Chapter Two

[Quantum Rain]

First topic message reminder :

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.
POST.
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.

[Quantum Rain]

"Keep them in sight or else I can't shoot them down, Fang." The sniper said, shooting one of Lae's pursuers as they jumped across, sending its deteriorating body to the ground below. The interior of the building went under heavy stress of bombardment as Lae ran, the floors, walls, and ceilings rapidly deteriorating and splintering into multiple pieces under the bombardment of energy. Lae's path left a grueling aftermath.

[Roach]

//Coruscant\\

"Excellent, take the lead then, hopefully we'll avoid a gun battle this time..."

"Whats the fun in that?" said Slavic becoming a bit more chipper "Slavic to Druzina beam us to these coordinates." Slavic said tapping on a wrist mounted computer.

With a flash they appeared in a rundown district of Corruscant Small shops and brothels littered the street and at the end of a dead end was a larger shop with a flickering neon sign that simply read "Ray's Technological Import/Export"

"Stay alert this part of town can be a bit rough." Slavic said as he lead them through the crowd.

[Comrade Greiv]

Nar Shaluka Orbit- First CEF Rendezvous point
flagship Kitarn, Venator II-class

A new group of soldiers from the planet arrived aboard the vessel, the majority bearing the marks of the elite 3rd RSIF(Rapid Strike Infantry Force) personally led by General Alec James Kaidan-who had been pulled from his duties on the planet prematurely for this deployment. Alec made his way to the CIC immediately after disembarking from his shuttle. All along the way he had heard banter among the the members of the crew and normal detachments of marines stationed on the ship about what what going on, many saying an attack on TSE territory while some saying another rebellion trying to start up. After about 7 minutes Alec had arrived at the CIC and entered under the usual salutes from the guards; inside he found both Admiral Manturas Kerek, commander of the 1st CEF, and Lord Kelek, Darth Korr's apprentice and an aquaintence of Alec's. He dropped his duffle and saluted the Admiral.

"General Kaidan, reporting for duty." He stated

"Welcome aboard, Alec. Good to have you with us." Admiral Kerek responded while returning the salute. Alec then stood at ease.

"Good to work at your side once again Alec." Kelek said with a smile and a nod.

"What is the situation?" Alec asked as he walked up to the holoprojector table.

Admiral Kerek pressed a series of buttons on the table's console and a projection of an arctic world showed up.

"A rebellion unfortunately... On the the Planet of Hader." Kerek stated with a grim look on his face, "The Darth Korr has given us the orders to subjugate the rebels and to secure the Research facilities and extract high-priority technology."

"I see... Should be easy, but are the troops on station within the fleet ready for an Arctic engagement?" Alec asked thinking that a rebellion on Hader would require large-scale engagements in the inhospitable climate.

"Yes, the marines in the fleet have the proper equipment required for arctic warfare." Kerek responded, "You only need to worry about what you and your men have to take with you and your objectives in this mission."


Kerek shut off the holoprojector and then Lord Kelek flipped a switch, powering down almost all the systems in the room except secondary lighting, gravity, and life support.


"This will be tough to deal with..." Daren Kelder stated(Lord Kelek), "Each of us, including a large portion of the men involved in this, are all plotting revolution against Korr ourselves, and thus we have to end up killing others who think the same way."

"Sacrifices will have to be made regardless.... We are not ready to go against Korr, and neither are those that try to rise against him now, so we must try to convince people like this to join our cause and prepare for a war a ways down the line." Alec said, rubbing his chin.

"Try to convince as many as you both can to go into hiding and await the calling of the Red Faction..." Manturas stated, "The more that can be spared the more that would be available to us when we revolt."

Both Alec and Daren nodded and the three then left after restoring power to the room. Within an hour all of the 10,000 vessels of the First Combat Expeditionary Force were assembled for a mass jump and made the jump to hyperspace for Hader in the Shaluka System.

[Roach]

--Crimea May 3rd 1774--

Four weeks had passed since the Privateers had taken the Turkish pirate port in the Crimea. Dimitri's host had arrived with three hundred men crewing the recaptured fourth rate with their ships repaired and refit the task of finding the Base of the Barbary corsairs funded by the Ottoman Turks became more prevalent. Using Documents he had Recovered Dimitri had discovered that a trader in Armenia was suspected of selling stolen goods looted from Russian merchant ships by his contacts as the only lead they have the would be forced to sail across the black sea to confirm or deny their suspicions. Roach called Forth the other captains for a Council to determine what to do next.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Hiigara--

*The Hiigarans continue fighting furiously against the Primitus, despite taking terrible losses. They hammer the compound shield with everything they have left to weaken it as much as possible. Meanwhile, Karan watches the Ultor like a hawk, and as it diverts its attention to Mercer's ship, seizes her chance.*

Karan: Alright, you sons-a-[censored]. Let's see how you handle THIS!!

*The motes around Sajuuk coalesce into a layer of golden energy that very nearly surrounds the entirety of the massive Progenitor vessel. Time seems to stand still as the great ship hangs in the explosion-pocked night sky, glowing like Ancient Kharak's star. The shell deflects all weapons fire that impacts it, rippling but not wavering with each hit.*

*Then, in the blink of an eye, the shell blasts into a beam that streaks straight towards the Ultor, overwhelms any countermeasures it can muster, punches straight through the Primitus compound shield, and continues unhindered to slam into the great destroyer with all the power of fate itself. The beam releases so much light that all sensors short-circuit, and civilizations across the galaxy see a strange flash in the night sky.*

--New Song--

Soban: Everyone, do as the lady says--she knows how to really fight those goddamn things!!

Gunnery Officer: Sir, receiving targeting data from the newcomers!

Soban: Transmit it to everyone else and put it to use!

*The word quickly spreads, and the unlikely allies spring into action to implement Marion's plan. The turians fight their way into a spherical formation with the Hiigaran Dreadnought at its center, while the Morrigi use swooping hit-and-run attacks to force the ancient marauders toward them. All the while, the allies make good use of the IS's targeting data to find weak points in the compound shield and the destroyers themselves. The Ultor's roar rocks the allies, but they do not falter and fight with renewed hope.*

*Closer to the planet, the Spirit of Aves fights alone. The avian flagship frantically shoots down as many drones and missiles at it can, but the hordes defy all attempts to stop them. But then, as the drones descend upon the planet and annihilation seems inevitable, another scream tears itself from the hellish, volcanic landscape. All the drones suddenly stop, and then an unknown force begins pulling them back, away from The World of New Song. At the same time, gravitational anomalies around the attacking Ultor fluctuate wildly, warping the very fabric of space and time in its location. Seconds later, streams of dark energy come up from the planet's surface towards the Ultor. The distortions rapidly grow in frequency and intensity and culminate in a great maw of nothingness that opens right on top of the Ultor: a localized black hole.*

Ackbar: HOLY [censored]!!! Evasive maneuvers--GET US THE [censored] OUT OF HERE!!

Navigation Officer: Engaging FTL drive, sir!

*The Spirit of Aves blasts away to safety as the Primitus drones and corvettes are drawn into the black hole first, and then the singularity devours the Ultor itself. Any attempt by the ancient marauder to teleport away fails.*

Ackbar: Aves save us...

*The fighting stills in awe as the black hole rages, dragging the second Ultor into its maw and ripping it apart as well.*

Soban: By the equatorial hells...

Septimus: By the spirits...

Tokhta: Ancestors protect us...

*Then, before the phenomenon can get out of hand, the black hole gives one last roar and then winks out of existence.*

Soban: Report!!

Septimus: We're all okay...I think. But we've lost all contact with the rachni.

Tokhta: This fight is not over. Let us bring these Destroyers to heel once and for all, and then we may inquire after the Singers.

Ackbar: All ships, resume firing!

*The allies throw themselves back into the fight with the remaining Primitus ships.*

[Roach]

Roach's Fleet formed into the rear guard and made good use of the targeting data from the IS ships as the weak spot data on the Primitus fleet was was relayed. The "Litany" Fired its Oblivion missiles several hundred launched first in all directions around the ship the blue white war head began replicating first two by two then four by for doubling every time until millions of missiles streamed toward the Primitus fading into different states of phase the sheer number of constantly multiplying warheads made them impossible to stop as the first one impacted it locked its target into a single state of phase keeping it from teleporting they arced in from all directions and im a massive impact the Primitus fleet was assailed from all sides by warheads and was consumed in blue white light as volley after volley impacted the warhead multiplying even as they detonated. the compound shield was overwhelmed and many missiles stuck and destroyed enemy vessels as all the missiles impacted the primitus were left bloodied and exposed as the litany was taken out of the fight her three Star defender escort took up positions and formed a phalanx as the rest of the fleet carried on.

[Quantum Rain]

-Hiigara-

The Ultor’s shields took to the ancient weapon, but ultimately failed as it began to slice into the hull underneath. However, the Ultor managed to retaliate before it was destroyed. As Sajuuk tore into the Ultor, it replied with a massive volley of powerful anti-matter beams flailing about the entire enemy fleet before it condensed a massive amount of power into its own core. As it reached critical levels it, coupled with Sajuuk’s weapon, exploded with a stunning brilliance, but equally lethal force. The shockwave was a mix of a quantum wake, due to the overloaded drive cores, and pure, condensed energy due to the overloaded power cores. Shields and subsystems would find themselves under a heavy strain at this suicidal weapon.

The Primitus ships were also affected by the anti-matter beams and the shockwaves, though not as badly as their enemies. With the death of their flagship, and the weakening of their compound shields, however, they began to retreat. A select few ships held Sajuuk at bay as others moved away, trading volleys with their enemies before disappearing into ftl.

---

-New Song-

The Primitus forces responded to the loss of their flagships with a sense of pure fury. Power readings that could be detected from their ships were going off the charts as enemy drone numbers nearly tripled, weapon volleys doubled, and shield strength increased in an attempt to cover the loss of their flagship. These improvements, however, proved little against the unlikely allies as, though a significant portion of the missiles were shot down by dummy counter missiles, utilizing the same phase patterns as the allied missiles, and allied drones were shot out of the sky or swarmed in equal manner, the IS ships stepped up their attacks and drone production to counter the enemy, and relayed increasingly accurate targeting information and counter-tactics.

The missiles that did impact did a significant damage on the compound shield, however, and under the combined weight of the flanking marauders and the steel rock that was the Hiigaran/Turian force, they would clearly lose. The question remained, however, of how significant would allied losses be in the end.

Marion’s flagship flew toward the Primitus fleet, suddenly escorted by IS ships that phased in. It unleashed a hellish barrage of firepower and drones against the fleet, now able to provide proper assistance and effectively cutting off enemy escape from all sides now. “Report, lieutenant.” Marion ordered curtly through her comm., studying the strategic map display of the battle. “I managed to collect a portion of the data from the Ultor before I had to retreat due to the insectoid’s response to the Primitus threat, ma’am.” “I see. Did you gain access to their local battle net?” “Yes, ma’am, though it took some time. I can relay more accurate targeting information and tactics.”

[Comrade Greiv]

Rise of the Red Faction: Chapter I - Hader Subjugation
Part I - Landfall

Hader - Shaluka System

The Megalodon Mk III dropship was always the fastest, and bumpiest, trip from orbit to a planet's surface that any of member of an RSIF unit could ever use. This fact was never helped by the fact of Triple-A trying to down them, as was the case for this dropoff. Alec and his personal Squad, Omega Squad, were fully outfitted and prepared for landing on Hader and for their first objective, the primary research complex.

Alec and Omega Squad were a part of one of the highest tier SpecOps infantry available, Nanosuit Mk II Operators. These troops were ready for almost any operation that could be presented to them: Black Op, Torch-and-Burn, Extraction, Infiltration, Assassination, etc.


"So what is our objective General?" one of the Omega squad asked.

"Well Lieutenant, our first objective is to secure the concourse, primary landing bay, and security sections of the primary facility. Sat-scans have indicated that these locations are somewhat less defended than anywhere else in the main facility." Alec responded, "And when they are secure will allow the troops waiting on deployment to clear out the rest of the facility as well as the Peak facilities more efficiently."

"About how many rebels are we to expect here Alec?" Omega Squad's XO, Major Tean, asked.

"Intelligence states at least a division scattered throughout the main facility, and a company defending our targets." Alec stated with a somewhat grim tone before the pilot called back into the compartment.

"Fifteen Seconds to touchdown, General." The pilot stated as he began to maneuver the dropship into an optimal landing position.

"Thanks Captain. You heard him boys! Helmets On, Final gear Check!" Alec shouted after putting on his helmet and getting his combat harness and weapons ready.

The dropship then slowed to an almost stop as its VTOL thrusters engaged and brought the Megalodon to a slow descent to a landing outside the primary research facility. As the dropship came to a full stop Omega Squad was fully finished with their gear check and ready to go. The entry ramp dropped and the squad then made their way out onto the exterior of the facility. When clear of the dropship Alec gave the pilots a salute as they began then took off.

The environment of Hader was extremely hostile and could quickly kill if not properly equipped, fortunately the squad was in good enough gear to survive the frigid -50 degree(Celsius) temperature. They made their way to the nearby Communications Array and encountered a group of guards defending it.

"Drop em?" Major Tean asked as he scoped them in with his DSG-1

"Aye, quietly." Alec responded as he equipped his SCAR with a silencer before pulling out his knife.

Omega Squad activated their cloaks and scattered themselves among the guards before striking, quickly dealing with them with silenced weapons and blades. After the guards were dealt with the squad's technician, Dalen, began working on disabling the communications array. Once the task was done they made their way to a maintenance hatch and crawled down into the Maintenance Shafts....

(To be Continued...)

[Quantum Rain]

//Coruscant\\
"Stay alert this part of town can be a bit rough." Slavic said as he lead them through the crowd.

"Not as rough as it was an hour ago." Siber muttered to himself as he followed along, blending into the crowd almost naturally. All of this for some refugee... this is beyond absurd...

[Sir Noret]

//Coruscant\\

A group of brutish men, if you could call these miscreants of all forms 'men,' push there way up to the small group with blasters already drawn. They attempt to surround the party and the largest and apparent leader, who had clearly not garnered that position based on his brains, grunts out "hand over your credit chip and weapons, we're about to teach you a lesson, Black Sun style."

(note: Roach, do you mind if I GM Ray when we get there?)

//Crimea\\

Captain Wichtoff strides into the meeting place and queries merely "Captain, how may I be of service?"

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Hiigara--

*Karan allows herself a brief snarl of satisfaction as Sajuuk's power finally destroys the Ultor for good, and then she faces a dilemma. Her thoughts race through her computer-augmented mind.

Karan: That blast will heavily damage the Fleet. It might even affect Hiigara itself. But if I destroy as many Primitus ships as I can now, I could save many more lives in the future...

*Golden motes begin to wink into existence again.*

Karan: Wait--what the [censored] am I doing?! *The particles accelerate rapidly and then blast outward into a shield that surrounds the entire Hiigaran fleet and protects them--and the planet behind them--from the energy wave. The field strains dangerously and even cracks as the wave hammers it, but does not break, and dissolves once the danger is passed. The Hiigarans trade shots with the retreating Primitus ships until the ancient marauders have left the field.

Karan: Sajuuk-Khar to the fleet. We've won this day. All ships report for diagnostics and repairs.

*The exhausted vessels comply.* Karan: We did win, but look at the cost...

*Suddenly, Sajuuk receives a transmission.* Soban: This is Admiral Ferin Soban Sha! Task Force Abdul is heavily engaged by Primitus forces! We have support, but we still need any help that Hiigaran Command can send! Please, give us something!!

Karan: [censored]...Karan to the fleet. All the least-damaged ships, prepare for redeployment. You're dropping in hot.

*A few hundred less-extensively damaged vessels, mostly frigates and cruisers, quickly form up. Karan then opens a quantum wave front, which they slip into.*

--New Song--

*Of the unlikely allies, the turians are the hardest-hit, but their formidable discipline ensures they keep fighting tooth and nail with the Primitus. All the involved parties receive the targeting data relayed by IS forces and put it to use, allowing them to more effectively battle the harbingers of doom. The Rachni also step up their own attacks from the surface, having lost one of their beam cannons but firing the remaining three at the attackers in concentrated salvoes to bring them down. The Spirit of Aves also rejoins the fight in a blaze of fury that nearly rivals that of its deadly adversaries, its cannons firing away.*

*Suddenly, a "window in space" opens up on the fringes of the battle and out pours several hundred Hiigaran ships, which plunge into the fray. The newcomers bear scars of a previous fight, but carry themselves straight into the next one with great zeal.*

*Meanwhile, on the Spirit's bridge, Ackbar watches the battle in awe. The sight of so many races coming together to fight a terrifying common enemy is stirring something within him. His keen hawk-vision watches many things: a turian battleship, sacrificing itself to take a blast meant for a Morrigi ship. The Hiigarans' Progenitor Dreadnought viciously fighting a Primitus cruiser to provide cover for a damaged Federation carrier to limp out of danger. The many and disparate fighter corps of the participants working together to take down the hordes upon hordes of Primitus drones. Quetzalcoatl, using his biotics to toss around several enemy frigates like toys. The Morrigi leviathan working in concert with the Federation's Star Defenders to bring down the ancient marauders.*

Ackbar: I am seeing the beginnings of something new here. Something more. Something great...but where do I go with it? Only time will tell, but I must find out how to unlock the greatest possible potential...

[Roach]

--Coruscant---

(yes you may Q)

Slavic scoffs at the men. "we just killed over a hundred of your lot are you quite sure that you wish to start another engagement with even less men? I do love killing mindless criminals but im busy and willing to let you live."

--Crimea--

Dimitri blows a puff of smoke out of his pipe as he sits cleaning his rifle. Well my friend im afraid we are down to just our ships I have not seen the Spaniard or the English crew in weeks the Ataman's Bounty is repaired and my informants in Georgia tell me that Barbary corsairs have been dropping off large amounts of loot to a port in Armenia. I wish we could wait to hire more privateers but that's not an option we need to act on this lead before the trail goes cold. We sail tonight make ready your men we have more Arabs and Turks to gut."


---New Song---
Roach watched as the Primtus were mopped up by the combined arms of the allied fleet so many different peoples fighting alongside on another. Free Peoples ships covered turian vessels they had been attacking only hours before. The stalwart free peoples fighter core shot down wave after wave of drones attacking new song. Roach smiled to him self.

"A new era has come and i feel things will be different hard but different." Roach thought to himself as [i]Pyotr The Great[i/] fired a salvo that destroyed the of the last Primitus heavy combat ships.

"Ajay status?" Roach said rising from his feet after a long pause.

"Fleet reports 60% losses and 32% knocked out of action amongst the capital ships and by some miracle only 34% losses amongst the star fighter corps with 20% knocked out or missing"

"My hand guided our brave pilots throughout the engagement it was necessary for victory. Recall our forces back into standard Formation launch repair drones offer our aid in search and rescue operations as soon as the last Primitus ship is destroyed or routed. I feel i shall have much work to do soon Yanishev is in command I need rest."

[Quantum Rain]

--New Song--
As the final Primitus ship is taken down under combined fire, the IS ships waste no time in launching drone swarms to scavenge amongst the wreckage, as per protocol, actually. The IS fleet regroups into their own, their command ship adequately shielded as what remains of the fleet begins its own repairs. Also, it should be noted, that replacement, currently automated ships were being slowly constructed from the command ship.

"Our losses were minimal, 30% destroyed, 14% salvaged, 60% damaged to some degree, and 20% still operational." A comms officer reported to Marion automatically. Protocol, what a typical state of brainwashing, she thought, as she digested the information as well as the scene before her eyes. Heavy casualties are to be expected, but this, this was not as predictable... "Let us wait and see what our guests have to say." Marion says, mostly to herself as she patiently watches, and listens.

______________
--Spirit of Aves--

"Interesting turn of events, is it not?" Shadow asks, appearing from nowhere, as per his usual entrance. "I told you this would happen, and it has." The entire scene of the bridge was frozen in time, as was everywhere. It was surreal, seeing the final Primitus ship in flames, frozen in place. "The question posed to you now is, 'what will you do with all of this?'"

---

--Hiigara--

The Verusian fleet regroups and repairs itself and its unlikely allies. Drones were already picking up the Primitus debris field as the Verusians offered assistance where they could, but clearly not overstepping their limits, or their lack of trust of their new acquaintances.

"The enemy are fleeing. Thank Vires..." Mercer muttered, accidentally over the comm, but in all honesty, he probably did not care. He was more thankful that they were all still alive, despite the heavy losses.

---

--Coruscant--

Siber looked at the thugs, and sighed to himself. "I'm not." He said coldly, as his lightsaber flew out of its holster of its own accord. It lightly hissed on and off, barely showing itself as it began slicing through the thugs, turning on at the exactly correct moments. It was aiming directly for their spines and necks while also attempting to avoid a total mess.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Hiigara--

Karan: Finally...UGH!

*A subtle golden aura suddenly envelops Sajuuk, remains for a few minutes, and then fades.*

Karan: What the hell was that...someone give me a damn sitrep!!

Hiigara Control: All surviving vessels are docked and undergoing repairs, ma'am. We're also tending to the crew--they're pretty shaken up.

Karan: Good. Damage to the planet?

Hiigara Control: Thankfully, ma'am, the defenses intercepted or destroyed whatever they threw at the planet. A few thousand dead across the globe, but it could have been a lot worse.

Karan: It certainly could have been. *She opens a line to Mercer.* Well, Admiral Mercer, now that we don't have those [censored] shooting at us, would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?

--New Song--

Turian captain: Has anyone seen my crew? Our cruiser was destroyed...

Morrigi zo'qu'aan: We recovered your tribesmen, Turigi. We will return them to you as you see fit.

Turian captain: Thanks a lot, Traveler.

Hiigaran captain: Hiigarans here. We found some Morrigi in an escape pod, but the "tribe" they say they're with...we can't pronounce the name.

Tokhta: Bring them to us, Garaligi, and we will return them to their tribe if it yet remains.

Soban: We've all got a lot of people stranded on the planet itself, too. Quetzalcoatl, any luck on raising your world? Could your people help us with recovering more survivors?

Quetzalcoatl: No. They are not silent, but they do not respond to my calls. I will leave the Sea of Stars and investigate the situation directly.

Soban: Good call. Wherever all our people are, they're probably doing fine in the Rachni's care, but still. Closure is a truly miraculous thing sometimes.

Tokhta: The unanswered question, Zo'Qu'aan Soban, is what drew the Destroyers here in the first place?

Soban: I don't know...wait. The Dreadnought's sensors are picking up some kind of Primitus signature on the planet. Emissions are passive and weak, so whatever it is down there, it's not active.

Tokhta: I doubt you came to that conclusion yourself.

Soban: Yeah, yeah, shaddap. I just read what Engineering tells me. We can look into these later once we get contact with New Song back online.

*A turian rescue team finds several crew lost from a destroyed Federation cruiser and returns them to their people after treating their injuries. The unlikely allies continue helping each other recover from the terrible battle. Even Quetzalcoatl's drones help, carefully pushing crippled ships clear of debris fields and also pushing a few of the many escape pods and lifeboats into better positions for recovery teams.*

--Spirit of Aves, Bridge--

*Ackbar does not immediately respond, seemingly hypnotized by the flaming hulk.*

Ackbar: All this time, I've been thinking of us all as unlikely allies, thrown together by chance and bound by nothing lasting... *He now looks at Shadow.* My memories from the Cycles tell me nothing. I'm just guessing based on first impressions, but I don't think any of the races or peoples here have the power to defeat the Primitus on their own. Not even the Imperials or the Morrigi, powerful as they are. But...but what if this could be done again? What if, somehow, all these races could be brought together to make war on the Primitus? What if--what if, despite being unable to defeat them alone, if we united into an...alliance, victory might be within reach?

[Quantum Rain]

--Hiigara--

Mercer takes a few seconds to consider how to tell Karan. "I am not entirely sure, Karan S'jet." He replied, obviously hiding some facts, but truthful mostly.

---

--Spirit of Aves--

"That's for you to decide." Shadow replied cryptically. "Though, you do not have much time to guarantee victory. I hope you are ready for the storm ahead of you, admiral." Shadow held out his hand as the stars glowed brighter, and the flames flew into his hand, forming a large yellow orb. "I will say this: Power exists for the weak to follow, and the strong to inherit."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Hiigara--

Karan: [censored]. You know more than you're letting on. I'm not in the mood to play games, Mercer--

*She stops, and then changes tack.* Look. We're flying in the dark here. I can guess that you want to survive and stop the Primitus as much as we do, and we all need to trust each other for that to happen. Admiral, I need you to tell me as much as you possibly can--even if you don't think it'll help. To begin with, do you know--in any way--why the Primitus attacked Hiigara?

--New Song--

*The recovery proceeds apace.*

Soban: Hey, Admiral Roach, think you could use your telepathy to try and raise the Rachni?

--Spirit of Aves, Bridge--

Ackbar: Maybe, Shadow, but I believe power exists for the strong to use to defend the weak and their right to decide their own futures. I'll face this storm even if it kills me. *He gazes out at the frozen flames again.* (Murmur) The right to decide our own futures...the Primitus will destroy our most cherished desire if we don't stop them. But no-one can stop them--not alone...not alone...not alone...

*He looks at Shadow again.* No single race or faction can hope to defeat the Primitus on their own. But none of us are alone. There are over a dozen races here right now, who came together seemingly by chance to defeat this terrible foe. Though they have suffered grave wounds, they are now spontaneously helping each other recover. This has to happen again--not just tomorrow, or for the next week. For the next few years, all these races' hopes for defeating the Primitus lie in banding together. There needs to be...an alliance, of all these free peoples. Only then will victory be within our grasp.

[Roach]

*Roach breaks from his restorative meditation and reaches his mind out to Tiamat.*

Can you hear me queen we cannot raise communications from the surface what is the situation?

[Quantum Rain]

--Hiigara--

"No, I do not. Not unless you have their technology or the planet was once theirs." The admiral replied cautiously.

---

--Spirit of Aves--

"If that is what you believe, then know that it won't be as easy as you think. You are naively throwing yourself into a quickly growing hostile situation, and this battle is called 'politics.'" He balls his hand into a fist, smothering the energy, causing it to dissipate. "There is one war that must be fought until the other can be won, and you are not the only champion of your people that must win, Ackbar." He turns towards the hawk. "There are many that must live past the inevitable conflicts, all of whom you will meet." Shadow returns towards looking at the stars, and then walks towards them, phasing through the metal in his way. "Good luck." He says, before fading away. Time spun back to its normal pace, the cruiser completely obliterated as the fire died out. The IS ships kept to themselves, picking at the debris field, monitoring the unlikely allies, but making no hostile moves.

The Imperials move methodically in aiding their own, however, as drones and rescue squadrons launch here and there to recover the wreckage of their ships and escape pods. The fleet was also parked rather close to the planet, as if curious to what was down there.

Marion remained motionless, her eyes unmoving from the flow of information provided on the bridge HUD. Her mind was disecting the information, noting that the universal translator was busy at work understanding some of these foreign languages. However, it was also outstretch, sensing for the Rachni below, but not communicating with them. She found them a curious species, if not familiar... "What is the status of our acquaintances, lieutenant?" She asked suddenly. "Based on intercepted communications, they hurt, but recovering. High casualties, mild damage." An officer reported almost immediately on queue. "And what of the planet below?" "We can detect a Primitus remnant site, likely why they bothered to come here in the first place. It seems to be an observatory post of some kind, nothing important."

[Wynn]

"Keep them in sight or else I can't shoot them down, Fang." The sniper said, shooting one of Lae's pursuers as they jumped across, sending its deteriorating body to the ground below. The interior of the building went under heavy stress of bombardment as Lae ran, the floors, walls, and ceilings rapidly deteriorating and splintering into multiple pieces under the bombardment of energy. Lae's path left a grueling aftermath.

He would quickly jump across another gap, and climb upward to get them back into line of sight of the sniper. He would then double back the way he came, but on the roof this time, hoping to dupe the creatures, if for a few moments.

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

The demons were not fooled by the trick. They kept at him, unabated by the sniper fire that picked one after another down. Soon, though, and despite their valiant efforts, Lae was left with dead shadow corpses behind him, unmoving. "Enemies cleared, returning to base." The sniper said over the comm, activating some form of stealth as she announced her status, disappearing from view.

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime, Astral City--

The demons were not fooled by the trick. They kept at him, unabated by the sniper fire that picked one after another down. Soon, though, and despite their valiant efforts, Lae was left with dead shadow corpses behind him, unmoving. "Enemies cleared, returning to base." The sniper said over the comm, activating some form of stealth as she announced her status, disappearing from view.

Lae would sprint after the sniper, and would actually track her by subtle sound of her foot steps since she was cloaked. He would make use of this because he truly had no idea where he was to be going at the moment.

[Quantum Rain]

The sniper uncloaked as they were in sight with the rest of Regnum squad. What Lae saw was a young, black-haired woman with a larger-than-she-is sniper rifle. She knew that he was there, but didn't acknowledge him. When they were in sight of the base, their leader spoke up. "Rain wanted to see you in the command center." He told him curtly, unconcerned about the affair, or annoyed. It was hard to tell past his stoic stature.

[Wynn]

The sniper uncloaked as they were in sight with the rest of Regnum squad. What Lae saw was a young, black-haired woman with a larger-than-she-is sniper rifle. She knew that he was there, but didn't acknowledge him. When they were in sight of the base, their leader spoke up. "Rain wanted to see you in the command center." He told him curtly, unconcerned about the affair, or annoyed. It was hard to tell past his stoic stature.

Lae stood on the roof briefly, then jumped off, spreading the cape like he had once before to slow his descent enough to not be harmed by the fall. He would land, and walk into the base to find Rain, that would be the only sign of him even acknowledging his presence... either not caring for his stoic personality or being a smart alec.

[Quantum Rain]

Lae would find Rain standing over a table with a holographic map of the city. Specifically, the area that he highlighted with the beacons. "It would seem that we found the source of the thick shield over the planet." He said, not looking up at Lae. There were to other officers in the briefing room at the moment, working on their datapads, and occasionally adding markers to the hologram.

[Wynn]

Lae would find Rain standing over a table with a holographic map of the city. Specifically, the area that he highlighted with the beacons. "It would seem that we found the source of the thick shield over the planet." He said, not looking up at Lae. There were to other officers in the briefing room at the moment, working on their datapads, and occasionally adding markers to the hologram.

Lae stood there for a moment. "I wouldn't recommend charging in." He said plainly. "They're pretty well dug in... not to mention the absurd amount of man power they have."

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