Fiction:Dark Times/Hunt for the Zevian Skull

The Zevian Skull, an ancient artifict once created by the noble Atlantica- myths say it holds great powers. When for the side of good, it can bring prosper and wealth, while for evil it can destroy the Quadrants at whole.

After it's creation, the Atlantica themselves deemed the artifact to powerful and hid the skull at Zevia- under the watchful eyes of the Greendions. Located at her hiding place for years, the skull remained dorment and her excistence became a myth lost to history.

However in 02 NE, a young girl learns of the excistence of the skull and starts a hunt- a hunt which threatens the balance of the Quadrants.

Epilogue
Claire Rambo was bored, ever since she became a servant of Moranonúngur she was stationed at the Bluedion moon. However Claire is a warrior, not some babysitter for some small blue creatures. Growing disatisfied she still remained at the moon as her master, Moranonúngur commanded her.

When eventually the year 02 NE started, with little to no action and the Empire' control growing over the Bluedions- Claire began searching the Bluedion databases for information. She wanted to get off the moon as it brought back flashes of memories of her life before being a servant of Moranonúngur. These memories would often appear when Claire was a sleep, as nightmares from which she awoke sweaty. Suddenly, near the end of the second month of 02 NE Claire found something interessting while reading an ancient parchment.


 * Claire: "Oh my, what is this?"
 * Bluedion (1): "What is it my mistress?"
 * Claire: "Look at this my little Bluedion, this short section chronicles a mysterious object of power. The so called Zevian Skull!"
 * Bluedion (2): "Yes, yes the Zevian Skull is said to hold great powers to it's bearer. It can create or destroy if one can master it's full potential".
 * Claire: "What do you mean 'if'?"
 * Bluedion (1): Well.... those who can't will be destroyed. Legends tell that is why the Atlantica themselves hid the artifact after all at Zevia, with our brethern the Greendions.".
 * Claire: "And did they ever find it?"
 * Bludion (2): "No, never ever found one the skull, as we said it are probably just legends".

Behind her helmet Claire smiled, if she would be able to locate such an artifact she could prove to her master that she was worthy. And if he would not agree nor reward her with the things she wanted, well then she would have the power to take care of him, wouldn't she? Claire ordered the Bluedions to contact the fleet in orbit of the Bluedion moon and open the artificial wormhole leading to Zevia. Claire took two Ifrit class star destroyers with her and entered the portal, with a clear mind set on the mysterious skull.

Yet she could not imagen that the search became an actual hunt, and that many parties are going to get involved. Some for good, some for evil intentions.

Discovery in the Eastern Swamps
Claire decided to take two Ifrit-class star destroyers with her, though they were part of the Imperial Navy they weren't as powerful as a Imperial-class star destroyer due to restrictions given by the Rambo Senate. None the less the Ifrit-class could match the fire power of the Rambo their Galaxy-class and a such was still a dangerous enemy.

The Bluedions managed to open the gate and the two Ifrit-class star destroyers entered the artificial wormhole. The wormhole opened herself near Zevia- a planet with ancient connections to the Atlantica. Onboard the bridge of the Ifrit-class Infector Claire smiled. They had arrived at the planet without interference.


 * Libertus officer: "My lady, I am trying to scan the planet, but they seem to have problems to detect anything. According to sensors the planet is deserted of life!".
 * Claire: "Don't be ridiculous Libertus. The planet has connections to the Atlantica. It is probably shielded from sensors or such. Prepare a landing party at once!"

The Libertus officer sighted but complied none the less. He didn't like to follow orders from humanoids or Mortalitas for that matter. As Claire entered the shuttle she was followed by various Basileus navy troopers. He sighted again, and returned to the bridge as he wasn't allowed to join the landing mission. Instead he was ordered to remain on the bridge and alert Claire and her troopers if anything special was noted.

The shuttle with Claire and the navy troopers approached the Zevian city of Carnivoria. Home to the saurien races of Zevia and one of the grand cities of Zevia. Landing the shuttle on the highest point in the city they were confronted by brown colored dinosaur creatures, resembling the Libertus these creatures were actually Velotarian- and though smaller they were way more agressive than Libertus.

Surrounded Claire smiled, the Velotarian carried shields and weapons belonging to a medieval age, standing no chance against the far superior fire power of the Empire. Suddenly behind them a massive door opened and a red colored saurien, measering 2.6 meters in height and wearing a crown approached Claire and her landing party. Claire pressed a button at her shoulderplate when suddenly the creature roared and began to speak in common language- must to the surprise of the landing party.


 * Carnoria: "Welcome to Carnivoria- home to the Sauriens and greatest of cities on all of Zevia."
 * Claire: "Thank you for you welcome your grace, I see that your crown resembles your greatness as leader of this band of sauriens?"

Carnoria, king of the Sauriens chuckled, it seemed this humanoid was thaught her manners well. He nodded slighty and began to speak once more.
 * Carnoria: I am King Carnoria, ruler of the Sauriens and Carnivoria is my seat of power. Now see we haven't had many visitors in all those years- especially not those from the stars. So state you inquiries and perhaps I will not feed you to my loyal Velotarian legion."
 * Claire: "Dream on Carnoria. I am in control here. You will tell me everything you know about the Zevian Skull before I order you and this city to be destroyed in honor of the Empire and the Emperor."

The Carnorian took a step backward and hissed. But realised he was powerless as an Ifrit-class star destroyer approached the city. Signaled by Claire the Libertus officer entered orbit to approach her position. Deciding to spare his people, Carnoria told Claire the skull was nothing more than a myth. Once guarded by the Greendions in the north the sauriens once waged a war for it until both sides realised there was no skull to fight for. Claire was confused, the scrolls were clear the skull was on Zevia.

Carnoria, recognising Claire as the leader of the landing party asked her to go inside his throne room- he has something to show her. Claire and her troopers followed, wary for an attack but none came. To her surpise Claire witnessed something else, something she didn't expect. Carnoria told that the skull stood under the protection of the Great Houses of Quadrantia- the sauriens believed it was a myth but Claire just found back her trail!

The massive wall plate showed symbols of the Great Houses, though were difficult to identify as they weren't named. Inside the circel were the crests of the houses were place stood the following verse:

Head of Zevia

Thee tremble at her power

Hidden in Quetzamet honor, the Green watch

Taken by those resisting influance

Stranded at Kreeta

Coveted by many

Vanished

Grace of the Ultimate One watches

Behind her helmet Claire frowned, it seemed the verse indicated where the skull went to but some made now sense to her at all. She knew some line referred to the Atlantica and the Ultimate One, well others made no sense to her at all. The Green Watch? Kreeta? Coveted by many. Claire creaked, it was a riddle she had to find out. And as fast as possible, if the verse was as old as she believed the verse was made around 200.000 BQF, the skull could be anywhere within the Quadrants.

Claire approached the wall, while Carnoria smiled as he knew Claire was going to track the skull- something Carnoria had planned for. Claire looked at the crests and descriptions of the great Houses.


 * A saurien crest with the line: Sauriens of old
 * A wolf like crest with the line: Howlers of the night - purring at day
 * A bird like crest: Crusaders of the Stars
 * A plant like crest: Singers of melody
 * A strange humanoid looking crest with the line: Fallen from Grace - stalkers in the shadows

As Claire was about to turn she noticed another symbol, small and below the the verse of the skull stood a line in very small letters, and said:

Beware Tormentors Beware

Lost in thoughts Claire wondered what the verse and crests of the houses could mean when suddenly one of her navy troopers approached her and told her the two Ifrit-class cruisers were under attack!

Battle above the Eastern Swamp
The Libertus officer that was ordered by Claire to remain onboard the Infector looked in awe as two massive ships approached the two Ifrit-class cruisers above the eastern swamps of Zevia- near some mountains the Ifrit-class star destroyers were cornered if they did not gain altitude. .

The Mortalitas lieutenant looked confused, it indeed seem to have origins in the Mortalitas Dreadnought- but he couldn't remember they ever had changed the exterior of the vessel and changed it coloring.
 * Libertus officer: "Lieutenant, what are those ships? They resemble the Rambo Dreadnought and the Mortalitas Dreadnought. However this ship looks brown and seems to be patched together?"


 * Mortalitas lieutenant: "I am not sure sir, they are advancing on our position!"
 * Libertus officer: "Raise forward deflector shields! Target the vessels and hail them! And stop that annoying rap music that comes from our speakers!"
 * Mortalitas lieutenant: "Sir, that is not our doing, it is theirs!"
 * Basileus lieutenant: "Incoming FIRE"

With the last word of the Basileus all bridge officers braced for inpact! The enemy that attacked the Empire were the dangerous Quadrantia Loron! Sadly the Empire did not knew this as the Rambo didn't knew much about them nor shared any information with the Empire about them.

The other Ifric-class took heavy damage when her forward deflector shields were destroyed and had troubles holding her altitude. With both the Empire and Loron launching their fighters a massive battle was fought over the swamps, with both fighters trying to damage the larger vessels.

Due to their better position the Quadrantia Loron seemed to gain the upperhand as they were higher in altitude and were able to hammer the two Empire vessels! Suddenly the Mortalitas lieutenant picked up something on sensors!


 * Mortalits lieutenant: "Sir, I picked up another ship! It is entering orbit!"
 * Libertus officer: "Another enemy vessel?"
 * Basileus lieutenant: "No sir, i-it's the ENTERPRISE!"

New Revelations
With the arrival of the Rambo vessel the Quadrantia Loron decided to withdraw from the battle- as they already managed to severely cripple one of the Ifrit-class star destroyers. Happily the Libertus officer contacted the USS Enterprise-A.


 * Libertus officer: "Hail USS Enterprise, I am glad you have come to our aid in dire need!"
 * Captain Rambo: "This is captain captain James Rambo of the USS Enterprise-A. We are glad you have survived with our interference as Zevia is a dangerous planet without proper working sensors Imperial officer. I thought the Grand Navy of the Empire were thaught such things?"

The Libertus officer grunted and looked angry. Who thought this Rambo humanoid think he was? The two Ifrit-class star destroyers returned to high orbit- while being escorted by the USS Enterprise-A. Down below, in the swamps Claire didn't comment on the battle nor did she interfere. She took her gunship- together with King Carnoria and a number of Velotarians to the northern area of Zevia, where the Infector her sensors discovered an ancient site. Arriving at a temple structure (which turned out to be the temple of Quetzamet) Claire was hopeful that the skull was hidden inside the temple. Carnoria dismissed her claims- as the Greendions were enslaved by the Q-Loron and all their prized possesion were taken by the Loron as well. None the less Carnoria followed Claire up the stairs of the relative small, but impressive temple.

Arriving at the top Claire screamed in anger.


 * Claire: "Aaaaaaargh! The Skull is not here!"
 * Carnoria: "My dear human, like I said before. The temple, like the Greendion city nearby is plundered by Quadrantia Loron when they enslaved them years ago."

Claire turned, and though Carnoria couldn't see her face as it was hidden by her mask he knew she looked angry and dissastisfied. Both decended the stairs when they suddenly found Captain Rambo and his yeoman, E'Leana waiting for them. They seemed to scan the area for interessting facts about the culture of the Greendions and other civilizations of Zevia. Precisely on this time the Rambo captain decided to explore Zevia! Claire told Carnoria to go the the gunship and hide himself from view. As Claire approached James Rambo (-whom she recognised as her father but he himself didn't recognise her as his daughter), flanked by various Basileus navy troopers she confronted James.


 * Claire: "In name of the Empire, state your intentions Rambo captain."
 * James Rambo: "Greetings servant of the Empire. First of all, I am captain James Rambo of the USS Enterprise-A and I only take orders from Rambo Command, not from the Empire. Even though the Rambo are a "protectrate" of the Empire, it doesn't mean I take orders from every Imperial officer who comes around."
 * Basileus trooper: "Why you little brat! Show respect to lady - ....."

Before the Basileus trooper could tell her name Claire raised her hand and the trooper stopped speaking. With E'Leana looking affraid James straightened his back and shoulders to face the mysterious lady in service of the Empire. Claire simply told the Empire was here to investigate the planet, and James told them he did so as well.

Satisfied Claire returned to the gunship and ordered the pilot to set course to the Quadrantia Loron base. She wished to face the Loron and find out what they knew about the Skull. If they would not cooperate, she had liberated the Quadrants from some pirates.

James looked confused, though the helmet misformed the voice of the girl he seemed to recognise the voice as well as the way the mysterious female Imperial officer was speaking. E'Leana laid down her hand on James shoulder and gave him her tricorder. James looked confused, E'Leana simply nodded. There was no mistake. This Imperial officer was the missing daughter of James!

A Quadrantia Loron audience
Claire and her escorting Basileus navy troopers took their gunship to the Quadrantia Loron camp. Leaving her father, James behind. After flying for over two hours the party finally located the Quadrantia Loron camp. It was located on an island, with in the valley the houses of the Loron- at the outskirts were various landing plattforms. Claire was impressed, their perfect location prevented the Loron from being detected by sensors from ships in orbit. All around the camp were Greendion hard at work, whether they were cleaning the streets or hauling garbage, they looked miserable for a once proud people.

Exiting their gunship she requested an audience with the leader of the Quadrantia Loron and she was brought before Tec'Tor- commander of the Loron camp. However Tec'Tor didn't look happy at all with both a Rambo and Empire ship in orbit.


 * Tec'Tor: "Whassa you doin here Empire girl?"
 * Claire: "Greetings leader of the Quadrantia Loron. My name is Claire Rambo and I am here for a special reason. I request information from you."
 * Tec'Tor: "Mhuhahaha. Info she requires she sais".

All around the Loron began to laugh and took aim with their blasters. The Quadrantia Loron weren't known for sharing, only by taking all they wanted with force. Claire smiled behind her helmet and began to speak again.


 * Claire: "Loron, I do not care if you find it funny or not. But you will give me the information I want. I have two star destroyers in orbit as well as a Rambo heavy cruiser which will fire at this position if I command them to do so."

Tec'Tor nervously moved around, and looked to the sky (as if to expect to see the vessels). Tec'Tor nodded, he knew from Loron information the Empire was not to fooled with. Claire requested information about a Zevian Skull. Tec'Tor replied he did not knew what it was, nor that they did find any such thing when they raided the Greendion temple.

Claire left, dissapointed she arrived at the star destroyer Infector. Onboard she informed Empire Intelligence of her findings and next course of action. According to the verse it seemed the skull could have been taken to a planet known as Kreeta. A planet by that name was once stumbled upon by Rambo explorers in Quadrant 82. As such Claire decided to leave Zevia and to travel to the Quadrant 21 space station to re-supply her vessel and head into Quadrant 82 (-they were now still in Quadrant 21).

Onboard the USS Enterprise-A James Rambo was informed of the news for this hunt and decided to follow his daughter to save her from Empire influance. Though Rambo Command did not approve the detail of saving Claire they did secretly give permission to follow the Empire and obtain the skull when the moment arrived.

Elswhere, another was informed by the news for this hunt when a lone Hutter captain onboard a D-5 class managed to decode the message send by James Rambo. As such he travelled to the Quadrant 89-Quadrant 82 wormhole where he would cloack and enter the wormhole, eventually arriving in Quadrant 82 he would intercept the Infector and the Enterprise-A.

With this the second month of 02 NE concluded and the hunt for the Zevian skull shall continue in the third month and possibly even beyond as it a long travel from Zevia (in Quadrant 21) to Quadrant 82.

Resupplying
Coming soon