NationStates Jolt Archive

The large, wishbone-shaped craft drifted into a lone star system on the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Space Jocky transport was carrying 100,000 of the Queen Mother's Eggs (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b4/Don%27t_look_now%21.JPG) in its hold. For aeons they had travelled across the wasteland known as intergalactic space from the home galaxy.

The massive ship entered in a decaying orbit around a suitable M-class world with suitable host species that was at a Mid-evil stage of development.

After a few weeks in the gradually shrinking orbit, the craft entered the planet's atmosphere and ended up crash landing on an island continent the size and shape of Australia. Immediatly upon coming to a stop, the craft automattically began transmitting a signal into the void around the planet.

Also, as the ship stopped moving, the Chestburster (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Chestburster.jpg) that had been controlling the lone Pilot (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/It%27s_a_Jockey.jpg), forced its way through the dying elephantine being's rib-cage and scurried off into the darkness.

Meanwhile, down in the cargo hold (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Eggcave.jpg), some of the Eggs began coming to life. 1,000 Facehuggers (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Fachugger_web.jpg) crawled out and began working their way outside. Long ago they would have just over-run all native life and used it all as hosts, now, after aeons of experience and planning, they would leave just enough of each preferred species so that it would continue to prosper. Thus, ensuring a supply of hosts for the young.

OOC: Don't pick up the beacon until at least 200 years after the crash landing. Any sooner and I won't have the Empress (lowest caste that has the ability to speak telepathically with another species).

200 years later

By now, the signal from the still transmitting Space Jocky craft woul have reaced more civilized space. As it was just a location beacon containing the co-ordinates of the planet in simple binary code, it wouldn't be heard to locate the source.

OOC: What the heck why not...

Time passed. Worlds turned, plants grew, civilizations formed, and the distress signal meandered its way through the endless void at what could only be termed a leisurely pace.

But there are ears betwixt the stars, ears belonging to creatures unlike anything the universe could possibly imagine. Angry creatures. Hungry creatures.

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

Boredom.

Boredom.

Boredom.

Boredom.

>Signal Reception<

!!!

Interrogative.

Unknown_Signal_001 Translation Matrix Ineffective.

???

Querrulous.

CEREBRANT TRANSLATION MATRIX OF Unknown_Signal_001 INEFFECTIVE. OVERMIND INFORMS 'LINGUISTICS DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO KNOWN PATTERNS/SYNTAX'. ADVISE INVESTIGATION TO IDENTIFY SOURCE.

???

OVERMIND INFORMS 'YES THAT MEANS YOU.'

!!!

Glee.

Calculation Protocols Engaged.

LOADING... PLEASE WAIT

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

Approximately thirty minutes later, a pair of strange discs of unknown material materialized at the edge of the system. Glowing a strange shade of green, they drifted inward towards the verdant world, triangulating the position of origin of the signal beacon. They came as they always did, commandeering an asteroid at the edge of the system and using it to mask their presence until they felt the desire to disembark and head towards the intended target.

As the asteroid zoomed by, accelerated to abnormal velocities as it was, the strange discs detached and came to position over the planet. As they did so, smaller discs emerged from within, some seventy or so from each of the discs, and zoomed towards a seemingly undisturbed portion of the targeted landmass. These smaller discs buzzed with a whirling ring of monofilament blades as they came closer to the ground

These strange discs came to a landing, displaying an odd form of dexterity as the monofilament blades flexed into nimble legs in order to perform the necessary motility as they made their way to the source of the signal...

A local humanoid child, a boy, watched as the strange discs landed. Even after the 200 years of having a Xenomorph Nest on the island continent, flying technology was limited to kites. The boy, hidden in the rocks, crept away as he headed for his home village near-by.

Miles away, in almost the geographical center of the island continent, the Derelict (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/The_Derelict.PNG) sat in a desolate waste-land (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/LV-426.PNG) covered in convulted rock formations.

Inside the Derelict, the Empress was 'informed' of the new arrivals by some of the Nest's Drones (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/AVP_Xenomorph.jpg).

Xeno. A hive. They must be cleansed.

We are but a small force. There are not even any Hydrae with us. What can we do if they have a Hive Ship?

We have many Tritons. They will be weak still. Plasma kills them as well as it kills anything else.

Let us go then. Prepare to change vector and engage the Xeno.

There were only 60 ships in this group of the Zeji Armada, and 50 of them were Triton Troop Transports. Whatever there was on the world below would be burned...

Like giant crystalline spiders, these 'Kythons' skittered their way towards the source of the strange signal with a surprising alacrity. A strange hissing chittering noise emanated from the small swarm as it made its way along towards its intended target at speeds approaching some forms of aircraft.

Eventually they made the transition from the typical grasslands and prairie of the continent itself and into the strange wasteland surrounding the derelict.

Several Drones tracked the Kythons once they entered the Derelict's zone with their echolocation. If the Kythons were able to, they would detect the pheromones the Drones were emitting to relay 'progress reports' back to the Empress.

OOC: I'm not going to do anything that may be misconstrued as godmodding, so I'm not going to make any attempt at saying when your Kython's reach the Derelict.

The Zeji ripped into the system with a blaze of energy. As soon as they translated the Tritons began diving for the planet. They each carried a company of the various Zeji warriors, and they would be enough to eliminate the queen of this accursed hive.

OOC: Just some F.Y.I.:
1.) Its a single Nest, part of the Hive proper;
2.) You'll be facing at least 100,000 Xenomorphs of varying castes;
3.) The Empress is a caste up from the Queen;
4.) The Empress may have a deal you may find interesting.

OOC: Just some F.Y.I.:
1.) Its a single Nest, part of the Hive proper;
2.) You'll be facing at least 100,000 Xenomorphs of varying castes;
3.) The Empress is a caste up from the Queen;
4.) The Empress may have a deal you may find interesting.

OOC:

Whatever. Plasma mnakes short work of drones, warriors, Bulls, and aliens of all stripes with equal efficiency. If the Empress tries making a deal, she'll just make herself an easy target. I'm sure my entire force will be butchered eventually, but that's the fun part. I'm looking to gradually kill off my non-human races.

The Kythons registered the multitude of life signs roaming about in this forsaken place as they finally came to visual range of the derelict. For the most part, the strange life forms would be ignored until they displayed hostility or propagation protocols were initiated.

At about that point though, the Cerebrant erupted into their own minds.

INCURSION DETECTED. INSERTION PROTOCOLS SUGGEST HOSTILE INTENT. KYTHON CAPITALS IGNORED, SUGGESTS REACTION TO DISTRESS SIGNAL.

With that, the Kythons on the ground reduced their glow to minimal iridescence and continued forward at half speed. They would arrive in a little under three minutes.

OOC:

Whatever. Plasma mnakes short work of drones, warriors, Bulls, and aliens of all stripes with equal efficiency. If the Empress tries making a deal, she'll just make herself an easy target. I'm sure my entire force will be butchered eventually, but that's the fun part. I'm looking to gradually kill off my non-human races.

OOC: Understood. But you'll find my Praetorians (Elite Guard caste) are a amoung the hardest to bring down, even with A.P. rounds.

IC: As the Drones kept track of the Kythons with their bio-sonar, a lone Runner dashed in front of the approaching Kythons in an easily visible position, 'looked' at them, and dashed away.

OOC: Works for me. Just something to match against the Salamsanders, Storm Riders, and Phoenixes.

IC:

The Tritons plunged through the atmosphere towards the derelict. When they had been distant they had only had a vague sense of the hive mind to go by, now there was a distress signal, and an obvious hive presence. The Tritons began dropping Warriors and Mechalisks some distance from the hive, as the ones carrying heavier units, like the Stormrider, the Phoenix, the Salamander, and the Hellslayer, dropped their units closer in. There was only a single company of each, but the sheer size of most of them made numbers redundant.

OOC:

http://www.campaigncreations.org/starcraft/zeji/zeji-ground.shtml Zeji Ground Units. Air Units can be found through a link at the top of the page.

The lead Kython nearly bowled over the lone runner, but stopped without showing any sign of slowing down beforehand. One second it was barreling along at a little over one hundred kilometers an hour, the next it was stopped, its aft raised slightly and its fore dipped down to give the strange creature a VERY close inspection.

As the runner bolted away, the lead Kython kept track of it until it vanished from sight. When it vanished, the Kython swarm burst back on course at its previous speed.

OOC: Just to let you know, I've got my own custom castes added to the cannon and non-cannon ones. For example, a flying Drone known as a Soarer (picture the creatures from Pitch Black and you'll get a basic physical appearance).

IC: A Drone sitting on top of one of the Derelict's arms 'looked' up as the smell of flame reached it. Deep inside the Nest, the Empress lowered her head from beneath her crowning crest and snarled as she sensed the incoming Zeji forces.

Meanwhile, outside, the Runner that had crossed the Kython's path watched them from atop a near-by rock pillar. When the Kythons reached the nearest entrace to the Nest, a lone Drone would be waiting to guide them to the Empress to see if they would be acceptable to the proposal the Queen Mother had sent them to this galaxy to deliver.

OOC: Ok. I think I have some sort of AA somewhere...

IC:

The Zeji Warriors poured across the open wasteland, igniting their plasma blades and preparing to engage the hated Xeno. There would undoubtedly be thousands of them, and when the Slamanders and other powerful units engaged the hive, things would get very interesting, very fast.

Psionics:

Send forth your queen. We would have words with her.

The Kythons' reaction to the psionic transmission was instantaneous, despite the fact that they were not the intended target they still 'heard' the missive. They all stopped, dead still, and raised to maximum height on their wicked-bladed legs. Listening for more signals for the most part, but also attempting to discern the identity of the sender.

The immobile Empress snarled from beneath her head crest as Drones moved the Eggs that were emerging from her ovipositer to the Egg Cave. A young, immature Queen (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Queen_wiki_avp.jpg) emerged from around a corner. Too young to have an Egg Sac, but old enough to be the full 4.5 meters tall, she departed for the entrance nearest the Zeji forces after a growl from the Empress.

The Empress sent a responding telepathic message:

<One of my daughters is on her way to lead you to me. For now, the Nest will not harm you. However, try anything, and you'll join the next group of Hosts.>

The Kythons remained stock still... monitoring the situation.

The immobile Empress snarled from beneath her head crest as Drones moved the Eggs that were emerging from her ovipositer to the Egg Cave. A young, immature Queen (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Queen_wiki_avp.jpg) emerged from around a corner. Too young to have an Egg Sac, but old enough to be the full 4.5 meters tall, she departed for the entrance nearest the Zeji forces after a growl from the Empress.

The Empress sent a responding telepathic message:

<One of my daughters is on her way to lead you to me. For now, the Nest will not harm you. However, try anything, and you'll join the next group of Hosts.>

We did not ask for your daughter. We would have words with YOU.

The massive Hellslayers and Salamanders prepared their greeting for the young Queen. Plasma blades flickered, and Salamanders prepared to fling the deadly superheated gasses upon sight of the hated beast.

<Which you will have, when you come to my chamber. I long ago grew too large to leave it.>

The young Queen 'stared' at the Zeji from inside the opening to the tunnel. She was flanked by two of the Empress's Preatorian (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Praetorian.JPG)

OOC: Hmm, if I manage to take some Zeji as hosts, I may have to create a new Caste for the result (I go for the DNA Assimilation theory instead of the Implantation theory).

<Which you will have, when you come to my chamber. I long ago grew to large to leave it.>

The young Queen 'stared' at the Zeji from inside the opening to the tunnel. She was flanked by two of the Empress's Preatorian (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e8/Praetorian.JPG)

OOC: Hmm, if I manage to take some Zeji as hosts, I may have to create a new Caste for the result (I go for the DNA Assimilation theory instead of the Implantation theory).

OOC: None are likely to survive this. Although, if you want some plasma slinging Xenos, that might be fun enough for me to let you have some. No mechalisks, Zeji, Zerg, and Xeno mixed would be obscene.

IC:

Then We will come to you.

The Salamanders released their energy, directly into the Praetorian\s and the young queen. They would then cut their way in to destroy the true Queen if that was what it took.

DETECTION OF ENERGY DISCHARGES. TARGETED UPON DERELICT. INITIATE COMBAT PREPARATIONS.

The Kythons, previously standing at what could only be considered maximum height, immediately dropped low to the ground and began 'eating' the ground in a cacophony of disintegration. As they milled about, they began to leave strange seedlings upon the ground, which began to disintegrate more ground for themselves... and grow.

OOC: Last post for a while, just imagine that this thingie is gonna take a bit of time to complete.

The Empress's roar of outrage echoed throughout the Nest and into the surrounding area.

The plasma knocked the two Praetorian onto their backs. Swarms of Drones and Runners poured out of every opening while the two Praetorians got up. A few Facehuggers hung back in the openings while they waited their chance.

The young Queen, however, lost a large chunk of her crest sending her acidic blood everywhere. The pissed Queen climbed into an up-shaft above the opening of the entrance the Praetorians where in.

OOC: @MM: Ready for some 'hand-to-hand'?
@Godular: Understood.

DETECTION OF ENERGY DISCHARGES. TARGETED UPON DERELICT. INITIATE COMBAT PREPARATIONS.

The Kythons, previously standing at what could only be considered maximum height, immediately dropped low to the ground and began 'eating' the ground in a cacophony of disintegration. As they milled about, they began to leave strange seedlings upon the ground, which began to disintegrate more ground for themselves... and grow.

OOC: Last post for a while, just imagine that this thingie is gonna take a bit of time to complete.

OOC: BAD GODULAR!

IC:

Psionics to the Kythons:

We do not wish you harm. Our quarrel is not with you. Do not interfere.

The Empress sent a telepathic message that conveyed how seriously pissed off she was:

<I was going to offer you a deal. A deal that would have been beneficial to both sides. Now, however, you have forfit your chance at that deal. Now, you will join the next group of Hosts for the young. We shall feed on your carcases after the young emerge from your bodies!>

OOC: Less of a while than I thought...

The Kythons continued their strange milling, disintegrating trenches into the ground around them and leaving growing pellets of green behind them. After a couple seconds, it became obvious exactly what those strange pellets were meant for.

The first of them had already formed into a Kython Impaler (http://www.imperiarp.org/bestiary/nwkython.jpg), and were making their way towards the location of the combat. The four-armed monstrosities surged onto the rocky spires of the general environment and bounded forth with a speed impossible speed.

Hostile units engaged in combat scenario against neutral units affiliated with source of distress signal. Initiating propagation protocols.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill...

By now, a steady stream of Bonegrinders was making its way to the battlezone. The Slaymasters, the spider-like fightercraft that could ravage enemy capital ships like energized driver ants, sped up their work, anticipating with glee the coming battle.

Overhead, the two Slaughterkings roared down into the wasteland, depositing egglets upon the tallest spires and moving on, as the egglets immediately set to work disintegrating material for the production of more Kythons. The enemy had been recognized. The protocols were clear. Destroy.

They were the Kythons. The Kythons were the weapon. In victory came the swarm. In death came the swarm.

The Runners used their speed to dart between the Zeji and then jumped on them from behind. The Drones, though not as fast as the Runners, were using their powerful tails, claws, and jaws to jab and stab. Any survivors would be taken inside the Nest, cacooned, and used as a host for a Chestburster.

The Runners used their speed to dart between the Zeji and then jumped on them from behind. The Drones, though not as fast as the Runners, were using their powerful tails, claws, and jaws to jab and stab. Any survivors would be taken inside the Nest, cacooned, and used as a host for a Chestburster.

If they wanted to destroy the powerful Salamanders, Hellslayers, Stormriders, and Phoenixes they would have to fight them, brutally. Plasma blades scorched the air, and bolts of the superheated gas sizzled past the heads of the Zeji combatants.

As the four companies of heavies battled at the entrance to the hive, the Zeji Warriors and Mechalisks swarmed across the plains, and Tritons flew over them. They were only mounted with a pair of light laser batteries, but that would be enough to devastate any enemy they struck. Xenos were fast, and they were relatively strong, but they were not known foir their durability, orability to engage airborne opponents.

Above the planet 3 Leviathan Carriers and 7 Barracuda Frigates began their more controlled dive towards the planet. They would bombard the hive with their batteries, and use their fighters to keep ground combatants busy.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/parlim.jpg
[The Federal Theme] (http://media.putfile.com/Federal-Theme)

F.N.S. Asimov
Orca-class Assault Frigate

The Asimov, a medium-sized frigate assigned to long range-patrol duties, had a distinguished record, and was very proud of it. Under Captain Ryan, the vessel had completed 199 successful missions, and was near completing its two-hundredth, a rather uneventful patrol. After charting several uninteresting planets many light years from home, it had just opened a wormhole and was returned to Military Command.

Moral was high on the bridge, despite the constant boredom of the last few days. The bridge crew chatted animately, and at first did not notice the beeping from the sensor console. The officer on duty, recovering from an obviously hilarious joke about elephants, noted the change and immediately reported it.

“Sir, something on the scopes.”

Captain John Ryan took a long sip from his coffee, before looking over his shoulder. “Report.” The officer, a lowly ensign, frowned slightly at his console, and tapped a few more buttons curiously before answering.

“Looks to be a homing beacon of some sorts, sir, I can't make much of it, other than the fact that it is originating from a nearby system.” Ryan, notably intrigued but longing for a change from charting uninhabitable planets, nodded and spoke.

“Well, Command isn't expecting us back for another day, so we have time to check this out. Helm, set course for the origin of the beacon.”

“Aye, sir.”

The faint, barely visible exit hole of the wormhole before them closed quickly, the anomaly itself shifting slightly as the Wormhole Drive was given different coordinates. A new exit appeared, significantly closer than the former. The Asimov shifted course quickly, and left the wormhole (which closed quickly behind them) and into normal space.

If they wanted to destroy the powerful Salamanders, Hellslayers, Stormriders, and Phoenixes they would have to fight them, brutally. Plasma blades scorched the air, and bolts of the superheated gas sizzled past the heads of the Zeji combatants.

As the four companies of heavies battled at the entrance to the hive, the Zeji Warriors and Mechalisks swarmed across the plains, and Tritons flew over them. They were only mounted with a pair of light laser batteries, but that would be enough to devastate any enemy they struck. Xenos were fast, and they were relatively strong, but they were not known foir their durability, orability to engage airborne opponents.

Above the planet 3 Leviathan Carriers and 7 Barracuda Frigates began their more controlled dive towards the planet. They would bombard the hive with their batteries, and use their fighters to keep ground combatants busy.

As Drones and Runners died, they sprayed their acidic blood everywhere. Very little, outside of their own exoskeleton and a few exotic metals, could withstand the acidity.

It was then that the young Queen from earlier sprang out from a side opening. She used her claws to tear enemies in two and her tail to impale targets.

She was followed out by a swarm of Praetorians and Soarers took to the air. The Soarers would keep the enemy air units busy while occasionally swooping down to decapitate an enemy ground unit.

Meanwhile, deep in the underground area of the Nest, the seriously pissed off Empress roared, hissed, snarled, and growled at the fact she wasn't able to join the fight.

OOC: Forces I'm dedicating to this battle:
1,000 Drones
1,000 Runners
1,000 Soarers
100 Praetorian
1 Queen

As Drones and Runners died, they sprayed their acidic blood everywhere. Very little, outside of their own exoskeleton and a few exotic metals, could withstand the acidity.

It was then that the young Queen from earlier sprang out from a side opening. She used her claws to tear enemies in two and her tail to impale targets.

She was followed out by a swarm of Praetorians and Soarers took to the air. The Soarers would keep the enemy air units busy while occasionally swooping down to decapitate an enemy ground unit.

Meanwhile, deep in the underground area of the Nest, the seriously pissed off Empress roared, hissed, snarled, and growled at the fact she wasn't able to join the fight.

OOC: Forces I'm dedicating to this battle:
1,000 Drones
1,000 Runners
1,000 Soarers
100 Praetorian
1 Queen

OOC:

At the Gate:

200 Salamanders
200 Hellslayers
200 Stormriders
200 Phoenixes
4 Tritons

Advancing across the Wasteland(I assume Godular will be going after these and the incoming air units.):

2,500 Mechalisks
7,500 Warriors
46 Tritons
7 Barracudas
3 Leviathan Carriers

IC:

The Queen met with a massive Zegi Salamander. Plasma Blades versus unadulteraded aggression and rage. The two monstrous beasts were similar in size, but the armament was disproportionate in the extreme.

The Praetorians and the Queen were the only really equal matches for the massive opponents they were facing. In numbers the Drones could bring down Stormriders and Hellyslayers just by being killed, but the numbers required would ensure some truly unpleasant and brutal losses. Stormriders wree tough, and they died slowly, but they died. The sheer numbers of the enemy meant that they died. Stormriders and Hellslayers died most quickly, while the larger Phoenixes and Salamanders could take a Praetorian one on one, and have a reasonable chance of victory. This would be a bloody, brutal, and ultimately fatal battle for the massive warriors and beasts of the Zeji Armada.

OOC: Just an F.Y.I., but according to Wikipedia, most adult Xenomorphs can rend steel. And that exoskeleton is tougher than you think. The Xenomorphs are highly evolved predators. I can give you all the links if you want.
A lone Drone is durable enough to go head-to-head in 'hand-to-hand' combat with a Predator and survive, if we go by cannon.

IC: The thinner exoskeletal armor of the Runners increased their speed, but it also decreased their durability while the thicker exoskeleton found on the Drones decreased their speed and increased their durability. Wounds that would kill a Runner only made a Drone madder. Everytime a Runner or Drone had its tail tip cut off, it would lash it around and use it to spray the acidic blood at will.

OOC: I may introduce a cannon sub-caste of the Drone sometime in this battle. Bascially, this is the version that spits acid (thus, why I named them Spitters).

F.N.S. Asimov

The atmosphere on the bridge changed quickly as the crew took in the site before them. The ensign on sensors worked furiously deciphering all the information they were providing him. After a few hushed moments, he spoke.

“Sir, I am detecting a dozen ships, give or take, orbiting the planet, bearing two different, distinct signals. One is that of Godular, the other is unknown. I am also picking up small arms fire on the surface, but no indication of what exactly they are firing at. Also, the homing beacon appears to be originating from a crashed ship upon the surface.”

Captain Ryan paused, then stood, and gazing at the picture of the downed alien vessel lingering upon the viewscreen, spoke. “Red Alert.” The bridge lighting changed quickly, as the main lights dimmed and dull red ones took their place. Outside the vessel, the changes were more obvious. Shields cackled to life, and weapons slid out from their housings and powered up. “Open a channel to the Godulan ship.”

“Aye sir, channel is open.”

“Godulan ship, this is the F.N.S. Asimov, of the Democratic Federation of Parlim. If you recall, our nations fought together at the battle of Thrashia Prime. What is going on here, and can we be of assistance?”

OOC: Actually, there's two Kython vessels there, and they're close to the planet. The two Slaughterkings will recieve the message though.

The Slaughterkings recieved the unexpected message and queried the information up and down the span of the Overmind, eventually a transmission was sent back to the Parlimian fleet:

RECOGNIZED: ALLY-AFFILIATED VESSEL F_N_S_Asimov ORIGIN_PARLIM.

RECOGNIZED: KYTHON UNITS ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIVE MISSION OF UNKNOWN DISTRESS SIGNAL. DETERMINATION OF SOURCE AND NATURE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES.

RECOGNIZED: HOSTILE UNITS POTENTIAL ENEMY_AFFILIATION ENGAGED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS WITH NEUTRAL UNITS AFFILIATED WITH SOURCE OF DISTRESS SIGNAL.

RECOGNIZED: INITIATING COMBAT OPERATIONS TO RECTIFY SITUATION.

RECOGNIZED: ASSISTANCE_AS_ALLY PROTOCOLS ENABLED. ENEMY-AFFILIATED UNITS PRIMARY TARGET. NEUTRAL UNITS CONSIDERED NON-HOSTILE AT PRESENT TIME.

OOC: Bump for MM.
OOC: MM, I know you are on-line. Don't tell me you're not going to finish this RP.
OOC: Mini Miehm, we are waiting for you.

OOC: Dude, we are waiting for you.

OOC: Bump.

OOC: Bump.

OOC: Just an F.Y.I., but according to Wikipedia, most adult Xenomorphs can rend steel. And that exoskeleton is tougher than you think. The Xenomorphs are highly evolved predators. I can give you all the links if you want.
A lone Drone is durable enough to go head-to-head in 'hand-to-hand' combat with a Predator and survive, if we go by cannon.

IC: The thinner exoskeletal armor of the Runners increased their speed, but it also decreased their durability while the thicker exoskeleton found on the Drones decreased their speed and increased their durability. Wounds that would kill a Runner only made a Drone madder. Everytime a Runner or Drone had its tail tip cut off, it would lash it around and use it to spray the acidic blood at will.

OOC: I may introduce a cannon sub-caste of the Drone sometime in this battle. Bascially, this is the version that spits acid (thus, why I named them Spitters).

OOC: Preds are NOT the top of the food chain anymore. The Drones exoskeletons are vulnurable to simple chemical projectiles. Plasma in my version is a very heavy(ie, anti-tank\anti-armor\anti-heavy assault unit weapon) attack type. It will basically melt a drone with a single hit, since it's rated for use against Lemans and Razorbacks, and even Titans, which are effectively the heaviest armor units commonly used on NS. Drones die, and they die FAST. They are JUST good for swarming things under. They are NOT stand alone combatants, and if you try to employ them like regular infantry, you will not succeed. They are there to die in such great numbers that the enemy cannot win. Why do I say that? Because it's the way Xeno, 'Nids, Xerg, and all the other BioTech Races fight.

IC:

Any Drone struck by a bolt of plasma would be melted. Just like any Zeji struck by an errant shot would be melted. There was almost no way for a living being to survive the damage a bolt of Plasma caused, as the superheated gas stripped all the oxygen from the surrounding area to fuel its immense flame. And anything meeting a Plasma Blade would be only marginally better off, it would have its wound cauterized by the cut, so there wouldn't be any inconvenient acid, unless it burned through the cauterized flesh first.

OOC: Okay, so I can scratch the "Alien Versus Predator" movie from my cannon source list then. Heh, I was kinda hoping I would be able to use "Grid" as one of my characters.

IC: Even as Drones and Runners died, others filled in to take their place. They would pounce on targets and use their second set of jaws to punch holes into the target's body.

OOC: Curtesy bump from a region mate.

OOC: Thanks, TVS.

OOC: Okay, so I can scratch the "Alien Versus Predator" movie from my cannon source list then. Heh, I was kinda hoping I would be able to use "Grid" as one of my characters.

IC: Even as Drones and Runners died, others filled in to take their place. They would pounce on targets and use their second set of jaws to punch holes into the target's body.

OOC: No, yoiu can use it, just remember that the Preds were unarmed most of the time, and they fought like shit when they were armed. For evidence, I point at the shoulder mounted Plasma Caster, and the wretched accuracy and skill with whichit was used.

IC:

Several Phoenixes fell, but they were by far the least able to defend themselves. The Stormriders and Hellslayers were the hardest to kill by far, though the Stormriders were by far the least powerful of the fighters involved, they had the ability to form up with the Hellslayers in a square, letting the beasts swarm around them as they pumped plasma into the mass, and the Hellslayers kept the Drones and Runners from making it to melee with the Stormriders.

The Warriors and Mechalisks continued advancing across the wasteland, while the Tritons gave them what cover they could.

OOC: The AvP games were better anyways.

IC: While the square formation of the enemy held off the Runners and Drones, it did nothing against the random airial attacks of the Soarers, when they weren't dog-fighting with enemy air craft.

And thus they came, a hideous hissing chatter signifying the approach of the glowing green carpet of crystal death flowing over the great spires and crags of the rent wasteland. All around the area that now comprised the increasingly visceral battlefield, the Impalers latched onto perches amongst the rockey spines, and surged forth in a strange dance of unearthly speed and grace.

And just at the edge of the battlefield, they stopped and watched the combat intensely, their chattering hiss growing in strength as more and more came forth.

They simply hung from their perches and watched the battle...

OOC: Bump for MM.

OOC: The AvP games were better anyways.

IC: While the square formation of the enemy held off the Runners and Drones, it did nothing against the random airial attacks of the Soarers, when they weren't dog-fighting with enemy air craft.

Any flying Xeno that tried to dogfight with a Leviathans fighters would not last long. Morays were fast, and designed for fighting Interceptors, Bombers, and Fighters in the depths of space, and fighting opponents not limited by biology. A strike from a Cerberus Cannon wasn't very powerful against a capship, and even Destroyers, Frigates, and Gunships could shrug off the damage, Fighters wre weaker, but they still took multiple hits to kill. A Soarer was not a Fighter in even the loosest sense of the word, no shielding, none of the heavy armor, and no ability to dodge in the manner of a vectored thrust fighter. Each laser strike was almost garaunteed to hit, assuming it was pointing in the correct direction, and each hit would be devastating.

OOC: The movie sucked. The games were decent. I didn't really LIKE either of them though.

OOC: Ehh, too each his own.

IC: Each time they were hit by enemy fire, a Soarer fell. However, those that close enough grabbed hold of the enemy fighters and started going melee with their teeth and claws on them.

OOC: Ehh, too each his own.

IC: Each time they were hit by enemy fire, a Soarer fell. However, those that close enough grabbed hold of the enemy fighters and started going melee with their teeth and claws on them.

OOC: *points at Zeji Shields* You can't grab a particle field. And yes, anything that isn't labeled as "Terran" is going to have a shield of some description.

IC:

Unless the opponent was very lucky they were going to get smeared across the shielding of the Zeji Fighters. There was no real way for the enemy to bringthe shieldsdown except by simply slamming into them repeatedly at high speeds, and that would cause as many, or more losses. Without shielding they wouldsimply impact the solid defenses of the Zeji ships.

OOC: One thing I had to consider with my Zerg was that any fight I engaged in would result in MASSIVE losses on my end, and Zerg have more tricks up their sleeve than Xenos do.

OOC: You mention those before? I don't recall.

IC: Several Soarers died before it was realized that they couldn't melee the fighters. Meanwhile, on the ground, Runners darted around the square formation of the Zeji while Drones climbed to the top of rock spires and leaped down on the interior of the formation from above.

OOC: You mention those before? I don't recall.

IC: Several Soarers died before it was realized that they couldn't melee the fighters. Meanwhile, on the ground, Runners darted around the square formation of the Zeji while Drones climbed to the top of rock spires and leaped down on the interior of the formation from above.

OOC: I mentioned them for the ground forces, and when you face a ship you should ALWAYS assume it has shields. Godular SHOULD be attacking my fighters and such by now... HINT HINT!

IC:

With drones in the squre things would get interesting, losses from the Xenos would likely be minimal, but friendly fire would be inconvenient soon enough. Bolt after bolt of plasma slammed into shields, and the first Stormriders started to drop. The Hellslayers were protected from the worst, but they took a few hits anyway. Whatever happened, the hive would be badly thinned.

It was obvious at this point that the NEUTRAL_AFFILIATED creatures were overmatched. Impalers continued to flood into a form of ring around the battlefield, their chattering reaching an earsplitting pitch as the arrivals began to taper off to nothing.

Then, the chattering stopped.

The Slaymasters and Slaughterkings erupted into the dogfight overhead, creating an eerie green glow over the battlefield with the sheer fury of the shardbolt fire pumped into the air by the Kython vessels.

At the same time, the Impalers surged forth with blazing speed, either leaping directly into the fray, igniting their own seemingly arm mounted light swords as they sailed into the Zeji forces. Others scrambled down the great rocky spires with a hideous warbling hiss accompanied with what could only be termed as a piercing howl that sounded like the dying screams of a thousand tortured voices.

Propagation Sequence Underway...

F.N.S. Asimov

“Sir, we have received a communication from the Godulan ship. Audio only.”

“Very well,” Ryan hesitated a moment, then continued, “Play it.” The brief, computer-like message played over the bridges speakers, leaving several crewmen slightly confused, and showing it. Ryan frowned, the message was not very specific, leaving several of his concerns unaddressed, primarily the identity of the other ships in the system, why they were engaging them, and who the “neutral units” were. More weapons fire had been detected- heavier stuff, probably vehicle mounted.

He knew he had two courses of action- retreat, or investigate, Fleet Command would give him hell for leaving without discovering what this was about, yet he had a strange feeling the other fleet would not be very cooperative. They would have to find out for themselves. Yet, with all the weapons-fire, a dropship would be torn apart by stray fire. He pondered a moment longer, then it hit him.

“Helm- prepare to land the ship.” Instantly, the bridge went quiet. It was technically possible to land an Orca-class frigate, it had struts and atmospheric thrusters, but no one had actually done it outside of simulation. The helmsman wasn’t sure if the program to do it was even loaded.

“Uh, sir, land?”

“You heard me, lieutenant. Find a spot away from the main battle and bring her in.”

The helmsman grew a tad paler, but obliged, turning to his console and finding the landing-sequence program was indeed loaded. An announcement was relayed throughout the ship, and the reaction was much the same, hushed silence as they ran to their stations. The Asimov’s orbit deteriorated quickly as its thrusters positioned it for entry. The massive frigate began its descent, swiftly entering the atmosphere and pushing through. As it neared the surface, the ship moving in speeds excess of mach 2 shuddered violently as its shields impacted on several unlucky soarers, frustrating the pilot with these invisible speed bumps.

At last, the frigate slowed, the landing gear extended, and it coasted in and landed lightly. The helmsman exhaled and leaned back in his chair, wide-eyed, as the bridge crew responded with applause.

“Initiate quarantine protocols, raise shields. Nothing gets in or out without my permission. Prep a team of marines, full battlegear and sealed armor units- no taking any chances here.”

“Aye, sir.”

Vision of a Distant Shore, the specially modified heavy transport, bloomed out of underspace, the shrieking roar of unreality lost to the void. Just below, the planet hung like a particularly drab clod of dirt swathed in a vaguely green wisp of atmosphere.

The cyanoic and violet blasts of plasma were pinpoints of light visible even from this distance. This information was filed away inside the Golem's armoured mind. Visible from space. Heavy weaponry. Assault weaponry.

Several odd structures bloated out of the crust of the planet, and even underground, signs of Xenomorph habitation were rife like ants. However... There were human settlements also...? How odd. No armoured barriers, no forcefields, nothing especially interesting about the settlements. Normal fusion reactors. Normal power readings.

How very odd.

The Golem sat in the Transit Pod, and disconnected, drawing the tiny craft towards the planet's surface. This would have to be precise. The barrier system and gravitic engine protected the one man ship from the thin atmosphere, a visible corona of fire engulfing the ship, but kept at bay by an impenetrable (At least, by friction of atmosphere) shell of exotic energy.

The Pod came to a rest by one of the cave mouths, opposite side of the continent to the battles seen from orbit.

The gray synthetic clambered out of the pod, and sniffed the thin air. Hmmm. Methane levels higher than normal. It peered out into distance, and looked for the cave entrance. It selected an icon, and an encrypted datalink node unfolded into its datavision, which also informed it that the next time the datalink would be open would be in six hours, to cut down on detection.

Vision, landed without problems. Continuing on. Activate the CTDs and standby. Djehuty out. What better way to begin relations with a monstrous new species than by sending the leader himself? Djehuty began to crawl down the sheer rockface, and into the cave, gray armoured body glinting dully in the halfhearted sunlight.

OOC: and the lord spake that thou shalt not RP other people's critters...

OOC: and the lord spake that thou shalt not RP other people's critters...

OOC: I have to agree with Godular on this, Kasim Sul Nahr. Please edit your post.
Oh, and as an F.Y.I., unless your Golem smells like MM's Zeji, none of my 'critters', as Godular put it, would attack you at the moment, unless you made an agressive/hostile move like you did in the post.

OOC: That better? And it smells like ozone.

a huge cargo of the empire on a deep space travel run picked up the distress signal
the capatain say the sensor the zeji are their
a stalker vangaurds comander was on the bridge ou he projected in his rage *xenomorphs down thier me and my men want to fight them *
helm make preperations for landing comander the captain said ready your warriors

ooc the vangaur are my evuialnt of royal gaurds

((If it's a cargoship... Why does it have royal guard aboard...?))

ooc because its transporting a stalker quuen

ic it shall be done

A Runner stooped while on its way to the battle and 'looked' at the Golem. It then scurried inside one of the Nest's openings.

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

As the Godulan Kythons joined the battle on the side of the Hive, the Drones, Runners, Soarers, Praetorian, and the Queen didn't attack them but fought alongside them against the Zeji.

OOC: If Seph keeps this up I'm outta here. How his next few posts go will determine wether or not I simply give Godular permision to execute my Zeji in a suitably messy manner.

OOC: If Seph keeps this up I'm outta here. How his next few posts go will determine wether or not I simply give Godular permision to execute my Zeji in a suitably messy manner.

OOC: Agreed. From what I can tell, Seph doesn't want any other Xenomorphs around other then the ones he has called "Stalkers" which are nowhere near anything like mine. I'm not in the mood for his warmongering ways, so, I'm not paying attention to his posts.

The Hive's extraneous structure was a fascinating carbon and silicate extrusion, ribbed and flowing like some grotesque giger artform, noted Djehuty, as slid deeper inside. So far, he hypothesised, he'd he'd the outer tunnel system, a maze some three kilometres below the ground. Never for a second did he consider he was lost.

And he could hear them... Scratching in the dark, their double hearts pumping to a metranome that almost had the Synthetic nodding his head in time.

Darkness was practically absolute, and he switched visions trying to find a viable amplification package. He eventually settled for Low light amp, carrying a glow stick at his side, inspecting each new fascinating encounter.

Dead husks, andeven deader corpses. He wrinkled his nose in disgust and switched off his olfactory sensors, and continued on.

OOC: Curtesy Bump.