Fiction:The Veil of Gold

These events occured during the Khaxvis Uprising chapter of the Andromeda war.

Signing up
Not long after made a deal with  for both of their factions to ally, the Resurgece was contacted by members of the Dagorian Mercenarium advertising their mercenaries. A salesman agreed to meet the Resurgence to arrange a meeting.The salesman was guided to an unassuming corridor. He stood before a soldier who simply glared down at him before tilting his head to a door, suggesting he heads upstairs. He was greeted by a representetive from the house who looked at him, telling a guard to wait outside.

Tanus Khaxvis - ''Take a seat. I am Tanus Khaxvis and will be the mediator in this agreement.'' Volven - I'm Volven. Tanus - ''Greetings. How many mercenaries do you offer in this contract of yours?'' Volven - Well, we have many at our disposal, maximum amount is 28177, but our most popular are Ka'zun, Ridi'Kun and Tnego. Tanus - What makes those three so special? Volven - One fought a corruptus girl named Janzeviz, another has the most experience, and the last is known for his extreme agility. Tanus - Other than those three what is the typical operating method of your mercenaries: Spec-Ops or private army? Volven - ''Uhhh what? Our mercenaries are basically suited for any kind of mission, and these 28177 are the reserves, we have way more serving us.'' Tanus - *sighs* Do your mercenaries work induvidually or in small groups or are they trained to function as batallions? Volven - Well, they work mostly individually and in small groups, as they're not usually trained for being in batallions. Tanus - ''I see.

Tanus preses a buzzer on his desk, calling for a Terradixian to enter.

Tanus - ''This is Thotanial, my aide. Do any of your mercenaries have experience of these?''

Tanus activated a screen, showingi images of Draconis Blood Dragons in combat.

Tanus - I'm not expecting firsthand experience, just knowledge of how they fight. Volven - ''Oh yeah, many can do that. They're very versatile. In fact, I can bring a few of your choice here for you to see what they're capable of!'' Tanus - I would like to see your most capable. Volven - ''Ok. *30 Minutes pass, Ka'zun, Ridi'Kun and Tnego come inside* They're are my ultimate best, but one more should be here, oh there he is, greetings, Virno!'' Ka'zun - Yes, I'm a female. Tanus - ''Thotaniel prepare the holosuite. Program 51-Dragon-J.''

The terradixian nodded without a word and headed for the holosuite under his supervisor's order. Ridi'Kun walks over facinated by a portrayal of Drakon.

Tanus - I'm not surprised, one of the most feared women in my kin's empire is a female; I know how deadly your gender can be. Ridi'Kun - Interesting species, who are they? Ka'zun - I know! Tanus - That is Drakon, my species' patron diety. Ridi'Kun - ''Deity... I... To be honest, I have no idea what that is, is it a ruler?'' Ka'zun - ''You're embarassing us! But I also don't know...'' Tanus - Diety is a more general term for the word 'god'; a supreme, all-powerful being. Ridi'Kun - More powerful than Tnogedo 78? Ka'zun - That's our ruler, and richest Dagorian of all time. Tanus - ''The power of such beings is more considerable than with mortals. Such entities have the power to bend the laws of physics and logic to their will.'' Ka'zun - ''I'll wait to meet him someday. Anyways, when is the Program starting?''

As they talk Thotaniel enters the room, quivering slightly before speaking

Thotaniel - It is all set up sir, follow me. Tnego - ''Yeah! Thank you!''

As they enter the holosuite they notice the room has taken the form of an arena. In the far corner were two Draconis holograms wearing gilded ceramic armour and wielding twin-shortswords.

Thotaniel - they have been set to an appropriate skil level sir. They should move and act as though they were 200 years old. Tnego - Yeah!!!

Tnego charged at one of the dragons, throwing his dagger and injuring it before it retaliates while Ridi'Kun charged at the other

Tanus - Thotaniel, reconfigure to make it so each person is fighting their own units - Blood Dragons always fight in pairs.

As ordered, Thotaniel generated six more Blood Dragons, who charged into the fray. The second Blood Dragon drew two power swords to engage Ridi'kun. Ka'Zum slid under the first dragon's legs and tripped it up. As it fell Ridi'Kun threw a knife and drew a dagger and a plasme pistol in the direction of the second Blood Dragon. Virno was cut by a blade and fires his pistol at one of the Dragons' eyes but the shot only dissapates over a phasic shield. The holograms quickly flank each mercenary

Tanus - Not so easy is it? Volven - *Nervous* Indeed.

Ka'zun defended herself valiantly until she manages to make two of the holograms hit each other while Ridi'Kun - left overconfident - was thrown to the floor, the hologram pressing the tip of it's blade against his neck. He looked at the hologram devilishly before punching it with his third arm. He drew his dagger and slashed the Dragon in the arm, only scratching the armour. Meanwhile Ka'Zun managed to dodge the sweep of a hologram's tail.

Ridi'Kun did not stay standing for long before he is kicked to the floor, he drew his pistol andfires at the Dragon who kicked him

Tanus - Those eyes your clients Ridi'Kun and Ka'Zun have are certainly useful against the Dragons. Volven - Every one of us have those eyes.

Volven pointed at the eye on the back of his head and Tanus nodded before he returned his gaze to the fight, watching Ridi'Kun get up and fire once again at the Dragon's partner.

Ridi'Kun - Damn, harsh. Tanus - Your best certainly last longer than most against the Blood Dragons, I would certainly consider hiring them. Volven - Thank you.

A Blood Dragon leaps at Virno who slid away and, drawing his knife he slashed at the Dragon's tail. Despite cutting the tail it remained intact and slammed right into Virno's stomach. As he staggered he drew a pistol and fired a withering barrage of plasma, which was partially absorbed by the hologram's shield. The Dragon thrusts it's swords at Virno and he narrowly misses them, his heart racing when realising just what he was up against. He screamed as he fired, desperately trying to kill his target.

Tanus - Impressive. Virno - GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Ridi'Kun - Who's having trouble?

The Hologram finally succumbs, throwing it's sword which cuts Virno in the arm. The other Dragon watches before it begins breating deeply, grunting before letting out a fearsome roar and charging at Virno.

Tanus - Now it gets interesting: Blood Dragons enter a beserker state when they see the other in their pair die. Volven - AKA He's in trouble... Tanus - Indeed... Virno - AGH AGH AGH

As Virno rests he noticef the other Blood Dragon, charging and grunting with rage. It pulled out it's fusion pistols and fired at him, wounding him.

Tanus - ''To kill a pair is an impressive feat. Even if you kill one of them the other becomes almost unstoppable.'' Virno - AAAAAAAGH

Upon closing in the hologram leaped at him, switching it's fusion pistols for swords, Virno pulled out his dagger to face the crazed hologram but he was wearing down.

Volven - Blood Dragons are very powerful... Tanus - ''And not a single trace of genetic enginnering, I envy them. They are handpicked prior to birth and nurtured to be exemplars of combat. why do you think the Paragons use them as bodyguards?'' Volven - They're very strong indeed.

The hologram landed on Virno, toppling him over and plunging his swords therough the dagorian's chest. The swords pass right through as though they were made of air and he was left screaming as all the holograms dissapeared.

Virno - I failed you, Volven... Volven - You tried, my lad... Tanus - ''Knowledge is power. You lasted longer than many who came before you.'' Volven - Like who? Tanus - ''Thotaniel, run simulations of previous engagements. The Red-scaled draconis are our own and genetically engineered to be superior''

The Representetive's aide activated the holosuite as ordered. Several species are shown fighting pairs of Blood Dragons. Some lasting 2 minutes, others barely 15 seconds. All of them are easily flanked and hardly any of those that fail last longer than six minutes*

Volven - ''Wow. Noobs.'' Tanus - ''Don't be so quick to judge. They are ruthless in combat and there aren't any who failed that were blessed with an eye on the back of their heads. I worry about your sides though.'' Volven - ''Sides? As in?'' Tanus - The sides of your heads. Volven - They're for hearing. Tanus - ''I would be interested in say... 12,000. Along with those three that survived. How much would that be?''

Volven faints at the question, eventually standing back up again after Virno explained the reason for his collapse.

Virno - Nobody ever asked us that many Dagorians... Volven - ''Did you say... 12,000? Thotaniel - What's the typical amount?'' Volven - ''People usually ask us for 1, or 2, or 5 for a certain mission, for one month of service, the bill for 12,000 plus my best 3, is... 960,240,000 Sporebucks.'' Tanus - We need what we can, especially since we are gearing for a new campaign. Volven - That's our price, and it's a 20% discount as well. Ka'zun - *Whispering* THAT MUCH??? Ridi'Kun - *Whispering* Damn, he'll be at the level of people like me... Tanus - ''Your species has traits that would be useful in battle against the Blood Dragons. Hmm, maybe 7,000 for four months is more appropriate.'' Volven - ''4 months, that's 200,000 per Dagorian, meaning... 1.4 Billion Sporebucks.'' Ka'zun - At this rate he'll be the next Dagorian ruler. hotaniel - ''I estimate that to be.... point-nine billion credits sir.'' Volven - Allright. Tanus - ''Sounds reasonable, we're not paying up front though. We will pay for each month.'' Volven - Ok, so, 350 Million each month. Thotaniel - ''225 million credits. Easily manageable sir'' Tanus - Indeed, we accept. Volven - Thank you. Ka'zun - I'm so excited to work here! Ridi'Kun - Me too! Tnego - So as me. Tanus - I am glad to hear, we have barracks available on our ships so make yourselves comfortable. Ka'zun - Thank you. Volven - You'll see your 7000 other Dagorians in 2 hours. Tanus - I warn you: The upper decks of most ships are restricted areas to non-draconis unless you have been invited. Ka'zun - Ok.

Welcome Aboard
They are taken to the bowels of one of the larger ships. The lower decks are filled with mercenaries of all kinds and of varying degrees of professionalism. They decide to walk int othe lower mess hall wehre they spot a scarred Korkonid mercenary wearing a crude cybernetic eye sitting at the counter.

Ka'zun - Our new home for 4 months. Ka'zun - Hi. Mercenary - ''Hey. i take it you're the new-guys?'' Ka'zun - Yeah, us 3. Mercenary - ''Let me give you some advice: don't get too comfortable. In truth the Khaxvis don't really care who they are hiring, they just need bullet shields for their little war.'' Ka'zun - ''Yeah right. We are elite. We managed to take down Blood Dragons, what did YOU do?'' Mercenary - ''Bah, they may look convincing but the real-deal's worse. I've taken down Inquisitors - Those zealots don't just cut your head off; they berate and screw with your mind and THEN cut it off!'' Ka'zun - ''Damn! I want to kill an Inquisitor! Wait, what's a Zealot?'' Mercenary - Are you serious? Ridi'Kun - Uhhh, must be something related to this Drakon thing. Ka'zun - ''Yes... I'm serious.''

This just made the mercenaries in the room laugh uncontrollably, leaving the Dagorians wondering waht was so funny.

Mercenary - Zealots are the type of person who bashes their beliefs into your skull. Ka'zun - ''Beliefs? I believe I am strong. So they bash that kind of belief on you?'' Mercenary 2 - ''Nah. Inquisitors bash in the idea that blood sacrifices and stuff are bad.'' Mercenary - What's your contract? Ka'zun - I've been signed up for 4 months. Mercenary 2 - Are ya paid up-front or gradually? Ka'zun - Gradually. Mercenary - ''*Snorts* Typical Khaxvis tactic. It just means that they don't have to pay your full sum if you die early.'' Ka'zun - I will survive! Merenary - ''My cousin Krong said the same thing when he signed up. Two months later we found his body half-eaten with Krann bitemarks all over him.'' Ka'zun - ... Tnego - ''*Grabs the Mercenary* We are strong people, I don't want to hear anymore from your kind! Let's go, Dagorians!'' Mercenary - Save your your paychecks, and your faces!

The three of them head to another part of the ship, eventually stumbling into a room adjacant to an empty hallway. The room the entered had a plaque with a language they couldn't understand written on it. The room looks spacious and flowing water seeps from fountains. Earthy reds and terracotta colours are everywhere. At the far end is a bookcase with several large books, all of them in Dracid.

Ka'zun - I don't understand any of these books. Tnego - Should we be even here?

As they look around plodding footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Ka'zun - Uhhh, this is bad- Tnego - We'll be fine.

The footsteps became louder, something heavy. Two gruff voices could be heard from down the hall. Nervous, Tnego held up up a quickly-scribbled sign saying "what does this mean?" to the others. Eventually shadows formed behind the door, the three of them were close to outright panic.

Ridi'Kun - We're goners. ??? - ...Another victory then. ??? - Yeah, not sure what the elders see in them though... ??? - ''Elders are there for a reason. If they see promise why should we-''

Two members of House khaxvis, both reaching three metres tall, stood at the door. They glared anrily when seeing the Dagorians.

Thalonus - Explain yourselves now! Tnego - ''Where are we? We got lost, what does this sign say?'' Ka'zun - Yeah, we were exploring around for a room, we winded up here. Thalonus - ''It says 'Recreational area'. How did you get on this level!''

Both of them approach, towering over the Dagorians in height and bulk like giants.

Ka'zun - We were looking for a room, we climbed up some stairs, we were trying to find a room for us, and this word sounded like our language for "Money". Poltarus - ''Rooms suitable for use with non-draconis are marked in Low Dracid. What have you been doing in here!?'' Ka'zun - Just exploring around... Ridi'Kun - Yes, we did not touch anything. Tnego - Is there any of you who speak Dagorian?

The two Draconis look at each other before turning back to the Dagorians.

Thalonus - 'No.''

The three of them were cent back down to the lower levels, reeturning to the cramped hallways they entered from.

Tnego - ''Anyone in this ship? DOES ANYONE SPEAK DAGORIAN???'' Mercenary - ''You a Dagorian? I speak it.'' Ka'zun - ''Oh, thank you! Can you lead us to our rooms?'' Mercenary - ''If by 'rooms' you mean 'bunks' Sure I can. it's first-come-first-serve on the first day.'' Ka'zun - Whatever.''

The rooms were more like a bunkhouse than the rooms upstairs.

First Assaignment
After six hours the three of them began talking again, gathered within the bunkhouse. Tnego - ...And I shot that hologram like I was hypered, It was awesome!!! Ka'zun - I can't wait for my first mission! Officer - ''Alright rank up you credit-hugging lowlifes! We're approaching a borderworld for an assignment!'' Tnego - Hey!- Ka'zun - It's the mission! Tnego - Oh, I thought he was insulting us.

Everyone in the bunkroom organised themselves with respect to the officer.

Officer - ''On this world we've been told that three Ultanos family members are examining a vineyard. Your job, along with half of every other lowlife on this vessel is to kill them.'' All three - YEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! Officer - ''I couldn't care less who brings me their heads. But the Blood Dragons, as always, are in full-force here.'' Tnego - DEATH TO THE "ULTANOS"! Officer - ''Oh yeah, and the planetary garrison, which is why we're sending so many of you. *points to the three dagorians* The Captain has a special assaignment for the three of you.'' Ka'zun - What is it? Officer - ''The rest of you are to get ready. *the others leave* Lieutenant Thalonus was impressed how you three managed to get inside the recreation room without anyone noticing. You three are going to the Ultanos estate 6km from the main battlefield. If any of the ultanos are there i want you to kill them.'' Ka'zun - On it.

More to come...