Fiction:New Dawn

"The era of the Confederation's dominance is over, the era of the Commonwealth shall begin."

- Uriel Ultanos

With the end of the in early 2788, the  immediately took charge of restoring the inner-rim. The Andromedan Light became the new authority in Andromeda's inner-rim but the defeat of the Grox was only the beginning for the fledgeling alliance.

With the Grox gone the Andromedan Light could begin new projects to solidify its position in ggalactic politics. There was still mystery and chaos beyond the inner disk and the entire commonwealth was eager to learn the ancient and untapped secrets in the galaxy it called home.

Members

 * Imperios - admin
 * Lucario of the Gods - admin
 * Monet47 - admin
 * R17RFUNNY
 * Monet47 - admin
 * R17RFUNNY
 * R17RFUNNY

=Year 1 - Dawn is Breaking=

From the Ashes
12th January, 2789 For over a decade, Argena V was of little notice. During the the Imperial Talon Navy had glassed the planet after an infsstation of undeath had overrun the planet. Warping otu in mid-orbit was the Kalmvadus, an 800m long civillian cruiser outfitted as a science vessel. It was esorted by a small wing of gloryhunter-class frigates which were half the length. Upon arriving several shuttles were launched from the Kalmvadus'shanger bay and descended to the planet's surface. One shuttle touched down in the crumbling ruins of a large city. The buildings surrounding the pad had been blown clean to reveal the ground beneath. The mildly coarse surface was indicative of a planet-glassing shockwave that had been obscured and eroded from a decade's worth of wind and dry ground. The dhuttle door opened and three figures resembling a, a Terratrix and a Draconis stepped out, their figures obscured by advanced hazardous environment suits that covered their bodies and sheated the wings of the latter two. Their heads were enveloped in helmets with large visors that stopped mid way aroudn their heads.

After emerging the group took out a medium-sized tripedal device with an emitter at the bottom of a cylindrical body. the Heeyorian and the Terratrix fixeda probe into the hard ground while the Draconis plodded around, he looked at the crumbling city in the distance. After fixing the probe, translucent energy fields extended form the legs to create a contained area while a scanning lazzer swept the ground. The results appeared on HUD systems projected onto the visors of each team memeber.

Terratrix - ''Residual ionising radiation at background levels. Atmospheric levels at 25% oxygen, 58% nitrogen, 15% neon and 2% other. High levels of gas-like hydrocarbons, particulates and carbon dioxide making up 1.6% of atmospheric levels. Air is mostly breatheable.'' Heeyorian - It sounds like a lot of dust was kicked up from the blasts, or these buildings have rotted for the best part of a decade. Terratrix - Surface scans show prokaryotic life traces. Heeyorian - Oh good, so we now know this atmopshere isn't completely inhospitable.

The Draconis had wandered away as the pair debated theri findings. After travelling a few metres away he kneeled down and scooped up a clump of soil, and rubbed it into his palm with his thumb. He seemed distant as the other two called over to him. After a few shouts he perked up.

Terrareix - Erunvos? Erunvos - ''Hm? Oh. What about areas that were not directly hit by planet-glassers.'' Terratrix - ''Reports from other teams are that debris particles have a reduced level. We estimate an average 13% difference in particulate Levels per kilometre from each glasser impact site. Heeyorian - We run these tests but orbital scans indicated the planet was habitable to an extent. Terratrix - It never hurts to be thourough.

The Heeyorian rolled his eyes inside hsi helmet. Erunvos kept rubbing the soil, scattering clumps until he disturbed what appeared to be a tiny seed pot, his eyes widened inside his helmet and he stood up quickly to pullo ut a smal lscanning device. Pressing a butto nat the top a line of blue light passed over the seed in his hand and he linked the findings to his HUD once it had finished. He was surprised to see that the scanner had detected evidence that the seed could still germinate.

Erunvos - Continue the operation and inform the captain we can go ahead with terraforming protocols. Terratrix - What changed your mind?

Erunvos pressed a few buttons on a console mounted onto his wrist and the data he had found in the seed was transferred to the other two

Erunvus - ''This kreeda bush seed is capable of germination, life can return to this planet without needing radical atmopsheric alteration. And like you said there is a thriving culture prokaryotic life in the soil.'' Terratrix - ''What about that 1.6% of material? And the particulates?'' Erunvus - Have a nanite cloud disperse in the atmosphere and inform the local university that the restoratino of the Argena system can continue as planned. Heeyorian - As you wish boss.

Erunvus looked at the ruined skyline in the distance .Once-shinging towers were covered in dust and ash and had been dulled to an erthy orange. His gaze honed in on one tower in the foermer inner-city and he could abrely make out the balcony juttingo tu fro mthe size, some of which had crumbled off. Behind him the pair conducted a few more readings before they packed the probe away and caaried it back into the shuttle. the Terratrix walked up to Erunvus and looked out to see waht he was looking at.

Terratrix - Former home? Erunvus - ''Do you see the remains of the balcony on the 42nd floor? That was my own home. I was one of the lucky few who managed to escape the plague... I lot my brother to those creatures.'' Terratrix - When we fix this place up we can always plant a tree in his memory, perhaps his soul will find peace in time.

Erunvos chuckled.

Erunvos - ''Perhaps it will. We will continue our studies by visiting the urban areas, perhaps one day this city will become glorious again.'' Terratrix - Only tiem will tell, right now it looks like the prrfect home for rock-slugs.

The Terratrix chuckled as he and Erunvus returned to the shuttle. After stepping aboard the doors closed and the shuttle lifted off, heading towards the ruined city as pods fired from orbit burst open several kilometres above the atmosphere, releasing silvery clouds that dispersed when the capsules erupted. inside these capsules were clouds of nanites that set to work re-adjuting the atmosphere's composition while on various other locations across the planet, other science teams probed the ground for signs of restoration. It would be years before the planet became anthing like what it used to be, but for now the scientists returned filled with hope.

Nova Aurorum Andromeda
Members from every member of the commonwealth gathered in a central chamber within the Seat of Light on Alcanti. In the centre of the bright, five-tiered tiered council chamber was a holographic projector. Uriel stood in the middle of the room wearing his finest as everyone sat down. he cleared his throat as an enormous holoram of the Andromeda galaxy appeared behind him.

Uriel - ''Esteemed members of the Andromedan Light. you ahve been called here today to discuss the future of this commonwealth. Roughly one year ago our forces had dealt a final crushing blow to the Grox in the galaxy's core, and now reports come in that they have left it behind.''

The projection magnified to focus on the core of Segmentum Mechanicum.

Uriel - ''This is what they have left behind; a potential source of energy that is greater than what has been seen before. The super-massive black hole on the centre of our own galaxy could catapult the galactic community into a new age!'' Tyraz - One year ago we found a cure to the Mechovirus, today we find something even more amazing...a new way to push our technology into the league of maybe even the gods! Uriel - ''Indeed, Lord-councillor. Before that dreadful war started the Imperium had begun a construction project to harness this enrgy, sadly this project was left unfinished when we had to evacuate the segmentum.''

A Ryketian in a white robe stood up, who represented the Solonese Union in the Andromedan Light.

Solonese delegate - Ryketian - ''Highlord Uriel, as much as the deeds of the highlords are impressive, who is to take charge of such a source of power? Surely you cannto trust such a region of space to one power?'' Tyraz - Hehe, well, that is an excellent question. Uriel - You are right councillor, we can't. Which is why I make this proposition: A new organisation aligned to the commonwealth but neutral to individual members, who will be responsible for harnessing the enrgies released. Tyraz - That sounds like a good idea, but how do you plan to do this? Uriel - We each have our own energy firms so why not contribute part of them into one organisation? Iovera - The gaps between the empires and the core are immense, what if we were to use wormholes to transmit the energy? Uriel - ''That would make sense. Scouts report that some remnnants of the old project remain which, thankfully, means we do not have to start from scratch.'' Tyraz - ''It's a good idea. But what if something poses a threat? We need an organized military force to go along with it.'' Uriel - That brings me to my second proposal.

The hologram changed to show a group of various Commonwealth-aligned aliens with highly advanced-looking armour and equipment.

Uriel - ''Members of the Light, let me introduce the Guardians of Light; What I propose is that like the energy organisation they are part of the commonwealth as a whole but neutral to its members. What I propose is this: They shall be hand-picked from the most prospective of all our militaries, clad in the finest armour and given the finest weapons. There is an old saying which may apply here; "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts".

Tyraz sat up and rubbed his chin with glee whiel the Ryketian widened his eyes in awe.

Tyraz - ''I am impressed. I would also gladly donate Shidium weaponry and armour.'' Solonese - ''You take the Union's philosophy to heart, Highlord Uriel. I am most impressed!'' Uriel - ''Perhaps, Lord Breek. But what if we were to combine the technologies of each member for their equipment?'' Tyraz - Then we have a military force to be feared. Iovera - ''Such a military would indeed be feared. If it were abused then...'' Tyraz - Then we have somebody you can trust leading it. Uriel - ''Also I suggest they focus on being protectors rather than invaaders or conquerors. Deterrence is a powerful tool. Solonese - And who would lead this army of yours? Uriel - Not mine, ours; as in the commonwealth's. Tyraz - I would gladly take charge if the Highlords allowed me so. Uriel - ''It is a tempting offer. Zazane are indeed known for their combat prowess.'' Tyraz - ''A great number of Zazane would take pleasure in having a role as important as protecting the galaxy. But of course, Draconis have more fleet experience than us.''

An alien from one of the commonwealth's more minor meber states stood up from his chair.

Alien - ''Are you really asking us to trust the galaxy's most powerful military outside the Confederation to a Zazane? Five years ago they were conquerors, they are only in this council because they decided to migrate and buddy-up with you Draconis!''

the chamber bustled as members discussed worryingly with each other. Tyraz stood up.

Tyraz - ''Hmph, settle! If it was not for me, you would all have been part of some necrotic bastard's flesh!'' Alien - A "necrotic bastard" that apparently you were responsible for! Uriel - ''Enough! Tyraz's actions are not in question here.''

Iovera stood up from ehr chair. She was wearing an impressive robe.

Iovera - ''I would like to remind the council that we Radeons were in the same position; We originally came from darkspace, drawn here from a rumoured, and nwo confirmed, ancestry. Migrants are a prt of this gaalxy as much as the natives are. We can trust the Zazane.'' Tyraz - Hmph, well if you still don't trust me, I'd like to seek redemption by taking larger steps to protect this galaxy.

The alien pouted. He folded his arms and sat back down with a scowl. When he did so his advisors approached him.

Uriel - ''So far Tyraz is the only one of us opening to accepting the commander's mantle. I propose that we use a meritocratic system for the position; if he slides then perhaps the Highlord's council could hold the right to choose another?'' Tyraz - If I slide I would gladly exile myself from this galaxy. Iovera - There is no need to be so extreme Tyraz. Tyraz - No, no. I would like to show the galaxy how serious I am about seeking the redemption I fight so hard for. Uriel - Would self-exile for failing really be appropriate? Tyraz - ''If a Zazane fails in his duty then he deserves death. And as you know, I cannot die.'' Solonese - All the more reason for him to be a commander I suppose. Uriel - ''Very well. By the authority of the Andromedan Light, Tyraz Breek shall hold the title of grandmaster of the Guardians of Light. He shall be granted any rights and permissions that such a title holds and should he be found lacking in his duty the Highlord's Council has the right to give his position to another comamnder.''

Tyraz smiled at the announcement and sat back down. he let out a relieved sigh and still had a genuine smile on his face.

Tyraz - I shall not fail Andromeda. Uriel - ''Choose your commanders well, highlord Breek. I will gladly commission a special set of armour for your new position courtesy of House Ultanos' own royal armourers.'' Tyraz - ''Thank you for this divine opportunity, highlord Ultanos. I shall choose well.''

the chamber roars with the sound of applasue as supporters of Tyraz's new position cheered for him. A small tear tricked down his cheek. He swiftly wiped it away, stood up and raised a hand to settle the crowd. The roar of clapping died down a few minutes later and iovera stood back up.

Iovera - ''I have another proposal to bring to the light's atention. Since the end of the war the Divinarium's shipwrights have been working on a new class of ship that we shall name "the New Dawn". Much of our galaxy remains unexplored and the new Dawn will spearhead the effort to chart our home.'' Tyraz - ''The New Dawn? A fitting name, highmistress Iovera!'' Iovera - I believe it is only appropriate that the crew of such a vessel should be made up of a mix of the commonwealth's members. Uriel - ''An interesting proposal. I am sure the Royal Academy can provide scientists for the mission.'' Tyraz - I would gladly donate several of my best Zazane security forces working aboard, mainly Niddan Ho. Uriel - An excellent idea. Iovera - ''The galaxy's brightest and best shall spearhead the age of the commonwealth. Is there anyting else any member would like to bring up before this meeting is concluded?''

Councilllors looked around and at each other with a low bustle, none of them had anything to say. Tyraz smiled and clapped his hands together. Uriel nodded and the crowd filtered out leaving the Highlords alone in the now-empty chamber. Not long after Tyraz headed down to where Uriel was. he smiled a little and turned to both Tyraz and Iovera.

Uriel - ''A bright future is ahead of us. I only hope these rumours from Segmentum Ignotum are untrue...'' Tyraz - What rumours? Uriel - The Vartekians, something bothers me about their isolation and I do not like it. Tyraz - Vartekians...It has been a while since I have heard that name. Uriel - I find it unsettling that such a race of conquerors would be so content with the comparatively-small territory they currently have. Tyraz - If I know the Vartekians, then they are obviously planning something or other. Uriel - I jut hope the Guardians can be ready in time, I do not like possibility of a second Andromeda War. Iovera - ''I shall eb on my way. Good day highlords.'' Uriel - Good day, highmistress Iovera. Tyraz - ''I shall see you both very soon, especially you Iovera. I have "matters" to discuss.''

Tyraz smirked and winked at Iovera. She felt uncertain but, reluctantly understood what he meant.

Iovera - ''If you insist... Tyraz.''

The three of them left the room and the lights turned off. Andromeda was changing.

Building the Furnace
Deep in the galactic core, professor Reovius Senvinus looked over infornation on a datapad as his ship orbited roughly some 10 light years from the galactic core. He was working aboard the Cordevia, a research ship chartered by the Royal Academy. Despite this distance he preferred not to look outside and had modified his portholes to show images of his homeworld. Outside, the supermassive black hole was a void in space twelve light-hours across, the accretion disk stretched further and without the negative mass drives that had been installed it was possible that his own ship could have been part of that accretion disk as clouds of gas and dust swirled like water int oa sinkhole. There was something else. His ship sat some 20 degrees above the accretion disk. Closer to the black hole light was bent around it and light from the accretion disk behind the event horizon was bent around to create a partial and pale 'ring' as light from behind the event horison was warped by | gravtational lensing.

Reonvus was a keen mind who enjoyed his research on improving the effectiveness of Senvinus Reactors, which provided abundant sources of energy across the Imperium, he was mesmarised by the beauty of the accretion disk of this particular anomoly. He relied on diagrams and visualisations as he planned the designs, the required technology was more demanding than anything he had buit before because the black hole in this project was several orders of magnitude larger and more massive than any black hole he had previously worked around. One thing did mesmarise him however and that was watching as dozens of stars orbited around the enormous void. When he wanted to relax he would watch recordings of the stars as they visibly moved in orbit around the cosmic entity. It was somewhat enchanting to him. The stars orbited this void like satellites as though this was another solar ssytem on an enormous scale.

One day he was working in his study sipping from a wine glass, he looked decided to take a break and changed one of the screens to show a camera recording from closer to the supermaasive black hole. He saw a rogue blue giant pass very close to the event horizon, as it approach the star was streched and as it closed in the corona formed a 'tether' of stellar material that spiralled and descended into the black hole. It was too early to tell if the star was a stellar capture or if it would one day dissapear past the event horizon. What intrigued him was that as the stelalr matter spiralled down to join the accretion disk it forked in two as it passed behind the event horizon, the view was hard ot describe but as the stream of stellar material spiralled around and returned to being in front of the view the two forks (which were simly an optical illusion caused by the effects of gravity) rejoined. The stellar material of the blue giant hilighted the accretion disk.

It was a good distraction for a few minutes, but the work came first and he returned to perfecting his schematics. As he worked one of his assistants, a Radeon assigned to the design team, walked in and saw the recording of the blue giant being consumed.

Assistant - Beautiful isn't it? Reonvus - ''Hm? Oh... yes. Yes it is. If the mathematics are right the blue giant is on course to be an stellar capture with a 20% chance of falling through the event horizon and a 3% chance of being thrown off.'' Assistant - Indeed the mechanics of the universe are a wonder to Spode. Reonvus - If you wish to see it that way then fine, as long as you don't go thinking 'Spode' is responsible for the entire event. Assistant - He oculd be, Spode is everywhere at once. Reonvus - ''That powoer, my fiend, could soon be ours to decide. The problem with somthing this large is that the amount of radiation it emits is inversely proportional to the diameter of the event horizon. Which means that for every unit of volume we are better off harvesting from a black hole of a smaller radius. The same goes for tidal forces.'' Assistant - Do you have any thoughts on how we could improve this?

Reonvus stood up and walked around, expressing with his hands as he spoke.

Reonvus - I have one. The accretion disk descending into the entity is enormous - the volume alone is greater than even the largest of stars. If we tapped into the full potential of that we could harness levels of energy many orders of magnitude beyond the output of a typical reactor.'' Assistant - That seems reasonable, but how do we cover such a region? Reonvus - ''Nanites, my good man. They can harvest material from the accretion disk and then transfer it to matter-energy stations or industrial facilities for further use. We can then transmit the material or energy through the portals your people are establishing.'' Assistant - ''An interesting idea. We could save more time and material costs if we use replicatable nanites.'' Reonvus - ''Seeing as theis project is a joint-commonwealth effort I can overlook my principles on such technology. As long as they can be kept under control'' Assistant - ''My people learned our lessons from crisis. If all goes well these nanomachines will remain under our control.''

Reonvus nodded with a stern look and handed the assistant a datapad containing schematics for his proposal. He asked the assistant to take it to the engineering corps and the Radeon nodded. He headed out of the door and left Reonvus to gather his thoughts. Reonvus was already planning for further stages of the project - Andromeda's central black hole was only a single part of a whole, even if it may have been a very large part.

Maiden Voyage
sat in a shuttle with several scientists from the Imperium. He looked outside to see the planet of Laenari below, in front of it was a white 600m long vessel with a very prominent sail near the back. It was a stark contrast to the black ships that patrolled the planet nearby. Several scientists were muttering, they were curious as to what could await them on the voyage of the New Dawn; the ship sitting prominently outside.

When the shuttle landed in a station docking bay he noticed Quendor with a group of the ship's new crew. He was dressed in light, lainated armour that he had been given in honour of his new position as an officer of the Guardians of Light. The crewmen looked at him and nodded, some with interest others were not so interested. Tarsus looked at Quendor and approached him after the crew were dismissed.

Tarsus - I was told you recived a field promotion. Quendor - Yeah, the Guardians were quite impressed with how me and my dad saved the fleets over Cathamera. Tarsus - I see. Quendor - I was assigned as part of yor security detail on the voyage. Tarsus - Thoughts? Quendor - ''Well it is nice to have more freedom. I just wish I was doing something more exiting.'' Tarsus - ''We do not know waht we might find out in Segmentum Exterioris. You may get your chance.'' QUendor - Yeah I guess...

Tarsus looked up at the New Dawn outside the hanger bay and smiled.

Tarsus - It is quite a ship. Quendor - Yeah, its bigger than quite a few ships the Divinarium builds. Tarsus - ''I read the schematics on my way over - prototype Dawn-class long-range exploration cruiser with comfortable officer accomodation, advanced science labs and medical bays and a crew compliment of 200 plus officers and 20 passengers. Personally I am amazed the Divinarium could fit so much into such a small frame and still have it working as a long-range vessel.'' Quendor - ''I guess. The Divinarium builds small.

Several Niddan Ho approached and saluted Quendor and Tarsus.

Niddan Ho - ''Sirs, we will be your security detachment during the voyage. Tarsus - ''I am looking forward to this.

Tarsus chuckled to hismelf as he and Quendor boarded a shuttle that toook them aboard the New Dawn.

After several hours of exploring and getting accustomed ot the ship the last of the supplies were aboard. Manning the bridge the crew settled down and the nearby station created a portal that would lead into Segmentum Crepusculum. The ship powered up engines and flew towards vortex created above the planet and they emerged on the edge of Segmentum Exterioris. Tarsus stepped onto the bridge and looked at the viewscreen. The screen showed an image of the galactic bulge. Everyone was in awe.

Helmsman - ''All systems report nominal, command ahs recieved our signal and there appears to be no imemdiate hostiles i nthis area. Everything looks good captain.'' Captain - ''There it is, the heart of the galaxy. I never realised fro mhere is look wuite stunning don't you think professor?'' Tarsus - ''Indeed. begin subsapce scans and set a course for the nearest star system.'' Captain - Understood, you all heard the professor.

The ship turned and activated FTL, setting course for a red dwarf star some six light-years away

Royal Playdate
10th April, 2789

Returning from with his son, Tyraz had decided to visit Uriel on. Tyraz had mentioned Uriel to Kezoreg and Kezoreg enjoyed the sound of meeting a warrior-emperor. When they arrived they discovered that the family had provided the two with private transport to the imperial palace. After arriving at the front doors, Tyraz looked down to his son.

Tyraz - ''Now, Kezoreg, Uriel Ultanos is a good friend of mine. I want you to be polite and on your best behaviour--'' Kezoreg - He sounds cool but nobody beats my dad! Tyraz - ...Just keep your mouth shut.

The doors opened and Alessa approched them with two blood dragons flanking her. She approached the two and left her guards at the door. She smiled at Tyraz and kneeled down to Kezoreg.

Alessa - It is good to see you again, and who is this? Tyraz - This is my son, Kezor-- Kezoreg - I am the son of Tyraz, heir of the Brood throne, Kezoreg Breek! Alessa - ''--How wonderful. *stands up* Do come in.''

Alessa leds them inside and down a large hallway. Tyraz looked around and smiled, a sense of amiliarity returned to him, remembering the days of the Battle for Alcanti and the end-war celebration.

Tyraz - It seems so familiar. Alessa - I believe Father is in one of the conservatories with Septis, one of his youngest. Kezoreg - ''This place looks okay, I gotta admit. Where are all the weapons and armour and shyrak?'' Alessa - The royal armoury is in the lower levels...

Tyraz stared at Kezoreg for his language and then turned back to Alessa.

Tyraz - Thank you, it would be nice to get acquainted with Uriel's own spawn. Alessa - Septis and his clutch-siblings came out of the creche recently.

Alessa led them into a greenhouse. The plants growing in the conservatory featured a wide range of colours and they could hear Uriel's voice somewhere within the plantlife growing isndie the room*

Alessa - ''Father! Lord Breek is here to see you!''

Uriel emerged from behind a bush with a Draconis roughlty Kezoreg's size riding on his back. The child had a large and jovial grin on his face as he rode on Uriel's back. Kezoreg stared at the child blankly and whispered to himself.

Tyraz - ''Uriel! So good to see you again!'' Kezoreg - Pfft, he seems lazy... Uriel - ''Indded it is. This is Septis, one of my youngest.''

Septis tilted his head in curiosity at Kezoreg. Kezoreg looked at Septis, who clung to Uriel's shoulders.

Kezoreg - What's wrong? Uriel - Septis do you remember Tyraz? Tyraz - Your son has grown since I last saw him!

Septis climbed down and hugged Uriel's leg as he looked at Kezoreg.

Uriel - Septis, would you like to say hello to Tyraz and his son? Septis - ...Hello. Uriel - We have not had the pleasure with little... Alessa - Kezoreg, Father. Kezoreg - That's Kezoreg BREEK to you. Tyraz - Kezoreg, watch your tongue while you still have one!

Septis clutched Uriel's leg more tightly as Kezoreg snapped. Uriel keeled dow nto tend ot his son.

Uriel - ''Quite a fire your son has. *kneels down* Septis would you like to get aqquainted?'' Kezoreg - Come on, I won't bite.

Kezoreg smirked as he kept looking. Septis looked at Kezoreg and back up to Uriel with a look of worry. After soem thought, Septis let go and walked over to Kezoreg who walked over to him and loooked with cuiosity.

Septis - ''Hi... I'm 8-and-three-tenths.'' Kezoreg - Well, Eight-And-Three-Tenths, my name is Kezoreg. Septis - You're funny. Septis - My dad calls me Septis, not eight-and-three-tenths, that is how old I am. Kezoreg - ''I am about a decade old. So, have you received your first battle scars yet?'' Tyraz - ''Kezoreg, Draconis children aren't like Zazane children. They aren't taught in fight schools.'' Septis - ''I play with my brothers a lot. Does that count?'' Kezoreg - Hmph, describe what you mean by "play". Uriel - Draconis children like to play-fight. Kezoreg - Oh, I guess that counts. Septis - Like yesterday, I won against my brother. Kezoreg - ''Really? How did you finish him off?'' Septis - Huh? Kezoreg - ''...Nothing. So, uhh...Septis, have you learned about a weapon yet?'' Tyraz - Kezoreg, how about you show Septis your "Vala Dance"?

Kezoreg groaned at Tyraz's suggestion.

Kezoreg - But dad... Tyraz - Go on, it'll be cool, and Septis would be impressed!

Uriel stood up and chuckled. Kezoreg sighed and he then leaned forward and moved his arms in a quick "digging" motion with his tail in the air. Septis tilted his head and smiled. Uriel chucked softly as he watched.

Uriel - That is adorable. Septis - My mummy always tells me I will grow up biig and strong like my daddy or uncle Larnus! Kezoreg - My father says that I will grow to become a powerful warrior that will rid this Universe of all unjust! Septis - I bet I can do that before you! Uriel - *chuckles* Then you had better grow up fast my son. Kezoreg - ''No way! I'm a whole decade ahead of you!'' Tyraz - Uhh, Kezoreg, you're only a few years ahead. Uriel - No he is somewhat right, it will be another thirty years before Septis is ready for military service. Kezoreg - So yeah, I'm gonna be a famous hero! Septis - I already have what I will use to save the universe!

Septis pulled out and held up a wooden sword

Kezoreg - I will use my Dispencing power! Septis - What that? Kezoreg - Dispensing power, like what Tyraz has! Uriel - Septis would you like to show Kezoreg your other toys?

Septis turned to Uriel and nodded. He turned back to Kezoreg with a smile on his face.

Septis - Want to see my armour? Uriel - Tyraz, I hope you don't mind? Tyraz - ''Of course not. Go on Kezoreg.'' Kezoreg - It would be an honour! Alessa - I will watch over them, Father. Uriel - Very good.

Alessa bowed and left the conservatory with Septis and Kezoreg.

Tyraz - They will grow to be like us. Uriel - ''Indeed. Thank you again for making sure Alensia was afe on that dark day. I dread to think what could have happened to him or his siblings.'' Tyraz - ''You are welcome, I hope I won't have to do the same for Septis. He seems like a rather shy tyke.'' Uriel - ''The events of that day have made him cautious of strangers. After all he did see his mother shoot someone in the head.'' Tyraz - ''For a Zazane it is no big deal. But I can understand the trauma.'' Uriel - The boy does dream of becoming a warrior. Tyraz - Then perhaps he should stick around with Kezoreg, the two of them seem to get along okay. Uriel - ''*chuckles* true, true. I hope Kezoreg does not mind that the weapons and armour Septis spoke of are only toys.'' Tyraz - ''Kezoreg would be convinced. He is young too, after all.'' Uriel - He seems to enjoy saying he is a 'decade' old. Tyraz - He thinks it makes him sound older. Uriel - I rememebr when I reached my first century, the title does seem to carry a certain grandeour compared to 'one hundred years old'. Tyraz - Indeed, I should stop teaching Kezoreg big words.

Uriel made a gesture indicating for Tyraz to walk with him as he left the conservatory. They both walked down a hallway while uriel was somewhat distant.

Uriel - You said he was a decade old, does that mean he hatched during that zombie crisis? Tyraz - Umm...you could say that. Uriel - Septis is similar, he hatched several moths after the whole mess started. Tyraz - Kezoreg actually hatched...at the start...just before it began... Uriel - He did? Tyraz - Yeah... Uriel - ''I can understand if you do not know much of the events that happened to us during that war. Not many like to talk about it...'' Tyraz - Yeah...A-Anyway, now that I am here, perhaps we should leave Alessa to babysit while we go and have a talk about plans for Andromeda in the future, a.k.a. we should go and have a drink. Uriel - ''I would like that. Kezoreg will not be too much trouble will he?'' Tyraz - He better not be, or I'll send him to his mother's. Uriel - ''Oh. Is she a harsh woman?'' Tyraz - She's an Asgord. Uriel - ''Oh... one of 'those'. I now understand why he woud cosnider it a threat. How did-- Actually, it may be better if I did not pry.'' Tyraz - ''Old times, Uriel. Old times.'' Uriel - ''That was not what I was going for but I suppose that was in the days when you were... not quite yourself?'' Tyraz - ''Yes, you could say that. *he coughs* Anywho, drink?'' Uriel - ''*smiles* Indeed. I have a bar counter within the palace or we could visit a bar I used to visit in the Centis District.'' Tyraz - Heh, I appreciate the royal surroundings, but a more public place sounds good as well. Uriel - Alessa has had some experience with children, I will arrange for transport within a few minutes. Tyraz - ''Nice. *he chuckles* I hope Septis and Kezoreg won't prove too much trouble.'' Uriel - Septis is genrally a nice boy, how much trouble could Kezoreg get into on his own? Tyraz - ''Hehe, I've heard stories that Kezoreg has been seen messing with portals. But that's for the bar.''

The two of them headed outside and a private car arrived down the path.

Uriel - Draconis drinks are strong so you can always order smething more...diluted if you wish. Tyraz - ''Hehe, are you joking? With my status as Descended, I'll be needing the strongest you have!'' Uriel - I take that as a challenge? Tyraz - Hehe, only if you accept. Uriel - ''I was never fond of going for the strongest drink available. But the bartender may know a concoction that could suit you.'' Tyraz - ''Hehe, well then, I'm looking forward to it! You should also have a try.''

Making Mischief
While Uriel and Tyraz headed out int othe city, Septis led Kezoreg into his bedroom. The room was a reasonable size with drawings and boyish toys scattered about. As soon as they entered Septis dived into a large wooden chest in front of his bed, his legs and tail dangled outside as he rooted around. Kezoreg looked at him with cuirosity. After a few minutes Septis pulled himself out and emerged holding a painted plastic sword and a toy breastplate. Kezoreg's eyes lit up and he ran over to admire the toy sword and armour.

Kezoreg - ''Oh wow, awesome! Where did you get this stuff?'' Septis - Daddy gave me the sword two years ago and the armour is from one of my big brothers. Kezoreg - ''Hehe, wow. Is that your first sword?'' Septis - ''Yeah! Its so cool and when I grow up I'm going to have a sword just like my dad's!'' Kezoreg - When i grow up, my dad is gonna teach me how to use my Dispencing powers properly! Septis - What is ...dis-pencing powers? Kezoreg - ''Dispencing powers are what my dad has! He is able to do tons of Shyrak with it all!'' Septis - Cool, like what? Kezoreg - Like, uhh...like, uhh...h-he can transform into this huge demon thing! Septis - ''I think my dad showed me that, it was so cool! But it was scary seeing him that big.'' Kezoreg - ''My dad is a scary man! He can beat everybody!'' Septis - ''I think he's nice. When Mummy was threatened by those meanies, he came to see if she was alright.'' Kezoreg - ''Hehe, I bet he beat them up so bad they died! My dad could kill anybody! Easy!'' Septis - ''Well... mummy killed this meanie by asploding his head. Then Tyraz came in.'' Kezoreg - ''She blew his head apart? Wow, your mom sounds awesome!'' Septis - She said she rere-regre...didn't like doing it though.

Septis gave Kezoreg the armour and walked over to a jar on a table. Clambouring ont othe chair he opened it and pulled out two fried sausage-shaped objects. he walked back to Kezoreg and pointed one in his direction while playfully chweing on the other. Kezoreg sniffed it and grabbed the other end, he bit into it and rectched, he spat out the pice of meat.

Kezoreg - ''Blegh! This is cooked?'' Septis - Uncle Larnus always brings me some when he visits. Kezoreg - No offense but cooked food tastes like Shyrak to Zazane! Septis - ''Oh okay... what's 'skyrak' because you talk about it a lot.'' Kezoreg - Shyrak means the same as what you call poo. Septis - EEEW! Kezoreg - Hehe, all the big Zazane say it! Septis - ''Wait. you said your dad does 'tons of shyrak'. So you said he does 'tons of poo' with it? I don't get it.''

Alessa walked in as the talked. Kezoreg turned to Alessa and squeaked befoer he regained his composure.

Alessa - Don't get what dear? Kezoreg - Nothing, miss! Alessa - Are you boys having fun? Kezoreg - Yeah, Septis has awesome stuff! Alessa - Glad to hear. Septis - Kezoreg doesn't like my meatsticks! Alessa - Now Septis, you know that everyone can't like the same things as you. Kezoreg - ''Zazane don't really eat cooked food. It tastes like shyr---It doesn't taste nice.'' Septis - ''But...but... Meatsticks are the best food ever! I like them because they are crunchy.'' Alessa - Perhaps we can find something in the royal kitchen that Kezoreg would like? Kezoreg - Hmph, well I like Horuce guts! Alessa - I'm not sure if we have any of that but we could always check. Kezoreg - 'Yay! Zazane like to eat raw materials.'' Alessa - Follow me then, and keep close because the palace is a big place.

Kezoreg smiled and swayed his tail. Alessa took them down int othe kitchen and when they arrived the group were hit by the strong smell of meat and spices. Kezoreg's eyes flared red a little and he smirked as he enoyed the smell. Alessa walked over to a Terratrix wearing a white uniform. Alessa clared her throat and he turned to her, he flicked an eyepiece up that was over his left eye. He then looked down at Septis and Kezoreg and scowled.

Alessa - Gorovi do we have any raw meat for our guest? Gorovi - ''Raw meat? Hm, I suppose... Also mylady I would prefer it if those children were nto in my kitchen.'' Alessa - Kezoreg would just like a raw snack and we will be out of your feathers. Kezoreg - ''Feathers? ''

Kezoreg licked his muzzle with an eager smile.

Gorovi - ''Hrmph and.. what kind of meat is our little guest after....'' Kezoreg - ''Anything like intestines? Or maybe mince?'' Alessa - Do you have any entrails? Gorovi - ''I suppose, one moment... And get those brats out of my kitchen!'' Kezoreg - ''Brats? Hmph! Daddy will come get you one day!'' Gorovi - This meal is for the Paragon and "honoured" guests and I do not want their grubby hands on my art!

He grammed a handful of Krann intestine chunks and tossed them onto a clean plate, tossed a few spices on and handed Alessa the plate. Kezoreg smirked and looked at Septis. Alessa guided the moutside and left Gorovi to squawk at at a careless assistant.

Gorovi - ''At least not yet, now please.. go.'' Kezoreg - Is that guy always like that? Septis - Yeah. Kezoreg - He seems like a total Shyrak eater. Alessa - Language, Kezoreg. Septis - He doesn't like visitors in his kitchen because he thinks we'll steal his food.

Kezoreg looked at the plate and sniffed. Satisfied he shoved handfuls into his mouth, talkinh al lthe while.

Kezoreg - ''Mmph! This *nom* This is really good!'' Septis - Krann meat is the best!

Kezoreg nodded and kept eating with his tail swaying exitedly. As they headed back to Septis's room, A servant walked up to Alessa.

Servant - My lady a mr. "Vorthonus" wishes entry int othe palace. Alessa - ''Hm, him again. Fine I suppose I will talk to him, can you keep an eye on the children?''

The servant nodded as Alessa left. Kezoreg smiled innocently and leaned over to whisper to Septis.

Kezoreg - Can we go see your dad's sword? Septis - ''Well... it in his study I think but i'm not allowed in there without his say so...'' Kezoreg - ''Aww come on! If we don't touch anything I'm sure he won't mind!'' Septis - ''Well... okay. First we need to get rid of the servant.'' Kezoreg - Hmm...I could vapo...vapo-...gah, how do you say it? Septis - Waht that? Kezoreg - Gah, lets just run away and send him on a....K-K-Kraaaan chase.

Septis thought for a moment. An idea came to his head and he tugged on the servant's tunic. The servant looked down with a cautious smile.

Septis - I'm thirsty! Servant - Wh-what would you like sir? Septis - I want juice!

The servant nodded and for a brief moment compensated leaving the childre nwith asking them to stay put. With a smile they both ran dwo nthe corridor and Septis led Kezoreg to Uriel's office.

After arriving they both stood in front of a paneled wooden door, Kezoreg looked up at the door and tilted his head.

Septis - Only my dad can unlock it, its got this special lock that knows its him and mummy somehow. Kezoreg - Hmm, how do we get in? Septis - When daddy wants to go inside he presses his hand against that panel and the door unlocks. Kezoreg - You got your daddy's DNA, right? Septis - I think thats what mummy told me. Kezoreg - Then if I put you on my shoulders, maybe you can open it! Septis - Hmm... okay.'' Kezoreg - Climb on my back!

Kezoreg bent down and Septis climbed up, he was a good deal heavier than kezoreg and reached towards the pad. Kezoreg stood up a little, he grunted grunting and tried giving Septis more opportunity. After a little balancing act Septis managed to touch the pad.

??? - Recognised: Septis Ultanos, authorisation: Denied. Kezoreg - ''Gah! I guess we need a Plan B!'' Septis - ''Hmm... Dad told me that your dad can telly-port. Can you?'' Kezoreg - ''I think I could! I was gonna blast the door off but we can do that!'' Septis - Daddy might notice if you did that. Kezoreg - ''Maybe. Heh, okay, let me try telly-potting.''

Septis climbed down from Kezoreg's back. Kezoreg took his hand and closed his eyes in an attempt to focus. The servant was dow nthe hall and calling out to Septis. As the latter panicked, both of them teleported to inside the room in a flash of red energy. Inside the walls were lined with bookcases and in the centre of the room was a large wooden desk trimemd with gold. On one of the walls there were two mounted sowrds: A longsword and a greatsword. Underneath the longsword was a plaque which read "In honour of Uriel Ultanos's exempaly service upon heeding the Imperium's call to arms. May this weapon serve you always". The room echoed with the sound of an ornate clock that ticked with a regular and rhythmic tone.

Septis - ''Those are daddy's swords. he's had both of them since for-ever! They look heavy so my dad must be super-strong!'' Kezoreg - ''Wow, they look so big and awesome! I wanna have a go!'' Septis - ''But dad says he doesn't like people touching his swords. He once got mad at this servant who asked if she could polish it for him.'' Kezoreg - Don't worry, I'll put it back. Septis - ''Okay... how do we get it down?'' Kezoreg - Hmm...Lets throw something at it! Septis - ''Yeah we could. Dunno what though.'' Kezoreg - ...Could I throw you? Septis - Yeah, then I could pull it down! Kezoreg - ''Alright! Hehe, gimme your arm!''

Septis held out his arm and Kezoreg grabbed it firmly. He spun around in circles several times, before throwing Septis who hit the wall and knocked the longsword from its mount, he fell down and landed as the word fell into his lap. Kezoreg laughed and rushed over. When Septis recovered he threw his hands in the air with exitement. As he did so, Kezoreg grabbed it by the hilt and held it up to the light.

The blade was almost two metres long and engraved with delicate patterns. The handle was trimmed with gold and bound in a soft red leather. Gems of all types were encrusted into the hilt and a large red ruby occupied the apex of the pommel. Unkown to both of them, Septis had left an impression on the wall but they were too busy admiring the sword.

Kezoreg - ''This sword is pretty big! But daddy's sword is 7 feet long!'' Septis - ''Wow... I like the patterns. When I grow up, I want a sword like one of these!''

Feeling the handle, Kezoreg noticed there was an ominous lump near the middle. Kezoreg looked at it with curiosity. Septis was also intrigued and when he poked it and a light blue energy rushed up from the base and tinged the blade. Once enveloped the blade seemed to make a faint humming sound. The two boys were mesmrerised by what they just did.

Kezoreg - Wow...That's so cool! Septis - Are we gonna put it back now? Kezoreg - Yeah yeah, I just wanna hold it a few more seconds. Septis - ''Well... okay.''

Septis looked around the room waiting for Kezoreg to put the sword down. He noticed the impression on the wall. Kezoreg stood and true to his word he stood for a short while longer and then walked back over to put the sword back.

Septis - What do you think that blue stuff does? Kezoreg - I think it helps your daddy see in the dark!

Resting the blade on the hooks, the blade gradually sliced away at the mounting and fell onto the floor. The clang fro mthe sliced hook caused both boys to widen their eyes.

Kezoreg - ...Shyrak! Septis - Uh-oh... Kezoreg - Turn it off!

As the blade sliced into the floor Septis ran over to the blade handle and felt for the lump, the floor around the blade began to dissolve. Kexoreg panicked while Septis felt for the lump, his middle finger passed over it and the field dissapated. Septis dragged the sword out of the gash it had made and the pair looked at the damage they had done.

Kezoreg - Maybe he won't notice! Septis - how do we put it back? Because if we don't I am so grounded! Kezoreg - Uhh...J-Just stand it upright! Septis - Yeah. That was so cool though! Kezoreg - Yeah! That sword is awesome! Septis - Do you think the other one does the same? Kezoreg - Maybe! But we spent too much time here! Septis - Yeah. The door can be opened freely from our side. Haha, you said that poo-word a lot. Kezoreg - Have you ever heard your daddy say the word "shit"? Septis - No... I've heard my mummy say it once or twice, but she tried to hide it. Kezoreg - Well Shyrak means that. Septis - Oh.... Mummy told me this one time that is a bad word to say. Kezoreg - My daddy doesn't like me saying it either.

As they talked, Alessa called out to the mfrom the other side of the door. Kezoreg squeaked and grabbed Septis's mouth, indicating he shouldn't say a word. Septis nodded. and Kezoreg suggested he could teleport both of them out. Septis nodded eagerly and smiled behind Kezoreg's hand. Kezoreg closed his eyes and then teleported them back to Septis' room.

Septis - ''That was really cool! You are so awesome!'' Kezoreg - Aww I'm nothin compared to my dad! Septis - Can we be friends? Kezoreg - ''Sure! We can be friends!'' Septis - I promise I wont' tell anyone what we did. Kezoreg - ''Yay! That's great!''

Alessa walked in a little later and smiled to see the two boys.

Alessa - ''There you two are! Your fathers are back from the city and a banquet is about to be served downstairs.'' Kezoreg - ''Ooh a banquet? That sounds cool! I hope that chef knows Zazane don't like eatin' cooked food!'' Alessa - ''He knows. I hope yo two are hungry.'' Kezoreg - We're starvin! Alessa - ''Good to hear. I will leave you two to tidy yourselves up.''

Kezoreg nodded and looked at Septis. Alessa smiled and walked out of the room to freshen herself up for the banquet. Septis showed Kezoreg to an en-suite bathroom connected to his bedrom and the two of them cleaned themselves up.

Degenerate Search
The New Dawn continued on its journey. Curious to study a neutron star the ship passed by one that had been designated KTR-731 by the. As they approached the ship's sensors detected spacetime stretching as they approached the hyperdense stellar body. To counter the spacetime warp the New Dawn had increased the power of the forward warp field as it cloed in. The ship reached 0.5 AU and stopped. Tarsus had called his science team to the astrometrics lab. There, Tarsus had projected a hologram simulation of the star from the central projector. Along with it was astrographical information. The star was seven kilometres in diameter but readings showed it was 0.8 solar masses.

Tarsus met with three other senior scientists: Doctors Voli'Khal and Relith'Varr were s; the former an engineer and the latter an astrophysicist, Doctor Grebeda was a quantum physicist.

Tarsus - ''According to evidence, this neutron star has been virtually untouched. Many known Inner-Rim neutron stars have been siphoned for neutronium by various powers both modern and ancient. This star however there are no such signs so it is pristine.'' Dr. Voli'Khal - What do you think we'll find? Tarsus - ''That, professor, is what we are here for. There are stories and hypotheses that in an early era of the universe there was life but in a very different form. The mass and spacetime curvature could theoretically mimic the early universe.'' Dr. Grebeda - That is if'' this star is old enough. How old is this one?'' Dr. Relith'Varr - ''We estimate it to be the remnant of a population II star. Emissions suggest it is nearing 10 billion years old.'' Tarsus - ''A very old star indeed. I suggest we dispatch a monopolium-framed probe fitted with a negative mass field to counteract the tidal forces'' Dr. Voli'Khal - I will have the armoury prepare the probe. Dr. Relith'Varr - ''If this thing is like a proto-universe then time would theoretically be slowed considerably within the deepest regions. How do we counter that?'' Dr. Grebeda - ''Hmm, that is a bother. Fit the probe with a counter-rotating microsingularity then program the probe to use its rotation as a clock. The spin and the counteracting tidal forces should counteract any time dilation. I suggest a matter-antimatter energy battery to keep the singularity from evaporating. However in the interest of science I suggest we allow for some time dilation so the probe can more easily gather data.'' Tarsus - ''Good, set the runtime for... two Alcanti hours, thoretially even a few microseconds should me enough to gather a million years' worth of history. For safekeeping I advise a 15 yottabyte memory core.''

Everyone nodded and headed to their posts. Voli'Khal approached Tarsus a few minutes later.

Voli - ''Professor are you are this will work? Fueling a micro-singularity is a tremendous job for just a timepiece and two hours? We are going to need a lot of energy.'' Tarsus - It is too dangerous to send ourr own people down, this is really the only effective way outside of godtech or a long-term research post. Voli - *sighs* Fine, the armoury has been aware you should have your probe in two Alcanti hours.

Tarsus nodded and headed inside his office. The crew wated patiently for almost a day once they had launched a probe. The scientists were nervous and wondered if it would be enough. FInalyl the probe emerged from the surface of KTR-731 however scans showed its framework was bucking as the phasic shields surrounding the monopolium framework had begun to fail. Once they finalyl managed to haul the probe inside and dsicovered that a few minutes before emerging the probe's micro-singularity had failed. Voli'Khal and Tarsus approached the damaged probe.

Voli - You set the thing for a two hour mission and it takes fifteen for the stupid thing to get the mission done and come back. Tarsus - ''According to the probe's logs there was nothing wrong with the clock, it worked fine until it re-emerged. So I presume it experienced a rough six-five-hundred percent difference in the passage of time, that is accounting for the gradual change as well.'' Voli - In Commonwealth Standard? Tarsus - ''The probe spent six-and-a-half times more time than what we experienced. We shall have to see what it managed to pick up.''

Tarsus operated a console on the probe and data seamlessly transferred to the New Dawn's scientific mainframe. Tarusus's jaw dropped as he saw that in two hurs the probe had gathered what appeared to be more than 10 yottabytes of data. It would take a very long time to cross-reference and study the data on their own.

Tarsus regained his composure and compressed the data. he added it to the memory core and filed a report to Captain VOlkamen t oreport a succces. He spoke with Dr. Relith'Varr later about adding the star to the logs for further study. She nodded and marked the star's coordiantes on a three-dimensional holographic chart of Segmentum Exterioris. Although the finding was fascinating, the New Dawn had an overall mission to complete and headed away from the neutron star after another day.

Torment Within
5th December, 2789

The Ghost of the Warrior was docked in the skies above a lush, jungle planet in the Borealis Galaxy. Tyraz sat on a balcony protruding from the ship with his legs folded while he looked upon two moons, with it being early enough in the night for the sunset to occur at the same time. As he relaxed he looked blankly at the beautiful landscape before he began to close his eyes, he sighed as he did so. Arsac was walking about the ship, exploring her temporary home as she passed a door to the balcony. She looked through the doorway with curiosity at Tyraz. She observed him for a few minutes before she lifted a clenched hand in front of her snout and coughed quietly. TYraz did not flinch and he kept his eyes clsoed as he relaxed.

Arsac - I am ont interrupting am I? Tyraz - I was about to meditate...Are you available to talk? Arsac - I am; Speak your mind.

She walked though the doorway and joined him on the balcony. Tyraz sighed and opened his eyes to look out on the landscape again.

Tyraz - Arsac...I grow doubtful. Arsac - If you worry for your sanity, it is why I am here. Tyraz - What if I don't come back...? Arsac - ''I wish I could say. But giving in to this entity or beleiving such a battle is unwinnable is not the right attitude.''

As she spoke she folded her arms and sighed. Tyraz sighed and closed his eyes again.

Tyraz - I guess...Please, no matter what...don't touch me. Arsac - You're going to draw it out aren't you? Tyraz - I want to see where I am going wrong. Arsac - ''Do you mind if I join you? If you feel yourself slipping I may be able to bring you back.'' Tyraz - ''Feel free. But don't touch me, just...talk.''

She walked over and sat a little distance beside Tyraz. She positioned herself and clsoed her eye. Tyraz let out a sigh and Arsac could feel the air around her getting somewhat hotter as Tyraz began to turn. As they both meditated, she drifted deeper and deeper into subconsciousness while Tyraz's body began to blacken, yellow scars appeared over his body. As Arsac's attunement reached deeper.

She eventually began to feel herself sensing Tyraz's thoughts and eventually she found herself within his mindscape. She was surrounded by thoughts of anger and violence, as well as memories of times long past, images of old Zazane warlords fighting one another as well as depictions of epic battles raging across miles of land. As Arsac did her best to make sense of the imagery she was able to see a young Zazane boy, walking around innocently within the mindscape. Arsac noticed him and cautiously waked towards the boy, she called out to him and the boy slowly turned towards her. She noticed him carrying a little sword.

Arsac - ''Are you alright? come closer.''

The boy slowly walked closer, and he looked up at her. She smiled as he did so.

Arsac - What's your name?

The boy hesitated for a moment before answering rather timidly. Arsac kneeled down to more closely-reach his level.

Boy - T-Tyraz. Arsac - ''Is everything alright? You can trust me. I promise.''

Tyraz blinked for a moment and then looked at the sword in his hand,

Tyraz - I'm s-scared. Arsac - ''Come closer, what are you afraid of? Is it all the violence?''

She reached out her hand to him. He looked about a little and slowly reached for it. Arsac reassured him and asked what he was doing. He only said a few words before he stopped and kept quiet. She continued reassuring him. As he stuttered and grabbed Arsac's hand he almost-instantly turned into Tyraz's Demon Form and now towered over her. The demon cackled while he observed her struggling to free herself. The sudden change left her in shock and the demon smirked as he kept a firm grip.

Demon - Who the hell are you? Arsac - ''I am Mistress Arsac. If you were really Tyraz you would remember me!''

He cackled loudly as he glared at her.

Demon - ''Oh, I know who you are! Tyraz thinks about you all the time! What I meant was...who the hell are you to be in his head?'' Arsac - ''Your actions are eroding his mind, I came to help him! I came as a friend and as an ally!'' Demon - You mean...you came to try and get rid of me? Arsac - ''If that it what it takes to save him... I will consider it.'' Demon - I am afraid...that will not do. Arsac - ''That child... Was that really Tyraz or you in disugise?'' Demon - ''You don't seem to understand. That child was simply a memory. Inside his head, memories roam free like animals. Memories can be mistaken, but for Tyraz, not forgotten. But I assure you, I am no memory.'' Arsac - Then what are you, why are you doing this to him, because he fears that you will take over completely. Demon - I am Tyraz! Arsac - ''No.. you can't be the Tyraz I know, he would never want to act like this; not around me.'' Demon - ''I know Tyraz better than anybody else, I am Tyraz! I am his instincts, his purest instincts! The instincts he tries so hard to deny, it makes me sick!'' Arsac - You...You are his subconscious self?

Realising the situation she backed down slightly. She could still feel the demon gripping her arm tightly.

Arsac - If you are removed, there is nothing left of him... Demon - ''Ever since Tyraz first gained his Descension power, I was born. His hate and anger was my embyro, the Descension marked my birth! Yes, I am indeed Tyraz, the part of Tyraz in which all his other actions are based.'' Arsac - ''The way he acts, the side I see daily and you... you are unbalanced.'' Demon - ''And now he tries to deny me, he hates himself! He continues to not accept me as himself, he sees me as some seperate entity! An "it"! And yet, the power he is capable of...all he needs to do is switch control over to me, and he will be at complete harmony with what he wants to believe. Meanwhile, my own desires, his desires want to break free! I am his heart!'' Arsac - ''But wouldn't your takeover make him like the rest of his family? I know of the Breek Line's atrocities, I know what they are like from him and I do not approve.'' Demon - ''I know what he really thinks. He isn't scared he is going to be the same, he is scared that he won't be the same! He wants to be great, just like his ancestors before him! The only thing he is scared of is his methods of achieving that greatness.'' Arsac - ''I know he can be great. I do not deny him of that, but I agree with him that the methods his family used were atrocious.'' Demon - ''He is weak! I am ashamed to have him as my counterpart!'' Arsac - ''Truly you two are unbalanced. He rejects you while you find his rejection sickening.'' Demon - 'I want to be accepted! I am him! I am no malignant entity, I am his goddamn self! But...after so much rejection...I want control!'' Arsac - ''You are his primal instincts. But if you take over then Tyraz will become no better than an animal; You are unrestrained, Tyraz's higher consceous thoughts temper you. You both need each other to become great!'' Demon - ''If I take control, I shall kill everything! Let me tell you how things work...What is the difference between a horse and a king?'' Arsac - ''A king leads, a horse obeys, but a king needs strength for the horse to obey. However a horse is an animal, it brings the king to where he must go. It gives the king power, but without the king that is all the horse is; an animal.''

The demon pulled her closer at its eyes burned. He glared down as his rage flowed almost visibly from his body.

Demon - ''I am not Tyraz's horse! For once, I wish to be king! I wish to be in true control, and use this strength the way it was meant to be used! And every day, I get closer to finally taking over Tyraz's body! Every moment he is weak, physically or emotionally, I am there to pick him up off the ground!'' Arsac - ''And what of his friends in your plan? What about the people he cares about?'' Demon - ''Tyraz is such an amatuer! He doesn't know the first thing about true, raw power! If I could, I would've killed him already by now! Burned his body to oblivion, I am his power! His raw instinct! But...I need his body to survive. His "friends" have no place! I am his raw power, I am what gives him his strength! I have no desire for friends!'' Arsac - ''You think you can stand alone? Many try in the outside world. And everyone needs help at least once in their existance. I know the temptation of raw power. I would not be here if i had not at least once been exposed to it.'' Demon - ''Everybody's basic instinct is to survive! And I don't need friends to survive! All I need is control! When he imagines or sees his friends in trouble, he becomes lost! He doesn't do a thing! All those times he has saved you, Uriel, Iovera, that was me! I influenced his body to act in that way! Want to know why?'' Arsac - I'm listening. Demon - ''Because, it gives me that feeling of true control! I just get you out of the way so I can fight the real threat!''

The demon grinned at her and cackled.

Arsac - He claims that every day he feels weaker, he tells me he brings the demonic form out during these sessions of meditation, is this empowering you in any way? Demon - ''When he brings out his raw power during meditation, he often gets lost along the way. As I said, when he loses himself, I am there to fill in the gap. So in effect, I stop his body from burning to ash through taking control of the power, which he can't handle. I am not being empowered, he is simply losing himself more often because he doesn't understand himself.''

As he spoke, a sly smile crept across her face.

Arsac - Thank you. Demon - For what? Arsac - I knew all the time that you were not some foreign entity, I did not come to destroy you but you have been very helpful to me.

She smiled as a duplicate emerged from nowhere into view. The demon looked at the second Arsac and cackled.

Demon - What is this? Arsac - She is like you, unlike you let us just say that "horse and rider are one". Arsac 2 - ''Let her go. She is no threat to you here.''

The demon gave a look of confusion. He let go of Arsac and stepped back. The original arsac rubbed her arm as the second Arsac approached and looked to the original.

Demon - But that isn't possible...there must always be somebody in control! Arsac 2 - ''We are as one. Like you I was born out of passion, Arsac's rage and fury was my womb. Howeve rwhen she discovered me, I was accepted with time. With my guidance Arsac grew in power.''

The original Arsac nodded.

Arsac - When the horse attunes ot the needs and thoughts of the rider and vice versa, there does not need ot be a controller because there is harmony between the two. Demon - Are you suggesting me and Tyraz coexist...peacefully? Both - Yes. Arsac - Neither of you can reach full potential without the other. Demon - ''Hmph! Why would I need use of my counterpart aside from his body?'' Arsac 2 - ''I thought the same way about Arsac. However she had thoughts that allowed her to move through the world more smoothly. If I had taken over then the body would have been attacked by outsiders, perhaps even destroyed because I exist as instinct. As she said, when we are just instinct, we are like animals.'' Arsac - I must take my leave.

The orignal Arsac smiled and walked away and the other Arsac joined her with the demon looking on with confusion.

Demon - ''Hmph...Then Tyraz needs to make the effort. I am already comfortable in the knowledge that we are the same! But he...he rejects me, just like he was rejected by everybody else!'' Arsac - Very well

The two faded away and left the demon in his mindscape.

In the physical world Arsac opened her eye slowly, she looked to the side to see Tyraz's body slowly revert to normal. It was night time, the sun had fully set and and three moons could be seen in the sky. TYraz opened his eyes slowly and let out a sigh.

Arsac - ''Tyraz? How do you feel.'' Tyraz - I cannot remember...How did it go? Arsac - ''I understand now. That beast you claim to be choking you and throttling your sanity... that is you.'' Tyraz - What?

Arsac stood up and walked to the rim of the blacony. SHe rested her forearms on the ledge and

Arsac - ''Your subconscious self to be precise. It... he.. is your sense ofinstanct.'' Arsac - ''You were right though, it wants to take over. But only because you reject it.'' Tyraz - I reject it because it is no good! Arsac - Even I know that such a thought is wrong.

Arsac turned to look at him.

Arsac - ''Like I said it is instinct, you rejected it when the best solutino was to accept it for what it was. Instinct has to be restrained or cooperated with, not rejected or ignored.'' Tyraz - But I worry...a lot of Zazane use their instinct and they are violent and bloodthirsty... Arsac - Moderation is key, Tyraz. Tyraz - So...I am at fault? Arsac - ''Those warriors lost themselves to bloodthirst just as you are losing yourself to it. He-- You told me that when you try bringing out the demon during meditation, you were losing yourself in a sense. He stepped in to stop your body destroying itself.'' Tyraz - I lose myself because I see things that I wish not to see...but I guess that is denying who I really am... Arsac - ''it is. My advice Tyraz is this: Accept that your instincts are there, let them be your shield and your sword, but stick to normal meditation sessions. If the demon takes control when you try bringing out your power then the best course of action is to strengthen your conscious mind through regular sessions of meditation. Use it as a way to relax and heal yourself, rather than as a method of controlling the demon within you. That can come later.'' Tyraz - And then what...?'' Arsac - All the entity wants is freedom and by rejecting your instincts you imprison it, and it can only stay in its prison for so long. Tyraz - I guess you're right...I should stop my denial...It has troubled me for far too long. Arsac - ''If instincts became your controlling mindset, it would discard notions of frendship. By keeping it locked away you put risk on everyone you know.'' Tyraz - ''So...I should accept it? Accept that the monster inside...'' Arsac - ''I am willing to stay with you and help you to commune with the entity. I know now what needs to be done and I will teach you.'' Tyraz - Thank you Arsac... Arsac - It will accept it needs you so long as you accept that it cannot be rejected, suppressed or ignored. Tyraz - So in other words, instead of trying to hold it back...release it? Arsac - First, you will need to learn howto commune with it in meditation and release it slowly. Arsac - Aknowledge that it is there and that such ciercumstances cannot be changed. Tyraz - ''Alright.

Tyraz let out a sigh as Arsac turned and headed towards the door and back into the ship.

Tyraz - I find it hard to believe that the one holding me back is me... Arsac - You're not the first I have told that to. Tyraz - ''Huh? W-Whaat?''

She turned back to him momentarily before she passed through the threshold.

Arsac - Nothing, you still have your friends. Tyraz - Okay...I guess you need your sleep... Arsac - Remember: Refrain from meditating as the demon. Tyraz - ''Okay, I'll do as you say. Thank you, so much.

Arsac passed out of view as she headed to the chambers Tyraz had given her. He turned to look up at the moons and sighed. =Year Two - Ghosts of Old=

Subject Tytho
March 8th, 2790

The had been adapting to the new conditions and properity that had come to them from joining the Commonwealth. Goods from across Andromeda were streaming inot their markets and the bustling planet of Foth-Venn was one of these cosmopolitan worlds.

Foth-Venn had new visitors today. Stepping out of a shuttle marked with the insignia of the union's G5 was Arith'Kethli, a Rytekian, and Grussk, a Val'Kar. Both had been sent by the G5 to investigate a laboratory situated deep beneath the streets of the planet's capital. Arriving at an elevator the two passed a retinal scan, decontamination checks and a long elevator ride to a facility a kilometre down. WHen the doors opened they were greeted by an android that looked like a silver-plated solinkidor. Arith'Kethil scoffed at the droid as it approached.

Kethil - We are here to investigate "subject Tytho" Droid - Clearence please. Kethil - We just passed a retinal scan, I thought we had clearence? Droid - Please provide stage-3 authorisation. Kethil - ''Alright. What do you need?'' Droid - ''Please provide stage-3 authorisation. Blood test required.''

The pair looked at each other, unsure what the droid wanted.

Grussk - ...Alright. Droid - Please stay still.

The droid lifted its arm and the two of them did the same. The droid clasped theri palms and the pair felt a sharp stabbing pain in their palms. The android rectracted his hands to reveal pinpric wounds in theri palms. After a few seconds its eye flashed green and it walked down the corridor. It indicated for the two officers to follow it as they traveled through several hundred metres of corridor. They arrived at a waiting room where they were met by a COlamr wearing a crisp white boiler suit. He smiled as he looked up at the pair of officials.

Velebi - ''Greetings G5 officials. You are probably wondering why you have been brought all the way down here.'' Grussk - ''Yeah. The thought did cross my mind.'' Kethil - The report suggested some sort of bioengineering research? Velebi- ''Well... not entirely true mr. Arith, but you are along the right lines. Come, I will show you.''

The two officials nodded quietly and entered a dar kroom. A shutter on a window opened up to a medium-sized room with a strange child and a female caring for her. Grussk frowned with confusion.

Grussk - ''Professor... How does this relate to Project Tytho exactly?''

Velebi chuckled somewhat smugly in response, which drew some curiosity from Arith'Kethil.

Velebi - ''Gentlemen. This is Project Tytho.'' Grussk - ''Excuse me? This bioengineering project is a child?'' Velebi - ''Not just any child. We all know the mantra "strength in unity" right?'' Kethil - Sure, what are you trying to say? Velebi - ''We took genetic markers from all G5 races and spliced them into this one child. We had quite a few failures at first and Tytho One here is the first true success.'' Kethil - So this child is some kind of chimera? Grussk - I think i'm gonna vommit. Velebi - Well... we added a little something else we discovered from splicing Ryketian DNA.

He approached a microphone and whsipered into it.

Velebi - Dethba, I have some visitors interested in seeing Tytho's talents.

From inside the room, the Ryketian comforted the girl and after a few encouraging words, convinced the little girl to stare at a pillow on her bed. To the surprise of the G5 officials, the pillow lifted up off the bed with no visible connections and floated into her grasp. Velebi smiled with exitment and Kethil smiled out of with interest. Grussk's face was frozen with surprise.

Kethil - So she's a telepath? Velebi - ''Oh yes. We managed to define the markers and amplify them over four years before her birth, which makes her potentially one of the most powerful psychics in the union.'' Kethil - ''Four years? Our reports say thisp roject has lasted eight and the girl looks much older than that.'' Velebi - ''We... introduced certain hormones into her ssytem to age her at thre times the normal rate. Your reports are not wrong.'' Grussk - ''She... she's a freak of nature?'' Velebi - I prefer the term "rare genetic oppertunity". Kethil - ''How exactly are you keeping her sane? We're a kilometre underground with no sunlight, how is she kept healthy?'' Velebi - ''She is given regular access to a holochamber and the windows you see around her room arep rogrammed to resemble a country retreat. As far as she is aware, she is not underground.'' Kethil - I see.

Grussk regained his composure and gulped. Inside the room the child looked at the mirror they were standing behind.

Tytho - ''Mummy, why do people keep asking me t operform tricks? Why do they never want ot say hello?'' Dethba - ''People are... afraid sometimes. Don't let it worry you, you know how you get when things worry you so go brush your teeth and prepare for bed.'' Tytho - ''Okay. And mummy?'' Dethba- Yes? Tytho - Can we go to the city tomorrow? Dethba - ...Sure.

Dethba was lying. She knew that "trips to the city" were really visits to a simulation of an unknown city. None of the people were real, none ofthe places were real and she wondered how long it would be before Tytho stopped being naive enough to realise, or whether or not she already had done.

Tytho - ''I want to visit a real city mummy. One with real people and not ghosts.'' Deathba - ''In time you will. Now, go to bed.'' Tytho - Okay.

Dethba sighed as she left the room quietly. She turned the light off and activated a butto nto close the curtains. She quietly closed the door and left the rooms to the rest of the facility.

The Chronosphere
April 14th, 2790

Slowly and steadily, as time passed, the construction of Elysion space station progressed, and the massive structure slowly started to spring into life; thousands of spaceships now arrived there from all over Andromeda: from the station's argent domes themselves, one could see these ships forming fiery streams of light in the night sky, shimmering with various colours. Some people, however, did prefer more advanced ways of travel. Among them was a scientist who came to one of the station's smaller domes; about the size of a large building, it was created as a science complex from where all sentient species of the galaxy could share their knowledge. The entire dome was an elaborate labyrinth of vast laboratories where Andromeda's most bizzare experiments were conducted, massive machines and reactors which ensured these experiments will be safely executed, and conference rooms where new theories were introduced by the galaxy's brightest minds. Inside this labyrinth, however, was a room secret even to the complex's very scientists; only a select few knew of what did this room hold. Because it did hold the most powerful pieces technology ever known to Andromeda.

The artifacts of.

The same artifacts that instigated the conflict that both shook the galactic community to its core and which, ironically, unified the galaxy, in a sense. The artifacts that could destroy the galaxy, the artifacts that could make one a literal god. Now, they were kept there, in a small secret room, trapped inside the Chronosphere; a creation of the extragalactic, it created a temporal field that let nothing in or out; the artifacts and the rest of the universe were now in the different realities. Until there was time for experiments, of course: and now, there was such time.

A scientist, one responsible for these experiments, was now conducting these experiments, turning off the Chronosphere to gather data and information about them. Looking up to see the ancient relics he was observing, the scientist slowly stepped back. The artifacts gleamed. The pure white light they radiated was enticing, entertaining... pleasing to his eyes. Almost hypnotised by the light, the Sader did barely manage to come to his senses to get the information he needed and turn on the temporal barrier again. Pressing a button on the machine with a shaking, sweaty hand, he saw the light vanishing yet again, now replaced by a purple gleaming of the Chronosphere. Nothing could penetrate its faceless void.

Sader - ''This is Archdemiurge A'on to professor Tarsus Senvinus. We have new data about the artifacts.''

A'on watched a hologram of a in clean, white and yellow appearing before him - a traditional apparel of the Imperium's scientists. His eyes were curious, inquisitive, and yet slightly distressed. The Sader scientist wondered; did he hear surprise in A'on's own voice or was it mere intuition?

Tarsus - ''New data? What have you discovered?''

A'on was breathing heavily in a mix of excitement of fear.

A'on - ''What I've discovered? We believed that after the artifacts were unified and used during the battle for Cathemera, they were useless now... but now, it was... it was...''

On the other side of the communication bridge, aboard, Tarsus leaned foward with interest.

Tarsus - ''Spit it out, Sader. I am keen to hear of what you have learned.'' A'on - ''I was studying the artifacts. I put them out of their place for just a few standard seconds, but then... they- they started glowing! I did study the artifacts further, and it appears they accumulate some sort of... energy! It was how this Loron used it during the War, and now it is growing- exponentially! I activated the sphere yet again, and Spode help us all if we will put the artifacts out of stasis next time...'' Tarsus - ''This is... Intriguing. The last time these artifacts were discharged or used the recipient gained godlike levels of psychic power - and believe me: when I say this, I do not use that term often. So do you think these devices may be powering up to do this again?'' A'on - ''It is quite plasuible. And you know what is worse? I was checking the energy signature of the artifacts. They were discharging... periodically. Apparently, there was a system in these discharges... like a signal...''

Tarsus slumped forward in his chair. he descended deeply into thought for a few minutes and he looked about, away from A'on.

Tarsus - ...What could be the purposes of these discharges, could the artifacts be communicating with each other?

Tarsus perked up for a moment and he reached for a datapad on his desk. He began frantically typing away, muttering various possibilities and known theories under his breath.

A'on - ''If only I knew... I have nothing to tell anymore, and further experiments will probably be difficult, considering their accumulating energy. Leave me, professor. I have to think now...'' Tarsus - *still typing* ''As you wish, Archdemiurge... oh, one thing.'' A'on - What, professor? Tarsus - ''The Draconid Imperium's Orolius Programme might be of help, seeing as how this Loron's abilities at Cathamera were similar to the programme's underlying mission statement and devices like this could be of interest to the scholars. Occasionally the programme develops prototype devices and substances to amplify the hyperspace interaction awareness of certain users. Perhaps their research might be of use?'' A'on - ''I will take note of this. A'on's out.''

A'on cut the transmission off, left to his own devices thinking about the mystery of the artifacts. Apparently, the Andromeda War did not end the strange relics' mystery for eternity...

A'on - ''Like a signal... Like a signal... Like a signal...''

New Enigma
May 2nd, 2790

Planet Tirar, Miana system, Segmentum Umbra

As New Dawn traversed Segmentum Umbra to its destination, the ships' crew looked at the new world they were going to visit - a small Tertanai world, Tirar. Its image was slowly growing larger on the screen, and its features became more visible; it was all crystal, dust and rock, like if it was picked to bone and consumed, and only by dimly lit dots on the planet's landscape - Tertanai domed cities - could one realise that there was actually life, let alone civilisation, there.

Quendor - ''The landscape is pretty... desolate. Jahric said he heard Tertanai refer to this world as their cultural capital... seems pretty dead for one.'' Tarsus - ''Many words died when the Four vanished. How or why it happened, hm, that's what we need to find out.'' Quendor - ''Let's just land there. Perhaps the locals know what happened?'' Arnas - ''All right. Who is going to visit the planet with us?''

Most of the crew remained silent, except for a Zazane warrior, Betharon Tanaris, who was the ship's chief tactical officer. He spoke in a somewhat arrogant manner.

Betharon - ''I couldn't care less for such visits, but perhaps a servant of mine could come with you. Rise, Grond, and do my bidding.''

Betharon pointed and one of Zazane next to him stepped forward to Tarsus and Quendor.

Grond - My name is Grond, one of Niddan Ho warriors, son of Tanaris.

Arnas steered New Dawn towards the largest domed city; when the crew left the ship, everyone was quite surprised. Even while the planet itself was desolate, the city looked like the pinnacle of architecture. Pastel, baroque buildings were constructed in geometrical order, each detail being perfectly symmetrical; their light colourations contrasted with the dark clouds that surrounded the domed city. The planet's sun, a dying red dwarf, barely managed to penetrate the overcast sky, and the entire city was lit in its dim, scarlet light. It was both sinister and magnificent. especially the latter.

Tarsus - Looks like your ealier statment may have been a misunderstanding, commander. Quendor - ''Seems so. Apparently, this world is more than meets the eye.''

Quendor looked at the buildings yet again.

Quendor - Quite beautiful, in fact. Tarsus - Reminds me of some of the Imperium's cities.

Quendor watched the Tertanai citizen walking, somewhat surprised by alien visitors; it seemed as it was one of the first times they saw one with their own eyes. One of the citizen, a middle-aged Tertanai, approached the crew; by his clean formal clothings and subservient looks Quendor realised it was one of the local ruler's servants. Tarsus - Greetings. Ammiones - ''Greetings, honoured guests of Tirar. My name is Ammiones Narres, and I bring an invitation from lady Nelana mi Anar Satelemene for a visit to her residence. She is a member of the Grand Council and the head of House Satelemene, so I believe this visit will be very important.''

The Tertanai was sweating like speaking, somewhat intimidated by Tarsus's look. While he was a scientist, he still was a Draconis, and his size was somewhat unnerving for Ammiones. He pointed at a large pastel green manor next to the city plaza.

Ammiones - Her residence is there. Tarsus - You must forgive me but I am just a scientist, I do not entirely enjoy spending time with governors. Tarsus - Unless, of course, she has knowledge on the precursors. Ammiones - ''My apologies, then. But I believe she had something important for your mission. At least that's what she told me.'' Tarsus - If she insists than I may as well. Quendor - ...what the professor said.

Ammiones led the New Dawn's crew through the city's streets. As they progressed, it seemed that the buildings were growing more and more baroque; instead of structured, indentical houses they saw before, large manors and estates started to appear, as did long shady terraces, where dark blue trees, apparently native to Tertanai worlds, were planted. While Quendor was slightly suprised by this vegetation, Tarsus merely felt curious; he saw many strange things in his life and these trees weren't strange for him at all. Finally, the crew reached Nelana's residence - and everyone was quite impressed. Gleaming white, it was a massive manor, adorned with many decorations and heavy, imposing pillars; statues of Tertanai warriors and generals stood, posed as if they were defending the manor, fused into the manor's walls. Tarsus - Hm, an impressive estate your lady has.

The manor's gates opened and the crew soon found themselves in a large guestroom. Ancient, torn tapestries were on the walls, depicting mythological and historical events. In the middle of the room stood lady Nelana, walking to meet her new guests. Her clothings were very upper-class and fashionable, marked with intristic patterns and Illidian glyphs. Taking a condescending, yet somewhat respectful, gaze at the crew, Nelana smiled.

Nelana - ''Ah... greetings, esteemed guests. I am honoured by the arrival of our extraterrestrial allies. I have prepared a small dinner for you, you may take a seat.'' Grond - *under his breath* ...poison...

Nelana showed her guests a long table; it seemed it was made out of ivory-like wood; white in colour and bony. Having curvy, almost organic shapes, the whole table looked quite exotic and eccentric, except for the seats, which were strangely laconic - and very tall - and constrasted with the surroundings.

Tarsus - If you insist.

Tarsus and Quendor followed Nelana and sat on the table, while Grond remained standing, keeping his weapon by his side and looking away from the food.

Nelana - ''Forgive me, the chairs might be slightly...uncomfortable. We are not really accustomed to such practices. But be assured, every other accomodation will be the best the Alliance can offer.'' Grond - Hmph, it is not because of the chairs that I stand. Tarsus - Forgive our escort.

Multiple Tertanai servants appeared and served the food. It appeared to look like normal meat, but with a purple tinge, dressed with salad-like leaves.

Quendor - ''Ahem... I guess I will take a taste.'' Grond - Tarsus, if you wish, I shall test the food for you. Tarsus - *sighs* If you insist, however my body contains a technology that can aid in breaking down toxins.

Grond walked over and looked at the food, before taking a bite and narrowing his eyes at Nelana.

Grond - ...It's safe. Nelana - ''I was aware that our food might be... poisonous for your species; I assure you we have taken precautions. No incidents should happen.''

Tarsus grasped a small chunk of meat and placed it on his tongue.

Tarsus - ''We were informed that there may be artifacts dating back to the times of The Four on this planet. Apparently that was the reason yuo invited us here, was it not?'' Nelana - ''I am well versed in the stories of the Old Alliance, sir, and I assure you: all artifacts and relics left on this planet were uncovered millenia ago. I have other news for you, though. Our scientists have intercepted several signals from the outer segmentum. When you finish, I will show them to you.''

Tarsus slowed down as he eated and looked curiously.

Tarsus - Signals? Nelana - ''Yes, signals. The scientists claim they might be of utmost importance, but I doubt that.' Tarsus - I have a hypothesis, but your scientists may be correct. Nelana - ''Reminocles believes the same. If you insist, I will show you these transmissions right now.'' Tarsus - ''Very well. I am keen to know more about them.''

Tarsus lifted up a thin piece of salad and uncomfortably swallowed it.

Nelana - ''So be it. This room has a very large holodeck - I adore the masterpieces of three-dimensional art - so be prepared.''

Tarsus wiped his mouth with a cloth and looked to Grond with a smirk. Nelana presses some buttons. Several dark, obscure, somewhat reptilian figures appeared, barking orders to each other on their alien language. ??? - ''Gnorvi nagtah. Sravak rah naar. Kolger rah-ar naak.'' Nelana - Apparently some alien civilisation... Grond - ''Hmph. She could've poisoned or acidized your organs, Tarsus. Don't get so full of yourself.'' Tarsus - I know, I know...

Tarsus looked to the figures and raised an eyebrow.

Tarsus - Interesting. Quendor - ''I was seeing creatures like that in the data records. I believe we encountered them in Kraw Galaxy...'' Tarsus - Any idea what they are or were? Tarsus - ''Wait, you're not suggesting... are you?'' Grond - ...Aliens. Tarsus sighed.

Quendor - I think they were fighting for Kraw against the Brood. Tarsus - You will have to enlighten me, Kraw Galaxy politics is not my strongpoint. Grond - ''Hmph, I was never in Kraw. You must ask Tyraz himself about that, or Father Tanaris.'' Tarsus - ''Wait... Quendor, I remember reports that the Kraw had two allies in recent conflicts: Tyrekians and Gros.... it can't be.'' Grond - Eh, both are stupid fools. Quendor - Gros, then? Tarsus - ''That is what I am not hoping. If so then our mission has presumeably become more dangerous.''

Tarsus took a deep breath.

Tarsus - Lady Nelana, how does this relate to the ancients exactly? Nelana - ''This transmission? It Is not. That one? Not sure.''

Nelana pressed a few buttons; another image appeared. It was another shadowy figure; It was speakIng and unlike the previous one, its language was intelligible, although heavily distorted.

??? - ''...yes, that Is my plan. The ship's remains are in this segmenum, and as long as nobody will know anything about our operation there... *distorted* ...yes, Chronosphere. *distorted*''

Tarsus's eyes widened.

Tarsus - Chronosphere? Grond - ''Chrono-what? Quendor - ''Uh-oh. Must be serious.''

Tarsus stood up rather hastily. Tarsus - Lady Nelana, thank you for your time. Tarsus - ''Grond, I can handle this, however the Comonwelath will need to be informed. Nelana - Wait, you didn't drink the, eh- there is also another transmission!

Nelana hastily pressed a button and a loud cybernetic voice boomed across the room. Tarsus covered his ears and cringed.

Tarsus - What in the name of the Lifefather was that?! ??? - ''This is HHS Apocalypse. We request assistance. We request assistance. We request-''

Quendor - ...HHS Apocalypse?

Quendor's face turned pale.

Tarsus - Sir? Grond - Quendor, you look as if you're going to vomit. Quendor - ''But... the HHS Apocalypse is in the Divinarium, commandeered by Navarch Renaie... but if this is the ship's previous owner...''

Quendor froze.

Grond - Spit it out, Quendor, before I make you. Tarsus - ''Sir.. who was the ship's previous owner?'' Quendor - ''Geroniel Telnhao. My mother. I believed she died during the Artharon conflict, but it seems...'' Tarsus - Unless this transmission originates from the inner-rim then this could be worth investigating with the captain's permission.

Three crew members started talking loudly, making Nelana quite pissed.

Nelana - ''You seem worried, my friends. May I give you a cup of Tirarian Finest? It is soothing for a soul, it is said...'' Quendor - ''I am afraid we have to go, lady. Duty calls...''

Tarsus stopped for a second.

Tarsus - Hmm, may we take some for our journey? Grond - ''Tarsus! It could be poison!'' Tarsus - ''We can study the composition in the New Dawn's labs if you are so concerned. However that wll be true if the tea is biologically compatable.''

Nelana's face changed her expression; a smile turned into arrogant displeasure.

Nelana - ''Hmph. Some commoners don't know what does "'polite"' mean apparently. I will send a crate wIth the drink to your ship, don't worry about that.'' Grond - ''Commoners? I am Niddan Ho, a son of Tanaris!'' Tarsus - ...Do not mind our escort, he is only concerend for our safety and well-being. Nelana - ''Fine then. I bid you farewell in your travels. May the light of Tertamia shine upon you.''

The crew hastily returned to the New Dawn. New journeys awaited...

Conflicts Inside
May 3rd, 2790

Segmentum Umbra/Segmentum Exterioris

"And so the journey of the New Dawn begins. We have clues to unfold. We have mysteries to discover. The brand new world awaits us, and nobody knows for sure what does it hide from us; and we have to find out. Many dangers may lurk there, but I believe that the greatest threat to our quest lies within this very vessel..."

- Remembrancer Theon Miranath, log 004/12:M001

Arnas sat in her seat on the command deck, clicking her fingers while waiting for the other crew members to assemble. Distracted for a moment, she looked at the walls and admired their look. After taking command of a ship, she made some work to customise the places she was working in, and now it was fitting her sense of aesthetics: not too fancy, not too bland. An old family heirloom here, a set of weapons there: the combination of all these small things made Arnas feel like she was home.

Eventually, however, Arnas was distracted again when the door to the deck opened; the crew assembled. It seemed to Arnas that all species and denizen of Andromeda came there; after all, the ship was created by the collective efforts of the whole Commonwealth, and the crewmen were suppoed to be chosen from all over the galaxy. First came the tactical officer, Betharon Tanaris; dressed in simple but utilitarian uniform (and hiding Shidium armour underneath), he sat on one of the chairs, scornful disdain etched on his face - as always. An Imperix ambassador, by the name of N'rai, came shortly thereafter, followed by the professor and a dozen or two of other crewmen. Arnas had already prepared to speak but as she viewed her audience, she noticed someone missing... Arnas - Where are the first officer and the CSO?

Nobody did respond, but shouts from outside the deck were already enough for the question to be answered. Arnas and the rest of the crew ran to investigate the source of the noise. It turned out to be the ship's CSO's chamber... or what left from it, anyway. Broken machinery and Artharon ancestral weaponry flew everywhere, sparkling from psychic energy overload. Amidst the room stood Quendor, looking furiously at his comrade; security officer Baka'niju.

Quendor - ''You... you were there! I can feel it, you know what happened to her!'' Tarsus - What on Alcanti is going on out there? N'rai - ''Erm... I thought Radeons were calmer than that.''

Quendor turned to Arnas and sighed, hanging his head.

Quendor - ''My apologies. The fact of my mother surviving was a shocking one...''

Baka'niju stayed cool and responded in a cold tone, without taking his helmet off. It was a strange quirk in his personality; no matter what happened, he always remained calm as he forsook his personality. Artharons were usually bombastic, brutal and loud, but not him. He also never showed his face, always remaining in his ash grey, featureless armour.

Baka'niju - The oath to Thorani forbids me from talking about that. Tarsus - '...'What is this oath exactly?

Tarsus felt somewhat intrigued.

Niju - ''I was once fighting for Fela'thoran and his clan. I still keep the old oaths.'' Quendor - ''You are still loyal to HIM?! This abomination?! I knew it. You may do whatever you want... But Fela'thoran is not anymore to help you. Either tell me what happened to her, or you would better start begging for mercy right now... Artharon.''

Baka'niju spoke again, once again no inflection in his voice.

Baka'niju - The Emperor might be dead, but the old oaths did not die with him. Arnas - ''Commander... are you threatening a crew member with violence? Quendor - Uh, eh...

Quendor drew back, but was still ready to fight, his entire body shaking in anger. He watched Baka'niju doing the same.

Baka'niju - ''To face dishonour by breaking the oath to the Old Emperor... or to face dishonour by breaking the oath to the new one.'' Arnas - If you two have a problem, might it be best to discuss it with the ships counselor? - Arsac's voice became annoyed, notes of anger appearing in it. N'rai - Hey, hey, wait!

N'rai, a ship diplomat, stepped between the two officers, deeply worried. While her mechanical Imperix body couldn't show much emotion, according to what one could see was quite distressed of the two's tensions.

N'rai - ''First officer... I know I am not in position to appeal but- perhaps he just doesn't know the truth?

Quendor turned his head to N'rai.

Quendor - ''He knows. He was there, fighting- I clearly remember this grey armour...';

Baka'niju nodded in silent approval.

N'rai - ''But I do not think this is worth fighting for. Vengeance and violence won't change anything...''

Quendor went silent for a few seconds, thinking. Meanwhile, N'rai quickly approached the ship's tactical officer, Betharon, and whispered in his ear.

Betharon - What is it, N'rai? N'rai - Just in case they will start fighting, please, shoot them with whatever non-lethal weapons you have so they won't break anything in process Betharon - Hmph, I'm chief tactical, whatever action I see appropriate goes on this ship.

N'rai turned back to Quendor and Baka'niju, now speaking to the latter.

N'rai - ''Sir, I think I understand you. You... still cling to the old ways. I saw others like that during my service.'' Baka'niju - ''...How can you understand? You are not one of us. Not one of the Artharons.''

Quendor barely managed to control his anger, only kept from Baka'niju by N'rai.

Arnas - I don't think you have to be Artharon to understand the basics. N'rai - ''I think I do. I met many civilisations and many people, some of them like you. I know it is hard to forget the old times... but we have to do this. You must not sacrifice a part of the present for the sake of the past.'' Quendor - ''Negotiating with him? How c-''

Baka'niju took a deep breath. Nobody could see what did he feel under his helmet, but it seemed he was as worried as Quendor.

Baka'niju - ''So be it... I will break an oath to the Old Emperor. May the ancestors forgive me for this.''

Quendor drew his weapon back.''

Quendor - You did it? Baka'niju - ''Your mother wasn't killed by us. Fela'thoran - he wasn't an emperor yet - did command me to collect her body and take her to his laboratory. He said she was meant to be a slave-''

Quendor - WHAT?!

Quendor drew his blade yet again, making Arnas's eyes widen. Betharon grabbed hold of Quendor and lifted him by his throat.

Betharon - I will not have you harm anybody without my authority!

Baka'niju continued to speak.

Baka'niju - ''No, I do not mean THAT slave. She was an engineer and a scientist. Fela'thoran wanted her to create new weapons for the Coalition.'' Quendor - You... Baka'niju - Unf-  - Niju noticed Quendor's angered face - ''She escaped. Hijacked one of our corvettes and fled.'' Arnas - Betharon, put him down, I think he gets your point. Betharon - ''Hmph. As you wish. If he harms anybody, however, I will not hesitate to kill.''

The Zazane dropped Quendor on the ground.

Quendor - I guess... we are fine then. - calmness returned to Quendor's voice slowly - ''Apparently, she got stuck somewhere here. Captain, do we have any knowledge of her coordinates?'' Arnas - ''We are working on it now. According to a trnsmission I recieved the NTA were nto the only ones to pick up the distress signal. The message also reached the Commonwealth.'' Quendor - ''When you will decode it, please... notify me. My mother was close to me, and if I will have the chance to find her, I will do it.'' Arnas - ''*nods* As you wish. Now, let's go. We still have things to discuss.''

The crew returned back to Arnas's command deck, now in full capacity. There were still many things to do.

The God Zazane Returns
8th June, 2790 Kol Daren was fortunate enough that the shuttle he had hijecked contained the coordinates of several enclaves that House Khaxvis controlled within Imperial Space. One set of co-ordinates in particular caught Kol's interest and he set a course for a planet coated in lush jungles. The planet itself was situated around a red dwarf in the mid-ranges of Imperial space. The size of his shuttle allowed him to discreetly travel past Imperial patrols without drawing attention. because the shuttle contained stolen Imperial registration codes he was able to slip through the gatway network without drawing attention to himself. When he landed the craft and emerged on the surface he could see nothing. However using his powers he sensed numerous lifeforms several kilometres nearby; a fortress hidden with optical cloak technology. Kol smiled a little and licked his sharp jaws, his eyes glowed as he looked in the structure's direction: House Khaxvis were hiding there and he knew it. Upon seeing through the barrier he noticed that surrounding the fortress were pits and pikes littered with Zazane bodies.

It was clear from the decay that the bodies had been discarded mere days after Volkarus's death.When he passed through the barrier a pair of battle droids turned and looked towards him.

Droid - ''Racial profile: identified. Designation: Zazane. Action determined: Turn back, or be eliminated.''

Kol raised his arms and nodded. He slowly turned away from the droids.

Kol - Alright, I shall back off. Droid - ''Action: Completed. Thank you for cooperating.''

Suddenly, Kol turned back around, he grabbed the heads of both the droids and slamming together, he destroyed them without effort. The droids muttered as they malfunctioned. As they collapsed, several metal portholes opened up to reveal laser emitters that aimed towards Kol. Without hesitation they fired at him. He opened his arms and allowed the lasers to strike him as he then gasped out in pain and fell to his knees, growling in supposed agony. This did not stop the lasers from firing, however and as they continued a hologram materialised outside the main door of a Khaxvis that looked with anger at him. Kol slowly looked up, wincing in pain as he snarled a little. With a wave of the hologram's hand the lasers stopped.

Khaxvis - Your kind are not welcome here!

Kol quickly stood and he spread his arms again. The same laser fire shot out from his very flesh with pinpoint accuracy, destroying the emitters. The hologram backed up reactively and dematerialsed ot leave Kol Daren standing in front of a heavy metal door. He walked up to the door and slowly knocked on it, so that the Draconis inside could hear. On the other side, soldiers and war droids had prepared themselves behind barricades that had been integrated into the gate's defence. On Kol's side a viewscreen appeared with a furious looking Draconis looking at him.

Draconis - You have a lot of nerve coming here on your own! Kol - Why hello my good sir, how about you open the doors and reduce the loss of lives I'm about to take? Draconis - ''Hah! You think I am stupid. You Zazane are all animals, if I let you in I am sure you will try tearing us apart.'' Kol - I don't have all day.

With frustration he then slammed his fist against the door, which large hole in the metal like a cannonball through a sail. Guards who witnessed it were unnerved from his attack, Kol Daren had managed to create a hole in a door designed to resist all manner of weapons, but to him it was as though it was made of paper.

Soldier - *mutters* Sacred clutch preserve us... How did he do that?'' Kol - ''Send me your finest warrior, and I shall prove to you that I am a god. Or would you rather all have to face my wrath?'' Soldier - God or not, you will end up on a pike jsut like the rest of your filthy kind! Kol - Try me.

An officer felt disgusted at the attitude of his subordinates. he primed a fusion rifle and fired through the hole Kol had made, who gasped as the beam hit his chest, his guts exploded forward against the door as he collapsed onto the ground, out of their sight. The officer lifted his rifle and smirked confidently.

Officer - ''See? Send a squad outside. Shoot him until you are sure he's dead then shove him on a pike; this one will make a grand centrepiece.''

A squad of soldiers nodded. They pulled the door ajar and cautiously made thie way outside. Upon seeing Kol's body - lying still with a large gash in his chest, bleeding from other wounds created by the weapon's impact and with his eys rolled back - they pointed their rifles at him as they inched closer. One soldier shot him in the head for good measure. The others apprached the body ready to pick him up.

Soldier - ''There's a spare pike 200m to my right. That should be a good spot.''

In the blink of an eye, Kol was standing while the legs of one of the soldiers was sliced off, he was holding a bloodied piece of sharp shrapnel in his hand as the soldiers panicked and fired at him.

Soldier - ''Centurion close the door, I repeat. CLOSE THE DOOR!''

Kol simply stepped out of the way of every shot, his movements seemingly lightning fast, before he slashed at their throats, wrists and torsoes with the piece of shrapnel he was holding. Khaxvis behind the door tried desperately to push it shut, Kol stepped foward and threw the piece of shrapnel which passed through the hole, through the stomach and spine of one soldier, and cutting off the arm of one standing behind him. While they pushed the door shut, the centurion rushed ot a console and activated a forcefield several metres in, creting a translucent barrier between them and the door. Just as they managed to hut it however, Kol's arm made another hole. He gripped the material before throwing it off it's hinges and launched it kilometres away. When the forcefield energised there were still soldiers trapped within Kol's reach.

Soldier - Sir this thing will tear us apart Let us in!

Kol smirked at the soldiers, licking his chops as he took a step forward, his pounding steps had them stepping back in fear until they found themselves backed against the forcefield.

Kol - Convince him to let me in, otherwise I shall convert this force field into a cheese grater. Soldier - ''Sir let us in quickly! ...Sir?''

The centurion looked solemnly at them. It was clear he was doing his best to hold back a sense of dissapointment with himself.

Centurion - ''It's either them.... or the citadel. I am not taking that chance.'' Soldier - ''S-s...sir? Please...'' Centurion - ''Zazane. How can I be certain you will not tear us all apart once you gain entry.'' Kol - How can you be certain I won't get in and slaughter you all for not letting me in? Centurion - ''This place is built to endure orbital strikes and massed assaults by Blood Dragons. It would be suicide to attack with anything less.'' Kol - ''Oh yes, it would be very unwise. But I am something more.'' Soldier - ''Sir.. he tore a 200-tonne door off its hinges.''

The centurion turned to the soldier in his ranks who reminded him.

Centurion - I will not bow from intimidation to this beast! Kol - Be very wise with your words, otherwise the deaths of ALL your men shall be on your head. Centurion - And I'm sure the deaths of all will be on my head even if I do let you in. Kol - Let me in, and I assure you I shall not harm even a fly. Centurion - We all swore that we would not make the same mistake as Volkarus; Zazane are far too volatile and dangerous to be helpful.

Kol became frustrated, but at the same time slightly relieved. He grabbed one of the soldiers and slammed their head against the force field, exploding their skull in the process.

Centurion - What other reason could you possibly have for coming here other than to kill us all or bring us to ruin. Kol - I require assistance, resources and a room. Centurion - ''You desire the resurgence's resources? After what your kind caused, never.'' Soldier - Sir he's going to kill us all! Kol - ''You forget one thing, Khaxvis. I am Kol Daren, I am no Zazane!'' Centurion - ''You mean the Zazane-thing who joined Volkarus only to use him? Yes, I've heard the rumours. You look Zazane to me, this fortress is forever forbidden to you so leave.'' Kol - No.

The centurion walked up to the forcefield scowling, growing tired of Kol's attitude.

Centurion - ''I. Said. Leave.''

Using a single hand, he smashed through the forcefield, grabbing the sergeant's throat before he slammmed him into the forcefield cracking the back of his neck from the immense strength of the pull and instantly killing him. Panic flooded the minds of the soldiers. Kol was unstoppable and they now knew it.

Kol - Now that he's been silenced, will somebody please turn off this forcefield?

One of the remaining soldiers apprehensively shuffled towards the control panel he looked at Kol through his visor and a chill rushed through his spine. One of his comrades calledout to him and primed his rifle.

Soldier - Turn that forcefield off and I shoot you here soldier... 2nd Soldier - ''Then it will either you or him who kills me so don't waste your breath. I prefer death from gusnhot than whatever 'he' has planned.'' Soldier - Spineless worm!

He fired his rifle as the soldier worked the control panel. As the bullet penetrated his spine the forcefield deactivated and Kol stepped through into the enclave and looks around, before budging past the Khaxvis at the barricade.

The interior was certainly built to impress. However at the same time it was clearly designed ot be well-defended. Numerous Khaxvis drew their weapons but were too intimidated to attack their uninvited guest.

Kol - Have any free rooms? Khaxvis - ''You don't belong here, Zazane... I hope the revered clutch are frowning on whoever let you in.'' Kol - ''Well? Is anybody going to show me where my quartres are?'' Dweller - ''Just.... leave. You are not welcome.'' Kol - This place was mine as soon as I set foot upon this rock.

He held out a hand, and the forcefield reactivated. Strangely the only nervousness came from kahxvis wh oowere in his vicinity rather than being trapped inside a building with him.

Dweller - ''Lies! This ground belongs to the true heirs of the Imperium!'' Kol - What, Uriel and his family? 2nd Dweller - How dare you utter those names in these halls! Kol - What, Uriel Ultanos?

The other inhabitants became more aggressive, those with melee weapons inched closer, feeling furious that Kol just uttered the name of theri sworn enemny.

Soldier - We are warning you, Zazane. Kol - ''Two things. One, you have become so splintered despite your apparent passion for Volkarus, who is now dead, and in all honesty this is somewhat pathetic. And two, you'd better get those weapons out of my face or you will witness the consequences.'' Soldier - ''Brothers and sisters.. please'' Dweller - ''Stow it! It's because of your comrade's failings a Zazane once again walks within these halls.'' Kol - I am no Zazane. Khaxvis - ''And because of their failings, this place is doomed to fall. I hope the void welcomes you all with open arms.'' Dweller - Once again, Zazane, LEAVE or we shal make sure you end up on a pike! Kol - ''Why do you persist making your empty threats? You know you cannot kill me and I am more likely to kill all of you anyway if even a single one of you just so much as touched me.''

Such words causedo one of the dwellers to snap. He drew a large knife and with a fierce roar threw himself at Kol. Others backed away but were confused as Kol cried in terror as the dweller came at him with the knife, he fell onto the ground trying to back away. This act made the dweller threatening him more confident and stood over Kol Daren.

Dweller - ''Do you all see!? A coward in warrior's lcothing.''

The other fortress dwellers were not so convinced and continued to back away from the scene. Whith the threatening dweller at his closest, Kol then grabbed the knife and yanked it out of his hand. He began to chuckle as the dweller couldn't seem to move which promptly changed dweller's experssion from confidence to horror. Kol watched as the dweller's head slowly split into four parts, blood gushing outwards while the body fell to the floor.

Kol - I will be requiring your research chambers and a room.

The fortress's inhabitants swiftly made their way deeper into the structure, some of them using their wings while soldiers stayed behind. Kol looked around as a dozen guards surrouned him with weapons ready.

Kol - Are you really going to consider fighting me? Soldier - We lay down our lives to protect the inhabitants of this place. Kol - You lay them down in vain. 2nd Soldier - ''But... how can we fight something that cannot be harmed.'' 3rd Soldier - ''I don't care what the enclave's master says. I am not throwing my life away too keep out a Zazane we can do nothing against.'' Kol - ''You are wise. I came here requiring some research chambers and a room. You meet me with violence and I am forced to retaliate. 3rd Soldier - ''Zazane are the ones who influenced Volkarus's demise. The only way of protecting ourselves was to kill all Zazane we encountered.'' Kol - Volkarus led to his own demise through his greed and...disgusting power. 2nd Soldier - It was a Zazane who empowered him, it was a Zazane who gave him trinkets of one of their own, it was a Zazane who killed him. Soldier - In that light, all Zazane are dangerous. Kol - What makes you think I am Zazane? Soldier - Isn't it obvious? Kol - I am much more powerful than any Zazane you have ever witnessed. Soldier - You still look like one, violence still courses though your veins. Kol - ''And so does reason. I'm allowing you all to live.'' 3rd Soldier - At what price? Kol - You supply me resources. 2nd Soldier - If we refuse? Kol - ''I shall kill you all. And rid this planet of life.''

The soldiers threw their weaposns down in series. Kol smiled as their knees suddenly exploded from beneath them as Kol stood behind them, appearing to have teleported. Each of the mcollapsed and looked at Kol in horror, realising that he had in reality displayed cruelty over mercy.

Kol - The resources I need are your living bodies. Soldier - *eyes widen* Wh-what for? Kol - Nu-uh, surprise. Soldier - Never trust a Zazane! Kol - I am not Zazane.

Diabolical laughter filled the halls, chilling everyone inside to the bone. Thousands of Draconis, all loyal to House Khaxvis, were at his mercy.