Fiction:Second Borealis Galactic War/Part 5

Xiyara Rises
Previous	Symphony of Flesh and Steel
Concurrent	Dark Times
Next	Ice Age
Date	2792
Place	Borealis Galaxy
Provocation	Defeat of the Borealis Grox Empire
Outcome	TBA
Combatants
Order Polar Crystal Alliance Zoles Imperium Niaka Special Forces Unified Nation of Ottzello Civitas Seagon Cryptocracy Indoctrinate Collective The Vague
Disorder Borealis Consortium Network Da Rogue Boyz
Zargoth Vyro'Ralza
Commanders
Order Arkarixus Rebaris Vekaron Asraels Xerkea Xeron UNOL UNOC Olcinius Vyutrin Dakster
Disorder Falrik Zaarkhun General Volim Torrent Genrai Nal Sollow Da Rogue Leedas Durzhan
Zargoth Zargoth Kolossus Antagonar

“Soon, Volim, the galaxy will be ours. There'll be nothing we can't do.”

- Falrik Zaarkhun

This is the fifth part of the Second Borealis Galactic War.

Anarchy and Tyranny

A War of Ideals

A day after the defeat of Regnatus, in the throne room of the Iron Fist, both Falrik Zaarkhun and General Volim knew what had to happen next. They knew that they would not wait until Zargoth was defeated to take over the galaxy for themselves; rather, they would take control of the galaxy, and use its full might against him. Zaarkhun didn't even need to state an agenda for their next conversation, for they knew what it would be: how to dismantle the Polar Crystal Alliance once and for all.

Falrik Zaarkhun and General Volim may both have been galactic crimelords with ambitions of conquering the Borealis Galaxy, but that was where their similarities ended. Falrik Zaarkhun was a businessman first and foremost, a chessmaster who operated behind the scenes, meticulously calculating all the details to ensure his plan, or one of his millions of backup plans, fell into place exactly as he had ordained it. He was a cold, calculating man who kept many of his own personal feelings, and his dark past, to himself. If he were to rule this galaxy, he would abolish all form of governments. His ideal was complete anarchy. In his mind, personal freedom trumped everything, and an individual could do far better on their own fending for themselves than they ever could with a government feigning to protect them. The market, he believed, and the old principle in nature of "survival of the fittest" - the idea that only the strongest would survive - was far better at determining the best outcome for the future.

General Volim Thrava could not be more different. He came from a military background, and had led the Wranploer Legion in countless bloody conflicts in his quest to erase those who challenged his rule. Thrava was rarely shy about his own emotions, but most often, it was clear how he felt: everyone else was beneath him, and the Wranploer had a right to rule the galaxy. He was a ruthless, brutal dictator who had gained infamy across the galaxy for his bloodshed. If he ruled the galaxy, there would be one supreme government with a single figurehead at the top that everyone had to answer to: himself. His ideal was totalitarian, and personal freedoms to him were irrelevant. The Wranploer would ensure true order in the galaxy, and any other species that did not bow to their rule would be annihilated. He still believed in his own principle of "survival of the fittest", in a way: only the strongest should survive. And in his eyes, it was abundantly clear that this would be the Wranploer, and in conquering the galaxy, he would prove it.

The contrast between these two individuals could not be greater, and yet their running of the Borealis Consortium Network thus far had been entirely smooth. While Volim led the Network as a military leader, the figurehead for all their warriors of the traditional sense to rally behind, Zaarkhun was a schemer behind the scenes who handled the business side of the Network, which had grown since he took over. Now, the Network was made up of Wranploer warlords used to the old ways, and of private military corporations that struck deals to achieve the greatest outcomes. While Zaarkhun kept the coffers flowing and kept the corporate side happy, Volim gave the people a cause to believe in.

There had been internal conflicts, of course, but perhaps it was inevitable that these two would clash when they realized what they wanted were total opposites. Nonetheless, right now, they were united in their goal of purging their enemies from the galaxy. So, they thought, it was best to work together in achieving this.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Well, I believe the congratulations we have given to all our warriors for Regnatus' defeat have been sufficient. Our feeling of pride across the Network is at an all-time high. So, now it's time to turn to our next enemy. And you and I both know it's not Zargoth.
• Volim - So soon? The fleets need time to recover.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - But of course. And they'll have it. We won't make any military moves soon for the time being, but we should plan exactly how we will destroy the Alliance once and for all. Once we are ready, then we'll be relentless.

Volim let out a growl and spat on the ground under him, with a small robotic drone immediately moving in to clean it.

• Volim - Polar Crystal Alliance... I hate that name with every fiber of my body. I would already rule this galaxy if not for them, and now they are back.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Let's make this Alliance even shorter-lived than their last, eh?
• Volim - Hm. And how do you intend to do that? Another 'march of liberty' will not do.

Falrik Zaarkhun was always in his element when he was scheming, and when he was explaining his plans. In his own mind, he was brilliant. He had built the biggest corporation in the galaxy as an outside from Ottzello, become the richest man in the galaxy, and coordinated the defeat of many of his rivals. In his eyes, what happened in the last 'march of liberty' was just an outlier. But he knew he had to change course. Zaarkhun gleefully explained the rest of his plan, for which he'd been thinking about long before Regnatus was defeated.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - You are right, that we won't be able to rely on the same tactics as before. The circumstances are entirely different: The defeat of Regnatus has meant that civic nationalism around the galaxy is at an all-time high, as Borealans trust their institutions more than ever and feel pride about the defeat of Regnatus. We can't simply rely on the tactics of disinformation or propaganda anymore. Similarly, the Polar Crystal Alliance trust one another a lot more, so we can't drive another rift between the Zoles and the Ottzelloans and hope for another quarantine. People who haven't already overthrown their governments won't anymore. That doesn't mean we can't build on the progress we made last time in other ways, but it does mean that any plan to overthrow the Zoles and the Ottzelloans will have to change course.
• Volim - Yes. Go on.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - So, that means we have do the reverse. Civic nationalism is on the rise around Borealis, but also among us. The Wranploer trust the leader, Volim Thrava, who brought them together and led them to defeat Regnatus. As do all the others whom you brought into the fold. They are hungry for another victory to follow this, another opponent to be annihilated. Because, it may be true that we worked alongside the Zoles, but that has not meant any of us like them. So, we fight fire with fire. This time, we rally the people around a new cause. Around General Volim Thrava, the man who led them to victory against Regnatus, and will soon lead them to victory against King Rebaris himself.
• Volim - Hmpf. That was my intention from the start.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - In order to muster the greatset military might since the defeat of Regnatus, we will need a strong economy however. That's where I come in. I will manipulate the markets as best I can to ensure that we can rebuild our military far quicker than they can rebuild theirs. Soon, soldiers will hear tales of the great defeat of the Grox, and will wish to be a part of the next great defeat. With the Wranploer better equipped, and better motivated than ever before, we will crush the Zoles Imperium under our might. And after this, we will crush the Unified Nation.

Volim put his arms together with a smirk.

• Volim - And the Niaka Special Forces. And the Seagon, and the Paladians. And every single one of these outsiders.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Precisely. Rebuilding our military faster than theirs won't simply be a case of spurring economic activity, however. In the meantime, I have a new ally, who will help us spread a little... disarray.

Zaarkhun turned behind him, and Durzhan appeared through a portal. Durzhan, angered at his defeat as the Unified Nation had objected to the idea of becoming Vyro'Ralza, had found a new purpose: vengeance. Vengeance against the gods who did this. And who better to deliver than Falrik Zaarkhun, the man who stood against the gods all along? Volim frowned at the sight of the Katel, pointing a clawed finger at him.

• Volim - That is that demon cultist!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - In rebuilding our military, we will also disrupt the Polar Crystal Alliance. Be this through assassination attempts, through spreading panic, through disrupting communications. And though propaganda won't be enough to turn them on their governments anymore, it could be sufficient to cause a level of disarray that will give them a much slower time at rebuilding than we have. Durzhan, here, will help us with this, using his powers of Dark Chronoscopic to assist Genrai Nal in the assassination, blackmail, and intimidation of key targets to ensure things do not run smoothly.
• Durzhan - I will help you defeat the Polar Crystal Alliance. After this, I will bring down Zargoth. If I cannot have the Perfect Fate for which I spent millions of years preparing, then I can at least destroy the god who promised it to me.
• Volim - ... Hah. That is quite the change of attitude. So be it.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - We must be relentless. Your military marches and victories against their planets must be frequent and decisive. Meanwhile, my disruption of their operations will be persistent and riotous, and will slow their responses to a crawl. They'll be overwhelmed by us. And the Ottzelloans don't even have a Vyronicia Fleet to use against you anymore.
• Volim - That is sound. The last thing I need is the Alliance gaining a fleet comparable to the Grox and use it against me.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I won't let them. But we will have our fleet back, much hungrier, much more bloodthirsty, than ever before.
• Volim - Good. For now I will call for those who hold their allegiance to me and rebuild the fleet. And once it is ready, the Zoles will know who the true lord of this galaxy is.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I'll get the cogs of war running. And, Genrai Nal, you and Durzhan will find the first targets.
• Genrai Nal - They will not know what hit them.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Oh, and I suppose we should have the support of Da Rogue Boyz.

Volim groaned and rolled his eyes.

• Volim - I suppose. The imbeciles make for decent cannon fodder, at the very least.

Falrik Zaarkhun put the Rogue Boyz on call. The leaders of the Rogue Boyz, in Da Propa Big Rogue Krooza, were mostly hungover and stuffed with pizza, still celebrating from the victory against Regnatus. Fre'kloar was barely able to respond to the call, and Rel'larutina had to pick up first.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Rel'larutina. I imagine you know why I'm contacting you.
• Rel'larutina - Let me guess. You want us to do something for you.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Not specifically, and not right now. But I need your men to prepare themselves and rebuild their fleet quickly. Right now, there will be somewhat of a ceasefire with the Polar Crystal Alliance, but I do not intend this to last very long. And when it breaks, we will need the support of Da Rogue Boyz in a great battle against UNO.
• Rel'larutina - Figured as much. I was gonna say, if you wanted something now, you called at a bad time. Most of the crew in this ship is either unconscious or barely able to move.
• Fre'kloar - sssssshut up i can take anotha pizza
• Jol'kiar - WOW YOO LOSAS BAK IN MA DAYZ WE CULD DRINK MOAR DAN TWENTY PINTS LOL STOP THROWIN UP
• Brag'klogga - I DO WAT I WANT. AND RITE NAO I WANNA GO TO DA BAFFROOM
• Grak'tona - DA KING DEMANDS ANOTHA ROUND. yo is dat folrok zurg on da phone??? SUP YO FANKS FER DA ROYAL OFFERIN YOO GAVE ME DA OTHA DAY
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You're most welcome.
• Rel'larutina - Well, you lot heard Zaarkhun... mostly. We'll be in a big fight at some point so you better prepare.
• Hagto'Zhl - sur sur. big fite. but not nao. nao i sleep
• Kal'kuir - robots... robots... big sexy robots... wait did someone hear me sleep talk
• Knar'gank - dats goin to da extranet
• Voa'reak - duuuuuuuuuuh someon say somfin bout a fite??? ok maybe at like 2 in da mornin or somfin i need anotha round
• Naktor'zak - MAN HAO DA HELL AM I DRUNK I LIV INSIDE A TANK. YET I AM DRUNK AS HELL ATM LMAO
• Zalk'don - YANNO WAT DIS PARTY NEEDS??? FIREWORKS. YO SOMEON GET ME SOM
• Ray'loth - DUMBO DONT BLOW BOMZ UP INSIDE DA SHIP
• Drizz'pyrokirk - man yoo lot is all IRRESPONSIBUL drinkas. DONT YA KNO DAT ALCOHOL MAKES YA PROTEEN SYNTHESIS SLOWA AN SUKS FER GAINS????
• Gol'thabex - lissen neva say da word "synthesis" agen ok
• Drizz'pyrokirk - i meen fair but like i got a fitness seshon tomorrow an dese losas aint gonna be dere
• Jol'kiar - bruh yoo aint even a gym freek yet dats not fer another 5 stories
• Fre'kloar - hes doin it agen NAO I GOT ANOTHA HEADACHE. PASS ME ANOTHA DRINK
• Jol'kiar - YO ZAARKHUN WE WILL GET DA PEEPZ REDY YEH WE JUST GOT FIVE MOAR PIZZA PARTIES TO GET THROO
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Riiiiiight. I think we're done here, then?
• Rel'larutina - Yeah, and I'd recommend not calling tomorrow. Loron hangovers last a long time and they're not pretty to watch.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Understood. Best of luck taking care of them.
• Rel'larutina - You're real cheeky sometimes, aren't you?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - It's what I do.

Once the transmission was closed, Volum put a palm in his face as he groaned in annoyance.

• Volim - Remind me to kick these insects out of Borealis too once their use is done.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Soon, Volim, the galaxy will be ours. There'll be nothing we can't do.

Coordinated Intimidation

In a chamber in Vocrillon Mine, far away from the Iron Fist, Falrik Zaarkhun put together a meeting with the top assassins known to the Borealis Consortium Network. In addition to Genrai Nal, who would chair the meeting, this included Billig Oltauris, a Wranploer lackey of his whom had gained his favor in many important meetings, and of course, Sollow, a questionably loyal assassin made of nanomachines, who was practically unkillable. Many of the other members of the board were bounty hunters who had scored big lately, but not quite worked with Zaarkhun himself on a high-profile assassination. One was a mutant of an unknown species named Fostrak, who was less well-known for stealth missions and more for being able to withstand pain and break through defenses with ease. Another was an alien from outside the galaxy, a Dominatus known as Parihus, whose entire body had become a weapon as the result of a failed and horrific experiment. Finally, a robot simply known as "Death Bot 99", which did not have a real robotic body, and rather had its "arms" and legs floating together using Essence linking them to its head.

In addition to the crew, a few latecomers joined. Knar'gank and Gol'thabex of Da Rogue Boyz joined, having taken a while to find the place properly, while another latecomer, in the form of a massive Heeyorian with cybernetic limbs and clear biological enhancements - the CEO of Soltako Armed Military, the much maligned Zoltik Relkhul - sat at the end of the table. Each of them were gathered in a top secret room within the station, hidden in the underground slums, and the room was dimlit lit. They sat on a long table with Zaarkhun at the helm, a hologram of the galaxy behind him. With the band of murderers together, Zaarkhun began the meeting.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - I'm sure you've heard the memo going around the high-up circles that we intend to attack the Polar Crystal Alliance soon. No one outside of this room should have any more of the details, but let's be clear: we are attacking them today. And you are all helping.
• Zoltik - Now, now, I think we're being a little too quick here. I've not even had the chance to shake your hand!

Zaarkhun turned towards Zoltik, nodded, and held out his hand, which the larger Heeyorian responded with a firm shake and a large grin.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Good to meet you, Zoltik Relkhul. You've quite the reputation.
• Zoltik - And you! You, the actual Falrik Zaarkhun, in the flesh! You have been my inspiration all along, you know. I'm a big fan of your... philosophy
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I'm glad to hear it. You should be glad to know, also, that by virtue of being in this room, you are one of the few whom heard the rumors, and Genrai didn't kill yet.
• Zoltik - Hah! He could try, but I'm not so easily killed!
• Sollow - Stop with this bootlicking... You sound as insincere as me!
• Zoltik - Nonsense! I think we all know how insincere you are, and nobody can match that.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - That's enough. You may take your seat.

Zoltik returned to his seat, still smiling. While Falrik Zaarkhun was well familiar with flattery, he could sense sincerity in the SAM CEO's tone.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - To restate what I said earlier: That each of you have heard the rumor and not been killed yet is because you are important to the next stage of my plan, and the first which will spark a war. Or, should I say, re-spark the aggression in an ongoing one. Ordinarily, I'd ask you to kill anyone else you know who knows anything, but our mission will start immediately upon the conclusion of this meeting.
• Zoltik - Well, I'm all ears! How exactly is this gonna work?
• Genrai Nal - Ten assassins. Ten targets. All eliminated at once.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Just as Genrai says. We've picked out ten high profile targets within the Polar Crystal Alliance who will be eliminated across the galaxy, all within the exact same timetable. Hopefully, only minutes apart. This is what my friend Durzhan is here for.

Durzhan then floated in next to Zaarkhun, and looked at the rest of the group. He appeared menacing as usual, giving the ominous look to all of them as if to tell them they were about to follow his orders soon.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - To assassinate a high-ranking individual is something that could easily spark a war, and understandably so. But more to the point, it gives a few implications. Firstly, that assassinations of this order will be a rare thing. And secondly, that there are only certain targets under certain circumstances we can kill. Therefore, we have to kill multiple. Now, ordinarily I'd spread assassinations of this nature out over time, to achieve the same effect: intimidation. The fear in our enemies' hearts that more of their people could die and were in need of protection. But to really achieve the effect I want, we have to kill many at once. To demonstrate just how far-reaching we are, and just how unsafe they are from us.
• Gol'thabex - yo dis sounds worf da money. i like da idea of dis
• Knar'gank - well i like assassinatin peepz. dont care for da reesun tbh
• Billig Oltauris - Eh, think I can follow the logic behind doin' 'em all at once then, 'ey? But why exactly are we choosing this as the way to start the war?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - It's simple. These assassinations will provoke outrage, panic, and fear. What do these lead to? Well, other than a huge tightening of security, they will also lead to a response, typically in the form of a fleet headed straight to our territory. And that is what Volim will prepare for. Once the fleet hits us in response, we will annihilate it, and show how much more prepared our military is right now than theirs. Their recovery from the previous clash with Regnatus will be entirely interrupted trying to deal with us, and that is what we will take advantage of.
• Billig Oltauris - So when they send the fleet, and Volim crushes it, 'e'll send 'is own fleet back, before they got time to prepare. Then 'e'll go on a rampage in the Western Arm.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Precisely.
• Zoltik - Dirty! I like it!
• Sollow - None of you even think of messing the timing up... Or I will assassinate you next.
• Durzhan - Leave the timing down to me. I can be in ten places at once by manipulating time myself. I will ensure that these attacks happen only seconds apart.
• Knar'gank - but imma do mine first cus im da best sneeka
• Gol'thabex - bruh im a betta sneeka dan yoo an im not even a sneeka
• Knar'gank - lol ok keep dreemin cuzzy bro
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I suppose you'll want to know our targets, yes?

The group eagerly listened in as Zaarkhun listed them out, starting with the most crucial:

• Falrik Zaarkhun - All our targets will be high-ranking individuals involved either in military affairs, or domestic affairs. These are either people who are extremely popular, and whom mudering them would provoke severe outrage, or who would be responsible for a large part of the rebuilding effort, and as such, need to be killed to slow it down. The biggest of these will be a member of UNOL.
• Knar'gank - yooooo dats valzo innit? da Galot leeda???
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Correct, and also UNO's leader of diplomacy. He will be intercepted on a diplomatic voyage to the Niaka, as in, while he is in the Eastern Arm. That is when he will be eliminated by Sollow.
• Sollow - Ahahahaha... I will enjoy this..
• Gol'thabex - cant we kill zrahgloth insted? would be funny as hek if i showed up in da krooza wiv his hed
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Unfortunately not. Our UNOL target had to be one who could not defend themselves, which narrowed it down severely. And it also had to be one not involved in military affairs, for they tend to spark less outrage. The Kralgon Emperor, for instance, may have a lot of respect among UNO's people, but they wouldn't exactly mourn him to the extent they would mourn Tuolog, Valzo, or Feldosia. Feldosia handles domestic affairs, and thus, was impossible to intercept on a mission outside the Ottzello Sector, meaning such an assassination attempt would not be feasible without tripping security. That meant Valzo was our only choice.
• Gol'thabex - lame but ok
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Genrai will attack the next most important target, one of the advisors to King Rebaris himself. This will cause a lot of havoc, as said advisor is not only very popular, but has multiple possible successors. That means a lot of internal conflict created before they are replaced. And internal conflict means chaos, which itself, means a slower response to Volim's attack.
• Genrai Nal - This will be swift and painless for them. But the pain it will cause the Zoles Imperium will be far greater.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - And Gol'thabex, you were trusted to defeat one of the leading Niaka Chief Minors around Wranploer Legion space. Doing so will cause chaos in the division around there, creating a lot more breathing room for Wranploer operations to take place in the time it takes for them to replace them. That a Loron is out so far from the Ottzello Sector is something they will be utterly unprepared for.
• Gol'thabex - hurhurhur i get ta smash da copz. sik
• Falrik Zaarkhun - The rest of you attack slightly smaller, but nonetheless important, targets. What's more noteworthy about your attacks is that each of them occur deep within the Western Arm. If we stuck to targets in the Eastern Arm, or targets a long way from their own territory, then they'd perhaps feel a lot safer staying within their homes. But if we attack targets that distant from us, we show them that nowhere is truly safe from us.
• Billig Oltauris - Sounds like I'll be feedin' tonight then, 'ey?
• Zoltik - Well, it may not be apparent, but I'm not particularly "stealthy". I can guarantee a quick death, but not a painless one!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Your role, Zoltik, is to ambush one of the targets, and destroy them before they even reach their spaceship to flee. You will probably ravage a large part of their world as you do. Do not fret about carrying out your mission silently, for the goal here is intimidation, and we fully intend to leave tracks behind.
• Zoltik - Ah, now we're speaking the same tongue, you and I. I knew we'd make a good team.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - But of course. Now, each of you has your target in front of you. Any questions?
• Knar'gank - yeh. im supposed ta get pizza fer dis. does it hav gud toppins???
• Falrik Zaarkhun - That depends, do you like pineapple on pizza?
• Knar'gank - man do yoo like havin arms??? dont even pretend dat
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You'll be fine, then.
• Knar'gank - ok cool. cause if ma pizza gets messed up i cant guarantee da safety of anyun heer
• Durzhan - Each of you take a trip to a far part of this station. And leave separately. Let no one know you were here. I will join you shortly when we are to begin. And Loron, do not get drunk first. Save that for afterwards.

The assassins all nodded and slowly begun making their way out. Zoltik Relkhul, however, waited for the others to leave until he was alone with Falrik Zaarkhun and his bodyguards, before beckoning him to approach. Zaarkhun looked a little confused, before walking over to Zoltik.

• Falrik Zaarkun - Is this your first time here? We can give you a recommended location to rendezvous with Durzhan, if you wish.
• Zoltik - Oh no, I've been here tons of times. But I needed to ask you something, and I couldn't do it in the earshot of that Wranploer you brought.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - But of course. And do not worry about Billig's loyalty; he wouldn't be here were he not loyal.

Zoltik's eye narroed as he looked down at Zaarkhun.

• Zoltik - We both know this ain't how you operate. Helping that blockheaded tyrant of the Wranploer becoming the ruler of the Eastern Arm ain't what the Zaarkhun Consortium is about.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Correction: I will help him become the ruler of the entire Borealis Galaxy, not just the Eastern Arm.
• Zoltik - But surely you're not doing this out of the kindness of your heart, now. A galaxy under Volim and his Wranploer is one where we are all slaves.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - That is also true. That Volim's vision for this galaxy is a tyrannical one without freedom... and that I'm not doing this to help him.
• Zoltik - Well, then. For how much longer are we playing this game, then? Do you intend to make him the ruler, then remove him?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Close. I intend to make him the ruler of Borealis for however long it takes. Volim's leadership is unlikely to be popular, however. He may have adoration among the other Wranploer, but when he has to rule an entire galaxy of creatures he views as beneath him, Volim is far too short sighted to know how to keep all of them happy. Bit-by-bit, I will dismantle his new empire. And in its place will be... nothing. There will be no government that replaces it.
• Zoltik - And Borealis will fall into chaos, becoming a place where only the fittest survive!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Right now, in these times, there is little appetite among the citizens of Borealis to abandon their governments if they had not done so already. Civic nationalism is on the rise, and so is loyalty to their leaders and institutions. UNO's people are all under the surveillance of the System, the Zoles are all worshippers of their king, and the Niaka serve some misguided form of justice that they pledge alleigance to. These governments will continue to last, and toppling them from within is not possible. But a government under Volim will show people just how bad it is to live underneath the flag of one who cares little for its people. It will show people what a tyrannical, despotic government really is like. And when they see that, they will strongly and vehemently reject it. Through Volim, I will remove the Zoles, the Ottzelloan, and the Niaka regimes from this galaxy, and put them only under one. And then that regime will be taken apart from the inside by the very man who built it to begin with.

Zoltik let out a hearthy laugh as he pat Zaarkhun's back. Genrai almost moved a muscle in defense of Zaarkhun, but Zaarkhun quickly looked him in the eye and made him stand back. Zaarkhun always enjoyed having his ego stroked.

• Zoltik - Lovely! That's just the sort of thing I expected from my inspiration. You've made me filthy rich these last few years, you know. Only fair that I repair the favor to you by providing a hand.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You're most welcome. And believe me, you'll be made far richer over the course of this war when your services are demanded -- and of course, in the revolution that follows when the galaxy turns on Volim shortly afterwards.
• Zoltik - I'll be waiting for that! Now, I had better get going. Got an assassination to do!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Excellent.

Zoltik laughed again and proceeded to leave. As he was out of earshot, Sollow let out a hiss.

• Sollow - I don't like that man... Nobody could worship someone that much.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Patience, I've several spies on him that could kill him if I wished. His respect for me is quite genuine.
• Sollow - Bleh. Next we'll be having a wedding...
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I don't swing that way, sorry to disappoint you.

---

In a convoy ship from the Unified Nation of Ottzello to the Niaka Special Forces, Valzo found himself surrounded by several heavily armed Loron guards in a small yacht. UNO tended to keep travel of their leaders low-key, so as not to make them easily noticed by targets, but to defend them well enough from attacks by space pirates by using cloaked warships around them. These same ships also had several Ioketa on board, able to prevent anyone from teleporting in and to easily move their host to safety if the time came. The peace mission, however, would come to a close at a Cold Relay in-between the Ottzello Sector, the Eastern Arm, and the Friura Sector.

Though the Ioketa may be able to prevent a typical Dark Chronoscopic user from teleporting on board, they were not able to prevent Durzhan from doing so. Durzhan's skills with Dark Chronoscopic were rivalled only by a Vyro'Ralza, and so, Durzhan was easily able to bypass them. The first thing he did was deactivate the Cold Relay, and freeze the ship in time. The next was to teleport Sollow on board. Sollow arrived in the middle of a banquet, with several of Valzo's staff also in attendance as Sollow swooped in, on the table in front of Valzo. As he did, the Loron guards turned to Sollow and grabbed him furiously.

• Loron Guard - INTRUDA. HOW DA HELL DID YOO GET ON BOARD DIS SHIP
• Sollow - Ahahaha... Assassin's secret!
• Valzo - The Borealis Consortium Network assassin! Sollow! Get him out of here at once!
• Loron Guard - YO BEET HIM UP

With a grin, Sollow displayed a surprising burst of strength as he freed himself from the Loron guard before throwing a flurry of knives at him and the others; the highly poisonous knives struck each precisely at their throats, and they immediately fell, gurgling as they slowly died. The assassin then rushed at Valzo's direction and slammed him into the ground, putting his hands around his throat to keep him immobilized.

• Sollow - So lovely that I get to end your life, Valzo... Now you, too, will know how it feels to be dead.
• Valzo - Tell... the Consortium Network... that we... will respond... with consequences!...
• Sollow - Ahahah! We will be waiting!

Sollow took out his blade and then thrust it into Valzo's chest, before removing it and then doing it again over and over, mercilessly stabbing him until he no longer moved, laughing gleefully as he did so. Normally, this was Sollow's signal to make a silent exit, and leave only the body behind, but instead, he heard an explosion near by. Durzhan teleported in behind him, and held up his arms, setting fire to the entire ship. Durzhan sent out flames to every corner, as the ship suffered turbulence and more parts exploded off the walls, with gas leaking. Sollow could even feel his skin melting and repairing as he did so, which caused him to laugh even more as he took the bloodied blade to his mouth and started licking off the blood. The Valzo staffers who did survive, however, simply looked on at Sollow in fear; they were unable to see Durzhan here at all.

• Durzhan - This is not a typical mission. The entire ship must be destroyed, and it must leave a mark. Our goal here is not stealth, it is intimidation.
• Sollow - I like to think I am intimidating enough... How can they know the great Sollow butchered their leader like an animal if there is no body left?
• Durzhan - Then it is your decision. Bring the body with you and mail it to UNO, or let their cameras watch the body melt to a crisp. Either way, our goal will be accomplished.
• Sollow - Hmm, you make a good point... Fine. Let him roast.
• Durzhan - Good. There will be no room for them to use nanomachines and clone him, that way.
• Sollow - Ahahahaha! Let this be a memory they never forget; how Sollow can end them in a single moment!

Leaving destruction in their wake, Durzhan then warped the two of them out of the ship, as it began to further combust and fall to become a wreckage in space. The nearby ships guarding this one uncloaked to search for a source, but found nothing.

UNO had lost one of their leaders in a quick hit and run, by the galaxy's most notorious assassin, and the universe' most powerful Dark Chronoscopic user. An attack which they could not possibly have prepared for.

---

Within moments, each of UNOL's members were called back into the chamber following the attack. They could barely believe what they were hearing. The Kralgon Emperor slammed a terminal in rage, while Feldosia seemed particularly affected; she was in a state of pure shock.

• Kralgon Emperor - How could we let this happen?! We had Ioketa to defend the transport vessel for this precise purpose! We had the most powerful security defending our Leaders that has ever been seen in Ottzello's history! We even ramped it up after the Regnatus incident, and a war hadn't even started yet!
• Zr'Ahgloth - MAN I KNEW DAT ZAARKHUN LOSA WAS GONNA TURN ON HIS AT SOM POINT. ALWAYS HATED DAT SNEEKY ASSASSIN GEEZA OF HIS
• Yogtam - None of us were naive to think that Zaarkhun would not betray us sooner rather than later, as the possibility of him helping us defeat Zargoth first was extremely slim. But... At the same time, none of us knew he would be capable of such an attack either. Like the Kralgon Emperor said, our Leaders are far too well-protected for a single assassin.
• Tuolog - I afraid I can deduce the culprit. Sollow did not work alone. Only a being of power comparable to a Vyro'Ralza could infiltrate our defenses, and we know Zaarkhun would never work with Vyro'Ralza. That leaves only one option... Durzhan.
• Zr'Ahgloth - oh thank roz'tah'flok yoo didnt say brag'klogga
• Kralgon Emperor - Durzhan?! But how?! And why?! He already failed the Perfect Fate! What could he possibly want now?!
• Tuolog - I not certain? Revenge, maybe?
• Yogtam - If we're sure that there would be no one else capable of doing this, then we had better be supremely careful in future. From now on, no one in the Leaders leaves the Ottzello Sector unless they are in the Omega Commander. And we'd better be careful of any leader who cannot defend themselves in combat. That means Feldosia and the Kralgon Emperor can never leave this ship. And I suppose I can't, either.
• Zr'Ahgloth - nah yoo can thro a punch or two. tho sollow wuld probably slice ya up. no offense
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - There have been several other reported killings around the Polar Crystal Alliance. High-ranking officials in every nation have been murdered, apparently all within the same time. I think it is entirely possible that Tuolog is correct, and Durzhan coordinated each of them.
• Tuolog - Truly? Something so organized could not have been a random attack. This is act of war and terrorism by Zaarkhun and Durzhan.
• Yogtam - But what could he possibly be planning? He's not foolish enough to think that another March for Liberty is anywhere near achievable right now, is he? There's no way anyone could overthrow their own government right now if you just read the mood of the people.
• Zr'Ahgloth - WELL HE MANAGED TA PISS ME OFF. WE GOTTA AVENGE VALZO (i cant beleev i want ta avenge a galot) MAN. BLAST DA WRANPLOA TA BITS
• Kralgon Emperor - Yes, Valzo was a good man. An entirely innocent one, too. He had never been responsible in any stage of this war. Valzo was always a voice for reason, and remained hopeful even in the darkest of times. He will be missed as a counterbalance to... well, me.
• Zr'Ahgloth - hur at leest yor self-aware

The rest of the Leaders looked to Feldosia, and found her in tears. Though the Leaders had all been fond of Valzo, they were unaware of Valzo and Feldosia being particularly close. Each of them looked to one another, and then Tuolog approached her.

• Tuolog - Valzo is the father, isn't he?

The members looked stunned. Other than Thylaxiz, none of them could tell that Feldosia was pregnant. Tuolog had kept that information from the rest of them. Feldosia looked shocked for a brief period, unsure if she was ready to tell them, but then nodded her head.

• Feldosia - Yes. I'm sorry I kept it secret...
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - The data had been highly classified by Tuolog.
• Zr'Ahgloth - WAT DA ABSOLUTE HELL??????????? FELDOSIA IS PREGGERS???? FRUM VALZO????????
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Indeed. The two species, to our surprise, seemed biologically compatible, and capable of producing a child. This seems to be what bonded them over the past few years.
• Zr'Ahgloth - MAN DIS IS FREEKIN ME OUT. no offense except yes offense
• Kralgon Emperor - Bah! I'd be furious, but I know that my rage is better directed at Zaarkhun and Volim right now. It is they who will feel our wrath! For robbing a child of their father before they were even born!
• Tuolog - We must speak to rest of Alliance about these murders. But... First, we must honor Valzo's death. The rest of UNO must know.
• Kralgon Emperor - Yes, yes, funeral, whatever. But immediately afterwards we will respond with fury unlike Zaarkhun has ever known! Prepare the ships! Prepare the superlasers! ANNIHILATE THEM ALL!!!!
• Zr'Ahgloth - YEH. IM DISGUSTED AN I GET ANGRY WHEN IM DISGUSTED
• Yogtam - Our fleet is barely 35% recovered from the Regnatus attack. But nonetheless, we owe it to Valzo to pay them back for what they did to us.
• Feldosia - I know I have no say over military affairs, but what they did to me, I will never forgive. Burn their planets down, in my name, for this cowardly act of war.

Tyranny of the General

A combined fleet of Zoles, Niaka and UNO vessels made their way to the Eastern Arm, seeking retribution for the deaths of those who died during the assassinations. It was hardly a fleet which made justice for any of these nations; their true fleets were still under repairs, as they had lost most of their forces during Regnatus' onslaught, but not responding to these attacks would make them seem weak and vulnerable in a time where they needed to show their strength and resolve. And this would be a mistake; as planned, a Wranploer fleet lied in wait, and once they made their move, they intervened. The Consortium Network's vessels, accompanied by those who pledged their allegiance to them, overwhelmed and destroyed most of the Alliance's forces, with few managing to escape back to whence they came.

While Falrik Zaarkhun and his agents were at Vocrillon Mine, General Volim was at his homeworld of Vijaha, a planet where none but the Wranploer and their slaves were allowed to set foot on; indeed, not even Zaarkhun was ever given the privilege of standing foot there, for at the end of the day, no matter how efficient he was, he was still an inferior outsider in the eyes of the Wranploer people. Individuals like Billig Oltauris were outliers; the race obeyed Volim and only Volim, and only put up with the Zaarkhun Consortium's presence because it serves their interests.

It had been years since Volim had been in his palace. It was bar none the most opulent residence in the known Eastern Arm, one fit for a emperor, where all Wranploer rulers before Volim once ruled the Empire of Vijaha before the General transformed it into the old Wranploer Legion. He sat upon his throne, served expensive food and drink by robotic servitors, as he glanced over a monitor which displayed the results of the ambush against the Polar Crystal Alliance offensive; he read the reports of their failure to penetrate Wranploer space, causing a smirk to grow into his expression. Meanwhile, Admiral Jekrad mil Torrent had his arms crossed as he rested against a nearby wall; he was one of the few non-Wranploer and non-slaves who had the privilege of being in this palace thanks to Volim believing him to be that useful.

• Torrent - So, how was it? Is it done?
• Volim - The Alliance was crushed. Some smaller fighters managed to flee, no doubt to tell their superiors of what they witnessed.
• Torrent - And that's exactly what we want, hm? For them to know just how scary we are.
• Volim - Correct. The Zoles and their dogs must learn they cannot match my power.

A chuckle came out of Torrent, for he took great pleasure in knowing the Zoles, his most hated foes, were defeated.

• Volim - My true fleets are still amassing. The Niaka Order, the Murgur and the Imalmah will bend the knee to me, and then the Imperium and their precious allies will be swept aside; I will not suffer another Polar Crystal Alliance more than I must.
• Torrent - And then what?
• Volim - And then I win, Torrent. I shall become the Galactic Emperor, as I was meant to be. Borealis will submit to the might of the Wranploer.
• Torrent - ... Aren't we forgetting something, now? Your new "friend".

Volim's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze to Torrent, while the Kvargo smiled smugly.

• Torrent - Why have you put up with these extragalactics? Surely you could've taken over their operations by now. Don't tell me you've actually grown fond of that Heeyorian.
• Volim - Do not be ridiculous. Falrik Zaarkhun still lives because he serves his purpose, but once the Polar Crystal Alliance is crushed, I will have no more use of him. Him, and his entire race, will either live in slavery or be eradicated.
• Torrent - Ah, good. For a moment, I feared you were actually gonna let them stay around.
• Volim - Zaarkhun is not, and never will be, my equal. No alien will ever be an equal to a Wranploer, and that is not going to change simply because one of them proved useful. I have hated him every second of these last few years, since he imposed this damnable 'partnership' with me, but soon enough, I will have no more use for him.
• Torrent - Can we keep the Inalton warrior, at least? I'm actually a bit fond of that one.
• Volim - No, it is too dangerous. They must all be destroyed, and believe me, they will. Zaarkhun's first mistake was to believe I am some mindless brute who knows not how the universe works; a warrior does not survive almost two thousand eyars by being a fool. He has agents everywhere, but so do I; I know he only aids me because it furthers his own agenda, and I will respond in kind. The day will come where I will mount his head upon the walls of this palace's trophy hall.

The massive General then returned his gaze to his monitors, while Torrent simply glanced at them from the distance.

• Volim - For now, we play his game. Until I have extracted all use from him, he lives.
• Torrent - How unfortunate. I hope to be there to watch his smug smile be wiped off his face.
• Volim - All of Borealis will bear witness; they will watch my ascension to the throne of the galaxy, with the broken bodies of Zaarkhun, Rebaris, Xerkea and Arkarixus beneath me!

Master Negotiator

For Falrik Zaarkhun, everything in life was a negotiation. And every negotiation, to him, was like a duel of wits. A battle with an opponent to outsmart them, in which his goal was to "defeat" them by achieving the far more favorable deal. Zaarkhun had perfected the art of price haggling quickly, and applied much the same principle to everything he did.

In the outer portions of the Friura Sector of the Eastern Arm was a planet which, thanks to Zaarkhun's efforts, had completely overthrown its government. The planet was home to advanced, steel metropolises, and was ran almost entirely by its ore barons, the planet's most profitable export. Within the inner cities, in its luxurious apartment buildings and bustling malls, the population thrived, living lavish lives at the hands of a corporation intended to keep them happy, paying customers. Furthermore, this corporation employed its own private military, that also served as a police force, to uphold the few laws the planet had. This was in a way Zaarkhun's ideal of paradise; a civilized society upheld without any government, almost entirely lawless.

What many conveniently forgot was that the outer portions of its city habitats were far from glamorous. In place of steel skyscrapers and neon lights were run-down houses made of clay and wood. None of these houses had required a permit to construct, and were built by nomads who simply wanted to live closer to the cities to find opportunity, as their only other option would be to work in an extremely dangerous ore mine. But the open secret of these outer slums was that they were kept alive by the many black markets that presided there, selling rare goods that would be illegal in the Western Arm.

Falrik Zaarkhun himself traveled to the slums of one of these cities, arriving in a simple starfighter. He used his holographic technology to disguise him as a more standard Heeyorian, before approaching his destination: a hotel located in the high street of the slums, among the slightly larger buildings that appeared to vaguely resemble the only civilized life outside the walls of the steel cities.

Of course, Zaarkhun was not one to waste a second at any point. For him, efficiency was crucial. Every moment in his day, down to the minute, had been carefully planned in advance. During his travels to his destination, he set up calls with any ranking officers in the Consortium Network that he needed, all while operating his many illusions and clones throughout the galaxy performing tasks for him elsewhere. Just before he reached the hotel, he set up a call with Genrai Nal.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Report, Genrai. How are our assassinations going?
• Genrai Nal - Successfully. Panic is widespread across the Western Arm. Key individuals fear for their lives. We notice them tighten security more and more around their politicians and their businessmen the more we act.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Good. More focus on robust security to protect important people means less focus protecting other locations of importance to the rebuilding of ones' fleet. Such as factories and mines, for instance.
• Genrai Nal - Indeed. Durzhan is already working on shifting us to disrupting the fleet rebuilding efforts of the Polar Crystal Alliance. They are already rebuilding their fleets at half the pace of us, and we are not even started on disrupting them.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I will soon need you to keep the space pirates in line. Pirates will be crucial for disrupting their supply lines around the galaxy. The Polar Crystal Alliance will not so much find them a threat, but a nuisance -- another thing slowing them down.
• Genrai Nal - Indeed. On that front, the Rogue Boyz have taken enthusiastically to the idea of disrupting Ottzelloan shipments. They need little motivation beyond pizza.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I will outline key targets this evening for you to disrupt next. After your next assassination effort, refocus your team. I'll be in touch soon.

With the call concluded, Zaarkhun entered the hotel. In contrast to the rest of the slums, the hotel, or at least its reception, was lavishly designed, with paintings on the walls and statues built by artists from before the world had overthrown its government. It appeared whoever ran the place had money in their pockets, as the building was one of the few places in the slums that its residents could relax -- a getaway for the less fortunate.

At least, that's how it would look to anyone who didn't know better. Falrik Zaarkhun was fully aware that this building was not owned by someone who wished to make their fortunes from a thriving hotel business in the slums and move to the city. It was owned by someone who wasn't interested in leaving the slums at all. Zaarkhun approached the receptionist, a woman who recognized him as he deactivated his disguised, and nervously smiled.

• Receptionist - Hello, Falrik Zaarkhun! It is an honor. Do you have a reservation?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You know why I'm here. The underground floor. I wish to speak to its owner.

The receptionist gulped a little. She knew when she recognized Zaarkhun that he wasn't here for a hotel room, but something within her wanted to believe her life wasn't in danger. She took him towards the elevator in dead silence, held her fingerprint to a scanner, revealing an elevator button that went down to the hidden underground floor. She immediately stepped out as Zaarkhun descended.

Zaarkhun descended into a cold, metal room where guns were immediately pointed towards him by large Seagon guards. They gestured towards a metal detector, demanding he remove any weapons. Zaarkhun chuckled a little and removed his pistol, leaving it confiscated. He walked through the detector with no issues, having no more weaponry on his person. On the other end of the detector was a smaller female Seagon, who appeared slightly older than the others and wore protective gear from engineering, standing in front of vast amounts of Kormacvar technology. This Seagon was clearly the owner of the store, a small store ran by Seagon that had never joined the Seagon Cryptocracy. The owner looked a little suspicious, but she was less cautioned upon knowing Zaarkhun had no more weaponry.

• Owner - So, Falrik Zaarkhun himself is interested in our wares, 'ey? Not surprised. I don't know if you heard the news, but, we're somewhat famous.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I did. A black market store ran by Seagon on this very planet. Locating you would be difficult for most, but for me, took a few minutes.
• Owner - Yeah, I'm not surprised. In the past, we've operated on the down low, mostly selling our wares to a few smaller PMCs that want rare and expensive weapons, and certain entrepreneurs that just really wanna decorate their rooms with Kormacvar gear.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I see. You specialize in reverse engineering whatever Kormacvar technology you can scavenge. And with the death of Regnatus, you were able to get your hands on a lot more.
• Owner - Uhhuh. So I imagine that's what the Borealis Consortium Network wants, huh?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Weaponry would be... nice, given we are on the verge of a crusade against the galaxy. But it's one technology in particular that I want. Something that has thus far eluded me for a long time.

The owner grew more suspicious, narrowing her eyes at Zaarkhun. Zaarkhun continued to look around the store, and it was indeed impressive, with several other Seagon in the background working tirelessly on building weapons and starship parts. This store had previously only been known by businesses in the sector, as it demanded secrecy from all its customers and was mostly lowkey. But there were few things in Borealis that were below Zaarkhun's notice.

For a black market organization producing material of this caliber to not have been folded into a larger organization was extremely rare. Zaarkhun had dealt with these kinds before, and they were owned by two types of people: one who wanted to get rich quick and retire with billions, or one who wanted to stay in business long-term without the fear of exposing themselves to the dire fates that many of these larger organizations came to. The former were far easier to deal with, while the latter would be a bit more challenging.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - I know that you have the technology Regnatus used to hide himself from the fifth dimension. Technology that could make one immune to the Vyro'Narza, or even to the average Chronoscopic energy user. It's extremely valuable, and no one has been able to mass-produce it yet. But you and your team of scientists figured it out. Needless to say, I would like this technology, and I am willing to reward you very, very handsomely for it.

The owner wasn't foolish enough to try and deny any knowledge of it, knowing that Zaarkhun would see through her lies. Instead, the owner narrowed her eyes further. In the past, Zaarkhun would've found sweet-talking businessmen a lot easier, but since the Borealis Consortium Network's ties to the Wranploer Legion had been known, this would be much trickier.

• Owner - You'd better be offering a whole lotta money then, chief. Thinking I'll just go help ya boost up the Wranploer Legion's takeover of the galaxy like that? I ain't a fool. Volim wants us all dead, all Seagon will be enslaved under him. He's angry at us all for what the Seagon Empire did when they betrayed him! Nevermind that I wasn't even part of the Empire.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Volim and I have, let's just say, differing opinions. But I'll add to that, a lot of people want you dead. There's a reason you had to hide out in the slums and in an underground bunker, after all. And when news of your existence broke, that certainly increased the number of people after your hardware. Whether for revenge for their dead sisters killed by a weapon you made, or just because they want it for themselves and aren't exactly willing to pay your premium prices.
• Owner - So you're offering us protection then, huh? You buy our goods at a discounted price, and in exchange you use your military might and agents to protect anyone from ever coming after us?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Our full protection. You'll have our private mercenary force, and our assassins, on hand if you please. You won't be a subsidiary of the Borealis Consortium Network, officially.
• Owner - You're right, I won't. Instead, you'll just own my business without really owning it. You make us dependent on you, then you start making more and more demands. Look, you can keep your reputation polished and fool people for a short time, but if you keep it up and eventually, we'll start catching on. I know what your people do to small businesses like us. You promise us the world, then you crush us.

Zaarkhun chuckled a little. It amused him, but also made him happier somewhat, to see someone else at least attempt to play on his level. Someone who mistakenly thought they could outwit Falrik Zaarkhun himself.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Ah, but here's the difference. Those businesses that collapsed under our protection were ones who stopped upholding their end of the bargain. We didn't crush them, instead, because they failed to uphold their end, we felt no need to uphold ours. People wanted them dead. We didn't kill them. We just stopped preventing others from killing them. And, you know, a lot more people want you killed now since a certain detail leaked.

The owner's eyes widened in fury. The Seagon guards standing by the front entrance turned to Zaarkhun suspiciously, and many of the employees in the workshop found themselves a little distracted by the competition.

• Owner - You leaked it, didn't you? You tipped off people about our location and our business, just so we would run to you for protection from a problem you caused! You're trying to swindle us!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Well, think of it as "strengthening my negotiation hand" leading into this. I'll have that technology, Seagon. The question is simple: you and your employees can be rich, happy, and safe for the rest of your lives. Or I'll just tip everyone off as to your location, and then whoever destroys your business and takes your technology, I'll have to steal from them.
• Owner - Goddamn, you bastard! You're good, but you're evil! If you're trying to intimidate me into giving you what you want, you can forget it. My owners here are too proud to help the lackey to a Wranploer!

This irritated Zaarkhun. The thing he'd been most annoyed about since his connection to Volim had been revealed was how many people thought of him as a subordinate to Volim. In his eyes, the two were equals, except it was him calling the shots. But Zaarkhun didn't let his irritation come out all at once. Instead, he let it gradually build.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Let me just explain it to you, in simple terms, because you've been running your little business in your corner of the galaxy for some time now, and maybe you don't understand how things work in Borealis. I knew about your little business ever since you first requested a loan from a local credit union to get the startup going. A small business of Seagon fugitives selling illegal Kormacvar weapons, an intriguing prospect. You paid off your loan to that credit union. I know, because I own it. In a lawless galaxy, I don't even have to declare that.
• Owner - Ugh... I should've known! They operate differently to all the large Consortium Network banks, so I didn't suspect it, but I'm not surprised.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - And since that time, I've been extremely patient with you in allowing you to continue to operate, without once interfering. Why? Maybe it's because of my principles, the idea of Seagon fleeing the Empire to start a small business in a lawless region that allows them to run such an operation that would be an outlawed black market in the Western Arm, greatly appealed to me. To the point where I helped suppress rumors of your existence. But my generosity has its limits. I run this galaxy, Seagon. So the choice is yours: bring your employees and technology under my protection, and maybe I'll let you live. Refuse, and you will be crushed.

In Zaarkhun's mind, he had now won. He forced the owner into an impossible situation. Now, he was no longer bargaining with her for an optimal price. He was forcing upon her business an ultimatum. She growled, and stood defiant.

• Owner - This bunker is made from a Kormacvar polymer fiber and resisted by shield technology that could withstand an antimatter bomb. It takes a lot for a man without his gun to intimidate me.

This only amused Zaarkhun further. Shortly after, above them, they could hear gunfire and explosions. The rest of the Seagon looked shocked, as Zaarkhun simply smiled. Above them, gunmen situated around the slums at a distance had opened fire on the hotel, destroying it with explosive bullets. Zaarkhun laughed.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - No, but the building above us won't. You did a great job of creating an illusion that you were just running an honest hotel getaway for residents of the slums, and not harboring an illegal weapons manufacturing operation. But now the hotel is gone, people to tend to investigate the rubble of destroyed structures which may, I don't know, reveal a way to get in. Either way, with your cover and entry point gone, how are you going to run a business?
• Owner - You made a grave mistake, Zaarkhun! We'll just shoot you right here!

The guards opened fire on Falrik Zaarkhun, hoping to kill him. Of course, all they managed to do was shoot at a hologram. Ever since he had walked through the metal detector, miniature projectors had hid the real him from sight, leaving a hologram behind to talk to the woman. He, meanwhile, had been back on the other side of the metal detector, and grabbed both of his guns. He shot both of the guards, killing them instantly with the small antimatter bullets, and aimed it towards the owner, who held her hands up in the air and cowered in fear.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm rather good at creating illusions myself.
• Owner - Fine, take it! Take the devices! Take the weaponry! Just don't let us become food for a Wranploer!

Zaarkhun nodded to thank her as she brought a large device with her, and large warship cannons. Zaarkhun waited for her to bring them to him, holding her at gunpoint with one hand, as a lackey carrying a large rifle dropped down while he investigated it. Once he confirmed the legitimacy of the device, he gestured towards his gunman to open fire, and the gunman killed everyone present, splattering their remains across the floor as they were destroyed by explosive bullets.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - I always keep my word.

A team appeared around Zaarkhun, and the group dug a way out to leave the remains of the hotel. As they did, Zaarkhun and his entourage were electrocuted immediately by traps placed around the zone, held in place by an electromagnetic device that kept them frozen. A Levarcor bounty hunter walked over to Zaarkhun, chuckling, his rifle aimed squarely at him.

• Bounty hunter - The other bounty hunters chased all the different clones of you that are out now delivering speeches at conferences or meeting with PMC weapons dealers to get your cogs of war in motion. They thought I was crazy to track you down here. But now, I found the real you. Be thankful I'm not killing you, because the price on you is for you returning alive.

The bounty hunter approached the outer edges of his trap, before feeling the cold of metal held against his head. His smug expression changed quickly as he realized it was now him held at gunpoint by Zaarkhun.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Good work. A bounty hunter who was able to decipher that is one who did very, very thorough research on me.
• Bounty hunter - What-- how?! I performed a bioscan and everything, I confirmed that was the real you before I spring the trap!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Illusions can come in many forms. Sometimes they are mere holograms. Sometimes, they're clone bodies.
• Bounty hunter - Yes, but I took that into account. I know your clone bodies give off different heat signatures at the head-- because their brains are computers! Your clone bodies simply replicate Heeyorian flesh, bone, and tissue, they do not include a brain, because you operate them from the machine in your brain. I confirmed that that wasn't you!
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You did, but you worked on outdated information. Of course as soon as I knew about that little flaw, I addressed it.
• Bounty hunter - Damnit...
• Falrik Zaarkhun - So, now's the part where you explain why I shouldn't pull the trigger.

The bounty hunter's instinct was to do as Zaarkhun said, but then he thought of something. He knew who he was dealing with here, and decided to play at Zaarkhun's game.

• Bounty hunter - I don't have to. You'll want to know who I'm working for.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Hm, true. You're good. There are so many hits out on me, anonymously posted of course. It's almost as if there's a bidding war among people falling over themselves to offer an assassin the most amount of money for killing me, or now it seems, capturing me. Sometimes I'm able to find out who it is and eliminate them, but not always.
• Bounty hunter - If you pay me four billion credits, I'll tell you who sent me. Ten billion, and I'll even kill them for you.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - How much was this hit they put out on me?
• Bounty hunter - If I tell you, I'll be giving it away.

Zaarkhun pondered for a moment. He could definitely afford that many credits, but that amount could construct an entire warship, or a small space station. If this hit on him was truly large enough, there was bound to be another bounty hunter that would try a similarly foolish tactic and assume they could ever figure out Zaarkhun's illusions.

Instead, he simply shrugged and pulled the trigger, killing the bounty hunter. His entourage were released from the trap, and he took his new devices with him to the ship.

Not only would this technology make him formidable to the Polar Crystal Alliance. It would make him formidable to Zargoth.

The Weapon of War

Under intense pressure from all around the Unified Nation to heighten security in various areas that came under attack from pirates or assassins, the Leaders aboard the UNO Omega Commander were all panicing as more news broke. Morale was low, and the situation was dire. Most of UNOL seemed furious and flustered at how to respond to the events, still reeling over the death of Valzo. In their latest meeting, the leaders would yell at one another in fury.

• Kralgon Emperor - I don't know about you people, but right now I'm ready to build a thousand planet busters, take them to Consortium Network territory, launch them into the heart of all the worlds they know and destroy the asteroid waste left behind for good measure!
• Zr'Ahgloth - IM 200% MAD
• Yogtam - I'm furious myself, to the point where I'm for once inclined to agree with the Kralgon Emperor. Destroying their planets will lead to unwanted casualties, but so will letting the Consortium Network continue their antics. We cannot let our people die.
• Tuolog - But you see what happen when we send fleets there unprepared. They are destroyed. We must devise a strategy.

Before he could even finish his next sentence, a Dark Chronoscopic portal appeared above them ominously. Nothing came out at first, until they heard a familiar laugh, and Durzhan flew out.

• Durzhan - No strategy will help you against us. You Ottzelloans will fall.
• Tuolog - You! I knew you involved! There was no other explanation!
• Durzhan - Your detective skills are most admirable. But the Unified Nation of Ottzello must now come to an end. After all, you did not even fulfil the "Perfect Fate". Hah, "Perfect Fate". For thousands of years of my life, Zargoth made me think that's what I was striving towards. ...The lies of a god.
• Zr'Ahgloth - MAN IM SO SIK OF YOO. YOOV BEEN ANNOYIN US SINC DAT TIME IN GRATZS SHIP. YA FINK I FORGOT??? SOMTIMES I AKSHULLY REMEMBA FINGS
• Durzhan - True, but this time, it really is nothing personal. I have all the reason to be furious at you for undoing thousands of years of my life's work, but I am not. However, while I'm here, I brought some friends for you.

Out of the portal, Fre'kloar was spat out, thrown into the chamber and landing on his head. Fre'kloar got up, looking a little dizzy, before turning to Zr'Ahgloth and pointing.

• Fre'kloar - HURHUR SO DIS IS YA PROPA BIG KROOZA???? HAHA IT LOOKS LIKE A JOKE. WELL GET REKT BECUZ WES IN IT NOW AN WES GONNA SMASH IT
• Zr'Ahgloth - OH MA DAYZ WAT DA HELL IS DIS IDIOT DOIN HEER MAN GET LOST

Behind Fre'kloar, more of the Rogue Leedas appeared. Jol'kiar, Grak'tona, and Hagto'Zhl also showed up, followed by an unimpressed Rel'larutina in her Smasha.

• Rel'larutina - Hello guys, so, we're here to kill you, yadda yadda yadda... surrender your ship to us, blablabla...
• Grak'tona - DA KING DEMANDS DAT DIS SHIP BELONG TO DA PROPA BIG GRAK'TONA EMPIYA, ALSO KNOWN AS DA ROGUE BOYZ (LED BY GRAK'TONA DA KING), SO HAND IT OVA TO DA RITEFUL RULA OF DIS PALACE SHIP
• Hagto'Zhl - man yor annoyin as hekk. anyway COPYCAT DUMBO
• Zr'Ahgloth - CAN DIS DAY GET ANY WORSE?????
• Fre'kloar - YEH IT CAN!!!! ... uh akshully i dont relly hav anyfin else to follow dat up wiv so WES GONNA DESTROY YA SHIP NOW HAHA

The Rogue Leedas began firing and tearing at the walls of the ship, prompting Zr'Ahgloth, Tuolog, and Yogtam to engage them in combat. They were severely outnumbered, and each of the Leedas piled on Zr'Ahgloth and began beating him. Alarms blazed through the ship, and within moments, the chamber's doors opened to reveal the full UNOC unit. Thr'aloy, with Dalverat in his shoulder, marched inside and pointed a finger at the Loron.

• Thr'aloy - Intruders in the capital ship. OI IDIOTS YOR NO ALLOWED HEER
• Dalverat - Well, well! Are the Rogue Loron so eager to die?!
• Rel'larutina - Oh, look, now we've gotta take out Zr'Ahgloth's little hobbit too.
• Fre'kloar - YO FAM WE GET TWO LOSAS BEET UP FER DA PRICE OF ONE
• Thr'aloy - What did you say? WAT DA HELL DID YA JUS CALL ME YA OVAGROWN BEECH BALL??????? OK DATS IT. UNOC LETS REK DESE GEEZAS
• Jol'kiar - TBH IF YOO LOT AR GONNA SEND IN ALL YA TROOPS DEN I CANT BE BOTHERED LOL. LETS JUS REK DA SHIP INSTED
• Vailisa - The Fist smash you before you have the chance!

The fight that followed tore apart the rest of the chamber, as blasts flew either way. Commander-King Thylaxiz sent out several warnings that damaged parts of the ship could threaten the AI. All the while, however, Tuolog noticed that Durzhan was staying perfectly still, and Durzhan took notice of this.

• Durzhan - Something to say, Ioketa chief?
• Tuolog - Why do all this? You say it nothing personal, but I find it hard to believe.
• Durzhan - It truly is nothing personal. Like I say, I have all the reason to be furious at you, but no. It was not you who lied to me for millions of years, telling me that what I was working towards was the Perfect Fate. No, for the Unified Nation to become Vyro'Ralza is but the True Fate. The Perfect Fate, well, that's yet to be enacted.
• Tuolog - So it is revenge against Zargoth then. That why you work with Zaarkhun.
• Durzhan - I looked at my options. To defeat Zargoth and Volzara, there were only two individuals with the power to do so left in this galaxy, and only one whom I could trust to do so. You may not have noticed, but Regnatus does not play nice with others. So Zaarkhun it was.
• Dalverat - A pawn that changes hands remains a pawn!

Flying at Durzhan's direction was Dalverat, his hand engulfed in Dark Chronoscopic energy as he attempted to strike at him. Durzhan resisted it fairly handidly, having much greater Dark Chronoscopic atunement than Dalverat. He swatted Dalverat aside, and then locked him in a cage of Dark Chronoscopic power.

• Durzhan - For what reason do you fight, Ottzelloans? You cannot defeat Falrik Zaarkhun and Volim. They are beyond you. So why cling to life, knowing that none of it will have any meaning in the end?
• Dalverat - Hah! So old, and yet you insist in preaching the same thing Marigrax did. Or Regnatus. Have you learned nothing, fossil?
• Durzhan - Truly, I understand not why you would be in such high spirits... Oh. Unless you still think Volzara is on your side.
• Tuolog - ... What you imply?
• Dalverat - Lies and misdirections from a demonic cultist. You waste your time with your tired preaching.
• Durzhan - Foolish! Volzara is not with you, she is against you! The Perfect Fate is hers as well! She and Zargoth plan to use you all as pawns, whether you survive this war, or Antagonar and Kolossus' time anomalies destroy you, your role in the Perfect Fate is the same. To think you still believe Volzara cares to protect you! To her, you are as disposable as any mortal.
• Tuolog - That not true. You not know Volzara as we do.
• Durzhan - Believe me, I have spent millions of years working for a god who promised me everything. I know the feeling. If you still wish to reconsider, I am sure Zaarkhun would offer you protection if you dismantled the Unified Nation of Ottzello and joined us as a lawless group to take on Zargoth and Volzara ourselves. I doubt this very much, though.
• Dalverat - Don't be ridiculous. You should be the one reconsidering, and bending the knee to your Count as all Katel do.
• Durzhan - It was perhaps out of sympathy for your situation that I have not destroyed you yet, and that I still plead with you. Nonetheless, we achieved our aim.

Those UNOL members not engaged with a battle with the Rogue Boyz saw Commander-King Thylaxiz seemingly go haywire. The Commander-King processed multiple warnings at once, initially unresponsive, but was soon allowed to speak.

• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Thirty planets are currently under attack. Shipyards have been destroyed in twenty-five. Five more have had factories annihilated. Twenty-two planetary governors have been killed.
• Kralgon Emperor - What?! How?!
• Durzhan - The Omega Commander when under stress is far slower at responses to such covert attacks.
• Dalverat - Damn you and your new master! I will relish in sucking out your blood until you are a mere husk!
• Durzhan - Have fun under the servitude of a god who lies to you. Time to go, Loron.
• Fre'kloar - WAT. BUT WES NOT DUN YET THO
• Rel'larutina - We're not here to destroy the ship, dumbass, just cause a distraction.
• Jol'kiar - MAN BAK IN MA DAYZ WHEN WE SMASHED SOMFIN WE SMASHED IT TA BITS
• Grak'tona - DA KING WILL RETURN SOON AN RECLAIM HIS RITEFUL THRONE ON DA PALACE SHIP
• Zr'Ahgloth - pls dont

Durzhan then pulled the Rogue Leedas back through the portal, and made a quick escape. The job had been done: several of UNO's planets were weakened severely, and the Leaders aboard the Omega Commander had been intimidated directly. Each of the Leaders looked at one another in exasperation, unsure what to do next.

• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Recommendation: Call a meeting with the PCA at once to discuss a new plan.
• Tuolog - Yes. We not win this battle on our own.
• Zr'Ahgloth - MAN WE GOT TROLLED. FEELS BAD

---

About an hour later, the conference with the other members of the Polar Crystal Alliance started. Like UNO, they too had suffered with the attacks from the Borealis Consortium Network and were growing increasingly more frustrated. Arkarixus, sharing his ship with Sergeant Trastius of the Seagon, had his arms crossed and his eyes shut in contemplation, while Grand-Commandant Asraels of the Zoles and Chief Major Xerkea of the Niaka made themselves present. Captain Vyutrin of the Indoctrinate Collective and Legate Olcinius of the Paladians joined soon after.

Tuolog spoke up first, trying to break the silence, but knowing he had few suggestions.

• Tuolog - Coordinated attacks on our territories seem to only be increasing. As we heighten security, they only change their methods. At this rate, we not able to rebuild a fleet fast enough.
• Asraels - The Imperium is more than eager for the chance to crusade through Wranploer space, but we simply lack the resources for such a campaign so soon. And their sabotage slows down our repairs.
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - A battle of attrition would be unwise. Alternative options are preferable.

Arkarixus opened his eyes and spoke out in a deeply serious tone.

• Arkarixus - Find Volim Thrava and Falrik Zaarkhun. And end their miserable existences.

All the participates of the conference were unsure how to respond at first. Arkarixus' suggestion seemed perfectly reasonable; cutting them off at the head was a viable option, and might be their only option. But how exactly were they going to achieve this?

• Kralgon Emperor - I mean, I don't disagree, but... Finding Zaarkhun? That's impossible. There have been thousands of hits against him already. He's simply unkillable.
• Arkarixus - Use your goddess-given Essence. Find their ship. Destroy their ship.
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Recommendation: Ill-advised. The Consortium Network ship, as we saw in the battle of Regnatus, is capable of using the same illusion technology as Falrik Zaarkhun. Finding the right ship would not be feasible.
• Arkarixus - Not even Tuolog? Surely your Chronoscopic powers can tell you where Volim is.
• Tuolog - I can try, but it significantly harder now. I believe Durzhan helping cover their tracks, because recently, Zaarkhun and Volim seem to vanish from time.
• Xerkea - Well, we do know where the Wranploer homeworld is, but as far as I can tell from the info I've "extracted" from criminals over the last few months, Volim doesn't spend much time there anymore.
• Kralgon Emperor - That... that gives me an idea. Do we have any data tracking Zaarkhun and Volim's common movements? Perhaps we can run an algorithm to determine where they will be next.
• Trastius - We possess such information. Rothneld Vhezari tracked their movements when he was still in power, to determine when it was the best time to start his attack. I shall transmit it to you.

Trastius proceeded to type in an unseen keyboard, revealing all the data the Seagon had about the Consortium Network's movements.

• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Our AIs can run diagnostics and put together an approximation for where they will be next.
• Tuolog - Then, we just search each of their possible locations. Whoever arrives at correct place, I teleport the rest to them so we can team up on them.
• Arkarixus - Overwhelming force is necessary to ensure neither of them escapes with their lives. In fact, I will lead this attack myself.
• Zr'Ahgloth - tbh id like ta see ark rek volim must. feels like he wuld be wasted agenst zaarkhun
• Arkarixus - I will "rek" both. You are free to follow me and ensure it happens.
• Yogtam - Not sure that'll be an option. Zaarkhun and Volim are never going to be in the same location at once.
• Arkarixus - Then I will relish the death of at least one of them.
• Tuolog - Not that I relish death of anyone... But I be happy to see them put down for what they do to galaxy. I have seem timelines in which they both win. Neither of them pretty.
• Xerkea - These scum won't win, not while I have anything to say on the matter!

A few moments later, the Commander-King beeped a little and read out a report.

• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Algorithms complete. We have narrowed their possible locations down to five star systems.
• Olcinius - Efficient. That narrows it down quite a lot.
• Kralgon Emperor - Hmm, from looking at it... Zaarkhun is most likely to either be at a conference, meeting with a PMC, or to simply be held up in the Iron Fist. We're better off intercepting him at one of the former. Volim, however, is more likely to be in the middle of an invasion. That is when he is best intercepted.
• Asraels - Very well. We shall intercept the invasion. I believe the Ottzelloans are better equipped to deal with Zaarkhun.
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Zaarkhun's illusion technology makes use of nanomachines to hide his movements and create false movements. We should be able to find a strategy against this.
• Arkarixus - Split up. Call upon more forces if it is necessary, but cover all of his tracks.
• Zr'Ahgloth - OK SWEET. WES GONNA GO PUNCH ZAARKHUN TA BITS WHIL YOO LOT SHANK VOLIM
• Xerkea - Xeron will stand back today. I'll see to this myself.
• Yogtam - I, too, will stand in myself to fight Zaarkhun.
• Arkarixus - Then we must proceed at once.

---

In deep space, somewhere in the Eastern Arm, the Unified Nation traveled to a space station built inside an asteroid. Such a destination was a hub for space pirates and assassins, and seemed to be a very likely location where Zaarkhun was doing yet another meeting. As UNOL's leaders who were fighting - Zr'Ahgloth, Tuolog, Commander-King Thylaxiz' Tralkik form, and Yogtam - used their shuttle to enter through a hangar, they found the station home only to dark, metal corridors in a maze-like structure.

After some searching, they noticed that they could not detect any life form at all. Tuolog attempted to use his Chronoscopic energy, but all his results came up blank.

• Tuolog - I not think Zaarkhun is here. Or anyone for that matter. We know that this asteroid is a likely place, but we not know if there even anyone here in the last several hours.
• Zr'Ahgloth - dat makes no sense. who puts a space stashun up and dont use it???
• Commander-King Thylaxiz - Perhaps destruction of this station would be preferable. Even if Zaarkhun is not present, it would destroy another hideout.
• Yogtam - Unlikely to even succeed. The BCN definitely have the technology to prevent a planet buster missile or superlaser from destroying one of their hideouts and can probably just redirect the fire.

At this moment, figures emerged; Wranploer soldiers carrying heavy ordnance appeared, as if decloaked from using stealth devises, and the sound of a heavy stomp was heard as their leader, none other than General Volim, made himself known to UNO. In his hands he carried a massive weapon in the form of a gatling gun, which he aimed at them from a vantage point.

• Volim - Well, well! It seems we have visitors!
• Yogtam - What?! You're not supposed to be here!
• Volim - Hahah! And who are you to say where I belong or not, outsider? This is my galactic arm!
• Tuolog - We not prepared for fighting Volim. But that no problem. UNOC!

As Tuolog held up his staff, he found no response at all. He looked at his staff in horror, and then turned back to Volim.

• Tuolog - How did you...
• Volim - A shame it wasn't the Zoles and Niaka coming here, I'd much rather have destroyed them first. Either way, I will tear you to pieces today, vermin!
• Zr'Ahgloth - YO SEND FER AN UNOC SHUTTLE. MEANWHILE I GOT DIS GUY

Zr'Ahgloth rolled his arms and then charged head-first towards Volim, who fired his gatling gun at him in response while his forces all fired their weapons at the others. From the shadows also emerged Admiral Torrent, who charged at Zr'Ahgloth and struck at his side.

• Torrent - You all die today!
• Zr'Ahgloth - YA MOMS UGLY

Yogtam pulled out a vulcan turret of his own, with a shield in front of it, as he placed it in front of him and began firing. However, though he was able to defeat a couple of the soldiers, Volim eventually picked him up and tossed him to the side, knocking him out cold. Tuolog, too, was entirely unable to put up a fight without his Chronoscopic power, and was quickly knocked unconscious after Torrent ran up to him and kicked him across the face into a wall. Volim laughed gleefully as he continued to pin them down with gunfire while Torrent and his forces kept him safe.

• Volim - Pathetic! I cannot believe you were the ones who actually defeated the demons or the Grox. I don't even know if I would accept you under my empire.
• Torrent - We don't have to, we can just destroy them all.
• Zr'Ahgloth - YOO CHEETED. YOO STOPPED DA GOD JUICE FROM WORKIN
• Volim - Exactly, I want none of your supernatural nonsense getting in my way any longer. I shall be Emperor of Borealis, beyond any gods and any essences! You can submit, or you can die!
• Zr'Ahgloth - THIRD OPTION: WE KIK YA ASS AN TOSS YA INTO A BLAK HOLE. MAYB WE CAN EVEN FORCE YOO TO HAVE TEA WIV A GOD FER DA REST OF YA LIFE tho dat wuld be kinda silly so da blak hole idea is betta
• Torrent - I hate it when Loron speak. Allow me.

Torrent ran over to Zr'Ahgloth and struck at his legs, forcing him down before Volim focused fire on him, riddling him with bullets until he was knocked out too. Commander-King Thylaxiz' remote Tralkik form attempted to put up a fight, but it too was destroyed.

As the Commandos appeared through a shuttle, they found themselves surrounded by Volim's forces. Thr'aloy looked horrified as he saw his boss unconscious.

• Thr'aloy - This situation is dire. WAT DA HELL DID YA DO TO MA HOMIE YA OVASIZED MEET SAK
• Dalverat - What is the meaning of this?! I cannot feel my Essence!
• Volim - More lambs to the slaughter... I take immense pleasure in your deaths!
• Thr'aloy - We will not allow this. IM GONNA SMAK YOO UP DEN TOSS YA INTO A BLAK HOLE. MAYB ILL EVEN FORCE YA TA HAV TEA WIV A GOOD FER DA REST OF YA LIFE tho i fink da blak hole idea is betta
• Torrent - Something's not right here... Oh well.

Volim and his forces engaged UNOC; even with all of their power, they found themselves overwhelmed and outnumbered. UNOC's armor was greater than that of the Leaders, but they too were unable to defeat Volim and Torrent. As Thr'aloy aimed towards Volim, he found a lack of Dark Chronoscopic aid from Dalverat crippled him, and in a one-on-one fight, he was unable to defeat the Wranploer leader.

• Thr'aloy - We will never surrender. I SURRENDA
• Volim - Knock them all out and take them away.
• Torrent - But you just said we were killin-
• Volim - I just got a better idea. Why kill them quickly, when I can make them regret every decision they made up to this point?
• Torrent - Sounds like busywork but whatever.

With UNOC defeated, the Wranploer guards proceeded to shackle and take them away, with Volim following suit, a smug grin in his monstrous expression.

---

In another corner of the galaxy, the Seagon, Niaka, and the Zoles Imperium were defending another planet in the Western Arm from an invasion. The planet belonged to the Zoles, and was a simple farmland location. As the group arrived in a vast field, they prepared for what they expected to be an attack from General Volim. Chief Major Xerkea was in her custom-build mech-suit, followed by Sergeant Trastius, Legate Olconius and Captain Vyutrin, while Arkarixus remained in the front, using his superadvanced senses to try and discern the enemy's location.

• Xerkea - No sign of the Wranploer so far.
• Trastius - It is only a calm before the storm.
• ??? - A saying spoken often among my people.

From nowhere, Genrai Nal unclocked himself and kicked Trastius to the ground, before holding out his blades in a fighting stance.

• Genrai Nal - It appears Zaarkhun calculated correctly once again. He will be most pleased to hear the news.
• Olcinius - The Inalton?!
• Xerkea - You have got to-

Arkarixus merely growled as, with a swing of his hand, he launched a powerful blast of energy at Genrai Nal's direction. Genrai Nal teleported away, and then appeared behind Arkarixus and stabbed him, though the blow barely fazed the Warmaster as he swung a fist at him. The fist knocked Genrai Nal back, but he rubbed his nose and stood up once more. Behind him, the group seemed to notice the sky evaporating, and everything around them disappearing in a visual image. They heard the cackles from Falrik Zaarkhun, as the field appeared to disappear entirely. In its place was something resembling a wide, empty stadium, one the Zoles would typically use for a sporting event rather than farming.

Falrik Zaarkhun appeared in a large hologram, smoking a cigar as he spoke.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - You're already too late. The PMCs have captured this world already. Finding me here was futile.
• Xerkea - What the hell?! What's going on?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - There are things that illusion technology can do, such as make one question everything. How do you know you're on a Zoles planet? Did you take the wrong turn? Is this really a Zoles stadium, or is it but a figment of your imagination? Is Genrai Nal really here, or is that another trick of mine as well? Is any of this real, or not?
• Olcinius - Someone's been busy, it seems. Is it a hobby of his, coming up with overly complicated illusions?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I don't believe there's such a thing as a hobby or a pasttime in my line of work. Everything I do is part of my job. Such as wielding the greatest weapon ever known to war. When you think of a weapon of war so powerful as to defeat ones' opponents easily, what do you think of? An antimatter bomb? An invincible Star Destroyer? A rift in the fabrics of space and time? No, the greatest weapon of all was invented years ago.

Falrik Zaarkhun laughed, as filling the stadium audience were thousands of copies of himself, all chuckling at them. They were then surrounded by more clones of Zaarkhun on the field. The large illusion remained in place and spoke as the clones all laughed.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Misinformation! That is the greatest weapon of all, which none have mastered other than I. And that is how we will defeat you!
• Xerkea - Ugh. Why couldn't we have found Volim like we meant to? We could've just shot the fat bastard in his simpleton head without all this hassle.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - How do you know you didn't find Volim? How do you know he's not here, mocking you right now?

Volim seemed to appear in front of them, with Torrent at his side, a smug grin on their faces as they prepared their weapons to aim at the group. They struggled to activate their visors, hoping to look past all the illusions, but the technology employed by the BCN appeared to be far more advanced than they expected. Arkarixus, however, simply pointed a finger onwards at one of the copies of Falrik Zaarkhun - the real one - with narrowed eyes.

• Arkarixus - You do not intimidate me.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Oh, I'm sure. Not yet, anyway.
• Arkarixus - I can see your soul. No matter what form you assume to hide it, you will never be able to. I will always be able to find you.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Will you?

A blast of electricity hit the entire group. Each of them were held to the floor by electric blasts that pinned them down, traps that had been sprung up from the ground, except for Arkarixus who simply withstood the effects, largely unfazed. Zaarkhun laughed, as Genrai Nal and Sollow began to beat down on them, slicing away at their armor, before Arkarixus turned to face them. Sollow tossed knives at Arkarixus, while Genrai Nal teleported behind him and sliced at him again. However, the Warmaster moved quickly, easily able to keep up with both as he then grabbed Sollow by his entire head and threw him against Genrai Nal in such a way to launch them both into the ground. Genrai stood back up and sliced at Arkarixus, only to find his blades being blocked as he was kicked to the floor.

• Genrai Nal - An impressive fighter. Your reputation precedes you.
• Sollow - No one grabs my face! At least, not like that...
• Arkarixus - Compared to what I have faced, you are nothing. You do nothing but waste my time.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - What is time, really? What is time when I have control of time?

Around the "stadium", the sky faded black, but not the kind from the planet's night cycle. Instead, they were, or appeared to be, in the void of space, with nebula and asteroids flying above them. Closer inspection revealed that this was not deep space at all. The nebula they saw was not a real nebula in space, but a whirl of Chronoscopic energy. In fact, what had been simulated was a view of an alternate dimension entirely. The rest of the allies were disoriated by the display, unable to respond properly, though Arkarixus merely crossed his arms in response.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Only Regnatus was able to develop this technology, but now, I have it for myself. A pocket dimension outside of the fifth dimension. None of your time powers can manipulate me! I am in control of my own destiny!
• Arkarixus - Ah, I see it now... This is the part where you play god, then? When I heard you hated them so much.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You are mistaken. I am not here to play god. I am here to create a universe with no gods. And that means hiding away from them. A true utopia, a land of liberty, with no one to look over them!

The stadium appeared to crack in half, as they heard a thunderous boom. The clones of Zaarkhun vanished, in their place were old statues of former Kormacvar Warmasters that were cracked in half, appearing and then splitting before his eyes. Kormacvar warships were being destroyed, as were Cold Relays, and where the clones of Zaarkhun stood, now were cheering mobs of angry Borealans who ripped them apart.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - True liberty! True freedom! With no more gods to rule over us!
• Arkarixus - Is this an attempt to frighten me? I have gazed into the void of Regnatus' madness; nothing you could do would ever faze me.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I am merely making you witness the future. Your peoples' legacy will die with you. Or maybe, is Volim not carrying on the legacy of your people? One supreme race, subjugating all the others, ruling over Borealis, and keeping anyone else out. Is that not exactly what the Kormacvar wanted? So when I dismantle what Volim builds, I dismantle your legacy too!
• Arkarixus - Your lack of knowledge of my people is amusing, though it is expected. Your primitive brain would not be able to grasp it.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Oh, certainly not. How could I have missed thousands of years of bloodshed, of emperors trying to become godlike beings, and building an entire Grid to keep supreme rule of Borealis to themselves? How could my primitive brain miss this?
• Arkarixus - Indeed, such is the woe of a primitive mind. And to your primitive mind, I will now explain why your plan will never come to fruition.

The Warmaster threw his arms to the side as he was enveloped in an aura of radiant elemental essence, utterly dwarfing all around him. His voice boomed across the landscape.

• Arkarixus - Compared to you, I am a god. And you will never defeat me.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Is that so?
• Arkarixus - It is. Would you like to try your chance, or should I resume breaking your "friend" to pieces before your eyes?

Arkarixus eyed Genrai Nal. Zaarkhun would normally be furious in defense of Genrai Nal, but instead, he simply chuckled.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - How do you know that he's really there, though? What makes you so sure that's the real Genrai Nal?
• Arkarixus - For the same reason I know where you are.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Such confidence. One could even call it arrogance. Go on. Try.

Arkarixus eyed Zaarkhun and Genrai Nal both in silence, before glancing back to his allies; they were all in bad shape and unable to contribute in any meaningful manner at this point. The Warmaster simply turned away.

• Arkarixus - You waste my time. Come, we leave.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I wouldn't be so sure that that's such a great plan.

The mob of angry Ottzelloans changed back into another mob of Zaarkhun clones. Each of them aimed their pistols to Zaarkhun, and fired, though their movements were not in sync. They began firing repeatedly, though only a few of them fired real bullets and only on occasion. The bullets that flew at Arkarixus exploded as they made contact, though they only caused him to stagger slightly as he turned around once again to face Zaarkhun.

• Arkarixus - About time. I thought I would fall asleep.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - How do you know you're not still asleep? What makes you think you're not still in that cryo chamber, and this is all a nightmare induced to fool you?
• Arkarixus - Are you always so annoying? I start to feel sympathy for Volim. Imagine having to listen to your voice all day.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I don't think you know what's real, Arkarixus. I don't think you even know if I'm real. What if Falrik Zaarkhun is not a person, but a remote body used by an AI with plans to overthrow all governments for its own end? What of none of this is real, but in fact, Falrik Zaarkhun already won the war, and what you are witnessing now is just a simulation he created to run through his victory again and again and again?

Arkarixus simply watched Falrik Zaarkhun speak until he begun to levitate slightly off the ground, posing as if he was reclining in a chair of some nature.

• Arkarixus - Go on. I am all ears.

The bullets continued to fly at Arkarixus, and before he knew it, an illusion of Regnatus appeared. Arkarixus knew it was not real, but one of its tendrils nonetheless grabbed him and pulled it towards the large hologram of Zaarkhun, pulling it right towards his face as it sent shockwaves to Arkarixus. The Warmaster remained unfazed, his body far too sturdy to be harmed by such technology, and he retained a bored expression.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - You may be more powerful than me, Kormacvar, but I control the truth. I control what's real. And it is through misinformation that I will turn this entire galaxy into a paradise. I will dismantle everything your people built, every oppressive regime that has ever appeared since, and the people of Borealis will hail me as their savior. They will forget everything you ever did, and spit on it.
• Arkarixus - I am sure they will.

The Regnatus image threw Arkarixus down to the ground, and fired a vast beam of energy at him, with enough power to cause him to feel a semblance of pain. The rest of the Zaarkhun clones fired bullets at him, with only a few of them firing real bullets, some of which penetrated his flesh. As this went on, Arkarixus then begun throwing his arm at a frightening pace, until he stopped and rose his hand up; between his fingers, he held various of the bullets fired at him.

• Arkarixus - ... You are going to need more than these little peashooters.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Oh, I'm aware. Killing you is not only infeasible, it is impossible. What makes you think that was my plan?
• Arkarixus - I do not assume anything. All I know is your voice is very grating. Are we done here? I have places to be.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - You had places to be five minutes ago.
• Xerkea - Ugh.. Getting reports here. Hundreds of hits across the Alliance.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I really did enjoy our time here. It was, in a way, fun to have a challenge for once. One day I will berak you, Arkarixus, and you will see that I control what's real in this galaxy.

Arkarixus smiled.

• Arkarixus - I enjoyed our time, as well. You have given me much information to work on.

With a flick of his fingers, the Kormacvar launched the bullets away at the clone of Zaarkhun he had watched through this whole time; such was the strength of his fingers that launching them like this was perhaps even more effective than actual weapons firing them. All illusions vanished at once, and the form of Zaarkhun that Arkarixus had thrown the bullets at began to fall to the ground, coughing up blood, as the bullets pierced the shield and one created a hole near his heart.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Heh... you're pretty good...
• Arkarixus - A shame you were never here to begin with.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Maybe so...

The illusion technology then disappated, revealing that the form of Zaarkhun that had been damaged was in fact another clone body. Around them, everything appeared to return to normal, and they saw that Genrai Nal and Sollow had vanished also. Like Zaarkhun had hinted, they had been long gone. The Warmaster walked over to the others, helping them get back up as they looked around.

• Xerkea - Damnit, so this was all a waste of time?! He wasn't even here?
• Arkarixus - No, it was a bluff from the beginning.
• Olcinius - Ugh. I hate these cowardly bandits.
• Arkarixus - We will have time to worry about such matters later. The attack may have failed, but he has given me much to ponder... He has given me the weapon I seek to end him.
• Xerkea - And what weapon is that?
• Arkarixus - You shall see.
• Xerkea - Hmm... Meanwhile, we've got bad news. It looks like the Ottzelloans ran into Volim. And he took them captive.
• Trastius - That is most problematic.
• Arkarixus - For now, we retreat. The Ottzelloans will be freed as soon as I devise my... new stratagem.

Marching to the Capital

Volim returned to the Iron Fist in high spirits. Though he'd have much preferred to have captured his longer-term rivals in the form of the Zoles and the Niaka, he was nonetheless happy to have taken hostage a member of the Polar Crystal Alliance he so reviled. The Ottzelloans were a pest, and taking their leaders alive brought him great joy.

As he entered the throne room, he found Falrik Zaarkhun in another corner of the room, surrounded by vast terminals and holograms displaying various pieces of footage. On closer inspection, most of the screens showed very similar footage. The footage depicted Arkarixus, Xerkea, Trastius, and Olcinius, in various stages of chaos and defeat. Volim grunted.

• Volim - I thought you were making a deal with a weapons contractor.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - I am.

Zaarkhun gestured slightly to his right, and Volim saw a screen depicting a clone of Zaarkhun, remotely operated from the ship, currently meeting with high-ranking officials. He then turned back to the screens, and saw them depicting Arkarixus being mauled by BCN soldiers, screaming for his life, and being thrown around by a crane, barely able to escape. Volim smiled a little, and then the footage cut to Volim with his foot on Arkarixus.

• Volim - I do not recall this event.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Oh, it didn't happen. None of this did. Using doctored footage from my recent run-in with the Polar Crystal Alliance, mixed with footage from their many encounters with Regnatus in which Arkarixus showed much more fear, we will create a new truth to the encounter that took place. By passing it through reliable sources, depending on the area, and spreading it far and wide. Those in the Eastern Arm hail Volim as the man who humiliated the "hero" that defeated Regnatus, and those who had faith in Arkarixus will slowly lose it.

Zaarkhun smiled, completely in his element as he chose between several different pieces of footage, each doctored differently to give different impressions. Most of the times, the illusions he had created in his actual encounter with them were replaced entirely. In some screens, they were replaced with something more mundane, with the goal of mocking Arkarixus; other times, they were replaced with triumphant images of Wranploer stomping on the Polar Crystal Alliance. Zaarkhun knew he could only pick one to go with, or people would trust it a lot less, but the choice between them delighted him. And when he was in a good mood, he loved to talk.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - You know, in preparation for the March of Liberty, I controlled my image very carefully. To present myself as a smooth businessman, a benevolent and selfless entrepreneur who had become the richest man in the galaxy through his charm and wit, and was now promising a brighter future in a lawless galaxy. My propaganda aims were simple: spread the message outrage among their citizens, and spread hope of a brighter future. Now, I aim to control the image of someone else. And I will spread a simple message:

In the past, Volim would have found Zaarkhun grating at these times. Zaarkhun seemed to explain everything in meticulous detail, which at first, Volim mistook as Zaarkhun belittling him, as Zaarkhun assuming he was the only smart man in the room and that Volim was comparatively clueless. This bothered Volim; he recognized Zaarkhun's intellect, but despised being talked down to. However, Volim had come to understand this was not Zaarkhun belittling him at all. Rather, Zaarkhun just thoroughly enjoyed explaining his plan in detail to anyone who would listen. He loved hearing the sound of his own voice. Volim still found it irritating, but for different reasons.

• Volim - What message do you intend to spread with this?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Fear, Volim. Fear of General Volim Thrava and the Wranploer Legion. For a time, I held my side of the Consortium Network through money. I offered monetary gain or comfort to keep people in line, and mutual benefit. But now, the Borealis Consortium Network operates through fear. I negotiate not as someone offering to enrich their lives, but someone who will save it from an otherwise certain destruction at the hands of General Volim Thrava. A simple message: join Volim and be subjugated, or oppose him and be crushed.
• Volim - Hmpf. My image does not need to be "controlled". The galaxy already knows and fears me as the mightiest of all generals, the pinnacle of Wranploerkind. Ask any Zoles alive: that is the only "image" I need.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - Ah, but image control in these times is crucial. If you do not control your own image, your opponent will. If we do not create the image of Volim Thrava as a man to be feared, the Zoles will create an image of Volim Thrava as a man to be mocked. The object here is simple: boost the morale of the Wranploer, and crush the morale of the Zoles.

Volim grunted. He felt what Zaarkhun was doing was unnecessary, but leaving him to his own devices was preferable to arguing it. Zaarkhun was nothing if not efficient; even if Volim found this a waste of time, he knew that Zaarkhun was helping in other ways.

• Volim - I will do that by taking their planets.

As Volim turned to sit on the throne, Zaarkhun spoke out while in the middle of his work. He didn't lose any concentration on his work doctoring footage, he just allocated a portion of his brainpower to a different matter.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - With my agents shifting focus away from assassinations, and towards raids of key targets, I am allocating resources a little differently. I will send Genrai Nal to support Torret and the ground troops.

Genrai Nal then uncloaked as he appeared in front of Volim.

• Genrai Nal - My blade will cut your foes to shreds.
• Volim - Then be ready for the battles ahead. My forces are approaching Zoleia. The final stretch before the Imperium is crushed. The galaxy will follow.

Volim left off to battle, as Genrai Nal remained behind.

• Genrai Nal - The Zoles will make their final stand at Zoleia, and then the rest of the Alliance will likely surrender. Our forces continue to overwhelm and disrupt their fleets. Nonetheless, we should be prepared for what happens next. Though the Unified Nation's key Leaders are gone, the rest are still a threat. Defeating Arkarixus appears impossible, and the remaining members should not be underestimated.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - If the Polar Crystal Alliance find our forces insurmountable, there will be nothing they can do. Their forces will give up hope, rather than rally behind a lost cause. Zoleia will truly be the endgame for this war, and there are not many worlds left to go through.
• Genrai Nal - And after Volim is emperor, your plan is to undermine him?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - It is very likely I do not retain my leadership role under his command. The question is if he uses me to defeat Zargoth, or dismisses me before that. In either case, we hide underground, and seek to dismantle the empire he builds over time. Then we bring a utopian galaxy of freedom. Freedom from government, and with the help of the technology we took from Regnatus, freedom from gods.

As he spoke, an alert appeared on one of the screens in the back corner. One of his remote clones appeared to be held at gunpoint by a robotic assassin.

• Genrai Nal - It appears your remote clone has encountered another bounty hunter. They seem to wish to take you alive. I will go there, and take them out.
• Falrik Zaarkhun - No, do not fear. Allow me to handle the robot. You join up with Torrent. You've a battle to join.

Genrai nodded. Before he left, he asked one final question:

• Genrai Nal - What will you do with the captive UNO leaders?
• Falrik Zaarkhun - A humiliating end for them, at Volim's permission: feed them to the Loron. The Rogue Boyz will feast on them, and we broadcast it live, to show the galaxy that the war is won.

As Genrai Nal nodded once more and left Zaarkhun looked towards the screen. By controlling a few nanomachines that were present on the clone under attack, Zaarkhun used them to create a small warp pad. He use those same nanomachines to cloak himself from view, and warped in directly behind the robotic bounty hunter.

Zaarkhun blasted the robot in both of its arms, rendering it useless. The clone body, meanwhile, teleported out. The robot simply remained there, emotionless, turning towards the real Zaarkhun. It was still trying to calculate thousands of ways in which to kill him, but could come up with none after Zaarkhun destroyed its two remaining limbs.

• Falrik Zaarkhun - Impressive work, machine. You were so close to figuring out my illusion technology, and yet so, so far. I'll have to update my methods. Now tell me, machine. Who do you work for?

The robot remained silent, until it reached its conclusion.

• Bounty hunter - I cannot be captured. Per my programming, I must self-destruct.

The robot then detonated itself, and Zaarkhun smirked. The assassins had gotten better, it seems, and he would have to redouble his efforts once again. Zaarkhun left behind an illusion in his place, to make any other onlookers believe Zaarkhun had never left the planet, while he himself teleported back to the Iron Fist to maintain control of his illusions.

Zaarkhun's plan was working, and in his mind, there was now no way he could fail.

Borealis Galaxy Colonization is currently CLOSED Bold indicates particularly important topics Italic indicates fiction made by users other than Borealis's creator Information Important Topics Species (A, B, C, D)  · Codex  · Locations  · The Grid  · Timeline  · Great Galactic Fleet Polar Crystal Alliance Penumbra Unit  · Aegis Guard  · Relations  · Most Wanted Nations and Races of Borealis Arm A Civilizations Alvino Brood  · Devourer's Chosen  · Empire of the Murgur  · Ganthorea  · Imperial Confederacy of Raydoni Systems  · Insecloba Hives  · Minga Theocracy  · Murgur Warbands  · Technocracy of Ocanius  · United Councils of Xiliaan  · Zoles Imperium Species Alvino  · Blothnos  · Borealis Radeon  · Deldor  · Empahreen  · Garukut  · Heleanorian  · Krektal  · Lamelota  · Murgur  · Nilito  · Paladian  · Raydoni  · Samilinus  · Xilic  · Zoles Locations Hyperborea  · Macronormus  · New Draka Arm B Civilizations Da Rogue Boyz  · Ransio Empire  · Refuge of Ottzello  · Rovegar Matriarchy  · Unified Nation of Ottzello  · Union Republic of Ottzello Species Dark Loron  · Ransio  · Rovegar Locations Grenzaar  · Groodrub  · Ottzello Sector Arm C Civilizations Kondrakar Dominion  · Zarkhator Species Caretaker  · Cold Loron  · Hseraelna  · Kondrakar  · Kormacvar  · Naombur  · Zarkhator Locations N/A Arm D Civilizations Borealis Consortium Network  · Children of Synthesis  · Imalmah Hegemony  · Merchant Fleets  · New Wranploer Legion  · Niaka Special Forces  · Old Niaka Order  · Oltauris Consortium  · Seagon Cryptocracy  · Wranploer Legion Species Borealis Zazane  · Eaglartin  · Keelaw  · Kvargo  · Lanatharch  · Levarcor  · Niaka  · Seagon  · Varkorus  · Wranploer Locations Afiloxenos  · Hyposirius Arm E Civilizations Lanatharch Sequence Species Unknown Locations Unknown Historical Events Conflicts of Borealis First Borealis Galactic War  · The Great Purging  · Da Rampage  · First Wranploer War  · Clash of the Crimelords  · Corrupt Occurance Second Borealis Galactic War Parts Prologue  · Part 1  · Part 2  · Part 3  · Part 4  · Part 5 Substories Know Ya Enemy  · The Cards Revealed  · Hegdar Revolution  · Blood on the Ice Extras Summary  · Cast  · Retcons Ice Age Years Year 1  · Year 2  · Year 3  · Year 4  · Year 5  · Year 6  · Year 7 Substories Distant Planet  · Da Blak Kroozade  · Logs of a Wranploer Vessel  · Son of Gotla  · Atonement  · Loyalty to the Team  · News Broadcast  · Summary  · Cast Other stories Chronicle of Ire  · Attero Dominatus - Borealis Campaign  · Da Ice Cube Trials  · Settlin Da Score  · Da Reckoning  · Ottzello Revolution  · War of Cleansing  · Zarkhator War  · Second Great Cyrannus War - Borealis Front  · War of the Ancient Three  · Da Pilgrimage  · Da Insurrekshon  · Time's Terminus  · Da Dethzone Notable Figures Heroes Major Arkarixus  · Asraels  · Olcinius  · Rebaris†  · Tetra  · The Mechanic  · Vekaron  · Xerkea† Supporting Augustex  · Dolgan Tuchaki  · Erureidan  · Floridarixis  · Gardin†  · Khaya Chisalka  · Khortaavis Chisalka  · Kirlisir†  · Kryptkor Talsar†  · Nayanur  · Semirian  · Vyatak  · Wragrot  · Xeron  · Zandrascus Villains Major Billig Oltauris†  · Hollow King†  · Maknagrius†  · Mirras III†  · Regnatus†  · Torrent†  · Vileraz IV†  · Volim†  · Vorius†  · Zarkhator Prime† Supporting Aentaeus†  · Arberkul†  · Brakarion Gragon†  · Capastrus†  · Harana†  · Hekrax Qrayrloc  · Kernax†  · Khensu†  · Kravh Helljaw†  · Kunni'ghan  · Mukharduuild†  · Nai-Ar'natl†  · Stolithik†  · T'enth-ei†  · Xegriek†  · Zaharalei†  · Zoltik Relkhul Others Minor figures Karleia†