Fiction:Andromeda War

The was a place of few great spacefaring empires. The most notable of these modern day empires was the Shka'Tun, an immense empire controlling approximately 30% of the galaxy. They, however, were not the oldest or only empires living in the galaxy. There had been a great and powerful empire before them; an empire with technology so advanced that not even Tier 1 powers could mimic it, an empire so vast it had once controlled all of Andromeda. This empire had vanished, for unknown reasons, but that technology and legacy remained. Now that legacy was wanted by every empire in Andromeda, and they wouldn't let anyone else get their hands on it. The galaxy was once quiet, not much had happened there.... but now things would move, empires would clash, and a galaxy would be engulfed by war.

Members

 * MasterMachine
 * Wentals
 * Masuri's Loyalists
 * Main Wentals Empire
 * Imperios
 * Lucario of the Gods
 * Brood of War
 * Monet47
 * Draconid Imperium
 * Twinkyberries
 * Ghelae
 * Lonestar4
 * Technobliterator
 * CaptainTybusen
 * Wormulon
 * (later, part of their revived conflict with the Grox)
 * Lonestar4
 * Technobliterator
 * CaptainTybusen
 * Wormulon
 * (later, part of their revived conflict with the Grox)
 * Wormulon
 * (later, part of their revived conflict with the Grox)
 * (later, part of their revived conflict with the Grox)

=Prelude= The draconis detected an unknown signature on Cathar II during a routine scan of the planet. An expedition was sent to investigate the signature and reported of unidentifiable energy readings near the northern pole. Under guidance of the royal academy a senate-regulated expedition was launched by combined terradix and draconis scientists. After two weeks of digging they unearthed an ancient outpost and hours later a Talon officer, Commander Oros Kanoxus, arrived with an armed escort. As he approached the site he was greeted by a speeder courier. The courier explained that the installation was apparently ancient, predating all known records and that the skeletons below were damaged from an attack, what attacked them was anybody’s guess. Oros was greeted by Khalest Senvinus, the expedition leader, who explained that whoever left the installation was determined to keep it locked down.

After much consideration Oros decided that whatever life was down there would be gone after such a long time – any organism would be dead and any machine would be offline or in hibernation. Gathering a fire-team of fifteen marines he ordered for the scientists to find a way to open the door. Uneasy at the order the scientists complied and would spend the next few hours working to force the door open.

The interior was in surprisingly good condition – there was only a thin layer of dust and the only signs of decay had come from oxidation of metal surfaces. A howl permeated the facility as a rush of bad air swept the excavation. Priming their weapons the fire-team went inside aided by two hunter-killer probes. As they marched through there was a sense of dread, it was clear whoever left the outpost was highly advanced. Across the outpost's remains were skeletons and fractured glass. The energy readings were coming from the dark depths below and as they moved forward the base got darker and the air grew more foul. There was surprisingly little life inside, millions of years entombed had deprived the base of all life. Reaching a control center the team decided to use the room as a rest point and decided to gather what they could from the outpost's database.

The outpost's A.I. was barely functioning however they managed to piece together than an object, referred to as 'article alpha' in the files, was deep in the heart of the base. Once informing the surface teams that it was safe to come down, the team proceeded down to the very heart of the expansive facility. In front of them stood a massive door of an unknown alloy, analysis suggested the door was almost impenetrable to modern technology.

"Whatever we're after is behind this door" Oros commented to himself. After many hours laboring the door was finally opened after a small group required the reactor to pen the doors, as they opened an ominous voice ran through their minds

"Warning: Unit containment compromised, un-authorized entry - sterilization Imminent"

"Seal your suits!" The chamber was flooded with a white glow, one of the marines who failed to properly seal himself was reduced to vapor. After it passed they looked into the room to see what treasure they had uncovered. Lying in the middle of the chamber was a black, trapezoid-shaped container, seemingly made from a single piece of metal. The next day the excavation team brought it to the surface and prepared it for transport.

"I don't think we want this thing going straight to the academy, study it on a remote world and just find out what it does before we take it back" An officer suggests, the dockhand agrees with a nod and redirects the shipment to a remote world within the Tholfame-18 sector - the twilight bridge. From his quarters, Oros informed the military council that more signatures were detected across the twilight sector and beyond and asked that the imperial government begins combing the galaxy for the other artifacts. What would help them was a partially-operational map deep within the outpost.

The agreement within the council was unanimous. =Part 1=

Discovery
During a patrol of the a nearby star cluster within the twilight sector, the 410th fleet of the Draconid Imperium discovered that one set of map coordinates that they had uncovered matched their current location. After informing fleet command, they honed in on the signal's origin - an ancient bunker jutting from the surface of the systems's fourth planet. Routine was as at other sites: the doors were cut open, an exploration team was sent inside, and they recovered an artifact similar in design to a previous discovery along with another map fragment. As it was returning, the fleet was shunted out of warp by a gravity well. On the viewscreen was a large vessel: An Temple Ship. Admiral Olonrus was called to the bridge; the vessel requested that the Draconis share their knowledge on the artifacts with them.



Remaining under orders, the admiral flatly refused, but it did no good. Moments later, the Temple Ship had teleported a probe right into the battlecruiser's cargo hold; the astonished guards were hesitant but shortly opened fire. They barely hit it when it turned to them before teleporting away. The soldiers stood with their mouths wide open in astonishment at what just happened. Realizing the intrusion the admiral ordered the fleet to open fire and despite far outnumbering the Temple Ship it left the region in a flash with little damage. On the bridge the admiral grew impatient, shouting through the intercom at the guards' incompetence before ordering the fleet to resume transit.

After passing through the wormhole and arriving within the Tholfame-18 sector the admiral informed executive admiral Onarsus of the recent turn of events and he was not at all pleased with the outcome. As a result of the confrontation, the executive admiral made a declaration that any further sightings should be reported immediately for a fleet dispatch.

Information
Apalos decided that it did not wish for the Draconis to possess all of the artifacts, so it gave some the information that it had obtained - particularly the locations of the other artifacts - to, with whom they were officially allied with due to the.

The Divinarium has found the information extremely useful to them, and Clericarch Iovera has decided that the artifacts would be extremely useful for her empire to possess. Soon, the black ships have warped to the mid rim of Andromeda, a location of an artifact that Draconis were searching for. The Divinarium's fleet has encountered the Draconid ships in the area and immediately attacked them, leaving none alive. The artifact's location was still uncertain, and it would require time to actually find and unearth it. However, the Draconis ship has left a message to the homeworld of the empire, and the Draconis are going to strike back...

Furious at the sneak attack ordered for three fleets to comb the area for both the artifact and the attacking black ships. Meanwhile on Uriel, after receiving the message of the attack, left the banquet hall and retreated to his chambers; both furious at the Divinarium's deception and remorseful of the now-strained relationship. The sun was setting over the city skyline and as he looked out on the balcony at the gardens below he was visited by Alessa.

A. "Father?" U. "leave me, I dont' want you to see me like this" A. "Is something wrong?" U. "nothing, nothing's wrong my dear" A. "you're lying, what has happened" U. *Sighs* "Do you remember my stories of the divinarium, of how they seemed so like us? How I considered them our distant kin" A. "yes" U. "I was told that the 570th fleet just went missing in the mid-rim. They said the signatures matched vessels used by the divinarium - they killed our kin without warning, without provocation!" A. "Could they have been renegades?" U. "it's those damned relics the admirals have been finding! First a soldier is vaporised, then we get attacked by an incomprehensible vessel and now this. Those things are dangerous and if they are what is driving the divinarium's motives they deserve to be locked away and forgotten" A. "I don't think i've seen you like this" U. "I thought I would be done with war but no, in comes another upstart with dreams of grandeur" A. "perhaps you could speak with their leader? work something out?" U."I don't know..." A. "At least try something. They might reconsider" U. *Smiles* "You may be right, I will contact this 'clericarch' in due time. You'll make someone a very proud parent one day. Go back downstairs, I will join you soon"

As he turned to her he accepted her words of wisdom, gave her a hug and returned to looking out of the balcony at the setting sun as she returned downstairs. As Uriel looked out at the city below he muttered to himself.

"Iovera, your actions disappoint me. And one day, one day you will be repaid in kind I swear it"

Retribution
Out on the outskirts of the Amatia system a fleet of the divinarium was searching intensely for another artifact. While in orbit of the system's fifth planet they were set upon by two fleets of the Imperial talon navy. The ships opened fire by launching a withering barrage of missiles. Several smaller ships were breached while others, becoming aware of the attack, began travelling to the approaching fleets dwarfing the black ships. After two hours of fighting several of the divinarium's ships reported boarding parties.

Deep within the bowels of some of the ships marines had boarded and were fighting valiantly. Many marines fell as the crews fought back but it was no good. Those who did not die or were wounded were knocked unconscious and brought to the boarding pods jutting from the hulls. When the boarding crews realized that the larger ships were sentient they resorted to planting charges and retreating via the boarding pods with whatever radeon prisoners they had. As the battle slowly came to a conclusion the last battleship was destroyed and it's captain - although putting up a strong fight - was captured and restrained in a sensory deprivation tank along with the rest of his crew. Satisfied at the victory the remains of the 720th and 498th fleets examined the system.

While searching they discovered another relic and began swift operations, this time detonating the structure's interior after leaving.

Part 1
After defeating the small Divinarium fleet, the Draconis continued to search for the relics in the region. After some search, they have found another one located close to the core - next to the New Wental Sector. The frozen planet contained the treasure beyond imagination, and the Draconis have sent the fleet to discover it. However, they have been watched by the Divinarium, planning to take the artifacts as well. This time, they were going to win, and Iovera knew this. In the palace of the Divinarium, she has summoned her best commander. Admiral Jahric.

Iovera - Welcome, Admiral. Jahric - Greetings, my lady. Iovera - ''Are you ready to serve the Divinarium in your future mission? Today, you shall be sent into the frozen world for one purpose - to claim the artifact of the ancients for us. You must prevail - no, you SHALL prevail. Just imagine the power our empire could gain with the help of the artifacts! Think of it!'' Jahric - ''Indeed, my lady. I shall prevail. My fleet is going to warp into the planet within one hour.'' Iovera - Good...

As Jahric was getting ready for the fight in the hangar, he wondered. What was these artifacts? Why everyone was fighting to get them? And if they are so powerful and could give so much power to those who will get them, was anyone in this galaxy responsible enough to wield such power? There were rumors that the artifacts, if combined, were able to destroy the entire Andromeda - these were only rumors, but Jahric felt that they could be right. And what if these artifacts fell in the hands of an evil person? And worst of all, what could happen if Iovera would have the artifacts? Would she be able to wield these powers responsibility... or not?

Jahric's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the Divinarium's chaplain, Selytorah, an ambassador of Iovera meant to watch over Jahric. He hated her for one reason - she could read his mind.

Selytorah - ''I feel doubt in your mind. The uncertainty. One who doubts the will of the Clericarch is a heretic - and you know how we punish heresy. Destroy all doubts in your soul and let the divine will of Spode guide your actions - that is the only true path...''

Jahric, angered due to Selytorah's preaching, quickly left the hangar and entered the flagship, launching its engines. Perhaps she was right. Perhaps he should not doubt the divine will... Anyway, he didn't care now. He has activated the drives and commanded the fleet to warp into the battle. Within minutes, the ships have reached their destination, entering the frozen world's atmosphere. They were not alone, however. The Draconis were there as well, ready to unleash the retribution on them.

As the battle begun, the spaceships fired at each other with the powerful weaponry, and the heavens became red and orange due to the crossfire. Neither side was able to win, as both were too strong to be defeated. The battle lasted for several hours, with little casualties on both sides. Jahric grew impatient, and has commanded the fleet to unleash every single weapon at the Draconis in order to win the battle. At the same moment, however, the battle was interrupted with the large flash. Draconis and Divinarium ships were caught in a planet's electric storm, resulting in engines stopping instantly.

Jahric - Escape the ship, quickly!

Within seconds, Radeons and Draconis have evacuated in drop pods, falling on the ground. After coming from the rubble and the ruins, however, both sides have continued to fight for the artifact on the ground...

Meanwhile, two figures were watching the battlefield from the above.

??? - ''Hahahaha... Everything is going according to the plan.'' ??? - The plan? ??? - ''...Nevermind. Anyway, do you remember our deal?'' ??? - ''Yes. We shall claim these artifacts for the use of us both... I will use them to achieve my vengeance, and you... will do whatever you want with them.'' ??? - ''Yes. Of course.''

Two figures have left their mysterious hideout.

??? - Foolish tin can...

Part 2
The sounds of gunfire echoed in the distance as a long squad of the Divinarium's soldiers marched through the snow. All of a sudden, the squad's psychic called for the troops to halt. The psychic could sense that one of the draconis - one strong of mind - was near. Sure enough they came across a crashed escape pod of imperial manufacture. The pod was intact, and a red LED was flashing on top. As they primed their weapons, the hatch opened and the draconis inside, wearing a thick coat, jumped out pointing a fusion pistol.

"State your intent. Now!" - he demanded, as the Radeons told him their task he rolled his eyes, asking what their intent with him was. Deliberately being unclear, they ordered the Draconis to follow them to the crashed flagship. He was unexpectedly calm as he was taken along. The trek was quiet save for the howling winds outside and the Radeons closed the door behind them, quickly warming before heading upstairs. When he arrived on the bridge, Admiral Jahric approached him.

Jahric - "So... Let our psychics see your elemental potential" Psychic - "I predict some potential... perhaps we could use it..." Jahric - "Interrogate him?" Psychic - "Indeed." Sarec - "Perhaps not Admiral. And I suggest you to keep your distance."

As the Draconis spoke, he pulled off his coat to reveal the armor of an Inquisitor. Shocked at such a revelation, Jahric ordered for his soldiers to kill the man. As the soldiers primed their weapons they were interrupted when he held up a claw, calling them to hold their fire. he then asked the shocked admiral to explain his situation.

Sarec - "I am Inquisitor Sarec of the Cult of Drakon's Inquisition. Originally my duty was, as you predicted, to make sure your kind did not work inside imperial space. The electrical storm that downed our ships seemed to... coincidental to be an act of chance. It is only a hunch, but I think our fleets were downed for a reason. I can understand if you don't trust me, but these relics may be a risk none of us can yet fathom. Put duty to one side for a moment, Admiral and confess: do you think these relics are a danger?"

Jahric confessed his doubts to the inquisitor. As the inquisitor listened, he told Jahric that the empire only wanted the artifacts to keep them safe from anyone else and to understand them better. As doubt over the divinarium's task filled his mind, he agreed to let the draconis take the artifact offowrld. As the inquisitor left, he showed his thanks and gave a single piece of advice to the admiral, to all who were in the chamber:

Sarec - Sometimes, doubt can free you from the path of damnation.

Part 3
The draconis, free from the Radeons' persistent attacks recovered the artifact buried on the world and fortified the digsite. However, after Sarec narrowly dodged an attempt on his life the skies of the planet darkened and a strange voice could be heard by Sarec and Radeon psychics echoing in their mind.

- ''It is time. GET 'EM, BOYZ!''

Through the blizzard several large shapes emerged, firing on the defenders with their large-calibre weapons. The defenders were almost overwhelmed as commanders cried out, firing at each they saw. They held the line until the emergence of Loron wearing armor clad in a silvery metal, their rifles firing nothing but pure essence and incinerating anyone it hit. Sarec was almost overwhelmed from the din screaming in his mind. "Fall back!" The commanders cried as they retreated to the pit.

Fro orbit Wental warships bombarded the planet's surface, turning any area it hit into a scarred mess. Fearful the draconis huddled near the artifact, shooting any Loron that stood over the perimeter, in the distance marksmen fired their rail rifles at the Loron. Unfortunately most were out in the clear and fair game for an orbital strike. When one of the silver-clad loron was gunned down the marines realized there was nothing inside. For the entire battle these Loron had been crying out "Everything is dust dumbos" And now it seemed more obvious if disturbing - They were hitting shells of former Loron. Jahric, desperate for an escape route mentioned that a warp field may disrupt the bombardment so the survivors made a dash for any surviving starships.

As the ships lifted up from the planets surface, it seemed that the warp field didn't stop the Wental Gravity Weapons. That would be a major problem.

In the Wental Warships, all seemed well. Masuri was happy with the results, and watched as a Draconis ship shattered into pieces after trying to escape the planet. Then suddenly everything stopped. The weapons shut down, the engines cut out, and even the artificial gravity and lighting died. "What the hell happened?" Masuri bellowed with rage. The few Draconis ships left jumped into hyperspace and vanished from sight, heading somewhere out into the universe.

Sarec - ''Do you see what I was talking about? The greater threat?'' Jahric - Yes. Sarec - When we were planetside you called them Loron, so who are they? Jahric - Lorons are the star barbarians, primitive but strong. Jahric - However, I feel like they are controlled by someone... Sarec - I think I could hear him, his voice echoed through my skull... I-I've never felt such power in all my years... He spoke as though these Loron were below him. Jahric - Perhaps it is one of these... Mali'Nar... Sarec - I apologize but that name escapes me. Jahric - ''Like the messengers, they are only legends. It is said that some beings have transcended the mind and body of the mortal beings to become something... different. It is also said that these beings can be both good and evil... And we could have met an evil one.''

They were interrupted when a marine handed sarec a datapad containing scans of obrital vessels. Sarec's eyes narrowed and he let out a grunt. Jahric peered at the data

Jahric - ...Wentals? Sarec - Indeed... Let's hope for their sakes their leaders did not sanction this attack. Jahric - It is strange, we must investigate... Sarec - ''I can already think of one man who may be responsible. *rests the datapad on a bench* A perfect example of why emotions cannot govern command. That was an entire fleet, so whoever is responsible was at least an admiral at the time of betrayal. I will promptly contact the Inquisition when i can... Where are we headed?'' Jahric - I assume that we should contact the Divinarium.

Jahric opens up holographic contact with Iovera. His contact was unexpected as she straightened herself out. Sarec had been eager to meet the Clericarch since the war's beginning and he had finally gotten his chance. As the hologram engaged Iovera was without her robe and diadem, Sarec subtly raised an eyebrow with interest. Whether or not either of them noticed was anyone's guess ash se stood straight, hands clutched together in front of him.

Iovera - ''Why have you called me, admiral? Is your mission complete? Jahric - We have met the fierce resistance. Lorons and Wentals... Iovera - What? Really? Sarec - I'm afraid he speaks the truth. Iovera - What? A Draconis? Sarec - *bows* Sarec of the Inquisition of Drakon. And I do not speak for the empire, your majesty. Iovera - Well, your holiness would be a right term, but... whatever.''

Sarec did his best to keep his composure, he was never keen on anyone being referred to as 'their holiness' - a title he considered arrogant and unworthy without proof of a divine nature.

Iovera - ''So, a third side has claimed the artifact? We will see... Sarec - What we encountered on Caharden IV affects both sides, personally it seems, since the empire is on good terms with the Wental council. Iovera - I will believe you at the moment, however, I would need proof. Although... I can read your mind... You speak truth. Sarec - I do have one suspicion and if he has managed to get his hands on the artifact the entire galaxy is at great risk. Iovera - Fine. Fine. Inquisitor, I assume we shall cooperate at the moment? Sarec - Indeed. I will contact my seniors and inform them of what has happened, we will deal wih the Wental. We managed to gather what we could from the data recorders and I will have copies transferred to you when I can - You have my word. Iovera - Perfect. Sarec - It was good to meet you Clericarch, i will leave you with your admiral unless you wish otherwise. Iovera - Fine.''

Sarec walked downstairs, leaving the two of them alone while he went to privately contact the inquisition. Arsac, proud of Sarec's efforts decided to keep him in the Twilight Sector due to his (arguably) first-hand contact with the mysterious commanders of the Legion of Badmanz. it was clear from the discussion that Iovera was not keen on the developments, or the resulting truce. However there was a much more sinister danger that needed dealing with first. Sarec, weary from his ordeal, rested in his quarters for the remainder of the trip. The terrifying voice of the Mali'Nar haunted his mind. Once he returned to the draconis colonies he decided to spend the next week meditating to clear his mind. When he spoke of his ordeal to a cleric, he was told that there may be things in this universe mortals are not supposed to comprehend.

Part 4
On a massive space ship deep in Wental Territory, Masuri paced back and fourth, waiting for information. Masuri was ticked. His fleet had been crippled by a single enemy, an enemy from within, a dastardly traitor to the Wentals. He wanted answers, and would get those answers no matter what he needed to do.

Masuri - Bring in the traitor! Soldier - Yes Sire.

A young Meta is brought in, angry and silent, refusing to allow any weakness to show. However, Masuri was a predator. It was in his nature to know what weakness was, and where it could be found. The Meta was weak, she had a stuttering heart. Masuri could hear it's beat, rapid and irregular. Lum trum trum lum trum lum trum lum lum trum. The heart was obviously not quite perfect, something had been damaged or left unmade. He could use that. But what it told him more then the physical weakness was that this Meta was scared. Very scared. She probably came from a lower class, or she would have simply had the heart repaired via surgery, or her parents would have repaired the genetics that caused it. Such was only restricted by price, and even then a middle class Wental could get it with relative ease. Her being a lower class Wental meant she would be subordinate, and thusly tell him everything he needed to know.

''Masuri - So... you are the weak little traitor who sabotaged my fleet. Well, I applaud you.'' Meta - ''What? Why?'' Masuri - ''It must have taken guts for a lower class Wental like you to do this... but I think there was more. You had help. I want to know who that help was.'' Meta - ''There was no help. I did it myself. I have changed my fate, and now I will not be forgotten.'' Masuri - ''Yes, you will. I'll make sure no one can ever hear your screams, ever remembers your fate or knows your name.'' Meta - ''My name is Clairvaux Uidiana! You will remember that name, for it has been your foiler in this battle!'' Masuri - ''I cannot forget the names of my enemies until they are dead, that is true. However... you will be forgotten soon.'' Clairvaux - ''Wha... you can't kill me. Dylan won't stand for the open killing of one of his own species!'' Masuri - ''Dylan... was he behind this?'' Clairvaux - No, there were not but me. Masuri - ''You need to learn how to speak. Hmph. You are a weakling, you have a bad and revealing heart. You're terrified of what's going to happen. I can smell your fear, hear your terror, almost taste it. You will tell me everything, of that I am certain. It is.... inventible.'' Clairvaux - ''I will tell you nothing for there is nothing to tell. I did this myself.'' Masuri - ''Then tell me what happened. How did a low class Wental like you get into my fleet, and how did you sabotage it?'' Clairvaux - ''Simple: you opened the doors and let me in. You had no one else to help you, so you had to trust all those who entered. Now, I do believe that the Iteok must pay. They killed our worldforest, we will kill them utterly. However, you're going about it wrong, and few Meta would support you in this. I'm not one of them. When you allowed me on your ships, I immediately went about my way learning everything I could about their software and programming. I became a very decent computer specialist, to the point that when things went wrong I could fix them. But I was also searching out weak points, and testing them one by one. You remember all those little things, like when the gravity shut down in the port kitchens, or the lights cut out in the starboard barracks? That was me testing the system. Once I found the codes to shut things down on a small scale, I simply sent it up to a max scale, the entire fleet. That needed a virus, which I created.  Masuri - Impressive. I would have never thought that a low life like yourself could manage to do that kind of work.'' Clairvaux - ''No. You wouldn't have. After creating the virus, I simply needed to get the perfect time to use it. When we were bombarding the planet, i got into position. It was a simple thing from there to activate the virus and set it on standby. When I saw the ships leaving the surface, I put it on attack, and attack it did. Granted, it took a few seconds to breach the firewalls and security, but once that was finished, the entire fleet was crippled. My plan worked because you underestimated me. And now the Metamind himself has come to help me.'' Masuri - No he hasn't. He's all the way back in- Soldier - ''Masuri, it's Dylan! He's here!'' Masuri - ''What! How did he know I was here?'' Clairvaux - ''You idiot. You forgot that the Meta are a weak group mind. The moment you hurt me they all knew something was up, and the moment I released my fear they were able to pinpoint me. I never expected Dylan himself to come, but come he has. You cannot win now...'' Masuri - Why you little!

Masuri launches himself at Clairvaux, intending to kill, when he's suddenly stuck in the air. Everyone turns, and Masuri manages to spot Dylan, his hand up and essence held in it like a weapon, walking towards him.

Dylan - ''Guards, take this fool away. I'll deal with him later. You, what is your name?'' Clairvaux - Clairvaux Uidiana, the Forgotten Warrior. Dylan - ''Well now Clairvaux, you shall be forgotten no more. Aeir Ur Uidiana, wae Clairvaux. (You are a Warrior, not Forgotten.)''

Dylan helped Clairvaux up and out of the room, while Masuri and his fleet were affectively captured and placed into temporary prison until the details of this whole mess could be worked out. The Meta as a whole could sense a strange happiness from their Metamind, something they hadn't felt in years.

In their hidden world, the trees could feel this too. It energized them once more, and they got one step closer to revival.

Enter, the Warriors of Honor
As the remaining Radeons and Draconis fled the planet, Br'klakkon ordered da Chikz to unearth the artifact and decipher information. As the Norol have finished their work, Br'klakkon has descended to the planet surface along with his retinue. He was quite impressed with the unearthed relic. Pitch black and glowing with the green light, Br'klakkon could fear power coursing within this machine. As he pressed the artifact, it opened like a puzzle box, revealing flat display responding to the touches of the user. Chikz have deciphered the code of the machine and Br'klakkon has started to learn the secrets of the artifact. After spending some time working with the machine, a smile appeared on his face (or whatever Loron did instead of smiling).

Br'klakkon - ''Excellent... EXCELLENT!''

Br'klakkon has just realized that in his hands was the map - the map containing the locations of the other artifacts. He now knew what was his next target now...

But first, he needed to bring his old allies back.

Br'klakkon - ''FLASHBOYZ! SHU CHIKZ! BRING DA METAL CAT BOY BACK DAM U''

By their master's command, Loron'Kikra have started to channel their temporal powers, warping the laws of time and space. All in a sudden, the reality was shattered and in the massive explosion, Masuri emerged out of the warped space.

Masuri - What? Br'klakkon - ''I have taken you out of the timestream back to me. You currently exists as two beings; your time twin is currently within Wental space, awaiting for judgement. While he is there, we shall work together... again. As you see, this artifact contains information about the locations of other artifacts, which can be quite, quite useful.'' Masuri - ''Good. However, remember that someone have fled the planet thanks to the... traitor. Now, we must think what to do with them. They could inform their empires and...''

Br'klakkon has pointed to the map.

Br'klakkon - ''Next destination: Twilight Sector. Plain and simple: go, grab the artifact and flee. However, if your words are true, I should make something to prevent Radeons and their new allies from claiming the artifact... And I know what should I do.''

Suddenly, a ghostly figure of an Asgord appeared to the duo, bowing before Br'klakkon.

Alo'emonraz - What do you wish, my master? Br'klakkon - Call the Zazane...

With these words, Alo'emonraz has vanished, teleporting to the Borealis Galaxy, on Rivelata. There, Alo has taken form of a high-ranked Kordalu Zazane, appearing to Astral Highland for advices.

Alo'emonraz - ''Welcome, my mistress. I have just gained the information that the artifacts of the great power are located in the Andromeda Galaxy. We could claim these artifacts for our empire, as well as destroy unbelievers there, like Radeons and Draconis. What do you think, my mistress?'' Astral Highland - ''Great. I will inform the Council of the Brood as soon as I can."

After several minuted, Highland has called the council of the Brood. There, she told about the artifacts her "advisor" told her about, and how could they use it for the Brood. Soon, the Council has agreed that the Brood shall send their fleet there, led by councilor Tyraz Breek. In several hours, a large fleet of Zazane ships have left Borealis and has entered Andromeda space.

At the same time, the Draconis Empire and the Divinarium were planning to protect against the new enemies. All in a sudden, they have realized they were in a trap. Legion of Badmanz and the remnants of Masuri's fleet have invaded them from the back, and Zazane ships have appeared in Andromeda as well, sowing chaos.

Things were not going well for the newly formed alliance.

The Fleet of Ruin
Tyraz was on board the Ghost of the Warrior, his personal Talzaan-Class Ship. His crew of several thousand were all willing to die for him. Tyraz looked out into space, observing the passing stars and systems, and also the rest of the fleet. Tyraz then turned his head to face SpecOps Commander, Tanaris Kodos.

Tyraz - Tanaris, we are going up a very skilled enemy. The Divinarium are not as weak as you think. They are strong warriors, their technology is very advanced. Tanaris - You think I am scared of some pathetic rats? Tyraz - No, it's just that we have not fought them before. I fear that you may...underestimate them. Tanaris - If anything, you overestimate them, my lord. They will be an easy task to attend to. Tyraz - Do not make them suffer! Tanaris - They will not have the chance to! Their deaths will be swift and quick, to match the skill of the Niddan Ho!

With these words, Tyraz looked away. The Fleet of Ruin progressed forwards, trekking deeper into Andromeda space. On board the ship next to them were a large amount of Hetii, the insect warriors of the Brood. They would be deployed for planetary attacks and for ship raids, seeing that due to their technology, they can breath in space for an hour. The Hetii were starving, and their neutron blasters were ready for combat. They were dangerous enemies to fight on the battlefield.

As the fleet progressed, they came in contact with a small Divinarium squad of ships. Tyraz instantly took charge of the situation.

Tyraz - My brothers! Members and races of the Brood of War! Show this pathetic squad the power of the Fleet of Ruin!

And so, the attack began. The Hetii were deployed, neutron blasters firing and swiftly avoiding enemy fire. The Brood ships were also firing, so the Hetii had to be extremely careful. However, they were skilled like this, naturally knowing where things are coming from in all directions.

Tyraz turned to Tanaris.

Tyraz - Tanaris, it seems we near the Divinarium. You have better prepare your troops for battle, I can sense that a planet will be coming soon with Divinarium presence. Tanaris - Do not worry, my lord Tyraz. The Niddan Ho are equipped for specialist ground conflict. In fact, they are better than most of your warriors! Tyraz - Careful with your words, Tanaris. Just because the Niddan Ho are more skilled than my warriors, does not mean they will always win against them. My warriors are more numerous, yours are scarce compared! Now, begone! I wish not to see your face until we reach the planet.

Tanaris grunted and turned away, disgusted. Tyraz was known for his temper, but then again, so was Tanaris. However, he could not afford to be slaughtered by the councilor before the battle. He bit his tongue and let it go. He then walked past a Cyrodi warrior, and slammed his head against the wall out of anger. The Cyrodi was left surprised and confused about the sudden outburst, but they had great respect for Zazane, so whatever it was about, he should probably not get involved. He then carried on to see the councilor.

Tyraz - Ah, Kra'Lo'Kan. Nice to see you again. Kra'Lo'Kan - Great Leader Tyraz, my Cyrod horde is waiting for your command to strike. Tyraz - Tell your horde to wait. You and your kin will feast soon, just be patient. Kra'Lo'Kan - But they get restless, Great Leader! Tyraz - I said they must wait! Grr...Have we not any food on board this ship? Kra'Lo'Kan - I am not so sure, Great Leader Tyraz. May I try and beg your royal chefs for food for my horde? Tyraz - *growls* Fine. I will get them to cook for your horde. However, if they refuse to fight on the battlefield because of it, I will decimate them!

Kra'Lo'Kan noded and bowed before walking away. Tyraz huffed and spoke through his communicator.

Tyraz - Royal chefs, I want you to try and cook something for Horde Kra'Lo'Kan. His horde grows restless, and they will start consuming each other if need be! I cannot have rebellion or cannibalism on my ship!

The Dragon Awakes
Within 's royal palace Uriel was still brooding in his chambers. While he had not forgiven Iovera for the attack on the fleet, he grew uneasy of the partnership. In his opinion the war effort was darkening by the day and the arrival of the Legion did not improve things. As he stood looking out of the balcony he heard a knock on the door.

Uriel - Who is it? Larnus - It's me, i need to talk to you Uriel - ''Larnus? Shouldn't you be in the field? Larnus - Would i really leave the paragon alone when he's like this?''

uriel walks inside. Larnus enters and finds Uriel is sitting slumped on a sofa in an alcove of his room, his face bearing a grim expression. As Uriel looks at him his face drops, fearful of whatever bad news his mentor had.

Uriel - What's happened now? Larnus - ''We received word from the colonies. The Divinarium is under attack, what scouts we had in the vicinity didn't last long. ''

As he hears this Uriel tightens his claws, his face drops and his eyes narrow before leaping out of his chair in rage with a bellowing roar. He marches up to larnus who stands straight with his hands in front. Uriel gives him a cold stare before turning away. he continued to burn with rage

Uriel - ''Damnation Larnus! For the past month I have had nothing but bad news! First Iovera backstabs us, then we lose a fleet to them, then we lose another fleet to a third party - losing a second artifact in the process - and now you're telling me another invader has attacked. The Talons are stretched enough as it is. Leave me be unless you have some good news for a change Larnus - Look at yourself Uriel! A century ago I knew a man who couldn't wait to get his claws around the throat of the empire's enemies. And here you have been sitting, sulking. That's not the man I knew during the wars, during the patrols, hunting pirates. Eighty years of being a leader have made you soft. This damned dream of yours has turned you into a pacifist! Uriel - I grew tired of war, of destruction. I would rather have en empire of peace than one of war. I will not lower myself to the Khaxvis! Larnus - Is this what it's about? proving you're nothing like the pretenders? There's a time for peace and a time for war. A good leader knows when to get the balance right.''

Uriel's grim expression slowly changed to a smile, he was almost amused by Larnus' statement.

Uriel - ''I hate it when you're always right. Contact the Divinarium and tell them the dragons will emerge from the dark. It is time for this warrior to serve his line once again. Larnus - Glad to hear it''

Uriel calmed down before moving over to the armor case in his chambers. Stored within was the very same gilded armor he wore during his many years of service. Still in fine condition and polished until reflective. he smiled as he looked at each segment before gazing at the longsword housed with it. After examining it and smiling he gave a quick glance in Larnus' direction. A glint of ambition shone in his eyes, and within his heart a fire of passion ignited that had been out for many long years: His passion for combat.

Uriel - Do we know who the attackers are? Larnus - ''They call themselves the 'brood of war' apparently. What our scouts did find is that they have a bizarre obsession with an unknown element Uriel - Then its time these barbarians experienced warfare at it's finest.''

Larnus nods with delight. Since the Divinarium attack Uriel had been sulking in his chambers and now he knew what was coming. Nothing less than retribution would come for the Zazane and their allies; The Empire would prepare to field its full might into the Twilight Sector...

Choices.... Choices
Dylan - ''We must do something about Masuri immediately! His actions threaten out entire existence!'' Nampt - He took initiative, something most here only do when annoyed at him. Dylan - Shut it Nampt, we all know you worship him! Hinata - ''Dylan, calm down. Yes, my father worships Masuri, but he also speaks the truth. We have rarely taken the initiative unless absolutely required to.'' Titrit - Speak for yourself, pink one. Arukas - Yes, some of us don't waste time idling. Uma - ''Nampt DOES speak true though. How many of us have actually gone out of our way to stop Masuri. How many of us have actually paid attention to the outside universe beyond possible threats to our existence?'' Dylan - ''Regardless of what we have done, Masuri has destroyed everything! I honestly can't say whether or not the Draconis will remain our allies after this incident, and to be honest if I were them I wouldn't remain our allies! How can anyone expect others to trust us when we can't even trust ourselves?'' Clank - ''Personally, I think what Masuri did was a good thing. He went ahead with his plans, and hasn't actually denied committing the actions. However, he did break an alliance and treaty, an alliance and treaty of which we only recently made. He damages our reliability, and if we want a positive future with the outside universe, we need to be reliable.'' Remlap - ''Clank is right. Masuri has broken the law, he must be punished for it. The Draconis are the ones who he victimized, at least, they are the ones who's anger we must sate. I say we throw him to them and see what happens.'' Dylan - ''I hate Masuri as much as anyone here, but handing him over to the Draconis would cause no end of civil disrest and possible rebellion. At the least it would cause rioting across the Wentals.'' First Spark - ''This is a situation with no right choices. Masuri has broken the law, thus he should be punished. However, he has a large following, and if we punish him it will not end well. We need to decide which we fear more: the Draconis or the Wentals?'' Clank - ''I couldn't have said it better myself. I personally fear the Draconis more then the Wentals among us. They aren't afraid to destroy us, but we cannot destroy ourselves.'' Uma - ''I have seen civil war, it is not something I want to see again. I fear civil war more then interempire warfare. I think we should let Masuri rot in prison, but nothing more.'' Dylan - ''I fear both, but I fear the Draconis more. And it would be nice to get Masuri out of my fur, he's been a claw in my side for far to long. I say we give him to the Draconis and crack down on anyone who tries to stop it.'' Jasmine - ''I know I'm the newest one here, even including Hinata, but I do have equal say. Masuri is lost, confused, angry, and hurt. He lost everything more times then any of us, and he doesn't know how to deal with it. His entire life has be based on warfare and battle. I think he has forgotten that there is more to the universe then war. He needs medical help. The Draconis will not give him that.'' Kuhera - ''While I am no Council Member, I do wish to speak. These are difficult times for us. We have not recovered from the Mechanization yet, we are far from war-ready. We cannot afford a war with the Draconis, a powerful empire with few weaknesses. If we choose war with them, it must be complete and total warfare. We cannot allow them to survive, at all, if we do not we will be destroyed.'' Hinata - ''I do not dislike Masuri personally, but his actions are unacceptable. He should be given to the Draconis and left for them to deal with. He needs to learn that his actions will have consequences.'' First Spark - ''Civil War is the worst kind of War. I will risk war with the Draconis over war with ourselves.'' Nampt - ''I like war. Civil War less then interempire war. I say we keep our angry friend Masuri and let him wage his war against the universe. And then we should embrace it.'' Titrit - ''Those damned lizards are slavemasters and slavers. I think Masuri is in the right, and will support him against them. He shouldn't even be in trouble!'' Remlap - ''Masuri may have his heart in the right place, but his mind is not. I think he should be given the Draconis with the condition that they do not harm him.'' Arukas - ''Masuri is.... unpleasant. I do not like his methods or his intent. I think he should be thrown into the deepest and most unpleasant pit in the Wentals. However, he should be punished by his own kind, not by some others who won't respect his past. He should remain a prisoner of the Wentals.'' Dylan - ''Very well. As much as I dislike this, Masuri can stay. Harip aw ru pleos. (May We Be Protected) On to diplomacy. What will we tell the Draconis?'' Remlap - ''That we have decided in a 4 to 6 vote that Masuri will remain among us but a prisoner. We should not lie to them.'' Nampt - They will be angry already, may as well just make them think we have no idea where he is. Hinata - And if they find out we have them? Nampt - ''We war! Ha ha!'' Dylan - ''We cannot afford war. Not now.'' Jasmine - Well, I'm no good at diplomacy and whatnot, so I'll just be leaving. Clank - Same. Kuhera - ''My advice is not needed here. You probably wouldn't listen anyway.''

Clank, Kuhera, Jasmine, First Spark, Uma, and Arukas leave Nampt, Hinata, Dylan, Remlap and Titrit to argue the subject.

Titrit - ''We should just side fully with Masuri. The Draconis will enslave us all if we don't.'' Dylan - Despite your feelings, the are not entirely evil. Titrit - ''Hmph! You've never been a slave.'' Hinata - ''Stop it! We aren't going to attack our ally, Titrit, no matter how much you want to.'' Titrit - ''But you have to have seen their eyes. How they look at us with such contempt. As if we are already their inferiors.'' Hinata - ''They do have a tendency to act superior to others who they are really not so different from. They weren't very friendly when I first spoke with them.'' Dylan - ''Think what they must see when they see us. A bunch of misfits who can't even control their own people.'' Nampt - ''I think that war would be fun, but ill advised. They outnumber us, and no matter how good you are, numbers can tip the scale. We should wait for our strength to grow before we do anything bold.'' Hinata - ''Wow, I am really shocked! You actually advising AGAINST war? Who are you and what did you do to my father?'' Nampt - ''Ha ha ha, very funny. I use my head too you know, you aren't the only one who can think.'' Dylan - ''So, against war is myself, Hinata, and Nampt. Titrit, you've lost. I don't think any of the Wentals would actually want war, except for Masuri's followers, and we all know they don't care who the war is with.'' Hinata - ''Which brings up yet another problem. What are we to do with them? Masuri being imprisoned won't please them, we may still have rioting on the streets.'' Nampt - ''This is where I come in with a few dozen stun-guns and EMPs... •chuckles•'' Titrit - ''I think they have every right to be angry, but we should protect trade and infrastructure. We should place a curfew while they cool down, and be ready for violence and rioting.'' Dylan - ''I agree. If they get out of hand this could end badly.'' Hinata - ''They are still our citizens, we cannot kill them. Do you understand that father? No deaths.'' Nampt - ''Aww, not even one? I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Sheesh, can't take a joke...'' Dylan - ''Nampt, you're one of the few here who's used to this kind of thing, we don't have many willing to lead people against their own. You'd better not screw this up, got it?'' Nampt - ''Yes. I'm good at what I do, no one will be harmed.'' Dylan - ''Now... what about Masuri's punishment? He needs it badly, he thinks he can get away with anything.'' Titrit - ''You know my opinion on that. At the worst, some mental rehab and a nice vacation.'' Nampt - ''Masuri needs to be placed under solitary confinement for a few years at the least... no way we can let him plan anything with his followers.'' Dylan - But what if his followers are among those guarding him? Hinata - ''We can use all Meta, right? That way you know if they are following him.'' Dylan - ''But then it will look like I'm the one imprisoning him, not the Council. We need a good mix, but people we trust.'' Hinata - ''Well in that case we should have more Meta then all the others combined. Maybe... 50 peoples, 26 of which are Meta?'' Nampt - ''That would work.... but 50 may not be enough.'' Dylan - 50 is all we can spare right now, what with the reconstruction and other measures taken to prevent disrest. Titrit - All this could be avoided if we simply cut relations with the Draconis and attack them... Dylan - Give it up already, do we need to put you under house arrest again? Nampt - ''So, I'll go and organize the night watches and curfews. Dylan, you should handle Masuri, but take someone with you. He's not stable, he may try to hurt you.''

Nampt leaves the three other Councilors behind to do his job. He knows what he needs to do, and nothing will slow him or halt him now.

Dylan - ''Nampt is right. I should set up the new guard now.''

Dylan leaves as well, first heading to Masuri's cell and alerting him to the news, then moving on to tell the new guards what must be done and how. Hinata looks out over the city. She is joined by an unexpected individual, another Kwaad who her father assigned to be her personal guard.

Hinata - There is no reason for you to be here, Guardskaan. Guardskaan - ''You father wants to ensure your survive. He does care for you, in his own way.'' Hinata - ''I know. So, did you hear everything that was said?'' Guardskaan - Yes, mlady.'' Hinata - ''And what do you think? Is keeping Masuri among us at the risk of war with the Draconis a good choice?'' Guardskaan - ''It is not my place to say. However, you asked, so I shall. I think that the choice is proper for the time being. Masuri is a Wental, the Draconis are not. That alone is the biggest difference.'' Hinata - ''I know. I remember when we said the same thing about each other though. The Meta are Meta and Kwaad are Kwaad. I remember those times, though I was younger. I hope I can live to see when we are the same with others again. Now please, leave me be for now.''

The Guardskaan leaves and Hinata looks over the city. She notices the cracks in most of buildings, the plants growing up them. From a distance, the city looks alive and well, but up close it's obvious that only three of the hundred or so buildings are used, and many of the unused ones are falling apart. Nanotech doesn't work so well anymore, so the buildings no longer self repair.

Hinata - ''The city is rotting and falling apart. I really hope this isn't some sort of foreshadowing...''

New Reign of the Monarchy
On board the King's Ascendant the Zaretian Capital ship, location unknown. In the bridge Admiral Helios the head of the invasion of the Andromeda Galaxy was having a meeting with his aggregation of under-lings; Ganos, Thea, Bore'Ock, Tales, and Cytos.

With Admiral Helios looking out of the window of the ship, he says calmly "My loyal team, what have you gathered about this galaxy? Now, don't be stingy with the details, if we're going to bring this galaxy down to it's knees and harvest it for sheer might, in hopes that we can calm our home galaxy... the Telios Frontier."

Ganos said to him in a sardonic manner "We already know why we're here Helios, you don't have to remind us over and over again, heh" Helios gave him a sharp look in response and said "Commander Ganos, would I need to remind you that we need to speak in a kind manner to each other, so we can have great morals and to... lower the chances of betrayal that some of your predecessors in the Frontier have fallen to. Such pity, that us Zaretian don't believe in keeping dogs like them alive" Thea spoke saying "Enough small talk, we need to tell Helios about the events of this galaxy" Bore'Ock replied "Yes, Helios, we have been using the very few stealth ships the 18th fleet carried with. And I you're gon' love this... there's a big war brewing between the habitats over some rocks of some sort, I don't know"

Tales added on by saying "My theory is that the habitants of this world believe possessions have some sort of spiritual energy around them, or else they might have a high value on this world's market. But I am very curious about them, if maybe you can acquire one of them maybe I can examine it and see what it can do, and maybe see if... we can get some info about them out of some of the other empires of this world. Then we ca-" Bore'Ock cut him off by saying "What my brother is trying to say... in short. He wants want of these artifacts so he can look at it." Helios turned towards the group and said "We've barely been here for a few months, I'd say I can spare a few fleets. But make sure that this doesn't come back to us. We have zero information about these empires and the last thing we need is a premature war" Cytos said "Helios. If Tales gets his hands on one of these rocks maybe we can start our conquest of this galaxy alot earlier than expected. We have little to fear about these foes getting to our Home Galaxy.... so far"

Helios shouted "Meeting dismissed." and as his crew left the bridge for the other areas of the ship he turned towards the window of the ship again, staring into it.

Battle of Solvani III
In order to maximise their coverage the armada spread out to reach the border - over 200 fleets had been dispatched to defend the Divinarium. On the edge of their space a raiding party from the 360th Fleet of Ruin was examining the Solvani system for any signs of the relics. As they searched several hundred ships came into view: Under command of Admiral Usuros was the 220th Imperial Talon Fleet - one of the vanguard for the armada. As the Four vessels came into view the lead ship - TNSS Colonies, captained by Arnas Volkamen - was contacted by the Zazane general on board.'''

Shindra - I am guessing you are the Draconis, correct? Arnas - ''I am elmidladrus Arnas Volkamen of the Imperial Talon Navy's 220th fleet. Your vessels' signature is unrecognized so identify yourself. Shindra - I am Skorda Shindra Lowik of the Fleet of Ruin's 360th fleet, which belongs under the ownership of the Brood of War.

Unsure what to say next, Arnas turned to her bridge crew. One of them nodded - this was the enemy she and the rest of the armada had been informed of. More confident she turned to return her view on the general.

Arnas - ''Why are you in this system? Our sensors detect recent weapons fire. Shindra - We have been alerted of several objects within this galaxy, and so we search for them. And we have reason to believe that you have claimed one or two for yourself. We demand you tell us more! Arnas - That is Axah-grade classification I cannot tell you. Our duty in this region is to ensure those relics are kept safe. If that means we must fight for our lives then so be it. Shindra - So they are relics? Relics of what kind? Arnas - That is classified! Even if i had clearance I wouldn't be telling you. Shindra - They are classified for a reason! And if you refuse to tell, even out of your own moral code, then they are obviously of importance! We are Zazane, we will not back down like cowards until we discover what relics you have claimed! Arnas - I'm afraid that will have to be the case. Even if i was following my morals I wouldn't be telling you anything. Shindra - Then prepare to face the wrath of the Brood, Elmiladrus Arnas. I hope you have fun trying to fend off our Hetii soldiers...Officer - Captain, we're detecting weapons fire at the planet nearby, unknown energy readings. Arnas - Very well. If that is how you want to approach things. Shindra - I will die before you do battle with Lord Tyraz's fleet! Arsac - Seeking a fight is such an ugly pleasure''

Over the comm the admiral, who had been listening, smiled at Arnas' level of tact. He opened communications with the rest of the fleet, ordering a fierce broadside at the 360th. Meanwhile Shindra ordered for the Hetii shock troops to be deployed through space onto the enemy vessels. The 220th fleet was aware of this development.

Officer - Sensors detecting several minute mass signatures sir. Too slow to be charges Admiral - Deploy all fighters, swat them from the stars.

Hundreds of strike craft were launched to shoot down the incoming Hetii, many where hit by turbolasers however some took advantage and fired their weapons at the incoming strike craft, killing several pilots in the process but it was not enough. Some of the soldiers finally reached the hull and after planting and detonating the charges some of the vessels, particularly the TNSS Alamis. The explosion tore the hull plating from two levels, exploding the interior to the vacuum of space. marines sent to combat the attackers sealed there suits and activated the magnetic pads on their boots. Within the depths of the hull both factions fought, gaining little ground either way

Sergeant - ''Units target bear LivArm. Focus.''

The marines refrained from using plasma grenades in order to keep the ship intact but the hetii pushed through. As the bodies mount up some of the heti resort to using their rifles clubs, which were little match for the combat knives and energized swords used by the marines. Eventually the Hetii began using the corpses piling up as living shields

Sergeant - You monsters should respect the dead! Hetii - ''We are not like our Zazane masters. We do not see meat shields as dishonorable or immoral. We have no culture as pathetic as that.''

In one section a captain ordered for his men to fall back, closing the door behind him and throwing inside a plasma grenade before it completely shut. As the Hetii looked down the grenade exploded, knocking some out of the air and exposing all to the intense heat and explosive shockwave, turning the corridor into an oven. Arnas plotted for a counterattack - ordering three wings of Gangplank-class cruisers to bombard the ships with boarding pods. The wings flew close and Arnas watched as the pods punched through the shidium hull panels with force. As the pods rested they filled the corridors they entered with clusters of plasma grenades. Once the plasma subsided the marines emerged to secure the ship.

Within the main fleet Tyraz Breek received word of the events transpiring

Zealot - Lord Tyraz, we have received reports of conflict from the 360th fleet! Tyraz - Conflict? Zealot - From the Imperial Talon Navy! Tyraz - ''Grr...Prepare our ships for war! Deploy the Hetii and Haskar!''

Tyraz was furious at the navy's unexpected arrival. He ordered for the Haskar, space warriors who excelled with a sniper rifle, to be deployed. back on board the Colonis Arnas tried calling for reinforcements from the fillet, contacting Commodre Thanus in vain. Meanwhile back within the main fleet

Vorta - Reports of breaching in several hulls of our ships, Lord Tyraz. Tyraz - ''Get them to reinforce! Time to unleash the Cyrod Hordes!''

On board some of the 360th's vessels Marines, who had been gaining the upper hand, stopped to hear a thundering down the corridor, realizing that the Zazane had released the savage Cyrod they fought to hold the line. They used plasma grenades more liberally inside the four vessels. In a desperate move Arnas ordered for the fleet to continue firing on important components of the enemy ships' hulls. Inside the ships the marines were becoming increasingly overwhelmed. Beserkers were eventually seen charging down the hallway, crushing whatever marines challenged him.

Shadows in the Dark
the 470th marine unit was one of the squads sent to detonate the reactor within the bowels of one of the hips. As they marched through with the 473rd unit the doors close behind them. Sealed inside the 473rd began getting cut down and eventually all that remained was half of the 470th unit - 8 soldiers against an unknown foe. Chanting filled the room and on top of a pile of bodies stood a thin figure, revealing herself under the camouflage was a Jorta Zazane - stealth experts and assassins.

Sergeant - Vision: Infra or ultra, Don't let that Alien scum out of your sight

The marines fired their rifles and watched helplessly as the Zazane swiftly dodged them. Those that scraped her armor soften and corroded, pulling off the impacted plates as they melted. Underneath she ware robes and cloth that flowed with her movements.

marine 3 - ''That's a Zazane? They're smaller than I thought... Jorda - *growls* You underestimate the Zazane Sergeant - Take this alien scum down''

The Zazane continued to dodge many of the shots.

Sergeant - Keep still and die with honor! Jorda - ''*growls* Jorda are not known for honor! Why do you think there is only one of me here? Sergeant - Just shut up and die, your horns will make a good trophy for my unit.'' Jorda - You invade my ship and tell me to shut up and die?! I thought males would have more manners than that!''

As she speaks she runs towards the Sergeant and leaps into the air, landing in front of him. As she soars the sergeant draws his longsword

Sergeant - Duty comes first and right now killing you is my duty.

Every swing he made the Jorda simply dodged it. First bending backwards for his upward spring, then shifting sideways to avoid his plunge. Swinging herself around the sergeant's body she rested a set of sharp claws on his neck

Sergent - The moment you even nick my neck, and my men blast you until you're nothing but pus! Jorda - Then I guess we are stuck here until reinforcements arrive... Sergent - Nope...

With a subtle movement the marines try to grab her, she simply leaps out of the way; leaping over and kick him in the in the chin, biting the head of a second after leaping over his arm, plunges a pair of twin knives in the sides of another and slashing the mouth of another. The Sergeant rolled his eyes before drawing his fusion pistol and fired at her in an attempt to anticipate her moves. he scored a lucky shot on the leg. The Jorda, now numb in the leg, turned to face the Sergeant, who ordered surviving marines to hold her down. he smiled as he heard her heart racing.

Sergent - You're exhausting yourself, your heart is racing... you know what's coming don't you? Jorda - I do not fear the killer, but instead I should compliment him. Sergent - You may not fear the killer, but i know you fear dying, as all creatures do. Jorda - ''*laughs* I do not fear death. All Zazane are expected to die in battle. I am just surprised my time has come so soon. Have I failed the Brood? Sergent - Hm, contemplate that as you take in your last breath''

Pressing the pistol against her cranium, he pulls the trigger and watches as she collapses in a pool of her own blood. On her face was a smile. relieved, the sergeant contacted the fleet "Elmitharis, we cannot win here. Once we return to the pod I request you to hit these wrecks with everything you have." As he was speaking the surviving three marines around him stood in horror, they gasped within the captain's presence. As he looked at them he wondered what was going on before a deep, almost demonic voice echoed behind him

Tanaris - You are not going anywhere...

The sergeant inhaled deeply before slowly turning around. His eyes turned to the stomach of a rather large Zazane, as he looked up he saw the creature's face - towering almost a meter above him was Tanaris - One of Tyraz' most fearful lieutenants. Out of a sense of duty a marine called out and charged. Tanaris simply picked him up by the neck and crushed it, blood everywhere. After holding it for a split second he threw the corpse aside like a ragdoll. The sergeant, both horrified and infuriated, lifted his blade ready to strike the man.

Sergeant - Damnation soldier... If you want to spill blood take mine.'' Tanaris - You are next Sergeant - Let's hope you took whatever sick pleasure you could from his honorless death. It will be the last time...

The sergeant swings his sword in an attempt to cut the Zazane's legs but he just stepped backward and, like the marine before him, was grasped and lifted high into the air. He dropped his sword in an attempt to pull apart the Zazane's grip but it was no good. The two remaining marines fired at Tanaris but the pulses simply reflected off (a rare thing with fusion pulses). Tanaris was seemingly sympathetic, not wanting the sergeant to suffer decided for his death to be quick and painless. The marines gasped, questioning what he was.

Tanaris - Niddan Ho, get rid of these pathetic aliens

Emerging from the shadows were Zazane towering over. Dashing towards the two surviving marines. Being all that was left they discharged their rifles, deep down knowing that what they were doing was futile. In their last few minutes they began chanting:

"We fear no enemy, for We are the Pargon's fist. Our might will shake the heavens, our skill is bar none, we are the fist of the Empire. All shall fear our might for we fear none. Drakon protect us as we perform our duties, for in life or death he smiles upon us. In life, in death, the lifefather frees us from pain..."

As they chanted the Nidden Ho knocked them down. On the ground as they uttered the final sentence the warriors fired at point-blank. By the sergeant's corpse was a communicator, Tanaris looked at it before picking it up.

"Whoever is on the end of this line....Your attack has failed."

Beware the Treasures of Dragons
Arnas was listening carefully. She had heard and recorded the marines' chants, the banter between the squad and the Jaros, the encounter with Tanaris, all of it. She saw it as an opportunity to prove just how cruel the Zazane were. She gave in to temptation, giving Tanaris the satisfaction of a response.

Arnas - My crew heard the whole thing... Savages, prepare to meet whatever dark god you worship. All ships open fire! Pound these barbarians with everything you have; Drakon grant us vengeance for the fallen!

The 220th fleet fired what they had but it wasn't enough, despite the numerical advantage they had no choice to retreat. As they did they deployed dozens of unassuming dark grey cannisters that slowly drifted towards the 360th. These capsules Peeked Tyraz' interest and he ordered the Hetii to investigate. At the back of his mind something was not right and ordered his warriors to be extremely cautious and he was right to be. Arnas watched closely as the Hetii examined them, waiting for the right moment. Eventually Tyraz decided to place them in one of the smaller ships, a Kiirith-Class cruiser. As they entered the hold the capsules activated, gravity pulses were being emitted form the capsules that warped and compressed anything within a 5km radius of the capsule. Tyraz was furious, falling for such an old and simple trick. he watched in anger as the cruiser fractured and crumpled under the force. Out of rage he contacted Arnas, who we very pleased with herself.

Arnas - I take it you received our parting gift. Tyraz - ''Indeed I did. A cowardly act it was Arnas - I prefer to see it as retribution. I heard what vile acts you promote amongst your member cultures so I suppose that makes us even. Tyraz - The Cyrod Hordes and Hetii Swarm. We have allowed them to keep their own culture! Arnas - Under the empire's authority they would have abandoned such vile behavior. Such acts only promote violent and savage behavior. Tyraz - Your acts of violence against us called for such action. Arsac - I would never consider responding to murder with cannibalism! The bodies of sapients deserve more respect than that. And next time you had better inform your captains not to stick their snouts in matters that are beyond their understanding. Tyraz - You contacted her first! *He slams his fist in anger* And you murdered her! Arnas - She demanded information that she knew I would never hand over. You may have won over others like that but the Empire does not respond to threats of intimidation! I highly suggest you inform your superiors of what I just said. Tyraz - You are a fool! I am a superior! A member of the Council of the Brood! You speak to one of the few who have complete command over the entire Brood! Arnas - ...Then inform your peers. And consider the captain's death a fair warning - The Empire will not answer to intimidation or to unreasonable demands. Do I make myself clear? Tyraz - You dare try to intimidate me? Arnas - Of course not, I am not stupid enough to lower myself to a barbarian, I am making just making sure you understand. Tyraz - ''Tell your superiors or peers that the Brood has survived hundreds of thousands of years of despair and war, and that we have erased many a foolish foe from history. You should consider the death of your marines and sergeant a warning not to tangle with Brood forces. Arnas - Don't worry, your message was perfectly clear... Anything else?Tyraz - ''Yes. Thank you for those capsules. Now we have gained another weapon. Arnas - Check your stock: A fusion canister was opened inside once the pulse had run its course; All internal components, of all the capsules, would have melted to unrecognizable gel by now.''

As arnas said this with a smug look, Tyraz burst into a fit of rage.

Tyraz - Damn it....Grr, then I guess that is all. I hope to meet you on the battlefield... Arnas - We don't like having our weapons fall into the wrong hands. And it would be an honor *ends communication* Helmsman, we rejoin the armada.''

As the 220th rejoined the armada Arnas was pleased with herself. Despite the losses she was smug in the fact she managed to irritate Tyraz into a fury, along with providing him with a few reasons for why the empire had survived. She wondered to herself if this would be the last time. Meanwhile on board his flagship, Tyraz wondered about the young captain himself. he seemed almost pleased that he had faced an enemy that wasn't constantly shouting down the comm or replying with simple insults, a woman he would consider a worthy opponent.

Tyraz - ''She is a strong one. It will be an honor when I tear her wretched throat from her neck....''

The ground battle
At the same time as the Brood was fighting Draconis in space, they were also pushing the Divinarium's forces on the planet itself. From the Fleet of Ruin's flagship, Tyraz was overseeing the small world inhabited only by a handful of the miners and workers. However, one of the greatest warriors of the Divinarium was here...

The massive Cyrodi hordes were sent to overrun the planet, led by general Horik Rokl and the master of the Cyrod Horde, Gor'Un'Wa. The air stood still on the world, as it was getting ready for all that bloodshed that would happen on this small mining world. Gor'Un'Wa has detected the movement of the Radeon forces in the distance:

Gor'Un'Wa - ''Skorda Horik, I detect enemy movement from afar.  Horik - Good! I cannot wait to see what those pathetic rat people have in store!''

At the same time, the Divinarium's forces were getting ready. Realizing the sheer mass of the enemy armies, the governors of the planet and the commanders of the military were now discussing what will they do now. The small planetary defense force was now bolstered by the arrived Divinarium Battleship led by Admiral Jahric, who has brought some soldiers with him as well. The leader of the PDF, Archon Altharu, has spoken first:

Altharu - ''These forces are massive, and we cannot win. However, what can we do is to hold these blasted Zazane down so they will reach our capital later. We will now arm all the remaining civilians and will sacrifice our lives for the glory of the Divi-''

Altharu was rudely interrupted by Jahric. He seemed to be angry now:

Jahric - ''"Sacrifice our lives for the glory of the Divinarium"? Is it the best idea you can come up with, Archon? Do you care so little for your subjects? What we must do is to evacuate the civilians as quickly as possible and then leave the planet, to warn the Clericarch.'' Altharu - Cowardice! Jahric - ''Not cowardice, but logic. As a supreme Admiral, I therefore take command of this world's PDF. Order all workers and civilians to move to the battleship. Then, we shall buy time for them. I or you may die, but... anyway. Our death is nothing compared to the death of thousands or even millions of the sentient beings which would happen otherwise.''

Altharu was enraged, but Jahric was a superior commander to him, and so he was forced to obey. Immediately, the small population of the world has started to move to the battleship, their last way to salvation. At the same time, however, The Brood has attacked.

Radeon and Fyrvrtha soldiers have entered the trenches and have started to fire at the marching enemies, trying to buy time for the civilians to escape. However, the relentless Holy Scion was not stopping.

Horik - ''Fire your weapons, my loyal warriors! We must keep our ground!''

The Zazane forces have answered the plasma fire with their shidium weaponry as the hordes of Cyrodi have charged towards the Divinarium PDF.

Gor'Un'Wa - ''Devour what you find! If you find anything...."inedible", kill it immediately!''

Radeons have brought the large plasma cannon in the trenches, firing at the warriors of the Brood. However, Zazane soldiers have immediately anwswered by destroying the cannon, causing a large explosion which resulted in the soldiers in trenches being killed or trapped under the dirt. Neverthless, warriors of the Divinarium who managed to escape the destroyed trenches were not giving up. The master of the Cyrod Horde was not pleased with this.

Gor'Un'Wa - ''They attempt to resist?! Bring the Berserkers!''

After these words, a gigantic monster has entered the battlefield herded by the Cyrod warriors, reminiscent of the Cyrodi themselves but larger and more brutal. It has jumped at the Divinarium's soldiers, ripping them in pieces as if they were paper. Enraged by this, Jahric has immediately answered to the beast's mighty blows by jumping at the Berserker's back and firing at his head from the point blank range. The head of the monster exploded immediately and Jahric has jumped back to the battle. Another Cyrodi warrior has tried to overpower Jahric and wrestled with him, but he was immediately stabbed in the heart by the Jahric's chainsword.

Gur'On'Wa - That rat person looks like a promising foe...

Suddenly, using his sword to slash away at enemy soldiers, the Cyrod leader ran into the conflict, fast and agile,. At the same time, warriors of the Brood have engaged in the bloody melee with the Divinarium forces, Cyrodi and their Berserkers charging with their curved wristblades clashing the Radeon bayonets.

Gur'Un'Wa has slashed through the Radeons in order to deal with Jahric personally and has clashed his blades with Jahric, Zautul rifle pointed at him. Jahric has answered by stabbing Gur'Un'Wa with his chainsword, cutting through him. The Cyrod leader has grabbed his wound and fell to his knees.

Cyrodi Warrior - ''The Horde Master is injured! Avenge him! Devour whatever you can find!'' Jahric - ''Everyone, flee to the ships! I will hold them! Remember... my single death means... uh...nothing...''

As the last ship of the fleet has escaped the planet, Jahric fell to the ground lifeless, his body consumed by the ravenous Cyrodi. However, after some moments, his he has vanished in a flash of light, confusing the warriors of the Brood.

Gur'On'Wa - They have escaped? Horik - ''They have fled in their metal boxes? '''The cowards! The fools!''' We... we should follow them. Move to Crepusculum and prepare to the invasion of their blasted capital...''

---

Jahric has found himself in a black room lit by the white lights. Where was he? Was it afterlife? What fate has he deserved for his deeds? He was confused and scared. Suddenly, a door has opened, with a Radeon woman entering the room. Was she a Messenger? After a moment, Jahric has realized who was this woman, however...

Jahric - ''Geroniel? Honey?'' Geroniel - That's right, honey. We have recovered your body and healed it back to activity... generally. You will get used to these cybernetics, I assume.'' Jahric - ''Good. Now, tell the Clericarch! The Zazane are going to invade Crepusculum! They-''

As Geroniel and Jahric looked to the window, they have noticed the Fleet of Ruin landing on the Radeon capital, laying waste with the Shidium lasers.

Geroniel - It seems that you are too late...

--- Br'klakkon was pleased with the results of his plans. Now, the Divinarium and Draconis were busy fighting the new foe, and he was now able to retrieve the artifacts without interruption. The Lorons have landed on the planet where another artifact was located as their Tekkas were unearthing it. Br'klakkon has walked to the position of the relic and felt joy. The puzzle box was opening. The artifacts were revealing their secrets.

As he came close to the artifact, however, it has started to glow with the white light. Suddenly, the ground has started to shake as the eldritch machines have started to pop out of it, gleaming white in contrast to the ground where they came from. Cold and emotionless, they have uttered one sentence together:

Inheritance Robot - The Artifacts must be protected.

With these words, the machines have fired the blue bolts of light at the Lorons, turning them into nothing but skeletons. One by one, the warriors of the Legion fell to the ground as the remaining ones escaped the planet quickly in fear. Worst of all, Br'klakkon has felt as his elemental powers were weakening as the machines attacked. In an attempt to escape, he concentrated all his powers to teleport from the planet.

Br'klakkon was angry. Someone was protecting the artifacts, and he wanted to know who.

Battle of Crepusculum
The Fleet of Ruin was relentless in its approach, and now they had reached the very heart of the Divinarium - Crepusculum. As they emerged in orbit admiral Jahric, fully recovered from his ordeal was commanding the orbiting fleet and PDF. He watched as the Brood's guns tore the crystal spires of the homeworld apart, shattering and crumbling. Smiling with eagerness, Tyraz ordered for the full deployment of ground forces before shortly joining them himself, eager to face the Clericarch in battle. He drew his firesword shortly before charging into the ranks of Dei'Ar Guard's soldiers, who had gathered for the defense of the planetary capital. Tyraz - ''Members of the Brood of War, show no mercy! Eradicate them all!''.

"Do not fight them in melee! Run! Fyrvrtha, engage the Zazane!" - Jahric said as he knew full-well the Dei'Ar Radeon were no match. Jahric called for them to withdraw, ordering the Fyrvrtha warriors to the fray instead.

Jahric - ''You may be strong, but the Messengers and Spode are with us, and we shall prevail! For the Divinarium!''

Meanwhile, above the planet, another fleet arrived, hundreds of vessels of the Draconis Empire had finally reached the planet and proceeded to fire a withering volley at the Brood's warships. At the head of the Armada was the Battlemaster-class TNSS Dominax, 's personal flagship. Upon his arrival he swiftly contacted the Admiral.

Larnus - ''Admiral Jahric, this is Lord Admiral Larnus Vontarion. We are at your service'' Jahric - ''Excellent. We shall deal with their military forces on the ground while you shall take care of the fleet.''

Larnus nodded before closing communication.

Larnus - ''Understood. By the way, we have a passenger who would like to speak with your Clericarch personally.''

Deep in the bowels of the Dominax, Uriel was making his way to the shuttle with the intent to talk with Iovera. Accompanying him was Asac, High Inquisitor of the Cult of Drakon.

Arsac - You had better know what you are doing, your majesty. Uriel - ''Trust me, the sooner we sort everything out the better. What of you?'' Arsac - I want that savage's head...

In battle, Tyraz was a deadly force. "Fools! Try to stop me?" - he yelled as Radeon armour outmached for the Xhodocto warblade and outmaneuvered by his ease of teleportation. One of the Dei'Ar was desperate enough to order the singularity catapults to fire. However, Tyraz simply teleported out of the way, along with kicking some of the Dei'Ar into the paths of each pulse for good measure. His desire for battle against Iovera only intensified with each step. Outside, a shuttle carrying Arsac and four other inquisitors flew into view. As Tyraz entered the central chamber, Arsac leapt from an opening, landing right behind the warlord.

Arsac - Not so fast, brute!

Tyraz stalled upon hearing the Inquisitor. Tyring around, he quickly grasped her neck and muttered: "Not a smart move...." before throwing her with great strength. Her body flew several meters before rolling against a wall. As she settled, the other inquisitors joined her, one of them helping her up while the others stand defensively around Tyraz. As she stood up, Iovera entered the room, glaring angrily at Tyraz for the intrusion.

Iovera - ''Who is that Zazane? Call yourself, call your name so I could know who was that fool who dared to attack the Spode's Finest! Tyraz - Councillor Tyraz Breek of the Brood of War!''

Tyraz proceeded to swing his blade in a circular motion, slicing through the barriers and faces of two of the inquisitors with ease.

Iovera - Then cower, Councilor, as you will see the darkest horrors of your future days!

Tyraz' mind was overcome with distorted images, as they became clearer what they saw confused both of them. Flashing in their minds were images of Iovera and Tyraz kissing while two kids, apparently looking like bizzare hybrids of Zazane and Radeons, played around them. Both Iovera and Tyraz stumbled in confusion, while Arsac was oblivious. Tyraz clutched his head in his hands, overcome with the horrors of what he saw.

Tyraz - What trickery was that?! Iovera - ''...I... do not understand... Anyway, you shall fall!''

Arsac, oblivious to what has happened, simply accepted 'something' happened and whatever it was, it was effective. Desperate, Iovera used telekineses to throw Tyraz at a wall. This only made Tyraz angerier, roaring with rage and inching towards her

Tyraz - You...will not....win.... Arsac - Hold your ground, Inquisitors, they deserve the right of single combat.

Iovera continued her assault while Arsac ordered her inquisitors with and signalled to encircle the pair.

Tyraz - Haha...You think I am s-scared to die? - he roared before plunging his sword into the ground, permeating as a shockwave resonates and cracks the floor in an attempt to make Iovera fall over. Tyraz stood up, walking over to her.

Tyraz - Your pathetic attempt to torture me has failed. Iovera - What you do not know is that I hold power beyond your imagination...

Iovera has faded into an incorporeal form, her robes collapsing onto the floor. Her eyes shone with an ethereal purple light as she became a living shadow. Her voice resonated thought the minds of everyone in the room as she was surrounding herself by wrappings of pure darkness, her voice shifting from her normal, feminine tone to something confident, echoing and unearthly.

Iovera - ''Bow before Iovera of the ... ISIO'...NAR!''

Arsac, a woman who had been fighting cultists for centuries stood and gaped in horror, frozen in place as Iovera's cries echoed in her mind. There could be only one thing she could say: "You. Have. Got. To Be . Deceiving. Me!". Tyraz growled and responded with a roar of defiance:

Tyraz - I bow before nobody!

Tyraz's skin began to shift from a dark crimson to a molten red as his veins started to glow with a burning yellow, his wings considerably expanding in size as his body exploded to resemble a living magma, suddenly towering above those around him. His eyes started to shine with an internal white light as his body was leaking with a mysterious black energy. The energy from his firesword, once a deep red now burns with a demonic black flame. He struggled in pain as Iovera did what she could to reverse it, but it was no good. As he grew, he spoke with a deep, demonic voice: "I FEAR NOT THE ISIO'NAR!"

Quickly realising they were the only mortals in the room, the Inquisition operatives looked in horror at what they faced. In the hundreds of millenia of the Inquisition's history they had always prevented such things.

Inquisitor -Mistress, which one are we supposed to denounce?

Arsac has opened communication with Paragon, trying to contact him.

Arsac - ''I have no idea... Uriel... you had better get here NOW!'' Uriel - Something beyond your abilities?

The sound of gunfire could be heard on his end as the battle was raging.

Arsac - ''As a matter of fact ... yes.'' Uriel - What? Arsac - ''If I told you, you would not believe me. Just pull out and bring some of those dragons with you!''

Uriel sighed.

Uriel - On my way.

In an effort to end Iovera's attack, Tyraz charged at her, their energies clashing and sending a shockwave that shattered the chamber's windows. Iovera teleported out of the room, leaving Tyraz alone with the inquisitors.

Tyraz - "ENOUGH OF THIS!!"

Brood councillor picked up Inquisitor Kalus and threw him across the room. The strength of the throw caused the inquisitor's body to explode as it hit a wall. Despite this burst of rage, Tyraz was still furious.

Tyraz - "I DEMAND WE SETTLE THIS..."

Tyraz gazed down at Arsac, overcoming her fear she readied herself for whatever he planned to throw at her. Iovera suddenly appeared behind him and he turned to face her.

Tyraz - I FEAR NOT YOU OR ANY OF YOUR ALLIES...I DEMAND WE SETTLE THIS, WITCH..... Iovera - ''Settle? I think we could cooperate.''

Both Iovera and Tyraz transformed back, their outfits returning to them. Arsac was bewildered; she had noticed the phenomenal auras both of them had, but what she had not realized they were ascended beings.

Tyraz - We could...But what would we gain? Iovera - Are you there for the artifacts?

Arsac regained her composure, muttering to herself that under her authority they both should be executed for the power they held. The surviving inquisitor walked over to herbut she was in barely any mood for pleasantries.

Inquisitor - Mistress, are you alrigh- Arsac - ''Get the hell away from me! You saw what they became, what they did to brother Kalus! They deserve nothing less than to be condemned.''

In an act of rage, Arsac aimed and primed her fusion pistol at Tyraz, who turned around glaring.

Arsac - ''The relics are too dangerous to be used by anyone. I don't care what they are!'' Tyraz - ''Liar! If you think that, why do you claim them for yourselves?'' Arsac - ''We claim them so no-one else will find them. Why do you think they were buried underground on remote worlds?'' Tyraz - If you think they are so dangerous, why not destroy them? Iovera - ''I am aware of the power. This power should not be used by the unbound minds like that of Lorons or Wentals.'' Arsac - ''We don't know what they'll do. They could be out-of-phase, they could destroy the surroundings.'' Tyraz - ''We are not unbound. We could use them against such races.'' Arsac - ''No-one uses the artifacts so long as I live! As long as there is a single draconis that breathes!'' Tyraz - ''Do not challenge me. Zazane have wiped out races before, we can do it again!'' Arsac - If I have to execute both of you to ensure this I...

She is interrupted as Uriel, accompanied by seven Blood Dragons enters the room. Clad in his gilded armour, he enters with a stern look on his face and was still sore against Iovera for what her fleets had done and completely unaware of the battle that had previously ensued.

Uriel - I apologise for the delay. Arsac - Your arrogance sickens me, you do not deserve the power you wield! Tyraz - ''Foolish creature. You believe you can execute me? The rat queen here knows that both of you are incapable of doing so...'' Uriel - ''Inquisitor, stand down! Can someone enlighten me as to what is going on?'' Tyraz - I, Tyraz Breek of the Brood of War, am trying to discuss with the rat queen... Arsac - ''Paragon, your 'ally' the Clericarch is a demon along with this savage who stands with her. You are treading a dangerous line siding with them...'' Tyraz - You dare call me a demon? Arsac - ''I watched them unveil their true forms before my very eyes! We should not be consorting with demons, your majesty. And you, Tyraz, are a malignant being of extreme power, a demon in every sense of the word!'' Tyraz - ''I think that you, here, are the antagonist! You dare call me malignant? You have not witnessed my step-brother!'' Uriel - The High Inquisitor is presenting a very extreme accusation.

Uriel looked about the room; the windows were shattered, the floor was cracked and broken, and the bodies of two inquisitors laid on the floor while the remains of another stained a distant wall.

Uriel - What caused this? Arsac - ''Inquisitors Asalia and Thaurne were cut by the Zazane's blade, Kalus was... thrown across the room by the same Zazane. He was helpless...'' Tyraz - You called them in to attack me....Their deaths were your doing.... Arsac - ''I was doing my duty for Drakon and for the empire. You sought to spill the blood of the Clericarch and I could not allow that. But Kalus did not have to die in such a dishnonourable way!'' Tyraz - ''Have I yet spilled the Clericarch's blood? Your Inquisitors approached me at your order! Stupid creature! *pushes Arsac back into a wall*'' Iovera - ''Gentlemen, I assume that violence and discussion is not the only option in this discussion. We should cooperate.'' Uriel - ''Agreed. But Arsac's duty involves prevention, that was all she was doing.''

Tyraz turned to Iovera.

Tyraz - ''What did you have in mind, Mistress... I haven't caught your name. What shall I call you by?'' Iovera - Clericarch Iovera of the Divinarium. Tyraz - ''Alright, Mistress Iovera. What did you have in mind?'' Iovera - ''Thing is that Lorons and Masuri's Wental loyalists are planning to get the artifacts. Giving that Lorons are, well, Lorons and Masuri as a xenocidal maniac, we should not allow the artifacts to fall in their hands.'' Tyraz - Loron...Agh...I say that we will kill these foolish Draconis so the Brood has a path to the Artefacts! Uriel - ''The artifacts we have found are currently held on an unmarked world. If you do that, a few of the artifacts could be lost forever. That and I don't think many of my people are keen on extinction.'' Iovera - Agreed. Tyraz - ...Fine.

Tyraz grabbed his firesword.

Tyraz - ''You make a good point... However....The Brood will obtain the Artifacts nonetheless.''

As they were speaking, a Hetii Swarm Warrior flew onto the windowledge and prepared his gun before firing at the remaining Inquisitor. Arsac, in return, pulled out her fusion pistol and fired at a Hetii, wounding him.

Arsac - I suggest you call your drone off.

Tyraz growled at a Hetii, scaring him and causing him to flee.

Tyraz - Go and get back to the Swarm!

Arsac holstered her pistol.

Arsac - ''Better. The empire is the only entity here who wants to ensure these artifacts are not used against the other races. How can we trust either of you?'' Iovera - ''...The Divinarium will... uh... protect the relics.'' Tyraz - ''The Brood will....umm....help...protect them.... Perhaps you could even give us one for safe keeping....''

Arsac was not convinced by either of their words, she glared at both of them making her opinion known. True to her occupation, she was a paranoid sort, expecting deceit should either of them 'help'.

Uriel - ''Arsac, you have no authority in this discussion. What about storing the relics on a neutral world?'' Iovera - For Lorons to take? Tyraz - ''A neutral world? Sounds vulnerable! Exactly! A Brood world, such as Riveliata, would be the perfect place to hold these relics!'' Uriel - It will be defended, but what we could do is ensure records of such a world remain erased. Tyraz - ''It would not matter to Loron. They do not consider records as important. They would find it anyway!'' Uriel - ''It would still make the world harder to find. We're talking one in a trillion stars.'' Iovera - ''At the same time, gentlemen, you would like to see this video... Direct your eyes upon holopict.''

Iovera activated a projector, showing footage recovered after the battle of Solvani III. It showed Loron soldiers recovering the relic from the world. Glistening white robots rose from the earth, their shots reducing the Loron present to skeletons. Everyone was stunned by the footage.

Hachiman> Tyraz - ''What are those?  Uriel - That's more defence than at other sites we have encountered.'' Iovera - ''I do not know. We must be way of... THESE beings. Now, look at the transmission my astropaths have found.'' Tyraz - We could clear those robots by attacking the planet with our Shidium weapons...'' ??? - ''Transmission: Imperious doklarade. Doklarade ms'garon ventrilo. Art'faktara i'larion gvardeo. Art'faktara i'larion gvardeo. Art'faktara finikaro drazh omnio vitri Ardenta! Art'faktara finikaro drazh omnio vitri Andromeda! Art'faktara zlobeni! Art'faktara zaary finikaro! ART'FAKTARA ZAARY FINIKARO! Eviling nekromanto vitri art'faktara! Eviling nekromanto vitri Elda! EVILING VLADONAAR NEKROMANTO! EVILING VLADONAAR NEKROMANTO!'' Tyraz - I did not understand.... Iovera - ''Apalos machines have translated parts of this message. It seems that is the warning. A warning that artifacts shall be protected by... someone.'' Uriel - ''That language escapes me... Empire... Andromeda?'' Iovera - ''Unknown language. Although reminiscent of Radessic but... Still, untranslateable.'' Tyraz - ''This someone should learn not to tangle with the Brood of War! If it is old, then obviously they will have no chance against Shidium weaponry!'' Uriel - ''We can't be certain. For all we know they could be very ancient, perhaps as old as the galaxy.'' Tyraz - ''Hmmm....Those machines could be a problem. We should use the Artefacts we have against them!'' Uriel - ''How do we know that won't make things worse? If these come from the same race they could ahve designed a counter to their own weapons.''

The bickering quickly stops as Iovera showed a different piece of footage. an image can be seen of a huge, mostrous Loron'Kikra trying to fire at the robot with a Propa Big Blasta, resulting in nothing but a small dent in the robot's hull which is swiftly healed, as though it was never hit. Arsac herself seemed to smile; for the past month the Zazane had been shouting to everyone that they fear nothing and yet thanks to her training she could tell from his aura, voice and body language: He was afraid.

Tyraz - Whoa.... Iovera - Shidium won't help there. Tyraz - ''Ahem...Excuse me for that. I show no fear of these things!''

Tyraz trembled slightly.

Uriel - ''Do we know what triggered their emergence? Lorons don't appear very clever.'' Iovera - Nothing but walking into the artifact. Tyraz - ''You will be surprised, riel. Loron are very intelligent creatures....They just process slower.'' Iovera - Anyway, we must find a way to deal with THESE MACHINES and Lorons at the same time. Tyraz - They certainly look tough... Arsac - Finally, something even a demon is afraid of... Uriel - ''If those machines activate when the relics are used then... *lowers his head as he remembers about the hidden research facility* Oh Drakon preserve them...''

Tyraz stepped back.

Tyraz - W-What is your p-plan....? Iovera - Do I look like I know? Tyraz - ''You claim you are Isio'Nar! You should know!'' Iovera - ''I can try to observe the timelines... Hope I will not see us kissing again...'' Tyraz - ''Hmm? Excuse me?''

Both Arsac and Uriel were shocked at the idea of Tyraz and Iovera kissing. Tyraz himself blushed black before shaking his head trying to shake the thought from his head.

Iovera - ''It is better for us to find where these machines come from. I feel like they could be negotiated.'' Tyraz - ''Negotiate with machines? They are soulless!'' Arsac - ''Agreed. They might have only been programmed for one purpose.'' Iovera - ''You do not underrstand... I have tried to communicate with these machines, and I feel that at least one of them had some... mind. It looks like they have some goal they are wishing to achieve for some reason.'' Tyraz - ''We should destroy them! I will not negotiate with machines! It is preposterous!'' Iovera - ''Ahem. Should I repeat this holopic again?'' Tyraz - ''Uh... You are right...'' Iovera - ''Worst of all, these machines seem to have ability to nullify the Essence. It should be something dangerous.'' Tyraz - ''Nullify Essence? This is madness!..''

Tyraz stepped closer to Iovera.

Tyraz - How do you propose we...I mean, you negotiate with them? Uriel - She will not be alone. Arsac - Uriel... Uriel - Enough! Iovera - ''Wait... I feel like we are watched.'' Tyraz - ''Hmm? Possibly a Hetii...''

An ethereal bolt of blue lighting pierced the ceiling, and as it was collapsing, the Dragons pointed their rifles upward unsure, what to expect. As blocks tumbled, both Uriel and Iovera become endangered as chunks of the ceiling fell towards them. Tyraz jumped to save Iovera while a Blood Dragon leaps to save Uriel's life, the block narrowly missing his tail. Tyraz was not so fortunate as a large block landed on him. Dei'Ar warriors enter the room as a voice echoed before phasing out: "Artifacts shall not be taken by the younglings."

Arsac - Can someone tell me what in the void's name that was?

As Arsac has noticed the Dei'Ar, she told him that everything had been settled.

Tyraz struggled to lift himself out of the rocks, calling for help. Uriel gestured for the Blood Dragons to help him but he was more concerned with making sure Iovrea was okay than thanking the Draconis who saved him from the rubble. Tyraz helped her up and brushed some dust from her arm.

Tyraz - Clericarch, are you okay? Iovera - ''...Uh, yes. I assume.''

Tyraz helped her to stand up and brushed dust off her arm.

Iovera - ''Uh... thanks... you, uh, unbeliever...''

Eyes of Iovera have started to glow pink slightly, a sign of affection for her species. Tyraz, noticing it, blushed.

Tyraz - N-No problem...C-Clericharch... Iovera - ''Yes. So, shall we cooperate for now?'' Uriel - So it would seem. Tyraz - ''We shall. However, the Brood will not do negotiating. We will be on call if you need us. That is...f-for attacking.'' Iovera - ...y-yes.

Tyraz smiled slightly and blushed again.

Tyraz - ''S-So, what now? I assume that my ships... Oh SHYRAK!!''

Tyraz pulled out and spoke into his communicator.

Tyraz - Ships of the Fleet of Ruin, stop the attack! Iovera - We shall now try to find a way to prevent the Lorons from taking the artifacts. Uriel - ''Larnus, the opposing fleet has agreed to stand down. Inform all units to cease fire.''

In space and on the ground, the fleets halted their fire and invading Brood warriors and Draconis marines returned to their ships.

Aftermath - Aboard the Dominix
Arsac was still shaken from her ordeal, as soon as she returned on board she transferred what she had recorded with her eye to Uriel's quarters before seeking quiet contemplation in the cargo bay. After the discussion the Armada had decided to send some supplies down to help the rebuilding efforts and it was a few hours before they left orbit.

Uriel was shocked at the footage. He watched as Tyraz and Iovera shed their true forms, he watched in horror picked up and threw the inquisitor without hesitation. After watching it for a third time and checking for any eerrors before slumping in contemplation away from the screen. He muttered his thoughts, unsure what to think. "She was right. Both sides are being led by gods, how are we supposed to fight back... Can i truly trust the Clericarch?" His train of thoughts were broken as Larnus entered, Uriel had the same depressed look on him that he had back in the palace.

Larnus - Damnation Uriel, are you going to spend this entire war sulking? Uriel - ''Look at the recording. If Arsac had conformed after losing her eye I might never have seen that...''

Larnus walks over to the screen, watching with dismay at the footage.

Larnus - Remind me, you're siding with the purple one right? Uriel - ''I don't even know anymore. I'm starting to woander if we're the only ones who know these relics are dangerous. But whoever designed those machines was thinking along the right lines.'' Larnus - ''You shouldn't sulk, i'm sure she had a very good reason for hiding a secret like that. I can't believe i'm saying this to a bicentennial but... poloticians always have something to hide for good reason, you yourself have a secret remember?'' Uriel - Both of them are gods, the Wental are a race of machines, are the only traditional forms of life in this galaxy part of our empire? Larnus - Define normal... Uriel - ''One side is a race of machines, the other two are led by ascended beings. As far as I know the game of chance has been quiet for us.'' Larnus - What about the Coalition? Uriel - ''I would hardly call their cultural attitudes 'traditional'. I can't turn my back on her, not when things have come this far!'' Larnus - ''Are you... Infatuated with a MAMMAL?'' Uriel - ''I love my darling Alensia, my dynasty coninues thanks to her and I couldn't love anyone else. From what I saw the Clericarch might have other lovers on her mind anyway.'' Larnus - ''Well then, I'll leave you to contemplate, we will be hunting for Loron in the meantime. Just.. Try to be a bit more proactive in the effort okay, the marines want a paragon who gives them confidence.''

Larnus proceeds towards the door of Uriel's quarters ,stopping as the doors open "One last thing: There's someone in the cargo hold who could do with talking to. I know she's not the social type, but she still has a soul... At least hear her out" Larnus leaves the room. Uriel decides to head down, in his mind the knew that if there was anyone who could give insight it would be her. Arsac was meditating in the centre of an empty chamber, her legs crossed and her arms on her knees. As Uriel entered she opened an eye and looked in Uriel's direction, smiling.

Arsac - She intrigues you doesn't she? Uriel - Was it that obvious? Arsac - ''It's my job to know what people are thinking. I know why you are intrigued and you are intrigued by her power. A mortal siding with a god is can bring only glory if you can keep them under control but I warn you this your majesty: Gods and demons are beyond any comprehension, they have motives you couldn't begin to understand and lay plans so complex they take a millenia to execute. People don't ally with gods, they become subservient to them. No exceptions!'' Uriel - Is that what you think? Arsac - ''I know this. I have dedicated my life to protecting people from those very traps, I will not stand by and watch as my paragon succumbs to the same weakness as countless others have.'' Uriel - What do you suggest? Arsac - ''Keep her at arm's reach and do not believe a word Tyraz says. Both of them desire only the fulfillment their own selfish goals, creatures like them don't care how many billions suffer for it.''

Arsac's words hit deep inside him. He had no choice to respect her words because she had been an inquisitor for nearly 300 years and was fighting cultists and demonspawn before he was even born.

The Dragon Ponders
Tyraz sat on the personalized seat that was located on the Ghost of the Warrior. The Councilor wondred about the whole battle. What were those machines? Why do the Draconis bother to try and stop him? But more importantly, what about the image that Iovera showed him. The one where he and her was kissing while two, strange looking children played around them.

Tyraz - That couldn't be my future.....Could it?

His sharp claws began to dig into the chair's arms. Tyraz growled, but then heard footsteps behind him.

Tanaris - Lord Tyraz, why are you in such a state of panic?

Tyraz jumped a little. A first for him. He stood up and looked up at the huge Zazane.

Tyraz - Tanaris, please. Do not jump me like that... Tanaris - I apologize, my Lord. However, why are you in such a state? Tyraz - I do not know why, Tanaris....I am feeling rather not quite like myself at the moment.

At this point, Tyraz's voice became softer. He picked up a skull, which was relatively new by the looks of it, and sniffed it. To Zazane, the scent of skulls were like flowers. Tyraz sighed, and Tanaris grunted before walking off. Tyraz sat back in his chair, holding the scented skull. He thought more and more about the Clericarch.

Tyraz - Why would she show me such....images?

Now that he finally had some alone time, he sniffed the skull again as he watched as his fleet were starting to travel away from Crepusculum. Tyraz sighed, a feeling near his heart appeared. It is not very often Zazane get this feeling. It was a feeling of longing. He started to daze off, before suddenly realizing and slamming the skulls against his mighty horns. He let out a growl.

Tyraz - Those wretched machines! They will not make me weak!

He tried telling himself it was the sudden attack of the machines that was turning him vulnerable. Although, he blinked. No use trying to lie to himself. Deceit was not his style. He sat down and began to think again.

Tyraz - Why do I long to see that witch so much?!

He slammed his fist against the chair arm. He snarled. Tyraz was not use to this feeling of longing yet. He has not felt this since when he was a youngling...

Tyraz - Curse that wretched vermin! She has laid a curse on me!

Again he tried to lie to himself. And then, footsteps. He smiled and his eyes widened. He spun round.

Tyraz - Mistress Iovera?!

But to his disappointment, it was only Horde Master Kra'Lo'Kan. He sighed and growled quietly.

Tyraz - What do you want? Kra'Lo'Kan - You like her....don't you? Tyraz - What? What are you talking about?! Kra'Lo'Kan - Do not act a fool, Great Leader...I may be Cyrod, but I know the urge to mate when I smell it...

Cyrod would release pheromones when ready to breed, and obviously Kra'Lo'Kan was a more intelligent member of the race. He knew how to tell a person's feelings just by the look on their face.

Tyraz - ....I am not sure. I am confused, Horde Master! She showed me images of me...and her....Rytikor..... Kra'Lo'Kan - She was nudging you? Tyraz - No...she was within my personal space....*shudders* And she...had her face on mine.... Kra'Lo'Kan - *chuckles* Ahh....you mean that ritual...It is foreign to both you and I, Great Leader....But those hominid people will do it to show affection... Tyraz - She knows about how hominid people show affection? Kra'Lo'Kan - It is possible....She may even prefer that ritual! And if she is showing you images of you and her...

Tyraz felt sickened. He could not imagine anybody getting that close into his personal space outside of battle, let alone somebody else's face on his. He gagged.

Kra'Lo'Kan - Great Leader...The Rat Queen may show signs of affection towards you... Tyraz - Do not be ridiculous! She is a religious fanatical leader! Kra'Lo'Kan - And you are a powerful warrior king! She is obviously attracted.... Tyraz - Enough of this! Get back to your Horde, now!

The Horde Master did as he was commanded. Tyraz panted angrily, his tail swishing side to side. Then, he started to slow. He banished the bizarre thoughts from his head, and focussed on the currengt problem at hand: The machines.

Upon the throne of thoughts
After the battle, Iovera secluded herself to the sanctity of her throne room, thinking about the strange threads of future that she has seen. Her and this Zazane leader... kissing? What was this blasphemy?

Iovera knew, however, that threads of fate could not be evaded, but also she knew that she has only seen into one of many, many possibilities. This future, however, was one of the most possible ones. She was horrified and disgusted at the same time. A queen of a million of worlds... became a lover of Zazane emperor? Iovera has looked into the future again, to see the same scene. She has realised she has found the Zazane... handsome? Her eyes flashed pink again, a sign of passion for Radeons.

Iovera shook her head to make the vision vanish. At the same time, the door of the throne room opened, two Radons entering the room. These were two advisors of her, Primarch Matheoward and Exarch Selytorah.

Matheoward - ''My lady, what are you thinking about? Are you thinking about the fate of the Divinarium?'' Iovera - ''Not really, Primarch. I am thinking about this... Zazane leader. Tyraz Breek. This vision I saw... Of us kissing...''

Matheoward was disgusted with the very idea of this, as was Selytorah.

Matheoward - ''This is blasphemy! A heretical vision sent by the darkness itself to stray you from one true path!'' Iovera - ''This is not that simple. I feel some kind of link between us. It cannot be denied. This, uh, Tyraz...'' Matheoward - Is a fiend whose step-brother destroyed our old empire and murdered my mentor - and Selytorah's father -, Tadjamad! Selytorah - ''Primarch, do not judge one by the doings of his relatives. Tyraz may be a good person and he proved it by-'' Matheoward - ''Anyway, the very idea of Clericarch falling in love with a Zazane is blasphemy! Heresy! How can you think of this, my lady?'' Iovera - ''...Yes, I agree with you, Primarch. The very idea is blasphemy. Although... time will show whether you are right or not.'' Selytorah - ''There are more important things at the moment than arguing. The machines are rising and the Coalition becomes active once more. We must march now.''

After Selytorah's words, the three have left the throne room. They had an empire to rule...

An Inquisitor's Hunt
Sarec had only recently recovered from his ordeal from the attack but this did not deter him, Inquisitors are known for their relentless attutude. He travelled to Solvani III after reports of Legion activity on the world, after talking to what remained of the population he discovered that a relic had been unearthed several miles away.

At the site's perimeter he caught sight of what looked like large mechanical humannoids, focusing himself he kept silent, weaving past each one undetected on his way to the relic. The approach felt disturbing. He had a strange feeling as he travelled that not just the ground but the feel of the land around him had been disturbed, as though someone had recently opened a wound in the very fabric of the world.

Upon reaching the relic the feeling was strongest, overcome with the disturbence and struggling to keep himself together he examined the relic closely. Closing his eyes he could see a figure; a Loron larger than others he had seen. This Loron was working the panel when the effects of the disturbance tore through his mind, the flash - which hit him soon after the Loron in his vision activated the device, awakening the machines - overcame his senses as he grasped his head collapsing to the floor. When he woke up he froze; closing towards him was one of these machines and he decided the best thing to do was run as fast as he could, scrabbling to his feet before making a brief dash for shelter, hiding against a slab of broken rock. He concentrated, trying to work out where the Loron went next - the end result was a fragment image of a world barren and dry.

Upon returning to the spaceport he was approached by one of the crewmembers of the vessel he hitched a ride on.

Crewman - Sir, High Inquisitor Arsac is trying to contact you, she wants an update Sarec - I'll talk to her in my dormitory, how long before you're ready to lift off? Crewman - About two hours, sir. Sarec - Understood

The crewman gives Sarec a datapad in order tocotnact the high inquisitor. After accepting it he headed inside the ship to find out what she had to say. His doemitory was somewhat spartan. Curved, steel-grey walls encircled the room and there was one bed, one table and one dresser. As he entered he activated the datapad he was given, ensuring it was a secure connection. Arsac's face appeared on screen and she was not happy.

Arsac - ''Inquisitor, we have reason to believe the Divinarium are following some ascended being as a leadership. Unless you have something good I am contemplating deploying you to Crepusculum'' Sarec - Do not worry mistress, I have reason to believe the Mali'Nar are still in the sector Arsac - The Loron can be held back, I'm more worried about having our paragon fall under the influence of an ascended Sarec - But the codex... Arsac - Uriel hasn't studied the codex Sarec - These Mali'Nar will continue hunting for the relics regardless of our paranoia, be glad the Divinarium is on our side mistress Arsac - ''Fine, go on your little goose-chase. I will make sure there are at least some inquisitors keeping an eye on the Clericarch.'' Sarec - ''The Clericarch? Mistress, is that really the best idea?'' Arsac - ''The senate does not dictate our actions, if the Clericarch doesn't like it she can tell me herself! Understood?'' Sarec - Yes mistress

Sarec closed the comm, concerned that Arsac's paranoia could be the inquisition's, if not the empire's, undoing. After an hour his ship took off and activated it's warp drive, heading towards a distant world in ana attempt to find Br'Klakkon before his next move. For the entire trip his mind was fixated on what he had encountered - who built those machines, were they connected to the relics, was the Loron his target... He decided the best thing to do was meditate.

Monarchy: First Artifact
On a planet which the Zaretians have named Tanos'C after Ganos's son, who he left behind in the Telios Frontier. The 5 subordinates (Ganos, Thea, Bore'Ock, Tales, and Cytos) had located a artifact. It was Black, featureless and large. The 5 subordinates stood next to each other looking at it. While a crew was setting up a base around the artifact, soldiers stood in the distance watching them. They had no idea what the thing was, if it could be dangerous or a blessing. Or even what it does.

Ganos started the conversation by stating " So this is one of the artifacts the people of this world are going nuts over, eh?" Thea stated "Quiet Bore'Ock, the genius needs to examine this before we can deem it useful or not" Cytos said "I'll insert a question; Does Admiral Helios know we located this? He must know about all the work we put into looking for this" Bore'Ock said " Yeah, that's exactly why he must not know. If the Admiral figures out we wasted many cycles searching for this damn thing, he might throw a fit. Remember the last time he deemed his team... 'useless' " Ganos said " Affirmative, that's how we became his new subordinates, I still feel bad about where he sent them. But in the end those fools got what they deserved... a worthy end..." Bore'Ock said "Tales can we get a move on. I want to get back on the King's Ascendant" Tales nodded his head and walked over to the artifact. He placed his gloves on it inspecting it. Within a few seconds it began to glow white, the ground shaked violently and the subordinates, and other Zaretians looked at the artifact. Machines that they couldn't comprehend came out of the ground one by one. When all of them arose their eyes shined a heavenly white lite. And the machines uttered The Artifacts must be protected... when they were done speaking they raised their hands and began firing blue bolts of lighting out of them at the Zaretians. All of them began opening fire on the machines with no harm done to them.

Ganos muttered to himself "These things... if I could find a way to control them... perhaps I can take control of our home galaxy... succeeding where the King and his predecessors failed" Thea shouted "Everyone back to the ships! We can stop them" With these commands all the Zaretians stopped firing and ran away from the robots. They followed them firing their bolts of energy turning them into skeletons, a lot of the Zaretians didn't survive this with only a handful of ships getting out off the planets. The subordinates managed to get away. In their personal cruiser they had a disagreement.

Bore'Ock shouted at Tales "What the hell was that! We almost got killed by those damn things and we spent weeks searching for these things on your behalf. You got a lot of explaining to do, brother" Tales responded "I had no idea that this would happen Bore'Ock, neither did any of us" Bore'Ock said in disbelief " But we, but we... I don't want anything to do with these artifacts, and you all will have one hell of time explaining how the first brigade was destroyed..." Ganos said to Bore'Ock "Calm yourself, Bore'Ock we still have a few uses for this planet infact I got a idea... how about we keep anyone else from coming here until we destroy those robots letting us access the artifact. If we can accomplish that maybe we still have uses. Cytos, didn't you say that your Holo-Troopers learn that someone had one of the Artifacts?" Cytos said "Unconfirmed, we still need more information. Alot of this stuff is rumored" Ganos said "Was rumors... we learned that the artifacts are real. And we have one. We just need to get around it's guards. I have a plan how about we contact someone about this and make a few friends. If we are going to conquer this galaxy we do need some... pushes. Cytos, you and your Holotroopers continue spying on the other empires. Bore'Ock, Tales, keep a eye on this planet. And Thea, help me convince Helios that we should make a few friends. Oh by the way... if anyone have any objections to my plans here... speak up" The room was silent, obviously everyone wanted to go through with Ganos's plans. Ganos said gleefully "It's unanimous, get a move on. Thea, I'll start the discussion with Helios."

Imposters Return
Deep in Brood space Tyraz coninued to contemplate on his personal flagship. Outside a small vessel of Draconis manufacture approached the Ghost of the Warrior requesting to dock. On board the shuttle was carrying a Draconis artifact as a gift for Tyraz Breek. The shuttle itself was piloted by a Terradixin by the name of Olov Vokki

Olov - ''Brood fleet we are requesting permission to dock at the flagship. Do you comply, over.'' Zealot Rewajisu Vasej - Please state your name and business, or face eradication. Olov - ''I am Captain Olov Vokki, I have a package for the warlord uhh... Tylos?'' Zealot Rewajisu Vasej - ''Lord Councilor Tyraz. And permission granted. However, when you dock, expect armed soldiers.'' Olov - Understood sir, coming in on approach.

As the shuttle landed a squad of Niddan-Ho gathered around the ship. A gantry lowered as the captain left his ship, he was greeted by the giant Zazane - who towered over him - readying their weapons. Zealot Rewajisu entered the hanger and appraoched the intimidated Terradixian, ordering the Niddan-Ho to stand down, they remained vigilant.

Rewajisu - ''Stand down! These are guests...'' Olov - ''I mean no harm, no-no. Consider the tribute inside a gift of goodwill from the Alpenix university.'' Rewajisu - ''This had better not be a trap. Niddan-Ho are always at the ready...'' Olov - ''*Stutters* No trap I swear, I was sent just to give the tribute. Please don't hurt me if it displeases you...'' Zealot Rewajisu Vasej - ''...Fine. I will be keeping an eye on you....*walks behind Olov, hand on blade* Keep moving.''

Olov led the Zazane inside and down to a cargo hold. In the centre of a room was an unassuming metal crate. Olov points to the crate stating that that was the offer. Outside the ship a bulky shillouette dropped down through the landing gear and discreetly made it's way to a nearby door. After fumbling with the controls the figure - sealed inside a thin environment suit - discreetly travelled though the bowels of the ship, evading patrols and unexpectedly gaining the attention of Tyraz breek who felt the figure's presence on board.

Tyraz - ''Who is that? Is that the Clericarch?''

The figure's discreet nature made him wonder if it was an assassin. Eager to find out he headed towards the bridge, along the way he saw the figure peering around a corner, as the figure - resembling a Draconis in shape - breathed a sigh of relief... Tyraz made his move, growling loudly to make himself known. This startled the figure who turned around to notice Tyraz.

??? - ''Wha...? *Looks behind himself to see Tyraz.* You.. You must be Tyraz Breek... correct?'' Tyraz - ''Indeed I am. But that wasn't my question.''

Typical of himself, Tyraz grasped the figure's throat, constricting him slightly

Volkarus - ''I... My name is Volkarus... sir... Believe me when I say I am not here to kill you...'' Tyraz - ''I will believe you, seeing as you cannot! Volkarus, what are you here for?'' Volkarus - ''I am here to offer my services... If you will let me go...''

Tyraz complied, uncertain. As he did Volkarus thanked him. As He rubbed his throat Tyraz stepped closer, remaining defencive.

Tyraz - ''Now, who are you? You are Draconis, why do you offer your services?'' Volkarus - Because we both want the same thing: power, glory, and the Empire stands in the way. Tyraz - Hmm....You are a traitor, then. Volkarus - ''So the Ultanos say, my entire line brought to the edge of extinction! *chuckles* To be truthful, the empire doesn't know I even exist...'' Tyraz - So...you are a survivor? Volkarus - ''A descendent of one. I curse the very name 'Ultanos' for what they are doing, for how they have made the empire weak.'' Tyraz - ''What happened? What do you mean by descendent?'' Volkarus - ''I am of the Khaxvis bloodline. Roughly 40,000 years ago my line were the Paragons. Unfortunately an act of betrayal led to the Ultaonos returning, inciting civil war. At the war's end, every member of house Khaxvis they could find were executed in Minos'Drakon's central plaza. The traitor is now considered one of the empire's greatest heroes!'' Tyraz - ''Traitor rulers! That Uriel person....He will die! We do require your aid in beating those....pathetic warriors!'' Vokarus - ''Over time my house has rebuilt in exile. We have warriors, information, and equipment, all at your disposal. I just want one thing in return.'' Tyraz - What do you wish for? Volkarus - I want the imperial throne, which is rightfully mine! Tyraz - Imperial throne of the Draconis? Volkarus - Indeed. Tyraz - ''...Very well. You will have your throne. However, how do I know you will not backstab us?'' Volkarus - You have my word; Your kind are what I aspire the Draconis to be: Feared, mighty and powerful. Tyraz - Indeed, I wish only one more thing from you. Volkarus - And that is? Tyraz - I want you to bow to me. Volkarus - *gives a stern look at Tyraz* As you wish...

Volkarus was secretly dsigusted. The idea of his family - who were once rulers of the Draconis - bowing down to this alien warlord in submission sickened him. But he knew the value of such an alliance and complied. As he did, Tyraz' tail swayed with joy as he watched the Draconis kneel in submission.

Volkarus - ''You will need to do more than just kill Uriel. Kill him and another Ultanos will take his place. I don't want to repeat the mistakes my ancestors made, I want them ALL dead!'' Tyraz - Then...I believe I can get the Kordalu to make a genetic weapon... Volkarus - Interesting... Tyraz - ''Indeed...The Ultanos Line will die! Such traitors...'' Tyraz - This will be magnificent sport! Volkarus - *A wicked smile spreads across Volkarus' face* I can tell I am going to like you. Tyraz - You have not seen what I can do....I have scared even that wench, Arsac! Volkarus - *eyes widen* An impressive feat, i did not think such a thing was possible. Tyraz - ''Indeed. I forced her to watch as I slashed my sword through two of her comrades' faces....and then make one explode as I threw him against a wall.'' Volkarus - ''That doesn't sound like something that would scare her... Rumours have it she has taken on demon cults without fear - Then again, I wasn't there.''

Volkarus was right: Arsac had built her reputation on challenging chaos, demonic, psycic and elemntally empowered cultists without so much as gasping in fear. Some even wondered if she had ever felt fear (or that she once faced an event so traumatic and terrifying that she had overcome all sense of fear).

Tyraz - ''She has taken on demon cults, yes. But she has not taken on this....''

Tyraz smiled, shadows and dark energy swirled round him as he grew into his demonic form. As he did Volkarus stepped back in fear, watching as the warlord shifted and morphed before his very eyes. As tyraz roared any lingering thoughts he had about any eventual betrayal were gone - he was not stupid enough to do such a thing to a demon. As the being towered over him he was speechless.

Volkarus - ''I... I... I honour you, sir.''

Tyraz groweled, taking a step towards the petrified Draconis.

Tyraz - If you do not dishonour my race, I will Descend you....So you too can achieve this!

Those words sealed Volkarus' loyalty: The potential of goodhood filled his mind, evisioning the immeasurable power he would wield. As the thoughts flooded his mind a smile of glee spread across his face. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head in respect.

Volkarus - ''You have my word, and my respect... My Lord Breek!'' Tyraz - ''*laughs and wings spread across* Good! Now, gather your forces! We have work to do...'' Volkarus - *Bows* As you wish my lord. Tyraz - *returns to normal and nods* I will prepare my forces...And then, you shall tell me of the...traditional Draconis strategy... Volkarus - ''Of course. With my people's knowldge and familiarity witho our enemy and your people's might and reputation we shall be unstoppable!''

Coming to the belief that discussions were over, Volkarus stood up and headed back to the cargobay. The thoughts of descension still fresh in his mind. Tyraz watched as he walked away, growling slightly.

Tyraz - If he backstabs me....He will face the rage of the entire Zazane race.....

Tyraz teleported to this throne room. As Volkarus returns to the hanger he notices his pilot with the Niddan-Ho. The crate is nearby. Inside was a finely-crafted energised longsword. Plated in gold the blade featured engravings of serpents that intertwined. The hilt and crossguard were plated in reflective gold and bound in the finest leather. The gift itself was truly a work of art.

Volkarus - Leave the gift for Lord Councillor Breek, Pilot, I need to report in. Ovol - *The Terradixian pilot salutes* Understood sir.

Dramatic Changes
As his shuttle returned to the Khaxvis fleet, Volkarus contemplated on what he had done. He may be the sort to have little regard for his kin's morality, but even he had his limits. The potential of siding with a descended being? Were the benefits woth the risks? His mind once again returned to Tyraz' promise. With such power the empire could rule eternally, under his leadership. he would be the epitome of superiority - a king of kings. His thoughts were broken when one of the elders requested contact. He headed into his quarters, on the screen was an ageing female.

Elder Kathelia - I hope everything went smoothly brother. Volkarus - ''Indeed. The aliens are more than eager to support our cause'' Elder Kathelia - ''Really? Interesting... What did you promise him?'' Volkarus - We provide whatever we can, i have vouched for the house's complete loyalty to them.'' Elder Kathelia - ''WHAT!? Have you lost your mind?'' Volkarus - ''Hardly mistress. They know how to wage war, they are the pinnacle of what we could achieve.'' Elder Kathelia - ''Pray to Drakon that they are more lenient of us once we hold the throne. Anything else?'' Volkakrus - I am assuming command of the resurgence. Elder Kathelia - On who's authority? Volkakrus - ''I know the Zazane, I am familliar with their leader. it is best for the resurgence that power goes through me... Would you rather he have to go through the trouble of meeting with another of our kin?'' Elder Kathelia - ''I will discuss this with the other elders, but you seak wisdom for your age. Fine. For now consider youself the new head.'' Volkarus - Thank you mistress. Elder Kathelia - ''I want to meet with this Warlord in person, before the elders. I want to know our new ally better.'' Volkarus - ''I will inform him at once mistress. We are to now gather our forces, coordinates enclosed.'' Elder Kathelia - ''Very well. If you mess this up brother, standing before the elders for judgement will be the least of your worries.''

Volkarus nodded as he ended the conversation. Exhaling deeply he took form a bookshelf a book and read from it, falling asleep on his bed shortly afterward.

Circle of pacts
Days later the most important members of House Khaxvis gather within an auditorium aboard one of their generatison ships. At the far end of the room was a booth containing the 20 elders thad made yp the elder council. Themutterings of the spectators fell silent as Volkarus stepped in. Standing within the arena he bowed to the elders in the booth before he cleared his throat ready for his announcement.

"Members of House Khaxvis - brothers, sisters. I return with news of a potential ally: The Brood of War has agreed to aid us in our cause to reclaim the throne. I present to you a man who has planted fear into the heart of the High Inquisitor herself: Lord-Councillor Tyraz Breek!"

As he speaks, Tyraz appears beside Volkarus, with black smoke leaving his body immediately after appearing. This did not seem to impress the spectators or the elders. Tyraz looked at the crowd before and snarled before he spoke. From within the booth Elder Kathelia, a spokesperson for the elders, stands up and looks down at Tyraz.

Tyraz - So....You are House Khaxvis? Elder Kathelia - Indeed, Lord Breek. Tyraz - May I ask who you are, Mistress? Elder Kathelia - I am Elder Kathelia: High mother and an elder of the house. Tyraz - ''A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Kathelia. So, I heard that you require the aid of the Brood of War.'' Elder Kathelia - ''That is correct. Believe me when I say that you were not our first choice and it was NOT out of desperation.'' Tyraz - If that is so, then why have you come to us? Elder Kathelia - ''Because you hold desires and ideals similar to our own. You also have the power to help us.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed we do...And we will be happy to help take down that pathetic empire. Your....messenger, Volkarus, has told me that you shall grant me aid with your own military.'' Volkarus - ''This is true. Our legions are at your disposal.'' Elder Elosus - Volkarus, you should be careful in making such a decision. Volkarus - ''Once we have the throne we will have the entire Imperial Talon Navy at our disposal... Enough firepower to crush any opposition.'' Tyraz - ''Except my own, messenger... If you have any plans for betrayal, then I shall warn you that is not wise. Elder Selassa - Apparently my son has placed great faith in you. He rarely seems to offer such unshaking loyalties outside of his own kin.'' Tyraz - ''Then I am honoured. I have placed my loyalty into you, House Khaxvis, and apparently you have placed loyalty into Brood...After all, an alliance is a two way thing.'' Elder Kathelia - ''That is true. However his loyalty borders on naivete... or perhaps he sees something in you that we so far don't.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed he does. And by your permission, I will let it be shown...''

The elders were confused what Tyraz meant. The entire auditorium boke out into confused mumblings as spectators tried to work out what Tyraz meant. Eventually Selassa stands up to address Tyraz.

Elder Selessa - We do not understand. Tyraz - You will do so soon...

As he spoke, black smoke leaked from his body, shrouding him. The voices of confusion quickly changed to apprehension. meanwhile one of the Khaxvis sitting down rested a pen-shaped object on the table before firing a dart in Tyraz' direction. To everyone's surprise the dart simply passes through the smoke, which dissapates to reveal Tyraz' descended form, sending everyone in the room into an outright state of panic, allowing the Khaxvis who fired the dart to make a discreet escape. As Tyraz emerges his new wings spread out and he lets out a demonic roar. Kathelia was outraged.

Elder Kathelia - ''I was right Volkarus, you have pledged yourself to a devil! If the inquisition ever discovers this we will all be condemned to the void!'' Tyraz - ''I feel insulted! You dare call me a devil before your empire, which is at the mercy of the Brood and every other empire right now? I can help you achieve godhood!'' Kathelia - ''And what of those who fall short? We will be condemned to the void regardless of what happens.'' Tyraz - ''Those who fall short.....I can make them become your immortal warriors! You will eternally rule over House Khaxvis! Your army would be Descended! The Inquisition can do nothing about it!'' Laros - ''Mistress, we have the assailant. He was never one of us!'' Tyraz - Bring him here....I wish to speak with him....

Laros - a captain of the guard - has two guards drag a Khaxvis soldier to Tyraz' Feet before traring away his brestplate. As it flashes and sparks the Khaxvis' body seems to distort and shrink revealing a blue-scaled Draconis wearing ornate body armour, smaller than all the Khaxvis in the room. Laros Grasps the Inquisitor's jaw abd hoists it up, forcing the draconis to stare directly up at Tyraz, who walks over and stares directly down at him.

Tyraz - Why have you attacked me? Inquisitor Tanus - Isn't it obvious, abomination? Tyraz - ''Abomination? Such foolishness....Even when I managed to scare your beloved High Inquisitor, Arsac.'' Inquisitor Tanus - ''She didn't know what you were back then. However I did not expect... you.'' Laros - Then why are you here!? Tanus - ''All of you, abominations! You were foolish to gather here and i knew just how to strike!'' Tyraz - I admire that you do not fear death...

Tyraz grasps the inquisitor by the throat and hists him high above the ground, both of them exchange glares. Tyraz smiles before he materialises black claws inside the inquisitors body, who squirms in pain as his muscles waste away. As he dangles the inquisitor uses what strength remained to wrestle a football-sized canister from his backpack, activating the device before dropping it.

Tanus - I do not fear what awaits me after death, for the pain will be forgotten. Tyraz - Then I will not kill you.... Tanus - *Pulls out the canister* Pray that Drakon forgives..you all...

Tanus drops the canister, as it falls Laros grabs it, once he does the caps on either end open up and he is engulfed by smoke fro minside. Within the cloud his throat swells, causing him to cough chronically before collapsing on the floor. The smoke is pulled towards Tyraz with a snarl as it is absorbed and destroyed within his body. Angered by such an act he remarks on the inquisitor's stupidity before plunging a large finger directly into the inquisitor's waist, pircing the armour like paper. Volkarus inspects the empty canister, realising it was a virus bomb that could have killed every Khaxvis member inside the chamber in seconds. Tyraz summons a Kordalu Zazane to operate on Laros.

Volkarus - ''He would have suffocated by now. Are you sure you can revive him?'' Kordalu - ''Of course, flesh being. There is no challenge too great for a Kordalian. If the male's brain is still in a good condition, then operation shall be minimal.'' Volkarus - ''Wait.. are you suggesting we transplant his brain?'' Kordalu - ''Drastic action is not needed. All I need is to dispose of the useless lungs and replace them with cyber implants.'' Volkarus - ''You are lucky we are more open to cybernetics than the pretenders. Most of our kin would have preferred regrowing the lungs with stem cells.'' Kathelia - ''It seems we may have been wrong about you. You used your power to save us all and for that we are grateful.''

"Save... your...s-s-selves... Do n-n-not turn your.... back... on... hiim...." The inquisitor mutters before Tyraz discards his corpse, returning to his original form.

Tyraz - ''Please, it is nothing really, Mistress Kathetlia. Your empire shows promise...I did not want its leaders wasted in our first meeting.'' Elder Kathelia - ''Very well. It seems you were not his target anyway.'' Tyraz - He thought he could kill us all, Mistress. He was wrong. He did not even claim one...'' Kordalu - The flesh subject shall return to consciousness in a matter of hours. Elder Sorus - ''He came close. Do you know why he called all of us abominations?'' Tyraz - ''I have no idea. It is possible due to your...mutation. You are bigger, stronger and superior to the other Draconis. And I am not even mortal.'' Volkarus - Correct, but we prefer the term 'augmentation'. Elder Sorus - ''We have all accepted long ago the idea that genetic enginnering would grant us an edge. Other than that fact the Inquisition barely takes notice; Were it not for their cowardly stance on such modification the inquisitor would never be here.'' Kordalu - ''Cybernetics is the way forward. With cybernetics, you are rendered practically immortal...'' Tyraz - Indeed, but Descension is stronger! Kordalu - The Kordalu have no time to study Essence, Lord Councilor... Elder Sorus - ''Both of you are correct. But the inquisitor has a point: Even though we side with you we do not wish to become a demonic cult. Such an act would condemn us - both by the Inquisition and by Drakon himself.'' Tyraz - ''So...You follow a religion? You need not to worship me or my deity. And the Inquisition can do nothing against an immortal army.'' Elder Kathelia - ''We still honour the lifefather as we do our parents. Without him we are nothing. Tyraz - Very well. You shall remain mortal. However, for those who wish for Descension...Then I suggest you come forward now...''

The spectators mumble once again at such a prospect. Some of them uncertain and this disappointed Tyraz.

Tyraz - ''Is my promise of Descension really worth turning down? Imagine how impressed your lifefather would be if he found out his loyal followers would serve him for eternity...'' Volkarus - ''*steps forward* I will lead by example mistress. I will bring everlasting glory to Grand House Khaxvis.'' Elder Kathelia - Brother are you certain of this? Voklarus - ''Drakon has wanted from the beginning for us to improve ourselves... *he swallows* this is simply the next step... The teachings are always open to interperetation.'' Elder Sorus - ''Drakon sees us as his children, his greatest creation, not servants. He has watched us advance since our very beginnings.'' Tyraz - You have decided....Keep calm....You wish not to ruin this moment.

Volkarus steps forward, Tyraz' claws glow red before Volkarus is quickly engulfed in black smoke. The room falls silent as the shadows are absorbed into Volkarus' body. Crimson markings are left on his torso, limbs and armour. Volkarus looks at himself with both horror and glee. Eventually he winces in pain as he feels the markings carve themselves onto his body.

Tyraz - The next step in your Descension requires your temporary death.... Volkarus' eyes widen* Death? Tyraz - Do not fear this, I shall resurrect you stronger than ever.... Volkarus - ''Right... right...'' Tyraz - Have faith in me....Or this shall not work....

Tyraz drew his firesword as he spoke and pointed it at Volkarus' chest. As it burns through Volkarus lets out a scream of agony before collapsing lifelessly onto the arena floor. As he lay Tyraz approached him and used his power to fill his wounds with shadows. Elder Selessa watched in horror, clustching her hand and resting it against her chest, watching as her dead son returned. As life returned to him, Volkarus' scales darken and the marks glow brighter than ever as he opened his eyes, looked around bewildered before looking at Tyraz, then the Elders.

Tyraz - And now....your trial is complete....Was the process of death truly needed... Elder Selessa - Was the process of death truly needed... Tyraz - Indeed it was....And now, he has returned......EMPOWERED!! Volkarus - ''I saw what awaited me... What awaits us all... Blackness, darkness eternal. No garden, no firests, no wisps, no rebirth... nothing.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed. Upon Descension....You have sacrificed your own afterlife.'' Elder Selessa - What have you done to my son! Tyraz - I have made him all powerful...He is now eternal! Volkarus - ''I am fine mother *examines himself*... just... fine...'' Elder Selessa - I did not raise my son to forsake the lifefather, not like this! Tyraz - Volkarus...You are the strongest Draconis here...You are eternal, you are punishment, you are victory! Elder Kathelia - Selessa please, this is for the- Elder Selessa - NO! *points at Tyraz* My son died the moment you plunged that accursed sword into his heart! Tyraz - ''Your son is immortal! Volkarus, will you let this female embarass you in front of your kin?!'' Elder Selessa - *Cries out in desperation* He is no longer my son! Volkarus - No, such embarrassment is weakness. Elder Sorus - ''Guards: restrain misttress Selessa. Let her calm down. Volkarus, give her time to rest. At least respect the bonds of family. Remember you would be nothing without her.'' Tyraz - ''*whispers* Volkarus, look at myself. I have almost no family...And the family I did have hated me and turned on me long time ago! I would be cautious around your kin, especially as you are an immortal...They could be jealous...Look at myself and look at the empire I rule...without family to turn on me...'' Volkarus - ''I have been taught since the day I hatched to show respect for my kin.. Parents, children, relatives. I was forever told to respect their words. But if she is willing to disown me like that...'' Tyraz - You are anger, you are punishment...And you are all powerful....You could destroy everybody in this room and have enough power for more...To my eyes, you are the leader.... Elder Sorus - ''Volkarus: Whatever you are thinking do not let the first use this 'gift' Lord Breek has offered to harm to the one woman who raised you solid for ten years! | Volkarus - Quiet old man! *Everyone in the room gasps* | Elder Sorus - What did you say!?'' Tyraz - ''*whispers to Volkarus* Family is nothing but weakness....I have one son and I know he will kill me....And I can do nothing! And all my other family tried to kill me when I was young.....Such trust in family when they are the ones that can destroy you most....'' Elder Sorus - ''I don't know how the Zazane respect family. But within our broods elders are respected and honoured! Voklarus: Your words bring dishonour to you and to your brood!'' Elder Sorus - Family breeds strength, we respect our kin and to betray our own family is just as abominable as cold-blooded murder! Tyraz - ''*whispering* The Elders do not fight for the Khaxvis...Your loyal warriors do....What do the Elders do except sit there and judge their young? And do not listen to him....They betrayed you....He is jealous of your power....'' Volkarus - ''Lord Tyraz is right... Elder you have grown fat on the council and your end is closing! All of you can embrace the power I wield, all you need to do is pledge faith just as I have. We will be gods among men! Truly the rightful heirs of the dragon throne!'' Elder Sorus - ''*Draws a warblade from within the booth* So be it... You have disgraced your mother Volkarus, I will not allow you to disgrace us before Drakon! Guards, get her out of here.'' Tyraz - ''Volkarus, let this fool know your power! Draw your blade and fight him! Prove that you are no longer a child!''

As guards helped Selessa out of the booth she looked back for a moment, Sorus sighed ans she turned to face forward, exhaling deeply. After she left Sorus leapt down from the booth, glarly angered by Volkarus' disgraceful behaviour.

Elder Sorus - ''Call me lazy would you, ungrateful whelp? I challenge you in the ring of honour.'' Tyraz - Show this fool honour....Kill him with your blade! Volkarus - As you wish...

The two Khaxvis take their positions within the arena. Sorus attacks first but Volkarus simply dodges, slashing the elder's back with both of his swords. Sorus swings his sword behind him and Volkarus rolls, parrying the strike as he gets up. In retaliation Sorus forces the blade down with all his strength however Volkarus - empowered by his new gift - easily overpowers him staggering Sorus before charging. Sorus was impressed, commenting that he was wise to accept descension but retaliating by remaking he has far more experience than Voklarus; Who simply said age maent nothing with Tyraz agreeing. Volkarus launchd himself, striking Sorus with a swift flurry and nearly knocking the elder off-balance. Using the flat of his sword Sorus swings his blade hoping to trip Volkarus up. Tyraz spoke telepathically for him to take the blow Volkarus smiles, allowing Sorus to hit him. He falls over, as Sorus walks over to him the elder seems to smile. While the elder gloated Tyraz whispered for Volkarus to finish him. Unaware of his ability He simply muttered that doing such would be dishonourable, preffering to end it an an honourary fashion. As Sorus prepared to blunge his warsword into the fallen Khaxvis he was impaled in the leg. Volkarus stood up, grasping Sorus' throat before simply saying one thing

Volkarus - ''What happened to that survival instinct., old man? If you ever see Drakon, tell him the true heirs are returning.''

Voklarus finished the elder off by plunging his fist into the Elder's chest, crushing the old man's heart. Sorus collapsed while Tyraz simmply sat and smiled. As Sorus collapsed onto the floor Volkarus reveled in what he had done and Tyraz licked his fangs as he approached the scene.

Tyraz - Victory is yours...as so is this House. Volkarus - ''He had little chance against me. I felt he deserved the satisfaction of honoured combat before his just reward.'' Tyraz - ''You did well, my apprentice. The rewards of a million battles are ahead of you...'' Volkarus - ''If any of you wish to revel in the power Lord Tyraz grants step forward now. The age of the true paragons of Alcanti will begin soon!''

The entire auditorium cheered in glee for the specatacle, chanting 'Hail Khaxvis, hail Volkaron, death to the pretenders!' Tyraz smiled as so many submitted themselves for Descension.

Glory and Deception
It had been two weeks since the gathering, hundreds of Draconis loyal to the house had been descended and both the Brood and the Resugence had an army of immortal warriors at their command. Tyraz found himself heading towards Volkarus' personal office on the uppermost decks of the generation ship Emberos. Standing outside were two normal guards. As Tyraz approached the guarsd nodded to him.

Guard - Master Volkarus is expecting you Lord Breek. Tyraz - Thank you, sir. Good luck on surviving Descension.

Tyraz walked inside leaving the guard with a puzzled look on his face. Inside Volkarus was staring out of the window at the amassing fleet, since thel ast gathering a series of spikes had emerged from his body. He looked at Tyraz with a knowing smile, at the same time he was overcome with concern.

Tyraz - ''Volkarus, you wanted to discuss with me. What do you wish?'' Volkarus - ''The day of glory fast approaches, however we must be prepared. The resurgence is taking a great risk mobilising what we have to this location.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed. The Brood of War will be at your side. You have no need of worry.'' Volkarus - ''Every day I worry that the Talons merge from nowhere and blast us to ash. You may have granted several of my kin immortality but the pretenders' navy still far outnumbers what my kin have. Or worse we face exposure from the inquisition.'' Tyraz - Tell me, what threat do the Inquisition pose to you? Volkarus - ''If we are exposed as 'demons' the senate would never accept us. Other than their renforcement on the empire's laws on genetics we had little problem with them... In fact we would sometimes respect them.'' Tyraz - Why do you wish acceptance when you can just destroy the senate yourself? Volkarus - ''You have a point. But if the new senate links the death of the old senate to us what then? A new house war begins and my kind slip into another age of self-destruction.'' Tyraz - ''Hmm, so true...Luckily, the Kordalu Zazane have come further in their research of a plague that effects bloodlines. However, there are a few....problems.'' Volkarus - Problems? Tyraz - ''Indeed. The plague works....But it will only erase the future generations, not the carrier or past generations that are still alive. We want a plague that will wipe out all biological evidence.'' Volkarus - ''So it would only make them sterile? It would take centuries for them to die of age.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed it would. We need more Draconis corpses to work on, as well. The Kordalu have only completed a quartre of their research into the plague.'' Volkarus - ''This talk of plagues is not why I was expecting you. We have a difficult campaign ahead of us so I took the liberty of organising another gathering, everyone should be on their way to the chamber now... almost everyone...''

Volkarus bowed his head, once again looking out of the window for omething still troubled him deeply.

Tyraz - You wish for me to Descend more of your people? Volkarus - ''Not for the moment. Your council is free to join the spectacle since this campaign needs to be a combined effort.'' Tyraz - ''My council? You will wish for Lady Councilor Astral Highland of the Kordalu. She has an understanding of diplomatics.'' Volkarus - ''If you insist. The resurgence has strategic information the brood will require.;The empire has made every effort over it's 200-millenia year history to protect the core worlds. I make no understatement: Reaching the imperial palace, let alone the throne, will be a dangerous undertaking.'' Tyraz - ''My forces are ready for it. This will be the first time that the empire encounters a full-force Brood assault, which we have practiced ever since the start of our proud civilization.''

Volkarus heads for the door and indicates for Tyraz to follow as they headed towards the auditorium.

Volkarus - ''Contact your council. if it is easier to speak via holograms so be it, there's just one last thing.'' Tyraz - And what is this, Volkarus? Volkarus - ''Elder Selessa is the only elder to have not descended, In fact she hasn't left her chambers since the last gathering... I still care for her my lord.'' Tyraz - ''Elder Selessa? Remind me who she is again.'' Volkarus - ''She was the woman who bellowed at you, who claimed you killed me. She doesn't even want to hear me and the others cannot convince her otherwise.'' Tyraz - ''Oh....her. What do you want me to do about it?'' Voklarus - ''I don't know... You know more of the nature descension than any of us. Then again she considers you responsible for what happened. You said yourself your family shunned you, tried to kill you. You know what it is like at the other end... What am i saying... such a suggestion is beneath someone of your power and majesty.'' Tyraz - ''Volkarus, she does not understand that Descension makes you all powerful! It makes you fierce and ever stronger! If she cannot see this, then it is her loss! If she is not willing to give up afterlife for a future where she will not die, then I cannot help you or her... No suggestion is beneath me. I care for my people. But she is of your people.'' Volkarus - ''She is also my mother. The ties of family and position my kin have are not as ingrained as they are in someone from outside such as you.'' Tyraz - Volkarus, are you saying you want me to teach the concept of Descension....to your mother? Volkarus - No. Now I must make sure everything is ready, you may contact the council of the brood if you so wish.

As Volkarus walks off in the direction of the auditorium Tyraz growled. Technically what Volkarus had asked him to do, depite denial, was to make an old woman understand the concept of descension. He turns to two guards standing nearby, beckoning the two of them to come forward. They approached out of obligation, saluting by pounding their fists on their left pecs. He approaches the two of them closely

Tyraz - You two are Descended yes? Guard 2 - Indeed sir. We are Master Volkarus' honour guard. Tyraz - You do know that your level of Descension is the same as his own?

The guards look at each other with uncertainty before turning back to Tyraz.

Guard 1 - We were not aware sir. Guard 2 - We were unaware there are varying levels, sir. Tyraz - ''Indeed, there are levels. Volkarus was keeping this from you...so you wouldn't turn on him. I am stronger than Volkarus, because I Descended him. Do not tell him I have told you this, however.'' Guard 1 - ''We would never consider turning on him my lord. We have sworn to protect him at any cost.'' Tyraz - ''Why do you protect him? The two of you combined are more powerful than he is. Does you culture not measure worthiness of rank by strength?'' Guard 2 - No my lord; We both come from lines devoted to protecting the master of the house. Guard 1 - Such methods of rank are crude. Tyraz - ''I have you know that my culture determines leader by strength. And look where we are at the moment.''

The guards once again look at each other, trying oe make sense of Tyraz' words.

Guard 1 - Master Volkarus has achieved his position through merit not by how strong he is. Tyraz - ''Then he is not very strong. He has only become strong due to my intervention. And if your leader is not strong, how do you ever hope to survive?'' Guard 1 - ''House Khaxvis has been led by such leaders before. We have always survived.'' Guard 2 - Always triumphed. Tyraz - If that is so, how come your leader's throne is being sat on by an Ultanos? Guard 1 - ...We lack the raw power, but we will triumph from the gift you have bestowed upon us! Tyraz - ''You have the attitude of a true leader! But Volkarus....He will do nothing but lead you into an age of cowardice. He fears the Inquisition and the senate. He can destroy both with this gift, but he refuses to! He is too much of a coward! He lives in fear of them....That is not the attitude of a leader....'' Guard 2 - We would never turn on Master Volkarus and violate our oath. Guard 1 - ''By doing so we would instantly become houseless. A fate worse than death...''

Their discussion was interrupted when an aide of Volkarus walks down to announce to Tyraz that everything was ready in the auditorium. Tyraz turned to aknowledge the woman, who replied that he would attend shortly. As she headed back Tyraz continued to convince the Honour Guard

Tyraz - ''It would not matter. You can experience no death while Descended, unless by my hands or somebody stronger. Also, with such strength you could form your own house...'' Guard 1 - ''*nods slowly* Unconventional but... perhaps.'' Gaurd 2 - We could forge our own immortal empire... Guard 1 - Don't be daft, you're not the kind for such patience. Tyraz - ''Gentlemen, you both have the attitude to be leaders....Overthrow Volkarus. He will do no good for the Khaxvis....'' Tyraz - ''Trust me....Volkarus will do no good for the kin. He may seem strong, but he is weak. The two of you could overthrow him....And you could both rule an immortal empire that will purge all xenos and heretics within this galaxy.....'' Gaurd 2 - My lord...
 * The guards are left looking at each other with concern* Guard 1 - Should we really put desire over duty?

The guard hilts his head in the direction of the auditorium, indicating that Tyraz was needed elsewhere. Tyraz nodded back. Within the centre auditorium was a hologrpahic projector showing an image of a ring-shaped construction. This construction surrounded what looked like an image of a black hole, as Tyraz entered Volkarus was informing the attendees of the structure's nature and purpose.

Vokarus - ''As my kin know this device is perhaps one of the most important constructions in imperial history; Functioning as wormholes to other secotrs and as a power source. Even in the border-sectors the Talon Navy makes every precaution it can to protect them and to control traffic.'' Tyraz - ''If we destroy them, we cut off the Talon Navy. If we gather them all together then ambush them, it will serve a great blow to the empire.'' Volkarus - ''These 'Senvinus Reactors' are completely autonomous. Any ship wishing to travel through must contact gateway command nearby or they risk crushing themselves within the singularity. So far we can sneak ships through but an entire armada is an entirely different-'' Tyraz - ''If we destroy these reactors, the Talon Navy has nowhere to go. Then we launch an assault on the gathered Talons, completely destroying them.'' Volkarus - ...The reactors, my lord, are the primary form of intersector travel, we need them as much as the Imperial Talon Navy does. Elder Kathelia - If they were designed to prevent being destroyed by a black hole what chance do our, even your, guns have? Tyraz - ''The Brood offers similiar technology. How do you think that we came from Borealis to Andromeda within such short time? We have Shidium! Much stronger than what the empire and Khaxvis has to offer!'' Elder Kathelia - ''Destroying the reactors is out of the question! We should be fortunate that maps of the gateway network are commonly available. Perhaps use one of them as an anchor point...'' Tyraz - Then let it get discovered and the entire Talon Navy rushes through? Volkarus - ''It would be temporary obviously. We could still take control of the gateways however that brings up another tactical problem.'' Tyraz - And what is that?

Vokarus switches the display to show an imperial battlestation. A wide disk in the centre with two large spires emerging from the poles.

Volkarus - ''These are battlestations. Orbital fortresses that can outmatch entire fleets in terms of firepower.'' Tyraz - They have yet to encounter Brood fleets. Volkarus - ''The empire will always have one or more of these orbiting each planet of the closest few star systems, the so-called 'gateway systems'. Along with one over each Senvinus Reactor.'' Elder kathelia - ''Volakrus was never specific about which fleets, the disk alone is several kilometres in diameter. redundant multiphasic shielding, countless turbolaser, gauss and missile batteries, regenerative armour, reinforced superstructure. The list of defences goes on.'' Tyraz - Then we must destroy them with Kaann, the most infamous ships within the Fleet of Ruin, capable of destroying entire planets. Vokarus - ''And then there are the fleets the ITN positions by each one. Alcanti itself has three of these stations in orbit and a fourth in the orbit of it's moon.'' Tyraz - ''This is where Descension comes in. *smiles* I teleport your army and myself to the nearest one, capture it, and then we have control of the area.'' Volkarus - ''Yes... The garrisons will be powerless! We can turn their own guns against them.'' Elder Kathelia - Wouldn't teleportation be negated by the shielding? Tyraz - ''Shielding against Descension? Please, you underestimate the powers that I have given you!'' Elder Katheia - ''I see... The council thought you were referring to using teleporters. *the elders nod* This is a suitable plan.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed. This campaign will be easy.'' Volkarus - ''We have two more things to consider: The Imperial Palace itself and the Blood Dragons. For milennia the Dragons have been a thorn in our side and we have been fighting a secret war with them for many generations since the Second House War.'' Tyraz - ''The Blood Dragons? Bah, I would like to see them fight against an army of immortals.'' Volkarus - ''True, but they could still pose an irritation. Dragons fight in pairs to constantly flank the enemy.'' Tyraz - No use in flanking if you cannot kill the one you are attacking. Volkarus - We will have other ground troops during the assault on the palace in order to draw fire, they could easily be cut down if unprepared. Elder Kathelia - ''Arsac is always looking for new ways to gain an advantage against her enemies. We must be prepared if they ever do find a counter to our abilities.'' Tyraz - ''There is one counter: Ascension. Luckily, only a few select people possess it, and Arsac is not one of them.'' Elder Kathelia - ''The empire still has the Divinarium to call as an ally. Rumours have leaked of what happened on Crepusculum...'' Elder Olorus - ''And there are stories the Inquisition holds thousands, if not millions, of potential psycics. Hidden away in some unknown corner of space.'' Tyraz - ''You do not know that the Brood are also allied with the Divinarium. We have them on call as well.'' Elder Olorus - It seems that the Clericarch will have to choose who to side with. Tyraz - ''Either that or she will choose neither and stay out of our petty conflict... Or at least to her, it is petty'' Volkarus - ''The empire is bound to call for aid the moment we are detected within imperial space. If you can influence the Clericarch to not side with Uriel and his ilk we stand a better chance.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed. But the Clericarch and I....Well, it is a personal matter.'' Volkarus - ''*Smiles* Uriel is bound to cower in the depths of his palace the moment we arrive. he may be a proud soldier but that is where he would make his last stand.'' Tyraz - ''You underestimate your enemy. That is the one flaw Zazane try not to make. You think he will cower before an immortal army? I have seen lower beings stand against them.'' Volkarus - ''Uriel is intelligent if anything. If battle can be avoided he will take that path there is one other place he may go *A partial floor plan of the imperial palace is displayed on screen* He is... productive to say the least. He may first head t othe palace's hatchery to protect his darling wife.'' Tyraz - You are prepared to slaughter his wife as well as Uriel? Volkarus - All of them must die, if we leave even one alive they will eventually return as we did. Tyraz - Hmmm....Excuse me a minute, I must get some fresh air...

Tyraz began to feel uncomfortable with this new alliance. Volkarus' obsession with house Ultoans' complete eradication - the idea he would happily kill someone's wife, an innocent woman made Tyraz uncomfortable - Volkarus decided to reconcile things with Tyraz, telling the council he would be back momentarily he followed Tyraz who stood in the corridor.

Volkarus - I take it killing his spouse unsettles you. Tyraz - I take the killing of any unarmed or innocent being or civilian as unsettling. Volkarus - ''The Ultanos did the same to my kin at the war's end, many were wxecuted in the central plaza. House Khaxvis has grown to be without mercy - Ultanos did not show us any so why sould we? She is Ultanos, that makes her the emeny!'' Tyraz - ''I am not one to kill children or civilians! I will kill any soldier or warrior without mercy, but slaughtering innocents?! You can do that yourself!'' Volkarus - ''She would not be completely defenceless. All Draconis spend a decade in military service upon reaching adulthood and she served her time long ago.'' Tyraz - ''Are you trying to convince me to kill her? Is it too hard for you to that yourself?'' Volkarus - Of course not, I'm certain you would understand better if you had lived through our history, If you understood what we had to do to survive! Tyraz - ''You dare speak to me like us Zazane have had an easy history? I assure you, Volkarus, we have not.'' Volkarus - ''Were the Zazane ever reduced to a mere 28 offspring? Did you ever have to not just live under the shadow of your conquerors but hide from them constsntly. Always vigilant for the next ambush or raid? We had to do everything we could to survive, that is why we hire so many mercenaries. I have so many underworld connections I could have built a shadow empire! That is why we are so liberal with genetics and cybernetics. We. Had. To. Survive!''

Such a lecture was the last straw for the Zazane. Without warning he outstretched his arms towards Volkarus' throat and wrestle a creature three times his size to the ground. Pinning the Draconis down he snarled and was clearly angered by Volkarus' comments and attitude.

Tyraz - ''You have to survive? Well, upsetting a Zazane warlord is not smart! Zazane have evolved to be the perfect war machines! There has never been peace in Zazane history! Always war!'' Tyraz - ''And if you think your wars were the greatest ever known, wrong! Every century, millions of Zazane died in our history! We had even had to go through abusing our females to make them breed faster!'' Volkarus - ''Not once have my kin rested in our quest Not once have we decided to keep quiet. We offered no mercy! We are very much alike my lord... Why do you think i sided with you?''

These words convinced Tyraz to back down. Climbing off from Volkarus he growled, his tail swaying from side-to-side.

Tyraz - ''The Brood will help you capture the empire battlestations. But that is it.'' Volkarus - Think deeply my lord. Not even our bodies differ for we are both perfection! But as you wish my lord... Tyraz - We may help you with ground conflict, but my Zazane will have no part in killing innocents. Volkarus - Very well, and for the record: Our battles with the Blood Dragons are nothing compared to what you have stated. Tyraz - ''The Gruggysul and Ungruggysul would've completely destroyed the Draconis race if they had managed to follow Zazane into this Universe.....They were our arch enemies. They were the ones who made us flee that Universe and reduced our numbers.'' Volkarus - ''We will handle storming the palace. Other than that I don't think there is anything major the Brood needs to know about. Unless you can think of anything?'' Tyraz - Nothing of the current moment...Just be careful of what you say, otherwise your tongue will be my next trophy! Volkarus - ''*Grunts with amusement* Noted. I must speak with Elder Selessa. The sooner I can convince her otherwise the better.'' Tyraz - ''Hmph. Do what you wish.''

As Volkarus headed for Selessa's chambers Tyraz returned to speaking with the two members of Volkarus' Honour Guard. He approaches them and whispers.

Tyraz - The sooner you attempt to overthrow Volkarus, the better. Guard 1 - ''But my lord... our oath...'' Tyraz - ''Shyrak to your oath! Volkarus is a dishonourable coward!'' Guard 2 -  Do you have proof? Tyraz - ''He claims himself honourable, yet is willing, even EAGER, to slaughter innocents! And he is a coward, trying to make me kill the wife of Uriel....He can do this himself!'' Guard 2 - ''Killing Alensia? *both shrug* the only good Ultanos is a dead one.''

Their conversation is interrupted when Volkarus telepathically infored both the Honour Guard and Tyraz that he had found an intruder within Selessa's chambers. Tyraz teleported directly into the room followed shortly by the Honour Guard. Against the wall was a mortal Khaxvis almost paralysed fear and hyperventilating, still overcome by the power Volkarus forced upon him. Elder Selessa stood in the corner in horror, watching her son effortlessly terrify the Draconis.

Volkarus - I found this turncoat talking to the Elder! Tyraz - You go deal with the people in the Auditorium, I'll deal with this turncoat! Volkarus - Understood, he's yours... Turncoat - ''Please... I was simply trying to spare the elder form damnation...''

Tyraz waited until Volkarus and his Honour Guards teleported from the room before he approches the turncoat, Releasing him from the wall.

Tyraz - Being, why have you betrayed the Khaxvis? Turnocat - Some imperial agent offered me asylum If I did something for him, when I found the elder crying in her room i had an obligation to help her... Selessa - ''Just... leave devil. He meant no harm!'' Tyraz - What did he want you to do? Turncoat - Uhh, just to look around... Tyraz - I am not going to kill you, and I am certainly not going to reveal anything to that coward, Volkarus. Turncoat - ''Wh-what? What are you going to do?'' Tyraz - Nothing if you tell me the truth! Turncoat - ''If that agent finds out... he might leave me here.'' Selessa - Perhaps I was wrong, perhaps there is some soul within you... Tyraz - *helps the turncoat up* Do you have family? Turncoat - Only those within the house. Tyraz - Give me a list of Khaxvis that are closest to you.

After standing up the turncoat walks over to Selessa's desk, with her nod of approval he writes a hasty list of names of his closest relatives. One of them however he noted as being Descended.

Turncoat - What are you going to do? Tyraz - I am going to convince them to come join you. Selessa - Why are you doing this? Tyraz - Because....My reasons are personal. Turncoat - ''Well... That agent agreed that if I provide him with intel about Khaxvis activities he would grant me asylum. When I found the elder I tried convincing her to seek asylum as well.'' Tyraz - You should go with him, Mistress Selessa. Selessa - ''Thank you Lord Breek. Perhaps you're not as cold as I first thought. However I cannot forgive you for what you did to Volkarus.'' Tyraz - ''Indeed...I apologize for Volkarus...It was a mistake what I did to him. I will find a way to stop him from doing something dishonourable and....agh, stupid.'' Selessa - He deserves punishment for his selfish actions. Tyraz - Indeed...Do not worry, I will make sure his punishment is swift and painless.... Turncoat - ''Those protrusions... would he be in pain?'' Tyraz - ''Those that lie on his shoulders and other parts of his body? No, they empower him by causing pain to him. Eternal pain can really empower a being....'' Selessa - ''The inquisition's motives have suddenly become a lot clearer... To endure such suffering must drive someone mad...'' Tyraz - Indeed....Even I went through a phase of insanity once....I have made a big mistake Descending your son, and I am sorry... Turncoat - ''A pardon may be possible but i don't think i've heard of the inquisition giving them out to somoene of.. your predicament.. Thank you again sir.

The turncoat guides Selessa from her room and they head towards the shuttle bay. Tyraz's tail sways as he realises the potential of redeeming himself of what he had one. As he headed back in Volkarus' direction one of the Honour Guard, positioned down the hall telepathically informed Volkarus of what he could see of Tyraz' actions. Upon hearing the news he was not pleased and prepared himself for controntation.

Monarchy: Draconis meeting
Alessa - Hello, this is Alessa Ultanos. Who may i ask is speaking?

Ganos - This is Ganos, of the New Zaretian Monarchy. IF you don't know who we are, good. We just arrived a few months ago. We want to colonize this galaxy in hopes that we can get resources and ship them back to our home galaxy.

Ganos - Me and my associates wanted to let's say make a few friends.

Alessa - It might take a little more than that for us to become freinds. Is there trouble in your own galaxy?

Ganos - We're... at war.

Alessa - I'm sorry to hear. I'm certain there is plenty of space as long as you do nmot interfere with out operations.

Ganos - Resources are running dim. Public relations of us. are going down as well.

Ganos- We also have a few invaders of our own.

Ganos - We just want to know a few things. There's a war out there and we can tell. Who's side are you on?

Alessa - My father sides with perserving order along with the Divinarium. Ganos - Hmmm interesting... who are you against exactly?

Alessa - An organisation calling itself the 'Legion of Bad men', ever heard of them?

Ganos - No. They sound like... savages... a thing we hate.

Alessa - They are, father is convinced their leaders keep the soldiers illiterate to control them more easily.

Ganos - Hehe, It's funny. My superiors say that soldiers that can read are 10% more useful on the field.

Alessa - Your father sounds like quite the strategist.

Ganos - Unfortunately, my father died serving the Monarchy. I've taken his place, now I Serve with honor.

Alessa - I'm sure he was a proud warrior.

Ganos - Enough of this. Tell me, could we possibly form a alliance?

Alessa - Very well, I apologise for sending us off topic. Do you have any particular requests within this alliance?

Ganos - We'll fight by your side, if you tell me a little something... what do these artifacts do?

Ganos - My associates had located one in a secret location, and sadly. They were attacked.

Alessa - You know about them.. I've been told information on them is classified; only father and the senate have clearance.

Ganos - Very well... we'll assist you in this war. Maybe at some point your kind can assist us in extracting it.

Alessa - Father will be pleased with this news. I warn you that all vessels require clearence before freely using our wormhole network. Gateway command can get a bit agressive to unregistered vessels.

Ganos - Understood, we'll meet face to face soon. Now I must discuss this news with my superiors.

Ganos - Signing off.

Alessa - Of course, farewell.

A Sudden Renewal
The Wentals had, for now, attempted to remain withdrawn from the Andromeda War over the artifacts. Beyond capturing Masuri, who seemed to be strangely okay with it, they had chosen collectively through a vote of the populous that it was more important to rebuild themselves before interfering with others. However, unknown to any but the Meta and Kuhera, an old friend was starting to revive, and only needed a little push to jump back up. This friend had a tendency to take thins to the extreme, and was effectively the Meta's more extreme emotions.

The Wentals all across their empire were about to experience something scary. Out of no where, every Meta across the entire Wentals Empire dropped like a rock, out cold. The first thought of others was that this was some new nanotech plague, and the Meta just happened to be the most vulnerable to it. Then those who lived in planets with large Meta populations saw the Worldforests that the Meta had planted, in memory of the supposedly dead Worldforest Mind, springing to life in a way not seen since the destruction of Teron.

At the same moment, deep within them, every Meta felt the Mind rekindle into a bright and angry fire. The Worldforest was back, and, as it had been before, it was extreme. This time, it sought out revenge and war. This time, the Forest Mind wanted nothing but the destruction of those which had hurt it and it's friends, the Meta. The Iteok must pay. The TIAF must pay. The Universe must pay.

Dylan was the first to wake from the coma his people had fallen into. His first thought was not for his people, nor his allies, but of revenge. He woke up angry, and knew instantly what he wanted. He wanted Masuri gone. Masuri had broken all the rules. Masuri had even gone so far as to attempt torture of one of Dylans people, a Meta! Dylan could not allow this to continue.

??? - *comm* We were told you have some information. Dylan - ''Yes. I can tell you where Masuri is, and all the codes needed to capture him.'' ??? - Why are you giving out this information? Dylan - ''Masuri thinks that he is safe. he thinks he can do anything. He will learn how foolish such actions are. I cannot punish him, but you can.'' ??? - ''We will send an escort. He will be in safe hands don't worry. Ending transmission.  Dylan - ''Wait. I would like to be sure that none of the guards are killed. No EMPs or lethal force. Such will not end well with my people.'' ??? - We will ensure that no harm comes to the guards. Dylan - ''Very well. Masuri deserves this fate.''

Before anyone fully understood what was going on, Dylan had, in secret, sent the location of Masuri to the Draconis, to let them deal with him as they wanted. He didn't even pause to think about what the result of that would be.

All across the Wentals, the symptoms of the Worldforest Mind were swift and complete. On their own, neither the forest nor the Meta were dangerous or emotional, but when put together they became a combustable and potent mix. They were mixing, and all hell was preparing to break lose once more...

Purgatory
Masuri sat in his cell. He grumbled to himself, conflicting whether what he had done was wrong or right. As he sat the door to his cell opened and two robed figures walked in. Their robes disgusing who they were, or what they were.

Masuri - ''What manner of creature are you? Dylan perhaps? This is a treat, i don't get visitors often.'' ??? - We have been instructed for you to come with us, do not worry about the guards. Masuri - ''Hmm? What about them? They were all traitors to the Wentals anyway.'' ??? - ''That is not your concern. We are to escort you from this cell.'' Masuri - ''Well now... you certainly have some right to be mysterious, but you should tell me who you are if you want me to go with you. Are with that Loron fella?'' ??? - ''No. We will reveal all once we leave. You can come willingly or we will carry you.'' Masuri - ''Ha! You make a good joke. But then, why am I arguing? Anywhere is better then this place, nothing ever changes here. I'll come willingly, if only to see who you are. ??? - I'm glad you are being cooperative.

As they walked out of the cells Masuri's guards seemed oblivious to the fact two strange figures were taking him straight from his cell. His escorts reamined silent for the entire trip to a shuttle.

Masuri - ''Now I'm sure you're with Dylan. Only he could pull strings and get the guards to be complacent for this... So, the silent treatment eh? Well, two can play at that game.''

After boarding the shuttle Masuri was taken to a room at the very back. He groand as he realised he had just been moved from one rison cell to another so after an hour he decided to to climb onto the walls to keep himself sane.

Masuri - Comeon, if this is a joke at least speed it up! ??? - .Interesting traits this one. ??? - Indeed.

The sound of muffled voices surprised him. Realeasing himself from the walls he snuck towards the door. The voices started sounding more familiar, the tones reminding him of his cordial journey to Alcanti.

Masuri - Who's there? Come on in, let me see your faces. ??? - He must be hiding from the camera ??? - *chuckles* No matter, he's not going anywhere. Masuri - A camera eh? Well, why don't you come and find me.

Eventually the hum of the engines stopped. The door to his cell opened and the figures had returned. This time they held a bag that was the right size and shape for Masuri's head. As they grasped him he struggled and could somehow feel they were much larger than their frames suggested. He scratched and screeched using whatever strength he could but it was not enough. Eventually the bag was forced on his head and he was pulled from his room. As he was taken down through several corridors he realied just who, and what, his captors were and a sensation of rage crept through his mind.

Masuri - ''Seriously? LIZARDS? Good greif, if you had been Meta I would understand this whole mess...'' ??? - It seems he's worked it out. ??? - Doesn't matter, now way is he going anywhere now. Masuri - ''Draconis I suppose. So, who told you where I was? I doubt you figured it out on your own, and you could never have managed to capture me without inside help.''

His captors remained silent. He was dragged into a room and he could feel a chair underneath him forfore then sensation of rubber was forced down on his wrists and shins. As the bag was removed he was blinded by a bright light that shone in his eyes. As he screeched and shouted a Draconis wearing plain red robes walks in. As he did he dimmed the light, calming Masuri down.

Kalvoretus - I take it you are Masuri. Masuri - ''Nope, I'm just the other Yama to survive my peoples deaths... what are you stupid? At least do a good job of being my tormentor or whatever.'' Kalvoretus - They rarely let us out much of this place, I just needed to make sure. Masuri - So, tell me, was it Dylan who told you where to find me? Kalvoretus - That's not my department. kalvoretus - ''When you were picked up you mentioned a Loron. Do you remember his name?'' Masuri - ''*Notices a sword with orange, bat-like wings extending from the blade* What do those wings and sword represent? They wouldn't be there if not important. And the Loron will remain unknown to you, he wants to remain anonymous.'' Kalvoretus - ''*points to the emblam* That is the emblam of the Inquisition of Drakon, you are in one of our most secure facilities. Did the Loron ever tell you his name?'' Masuri - ''Maybe. maybe not. I don't know anything, and you won't learn it.'' Kalvoretus - Oh we will, it's our job to uncover what little creeps like you hide inside their minds. Masuri - ''I'm not a little creep, I am the last Yaman. It is my honor bound duty to live up to my species and ancestory, I will not be beaten down.'' Kalvoretus - Your Wental friends provided a beverage that you may enjoy *releases a restraint on one of his arms, placing a glass of liquid in front of him.* It's perfectly safe to drink, you're far too important to die. Masuri - ''I'm fine. Starving to death do defy an enemy is an honorable way to die.'' Kalvoretus - ''As I understood it the Wental are allies with the Empire. Besides, we do not answer to the imperial government.'' Masuri - ''YOU ARE ALL ENEMIES! ALL OF YOU FILTHY CREATURES ARE! YOUR KIND KILLED EVERYTHING I EVER WORKED FOR, EVERYTHING I EVER CARED FOR! I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL!''

Kalvoretus leaned back as he watched Masui flaying the only arm he had and screching like a madman.

Masuri - ''SCUM LIKE YOU ARE THE REASON I EXIST, THE REASON ALL WENTALS EXIST! YOU ATTACKED US, YOU DESTROYED US! WE WILL HAVE THE FINAL LAUGH THOUGH. We will have the final laugh.'' Kalvoretus - My my, such unbridled rage... Masuri - ''You know nothing about me, nothing about us. You... your kind are evil, a taint that must be removed from the universe so that those who deserve it can live.'' Kalvoretus - Whak do you mean by 'my kind'? Masuri - Biolife. ''Non-Wentals. They are one and the same now.'' Kalvoretus - ''I see. Does it not concern you that biolife makes up the vast majority of the universe?'' Masuri - ''The vast amajority of the universe is not biolife, but rather, empty void. If we allow the majority to crush the few, there will never be justice.'' Kalvoretus - ''I was referring to the majority of life. Mecholife could never have existed without biolife.'' Masuri - ''Of course it could! Natural mecholife, or at least, a variation of it, can be found in almost every galaxy in the universe! Mecholife is stronger, it slowly takes over planets and then exists without any biolife at all! That is the fate of biolife scum like yourself, to be slowly killed of by a superior form of life.'' Kalvoretus - ''My job is not to convince you. *picks up a glass* now, drink. You must be thirsty from your journey.'' Masuri - *turns his head* No. Anything that you want me to eat that badly cannot be safe. Kalvatorus - ''Fine. We'll try another approach.''

Kalvoretus reaches over and secures a VR headset to Masuri. Ensuring that he cannot see anything from outside he prepares a syringe with a strange yellow liquid inside it.

Masuri - ''I can still hear you, and smell you, and feel you with the wind on my whiskers. Sight is not our ownly ability... Whats that? Some kind of serum to make me talk? Well, I don't think any of my, or any Mecholife, kind have been put under this kind of circumstance. I wonder what will happen next.'' Kalvoretus - There's aways a virus if this doesn't work... Masuri - ''Hmph. I wonder if you understand that I'm... I'm...''

As masuri drifts into an nauseous felling Kalvoretus activates the headset, displaying an image of Br'Klakkon that had been recovered from the ice-world Masuri had helped to bombard. The image was hardly very clear and badly blurred. Kalvoertus looked at his subject with a smile before bending down to ear level.

Kalvoretus - What do you see? Masuri - ''I see a loron. Sounds almost... no. I don't see anything.'' Kalvatorus - Has he dissapeared? Masuri - ''Y-yes. He... is no where... to be found.'' Kalvotorus - ''Hmm... Sounds like...'' Masuri - ''Like... like... like a... like this stuff you gave me isn't working!'' Kalvoretus - Fine, let's try somthing else *Uses the headset to project a virus into masuri in an attempt to override any resistance* You're a machine, let's see how you respond to this... Masuri - ''God damnit.... *starts to glitch up* it it it... Br'Klakkon. That was the Loron's name.'' Kalvoretus - What did he offer you in exchange for your services? Masuri - To help me destroy the Iteok. Kalvoretus - He's a being of great power correct? Masuri - I do not know. Kalvoretus - And how did he approach you? Masuri - ''He came to me in secret while I was... alone.'' Kalvoretus - Can you recall the place? Masuri - It was in my quarters on my flagship. Kalvoretus - ''Your passion to destroy the Iteok drove you to side with him. Was there anything in particular he asked of you?'' Masuri - Only for help getting the artifacts. Kalvoretus - Are the Iteok beyond forgiveness? Masuri - ''They are the mosnters who attacked my galaxy, my friends, MY family! They are the demons who killed my sisters, they are the spawn that started the war that ended my race! They are beyond even hell itself.'' Kalvoretus - ''Think deep, do you remember if anything drove them? Do you know if they still seek your people's destruction.'' Masuri - ''The Iteok are evil, they attacked for slaves and to spread sufferring and violence. Nothing drives them to be monsters except that they revel in the killing and hunting of others. They almost certainly want the same revenge I do, they do not like to lose. We only beat them by capturing their leader.'' Kalvoretus - ''Are they still a threat? Do they know where your people are now?'' Masuri - ''I do not know. I would assume so, they are from Kraw, the satelite of Andromeda.'' Kalvotorus - ''Did you know it is a visible sign of weakness to ask for the aid of etherals? To have others crush foes easily that deserve honourable combat. How is that a warrior's path?'' Masuri - ''I only want to avange my sisters and species. How is irrelivent. Yama do not have the same cultural values, victory is all that matters. The winner writes history, I could change it to make myself honorable. Imagine you were the last of your kind in all the universe. How would you get your revenge on those who killed all you loved? Kalvoretus - And where is the honour in such an act? To lie and deceive, you are just as bad as the creature you have sided with! Evil is a matter of perspective. Until the iteok have consumed and eaten you friends and family, you have no right to tell me what my values should be.'' Kalvoretus - ''The Loron does not care for your plight, he never did. All he wanted was your weapons to use for his own agenda... You are a puppet Masuri, another pawn in his eternal selfish game. Is that how you want to be remembered?'' Masuri - ''When all you know is destroyed, you will find that your legacy ceases to matter. There will be none to remember me, none to care about what I do or do not do. In death I shall know peace, in life I shall know vengence. That is the only legacy I need.'' Kalvoretus - ''Do you really believe that? *alters the VR headset to show images of the Wental council members* These people care for your sanity Masuri. They are worried about you. They don't want you to drift down the same irredeemable path as the Iteok have done. You are not alone Masuri, nor will you be forgotten. Even if the Loron upholds his end of the bargain, what do you think Br'Klakkon will do once the Iteok are dust and the artifacts are his?'' Masuri - ''I do not doubt that they care about my plight, but they cannot help me. And do not make the mistake of thinking I trust Br'Klakkon. He is biolife, and will die as such.'' Kalvoretus - ''They can help you Masuri, your suffering has closed your mind to them! They know you need to redeem yourself but siding with an ethereal is never the best way to go about it! The Inquisition was established to prevent such short-sighted bargains being made. Accept the help your friends offer.'' Masuri - ''Do you even understand what ethereals are? They are merely normal creatures with use of essence! Every Meta in the Wentals, and then many others, is an ethereal! So don't tell me not to side with one. Kalvoretus - Perhaps... But I'm certain that this Loron is one of those not to be trusted. The ignorant would consider what I refer to as gods in the true sense. Do you know where Br'Klakkon resides?'' Masuri - No, he refrained from revealing such information. Kalvoretus ''*sighs* - So much for the easy way... are you certain?'' Masuri - ''Yes, completely. You will need to find him at an artifact.'' Kalvoretus - ''We are done for today. *presses a button on the desk* Escort Masuri to his accomodation. *wipes any trace of the virus from Masuri* Thaink about what i said, about opening up to your friends?''

Masuri pouted before two guards entered and pulled him from his chair and escorted down several large corridors, the Inquisition's emblam is everywhere and inquisitors patrolled the hallways. After a long lift journe y with two unsociable guards Masuri was taken to a brig deep inside the facility, the lighting was poor and the accomodation looked spartan at best,

Masuri - I better have something to do all day, or this will get very tiresome. Inquisitor - Enjoy your stay, feel free to sample the station's literature archives. Masuri - Oh boy, lizard books... Prisoner - *psst* What did they haul you in for? Masuri - ''being an angry rampaging monster that has attacked them on several occasions. You?'' Prisoner - ''They accused me of leading a blood cult.. I only killed five people but it was sooo worth it *the man seems somewhat deluded*'' Masuri - ''Good god... I like him.'' Prisoner - ''I've been here for a month now... inquisitors everywhere and they won't shut up! What i did in my own home was my buisness!''

The guards left Masuri's cell block wyhi him alone opposite a raving madman. The next few months would become some of the longest of his life with melancholy quickly setting in. Eventually he would become desperate and bored enough to read the books his captors had provided them, sharing little enjoyment from doing so.

Old Freinds
A few ships approched shellis. The rings of the planet were quiet and serene. Several security stations dotted the orbit of the planet along with thousnads of sattelites that made it look more machine than planet, which it was. A voice then broke the silence.

Security Drone - "Warning, you are entering restricted space. Identify yourself or we will shoot down your ship." Clank - "Identification code 123409657." Security Drone - "Acsess comfirmed. Welcome Clank."

The small Wental fleet entered shellis's atmosphere. Rain poured down as tousands of ships flew in and out of the planetary ocean. Bottomless skyscrapers dotted the surface as they reached for the clouds. Waterfalls spread across the glowing buildings as small rays of sunlight and large advertising signs lit up the dark cityscape. Clank's ship then landed at the Spire top of the senate. He then put on a breathing suit and walk down into the watery rooms of the building.

Valleel Sentor - The material synthasizers are not fast enough. All those who want a say cast your vote on techology upgrades.

The senate was filled with aquatic plants and fish like creatures scattered around the room as they disscused the imperium laws. Clank headed to the royal palace.

Clank - Edoshai? I need to speak to you. Dylan could not be here, he had other matters. Edoshai? Edoshai - Look I don't want to buy anything, oh it's Clank. Hello, is there something you wish to discusss Clank? I have not seen anyone from the old alliance since wental was destroyed. Pity it had to die out. Clank - Im here to tell you about something Dylan think you should know about Andromeda. He says it is very important. Edoshai - Is he talking about the galactic merge? I already know of that. Clank - No. In Andromeda the draconis discovered a large amouts of gaurdian droids. Something called the inheritance. They protect a wide variety of odd artifacts that everyone seems to be obsessed with. Masuri has been acting strange and Dylan has not said what is happening. The point is the wentals need the shellious imperium to come back to the front. Edoshai - Wait a minute! Artifacts of power? Guardian droids? What the hell is going on?!?! Clank - Ill explain later. you need to come to andromeda.

The Meta Meditation
Dylan - Masuri has been captured by an unknown foe, we believe them to be friends of his. Jasmine - Wha-? Dylan - They managed to break into our high security base and flee without any warning. As such, I propose that we officially get into the Artifact War, as it's called, before he or this enemy can take advantage of our not being involved. Arukas - Wait, wait, slow down, explain yourself! Dylan - It's simple. And unidentified entity infiltrated our most secure prison and left with Masuri on a green platter. There is no sign of a struggle, he went willingly, which means that he knew who they were and wanted to go with them. We can only assume that they are his friends. Kuhera - But... wait, how did they breach your defenses? Dylan - I do not know, they shouldn't have been able to do so. They must have been using essence or extremely advanced tech. Nampt - So... what do you think we should do? Dylan - We need to enter the war. The Draconis have been attacked by enemies, the Loron and others. We cannot allow our alliance with them to fall apart because we didn't want to get involved in war. Hinata - Dylan.... are you sure you're completely yourself? You sound... rushed. Dylan - The Forest is back. I can feel it. All the Meta can feel it. We need to move before others learn of it's revival, before others can silence it again. Arukas - I thought your essence seemed disrupted. I think you need to calm yourself. We cannot vote until Clank return anyway, and Remlap and Titrit are still on their mission to the Milky Way for trade and alliances to help us in the future. We cannot hold a vote until after they return. Dylan - But they will not do so for some time, the message must find them then they must return. We're talking weeks, weeks in which we could lose it all before even starting the race! We must act, not debate! Kuhera - I am not a part of the Wental Council, however, I can sense the confusion in your mind. The Worldforest, that great entity that has been in the back of your mind, dormant, has reawakened, and now it is driving you to act without thinking. Allow me to try and calm you.

Kuhera closes her eight eyes, faces Dylan, and then just falls still.

Kuhera - Your mind is truly wrapped in chaos right now, Dylan. The Forest Mind is disrupting your rational thought, you have already done several things some would consider stupid or spontaneous. You are like a drug addict that has been withdrawn for to long, and now you have the drug back you are allowing it to rule you in a way never before. If this is the same with all the Meta, then your entire species should be put under mandatory house arrest until you calm down and return to your normal patterns of thought. Dylan - You can't do that! Hinata - But we can. Let us take a quick vote on it.

The Wental Council votes. Nampt, Arukas, Hinata, Jasmine, Uma, and First Spark all vote to do it. Dylan votes against. Because of the way the council works, the majority rules, and Dylan, along with all the other Meta, are sent to their homes to recover and re-adapt to the Worldforest Mind's influence.

However, Dylan does not slow down because of that. From his house, using the Meta Mind Network, he ensures that when the meditation ends, his people will set everything up to gain the Wentals permission to enter the war. They will send the messages, they will get the votes, and in the end, they will ensure that the Wentals are not taken by surprise again.

The Demonic Horde
Tyraz was furious. As he walked past a guard to Volkarus' office he, out of rage cast the guard down. As he walked in he suddenly felt rooted in place. As he looked down he saw his feet bated in chaotic energy, Volkarus stood dissapointed at Tyraz.

Volkarus - My throat could do without the touch of your bony fingers for a while my lord. Tyraz - ''Volkarus, was that an insult? If so, I advise you to rethink your words.'' Volkarus - ''Not an insult my lord. You do seem to enjoy throttling everyone you meet. Even creatures my size...'' Tyraz - I have throttled people who tower even over you. Volkarus - ''That wasn't the point i was trying to make, but I was not expecting you because I wanted to enlighten you to your pleasures. Do you think i am blind on this ship?'' Tyraz - *growls and tail swishes side to side* You are blind to honour and bravery. Volakrus - First: At no point did I ask you personally to kill Alensia and Second: I wouldn't call her innocent. Tyraz - ''She is no commander nor leader! That is Uriel! Killing her would be an act of dishonour!'' Volkarus - ''Every little houseless scum she lays could grow to become another annoyance to us! Her task is to feed the house's numbers and I wouldn't consider her 'innocent' for that.'' Tyraz - ''Houseless scum?! You plan on killing her children?! That is an even bigger taboo!'' Volkarus - ''I am not a complete monster. I draw the line at killing children personally, in fact... they could become a valuable asset *a devilish smile creeps across his face*'' Tyraz - The Zazane may use child warriors.....But what do you plan? Volkarus - ''For the first decade of their lives Draconis hatchlings are very impressionable. They are fast learners and what they learn in that first decade becomes deeply rooted, this has been exploited by both the Blood Dragons and the Inquisition since the imperium's foundation. Did you know that no Blood Dragons have ever known their birth parents? They are sent off to Alcanti before they even hatch.'' Tyraz - ''What are you planning, coward? You want to absorb children who aren't yours into your own kin just to make them soldiers?'' Volkarus - ''We can use them as insurgents, any Ultanos survivors who find them will think that they have found lost young and will readily accept them back. Unaware that they have been conditioned to kill the ultanos when the oppertunity arises!'' Tyraz - That is psychological warfare! Volkarus - ''Do you disapprove? Ultanos had every Khaxvis they could find executed in Minos'Drakon's central plaza: Men. Women. Children. The presecution continued for fifty years, the paragon's walkway was almost red with spilled blood!'' Tyraz - ''For what reason did they commit such a bloody act, Volkarus? What did your bloodline do to provoke them?'' Volkarus - ''they branded us as usurpers. They thought we were unfit for the throne despite the fact the empire prospered under our reign! Our position was certified by the senate itself.'' Tyraz - ''Obviously it did not prosper if you were overthrown! Weakling!''

Volkarus grew evermore frustrated. it seemed that every attempt he made to redeem hiscause Tyraz semmed to willingly find a counter. when finally he snapped- Tyraz had to know the truth.

Volkarus - ''My predecessors saw fit to keep the Ultanos as pets, kept secret from the rest of the galaxy. That was a mistake, one i do not want repeating. Understood!?'' Volkarus - ''I am not like my ancestors, they were content with what Drakon had given them, refusing cybernetics. They. Were. Weak.'' Tyraz - ''*growls and lets out a roar* You dare impose authority over me?! You are no better! You wish for the slaughter of children and innocents! I have not seen modern Ultanos do this!'' Volkarus - ''*snarls* The Ultanos are soft. Content to let others attack them first, They do not revel in the art of war and I only seek the death of Ultanos, if it was any other house things would be different.'' Tyraz - ''They have changed since the days your coward-ancestors were overthrown! Destroying them now would make you nothing but a....I cannot even describe it! I think the word is.....dossbakk! (douchebag)'' Volkarus - ''Fine, I won't touch any of the children, but what if the broodmother draws a blade to me. What then?'' Tyraz - ''Then I will take away your Descension powers and let her kill you! You go nowhere near her!'' Volakrus - ''*snarls* Then you had better pray to whatever gods you have that this genetic weapon of yours works... I suggest you draw back this low opinion you have of my kind.'' Tyraz - ''*snarls louder and wings spread* Or what, you Shyrak devouring bottomfeeder?! I will be forever stronger than you! You dare not threaten me!''

Overcoming his bonds Tyraz launches himself at Volkarus, grasping his neck and pinning the Draconis to the floor. Tyraz gripped tightly, so close Volkarus could hear Tyraz breathing.

Volkarus - ''The latter was only a suggestion... my lord!'' Tyraz - ''You dare not suggest me anything, especially of your pathetic bloodline! *nears Volkarus's face with his own, near enough that Volkarus can hear and feel Tyraz breath* I for one wish those Blood Dragons would just destroy you all...slowly and painfully...''

As they struggle Volkarus summons his Honour Guard. Tyraz quickly dispatched them by impaling them with his claws and tearing them open. Volkarus simply watched with rage as his 'master' tore apart his guards.

Volkarus - ''Never, EVER assume either my kin or the imperium have not advanced since we left the homeworld. We were conquering worlds and building distant cities before your kind ever arrived in this universe!'' Tyraz - ''And MY kind were conquering OUR Universe before this Universe even existed! And even now we are stronger than you! We travelled from one Universe TO ANOTHER! THIS IS HOW FAR WE HAVE COME!!!''

Tyraz lifted Volkarus up before pinning him against a wall, it was klear VOlkarus was fighting alosing battle.

Volkarus -''...You might be impervious to whatever they throw at you but many of your kind are still mortal, still at risk of death. Many have underestimated the imperium and just as many spend eternity in the bonds of slavery.'' Tyraz - ''You have to learn about Zazane biology, fool! Mature Zazane can kill themselves thanks to an organ next to their heart! It bursts and they die! To avoid slavery and capture! And my race takes pride in dying! We are not cowards like yourself!''

Tyraz snarled before rushing the Zazane. As he fails to punch the Zazane in the chin Tyraz grabs one set of horns, much to Volkarus' anoyance and begins tearing them from his skull, resisting by swinging Tyraz to slam him against a wall. Eventually breaking the horns both of them roar in victory and rage repsectively. Volkarus retaliates by reaching to grasp Tyraz' throat only to have his own hand impaled by one of his own horns, Tyraz then impales the other horn in the shoulder and kicking him down.

Volkarus - ''Kill me and the possibility of aquiring whatever secrets those artifacts hold will be forever lost to you! With my help the Imperial Talon Navy itself will fight for you. Millions of warships, quadrillions of soldiers.. all would be by your side.'' Tyraz - I need no use of you.... Volkarus - ''A single firelance capital has the power to blast a lpanet to ash! How could you deny such power?'' Tyraz - ......I have no use of superweapons. Volakrus - ''You sided with me because you wanted those artifacts. Uriel would never tell you where they are, i would! We could carve an eternal empire from this galaxy. Uriel or his ilk would never consider something like that.''

Volkarus uses the lull in the fighting to pry the impaled horns from his body before heading to his desk.

Volkarus - ''So is this it? Do you intend to kill me?'' Tyraz - ''....No. Not yet. The time will come, however....'' Volkarus - My lord, have you ever seen what the imperium's weapons can do yourself? Tyraz - ''Did you know that Brood are currently more powerful? What need do I have of them?'' Volakrus - Know your enemy my lord, know your enemy. Tyraz - I know my enemy, and it is you, who is also my mistake. Volkarus - ''Until the day Arsac grants you a pardon the inquisition will forever hunt you and your kind... No matter what Uriel says.'' Tyraz - You think I am scared of the petty Inquisition? Volkarus - ''What of your kind my lord? A single inquisitor is far more dangerous and far harder to kill than any Blood Dragon. They see the Brood as a blood cult, with you at it's head. If they think that killing the cultists weakens the master, that is what they will do.'' Tyraz - ''Then they are wrong. They have not seen the true power of an Ayrai'Shikua Firesword, more powerful than any battlestation.... *He draws his Firesword, which blazes a black fire*'' Volkarus - ''But... Have you ever seen the effects of a fusion rifle my lord?'' Tyraz - ''A fusion rifle can do nothing against a Xhodocto weapon! Of course, it is Pre-Revelation....But still more powerful than any gun, battlestation, or ship. It cannot be destroyed...'' Volkarus - Then at least let me demonstrate, if not for you then in regards to your brood; They are still vunerable to it. Tyraz - ''So long as they are mortal....They are lucky. I am not so...'' Volkarus - ''Wherever you go, the draconis wield such weapons. The technology is ancient but they still use it as a staple. Marines, Dragons, Inquisition... They all have access to such weapons.'' Tyraz - ''And you think I fear any of them? You think Zazane fear any of them? You think the animalistic Cyrod are afraid? The Hetii Swarm? No. None of them fear them.'' Volkarus - ''It was no mistake to descend me my lord. Once the Ultanos are out of the way I will see to being more 'civil'. my kind are used to such underhanded methods of war because it is effective. Your brood need to learn to be more careful of dying. Charging into batte recklessly only guarentees your death, which can lead to defeat.'' Tyraz - ''Volkarus...We have not been defeated. Not once.....'' Volarus - ''As I recall you had to withdraw from Solvani III. That sounds like a defeat to me.'' Tyraz - We withdrew because we discussed a truce....

Volkarus pulls out a fusion pistol from his desk, along with a rather firm-looking fruit and a ceramic armour plate. Placing them on a pedestal he aims his pistol, looking at Tyraz momenterily. Tyraz was unimpressed as though Volkarus was trying to get his attention. Before firing volkarus commented on the plate's properties. As he fired a white pulse flies from the pistol, buring a hole through the plate and hitting the fruit. Both the fruit and the hole's rim dissolve into a gel in less than a second. Tyraz then pulls out a shidium pistol and fires through the office door, leaving a white-hot hole and hitting a passerby. The victim screams in pain before dying and collapsing in seconds. Volkarus looks on, both surprised and impressed. After Tyraz mentioned Shidium's pwer Volkarus called for someone to be brought up, moment later Tyraz realised it was the turncoat he had let go earlier. Tyraz was furious at Volkarus' defiance.

Turncoat - ''I'm sorry sir, they overpowered me... The Elder is safe...'' Tyraz - I let him go, Volkarus...And I have command over you! Volkarus - ''He is still a traitor and I never intended to have him leave. This is still my ship my lord!'' Tyraz - ''You handed your forces over to me when you begged alliegance to me! I am not surprised he betrays you!'' Guard - We managed to catch the worm in the shuttlebay, the imperium knows about our plans. Volakrus - You planned this from the start didn't you? Tyraz - I only planned this because I knew I made a mistake Descending you.... Volkarus - You have not been fighting our war my lord, you don't know what we have been through to come this far, the sacrifices we made. Tyraz - ''Why should I care? You are all the same race'' Tyraz - ''The Zazane made peace between our different races long ago... It is not my place to fight in your petty civil war.'' Volkarus - ''I still promise my support of you when I take the throne. I still seek another golden age and with your help that is only days away!'' Volkarus - Do you still support what I am trying to build?

Volkarus offers Tyraz the fusion pistol, hinting that to prove he was still interested Tyraz had to shoot the turncoat. Tyraz simply growls, batting away the pistol.

Tyraz - ''Your goal is that of jealousy, not of revenge! And I do not support a jealous cause...'' Volkarus - You are turning down a powerful ally, why do you think the imperium lasted as long as it has? Tyraz - Why do you think the Zazane have lasted longer? Volkarus - ''Your old empire died long ago with your last universe and even today what you have built here is a fraction of what could have been. Helping me secure the imperium can provide countless benefits.'' Tyraz - ''*slowly turns to Volkarus* I am done here, Volkarus. I disown you as my servant and as an ally.'' Volkarus - ''You have been nothing but an irritance, you are soft. What ahppened to that Zazane warrior heart i have heard so much about? You call me weak but you turn down the chance to claim over a million systems and quadrillions of soldiers in a single blow!'' Tyraz - ''I have learned to trust certain people and learn from mistakes. I am currently learning from you, who is nothing more than a mistake, and always will be.'' Volkarus - ''If that is what you desire... You have not lived our pain Tyraz, were you in my situation wouldn't you do anything should your brother take your throne... perhaps your father?''

'Father', the very mention of that one word and Tyraz froze. He clenched his fists in an undescribable rage before charging in Volkarus' direction. As he charged Volkarus summoned several of his honour guard and porjected a barrier to shield himself. In a beserker fury Tyraz forced his way through the army, tearing into them. Those that were not killed teleported to defend themselves. Tyraz burst effortlessly through Volkarus' barrier.

Tyraz - ''Dare to intimidate or anger me again! Go on! I dare you!'' Volkarus - ''This rage, that is what I live with every. single. day! Long before we even met. Every day I just want that whelp to bleed and die, we know the feeling don't we? Uriel might not have been related to me, but my anger for him is just as great. My house's blood is on his hands, on every generation since the executions and i want him to pay for it!'' Tyraz - ''We? WE?! You dare compare yourself to me?! *smacks Volkarus against the ground, still holding his throat* I have had enough of this "we" business!! I am NOTHING like YOU! NOTHING!!! My WHOLE bloodline were MURDEROUS BASTARDS!! And NOTHING has CHANGED!!''

Tyraz throttles Volkarus before throwing him out into the corridor, before he hit the wall he teleported, hitting the rear wall in a black mist.

Volkarus - ''Rage, fury, it doesn't end does it? I WILL SEE THE IMPERIUM STRONG AGAIN! Both of us want to change, You don't want to be like your predecessors and I don't want ot be like my ancestors.'' Tyraz - ''GO ON AHEAD!! I WILL NOT HELP YOU!!'' Volkarus - ''*Snarls loudly* Face facts Tyraz! We are alike, both of us were born to suffering! If you will not help me then at the very least do not let us become enemies!''

The turncoat tries to struggle out of the honour guard's grip, although easily overpowered. Out of compassion Tyraz swings his sword and decapitates the guard holding him. As he regains his strength Volkarus, now furious draws his pistol and fires at the turncoat, only to have it caught and fizzle in Tyraz' hand

Volkarus - ''You would protect this whelp? Look at him, he is weak!'' Tyraz - I was wrong in Descending you, Volkarus....

Tyraz leaps at him, firesword drawn, Volkarus snarls before teleporting - knowing full-well the sword would be his bane. Tyraz turns to the turncoat as he lands, offering him safety. Both of them teleported to the Ghost of the Warrior.

Turncoat - ''I don't know what to say Lord Breek but.. thank you. I have abandoned house Khaxvis and the inquisition would hunt me down as an abomination... I'm not sure if I have anywhere to go...'' Tyraz - ''Do not worry about the Inquisition. I will convince Uriel to accept you.'' Turncoat - ''The inquisition listens to either Arsac or the cult. Confiding in the paragon might not work...'' Tyraz - Then I will house you within the Brood until further notice. Turncoat - I used to know of Volkarus before, with this power you cave him I-I-I don't know what he is capable of... Tyraz - A lot of things that will prove no good to anybody.... Turncoat - ''He never was the merciful type, few of us were. In fact I remember seeing on occasion he would execute mercenary leaders who failed him.'' Tyraz - I will end his wretched life....He was my mistake, I will get rid of it... Turncoat - ''He was always a good hider. Why did you agree to do it anyway?'' Tyraz - I do not know anymore.... Turncoat - ''He always had a bit of a silver tongue. if there were two things he would be remembered for it is his discretion and his way with words.'' Turncoat - ''I thank you for your kindness Lord Breek. Now if you will excuse me I need some rest.''

As the turncoat leaves as Tyraz gazes out at the fleet, watching the assembled Khaxvis vessels warp away. As he bowed his head he could feel himself panting with rage and his resolve to slay Volkarus was stronger than ever. Back on the generation ship Volkarus was just as furious; as he looked out one of his aides approached, asking him what is going to happen next. he had only one answer:

"Prepare for battle. There has also been an addition to the plan: Have a detachment prepare to storm the cathedral in Dagonris. I want the inquisition's archives turned upside down!"

Traitors Exposed
Iovera sat in her chambers, now aand again thoughts of Tyraz crosed her mind, flashing with the images of her vision. As she tried to make sense she noticed something in the corner of her eye. She turned to find out what, looking out into an empty room. Irritated she called out, sensing the presence of someone not entirely visible. Deactivating her holofield, Arsac emerged from the shadows with a distorted haze, looking towards Iovera.

Iovera - ''Welcome, Inquisitor. I expected you to come.'' Arsac - I'm not disturbing anything am I clericarch? Iovera - ''...No. Not at all.'' Arsac - I bring grave news: Tyraz Breek has been discovered collaborating with known traitors of the imperium. Iovera - ''Tyraz? Tyraz Breek? Uh... nevermind. Do you want us to help you somehow?'' Arsac - ''It gets worse. My sources tell me that he has descened several hundred of the traitors' highest-profile members. The traitors in question are of the former Grand House Khaxvis. They have only one goal in mind: Attack Alcanti and place the house's master on the imperial throne.'' Iovera - ''I will send my forces to defend your homeworld- no, I shall come to this world myself. Because... the matters are truly dire.'' Arsac - ''Thank you Clericarch, I confess that the Inquisition is not prpared for such an incursion. Tyraz is the first descended being i have face and as you know i was powerless.'' Iovera - Indeed. Arsac - ''Three centuries of experiences and i could do nothing. I understand what the Dei'Ar are capable of and the inquisition has nothing effective to counter such demons.''

Iovera nods as Arsac speaks. Recalling how Arsac simply stood there as Tyraz killed two of her inquisitors.

Arsac - Indeed, i remember well how you stood up to the creature. Iovera - ''That vision... Fate of me and of this Zazane are linked... somehow. I must meet him again... just... I am not doing that for him or something, yes. I just want to find out what was the meaning of this vision.'' Arsac - ''I could sense something stirring in both of you. However it is not my place to meddle in such matters.'' Iovera - ''Yes. If you want our forces to deal with the resurgence, let it be. We Radeons do not tolerate heretics and rebels, and, yes... I will personally be present in the place... Just to watch the battle...'' Arsac - ''There is indeed a high chance he would journey to Alcanti to revel in the carnage he would bring there... I will grant your fleet access to the gateway network however I am concerned that such travel may be too slow, i was informed the amassed fleet was to depart soon. I do not doubt the empire's defencive capabilities, however we are dealing with bings of trememndous power who cannot be killed with a blade! I have another request, Clericarch.'' Iovera - Our forces will warp to Alcanti themselves so. Arsac - ''What I am about to ask could be considered rather contraversial... I ask for aid in furthering my inquisitors in the mastery of elemntal energy. For years we have used various techniques to merge mind and body however it was purely defencive, we need something capable of fighting demons such as the Khaxvis elite.'' Iovera - ''Oh... Do you want us to train you?'' Arsac - ''Yes. I will grant study visas for teachers, chosen by your government, to enter the deeper parts of our monasteries. It's contraversial because very few non-draconis are allowed into the deeper sections where the cult lives and prays - including inquisitors.'' Iovera - ''I fear that this can be dangerous... but yes. The threat of Khaxvis is major and we will allow some of you to be trained.'' Arsac - ''Another option is that I pick my most adept inquisitors and they study within the Divinarium. But the archcleric may grow concerned that you would 'stray them from the flock'. We are aware of how zealous your practicioners are and none in the cult would take too kindly to seeing their inquisitors convert to Spode. Another option is that i pick my most adept inquisitors and they study within the Divinarium. But the archcleric may grow concerned that you would 'stray them from the flock'. We are aware of how zealous your practicioners are and none in the cult would take too kindly to seeing their inquisitors convert to Spode.'' Iovera - Good. Arsac - ''They are your teachers clericarch. If you would prefer their students learn under your natural conditions I will not argue as long as their needs are met. One last thing before i leave: If you wish to confess anything do so now; A clear mind is one free of doubtful thoughts.'' Iovera - ...Yes. Arsac - *inhales deeply* I am listening. Iovera - ''I feel the strange... feelings towards that Zazane. This is unnatural...'' Arsac - Can you describe them? Iovera - ''Affection. Unnatural attraction..''

Iovera pauses in thought. What she felt seemed completely alien to her. She had considerable troublefinding the right words before finalyl uttering one.

Iovera - ...Love? Arsac - ''*smiles* Such feelings are far from unnatural clericarch. In fact there are tales where such feelings have driven people to accomplish the impossible. Why do you consider them unnatural?'' Iovera - ''But he is a Zazane... And I am a Clericarch... This... can't happen... this...'' Arsac - ''I have seen this before, the affection is... quite primal. He did save your life.'' Iovera - ...Maybe... Arsac - ''While I would normally condem the attraction towards a creature of.. his nature. You are not someone I normally speak to. Look inside yourself, think deep... what did he do the moment you fell for him? While I would normally condem the attraction towards a creature of.. his nature. You are not someone I normally speak to about such matters. Look inside yourself, think deep: what happened the moment you fell for him?'' Iovera - ''I... I do not understand. I can't realise what.'' Arsac - ''I will give you time to think it over. For now I will have inquisitors other than your new students withdraw from Crepusculum since they are the empire's best defence right now. Until we meet again... your Holiness.'' Iovera - Goodbye, Inquisitor.

Arsac bows before leaving Iovera. As she leaves the High Inquisitor calls for two passing inquisitors to follow her with every intention of fulfilling her end of the bargain. Iovera decided to not waste any time and called for the Black Fleet to prepare itself.

The Battle for Alcanti
When the black fleet had finally arrived to relieve Alcanti they arrived a little too late. The defending fleets were already fighting valiantly against the Khaxvis-led onslaught. Both the planet's orbital defence twtwork and the fleets faough valiently to end the attack and below there were already signs of damage. Commanding the planet's defence aboard the Dominax Larnus swiftly opened holographic communication with Iovera the moment she arrived, while Arsac - who due to Iovera's preparations had left earier - was already at the Lord-Admiral's side.

Larnus - Black Fleet this is Lord-Admiral Larnus Vontarion, unless you are hre to help I advise you keep your distance. Arsac - ''Larnus the Black Fleet is here under my permission along with Clericarch Iovera. Stand down alert and allow them to help.'' Iovera - ''I and Jahric are here to help you. The Divinarium admires its allies and we shall fight together this time.'' Larnus - ''Glad to hear. House Khaxvis is attacking in full force and they deployed ground troops the moment they arrived. Reinfocements in the shape of the 247th, 410th, 51st and 17th fleet are en-route but we could use whatever *turns to his right talking to somoene else, revealing a prominent scar on his left snout* Battlestations two and three report incusrions... Reports say that marines just appeared in the corridors.'' Iovera went through the portal and appeared to the commanders with Jahric and Matheoward. Arsac - Clericach, a pleasure. Iovera - ''Jahric, you know what you should do. Go and lead the Twilight Guard to the victory. Matheoward, you shall stay with me. Your advice may help the Draconis.'' Arsac - I was just informing the lord-admiral that our weapons can do nothing because of what Tyraz has done. Larnus - So far the traitors are only bombarding military installations, he seems to be avoiding civillian casualties. Arsac - How are ground forces holding up? Larnus - ''We should be thankful that not all of them are unkillable. The house brought a large force of mercenaries with them and are now attacking on two fronts. One in Minos'Drakon and one in Dagonris.'' Arsac - Why would he- *bows her head in realisation, snarling* Jahric - ''We shall help you to fight the mercenaries in Dagonris as we can. We are teleporting there right now.'' Arsac - ''Have all your units gather to defend the cathedral, That's their most likely target if they aren't there already. Drakon help us...'' Larnus - Uriel is deep within the Palace behind a legion of Blood Dragons, if the foe cannot be killed we will have to hold them back for as long as possible. Arsac - ''Is that it? What happened to the tactical genius I heard so much about?'' Larnus - Tactics lose effect if your opponent cannot be killed. Iovera - Our elementalists, and I, can kill them with relative ease. Larnus - ''I am glad to hear. Remember that house Khaxvis are - for lack of a better word - freaks of nature. For millenia they have improved themselves with genetics and cybernetics beeyond recogniseability, even as mortals they have been vary dangerous.'' Officer - Lord-Admiral we have new orbital signatures... Jahric - ''Plasma these dragons, quickly! Let none surv-'' Iovera - ...What?

In orbit the Fleet of Ruin had arrived, firing their shidium guns at the Khaxvis ships and tearing the ships apart, by this time Khaxvis had gained control of the two stations and used the orbital batteries in an attempt to overwhelm the Brood fleet. On the ground a shadow materialises in the form of a Zazane, as it snarled the shadow took shape as Tyraz Breek. Upon seehing him Arsac releases a roar of rage in Tyraz direction. In response he roars back, drawing his fireword. Iovera simply stands in confusion

Arsac - ''You.... I'll slit your throat demon!'' Tyraz - ''It is my fault these....mistakes exist. It is my responsibility that I fix this.....'' Iovera - ''...That... Zazane... again? I'll... uh...'' Arsac - ''Indeed, look around Tyraz. Alcanti is in turmoil because of you!'' Tyraz - ''*he looks to Iovera, and then looks down at his feet, blushing black.* Hello, M-Mistress Iovera....*he then looks up to Arsac and growls* I will fix this! I realized I made this mistake almost immediatley after I Descended them.....'' Arsac - ''If you reamain true to your word i -may- consider a pardon. Volkarus is attacking on two fronts: Minos'Drakon and Dagonris.'' Tyraz - Leave Volkarus and his army to me....*turns to Iovera* Clericarch, be careful. Iovera - ''With my powers and this... uh... Zazane with us, we will be able to fight them. Jahric will take care of mercenaries.'' Arsac - ''Understood, I will join you Clericarch. The cathedral of Drakon is where the Inquisition is based and knowing these Khaxvis they must be after the archives.'' Iovera - Indeed.

Iovera, along with Arsac arrived in Dagonris. Larnus was right - much of Dagonris remained intact however Khaxvis forces were pressing much of their attack on the cathedral in the centre of the city. A fortified line of inquisitors, auxillaries and Talon Marines stood between them and the Cathedral steps and the fighting was intense. A horde of mercenaries, vehicles and a few descended Khaxvis charged like a red tide towards the barricades. As the three of them moved in to help one of the officers on board the Dominax informed the ground team of a new development

Arsac - Unless those teleport powers of yours can direct you through a maze you will need me. The catacombs are where the inquisition's archives are based.

Arsac Leads Iovera through the cathedral catacombs, passing dead inquisitors and mercenaries as they go, seeing each one made her more determined than ever to stop the threat as quickly as she could eventually swearing the attackers would pay. As they headed deeepr down they faced increasing resistance. While iovera swiftly dealt with the demons Arsac occupied herself with the mercenairs, cutting and striking them down with little effors. On the Surface the defances were being overwhelmed, Tyraz teleported outside the cathedral and stood to relieve the defenders now standing in his true demonic form, towering over those who charged against him. he decimated the attackers with ease and for a moment Iovera felt the need to defend him, teleporting outside and attacking demons that came near. As she wondered to herself what she was doing Tyraz looked down and noticed her. A feeling of passion overcame him and he returned to his Zazane form - both of them stood awkwardly wondering what had come over them. The aukward silence was broken with Arsac on the comm - She had reached the arhive nexus but as she said this the channel was overcome with static. Realising that the mission must come first Iovera teleported back, leaving Tyraz to return to the defence.

Iovera and saw Arsac lying unconscious by a wall, two of Volkarus' honour guards were standing over her and contemplating how to finish her. Iovera telekinetically throws both of them against a wall before shocking the mboth until death. One of them thought they could surprise er but was simply shocked to the ground. Inside a loud, gravelly voice echoed through the archive chambers. Outside Tyraz could also hear a voice in his mind - Volkarus.

Volkarus - ''I thought you'd follow me... You're so predictable...'' Tyraz - Volkarus, you make a fatal mistake! Volkarus - ''*laughs* You keep telling yourself that... While we bicker my warriors would have overcome the battlestation defences. turning them against Larnus and his fleets. Under my authority you are stuck here. Not even your fleet of ruin can overcome three battlestations!'' Tyraz - No...But the Black Fleet, Imperial Talon Navy, and Fleet of Ruin can challenge that! Volkarus - ''The planet's defences were designed to resist the Confederation of Andromeda when it was at its' height. Your fleets are nothing.''

Iovera was caught off-guard and was grabbed by the throat by Tornarion - Volkarus' second in command and a Draconis taller than she was. Tyraz could sense her pain and despite resisting as much as he could he had no choice. Spawning a wave of Zazane creatures outside he teleports inside to defend Iovers. As he lifts her up by the throat, squeezing tightly the creature smiled. When Tyraz appeared the Daconis warrior looked at him with a snarl. In rage both of them draw their swords and Tyraz spinning in a circle and slashing at Tornarion's waist. Making a successful attack, though not fatal, He watches as Tornarion's blood drips onto the floor, and snarls. Iovera, still in hs grasp, tries to hit the warrior and thanking Tyraz although as he is hit he attepmts to pry Iovera's staff from her. He was interrupted as Tyraz plunged his sword into Tornarion's chest, spraying botth him and Iovera in the creature's blood. As Tornarion roared in pain he teleported to the console he was using and noticed the download was only halfway done. While Tornarion was distracted Tyraz teleported behind him and knocked him down. Tyraz was slowly regaining consciousness from the ordeal.

Arrsac - ''The... download...'' Tyraz - Do not worry Arsac.

As Tornarion struggles Tyraz grabs the Draconis by the face before pounding his head against the console. Tyraz smiled before leaping into the air and forcing Tornarion's head into the concole - almost obliterating the creatures skull before he slumped onto the floor.

AI - ''Warning, data transfer error, download suspended at 63% completion... data transfer, complete'' Iovera - What happened...? Tyraz - *runs over to Iovera and lifts her body into his arms, a look of worry and concern on his face* M-Mistress Iovera...A-Are you okay? Iovera - Yes... I am fine.'' Arsac - ''*manages to stand up* uugh... The scum managed to upload *cringess* 63% of the archives...'' Iovera - What archives? Tyraz - *looks down with a look of sadness* I have failed you... Arsac - ''*limps to the console* The Inquisition archives. there's over 200,000 years with of data involving... well... whaever you want to know about evil: Cult listings, connections, patterns, rituals, philosophies, even the odd artifact listing. If Volkarus had the entire archive he would be unstoppable.'' Tyraz - ''*looks up and snarls* Volkarus...Leave the scum to me. Iovera, Arsac, you get to safety....This is something I must do myself...'' Iovera - We must stop him, so! Arsac - ''And Tyraz... Nice work, reminds me of something I did once.'' Jahric - *sending a message to Iovera* Your holiness, the Khaxvis forces in the Minas'Drakon are retreating. Tyraz - ''*looks to Arsac and blushes slightly before it goes away* Thank you, Mistress Arsac. I'm glad I bring you back happy memories.'' Blood Dragon - Not to rain on your parade but the Khaxvis aren't exactly retreating. Tyraz - ''Volkarus must be stopped. I wish not for you to get hurt, Iovera...'' Blooed Dragon - Several khaxvis managed to teleport inside the palace walls and- *static* Jahric - ''My holiness, these Khaxvis are moving to the... palace?'' Tyraz - *hears the Blood Dragon over the comm and then places Iovera down* Volkarus is inside the palace...I just know it....He told this to me. Arsac - ''Uriel would rather die than let anyone take his throne or his family. If nothing else he would make a last stand in the throne room.'' Iovera - ''We must go! Quickly!'' Arsac - ''My place is here, i need to make sure the archcleric is unharmed. Go!'' Iovera - Who, me? Arsac - I said Arch-cleric, of the cult. Iovera - Good.

Tyraz teleported directly inside, cying out to find Volkarus. Tthe palace interior was ruined. What were once lavish and gilded hallways were staned with blood and scored by gunfire. The bodies of both Blood Dragons and servants littered the hallways - it was a massacre. As tyraz travels deeper, cleaving any descended Khaxvis that get in his way, he reaches the throne room; the clash of swords and the roar of gunfire could be heard inside and he feared the worst. Uriel and what seemed like a small army of Blood Dragons were defending the throne with Uriel right in the middle. Volkarus had sent his honour gaurd to fight them but he was nowhere to be seen. Jahric and Iovera approached from outside and fighting what they could. Tyraz cut his way through the Honour guard to uriel who held his hand up as a sign that Tyraz was friendly.

Tyraz - Uriel, are you okay? Jahric - *fires a plasma gun at honour guard* It does not do anything... Uriel - I'm fine, he's our our side captain. Jahric - Greetings, lord Ultanos. Uriel - Salutations.

Tyraz turns to Jahric and nods to him before turning back to Uriel

Captain - ''Paragon, Alensia has not reached us... perhaps we should fear the worst.'' Uriel - Alensia would rather die than leave her clutch... Tyraz - ''Alensia....Alensia! Volkarus, that bastard!'' Iovera - I will follow.

Tyraz teleported to Alensia's chambers as Iovera and Jahric followed behind, inside she was huddling five hatchlings, none of them older than seven years and in the corner of the room was a dead dagorian, his head nowhere in sight. As Tyraz approaches her she draws a fusion pistol, pointing it in his direction and stuttering in fear.

Alensia - ''Stay back! You're one of them!'' Tyraz - ''Calm down! I'm here to save you, not kill you! Volkarus will be here soon....Unless his devilish plots have misled me again....'' Iovera - ...Who is that? Alensia - ''He... he tried to take my children, so I shot him. You're coloured like them and you are not my guards, what have you done!'' Iovera - ''This... Zazane is with us.'' Tyraz - It is my fault they are here....I am only trying to correct a mistake... Alensia - ''You betrayed Uriel's trust and your kind bring death. why should I trust you!'' Tyraz - Because currently I am the only one able to bring Volkarus and the Khaxvis down! Hatchling - ''Mother... If the demon-man is with dem why hasn't he hit you yet?'' Iovera - He is with us, child. Alensia - ''Septis is right... If you were with Volkarus I would have been dead.'' Tyraz - ''Mhmm. Now, since he is not here...Can anybody contact Uriel?'' Alensia - ''Is he still alive? where is he?'' Blood Dragon - ''Mistress, thank the lifeafather you are safe. *A demonic roar echoes through the hallways*'' Iovera - 'Volkarus!'' Blood Dragon - ''I only just avoided him on my way here... He's not one of our kind anymore...'' Tyraz - ''Grrr.....At last, I have found you.... *Tyraz pushes past the Blood Dragon and readies himself for battle* You lot stay here...'' Alensia - ...Alright. Septis - Is the demon-man going to fight the other bad ones? Alensia - Yes child, everything will be fine... Tyraz - ''Alensia, Jahric.....Iovera, I do not wish for your deaths. I will fight this beast alone...'' Iovera - ''Let the Messengers and Spode protect you... Tyraz.''

Tyraz stormed dwon the hallway back towards the throne room. Over come with rage his chest was pumping with pace that with every step he snorted. The many scars that covered his body glowed with a deep, bright crimson. When he teleports inside he notices that every blood dragon in the room is dead, the walls are scarred and broken and the cloth that once hung from the ceiling was tapered and charred. Volkarus - now in full demon form and towering over the bodies - stood in the centre of it all, his hand firmly wrapped around Uriel and a menacing grin spread across his face as he watched his adversary squirm in vain.

Tyraz - Volkarus, put him down....NOW! Volkarus - ''I don't answer to you anyomre Tyraz.... Forty-thousand years of hiding and running and today the pretender paragon dies!'' Tyraz - Put him down or I swear to Umbrux that I will show you no mercy! Volkarus - ''You have no idea how much I have wanted to bury a dagger into this whelp's heart. Today I avenge my ancestors' execution!''

Tyraz transforms once again into a huge demon, spreading his wings and being engulfed in black energy. In response Volkarus smiles before impaling Uriel's stomach with claws of shadow before dropping him and leaving him slowly dying of his wounds.

Volkarus - ''Yes... let the gods battle Tyraz.'' Tyraz - You are no god, Volkarus, only a mistake....

Tyras swings his claws at Volkarus's face but the creature siply teleports away from the blow before digging his claws into Tyraz' back. Tyraz manages to grab Volkarus by the neck and throws him over his shoulder and against a wall.

Volkarus - ''You may be a more powerful demon Tyraz.. but prior to my rebirth I was already the better man! Forty milennia of improvment has led to the being you see before you!'' Tyraz - Only by my hand have you achieved such a state! Volkarus - I am superior!

As volkarus lay in the hole the ceiling cracked, VOlkarus telekinetically lifted debris aroudn him before sending it flying towards Tyraz

Volkarus - Ultanos and their ilk never considered what power could be unlocked within their own cells, why do you think my kind looked so different from him even before the ritual? Tyraz - ''Wrong! You have unlocked THE WRATH OF ZAZANE!! MILLIONS OF YEARS OF RAGE AND ANGER.....I AM ANGER INCARNATE!!'' Volkarus - ''You are NOTHING ZAZANE! A RELIC FROM A RUINED AGE.''

Tyraz grabs Volakrus by the throat before throwing him through the doors and out into the hallway. As he hits the ground he teleports behind Tyraz, wraps his arms around te neck and throttles the Zazane.

Tyraz - ''ZAZANE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUPERIOR! BREEK HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUPERIOR!! I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUPERIOR!!!'' Volkarus - ''YOUR TIME IS OVER ZAZANE! THE IMERPIUM WILL BECOME MORE POWERFUL THEN EVER UNDER MY COMMAND''

As the two of them struggle they drag each other around the room before Tyraz kicks Volkarus out of his grip and draws the firesowr,d jabbing it into VOlkarus' stomach. Knowing that with the sword was his bane Volakrus roared with rage, he then submitted; telling Tyraz he had won this battle before teleporting away. Afterward, Tyraz let out a pant of relief and returns to Zazane form with Volkarus' blood staining the blade. Uriel lay at the steps of his throne, his body was limp and he was hyperventilating, bleeding from the stomach and overwhelmed with pain. Tyraz walked over to assist, placing his hand over the wound. Uriel could bearly speak.

Uriel - Ty... Tyraz - Sssh, Uriel....Do not speak, your strength is needed.... Uriel - ''Alensia... is she... safe?'' Tyraz - Yes, she is safe.....Now, please, stay quiet, reserve your strength. Uriel - *slowly pulls out out a small holoprojector for Tyraz* I'm... proud.... *drifts into unconsciousness*'' Tyraz - No.....Not another one....

As Tyraz stood over Uriel's weakened body he felt anger and shame over what had happened. Uriel was now dying because of him. Several blood dragons entered the room laed by captain Davius. When he saw Uriel on the floor he ran to check his pulse. After checking he bowed his head before turning to Tyraz

Davius - ''...He's dying. Did he say anything to you?'' Tyraz - ''He wanted to know if Mistress Alensia is safe, which she is, and said that he's proud. He also gave me a holoprojector.'' Davous - ...There appears to be a program inside. Blood dragon - ''Captain we're losing the paragon. Internal bleeding, massive injury... He's lucky he survived this long.'' Tyraz - Please, I do not know how to work this...

The captain accepts the projector, places it on the floor and activates the program. The room fills with countless projections: Many of them involving Blood Dragons killing politicians, citizens and suspected Ultanos sympathisers. One simulation shows one Ultanos member executed at the base of the throne with one of the Khaxvis sitting on it smiling as he declared such an action

Tyraz - W-What is this? Davius - ''*speechless* Lifefather's breath. All this is archival footage from the Era of the Imposters, of the second house war... It's the real House Khaxvis.'' Tyraz - Khaxvis will die.... Davius - ''I think Uriel wanted to show you what you saved the Imperium from. if they recalimed the throne this would have all happened again.'' Tyraz - I....I saved the Imperium from this? I....I actually saved an empire? Davius - ''*Smiles* It certainly looks like it. Although considering what power you gave them it could have been worse.'' Tyraz - Indeed...I need nor want mention in this part of your empire's history....You may claim that Uriel defeated Volkarus....I deserve no such mention or role in alien history books. Davius - ''Tyraz, house Ultanos now owes a debt to you. Are you sure about this?'' Tyraz - I almost completely killed your entire empire and house....Why should I get such mention as a hero? Davius - ''Perhaps because you redeemed yourself. You realised how much of a danger Volkarus was so you set out to fix what you did... And from what I heard happened in Dagonris you weren't exactly very subtle.'' Tyraz - Indeed....Tornarion's skull was not hard enough to withstand me.... Davius - ''I was more referring to what happened outside. A lot of people saw you and something like that won't be easy to forget.'' Tyraz - ''Oh....Yes, indeed.....THAT is not an image of salvation, however.... It is usual for it to be considered an image of death and destruction....'' Alensia - Is there anything that can be done? Captain - We did what we could mistress, his wounds were too severe and I fear he will be in the garden soon. Tyraz - I could Descend him.... Alensia - ''Isn't there anthing else, what about the Radeon? Because I don't want my husband returning as an abomination like Volkarus!'' Tyraz - Ahem.... Alensia - ''My apologies Lord Breek. But you are not entirely like him...'' Iovera - ''Let me see what can I do with his body. The Messengers gave me... the power...'' Alensia - I don't understand...

As Iovera proposed the possibility of ressurection a feeling of doubt came over him. His mind was cast back to the Holy Shadow War, to Moxix, he could not forgive himself if that happened again. Iovera kneeled before Uriel's body and placed her hands on his chest.

Tyraz - Be careful, Iovera....This is how Moxix managed to launch his assault of undead all that time ago....I beg you, I hope you know what you are doing... Iovera - ''Lord Telfar, returning from the afterlife as a guardian of us all, was said to bring dead people back to the life... Let me see if I can do the same.'' Tyraz - I hope so, Iovera....I believe you can...

Tyraz places his hand on Iovera's shoulder, beliving in what she could do. Her eyes flash with a dark purple light and the same light swells from her hands. The energy creeps across Uriel's motionless body until it touches every point, making him glow a faint purple.

Iovera - ''Go back... to the light... I... summon you... Go back, your loved one awaits you... Your children do.'' Alensia - Lifefather guide you home Uriel...

As the energy covers his body Iovera begins to feel weak and drained, she cringes at the discomfort. In a flash of light she is forced back before collpasing on the floor. As she does Tyraz panics at the danger, cries out her name and kneels down to comfort her, placing his hand on her shoulders and showing clear concern for her well-being.

Tyraz - Mistress Iovera, are you okay? Iovera - ''...uh... Yes. *goes back to her feet* That's quite better.'' Jahric - Your Holiness, what happened? Iovera - ''Everything is good, Triarch. The enemies are defeated, as I see.'' Davius - The Khaxvis fleet are withdrawing and we have thousands of mercenaries who have been left behind, they have been arrested and await interrogation

Uriel slowly wakes up. Inhaling deeply before slowly opening his eyes to see Alensia's face. As he smiles at her she takes several breaths of relief as both of them smile. As he slowly stand up up the Blood Dragons kneel down in submission to him. Alensi urges him not to stand up too fast but as he clambers from the marble floor he sees Tyraz turn his back, his head bowed in sorrow as he walks towrds the door.

Uriel - Tyraz- Tyraz - ''Hmm? What is it, Lord Uriel?'' Uriel - ''I know you were responsible, but I forgive you. You saved many lives and I am in your debt. You realised that descending Volkarus was a mistake.'' Tyraz - Indeed....But I am just a stranger. Uriel - ''Perhaps this was Drakon's plan. Perhaps he wanted to show me that you were not the creature I first thought you were. What made you realise that descending Volkarus was a mistake?'' Tyraz - The fact he would've slain your wife in cold blood and trained your children to be infiltrators.... Uriel - Do you believe what they say about calling my family pretenders? Tyraz - ''No...I do not. I believe nothing they say anymore.'' Davius - ''House Khaxvis were the real usurpers: They assassinated Uriel IV and kidnapped the remaining family, keeping them as secret trophies. Their rise to power was a fraud.'' Tyraz - I should never have helped that tyrant Volkarus....*snarls* I apologize for all this, I really do... Uriel - ''I accept, you didn't know about any of this and much of what they did over the forty millenia since the war was kept very secret by both sides. I am still in your debt. you were not aware of what had transpired. Is there anything I can do for you?'' Tyraz - I do not deserve anything....Except that all records of me defeating Volkarus today are erased from your history books and instead portray you as his defeater. Uriel - ''Hm, if that is what you wish then it shall be done. But I won't forget what you did for me, or my kin. A redeemed hero is still a hero - The man who liberated my house from imprisonment was the same.'' Tyraz - ''Hmph...Volkarus is still alive, however. I will not rest until he is dead and his demonic head is placed upon my throne...'' Uriel - ''At least the Inquisition would support you on that one. Apparently you helped save Arsac as well.'' Davius - If anything Tyraz, you were the hero of Alcanti today. Tyraz - ''*he looks down and tail swishes side to side, but nods and turns back to them* Maybe. However, I am still a bloodthirsty demon warlord...I will not always be the hero. However, I am glad that I managed to do a good deed...'' Uriel - Farewell...

Tyraz leaves the ruined chamber as Uriel looked to Iovera, Jahric and eventually back to Alensia. He smiled knowing that what had been done today had not only dealt a serious blow to the traitorous House Khaxvis but rekindled Uriel's belief in Iovera's intentions along with a newfound respect for Tyraz. As the Khaxvis fleet left for parts unknown Volkarus had teleported onto his personal warship Regante Khaxvis. The wound inflicted by the firesword forced him to his knees and as he examined himself he stared in horror. Some of his scales had fallen off and those that remained looked blackened, rows of small spikes protruded from his forearms and as he moved his quaking hand to feel his chin he felt another fine row along the edge of his jaw. His breating was heavy and slow as he clamboured up. Fear turned to a burning rages as he looked at what he had become. A furnace burned inside him as the weakened breating bacame snorts of anger before he cried out one word that echoed across the ship...

TYRAZ!

Dylans Plans
Dylan and his Meta has calmed down, but their plans were still in place, they still intended to fulfill them. What they intended was unprecedented, unexpected, and completely un-Meta. The Meta of old had been a peaceful people who meant what they said and did what they said they would do. The only thing that stayed the same was that they still do as they say they will.

On a secrete space station where only Meta worked, the Wentals had been working on figuring out how the Converter Bots worked, and on improving them, for some time. The Meta were thought of as the most trustworthy of the Wentals, as they couldn't do something without Dylan knowing of it. But when Dylan sent the message, they ceased to be trustworthy to the Wentals.

Over the time working with and on the Converter Bots, the Meta had been able to reduce the death ratio to a mere .02% of the life converted. Still a significant amount on a planetary scale, but small enough that the biospheres of planets converted would remain intact. They had also figured out how to turn them on and off at will. When Dylan sent his message to secretly send a sample to an even more top secret lab, one built by the Wentals solely, they did so.

Dylans intent was obvious to the Meta, and they agreed. Only when the Wentals could spread to planets without destroying the biosphere could they truly survive in the universe. So Dylan tested the Converter Bots on an uninhabited planet, with stunning success. Dylan then tried it out on a planet with tribal life, with even greater success. Finally, a planet with a civilization, also with great success. Now that he knew the Converter Bots worked and were capable of converting sapient creatures and even civilizations without destroying them, he needed only one final test before he could risk revealing his idea to the Wental Council: he needed a space-empire to be tested on.

Weights and Measures
A single ship of Draconis manufacture approaches Shellis. The cities are filled with rain and lights that illuminate the dark planet as the ship approches the royal palace.

Captain - Shellis spire, this is TNSS Elloris requesting permission to dock. Shellious Android -Request granted. Open hangers.

Alessa wore a breathing mask. As the shuttle door opens she felt uneasy in her new surroundings.

Edoshai - Greetings. you must be the diplomat of the draconis. Alessa - *studders* Yes *bows* I am Alessa Ultanos, daughter of Uriel the sixteenth. Edoshai- Pleasure. *walks towards the palace gates* Please come this way and we can disscuss the trade between the imperiums Alessa - Of course. Who are you may I ask? Edoshai - I am emperor edoshai of the shellious imperium. My power extents to all of the empire along with the senate and grand council. I am one of the only 2 royal members left. Untill my son has children of his own, the empire will stay in my command. Alessa - That is quite a contrast to my house, the Ultanos number in the thousands. Edoshai - Well even so, our civilizations are not really that different. Im sure you have many question now let us continue to the task at hand. The shellious trade routes can easily become major importance if your emperor allows the linking to the draconis routes. Alessa - Would it affect trade to mention that goods values within our imperium are state-controlled? Edoshai - Not really. Or at least I don't think so. The shellious imperium offers droids works, tourism, and technology. Alessa - I am relieved to hear. The bureaucratic council did provide me with a list of articles not allowed in imperial space. The Draconid Imperium can offer a wide variety of cultural materials, foodstuffs, medicines and technology. Edoshai - Food and medicine are hard to make with material sythasis. And culture is impssible to do. I am glad to hear that we both can improve eachother's imperiums. Most people focus on troops and war without thinking about the population. Alessa - My father is very passionate about developing what we have. This recent war was not something he commited likely. What are the Shellious' tastes in music like? Edoshai - Oh you would find it strange. You would need liquid filled lungs and high pitched voices to sing it and a extra brainal lobe to understand it without studying each one like a language. Most of them sound like smooth and soft with a lot of very loud screeches. You are fortuante I am speaking in your language or you would cover your ears. Alessa - So your people are not keen on orchestras then? Edoshai - Your ears cannot hear it well so to you no. However we have various works from some Jovar and TIAF people. we would be happy to transport those. I notice you feel uneasy. is there anything you need help with to make your stay more inviting. Alessa - I'm just not used to being surrounded by water, that's all. The way you have combined living and artificial is quite interesting. Edoshai - Yes. The carbon dioxide realeased by the many buildings may sometimes cause alot. Rain and thunder, or in this case the opportunity to grow healthy plants. I personally added many corals and kelp form many pkanets such as Earth,, and Alessa - Minos'Drakon, the imperial capital, doesn't have much plant life outside of roof gardens and public parks and plazas. Perhaps the largest tract of open space are the palace grounds. Nothing like this though... Edoshai - Khêt, life. Life is a wonderful thing. A tree can be soft as it flows through the wind and it can also be tough as rock, braking the soil as it feed on nutrients. Life is diverse adn this place would be a necropolis without life. Alessa - Is everything you create synthesised? Edoshai - Not everything. The building and droids are, but the life, the musical instraments, the decorations. We can not simply get all from changing atoms. Some things are more than just moclocules in a tank to be used in factories. Like the palace. Everything in the palace is really the skeleton parts of giant corals mixed with natural rock from the deepest vally of shellis. Ive noticed you are curious. You are a kind person who enjoys peace and harmony. You like to learn. I can learn alot about a good person by what they say and how they handle the memories of bad times flowing in your head. Alessa - My childhood was rather quiet. Well *smiles* almost; have you ever known what it is like to have more than one brother your majesty? Edoshai - I had a sister. No brothers. I think Messan could tell you what it was like. We both wanted to be ruler and messan left out of self pity that she was not great enough to lead. Gora has no mother. He has no aunt untill messan returnes. I wonder were she is now. All I can sense is anger. Alessa - When I was young my brothers used to scare me with stories about father's bodyguards. Then one night one of the captains came to my chambers, told me to ignore what they were saying, saying it was just their teasing. With father's help they developed me into the person I am today. Do you miss her? Edoshai - Messan and Gora are the only family I have left. When Messan exiled herself, I felt awful. I wish that i could have failed. She would make a much better ruler than me. She hates us now. She still has love in her heart. I know it. Gora - I couldn't help but overhear. You really loved aunt messna. I wish I could have met her. I know she will come back. Alessa - Greetings *bows in Gora's direction* Gora - Hello you must be the draconis diplomat my father was supposed to meet. Im studying as a diplomat myself before being crowned. Edoshai - You always knew when something had to do with the family matters gora. Alessa - Indeed I am gora: Alessa of House Ultanos. Gora - Gora of House Thamono. Edoshai - The trade route please. Gora if you don't mind, Shuti needs feeding. Alessa - *Pulls out a waterproof datapad* Of course, here is a list of articles the Imperium considers illegal, along with a few reccomendations of what we can offer. Edoshai - Not too many things on this list. This list says something about military. There are some things that i must say are not for sale. *pulls out a hologram of a large starship* This type of weaopn is known as a star buster. They can destroy enire systems. Another is the orbital defense units. They are shellious imperium only. We cannot risk giving that techology to anyone. Not even the wentals. Alessa - Understood. I am well-aware of how dangerous Masuri can be.. have you been informed of recent events? Edoshai - Yes i have. Masuri is a great person. I hope he can get through this. With the war, the wentals, the lost arti...neverimind you already knwo this stuff. Right? Anyway the trade information wil be sent to.

On the the provided datapad the word 'Self-Replicating Nanorobots' Is seen under 'banned Imports'. along with altered Draconis DNA

Alessa - Trade conections can be established through the Wental sector, is there anything else you wish to discuss your majesty? Edoshai - I have been in politics for 9,645 years and never have I seen such a strange occerance. The shellious also have bans on nanorobots and altered DNA as well as beng a imperium ruled by the emperor above a large senate with rank 3 technology and planetwide cities. I am begining to wonder.

Alessa looks at Edoshai with interest

Alessa - Wonder what? Edoshai - In recent years, I have discovered a fact about the universe. Sometimes, only sometimes, thoughts can become reallity from far away. Or in our case wental and andromeda. It is possible that both our races were manipulated by a higher power at early evolution along with several other races. Possibly the artifact creators, or maybe a thing completely different. Alessa - My people still hold on to our creation myth. From what we understand of your Imperium's age for such a thing to occur in parallel is unlikely but not impossible.*shrugs* It could simply be that we have both accepted concepts that work. Edoshai - Well religion focuses on what people beleive. Sometimes it is false facts that cannot happen. And sometimes is is a misuderstood science that recalls real events. I would tell you what I know about the begining but im not supposed to tell anyone. They noramlly start religion wars. Alessa - Are you sure about this? Edoshai - Belief is what it is. Proving something they believe in is difficult but not impossible. The divinarium has, you have your religion, and we have minds that won't accept anything that they don't have proof for. Pity really. People need trust and not many shellious have it. I think that gods are advanced races so advanced that primative races worshiped them as gods. so they are real, yet so powerful we just don't unserstand what they are really up to. Alessa - That would make sense. The Imperium itself has been genetically adapting species for terraforming for years now. Perhaps there is a way to tap int othe very fabric of the universe... Edoshai - Exactly. The builders of these artifacts could have been at one point just like you and me. Alessa - What do you know about the artifacts? Edoshai - That they were made by a extinct race that left droids to protect their work. Alessa - So far we have not found a counter to their armour; What gets hit just grows back and repairs itself. Perhaps, yout majesty, we can share what our empires know. Edoshai - Very well. Currently, we know little. We are aware that many trillions of robots protect them. That means that there may be many. I cureently wonder what hey are for. From what I know, some of them are just simple maps to other artifacts. Alessa - Unfortunately only father has access to the information along with the imperial senate. We believe they are a a danger and have been working to protect them and understand them. Edoshai - From what we know. Most information is, suprisingly in the brain on my own son. He knows more in half of his head than twice the memory of the imperial archives. Alessa - Would he mind sharing? If your imperium's intentions are noble we can provide what information we have - it's a fair trade. Edoshai - Of course. He is stubborn though. *Edoshai moves his hand around a small brown communicator* Gora, I would like to speak to you. Gora - If this is about the ship parking thing, I didn't do it. Edoshai - No its.. wait what ship parking thing? Anyway we would like to hear about the artfiacts from andromeda. Alessa - I can offer what information the Draconis have to make it a fair trade. Gora - From what I know by the droids, the creators were arthropod mechanics that once ruled all of andromeda. They went extinct and the droids endlessly did their last orders over and over. They protected riuned cities and artifacts. They don't appear to know their masters are gone. Alessa - That would explain their nature. What about the artifacts themselves? Gora - They are eather terraforming, weapons, or something else I can't explain. Most are maps or small parts of larger artifatcs. The one you found was just a tiny part of a larger machine. Terraforing I think. That technology is difficult even for me. Alessa - So if the artifacts come together, they would be amplified if not fulfill their purpose. Father tells me there are scientists trying to decipher how they work. Gora - I can't figure out what they are for without going to the robots themselves, which I dout are freindly. It will reamin a mystery. But one thing is certain. We must find them before masuri and the zazane. They would not use them for a good purpose. Alessa - Then perhaps we should work together, Unlike the Divinarium I feel I can trust your judgement your majesty. Edoshai and Gora - Thank you. Alessa - I will inform father of what has been said here today and will convince him to share what we know, It has been an honour meeting you both *bows*

Conversion
Dylan watched from a camera attached to the bottom of a Wental-Draconis trading ship as it entered the atmosphere of the small city of Arnasia, on a designated trading planet with the Wentals. In this ship were the new Converter Bots, and the ship was rigged to crash land just outside the city, thus releasing the Converter Bots (and random mecholife) into the wilds of the planet. It was the perfect set up, as the only thing that could be blamed was pilot error, all the crew members were Meta. There was no sabotage, nothing but a "mistake" on the part of the pilot, who would press a button that would shut off all the ships engines in a full reboot. That would last just long enough for the ship to crash, and would leave the crew injured but alive. The only damage to the ship before the crash was that a case blocking the full shut down button was ripped off as if by accident, which would explain how the pilot could screw up like that. Everything had been taken care of, no one would suspect that it was an intentional crash.

Dylan watched as the ships engines suddenly cut, listened to the distress call, and chuckled. The camera vaporized, and he changed channels to the Draconis cameras now watching the crash with a terrified silence. News channels on both Wental and Draconis sides of the incident changed to cover it in live time, and then it hit the ground. The crash was worse then had been anticipated, the ship ripped itself in half and then started spewing out it's contents. Dylan winced as he felt the crew die from the force of impact, but knew that they had accepted the risk when they took the mission. None of them had had families for that reason. Then all else was swept aside as the Converter Bots started their job.

The silvery metallic change was at first not evident, but as the rescue crews ran out to help the downed ship, it became obvious that something was happening. The Draconis that were too close stood frozen in place as a pale sheen moved over their bodies, and plants as well as animals started to be affected in the same manner. In a rough circle from the point of impact, everything was gaining that strange sheen over it, becoming mecholife. As the Converter Bots passed over something, it froze in place, plants, animals, birds, insects. Several flying creatures dropped out of the sky, but flipped and spun, their bodies far stronger then they should be.

The Draconis that had gone out to help the downed ship and weren't yet Mecholife started to flee. Several got onto hovercraft and fled, but the Converter Bots would have none of it. They chased down the fleeing Draconis, capturing them and sending the hovercraft flying end over end as Draconis drivers froze in place. Back near the epicenter, life was starting to move again. A Draconis regained movement, and looked around, confused by the slight subconscious pulses of the mecholife Network. As realization of what happened dawned over it, the Draconis howled with fury, fear, and grief.

The wave of mecholife spread and soon the entire city was engulfed, then the continent, then the planet. As it spread, the Converter Bots speed increased until they were so fast only a space ship could out run it. Three such ships had lifted off and fled into space, where they watched as the event unfolded below. This was an unprecedented disaster, no one knew how to proceed.

Social Shockwaves
The Draconis' response to the outbreak was swift, in just a few hours they had quarantined the planet along with positioning a fleet in defence. A cluster of Wental ships flew towards the world with the intent of studying the disaster but once they reached the fleet they were immediatel contacted.

Gerassa - ''Attention Wental fllet, this is captain Gerassa of the 478th Talon fleet. You are entering a quarantine zone, state your purpose here!'' Ginga - We are here to ensure that no mecholife be harmed out of fear or rash action. Gerassa - ''I have my orders. No one enters or leaves the planet's atmosphere to prevent the spread.'' Ginga - ''That is acceptable, so long as you do not destroy the planet out of hand. In fact, don't destroy it at all. We need to understand why this happened, if we don't it could happen again.'' Gerassa- ''We have some idea of what had happened. It seems despite all safety protocols conversion nanobots emerged from the crashed vessel. The recovery teams were wearing hazmat suits designed to protect them from your form of life which has led to subsector command wondering ig this was intentional.'' Ginga - ''It was not intentional. We lost 23 Meta when that ship crashed. Why would we kill off Meta to get this ship to crash?'' Gerassa - ''Perhaps their deaths were unintended, it happens. You know more about the conversion than we do. If you can convince the commodore of your intentions i'll let you pass.'' Ginga - ''I personally don't know much about the Converter Bots, but I was briefed that the Wental Council would be coming to try and solve this problem, I'm just here to make sure nothing stupid happens before they can arrive. I do know one thing though... the Converter Bots haven't been active since the Mechanization itself, this is the first time they have actively mechanized anything since then.'' Gerassa - So far all we have done is sent down food supplies, I was never ordered to hatchling-sit the population. Ginga - ''Ah. We were worried that you would simply wipe out the planet out of fear this incident would spread. While I cannot promise it won't, I can state that it shouldn't, the Converter Bots cannot spread beyond an atmosphere. Gerassa - Planetary security forces are still somewhat active and the probe swarms have been ensuring that no-one uses this as a chance to riot.'' Ginga - ''That's a relief. If you need ground forces, we can help, we've already been mechanized.'' Gerassa - ''Speak with the subsector commodre first. I have been authorised to use lethal action to maintain the quarantine. I'll give you his contact details.'' Ginga - ''If you do attempt to use lethal force in a way that would destroy mecholife on the entire planet... then we would have an issue. If you mean shooting ships out of the sky, that's not as bad. Where can I find the subsector commodre?'' Gerassa - ''The latter is what i meant. Sector command is looking for a way to reverse the effects. If not then the executive admiral could authorise an orbital bombardment. Subsector command is in the Valad system, second planet.'' Ginga - ''Valad System, second planet. I don't think that mechanization is reversible, and I can assure you that bombarding the planet would piss off the Wental Council. Besides that, mecholife is very sturdy, you'd need to make an EM pulse the size of a planet to kill it off.'' Gerassa - That is the most likely method so I suggest you move quickly. Ginga - ''Got it. But remember, we Wentals are just as vulnerable to EM Pulses as mecholife, creating that would probably cause a massive anti-Draconis feeling among the Wentals. Just a heads up. *turns to the wheel of his ship* Now, I have a commodre to meet.''

In the space of a few hours Ginga arrived on Valad Prime, capital of the Mathist-1-Valad subsector. Thensions ran high in the city streets and many gave her strange looks as though she wasn't welcome. On plasmascreen billboards across the main city footage was shown of the disaster. It was quite clear that the Draconis believed what had happened was indeed a terrible tragedy. She may her way to subsector command in the heart of Vankobis - the planetary capital - and made her way to Commodore Tanus' office. As she knocked she could hear the commorodre inside. as she entered he looked up at her with a blank expression before esting a datapad on his desk.

Ginga - Hello Commdore Tanus - I don't believe we've met, your name? Ginga - Commander Ginga, I'm just the guy who was closest. Tanus - Captain Gelassa mentioned you were coming, I take it this is about the incident on Arnasia Prime? Ginga - ''That is correct. The Wental Council themselves are coming to work out what happened, so I would really prefer it if nothing happened before of during their time here.'' Tanus - ''The planet is still in Imperial space depite how close to the edge it may be. If the council can help the crisis i would help but sector command has other ideas...'' Ginga - ''If you were to sterilize that planet's mecholife, it would result it a very bad relations disaster with the Wentals. Such a weapon, and it would be nothing less then a weapon, could eventually be used against us. That alone would be reason enough for us to cut relations with you out of fear alone. To say the least, it would not end well.'' Tanus - ''As far as sector command knows the entire incident was an accident. Until we can find a solution that benefits both the Imperium and the colonists the use of EM bombs is to be a last resort.'' Ginga - Well, your Quarantine Fleet Commander was a little less hopeful. Tanus - ''She is only doing what she was assigned to do. There are three million people on Arnasia prime and if intelligence is correct the entire planet was converted in 21 minutes.'' Ginga - ''Welcome to the wonderful world of nanobots. They move faster the more the spread.'' Tanus - ''It gets worse for us: Sakanis house wants compensation. Governer Tassadus died from the conversion along with two sisters, four others of the house were converted and the house has temporarily disowned them.'' Ginga - ''Well... I can understand that. You just lost a planet.'' Tanus - *grunts* Don't remind me. Ginga - ''Well, it could have been far worse. When the Mechanization occurred to the Wentals, we lost 72% of our population. Biospheres collapsed, and our entire military force was simply gone. This could have ended that way.'' Tanus - Sector command is planning for recolonisation unless the process can be reversed. Ginga - ''Those that survived are likely under immense psychological trauma from the ordeal and we have little experience with such matters. I wouldn't attempt to recolonize the planet. Mecholife is a very dangerous thing, there is a good chance that any Draconis who tried to live there would be killed by mecholife. Besides that, you would never be able to feed a biolife population using the planet itself to grow food. Any resources to be consumed would need to be shipped in. As for the phychological trauma, well, we Wentals went through this time about 20, so we can help you there. It helps if you first openly accept that they are still living, thinking creatures, and are your equals. Of course... we never had to worry about not being equal, we were all mecholife. However, being accepted would be a step in the right direction.'' Tanus - ''We studied how mecholife works. The plan would have been to saturate the atmosphere and upper crust in an EMP first before reintroducing new biolife. Such a decision would not be made lightly.'' Ginga - ''...And would end with disaster. You're talking about wiping out 3 million lives and sterilizing an entire planet. I can't stop you, but I can warn you that the Wentals would be horrified to see such a thing done by an empire to its own people. Plus, they are mecholife. We stand by our own, such an action would create massive anti-draconis feelings across the empire.'' Tanus - ''Hmm. We could soften the blow if the population is accepted into the Wental, mechanised aliens is one thing but mechanised Draconis would be treated with suspicion and potentially fear. Many, particularly in the Ohlon-1 sector are still unsettled from the Mecha-Wasp conversions. If they realised their kin became mecholife i cannot predict the outcomes.'' Ginga - ''I cannot speak for the Wental Council, but I do not think they would be against taking on the Draconis population. It would still scare many Wentals that an entire mecholife planet could be sterilized, but with the sapient population intact they wouldn't be as scared.'' Tanus - ''During the Mecha-Wasp war sector command was not above using such measures to prevent planetary conversion. Unlike in this case the population wouldn't have been affected.'' Ginga - ''So you have always had such weapons, you've just not used them in a while. Just try not to use them again until this has been settled. It's worrying for the Wentals that the Converter Bots have become active, we want to study the planet and see if we can find out why they became active randomly today.'' Tanus - ''You are immune to the converters. I will grant you premission to go planetside as long as you follow quarantine procedures and as long as you share the data. I will have sector command postpone action but the planet is strategically important, the best we can do is evacuate the mecholife before we prepare the planet for recolonisation.'' Ginga - ''Again, I cannot speak for the Council, but your demands are neither excessive nor unexpected. They will probably agree to them, and I'm sure they will be willing to evacuate the Draconis on the planet so you can attempt a recolonization. I should return to the planet, the Council will be arriving soon enough.'' Tanus - Safe journey commander. Ginga - ''Thank you. Let us hope this ends well.''

Princes of machines
A month had passed since Ginga had met with the commodore. Under the advice of the senate Uriel agreed to speak to the Wental Council via holonet to discover what had been found.

Uriel - ''Good day councillors. I understand this is about the incident on Arnasia Prime.'' Dylan - ''Yes. This has been all around stressful. The Converter Bots shouldn't be capable of activation, self or otherwise, but we all know that to be false now. I'm not a scientist, but Jasmine is, she can tell you more. | Jasmine - Well, it seems that these are a more advanced form of the original bots. They have approximately a .02% kill rate, so 1 in every 10,000 or so creatures would be killed, if that. Perhaps that is why they aren't as destructive.'' Uriel - ''I see... The Mathist-1 council has suggested recolonisation by saturating the atmoshpere with an EMP after all sapient maecholife has been evacuated.'' Jasmine - ''That would do the trick for killing all the mecholife on the planet, but you would still need to remove the dead remains. Would be a very unpleasant job I'm sure. Besides that, there is no guarantee that these new converter bots are susceptible to EM pulses. Now, about the population... well, that's back to Dylan, he's the guy for it.'' Dylan - ''The population is probably scared, confused, and on the verge of panic. Do you think you could give us a few days to work out the kinks and calm them down before removing them? THey have been through a lot, simply taking them away won't help them, especially not so soon after this... incident.'' Aide - Pre-mechanisation population registered at 3,141,235, accurate to one month ago. Dylan - ''Yes... quite a few people to move. The Wentals alone don't have a large enough fleet to move that in one go, it would take a few days. For the safety of their mental state, we would probably keep them together and maybe even find a planet for just them to live on. There are several such planets that have yet to be repopulated.'' Uriel - ''That would be the best course of action. The Imperium has the resources to move such a population.'' Dylan - ''That's good. Once they have arrived at the planet we have for them, we can ensure they are safe - the planet would not have anything dangerous to Draconis on it. Now... would you maintain authority over them, or are they going to be Wentals Citizens now?'' Uriel - ''The fallout has been severe. Some are concerned their relatives, who were on the planet at the time, do not realise their kin have survived. The cult of Drakon, as benevolent as it is, might turn their backs on them.'' Dylan - ''As we remove the population we can get a full name count. The list would be open to the public of course.'' Uriel - The concern from the cult is that they cannot help these people. Dylan - ''The cult cannot undo what happened, however, they could ease the transaction by allowing contact between mecho-draconis and bio-draconis the mecho-draconis would be in a much better situation then if they lost contact with the Draconis. By helping to reconnect now separated families, the cult can help both the mecho and bio draconis.'' Uriel - ''We will see what we can do. The safety of my people has always been a priority and if it helps ease the trauma then very well. What was discovered about the crash?'' Dylan - ''It could have been avoided. The ship was owned by a rather small and poor company, so when a piece of it that controls the emergency shut off broke, they didn't replace it. Basically, a cover for the button wasn't there, the captain seems to have accidentally pressed it, and the engines cut out. Due to the functions of the ship, the engines weren't able to restart until AFTER it had hit the ground... That's what the black box says at least, and it's all we've got to trust in this case. The button was pressed, the cover was missing, and the engines reacted as built. It was pilot error.'' Uriel - Is there any clue as to how the converter bots were activated? Dylan - ''Not that we have been able to figure out. It is always possible that, over time, they became self-functioning, and these ones just got lucky and ended up free on a planet. There is also a chance that the Sacis, who created the original bots, reactivated them. Naturally, we've shut down trade until we can figure this out.'' Uriel - Are you suggeting that the Sacis are still alive? Dylan - ''Oh they certainly are. We were unable to destroy them, as they exist within mecholife itself. Being a solely computerized sapience, they are probably hiding somewhere in the Network. They vanished shortly after the mechanization.'' Uriel - ''I see... The population are worried about a repeat incident, even after this matter is resolved there will still be after-effects, Do you propose anything?'' Dylan - ''We have always been studying the Converter Bots, and we have long known of their vulnerability to EM Pulses. These new ones, if they are based on the original, should have the same flaw. However, we cannot be sure of it. As of right now, keeping trade to a minimum while we do some testing on the newer Converter Bots is the only thing we can do.'' Uriel - ''If you accept we can help with the research. We have robotic labs in several locations for studying biohazards like this.'' Dylan - So long as you are willing to take the risk, and we won't be held responsible if something goes wrong, we will be happy to accept your aid. Uriel - Much appreciated, and i'm sure our scientists will understand the risks. Jasmine - ''We will be working as fast as we can on our side too. If we're lucky one of us will figure out a way to prevent this from ever happening again.'' Uriel - If there is nothing else i would like to consider this meeting adjourned. Dylan - ''There is one last detail. I believe you had family here. Will they expect to be given better supplies or be treated differently for it?''

Uriel's mouth quaked at the news, his lip quaked and he felt a chill piece his heart. Horrified to learn that part of his brood had been either bee converted or killed.

Uriel - ''What? I was never... *sigh* I suppose they would.'' Dylan - ''And would they understand if they didn't get this right away? We will, of course, have one of them become part of the sub-council, which does most of the governing in the Wentals and ensures no species be forgotten, but will they want to be part of the upper council?'' Uriel - My family have always been just rulers, it would be sensible. Dylan - ''Very well. We will work out the details with them personally.''

As the conversation finished and the link was terminated Uriel was silent in his office, his breathing became slow and stuttered as though he had felt something torn from his chest. He didn't know who was planetside, if they were dead or even mecholife. His mind returned to the wars he so valiently fought in. As he closed his eyes the images changed, he saw the marines he knew morph to have metallic skin and glowing red eyes, he quickly opened his eyes in horror before uttering shock one simple sentence. as he slumped on his desk

"Korr... Brother... I failed you"

The Federation's Warning
Iovera was returning from Alcanti, resting on the bridge of one of the Black Fleet's flagships. The ship's communication systems received a live transmission from an unidentified source. Iovera opened the communications link. It was Captain Lorrelas of the TIAF.

Iovera - ...Tybusen? Lorrelas - Greetings, Clericarch, we have something to discuss. Iovera - What? Lorrelas - ''Regarding the conflict in Andromeda. The Andromeda War, I believe is what it is called.''

Iovera nodded.

Lorrelas - ''We feel we must warn you that our fleets in Andromeda are poised to strike the Draconis. We do not wish for any further bloodshed or war beyond them, so we ask that you don't give us trouble.'' Iovera - What is your purpose? Lorrelas - The Draconis, being allies of our enemies the Wentals, pose a threat to us by possessing the Andromedan Artifacts. Iovera - We want to protect them, not to use them. Lorrelas - ''We are well-assured that you have no malicious intentions. The Draconis, on the other hand, may acknowledge their alliance with Wental...'' Iovera - ''So you plan to attack Wentals and Draconis. Bold. And foolish.'' Lorrelas - ''We have crushed Wental before and we will crush them again. Our intelligence shows we hold certain advantages over the Draconis. All we ask for is your cooperation. In both of our best interests.'' Iovera - Sorry, but we do not plan to tolerate the war against our allies. Lorrelas - We do not wish to be directly responsible for any more deaths of your fine race. Iovera - We Radeons honor our alliance. Lorrelas - ''Very well. You are quite steadfast, which I respect. But be prepared for the might and power of the TIAF armada, for we are relentless.'' Iovera - The Black Fleet will succeed. Lorrelas - ''Well then, there is no more to say. May the best nation win.''

With that, Lorrelas cut the communication link. It was silent on the bridge.

Iovera - Arrrrgh...

The Ark
At the same time, in the Kraw Galaxy, the People's Empire of Nelrad had received a strange message from a distant world located between two galaxies - Kraw and Andromeda. The message was a call, a call to retrieve the artifact...

...from a fragment of the artifact itself.

will write there tomorrow

Draconis Mechanis
''You are now Mechanized. That means that the Draconid Imperium cannot care for you anymore. This is going to be an immensely stressful situation, but you are a strong and hardy people. You will prevail, of that I am certain.'' This was being repeated many times over by thousands of Wentalian Guides and Helpers and Medics and Soldiers as they removed the population of the machanized planet. Many of the Draconis were in a state of shock, all the Wentals could do was attempt to make the transition from Draconid Imperium to Wentals Democracy as swift, simple, and easy as possible. It was the best they could do, all they could do. Trade with the Draconis was done, for now, because both sides feared another such event.

Dylan sighed as he watched the families and groups of people walking towards the stands, where they were giving their identification and being told that they would never be able to be part of the Draconid Imperium again. His sigh wasn't so much for them, they would survive, he truly believed that. What he was sighing about was how foolish he had been to do this. He didn't regret it, just wished he'd thought it out a little more.

Dylan settled down to plan the construction of the new city on the planet they were moving the Draconis to. He felt a little guilty, so he decided to make the houses larger and roomier then the Draconis here would have been able to afford before the event. He wanted them to be able to get past what they were now, and eventually even come to enjoy it. They were stronger, faster, and basically better then normal Draconis now, all of them. Why shouldn't they get better housing? He also planned ahead and left space for a 100% increase in population before new houses would be needed. If that didn't satisfy them, nothing would.

As for Aeriu and the rest of the Ultanos Family that had lived on the planet, he designed a large palace for them. Gardens, ponds, fountains, more rooms then even he could have used in his life. And a grand entrance hall. Anything to get them to shut up. Dylan was more then willing to go overboard on the design, as he knew it would provide both the Draconis moving to the planet, and the Wentals who would be working on it with a large number of good jobs. He built the city to be able to hold 7 million people. The city would be located on a planet called "Klaxos 3", which already had 4 Wentalian Cities and a strong, thriving economy. It was world with few dangerous predators, and the outer walls of the city would be more then enough to make the Draconis feel secure within it.

The planet had been chosen because it was similar in shape and design to the planet from which the Draconis refugees would be coming from. Everything possible to ensure that there was as little discomfort as possible was being attended to. However... Dylan knew it would be hard for them, especially for those who had lost loved ones, or for families now divided between the Draconid Imperium and the Wentals.

Dylan also had another duty to attend to. While the death rate had been low, there were still about 628 people who died. Of those, at least half had been parents, and it usually killed both, though why was unknown. Dylan now needed to explain to the orphans what had happened and what was going to happen to them. He had found new families for most of them, but some had been old enough to willingly choose not to go to a new family. A few had been more curious then saddened, and actually wanted to live with non-Draconis. For the most part however, they all wanted to live with their own, so Dylan had made special reservations for such individuals, and set aside houses and money and resources for when they became adults per the Draconis way.

Dylan sighed again. If the Draconis had been willing to give up the planet, he could have had this whole problem settled already. However, they were instead going to sterilize it, and that provided yet anther reason to sigh.

Jasmine had successfully gotten a sample of all life on the planet, but she was very upset that she wouldn't be able to study the planet itself for much longer. However, her anger over that was nothing compared to the fear that had spread across the Wentals when they heard the Draconis had weapons that could sterilize an entire mechosphere. It was something none of them wanted to believe in, and many said just wasn't possible. However, Dylan knew that when the planet was sterilized it would give the Wentals a solid and probably permanent fear of the Draconis, fear that would cause all sorts of trouble for him in the future.

One thing Dylan didn't have to worry about was reconnecting families, at least through communications and networks. The Draconis had made a great effort to track down families and family members of those who had been on the planet when the Conversion occurred, most if not all the families had at least been given the chance to communicate if they wanted, and the new city would have a full attachment to the Sline installed from the start.

There was a new member species in the Wentals, and Dylan wanted to make sure they were invited properly. What was the name Jasmine had given them? Ah yes, Draconis Mechanis.