The Fallen Enemies of Our Destiny (IC)

[Acruan]

Keltaken Capital Ship
Zlasa smiled as she saw her friend, running over to the Keltaken high priestess and offering her a tight hug. Very unproffessional. Like she'd give a damn. This was the woman who spared her an eternity serving the Keltakens as a priestess for their bloody war god. The Fylkja truly was forever in Zara's debt. A debt she could never fully repay. "Zara, how are you? The last time I saw you in person was when you and I saw the Mindflower bloom. And that was ages ago!"

Zara hugged the woman back as tightly. This room's recording system was off the records for a reason! If it wasn't for her... she wouldn't have a chance to acquire this position. Guiding a race, especially like the Keltaken has been tiring by her standards however, not that it was something she allowed to show. To most that is, even what could be said to be the bright smile she had as her friend came in, because rather thin, "I'm... tired, living well and tired. Problems of the flesh sadly. Keeping their religion from having the whole race going to a state of coordinated chaos is, tiring." She smiled lightly, "But it truly has been a long time since we met like this, I'm glad, very glad we have the chance again. Every time I estimate the future, reasons for a next meeting keep appearing, again and again. But enough of me, how have you been? I hope things have been going well for you."

[Korhal IVV]

Kalax ordered the other Eldari to bring the psi-disruptor to the room.

It was teleported there in a flash of blue light, and then Kalax said, "The psi-disruptor is ready, Cardinal."

Meanwhile in space, the platform fired its purifier beam at the Bismark. Though the shields of the ship resisted, it got a tough beating from the beam, which was designed to eradicate life from a planet's surface.

"Alright Kalax. How do we use it? Do we have to fire it at the Purifier platform? Do we have to bring it in its action area?", the blind silver eyed Cardinal asked in a quick succession of words. Meanwhile, the Colonial soldiers started to arrange the psi-disruptor so that it could be transported if needed.

---

Despite the heavy attack, the Klein Field of the Bismarck resisted. Following the heavy laser beam attacks from both the Keltakens in the Intergalactic Wars, and the Invaders in this war, the new shields of the Colonial ships were made to be more resistant.
Without fear, Captain Julia Lutjens ordered her battlestar to continue its advance. Nearing in to the platform, the main guns of the Bismarck started to pound at it, while launching countless missiles.

Of course, the Bismarck was coming a Marker after all..

"The Psi-Disruptor will emit waves of energy once it reaches full power, powering down the Purifiers which will allow us to remove the corrupted influence of the Marker. However, be advised that the Purifier platform, like all other Purifier platforms like itself, is powered by a solarite matrix, and it the matrix is destroyed it could well cause a nova blast and destroy this world as well as the moons."

---

The platform pointed orbital bombardment cannons at the Bismark, firing them without fear lr favor, red balls of energy raining down from above.

[Relikai]

"THE NEW SCHEMATICS! THE NEW ONES!" Chief Engineer Harold Wolfram roared at the AI, which instantly brought up a catalog of blueprints onto the terminal interface. Browsing through the options, Harold brought up the design of a humanoid robot, just as its operational form zoomed past his observation vessel.

In direct competition with Scientist Kirushima Miyuki's Shinden Variable Fighters, which boasted advanced atmospheric capability, Harold's prototype KYOJIN robots were outmatched in space battle. Due to Miyuki's designs which kept to the traditional concepts of aerodynamics and design, his revolutionary mechs could not cope with the speed and agility of the Shindens in fighter mode.

Watching, Miyuki tapped on the railing as her Shindens transformed into their own Mech modes, their light anti-aircraft armaments splashing target paint on the Kyojin, which could not turn in time.

"You should not feel bad. It is a good design after all. Heavy armaments and advanced thrusters, it would work better on a Susei than as an independent Mech." Scowling, Harold turned to Milky as she gave her analysis. "Your designs are good for atmospheric combat, but in space, those who destroyed the Haruna would hardly be disturbed. We need versatility in a single unit. Guns, lasers, cannons, missiles, all packed into a heavy unit to return fire." "But isn't there a need for speed too? The Variable Fighters consume much lesser fuel for efficiency, and they can use the Typhoon's bays too. We do not need to remodel our capital ships for the VFs, but the Kyojin and Kaiju are totally different units."

Pointing at his designs, Miyuki continued, "However, the new class of Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts might consider them. Variable tech and your Mech tech, we might be able to come up with a new class of ship to replace the smaller ships in effectiveness. Something the Geniuses can use in the field." "I can consider that, Miyuki, but how do you intend to incorporate bulk and speed together, within a limited space, under the current constraints?" "Fret not Mister Harold, I have them considered. From hacking your terminal, the designs are already here."

---

The base was something familiar to Haruna, who hardly made planet fall in the Star Fleet. All the factories were placed off world, with ships being repaired and manufactured around the planet. Inside, blue uniforms made Haruna aware of how she might stand out. Her accessory sticking out under her cap, Haruna nervously followed Alexander, with Prinz next to her.

All these changed when Alexander got arrested, Haruna was stopped by a soldier when she instinctively protested against the violence. A look from Alexander immediately reminded her of her place, especially on board a Colonial ship, far away from her familiar territory. "Admiral!" She cried, as Alexander was led away, as well as Prinz Eugen.

Hearing the Great Admiral call for her, Haruna saw no choice but to follow. However, she was stripped of the last sense of familiarity, and a slight fear began to creep into her. Anxiety set in as the intimidating presence of the Great Admiral as well as the armed soldiers around her seemed to engulf Haruna. Jupiterran warships hardly have armed marines on board, not because there is no need done them, but because there isn't enough personnel to spare. Only the Constructor has a division of 20,000 marines, and even they aren't comparable with other militaries elsewhere. The only weakness of Jupiterra, but completely evident in the contrast with the Colonial environment.

[Tracian Empire]

Even if Haruna called for him, Alexander didn't turn back or respond while he was taken away by the soldiers. Besides from everything that had happened to him, he had just received a hit in the face with the back of a gun, and blood was flowing out of his nose. Before he actually realized what was happening, he had already been taken away. He didn't oppose any resistance, of course. This were the Great Admiral's orders. Obeying orders was the number one priority of a Colonial soldier.
Quickly, he was brought to one of the cell rooms of the base. As soon as he and the soldiers escorting him entered the room, Alexander noticed how the other soldiers pushed Prinz Eugen in one of the cells a little harshly with the human model of the ship falling pretty violently on the cell's metal floor. Somehow, this really angered the black haired boy, who tried to push the escorting soldiers away from him.
"You bastards, let her go! What did she do?", he angrily asked. Unfortunately, there was just no way he could win against five other soldiers. Four of them held him still, while the fifth one, a female officer, violently kicked him, before throwing him in his cell.

---

For a short time, the Great Admiral remained quiet as he walked together with some soldiers and Haruna. It was true that soldiers seemed to be everywhere. From the Colonial Star Guards, elite soldiers trained to fight in space and on ships, to soldiers of the Colonial Infantry Corps and the dreaded Feldgendarmerie with their black armbands. After the Colonial Fleet, the Colonial Star Guards and the Infantry Corps were the immediately most well armed, trained, and supplied Colonial troops, allowing the Colonies to keep control over this many planets. The number of the Star Guards had increased especially after the Intergalactic Wars, when the Kelatken used to board Colonial ships, or when the Necromorphs started to make ravages. Directly under the command of that ship's captain, there where trained Star Guards on every Colonial ship.

In her white uniform, Haruna was really, really standing out, attracting the views of many of the soldiers and of the personnel on the hallways. Of course, since the Great Admiral was near her, none of them looked too insistently. Of course, having a foreign military officer in one of the most well guarded military bases of the Colonies wasn't something you could see everyday. Eventually though, the Great Admiral stopped in front of a holographic screen, that was broadcasting the funerals of the recently arrived dead crew of the Prinz Eugen, showing a large hall, filled with countless coffins covered by the Colonial flags with their stars and cross.
"They were all young people. Volunteers. Graduates of the Fleet Training Program.", the old Admiral said as he looked at the screen. For the people who knew him, the cold and emotionless expression that was visible right now on his face was actually one of sadness.
"Someone must become a scapegoat for that, if we want to keep the morale high.", he continued."You seem like an intelligent person,Chief Petty Officer Shimazaki Haruna. What do you think? What does he deserve for retreating and saving some of his remaining men, while breaking the orders. A firing squad? Or a medal? "

[Relikai]

Haruna stood in reverent respect for the fallen as the screen panned over them. Listening to the Great Admiral's words, Haruna was reminded of her own battle days ago, and the bodies being cremated in honour of their sacrifices. She could have been one of them. No, she should be one of them.

"Great Admiral, I could have been one of them days ago. I am no commander, only a Chief Petty Officer as you mentioned. However, should it not be for Admiral Alexander's actions, there might be a defeat with no survivors, no one to tell the tale of their real experiences. Many a time, the rules of war exist, only to be rendered invalid in the heat of battle. Only those in the battle itself should have the right to make decisions, and Admiral Alexander decided to save his men, and live to fight another day."

Taking a deep breath, Haruna knew she has to answer the Great Admiral's question. This time, she used a confident tone, a tone similar to the one she had to use when giving talks and lectures in both school and the Star Fleet Academy.

"Great Admiral, I am no Colonial, but I believe that Admiral Alexander should face rewards, and if decreed by law, punishment. He should face his destiny against the Invaders, and let his fate be decided on the field of battle. His punishment would be facing death at the front, and his reward will be awarded through victory for the Colonies."

[Tracian Empire]

Haruna stood in reverent respect for the fallen as the screen panned over them. Listening to the Great Admiral's words, Haruna was reminded of her own battle days ago, and the bodies being cremated in honour of their sacrifices. She could have been one of them. No, she should be one of them.

"Great Admiral, I could have been one of them days ago. I am no commander, only a Chief Petty Officer as you mentioned. However, should it not be for Admiral Alexander's actions, there might be a defeat with no survivors, no one to tell the tale of their real experiences. Many a time, the rules of war exist, only to be rendered invalid in the heat of battle. Only those in the battle itself should have the right to make decisions, and Admiral Alexander decided to save his men, and live to fight another day."

Taking a deep breath, Haruna knew she has to answer the Great Admiral's question. This time, she used a confident tone, a tone similar to the one she had to use when giving talks and lectures in both school and the Star Fleet Academy.

"Great Admiral, I am no Colonial, but I believe that Admiral Alexander should face rewards, and if decreed by law, punishment. He should face his destiny against the Invaders, and let his fate be decided on the field of battle. His punishment would be facing death at the front, and his reward will be awarded through victory for the Colonies."

The old Great Admiral remained silent for around a minute, looking at the screen and watching as the coffins were taken one by one and cremated. He then suddenly smiled a little, and started to speak.
"I like the way you think, Shimazaki Haruna. Then this is what shall happen. He will be punished by being sent to fight against the Invaders. Still, it might be a punishment worse than death.", the old man said with the same calm voice."Victory? I've stopped believing in victory a long time ago. There was a time, when our forces were the most powerful in two entire galaxies. The Federated Colonies were an uncontested power, spreading the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice through the universe, having only to worry about separatists, pirates,and the cold war with the Terrans. And then hell broke out. The Intergalactic Wars. We fought, and we stopped them, the Imperial Intergalactic Alliance, from conquering the galaxy, but we lost. We lost again and again, facing incredible foes. And now the Invaders. How can we hope to win, fighting an enemy like that? But still, we keep fighting, because if the Colonies will fall, so will the Milky Way. If the Milky Way falls, the other galaxies will also fall. If the Colonies fall, all hope will be lost."

Then out of a sudden, something started to happen at the funeral.The dead men got out of their coffins, with white hair, white skin, and blue glowing eyes. They started to attack the living Colonials, and soon, the transmission ended. Alarms were being heard, and the base was shaken by multiple explosions. In the space, multiple Invader starbases jumped in, and started to engage the defenses of Kiel A. It had begun.
The Colonial soldiers around the Great Admiral and Haruna started to fire their weapons, as similar creatures appeared on their hallway. Despite their discipline, the way this was going, it seemed like they were soon going to be overwhelmed. And as soon as someone died, they soon came back to life, as Abyssals, taken by the Abyss..
"The question right now though, Shimazaki Haruna....", the old Colonial officer said, still as calm as ever despite the hell that was unleashed all around them, "Is: Are you willing to fight? Are you willing to make sacrifices in order to protect the people close to you, and everyone else that's now threatened by the dark shadow of Mankind's greatest nightmare?"

[Relikai]

Haruna looked in shock as the Invaders took over the Colonial corpses, sparking chaos all over the base. Drawing her sidearm, a personal protection weapon with ballistic and laser capabilities, Haruna joined the Colonial officers in fending off the Invaders. However, her weapon's capabilities paled in comparison to its Colonial counterpart, with Haruna needing to hit critical spots multiple times to down an Invader. Hearing the Great Admiral's question as she reloaded, Haruna's mind raced as she continued to cover him.

"Great Admiral. When I signed on to the Star Fleet, I made an oath to stand for the peoples of Jupiterra. I have fought pirates on board fighters and destroyers, have scoured the galaxy for a new home, found one, and defended convoys of settlers from alien threats. My old ship was destroyed by these... Invaders, as you call them and I- argh!" A risen Colonial, now white as its eyes burned with fury, found its way through the thick fire. As Haruna was replying, the Invader leapt at her, but a well placed shot sent both a laser bolt and a slug into its head. However, the Invader managed to grab onto her waist, dragging her onto the floor. Covered by the depleted squad, Haruna managed to get up on her feet, after confirming no wounds on her self.

"I will fight! So will the Star Fleet! And all of Jupiterra! Because it's in our creed, in our oaths! Since you are asking me, I will!"

Passing a window, Haruna noticed a small rift appear in space. A swirl of energies, rapidly growing bigger, when a ship emerged from the maelstrom. A ship bearing Jupiterran markings. Before she could react, Haruna saw more emerge behind it, cannons firing heavy lasers at the Invader star bases. A fleet of a hundred ships, a tiny force by galactic standards, appeared in a perfect spherical formation, with thousands of smaller fighters bursting out of the Warp. There was no communications with Kiel A, but Haruna knew who they are.

"They... The Star Fleet..." She whispered in awe, as the Typhoons launched multiple Javelin missiles at the starbases, several being intercepted by the Invader shields and defences, but still managing to take at least two down.

"Great Admiral, we have chosen our sides. I, Shimazaki Haruna, am willing to lay down even my life, against this threat!"

---

"We are out of Warp, StarAd."

Nodding, Star Admiral Gaius Silverheart, aboard the JRSF Akagi, focused as he continued to arrange arrival positions and timetables for the rest of the Star Fleet. "Roger that Nav. Just in time for the party. All ships, launch fighters and Sundance Array. Lets show these Invaders who they're messing with!"

[The V O I D]

Aothoros System
Inquisitorial Dreadnought Human Superiority
Milky Way Galaxy

The Inquisitorial Dreadnought, Human Superiority, jumped into the Aothoros System. It was one of many being ravaged by secession, and somewhat dominated by xeno-secessionist movements. The commander-in-chief of the Superiority and its ten-ship fleet was Priest Andrew Valor, also known as Viceroy Valor when speaking to him 'non-religiously.' Valor was a loyal lieutenant to the Grand Priestess, Lady Helstrom. Valor had his ship scan for Federal ships, and found them. He sent a communications message to the ship that looked to be in charge.

"Attention, Federation ship. This is the Human Superiority of the Human Purity. My fleet is here and ready to assist in squashing this secessionist rebellion.", Valor spoke calmly. He then leaned back in his chair, and waited. The Human Purity by now had gained some minor infamy, especially with its repeated attempts at using representatives influenced by it to make ridiculous new laws for the Colonies or to edit the Articles of Colonization. Valor waited for a response, hoping today he'd get to squash some disgusting xenos.

[Tracian Empire]

Keltaken Capital Ship
Zlasa shook her head. "I am not drawn to the lust of its power, and I warn you not to do the same, Zora. Your father, Kazzal, hurled his empire into an Intergalactic War because he thought it would make him more powerful with a prophet by his side. That greed and lust consumed and corrupted your father, and led to his downfall." She looked at the planet almost broke heartedly. A waste, such a sad waste.

"Zora, you are my friend, my companion. But I will have no part in this. I will not involve myself with this genocide. Stay away from Drathian systems, or else there will be serious repercussions. I want no part in this."

Unknown Location
The cloaked man, hunched over with seeming weakness despite his words, let out a dry chuckle that evolved into a hacking cough. He then continued to chuckle. Holding out his mechanical clawed hand, as if offering it to his captor, the demon could actually see her own reflection in the metal surface.

"Do you think I will submit to you because you can do fancy mind tricks? Please. You are a sword, a tool. My tool." His hunched body straightened, and suddenly the weakness seemed to vanish, as he ripped the spears from his body, and fell to the ground. Standing, he spit at the ground and walked forward, appearing much taller than before. With every step, the sound of mechanical joints whirred from beneath his brown cloak.

"With you, I will reign terror on this galaxy. I will empty worlds and turn their seas red. Lend me your power, demon. Do this, and you will drown in oceans of blood, choke on mountains of flesh. You will suffocate as the screams of the dying pierce every last corner of the universe, and all you need do is lend me your blade." He straightened himself further, now standing at an intimidating nine feet. "You can refuse, you can try to end me. But know that if you do, you will never experience the mass destruction I intend to incite. You will never know the thrill of killing. You will lie alone in your case for eternity, with no one to wield you." He extended his hand. "Lend me your blade."

Keltaken capital ship

"It is people like my father which kept the Galaxy moving, if history must remember me as a advocate of Xenocide then let it be. You know my heart...I would not do this if I did not feel it was the only choice. I am truly sorry, you may leave at any time." Zora said this then left for the temple below. The fleet stood in orbit watching as its leader flew down to the surface of the barren planet with only few pockets of life left the breathable air was minimal but it would sustain them.

They entered unto the lands of there ancestors and there upon a throne of gold sat the corpse of first great Keltaken Emporer. Next to him was riches of immesruable amount left out of respect for the great ancestors. Amoung the treasures a sword which would give Zora the power to complete her weapon with a few other elements taken care of of course. All she needed to do was find it.

"Fan out and comb everything we need that sword and we are running out of time..." She said as she went forward to study the face of the old Emporer, he was perfectly perserved a true specimen of the first generation Keltaken before all of the gene splicing started. He was pure Keltaken no taken bits from anything else it was strange...Zora could feel Somthing calling to her in the treasure..she didn't know what it was yet...

Obeying the order, the Keltaken soldiers started to search for the sword. Finding a sword among everything that was there was surely a tough job. Hours passed, and the soldiers didn't manage to find anything. Of course, without their knowledge, the sword kept moving, intentionally doing this, playing with them. This planet... it was so filled with death. So many people had died here... he loved it. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Death. Such a sweet word. This planet... no, he was just feeling it. Millions were dying everywhere... he wanted more death. And now that he had been awaken... he had to do it. Death. Death.

Out of a sudden, the sword practically appeared next to the corpse of the first great Keltaken Emperor. Maybe because he was just attracted by the dead corpse. Or maybe, because of something else..
One of the Keltaken soldiers, that had just arrived there, trying to give his report, suddenly noticed it.
"Your Highness, we haven't been.. wait, Empress, isn't that the sword?", he asked pointing at the sword. The sword was just... staying there. A white, pale sword. But no, this was the color of death. The color of bones. Everything at it was white. The blade. The handle. The guard. Everything... and it was... calling for the Empress..

[Tracian Empire]

Aothoros System
Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst( SC-34)
G-42 Fleet of the Colonial Fleet
The Milky Way Galaxy

The Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst, flagship of the G-42 Flotte der Kolonien, was engaging a number of separatist ships more at the center of the system. Head of its class, the Scharnhorst was one of the newer Type IV Colonial Battlestars. Even if this was its first mission after the upgrade, the Scharnhorst was and older ship, veteran of the Second Intergalactic Wars, when it was the nightmare of the IIA convoys. One of the most famous ships of the Colonial Fleet, the Scharnhorst stood true to its motto. Scharnhorst immer voran!

But of course, the Scharnhorst also had a certain... bad reputation. The Cursed Ship of the Colonies.The ship even the Colonials deemed the cursed ship. The ship that launched itself the night before its formal coronation. The ship that turned over in the docks, killing many tens and wounding hundreds. The ship that likely killed as many of its own men as it did enemies from accidents to explosions in her guns and magazines during operations.

Right now, the powerful Scharnhorst, the only military Colonial ship in the system, was keeping six separatist ships at bay with it's powerful main batteries. Protecting a bunch of civilian ships, the Scharnhorst was starting to get low on ammunition and supplies, after such a long "first mission", everyone on board was starting to show their exhaustion. It was a desperate fight. A message was sent back to the Human Superiority.
"To the Human Superiority of the Human Purity, this is the Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst. Any help against the Separatists would be appreciated, but please refrain from attacking civilian targets. God bless the Federated Colonies."

[Tracian Empire]

Alpha Base, on the moon of Kiel A.

The base was once again shaken by explosions, as the Invader corpses managed to get past through the Colonial Feldgendarmerie and got tot the reactors that were supplying power to the base, destroying them. The lights closed, and for a moment, the entire hallway remained dark, the only things visible being the blue glowing eyes of the Invaders. Then, the emergency power system kicked in, and everything was suddenly (poorly) lit by the red emergency lights. The alarms started to sound, recommending the evacuation of the base, as probably it's dome was probably ruptured in some places, leading in to the emergency shooting down of certain areas of the base. Even here, the giant metal doors at the ends of the hallway were starting to close.

Even in this poor red light, Haruna could see the Great Admiral smiling when he heard her answer."Do you want to save your friends then?", he asked. With one swift move, the Great Admiral took off the black-white cross decoration, the symbol of his position, and gave it to Haruna.
"He is in the D43 Cell Group, together with the human model of his ship. If you hurry, you can still reach them before the Invaders do.", the old Colonial officer said as he continued to shoot at the incoming Invaders."Go, we'll keep them here! Take two of my men with you! Run before the doors close!", he shouted. The metal doors were slowly but surely closing, giving Haruna only a few moments to decide. The two Colonial soldiers designated by the (former) Great Admiral to go with Haruna stopped shooting, waiting for her decision.

---

Meanwhile, in the cells

Lying down on the metal floor of the cell, Alexander was vaguely hearing things. A knife was pierced in his belly, and even if the wound wasn't directly deadly, it was bleeding, making him lie in a small pool of blood. He could vaguely hear alarms.. and the blonde girl in the next cell was screaming his name.. the guards had just beaten him up really good. Probably as the youngest Admiral in the Colonial Fleet, it wasn't making him really popular...

Then, someone entered the room, stopping in front of his cell. It was... impossible. A brown haired girl, wearing the blue uniform with the emblem of the Prinz Eugen. It was no way he wouldn't recognize her.. even if her brown eyes were now glowing blue. It was her.. the former junior navigation officer of the Prinz. If she was standing here, it meant only one thing. They were here. There was no way to escape them... Realizing this, the wounded Colonial officer started to laugh, a broken laugh.
Not giving any sign that it would recognize her former commander, the resurrected Colonial officer started to pull the metal bars of the cell's door, trying to rip them apart.

---

Meanwhile, in space

In space, the Colonial ships in the area started to regroup around the gigantic C.M.S. Tirptiz, even if they were completely taken by surprise by this attack. Led by the Tirptiz, as they looked just like insects near the larger ship, the other Colonial ships tried to defend the docks, buying the time the other ships required in order to be relaunched. The Tirpitz, as aggressive as usual, was fighting two Invader starbases in the same time, pinning them down with its powerful weaponry. The other ships were trying to get in formation around it, even if it was taking a little time. The battle wasn't lost yet, but with more and more Invader bases jumping in the system, it seemed like their desperate struggle was as worthless as always..

In the Command Information Center of the Tirptiz, Admiral Raeder was desperately trying to organize the Colonial ships in the system in something that could be considered a defensive formation. They had been totally taken in by surprise, as an attack in this sector wasn't even considered as a possibility. The Invaders were supposed to be far away.. at least, according to the last reports of Line Victoria, which were now proved to be false. Powering up ships wasn't something that could be done in a matter of minutes, and with the active patrol ships destroyed, it was up for the Tirptiz to hold in until the other ships could join.

Right then, other ships arrived in the system. The Colonial sensors failed to recognize their markings, there were unknown ships. Right now, in case they were enemies, the Tirptiz left its defense to its fighters, which started to form defensive formations between the newly arrived fleet and the Colonials. The Admiral chose to contact them first.
Attention, unknown ships, you have entered the space of the Federated Colonies. Our sensors show that you aren't Invaders, but please identify yourselves., the brown haired Admiral Raeder said in Galactic Standard as she contacted them.

[Relikai]

The Star Fleet, Rengou Kantai

"At this point of time, I'd say we have a common enemy." Gaius Silverheart replied as he warped in another fleet of corvettes and cruisers. "We are the Jupiterran Star Fleet, and I am Star Admiral Gaius Silverheart. I am here to ensure that my officer continues to be a living asset to both the Star Fleet, and the Colonials."

"StarAd! More Invaders!" "Prepare Shatterers. The Constructor will be arriving any moment with the rest of the fleet. Let's show these Invaders the true power of the Star Fleet. For Haruna! Ship, officer, and Jupiterran!"

The forward line of Battlecruisers opened fire, their heavy lasers slicing through Invader shields, opening the path for more coordinated Typhoon fighter attacks. "Fleets warping in! Riposte-class Destroyers and MIYUKI in position!" "MIYUKI open fire. Knock those bastards into pieces!"

The Riposte-class destroyers, equipped with the MIYUKI Gauss cannons, shuddered as the hypervelocity shell smashed through an Invader battlestar, the 1000 tonne shell too heavy for any shield to deflect. A Riposte carried ten shells, the weapon system taking up an enormous bulk of space.

"Maintain fire. Keep them off the base!"

---

Haruna has her mind made up the instant the Great Admiral handed her the item. Grabbing it, Haruna dashed through the doors without looking back. The old has made their sacrifice for the next generation to carry their legacy. She will honor them not by sentimental hugs and kisses, but rather by taking up the mantle of their successors, and doing a good job about it.

"Let's go! To the cell blocks!" Haruna yelled as they dashed down the corridors. Despite her uniform's appearance, Haruna could run pretty fast due to the manufacturing which made the design a deception. Although many has initially scorned the use of a skirt for a bottom, the military trials soon put those arguments to rest.

Finding the Cell Blocks, Haruna saw Alexander and Prinz in different cells, just as a creature pulled the bars apart. Haruna threw caution to the wind, diving in and tackling the Invader away from the cell. A few shots rang out, as Haruna dropped her empty sidearm. Looking at Alexander,
Haruna ordered the soldiers to blast at their locks, and help the wounded Admiral out of the cell. Picking up a soldier's rifle, Haruna handed Alexander the item passed to her by the Great Admiral.

"I wish we could save him but... These are his orders, Admiral Alexander. I will not forsake my commanding officer while I still live!" Haruna exclaimed as they made their way out, with Prinz in tow...

[The V O I D]

Aothoros System
Colonial Military Ship Admiral Hipper(AH-391)
G-42 Fleet of the Colonial Fleet
The Milky Way Galaxy

The Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst, flagship of the G-42 Flotte der Kolonien, was engaging a number of separatist ships more at the center of the system. Head of its class, the Scharnhorst was one of the newer Type IV Colonial Battlestars. Even if this was its first mission after the upgrade, the Scharnhorst was and older ship, veteran of the Second Intergalactic Wars, when it was the nightmare of the IIA convoys. One of the most famous ships of the Colonial Fleet, the Scharnhorst stood true to its motto. Scharnhorst immer voran!

But of course, the Scharnhorst also had a certain... bad reputation. The Cursed Ship of the Colonies.The ship even the Colonials deemed the cursed ship. The ship that launched itself the night before its formal coronation. The ship that turned over in the docks, killing many tens and wounding hundreds. The ship that likely killed as many of its own men as it did enemies from accidents to explosions in her guns and magazines during operations.

Right now, the powerful Scharnhorst, the only military Colonial ship in the system, was keeping six separatist ships at bay with it's powerful main batteries. Protecting a bunch of civilian ships, the Scharnhorst was starting to get low on ammunition and supplies, after such a long "first mission", everyone on board was starting to show their exhaustion. It was a desperate fight. A message was sent back to the Human Superiority.
"To the Human Superiority of the Human Purity, this is the Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst. Any help against the Separatists would be appreciated, but please refrain from attacking civilian targets. God bless the Federated Colonies."

Aothoros System
Inquisitorial Dreadnought Human Superiority
Milky Way Galaxy

Valor took that as an invitation to assist. The Superiority moved itself into an attack position, along with its small fleet. They began firing their powerful batteries as well at the separatist ships like a large bombardment or barrage. The Inquisitorial ships pressed their attack forward, blasting the separatist ships repeatedly and without mercy. They began to be fired upon by the separatist ships in retaliation. Valor grunted to himself.

"Keep firing! Send a message to the Scharnhorst! Tell them we will help crush these separatist ships and assist in occupation of these worlds afterward, to ensure that the Federation and humanity keeps control over these worlds.", he barked out. Everyone began getting to it. The Inquisition's fleet continued attacking fiercely against the separatist ships- even going so far as to destroy any eject pods as they launched. This system was heavily populated by xeno filth, so in all likelihood, Valor thought this meant that mostly non-human filth were the ones being destroyed.

A message was sent to the Scharnhorst. It told the Federal ship that the Human Purity was here to assist in squashing the secessionists as well as in the occupation of the worlds until such time as the secessionists were completely rooted out. Although, all that meant for this mostly-xeno system was that they planned to exterminate as many xenos as possible for virtually any reason they could find, as well as trying to implant more humans to strengthen humanity as a whole. Valor waited for a response from the Federal ship, hoping that the Inquisition would once again be able to cleanse this universe of some more xeno filth.

[Korhal IVV]

The Star Fleet, Rengou Kantai

"At this point of time, I'd say we have a common enemy." Gaius Silverheart replied as he warped in another fleet of corvettes and cruisers. "We are the Jupiterran Star Fleet, and I am Star Admiral Gaius Silverheart. I am here to ensure that my officer continues to be a living asset to both the Star Fleet, and the Colonials."

"StarAd! More Invaders!" "Prepare Shatterers. The Constructor will be arriving any moment with the rest of the fleet. Let's show these Invaders the true power of the Star Fleet. For Haruna! Ship, officer, and Jupiterran!"

The forward line of Battlecruisers opened fire, their heavy lasers slicing through Invader shields, opening the path for more coordinated Typhoon fighter attacks. "Fleets warping in! Riposte-class Destroyers and MIYUKI in position!" "MIYUKI open fire. Knock those bastards into pieces!"

The Riposte-class destroyers, equipped with the MIYUKI Gauss cannons, shuddered as the hypervelocity shell smashed through an Invader battlestar, the 1000 tonne shell too heavy for any shield to deflect. A Riposte carried ten shells, the weapon system taking up an enormous bulk of space.

"Maintain fire. Keep them off the base!"

---

Haruna has her mind made up the instant the Great Admiral handed her the item. Grabbing it, Haruna dashed through the doors without looking back. The old has made their sacrifice for the next generation to carry their legacy. She will honor them not by sentimental hugs and kisses, but rather by taking up the mantle of their successors, and doing a good job about it.

"Let's go! To the cell blocks!" Haruna yelled as they dashed down the corridors. Despite her uniform's appearance, Haruna could run pretty fast due to the manufacturing which made the design a deception. Although many has initially scorned the use of a skirt for a bottom, the military trials soon put those arguments to rest.

Finding the Cell Blocks, Haruna saw Alexander and Prinz in different cells, just as a creature pulled the bars apart. Haruna threw caution to the wind, diving in and tackling the Invader away from the cell. A few shots rang out, as Haruna dropped her empty sidearm. Looking at Alexander,
Haruna ordered the soldiers to blast at their locks, and help the wounded Admiral out of the cell. Picking up a soldier's rifle, Haruna handed Alexander the item passed to her by the Great Admiral.

"I wish we could save him but... These are his orders, Admiral Alexander. I will not forsake my commanding officer while I still live!" Haruna exclaimed as they made their way out, with Prinz in tow...

Just as the second fleet of Jupiterra warped in, the half of the First Lost Fleet as well as the Third Fleet warped in just behind. Commanded by the Judicator, Syndrelix, and the High Templar, Kharvutul, they immediately opened fire at the Invaders, using orbital bombardment weapons and extremely intense beams to burn them to ash.

"Revenge for our fallen brethren! Strike true, Templar!"

The fleet started pushing forward, obliterating Invader ships and bases as they blazed past with their new, extremely potent weaponry. They immediately informed the Colonials that they were allies.

[Tracian Empire]

Seeing Haruna and the two soldiers leaving, the former Great Admiral turned around just as the large metal doors closed, blocking him and the ten remaining soldiers in that section of the base. The fought, and hold on for as long as they could, but in the end, only the old officer, now wounded, remained, shooting the incoming Invaders with his pistol. That's when he noticed a certain stranger Invader. It was a tall girl, with the same pale white skin as the other Invaders, with a long, silver-white hair, but with glowing, red eyes. She was wearing the black with white clothes that was pretty much characteristic to the High Invaders, and held a white sword in her right hand so the old officer recognized her pretty quickly from the reports of the military. As soon as she arrived, the other Invaders simply stopped.
"Codename... Mu... right?", the old man asked before he started to cough blood. Stopping front of him, the Invader girl, called Mu by the Colonial Armed Forces, put her left hand around his neck and raised him in the air.
"Are you ready to die, old man?", she asked. The old officer simply laughed."Always... for the Colonies I have sworn to protect..", he said. In one swift move, he took out the grenade he was hiding in his pocket and took of the safety. It was one of the special veranium grenades that when exploding, threw small veranium shrapnel piece. Before Mu was able to react, the grenade exploded.

---

Back in the cell, Alexander remained quiet as he took the black-golden cross from Haruna. For a few good moments, he did nothing, until one of the soldiers slapped him.
"Admiral, we have no time!", the soldier said. Coming back to his senses, the black haired boy put the cross in the empty place in his collar, as his Admiral cross was taken by the soldiers when they had arrested him."Thank you,Haruna..", Alexander said with a low voice, before he helped Prinz Eugen to get out of her face. Even if she was treated much better in comparison to Alexander, she had also taken quite a beating. Thinking about it, Alexander now realized that those soldiers must have been working with the Invaders... bastard traitors.

With that, Alexander and Prinz Eugen followed the soldiers and Haruna. Stopping in the reception room of the cell block, the soldiers blew out the door of the small vault in there, and Alexander entered, firstly taking out his sword. Then, looking around, he took his and Prinz's pistols out, together with some varanium ammunition for them, and for the rifles carried by Haruna and the soldiers. Varanium was pretty efficient against Invaders, but because it was hard to produce, the Colonies were unable to supply all their soldiers with them. Still, some of the soldiers were using it.

"We have to get to section A, that's where the Ancient Sword is being held. We can't leave it in the hands of the Invaders!", the black haired boy said as he also gave ammo to Haruna and the soldiers."Follow me, I know where it is."
With that, Alexander unsheathed his sword. The red thorny vines appeared around the handle, piercing in his hand and starting to suck out blood. Haruna could now see Mosrael walking next to the Admiral, looking a little bit blood thirsty to be honest.

With that, led by Alexander, the soldiers, Haruna, and Prinz Eugen started to make their way towards section A. Even if they met a couple of still alive soldiers on their way, soldiers that followed them, putting themselves under Alexander's command, they mostly met only Invaders. With the Ancient Sword in his right hand, and the pistol in his left hand,as Mosrael could be used with one or two hands, Alexander simply seemed to be unstoppable. With the double edged blade surrounded by fire, Mosrael only needed a small scratch in order to kill an Invader, and the black eyed boy used his sword really well, using it and attacking sometimes even faster than the rest of the people could see. It was slowly taking its toll,but because of that, they managed to reach section A without any major problems.

---

"This is it.", Alexander said, pointing at the sword as they arrived in a pretty large room. The room was almost entirely empty, poorly lit by the red emergency lights on its walls. With their flashlights on and their weapons ready, the ten soldiers that were there with them, were checking around, while Prinz Eugen was staying behind Alexander, with her pistol in her hands.

The sword Alexander was pointing at was staying on the single thing present in this entire room. A pretty large, metallic table. The sword looked like what could have been considered a katana. It had a slightly curved, slender and single-edged silver blade,outlined with what looked to be a white, almost indistinguishable white. It's guard and the tip of the handle were golden, while the rest of the handle was black. "Azarael. The Angel Sword of Wisdom.", he said.

Before they were able to truly enjoy the look,something, moving faster than anyone could see, stopped right behind them, stabbing Haruna in the back with a white sword. Before Alexander was able to react, the person, no one other than the red eyed Mu, took her sword out of Haruna's back, pushing her. Clearly wounded, Haruna simply fell to the ground, near the table. Alexander barely managed to parry her first attack, and despite his efforts to reach Haruna was pushed back by Mu's furious attacks, with now both the Invader and the Colonial caught in a deadly sword fight. In the same time, normal Invaders started to enter the room, and the soldiers started to open fire on them, while Prinz Eugen was trying to help the Admiral.

While Haruna was bleeding on the floor, the sword somehow fell from the table. Maybe, attracted by the blood. Or maybe, because of something else. As soon as Haruna touched the sword however, she fell unconscious.

---

Haruna woke up in a pretty strange place. It was like was laying on a large, white cloud, whose edges could not be seen. A blue sky and a golden sun could be seen above. The only thing that could be heard was someone drinking tea. Yes, tea.

Standing up, Haruna noticed a small wooden table a few meters in front of her, with two chairs. One of them was occupied by what looked like a boy. They boy, if that's what it was, seemed to be simply emanating a sensation of calm. He had a messy, dark blue hair, that was partially covering his forehead, reaching down below his eyes with untidily forming bangs. His eyes had a strange color, somewhere around a golden yellow. He was wearing a black with blue suit, with the jacket partially opened, revealing a white shirt,kept pretty messily, with one side inside the pants and the other left out in the open, and with a large turtle neck, held together by a loosely black tie. The boy was calmly drinking something that looked like tea, and remained quiet for a few good moments before finally saying something.
"Do you want some tea?", the blue haired boy asked Haruna upon seeing her.

[Relikai]

Haruna felt pain as she collapsed. A new form of pain, Haruna struggled to draw breath as she fell. Hearing the clash of swords, as well as the entry of Invaders, Haruna struggled to stand, just as she felt something fall onto her wrist...

---

Haruna woke in the strange place, seeing the strange boy, and feeling... Strange. Hearing the boy's proposal as she stood there, Haruna struggled to make heads or tails of her situation, herself still in an extremely confused state.

"Eh-eh... Oh, of course. I shall accept the tea..." Sipping a little of the drink, Haruna noted that it tasted like the premium brews back in Jupiterra, not just any high grade, but some which could cost a fortune just for a box of it's leaves.

"It... It's good." Haruna commented. Seeing that the boy is staring at her all this while, Haruna could not help but to feel slightly embarrassed. Placing the cup down as she turned slightly to the side, Haruna decided to take another approach to sort of the current situation.

"Erm... My name is Shimazaki Haruna... Of Jupiterra... What's yours? And where am I?"

[Tracian Empire]

The strange boy remained silent for a few more moments, taking another sip from his cup of tea, all while looking at Haruna, before he finally answered.
"My name? It's been quite some time since anyone has asked me about it..", the dark blue haired boy said, speaking extremely calmly. At least from his point of view, there seemed to be no problem with the current situation."Well, Shimazaki Haruna, I am Azarael, the Angel of Wisdom. I would too say my place of origin, but I'm afraid that it has perished into nothingness long ago."Putting the cup of tea on the table, the boy, or better said, the angel, continued.
"Where you are... that would be a little more complicated to answer. The best way to say it would be: you're in the sword.", he tried to explain."You've been wounded- that Invader really got you good. You aren't death though. Yet. Of course, you're bleeding so I wouldn't give you much time left. Your friends are out there, still fighting."

Azarael made a motion with his hand, and for a few moments, Haruna could see what was happening. She was laying on the floor, next to the table, with the sword next to her, in a pool of blood.Most of the soldiers were dead. Prinz Eugen was desperately trying to shoot the incoming Invaders."I don't think they'll make it.", the dark haired boy said, as calm as ever. Alexander was fighting the red eyed Invader girl, but he was looking.. different. The thorny vines were now surrounding and piercing in most of his arm. His skin was pretty pale. His irises were both red, while the rest of his eyes were black. Possession."The demon is taking over your friend there.. too bad. He's already near the point of no return."

Then though, it seemed like both the angel and Haruna were back at the table with the tea, in that strange place. Completely unaffected, Azarael poured some more tea into both his and Haruna's cups.
"The question right now, Shimazaki Haruna, is: What do you want?", the angel of wisdom asked her, looking at her with his golden-yellowish eyes.''If you want power, I can make you powerful. But is that what you really want? For what purpose would you use it? Power can corrupt even the purest of hearts.

[Relikai]

"Power... Power and Wisdom... Is what I need. To control my desire, and to know how to use it... For my people." Haruna whispered. "Azarael, I need your strength to empower me to aid those who need it, against the Invaders, against those who seek to do my people harm. I cannot do this alone."

Looking hard at the boy, Haruna continued, "I seek wisdom... Teach me how to be strong, and when to and not to use it..."

Again, Haruna loosened her uniform, exposing the side of her neck to Azarael.

"If it is needed, take what you want. We do not have much time..."

[Tracian Empire]

"Power... Power and Wisdom... Is what I need. To control my desire, and to know how to use it... For my people." Haruna whispered. "Azarael, I need your strength to empower me to aid those who need it, against the Invaders, against those who seek to do my people harm. I cannot do this alone."

Looking hard at the boy, Haruna continued, "I seek wisdom... Teach me how to be strong, and when to and not to use it..."

Again, Haruna loosened her uniform, exposing the side of her neck to Azarael.

"If it is needed, take what you want. We do not have much time..."

The blue haired angel sighed as he put the cup of tea back on the table. He remained quiet, thinking, before he sighed again, standing up."And here is the part where my self control walks away...", he said, looking at Haruna. His usual calm expression was now somewhat changed, with thirst and desire clearly visible in his golden eyes. Walking to the Jupiterran girl, he stopped and knelt in front of her. For a moment, he looked like he was trying to refrain himself, but then, he just couldn't stop, and bit Haruna's neck, sucking in blood. Oh... blood. Even if he was much calmer than the other Ancient Swords, Azarael had been experiencing the thirst and the pain for so long.. for so many centuries did he long for blood.. and this girl's blood... it was so delicious.. quenching the thirst of the wretched angel. He stood there, drinking blood for some time, before he finally stopped. Taking a deep breath, he then looked at the small wound left behind, from where some blood was still flowing out. Taking out a small, white handkerchief, he put it over the wound, keeping in there for a few moments until the blood stopped.

Then, the angel stood up, returning to his chair, taking another sip of the tea before he talked again. He slightly blushed, looking a little ashamed about his lack of self-control.
"If that's what you want, Shimazaki Haruna, I'm going to give them to you. You are worthy. Power, and wisdom. You will be more powerful and faster than you were. I will guide your each strike and slash to reach were they have to. I will help you find your way, and accomplish your goals. I can help you imitate other powers. But of course, a blood price must be always payed.",Azarael said."The bond has been made, Master. I am now your sword. It's time to save your friends, don't you think? Wake up, Shimazaki Haruna."

With that, everything turned dark, and Haruna once again passed out.

---

Haruna then woke up back in the room, laying on the floor next to the metallic table. She wasn't wounded anymore, and the blood had disappeared, like if nothing had happened to her. The blonde haired Prinz was desperately trying to keep away the Invaders by shooting with her pistol, but the dead Invaders, together with the soldiers who had recently died in the room, were coming closer and closer. In the other part of the room,the Invader girl managed to pierce Alexander's chest with her sword, pushing him against the wall and biting his neck, starting to drink his blood.

In front of Haruna was staying Azarael, looking just the way he looked in her mind, extending his hand in order to help her stand up."Do you want to save them?", he asked.

[Eodor]

Earth, Temple of the Archons, Germany.
The transmission crackled to life, bringing a small but there nonetheless humming sound to the quiet and empty room. It's message was simple "Archon 1, you are ordered to open up the temple. We have found the Orb I repeat we have found the Orb."
Suddenly a soldier in a strange uniform dropped silently from the roof and went through the dusty corridors to the gate. The gate had been buried for centuries. But it opened nonetheless. The soldier then went back to the transmission room and got the others together.

Vortex, EVA Bunker, Avakon.
EVA System activated. Awakening.
This was followed by a quiet humming and a sharp crackle as the ancient equipment came online and the ancient reactor started spinning. Suddenly a man dressed in a lab coat and he said "What on Vortex is going on down here". The man who was in there turned round and stepped forward towards him " John my friend. How are you."
"Nick, what are you doing here". Nick pointed towards the machines and he said
" I am reactivating the AI EVA. It's ancient but hey. It's fine. I think anyway". John looked at him like he was insane "But Nick. This is just dangerous. It could explode."
"Nah. It's fine. I hope". Suddenly the reactor brightened and all the screens came on.
EVA online. Systems online. VA Intelligence active. Connection established.

[Tracian Empire]

Aothoros System
Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst( SC-34)
G-42 Fleet of the Colonial Fleet
The Milky Way Galaxy

---

With the help of the Inqusitorial fleet, the Scharnhorst managed to mobilize itself, taking care of the rest of the ships. While the remaining separatist ships were held under a powerful fire by the Scharnhorst's main ballistic and laser batteries, the missiles and torpedoes took care of their shields, while the precise strikes of the fighters weakened them even more. The rest was simply a matter of how quick the Scharnhorst was able to fire, massacring the enemy ships and all their escape pods, for their attacks and crimes against the citizens of the Colonies. This was supposed to send a message. Opposing the Federated Colonies and ignoring the Articles of Colonization was a crime that had to be payed for with death and nothing less.

In the Command Information Center of the C.M.S. Scharnhorst, Captain Karla Hoffman was supervising the operation in which the Scharnhorst then turned around the nearest planet, still leaving a couple of fighter squadrons to supervise the Human Superiority. That ship had a pretty poor reputation, unfortunately, and she wasn't going to trust it like that.

Captain Karla Hoffman was one of the... stranger officers in the Colonial Fleet. She was a Genome user, a genetically engineered human of the Colonial Genesis Genome Project, but she was what the scientists called "an Abnormality" or "an Aberration". There were times when the Genome process went wrong, but the user still survived. Those were the aberrations. Captain Karla Hoffman had a normal white skin, red eyes, and the.. strangest thing, was his hair. It was tri-colored, combining shades of black and white with even orange. Not exactly what you would call a normal human. Next to her was a pale, white skinned boy, with messy black hair, and blue eyes. The human model of the Scharnhorst, one of the few ships upgraded to Type IV Mk2, which had a High Core and a human model. The Science Division was still experimenting with them.

As the Scharnhorst started to enter the orbit of the nearest planet, and started to fire at the known rebel bases, trying to help the loyalist troops down below, Captain Hoffman contacted the Human Superiority via hologram.
To the Human Superiority, this is Captain Karla Hoffman of the Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst, callsign SC-34. I would like to thank you for your help in taking out the separatist ships. Right now, the Scharnhorst is taking care of their bases on the CF4558 planet, helping the Colonial loyalist forces on the planet to take back control. Any help would be appreciated, but considering your vessel's reputation, we would like you to refrain from attacking civilian targets. Understood?

[Relikai]

Haruna immediately grabbed onto Azarael, as the sword appeared on her hand. Immediately, she felt power and strength as a white glow emitted from the blade, just as she drew her sidearm with her free hand. Firing at the Invaders closing on Prinz Eugen, Haruna swung her weapon at Mu, the Invader girl dodging the blow at the last moment. Relentless on her press, Haruna continued to swing at the Invader as her handgun instinctively picked off Invader troops, assisting Prinz when she could.

Mu parried and countered fiercely, matching Haruna's swordwork as the two struck and parried. Avoiding the Invader's Sword, Haruna found this new form of fighting came to her naturally. As she parried hard, countering the Invader's moves, Haruna tried to call out for Alexander to get on his feet, trying to rally her commander.

The two continued to pick at each other for the next few moments, as Haruna desperately held her ground. The next few moments would prove decisive, as the base shook under the assault of the Invaders...

[The V O I D]

Aothoros System
Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst( SC-34)
G-42 Fleet of the Colonial Fleet
The Milky Way Galaxy

---

With the help of the Inqusitorial fleet, the Scharnhorst managed to mobilize itself, taking care of the rest of the ships. While the remaining separatist ships were held under a powerful fire by the Scharnhorst's main ballistic and laser batteries, the missiles and torpedoes took care of their shields, while the precise strikes of the fighters weakened them even more. The rest was simply a matter of how quick the Scharnhorst was able to fire, massacring the enemy ships and all their escape pods, for their attacks and crimes against the citizens of the Colonies. This was supposed to send a message. Opposing the Federated Colonies and ignoring the Articles of Colonization was a crime that had to be payed for with death and nothing less.

In the Command Information Center of the C.M.S. Scharnhorst, Captain Karla Hoffman was supervising the operation in which the Scharnhorst then turned around the nearest planet, still leaving a couple of fighter squadrons to supervise the Human Superiority. That ship had a pretty poor reputation, unfortunately, and she wasn't going to trust it like that.

Captain Karla Hoffman was one of the... stranger officers in the Colonial Fleet. She was a Genome user, a genetically engineered human of the Colonial Genesis Genome Project, but she was what the scientists called "an Abnormality" or "an Aberration". There were times when the Genome process went wrong, but the user still survived. Those were the aberrations. Captain Karla Hoffman had a normal white skin, red eyes, and the.. strangest thing, was his hair. It was tri-colored, combining shades of black and white with even orange. Not exactly what you would call a normal human. Next to her was a pale, white skinned boy, with messy black hair, and blue eyes. The human model of the Scharnhorst, one of the few ships upgraded to Type IV Mk2, which had a High Core and a human model. The Science Division was still experimenting with them.

As the Scharnhorst started to enter the orbit of the nearest planet, and started to fire at the known rebel bases, trying to help the loyalist troops down below, Captain Hoffman contacted the Human Superiority via hologram.
To the Human Superiority, this is Captain Karla Hoffman of the Colonial Military Ship Scharnhorst, callsign SC-34. I would like to thank you for your help in taking out the separatist ships. Right now, the Scharnhorst is taking care of their bases on the CF4558 planet, helping the Colonial loyalist forces on the planet to take back control. Any help would be appreciated, but considering your vessel's reputation, we would like you to refrain from attacking civilian targets. Understood?

Aothoros System
Inquisitorial Dreadnought Human Superiority
Milky Way Galaxy

The Human Superiority received the message. Valor gritted his teeth. And what made it worse was the holomessage came from an abnormal Genome. Not even a true, natural born human. Great, Valor thought, well... I have a plan to fix this situation. Valor ordered the Superiority and her fleet to take a blockading position around the planet. They began orbital bombardment procedures, targeting all military targets that weren't Federation-owned. Valor sent his own fighters in, and they gave extreme air support on top of the orbital support.

Valor didn't want to risk putting his soldiers on the ground. If he did so, some xenos might capture them or force them into surrender. And those filth would only slander the already... "questionable" reputation of the Inquisition. Valor instead sent in drones where he could; they weren't the most advanced combat drones, but they were good enough to keep up with the average organic soldier. Valor used the drones because they weren't corruptible. They would never betray the Inquisition or its ideals. Nor would they give away any information. The Inquisitor Soldier Drones, or ISDs, seemed very enthusiastic (or as enthusiastic as a VI programmed to assist Federal troops and kill xenos could be) when it came to killing the xenos of the separatists. The ISDs spared no xenos, and seemed to favor only injuring human separatist combatants.

This wouldn't be surprising considering what the Inquisition was capable of, nor their stance on human versus xeno "rights." Valor's holocommunications platform activated, and he answered the call. Suddenly, Inquisitor Thomas Siegfried appeared before him. Valor got up and knelt. The Inquisitors were essentially Lady Helstrom's fists. They had were the "law" enforcement of other members within the Inquisition, regardless of rank; sometimes even of each other. There were only two people of a higher rank than the Inquisitors: the Supreme Inquisitor, and Lady Helstrom herself.

"Inquisitor Siegfried. I wasn't expecting a call from you.", he bowed his head respectfully. The Inquisitor stared down at him with cold eyes, before clearing his throat. Valor stood back up, sitting before the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor appeared to be looking through the data on board the Superiority, as he had authorization to do so. Inquisitor Siegfried looked away from whatever he was doing, and back at Valor. Valor almost gulped.

"Priest Valor. The Inquisition is proud of your work so far. But the system you are in is heavily xeno populated. The filth will be extinguished, another time. For now, Lady Helstrom commands that I observe you and ensure you do not do anything that could... stagnate our organization out of political indifference. Am I clear?", the Inquisitor finished. Valor nodded, paling three shades lighter. If the Inquisitor deemed that Valor had screwed up, he'd be sent practically gift-wrapped to a xeno populated world with his Inquisition uniform on and all; alone. Without hope or rescue. And that did not sound appealing. The Inquisitor began to observe via the communications systems, lively receiving data.

[Tracian Empire]

Haruna immediately grabbed onto Azarael, as the sword appeared on her hand. Immediately, she felt power and strength as a white glow emitted from the blade, just as she drew her sidearm with her free hand. Firing at the Invaders closing on Prinz Eugen, Haruna swung her weapon at Mu, the Invader girl dodging the blow at the last moment. Relentless on her press, Haruna continued to swing at the Invader as her handgun instinctively picked off Invader troops, assisting Prinz when she could.

Mu parried and countered fiercely, matching Haruna's swordwork as the two struck and parried. Avoiding the Invader's Sword, Haruna found this new form of fighting came to her naturally. As she parried hard, countering the Invader's moves, Haruna tried to call out for Alexander to get on his feet, trying to rally her commander.

The two continued to pick at each other for the next few moments, as Haruna desperately held her ground. The next few moments would prove decisive, as the base shook under the assault of the Invaders...

After Haruna pushed the High Invader away, Alexander simply fell on the floor as his wounds were slowly regenerating. With great effort, he tried to stand up, before falling again. You can't just get wounded like that and expect there to be no consequences, right?
"Give me...more... more... I want more... more power... I want it.... give it to me..", the black haired boy said with a low voice, before he practically shouted the last word."Mosrael!"
"Of course.. Master..", the red haired demon girl whispered as she appeared in front of him."Give in to the desire and I'm going to give all the power you need.." With that, Alexander started to scream as if he was in a really big pain. But suddenly, he stopped, and he then started to laugh as she slowly stood up, looking at Haruna and Mu with his now red eyes. Still laughing, he practically jumped forward, pushing Haruna away and using his burning blade to pierce the Invader's chest.

Shocked, the white haired Invader girl looked at the boy, noticing his red eyes, and the red thorny vines around his entire arm."Y-you... d-dem..", she tried to say, but unfortunately, she never managed. If one scratch from an Ancient Sword was enough to kill an Invader, piercing one through the heart with one of those swords was even more deadly. Pushing her back, Alexander made a step backwards as her body caught fire, and the Invader simply burned away, disappearing. The rest of the Invaders in the room were also easily destroyed by the Admiral, with a couple burning strikes. And then... silence.
"Herr Admiral!", Prinz Eugen said happily seeing that everything was over now. She tried to hug him, but without saying anything, Alexander simply slashed his sword at her. The green eyed Prinz fell on the floor, wounded, unable to realize what was happening. Alexander started to laugh, a broken, pained laugh, as he started to walk towards Haruna, starting to attack her with fast paced strikes.

[Tracian Empire]

Traitor? Would you be surprised to know that the entirety of the Abyss considers your kind traitors? You have abandoned the High Ones, and you have made fake idols for yourselves. You have distanced yourselves from the Truths of the Old Ones. And for that, no one should be surprised that most of Us want your race annihilated., Phi said. The voice of the Marker still seemed to be calm, but considering how calm she initially was in her discussion with the Acruani, it could have been presumed that she was already a little angry.

The crash of your ancestors was their mistake. They should have focused on the Sol instead of hunting small planets. When the Heaven fell, the highest of Us all, the High Queen, died because of the twisted machine of the Terrans. Your ancestors haven't felt it since they were already partially out of Our influence, but it was like a strong wave of pain felt by Us all. Our main fleets had been destroyed. In the chaos that followed, we were called back to the Abyss. It wasn't our fault, but we had no time to save your ancestors. They weren't forgotten though. We didn't ran like cowards. In certain times, wise people know that a retreat is better as compared to a total defeat.

Of course, after all, choosing to leave you there was the best decision we could have made. By remaining there, you were the spark that gave birth to the Intergalactic Wars. We are proud of you...

I can not tell you the true reason for why we came here once again, right now of all the times, or our true objective. We have spent the last millennia preparing ourselves. Everything is going just as planned. Everything has happened once before, and everything will happen once again, but that doesn't mean it has to happen in the exact same way. We are going to win this time. We're going to rob the light of civilization and intelligent life from these galaxies, and you shall all join Us in our darkness and our despair.

Of course, the weakness of the state you known as the Federated Colonies had greatly accelerated our plans. With their and humanity's decline, the Milky Way has become vulnerable. The humans aren't going to stop us this time... and of course, each of the races and states in that pesky little alliance you call the IIA have done their job perfectly. You have weakened ourselves more than we could have hoped.

Acruani Research Facility
Avik raised his eyes, leaning in. He was genuinly interested now. Phi seemed to be a book of knowledge, nay, a library. Eons of stored memories, ideas, thoughts, all packed into one being. Avik could drunken himself by listening to Phi for hours on end, absorbing and recording the vast amounts of information the Marker was able to give. But he didn't have hours, he was here on a mission.

"So has the High Queen returned, then? Or have you placed a new one upon the throne? Our own records don't go far back enough to tell us what happens when an Abyssal Queen dies, or how she is replaced.. Shame we can never get in touch with our roots. So much information we could have prided ourselves with, all of it lost."

Keltaken Capital Ship
Zlasa smiled as she saw her friend, running over to the Keltaken high priestess and offering her a tight hug. Very unproffessional. Like she'd give a damn. This was the woman who spared her an eternity serving the Keltakens as a priestess for their bloody war god. The Fylkja truly was forever in Zara's debt. A debt she could never fully repay. "Zara, how are you? The last time I saw you in person was when you and I saw the Mindflower bloom. And that was ages ago!"

About the High Queen, I would say that...both. Of course, something like that isn't something that you could understand. However, we have a leaedr again, and this time, the end of life in this galaxies draws near. Nothing will be able to stop this new wave of darkness... the Light is divided, and weak.

It's not like you can't get in contact with Us.. you still can, but for someone in your state, I wouldn't do it. Reactivating the connection would only make you weakened to our influence. There is no one who can gaze into the depths of the Abyss and survive with its mind intact.. because when you gaze at the Abyss, the Abyss gazes back at you..