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]

/Survey 72 Fence-class Light Frigate|E7-81 1IC|System E7-81|Sector E-7 Space\

The captain hurries to the ship's main communication room and hails the admiralty on Kolaris II


//Ship-to-Command\\
||Encryption-class: Alpha*||
o DES Survey 72
x Naval High Comand, Kolaris II
 
x This is Naval Command, what do you have to report?
o I have made contact with a rebel group of something called the True Sith Empire in the unknown regions. They seem to be somewhat partial to our ideals, I suggest we make further contact with them in the future. In the meantime, I have decided to help them to the extent that I can as their ship is heavily damaged. There doesn't seem to be any immediate danger, however, it would seem that the pirates out here are significantly more armed then we anticipated. If there are available resources I might suggest they be moved out here, before we are caught off guard.
x Unfortunately, due to recent developments in the core we may not be able to allocate additional military resources to ACE. However, Command approves of your current course of action and authorizes you to proceed, although we request that you remain in intermittent contact with Victoria.
o Understood, Survey 72 out.
//End\\

The crew begins readying the ship to carry the additional passengers and the generator.

/Crippled Red Faction Vessel|E7-81 1IC|System E7-81|Sector E-7 Space\

Survey 72's engineering squad arrives to assist with the removal of the generator

E7-81 system, Directorate space, Derelict Red Faction Venator II


The engineering squad was led to the Shield Generator and were directed to where to start.  With the extra personnel to help the process was much more quickly going, especially since the Red Faction members were easily able to adapt to the work ethic of the Directorate Engineers.  Within four hours the process was completed and they could begin unhooking the generator from its supports.  All the while, Omega and Valkyrie squads began disconnecting all electronic linkages delicately; the process would take about two hours to ensure no damage is done to the wiring.

All demolitions crews were also reporting all charges set up.  They then began making their way to the main cargo hangar with their equipment to be taken off ship, along with those tasked with Data center node and black box recovery.

Meanwhile after generator is freed fully...
E7-81 system, Directorate space, Derelict Red Faction Venator II, Bridge


Colonel Mantes was on the bridge, preparing the VI they had for their failsafe plan, as he began to hear an barely audible series of clicks.  He began to search for the source of the clicks, and after a few moments he found a small device with a faint red light being emitted hooked to the Navigation system under a series of maintenance panels.  He followed the wiring and noticed where they connected, he then knew it was a crude tracking device.

"General, we have a problem" he stated over the intercom system.

"What is it?' Alec asked, confused as to what could be wrong.

"We're being tracked.  Estimate of about 4 hours until we might have company." Mantes grimly responded

[Quantum Rain]

--One Year Ago, L-2 Region, Rebel Occupied World, Danigam--

A black-caped man with a blood-red lightsaber and whose eyes were blindfolded walked quickly across the grasslands, leaving a trail of choking dead rebels in his wake. Behind him, his apprentice, a woman with a staff-saber, one colored blue and another colored violet, and also wearing a black cape and clothing, was busy slicing apart other rebel militia. They swarmed the planet that was formerly controlled by Moff Krauss.

They were Sith, in the former employ of said moff. Now they were freelancers, and on their own. The moff had retreated to his fortress, which the rebels lay siege to, and he was prepared to retreat. The master was not amongst the passenger list, he was too far and too separated, and thus he had to fend for himself.

As the rebels fell one by one, the sith lord held the last remaining in the air. He pulled him in, and then spoke. "Where have you landed your shuttles?" He asked in a none-too-happy tone. His voice spoke of deep irritation and anger, as he held fire in his hands, ready to burn the man alive if he didn't answer.

[Sir Noret]

/Survey 72 Fence-class Light Frigate|E7-81 1IC|System E7-81|Sector E-7 Space\

//Quantum Entanglement transmition\\
||Encryption-class: Null||
o DES Survey 72
x Red-Faction Vessel

o This is the Survey 72, are you guys almost done over there? Because we're picking up an incoming fleet on our scanners.

//End\\

/Crippled Red Faction Vessel|E7-81 1IC|System E7-81|Sector E-7 Space\

The engineering squad finishes providing what assistance they can before preparing to return to their home ship.

---

One year prior
/Danigam Fortress|Danigam|Danigam System|Sector L-2|Imperial Holdouts\

The rebel, not exactly strong-willed, but confident he was about to die either way, gives a strangled answer, "We left our vehicles about... half a klick east... of the gates but they aren't space capable if you're looking for a way out."

[Quantum Rain]

One year prior
/Danigam Fortress|Danigam|Danigam System|Sector L-2|Imperial Holdouts\

The sith stared at the rebel longer, though he wouldn't be able to tell as he was wearing a blindfold around his eyes. The man studied the rebel's aura to ascertain if he was telling the truth or not. "What motivates me is of no concern to you." He says, throwing the man to the side onto the ground. He looked over his shoulder. "We move. Leave the rest, living or dying." He spoke, walking towards the direction he was given. The woman pulled her saber out of a deceased rebel and flourished it, staring at the few remaining survivors. She slowly walked backwards before following her master.

They continued for several minutes, before the apprentice finally spoke. "Why didn't we kill them off. They could warn them that we're coming." She spoke up, somewhat concerned about her master's decisions as of late. "It would make no difference regardless. Why take a life when it gives you nothing in doing so?" He replied wisely, continuing onward. "Your concern about me is touching, but distracting. Cast those thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand." He spoke again several moments later. He wasn't going to let her mind wander again in idle curiosity and damaging emotions.

It was another three before they saw their destination. A gathering of vehicles at a small, meager settlement. Likely full of rebels as it is civilians, but neither would bar their path. "We'll commandeer a speeder, and slice anything in our way." He spoke calmly, lightsaber in hand. "We should not linger on this world longer than we have to."

[Sir Noret]

/Danigam plains|Danigam|Danigam System|Sector L-2|Imperial Holdouts\

The group of rebels around the speeders spot the approaching Sith duo and then see the lightsabers.

"We're [censored] aren't we?" One rebel asks while bringing up her weapon.

"Yup, now open fire!"

The rebels open fire with a mixture of blasters and makeshift ranged weapons, mostly far off target.

[Quantum Rain]

The sith just deflected the blasters with his hand, not even bothering to activate his weapon, as his apprentice followed him. She didn't even have to bring her weapon to bear due to the horrid accuracy of her opponents, and following close behind her master.

As they approached, the sith merely threw the enemy's weapons from their hands, then held his open palm to the rebels, waiting to see what their reactions would be.

[Sir Noret]

/Danigam plains|Danigam|Danigam System|Sector L-2|Imperial Holdouts\

The rebels look at their dispatched weapons, then at the Sith, then at each other, "well... [censored]. Run before he uses the force to slaughter us all!" the rebels scamper toward a treeline about 50 meters away.

[Quantum Rain]

"More than that, I'd say demented would be more apt." He replied, as the elevator flew towards the city, with the castle peering ahead of them. "This place isn't as ruined as it is twisted. None of the damage you see is damage done by battle at all... and the ocean..." He continued, scrutinizing the situation around them. "It doesn't quite make sense, does it?"

Xyphus shrugged.  "I guess it's all irrelevant in retrospect."  He said blandly.  "This isn't an architectural inspection."  He would be tapping his foot, as if he were impatient to get off the elevator, but his expression remained completely devoid of feeling.

The elevator suddenly stopped at the halfway point, almost sending Xirce forward off the edge. He quickly regained his balance, and sighed. "I'm thinking I should wish it were." He commented, staring at the distance they had yet to go, and looking back to see that it would be equal distances to and fro, and thus, quite a feat to swim. "I don't think we can swim that distance..." He said, thinking. He conjured as large of a hardlight platform as he could, focusing as much as possible. He stepped onto it, closing his eyes as it flickered slightly due to his concentration faltering.

--For Dominion


--Altakiril--

The lieutenant thought for a moment. "They would have to be hacked individually, but I believe it would be possible. We should also use these walls and buildings as cover, lure the enemy inside and then ambush them. We could lay the mines along the entrance area and seal off all other entrances, funnel them into our line of fire." He spoke, as the IS soldiers set up around the towers, having already received their orders through a non-verbal means. They began hacking into the turrets as well as setting up sniping positions.

/Danigam plains|Danigam|Danigam System|Sector L-2|Imperial Holdouts\

The man scoffed at the rebels' cowardice. "True warriors fight to the end for their cause, you are unworthy of the honor that is to die for your freedom." He spoke as they ran, motioning the apprentice to drive the speeder. As it sped away from the settlement, it was headed in a direction near the moff's palace.

Within minutes they would arrive at a secure bunker, already being ransacked by rebel soldiers. "Hmph. Another colony of puny ants stands in our way." He spoke, the apprentice smiled. "Shall I take care of them?" She asked, but the man shook his head. "No, perhaps they can be persuaded to see reason." He walked out of the speeder, not bothering to grasp his lightsaber. The apprentice stayed beside the speeder, lightsaber in hand, but calm as ever as her master went on to deal with the rebel threat. The sith master walked passively towards the rebels, a stoic demeanor about him. "Good afternoon." He said cordially.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus--

*Duncan keeps his mouth firmly shut. Vonak twists his head around and head-butts the man, drawing tears of pain from his eyes, but the human remains defiant.* Duncan: Do what you want to me. I'll die before I betray the Imperium.

Vonak: That's what they all say until the pain becomes unbearable.

*The Imperium soldier chuckles ruefully.* Duncan: No, I will literally die. Even if you torture me until I give it up, I will automatically die. You'll never get that code, alien. May as well give up now.

*Vonak beckons Rygar away and lowers his voice.* Vonak: [censored]. He must have some kind of implant that will kill him if he gives up the code. How do we get him to tell us? I'm open to ideas here, Rygar.

[Roach]

Rygar: Minds are not impervious, the code is within his subconscious with the right amount of willpower and concentration a force user could retrieve it forcefully. 

*rygar taps the communicator on his left bicep.*

Rygar: Have general brusilov send in Knight Captain Bogun. 

A few minutes later the door slides open a human man in shining blue armor emblazoned with the silver tree of Gondor enters the room. He is a tall man with a full thick mustache and beard worn in a cossack style, around his belt hung a lightsaber and an ancient looking but well kept sabre, and from his neck hung a medallion made from fine gold and silver in the shape of a horse rearing up on its hind legs with brilliant sapphires for eyes. He sat at the table and removed his fur cap revealing snowy white hair to match his beard. he stared at Duncan but said nothing his eyes grey and cold as he looked deep into Duncan's eyes.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Duncan regards the other man impassively.* Duncan: What's this? An old man? If that's the best you aliens can do, then you need to update your techniques.

[Roach]

Light seem to flash in his eyes and Bogun's gaze intensified Duncan would feel his mind being probed as Bogun  ripped through his subconscious with no care or discretion. Bogun accosted his memories his feeling all that resided in his mind he searched and then tossed aside like a burglar seeking valuables.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

*Duncan recoils.* Duncan: [censored] YOU!! *He bangs his head on the table and Vonak restrains him.* Duncan: [censored] YOU!!! *However much he fights, it is a losing battle and his mouth slowly opens...*

*Suddenly, Vonak's omni-too lights up.* Vonak: Call it off!

[Roach]

The Fire in Bogun's Eyes subsides as he releases his hold. 

Bogan does not speak he simply continues to star at duncan Rygar stands in the corner smoking his pipe quietly observing.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Vonak: We have the code. One of his men gave it up, and now he's dead. Something fried his brain into jelly--I guess that's what would have happened if he had cracked. (to Duncan) Yes, we were forcing your men to watch this. Looks like that strategy paid off.

*Duncan glowers at him.* Duncan: Go to hell.

Vonak: Guards, take him away. We got what we need. *He forwards the code to Brusilov while the base guards return Duncan to his cell.*

[Roach]

*Bogun stands up and places his hat back on his head.*

Bogun: He resisted well general Brusilov's plan to broadcast that to his men worked well. I hope to soon be able to provide more assistance my regiment is ready Freind Rygar and remember you still owe me a favor from Rutewae VI. 

Rygar: I'm surprised you still remember that Ataman, but i will return the favor perhaps in battle on this world, my ship is going to be grounded for a while.

MEanwhile brusilov lays out the plans for the federations attacks he targets all the sites the imperium would see as strategically important and amasses the brunt of his forces there while placing smaller forces for the "diversion" to accomplish their goal brusilov readies the Pelargir marines his small contingent of swan knights and the mandalorian commandos along with several units of the Nod Elite Cadre. 
Brusilov Gathers his command staff and begins a briefing. 


Brusilov: We will launch our Diversion attacks all at once the enemy will see these as our main strategic goals while they will be our diversionary attacks. Our special forces along with the Turian resistance fighters will focus on taking the missile sites. Once we have the sites taken Admiral Eriksons fleet will begin its attack drawing the brunt of the power of the Imperiums compound sheil spaceward if the imps begin to suspect our plan then we will food their comm network with our little surprise. Any questions men?

[Sir Noret]

/Danigam Fortress|Danigam|Danigam System|Sector L-2|Imperial Holdouts\

The rebels look up from what they were doing, most look unimpressed - though it is hard to say whether they were more unimpressed by the Sith or the month old rations they've just acquired as loot. A man, who seems to be the closest thing this band of rebels has to a leader approaches the Sith master and returns the greeting, "Good Afternoon, what business do you have with us?"

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

Vonak: A team will have to infiltrate the city of Denalium, where the Imps have placed the planetary shield generator that is protecting their fleet's back and neutralize it. They have to do it quickly and quietly so the Imps don't suspect anything, and deactivate it at just the right time so the missiles will have maximum effect. I volunteer to lead the team; I'm no infil expert, but I know Denalium like the back of my hand. Also, General, has there been any word about my sister Callurnia? I know she was embedded with your forces to help further Fed-Hierarchy cooperation, but that's all I've heard.

[Roach]

Rygar: I will go with you my friend my ship will take a while to repair and there is no need for me to sit around and mindlessly bark orders at the crew thats what my First officer is for. Besides a 9 foot tall lizard tends to come in handy when you need some heavy lifting done. 

Brusilov: As to your sister she is in orbit right now on the Rotarran, serving as Turian liaison to general Martok.

[Jediluigi]

--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.

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

The squad moved forward, one at a time, with Munzel leading the way. His weapon was not raised but he ready, the being did mention a fight after all. And if he wanted to get his soldiers out of this fun house of a planet, well, he'll have to play along... For now. The others were less sure of their current state, but followed their leader through the field, after some misgivings from several squad-mates. Trooper 7 piped up, rather sarcastically. "An empty room? Not much a fight, really..."

[Wynn]

Xyphus, not having been standing in a very stable stance, was sent forward over the edge of the elevator.  However, he reacted quickly and grabbed the edge of the platform before he fell too far.  He looked down as if he were a bit spooked by the idea of falling, but looked back up with a blank expression and pulled himself up.
"What do you propose we do, then?"  Replying to Xirce as if nothing happened.

[Quantum Rain]

--Ruhen--

As the soldiers walked forward, their shadows moved in defiance of what they were supposed to. They flowed past their owners and then formed into beings of their own. Before the soldiers stood exact replicas of themselves, carrying the same weapons they were. The only difference was the fact that they were silhouettes. 

Their guide stood at the side of the battleground they found themselves in. "The lord over sovereignty must be the lord over themselves." He said as stone slabs jutted upwards, providing cover. The chamber shifted and molded, creating a labyrinth of chest high or ceiling hall walls. "They must master the battlefield and conquer themselves, or risk losing everything they are."

--Hollow Bastion--

Xirce was hard pressed to keep the platform's shape, but managed to speak without breaking his fragile concentration. "We hope that I can keep this... platform... up." He answered, waiting for Xyphus to step onto the hardlight platform.

[Jediluigi]

/Bridge of the DNS Rule of Law|Recopi|Recopi System|M-11|Mazeronian Core Worlds\

//Command-to-Ship\\
||Encryption-class: Alpha*||
o Naval High Command, Kolaris II
x DNS Rule of Law

o This is Grand Admiral Yrks, the council has decided that the Moffs and their supporters are not worth a full scale war at this time. You are ordered to pull back to Iri and prepare defense throughout our core holdings as a precaution.
x Understood.
//End\\

//Ship-to-Fleet\\
||Encryption-class: Null||
o DNS Rule of Law
x Directorate V-VII Fleets

o Admiral Renas to fleet, the council has decreed that we pull back to Iri. Move to the edge of the system and prepare to jump.
//End\\

Recopia, Recopi system, Core Worlds, Alpha Galaxy:

For a brief moment, in the pause between the salvos and the ultimatums, the massive star dreadnaught Martyr of Marzeron, had begun charging its power systems to battle capacity. The ornate and gilded weapons slowly spun to life, a blue glow slowing growing in the barrels of the weapons. The dreadnoughts main cannon, a massively large spinal-mounted beam cannon, was at half charge. The rest of its escorts and additional warships were already armed and powered, and the thirty minute was about to occur when the Directorate fleets disengaged.

For some of the ship captains, this came as a unexpected reprise from war and battle, and there was much rejoicing as the Directorate forces slowly filtered out of the system. The Kaiser's fleet waited them out, until the last of their ships had left. Satisfied, the behemoth slowly turned around and left back to the Imperial Core Worlds, the former Moffs welcomed aboard the great ship as guests.

Once the system and damaged was assessed, the Sector fleet was more or less re-deployed to various areas of their patrol routes, with additional support slated to arrive in the coming weeks. The 'Battle' of Recopia and its aftermath would not be soon forgotten, not by the Empire and most certainly not the Directorate...

--Ruhen--

As the soldiers walked forward, their shadows moved in defiance of what they were supposed to. They flowed past their owners and then formed into beings of their own. Before the soldiers stood exact replicas of themselves, carrying the same weapons they were. The only difference was the fact that they were silhouettes.

Their guide stood at the side of the battleground they found themselves in. "The lord over sovereignty must be the lord over themselves." He said as stone slabs jutted upwards, providing cover. The chamber shifted and molded, creating a labyrinth of chest high or ceiling hall walls. "They must master the battlefield and conquer themselves, or risk losing everything they are."

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

The first words from the squads mouths weren't orders or anything of the sort; rather, it was a surprised statement... "Oh for [censored] sake, get to cover!" Sophus shouted, ducking and pulling his commanding officer down behind a slab with him. Rupert took to cover near the corner, his rifle replaced with an automatic energy pistol. Winfried took the other corner slab, firing several energy shots as he readied a grenade. Hajo and Suse took the cover next to Munzel, providing cover fire while Amalie and Verena began firing their energy guns over the top, trying to suppress the 'enemy'. "Last time I listen to you, damned guide!" Verena managed to shout over the gunfire.

[Quantum Rain]

--Danigam--

(One would think they'd be able to tell a sith apart, especially if he's well-known enough as the Moff's personal agent.)

--Ruhen--

Their duplicates followed the same pattern of tactics, returning fire with the same weapons, and speaking the same orders, just slightly out of sync. The guide stood at the side of the fight, atop one of the half-walls and watched the fight erupt below him, calm as ever.

[Fore Admiral Disayle]

--Invictus--

*Vonak shakes his head with a sigh.* Vonak: You should have said that she's somewhere safe. Now I'm going to be distracted worrying about her. Oh well, I guess it can't be helped. Let's get this operation started. Captain Rygar, I'm honored to accept your help. *He points to several of the turians present.* You, you, you, and you, with me. (to Brusilov) General, can you lend us one of your cloaker ships to get us into Denalium?

--Altakiril--

*Bularr nods and squawks out several orders to Talon Squad, who immediately start carrying them out. The runners scurry to unconventional sniper positions, such as on the side of a building or dangling upside-down from an overhanging roof. Meanwhile, the flyers zip around, recover the charges from their myriad locations, and then bury them beneath the snow in the incoming Imperium forces' path. With that done, the flyers cloak and Bularr joins them in providing aerial recon of the approaching enemies to the rest of their allies. The Imperium convoy passes over the first charge, then the second, then the third...the minutes drag on until the enemy force is within the blast radius of all the avians' charges.* Bularr: Wait...wait...now.

*The snow beneath the Imperium force suddenly erupts into massive explosions, taking them completely by surprise and throwing great white plumes into the air. Before the powder clouds even begin to clear, the would-be attackers come under heavy sniper fire from the runners as the flyers zip through the enemy ranks with their energy blades extended to deal heavy damage.*

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