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.
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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.

[Roach]

--Coruscant--

Slavic strides over and gives ray a bear hug. "how you been old buddy haven't seen you in over a year."

--Black Sea--

The Two ships approach the Armenian coast near the border with Georgia they spot a Ottoman merchant ship a 24 gun Indian man style Vessel likely purchased from the dutch or French.

"Ship ahead Ataman!" A look out yelled from the crows nest

Dimitri pulled his spy glass out of his coat the ship sat on the horizon moving on a similar southwesterly course then it turned broad side and fired its cannons. they splashed in the water 100 feet from the Ataman's Bounty.

"9 pounders accurate but not a lot of penetration" Dimitri said to himself "Chase gun chain shot!" Dimitri barked the massive 64 pound cannon was loaded and with a deafening whumpf the massive gun fired several chain shot leapt forward and one sheered right through the middle of the Turks main mast. With a loud crack i fell from the ship and slipped below the water.

"Hard Starboard!" Dimitri barked "run out the guns"

the massive ship slowly swiveled as she did here gun ports opened. Her massive armament brought to bear.

"full broad side!" with a chain of whumpfs the batteries fired 27 cannon balls flew through the air several impacted rocking the Turkish ship.

"I commend you on your accuracy men! Signal the Austrian to run him down while we approach to board."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Hiigara--

*Karan freezes.* Karan: ...now I definitely call [censored]. We don't have any Primitus stuff here, and if we did, I would personally send it into the sun. Explain yourself--if you deign to do so.

--New Song--

*Ackbar intervenes before they can start arguing.* Ackbar: The exact nature of the threat doesn't matter at this point. What matters is that they will destroy or enslave every free being in the galaxy, unless we stop them...somehow. *Pause.* Now it's time we explained how we got here.

*He starts at the end of the 500-Year War (drawing many gasps at the length of it), continuing on to Wraith's crash-landing on Aves, the Primitus ship's attack, and first contact and subsequent signing of alliance between avians and Hiigarans. Next comes the joint mission gone horribly wrong until the Morrigi's intervention, the terrible battle, and finishing with the attack on Aves.* Ackbar: ...we had completed most of the repairs to the flagship when I received your transmission, Soban, and came to help. That does it for us--right?

Soban: Yep.

Ackbar: Now, Tokhta. How was it that your people were in the area and able to assist us so handily?

Tokhta: The Travellers were searching for something...secret. It is for an accord we have with the Black Swimmers of the Liir. You were fortunate indeed that we could come to your aid. *He clamps his beak shut and will say no more.*

Ackbar: ...I see. The only one remaining is you, Marion. How came your forces to this place?

*As all this takes place, Tiamat sends a weak mental message to Roach.* Tiamat: War-song...leader Roach...the strain of focusing and directing the song of so many of our children...took a heavy toll on us...even if it rid us of the steel demons...that threatened our...world. We fear...that the cost...took something...from us.

[Roach]

Roach responds to Tiamat mental message."What is wrong your majesty? I sense sorrow in your thoughts."

Roach listens attentively to the avian's story. "You must indeed be a hardy people to recover so rapidly from such a long war Ackbar. I can think of at least one member of my military council who would be deeply impressed perhaps you could tell the story to him someday."

[Quantum Rain]

--Hiigara--

"The data you took from any Primitus installation can be tracked by these remnant virtual intelligences. They consider it an afront to their extinct empire, and will hunt you down for it if you don't scrub off the tracking systems on it." Mercer explains promptly, ignoring Karan's sudden, rude outbursts.

---

--New Song--

"... We were tracking a remnant dreadnought to this world, put simply. You're lucky it decided to make a stop here." Marion explained, raising an eyebrow at his thought of these Primitus remnants enslaving and destroying. "As much as they may have been rather oppressive in their old reign, Ackbar, these remnants are not out to destroy us. They are incompetent remains of a long extinct empire. There are no Primitus, they died off thousands of years ago. These remnants are only patrolling their former borders and attack only when provoked, which includes taking or possessing something that is theirs. I see not how you came to the conclusion that they are a menace, they are an annoyance."

Marion takes note of the mental conversation between Roach and Tiamat, but does not acknowledge it, deigning to listen silently to that conversation while attempting to learn about these new faces and races.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Hiigara--

Karan: I said, we don't have ANYTHING Primitus here--not a single bit of data or tech. Now stop playing around and--*Something interrupts her, and she mutes the channel with Mercer.* What?

Hiigaran Captain: Ma'am, one of the ships we sent on the joint mission is requesting high-level clearance to deliver some valuable Primitus data.

Karan: ...I see. Give it the green light. And scrub that [censored] of anything that even remotely resembles a tracking code. *Back to Mercer.* Thank you for...the advice, Mercer. What now?

--New Song--

Tiamat: We...do not...know. But we fear...we fear something...terrible.

Ackbar: Either she knows something and is trying not to show it, or is simply misinformed...I'll have to talk to her later. No, High Sovereign. You're wrong--the Primitus are a very real threat. Today was only the beginning...they are returning.

*The meeting fills with uneasy murmuring.* Septimus: You have no proof! There's no reason to doubt that these were just as the High Sovereign says.

Ackbar: Typical turian. Their Councilor was the first to "dismiss" Commander Shepard's ideas about the Reapers, and now we'll all suffer for it. But things are breaking down...how do I get them to listen to me?

[Roach]

Roach is clearly annoyed sensing Marion's telepathic eavesdropping.

"It is considered quite rude by my people to enter into the private telepathic conversation between two beings without permission." Roach sends to Marion in a polite yet annoyed way
Tiamat it is possible for me to use my power to diagnose what is wrong but it will take time and concentration my mind is highly drained right now it has been centuries since i have had to maintain such an intense battle trance for so long"

Roach finally spoke "And What if you had proof General Sepetimus? Would that quell your constant trait of to be unable to see what clearly lies before you?" Roach Said trying his damnedest to be diplomatic in his exhausted mental state.

(Were is Lucas when i need him roach thought to himself.)

[Quantum Rain]

--New Song--

If it were so private, perhaps you should endeavor to keep it such instead of diverting your attention to three places at once? If she requires medical attention, I suggest she be given some immediately rather than discuss it here. Marion replied briefly, returning to the subject at hand. "If there is a rising threat from these remnants, it will be investigated thoroughly. I, however, doubt it. I do suggest that if you deign to take from them, it would be advisable to, perhaps, take an interest in aiding each other? Any remnant of this extinct empire can be threatening if not dealt with properly."

---

--Hiigara--

"Now I must return with whatever information I have been able to collect and to report this incident to the Arbiter." Mercer replied non enthusiastically, but politely, deigning to, again, ignore some of Karan's abruptness and lack of diplomacy.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--New Song--

*Septimus folds his arms.* Septimus: If we had proof, we would prepare, and fight. However, if the threat is as dire as our friend claims, then I suspect we would lose. Find us proof and we'll consider meeting with you again.

Ackbar: Very well. Representatives of the various peoples, please give us permission to contact you later on. We shall search for proof. *Pause.* This summit is over. *The delegates begin to return to their various fleets, and Ackbar pulls Marion aside.* High Sovereign, may I speak with you on my ship in private?

*Meanwhile, the turian fleet leaves New Song in an uneasy truce. There is no way to tell if they will come back to finish what they started. Also, another ship departs the planet--cloaked and invisible to all but those with divine powers, perhaps.*

[Quantum Rain]

--New Song--

Marion raises an eyebrow at the request, reaching out with her mind again to ensure that there are no eavesdroppers or stragglers. "I do believe I can acquiesce to your request, Admiral." She replied simply, her guards standing at attention again.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar: Very well, High Sovereign, if you will follow me. *He leads her to the parked gunship, which them takes them up to the Spirit of Aves. Marion draws many curious looks from the avian crewmembers as the Admiral takes her up to his cabin. After securing the room, the hawk flies up to a perch and studies her.* I'm sorry we don't have many accommodations for a being like you, High Sovereign. You can sit on that if you like. *He indicates a cushion meant for runners. Whether or not she sits, he goes on.* I'll ask it plain and simple: Do you know something?

[Quantum Rain]

Marion continue to stands, her guards just outside the door waiting patiently, also standing. "I know many things, you will have to be specific, Admiral." She replied in a somewhat stately manner.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Ackbar opens his beak, but then realizes something.* Ackbar: How is it you can understand me? I'm speaking my native Avian Common, a language you surely have never heard before. Better yet, how can I understand you? *Mutters* Should've realized this back on the planet...

[Quantum Rain]

"I foresaw some communication issues and brought a translator device with me. As well, I can hear your thoughts, or at least, your surface intentions." She explained, as if expecting Ackbar to as such a question. Which was also odd, both the quick explanation and her expectation of it.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Ackbar is unconvinced.* Ackbar: That thing is only one-way, so you can understand me. But how in the name of Aves do I understand you when I don't have anything of the sort on me or on my ship?

[Quantum Rain]

Marion looked back at the hawk, somewhat defiantly, and yet, somewhat approvingly of his observational talent. "It may be because you've heard me speak this same language before, whether you remember it or not." She said, a slight smile approaching her lips.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Ackbar's feathers flare in excitement, and he struggles to stay calm.*

Ackbar: But to know Avian Common, you'd have to--by Aves, you can't possibly mean you know of--of the Cycles!

[Quantum Rain]

"To have such knowledge would be... rather improbable, Admiral Ackbar, hero of the Avian Civil War and soon to be impromptu leader of the Alliance." Marion replied courtly again.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar (relieved): It certainly would. At long last...I just knew I wasn't the only one. And that's "Fore Admiral" to you, High Sovereign. But I won't be leader of the Alliance soon enough. I have to find proof of the Primitus's return, and quickly--every second we don't prepare for their coming dims our chances for victory. Would your people be able to help?

[Quantum Rain]

Marion sighs, sitting down on, what she perceived to be, a bench. "Unfortunately not. My people do not know of this coming storm, nor will they before it is too late, and I cannot afford them questioning my intentions now. You will have to find your proof on your own, or through some other means. What I can tell you is that before that coming storm, there will be a war to fight then, to unite my people, I believe is how you would put it." She stopped a moment to consider how to explain it. "I would imagine an outside source informed you of the galactic situation already?"

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar: I see...that explains why you didn't try to support me at the summit. (To her question) Yes. As you probably know, an agent of Vires called "Shadow" provided me with ample information regarding galactic affairs. He has been serving as my...secret adviser since he first revealed himself to me, right before I destroyed the True Children's Atmospheric Deprivation Weapon.

[Quantum Rain]

"Ah, so, the Golden God is still at work then... We'll need him for what's to come... it's more than the Primitus, that much I am sure of." She considers this information for a minute. "We will need your assistance fighting the first war, admiral, if you wish to have ours in the second. The rest of the Alliance will be dragged into the conflict if you support us, though."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar: If the Alliance even forms. You may not be able to help us get what we need, High Sovereign, but is there any chance you know how we can get it?

[Quantum Rain]

"..." Marion thinks for several moments, trying to recall nearly infinite amounts of reports, intelligence, various information that might relate to what Ackbar needed. "... There was one report... five years ago, of a very unique Primitus vessel. We couldn't encounter it before it ran, which was interesting."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Ackbar is astounded.* Ackbar: It retreated? Without attacking you? It seems almost too good to be true. But how could this lead us to what we need?

[Quantum Rain]

Marion smiles, somewhat glad that he asked that question. "Primitus AI's are known for extreme intelligence... and we've always seen such their capacity for dealing with massive amounts of data when they keep adding trackers and wiping out critical information from their ruin sites. Now, I ordered my people not to attempt tracking the ship, at the time... but if it is an AI ship, well, that will be all the proof you need."

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