Fiction:Ice Age/Year 7

This is Year Seven of the.

=The Team Grows=

The Warlord's New Toy
Four months had passed since the destruction of the World of Corpses. Peace had returned to the 's space, while the rest of the galaxy resumed their lives, now free from the mutant hordes. On neutral space, an unaligned space station was present, which served as a meeting place for hundreds of thousands of all types of creatures, be them criminals, police or merely citizens. At this particular day arrived, one of Dark Grip's lieutenants, and the first thing she did upon arriving was to go the club. Her face and armor concealed by a cloak, she made her way through the station, ignored by whoever crossed paths with her, not that anyone would try opposing a Borealis Zazane of her size. Upon arriving at the club itself, she went over to the bar and bashed the table to get the barkeep's attention.


 * Dolgan - Beer. Now.

The barkeeper looked towards the Zazane and nodded quickly, reaching for a high-quality Paa'go bottle, with the words "Extra Strong" inscribed on the label in multiple languages, and slid it across the counter towards Dolgan. It was clear from his expression that Zazane had made a reputation for being notorious within these parts of the galaxy. As she took the drink, she turned around and looked around the club, as if she was looking for something. She had not come here solely to get a drink, she was here for a reason. She had a target. There were violent strobe lights and holographic smoke machines that gave the club a certain atmosphere, and the crowds behaved as if they were part of a colossal rave. There were posers and strippers of various species, some attractive while some otherwise, dancing and maneuvering around poles, exposing their bodies to the audiences.

Dolgan glared at them, her eyes narrowing and her teeth barred. Such sight disgusted her immensely. To display your body for others like this was one of the things she hated the most, though she made no indication of her annoyance to the people around her, keeping to herself and drinking from the beer given to her. One dancer had caught the eye of the majority of the club attendees and Dolgan herself; a pinkish-purple Zazane with bare, shapely breasts and a generous posterior, her form athletic and curvy. She was unrestrained by clothes, and she laughed as she danced and posed the night away, she herself drinking from a refreshing bottle of Paa'go.


 * Dolgan - Torrent better get me a damn raise for forcing me to watch this humiliation.

It was then that Dolgan watched as the Zazane approached, stepping through the crowd as they reached to fondle and touch her body. She threw her emptied glass away and rested beside her fellow Zazane at the bar counter, glaring seductively at the barkeep and uttered a few words.


 * Kalcedia - Another round, boy, and make it a strong one! I want to end up knocked out hard by the end of tonight.

Kalcedia turned to Dolgan and passed a sultry smile across her lips and looked back at the barkeep, leaning forward.


 * Kalcedia - And another for the good lady, on the house.

Dolgan glared at Kalcedia and growled under her breath, but kept to herself. Striking now would blow her cover in front of an entire crowd, and she did not want that to happen. As Kalcedia received the drinks, she passed one to Dolgan, before noticing she already had a drink. With a shrug, she smiled and sat beside Dolgan, speaking in her usual sultry tone that could melt butter.


 * Kalcedia - You're a good looker, I like the whole masculine thing you have going on. I always wondered why more girls don't do it.
 * Dolgan - You stare too much, woman. Keep your distance.
 * Kalcedia - Ooh, touchy! What are you here for? To fuck or get fucked? You look like the sorta girl who goes on top.
 * Dolgan - None of your damn business.
 * Kalcedia - What's your problem, princess?

Dolgan's expression went from a mere frown to downright anger. She glared at Kalcedia under her cloak and clenched her fist, breaking the beer cup she was holding.


 * Dolgan - I suggest you watch your mouth when talking to me, before I break every tooth in your mouth.
 * Kalcedia - Excuse me? I don't think you have any idea who the hell you're talking to!
 * Dolgan - And you have no idea who the hell you are talking to, whore.

With a scowl across her face, Kalcedia smashed the glass bottle she had in her hand and stood up, kicking the stool she was sitting on away and knocking over various club-goers. She glared at Dolgan and slapped her across the cheek, although it did little to faze the Zazane. The slap uncovered Dolgan's face, revealing her identity to the entire club. Individuals screamed and backed away at the sight of the lieutenant, while she looked at Kalcedia with a glare. Her hand turned pitch-black from her nanomachines activating, and she delivered a punch at Kalcedia's mouth. Kalcedia was thrown across the bar, smashing glasses and breaking the counter itself before falling onto the floor, causing a path of destruction. After several seconds of recomposing herself, she leaped onto her feet and clenched her fists, glaring towards the Dark Grip lieutenant. The bruise inflicted upon Kalcedia's face quickly healed, almost as if she had been unscathed.


 * Kalcedia - So it's you.
 * Dolgan - I was going to wait until you were alone, but screw that. I'm gonna take you to Torrent by your damn crest.
 * Kalcedia - Have fun, bitch! By the time I'm done with you, you'll be licking your blood from between my toes!
 * Dolgan - He wants you to be his new toy, or so I was told. He has terrible taste.
 * Kalcedia - Heh, if you don't like him so much, why don't you just leave him? Or do you need a man to keep you in check?
 * Dolgan - By serving him, I get to kick the shit out of frilly little girls like you.
 * Kalcedia - Mm-mm, kiss my ass, sister! Better yet, kiss my foot when I ground your face into the floor!

Kalcedia's skin began to crystallize, armouring itself with mineral-like formations across her body, acting in place of natural body armour. She passed a grin as she glared towards Dolgan and began to walk towards her, licking the blood from her lower lip where her opponent had struck her. The lieutenant's skin hardened and turned pitch-black from the nanomachines in her bloodstream as she walked toward Kalcedia herself. Kalcedia's grin began to disappear as she approached, and her walk started to transition into a run towards Dolgan, eventually engaging in an all-out dash as her blood boiled, with some club-goers having forgotten to run and instead remained where they stood, watching the two.


 * Kalcedia - What are you waiting for... Come and get it!

Dolgan made no effort to increase her speed and kept walking while Kalcedia charged at her. Kalcedia, her fist clenched, threw it forward and slammed it against Dolgan's crest, processing an immense amount of force behind it. Her fist slammed her opponent's forehead - the crystalline formations across Kalcedia's skin shattered, and the Zazane took a wide step back, her arm limp. She winced as she took the opportunity to watch her arm dripping with blood.


 * Kalcedia - The fuck...

Dolgan put her arms up and hammered Kalcedia's head into the ground, the floor cracking below the two of them and sending nearby watchers out of their feet. Kalcedia coughed blood as she hit the floor, weakened by Dolgan's strikes. Clearly, she had underestimated the potential of her rival, and was suffering the price for it as she laid upon the floor, naked and vulnerable. She panted heavily, her body twitching as she struggled to move and get up.


 * Dolgan - I've slaughtered many whores over the last 45 years, but you have got to be the most disgusting I've ever seen.

As Dolgan looked down at the beaten whore, something happened that had taken the lieutenant off-guard; Kalcedia placed her weight onto her elbows and lifted her torso and lower body upright, wrapping her thighs around Dolgan's neck before slamming her lower body back down to the floor, taking Dolgan off of her feet and pounding her against the ground. The lieutenant shouted out in surprise, pain and disgust as she felt. Surprise out of Kalcedia's sudden move, pain from hitting the floor, and disgust for having the Zazane's exposed nether regions coming in contact with her neck as her thighs were wrapped around her. Raising to her feet in an athletic fashion, Kalcedia turned towards Dolgan and kneeled down, glaring into her eyes as she laid on the ground. Before the lieutenant could ascend and strike back, Kalcedia delivered a back-hand slap - to the lieutenant's mammary regions.


 * Dolgan - You bitch, how dare you!

Kalcedia turned and ran, and emerging from her body was the butt of her highly-advanced, complex sniper rifle; Sinidaarl. She pulled it from her body to its full, glorious extent and turned around, aiming towards Dolgan as she watched the lieutenant with her keen, eagle-like eyes, and prepared herself to pull the trigger.


 * Kalcedia - Sinidaarl... Send a distress signal to the nearest PCA vessel you can. I need assistance... fast.

Dolgan got up from where she had fallen and grabbed two daggers out of her belt. She ran after Kalcedia and threw the daggers at the Zazane's direction, aiming to stop her on her tracks. One dagger flew past Kalcedia's crest, barely missing her right eye as it travelled past. The other dagger, however, flew past Kalcedia's attention and estimation and ended up lodging itself deep into the center of her left breast, pouring blood and other essences from it as it delivered a harsh wound. Kalcedia screamed, almost dropping her rifle in the process. With Kalcedia slowed down by the pain, Dolgan leaped and slammed her into the floor with her arm. A blast of cold came out of the lieutenant's armor, freezing the ground around the two extremely fast.

Kalcedia screeched as the liquids in her body merged with the floor as ice formed around her, preventing her from getting to her feet. In an act of desparation, Kalcedia threw a free arm at Dolgan's face, punching her cheek while incapable of moving, having dropped her rifle in order to do so. Dolgan grunted and growled before punching Kalcedia's head repeatedly, growing angrier with her resistance. Her blood spilled onto the floor with each punch Dolgan delivered, cracking Kalcedia's crest under the amount of stress she was afflicting upon it. Soon, all Dolgan could hear when she punched the Zazane super-warrior was wet, moist sounds of muscle tissue and blood being pummelled, part of her skull already having caved in. She no longer made resistance, for she was unable to.

Dolgan got up, passing her hands on her armor to clean herself, and clawed her own neck repeatedly while groaning loudly. She looked down at the defeated Kalcedia and grabbed her by her crest, dragging her across the floor as she walked out. She put her free hand on her ear, contacting the party that would take her back to Dark Grip's headquarters.


 * Dolgan - Chahenthras, I got the target. Prepare the ship and get me out of here.

The Intruder
One night upon 's ship, ready to leave Hyperborea on the search around the galaxy for Torrent, Vekaron and his crew were asleep in their quarters, except for Kamaris, who chose to read an article on Kalcedia and Dolgan's fight and her capture. Whilst Mahanayan music was playing quietly in the main part of the ship, something was amiss. He was using his fingers to pass over the holographic text to read, yet something was bothering him. The atmosphere felt different - acute but enough for Kamaris to notice. He put the tablet down, sniffing the air. He put his hand to his jaw, scratching it in curiosity. Walking through the ship, his senses which were over-reactive were playing difficult for him in such silence. He took it upon himself to enter 's quarters and wake her up. He beated his hand against her back, almost throwing her to the side of the wall. Kamaris whispered, though it is somewhat louder than conventional due to his size.


 * Kamaris - Wake up. 

Kirlisir's eye fluttered open and she sat up, glaring towards Kamaris with a frown as she saw the Mahanayan standing over her.


 * Kirlisir - You feel it too, then?
 * Kamaris - Yes. I think there is an intruder in here. 
 * Kirlisir - Should we wake up Vek and the rest of the crew?
 * Kamaris - Yes. Do it quietly. 

Indeed, something was watching them, although the technology the intruder was using made it very difficult for anyone to pinpoint where he or she was hiding. Kamaris entered 's quarters, poking him in the side. Noticing Wragrot's large frame, it did not work. Instead, he thumped him on the shoulder. Wragrot mumbled and slowly opened his eyes. Kamaris could see that, due to his huge frame, Wragrot slept in two beds as opposed to one.


 * Wragrot - You better have a really good reason...
 * Kamaris - Is 'intruder' a good enough reason?
 * Wragrot - Might be...you sure you're not just sleepy?
 * Kamaris - Kirlisir can sense it too.
 * Wragrot - Grr. Fine...

Kirlisir meanwhile had entered Vekaron's bed chamber and watched as he slept. She examined him for several moments, observing him sleep with a smile on her face before she leaned in and massaged his side in an attempt to wake him up, as well as get a feel for the Zoles' physique. Kirlisir could see sleeping in a tiny bed adjacent to his hugging on her Purion plushie. Vekaron notably wore earmuffs, those being there in case Gardin started screaming in the middle of the night.


 * Vekaron - ...Uh? What...Gardin, go back to sleep...

Kirlisir approached Vekaron's head and softly lifted one of the muffs from his ear, leaning in closer and speaking gently so he could hear but not be too alarmed, almost as if she were speaking in a whisper.


 * Kirlisir - Wake up, Vek.
 * Vekaron - Huh? Kirlisir?...What are you doing here?
 * Kirlisir - Don't be alarmed, but both I and Kamaris can feel a presence on-board. An uninvited presence.
 * Vekaron - ...Oh no.
 * Kirlisir - ...I never realized you slept naked.

Meanwhile, Wragrot had gone to the medi-bay, where Vyatak slept. As he got close to the doctor's quarters, he delivered a loud punch at the door, opening and awakening the Samilinus, who screamed and threw himself into the floor.


 * Vyatak - What is wrong with you?!
 * Wragrot - Wake up. Intruder.
 * Vyatak - Nine hours! Need nine hours of sleep! Will not be in good conditions otherwise!
 * Wragrot - Your face won't be in good conditions if you don't get up.

Kamaris entered Vansenk's chamber, letting out a sharp breath so that the smell of him and his room would not stain his nose. Instead of hitting him awake, Kamaris repeatedly muttered his name until he woke. However, upon closer inspection, Vansenk was not present in his bed. Instead, he could merely here the sound of slithering, and something dropped from above onto the floor - saliva. Directing his attention, Kamaris would have seen, if he had eyes, that Vansenk was crawling across his ceiling.


 * Vansenk - I felt something. Something wrong. I feared my life. So I came up here.
 * Kamaris - Well now, we are finding out what. Get down and search with us. 
 * Vansenk - If it is vermin, may I eat it?
 * Kamaris - Take that up with Vekaron. 

The last one to wake up was Kilchárunya, who had locked her door. She was a rough sleeper at the best of times, and was laid out on the floor whilst her left leg was still propped on the bed. She usually talked in her sleep, muttering in Kicathian.


 * Kilchárunya - [...Drink...that drink...it's a drink...drink...]

Vansenk slowly opened her door, and watched her slumber. He licked his cracked, damaged lips with his black tongue and crawled across her floor, making little to no noise as he did so. Once he was within her vicinity, he stood, looming over the Kicath as she mumbled pointlessly. Taking the opportunity, his wet, cold tongue passed over her cheek before it withdrew into his mouth, his eyes wide and shining an ethereal, ghastly green. Kilchárunya awoke, but whilst she was somewhat perturbed at Vansenk, something else was bothering her even more. There was something looming over them on the ceiling.


 * Vansenk - Wake quietly and arise with haste, we have been invaded, Kicath-skin.
 * Kilchárunya - ...I can see that. 

The faint shade on the ceiling had something peer down. It was a blade, cloaked in the same camouflage - it was thin, almost katana-like in build. Dropping down, the figure revealed itself in a bright flash. It was tall; a Kicath who wore a seamless piece of black armour over his entire body, covering it. Vansenk slowly turned himself around, observing the Kicath with a scowl. He hissed towards the figure and kept himself stood in front of Kilchárunya, salivating.


 * Vansenk - Your intention is to bring death?

The Kicath did not speak, but instead kicked Vansenk through the door. Kamaris saw the attack, and entered the room. However, the speed of the Kicath overpowered him and kicked him away as well. Vekaron arrived to see Kamaris being kicked. He carried his sword with both hands as he looked at the Kicath intruder. A faint blush could be seen on his cheeks. Kirlisir appeared in the corridor beside Vekaron, fully armoured in her Rovegari combat suit and her Witch Gauntlets were ready for operation. She too was blushing, but her eyes were nonetheless narrowed as she laid them upon the Kicath.


 * Vekaron - Identify yourself!

The voice from the Kicath was heavily distorted - it was replaced with a cascading code which morphed his regular speech into nothing but senseless noise. Wragrot appeared behind Vekaron and Kirlisir, his eyes shining intensely as he glared down at the Kicath.


 * Wragrot - Who dares wake Kraknor Wragrot from his slumber?

Clenching his fist, the Kicath activated a device, disappearing from their sight. Kilchárunya rose from the floor, wiping the saliva off her face as she armed herself. Vekaron barred his teeth and looked around, his blade in hand, looking for the Kicath. Wragrot blocked the exit of the room with his body. Kirlisir's optical implant began to make noise as it analyzed the room through hundreds of varying spectrums and visual modes in an attempt to spot the intruder through his camouflage, and she prepared a steady stance to ready herself for combat.

Out of seemingly nowhere, the figure reappeared at blistering speeds to the side. His sword in hand dashed straight for the team. Vekaron charged at the figure and thrusted his sword at it, while Wragrot launched a punch at it. Kirlisir danced as she maneuvered herself around, clashing blades with the entity in an effort to stall him and allow a vulnerability in his strategy. Another bright flash from the figure caused it to disappear again, and reappearing behind them. Climbing over Wragrot, he kicked him to the floor before doing the same to Vekaron, engaging Kirlisir with his blade.


 * Wragrot - Gah, hate you teleporting types.

Kirlisir narrowed her brow and focused for a single moment, throwing a wave of psychokinetic energy in a 360-degrees radius of several meters from her body in an effort to throw the Kicath off-guard. Her plan worked; the Kicath fell off balance, before Kilchárunya appeared behind him and slammed her fist directly into his armour, sending him crashing into the floor accompanied by a distorted groan. Wragrot quickly went over to the Kicath and began stomping at his head, while Vekaron prepared his blade to attack again. Kirlisir smiled to herself and approached the Kicath, placing a hand at her hip casually as she watched Wragrot pummel the figure. She placed a hand on his shoulder and turned to him.


 * Kirlisir - Hey, keep him restrained, don't kill him.
 * Wragrot - Why not?

The armour, luckily was advanced enough to absorb the overall damage from Wragrot's stomps, denying him of crushing the assailant's skull. However, he was unconscious. Kamaris knelt down and picked up the blade from the Kicath's now limp grasp, observing it. Vansenk kept to being implanted into the wall outside of the room, knocked unconscious by the Kicath's prior assault. He did not appear too badly injured, however.


 * Kamaris - I have not seen a blade like this. You, Kilchárunya?
 * Kilchárunya - It looks like an Agent sword, but no. 
 * Vekaron - Hmm...take him to the medi-bay. Vyatak can get some data out of him, perhaps see who he is. After that, it's straight to the jail.
 * Kamaris - Right. Let's haul him over there. 

Kirlisir approached Vekaron and glanced at him with a concerned look, placing her hands on his chest and side as she examined his torso and armour for any injuries, her hands feeling surprisingly warm.


 * Kirlisir - You okay? Are you hurt? Where'd he hit you?
 * Vekaron - Huh? Oh, don't worry, I'm fine.

Blood Relation
The team had placed the Kicath on an examination table, where Vyatak, somewhat grumpy from being woken up early, was to closely observe the Kicath and what he was. After studying the individual, he returned to the team, bringing news.


 * Vyatak - Interesting. Individual is an hybrid. Hybrid of Alpha and Beta Kicath.
 * Kilchárunya - ...That's rare. Like...very rare.
 * Kirlisir - A what now?
 * Kilchárunya - There are three different types of Kicath. Alpha, Beta and Sampi. Getting hybrids is rare.
 * Vyatak - Very young. Likely around 18 years old. Bright purple eyes. Technology too advanced to be of Kicathian origin.
 * Kirlisir - Probably a mercenary.
 * Kamaris - Only eighteen years of age?

Kilchárunya's eyes narrowed from the information.


 * Kilchárunya - Purple eyes? 
 * Vyatak - Yes. Bright purple.
 * Kilchárunya - That would narrow it down to only a number of families in the Kicath race. ...Even the Toázensa family has members with bright purple eyes. But no, can't be. Anything else? 
 * Kirlisir - Any augmentation?
 * Vyatak - Many. Common in Kicath anyway. Individual has no tattoos. Likely houseless.
 * Kilchárunya - I know how that feels.
 * Vyatak - Also strangely tall for his age, even as an hybrid.
 * Kamaris - How tall?
 * Vyatak - 3 meters and 80 centimeters.
 * 'Kilchárunya - Almost sounds like Agent Psi.
 * Kirlisir - Is it Agent Psi?
 * Vyatak - Studied some Agent augmentation once. Augmentations of intruder match.
 * Kilchárunya - No, Psi is older. ...Agent augmentations? How in the name of Dal'nyur did he come across that? 

Vekaron watched the team talk, sitting next to Kirlisir and making no comments of his own. Wragrot fell asleep on his chair, though he did not snore at this time.


 * Kamaris - It might be worth waiting for him to wake up. If what you're saying is all true, then he sounds rather enigmatic. 
 * Vyatak - ...Perplexing DNA structure. Found a match...
 * Kilchárunya - A match?
 * Vyatak - Compared DNA to Kilchárunya's. They match. Blood relation clear as the sky.

Kilchárunya's eyes widened, her eyes shining brightly. She looked at Vyatak as her posture became weak where she stood. Kirlisir turned her head towards Kilchárunya with a raised eyebrow and leaned towards her, tilting her head. She sat for a moment in silence before asking rather outwardly.


 * Kilchárunya - E-excuse me?
 * Vyatak - Individual related to you. Younger brother?...Son?
 * Kirlisir - Have you ever had kids before?

Kilchárunya was lost for words. There was a part of her history that she never truly revealed, and did not even reveal at this point. Instead of speaking, she fell faint, and collapsed to the floor in a heap of distress.


 * Vyatak - ...Oops.
 * Vekaron - Oh dear...what a night.
 * Kamaris - We should get her on the table as well.
 * Vansenk - Can we dissect them both?
 * Vekaron - Yes and no.
 * Kamaris - I think we should at least talk to the other one before we do.
 * Vekaron - Perhaps. As long as his armor and weapon are confiscated, we should be able to restrain him if he tries attacking again.

The figure woke up in the cells of the prison of Vekaron's ship. His armour was removed from his body after a delicate process, however a thin suit was put over him to prevent nudity. As he woke up, he noticed Gardin watching him, almost fixated on him as he stumbled with a headache. The Rovegar kid watched closely, and as she noticed him waking up, she smiled.


 * Gardin - Hi!
 * Kicath - Nnngh...my head...what's going on here? 
 * Gardin - You're at the naughty corner. Don't ask me why. Daddy and Uncle Wragrot threw you there. Have you been naughty?
 * Kicath - Suppose you could say that...
 * Gardin - You look a lot like Auntie Kilch.
 * Kicath - ...Who?''
 * Gardin - Auntie Kilchárunya! I like calling her Kilch because her name is long and hard to say.
 * Kicath - Kilchárunya? That is not a particularly hard name to say, girl. At least...not compared to mine.
 * Gardin - What's your name?
 * Kicath - My name is . Most just call me Kit.

Gardin tilted her head and gave Kitmnárochoaltánún a weirded look.


 * Gardin - ...Do Kicath all have funny long names?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Names, yes. Funny long ones? Not necessarily. My name is longer than most.
 * Gardin - Well, my name is just Gardin. Nice to meet you!

Kitmnárochoaltánún let out a faint smile, but look around the prison cell.


 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Am I going to be in here forever?
 * Gardin - I don't know. Probably not. Uncle Kamaris was there once but they let him out some time later. Why are you here? Are you a new friend of daddy's?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Not particularly. I was sent here on a mission.
 * Gardin - Oh? What mission?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - You wouldn't like it if I were to tell you.
 * Gardin - Oh. I won't bother you with it then.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Where is the captain of this ship?
 * Gardin - Daddy? Not sure.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - I do. He's behind that wall, listening to our conversation. And he doesn't look like a Rovegar to me.
 * Gardin - I know he doesn't!

True to what Kitmnárochoaltánún said, Vekaron was behind the wall. After his name was mentioned, he revealed himself, looking down at the Kicath.


 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - I was wondering whether you would make yourself known.
 * Vekaron - Gardin, leave us.
 * Gardin - Oh? Okay. Bye, Kit!

Gardin waved at Kitmnárochoaltánún and left the room.


 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - She is a nice child.
 * Vekaron - Why are you here? Why did you attack me and my crew?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - I was sent on a mission to kill you.
 * Vekaron - Who sent you?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - The kind of armour I was wearing did not give it away? 
 * Vekaron - Hm. It looked like 's armor.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Indeed it did.
 * Vekaron - So you're another one of Angazhar's lackeys.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Angazhar? I do not claim to have served him. Not willingly at least. It was a long path that brought me here, and now it looks like I am going to die here.
 * Vekaron - It depends of what your mother will decide.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Mother? I am houseless. I was born into the Nameless.
 * Vekaron - Don't try to make a fool out of me. My head doctor has compared your DNA to my crewmate's.

Kitmnárochoaltánún stood up. He met Vekaron eye to eye, perhaps only slightly taller, with a face of intrigue on him.


 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - My mother gave me my name. I never knew her, nor did I know her family name, and nor do I know of my father. I am not making a fool out of you, Zoles.
 * Vekaron - Is the name 'Kilchárunya' not familiar to you?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - No. 
 * Vekaron - Hm...well, she is a member of my crew, and she is your mother. I will leave your fate to her, as I would not kill a friend's offspring in front of them without at least having their permission.

Kilchárunya walked into the prison. She was somewhat shaken by the news, although her steely Kicathian nature returned to her quickly. Kicath never usually brought down their emotional barrier, not even in front of family.


 * Vekaron - Meet your mother.
 * Kilchárunya - I guess I would see you again some day.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Hmph. I am surprised my mother who would leave me to the Nameless would even bother.
 * Vekaron - Did you abandon your son?
 * Kilchárunya - ...I had to. Kicathian culture is...difficult.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Difficult? Do you know the meaning of difficult?
 * Vekaron - And where was his father in all this?
 * Kilchárunya - He...was a noble. Kicath have...strict rules with blood purity and who can consort with who. I went against my father's own wishes...and I was thrown out of my family.
 * Vekaron - Well, I'll leave his fate to you. He claims to serve the Benefactor. Should we spare or kill him?
 * Kilchárunya - The Benefactor?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Yes. He and his associates wished to destroy the Agents, and I wanted to join. Those who I considered family were slaughtered by them. 

Wragrot's head popped up at the door.


 * Wragrot - Kid's childhood sucked, eh?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Both of ours did by the sounds of it. So what are you going to do? Kill me or spare me? 
 * Kilchárunya - ...It might kill me. But I am going to spare you. 
 * Wragrot - You sure of that? He tried to stab you. And he woke me up.
 * Kilchárunya - I'm quite sure.

Vekaron walked over to a nearby console and typed on it. Moments later, Kitmnárochoaltánún's cell opened. He walked out, stretching his arms whilst looking at his mother.


 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - You are only thirty-six?
 * Kilchárunya - I look older?
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Hmph. Age has not been kind on you.
 * Kilchárunya - Just so you know. Your name? That is your father's name.
 * Vekaron - Forget your old allegiance. The Benefactor and Chi are both dead. For now on, you'll fight under the Penumbra Unit's name.
 * Wragrot - The other option is the airlock.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Very well. I have no other option anyway.
 * Vekaron - Hm. Welcome to the team then, Kitmná...Kitmn...Kit.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Kitmnárochoaltánún. I shall admit. It is an impractical name.
 * Kilchárunya - Hello? Name-giver here.
 * Kitmnárochoaltánún - Oh. I didn't notice. 

Ballerina Lesson
Once more, the training hall. The crater that had been made there has since been fixed by the engineering and design crew, with the floor now reinforced so that damage would not be so easily dealt towards it. Kirlisir, in her full suit of Rovegari combat armour, was leaned against one of the walls on the far side of the room, smiling to herself with her arms folded as she waited patiently. Gardin entered the room, carrying on her plushie as always. She smiled, expecting this training session to go as well as the last one. Kirlisir glanced towards Gardin and her smile grew wider, and she stepped away from the wall, approaching the center of the hall. Her arms still folded, she stood at the center-point of the training facility, her legs spread apart as she looked down towards Gardin.


 * Kirlisir - Hey hey! You there! Over here, in front of me.
 * Gardin - Hi!
 * Kirlisir - Today, we have a very important lesson! Fundamental to the art of Rovegari combat! Gardin! ...Do you like dancing?
 * Gardin - I do! I love dancing!
 * Kirlisir - Good! Gardin! I want you to dance for me! Right here, right now!
 * Gardin - I can do that!

Gardin began dancing in front of Kirlisir while waving her plushie around. Kirlisir watched Gardin dancing, grinning as she did. By nature, Rovegar were proficient dancers, and Gardin was certainly not an exception to this rule; her dance was fluid but somewhat clumsy, although it was an admirable effort from somebody as young as her. Unfolding her arms, Kirlisir began to dance, moving around Gardin in a circle.


 * Gardin - See? I can dance well!
 * Kirlisir - You do, it is impressive! But now you must apply that dance of yours... to battle!

Kirlisir stopped moving and stood behind Gardin, folding her arms again as she looked down at the child.


 * Kirlisir - Don't turn around. I want you to dance, and while your dancing, try to hit me.
 * Gardin - Hit you? But I can't see you behind me!
 * Kirlisir - Ngh, when you feel like you know how close I am behind you, then strike out and try to hit me. While you're dancing.
 * Gardin - Oh...I'll try.

Gardin danced more, and began moving backwards, at Kirlisir's direction. She swung her plushie and tried to hit her teacher with it. Kirlisir felt the plush hit her leg as Gardin swung it and smiled. Resting a hand on Gardin's head as an indication to stop, she looked down at her with a warm smile and passed a treat to her - it was more candy.


 * Kirlisir - Well done, you hit me. Now, I want you to try firing psychic blasts at me from afar while you're dancing. I'll be in front of you this time.

Gardin ate the treat and nodded with a smile before dancing in place again. As she moved her hands, she fired small blasts of psychic energy, aiming at Kirlisir. The Rovegar warrior, who had positioned herself some meters away from Gardin, watched her dancing and releasing those minute blasts of energy. She stood there contemplating, her mind not entirely focused. Something was eating away at her from within and she wanted to quell it. She barely noticed the psychic blasts touch her as she was in thought. As she hit Kirlisir, Gardin noted her lack of reaction and stopped dancing, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.


 * Gardin - Teacher?

Kirlisir looked back towards Gardin with some surprise and took a few steps towards her, she had an expression on her face that was... somewhat different to her usual smile. She appeared perhaps troubled or uncomfortable. She knelt down to pass another treat to Gardin, but as she did she whispered;


 * Kirlisir - Gardin, can I ask you a question?
 * Gardin - Yeah?
 * Kirlisir - Promise me you'll keep it a secret and don't tell anybody I asked, okay?
 * Gardin - Okay.
 * Kirlisir - Gardin... You know you and your daddy?
 * Gardin - Duh. Of course.
 * Kirlisir - Does he ever... say anything about me, when I'm not there that is?
 * Gardin - Say stuff about you?
 * Kirlisir - Yeah, does he ever make... comments. Does he talk to you about me, have you... overheard him say stuff about me?

Gardin sat on the floor and put her hand forward.


 * Gardin - I'll tell you for a treat!

Kirlisir smiled and sat down as well, passing two additional treats to Gardin with a curious expression on her face. As she gave them to her student, she leaned forward to listen to what Gardin had to say, her ears perking. Gardin ate the candy, and spoke with her mouth full.


 * Gardin - He says you have cute hands. He also says he likes your hair.
 * Kirlisir - H-He does? H-He... l-likes my hands? Has he said anything else?
 * Gardin - One secret per candy!

Kirlisir grunted and passed another bunch of treats to Gardin, eventually deciding to give up on passing them and resorting to just giving her the entire bag of candies she had. As she did, she looked at her hands and placed her fingers through her hair, with thoughts of Vekaron and his words beginning to emerge within her mind. Gardin giggled to herself and and began eating, getting candy all over his face.


 * Gardin - Daddy asked me the same thing.
 * Kirlisir - H-He did what?
 * Gardin - He asked if you spoke of him during training.
 * Kirlisir - D-Do I?
 * Gardin - Uh. You don't.

Kirlisir looked down, somewhat guilty as Gardin spoke. She fiddled with her fingers uncomfortably, her eyes directed at the ground with an expression of solemn regret across her face, letting out a heavy sigh.


 * Gardin - Why are we talking about this, though? I thought we were training.
 * Kirlisir - Umm... Y-Yeah, we were. Right. Erm, what I want you to do is fairly simple. I want you to dance, but I also want you to try and move something as you do it. With your, um, mind!
 * Gardin - ...Are you okay, teacher?

Kirlisir stood up, a wide smile across her face as her solemn, guilty expression vanished within moments. She spoke out loudly and confidently, pointing upwards with a narrowed brow, forming an expressive and hot-blooded grin across her face.


 * Kirlisir - Hey! Don't you waste your worries on me, I'll be fine! But you! You need to learn, and train, and practice!
 * Gardin - Well, okay!

Gardin looked at her plushie and had an idea. Using her powers, she made it levitate in front of her and then stand on the ground, as if it was alive. Gardin then began dancing, and the plushie mimicked her movements. Soon, both Gardin and her plushie were dancing in unison. Kirlisir watched the two of them dance, and giggled at how adorable the two of them appeared. It was clear to her that Gardin was learning fast, and honing her skills even faster than what she had anticipated. With a heavy exhale, she clapped her hands, and called out once again so Gardin could hear her clearly.


 * Kirlisir - Time's up! You did well today Gardin, practice on your motion in the meantime. I see you almost stumbling a couple of times.
 * Gardin - Awww, already?
 * Kirlisir - Hey! Next one will be longer, I promise! I never go against my own word, you know that. So! I... I guess you can go and play now.
 * Gardin - Well, okay then. I'll see you later!

Gardin made her way to the exit, but before she got close to the door, she stopped on her tracks and turned back to Kirlisir.


 * Gardin - Ooooooh! I get it now!

Kirlisir raised an eyebrow partway through waving goodbye to Gardin, intrigued by what she had just said. She blinked for a few moments before issuing a response to Gardin's claim.


 * Kirlisir - W-What?
 * Gardin - You want to be alone so you can think of daddy, don't you?
 * Kirlisir - N-No! Of course not, whatever gave you that impression, you little tyke?!
 * Gardin - You like daddy, don't you?
 * Kirlisir - A-As a friend, yes! Of course! We're all friends on the ship, after all!
 * Gardin - Friend? Well, that's sad. Daddy says he enjoys your company. He gets really, really worried when you're hurt. When he's talking about you, he kinda loses track of his thoughts.

Kirlisir was at a loss for words, unable to find something that would properly convey her feelings and expression. Instead, she kept her eyes to the ground, letting out a heavy exhale with a look of confusion on her face, hiding away from Gardin's vision.


 * Kirlisir - H-He... Does he? I...
 * Gardin - I can read minds.
 * Kirlisir - G-Go and play somewhere! It's rude to do that to people!

Gardin giggled and walked outside the room. However, a few seconds later, she peeked inside the room again and gave Kirlisir a humorous look.


 * Gardin - Mommy.

Kirlisir groaned and held a hand to her face, turning her back to Gardin and walking the opposite direction, trying to think about something other than Vekaron as she had her suspicions that even now Gardin was invading the privacy of her loose, unrestrained mind. Gardin giggled again and ran off, leaving her teacher alone in the room.


 * Kirlisir - ...By the Composer, that kid needs a new hobby.

A Call for Help
The following morning, Vekaron worked on the captain's bay, looking over at orders left by the Council. Wragrot sat on a nearby seat and looked around in boredom, while Vyatak was off at the medi-bay as usual. Kirlisir was doing press-ups on the floor, with Gardin sitting on her back as she did. Vansenk, his head still sore, rested on the ceiling, almost asleep as if he were in a daze. Kamaris was, as per usual, reading an ancient script from Mahanayan culture upon a table. Kilchárunya was browsing what seemed to be a weapons catalogue on a tablet in Kicathian, whilst Kit was meditating in the prison cells down below.


 * Wragrot - Damn, what a slow day. Anything good in the news?
 * Vekaron - Other than some stuff about the Murgur warbands getting agitated, not really.
 * Kilchárunya - Sounds like trouble back home, mister.
 * Wragrot - Hmpf. I don't care. I don't have a home.
 * Kirlisir' - Oooh, touchy.
 * Vekaron - You never told us about your past life, Wragrot.
 * Wragrot - There is nothing to tell. Change subject.

Vekaron shrugged and came back to his work, when his ship suddenly received a signal which displayed several coordinates to him. Vekaron looked closer to it and identified it as being a distress signal. Someone was calling for help.


 * Vekaron - Huh...looks like I just found today's mission.
 * Kirlisir - Care to explain, Vek?
 * Vekaron - I just got a distress signal. Someone needs rescue in a nearby star system.

Kit entered the room. He was wearing a black uniform of Kicathian nature as he saw the team going about their activity.


 * Kit - Good morning.
 * Wragrot - Uh. Hey.
 * Kit - Forgive me if this meeting seems awkward. Well. Forgive Kilchárunya. 
 * Kirlisir - Hey there, kid. Hope you slept well.
 * Vekaron - You arrived just in time for your first mission.
 * Kit - My first with you perhaps. I heard. A rescue mission? Where?
 * Vekaron - A few parsecs away from here. I can't tell who sent it. We'll find out when we get there.
 * Kirlisir - Heh, rescue. Different to our usual, it seems.
 * Vekaron - Equip yourselves and get prepared. We'll go to the coordinates immediately.
 * Kilchárunya - Can I just look at these weapons here?
 * Kamaris - No. 

The ship travelled to the coordinates listed by the signal and arrived to a lush, wild planet. Scanning it, they could detect an unknown base of operations in it, but it appeared recently built and still not very protected. Taking the shuttle, the team landed next to the base, undetected by the forces within it. As they arrived, they quickly saw the emblems of the Wranploer on its walls. Kirlisir examined the symbol and pounded her fist into the palm of her hand eagerly, her optical implant glowing excitedly. Vansenk slithered through the undergrowth, quietly and stealthily. Vekaron took cover behind a wall and peeked at the base's entrance, where he saw multiple Wranploer soldiers entering the buildings while a commander barked orders at them. They were clearly soldiers of the New Wranploer Legion.


 * Vekaron - Torrent's goons.

Slowly approaching the entrance, the team could listen to two soldiers chatting.


 * Soldier 1 - What's the commotion?
 * Soldier 2 - I heard the hostage managed to breach her cell and is trying to escape.
 * Soldier 1 - Really? All of this mess because of that?
 * Soldier 2 - You didn't hear? The Warlord sent Dark Grip itself to get her. She's valuable.
 * Kirlisir - "Her"? Dark Grip? Vek, sounds like they've got something dangerous cooped up in there.
 * Wragrot - At least we know we're looking for a lady.
 * Kit - Concerning the Dark Grip, possibly dangerous for them. 

An explosion was heard inside the base itself, and an alarm was sounded. More soldiers were sent inside while the two chatting troopers kept to themselves, watching the whole event until the nearby Wranploer commander ordered them to enter as well. In a few moments, the area was clear for the team to proceed inside.


 * Kilchárunya - Well. In we go.
 * Vekaron - Keep an eye out for any soldiers.

Vekaron led the team inside the outskirts of the base, before making his way to the nearest entrance to the interior of the base itself. Wragrot walked over to the Zoles making little effort to make himself hidden from sight. Kit had cloaked himself using a device from his armour, making him essentially invisible. Vansenk remained to the darkest angles and corners, keeping himself out of sight, while Kirlisir flanked Vekaron's left side, keeping herself aware and open to any trouble that might attempt to come up behind them. Entering the base, the team was met with a duo of Borealis Zazane troopers. They had their backs turned to the team and faced a hallway, having not noticed their presence. They also chatted with each other.


 * Zazane 1 - Did you see the size of those? Wow!
 * Zazane 2 - I can't tell who's more gorgeous, the hostage or lieutenant Tuchaki. I want to give them both a squeeze.
 * Zazane 1 - Yeah, don't let her hear you saying that, or your butt will be delivered to Vaxal in a box.
 * Kit - Pulchritudinous female, nonetheless.
 * Zazane 1 - Who said tha-holy shit, intruders!

The two troopers took their rifles and fired at the team's direction. Sweeping past one of them, the Kicath grasped the Zazane by the throat, lifting him up. Kirlisir ran forward and slashed at one of the troopers, slicing towards his crest and face as they had now lost the advantage of attacking from behind. The slashed trooper turned to Kirlisir and tried to fire at her, while the one lifted by Kit thrashed about, trying to get himself free.


 * Zazane 1 - What the hell is going on?! Why am I floating?!

The cloak from Kit's armour switched off, looking at the Zazane in hand.


 * Kit - Sorry for this.
 * Zazane 1 - Shit. I preferred when you were invisible.

Kit threw the Zazane into the ceiling, cracking his neck or perhaps skull on contact with it. Kirlisir danced past her target, managing to get behind him while he attempted to fire. Without hesitation, she made an upward slash across the Zazane's spine, afflicting a deep cut that went straight from the base of his tail to the back of his head - a universal vulnerability in all Zazane. The two troopers were easily killed by the attacks.


 * Wragrot - So it's not just a lady. It's a pretty lady. We're making progress here.
 * Vansenk - Beauty is a subjective matter, Murgur.
 * Wragrot - Yeah. You're uglier than a Sand Whale.
 * Kilchárunya - Heh. 

The team progressed further inside the base, coming across more pirate soldiers who were easily killed by their efforts. Eventually they arrived to a large hall and stood in an elevated position, where they could look down and watch a large group of soldiers aiming at a doorway, as if they were waiting for something to come out of it.


 * Kilchárunya - Hmph.
 * Kirlisir - Wonder what they're looking at.
 * Vekaron - Our target, probably. Keep your guard up.

Before the team could make a move, the soldiers fired their weapons collectively into the doorway. Grenades and missiles were thrown, followed by explosions that launched debris in all directions, yet the soldiers found their assault ineffective; they were quickly dispatched, each one exploding into puddles of innards and blood as they were shot at from an unseen adversary. Vekaron watched the scene with interest while Wragrot raised an eyebrow. After waiting for several moments, the group watched as a Zazane, nude in her entirety and grasping a rifle tightly against her generous, full breasts, ran out from the corridor, her speed impressive as she gained momentum. She left deep footprints imprinted into the ground where she ran, while her breasts bounced and jiggled with every motion she made. Kirlisir let out a heavy groan as she watched the Zazane and prepared to leap down from where she stood. Kilchárunya did the same, whilst Kit had no real reaction to her whatsoever.


 * Wragrot - ...What am I looking at?
 * Vekaron - That's...a member of the UNOC unit, I think?

Out of the same doorway, Dolgan Tuchaki appeared, her body shielded by her nanomachines as she tried leaping at the nude Zazane, her daggers in hand.


 * Dolgan - Get back here, you damn whore!
 * Kalcedia - Kiss my ass!
 * Vekaron - Definitely our target. Let's move, team.

Kalcedia turned around and, making use of the distance between her and Dolgan, fired at her enemy with her sniper rifle for just a moment, unleashing destructive anti-armour rounds before attempting to escape once more. Dolgan shielded her face with her arm, being knocked back by the shots. Vekaron and Wragrot made their way down to meet with Kalcedia at the next hallway.


 * Dolgan - That hurt.

Kirlisir joined Vekaron and Wragrot, while Vansenk crawled down the walls in an effort to flank both of the Zazane women, moving fast as if he were a spider. Kalcedia growled and her skin began to crystallize as she aimed once again, firing multiple rounds at Dolgan with a grim smirk across her face. Kit leaped down from the top, swinging around with his blade in hand.


 * Kalcedia - Come on, get closer, I dare you!
 * Wragrot - Hello there.

Vekaron looked at the exposed Kalcedia and shook his head, while Wragrot downright stared at her. Dolgan looked at the team and frowned, growling.


 * Dolgan - You lot again? I don't need any more problems today.

Kalcedia took a moment to turn her head and glance towards Vekaron and Wragrot, and her smirk became a warm, comforted smile. Soon, she turned her whole body to them, showing them her remarkably curvy stature and her buxom assets.


 * Kalcedia - I thought help would never arrive, you took your time.
 * Kit - Have you no decency, woman?
 * Vekaron - H-hello. I don't remember your name.
 * Wragrot - Name. Yes. Names are cool.
 * Dolgan - ...Are you kidding me?
 * Kilchárunya - Aliens.
 * Kalcedia - Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Kicath, I'm all out of decency like I'm all out of clothes! ...Name's Kalcedia. Kalcedia Myran.
 * Vekaron - O-oh, yes. It's a p-pleasure to see you again.
 * Wragrot - I know it's a pleasure alright.
 * Kit - Put some clothes on. 
 * Kirlisir - You're without clothes because those guys took them, right?
 * Kalcedia - Course not, I was brought here naked.
 * Kirlisir - Why were you naked?
 * Kalcedia - I was stripping off course, gah! Honestly girl.

Dolgan stomped on the floor and roared at the team, the ground beneath her cracking loudly.


 * Dolgan - I will deliver you all to Torrent screaming in pain!
 * Kilchárunya - Yeah, yeah. Give us a minute. 
 * Wragrot - ...Oh. We were fighting pirates, right? Better go back to doing that.

Wragrot fired his shotgun at Dolgan while Vekaron sent his sword at her, who shielded herself with her arms. Kilchárunya fired blasts at Dolgan's face, whilst Kit only watched, unsure what to do. Kalcedia aimed her gun towards Dolgan and fired her armour piercing rounds from its barrel, blasting through the air, causing the vicinity to shake from the mere force. Wragrot threw a psychic blast at Dolgan, disorienting her and making her temporarily lose her nanomachine armor, before delivering a punch to her face which threw her back into the floor.


 * Wragrot - Hah. Just like Torrent.
 * Dolgan - Gah...damned Penumbra Unit.
 * Kilchárunya - You don't know how much I enjoy doing this job sometimes. 

Vansenk smiled as he loomed over Dolgan and threw his nano-scythe in her direction, salivating in a perverted, lustful manner. Dolgan saw the scythe coming and rolled out of the way, leaping back to the doorway she and Kalcedia had arrived from. She armored herself again and pointed at the team.


 * Dolgan - Chahenthras, deal with them!

Materializing out of seemingly nowhere stood a Zoles, pinkish in colouration, with multiple augmented limbs appearing to stretch outward from her back. She smirked at the team and wielded two polearms, glaring at the group eagerly. Vekaron looked at the Zoles and his expression changed into anger, with him frowning and barring his teeth.


 * Vekaron - A Zoles working for Torrent?!
 * Kit - I must ask whether it is customary for an alien race to serve only one master.
 * Kilchárunya - Who the hell taught you to talk like that?
 * Kit - Not you. 
 * Chahenthras - What, is that all that surprised you? Or are you shocked because I don't align myself with you monarchists?
 * Dolgan - Kill them all, except for the whore. Torrent wants his squeaky toy alive.
 * Chahenthras - Of course, Dolgan.
 * Kamaris - The practicality of having multiple arms is questionable as well. 

Dolgan ran off to the doorway, while Vekaron and Wragrot prepared their weapons. The thought of a Zoles serving under Torrent infuriated the Penumbran immensely. Chahenthras spun her polearms in a frenzy and rushed towards Vekaron, her eyes set on him. However, as she ran, Kalcedia clenched her hand and launched her fist at the Zoles from the side, slamming it into her stomach. Chahenthras coughed and spluttered loudly, before she knocked Kalcedia aside with one of her limbs. Vekaron sent his blade at the extra limbs while Wragrot fired his shotgun at her. Chahenthras growled and countered Vekaron's blade with her polearm, while her flesh hardened as the shotgun blasts struck her body. She glared at her Zoles adversary for a moment before taking the opportunity to spit in his face.


 * Chahenthras - That one is for your king--

Kilchárunya leapt forward, and swung her leg upwards, trying to kick the polearm from her hand. One of Chahenthras' polearms were launched from her grasp and thrown aside, taking her by surprise. Vekaron used the opportunity and slashed at her chest, while Wragrot launched another psychic pulse to disorient her. Kilchárunya scrambled to grab the polearm, wielding it in her hand.


 * Kilchárunya - You call this a weapon? 
 * Kamaris - Somewhat.

The pulse had indeed disorientated Chahenthras and Vekaron's blade dealt damage against her flesh, causing her to scream and launch herself back. She grasped her wound tightly and glared at the team, panting heavily before taking several steps back.


 * Chahenthras - Damnit, Dolgan... Left me outnumbered and overpowered.
 * Vekaron - I don't care if you have a pickle with King Rebaris...joining Torrent is a crime I cannot forgive!

Vekaron leaped at Chahenthras' direction, sending his blade at her direction.


 * Chahenthras - You know nothing, Vekaron!

Chahenthras used her remaining polearm to shield herself from Vekaron's blade, sending her backwards. With one of her mechanical limbs, she sent fists flying towards Vekaron's direction, aiming primarily for his face. The Penumbran was hit and thrown backwards, hitting the floor, blood visibly coming out of his mouth. Wragrot grunted and kept firing his shotgun at the enemy. Kit's fist curled up, and drove it straight at the Zoles' shoulder. Chahenthras, still disorientated by the prior psychic assault, reeled back as her shoulder was struck by Kit's punch, with the evident sound of bones breaking following. She leaped back once more, wincing as she held her arm, and glared towards the team, her brow lowered and eyes narrowed.


 * Chahenthras - D-Damn it!
 * Wragrot - Heh. You're weaker than the others.
 * Chahenthras - What of it? It doesn't matter, Dolgan's escaped.
 * Vekaron - But I won't let you do the same.

Chahenthras smiled and two of her mechanical arms clapped, followed shortly the sound of several sirens - alarms. With that, she threw her polearm, which proceeded to explode into a blast of shrapnel, and retreated, disappearing from sight while the group was distracted. Vekaron growled in anger and punched the floor before getting back up. The alarms attracted the attention of whichever more pirates were at the base. It was time to retreat.


 * Vekaron - Grrr...everyone back to the shuttle, now!
 * Kalcedia - What about my clothes? ...Ah fuck the clothes.
 * Wragrot - I think you look fine as you are now.
 * Kirlisir - You'll get clothed on the ship, just hurry it up.
 * Wragrot - Want to take a ride on my arms? As you can see, I'm a big, strong man.
 * '''Kalcedia - Ooh, why thank you, Mr... Ah, save names for later.
 * Kit - Attracted to aliens? Odd man.
 * Kilchárunya - I've had to deal with this for a few years. Still don't get it.

Wragrot chuckled and grabbed Kalcedia, carrying her as he followed Vekaron to the exit. He led his team back to the shuttle, but while he did, he kept staring at Wragrot as if he was jealous of what he was doing. Kirlisir glanced towards Vekaron as he stared at Wragrot and lowered an eyebrow with irritation, tapping the Zoles' shoulder as they ran.


 * Kirlisir - Focus, Vek.
 * Kit - I am now beginning to wonder who the child is here.

No Decency
After successfully escaping and returning to the ship, several minutes passed until the team met up at the captain's bay again. Kalcedia had been given clothes by the crew and invited into the bay herself. Kilchárunya was sitting down, examining her weapons, whilst Kit stood with his feet apart, and his hands together and his head down. Kirlisir was sat near Vekaron, her arms folded and her head lowered as she seemed to have fallen asleep. Vansenk had his eyes fixated on Kalcedia, who was leaning against a wall, her hands on her breasts as she played with them out of boredom. Kamaris was also standing there, his arms folded. His helmet was placed on the table.


 * Kamaris - Must you do that, woman? 
 * Vekaron - So, erm. Kalcedia. Why were you at a Wranploer base?
 * Kalcedia - Like I said, I was stripping at a bar, and then that bitch came along and showed me a hard time. I got knocked out and as soon as I know it, I'm stuck in a container just itching to get out.
 * Wragrot - By what she said, it sounds like Torrent wanted you as his...well.
 * Kit - It is not right. Selling your body like that. 
 * Kalcedia - Hey, my body. I can do what I like with it, thank you very much, kid.

Kalcedia smiled as she approached Kit and placed her bouncing, glamorous breasts against his chest, getting in his face with a sultry grin across her own. Kit made no reaction; his biochemistry and his personality disallowing him to do so.


 * Kit - Have you ever met a Kicath? 
 * Kalcedia - Plenty of them, and nearly all of them react the way you do. Heh, I've walked with some of the best; Agent Nu, Tau, Psi, that one Agent with the freaky hand, .

Kilchárunya shuddered at the sound of 'Nu'.


 * Kit - Then you would be wise to get your 'endowments' out of my face.
 * Vekaron - I remember working with the UNOC unit during the Second Great War.
 * Wragrot - So you know the gal?
 * Vekaron - We never talked.
 * Kalcedia - Oh, that's right. We did't. Much.
 * Kamaris - Why? You have such a vibrant personality.

Kalcedia stepped away from Kit and approached Vekaron, her hips and tail swaying as she did. Kilchárunya made a slight hissing sound as she noticed her provocative walk.


 * Kalcedia - Vekaron's married to his job.
 * Vekaron - I was too busy fighting a war to chat with anyone.
 * Kalcedia - But you're not fighting a war now, are you, Mr. Job?
 * Vekaron - A slightly smaller war, but yes. You were under the possession of who I'm fighting against.
 * Kamaris - Indeed. Define war. 
 * Kalcedia - I must say, your rescue was appreciated. Heh, who knows how difficult it must've been for you to penetrate the area, and search all the little nooks and crannies inside its walls for me?
 * Wragrot - She's mocking us. But I don't even mind.
 * Kamaris - I mind. 
 * 'Kalcedia - Mocking? Why would I mock my saviours? Heh, I think I'm more inclined to grant you a reward rather than mock you.
 * Kilchárunya - Oh, can I imagine what. You aliens are all about one thing. 
 * Wragrot - Reward, eh?
 * Vekaron - Hm. Do you want us to leave you somewhere?
 * Kalcedia - No, no, I think I'll stay here for a bit. Help around the ship, join you on your missions, I have the free time after all.
 * Vekaron - If you say so, then welcome to the team.
 * Kirlisir - How long do you think you'll stay for?
 * Kalcedia - As long as necessary.
 * Kilchárunya - Grrr. Fine. Don't touch my stuff.

Kamaris walked over, picking up his helmet from the table. Whilst he did not look at Kalcedia, his attention was on her. At this moment, Gardin arrived to the captain's bay and strolled over to them. As she noticed Kalcedia, her eyes widened and she held on her own face.


 * Gardin - Oooh! Another new friend!

Kalcedia turned towards Gardin with a warm smile, blinking several times as she gazed upon the small child. She knelt down in Gardin's direction and reached out a hand to her, and she spoke in a playful tone.


 * Kalcedia - Well, hello little girl! What's your name?
 * Gardin - I'm Gardin! Who are you?
 * Kilchárunya - I'm going to die this week. I can feel it. 
 * Kalcedia - Kalcedia. But... you can call me Kal, little Gardin.
 * Gardin - Okay! Are you another one of daddy's friends?

Kamaris let out a sharp breath, almost as if it were laughter. Kalcedia tugged on Gardin's hand and brought her close, hugging the Rovegar warmly, pressing her against her chest. Kalcedia closed her eyes as she hugged the infant and sighed content, as if a deep, maternal instinct had just been satisfied after so long.


 * Kalcedia - Could say that. 
 * Gardin - Miss Kal...you're so boingy!
 * Kilchárunya - I'm done. I'm actually done.

Kilchárunya stood up, and walked out of the room, muttering Kicathian profanities to herself. Wragrot pointed and laughed at her as she left, while Gardin hugged Kalcedia affectionately.

Hours later, when most of the team had gone to sleep, Vekaron was at his room checking on his personal computer. Gardin was at another room playing with her toys, leaving the Zoles alone. While many of the team required such periods of rest, the Zazane was not one of them. Already a species that can function without prolonged and regular rest cycles, the nanomachines in her body allowed her to cease sleeping altogether unless she desired it. With little else to do, she approached Vekaron's door, and knocked quietly. She wore little clothing, merely a tight-fitting bra and a thong. Vekaron got up from his chair and opened the door to see Kalcedia at the other side. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.


 * Vekaron - You need something?

Kalcedia smiled and allowed herself into his room, shoving past him gently as she did, yet she never broke eye contact with Vekaron. She licked her lips with her long, wet tongue and sat down on Vekaron's chair. Vekaron watched Kalcedia's movements and looked nervous, unsure of what to do. Without his notice, the Zazane's pheromones were starting to affect him.


 * Kalcedia - Shut the door.
 * Vekaron - Huh? Why?
 * Kalcedia - Why not?

Vekaron remained motionless for several moments until he closed the door and locked it behind him. Kalcedia folded her legs and smiled cheekily towards Vekaron, and glanced towards his personal computer with curiosity. With a sultry tone, she spoke out to the Penumbran, a giggle of amusement in her voice.


 * Kalcedia - What you looking at?
 * Vekaron - Uh...I was just browsing the extranet...I was looking for anything in specific.
 * Kalcedia - That so? You know, you can hurt your eyes by browsing in a dark room. It can cause your sight to... fall short.
 * Vekaron - W-why did you come here?

Kalcedia grinned as she moved her hands onto her hips and slowly had them ascend her body, moving up her sides and approaching her bust, which appeared somehow larger than before, although not undesirably huge. She blew a kiss in Vekaron's direction, as if gesturing him to come closer.


 * Kalcedia - Does it matter? ...You saved me today, and the least I can do is just... show my gratitude somehow.

Vekaron's eyes widened and he remained static in place.


 * Vekaron - G-gratitude?
 * Kalcedia - You know, my thanks, appreciation, whatever you wanna call it. I just... want to show it.

Suddenly her bra fell onto her lap, revealing her exposed, almost mountainous chest as it bounced, and she rested her palms on them, squeezing them together suggestively.


 * Vekaron - ...Oh dear...my race don't even have those yet...they appear so captivating.
 * Kalcedia - You want to touch them?
 * Vekaron - Well...if you want to show your gratitude...who am I to stop you?

Kalcedia's grinned spread and she unfolded her legs, getting up to stand. She approached Vekaron once more, a suggestive sway in her walk, and she wrapped her athletic arms around the Penumbra's neck and shoulders, forcing his head closer to hers, their eyes meeting and glancing into one another. Her breasts pressed against his chest, she leaned in and kissed her captivated prey - the night ahead was to be a long and exhausting one, if anything was to be guaranteed.

Feelings of Guilt
The morning after. There was no sun to shine onto the messied bedsheets, as the ship just so happened to be upon its voyage in space, so instead it was the sound of an alarm that woke them up - a bedside alarm, intended to go off at a set time. The Zazane woman's eyes fluttered lightly and she yawned, rolling onto her back as she looked up. At her side was Vekaron, who sat on the bed, holding on his head and looking down. His expression was unlike anything Kalcedia would have expected, he had his teeth barred and clenched the bed with his free hand. What looked like a mix between fury and sadness dominated his face, and by his appearance, it was obvious that he had not slept at all that night. Kalcedia turned her head to the Penumbran's direction and sat herself up, reading the expressions across Vekaron's face. With a smile, she slithered her hand towards his chest.


 * Kalcedia - Morning, big guy.

As he noticed her hand coming in contact with his chest, Vekaron swat it aside, glaring at her direction.


 * Vekaron - Get out of my ship, you damned succubus.
 * Kalcedia - Wow, rude. Who pissed in your coffee?
 * Vekaron - Was stripping me of my honour not enough? Do you seek to mock me now?
 * Kalcedia - I remember stripping something but it certainly wasn't honour.

Kalcedia groaned and looked away from Vekaron, her eyes narrowed and her arms folded over her naked breasts. She pouted with a miserable expression.


 * Vekaron - You made me do acts I would only do to a loved one. How am I supposed to face my crew now? I have been reduced to trash.
 * Kalcedia - If you didn't want this you should've said no, you know.
 * Vekaron - Like you ever gave me a choice...I have kept my body clean for over 110 years, since the death of my wife and daughter. I was only supposed to do such things to someone truly dear to me...

Vekaron held on his head with both of his hands and let out a loud groan.


 * Vekaron - I've spat on my wife's grave.

Kalcedia glanced towards Vekaron for a moment and released a heavy sigh, a sorrowful look coming across her face as his words registered and rung within her ears.


 * Kalcedia - You had a wife and daughter?
 * Vekaron - Before Torrent slaughtered them both in front of my very eyes. It's because of them that I joined the Imperial army.
 * Kalcedia - ...I'm sorry. I should have known better than to crash into your life like this. I was... I found the rescue mission exciting, and I wanted to repay you for it.
 * Vekaron - I feel shameful. I can't look into the eyes of my crew now. And even worse, I just realized I forced Gardin to sleep out of her bed because of all this.

The Zazane had nothing to say in response, as for once she had felt... in the wrong for this situation. She groaned again, placing a hand against her face and rubbing her brow before looking back towards Vekaron.


 * Kalcedia - I can see it on your face.
 * Vekaron - What? My shame? I already told you, I don't want your mocking.
 * Kalcedia - You're ashamed because... there's somebody your concerned about.
 * Vekaron - ...My wife, yes. I just mentioned her.
 * Kalcedia - No, not your wife. You're concerned because of somebody in your crew.

Vekaron blinked and looked at Kalcedia in surprise.


 * Vekaron - What are you implying?
 * Kalcedia - You have a crush.
 * Vekaron - My crew are my fellow soldiers! I'd never fall for such temptations!
 * Kalcedia - Then why are you so concerned?
 * Vekaron - B-because...because...agh...

Vekaron's wings opened and he covered his face with them.


 * Vekaron - ...Like it matters at this point.
 * Kalcedia - Hey, I'm not gonna talk about this if you're not.
 * Vekaron - I feel like that Zoles traitor...I did fall for temptation.
 * Kalcedia - Will you stop saying that? You're starting to sound like a robot.
 * Vekaron - Yes. I have a crush. But she would never accept a man like me.
 * Kalcedia - I dunno, you're pretty good in bed. And you have a big co--
 * Vekaron - What do you know of relationships? What you do in bed is but a fraction of a couple's life. I want someone I can wake up to see at my side everyday. A person to grow old with. Not merely to fulfill carnal desires.
 * Kalcedia - Somebody to raise your children with?
 * Vekaron - Yes...

Kalcedia grunted and stepped aside from the bed, pulling back the covers that concealed the rest of her form and standing upright. She reached for her clothes, tossed aside unto the floor, and began to place them on her body, speaking all the while.


 * Kalcedia - Then why don't you ask her?
 * Vekaron - Ask what? To live with a man who so easily loses his honour? Besides...if something happens to me...or to her...I don't want to go through that pain again...
 * 'Kalcedia - Gee, aren't you all sunshine and rainbows. Look, if you want to find a way to "restore your honour" or whatever, why don't you try impressing her? And besides, she'll never know if we don't say anything.
 * Vekaron - I'm sure she has no time for relationships anyway...to think that after a century, I would be captivated again. By an alien, no less.
 * Kalcedia - Look, hun, you'll never know if you don't try. And what if something does happen to you or her? You go out without ever trying to get the opportunity to be something special.

Vekaron uncovered his face and looked at Kalcedia. His previous furious expression was now replaced with guilt and confusion. She could clearly see that he had no idea what to do now.


 * Vekaron - ...How can I impress a woman like her?
 * Kalcedia - Well, what kind of woman is she?
 * Vekaron - Powerful, strong-willed, always ready to face danger...helpful, good-natured, cute...
 * Kalcedia - So what do you think will impress her?
 * Vekaron - I have no idea. I don't know what...Rovegar like.
 * Kalcedia - Rovegar? I've only met a few Rovegar, pirates and the likes... They're more emotional than others. Giving them gifts, complimenting their appearance, that sorta stuff works for them.
 * Vekaron - Really?...I always thought she had adorable hair. And I kinda lose track of myself when I look into her eyes.
 * Kalcedia - So, tell her that you like her hair, or that her eyes are pretty.

Vekaron remained in silence for several moments until he got up and shook his head.


 * Vekaron - You're right. I can't let this grief overcome me. She would not enjoy seeing me like this.

Kalcedia smiled as she placed her clothed upon her body and folded her arms once more, confidently looking towards Vekaron with a perked eyebrow. He was still naked, and she took the opportunity to glance towards his waist once more, licking her teeth almost with excitement as she laid her eyes upon him.


 * Kalcedia - Yeah, yeah she won't...
 * Vekaron - I...must apologize for snapping at you earlier.
 * Kalcedia - Don't worry about it, sweet-cheeks, it's not the first time I woke up to a man screaming at me.
 * Vekaron - If you really want to show gratitude, then...maybe you could give me more tips later. You should know by now who I am talking about.
 * Kalcedia - The armour-wearing Rovegar girl, by the sounds of it. Heh, I'll be on-hand if you want any tips. You gave me more than a fair share of your own, after all.
 * Vekaron - I did?''

Kalcedia lifted her arm and pointed towards Vekaron's crotch, a grin perked across her face. Vekaron looked down on himself and sighed. He rested on his own bed, holding his hands together.


 * Vekaron - Despite everything...I won't lie. It was good.
 * Kalcedia - I feel wet just thinking about i-- I mean, I appreciate it, Vekaron. I'll be in my room if you require me, getting myself ready and... well, shit like that.
 * Vekaron - I get it. Lock the door on your way out, please.

Kalcedia nodded, winking towards the Penumbran for a moment before leaving to exit the room, opening the door and closing it behind her. She giggled to herself quietly so as to not attract attention and walked back to where she had come from - her own quarters, that is. Before she moved on, though, she noticed something. Leaning on the wall next to Vekaron's door was Gardin, who slept on the floor, curled into a ball. Kalcedia turned to look towards the ball that was Gardin and an expression of slight guilt emerged on her face. While it was adorable, Kalcedia recognized the implications of what she had done, and she turned away with haste to return to her quarters, trying to ignore the curled up child that she was faced with.

=Murgur Civil War=

Retake What Is Yours
Two weeks had passed since Kalcedia's arrival. Vekaron and his team were left without action as no missions were ensued to them in a long time, with the Zoles Penumbran regularly checking on the news to keep up to date with the galaxy's affairs. News of Murgur raids across the Arm of Knowledge were growing in number. While Vekaron checked on the news on one day, Vekaron scratched his belly while sitting lazily on his seat, looking around in boredom. Kamaris, usually reading, was not this time round. Instead, he and Kit were sitting on the floor, in a meditative stance. Kilchárunya was playing a Kicathian board game, commonly associated with gambling. Kirlisir was with Gardin, playing hand games with her in order to test her memory and sensitivity to reaction, while Vansenk dangled from the ceiling, asleep with his tongue hanging outwards from his mouth. At the far end of the room, Kalcedia sat, surprisingly clothed, and was reading through a holo-magazine at merchandise.


 * Wragrot - Nothing interesting?
 * Vekaron - Not really.
 * Wragrot - I'm starting to miss Xeron's face.
 * Kirlisir - Maybe the pirates are all on vacation, or they're scared of us.

At this moment, another ship appeared next to Vekaron's. With distinct blue-coloured plating, they could all see it was clearly a large, sized Murgur vessel. A request for communications was sent to Vekaron, who accepted a few moments after. On his screen appeared a large Murgur wearing what could be described as a mix between armor and formal clothing.


 * Kilchárunya - Aren't I just the goddess of bad timing?
 * Murgur - Good evening. Penumbran Vekaron, I presume? I would like to request permission to enter your vessel, for I need to speak to you in person.
 * Vekaron - ...Well, this came out of nowhere.
 * Kilchárunya - Wow. A polite Murgur. I'm going to die today.
 * Murgur - I understand the timing might be a little too out of nowhere, but I'm afraid this cannot wait.
 * Vekaron - Can I just ask who you are?
 * Murgur - I am Muganda Groanknir, head of the Muganda Warband.

Wragrot raised from his chair, his eyes narrowed.


 * Wragrot - This can't be good...
 * Kalcedia - They're always polite at first, and then they end up getting their third or fifth leg inside you without so much as a "please".
 * Kamaris - ...Fifth?
 * Kalcedia - Hey, not all creatures have just two legs.
 * Vekaron - Well. Come in, I think. Just don't try anything funny.
 * Groanknir - Do not take me as a barbarian, Vekaron. Not all Murgur are mindless brutes. You should have learned that by now.
 * Kit muttered under his breath - Better prime our weapons, to be sure. 
 * Kirlisir - Oh goody. More warmongers.

A shuttle came out of the Murgur vessel, carrying Groanknir to Vekaron's ship. It connected itself to the Zoles' ship, and after a few moments, Groanknir appeared, alone. He carried no weapons on his being, and looked at the team with a stoic expression. As he was not a Battlemaster, he was noticeably shorter than Wragrot. Kamaris and Kit stood up from their stances, and looked at the Murgur with apprehension.


 * Kirlisir - We were expecting someone taller.
 * Groanknir - I am taller than you, Rovegar.
 * Vekaron - So...what do you want to talk about?
 * Groanknir - Excuse me, for I have lied earlier. I do not wish to speak to you. I wish to speak to Kraknor Wragrot.
 * Kalcedia - Wow, rude.
 * Kilchárunya - ...Where the hell is Vansenk?
 * Vansenk - I was sleeping.

Vansenk glared at the Kicathian woman from above, dangling from ceiling with his tail wrapped around some of the interior design. Wragrot walked over to Groanknir, looking at him in the eyes. The Muganda leader did not show any fear of Wragrot despite his obvious disadvantage compared to him.


 * Wragrot - Why not just call me?
 * Groanknir - You would ignore me. By asking your captain to let me in, you cannot run from this conversation.
 * Wragrot - Hmpf. I would.
 * Groanknir - It is time to go back, Wragrot. Kraknor needs you.
 * Wragrot - I'm not part of Kraknor anymore. Their matters do not concern me.
 * Groanknir -'' I do not believe you are aware of the circumstances of this. Tismahgo is going to lead Kraknor to extinction.
 * Wragrot - I don't care. Let them all die. It'll be better for everyone.
 * Groanknir - How can you say this of your own people? Of the Murgur you used to lead?
 * Kilchárunya - Apply cold...water...to burn. 

Wragrot grabbed Groanknir by his collar, lifting up to his eye level with a frown.


 * Wragrot - Silence yourself.
 * Vekaron - Wait...lead?
 * Wragrot - Ignore him. He speaks nonsense.
 * Groanknir - Are you trying to run away from the past? Are you hiding the fact you used to be the Warmaster, Wragrot?

Kalcedia glared towards Wragrot with narrowed eyes, subtlety looking up from her holo-mag to glance at what was going on at the opposite end of the room. She folded her legs and readjusted her seating position, while Kirlisir watched on in interest, crossing her arms and analyzing the situation.


 * Vekaron - Wragrot...You used to lead the Kraknor Warband? And you never told us that?
 * Wragrot - Grrrh.
 * Kirlisir - Well now, that was unexpected.
 * Wragrot - The past is dead. No one is supposed to know of this. How do you even know about this?
 * Groanknir - Extensive research, information brokers, records, assassinations here and there. It was hard finding you, but I did.
 * Wragrot - It doesn't matter. I'm not returning. I'm never returning.
 * Groanknir - You will, or the Murgur race will die.
 * Wragrot - Quit with your bullshit!
 * Groanknir - You do not get it. Zukarnos is dead, Wragrot. The Vorazius Warband has fallen.

Wragrot's eyes widened, and he remained silent for several moments. He slowly put Groanknir back down, who cleaned his collar with his hands.


 * Wragrot - How...
 * Groanknir - Tismahgo found his headquarters. He attacked him, ripped his head off with his bare hands. Vorazius' territory belongs to Kraknor. They are now the largest Murgur population in the galaxy.
 * Wragrot - What is he planning? Conquering every Murgur?
 * Groanknir - Yes. And once he does, he will throw every Murgur in the galaxy at the Polar Crystal Alliance.
 * Wragrot - But you said the Murgur would be extinct.
 * Groanknir - Because we stand no chance against the Alliance. If this war starts, our race will be wiped out. Tismahgo's bloodlust will result in the extinction of the Murgur.
 * Kalcedia - Now isn't this exciting.
 * Kirlisir - The PCA wouldn't do that, would they?

Groanknir turned to Vekaron.


 * Groanknir - I also have reasons to believe someone is backing Tismahgo up. And they are most likely related to the Wranploer.
 * Kamaris - I see where this is going.
 * Kilchárunya - You see?
 * Kamaris - Shut it. 
 * Vekaron - Wragrot, why aren't you leader of the Murgur now? What happened?
 * Kirlisir - Wragrot, it's fine to tell us. We're not going to judge you for it... Probably.

Wragrot sighed and sat down again. He looked at the team and at Groanknir as if he was about to tell them an old story, which was in fact the case.


 * Wragrot - I suppose there's no reason to keep hiding it. I used to lead the Kraknor Warband until up to 800 years ago. Unlike every other warmaster, I actually wanted to see an unified Murgur empire, but not one made from blood and war. A Murgur empire made by the Murgur people, for the Murgur people. But that being Kraknor and the Murgur being a horrible race, there were oppositors everywhere. Among them, Tismahgo. One day, he stabbed a poisoned dagger through my back on my sleep, and claimed to everyone that I was dead. By Murgur tradition, killing the Warmaster makes you the Warmaster yourself, but only in honourable combat. I was dumped away in a trash spaceship to die while Tismahgo made himself ruler, and no one bothered to see if he spoke the truth. That day, I realized the Murgur race was unworthy of sympathy. If they accept a cheater as their leader, I had no reason to stand among them anymore. Once I healed from my wounds, I became a bounty hunter, alone, never working with a Murgur again.
 * Kilchárunya - What a kiltaránkisiatékagazátazhatmanaí [motherfucker]. 
 * Kirlisir - Treachery, eh? Sounds like somebody needs their ass kicked.
 * Vekaron - Wow...I never expected something like this.
 * Groanknir - So this is what happened. I can understand why it infuriates you. But if you do not return to Kraknor and reclaim the throne that belongs to you, all of us will die. Do you really not care for it? Did you really lose the will to create an unified Murgur empire?
 * Wragrot - What's the point? No one wants it to happen.
 * Groanknir - Muganda does. I too want to one day see all Murgur going to Kaos and refer to each other as kin, instead of bickering over what is the colour of their armor. Remember, Wragrot, that you have Muganda's support. I would give my life to see this day come true.

Wragrot's face showed apprehension. He looked at the rest of the crew.


 * Wragrot - What do you guys say?

Kirlisir approached Wragrot and placed a hand on his shoulder, a smirk spread across her face confidently as she nodded to him. Vansenk nodded also, leaping from the ceiling onto the floor, while Kalcedia stood, winking at the Murgur as she placed a hand on her rifle.


 * Vekaron - You should do what you believe is right. But I'd say shooting Tismahgo in the face is a pretty alright idea.
 * Kilchárunya - Meh. Go for it.

Wragrot sighed heavily and then looked forward, his expression returning to the same bored face he had before this all started.


 * Wragrot - Might as well stop those idiots from killing themselves, I guess.
 * Groanknir - I'll be keeping you all updated on internal news and look for a chance to strike at Tismahgo. For Wragrot to retake control, he needs to face him in combat, where everyone can see how alive he is. It is time to retake what is yours, Wragrot.
 * Vekaron - Very well. We'll be prepared.

Groanknir nodded to the team and turned back, going back to his shuttle.


 * Gardin - So Uncle Wragrot is a big leader? That's really cool!
 * Wragrot - Hm. It was. Telling people what to do was always fun.
 * Kilchárunya - Well. Could turn Wragrot into an Agent. See how funny that would be.
 * Vekaron - But can we trust Wragrot with that much power?
 * Kilchárunya - They trust Nu with that much power.
 * Kamaris - Somehow, I doubt Vekaron was talking to you.
 * Kilchárunya - Point still stands.

Internal warfare and a bloodthirsty warlord would bring the Murgur to their knees, and it was up to Wragrot to stop them. But if Groanknir's suspicious are really true, then perhaps this warlord is not even the largest threat.

The End of Vorazius
It happened three days before Muganda Groanknir's arrival. The Vorazius Warband was the third largest of all Murgur factions, and was well known for its wealth. Vorazius Murgur were proud of using royal ornaments on their armor pieces, plating the interior of their homes and spaceships with gold and accumulating as much previous good as possible. At the same time, the warband was also primitive in technology compared to the others due to the leader, Vorazius Zukarnos, suffering from technophobia. He had ordered the warband to remain stagnant in technology, and new forms of tech were strictly forbidden to the point of being a scientist was enough to get you killed. This downright irrational behaviour originated from the slaughter of the Inner Core region of the galaxy during the, several hundred years in the past. Zukarnos used to operate in that area when suddenly murdered all life in the region mercilessly. He watched civilizations and his own men dying to the hands of machines, and from that day, he grew to fear them like the plague.

The flagship of the Kraknor Warband, the Bloodletter, arrived to the orbit of the Vorazius headquarters of Unt-angow followed by a large fleet of Murgur vessels. These vessels, while all clearly Murgur in design, all had something different, sporting a more advanced and intimidating frame than normal Murgur spaceships. Kraknor and Vorazius were long-time enemies, and as soon as the fleet arrived, the planet's defenses appeared to face them in combat. And they were cut down like animals. The Kraknor fleet easily tore through the planetary defenses like a knife through butter, suffering no casualties while the Vorazius Murgur were easily killed. Even with Vorazius' lower technology, Kraknor's ships were not that powerful. Something had empowered these ships, something that Zukarnos would never learn. As soon as the planet defenses were down, shuttles came out of the ships and made their way to the surface, deploying infantry and vehicles which quickly stormed the cities of the planet.

Tismahgo himself landed on the planet, making his way to the entrance of Zukarnos' palace. Zukarnos was often described as being "greed in Murgur form", and Tismahgo could easily tell it by the gross amount of riches he put on his headquarters, for the entire building appeared plated in platinum. The Kraknor warmaster was forced to shield his eyes as he made his way inside, the sun's light reflecting all over the building. Vorazius soldiers who attempted to attack Tismahgo found themselves either shot down by Murgur, mauled to death by troopers or attacked by surprisingly large  who carried heavy weapons. Tismahgo would force open two large doors which revealed a great throne room, where Zukarnos sat on a golden throne at the very end of the room. He pointed at the Kraknor leader and his guards all aimed their weapons at him, an angered scowl visible on his face.


 * Zukarnos - You dare defile my palace with your presence, Tismahgo?
 * Tismahgo - Your palace is mine now. So is your whole warband.
 * Zukarnos - You'll have to take it from my cold dead hands!
 * Tismahgo - My plan exactly.

The soldiers fired their weapons, but their shots were pitiful compared to Tismahgo's armor and shields. Zukarnos could easily see that Tismahgo had changed since the last time they met in person. His body was bulkier, filled with cybernetic implants. Zukarnos already hated him, but now he hated him twice over. He had become one with the machine. Kraknor forces easily tore the soldiers down with their weapons, while Tismahgo walked over at Zukarnos' direction, with a mocking grin on his face.


 * Zukarnos - You're a damned robot as well!
 * Tismahgo - And you still have this nonsensical fear of technology.
 * Zukarnos - You'll be consumed by it! Or rather, you won't, for I won't let you leave this room alive!

Zukarnos got up from his throne and out of a sheath from his belt, he took out a curved blade which looked much like a scimitar, with a handle decorated with gems and jewels. He lunged himself at the Kraknor leader with an angered scream, but Tismahgo did nothing but chuckle at him. Winding up, he threw a punch forward, hitting Zukarnos over the face with his full fist. The golden Murgur was thrown backwards several meters, blood and teeth being launched out of his mouth and his primitive sword being thrown out of his hand. Tismahgo crouched over at Zukarnos and with his two hands, he began strangling the Vorazius leader, a bloodthirsty smile dominating his expression.


 * Zukarnos - A-agh! D-damn you, Kraknor!
 * Tismahgo - Sssh. The dead don't talk.
 * Zukarnos - M-my ancestors are smiling upon m-me, Kraknor! C-can you say the same?!
 * Tismahgo - I can't. And I don't give a damn.

Zukarnos' head began turning purple as he was asphyxiated on Tismahgo's grasp, until the Kraknor leader forced his enemy's head to the side. The sound of cracking bone echoed through the room as Zukarnos' neck was broken, finishing the Murgur leader off, though Tishago was not satisfied with such a clean death. Using all the strength he had obtained through his enhancements, he forced Zukarnos' head out of his torso, launching blood all over himself and the floor around. Now holding the decapitated head of his enemy, Tismahgo walked over to Zukarnos' golden throne and sat upon it, while his soldiers all bowed to his might. This throne was his now. Vorazius was his now.

Dragons Returning?
It was another busy day over Hyperborea, with trade vessels and tourists faring in and out of its vicinity. Dropping out of FTL was a ship under a small escort, one thing noticeable was that these ships bore designs and identifiers that marked the mas being from Andromeda. The ships' onboard AIs contacted the station requesting docking permission, which was granted to the vessel. However as it landed, the security at the docks observed it with scepticism due to its origins. The ship was of a peculiar design, vaguely resemling a fish based on the curves of its design as well as the bulges in the structure that appeared to resemble fins. Dancing patterns were etched across the hull, which became clear under the lights of the docking bay

As the ship docked, a door in the side opened and a group of slender lizardlike beings disembarked. A Caretaker approached the beings as they arrived to greet them.

Caretaker - ''Welcome to Hyperborea! Can I help you with anything?''

One of the beings looked to the Caretaker with a slight but friendly smile.

Drantoa - ''Our cluster wishes to impart its pollens to your Polar Crystal Alliance's council. May you guide us as the winds to them?'' Caretaker - ''You wish to speak to the Council? I'm afraid they can't speak to every person who arrives to the space station like this.'' Drantoa - Then we offer our combined regrets that they did not hear our words sooner. Caretaker - ''I could leave a request though, so you can speak to them when they are available. Who are you and where do you come from?'' Drantoa - The winds guided us, pollens from the flowers of Altaris Nurturation, from the meadows of Draco. Caretaker - ''Draco? Oh, I get it, you come from the Draconid Imperium! Okay, give me a second, please.'' Drantoa - ''As one would wait for the sun to climb. We shall.''

The Caretaker walked over to a small terminal where it began to quickly type in a holographic keyboard, writing a message. Usually, the Council would ignore strangers who came to the station to speak to them, as they were already busy people. However, the Caretaker was surprised to see he was replied to a few moments later. It turned back to the Drantoa and approached them again.

Caretaker - The Council wants to speak to you now, it seems. Drantoa - ''Then we shall answer. You thaw the snow for our stems, Caretaker.'' Caretaker - ''Please follow me. I'll lead you to them.''

The Drantoa nodded and kept close to the caretaker as he led the Drantoa delegation through the station for several minutes until they arrived at the Council Tower, where they were led into an elevator which took them to the Council's chamber. The three Councillors looked down from their chairs at the Drantoa with apprehension, except for Xeron, who had his eyes narrowed in annoyance. The Drantoa bowed in succession, indicating their ranks relative to each other, with the Drantoa in front, his crimson robes obscured partially by a strip of bright purple, stood in front.

Xeron - ''Andromedans. What is your business in Hyperborea?'' Drantoa - ''Great polar crystal aliance, The winds call me Aron'Xhau and we were brought by currents with a wish to pollenate the winds. We were brought to nurture life in this sea of starlight, if you will allow us.'' Semirian - Nurture life? Aron'Xhau - We wish to spread the seed of intelligence. Xeron - ''Isn't Borealis too dangerous and scary for you? Because that's what we heard when you all ran away a month ago.'' Alar'Zan - ''There is hostility. We understand. Our cluster has developed ways of shielding our seeds from the predators amongst this sea.'' Xeron - Who are you calling a pred- Rylarien - ''Xeron, enough. Please, explain what you mean with spreading seeds of intelligence. I'm curious.''

Xeron scowled for being interrupted by Rylarien and feeling as though the Drantoa had made an offhand comment towards him. Laron'Xhau bowed and continued speaking.

Laron'Xhau - ''Altaris Nurturation works for the Draconid Imperium's Great Life Initiative. We sail the cosmic currents, breathing life to worlds we find stable. When we spread seeds of intelligence, we concieve beings destined to one day join the universal society.'' Semirian - ''So you uplift non-sapient races. Similar to the Elzie Empire then.'' Alar'Zan - ''We only give them the awareness. The path to the stars must always be their own.'' Rylarien - ''I understand. And I like the idea.'' Semirian - I see nothing wrong with it. Xeron - I suppose it could happen. Laron'Xhau - ''Our suns shine at this news. We ask that the Elzie or others do not cross-pollinate with our nurturing.'' Semirian - We will order them to leave your work alone. Laron'Xhau - ''We have but one more request before our palms fully open: We spread the pollen that as you are patrons of this sea, that you offer our charges messages for when they are ready to join you. Due to our work, this may take millennia to come to fruition.'' Semirian - ''Messages? You mean as in some sort of time capsule?'' Laron'Xhau - Exactly as such. Semirian - ''Now that is an interesting idea. We could leave the ideals of the Alliance alive for races millenia in the future to learn.'' Xeron - ''Oh, I like that. We'll do that for sure.'' Laron'Xhau - We have the recorders on our forms if you wish. Rylarien - We do, yes.

Laron'Xhau beckoned for one of his subordinates to hand a recording device to him and he set it upon the ground, pushing panels on a wrist computer to activate it. While he was working, one of his other subordinates showed the councillors ple planets they had decided on and the species they had chosen to biologically uplift.

Alar'Zan - ''We selected systems away from major trading streams so as not to be easily found, and each planet will be enveloped in a planetary-scale network of cloak generators. As far as the universe will know, these planets will not exist save for our charts.'' Semirian - ''Understandable. We don't want anything to happen to them while they're evolving.'' Laron'Xhau - The device's ears are open.

Nodding, Semirian positioned herself and straightened her outfit. She gave a hand signal to Laron'Xhau that she was ready and he nodded, pressing a panel on his wrist device to begin recording.

Semirian - ''Ahem...If you are hearing this message, then we welcome you to the galactic community. This is being recorded likely millions of years before you achieve space travel, but know that even with this time gap, the Polar Crystal Alliance will still be present. We strive for galactic unity and prosperity, and you, young ones, are more than welcome to be part of this.''

When she finished, Laron'Xhau deactivated the recordier.

Laron'Xhau - ''Our petals open in response to your morning rays, councillors. We shall preserve your words for when the time is right.'' Rylarien - We are glad to have helped. Laron'Xhau - ''It is our pleasure. may the summer winds push you forward, councillors. One last thing. We understand there is hostility towards our kind in Andromeda. We offer a gift of goodwill.'' Xeron - Gift?

One of the Drantoa stepped forward and placed a small jar on the table. Opening the lid, the councillors were abruptly hit with the smell of soothing aromatic oils.

Semirian - ''Hmm. Pleasant. What is this?'' Laron'Xhau - An extract from the essences of Alarimchena; a plant native to one of the realms nestled within the inner-regions of the meadows of Draco. Rylarien - ''It smells wonderful. Thank you.'' Alar'Zan - ''We are aware that this is only one jar to appeal to a disappointed galaxy. So we offer enough of the plant for it to be cultivated, as well as the understanding of how to nurture it.'' Semirian - ''That is kind of you. I'm sure the rest of the population would love to have this scent around their worlds.'' Alar'Zan - Your gratification is morning sunlight to our petals.

The group bowed and turned around, leaving the jar of scented oils and talking the recording equipment with them. Down in the docking bay, other crews had signed off the flowers and several instruction manuals for customs to deal with.

The New Fleet
Two days later, Vekaron and his team received a call from Muganda Groanknir, who delivered them their first mission in their scheme to remove Tismahgo from power. On Vekaron's screen for the whole team to see, the coordinates of a space station were shown, as well as pictures of the Murgur spaceships used to defeat the Vorazius Warband.


 * Groanknir - These ships are clearly not Murgur-made. They have a far more advanced and clean design than Murgur vessels. As I mentioned the first time we met, I believe the Wranploer are involved.
 * Kalcedia - When aren't the Wranploer involved?
 * Kamaris - Not in your bed. I can tell. 
 * Wragrot - What do you want us to do?
 * Groanknir - Infiltrate the space station on your screen. My sources claim it serves as a sort of checkpoint for Tismahgo's forces. Once you are in there, retrieve all information you can about Kraknor's plans.
 * Kilchárunya - Infiltration. Easy enough. 
 * Groanknir - Do not make your presence known. We must not allow Tismahgo to discover that Wragrot is still alive, otherwise our cover will be blown. Be as stealthy as possible.
 * Kamaris - Hm. Perhaps better if I did not take part in this one.
 * Kirlisir - Don't be a wimp.
 * Vekaron - This isn't a matter of being a wimp, Kirlisir.
 * Kamaris - Does it look like my kind are built for stealth? No? Kažāolom yan [Shut up.] 

Wragrot let out a groan and crossed his arms.


 * Wragrot - I suppose I can't be part of this either.
 * Groanknir - I am sorry, Wragrot. But indeed, you are just...too huge for stealth. Vekaron, do you have stealth specialists on your team?
 * Vekaron - I appear to.
 * Kalcedia - Well, isn't it lucky that I just so happened to turn up at the right time? You have a veteran stealth operative right with you.
 * Vansenk - Your compliments are appreciated.
 * Kit - I managed to infiltrate your ship. Albeit unsuccessfully since you have essence-sensitive kasat [aliens] on this ship also.
 * Groanknir - Murgur are ignorant to essence. You should not worry about such things during this.

Vansenk had his back turned to the team and his arms folded, although he wore a smile, keeping to the shadows at the far side of the room. Kalcedia grumbled towards the Hserelie before turning back to the screen, while Kirlisir had her arms folded.


 * Kirlisir - So that counts me, Vansenk, the sniper, and the kid.
 * Vekaron - ...And me and Kilchárunya.
 * Kit - Kid? 
 * Kilchárunya - Hm. Perhaps I should hang back as well. In case things get awry back here.
 * Vekaron - If you say so. Just me then.
 * Kalcedia - Unfortunate. I was hoping to see if you were as rabid in combat as Nu was, but if that's true it would be best for you to stay behind. No offence.
 * Kilchárunya - I'd hold your tongue. You don't want it ripped from your mouth.
 * Vekaron - Don't start, you two.
 * Kit - Kicathian courtesy, right there.
 * Groanknir - I will leave you all to complete this objective. I do not have to wish you good luck for I am more than aware of your abilities. I will be waiting for your report.

At this moment, the transmission with Groanknir ended.


 * Kirlisir - I have to say, being on a ship full of sweaty Murgur isn't my idea of fun.
 * Wragrot - Rude.
 * Kit - Don't say anything, Zazane. 
 * Kalcedia - Aww.
 * Vansenk - If the Wranploer are involved, you can expect surprises.
 * Kit - Néseur. [Very well, then]. I suppose I should prepare.

Vekaron's ship travelled to the space station's star system, and a shuttle taking the Penumbran himself, Kit, Vansenk, Kirlisir and Kalcedia was sent to it. The shuttle went undetected through the Murgur's less advanced orbital defenses and landed next to a large storage chamber located at the back of the station. Vekaron was the first to leave the shuttle, taking cover behind large mountains of boxes with his blade in hand. Visibly, the team did not notice Kit's departure from the ship. A cloaking device assumed over his armour as he stepped out of the shuttle.
 * Kit - So their technology is not advanced. I suspect it is still effective, however.
 * Vekaron - More than other Murgur's, less than ours.

Kirlisir followed swiftly behind Vekaron, her suit engaging in camouflage protocols. Vansenk slithered out from the ship as if he were a serpent, while Kalcedia strutted out with her rifle hidden within her anatomy.


 * Kit - So. Tactics, captain.
 * Vekaron - Use cover, don't make too much noise. If an enemy is on the way and won't leave, get rid of them silently.
 * Kit - Easy enough orders to follow.
 * Kirlisir - 'Cept for the "silent" part.

In one bound, Kit leapt on top of the storage container, observing the exterior of the station to scout ahead. The large number of box towers allowed the rest of the team to traverse through the storage chamber without being seen. In an elevated position, Levarcor soldiers patrolled around, but none of them noticed their presences. Kit used the height of the box towers, leaping from one to another to catch up with the team as he kept looking for more threats. Kirlisir raised an eyebrow while Kalcedia hid herself behind several boxes, and Vansenk analyzed the Levarcor from afar without the aid of any additional visual equipment. He could... smell something off regarding them. From his position, Kit could see a number of cameras ahead, which moved from side to side, looking over the storage chamber.


 * Kit - Caution. Surveillance cameras.
 * Vekaron - Hm. We need a way to distract them.
 * Kirlisir - Hmm. I have an idea.

Using her telekinesis, Kirlisir caused one of the box towers at the other side of the room to fall, away from the team's position. The cameras turned their attention toward the fallen boxes, while the Levarcor soldiers ran at their direction to inspect them.


 * Kit - Impressive. Perhaps I should learn how to use telekinesis some time. 

The Levarcor soldiers barked orders at each other, discussing who was going to fix all the mess. Meanwhile, the rest of the team was forced to make their way through series of corridors to venture deeper into the station until they came across one hallway bodyblocked by a Varkorus guard, who had his back turned to them. Vansenk slithered behind the guard and, using his scythe, he cleaved the enemy's throat and sent his hand to cover his mouth. The Varkorus agonized and slowly died, while Vansenk made sure to pass his fingers through the creature's huge exposed teeth. Kit moved further on, virtually travelling parallel to the team. From his position, Kit could look down to another room, adjacent to Vekaron and the others' position. He could see an immense battlesuit making its way through it, its design appearing -like but much larger and humanoid in appearance.


 * Kit - Halt. I see something.
 * Vekaron - What is it?
 * Kit - A battlesuit. Probably Niaka design.
 * Kalcedia - Niaka? Here?
 * Kit - Definitely.

Vekaron and his team hid behind the hallway while the battlesuit passed through it. It was far larger than any Niaka mecha they had ever seen, sporting three pairs of extra limbs carrying what looked like chainsaws, and the floor trembled at each step. Once it left, Vekaron looked around to see if there was no more danger before proceeding ahead.


 * Kalcedia - What the hell was that?
 * Vansenk - A Niaka with a large ego, perhaps.
 * Kirlisir - Whoever it was, they seem like somebody important.
 * Kit - One of Torrent's. I suppose. 
 * Kirlisir - Wouldn't surprise me.

The team progressed through the complex, evading soldiers and guard along the way until they arrived to some sort of laboratory. There did not appear to be anyone inside, and an opening on the ceiling allowed Kit to enter the room with the rest of the team. Computers on the back of the room showed schematics about spaceships, which Vekaron quickly took notice of.


 * Vekaron - Looks like we found our info.

Kit unsheathed his blade, perhaps preparing for any sudden encounter. As he did, he noticed a pair of Murgur who had their backs turned to the team, but the noise of them entering the room caused them to turn around.


 * Murgur - Who the hell are you?!
 * Kit - I am not the one to answer that question.
 * Vekaron - Eliminate them, quickly!

Kit released a blast from his pistol, directly at one of their heads. Kalcedia drew her rifle and fired hypermatter rounds at the Murgur with precise efficiency, aiming for their heads. The combined shots quickly dispatched of them before they could react, while Vekaron took the opportunity to walk over the computers. He began downloading the information contained within it, reading it as he did.


 * Kit - Be prepared for more.
 * Vekaron - "Warmaster Tismahgo, I'm sure these new ships will come in handy in our great push. Believe me, you will not be disappointed". As written by the "The Patriot".
 * Kit - The 'Patriot'? Hm. Probably whoever was in that mech we saw earlier.

Kirlisir approached Vekaron and looked at the schematics from over his shoulder, her cybernetic optical implant analyzing the data from where she stood. Vansenk dragged the Murgur bodies into the shadows where they would not be found. Vekaron and Kirlisir both saw the emblem of the New Wranploer Legion through the message.


 * Vekaron - Torrent's goons really are involved in this.
 * Kirlisir - I'm not surprised, it's so like Torrent to get himself involved in other people's business where it does not concern him.
 * Vekaron - I wonder why though. Probably to backstab Tismahgo later and take over the Murgur for himself.
 * Kalcedia - That or Tismahgo is making Torrent a profit.

At this moment, footsteps were heard through the corridor outside of the room, as multiple Murgur warriors made their way to it.


 * Kit - Contact.
 * Vekaron - Hide! I think I know how to get rid of them.

Kit jumped to the ceiling, hiding in the darkness of it. Vekaron turned to Kalcedia.


 * Vekaron - Can you shapeshift into a Murgur?
 * Kalcedia - Is the sky blue?
 * Vekaron - Do it. Talk to the soldiers and make them leave. Everyone else, hide.

Kalcedia smiled and placed her rifle within her physiology once again; within moments, she had transfigured her aesthetic from a tall, busty Zazane dominatrix and military operative, to that of a rather imposing, heavily armoured yet womanly Murgur warrior. Vansenk scurried into the darkest corners of the room, while Kirlisir camouflaged herself once again and took a hiding position. Vekaron hid on a corner alongside Vansenk while the Murgur soldiers opened the door. Their commander looked around to find the disguised Kalcedia.


 * Murgur - What was that? We heard gunfire coming from this room.
 * Kalcedia - I saw a couple of vermin. Decided to blast them into chunks.
 * Murgur - Where are the engineers?
 * Kalcedia - On their break.
 * Murgur - Break? Is this a joke? Find them and tell them to stop slacking. We don't want to leave the Warmaster waiting.
 * Kalcedia - Affirmative, sir. I'll commence a search as soon as possible.

The Murgur commander ordered his squad to move on and left, their footsteps eventually no longer being heard as they were too far away. Kalcedia chuckled to herself as she looked down and admired her Murgur form for a moment before swiftly changing back into her Zazane appearance, with the Murgur armour she was wearing morphing back into that of her own default attire. Vekaron left the corner he was hiding and walked over to the Zazane.


 * Vekaron - Good job. I think I got all the info we need already.
 * Kalcedia - Did that form make my butt look big?
 * Vansenk - Everything looks big on you.
 * Vekaron - Time to return to the ship, team.
 * Kit - Call it intuition. I don't think we're finished yet. For some odd reason. 

Following Kit through the ceiling of the station, the team eventually got back on their shuttle and returned to their ship. Vekaron transmitted the information he had downloaded to Groanknir while the team found Wragrot lazily sitting on a chair, with Gardin resting on top of his head. Kalcedia smiled as she saw Gardin and sat beside Wragrot, folding her arms and getting comfortably seated. Kirlisir leaned against the wall closest to Vekaron while Vansenk simply rested on the ceiling once again, almost unnaturally.


 * Kit - Hm. I've been wrong before.
 * Wragrot - So what did you lot find?
 * Kalcedia - The Murgur are being supplied by the Wranploer.
 * Wragrot - We already knew that.
 * Kit - Our suspicions were confirmed. More severely, Tismahgo is in direct contact with Torrent and his associates.
 * Wragrot - Oh. Great. Except not great at all.
 * Kirlisir - We found Niaka battlesuit soldiers there alongside.
 * Kilchárunya - It sounds like a opportune prospect to me. 
 * Groanknir - Bizarre. I do not know of Kraknor working with Niaka pirates. Especially now that the has fallen.
 * Kit - Well. From what I saw, there was only one Niaka there. In a mechanical battlesuit.
 * Groanknir - Regardless, I will analyze the information you have gathered and report back to you once I am done. You have done well, Penumbrans.
 * Vekaron - What can we say? We're good at what we do.
 * Kalcedia - I'm not part of UNOC to just stand around and look pretty.
 * Kirlisir - Certainly had me fooled.
 * Kilchárunya - I like where this is going. Tismahgo and Torrent as business partners? Great chance to...what's the phrase...kill two birds with one stone?
 * Vekaron - Indeed.

Groanknir nodded to the team and ended his transmission, the screen going off as he did so.


 * Vansenk - ...Why are we killing birds with stones? We should focus on Torrent and Tismahgo.
 * Wragrot - Heh. Stupid.
 * Kilchárunya - Killing two birds with one stone. Torrent and Tismahgo are the birds. Our devices being the stone.
 * Wragrot - Heheheh.

Project Titan 2.0
The following day, after the team had received Groanknir's report about the Wranploer-made spaceships, Vekaron and the others were at the dining room of the spaceship having breakfast, with the exception of Vyatak who was busy sending the gathered information to the Council. Kalcedia was feasting on a sausage, savouring its flavours for a while, while Kirlisir sat beside Vekaron with a ham sandwich placed between her fingers, munching on it with a pleased and satisfied expression. Vansenk had sat beside Wragrot, eating from a plate that carried a concoction of eyeballs and other nasty bodily parts from verminous creatures.

Kilchárunya was eating a delicate platter of Kicathian staple foods, notoriously poisonous to other alien life forms. Kamaris had already finished his food, sitting quietly at the table to wait for everyone else to finish. As usual, Kit was nowhere to be seen. Wragrot ate a rather oversized slab of meat, splatting juice over his face as he did. Vekaron ate what a human would describe as a hamburger, while Gardin ate several pieces of candy. Vekaron kept his eyes on Kirlisir as he ate.


 * Kirlisir - ...You wanted some of my sandwich?
 * Vekaron - ...Oh. No, no. I...was just thinking. Did you...do something to your hair?
 * Kirlisir - I... Erm, I used a different conditioner.
 * Vekaron - I see...It smells nice.

Kalcedia stared at Vekaron and Kirlisir eagerly, a wide smile stretched across her face, so much so that her face almost looked contorted, with her teeth bared. She didn't appear maddened or distraught - in fact, she seemed to be rather overly happy. Kilchárunya sighed heavily, the general distortion of the Kicathian voice made a very strange sound. She muttered something in Kicathian, in a defeated and a very annoyed tone as she kept eating her food. Wragrot looked at the scene with bored eyebrows before turning to Kilchárunya and letting out a quiet chuckle.


 * Kilchárunya - I don't understand kas-at zhǎsúnoattaunīsirí [courtship rituals]. Strange. 
 * Gardin - You speak funny, auntie.
 * Kilchárunya - I don't know the translation. But in aliens it's an odd thing.

At this moment, though, the ship's main screen showed an alert. Vyatak ran over to dining hall and shouted at the team, his sudden appearance causing Vekaron to stumble on his chair and put himself against Kirlisir by accident. Kirlisir blushed and accidentally shoved the sandwich into her mouth whole, causing her to cough and splutter as she struggled to chew it. Vansenk passed a glare towards Vyatak and Kalcedia readied her rifle almost immediately.


 * Vyatak - Mission! Cease eating!
 * Wragrot - The hell.
 * Vyatak - Groanknir calls. Kraknor attacking Alliance world. Need us to help repel attack.

Simultaneously, Kit walked into the room, noticing the palaver between Kirlisir and Vekaron.


 * Kit - Dal-ánnanaznya. [Good morning]. ...What are you two doing?
 * Vekaron - N-nothing, I just got startled by Vyatak.
 * Kirlisir - M-Mmph mph mmph mmmmph phmmph!
 * Wragrot - You two are pathetic, seriously.
 * Kilchárunya - Exactly what I was thinking. 

After preparing themselves, Vekaron's ship travelled to a planet on the outskirts of the Zoles Imperium. The shuttle landed in the middle of a battlefield, where Zoles forces battled with Kraknor invaders. As Vekaron and his team arrived, the Zoles soldiers all looked at the Penumbran with awe. Kalcedia had her rifle aimed and ready to fire as she stepped off of the shuttle, and Vansenk slithered out to rest at Vekaron's feet, hissing as if he were a snake. Kirlisir stood beside Vekaron and had her blades drawn and energized. The team could see the Kraknor force was made mostly of Levarcor, though they were considerably larger than most Levarcor they had ever seen with the exception of. Vansenk sniffed the air and hissed louder, placing a hand against Vekaron's chest to keep him restrained for just a moment.


 * Vansenk - Something isn't correct regarding the Levarcor.
 * Wragrot - They're pretty big.
 * Vansenk - They're big, yet they smell... fresh.
 * Vekaron - What do you mean?
 * Vansenk - They smell of spawn. Mere children, yet they are the size of elders.
 * Vekaron - Spawn...clones?
 * Wragrot - So Tismahgo is creating huge Levarcor clones. Not cool.
 * Kamaris - Hm. Unsavoury. 

The Levarcor aimed their weapons and fired at the team's direction. Vekaron charged ahead, his blade in hand, and struck at the creatures who got close enough. Their size made them almost as big as Kamaris and Wragrot, which was already larger than the average Murgur. Kilchárunya, as per usual, used her pistols to pick off Levarcor enemies. Kit danced around the Levarcor enemies, tossing them about and slashing them. Wragrot fired his shotgun at the Levarcor, using his telekinetic powers to either throw them at each other or keep them still so he could get clear shots.

Kirlisir attempted to throw any Levarcor that got close with her telekinesis, while countering and slicing at any that strayed too close or were unable to be moved. Kalcedia used her rifle to strike at vital points in the Levarcor's defenses, aiming with absolute precision, while Vansenk stayed behind Vekaron, unable of assisting. One of the Levarcor charged at Vekaron and delivered a blow to his face, sending the Penumbran to the ground. At the same time, more Levarcor charged at Wragrot and attacked in melee, while others kept firing their weapons at the rest of the team.


 * Vekaron - Get off of me!

Kirlisir rushed towards the Levarcor that was assaulting Vekaron, but before she could deal a blow, the creature found its face attacked by the long, sharp scythe that was wielded by Vansenk, who had managed to flank the beast while it was occupied with Vekaron. Kamaris ran over to aid Wragrot, delivering crushing blows to their skulls with his fist. Kalcedia redirected her focus and aimed for the Levarcor that were attacking Wragrot, taking shots at any Levarcor that he was unable to deal with. Vekaron nodded to Vansenk and got back up, while Wragrot growled in annoyance as the Levarcor around him were taken down.


 * Wragrot - You're starting to get on my nerves.
 * Kamaris - Trust me. You were outnumbered.
 * Wragrot - Oh no, not you. I meant them.

Kit sped through a number of Levarcor, slicing their sides with his blade., while Vekaron charged at one of the enemies still near his position and sliced at his head vertically with his blade. In the distance, behind the dwindling horde of enhanced Levarcor warriors, a figure stood with his arms folded, atop a massive mound of rubble and debris. It looked as if it was analyzing the battlefield, watching the process of the battle unfold in front of it, and possessed an indifferent stance. That is, until it caught eye of Wragrot.

It did not move from where it stood, but it kept its attention drawn to the Battlemaster; the figure was a Murgur, dressed in heavy armour. As Wragrot used his telekinesis to crush a Levarcor's skull from a distance, he turned his attention to the unknown Murgur's direction, raising an eyebrow as he noticed him.


 * Wragrot - ...Eh?

The Murgur stared while the Levarcor at its feet continued to attack the team, itself refusing to move onward to deal blows as it took a firm, curious interest in Wragrot, tilting its head and letting out an audible, heavy exhale. Using his psychic powers, Wragrot tore out a chunk of the ground and threw it at the Murgur's direction, intending to smash him with it. As the chunk of debris travelled through the air, Wragrot noticed as the chunk began to slow until ceasing motion completely in mid-air, before it was launched back towards him at excessive speed. As the attack was returned, the Murgur turned and began to walk away without uttering a word. Wragrot sent his fist at the chunk, destroying it as it came in contact and launching earth all over him. As he noticed the Murgur leaving, he began shouting at him, getting the rest of the team's attention.


 * Wragrot - Hey! Come back here!
 * Vekaron - Huh?

The Murgur lifted a hand and clicked its fingers loudly, gaining the attention of the surrounding Levarcor. It continued to walk away until it was fully out of sight, and found itself unharmed by any of the Levarcor; they were under his command. The surviving Levarcor turned away and began retreating, running away from the battlefield. The Zoles soldiers who still stood cheered as the invaders were pushed off, but Wragrot had a scowl on his face.


 * Kirlisir - The hell?
 * Kit - Why don't I like this?
 * Wragrot - Who the hell was that? A Murgur with psychic powers...
 * Kamaris - Another one like you.
 * Kalcedia - Well, isn't that something?
 * Wragrot - That's not possible. There are no more Battlemasters...and that guy. He was...green.
 * Vansenk - If Tismahgo can afford to dispatch lab-spawned warriors, then it may not be far-fetched to think that... he has either found, or created, a Battlemaster.
 * Wragrot - This just makes me hate that prick-headed bastard even more.

Exploiting Weaknesses
Three days after the attack on the Zoles, it was night time at Vekaron's ship. Unfortunately for them, Groanknir had no information on Battlemasters other than Wragrot surviving to the current era, even less about green-skinned Murgur. Vekaron pondered about the situation on his chair, while Wragrot had a scowl on his face and his arms folded. It was as if he could not believe himself. Kamaris had just finished unbinding the armour from his body, placing it on a Mahanayan-sized armour stand. He wore plain, modern clothing as he walked through the ship. He also wore a blindfold, covering his blackened eyes. Kalcedia was playing with Gardin as the adults placed focus on the situation at hand, and Kirlisir watched them both intensively with her arms folded while she kept an ear perked for anything anybody has to say. Vansenk was asleep, attached to the ceiling.


 * Kamaris - If five hundred years of war within my life has taught me anything, we do not wonder why things happen. Much rather act upon how to return to normal after it happens. 

Sitting down at the table, he took a glass full of an alcoholic beverage in his giant hand.


 * Wragrot - I'd love to act but I don't know where green-man is at the moment. I'd love to cave my fist into his skull.
 * Kamaris - I don't know enough about Murgur culture nor the history behind Battlemasters. But you do. In fact Vekaron would have an entire database dedicated to the galaxy's cartography. Where would you think he is?
 * Kirlisir - Wherever he is, a Battlemaster for an enemy is nothing to laugh at.
 * Wragrot - As far as I was aware, I was the last Battlemaster alive. Our history? Messed up genetics, I guess. I don't know where Battlemasters come from, I just known they started appearing thousands of years before we created spaceships. It's hard to tell anything about Murgur history when no one bothered to keep track of it.

Kamaris snorted heavily at Kirlisir's remark.


 * Kamaris - One should not laugh at any enemy. Many centuries ago on Mahanaya, there was a civil war. People laughed at one of the leaders. His name? Hezkalka Naystathyo. The same people regret laughing that day.
 * Vekaron - Why's that?
 * Kamaris - Because now, Hezkalka Naystathyo is the Dominion's leader.
 * Vekaron - ...Oh.
 * Kamaris - What I am trying to prove. One Battlemaster proved a problem. Many would prove many problems. We solved the problem with Hezkalka's grasp over Mahanaya and we reclaimed it. We do not solve problems by sitting down, drinking drinks with a scowl on our face.
 * Wragrot - Well I'm not the one drinking here.

At this moment, a transmission was sent to Vekaron, who accepted it and revealed it to be Warmaster Groanknir. His face, usually stern and stoic, for the first time showed an emotion the team had not seen before. It was clear distress.


 * Groanknir - Penumbrans. We have a problem.
 * Kirlisir - When do we not?
 * Groanknir - Holy Kaos as fallen. Tismahgo has taken control of the homeworld.
 * Wragrot - What?!
 * Groanknir - The bloodthirsty fool desecrated our holiest world, one of the few places were all Murgur were equal. He brought weapons to our ancestors' graves and spat on them. Kaos is now under his complete control.
 * Kamaris - I will go put my armour back on, then. And wake Kilchárunya while I am at it.

Kamaris shot back out of his seat, walking away from the scene.


 * Groanknir - You may not go to the homeworld now. All of my informants stationed there have been arrested or killed. We are completely on the dark on everything that happens there.
 * Kirlisir - So the Murgur have lost their homeworld and there is little we can do to help as of the moment. Tismahgo's a bastard.
 * Kalcedia - Must be effective if he took the homeworld, I was expecting him to be just all "rip and tear!"
 * Wragrot - Tismahgo isn't a Murgur anymore. I wouldn't even compare him to a Loron. Not even the most insane Murgur in history would dare lay a finger on the homeworld. It's sacred in our culture.

Kilchárunya walked into the room, somewhat dazed from waking up.


 * Kilchárunya - Alright...you'd better have a good reason for waking up. 
 * Vekaron - Tismahgo has conquered the Murgur homeworld.
 * Kilchárunya - ...That's a pretty good reason...what are we gonna do about it?
 * Vansenk - There is little we can do.
 * Kilchárunya - Good ol' Kicathian tip. Don't listen to a single word people say. 

At this moment, Gardin, who was playing with Kalcedia, suddenly stopped what she was doing. She approached the Zazane and hug her tightly, her expression showing worry.


 * Gardin - Auntie Kal, I have a bad feeling...

Vansenk emerged from the ceiling and landed behind Kilchárunya, placing a hand upon her shoulder while he hissed almost seductively, his breath rotten and damp. Kalcedia looked towards Gardin and held onto her, patting her back and nuzzling her as she perked an eyebrow. Kilchárunya was so used to Vansenk's presence in the past seven years, that she barely realised he was even there.


 * Kalcedia - What's wrong?

Before Gardin could respond, almost as if she had predicted it, the radar on Vekaron's screen showed multiple ships approaching. Murgur vessels, enhanced by Wranploer technology, began materializing around the Penumbran's ship, surrounding it. Kirlisir's eye widened and she stood to attention, an expression of shock on her face.


 * Kirlisir - The fuck?!
 * Wragrot - ...Shit.

The Murgur ships opened fire, hitting the shields of Vekaron's vessels, the sheer number of enemy ships attacking at once making the Penumbran's ship rumble slightly. Vekaron let out orders for the crew to prepare a counterattack, and weapons were fired at the Murgur ships. Explosions were heard from the lower decks of Vekaron's ship, and moments after, his radar detected intruder boarding the vessel.


 * Vekaron - We're being invaded! Prepare yourselves to battle!

Kalcedia nodded and stood, grasping for her sniper rifle. Kirlisir rushed for her powered armour so that she could fight more proficiently, while Vansenk drew his nanomachine-constructed scythe, a deathly glare in his eyes. Wragrot grabbed his shotgun and followed Vekaron, who ran at the direction of the ship's lower decks, beckoning the team to follow him. Gardin, scared of the attack, began crying where she stood. Kilchárunya returned to her quarters to don her clothing and equip her weaponry. On the other hand, Kamaris and Kit were already down in the midst of battle, combating the intruders. Kalcedia leaned downward and grabbed ahold of Gardin, placing her in one arm while she handled her weapon with the other, and followed the lead of Vekaron and Wragrot while Kirlisir kept a close, vicious eye on the Zazane as she managed her pupil.

Murgur, Levarcor, Edulia and Varkorus soldiers, all carrying Kraknor's emblem on their armor, fired their weapons at Kamaris and Kit, pushing into the ship. Once he arrived to the fray, Vekaron slashed at one of the soldiers while Wragrot shot his shotgun at them. The Zoles looked at the Edulia soldiers and raised an eyebrow at them, having never seen their race before.


 * Vekaron - What are these creatures?
 * Wragrot - Never seen an Edulia before? Those guys can steamroll a Murgur with a charge attack.
 * Kilchárunya - This is what you get for waking me up, you motherfuckers!

Joining the team, Kilchárunya opened fire on the warriors, almost pushing her own team aside in a maddened frenzy. Kirlisir battled Levarcor and Murgur in melee combat, dancing with them as she countered and parried their attacks, while Kalcedia slammed her form against several Varkorus in order to knock them back, keeping Gardin closely in her grasp so that she would not be harmed without her knowing. Kamaris hoisted a Varkorus of its feet, and, using his strength, threw it at the soldiers in hopes of felling them. Several soldiers were knocked away into the ground, while one Edulia soldier let out a howl and charged at Wragrot's direction. The Murgur held on the enemy's chest and was dragged across the floor for several meters until he stopped him, throwing him into the ground and shooting his gun at his head.


 * Vansenk - Tismahgo's infantry is potent, but we are moreso.
 * Vekaron - Push them back! Don't let them damage the ship any further!
 * Kilchárunya - How about you use some of your Agent tech and help us?!
 * Kit - Don't tell me what to do. You're not my...wait.

Kit drove his fists into numerous soldiers, spurts of blood painting the lower decks as he crushed their skulls. Enemy soldiers continued to pour into the ship, firing their weapons and charging at the Penumbran and his team, although after several minutes the gunfire stopped, and the soldiers stepped aside. They were still grunting and threatening the Penumbran team with snarls and barks, yet they refused to attack. They looked as if they were... waiting. Vekaron and Wragrot looked at the soldiers in confusion, keeping their weapons ready to strike again. Kirlisir kept to her combat-ready stance, observing the enemy with a cautious expression, and Kalcedia kept a tighter grasp on Gardin, aiming at the soldiers with her sniper rifle as she prepared herself for another onslaught, drenched in blood. Vansenk closed his eyes and sniffed the air.


 * Wragrot - What are you doing? Speak or I'll kill you all!

After a moment, stepping out from the horde of pirates, mercenaries and soldiers, was a familiar, daunting figure; the green Murgur, the one who had led the Kraknor assault against the Zoles prior. He had heavy footsteps and he breathed heavily, his heavy armour giving him an imposing, intimidating appearance.


 * Wragrot - You...
 * Murgur - Hehehe, yes, me. The legends spoke true of you, Wragrot; you are still alive, and as powerful as ever.
 * Wragrot - Who the hell are you?

With a large, bare-toothed grin, the Murgur slammed a fist into the ground, knocking the entire team back with a psychic shockwave as he looked towards each member, analyzing them with an eager expression. Electricity shot up through his arms and legs, his muscles tensing beneath his armour, and he spoke loudly. Vekaron fell backwards while Wragrot was dragged across the floor on one knee, growling at the green Murgur.


 * Murgur - I am Yatakhan! Battlemaster Kraknor Yatakhan!
 * Wragrot - I thought Tismahgo had ordered all Battlemasters executed.
 * Yatakhan - Oh, he did. But I am the exception, for what sort of Warmaster would Tismahgo be if he did not have at least one Battlemaster answering to every beck and call?
 * Wragrot - I'll enjoy burying you along with Tismahgo.
 * Yatakhan - Just you try it.

Outstretching a single hand, the team felt an immense, psychic surge pulsate throughout the room; Kalcedia lost her grasp on Gardin, causing the Zazane to stumble onto the ground on her front while the young Rovegar was flung through the air and collided with Yatakhan's palm, allowing him to trap her in his indomitable grasp. Kirlisir looked on in terror and stepped forward, yelling as she prepared herself to rush forward, yet she stopped when she saw Yatakhan's grip tighten around the Rovegar infant slightly. Vekaron's eyes widened as he saw Gardin on Yatakhan's grasp, the young girl crying out as she was taken.


 * Vekaron - Gardin!!
 * Gardin - Daddy!
 * Wragrot - You damned coward! You call yourself a Murgur?
 * Vekaron - Get your hands off her now!
 * Kirlisir - You son of a bitch...
 * Yatakhan - Come any closer, and the girl will be reduced to pulp. Do you all understand?

Vekaron's eyes twitched, the Penumbran's body seemed to spazz out of pure anger. Gardin cried out in Yatakhan's grasp, shrieking loudly. Yatakhan smiled and admired Gardin, breathing heavily as he lifted her towards his face. He stretched out his tongue and licked Gardin's cheek, lapping up her tears before he rested his hand, and her, at his side, seemingly unaffected by the noise Gardin was making.


 * Wragrot - I'll gonna-
 * Vekaron - I'll rip you apart! Limb from limb! Tendon by tendon!
 * Yatakhan - Such a sweet thing. I had children once, several sons, but that was a long time ago. You will all do exactly as I, or rather Tismahgo, demands if you want to see the girl alive.
 * Wragrot - You have a lot of nerve, you damned bootlick.
 * Yatakhan - Watch your tongue, coward. Who was it that allowed Kraknor to fall to Tismahgo's grasps? Whose fault was that?
 * Wragrot - His own. He's the coward who needs to cheat to rule. Make your fucking demands already.

Yatakhan snorted, raising Gardin for the group to see, and his tone swiftly changed; he sounded deathly serious, and his eyes narrowed onto Vekaron through his heavy armour. Kirlisir saw herself forced to keep Vekaron in place, holding on his arms to keep him restrained as he glared at Yatakhan with a murderous glare.


 * Yatakhan - You will await in your ship until I give you the coordinates for a desired location. Once I give you the coordinates, you will go the destination provided, with Tismahgo's fleet in tow, and you will be directed to an... associate of ours, who is rather eager to meet with you all.
 * Kilchárunya - Three guesses who.
 * Wragrot - Torrent, probably.
 * Yatakhan - If you want to see the girl again, you will do as your are told without question. She will be returned to you once the meeting is completed.
 * Wragrot - Grrrh...so be it.
 * Yatakhan - Now that I have made myself clear, I will make my departure. Hehe, hey, don't look so down, I'll be sure to take good care of her. Not a scratch will touch her, not even a single hair on her head.
 * Wragrot - If you value your life.

Yatakhan chuckled for a moment before he returned to an indifferent, stern expression, and turned to walk away from the team with Gardin in hand, his heavy footsteps leaving indentations in the metallic floor of the ship. Once again he clicked his fingers to signal to his soldiers that it was time to depart, and he said not another word regarding it. Kalcedia watched as Yatakhan left and kept an unsteady hand on her rifle, while Kirlisir wiped her lower lip as it had been cut by Vekaron in his attempt to attack the Murgur. Vansenk watched on in silence, his scythe at his side. Vekaron thrashed as Wragrot held on him until he began slowing down, weeping. Tears came out of his eyes as he began punching the ground in frustration.


 * Vekaron - Gardin...
 * Kirlisir - Damnit... Fucking, goddamn Murgur!
 * Kamaris - Get him to a chair. We need to think of something.
 * Wragrot - This is low. Even for Tismahgo.
 * Kalcedia - I-I'm... I'm sorry.
 * Wragrot - It's not your fault. It looks like that was his objective from the beginning.
 * Kilchárunya - So what, we're just gonna wait here so he gives us orders to die or something? Nuh-uh. Not accepting that.
 * Wragrot - We have no choice. We'll do what he says, and we're getting the girl back. And we're killing that motherfucker while we're at it.
 * Kilchárunya - Why do I have the feeling we're walking right into a trap?
 * Kamaris - Because we are.
 * Vekaron - Gardin...my dear Gardin...daddy will come for you. Just wait a little longer...

The Patriot's Gauntlet
Being forced to obey Yatakhan's orders, Vekaron's ship travelled to the destination given to him on the following day. The Murgur fleet that had survived the space battle was still around Vekaron's ship, keeping it from retreating. The destination showed itself to be another space station, located on the outskirts of the Corrupted Sector of the Arm of Knowledge. The entire team was on their shuttle, making their way to the station, with Vekaron and Wragrot both looking at the place with scowls on their faces. Kilchárunya pace the shuttle, speaking in Kicathian as she did, quite obviously making less-than-friendly remarks about the surrounding fleet. Kalcedia grunted as she analyzed the station from one of the ship's visual monitors, with Kirlisir standing beside Vekaron with a hand upon his shoulder, her brow lowered and eyes narrowed. Vansenk kept to himself as usual, obscuring his face with his hooded cloak. Kamaris sat in his full suit of armour, statuesque in his stance. Kit was preparing himself for any, and likely, assault.

Upon arriving to the station, the team left their shuttle to find themselves in a large hall with a large door on its end. From the ceiling, a large monitor was visible. it turned itself on, and the image of a Niaka appeared. Notably, the Niaka had multiple cybernetic enhancements, including a robotic eyeball.


 * ??? - Aaah, so we finally meet, Penumbran Vekaron.
 * Vekaron - Who are you?
 * ??? - I am , the Patriot of Dark Grip. I am the soldier who wins wars, the warrior who brings bloodshed in the name of the New Wranploer Legion, the right-hand man of the warlord.
 * Wragrot - ...Like I'm gonna believe that.
 * Kamaris - I'd like to know how many wars you have won. 
 * Kirlisir - So, this is the "associate" that son of a bitch was talking about.
 * Xegriek - The warlord told me you had a kid, so I thought, maybe she'd like to spend some time with us. But what an annoying little shit this girl is. Ugh, my ears are still ringing.
 * Kalcedia - It'll be more than your ears ringing when we're finished with you.
 * Xegriek - Hah! You're that gal Dolgan was talking about. Nice legs. Anyway, I challenge you Penumbrans to pass through my gauntlet of death! Prove me you're competent soldiers and get your annoying brat back!
 * Kit - Are you serious? You're going to put us through some cliché contest? ...why can't we just order an orbital strike on this station?
 * Kilchárunya - How uncharacteristic of you.
 * Kamaris - ...Yes. 'Uncharacteristic'.
 * Kalcedia - In case you don't remember, Murgur war-fleet.

Xegriek's monitor turned off, and from the ground, multiple turrets appeared and began firing at the team's direction. Vekaron, who had no ranged weapons, was forced to take cover behind a nearby wall. Kalcedia's skin partially crystallized as she swung her sniper rifle around, firing at the turrets that sought to rip them apart with hails of bullets. Kirlisir and Vansenk took cover alongside Vekaron, as they too were lacking in the department of ranged weaponry. Kamaris hunched over, taking the brunt of the bullets whilst retreating. Kit sped behind cover, trying to examine the nature of the turrets. They appeared to be standard Murgur defenses, and Kalcedia's shots were enough to destroy them when they were hit. As some of the turrets were taken down, Murgur soldiers entered the room and fired their rifles at the team.

Kalcedia, crystal shards splitting from her skin as her crystalline defenses fragmented under the pressure of bullets, swung her sniper rifle around once more and fired hypermatter rounds at the Murgur, screaming frantically as she did in a feral, beastlike manner that seemed unnatural of her. The team could tell that, if anything, Kalcedia was angry. Severely angry. Wragrot looked at Kalcedia with a raised eyebrow before using his telekinesis to tear the remaining turrets out of the floor and throw them at the soldiers. This allowed Vekaron to leave cover and strike at them with his blade. Kamaris marched through the battalion of the Murgur warriors, his suit of armour deflecting much of the impact. Having crushed one of their chests with a punch, he grabbed their rifle and began firing at the Murgur whilst they surrounded him.


 * Kamaris - I am not in the mood for this. You annoying forms of life.
 * Wragrot - That's the rudest thing I've ever seen you say.

The team was allowed to move on as all soldiers and turrets were taken down. As soon as they entered the doors, they found themselves on a corridor where several flamethrowers were placed and fired in a pattern. It seemed like this place had been purposely designed as obstacle course. As soon as the team arrived, Xegriek's voice could be heard.


 * Xegriek - That's a courtesy of my pal Kravh Helljaw!
 * Kit - Okay. Who here doesn't like fire?
 * Wragrot - I don't think anyone anywhere likes fire.
 * Kirlisir - Step back, I have an idea.
 * Vekaron - What is it?

Kirlisir stepped forward and muttered several words to herself, probably curses, before she spread her arms openly; the team watched as a semicircular bubble of psychic energy formed around Kirlisir, whose eyes remained closed.


 * Vekaron - Ooh, I see. Nicely done, dea-erm, Kirlisir.
 * Kirlisir - It won't last long, so I suggest you all hurry up and get in before we get roasted.
 * Wragrot - Let's do this then.
 * Kamaris - If you say so. 

Now protected by Kirlisir, the team easily passed through Xegriek's fiery trap and progressed deeper into his gauntlet. They arrived to a much larger, open room with little visibility, but as soon as they arrived, they found themselves attacked by small robotic drones with multiple arms, unlike the arms used by the Zoles lieutenant Chahenthras. The robots attempted to grab, leap or punch the team as they attacked. Vansenk spread a smirk and used his scythe to sweep at any drones that approached him, moving like a ghost through the darkness. Kalcedia screeched as she experienced one of the drones pinching at her private assets and began to lash out with punches, kicks, and tail swipes. The drones appeared fragile enough to be destroyed easily by the team. Vekaron slashed at them and cut them in half, while Wragrot downright stomped on them with his foot.


 * Wragrot - Urk. Creepy grabby hands.

As one of the drones grabbed both of Kamaris' arms, he lunged forward with a headbutt, crushing the processor within the robot. Gunfire was heard, and a shot was fired, hitting Kamaris' shoulder but not doing any significant damage. Into the darkness of the room, in elevated positions, several Levarcor snipers were prepared to fire while the team was distracted by the drones.


 * Kamaris - Hmph.

With the crushed drone still feebly on his body, Kamaris clasped it in his claws, and threw it at a group of the snipers. One of them was hit across the jaw, causing him to fall off its elevated position into the ground.


 * Xegriek - Ehehehe. So, how do you like our super-Levarcor? Got them straight from Soltako Armed Military for a rather high price, but I say they're far better than any normal Levarcor.
 * Kirlisir - Didn't even notice the difference.
 * Xegriek - You'll notice it when they tear you apart, whore alien.
 * Kirlisir - Fuck you, midget!
 * Wragrot - Can anyone here make a light?
 * Kit - Mmhm. 

A light upon Kit's armour flashed on, giving light to most of the room. The snipers were illuminated, allowing Wragrot to concentrate on them. Using his psychic powers, he launched them out of their positions and sent them crashing into the ground, killing most of them instantly from the impact. Vekaron slashed and destroyed the last remaining drones, and the team could notice the doorway leading further into the station at the end of the room. As they progressed, more Murgur and Levarcor stood on their way, but the team dispatched them more easily than Xegriek had predicted. His voice grew frustrated the more they progressed through his traps.


 * Xegriek - Perhaps I've underestimated you. That's an horrible mistake for a soldier to do.
 * Kilchárunya - Well done.
 * Kalcedia - I guess we just overestimated you.
 * Xegriek - Not my fault though. I wasn't even the one who designed this place. It was the green Murgur. Why? Hell if I know, but I gave it good use.

As the team arrived to the deepest part of the gauntlet, they found themselves in a large room where Gardin was visible, locked in a small portable jail. She appeared unharmed. Next to her was the aforementioned green Murgur Yatakhan, though Xegriek himself was nowhere to be seen. Yatakhan looked at the team with a rather wide grin and he had his arms crossed, leaning against the jail while his eyes met those of Vekaron and his affiliates. He let out a short chuckle before clapping.


 * Kamaris - Something is a little off about this. No. Very off. 
 * Yatakhan - Congratulations, you made it. I didn't expect anything less from the great Penumbran Vekaron and his accomplices, especially you, Wragrot.
 * Wragrot - Shut your whore mouth.
 * Vekaron - Give me my daughter back. Now.
 * Yatakhan - Certainly. Just so you know, we didn't lay a finger on her after we brought her back. She's completely unharmed.
 * Wragrot - ...Eh? You're really giving her back?
 * Yatakhan - Why wouldn't I? I'm a man of my word, I know what it's like to care for children, especially your own. It would be... undignified not to.

Vekaron and Wragrot looked at Yatakhan with skeptism, keeping their weapons ready in case he tried anything. Yatakhan took ahold of the portable jail and opened the cage's door before reaching in a hand and grasping ahold of Gardin, albeit far more gently than before, and bringing her out. He walked towards Vekaron, holding Gardin with care, and when he was close enough he stretched out his arms with Gardin in his hands, gesturing for him to take her. Kamaris' eyes narrowed, almost as if he was expecting something to happen. Vekaron took Gardin and quickly paced back, getting away from Yatakhan. The Rovegar girl embraced her father while crying.


 * Gardin - Daddy! I was so scared!
 * Vekaron - Ssh, ssh. It's okay. Daddy's here.
 * Xegriek - What in the name of the warlord...Oi! Greenie! What the hell do you think you're doing?!
 * Yatakhan - Keeping my word, Niaka.
 * Xegriek - You're ruining my trap! Screw it! I'm crushing all of you to dust, you included, you damned Murgur!

A loud metallic sound was heard above the team. Turning up, they could all see Xegriek's gigantic battlesuit descending at their direction. He was hiding at the ceiling all along.


 * Yatakhan - As touching as this scene is, Penumbran, I suggest you run for it.
 * Vekaron - ...Team. Back to the shuttle, now!
 * Wragrot - I'm gonna strangle you next time we meet, you hear me?
 * Yatakhan - Of course you are, Wragrot. Now, go, before worm-face up there gets the better of you.

Vekaron and Wragrot turned back and ran while Xegriek's battlesuit landed, causing the whole room to rumble loudly. His chainsaw limbs was thrown at the team's direction as well as Yatakhan's, while guns appeared on the suit's arms and were fired at them. Kamaris, Kilchárunya and Kit had fled the scene, sprinting quickly from the giant mech. Kalcedia, Kirlisir, and Vansenk rushed after Vekaron swiftly, their eyes focused on both the impressively-threatening battlesuit and Yatachan, avoiding the chainsaw blades and gunfire as they followed the Penumbran's lead.


 * Yatakhan - You should have taken your chance when you had it, Niaka. This is what happens when you savour something for too long.
 * Xegriek - Shut up, useless! Can't even kill a bunch of people right! This is all your damn fault!

Xegriek eventually gave up on attacking Yatakhan and went after Vekaron's team. His chainsaws were launched at the ground where they ran, creating large dents on the mettalic floor. The battlesuit hovered slightly above the floor as it ran, appearing almost as if it was "sliding", and the chainsaws turned pitch-black on each attack. Xegriek's body was not the one protected by nanomachines. His mechasuit was.


 * Kalcedia - Holy shit!
 * Wragrot - I hate all of you Dark Grip assholes!

Wragrot turned and launched psychic pulses at Xegriek to slow him down, beckoning Kirlisir to do the same. Kirlisir joined Wragrot in attempting to stall the colossal battlesuit and swiftly spun herself around, launching psychic bullets at Xegriek while Kalcedia and Vansenk rushed past her. The psychic attacks caused Xegriek to stagger and slow down, allowing the team to progress and get back on their shuttle. Once everyone was inside, Vekaron shut the doors and ordered it to fly, and they could all hear gunfire hitting the shuttle as Xegriek fired at it. They finally took flight and escaped as Xegriek was about to launch one of his chainsaws at it, missing by a meter.

Now safe inside the shuttle, Gardin left Vekaron's grasp and hugged herself against Kirlisir, weeping. Kirlisir held onto Gardin with a warm embrace and hugged her tightly, almost brought to tears as she felt the young Rovegar in her bosom once more. Kalcedia smiled as she saw that Gardin, the young Rovegar, was now safe, and set down her rifle in order to take a seat.


 * Kit - Annoying. Once we get back I should get the Remnant to blow that place to pieces. 
 * Vekaron - I can just request the Alliance to do that... Wait. I just realized. The Murgur fleet is gone.
 * Kit - I'd rather have the burden lie with the Remnant than the alliance. As much as I hate those walking, psychotic killing drones, I would gladly watch them rip Torrent's men and anyone who claims to be their allies to shreds.
 * Vekaron - Fair enough.
 * Gardin - Daddy, teacher, everyone...I heard the bug man speak of this "Torrent" when he trapped me in that cage.

Looking outside the shuttle, it seemed like the Murgur fleet truly had disappeared. Almost as if someone had ordered them to leave. Vansenk hissed as he saw the fleet had disappeared, before he closed his eyes and placed his hood back over his face to obscure it. Kalcedia let out a sigh of relief, tapping her foot against the floor while Kirlisir listened closely to Gardin's words.


 * Gardin - "Torrent is contacting me, but I can't answer yet. Not until everything is prepared. Not until I have Tismahgo on my grasp. I need to make everything perfect for the warlord! These Murgur will belong to us!"
 * Kamaris - That means we have a clause.
 * Vekaron - So Torrent really wants to backstab Tismahgo.
 * Vansenk - Not at all unexpected.
 * Kit - Hm. What would Tismahgo think of that?
 * Wragrot - He'd probably turn against Torrent, but we better talk to Groanknir before we do anything else.
 * Gardin - I also heard the ugly green man talk about Uncle Wragrot. He said it was "a test". I don't know what though.
 * Kirlisir - A... test?
 * Vansenk - What test?

Gardin shrugged.


 * Wragrot - I want to test my gun against his eyeballs.
 * Kamaris - I have a suggestion. But I believe the dice had better be cast in nature's favour rather than my own.
 * Vekaron - What's that?
 * Kamaris - Hm. Perhaps some other time. 

Muganda's Darkest Hour
Vekaron's ship left the spacedocks of Hyperborea. The ship had been taken there to repair the damage caused by the Kraknor attack from days earlier. The crew took the opportunity to resupply, and now they awaited news from Groanknir as of what to do next. Kraknor knew of Wragrot's existence, something that Groanknir was trying to prevent from the start. Vekaron sat on his chair, awaiting for a report from the Muganda leader while Wragrot had his arms crossed and his arms closed, though he was fully awake.


 * Kilchárunya - Still think we should go to Kaos and kick his ass.
 * Wragrot - We'd get killed if we rushed in.

Kalcedia sat beside Wragrot with a smile, admiring his musculature for several minutes beyond everyone's notice, while she held Gardin in her arms, pressed against her chest. Kirlisir was leaning against Vekaron's seat casually, filing her nails with one of her blades, while Vansenk was sitting with Kilcharunya, half-asleep. Gardin let out a yawn and made herself comfortable, falling asleep on Kalcedia's arms.


 * Kilchárunya - I dunno. Send Agents in, then.
 * Kit - Yes. Because every problem can be solved with Agents.
 * Vekaron - I would but I don't want the entire population of the planet destroyed.
 * Kilchárunya - Hey, they're not that bad...okay they can be. 
 * Kit - Judging the statistics that every Agent is said to have killed at least two thousand people each...
 * Kilchárunya - Where did you hear that?
 * Kit - Rumours.

At this moment, a warning appeared on Vekaron's screen. He turned on his communications and was greeted with an image of Muganda Groanknir. However, something was clearly different. His usually stoic face showed distress and gunfire was clearly heard from where he was calling.


 * Groanknir - Penumbrans. This is an emergency. I have been located by Kraknor and I require assistance.
 * Kamaris - Well. Looks like this is all beginning to end.
 * Kirlisir - We'd better paint ourselves red and get there as fast as possible then.
 * Vekaron - Where are you now?
 * Groanknir - My capital, the planet called Allycal. I am sending you the coordinates right now. Either Tismahgo or one of his lieutenants is here. I am afraid I will not survive unless you intervene.
 * Wragrot - Don't worry, we'll be right there.
 * Kalcedia - Damn Murgur, can't get a moment of peace without something involving them going apeshit.

Before Groanknir could say anything else, an explosion was heard from his side of the transmission and the screen went static. It only persisted for enough time for Vekaron to receive the Muganda leader's coordinates. As it happened, he turned to his team.


 * Vekaron - Everyone prepare yourselves. We're departing immediately.
 * Wragrot - I hope Yatakhan is there, so I can rip his throat off through his mouth.
 * Kamaris - I have a feeling it is too late to save him.
 * Vekaron - We depart regardless.

Vansenk awoke and he looked towards Vekaron almost lazily, his eyes rolling around inside his skull, causing Kalcedia to express some disgust.


 * Vansenk - What's this about... monkeys? Or Murgurs, or... Same thing, right?
 * Wragrot - Racist.
 * Kilchárunya - ...What's a 'monkey'?

Travelling to the coordinates given by Groanknir, Vekaron's ship departed and arrived to a planet located far outside of Murgur territory. Allycal was a desert world much like the Murgur homeworld of Kaos, and the fleets of the Muganda Warband clashed against Kraknor's. Vekaron and his team took their shuttle down to the planet, landing at the vicinity of the capital city of the planet, where they were immediately greeted by Kraknor soldiers firing at them. Leaping out of the shuttle, Vekaron charged at the enemy Murgur and slashed at their limbs and throats, while Wragrot fired his shotgun at launched other Murgur away through telekinesis. Kalcedia leaped out from the shuttle and fired her sniper rifle through enemy defenses, with Kirlisir rushing through the horde of Murgur soldiers and dividing them from their legs and waists. Vansenk slithered amongst the chaos, slitting the necks of any Murgur he came across that hadn't noticed his presence. Muganda soldiers arrived and flanked the enemies, giving the team more room to progress. One of them walked over to Vekaron, looking at him in the eyes.


 * Soldier - You must be Penumbran Vekaron.
 * Vekaron - Yes. Where is Groanknir?
 * Soldier - The boss is at the great hall. Go west from here, big spiral building. Can't miss it.

Vekaron and his team moved to the directions given to them, Muganda soldiers going with them and keeping an eye for anymore enemies. The building mentioned by the soldier could be seen in a distance with ease due to its tall size. The capital itself was ruined and most of its buildings in flames, and Wragrot looked around with a frown on his face.


 * Wragrot - Typical Kraknor tactics.
 * Kalcedia - Hmph. Kraknor are pretty wasteful.
 * Wragrot - Kraknor's all about big collateral damage. It's how they've always operated. Cause as much damage as possible as fast as you can, then pick off any stragglers.
 * Kirlisir - Is that how you operated, Wragrot?
 * Wragrot - ...Yes.
 * Kilchárunya - I like that logic.
 * Kalcedia - Of course you would, it's similar to Agent philosophy. I've seen them in action. Not pretty.

More Kraknor troopers from all four kinds of races who lived on the warbands attacked the team as they progressed, but they made short work of them alongside the various soldiers who gave them aid. Once they finally arrived to the spiral building, they could Groanknir and several more Muganda soldiers, firing their weapons at an unseen enemy. Groanknir himself appeared mildly wounded and carried a pair of what could be compared to tommy guns, one on each hand, firing them at whoever was attacking him. The gunfire caused dust and debris to fill the air, clouding the vision of the Muganda soldiers. Vansenk sniffed the air and grasped his scythe tightly, glaring at the chaos ahead; when the dust settled, appearing from the hail of bullets unscathed, was the green Murgur Yatakhan, with half a Murgur in each hand.


 * Wragrot - There's the damn bastard!
 * Kamaris - Let's finish him.

Yatakhan wore a bloodthirsty grin as he swung his powerful arms and launched each half of the corpse at his opponents, causing several soldiers to be thrown back before he engaged in a blindingly fast rush, downing and crushing Murgur with unrelenting force stored behind his punches and swings.


 * Yatakhan - Glad to see you could join us! This party was beginning to become dull!
 * Vekaron - Cut his head off!
 * Kit - I think we should do more than that.

Vekaron charged at Yatakhan's direction while Wragrot fired his shotgun. Groanknir took the opportunity get behind cover. Kalcedia aimed her rifle and fired at the green Murgur with a determined smirk written across her face. Her bullet screamed through the air, but before it could penetrate Yatakhan's heavily-structured armour, he swung his arm and allowed his psychic power to redirect the bullet, launching it towards Vekaron with terrifying speed. Wragrot saw the bullet changing its course and used his own psychic powers to launch it back at Yatakhan's direction, while Groanknir popped out of cover and fired his guns at the enemy Battlemaster again. Yatakhan roared as the bullet struck his shoulder armour, but his grin remained as he charged Vekaron, laughing as sand and debris began to circle him as if they connected with his aura, and he used the opportunity to launch chunks of ruin at the team while throwing sand and dust towards Vekaron's eyes.

The Penumbran's eyes were hit and Vekaron was blinded, staggering in place and allowing himself to be hit by Yatakhan. Wragrot growled and launched waves of psychic power at the green Murgur. Kirlisir ran beside Vekaron prior and attempted to flank Yatakhan, who sent the Penumbran flying backwards with a swing of his powerful arm. However, Yatakhan's focused turned to the Rovegar as he used his armoured left wrist to block her slashes, leaving him open to attack - he was struck by Wragrot's psychic blasts, causing him to be thrown back somewhat.


 * Groanknir - Vekaron! Are you okay?
 * Vekaron - Agh...I can't see.
 * Groanknir - When you told me of a green Murgur, I sincerely thought you were drunk.

Kit sped forward towards Yatakhan, now open for his assault, swung forward with his leg and drove it across his skull with a roundhouse. Yatakhan felt the force of Kit's leg slamming into his face, and his armoured helmet began to crack under the pressure, although the green Murgur's eyes gleamed and he grabbed ahold of Kit's arm, throwing the Kicath away from him and towards the ruined remains of a building some tens of meters away. While Yatakhan was distracted with Kit, Wragrot charged at him from behind, aiming to hit the enemy's back with his massive arm. His eyes burned in psychic power and a faint aura could be seen around him. Yatakhan smiled as he felt Wragrot's power, though before he could turn, his cheek, which had been struck by Kit just before, was assaulted by psychic blasts from Kirlisir, causing him to groan and lose his focus. Kalcedia aimed steadily, watching as Wragrot charged the green Murgur and prepared an emergency round.


 * Yatakhan - Tell you what; I'll kill you first!
 * Wragrot - You call yourself a Battlemaster!

Charging his whole arm with psychic power, Wragrot sent a punch at the direction of Yatakhan's head. Yatakhan looked towards Wragrot and was thrown back as his opponent's fist collided with his head, although he kept his clawed feet firm and he refused to lose his balance, instead slowing his momentum until he came to a halt. With an aura manifesting around his entire form, the ground around Yatakhan shook, causing tremors throughout the battlefield.


 * Kilchárunya - Alright. Rollin' on out with this one.
 * Wragrot - Grrh. You're tough to a bootlick mutant. But I've killed bigger than you.
 * Groanknir - Such a waste of Murgur power.
 * Yatakhan - I will show you... why I am called a Battlemaster!

The ground continued to shake more, and Yatakhan began to sweat and bleed. His grin vanished, replace with a look of strain and struggle, and psychic electricity was launched from his body wildly, as if uncontrolled. While the team did not notice it at first, there was soon cries and pleas of shock and horror coming from Muganda soldiers - behind Yatakhan, the great hall was loosened from the floor, and slowly began to the air, with Yatakhan roaring and groaning as it happened. Vekaron cleared the sand from his eyes as he noticed the building rising, and his skin went pale. Wragrot's eyes widened and he began backing away back to the team while Groanknir looked at the scene in visible distress.


 * Wragrot - Well, fuck me.

Slowly, the building began to reposition itself several hundred feet in the air, and its spiral tip was aimed directly at the team - more specifically, at Wragrot. Behind the strain and difficulty of maintaining the building's ascension, Yatakhan managed to grin once again, even as blood, sweat, and tears dripped from his face. Slowly, the building began to reposition itself several hundred feet in the air, and its spiral tip was aimed directly at the team - more specifically, at Wragrot. Behind the strain and difficulty of maintaining the building's ascension, Yatakhan managed to grin once again, even as blood, sweat, and tears dripped from his face.

Kalcedia's eyes widened as she saw it happen, and Kirlisir was left paralyzed in awe at the spectacle. Vansenk, who had remained far from the conflict as there was little he was specialized for in this situation, hissed erratically. Wragrot glared at the green enemy with a scowl. He pressed his feet on the ruined sand of the battlefield and began channeling his own energy, a psychic aura and electricity emerging from his own being. He turned his team to the team, including Groanknir.


 * Wragrot - Get behind me!
 * Kilchárunya - Where the hell is Kithworto when you need him!?
 * Kit - Oh ye of little faith. 

Vekaron and Groanknir looked at Wragrot with raised eyebrows before moving themselves to behind him. Kirlisir did as she was told and swiftly leaped behind Wragrot, while Kalcedia got into cover. Soon, the building began to turn and turn, spiralling round and round as if were a colossal drill, and was launched at the Murgur once it had amassed enough speed. Yatakhan laughed constantly, his fists clenching the earth and dirt beneath him.


 * Yatakhan - Let's see you take down this, Wragrot!
 * Wragrot - I'll show you why I was Warmaster, you damned kid!

Wragrot threw his hands upwards, and a massive psychic barrier rose from the ground in front of the team, which was hit by the spiral building. As it was hit, sweat and blood came out of Wragrot's own body as he did what he could to keep the barrier up, protecting the team. Kirlisir grasped onto Vekaron as she watched the building drill against Wragrot's psychic barrier, with the building beginning to crack as it both gained speed and pushed harder against the kinetic shield. Yatakhan yelled and roared loudly, more lighting erupting from his armour and body as he tried his hardest to penetrate Wragrot's defense.


 * Groanknir - It's no wonder Tismahgo wanted you all dead...you Battlemasters are weapons of mass destruction!
 * Wragrot - You can thank me later!
 * Kamaris - Times like this, I should have listened to the grandmaster. But no. 

Wragrot's own barrier also began cracking, but the Murgur nonetheless endured the impact of the drill against it, going a step up and pressing his weight against the floor so that he would not fall off his feet. With a last push, Yatakhan roared out Wragrot's very name as the building-turned-drill made a final attempt to break through Wragrot's barrier. However, after several more minutes of persistent drilling, the building shattered into dust and debris, destroying itself as it could not penetrate Wragrot's mighty shield, and Yatakhan fell to the floor, panting and groaning with difficulty. Wragrot smirked as Yatakhan fell, and with a forward move, he threw his barrier at the enemy Battlemaster's direction.

Yatakhan watched and his strained expression once more became a rather smug, devious grin, yet he made no attempt to stop the attack as he was physically incapable of doing so. He was vulnerable to the push, and thus was sent flying backwards through the remains of the city, eventually landing on his back a far, far distance away from the team.


 * Wragrot - Heh...fuck you, asshole...

With these words, Wragrot fell to his knees and then fell with his face on the floor, unconscious.


 * Kirlisir - Wragrot!
 * Vekaron - Take him and Groanknir back to the shuttle, quickly!

A pair of Edulia soldiers appeared from outside the team's view and ran over to Yatakhan, each grabbing the Murgur by an arm. The soldiers then dragged their leader away before the team could inflict anymore harm on him. As he was dragged away, Yatakhan looked towards the team, his face covered in his own blood and sweat, and smirked. With his eyes set on the team, he winked, before both of his eyes closed and he fell into unconsciousness, his limp body soon vanishing from sight as he was carried away by Edulia infantry. Kalcedia rushed from where she had taken cover and approached Wragrot, placing his arm over her shoulders and lifting him up, and gesturing for somebody else to do the same for his other side.


 * Kalcedia - Come on, we haven't got all day!

Kamaris took most of the weight from Wragrot's body, almost lifting up Kalcedia also as he walked along. Hours later, back on Vekaron's ship, the Penumbran and his team were on their meeting room while Wragrot rested at the medi-bay. Despite their victory over Yatakhan, Kraknor still took over the Muganda capital. Groanknir was with the team, his arms crossed and a frown on his face. It was obvious that his previous plans of taking down Tismahgo had failed.


 * Vekaron - How's Wragrot, Vyatak?
 * Vyatak - Great bodily stress. Surprised his brain didn't fry. Will be well again in few hours though.
 * Kirlisir - Whatever he did back there was impressive... But that green Murgur was terrifying. Are all Battlemasters like that, I wonder?
 * Groanknir - Yes. Battlemasters have this name for a reason.
 * Kamaris -'' I don't think Battlemasters are meant to put themselves through such stress. I have only witnessed power like that through someone who was descended.
 * Vyatak - Indeed, they aren't. Wragrot's muscles very damaged. Almost completely broken from overcharging power.
 * Kirlisir - ...Descended?
 * Kamaris - Yes. Descension. You have not heard of it? 
 * Kirlisir - The concept is rather... alien to me. Wouldn't be surprised if it's something those Kondrakar bastards do, though.
 * Kamaris - Indeed. I have had my fair share in fighting descended enemies. The concept is not foreign. And it is not a nice concept. Your body and mind is warped. Destroyed. But your power to control things beyond the physical plane becomes...unnatural.
 * Groanknir - A sneaking attempt to weaken Tismahgo is futile. It is time to change our strategy. I did not want to do this, but I am afraid it is the only way now.
 * Vansenk - What strategy would this be, Murgur?

Groanknir let out a heavy sigh.


 * Groanknir - I will take what remains of Muganda's military might and hurl it at Kaos. In the midst of the chaos, you and your ship will sneak into the planet, and once you are there, you will seek and eliminate Tismahgo.
 * Vekaron - But...won't your men all die?
 * Groanknir - Sacrifices must be made to achieve what we wish for.
 * Kamaris - ''And there is no other way than that?
 * Vekaron - I could get help from the Alliance.
 * Groanknir - No. If alien ships arrive to Kaos, Tismahgo will surely evacuate. If all he sees are Muganda ships, he will believe it is merely my men wishing to avenge the capital. We cannot let him get away.
 * Kamaris - Hm. Unfortunate that this has to happen.
 * Kilchárunya - Shit happens. 
 * Kalcedia - ''A noble sacrifice, Groanknir. Are there any last requests that you desire to make in the coming days before our last assault?
 * Kit - Don't even think about it.
 * Groanknir - Prepare yourselves and give it all you got. Expect that green Murgur to be there. And expect the Niaka named Xegriek to also be there. One of the last rumours I heard from Kaos was that a member of Dark Grip was going to station himself into the planet.
 * Kilchárunya - Huh. Nice. I was wanting a challenge.
 * Kit - ''Please tell me you are joking.'
 * Kilchárunya - Of course. I think I've been going to die for the past seven years. 
 * Kirlisir - So did I.
 * Vekaron - Yeah, my missions are dangerous, I get it.
 * Groanknir - Now if you excuse me, I am going to the medi-bay and watch over Wragrot.

Groanknir turned away from the team and left the room. Kirlisir sat beside Wragrot and held onto his arm, looking at him in worry. Kalcedia held onto a sleeping Gardin, patting her head and brushing her hair softly, singing a quiet lullaby to hush her to sleep while the last of the Muganda soldiers composed themselves. Vansenk, his face indifferent, crept back into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

The Key to Your Mind
It was nearly three days since Wragrot had battled Yatakhan, and it took him a while to recover. He was walking around the ship, but perhaps not fully recovered - Kamaris had noticed that in him, despite Wragrot's ability to shrug off any weakness. As Wragrot was sitting alone one day, Kamaris walked into the same room as him, placing his curious helmet on the shelf. The Murgur picked on his teeth with one of his claws as he looked at Kamaris approaching, raising as eyebrow at him.


 * Wragrot - Eh? Oh. Hey, Kamaris.
 * Kamaris - Hello. I see you are walking around better.
 * Wragrot - Somewhat. My legs still hurt a bit. But I should be back to normal very soon.
 * Kamaris - And your head?
 * Wragrot - Other than a few headaches, it's good. I never used so much power in my life.
 * Kamaris - I do possess a few psychic powers myself, you know. I can tell you're not as recovering as quickly as you think you are. At least, not 'in there'.
 * Wragrot - What do you mean with that? My mind?
 * Kamaris - Yes. I can tell. There's this certain kind of mentality within you that's holding something back. Almost as if you haven't used that power in a long time.
 * Wragrot - Last time I used so much power was...never, really.
 * Kamaris - Exactly. Your body is there. Your mind isn't. What I had learned in my youth during training for my ranks, I had to learn that the mind is far more powerful than the body.
 * Wragrot - What do you suggest I do then?
 * Kamaris - Well. I was always told the mind was a door. You have to unlock it. Or, possess the key to unlock it at any time.
 * Wragrot - I don't think I have any keys for that.
 * Kamaris - Luckily, that is why I am here. Considering your kind and my kind have similar...tendencies...I should be able to, how would one put it, 'train' that mind of yours into unlocking itself.
 * Wragrot - Well. Let's not waste time then.
 * Kamaris - Good. We should probably do this in the medi-bay. Vyatak won't mind. Well...he might, but I doubt he would question us both.
 * Wragrot - If you say so.

Kamaris stood up, taking his helmet with him. He walked across the ship with Wragrot, humming atonally as he did. Wragrot followed Kamaris as he walked, walking somewhat slower than usual due to his injuries but not enough to be left behind.


 * Kamaris - Changing subject slightly, I was always surprised that no one asked me why I have two sets of armour on this ship. Perhaps it was just me wanting attention.
 * Wragrot - I imagine everyone has at least one spare armor.

As they walked through, they passed a stand which held Kamaris' older set of armour, which was more modern in appearance, but was burnt at the neck where the acid had blinded him.


 * Kamaris - Well. I wouldn't call this 'spare armour'. It wouldn't do my order much justice.
 * Wragrot - Why don't you get your eyes healed again?
 * Kamaris - You could ask yourself that question. Or Kirlisir. With some control over the mind, you do not need eyes. You have seen me read, eat, move, fight. I do not need my eyes healed. 
 * Wragrot - Well excuse me then. It just looks inconvenient to me.
 * Kamaris - Suit yourself. 

Reaching the med bay, Kamaris tapped on the table, beckoning Wragrot to lie down on it. The Murgur raised an eyebrow but said nothing, and simply laid on the table. Kamaris washed his hands in a nearby medical sink, placing his helmet next to it again. Nearby was a blindfold, which he handed to Wragrot.


 * Wragrot - Am I supposed to wear this?
 * Kamaris - Yes.

Wragrot took the blindfold and covered his eyes with it.


 * Kamaris - You're asking why? Trust me. You need your mind to be in order before I start. I would begin breathing in and out deeply.

Wragrot remained in silence before he began inhaling and exhaling deeply. Although he was devoid of sight now, Wragrot could feel the presence of Kamaris' large hands surround each side of his head. Wragrot continued breathing, making no reaction to the Mahanayan's approach.


 * Kamaris - I should probably mention. Considering I am from another universe, this may damage your mind. Kill you perhaps.
 * Wragrot - Should've warned that earlier, you know.
 * Kamaris - I joke. But it will hurt.
 * Wragrot - Eh. Go for it.

As Kamaris' palms tensed, Wragrot felt himself becoming slowly deaf, a full feeling in his ears. It did not hurt at first, but it slowly began to sting. Wragrot barred his teeth and let out an annoyed growl, but remained on the table.


 * Kamaris - Relax. 
 * Wragrot - Can't hear a word you're saying.
 * Kamaris - Of course. 

The feeling began to die down for a second, though it returned with a second blast - initially, the pain was excruciating, but then Wragrot felt as if he was leaving his body as he began to feel weightless. Calm, almost. Wragrot let out a loud grunt as the pain hit him, until he began to relax where he stood.


 * Kamaris - Well. I am glad you are physically strong enough. I have seen those like myself use the same tactic to blast people to pieces.
 * Wragrot - Good thing I'm the strongest Murgur then.
 * Kamari - That, and I never really trained these powers to any real effect. Seems I picked the right person to do it to.
 * Wragrot - Well I trust you to not blow me up.
 * Kamaris - My abilities don't extend that far.
 * Wragrot - Better safe than sorry.

The feeling began to intensify within Wragrot's mind; he became rigid with Kamaris' intervention in his mind. Wragrot let out uncomfortable grunts as he found himself unable to move.


 * Kamaris - Okay. This part will hurt. Freeing up your subconscious is proving more difficult than I originally thought.
 * Wragrot - Ngh.

If it weren't for Kamaris' level of control, Wragrot would have shot off the table with the amount of convulsion that he was about to experience. Kamaris was entering the deepest levels of Wragrot's mind, some place that Kamaris was somewhat expecting to have been a mind with a stone-faced past to it. Wragrot gasped and began shaking in the table the deeper Kamaris ventured into his mind. It was not long before it was all finished, however. Kamaris' hands slowly moved away from Wragrot's head, and Wragrot himself felt more 'liberated', within perhaps, than he did before. Calmer, more in control of his inner self than he did before. Wragrot let out a deep breath and slowly raised from the table. He felt himself empowered, as if there were less strains on his mind. Kamaris flexed his fingers - the connection took a strain on his hands. He breathed in and out, his eyes, blackened by the acid burns, glowed a dull blue as he did.


 * Wragrot - Well. I feel better than before.
 * Kamaris - You should put this to practice. The next time you encounter Yatakhan or Tismahgo, perhaps. I wouldn't mind seeing you crush them with a building of your own.
 * Wragrot - Heheh. I know I'm gonna try.
 * Kamaris - I would do this to Kirlisir, but I expect her head would explode.
 * Wragrot - Yeah, don't do that. You might make Vekaron sad.
 * Kamaris - True. What amazes me is that we have six on this ship who can use essence and yet only four of us can use it.
 * Wragrot - Not everyone has the gift. Back when Battlemasters were "common", there were like, an average of one per a thousand Murgur colonies.
 * Kamaris - Is that so? Hm. I will have to ask Kit about it.

Kamaris nodded, his personality too stoic to deliver a smile to Wragrot. He took his helmet from the counter, and walked out, humming. Meanwhile, Wragrot walked the opposite way, at the dining hall's direction to get something to eat.

The Return of Our Leader
Vekaron's spaceship hid in the midst of a large Murgur fleet. The ships of the Muganda Warband travelled to the Murgur homeworld of Kaos, while Vekaron's team and Groanknir prepared themselves to make their way to the surface. Kraknor vessels quickly took notice of the invaders' arrival, and it would only be a matter of moments before the battle began. Vekaron prepared his blade while Wragrot reloaded his shotgun, eager to get to Kaos. Kirlisir stood beside Vekaron with her powered-armour prepared and ready for combat, while Kalcedia had her rifle at her side, grasped closely to her. Vansenk, after a short fit of coughing, materialized his scythe and swung it in vertical, circular motions constantly, growing impatient of waiting. Kilchárunya and Kit prepared their weapons, whilst Kamaris stood patiently, almost motionlessly.


 * Groanknir - I hope you are all ready. There is no turning back now.
 * Wragrot - Let's get this done and over with. Time to remind Tismahgo who he's dealing with.
 * Kirlisir - Wragrot, do you think you can beat him?
 * Kalcedia - It's likely that the green Murgur is gonna be on the ground, so we should prepare ourselves for that.
 * Wragrot - Do I? Yes. We can. And we will.

The fleets clashed. Lasers, missiles and pulses were fired from all sides, the Muganda ships doing what they could to allow Vekaron and his team to progress. The Wranploer-enhanced ships of the Kraknor Warband allowed them to easily push the intruders back and destroy them with relative ease, Groanknir looking at the battle before shutting his eyes and turning away. The shuttle got to a safe position and was sent to the surface's direction, alongside other shuttles of whichever Muganda ships were luck enough to survive getting close. The shuttle would land at the outskirts of the capital of Kaos, the city of Rexran, which was dominated by an immense palace and a huge arena once used by old Murgur emperors long before the race was spacefaring.


 * Kamaris - Maĥas vāthamānaam. [Let's do this.]
 * Vansenk - We have little time to waste. Make haste.
 * Vekaron - Tismahgo is likely at that large building. 
 * Wragrot - The Rexran Palace...I never had the chance of visiting it myself. Let's go.

As the team left the shuttle, the population of the planet looked at them in surprise and backed away. They were Warband-less Murgur, noticeable from their lack of coloured tattoos. However, Kraknor soldiers stationed on the planet quickly noticed the team's arrival and fired their weapons at them. Kamaris unleashed bolt after bolt from his weapon, firing it at the Murgur soldiers. Kirlisir rushed forward and challenged the Kraknor opposition up-close, countering their weapons with her own before dismembering her enemies, filling the air with "red mist" as she danced around her foes. Kalcedia ran and slammed herself into an Edulia, knocking it back, before disposing of it with her sniper rifle. Vansenk, rather than staying at the back to fulfill support, slithered forward and took out the legs of enemy soldiers beneath them with his scythe before ending their lives in swift, fell swoops. Wragrot let out a loud roar, amplified by his psychic energy with enough strength to launched enemy soldiers flying.

The population began looking at him with intrigue and widened eyes. Soon, they could be heard discussing among themselves. "Is that Wragrot?", "Isn't he dead?", "I must be dreaming, Warmaster Wragrot is here!", among other things. Groanknir watched as the population watched the battle and ran over to the top of a platform, where he could be seen by everyone on the team's surroundings.


 * Groanknir - People of Kaos! No, you are not dreaming! Warmaster Wragrot has returned! And more than ever, he requires your aid! Warmaster Tismahgo conquered Kraknor through cheating and doublecrossing, and now he makes deals with the New Wranploer Legion! The warlord of the Wranploer hopes to take over our race, and Tismahgo hopes to send us all to our deaths facing the Polar Crystal Alliance! Do not stand idle for this! Act and fight!
 * Kilchárunya - I feel roused. 
 * Kirlisir - Viva la revolution! Whoo!
 * Wragrot - I'm back, and I'm pissed off! Who wants to kill Kraknor?!

The Murgur over the city cried out and took up arms, and soon the whole region was caught in a massive battle between Kraknor soldiers and the population of Kaos. Previously having no motivation to fight the invaders, now they finally found someone to lead them. Kalcedia looked to Wragrot with a nod and smiled, before she proceeded to pick off any heavy units that Kraknor attempted to throw at them, her aim remaining proficient amidst the chaos. Even Vekaron felt more motivated by Groanknir's words, and he leaped into a Varkorus enemy to decapitate him with his blade. Wragrot eagerly blasted enemy after enemy with his shotgun while Groanknir fired at them with his guns, raining bullets down at them. Vansenk tore enemies apart as he easily camouflaged himself amongst the fighting, maneuvering himself through the crowds and dealing damage to vulnerable areas in the anatomy of his opposition. Kirlisir did the same, except she remained far more visible, attracting enemies from all sides before she cut them down and left them for dead.

As the chaos ensued and bodies littered the streets of the capital, loud buzzing sounds heard. Huge blackened chainsaws cut their way through multiple buildings, and a massive mechasuit was seen sliding slightly above the sand of the soil. Xegriek had arrived, and with a swing from one of his chainsaws, he slashed and struck Groanknir, severing the Muganda leader's left arm in one blow. Groanknir roared in pain and fell off the platform where he stood, and Vekaron and Wragrot both turned to the Niaka suit with scowls.


 * Xegriek - You...you're ruining everything! I was supposed to prove myself for the warlord! You were all supposed to have died at the Muganda capital!

Kirlisir and Vansenk took a step back as they watched Xegriek make his appearance, and they both frowned simultaneously, having remembered previously about the nanomachines that infested the materials of the mechsuit. Kalcedia aimed her sniper rifle towards Xegriek from afar and fired a hypermatter round, hoping to pierce his armour. Kalcedia's shot hit the shields of the suit while it shielded itself with Dark Grip's nanomachines. The six chainsaw limbs of the suit moved themselves upwards and fit themselves with each other, eventually becoming a single, much larger chainsaw on a handle. Xegriek grabbed it and held it in front of them, holding it as if it was a greataxe.


 * Xegriek - No matter! The warlord will reward me greatly when I show him Vekaron's severed head on a plate!
 * Wragrot - You guys ready to take down a bug?
 * Kirlisir - Well, for starters, we're gonna need more bug spray.
 * Kamaris - Perhaps we can swat him. 

Xegriek charged at the team's direction and swung his chain-axe at their direction. The sheer weight of the weapon forced it to use what looked like rocket thrusters to be swung forward. Vekaron's eyes widened and he threw himself out of the way, while Wragrot ran away from the attack as he could. After having evaded the attack made by Xegriek with a swift backflip, Kirlisir began to unleash blasts of psychic power at the nanomachine-enhanced colossus, although she was clearly reluctant to step closer to it as her eyes remained focused on the chainsaw. The blasts caused the suit to back away, staggering in place and its shielding briefly failing.


 * Xegriek - My damn head!

Kalcedia took another shot at Xegriek's mechsuit with several anti-armour hypermatter rounds, her eyes maintained on the titan. Vansenk rushed forward and clasped onto the back of the mech, and began to slash at it with his scythe in an attempt to penetrate it from behind. Kit rushed ahead and delivered a punch at one of the suit's legs, cracking it until Xegriek regained his composure and spun in place, hitting the Kicath across the chest and sending him flying through a building. Vansenk found himself incapable of penetrating the suit any longer as nanomachines began protecting it.


 * Xegriek - None of you understand, don't you? Your damned Alliance is always there, telling everyone what to do and how to live as! We are not your slaves, we are free people! I fight for that reason, for freedom! Freedom from your oppression! I fight so that you can't tell me what to do anymore!
 * Vekaron - Maniac!
 * Kirlisir - Wragrot!

Wragrot looked at Kirlisir and nodded before using his own psychic power at the suit, launching pulses and waves at it. Xegriek found himself stunned again, and his rage increased even more. Kirlisir smirked and joined Wragrot, launching blasts of psychic power at the mechsuit from behind while he assaulted it from the front. As the two were launching their psychic blasts at the mechanical armour, Kalcedia rushed forward and began unleashing a hail of hypermatter rounds at Xegriek, screaming as she did.


 * Kalcedia - You call this graveyard freedom?!

Wragrot roared and shot as well, alongside Kilchárunya, Kit and Kamaris, while Vekaron struck at the suit's legs with his blade. Watching the team confronting the giant mechasuit, the inhabitants of Kaos who were not killed during the fight with the Kraknor soldiers and Xegriek's arrival all joined in the fight and fired their guns at him. Wragrot looked as the other Murgur helped and a smile grew on his face. A genuine smile. The Murgur Battlemaster turned to Xegriek and smirked. He began channeling his newly empowered psychic ability, and in moments, Xegriek found himself paralyzed in place. Parts of his suit began exploding from the gunfire of the team and the Murgur population, until Wragrot let out a roar and swung his hand back. A loud metallic sound was heard as the protection around Xegriek was completely ripped off and launched away, throwing the Niaka out of his suit, which crumbled into the ground and exploded violently.

Kirlisir watched with a smile as Xegriek travelled through the air, while Vansenk scurried away from the exploding mechsuit in order to avoid injury. Kalcedia lowered her rifle and turned her attention towards Xegriek, approaching him. The Murgur all cheered in victory as the suit was destroyed, and the team could see the full extent of Xegriek's robotic enhancements as he laid defeated on the ground. He had his entire lower half replaced with robotics, as well as three pairs of cybernetic legs which connected inside his suit.


 * Xegriek - No...my plan...

Stepping close to Xegriek until she practically towered over him, catching him in her shadow, Kalcedia raised her foot with a grin spread wide across her face before slamming it down, destroying Xegriek's mechanical legs in the process and reducing them to little more than broken scrap. Xegriek yelled out in pain as the rest of his body turned pitch black and metallic. His own body was also protected by nanomachines. The rest of the team walked over to him and Wragrot grabbed the Niaka by his throat, lifting him up to his eye level.


 * Wragrot - Where is Tismahgo?
 * Xegriek - Ack! At...the palace!
 * Kit - What should we do now? Kill him?
 * Vekaron - Hm. No. I have a better idea.
 * Kalcedia -'' What's better than wasting this little fuck?
 * Vekaron - Ever heard of Exile Station?
 * Kilchárunya - ...The super prison? 
 * Xegriek - Oh hell.
 * Kalcedia - I've only ever heard news about it.
 * Vekaron - Exile is currently empty. I think Xegriek would be a fine number one prisoner.

Xegriek gulped with his eyes widened and Wragrot handed him to Vekaron. The Murgur then ran over to the wounded Groanknir, who laid on top of several debris, his arm visible in a fair distance.


 * Wragrot - We need to take you to safety.
 * Groanknir - Forget about me, Wragrot...go to the palace, and face Tismahgo.
 * Wragrot - Are you sure?
 * Groanknir - Yes...I have been through worse...or not. Regardless, just go...

Wragrot nodded to the Muganda leader and turned back to the team.


 * Wragrot - Let's go.
 * Vekaron - We're right behind you.

Honour of a Battlemaster
Delivering the wounded Groanknir and Xegriek to the Murgur they had allied along the way, Wragrot and the rest of Vekaron's team arrived to the Rexran Palace, and they were immediately greeted by a vision of Murgur history. Immense bronze statues, estimated 50 meters tall each, dominated the two sides of the main hall, each representing a Murgur emperor who reigned over Kaos over 15,000 years in the past. The architecture was extremely old and devoid of any signs of modernity, implying this building was untouched for several millenia. Wragrot looked around in interest, having never entered this building before as it was considered off-limits for all Murgur in the past.


 * Wragrot - Wish we didn't get here not in the middle of a war. I always wanted to visit this place.
 * Kamaris - It reminds me of home. 
 * Kirlisir - Seems pretty basic-- I mean, it looks like a wonderful place, full of spirit.
 * Kalcedia - Is this all that remains of Murgur history?
 * Wragrot - Yeah, the Murgur never really cared for history. I heard the old emperors' coffins are deep inside these statues. So if we end up breaking one and a skeleton pops up, you should know the reason.
 * Kilchárunya - That's...unnerving.       
 * Vekaron - That's a way of being immortalized.
 * Vansenk - Don't like skeletons. They're always smiling. Makes me retch.

As the team walked through the hall, at the other end, multiple Kraknor soldiers appeared and made a formation, as if someone woudl walk through them. In instants, a larger Murgur, though not as big as Wragrot appeared. He was cybernetically enchanced, though his enhancements were not clean and discrect. They were grotesque, as if the user cared nothing for his form. And he did not, for this Murgur only cared for the power given to him by them. As he looked at the team in a distance, he grinned.


 * Tismahgo - Wragrot.
 * Wragrot - Tismahgo!...What the hell happened to you?
 * Tismahgo - Power happened.
 * Kirlisir - More like surgery.
 * Tismahgo - That too.
 * Wragrot - I'm here to take your head away, you damned cheater.
 * Tismahgo - When I heard from Yatakhan that you were still alive, I couldn't believe my ears. But here you are. You really are full of surprises, Wragrot.
 * Kalcedia - ''How did this guy depose you, did he hit you with his ego?
 * Tismahgo - I'm not going to fight you. Not yet. I want to fight you one-on-one, like Warmasters are supposed to. I'll put one more obstacle in your way, and if you get past it, then meet me at the Rexran Coliseum. Your allies, if alive, will receive special seats, and all the Murgur of Kaos will watch you and me fight to the death in there.
 * Wragrot - An honourable duel? As if I'm gonna believe that.
 * Tismahgo - Do you want someone else to kill me? Don't you want it to do it yourself?
 * Wragrot - Grrr. Fine.
 * Kamaris - Obstacle? 

Suddenly, the group heard loud, heavy footsteps, emanating from behind them. As they turned around, their eyes met once more with those of the green menace that had plagued their efforts throughout the conflict - Kraknor Yatakhan, his arms opened wide with a smile on his face, chuckling. He looked towards Wragrot and began to clap his hands, nodding in acknowledgement. Yatakhan had a joyous expression written across his face as he clapped repeatedly, before stopping and folding his arms, his body radiating with a psychic presence that began to ascend rapidly. The green Battlemaster looked towards Tismahgo before his gaze focused back on Vekaron and his affiliates, and he snickered.


 * Wragrot - Oh, of course.
 * Tismahgo - Yatakhan, either you or Wragrot will leave this room in a coffin. Make sure it's not you.
 * Yatakhan - Do not worry, I shall be sure to send dear Wragrot and his friends home. In a box.

Tismahgo and his soldiers turned away and left from where they had arrived, closing the doors behind them. Wragrot growled and glared at Yatakhan, aiming his shotgun at him while Vekaron prepared his blade.


 * Wragrot - I'm really gonna enjoy killing you.
 * Yatakhan - You're really going to use that pathetic weapon to try and hurt me? Come on, Wragrot, you and I both know that you want to tear me apart with your bare hands! I say, come on! Show me what you've got!
 * Wragrot - Shut up, I'm not playing your games. Charge!

Wragrot suddenly put his shotgun back and launched a psychic wave at Yatakhan's direction, while Vekaron charged at the enemy Murgur's direction with his blade in hand. Yatakhan roared, similar to an animal, before he charged forward, his massive fists clenched as he ran at the team. Wherever he ran, debris was thrown in all directions, and soon his psychic power allowed his to levitate in the air rather than having to use his feet. As he approached Vekaron, a wide, sadistic grin on his face, Kirlisir charged forward and unleashed a psychic blast in the direction of his face. Vekaron displayed no fear of the Battlemaster and leaped at his direction, sending his blade to the direction of his head, while Wragrot put his shotgun forward and began shooting at Yatakhan's direction. Kamaris fired blast upon blast at Yatakhan, Kilchárunya and Kit doing the same. Yatakhan's armoured helm cracked as Vekaron's blade collided with it, cutting his cheek in the process. The combined blasts of psychic energy caused Yatakhan to lose his balance and fly past Vekaron, crashing into several walls within the palace, and while he suffered damage from the gunfire, he soon generated a psychic shield around his body.


 * Yatakhan - ...Is that all? I overestimated you!
 * Wragrot - Let me show you what I can do then!

An aura of psychic power grew around Wragrot as he began causing one of the immense statues in the room to levitate. Sweat came out of his face, though he appeared to be handling easier than during the battle at the Muganda capital.


 * Kit - Well. Now I've seen everything.

The green Murgur's grin began to widen as blood travelled down his cheek, and he stood from the large crater he had caused upon his crash into the wall behind him. With his eyes fixated on Wragrot, he clenched his fists as his psychic aura began to intensify, and soon a large fragment of the floor at his feet was torn from its foundations to create a shield. Wragrot threw the statue at Yatakhan's direction, impacting with his makeshift shield. Not only aged bronze flew across the room, but also pieces of wood. An object flew across the room and fell on the floor next to Kalcedia, and as she looked at it, she could see it was a broken Murgur skull. Kalcedia looked at the skull and her eyes widened out of horror, causing her to kick the skull away while screeching and squealing disgustedly, reluctant to have even touched it. Kirlisir stood back as Wragrot and Yatakhan once again came to telekinetic blows, although she would allow herself to contribute via empowering the psychic presence around the statue. Yatakhan was beginning to struggle.


 * Wragrot - Die you damned lackey! How dare you call yourself a Battlemaster when you serve the most dishonoured Murgur of all time?!
 * Kilchárunya - How you came out of Andromeda alive, I don't know. 
 * Yatakhan - You abandoned Kraknor! You left us all to perish at Tismahgo's claws! This is your fault!
 * Wragrot - I didn't abandon Kraknor. Kraknor abandoned me! They picked the cheater over me, so why should I care for them?
 * Yatakhan - Not all of us were given the choice of loyalty!

Using his psychic powers, Wragrot bashed what remained of the statue against Yatakhan's shield repeatedly, sending debris flying across the room. Vekaron's eyes widened as he was hit and floored by one of them, falling on his back and being left dizzy.


 * Wragrot - The hell are you on about?
 * Yatakhan - You heard! You wish to know why I serve Tismahgo?

Yatakhan's grin became a scowl as he struggled to maintain his shield, as it was quickly detoriating due to it being drilled through by the statue Wragrot was using as his means of attack. With psychic electricity fluctuating throughout his body and armour, Yatakhan was resorting to using his own powers to defend against Wragrot's offense.


 * Yatakhan - Then come and get your answer!

Wragrot's eye twitched and he waved his hands. What remained of the statue was thrown aside, and the Murgur lunged himself at Yatakhan's direction, his claws raised, prepared to grab him by his neck. Yatakhan growled and raised his clenched, bleeding hands over his face and eyes in an attempt to defend himself from Wragrot's attack. Kirlisir winced and stepped back as she felt the immense power of the two Battlemasters ascending quickly, rising to a level that almost overwhelmed her, and she collapsed onto a single knee, incapable of assisting any longer. Wragrot put his hands over Yatakhan's neck, digging his claws on it as he raised him from the ground, shaking him as he spoke.


 * Wragrot - Start talking or I'll put my thumbs through your eyeballs.

However, Yatakhan did not talk; instead, he flung his fists in the direction of Wragrot's face desparately, with his blows landing with terrifying velocity as the green Murgur placed what remained of both his physical and psychic strength behind his assault, and blood spurted from his mouth, spitting onto Wragrot's face. Wragrot began growling and his eyes burned in energy, and Yatakhan could feel his limbs getting locked in place as Wragrot froze him with telekinesis. The Murgur threw his opponent against the ground, bashing his head against the ground violently before sending his claws at his face repeatedly. Yatakhan screamed in agonizing torment as Wragrot savagely attacked his face and neck, tearing at his flesh and armour. The brutal, horrifying attack caused large gashes to appear across Yatakhan's face, some as deep as to reveal bone, and after several minutes of repeated attacking, Yatakhan spat blood once more and, tears and blood dripping from his head, attempted to talk.


 * Yatakhan - W-Wragrot...
 * Wragrot - Last chance.
 * Yatakhan - ...Y-You win... G-Good... N-Now I know... t-that I can t-trust you...
 * Wragrot - ...What.
 * Yatakhan - A-After... y-you were deposed by T-Tismahgo, I... Kraknor Yatakhan... rebelled. I led... h-hundreds of men, women, a-and children against him... T-They were all s-slaughtered, aside from me... He k-kept me alive.
 * Wragrot - ...Go on.
 * Yatakhan - I r-rebelled as I had... c-come to believe t-that you, Wragrot, w-were a better m-man and l-leader than... t-than he ever would be. He k-kept me alive... t-to serve, a-and to live in s-shame... I l-lived in hope... t-that you would return. A-And I f-found you... B-But I had t-to be sure...
 * Wragrot - Sure of what?
 * Yatakhan - S-Sure... that y-you were s-strong enough. S-Strong enough to fight h-him... I r-routed you out... and t-tested you. Y-You and y-your team... Urgh, I-I d-don't expect you to f-forgive me... for I s-served Tismahgo... and h-hurt your team. I-I led you i-into traps... I-I just h-had to be s-sure...
 * Vekaron - Hm. Remember when Gardin said she heard Xegriek talk about a test? 
 * Wragrot - Grr. Kirlisir. Read his mind. See if he's telling the truth.

Kirlisir nodded and approached the gravely damaged Yatakhan, his armour decorated with cracks and broken fragments and his body almost entirely broken. She kneeled beside Yatakhan and closed her eyes, placing her hands upon the Murgur's torn flesh... After several minutes, Kirlisir turned to Wragrot and gave a slight nod.


 * Kirlisir - I don't detect any traces of him lying. As far as I know, he speaks the truth.

Wragrot growled and clenched his fist in front of Yatakhan's face, though he did not seem to have any intention of finishing him off.


 * Wragrot - So I've proven myself to you. Who cares. You're a damned coward for surrendering to Tismahgo, a true Battlemaster would've died fighting.

With narrowed eyes, Yatakhan's hands raised from the ground and clasped onto Wragrot's collar. With the last of his evident strength, Yatakhan threw his head forward and slammed it against Wragrot's, keeping their foreheads, both of which now bloodied, connected. However, Yatakhan made no further attempts to attack, as it was likely he was incapable of doing so.


 * Yatakhan - D-Do with me a-as you please, Warmaster... J-Just as long as... y-you kill him.

Wragrot looked at Yatakhan in silence for several moments until he grabbed his arm and took off his collar. The Murgur turned away from the defeated enemy and walked over to the rest of the team.


 * Wragrot - Let's go meet up with the Kraknor men to prepare for the arena match.
 * Kirlisir - Wragrot...
 * Vekaron - What about Yatakhan?
 * Wragrot - Leave him. I...suddenly don't feel like killing him anymore.

Yatakhan breathed heavily, struggling, and closed his eyes, a grin forming on his face. He leaned his head back, blood catering the floor where he had collided, and he allowed himself to rest. Kirlisir looked to Yatakhan one last time before turning away and rejoining the group, a concerned expression written upon her face. Kalcedia had her sniper rifle become absorbed into her anatomy for storage and looked to Wragrot, nodding in acknowledgement of his request. Vansenk hissed, glaring at Yatakhan's beaten, bloodied body, before turning his attention back to the group, a cold shiver being sent down his long, serpentine spine as he let out another splutter of coughs.


 * Kilchárunya - I have to say, well done. That heartlessness would have given Nu a run for his money.
 * Wragrot - I'll take that as a compliment.
 * Vansenk - It would be wise to get a move on... Would be rude to keep Tismahgo waiting much longer.

This Is My Warband
One hour later, almost nothing could be heard among the titanic crowd of Murgur, Levarcor, Varkorus and Edulia which was present at the arena. The Rexran Coliseum was the oldest Murgur-made structure in all of Borealis, dating from before 15,000 BC. It was formerly used to house gladiator battles, for the entertainment of the old emperors of the Murgur race before they became spacefaring. When the Murgur left to space and declared Kaos as a holy planet, the Arena was deemed off-limit to all members of the species, including even the Warmasters of the greatest Warbands. However, the Arena was being once again used, this time to house the face-off between Wragrot and Tismahgo. Vekaron, Kilchárunya, Vansenk, Kamaris, Kirlisir, Kitmnárochoaltánún and Kalcedia were all given special seats which gave them a frontal view of the arena and a closer view of both combatants, who glared intensely at each other. This was an honourable duel for the title of Warmaster of Kraknor, and therefore both Murgur were forbidden of using any weapons but their strength and wits, as well as whichever natural abilities they had. While this meant Wragrot had the advantage of using psychic powers, the sight of his old arch-nemesis bothered his mind to some extent. Tismahgo was a cyborg, his appearance downright grotesque to look at.


 * Tismahgo - Are you ready to give the crowd the time of their lives, Wragrot? By that, I mean the end of your own, of course.
 * Wragrot - Look at you. You look like a damn Grox.
 * Tismahgo - I became powerful, Wragrot. What about you? Have you changed at all in the last 800 years other than getting older and molder?
 * Wragrot - I'd rather become a senile old man than become anything like you.

While other races would not complain as much for cybernetic enhancements, the Murgur always had a dogma against it, mainly due to the Hegdar Warband's actions. It was considered a sight of weakness to replace your body with machinery, and it was considered even more weak to boast about it. Tismahgo was doing both. The two giants charged at each other, and the crowd roared as the first blows were delivered. Wragrot and Tismahgo delivered punches to each other's heads, each blow causing a strong impact sound which could be heard through the whole arena. The old Murgur's eyes began burning with psychic energy as he fought, while that Tismahgo did was grin at him, almost as if he was enjoying the pain from the attacks. Throwing himself downwards to dodge one of Wragrot's punches, Tismahgo then delivered an uppercut at the old Murgur's chin, causing him to growl in pain and get staggered back before Tismahgo charged at him, carrying him across the arena and then punching him into the floor. Wragrot grunted loudly as Tismahgo began stomping on his head repeatedly, blood coming out of the Battlemaster's mouth before the Warmaster found himself flung upwards by an invisible force, before being launched into the ground aggressively, creating a crater around him.

Tismahgo grunted and raised from the crater, glaring at Wragrot whose aura was fully visible. The Battlemaster initiated a charge of his own at Tismahgo and delivered a blow at him, but as he did, the Warmaster clenched on Wragrot's fist and swung him in circles before throwing him away. Despite his noticeably smaller height, Tismahgo's enhancements had allowed him to become as strong as a Battlemaster physically, if not more. Once Wragrot rose from the floor, the two charged at each other, with Wragrot leaving burning footprints behind him as he ran. Clashing once more at melee, punches, slams and scratches were thrown at him, their mutual hatred from each other growing. Vekaron narrowed his eyes as he watched, bothered of how he could do nothing to help, though Wragrot had made clear that he did not want their help. This was his fight, and his alone.


 * Kalcedia - If we don't do something, Wragrot's going to di--
 * Kirlisir - This is his fight, Zazane. It would not be right of us to interrupt it.

Kilchárunya, perhaps out of sheer enjoyment, roared louder than most of the crowd there.


 * Kilchárunya - Smash his fucking head in! 
 * Vansenk - You had better be cheering for Wragrot.

Tismahgo grinned once more. An evil, cruel grin which got Wragrot's attention. Out of his sleeve, a sharp object was visible. A dagger. The exact same dagger which Tismahgo had poisoned and stabbed Wragrot with eight hundred years in the past. Wragrot's eyes widened as he lost his concentration, leaving himself exposed, and that was all Tismahgo needed. He had cheated again and brought a weapon to a weapon-less duel, though who would mediate this fight? This was a face-off agreed by both of the Murgur, so there was no authority to tell Tismahgo was forbidden of doing it. He had broken his own rules, as well as the skin layer protecting Wragrot's neck as he delivered a stab at it. The crowd gasped as they watched Wragrot roar out in pain and fall to his side, having difficulty to breathe.


 * Kilchárunya - Shenanigans! Fucking shenanigans! 
 * Kalcedia - Damnit, do something!
 * Kirlisir - Wragrot, don't let us down! Get up and take his eyes out!
 * Vansenk - I would have done the same, admittedly.

Tismahgo jumped on top of Wragrot and kept the dagger in place so that the Battlemaster could not remove it. He laughed as he watched Wragrot thrash in place, being too stunned to use his psychic powers to throw Tismahgo off him.


 * Tismahgo - You remember how it feels, don't you? How does it feel to be suffering the same pain again?!

While Wragrot continued to thrash and struggle, the dagger's blade causing a deathly itch upon the flesh of Wragrot's neck, Tismahgo was almost ignorant to the two massive, muscular arms that clamped around his torso like a vice; soon, Tismahgo could not feel the floor beneath his feet as there was no floor beneath his feet due to him being flung through the air towards one of the walls on the far-side of the arena. Standing above Wragrot, dripping with blood and steaming with the last reserves of psychic energy he could muster, Yatakhan. Once again he wore his grin across his face despite the damage dealt to him and the evident amount of pain that his body was being subjected to due to the battle prior, although he appeared to shrug off the overwhelming agony comparatively well. Tismahgo punched the floor as he got back up, glaring at Yatakhan with murderous eyes.


 * Yatakhan -'' How about you take a rest for a while, I'll keep Tismahgo occupied.
 * Wragrot - Y-Yatakhan...
 * Tismahgo - You! I should've killed you the day we met!

Yatakhan turned towards Tismahgo and took a step towards him, clenching and releasing his fists over and over repeatedly, giving the cybernetic Warmaster an eager gesture for him to approach. Tismahgo charged at Yatakhan's direction in a frenzy, sending a barrage of punches at the green Murgur's direction.


 * Tismahgo - I'll bathe in your blood, you mutant scum!
 * Yatakhan - First, you depose of our Warmaster. Then, you kill the innocent people I rallied to oppose you. Then you made me live in shame and disgrace as your servant. And now? Now?! I will make you repent for it all!

Yatakhan roared as he entered a defensive stance, lifting his arms and enduring the flurry of strikes that Tismahgo threw at him, clashing against his armour and muscles and damaging both equally. Fragments and shards of Yatakhan's armour flew across the battlefield, as did the green Murgur's blood, before Yatakhan attempted to deliver punches and strikes of his own, directed at Tismahgo's face. Before he could be hit, though, Tismahgo grabbed Yatakhan's fists and used them to twist the Battlemaster's arm, a angered frown on his face. He used his free hand to repeatedly punch the green Murgur's mouth while also delivered hits to his stomach by using his knee. Yatakhan roared out once more as Tismahgo's attacks absolutely shattered what remained of his heavy armour, flinging it from his muscular, green body to reveal scars and deformities across his body - some of which may have been a result of mere defects. Yatakhan groaned, bleeding heavily, as he was constantly pounded, attempting to thrash and escape Tismahgo's grip.


 * Tismahgo - I'll kill you here and-
 * Wragrot - TISMAHGO.

Wragrot rose from the floor, removing the dagger from his throat. Tismahgo froze in place as he heard his breathing, heavy and furious, and turned around to see the Battlemaster giving him the murderous glare he had ever seen in his life. He could do nothing as the immense Murgur lunged at his direction and grabbed his head, before throwing him at the ground, causing a huge crack to appear from one end of the arena to the other. Tismahgo yelled out in pain as his teeth fell out of his mouth, but before he could do anything, he was launched once more against the floor, Wragrot's sheer anger and strength causing the arena to crack further and debris to float around him. The crowd began roaring once more, shouting Wragrot's name as he pulverized Tismahgo below him, his body engulfed in a burning, radiant aura of pure energy.


 * Wragrot - I am Kraknor Wragrot, and this is MY WARBAND!!

With these words, Wragrot grabbed the dagger Tismahgo had attacked him with and raised the battered Warmaster to the air. His face broken, his left eye missing and the entirely of his head bloodied, Tismahgo could merely gasp and groan as he watched the dagger coming at his direction. Wragrot delivered a stab at Tismahgo's own throat, in what could be seen as a very ironic scene. By comparing their sizes with that of humans, a dagger for a Murgur was a longsword for a human, and Tismahgo could now feel the pain Wragrot had felt as he dug it deep into his flesh, blood pouring out of his wound, though this was not enough to keep Wragrot's anger satisfied. He began forcing the dagger against the bones of Tismahgo's neck, causing the still-living Warmaster to scream with the last energies he had, until the sound of cracking bone and steel breaking was heard. Wragrot dug the dagger so much against the bones of Tismahgo's neck that not only they were broken, but the dagger itself was snapped in two.

Silence hit the arena as Wragrot rose again, throwing Tismahgo's lifeless body into the ground. He rose his arms, looking at the crowd, before letting out an echoing, booming, victorious roar at them, causing the crowd to roar back in enthusiasm. Tismahgo was dead. Kraknor's tyranny had ended. Vekaron jumped down from his seat and landed close to Wragrot, giving a pat on his shoulder and looking at him with what looked like pride.


 * Vekaron - You did it, Wragrot.
 * Wragrot - So I did...heh...ow.
 * Kamaris - We'd ought to get him to a med-bay.
 * Kilchárunya - Fuck. Well I didn't get my money's worth for-- I mean great show. Now what?

Kalcedia leaped from where she sat and landed near to where Vekaron and Wragrot stood, causing a small tremor where she collided with the earth. She then approached the two of them, with Kirlisir following swiftly behind. Vansenk merely slithered and crawled across the ground, wishing to not be noticed. Groanknir approached them as well, bandages covering the stump of his severed arm. He walked over to Wragrot with a genuine smile on his face.


 * Groanknir - Congratulations, Warmaster.
 * Wragrot - Heh. Don't thank me. Thank Greenie.

Some distance away, Yatakhan coughed and spluttered blood and other substances, with the extent of his mutation shown to the entire crowd who had kept their eyes on the arena. Not only was he green, but he was quite clearly deformed - something of a freak of nature. Nonetheless, he stood, barely alive, and he smiled towards Wragrot weakly, attempting to clap. Wragrot walked over to the center of the arena, calling over to the audience to pay attention to him.


 * Wragrot - You have all seen what Tismahgo has done to you. What Zukarnos did. What Bistinius did years ago. This is what the warbands do to us! They kill, they corrupt, they destroy us! No more, I say! Follow me, and I will lead you not as weapons, but as people! A single Empire of the Murgur must rise! We will survive as one, and but we will still be Murgur at heart. And that means smashing the face of whoever tries to get in our way!

The crowd all roared in enthusiasm once more, shouting Wragrot's name over and over. Groanknir closed his eyes and put his head down as he thought to himself, while Vekaron watched with an impressed expression.


 * Vekaron - Wow. I don't know what to say.
 * Groanknir - Our struggle is ended, Zoles. Peace has finally come to the Murgur people after so many millenia of war.

Kirlisir and Kalcedia clapped Wragrot optimistically, smiles wide upon their faces. Vansenk hissed and looked away, quite clearly lacking the enthusiasm that the other attendees of the battle had managed to bring alongside them. Yatakhan approached the group, including Wragrot, although he said little, pre-occupied with having to breath through his mouth.


 * Wragrot - You're forgiven now, greenie.
 * Yatakhan - Y-You... You had me w-worried... f-for just a moment, W-Warmaster.
 * Groanknir - No. Not Warmaster. Emperor.
 * Yatakhan - ...A-Allow me... t-to be the first to... t-to bow.

Yatakhan fell onto a single knee with a heavy pant and placed a clenched fist upon his chest, directly over where his heart would be. The mutated Murgur lowered his head and honoured his new ruler, the first Emperor of the Murgur, and he grinned with broken teeth. Groanknir watched Yatakhan and quickly did the same, while the crowd who watched them all began bowing as well. Wragrot look at them with a surprised expression before smiling. However, his smile eventually vanished as he turned to Vekaron's team once again.


 * Wragrot - I...I guess this is goodbye then.
 * Vekaron - Huh?
 * Wragrot - I'm gonna have to stay here now, otherwise these idiots will start killing each other again...
 * Kamaris - We understand.
 * Kirlisir - T-This soon?
 * Vansenk - Unfortunate, I was beginning... to enjoy your company. Wragrot.
 * Vekaron - A-are you sure of this?
 * Wragrot - Vekaron...these were the six best years of my life. You keep doing what you've always done and don't you dare disappoint me out there. You're a Penumbra, for Kaos' sake.
 * Vekaron - ...Of course, Wragrot. I understand. But you will surely be missed at the ship.
 * Kilchárunya - Heh. I'll be sure to keep that room clean.
 * Kirlisir - Gardin's going to miss you, you know...
 * Wragrot - I'm gonna miss the little egghead too. Funny because I never liked children.
 * Kirlisir - I'll make sure that she stays safe. You can trust me, Wragrot.
 * Wragrot - Yeah, you do that. Actually, I know what to do. You're all invited to dine at the Palace. I'll show you all how royal Murgur eat.
 * Vansenk - I don't feel hungry. ...Maybe I can have a slice.
 * Wragrot - You'll eat and sleep like Murgur kings and queens, I assure you.

Wragrot perked an eyebrow to Kalcedia.


 * Wragrot - If there's not enough guest rooms...you can sleep on the emperor's bed today.
 * Kilchárunya - ...Where are you gonna sleep then?
 * Wragrot - On the emperor's bed.
 * Kalcedia - I think I shall be doing a little more than sleeping, dear Emperor.

Kilchárunya tilted her head, failing to grasp the conversation. Wragrot chuckled and walked over to Groanknir, taking him away from the team so that they could not be heard.


 * Wragrot - Your emperor has two orders, Groanknir.
 * Groanknir - Yes?
 * Wragrot - Take Yatakhan to the hospital urgent.
 * Groanknir - And the second order?
 * Wragrot - Make sure there aren't enough guest rooms.
 * Groanknir - ...Heh. Very well, my liege.