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.)

[Comrade Greiv]

"Our movement is one that has been secretly growing for the past year and a half, given the last reports as well approximately 40% of the Imperial Military and about 50% of the civilian populace secretly are a members of or supports of the Red Faction and its ideals. It was formed after a near suicidal mission that our Founders, General Alec James Kaidan, Lord Kelek, and Commander John Shepard, were put on beyond the Unknown Regions and after hearing of the reports about the quelling of a group of rebels on Taletis by the Imperial Army." While Brallok said this they had passed through several corridors and had come to a windowed corridor looking out into the heart of the nebula. The intercom then went off.

"Attention, all hands. Attention, all hands. Scheduled ship arrival imminent. All personnel going on leave or being redeployed to other locations, report to hangar bays Alpha-16-Sierra or Alpha-24-Sierra for shore leave and hangar bays Echo-1-Tango or Delta-10-Tango for redeployment. Cargo Hangar and crews prepare for offloading supply transport arrivals." This repeated twice more.

"Ah, the Salvation is about to arrive, have been waiting for that one for a while." Brallok stated with a smile on his face.

At that moment a Venator II-class Super Heavy Battleship came out of FTL within the clearing in the nebula and slowly approached, one could easily see the ship opening up its main hangar's doors and launch various forms of transports as well as a single Theta-class Shuttle with a fighter escort. The Praetorian with the War Master armor began to talk with someone over his helmet's commlink as the group stopped for a moment.

[Roach]

McGovern: Not bad that ship might be able to duel with one of our larger combatants. But Federation ships are renown for their durability. I don't know what kind of help my Government will be willing to offer you, from the recent reports I have heard not all is well on the home front.

[Comrade Greiv]

"Each of those Battleships are made for pitched combat against whatever odds they are put up against. The key behind that is in the armor and shielding systems used. The armor is made of purely refined Beskar ore combined with Cortosis as well, that gives them a major edge in combat against multiple ships. In fact there are three variants of those ships: that is the standard version which is a jack-of-all-trades, there is also a carrier variant that removes some of its armaments in exchange for storage capacity for more squadrons of strike craft, and the last is a ship made for sieges but can also be used in combat and can deal crippling damage against ships they come up against with a single shot of their main cannon. The latter however is still in its prototyping phases unfortunately." Brallok stated as he looked out to the Salvation

"Also I can understand the concern for that which you have stated, it is never good being away from home when something is going on that you can't be a part of. I know the feeling because of myself being away from my own homeworld when a major viral outbreak had occurred. I was born and grew up on a world known as Kentec, in the capital city of the world. When I was but a Lieutenant ten years ago a deadly virus broke out that had infested an entire continent, I wanted to return to fight but I couldn't. As a result, the Imperial navy was sent to deal with the outbreak..." He paused, "My home, my family, and most of my oldest friends perished after the Fleet sent was given the orders to Raze the entire continent. Even now, a decade later with a lot of terraforming efforts, no one can even set foot on the entire continent. The infection was destroyed, but so was all the land and every form of civilization."

The Praetorian Guard had just finished talking with the person over his comm. "Colonel," He stated.

"Yes, Talon?" Brallok stated after regaining his full composure.

"Lord Kelek will be attending the meeting as well." Talon stated in the same bland, filtered tone as before.

"Very well. This will be interesting." Brallok stated with a bit of a grin

[Roach]

McGovern: My friend you have never seen what a Jovian High density beam cannon can do. But i am not at liberty to discuss such technical matters. Well lets get this meeting over with and i will see what aid the Federation council authorizes.

[Comrade Greiv]

"Very well. Not to far from it now." Brallok plainly stated.

Within a few moments they were at the door of the cartographer room. Upon entering, all can see a group of seven robed figures, all but one of which had their hoods up, and two men in military officer uniforms as well as another man in power armor with more intricate appearance modifications to a larger, bulkier set of armor and stood a few heads taller than the Praetorian guards the group came with. All the Praetorian Guards saluted the robed man without his hood up and the man in power armor.

[Roach]

McGovern Tipped his hat in salute.*


McGovern: Greetings I am Captain McGovern of the Federation Starship Courageous. *he also introduces his other companions*

Narlok seems slightly uneasy but h bows politely when he is introduced.

[Comrade Greiv]

Both of the officers as well as the man in power armor nodded in response, while the robed man without his hood up bowed.

"Greetings to all of you, it is a pleasure to have you all aboard. I am Admiral Kahoku, I am the commander of this vessel and its defenses. This is Colonel Hendricks and Praetorian Centurion Thoraet." The higher ranking officer stated and introduced the other officer and the armoured man.

"I am Daren Kelder or as I am known otherwise, Lord Kelek and I am one of the founders of the Red Faction movement." The robed figure without his hood up stated

[Roach]

McGovern: Pleasure to meet you now how my the federation be of assistance? I warn you how ever our resources in this galaxy are limited, and i cant even promise my government will commit anything more than its best wishes.

[Wynn]

--Moon Andraste, Planet Hibernia, Nazario System, Pheiros Constellation--

The Dominance and a portion of its armada exit from ftl over the moon, transporting down a certain admiral, a general, and several officers. As the admiral departs from the shuttle that landed in one of the base's many hanger bays, he set out to discover the whereabouts of Admiral Ackbar.

--Marenta Prime--

Jaxe sets himself to dodge and block, weaving through the enemies, though making no real progress. As he went about suspiciously and surprisingly unscathed, the Force blast provided an excellent opportunity for him. He used his scythe to jump higher, rolling in the air to narrowly dodge the burst of energy. In doing so, he allowed it to throw back his enemies, and as he landed, he had a clear shot at the Marentanz. He smirked as he gathered energy of his own and unleashed it in a similar fashion, though with lightning arcing about the burst of power.

--Ultra Vires--

"Don't jinx yourself." Lara said, sitting down next to the hooded Lae. Unlike him, she was dressed in a two-piece, blue bikini, enjoying the beach.

--Unknown World--

"Not normally, not for us. But I watch and learn from them. Why? Would you like to learn how?" Xirce inquired of Xyphus's curiosity into the subject.

--Ultra Vires--

Lae sat up, his hood falling off his head. "I wont jinx i-" He stopped when he actually looked at Lara. He stared for a moment, then looked away. "I-uh, sorry, it's just weird seeing you... um... like this." He stammered.

--Unknown World--

Xyphus looked at Xirce as if he had just said something stupid. "Yes!" He exclaimed. "I've been WALKING around that damn castle this whole time."

[Quantum Rain]

--Andraste--

The briefing room lit up as Ackbar entered, and when he connected the comm to the proper channels, a projection of High Sovereign Marik Valar appeared in front of the Avian. The man studied the Avian for a split second, apparently not used to seeing a talking bird, and then spoke calmly. "Admiral Ackbar, I presume? I am High Sovereign Marik Valar, representing the trinity in this conversation. I am afraid time is short, and so I must be quick. Firstly, though, I must tell you that what I say must not go beyond this room."

(Battles will begin upon my next post.)

--Ruhen--

(STILL WAITING JL, IT'S STILL YOUR TURN!!!)

--Ultra Vires--

Lara giggled at Lae's reaction, but didn't comment on it due to his embarrassment. "It's a day off. We don't get these very often, so, I'm enjoying it. You should too, instead of wearing that stuffy armored robe all day." Despite that statement, however, she did put Lae's hood back up over his head. "Or are you afraid?" She asked quietly and sincerely.

--Unknown World--

Xirce almost had to smile at Xyphus's exclamation, but then thought against it, merely shrugging. "When we get back, I'll show you. It's not that hard."

[Wynn]

--Andraste--

The briefing room lit up as Ackbar entered, and when he connected the comm to the proper channels, a projection of High Sovereign Marik Valar appeared in front of the Avian. The man studied the Avian for a split second, apparently not used to seeing a talking bird, and then spoke calmly. "Admiral Ackbar, I presume? I am High Sovereign Marik Valar, representing the trinity in this conversation. I am afraid time is short, and so I must be quick. Firstly, though, I must tell you that what I say must not go beyond this room."

(Battles will begin upon my next post.)

--Ruhen--

(STILL WAITING JL, IT'S STILL YOUR TURN!!!)

--Ultra Vires--

Lara giggled at Lae's reaction, but didn't comment on it due to his embarrassment. "It's a day off. We don't get these very often, so, I'm enjoying it. You should too, instead of wearing that stuffy armored robe all day." Despite that statement, however, she did put Lae's hood back up over his head. "Or are you afraid?" She asked quietly and sincerely.

--Unknown World--

Xirce almost had to smile at Xyphus's exclamation, but then thought against it, merely shrugging. "When we get back, I'll show you. It's not that hard."

--Ultra Vires--

Lae remained silent for a moment, but his discomfort was apparent. His neck muscles visibly tensed a couple times, before he replied, "I-I'd be lying if I said I wasn't..."

--Unknown World--

Xyphus narrowed his eyes. "'Not too hard?'" He repeated. "So you mean to tell me I'm an arcane reject?"

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Andraste--

*Ackbar nods, and makes sure that the door is well-sealed.* Ackbar: It is indeed I. You have my word, High Sovereign.

[Jediluigi]

Outside Unknown City, Planet 031 'Ruhen', System Beta 03, Beta Galaxy:

Once it dawns on them that they are, for all intents and purposes, trapped, the squad tries and fails at communication. Lueke had his repeating blaster at the ready, his trigger finger itchy. Doerflinger and Sergeant Munzel lead the squad to the center building, keeping an eye on the motion trackers, weapons at the ready. Zilger and Seyrl were a bit nervous, that was clear enough for the rest of the squad to understand. Kinder turned to them, her helmet keeping her expression from view. "Easy, kids, we're in the real [censored] now. No radio, no way back, only forward. Kaiser Protect and keep your ears clean." With a nervous laugh she pressed forward, the former two following in her steps.

[Quantum Rain]

--Andraste--

"Good. Then I shall start from the beginning, Admiral. This will be a long conversation." The High Sovereign spoke, and then smirked. (Stop, fast-forward)

--AIS Bane of Glory, Fringe of the Southern Arms--

As the armada exited Quantum Space, the admiral of the fleet looked out at the ruins of his advance force. While the wreckage itself was not odd persay, the fact that there was nothing else visible around it was. There was no discernible cause of death.

Admiral Stellvir examined the wreckage. "... Sensor sweeps?" He asked, and an officer replied with, "Nothing out of the ordinary." The Admiral nodded to the comm officer, and he replied in a similar fashion. "No comm traffic. No discernable life boat signatures, and no distress beacons of any sort." At this the admiral was getting impatient. "... Launch a probe to dissect the wreckage. Perhaps it will shine light upon their demise."

As the probe was launched, their demise was discovered, but in a different way. The probe exploded when it made contact with an invisible object. This was definitely unexpected. The admiral signaled to the sensors officer. "I couldn't tell you, sir." He said with a sigh. The admiral also sighed in annoyance. "A million vessels led by one of the most advanced ships in the armada, and you can't tell me what just happened in front of my eyes?" He asks incredulously. The officer didn't respond. "Send another probe." He ordered, and that probe suffered the same fate. At this point, the admiral decided to test something. He ordered several probes launched to different locations. All of them suffered the same fate. "... A minefield." He said finally, sighing again in annoyance. "Of course..."

It would take them hours to learn the means to bypass the minefield, and days to enforce such.

--2 days after the Congress of Palaven--

At the edges of several Turian worlds, Quantum wakes formed. Invictus of the Caestus system was soon lost contact of, followed by Alkatiril in the Thal system. Both reported massive numbers and heavy fighting before comms were jammed.

At the edge of the Nazario system, however, a battle was about to begin. A massive quantum wake formed and from it came thousands of vessels, including the large dreadnought, the Bane of Glory. Admiral Stellvir looked at the amassed force of the League in surprise. He didn't expect this kind of resistance at what was deemed an unimportant world. "... Combat stations, black-star level, launch the strike craft and prepare for close-quarter combat. Wipe that fleet from the face of our galaxy."

--Ruhen--

The interior of the cathedral was odd, out of place. The interior was vastly different in shape and size than the exterior would bespoke, let alone permit. A massive antichamber awaited them on the other side of the door, and at the center was a glowing orb of some sort. All around the chamber was a series of floating symbols, ever changing in color and shape, sometimes colliding with others and forming incomprehensible statements or words. There was a whisper in the room, one that couldn't be deciphered, but still heard all the same. In truth, it sounded like several people were whispering at the same time, uttering the same words in a foreign tongue. This place was very odd.

--Ultra Vires--

"Well don't be. You're safe here." She said, sitting back down. "Besides, you look out of place with that suit, it draws more attention than it keeps away." She laid down on her back, basking in the sun and relaxing, eyes closed as if to shield herself from the radiance.

--Unknown World--

"It's a possibility..." Xirce stated, not really understanding what tactfulness is obviously. "I suppose one never really knows for certain?"

[Wynn]

--Ultra Vires--

Lae looked around at the other people, realizing how right she was. "...but... I wont tan, I'll burn..." He said, trying to make an excuse up.


--Unknown World--

Xyphus sighed with a facade of disappointment, and walked toward the corridor. That was the response he expected from Xirce. However, he had no real feeling to make him care much, so he just shrugged it off and forgot about it.

[Jediluigi]

Outside Unknown City, Planet 031 'Ruhen', System Beta 03, Beta Galaxy:

"This place gives me the creeps... Those are holos, right?" Doerflinger asked, his rifle raised as they proceeded inward. Munzel shook his head, unsure.

"Give the word and I'll blow this place to Hell, Sarge." Wehlitz said, looking at his grenade belt. Lueneburg frowned, shaking his head at him. "Keep your bombs at bay, soldier."

"Last thing we need is you going off early." Kinder added, and the other squad members stifled a chuckle. Despite the joke the unease returned, and they slowly approached the glowing object.

Lueke gave it a look, confused. "The Hell is that glowing ball, a projector, Seven?" He asked Landgraf, who groaned at the number. "I don't know, give me a second to scan it and I'll find out."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--League Territory--

*Reinforcements are pulled from standing forces and sent to Altakiril and Invictus, though the latter already has a sizeable defensive garrison. Reserve forces deploy to fill the gaps left by the transfers.*

--Nazario System--

*Hundreds of antimatter mines detonate on the Imperium armada as it emerges from the wake. They find around 15,000 ships from the avians, batarians, and Hiigarans arrayed against them. An additional 35,000 Morrigi and batarian vessels are lying in wait at long range behind the Atrum fleet, and as soon as the quantum wake closes, the Travelers launch a merciless artillery-class lancer barrage on the invaders' rearguard, concentrating their fire to ensure destruction. The Morrigi ships also launch a massive swarm of drones that speed through the rain of fire from their host vessels and tear into the Imperium forces. The batarians in Battlegroup Delta form a compound shield, a formidable linked energy barrier against the inevitable retalation, and begin to press into the Imperium's rear.

*At the same time, Battlegroup Alpha fires a massive missile and torpedo volley at the invasion force, and the batarians present activate their compound shield as well. Under cover of this ordinance, several thousand avian strikecraft come up from the planet's surface and whip towards the Atrum fleet. Spearheading this swarm is a strange humanoid construct of unknown origin that tears into the Imperium force with frightening power.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Ultra Vires--

Lara giggled again, sitting upright. She grabbed a bottle out of the purse she was carrying earlier and threw it at Lae for him to catch. "Reeds made it, it's sort of a suntan lotion and a sunblock at the same time. He didn't say how it worked though."

--The Castle--

As the pair entered the Grey Area, Xirce walked up to Saix and started giving his report. Such was standard, and during the time that Xyphus was asleep, Xirce took the time to also write it down, also part of the procedure. After he was finished recounting his experience, he gave Saix the written report. Nobodies, while lacking hearts, did have great handwriting it seemed...

From there, he spent the rest of the day trying to teach Xyphus how to call up a Dark Corridor at will. To his surprise, it was harder to explain, especially for one without a heart, trying to describe what 'beckoning' or 'longing for' meant.

--Ruhen--

The scans weren't blocked, but proved enlightening. It was giving off benign radiation and a type of energy they hadn't seen before. This energy in question was increasing as they got closer, and the whispering too increased. It almost started to sound like a choir in the background.

--Nazario--

Unfortunately for the League, after the previous minefield incident, the Imperium had prepared countermeasures to other minefields. They deployed their own mines immediately upon exiting, which acted like drones. These projected plasma barriers, designed to disintegrate the mines as they passed through them.

Admiral Stellvir chuckled as the League sprang into action. "Omega flanking pattern two, left flank. Delta flight pattern nine, right flank. Alpha combat pattern one, center." He ordered, speaking into a comm directly. The AI fleet moved into action. The mines they deployed proved helpful as they started seeking out missiles and playing blocker to them.

The left flank of the fleet broke off from the main group and disappeared from the radar, only to reappear on the flank of the League's Battlegroup Delta. This was their reaction. This group assailed the other with large plasma torpedo swarms, and let loose with their repeating ionized-anti-matter cannons against the compound shield.

The second group, the right flank, sped up. Whereas the left was made of heavier class ships, the right was mostly made of frigates. In a tactic learned from the Turians, the ships sped up and began a guerrilla warfare tactic, only phasing in and out via cloak rather than ftl-ing about. Often times they left phased drones around their target, battlegroup alpha. These drones would unphase at random times to swarm the battlegroup from all sides.

The central taskforce ran right into the Alpha battlegroup. This force was a mixture of heavy and light ships, the light providing flanking fire while the heavy drew the enemy fire away from them, and dealt it back in return. They utilized ionized-plasma repeaters on the battlegroup, desiring to get past the shields as they launched waves of drones and mines.

The League's planned assault, however, was not ineffective at the start. Smaller AI ships were lost due to combined damage from the mines and the missile swarms, but the larger portion of the fleet, and the heavier ships, remained. How their shield strength withstood such a swarm is currently uncertain. As the Anatolian construct and her fighter support arrives on the scene, however, things prove even more interesting. The AI had mechs of their own, it seemed, and launched those. To some people's surprise, the mechs had Anatolian symbols on them.

The IS fleet over Hibernia's moon had cloaked, moving to support in a currently unknown way.

[Roach]

--Smolensk--

Admiral Ericson sat in his command chair sipping on a cup of coffee and reading an engineering report when his thoughts were interrupted by his comm officer, a strong proud Klingon woman.

Comm Officer: Admiral we are being hailed by General Martok.

Ericson: On screen

*General Martok's grizzled face appeared on the view screen.*

Martok: Admiral we have been ordered to the Invictus system we will link up with the 7th fleet and join the local forces. Q'plah Admiral Martok out.

Ericson: Set a course for Rendezvous point 9 alpha we will link up there and jump to Invictus. Got to re alert and lay in a course at maximum warp.

It took less than half an hour for the fleets to assemble at the rendezvous after they linked up they made best speed to invictus arriving in about another 45 minuets 24,096 ships strong.

[Quantum Rain]

--Invictus--
(Apologize for Godmodding Disayle, but I figured this was Roach's battle anyway, and it'd be more interesting to set it up accordingly. I avoided major losses or anything like that.)

The AI fleet numbered close to fifty thousand strong. Forty thousand were tied up dealing with the defense fleet and reinforcements, while the additional ten were dealing with the defenses around the planet. The second battlegroup was engaged in ground operations as well, supporting land invasions while the first battlegroup was flanking the defending forces from both sides, utilizing superior positioning and a similar minefield tactic as was used above Hiberia. The drone swarms, however, proved the most effective due to the fact that they kept appearing from nowhere, outflanking the defenders and the space defenses.

When the Federation arrived, the situation was dire. The drones were in droves of almost thousands, appearing from apparently cloaked carrier ships. The mines were thick, and the defenders were nearly out of options to deal with the numerous force arrayed against them. Several of the planetary defenses were neutralized, but the shield, and what lay within its reach, remained defiant against the Imperium's bombardment. As well, the defender's compound shield held against the fleet long enough for the Federation to arrive. Also upon their arrival, communications outside of the system were effectively cut via an unknown source.

[Wynn]

--Ultra Vires--

Lae sighed acquiescently, now having no real excuse to not listen to her. "Alright..." He replied. "But don't blame me if you go blind..."
He took the robe and boots off and applied the sunscreen. While he was no herculean warrior, Lae didn't look puny like he had used to a few months ago. His muscle tone showed. However, this did not hide the fact his skin was such a pale white it practically darkened the sun. He sat back down next to her leaning forward trying to hide himself.
"I feel ridiculous..." He mumbled.


--Castle--

Xyphus attempted many times to open a corridor. However, he failed many times. After a couple hours of attempts, he finally groaned and complained, "It's glaring me in the face now that you, sir," He said as he pointed at Xirce. "are full of [censored]."

[Quantum Rain]

--Ultra Vires--

"Just relax." Lara comforted Lae, smiling warmly at him as she laid back down on the sandy floor. "Besides, you don't look all that bad, look at the muscles there, mr. stud." She teased Lae, joking around to try and ease his awkwardness, and likely failing.

--The Castle--

Xirce faked a sigh. "This is more difficult that I imagined..." He admitted, ignoring Xyphus's insult. "You are difficult to teach, and the subject is harder to explain that I previously thought..."

[Roach]

As the federation fleet arrive the Klingon ships remained cloaked the maneuvered to engage the forces attacking the planet the rest of the federation fleet broke in to its battle lines and engaged the enemy spreads of torpedoes at maximum yield detonated cutting a swathe through the mines and drones this was followed by tens of thousands of Federation strike craft pouring in like a biblical plague of locusts. A group of federation ships closed an engaged the flanking forces attempting to surround them as they peppered them with fire,.Mean while the Klingon fleet decloaked behind the forces bombarding the planet opened fire after firing a few salvos they pulled away clearly attempting to draw the enemy forces away from the planet. But they had also used the surprise to beam forces to the surface.

[Wynn]

--Ultra Vires--

"Just relax." Lara comforted Lae, smiling warmly at him as she laid back down on the sandy floor. "Besides, you don't look all that bad, look at the muscles there, mr. stud." She teased Lae, joking around to try and ease his awkwardness, and likely failing.

--The Castle--

Xirce faked a sigh. "This is more difficult that I imagined..." He admitted, ignoring Xyphus's insult. "You are difficult to teach, and the subject is harder to explain that I previously thought..."

--Ultra Vires--

Lae thought about what she was saying for a moment. "Um... thanks?" He replied, uncertain of whether she was complimenting or making fun of him. He looked around. "I dont know why I'm even worrying..." He said. "No sane man would make fun of me anyway with an attractive woman sitti-..." Lae facepalmed, realizing he had just rambled on into a statement that would bring only more humiliation.


--Castle--

Xyphus put his arms in what looked to be disgust. "Have you ever considered that maybe you're just a [censored] teacher?" He shot back.

[Mr Countryside]

Having stayed at the meeting place for longer then stated the Star Destroyer savior leaves and returns to Hutt space.

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