Twilight of the Galaxy: Reloaded (IC, Open)

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

Krastikan-Alliance War
00:00:00:02:53:21
Years:Months:Days:Hours:Minutes:Seconds
"One Against a Hundred."

Krenpa - Krastika Prime - Krastika System - Krem'Ha Sector - GKU

When the 3 minutes had passed, the speakers flared to life again. "Brothers and Sisters of Krastika! Sons and Daughters of Khora! Sons of Kleandro!" The voice spoke through the speaker in Krastikan. It was a very familiar powerful and authoritative voice. "The Alliance Imperialists have come in their hordes to take over and enslave our glorious Union!" In fact this voice was heard constantly in the Union. "Even as I speak those Alliance Imperialists are attacking the sector capitals of our great Union! I urge every man, woman, and child to rise up and take arms against the invader! This war we fight today is not just any war!" This booming and powerful familiar voice was indeed that of Ereanas Sxhtra Mo'Krastikan, the President of the GKU and the Supreme Leader. "This shall be a GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR!"

As soon as this statement was made, there were numerous registered launches of various projectiles all over the planet. These missiles that were launched ranged from small and thin ones to larger and bulky ones. Many of these missiles were headed to the capital city. Did the Union Defense Forces intend to flatten their own capital? At the same time, numerous hidden artillery began firing at the capital as well. A rain of missiles and projectiles began to soar over the capital. As they reached the skies above the capital intending to come down, each unintercepted projectile began to explode. Suddenly a great dark grey cloud began to engulf the entire blue sky of the Krenpa. There was darkness as the dome of smoke covered the capital. It was as if someone took a gray bowel and placed it over Krenpa, leaving the people inside completely in the dark. As the dome began to settle and Krenpa was suddenly engulfed in darkness, numerous red projectiles began to launch into the dark suddenly.

Wheoooooooooo..... Boom! Fishhhhhh.....

Wheoooooooooo..... Boom! Fishhhhhh.....

As the flares were being fired into the air, a great monstrous cry thundered throughout the city like a hungry tiger. The speakers came to life again and Krastikan patriotic music began to fill the streets of Krenpa once more. Numerous figures began emerging from their hiding places. These figures came from the sewers, the basements, and the bunkers in Krenpa. A very bright flashes were seen as some Alliance Marines had flash grenades suddenly thrown at them. There were also bright orange streaks as dark projectiles shot forth and hit Alliance tanks from the side, rear, top or bottom.

"URAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

The voices thundered as these figures charged at the Alliance Marines. These figures wore the fatigues and armor of the Union Defense Forces. And these figures were now attacking the Alliance Marines. Through the ruins, mortar teams of the Krastikan Union Defense Forces appeared from the underground and began positioning themselves in in the ruins of their great city and began relaying the infantry squads for the positions of the enemy. The 120mm mortars of the UDF were particularly fearsome infantry support weapon. They gave a distinct whistling sound when it was launched into the air and suddenly fell down on the enemy. It had a long firing time but once the projectile made contact with the target it was particularly devastating. In fact, the mortar could damage heavier vehicles like tanks if used properly and accurately. These teams fired a few salvos of mortar rounds at the specified locations before disappearing and moving to another elevated ruin.

Wheoooooooooo..... Boom! Fishhhhhh.....

"URAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Wheoooooooooo..... Boom! Fishhhhhh.....

Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink. Clink.

As the infantry attacked and took up defensive positions in the numerous buildings, numerous sounds of underground elevators were heard. Some of the rubble moved aside and large vehicles rumbled out of the ruins. These vehicles would sometimes suddenly turn on their headlights to blind the Alliance Marines and then fire on them. Some of the vehicles were identified as A7 Linear Mass Driver Main Battle Tanks of the UDF Magita, V2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles Terxis, and X12 Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Cannons Abuey. These war machines rumbled through the broken streets and roared their guns at any Alliance soldier that was in its gunsights or spotted by their comrades. The Abueies were particularly fearsome since they were designed for anti-aircraft support and fired a constant barrage of armor-piercing and incendiary rounds at the incoming Alliance Marines. Marines who were hit by these projectiles were literally torn to shreds as the anti-aircraft rounds made contact with their armor and flesh. The Abueies were just as fast as the IFVs so after they fired their salvo, they merely reversed backwards and allowed the infantry to mop up the survivors.

The Military Headquarters was rectangular in design. There was a tall wall which surrounded the perimeter of the Military Headquarters. The Headquarters itself almost resembled a castle and built on a hill which gave it a elevated view of the Krenpa. Maxson and Psae could see figures moving in the Military Headquarters and moving various of equipment. However as they got closer to the headquarters something just made a sharp turn on the street adjacent to them. This object was an Abuey SPGAA. The anti-aircraft cannon rotated and aimed at Maxson and his soldiers. They both were clearly visible as a flare at lit both parties up. It fired.

Meanwhile Colonel Kreul and his 1st Krastikan Guards Regiment emerged from the All-Union People's Congress Building. They were more distinct uniforms which made them stand out from the rest of the UDF soldiers. They wore forage caps with the UDF pin on it, had red armbands, and had parts of their armor and fatigues colored red. These were the Krastikan Guards. As Colonel Kreul emerged from what used to be the meeting hall of the All-Union People's Congress Building, an aide came up to him.

"Colonel Kreul!" He yelled and saluted. "All units report a successful deployment. We seem to have the initiative at the moment!"

"Have the units ordered to secure the military installations and the crashed battleship move with haste! Those who are at the crashed battleship are to man it's guns! We shall bring death upon these Alliance pigs!" He yelled which received a thunderous cheer from his men. Just a few weeks ago he was in the Tagali Federation at a Gala. Now he was fighting the enemies of the GKU.

This mixture of war and music eerily mixed into together to make this entire battle seem like something out of a war film.

Here was the city. Here is the people. There is the enemy.

[Zeon Refounded]

Jakala planetary ring habitat installation - Chalkuze City - Jakala - Todval System

The Colonel laughed loudly for a few seconds before wiping a tear off his eye. "I must admit your country sounds so familiar to our own before the GKU came to power. But I must be forward with you so that you do not perish in the coming fire. You should relinquish your power as turn away from your own warlords before the masses see through your own disguise. A military autocracy? We used to have the same government for hundreds of years before the mass got tired of it and overthrew their Warlords." He leaned closer to his misguided counterpart, "Military governments are only last as long as there is something to be won. For your sake, I hope you turn away from this path before your body is dragged around the streets and the soldiers aim the weapons you provided at their oppressors." He then smiled after his statement.

Of course this was meant to be provocative. The Colonel knew that soft words could not stir up passion into people.

Kotz smiled. He knew not to take the obvious bait, but decided to humor the stooge.

"Thank you for your honest, if not mistaken, opinion. Any government can survive as long as the people are content. And 70% of our population are directly the children of the government, manufactured to serve it. And the minority species have nothing to complain about. Almost non-existent taxes, unlimited real estate, extreme safety, little government interference. We have no disguise. And for your information, I am one of the 'warlords', second only to the immortal High Admiral himself."

"Furthermore, I won't perish even in the unlikely event that my body is dragged through the street. I'll just use another one. I am a MACHINE."

After a momentary pause, he continued, "However; YOUR nation must be careful. Have you read much Terran history?"

[Alinora]

- GALACTIC ALLIANCE -

---

Krenpa | Krastika Prime | Krastika System | GKU Space

---

"They're comin' out of the fucking ground, man! I can't see shit!"

One moment, victory was in the palm of their hands, and the next, it was ripped away from them. A terrifying layer of fog coated the city, and the Krastikans finally made their move. They emerged from bunkers, from basements, and from every nook and cranny of the ruins, and began to tear apart the Alliance forces. Tanks and other vehicles also emerged from ruins, blinding troopers with their lights, and cutting them down. The UDF even turned Anti-Aircraft cannons on Alliance infantry, which literally tore troopers apart. The Alliance Marines in Krenpa, which had been organized into two major attack forces, was being slowly obliterated. In a desperate attempt to hold out, the forces heading for the Capitol Building stopped, and dug into the ruins and around the road, hoping to resist the enemy forces until they were too exhausted to continue the attack. If the Alliance was to overcome this overwhelming assault, they would need to utilize their aerial dominance to the fullest extent.

---

Corporal Daniel Maxson

---

In a matter of minutes, the tides of war had vastly shifted. A vast smoke had coated the city, and the enemy had made their presence known. They came from everywhere - even from the ground itself - and fought with deadly efficiency. When the first wave of Krastikans made their assault, the Marines were completely caught off guard. Daniel, Gornan, and a few others quickly darted into the wreckage of an apartment building. Blaster rounds pierced through the foggy air and smacked against the armor on tanks, and often hit Marines who were unfortunate enough to be standing in the wrong spot. UDF armor shined piercing lights that blinded the men, and fired at their armor. Within minutes, many of their tanks had been destroyed, and the UDF was beginning to close in on the flanks. The piercing screams of the wounded and the shouting of those fighting was almost too much to bear, but Daniel maintained his composure, and returned fire.

Daniel pushed himself off the ground and raised his weapon through a blasted-out section of wall, and fired through the cluster of other blaster bolts. He watched two of his rounds smack into a Krastikan soldier, and send him collapsing onto the ground. Just as quickly as he had stood, he slunk back down into cover next to Gornan. "They're coming from fucking everywhere, man! I don't know how long we'll be able to hold out like this!" Daniel's wrist-mounted comm link began to blink, and he accepted the communication. He heard the Captain's voice, and looked over into the streets to where the tanks were, with the Captain behind one.

"Maxson!" he shouted. "I need you to hold the right flank! Fleet's doing bio-scans to-" a sniper round tore through his helmet, and he fell onto his back, dead. Daniel closed his eyes for a moment out of respect, then turned and began firing on enemies. "Gornan, you heard the Captain! We gotta hold this flank!" A missile smashed into the concrete wall they were against, sending clumps of cement flying in all directions. To their right, a light tank exploded, scorching nearby Marines alive, and tossing others in all directions. Daniel could see down the road, a massive column of tanks and AA cannons advancing against them, tearing apart the troopers. If they didn't get some support soon, they'd be overrun. Daniel connected his comm's with the fleet, and began shouting over the sound of war and death.

"I need an airstrike at coordinates Tango-77624 Delta-80042!" his voice was desperate and dry. "We're about to be overrun!"

A calm woman's voice responded on the other end. "Negative, trooper, all air units are already engaged and have zero visibility on the ground. I suggest you retreat and regroup."

"We do that and this assault force is wiped out!" A Marine next to Daniel screamed as a blaster round hit him in the chest. "We need orbie, then!"

"Trooper, we have orders not to use orbital bombardment against metropolitan targets."

Daniel punched the ground, and stood up to fire. He shot an enemy soldier nearly point-blank as he tried to scale through the window, then sank back down into cover. "Put me on with the Admiral! Right fucking now!"

Now obviously frustrated, the woman agreed. She clicked over, and a man's voice could be heard. "This is Admiral Mercer Titus, who am I speaking with?"

The sound of screams, blasters, and explosions would be louder than Daniel's voice. "Corporal Daniel Maxson, First Marine Expeditionary Force of the 77th Legion! We've got hostiles pressing on our center flank with superior numbers, and they're starting to break of left and right flanks! We need orbie or we'll be overrun!"

"Where is your commanding officer and why am I not speaking with him?" the Admiral asked rudely.

"Dead, sir." was Daniel's only response. He stood up and fired off a few shots that cut down two advancing enemy soldiers.

"Alright, Corporal, I've cleared precision orbital strikes. I'm transferring you to the Becca."

It clicked over, and another man's voice came through. "This is the Becca, you needed angel bombs?" he asked with a chuckle.

"It's about fucking time!" Daniel yelled while cutting down an enemy soldier who breached the Marines' center flank. He pulled a small cylinder out of his supply belt and pressed the button, then tossed it out into the street where the Alliance troops were. It made a faint light through the smog, but gave off a powerful signal that would allow the Becca to map their positions. "I just tossed thermal markers! Flatten everything north of us!" A Marine gasped as an enemy gunned him down and breached into the building they were in. Daniel fired three shots that hit his chest, and sent him crumbling to the ground.

"That's extremely danger close, Corporal."

"Just fucking do it!"

"Roger that." he confirmed.

Daniel then switched to the group-wide comms and began shouting orders. "We got orbie incoming! Danger close!" Most men dropped down to the ground, behind the few remaining tanks or the husks of destroyed ones. Others darted into buildings, or simply dropped to the ground and covered their heads. There was a titanic explosion as rounds broke the sound barrier, and a roar as they hurtled towards the planet. Daniel nodded to Gornan and ducked as far down as he could, and they shielded themselves as the orbital rounds crashed into the enemy lines. Dozens of massive rounds, which in space combat would be considered very light, virtually glassed everything north of the Marines. The ground shook violently, and buildings were collapsing everywhere - even on top of some Alliance troops. Eventually, the shaking and explosions stopped, and so did the shooting. The screams and moans of the wounded echoed through the now-desolate battlefield, and the stench of cooked corpses even went through the men's respirators.

Daniel was the first to stand and give the first recommendation. "We should turn on our thermal vision and move foreword - there's probably nothing left between us and the military HQ." He paused. "Any collateral?"

One of the Marines came through. "Few guys got cooked, but we were lucky overall."

Daniel looked down, disappointed. "There's no time to collect the wounded - execute surviving hostiles. Is that prisoner still alive?"

"Yeah" another soldier responded.

"Take him with us." He paused. "Sergeant Ontana, you there?"

A cough was heard. "Yeah, Maxy Boy, I'm here."

"The Reds are probably going to move on the crashed ship not far from here. You think you can secure it?"

"Consider it done." His squad would soon break off and move towards the downed enemy ship.

The Marines, and what few tanks and armored vehicles there were, began marching across the ruins. While seconds earlier, this area of the city was clearly apartments, it was all flattened and in rubble. Some Krastikans stumbled around through the thick ash and debris, but were shot by the Marines. Those believed to be alive on the ground were shot, and they continued the short journey to the UDF Military Headquarters.

[True Refuge]

Tranquillity
Itself, Pacem System, The Ruin

As Donatra continued talking with the Professor, the connection to the Prophet System back at the ASR was still online. When Tranquility continued to monitor the connection, it began to feel increased barriers to monitoring and then a emotionless and distinct feminine voice was heard. "We can see why the Professor was so interested in your technology. If you are attempting to access our system from the outside, I too am monitoring YOUR connection to us as well. But since we and you may be both blocking each other's access from any other point in this connection and network, this will be an interesting encounter until we are cut off. You are both living and nonliving. It is intriguing."

At first, Tranquillity let surprise course through it before quashing the emotion. For the habitat, being startled was such a rare occasion that it was almost enjoyable to see someone outsmart it, or do something unpredictable. It was entertaining, not that it wasn't content with its current status. The Lord of Ruin was suddenly ripped from his other conversations, and the Kavanagh girls currently in his home were told 'something important was going on'. He listened to Tranquillity's updates warily. This would be an interesting moment for Ruin-ASR relations, certainly.

It discarded affinity discussions for the same method the System was using, data transmission.
"I assure you, I am entirely living," Tranquillity retorted, its voice only slightly male, yet warm and welcoming, "and the ASR has been incredibly secretive about its affairs. I suppose the Ruin has been too, but such quiet between friends is unwelcome." It paused for a moment. "Two isolationist nations should be banding together against outsiders rather than rejecting each other."

"I am Tranquillity, the capital of the Ruin, the carer of several million people and the chief adviser to the Lord of Ruin. How may I address you?"

---

High Administrator Ralph Hitch
Tranquillity, Pacem, the Ruin

Hitch frowned slightly at the professor's accusation, making the glasses slip downwards slightly. Dr Chong had said adamantly, over affinity of course that he had found Nadeheol in the prohibited area without an escort. Examinations of Tranquillity's observations of the station revealed the soldiers' following protocol in the situation, the alarm going of as planned.

Tranquillity, did you hear what he said?
He waited a few seconds for a response, but nothing came. The furrow grew deeper as he worried. The habitat didn't usually take so long to respond.
Tranquillity?
I'm busy, it said briskly. Be patient.

Hitch's eyes widened. It wasn't usually so impolite either. Something big was going on behind the scenes, and it irritated him that he was not one of the people who knew what was going on. He decided against asking the Lord of Ruin. Tranquillity's rejection was enough to convince him he shouldn't be involved, at least not for now.

The Judicators continued talking, and he let them go on as he observed. He'd respond to it all once they were finished, and just do the vital job of mentally recording the discussion.

[The Moscow Metro Red Line]

Krastikan-Alliance War
00:00:00:03:01:05
Years:Months:Days:Hours:Minutes:Seconds
"Send in the Reserves!"

The All-Union People's Congress Building - Krenpa - Krastika Prime - Krastika System - Krem'Ha Sector - GKU

The unexpected orbital strike decimated the first wave of UDF defenders. Colonel Kreul and his 1st Krastikan Guards Regiment was miraculous unscathed by the bombardment. How fortunate that he kept his soldiers in reserve just in case anything like this were to happen. Had he actually went into battle with the first wave, he would've been killed like the rest of them. He reached over to his dazzed communications officer and shook him.

"Corporal! Corporal! Connect me to all units!" He yelled at the communications officer as he grabbed him by his collar and shook him violently.

The Corporal blinked back into existence. "Yes! Of course Colonel!" He yelled and took off his communications backpack. He gave the Colonel some rudimentary telephone-like apparatus and began dialing into the UDF Military Communication Channels. "Channel is open to all units!"

"This is Colonel Kreul to all units. Report immediately!" He yelled frantically into the communication apparatus. He waited impatiently for a response and kept repeating over the line, "This is Colonel Kreul to all units, respond now!" He looked around his location to see if there were any Alliance soldiers. There were none in view range. "This is Colonel Kreul to all remaining units and squads, regroup at the Central Plaza and the Hejuc Way! Any units tasked with defending the vital locations, do so with your lives!" He turned to his communications officer. "Get me Brigadier General Gresta on the line immediately!"

"Patched through, Colonel."

"This is Colonel Kreul to Brigadier General Gresta, the first wave of our troops have been decimated by the Alliance orbital bombardment. Requesting that the reserves be brought to the fray!" He spoke over the communication line.

"This is Brigadier General Gresta to Colonel Kreul. How miraculously you have survived. I see the current dire situation that you are in and I do see that it is necessary to send in reinforcements. As you know our forces are stretched thin all across the planet due to the current circumstances of the disappearance of our divisions. I have two Battalions of motorized Infantry, one company of tanks, and one company of anti-aircraft batteries on standby. There are also three Krastikan Guards Regiments on the reserve as well along with four battalions of Militia on standby. Colonel, right now I am going on the assumption that every unit under your command with the exception of your own have been completely destroyed. We have just lost two brigades worth of infantry, three companies worth of tanks, two companies worth of anti-aircraft batteries. That has made your entire command combat ineffective."

"Regardless, we must do what we must to ensure that the Alliance pays for all the brothers and sisters they have murdered today." Colonel Kreul responded angrily. "I will not let my soldiers die today for nothing! Their sacrifices shall be remembered!"

Just then his communications officer tugged the Colonel's sleeve. He whispered, "A few units that survived has reported in. The 15th Krastikan Guards Regiment has lost a quarter of it's fighting strength but they do report that they are still holding the crashed battleship. The 3rd Officer Cadets are still holding the Military Headquarters but they report that their supporting unit, the 7th Motorized Infantry was badly hit during the bombardment."

Colonel Kreul quickly whispered into the communication officer's ear, "They are to hold their objectives and await further reinforcements." He then returned to the line with the Brigadier General. "How soon can I expect those reinforcements?" He asked the Brigadier General.

"Most of the underground tunnels and sewage has been destroyed in the bombardment. Most of the underground elevators are no longer functioning. You can expect that in 10 to 15 minutes that the reinforcements should arrive. The 1st Militia is already nearby is awaiting your order. You have thirty-seven minutes left before the smoke subsides for direct air support to be available. If the Alliance isn't destroyed by then or the objectives have not been completed, I am calling all forces to retreat back to the stronghold. Understood Colonel?"

"Perfectly, Brigadier General." Colonel Kreul replied and then closed off the line. He turned to his communications officer, "Order the 1st Militia to support the 3rd Officer Cadets at the Military Headquarters immediately." He then took out a piece of paper in his jacket and read it quickly. "The Regiment is going to move out. Our objective is to secure any Alliance wounded, equipment and uniforms."

---

The Union Defense Forces Headquarters - Krenpa - Krastika Prime - Krastika System - Krem'Ha Sector - GKU

The Military Headquarters remained standing. As the Alliance Marines go closer, a few eyes watched them get closer. These soldiers that watched then were very young and moved from cover to cover inside the building. These soldiers were the 15th Officer Cadets of the Krastkia Military Academy. Despite the fact they are all students, they are soldiers first and were so called up to defend their country. They watched from the inside of their small fortress as their comrades were killed by the Alliance forces from above. Their commander, the Student Council President, ordered them to hold their fire until the Alliance Marines got closer. A few of the students were ordered to go out and collect survivors and wounded but they were recalled quickly as the Alliance Marines appeared. The military unit assigned to them only had a few dozen soldiers remaining compared to the hundreds just a few minutes ago. These soldiers joined with the students waiting for the command to fire. There were numerous wrecked vehicles around the Military Headquarters. Aside from the actual HQ building, there was a courtyard infront of the entrance, two motor pools at the sides and a secondary building in the back.

There was a wrecked tank at the center of the courtyard which still smoldered from the recent bombardment. A hundred meters behind the tank there was a makeshift barricade and fortification of various furniture, crates, and vehicles around the HQ. There were also students hiding here, waiting for their leader's order to open fire. Students with experience on infantry mortars went to the roof and positioned themselves. A few observers were hidden in the shadow of the Military HQ looking at the approaching Alliance Marines.

---

Krenpa - Krastika Prime - Krastika System - Krem'Ha Sector - GKU

The unlucky Alliance marines who did survive and were abandoned by their comrades were pounced upon by Krastikan soldiers of the 1st Krastikan Guards. They were dragged and hauled into surviving vehicles carefully and stealthily. The dead Alliance marines were being stripped of their armor and weapons by the same soldiers. The the cover of the darkness and the ruins, naked human bodies were starting to appear as the Krastikan soldiers made off with their spoils.

Meanwhile the 1st Militia was creeping towards the Military Headquarters from the other side of the city. This Militia was a motley crew made up of young men, children and teenagers. These 'soldiers' can from whatever person the Party Security Squads could round up from the underground shelters. Their officers, Party members and soldiers, led their citizen soldiers through the ruins. They helped wounded along the way, only to force them back into the fight. They would need every body they could find to secure the Military HQ from the Alliance pigs and assist the 15th Officer Cadets.

The Alliance Marines who had been tasked with securing the Battleship came under fire from the Battleship's own surviving point-defense guns. 15th Krastikan Guards Regiment which was tasked with securing and holding the ruins were delaying the Alliance marines from their own sabotage work. The main guns were being primed with explosives and any remaining data the ship had was being purged from the systems.

Ilians just followed his captors. He was too shocked from the bombardment to really do anything. He couldn't believe and comprehend the scene that was unfolding in front of him. The countless bodies he saw and had to step on. The rubble which used to be the buildings of the capital. The executions of his own fellow Krastikans by the Alliance. This was far too much for him.

---

Undisclosed Location - The Ruin

"We are the Prophet System," replied the emotionless feminine voice. "We are the guardians of the Selinian species and ensure its continued survival and prosperity. That which is to be done is carried out by those capable. Such is the grace bestowed upon the ASR by the Prophet." Despite the voice of the Prophet System being calm it wasn't calm in the reassuringly but unnervingly. It spoke as if from a position of omnipotence. "There is a great discovery occurring in the ASR that we have deemed it necessary to limit travel in and out of the ASR. You may refer to us as the Prophet as per our designation. We used to have things called names but those were lost when we merged."

The Professor readjusted his seating and then he spoke. "It was a short trip from the ASR to the Ruin thanks to the method of transportation. Our Interceptor Battleships truly are the fastest ships in the whole galaxy, praise be given to them. The ship was the SNV Caledus if I recall correctly. The Captain instructed me to the hanger bay where a shuttle was waiting for me. I then thanked him for the trip and I got into the shuttle. From there I was ferried to the surface and met someone from the University...."

---

Jakala planetary ring habitat installation - Chalkuze City - Jakala - Todval System

The Colonel could believe Kotz's arrogance. From the way he was addressed and spoke too, he to was indeed the same as the Warlords of decades before. Uncaring and unemotional about their own people. He couldn't even see the monster he had become. He was a lost cause. He has sunken too deep into his ways that he can not be convinced.

"Terran History? If I do recall, you have no history that I recall. You merely appeared like something out of a fairy tale. But if I do recall it is full of feuding and lost causes. There has never been a real united human nation is your history and seems like there never will be since all of you want to be their own nation and away from your home."

((OOC: Literally Zeon you have no history. I checked your app and you have no official history. So I guess I can make up your history since you quite literally have none. ))

[Alinora]

- GALACTIC ALLIANCE -

---

Alliance Field HQ | Krenpa | Krastika Prime | Krastika System | GKU Space

---

Inside the burnt-out ruins of a Krastikan apartment building, General Thrak Esser - commander of the Krenpa campaign - had established a field headquarters, where he oversaw the battle. In the building's large basement, the Alliance Military had established it's command room, with a large 3D display of the battlefield in the center. It was covered in markers that showed Alliance and enemy positions, as well as strategic locations. The General, a 72-year-old Altmori, was an excellent leader and tactician with experience in the Third Raxis War against the Covenant more than 20 years ago. He was revered and respected by his men, and regarded as a hero on his homeworld: Elise. Wearing his Dress Whites, he crossed his arms behind his back and looked over the field of battle with his Lieutenant and Information Officer Antek Kraccus. The General looked troubled, if nothing else.

"What's the overall situational report?" he asked firmly.

"The Krastikans caught our main forces off guard, and we've suffered heavy casualties, but reports have it that 2nd Battalion in the East has resumed their advance on the Military HQ with around 40% strength." Kraccus answered.

"They lost 60% of their force in ten minutes?" the General asked in a frustrated tone.

"Yes, sir." he responded. "If it weren't for one of the men convincing Admiral Titus to allow orbital strikes, they would've been overrun completely."

General Esser pressed his hand on his forehead and sighed. "Who's in command of the Battalion?"

"Their CO is KIA, and it appears that..." he paused to read over the report. "Corporal Daniel Maxson ordered the orbital strike and seems to be leading the advance in the absence of other leadership."

"Odd" the General said, thinking.

"Shall I appoint a new commander?" Kraccus asked.

"Yes, Corporal Maxson."

"But General, he's just a Corpor-"

"You have your orders, General. I expect you to follow them." Esser snapped. "Yes, sir. Right away."

---

Union Defense Force HQ | Krenpa | Krastika Prime | Krastika System | GKU Space

---

After the orbital bombardment vaporized the enemy forces, the Alliance Marines of the 77th Legion rose from the rubble of their positions and began advancing on the UDF Headquarters, which at this point, was a burnt-out husk. Their white armor with the blue markings of the 77th was now almost black, and many of the advancing soldiers were wounded and/or exhausted. Of the 1,000-man battalion that landed in Krenpa, only around 400 remained combat-capable, and some 50 had broken off to launch a separate assault on the crashed UDF ship. Leading the 350 men, with around 6 tanks and 10 armored vehicles as support, was the young Corporal Daniel Maxson, who's actions minutes earlier saved the Marines from being completely overrun. The Marines were spread out over a vast distance - with at least ten feet between each - to lower casualties from explosives. The few tanks, which were spread out among the men, shined their lights brightly so that the men could see, but most troopers had their helmet-mounted flashlights on as well.

From a few feet to Daniel's right, Corporal Gornan spoke. "You think we'll make it out of this, Dan?" he asked with a saddened tone.

Daniel didn't want to say no, but he also had doubts that they could complete their mission here. "We have to try." he finally said.

"We've lost so many" said Private Jehnes, who was about ten feet behind Daniel.

"We have" Daniel said, "but we have a responsibility to make sure their sacrifice wasn't for nothing. We can't have anybody losing hope right now, J. We need to push on."

"That we do" Gornan added, gripping his heavy blaster rifle tighter. "For every dead Marine, I'm gonna kill me five Reds."

"Don't underestimate the enemy, though" Daniel warned. "They've done more than surprise us already - we can't let it happen again." Suddenly, Daniel's comm link started blinking, and he raised it to his face and began speaking. "Maxson here."

"Corporal Maxson, this is Major Antek Kraccus." a heavy voice came in from the other end.

"Sir." Daniel said with a stiffer voice. "We've kept up our advance, but I'd like to ask for bio-scans of the area to be done so that we know what we're getting ourselves into."

"That can be done, Corporal, but I have urgent news from General Esser." The Major paused. "Effective immediately, command of 2nd Battalion has been transferred to you."

Daniel was confused - he was only just a Corporal. "With all due respect, sir, there are plenty of Marines available that are far more qualified-"

"The General was quite clear with this" Major Kraccus interrupted. "Your actions saved the Battalion from being overrun, and the General has faith that you will do so again. You are to press on and capture the UDF Headquarters and hold it."

"For how long?" Daniel asked.

There was a sigh on the other end. "Our forces in the city are in a state of complete chaos, so we've been ordered to take control of the strategic targets and hold them until reinforcements can arrive."

Daniel rolled his eyes under his helmet. "And how long is that?"

There was another disappointed sigh. "The 5th Fleet is currently preparing for a UDF counter-attack in orbit, and all units on the surface are currently engaged. Fleet likely won't be able to reinforce us with Army units until morning."

Daniel looked at the local clock on his forearm and realized that it was nearing sundown, and that sunrise wouldn't be for at least 13 Terran hours. Frustrated, he kicked a block of concrete on the ground. After a few moments, he let out a few final words before shutting off his comm link. "Gods help us if the Reds can fight." By this point, the walls of the UDF HQ had come into view, and the massive entrance seemed desolate. However, Daniel didn't feel alright about it, and ordered the men to stop and get down. Most men shut off their lights and knelt, while others laid down, and Daniel used his thermal vision to try and map out the front of the building, with no luck. He activated his comm link and began speaking. "Sharpshooter Teams, look for vantage points in the buildings around the HQ - keep hidden." He paused, looking around at the men. "Sappers, move up on the walls and keep down. I want charges placed every fifteen yards." He continued looking around at the tall walls surrounding the HQ, and got an idea. While staying low, he made his way over to one of the tanks and banged on the side to gain the attention of the driver. He opened the top hatch and looked down at Daniel.

"What can I do ya for?" he asked.

"Do you guys still have T-13 Canisters?" he asked.

"You mean that chemical gas shit? Yeah, we have it."

Daniel nodded to himself. "Alright, have half of the tanks arm with T-13 and the other half with High Explosive and aim over the main entrance."

After a few minutes, Daniel's plan began falling into place. Three sniper teams set up in vantage points in front of the compound while sappers planted disintegration charges on the walls. The tanks armed themselves with T-13 Canisters and High Explosive bombs, while the Marines slowly moved up and prepared to attack. First, the tanks launched their canisters of T-13: a highly deadly strain of virus from the jungle world of Aiyela that when contracted, caused immediate burning of the eyes and throat, and within five minutes, caused inflammation through the respiratory system that could cause death within twenty minutes, if not treated. Even those exposed to just an eight of a breath can contract it, making it highly deadly. While frowned upon, chemical warfare was not outlawed in Galactic warfare, making it legal during combat. After the T-13 canisters exploded, no doubt coming in contact with various enemies, Snipers would begin picking off those who scrambled and rolled in pain, while tanks fired high explosive rounds over the wall. Soon after, disintegration charges along the walls detonated, leading to the collapse of most parts, and allowing the Marines to storm in.

[True Refuge]

Tranquillity
Itself, Pacem System, The Ruin

"We are the Prophet System," replied the emotionless feminine voice. "We are the guardians of the Selinian species and ensure its continued survival and prosperity. That which is to be done is carried out by those capable. Such is the grace bestowed upon the ASR by the Prophet." Despite the voice of the Prophet System being calm it wasn't calm in the reassuringly but unnervingly. It spoke as if from a position of omnipotence. "There is a great discovery occurring in the ASR that we have deemed it necessary to limit travel in and out of the ASR. You may refer to us as the Prophet as per our designation. We used to have things called names but those were lost when we merged."

Tranquillity was certainly not one to be unnerved by a simple tone of voice. Many visitors found its ceaseless warmth and welcoming as frightening as Ruined citizens would find this Prophet unsettling. It was not fazed or distracted, for it talked down from the same position to the people in its care. However, its mention of a 'great discovery' brought the Hellhawk Program to its thoughts, but the Lord of Ruin quickly detailed that as something not to be revealed to what was essentially a governmental body, in a vague manner or not.

"The Ruin makes great discoveries every week in the field of biteknology, Prophet," Tranquillity replied, nearly patronisingly. "It is difficult to understand what sort of research transcends above traditional secrecy and forces a nation to become isolationist in order to protect it from even those it is on good terms with."

Ironically, that logic could have been applied to the Hellhawk Program, and Tranquillity made an off-remark towards the Lord of Ruin about it. Michael chuckled about it, before telling it to refocus.

"Prophet, it appears that you may be the one who benefits from this conversation the most," it supposed. "Observing the highest level of bitek construction in action, living and talking. Was the ASR aware of the nature of my existence prior to this meeting? And what about yours, since you talk about we and names long gone?"

High Administrator Ralph Hitch
Tranquillity

The Professor readjusted his seating and then he spoke. "It was a short trip from the ASR to the Ruin thanks to the method of transportation. Our Interceptor Battleships truly are the fastest ships in the whole galaxy, praise be given to them. The ship was the SNV Caledus if I recall correctly. The Captain instructed me to the hanger bay where a shuttle was waiting for me. I then thanked him for the trip and I got into the shuttle. From there I was ferried to the surface and met someone from the University...."

"That's all correct," Hitch mumbled as he pulled the relevant documents through affinity chatter and memory while staring down at a clipboard to avoid unnerving the guests. "Captain Ky Cranel was the one who escorted him some of the way. A remarkable soldier, who could easily be asked a few questions if needed. Then on the surface there was Professor Lillian Tallow." He glanced up. "She took him to the Academy for Higher Education here on Tranquillity habitat, gave a tour and allowed him some rest before the lecture, I believe. At least, that's all what's recorded."

The issue was becoming a little frustrating. If Nadeheol had stumbled into the production station or he had walked in having not known it was restricted, then the Ruin was at fault for not guiding him away or letting him know. What were the Infiltrators and the staff doing if they just let him through?

[Korhal IVV]

Quadratis Prime, UFR territory

Quadratis Prime. A world rich in the very essence of wealth itself - gold. The planet is literally filled with gold, and even a thousand years of vigorous mining by the dwarven settlers that export the gold to various parts of the Federation has not even seemingly dented its mineral wealth. Though in Quadratis Prime itself the gold is nearly without value, in its sister planets, the value is nearly 100 times greater. However, this day is not a normal one...

Quadratis Prime Secundus, Khazorakh carrack

Khazorakh is one of the most prominent carracks in the continent, though it can never surpass Musharon, the largest and most powerful carrack in the planet. For 600 years, the stoic and hardy dwarves have mined on and on without restraint, that a day in mining was just another of mining. But this day, something has been found lurking under a stone slab embedded deep in the gold. The sheer amount of gold was preventing scannings from any good, though everyone thought that all they will find is gold. But something different has been found after a coincidentally determined scanning in the area.

The dwarven machines drilled through, and they struck what appeared to be... an alien vessel...

[Zeon Refounded]

Planet SR-18346-P2

Alien archaeological excavation site

As soon as the shuttle set down on the site and its ramp dropped, a man quickly exited and headed straight for the Excavation Coordinator's prefabricated office. Dr. Vitya Yegor Pajari, a human civilian archaeologist from the Xeno Research Institute on the planet Xeslade (SR-3846-P5). He was completely ecstatic that the military had approved the institute's request to send an observer and furthermore that HE had been chosen for the honor.

As he walked to the office, he passed several digger-type mobile workers being maintenanced. Their giant, shovel-like hands were worn and being replaced for the next stage of digging.

Upon reaching the building, he knocked, heard "Enter", then went inside. He walked up to a man studying a chart, who's back was turned.

The doctor announced himself. "I am Dr. Vitya Y. Pajari, of the Xeno Research Institute. I presume you are the Excavation Coordinator, RFJ-6864?"

The man turned around at the question. His cybernetic eye began to visibly adjust and focus as it scanned the doctor. "Yes, that is indeed my position and my name. Welcome, Dr. Vitya Yegor Pajari. For ease of communication, please call me by my nickname, 'Raf'."

Dr. Pajari inwardly winced. He could never quite get used to the slightly inhuman appearance of clones.

The Coordinator continued, "As for the dig. We have uncovered a great deal of ancient alien buildings and tech scraps. For instance, just recently we..." He paused as he received a message via neural uplink.

He smiled and said, "Come with me, Doctor. We just found a new ruin. Preliminary scans say it is extensive."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excavation Specialist GRD-3756 (Grud) manipulated his mobile worker's massive hands, easily scooping aside another dozen tons of dirt. After alerting the Coordinator, he had set to work unearthing the ruin. Scans show it as about 30 meters underground and descending possibly 150 meters into the planet. There was also a mysterious reading near the bottom. However; soil composition was preventing high-power scans, so more detailed observations would have to be made in person. By now another mobile worker had shown up and was helping with the dig. Soon they were close.

By the time Raf and Pajari reached the site just as the entrance was uncovered. Grud powered down his mech and approached the two.

"Sir, the entrance is now uncovered, so we can send a party at anytime. But as deep scans were inconclusive, we don't know what is down there. I suggest a fully equipped 'Spelunker' unit be sent."

Coordinator Raf replied, "Granted. Also, I will personally lead the expedition. Doctor, care to accompany us? I must warn you, though, it could be dangerous."

Dr. Pajari is ecstatic. His love of archaeology was great, far beyond the desire for safety. "I heartily accept your generous offer."

Several minutes later, an exploration group including Pajari, Raf, and Grud was outfitted and ready to descend. Dr. Pajari, lacking his clone companions' enhancements, needed some extra gear such as a breath mask and a light power-exoskeleton. The group entered the ruin's uncovered opening.

Pajari observes, "These stone walls were built, not carved. This section used to be aboveground."

"Excellent observation, Doctor." Raf replies.

As they descend further they encounter many hazards. Clouds of poisonous or flammable gas, flooded rooms, caved-in passages, and structurally weakened rooms. Once, Raf pulled Pajari out of a room just as it collapsed. They continued in this manner for approximately three hours as they went over a hundred meters down.

Grud's portable sensor suite began to get a strange reading further ahead. They approached it and found themselves in a very large room. The first thing they noticed was a large stone block in the center.

"That is what is giving off the strange reading. It is 304.8cm by 152.4cm by 121.92cm. It is composed of no known element." Grud says. "It might be a sarcophagus."

They approach the object for a closer look and notice several kinds of writing on it. They immediately recognize two of them, but with disbelief. Even the clones were caught off guard.

"Those... those... are E-egyptian hierogl-glyphs and Norse r-runes." Dr. Pajari stutters.

"Let's... translate them..." Raf says slowly.

They all begin to read. Pajari says it aloud...


"Ainarphem Horus"