Chapter Three

[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 three, guys, KEEP IT UP!

Post.
POST.
POST!

~Jediluigi

________________________________________________

--Yaga Minor--

“Unfortunately, they did not have one.” He stated, looking over the janitor’s shoulder to confirm his directions mentally. Now there was just the matter of blending in without magic…

--Unknown World--

Leon walked up cautiously toward the creature, pistol ready in his free hand as he kept himself aware of his surroundings. So it takes a shot to the head to kill them. He thought, as he used the opportunity provided by the creature to learn how to combat his potential enemy.

--Gothis Orbit--

The Hive Ship activates its telekinetic powers once more, managing to deflect the torpedoes utilizing similar abilities to the Rachni. The Collective fleet presses on still, taking light losses via the Thanix cannons by comparison to the Turians.

--Gothis Land--

Despite the Collective Troops hunkering in and luring the enemy to them, several were still dieing, while some managed to put up a fight.

--Charad--

The pilot looked at the kiwi incredulously, as if annoyed. She hands the drawing to the kiwi, as if emphasizing it.

--Konnsallann Station--

Cross was annoyed, at first, to the interruption, but then intrigued by the report she overheard. She remained silent, however, waiting to see if anyone would even remember her presence and what they would say in explanation.

--Bladnir--

(On hold until JL either gets Victoria II or managed to talk to me on Skype to discuss where to go from here.)

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*Several minutes later, a reply is beamed back to the cruiser. A pair of warships, smaller than the cruiser, approach and take up position on either side of it.* Aves Traffic Control: Cruiser Ankara please proceed to Docking Bay A23 on Phoenix Station. We are transmitting navigation data now. Frigates Nisus and Torridan will escort you in.

*Meanwhile, in Dr. Fallah's facility, Ackbar blinks to acknowledge Shadow's words and hands Raven the device.* Ackbar: What I say is true--see for yourself. If we don't work together to stop the Atrum Imperium, neither of our worlds stand a chance.

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, Orbit--

"We acknowledge this command. Do not keep us waiting on your official response." The crew of the cruiser replied, proceeding to its assigned docking port. As the escorts neared, the cruiser powered its shields as a cautionary maneuver. Clearly, they did not truly trust the Avians.

--Aves--

Raven sifts through the PDA, reading its contents. As she stumbles upon the more detailed report of recent events, she pauses, rereading various statements. Her face remains emotionless however, leaving Ackbar and Fallah uncertain as to her thoughts.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*Ackbar opens his beak to say something else, but then the PDA buzzes angrily. He snatches it out of Raven's hands--muttering an apology after the fact--and taps a point on his breast.* Ackbar: This is the Admiral. *A long pause follows.* I see. Send whoever it is down here in a shuttle. And keep their ship under guard. Ackbar out.

*He turns back to Raven and makes a single, wordless sweep over the PDA's surface. A recording of the exchange between the Anatolian ship and Aves Traffic Control. Once it is finished, he regards her with a critical eye.* Well? Does that ring a bell?

*Meanwhile, in Aves orbit, the cruiser receives another message.* Aves Traffic Control: Cruiser Ankara, please dispatch your delegation. We have a shuttlecraft ready to take them to meet with representatives from our government.

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves, Orbit--

"Understood Traffic Control. The delegation has been sent."
A man wearing awfully casual attire walks out of the cruiser and into the station, escorted by six soldiers. The man was wearing a casual, worry-free grin on his face as he walked toward the awaiting shuttlecraft.

--Aves--

Raven listens to it carefully, then nods that she is familiar with the craft. She actually seems to smile, as if happy to hear such a rude message.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves Orbit--

*The man and his escort are lead to to the shuttle by an avian soldier contingent. The craft takes off once they have boarded and flies down through Aves's atmosphere. The humans can take note of the planet's ravaged state if they wish.*

--Aves City, Fallah's Research Facility--

Ackbar: Then I hope this friend of yours is more pleasant in person than he sounds. (Avian Common) Fallah, keep an eye on her. I have to go meet this other human.

Fallah (Avian Common): Yes, sir. *The Admiral flies out of the room, through the facility's corridors, until he reaches the shuttlepad just as the craft lands. He flies up to the vehicle's doors as the Anatolian disembarks, and holds out his foot.* (Basic) Greetings. I am Fore Admiral Ackbar of the Galactic Avian Union. Whom do I have the...pleasure of addressing?

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

The man smiles warmly and shakes the hand/foot, speaking in a voice different than the comm officer that answered them earlier. "I am Genesis Cavara, the Operator to Raven, and the commander of the Ankara. It is a pleasure to meet you in person Admiral Ackbar." He says rather politely, and very much opposite to the previous person that hailed the control tower.

"I am somewhat rushed at the moment, Admiral, and I would desire, before we continue conversing, to see Raven and her mech, the White Glint, to make sure that they're all right. May I please do so?" He asked after releasing the avian's hand/foot.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

Ackbar: The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Cavara. You're a lot more pleasant than whoever was broadcasting to us. *For a moment, he seems inclined to reject the man's request, but relents with a mischievous grin.* Alright, Mr. Cavara, I'll take you to her, but first answer me this: Who was broadcasting to us? He sounded like he had a bad case of "stick-up-the-[censored]".

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

Genesis chuckled at Ackbar's comment, shaking his head. "That was my comm officer. I'm afraid he woke up on the wrong side of the bed again, do forgive his abrupt and rude behavior." He replied calmly. "Though I guess you could say we all woke up on the wrong side of the bed today... I would be happy to explain more as soon as I see Raven."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

Ackbar: Of course, Mr. Cavara. But I'll have to ask your escort to stay on the shuttle. This facility contains sensitive material and I'm making a special exception allowing you in. I'm sure you understand.

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

His lieutenant went to object, but Cavara held up his hand, silencing him without even looking in his direction. "I can take care of myself, and I appreciate your concern." He answered the unspoken and unseen worry on the veteran's face. He nodded at Ackbar, "Very well, have it your way Admiral."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

Ackbar: Thank you, Mr. Cavara. (to the lieutenant) I'll return him in one piece. (to Cavara, undertone) ...more or less. *He gives a mischievous wink.* Right this way, if you please. *He flies to the door into the facility and stops, waiting for Cavara to catch up, then opens it and leads the man into the building. Eventually, they arrive at the room in question, and he opens the final door. Fallah jumps up as the hawk flies in, followed by Cavara.*

Fallah: Welcome back, sir! ...who's this?

Ackbar: This is Mr. Genesis Cavara of the cruiser Ankara, Doctor. Mr. Cavara, this is Dr. Fallah Yolansh, our Director of Research and Development, and a longtime friend of mine.

*The kiwi comes forward, looking up at Cavara with bright, intelligent eyes. She barely comes up to his knee.* Fallah: Hello, Mr. Cavara.

*After they have exchanged greetings, Ackbar goes on, flying to the room's other end.* Ackbar: And here is what you seek, Mr. Cavara. Raven and her construct--the "White Glint" as you called it.

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

"Greetings Doctor Fallah." He replied, then looked up at Raven just in time to see her ram into him in a wide hug. "Heh, good to see you too Raven, though this is hardly professional." He said, patting Raven, waiting for her to let go. He looked up at the mech and nodded. "Well, decent shape given what you've been through. Now that we're here, we'll patch her up for you." He said to Raven who nodded and smiled. He then turned to Ackbar.

"Alright Admiral, a promise is a promise. I am here as a refuge from the Imperium siege of Anatolia and her colonies. Raven here is among the last surviving pilots of our thousands-strong fleet." Genesis stated in a rather grim manner. "As you can imagine, her survival is my priority."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*The hawk sighs with frustration.* Ackbar: It's as I feared. When did this happen? What's the situation now?

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

"While your reports may state that the Imperium sent an armada through the region, they also sent several stealth fleets in advance. The siege has lasted for several weeks now. We predict that it will not last longer than one more, as such, Anatolia and its military are evacuating... That plan did not proceed well when the armada swept through us..." Genesis replied, also visibly frustrated by this report.

"The Ankara is one of three vessels to have survived, out of two-hundred, in that one battle. White Glint is one of twenty-seven to have survived, out of a total of four-thousand."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*Fallah gasps at the carnage, while Ackbar mulls these details over with a heavy heart.* Ackbar (to Raven): I told you, didn't I? *He turns back to Genesis.* Alright, Mr. Cavara, it's time you heard how Raven came into our custody. Doctor?

*Fallah nods and proceeds to tell the story, though she leaves out the part about Shadow abducting her and simply says that she was on the planet at the time.* Fallah: ...I didn't know what to do with her, but I thought the Admiral would, so I brought her here to Aves.

Ackbar: I've been trying to convince her to fight for us, Mr. Cavara. We're your people's only chance of survival. *He explains the League to the man.* A powerful ally like your pilot here would go far in driving back the Atrum Imperium's assault.

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

Cavara smiles. "Actually, admiral, the league is the reason that I am here. We would have arrived sooner were the rather large minefield not in our way..." He turned to Raven and nodded. "And I know how important she would be to aiding you in the war. It took some persuasion in what's left of our command to permit it, but we are willing to help you with some conditions unfortunately."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*Ackbar brightens.* Ackbar: Most excellent! Sorry about the minefield, but it will make the battle to come a little easier for us. On behalf of the League, I accept your people's offer of help. Aves knows we're going to need all the help we can get. But how did you know about it?

[Quantum Rain]

--Aves--

"You sent out invitations, remember?" Genesis answered, then shook his head. "Anyway, command is a bit paranoid about all of this. We are the only forces they are willing to commit to your cause... and even then, we cannot share any of our technology either. I can't really explain why. Hopefully, White Glint and the Ankara will be sufficient." He turns back to White Glint. "We should have her ready to fly within the day."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

*Ackbar sighs at the mention of tech.* Ackbar: Oh well. There is one other thing you could do for me, Mr. Cavara. *He gestures at Raven.* Convince her to fight with us. She's been nothing but noncommittal even in the face of this news. Is this what human children are like?

[darthme]

~Absolution~

"Well I am all for it!" Says Kavinnsson.

~Marenta Prime~

(Sorry about the gmodding, Rain. I didn't realize it until you said)

The bunker's blast doors close with a loud hiss. Toku is safely inside, and he makes his way to the innermost chamber, where Armijkontrøller Torlarsson and several other officials are. Of course, not all of the officials are kept in the same place; that would make it too easy to decapitate the Army's command. As he walks into the room, Torlarsson gives Toku a slight nod, and motions for him to sit down. When Toku has done this, Torlarsson begins the debriefing.

"Now then men. We do not know how exactly the Atrum Imperium got such a large force within our borders without our knowing. We suspect that they must have done some recon and jumped in-system to the exact locations of our communication satellites, then destroyed them. Since these satellites are no longer operating, we do not have very much intel to go off of. For instance, we do not know how large their force is, or how many troops they are landing."

At this point Toku stands up and begins to speak. "Their shuttles fill the sky like locusts during the dry season. I could sense an immense amount of life-forms descending from space all around the world. Of course, their regular foot-soldiers are no match for me, or any other 'Olukauana Kani, but they might pose a threat to regular Marentanz and Gal'Gai. That being said, I think we should bolster the blast doors to this bunker."

Torlarsson calmly asks, "why?"

"Because after I entered this bunker, I sensed another life-form landing outside, from a different shuttle. I believe he is of higher status than a normal soldier, and I can sense his intent on forcing his way inside this bunker."

[Quantum Rain]

--Marenta Prime--

(Tis not a big deal, my only issue is that you didn't know what the Imperium employs and there was no way for you to get that knowledge without asking me, which you didn't. In truth, the Imperium has bigger and badder monsters than even some jedi can handle. Oh and he's so close to getting who that man is right... but you'll see soon enough.)

Jaxe smirks as the blast doors shut. "Well well, a nice big bunker you have there..." He raises his scythe as power surges into its sharp, enlongated blade. "Too bad you have underestimated me, Force Sensitive." With one swing, the scythe unleashes a powerful stroke of a blackish energy, tearing into the bunker door and leaving a disintegrated scorched gap in the thick metal barrier. While not nearly enough to fit through, it was only a matter of time.

"Set blast charges. Let's give them the courtesy of knowing that we are here." He ordered to the foot soldiers, who nodded and complied. Two more transports landed and out of them came towering men in an unusual power armor, with two cannons hovering to either side of them, almost as tall as the men themselves. They took to stand next to the odd, scythe-wielding man. "Death reaps quickly those who underestimate him."

--Absolution--

"Excellent. We shall begin preparations. Also, a word of caution... the Imperium has developed several super soldier programs in response to one of ours, Project Archangel. No doubt we will face these and several of footsoldiers when we arrive. That is merely their first wave, their next wave when they are aware of our presence are several wings of fightercraft and a fleet of tanks to storm our position. Follow our lead and we should manage to survive that assault."

(When you post next, expect a short waiting period for my reply as I add to the Imperium's unit list so that you can understand exactly what you're facing. Also: An entire species that is Force-Sensitive is skirting Mary-Sue status. Make sure to apply caution to the Marentaz's power and skills in the future. There is a distinct difference in being strong in the Force and being able to use it, as well as dozens of other factors.)

--Aves--

Cavara turns to look at Raven and the pilot nodded. "She follows orders, Admiral, and her orders at the time were to return to us when she is able to. Now they are something else entirely. You have our power, however much that counts." Genesis explains to the avian passively.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Aves--

Ackbar: Most excellent. Thank you, Mr. Cavara. I already have a quite detailed account of Raven and her construct's capabilities, but what about your ships? What kind of support can you provide?

[darthme]

~Marenta Prime~

The council in the inner chamber, hearing the crackle of the energy hitting the blast doors, quickly disbands. Several fully-suited soldiers are sent to the doorway, and immediately start to spray suppressing fire through it, more to scare whatever is out there than to actually hit it. Another group of soldiers comes down the hallway and sets up a turret about 10 feet away from the door. The first squad falls back behind the turret, continuing to to shoot down the hall. Finally, a third squad arrives and begins to set up a mobile shield device, but the machine takes some time to charge up, and everyone is on edge as they wait for either the the door to give, or the shield to power up.

Toku grabs his armor from his locker in the bunker and suits up. He then recites a small prayer to Marenta, the earth-goddess.

"Marent'aa,
inka muanikianu i'u
inka vuakianu i'u
i'a muanikiana inku
i'a vuakiana inku"

~Absolution~

The Gal'Gai wait for any orders to prepare for the counter-attack from Cross.

[Jediluigi]

The Promachos, Planet 031 'Ruhen', System Beta 03, Beta Galaxy:

After walking through a few corridors, the Lieutenant finally made it to the launch bay. Arrayed before her and suspended on several tracks were the Blitz class Assault Boats and the various landing ships. Running around on the deck were the many troops of the Wehrmacht, pointedly avoiding the Sturmtruppen soldiers on the upper deck. While there wasn't a real rivalry between the two, they didn't tend to mix well. On board the ship were a Line and Drop Battalions of Heer troops and the Company of Sturmtruppen, a sizable force for such a mission.

She made her way to one of the decks, where Major Marko was, preparing his men for the mission. Upon seeing her he turned on heel and saluted. "Lieutenant Jaquet, I didn't expect to see you here, ma'am." The Major says, his voice somewhat booming. She motions for the man to take ease before speaking. "Major, you've found a squad to go down to the surface?" She asks, waiting.

"Yes ma'am! I got the best damned recon team you'll get. From my platoon, nonetheless. Sergeant Leon Munzel of the 10th Battalion, 242th Squad. They'll get it done." The Major said, keeping himself straight despite the ease. Rebekka looks him over, thinking. "Very well. They can take a Blitz to the surface, it should provide enough room for a squad. Their ETD was five minutes ago." The Major nodded. "Yes ma'am, right away!" With that, the man began barking orders to the squad, and they set off planet-side on the Zulu 419.

[Wynn]

--Ruhen--

All the sensors would detect were a sort of field of debris surrounding the planet. It did not seem like anything useful to recycle and due to the amount, it was imprudent to even bother cleaning it out. On the planet, they got similar readings, and a whole lot of desert, save for one spot. One area of the planet read an insanely powerful and unknown energy reading, breaking past any limits the sensors could detect within.

As well, one would also note that there were several lifesigns, beasts and other creatures it seemed, but lifesigns nonetheless.

--Anima Prime--

Ahead of the hallway was just more doors to either side and one that led back to the stairs, but at a higher elevation than the entrance. So far the hallway was empty, but again, that feeling of being watched, and now a feeling of being followed, was prevalent. There could also be heard several loud footsteps on the level above, headed in the same direction as the stairs.

--Reactor #4--

As the two Nobodies made a mad dash to the reactor, Xirce took the time to, while foolishly running backwards, cast several sun lances down at the enemy, piercing some and halting others if only for a moment while Xyphus was delegated the role of clearing a path ahead of them. So far so good.

As the neared the reactor, they would witness a towering structure with an unearthly greenish-blue mist floating out of either side and into the air. By the looks of the massive white structure and its complex machinery, it seemed to be the reactor they were looking for. Especially since there was no other building for miles around.

There was only one entrance and, fortunately, it was unguarded by the shadowy creatures. As they neared, the creatures let up, and outright halted a distance from the reactor itself, either repelled or afraid, or something of the likes.

--Aves--

Shadow sighed, appearing invisible next to Ackbar. "You do realize she has to have a reason to fight for you, right?" He asked, already knowing the answer. "Her world lies in the neutral region of the galaxy, right in the way of the Imperium [censored] of an armada... need I say more?"

Raven shrugged, still uncertain as to what her answer should be. Regardless, it wasn't as if she had to answer immediately anyway. Not in her mind that is.

--Absolution--

"Ignoring the more classified data, the gate is designed to create a portal of sorts. While sustaining it requires a second gate, we can maintain it long enough to land a sizable force on the planet just about anywhere." The High Sovereign replied.

--Marenta Prime, Maren--

Several dozen more shuttles landed, with about a hundred more Imperium troops storming out and a larger, taller commander that seemed out of place, given that he was wielding a scythe.

"Now then, where did he go I wonder..." The taller man spoke to himself, referencing the force sensitive Marentaz that was reported to have destroyed the initial recon force. "Come out come out and die..." He said, baiting him out as he walked calmly towards the bunker entrance.

(Note: Ask me next time before godmodding like that... As epic as it is, I do NEED to know when you're going to do it and how.)

Azrael and Lae advanced quickly, but quietly further down the hall. When they reached the doors, the leaned just enough around the corner to get a look at what's inside after opening the doors as silently as possible.

---

Xyphus stopped and turned to look at the creatures who had suddenly decided to stop. He looked up at the structure, then raised his hand as if reaching out to the top of it. Then he quickly turned his hand around and closed it into a fist. The storm began blowing downward at the creatures, bringing some of the green mist down on them.

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