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!

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~Jediluigi

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--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.)

[Quantum Rain]

"... Kid... you don't look pretty at all, I really doubt your chances at getting a girlfriend now. Too bad you can't take on new hosts like I can, that would fix all your problems." The demon commented. "All the same, if you haven't learned from those cuts and bruises I gave you-" He said in a more serious tone, flourishing the blade. "-then my orders were to kill you, Lae." He looked at Lae with a cold gaze and a killing intent that almost seemed tangible.

[Wynn]

Lae gave Araman a glare at the girlfriend remark. He maintained this expression, even after he mentioned that his orders were to kill him. "Then your superiors are next when this is over!" He shouted furiously, redrawing his short-blade. "You didn't have to be a douche... but it seems that's the family business with you [censored] demons."

[Quantum Rain]

Araman smirked, and then suddenly phased in and out faster than Lae could track, appearing in front of him. He came down with his sword and then sliced horizontally with his newfound arm blade, creating a wave of ice as he did so. "Don't talk so much, it distracts you." He said in an almost warning tone.

[Wynn]

Araman smirked, and then suddenly phased in and out faster than Lae could track, appearing in front of him. He came down with his sword and then sliced horizontally with his newfound arm blade, creating a wave of ice as he did so. "Don't talk so much, it distracts you." He said in an almost warning tone.

Lae was caught by surprise, but managed to raise his blade to partially deflect the swing. The sword still fell across his upper arm, tearing flesh, and freezing his blood. He then parried the arm blade immediately after, then followed-up quickly with a thrust of the blade into the center of Araman's mass in an attempted counter-attack.

[Quantum Rain]

Araman, in response to being deflected on both fronts, flipped backwards, phasing out in the middle of said flip to appear behind Lae. He performed a spin kick, knocking Lae to the side as he stood back up again. "Last time I was told not to kill you, just harm you, thus I held back. This time, though, I get to show you the real difference between your power and mine." He said, swinging his arm-blade and creating a series of ice shards, all firing at Lae's general direction.

[Wynn]

Lae quickly dove forward through the spikes and weaved through them. He avoided most of them, but got caught in the side by one of the ice spikes. He grunted and fell down from the pain. He ripped the ice from his side and got back up, fighting through the pain. He jumped forward as another spike came at him, rolled under it, then stabbed forward into Araman on the landing.

[Quantum Rain]

As Lae slide towards where his target used to be, Araman's shadow would cast down onto him. Above, Araman was in the middle of a large backflip, and has he came down, he kicked Lae forward, again casting him flying across the sand. "You can't even keep up with my movements. You can't wield your own sword. I'm not even trying, so what good are you?" He spoke condescendingly, downplaying Lae's abilities. "But I suppose I should demonstrate my abilities."

Araman charged his frost-element energies into the palm of his freehand and his arm blade, and then proceeded to slam it into the sand. A shockwave flew out in all directions from where the arm blade impacted and caused a large area, even all the way to where Lae was, to freeze.

[Wynn]

Lae was just getting back up when the shock wave reached him. It knocked him back down, and made it difficult to move. He managed to struggle up to one knee to see what Araman was up to.

[Quantum Rain]

Araman stood back up, slowly, head hung as he didn't look at Lae, and he was unusually silent. I don't normally use one of my greater attacks for such weaklings... but he's a different case... to think of what you could have been, kid, if you tried harder. Araman thought to himself, reasoning with himself.

[Wynn]

Lae struggled to his feet, then began running at Araman. Although, due to the extent of his injuries, his sprint was more of an uncoordinated jog, with him constantly stumbling every few steps.
"You son of a [censored]..." Lae grumbled under his breath, already knowing that the fight was over.

[Quantum Rain]

Lara had already sliced through the demons, but found herself unable to break through the invisible barrier Araman had conjured. She was pounding on the transparent walls, yelling at Lae as he charged at the demon again. Sadly, though, her voice was not heard by those inside, and she was too far away for Lae to notice.

--

Araman looked up at Lae, an odd look of grim and eyes of sorrow. He held his freehand out in front of him, the armblade entirely missing now. "Goodbye... Daniel." He said softly, snapping his fingers. What happened would occur in a near-instant. Large spikes of ice shot up all around the frozen terrain, impaling Lae high into the sky. The spikes then shattered explosively, illuminating the entire area with a bright blue light. As the ice and frost faded, alongside the invisible barrier, all that would be seen would be sand. And on that sand stood one demon, and a battered up and sliced apart Lae, who had a large gap in his torso.

Araman slowly walked up to Lae, whom was just barely conscious. "To think he placed all of his faith on you... Such a loving father you don't even know... And you probably never will now." He said calmly, without a scratch or bruise to show for the short battle the two just had. "Here I stand, unharmed... and there you lie, dieing. Curse me with your final breath if you wish. They all do... but know that it was you that not only failed us, but yourself in the end. I feel sorry for you, old friend. Sorry... and disappointed."

Araman looked at Lae one last time before turning around and casually walking away, sword still in hand. Lara sprinted to Lae, but was still a distance away, yelling at the top of her lungs, obviously concerned... but to Lae, he couldn't hear anything after Araman's speech. And his sight would be dimming.

[Wynn]

Lae's vision and hearing was entirely gone at this point. However, some of Araman's words began to sink in. "Daniel..." He strained, knowing that Lara was near him. "My name... is Daniel..." After those final words, he slipped into the abyss.

[Quantum Rain]

Araman kept walking, thinking to himself. I wonder how he'll take it... learning that his kid failed... but that's how it works, I guess.

Lara could hardly speak, confused at Lae's last words and terrified at something else. She desperately tried to keep him alive, going as far as to attempt to delve into his mind and force such into a reality... however, she found herself unable to form that connection, unable to hear Lae's thoughts as he lay there, dead.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Altakiril--

*The flyers touch down at the landing pad, folding their suits' wings and looking around curiously from inside their armor. The plates surrounding Ackbar's head fold back to reveal his face, and he scans the surrounding area, squinting against the blizzard.* Ackbar: I hate snow.

[Quantum Rain]

--Altakiril--

A trio of class four infantry ran up to the newcomers, harried by the distant battles and the urgency of getting properly set-up. "Admiral Ackbar? Please come with us, sir. We need that landing pad for landing supplies and soldiers." The lead soldier said, and at that moment a heavy transport carrying four inactive tanks, and being escorted by two transport gunships, was rapidly approaching the landing zone with the intent to land and drop their payload.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Altakiril--

*Ackbar nods quickly.* Ackbar (to his troops): You heard them, lazywings! Move your tailfeathers, STAT! *They quickly follow the soldiers on foot.* Ackbar (to the lead man): What's the situation here, soldier?

[Quantum Rain]

"Rushed, sir, as the Imperium had a head-start in this system. By the time we arrived, they were already engaged in ground operations... when we finally pushed their fleet to a standstill it became a strict ground operation with us at a disadvantage." The soldier replied with a general briefing of the situation. "As far as we are aware, the AI is constructing something behind their well-defended firebases. The general doesn't want to wait around to see what they're building, however. I believe that's why you're here, sir."

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar: Yes, General Cross, was it? Which one? I know a few of them. *He chuckles ruefully.*

[Quantum Rain]

"High Sovereign Marion Cross and General Nikolas Cross. One leads our nation, the other leads our soldiers, sir. There's quite a difference." The soldier said, not really taking into consideration that Ackbar may not know the true differences.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Ackbar: You humans look all the same to me anyway. No offense. Anyway, time is of the essence--take me to him and let's see how we can help. *The mixed group of avians and humans eventually arrive in the IS's central command chamber and are brought before General Cross. The hawk steps forward, extending a foot armored in gleaming metal in a handshake gesture.* Ackbar: General Cross? Admiral Ackbar, from the Galactic Avian Union. We're here to help. What's the situation? Your man gave me a basic briefing, but he was short on time and details.

[Wynn]

Unknown World

Daniel suddenly became aware of his surroundings. He was on a dirt path in a dim forest. A mist was floating through the air, obscuring his ability to see long distances. However, the forest did not feel oppressive. Where in most cases this setting would make someone extremely uncomfortable, this somehow felt welcoming.
He strode through the forest and began to think more clearly. "How did I get here?" Daniel muttered. "Where IS here?"
He began to try and recall the most recent events, but they weren't clear. All he remembered was a cold darkness... an unnatural cold. Other than that, nothing would come to him. Before he could think on it any more, he felt his foot land irregularly. He looked down and saw a black armored gauntlet. It was layred with many sheets of thin black metal. However with all the layers composited together, it was thick even by medival standards.
Daniel knelt down and grabbed the gauntlet. It was extremely cold. Much colder than the environment around him. However, he managed to set the cold aside and picked it up. It was heavy. Not to an inhuman extent, but it couldn't be comfortable to wear a whole suit of armor like this.
"Death is an absolute, but not a finality..." A voice whispered. It sounded as if it came from just over Daniel's shoulder. He stood up quickly, still holding the black gauntlet in his left hand. "Death is merely the end of one road and the beginning of another... stand up and walk..."
The whisper didn't have a defined voice. There was nothing to recognize. It was almost as if they were thoughts of an unseen entity entering his mind.
"Who are you?" Daniel demanded to this unseen entity. He slowly turned around, watching the fog to try and sight the being who was speaking to him.
"You must get up and walk. Your fate does not lie in this world, you must stand up and prepare yourself for the journey ahead."
"WHO ARE YOU!?" Daniel shouted, becoming infuriated by the vagueness of the words. "STOP SPEAKING IN RIDDLES!" He began walking forward down the path slowly, but he continuously turned in a circle to make sure no one would catch him by surprise.
"Your enemy is strong... but you must overcome. Show no mercy, for your enemy has none to give. No matter how much it hurts, you must keep walking.... you must not stay your hand for any reason. Crush them with an iron fist." The voice was at a peak of strength now. It echoed in Daniel's mind with each word.
Daniel looked down at the gauntlet. The message was vague, but he thought he was beginning to understand it. However, he quickly looked up and shouted. "SHOW YOURSELF!"
"Your enemy is strong, but you must overcome. Stand up and begin the journey." The voice had started to fade now.
Daniel shook his head. Nothing made sense as it was, and now this voice had only raised further questions. He didn't remember how he had gotten here and now he had questions as to why he was there. This confusion only frustrated him.
"Damn it, tell me who you are! What is this place? Why am I here?" Daniel demanded. However, his questions went unanswerd. The voice spoke once more, but it was apparent that whatever it was either ignored him or could not hear him.
"Your enemy is strong but you must overcome. Stand up and begin the journey." The voice repeated. It was now becoming distant once more. Daniel sat down, thouroughly irritated at the situation. He cradled his face with one hand and sighed. Even the simplest things weren't making sense.
Why am I here? Daniel pondered. He took a deep breath then lied down on his back. "Just remember the basics then we'll go from there." He muttered. "My name is Lae, and..." He stopped. That wasn't right, even saying it made him feel strange. "No... my name is Daniel." He sat up as he slowly began to make progress. "I am an Infiltrator. I work for the Imperial Sovereignty, and I was..." He stopped, trying to recall what his job was. Then he realized he didn't have one. "I was on leave, and I was with... Lara Endol... at the beach."
He continued to ponder it a moment more, then shot to his feet. "Then HE showed up..." He looked at his own hand.
"AM I DEAD!?" He exclaimed. Suddenly, some of what the voice had said earlier made more sense. He was dead, and yet it didn't seem like it was over. "...I cant be dead yet... not yet." Daniel took the gauntlet in his left hand, then slipped it on over his right hand. The cold metal felt like it was freezing his arm to the bone, but something about it felt empowering. Something surged through his body, making him feel invincible. He clenched his gauntleted hand and the power surfaced, sending a dark aura across his body.
The darkness began to engulf him, and the world went black. Everything faded, but his thoughts remained clear.
"I'm not done yet..."


-------------------------------------------------
Ultra Vires

As Lara was about to give up on Daniel, thoughts began to resurface in his mind. His body remained dead, but there was no mistaking what she sensed. His thoughts seethed with anger and hostility, it was all-too similar to the being that had lived in his mind before, but these thoughts were his own.

[Quantum Rain]

--Ultra Vires--

Araman stopped dead in his tracks, his thoughts running silent as a new presence emerged. A familiar, but new one all the same. "... That's not right..." He said aloud as he turned around to see Daniel's dead corpse in Lara's hands. The same Lara who sat there, stunned by the same thing that surprised Araman. I was told that he was removed... and I killed the kid...

[Wynn]

Daniel remained still. However, his thoughts were racing quicker and quicker, becoming a chaotic storm that was impossible to make any sense of. Then the thoughts suddenly quieted down to a whisper and were relatively normal. Daniel's eyes shot open, and his body convulsed suddenly as he took a gasp of air.

[Jediluigi]

=Ruhen=

Sergeant Munzel looked to his team members, worried. "Right... And the catch to this all powerful object is...?" If there was one thing the Sergeant had learned in life, it was that if something sounded too good to be to true, then it sure as hell was. He didn't like this city from the start, and all this insanity simply made him want to leave as quickly as possible. "And while we're at it, we have to pass this trial, don't we? If we want to get this... Rune and leave, right?"

=Recopi=

The Imperial defenders were clearly out-gunned and possibly out manned, but they would hold their lines to end. They moved to surround the now trapped enemy ships and lock on with ion cannons and anti-munitions weaponry, to mitigate their firepower. The missiles aimed for the surface would have limited success against the planets defensive systems, but some missiles would land in the capitol of the planet.

As the situation began to deteriorate, the Imperial ships began to falter. They couldn't hope to keep the Directorate out forever, and it would appear as if they would have to give in to the demands of the aggressors. At least, it appeared that way until a new energy signature appeared on their sensors. A massive anomaly on the southern edge of the system, it was continuing to grow in size and power. Several of the high ups feared the worst, the Directorate were going to destroy them.

Then, without notice, the anomaly manifested, a massive hole in the fabric of space, a shimmering wormhole of pulsing gold and silver, energy crackling from the center outward in a dazzling display. The vortex intensifies, an object taking shape as it emerges, lightning clashing against its shield violently. The ship itself, once it is free of the wormhole, can be seen in all its glory. Nearly twenty-five kilometers long, the ship was decked in red and black armor plating, with an added golden gild on the edges of the ships frame, obviously only intended to showcase the wealth of the Empire.

It wasn't alone, of course. As it exited the wormhole, soon more ships followed. Most were the familiar vessels of the Imperial Navy, but there were other, stranger ships, nearly fifty that were not standard. These ships sported the same red and black plating as the larger ship, and each had a bronze gild that was slightly more functional than the lead ship. They were ten kilometers long and decked with large, powerful deck guns and clearly meant to obliterate anything they came across. The ships slowed, coming to a stop as the vortex collapsed.

Once the wormhole had collapsed, the large ships sent out a system-wide broadcast to the Directorate forces, short, and to the point.

//Message Begin...

=< "And behold, the Kaiser does come. By Decree of His Majesty, Lord of the Imperial Domain, the Kaiser does decree that the Moffs of the former United Colonies, are hereby granted asylum and citizenship, now and forever, until they relinquish it. Furthermore, the Directorate forces will have 30 minutes to begin leaving, or the Kaiser shall smite your fleet. So it is spoken." >=

//Message End...

(Editing in replies now. Don't get excited.)

[Quantum Rain]

~Marenta Prime~
The sniper saw smoke rolling in from the stairwell's doorway, and decided to make a blind charge through it, hoping that whoever had released the smoke wouldn't see him.

~Marenta Prime~

The sniper would run straight into Jaxe's scythe, as it came slicing through the smoke towards the fleeing sniper.

~Ruhen~

The guide hesitated in his answer at first. "... You are correct. Death comes through cowardice and failure. My... creators did not want these secrets to leave with those whom are unworthy."

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