Fiction:Attero Dominatus/Different Paths

{{War }}
 * armies=3
 * prev=Counterattack
 * next=A Game of Shogun
 * name=Different paths
 * partof={{fiction|Attero Dominatus}]
 * image=GustavusGravius.png
 * date=2793
 * place=Andromeda Galaxy
 * prov=Pre Emptive Strike
 * result=War Between AGC and DT, Failure of DT vs FPC Offensives
 * battles=Scorched Earth Campaign, Battle of Unnamed Planet
 * side1={{fiction|Drakodominatus Tyrannny}}
 * side2={{fiction|United Free Peoples Coalition}}
 * side3={{fiction|Andromedan Galactic Commonweath}}
 * commanders1=Supreme Admiral Gravius Gnissenkrassau
 * commanders2=Coalitionary General Gustavus Ikeben
 * commanders3=Paragon Uriel Ultanos Cleirarch Iovera Blademaster Hel'Bre'K
 * strength1=7th Grandstrategon
 * strength2=FPC Navy
 * strength3=Guardians of Light
 * losses1}}=tbd
 * losses3=tbd
 * losses4=tbd

The Way of Gustavus
The liberated slaves in Andromeda knew that to engage the Tyranny head-on was suicide. The fact that they outnumbered the Dominatus ships a hundred-to-one was of little comfort, for they knew of the sheer might the Tyranny could bring to bear in a single well-aimed broadside. If the Tyranny could pin their fleets down in a single location, they would be annihilated within instants.

Although the situation looked bleak, Gustavus Ikeben knew that he could still tear victory from the gaping maw of defeat, even when faced––especially when faced––with an opponent superior to him in every single conceivable way. The Tyranny believed that the only way to fight was in set-piece battles, where two belligerents stood toe-to-toe and the best of the two won. He knew that he could not fight the honest and simple way. Instead, he was to employ strategy dictated not by brute force and sheer numbers, but by fluidity, attrition, and deception. He knew that if they were going to survive this war, he would have to do things his own way.

Illumination
The RALA fleet was beginning to exit the vast Dominatus territory and into the warzone. They were on their highest guard following their war with the Sindar, little did they know what was to come.

SpecOps Navigator - Sir, I've spotted contacts on my radar! Should we engage?!

Rhul - Well they aren't Drakodominatus, are they now? Ships; blow these pathetic ships to pieces.

A swift but brutal battle begins, as the opposing fleet begins to attack the RALA fleet, but were easily countered, leading to the enemy’s surrender.

Rhul - Cease fire men, they seemed to have ceased hostilities. Announce yourself now before I finish you.

Lingur - This is Lingur Wildlight of the Aeoneonatrix empire.

Rhul - Explain yourself. Entering Dominatus territory with the intent to kill is stupidity, and our intervention saved your puny fleet.

Lingur - We only want to stop them from slaughtering innocent people.

Rhul - Is that your excuse to wreak havoc?

Lingur - It's better than theirs.

Rhul - From what I have seen from the Dominatus, they are a very powerful empire with no reason to do so.

Lingur bursts into laughter.

Lingur - Was that a joke?

Rhul - As much as your fleet is... We must commence talks; I will come to your ship

The Malicious Intent docks at the unknown enemy's ship to meet with Lingur. Rhul enters the bridge. Rhul lunges at Lingur, whilst his SpecOps hold down his subordinates; he then raises a gun to his head.

Lingur - You're going to kill me for trying to aid in the destruction of an empire that has slaughtered and enslaved trillions?

Rhul - No, I'm just ridding this galaxy of one, pathetic, fleetmaster. Take me to your homeworld before you do die.

Lingur - So you can enslave them?

Rhul - * Rhul signals his fleet* Go into stealth mode. *turns to Lingur* We aren't slavers, but if you say the Dominatus are, I want to find out for myself.

Lingur - HAVE YOU HEARD THEIR NAME?

Rhul - Easy now...

Lingur - It's almost the word "domination" followed by outright calling themselves a Tyranny.

Rhul - Tyranny? I wasn't aware of that.

Lingur - So you haven't? Their full name is “the Drakodominatus Tyranny.”

Rhul - I see, take me to your homeworld. Now.

Lingur - I will, there's someone there I'd like you to meet actually.

Rhul - Do it.

Lingur - You'll have to let my pilot drive the ship. He's the green and orange one.

Rhul - You! Get in that seat now!

Awesh - I'm going I'm going

Awesh drove the ship back to Ku-Rokti. Rhul then orders his men to stand down and puts his gun down. Awesh lands the ship.

Lingur - Will the testimony of a former slave convince you that the Dominatus are slavers?

Rhul - Bring him in.

Lingur called Gondoo into the ship.

Gondoo - Hello.

Rhul - Why hello there.

Gondoo - I hear you need to be convinced that the Dominatus are slavers.

Rhul - I'm waiting...

Gondoo - I was one of their slaves until less than six months ago.

Rhul - Do you know of a Mortrig Malevon? Yes.

Gondoo - One of their top commanders, an Annihilator Ultima.

Rhul - ...And a friend of mine.

Lingur - You're friends with Mortrig?

Rhul - I recently met him whilst dealing with personal matters.

Lingur - Did he tell you about the species he wiped out? How he committed mass murder upon the Federal Vilerg Council?

Rhul - What the...

Lingur - He did it by the way because he was angry about matters unrelated to them.

Rhul - You're lucky. This Intel saved your empire... I'll see Mortrig.

Gondoo - I was also a slave to that empire my entire life, I was a spa worker.

Rhul - I see.

Gondoo - I was mostly a waiter. In order to be this, they had to affix a tray to my back

Rhul - Men! We're leaving, Mortrig has some questions to answer, and you... don't think yourself as our friend.

Gondoo - They had to clip my wings to fit it on by the way, Just a few feathers, just enough so I couldn't and can't fly. Not until I have the muscles working again and the feathers grow back.

Rhul - Farewell.

Rhul, in shock, left the system with his fleet.

Scorched Earth
Written by: GreatDestroyer12

After the encounter which could easily have led to the destruction of his invading fleet, Ikeben slowly heard that the Mark 2 fleet was forming a solid wave of ships in order to conquer the space of the FPC. He knew then, that the objective was although in the long term to preserve his infrastructure, that in the short term, it was imperative that he stymie the Tyranny's forces. He knew that the Tyranny expected him to engage his forces in static defense against the Tyranny fleets, something that would inevitably lead to calamity. However, he knew that the navy of the Tyranny was incredibly supply intensive, and he knew from intel reports that the rather incompetent Tyrant was still diverting some production, even at the point when their industrial capacity was weakened to their secret weapons projects rather than to having a good logistics train. Furthermore, spies had learned that the Tyranny was still broke from a project called Tiamat and was unable to expand their total production capability at a fast enough rate to accomodate their current needs.

The logical extension of this was a rather simple fact, it was that if he was able to successfully attack their outposts and harass their supply lines sufficiently, something that was rather easy given the fact that the Tyranny never expect supplies there, he would be able to starve the intimidating Mark 2 forces at the front. What this meant was that in order to win, his forces would not need to face Mark 2s at the apex of their firepower but instead attack them where it hurt, in the supply lines, and this would directly impact the main Tyranny forces. This meant that he would be able to attack the unfueled and unsupplied Mark 2s, and he knew that even the Tyranny's technology could not save them from the fact that having no supplies meant that he could not fight. He had a plan now, a plan to dethrone the Tyranny and to absolutely destroy their force, something which would help galvanize support for the FPC. It was time for battle, time for scorched earth.

As per the plan of the Dominatus, the Mark 2 fleet advanced through the space of the FPC, desperately seeking a pitched battle that would make the conquest of the remaining undefended worlds rather trivial. The other reason was that the strategic doctrine of the Tyranny meant that a fleet should always set out for a pitched set piece battle through which to fully defeat an enemy force. This was due to the he massive industrial losses of the Tyranny, the amount of funds thats had to be devoted to research and the extent of their empire, which entailed that a Tyranny fleet would want to end a war as quickly as possible lest they be brought down by logistic strain. The Tyranny tried to accomplish this, going after the armada of Ikeben, which had been split into numerous tactical taskforces that were able to wage fearsome guerrilla warfare on the Tyranny.

The Mark 2 Fleet penetrated deeper and deeper into FPC space, just as Ikeben wanted them to, in the search of a pitched battle. This led to the supply lines of the Mark 2 fleet being stretched even more and more, as guerilla detachments of FPC Marines went on suicide missions behind Tyranny lines and disrupted critical infrastructure. This asymmetrical nature of battle was something that the Tyranny could not adapt to, as they ended up fighting the shadows. This offensive continued however, as the increasingly fueled starved Tyranny ships surged more and more into FPC territory, stretching them to a breaking point.

Buchtdoshitzentyz
Written by: GreatDestroyer12

As the Mark 2's equipment wore out without hope of supply and a pitched battle was not found, the FPC continued to get pushed back as per Gustavus' predictions. However, eventually, at the last remaining lines between the planets before dark space, the Tyranny ships could eventually not move nor fire. Their shields were down, not having the fuel to be able to protect the monsters anymore and where for all intents and purposes, floating hulks. At this point, they got the pitched battle they were looking for this entire time.

At this point, the smaller ships of Gustavus task force engaged the Tyranny in all across their planets as the defenseless Mark 2s sat at the rims of their last systems doing nothing. The vaunted Mark 2 fleet, once thought of as invulnerable and unbeatable was utterly destroyed in one of the most one sided battles of the war, as they were unable to fire on the enemy ships, unable to retreat, and unable to defend themselves. One by one, across the different systems, the Mark 2s started blowing up in massive fire balls as their critical systems were damaged, and the FPC soon claimed victory.

The Dominatus were shocked at this debacle, not for the military loss in particular but as a blow to their naval prestige. Mark 2's were the vanguard of the Tyranny, fleets that had engaged everything from the Grox to the DCP to Exodium and had come out on top. It was completely unexpected that rebels would be able to destroy the fleet that represented the power of the Tyranny and this sent shockwaves throughout the Tyranny, and showed a sign of weakness of the Tyranny to the Gigaquadrant, to whom the entire final battle was broadcasted to.

It was as in the saying Buchtdoshitzentyz, ahgzev daltzcrg ubischrtiz Letzen, drigen Dominatus, or "Impossible, they have beaten us, the Dominatus

A Meeting of the Light
After the Core incident, dissent was spread among the Commonwealth member states; how could the AGC, the same alliance that once defeated the mighty Grox, allow the very heart of the galaxy to be taken by the extragalactic invaders? Indeed, many lords of the Andromedan Light started to question whether the Commonwealth was truly able to lead Andromeda into a brighter future, and it was finally decided that the entire Andromedan light should be assembled to ensure that the Core Crisis would never repeat again. As per tradition, the AGC leaders assembled in the Seat of Light, and the discussion was started by one of the Highlords - this time, it was Iovera.

Iovera- ''Citizens of the unified Andromeda, the Core Crisis was a mistake, and we admit that this mistake was our fault. But, rest assured, that was a mistake we shall never repeat again! Never again shall we tolerate those who seek to claim the galaxy we have sworn to protect as their own. Never again. Senator - And how can you make sure of this?'' Uriel *turning to Iovera* - I recently came back from a diplomatic visit, I have a suggestion. Iovera - ''I only use violence as a last resort, but in that case, it seems the for me that the Tyranny left us no choice. I believe that we have to consider an act of war.'' Uriel - Recently a new empire has joined our commonwealth, and I believe they can give us an edge over the Dominatus.

Reminocles stared at Iovera.

Reminocles - ''And how are you going to do this, Highlord? The Tyranny is powerful, and to defeat them, the combined efforts of the entire Commonwealth would be needed. And the Dominatus aren't Grox.'' Iovera - The Fordan Empire? Uriel - ''I have faith in the Fordanta. I attended a state visit a week ago and was impressed with their skills in battle.'' Fordan Councillor - ''Thank you, Hel'La'Ri. Although it is unclear how the contribution of a relatively small power such as our own can grant an edge in such a war, we shall strive to earn our place in this commonwealth.'' Reminocles - ''Hmph... Impressive. But what can a single species do against the entire Dominatus warmachine?'' Uriel - Remember that the commonwealth's power is not in the contribution of one particular species, but how multiple species work together, the whole is greater than the sum. Iovera - ''The Commonwealth is built on unity. Remember that.'' Reta'nyan - ''Your words make sense... but when should we strike? We must act fast, lest the Dominatus will prepare for our assault.'' Uriel - ''The Tyranny is already busy with political troubles of its own. In fact if memory serves, we can gain more supporters in the form of slaves rising up against them.'' Renus - Having worked in the Military Intelligence of the Tyranny, I still have the access codes to some of their files. Renus - It appears that the slaves have repulsed them in Andromeda, a so called Free People's Coalition. Renus - If there is a time to strike, it is now, lest they regain their strength. Renus - I believe the first order of business would be to test the prowess of thsese "Fordanta" Reta'nyan - ''A right decision. A warrior's prowess is tested only on the battlefield.'' Renus - The only proof of theory lies in the crucible of reality.

As the course of action was decided, the discussion was over and members of the Light returned to their homes, preparing for the upcoming campaign against the Tyranny.

Above the Carcass of a World
The vanguard of the AGC fleet gathered over a rather desolate Tyranny world, a featureless desert where the power of the Fordanta could be tested. On that planet, the Tyranny had eschewed the use of vehicles for infantry because of the positioning of their infrastructure. In addition, it was a world where a fleet had just left for another world, and thus was only defended on the ground. The AGC forces gathered on a ship behind the moon of the planet to plot their military actions.

Renus - What are the plans for assault? Larnus - ''Intelligence indicates this planet contains a moderate Tyranny garrison. They preferred using infantry due to the positioning of their infrastructure.'' Larnus - ''However this time the tyranny's preference to building big has worked in our favour. It is possible we can fit smaller vehicles between structures, but the battlefield does show a preference for infantry.'' Jahric - ''We could try to attack them from space first. I do not like to waste lives without need.'' Larnus - ''A good plan. We can soften them up before we meet them on the ground. Renus - Let fire rain from the heavens. Larnus - ''Set priority on destroying the military bases. We can then have scouts sabotage outlying infrastructure.'' Renus - I believe that the Tyranny would hide it's important infrastructure somewhere else, we may lose the element of surprise from a bombardment. Renus - It is your decision however, Lord Admiral. Larnus - ''Hmm, have our men prepare. As the bombardment dies down, we send in ground troops.'' Larnus - Even if they do emerge from shelters, they will be met with our armies upon re-emergence.

The sensors all focused on a single bastion which stood in stark contrast to the massive desert which was the planet.

Renus - Fire on that bastion, it is obviously their center of control.

Larnus nodded.

Larnus - ''All gunners to your positions. All ground soldiers prepare for assault.'' Hel'Bre'K - If I may make a request, my Lord? Larnus - Yes, blademaster? Hel'Bre'K - Excuse the impertinence, but if this bastion is the enemy's centre of command, would it not be wiser to bombard their reserve forces, and seize the bastion intact? Larnus - ''Perhaps. At the same time, decimating the bastion can send a message and boost the morale of the slaves.'' Renus - During a slave revolt, my people would have done something to replace the slaves. Renus - However, I was not involved with Installation 11, I don't know what they were up to with respect to servant races aside from the overseers. Hel'Bre'K - ''As strong a message as the banner of the Commonwealth waving high above it? I admit, I am unfamiliar to the scale of war you know well, however there may be tactical information of value within the bastion.'' Renus - This is but an outpost world, although it may facilitate a few fleet reports Larnus - ''Blademaster you have a point. Renus, where would tactical information be held in such a structure?'' Renus - At the very top of the structure, or the very bottom. Larnus - If the information is at the bottom we can aford a few shots. Renus - It is ultimately up to your jurisdiction, Lord Admiral. Jahric - If the latter is correct, then we'll have to get our troops in there. Hel'Bre'K - Is there any possibility of landing troops on top of the bastion? Jahric - ''There is. The Divinarium teleportation technology is powerful.'' Larnus - Also such a thing is a common imperial tactic. Hel'Bre'K - ''Then perhaps, if your orbital artillery can absorb some of the Tyranny reinforcements, my Fordanta can stage a landing atop the bastion. Once those inside the tower are distracted, your own troops could be teleported inside the tower at the lower levels.'' Larnus - A sound plan blademaster. Jahric - ''...This could work. But are you aware how powerful the Dominatus troppers are?'' Renus - I do not believe Dominatus would have deployed their troops to an outpost. Hel'Bre'K - The Dominatus warriors are clearly potent, and I admit I am concerned pitting my kin against them, however the ability to adapt is core to the way of the Warrior. Hel’Bre’K - ''This Commonwealth will find a way to defeat them, and my kin are ready to sacrifice everything if needed. It is merely my duty to ensure that this is not necessary.'' Renus - You have never seen a Dominatus in battle, Hel'. Larnus - Your faith is inpirational, blademaster. Renus - However, generally speaking, they administrate from the back.

Renus - Their population prohibits mass deployment of them.

Hel'Bre'K - *to Renus* ''You have not seen the Path of the Blademaster. Whatever these Dominatus are capable of, rest assured that I will not tire nor slow until the commonwealth succeeds.''

Renus - I hope you can live up to that Hel', now however, we must commence the attack.

Hel'Bre'K - ''Agreed. By your command, my Lord. My Kin are ready.''

Jahric - ''And so is the Dei'Ar. I shall stay on orbit, coordinating the bombardment.''

Tower Offense
On a Dominatus world, at the top of the bastion, two Prophet overseers stood watch over the planet. Life went along normally as biodrones operated the machinery which devoured the planet to make more ships for the Tyranny. The overseers, communicating telepathically played a game of wits to sharpen their mental faculty while going about their duty.All of a sudden however, the sky broke loose with bombardment from the AGC fleet. An encrypted transmission was sent to Tyranny high command telling of the AGC while the Tyranny troops began retreating into the bowels of the factories.

With a mix of coordination and skill, AGC troops were deployed amongst the shells and lasers of orbiting ships. A detachment of AGC forces were teleported onto the roof of the bastion. Prophets, who were posted to the top level started forming a vanguard, blasting the AGC troops with hellfire. This, however, could not stop the Divinarium troops, who teleported from place to place, dodging the Overseer psychic powers. Fordan dropships, who were already entering low orbit on the heels of the bombardment, swooped in low and fast, trying to get under the Dominatus' guns, dropping off troops along the way to seal the overseers inside the bastion. AGC troops darted for cover and fired on the Prophets.The Prophets directed Myrmidons to swarm against the AGC troops, showering them with inaccurate but massive amounts of fire.

Prophet overseers continued to blast hellfire and lightning from their staffs at the enemies as the rest of the overseers retreated deeper into the complex. The Prophets, knowing about teleportation's capabilities retreated deeper into the tower, hoping that the teleportation would be more useless there. Prophets were also confused by what they saw. Although their advanced sensors told them that the Fordanta were in certain locations, their senses told them not. Fordanta took advantage of this confusion to gang up on confused prophets and take the confused psychics out. Fordanta combat dropped, the small thrusters on their backs allowing them to safely descend from heights of ten to twenty metres, rolling as they landed to get into cover. All the while, mountains of destroyed Myrmidons were built by the AGC troops as their inaccurate and ineffective fire failed to do much damage.

AGC soldier – Hehe, someone remind me how these fools are such a threat?

Inside the Spire
The Prophets continued retreating into the cavernous confines of the base and soon the AGC had the entirety of the roof. The Commonwealth soldiers marched further into the base, watching the sunlight vanishing in the dark caverns. It appeared that the Tyranny architecture meant to horrify other races.

Fordanta - These forces are clearly a meat shield, intended to tire us before the true battle. AGC Soldier - I see.

They journeyed deeper and deeper into the tower, as a massive amount of AGC troops entered the ruined bastion.

AGC Solder 1 - These aliens have "freakshow" written all over their psyche... AGC Soldier 2 - Creepy...

The Fordanta steadily made their way to the vanguard of the force, where their short-ranged weaponry proved more useful. This also meant that they took the brunt of the wild fire from the Myrmidons. inside the tower however, sonic blasts created a massive cacophony, something the lead elements of the AGC force were familiar with. Even at the landing point at the room, astride their antigravity packs, Sons of Hedon started firing at the AGC from all angles. Inside the tower, they seemed to emerge from the walls themselves, in the endless corridors, ambushing AGC squads.

NTA Soldier - ...Draconis?

The NTA soldier's reply was a blast to the head from a sonic beam, which ripped him apart at the smallest level. Other AGC soldiers, not having seen action at Deep Core were also similarly confused. They also noticed that their enemy acted in perfect synchronicity, even though they did not emit any sounds from anything but their weapons. Reports broke out of attacks all across their flanks and positions.

Fordanta Soldier - I find that in these sorts of situations, the best course of action is to throw grenades at every corridor I do not intend to go down. *starts to do so* Son of Hedon - THINGS SHOULD GET LOUD NOW! AGC Soldiers - Ah crap, ah crap...

The Sons of Hedon began chanting insults so as to further intimidate the AGC forces.

ITN Marine - Melt these abominations!

Scattered AGC troops in some locations ran down corridors screaming only to be dragged away by Sons of Hedon. A sonic barrage was a form of warfare the Fordanta were unfamiliar with, however psychological warfare had little effect on them. Although they were disoriented, some started to climb the walls to get better shots at the Sons of Hedon, engaging in close combat if they were grabbed. It was there however, where the Fordanta began to witness the unnatural strength and melee capabilities of the Sons, whose template had been given Dominatus education. Without dedicated melee weaponry nor troops in the front lines, the Fordanta were beginning to be overpowered. At this, Hel'Bre'K immediately ordered a group of Knights to accompany him to the front, in a bid to turn the edge.

The Sons of Hedon continued firing at the Knights and AGC troops in coordination with the prophets. The main disadvantage of the Sons of Hedon however was their relative lack of experience, being clones. They did not know the Fordan ways of war, and although possessing advantage in raw natural power, they were beaten by the coordinated strikes of the knights. Some of the more psychologically stricken were the Draconis. To them, the sons reminded them of stories of certain kinds of demon from long ago. Furthermore, in the midst of battle, the abducted AGC troops were forced to listen to the sounds of torture of their own brethren who had lost in individual firefights against the Sons. Screams of agony permeated themselves across the battle and soon each blast of the Sons of Hedon sounded like a scream or plea for mercy from AGC troops.

The Knights at the frontline were beginning to push, however the Warriors behind them were beginning to be affected by the Sons' weapons. They were beginning to fight with more desperation, focusing more on the quantity of kills than the precision. One marine became panicked. He looked about as his chest pounded. He was immediately dragged away by a Son of Hedon as his agony became the sound of cannons. The Sons of hedon however, still continued to retreat deeper into the fortress.

Dei'Ar Hunter - ''Do these mutants scare you, Draconis? Hmph.''

As they went deeper and deeper underground, the architecture grew more twisted.

Warrior - ''Steady... steady... remember your training. Wait a minute... why are they retreating when they have the advantage here?''

Unbeknownst to them, the Sons of Hedon wanted to draw them deeper, to a place where they had absolutely no hope of escape. A place where they could all be destroyed, and be reduced to dust in the wind.

Dei'Ar Hunter - Usually, someone says "they have a plan" at that point and then all these creatures pop up and kill everyone. Marine - They look so..abominable.

They delve deeper into the cavernous places until they come to a place where they see a massive plaza, far underground.

Fordan Warrior - ''This is bad. This is very, very bad.''

Enter the Biodrones
There they see countless biodrones slaving away at eldritch machinery, cracking open the planet. At this point, they realize what happened to the slaves.

Marine - Drakon preserve us all.... Hunter - Now comes the "kill everyone" part. Fordan Berserk - ''Monsters... they will suffer for this... Brothers! DESTROY THEM!''

The slaves continue to operate their machinery as the AGc fores enter the endless plaza.

Marine - Deployable barriers, now!

The biodrones merely continue about working, in face of the AGC troops. They shamble towards rthe AGC troops, only to go to their next stations. Several Fordanta turned berserk, charging ahead of the main line. This disrupted the Fordan advance, and their morale. The Divinarium soldiers used their jetpacks to fly into the air, shooting the biodrones from the safest distance. The biodrones went down, their anguished souls being granted rest, but yet they continued to operate their machinery. The sheer number of them was overwhelming and the stench of their corpses filled the air.

By this time, the AGC detachment was full inside the plaza, still surrounded by biodrones. Much time went on as they got to the business of killing each and every one of them. Eventually, having lost the concept of day and night, light and darkness, and life and death, they finally finished killing the final biodrone. At this point however, the gates sealed themselves, plunging them into the night.

Hunter - Ew.

They were alone, in the center of the factory, surrounded by piles of the dead, and in total darkness.

Marine - Alternate vision modes, now. Warrior - ''This is problematic. And by problematic, I mean scary.''

Fresh biodrones came out from a biomechanical machine, filled with the organic matter of the destroyed ones as well as from other sources, and instead of working, shambled towards the AGC forces, completely silent. The biodrones grabbed at the AGC troops and began tearing off their armor, trying to grab at the flesh.

Warrior - ''This is... wrong. This is so wrong.''

Marines and officers drew close combat weapons and attacked the drones while others shot approaching ones from a distance. Biodrones went down ,but they seemed to emerge from everywhere. Troopers who clung to walls were pulled inside them by groping hands, forever lost to the light. The Warriors were mostly trained to deflect blows to set up for close quarter shots. They could defeat the biodrones in hand-to-hand, but were slowly being overwhelmed. Even worse, their weapons began to deplete or overheat, some exploding violently as the casings failed. A sea of hands came from all directions at the invading troops and was joined by the screams of AGC troops being eviscerated by hand.

Marine - Remind we why this place has not been blasted to oblivion!? Warrior - Because the Blademaster suggested that it might contain valuable information!

Divinarium soldiers flew higher, trying to burn the invading drones from the ground.

Marine - All we have found is a trap-room. Soldier - ''Our comrades died horribley.. others are being eviscerated...'' Hel'Bre'K - ''And yet you are still alive, and I see a weapon in your hands. Soldier - That didn't save the others.''

A cluster of flares were thrown into the room as a group of Praetoria pushed their way in, with Hel'Bre'K leading them.

Hunter - Fordanta? Hel'Bre'K - ''Sometimes, a warrior must make the greatest sacrifice so that others do not have to. You have seen what the enemy is capable of. Do not let them live to do this to those you left at home.''

The room was illuminated as the biodrones were pushed back and their number began to thin. The Praetoria led a relief column from the rest of the Commonwealth forces, although they too had been attacked by the many Sons of Hedon within the bastion. The room lighted up once again as they then saw a giant golden door in front of them.

Beauty in the Belly of the Beast
Soldier - ''Huh. Interesting.'' Hel'Bre'K - ''A door of this size... a trap.''

The Gate opened, inviting the AGC forces. The Imperial soldiers were hesitant.

Hel'Bre'K - ''Behind that door is death, no doubt. The forces on the surface could use reinforcement, should you decide that this assault is a waste of time and life. Hunter - Why aren't we out of this hellhole yet? The complex is ours, we can bomb it now.''

The door stood rigid in its open form, waiting for the AGC to enter it.

Soldier - Orders blademaster? Hel'Bre'K - ''If what is behind this door is not worth the lives lost, there will be a reckoning for this. My Praetoria and I will lead the charge. Any who do not wish to follow us need not follow.''

Hel'Bre'K started walking through the door, followed by his Praetoria and a solid chunk of his Warriors. Inside of the door, they saw what seemed to be interior of a palace, carved in gold and previous gemstones. It seemed to be supported by massive columns of the same material, and surrounded by a river of lava. The ITN soldiers who looked inside were awestruck by the room's appearance.

Marine - It's...beautiful.

Statues seemed to be guarding it, in a form that was somewhat familiar to the Fordanta. At the center of the room, sat a throne, on which there was what looked like a note.

Warrior - ''Those statues... have I seen this style somewhere?''

Hel' walked up to the throne, and paused to read the note. What he saw was utterly intelligible, written in an unknown language. He looked at the note, pondering on the alien and complex design of it's characters.

Soldier - What is it, blademaster? Hel'Bre'K *into comms* - ''I cannot read it. Is this language familiar to anyone?'' Renus - Yes, it is familiar. Renus - However, I will need it brought to me physically for an analysis of it.

The AGC forces turned to exit the gate, but suddenly the gate closed behind them in a similar way. But soon the statues came to life. arms split into 4 on each side. It was the Blademasters of Hag'Mar'Ah, the Fordanta overseers.

ITN - ...blademaster! Hunter - ''Oh, good. They have their own Fordans now.''

Hel'Bre'K rolled his shoulders, hefting his bastard sword.

Warrior - Blademaster...

The Blademasters, armed with their blades started wading into the ranks of the enemy forces. The 7 meter tall monsters ripped asunder those foolish enough to get into close combat range. Silent as can be, the overseers ripped into the AGC invasion force, and were supplemented by the Sons and Prophets as well. Blade combined with sonic weapons and hellfire to create a devastating battlefield. ITN marines backed away from the enemy. The abominations of nature, each sick parodies of each of the species of the AGC force pounded the enemy. The Dei'Ar hunters regrouped and teleported on the higher platforms of the plaza, targeting the corrupted Fordanta Overseers. Hel'Bre'K turned to the nearest Blademaster, and roared a challenge. The roar was picked up by dozens of other Fordanta across the Legion. Many let shoulder cloaks fall loose, bearing the Ce'So'Va rune.The Dei'Ar were met by Sons of Hedon, who flew up to meet them in aerial combat.

Hel'Bre'K - ''It is said, that if a God were to meet a Ce'So'Va in battle, then that God shall beg for mercy. I intend to prove this saying to be true.''

The most senior of all the Fordanta Overseers, took up Hel's Challenge, silently moving towards Hel’ all 8 of his swords brandished. With that, Hel'Bre'K broke into a full charge, silent except for the sound of his footsteps. The Praetoria and Knights moved to intercept the other Blademasters, while Destroyers aimed heavier weaponry at them. The hunters simply turned off the sound on their helmets and shot the Sons from the platforms.

Hunter - ''This loudness offends Spode. Things should get quieter now.'' Marine - ''Suppressive fire. Scatter pattern.''

The Sons responded by modulating the frequencies of their weapons, so that they were not heard but still did damage. Blademasters began to charge at the Fordanta as well, building up impressive speed fro their bulk.

Hunter - ...Haal'thanai'denar.

Prophets blasted hellfire but were cut down by the blank Fordanta. Fordanta warriors however, had to adjust to an enemy that had 8 blades at once. The gusts of the wings of the Sons forced many a hunter to fall into the lava or onto their comrades. Losing balance, the Dei'Ar soldiers fell unto the ground, with many breaking their bones. Meanwhile, the battle between Hel' and the Blademaster leader continued to be the centerpiece of the battle. The sons however, were being cut down, weakened from previous battles. The Prophets were eventually eliminated, at dear cost to their attackers. Soon enough, it was only the Blademasters left.

Hel'Bre'K watched the other Blademasters fight, determining where their arms could not reach. He quickly settled into a plan, intending to evade the typical initial attacks of the Blademaster, rolling under its reach, then climbing around to its back to kill it. Seeing the damage was too severe, their commander ordered the hunters to be teleported away. The Blademasters were beginning to get overwhelmed, being the only overseers left. They fought in a way not made to secure victory but instead to inflict as many casualties as possible.

The Praetoria and Knights did what they could to slow down the Blademasters, giving their comrades a chance to bring them down. The blademasters continued to go down, at grevious cost to the AGC forces, killing Fordanta, Draconis and Radeon alike. ITN marines continued firing at critical points on the blademasters. But their numbers were thinning. With the other overseers dead, many marines took to the skies. The overseers decreased in number till only one fight remained, That between Hel' and the leader of the blademasters in the base. Knights and Warriors began to lead a push back to the surface, the Praetoria staying behind to ensure Hel' returned safely.

The leader of the Blademasters and Hel' engaged in a deadly duel, the genetically engineered monster versus the Blademaster himself. Hel' was able to counteract the attacks of the Blademaster, who had not spoken a single word. Using his smaller size and maneuverability, he was able to attack points otherwise impossible to attack. After countless slashes he was able to fully dismember the Blademaster.

Hel'Bre'K - I will know your name before you die, abomination. Blademaster - I have no name, I am merely a blademaster. Blademaster - A name is pointless, I am here merely to serve my masters. Blademaster - I only serve those who sit upon the throne. Hel'Bre'K - ''Then you are meaningless. You are nothing. And history will remember you, and your masters, as nothing. And you are no Blademaster.'' Blademaster - You have not yet met my masters, you know nothing. Hel'Bre'K - Your masters have not met me.

With that, Hel' walked away. The 'Blademaster' would succumb to its wounds, but Hel' did not count it worthy of dying by his hand.

A Meeting of the Powers That Be
On one of the spires of Demogorgon Prime, the entire Dominatus High Command convened in order to asses what to do with the new situation. Holographs or the real forms of the entire Drachonian, Grand Admiralty, and Installation Directorate were seated together for a meeting called for by Supreme Admiral Gravius Gnissenkrassau.

Medusa - What is the purpose of this meeting, Grand Admiral Gravius - My Tyrant, the purpose of the meeting is to come to terms with the recent events that have transpired and figure out what to do with it. Angrus - ''It appears that from an attack on one of our Andromedan outposts, that the AGC wants war with us. It is likely the preparatory attack for a massive campaign.'' Gausivitis - My calculations suggest that if we are to war with the Andromedan Galactic Commonwealth, in the event of this coming down to a contest of industry, they will prevail, especially because of the massive loss of our infrastructure. Gravius - There is also the matter of the FPC, lead by the mongrel Ikeben, who managed to defeat a Mark 2 fleet made of a few ten thousand of them. Medusa - But we have a billion ships! Gravius - ''You seem to disregard the existence of the AGC and the fact that this is the first loss of a Mark 2 fleet, it is a vast blow to our prestige. Not to mention that spending in research and the loss of around 40% of our industry during the revolts means that only a fraction of the Mark 2 fleet can remain resupplied.'' Medusa - Hmph Gaussivits - Superweapon development at our installations may entail a quick victory over the AGC. Angrus - ''Superweapons are useless when the objective is to capture, not to destroy, something that we need to do for the AGC. A large use of subspace compression waves will not only deny us AGC industry but also starve our industry even more.'' Gaussivitis - Valid Point. Medusa - What is the warplan then, seeing that we need a quick victory. Gravius - It would make sense to launch a well supplied and well guarded fleet of a relatively large amount of Mark 2s to crush the slaves and take our industry back, then turn our forces in an attack against the places where infrastructure is harbored in the AGC. Angrus - A wise plan indeed, then once we get that infrastructure we can crush the AGC as a whole. Gaussivitis - A logical argument. Medisa - No, we need the AGC out of the war now, and our first priority should be to capture Alcanti to force a surrender. Gravius - My liege, with all due respect wouldn't it be better to defer your plan to somebody with actual military experience? Medusa - ''Silence! I am the Tyrant!'' Gravius - As you wish.

At that, the meeting was adjourned.