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]

"So at least they brought part of their main force to try to eliminate us... or test the waters..." He reached for his comm. "Farseer, start taking them out with pinpoint bombardments, small salvos to limit the damage." As soon as he got a confirmation, he disengaged the comm and sprinted into the battle, several soldiers following him. "Lae, take the demons out on the roofs, as many as you can before they disappear!" He ordered as another couple squads came out and started shooting at said demons, providing suppressive fire.

[darthme]

"Indeed, perhaps some of our scholars could make take a look themselves to confirm that, but past experience would agree with you." Karaed pauses for a moment. "So you're here for allies? Well, we can discuss the possibilities, but I suppose the first step would be an embassy, correct?"

"Naturally. I assume there is not ample space in a metropolis such as this. Is there a spot slightly outside the city that we might build an embassy? It would give us a bit more privacy and a better chance of making the optimal complex for the diplomats."

--Arda--

"Not only out of the city but on of the Federation's most beautiful worlds. Now If that is all you have much to do and I should not keep you." *gandalf extends his hand.* "To the beginning of a pleasant Diplomatic relationship."

Kharrov takes the hand and shakes it firmly. "Thank you and your people for their hospitality." He says in thanks.


[quote="Fore Admiral Disayle]
--Aves--

*Ackbar nods, understanding.* Ackbar: Fifty years ago, I hadn't even hatched yet, and my race was engulfed in the civil war I mentioned before. It had long since reached its height and then devolved into a bloody stalemate that every day took lives and destroyed a little more of our beloved planet. What did you think of us then, Ambassador? *He studies the Gal'Gai's face carefully in anticipation of his answer.*[/quote]

"Allow me to be blunt: We though your people primitive, even though we were no more prone to infighting than you. We did see potential for you, though."

[Quantum Rain]

"Indeed, perhaps some of our scholars could make take a look themselves to confirm that, but past experience would agree with you." Karaed pauses for a moment. "So you're here for allies? Well, we can discuss the possibilities, but I suppose the first step would be an embassy, correct?"

"Naturally. I assume there is not ample space in a metropolis such as this. Is there a spot slightly outside the city that we might build an embassy? It would give us a bit more privacy and a better chance of making the optimal complex for the diplomats."

"That would depend on what environment you're kind is most comfortable with. We can build an embassy in anyway you may request, whether that be underwater, in the sky, on city grounds, on a mountain, wherever, and I may be able to acquiesce your desires thereof. We have a habit of compartmentalizing our cities to accommodate large amounts of inhabitants on the small islands that litter this world." Karaed replied a little prideful, but level in his tone.

[Wynn]

"So at least they brought part of their main force to try to eliminate us... or test the waters..." He reached for his comm. "Farseer, start taking them out with pinpoint bombardments, small salvos to limit the damage." As soon as he got a confirmation, he disengaged the comm and sprinted into the battle, several soldiers following him. "Lae, take the demons out on the roofs, as many as you can before they disappear!" He ordered as another couple squads came out and started shooting at said demons, providing suppressive fire.

Lae stood there with a level of discontent. I ran all the way here just to be told to turn the [censored] around and do what I wanted to do from the start... He thought to himself. He sprinted at a wall and scaled a building to get on the rooftops quickly and drew his sword to attack one of the demons.

[Quantum Rain]

As Lae ran up the side of the building, a demon met him, sword drawn, and a rather evil grin on his face as he charged and swung at him.

Rain blew through the enemy easily, simply charging through the shadows and cutting them to pieces with his blade. No matter how tough they are to fight, a shadow dissipates like a cloud anyway. He managed to reach Regnum just as the largest wave of enemy came crashing against them. Two of the squad were already down due to injury, but were managed to be pulled back, out of the line of fire. He nodded at Leon and charged into the fray as several soldiers reinforced the line.

As the shadow of the Farseer dominated the city overhead, and the bombardment proceeded, the fight was quickly turning against the enemy. The demons and shadows fell, though taking allies with them all the same.

[Wynn]

As Lae ran up the side of the building, a demon met him, sword drawn, and a rather evil grin on his face as he charged and swung at him.

Rain blew through the enemy easily, simply charging through the shadows and cutting them to pieces with his blade. No matter how tough they are to fight, a shadow dissipates like a cloud anyway. He managed to reach Regnum just as the largest wave of enemy came crashing against them. Two of the squad were already down due to injury, but were managed to be pulled back, out of the line of fire. He nodded at Leon and charged into the fray as several soldiers reinforced the line.

As the shadow of the Farseer dominated the city overhead, and the bombardment proceeded, the fight was quickly turning against the enemy. The demons and shadows fell, though taking allies with them all the same.

In reaction to the sword swing, Lae would quickly lean forward and charge into the demon, catching him in the stomach just before its blade made contact with him. He would follow this up by thrusting his shortsword into the demon as he recovered from the rush from Lae.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon proved tougher than the shadows as he pushed Lae off of him, even after being stabbed, and got back up, blade still in hand and a hellfire in the other. He held his hand out as several pulses of hellfire shot out after him, and the demon followed up, charging at Lae. More demons were now charging at Lae, firing hellfire at him as they approached.

[Wynn]

The demon proved tougher than the shadows as he pushed Lae off of him, even after being stabbed, and got back up, blade still in hand and a hellfire in the other. He held his hand out as several pulses of hellfire shot out after him, and the demon followed up, charging at Lae. More demons were now charging at Lae, firing hellfire at him as they approached.

Lae gritted his teeth after recovering from the push. "Son of a [censored]..." He swore. He would slash a few bolts of fire out of the air and jumped off the side of the roof and grabbed the ledge. He would quickly shimmy aside then climb back up to the side of the demons, just slightly behind them and would stab the nearest demon from behind.

[Quantum Rain]

That particular demon fell, but the others turned to react, only to be met with a hail of energy rifle fire from their flank again by a small squad of soldiers that climbed up to support Lae. The demons returned fire as two kept at Lae. The first assaulted him with hellfire barrages on a constant scale, dodging and weaving past attacks, as the other charged with two swords, nimble and swift rather than the normal demons that were holding the line against the IS soldiers.

(Ten demons in total. Five IS troopers.)

[Wynn]

That particular demon fell, but the others turned to react, only to be met with a hail of energy rifle fire from their flank again by a small squad of soldiers that climbed up to support Lae. The demons returned fire as two kept at Lae. The first assaulted him with hellfire barrages on a constant scale, dodging and weaving past attacks, as the other charged with two swords, nimble and swift rather than the normal demons that were holding the line against the IS soldiers.

(Ten demons in total. Five IS troopers.)

Lae would charge at the two demons and rush the closest one, he would immediately latch on to its arm when it tried to attack him, flipped the sword around back handed, and stabbed it multiple times.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon shoved Lae away and went to counter attack, casting hellfire from the blades as he charged. The second demon continued his ranged assault.

As the demons held the line and returned fire, one of the IS troopers failed to make it to cover in time, to shield himself from the concentrated barrage. He fell, his torso almost entirely disintegrated. The rest continued on as if nothing happened, focusing on supporting Lae by keeping the enemy occupied. The first damaged demon also fell under the hailing barrage.

(Nine demons, four IS troopers.

[Wynn]

The demon shoved Lae away and went to counter attack, casting hellfire from the blades as he charged. The second demon continued his ranged assault.

As the demons held the line and returned fire, one of the IS troopers failed to make it to cover in time, to shield himself from the concentrated barrage. He fell, his torso almost entirely disintegrated. The rest continued on as if nothing happened, focusing on supporting Lae by keeping the enemy occupied. The first damaged demon also fell under the hailing barrage.

(Nine demons, four IS troopers.

Lae would charge into the hell fire burst after recovering and used the resulting flash as cover. It would burn him, but he would charge forward into the demon and plunge both hidden blades into the demon's eyes as he reached him.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon fell backward, screaming as he clawed at Lae. The second ran up to Lae and kicked him off, but the first was definitely gone by then. The second cast a wave of fire at Lae, followed with a barrage of the same fire.

The IS troopers kept at it, taking cover when necessary, but letting their shields take some of the damage as they could. Though it was, so far, a stalemate, their shields would not last forever under the barrage as two demons charged at their fortified position. They couldn't retaliate, due to heavy suppressive fire, but two of the troopers pulled out swords of their own, ready to counterstrike as soon as the demons approached.

(Eight demons, four IS troopers.)

[Wynn]

The demon fell backward, screaming as he clawed at Lae. The second ran up to Lae and kicked him off, but the first was definitely gone by then. The second cast a wave of fire at Lae, followed with a barrage of the same fire.

The IS troopers kept at it, taking cover when necessary, but letting their shields take some of the damage as they could. Though it was, so far, a stalemate, their shields would not last forever under the barrage as two demons charged at their fortified position. They couldn't retaliate, due to heavy suppressive fire, but two of the troopers pulled out swords of their own, ready to counterstrike as soon as the demons approached.

(Eight demons, four IS troopers.)

Lae would back-flip over the wave of fire and throw a handful of throwing knives at the demon as he returned right side up. He would land on the roof again, but this time would land in front of a fire bolt. He knew he wasn't going to be able to dodge, so he raised both his arms with the armor in front of his face and would be greeted with immediate searing heat and burning pain in his arms. He didn't say anything, but when he lowered his arms, it would be visually apparent that he was livid. He charged at the demon, drawing more knives in one hand and keeping his sword read in the other.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon charged for another wave of fire, keeping a barrier of flames in front of him as he weaved his attack. As Lae was nearly upon him, he set the flames loose forward.

The first demon jumped at the troopers behind their cover, only to be met with two troopers grabbing him and launching him over the edge of the rooftop, quickly followed by a photon grenade that would violently explode and disintegrate the demonic body. The second appeared at that moment, however, and impaled one of the brave soldiers, kicking him off his blade, launching him at his partner. The demon was about to slice into the second trooper, but was met with a third that ran straight into him, stabbing him right in the back and attempting to launch him off the roof...

(Seven demons, three IS troopers.)

[Wynn]

The demon charged for another wave of fire, keeping a barrier of flames in front of him as he weaved his attack. As Lae was nearly upon him, he set the flames loose forward.

The first demon jumped at the troopers behind their cover, only to be met with two troopers grabbing him and launching him over the edge of the rooftop, quickly followed by a photon grenade that would violently explode and disintegrate the demonic body. The second appeared at that moment, however, and impaled one of the brave soldiers, kicking him off his blade, launching him at his partner. The demon was about to slice into the second trooper, but was met with a third that ran straight into him, stabbing him right in the back and attempting to launch him off the roof...

(Seven demons, three IS troopers.)

Lae would throw one of the knives at the demon's arm as it prepared to fire the flame at him, then threw the other two for the center of his torso. He would then dive to the demon's side and attempt to stab him in the back as he stood back up, facing away from the demon.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon managed to pull through the pain and spun around towards Lae, casting the flames straight into him. He soon collapsed afterwords, likely dead.

The trooper was joined by the almost-a-victim, whom put his legs up and rolled over, casting the demon over the edge. That demon was soon slaughtered by rifle fire from allied troops below. The two troopers returned to cover, taking minimal damage from the hellfire thanks to shielding.

(Five demons, three IS troopers.)

[Wynn]

The demon managed to pull through the pain and spun around towards Lae, casting the flames straight into him. He soon collapsed afterwords, likely dead.

The trooper was joined by the almost-a-victim, whom put his legs up and rolled over, casting the demon over the edge. That demon was soon slaughtered by rifle fire from allied troops below. The two troopers returned to cover, taking minimal damage from the hellfire thanks to shielding.

(Five demons, three IS troopers.)

Lae would feel the burn from the flames, not having been able to get out of the way of the blast. He fell to his knees in agony. He had multiple semi-debilitating burns at this point and was being overcome by the pain. He would sheathe his sword and draw his bow, trying to keep in the fight despite having been injured. He drew an arrow, took aim at one of the back of a demon's head and let the arrow fly. As he let it go, he immediately reached for another arrow, already lining up the bow to shoot another demon.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon fell quickly, not at all expecting such a surprise attack, but another demon turned to rush after Lae. It became a victim to a hail of IS fire from the entrenched soldiers, however, and was forced to take cover again, casting a small barrage of hellfire beforehand.

(Four demons, three IS troopers.)

[Wynn]

The demon fell quickly, not at all expecting such a surprise attack, but another demon turned to rush after Lae. It became a victim to a hail of IS fire from the entrenched soldiers, however, and was forced to take cover again, casting a small barrage of hellfire beforehand.

(Four demons, three IS troopers.)

Lae would be unable to dodge, so he dropped the bow and shielded himself from the fire that was coming at him. He would be severely hurt by the fire and fell flat on his back. He just sat there for a few moments, trying to decide whether he should play dead or risk trying to help even more. He finally drew another throwing knife slowly, held it up as he sat up slightly and zeroed in on the demon that had thrown fire at him a moment before. "Hey, [censored]-face." He called out to the demons as he threw the knife at the demon he had singled out.

[Quantum Rain]

The demon threw up a fiery barrier that attempted at deflecting the knife. Unfortunately, the knife was better constructed than that, being of Reed's design. It merely made it more effective at slicing through the demon's head, but this was not done before the demon sent another barrage of hellfire in a counter attack.

The IS soldiers noted the demon's dwindling numbers, and one of them signaled for a melee charge. They remained under cover, letting their shielding recharged as they pulled out photonic long-swords and waited. Waited for Lae to make an appropriate distraction.

(Three demons, three IS troopers.)

[Wynn]

The demon threw up a fiery barrier that attempted at deflecting the knife. Unfortunately, the knife was better constructed than that, being of Reed's design. It merely made it more effective at slicing through the demon's head, but this was not done before the demon sent another barrage of hellfire in a counter attack.

The IS soldiers noted the demon's dwindling numbers, and one of them signaled for a melee charge. They remained under cover, letting their shielding recharged as they pulled out photonic long-swords and waited. Waited for Lae to make an appropriate distraction.

(Three demons, three IS troopers.)

Lae's heart sank as the blast of fire approached him. He wasn't expecting the demon to retaliate so easily with such a short window of time. You've got to be [censored] me! He thought. He closed his eyes and everything blurred from there.

There would be a small blast where Daniel was lying on the ground, and to the soldiers, he would appear dead for a few moments as the smoke rose from the spot he was in. Then the smoke cleared, and a black barrier of energy was swirling just in front of the spot he was in. Then the shadows faded, and Lae was crouched on the ground, his eyes glowing crimson red. He stood up and channeled energy briefly, then shot a blast of sub-zero energy at the demons, freezing them solid. He then changed the energy, his fists at his sides changing from emanating a cold fog, to electrical bolts rising from them. He then punched the air in the direction of the demons, one at a time, sending a bolt of lightning that would shatter the frozen beings. He then stared at the IS soldiers, as if he was going to attack them next, but he just stood there staring.

Xaldius: Strike two.

Lae: Wha- what did you do?!

Xaldius: ...

Lae would stand a moment more, then fall to the ground unconscious and motionless as if he had never stood up at all.

[Quantum Rain]

The IS soldiers watched, stunned by what they just saw, but the leader signaled for them to advance, cautiously. One went forward, scouting out the deceased demons, ensuring that all of the enemy were eliminated. The leader, and the remaining trooper, advanced towards Lae, equally as cautious.

(All ten demons eliminated, two IS soldiers lost.)

---

Rain had already sliced through dozens of the enemy, and though his shields were long gone, and his armor scorched and torn, and the exposed flesh underneath, burned, more were still coming. "... they don't relent..." He mumbled to himself, dodging another blast of hellfire narrowly. However, the final wave that almost crashed into them was subject to a deafening, lethal barrage from the Farseer. The pure energetic blasts outright disintegrated, or shunt back, enemies across the immediate area. It's about time... He thought to himself, finally deactivating, and sheathing his blade.

[Wynn]

The IS soldiers watched, stunned by what they just saw, but the leader signaled for them to advance, cautiously. One went forward, scouting out the deceased demons, ensuring that all of the enemy were eliminated. The leader, and the remaining trooper, advanced towards Lae, equally as cautious.

(All ten demons eliminated, two IS soldiers lost.)

---

Rain had already sliced through dozens of the enemy, and though his shields were long gone, and his armor scorched and torn, and the exposed flesh underneath, burned, more were still coming. "... they don't relent..." He mumbled to himself, dodging another blast of hellfire narrowly. However, the final wave that almost crashed into them was subject to a deafening, lethal barrage from the Farseer. The pure energetic blasts outright disintegrated, or shunt back, enemies across the immediate area. It's about time... He thought to himself, finally deactivating, and sheathing his blade.

Lae would still be breathing, as they could see, when they approached him. However, he was not moving a muscle otherwise.

[Quantum Rain]

The leader stared for a further moment or two, then motioned to pick Lae up, and carry him away, towards the infirmary, if possible. The third soldier lingered, still, covering their rear flank, and still ensuring that all of the enemy were eliminated.

---

Rain breathed in heavily, his muscles were pained and tired, and it felt like he had just torn down a steel wall with them. But at least the enemy was decimated, for now, and their advance onto the spire should be far more easy, given the failed raid on the demon's part, and the relatively low losses on the allied side. He turned, surveying the losses as he walked calmly, feigning that he wasn't injured or tired, as he counted the wounded and deaths. ... that kid, earlier... what was he doing up on the rooftops then... it felt like... He thought to himself, suddenly distracted by his memory of that instant outburst of energy he felt from a short distance away.

---

When Lae awakens, he would be lying atop a medical bed, a metalic shelf with flashing lights on the bottom, and several beams of energy emitting from it into him, hovering over him. There was no nurse or doctor checking up on him, but if he were to look to either side, he would understand why. There were several dozen wounded soldiers alongside him, each with a varying degree of burns or wounds in variable places on their bodies.

[Sponsored content]