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The measctha smiled as she stepped into the passenger seat of the limousine, the back being reserved for Chione and Ventol. The backseat was very comfortable, with large lounge like chairs instead of a traditional car seat. They were offered the choice between bottled water and a bottled tea, before the limo set off with a small escort of police. Up the cobble streets they rode, driving away from the port and to the heart of Saranshire. The ride was smooth and comfortable cross the city until they came to a large hilly area. Driving up the winding roads and past luxurious apartments, shoppes, and manors they entered a very affluent neighborhood. Passing a large park they came to a tall building and passed through a driveway built into the facade of the building itself. An archway with iron bars went straight through the building from the road, where one might expect a front door to be. After passing through the archway and iron gate, they drove round a small fountain and pulled alongside a wooden door. The doors for the limousine were opened by servants wearing black suits, and as the two Iammelonians stepped onto the gravel driveway they were able to see the courtyard they now stood in. Because of the streets and demand for sidewalks, this house had concealed the car park and front entrance behind the home itself. On all sides of them were mighty tall brick walls except for the archway which lay below a trio of windows and a small balcony. Off the left of the archway was the front door, a tall wooden one with a gold knocker and handle.
Georgina Saunders stood by the door, "welcome to forty-one down park avenue. This stately home will serve as your residence for the duration of your stay. Now, you've met me of course. But these three gentlemen will be servicing you during your stay. The gentleman with the glasses is Sergeant Scott Blossom chief of your security detail provided by the Bezembay Constabulary. The gentleman with the mustache is Charles Heath the keeper of the household. And the last gentleman is Louis Joucourt the cook." The three gentlemen bowed at their necks to the Iammelonians. Mister Heath was quick to start moving towards the car the grab the luggage to move it inside. Sergeant Blossom tipped his helmet and politely excused himself to see to the constables on the street. While Mister Joucourt, who insisted he be called Lewis, asked the two if they'd care for a spot of lunch.
Clines was quick with his pace, being a larger Hurvecht it was easier for him to maintain a good distance ahead of the dragon. They made their way from the port about five minutes to the train station by foot. Being followed and escorted by a large constable force. And indeed upon reaching the grand train station of Bezembay, Clines led the group to a train that was already waiting. It was a typical Bezannian bullet train, but most of the cars had been decoupled save for a few special passenger cars and the large dragonic one. Clines ushered for Tamour to enter and informed him the train would depart in twenty minutes time, while the Watrike were free to board the cars around the dragonic one.
Jazmin watched with much curiosity, especially when the prince transformed himself into a ceiling fan. Which garnered a small chuckle from her. She watched with a large grin and a sneer behind her teeth.
Elise watched with a small amount of curiosity but remained unfazed, "Doctor Elise Stanislavovna. Your friends here saved me from my cell here."
Jazmin chipped in, "yes, she's the doctor responsible for creating the AI you encountered. She was arrested by this planet's government because they were scared her AI was programmed, but the doctor never intended the thing to be anything other than an energy management system. We're currently underground in an abandoned military base." She walked for a nearby door, "I think we'll be leaving now though. We're going to head back to the human settlement and find our way off this planet for good."
-
Liline rubbed her chin and thought for a moment, "entertainment on Tir Creachdair... hm. Well there's always the cinemas, but I don't know that I particularly want to watch a movie at this moment. But as for our dear duchess, I'm certain she'll feel nervous under the collar but these stripes always need a good show of force to put them into place. They're a shrewd and strong people. They value honor above everything... well maybe not money, they valuie that a lot." It was true, Sephus had seen... more banks and financial institutions here than he had in any other place he'd ever been. There were huge firms, banks, branches, and funds on every street it seemed. Most of the tall buildings here bore names like Abercrombie, White, Lindsay, & Lean Financial, Hall-Grant Incorporated, Sceloeia Holdings, and Cameron Investments. These institutions were everywhere in the city and had been seen all over the city by Sephus nearly everywhere they stepped. The Creach really were a people good with money. "The duchess will appreciate our show of rank and authority."
Sakiris
It had been several weeks, sense the revelation and negotiations had been concluded. The past several weeks have been a definite blur, first the Lord Knight had kept his word, and had made the other two aliens keep to their word to not interfere with the lands of Eftayla and Harai. They were extremely strange men, the leader of the race identified as the Dynas, The most honorable Musie, stood at eight feet of height and wore upon his chitin and jagged like a skin a robe of brown over what looked like battle armor, they see back from their home, his appearance was also quite horrifying at first resembling an odd insectoid like creature, but when he spoke, he spoke in calm rhymes and metaphors, he acted humble and respectful to Harai and Eftalya the entire time. The other leader was far less...kind. He stood at six feet of height, he was a rat looking individual, with giant fangs stretching and jutting out of his horrific jaw which was wrapped in rotting goz tape. His fur was matted, torn and covered in unknown substances and his eyes were replaced with two massive mechanical steel plates, which were screwed upon its face, and glowed red. He was hunchback, with dozens of mechanical arms and surgical tools sticking out of his hunch. He draped himself with purple robe, trimmed with black and carried a staff, which looked like volts of electricity, mixed with a spiralling DNA helix. This leader, the representative of the Kryss species, was far less kind, and seemed to be annoyed to be there. But also seemed dismissive to the plight of Eftayla and Harai, but also curious, as several times during the meeting, Harai could feel the rat man's gaze fall upon him.
But that had been weeks ago, and the final negotiations had been set, with the territorial sovereignty of Eftayla and Harai respected in the final treaty. Thus began the waiting game, Harai and Eftayla were given special rooms in the Queen's palace and were treated just like royalty, sometimes at night the Queen would take them out to walk across the sandy shores of the palace, and reminisce about her childhood. The freed slaves were each accommodated with housing, unfortunately having to live with for a few weeks with Cypherian families, which often gave mixed results, to say the least. All this occurred, as the armies of the Confederation began preparing for war, on the Dynar the Musie called for best regiments from the three ethno klans. Upon Cypherius the space fleets began preparations of space combat, and began preparing board manuevers, while the Cypherian army began training excercises expecting anything from this alien world. And in the giant industrial mega cathedral forges, near the core of Opushinye, the homeworld of the Kryss, factory workers worked twenty four hour shifts, pumping out gene craft, tanks, bombs and war supplies for the upcoming conflict, chanting their psalms with each crack of the hammer on the forge, with the Patriárchis Epistimón the grand leader of the Kryss declaring this crusade to be a testing ground for the Telikós epistimonikós agónas.
And in the matter of three weeks, the war supplies had been assembled, and now stood in front of Eftayla and Harai, were dozens of ships, some tiny, others larger then the tallest buildings of this mysterious world, and all of them were being loaded. They could see tens of thousands of Cypherians boarding ships draped in jackets of blue and white, they were checking their rifles, as large wheeled vehicles brought supplies aboard. They could see streams of the odd chitin looking people, they marched in unison, each wearing armor that was similar at home, they marched carrying a magnificent banner of a tree which seemed to intermingle with a star, they seemed to look at the Cypherians before boarding, almost suspiciously. Then there were the rat people, the first people to board the ships were cloaked priests, draped in robes of light blue. muttering prayers of enlightenment, of blessings of the God of Science. Soon came streams of soldiers, some looked crazed, carrying guns larger than Eftayla, others wore large black masks which covered her entire face and walked with large crates, and what looked like odd cyclical tubes strapped behind their backs. Next were hundreds upon thousands of machine soldiers, all led by the caste of priest, and behind this was a circus of horrors, as malnourished rat folk, with what looked to be buckets nailed to their heads, with signs painted with the word “sinner.” covering their chess, dragged massive metal crates, the smallest was 25, by 25, the largest was almost 100 by 100, they dragged these metal crates, which roared and shrieked, abominable creatures sitting inside them.
The Kryss passed by the Dynas and Cypherians, giving them a cold, and bleak stare before boarding the ships. It was an...interesting sight to say the least, as they looked upon the gathering armies. Eftayla then felt a gloved hand rest upon her shoulder. It was the Queen, she sighed as she looked upon the gathering war fleet. She be coming along, to make sure a peaceful transition occurred once the land was claimed, the Lord Knight tried to urge her not to, but she still assisted to come, to keep her new vassals company on this long journey. Thus the Lord Knight himself had pledged that he lead the Campaign with two other Seraphs by his side, they would guide the Crusade of Gabriels fist, as it had been so deemed. Suis sighed as she watched upon the assembling armies, her face filled with both excitement and fear. “You know this will be the first time landing upon a different world.” She said with an odd look. “Well, I’ve been into space before and have been to confederation meetings, but those were never upon the surface, usually in the most luxury of stations.” she said as she looked upon Eftalya and Harai and sighed. “Well your world won’t be waiting forever, come on the capital ship is this way.” she said with a smile as she trotted along, her flowery sun dress fluttering in the wind as her sandals clapped against the concrete of the load station, her suitcase trembling behind her, as she excitedly beckoned Eftayla and Harai to follow her, to the largest ship of the bunch.
Kppphh, Kaaaa, Kppph, Kaaa, is all that Gregor could hear from his synthetic ears, as his gas mask automatically filtered out the atmosphere and replaced it with a bitter, horrendously tasting, artificial oxygen, which helped him breath on the surface, especially during uranium storms, which he could sense were about to come. The ground beneath him was a familiar gray, with cracks of radioactive black and green rock forming a toxic, cell destroying mindfield across the stone. Kpphhh, Kaaa, Kpph, Kaaa. His mask once agan echoed through the lonely and silent platough, as he felt the energy pack of his Luch istrebleniya, weigh heavily against his back, as he held the muzzle of the raygun up, looking around the desolate land of his home world, waiting, anticipating something to come up to put his simple scientific mission at extreme risk. As another dose of the disgusting false oxygen flowed through his mouth, he took a quick look over to the rest of his team. He looked to his left and there stood Dryzislav taking steady and powerful steps as he stepped around the toxic green rocks. Dryzislav was a tall man, his fur the little that was revealed, poking through their total body suits, was as dark as the cavernous expanse that they were born in. He carried on his back a large rifle, and slung around his chest, were various mutagenic and toxic bullets. A single shot from those could kill a normal man in seconds, either by rapid cancerous mutation, or being infected with radioactive or biogenetic disease. Unfortunately for some megafauna, on there Gabriel forsaken rock that would not be enough to bring one of them down.
To his left stood Jovan, compared to the giant Dryzislav, was a meek erratic creature, who preferred to run all fours, preferring to use the ancient ways of travel, over...walking. Jovan, though as erratic as he was, was still useful, for he was an expert in the use of the extremely dangerous annigilyatsionnaya pushka. A fearsome and highly unstable machine, which spit out a substance known as annigilyatsionnayium, a substance rumored to be able to even disintegrate the soul once it hits the body. Behind them stood their team leader, Father Petrov, an old and fragile man, who seemed to never leave his holy robes. He would always walk solemnly, even in combat, he would be solemn, always muttering prayers, self flagellating with electric whips, which he always kept in his robe pocket, along with various surgical tools for any sudden “Holy Procedure Ceremony.”, the idea of those saws and knives digging into him made him shiver slightly. Upon the fathers cupped hands which were in deep prayer, he wore gauntlets of pure electricitiy, which sizzled and hissed as they jolted and charged, searing his hands. Yet the father kept walking, ignoring the constant searing paint.
Now why were they out here, it was simple, some high ups in the Svyashchennyy otdel astral'nykh blagosloveniy Gavriila, were seeking some more research on the Uranium storms. So it of course fell upon the runts of the Lord Gabriel' Samyy Bozhestvennyy i Svyatoy Orden Rytsarey Nauki. And of course his team, were the runts that were picked. It annoyed him how it seems that his team, was always picked for the most simple task, but he knew complaining about that would get him a visit from the Issledovateli ratsional'nosti, and a bullet through his brain or worse…
Gregor shivered once again at the prospect, and continued to walk, the noise of gas mask, ventitliating the oxygen, all that could fill his ears, and he continued to the tredge through miles, until they reached the border of one of his homeworlds twisted forest. Mutation drenched tree’s, which seemed to stretch infinitely into the skies. They were also home to the Derev'yakotortyan, the tree’s which stretched and wailed.
The Father looked into the sky, and said the first word of the journey. “I can feel the whispers of our Lord Gabriel, this is where the storm shall fall, and this...this most holy of sites, will be where we place our fathers technological blessing, so we can learn more of his powerful guidance.” the father preached, like he was in one of his sermons. Gregor wanted to sigh, but again though of the repercussions and decided against them, he simply looked to Jovan, who jittered his fangs, as his gloved claws jabbed into the dirt, never resting for a second. “Jovan.” Gregor said, his voice deep and mechanical, filtered through both gas mask, and his altered vocal cords. Dryzislav, jittery stood up, his fingers moving energetically as he seemed to look around frantically. “Did you bring the Storm analysis machine?” Gregor spoke, Jovan nodded in a frantic jitter. “I INDEED DID BOSS.” He said, his fangs jagging into each other making an awful scraping noise with each word. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, a cyclical blue tube, with a little green circle sitting ontop. He took and stuck it into the dirt, and there it started to extend upwards, extra pools and sheaves extending from its cylinder base. The father approached it, reaching out his hands to a pad, which had just extended from its base. The father began typing into it, as the thunderous claps of the uranium storm were starting to come in. Dryzislav, put his back to a tree and spoke. “I heard a joke the other day, the Cypherian Queen mets 12 men, 9 months later she gives birth, they do a DNA test, there are thirteen fath-” he was cut off as the analyzer began going off in a frenzy, the father was confused, he looked at the screen, the storm hadn’t rolled in yet, why was the device going into such a frenzy.
Then they saw it, a large fiery red ball of steel, descending down from the heavens above, through the acid filled and toxic atmosphere of their home world, it roared like a skillrax beast, as it shot forward, and descended into the twisted forest of there home world. They all stood in silence and shock, until the father began walking. “Brothers, we have a new task at hand. Whatever that mysterious contraption was, must be filled with new marvels, of our Lords glorious design, we must study it so we can learn more of the divine.” the father preached out loud again, before walking through the woods again, its mile tall, mutated, toxic dripping twisted branches raised into the sky, as the remaining three sighed and began following the father, deep into the twisted forest.
Harlock looked the the human for a moment, her voice brought a chill that Jazmin confirmed. She definitely created that insane AI, so what kind of person was she to not only get arrested but lose control of her AI. He found it suspicious... "Hold of on us leaving." He says as he looks directly to Elise. "How do we know that she didn't figure out her work was going to get taken from her and made this meltdown happen? For all we know its why they locked her up, to find out how to stop it before it started spreading."
Filia raised an eyebrow to this, she didn't believe it... But they didn't have any timeline of events for this planet. All they know is that a meltdown happened, made mutants, massacred humans and drove them to near extinction. "... Okay clearly you needed more rest. I'm sorry I woke you up now."
"I'm being serious. How do we know that taking her topside will not stop us from getting off this damned rock?" Harlock says as he looks to them both.
-----
The chance to experience the Bez equivalent of Cinema was certainly something he wanted to see, though he'll have to save that for when they both have something to get invested in. Once she gets to them wearing their dress uniforms, he couldn't help but smile as he keeps beside her as they walk the streets. Though hearing the term 'Stripes' was a surprise to him, was that derogatory term for the Creach? Must be. Though at the very least he got to know that they were a people that valued honour, that means he can at least gauge them. Though only as far as what honour truly means to the Creach. "So money still works. I don't get it. Money doesn't mean much to us Firstborn."
He had certainly seen alot of these structures on his tour, seeing all this grand structures devoted to wealth confused him. Especially when they were so frequently seen, he could see three or 4 on nearly every street near enough. Moreso then when Liline was showing him around her home. "I can only hope to impress then, I don't know how far my rank will hold in this country even if I am the Lord Commander."
The moment the mighty beast ambushed the doctor he slipped on his helmet and raised his carbine. Knowing he was too weak to really make a dash, Peckrind stood. The planet had an atmosphere, though tainted, so he could rely upon his ethersuit’s air supply before he would need to rely upon the filtration system. Bashing out the window of the pilothouse he fired four shots in rapid succession at the beast’s face and centre of mass. Hoping to probe its body to see where it was weakest. The doctor quickly realised the situation when with each shot his body reacted with sharp pain across his abdomen. Gritting his teeth he recalled the battle of Wide Field Bluff, in a similar situation, when faced down with a detachment of confederate mechs, the Bezannins were forced to retreat. As a combat surgeon returning from the eastern front lines to the massacre at the bluff, Peckrind had been blown from his vehicle and nearly crushed. Surviving without losing much more than his right foot to the fire. This doctor knew pain and how to push through for survival. He began controlled bursts of shots to various points on the tree. He simply paid no mind to the murine like folk who entered the scene with their energy weaponry, hoping he wouldn’t have to turn his rifle to them.
Unfortunately for Quifsy, Aurea was not so entirely stupid as to leave her knowledge of basic reality back at her home's coffee table. On the contrary, the knowledge that Iammelon was completely fine actually and that Sennoshima was not whacked by a creature bearing an ego nearing the size of Masquif's (or any other of his kind) was freely given. "Pfft, well, there's a reason you're a stupid ghost stuck on repeat, and I'm a very much alive... uh... troubleshooter? Yeah, let's go with that title," Aurea shouted back, charging again at the Psion. With less brainpower needed to protect such obvious information, she noticed the energy whip headed her way. Not missing a beat, she rolled under it with seemingly instinctual ease and even slicing it apart with a swing of her sword.
Angelarium, Triporea, and House of vengeance
The bullets of the Doctors gun whizzed through the contorted fleshy bark beast, it let out hisses of pain, as bark and flesh regrew over its wounds. One of its contorted, convulsing, throbbing, hands swiped at Doctor, as it refocused its attention towards the rat men, clearly seeing them as a greater threat. It let out another ear piercing, blood chilling shriek, as it seemed to contort more. It’s bodying twisting into abominable, unnatural shapes, gross appendages, which throbbed and almost blinked extended from its fleshy bark, its flesh branches morphing into hideous roaring mouths, with teeth which vibrated and pulsed in its horrendous mouths.
The preacher among the rat men, continued its ferocious assault upon the tree beast. The Green electricity ripped through the beast, burning limbs and cutting massive holes in the creature, which seemed to only heal seconds later as its mass continued to grow as it shot forward. The large rat man, would be the first to open fire. His gun releasing a dozen shots rapidly. The bullets crashing into various parts of the beast, which then began to puff up. The beast roared in confusion, as many of its limbs grew thicker and thicker, poars opening up the creature and green puss spewing out, it shrieked in pain as the limbs got more bloated and bloated, before they exploded. Sending green putrid goop, which stunk of feces, everywhere. The Tree beast fell slightly, as it roared, as the giant ran man began to reload his gun, as the green electricity toar and ripped through the monster. It let out a shriek, as from its mouth more branches came form, jagged and sharp, like rock, and launched forward at the Preacher and the Giant. To only be intercepted, by the jittery dwarf rat creature, who jumped and let out a cackle of madness, as it pulled from its back a tubular device, which then spewed out a substance made of only purest white, the substance shrieked and compelled, seeming to bend reality around it, before it struck the beast, ripping through its new limbs and seeming to utterly disentrate them, with something almost deeper also being disintegrated in the process.
The Tree beast, tried to back away, try to escape from the rat men's advance. The Doctor could see the creature try to skitter away, in fear, in panic, and the rat men pushing forward each one taking great...pleasure in its suffering. He could see the Preacher smirk, with sadistic pleasure as he heard the creature roar in pain from its green electricity, which ripped its limbs apart. He could see the Giants eyes, show delight and wonder as each limb exploded, from its sickly bullets. He could hear the erratic laughter of the other rat man, as the beast roared in pain and seemed to almost be...begging for mercy, as more limbs roze from the creature, trying to defend itself as struck at the rat men. It then shrieked as purple light crashed against it, the moderately sized rat men walking forward, holding the muzzle of his gun out, which produced a massive purple beam which incinerated through the beast.
And before the Doctors eyes, he could see the Rat men all encroach on the creature, blinding fury, joy, hatred, pleasure in all there's, as the creatures body was ripped apart, from electricity, bullets, white reality substance and the purple beam, before all that was left, was a simple twig which tried to crawl away, like a pathetic, fear filled worm. It tried to crawl, before being stepped on by the moderately sized rat man, who then looked up at the Doctor, soon followed by each of rat men also looking at the Doctor. The Preacher was the first one to step forward, and spoke in the most broken basic he had ever heard. “Gree-Greetings, O-oh-Bless-blessing Of -Gabriel, yo-your fo-rm highly intrigues m-e.” he said, as he took several steps forward, his hands still clenched together, as he stared the doctor right in his eyes.
Jazmin seemed just as confused as Filia was, “Harlock, I really don’t think that’s what happened. It’s one thing to have your work being taken from you and then have the end of the world fall on your shoulders, it’s another to actually cause the end of the world yourself!”
Elise actually seemed somewhat offended but remained quiet. “I’m not sure what fuels your theory but nothing I can say will disprove you. I’ve learned people don’t really listen to me anyways. If you don’t trust me that’s fine leave me here.”
Jazmin spoke again, “Even if she caused the end of this world I don’t think just abandoning here down here is the solution though. She still deserves saving along with the rest of the survivors. And speaking if which maybe one of them can confirm your theory?”
-
The mighty and grand architecture of these downtown establishments showed a sort of power and prestige wielded by the people who operated out of these mighty buildings and towers. Liline would offer some comfort however, explaining that as long as he acted like a true well-to-do he’d fit in perfectly.
Their day marched on slowly and quietly. Liline would eventually muse around a park and enjoy a social outing with Sephus in a more private setting. The park they found was a large greenhouse that served as a botanical garden. The large decorative exterior was only matched by the humidity and somewhat uncomfortable heat of the interior. This botanical garden seemed to specialise in the tropical and warm environment plants and foliage. Brilliant flowers and vines hung over all. As well as species of birds and insects that buzzed and fluttered nearby. Liline would hug Sephus’ arm while inside the garden and as they strolled through the various pathways.
As the day came to a conclusion, the two would find their way back to the train station and take the express rail back to their little home. The green train’s elegant design ferrying them down the Bidean Moran. In rapid time it arrived back at the station they began their day from and the two were able to stroll past the statue in the plaza and to their room back at the public house in which they resided for an early retirement.
“Sephus, would you be so kind as to fetch us some supper? I’m going back to the room to ready myself for bed. And you can join me once you give the inn-keep our order.” She handed him some coins and purpura notes before smiling and heading back to the room.
Harlock looked to everyone as they gave their own say on his theory... Maybe he was still jittery from everything that's happened. For a moment he just grits his teeth as he speaks up, some cracks appearing in his body with small trickles of light seeping through. "But is it even worth it to try and save them when we know its all a story? Something made for that thing's entertainment? Nothing we do here matters..."
Filia's eyes widened when she heard him say that, just the other day he was all gung-ho about saving these people and stopping whatever happened here. She hated thinking about that monstrous thing again... But Harlock had a point. That thing had power beyond their understanding, was it even worth it when for all they know they were standing on a work of fiction? This planet, its apocalypse... It's people... It could all be fake and this torture was the only thing that was truly real.
But...
Could they seriously just stand here and do nothing?
Filia looked to the prince with a soft frown on her face, she could see his point but this felt more like a cry for help than anything else. Harlock didn't know what to do anymore and he was scared that he would never get to see his family again. And to be honest she was very much in the same boat, likely Jazmin was too. "So we're supposed to let this go on? We have to see this through until its ready to let us g-"
"AND WHAT IF THAT NEVER HAPPENED?! WE GET STUCK ON THIS ROCK FORVER AND WE NEVER GET TO GO HOME BECAUSE IT DECIDED IT HASN'T HAD ENOUGH! I-..." Harlock's back hits a nearby wall and he just slides back down to the ground again. He never wanted to be thrown into a deep end of something so grim... He was the spoilt son of a ruler who wanted a nice peaceful life and the occasional chance to play hero. An idiot who was sheltered by a protective father who bled at every chance to he took so his kids would grow safe. "I just wanted a quiet day out with my friends..." Now, desperate ripples of Psionic energy permeated from his body, an SOS from a son who wanted nothing more than to get rescued by his father.
Filia wanted nothing more than to join the prince in that pit he was digging himself but she just ruffled her short hair and looked back to Elise and Jazmin. Likely Elise had no idea what they were on about since she never met that stag faced reality writer they met in the cafe before being forced on this journey all that time ago. Being forced away from her lover was something she didn't take well which is why she wanted to bury that bastard in the middle of a neutron star and watch him get ripped apart under the unfashionable weight.
With a sigh she just ruffled harder, thinking on what they could do to end this torment and get this over with quickly... Killing themselves would certainly ruin his fun but she doubted he would allow it to happen. "Let's... Just find a way to get back to the surface. Harlock will catch up. He needs abit to calm down."
-----
With the day marching on for them both, Sephus was certainly enjoying walking around the city with Liline, once they reached the botanical garden he was actually alright with the heat. Seeming to enjoy the tropical weather, telling Liline that it 'just felt like home' to him. Though Castameer was more of a Garden world. Though the original Zerg homeworld was a primal Jungle, perhaps that side of him still had sway deep down.
As the day started to reach its close, once they got back to their room in the public house they were staying at, Seph stretched out his back with a low yawn. Tired from the train ride yet still full of energy, he decided he was going to try and really tire himself out with some training exercise outside but then he looks to Liline as she hands him some money.
"Eh? Oh, sure I'll fetch us some supper! Be right with you love!" He says after her before he pockets the cash and the notes as he headed to find the Inn-Keeper. Though on his walk through the hallways, a ripple of energy washed over him before it was directed outwards again, a sharp shiver and the sense of fear washed over him before he looked over his shoulder at nothing. "Prince Harlock...? Wha-? M... Must be nothing." He says with a furrowed brow, his body feeling more on edge than before since he was made to protect the royalty, not knowing he already played his part. He keeps walking to the Inn keeper before he gets the notes back out. "Hey I'm here to order supper for myself and my partner."
Peckrind kept his rifle trained on the tree creature even as it was bombarded with lasers and other forms of energy weaponry. He did conserve his ammunition and let the other aliens continue to kill it in place of his own bullets. Moving to grab his rifle and hold it barrel towards the ground he looked to the preacher who had approached him. The ratman would be unable to see the doctor's eyes behind the glass and metal plate of the ethersuit he wore, but Peckrind looked down at the man.
"Well met, my name is Ernest Peckrind, doctor. Many thanks for saving me from that dreadful beast. Would you chaps be willing to direct me to the nearest shelter. As you can see my lifeboat suffered a crash upon entry of the atmosphere. My fellow crew was killed in the crash or captured by pirates and I think I've been pretty injured myself." The doctor spoke quickly and professionally, not wanting to be rude to the aliens who stood before him yet he did not want to undersell the severity of the situation he was in now.
A Codex of Entreaties by the Sublime and Leal Arch-Duke Therhon Florenix, Lord of Taneth and Servant to Emperor Ghilad nas Mirad, to the Mighty and Influential Cambrian Extraction Conglomerate, Keepers of the Three Jewels
Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Arch-Duke Therhon Florenix, Lord of Taneth and loyal servant to the Emperor Ghilad nas Mirad, have written this codex for the sole purpose of establishing amiable and prosperous relations between the potent Hizdahrian Empire and the bountiful Cambrian Extraction Conglomerate, for in the course of solar history, our great and mighty powers have not once crossed each other upon the field of battle nor deliberately acted with intent to insult or provoke one or the other. In all past dealings, our powers have, with dignity and grace, adhered to our mutual treatises with the utmost faith and respect and as such, I am pleased to submit for the inspection and hopeful acceptance of the Board of Directors of the Conglomerate, a codex of agreements with which our two powers may further prosper in this benighted system and attain greater glory and peace than either of us may yet attain alone. It is known to the Emperor and the Imperial Court that our two powers are plagued by vile rapscallions and ruffians of the same stripes and feathers, that they are one in the same and blight both of us with magnanimous cruelty and rapine torment, such that the once bold and intrepid peoples of our powers are now afflicted with dread at the idea of sailing through territory that was once free for all to ply. Therefore and thusly, it is the hope of the Emperor and His Court that, if nothing else in this codex be to your liking, that our two powers can unite in the singular purpose of eradicating this hooligans from our respective territories and ensure the stable and swift resumption of trade between our two realms. For this purpose and task, it has been deemed of such importance that even the Ancient and Wise Consorts of Hegi have been consulted and their services sought out, their dread majesty known to all within the system and their awesome might feared by even the mindless Vulstrians. We wish not to drive these brigands from our space only for them to settle within your own and inspire amongst your people an enmity against us for the sudden scourge, but rather a mutual effort to eradicate this mutual menace once and for all. Furthermore....
Taurgha, Triporea, and House of vengeance
Over the Earth, Through the Trenches, Under the Sky
Mira, Bloody Mira in popular parlance, a curse on the tongues and through the lips of those who know of the bloodstained killing fields of the arid moon. Home to madmen and warlords alike and all that lies in between, naught but fodder for the two who stand above all on that accursed moon. Home to the poor souls just trying to survive on what could have a veritable paradise only for ambition, greed and worse to soak the dry earth and drip poisoned blood down its parched throat. Before the Red Witch came and rent the moon asunder, before the Bolt Cutter thugs slipped in through the cracks left behind by Her and fed like maggots upon the living corpse that was Mira, there still was nothing but dust and blood. Dozens of men and women raised hundreds of thousands to arms and warred amongst each other, content in their bubble of bloodshed and chaos, unaware of eyes that roamed over and deemed the moon insignificant for their own purposes. Until the Red Witch. Until She came and broke the backs of the warlords, slaughtered most of their number and sent them reeling to the banner of the strongest left, the Bone Breaker, the Grand Marshal, the Baron, Geril Sjil, Warlord. Host to an unbridled ambition and a terrible lust for power, Sjil is the apex of his warlord brethren, kept in check by the continued raids of the degenerate Prismaniacs at the behest of their mad god, the Bolt Cutters and their rotting poison in the flesh of his Mira and CamEx, money grubbing pencil pushers who hurl mercenaries upon his moon. He reserves his utmost hatred for Her, the Red Witch that denied him and dares to continue breathing, let alone roost upon his moon and sate Her bloodlust on what should rightfully be his subjects, his to rule, his to break, his to slaughter if need be.
If it were to grant him victory, he would funnel every last one of the wretches that cling to him into the furnace and not look back as they screamed and writhed in the flames and behind the closed grate. All save those who proved themselves to him in all things, his loyal Guardsmen who had shed so much blood, theirs or others, for him and him alone. With them at his back, Mira could be a bastion of the strong, a monolith that may just be able to finally unite the system and destroy those who had wronged him. At the end of the day, however, he is just first amongst equals and his warlord brethren continuously pluck and snip at his power, unable even with their backs against the wall to stand firm against the oncoming night. He inspires no loyalty, only a terrible fear and a seed of hatred in the hearts of men, and only his success keeps him as secure as he is atop his throne. Things must change, yet for all of his grandiose and arrogant words, the way remains hidden to him, the plan obscured, the gate shut. Those who think themselves his masters in the Syndicate grow more useless by the day and the domain of the Red Witch grows ever more, heralded by red clouds on a world that has never once borne clouds of its own. Other voices remain to be heard, however, ones more pleasing to the inner bloodthirst of the man who willingly and proudly bears the title of the Bone Breaker, who whisper of victory in exchange for all the blood he can spill. Gerit has plenty of that to give, if nothing else.
Taurgha and Triporea
The Alicorns, Taurgha, Angelarium, and Triporea
In the Zober System, in one of the planets in Adokwf’s jurisdiction, Adokwf Terismomalto was hunting down bandits in the many forests of that planet, slaughtering most of them one by one with his twin great axes, his enhanced strength, and his men.“Yesssss, die you scum lords, die for the many local villages you attempted to pillage.” Said Adokwf Terismomalto as he decapitates five bandits all at once. When the dusted settled, the locals were glad that all of those bandits were dead and they paid five thousand Deazies for the trouble.
Meanwhile, in a toxic planet in Safodeski’s jurisdiction, Safodeski was making a new outfit for himself, the outfits is reminiscent of a plague doctor, with syringes filled with the toxic water as part of his gauntlets and the lens in the mask is glowing green. “This outfit will fit me perfectly” said Safodeski Terismomalto.
While all that was going down, Grandapx Sherifte Fospspfke Terismomalto was preparing plans to find a spot for an outpost outside of their system. “Well, we need to find other nations or have other nations try to contact us, if the second thing comes, we need to have precautions for this, that way, we could have a calm first contact” said Grandapx Sherifte Fospspfke Terismomalto.
Equus, Imperial Palace
The suitcase clicked close, and a green-haired empress breathed a sigh of satisfaction. The things she'd need for the long trip were packed, falsified identification readied, and discreet messages sent out to various contacts throughout the East. As the sun set outside, Terra knew that the last thing to do was get a good night's rest and catch the first civilian ship to the Talmyrox tomorrow.
"Ya sure we're ready for this, sis?" said a familiar rough tomboyish voice, "I was there when she brought it up, the others weren't exactly happy with the plan."
"I've read the minutes, Cyn," replied Terra, "Though nobody really was happy with anyone else's plan there."
"Point," said Cynder, who then grinned as she scratched her hair, "Though I do have to admit, I like doing a little trolling myself."
"So we know what we're both doing?" said Terra with a smile.
Cynder coughed, then grinning and saying in Terra's softer and more demure voice, "Oh hello Ambassador... er... Watsyorneim, how's your family back on Cuthia? Oh, I hope they've been having a ten-tacular time there!"
The sisters had a laugh, before Terra nodded. "I think that's going to fool them long enough, and the sealed orders?"
"Already sent sis, all you gotta do is have a nice working vacation," replied Cynder quickly.
============================
The rest of the evening was spent on some last minute discussions, backup plans, and general ribbing, but soon Terra and Cynder retired for the night, each ready to take on the coming months. And for Terra, her first journey would be to Sion, a region in the capital of Taurgha...
The Alicorns, Iammelon, and Triporea
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