force shot into the Phase Shift wormhole, disappearing from view and the familiar world.

An hour later, the ships emerged, greeted by a medium defense fleet, patrolling around the sealed away black sphere that was formerly known as Anima Prime. He doubted, again, the mission briefing and whether he knew everything that they did, but again, he disregarded it. He flicked on the intercomm again. "Prepare to enter low orbit around the planet, I want everyone combat ready and prepared to hard-drop in within a moments notice." He turned towards the helmsmen and nodded. The small fleet flew forward, not directly into the black mass, but edging slowly towards it, around and around the planet as it inched ever closer.

It was not long until the shields made contact with the barrier. The ships shook violently, but held firm against the black magic, unlike any ship that had before attempted this. "At least the shields held." He commented, ordering the combat officer to increase power to the shields and inertial dampeners just to be sure. Within a minute, they were through the barrier, overlooking the empty but serene world below. It was oddly calm, too calm actually. It was unnerving for Rain, and, in truth, everyone. "... Take us over the drop point. Keep the other ships a distance away. I don't want to commit until we have a confirmation on the enemy." He ordered, calm on the outside, but within, he was curious and yet disturbed at the sight of the planet.

---

The pod Lae slept in suddenly shook and dropped downward, catapulting itself and the person within towards the planet below. Within a couple minutes, the pod crashed into a city street, the shields holding on by a thread at the impact of such a drop. The pod stood slanted only slightly, having barely missed the building on the other side of the city street. Like it was seen from above, though, Lae and his pod was greeted with utter silence and odd serenity.

[Wynn]

--"Farseer" Task Group, the Knighted Star--

Rain emerged onto the bridge, into a rather efficient mass of officers and crew working together fluidly. Were this not expected of special forces task groups, he would be impressed. He decided to ignore the fact though, and moved towards the command chair, taking his seat and looking out into the view screen. Three ships, all frigates, all with one goal, and hundreds almost thousands of lives at his disposal. He had to wonder, though, if Command knew more than they let on... but again, there was nothing to be done with that... "All stations, prepare to jump." He said into the intercomm as Lara took a seat next to his. Obviously the first mate's chair, were this a normal combat ship. She just smiled as Rain looked over curiously. "Worried?" He inquired, Lara just shrugging her response back. Rain took that as an affirmative, though, and went back to the task. "Helm, take us out." He ordered, the ship flared forward, followed by the two others. In perfect sync, the task force shot into the Phase Shift wormhole, disappearing from view and the familiar world.

An hour later, the ships emerged, greeted by a medium defense fleet, patrolling around the sealed away black sphere that was formerly known as Anima Prime. He doubted, again, the mission briefing and whether he knew everything that they did, but again, he disregarded it. He flicked on the intercomm again. "Prepare to enter low orbit around the planet, I want everyone combat ready and prepared to hard-drop in within a moments notice." He turned towards the helmsmen and nodded. The small fleet flew forward, not directly into the black mass, but edging slowly towards it, around and around the planet as it inched ever closer.

It was not long until the shields made contact with the barrier. The ships shook violently, but held firm against the black magic, unlike any ship that had before attempted this. "At least the shields held." He commented, ordering the combat officer to increase power to the shields and inertial dampeners just to be sure. Within a minute, they were through the barrier, overlooking the empty but serene world below. It was oddly calm, too calm actually. It was unnerving for Rain, and, in truth, everyone. "... Take us over the drop point. Keep the other ships a distance away. I don't want to commit until we have a confirmation on the enemy." He ordered, calm on the outside, but within, he was curious and yet disturbed at the sight of the planet.

---

The pod Lae slept in suddenly shook and dropped downward, catapulting itself and the person within towards the planet below. Within a couple minutes, the pod crashed into a city street, the shields holding on by a thread at the impact of such a drop. The pod stood slanted only slightly, having barely missed the building on the other side of the city street. Like it was seen from above, though, Lae and his pod was greeted with utter silence and odd serenity.

Lae looked out of the pod, then kicked the hatch off when he was satisfied it was cleared. He jumped out, and grabbed the edge of the building before falling. He held onto the edge with both hands and shimmied around the building, knowing that it would be foolish to assume that no one had seen it from orbit. He would be panting as he did so.

Xaldius: still getting over that little shock, are you?

Lae: Shut up.

He shimmied onto the edge that was in the area between buildings, and just hanged there for a few moments to make sure no one would come to investigate.

[Quantum Rain]

There was still not a soul that came to investigate. It was still midday, with the sun shining especially bright and clear skies. The streets were eerily empty and clean, with not a soul around. The buildings were untouched, no lights or activity within any that Lae can see. It was all just too odd.

[Wynn]

There was still not a soul that came to investigate. It was still midday, with the sun shining especially bright and clear skies. The streets were eerily empty and clean, with not a soul around. The buildings were untouched, no lights or activity within any that Lae can see. It was all just too odd.

Lae looked down, and saw a pipe on the outside of the building just over a window. He dropped down, grabbed the pipe, and kicked through the window and ejected his hidden blades expecting to see others inside.

[Quantum Rain]

It was the same as it was outside, empty, devoid of life or any sign thereof. The building was entirely empty, the lights flicking on as Lae entered. No alarm rung, no door opened, nothing save for the lights, and it all only added to the eeriness of this ghost city. Inside the rooms, everything was ordered, clean, and most importantly, equally empty.

[Wynn]

It was the same as it was outside, empty, devoid of life or any sign thereof. The building was entirely empty, the lights flicking on as Lae entered. No alarm rung, no door opened, nothing save for the lights, and it all only added to the eeriness of this ghost city. Inside the rooms, everything was ordered, clean, and most importantly, equally empty.

Lae stood there for a moment. He put his finger on his earpiece through the hood. "Against my better judgement, im going to say: 'nothing in this city from what i can see.'" He walked through the building looking at all of the deserted equipment.

[Quantum Rain]

"As I thought... I'm hard-dropping Regnum down now, keep scouting the area. Maybe the enemy is further in the city." Rain replied, as Lae could hear the drops launching of from the nearby ship at this distance. A minute later, they landed, making a loud crashing noise through the empty streets and avenues.

[Wynn]

"As I thought... I'm hard-dropping Regnum down now, keep scouting the area. Maybe the enemy is further in the city." Rain replied, as Lae could hear the drops launching of from the nearby ship at this distance. A minute later, they landed, making a loud crashing noise through the empty streets and avenues.

Lae looked around and looked outside the building. He saw a conduit between his current building, and the one across the street twoards Regnum. He put his finger on the earpiece again. "Copy that." He ran at the window, and jumped feet first, crashing through the window. He fell forward nearly ten feet, and landed on the pipe. He wabbled a bit. Skinnier than it looked from the building. He sprinted across the conduit to the other side, and began climbing up the side of the other building. He would spend a few moments climbing and get to the top. He was now on the building he was originally intended to land on. He walked around, and began just scouting the area around from up high.

[Quantum Rain]

As he scanned the horizon, he would continue to see the same abysmal results. That is until he could see faint movement far towards the center of the city itself. It was hard to tell what it was, with all of the skyscrapers and other buildings blocking his view, but it seemed to be alive at least. "And avoid getting into trouble." Rain finished, as Regnum entered the military base at the very far end of the city, separated by a small channel of water.

[Wynn]

As he scanned the horizon, he would continue to see the same abysmal results. That is until he could see faint movement far towards the center of the city itself. It was hard to tell what it was, with all of the skyscrapers and other buildings blocking his view, but it seemed to be alive at least. "And avoid getting into trouble." Rain finished, as Regnum entered the military base at the very far end of the city, separated by a small channel of water.

Lae didnt acknowledge, but activated the earpiece and simply said "Movement, I'm going to check it out." He would begin parkouring his way across the rooftops, using dead power lines to zip line across when necessary. He got close to the movement, but was standing aloof enough to be able to just peek around the corner of an AC unit on the roof of a building to see what it was.

[Quantum Rain]

He still couldn't clearly tell what it was that was moving about. It was as if the light reflected around the entity, to the point that the figure was oddly shaped and it made it difficult to track whatever it was. One thing was certain, though, it was definitely not a human looking entity based on the shape. It looked more animalistic in height and size. It was also running several times faster than any normal human...

[Wynn]

He still couldn't clearly tell what it was that was moving about. It was as if the light reflected around the entity, to the point that the figure was oddly shaped and it made it difficult to track whatever it was. One thing was certain, though, it was definitely not a human looking entity based on the shape. It looked more animalistic in height and size. It was also running several times faster than any normal human...

Lae drew his bow, and put an arrow on it. He pulled out a paralytic poison, he did not want to kill it, but stop it long enough to figure out just what it was. "Unknown contact, going to investigate." He pulled the arrow back and aimed, watching its movements, trying to get a lead on it.

[Quantum Rain]

The thing looked up at Lae hastily, as if sensing his intent. It growled at Lae, revealing itself only briefly as some odd, rock-like skinned hound of some sort, blaring red like a flame. It ran down the street, joined by a dozen other similar entities. They didn't make a noise beyond the growling earlier, but one thing is certain, there is something down here now.

[Wynn]

The thing looked up at Lae hastily, as if sensing his intent. It growled at Lae, revealing itself only briefly as some odd, rock-like skinned hound of some sort, blaring red like a flame. It ran down the street, joined by a dozen other similar entities. They didn't make a noise beyond the growling earlier, but one thing is certain, there is something down here now.

Lae let one of the arrows fly, despite the skin looking like it was made of stone. He had a hunch it wasn't going to do anything. "...demons..." he said with the earpiece still active.

[Quantum Rain]

The arrow broke into two, both parts flying harmlessly off of the animal as it ran away from Lae. "What kind?" Rain asked, obviously sounding concerned, and for good reason.

The Knighted Star was hovering over the military base now, sending troops to occupy and bring the base online again. The other two ships were further up, hovering a good distance away from the surface, almost obscured by the clouds, albeit rare, hovering with them. Regnum and several squads were on the base, but more shuttles were departing from the ships still.

[Wynn]

The arrow broke into two, both parts flying harmlessly off of the animal as it ran away from Lae. "What kind?" Rain asked, obviously sounding concerned, and for good reason.

The Knighted Star was hovering over the military base now, sending troops to occupy and bring the base online again. The other two ships were further up, hovering a good distance away from the surface, almost obscured by the clouds, albeit rare, hovering with them. Regnum and several squads were on the base, but more shuttles were departing from the ships still.

"The kind..." He saw the arrow break against their skin, but stood and watched them run."That I cant kill apparently..."

[Quantum Rain]

As they turned a corner into another street, they were fully out of sight to him now. "Greaaat..." Rain commented over the comm. "If they're patrols or scouts, they're probably running. See where they're heading. If you learn anything, report it in, otherwise, maintain radio silence. We don't want them to hack into our comm network easily."

Rain stood, staring through the view screen as he spoke the last words to Lae. "Good luck." He finished, turning towards the door. "Keep the ships in the sky until I call otherwise. Defend the base at all costs. Understood?" "Yes sir." The captain spoke curtly, as if eager to have his ship back. Rain just raised an eyebrow at the captain, curious of his reaction, then walked out, followed closely by Lara.

[Wynn]

As they turned a corner into another street, they were fully out of sight to him now. "Greaaat..." Rain commented over the comm. "If they're patrols or scouts, they're probably running. See where they're heading. If you learn anything, report it in, otherwise, maintain radio silence. We don't want them to hack into our comm network easily."

Rain stood, staring through the view screen as he spoke the last words to Lae. "Good luck." He finished, turning towards the door. "Keep the ships in the sky until I call otherwise. Defend the base at all costs. Understood?" "Yes sir." The captain spoke curtly, as if eager to have his ship back. Rain just raised an eyebrow at the captain, curious of his reaction, then walked out, followed closely by Lara.

Lae did not bother replying, he just sprinted after the creatures.

Xaldius: Trap?
Lae: Probably, but your still a piece of [censored] that im not going to acknowledge as an intellectual

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