NationStates Jolt Archive

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT #68932

BY DECREE OF THE LORD PRAETOR, PROPHET OF THE PREDECESSORS AND HIGH AUTHORITY OF THE DOMINION:

The United Socialist States of Outer Okinaw have made an overt threat to our most sovereign nation.

As of three minutes ago, the armed forces of our Dominion have begun to mobilize in their Prospekts to await directions from their headquarters at the Citadel. All citizens are invited to a public speech by the Lord Praetor in Victory Square in Nova Prospekt, or to watch the procedings on their telescreens.

That is all.

--Havarran Dzerrin, Executor, Commissariat of National Security--
--The Citadel, Nova Prospekt, Dominion of Necros-Vacuia--



"And thus it begins," the ruler of the Dominion softly spoke, stretching in his throne. "Havarran, you have begun the arrests of any possible enemy agents, correct?"

"Indeed, Lord Praetor...and any the Agency misses, the people will surely kill. Our propaganda campaigns have made sure of that."

"The Emperor ignores the fact," mused the Lord Praetor, "that we have little regard for catastrophic loss of life...and thus, war is hardly a concept beyond us. But I don't think it would be prudent to make the first strike...not yet, at least."

"We should at least tell the Magicians to target the defense grid. Their drones will make short work of it...should the Outer Okinawans choose to move against us."

The Lord Praetor steepled his fingers. "Very well..."

IMPERIAL DECREE 1137-001

At the Will of the Immortal God-Emperor of the Holy Empire of Utapu, who for One Thousand, One Hundred, and Thirty Seven years has ruled Utapu;

Whereas,
after careful consideration of all impacts clear and unclear a war may have on the nobility of Utapu and it's colonies;

Whereas,
The United Socialist States of Outer Okinaw has produced a demonstration of military force intened as a direct threat to The Holy Empire of Utapu;

Whereas,
The United Socialists States of Outer Okinaw has embeded spies in the Holy Empire of Utapu;

Let it Hereforth be resolved that the Holy Empire of Utapu shall expel all Outer Okinawan diplomats from Utpau and it's colonies and all spies held for questioning shall be executed immidiatly. All catgirls allied with Outer Okinaw that are found within Utapunian borders shall immidiatly be spayed and hung by thier own tails in the public squares.

Let it be further resolved that until such a time that a peaceful coexistence can be reached between the democratic East and the Despotic West, The Holy Empire of Utapu will defend it's borders and it's allies borders from an invasion of any Outer Okinawan alliance.

Let it be known that an incursion upon the lands of: Bogon, Utapu, Conelrad, Wenchetyria, Druarch, Necros-Vacuia, Explodorania, Microsquash, Asphyxatia, or Winkos shall be considered an agressive act of war and shall shall be responded to with an immidiate nuclear, chemical, and conventional bombing attack made against Outer Okinaw and it's allies.

It is hereforth recommended by the Ministry of Public Compliance that a blockade of Outer Okinaw be put in place on land, sky, sea, and space.

---

It is with great disappointment that I sign this Decree, fully understanding the implications that this an Iron Curtain has fallen unto our continent. Having seen the glorious victories of the Utapunian Empire in my long reign, I grow weary of peace. While I may lust for War, my Country does not and I pray that this continent does not either. This entire continent was once destroyed by my forces and it can happen again. The Northern Continent remains unharmed, but that could very well change if we continue this course of action. Wisdom to your decisions.

SO DECREED BY THE IMMORTAL GOD-EMPEROR

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The God-Emperor of Utapu, clad in his flowing red robes, finished dictating his decree to his scribe. "Send this decree to the Neutral Meeting Palace, to every country within the Zone and to our colonies."

The scibe bowed deeply before running quickly out of the room. "Yes, my Lord."

The God-Emperor stood and walked behind his golden throne and opened a case wherein lay a sword as bright as it had been the first time He held it. "Hello, old friend. It has been nearly 50 years since our last meeting." The God-Emperor raised his sword high in to the air, neither the sword nor the God-Emperor showing it's age. The God-Emperor was incarnate nearly 21 centuries before this latest scuffle began, so He had seen his fair shares of War.

"My Immortal Lord!" A voice called from the Throne Room. The God-Emperor returned the sword to it's sheath and walked to the throne holding it in his hand.

"Ah, my faithful Abbot-General. How goes your battles in our colony of Bogon?"

"My Lord, as you have requested, I have left 500,000 men in Bogon to surpress the democrats and have returned with my army." Abbot-General Alexander Rivas responded.

"General Rivas, you have served me for 300 years am I right?" The God-Emperor said as he walked down the steps, his robes flowing behind him as water would flow off a mountain.

"423, My Lord."
"Then I trust this matter to you fully. You are hereforth charged with dealing with all matters of this Divisive War. I will only hear of your victories and nothing more. If your army fails you, I will lead the final battle."
"But, My Lord! That's..."
"HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR! I HAVE LEAD OVER 50,000 CAMPAIGNS, I AM THE GENISIS OF THIS ENITRE WORLD'S MYTHOLOGY! WHEN THESE HIPPIES SPEAK OF UTOPIA, THEY TALK OF MY UTAPU, THE EMPIRE I ONCE GOVERNED 1500 YEARS AGO! DO YOU QUESTION MY JUDGEMENT!?"
"No, Lord. I shall bring glory and victory to Utapu in your name."

With this, The newly appointed Abbot-General of Utapu's Entire Army Corp, totalling 110 million men, women, and children, left the throne room. The God-Emperor turned away and with one quick movement, drew his sword and sliced one of the many stone pillars in the room cleanly in two.

"The God-Emperor's Star shall rise over every city in the East if they dare threaten attack upon my allies again."

Victory Square, Nova Prospekt, Dominion of Necros-Vacuia

Over 5 million people had thronged into the square since the Lord Praetor's announcement, a chaotic mass of people surrounded by the hard-faced soldiers of the Dominion...but now, as it came time for him to speak, the citizenry hushed, filing neatly into cowed ranks...

In his ceremonial uniform, half priest's robe, half military dress uniform topped by a long, decorated topcoat, the Lord Praetor ascended the stage, closing his eyes momentarily before looking up and out at the crowd.

"Citizens of the Dominion," he began, "I come before you today with a heavy heart. No doubt you have seen the lights in our skies, lights that are no stars. They are, instead, part of a grave threat to the Exclusion Zone."

The citizenry murmured their assent, knowing full well the origin of the lights...

"The United Socialist States of Outer Okinaw's defense grid, as we speak, is aimed at the homes of our people. The homes of our children. The ancestral lands of our glorious Predecessors, of whom I am but the humble Prophet.

These Outer Okinawans, led by their Emperor, have made an open threat against our nation and our people!"

The crowd murmured louder, anger rippling through the people now. Words like "Easterner scum" and "slant-eyed filth" began to be bitterly whispered. Inwardly, the Lord Praetor smirked; outwardly, however, his face was grim and determined.

"My people, in all the years I have ruled, I have done so justly and fairly. When I took this office, I swore an oath; to uphold our Law, our Nation, and our Faith. And I have DONE so!

I have rebuilt our nation....I have rebuilt our strength...I have rebuilt OUR PRIDE! I, the rightful heir to this throne, have raised up the banner of the Dominion, and lain WASTE to all that oppose us!

I WILL NOT LET THESE SCUM THREATEN US!!!" he finished, reaching a wild-eyed crescendo, and the crowd roared its assent. The excitement within them was palpable, and they looked almost as crazed as the Lord Praetor himself.

"On this day, let us reply to them! Let us give them a message that will ring across the stars! Let us tell them they will not terrify us! They will not cow us! They CANNOT defeat us!!! We stand united as one!!!"

"ALL HAIL THE LORD PRAETOR!!!" roared the crowd. "HAIL THE RIGHTEOUS PROPHET OF THE PREDECESSORS!

The Lord Praetor bowed, and inwardly laughed....

~Like marionettes, my little playthings...all of you...~

The God-Emperor, clad in his cerminonial armor of red robes and a featureless red hemlit, slowly walked on the the veranda overlooking his worshipers. As He appeared a large cheer rose to his ears. The God-Emperor slowly raised his hand to call for silence in the plaza, the crowd instantly hushed.

The God-Emperor spoke strongly with a boom in his voice "Word from Abbot-General Rivas is that Outer Okinaw is defeated!"

The crown cheered again, "Praise the God-Emperor! Glory to His Name!"

The God-Emperor turned and walked back in to his palace. Less than 24 hours after Outer Okinaw shot off thier defence grid, the same spineless democrats had retreated to unknown continents across the Great Sea. The God-Emperor removed his helm and set it back on it's pedistal.

"What coward threatens war and then does nothing about it. Scribe! Scribe!"

The court scribe quickly ran up to the God Emperor and prostrated himself infront of Him.

"Rise up and kneel. Send a message to every corner of the Exculsion Zone. Outer Okinaw has retreated, thier land is pristine and ripe for the taking. If it pleases the Zone, I shall institute a military garrison within the former borders of Okinaw until such a time as a new nation crosses the Great Sea and requires land. Post it at the Neutral Meeting Palace as well."

"Yes, Lord!" The scribe bowed back out of the room.

The God-Emperor walked up to a row of statues, each of them depicting the current and former dictators of every nation within The Zone. The God-Emperor admired his own statue place first in the line.

"Thirteen Hundred Years.... And nothing has changed." The God-Emperor walk down the line to the current rulers and stoped infront of the statue of the former Emperor of Outer Okinaw. He then lifted his palm and a blast of invisable energy destryed the head of the statue.

Chapter 1: Cold War

<<Outer Okinaw, Southern Reaches>>

A long, two-lane, paved road extended into the distance, across the flat marshy field, rising into the heavily forested hills of southern Outer Okinaw. From these hills came a thundering sound, of the sort that had not been heard in Outer Okinaw since the engine was invented - the sounds of a troop of riders. However, as one soon came to see, these riders were not riding horses.

A mass of tall, green figures became visible in the hills. The sunlight glinted off what was clearly armor, and small, purple-clad figures rode on their backs. From the center of the troop came a glint of black and white. As the group came out onto the plain and began to approach, their forms became more visible. The creatures were tall, and pranced, oddly like a rabbit, only without the hind legs. Their mouths hung open, revealing two rows of blunt, large, horse-like teeth. Their eyes seemed to protrude from their head above their mouths. They lacked a nose, ears or a tail. Overall, they gave the impression of an eight foot tall, prancing mass of flesh with a hideous grin tacked onto it.

"Beast Warriors..." muttered Captain Fujimori Morrisato. "The warriors of Druarch... how'd they get within our borders?"

The leader of the warriors was clad in white, fullbody armor, and his beast was clad in black. However, as they completed their approach, Morrisato realized that the beast was actually clad in the metallic armor of the rest of the troop - it really WAS black.

Stepping forward, Morrisato cleared his voice and bellowed, "Halt! In the name of the emperor!"

Slowing down, the Beast Warriors formed a line, with the leader of the troop in the center. He slowly moved forward, ahead of the others, and dismounted. Approaching Morrisato, he removed his helmet.

Two bright red eyes stared at Morrisato, framed by pale, colorless hair, and white skin. What seemed to be a wispy moustache and beard framed the lower part of his face, and a straight, elegant nose proclaimed his aristocratic status.

Morrisato was stunned. There was only one man that this could be...

"I am the White Warrior. The Black Beast and myself require passage through these lands."

"Why... Great Father...", stammered Morrisato. "Of course, the Emperor would want us to grant you passage... however, we must first search that..."

Morrisato directed his attention to a long-range transport, easily visible in the air above.

"I'm sorry, good friend... that contains personal effects that are not to be seen. I would like to request that you do not investigate it." Something in the way the White Warrior said 'personal effects' bothered Morrisato.

He had been warned of the passage of some beast warriors, and as such, had a force of 200 infantrymen and 5 heavy mechs at his immediate disposal. Of these, only 50 infantrymen were visible, the rest hidden in the fields surrounding the road. He had intended to reach a pass in the hills before encountering the beast warriors, but compromises sometimes had to be made.

A single beast warrior was a fair match for a single light mech, and the Great Fathers clearly thought that they outgunned Morrisato's men.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm going to have to insist that you let me search that transport. I cannot let you pass otherwise."

The White Warrior stared at Morrisato for a long time. Then he pulled out a radio from his belt and pressed the button. He spoke something in a language unfamiliar to Morrisato. The transport slowly began to move towards the ground. Grass flattened before it as it slowly set down, and a large door on the side slid open. Morrisato signalled to his personal guard, and moved inside of the transport. Four rows of long, white tubes extended down to the back, and in each tube was a human being.

Morrisato held in his stomach. These humans had suffered extensive damage. Many were bruised and bleeding, and had large, unnatural looking welts. They all suffered from deformations. Morrisato had been around long enough to recognize the victims of heavy gamma radiation. Remaining calm despite his surge of anger, he signalled his mechs. "Target the transport. Disable, don't destroy. Prepare for combat."

Almost before he had finished signalling, he heard a fearsome cry from outside. The Beast Warriors were charging his men.

The Citadel, Nova Prospekt

The first rays of morning light glinted off the metallic shell of the massive, elongated, and vaguely cylindrical shape of the airship. In any other country, such a huge creation would have been spaceborne; as to use it for anything other than a planetary base of operations would have been overkill....and thus, a planetary base of operations was precisely what it was.

In effect, the ship was a floating, well-armed skyscraper...but bigger than any skyscraper the world had yet seen.

Every manner of aircraft the Dominion of Necros-Vacuia could summon, from the all-too-common Predator-GXs and the lethal Magicians, to the hulking Myrmidon heavy assault craft and Ragnarok air carriers, swarmed around the giant craft like angry hornets about their nest.

This was the Citadel. The center of the Dominion's military might, powered by the lost technology of the Predecessors they worshipped. And from inside it, the Lord Praetor and his Executors saw the entirety of the Zone...or, at least, as far as their cameras could reach.

However, the High Authority and his cronies were currently sequestered on the Executive Deck....the Command Deck fell to the charge of one Field Marshal Ali al-Mohalis. And he'd just recieved some very interesting intel...

"You're certain this information is correct?" the dark Hammani inquired, his gaze dispassionate and calm as he looked at the young captain.

"Yes, sir. The Outer Okinawans are engaging the Beast Warriors at the Southern Outskirts....it looks like the Emperor's retreat was strategic after all."

"Interesting...but why the Druarchans? What could the Great Fathers have to gain from this war...? They've always been on good terms with the Outer Okinawans..."

"I don't know, sir, but I believe we have some Fist of the Red Star operatives encamped nearby...with a good four Predators..."

"....Tell them to engage the Okinawans...and if necessary, the Druarchans as well. We need to find out what it is they're smuggling...we've seen heavy radiation spikes coming from that area. A biomechanics program on par with our own doesn't benefit the Dominion one bit."

"Indeed, sir. I'll notify them."

---------

And thus it was that the Beast Warriors became aware of the familiar scream of Predator-GX jets overhead....

THE IMPERIAL PALACE, UTAPU

The God-Emperor sat alone in his Meditation Chambers, his Sarcophagus next to him. He had shed his Cerminonial Red Robes and sat wearing only his dark black armor that stood out against his pale skin. Just as he was preparing to lay down in the Sarcophagus, a servant knocked on his door.

"WHAT IS IT!?" The God-Emperor screamed furiously.

A small man crawled in, bowing repeatedly.
"Sir, Druarch and Necro-Vaciua have entered Outer Okinawan territory."

"Hmm... The Lord Praetor was right... a stratigic retreat. Intersting I did not see it. Very well, inform Genreal Rivas to continue his duties as assigned."

"Yes, my lord." The servent left, the giant doors slamming behind him.

"Interesting. Perhaps I have given too little credit to the democrats. Very interesting..."

<<Southern Outer Okinaw>>

The bloodlust raged through the White Warrior's veins as he and his brother charged into combat. The Outer Okinawans had not struck them - and yet, he knew that the instant their captain saw what was contained within his transport, they would. The White Warrior had no intention of slaying the Okinawans - he only wanted to allow his people to escape alive. However, the chances of that were diminishing greatly.

The rattle of the Outer Okinawan gunfire was coupled with the sound of their bullets clinking harmlessly off the Black Beast's thick hide and armor. However, the infantry was not crumbling - the eye lasers of the beasts and the miniguns and lances of the warriors were carving holes int he enemy ranks, but more were coming, from the fields... on all sides.

The Druarchians had been expected. It was an ambush. The sound of a large object stomping across the nearby terrain hit the White Warrior's ears. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of his brothers fall. He knew it was time to surrender, and hope that the Emperor of Outer Okinaw would show mercy to a man as morally superior as he.

The War Room, Bunker Prime, 1500m under the capital city of Eisenhower, Conelrad

The Emergency director of labor paced listlessly in the fluorescent glow of apocalyptic video feed. The composite was 280 square feet of high-resolution video, containing (among other things) a regional map overlayed with troop deployments, HPG telefax reports from SAC commanders, and a sextuplet of small squares which the director viewed with some interest. These were helmet camera feeds from a squad of elite CD troopers...spectres. The director's eyepiece doubled as a mouse, allowing him to rearrange the composite as he saw fit.

The scene, as could best be pieced together, was one of unbelievable carnage. The team was in an Okinawan street in the border town of Fortuna, walking past once-immaculate public housing and electric cars now haphazardly pockmarked with bullet holes. There were many bodies; while a handful were still recognizable, the remainder were not, having been dropped in large quantities from 20,000 feet by SAC bomber crews. They were Conelradian political dissidents, aka hippies, and they cratered quite nicely on impact. The spectres passed by the remains of one car hit midsection by a hippie at terminal velocity. The passenger compartment was split neatly in two and the two halves were tossed several feet apart.

A camera view switched to infrared and the trooper attached to it glanced at a building. On seeing a faint heat trace he raised his carbine to his shoulder and launched a high-explosive grenade through the most tactically expedient window. Three figures ran out of an adjacent building on hearing the blast and were subsequently shredded by a burst of flechettes from the spectre unit.

Evidently the bombing had caused hysteria. People were huddled in their houses, petrified, or running, screaming, through the streets. The authorities were nearly nonexistent and the handful of people's militia troops encountered were no match for the three thousand CD troops that combed the streets. These spectres were the pathfinders for the operation, having been airdropped in by stealth transport two hours before the bombing.

The Director's musings were interrupted by the entrance of a whiz kid from the intel office who burst in at that moment.

"I'm thinking. I don't like to be interrupted when I'm thinking."
The Whiz kid stood across the mahogany war-table from the director. The four cups of coffee in his veins made him twitch, sometimes violently. His starched collar was damp, and his tie was barely in regulation, though he remembered the tie clip.
"Apologies, my director, but we've recieved reports of mass retreat on the part of Okinawan forces. the Utapans and Vacuians have encountered little serious resistance. The Druarchans are encountering difficulty, but then they are using beast warriors."
"Thank you," (the Director squinted to see the drone's name tag), "Number twenty. You must be a pretty smart one to get that high."
"Thank you, sir. We believe that Skippy's forces are massing in remote areas for a counter-attack."
"Alright. Tell me if anything tactically pertinent appears. We're going to take this one slow. So far our incursion has been controlled...mere terrorism. We shall wait for the great forces to engage each other. This is a protracted war we shall not be drawn further into."

The whiz kid smartly turned 180 degrees and walked out the door. The director brought up his command console on the vidscreen and issued the order for a pullout from Fortuna. The rad corps would move in within six hours to sterilize and deny the town to all combatants.

The spectres were to move deeper into Okinaw territory. They were headed for the capital.

"Here They come! Looks like.....two...wait, five squadrons!" Sgt. Miyuki radioed into her squadron mates. "All right, Megami squadron, Tenshi squadron, Take the heavy bombers. Schoolgirl, Senshi, Tsunami, and Naginata Squardons, let's take down those fighters and make our boy and girlfriends ....."

"Roger!" Chimed in Naginata 4, Mayumi Hanasashi and Aoi Sakurabishi, Tsunami 7. "....." came the response from Kaori Sakaki, but that was to be expected

Vtol afterburners at full power, the squadrons roared off to death or glory.... (This will be continued next post)

"Ah man, I was hoping they'd spare the potato fields...." Kenji murmured as the enemy tanks got closer....
"Ah well, war ALWAYS has causalties..... ALRIGHT! They're coming! Let's give ourselves a workout!" He murmured, and then yelled over his shoulder, as the last truck with the non-combat civilians drove away. "We've got to hold the line until the military arrives.... That should be......oh.....20 minutes....." He thought to himself as the rumbling got slightly more audible..... "Alright, givvem a barrage!".....

The older powered suits groaned as their particle accelorators propelled the nickel/iron slugs to near the speed of light, sending them into a trajectory into the oncoming enemy lines......

"Fortuna was 87% evacuated when they hit, sir. Unfortunately, they just happened to hit the last suburb that we hadn't evacutated....." Reported the senior DropShip Pilot. "The Militia didn't have time tp prep the mechs in that area. They were overrun.... Fortunately, we've managed to get the rest of the prefectures evactuated except for those who WANT to stay and fight...."

"ALRIGHT YOU MAGGOTS! THEY HAVE TAKEN THE CITY OF FORTUNA, ALL MARINES, ARMY, AIRBORNE, AND SPECIAL UNITS ARE TO GO ENGAGE THE ENEMY!" Bellowed the master-sargeant, his face red with anger.... "Why do these people insist on violating other people's rights? Why are they attacking us for protesting? Whatever the reason, they would be shown the error of their ways VERY shortly..........


"Bell, Fortuna's coming up on at 5 clicks, We are to engage the current units and to help those evacuating..." Lind said into her wingwoman's comunit. Belldandy, her teammate, so gentle outside the cockpit, yet a Shinigami in anything with a crosshairs and mobile armor. "OH! MY GODDESS!" Belldandy cried over the microphone. Lind looked down. Down in Fortuna, hundreds of Bodies lay heaped, many women and children.... She choked back tears....so many dead......When the hell were they going to activate the defense grid? "Alright...Ragnarok squadron, let's show the meaning of 'Choosers of the slain!" The ground underneath the Conelradian troops as great armored suits, like knights from an age long past, roared in and landed, spreading divine retribution as they did, moving without mercy among the killers of their people, each woman's eyes aflame with the desire to avenge the innocent..... :sniper:

Day 1 of the Great War
Bedchambers of Her Majesty the Highest Wench of Wenchetyria

"M-my Lady?" A middle-aged woman, clad in a yellow Victorian-era morning gown, spoke softly into the morning.

"Mmmph?" A muffled, questioning groan arose from betwixt the pillows. The Highest Wench opened one eye and rolled over. "Grainne. What?"

"It's time for you to rise and take your morning walk around the gardens."

"It is Anyanka's job to rouse me. What's changed while I've slept?" Her wench senses tingled. "I smell blood."

"My Lady, Anyanka has been killed."

A moment passed as The Highest Wench rose from her soft bed and put on her dressing gown. She chose a black silk this morning, embroidered with white roses. "Killed? The palace is safeguarded, and we've no enemies on either side."

"There was a spy from... somewhere, my Lady, I don't know where exactly." Grainne's face looked older than her 40-odd years. Anyanka had been a good friend to her after the plague had wiped out half her family, including both her children. She had been considering a formal adoption, but now those plans were shot to hell.

The Highest Wench broke Grainne from her reverie. "Grainne!"

"Yes, my Lady?"

"Please tell my Ministers of Defence that I require to meet with them in precisely twenty-three minutes. And tell Helen to bring me some tea." Grainne nodded and departed. The Highest Wench walked to her vanity and began the application of her make-up.

Presently, Helen came in with tea. She had been personally brought to the Palace by The Highest Wench only a few months earlier. "Well, m'lady, I don' think yo'r goin' to g't much light by sittin' in th' da'k." The silver tea tray was placed on the vanity table, and Helen went to open the curtains. The Highest Wench continued her make-up application, but ceased as Helen spoke, "Oh, Lordy..."

"What is it, dear?" The Highest Wench rose from her padded bench and swept her dark brown hair up into a twist with a silver pin. Smoke rose to the west of her, and before her eyes (once she looked through her telescope), she could see Utapu's forces mustering. "Oh for the love of whalebone! You've got to be kidding me!"

The Conelrad CD HQ was set up in an old bank on the south side of Fortuna. The commander had moved his NTDC computer back to the APC and the engineers had already planted the demolition charges when the stack of radios lit up. The channels were alive with gunfire, pounding mech-footsteps, and the screams of CD troopers as they were split in half by railgun slugs.
The commander (Colonel by his shoulder decoration) pulled out the battle computer and re-established the network.
The Okinawans were attempting to re-take the North side of town. An overwhelming force of Okinawan mechs and infantry appeared as a red crescent surrounding a dwindling green scattering of CD troops. The Colonel picked up a radio reciever and issued an all-call.
"All CD units in the area of Fortuna, Kennedy. Repeat...all CD units in the area of Fortuna, Kennedy." The Colonel spoke the codeword with a firm voice, but his hand was shaking as he put down the reciever. He returned to the APC, retrieved a flechette SMG, and loaded it.

The CD lines were falling apart rapidly. The more inexperienced regiments bolted the moment the codeword was sounded. Their lines fell apart as the soldiers were shredded by Okinawan fire. As the front line fell back to the main plaza, the brown mass of greatcoated Conelradians was soon replaced by a spattering of silver dots as the mech suits trailed in from behind, firing without pause at the large variety of targets.

Soon, all that was left was mech suits and dead conelradian conscripts. The cobblestones were torn up by railgun fire and filled in with pools of blood. The mech suits advanced across the plaza, stepping over three layers of bodies - hippies, Fortunan citizens, and Conelradian troopers.

A sentry concealed in one of Fortuna's numberless tile roofs watched the mass of mechs neared the center of the plaza. He raised a clacker and depressed the trigger repeatedly.

The cobblestones may very well have been laid on the street. But for a few seconds every last one in the plaza was flying through the air. The picture was obscured as 23,000 pounds of command-detonated high-explosive were activated simultaneously. Dust, debris, and the occasional mech-suited Okinawan filled the airspace. The blast was felt by the opposing commanders, equidistant from the plaza on opposite sides of town.

There was awkward silence. The cloud of dust subsided. A great deal of Okinawan mechs lay, broken and battered, among the craters, littered like yesterday's propaganda leaflets. Slowly, some began to stand, and soon half the unit's strength was alert and ready for more action.

The head of a mech near the periphery was suddenly turned into an inky orange fireball as a Conelradian 106mm EM-RCL round hit it. Conelradian emplacements in the surrounding buildings, mostly airborne infantry and their crew-served weapons, opened up. Recoilless rounds flew past like houseflies from hell. The mechs responded immediately with a withering barrage of railgun and rocket fire.

The firing continued for an indeterminate amount of time. Conelradian Recoilless Rifles had inflicted a handful of mech casualties, and the return fire turned the structures on teh periphery of the plaza to swiss cheese. The RCL positions were all destroyed in turn by heavy fire. Having lost all their heavy weapons, their gunners, and many riflemen, the scattered remnants of the force retreated, leaving behind half of their number dead or mortally wounded.

Conelrad Airborne infantry streamed through backalleys, away from the plaza in every direction, and made their way for friendly lines.

A screen flickered to life illuminating the once dark room.

“My Immortal God-Emperor, your army has mobilized and is ready to disembark for Outer Okinaw. I trust that you have been briefed as to the situation of the Conelradians and the Druarchians.” The dark skinned man said.

“Indeed, General Rivas. You have served me well and you shall be rewarded handsomely when we return victorious.” The God-Emperor responded in a monotonous voice.

“My, Lord, you are not considering joining us, are you?”

“I am, General,” The God-Emperor stepped in to the light of the screen, revealing that the God-Emperor had changed out of his Ceremonial Armor and had changed in to the pitch black armor with black capes flowing out of the hips and shoulders.

“My Lord, you realize the ‘Lucas’ will sue you for using that armor again.”

“General, I am not worried about dealing with the Lucas again. I will wear the same armor in to battle that I have worn since my defeat of the Couricantians in my First life. You will not question me again or you may find yourself out of my good graces.”

“Yes, Lord. I understand. The First Strike team is ready for deployment. The transports are ready to take off.”

The First Strike team, the result of Utapu’s Educational Reform. In other words, abolishing schools and instituting mandatory military training from birth. The result was a crack team of nearly 5 million children, capable of destroying any enemy or to die trying, entirely dedicated to their God.

The God-Emperor spoke again. “General Rivas, let me talk to the First Stike team’s General. Who is he?”

“She, my lord, her name is Henrietta, her first officer is Treila.”

“Why do you delay? Let me speak with her.”

Abbot-General Rivas steped away from the view screen and called up Commander Henrietta and Treila. The young girls stepped on to the view screen. Neither looked older than 10. They bowed deeply when they realized who they was talking to, their small bodies falling out of screen before they stood back at attention.

“You are Commander Henrietta, leader of the First Strike team?”

“Yes, my Lord.” Henrietta replied

“Are you prepared lead your people in conquest for the Glory of your God?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Are you willing to sacrifice any life necessary to prove your loyalty to your God, regardless of who it may be?”

“Any life, my God, to spread your glorious name to the ends of the universe, should you desire.”

The God-Emperor stood and, pressing a button on his wrist, was swept away in a blinding flash of light appearing in person next to Henrietta. The God-Emperor stood in his armor, towering over the two young children that he was entrusting his campaign to. The God-Emperor’s black and red helmet , still featureless, had appeared on his head, obscuring his face from his servants.

“Henrietta, prove your loyalty to me. Kill your first officer.”

Henrietta didn’t hesitate as she quickly kicked the backs of Triela’s legs, knocking her to the ground, and in the same quick motion, Henrietta drew her dagger and jammed the knife down in Triela’s neck, killing her instantly.

The God-Emperor looked as the child fell over dead.

“Henrietta, you have killed your first officer and have proven your unending loyalty to me.” The God-Emperor slowly removed his helmet, his long silver hair flowed softly in the wind and shined like a light from heaven, causing the girl to kneel and avert her eyes.

“My child, rise. You have nothing to fear from me.” The God-Emperor placed his hand on her head. “My blessing unto you and your forces, go in my name and bring justice to the nonbelievers.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Henrietta ran off, putting on her own helmet as she climbed in to one of the thousands of transport ships. The God-Emperor turned and walked to a ship shaped like an elongated delta. "General Rivas, I want my honor guard flanking my position for my trip to the war zone."

“How many of them, Sir?” General Rivas asked.

“All of them.”

Day 1 of the Great War
The War Parlour of the Great Palace in Wenchetyria

It had been hours since The Highest Wench had entered discussion with her Ministers of Defence. They had gone through breakfast proper and were now finishing lunch. The Highest Wench carefully poured another cup of darjeeling for the younger woman sitting in front of her.

"Well, Sidhiel, what do you think? After all this..." The man to her left finished his sandwich.

"Only Anyanka is dead. That we know of, anyway." Sidhiel contemplated out loud, studying her fork intently. "If we send troops out, we may be defeated. Our population is 162 million, approximately, and Asphyxiatia has a total of 81 million. We only have 40 million properly trained, battle-ready troops at the moment."

"But what about the Companions?" The man blustered through his mustache. "There are many of them! And they're more efficient than any soldier ever could be!"

"The Companions are always used as a last resort. They are, after all, the Ambassadors." The Highest Wench replied smoothly, darting a glance at the other woman. Sidhiel gave a toss of her short, reddish-blond hair and rolled her eyes.

"I'd like to say diplomacy be damned, but until we find out if anybody's attacked anyone else of Wenchetyria, we must remain neutral." She said nonchalantly as she threw her fork at the map on the wall. It hit Outer Okinaw with a deadly thud and quivered.

"Really, Arthur, you ought to be ashamed, suggesting that Companions go and fight a war." A strong voice, decidedly female, came from outside the War Parlour's open door. "You of all people ought to know that we despise such things. Sneaky killing is really much more our style."

Sidhiel's ears perked up. "Who is that?"

"Freya. May I come in, my Lady?" The Companion's voice was marked with hesistation. She knew the Highest Wench hated to be disturbed during War Council.

"Please." The Highest Wench's answer was surprisingly soft. Freya entered the room, clothed in a lavender gown with circle sleeves and an ivory medieval corset. "What can I do for you?"

"We found the spy who killed Anyanka waiting in the corridor. He is ready for interrogation." Freya curtsied deeply. As she rose, her eyes glanced towards Sidhiel. The latter raised an eyebrow and leaned back in her chair, careful not to make eye contact with the beautiful Companion. She studied her nails instead.

"Well done, Freya." The Highest Wench rose from her seat. "You may return to the interrogation chambers."

"Thank you, my Lady." Freya left after casting another glance at Sidhiel, which was pointedly ignored. The Highest Wench rang a bell for the servants to come and clear the table.

"Arthur, please return to the Strategy room and see what we can do with Asphyxiatia should it come to blows. We've recently built a great wall around the border, so that should help a bit," She mused softly. "Send a telegram to the leaders of Conelrad, Druarch, Utapu, and Necros-Vacuia informing them that they are to take sanctuary in Asphyxiatia if they require it." Arthur bowed and left.

"Sidhiel, please go to the Communications Parlour and see if you can get a signal on the Emergency Director of Labour and the God-Emperor."

"My Lady, what of the Great Father and Lord Praetor?" Sidhiel adjusted the sleeves of her black sweater and took a clove cigarette from the silver case in her pocket.

"I have no need to contact them at this moment. My brother will contact me on his own, of this I am certain. The Great Father and I have never had much to speak of, but if he needs my help, it is indeed my duty. We will contact him later."

"Very good, my Lady." Sidhiel brushed imaginary crumbs from her lap as she rose and began to leave the room, lifting her lighter to the cigarette on her way.

"And, Sidhiel, don't smoke inside the Palace!"

Long, slender fingers snapped the lid of the lighter shut as an audible sigh escaped her poisonflower painted lips. "Yes, my lady."

Once she was alone, The Highest Wench placed her hands on the table in front of her and sighed. She looked at the map, where Sidhiel's mutton fork still poked into Okinaw's capital city. She thought of the God-Emperor with a worried expression on his face, thinking to herself, 'I hope he doesn't go out with the troops... it's too dangerous for him...' She thought of the Emergency Director of Labour and smiled. 'Well at least I know he wouldn't dream of heading out into battle at the head of an army. More common sense than the God-Emperor, thank goodness!'

She left the War Parlour to go to the strategy room, still musing on her two closest non-familial allies.

The CEO, in his snappy business suit leans back in his plush green velvet chair, grinning at the latest news from the war. He reaches forward and presses a small butto non his desk. "Miss Marcia, would you come in here please?"

"Yes Mister Stonhaven" comes the reply from the intercom. Shortly thereafter a stunningly beautiful woman walks into the room. "You called for me sir?"

"Yes Miss Marcia, please take a memo, Title: Microsquash to supply War. Main body: Due to the Escalating region wide war, the Microsquash corperation has announced its plans to nuetrally supply weapons to whatever nations wish to purchase. quote It is our hope that our technology will help put a fast end to this war end quote Ballor Stonhave, the CEO of Microsquash is reported saying. Microsquash had recently unveiled its Winko's Operating state, which serves as one of the main operation platforms of the Microsquash weapons programs. The Uranium and Gemstones found there are invaluable to producing some of the most potent weapons available. End memo"

"Is there anything else sir?"
"Yes, please send that down to the news publishing department and have them put out an Extra. and then bring me some tea"
"Yes Sir." She says as she begins to walk out of the room.
"Oh, and Miss Marcia?" She turns around, "better get ready for a long war."
"Of course sir" she says with a smile as she leaves the room.

Outer Okinaw, Southern Reaches

And it was at this point that an Outer Okinawan mech exploded into flames from a pair of two especially well-targeted laser shots off of a Predator-GX. Though not particularly well-armoured, the Predators had the advantage of being airborne and particularly nimble...as well as armed with missiles capable of blowing up small research ships.

To add to this, a group of black-clad soldiers, wearing thin red visors, appeared out of the bushes, and began firing on the Okinawan infantry units...a few more were hurriedly assembling rocket launchers.

-----------------

The Citadel, Outer Okinaw, Northern Gate of Meitano

The Conelradian bombing had only been the first terror for the second of the invaded border cities. For Meitano, the second came with the advent of the enormous Citadel's appearance in their skies.

And soon following, the arrival of the Dominion's aircraft. The shriek of the squidlike biomechanical drones fired by the Magicians echoed through the streets as they tore through citizenry and mech alike...and the loud crackle of the Myrmidon plasma cannons assured any heavier opposition was quickly laid to rest...

The Okinawans worked fast, however, and anti-aircraft fire was already beginning to bring down Predators...something Field Marshal al-Mohalis was not about to allow.

"Pull the aircraft back," the Hammani snapped to his commander. "Tell the Furies to begin their approach."

"You aren't thinking of..." stammered one of the younger officers. "Sir, no, that's not--"

The young man's words were interrupted by the blast of a pistol shot. The dark Field Marshall looked to the rest of his crew, as if daring them to challenge his next word.

"Set them down, and release the Apollyonids."

And thus it was that several sleek red transport craft began to land, their hatches opening swiftly as they did...and the terrors of the Dominion came forth.

Perhaps they'd been human once. Perhaps.

They weren't now.

Sharp, elongated teeth. Hideous, skinless features clad in armor. Cruel yellow eyes...and long, vicious claws...

With hideous shrieks, they moved out of the Furies, into the populace of Meitano...and began to feed.

------------

Such were the images beamed to the Highest Wench by her smirking brother, the Lord Praetor of Necros-Vacuia.

"So tell me, sister dearest...have you finally become interested in our little war...?"

(OOC) If you guys are going to be using Gunslinger girl, This war is over, and I'm having none of it. I'll leave if you do.

(OOC: Reality Check. The point of Gunslinger Girl is that a group of girls are brainwashed to be assassins. Ya? I was making the point that I have brainwashed my entire citizenry to to the bidding of thier God-Emperor in a similar fashion. If you wish, I could simply change the names with no harm done. Now, back to the war!)

<<West of Bespin, Utapu>>

“All squads to me.” The God-Emperor said calmly as his Delta wing craft flew silently through the air. His entire honor guard, 1 million of the finest trained pilots and fighters in the Empire, with a few commanders who had served him for hundreds of years, followed him, creating a black shadow that engulfed whole cities as they flew over.

“Sir, you have received a personal communiqué from the Emperor of Outer Okinaw.” A voice crackled over the radio.

“Hmm. He must be surrendering. Democratic coward. Put it through.”

The voice of Emperor Skippy, distorted and broken, began playing “If you use….. Girl……….., I'm…………..entire country………….This war …… gotten outta hand, and I……….. REFUSE to……….. part in it...” The recording stopped. The God-Emperor thought for a second before getting on his radio, “First Strike Team, hold off your attack until further notice.”

“Yes, Sir, understood.” Commander Henrietta’s small voice called back over the radio.

“The Alpha to home base, send a message to Outer Okinaw: By the words of the God-Emperor, I will call for a cease-fire only if you stand down your aggressive stance against my nation and our allies. We tolerate you criticizing our countries, but we can not have you threaten our way of life. You have 24 hours to respond or we will continue with our mission as planned.” The God-Emperor thought for a moment. “That is all, base. I will be traveling to the Emperor’s Star, honor guard land at Bespin Air Base, Royal Guard Beta 1 through 6, follow me.” The God-Emperor ship quickly changed course and pointed straight up in to the sky.

----------------------------------------------

From the ground, the citizens knew that their God was preparing to go to war, only He would have an honor guard of a million ships. They looked on as most of them turned away from their flight path and headed for Bespin Air Base.

One of the women in the crowd screamed and fell to the ground praying to the God-Emperor. Her husband walked up to her and asked why she so quickly fell.

“Our God is ascending to the heavens, Look!” The woman screamed as she pointed to a small group of ships, high in the sky. The entire village looked and were amazed, they knew of no technology that could lift any human to the heavens. “He must be going to His Star.” Another man cried out. With this, they all fell to the ground and began to pray to the God-Emperor as he ascended to Heaven.

<<The Emperor’s Star, 35,400 Kilometers Above Utapu>>

The God-Emperor’s Star, in Utapu, a mythological place from whence the God-Emperor first descended from at the start of his First Kingdom. The mythology is continued by the history of the Utapunian flag, with the God-Emperor’s star appearing as a bright double cross.

Less than 5,000 people, mostly nobility, know that The Emperor’s Star is now reincarnate as an orbiting space station capable of destroying civilizations with a few blasts of energy.

The God-Emperor’s ship broke the atmosphere of the planet as he and his guard flew towards the station.

“My God-Emperor,” a voice crackled over the radio, “We have been waiting for you. We are prepared for your arrival.”

“Very good. Beta wing, decrease speed to ¼ impulse and prepare to dock. I shall go in first.” The God-Emperor responded.

“Yes, Sir” His six Royal Guards responded in unison.

--------------------------------------------

The God-Emperor slowly walked in to his War Room. The holographic war table, which was given as a gift to him many years ago and had gone unused until now, rested in the center of the room. Large open windows opened to the outside, bringing much of the huge planet in to view.

“Such a tiny continent in the big picture of things, wouldn’t you agree, Captain?” The God-Emperor asked as he entered the room.

“Yes, indeed, my Lord. From here you may review all war preparations. Our First strike team waits off the coast of Outer Okinaw as you requested. These positions mark where Druarch and Necros-Vacuia has known operations and here you see Outer Okinaw’s known forces. The Democrats have retreated in to the mountains and forests.” Captain Naidein responded.

The God-Emperor reviewd the positions. “What is this mark here?” He siad, pointing at a Black and White creature shaped hologram.

“Ah, that is where the Black Beast and the Great Father fight.”

“The Great Father himself is fighting? Hmm, a being of great courage and honor. If I recall, he was first in to battle?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“We shall await the Emperor of Outer Okinaw’s response to my final call for surrender. Then we shall deploy the First Strike team. After them, send in the Air fleet. The if they still refuse to bow to our superior forces, inform any allies in the region to retreat. Then, the battle is yours. And you know what to do from there.”

“Our bombardment platforms are ready. But sir, we have yet to test the main gun.” The captain said with some hesitation.

The God-Emperor turned and began to walk out of the room. “Then the destruction of our opposition will be the test, Captain. Pray you don’t fail me.”

Chapter 1: Cold War

<<Somewhere in Outer Okinaw>>

The White Warrior leaned to the window and peered out at the approaching city. There it was... the capital of Outer Okinaw. He and his brothers were detained in the long range transport that they had brought with them. It was currently being towed by an even larger aircraft of Outer Okinawan design. The warriors were in a large compartment above the cargo hold, which was used for the transport of beast warriors. The beasts, in an ansy mood, were leaping around the middle. The warriors themselves were talking noisily. The only exception to this was the White Warrior and the Black Beast, the Great Fathers of Druarch, who sat in the front, silent.

What do you suppose this is all about?, the Beast asked the Warrior.

I'd say we've been taken prisoner... probably for our pre-emptive strike against the Outer Okinawans., the Warrior responded.

I still do not understand why you commanded this strike. I still think it was a bad idea. They probably would have let us continue our passage., the Beast, although expressionless, conveyed his reproach very effectively.

The Warrior smirked. You do not know the Emperor of Outer Okinaw as I do...

One of the warriors approached... a young woman, with bright red hair... the youngest of the White Warrior's honor guard, and the furthest from the line of the First Mother. As a beast warrior, she had no true name, but was known to her fellow warriors as Youngest, and to the people as the Scarlet Lady.

"Eldest Brother... we need to talk...", she said.

"About what?" The White Warrior lowered an eyebrow. "Something that I should have been told before we were captured, perhaps?"

"No... in fact, I did not notice it until the transport was underway."

"Go ahead, then...", said the White Warrior. "This sounds important."

The Scarlet Lady took a deep breath, "Eldest Brother... I'm sure you noticed this too, but the Outer Okinawans had a very strong force prepared for us. They knew we were coming and were ready to capture us."

"Youngest, if you are trying to tell me that this was premeditated, you're wasting your time. I know they planned it."

"No, Eldest Brother... they knew nothing about our experiments. No Beast Warrior would betray you, and we had a tap on all military personnel involved. They expected something else..."

"Like what?"

"Well, I was wondering the same thing, and then when I took off, I noticed it... I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a massive army marching south. And in the south there was a plume of smoke. Eldest Brother... we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Outer Okinaw is at war."

The White Warrior had expected as much. When he had departed on his journey to the testing zone, he had been aware of the tensions rising between Outer Okinaw and the western states. So this explained everything... the transport slowly set down, the sky scraping buildings of the Outer Okinawan capitol rising around him, and the clean, well-paved streets coming into sharp focus. Before the transport rose the Emperor's palace. and far away, on the top of the steps, stood a single, dark figure, who could only be the Emperor himself.

The Citadel, Outer Okinaw, Former Meitano Area

"Field Marshall, we've just recieved word that the Fist of the Red Star operatives in the Southern Reaches were wiped out...apparently the mechs were more numerous and more heavily armed that we thought."

al-Mohalis cursed, clenching his fists. "Move the Citadel deeper in. Tell aircraft to engage ground forces sporadically, we'll need as many as we have for our capital assault. Have the Apollyonids move toward the next urban center, and deploy a second run..."

"Sir, are you sure that's wise? The vats have been running at half-capacity since we left Nova Prospekt..."

"Then collect more prisoners and return them to full capacity," came a cold, calm voice from behind them...the two turned, their hearts rising in their throats, to see the tall, dark-haired figure of the Lord Praetor.

No further argument was brooked. Not another off-hand look was taken. The officers were full commissioned members of the Dominion Armed Forces, used to their word being law. But before the Lord Praetor, they were all as nothing.

"....Of course, Most High Authority. In your name."

"I'm going to be on the Executive Deck, conversing with my sister," the Lord Praetor continued. "When I return, I expect us to be moving and with fifty thousand more to our death toll."

"M...my lord," Ali whispered..."Do you...do you really think we can destroy the Okinawans...."

"Destroy them?" laughed the Lord Praetor. "Who said anything about destroying them....? I merely wish them to submit."

And with that, the Prophet made his way out...

-----------

Undisclosed Location, Nearby the Citadel

Havarran Dzerrin was nervous. Nervous as all hell. And the group of tall men in black topcoats wielding pulse rifes the size of his forearm did nothing to allieviate those nerves. Not all the crack ISA bodyguards in the world could've helped.

"Where are those Conelradians?" he muttered. "It's freezing out here!!!"

<<Bespin Air Base, North Utapu>>

The Honor Guard had long since landed at the airfield, but none had gone further than a few hundred meters from their ships. A middle-aged lieutenant walked slowly though the rows of Delta Wing fighters. From behind him a dark figure stepped out of the shadows. “Lieutenant, stand ready!” The lieutenant quickly snapped to attention, not even looking back. “General! Sir, I didn’t hear you approaching, sir.”

Abbot-General Alexander Rivas stood tall against the more diminutive lieutenant. “Why do you walk among the Honor Guards ships. Do you have your doubts?” General Rivas asked commandingly.

“No, Sir! We have the strongest army on the mainland! We are the highest trained, raised from birth to serve the God-Emperor.”

“Yet you walk near the Honor Guard’s ships with question in your eyes. I would remind you that there are NO lieutenants in the honor guard. All are Colonels, at LEAST. So I will ask you again, why are you walking among the Honor Guard Ships!?”

“I… I…” The lieutenant scrambled, trying to find an explanation.

“Present your Mark!”

The Mark of the Emperor, every citizen in Utapu is required, by law, to have three items impressed upon them at birth to track their every movement. One tattoo displaying the Emperor’s Star and two Electronic Tracking Units implanted in their right palm and forehead.

The lieutenant fumbled as he rasied his hand, displaying a faded mark. General Rivas raised his and using a device that wrapped around his hand sent a burst of red light in to his hand. The General closed his eyes and he absorbed the information directly in to an internal command matrix.

“I see. Yes… That explains things. Very well. You are free to continue your inspection. Carry on.”

The lieutenant walked off calmly looking at each ship. The General turned around and began walking the other direction. One of the General’s scribes, who had seen the entire confrontation, ran to catch up with the General. “Sir, if I may, what was that about?”

“That was the Duke of Bespin. He is undercover so as not to alarm the troops.”

“Very good, good sir. I have just received a communication from The One True God-Emperor. Here.” The scribe handed a device to him, displaying a coded message.

“Hmm… ‘Special Needs met certain doom, collaborations cede to paranoia.’ I see.”

“What does it mean, sir?”

“The Abbot-Generals in Heaven are unable to determine if Druarch has formed an alliance with Outer Okinaw. His army of Beast Warriors was ambushed and captured, with far fewer casualties than should have been expected. Respond to the God-Emperor ‘The Star shall rise with the dawn.”

“Sir, urgent message from Outer Okinaw’s Emperor! He has agreed to your cease fire proposal. He has agreed that he may continue criticizing your methods, but shall not make any further aggressive actions against us or our allies! The war is over!” A scribe excitedly yelled as he burst in to the war room. The God-Emperor reached out and grabbed the scribe by his neck. “You will accord these nobles with the PROPER respect the next time you enter a room, scribe! Or I shall kill you. Is that clear?”

Caughing the scribe replied “y…yes…. Sir…..”

“Very good,” The God-Emperor dropped the scribe. “Send a message to all nations in the Zone, ‘I the God-Emperor hereby call for a cease-fire of all armed forces against Outer Okinaw. The Emperor and I have agreed to a cease fire under these conditions: that we, the despotic west, tolerate his criticisms, so long as he make no aggressive acts to our way of life. A war is the last thing we need in the Zone and our people would only fight to a stand still. Stand down your countries.’” With this, the God-Emperor sat at a large golden throne across from the war map. One of the Abbot-Generals walked slowly towards the God-Emperor. “Can we trust the word of a Democrat?”

“I shall give him this one and only chance. If he breaks it or continues aggressive acts towards our allies, I will destroy him without mercy. Send for my royal guard. We are returning to Utapu. Call back the First Strike team, but have them land in Ord Mandell. We should still keep them close to Outer Okinaw in case the Emperor changes his mind.”

“Yes, Lord.”

The God-Emperor stood and walked slowy down the corridor to his ship. As he entered, he look over his shoulder to the open bay and down to the planet below.

Such a beautiful planet. Some day I shall conquer it once again. But not today. Today calls for diplomacy. I must adapt if I am to continue my reign.…

Emperor Skippy stood, looking down as the transport unloaded, obviously with the High Father inside..... He was glad he had gotten Princess Mana and her Fiancee as far away from the war zone..... So much death...... A girl her age shouldn't need to see that....nor should anyone of any age... Ah well.....His armed forces were fighting well, and as fairly as it could be considered under the circumstances... So far,they had taken far more prisoners than they had actually killed...... that was good. But the civilian losses were something that kept him up at night...... Yomiko put her arm on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He smiled, then a commotion down at the transport. Skippy indicated to Yomiko to follow him. When they reached the transport, They saw the people with what looked like severe radiation poisoning "Don't take them to the hospital! Have my personal medical team take care of them! MOVE IT!" The medical team quickly moved to do their assigned tasks...

Yomiko already had several pieces of paper in her hand as The Beast Warriors approached. "High Father, you better have a DAMN good explanation for why those people are like that....."

The White Warrior bowed his head in respect as he approached Emperor Skippy. "M'lord Emperor, those people are felons. There is not a man among them that has not been charged with a grevious crime. We're talking rape, murder, arson... these are not bread thieves. They were offered a life sentence instead of the death penalty for taking part in a government experiment. They knew that it could fail... and fail it did."

Emperor Skippy surveyed the what could only be loosely be called "people" in front of him. "I see... I will have to get their side of the story, of course. In exchange for some....information, and many an explanation, I believe I can see fit to allow you and your party to leave...in good time." He turned to his wife/bodyguard, Yomiko-chan, you can put the paper down." he said, his hand taking hers. "Yes dear" she said, letting the paper slide back up her sleave. Skippy called over his shoulder "Come, High Father. While Princess Mana is away at the moment, she is scheduled to come home tommorow, under extremely heavy escort. You may meet her then. But for now, we have business to attend to. Would You like a drink? We have Scoke, Bluebeer, Awamori, various wines....." as they walked towards the palace...

The Citadel, Outer Okinaw, Southwestern Plains

"Sir! Sir!" A young ensign ran into the Command Deck, out of breath and looking like he'd seen a ghost. "Outer Okinaw has agreed to a ceasefire with Utapu! The war is over!"

Several officers turned their heads in alarm. Many looked happy and shocked...others looked horrified and shocked.

The Field Marshal, however, didn't even turn from the viewscreen.

"Pull the Apollyonids back to their Furies. Tell aircraft to stick within 50 meters of the Citadel. No further attacks on Okinawan cities. Set course for the capital. Shut down all communications save private channels to Wenchetyria and Conelrad."

"....Sir?" the ensign gaped, looking dumbfounded. "But, sir, why? Shouldn't we leave? Does the Lord Praetor intend to actually speak with...?"

"You misunderstand, young one," al-Mohalis said, impassive. "We're not going to speak to anyone. As soon as we reach the capital, further orders will be given."

The faces in the room all turned to horror. The Field Marshal was going to continue the war....?

"Sir, you can't..."

"I have my orders."

"From who?" spoke a nearby officer.

"From the Lord Praetor himself. And if you want to be the ones who disobey him, be my guest."

No one spoke for a long while as the officers returned to their duties.

Chapter 1: Cold War

<<Tower of The Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern, Chancellor of the Homeland, looked out the window of his office, surveying the training grounds and monastery below. The grounds were alive with beast warriors training for battle, all at Piern's command. In the absence of the Great Fathers, Lord Piern was the second most powerful man in Druarch, after Prince Emritt, the White Warriors younger brother.

The case of Prince Emritt was an odd one. The Great Father who had held the title before the man known as the White Warrior had been an unusual sort. Instead of having the one child required of all beast warriors, he had ended up with another, in an illegitimate union with a peasant girl. This union had produced two children - a boy and a girl. However, the beast that was to give birth to their companions only bore one child. The girl, due to being the first born of the two, took her vow of chastity and was accepted into the White Warrior's honor guard, a very controversial decision on behalf of the White Warrior's father. The second was given a name and raised as an official of the church of Druarch, albeit one with a special title.

And Prince Emritt was under Piern's thumb. Smiling to himself, he loaded up his computer and began to type a transmission.

"To: Emperor Skippy of Outer Okinaw
From: Lord Bishop Thomas Piern, Chancellor of the Homeland, Druarch
On Behalf Of: Prince Emritt of Druarch
Regarding: The Great Fathers, and the Contents of their Transport

It has come to my attention that you have taken captive my lords, the Great Fathers of Druarch, along with a transport full of test subjects. I would like to request the return of the Great Fathers and their followers, along with all contents of the transport. If you insist on curing the test subjects of their condition, I will not object. However, I will politely insist that they be returned to Druarch to deal with. These men have committed actions that endangered the stability of our nation, and as such, we should be allowed to deal with them."

Smiling to himself, he pulled up his profile on Emperor Skippy... standing up and opening his window, he enjoyed a fresh breeze, and awaited a responce.

“My honored God, please wait, there is something you must see!” A scribe ran, bowing, in to the hanger where the God-Emperor prepared to depart for the planet.

“What is it, scribe?” The God-Emperor boom in the nearly empty hanger.

“Necros-Vacuia can no longer be tracked! They shut down all communications with us. They were last seen heading towards the capitol of Outer Okinaw.”

“Hmm… I wonder what is going on.” The God-Emperor smiled to himself. Despite wanting peace with Outer Okinaw, he admired the Lord Praetor’s persistence. Stepping out of his Delta Wing, he walked past the scribe and back to the war room. Entering the room, he boomed to every noble there “Connect me with the Lord Praetor by any mean neccesary! If I have to throw every single one of you off this station aimed at Nova Prospekt to get his attention, I will do so! I WILL speak with him immediately!”

The nobles scrambled, nearly tripping over each other trying every means to connect their God with the Lord Praetor.

“When you connect with him, send this message: ‘Your fleet has cut communications. I demand an explanation for this. I have already stood down my troops and Outer Okinaw has agreed. I will personally…..”

“Sir!” A scribe broke in to the room, holding a datapad. The God-Emperor reached out and grabbed the scribe by the neck. “You have learned nothing.”

Choking, the scribe mumbled “I’m sorry, my Lord, I received…..” The God-Emperor tightened his grip and with out even looking to his side, snapped the neck of the scribe. The God-Emperor threw the scribe to the floor and another small group bowed repeatedly as the rushed in to drag to body away. The God-Emperor held his hand above the datapad and sent a beam of red light from his hand. The datapad slowly rose to his hand. Examining it he continued with his message.

“Continue transcription… ‘I will personally meet with you at the Neutral Meeting Palace, in private if you desire, to discuss what your plans are. I will continue to insist on the cease-fire. That is all.” The God-Emperor looked at the war table and yelled “Zoom in on the capitol of Outer Okinaw!” The hologram zoomed in on the Capitol, showing every single building with such great detail that it showed shaodws of people walking through the streets. The nobles looked at the table and pointed to a ship that was not of Okinawan design.

Hmmm…. Perhaps they have formed an alliance. What the hell does Necros-Vacuia know?

As the Citedel appeared on her screen, Ltn. Ibuki turned to her commanding officer "Commander Horaki, I've got a Necros-Vacuian Citadel in our airspace heading this way!" She said, in a worried voice. Kimiko Horaki turned to another bank of operators, "Get the Emperor on the line, and tell the city into position for a possible attack. Full Defense-Grid, everything we've got. Tell the civil defense squadrons to scramble and be in their planes ASAP!" She yelled in a calm but firm voice.

Emperor Skippy was just sitting down to a cold glass of Scoke with the Great Father and his Beast Warriors when his personal communicator device went off. "Yes, what is it? It better be important...." "Sir, we have a Necros-Vacuia Citadel in our airspace approching Naha. This appears to be all their airpower!" Came the frantic reply from the other end. He stood up,putting his hand over the receiver, apologized to his guests for the interruption, and continued talking. "Have all squadrons scramble. Get all non-combatants to underground shelters!...You've already done some of that? Good. Good thinking....Okay, I want this to be ready to launch. Also, get all ground based Anti-air batteries and vehicles ready. ...No...do not fire unless they make an obviously hostile act....let them blow their noses if they want, that's fine, but if they make any truly aggressive moves, Boom their flight-deck....No...you know what I'm talking about...give them a sonic boom over their flight decks.... Okay...good. Get the Mech units ready too."

Hundreds of pilots rushed from their daily jobs into the hangars where their various craft were being prepared for launch. "All crews, this is NOT a drill, this is an actual penetration of our airspace. We repeat this is Not a Drill."
The each prepared themselves, some praying, others writing letters to their husbands, boyfriends, mothers, sisters, brothers, children, Fathers, Girlfriends, and friends. Some were eating a sample of their favorite food, as it may be the last time they taste it.

The Buildings of Naha that were not descending into the ground to house the people were turning on themselves, revealing missile batteries, anti-air-craft cannon nests, Particle Beam implacements, and other defensive structures.

Emperor Skippy went to the War Room of his defence force headquarters. "Put me through to them" he asked firmly, but politely. A Red-haired technician patched him through to the Necros Citadel. "Necros Citadel, this is Emperor Skippy. I politely ask you your reason for entering out airspace, and request you leave peacefully."

Day 2 of the Great War
The Communications Parlour in the Great Palace of Wenchetyria

"My brother, my devices and consul have lost track of your airships. There has been a ceasefire. Please know that if you continue attack on Outer Okinaw in an open manner, Wenchetyria and Asphysxiatia cannot provide you with sanctuary or military help." The Highest Wench stood in front of the message transmitter. It was sort of like leaving a voicemail, only more interesting. And in technicolor. "I beg you, brother, don't do anything stupid. End transmission."

The Highest Wench turned to Arthur. "What are you still doing in here?"

"My Lady, there was an urgent message from your ministry in Asphyxiatia." Arthur's hand trembled as he attempted to light a cigar. The Highest Wench raised an eyebrow. "Outer Okinawan mechs have been flying over the forbidden airspace. The great city, you know." He puffed once, blowing a smoke ring in a less blustery fashion than usual.

A shot rang out from behind. The male Minister of Defence fell to the ground, killed by a bullet in his head. Sidhiel looked at The Highest Wench innocently. "My Lady, you always told me smoking in the palace was punishable by death!"

The Highest Wench sighed and pushed the white intercom button on the wall. "Greta, please unfreeze another male Minister of Defence and program him with the current events." Sidhiel shrugged. As she let go of the intercom button, the Minister of Defence tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

"My Lady... depending on what happens... if Necros-Vacuia should get into a bad position?"

The Highest Wench sighed again. "If my brother gets himself into trouble, you are to find out where they have put the Crown Princess of Outer Okinaw. And take care of her in whatever manner necessary to keep my brother from getting himself killed."

"What about his troops? Commanders?"

Suddenly, something about the ruler of the great Wenchetyria changed. Her back got straighter, her corset seemed more imposing, and her hair fell from its silver pin. She looked at her highest Companion with a steely gaze. "It is only my brother who matters. And only if he gets himself into a situation where he needs my help."

"Shall I order a new survelliance crew?"

"Contact the concubines already in Outer Okinaw. The ones who were sent to Emperor Skippy as a welcoming gift. If they refuse to comply, you know what to do." The chair at the end of the table began smoking as her knuckles turned white.

"Find their clones." Sidhiel nodded firmly.

"Exactly." The chair burst into flames. Sidhiel looked at it, alarmed. "And call a clean-up crew. And get me some tea." The Minister of Defence nodded and pushed a button on the wall console on her way out. A vidscreen came down from the ceiling. The Highest Wench looked at it and began to speak.

"My dear Emergency Director of Labour... please be careful..."

(OOC) Hey! My mechs ALWAYS stay in our own airspace! that last post was false.

(OOC) For the thread's sake, let's pretend they were 5 feet over the border. Not enough to be noticeable unless you're REALLY anal retentive.'kay?

The Citadel, Outer Okinaw, Capital City of Naha

The Lord Praetor, within the chambers of the Executive Deck, grinned.

"I'm aware of the ceasefire, my dearest sister. Don't worry. Everything is under control."

Moving from the viewscreen, he pulled up the direct comlink to his Field Marshal. "Ali? Have the proper subroutines been entered into the Apollyonids?"

"Yes, Lord Praetor."

"Good. I want you to drop the Furies. Minimum engine burn, then just gravitational fall. They should release all Combat Forms on impact."

"How many of the Furies, sir?"

"...every last one, Field Marshall. Following that, I want you to activate the Predecessor device. Keep all aircraft in a shield formation around the Citadel and await further instructions."

"In your name, my Lord Praetor," bowed al-Mohalis.

The Lord Praetor smiled, and sent the viewscreen away, bringing up two others.

"So, the God-Emperor's surprised at our little deception? I can't for the life of me see why....did you really think we'd bring our entire military headquarters into the field for the sake of some altruistic cause...? Ah well..."

The last viewscreen now came up.

"Emergency Director! It's been a while, hasn't it...?"

-------------------------

"Should I respond to the Okinawan hail?" asked a nearby officer hesitantly.

"Yes...tell them we've had a major systems malfunction," said al-Mohalis, grinning. "That way, they won't recognize the attack until the holy Relic has been activated. By then, it'll be too late..."

"But sir....what of Utapu? The Star...."

"We have that taken care of. Don't worry. The Predecessors are watching over us. We cannot fail."

"Of course, Field Marshal."

-------------------

The reply to the Okinawan message was short and filled with static.

".....ssufddf.....we've....lost control....of ou...main drop declks.....kkkkvehicles....are falloing....need...assistance.....sdkkkkk....."

And the Furies that had been seen over Meitano began to fall from the Citadel like flies hit by gas....

Lt. Ibuki waited in the Commander Center, Her eyes going from her monitor, the main screen of the War-Room, and the Emperor. The Emperor had made a point of knowing the name of all the Warroom Staff, and as far as she knew him, he was a kind man, never punished anyone for mistakes that would had them flayed alive in other countries... The current was obviously very tough on him. She played the message over again. ".....ssufddf.....we've....lost control....of ou...main drop declks.....kkkkvehicles....are falloing....need...assistance.....sdkkkkk....."
It said. Short and to the point. The Emperor thought for a second. He then turned to Ltn. Ibuki, causing her eyes to widen slightly. "Ms. Ibuki, please alert all batteries that batteries #34, 87, 104, and.....12.... are to fire immediately if those things turn out to be hostile. Tell the others to hold there fire entirely until I tell them. Also, tell Lovely Angel squadron to escort those things that are "malfunctioning" all the way down to the deck. All other forces are to keep a non-hostile distance, but to keep their weapons warm, not hot, but able to switch over on a second's notice. Also, tell the engineers to set off as many fireworks as possible in the city right underneath the citidel."
Yomiko put her hand on Skippy's shoulder "Will Mana be okay? I have this sense that something's going to happen to her." Skippy smirked, "Yomiko, you of all people should know that Mana-chan is completely safe... she IS with Nancy, after all...." Yomiko felt reassured.

Ltn. Ibuki, after delivering the Emperor's message, politely coughed and said "Excuse me for questioning orders sure, but why batteries 34, 87, 104, and 12?" Skippy smiled, "Well, Ms. Ibuki, are you a sci-fi fan....?" .....

The Citadel, Outer Okinaw, Capital City of Naha

There was a general murmur of subdued happiness at the seeming success of the ploy as the Citadel shut off its comm to the Okinawans.

"Predecessors' sweet blessing," mumured one of the junior lieutenants, making the sign of the Holy Circle...al-Mohalis grimly smiled, ignoring the officially prescribed need to reprimand the boy.

"Steady the helm...keep aircraft in shield...switch over main power to the Relic...."

"Sir, they've got guns trained on the Furies...the Apollyonids will be slaughtered as soon as they hit!"

al-Mohalis didn't flinch. "Switch hatches over to manual control and herm-seal the doors. Predecessors willing, they won't be able to break through a while..."

"Yes, sir...but..."

"Tell the Magicians to launch and begin firing on the gun batteries as soon as the Relic goes active. We're not losing this fight."

-----------------

The Furies began to hit the ground with little ceremony...the doors stayed tightly shut. But strange growls could be heard from within...and each sleek red transport's warning signs were flashing brightly....

-----------------

The Lord Praetor looked momentarily, glancing, at his one blank viewscreen...

~Strange....really....that he hasn't called me yet...what do you know, Emperor Skippy?~

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Dominion of Necros-Vacuia

"Executor! You're on to speak with the God-Emperor of Utapu in five minutes!"

Gar Essell, Executor for the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, grabbed the young commissar's throat in his shaking hand.

"I know that," he hissed nervously. "Shut up."

Gar was not happy. To lie to another national leader was one thing. To lie to the God-Emperor of Utapu was quite another. Why was the Lord Praetor doing this?!

"Yomiko, Have your paper units cover all the gun batteries except for the sensor units, the guns themselves, and anything that will not be affected by an outside force" Emperor Skippy ordered his wife. "Damn, but I hate war...." He thought. He then turned back to Lt. Ibuki. "Have the Lovely Angels Squadron continue what they were doing, and cover those things. I don't want anything coming out of them that doesn't have either a white flag, a symbol of neutrality, or a red-cross sticker on it. Also, patch me into Lord Praetor. I want to have a word with him."

The defense batteries, usually gunmetal grey, slowly turned a snowy white, individiual slips of paper occasionally flapped in the wind, but as a whole, there was a thin sheet of fiberous material all the way across the defensive grid, all marked with script that the common reader could not deceifer.....

Troops, Vehicles and Mechs moved into position, rifles, RPGs, machine guns, Vehicicular support weapons of unknown composition, mounted on small vehicles began to hum.... Never for a moment taking their eyes off the small craft that had just landed in their beloved city....

In the Selected weapons batteries, targeting specialists took careful aim at the Citadel, taking careful scans to find weak spots in the shielding where their....special...cannons would have the greatest affect....

The Citadel

"Sir, they've surrounded the Furies, and the Apollyonids are wearing down the hermetic seal. It's now or never."

"Not until the Relic is powered," hissed al-Mohalis, clenched fists turning white with frustration.

"Sir, with all due respect, I'm going to--"

Another several pistol shots rang out, and no more officers moved as the disobedient one slumped, bleeding and dead.

"NOT UNTIL IT'S POWERED, BY ALLAH AND THE PREDECESSORS!" roared the Field Marshal. "What amount does it still NEED?!"

"It's at 97.89% and holding, sir! I can't divert any more power!"

The Field Marshal let out a string of curses. He couldn't let this fail. The Lord Praetor was counting on him...he had to get the Relic at the heart of the Citadel working, activate the lost Predecessor technology, or this was all for nothing....

"Sir!" shouted a youthful Vyrnn commander. "If we divert it from the Hiveling launch bays, we can just have them hand-dropped into the city; their pods are strong enough! Then we'll--"

"DO IT!"

The young man complied, and the power gauges shifted. A groan echoed through the Citadel's structure.

"98.99....99.1....99.234....99.45....99.8765...99.99!!! 100%! The Predecessor device is ready!"

"Activate it," whispered al-Mohalis.

And they did.

A low hum echoed around the Citadel as the device powered. Entire sections began to shift, opening vein-like apertures in the armor of the ship. The armor was changing shape rapidly, transforming, and a pale blue light flared from the veins...turning into an almost fluid-like field that began to wrap itself around the Citadel...

"Kinetic shield....activated...." gasped the young commander. "In the name of the Predecessors...."

al-Mohalis fell to his knees, regaining his breath and thanking the One True God and his Prophets and the Predecessors and the Lord Praetor all at once in his mind....

"...now....tell all Magician and Predator squadrons to attack the gun emplacements....and release the Apollyonids. And will SOMEONE relay this information to the Lord Praetor...?!?"

--------------------------

The Furies suddenly shifted. The sealed doors changed...and began to open...

And out poured a vast legion of Apollyonids from each one, clutching strange, double-bladed weapons, pulse rifles, or grenades in their misshapen claws. A few, slower and larger, carried bio-plasma cannons.

Among them were others, strange, lizard-like men and women who carried flamethrowers and machine guns....Rekk agents of the ISA.

The Apollyonids shrieked as they moved with inhuman speed towards the Okinawan lines, the enemy gun emplacements opening fire immediately...the biomechanical creatures screamed even louder when they died then when they wished to feed.

Though the guns crumpled the front lines,the amount of Apollyonids, in sheer numbers, was simply too vast...every one that fell seemed to be replaced.

A swarm of Magicians flew over in tight formation, launching drone after drone at the guns, the high-pitched whirr louder even than the crackle of bioplasma and the whoosh of flame. Several Okinawan mechs let off a volley of missiles, and the number of Magicians decreased...

The war, anyone could see, was far from over. Indeed, for the Dominion, it seemed to have just begun.

-----------------------

"They're on the ground and moving, Field Marshal. Shall I alert the main transports?"

al-Mohalis nodded. "And tell the Hiveling personnel to begin dropping the pods. Not launching, I mean *dropping* the damn things, by hand if necessary. I trust their subroutines have been properly altered?"

"Yes, Field Marshal."

Ali relaxed a little. The kinetic shield surrounding the Citadel would stop any attacks from reaching them directly...and he didn't think Outer Okinaw had the EMP capacity to knock out something as powerful as the Predecessor relic...

Utapu, on the other hand--

The Field Marshal struck the thought from his mind. This wasn't the time. First, they had to subjugate the capital...then get Emperor Skippy to agree to the Lord Praetor's conditions....

-----------------------

The Lord Praetor grinned as he saw the new viewscreen appear. "Ah, at last..."

Pulling it up, he bowed courteously. "Ko'zvanshiya urudya vu Xishize, Honorable Emperor Skippy. And what may I do for you today?"

(OOC: YES! 69 POSTS!)

"Look at the size of that thing!...." Megami 7, Chronos Hanataki, said as her fighter nimblely dodged the large craft and the enemy fighters that swept past her, the shield from the citagel shimmering in the sunlight. "Cut the Chatter, Chronos! Prepare to go to Ground mode! Those things outnumber out troops by 5 to 1! And keep your fields up, they're using plasma down there!" Chimed in her Squadron leader, Lind. Fighters from both sides burned around them, some flying with battle damage. Chronos locked on to the growing hoard advancing on her county's ground forces and fired her high yield scatter-pack missiles into the crowd of creatures. Lind locked on with "Soul Smasher" missiles, and let loose on the transports where the foul creatures were coming from. 5 of them erupted in catasrophic fire, as fuel, weapons, and the warheads themselves detonated.

Lovely Angels squadron was having troubles other own. "Yuri, where the hell is that energy bazooka your promised?!" Kei screamed over the the radio.
"In bound in 5...4...3...2...1..." Yuri replied, her voice drowned out by the massive explosions that happened to be where a majority of the enemy forces were. Yui, LA-3, couldn't help but smile. She LOVED being in this squadron....

Skippy smiled as the shield opened up. "Standby Ion control.......fire..!" He commanded. power dimmered for a few seconds all across Outer Okinaw, as the massive turbines drew incalculable amounts electricity from the power grid. From the selected batteries, massive bolts of barely contained ionized energy spat forth, roaring through the air, pushing aside enemy aircraft, causing them to spin out of control or eject. All the beams hit on target. the first being absorbed by the shield, the second being absorbed as well, but with more difficulty, the third knocking the shield out, and the fourth smackin right into the great city-craft. Arcs cascaded all across it as many weapons batteries, docking bays, and just plain old regular light fixtures went out. "All batteries, I want the enemy out of our sky! Don't destroy the citadel, just take it out of the fight!" Suddenly, hundreds of weapons emplacements all over the city fired their deadly payloads into the skies, some concentrating on fighters, some concentrating on transports, all intent on ridding their beloved country of those who would harm their families.

A high-pitched voice rang out on the ground, "Alright guys, lets GETTUM!". with that said, THOUSANDS of angry chibis attacked the invading army, completely ignoring the weapons fire around them, their little teeth gnawing at the enemy, their sheer numbers bringing the enemy down. when one of them WAS hit, a cute, comedic bandage appeared on their body, and they were out of the battle, but only until the next scene......

Also in the midst of the monsters, Pits opened up, having only been supported by paper, beasts and troops alike falling to their deaths on even more sharply aligned paper..... In the air, fighter air-intakes were covered by fiberous material, or their fusalage was cut in half by slips of well aimed paper...

Skippy smiled at Yomiko, who blushed with pride. "Lord Praetor, I believe it is in your best interest to leave our airspace and our country. Don't worry, the ion cannons allow you to move....we only powered them up so far....."

The spectre squad vanished into the night with the same fanfare it entered. The mission had been completed, and no one in the greater Naha subterranean metroplex was none the wiser. Those who were invariably were lying lifeless in a secluded supply closet somewhere in the rat warren, a .48 caliber slug in their forehead. As the squad approached safe distance, the Emergency Director sent a command through the vidscreen to a second device in a nearby hill.

Naha's defensive structures were silhouetted against a wall of incandescent light. Personnel on the surface had the skin on that side of their bodies flash-burned off. A massive fireball rose into the sky, and three and a half seconds after the blast Naha was rocked by a seismic wave that rattled the entire city. Structural damage was minimal - the only victims were plate glass windows and Grandma Higgin's pickled carrots.

The Emergency Director keyed the vidlink to Emperor Skippy.
"We have just detonated a 750 kiloton nuclear device. You may have noticed it. The weapon can be fit in a briefcase, and has a sophisticated remote arming and detonation system. In other words, my spectre teams can plant these devices anywhere on the planet and I can detonate them from this war-room with a few clicks of my eyemouse. Three of these devices are planted in the subterranean warrens of Naha. It is questionable that you will ever find them, but if you do any attempt to defuse the weapon will result in its detonation. The devices' electronics are hardened and thus immune to the effects of EMP."
The Director paused briefly for effect, then continued.
"The Director is not pleased with your attack on the Citadel."
The Director pulled up a pre-prepared UberPoint presentation with bullet points.
"The Director asks you to immediately cease combat operations against the Citadel. Failure to comply within the next fifteen minutes will result in the detonation of the nuclear devices. Once this simple request has been honored, we will discuss further issues."

<<The Emperor’s Star, Orbit>>

Standing in front of his view screen, The God-Emperor crossed his arms and glared through his black and red mask. He would never been seen by anyone less than the dictator of a country without his mask. His anger swelled with each passing second as he watched the hologram of the Necros-Vacuia Citadel glide towards the capitol of Outer Okinaw.

“Tell me again why I’m talk to anyone less than the Lord Praetor?” The God-Emperor boomed across the room.

“Sir, the Lord Praetor requested that you speak with him.” A noble slowly replied.

“Very well, but if this doesn’t end well, I will hold you personally responsible.” The God-Emperor turned and looked at the Noble. The noble bowed and walked back to the war table.”

The screen in front of the God-Emperor hummed to life with little distortion, considering the fact that they were on a space station.

“I am the God-Emperor of the Holy Empire of Utapu. I speak to you from The Emperor’s Star. I guarantee this is a secure channel, so you have no need to fear any others listening in on this conversation. Why does your country ignore the cease fire?”

The spectre squad vanished into the night with the same fanfare it entered. The mission had been completed, and no one in the greater Naha subterranean metroplex was none the wiser. Those who were invariably were lying lifeless in a secluded supply closet somewhere in the rat warren, a .48 caliber slug in their forehead. As the squad approached safe distance, the Emergency Director sent a command through the vidscreen to a second device in a nearby hill.

Naha's defensive structures were silhouetted against a wall of incandescent light. Personnel on the surface had the skin on that side of their bodies flash-burned off. A massive fireball rose into the sky, and three and a half seconds after the blast Naha was rocked by a seismic wave that rattled the entire city. Structural damage was minimal - the only victims were plate glass windows and Grandma Higgin's pickled carrots.

The Emergency Director keyed the vidlink to Emperor Skippy.
"We have just detonated a 750 kiloton nuclear device. You may have noticed it. The weapon can be fit in a briefcase, and has a sophisticated remote arming and detonation system. In other words, my spectre teams can plant these devices anywhere on the planet and I can detonate them from this war-room with a few clicks of my eyemouse. Three of these devices are planted in the subterranean warrens of Naha. It is questionable that you will ever find them, but if you do any attempt to defuse the weapon will result in its detonation. The devices' electronics are hardened and thus immune to the effects of EMP."
The Director paused briefly for effect, then continued.
"The Director is not pleased with your attack on the Citadel."
The Director pulled up a pre-prepared UberPoint presentation with bullet points.
"The Director asks you to immediately cease combat operations against the Citadel. Failure to comply within the next fifteen minutes will result in the detonation of the nuclear devices. Once this simple request has been honored, we will discuss further issues."



(OOC) FOUL! NO NUKES! HOMEY DON'T PLAY THAT! NO NUKES!!!!!!! DAMMIT! I SAID NO NUKES! I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS IF YOUR COUNTRY HAS THEM! NO BLOODY NUKES!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :headbang:

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Dominion of Necros-Vacuia

"Most honorable God-Emperor," Essell spoke, licking his dry lips, "I am Gar Essell, Executor for the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs. The Lord Praetor cannot speak with you at the moment, though he sends his greetings, and knows you are rightfully upset at his surprising continuation of the war."

Pausing for effect, Gar looked directly into the eyes...or where he supposed the eyes were...of the menacing, faceless ruler of Utapu.

"He does this, God-Emperor, to protect you, and all the Western nations. The Outer Okinawans intend to betray you and the cease-fire. We've recieved intel, and Conelrad's own Emergency Director of Labour can confirm this, that indicates they're planning a tactical strike on the nations of the West. Furthermore, they've taken the Great Fathers of Druarch, neutral entities, and are holding them hostage; they intend to make Druarch their colony, and the rest of us supplicants."

Gar bit his lip, shaking his head. "I know this is hard to believe, God-Emperor, but you must trust me, it's the truth, the Predecessors' honest truth. The Lord Praetor merely tries to save us all by cutting off the head of a serpent."

A brief pause....and then Essell delivered the final master-stroke, like an orchstra conductor making his final flourish, wrapping up the loose ends.

"The reason he didn't reveal this information to you openly was that he believed immediate action was necessary; furthermore, he believed that he could prevent Emperor Skippy's treachery alone, without having to cause you and our allies any further grief. I, however, do not believe so; though the Citadel is mighty, he needs your help, God-Emperor. We need your help."

" To The god-emperor and all other aggressors against Outer Okinaw, This is Emperor Skippy. You attempted to use an nuclear weapon on a civilian target that was defending itself. Fortunately, with help of his Great Father and his full knowledge and consent, I was able to protect my people and our troops from the illegal weapon by installing experimental Gamma Shielding around the City. Also, highly expensive and experimental remote jammers scrambled the transmission to detonate before it reached the devices. We have also been able to find the remaining devices and their decoys and disable them. Your wrait team is dead. The guards that they killed managed to radio in a disturbance before they were killed. Now I ask you again, Leave our airspace and leave us alone. If you do not..... We will completely destroy the citadel. We have held back at this point, we have not enleashed all the power at our desposal. We have in fact, held back. Your attepted attack on our civilian complexes will be ignored if you leave us, never, EVER to return. You obviously had in your mind scare me. THAT was a mistake. I Have every intention to keep the ceasefire. I did not violate it. It was foreign powers who fired the first shot. I merely did what I had to do to protect my people." Emperor Skippy said to those who were watching, his anger barely contained in his voice. For those who were listening very carefully, they could hear a hint of a growl....like that of a great bear......

In Naha, The battle raged on, unaware they were of how close they came to nuclear devastation, the citadel left largely untouched by the great guns and deadly missiles of the Okinawan forces.

The Communications Parlour/War Parlour [OOC :they've been combined! yay!] in the Great Palace of Wenchetyria

The Highest Wench stood in front of the vidscreen, dumbstruck. It took her a moment to realise what the Emperor was saying. She gritted her teeth. "He's full of shit."

"No, my Lady." Sidhiel stood in a dark corner of the Communications Parlour, cleaning her nails with her throwing stars. "He was not the one who broke the ceasefire. Lord Praetor continued his attack, as did Conelrad."

"Nuclear assault... we will show them nuclear assault..."

"I don't think that's wise, my Lady." The younger woman replied as she tugged at her gauntlet strings with her teeth. "We really should wait to attack until we ourselves are attacked. We are not involved in this war."

"I feel like I'm losing my head over nothing." The Highest Wench's head was bowed, as if she were weeping. "I'm bloody worried about what's going to happen to all of them if I don't interfere. The Great Father was probably forced to apply that technology... The White Warrior would never do such a thing voluntarily."

"I'm sure he didn't." Sidhiel was lacing her boots. She tied a double knot, stood up and began strapping various weapons to her body.

"Where are you going?" A sniff was heard from the table. "You can't go now, you'll be killed."

"Did you forget who I am?" Her voice was soft as she walked towards the Highest Wench. Her fingers entangled themselves in the other woman's dark brown hair. "I am Sidhiel. I am vengeance. I am justice. I am a super awesome ninja spy warrior."

The Highest Wench giggled. "I know. I just... I'm worried about my brother, and about the God-Emperor-"

"-And about the Director, and the White Warrior and your own people and your bloody kitten." Sidhiel finished. "Now, you go back to the strategy room, the Companions are waiting in there. Don't lose your head over this, it's not important."

"Did you contact the girls in Skippy's palace?"

"Yes."

"Will they comply?"

"If we ask them to. Which hopefully will not be necessary."

"Where are you going?"

"You know where I'm going." Sidhiel took hold of the Highest Wench's hand and led her out of the room. She noticed that her mutton fork was still stuck in Outer Okinaw on the wall. Her black pants made no sound as the fabric brushed together between her thighs. Her footsteps made no noise as she delivered the ruler of the great country to the strategy room and to the waiting hands of the four best Companions. "Well, my Lady, Asphyxiatia awaits me."

"And where will you go after that?" The Highest Wench inquired, her back and shoulders straightening once more.

"I don't know. I'll find her, that's all." Sidhiel snapped.

Her composure regained, the Highest Wench looked at her Minister of Defence disapprovingly. "You will not take that tone with me."

"Yes, my Lady." Sidhiel bowed. The Highest Wench handed her another package of cloves.

"Everything is in there and prepared." Sidhiel nodded and left.

The Highest Wench turned to the four Companions. "We have a lot of work to do..."

<<The Emperor's Star>>

The God-Emperor looked into the eyes of Gar Essell as he was finishing his monologue. The God-Emperor turned a little before responding. “I understand. I do this at great risk. But I shall reinforce the Lord Praetor’s forces with the First Strike team. Commander Henrietta has been taken captive by Outer Okinawan spies, but her replacement, Commander Tricia, is ready to command. You shall have five million of the Utapu’s finest child warriors at your side this day.”

The God-Emperor turned as the screen shut down. He slowly walked to one of the lesser nobles and grabbed him by the neck.

“Wh….what have I done, my God?” the noble managed to choke out.

“You were ordered to contact the Lord Praetor. You give me subordinate!” With this, the God-Emperor hand begins to glow as he closed his fist around the neck of the noble. As His hand grew brighter, the noble slowly stopped struggling and fell limp. The God-Emperor threw the lifeless body across the room and in to a small airlock door which was then opened and the body was send towards the planet, falling, seemingly, towards Necros-Vacuia.

The Nobles looked on. The God-Emperor turned and yelled in a booming voice “I will break this cease fire only because I am forced to! I trust the word of Necros-Vacuia and Conelrad.”

The God-Emperor turned and looked at the war table. He scanned the battle taking place in the Outer Okinawan capital. “Send the First Strike team. Every last one of them. Ensure that no one in Outer Okinaw survives. Kill every single man, woman, and child. Military and civilian, if you must, take shovels to their city streets and over turn every last rock to rout the Democratic bastards!”

Chapter 1: Cold War

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern paced back and forth in front of the throne. The cool eyes of Prince Emritt followed him.

"They have my brother...", the Prince said.

"Indeed they do.", Piern replied. "Now is our chance."

"Will he return?", asked the Prince. "If so, how do we still intend to take the throne?"

"I do not intend for him to return... I must endear myself to Emperor Skippy... for the White Warrior is in his hands."

"And then?", asked the Prince.

"I will tell him the truth about the White Warrior. May I be excused... father?"

"Yes you may...", said the Prince.

Piern exited the great hall and entered an elevator that took him to his office. Opening a diplomatic channel to Wenchyteria, he transmitted a message to the High Wench.

"M'lady, I would like to request that, as the leader of a nation who holds great influence over the nations of Conelrad, Utapu and Necros-Vacuia, you request that they call off their assault on the city of Naha. My Lord the White Warrior is trapped within the walls of that city, and may never return to his home in Druarch should Emperor Skippy choose.

I understand that this is a large request, but I believe that the more we anger Skippy, the less of a chance my people have of ever seeing their Lord again."

"And that will be that. Thank you Empress." Dr. Vincent removed the needle from Yomiko's arm and the small tube of blood. "And now that the 25 Million latinum has arrived in our coffers I am happy to take you to your new clinic." The man in the Alchemica Medical uniform of a black turtleneck, black slacks, black gloves, and a pure white lab coat beckoned the royals to follow.

"I am so glad you wish to partake in our services Emperor. Also the offer still stands, if you want more of what Alchemica can offer you then all you need to do it let us ta-"

"I thought I made it clear that THAT was NOT on the bargaining table, EVER." Emperor Skippy said his voice taking on that gutteral growl.

"I'm sorry Emperor. I was just instructed by the board to ask. Ah here we are. We converted a room in the palace for you. It was where some wenches were staying but the people I talked to said it was alright?"

"They will be given a new quarters, don't worry about them. I want to see my new clinic."

Dr. Vincent clapped his hands and smiled. "Of course. Let me show you." The doctor opened the door to reveal the spacious room had been converted into a house of mirrors. The floor, the ceiling, the walls, and the pilliars had all been covered with mirrors. "I hope you don't mind. Mirrors are sacred to we of Alchemica Medical. Anyways here is your staff."

Three females in the white uniform of a nurse, complete with hat with a red sweater over it arose from their positions in the corners where they had been staring into their own reflection. "We are honored to serve you." The three said in unison bowing.

"May I introduce Doctors Lisa, Angela, and Maria. Lisa is the telepath, she can not only help diagnose and mental problem but also can find out exactly what part of the body is ill. Angela is our lovely telekenetic, no need for scalpels or sutures, she can cut and stich up a body from within. And last but not least, Maria, our Empath. No need for anestesia with her dampening the pain receptors, also she is marvelous for counceling."

"You can stop with the sales pitch. I already paid." Emperor Skippy said looking over the three ladies. "Can they do ALL that we negotiated?"

"All that and more Emperor."

"Wonderful. I'll have your first patient here soon." The two Royals depart.
Dr. Vincent waits a full ten minutes before closing the door. "Alright, we wont have much time. Remember those wenches know that we know that they know that we know."

"What?" Angela asked confused.

"Never mind." Vincent waved her off. "Just keep an eye on them and try not to tick them off further, but if they poke around in here..." The doctor draws his fingernail across his forhead quickly. "And dont forget, if you get your hands on the DNA of THAT. The Board will be VERY appreciative."

"Don't bet on it Vin." Lisa answered back snapping her gum. "The Emperor's too damn smart for that. His precious fauna will never get near us if he has his way."

Dr. Vincent sighed. "Alright, any samples you can get from anyone will be welcomed. Is Project CandyStripes good?"

Maria laughed. "As soon as she comes in."

"Wonderful, well I need to get this back Home." The doctor held up the small vial. "I'm seeing a good year for Alchemica." He bowed to the three women. "May your mirror be unclouded and bright."

"May your mirror be unclouded and bright." The three girls responded.
And hour after Dr. Vincent left the clinic four armed guards enter. "We have your first patient doctors." One barked motioning to the small form behind him clad in a straight jacket, restraint straps, and a Hannibal Lecter mask.

"Now men...is all of this really nessecary?" Maria said walking up to the constrained form. And gently removes the mask and strokes the person's hair. "You can leave now." Maria said to the guards, her eyes not leaving the prisoner.

The guards left quietly, once they were gone Maria began to undo the prisoner's restraints. "I'm going to explain something to you, if you try to hurt any of us, break out mirrors, or attempt escape, we will have your heart explode within your chest. It will be excruciatingly painful as we will keep you alive for as long as possible as you feel your body die. Do you understand me?" Maria held on to the buckle that operated the straightjacket. The prisoner nodded. "Good! Lisa get some real food for the poor girl, Angela she'll be taking your bed while she's here. So try to make it presentable." The other two women nodded and went off to do their tasks.

"We'll have an old fasioned girl's only slumber party, wont that be fun?"
The girl just stared confused at the woman in the nurse uniform. After a long pause she softly speaks, "Can we have music?"

"Of course! Anything you want, after all we are all going to become the bestest friends in the world.

Right Henrietta?"

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Dominion of Necros-Vacuia

Shutting off the viewscreen, Gar wiped his face, feeling somewhere between crying with relief and crying with self-loathing. The Executor had taken the job because he believed the Predecessors wanted him to help his Lord Praetor, to serve his people.

He never thought he'd be responsible for the deaths of millions of innocents.

"Predecessors in the Stars, what have I done...?" whispered the Foreign Affairs Executor...

----------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck

"Sir, it'll be some time before we can repair the shield without a kinetic surge destroying half the Citadel!" the young Vyrnn commander shouted to al-Mohalis.

The Field Marshal cursed heavily in Arabic. "Tell all gun stations still operational to open fire on Okinawan aircraft. Our aircraft are to launch and engage at will, but stick close as HELL to the transports, and--"

The Citadel shook again as a volley struck the Command Deck, throwing al-Mohalis to his knees.

"AND IN PREDECESSORS' NAME, TAKE OUT THOSE GUNS!!!" he roared.

"Sir, we're recieving a Conelradian transmission...furthermore, the God-Emperor tells us he'll give the support of the First Strike teams!"

"...Allah's balls....we just might win this..."

----------------------------------------

Alec Trevel of the Shrike Talon squadron was not a person who normally had trouble. Known throughout the Dominion Air Force as an ace, his red-striped Predator-GX had brought down many an enemy craft.

Right now, however, it looked as though she wouldn't save him.

"Fucking....why won't you stall, you bastard?!" he yelled at the fighter behind him, pulling the Predator into a tight turn...narrowly dodging a missile that slammed into his wingman.

"Talon Leader, this is Vritra Five! I've almost got a lock on your bogey, sir; can you hold out?"

"I can't shake him, so--PREDECESSORS!!!" yelled Alec over the comm as an energy blast slammed into his right engine. " I've taken a hit! Right jet, right booster, both out!"

"Don't worry, sir, I--THERE!"

A bolt of brilliant violet plasma, followed by three others, slammed into the Okinawan fighter, blowing it into vapor and nothingness.

"Good work, Five. I'm setting up for an attack run on that gun emplacement before I hit the deck."

"Understood, sir! We'll cover..."

The Myrmidon was suddenly hit by a volley of gunfire, lurching to the side. "Mayday! Mayday! Systems out! Engines gone...."

"Vritra Five! Five, eject!"

"They came from....behind....!!!"

The Myrmidon blew apart, and Alec hissed a silent curse on the Okinawans as he pulled forward, fighter steadily losing altitude...and, sighting the gun emplacements, let off a volley of missiles and laser fire, tearing the weapons of the Outer Okinawans into shrapnel.

Then another lurching blast hit his fighter, and he felt the rush of speed, vaguely knowing his left engines had also failed...and he was losing altitude fast...

The last thing he saw before impact was a Magician firing off its drones.

--------------------------------

The skies raged with battles like this one, neither side seeming to gain any ground....though the pilots of the Dominion were among the best in the Zone, they had clearly underestimated Outer Okinaw's creative nature and shifting tactics....however, the Okinawans failed to account for the fact that not only were the Necros-Vacuians' numbers larger, but their pilots razor-edge sharp and adaptable.

The ground, however, was clearly turning into a losing battle for Necros-Vacuia. The Apollyonids, ferocious as they were, were being turned back, driven into traps, and slaughtered by mechs as their Rekk handlers made desperate last stands.

The Army of Oblivion was by no means finished...each Apollyonid attack claimed at least five Okinawan infantry for every biomech that fell. The enemy was learning, however, that if they let the mechs do the engaging, the Apollyonids had much less ability to fight back, and so the battle's tide turned.

Or seemed to.

"HAHA! Fry, you skinless sonofabitch! That's for Hiroshi!!!" shrieked Ritsuko Atana of the Lovely Angels as her incindeary grenades burned a hole in a troop of Apollyonids. "You monsters won't hurt anyone anymore!"

Misato Keranowa, nearby, shuddered as her mech stomped on a Rekk unfortunate enough to engage her. "The Necros-Vacuians are sickening...sending such things into battle..."

"Don't worry. Soon they'll have to send out their children, and we'll claim them too!" Ritsuko whooped. "You hear that, Thraakan Naal, you asshole?! We'll see who's Lord Praetor when we bring that Citadel out of the sk--"

Ritsuko never finished her sentence. The Okinawan mech had been struck by a large, clear-steel pod, vaguely rounded with a pyramidal hump. Misato couldn't tell if her companion had been hit, but her mech was out of commission....

Looking to the sky, the Lovely Angel saw other objects, slowly dropping from the Citadel above...as if they were being thrown out by hand....

And then a horrible warble gained her attention as the pod burst open.

The thing that burst out looked like an enormous, golden-carapaced cross between a thorn bug and a lobster, three long, metallic legs uncurling from its belly. Then the carapace warped, shifted back, and revealed a pair of bioplasma cannons....a Necros-Vacuian biomechanical weapon. And not just any weapon...

"....Gods above," Misato whispered. "A Hiveling."

Hiveling #0M9KA876 looked at the mech it had landed nearby, assessing the weaknesses and the armor composition with a chirp that was almost eerily cute. Then it fired, blowing apart one of the mech's legs.

"COMMANDER YUI!" Misato yelled into the comm. "Hivelings! The Citadel's dropping Hivelings!"

--------------------

The Lord Praetor laughed as he looked at Emperor Skippy's viewscreen.

"I have no intention of leaving. Not just yet, Emperor. We have many things to talk about. And talk we shall...unless, of course, you'd prefer I utterly destroy your capital city."

"Sir, our air units are reporting Hivelings being dropped into the city...." Lt. Yui reported over the radio. Emperor Skippy growled slightly, Yomiko and the others let out a gasp. Hivelings...terrible creatures....they had to be taken out to protect the city...if they go through the lines...... "Ibuki, what batteries are gone?" he asked over his shoulder. "Let me see.....27, 45.....159, 232, 206, and.....missile battery 8 is taking heavy damage and is being evacuated..." "Tell batteries 22 through 57 that are not currently not defending themselves to concentrate all on those pods and the things that are dropping them. Also, get all reserve units in the fight! We don't fund those militia units for nothing! Also, get me Master Koshima and Master Miyama we ask them to pay their debt to us......." Who'd have thought he'd ever call in THAT favor......

"Ritsuko! Base, gimme a status report on Ritsuko!" Misato screamed into her comlink. "She's okay..the safety perimeters kicked in before it managed to crush her. She's going to be flat as pancake for awhile....." the air command operator assured her. "Concentrate on what's attacking us! The lab wants a head from one of those things they're dropping!" Commander Yui ordered her squadron, pressing forward with the attack, the thought of her son always in her mind, her motherly instinct to protect him going at full power.

"Alright Sir, what is it you want to discuss? I'm open to negotiation." SKippy said cooly to the screen.

Chapter 1: Cold War

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

*Beep*

"Incoming transmission.", the flat voice mangled the complex words. Snorting noisily, Piern sat up in his chair and clicked the accept button.

The transmission was a written memo from Emperor Skippy of Outer Okinaw.

"To: Lord Bishop Thomas Piern, Chancellor of the Homeland, Druarch
From: Emperor Skippy of Outer Okinaw
Regarding: The Great Fathers

I would like to warn you, good friend, that the Great Fathers' chances of ever seeing their home again are declining with every foot the invading army of Necros-Vacuia gains in Naha. Therefore, I would like to present you with a warning.

If any invading army breaches the inner defenses of Naha, I will imprison the Great Fathers for the rest of their mortal existence. My underground cells only open to let prisoners in, and I swear that you will never see them again, even should my city be taken. However, should the invaders be deterred or talked back, I will release them to go home free.

As a token of my goodwill, I agree to the return of the Beast Warrior known as the Scarlet Lady. Inform Prince Emritt that he will see his sister again soon."

-----

"So, what do you propose I do?", the Prince snapped. "Go to war? Attack my brothers oldest, strongest allies?"

"All you need do is endear yourself to Emperor Skippy...", Piern said encouragingly. "This can be done any way you like... war, peace... your call."

"I have met the Lord Praetor. He would only cease his attack to strike again. I don't trust him." snapped the Prince.

"So you DO want to go to war...", the military strike was an important part of Piern's plan. Fighting under someone aside from the White Warrior - someone who somehow managed to inspire just as much loyalty in the troops - would work towards shaking their loyalty to their current monarch.

"What I WANT is the throne!", snapped Emritt. "I don't understand why we won't just invade Outer Okinaw and let the bastard live the rest of his life underground!"

"A leader is nothing without allies...", Piern said. "And the most advantageous ally to gain at the moment is the Emperor of Outer Okinaw, possibly the most powerful man on our continent. With his assistance and your cunning, you could eclipse him in power. M'lord Prince, I am looking beyond the throne here... I can see you running this entire continent... no, this entire world."

Piern could see he had pacified Emritt. A slow smile crept across his face. Emritt looked at him. "The world..."

"It is your birthright, M'lord Prince."

In truth, Piern had his own reasons to kiss up to Emperor Skippy. What he desired was a change in government. Theocracy, in his mind, afforded less power to those in charge than other forms of government. Piern's first goal was to make Emritt the first King of Druarch. This could only be done by having him lead the assault in Outer Okinaw.

-----

A great Ziggurat that had been around countless years rose a thousand feet above the streets of Ormek City. A young man had been in the midst of buying a bag of apples when the entire bustle of the city quieted. Far above, at the top of the moving stairs of the Ziggurat - the Tower of the Beast, it was called - a lone figure had appeared. His face soon appeared on every TV screen and billboard across the nation of Druarch. This was Prince Emritt, the illegitimate brother of the White Warrior, and ruler of Druarch in his stead.

"Sons and daughters of Druarch...", the Prince's voice could be heard from every room across Druarch. "It is with great sorrow that I announce that our Great Fathers, the White Warrior and the Black Beast, are in the hands of another nation, and may never return to Druarch again."

The words instilled a sense of awe among all who heard them. Whether a supporter or detracter of Druarch's theocratic government, this news would impact everyone.

"I therefore announce", continued the Prince, "that Druarch is now officially at war with the nation of Necros-Vacuia and whoever else may threaten the lives of our Great Fathers! Until the Great Fathers are returned to us, we will not rest!"

Cheer erupted from around the city, and the Prince raised a fist to the sky. "It is time, sons and daughters of Druarch, to rally to the cause of She who created us all, and defend the interests of our great nation! Let every man who can hold a gun march beside the beast warriors into battle! Let this be a victory to remember!"

The young man's face was white. He dropped his bag of apples as his hand dropped limp to his side. His name was Jacob Tross, and he was one of Druarch's few pilots. He knew very well that he would take a major role in this conflict.

"My name is Henrietta. I am a soldier in the Almighty God-Emperor's First Strike team. I will serve my Lord in whatever way I see fit. I will die for him."

Subject shows obvious signs of dependance upon the 'God-Emperor'. Possibly irreversable, travel further back in memory. Unlocking barriers...done.

"I am. I look into Mommy's face and she smiles at me it feels so good to be in her ar-"

Too far. Also this is an obviously fabricated memory, erasure could cause permenant damage. Advance time, deactiving emotion dampener inplant.

"I'm excited. I am going to join the God-Emperor's army today. I'm glad that the machine stopped the OutFear. It would be horrible if I had to experience that again. I pick up my gun, a .45 automatic clip feed, the bullets are hollow poi-"

Wait...go back. I got a major spike when she mentioned the OutFear. That looks like something. Crossreferenceing, subduing Id. Bringing up related memory to OutFear.

"Oh God-Emperor pleae help me! I dont want to be here. It's too Out! I need to go back down oh please please please, let me go back In. I can't STAND it Out! All the others are scraming and crying too, oh my God-Emperor PLEASE HELP ME!! Help me. Help me helpmehelpmehelpmehelpme.

Stop it. Send her back to the prefab. You're hurting the girl.

"I am. I look into Mommy's face and she smiles at me it feels so good to be in her ar-"

If I'm not mistaken that was a severe case of Agoraphobia. Fear of being outside. Not surprising, they're born under ground, raised and trained underground, exposure to the open sky might be traumatic. Let's go back to that time and skip ahead a little.

"I am standing in line to lose my OutFear. All the others are here. We do this gladly to serve the God-Emperor, I place my head back an-"

YOW! There's a MASSIVE implant here. Hold on let me look at this...this is it! This is the inhibitor, it gets rid of the phobia and also dampens moral judgement. Angela can you take it out without hurting her?

"I am Henrietta...I serve...I serve...I serve..."

Small problem. The thing is hooked into the central hub if I try to take it out it'll react by exploding.

"I am Henrietta, I killed my best friend...and I feel..."

Alright I found the Hub. I can shut it down for a while. Maybe 36 hours at best, 6 at worst. Should be enough time, I'm gonna do it.

"I killed my best friend, and just because an immortal son of a bitch told me to...oh God," Henrietta collapsed onto the mirrored floor sobbing. "Oh God, oh God what have I done?! I'M SORRY!!!!"

Maria was hugging the little girl in an instant. "It's alright Maria, God forgives and I'm sure your friend is waiting for you in Heaven. The Real One. We'll make the pain go away, it will be hard but...you are stronger than that. Right?" She held up the childs chin and smiled, sobbing Henrietta returned the smile and dove back into Maria's arms.

Angela was biting her lip and giving off thoughts of concern. "What's the matter? You did a great job." Lisa asked.

"When I undid the hub. I felt this huge emotional force, like a massive THWUUNNGGK, like I had opened this huge flood gate. You don't think that that hub inhibited ALL of the Strike Team, do you?"

00000000000000000000000000

The Lord Praetor, The God-Emperor, Emperor Skippy, Prince Emritt, and the Highest Wench stared at their view screens with mixed emotions of rage, horror, fear, and confusion.

Every last child of the First Strike team had stopped their march. The fighting around them seemed to pause as they all took in the scene.

Thousands of children, no older than ten, screaming in pure fear. A few had gone so far to shoot themselves in the head; others were standing like statues shaking like an aspen, a small trickle of blood coming from their noses; other had dropped to the ground in the fetal position rocking back and forth sobbing. Some were attempting to dig into the ground making their hands filthy with their own blood. Some were running wildly in a panic trying to escape the horror that was the sky. But most were screaming, screaming as hard as they good as the sky opened up before them and all the sins they had complied over their short lives crashed down upon them.

000000000000000000000000000

And in the Royal Okinawan Palace, a little girl named Henrietta prayed into her reflection to a God that had no face. Next to her holding her hands were her three 'big sisters' and even though she was crying, she was happier than she had ever been in her life.

"To any army unit in that area.....whereever it is, round those kids up! GET THEM OUT OF THERE!" SKippy screamed into the comunit. Immediately, soldiers and ordinary citizens who had refused to flee began to comply, not out of orders from their emperor, but from a sense of common human decency, though most did keep a stick with them to be safe. But dozen by dozen, they were loaded into (electric) trucks, cars, hummers, vtols, and even motorcycles and taken to safety in bunkers and any other place that would fit them, and led into the lower city, the gates closing behind them with a magnetic seal as the last one went through. They were all put into various guarded complexes, given stuffed animals, and husted to sleep by caring people... no one who was there had dry eyes that day....


"Thomas Piern or any other person in charge of Druarch. We will greatly consider releasing your Great Father if you destroy an object known as the hub in Utapu. It must be done within 6 hours.
If you do not, all of the God-Emperors child soldiers will die. This is our darkest hour. We will compensate you for any loses you take. The Hub must be destroyed! We cannot standby while millions of children die in agony! This is an emergency transmission..... In fact, we will do what you ask with the Great Father if you do this..... Please...we beg of you...help us...." Emperor skippy asked stoically into the com-unit to Druarch.... He began to cry, and only cried more intensely when Yomiko came over and hugged him.

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

"Very well, M'lord Emperor. I guarantee that those children shall come to no harm." Piern cut the transmission to Emperor Skippy and called for his assistant. He had the run of the Tower, being in charge of the country now that Prince Emritt was off at war.

His first thought was to send a Predator to do the task. Then a better thought came to his mind.

Conelrad... they had shown minor support in the fight against Outer Okinaw. It was a desperate measure, but...

No, the risk was not one worth taking. It could easily blow his cover. In order for his plan to proceed, Piern had to succesfully complete this mission. His assistant arrived.

"Ready a long-range transport. Have a squad of beast warriors aboard, and two cloaked Predators to offer support. This operation is top secret. I will brief the warriors and pilots personally."

"You were right Angela." Lisa sighed. "God, it was horrid. They were clawing their own eyes out." She shook her head sadly. "I just told the Emperor about our progress and..." At once the three girls looked at each other, grabbed Henrietta and a blanket, threw it over her and ran outside to the courtyard hitting the dirt.

FWAKOOM!! A stray shell from some rail gun cannon somewhere fired by the luckiest son of a bitch in the world crashed into the clinic, destroying it in a mass of glass and masonry.

"That was too damn close...are you okay Henrietta?" Maria asked the girl under the blanket. She nodded.

"Our mirrors!!" Lisa stared at the wreckage agast. Her face distorted into a snarl. "That bastard is going to pay for this...dearly."

"Nyaaa..." A soft mewing sound came from beneath the wreckage. Angela shifted the debris aside and gasped when she saw the source of the noise.

A young white haired catgirl had been prowling the grounds and was near the clinic when the shell hit. Now she was laying on the ground whimpering as a piece of mirrored glass stuck out from her stomach. The two nurses approached the poor animal when the sound of cocked guns alerted the two.

"Freeze!" The rescue team for the group had arrived and, obeying the Emperor's orders, they were to not let any Alchemica Medical citizens near a catgirl, ever.

"You idiot cant you see she's dying?" Maria snapped at the soldiersas she led Henrietta onto the spot where the clinic once was. "If we don't help her she'll die, and you know what the Emperor will do to you if you let one of his prized animals die correct?"

The soldiers shifted uncomfortably. "Alright help her, but no tricks!"

"Of course! Meanwhile you can gather up these mirrors and take them to our new quarters...now!" Lisa said looking at the guards. They nodded and began the salvage as Angela and Maria helped heal the catgirl.

000000000000 One hour later 000000000000000

"I talked to Vincent, he'll send some mirrors over with Walter when he collects the Emperor's sample." Lisa said smiling as the four girls carefully remade the storage shed into their new home.

"Also we can give him this." Maria held up the bloody cloth she had used to mop up the catgirl's blood. "I think Vincent will be VERY happy with us."

"What's that Maria?" Henrietta asked as she carefully glued back together a mirror.

"This is peace, Henrietta. Or at least an ingredient." Maria said carefully putting the bloody cloth into a sealed container.

"Today is our lucky day isn't it girls?" Angela said securing a mirror to the ceiling.

"Yes it is Angela." Lisa smiled as she put her mirror together. "Yes it is."

<< 50 miles off the West Coast of Outer Okinaw>>

“Alpha Red team, report in!” Tricia called over the radio. Her sleek silver fighter flying low over the open waters between Utapu and Outer Okinaw.

“Red Ten, standing by,”
“Red Three, standing by,”
“Red Six, standing by,”
“Red Nine, standing by,”
“Red Two, standing by,”
“Red Eleven, standing by,”
“Red Five, standing by.” Each member of the attack squad chimed in over their radios.

“All squads, have your received a go?” Tricia called out the the platoon following her.

“All squads are go!”

“Very good. All squadrons, lock wings in attack position.” Tricia said as she turned to look at the platoon of ships that followed her. There were perhaps twenty different styles of ships that followed her Setesh Class Fighter. The Ha’taq class and the Pel’tac class ships off in the distance seemed to morph from aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing ships to larger, almost unwieldy, attack platforms.

“We’ll be crossing Outer Okinaw shores in five min….. wait what’s that?” She looked at an echo on her long range scanner. “Alpha-Red One to the G.E.S. Zita, I just saw something on my long range scanner, do you read anything?”

Nearly 100 kilometers above the ground, almost in orbit, the God-Emperor’s Ship Zita scanned the area around the First Attack Arial platoon. “We don’t see anything, Commander, continue your operation as planned. The Necros-Vacuian citadel was heavily damaged in the capitol of Outer Okinaw. You are needed there immediately!”

“Under stood.” Tricia said as she pulled down a HUD in front of her eye. As soon as she did, a glimmer of light caught her eye coming from above. She looked up in time to dodge a blast of energy from an Outer Okinawan fighter jet.

“AMBUSH!” Tricia yelled in to her comlink as she began to engage the fighters that descended upon her. The fighter force of over 20,000 Utapunian children began to dog fight the highly trained Outer Okinaw squad that easily out numbered then two-to-one.

“Shit. This is commander Tricia reporting to all Utapu military bases. We were attack by Outer Okinaw during our mission. We’re out numbered and will be unable to assist Necros-Vacuia. They came out of no where, must have some sort of jamming device. The Zita never saw them on their sensors.” Tricia’s fighter was hit in the engine pod by a blast of energy. Looking back to see the damage and checking her sensors, she lifted the HUD awat from her and smiled “I die for my one true God-Emperor!” She then turned her crippled ship towards the nearest Okinawan fighter and slammed in to it headlong, destroying both of them.

-----------------------------------------------------

<<The Emperor’s Star>>

“My God-Emperor, I have news from our taps in Alchemica Medical. It seems that Commander Henrietta survived her mission in Outer Okinaw. They have found a way to brainwash our soldiers. Giving them memories of a ‘family’ or some silly thing like that.” A noble said, bowing deeply while presenting his findings.

“But there hasn’t been a family unit in Utapu for nearly a thousand years! All children are taken from their mothers at birth and are either sacrificed or sent to the military camps. No one has a mother, well, except for the nobles in Your graces, my God. They are raised knowing that the God-Emperor is the One True source of life and humbled by the fact that they are allowed to live!” another Noble chimed in, surprised at the news himself.

The God-Emperor sat thinking for a moment before responding “This is an unfortunate turn of events. Keep track of Alchemica. We may have to stop their meddling if they dare to continue questioning my Will.”

The nobles bowed as they returned to the War Table. From the other side of the room they heard a small voice. “Oh, my God-Emperor. That’s impossible.” The God-Emperor heard his name invoked and rose to see what had caused someone to burst out like this. He walked over to the young son of Abbot-General Takeshi, who had been put in charge monitering the First Strike Arial platoon. “What is it?” The God-Emperor boomed behind the young boy.

“My….. the…… here, listen.” The boy pressed a button and Commander Tricia’s final message was replayed for the God-Emperor. The God-Emperor listened closely before turning and walking back to his throne.

“Sir, aren’t you going to do anything? The entire platoon, all 20,000 will be killed or captured!” the boy cried as he ran up and knelt before the Golden Throne.

“20,000 is nothing. General Takeshi! How many of our ships are left in this battle?”

“2,000 my lord.”

“And how many Outer Okinawan ships?”

“Nearly it’s full force at 35,000.”

“Activate the soldiers implants. We will not allow Alchemica the pleasure of brainwashing any more of our citizens.”

General Takeshi went over to a large console facing the God-Emperor and typed in a few words. A red button lit up on the side of the panel.

“Sir, by your Word.”

The God-Emperor looked at the planet and waved his hand. General Takeshi pressed the button. A moment passed.

“We have confirmed that all 20,000 member’s implants have detonated. The blasts should have completely destroyed their heads. Not even Alchemica’s technology nor Outer Okinaw’s jamming abilities could save any of them.”

The God-Emperor straightened his armor. “Very good. We shall not be out numbered again. Reprogram the implants to emit a shielding device to keep Alchemica from broadcasting anything that might affect our soldier’s moral. And any spies that we suspect may have been captured, including Henrietta, kill them as well.”

“By Your Word.”

"Sir, news from Outer Okinaw. It would seem that they have captured the First Stike scouting team."

"So?" The God-Emperor asked disinterested.

"5,000 of them."

"Didn't I just order you to kill any one suspected to be captured? Now DO AS I SAY!"

"Yes, right away my Lord."

The Noble ran over to a consol, pressed a few buttons and activated the implants.

"We confirm that all have detonated. They're dead, My Lord."

The God-Emperor stood and rasied his hand towards the planet "My children, you shall be rewarded when your souls have reached the True Empeor's Star, where I shall reward your sacrifice when I return to begin my etherial Empire."

The CD commander crested the hill and surveyed the panorama before him. Quickly taking in the relative enemy strength across the board, he formulated a battle plan. He conversed briefly with an aide, and the two stepped back into his command APC.

Approximately thirty-seven seconds later, the 246th and 153rd Conelradian Armored Cavalry Regiments began their descent down the hill. An echelon of M54 Heavy Cruiser tanks formed the point of the spear, sixty strong, 145mm smoothbore Combustion-Augmented Plasma rifles blazing away at any mechs in sight. Immediately in pursuit were four companies of M991 Battle Walkers, a twenty-ton medium model, resistant to most infantry anti-tank weapons and firing a hail of 26mm hypervelocity sabot rounds at light armor and infantry targets alike. The vast bulk of the army behind them were infantry; the conscripts were riding into battle in (and on) a fleet of articulated AT Halftracks, mounting a terrifying smorgasbord of support weapons. Mortar tracks crested last, smoke bursts chained in irregular patterns as the tubes burned through one ten-round clip after another and sent a wall of 126mm HC rounds at the massed Okinawan mechs.

The unit's flank guard was a combination of M991's and a scattering of larger M593 forty-ton quad walkers. The larger units were equipped with autoloading 106mm hypervelocity recoilless rifles and automatic grenade launchers. This unit took up a wedge formation and slammed into the side of an okinawan mech unit already beleagured by hivelings. The walkers marched through the formation, firing wildly at the Okinawans. The mechs not killed by 106mm rounds found that the sheer number of projectiles from the 26mm gatling guns shredded any component of their mechs not armored, and soon the unit crumbled, the survivors retreating, their mechs mutilated and blinded.

The vanguard held back and the sea of Conelradian recruits swarmed towards Naha, firing wildly at the exposed emplacements.

"False Detonation confirmation sent sir! The shelters are reporting that all the kids are alive and kicking!" Maya reported proudly. Her eyes were filled with tears, she was SO happy that the tragedy had been averted..... Emperor Skippy was positively beaming with pride. " I can't believe you hacked the damn thing, Ltn. Ibuki! You switched the detonation squence off..... My God... I am SO proud of you..... Cpt. Ibuki...." The Emperor was in tears, but tears of happiness. Then the command center shoot. "What in the hell was that?!" The Emperor demanded to know....
"New Enemy units..... They're tearing apart our mechs! Our Infantry isn't even making a scr-" The commander was cut off as his vehicle exploded. The air was fire.


The emperor turned to "Cpt." Ibuki, "Get Master Koshima and Master Miyama out there. Tell them.....to do what they know they must do...." he commanded solemnly.

The Two old martial arts joined arms,spread their chi towards eachother and began to chant.... And an aura began to grow around them....engulfing them....and they grew.....until they were taller than any mech or walker..... They became one....

The new being of energy walked amoung it's fallen countrypeople, and roared in fury. any rounds fired at it ceased to be, vaporized by the energy of the battle aura.... No walker or mech lived long that attempted to attack it. it was a living angel of retribution, an Archon. This was the true power of the martial arts..... it waded through the enemy, not stopping for anything that was not it's countrymun....... It knew the identity of the two masters who sacrificed themselves to form it were gone.....but it WOULD defend its people.... Mechs, Walkers, and tanks folded like hot butter, infantry simply ceased to be.
It would pay back all those who had been killed in the war so far. It would collect the debt that all those who had killed inncents owed...with exponental interest.

"Well you three certainly managed to piss the 'God-Emperor' off royally." A blonde doctor with Hazel eyes entered the room, he did not use a door. "Turning all of his little soldiers into actual human beings. Leon is heading to Utapu to make a formal apology and to see what reparations we need to regain his good will."

Lisa's response was to sock Dr. Sullivan in the jaw. "You and Valentine did this didn't you?" The redhaired nurse gestured to the patched mirrors on the walls. "Did you SEE what happened to that girl?"

"First, yes we were. Second I had NO idea that the catgirl was there and yes I did see her wounded and I DO feel bad about it. Lastly, it was nessecary, the data on the MassTel Driver is invaluable for Her."

Maria looked up from her game with Henrietta. They had managed to extract the implant before the detonation, true the right side of her face was now irrevocably scarred. She was alive though. "You mean..." She mouthed a word. "Is on track?"

"We have what we needed from Okinaw for now, the Emperor and Empress. He held up a glass vial with a red substance in it. And thanks to you three we now have Catgirl DNA."

"I still dont like how we got that." Angela said touching her reflection in the mirror. "It makes my glass cloudy and dark."

The doctor sadly nodded. "Your mirror is clean Angela, you weren't the one who aimed the gun." A deep sigh then Walter smiled and clapped his gloved hands. "Anyways, you two are to come back with me to home, with what you have." He pointed to Angela and Lisa. "The Board is VERY happy with you two."

"Two? Walter there's four of us." Maria said gesturing to Henrietta and herself both sitting on the floor looking confused.

"Yes, I know."

00000000000000000000000000000

Dr. Leon bowed down on his knees infront of the screen that held the face of the God-Emperor. "Your highness, I am here for the humble principality of Alchemica Medical. We beg your forgiveness for our interference upon your affairs. As pathetic an excuse as it is we were only following what we were commanded to. We are only mercenaries. We had no idea that the treacherous Emperor Skippy was using us as pawns in his demented game. We once again as for forgiveness from you the Allmighty and as proof of our loyalty we offer you two gifts."

Leon departs and comes back with a metal box which he opens slowly and displays two human female heads on display. A ten year old girl, and a false blonde with red lipstick.

"The heads of Henrietta who you ordered to die; and Nurse Maria Sunderland the one who dared to meddle with your holiness' affairs. We offer them as an apology and also myself. I am an accomplished Telekentic Doctor. I am yours to use for whatever reason. Even if that be death."

"Dr. Tanazaki, release the gas into the room with the children....give us a....0.001% concentration...that should be enough." Dr. Suzuki ordered....
"Sir...all children are responding well to the gas....they SHOULD be fine until we can get the Alchemica people back here......" Dr. Tanazaki replied.
Dr. Suzuki smiled. "Excellent...things may just turn out alright after all...."
The gas was special...even if they managed to get the hub back working, it wouldn't affect the children in this state.... Not even if they came in here and shot them all, would it affect them... :rolleyes:

<<Detention Chambers, Imperial Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

"HE WHAT?!", the White Warrior roared when the messenger had left the room. "THAT DIRTY RAT! AND I THOUGHT I..."

"Shush, Eldest Brother. The guards can probably hear you.", the Scarlet Lady glanced nervously towards the door.

The White Warrior was, in fact, not white. At the present time, his complexion was closer to that of his eyes. The mere thought of that rat Emritt declaring war upon the White Warrior's oldest allies and friends insulted his sense of nobility.

He will die..., the Black Beast spoke in the White Warriors head.

"Yes he will... painfully. Very, very painfully.", the White Warrior muttered under his breath.

Every beast warriors eyes moved to the door as a man entered, escorted by several guards.

"We are here for the one known as the Scarlet Lady.", said the man.

The White Warrior put on his mask of calm, and gestured towards his sibling. "You seek her..."

"As a token of good faith to your government, we have agreed to release her.", the man said.

Wonderful. Here is someone who can keep your wayward brother under control. Hopefully this madness will be ended soon., the Black Beast seemed satisfied.

As did the White Warrior.

-------

<<Somewhere in East-Central Utapu>>

Beast warriors were not known for their subtlety. Although five of them could take on ten fully armored Outer Okinawan mechs, they lacked the finesse of infantry. However, they were quite deadly, and they knew it.

From his vantage point in his Predator aircraft, Jacob Tross watched the long-range transport leave the safety of the Predators cloak and jetisson its deadly payload - ten fully armored beast warriors, ready for combat. The base that contained the Hub was half submerged, only a thin layer of concrete showing. Entry was provided by a small hatch in the top.

The Predators had unloaded several bombs in this area in hopes of busting the roof, but to no success. It was time to open it manually. The ten warriors charged towards the hatch, weapons scanning the surrounding hills for any sign of resistance. The troop leader rode out in front, and the beast used his eye laser to cut a gaping hole in the roof of the bunker. With a cry of "YAAAAA-AAAAY", the ten warriors leapt into the base and began their rampage.

-----

The head warrior felt the bloodlust coming upon him as his beast leapt into the base. Immediately, the rattling sounds of gunfire began to sound all around him. He returned fire with his brothers, the twin miniguns mounted on the Beasts back carving huge holes into the concrete walls of the bunker. The three lancers of the troop began their charge down the halls of the bunker. The attack on the Hub had began.

Western Border of Asphyxiatia
Western Wall Entrance

Sidhiel debated scaling the massive wall now surrounding her home country of Asphyxiatia. She could do it, she had rope and her climbing skills were at the point where there wasn't much of a challenge left. She had spent a lot of her childhood mountain-climbing with her parents in Asphyxiatia, pre-Invasion, on the higher peaks. She smiled fondly as she thought of her father planting a stick with a single red sock tied to it on top of the mountain and saying to her, "Now, Sidh, this mountain belongs to you. Somebody all the mountains in the world will."

A crash from inside the guard booth shook the Companion from her reverie, and she looked at the wall again. It was of utmost importance that no one know she was here. The border guard was probably patrolling the other side. She wondered if there were still Necros-Vacuian and Utapuan soliders in the country, waiting to kill any rebellion that started up. She decided against climbing over the wall as she saw two figures walking along the top of it. Walking towards the entry point, she began pulling her papers together and realised she had no passport. She had a letter from the Highest Wench that allowed her transportation through wherever she needed to go.

Sidhiel took a deep breath and hummed the chorus of a song she knew from her youth, "Love in an Elevator" by Aerosmith. Her older brother was really into classic rock from foreign countries before he died. She walked up to the booth and winked at the guardman. It was early in the morning, he was ugly, and he probably hadn't had so much as a hug from his mother since his pre-teen years.

"Can I help you?"

"Looking for a good time?" She responded, lighting a clove.

"I'm on duty, sweetheart, come back in an hour." He replied indifferently, taking another drink of coffee.

"All right. But gimme a kiss for kicks." She batted her eyelashes seductively. Now she remembered why she went to Companion School. He looked hesitant, but she motioned him forward. She held the clove in her left hand as she blew the sweet smoke into his face. He leaned in closer, and she kissed him for a few seconds. As she pulled away, he licked his lips.

"Well, maybe we could... just come in-" He fell over on his desk.

"I don't think that will be necessary." Sidhiel finished her clove and slipped under the blockade and into the dark Asphyxiatian early morning. Time to begin her research, and find her quarry.

The Communications Parlour, Great Palace in Wenchetyria

The Highest Wench slammed her fists onto the varnished oak table as she heard the message from Druarch. The stack of papers that Freya was working on began to smoke.

"I know the White Warrior. We're going to have to rescue him." She mused to herself. "Or something."

"Madam!" Freya shrieked as the papers burst into flame. Greta tossed her glass of water on the blazing pile.

The Highest Wench paid no attention. "Transmit message to Druarch, directly to Prince Emritt." The vidscreen lowered and she began to speak. "Listen, you little weasel, I know exactly what you're up to! Having Okinaw keep your brother there and forcing him to install things and you're a horrible little boy. You have no sense of morals or ethics, and even if you do succeed with this, and you WON'T, you'll make a horrible ruler!" Behind her, the map on the wall started to smoke, from the little red dot that represented Druarch's royal palace. "I'm going straight to everyone with this news: Conelrad, Utapu, AND my brother! And probably some other people too! You think you can just try and get your brother killed, do you? Well, we'll see about that. And I bet you're doing something terrible to your sister as well. I'm sending a message to everyone right now, and then I'm going to see the God-Emporer on his Star thingie! And you have small genitalia!" She turned the vidscreen off and looked at the several servants trying to stop the fire on the great map.

The Companions looked at their Lady, bewildered. They'd never seen her lose control like that. Freya leaned in and whispered, "Emritt was her first boyfriend of sorts. Bad break-up. Old friends, you know this deal. She's got a big crush on the White Warrior."

"She's got a big crush on everyone." The newly cloned Arthur, Minister of Defence, leaned in to get all the dirt. Somebody fired a gun into his head.

"You know, eventually, we're going to run out of DNA for him." Greta pointed out.

"Transmission to Necros-Vacuia, Conelrad, and Utapu." The Highest Wench regained her composure. "Prince Emritt of Druarch is staging an overthrow of the White Warrior. I know him personally, and this must not happen. It will throw the world into more chaos than any of us can imagine. I am leaving to see the God-Emperor as soon as this message finishes transmitting. I will come to see all of you to stage plans to stop this. The White Warrior will need our help. It was not he who entered into alliance with Skippy. I will see you soon." She ended the feed and pulled her coat on. No time for formal clothes, she'd change on the shuttle. Thank Heavens Sidhiel was already in Asphyxiatia, hopefully she could put a stop to this madness as well.

The Highest Wench went out to her launch base and prepared her Utapuan Ambassador shuttle. It had been a gift from the God-Emperor on her eighteenth birthday, when her parents had named her ruler of Wenchetyria. The same year that her brother had killed their parents to rule Necros-Vacuia. Now a little older, she understood more of the politics. She had political morals, which was rare in a place like the Exclusion Zone. "Highest Wench to launch base. Ready to go."

"Very good, Lady. Delu rhiw." With that, the Highest Wench took off in the direction of the God-Emperor's Star, the top-secret location she only knew because she was the Highest Wench and she knew almost everything about the God-Emperor. She looked in a compact at her long brown hair and bright green eyes. She was still beautiful. It wasn't important anymore... but it might come in handy.

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

As the plane brought the Scarlet Lady to land near the top of the ziggurat, she saw a lone figure waiting for her... it was her brother, Prince Emritt... no... as the plane approached, she distinctly recognized an older, bearded face.

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern... the Chancellor of the Homeland. So Prince Emritt wasn't good enough to come meet her. Either that, or he had already gone off to fight his was against their ancient allies. The mere thought made her furious. The Lord Praetor and the Highest Wench had been her and the White Warriors friends from the time they were in the crib. Prince Emritt seemed to want to act on his long-time dislike of these two, probably stemming from the time they beat him up when he was 12. It had followed the ugly breakup between him and the Highest Wench, and had been the funniest thing the Scarlet Lady had ever seen up to that point.

The transport landed, and the Scarlet Lady was let out beside her beast onto the steps of the ziggurat.

"Piern...", she growled, angrily approaching the Chancellor. "Where in Druarch's name is Prince Emritt?"

Piern respectfully kneeled in front of her and said. "He left for battle, m'lady. This morning."

Shall we pursue?, the Scarlet Lady's beast inquired.

The Scarlet Lady addressed both at once. "Fetch me a squad of fifteen warriors. We're going into battle and we're going to end this lunacy."

Standing up, Piern smiled broadly, making his moustache stretch in a truly asymmetrical manner. "I'm sorry, m'lady, but I can't do that."

The Scarlet Lady tensed up angrily and punched piern. "Lord Piern, I will tell you what you can and cannot do. In the absence of the White Warrior himself, I lead this country. And YOU are going to fetch me fifteen beat warriors, or my beast here is going to tear your fu..." She stopped, her eyes wide. Ten infantrymen, wielding assault rifles, had emerged from behind Piern.

"I'm sorry... m'lady... but I'm afraid I have you surrounded. I'd reccomend you come with me if you don't want to get hurt.", something about the way Piern said 'm'lady' made the Scarlet Lady's blood boil. She knew she was surrounded, but she also knew Piern couldn't afford to kill her.

Smiling, she swung herself up onto her beast, levelled her lances, and charged. Immediately, two infantryment fell. The sound of rattling gunfire echoed across the city below. Most of the bullets bounced harmlessly off of her armor. One, however, found its way into her thigh, knocking her off of the beast. Striking her head upon the ground, the last thing she saw was the beast disappearing over the railing of the stairs, infantrymen hot in pursuit.

The Citadel, Executive Deck, Chambers of the Lord Praetor

"The choices you have are very simple, Emperor," spoke the Lord Praetor in his famously soft, unnervingly quiet voice. "You possess several pieces of technology. Technology we believe belonged to the most glorious Predecessors...and technology you've never used because you believe it to be far too horrible and dangerous.

Give me this technology, and make an overture of surrender. A swift treaty will end the war and guarantee your sovereignity over the majority of Outer Okinaw..."

The Lord Praetor paused. "This is the first choice. The second is to do nothing. In which case, I will burn this nation till the rocks it sits upon are dust. And then I will take the technology for my own. These are your choices, Emperor. I leave you with them."

With a last, unfathomable smile, the Lord Praetor sent the viewscreen away, bringing up a second that had blinked annoyingly in his vision...

"....Druarch....has....declared war on....no...." the Lord Praetor spoke softly...his fists clenched white, and his teeth ground against each other...in one motion, he brought up the Emergency Director of Labor's viewscreen.

"Emergency Director. Druarch has betrayed their neutrality and declared war on the Dominion. I ask you accept no envoy or emissary from that despicable little nation as of right now, and..."

A horrible gasp seized the High Authority of the Dominion, and his chest spasmed...his fingers had the presence of mind to shut off the viewscreen before it happened again, flinging him to the ground in a fit of coughing, blood spraying from his mouth as he vainly tried to cover it, fists clenching and unclenching.

Pain....horrible pain....oh, Predecessors, no....

The Lord Praetor of Necros-Vacuia, the pitiless ruler of what was possibly the most powerful (that was currently under dispute) nation in the Exclusion Zone, seized on the floor, shrieking in pain and rage and utter despair, as his body betrayed him.

-------------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck

"FIELD MARSHAL! The Conelradians! They've come! A military force the size of...well, it's very considerable, sir! And we're reading Utapunian aircraft as well!!! Our allies are here!"

al-Mohalis' breath caught in his throat as his face broke in a grin. "Praise be to Allah and His Predecessors....oh, all praises...do you have any other miracles to report, Tomas?"

"Indeed, sir," the Vyrnn laughed, his pink eyes shining. "The transports, sir? They're landing. The Hivelings opened up the field. The Okinawans have shot down a few pods, but the Hivelings mostly managed to land...and they've been so busy the transports are making it!"

"Excellent," the commander of Necros-Vacuia's armed forces gasped. "By the Predecessors' own sacred hearts...Tell all infantry and vehicles to mobilize immediately....and tell the Myrmidons and Defilers to cover the ground forces. The Predators and Magicians will recieve Wyvern support shortly."

"Yes, sir...however, I've got some alarming news...two enemy individuals just let loose some sort of energy creature...and the Citadel systems are reacting. The Predecessor veins are surging with power..."

al-Mohalis groaned. "Oh, hell...there's always a cloud for every silver fucking lining...everyone, BRACE FOR IMPACT!"

-------------------------------------

Densenshi Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The transports that landed began to disgorge tall, heavily armored figures marked with the insignia of Necros-Vacuia...each armed with a lethal pulse rifle, a bandolier of grenades, and a lethal shoulder-mounted plasma cannon...standard Necros-Vacuian infantry. They were followed by lines of vehicles, beginning with the HA-676A Devastator hovertanks, the drone of the engines drowning out the shouts of the infantry, and continuing with APCs, MAW-0469 Chimera assault walkers, MV-543 Firetongue mobile artillery, and others...ending with the pride of the Dominion Army, the new HA-788B Shogg-Akoraal heavy tanks.

Sergeant Rikar Malavos was, needless to say, relieved they'd actually gotten on the ground...too many of the Ragnarok dropships had fallen to the enemy mechs and fighters, and too many of his comrades had died without ever reaching the ground.

"Good to ssssee you, flessshling!!!" came a nearby hiss, and Rikar turned to see V'kalvos, the ISA liasion for his squad...the Rekk loped over, followed by a hulking Beta Hiveling and a group of four Apollyonids, survivors of the Army of Oblivion. "We thought you might not ever get here, at thisssss rate."

"Sorry to disappoint you, you old bugger!" laughed Rikar, and the two embraced, comrades reunited on the battlefield. "I heard these boys didn't do so hot..."

"Sssadly," hissed V'kalvos. "They're going to need new programming on dealing with heavy armor before we ssssend them out again...the Hivelingsss, however, ssseem to have sssaved usss all, thank the Predecesssorssss..."

The Rekk's comm suddenly blasted static, turning both's attention to the Archon that was mowing through Conelradian and Necros-Vacuian ranks alike...

"At least we've kept their planes occupied...shit," muttered Rikar. "The ground war's going to be hell."

"Look," V'kalvos whispered. "That energy creature'ssss not long for thissss world...the Citadel'ssss reacting. The Predecesssssorsssss' wrath isss upon him...."

And as blue energy rocked the Citadel with the force of a God's hand, blasting pieces of armor from the city-craft, a tongue of pale energy flared out from the veins of the Predecessor ship, slamming into the Archon and sending it back through several buildings....

The Dominion Army stood in awe for several moments....before newly recovered fire from the Outer Okinawan lines inspired movement once more.

The battle continued to rage...the Hivelings were slowly beginning to crack the lines of the enemy as the newly arrived ground forces came to their support. But the Outer Okinawans were far from defeated, and victory for the Necros-Vacuians would have a high price...

-------------------

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"WHAT?! WHAT?!? WHAT IN THE FIVE THOUSAND NAMES OF THE PREDECESSORS?!?!"

Havarran Dzerrin sighed, holding his head. "Calm down, Gar. The ISA has everything under control. The people are used to this; with our luck, they'll suppose it's all another drill."

Gar Essell clawed at his eyes. "You don't understand...this is DRUARCH. One of our OLDEST allies! How in the....I can't...I don't..."

Havarran sighed, shaking his head. "You don't have to. Just do what you're meant to, and trust in the Predecessors."

"Father Piern. I am so glad you decided to let us talk." A woman, in the middle of her 20s, with short dyed blond hair and dressed in the uniform of an Alchemica Nurse is on the other end of the viewscreen.

Father Piern raised an eyebrow. "And who might you be, m'lady?"
I am Dr. Heather Gillespie-Mason. One of the head Doctor-Priests of Alchemica and I speak for the Board of Directors.

Piern nodded. He had heard of the Doctor Priests but had never actually met one. "Ahh yes, your people were responsible for the deprogramming of the Utapan attack squads... such a tragedy... what can I do for you?"

Dr. Heather laughed sadly and shook her head. "Such a pointless debacle. It's sometimes scary what Emperor Skippy demands of his hirings. But enough of the past, I am here to talk about the future. We recieved a missive from Prince Emritt that he expressed a passing interest in having one of our PsiMedic Clinics in your fine land. I'm here to check up on that interest?"

"I suppose I am interested...", Piern looked concerned. "Druarch can be a very harsh and hostile place. The White Warrior is not the most enlightened of rulers, and... please be quiet about this... not entirely fair with the people, although I am taking measures to make sure that any damage he may have done to them is undone. However, I could make sure that you and yours go completely unharmed. I would, however, like to inquire as to the cost of this establishment..."

Dr, Gillespie-Mason waved off the bishop's privacy concerns. "There is that beautiful thing known as Doctor/Patient privelage that we honor. We are all about helping the greater good. As for our price, that depends on three factors. Your precise want, the location and security of the clinic and the medics, and what else is there for compensation." The doctor continued in her very friendly manner. In fact, just talking to the young lady was causing a...firendly feeling to wash over Piern, like he was talking to an old friend. "If you want the same deal that Okinaw had then it will cost you. However a simple MASH unit, while not as impressive as a full clinic, can be quite effective in a war zone, and a damn sight cheaper."

Pondering some, Piern smiled. "I approve of that plan. I would like a MASH unit assigned to Prince Emritt's army. If we are impressed with the results, we will be willing to purchase more."

"Wonderful! A MASH unit is nothing fancy, a mirror inlaid tent, and three mildly adept Telekenetics. Patch them up then get them out. I'll throw in a Comatose Protector for no extra cost to make sure that nothing happens to it. Also, if you're willing to go that little extra mile I can have a Regenerator along too. A bit more than just a patch job. By the way, you don't have any adversions to mirrors do you? They are sacred to us, and we don't want any incidents to happen, right?"

"No aversions, whatsoever, m'lady. As long as you do not have any aversions to the special needs beasts. They are considered equals of humans in Druarch."

"Ah I am so glad you mentioned those noble animals!" Heather clapped her hands and laughed happily. "Normally a MASH unit with a Regenerator would cost 20 Million bars of Gold Latinum. I know that this is a hefty sum, but if we could have a sample of the Special Need Beast's DNA we will only change a scant 3 million." Heather lost her soft smile and went serious. "I'm not a telepath, but I know what you're thinking, we are NOT trying to clone our own Special Needs Beast. Cloning is a venial sin to us, we are merley trying to enact the ancient 'Species Preservation Act' you do remember that correct? We will store the DNA within our stronghold and it will never see the light of day again unless, God forbid, they should become extinct. Then we will enact upon the law, and recreate the glorious beasts once more. I know you may be thinking, 'Didn't she just say cloning is a sin?' yes it is. However to bring back a species to the Earth is the only reason for cloning that is forgivable by God. So what say you?"

"The White Warrior will have my head if he survives... but I actually approve.", Piern smiled. "You have a deal. I will transfer you the latinum and send a courier with the DNA."

"Wonderful. The paperwork should be done...now. You'll get the best we can spare. It has been a true pleasure doing business with you." Heather reached to turn off the screen, the paused momentarily. "You mentioned the White Warrior, correct?"

"The White Warrior is backwards on certain things, and very stubborn. I have been trying to convince him to allow genetic research for a long time, but he has never complied.", Piern smiled sadly.

"Yes...he is being held in the Okinawan prisons yes? The same prisons where the captured children soldiers that survived are being held correct? Emperor Skippy will expect a few of us to, what were his words? 'Repair' the children's minds for his use. My team may be near the cell where the White Warrior is being held." Heather smiled at the Bishop again. "Your grace, we are both people of the times. We know that sometimes people have heart attacks or locks suddenly break for no reason but for the grace of God. The fact that a telekenetic is there as well is sheer coincidence, right? Do you prefer one event over the other?"

Piern raised an eyebrow and examined the nurse. She could tell he had no love for the White Warrior. Thinking for a while, he said, "When Emperor Skippy learns of the White Warriors crimes, there will be no escape for him. I believe that my people should learn to get by without him, because the more time he spends there, the less of a chance he has of ever being released. However...", Piern knew that, should the White Warrior die, Outer Okinaw would come under assault from legions of renegade beast warriors and the Druarchan army would be shattered. "However, it would sadden me greatly if the White Warrior died. I would not wish that."

"I understand, it would sadden us as well. Life is sacred to us both. One last thing." Again her face is deadly serious. "Absolutley NOONE from Wenchetyria is to be allowed near the MASH unit. Ever."

"Agreed." Piern smiled. "In fact, should my troops see anyone from Wenchetyria, they will likely kill them."

Heather shook her head sadly. "A shame. A true shame." She took on a thoughtful look and bit her lip. "Bishop, would you like the MASH unit for free?" She paused for a moment searching for the right words. "The Scarlet Lady is...under your control, yes? A DNA sample from her and it will be yours to do as you want."

"A DNA sample... of the Scarlet Lady...", Piern was naturally suspicious of such an odd request. "Might I enquire what purpose this sample will serve?"

"With the White Warrior imprisoned and the others..." She shrugged apologetically. "The blood of a true beastrider is growing thin. It's the same with the Special Needs Beasts. Preservation."

"Very well then...", Piern smiled. "You have a deal."

"Done and done! Dr. Walter Sullivan will arrive in a few hours to collect the samples and to drop off your new team. Bishop Piern, it has been a true honor to speak to one as enlightened as yourself. May your mirror be unclouded and bright." She smiled that beautifully warm smile and bowed. She quietly turned off the screen and exhaled a sigh of contentment. "So nice to talk to a man who knows how things work."

(This was a joint post by both Alchemica and Druarch)

<<20 kilometers southwest of Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

The vast plain thundered and slowly became a sea of color, as 500 armored beast warriors, clad in blue, red and green according to rank, thundered towards the battlefield at Naha. Two kilometers behind, masses of infantry accompanied giant, metallic tanks.

"Personal transmission, incoming.", Emritt's computer alerted him. Accepting the message, he looked away from the window and sat back in the comfortable armchair of his personal transport. "Your Highness, the Highest Wench has entered Outer Okinawan airspace."

"Very well!", said Emritt with great satisfaction. "Open a channel to her. I have one last transmission to send her before we blast her out of the sky."

With the channel open, Emritt straightened out his greasy, brownish hair and recorded his transmission. "Good day, Aine. Or, shall I call you, Ms. Naal. Is that what you're going as nowadays? It's been a very, very long time. I thought that before I blast you out of the sky, I might want to tell you a few things. First off, I never really liked you. I thought you were ugly, bossy and obnoxious. Second, you're a wimp who relies on your older brother to get stuff done for you. Third, you have completely destroyed all plausibility that your nation ever may have had in the past. So? What can I say? Watch your back! Oh... and by the way... I shot your f**king cat!"

He chuckled at a joke that nobody else would get. He had been waiting to say that for years. After the two of them had broken up, he had decided to take his aggression out on Aine's pet cat. Sadly, to have revealed it would likely be seen as an act of war by Aine's extremely protective parents. Now, with less than five minutes left to live, he could afford to tell her anything.

Opening a channel to the Predator fighters that had been trailing the shuttle, he gave the order. "Fire at will. Shoot that shuttle out of the sky."

Utapuan Ambassador Shuttle
Control Room

The Highest Wench accepted the message from Druarch as she noticed the fighters behind her. They were Druarchian. "Is he apologising?" As her ears absorbed the message, her eyes widened and a pit of fear developed in her stomach. She'd been too hasty to leave, she had no escorts, no missiles, no nothing. She was toast unless he didn't mean to destroy her. She heard the last of his message. "Mr. Whiskers! HE SHOT MR. WHISKERS?!"

"T-transmission to Comm Port 7945673. Sidhiel! Immediately notify all countries that in case of my death, leadership of Wenchetyria and Asphyxiatia goes directly to my brother until an Elite Councilmember goes through the necessary training. Prince Emritt-" There was no time. "Never mind, just do it! Take Princess Mana into Asphyxiatia, figure out a way to rescue the White Warrior!" She shut off the transmission and ran for the escape pod located in the back of the shuttle. But it was too late.

"We read you, sir." The first pilot fired. The Highest Wench could hear the missiles coming towards the shuttle. She kept running. She reached the door of the escape pod and pushed the launch initator...

From the ground, it looked like a very beautiful firework. Blues, violets and reds spread across the sky from a single point. The escape pod never left.

So ended the reign of Aine Phoebe Naal, Highest Wench of Wenchetyria, Empress of Asphyxiatia, and Sister to Lord Praetor.

A piano....I remember a piano....I used to play....

"It's as we feared, Lady Naal. Your son is stricken with the Curse...."

"Is there nothing you can do?" The tall woman was normally austere, cold and haughty....as wife of the Lord Praetor, she had every right to be. But now, she was sobbing, looking down at the coughing, prone form of her son...

"We're very sorry...."

That song....it was always our favorite song. Aine used to ask me to play it over and over again...oh, how her eyes would shine....

"Don't you dare say that to me!!!" The voice of Druarchan Prince Emritt rang through the halls, an angry, snivelling note.

"I'll say whatever I want to you. You're worthless!"

"You BITCH!"

The sound of a slap was the next thing to ring....and the future Highest Wench of Wenchetyria, Aine Pheobe Naal, fell to the floor, tears in her eyes from the sheer force of the blow.

"I'll--...AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!"

"You'll do nothing."

Emritt screamed again in reply as the older boy twisted his arm to an unbearable angle, bone and sinew tearing and burning....Thraakan Naal simply glared, his face a mask of ice.

"Get out of here. If you ever show your face again, I'll kill you myself...."

Emritt ran, not needing to be told twice, the minute that Thraakan let loose his grip...and Aine flung herself into her brother's arms...

"Sssshh....sister...I'm here...."

When I couldn't stand anymore...all those long days in bed....she was always by me....

"Do you think we'll see them, Thraakan?"

The sickly young man turned his head to meet his sister's wistful green eyes with his own pale grey ones. "Mmmm? See...who?" He coughed lightly.

"The Predecessors, silly," Aine laughed, ruffling his hair. "When you become Lord Praetor one day....do you think they'll come back...? In their great ships?"

"Yes," said Thraakan firmly, smiling. "I know they will."

"How?" His sister's tone was not mocking; she was truly curious.

"Because I've dreamed it, Aine-zu....I dream it all the time. And when their ships finally land, and they come to see us...oh, they're so beautiful. Just like the Apostates say."

"I hope I'll be there to see them with you..." she sighed. "I wanna. More than anything else, Thraakan-uul."

The boy laughed. "Don't worry, little sister. You will. I'm sure of it."

A figure in all black and a labocat entered the room, and the two children stiffened, glaring at the Alchemican as he approached the bedside.

"Ah, Mr. Naal...and how are we doing today?"

She even forgave my greatest of crimes....

"YOU LIED TO ME!!!!"

"Thraakan, please! I'm your father, I only want what's best for--"

"OH, BULLSHIT!!! YOU LIED! YOU SAID IT'D MAKE ME BETTER!!! NOW YOU SAY THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE ME APART!!!"

"Honey, listen....we love you. We've been trying to make you better all our lives!"

"You have to be strong, my son....please...you must..."

Thraakan couldn't stand it anymore, and the 19-year-old burst into tears. "I...I can't! You...you don't understand! I HEAR THEM! THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE ME BETTER! THEY WANT TO TURN ME INTO SOME KIND OF MONSTER!!! AND I WON'T BE ONE! I WON'T!"

"Thraakan, you--"

"NO!!! NO!!! I WON'T GO!!! I SWEAR BY THE PREDECESSORS I WON'T!!!"

Somewhere his hand found the go'zkuten-ai. And then the rage took him...the rage...or the sickness? He didn't know. He didn't care. In his pain, Thraakan Naal lashed out, the double blades flying like sickles through wheat...only they carved flesh...

When it was over, a horrified young man stood in a sea of blood...blood he had shed....

"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

And despite it all, Aine ran to comfort him...in the very presence of her dead parents, she hugged their murderer....

Her brother....

"I...I'm...s..sorry...I didn't...m...mean...to...I never..."

"It's all right, brother...it's all right....I'm here....it's all right..."

And even then, I heard the piano....

***

"Lord Praetor...?"

The grey eyes of the ruler flickered awake, and he tried to sit up straight, only to find it caused him searing pain...a wince flickered across his face, and he lay back down...

"Where am I...?" he managed.

"You're on the Medical Deck, Lord Praetor...this is Tobias. Dr. Tobias Volov. You remember me, right?"

"Tobias...of course," the Lord Praetor managed. "The Curse..."

"Yes," his personal physician sighed, smiling ruefully. "It took you...you were out for quite a while. Fortunately, your monitors are still functional."

"Fortunately," the Lord Praetor smiled....and then, he caught the look of apprehension in his doctor's eye. "Is there something you want to tell me...?"

"....It...it should wait, Lord Praetor. Till your composure...."

"....Tell me. Now, Doctor." The tone brooked no argument. And Tobias knew that he, despite his service, could die in a moment should the Lord Praetor wish it.

"....It's your sister, sir. She left this message for you, regarding Druarch...apparently the White Warrior is in the hands of Emperor Skippy still, and their Bishop Piern has maniuplated Crown Prince Emritt into attacking you and the allies of Druarch."

"I might have known," sighed the Prophet of the Predecessors. "Well, tell her that I'll...." His voice died as he realized what Tobias would say next.

"That's...that's just it, my Lord. I can't. Your sister...Aine Pheobe Naal...she's dead."

No words were given for a very long time.

"...I understand. If you'd leave for a few minutes? I'll summon you again shortly."

Tobias did...and for the first time in thirteen years, Thraakan Naal began to cry...

-------------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Field Marshal, we have trouble. In large numbers," Tomas Rale'kauh grimly pointed at the mass of Druarchan troops coming into Outer Okinaw.

"500 Beast Warriors..." al-Mohalis groaned. "Pull the Hivelings back...and launch ALL dropships. Not just available, all of them. We can't afford a pincer attack of that magnitude, and Hivelings are our best defense against the Special Needs Beasts, save Apollyonids..."

"The vats are working, but it'll take some time before we have engagement capabilities. In the meantime, sir, should we have the Apollyonids protect the flanks?"

"Yes. And begin unfreezing the Delta Hivelings. Also, of course, any aircraft not currently engaging the Okinawans should attack the Druarchans....they'll drop easily."

"They're our Predators, after all...pity we let the White Warrior remove the self-destruct beacon...."

"We can still hack their radar," the Field Marshal grimaced. "And I want that done too. We're winning this war, at whatever cost necessary."

-------------------------------

As the Druarchans approached, a few Predators screamed into nothingness...a wing of Necros-Vacuian Magicians pulled to the rear, firing drones into the fighters. The battle had been joined here, too.

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Outside Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

As the battle raged on the plains, a rumbling sound began. Not everyone noticed it at first. Some mistook it for the ambient sounds of battle. Others realized something was approaching.

But to the commanders in their airships and jets, it was virtually unnoticeable. Until it began to get louder. Glass shook within the walls of Naha. Something was definitely approaching.

Then, as the thundering subsided, they saw it. There was a lull in the battle as, along the hills surrounding the battlefield, there appeared a long line of tall, green figures, sillhouetted against the setting sun.

The army of Druarch had arrived.

-----

From within his cloaked personal transport, Prince Emritt sent a transmission to Emperor Skippy.

"I am pleased to announce, friend, that I have eliminated one of the greatest threats that our alliance faced. The Highest Wench of Wenchetyria has been killed. But, as for the situation at hand, I have come to aid your army in this fight. I am about to attack the lefthand flank of the Conelradian infantry. I'd reccomend pulling your men back from that conflict once I relieve them. Focus on the air forces of Necros-Vacuia. They present a much greater threat to us.

-----

The thundering began again as a horde of beast warriors, armor glinting in the sunlight, descended upon the infantry of Conelrad. Across the battlefield echoed cries of "YAAAA-YYYYY". The conflict increased in volume as the beast warriors slammed into the Conelradian lines. Guns blazed, lances flashed, and the conflict reached new heights of fury.

Fitzgerald's Way, Asphyxiatia

Sidhiel's Comm Port beeped loudly. Or perhaps it was just the dark alley that made it seem loud. She ducked into the nearest tavern, found a corner and opened the screen.

"...Prince Emritt? What?" She groaned. "What in the world?" The television over the bar in the tavern cut off with a news flash. Another clone of Arthur appeared on the screen.

"Attention all citizens of Wenchetyria and Asphyxiatia, this is Sir Arthur McDowen, Secondary Minister of Defence for Her Majesty, the Highest Wench of Wenchetyria. This day, the Highest Wench has been killed by missiles from cloaked fighters. We do not whom the fighters belonged to, but we assure you, the country will be found out. Please return to business as usual, everything will be under control."

Sidhiel's jaw dropped, her eyes disbelieving. The television showed a video of the explosion. Tears came to her eyes, but she fought them back. She immediately ran out and towards the government center in Asphyxiatia.
~~~~~~~~
Communications Parlour, Secondary Palace in Asphyxiatia

The Companion began to speak. "Transmission to all countries in the TESC Exclusion Zone. I am Sidhiel, Primary Minister of Defence to Her late Majesty Aine Phoebe Naal, Highest Wench of Wenchetyria, and Empress of Asphyxiatia. In the event of Her Majesty's death, leadership is handed to the Lord Praetor of Necros-Vacuia, her surviving brother, until one of the Elite Councilmembers completes the necessary training to rule. That is all." She shut down the communications machine. It was an old one. Arthur would get the message, as would the other leaders.

Now was her final hour to find Princess Mana and get out. She had to return to Wenchetyria... no, her final order was to help rescue the White Warrior. She had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with Prince Emritt. And that she could not tolerate.

Sidhiel ran out into the night and towards the northern coast of Asphyxiatia.

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Tower of the Beast, Ormek City, Druarch>>

The dungeon was surprisingly warm. The Scarlet Lady sat against the wall. Her armor had been replaced by makeshift clothes made out of straw sacks, and scars and bruises covered her face from the beating she had recieved at the hands of the jailer. The injuries didn't hurt her in the slightest. She had recieved much worse in battle. Had she wanted to, she could have snapped the jailer's neck, but she figured it'd be less fun than watching him get frustrated at her inability to feel pain. Besides, she'd then have to fight her way out. There was no way she could have escaped.

However, she still had one hope left... she had to do things quietly, in a manner that the guards wouldn't notice. She knew all the secret ways to the surface, and her link to her beast would allow them to find each other.

Her opportunity came when a pair of guards entered the cell and siezed both her arms. A medic proceeded to enter with a syringe. Plunging it into her exposed arm, he drew blood and removed the needle. As he turned his back, the Scarlet Lady lashed out with her foot, striking him in the back of the head. Throwing her weight against one of the two guards, she pulled the other over and smashed their heads together. With no time to waste, she changed into one of the guards' uniforms, checked to make sure her assailants were dead, and disappeared into the shadows of the tunnels.

Her beast awaited her at the surface.

-----

<<Hub Station, Utapu>>

The firefight blazed throughout the complex as the beast warriors slowly came nearer to its heart. Soldiers lay dead throughout the corridors, and the few survivors fought an uphill struggle against the eye lasers, miniguns and lances of the beast warriors. Within hours, control of the complex went to the Druarchian attack force. A bomb was planted, and the six remaining beast warriors returned to the transport for evacuation.

Far above, in his fighter, Jacob Tross radioed home. "Mission accomplished. We're coming home."

As they flew away, the bomb exploded, completely destroying the bunker, and the hub with it.

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Sir...intercepted transmission from Crown Prince Emritt," Tomas' face was whiter than one would think an albino could become. "They're engaging the Conelradians...and the Outer Okinawans will focus on the air..."

"Then this is our chance," al-Mohalis breathed. "Perfect. Thrash the Okinawan lines. I want them broken, and I want them broken now. Send all Apollyonids to flank duty, but bring the Hivelings to bear on the Outer Okinawans. We'll send them all to the Pits."

Tomas grinned. "Yes, sir."

------------------------------------
Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Outer Okinawan lines had held valiantly. But they were tired, battle-worn, and less in number...and the Necros-Vacuians were fresh, biomechanically enhanced, and utterly vicious.

The Hivelings had done their work, as they'd been ordered; the insectoid creatures' bioplasma cannons (and in the case of the Beta Hivelings, their missile-like bio-projectiles) had torn into the mechs...

And now a new breed of Hiveling approached. These were a strange, metallic blue, and stood taller than the other Hivelings, on more spindly legs. With a chitter, they opened their backs, revealing several odd, coiled appendages....then the Delta Hivelings fired lightning bolts into the forces of Outer Okinaw.

The hole was small. But the line was broken. And the forces of Necros-Vacuia surged in.

-----------------------------

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

"There. The injection should keep you from any attacks, but you'll be bedridden for a week or so, my Lord," Tobias said.

"As long as I may still command," the Lord Praetor sighed. "I need a viewscreen...I must confirm my sovereignty over Wenchetyria...following, I must speak with the God-Emperor of Utapu...he'll want to know..."

-----------------------------

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"Aine is dead...." whispered Gar Essell. "May the Predecessors guide her soul to the Heaven it belongs in...that poor, sweet girl didn't deserve to die..."

Havarran Dzerrin nodded, utterly distracted by his viewscreen.

"It'sss good to sssee you, Executor," hissed the Rekk on the other end. "Do we have a missssion?"

"Yes, A'ruunak. Bring me the Crown Prince of Druarch. And I want him alive."

"Asss you wissssh, Executor."

The Director was not pleased.

The news bulletin blinking in the corner of the vidscreen was rather

frustrating. This was not a time for a change in government, especially in a

large pseudo-neutral power like Wenchetyria. The Director wished he could

conduct his dirty little war in peace without any of this coup shit.

The part that really bugged the Director was the giant ball of energy that was

shown in many angles and in high resolution across his viewscreen. His forces

were advancing just fine, and then a giant incandescent blue ball just appeared

and started tossing smaller incandescent blue balls at tanks. Fortunately, the

whiz kids were working on this problem, and had dedicated a large chunk of

computer time to it to boot.

The Director drew a hot cup of Earl Grey from the automated drink dispenser

built into the boardroom table, then sat back and mused.

---------

The Conelradian commander was rather nimble mentally; he had fought in many

minor skirmishes and was perhaps the closest thing to a Lord wellington that

this particular fighting force had. Nonetheless, the situation was, at this

point, royally fucked. Not only did a giant fucking blue ball of energy appear

in front and start vaporising his mech infantry, but a giant shimmering green

mass could be easily seen from this vantage slamming into the now-exposed left

flank of the infantry. While the flank guard was shooting up distracted mechs,

it was itself distracted from its duties. The beast warriors had slipped neatly

into that chink in the armor and were now mowing down Conelradian conscripts by

the dozen with their miniguns. At least one battle vidfeed showed multiple

infantrymen skewered on a Druarchian lance like a tasty Greek kebab from hell.

The commander reviewed his force strength. Naturally, the mechanized infantry

were taking the most shit. The Vanguard M54s had suffered a few casualties from

incandescent blue ball hits, but their force strength remained higher than the

infantry and a-cav units. The Vanguard would form the lynchpin of his retreat.

He picked up a battle radio and keyed the mic.

"Left flank guard, disengage. I want you to forget the mechs and hit the beast

warriors in the side. I want the M54s to form two echelons, both to the left.

I want them to reverse; left side open up on the beast warriors, right side

shoot the glowy thing and see what happens. Mech infantry, pair off companies

and stagger your retreat. Everyone got it? I want to see movement when I put

this reciever down."

He put the reciever down. Things started to move.

----------

The 7.53mm Rifles had no effect. Neither did the 15mm coaxial cannons on the

M54s. The 26mm autocannons started to have an effect; they found and

occaisionally exploited the chinks in the beast warriors' armor. The beast

warriors did not just have the element of surprise; they had near

invulnerability to nearly all infantry weapons. A jiggly green tide swept over

the mechanized infantry, leaving scorched APC wrecks and tragicomically mangled

conscript bodies in its wake.

Fortunately, things changed a bit once the flank guard hit the beast's left.

The 26mm cannons did some damage, but the M593 Quads were able to score some

hits with their 106mm Recoilless rifles. Shrapnel hits did nothing; a handful

of beast warriors took direct hits. The mounts melted into a puddle of

gelatinous goo, while the weapons and armor flew around like a physics

experiment gone wrong.

The small advance did little to stem the tide. The beast warriors were a

tenacious foe, unshakable. Under withering fire, they rode true and made more

tasty greek kebabs out of Conelradian conscripts. Soon they cut a swath through

the middle of the mass of infantry. The conscripts fell apart, their commanders

helpless to move them in any orderly direction. Soon the rapidly-diminishing

body of survivors broke and ran for the ridgeline.

Things looked dark indeed. The Vanguard fell back in formation and opened fire.

The few rounds that scored hits on SNB blew them up, creamy rather than chunky

style. The many rounds that hit the archon made odd rippling effects on the

surface, suggesting an energy shield of some sort. Other than some residual

energy burst, the hits had no effect. It seemed as though the shield absorbed

all the (copious) kinetic energy out of the sabot rounds; a careful observer

would notice large tungsten finned penetrators falling out the bottom of the

archon's shield area and sticking out of the field of battle like lawn darts.

----------

The Director finished his third cup of tea and was pouring another when whiz kid

number seventeen burst in, a ream of green-and-white sprocketed computer paper

in his hand.

"What is it, underling 17?"
"Sir, we think we may have a lead on this big energy ball."
"Really...any ideas on how to kill it, I presume? I keep you guys around for a

reason other than populating company picnics."
"We think an EMP attack on the...thing will probably knock out its defensive

shield. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 6.5 million joules per square meter."
The Director raised an eyebrow.
"If we detonated a 450kT nuclear weapon at an altitude of 250 nautical miles, we

could achieve the proper effect."
The Director appeared to be deep in thought. While the EMP might very well

disable the archon's shields, it would also fuck over any vetronics in the area;

simply put, every vehicle, smart weapon, energy weapon, and targeting system

(not to mention every nonhardened electronic device in Naha) would cease to

function, in many cases permanently.
The Director had a mind for the scientific method.
"Alright, 17. Clear the launch."
Seventeen saluted smartly, turned 180 degrees, and strode out the door. The Director pulled up the comlink and began to send a warning to the Lord

Praetor, unaware of his current condition.

----------

The Vanguard began to crumble. One by one the M54s were blown apart at the welds by blasts of energy from the incandescent nightmare. The shrapnel from the explosions flew through the retreating infantry, inflicting yet more carnage. Blackened craters filled with blood from the slaughtered masses of troops. Beastwarrior lances stuck out of bodies at odd angles and lent a surreal alien feel to the moonscape. The only part of the force to escape unscathed was the right flank guard; they booked it to the ridgeline and shortly were viewing a panorama of the whole valley.

----------

The Commander's satcomlink awoke and started parsing text. Something about an EMP attack pending, and don't be alarmed, and when it hits blow the shit out of the big blue glowing thing. He didn't particularly find the news comforting, but he supposed it was better than nothing. He sent out an order to the surviving M88A3E1 autocannon tracks to switch to manual and take aim at the center of the ball.

----------

The recruit was staring at death. He was flat in the mud, prone, his rifle pointed at the hideous face of the beast warrior's mount. The beast warrior's mount was looking back at him. The beast warrior's mount had eye lasers.

He was on his third drum magazine; he had already sent about 200 rounds downrange, and hopefully would be able to finish this magazine before he was incinerated by a beast. He aligned the sights on the beast's exposed mouth.

The eye lasers distinctly warmed up. The barrels started to glow an unearthly LED red, the intensity increasing by the millisecond. When the intensity reached an unbearable peak, they shut off.

Everything shut off, actually. The beast warrior looked in astonishment at the laser mount. Walkers tripped in mid-step and fell. Tanks chugged to a halt. In the distance Okinawan mechs slouched and froze.

A few seconds later the shockwave from the airburst hit, generating a loud rumbling and shaking the ground briefly. A hellish bright light illuminated the Naha valley for the second time, though this time the long distance dampened the effect. A second sun bloomed momentarily, then vanished as quickly as it had come.

The giant floating blue ball ceased to be a giant floating blue ball. It was a floating, vaguely humanoid figure encapsulated in a rapidly dissipating blue mist.

though without facial expression, the creature's body language suggested genuine confusion at that particular moment. The feeling was quickly shaken.

Seven M88 tracks opened fire with their 26mm autocannon, filling the air with thousands of HEI rounds skittering through the air like shotgun pellets seeking geese. The creature dodged wildly for several seconds, nimbly avoiding the cannon shells. Some time into the sequence the riflemen got the hint and started spraying automatic rifle fire wildly at the dancing figure.

Given the sheer amount of shit flying through the air it was inevitable that the figure would be hit sooner or later. Approximately forty-five long seconds after the EMP hit, a lucky 7.53mm round impacted the figure's solar plexus. It crumpled in on itself and burst in a small cloud of mist, like a balloon filled with dry ice. In a moment it ceased to exist.

The Conelradians had no time to celebrate. They now had no functioning vehicles and a band of laserless but otherwise completely functional beast warriors deep into their ranks.

The recruit lined up his rifle sights on the beast's exposed mouth. As he pulled the trigger the rider spun around and lanced him through the kidneys.

<<The Emperor's Star>>

“My True God-Emperor, we have received telemetry from the High Wench’s shuttle. She’ll be arriving shortly.”

The God-Emperor smiled under his helmet. He and the High Wench had become good friends since she took control of Wenchetyria. Of course, Wenchetyria was the last country to break from the former Utapu Empire that spanned the continent. “Very good, keep tabs on her. We have been getting reprots that another country has managed space travel and may attack her. Send out my Imperial Guard to escort her in.” Just as the God-Emperor ordered his Guard out, a Noble yelled out to the God-Emperor. “My Lord, a number of ships have decloaked! They appear to be attacking Her Majesty!”

“WHAT! SEND MY GUARD OUT NOW!”

“Its too late sir. Her shuttle has been destroyed.”

The God-Emperor stood and quickly broke the closest object to him clean in two. “Send out every ship we have on this damned station, I want those bastards found! Capture them alive if possible, I will take great pleasure in sucking the life out of them a million times over! See if Her body can be recovered. If we can find it, perhaps we can still resurrect her.

“Yes, sir.” The Nobles began to scramble, ordering ships to take off, monitoring the war below. The God-Emperor stormed out the room, taking his helmet off and throwing it down the hall ahead of him. He paused for a moment in front of large hanger that had emptied of all ships. He slowly walked in and looked out the air lock. “I have lived 2,000 years in this form. Never have I felt a loss such as this.” The God-Emperor turned around quickly, just in time to dodge the sword of an assassin. The God-Emperor drew his own sword, the silver blade bright and as sharp as ever. “Your powers of infiltration are impressive.” The God-Emperor mused.

The assassin stared back at the face of the God-Emperor. “For a guy as old as time, you hold your age well."” The assassin quiped back as he took another calculated swing at the God-Emperor. The two battled back and forth with form and skill for several minutes. Not a single guard came to help the God-Emperor, they had all been ordered to locate the killers of the High Wench. Perhaps the God-Emperor was locked in mortal combat with the killer. “Go ahead and kill me,” the God-Emperor said calmly, “I will just be resurrected. If not in this form, then I’ll incarnate in another. I can not die.” The God-Emperor took a mighty swing at the assassin.

“At least I’ll knock some sense in to you. When was the last time you died?” The assassin replied, dodging the attack.

“Twenty centuries ago. But war will injure you plenty.”

“Then,” The assassin swung his sword, breaking the God-Emperor sword with a large clang, the God-Emperor looked terrified as the sword he had wielded since his first incarnation was broken. “Burn in Hell, false-god!” The assassin took one final swing, cutting deep in to the God-Emperor’s chest. The assassin returned his sword to its sheath and took the hilt of the God-Emperor’s sword as a trophy of his conquest. The God-Emperor managed to press a small button on his wrist before the blood loss was too great. The assassin walked off and decloaked a ship that had been sitting quietly in the hanger, waiting for him. The ship cloaked and flew out of the Emperor’s Star back to the planet, aiming his ship at Outer Okinaw.

A small group of Nobles ran in to the hanger and looked at their God-Emperor laying on the ground. “We need to get him to his Sarcophagus.”

“Wait. Why? From here, we could rule Utapu. This is our chance.” A red headed noble piped up.

Another Noble quickly drew a knife and placed it at the red head’s neck. “Because if we don’t His reincarnation will come back and destroy you and everything you hold dear. I should kill you for even SUGGESTING such a thing.”

The God-Emperor drew his final breath as the nobles picked him up and carried him away.

"So the Scarlet Lady is on the loose once more." Dr. Vincent bit his lip as he looked over his report. "That's unfortunate, the Bishop seemed to be a much more hospitable negotiatior."

"Well it seems to not be an issue." Dr. Valentine, a woman with short brown hair and in a Nurse uniform said walking beside the other doctor said. "The medic killed was of Druarch so she doesn't know about us, save if Piern talks but I think he knows the valuse of silence. Best of all she escaped after her sample was taken and..." Dr. Valentine took out a vial of red fluid from her pocket in her dress. "She forgot this. Walter picked it up for us."

"Wonderful!" Dr. Vincent flipped to the next page in his clipboard. "The MASH unit we promised the good Bishop?"

"Up and operational. Drs. DeSalvo, Gein, and Braintree are patching, Dr. Velasquez is the regenerator, and Dr. Shepard-Sunderland is comatose sheilding. The tent is working and we have no shortage of bloody pieces of clothing from the soldiers." Dr. Valentine said with a wide smile.

"Excellent! Moving on," Another flip of a paper in Vincent's clipboard. "The Head Wench is dead! Damn...I was really wishing to see her facve when she realizes who we are. Ah well, can't have everything. See if you can find her crash site and get any samples from her."

"I'll have Melissa and Walter get on it."

"Take Claudia too, she may still have a trace signature." Another flip of the clipboard. "Finally, how's" Rocks his head side to side. "Coming?"

"Picking up quite nicely, the DNA from the Okinawan Royalty is a big big help. Give it a year or two at most and it'll be ready to start. Sooner if we can pull off certain things."

"Wonderful! This is looking to be a wonderful quarter for us."

00000000000000000000000000000

"I don't like it Hermes..." Outer Okinaw Intelligence Agent Kino said to his partner as she reviewed the tapes again. "Way way too many inconsistencies."

"What are you talking about Kino?" A tinny voice responded in the dark room. "Should we be more concerned about the armies, or spies? Why sweat about a few doctors?"

"Because they shouldn't be where they are Hermes."

"Huh?"

"They just arrived out of the blue right? With that general statement about their services, then they come to Okinaw and help and then they're gone."

"So? Sounds like most mercenaries."

"Yeah but this is the odd part, when the Emperor asked where they lived they said the far East side of the mainland. I checked with the spy satellite and I fo-"

"That there's nothing there?"

"No...there's a city the looks like it's made of mirror on the far east side, but how did it get there?"

"Well if they built it us-"

"Just litsen to me Hermes. The required DNA scan says that they were born in the Exclusion Zone. No question about that, but noone has lived on the east side for ages. Also if they migrated there then how did they do that? The only acessable countries are the USSC and the RNNB, and they NEVER let ANYONE in or out of their territories."

"There is one way Kino. They could have crossed the desert."

"The AHTR? Impossible! The radiation there will kill anyone and anything let alone a few doctors with psychic abilities."

"Well then Kino, where did Alchemica come from then?"

"I don't know."

(The Emperor's Star)

Leon stared as the Nobles took the God-Emperor away. He had been kept alive in return for being the Nobles' personal physician and medic. He was doing a good job at it too, becoming almost invisible to the court. Carefully he entered the hanger. Oh, this was more than perfect. A puddle of the God-Emperor's blood on the floor. This had to be a divine reward for him, everyone was far more concerned about getting the God-Emperor to his Sarcophagus. Who would notice a small puddle of blood on the floor was being wiped out by the Alchemican Doctor/Slave?

Walter, I GOT IT! Get here quick!!

Alright, space travel's tricky. I'll be there in three minutes, get to your quarters.

Leon slipped the bloody towel into his pocket and proceeded back to his quarters after asking if any of the Nobles needed him. He was brushed off, no one needed the dredge now and they would never trust an outsider to handle the needs of the God-Emperor. So Leon was able to get into the mirrored sancutary of his quarters. Three long, agonizingly stressful minutes passed. Thank God everyone was more concerned about the God-Emperor than him.

Finally Walter appeared in his room looking a little dizzy and dissheveled. "I'm not doing this again man." He said to Leon grabbing the bloody towel. "If your getting out of here you're on your own."

"Alright, alright. Just go, now."

As suddlenly as the blonde doctor was there, he was gone. Leon stared into his reflection his fingers carefully tracing over the Slave Brand he had recieved on his neck. "I'm going to die up here, aren't I?"

His refelction had no answer.

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Battlefield, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

Prince Emritt was jarred by a blast that rocked his transport. Below him, he saw a tank shudder and stop operating. The infantry were preparing to charge into the fray, at his command.

"Your Higness, I've lost control of the shuttle.", the pilot desperately pressed a few buttons.

Someone had used an EMP...

"Land us as best you can!", he snapped. "We need to somehow establish contact between me and the infantry."

The pilot steered the transport towards a small lake. Blasting the escape hatch, he launched himself and Emritt out of the tansport and into the ice cold lake. Gasping for air, Emritt began to dog-paddle towards the shore, dragging his parachute along with him. Finally, cramped and chilled, he crawled out of the water beside the pilot.

The situation sunk in on him. If he was seen by either side, he was in trouble. He was not well liked by the Druarchian people, and was probably wanted alive by most of the opposing forces. If only he had some way of escaping notice...

An idea occured to him as he inspected the man who had just crawled out of the water beside him. He was fairly young as well, and had a similarly broad face... Emritt grinned. Only about half the people of Druarch knew his face, and very few if any of the people of Conelrad, Necros-Vacuia and Outer Okinaw knew it.

"How would you like to be a prince, lieutenant?", Emritt grinned slyly.

About ten minutes later, a stocky, brown-haired young Druarchian pilot slinked from bush to bush around the outskirts of the battlefield, a malicious smile on his face.

-----

<<Imperial Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

The White Warrior felt the shaking of the ground, heard the cries of the beast warriors. In his mind, he felt their raging presence, pouring over the battlefield that the outer city had become. Against the burning of the setting sun, he could make out the movement of many aircraft. A huge, blue flame arose from somewhere on the battlefield.

And then it came. As the sun lowered below the hills, a blinding flash lit the growing dark, and a thunderous explosion rattled the windows of the palace. The White Warrior could hear the sound of aircraft crashing and could see flames begin to rise across the battlefield. The cries of the beast warriors continued to ring throughout the night, accompanied by the shouts and screams of the human infantry and the dreadful wail of the ground troops of Necros-Vacuia.

But the sound of the air fight was gone.

The White Warrior paced restlessly. He knew that the explosion hadn't effected any technology within the palace. The shielding that Emperor Skippy had taken from him would prevent against that. And he wanted to get out. He was being locked away in this room while his horrible brother disgraced the name of his nation. He could only hope that the Scarlet Lady would reach Prince Emritt before he did anything truly foolish.

Collapsing into a corner, the White Warrior roared in frustration.

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

The Lord Praetor looked with grim satisfaction at the mostly still-operational forces of Necros-Vacuia...the olympinite armor of his aircraft and the hardened alloys of his biomechanical forces had paid off, it seemed. Though the traditional vehicles were temporarily stalled, he'd anticipated a situation such as this...though not, of course, from a friendly source.

But it had paid off, it seemed.

"Field Marshal, how are we doing in the air?" he queried, looking at the map...the grinding air war, thanks to the Dominion's rejoinder of forces to the field, had begun to turn against the enemy as well.

"The Okinawans are dwindling, but they're tenacious little bastards, my Lord,"
al-Mohalis said with a small grin. "They're the real trouble. We've managed to carve holes in the Druarchan air ranks without them even moving to engage..."

"I see. Can we spare a Predator squadron? The Conelradians are taking heavy losses from the Beast Warriors; you know the SNB resistance to projectile weapons."

"All too well, my Lord. I believe the Burning Edge squadron has had the fewest engagements, and out of the available are the most experienced with ground targeting."

"Good. Tell them to use lasers only...." the Lord Praetor paused in thought. "Furthermore, add as many Apollyonids as are not currently occupied to assault the Druarchan flank. We're not out of this yet."

"Understood, Lord Praetor...and...I...heard about--"

"Later, Field Marshal. We have work to do." The Lord Praetor's voice shook, but his visage remained fixed and grim. He would win this war...then he would deal with those who'd murdered Aine.

Or rather, with the one who had.

"You're a dead man walking, Prince Emritt..."

0000 The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor 000000

Tobias turned on the screen in his private chambers. "What the hell do you want? I thought the Lord Praetor made it clear that I and I alone am to be the ONLY person to see to his Lordship's needs."

"Dr. Volov you cut us to the quick. We only want to do what the Great Praetor's parents asked us to do a long time ago." Dr. Kaufman, an austure man with slicked back black hair and in the uniform of an Alchemican Doctor replied.

"You mean to dissect the Lord Praetor so you can store him in that vault of yours." Tobias said darkly. "The Predecessors have a word for people like you, Assisees."

"We can fix the Praetor."

"You worthless dregs of humani-what?" Tobias stopped mid rant.

"We can fix the Praetor. The 'curse' is a systematical neureological decay that has exponential damage over time. It's caused by exposure to the energy given off by an archaic instrument that doesn't have shielding within it."

"But that's not possible! The only ancient artifacts the Lord Praetor ever came into contact with in his youth was...oh...you can't mean..."

"The Predecessor Artifacts are killing him. I know you dont believe me, but here's our data." A beep as the information was downloaded onto Tobias' personal hand link. "Read it over and judge for yourself."

"Suppose I believe you, I don't just so you know, but suppose I do decide to ask for your help. What would you do?"

"Regenerate what cerebral matter that we can, cleanse the energy decay, and, if it's too late, Predecessors forbid, make him as comfortable as we can."

"And the cost?"

"You know what we want."

"Damned Assises." Tobais looked over the data sadly and sighed. "I'll need some time to think about if I should even consider to possibly believe you."

"Take as long as you want Toby." Dr. Kaufman said sadly. "You and I go back long enough to know each other well. I know you'll do what's right for your land and Lord. No rush at all, I haven't told the Board of Directors about this. I owe you that much."

"Thank you Micheal. I may call later...hopefully not."

"Hopefully not. May your mirror be unclouded and bright." Dr. Kaufman turned off the connection.

Tobias returned to the Praetor's bedside looking over the data. It was depressingly well researched, tested, and accurate.

"Tobias, who was that?" The Praetor asked of his physician.

"...Noone my lord." Tobias said sadly as he adjusted his Lord's pillow. "Noone."

"WHAT IN THE HELL WAS THAT?!" IronMaiden 7 gasped over the communications net. "NUCLEAR BLAST! ALL WINGS, SWITCH OVER TO MANUAL CONTROL!" Air Commanded ordered, desperation in the dispatchers voice. It was too late for some... however, they had managed to activate their fighter's emergency system, and the gas had taken effect before they hit the ground.

The Mechs were having similiar problems "She won't move! MOVE YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SCRAP! MOVE!" Yuri Hoshino screamed at her mecha in frustration.. It took time for some of them to realize to switch over to manual control. "The Archon's down! Repeat, the Archon is down!" Nene Kurosawa desperated called over the radio. Fortunately, all Okinawan air and mecha units were given a back up system, usually of a lower tech in case they suffered a catastrophic systems failure. It would mean that the mechs no longer had their high powered particle beams, but they has rudimentary laser cannons, and those were enough to make mincemeat of the enemy. And the Battle raged on.....

"Are our batteries still online?" Skippy asked Commander Horaki, who was scanning screens while listening in on a headset. "We lost about half of them to the EMP pulse. They're working on coming back online........ But the ones covered with paper were not affected...." She concluded. "Tell the ones that can hit things on the ground that I want those bugs exterminated! Also, get the ion cannons back up! Tell them I want those air ships out of my sky, and tell them to use everything they've got this time!" Skippy ordered.

In the shelters, the lights dimmered for a minute as the ion cannons came back online, charged and fired. "Standy ion control...." Called out a cute technician ".....Fire!" Dozens of shots were fired into the air.

Around the Citadel, Various large aircrafts, floating aircraft carriers, air battleships, were either destroyed in a cloud of expanding gas, knocked out of commission by the ionization, or were damaged and unable to maintain their altitude and quickly fell to the convention ground batteries already operating.

Meanwhile, On Kirishima Island, Crown Princess Mana had a prickly feeling in the back of her neck....

The Citadel, Executive Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

The Lord Praetor's brow creased. And he would have inquired further...except that an urgent message from the Command Deck interrupted that....

"My Lord," al-Mohalis spoke, his voice a whisper of disbelief, "We've broken the Okinawan line. It's minor, but the Hivelings and the First Division...they're through, sir."

The Lord Praetor's eyes widened and he slowly pulled himself upright. "They're what? If this is a joke, Field Marshal..."

"I assure you, my Lord Praetor, I wouldn't dare. It's the Predecessors' truth..."

The Lord Praetor's face split in a grin. "That is the best news I've had all day, Field Marshal. How many artillery pieces do we have online?"

"The guidance systems are down, sir, but they can be rigged for dumbfire easily."

"Then do it...and target just beyond the main lines, into the buildings. Bring their city down on top of them," the Lord Praetor hissed.

--------------------------

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

Rikar's pulse rifle spat hot fire into the Outer Okinawan infantry in a practiced pattern, the sergeant's face cold and hard-set. The Necros-Vacuians didn't speak as they attacked; they merely moved, and in tightly packed groups let off their buzzsaw-like fire, as his squad did now.

Though this meant the squads died harder, it also increased the Dominion Army casualty rate, and without vehicle support and their shoulder cannons, the infantry were vulnerable.

Next to them, an Alpha Hiveling skittered up, blasting an enemy machine gun into oblivion with its bioplasma cannon....the biomechanical creatures, hardy as they were, were finally beginning to join the corpses on the battlefield.

"We need those vehicles back online," Rikar muttered. "Without the artillery, this is all for shit..."

And then, as he said it, the roar of artillery came from behind them, as the Firetongues let loose volleys of rockets...

"Sir, what are they doing?" a private murmured. "They're firing over the lines..."

"Just wait," whispered Rikar. Inwardly, he prayed to the Predecessors that Command hadn't just lost it...

But as the rockets struck their targets, he suddenly saw the idea.

"MASKS ON!" he yelled to his squad, and they complied as the building the rockets had struck exploded further, bringing up plumes of massive concrete dust...another volley struck, bringing down a bigger one with a groan of glass and steel....

----------------------------

Todai Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Beast Warriors had chewed through the Conelradian lines easily...and though the occasional Predator lasers burst one like a balloon, flinging its rider to his imminent death, they'd enjoyed nearly no opposition.

This was about to change.

With a hideous shriek, the remnant of the Army of Oblivion slammed into the Druarchan lines. Though the Apollyonid claws and go'zkuten-ai had fared poorly against the Okinawans, the Beast Warriors were entirely another story; torn from their beasts, the armored figures were eaten as though they were lobster.

The Beasts had their own problems, as the Burning Edge squadron opened up from above with their lasers, blasting open the hapless creatures...

Dr. Richard Braintree whistled as he reattached some severed arteries and extracted a large piece of shrapnel. "This one's ready for you Cynthia." Wiping his bloody hands with a cloths and putting it in a basket with many others like it he proceeded to the next one. "I guess there goes my chance for a golf game."

"S-s-spare me the c-c-commentary Rich." Dr. Jasper Gein stammered as he finished suturing a beastrider's arm back onto his body. "You aren't A-a-alan Alda and t-t-this isn't the F-f-four Oh Seven Seven."

"You're right Dr. Gein. I've always been more of a Trapper John fan myself. Would you like to be the 'Frank' Jasper? No, wait...you're more of a Klinger." Richard chuckled as he started on the next wounded man.

"H-h-har har. I w-want to be R-radar, thank you very m-much."

"Oh so we're taking on the personas of that marvelous show of yester eon? Splendid! I rather think I bear a passing resemblance to the distinguished Dr. Chesterfield." Dr. Andrew DeSalvo said as he reunited the left side of the rider's heart with the left.

"If you mean an overblown, egotistical, pompus ass. Then you are without a doubt the spitting image of him." Dr. Cynthia Velasquez said as she concentrated on regrowing the eye that had been ripped out of this Druarch soldier's skull. "I suppose that makes me the beautiful Major Hoolihan right?"

The three men looked at each other and burst out laughing. "A woman who is overly strict with everyone but has no personal morals herself and will sleep with anyone? Oh yes Cynthia that's you ALL over." Dr. DeSalvo chortled a big belly laugh as he re-attached the nerves in the spine of his patient.

"I'll have you know Andrew that I am the perfect example of a lad-MISSILE!!" The four doctors ducked under their operating tables.

The missle soared towards the mirrored hut destined to kill the occupants who would dare allow the Druarch armies to cheat death. It was withn five meters when...it dropped straight down to the ground to join all the other missiles, bullets, bombs, and other artillery that had been launched at it. The soldiers left the pile alone. The last time anyone had taken something out of the five meter limit of the MASH tent it had immediatley exploded.

Lasers bounced off the mirrors, missles and bombs ceased to work. The assassin that had managed to get inside found that his firearm wouldn't fire and his dagger couldn't come out of his sheath. Within a five meter radius of the gleaming medical tent there was nothing but peace. And within the four doctors came out from their protected positions to resume their work and their jokes.

In the middle of the tent in what looked like a glass coffin was a brown haired woman lying prone. Her eyes closed and every once in a while, like when the missle had approached, her mouth twitched. Dr. Sunderland wouldn't let anything happen to her home, or her tent. That was a Rule and nothing, NOTHING, broke the Rules.

"Wow, you guys are busy!" Walter said when he was inside the tent. As always he never bothered with the door. "Is that the take?"

"Now HERE'S our Frank" Richard said nodding his head to Walter. "Yeah. You got what we needed?"

"Yeah. All that you need." Walter gestured to the five wooden boxes by his feet. "This is great work guys. Keep it up." Walter took the basket full of bloody cloths and departed, once more not using the door.

"So what does that make Mary?" Cynthia asked as she carefully made sure the bones regrowing in her patient's leg were setting right.

"I don't know. I guess we can make her our honorary Hawkeye. Sound good?" Andrew said carefully opening the five boxes and removing the contents.

"S-s-sounds perfect." Dr. Gein mumbled.

"Sir! Ion cannons will take several minutes to get back online!..... Sir, the enemy is shelling the city, we've had alot of casualities...." Lt. (soon to be Captain) Ibuki reported solemnly. "Hmm..." Skippy's brow furrowed. This was not good..... Lt. Ibuki then exclaimed "Sir! Reenforcements are on their way! It's...... Units 127, 420, and 69, as well as Division 43..... They're coming in from Kaneda AFB......They should be landing....now!"

The Air Transport landed on the otherside of the combat-zone, its massive belly disgorging the new troops... There were peopel in what appeared to be unique powered Armor.....almost as if they were.....sabres of the night. The next unit consisted of entirely volunteers, a specially trained unit of cat-people, their ears and tails flapping in the wind as their body armor shifted. They were ready to kick ass and sniff catnip.... Third out of the transport came..... what appeared to gigantic plush stuff animals...except they were carrying heavy weapons....and talking to eachother with "Fu! FU MUU FOO!" and language of like that. And the last unit....were organized into what could be described as hordes. Their commander's high pitched voice managed to boom "We're ganna gettum!"..... The Chibi army had arrived..... Ph34r the chibis, for they do not die....they merely get wounded until the next post...and they are many.....

The new units began engaging the enemy, the chibis completely overwelming the enemy bugs, the catpeople dodging the blasts of the apolloinoids, the armored power units began to tear into the enemy infantry, and the teddy bears began strategic attacks on enemy command vehicles. All the while, new fighters arrived from far off airforce bases....., their protoculture quite fresh and ready to destroy that which would harm their people.

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The new attack took the Necros-Vacuians off guard...which was bad. The Necros-Vacuian lines, which had been doing the thrashing, were rocked....but they held fast, unflinching, even as their comrades died.

What was good was the massive system recovery that took place. As the mechs and stuffed animals came forth, they met a decimating volley of artillery fire; and those that made it forward fell to the guns of the now-advancing tanks. The hovertanks targeted the catgirls, and fired incendiary rounds...

Flames rose quick, and the stench of burning fur mingled with screams of pain. The Firetongues kept blasting at the buildings, one of which fell onto an entire rank of stuffed creatures, crushing them.

As good as these developments seemed, the fact was that the line was being slowly pushed back, the tide reversed on the formerly jubliant Necros-Vacuians.

Rikar and the infantry huddled together, firing plasma cannon and pulse rifle alike into the advancing forces.

"Sir! We can't keep them back! We've just lost three Delta Hivelings! We've got to pull back!"

"NEVER! WE HOLD THE LINE, IN PREDECESSORS' NAME!" snarled Rikar. A cat-girl leapt up, snarling at the sergeant....a few pulse-rifle blasts tore her face apart. Nearby, a Beta Hiveling unleashed its fury on a large group of Chibis....

The Outer Okinawans rocked the line once more, and the infantry rippled back from an exploding Shogg-Akoraal tank.

"Sir, we HAVE to pull back! We can't..."

"NO! WE AREN'T GOING TO!!!" Rikar roared as he fired once more, shoulder cannon blasting. "You hear me, you Okinawan motherfuckers?! The Predecessors' judgement is upon you! In the name of the Lord Praetor...in the name of our Motherland....in the name of the Predecessors...YOU DIE THIS DAY!!!"

And he fired. And all along the line, the Necros-Vacuians followed suit.

The line held.

---------------------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Defilers ready for launch...reinforcements are prepped for dropship launch, with full Predator escort," Tomas reported.

"Any word from the vats?"

"1,000 new Apollyonids are already onboard the Ragnaroks...500 new Hivelings are with them. Furthermore, they're working overtime on Deltas and Gammas."

al-Mohalis nodded. "And the Greys?"

"They've got their own Fury. It'll land right at the main line after the Defiler pass."

"My Lord, we await your command," al-Mohalis grinned.

The Lord Praetor nodded. "You may launch, of course, Field Marshal."

---------------------------

And as the Necros-Vacuians held, they heard the scream of aircraft above...

Squadron after squadron of Magician and Predator came, firing lasers and drones that crumpled the approaching Okinawan air wave....behind them, Myrmidons swooped low over the battlefiled, dropping strange bombs that glowed blue...then exploded outward with a massive concussive shockwave that tore apart all but the Chibis.

The Chibis would fall next.

With a low hum, the long-winged Defilers came into view....these, the primary bombers of Necros-Vacuia, typically dropped napalm, heavy bombs, or tactical nuclear weapons...but today, a white cloud of gas followed them. A gas that didn't affect humans or the biomechanical monsters of the Dominion.

But as the Chibis inhaled it, their very cells reviled at its touch.

Chibis begin as air-spirits, creatures born from Outer Okinawan gas. Though the gas gives them near-invulnerability and superhuman powers, it is also very unstable. Another gas of the same type could easily disbalance its electrons...and cause it to turn against the very life it sustained.

Which was just what this gas was doing...all across the battlefield, Chibis fell to their knees, shrieking their lungs out in pain.

And the worn Necros-Vacuians heard next, blessedly near, the arrival of their own reinforcements.

As the dropships disgorged their cargo, Rikar and his team finally did pull back, towards the medical APCs, as more infantry rushed to take the field...as they neared the vehicle, he saw V'kalvos. The Rekk looked like he'd been through hell and back...his scales were half burned off, and a huge hole marred his side...

"Flessshling...the line...we held...?"

Rikar's reply was choked and a whisper.

"Yes, you old bastard....of course we did...."

And at this, V'kalvos Arn, born to serve the Lord Praetor, smiled and died.

-------------------------

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

"My Lord, the Predecessor device is almost back to full power," Tomas reported to Thraakan. "Should I reactivate the shield...?"

"Negative. Calibrate to the frequency of the ion cannons, and set the power level to 190."

"....as you wish, my Lord....but..."

"Don't worry, Commander. The Citadel will be fine. I have something special planned," Naal smirked.

"Yes, Lord Praetor."

------------------------

And outside the room, Tobias Volov felt weaker than he ever had in his life, as he moved a shaking hand to program the comm channel the Alchemicans had given him.

"Predecessors," he swore. "Forgive me, my Lord Praetor...but there is no other way...and I won't see you die....even if I have to deal with Assises and his walu'zhikaodeya kind...."

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Battlefield, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

"Fall back! Order the beast warriors to fall back and support the infantry!", General Liebert waved his hands furiously at the infantry unit he had converted to his messenger system. "Sergeant Brown, I want that com system back online as soon as possible!"

Liebert shook his head violently as the Druarchian recruits hurried about their tasks. Around him, the infantry was beginning its charge into battle, to support the beast warriors. The Necros-Vacuian Apollyonids had just attacked, and were proving themselves to be a very fair match for the beast warriors. To make matters worse, the Necros-Vacuian airforce had also struck. The technicians had managed to get about five SAM launchers operational, but the Druarchian army would need some support soon, or they would lose the battle. Beast faced beast, as the battle reached new heights of ferocity.

Far below him, in the light of the flares, he saw the beast warriors withdraw slightly, forming a much stronger line with the help of the Druarchian infantry.

-----

<<Outside Ornek City, Druarch>>

It was dark when the Scarlet Lady finally managed to make it through the gates of Ornek City. She had spent the entire day evading guard patrols and finding a suitable disguise. Unlike her brothers, her face was not much of a public one, and this worked to her advantage when slipping through Piern's carefully placed checkpoints.

Now that she was outside the city, the rest was easy work. She knew exactly where her destination was - Outer Okinaw. She had to rescue the White Warrior, as he was the only hope for her people. But no... he would not be able to help right away. Her people were on the brink of a major disaster. She had to stop Piern.

She briefly pondered who would be able to assist her more directly.

There was the God Emperor of Utapu... but he was most likely closer to the battlefield at Naha. There was the Emergency Director of Labor from Conelrad... but she had never trusted him, nor had she ever seen his face, although her brother was a close ally of his.

Finally, it came to her. The Highest Wench... Aine... it had been a long time since she'd seen Aine, and she knew her to be an intelligent sort who could see through the nastiest of trickery. In addition, they'd been friends since they were three.

But where would she be likely to be at a time like this... the Scarlet Lady pondered. Her brother, the Lord Praetor, would likely be at Naha. It seemed as though everything eventually came down to Naha, and so it was to Naha that the Scarlet Lady and her beast companion set out.

-----

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern recorded a transmission to Emperor Skippy. "Good day, friend. I am pleased to inform you that the Hub has been destroyed, and countless lives saved. Although the completion of such a deed is its own reward, I would still like to request that you uphold what you said before... and imprison the White Warrior. Having spent these last few months as leader of the nation of Druarch, I have come to realize the pain that my people suffered under the White Warrior's despotic rule. Therefore, I would like to request that the White Warrior not be returned, so that my people may continue their healing.

The army that just attacked under Prince Emritt contained only a small fraction of the beast warriors owned by my country. When word reaches me of the White Warrior's imprisonment, I will lend another one thousand five hundred beast warriors to your cause. The battle will be yours."

Piern took a deep breath as he sent the transmission. If Emperor Skippy complied, then not even the Scarlet Lady's escape would stop Piern's plan. Although he would have liked to see her dead, he would be willing to settle for her living in exile... as long as that idiot Prince Emritt didn't attempt to have her killed, things would probably turn out just fine.

He was very nervous, but wasn't willing to admit it, even to himself.

The calm and apologetic face of Dr. Kaufman appeared on the screen. "Tobias. I had a feeling you'd call." He sighed and made a poor attempt to look cold and business like. "Let's skip to the important part. What do you want?"

Volov swallowed hard, and glared at the old man. "I want you to fix the Lord Praetor. I know you know how...."

The doctor clenched his fists. "I'd never ask you this. I never wanted you to touch him again. But he gets worse every day...and I know he'll never let go of those Predecessor artifacts...."

"Well, if he gets rid of the artifacts or turns them off...I'm sorry. I had to say that. I'm not an idiot." Michael Kaufman sighed. "What if he didn't know it was us?"

"Moreover....he can't know it's you, Kaufman," sighed Tobias. "He's never forgiven you for what you did to him as a child. You'll have to look and act like Necros-Vacuians. No mirrors....no God references...stick to the Predecessors."

Kaufman chuckled sadly. "There are enough of us that remember the old stories and customs, however those old one all have..." Dr. Kaufman pulled off his right glove and held the back of it up. "Gives the game away pretty fast, the gloves are a dead give away too." He bit his lip, after a few moments his face lit up. "Does the Lord Praetor still take concubines or see anyone to take his mind off the pain or the war?"

"Only a Companion or two from Wenchetyria. He never got over that incident with the Vyrnn girl," sighed Volov.

"I heard about that." A faint smile flit across his face as the story was recalled, horrid true but with a decidely sharp bit of ironic humor. "Wenchetyria? We can pull that off. I'll show you." Michael hit a few buttons and a picture of two twin dark haired girls dressed in white gowns popped up. "Meet Mio and Mayu. The first born here. Think they can pass for Wenches? And yes Tobias, they were BORN here."

Volov considered....looking over the girls. "Do they have Companion training?"

"They will. They can pass for Okinawan, Utapuan, Necros-Vacuian, and they started Wenchetyrian. Their main talent is mimicry. They're also skilled in Telekenisis, Empathy, and Telepathy. All the children here seem to have those three. Heh, we have your father to thank for that."

Tobias hissed darkly. "Shut up. Just make sure they're ready to do their job. And if I believe they're harming the Lord Praetor, I'll kill them both. Understand that, Kaufman."

"Yes Dr. Volov. I would expect no less. I'll have Walter bring them over, do you have a room with a mirror nearby?"

"The private bathroom. Don't touch anything."

"They'll meet you there." Kaufman turned off the screen.

00000 Five Minutes Later 000000000

"And you two will do whatever Dr. Volov wants you to. He is after all the son of the man who helped..." The blond doctor brought his finger to his lips and went to the door. "This is occupied. Who is it?"

"The man who's been waiting for you, and you can thank the Predecessors for that," came Tobias' voice as he opened the door. "I managed to clear everyone away from the Lord Praetor's room I could...."

A tall, pale-looking man in the uniform of a Wenchetyrian aide stepped forward from behind Tobias.

"This is R'kkava Ulu. He's a Rekk," Volov spoke with grim satisfaction. "You'll see, and the Lord Praetor as well, a Wenchetyrian aide. He's one of the ISA's best assassins. Think of him as....insurance."

"History does repeat itself. Don't worry though, these girls will do whatever you say." Walter steps aside to show to young girls about seventeen years old with jet black hair. They are dressed as Wenchetyrian Companions and bow deeply.

"We are at your service Dr. Volov." The two girls say in unison.

"Well I'll take off now Tobias." Walter said saluting. "Also, don't worry about the cost. This one is gratias. Just one thing Tobias Volov." The blonde doctor looks directly at the other doctor. "The debt is now paid." Walter touches the mirror and in a blink is simply not there.

Tobias shook his head. "....I'm glad you think so. For me....the debt will never be paid." With a sigh, he turned to the Companions. "Come with me. The Lord Praetor is in his hospice, and awaits your presence."

The twins bowed again and followed the doctor. Across the contient, in the City of Mirrors another set of twins, Sae and Yae sat in two chairs in a white room recording everything.

(This was a joint post between Alchemica and Necros-Vacuia.)

Yog, Monster from Space spent a lot of time thinking, it had done this ever since it had been locked away deep under Mt. Cichlid by Hiplar, Hero of Gyrpnaria. Now he was free. He did not know who had released him, but he did not care. He was too Hungry to think anymore, remembering that the Gyrpnarians were nomadic Yog headed west to his feeding island, wondering if those lizard things that were so tasty were still there. Little did Yog know his feeding island had become Necros-Vacuia.

Note: Yog is an Ant About the size of Rhode Island, and is an uncontrollable force that wreaks havoc Wherever he goes. The thing on Gyrpnaria's Flag is Yog.

(OOC Request: Any further dealings with Utapu, Bogon, The Emperor's Star, The God-Emperor, etc., please send a message to me first. Alchemica, this is directed at you and your actions concerning both Henrietta and your actions on board the Emperor's Star. I have let both slide, but request that all further actions on my behalf be sent to me first. Thank you. I have also posted this to the Regional Board.)

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Predecessor device is powered to 165.576943, sir," reported an officer. "Energy spikes are going wild....structure of the Citadel, however, shows no effect. Nor do the crew...or the vehicles, for that matter."

"Keep the power on increase," al-Mohalis ordered. "Launch all available wings to attack those fighters; I want them destroyed *wholesale*. Hit them as hard as you can."

"Yes, sir. We have reports that the gas is having heavy effect on the Chibis...the only enemies we haven't inflicted casualties on at this point are those Night Sabre mechs."

"Then we'll rectify that. Tell the Hivelings to concentrate their firepower on the Night Sabres, and have the artillery not shelling the buildings help. Heavy armor and ground forces, go after the main infantry..."

"What about the Greys?"

"Release them all. Their subroutines are ready; they'll know what to do."

"Yes, Field Marshal. Predecessor device has spiked to 175.89999."

"Keep the increase. And get our long-range gun batteries operational. Our air fleet could do with a small advantage."

-----------------------------------

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

Major Katawa Zendo was a good man. He was well-liked by all his troops. Big, gruff, potato-loving, and able to inspire confidence. He was even able to get them moving when Necros-Vacuian fire had them pinned down six ways, and grenades and laser blasts had taken the squad numbers from 36 to 5.

So it was only natural that he was going to die.

"Sir, there's a Fury coming in for landing....if we move now, we might intercept it," shouted one of his group. Zendo grinned and nodded, the group (with reinforcements from another squad), and hoisted his large bazooka over his back as the group moved quietly forward.

The doors to the Fury burst open...and the squad tensed, waiting for the appearance of a Hiveling, or Apollyonids, or some new biomechanical horror being visited upon them.

Instead, an odd, greyish, spiderlike creature, resembling a cross between a hand and a crab with a long pherensile tail.

"....what the hell is that?"

These were the last words Zendo would ever say, as the hideous thing leapt up and attached itself squarely to his face. A muffled scream came....then the body that had been Zendo stood stock-still, the color of his flesh mottling and draining.

And then, the Grey controlling the body of the Major pulled a shotgun from his pants, and shot every last bewildered member of his squad in the face. An Outer Okinawan mech hurried over, the pilot looking at the Major in stark horror. "Major Zendo, what on earth..." she began.

A missile from his bazooka blasted into one of the legs, sending the mech tumbling to earth. A second missile blew apart the fuel tank, sending it up in a huge fireball.

The reinforcements became wracked with confusion as the newest and most insidious of Necros-Vacuia's biomechs swarmed onto the battlefield, claiming the minds of their enemy.

Meanwhile, the Night Sabers that had been making steady progress suddenly saw one of their number blow apart, crackles of lightning hissing from where he'd died...with a chitter, a group of Delta Hivelings moved in to engage the mechs.

And as if the confusion on the battlefield was not enough, a transport of Druarchan design, with an escort of four Predators, all five craft bearing the Necros-Vacuian insignia, came to a gentle landing in the midst of the chaos...

-----------------------

The Citadel, Executive Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

"Who are these...?" spoke the Lord Praetor softly as he sat up.

"They are your standard Companions, as ordered, my Lord; this is their agent, Rutherford Allen Uhen. He'll leave for the actual duties they perform, but he insists on being present to fulfill his contract," Tobias spoke.

The Lord Praetor sighed. "Very well. Send them both in..."

Tobias bowed and exited, turning to the twins as he came out.

"Dr. Volov...are we to perform the duties the Lord Praetor asks of us?" Mio asked with an unfathomable smile. "Or simply to remove him from consciousness and begin the procedure...?"

"You're supposed to be Companions," Tobias shrugged. "Do as he says..."

"To a point. Of course. We'll summon you when he's...relaxed."

With a nod to each other, the two faux Companions entered in, leaving Tobias Volov to sigh and hold his head in a mix of anger, grief, and guilt....

"Sir! Our troops and mechs report that there have been infiltrations in the lines, and some....THINGS...are sticking to troops and taking them over........ We're taking a pounding sir! not just from below, but from above!" Lt. Ibuki reported. (OOC: I'm going to call her lt. for now.....) Skippy hadn't slept in about about 20 hours, but fortunately, an old friend's Chai recipe did as good as a few hours of sleep..... "When is the next wing of fighters inbound?" He asked, his voice having a small edge do it.... " The 181st is due in about 5 minutes...Sir, the ion cannons are back online!" She called over the chaos.... "Alright...we need to cover our fighter.... have them concentrate their fire on the carriers and support craft!

The lights dimmed....again. Bolts of energy passed the Citadel by, blasting into the fleet, tearing HUGE holes in it.. taking many fighters that were preparing to launch, destroying transports, escort ships, and anything else they touched.

"Nene, where the hell are you, it's getting really squeezed here!" Lina, Spider 2 called to her wingmate. "Sorry! Those Magician things are really nasty!" came the cute reply of Nene, Spider 8. "Sit tight, you two, I'm going to try something...." Spider Leader, Peorth, called over the com. "something new? what?" Nene asked innocently..... "I need you two to get as many fighters to chase you.........." Nene and Lina, had they been able to, would have looked at eachother, said "I don't think that's going to be a problem....." Several Squadrons were not on their tails...... "Just hold them off a little longer....." Peorth ordered...... "Come on, this better be quick..." Nene whined, her fighter dodging and weaving. "Got it! YOU TWO, GET AWAY FROM ME! GET TO 1 klick away!" The two pilots hurredly complied. Peorth, as a squadron leader, was given special mods to her fighter. this was just such one. the fighter hovered in mid-air, and began to spin, more fighter came, and then her fighter began to emit hundreds of beams, always spinning, like....a rose bud of death.... most fighters never had a chance to react. Even the ones that did never got far....

When it was done, Peorth looked at her energy gauge level...almost empty... she turned her afterburner to full power, and limped home, followed by Nene and Lina, who kept her covered.

"Sir, we're running out of fresh troops and fresh options....what are we going to do?" Commander Horaki asked Skippy... He thought a minute..... "Bring me a holo-node of the High Father Atop his beast! Quickly!" The Librarian ran to her task, her shoes clapping on the stone floor.

A Short while later, She came running back, panting, clearly having sprinted all the way there and back. "Good Job, Nenene, Go have a seat." The Emperor congradulated her as he took the node from her and ushered her to a seat. He then handed the node to 2nd Lt. Hayashibara, "I want this thing broadcasted directly into the Druarch troops' line of sight, HURRY!" He ordered. "Let's hope this works....." He wished as the Holographic projector hummed to life and began to broadcast.... He then had another thought "And Priemm on the line! Tell him we need help, and lots of it!....Also Tell him we have the White Warrior and his image is positively covering his men, shielding them from danger....!" Shouted to the communication staff...

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Sir, the ion cannons have begun targeting the outer air fleet," Tomas said, a slight smirk on his face. "We've lost several of our carrier craft already, and a few transports with them....Predecessor device is powered to....190."

"Prepare for release....what's that?" al-Mohalis pointed to Peorth's spinning fighter.

"Just some specially modified fighter doing a trick, it appears. Energy's spiking...sir, in a minute, it'll surge."

The Field Marshal sighed. "Very well...if it comes out again, I want a Soulshriek group on it. In the meantime....fire."

"Stand by."

-------------------------------------

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The blue veins of the Citadel above the city flared blue with an unearthly light. Energy crackled around the massive craft....which, obviously, shook...

And following the ion trails of the cannons, a long, pale blue tongue of kinetic energy shot from the Citadel...splitting as it went....and hit three of the ion cannons.

....the Predecessor energy made sure each cannon was blasted into incandescant oblivion, to the cheers of the Necros-Vacuian troops...

-------------------------------------

"Sir!"

Major Arrathi Kel of the Dominion Army ignored the shout, instead looking to his aide.

"Send a batch of Hivelings to support the left flank...we Greyed the enemy's command down there, but the Nineteenth's been taking a pounding. As soon as a few more hovertanks get down here, we're going to pull back to Aoimizu Prefecture, and leave some nice surprises for the slanteyes."

The aide nodded, and Kel turned his attention to the two corporals that had just arrived...behind them was a haggard-looking young Okinawan woman.

"What can I do for you two gentlemen?" the Major cooly inquired.

"Sir, this is an Okinawan sergeant we captured...she claims to have mech blueprints we might be able to use."

Kel smiled. "Well, is that so? Does she know what we do to prisoners who don't have information?"

"No, sir, I don't believe she does," sneered one of the corporals.

Kel stepped aside, and indicated a large transport that was preparing for takeoff. "See that transport, honey? It's full of scum like you; but the difference is, they're all going to die when they get to the Citadel."

The Okinawan's lip quivered, but she glared daggers at the Major, staying strong.

"But don't worry, honey, they'll come back," soothed Arrathi. "They're going to the vats. We're going to make them into beautiful, beautiful Apollyonids!" He grinned widely. "And then they can all see their friends again!"

The sergeant's eyes went wide, and a sob broke loose from her throat as she vainly tried to stop herself from crying....a quivering hand pulled a small booklet, which the Major gently took.

"What do we do with her, sir?"

Arrathi smirked. "You boys have been at the front a long time. Take her back to barracks. Have some fun. Just don't kill her yet. We may need a translator...."

The corporals grinned and pulled the girl away, and the Major's dispassionate attention returned to the front.

------------------------

The Druarchan transport opened with a hiss of steam....and several creatures trotted out, mounted by heavily armored warriors...creatures of pale green....with red veins crisscrossing them....and biolasers enhanced by Necros-Vacuian technology...as well as mounted pulse cannons...

And of course, a lethal, silver lance.

They were Necros-Vacuian Beast Warriors, covered in the marks of the Predecessors. And with a cry of "YAAAAAA-AAAAAAYYYY!!!!" they charged the Okinawan lines.

-----------------------------

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

The Lord Praetor sighed in annoyance as he moved to sit up, Mio's lithe form still pressed against his, her pale shoulders quaking in fear.

"You could have warned me, Field Marshal," he grumbled, bending to gently kiss the girl on the head. As he did, he whispered, softly, so only she could hear...

"....I know you're both from the City of Mirrors. It's all right. I want you to go ahead with the procedure...."

Mio blinked, but smiled at the Lord Praetor.

"We did do a fair imitation, didn't we, Lord Praetor?"

Thraakan chuckled. "Perhaps. In any case....do tell the good Dr. Volov....that I forgive him..."

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Battlefield, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

Sweat ran down the beast warrior's cheek, mingling with the blood from his split lip. The heat of his armor was becoming rather oppressive. He was a blue-armored lancer, and stood about eight feet from the Necros-Vacuian front lines, his fifteen foot long weapon lashing about at the advancing apollyonids.

Then he saw it... A beast warrior, taller and more noble than anyone else on the field... his beast was a pitch black, and he was armored in a solid, almost golden white. Surrounding him were twenty purple-clad warriors.

He knew it was a hologram... and yet, he remembered the reason they all had for fighting. With a fearsome roar, both beast and warrior charged, along with the rest of their kind, all fear gone, and smashed into the apollyonid lines, carving huge holes in the advancing creatures.

-----

Piern sat back with smug satisfaction. The plan was complete, and Druarch was his. He could not reveal the truth of things just yet, as the knowledge of the White Warrior imprisoned by Emperor Skippy would inspire disloyalty in the beast warriors. He had to wait until they were entirely dependent upon the command of another.

Prince Emritt... General Liebert... he didn't care who it was that took command, but one of them would have to. Calling for his assistant, he approved the deployment of two thousand beast warriors.

-----

The Scarlet Lady heard the battle long before she saw it. Knowing that it would be wise to stay out of the way, she skirted towards what she knew was the Necros-Vacuian area. Waving a white scarf above her head, she hoped to signal an aircraft that was not entirely bent on killing anything green and trotting.

Finally, a short range transport lowered to the ground and slid open. Five red-clad Necros-Vacuian infantrymen pointed their pulse rifles at her.

"Get in. Bring the beast.", one of them snapped. Complying, she entered the darkness of the transport that then lifted off the ground.

"I wish to be taken to see the Lord Praetor.", the Scarlet Lady said.

"So do we all.", chuckled one of the infantry. She didn't manage to get any more words out of them.

Outer Okinawan Intelligence Agent Kino threw open her door. "WHAT?!" She looked absolutley horrid. Her eyes were red and hand huge bags, her clothes were wrinkled and stained. Her hair was disheveled and had that 'not washed in four days' greasy sheen to it. A crinkly ramen noodle had hardened and stuck to the corner of her mouth.

Kino-chan? what the hell is wrong with you? You look worse than I did back in colllege!

"Excel?" Kino blinked rubbing her eyes. "Oh wonderful come in come in!" The girl dragged the other woman into her room. "You have to be careful. What's you may not be you! I mean you can be you but it also can be not you...never mind you'll never understand. Unless you do..." She gives Excel a wary look.

The room looked like the internal workings of someone who is losing their grip on sanity. Pictures of all of the Alchemicans that had been in the public eye hung like laundry drying on strings that were strung across the room. Numbers and letters with no discernable pattern or reason covered the walls, there were also several upright objects in the room covered with black sheets. The Hermes mainframe was sitting in the middle of the room Kino has welded on strange metal protrusions and had removed every trace of glass on it. "You have to talk to the Emperor Excel. I mean the Emperor Skippy, you are Excel Excel, but you may not be. ARE YOU WHO YOU ARE AND NOT OTHER THAN YOUR ARE?!"

Well.......last time I checked I was me.......what's with the lack of mirrors? Didya have a case of acne?...cause I have something that'll clear that right up......."

"NO DON'T!!!" Kino grabbed Excel's arm as she pulled off the black felt covering one of the mirrors in the room. She quickly replaced it. "They use the mirrors you see. But I don't dare break them, cause that'll tip them off that I know that they know that I know that they know I knew about them and the mirrors. So I trick them. Anyways I'm glad you're here you can help me pack." Kino proceeded to start to put more clothes into a suitcase.

"Um.....shouldn't you have packed those already? I mean, we MAY have to evacuate at any moment......Shoudn't those already be in the transports...?"

"Nonono. This is way way more important that the war. It doesn't matter if the sin of the Originators comes to fruit. It just wont matter."

"And what is that you're bringing...oh my, I didn't know those were legal....and that, isn't that only issued by doctors?.......Hey! That's my Menchi-bear! YOU SAID YOU LOST HIM! GRR....."

"Fine HERE!" Kino tossed the stuffed animal at the woman and grabbed her Persuader Class fire arm. "You wont tell anyone that I have this. I know they're forbidden. I need it. Come on Hermes." Kino grabbed the portable AI unit and attached it to her goggles. "I'm going Excel. I'll be in the desert for a while."

"Okay, send me some post cards.... ^_^" She said innocently... While an excellent soldier and good tactician, 2n Lt. Excel....didn't have much in terms of common sense of people....

Kino shook her head. "You will never see the train approaching if you're too damn concerned with the mosquitoes." She took off to her motorcycle to take off into the desert.

(This was a joint post between Alchemica and Outer Okinaw

As Yog slowly moved west He began to smell blood to the north. The vicious monster changed his trajectory slightly to see what all the ruckus was about. After traveling for a few hours yog came across the Battle between the Necros-Vaucians and the Outer Okinawans. Yog was still hungry and the smell of blood had become so dense in his nostrils, that he couldn't help his choice of meals and drove himself into a feeding frenzy.


Back in the land of Gyrpnaria the Grand High Riddler led the millions to Mt. Cichlid as fast as possible, anyone who could not make it was not strong enough. Yog had to be stopped at all costs. He did not know if their 40 million Soliders would be enough to stop the monster. With all the speed he muster out of the old truck The Grand High Riddler pushed on.

"Massive insectoid monster moving into the battlezone, sir. " Cpr. Arisa Hanasahi reported to Emperor Skippy. "It's Yog.....I guess in a way this is better than bad....in fact, this might be good..... HAVE ALL UNITS FALL BACK IF THEY ARE WITH IN A PROXIMITY OF 100 meters from him!" He ordered....
He thought a minute.... "Also, have fighters fly overhead and dump barbeque sauce mixed with fresh blood and honey on the enemy!" He commanded....

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH MY FIGHTER!?" Screached Airperson Hikaru Shisa. "Ma'am, emperor's orders...you are to fly over the enemy and dump this stuff on the enemy." The staff sargent said. "Oh, my poor poor fighter.... I hope you change it back once this is over..." she whined....

SPLAT!!!!!!! was the immediate respond to the "attacks" by the fighters....... and then Yog began to smell the good stuff....

The Citadel, Flight Deck 117, Transport Landing Area

The Scarlet Lady was marched out of the Necros-Vacuian transport, her beast led behind her...around her, she could see variously colored infantry moving into transports, with them the hideous figures of the Apollyonids and the odd, insectoid shapes of the Hivelings.

"You must be the Scarlet Lady, then?" a lilting voice spoke from nearby.

"That would be me. Who do I speak to?" the Scarlet Lady glanced around nervously

The voice chuckled. "Your left, lady. I apologize for your rough treatment, but we *are* at war, after all."

The voice was that of a tall, pale man...no, not pale, white. White as the skin of the Warrior himself, with the same sort of red eyes...

"It's an honor to meet you," the young Vyrnn said, smiling. "I'm Tomas."

"The honor is mine," and the Scarlet Lady meant it. The Vyrnn reminded her of the White Warrior, in complexion and nobility. "I am here to speak with the Lord Praetor."

"And you shall." Tomas laughed. "The Field Marshal almost threw a fit when he heard that you'd been captured...he thought they'd send you to the vats, and that really wouldn't do. He actually had the sergeant shot before sending me."

The Scarlet Lady smiled. "Ahh, and I would not blame them. Even as we speak, my brothers and sisters are commiting atrocities against your nation on the battlefield. By my visit, I hope to clear a few things up, and perhaps gain the wisdom of the Lord Praetor. My nation is in grave danger."

The Vyrnn nodded. "Bishop Piern has rather overstepped himself, from what I've heard...the Lord Praetor will doubtless know more about the situation." His voice lowered. "The good Prophet is on the Medical Deck, in his hospice...if you'll follow me?"

"Lead on," the Scarlet Lady flashed a smile at Tomas and began to follow him. She had never met a full-blooded Vyrnn before, and it reminded her of the other half of her heritage, the half that her parents had done their best to hide...

-----------------------

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

"I'm terribly sorry, my Lord Praetor," Tomas almost babbled, his white face almost totally red, and his eyes covered by his hands. "I had no idea that..."

The reason for Tomas' embarrassment was the fact that they'd walked in on the Lord Praetor whilst he was busy with two dark-haired seventeen-year-old Companions of Wenchetyria, or so it appeared....said Companions were now in the corner, equally red and giggling as they pulled their clothes back on.

"It's really quite all right," the Lord Praetor sighed. "Mio? Mayu? You go freshen up."

"Yes, Lord Praetor," the two spoke in unison, stepping gracefully out, the former blowing a small kiss as she left.

The ruler of Necros-Vacuia turned his attention back to the Scarlet Lady. "Is that...."

"Why Thraakan... it's been a long time..." the Scarlet Lady bowed respectfully. "We need to have a talk."

"We do, indeed, my dear Youngest," nodded the Lord Praetor. "I've had considerable news from your nation as of late....apparently Bishop Piern has taken control of the government there. A regrettable fact....that has had even more regrettable consequences."

"Indeed it has...", the Scarlet Lady paced over to the nearest chair and had a seat. "I came here after escaping from the dungeon below the Tower of the Beast. When Emperor Skippy returned me to Lord Piern, he had me thrown into the dungeon immediately. He controls the faith of the people. They consider him a liberator of sorts. I came here because I knew that I'd find either you or Aine here, and if anyone could set the records straight on Druarch's situation, it would be one of you."

Thraakan closed his eyes, sighing softly....

"Aine told me....Emperor Skippy is in deep league with Piern; he needed an ally against my Citadel." A smirk flitted across Thraakan's face. "And Piern has requested that the White Warrior remain imprisoned in Outer Okinaw indefinitely...he may even intend to have him executed."

The Scarlet Lady's blood boiled. "That bastard... what word of Prince Emritt? Last I heard, he was commanding the battle here."

The Lord Praetor nodded, his eyes not opening. "He is. And I have everyone I can looking for him. You see, Youngest....he killed Aine."

A wave of cold shock and anger washed over the Scarlet Lady. Every muscle in her body tensed. In the next room, her beast sensed her apprehension.

He killed her... Emritt killed Aine...

Both beast and warrior knew what they needed to do. Collecting her thoughts, the Scarlet Lady spoke. "Thraakan... Emritt has committed almost every sin regarding family that the First Mother taught us. He has betrayed his own blood, he has killed the friend of his Eldest, and he has taken a throne that was never rightfully his. Although you do not follow the First Mother's ways, she says that it is the duty of the wronged to avenge the offense on their bloodline. Your cause is greater than mine. However, I will personally make sure that that piece of scum is captured and returned, alive, to you... so that you may fulfill your sacred duty, whether you hold it sacred or not..."

Thraakan smiled and looked at her. "The Predecessors teach us as well; those who betray their blood are lower than the worms of the earth....and it is the duty of those with the cause of vengeance to carry it out as a flame consumes the forests."

The Lord Praetor's smile deepened. "And for Emritt...I already have something special planned. What concerns me is Piern...and Druarch herself..."

"I believe that the only hope for Druarch is the return of my Eldest Brother..." the Scarlet Lady spoke intently. "And that brings me to the other reason I'm here. I intend to infiltrate the palace... and I was hoping that your spies or the spies of Wenchetyria have uncovered anything about the layout of the palace, or where Eldest Brother is being held."

"I've scanned it from above," the Lord Praetor grinned. "I think a Rekk insertion team, coupled with a few Greys, could get you in."

The Scarlet Lady smiled. "Very well... in addition, I'd like to request the specific assistance of your Vyrnn assistant, Tomas... if he's up for the task, that is. He strikes me as a solid person, and I believe I could use his help quite well."

Thraakan blinked. "Well...he's been rather useful on the bridge...but I can assign someone else to the good Field Marshal's side. Tomas shall come with you."

"Wonderful.", the Scarlet Lady nodded, satisfied. "Now, for my plan of entry..."

Thraakan's viewscreen suddenly blinked. "The bridge is calling....something about a giant ant?"

The Scarlet Lady got the distinct impression that Thraakan was about to get rather busy. "I have one more thing to request, Thraakan... in order for my plan to work, I'm going to need Druarchan prisoners. Get me five beast warriors."

"As you need, Youngest...."

"Thank you, Thraakan. Now I believe we both have business to attend to..."

(This has been a joint post by Necros-Vacuia and Druarch!)

----------------------------

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Necros-Vacuians, in the annals of their Predecessors, had heard of Yog before. Furthermore, they knew he hated barebeque sauce in his blood...despite this, the lines pulled back en masse, heading out of Shinsekii, towards Aoimizu Prefecture...

And cleaned themselves as they did, except for the Apollyonids, who had to be kept from trying to bite each other or lick each other.

As the Dominion Army pulled back, they left grids of a strange, gelatinous substance on the ground....

Slowly, once Yom had passed, the soldiers who had survived made their way through the city, disabling any traps left behind, and assessing the damage, collecting the wounded and the dead, and clearing out any enemy units still entrenched there ..... "Sir, this goo here is something we can't identify" Lance Corperal Yui said over the incom to high command. Lt. General Keiko Haruma thought for a minute, then responded "Have anywhere where you find that stuff cordened off. Get some samples of it for the field labs too, then, go in with flamethrowers and torch it." "Yes Ma'am." Yui replied.

In the Hospital underground, it was chaos. "We need a pint of blood, type A here, NOW!" came a cry. "70 cc of aedievahonite, now, or we may lose her leg!" Thousands of men and women were being brought in for emergency medical treatment. Many of the pilots were receiving the treatment to counter-act the gas that had saved their lives.

In the Palace, Emperor Skippy made a tough decision. "Get all civilians and non-essential non-combat personnel evactuated. Tell Kaneda that we want as many SSTs as they can spare. They'll know where to go......" He order his aide in charge of emergency management. Fortunately, they had managed to evacuate most of the cities before they had been overrun by the Necros....but it was still a very costly battle.......

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The words had no sooner left the general's mouth then the goo began to glow with a brilliant light, all across the grid....

And then the grid exploded, flames blasting outward violently, sending soldiers...or rather, pieces of soldiers...flying everywhere.

The goo was an Exploderanian invention, common C4 mixed with minerals extracted from pyromorphic dislocator blood to form a clear mixture that, upon contact, had about five minutes before the chemical reaction caused an explosion with three times the effect of C4.

Ellion Kev, High Magistrate, had happily handed the mixture over to the Lord Praetor.

The Necros-Vacuians had left other surprises. From some of the surrounding buildings, snipers began to open fire on the Outer Okinawans that still survived, and RPGs slammed into the enemy vehicles.

Finally, a wing of Predators came in for an attack run, launching missile after missile into the enemy lines...

-----------------------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"I have to give credit to that Major Kel," mused General Rathan on board the Citadel. "That was a clever bitch-move if ever I saw one...the slanteyes are screwed, now."

al-Mohalis nodded, smiling. "And they still haven't been hit by the main force yet...."

Yog smelled the Barbcue sauce leaving, and felt much better and continued to wreak havoc on the Outer Okinawians, massacaring their front line. After Decimating the Okinawans forces Yog followed the floating cities back to Necros-Vaucia.

The Grand High Riddler Had Reached The Base of Mt Cichlid, now came the hard part climbing to the summit. Their vehicles would not make up to summit this had to be done on foot. The Gyrpnarians began their slow ascent to the summit.

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Imperial Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

The palace gates swung open as a small squad of Druarchian beast warriors brought in a group of Necros-Vacuian prisoners.

"Excuse me, sir... name, please?", a guard hurried up to the leader of the squad.

"I have no name...", came a hard female voice from within the beast warrior's red helmet.

"Umm...", the guard had obviously not dealt with beast warriors before. "Then... what is your purpose?"

"We bring prisoners.", said the captain. "We need to escort them to the detention area."

"Very well, go ahead...", said the guard. He obviously didn't feel like looking into this one. With a smile, the Scarlet Lady waved the rest of her troop on, and they continued into the palace.

Entering the prisoner block, the Scarlet Lady and another of the beast warriors dismounted. Walking around to the wagon that they held the prisoners in, the two of them opened the back gateway, allowing the Necros-Vacuian soldiers to jump out.

"Locate the White Warrior and bring him back to this point. Signal me once if you need help, twice when you've located him. Do not kill anyone unless they attempt to stop you. Half of you will follow Tomas, the other half will come with me."

Turning to the warrior who had dismounted beside her, she noticed that he had already removed his helm to reveal a very white head of very scraggly hair. She had taught Tomas the name of the beast, the secret that allowed one to communicate with it. She feared for the consequences he could suffer for this knowledge, but the situation had been desperate enough and Tomas had insisted.

"Very well... let's move out.", she said, then mounted up and started off down one of the many passageways.

-----

After about an hour of searching, she found him. He stood in a large room in the deepest parts of the dungeon. Before him was a tall, shimmering portal, and between her and him were about fifty Outer Okinawan palace guards. One of them leaned in and pushed the White Warrior. He tumbled forward into the portal.

The Scarlet Lady had heard of this portal... supposedly it lead to an extradimensional prison... and supposedly, once one stepped through, there was no coming back. Panic rising, she let out a war cry, and the beast warriors charged. The guards, sensing an attack, opened fire. Bullets began to bounce off of the Scarlet Lady's armor, and blood began to fly as the three beast warriors and their Necros-Vacuian support began to attack the prison guards. Her lance soaked in blood, the Scarlet Lady burst through the final line and charged at the closing portal. It snapped shut and she ran through the place where it was before.

Think fast... what to do... White Warrior's gone..., the Scarlet Lady wheeled her beast around and around, confused and desperate.

How does RUN sound to you...

Yes... run... surrounded by pissed off Outer Okinawans... run... "RUN!", the Scarlet Lady called the retreat.

The forces of Necros-Vacuia and Druarch made a mad dash for the exit, and begun to wind their way towards the surface. Eventually, the Scarlet Lady found herself neck to neck with Tomas. They encountered no resistance, except for a brief exchange of fire before the gates.

Safely outside of Naha, the Scarlet Lady watched as Tomas jumped off the beast and collapsed to the ground, exhausted. Dismounting herself, she moved over to him and kneeled down. "Are you okay? Tomas?"

There was no response.

Removing his helmet, she gasped. There was a large, ugly wound on his forehead. She checked his pulse. Turning to the others, she snapped, "Quick! Get Tomas in the wagon! If we don't get him some medical attention soon, he'll die!"

Imperial Palace, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

A pair of the Rekk insertion team, for that was what they were, pulled Tomas over to the wagon, depositing him gently inside....one pulled a small needle and injected Tobias with an odd blue fluid.

"Preventssss ssssshock," hissed the Rekk. He handed the Scarlet Lady a small beacon. "Use thissss to contact the Citadel. They'll pick you up ssssshortly. We're sssssorry about the Warrior, truly."

The others, the Youngest might have noticed, were pulling out various, cruel-looking blades and devices; knives of uniquely Rekk design....and for each, a go'zkuten-ai....

"We're going back," explained one of the Rekk. "Sssssecondary ordersssss."

"Yessss," another smiled. "The sssspawn of their Emperor ssssshall know the Lord Praetor'ssssss righteoussss wrath..."

Hushed, the eight figures suddenly shifted, before her eyes, into a group of Outer Okinawan aides....and moved off....

--------------------

Aoimizu Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Army of the Dominion, pulled into hiding, struck the newly arrived Okinawans like a cobra, the infantry surging into the enemy flank, led by the Apollyonids and supported by the vehicles....the Hivelings supported the entire army.

And, of course, the aircraft made strafing runs...blasing apart those who fought well enough to hold their own...

--------------------

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

As the tide had turned, the Druarchans falling to battle with the Apollyonids, surprising the creatures with sheer ferocity....the Beast Warriors had also pulled back.

And at seeing the Druarchans, they lost themselves, and charged the line. "YAAAA-AAAAYYYYY!!!!" echoed across the battlefield...

The Conelradians, seeing the Beasts engage, took the opportunity to remove themselves from the situation. A general retreat was sounded, and the pathetic remnants of the force moved back over the ridge, firing madly all the way. Within 15 minutes, the force was barrelling at full speed towards the Asphyxiatan border.

The Director sat in the boardroom pondering the situation. It had quickly become clear that the Conelrad Defense Force was not up for taking on Skippy (or anyone else, for that matter) except if the situation was strongly to their benefit. Which, in this case, it was not. The Director decided to keep out of the fight and monitor the situation from a distance.

[OOC: The forum ate my post. And it was hella long, so I'm not retyping it. Let it be known that:

a) Princess Mana has been captured while she was walking alone in the garden.
b) She and Sidhiel are on their way to the transport that will take them to Necros-Vacuia. They are riding a single horse taken from the stable in Kirishima.
c) The princess is unharmed, but there's a dead stableboy because we can't have people knowing the princess has been taken by the ninja-Companion.
d) That's it, really. Oh, the princess is going of her own will for fear of the Shadow Walkers, who are a legendary army of ghost-like people who have no voices because their voice boxes were cut out for efficiency. They're really hardcore. And a widely-known folktale that began in Wenchetyria.]

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

As the beast warriors continued their rampage through the Necros-Vacuian lines, they saw something that offended their very existance. What they saw was tall, green and bore pulse cannons and lances. However, what offended them were not the creatures themselves, but those that rode them.

Envelloped in rage, two lines of beast warriors charged each other, cries of "YAAAAA-AAAAAY!!!!" echoing amongst the buildings of Naha.

The Druarchian beast warriors could see the strength of those from Necros-Vacuia from the start. They were stronger, faster and could resist more bullets. However, the Druarchians had three things that the Necros-Vacuians did not have - intuition, anger and the will of the First Mother.

The first of these showed itself in the Druarchian beast warriors unnerving ability to avoid any lance strike from the enemy. The second of these showed itself in their complete lack of fear and complete determination to annihilate what they considered an abomonation to all they held sacred.

And the third of these manifested itself in the steadily growing rumbling that could be heard from the hills around Naha. A VERY large force was approaching... the rumbling became so intense that a window shattered in a nearby abandoned house.

Then they heard it. "YAAAAA-AAAAAAY!!!!", sounded throughout the surrounding hills.

---------

Prince Emritt watched from General Liebert's command station as a grinning green sea of jubilant terror poured over the hills to the city below. He had located the command station a good twenty minutes previous, and although he was there to officially give the orders, he was relying on the brains of the General to get the job done.

Rockets began to blast from the guns of the red-clad support troops, taking a few Necros-Vacuian fighters right out of the sky. However, Emritt realized, the success of this operation would be based on how succesfully they dealt with the enemy's infantry troops.

Aside from that, they could only hope that the appearance of Yog and the strength of Outer Okinaw's defense force would succesfully distract the Necros-Vacuian air force.

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Beast Warriors of Necros-Vacuia knew they had lost. But these, the most devout of the Sephirothic Church, were not going to die at the hands of their enemies, or even be captured.

Necros-Vacuians are taught from birth that to die in the name of the Predecessors is an honor no man can refuse. And these Warriors burned with a fanatic desire to serve the Ones Descendant from the Stars.

As the enemy charged, each of the Necros-Vacuians pressed a piece of their biomechanical armor, and the marks of the Predecessors glowed bright, shimmering blue. The Beasts shrieked their defiance of the enemy....

Then, they exploded outward, in flares of bright white light accompanied by a massive blue shockwave, claiming the lives of the Druarchans nearby.

---------------------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Sir, we're reporting a MASSIVE charge of Beast Warriors! The Conelradian forces are pulling back toward the Asphyxiatian border!!!"

Field Marshal Ali al-Mohalis cursed softly. This wasn't good...no, not good at all....

"Send a second Defiler wave at the Druarchans!" he commanded sharply. "This time, arm them with enough bombs to level this little scab of a city, by the Predecessors!"

"Yes, Field Marshal. And, sir?"

al-Mohalis noted the dot before the officer said a thing. "And send down my personal transport to pick up the Scarlet Lady and Tomas. NOW."

-----------------------------

Aoimizu Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The forces of the Necros-Vacuians, aided by their air power, had nearly encircled the encroaching enemy. It had taken many casualties, especially amongst the infantry (for once, the Apollyonids had been hardier), but they were driving the Outer Okinawans into a circle of death.

The artillery blazed outward, driving back any reinforcements that might have come to help the beleagured individuals.

Arrathi Kel, in his personal APC, sneered as he activated his voice amplifier.

"Soldiers of Outer Okinaw!" he rasped. "You are trapped. You have been beaten by the forces of the Dominion of Necros-Vacuia. Rightfully, you should suffer the judgement of the Predecessors, but today, they will be merciful. I will grant you all your lives if you surrender, without condition, as of now."

--------------------------

Imperial Palace, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Rekk insertion team had done its work. Crown Prince Shinji, formerly of Ikari, had been found by a screaming, panicking nurse...the young man had been viciously tortured, and from the looks of it, all with bladed weapons.

One of the lizard-creatures remained, staring the palace guards in the face as they came to their prince's rescue.

"For the Lord Praetor!" he hissed, and grabbing a tiny biomech device, the Rekk died with a small smile.

The nurses rushed Shinji to a hospital...he'd live, easily, but the scars would be lasting.....

-------------------------

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

And in his bunker, Havarran Dzerrin waited.

Waited for the arrival of a certain princess....and for the subsequent call from one Emperor Skippy. The long-haired Executor grinned as he spoke to himself.

"It's showtime."

3:52 AM, New new brunswic, Victoria city (the capital), The war room.

A long haired man walks into the cold steel room known as the New new brunswic war room. The floresent lights buzz annoyingly as the door creaks open. "Sir" Says the man "We are now reciving a telegram from outer okinawa. They have been attacked and are seding a call out for re-enforcements. They wish us to respond, What shall I tell them?" A curly haired blonde man on the other side of the room turns to him and says "An ally in need? Tell them that we'll have a force of our best albatri riders in Naha by noon" The long haired man nodds his head and says with a grimmace "Yes sir" and turns on his heel back through the door.

7:21 AM, New new brunswic, Kelson air force base, The loading of the transports.

A transport plane sits on the 3rd Kelson runway. Horse size flightless albatross stand in a somewhat straight line. Men and women riding the birds are wearing the standard orange and green New new brunswic army fatuige uniform. A man on an even larger bird comes out of a near by hanger bay. The other troops automaticly snap a salute to their forehead and straighten their backs. He goes up and down the line, Inspecting the troops, three or four times, And says with a smile "At ease" the soldiers drop their hands back down to their reins and let their back slump a little. The man on the large bird pulls a officers sword from his belt and starts in with a speech "OK men, As most of you know, My name is sir. This is what you will call me at all times. A few of you will be privaleged enough to call me captain, And a very special few will have the PRIVLADGE of calling me captain Washington. None of you will call me Patton. Or mister Washington. If you want me to shoot you on the spot, You will call me Patton Lee Washington as is is my full name. YOU GOT IT MORONS?" "SIR YES SIR!!!" Was the cry that rang out accross the runway there. "Good, Now here's the deal, Our ally outer okinawa has been inveded. Rumor has it that the enemy has gone straight for their capital city, Naha. We are to drop straight into the fight. Those bastards have never seen anything like our Albari, I expect them to be scared to death before we can shoot 'em. But for those who do survive the shock, We are to ride over them like a bump in the road of life" He brought his sword to his shoulder, And snapped it forward saying "Board the transports, Go in alphabetical order, Starting with A company. FOWARD MARCH" As the Albatri riders entered the prop jets, Captain Washington double checked his weapons. two short range pistols, A "Kline" type automatic rifle with 200 rounds of ammunition, His sword, three grenades, and a scuicide pin(A mini bomb connected to the belt buckle of a commisioned officer that is to be set off when a full retreat is ordered).

Later on, Above Naha

The prop jets soared above Naha, The third Albatri elite unit eagerly awaited their first real test. An anouncement came over the planes intercom system "Now reaching Naha, Prepare for drop" The men and women of the third albatri elite force grasped the reins of their birds as the drop doors on the back of the planes slowly opened, Releseing the warm pressurised cargo hold of the plane. The Albatri riders charged out of the back of the prop planes. Slowly glideing down into the mayhem in the city.

Chapter 2: Bloodshed

<<Outskirts of Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

"Remember... we serve Prince Emritt...", the Scarlet Lady muttered to her beast warriors. "This man is our brother... he is in need of medical attention... he was born albino."

As they approached the station, she called out, "Medics! This man needs immediate assistance!"

Tomas moaned softly, shifting...the young man luckily had not worn any of his Necros-Vacuian gear, and even luckier had never needed a biomech implant.

A portly man in the black clothes and white coat of an Alchemican Doctor comes running out of the mirrored tent to the pair. "You." He pointed at the Scarlet Lady. "Help me move him. Grab his legs."

The Scarlet Lady breathed a sigh of relief. As Alchemicans, it seemed unlikely that they'd recognize her. Swinging off of her beast, she walked to Tomas and helped the doctor lift him.

Swiftly the two brought the injured man into the tent where they laid him on a table. The fat doctor looked up to the others, a thin pale man and an average looking man with graying hair. A hispanic woman with her hair tied up tightly into a bun in the Alchemican Nurse uniform is also tending to the wounded. Also in the middle of the spacious tent there was a glass coffin with a brunette female sleeping inside.

"Jasper, Richard, Cynthia." The fat, balding man says to the others. "Keep everyone else out after the ones your working on." He gives the two people he came in with a smile. "These two need some privacy."

"Now...I'll have to ask you to remove your helmet sir."

Tomas groaned again, shifting. Outside, they could hear a high-pitched shriek as a Magician swooped low, and then horrible sounds as several Beast Warriors fell to the aircraft's drones...

The Scarlet Lady had been intentionally avoiding removing her helmet. However, with everyone else gone, she realized that she most likely wasn't in an incredible amount of danger. Nervously, she glanced at the door of the tent again, then at the doctor, then removed her helmet.

The ground shook slightly from a bomb hit, and she heard the chatter of Druarchan infantry; apparently a group of Hivelings had shown up nearby.

The doctor took a side long glance at Tomas and shook his head. "Cynthia, you'll need to do this one. His optic nerve has been damaged, ear drum pieced, his equilibrium's shot, also multiple hairline factures along the frontal lobe causing fluid to pool. I've removed the fluid and reattached what I can. You can do the rest?"

"Not a problem." The hispanic woman came over to Tomas and placed her hands on his temple and concentrated.

"Now..." The portly doctor wiped his hands that were stained with Tomas' blood with a white cloth and threw it into a pile with other similar cloths. "If your ladyship would let me examine her I would be appreciative."

The Scarlet Lady was taken aback at the way the doctor had referred to her. She had heard that Alchemicans possessed odd powers, but until this day had never seen such powers demonstrated. However, she also realized that there was nothing she could do if he knew who she was, except for to be prepared for anything. Nodding silently, she sat down on the nearest empty cot.

"Thank you Mi'lady. Don't worry. The Originators had something called Doctor/Patient Privelage once. We still appreciate that ideal." Carefully he touched parts of her body, her arms, her chest, her legs, after the brisk check was done he took a step back and smiled. "Well, that's not too bad, a few cuts on your right arm, a sprain in the left leg, and some old scar tissue in your left elbow that was reducing your agility in it. It should feel much better now."

The ground shook again, and there was an audible sound of chittering, as well as a crackle of lightning. The Hivelings were getting closer, if the clicking they could hear was any indication.

The Scarlet Lady glanced around nervously. She realized that if the Hivelings set themselves upon the medical station, it wouldn't make any difference whose side they were on. Looking back at the doctor, she asked, "How's Tomas? Is he going to be okay?"

"He should be fine. Give him a few minutes to rest and regain the use of his regrown body matter." The hispanic nurse said walking away from his table and grabbing a bottle of some carbonated reddish liquid from the other two doctors that are apparently taking a break.

"Are you worried about the Hivelings outside Mi'lady?" The portly doctor said getting up and grabbing his own bottle of the red drink. "It's alright. Mary has us covered. Would you like one?"

He offered the beast rider a bottle of the red stuff.

"Yes, I'd like I drink...", said the Scarlet Lady, accepting the offered drink. "As a matter of fact, I'm quite worried about the Hivelings... of course, the way you speak of it, it would seem you have some safeguard against any sort of assault..."
Taking a swig, the Scarlet Lady was slightly surprised by the flavor. "Umm... if you don't mind telling me... what is this?"

The drink is sweet, very carbonated, a little syrupy and tastes like cherries. "Yup. Didn't you notice all those missiles and bombs and bullet shells forming a ring around us? It's all thanks to sleepin' beauty over there." The overweight man gestures to the woman in the coffin in the center of the room. "She's expanding her will around us. Has to be in a coma-state to do it, but it works very very well. For example," He picks up a small surgical scalpel. "It's thanks to Mary that this happens." He turns to Cynthia and thrusts the blade directly at her eye. He stops two milimeters away from piecing it. "I couldn't make this go any further if I tried. Feels like I'm pushing into a solid wall. Mary's doin', same reason you'll find you can't take your sword out of your sheath."

The other two men seem to have gotten a buzz from drinking several bottles of the cherry stuff and are talking to each other in a 'drunken buddies' manner.

"Y-y-you know her a-armour sorta r-reminds me of the stuff the Originator High G-g-gaurds wore." The thin man stammered out looking at the Scarlet Lady's armour.

"Feh. You spent way too much time in the archive Gein." The graying hair man took a swig of the red stuff. "The armour may look the same but the plating is way off. The Originator High Guard Armor's right hand was made out of 18,400 pieces alone, you cant even see the seams."
W-well, Richard, at l-least I can read! The Orig-ginators of the TESC Paradise Zone k-knew what armour was. No q-question."

"No question." The two men clink bottles and down another drink.

Tomas groaned, and a faint whisper came from his lips.

"The light....the light of the Predecessors.....like before...like when they came to the world..."

His hands reached, grasping, and he spoke again, his voice unearthly.

"In those days, before the forming of the world...man was crude and filled with sin...and the Predecessors...they poured out their wrath upon them...."

The Scarlet Lady heard Tomas's muttering and moved to the side of his bed. Kneeling down, she said, "A terror came from the stars... sent by the First Mother, to challenge her children... for they were...", she paused, realizing a connection. "Crude... and filled with sin..."

"They sent their fire to cleanse the world, to burn the cities of those who had sinned, the Predecessors, in their vengeance against those who would defy the Gods," Tomas moaned.

"And the terror spread, and nations fell. And the First Mother realized that the Terror had spread beyond her control, and so she descended, and blessed those closest to her with the shadow of her divine grace. And the beast warriors rode into battle, and the eldest man and the eldest beast became the first Great Fathers...", the Scarlet Lady realized that their stories were diverging slightly, but of the entire Mach Eien Druarch, this was her favorite passage.

The four doctors nod. "And humans will, and always shall, never be as Gods."

Arising, the Scarlet Lady scrutinized the doctors. Turning back to Tomas, she spoke, more to herself than to anyone else, "According to the Mach Eien Druarch, the Children of Druarch lose their divinity with each successive generation... those who are the closest to the First Mother bear the most nobility, honor and strength. The first of the beast warriors... were greater than any man, woman or beast alive today... and yet... even the first Great Fathers were but a shadow compared to Druarch herself... not Gods... but men..."

The Vyrnn smiled. "But there were those that the Predecessors chose. Those who had not sinned, they were taken by the Ones Descendant from the Stars. And they raised up a great home for them out of the sea...and they gave them many gifts...."

Returning her attention to Tomas, the Scarlet Lady continued. "Granted the strength and divinity of the First Mother, the beast warriors drove back the Terror to the void from whence it came. And as the battle ended, Druarch herself appeared to the Great Fathers, and spake unto him. For upon that day, She had betrayed a force that even She held sacred. In return for the First Mother's sacrifice, the Great Fathers and their brothers were to live their lives in service to Her..."

"And the Predecessors, when they departed, they told the people they would return and bless the people, and bring them to kingship....over all...the world..."

"You two should go." Cynthia said. "We have more wounded."

The Scarlet Lady stood and offered a helping hand to Tomas. "Yes... thank you for your help..."

(This was a triple post between Alchemica Medical, Druarch and Necros-Vacuia)

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"Hmmm," Havarran mused. "He hasn't called yet? Well, that's no good. This is boring...boring boring boring...and I don't even have her yet. Where is dear old Sidhie-Sidhie?"

Gar rushed in. "HAVARRAN! HAVARRAN! SEEKERS HAVE REPORTED A GIANT ANT EATING ENTIRE RURAL VILLAGES! HE'S HEADING INTO MAJOR CITIES!"

"That's Yog," smiled Havarran. "Gar, has Sidhiel called yet?"

"Who? That Companion from Wenchetyria?"

"Yes, oh my dear idiot," sighed the National Security Executor. "Her. I must speak with her, it's of such importance...."

"Havarran," Essell breathed, still panting. "We have a GIANT ANT EATING THINGS. Isn't that important to you at all?!"

"Not in the very least," Havarran promptly replied. "He'll move on, though I'm sure the Supreme Executor is absolutely panicky upstairs. He doesn't know the things that I do." The long-haired man laughed. "Poor man."

The Executor for the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs gazed a long time at his comrade, blinking. "But...he's...and...you....you...you know, Havarran, I just don't understand you."

"Not many people do," Dzerrin smirked. "Not many people really do."

----------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

"Sir, the Druarchans have slowed at the bombing, but the artillery seems to have had very little effect! They'll hit the infantry soon...the Hivelings can't hold them off forever!"

"I'm aware of this. Where'd these flying marks come from?"

"They're gliders, sir. Look like some sort of bird....from New New Brunswic."

al-Mohalis sighed. He'd hoped to save this weapon for later, for if the Outer Okinawans deployed their heaviest powers to the battlefield. But he had no choice, anymore...with the Conelradians pulling back and the appearance of these new enemies, he had to bring out the prototypes.

"Lieutenant? Prepare to release the Arbiters."

"Sir, their neurosystems..."

"May utterly fail. I know. But we need them."

-----------------------

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

A group of Predators swooped in on several gliding Albatri; they were fresh from a dogfight with Okinawan forces, which had carved their number neatly down to six.

"Gliding reinforcements? Have to do better than that, slanteyes," sneered the commander. "Target the birds! Use your pulse-cannons only!"

The squadron let out a hail of deadly bullets into the Albatri troopers, chewing the birds neatly into confetti...nearby, a Myrmidon's plasma cannons did the same.

--------------------------------

Aoimizu Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

"We've given them long enough. Push them back to their holes," order Major Kel before climbing back into his APC.

The hovertanks rumbled forward, their cannons rattling off round after round into the Outer Okinawan troops...the artillery let off a salvo, and the infantry followed. Fresh from their victory, the Necros-Vacuians were unprepared for the sheer force of the Druarchan charge...

-----------------

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

"Are you ready to begin the procedure, Lord Praetor?"

A biomech drone, small and insectoid, flitted over the bed where the High Authority lay, looking over Mayu for a moment.

Thraakan Naal smiled. "Why yes, Mayu, I believe I am. Dr. Volov, you'll make sure they do fine, won't you?"

"Of course, my Lord...."

Yog was displeased With the Inhabitants of Necros-Vaucia, They tasted rather funny. A sudden Pang in his mind made him realize that hiplar was close to being awakened. He had Little time to Lose, The World Must know of Yog Monster From Space. He Ceased his Attack On Necros-Vaucia and Headed back to battle he had left a few days ago at a Sprint, Hiplar would have the most trouble stopping him there. After 2 Days He Reached the Battlefield. Immersing himself in chaos.

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Ten miles southeast of Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

The Scarlet Lady rested against a tree and watched the battle unfold. She had kept watch. The infiltration of the palace had caused her base instincts to take her, and when her base instincts took her, she could never sleep. She had stayed up weeks at a time in the past, after particularly heavy battles.

However, this time, she had no problems with this inability to sleep. She had spent the entire night, eyes wide open, pondering the conversation between her and Tomas in the medical station.

Something had been going on there... something she could not quite figure out... It was as though the Alchemicans had intended the conversation to take place.

But what had happened? And for what purpose?

The Originator High Guards... the Beast Warriors...

And humans will, and always shall, never be as Gods., her Beast paused in its grazing and looked at her. They were trying to tell us something...

I don't think they were... I think they were trying to lead us towards something... but I don't think that they wanted us to know. Otherwise they would have told us directly.

Perhaps we could use what they were leading us towards...

Perhaps we could go to Ornek City and singlehandedly storm the Tower of the Beast...., the Scarlet Lady suddenly realized how stupid that was. "Umm.... actually, you're right.[/I]

Behind her, she heard her companions waking up. The first to arise was one of the four beast warriors that had infiltrated the palace with her. She looked at the scraggly young man - he couldn't have been more than fifteen - and offered a casual smile. "Good morning."

"Umm... morning, Your Highness... I...", the young man's face turned red.

"Have a seat... you are my brother, and therefore you will refer to me as sister. If you wish to distinguish me as the one who's about to give you orders, call me your Elder Sister.", the Scarlet Lady found the boy very annoying. However, she had never been one for troop formality, and the 'Your Highness' bit gave her a headache, because it reminded her of her twin brother.

"Very well... Elder Sister...", stammered the young beast warrior.

"Okay... Take the other three warriors that are sleeping back there and infiltrate the Druarchian ranks. I have a very special task for you..."

-----

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

Elsewhere, another pair of eyes watched the battle unfold. Lord Bishop Thomas Piern smiled to himself as his viewscreen displayed the massive onslaught of beast warriors and the arrival of the albitross riders of New New Brunswic.

The battle was clearly his. Or, Emperor Skippy's, as one could debateably put it.

The way Piern saw it, there were two kinds of allies. There were those that would agree to an alliance due to the hope of friendship and support, and there were those that would agree to an alliance for their own personal advantage. He had two of the former. It was time to gain more allies... in a different manner.

Closing the video transfer of the battle, he begun typing up a memo.

"To: The Emergency Director of Labour, Conelrad
From: Lord Bishop Thomas Piern, Chancellor of the Homeland, Druarch
Regarding: A Possible Deal

I am well aware that our nations are at war. However, I am also aware that you are a reasonable man that recognizes a good opportunity when you see one. I would like to present you with such an opportunity.

As you may know, one of Druarch's most prominent beast warriors, known as the Scarlet Lady, has recently gone renegade. I have knowledge of her whereabouts, and I could give them to you if you agree to a non-aggression pact between our nations. If you agree to the bargain, I will give you fifty trained special needs beasts, from which you can breed your own."

Piern turned to his assistant. "Brother Haavis, send a message to Brother Nevien at the monastery... tell him that the beast warriors ride at the break of dawn."

The young monk, not thinking much of the Lord Bishop's odd request, left the room.

-----

<<The Hall of Warriors Monastery, Druarch>>

The huge stable was located beneath the courtyard of the sacred home of the Order of the Naerach Thahn. Hidden from the surface by a heavy security system and several meters of solid concrete, the stable felt like a cross between a high security prison and an insane asylum.

Several hundred stalls lined the walls, and in each of these stalls stood a beast. However, there was something different about these beasts. Unlike their kindred, those that were considered equal to if not greater than humans in Druarch, there was something different about these beasts.

The difference lay in their eyes. No glint shown from them, no subtle movements. Their eyes bulged out of their green foreheads like solid black marbles, an occasional twitch betraying their organic nature. Then there was their face... most special needs beasts were capable of some sort of expression. If one looked carefully, one might even catch one shut its mouth. However, these beasts remained rigid, forever staring into space... unless their master gave them an order.

These special needs beasts were pets... they had had the sentience bred out of them. And as such, anyone could command them.

"You are stressed Praetor." Mayu said as she softly combed her fingers through his hair. "You're scared of us?" The two girls let out a soft giggle. "I thought the Praetor was afraid of nothing."

"Besides," Mio continued as she rubbed the Praetor's shoulders. "You know no Alchemican has ever taken the life of another human. 'First, do no harm.' remember?"

The Lord Praetor chuckled. "There are fates worse than death, girls...but I trust you. And even if I die...you managed to make it quite enjoyable beforehand."

Tobias coughed and went red at this, but couldn't hide a smile. "Please, my Lord, just relax."

"He can't." Mayu said half to Tobias, half to the Praetor as she caressed his right cheek. "Part of him still hates us, and himself. He fears that he will be killed, torn apart, labeled, savaged. The irony here is he's the only one in this room that has killed."

Mio laid her head agianst the Praetor's stomach. "Would you like to forget that day? Would that help you relax?"

The Lord Praetor shook his head slightly. "You're incorrect, Mayu dear...part of me still hates the City of Mirrors. I have no personal hatred for you two...."

"Would it be permanent?" asked Tobias worriedly.

Thraakan smiled unfathomably. "Silly girl...forgetting doesn't help anything." He turned his attention to the biomech drone. "Drone! Help these ladies, if you would?"

The tiny floating creature chirped, and sent a signal to the computer...a soft piano theme began to play. The Lord Praetor turned his attention to Tobias. "A shot of thryenaline should also help, Tobias."

"Yes, my Lord." The doctor easily complied, and the Lord Praetor's eyes closed, smile still on his face.

"I can see the rot, the parts of your mind the Predecessors have taken away. They are being very greedy. There you go Praetor. Now..." Mio stopped and took a step away from the bed. "Tobias, wake him up. Now."

"Yes Doctor." Mayu is standing away from the bed on the other side. Her face and voice haven't changed but there is something WRONG about her. "Wake up the great Lord Praetor, so that we may talk."

"You will be chased away again monster." Mio said to her sister, the picture of composure.

"What? By you? They sent a child to do the work of an army." Mayu responds smiling. "Wake him up doctor, or I'll make you beg for death, just like the rest of your blasphemous family."

Tobias blinked. "Mayu...? What on earth....?" Pulling a syringe from his pocket, he injected the Lord Praetor once more....

The drone flittered up, an alarmed chirp echoing from its sensors....

And the Rekk assassin dropped his cover, a tall white lizard-man now moving to Mayu's side in a flash, a long blade flicking from his wrist.

"Harm not our Masssster," the agent hissed, hate in its voice....

"I'm not the one harming him." Mayu pointed at Mio. "My sister is the one trying to destroy him."

"If you kill me, the Praetor will be dead within a month." Mio responded. "Tobias." She continued. "If you don't wake up the Praetor then he dies now."

The Rekk's tongue flittered across its muzzle, unsure of who to kill in its Lord Praetor's name...it raised the knife, deciding to kill both...

"Hold," came the Lord Praetor's voice, calm and soft. The ruler of Necros-Vacuia's eyes were wide opened, and his smile had vanished.

"Good Morning Praetor." Mayu said giving him a beautiful smile. "I believe you were just about to execute us for being the blasphemous people we are."

"If you kill us Lord Praetor, you will die and kill more of those close to you." Mio calmly countered.

"If you don't Praetor, then the Okinaw forces will do it instead as they ravage your land." Mayu replied.

The Lord Praetor smiled at both. "Darlings....the Okinawans will never touch the Dominion. You know that. Are those two nasty little girls back in the City of Mirrors having their fun again?"

Thraakan reached up to touch the drone. "You've made him skittish...forgetting his primary function..." He tapped the drone.

Tobias clutched his head as he felt a shock of pain blast through it, and a buzzing sensation remain...the Rekk seemed unaffected, lowering his knife-arm.

Mio clutched her head and yelped in pain as she wilted to the ground like a flower. Mayu however just tilted her head to look at the Praetor.

"Those two girls back in that abomination aren't seeing this. Thraakan, why are there Alchemica whores in the holy citadel? Why are you trying to refuse your ascent to be one with the Predecessors? Why have you allowed the spawn of that heathen Volov to live? Answer me Thraakan."

Thraakan blinked. "First tell me to whom I speak...for you're plainly not Mayu...."

"You know who I am Thraakan."

"You are a monster." Mio slowly dragged herself and Tobias up leaning against each other for support. "You are the one rotting the Praetor's mind."

"We are evolving him!" Mayu snaps back.

Tobias' face went ashen. "You can't be...you aren't...no, not even they could do that. It's not possible! I don't believe--"

"Silence, Tobias." The Lord Praetor looked bemused. "I'm afraid your identity has somewhat slipped my mind..."

Mayu narrows her eyes. "I am, who I am." She nods to the pair struggling to stand. "Those are your enemies Thraakan. Those seek to hurl you back to the mud and filth of humanity."

"Praetor..." Mio is breathing heavily. "Tobias Volov and his family have never steered you wrong. Trust him." She collapses into the doctor's arms.

"The Volovs are the disgrace of Necros-Vacuia." Mayu says smiling. "The only thing worse than them is that brat and her kind."

"Tobias?" the Lord Praetor asked. "What do you think this thing is....?"

Volov swallowed hard. "Something the Predecessors trapped...or....well, my Lord...otherwise...one of the Predecessors....themselves..."

"The heretical spawn has a brain. Amazing, you should bow before me Volov. Rejoice in my mercy that I haven't used this girl's strength to cause your heart to burst in your chest." Mayu said.

The Lord Praetor blinked.....and then smiled. And laughed...laughed long and mirthfully, shaking his head. When he looked at Mayu again, his eyes shimmered.

"....don't be afraid, Tobias."

Tobias couldn't, at this rate, help it. "My...My Lord...you...but...but I don't understand...."

"What am I, Tobias?" the Lord Praetor asked, his voice going suddenly cold and authoritarian, but the smile remaining on his face.

"You are the Lord Pr--"

"No. WHAT am I, Tobias?" The smile vanished, and the arm of the Lord Praetor grabbed Volov by the collar. "What?"

"You are ...the...High Authority...of the Dominion....and...and...the Prophet...." His voice died.

"Of the Predecessors," Thraakan finished, smiling again. "This thing isn't one of them...though, clearly, it knew them. Perhaps it served them, at a time..."

"I still do my Lord. I am your guard. I protect you from those who would stop your ascension to the ranks of your ancestors." Mayu points at the other two. "I protect you from the Alchemican monsters, heathens like the Volovs, and disguised demons like your parents."

"But it betrayed them," Thraakan continued, smiling still. "Just as it would betray me. It seeks to trick me with their knowledge." The Lord Praetor chuckled. "You forget. The Prophet is not meant to ascend....not till Their return...."

Tobias blinked. "Then...then...how do we get rid of it?"

"Of that, my dear Dr. Volov, I am still not sure." Thraakan pursed his lips.

Mayu narrows her eyes and bites her lip. A moment of silence between the five people in the room. Then Mayu smiles again. "Very good Praetor. You are worthy of the title given to you. You have resisted temptation of the easy way out. So you will live, and the Alchemica whores will complete their work." She bowed very formally to the Praetor. Then she looked up at Tobias frowning. "You, however, are still the spawn of heathen filth." A searing pain lanced Tobias in the right eye. "And if thy right eye is an offense to God, then God shall pluck it out." The WRONG look on Mayu's face passes and she wilts to the floor like her sister.

Thraakan chuckled, and tapped the drone again. "Set the jamming to about 60%....let them complete their work. Tobias, are you all right...?"

Tobias winced in pain, his right eye going dark. "I...I think so, my Lord...but...but I can't see in my right eye...I'm fine otherwise....by the grace of...." He bit his lip. "By the grace of the Predecessors..."

"Indeed," smiled the Lord Praetor serenely. "R'kkava? Help the poor darlings up."

Confused, the Rekk complied, blinking his large black eyes.

"Mmmh? Oh I'm so sorry My Lord Praetor." Mio said blushing.

"As am I Praetor." Mayu said as well her head bowed in shame. "We didn't mean to waste such time."

"This will be done in a few minutes Praetor." Mio said carefully touching his head gently in some certain areas. "Then you will be good as new." She looks at Dr. Volov. "Tobias, your eye..." She opens her mouth then closes it quickly. "I'm sorry. I can't fix that."

Tobias blushed. "Oh...it's quite all right..."

The Lord Praetor looked thoughtfully at the doctor, shaking his head. "I don't think even the vats could fix that...but perhaps they can help. Perhaps we can rig something for you...don't despair, my good Dr. Volov." His fingers gently ran over Mio's hair. "You've done quite a job, darling, and I thank you."

"It is no problem Praetor." Mio replied smiling. "Alchemicans exist to heal."

(This has been a joint post between Alchemica Medical and Necros-Vacuia.)

"Princess Mana has been WHAT?!" Skippy sat up, horrified. His precious jewel, only equaled by Yomiko and his people, had been stolen from under his nose.... "Where the hell was Nancy when all this happened?" He asked, anger rising in him like magma in a volcano.... "She was incapacitated, sir. The assailants knocked her out...somehow...we're still investigating that one...." His aide reported.... It was highly unusual that Nancy could be incapacitated so easily....especially given her.....abilities... "What About Wendy?" Mana's tutor was also usually by her side as well..... "Asleep... It was 1:30 in the morning, sir...." she replied....... "Dammit....this is the worst time.....Alright, once Nancy's ready, tell her I want her to find Mana at whatever cost...."
"Sir, our forces are still engaging various elements. Also, we've had reenforcements from New New Brunswick....Their transports are being shot to pieces, though......Should we send reenforcements to help them out?" She asked, knowing what the answer would be. "Yes, send the 181st. Tell them to also engage the ground targets when possible....." "Right, sir..."

The Citadel, Medical Deck, Private Hospice of the Lord Praetor

"Our infantry's being chewed to pieces," grimaced the Lord Praetor as he looked once more at the battle map. "We can't afford to stay out here much longer...Skippy's forces are just too numerous." He bit his lip. "But I'm not about to lose this war...."

"Lord Praetor!" a voice called from his viewscreen. The smiling visage of Havarran Dzerrin. "My most gracious and wonderful and in all things enigmatic Lord! I have the most wonderful news of our campaign, from right here in Necros-Vacuia, no less!"

Thraakan blinked. "Oh?"

"Oh yes!" Havarran hopped with excitement. "I'm sure no one's told you or anyone else yet....but~...we have the Crown Princess of Outer Okinaw!!!" He grinned happily. "Dear old Sidhie-Sidhie brought her right here, oh, YES!"

Thraakan Arawn Naal sat bolt upright in his bed. "...Havarran, please tell your Lord Praetor this is not a dream...?"

"Predecessors' truth~," sang the Executor for the Commissariat of National Security. "You ought to pull back, my Lord. The battle is a stalemate in terms of fighting. Now is the time for diplomacy....or, in other words, betrayal, deceit, spying, and assassination. And Predecessors know, we're good at those!"

"Yes," the Lord Praetor said, nodding. "Yes, we are. Has he called you yet?"

"Oh, no, not yet," smirked Dzerrin. "But he will. Trust me, my Lord, he will."

"Understood. I'm pulling the Citadel and the fleet back to the Asphyxiatian capital city. I need reinforcements sent from the Dominion ASAP."

"They'll be there, my Lord. In the meantime, I have to speak to a very upset emperor. Dzerrin out."

-----------------------------

The Citadel, Command Deck, Main Bridge

al-Mohalis, slumped in his command chair, had called off the use of the Arbiters with the advent of Yog's return. This was simply too much. The Beast Warriors had broken through a full Hiveling assault, and they and the new gliders from some backwater shithole were massacring his troops.

And then, the giant ant had come back, and stepped on a whole tank battalion. Which had lit the ant's foot on fire for a few minutes, but otherwise done nothing.

So he sat, and waited for the Lord Praetor to order him to die for his failure.

"Field Marshal!" The Lord Praetor appeared on his viewscreen. This was it. Except he was....smiling...?

"Yes, my Lord? I do know the battle's a disas--"

"Never mind that. You've done as well as you could, and I commend you. I want you to pull back all units to the capital city of Asphyxiatia. The people will help us resupply, and we'll wait there for further reinforcements from the Dominion."

"My Lord, we're retreating?"

"Of course, but not permanently!" laughed Thraakan. "We're merely preparing for the second round, Field Marshal. And our dear troops sorely need it."

The viewscreen darkened, and Ali sighed with relief.

"Sound the retreat. All units pull back towards Asphyxiatia. Rendezvous point is the capital city. Repeat, all units retreat toward Asphyxiatia."

"Yes, sir."

--------------------------

Aoimizu Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

Major Arrathi Kel sighed as the retreat was sounded. "Damn. All right, boys, you heard the Field Marshal! Let's kick the tires and light the fires!"

Grabbing the cute Okinawan pilot he'd captured, Kel grinned at her. "Guess your country won, honey. Come...celebrate with me." He sneered at her sob of anger, and pulled her into the APC.

All across the battlefield, the Army of the Dominion moved like a wave, following the call of their Citadel. Down to the last shrieking biomech, they piled into APCs and transports and dropships, and moved away....

And every last aircraft returned to the side of the Predecessor city-craft as its engines lit, heading for Asphyxiatia with surprising speed.

The Dominion, it appeared, was now leaving.

---------------------

Imperial Palace, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

A palace guard ran up to Emperor Skippy.

"Sir, we found this beacon on Crown Prince Shinji...it was left on him by the Necros-Vacuians who tortured him. Apparently it's a calling device...it's supposed to contact someone of importance in the Dominion. Perhaps they know where Mana-chan is?"

"So the Praetor is back to his old self huh?" Dr. Vincent looked over the new sheaf of papers attached to his clipboard. "Good, have Michael call Dr. Volov to see when we can send Walter to get the girls back."

"Alright." Dr. Heather Gillespie-Mason shook her head sadly. "Shame about his right eye."

"Well, like great great grandfather, like great grandfather, like grandfather, like father, like son." The two doctors entered a pure white room where another set of twin girls were sitting in two chairs. "Sae, Yae. Did you get what we needed?"

"Yes sir." Yae replied. "It took a long while what with the scrambling but we have the information."

"It does have a few gaps." Sae said. "It's about...85 percent complete at most, 70 percent least."

"Good enough for extrapolation." Heather said to Vincent. "Also we have the father and mother's sample. We can fill in the blanks?"

Vincent nodded. "Alright. Girls, if you would?" He took out a pencil and flipped to a blank piece of paper.

The girls took a deep breath and begain to speak in unison. "GGATTCCCACGGAGAGTTAA..." This continued for two long hours.

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

As the heart of the fighting, the streets of the Shinsekii Prefecture had been transformed into a graveyard.

Escorted by General Liebert and an honor guard consisting of both Beast Warriors and Druarchian Militia, Prince Emritt surveyed the damage that the opposing side had done to the Outer Okinawan capitol city. The streets were littered with green puddles, feathers, and rotting heaps, as well as the week-old bodies of dead civilians who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

When a beast died, they lost form, but their membrane remained intact. Knowing this, the Beast Warriors were able to pull their dead together into one large pile, Beast and Warrior together, and light a pire. A smell that had always reminded Prince Emritt of rotting oranges spread throughout the streets of the city.

Turning away from the scene of carnage, Prince Emritt and his escort began to move through the streets towards the Outer Okinawan Imperial Palace, standing proud and strong in the aftermath of a fierce battle.

-----

<<Above Idaholand>>

Leaning to the window of the transport, the Scarlet Lady watched as the lush, green land of the Eastern Exclusion Zone gave way to the blasted, barren land of the Western. She had had a long talk with Tomas, and they had both agreed that the Alchemicans had made something occurin that tent.

So, Tomas invited her to return to Necros-Vacuia with him. They were to study up in the archives of the Lord Praetor's Palace.

The Scarlet Lady had a goal, and a goal that she would accomplish at any cost.

She was going to free the White Warrior.

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Imperial Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

"Although we've beaten them back, winning will be very difficult......"

Prince Emritt nodded, a grave expression on his face. "Yes, Emperor... very difficult. I am confident that we can win... however, just because we have won this battle is no reason to celebrate just yet."

"Indeed. Many of the cities are occupied by the Necros and Utapu troops..... I pray everyday for the safety of the people in those cities.....and I shudder to think what they are enduring......."

Gesturing to the gruff man who had accompanied him to the meeting, Prince Emritt spoke again. "Allow me to introduce you to General Wilhelm Liebert. He is the supreme commander of the Druarchian Militia. He has a plan that could win us this war."

Skippy stands, bows and shakes the man's hand. "I am open to suggestions....but I would definitely prefer to have my country intact whe this is over. I will listen to what you have to say......"

He signalled for an aide to bring tea.

General Liebert placed an envelope on the councel table and began to speak through his thick beard. "This plan will involve the teamwork of both Outer Okinaw and Druarch, as well as our allies in New New Brunswic."

Skippy looked for approval to open the envelope. then took it and opened it once it the general nodded.

The envelope contained an aerial picture of a single-story building of Necros-Vacuian design. "This is a picture taken by a Brunswician spy in Necros-Vacuia. During the battle, we managed to intercept a few transmissions from the Lord Praetor's Citadel. All of them were being sent to this building, located in the heart of Necros-Vacuia. At first, we suspected that it was a secret command center... however, look at the next photo."

Skippy looked at the photo.....

The picture was of the same building depicted in the last one. However, in this photo, a large transport waited outside. A line of people that appeared to be prisoners were being escorted by armed guards into the building.

"When we saw this picture, it piqued our interest even more...", said Prince Emritt. "However... I'm sure you'll agree with me that the next picture takes the cake..."

"This was taken five hours later.", said General Liebert. The picture showed a line of people being led from the building to another transport. However, these people weren't exactly humans... they were Apollyonids.

"Mother of Buddha....." Skippy Gasped. Yomiko took a look at the picture and ran for the bathroom, her face tinged with green and her hand over her mouth.....

"The enemy relies on the Apollyonids.", Prince Emritt continued with a disturbingly smug tone. "I have reason to believe that this is one of the enemy's major factories. General Liebert's plan would take the fight into enemy territory. If we can cripple most or all of Necros-Vacuia's Apollyonid factories... then I'd say we've as good as won."

"Is there a way....we could free those who are slated for....transmution? as well as destroy this unnatural and horrible place?"

Prince Emritt shook his head sadly. "I am afraid I know nothing of how a human becomes an Apollyonid. However, I do know that if those prisoners were given a chance, they would gladly help fight the guards and destroy the factory."

Nodding, General Liebert continued. "This operation would be conducted by all three of our governments. New New Brunswic would bring in their fleet to serve as our base of operations off the coast of Necros-Vacuia. From there, we would launch expeditions straight to the heart of Necros-Vacuian territory."

"I have a person imbedded as a so-called traitor....she had some plans for our mechs........ fortunately for us, those are of the mechs that we no longer use...even in the militia.......But unfortunately, she fell in with the....regulars with the Necros............"

"Well, we'll be happy supply people to be part of the plan...."

Prince Emritt smiled and stood, offering a hand to Emperor Skippy. "Very well. I thank you for your support. Between the three of us, I have no doubt that we will win this war."

Skippy maintained a neutral face "In reality, I just want my country back to what it was like...."

"And if I have my way, that is what you'll get.", with these words, Emritt left the Emperor's company.


(This was a joint post between Druarch and Outer Okinaw)

6 predators swooped down on three unsuspecting Albatri infantry members, Tearing the poor souls to shreads. Captain Washington watched the seen with horror, He didn't expect a fight this quick on. "Damnit" He screamed "Sergent Hollen, Take your company, Fire a full barrage into those predators. That shoud kill those bastards" The sergant lowered his rifle to the "face" of the neares one, Cried "Fire at will, FULL BARRAGE!" All 100 members of "C" company lowered their guns to the predators and fired a round into them. As they fired, A wall of bullets crashed into the soft underbellys of the Albatri. Killing a few, But mainly just pissing off most of them. "Ha, They think that can take us down? They are greatly mistaken then!" As he spoke these words, Plasma cannons Shreded "D" companys front line. "HOLY CRAP" Yelled Washington "EVASIVE MANUVERS!!! D Company, Regroup, Fall back a bit. The rest of you, Dive, Full. We're harder to hit at an angle" The birds flattened out a bit and headed straight for the ground. Their heads being the strongest part of their bodys. They dove straight for the enemy infantry, Knowing full well that their sheer weight would crush the enemy, They drove in at full speed.

<<The Emperor’s Star>>

A small group of devout monks sat in meditation in front of the God-Emperor’s sarcophagus, chanting the prayers that had evolved from the Original Language brought to Utapu from it’s sister planet Utapau, light-years away and dead for centuries more. A loud grinding noise filled the room and the monks immediately prostrated themselves on the floor, knowing that their God-Emperor had been raised from the dead.

Rising from the bright lights inside the sarcophagus, the God-Emperor stepped out of the case on the golden carpet that lay around the stone box. His near naked body shone like silver, his long silver hair had grown out, covering his back. The assassin had dealt a deadly blow to the God-Emperor. The deep cut that stretched from his shoulder to his hip, cutting across his chest and stomach, still showed, even though the cut was no longer capable of killing him. “As I foretold, the mark of my mortality shall appear on my chest, and when I am returned from death you shall see it an believe that I am your One True and Immortal God.” The God-Emperor spoke with a new conviction in his voice.

He held his hand up and a golden toga was pulled through the air to his hands. Putting it one, he made sure that his wound could be seen clearly, so that no one would question his return. He walked past the monks to the war room, where the council of nobles had been convened for the past four days. He walked up to one noble, who had questioned the choice to bring Him to the Sarcophagus. With out saying a word he waved his hand and a group of guards rushed out of nowhere and tied up the noble.

“Send him to the Royal Palace. Round up anyone who has gone astray from worshiping me and kill them all on the grounds of the Royal Palace.” The noble was dragged off, quitely and without resisting. He knew he had committed a mortal sin against his God and was willing to die for his mistake.

One of the nobles quietly spoke up. “Sir, an entire town has disowned you, they are following a god who has no face or name. It was introduced by an outsider, from unknown regions, possibly the unexplored areas of the northern continent.”

“Then power up the laser, make sure that every city in Utapu sees the blast. Destroy the city and it’s inhabitants. Let no one know of this. No one will leave the station, and any transmissions will be traced and its violator will be killed on the spot. There is a traitor on board who let that assassin in. I WILL find who it is and I will kill him myself.”

“Sir, what do you wish to do about the war that continues on the continent?”

“Call back all the troops. We shall regroup. The last war I fought decimated my people, reducing my once proud empire of 594 trillion down to a pathetic 5 million in a single country on a backwater world in this horrid galaxy. I swore that that was the LAST time I would be killed! With this pathetic population of under 200 million, I can not fight an effective war. We shall let the other countries on that rock down there fight until they’ve dwindled each others populations down to Kar’maath shit. Then I shall retake this planet.”

The nobles bowed and scrambled, beganing to call every base in Utapu and starting the ignition sequence. The God-Emperor turned to one of his aides. “What of the Highest Wench, were you able to find anything of her?”

“No, my Lord. It would seem that the same group that killed you destroyed her. Everything was incinerated.”

“Damn democrats.” The God-Emperor sat back in his throne and mused to himself. “How many life times have I lived? How many women have I dominated? Hmm. Perhaps because she is…. was… different. She was as forceful a dictator as I am. Hmm. The God-Emperor in love? Ha! Sounds more like a bad movie. I should call Wenchetyria. See if they have her DNA on hand. Even the smallest piece of her can return her to me through my sarcophagus. It has returned me from death more times that I can remember, given me immortality. She would become a Goddess, my Empress, and together we could take this planet and all of the worlds in this rebellious galaxy……. Somehow, though…. I know she wouldn’t wish to be worshiped as a goddess.”

The nobles all looked at the God-Emperor. It had been centuries since anyone had seen the God-Emperor reflect like this, oblivious to everyone around him. The God-Emperor finally looks down and sees them all looking back. A visible aura began to glow around the God-Emperor’s body, the nobles all took the hint and went straight back to working the war room.

<<VADERGRU, UTAPU>>

A large cross was being hoisted on top a temple, where once a statue of the God-Emperor stood. One of the citizens yelled “Praise the One TRUE God! We are free of the false god who was killed like any other mortal and has shown no signs of his divinity! The false god can not be raised, for it would be an abomination unto the Lord, our God!” The crowd around him cheered.

As they were cheering, the clear blue sky began to turn orange. The few clouds that were floating high in the sky seem to evaporate in puffs of fire and smoke. The crowd stopped cheering and all looked to the sky. “My God……..”

-------------------------------

<<THE ROYAL PALACE-TEMPLE, MANDALORE, UTAPU>>

A large group of protesters had been rounded up and were on their knees, waiting execution. The Imperial Guard marched out with swords in hand to execute the prisoners. The hover-cameras floated around the scene, the death of the God-Emperor saw a drop in the number of people viewing ‘Court and Execution TV’ The Guard raised their swords in unison and dropped the blades on the waiting protesters. The blood from the hundreds of dead flowed across the courtyard of the Palace-Temple. The partly clouded skies above the palace slowly turned to orange as if it were sunset, even though everyone knew it was high sun. They turned to the emicenter of the fire in the sky and saw a great beam of light streak down from Heaven, creating a gigantic blast that shook the very earth beneath them. The crowd all knelt down in the blood that flowed around them. “The priests of Vade’tine were right! Our God-Emperor shall be returned to us! ALL HAIL OUR RISEN GOD-EMPEROR!”

“All hail our risen God-Emperor” the crowd began to chant as the sky remained lit like fire and the decimated city in the distance became a gaping hole in the ground.

Field Marshal Ali al-Mohalis' Personal Transport, Wasteplains of Idaholand

"The Great Divide," said Tomas in a hushed voice, looking in awe at the blasted lands around him. "Look, m'Lady, you can still see the places where the cities were, in the time of the Originators..."

He squinted, pointing out towards the northwest, to a misted, cloudy shape that was rapidly growing larger, and grinned. "And there....you can see Necros-Vacuia already!"

Tomas was simply thrilled to be going home....he hadn't been back to the Dominion in far too long, and certainly not in the company of anyone as fascinating as the Scarlet Lady.

Unbeknownst to anyone on the shuttle, another personal transport had dropped into line with them...this one was sleek, black, and unlike most shuttles, extremely well-armed. A group of nine cloaked Predator-GX, all specially modified, surrounded it, unseen, all with specialized, almost crystalline markings.

The Lord Praetor himself traveled to Necros-Vacuia. Events of the past days weighed heavy on his mind....

------------------------

Yaga Installation, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

The largest of Necros-Vacuia's eighteen Prospekts, Nova Prospekt was also the most notorious. Here, the Commissariat of National Security had complete freedom to carry out whatever projects it wished, no matter whom it harmed. Entire trains of people had disappeared in Nova Prospekt, no one knowing where they went....and more importantly, everyone refusing to ask.

It was rumored they went to the vats of Yaga Installation, the greatest factory complex in the Dominion, run by Havarran Dzerrin himself. It was Yaga Installation that Skippy had seen on his monitors, and it was Yaga Installation that produced the newest of Necros-Vacuia's biomechanical horrors.

And the officers of Yaga Installation had found out the Brunswician spy that had delivered the photo to Skippy.

He had subsequently been handed over to a Rekk interrogation squad. The pitiless lizards had tortured the young man till he barely knew his own name anymore...and though they didn't find out about the intercepted transmissions, they had learned that Druarch now knew of the Installation's mission...and Necros-Vacuia's weakness.

Outside Yaga, the same spy, unable to stand, fell to his knees. An ISA agent, clad in a black topcoat, lifted his pulse rifle and blasted the spy's brains into a fine spray.

"Executor Dzerrin's not going to be pleased," he murmured.

------------------------

Primary Governmental Shelter, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

Havarran Dzerrin wasn't pleased, but it was for entirely different reasons. He was very, very bored. He wished Sidhiel would show up; it wouldn't do to make all the threats he had planned and not have the girl; no, that wouldn't do at all. Not at all.

He also wished the damned Okinawan emperor would find the obvious beacon already and call him. He was expecting to be able to gloat. Dzerrin didn't like it when he got all ready to gloat and cause psychological pain and wasn't able to. It was a feeling not unlike, he reflected, when his mother had promised him pudding, and then found they were out of pudding. It made him want to hurt things, and in an entirely different way than his usual happy way of hurting things.

Sometimes, the Executor of the Commissariat of National Security reflected, life was just so unfair.

--------------------

The Citadel, Detention Deck 78, Cell 113452B

Sergeant Mina Kusanagi wanted to die.

First, that vile major had showed her her comrades, stoic even in their doom, being marched into the transports to lose their humanity to the horrible vats of Necros-Vacuia.

Then he'd given her over to the barracks. The first two men had been bad enough. She hadn't expected, as happened next, the entire barracks to join in. Every part of her was sore from the violation.

It would have been better if they hadn't found time to call her a "slanteye bitch", a "worthless Eastern whore," "heathen scum", or "vat-fodder", while they did. But they had.

Then, because she'd finally managed to fight back, they'd made a point, when she got to the Citadel, to show her exactly what happened to humans given over to the vats.

She fought the thoughts of what she had seen out of her mind. She didn't need to vomit again.

Thankfully, they'd just put her down here, afterward. No more "fun", as they crudely put it, though they'd promised more later.

In her mind, she silently raged and cried at the Lord Praetor, at the Army of the Dominion, and at all of the Necros-Vacuians.

How, she wondered....how could any human beings...be so callous and cruel towards others...?

-----------------------

Imadaki Prefecture, Sanyo City, Outer Okinaw

The Dominion's forces worked quickly. Any rebellion in the captured cities was put down swiftly and with all force necessary by the newly arrived ISA forces and their allies, the black-armored paramilitary of the Necros-Vacuians' private terrorists, the Fist of the Red Star.

And as the army looked the other way, the Commissariat of National Security set up their own headquarters, not a mile from those mandated by the Commissariat of Defense, in the midst of Sanyo City.

The order came early in the morning, as the last of the CoNS structures, a strange, almost industrial building, was erected.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT #453532

BY ORDER OF EXECUTOR DZERRIN:

A random selection of citizenry will begin tomorrow at exactly 0900 hours.
Internal Security Agency personnel will escort selected citizens to city square, from which you will be relocated to a specialized location.

This procedure is for your own protection. You will not be harmed.

That is all. Long live the Lord Praetor!

--HIGH COMMISSAR OF OUTER OKINAW OPERATIONS, AURELI YAVAT--
--THE COMMISSARIAT OF NATIONAL SECURITY--

[OOC: This post is shortened from its original length, due to the fact that once again, my post was eaten by the forum. I think it thinks my writing is tasty.]

Freya reviewed the subjects on her clipboard. She was perfectly content to remain one of the four Head Councilwomen of the Elite Council. It was down to four lesser Councilwomen, and the four Heads. She chewed her lip as she went down the list.

The four Head Councilwomen, Freya, Korina, Amelia, and Gretel, had been in their positions since the late Highest Wench had ascended the throne of Wenchetyria. Freya had never considered herself the ruling type, and was perfectly content to remain in her place in the Head Council. Due to this, she was essentially heading the Commission To Find The Next Highest Wench.

Korina was easily the most beautiful of all the Companions, save for Freya and the late Highest Wench, and according to some people, Sidhiel. She was absolutely the perfect figurehead for being the Highest Wench, but she was too stubborn to actually complete the role. Everytime she was disagreed with in a meeting, even when she really was wrong, she had to be proved wrong in several different scenarios before she would shut up and sit down. Even after all that, she'd still pout until her way won on an issue. If she were to ascend the throne, she would pay no attention to advisors, make a lot of mistakes, and generally throw the country into chaos. Freya scratched out Korina's name.

Gretel was brilliant. Her political mind and quick wit was, unfortunately, the only thing going for her besides her bountious blonde curls. Freya had always found it strange that Gretel had actually made it this far in Wenchetyria, but, she remembered, the Highest Wench's parents had not been so fixated on looks and manners as the Highest Wench had. Gretel had actually been the first one appointed by the Highest Wench's parents. It had been good. She and Aine had always gotten along very well.

Amelia was perfect in terms of humanitarianism. Her only problem would be that she would fail to look out for the welfare of her own country, and send things into a slight amount of chaos.

That left the lesser candidates. They had all written good essays, they all had good ideas. Danube was overly ambitious, however, so her name got crossed off. Wendolyn's looks were too shy and she was too vindictive for a proper ruler. That left Lisbeth and Juliet, both of whom were perfectly suited for the role.

"Juliet, what's your full name?" Freya broke the long silence.

"Juliet Ardwaen d'Lac." The girl stood gracefully, brushing her long, dark brown, wavy hair behind her shoulders.

"Lisbeth?"

Lisbeth also stood, taking time to smooth the wrinkles in her skirt. "Lisbeth Margeret Lsh'yan."

Freya glanced at Amelia, who shrugged. The tall blonde looked between the two girls, taking in the sound of their full names. "Juliet... congratulations. Your training for the position of Highest Wench will start tomorrow." She then walked out of the room to inform the communications parlour, etc, of their decision.

Sidhiel was still holding onto Mana's hand, and holding back her hair as the princess vomited over the side of the transport. In moments, they would land in Necros-Vacuia, where hopefully Mana would be safe. She remembered the instructions Aine had given her. It was as if she could hear the Highest Wench's voice on the wind, and the ghostly hands around her waist.

'You will protect her with your very life. No harm is to come to her. Keep her comfortable, keep her happy. Explain everything to her if you must... but keep her out of harm's way until this dreadful war is over and thrones are stored to rights.'

"But, My Lady... the world is upside down..." Sidhiel whispered into the dark night. The transport landed, and the Companion held tighter to the Princess' hand, leading her through alleys and passageways to the Lord Praetor's palace and Aine's childhood home. They encountered little trouble on the way, and what trouble they did encounter, Sidhiel took care of with her insigniaed weaponry. It was her own design, all allies of Wenchetyria knew it as hers, and no one would dare dispute her right to kill anyone.

Occasionally Princess Mana would whimper in misunderstanding and fear, but she held herself tall and took it like a true warrior. Even as she was led up the back stairs into Aine's childhood apartments, deep in the heart of enemy territory, she made barely a sound. Sidhiel smiled. She was beginning to have respect for the princess.

The Companion made the Princess as comfortable as possible in Aine's teenaged bedroom, locked the doors from the inside, and set up traps around the doors in case someone tried to come in. She drew the curtains and tied them tightly shut, and looked at Mana.

"Mana, listen to me. There is more reason than just Shadow Walkers for your being here.... but you have to trust me, and you cannot run away..."

Princess Mana looked up from the bed where she lay, finally comfortable and away from the noise and stress of hidden travel. "Can it wait a few hours?"

Sidhiel almost smiled. "Yes. Yes, it can."

In the corner of the room, Aine's ghost looked on, troubled. Just because she was dead didn't mean the world was allowed to go to hell. And, being dead, she didn't realise there was nothing she could do. She stood there, watching her Minister of Defence and her quarry until the civil twilight crept around the edges of the curtains.

Grand Hall of the Lord Praetor, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

And at this exact moment, a camera drone floated into the room; one that, she had heard, was attuned only to the Lord Praetor's private frequency.

A dreadfully familiar voice sounded from the drone's speakers.

"Sidhie-Sidhie!" came the singsong call. "You did take your sweet, sweet time, now didn't you? Do you have the Crown Princess? Is she good and comfy?"

On the other end of the line, Executor Havarran Dzerrin grinned. It was rare he got to deal with someone as unique as Sidhiel, and he relished every opportunity to toy with her he got.

Sidhiel looked at the camera drone and glared. "Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me. Don't you have anything better to do? Where's the Lord Praetor?" She immediately glanced over the where Princess Mana was still sleeping, and patted her own hip to make sure she still had weapons available.

Mana murmured and shifted in her sleep. Sidhiel attempted to transmit telepathically, but failed as she was too untrained. If worse came to worse, she might not be able to help Mana. The Companion was the best fighter Wenchetyria had... but against enough of anything, one can miss things.

"Oh, dear, dear old Thraakan is on his way over there right now! And I'm sure he'll be thrilled to find the proverbial Goldilocks in his bed~," Havarran smirked. "I knew you'd bring her here, Sidhie-Sidhie. I told him you would. And now, I can dangle where she is over Emperor Skippy's head like so much tasty candy."

The Executor of the Commissariat of National Security paused. "I do like candy....especially jellybeans. Do you know that certain bones, when they break, sound like a nice, crunchy jellybean? It's true."

The camera shifted, to run over Mana, and Dzerrin grinned. "Awww, so that's Mana? What a cute little girl! I do hope I don't have to harm her very much...hurting pretty things always makes me sad...." He paused. "By the way, my dear, you are aware that I'm currently the Regent-in-Command of all Necros-Vacuia? Since Lord Praetor's technically off in Asphyxiatia readying for more fun with war."

"Sir, the Empire of Super De Duper is entering the war on our side as of now. They are sending forces to our territory that is currently occupied." Pratchett, an Aide to Skippy, informed the emperor. "Excellent." Skippy said with a smile. perhaps he could free his people after all....

------Naha------

Captain Washington's troops smashed the snipers. Taking no prisoners, They killed 7 out of 12 of the men they landed on. The rest had run. 12 snipers were no mach for 700 Albatri's. After the skirmish, Washington dismounted and had all officers do a head count of their men. "C" company had lost 5 men, While "D" company had taken 35 losses. B company held a crude defensinve perimiter around the regiment while two squads from A company attempted to get in contact with the outer okinawan government. "Emporor skippy, do you copy? We have landed just now and require a place to attack. Emporor, Do you copy?"

Shinsekii Prefecture, Naha City, Outer Okinaw

The Albatri were going to be sorely disappointed; the entire Army of the Dominion had pulled out of Naha. Not a single soldier, besides the snipers, had been left; not even Fist of the Red Star members.

All that was left were the mingled bodies of Okinawan troops, Necros-Vacuian infantry, Druarch beast/warrior corpses and the Dominion's hideous, dying biomechs....the stench of death hung heavy over Naha.

---------------------------------

Imadaki Prefecture, Sanyo City, Outer Okinaw

"High Commissar, we have reports of a fairly swift cavalry troop from an unknown area bearing down on the northern entrance," the Necros-Vacuian officer said. "Gun emplacements have been ordered to track...what else shall I order, sir?"

"Tell them to move several hovertanks and an FoRS sniper team out there,"
an extremely bored High Commissar said. "Also, tell them to lay several gelgrids in case anyone makes it through. Have the selections begun yet?"

"Yes, sir. I was on my way to oversee them; the citizenry is cooperating, albeit grudgingly."

The High Commissar grinned. "Perfect. We should have our own vats running within the hour. Let's see how these backwater shits like Apollyonids."

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<The Hall of Warriors Monastery, Druarch>>

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern looked on with satisfaction as the group of Beast Warriors completed their training excersizes for the day. As their captain dismounted, the Lord Bishop approached.

Eyes widening, the warrior bowed. "Your Eminence! It is an honor to meet you!"

"Major Shaun Terell", Piern smiled. "What is it like to be a beast warrior?"

"This is what I was born for, m'lord.", Terrel smiled at him. "I am glad that it is no longer denied me."

"As am I.", Piern nodded proudly. "And I am pleased to see that the training has been so succesful. In fact... I have come here to speak to Brigadier General Fortner. The Beast Militia is being mobilized."

------

<<South of Sanyo City, Outer Okinaw>>

"Alright boys! The mission is simple! Kill the Nekkies! They got Rekks, they got Apollyonids, they got Hivelings, and they got ordinary human beings just like you kids and me. But you're gonna kill 'em anyway... cause they're Nekkies! Do you understand me?"

"Sir, yes sir!", came the muffled cry from behind the row of black helmets.

Major Shaun Terrell surveyed his troop with extreme pride. The one hundred and twenty young men stood upon their beasts in rank and file, black armor glistening, unusued, offset by the small colored badges that denoted their position.

Twenty long-range transports contained such a cargo. It would be the debut of Druarch's powerful new force - the Beast Warriors of the Druarchian Militia, trained at the command of Lord Bishop Thomas Piern. While the Order of the Naerach Thahn were lacking in numbers, the Beast Militia was a veritable swarm.

And slowly, the soldiers felt the transports lowering themselves slowly. The rear doors began to open and sounds of "YAAAAA-AAAAAY" could be heard above the roar of the engines as the troops started to charge out, guns blazing, towards the outer defenses of Sanya City.

"I don't care if he's busy." The fat blonde man dressed in the now familar uniform of the men of Alchemica snapped to the servant drudge. "Go tell the Executor that Dr. Dombrowski from Alchemica has arrived on offical business."

"I'm not authorized to even talk to the Executor," the drudge murmured. "I'll have to tell the ISA that--"

A group of men in black topcoats, as the two talked, had appeared out of what seemed like thin air. Each one wore sunglasses, slicked-back hair, and a pulse rifle at his side.

"Dr. Dombrowski?" one of the ISA agents spoke.

"About damn time." The Alchemican shoves aside the drudge and walks up to the ISA Agents. "Well, are we going to go or are you here just to scratch each other's asses?"

The Drudge, a prisoner-of-war's tortured, biomechanically altered remnant, shuffled away...the ISA agents nodded, unspeaking, and escorted Dombrowski inside the Primary Governmental Shelter; where, in case of enemy attacks, the entire central government was now stationed.

----------------------

They found the National Security Executor playing with a Kolbik's Cube while eagerly babbling at a viewscreen; shoving the viewscreen away, Dzerrin leapt to his feet and began shaking Dombrowski's hand briskly, his smile wide.

"Ah! You must be the visitor from Alchemica! We don't LIKE your sort!" Havarran chirped brightly. "So please tell me why you're here, or I'll have these nice gentlemen shoot you!"

Dr. Dombrowski pulls his hand away looking disgusted. "I'm glad I'm wearing gloves." He takes out a piece of paper with a flourish and begins to read it off. "As per to the wishes of the Late High Wench, may her soul rest in peace, I, Dr. Edward Dombrowski, am here to ensure the safety and comfort of Princess Mana of Outer Okinaw for the duration of her visit to Necros-Vacuia. Also to ensure her security and as her third party reprsenative."

Havarran arched an eyebrow. "You should be honored, Doctor. Most of the time I just have people like you killed and don't ask questions." He snatched the long letter and devoured it easily with his eyes, and then gave an overdramatic sigh. "Oh, it's not enough that Sidhie-Sidhie refuses to be nice and just let my agents in, you and your ugly bigheaded scum have to show up too? I never intended to hurt the girl!"

"Yes, I know." Edward smiled. "You, as the semi-sociopathic mysanthrope as you are were just going to let her watch as her people were changed into Apollyonids. You would scar her mentally for life, but you would never HURT her. You're too...noble, for something like that."

Havarran's eyes clicked, and he actually glared for a minute, bringing his face very close to Dombrowski's. "I have no problem hurting people," Dzerrin hissed. "I enjoy hurting people. I would like very much to hurt you."

The Executor continued after a moment. "But dear little Mana I would do nothing of the sort to. Do you know why?"

"Because you wish you were a pretty little girl like her?" Dr. Dombrowski smiled into the Executor's face. "Cause personally, I think you would look stunning in a dress."

Dzerrin gestured to an agent, who handed him a rifle...in a swift move, the Executor slammed the rifle butt into Dombrowski's gut, harshly.

"Because, you ignorant tub of lard," Havarran said, "for one, she is pretty. I don't break beautiful things like her. For two, because Aine was the Lord Praetor's sister and he loved her. He loved her more than he's ever loved anyone else. And for three...because if I harmed her, the Lord Praetor would skin me alive. Just like if I killed you, as I long to do right now."

One of the agents, still stone-faced, helped Eddie up as Havarran's face returned to a smile.

Eddie brushes of the agent's help and gets himself up chuckling to himself. "I'm glad we have an understanding."

"Rest assured, Doctor Dombrowski," Havarran said breezily, "Princess Mana shall have her own room in the Lord Praetor's Hall....and she'll only be shown the finest parts of Mahtan Prospekt. She'll think Necros-Vacuia is MicroSquashland."

"Oh, will you be the one doing the Happy 'Troid Dance?"

Havarran laughed. "I do a very nice Happy 'Troid Dance. But no, not unless the dear girl asks. As for you? You'll be given accommodations here in Nova Prospekt. Don't take the trains; they go to a certain Installation I'm sure you've heard of."

"Fine." He points at one of the ISA agents. "You. Show me to my quarters and get my bags." He turns back to the Executor and smiles at him. "I hope you'll let me see you dance one time." The Alchemican doctor walks out of the Hall humming the sugary tune that accopanies the dance.

(This was a joint post between Alchemica and Necros-Vacuia)

It Felt good to be Awake, thought Hiplar. It also felt good to be able to enter a war, those were always fun. This one was going he was going to have lots of fun, yes Lots. Being the only person that could control Yog was good, and not having to take control of Grypnaria, that was good too. He had heard the This "Empire" of super de duper had a population of 5 million, and he had a Highly trained milatary of about 33 million with more coming. There were many souls to be had.

Hiplar Turned to the Gigantic army of millions and Spaketh "GENTLEMEN, AND WARRIOR LADIES, THIS "EMPIRE" OF SUPER DE DUPER NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON! LET US RIP THEM APART AND TAKE THEIR SOULS! TONIGHT WE MARCH!"

With That Declaration Hip Leaped down from the rocks and hopped into a waiting plane. As the Plane Grew up to take off speed he looked out the window and watched the swarm hop onto the planes and strap in. Yes this war would be fun, lots of fun.

The fleet of planes Took off filled with supplies and as many riders as could fit ontop, headed for the tiny Empire of Super De Duper.

Imadaki Prefecture, Sanyo City, Outer Okinaw

"Sir! Sir! We have a....a huge force of Druarchans approaching from the south! The south gate gun emplacements are crippled, sir, thanks to us taking them out in the--"

"I know that!!!" snapped the High Commissar, slamming his fist on the table. "Fucking snotriders....think they can take us by surprise, eh?" He whirled on an aide. "Is the first batch of Apollyonids ready yet?"

The aide gulped. "The vats are running, sir, but they're not out yet...the Druarchans will hit the gates about as they come out."

"Then tell the Firetongues to reinforce the gates, and get all the Predators we have in the air! Tell the Fist of the Red Star to MOVE their asses on this one too!"

---------------------

Chulak Airbase, Eleison City, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

Tomas pointed excitedly out the window at the shimmering buildings of Necros-Vacuia's largest city, the capital of Eleison...surprisingly to the Scarlet Lady, the jungles of the Dominion were lush and misty, unlike the rest of the Western Exclusion Zone.

Look! You can see the Highest Temple of the Predecessors already...it's one of the tallest buildings in Eleison City," Tomas remarked happily, before blushing and bowing. "Begging your pardon, of course; I know you believe in the First Mother, and truly respect that, m'Lady."

The SNB Tomas had been riding snorted and shuffled its mouth....the Vyrnn shot it a dirty look.

The Scarlet Lady took in cityscape and jungles that spread below her. "I take no offense, Tomas. Although we may not seem like it, the Druarchians believe in religious tolerance. Although we still do execute heretics within our own borders."

Tomas nodded understandingly. "Of course, of course." He pointed to a much smaller building. "That should be the Grand Hall of the Lord Praetor....the Great Archive is behind it."

The aircraft shook slightly as it set down, the door opening with a hiss of steam...the albino man took a deep breath and sighed. "Ah, home...you haven't changed a bit!"

He looked to Youngest. "I do believe we'll be passing through St. Ark, in the heart of Nova Prospekt...whatever you do, don't get off our personal train. Some of the trains there...well...they're not really trains to anywhere."

The Scarlet Lady nodded. "I visited Necros-Vacuia twice as a child. The first time I was three... the second time I was twelve. I don't remember the first visit, but I remember parts of the second one quite clearly. My brother, Emritt and myself stayed with the previous Lord Praetor and his family for three entire months. I remember a trip that we took with the children of the previous Lord Praetor... we were on our own, with only our bodyguards. I distinctly remember my brother keeping a firm grip on my shoulders when we transferred trains at the St. Ark station."

Tomas gave a rueful smile. "He was wise...the Commissariat of National Security owns Nova Prospekt, and Executor Dzerrin...well...he's never been exactly what you'd call a gentle ruler. But I'll make sure we get on the right train, don't worry."

He stepped over to the ramp and bowed. "After you, m'lady."

The Scarlet Lady stepped onto the train, followed closely by her beast. The car was large and well furnished. Finding a place to sit, she looked up at Tomas. "Where, may I ask, will I be staying during my visit?"

The Vyrnn was momentarily distracted by his beast.

Get in, would you?

No. I don't like the smell.

We don't have time for this! Would you get IN?!

I don't want to and you can't make me. The beast blew a raspberry at Tomas.

The Scarlet Lady was startled. It was very rare that a beast showed expression of that sort. "Tomas... remember his name..."

Tomas blinked and then smirked. Embrin, get in NOW.

The beast shot a dirty look at the Scarlet Lady as it slunk-trotted onto the train, and the doors closed tightly.

"You know that he can pull that on you as well...", the Scarlet Lady said with a cautionary tone. "He knows your name as well as you know his."

It smells awful in here, Embrin complained. Like some kind of great dirty lizard.

Tomas smiled. "Yes, but I have training in exerting mental controls of this sort. I've ridden shogg-akoraals, you know."

"Really now...", the Scarlet Lady was impressed. "I'd think they would physically be much harder than a beast. However, I doubt they'd talk back."

"They don't," Tomas shook his head. "However, they do project their thoughts, and they want you off something terrible."

Shogg-akoraal? Is that the great dirty lizards that left this smell? Embrin inquired.

"Yes, yes, it is," sighed Tomas. "Are you always going to be this difficult?"

I'll try my best, thought Embrin smugly.

(joint post: New new brunswic and Durach)

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern's personal transport landed in the yard of the New New Brunswician capitol house. Putting on his most officious smile, he shook the hand of the man that waited for him. "And you would be the Prime Minister?"

The grey haired man known to the world as Chairman Greene watched the jet land with a bump on the boards personal landing strip. Lord Thomas stepped out of the plane, Giving Greene the feeling that one of the greatest men alive had just come to greet him personaly. Greene shook Piern's hand vigorusly and said "Yes, I am chairman Leo Greene. The rest of the board is inside.”

Thomas Piern nodded and followed Greene inside. As they walked, he spoke. "It is an honor to visit New New Brunswic. I believe that this is the first time a Druarchian politician has visited this country”.

"yes, I belive it is too. It is truly an honor to have the leader of such a great nation visit our humble little island" As they entered the board room, Two gaurds stepped in front of Piern. "It's OK boys, He's with me" The gaurds nodded, Snapped a salute at Piern, And stepped out of his way. The room was supriseingly warm. It's green and brown dull colers were gentle in the harshest of light. It didn't look like an average war room. Sea green couches and love seats were scattered haphazardly around the room in a semi controlled pattern around several cherry wood and oak tables.

Piern's eyebrow instinctively cocked itself at the site of the Board's council room. Glancing at Chairman Greene, he asked,"Um... shall I have a seat?"

"Go ahead" Said the Chairman in a welcome tone. A young, Good looking woman walked into the room from the on the other side of the room. Her brown eyes scanned the room, Falling upon Piern. "Ah!" Said Greene "Amber!" Turning to Piern, Greene said "Lord Piern, This is our Minister of public relations, Amber Wolfe." Amber shifted her eyes back to Greene and said in a nervous tone of voice "Hello, It's a pleasure to meet you" Greene grinned and said "It's OK Amber. She just a little shy sometimes Lord Piern"

Piern nodded confidently and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Minister. I believe we have matters of war to discuss."

"I belive we do" said Greene, Sitting down in a fluffy armchair "Amber, Would you round up the rest of the board? They can't be too far away" Wolfe nodded and turned out the door. She seemed mildly happy to leave for the time being. As she left, Greene pulled a manila folder from a bag and flopped it down on the cherry wood table in front of him. These are our reports from the third Albatri elite unit. Currently fighting in Naha city. This folder contains everything they have done, From the second they took off, To 10 minutes ago"

Opening the folder, Piern surveyed the pictures of death and destruction at the hands of the Albatri riders. He saw one of them come down from a leap, claws crushing the neck of a Necros-Vacuian sniper. He saw another take the blast of a mine directly to the chest and continue to stagger on. He smiled. "Impressive... but they must have a weakness."

Greene nodded his head. Yes, Like anything, The Albatri have many weaknesses. For one, The poor birds are to dumb to even eat without directions to. If there rather lightly armored riders are killed, The beasts are totaly useless

Piern nodded. "All the same, I am quite impressed. These bird won us the Battle of Naha. My beast warriors alone would not have been enough to force the Necros-Vacuians into a retreat."

"Thank you, Captain Washington is one of our best warriors and officers. He comes from a long line of soldiers and generals from our little island. I am greatly pleased that he seems to have lived up to his heritage"

Seeing that the rest of the board had arrived, Piern cleared his throat and stood up. "I have come here on this day to present a treaty that would unite my nation with yours in a bond of friendship." He walked around and handed out a black binder to each of the board members. "This is a rough draft that my people have drawn up of the treaty. It is a very rough draft, and will need to be modified by each of the governments that wish to lend their name and support to it." "Friends...", Piern put on his most inspirational smile. "I present to you... the Eastern Alliance."

Each of the board room members flipped silently through their folder. The first to break the scilence was the brown eyed woman who had come in before "Umm, What would be the points and beifets of this "Eastren Alliance? I don't mean to be rude, But.... What's in it for the good of the region?" Her face once again went red and she shrunk back against the wall a little with embarassment.

Piern nodded. "I would not expect you to accept such a treaty without question, and that is the most important question you could have asked. The Eastern Alliance would verify the mutual military protection of all nations that sign the treaty, and efforts would be put forward to the creation of a universal currency. The idea here is to end all infighting so we can focus on the larger goal. Of the nations of the west, Druarch is the only one to have rejected the oppressive ways traditional to the region. The western nations invaded Druarch, and they will eventually invade you." Piern continued... "Even as we speak, the armies of Gyrpnaria are moving on one of our allies. Had the Eastern Alliance been enstated before, then this conflict never would have occured." Piern took a breath. "I wrote this on the principal that if we stand together... if we put aside any differences we may have had and join as friends... then we will be stronger than any single army."

One of the middle aged men on the board nodded with approval and said "I'm intruiged by your thinking Lord Piern. Without alliances, Where would we be but un-ending war" He shifted his weight and with a warm smile, extended his hand and said "Where are my manners? I am Cheif Admiral Philip Monso. I am the head of all of New new brunswic's military movements"

Lord Piern nodded. "Ahh yes, I would have hoped to meet you. Your Albatri riders performed very well at the Battle of Naha."

"Thank you" Said Monso with a smug smile "It is my goal in life to train the best troops possible. As for the battle of Naha, Yes, I have seen a bit of smuggled civilian footage of the battle. Your beast warriors also preformed well. Please send my condolances to the familys of the men you lost in Naha. They died bravely"

"Why, thank you, Admiral...", Piern said with apparent humility. "The Order of the Naerach Thahn is the mainstay of Druarch's armed forces, and it is always a pleasure to hear them complimented."

"Now... about the treaty.", Piern returned to what had become a hot subject. "I remind you that this treaty is open to negotiation. I encourage you to look over it and add what you will. Ultimately it is your choice whether or not you sign it, but remember that this is a joint effort of our nations."

Monso gave a curt nod and said "Yes, Back to the treaty, What other nations have either already signed or have been offered the opportunity to sign this? It's a good idea to know who you're working with in any situation"

"I intend to offer this treaty first to Outer Okinaw, Gyrpnaria and Super De Duper. However, if anyone else wishes to join, we will gladly add them."

"Ah" Said Greene "Truely great nations, All of them. I'm sure they will see the light that this treaty provides. Of course, I cannot accept this treaty, as well as I might wish to, without having a vote with the board. I'm sure if you gave us a day or so we could have an answer for you though"

Piern smiled warmly. "My friends... you have as long as you want. Think it over."

"Thank you" Said Monso and Greene in unison "Now, We shall retire to the back room to decide if we are to sign this alliance. Do you wish for an escort?"

"As a matter of fact, I would... I look forward to seeing the streets of this great city.", Piern smiled... and this smile was entirely genuine

The Gyrpnarian Army was over the captial city (INSERT NAME OF CITY HERE) of Super De Duper and was lowering to Circle the out skirts and drop off the plane riders. When the Telegram Arrived. Hiplar watched it , and made his desicion. He opened up a Broadcast channel to the forces and Spaketh again. "WE HAVE RECIEVED A TELEGRAM ASKING US TO ALLY WITH THE ENEMIES THAT WE ARE TO ATTACK AND WE WILL NOT ALLY! WE SHALL ALLY WITH NO ONE! WE WILL REMAINED UNBOUND BY CONTRACTS AND REMAIN FREE TO DO WHATEVER WE WISH!" Hiplar then Proceed To contact Durach and Politley reply that Gyrpnaria will ally with No one and that their plans to conquer The Empire of Super De Duper shall Continue.

The Planes Flew extremly Low over the city airport having switched to propellers, as to go slow enough that the plane riders could jump off without parachutes. As soon as the needed 10 million were off the top of the planes the fleet took off to land on the outstirkts to prepare the main camp. And to be ready to pull the troops out as soon as needed.

Highest Temple of the Predecessors, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

The massive, almost-organic looking building that was the Highest Temple of the Predecessors stretched far above the skyline of Eleison. Like most of the Temples, it had been built by the Predecessors themselves, though over the years the Necros-Vacuians had added tiny bits to the decoration. Like frescoes. And altars. And enormous statues of the Predecessors themselves.

Currently guarding the building were a group of twelve soldiers in dark, gunmetal-grey armor that gave them the appearance of a combination of knights meeting some sort of metallic alien monster. Each carried a full-length, recently sharpened go'zkuten-ai, with an ornate golden handle.

The difference between them and most members of the Necros-Vacuian armed forces was that they not only knew how to use the ancient weapons, they knew how to use them so well they could kill with a flick of their hand. Mounted on each of their wrists were lethal, biomechanically installed laser cannons.

They were the Praetorian Guard, sworn servants of the Lord Praetor Thraakan Arawn Naal, under oath to guard him with their very souls.

Currently, the Lord Praetor was inside the Highest Temple....and it was the Guard's job to make sure that no one got in, and that only the Lord Praetor came out. Not even the agents of the ISA were allowed to pass into this most sacred of holy places...only the Lord Praetor could pass through into the Blessed Sanctum.

---------------------------

The Blessed Sanctum was not altered; it was a simple, slightly ornate silver, rounded chamber, a shaft of blue light falling onto the worshipper in the middle of a great, carven Predecessor design.

In the middle of this design, Thraakan Naal knelt, in a simple white robe, having discarded his finery.

"Most holy and worshipful Predecessors," he breathed. "Disaster befalls your Prophet."

He paused, looking up into the shaft of blue light. "Everything I have done thus far has been in Thy glorious name, O Star-Children. I felt...I knew...that Your guidance was with me, in this war, in this battle against Outer Okinaw and their heathen kindred.

I fought even as my allies abandoned me. Even as my warriors were slaughtered; for I knew that Thy blessing was upon me. I am not troubled at our withdrawal from the battlefield; is it not written in the annals of our Most Holy Book, the Marashahan, that 'Though the victory in battle, o Children, we give not to thee, your victory over your enemy shall yet come, and be everlasting?' I know You shall curse Outer Okinaw, and the traitor Piern, and Thy justice will be swifter than any I might bring."

Thraakan's head bent further. "What I do not understand is this....that the touch of the Heretics that Thee despise has healed my Curse....and that You....that You would take from me the only one whom I have ever loved.

Was Aine's death my doing, O Predecessors? Was I wrong? Am I to be punished for hubris I did not know I had....? Was it wrong to ever have begun this war? Perhaps I was wrong, and in my pride I blinded myself to Thy will...

Or is it otherwise? Was her death, the death of my sister; was this payment for the end of my Curse? For the end of my possession, my torment by that creature that had once served your people?

Ones Descendant from the Stars, I know not what to do. I am broken and confused, and my mind and soul lie shattered. I put my faith in Thee alone, and all my hopes." The Lord Praetor's voice cracked with emotion, and tears ran down his cheeks. "I beg of you, Predecessors, send me a sign. Only show me Thy most holy Will, and I shall follow it as you command."

<<Calm yourself, o Prophet.>>

The voice, unearthly and echoing, sounded throughout the Blessed Sanctum....and Lord Praetor Thraakan Arawn Naal looked around in awe as the Blessed Sanctum shifted.

Long-dormant technology of the Predecessors, receiving its masters' call once more, hissed to life. Panels warped, shifted, moving in an almost organic motion. Apertures seemed to grow out of various places, extending glowing orbs...

And an image flared to life before the Lord Praetor with such force that he shielded his eyes....

The creature was a large, almost eight-foot tall figure with silvery, scaled skin, ridges running all across it, hair-like tendrils falling from its neck and back. The head, smooth and reptilian, opened a pair of large eyes, and its digitgrade legs straightened, a long tail unfolding that ended in a vicious spike.

"It....it's not....I....this can't....you....I....I am...." Thraakan became gradually aware he was babbling....

And even more, he realized that there could be no doubt; before him, in all their glory, stood a Predecessor. A hologram of one, yes, but nonetheless a Predecessor.

A Predecessor was speaking to him.

Thraakan Arawn Naal fell prostrate, unspeaking. The creature chuckled.

<<Rise, child. We would not have you fear us. I am Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa....of those you call the Predecessors....and we have come to speak to you.>>

Thraakan slowly moved upward, finally looking into the large, blinking violet eyes of the alien. "But...but...it...this can't be..."

<<I assure you, this is no trick, nor a hallucination from the lingering disease with which you were stricken. We have become aware of your world once more, and I have been sent to contact you.>>

"How, o Holy One? After all these many years....?"

<<That, Prophet, shall become clear in time. I am sorry I could not have contacted you earlier, but I required a viable transmitter, and the systems on your craft are questionable at best. Now, to other matters...>>

"Yes, Holy One...if I may inquire, such as...?"

<<Why, my arrival on your planet.>>

Yog Monster From Space, Felt terror in his Feelers, and Exoskelton. "They" were Coming. He Must Find Hiplar, the souless Nomads were the only ones with the power to stop them.

<<The Emperor’s Star>>

“My Lord, our long range scanners have detected a ship beyond the Oort cloud, about 2.3 lightyears distance. Class… unknown. Size would suggest capital ship at least. My god….. on the order of seven Inquisitor class destroyers. Origin… is also unknown. Last trajectory indicates that it is not from any known civilizations. It seems to be coming from the rim of the galaxy.”

The God-Emperor looked at the data that was being displayed on the main screen. His face already racked with pain over the death of the High Wench turned even more grim as he began to realize what type of ship was heading right for him. “The Predecessors. I hope they haven’t come to finish the job. Contact Necros-Vacuia! Your friend could use some company on his descent to Nova Prospekt if you do not connect me DIRECTLY to the Lord Praetor this time!”

“Yes, Sir!” the nobles scrambled. Within moments they had connected to Nova Prospekt. The striking figure of the Lord Praetor stood in front of the moniter. The God-Emperor rose up, his scar clearly visible.

“Lord Praetor, my good ally, you look exceptionally happy today? The war goes well for you I assume?” The God-Emperor said, having regained his composure.

“Very well, mighty God-Emperor. When I heard of your death, I was forced to seek out help from elsewhere.”

“Well, clearly you see I have risen again to lend you my support. I suppose that is what has made you so happy.”

“That is not the reason. While I am pleased to see you risen, and thank you for your support, the predecessors have contacted their prophet and have announced their return!”

The God-Emperor face turned white. His sensors were right.

“That is what I was calling to check on. We have detected a ship about 2 light years away and closing fast. We estimate their arrival in about two day. I have… not have good dealings with them in the past.”

“I will humbly ask the predecessors that they spare you. I can’t guarantee anything.”

“Your attempts are enough to calm my mind.”

The God-Emperor returned to this throne as the Lord Praetor turned away from the screen.

“Oh, Lord Praetor,” The God-Emperor amended, “I am sorry for the loss of your sister. She meant a great deal to me.”

The Lord Praetor's high spirited mood briefly drooped. Without turning back he responded “Thank you, God-Emperor. She is an unfortunate casualty of this war. I will see that Outer Okinaw pays for this.”

The screen cut to black. The God-Emperor turned and looked at the data that continued to stream in.

“I’ll not die again. It’s beginning to get annoying.”

(This post has been a cooperative effort of Utapu and Necros-Vacuia)

"Merry Christmas Dr. Volov." The familar voice of Dr. Sullivan behind the Praetor's personal doctor as he cleaned the empty room. "I'm here to pick up the twins. Their mother wants them back so they can open their stockings."

Tobias Volov whirled around, and he blinked his singular eye in recognition. "Ah, of course! They have enjoyed their time here, it would seem...though they seemed a little pouty that the Lord Praetor wasn't as receptive since after the--"

Volov stopped. "You did say Kuri Vedayas, right?"

Walter shook his head smiling. "No. Christmas. Well if you want to be politcally correct I guess I should say Happy Holidays." Walter looked at the closed bathroom door. "Girls, hurry and get cleaned up. The other kids are gonna go caroling soon." Turning back to Tobias he frowned. "I'm sorry about your eye Tobias."

Tobias frowned. "Ah, it's getting better..." He indicated some oddly placed biomech circuitry around the socket. "These things actually do regenerate some dead cells."

Walter just tilted his head and smiled sadly. "Sure."

The two girls came out of the bathroom smiling and eager as...well...two young girls on Christmas Eve.

"Thank you for having us Dr. Volov." Mio said.

"Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you." Mayu replies. The two girls walked up to Tobias and each gave him a quick kiss. One on each cheek.

"Merry Christmas." They said bowing.

"Don't go anywhere Toby, I'll be right back with something for you." Walter said as he, along with the twins, vanished.

Tobias nodded, smiling, then bit his lip. "Happy Kuri Vedayas to you both....or...Chri...stm...as....what *is* that?" he muttered.

Walter reappeared holding a small package about as big as a shoe wrapped in bright red and green paper. "Merry Christmas Tobias Volov, from all of us at Alchemica, and your father, grandfather, and the other Volovs past." He held it out for the doctor to take.

Tobias frowned. "Thank you.....and I really mean that, Walter. You did help the Lord Praetor very much, and I'm grateful for that." He took the package. "But you keep telling me that...Merry Christmas....and I don't know what it means."

"Open the gift." Walter nodded expectantly.

Tobias frowned, still not trusting the man fully, and he began to peel open the gift he'd been given, looking at the contents....a brick....and a large shard of stained glass from a Temple.

"Tobias Volov." Walter's voice was low and had a note of seriousness to it. "Now you may remember."

Tobias stared. ".....So the old man....was....was serious.....?"

"Merry Christmas Dr. Volov." He put a warm hand on his shoulder. "Alchemica Medical gives you the one thing noone else in Necros-Vacuia has, Free Will. Do with it whatever you want." Walter walked into the bathroom and vanished.

And as he did, Volov dropped to his knees, barely able to breathe from the shock.

New Bethlehem, TESC Paradise Zone 0002 A.A. (After Arrival) December 24th

"And take comfort brothers and sisters on this most Holy nights," Apostate Oliver preached. "That the true saviors have come as they predicted! Now, let us bow our heads and give thanks."

The people bowed low, making the now-familiar sign of the Holy Circle. "We give thanks to the Most Holy Ones, who came from the Stars to save our souls and deliver us from our sin. May they always watch over us, and may their teachings give us wisdom, for from wisdom comes obedience, and from obedience comes strength. In Predecessors' name."

The people rose, and the Apostate smiled. "Go in peace, and serve our Masters...in your gift-giving, remember their...."

"Bullshit," came a loud, gravelly voice from the back of the Temple.

Apostate Oliver looked at the back of the temple. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," growled the man. "B....bullshit. All of thish. This fucking crap. All your Circlesh and preaching and....and...and them." He pointed at a vast statue of a Predecessor warrior. "Hey! You! Fuck you! You're not better than me!"

The Apostate blinked then smiled. "People, people, let's not worry about this poor soul. He's obviously had a bit too much merrymaking tonight and that has allowed his demons sway over his thoughts. Let us help him back outside where he may be less of a danger to himself and others."

The people moved, but they were scared of the man. No one had ever spoken against the Predecessors before.

"Y...you shut...up!!!" growled the drunkard. "I may be...I may be drunk...but at leasht I ain't BLIND! Like all of you!! Y...you people...you don't remember!"

The Apostate was well versed in dealing with people like this gentleman. He had, after all, not reached the height of Apostate without knowing how to deal with insurgents. Any way he was obviously very drunk, that made his job much better. He came down to where the man was and gently put his arm around his shoulder to help him on his way out. However his curiosity got the better of him, "Remember what?"

"The old days," mumbled the man. "The old times. Don....don't you remember?! This didn't...it...it wasn't no Temple. It was a CHURCH. A church, and your dad...he...he wash...he wash a PRIEST. A man of GOD, not of some alie...alien!

What...what'ver happened to them?"

"Shut up, you crazy old bastard! Leave us good folk alone!" someone yelled from the back.

"I ain't...I ain't...crazy, and I ain't no bashtard! I'm....Robert Volov...and I've jusht had enough!" His voice raised. "What HAPPENED, I...I wanna know? Back in the daysh, we prayed to Jeshush...and to Allah....an' to Buddha...we didn't pray to no sh...shtinkin'...monshtersh!"

Oliver took a step back and murmured his voice dark. "You should not say such things."

"It's the truth! The truth of God!" Robert staggered forward. "Look around you. Back in the day, we were...we were wrong...bout lotsh of thingsh. Eshpecially ush Chrishtiansh....but we got some thingsh right! Like LOVE THY NEIGHBOR, and CHARITY and MERCY and KINDNESS! What do we have now?!"

Oliver opened and closed his mouth, but no words came. he looked to his flock for strength but they had none to give him. He took another step back from this raving lunatic.

"We have Judgement and Sorrow and OBEDIENCE! We're cont...con...controlled....by theshe thingsh from outer shpace! And what givesh them the right? Jusht...jusht becaushe God let them shail Heaven, they think they're above Him! Well I won't stand for it! Not now, not never! NEVER!"

His voice became louder, stronger. "Hear me...h...hear me, all of you! The Predecessorsh...they'll fall! All the falshe godsh will, in the end! They're nothing more than us! THE PREDECESSORS ARE NO MORE THAN MEN!"

He hefted a brick he had brought with him. "AND MEN NEVER WILL, NEVER SHALL, BE AS GODS!!!"

He hurled the brick with massive force into a stained-glass window depicting one of the Predecessors' many victories, and it shattered....

'And Men Never Will, and Never Shall, be as Gods.' Someone had carved that phrase into the red stone of the, now rounded, cracked and patched twice over, aging, brick that lay in Tobias Volov's hands. On the back were names; Frederick, David, Paul, and Henry, Tobais' father.

The glass was aged and faded, but the picture was still there. Half of a face of a Predecessor warrior, half of a mouth and an eye. In full view the creature cuts an imposing figure, a true majestic being. But as Tobias looked into the eye all he could see was fear.

Tobias whispered softly. "It really happened....oh, Gods above....it did happen..."

A small card fluttered to the ground. On the front was the Cross of Alchemica, and on the back was three words and a signature. 'Merry Christmas Toby. Henry Volov.'

(This was a joint post between Necros-Vacuia and Alchemica)

The Outer Okinawan forces had been amassing for quite awhile. they had spread out as to avoid being in one place at one time, but they kept in constant communication. Even more interesting were the groups INSIDE Necros held territory.

In Sanyo city, Occupied Okinaw.

"Okay, hand me that thermite...Kousuke....and the C-12......excellent....setting timer......good.... let's get out of here..." The resistance fighter said to his teammate.
The two ran out of the vat areas. "Hey! WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING" The guard yelled, and started to shoot..... Kousuke died in a hail of gun fire.... His partner held the detonation pin.... "Well, I guess it's sooner than later...." and pushed the trigger...

The vats erupted, literally vaporizing, destroying all abominations in the process of being made......


Skippy and Yomiko sat in a receiving room for foreign visitors...but the guest today was far from foreign....in fact, Skippy's grandmother had been a member of the tribe. "Emperor Skippy, and most honored Lady Yomiko!" Came the booming voice Hirosokiu Starsand, Chief of the Starsand tribe, of the Shen Tribes of MiyakoJima and the far Northern Island Outer Okinaw. "How does your country fair? Is Mana-chan well? She will be a fine woman in her time.....not that she is not a sight to behold now, mind you."
Skippy cleared his throught "Mana-chan has been kidnapped, and the Necros are threatening to kill her if we do not hand over the Old Ones' war machines...." Hirosokiu's face was a mask of purest rage "They DARED make an attempt on my Oath-daughter's life!?" he bellowed. Skippy cleared his throat. "Yes. Not only that, they have ravaged our countryside, slaughtered our innocents, and made abominations of our people. They mean to erase us from existance. He would even destroy your sacred starsand....."
The chief's eyes were filled with barely contained rage, no directed towards Skippy, but towards those who would destroy his Oath-friend's country, and his people's sacred way. "Alright." He said at last. "I will confer with the coucil of tribes...... You will have all the warriors we can spare....We will slay every last one of their warriors, even their mightiest tanks will fall before our blades.....even if the tanks are covered in our blood.....you have our word...."
The chief finally declared in a manner cold as frozen steel.

Primary Governmental Shelter, St. Ark, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

The viewscreen stared at by the Executor of the Commissariat of National Security, Havarran Dzerrin, flickered momentarily as he saw the blip in the corner, and his eyes practically lit with joy. "AHA! AT LAST! He's contacted me! Oh, this IS a happy Kuri Vedayas for me, yes indeed!"

Dzerrin's lithe fingers clicked the viewscreen controls, bringing up the image of Emperor Skippy.

"Emperor Skippy, I presume? And what an HONOR I may say it is to meet you!" Havarran chirped. "I am Havarran Dzerrin, Executor for the Necros-Vacuian Commissariat of National Security! Perhaps you've heard of me?"

"Indeed." Skippy grimaced. "Especially since what you've done to the people of my country.........you sir, if I ever catch you, are in deep trouble indeed.... but you obviously have some other thing which you wish to discuss...."

Havarran laughed. "Oh, dear me, Emperor Skippy, you ARE funny! If I had a vermiis for every man who's said that line to me, I could fill a swimming pool with them...calm down, your people are no different than every few hundred unfortunate homeless who hop on the wrong train in Nova Prospekt."

He paused. "If you ever come to our pretty Dominion, which under the current circumstances you might not want to...but IF you do....avoid the Express trains."

"A shame, I always loved bullet trains........ Planes are just too......random, for my tastes sometime. Still, It does not excuse you for attacking my people or having my daughter kidnapped.....oh, when Shinji gets back to full strength, he'll want more than just a word with you....as will Yomiko...."

Dzerrin smirked. "Oh, dear me. Well, tell the Crown Prince no hard feelings...the Rekk do get overzealous. They love the Lord Praetor so very much, you know."

The Executor's eye gleamed. "Ah yes...dear Mana. She's aptly named, you know...as beautiful as the gem itself."

Emperor Skippy glared. "I wouldn't try anything with her.... she is........extraordinarily devoted to Shinji........after all....he did save her life...... oh, and Yomiko will have your head on a pike....." He smiled and thought. "You might wonder how such a bookish, gentle being such as Yomiko could even be considered remotely dangerous....well........she has....unusual but.....effective...talents..."

Havarran gasped. "Oh, dear me, no! I would never even think it, Emperor Skippy, I assure you. I simply do think she's a very, very beautiful creature, little Mana is. However, that brings me to the next part of this little discussion...."

He blinked. "Talents, hmm? A pity she wasn't born here. You make her sound like she would have done well in the Internal Security Agency."

"I wouldn't think so.....she much prefers to read her books and teach school at the Highschool down the street from the Palace when I'm busy.... She is a very peaceful person and only kills if she has no other option......or if someone tries to harm myself or Mana....but she is most terrifying if people attempt to remove her glasses..... Anyway, on with our discussion."

"Our discussion, yes," smiled Havarran. "Mana is in my care and safekeeping as of this moment, good Emperor. And as lovely as a creature as she is, it's anathema to me to hurt her in any way at all! But you've been a very mean person, Emperor Skippy. You have things we need. Little itty bits of Predecessor technology."

The Emperor swallowed hard. "We have never had Predecessor technology to my knowledge..... We get by on our own research. We have some very competent researchers..... We prefer to go on what we know ourselves........ We have never depended on Predecessor technology. Oh, sure, there are ruins...but little of anything with real technological power has actually been found......"

The Executor sneered. "You're lying~. Something was. Something you didn't like. It melted some researchers or something, now didn't it? It was dangerous, and you wanted to get rid of it. Bad, bad, bad. And you didn't even think to talk to us about it! Rude, too." He clicked his tongue. "The Lord Praetor wants it. And if you don't have it anymore, he wants a look at those ruins. We're the chosen people of the Predecessors, you know. We ought to have a little~ look-see..."

"No people are chosen before anyone else," Skippy snapped. "Alright, I will admit, we DO have two artifacts..... But both are not under my direct control. One them is what we have dubbed the "Lance of Longinus" after the great Christian artifact....The other....well....it is the thing that can wield it. But the only one who can use it without being destroyed...well...you've put him the hospital...."

Havarran's eyes glinted. "....you've allowed him....some foreigner...to touch the holy artifacts of the Predecessors? And named one after some sloppy, ancient Christian myth? My, but you've been a wicked boy, Emperor. Nothing but coal for you this Kuri Vedayas."

He smiled again. "And you may say that all you want, my dear Emperor. Fact of the matter is, the Predecessors have told us that we are their chosen children, and as such meant to possess this technology. It's ours by right."

The Emperor's eyes went hard. "His mother made the ultimate sacrifice as a researcher and....became one with it. It will not answer any summons you use. It will only inteact with him. He does not like piloting it at all as it is. He is rather.....how should I say this....at times, he is very difficult to work with..... Mana-chan was the first person to truly stabilize him....He pilots because he knows if he does not, Mana will likely die. Were that to happen, well....as long as it were not my fault, .....oh, about 10% of the world would survive, and it would not include your section...... He is a nice lad."

He paused, then sneered himself. "As for them naming you their successors.....well....been there, done that, got enough commemorative mugs to give every country in the region a buzz ten times over. No, I'm not claiming to be a chosen anything, I'm just saying you REALLY must be more original......."

"You will give us at least one of them, Emperor, and you will destroy the other one. Because if you don't...well, that's my next point, here."

Dzerrin coughed. "Now, my next point may drag on a little...but it is a point! I'm quite certain you're not familiar with the old Necros-Vacuian stories of the great Templar, Alaken the Firebrand? They're very nice! He did all sorts of killing sinners, and murderers, and all sorts of scum in the glorious name of the Predecessors, and he rode a shogg-akoraal like no one else yet!

But one day, he fell asleep in the middle of a forest, near, and he didn't know this, but near a wellspring of mana! With me so far?"

"Yes, go on...."

"Well," Havarran said, "When he woke up the next morning, the gem crystals had completely covered his go'zkuten-ai. The blade was so overgrown, it was stuck to the ground. Only the handle remained free. If he pulled hard, he could get it out and smash the crystals off before it was swallowed. But the mana crystals were so beautiful and so precious! How could he destroy something the Predecessors had crafted so well, and that was simply doing what it was meant to? Right?"

He licked his lips. "Now this is where the story gets good, see. He prayed to the Predecessors for guidance, to show him what he must do. They sent a rabid shogg-akoraal to attack him."

The Emperor got the message. "I see....you would destroy my precious daughter in order to get what you want........"

Dzerrin didn't stop. "So Alaken did what he had to do to get what he needed. He ripped the weapon from the ground, smashed the crystal to pieces, and he sliced the great beast in twain...."

He sighed. "Precisely. Your daughter, Emperor Skippy, is like those crystals. Beautiful. Fragile. Lovely. I don't want or intend to hurt her. But if you don't give the Lord Praetor what he wants, then you will force me to act.

I am very, very good with hurting people, Emperor. It's what I like to do. And like Alaken smashed the crystals....I will break your daughter."

Emperor Skippy forced his mind to focus elsewhere, not to give in to the Executor's cruelty.

"....You know that the Predacessors were quite mortal, did you not?.... They were merely....very powerful."

Havarran blinked, and then smiled. "The Predecessors were the saviors of this world, sent by the Gods to bring humanity into their fold. They were mortal, but they were, and are, holy beings. The Lord Praetor is their Prophet, and as their descendant commands their power."

"Oh?" the Emperor growled. "I have some....individuals who would argue otherwise. Both of whom are VERY qualified on the subject....... In fact, Professor Washu.......was there when your artifacts were created...in fact, she made the lance. Her daughter Ryoko is also with us. Oh, and she is MOST displeased at what your people have done in the names of her...former masters...."

Skippy allowed himself a small, smug grin. "And no, we did not take them hostage. We found them, along with those artifacts. Professor is now our Head Researcher. As for Ryoko......she married a local boy, and is quite happy...."

The Executor's eyes flashed, and the smile dropped. To insult him was one thing. To insult the Lord Praetor was another.

But to deny the Predecessors' divinity was something even Dzerrin couldn't tolerate.

"I see. You deny the Predecessors' names, and you consort with their fallen servants, ones who betrayed them and the great cause they served," Havarran hissed. "You are truly worthy of nothing more than contempt, Emperor Skippy, as are your heathen people. And your daughter will die in more pain than you can possibly imagine."

"You can cause her no more pain than she endured with her blood parents...... There is a reason we do not speak of them..... her father, at least.... her mother....could do little to stop him..... Besides, it takes a Heathen to know a Heathen," Skippy shot back.

"I will do as I wish to her, and you've got no power to stop me. I was wrong about you, Emperor. You're not any fun at all. Please don't bother calling me again."

He paused. "Oh, and one more thing....I do hope you didn't value the people of Sanyo City tremendously. I believe as of now, I've ordered 99% of them to become Apollyonids. And trust me, the process is very ugly. Dzerrin out."

Skippy then pressed a call button "Nancy....do your thing" he said quietly.

(This has been a joint post between Outer Okinaw and Necros-Vacuia.)

Havarran Dzerrin opened the door to Princess Mana's room softly and silently, edging around Sidhiel's door-trap. The Executor moved to her bedside like a cat, flicking from his coat a long, ugly knife of clearly Rekk design.

"I am sorry," crooned Havarran to the sleeping figure. "But you're going to die tonight, because your father is an unreasonable shit! Oh yes! And it's going to hurt a lot...."

"You know," Dr. Dombroski clicked on the bedside lamp to show him sitting in a chair on the other side of Mana's bed leaning against the wall munching a king sized candy bar. "There's a funny old saying. I think it pertains well to the Okinawans. Would you like to hear it?"

"Fire away," hissed Dzerrin. "Just don't interrupt me while I'm working, all right? I need to see the parts that bleed the most go."

"Huh, don't remember that ride in MicroSquash land. Anyways," Eddie balled up the candy wrapper and threw it playfully at the Executor. "The saying is 'The Hell for liars, is that they will one day believe their own lies.' it works fairly well for the Okinawans. They were born learning the lies that they were original, that they had made the items you so desperatley desire, that the Predecessors were less than divine. Now, lo and behold, that is what they believe as divine truth!" The corpulent doctor shook his head sadly. "Shame they must be punished for the sins of their temple burning ancestors."

"Shame, nothing. Justice," Havarran snarled. "Just as this will be....."

The Executor stopped, looking down at Mana just as the light hit her, and his face twisted in pain. He raised the knife to strike, trying to cut...but...he couldn't....his arm wouldn't bring itself to do it. He tried again.

"No....no...strength! Remember Alaken....remember the crystals..." he murmured. He raised his arm again...

But she was so beautiful....

And trapped by indecision, Havarran Dzerrin felt his head practically explode with pain. With a shriek, he tumbled from the bedside, clutching his head, writhing in pain on the ground.

"You dont look so well Havie, you look absolutley pale. Don't worry. A little rouge will fix that right up. It will go well with your new dress."

"That's quite a childish thing to mock, Dr. Dombrowski," came the calm, almost disappointed voice of Thraakan Naal. The Lord Praetor stepped out of the shadows. "I, for one, find his manner most endearing compared to the endless bowing and scraping I get from almost everyone else..."

"You probably would Praetor. Anyway it's a personal joke between the two of us. So we think it's funny. I'm glad to see you well." Eddie leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Merry Christmas by the way."

"Kuri Vedayas, if you would, Doctor," Naal sighed. "I may like Tobias Volov, but I find the things his ancestors did quite heretical."

He tapped Dzerrin's eye, and the Executor slumped.

"Those implants aren't holding back his violent urges like they should...dear, dear Havarran, I need a knife and you're becoming a go'zkuten-ai."

"I'm impressed you know about Dr. Volov's family. Most people prefer to recall the Okinawan or Druarchian resistances." Eddie took out an old book and cracked it open. After a moment he looked up at the two. "Well, are you done here? Or have you come to tell me the 'good' news about the you-know-whos." Eddie said mildly bored as he leafed through his book.

"I'm the Prophet of the Predecessors...it's my business to know things," Naal said, giving his famously unfathomable smile. "And out of respect for Mio and Mayu, I won't trouble you with that."

He handed Dombrowski a pair of small, bright silver pendants with the Alchemican cross made of rubies and gold on them.

"Give these to the twins, would you? Tell them the Lord Praetor sends his love and a merry Kuri Vedayas...or Christmas, I suppose, if it must be."

The doctor took the two crosses and wraps them in a tissue. "Thank you. I'm sure they'll love them." Eddie looks up to make sure that the Princess is still sleeping. "She called out for her mother while she was asleep. It's revolting how much blood everyone has on their hands these days." Eddie bit his lip and sighed. "Give the Executor my best when you fix him. I rather like him."

Thraakan sighed. "It is, isn't it...? Ah well...I'll make sure she's all right. I'm not going to be sleeping for a while."

He looked to Dombrowski and smiled. "I'll be sure to tell him once he's back from Nova Prospekt...we'll have a few memories we need to tone down before he comes back. But thank you."

Mana squeaked in her sleep, and the Lord Praetor absentmindedly moved a hand to stroke her hair, calmingly; as if, perhaps, he'd once comforted a scared Aine the same way...

"Do you want a memory of your sister?"

Thraakan sighed, shaking his head. "I have enough of those, honestly."

"Don't forget her, and don't forget that she is gone. That pain is human."

"I don't think I ever will....no matter if the Predecessors or anyone else asked me to, Doctor," Naal said, softly. "That's not something you forget."

"Good." Dr. Dombrowski patted his lab coat and took out another oversized chocolate bar. He held it out to the Praetor. "Happy Kuri Vedayas?"

The Lord Praetor smiled and took it happily. "Happy Kuri Vedayas, Dr. Dombrowski."

(This was a joint post between Necros-Vacuia and Alchemica)

Sidhiel stood in front of the viewscreen in the communications room of Necros-Vacuia.

"Transmission to Outer Okinaw." She slipped a blank mask on over her face. "Emperor Skippy. I am the one who took your daughter. I assure you, despite what the Executor would like you to think, no harm will come to her. An old family friend of the Naals is here to help me protect her, the Lord Praetor is finally up and about... and then there is me. I am the left hand of justice. You have nothing to fear." She closed the screen and ran down the hallway back into Aine's old room.

Where she found the doctor, the Executor, and the Lord Praetor.

'Christ on a stick...' She melted into a shadow in the corner of the room, invisible to those more than 2 feet away, and began to observe.

[OOC: I'm around for joint posts if the lot of you want them. Just about everyone knows my e-mail.]

The halls were empty, and the Scarlet Lady liked things like that. Half of her was seeking the Lord Praetor, and half of her was reminiscing about the
times that she had spent here as a young girl.

Then she heard the voices. Pausing, she slowed her breathing in an attempt to hear better. Slowly she moved towards the sound. One of them was clearly the Lord Praetor, although she could not make out what he
was saying. Another sounded vaguely familiar...something about it unsettled her. The third she didn't recognize at all.

As she approached the voices, she realized that they were coming from the vicinity of Aine's childhood bedroom. Slowing down, she listened again. Only two voices were speaking. The second voice had departed somewhere along the line. Peering around the corner, the Scarlet Lady's blood froze.

Half hidden by a tapestry, a young woman dressed in black stood outside the door, obviously listening in... or waiting. She had to warn the Lord Praetor.
Pulling her head back, she opened her mouth to shout.

Her periphoral vision and hearing completely on edge, Sidhiel turned to the shallow breathing behind her. And somehow recognised the face. "Scarlet Lady..." She raised a finger to her lips. "I am Sidhiel. Aine's Minister of Defence. Don't scream."

She returned to peering into the dark room.

The Scarlet Lady stood rigid against the wall. It seemed she had interrupted something. She had known that her stay in Nacros-Vacuia would likely be
ridden with politics, but this memory-haunted block of halls seemed to be the last place that such schemings would be likely to occur.

Turning her head, she braved a whisper. "What the hell is going on?"

"It's a long story. Basically, Aine instructed me to kidnap Mana to make sure she didn't get hurt in the war, you know how she is. I lured her out with the
myth of the Shadow Walkers." Sidhiel hissed back. "I was spying on the Executor's conversation with Skippy, and ran down to send him a message telling him that nothing would happen to her, and I come back, and now
everything's gone to hell."

The Companion took a deep breath, "The Lord Praetor's in there, speaking very firmly, and the Executor seems to be in trouble. The doctor... the doctor is from Alchemica, I recognise his badge."

Executor... the face that the Scarlet Lady was trying to connect with the voice came swimming back into her head, and she shuddered. The man called Havarran Dzerrin had always creeped her out. However, she had heard that since her last visit to Necros-Vacuia, he had changed. When the Lord Praetor had visited her brother after he had ascended to claim his position, she had heard them say something about him having gone mad.

"This sounds serious...", the Scarlet Lady thought it a good idea not to speculate out loud with Sidhiel. "We had better get out of here. Any one of
them could come out any moment now... judging by the nature of things, I don't think either of us want to be caught."

"Havarren already knows I'm here, as I'm sure the Lord Praetor does as well." Sidhiel peered in a little closer. "Yes, yes, it sounds like they're going to
leave soon."

"You go, m'Lady." Her dark eyes flashed at the Scarlet Lady in a conspiratorial manner. "You know the layout... go to their nursery room. I can see you later."

"Okay... I'll wait.", the Scarlet Lady nodded and hurried off down the
corridor.

(this was a joint post between Druarch and Wenchetyria)

"Good Night Praetor." Dr. Dombrowski said as the Praetor left the Princess' room with the Executor in tow.

Five long quiet minutes passed, the only sounds were Mana's quiet murmuring and Eddie turning the pages in his book. "Are you planning on an assassination attempt as well or are you just a voyeur?"

"I'm the Primary Minister of Defence for Wenchetyria." Sidhiel replied from her corner. "The only person I plan on killing is the person who gets in my way of protecting Mana." She walked out of the shadow and looked at Eddie scruitinizingly. "So. Who are you?"

"Dr. Edward Dombrowski, Alchemica Medical. On retainer for the protection and security of Princess Mana as a neutral third party as set by the late Head Wench's, may she rest in peace, will." He rattles it off without looking up from his book. "And please be quiet, she's sleeping."

"I know she's sleeping. I brought her here." She snapped. "And where the hell did you find orders for you to be on retainer for protection and security?" The High Wench certainly would've said something about neutral party interaction if it existed at all.

"It was in her will I thought I said that." Eddie still doesn't look up from his book. "I thought Wenchetyria got it already?"

"I know that will backwards and forwards. I was there at every stage of the writing, I witnessed the final copy." The Companion walked closer, and sat on the bed, placing a protective hand on Mana's side. "It says nothing in there about a third party in the protection of a Princess... especially when the kidnapping plan wasn't even in the will in the first place."

"Oh, alright. I guess I was mis-informed." He closes his book with a snap. "I just thought that since you would be busy I would fill in here."

Sidhiel ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Listen, it's not that I'm not grateful. I'm glad you were here in the few moments I wasn't." Her brilliant eyes sparkled at him through the dim light. "I'm just not used to people... knowing... things. Knowing what's going on in plans I thought were secret."

"Well I guess you have to get into the nature of what is secret these days." Dr. Dombrowski tipped back in his chair and folded his hands so the tips of his finger touched the bottom of his lowest chin. "Seems everyone is listening in on everyone these days. Also with telepathy an easily breedable talent the inside of your own mind may not be secret either."

He wove his hand at Sidhel reassuringly. "Don't worry my talent is telekensis and memory prison. I couldn't read your mind if I wanted."

"I'm a telepath myself, though untrained in reading other people's minds. I can block out other people a lot better." She half-smiled. "I don't understand the relationship between Alchemica and Wenchetyria, though."

Mana whimpered in her sleep, Sidhiel brushed a hand through her hair and murmured something softly. A more peaceful look settled over the princess' face, though her brow was still furrowed.

"I know the Lord Praetor has a biomechanical heart put in by your country. I also know the Highest Wench never forgave her parents for allowing something not entirely human to be placed in her brother... she felt like it killed more of him than the Curse ever could. Did she keep contact with you for some other reason?"

Eddie rocked his head from side to side. "She was in a unique position actually. She knew alot about us A LOT." He reopened his book and licked his fingers and found his spot. "She managed to get into the Originator Archive back at the City of Mirrors.

This was a side of Aine that Sidhiel had absolutely no idea about. "...Would she have written that down, somewhere? Is that why Wenchetyrians aren't allowed near the MASH units?"

"No, that was on her request. She never forgave us for what we did to her brother." Eddie looked down into his book. 'Also she knew about our past.'

"She loved him." Her eyes lingered on Mana for a moment. "And, he loved her. Their parents death forged a strange sort of bond between them... I haven't been the only one who's tried to break it."

"Yeah." Eddie shook his head. "Well that wouldn't be something I would know much about. Not to many nurses find this tub of lard setting their hearts a flutter." He took a deep breath and turned a page. "Anyways the Late Head Wench, may God bless her soul, was in the Originator Archive back home for a while. I think she must have gone to kill some of us for revenge. She just left with a book."

"Yes, that would be something a younger Aine would've done. I didn't meet her until after she ascended the throne, you see." She rose and looked over the edge of the book. "Should I be cliche and assume that she left with the very one you're holding?"

"Hmm? Oh no, well...yes, but no. Here." Dr. Dombrowski held out the book and leaned over and handed the thick old book to Sidhiel. "Keep it, we have plenty."
The old book was fairly large and had thick yellowed pages. A satin ribbon served as a bookmark and in gold script on the cracked leather cover was the title. 'The Collected Works of God.'

"I hope you don't mind the margin notes." Eddie said.

An actual smile graced the face of the Companion, making her prettier than usual. "Thank you." She took the book, brushing his bare wrist in the process. The book fell with a deafening thud as Sidhiel clutched the part of her hand that had touched his skin, sucking air in through clenched teeth in pain.

"Ah!" Eddie pulled back rubbing the soreness in his wrist. "Damn, I thought that was only a myth!"

The Companion examined her damaged hand in the dim light. It was blistered and bleeding. "What myth?"

She stared at her hand until it looked like it was beginning to heal, "I didn't know there was a myth. This just... it happens to me sometimes. With certain people."

"Oh, does it now?" Pulling his coat off and his sleeve down to check the very red mark, it too was starting to develop a small blister. The doctor blew on the mark and it faded away. He exhales softly and collapses back into his chair. "Well then that must be it."

"But... there is a myth? Myths are based on legends, which are based on truths." Sidhiel mused on Aine for a moment, fingering the satin ribbon, refusing to meet the eyes of the good doctor. The edges of it disintegrated between her pale, slender digits.

"Umm they say...certain beings can't handle...certain artifacts."

She chewed gently on her lower lip, glancing up at him out of the corner of her eye, actions that betrayed her age. "I could read your palm, if you tell me the myth." Her throbbing hand reminded her to add, "I'll put my gloves on."

"Sorry. I'm one who keeps my gloves one all the time." He waved the fingers of his black gloved hand. "But thank you for the offer."

"You're welcome." She smiled again. "So, who did send you down here?"

Eddie shrugged. "I just recived the order a few days ago. The Board didn't give it to me. So, why not say it was Aine's spirit."

"Gods, that woman and supernatural senses." Glancing at her wound, she ran her fingers over it one last time. It was almost entirely healed. "Do you know who performed the operation on the Lord Praetor?"

"The one he had yesterday? That was us." Eddie absentmindedly seached his personal for yet another candy bar. He snapped it in half and offered half to Sidhiel. "You should probably have someone look at that burn. I can do it here if you like."

"Thank you, no. On both accounts." She stepped closer and showed him her hand. "See? It's fine." The skin was pale, smooth and altogether unbroken. Only a faint red mark with purple specks remained.

Eddie jumped up looking very frightened. "Sidhiel...oh God, it isn't the myth...you need to leave. Now. I mean get as far away from...the City of Mirrors. That's where you need to go. Oh God DAMNIT! Mana! Oh shitohshitshitSHIT!!

"Walter I need to go now." He walked up to the full length mirror in the room. With another bout of concerned profanity he vanishes in the fashion accustomed to the Alchemicans.

"...Eddie?" A single word fell from Sidhiel's very confused mouth. Mana moaned in her sleep again. The young woman sat back down on the bed. "Mana... Mana, wake up."

The Princess stirred. "Mm? Is that you, protectery person?"

"Yes... I need you to come with me."

"Where are we going?"

"Down the hall." The Companion took the hand of the girl and left the room.

(This was a joint post between Alchemica and Wenchetyria)

The TV flickers on and off as you turn the knob, Trying to get better resception. The screen becomes clear and you can make out the frame of chairman Greene, The director of Seele (The new new bruswic goverment) is making a public announcement "Because of this treaty" He says with a grin, It lookes like you missed the first part of the speech, So you'll have to figure some of it out yourself "We can forge a new freindship with the rest of the eastren exclusion zone" As he grins, The screen cuts out. A split second later, Three men wearing black clothes and ski masks (Plus a fourth blindfolded man) can be seen on the TV in a dimly lit un-identifiable room. The tallest man holds an AK-47 in his right hand, And a copy of the "Lellenas tribe's bible" in his left. The two shorter men are both armed with pistols that they are holding firmly to the gagged mans temple. The taller man walks over to the camera, Adjusts it a bit, And says in a cold, Harsh tone of voice "Today comes the cleansing of the corupt and evil New new brunswic goverment. The allience of tribes will toalerate this dictoral regiem no more! Our alliance has suffered much under this dictatorship, And we have decided to strike the snake before it can do any more damage than it already has. The tribes have already take everything south of the Korse river. We plan on keeping every inch of our new found territory too. For you, Members of Seele, And the rest of this corrupt death squad too I might add... it is not to late to be redeemed. Kill yourself now and god shall grant you a clear way to his relm. Any other way will send you straight to hell. For you, It is not to late. For this member of your empire, It is. You may be telling yourself, It's OK. They havn't even captured the southren govener yet. Well, I'm sorry to dissapoint you, But.... Here he is. Say hi to all of your corrupt buddies" The shortest man pulls off the blindfold to reveal that the man is in fact the southren govener "Git teh yeh feet, slime" Says the short man while dragging him to his feet. They let him look into the screen for a few seconds untill the tall man brings his AK-47 to the goveners face and pulls the trigger. Govener Schwatz falls onto the cold concrete floor in a pool of blood. The mid height man draws his gun to the camera and says "Heed our warning, If you don't, We'll send you to the same place as the 'good' govener" He cocks the pistol and fires, Turning the screen blank untill the network can regain the stolen signal three or four minutes later.

Juliet looked at the silver weapon in her hand. "A gun? I can't use a gun! I'm a Companion! We're sneaky! We use tiny poison-dart shooting crossbows!"

Freya sighed. "Aine knew how to use a gun."

"Aine grew up in Necros-Vacuia. Didn't she form the entire culture of Wenchetyria so we wouldn't have to use things like guns?"

"The poorer people can't afford how to learn how to properly use a sabre." The blonde sighed and took the gun from the trainee. "And if they can't use a sabre, they have to use something to fight their duels. Guns just happen to be it."

"I still don't understand quite how these work." Juliet took it back and held it up, aiming at the plaster bust. Freya stood behind her, and placed her own hands over the smaller ones of the girl.

"Turn off the safety. Pull back the hammer. Fire." She went over the steps without firing the weapon, then stepped away. "Don't forget to aim."

The brunette nodded, tucked her loose hair behind her ears, took aim, and fired. A bullet shattered the top half of the head.

"Beginners luck?" She asked, smiling hopefully. Freya blinked, and pulled up the next bust.

"Fire again."

Juliet did so, this time aiming at the chest. It shattered, once again.

"Juliet, are you certain you've never used a gun before?"

"Yes ma'am." The younger woman handed the gun back. "Are we done now?"

"I should say so." Freya looked at her, bewildered. By the Gods, she's the best natural shot I've ever seen. I wonder how her swordplay is.

"Freya, how many more days until the coronation?"

"Two." She replied absentmindedly. "Just two."

Grand Hall of the Lord Praetor, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"Cleaning up a political mess is always such a damned bother," muttered Thraakan as he strode the halls of his residence, the Praetorian Guard following behind him. "At least Youngest made it here." He turned to an aide who was vainly trying to keep up. "Call the Archivists and tell them to log the handprint and retina data I gave them into the entrance computers."

"Yes, m'Lord." The aide dashed off.

"Gar," Thraakan called without looking, "call the Emperor of Outer Okinaw. Tell him the Lord Praetor wishes to make contact with him, and apologize for my Executor's foolishness."

The Executor for the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs bowed. "As you wish, Lord Praetor."

The dictator continued down the hallway, turning to another aide. "Herek, tell the ISA to evacuate Sanyo City and set off the nuclear device at the base. I don't want anyone to have that place if we can't."

"Of course, m'Lord. Shall I have the Vice-Executor begin moving transport operations here?"

"If another vat is blown, I want all quotas transferred to St. Ark," nodded Naal. "The Alliance must be taught a lesson."

"Of course, m'Lord."

"Aares, authorize Chulak for limited strategic bombing of Druarchan military targets, especially their airbases. The last thing we need is a Predator dogfight in our own damned airspace."

"Milord."

Thraakan smiled and turned to one of the Guardsmen. "Ulanov, go speak to the Princess Mana; tell her you and the rest of the Guard will accompany her anywhere in Necros-Vacuia she wants to go."

The silver-armored man bowed and left.

"Most High Authority, you're scheduled to address the nation at 1200 hours regarding the military situation. Furthermore, you're supposed to speak with the High Apostolic Council at 1345."

Naal sighed. "My work, it seems, is simply never done..."

----------------------

Imadaki Prefecture, Sanyo City, Outer Okinaw

The base was chaos. The High Commissar had been trying in vain to restore order since the destruction of the vats, but a combination of resistance fighters on the attack and the Druarchan Militia's full-on arrival at the gates, anyone could see the city was lost.

"Sir, we have orders from both Executor Azzare and Vice-Executor Hirrem; we're to evac Sanyo and nuke the base," an ISA agent grimly told the Commissar.

Avari's shoulders slumped. "Begin the evacuation. Get all personnel as far away as you can; I'm setting the timer at ten minutes..."

The agent nodded, and alarms began to ring throughout the facility.

High Commissar Avari opened a small panel, pulling out a small titanium key...placing it in the mechanism, he turned it, and a lens extended from the exposed technological readout, topped by a blank timer. A blue beam touched his eye, and the timer lit, showing the number "10:00"....

Then the Commissar calmly wrapped himself in the Necros-Vacuian flag, lifted a silver pistol...and ended his life of service, the Lord Praetor's name on his lips.

--------------------------------

Yaga Installation, St. Ark, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

The pale-skinned heads of several Drudges turned as they saw a group of six ISA Agents walk through the sterile, dark halls of the fearful base, guarding with their pulse rifles a stretcher bed.

On the bed lay the peaceful, silent figure of Havarran Dzerrin, ignorant, in his unconsciousness, of the horrible screams, or the sound of machinery at work...

The agents and their bed turned several corners hard, before entering a green-tiled room....

A thin, short man in a labcoat, Professor Frederick Merrinson, came forward, rubbing his long-fingered hands together.

"Ah...Executor Dzerrin...I was wondering when you would come in for a check-up...."

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Tower of the Beast, Ornek City, Druarch>>

Lord Bishop Thomas Piern surveyed the map of Outer Okinaw

"As you can see, sir, Sanyo City is ours. The Necros-Vacuians are in retreat. New New Brunswic has the northern wall, we have the southern.", High General Brown pointed at the mark that represented Sanyo City.

Piern thought for a moment. He knew the Necros-Vacuians very well, so he knew they probably had some sort of trick up their sleeve. Smiling, he looked down the table. "Order the Militia to pull out of Sanyo City."

"But Your Eminence, we'v as good as..."

"Just do as I say.", said Piern patiently. "Send the Order of the Naerach Thahn in. I think those Necros-Vacuians need a little boost of fear to get them out, and I'm afraid that the Beast Militia doesn't do that as well as a horde of decout Naerach Thahn warriors."

"Yes, Your Eminence.", Brown nodded and punched a wall console. "First Cavalry, pull out."

The leadership of the Order was Emritt's, and so Brown tapped the consol again, and spoke. "Your Highness, the Lord Bishop reccomends sending the Naerach Thahn into Sanyo City."

Piern sat back. "Okay, continue your report?"

Nodding, General Brown pointed to a dot in the south. "Fortuna has been largely abandoned. There is isolated fighting, but for the most part, it should be easy to take back. Our main concern at the moment...", he pressed a button and the screen turned to a map of Druarch, "is the homeland."

Piern nodded. "So I've been informed. Where has the enemy struck."

"Severan Airbase, ten miles east of the Utapan border.", General Brown pointed towards the symbol of an airplane on the map. "Ten Necros-Vacuian Predator-GX fighters were detected on an attack vector. A squadron of ten of our own, plus surface to air missile defenses turned away the attackers, but I'm sure that the Necros-Vacuians intend to strike again."

Nodding, Piern's face showed genuine concern. "Necros-Vacuia has a very powerful air force, much more powerful than our own, and the Lord Praetor is a very smart man. This, at the moment, is our first concern."

"If you don't mind me making a suggestion, Your Eminence, I'd personally reccomend deploying more support troops."

"Yes... I approve your plan.", Piern said intently. "However, that's not enough on its own. We also need to increase our surface to air defenses. And we need to strike. In one way or another, we need to strike them where it counts."

"Who do you want me to deploy, and where?", asked Brown.

"Nobody.", Piern smiled teasingly. "Let me handle it. Is there anything else that needs handling?"

"Only the civil war in New New Brunswic.", said Brown.

Piern stood up. "If the board signs the treaty, we will send aide."

With those words, Thomas Piern left.

Royal Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw

"Sir!" an Outer Okinawan palace guard shouted. "Emperor, sir, the Lord Praetor...he's called! He desires to speak with you, on matters related to Princess Mana and that vile Executor of his...."

"alright, put him through immediately!" Skippy said, waking up from where he was sleeping next to a counsul. Yomiko put down the book she was reading and rushed over to consel. The visage of Thraakan Naal, his famous unfathomable smile on his face, appeared on the Emperor's viewscreen....the Lord Praetor bowed just slightly in respect. "Emperor Skippy...how nice to speak to you at last," the Dominion's leader spoke, voice calm and almost soothing. "How are you and the Empress? And, of course, the good Crown Prince Shinji?"

Skippy's brow furrowed. "He is recovering....but he is...distraught that Mana-chan is away....... she was....well, a control rod, if you will....for him." He continued, "We are fine.......however, we'd appreciate it if you stopped turning my people to monsters...."

"The wounds the Rekk inflicted are healing well, then?" The question was matter-of-fact, as if the Lord Praetor had asked the weather there. "I told K'hranat to be sure not to seriously cripple him."

Yomiko's face became very stern. "He has endured far worse physical scars......what's an open wound to him is that he was not able to stop his beloved from being taken from him......."

Thraakan shook his head. "Regarding that...situation, I am sorry. Especially for Havarran's disturbing behavior in the past few days....he's got a small mental condition he's not in control of."

"....I see." Skippy stated, matter of factly. Yomiko's glasses glowed and her face was in a glower.
Thraakan smiled and inclined his head to Yomiko. "I truly am sorry, dearest Empress...please, don't look so depressed! You're far prettier when you smile, and I must say that the stories about you are quite true."

She glared...."And what stories would those be?....."

"That you are the most beautiful and impressive woman that has ever graced our region," the Lord Praetor replied. "Indeed, I would say that only my dearest sister Aine was ever your equal...."
His face fell just slightly, barely noticable, at the mention of the one he'd lost, but he continued, looking at both of them. "Mana is unharmed, and you have my word of honor as the Prophet and the Authority that she will remain so. She sleeps in Aine's former rooms, under the protection of not only my own Praetorian Guard, but Sidhiel of Wenchetyria." Yomiko and Skippy's faces both similtaniously brightened visibly. "I see..." Skippy choked out. Yomiko put her lacked onto Skippy's side, but did nothing else. "What else would you wish to discuss"? Skippy continued.

"Well, I have many things I'd hoped to," the Lord Praetor smiled. "And regarding Mana, there is both good and bad news. The good news is that I am prepared to let her travel anywhere in Necros-Vacuia she wishes, under full escort by the Guard; even to the Highest Temple of the Predecessors."

He paused. "The bad news is this; for her own safety, Sidhiel and I agree that until this war is over, Mana must remain within the Dominion....Further, I must refuse to cease the relocation of selected citizenry. Once again, the Commissariat of National Security is relocating these people to alternate locations for their own protection."

"I WOULD definitely prefer you cease your conscripting them into your armed forces......that is not only in violation of the Geneva convention, it is also a seriously.............crude, sadist method of gaining personel."

"You know..." Skippy continued.... "We could settle this like men. We could meet, just you and me. No outside intereference, on the field. You could use your....abilibities, and I could use mine, and we could settle this without the use of other people's children"

"I'm not using anyone," said Thraakan with a smile. "Sidhiel brought Mana to the Dominion at what she felt would be Aine's behest...who, I might remind, your treasured ally Prince Emritt killed. Despite the fact that she was a neutral party."

The High Authority of the Dominion shrugged. "However, my vengeance against him shall come soon, Predecessors willing....and as skilled as I am with a go'zkuten-ai, I believe that both of us have a duty to our countries we should not derelict."

"I had no knowledge of such an Assasination attempt, THAT I can assure you" Skippy said, firmly. "And I would not have condoned it, even if I did."

I'm sure, my dear Emperor," Thraakan smiled sadly. "I am sorry if I sound bitter...but I loved my sister very dearly...."

He paused. "I have other news which may interest you. The Predecessors have spoken to me."

"Oh, and what did they say?.... Before you ask, no, we will not hand over Washu or Ryoko.......but please, say what you were going to say, I apologize for interrupting." Skippy said, his face showing interest. "That their ambassador is coming to this planet, my dear Emperor, to reclaim what is rightfully theirs in the name of their children and their Prophet." The Lord Praetor smiled again. "I know that you are a proud people; you have always been so. Surrender is anathema to you. But perhaps we can reach an agreement that will end this war."

"I am more than willing to talk to end the war." Skippy said, betraying no emotion.

"Then you must know what terms I am willing to accept," Naal said. "I want the Predecessor artifacts you possess, and full rights to examine the ruins in your territory....furthermore, I will have need to keep a military base garrisoned in Southern Okinaw until relations with the government of Druarch have become more friendly." He paused. "That doesn't seem so unfair, does it?"

Skippy looked at Yomiko...who nodded. "Very well. But I have condidtions of my own. no. 1. You will stop turning my people into Apollyonids 2. Ryoko and Washu will stay here. 3. You will give us all the information you find out in the ruins. 4. You agree not to use the predecessor weapons against us.... EVER. 5. The Garrison stays only until Druarch is resolved, and not a day more. and no irraditating the city. We will help you pack up the base if you wish. 6. You will NOT brutalize my citizens while you are garrisoned. and 7. You will return to me my daughter, safe and sound, no bugs or implants of any kind. Does this work for you?" He asked.

The Lord Praetor bit his lip. "Hmmm. I cannot guarantee the safety of the two aliens, but the Necros-Vacuian people will not harm them; the Predecessors' vengeance will be the Predecessors' alone, if they choose it. Furthermore, nonaggression clauses and information-sharing is mildly tricky....but...."

Thraakan smiled. "I will pull back my forces to the area I intend to garrison them in, as a gesture of good faith. Two days from now, I ask that you meet me at the Neutral Meeting Palace, in order to iron out further negotiative details...you may bring anyone you wish to the meeting. I'll ask Sidhiel if we might bring Mana out to at least see the Crown Prince..."

That all sounds about right......but I thought I made it clear I was not releasing Ryoko and Washu into your custody....." Skippy said, a small frown forming on his face.
"I don't intend for you to," smiled Thraakan. "The Predecessors will have to deal with that in their own way...and speaking of which, I must prepare for their arrival."

The Lord Praetor bowed. "So I'm afraid I must depart for the moment....I do hope we can talk again."

I see...that is most acceptable." Skippy said with a smile. Yomiko....remained with a neutral expression.

Thraakan smiled back. "Excellent. And do ask Empress Yomiko to come, if she might? It's rare I have the pleasure to entertain such an exotic guest."

"Of course I'll be in attendance." Yomiko said firmly. "I AM his bodyguard, after all....."

The Lord Praetor smiled and bowed charmingly. "You do me credit, madam. I shall await your presence eagerly...until that time, sayut'kha yul v'ur Xishize katya yolud."

The viewscreen darkened.

This has been a joint post between Outer Okinaw and Necros.

<<Piern Estate, Ornek City, Druarch>>

Thomas settled back into his armchair, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It had been a long, hard day, and his rest was well deserved.

General Brown had encouraged him to go home early. As much as Piern had disputed this, he subconsciously realized that Brown was right, and eventually found himself walking down the steps of the Tower of the Beast to his waiting limousine below.

I think I'm running this country... and my subordinate finds in him to tell me what to do.

Piern always attempted to keep his home life seperate from his work. However, there were times that this was very hard, and today was one of them. In the other room, he could hear his youngest daughter, Lillian, arguing noisily with her mom.

The world is a harsh place, and is about to become a lot harsher., Piern lectures himself. By neglecting your job, you are increasing the chance that those children will find themselves on the lousy end of this harsh world. Your closest ally is calling off the war with your enemy. You've failed.

"Hey Dad!", the shout awakened Piern from his thoughts.

Straightening himself up in the armchair, he looked over at his ten year old son, Michael.

"Ahh, hello there, Mikey! How was school?"

"Umm... it went well...", he could tell that he had somehow put Mikey on the defensive. "Umm... how was work?"

"Not so well. I got a D- on my politics quiz."

"Silly! You don't have grades!", Mikey grinned at him. "You just do what Prince Emritt tells you to!"

Something about the innocence with which Mikey said this made Piern very unhappy.

Behind Mikey, a tall boy came galloping into the parlor on a stick doll of a special needs beast. He jabbed a long, blue stick into Mikey's back and yelled, "Gotcha, you filthy rot-diggin' Nekkie! Now I'm gonna take you back for..."

"Anthony Moore!", thundered Thomas, standing up. "If I hear you use that language in our house one more time, you're not coming back! Do you understand?"

Anthony and Mikey had jumped back several feet at the sheer magnitude of Thomas's reaction.

"Umm... y... yes, Lord Bishop.", Tony stuttered. "I... I'm sorry..."

"Please, don't call me Lord Bishop.", Thomas calmed down and took a seat again. "While you're in this house, you are to call me either Tom or Mr. Piern."

Noticing the kids remaining apprehension, he sat down and continued to speak. "I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't play war games in my house."

"But daaaad, war games are fun!", Mikey whined.

"And war is a very serious thing that's not to be made light of. Some day you will understand me.", Piern sighed. "However, one cannot limit the imagination of children... so therefore, you can play your games, as long as you play them away from me and stay out of the way of your mom and the cleaning crew. And do not EVER use words like the one I just heard you say!"

As the children hurried out of the room, someone entered behind Piern. "Tactful as always, I see. And yet... you didn't need to yell at Tony."

Thomas Piern looked up to see the face of the one person he cared about the most in the world. "Amelia... it's really nice to see you. I had the worst day."

Amelia sat down in her own armchair next to Thomas's and took his hand. "It seems like I hardly ever see you anymore... glad you came home early today."

"Yeah... thank General Brown. He talked me into leaving.", Thomas winced.

"Yes, I'll do that tomorrow morning. Now...", Amelia's face grew concerned. "Tell me about work. What's going on in the world?"

------------Naha--------------

The last remnants of enemy snipers had been wiped out. All that remained of Necros's soldiers was their corpses on the ground.

A young woman came up to Captain Washington, Snapped a salute, And said "Cap'n Washington sah, Tha's th' las' o' the en'my snipers. Any orders, Sah?"

The captain siged with relief. It wasn't what he expected for his first fight, But a fight it was. And he was proud of his men and the victory they had helped achieve.

Washington smiled, But he tryed not to show it to the troops "Yes private, Rest for a bit. Play cards, Drink, Eat. Just have a break. You did a great job down here. Say, What's your name and company, Private?"

The girl gave a stunned look towards the Captain and said "Well sah, Meh name's Katriana Wilks, E company. Why, Sah?"

Washington slowly got off of his Albatri and said "No reason, Korina. Just tell your Sergant to take a rest"

"Umm, Katrina Sah, Not Korina" With that she wheeled and headed off into a different part of the city.

---------an un-disclosed location inside New New Brunswic-----------

Amber Wolfe walked into a concrete bunker deep below the surface of the earth.

"Come in Amber" Said the gray-blonde haired man on the other side of the room known as chairman Greene.

Amber sat down in the only remaining empty chair surrounding the steel table in the middle of the table.

"My fellow boardmembers" Said Greene "As you know, The Rouge nation of Durach has asked us to sign a eastren alliance treaty. This alliance would strenthen our freindship between Outer Okinawa and Durach. I would like to bring this treaty to a vote. All opposed, Say aye. All against, Say Nay"

The members of Seele looked at each other and slowly, One by one, Cast their votes.

Greene looked around the table and said "Well, Unanimous vote. Ayes have it. Call in the secratary, I want Durach informed of our descision"

----------Rebel held southren New New Brunswic. Carnian village---------

A tall, Bald man with piercing violet eyes stands in a wood thatched hut in the village of Carnia in the swampy southren region of New New brunswic

A short man enters the hut and says "My lord, The Imperialist pigs are falling back. Our soldiers have routed their militas and there isn't anymore enemy milita from here to the Kolzie river (the river that splits the island nation neatly in two)

"Wonderful job General Keenan. What about the enemy regulars? Any of those left?"

The short man glanced behind himself nervously as he spoke "Actualy, Sir, Yes. The remnants of the enemys ninth battalion were able to crush my warriors in the grous foothills. We made assault after assault, but we could never fully defeat the enemy untill this morning when they fell back to this bank of the Kolzie"

Drawing a pistol from his belt, the tall man said with a furious tone "Didn't I specifecly tell you to wipe out the ninth at any and all costs? ANSWER ME, DAMMNIT"

General Keenan quivered with fear as he said "Yes my lord"

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU?" Screamed the tall man "Your death will serve as a warning to any other of my men who can't bother to follow my orders correctly"

With this, The violet eyed man cocked the pistol and fired three shots into Keenan's upper left leg

"I have spared your life and taken your leg. Next time I will not be so gracious" He walked to the doorframe, Ignoring the whimpering general, He yelled "MEDIC! GET ME A MEDIC!"

Three men in white uniforms imediately came to the door, first aid kits in hand

"what is it, My Lord?"

"General Keenan has had an accident. I belive he will need his leg amputated. In fact, If it isn't amputated, I will kill all of you personaly. Now get him to the hospital"

The medics snapped into action, Almost automaticly proclaim that Keenan's leg did in fact require amputation. Even though they hadn't even seen the leg yet.

As the medics left with Keenan, The tall man went back inside the hut, Sat down of the dirt floor, Crossed his legs, And said "That should send a message to all of my men. His lordship Irving Salls won't take incopitence of any form from anyone. Now where was I, Before that little brat interupted me?"

He put his hands on his knees and closed his eyes in meditation.

Embassy of the Dominion of Necros-Vacuia, Inara City, Asphyxiatia

"So, we've been ordered to make a full retreat to the southlands...." Field Marshal Ali al-Mohalis sighed. "And the Citadel is to depart for Mandalore at the earliest opportunity; once we get the God-Emperor's blessing, of course."

"Well, we gave them our best," General Laban smiled. "The slanteyes will have hell trying to repair what we did to their cities and their folk; and what was our casualty rate again, Ali?"

al-Mohalis laughed. "34%, of course. The expected average...not counting, of course, the biomechs."

"Of course." Laban cocked his head to the side. "What, out of curiousity, was theirs?"

"72.234%." The Field Marshal frowned. "Professor Merrinson won't be happy about that. This new batch was supposed to have some of the best AI available, and it barely proved adaptive."

"Neither will Executor Dzerrin....but that'll be out of our hands, obviously.
It's the Yaga Installation scientists who'll have hell to pay," the General laughed.

"Sir!" an aide gasped, running up. "Field Marshal! Orders from Executor Azzare!"

The Field Marshal blinked. "Go ahead, son...?"

"The Citadel is to run on a skeleton crew. You and all officers of rank are to return to Eleison immediately!"

The General's expression shifted to one of shock....the Field Marshal, however, moved right into rage.

"What?! WHAT?!?" roared al-Mohalis. "In the name of Allah and his most holy balls, why are we to--"

"The Lord Praetor has spoken with the Predecessors. The Children of the Gods....they...they're sending their messengers."

Silence fell over the Embassy for a long time.

And then, for the first time since eating bad fish when he was twelve years old, Ali Sadahir al-Mohalis, Field Marshal of the Army of the Dominion of Necros-Vacuia, Commander-in-Chief of the Citadel, fainted.

------------------------

Imadaki Prefecture, Sanyo City, Outer Okinaw

The Order of the Naerach Thahn had reached the base, exactly as Piern had intended...

Just as the nuclear device went off, shockwaves rippling outward from the sheer force of the blast.

The Okinawans had been lucky; at least, those that hadn't been evacuated from the base prisons. Those poor souls were fated to go to Yaga Installation, deep in the heart of the Dominion.

Those in the city, however, would find that the device had been small, and the fallout was minimal. Only the base itself had been eradicated.

All across Outer Okinaw, something similar happened, save, luckily, the nuclear explosion; the occupied cities found the enemy was simply leaving, and he was burning his bases down with him.

Particularly unrecognizable were the structures erected by the Commissariat of National Security. No one could have said what, exactly, they were...

At least, no one in Outer Okinaw could have.

------------------------

Victory Square, Eleison City, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

Once again, a crowd of millions had gathered in the Square, waiting for an address from the Lord Praetor...

And after two hours of waiting, the crowd parted like the mythical Red Sea as a sleek, extremely long black limousine, surrounded by the Praetorian Guard upon their shogg-akoraal mounts, pulled to the front of the square; and the Lord Praetor and his Executors emerged, dressed in their finest regalia, to cheers and shouts of joy.

"The High Council won't like this at all, you know," sighed Gar as he walked behind his Lord Praetor, darting nervous glances for any sign of Necros-Vacuia's religious leaders. Thraakan laughed.

"You worry too much, my dear Executor Essell. This is hardly the first time I've surprised them, and it won't be the last. The people need something to uplift them, to inspire them."

"Yes, but usually we stick to invoking the Theory and the Doctrines of the Party, with a few references to the Predecessors if we truly want to stir the populace," came the quiet voice of the Supreme Executor, Raislin Arra'ki; the Vyrnn, sickly and elder, rarely ventured outside the confines of the Grand Hall, instead choosing to serve his Lord Praetor as a confidant.

Today was different.

"How do you suppose they'll react to being told the Predecessors themselves are coming, sending messengers from the stars? They'll riot in the streets for joy," Raislin sighed.

"Then let them," Thraakan said breezily. "Let them dance and sing and revel in the idea that this is only the beginning; because, for once, it is." He paused, and the entire procession of Praetorian Guard, disguised Rekk bodyguards, and various toadies stopped with him. "We are going to, all of us, unite Necros-Vacuia once and for all; in the name of the Party, in the name of the Prophet, and in the name of the Predecessors."

"If your sister were here, m'Lord, she'd comment on the alliteration."

Thraakan laughed, sadly and lilting. "I wish she were...she did so want to see their return...."

The procession continued as the Lord Praetor and his entourage reached the podium, the massive amount of Guard and Rekk fanning out around their leader as he strode to the pulpit, the crowd applauding in a wave of thunder and confetti.

"GOOD PEOPLE, I GIVE YOU OUR GLORIOUS LEADER, LORD PRAETOR THRAAKAN ARAWN NAAL, HIGH AUTHORITY OF THE DOMINION AND PROPHET OF THE PREDECESSORS!" a thunderous voice echoed across the Square. The applause, somehow, increased in volume....

But when the Lord Praetor raised his hands for silence, quiet came just as swiftly as the cheers had begun, all eyes fixated on the Lord Praetor...

From the viewscreen in the Grand Hall, Sidhiel, Princess Mana, the Scarlet Lady, and even the just-waking Tomas saw the speech begin...

"Citizens of the Dominion...an event unprecedented in our history has occurred. The answer to one of our dearest of questions is here.

In the darkness of the past month, we have seen our fair Dominion marred by betrayal and tragedy. Druarch's treachery was only the beginning; then came the heathen nations of the East, rushing to provide our enemy with succour. And perhaps most gravely of all...my sister, Aine Phoebe Naal, was murdered by those who seek to crush our way of thought and life.

We have been driven back; our armies fighting bravely all the way; but we simply cannot, never could have, held. The filth of the democrats and their allies has been simply too much.

And yet, in this dark hour, a ray of hope shines out.

In my grief, my people, I cried out to the Predecessors, asking them for a sign. My people, that sign was given to me. I have spoken with the Children of the Gods."

The crowd became aglow with excitement, murmurs rippling through it like a still pond hit with a handful of pebbles.

Thraakan waved his hands for silence. "I could hardly believe it myself, at first...but I assure you, it is true. And what is more, the Predecessors know of our plight.

And they send messengers to aid their chosen people, and reclaim what is rightfully theirs."

The Lord Praetor had a few more remarks he'd hoped to get to, but never did. As he spoke, the very crowd itself seemed to erupt in a mixture of awe, hysteria, and joy.

The words had been spoken. And across the Dominion they spread like wildfire.

The Predecessors were coming.

<<Pocket Dimension of Zerf'yem>>

The White Warrior sat huddled in the shade of a palm tree, defending his eyes against the endless expanse of white sand. The heat of the otherworldly sun warmed his body and chilled his soul at the same time. Something about this place was artificial and impossible to believe. Of the twenty warriors that had entered, every one had reacted a different way.

The man known to his companions as Tearfall sat nearby in his full suit of purple armor. He hadn't removed it since their arrival. The White Warrior wondered if he was still alive. Sunwarrior and Diamondstar were all in the same position as the White Warrior. None had fully accepted their new home, and yet, they took the necessary steps to stay alive.

Darkwish's beast had killed herself no more than a week ago, and the White Warrior, Sunwarrior and Diamondstar were taking turns keeping an eye on her.

Doomspike, by sharp comparison, had fully accepted his new life. He and his beast never wasted an hour drinking, feasting or having mad sex with the various human and beast women - most likely not real - that inhabited this dream dimension.

"She... comes...", came a low croak from the nearby armor, startling the White Warrior.

The White Warrior's gut twisted. He know who Tearfall referred to.

SHE has abandoned us..., he and the Black Beast thought at the same time. However, the White Warrior spoke otherwise. "Yes... She comes. She will save us from this horrible prison, and we will return to the glory of our previous life."

"Yes...", was all that Tearfall could muster. Hunger, thirst and tears prevented him from saying any more, and all that the White Warrior heard from the purple armor was a hoarse, terrified sob.

Cold anger twisted in the stomach of the White Warrior.

"Eldest!", came a voice behind him, followed by a hand on his shoulder.

Diamondstar visibly leapt back when he saw the enraged, tearfilled eyes of his lord. "Um... Eldest... Darkwish's madness... it's gotten worse. I think you'd best come!"

Nodding, the White Warrior stood up and followed his blood brother. He led him to a room in the resort that occupied this other reality. Within, cries of anger and terror filled the White Warrior's ears.

"We had to tie her down...", Diamondstar said. "Sunwarrior couldn't keep her restrained."

Darkwish lay on the bed, her matted hair half-obscuring her face, her breaths harsh and grating. Her forehead shone bright with sweat as she let out another harsh scream. "MIRYETH! MIRYETH! MIIIIRYETH!"

In the corner, Sunwarrior sat slumped, crying and exhausted. When she saw the entrance of the White Warrior, she stood. "Eldest... I am glad you have come. Perhaps you can put Darkwish at ease."

The White Warrior moved to the side of the bed, and extended a hand to brush Darkwish's hair out of her eyes. Angrily, the young woman bit his finger. "Hands off, Eldest! You don't command be anymore!"

Leaping slightly, the White Warrior clutched his bloody finger. "No... it would seem not. Will you listen to your brother, though?"

"YOU ARE NOT MY BROTHER!", Darkwish screamed, straining at her bonds. With an insane grin, she looked at the White Warrior. "You are the SCARLET LADY'S brother."

"I'm your blood brother, and I care about you.", said the White Warrior. "I want you to last through this."

"AND WHY SHOULD I LIVE WHEN MIRYETH DID NOT!", roared Darkwish, her voice cracking. Sobs overtook her, and she sputtered. "What reason do I have to live, now that the soul closest to mine has left me, and I will never again taste battle?"

"You could live for us...", said the White Warrior. "We all love you."

"FOR YOU! FOR YOU! WHAT DO I OWE YOU!", Darkwish screamed louder than before. "YOU FORSAKE US! YOU LED US TO THIS HORRIBLE PLACE! BECAUSE OF YOU, MERYETH DIED!"

Lifting her head up, she gave the White Warrior a hideous grin. "When SHE comes, She'll leave you here! She doesn't care about you anymore!"

With those words, she passed out. Looking around him, the White Warrior saw his brother and sister staring in horror and awe at the unconscious form of Darkwish. Diamondstar had tears in his eyes. Sunwarrior looked like she was about to puke.

"Diamondstar, you keep watch. Sunwarrior, come with me. We need to inform the others of what just occured."

As the White Warrior and Sunwarrior left the room, he turned to her. "I think something very significant is about to happen."

"Yes?", Sunwarrior seemed apprehensive. They entered the elevator and pressed the first floor button.

"I heard Tearfall say something earlier that was very similar to what Darkwish just said.", for the first time in weeks, the White Warrior spoke with the stern gravity of the Great Father.

"What... did he say?". asked Sunwarrior, as the door to the lobby opened and the sounds of their drunken brothers and sisters reached them from the nearby bar.

"He said...", the White Warrior looked at Sunwarrior, his face deadly serious. "That... She... is coming."

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Imperial Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw>>

Prince Emritt took his seat at the table beside Piern, and watched as his assistants distributed the rough draft of the treaty.

"As you know, my people have been working on this for a good month now. Chairman Greene's board has also been assisting in the early drafts." Looking to Emperor Skippy, he said, "This is a draft of the proposed Eastern Alliance. I encourage you to peruse and modify it at your will."

"That I shall" Skippy replied, and looked it over. "Shall we discuss the articles?"

"Absolutely." Emritt nodded. "The first on the bill is select mutual protection. Specifically, the Alliance may be called to aid any country in the event of internal or external struggle."

"Might I point out...", interjected Piern. "That this aid may be in any form. Military force need not be expended if the country is not in a position to expend it."

"Agreed. However, we may choose to use the means and levels of lethality required for the job. No nukes for a case of civil disobedience" Skippy added.

Emritt nodded in half agreeance. "I'd say that this is ultimately the choice of the country calling for assistance. It is up to them and those assisting them to decide what means are necessary."

Greene looked around the dimley lit room. His mind was pre-Occupied with the current rebelion in New New Brunswic, But he sure wasn't going to let that get in the way of the biggest thing in the nations recent history. "I aggree with you both, After all, What is the use of an alliance when you are forced to use an army that is being kept for personal defence to aide an ally."

"Also", continued Skippy, "Sometimes there is only so much you can send without compromising your own security. Then you have two invasions and that does no-one any good"

"Absolutely", said Piern. "Which is the reason that countries who are indisposed at the time of necessity need not offer military support."

Emritt glanced at Emperor Skippy and Chairman Greene. "With the permission of you two, I'd like to propose moving to the next issue."

"Alright, let us move on"

Greene nodded quickly and turned to Lord Piern. "Yes, let's."

Emritt shuffled a few pages in his binder. "The second major issue I'd like to discuss is that of a universal currency."

"Yes....what should we call it?" Skippy wondered aloud.

"That is a very valid thing to ask", said Piern. "However, what's more important is what our currency will be based on."

"As you probably know, The Kudzu has risen a few points since the start of the war.
Our economy is the strongest it has ever been. At this point the board would like to keep its own currency, But at this time we are also willing to compromise for freindship." Greene paused. "Though I truely must admit that the tresury isn't my department. I'll have to ask my minister of the tresury about that"

"Personally,I would support the creation of a jointly run treasury between our three nations. The Kudzu would possibly be the best choice...", Emritt said. "However, I would propose the creation of an entirely new bank. In addition, I would propose Eastern Alliance stocks be opened to the public."

"Hmm...that works right for my country.....but it will be difficult to change the actual currency...."

"If you don't mind...", said Piern. "I would propose we break for lunch."

Glancing around the table, the three rulers and their assistants agreed on the matter and everyone stood up. Emritt wandered over to the food table, and began chatting with one of Skippy's personal assistants, an attractive young Outer Okinawan. He was in a good mood. It seemed that his treaty was going to be accepted.

(This was a triple post between Druarch, New New Brunswic and Outer Okinaw)

Altar of the Spire, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia
"You know they'll want to kill him." Dr. Kaufman said, leaning against a full length mirror, to the Praetor as he walked by in ceremonial garb. "So, I am here to ask you to spare Tobias when the time comes."

The Lord Praetor smiled. "Do you really think they even remember the Volovs? Or care? If they wanted us to kill anybody, it would be the Okinawans and Druarchans...and your people. Besides which, where can I take him? The Predecessors will arrive in a matter of hours."

"Hours?" Kufman blinked as he walked two steps behind the Praetor. "So soon? My." His eyes widened and his face brightened. "So THAT'S why you are up here in this tower. Well then," He brushed off his lab coat andslicked back his hair. "Let's not keep them waiting."

Naal blinked. "I wasn't aware that you intended to attend, Doctor."

"Praetor. I remember seeing them torture dissenters in a public square. I remember how my daughter told me with such glee about her killing her first Okinawan. I remember praying in their temples scared out of my wits." He takes a moment to controll his breathing. "I do intend Praetor." He took two steps and walked side by side with the ruler up the stairs of the ancient tower. "It would be impolite not to. Besides, they left long before Alchemica Medical existed."

Thraakan laughed, mirth nowhere in his voice as he turned to Kaufman, eyes cold and harder than the doctor ever remembered seeing them.

"In Necros-Vacuia, my dear Doctor, many times we still do just that....I simply prefer not to make it public, unless it's necessary."

"Yes well," Michael chuckled as he took out a old pack of cigarettes and took one out and lit it, he didn't use a lighter. "Back then it wasn't called Necros-Vacuia. I knew it as Gei'si." He gestured out one of the windows they pass. "There, that's where it was. It had the most beautiful waterfall in the world."

He held out the pack of cigarettes to the Praetor. "Would you like one?"

The Lord Praetor shook his head lightly, smile fading from his face. "And after that, it was called Nu-Okhutara. A name that led us all into centuries of suffering. Don't attempt to give me history lessons I already know, Dr. Kaufman."

He turned, eyes still cold, and looked at the Alchemican. "My love for Mio and Mayu does not extend to the City of Mirrors, Dr. Kaufman. If the Predecessors wish your death, I will gladly allow it."

Pocketing the cigarettes Kaufman gives the Praetor a long sidelong look. "You say that as if I found death a thing to avoid."

"All living things instinctually avoid death....save two. Viruses...and humans."

"Well then. I guess that pegs me to a T huh?"

Thraakan smiled again. "I never said that. And I hope you don't think that because I still resent the Alchemicans I'll refuse you common courtesy."

"Of course not, and I thank you for letting me come along." A long quiet pause between the two as they climbed flight after flight in the aging tower. "How is Executor Dzerrin doing? Better I hope."

"I'm not sure, really. Professor Merrinson hasn't forwarded me any reports...."

"Hmm, well if he needs anything extensive feel free to call us." Another fifteen minutes of climbing. "For the record, thank you for having that big mirror on the fiftieth floor. Made my life easier."

Naal smiled and shook his head. "Think nothing of it. It was Aine's anyhow...."

"Figures." The doctor checked his watch. "Are we going to be late?"

"Not at all," said the Lord Praetor happily. "In fact, we'll be right on time...."

(This was a joint post between Alchemica and Necros-Vacuia)

The Altar of the Spire was packed with figures; as the Lord Praetor had commanded, all the Army of the Dominion officers holding a rank above lieutenant had gathered there. With them were the Prelates of the Sephirothic Church....the High Commissars of each of the Commissariats...the Presiding Officers of the Party of the Red Star...

A veritable sea of people choked the top of the Spire. At their head stood the Executors, accompanied by the President-Secretary of the Party of the Red Star.

And the Praetorian Guard behind him in neatly ordered ranks, the Lord Praetor strode towards the front of the massive Altar, leaving Kaufman, his labcoat swirling around him, to stand beside an anxious Tobias Volov.

The front of the Spire was a massive flat surface, at least 600,000 feet in width, bare of people. None of the Necros-Vacuians dared approach the place that the Predecessors would land.

Silence reigned over the crowd as the Lord Praetor reached the front of the ranks....and for a long time, the only sound was the howl of the wind around the Altar, until the silver, angular shape of a spacecraft broke the clouds.

The ship's engines made a barely audible whine as it touched down, blasts of gas exiting from it as it came to rest upon the holiest place in Necros-Vacuia. The armor of the ship, like the Sanctum, began to shift and change, almost organic in its movement, and a vast, eight-foot-tall door slid open.

Outward walked the figures that had not been seen on the surface of the planet for millenia. The scaled creatures shimmered as they came, glowing with an eerie light, the tendrils on their backs moving as they walked...on their hands, they wore strange maroon gauntlets, strange, opal-like gems on the backs of their hands.

One of them, shorter than the others, came forward...on his back, he wore what looked like a pair of massive, elegant wings...it might have been a cloak...but it was hard to tell.

<<Children...fear me not. I am Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa, emissary of the Predecessors.>>

At the very sound of the alien's voice, a great number of the crowd bowed, and more fell prostrate, shielding their faces and muttering passages from the Holy Book....

His knees shaking, the High Authority bent to one knee before the Child of the Gods, spreading his arms and facing to the ground.

"Most honorable emissary...I am Thraakan Arawn Naal....and in the name of the Prophecy you gave us so long ago...I welcome your return to our world. You honor us."

Then, something happened that very nearly made the Lord Praetor faint.

The Predecessors bent to their knees, as one....and silently made the same gesture of respect as had Thraakan.

<<Dearest Prophet, rise.>> replied Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa. <<It is you who honor us.>>

At this, the crowd could not help but react. More fell, some unconscious, others clutching their hands and rolling about in sheer rapture.

Yugol Azarre, Executor for the Commissariat of Defense, was a hard-bitten veteran of war after war after war. He'd watched his own brother die as a young man, and he'd shed not a single tear.

And yet, seeing the Predecessors, the old military man was a tiny child...and he fell to his knees and wept.

Gar Essell whispered softly his thanks to the Gods, tears streaming down his face, that he should be so lucky as to witness this moment.

Field Marshal Ali al-Mohalis lay prostrate, muttering passages he'd memorized from both of the Holiest Texts of the Hammani, as the rest of the Predecessor delegation left the ship, their large eyes blinking in the unfamiliar light.

Tobias Volov let his family's memories fade, and laughed with childlike euphoria, falling to his knees in desperate happiness.

And the Lord Praetor rose, enraptured.

Thraakan Naal's dream had been realized. He had seen his angels, his messengers from the stars.

The moment was shattered by a sudden burst of movement.

Major Arrathi Kel, dragging the limp, sobbing figure of Mina Kusanagi, came forward, clutching a go'zkuten-ai in hand, an insane grin on his face as he looked up at the alarmed creatures.

"Most Holy Ones," he breathed. "I offer this heretic, this spawn of the bedeviled East, in your name. Her flesh shall be given to you, and her soul shall descend to--"

Kel never finished his sentence. Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa gestured, tentacles flailing violently, and one of the Predecessors stepped forward, raising his gauntlet. The opal-gem glowed momentarily, bright blue....

And Major Arrathi Kel simply ceased to exist.

Mina Kusanagi, Sergeant of the Outer Okinawan Defense Force, lay on the ground, curling into herself, shooting terrified glances at the huge figures of the aliens who had saved her.

The emissary waved his comrades aside...and reached out a hand to the woman...

<<Dear one. Look upon me. He who would harm you is no more; the Gods have judged him,>> Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa spoke, his voice soothing, kindly, gentle...Mina whimpered as she took his hand, and looked at the utterly alien face of the Predecessor.

She hiccuped. The emissary laughed, and his eyes creased in a smile, as his finger ran over her hair.

<<Look into my eyes, child. Look into my eyes, and see the stars.>>

Mina Kusanagi did.

No one but the former Sergeant herself knows what she experienced, looking into the eyes of the creature from a world so far from her own, into the eyes of one of the Children of the Gods.

But what is known is that from that day forward, Mina held a deep, unswerving, and total belief in the divinity of the Predecessors.

All from a simple look. A simple thought. A tiny gesture.

And in this, the world would be changed.

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Pocket Dimension of Zerf'yem>>

The clamor of the bar surrounded Eldest and Sunwarrior. At the bar, aside from the seemingly soulless natives of the pocket dimension, were their brother Stonelord and sister Bloodcross. Bloodcross was flirting with the natives and drinking a beer. Stonelord, on the other hand, was in the shadows at the end of the bar, losing himself in shot after shot of hard alcohol and looking very glum.

Eldest sensed Sunwarrior tensing up beside him, and followed her gaze. There, on a large couch in the corner, sat Doomspike, with his arms around two native women, sipping a martini. In another corner of the room, the three beasts jostled around, crudely parodying the actions of their warriors.

Choking back disgust, Eldest cleared his throat. "I would have you all know that our sister Darkwish has reached the peak of her madness."

The noise of the bar briefly quieted, and Eldest continued in a bitter tone of voice. "For those of you who were not aware... or those of you who forgot... her beast drowned itself a week ago."

Silence filled the bar, and then Doomspike spoke. "Umm... okay!"

With these words, the entire bar was overcome by uproarious laughter.

"You fools!", came an angry cry from the corner, temporarily quieting the laughter. "You horrible, hearltless fools!"

It was Stonelord. He stood up, redfaced, a tear running down his cheek. "She's insane! She could die! And you sit here... you sit here, and you laugh, and you drink, and you take advantage of these fabricated beings that were programmed to find you attractive!"

Doomspike stood up and walked over to face Stonelord. "And why shouldn't I? It's better than going nuts, if you ask me."

"Okay, time to get out.", muttered Sunwarrior, pulling on Eldest's arm.

The two left the bar. As they left the building, they heard the sounds of a fight beginning behind them. Even outside, the snarls of the beasts could be heard.

"So, what were you doing before you were called to Darkwish's bed?", asked Sunwarrior.

"I was at my favorite spot on the beach, keeping an eye on Tearfall."

"We could return there...", said Sunwarrior. "But I would prefer to head to the grove of trees near the summit. I need shelter from the sun."

"Very well, then.", said Eldest. "I will keep you company."

As the two set off up the side of the island, a strange glint, far out over the ocean, caught Eldest's eye, as though the sun had picked out something metallic. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to find it again, but couldn't. Then he turned and followed Sunwarrior, and thought nothing more of it.

Mayu walked up one of the slanted mirroed halls in Alchemica to the surface. She politley nodded to people as they passed. Everyone seemed to be quietly busy ever since the You-Know-Whos came back. No real panic anywhere, just a lot of things that had to be done. She emerged out into the sunlight and greenery of the Penninsula she saw Laura, Max, and the other little kids playing some game that required running around and tackling each other. It looked fun, but she had just turned 18 and that was just a little too young for her now.

Looking around she found Mio sitting under a tree holding her necklace in her hand. She rolled her eyes and approached her. "You actually kept that thing?" Mayu asked.

"Of course, it would be rude to turn it down. You kept yours right?" Mio said smiling up at her sister.

"Yeah, but I dont WEAR it. It's with my other mementos in my memory box." Mayu said as she sat down next to her sister. A quiet moment as the two just sat and enjoyed the sunlight and the sounds of the little ones playing and Mio humming a soft tune. "Mio, where did you learn that song? It's pretty."

"From the Praetor."

"Oh? But I...oh you didn't! Dr. Volov and Michael said we were to not go into his memories unless absolutley nessecary! I can't believe you!"

"It was nessecary! I heard it when we offered to take out that sad memory for him. Did you know he can play the piano beautifully?" She sighed. "He was so nice."

Mayu put her head in her hands. "Oh Lord, you've fallen for him haven't you? You DO know that he is the ruthless dictator of Necros-Vacuia, that he has sentenced thosuands to a fate worse than death, that he has ordered the death of millions...you DO know that right?"

"You saw how his life shaped him. How deep inside there is that noble and kind person. And besides," She stood up and struck a haughty pose. "I think I would make a marvelous bride to the Praetor. Helping him rule the exclusion zone as the velvet glove on his iron fist. Demanding the people's love and adoration as they bowed to us."

"...You've been watching those old movies about those old books havent you?" Mayu said through lidded eyes.

"So?" Mio said looking dramatically wounded.

"I suppose it's too late to throw that pendant into a volcano then huh?" She got up pointing smiling. "And if you call it your precious so help me..."

Mio gave her sister a big hug and walked back into the Undergorund Faculties. Mayu just smiled, shook her head, and followed.

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Pocket Dimension of Zerf'yem>>

"I wonder what the rest of this world is like...", mused Sunwarrior, staring out at the setting sun.

"If it's anything like that sunset, then this horrible island is truly the most miserable part of this world... surely, somewhere out there, is a land for us.", Eldest smiled as the light of the sun rippled across the water and burst into the clouds in a spectacular display of pastel colors.

"Dark is coming...", said Sunwarrior. "The heat is gone. The cold shall soon take over. The cold... and the uncertainty. Darkwish's condition will worsen... and our brothers and sisters will fall further into the pit of moral humiliation."

It was something that neither of them had been willing to admit, and yet something that was clearly true - things were going to get worse.

"So... I guess it ends... here...", Eldest found himself choking back emotions. "In this horrible, horrible place."

Sunwarrior looked at him, surprised. He was about to cry.

They had known each other since they were three, and the last time she had seen him cry was when his mother died. Sunwarrior watched in awe and pity as the Great Father of Druarch, one of the most feared and worshipped men of the Western Zone, turned into an insecure, terrified young man before her eyes. Ten meters away, the Black Beast stood upon a rocky outcropping, facing the ocean, sillhouetted against the firey sunset.

"I think we should return...", said Sunwarrior.

Eldest looked up, his face streaked with tears. "Yes... Darkwish needs our help."

The two warriors stood up as the sun's last sliver slipped behind the surface of the ocean. All that remained was a faint glow on the horizon and the moon shining overhead.

"Eldest...", said Sunwarrior, as the two started off down the trail, their beasts somewhere nearby. "You, Diamondstar and myself are the only ones of us who have not gone insane or lost ourselves in this new world. Please... stay sane for us. You are our leader, and we need you."

As the two approached the resort, a horrible howl rung through the night, and a beast blasted its way out of the front doors of the hotel and begun raging around the waterfront area.

It is Diamondstar's beast..., the voice of the Black Beast rung in Eldest's head.

Looking to Sunwarrior, the two of them ran into the hotel. Immediately, Eldest collapsed to his knees and Sunwarrior held back her stomach.

A ladder lay across the floor, and above it hung Diamondstar, dead, from the chandelier.

Highest Temple of the Predecessors, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"And this, Emissary, is where we've made your accommodations," Tobias Volov said, looking up with slight nervousness at the ornate figure of the Predecessors' High Ambassador. "I do hope they're sufficient?"

<<They are excellent, Dr. Volov. I thank you,>> Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa replied. <<Also, if it is not too much trouble, may I request the delivery of about fifty sapling trees?>>

Tobias blinked. "O...of course, Emissary! May I ask why?"

The Predecessor's eyes creased in a smile, and he made the huffing sound of a laugh. <<My warriors and I are rather hungry after our journey through wormspace; and if I remember, the trees here are especially tasty.>>

Stunned, Volov bowed, smiling. "Of course! It wouldn't do at all to deprive you of food...is there anything else?"

<<One small request; more for the Lord Praetor than you, good Doctor, but perhaps you may have some effect. It concerns Dr. Kaufman.>>

Volov blinked. "I might be able to do something..."

The High Ambassador's eyes creased in a smile once more, and his tentacles waved. But what he said next brought ice into Tobias' blood.

<<I want him to leave. Immediately. And if he does not do so within the next three days, for him to be killed. We remember the Plaguelings well. We will not suffer them to be in our presence.>>

The doctor nodded, and spoke softly. "As you wish, Emissary."

--------------------

Verdantala Park, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

Tobias found Michael Kaufman sitting on a bench, his back against a mirror. He was mumbling to himself and nodding. "Yeah, no no. Uh huh...well noone ever remembers them being stupid. Oh! Hello Dr. Volov."

He looked up at the young man and smiled. "Are you here to kill me or what?"

Volov shook his head. "I'm here to ask...to tell you... to leave. To go back to the City of Mirrors, now. And not to return. At the Emissary's request." The young doctor's voice took on a more desperate note. "If you don't...then he'll ask the Lord Praetor to have you killed....and you know what would happen, then..."

"Yeah, yeah." He got up and dusted himself off. "Well, give the Praetor my best. I just have to wait for my ride to come." He cocked his finger behind him at the mirror. "You go and do whatever you want to Toby. I'll be gone in less than five minutes."

Tobias bit his lip. "Despite what you may think, I haven't forgotten what you told me. What my father told me. I....I don't want to believe it, but I know I can't ignore what's right there for me to see."

The young man hesitated, a pained look on his face before he spoke again.

"But you want me to take a side. Your side. And to fight against them....and that's something I'm not willing to do."

"Then don't." Michael shrugged. "Tobias, you can choose whether or not to believe in those creatures. So did the rest of your family. I think your great-great-Uncle was one of the more famous Apostates. You have Free Will, unlike the Lord Praetor and the other sheep down below us. Believe what you want, who are we to judge?"

The doctor got up from his seat and gave Tobias a brief hug. "God bless Toby, or may the Predecessors do it instead." He releases and steps back. "Now go get those trees. You'll get in trouble if you keep talking to me."

Tobias gave a rueful smile. "I will. God bless, Michael....and a Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year." Dr. Kaufman chuckled as he sat back down on the bench watching Tobias run off. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, placing one hand on the mirror.

~Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa, you are much more shrewd than your progenitor Sils'uutil'o'klla'at-aa. You almost had me for a moment when you spared that girl. Very impressive.~

The alien said nothing for a moment, then his voice came back, soft and icy.

<<Our people have changed, Dr. Kaufman. We can already tell that you have not...and the memory of the pain my ancestor felt before he passed into the Aether I know bitterly. Why did you come here?>>

~To preserve life.~

<<At the expense of our lives?>> the High Ambassador retorted. <<Was it a crime to return to a population that has always loved us, and desires our lordship?>>

~By who's law? In this land, no. By the people, no. By you, of course not. By my people, no, this is your kingdom to do with as you wish now. By God, yes. Most certainly. I am the Lord Thy God, and Thou shalt have no others before me,~ The Doctor intoned.

<<Do not presume to know the Gods, murderer, >> Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa hissed. <<That even your kind calls heresy.>>

~I never said I knew God,~ Kaufman calmly replied, his mouth edging into a smile. ~I speak only God's Law.~

The Predecessor's anger cooled as he regained his composure.

<<I suppose that may be conceded...but we do not come to set ourselves up in idolatry. We have learned our true path, and the error of our youth.

The reason we have returned, however, is not one you or the Lord Praetor may yet know,>> Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa continued. <<Suffice it to say that this world is now in danger; and it does not come from us.>>

~We too have changed, and I know you believe that as much as we believe your change,~ Kaufman replied wryly. ~But it is the truth, and if there is a threat that comes from another souce, then you may call upon us.

Goodbye, Predecessor. I advise you remove all mirrors and smooth refective objects in your quarters. You never know who's eyes might be behind your own.~

The Alchemican Doctor vanished from his seat.

----------------------

Yaga Installation, St. Ark, Nova Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"Wake up, Havarran."

The voice was familiar, soft and lilting. He could remember hearing it before....he knew he could. But--

"Havarran Dzerrin."

Yes. He knew the voice, of course! It was him! Oh, God, no, not this! Not HERE! He had to get ou--

"Havarran Feliks Dzerrin."

The eyes of the man blinked open wide, and the dream memory melted away as Havarran Dzerrin looked up at his Lord Praetor.

"Oh, dear me," sighed the Executor. "Something in the old noggin must have gone quite wrong again...I am sorry, Thraakan." He gave a wry smile. "Some of the sickness is still there."

The Lord Praetor shook his head, laughing. "It's all right...Frederick saw everything was fixed. Now, come, my dear Executor. We're going to Naha."

"Why's that?"

Thraakan Naal smiled. "To end this dreadful little war."

"Must we? It was just becoming so fun..." The Executor scooted himself off of the table and back to the floor.

"I'm afraid we must, my dear Havarran. The other Executors are waiting at Chulak..."

<<And they grow impaitent, Prophet,>> came the thought-voice of a Predecessor.

"Who is that?" Dzerrin blinked, stumbling as he moved to grab his shoes, looking around in confusion.

"Oh, that's Yh'yar'tu'llhrt'kv-tan. He's a Predecessor."

The Executor blinked, his eyes going rather wide. "....clearly....I've missed something...."

Naal shook his head. "I'll explain on the way."

-----------------------

Grand Hall of the Lord Praetor, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

"So the Lord Praetor's--"

"Gone, for the moment." The taller, older Vyrnn nodded. "I wouldn't have made the journey all the way from Exploderania if he wasn't. He left you with full access to the Archives...even rights to speak to the Archivists themselves."

"I understand; I'll tell Youngest," Tomas nodded. "Thank you, Ambassador Kev. El-kala t'yu govae na muhyen."

Ellion Kev smiled. "N'run dae aiun."

Shutting the door, Tomas moved back to the Scarlet Lady's side....admiring her for a moment as she slept. Here, he thought, was a true woman...strong, passionate, beautiful...

Shaking his head, the Vyrnn blushed and moved to shake the Scarlet Lady's shoulder.

"Youngest....wake up. We have to go to the Archives..."

Chapter 3: Shadows

<<Great Archive of Necros-Vacuia, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia>>

Tomas whistled as they walked into the Archive, looking around at the vast amount of records the Archive held in storage. "I'd forgotten how damned huge this place was..."

A shuffling, deformed humanoid, skin pale from lack of exposure and eyes a milky white, moved toward the two, the biomechanical veins straining as it moved.

"Welcome, masters. What variety of record do you seek?" the creature intoned in a monotone devoid of emotion.

Youngest surveyed the creature with an expression of genuine curiosity and a mild sense of bizarre amusement. "Um... Tomas? What the hell is that?"

"Oh, that's just a Drudge," smiled Tomas. "Ah...text-only, full range."

"Does that include printed record, or simply electronic?" the Drudge asked, moving its eyes in Youngest's direction. "You may also speak with the Archivist Fifteen. He is not cataloguing as of now."

"If you don't mind..." the Scarlet Lady interjected. "We'd like any historical documents. Particularly those pertaining to Alchemica... and the City of Mirrors."

The Drudge blinked, and seemed to think for a moment before responding. "Then you will want to speak with Archivist Ten. He has access to all high-classification historical documentation. He is, however, cataloguing. If you would come ba--"

"Unit Y627492TH67, you may leave," a cultured, imperious voice from nearby. "And I'm telling Yaga to have your CPU updated. I finished cataloguing a full fifteen minutes ago."

The voice's source was what looked rather like an enormous, anthropomorphic lizard-spider...with an extremely swollen brain.

The Drudge made no response other than to turn and shuffle away.

The Scarlet Lady surveyed the newcomer, her curiosity and grim fascination heightened even more. "So... would you be able to help us find the volume we're looking for?"

"Young lady, I'm an Archivist," the creature said smugly. "If I can't find it, it either isn't here or doesn't exist." He paused. "If you'll follow me to my terminal?"

Looking to Tomas, the Scarlet Lady shrugged. "Well... we might as well follow... um... it..."

"My designation is Ten, if you please," the Archivist huffed, legs clicking as he moved with inordinate speed to an odd, extremely odd terminal that seemed to be surrounded with monitors and far too many symbols for a human to ever comprehend; not to mention touchscreens.

Tomas snickered and leaned to Youngest. "The Archivists....I forgot to mention...they're very proud of who they are and what they do; it's a great help to their work, but it makes them a little arrogant...I don't think we should offend him, though, or we'll be stuck with that stinking Drudge again."

Ten set immediately to work, sitting down on his abdomen, his legs already flicking at the touchscreens, bringing up scrolls of data to his eight eyes. "Excuse me...what was it you were looking for?"

"Umm...", the Scarlet Lady, distracted by Tomas's warning, was caught off guard. "We need any historical or religious texts pertaining to Alchemica... and, please try to point out those that refer to their relations with Druarch and Necros-Vacuia."

"Got one already. Marashahan, Book of Samad, Chapter 5 Verse 32. 'And so then did the heathens, of the plague nation, bring their curse upon the Predecessors, the curse that brought ruin to the flesh of the God-Children. And they of Gei'si saw this, and they were most aggrieved. They strove to find a cure, but there was none. And the people wept for the fate of the Holy Ones.' " The Archivist paused. "I could go on...? Or would you prefer a different record?"

Tomas looked to the Scarlet Lady, more confused than anything.

A whim came to the Scarlet Lady. "Yes... try the Mach Eien Druarch."

"Paragraph 62, First Book of Druarch. 'And so it came to pass that Druarch, First Mother of the chosen people, conspired with the mortals she held closest to bring a curse to the Terror and its children. And the mortals devised a terrible plague, which granted its bearers the strength and power of gods, but ate at the life within them, and chaos reigned in the mortal realms as the mortals fought in what would come to be called the Thahn tes Mierren.'"

"The Clash of the Heavens...", the Scarlet Lady translated the name of the mythical wars. "When your people fought mine, many thousand years ago..."

She paused. "I'm seeing a connection here... the plague nation and the mortals whom Druarch held closest seem remarkably similar. You don't suppose..."

"We've always thought that perhaps the Alchemicans were connected with the Plaguelings," Tomas said, biting his lip. "But never that they were the Great Plague's architects....or that they helped begin the Cataclysm..."

Ten spoke again. "Ah yes...the Cataclysm...or the Clash of the Heavens, if you prefer, milady. There are MANY records on that...but then again, those pertain less to Alchemica and more to the fates of the Predecessors...and the nations who fought in the war. As well as the arrival of Utapu..."

Tomas shook his head. "I don't know if we're looking for that...."

"But I believe we are...", said the Scarlet Lady. "Remember... in the tent, outside of Naha... 'And humans are not, and never shall be, as Gods.' They were..."

"Ah! Yes! That quote!" chirped the Archivist. "That....is ascribed in the oldest of our filed records...to Dr. Robert Volov. Ancestor of two notable individuals of the modern world. For one, Tobias Volov, Personal Physician to the Lord Praetor Thraakan Arawn Naal--"

Tomas' face turned ashen. "....Dr. Volov's ancestor? A....a heretic? A...a Plagueling....?!"

Ten sniffed. "IF you please, I was finishing. The other is Dr. Henry Volov, his father, a notable physician...and, I believe, a member of the Board of Directors for the Incorporated States of Alchemica Medical."

"And there we have it...", said the Scarlet Lady. "I believe that the Plaguelings... or the Druarch's chosen mortals... were the Alchemicans. And I am sure that they were trying to direct us towards these passages. Now the only question is, what do they want with us?"

"Well, there are several answers to that, milady," the Archivist broke in. "For one, they are clearly enemies of the Predecessors... who have, as Two is currently cataloguing, just returned, no?"

"Yes," Tomas whispered. "But....I think they meant differently...if they wanted us to help them fight the Predecessors' return, they would have been more direct...."

"As I said; there are several answers."

"Druarch's ways have always been ambiguous.", said the Scarlet Lady. "And the most ambiguous texts of all involve her 'chosen mortals', as most of us have come to call them. Many mistake them for the Naerach Thahn, but, having read the Mach Eien Druarch several times, and the First Book several more, I have been noticing that, were they the Naerach Thahn, they would have been blessed twice... There is a seperate passage where she blesses her chosen mortals."

Taking a deep breath, the Scarlet Lady realized she was stumbling over her words a bit, a habit she developed when she got excited. "And... I do not know how your Predecessors interact with you and your kin, but Druarch and all she interacts with treat us with nothing but hints and vague directions."

"The Predecessors..." Tomas sighed. "They treat us with kindness and warmth; and in equal measure, we have never known more than They wish us to know. We are as children, before them, as well as servitors..."

He shook his head. "Maybe that's it....the Alchemicans are trying to--"

"--tell you of the return of this Druarch?" broke in Ten. "And, in so doing, summon you to a place that goes beyond the knowledge I have here." He sighed wistfully. "The Predecessors take me for saying it; but I would give my right claws to go there."

The Scarlet Lady looked like her face had been hit by a brick. Slowly, all color drained, and she opened her mouth slightly to emit an incomprehensible noise.

Managing to stutter out a few words, she spoke. "I... umm... but Druarch... no... I don't... think..."

"If what these texts say is true, as we presume, she would have a vested interest in not having the Predecessors return in any capacity. The two are obviously not on the best of terms..."

Archivist Ten sighed. "This goes beyond me. Take their hint, milady, and milord, and travel to where you were summoned."

A cold force had turned the Scarlet Lady into an unmoving statue. She had studied the Mach Eien Druarch thoroughly, from the time that she was born, and held great faith in its every word. And, according to the First Book, the Archivist was absolutely right. However, this terrified her to the point that Tomas had to physically shake her to get her to move again.

"We... have to go...", said the Scarlet Lady, snapping out of her daze. "I have to go... I have to get out of here. Now."

"Then I'll take you out...but...where are we going?" Tomas felt concern and a deep terror fill him....his mind, however, numb with revelation, discarded it.

"To the Originator Archives," said Ten. "In the City of Mirrors."

It was all true. The Scarlet Lady knew it. The Archivist, with his access to volume upon volume of religious and historical documents, had uncovered something that disturbed her greatly. Completely dumbfounded, she began moving mindlessly out of the endless archives.

As they left, they heard Ten call, "Do come back sometime!"

The Scarlet Lady did not speak until they had left the Archives into the open air and oddly serene atmosphere of the Acheron Way. Then she broke down and wept.

Tomas bit his lip, knowing any attempts to console her would be in vain.

He looked up at the nearby shadow of the Highest Temple of the Predecessors. And for the first time, he didn't feel comforted....

Instead....he felt afraid....

(This has been a joint post between Druarch and Necros-Vacuia.)

Highest Temple of the Predecessors, Eleison City, Mahtan Prospekt, Necros-Vacuia

Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa, High Ambassador of the Predecessors, was not pleased.

<<What I mean is that that is not possible!>> snarled Thw'uu'r'cvasu'shah'te-na. The Fleet-Lord's eyes flared as he glared across the altar at the smirking Research-Master Ava'yy'u'inata'kvaa'ty-uu. <<The Gathering is very well-equipped, and more dangerous than you realize! If we were to do as you suggest, Research-Master-->>

<<Perhaps they are dangerous your ships, Fleet-Lord, but they cannot threaten the Imperium,>> the Research-Master retorted. <<If we were to simply-->>

<<Use it?! Use it?!? Listen to yourself! Even to develop the weapon was just short of heresy, and now you want to-->>

<<ENOUGH!!!>> the Emissary declared, slamming his massive fist down on the altar. <<This bickering is pointless. There is absolutely no need to use the weapon at this point...the Humans have more than enough military technology to secure our prey. The Lord Praetor will provide us with the means, and we will regain what was stolen from us.>>

The Fleet-Lord flicked his tentacles in annoyance. <<And what of the Prophet? I don't trust him. Even for a Human, he's far too deceptive. He was able to shield his thoughts, even from us.>>

<<He has but one Vrtrana-class ship, and the weapons systems there are disabled. He can pose no threat to us, or your precious fleet,>> scoffed Ava'yy'u'inata'kvaa'ty-uu.

<<He knows the location of the Y'laama'nk'ira. The weapon the Junai helped us forge, before their heresy. If he were to figure out how to use it-->>

<<Then he would be far more likely to use it on her than on the Imperium. You should both listen to yourselves; the Humans show a little will of their own, and you're frightened hatchlings,>> Rkv'll'y'hrwyh'klla'at-aa hissed, tentacles waving. <<You forget; we are still the Children of the Gods, and they recognize us as so. These are no heretics we are dealing with; they may, indeed, be worthy of the Charity.>>

<<I agree, High Ambassador; my only reservation comes from the fact that perhaps his forces will not be enough. Surely she knows we're here; and she'll have sought protection from one of the nation-states of this world,>> the Research-Master replied, anxiety showing in his tentacles. <<What are we to do then?>>

<<If it comes to that, which we must all pray it does not, then we will seek His help. In the meantime, brethren, let us plan...>>

Outer Okinaw, Naha, Royal Palace, 4:30 AM

Skippy awoke when his arm failed to make contact with Yomiko's side. he sat up, put his glasses on, and looked around. She was not in the bedroom, and he could hear no sounds from the bathroom, and her jacket was gone. He got up, put on his fluffy slippers, and went out in search for her. The palace was quiet. This was not to say it was empty. Quite the opposite. security systems scanned him constantly. However, they would not activate unless he gave a clear sign of either injury or being attacked. He found Yomiko on one of the balconies, her long black hair whipping in the wind. "Yomiko, it's really cold. You should come back inside. Hey, I'll make you some tea." Skippy said weakly, his hand touching her shoulder. Yomiko turned around, her face was red and streaked with tears. She grabbed Skippy's arm threw herself into him and began to sob. "I.....I....I MISS HER! I MISS MANA-CHAN!" She managed to get out between sobs. Skippy held her close, stroking her hair with his free hand. He walked the two of them inside, and sat them down on a cushion on the tatami floor. Yomiko lay her head in his lap and continued to cry. Skippy cried as well, holding Yomiko closer to him, kissing away her tears even has his own tears filled his vision. Wiping his tears on his sleave, he got up and made some tea for the two of them. He then settled Yomiko's head back into his lap, and continued to hold her.

a few hours later....

A pair of shadows darkened Yomiko and Skippy as they sat at the table. "Ms. Yomiko?.....Can Junior and I come in...please?" Nancy the Younger asked from the doorway, her son, Junior holding on to her knee, her baby daughter, Jenny, in her arms. Unlike her older sister, Nancy the Younger, or "Nancy-chan" as most peopel called her, was a very meek, shy woman. She always seemed very nervous around most people other than Yomiko or her older sister. "Why are you guys crying?.....Was it something I did?" She asked, worry running in her voice. Nancy-chan had always been rather child-like, with a child's innocence, except when it came to raising her children. THAT task she was more than competent at. Junior would be starting Kindergarten soon, and Nancy-chan was rather nervous about letting him go, but Yomiko had insisted that he be taken outside the palace for his education. Afterall, it wouldn't do to have him live entirely in the palace all his life. Skippy smiled from between his tears and shook his head. "No, Nancy-chan. You didn't do anything wrong. Come over at sit with us." he replied, indicating a clear place at the table for her small family to sit. She cocked her head when she sat down and asked "What's wrong? Have you heard about Ms. Mana?" Nancy-chan asked innocently. Yomiko looked up at her, sitting up slightly, but still leaning on Skippy's chest. "No, Nancy, we haven't. We.....just miss her alot...." She said, forcing a smile, even though tears still came down her cheeks. "Oh, I see......" Nancy said, her expression hardening, only to open up with a smile, "Well....she'll be back! I know she will!" came her exclaimnation. Yomiko and Skippy laughed inspite of themselves. "Oh WOW!" Junior said. The others looked up to see a new sunrise in the distance, sillohuetting the new Naha that was being built...and hopefull a bright future.

Cirith Garrison, Shimensoka Outskirts, Outer Okinaw

Yoshitsu knew that he wasn't supposed to venture into the Shimensoka region; that, everyone said, was where the Demon Folk had taken their armies. His mother promised him a beating within an inch of his life if he went anywhere near there.

So, of course, he'd done just that. And now, he and his catgirl friend, Anoue, were staring through an energy-link barrier at the might of the Cirith Garrison.

Army of the Dominion troops rushed out, filing into long, neat lines of review, their helmets showing no face, no life....the boy and his friend could hear the shrieks of the Apollyonids from nearby pens.

Over the base, like a pair of inhuman sentinels, a pair of strange biomechs on three spindly legs each, over 100 feet in height, moved with a strange grace; these were the Landstriders, designed with one purpose: mass murder.

"H...holy...shit..." breathed the boy. "This...oh, Buddha, Anoue-chan! This really is where the Demon Folk came...."

Anoue whimpered. "What a horrible place..."

The two's conversation was interrupted by the sound of a large transport slowly landing....a transport that was pure black, with odd, crystalline markings in the Okhutaran language. A hermetic door opened wide.

Out trotted a group of ten men on some sort of horrible, spiky lizards, wearing armor that Yoshitsu had only ever seen in his nightmares. The shogg-akoraals, for that was what they were, snapped and hissed as they moved off...

And then the delegation came forth, led by a man in a long, dark military trenchcoat over an ornate uniform. His hair was dark as night and pulled back into a ponytail...

Yoshitsu knew in a moment who it had to be...

"Lord Praetor!" came the voice of the base's High Commissar. "Welcome to Cirith! We're honored by your presence."

"The honor is mine, High Commissar Urenin. Have we notified the Emperor yet, as well as Field Marshal Al-Mohalis?"

"Not yet, m'Lord...we've been busy setting up full protocols on the Garrison itself. The main facility extends mostly underground..."

"Of course; so the upper level appears smaller than it actually is." Thraakan laughed. "Perfect...you do Executor Azzare credit."

The Commissar beamed with pride as one of the Predecessors moved to examine a Landstrider. "I do try, my Lord Praetor."

<<These living machines are most impressive. Do they truly have minds?>>

"Fully independent A.I. ; nowhere near sentience, but enough to deal with warfare," grinned Havarran Dzerrin. "And with enough firepower to destroy a small town."

<<Your species has advanced greatly, Executor,>> Yh'yar'tu'llhrt'kv-tan breathed.

"And we owe it to your gifts, Holy One," Havarran replied, bowing...

The group passed out of sight, into the gates of Cirith...and the doors sealed like clockwork, slamming shut.

"I've seen enough," Anoue whispered. "Let's get out of here, Yoshi-kun!"

But Yoshitsu had already begun to climb the fence, grasping the energy at low-concentration points...in his mind was a whirl of thoughts. He'd find the Lord Praetor and beat the stinking demon in a man-on-man battle, kill him for the pain he'd caused all the--

Landstrider #Rw-456 caught sight of the boy on his optical sensors at the exact same moment. The giant creature gave a chitter of surprise before swiveling his high-powered pulse cannon...

The upper half of Yoshitsu disappeared in a red spray as the Landstrider returned to its patrol.

Classroom 4, Underground Faculties, City of Mirrors, Alchemica Medical

Laura and Matthew shuffled into the classroom and grabbed their seats, two
mildly push seats in front of a lift top desk. Matthew got up and started
the morning ritual of placing all the practice items around the room. A
ball, some fuzzy dice, a glass vase, an assortment of odds and ends.

One by one, each of the students came into the class and did their jobs.
Soon, class was ready to begin with everyone in their seats, everyone except one. Slowly the absentee walked into the room quietly and took her seat in the back corner of the room.

She had always been an odd child ever since the day she wandered into the
City of Mirrors from the desert. She looked like a mess wearing tattered and
dirty clothes looking to be at least 3 sizes too big for her and a large
floppy hat that came to the top of her eyebrows, the lid covering her ice
blue eyes. The child didn’t seem to know much other then she had come a long way to get to the City and that her name was Kis.

Still to this day she wore the ridiculous hat she refused to take off and
the large, white Alchemica Medical lab coat that was given to her when she came. Also, the one requirement to her staying in the city was being worn, a pair of white nurse’s gloves. That was what she was always told and lectured
about, the only rule; never touch anyone’s bare skin.

James Sunderland, their teacher, entered the classroom and picked up a
clipboard and started to call roll. "Mayu?"

"Here."

"Mio?"

"Here."

"Laura?"

"Here Dad."

"Matt?"

"Present."

"Kristine?"

No answer came. James looked up over his clip bored and repeated the name,
“Kristine?”

“Here,” The soft mumbled voice said in the back corner of the room.

James sped through the rest of the roll, then he put down the clipboard and
closed his eyes and mumbled something for a moment. "Alright, blockers off.
Now where did we leave off?"

Laura’s had quickly shot up above her head, reaching as high as she could as
she said excitedly with a smile, “We were practicing prolonged levitation
Dad”

“Ah yes levitation,” He said nodding to himself, “would everyone please get
their object of choice? Please nothing breakable.”

The class did as they were told, going to their object of choice for today.
It didn’t take long for the group to settle back down into their chairs and
begin the exercise. About a minute into the practice, Kis’ object (her pen)
dropped to her desk, far before she should have lost control of it. Her eyes
were wide, in shock, as if something had just scared the life out of her.

“Kis, is there something wrong?” James asked looking up to her.

She didn’t answer, only stared off into a state of terror for a few moments
before quickly pushing the chair out from underneath her. She ran to the
door in and put her hand to the knob to fling it open but stopped suddenly
saying a profanity between her teeth. From there Kis ran to the window and
put a hand onto the sill to push it open but stopped mid-job as well. She
looked terrified of something and was obviously trying to find a way out, as
she backed up to the front of the room desperately scanning the room in a
panic covered in a cold sweat.

Mr. Sunderland takes a slow step away from Kis, a little concerned and
confused but trying to keep calm so the other kids dont panic. “Kis? Are you
alright?”

There was no answer from her. She was too busy backing up to the wall of the room, still in a state of shock. Footsteps could be heard walking down the hallway to the classroom as she panic hightened more and more with each step.

Then she looked up. With a flash Kis jumped up to the side of a bookcase nearly missing the seam in the mirrored ceiling, hanging there until she pulled the pain aside and began to crawl up into the crawlspace.

James sighed and turned back to his class, “Let's continue where we left off
okay? Claire are you-”

The door burst open interrupting him, three women in scantily clad dress and
two men came in. Kis was hanging half in and half out though not for long.
She screamed as she appeared to be pulled from the space and pressed into
the wall. Kis let out a squeal as she hit, which slowly turned into a crisp
high G. It was such a nice tone... an idea came to mind the class’ mind; To
leave the classroom calmly. Leave and take the people who came in recently
with them.

James motions the others to leave after redoing their blockers. After making
sure the kids are safely away he turns to the intruders. “Excuse me I don't
know who you think you are but this is my classroom. Identify yourselves,
NOW.”

“I apologize for our interruption. We are only here to retrieve the seraphim
and return her,” One of the scantily clad women said. She had pink hair to
her waist and, strangely enough, what looked like feathers hung down in
strands as well. She spoke in an odd accent, as if she was trying to sing
the words. The way she said it suggested to just do as she said.

Unfortunately the suggestion, while very effective against children with their powers blocked, had no sway against an adult Alchemican especially when that adult was within the City of Mirrors.

“Oh...” He shook his head and narrowed his eyes, "Put the girl down, and sit on the floor until security arrives. NOW.”

The five people suddenly experienced what happens when you try to do
something in a city of telepaths that pisses them off. You will soon find that you have the brunt of a good couple thousand powerful minds pressing down on you at once.

The intruders held their heads in pain and let out a scream... or at least
that is what it seemed like. Each was high and ear pearcing. E, A sharp, B
flat. It was horrible. Kis let out a weeping sob of pain as the screams
shook eardrums, as well as the mirrors... cracks began to appear one by one.
It seemed in just a moment they would all shatter until Kis let out a note... though it was unexplainable what note it was. Combined with the other 5 it made was a simple, harmless F.

“Alright! That does it! SLEEP!” James screamed. Slowly, one by one the group
fell unconscious on the floor dropping from the note. Finally the last woman
hit the ground, letting Kis fall to the ground, ending the F with a loud “ooof” as she hit the ground.

"Somebody get down here now," James said very pissed off as he helped Kis to her feet. "I want to know how the Hell these jokers got here."

"This is all my fault..." Kis mumbled to herself quietly.

(This was a joint post between Alchemica Medical and Sinria)

------------4:07 AM, the kolzie river, NNB--------------

The main attack force of the New new brunswic army sat on the northern banks of the Kolzie river. They would attack in 8 minutes and all was at this time going according to plan.

Sergeant Mackay sat on the shore. The boom of enemy artillery flared across the sky, Throwing light onto the murky river water.

Lieutenant Fennic crouched low next to him. He was obviously shaking

“Jim” He said “I’m scared that I won’t survive this”

the young officer lowered his head and said “Jim? If I die here, Tell Julia I love her”

The dark skinned sergeant turned to the young man and said “You won’t die kid. It’s against the rules and I won’t allow it”

The Lieutenant nodded his head, said “thanks man” and started his lifelong nervous habit of tapping his fingers on the ground.

A blue flare soared across the sky.

A few seconds later, The army of the elder brain charged across the waist deep waters of the eastern Kolzie.

A panicking NNB captain drew his sword and ordered a counter assault.

At this, the brave warriors charged with the force of a heard of stampeding buffalo, Meeting their enemy in the rivers center.

As he had predicted, Fennic was shot down by an enemy sniper just as the fight started.

-------later on, just outside the town of Shiloh in a NNB medical tent----------

Sargent Mackay woke with a start

He grimaced with pain as he put his left hand to his shoulder.

A patch of dried blood covered the large hole that used to be his right forearm.

He closed his eyes and thought. Where was he? How did he get here?

The last thing he remembered was retreat being called on a bugle in the distance

A bright light shone into his eyes, disrupting his thought

“Where the hell am I” he said to the man in the white coat that had shone the light

the white clothed man smiled and said “The humble little town of Shiloh. Approximately 1 mile behind the front line”

“1 MILE” shouted Mackay, doing everything he could not to pass out from blood loss“Shiloh is 5 miles behind the Kolzie”

The man nodded and said “yes sir, We no longer hold the northern banks of the Kolzie. If this battle keeps this up, Shiloh will fall by tomorrow morning”

“Give me my pistol, doctor” said Mackay “they need me on the feild”

“No sir, you are too injured to be sent out at this time” said the medic uneasily

Mackay shoved himself into a sitting position and said “that’s a direct order soldier! Now give me my gun”

“No sir” said the doctor, backing up quickly “I can’t do that sir”

Mackay pulled the scalpal off the bedside table and held it with his one remaining arm to the doctors throat “give my god damn gun now”

“Ok, ok” said the doctor “I’ll get you your damn gun already”

the doctor reached into his coat pocket and grudgeingly handed him his service revolver back to him

Mackay dropped the knife and took the gun. It was still loaded.

----------Naha-The night before----------------

"sir" Said one of the older officers in the 3rd "The battle is won! No enemys survive within 50 miles of this city"

"Thanks to the great bunny" Said Washington, His albatri emitting a loud "SQWAK" and bucking a little

The older soldier smiled a bit and sayd "Yes, Only the great one could have given us such a great victory. also, sir. General Kelth wanted you to know that we are to ship back home tomorrow. We will take part in the assault on the Kolzie"

The captain nodded and said with a low growl "Yes, I figured as much. I was hoping to get a bit of rest first, But duty is duty"

The old soldier smiled a little more and said "Yes, And the general also said that if you said that, I was to tell you of your promotion"

He snapped a salute towards Washington and said "Good work feild marshal. you have truely earned your rank"

Washington fainted.

Imperial Palace, Naha, Outer Okinaw

The Royal Court was hushed as their Emperor left the podium upon which the final draft of the treaty had been placed, his signature upon it...and the tall, austere figure of the Lord Praetor strode forward.

Looks at him and the rest of the Necros-Vacuian delegation ranged from apprehension and fear to outright hate...but the Lord Praetor maintained his grace and dignity, uncaring, as he signed the treaty with a flourish.

No one spoke...but the Necros-Vacuian delegation bowed to the Okinawans, and then, led by their Lord Praetor, they turned to leave.

The relief in the room was almost palpable. The Naha Accords had been signed.

The war, such as it was, was over.

Interrogation Room 5, Underground Faculties, City of Mirrors, Alchemica Medical

“I'm glad to see you up Miss…?” A pleasant deep male voice came from the darkness surrounding the lit chair and the strange woman with feathered hair sitting in it.

“Where is the Seraphim?”

”Tut tut. Introductions first Miss.
”
The woman looked confused and took a more persuasive tone in her sing-song accent. Please.... where is the Seraphim?” Something pushed at the mind to tell where ever it was though with even with years of mental training it didn't work nearly as well as it should have.

”You don’t really know where you are do you?”

“Why aren't you answering?” The woman was confused. How could someone resist her love?

“Maybe I should give you an example of your position.” A choking feeling gripped the inside of the woman's throat. “Do you know what that is my dear? I am holding the grouping of nerves, pipes, and tissue that is known as the voice box. All I have to do is squeeze and you will lose your voice forever. Now, are you going to be cooperative or do we do this the hard way?”

“H-How?”

“You really don’t know...wow. My dear in Alchemica Medical EVERYONE is a psychic. Maybe if you took on one of us out in Outer Okinaw or Necros-Vacuia you might have a fighting chance, but here...well. I will give you credit though. That cloaking method through dispersing your Id into a simple shield miasma was very clever. You could walk around all day and we wouldn't bother with you. But then you had to bother us, and with what is most valuable to us. We do not like people who mess with our children. So, your name Miss would be appreciated. Unless you want us to take it by force.”

“Vi'na...We did not touch any one of your children, all we want is the Seraphim!
”
As far as we are concerned she is a part of our family. Now, what is your Nationality? You obviously aren't from the Big Seven.”

“Sinria... we have been tracing her for a long while now.”

“See this isn't so hard. By the way, I am the Doctor-Priest Leonard Wolf.” Another light clicked on to show a bearded Alchemican doctor leaning against a mirror. “So, Vi'na what's so important about little Kristine?”

“Kiristine?”

“She said her name was Kis. We asked her if it was short for Kristine, she didn't dispute it.”

“Her name is Seraphim Ki'sa Vino Angalena Liori the third.” The interrogator snickered in the dark ticking the Sinrian off further. “She has no business being here.”

“She seems to be doing fine. A little solitary true but she seems to be getting along with the children every now and again.”

“No, we need to bring her back to Sinria!”

“Why?”

“Because she is the Seraphim!!”

“And that would be?”

Vi’na sighed the sigh of one explaining something to an idiot. “She is supposed to be, in lack of a better term, looking after Sinria.”

”Oh Lord...one of those guardian or caretaker things?”

“More or less...We MUST take her back!”

“Just our luck…if it's not the Predecessors it's Okinaw, or Druarch, or something else it’s an entirely new pain in the ass. Alright, so why doesn't she want to go back?”

“Because she is a silly child! She has no say in the matter! She MUST return! Willing or no.”

“Yeah, well, as her Guardians we HAVE a say in the matter and you haven’t convinced us yet.”

Vi’na’s eyes narrowed. “You do not want to get the nation of Sinria upset ny keeping the Seraphim away from us...”

“You still haven’t answered my question properly. What are you going to do with her?”

“Bring her back...”

“AND...”

“We have no control over the matter. Our instructions were only to retrieve the Seraphim.”

Leonard sighed. “Fine we do this the hard way. Tell Us Now, what are you going to do with her once you return with her, Tell Us Now.”

“Look! I don't know why they want the Seraphim back and if I did I wouldn't tell you!”

“Who's they?”

“Ki'sel the prime minister and the cabinet of the Commonwealth of Sinria.”

“Are they new arrivals to the Zone?”

“No, they are not here. I told you we traveled a very far ways away, but I swear if you do not cooperate…”

“You'll what?”

Vi’na narrowed her eyes. “I suggest you do not make a siren leader mad...let alone Sinria. This is not a hard decision to make. Let us have the Seraphim and we will leave your little country alone. We have no interest in fighting, but we will. We will come in and show your country real love.”

“What Seraphim? You didn't find her here. You were mistaken.”

“What? We just spoke about her! How dare you!” She snapped quickly standing up.

“You Were Mistaken.”

“WE WILL NOT LEAVE WITHOUT THE SERIPHAM!”

”SIT DOWN NOW! I guess we do this the VERY hard way then.”

Classroom 4

“Hey Kis. You like Lime Flavored soda right?”

“I'm going to go back aren't I?”

”Well, we don’t want to make any enemies, but we want to make sure you'll be safe where you're going. So maybe you can help us try and figure this out. Who are these folks?”

Kis sighed bringing her knees to her chest under the oversized coat, looking away at a wall. “Three Sirens a Zeus and a Hades.”

“Greek based huh? Alright. What do they want you for?”

“I ran away years ago and they most likely ran out of Seraphims. Seraphims are like political figureheads. They are supposed to be puppets to the prime minister and the cabinet. Think of it kind of like a royal family except we arn't related and it's only women.

“Ah, I think I understand. We have similar things here, so what's so adverse to being one?”

Kis paused then reached up taking off her hat and shaking her head letting a powdered blue hair falling down to her waist along with stings of feathers peeking out here and there. “When I left there were five in front of me. Five.” She let out a sad laugh unbuttoning each button of the coat with her gloved fingers.

“Did something happen to them?” Claudia Wolf asked cautiously.

“Well if they are using a squad with a Hades let alone three Sirens then they have no more Seraphims left so that means they're dead.” Kis got to the last button at her collar and let the jacket fall to the chair revealing a small teenage body wearing a small purple tanktop. Normal, though maybe skinner than usual. There was one thing though on her back. Feathers. Wings. The whole time she just spoke with a sad smile on her face.

”Ah, well. That's uncommon.”

”Yeah... it stands out a bit.”

Not as much as you would think here. I actually think getting gene grafted wings was very popular in New new Brunswick for a time. But I'm guessing yours are a bit more than just a fad huh?”

Kis nodded with a smile. “Sinra is not just a country, but more of a species. Every so often a Seraphim is born and quickly taken away to be trained to be the council's puppets. Unfortunately for them, I'm the worst Seraphim they could have had. Heh'. I have a mind.”

“And a very good one too.” Claudia chuckled a little. “You know, maybe you SHOULD go back with them. From what we've seen of their talents and seeing how much progress you've been showing you can end up pulling their strings instead.”

“It isn't quite that simple. The people of Sinria are almost like your country. Well, the way of telepaths and such. It is just used and trained in a different way... that is why I came here. I just needed to get away from…”

“Let me guess arrogant quasi-hive minders that think they are More Than Human right?”

“They probably say there is no such thing as God too right?”

“Heh' not exactly. They stress on human rights. Love. That is why the women are trained to be Sirens. It's like mind control. I'm not quite sure how it works because they never question it. Their attitude has gone so far that it has backfired and they are like monsters now. It is all about Sinrian love. No one can talk against Sinrian love.”

“Oh Lord. It never ends does it? Alright, do you want us to wipe their minds?”

She nodded. “Just be careful. As Sinrians they know how to shut down their minds to psychics. I... I just need more time. I want to learn about my people! We don't even know where we came from and no one asks!”
Claudia sucked on her lip. “Well you can look around in the Public Originator Archives as much as you like I suppose, and we will train you as well as we can but...Kis, Alchemica cannot afford a war.”

”I know, You have done more than you should have already. I will make sure Alchemica Medical doesn’t get involved in something that’s my fault. It would be better if you just let them go without knowing I am here. I want to at least be ready when I go back.”

”Alright. Then come with me. We'll just have you say good bye then.” She gave the young girl a conspiratorial wink.

Kis nodded though she looked down nervously slipping her coat back on.

Exit Hall, Underground Faculties, Alchemica Medical

”So, as you can plainly see, we have had absolutely no visitors to our land aside from you and the occasional Zoner who wanders here...ummm would your friend there like a rag for that drooling problem?” Dr. Wolf asked pointing at the man who was staring into space blankly.

~~Sorry, guy went off on a rant about how we would rot in their hell for forsaking their love. Set me off a little~~ Claire responded.

~~You know, that's the kind of thing that makes our talks of tolerance ash in our mouths~~

~~He'll be fine in an hour or two!~~

Leonard handed the group a few small moist towlette packages. “Anyways, we wish you all well on your quest. Is there anything we can do to help you? Food, supplies, directions?”

”Uh... no... please contact Sinria if you do locate the Seraphim.” Vi’na replied.

”Of course of course!”

”...thank you...”

“Wonderful! Just let me have someone show you the way out after you let me show you, your mistake. These are my daughters Claudia and Kristine. I understand how you may make a mistake, but Kristine just vaguely resembles the girl you are looking for. Come in you two.”

The two girls came in and bowed in front of the five Sinrians. “There you see? This is not the girl you are looking for.” All the other Alchemicans rolled their eyes and tried to keep from giggling.

Ki'sa looked at the ground freaking out. The woman stared with narrowed eyes.
She just bowed deeper again in a cold sweat trying not to panic.

”You can move along now.” Leonard said motioning the group to follow two other Alchemicans, their eyes tearing with laughter, who will take them up and out of the Underground Faculties.

~~Oh like any of you never wanted to do this~~

After the Sinrians left Ki'sa let out a hiccup and suddenly jumped back up hugging the doctor crying.

“It's okay Kis. It's okay.”

000 The Perseus Sinrian Scout Ship 000

”I don't like those doctors. They are up to something. The trail led to Alchemica Medical I know it!” Vi’na muttered.

”I know...you only get that much radiation in this Godforsaken, loveless place.”

“Well... I think we need to start purifying this land, don't you? The council will enjoy finding a new land to start spreading the word of love. After all, I think Sinria needs to send a warm hand to them don't you? The Council will love this land. This war zone is the most god forsaken place they could find! We have a moral obligation to move in here and spread our love!” Vi’na chirped happily.

“Amen, I mean look at this place.“ Tii’s said looking out of the window over the wastelands near Naha. “It is depressing...Umm is he going to be alright?” She said staring at the smiling, drooling form of Den’ssa

“The doctors did it... if he is not they will not be.” Vi’na mumbled. “They will pay for hiding her from us.”

”But she wasn't there.” Two other members of the party said in synch

”THE TRAIL LED HERE!” Vina screamed hitting the control panel. “EVEN IF SHE IS NOT SHE HAD TO HAVE PASSED THROUGH! SHE HAD TO!”

”Calm down!” The Pilot snapped.

Vi’na’s took several deep breaths in and out:: “Love... love... think of love...Are you all right brother?”

”Yeah. Too bad she wasn't there, those doctors were so nice. You know, I think we should look elsewhere.” The large man said dreamily

“SEE! THEY MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO US!”

“Now now my dear, calm yourselves. We will return to the Zone, and when we do we will spread our message of love, and find her.” The pilot said back to the others.

“Yes... Yes we must find our dear angel and bring her back to us.” Vi’na said between clenched teeth.

”Amen.” The others replied.