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.

[darthme]

~Alba~

(The broadcast was in Basic, too)

The ships switch over to basic, seeing that Jonas is speaking it. "Please state your business, and we will send an escort to bring you down to the planet.

[Roach]

Gothis orbit---
The Federation ships shift their fire power to the peacemakers.


Gothis---

Roach attack would not connect with Marduk it would instead halt and become a telekinetic shield blocking the flames Sphyros had attempted to launch at Marduk. Roach blocked Sphyros' attack with a similar shield. Also teleporting out of the way to stand with Marduk.

Roach:"If the best stratagem you can come up with is attempting to send my attacks at my allies than I am surely wasting my time.


In the mean time several more groups of Federation troops beamed down from orbit they switched their weapons back to lethal stetting and deployed portable cover screens for all allied positions.



(broke the order to keep Rain from thinking that Roach's attacks are dummy rockets that he ever looses control of)

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime--

"Oh, don't worry about that." Rain said plainly. Although it wasn't direct, it was, in Rain's mind, time for Lae to leave the room.

Lae would walk out of the room grumbling. He walked past a man standing with his arms crossed by the door with a faint smile.
"That went well, I think." The man joked.
"[censored] yourself." Lae shot back as he walked off.
The man would go through the door and met Rain with a friendly smile. "Seems like he isnt too excited about this." He said.

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime--

Rain sighed as Lae disappeared out of the hallway. "I don't know why Serien wants to torture me with him..." Rain stated, obviously agitated. "... You obviously know your part in this though." He said, looking back up to the man. "You will, of course, be compensated according to how much intel you gather on the machinery and how much damage to inflict on the ones guarding the spire."

---

--Alba, Orbit--

"Our business is a confidential, but mutual, important military matter. I can't tell all of my secrets to just anyone." Jonas replies, the lead ship breaking formation so that the Gal'Gai know which one to escort.

---

--Charad, Far orbit--

A slipspace rupture reminiscient of a Primitus ftl drive erupts just above the planet and a lone, [url=https://2img.net/h/i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd357/Quantum75/WhiteGlint2.png]white mech[/i] appears, speeding out of the rupture as it widens, revealing a Primitus frigate. The smaller mech appears damaged already, and the frigate immediately opened fire. The pilot was obviously not amateurish, though, as the mech expertly dodged and weaved around the beams and various smaller rounds, hardly ever getting hit once.

"Warning: Quantum Drive disabled." The computurized voice rang as the pilot didn't seem to acknowledge. She was focused on taking down this frigate, now that her back is against the wall. As the drones approached her, she twisted and turn in a way that would shatter most mechs, immediately started using long unknown-energy blades, and seemed to slice past the drone's shields and impacted against their almost non-existant armor with them. All the while she still remembered to dodge the enemy cannons, even causing some of the drones to experience friendly-fire with her insane stunts.

She had ten missiles left in her secondary missile launchers; she had to save those for when the frigate's shields are down. However, that was the main issue. She had only blades as her primary weapons ran out, and her primary EM/AM weave missiles were ineffective. Shot down by the frigate's point defenses. And her blades certainly couldn't cut through its shields.

[darthme]

~Alba~

"We aren't supposed to let ships of unknown intent into Alba's close orbit. We will send the escort, but you will be escorted to Konnsallann space station. There you will meet one of our High Senators, Anna Aklasdåttir.

The Sovereignty ship is esvortd by squadron of fighters and an unarmed diplomatic frigate to a docking bay on the Konnsallann space station.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Gothis, Orbital Front--

*The Rachni vessels use their biotic powers to slow the Peacemakers down considerably, making it much easier for the Federation to hit them. Meanwhile, they press closer to the hostile battlegroup and begin firing on it with their pulse-beams, causing catastrophic damage to the bubble shield. Their drones also fire away at the barrier. However, the living ships are reduced to using one micro-singularity on the shield due to funneling some of their power towards slowing the Peacemakers.*

*As the single micro-singularity gnaws on the shield, the Blackwatch squadron suddenly comes out of FTL again, on either side of the Collective ships, at near point-blank range to the bubble shield. A heartbeat after reappearing, they launch an all-out attack on the barrier, pummeling it with Thanix blasts and laser fire. Additionally, the turians fire several staggered volleys of disruptor torpedoes into the singularity and detonate them, causing another massive resonance explosion on the shield.

--Prison Dome--

*Marduk gives Roach a quick nod of thanks, and prepares to charge Sphyros again, but then the other Rachni let out a shriek of triumph.* Marduk: We have broken through!

Praetorius: There's our way out! Prisoners, through that hole! MOVE! Everyone else stay here and hold them back!!

*The prisoners begin rapidly hurrying through the newly-dug tunnel in the rubble, while the Rachni soldiers return to their positions to reinforce the beleaguered defenders. Marduk scuttles around to put himself squarely between them and Sphyros, and then from his tentacles he fires two sustained lightning bursts at the man.*

--Lune, Fey--

*Teahcoatl returns to his ship. Overnight, the Morrigi engineers and their automated repair drones work to fix and refuel the Lucky One. If any of the Gal'Gai remain awake, they may hear the Morrigi's sibilant voices arguing all over the camp. Though their language cannot be understood by outsiders, it is plain that not all the Travellers agree with each other.*

--Alba--

*The avian consular fleet completes its ceremonies and sets to work. On the plot of land designated for the embassy, they deploy an unobtrusive block of material that quickly "unfolds" into a foundation of sorts. Then, the odd-looking ships in the flotilla descend to hover over the foundation and begin projecting energy beams that somehow begin converting into matter on top of the foundation. It is clear the process will take awhile, so the rest of the avian fleet returns to its berth in Alban orbit, save for a small shuttle that heads toward High Senator Normarr's quarters.*

--Bladnir Station--

Ackbar: Very well. Ambassador, I'm going to say this the only way I can. If you care about your people, return to your ships, go back to your home, and never return to this galaxy again. There is a dark evil approaching on the horizon--an evil so powerful and terrible that it will crush anything...and everything.

--Adre System, Charad--

*A few minutes after the two battling entities enter the Adrusan system, four series of energy bolts come up from the planet Charad and slam into the Primitus frigate's shields. Heartbeats later, dozens of birdlike constructs about a third the mech's size swarm around and over it, blasting away at the drones and soon destroying them. The constructs duck and weave through the chaotic storm of the battle with almost as much skill as the mech pilot herself. Then they begin strafing the frigate itself as a formation of six cruiser-class vessels storm out from behind Charad's moon with a hail of energy beams and bolts to announce their arrival.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Gothis, Orbit--

The Peacemakers seemed to be unaffected by the biotic's or gravitational pulls as they kept moving erratically, spawning weapons fire and chaos as they went.

The Hive Ship's shields were obviously strained to an astounding degree by the combined attack, but they still did not fail, as the Hive Ship diverted more power to its defense. The Collective fleet doubled its original volley and concentrated on the Rachni ships specifically, as the IS had their hands full disabling the rebel ship's as they came and went.

Victoria, however, was concentrated on the larger scheme of things. She knew how to fight the Collective. "Those Peacemakers will outrun any large-scale arms, don't waste any of your capital ships on them. Use frigates and lighter attack ships that can retaliate quicker and fire more accurately. Rely on energy-based attacks, Peacemakers are able to phase through ballistic and missile rounds." She advised to the rest, trying her best to recall all of the intel she could.

---

--Gothis, Dome--

Sphyros scoffed as he moved lethally fast, dodging Marduk's attack entire as it went for Roach, whom was behind him. The inferno concentrated into one area as Sphyros was now next to Marduk in the blink of an eye, casting the powerful cataclysmic blast into Marduk at point-blank range.

The Collective Soldiers did not relent as more and more reinforced their position, advancing on the allied troops. The IS shields were running dangerously low as they continued to take the incoming fire. While they were making a dent against enemy forces, there were still too many to last forever against.

---

--Adre System, Charad--

The mech pilot was uncertain, but uncaring, of the newcomers, deigning to accept the aid when she received it. The mech at first focused on the drones, which seemed overwhelming in number, even with her new allies. She continued to move about the battlefield with expert skill, slicing the drones apart while hardly taking any damage herself.

The frigate, on the other hand, didn't seemed to be surprised by the sudden surprise attack. The shield held against the barrage as spacial-disruption beam cannons flew from their muzzles and into the new enemy cruisers. It began to move about the battlefield to avoid being hit in the same area. The mech, on the other hand, didn't seem to want the ship to move, as she flew into one of the beams and, with her blade, actually managed to reflect part of it back onto the ship. While the backwash of the beam did damage her, she came out of the attack surprisingly intact. Although, that was one blade she wouldn't be using any time soon.

---

--Alba, Konnsallann space station--

"I understand." He replied, as the ship docked with the station. A small honor guard escort, Karaed, and Jonas left the ship and boarded the station, waiting for their escort to lead them to some conference chamber or briefing room. If they bring me to a brightly-colored rainbow room with hearts in it, calling it tradition, I will die laughing. Jonas thought, being careful enough to guard his thoughts as he was uncertain of whom may be able to read them.

---

--Aves--

Shadow walked arbitrarily into her office located in Aves City. "Hello again, Doctor." He stated, phasing through the walls as if seeking to add more bizarreness to the person. "I trust you're not explicitly busy today? It would be a shame if you were."

[darthme]

~Lune, Fey~

During the moderately cool Lune night (Lune is temperate, but devoid of any edible food or water) Viljelm, Tärö, and Asla go to the Morrigi camp with some questions. They find Teahcoatl and ask him several questions.

"How could you understand our transmission if it was solely in Alska? Only Gal'Gai can speak it after our re-emergence in the galaxy.". Viljelm says, almost accusingly. "And why do you seem to be on some sort of mass exodus from something so terrible that everyone should flee from it?" Adds Täron.

~Alba, Hjergesend Distrikt~

Several citizens stop to watch to Avians assemble their embassy for a while, then move on with their days.

~Alba, Konnsallann Station, Orbit~

Jonas would see a bright red-and-blue humanoid, a Marentanz, approaching him. She is dressed in a sparkling yellow summer dress, made out of a thin but surprisingly opaque material. "I would watch what you think, Hjergesend. She says. "That's right, I can hear what you think. Only if I want to, though, and only to a certain extent. Allow me to introduce myself. I am High Senator Anna Aklasdåttir. I represent Marenta Prime in the High Senate. You've probably noticed by now that I'm not a Gal'Gai. I have an Alban name because I was adopted by a Gal'Gai family. And your name is?"

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Gothis, Orbit--

*One of the Rachni ships throws itself in front of the barrage to protect its fellows, taking a fatal blow in the process. It keeps going, however, heading straight towards the bubble shield, and energy readings within its living mass actually begin to increase exponentially fast. The Rachni drones intercept further attacks aimed at it with their own bodies as the dying ship hurtles toward the barrier and ignites itself into a huge, biotically-enhanced fusion explosion. At the same time, the other Rachni vessels pull their energies from the Peacemakers to create two more singularities on either side of the shield, which the Blackwatch ships then detonate one after the other with their two remaining warp bombs as they continue to strafe the shield.*

Dario: Let's see you withstand that, you [censored].

--Prison Dome--

*As quick as the element of his Rune, Marduk conjures up a "net" of lightning bolts with one tentacle, that catches the fire's energy and sends it sailing over his head to explode harmessly against the wall. Simultaneously, the Rachni Brood Warrior gathers even more lightning energy in his other tentacle and stabs it into Sphyros.*

*The prisoners continue to hurry through the tunnel, allowing the allies to fall back somewhat.

--Adre System, Charad--

*The cruisers quickly reorganize into a net-like formation, herding the Primitus frigate and preventing it from having freedom of movement. Their shields are able to absorb the disruption beams...for now. However, as the frigate is pushed back towards the planet, the hammering from Charad's grounside defenses increases. Additionally, the avian constructs now split themselves--one group helps the mech out with the drones, while the other pours heavy ordinance into the ancient marauder's mass.

--Aves City, Office of the Scientific Arts--

*Fallah looks up from her work and nearly jumps out of her feathers at Shadow's appearance.* Fallah: What--Shadow?! Why...why are you here?

--Lune, Fey--

*Teahcoatl visibly bristles at the Gal'Gai's tone.* Teahcoatl: We have known your people since before you remember. While you crawled, we flew. While you but dreamed of wings, we had them. Your primitive tongues were--and are--of little consequence. And we are not fleeing. We are searching. And to our dismay, we found what we sought. *He pauses.* It is not your business to ask, Wingless One. If you have others of your Tribe on that planet, take them and spirit them as far away from here as you can. This world will soon be worse than destroyed.

*As the Traveller says this, several of his fellows fidget and exchange glances between themselves and the Gal'Gai.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Alba--

Jonas smiled as if he were successful in luring him out. Immediately afterwords, his mind became as blank as the rest of the IS officials were, blocked from being read. "Lieutenant Jonas Reinhardt, Senator, and we know plenty about the Gal'Gai and the races adopted under its fold. We pay attention to our neighbors." He raises an arm, pointing to Karaed. "This is the head of the State Department, Karaed. Nobody knows his last name, though, as he's too impolite to divulge it." He says, as if trying to antagonize Karaed more and more.

Instead, Karaed just holds out his hand, as if to greet the Marentaz with a customary, and habitual as he taught himself to do such, handshake. "A pleasure to meet you, I had the same pleasure with one of your ambassadors earlier this month." He stated a little plainly, but not in an insulting manner. One could see his passive calm and resoluteness in his facial expressions, which assumed the same tone as his voice.

---

--Adre System, Charad--

The frigate activates some sort of weapon inside of it just as its shields were about to fail. The result was a massive shockwave (massive for its size anyway) that damaged and launched everything away from it, while it was still firing away at the Avian vessels.

The pilot saw her chance. Using her own assault armor to counteract the shockwave, she launched the mech toward the supposed bridge of the frigate, arming her missiles as she approached. The vessel opened fire with its beams and, due to the drones chasing her still, she had to use her other blade to reflect it.

Alarms blared as the mech took the backwash damage. It groaned in protest of this torture, but she knew it had to last. Just before the shields reactivated on the ship, several missile barrages landed directly onto the bridge, bombing it out with a large anti-matter and an unknown second particle explosion. The unknown particle seemed to corrode the armor and hull progressively, while the anti-matter dug deeper and deeper. It was a persistent scorch missile of some sort.

The frigate was still operational, however, but the mech was quite the opposite. As it used what it could from the blades to slice the drones apart, several warnings appeared on her screen, informing her that the main boosters were failing, shields were non-operational, and hull damage was at 83 percent, well above the acceptable range for space combat. As well, her blades were non-functional, being pushed beyond their limits and subsequently melted in her last attack, and now she was unarmed. She did her best to avoid the enemy fire as the Avian ships returned to the field of battle, attempting to run distraction for the Avians.

The Avians counterattack from here, aided with the planet's defensive systems, would likely bring the shields down again, and impact on the hull itself. But the frigate would not go down without a fight. A buildup of energy could be detected within the vessel as it continued to unleash its more advanced weaponry.

---

--Aves City, Office of Scientific Arts--

"We're going on a little field trip today, Dr. Fallah, and I hope you packed accordingly, it may be a long day at the beach." Shadow replied half-sarcastic and half-joking. Unfortunately for her, though, he was entirely sincere in bringing her elsewhere. As he snapped his fingers, she and him were placed inside a bubble of sorts and they disappeared from the planet of Aves entirely, appearing in orbit of the planet, unseen by sensors, and just as the frigate and the mech jumped in. "I have brought you an ally for the upcoming battles, and you're going to make sure she's combat ready." He explained, as Fallah would watch the battle ensue.

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime--

Rain sighed as Lae disappeared out of the hallway. "I don't know why Serien wants to torture me with him..." Rain stated, obviously agitated. "... You obviously know your part in this though." He said, looking back up to the man. "You will, of course, be compensated according to how much intel you gather on the machinery and how much damage to inflict on the ones guarding the spire."

---

--Alba, Orbit--

"Our business is a confidential, but mutual, important military matter. I can't tell all of my secrets to just anyone." Jonas replies, the lead ship breaking formation so that the Gal'Gai know which one to escort.

---

--Charad, Far orbit--

A slipspace rupture reminiscient of a Primitus ftl drive erupts just above the planet and a lone, [url=https://2img.net/h/i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd357/Quantum75/WhiteGlint2.png]white mech[/i] appears, speeding out of the rupture as it widens, revealing a Primitus frigate. The smaller mech appears damaged already, and the frigate immediately opened fire. The pilot was obviously not amateurish, though, as the mech expertly dodged and weaved around the beams and various smaller rounds, hardly ever getting hit once.

"Warning: Quantum Drive disabled." The computurized voice rang as the pilot didn't seem to acknowledge. She was focused on taking down this frigate, now that her back is against the wall. As the drones approached her, she twisted and turn in a way that would shatter most mechs, immediately started using long unknown-energy blades, and seemed to slice past the drone's shields and impacted against their almost non-existant armor with them. All the while she still remembered to dodge the enemy cannons, even causing some of the drones to experience friendly-fire with her insane stunts.

She had ten missiles left in her secondary missile launchers; she had to save those for when the frigate's shields are down. However, that was the main issue. She had only blades as her primary weapons ran out, and her primary EM/AM weave missiles were ineffective. Shot down by the frigate's point defenses. And her blades certainly couldn't cut through its shields.

The man grinned. "Chaos?" He inquired. "I can arrange that pretty damn easily. Can your kid ally do his part?"

[Quantum Rain]

--Anima Prime--

"That's why you're being sent in. If one fails, the other can compensate enough for Regnum to pick up the slack, though I would prefer that neither fail." Rain replied, covering his bases with this invasion plan. "As soon as the vehicles and air support are arranged, we'll begin the invasion. You'll report to Regnum, same as Lae." Rain states, standing up and walking toward the door. "We have a long day and night ahead of us."

[Wynn]

--Anima Prime--

"That's why you're being sent in. If one fails, the other can compensate enough for Regnum to pick up the slack, though I would prefer that neither fail." Rain replied, covering his bases with this invasion plan. "As soon as the vehicles and air support are arranged, we'll begin the invasion. You'll report to Regnum, same as Lae." Rain states, standing up and walking toward the door. "We have a long day and night ahead of us."

The man nodded. "Hopefully he can restrain himself from slitting my throat along the way." He joked. He turned to walk out, then stopped and turned back to Rain. "Actually, before I go, I dont think we've actually been introduced." He held a hand out to Rain. "My name's Azrael, the most reasonable assassin in the industry."

[Quantum Rain]

Rain shakes the hand, although given the circumstances, is not that enthusiastic. "Lieutenant Commander Rain. Though I doubt that either of us are reasonable in our respective jobs." He replied a slight grin actually appearing on his face for the first time in a long while.

[Wynn]

Rain shakes the hand, although given the circumstances, is not that enthusiastic. "Lieutenant Commander Rain. Though I doubt that either of us are reasonable in our respective jobs." He replied a slight grin actually appearing on his face for the first time in a long while.

Azrael nodded. "Although it's worth pointing out that 'reasonable' can be a point of view as well." He replied. "Anyway, I'll be back when the job's done." He took a step back and gave a slight bow to Rain in respect, then turned around to walk out of the room.

[Quantum Rain]

"Indeed it can be." Rain said without earshot of Azrael. He walked out, the door closing behind him and the lights deactivating without anyone present.

---

The preparations for war went quickly as the hover tanks were assembled from the garages on the lower levels and the VTOL strikecraft and transports, which would be used to conduct a precise and devastating flank attack before the arrival of the main force, were prepared. The Farseer battle group stood ready to assist as all of the ground forces were organized and accounted for. It was time for war.

[darthme]

~Lune, Fey~
"And why should we believe you, Morrigi?". Asks Asla, now sounding a bit frustrated. "Its not that we don't appreciate your help in fixing our ship, but when you give us such roundabout answers, it's really quite maddening." "Now we just want to know what it is you've 'found', and why we should have a reason to try and get the government to evacuate the planet." Pipes Täron.

~Alba, Konnsallann Station, Orbit~

"Ah, yes, Charon." Says Anna, as she shakes Karaed's hand. "Well then, let us go into a conference room where we can discuss the nature of your visit."

A small detachment of Honor Guard arrive and escort the group to a private room, complete with deep purple wallsand ample seating for all.

[Jediluigi]

Bladnir Station - Berth A, Planet B22 "Aves" Orbit, System Beta 02, Beta Galactic Outer Rim:

The Ambassador and the Trader turned to each other, and if the two could show and sort of expression, it'd probably be confusion. The Ambassador looks at the bird, head tilted. "Darkness, you say? Fore Admiral Ackbar, if I may?" It asked, hand raised. "Any that appears to be all consuming, and unstoppable... Is usually everything but."

The noise coming from the Trader could be interpreted as laughing, if that. A quick glance from the Ambassador shut him up, though. "Fore Admiral, thank you for being... Honest...." If Ackbar was listening carefully, he might have noticed the clicking and hissing stopped a while ago. "In the spirit of....Cooperation, I will be as well." The Ambassador reached up to it's helmet, despite the sudden protest from the Trader, though he did nothing to stop it.

The helmet latches clicked and whirred, coming undone in moments. The Ambassador twisted its helmet, and lifted. Whatever the Fore Admiral expected, it was probably not this.

Starting back at him, was a human woman with blonde hair and cobalt eyes, and something about her gaze told him she was military... Along with what she said next. "My name is Rebekka Kracht, Lieutenant of the Marzeron Imperial Navy. Despite the deception, our intentions here are not hostile and have not changed. We were only being cautious, you must understand. We weren't sure what we'd find."

The Trader mumbled something, trying to undo his helmet hatch with no success. The Lieutenant gave him merely a glance before letting the Admiral speak.

[Quantum Rain]

--Alba, Konsallen Station--

"Well, at least it's not rainbow colored." Jonas said, satisfied, and acting almost as if he expected otherwise. Karaed just looks at him with a sort of warning glare. "..." As the door to the conference room closes and both sets of honor guards are positioned accordingly, Karaed procures a datapad and a projector and lays it out. As it activates, it shows the four most well known neighbors to the Gal'Gai, the Atrum Imperium to the west, the Free Worlds Alliance to either side, the United Solar Coalition below the FWA, and then the IS, all with important planets and border patrols listed.

"Unfortunately, we came with bad news." Jonas stated, taking on a more serious tone now. "As you can see here, your faction borders the AI and, alongside the FWA, prevents their advancement into the neutral regions and eventually into the fertile worlds of the southern regions. You're a prime target." He stated, typing in recently uncovered intelligence, which showed a massive buildup of forces all across the AI border, including that to the Gal'Gai. "We are unsure of where they are getting the means to have such massive fleets, but they seem to be aimed at conquering you and continuing south, claiming more and more worlds to fuel their war machine. Their official justification or reasoning is currently unknown."

---

--Aves, Bladnir Station--

"It's good that you have decided to trust the young admiral here." Said a voice that, upon investigation, originated from a being that literally phased through the walls, and was obviously not a bird. While he had white wings folded behind him, the rest of him looked human, though of an uncertain ethnicity.

"Though the admiral may have spoken out of turn, it is good that you would trust him so explicitly without being told what it is you face. Unfortunately though, retreat is no longer an option. Now that you're here, and even if you destroy the gate you found, the same darkness will hunt you down. I'm sorry to bring you such unfortunate news Rebekka." He states, bowing as he apologizes. "But it is the truth, one that you, Zanis, Dazrantha, Alexander, Volkhad, Albert, and the others that you brought with you simply cannot afford to doubt." He states, listing off the main commanders and most notable characters of the mission, without rank or roles to prevent panic, and without the need for introductions. "With that in mind, should you trust what I say, I will explain to you what you face to the best that I am allowed. Then your next move will be decided by yourselves."

[darthme]

~Konnsallann Station~

"We are aware of the fertile worlds to the south. We've colonized many of them, Marenta Prime being one of those worlds. We also had a vague idea of the neighboring factions intents, but we didn't know it was this bad." Says Anna. "Let me call admirals Ragnarsson and Þørsson up here. Once they arrive, we can properly assess the situation and decide on a plan of action; I am not tye right person to do such things."

Kiffkronntrølers Jan Ragnarsson and Hjelginn Þørsson arrive shortly thereafter.

[Quantum Rain]

"Welcome, gentlemen, to the war." Jonas spoke to the newcomers as they walked in, waving toward the projection to draw their attention there first. "We have much to discuss, obviously."

[darthme]

Both men are a little taken aback by this statement. "We didn't think it would come to war.". Says Kiffkonntrøler Ragnarsson. "We were aware of fleet buildups around us, but we didn't know that it was hostile. "We do not carry out diplomatic relationships with our neighbors, we thought we were too small to concern them." Says Þørsson.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves, Bladnir Station--

*Ackbar takes the being's arrival in stride, though his feathers prickle slightly with annoyance.*

Ackbar: Hello again, Light. (at the Marzeronians) I suspected you weren't telling the truth...call it a hunch. You're lucky that I'm older and wiser now. If you had pulled that on me a few years back, I would have just shot you then and there. *He chuckles.* Now, where are you really from? Why are you here? What is your government?

--Lune, Fey--

Teahcoatl: Whether you believe us is your choice. Be content in knowing that it is more terrible and powerful than a fleet of ten thousand ships and that all who do not flee now will soon suffer a fate far worse than death.

--Adre System, Charad--

*Fallah lets out an alarmed squawk and instinctively clamps down against the vacuum, shutting her eyes and beak as tightly as she can. After a few moments, when she feels no tug of negative pressure on her body, the kiwi dares to risk a peak, and the sight that greets her causes her eyes to fly open.*

Fallah: What...? That's...that's a Primitus ship engaging our forces! *She then catches sight of the mech.* What is that...?

*The avian cruisers herd the frigate even closer to the planet, in full range of its surface-to-orbit defenses, and then turn their bows toward the ancient ship, still firing at it. As the ancient destroyer's shields are brought down again, a wing of bomber-type avian constructs launches multiple energy bombs, one after the other, into the hole left by the mech's attack. The bombs explode in staggered fashion, inflicting massive internal damage to the frigate and blowing out sections of the superstructure. The cruisers then fire their charged beam weapons into the new holes, further lacerating the ancient marauder, and the pounding from Charad's surface defenses also continues.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Alba--

"We don't know their reasoning or official justification, aside from the fertility and strategic value of the neutral regions." He stated, scrolling the map more inward to the SRI-AI border. "But your position makes you a prime target, and the build up of forces gives an obvious intent. They have been using cloaking fields to prevent showing their movements to alarm you, but we found out anyway." Jonas replied. "You're in this war whether you like it or not, and honestly, the defenses you have in place are, while powerful, unable to stand against such superior numbers alone."

---

--Charad--

The mech boosted backwards, flipping in space without momentum playing a key. As she appeared behind one of the drones, she grabbed it and actually managed to hack into it and used its weapons against the enemy drones, utilizing insane maneuvers most wouldn't dare to dodge the combined fire. As well, her boost ability seemed to defy time.

The frigate was defiant, as the energy buildup continued and then spiked. As the ship succumbed to the united fire, a massive shockwave of anti-matter and pure energy erupted, and coupled with the power core, added a devastating effect to the ship's demise. The shockwave would destroy the Avian strikecraft, drain shields, and damage the hull of the various vessels, including the mech.

But what Fallah saw was that, instead of an object of that size disintegrating, it actually withstood the shockwave, even though it was closer to it than the drones were. As it drifted down planetside, pulled by the planet's gravity, it was still largely intact, but powered down.

"That, Dr. Fallah, will be your first ally and soon to be part of the core of your army." Shadow stated, as the battle concluded. "And its your job to see to it that such becomes fact."

[Sir Noret]

/Yaga Minor orbit|Yaga System|Prefsbelt Sector|Braxant Oversector\

A small greeting party meets the crew of the Lazarus at the docks.

/Unknown World|Unknown System|Unknown Sector|Unknown Regions\

After several hours of walking the team finds a small cave by an similarly small fresh water pond where they, after checking for toxins, refill their canteens, and unsuccessfully attempt to catch some waterborne creatures. As the system's star begins to set, Lieutenant Engel sets the watch for the night with herself first.

/Humbarine|Humbarine System|Humbarine Sector|Directorate Core Worlds\

Commander Remmer and the HSDF makes no attempt to stop them.

/Bastion|Sartinaynian System|Braxant Sector|Braxant Oversector\

The woman, now publicly known as Kalyn Knylenn, found herself once more in the Supreme Commander's office exactly 43 hours after the first time, though she was significantly more modest this time around and with four men accompanying her. The inner council had conquered the Empire without firing a shot, or at least not very many. "Grand Admiral, the citizens thank you, you have proved to be our savior once more and as a token of our gratitude we wish to offer you a position on the interim government as one of five Directors. Eventually elections will be held but until that can be properly arranged we have the interim Directors with myself as the Director of State Affairs and Head of State, Albert Menas as Director of Internal Affairs and Head of Government, Dr. Regen Valory as Director of Judicial Affairs, and Mak Hill (Head of the IGBC) as Director of Economic Affairs," She pauses between each to indicate them before continuing. "We would like you to assume the position of Director of Military Affairs and Commander-in-Chief, as these will be tough times ahead and we need an experienced leader to guide us."

"Very well, I suppose someone has to keep this rabble from falling apart, and you are right there will be tough times ahead, many of the Moffs escaped with a significant portions of their fleets, not enough to contest us but enough to be a hassle and seize unaligned systems with which to be more of a problem later. I suggest we hunt them down before they get to large, furthermore there is the matter of that group based in the Ciutric Sector who may become an obstacle in the near future which we have to consider. Regardless, of these matters you've won your day in the press, go claim it, make it clear who we are and what you stand for and then we can get on with the real business." Pellaeon responds, somewhat uncharacteristically forward, apparently somewhat annoyed he allowed himself to get wrapped up in this.

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