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.)

[Wynn]

Xyphus thought for a moment. It occurred to him that he may want to press the subject just a little more to try and figure out what they'll be facing, since last time it was rather overwhelming as far as what greeted them. However, he pushed the thought out of his mind. Vexen said that he would tell them, right?

[Quantum Rain]

Xirce looked over at Xyphus, and as if thinking similar thoughts, shrugged. He walked over to where Vexen was and the latter nodded to Saix, calling a Dark Portal into existence. He, and the others, traversed through the portal and entered an entirely different, and fragmented, world. "... I've never seen this place before." Xirce commented, looking out to a ruined castle overhead of what seemed to be waterfalls that flowed up, and floating platforms that lead to above the water chasm.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*The darter nods.* Darter: Of course, General Cross.

*None of the other avians have any questions. They begin grimly preparing for the mission ahead.* Bularr: Spirit of Aves, please be with us on this mission, even though we are so far away from you.

[Wynn]

Xyphus looked up at the castle and the waterfalls that flowed upward. He raised an eyebrow.
"So... anything I should know, aside from the odd violation of the laws of physics?" Xyphus inquired.

[Quantum Rain]

Vexen raised an eyebrow at Xyphus's mention of the waterfall. "This world is more likely than not infested with the same creatures you fought on your previous assignment. I do hope you haven't forgotten how to combat them out of ignorance?" Vexen inquired, drawing Xirce's attention. Xirce, while having no reaction to those words, remembered that such usually was insulting. "We remember clearly, sir."

"Ah good. Your task is to located and examine the inactive reactor in the city ruins. Try not to pass over it. The rest of us will continue onto the castle. Once you have examined the ruined reactor, do feel free to join us." Vexen briefed the four secondary members, walking steadily forward. "Also, eliminate only the enemies in your path. Don't be so blood-thirsty as to waste your, and therefore my time annihilating these creatures."

[Wynn]

Xyphus stared blankly at Vexen. Once again, there was a sense of something being off about the situation as a whole. However, he shook it off and nodded in response to what Vexen said.
He would begin walking forward, but Xirce would notice that Xyphus was gripping his scimitar in a way that was synonymous with nervousness, despite the fact that he showed none in any other form.

[Quantum Rain]

*The darter nods.* Darter: Of course, General Cross.

*None of the other avians have any questions. They begin grimly preparing for the mission ahead.* Bularr: Spirit of Aves, please be with us on this mission, even though we are so far away from you.

The gunships continued forth, at first, unabated. And then, the flak fire proceeded to hail from below, attempting to tear past the frost-filled air and light energetic shields that surrounded them. It did not succeed, but it made visibility even more poor as the crafts shook, absorbing the damage in stride.

Cross spoke up again, "On the ground, give the enemy no quarter, no mercy. They may be our brothers in one sense, but they have come to conquer and destroy us. We must show them our resolve to withstand them and their Emperor's will. We will not bow to tyranny." He said, as red lights flashed on, signaling that the landing coordinates were near. "Vires be with us on this day, and give us glory and grace as he had always done." He continued in a prayer that the other Virisians mimicked in whispers or in thoughts.

-Hollow Bastion-

Xirce noted Xyphus's mimickry of anxiety, but said nothing. "Let's go then, I suppose." He said, looking up at the floating platforms of rock and rubble. "... I don't suppose you brought a climbing hook of some sort, did you?" He asked in sincerity.

--Marenta Prime--
Jaxe came down with the scythe on the man as he tried his luck again, aiming to impale him.

Seeing as you didn't look well enough Darthme, that post was for you. It was posted shortly after you replied. We need to get along with things here, I may be posting slow, but some kind of progress other than a snail's pace, needs to be made...

--Ruhen--
"As I guaranteed before, I will provide guidance." The man said, as a door at the far end of the apartment opened up to allow them passage. Without a word, the man walked ahead of them through the door into a stone passage. Unlike before, where the stone was lightly weathered and clean, this stone was very degraded, with vines and other weeds sprouting amongst the misplaced tiles and bricks. "This was the home of the lord over all, but master over none. Time answered to him much as he answered to time." The man spoke in a riddle.

For JL if he wants to continue. I believe this was the last post of that sl.

[Wynn]

Xyphus looked up at the platforms and drew his swords without a word. He strode over to one of the tallest, sturdiest rock formation he could find and jumped. Mid-air, he stabbed his blades into the rock face and began using his weapons to climb. He did so almost mechanically, as if he were just a machine.

[Quantum Rain]

"Or you could do that." Xirce admitted, as he held out his hand and conjured two small platforms of light underneath his feet. He began walking upwards to the floating platform, as if he were walking on an invisible flight of stairs. "I hope you can do that several more times without falling or this may be a long day of work." He said walking past Xyphus towards the highest platform. "I'll scout ahead."

[Wynn]

Xyphus ignored the remark and continued climbing. He made it to the top of the rock column and then observed the floating platforms for a moment. He picked one, then took a long jump and caught the platform with his blades. As inefficient as his method of travel was, he was making progress.
He made it across multiple platforms and stopped to rest a few moments.

[Jediluigi]

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

The squad fell into battle lines, with Sergeant Munzel taking point, followed by his troops in numerical order. The squad took notice of the slowly crumbling ruins as they ventured forth, with some of them looking towards the ceiling, curious as to the stability of the building. "Oh by the-Riddles? I've never been good at those." One of the soldiers said, though the guardian probably couldn't tell which one. They continued to advance, carefully.

[Quantum Rain]

--Ruhen--

"That is up to you to decide of yourself." He replied to the soldier's comment. "One of the virtues of our past was self-determination... ironic then that our people did not end the same..." The doors ahead opened up of their own accord as the group had traversed half of the hallway. "Your first test is that of skill... How well can you fight without that which is most vital to your abilities?" He spoke rhetorically. The doorway seemed to be filled with a translucent liquid, to which the guide merely walked through unabated. It seemed to act as energy, more than a liquid, but felt cold and icily. What was beyond the barrier was an empty antechamber, much like the one they were in before, without any furnishings or decoration. Merely windows and stone floors, but all in perfect condition.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Altakiril--

*The moment the doors of their gunship open, the runners pour out and begin heading in the direction of their first target, making the optimal use out of every piece of cover they can find in the icy landscape and making their steps as light as possible. The darters, meanwhile, prove true to their name--darting this way and that, flying low and fast so a casual observer could easily mistake them for flitting shadows in the blizzard. In this manner, the avians advance to their assigned position near the first Imperium firebase. Bularr then contacts Cross.* Bularr: General Cross, we're in position and ready to start the attack. We'll begin on your signal. Bularr out.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

(Taking over from JL.)

--Invictus--

*The Federation pilots' remarkable skill allows them to down many drones, but the massive number of the automatons results in a roughly even match--for now. However, it's obvious that sooner or later the Federation's flying aces will be overwhelmed by the ceaseless horde of automatons.*

*The situation proves different for the capital ship battle. The Klingons' hit and run tactics, combined with the staggering amount of firepower being exchanged, slowly begin to turn the situation in the Federation's favor, but then the Imperium armada suddenly joins their remaining shield strength together to form an enormous compound shield. Any Klingon vessels unfortunate enough to hit it suffer massive damage and are instantly destroyed, forcing the others to break off. The shield proves impenetrable to the Federation's barrage, allowing the Imperium armada to attack with impunity.*

--Planetside--

*Soon after the Federation forces land, they come under attack from Imperium aerial units strafing them with plasma bolts. Several are shot of the sky from by unknown AA fire, and the Feds are sent a radio transmission.* "Unidentified forces, I don't know who the hell you guys are, but if the Imps don't like you, that's good enough for me. I'm Lieutenant Vonak Tacitus of the Hierarchy's 4th Legion. Please respond."

[Roach]

Invictus--

THe federation fleet forms up surrounding the imperium armada and bombarding it from all sides with impunity. Phasers, Masers, Mega masers, Turbolasers, disruptors, thanix cannons torpedoes and hosts of other weapons cascade across the shield from every angle. The federation ships also begin dumping massive ion pulse bombs against the shield further weakening its strength.


The imperium forces would find that the landing craft they thought they had shot down were decoy vessels the federation troops had clandestinely beamed down, and set up a large forward command post protected by a set of powerful shield generators federation tank divisions began assaulting Imperium strong points while mech lances provided cover fire while a large part of the klingon fighters and several birds of prey entered orbit to provide ground support.

--Invictus planetside, Federation forward operating base--

Men scuttled around the prefabricated base that had been deployed by an MCV that had been beamed from orbit. Several shield generators provided a powerful defensive screen over the base and several squads of large mechs patrolled the perimeter. in the center of the base stood a large squat duracrete structure surrounded by comm antennas and sensor arrays this was the operating base of General Brusilov.


A voice arose above the quiet of the command center.

Comm officer: General we are receiving a transmission from the local resistance shall I patch it through?

General Vasili brusilov turned to face the younger man, a stern look on his face he cocked a bushy white eyebrow. Brusilov was a average height man slightly heavy set with white hair and green eyes covered by a pair of dark sunglasses, a cigar hanging in his mouth.

Brusilov: Patch it through son.

Transmission: "Unidentified forces, I don't know who the hell you guys are, but if the Imps don't like you, that's good enough for me. I'm Lieutenant Vonak Tacitus of the Hierarchy's 4th Legion. Please respond."

Brusilov: Open a channel

The comm officer pressed a series of buttons on his console.

Brusilov: This is General Vasili Brusilov of the Free Peoples federation 1st army we are here to provide assistance to local forces and drive the imps back to wherever the hell they came from. *Brusilov took a long puff from his cigar exhaling a ring of smoke.*

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus, Orbit--

*The Imperium fleet repositions itself over a continent under Atrum control and puts its back to a shield projecting from the landmass, preventing it from being surrounded or flanked. This allows it to strengthen its own compound shield, while hitting back against the Federation's attacks with equal ferocity.*

--Planetside--

Vonak (surprised): Feds? I wasn't expecting you. Oh well, I'm not complaining. Especially given my situation. *He goes quiet as an explosion in the background generates some static, and then resumes a few heartbeats later. Gunfire and smaller explosions are still audible as he speaks.* Suppressive fire! Bring down those damn aircraft NOW! Uh, General--Brusilov, yes? Would you mind sending us some assistance? My platoon has come under heavy attack. Sending you my location now. *The Feds receive a set of coordinates not far from their location.*

[Roach]

--Invictus orbit--

The federation fleet pulls back and being firing barrages of transphasic torpedoes that manage to bypass the compound shield and begin pounding the Imperium fleet.

--Invictus Ground--

Brusilov: I'm sending a commando team now hold out for as long as you can.

Travis Farr and his platoon of Mandalorian commandos move into position near the pinned turian platoon. They move quickly and use the mobility provided by their jetpacks to surround the imperium forces. Then a sniper shot drops an imperium trooper the Mandalorians drop in from above using their jet packs opening fire as the descend from all directions. One of the Mandalorian stands out his armor is painted in a bright silver and he wore a black shoulder cape. He draws a pair of blaster pistols from his belt and opens fire on a nearby imperium soldier riddling him with plaster shots from behind while advancing forward the imperium troopers personal shield fails just as the Mandalorian closes to within a few meters. Then in a movement almost too fast to mark the Mandalorian holsters on of his pistols raises his arm and sends a stream of fire from his wrist mounted flamethrower at the helpless man. THe imperium soldier screams in agony as he is set ablaze the Mandalorian then jetpack jumps out of the was as imperium troops attempt to provide cover for their helpless ally.

Other Mandalorians drop into the Turian position and begin providing suppressing fire with miniguns and phaser assault rifles. pinned between a hammer and an anvil the Imperium troops are forced into a difficult position.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus, Orbit--

*The torpedoes blast through, surprising the Imperium fleet and destroying a few ships, but after the first several volleys they adapt their shield to resist the transphase effects and their point-defenses shoot down any other torpedoes get through.*

--Planetside--

*The Mandalorians arrive in a timely manner, as the turians' position is about to be overrun. Some of the turians aim their weapons at the new arrivals, fearing the other humans are hostile, but Vonak stops them.* Vonak: Stand down--they're friendly! Keep firing at the ones who are actually shooting back at us, for the spirits' sake!

*The Imperium troops bunker down and dig into what cover they can find, while their aircraft and armored vehicles continue to pound the allied position. A few portable AA guns are nearby, but currently under Imperium control. * Vonak: Those aircraft are tearing us a new one! We need to take back the guns and blow them out of the sky! Feds, you go for the guns--we'll give you cover fire!

*He and his men reload, then begin steady suppressive fire on the Imps. It doesn't stop the armored vehicles from firing on their position, but it does draw the enemy's attention and will make the Mandalorians' lives easier.*

[Roach]

--Invictus orbit--

The Federation fleet resumes its bombardment from max range settling into a siege position.


A volley of mini rockets from the Mandalorians wrist launchers impact with an imperium armored vehicle disabling it the Mandalorians advance toward the AA guns. The Mandalorians bully their way to one of the anti air guns finding some stiff resistance.

Travis: Sarah take your lot around their left we will provide cover.

*four of the Mandalorians blast off to a new position as the others fire a volley of smoke rockets providing a cover screen they further add to the confusion they created with a volley of thermal detonators.*

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*A squad of Hierarchy soldiers lead by Vonak follows through the swath cut by the Mandalorians, widening it and linking up with the Federation commandos. Vonak himself hops on one of the guns while his soldiers bring it back online, and the moment the emplacement is active, he begins targeting the Imperium aircraft. The turians reactivate the other guns as well, but one is left empty due to their low numbers.*

*Meanwhile, the AI fleet continues exchanging fire with the Federation armada, their compound shield straining but holding against the massive bombardment. The Imperium seems quite content to sit and grind down the opposing battlegroup.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Hollow Bastion--

Xirce journeyed ahead, staring across the expanse of water at the city that was their destination. It seemed empty, quiet... uncomfortably so, were he capable of feeling such. It did however ring as odd at the very least. Odd enough to warrant caution. He waited for Xyphus to reunite with him before venturing onward.

[Roach]

--Invictus orbit--

THe federation fleet pull out of range and begins repairs.


--Invictus, Planetside--

*the mandalorians finish off the rest of the imperium infantry, Travis jet pack jumps onto the remaining anti aircraft gun and skillfully shoots down several Imperium aircraft.*

[Quantum Rain]

--Altakiril--

*The moment the doors of their gunship open, the runners pour out and begin heading in the direction of their first target, making the optimal use out of every piece of cover they can find in the icy landscape and making their steps as light as possible. The darters, meanwhile, prove true to their name--darting this way and that, flying low and fast so a casual observer could easily mistake them for flitting shadows in the blizzard. In this manner, the avians advance to their assigned position near the first Imperium firebase. Bularr then contacts Cross.* Bularr: General Cross, we're in position and ready to start the attack. We'll begin on your signal. Bularr out.

The firebase was as guarded as they said it was. With a shield dome surrounding it and several turrets alongside the cold metal walls. A distance away, now that they were close enough, the soldiers could hear the sound of plasmafire and artillery shells detonating in the wind. The sounds of a fierce battle fought quite a distance away. After a minute, Cross spoke over the comm, whispering, but speaking loud enough for Bularr to hear. "Wait for the next patrol to move... then go. Limit comm traffic from now on." He said, speaking as little as possible. It would be several dozen minutes before a patrol of three tanks and several Imperium Soldiers, lead by a towering Excalibur class soldier, marched through the blizzard in the direction of the far-off battle. The gate they emerged from was still open when they had all marched outward, but it wouldn't be so for long.

[Wynn]

It didn't take long for Xyphus to catch up, despite the fact he took the most difficult means to get there possible. He jumped from a floating platform and landed next to Xirce, but nearly lost his balance. His legs shook beneath his weight and his arms struggled to hold the weight of his weapons. He tried to hide it, but he was incredibly tired from his climb.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus--

*The Imperium aircraft are soon taken down by the barrage of AA fire, with one crashing into an Atrum tank. The resulting explosion kills a large group of the remaining enemy troops, but the rest do not surrender--forcing the turians and Feds to kill every last one of them. Vonak personally finishes off the last one by cutting his throat.* Vonak: That was for everyone you bastards have killed. *He stands, cleaning his knife, and turns to the Mandalorians.* We need to get out of here--more Imps will be here soon. Can you Feds give us a ride? All our wings and wheels are wrecked.

--Altakiril--

*The avians activate their cloaking systems and hurry inside the open gate just as it closes, with the runnners being careful to avoid leaving footprints in the snow. Once in the Imperium base, they immediately begin seeking out targets of opportunity, avoiding any soldiers on patrol or guard duty. They tag key targets with explosives--burying them in the snow to minimize chances of discovery--and also seize the chance to intimately observe their enemy.* Bularr: These humans are a strange bunch, that much is certain.

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