NationStates Jolt Archive

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High Orbit Over Ryu Kinshasha
Some 600 million LY from Terra, in Hoag's Object

Lady Tetsuko, blessed of the Kami and Kami born, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha in her own right, and Kensai gazed at the three-meter vue screen, her mind in almost a meditative trance, as the Kuro Kaze orbited high over the world she claimed as her Own. A world that she had come to love, and now might never gaze upon again. A bright spark, a ripple, caught her eye and she leaned forward, her first movement in more than an hour. Something was swimming up from the surface, moving through the atmosphere as if through water, and something in her chest tightened. Awestruck she gazed entranced at the long, sinewy form a Celestial Dragon as it wove its way ever higher. Light refracted off of the myriad tiny scales as from the hearts of perfectly faceted diamonds. Then she gasped - it was a ghost of sound, a barely audible sigh of air, but for her it was if she shouted to frighten the heavens -for the miles long being did not halt at the upper edges of the atmosphere but continued on and ever upwards. Till it shown even brighter against the crystal darkness of space.

“Yes, Yes, I see, be calm.” She spoke absently into the comm, her eyes never leaving the visual as the Kuro Kaze’s sensor suites tracked the dragon as it moved relentlessly towards the Battle Cruiser. Then it’s mouth was opening, wider and wider, impossibly wide to swallow a starcraft nearly a mile long and wide, She could, in her minds ear, hear some of the cries of horror yielded by some of the newer and younger of her crew as the ship was seemingly swallowed whole, the stars momentarily disappearing, then returning as if the occurrence had never occurred.

And Lady Tetsuko, blessed of the Kami and Kami born, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha in her own right, and Kensai smiled as she heard also the indrawn breaths of twenty Imperia Wraiths, though only two attended her while she was in her day room. Tetsuko had quickly, but not easily, come comfortable with those presences gliding lightly along her soul's edges. And their presence was additional proof that Mnhei'sahe was hers.

“The Mandate of Heaven indeed.”

An hour later an unbreakably encrypted message went out to many but far fewer than was needed. She would need outside allies.

The Kuro Kaz lept from orbit, happy to begin the journey once more. Once the Frankle Limit had been passed, with a snap, crackle, and pop of distorted photons the massive Battle Cruiser disappeared from one star system to appear in another many many light years away.

Empress Jade Forworn walked silently though the tall, green hedges. Her blue robes with black trim rustled sofly as she moved gracefully across the grass. While she did not see them, she was aware of two Black Guards shadowing her, as they always did. They were her personal guard, and had been with her, visibly and not, since the moment Foxfire had become Emperor. Despite the palace's many defenses, she felt most secure with them about. Jade reached down and touched a wilting rose, trickling a tiny bit of energy into it. A few seconds later the flower resumed it's healthy red color. Jade smiled to herself and sat down on a nearby white marble bench, which sat near a small lake. Carp, colorful and huge, small quietly about, always on the hunt for food. She closed her eyes. Nothing could touch her here. She was safe.

The ship that had entered the Xiscapian solar system followed along the path that would have been taken by a regularly scheduled comet- if said comet hadn't been waylaid and destroyed. The ship, from stem to stern designed specifically for stealth - raced inward, radiating just the same signature the comet would have. It was a slow entry, and it's ocupants slumbered in Suspend, aware of nothing. When the ship came to a set point, vashishing temporarily from sensor view, hidden behind the bulk of the next planet out it stopped and woke it's occupants up. A preprogrammed drone took the comet seeming ships place to race ascross the solar system as the comet would have, had it still existed....

They woke easily and in as fit a condition as they had been upon entering the Suspend chambers. Theyshowered the cold slime of Suspend Gel off of their lean muscular bodies, stretched, then ate, one doesn't enter Suspend with a full stomach if one can help it. As they ate they began assimilating the data they jacked off of countless Xiscapian sensors, satellites and that the various civilian and military cyber systems gave them- all the information they needed. Xiscapia was too busy with another problem to deal with these intruders. They had not been detected and their prey had not been evacuated, or changed residences since their last updates.

Soon she would be in their hands.

At the moment many ships, Alversian, Isan, Xiscapian, and another strange one hovered near the Protector. However, military and police attention had been entirely diverted to the terrorists holding Admiral Krystal hostage in a military hospital, and the ship was only routinely noted as the commet had come in-system on schedule.
Palace Gardens...
Jade hummed sofly to herself as she sat crosslegged on the bench and bowed her head. She prayed to Qonn, although Qonn was life-force, and could not really hear her, for the Admiral's health. News had traveled fast, and already there was a crowd of media officials outside the door. Someone had joked that if the military and police didn't catch the terrorists, the media would simply hound them to death with questions. Jade frowned now, and shook her head. A disturbance...something is wrong. Somewhere something is brewing. Not good. A servant noticed her discomfort but she waved him away with a shake of her head.

Now came the first of the risky part. The first aport. Oh the technology was common, used daily nay even every few minutes in some part or other of the Imperia, but as a whole the Novans didn't like using it, feeling much as the mythical Bones had about such. But these weren't typical of their race either. They had long since been ...altered, if you will, into something both less and more, but whichever way one viewes it, they were undeineably effective and lethal should they need to be. And they most profoundly hoped that the need was there. They liked spilling blood, and would not hesitate to spill the blood of their comrades if none other was forthcoming.

Nothing showed up on the sensors. The scanners past unknowing. Xiscapia was blind, deaf, and mute to the silent, invisible ship.

If you knew what to look for and were expecting it the aport was only nearly silent. The bodies displaced a small amount of air and that made some minute sound, and sensitive animals, such as birds and cats froze as their senses registered life forms that a millisecond prior was not there. Arounds them however was additional evidence of their taint. Roses wilted, rotting at incredible speed. Shimmers of movement were none should be but little more than spectres they glided thrugh the gardens their senses extended and at highest alert. They had been sensitized to the presence of their prey and would know without needing visual, or other normal senses confirmation, her precise whereabouts.

Slowly and with silence only the Xizcapians believed themselves capable of they moved through the gardens drawing ever closer. They left a trail of rot in their wake, but it was more subtle now that they had attuned themselves to the place somewhat. Had they had the time they would have made the gardens their own, and would have moved with complete openness, but they didn't have that luxury.

They discovered the presence of the Black Guards easily enough, and the nearest one died without a sound his body lowered carefuilly to the garden's rich earth.

However a scream rent the air, the servant that the Empress had waved away seemingly seeing the garden come alive and kiil the guard. The servant died in that instant but the damage had been done.

More disturbance. Jade felt death around her and she was afraid. Flowers wilted, birds fell, rot and decay was in the air. The Guards sensed it too, and they were alert...but one not alert enough. He died, silently and quickly. The other heard the servent's scream and lept though the air, coming to a soft landing beside Jade, his sword already out, the servent only a few feet away, his throat cut. Jade drew her sword too and waited, reaching out with the senses off the living garden and animals in the garden to try and find her intruders.

There was no need to hide any longer, but the chameleon suits the intruders wore kept them nearly invisible as the five rushed to encircle the pair, and thus cut them off from any possible reinforcements. One's eyes glowed briefly and waves of pain swept over the Xiscapian Empress and her guard.

With a thought another activaed a shimmeing bubble of force that encapsualted the area, while the first lunged lunged at the Black Guard from behind. The trio set to engagte the Empress had to proceed more cautiously, for they dare not injure her,

It had not taken long for a dozen guards to emerge to help the Empress, but they could only stand on the outside, pounding helplessly at the Force bubble which covered the fighters. In the bubble the Guard didn't even turn, just drove his sword backward with lightning speed towards his attackers chest, even as he fought agianst the urge to throw up in his helmet from the pain. As the three approached Jade she flourished with her sword, making intacrite stroke in the air, unhurt by the pain wave as she had briefly erected her own Force bubble. "Too cowardly to show yourselves? Fine. You will die just the same."

The Black Guard's strike was true and if his attacker had been a normal Novan, fatal. But while the blade did much damage, and the strike was all but paralysing in it's pain. All but.., but the return strike wasn't strong enough to down the Black Guard, just give him a truly physical pain to concentrate on. His energy spent though the attacker staggered back, someting in his chameleon suit damaged and throwing sparks.

The tro surrounding the Empress didn't respond to her taunt, merely grinning murderouslybehind their masks. Two of them nodded and their coordinated effort shreeded her force bubble by sheer overload. The overload seared through the Empress, it's effects easily visable.

With a vicious scream the Guard laid into his attacker, ignoring his wound, slashing mercilessly. Jade was caught off balance by the destruction of her bubble and stumbled slightly to the left. This, however, was a ploy, and she used her attackers Force against them, wrapping it around herself, dragging their minds towards her in the spiritual realm. Physically, she stumbled. Mentally she drew the two in for the kill.

His body arching as his muscles siezed, short circuited by the energy of the damanged suit, the invader could not respond effectively and so he died under the Black Guards attack. Bu6t the single minded ferocity of the Black Guards attack was his own undoing, as the second invader now engaged and with no need to defend - for the Black Guard's attacks were directed at hisa compatriot. Mercilesslesly and with frightening skill he took the guzrds head from his shouders.

With a mental cackle of glee the least patient of her three attackers followed the Empress into her trap, and taid the ultimate price as she closed the jaws of it about him. The other two were more canny and refrained.

The unwary Novan was torn apart in the spiritual realm, his blood and flesh coating the inside on Jade's mental trap. Physically she smiled as the Novan's body, mindless and souless now, slumped to the ground. "Any more want to try?"
Three left now, right?

The two who had not rushed into the trap howeled in derission when their third fell; they were older, wiser and had fought similarly skilled individuals before. Now they attacked in unison, both mentally and physically, her mental contruct vanishing under the combined onslaught. Then there was only the physical and they had to accost her with the most extreme of caution.

The one that had taken the Black Guards head from his shoulders pulsed the energy barrier outwards, the forces searing through the nervous systems of those beating on it, destroying them as they screamed in anguish. His mad chortling was the last sound they heard. He activated the retrieval signal and turned to assisst his team with capturing the Empress.

And from concealment the ship awoke, and now possessing the electornic signature of an automated drone - an other expected arrival- it headed planetward at high speed.. It's occupants wanting a much shorter aport on their trip out.

The Guards quickly caught on and backed away from the field. One brave, strong Guard pushed though the shield and managed to sieze the man who was creating the bubble. She tore him out of it, she and the bubble contesting for his body, until finally he ripped into millions of peices, torn apart. The bubble was beginning to fail, and Jade withdrew from her mental defenses and concentrated on the physical world. She charged the two remaining attackers, cutting and slashing at them.

They evaded her attacks easily, acting purely defensively for the moment as one withdrew a small egg shaped capsule from his mottled grey garments. He hurled it at her face after cracking it with a thumb talon. An all but invisible gass filled the area about her and a grey powder clung to her. It would not affect her attackers at all, they had long since been rendered immune to it's effect as part of their alteration. However those entering the area for a time afterward would die if not given the antidote

The Empress might have been able to hold her breath, but the poweder absorbed into her sing in an instant, and she crashed to the ground, paralysed, but fully aware of what was happening. Instantly the neares scooped her up, leaving her katana where it lay. The air shimmered as they keyed in an aport.

Once back in their ship - which then changed course and jumped, dangerously close to the safe limits - they impersonally stripped her, and the antidote was hypo sprayed into her veins - the antidote would keep the binary substance from killing her but the paralysis would linger for a time. Then they loaded her into the preset Suspend capsule. Not that the return trip would take long, but merely to keep her from being a nuisance.

Xiscapia was in an uproar. Four Guards and a servent killed, and the Empress kidnapped, literally in her own backyard. The military was mobilizing, spies across the galaxy reported in for information as to the Empress's location, scans of the entire gardens area were being done. Nothing was found save for a damaged chameleon suit found in the area. Aside from the bodies of the Guards and the servent and the flattened grass, there was nothing. Specs and photos of the suit were sent to all Xiscapia's allies. No one knew it's origins. Finally the last nation was contacted: Nova Nippon. Vanadict waited outside the palace for the delegate/scientist to arrive. He (or, concevibly, she) would analyze the suit and tell them wether it was theirs or not. If so, action would be taken. If not, then their last hope was gone.

The figure that approached was massive,perhaps seven feet tall and four feet at the shoulder, cloaked in midnight-blue robes so dark as to appear black. He walked up to the Vanadict, and a small stone mask he wore like a badge spoke:"I would like to examine the area, if I could, Madame Vanadict. His Imperial Majesty is expecting me, but this takes precedence. I am Morga Venn of the Ordo Annilla."

Vanadict bowed. "Of course, Morga Venn-San. This way." The garden area was surronded by electricfied force fields, Force barriers, and good old wooden barriers. Police, Black Guards, detectives, military troopers, and analyists were everywhere. The stealthsuit that had been recovered was under tightly locked security in the sub-basement of a military bio lab.

Morga walked at a stately pace, calmly observing, though the Vanadict could feel the Force thrumming within him. His small stone mask spoke softly, "They apported there-is it visible from above? No, they headed straight for their objective-you have an infiltrator. They killed first there, and fed the body to that plant-if you haven't already, you will find the remains in the root system. That plant must be destroyed-I would uproot and burn all in the garden, as the compromising principle is infectious.
"They fought with the Black Guard-the Empress herself scattered one about the room-perhaps a DNA scan can reveal their species. There were five, and two left with the Empress, again by apportation-the other three are here, albeit in fragments."
The Force subsided, and Morga turned to the Vanadict. "They knew what they were after, and where to find it-there was no hesitation or doubt in their movements, nor were they searching-only watching for interference. I do not know that psychometric testimony is permitted by Xiscapian courts, but I can outline their exact movements, all they touched, to your investigators, and they can pick up any traces.
"Psionic apportation is a tricky business, usually limited to the individual, but these individuals not only apported in, but apported out with the Empress, something that requires line-of-sight or solid memory of an area. Apporting to an escape vessel is incredibly tricky, without assistance-either a potent telepath mindlinked to the apporter aboard the vessel or certain mechanical enhancements beyond your technology.
"May I examine the evidence thus far collected?"

Vanadict nodded. "It's not much. A stealth suit and some ashs." Around her the troll's recomendations were already being carried out, the planets he spoke of were being uprooted and burned. A few comm calls, a whispered conversation, some arguing, and the calling in of a couple favors brought the ashs and the chameleon suit in an armored hovercraft. Vanadict led the troll to the vehicle. "Take as long as you may."

"This is not standard-issue." Morga replied, holding up a thick bracelet. "At least, not for any of the Young Races. The ash is genetic material-I can feel the twisted mind it once housed. See the crystalline matrix? It is a psionic enhancer, enabling the apportation at the levels demonstrated.
"The Old Ones are stirring, Vanadict-this is a toy they give their puppets. Their claw is indeed at your throat, though you feel it not. It is imperative we find the inside man, now-and trace him to his employer. Someone gave them a schematic of the Palace, and the Empress's itinerary-they knew she would be here, and alone.
"Let us begin with a list of who exactly was privy to both pieces of information, and work from there."

Vanadict nodded gravely. She noticed a white-robed servent wandering though the crowd of uniforms and called him over. She spoke softly but quickly to him in Xiscapian, rather than Basic, and he nodded and jogged away. He was back seconds later, palming a small silver flashdrive. She took out her Personal Computer and plugged the flashdrive in. The screen glowed and a holo of a pretty Xiscapian female with red fur and brown hair appeared on the screen. "Solus," said Vanadict "get me the list of all those who knew Jade Forworn's itinerary and also know the plan of the palace." "Yes Vanadict." said the A.I., and she vanished briefly to be replaced by a short list. Vanadict turned to Morga. "Six names: Myself, the Emperor, the Captain of the Guard, Jade's personal aide, and her two guards. It's highly unlikely that any of these would be a plant. Maybe...unknowingly. Is it possible to, shall we say "hack" someones mind? Read their thoughts?"

"Certainly, but I have noted the kitsune are strong enough in the Force that such an attempt would not go unnoticed, especially given your positions in the Imperial Court, and knowledge of various psionic defense techniques. If they had a telepath of such ability, it would be easier to have the Empress sleepwalk to a remote site for pick up, or control her guards to kidnap her. I believe the guards were completely innocent, as their lives would be part of the payment, and an injured guard would be above suspicion. We shall also exempt the Emperor and yourself, until the others are cleared, as your respective positions would make compromising either of you-problematic, shall we say?
"Payment comes in many forms, Madame Vanadict-may I inquire as to the status of the families of the Captain and the aide? I should coerce either of them through that means, or there's always good old fashioned blackmail. How are homosexuality and promiscuity taken in your culture? If the aide has a lover, simple pillow talk could reveal the information required-possibly the Captain as well, though he's sitting on much more information and it is a more serious compromise of your security. I understand these are individuals of integrity and honor, but I remind you those are not the only emotions they possess-and while you do not like the implications, avarice, desire, shame, and ambition are part of a person's character as well, and it is these that the Old Ones use best."

In the far reaches of the Xiscapian system a Starcraft appears, the Gate that it had formed, so as to allow the ship to exit DeSitter space after being temporarily - if mircoseconds can be considered 'temporarily' - everywhere and yet nowhere, collapseing in a flash of over excited protons.

This Starcraft had been here before, and knew the protocols - they had been the protective escort for the lurxury liner that had brought Princess Indigo to this so alien to all the young woman had ever known world. She had never known of her escort and might well never know of this vivit either. It was not time...yet.

The Starcraft, the Kuro Kaze had not docked at the Protector then, and wouldn't now. Though this time their reason for being here was not as escort. It had taken the expendature of the most precious of rescources, Novan ones, to make sure that the plea for help from the Kitsune had never reached certain interests. That the Xiscapian's had contacted them at all was surprizing. Other than Princess Indigo beginning her exile in this remote nation, the Novan's had no contact with these people. Of course the Novsan's had contact with very few outsiders. The Tanarans, the Xa, the Grendels, and a handfull of les populous nations that all had their home systems close to Novan held worlds had limited contact with them. But the Novans prefered to play on their own private stage, largely ignoring the Universal one.

Contact with the Protector was made, following the same proceedure as on their prior visit, and a microjump later the Kuro Kaze the Black Wind was in orbit. The Starcraft (http://www.atddm.com/nnships.jpg)gleamed in the blue white light of the Stellar Primary, but not in the usual white of a Novan Warcraft, but the irridescence of crystal, flashing back diamond glints of refracted light, a vertiable prism created rainbow of of hues. It hadn't been thus the last time it had visited this world.

In short order an armed amd armored H'Drath assault shuttle, escorted by Fist of K'Tann fighters made it's way ground side, landing at the Palace as it had been directed. Once it had landed safely the fighters peeled off and returned to the Kuro Kaze. The aft ramp dropped and nearly a dozen figures anonymous in full form fitting armor (http://www.atddm.com/wraith1a1.jpg), some eleven Imperia Wraiths, paced down the ramp to form a protective cordon.

They were followed by two Novans in Imperia Fleet uniforms both male -one older, the other just a year out of the Imperia Academy, Commander Lord Harkano of House Sendari (http://www.atddm.com/Harcano.jpg), and Lieutenant the Honorable Robbsworth Longfellow (http://www.atddm.com/shin2.jpg). Katanas rested comfortably at their waists. Once on the ground they turned and waited upon the Kaze's Captain.

And last -escorted by a Wraith that wore elaborate armor (http://www.atddm.com/Kuromori.jpg) and was apparently the leader of the others - came the Captain, clad in the traditional deep crimson robes and veils of a Novan Warrior. (http://www.atddm.com/novan2a.jpg). All was liquidly flowing, almost indestructable starsilk and thin, unbelieveably supple verrleather of the highest quality and workmanship, and was, despite its appearance, highly protective armor. Under it she wore the finest armor the Tanran Empire made, the formidible nano-Matrix armor called Paladin Armor, one layer of nano matrix crystals thick - billions of Matrix crystals, but able to absorb and dispell the shock of even hyper rifles at range, as well as prevent the passage of toxic gasses and substances. By her Will, for it linked into her psionic well, it was currently invisible, transparent, and covered her from head to toes, even across her eyes, an unfeelable second skin.
All that could be seen of her person were her eyes.

And those eyes were alert, missing nothing and assessing every thing, as were her other senses.

"Certainly, but I have noted the kitsune are strong enough in the Force that such an attempt would not go unnoticed, especially given your positions in the Imperial Court, and knowledge of various psionic defense techniques. If they had a telepath of such ability, it would be easier to have the Empress sleepwalk to a remote site for pick up, or control her guards to kidnap her. I believe the guards were completely innocent, as their lives would be part of the payment, and an injured guard would be above suspicion. We shall also exempt the Emperor and yourself, until the others are cleared, as your respective positions would make compromising either of you-problematic, shall we say?
"Payment comes in many forms, Madame Vanadict-may I inquire as to the status of the families of the Captain and the aide? I should coerce either of them through that means, or there's always good old fashioned blackmail. How are homosexuality and promiscuity taken in your culture? If the aide has a lover, simple pillow talk could reveal the information required-possibly the Captain as well, though he's sitting on much more information and it is a more serious compromise of your security. I understand these are individuals of integrity and honor, but I remind you those are not the only emotions they possess-and while you do not like the implications, avarice, desire, shame, and ambition are part of a person's character as well, and it is these that the Old Ones use best."
"Homosexuality is accepted and even celebrated here, but I do not know what you mean by promiscuity. The Captain has a family here, and they are, while not rich, very well off, as his job is a high paying one. He and his family are healthy, wealthy, and confortable. I see no reason for treachery on his part. Indeed, he was chosen for his loyalty and sense of duty. The aide, however, is different. She has no family. Her entire world is the palace. I believe she is a homosexual, and this is not uncommon among the aides. She has everything she needs here, and as long as the palace stands she will have a way to make a living. I would still not rule either of them out until after questioning, but I doubt their guilt. However, it is highly possible that someone who is associated with them may be our culprit, another Guard, a servent, or an aide, perhaps. The palace Guard and the Servent Guild and the Aide Guild are being questioned and watched even now. I beleive our betrayal comes from an outside source, someone either not in the palace, or loosely associated with it."
Spaceport...
Four Black Guards waited, standing at attention as the Novans came down the ramp. A diplomat, clothed in the black and deep purple robes of the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps, stepped forward and bowed low. "Welcome. Please follow me. You will be taken to the Imperial Palace in short order." The hanger was deserted aside from the traffic controller, refueling and refitting crew, and those previously mentioned.

"Perhaps we are fortunate, and need look no further than the aide's bed for our leak." Morga replied, calmly. "A bit of innocent pillow talk, setting up a rendezvous, and enough is lost to set this up. Few are trained in intelligence adequately to guard against such slips.
"I could doubtless get the layout of the palace easily enough, so let us assume any could. The location of the Empress, however? You have given me a list of six suspects, with two dead. Slap a guard on the Captain's family as a precaution, and administer identity verification-if they were threatened or replaced, the Captain has been compromised, and all information to which he was privy must be rendered obsolete. We should probably expand an investigation to the two guards, since either of them could have a 'lover' who's now skipping town with their mission finished and their ties severed.
"It is imperative we recover the Empress, and your leak is our only lead to her captors. We must find and plug this leak, then trace it to your Empress, and do so before-well, if the Great Old Ones are involved, her fate is dire indeed."

"Welcome. Please follow me. You will be taken to the Imperial Palace in short order."

Kurimori , the Wraith clad in the ornate armor began to protest, his face thunderous. A minimal gesture from the Captain stilled him. She had known that the shuttle was being diverted, instead of landing at the Palace as had been intended. And while she did not necessarily appreciate the diversion or delay, she understood the thoughts of the security personell behind the decission.

Howerver the Captain was unusual for her normally stoic and often dour people. She believed that praise should be given publicly, chastisement privately and courtesy extened up and down the ranks. Except in the case of Kuromori, for he was the sort to take a light year if given a second.

"The Lady Tetsuko, blessed of the Kami and Kami born, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha will not long tolerate such delays" Kurimori growled in his deep voice, as the other Wraiths closed in a protective cordon about the Novan party and they proceeded to follow the Xiscapian diplomat.

"I apologize for the inconvience, but as you know the Palace is under intense invesigation at the moment. Only Police and Military vehicles as permitted to land or enter the Palace." They came outside to a speeder. "After you." He opened the door. Inside is was spacious, enough for roughly a quarter of the entire Novan party. Three more Speeders were called up.
Palace Gardens...
Vanadict bowed. "You are most intelligent, Morga-San. It is being done."
And it was. A discreet Shadow Ops unit was dispatched to the Captain of the Guards home, to watch and wait and observe. The two dead Guards were invesigated, but nothing out of the ordinary turned up. They hadn't had any leave from the Palace for several months, and during that time they had gone to stay with their families, who reported no lovers or friends coming over. The aide's investigation, however, was far more revealing. She had a homosexual lover, a delivery girl who would periodically drop off meat to the Palace. This relationship had started about six months ago, and had been going strong until the day Jade was kidnapped. Then the girl, who was a human, fell off the map. The delivery company said she had quit her job and took off for parts unknown. Vanadict immediatly shared this with Morga. "We are attempting to find and capture her, but it will take some time. Do you have a place to stay while you are here?"

"Mother Xentha is kindly, and will supply what is required for me wherever she holds sway." Morga politely replied. "Have we anything of this lover's? Psychometry will tell me if she is off-world or not, and I may locate her with utmost haste. Time is an issue here, as even the most benign of the Old Ones' servants will rape the Empress until her last egg has spawned their degenerate species, when her only value will be nutritional. This kidnapping was well-planned, and well-funded, so I fear a worse fate awaits your Empress. We must find her before she is prepared for it, and thank Arachne Solara the Great Compromise binds the Old Ones so tightly. We must take every advantage, every edge we may get, to foil this, and that means no stopping until this is resolved to our satisfaction."

Vanadict nodded quickly and spoke swiftly and quietly to a servent behind her. He bowed and vanished, appearing moments later with a silver necklace studded with tiny emeralds. "This was a present to the Aide from her, given about a week ago. I feel our culprit may be offworld, but please locate her."

Morga hefted the necklace, and the Force rose about him, sending tendrils through the Xiscapian atmosphere, seeking the woman he knew only from description, and her possession of this necklace."She's changed her hair-dyed it a rather fetching shade of mauve, but she hasn't left Xiscapia. She's dancing in an unsavory bar, seeking to attract a black marketeer for her master, now. I can't see the bar clearly, but the barker is announcing her as Princess Jasmine, Star of the Orient-perhaps that's the following act, though. She's intent on seducing this man, so won't wander far from his favorite watering hole. I can see him-a silver haired kitsune with an eyepatch and dreadlocks. She is doing her best to draw his eye-he has some great importance to her. That is all I can-wait, a ship is passing nearby-I can hear it, a space vessel. She isn't far from the spaceport-perhaps your most discreet officers should go about collecting her."

"Sounds to me like one of Tenfour's many pleasure houses of the female form." Vanadict nodded. "I'll have officers on it immediatly. It won't be long now."
Tenfour, streets...
A solitary Xiscapian plodded slowly along the sidewalk, his skin and hair changing colors according to the flashing of neon lights. He stopped in front of a bar with smoked glass and a hulking human bouncer outside. The sign flashed pink. LIVE DANCERS. LIVE SHOWS. YOU WANT IT, WE'VE GOT IT.
He showed the bouncer his I.D. and a navy blue colored rope was taken out to admit him. Inside it was dark with flashing lights, the only areas truely well-lite were the stages on which a variety of dancers, Kitsune, Human, Twi'lek and Zab'rak moved with sultery grace, designed and planned to attract the male, or homosexual female, eye. On the furthest right stage was a young kitsune with gray fur and mauve-colored hair, wearing only a black thong and suction cups in the places one would think such things would go. Near her was a male kitsune, wearing a eyepatch, his dreadlocks falling around his head, watched her dreamily. She spun around the pole, grinding on it backwards. The kitsune smiled and slowly slipped a credit bill into her thong before slapping her rump. The other kitsune watched from the shadows. He spoke, apparently to no one. "Found her. Do I go in?" He seemed to listen for a moment. "Of course. I will say if anything changes." He waded though the crowd to get closer to the dancer. Moments later the music ended. The dancer could be seen speaking quietly to the kitsune with the eyepatch, and the two walked off to an out-of-the-way backroom. The kitsune followed them. Inside the room was an unexpected surprise for the two. Two stun beams hit them square in each chest. The male sagged, his mouth an O of surprise before collapsing to the floor. The female's breasts juggled when the beam hit, and she dropped without a sound. The male was carted off to jail for questioning while the female was secretly transported in a cloaked shuttle back to Rio Casa.
Vanadict turned to Morga. "It has been done, she's on her way here."

"After you."

Wraiths filled the first and last speeder with the Kaze's Executive Officer in the third with the Captain and Kuromori, and the Captain's aide and the last of the Wraiths in the second one.

The Captain sat quietly, her Honor Blade across her lap. Like Indigo's it was of ancient make, of sung Stellar Crystal rather than mere steel.

Her Exec looked about, openly taking in everything they saw with interest and most observant eyes.

The speeders took less than five minutes to reach the Palace. They offloaded at the garden entrence, and the Novans were stopped by a security checkpoint before being admitted to the gardens. Uniforms swarmed everywhere, and the only quiet patch of clear glass could be found near the speeder where Vanadict and Morga were talking. "That's where you want to go. The evidence is in there." The diplomat pointed out the speeder. The police and others gave the Novan party a wide berth, eyeing the Wraiths nerviously.

Morga nodded, and spoke with the Vanadict. "Questioning the suspect will be difficult-I should suggest a full medical scan to begin-the Old Ones sometimes enhance their servitors, making them resistant to drugs and torture, as well as unpleasant surprises-cartilage needles which retract into their tongues, claws, the ability to empty their stomach contents, which often include flesh-eating parasites kept there for such a purpose." he noted the new arrivals. "It appears you have other duties to attend to-if it is acceptable, I should like to conduct the interrogation."

"Well..." Vanadict hesitated. "Only if you do not tourture her. We do not believe in nor endorse tourture." She bowed. "I will let you know when she arrives." She walked away to greet the Novan party.

Delightful. I get to play mind games with a servant of Chaos while the Empress is raped to the last egg, or worse. Morga thought, but bowed low, and acquiesced. "I shall prepare an interrogation cell in anticipation, Madame Vanadict."
He readied a chair with restraints, and placed a brazier of coals where it could be clearly seen by anyone in the chair. Acceptable. He thought. The stage is set, and all that remains is for the play to begin.

The Wraiths made themselves all but invisible, but their presence was definitely felt. There was a subliminal keening in the air that made no sane person wish to be near them if they could find a reason not to. Once they had left the speeders Commander Lord Harkano left the obvious interest up to the young lieutenant, who looked about with not to well concealed fascination. The Captain stood as if a statue, no fidgeting, no extraneous movemnt of any sort, just a vastness that all flowed into and nothing escaped.

A gloved hand, feather light on Robbsworths shoulder kept him from speaking as the Vanadict approached.

"You tossed seeds of information on to the winds of space, and they grew to catch my attention. However I need more than images. Time is valuable." The voice was a rich alto, low yet carrying without effort. It was a voice completely comfortable with command but not unkind or uncareing. It contained many nuances and the faint accent enhanced it's appeal.

"But of course." Vanadict bowed low. "I am the Vanadict, as you know. Come, there is no time to waste." She turned and hurried back to the speeder truck, which was guarded by two Black Guards. She waved her hand and they parted and opened the doors. Inside was the only thing to survive the attack, the damaged stealth suit. "This is all we have. What can you draw from it?"
Near the Palace...
The shuttle landed and the ramp extended to the ground. The kitsune was led out, bound in plasmacuffs. Someone had thrown a coat over her, but that was her only article of clothing. Two policemen led her to where Morga was waiting.

As she entered, Morga nodded, and the policemen secured her to the chair. "Treason, espionage-you really should have stayed with your lover to throw off suspicion. Leaving with everything incriminates you nicely." He observed as they attached the restraints.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Morga held up two sticks of gum, which the police mechanically took from him and began chewing-he doubted they even knew they'd done it, but it was necessary. "First, you will dance for me, then you will tell me all you know." He said casually, placing a pair of metal sandals on the brazier of coals as he rose and walked to the door, instructing the policemen:"Call me when they're red."
He left the room and entered the adjoining observation chamber, where he settled in to watch.
The gum held the antidote to the compound he'd painted the shoes with, a chemical composition that would stimulate her adrenergic response, filling her with fear. He knew the Vanadict wouldn't let him use the shoes as he promised, but they served a purpose, inciting the fear he needed her to feel was genuine. As the compound took effect, she would reveal her deepest fear, and he would flog her psyche with it until she revealed all she knew. The policemen were calmly guarding, unresponsive to her but alert and aware-they wouldn't know why they ignored her unless it seemed she would escape, but they would, nonetheless.
Carefully, Morga prepared several strips of raw meat he placed in a bowl, then ate an apple as he watched and waited...

"Yes Sir."
The two policemen stood guard almost casually, not quite daydreaming but not truely alert either. The dancer squirmed but the bonds held her tightly. She was suddenly filled with deep, black fear which penetrated to her core. She began to see visions of herself...being raped. Being beaten and tourtured and then sexually abused. Being made nothing, a mere toy. She cried out in terror, unconcious of it. The two policemen stoetically chewed their gum and stared straight ahead. The dancer shouted. "Ah...ahh...Ahyaa!" Tears fell silently and she thrashed about, screaming and bucking. "Okay, okay, stop, stop it! I'll tell you, I'll tell you, just make it stop, please, AHH, Noooooo!..."

Morga let her scream for a bit before sauntering into the room, broadcasting a reassuring calm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5R5-NVvDMc&feature=related) to soothe her ego and elevate her-he could always crash her down again if required. "Well, then-I expect if you tell me who exactly you gave the Empress' itinerary to, I may be well able to assist your plea-bargain. Ingratiate yourself adequately, and we may forgo the dancing."

"I am the Vanadict, as you know. Come, there is no time to waste."

A short but not abrupt bow from the Commander, and a much deeper one from the lieutenant.

The Captains nood was slow and deep. Then she followed the Kitsune with swift but unhurried strides to where the evidence waited. A minute gesture of her had halted her Exec and Aide some distance away as she proceeded on surounded at a distance by the Imperia Wraiths, save for Kuromori who strode arrongatly at her side. But a few feet before they reached the speeder truck he too was waved away. His face dark with irritation he made to protest but a slow turn of her head to where she could catch his eyes stopped him before she got a word out. "You are not Kai. Do not presume" Her voice was low carrying only to him then she moved on to where she could inspect the recovered item .

What can you draw from it?"

For a long second the Captain stood silent and unmoving. Then she reached out a gloved finger and her forefinger hovered just about the suit. The Captain took several steps back, one hand going to the hilt of her Honor Blade where it rose above her shoulder. Just a light touch as if to reassure herself that it was still there. Her voice was very precise but not loud.

"We have a problem."

"That was a Blue Moon Muri with you, yes?" Though it really wasn't a question. "I need to meet with him and your Emperor. The Heavens move."

A ripple of uneasse spread through the Wraiths, their subliminal keening rising and falling in an irregular cadence.

Tears, uncalled for and unbidden, rolled down the young women's face. "I don't know who I gave it to." She sobbed. "I was told to give it to a cleaning droid in a bathouse at a percise time, and I did. The droid told me to come back the next day, so I did, and it had my payment and next set of instructions. I don't know who the droid belonged to or who emptied it out or who is giving me the orders."
Palace Gardens, Armored Speeder...
Vanadict bowed once more. "Of course. The Muri, however, is interrogating a prisoner at the moment. We will need to wait until he's done, as I don't feel he can be intterupted."

Morga frowned. "How was initial contact made?" He glared accusingly at her. "Or do you intend to lie some more, and tell me it was the cleaning 'droid all along? Or perhaps the neighbors' dog told you to seduce the Empress's aide until her schedule became available, then hand it off."
He sneered and pushed psionically. A wave of numbness washed over her. "You were recruited, child-coached and planted, then used to seed further discord. You're naught but an object to your Master-a pretty puppet to be used as a lure. Perhaps we should drop all pretense-"he pushed, hard this time, sending a shudder through her."-if you're indeed an innocent victim, you have no use to me. Save, perhaps, as a vacant toy to keep up the troops' morale.
"I will pull every thought out of that pretty skull, winnow through it, then set up what is needed to pleasure my own underlings. It will damage you, but only in that you'll never get that smile off, unless your mouth is needed for other things."
This push made her cry out, and Morga impassively continued the pressure. The trick to an interrogation was to make them believe, and he was certain she believed, now.

"The...the first contact was made though transmitter channels at my home. I was offered the job, and accepted. I tried to track the signal but it fried my hard drive. Please don't hurt me. I'm cooperating, see?" Dispite the pushs the young kitsune seemed to be regaining some of her old resolve.

"Lies." Morga psent the image of her as a Barbie doll, happily serving drinks to soldiers, her expression vacant. "You sought out the aide for this mission, carefully taught how to seduce her, then abandoned her when it was complete. You cleared out all your personal possessions, thoroughly enough there was nothing left-your lover was abandoned, left destitute, and you were busy leaping to bed the black marketeer without a thought.
"You are nothing but a sexual plaything, a callous beast who uses sex to avoid true intimacy. Play the victim with someone who can't read you so well." Here, he calculatedly let his eye drift to the mirror, then psent the image-a dim, vague reflection-of the Empress's aide, sitting sobbing behind the mirror, but dimly visible behind the one-way glass. If she was what she claimed, her guard would drop-and he would pounce then. Already, when he mentioned her master, he got an this (http://picasaweb.google.com/wuvzombie/AllTheFacetsOfMe/photo#5138082781013896082). Perhaps it was a clue...

The women gasped when she saw the aide. "No..." she whispered quietly. Her lower lip trembled unconciously, and her tail, confined as it was, whipped savagely. "Why do you do this? What do you want from me?! I have told you all I know! Stop it, please, stop!"

"All you know? All you know?" Morga's tone was deceptively calm. "You tell me you've been played the fool, gulled as easily as a child, and in the same breath swear you tore that woman's heart apart, committed High Treason, then stalked a smuggler-" here, he plunged deep and read what was there."-just to use an existing market to flood the streets with Black Lotus Dust, just to cover your trail, so you could escape justice. Hardly the actions of a dupe-how were you really contacted? What convinced you to shred that poor woman's soul in just a transmission?" He psent again, just an image of the aide collapsing in tears, dim and translucent as if the interrogatee's vision temporarily could penetrate the one-way mirror, then he pushed, hard...

Her mind bent under the ppushing, but she held. "I never said I was innocent. I am as guilty as I seem, I was not fooled nor tricked. I did it knowingly, and for one reason." She spat. "To get off this hellhole of a planet. I don't have the funds to by passage away. I'm a delivery girl/stripper. I barely keep enough money to live in an apartment. I was going to the Core, off to see the galaxy and get the biggest piece of the pie I could." Her true, greedy nature was being revealaed now. She was tired of her game, her acting, her ploys, and this troll who tried to tourture her.

"Of course. The Muri, however, is interrogating a prisoner at the moment. We will need to wait until he's done, as I don't feel he can be intterupted."

What Vanadict was willing to do and The Captain, The Lady Tetsuko, blessed of the Kami and Kami born, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha in her own right, and Kensai -was willing to do was another thing entirely.

There was a brisk, no nonsese 'knock knock' at Morga's mental shields and a very strong, crystal clear presence - though the shape the presence took flowed smoothly between several shapes...a celestial dragon, a Honor Blade, a tall slender female, a mirror, a robed and veiled warrior, and the endless depths of space.

"I was wondering when you'd appear." Morga didn't take his focus off the girl. "She was hired by a kami, possibly an oni. She's on her second lie of the day-the thoughts of her handler are hidden by this (http://picasaweb.google.com/wuvzombie/AllTheFacetsOfMe/photo#5138082781013896082).
"Since the skies are not aflame nor darkened by the smoke off the burning fat of their women, you are not here in war, and as you are the Lady Tetsuko, I am facing the blocks installed by one of the Imperial Court. Since you are the solar kami, perhaps you will enlighten me."(OOC:sorry for the pun, but couldn't resist)

"Since the skies are not aflame nor darkened by the smoke off the burning fat of their women, you are not here in war, and as you are the Lady Tetsuko, I am facing the blocks installed by one of the Imperial Court. Since you are the solar kami, perhaps you will enlighten me."(

The Celestial Dragon smiled...gently...and the mind voice was as the presence- crystal clear, with a warmth of personality few ever saw "Actually I am not, as I am a Celestial Dragon after all. But enlighten you I shall. However as I am decidedly unused to repeating myself, so, if you would, leave that dross. It is not worth your efforts, most Worthy Keeper of Secrets." Companionable amusement colored the mind voice, but a tinge of not impatience, but a impression of decissions made, now ready to be about them...

Morga smiled as he removed himself from the revelry of telepathic communion. "You are quite correct-dress her, take her to the spaceport, and see she uses these-"he handed a ticket over to the guards, still impassively chewing"-and give her this access to an account with 250,000 for once she arrives at her destination."
"You can't do that!" she screeched.
"But I can-there is no evidence against you."
"I haven't even been in custody long enough-"
"No, you haven't-in fact, I'm ordering everyone else involved held as long as Xiscapian law allows-about ninety days, if memory serves."
"They'll think I-"
"You did nothing, child-there is no guilt on you, and I'm getting you offworld with a small savings as a reward."
"Do you know what they'll do to me?" she cried, tears in her eyes.
"Yes." Morga turned to the guards. "Carry out my instructions to the letter, then once she is safely offworld, you may awaken-with no memory of this." He walked out, her cries echoing in his ears. Ah,yes-I'm lying through my teeth:your tears are all the pay I'll ever need. If there was a slight bounce in his step as he headed for his new destination, no non-troll would ever recognize it.

OOC: Huh? I'm confused. :p

OOC:I'm releasing her with a substantial amount to a "safe" location offworld, while holding everyone else for the investigation-her handler will know she's a double agent and deal with it. Both she and Morga know what that entails, so we'll spare your sensitivities.

OOC: LOL I luff it! oh evil, Evil Muri...

As Tetsuko waited she mentally review all she knew of the reclusive Muri. She had gathered what was known into her private data bases after she had learned that the Princess Indigo would be at the Academy of the Rose with one.

Kai, when last they had had a chance to meet, had let her know that Gerrak -Lord Of Doraddi, and the Athling of the current Voivode, was a most worthy warrior and that they were becoming friends. She had chuckled over that inwardly. It would probably be a most legendary friendship.

And that rememberance brought on another ...the Muri hired out as mercinaries and that set her to thinking and laying out alternate potentials.

OOC: I didn't make the rules, I just twist them to my advantage.
IC: Morga walked in with a stately stride, and looked over those assembled. His bolongo spoke:"Such an august assembly-my Lady Tetsuko, I do not believe our peoples have interacted since the God's War, and now to meet under such circumstances. A pity, really. Would you like a report first, or have you information to render one obsolete?"

"Please, Lord Morga, I would appreciate your report. Every bit of informatioon adds to the over all picture." The Captain replied, as at her small graceful gesture, the Wraith's parted to allow Morga into her immediate presence. "And yes it has been too long. We should renew our old aquaintence and see if it flowers into friendship."

Any typical Novan, even those of the Samurai, would have been shocked speechless at the warmth of her greeting to some unknown representative of an primitive people. But Tetsuko, and those she allowed around here were not typical in any way and so neither the Commander or the Lieutenant showed any signs of upset. Though Robbsworth seemed fair to bursting with questions. But he was young and was of a naturally inquisitive nature. Both he and Harkano bowed when she introduced them.

"You can trust them Lord Morga, Chaos does not and can not gain a foothold upon them, they are sealed to me" Her voice was low not carrying past the ring of Wraiths.

"Well, I came here on behalf of the Ordo Drakul, for diplomatic matters, only to find the Empress had been seized. Psychometry showed the abductors had apported in, easily possible from space, as apportation is line-of-sight, not so simple from planet to a moving orbit, especially with additional mass. The abductors were equipped with psionic amplifiers, actual improvements on the few Mi-Go designs that have fallen into the Ordo Annilla's possession, which means either the Mi-Go have somehow survived the millenia since their last sighting, or someone else is getting technical advice from the Daemon Sultan.
"Using the amplifier, I was able to locate the inside informant, but she had intense blocks protecting the identity of her handler with an image of Hoag's Object, as seen from R'yleh. Either the Sleeper from Vhoorl has decided to frame someone from Hoag's Object, or he has infiltrated there-your presence would indicate the latter, as would your sense of urgency.
"I fear that is the extent of my knowledge-the spy was running an alogoi to flood the underworld of Xiscapia with Black Lotus Dust, but that has been nipped in the bud."

The Captain waved the last away, it was completely unimportant to her current interests.. But she did hope that the Xiscapians could handle such a problem. If they couldn't it spoke badly of them.

"Her handler matters not in the end, that one is not long to reside on this plane. However the image in her mind does give the truth of the matter. I now hold the Mandate of Heaven and must root out and erase completely the corruption that has erupted." She began to walk, a silent glide - not from any sort of nervousness but simply for the pleasure of motion. She wondered what was keeping the Xiscapian Emperor. If he is overwhelmed, or prostrate with emotion over the abduction of his mate then I can not count on him for assistance She mused, but that image did not match with the other information she had of him.

The Emperor had been summoned, but such things took time. Quickly he reviewed what he knew of Morga and the Captain. The answer, however, was not much. He read what little there was to be had, then made his way to the Palace Gardens. Where Morga and the Captain were meeting was hardly difficult to spot, as a eight foot troll surronded by a ring of a dozen Wraiths are usually given a wide berth. The Emperor could not actually see the Wraiths, of course, but he could sense them in the Force so well that he practically could. He walked softly across the grass and approached the respective delegates from Nova Nippon and Ordo Drakul. He bowed. "Greetings. I apologize for my lateness." Formaltys finished, he was all business. "What have we found out?"

What have we found out?"

The Captain gave the Emperor a properly respectful bow. "No apologies needed Sire, It is we who intrude upon your time during this crisis. However before I give more than an over view might we retreat to someplace less public and with added security. My Wraiths are powerful, but given the information I have, every additional assistance in keeping it truly private is adviseable and most welcome.

She wanted a dead room with every possible barrier to eavesdropping. Some of her reason was personal but mostly it was oh so very practical. She knew well what her foes were capable of.

Morga slid a small crystal sliver out of his bracer, then willed until it glowed a soft cerulean. "Should I extend this light over us, even Milady's Wraiths will not understand us without entering it's aura. I can adjust it to feed innocuous snippets of conversation if desired, though I believe it currently holds a debate I was having with Gort on Valen's theories of the seven varieties of darkness, a subject so esoteric any eavesdropper will know it isn't us actually speaking. Then again, since it's in Shadowspeech, they may well assume it's static."
As he concentrated, the soft blue light expanded to include the Lady Tetsuko and Emperor Foxfire Rose. "Not quite the Cone of Silence, but a touch more effective."

The Emperor considered these. "It's not that I don't trust your magic, Mr. Morga." He said, giving a tiny respectful bow. "I merely think that we may feel safer inside the Imperial Confrence room. There is zero risk of being overheard or observed there."

Morga allowed his light to dim and fade, and slid the crystal back into his bracer. "Forgive me my primitive ways. If I am allowed my humble input, I should be honored..." he bowed deeply, intent on accepting whatever answer was given.

"Your primitive ways? Come Lord Morga, do not play that disingeniusness with me. And I will value your humble input greatly. And I will ask for the use of your crystal once we are inside as added precaution. Our enemies never forgot the art of reading lips. And with bluntness I'd rather have cold hard stone beneath my feet as well as overhead rather than open sky and earth that might be contaminated."

She nodded to the Emperor Foxfire Rose, "Please Sire, lead the way."

Lip Readers? Amusing. Morga filed the information away for future reference. It had been a long time since he'd run a disinformation alogoi on lip readers, but it always proved satisfying. He was always taken aback by the Young Races' habit of isolating themselves in dark little rooms, where eavesdroppers could hide behind walls, while trolls tended to ascend to tall towers, where all concerned could watch for spies, to conduct secret negotiations.
He briefly considered generating a SEP field, but dismissed the thought as unnecessary. The Palace had already been compromised, and he was a known quantity-to suddenly disappear with the Lady Tetsuko and the Emperor would cause more consternation than needed. There were various simple stratagems for misleading or confusing spies, but he acted on none. The Lady Tetsuko's claim to hold the Mandate of Heaven seemed to implicate the Nova Nippon Emperor, and this held it's own implications.
The Emperor was considered a god by his people, and held considerable personal power as a result. What could the Great Old Ones offer the god of an entire planet to sway him? The answer terrified him...

The two were led to the Confrence Room, past the box that, not so long ago, Gerrak, Indigo and Pat had gone by. Though the elegant, lavish dining hall, and into the Confrence room, past two Black Guards. Inside was a ring of some twenty seats, and a holoprojector in the middle. The Emperor took a seat in his traditional chair, a plain blue and black cushy thing. "Sit whereever you like." The walls were tan, the seats, with the exeption of the Emperor's, were a plush white, and the floor was cold cortosis metal.

Morga circled the room, casually running his foreclaw against the wall, hrooning to determine if there were any unseen observers and reaching out subtly with his mind to determine if any sentience were observing-if he found one, they would discover the Blue Moon was not only a keeper of secrets and revealer of mysteries, but a bringer of madness.

As they passed the Box, The Captain gave a little smile. The Xiscapian Emperor might never know of it, but he'd passed the first test that day.

She watched Morga Hroon with a slight tilt to her head, waiting for his pronouncement. She too was probing with her own unique abilities. Not that she was in anyway omniscient, but she wasn't without power.

Satisfied with her own sweep she waited patiently, part fascinated by these long ignored allies, part deeply shamed that her people had fallen so thoroughly as to need what was coming. She lowered her veil so the two had never seen her face could see it (http://www.atddm.com/Tetsuko.jpg).

Once the Muri had indicated he had found nothing she began, not wasteing time of inconsequential things.

"Three thousand years ago Chaos gained a tiny fraction of a foothold on my people. Steadily, slowly, it has been growing, growing in the one garden it could not be culled from with any ease. Now Chaos offers the Divine One, who is already their willing servant, powers unimaginable. Your wife was abducted to serve as a sacrifice. And unless we can stop it she will die a death equally unimaginable." She paused for a second to let that sink in, then continued.

"Nearly three thousand years ago those not willing to fall to Chaos began a plan to stop it. I, and my daughter, are the culmination of that plan. But we can not do it alone. I now hold the Mandate of Heaven, but that it not enough to ensure success."

Three thousand years? Who knows what seeds have been sown? Morga kept his composure, but his Order would be called upon, heavily, now. "If I were to report this to my government, Kyger Litor would order your world destroyed-and she would use the Godswar Compromise to ensure this occurred. I am bound by honor to report this, but when is my discretion. If we save the Empress and oust this servant of Chaos who calls himself Emperor, I will give full disclosure then, and the Order of Boztakang will go to O'Kuni as observers to rid the planet of all taint, plus track down all the wheels set in motion over the last three thousand years. This is acceptable to Annilla, as she knows the destruction of O'Kuni would only cover the trail of all the evils spawned and set in motion.
"The problem is we have a limited window in which to act, and the mill of the government grinds slowly. Fortunately, the Sultan of Doraddi is a guest here. Doraddi is wealthy, and the Sultan is an initiate in the Ordo Zorak Zorani-which means he can acquire expert troops without involving the Ordo Drakul, other than permission to take those troops offworld. As the Voivode has announced him as Rightful Heir, that should not be a problem..."

She was well aware of how slowly governmental wheels turned, and time was of the essesnce.

Tetsuko nodded as Morga spoke of the Lord of Doraddi "My consort has spoken highy of Gerrak. I will not let him fund this, my honor and resources are not so low. I will pay fair value for their service and reward them as well." The Lady Captain, the Shogun's heir, was a proud woman and it did gall her more than a little to ask for help, but her tender sensibilites were of no matter than this.

"The trail of evil is narrow and relatively short. One of the first maneuvers of the opposition was to make it tradition that the Divine One does not leave the Court save for two occassions, upon ascending the throne, and upon the death when they are ritually immolated. Only a few not of the Court ever see the Court or interact with it's occupants. Another technique for keeping it confined."

"However I am troubled. Those who invaded your garden to abduct your mate "She looked at the Xiscapian Emperor "used a psi-ship. When those were first developed we renounced them, The plans were supposedly destroyed, but it is the only way they could have done what they did, given what I know of what happened. That means that some where, in the Celestial Imperia there is a shipyard our Intellegence does not know of. That, to say the least, is distressing."

Three thousand years ago the Xiscapians had found Xiscapia after traveling the stars for so long. Why does it seem so many things happened three thousand years ago?
The Emperor grimaced at the conversation. "A shipyard which you do not know of, producing ships able to expertly slip over our defenses, grab my mate, the second most protected person on Xiscapia, and escape, without being tracked. Nevertheless, the root of the problem is clear: Your "Emperor." Destroy him, and his contacts and allies will die or vanish. Slice the head and body dies. What else," he asked, gazing at Morga and the Captain, "do I need to know before making any kind of decision?"

"Secret holes are digged where the earth's pores should suffice, and there things walk that ought to crawl." Morga solemnly intoned. "Doubtless, the Imperial Compound is sizable enough to hold this shipyard, and it is unthinkable to intrude on the Divine One's serenity. His patronage must be cut short, and the web of corruption he has sponsored must be traced and burned, but the Empress is a priority. The Great Old Ones are not terribly forgiving of failure, and if he fails to produce a proper sacrifice in the appointed time--well, let's just say other matters will occupy him.
"Firstly, we should organize our troops-I will speak with the Sultan, and he will arrange for troops to Gate here. We'll need transport to O'Kuni-either from here on Xiscapian ships, or from a convenient point for Novan transports. I do not believe the Sultan has contacts among the Ordo Rokagi (http://picasaweb.google.com/wuvzombie/AllTheFacetsOfMe/photo#5134037677735308146), and I could not activate the Black Fleet without involving my government."

The Emperor nodded. "We can supply one hundred Shadow Ops troops, as well as a Battleship to transport them. That will not be an issue. I could send in the actual military, but that would take more time than we have. As to your troops, we can transport them for you. We have more than enough ships to do that much. However, something worries me." He gazed at the Captain. "What of the fleet of your home, that which is loyal to the Emperor? Have plans been made involving it's destruction?"

"Destruction would be wasteful, as many of them will be loyal to the office of the Divine One, not the Divine One himself-the isolation of the Imperial Court has seen to that. Distraction would be better-I can insert some Ordo Annilla teams to important areas, and make it look like they're under attack. Since O'Kuni's gates are closed, we should pick colonies far enough off to detain them in transit for a time-automated mining operations would be ideal, since loss of life would be minimal that way. Fully automated would be best, as we can feed a virus into the system that sends out an alert as well as adequate details of an attack to require the ships, and these will be taken as real until the ships arrive to protect an unscathed system. Naturally, they'll immediately report, but if we pick the right system, communications can be troublesome, and O'Kuni commanders tend to lack a certain something in initiative-the flaw in selecting loyalty over ambition. In a problematic area, they'll sit there guarding until orders tell them to return home."
Morga turned to the Lady Tetsuko. "Do you have any vital mining operations in such a communications-null region? We can redirect the ships to Pamaltela and use their cargo to pay for our troops-the absence of these shipments will be noted, and enough creative evidence left laying about to draw the fleet there, to guard against invaders. I rather like the idea of the Divine One protecting the pay of the mercenaries engaged to force his abdication."

"What of the fleet of your home, that which is loyal to the Emperor? Have plans been made involving it's destruction?"

"Do you have any vital mining operations in such a communications-null region? We can redirect the ships to Pamaltela and use their cargo to pay for our troops-the absence of these shipments will be noted, and enough creative evidence left laying about to draw the fleet there, to guard against invaders. I rather like the idea of the Divine One protecting the pay of the mercenaries engaged to force his abdication."

Her smile at Morga's suggestion was sure but sad. "That is a sound idea, and many uncorrupted, but of sincere belief, will be kept alive with that strategy. However there will be those who know what happens" She looked over at the Emperpr now answering his question "There are those who follow me, how acknoweledge mnhei'sahe"

At the confused looks by the non Novans, Robbsworth spoke up, his light temor passionate. "It is a concept more than a word and it means many things in this case it means tht the Lady Captain is so right, so... real... that we can not But follow her, agree with her unless we wish to lose our selves and our honor."

Tetsuko noded "Thank you Robbie" her voice was gentle.

She turned back to the Kitsune and the Muri and her voice was polished adamantine. "There are those that will oppose those who follow Chaos, and there will be combat across the Heaves, and many guilty and innocent alike will pass from this life. How ever that is a burden I must bear but will bear willingly.I can not and will not shirk this just to spare myself pain. And any strategem that will lessen the loss of life I will gladly consider. Not to spare myself pain but I Do count the cost."

But yes there are infact several such systems, though they are not fully automated -and you are welcome to raid all of them. But I do ask that you not eat the local workers, for such are are ampong the least of the caste and are but pawns. There will be plenty of other foods for the raiders.

Looking once again at the Emperor she nodded thankful for his generosity "Yes I can get your ships into the O'Kuni system, camoflauged safely behind a number of loyal to me cruisers. THose cruisers will occupy the home guard ships and that will allow yours to proceed unimpeeded to O'Kuni."

The Emperor nodded once more, satisfied. "Might I get a map of the Divine One's Palace? Statistics, guard numbers and patrols, ect. These will go to the Commander of the Shadow Ops, who will plan accordingly. Time is of the essence."

"This mnhei'sahe-there will be those who acknowledge it towards the Divine One-these individuals should be removed as a prelude to attack, if they can be identified. The simplest method would be assaulting all the mining operations-the servants of Chaos will only be dispatched for truly sensitive sites, leaving the simply loyal officers to guard the unimportant operations-at least from a Chaos perspective.
"My people can launch the strikes, dispersing the fleet, and remain to report inordinate fleet sizes-these will indicate the forces of Chaos who must be destroyed. Chaos prefers overwhelming numbers, as it is cowardly at heart. By reporting command ship names, the Xiscapian fleet will know who to target, and may put an effective blockade on O'Kuni by the time they are ready to return-something which can be delayed by well-timed strikes aimed at keeping troops locked in their locations. The Chaos fleets will turn to protect the Divine One at the expense of these lesser operations anyway, but reducing fleet numbers overall is as important, and if the teams can somehow compromise those vessels, we can decimate the defenses by selectively assassinating officers given to Chaos.
"Of course, that's a big if, and should not be relied on, though we can hope for Providence to smile upon us."

The Lady Captain shook her head at the Emperor's request. With a small sigh, knowng how difficult it made things "My humblest apologies, but while I can make some drawings from memory, there are no maps of what is on - or within -the island. No one outside the Divine One's Court knows the island. My fatehr the Shogun, and the Taiko, are the only outsiders allowed on the island, and even they visit infrequently. All servants that might know such details live on the island, and those that live off live at the starport and are only workers in the extensive underground levels and never see the surface of the island."

She bowed apologetically and continued. "The shield blocks all accurate outside observation and sensor probes."

"There is a regiment of Jannissaries stationed on the island, it is the same regiment that has been assigned there my entire life. I am almost certain that the Divine One has corrupted them. I believe the phrase is improvise, adapt and overcome while flying by the seat of our pants" She did have some hope to hold out though "If you had something very personal of your mate's, a lock of hair a sample of her blood, a talisman of location could be made, which would draw your operatives to her."

As Morga spoke of the fleets she was able to give him some usefull imformation on that reguard "The home fleet, which is loyal to my sire, will only make token attacks upon us. That planning has been underway since I proved myself to them. Those that are corrupted have -to the best of our ability- been assigned where they prefer to be- in the outer systems. They feel they can cause more mischief there, and we encouraged that belief. Though they, most strangely, find that the oppertunities are not as ...many... as they might like. There may be a number that have slipped by us, there are most certainly some, but mostly I can give you names, ship names and generally assigned areas.

"It hardly matters-the palace you saw could easily have been an illusion. Like it as not, we're going in blind." Morga stated simply. "Besides, the interior could shift as we speak-or if it desires. Best not to rely on what was-sets you up for too many unpleasant surprises, and all encounters with Chaos are unpleasant surprises already.
"Isolating the Imperial Court has preserved much of your culture and people, but the rot at the core will still spread if unchecked. Placing the Chaos commanders at the border allows them to spread their taint to other peoples and worlds. Give me a list, and everyone not on O'Kuni on that list will be dead within 336 hours. If we assault Chaos operations in those self-same areas, we can tie up the Novan fleet sorting out what's going on. These matters are best dealt with by local authorities, after all.
"We are most adept at destroying just enough to leave evidence in the hands of those who should not receive it, and we can take steps to ensure that evidence is found and noted-not all who serve Annilla are muri. Tying up conventional forces at the borders will protect Novan space, still, while keeping them out of the conflict.
"If you permit me to keep that bracelet, I can send it through certain channels the Ordo Boztakangi monitors-when they get that bracelet, they will sniff out the Chaos at your borders, and hire mercenaries from the Zorak Zorani to destroy it. Our operations will continue unabated, and so long as the Sultan has his request in before the Boztakangi, this operation may continue unabated. If there's nothing else, I must speak to the Sultan, and then my own superiors." He rose, tilting his head to indicate he awaited either a question or a dismissal.

The Emperor nodded approvingly. "We can adaptly assassinate even a very heavily guarded person or persons, though sometimes the payment is the assassin's own life, if the Muri assassins need any help. As to a personal thing of the Empress's, we have a blood sample here." A servent appeared and he spoke a few hushed words. The servent bowed and vanished, and a different one appeared with a small vial of red blood. He presented it to the Emperor and dissapeared as the other had. The Emperor handed the vial to the Captain. Can you tell me something about those who would fight in the island's defense? Guards, loyal servents, a elite regiment of Wraiths, things we need to watch for? Before that, though, comes the problem of actually getting onto the island. How do we plan to do this?"

The Wraiths growled low when the Xiscapian Emperor suggested that any Wraith would be on the Emperors side. But a look from the Lady Captain stilled them. But their shame was a palpable thing.

"No Wraiths - they Are Kami from the planes of Heaven...but just as they're are Kami from the Planes of Heaven, so are their Kagai,- their mirror images, polar opposites- numbers from R'lyeh, the place the malignant Kami fled to and conquered after they were driven from the Planes of Heaven. Those of the Divine One's Court are far from powerless, they are partially Kami and have some of their abilities."

Not, those of the Divine Ones Court might well have dangerous powers, but there were those she believed would oppose them - but on the whole? They would not be any great hinderance. Most of them had never seen any people in reasl life beyond those of the court and their servants. Warriors like the Kitsune's and the Muri would have them gibbering in fear, and some perhaps dieing of that fright.

She continued "The servants? Unarmed, untrained but they will throwthemselves at you fanatically I believe. However they are not bred for great intelligence, or creative thought, or possessing of much initiative."

When Tetsuko got to answering his question about getting them there, she grinned ferrally. "The same wahy I get into the Isan's so called oid when ever I chose. Commander Harkano will be captaining the Kuro Kaze. Myself, your forces, and the Muri will be waiting in the planes of Heaven. I can only do it once before those of R'lyeh become aware and rise in opposition. Once the shield about the Divine One's Court is down I will take us through."

OOC: I wasn't aware that there was any Wraiths inside the room. Or are they listening in from outside?
IC: "The servents will hardly be a problem then. Only these Kagai are a threat. I am interested in what a "Void" is, but that must be for another time. You said," he spoke in a even tone, gazing straight at her, "that we would wait in the Plane of Heaven. It this meant literally, or a metaphor?"

OOC: There, fixed typo...sigh some people...;-P
And yes the Wraiths did come in - they are providing an extra layer of anti snooping security- As also did Lord Harkano, the Exec, and Robbsworth, her aide

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Literally"

OOC:
:D

"It is a source of perpetual amazement to me that a species that uses hyperspace on a regular basis cannot accept the possibility of alternate dimensions and realities." Morga observed, perhaps louder than he should have. "Don't let our technical jargon dissuade you-there are realms beyond your experience you will explore in due time. Some of us just have a leg up on it.
"As far as the presence of the Wraiths, what of it? All they can really do is attack us or report the Lady Tetsuko to the Divine One. I believe we have an Empress to retrieve, which limits my time for debate..."
On his way past Lord Robbsworth, he paused. "You know, if you should need asylum, I have a sister seeking a sextoy until her One True Love gets off that white charger..."

"It is a source of perpetual amazement to me that a species that uses hyperspace on a regular basis cannot accept the possibility of alternate dimensions and realities." Morga observed, perhaps louder than he should have. "Don't let our technical jargon dissuade you-there are realms beyond your experience you will explore in due time. Some of us just have a leg up on it.
"As far as the presence of the Wraiths, what of it? All they can really do is attack us or report the Lady Tetsuko to the Divine One. I believe we have an Empress to retrieve, which limits my time for debate..."
On his way past Lord Robbsworth, he paused. "You know, if you should need asylum, I have a sister seeking a sextoy until her One True Love gets off that white charger..."
"I never said," said the Emperor mildly "that I did not believe in the concept or reality of the Plane of Heaven. Nor should you assume that we are not aware of those different levels and universes that makes up reality. To the presence of the Kagai, it is always a good thing to be prepared, no?"

Robbsworth shot Morga a look so similar to the eternally classic male 'deer in the headlights' wide eyed startlement that it was all Tetusko and Harkano could do not to chuckle aloud. He managed to stammer out "Th...Th...Thank you Lord Morga for such a thoughtfull offer, but I have two future mates awaiting me already. I...I don't know if I can honorably please three. Besides my place is at my Lady Captain's side. Her path is too righteous for us to not follow. Our people need us." His voice gained confidence and depth with each word he spoke.

Before Morga could leave Tetsuko dropped her own bombshell. "I have it from reliable sources that my daughter has fallen in love with the Sultan of Doraddi and is his consort." She discretely flashed a handsign to one of the youngest Kami in her group and was answered with a all but imagined nod.

"It would be most unfortuante for all if the the next Divine One of Nova Nippon should be unhappy with him. Though given what I know, I doubt that is happening." She said blandly biting her lower lip to stiffle a smile. If Morga felt comfortable enough to tease her aide, she could sneak in a few unexpected truths and watch him react. She wondered if theis was what Terrans meant by a 'Kodak Moment'.

OOC:
lol!
:D

(OOC:When I was recently with the family, my sister went through my laptop and made me promise to extend that offer to the "little cutie" I was in an online game with at the first opportunity. Like troll females, the women of my family are great and terrible in their wrath, and not to be denied. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the Consort of Doraddi, as certain events have to happen to make it more than rumor.)
(OOC:I am not certain of the forms of address for the Xiscapian Emperor, so correct me and I'll amend this )"I did not intend offense, Excellency-but there are entelechies beyond which the Young Races often deny as they are not yet at a stage of technological advancement to discover as real." Morga inclined his head and spread his claws in passivity, and did the same to Lord Robbsworth. "It is to her misfortune-a devoted husband is quite a prize among my people. The sisters are fortunate in your dedication.(OOC:Among trolls, some sisters may share husbands, the only circumstances under which a male has multiple spouses-there's even a joke about marrying a woman because it's the best way to get to know her sister. Polyandry is much more common.)
"However, my offer stands-now, if you'll excuse me?"

OCCC: Boo Hiss... I really wanted to see Morga react to Tetsuko's comments LOL Thats what I get for trying to startle one of the Ordo Annilla... I'm surprized that no one has commented on another chunk of information that has been given out. Indigo is Tetsukos deaughter, not niece as is believe even by Indigo herself. And that intself is an interesting story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yes they are sisters, and again thank you very kindly for the offer." Robbsworth replied with greater self confidence now but with great respect for Morga for the offer. Though he didn't know if he'd particularly like being a sex toy. Novan's had no sexual taboos save against rape and pediophillia, but he was still very young and conservative in certain areas.

Tetsuko spoke up. "I think Morga that it is not so much that they deny it, but they do not have much interaction with the alternate Realities. Your race and mine are much older I think, but the Xiscapains have much to recommend them and are more knowledgeable in certain areas that most realise. The alternate dimensions can be daunting and dangerous, they might be wise in their avoidance of them until such time as they feel themselves ready" Tetsuko said with gentle wisdom. "Believe me when I say that events have forced our hands. The Kami could have waited another thousand generations to enact what we do now. Their sense of time is not like us, Young Race's sense, what with the more limited life spans the we are generally heir too."

"I know time races ahead, Lord Morga, and I thank you for taking time to confer with me, and offer Muri assistance. It will be invaluable. Please offer my regards to the Sultan when you see him. Also please, take the braclet if it will be convincing evidence of Chaos's activities.. Oh, and Lord Morga, will you be among those Storming Heaven?"

OOC:Sometimes it is wiser not to comment, on the hopes that rumor, like a yapping lapdog, should reveal more than desired.
IC:Morga bowed low, accepting the bracelet. "I fear not, Milady. The Ordo Annilla has not served on the Front since the Lord Death-on-a-Horse terrorized the Western Reaches. Our role takes us behind enemy lines, where we shall coordinate the alogoi and intelligence-gathering the other Orders require to bring War to a satisfactory conclusion. That honor shall fall to the Sultan of Doraddi, whose troops will be doing the fighting." He bowed, and excused himself.

OCC: Oh I so wish I could be a fly on the wall for the meeting of Morga and Gerrak ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I see and once again, thank you Lord Morga-sama. I am in your debt" The Lady Tetsuko, Kami, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha in her own right, Kensai, Celestial Dragon, Bearer of the Mandate of Heaven, Captain of the Kuro Kaze and the Shogun's Heir bowed low - by the bow she acknowledged him as her friend, an equal.

The low, eerie hum produced by the Wraiths altered, and Morga could sense that the shield about the chamber would now let him cross without harm.

OOC: Ohh...:(
"I meant not as a rebuke, but as a simple acknowledgment to your words." He thought for a moment. "I hope the Sultan is not injured in combat. I rather like him." He turned his head to Lady Tetsuko. "A thousand thanks for your kind words." He rose as Morga exited. "I believe the meeting can be adjourned." He bowed to each, his mandate of hospitality well inside him. "If you will excuse me, I must make preperations, unless you have anything final to add?" He looked to Lady Tetsuko inquiringly.

"If you will excuse me, I must make preperations, unless you have anything final to add?"

"One last question to you Foxfire Rose- sama. You made it sound as if you will be part of the force you are sending?" She cocked her head inquiringly. She would not try and dissuade him from going but she wondered what his people would think of it.

He grimly nodded. "Yes. I will be leading the Shadow Ops into battle. What kind of man would I be, if I let others rescue my mate for me? If I get word that she has died, I will blame myself for not being there. It is a matter of personal honor, you understand, not of any actual obligation imposed upon myself." He gazed at her, attempting to gage her reaction to his words.

Yes. I will be leading the Shadow Ops into battle. What kind of man would I be, if I let others rescue my mate for me? If I get word that she has died, I will blame myself for not being there. It is a matter of personal honor, you understand, not of any actual obligation imposed upon myself."

Good, he was as worthy as her own mate had reported. Once this was all over she'd be able to acknowledge him openly and she could have the sons and daughters by Kai that she had been unable to risk bearing ere now.

Twenty five years ago she and her twin sister had spent the traditional night in the Temple. She had come away pregnant, her sister with the means to keep from becoming so by the Divine One, though it would be publicly given out that it was Silk, not Steel that was pregnant. Her sister, had arranged her own death, while Tetsuko gave birth in her place. Her daughter grew up hating the mother she though had birthed her. Some day Tetsuko would correct that misimpression and set things right between them - or so she could only hope.

She gave Foxfire Rose the same bow she had given Morga. "I would expect no less from you. I think we will next meet when Morga has secuired the needed Muri troops and we are all but ready to depart. I know that you ned to select your volunteers, so if you will excuse me, I too have plans to finalize."

The Imperial dojo was vast, giving Gerrak more than enough room to instruct Pat in cape-fighting. The young human had mastered the initial stances easily enough, and two of the katas, but the third was wearing on him, and he was drenched in sweat. Gerrak showed him again, this time holding his hands and guiding him through it, so he got the flow and movements right. Just as he seemed about to force his huntbrother to repeat the kata, he gave a sudden start. "Dat 'nuff fur tu-day, Pat-hit zcharz(OOC:showers), an' we du mor tumohra.(OOC:tomorrow)"
Pat didn't need to be told twice, and headed out with unusual quickness, leaving Gerrak alone.
--We are being observed, Blue Moon. Activate a Lune and we shall speak.--
--How do you keep up that abominable accent?-- Morga asked, shifting into view, and once more activating his crystal, suffusing the two of them in cerulean halos. (OOC:The lune acts as a white noise generator, but also telepathically scrambles the language centers of the brain, preventing anyone not in it's influence from understanding or recording what is going on)
-- Oh, it does get a bit easier with practice. Just play around a bit with the palatal sounds, train yourself to regularly miss certain consonants, and have fun with the odd consonant cluster.--Gerrak answered.--Surely you didn't come here to get tips on deception from me.--
--I came here to begin diplomatic negotiations with Xiscapia, as well as clandestine aid with their little rebellion--
--I requested that-why are you involving me?--
--Quid pro quo. How is it you can see through a SEP field? You barely taught that boy the basics-
--That boy is my huntbrother and heir presumptive. He will be running Doraddi one day.--Gerrak sniffed. He wasn't about to inform the Ordo Annilla that as a muri noble, there was no such thing as Someone Else's Problem.--When he is, he will call upon you much as I do. Now why are you here, or must I beat it out of Muritan?--
--You wouldn't-
--I am Zorak Zorani, Blue Moon. What would we not do?--
--Very well.-- Morga bowed--The Empress has been seized. They used Mi-Go (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=migoyg1.jpg) technology.--
--Launch a Death Cloud on Yuggoth--
--Firstly, we still don't know where Yuggoth is, and secondly, they didn't take her there--
--The Emperor has shown me great hospitality and indulgence, and I've been pushing the whole savage thing well past what his limits of tolerance would be were he not truly noble. I want his wife located and retrieved.--
--If I do that with your authority, Kiger Lytor will destroy O'Kuni--
--Indigo's homeworld? That is not acceptable--
--I have a plan...--
--You are Ordo Annilla.--this was a statement, nothing more.--Fill me in,--Morga told all, holding back nothing.--Her mother? And my Consort? Goodness. This plan seems meet and proper, but I have a stipulation.--
--Go ahead--
--These assassinations? Buckwheats.--
--Yes, my lord.-- Morga bowed, and left to perform his duties.

The Emperor bowed the Lady out and sat alone in the chambers. There was a subtle change in the air temperature and a single silky fox hair floated before his vision. He spoke in Xiscapian, his native language, rather than Common. "What are your thoughts, Vanadict?"
She responded likewise.
"I believe they are trustworthy- To a point."
"Quite so. While I doubt either would put a knife in my back, I would not put it past either of them to sacrifice one or even many beings, innocent or immersed in evil, if they thought it would further their goals."
"Wouldn't we?"
"We already have. On an unrelated note, did you see his treatment of the prisoner?"
"I did. Probably more than she deserved. You of all people should know best on how we view treachery."
"True. She would have gotten the executioner's blade."
"We really should regulate the amount of pleasure houses on this world. Ironic, really. They hold a considerable part of offworlders attractions."
"Loathsome, but beautiful at the same time. Tourism is our valuable import, although I admit that it's mostly Alversian soldiers on leave and the few luxery craft which venture to travel all the way out here."
"But the nonsequeter. We travel from the subject at hand."
"Yes. Have Commander Robs hand pick his best two hundred soldiers, and present them for my inspection. Request a Battleship and a couple dozen troop transports from the Head Admiral. Oh, and inform her of my orders to get better as quickly and painlessly as possible. We may have something very ugly on our hands, something bigger than Jade's kidnapping or even the Calaveran reemergence."
"Yes my Lord."
She turned on heel and disappeared in a swirl of robes. The Emperor stood and strode out. The lights silently shut off and the door slid shut with the soft sound of metal on metal. The Guards saluted and went off to their duties. The Emperor retired to his bedroom to think and analyze the fresh wave of reports, demands and requests that were all a part of being the Emperor of Xiscapia.

"I would not put it past either of them to sacrifice one or even many beings, innocent or immersed in evil, if they thought it would further their goals."

OOC:While I cannot speak for the Lady Tetsuko, I would like to put down, for the record, that the muri are an ancient, life-affirming culture who would never, ever, sacrifice or endanger an innocent unless it was absolutely convenient to do so.

OOC: Thank you OD, yes I can speak but for myself - taps OD playfully on the end of his snout, chuckling at his reply...

While I doubt either would put a knife in my back, I would not put it past either of them to sacrifice one or even many beings, innocent or immersed in evil, if they thought it would further their goals."

Speaking most seriously - In this specific case - Tetsuko will sacrifice any one and anything ( not the least of which is herself, mate, her daughter and all she holds dear. - And she has already made considerable sacrifices, though she does not speak of them ) to cure this 'cancer' - it is a virulent malignancy that demands surgery of the most urgent nature and she will not let lives hinder the extraction there of.

OOCthe 2nd- OKay how long is it going to take to get the muri and Xiscapian forces together? Can we do a preliminary form up/ check-in here on Xiscapia?

OOC: Oh well, half right is better than not being right at all.
As to the assembly of forces, I was actually waiting to see if DR was going to jump in, but it seems he is too busy with other things at the moment. The get-together of the forces should be done here, if we are going to use our craft to transport the Muri warriors.

OOC:I can have the Zorak Zorani there pretty quick, since it's approximately a third of the forces stationed at Doraddi-if they Gate in, they can be there by sundown. The Gorakikki shamans and their mukade will take perhaps a week, by which time everyone in Rio Casa will know the Kre Uru song by heart in Shadowspeech. I could put a rush on it, or send the Gorakikki to one of Lady Tetsuko's ships instead-your call.
IC: Morga strolled casually to Shotkickers, a leaping house near the spaceport. While the plethora of male dancers was not as effective anti-surveillance as a lesbian floor show, the Ordo Annilla had maintained secret bases among aliens as a matter of course, always small distasteful businesses that catered to a limited clientele, better ignored as the Order had an uncanny knack for determining what was desired by those in power, and what embarrassed them.
The Sultan's stipulation was an irritant-Buckwheats always drew attention, and the Order's preferred methods were much more subtle, usually appearing as natural causes. Shotkickers was a favorite among hired assassins in this quadrant, both for the quality of it's entertainment and the discretion of it's owners. The Invisible Tide was a powerful force, and Morga had manipulated it for decades. A word here, payment there-here as a loan shark, there as a pimp. Cunning and plausible lies based on intelligence gathered combined with illusory appearances tailored to the lie, and soon Morga had Buckwheats arranged for all on his list, the trail winding down every blind alley in Rio Casa. In a week's time, he would verify the hits, and send out true Blue Moon for cleanup and completion. The bracelet he dropped off at a safehouse for delivery-it would be intercepted by the Ordo Boztakangi, and soon Battlecrabs would skirt the edge of Novan space, all without anyone suspecting Blue Moon intervention.

OOC: Having them 'invade' Rio Casa might not be the best of ideas - too much population to keep from leaking word to possible moles. Would be better to find a ploace to gate them far from prying eyes.

And Xis, while a few Xiscapian war ships just too look menancing and trade potshots with those 'apparently' on the other side will be appreciated, but Tetsuko means to take all of you who are going into the Places of Heavrn from what ever gathering point is chosen., bringing you all out on the other side- on O'Kuni itself as soon as the shield is down.

OOC: "Invade"? Now I've got the image of every restaurant in Rio Casa filled with heavily armored Zorak Zorani berserks chanting "Spam-spam-spam-spam" while across the street, a line of trolls has formed at the computer store, each holding a PC with a midevial weapon embedded in it's still-sparking frame.
Hey Kre Uru, guess who come?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, come get some!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, your time is done!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, see this mace?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, it hit your face!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, must I chase?
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, where's your spear!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, stab me here!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, your death is near!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, you going to fight?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, why hide from sight?
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, we got all night!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, behind the tree.
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, come to me!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, so tasty!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, makes arrows fly!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, you going to die!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, bake in a pie!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, up on a limb!
Chop it chop it right down!
Poor Kre Uru , tree fall on him!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, eat at my whim!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, this pixie a friend?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, it’s head I’ll rend!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, didn’t eat this end!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, you like fire?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, I light up a funeral pyre!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, don’t climb higher!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, you big Wood Lord?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, pick up your sword!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, I’m getting bored!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, put down that bow!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, arrows in my clothes!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, my wife can’t sew!
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, your grip is tight?
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, your tree’s alight!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Little Kre Uru, why so white?
Chop it chop it right down!

Hey Kre Uru, I guess you dead!
Chop it chop it right down!
Poor Kre Uru, just ate your head!
Chop it chop it right down!
One chop! Two chop!
One chop! Two chop!
Chop it chop it right down!
Yummy Kre Uru, I off to bed!
Chop it chop it right down!

OOC:I can have the Zorak Zorani there pretty quick, since it's approximately a third of the forces stationed at Doraddi-if they Gate in, they can be there by sundown. The Gorakikki shamans and their mukade will take perhaps a week, by which time everyone in Rio Casa will know the Kre Uru song by heart in Shadowspeech. I could put a rush on it, or send the Gorakikki to one of Lady Tetsuko's ships instead-your call.
IC: Morga strolled casually to Shotkickers, a leaping house near the spaceport. While the plethora of male dancers was not as effective anti-surveillance as a lesbian floor show, the Ordo Annilla had maintained secret bases among aliens as a matter of course, always small distasteful businesses that catered to a limited clientele, better ignored as the Order had an uncanny knack for determining what was desired by those in power, and what embarrassed them.
The Sultan's stipulation was an irritant-Buckwheats always drew attention, and the Order's preferred methods were much more subtle, usually appearing as natural causes. Shotkickers was a favorite among hired assassins in this quadrant, both for the quality of it's entertainment and the discretion of it's owners. The Invisible Tide was a powerful force, and Morga had manipulated it for decades. A word here, payment there-here as a loan shark, there as a pimp. Cunning and plausible lies based on intelligence gathered combined with illusory appearances tailored to the lie, and soon Morga had Buckwheats arranged for all on his list, the trail winding down every blind alley in Rio Casa. In a week's time, he would verify the hits, and send out true Blue Moon for cleanup and completion. The bracelet he dropped off at a safehouse for delivery-it would be intercepted by the Ordo Boztakangi, and soon Battlecrabs would skirt the edge of Novan space, all without anyone suspecting Blue Moon intervention.
OOC: Finding the Xiscapian underworld isn't hard: Three tips: It's almost all in Tenfour, if it's an offworlder be weary, and if it's an Xiscapian be more weary still. Government assassins aren't illegal, and several of the people on Morgas "list" may have been found dead, ritually killed by a slash to the neck from a sword. As to the troop, bring them in, but try and keep them off the streets. Literally, in the mountains or woods nearby. They would attract a crapload of attention, and I don't want some innocent reporter getting eaten for asking too many questions.
OOC: Having them 'invade' Rio Casa might not be the best of ideas - too much population to keep from leaking word to possible moles. Would be better to find a ploace to gate them far from prying eyes.

And Xis, while a few Xiscapian war ships just too look menancing and trade potshots with those 'apparently' on the other side will be appreciated, but Tetsuko means to take all of you who are going into the Places of Heavrn from what ever gathering point is chosen., bringing you all out on the other side- on O'Kuni itself as soon as the shield is down.
So what you are saying is, ships aren't nessesary. Well, unless the Lady can pull the same trick again after it's all over, they're going to need to get home somehow. They sure ain't walking. I can send the ships seperatly, if that's what you're getting at.

OOC:The Sultan stipulated Buckwheats. For those of you not hip to underworld slang, a Buckwheats hit means the target dies in the most painful way possible-traditionally, taken to a remote location and shot in the anus, so they spend the last three to four hours of their life paralyzed and feeling like they're crapping broken glass as they bleed out. If Morga just wanted them dead, he'd dispatch Ordo Annilla operatives-typical hit is to stun the target with electricity or a psionic assault, then induce an air embolism-if the coroner isn't specifically looking for this, it slides. So, Morga is enlisting the underworld with a plethora of false stories and identities, and recruiting skillful sociopaths and sadists. The Ordo Annilla is probably responsible for between 3%-5% of crime intergalactically to cover their listening posts and give them access to outsourcing. Smuggling mostly, as it is beneficial to their purposes to be able to move secretly hither and yon, but they will also maintain legitimate businesses-usually garbage collection and waste management, in case it comes up.
And we will need the ships-O'Kuni can't be accessed by Gating.

When the first reports of what were undeniably assassinations began reaching her, the Lady Captain swore strongly and requested Morga's presence aboard the Kuro Kaze immediately. She knew that she could divert the knowledge of many, and disemble on more but still the kills had not been carried out with unobtrusiveness she had expected from an Ordo Anilla operation. She really wanted to know why.

Damn. Thought Officer Joseph as he surveyed the scene. Another dead one. That makes, what, the twenty-seventh so far?
The Gran was twisted in a akward position, nearly blown apart. Apparently, from the belt of highly illegal hand grenades near the body, that the orange-skinned, three-eyed being had tried to put up a fight. Of all the cases so far, they all had three things in common: All were off-worlders, all had been killed by a slugthrower shot to the anus, and in none of the cases was an assassin ever identified. Each was your expected slime: Drug dealers, loan sharks, pimps, hitmen, thugs and guns-for-hire, crime kingpins and gangsters, crooked buisness men, merchants selling highly illegal weapons and technology. All kinds, all species, all dead. Joseph may not have been the smartest guy, but when orders came though from the top to close the case and indefinitly pend the investigation, he understood. Because of the assassinations, Xiscapia was a little bit safer now. As quickly as each case was "investigated" and then "closed", a new one would spring up. No innocents had been killed, so far. The Gran's body was loaded in a speeder to be taken to the morgue, where he would be sent to family. If no next of kin was found, his body would be burned as fuel for the morgue to power electricity, cyro-freeze, and other power-using devices.

Lord Robbsworth was sleeping-Morga casually raised up and walked to his door-Annilla had spit out his code long ago, and it was typically buried in muri records until Annilla's words made sense, and sent to him. He kept up his SEP field until he arrived at the Lady Tetsuko's door, when he dropped it and knocked.
A web of blades encircled his throat, the low moan speaking volumes. "The Lady demanded my presence." he said, calm despite his predicament. "Maintain this until she gives leave."

Maintain this until she gives leave."

The door slid silently open Tetsuko regarding him with a bemused expression. "Morga did you have to appropriate Robbs body? Come in" she said with half amused exasperation coloring her voice. "I ought to turn him over to you for some training, but his wives to be might not appreciate it.

The door slid shut behind them, and she waved her hand towards her sparse but elegantly appointed suite. "Make yourself comfortable, please. And please advise me why the assassinations are bing so...undenyable?"

"Indeed? My deniability is as yet uncompromised, and as I am somewhat closer to the matter than you, I would assume yours is as well." He poured a small glass of shoju, and offered it to Her Ladyship. "Investigation will show the standard results of dealing with the criminal enterprises-gambling debts, spurned same-sex lovers, involvement in drug trafficking-the assassins are all outsourced from the underworld, and believe their stories. An investigation shan't come this close-and if there are reprisals, they will come down on more deserving members of society than ourselves. The Ordo Annilla prefers this, as it allows us anonymity. As to the public nature of these events, it is Zorak Zoran justice-they have issues about contributors to Chaos not suffering.
"Simply permit the matter to go through the standard channels, and the Divine One will spend valuable resources seeking vengeance on those not involved. Sidetracking the investigation would only serve to implicate you unnecessarily."

"I knew the very obvious nature of the kills weren't Anilla style. And Gerrak is rather young isn't he?"

She took the glass from him, and once he had poured one of his own - Tetsuko sipped it slowly - unsurprised that he knew so much about her. Closing her eyes for a second she savored the mellow bite of the liquor.

Then she opened her eyes and pinned then on him, seeing Morga, not the body he temporarily wore.

The mercinaries get well paid and their god is pleased, the Xiscapian's get their Empress back, Ordo Anilla gets to root up more than a bit of Chaos, but what do you get Morga Venn? What is your reward?

"It is the Ordo Boztakang that will root out Chaos, milady." Morga bowed slightly. "We of the Ordo Annilla have a different function. By manipulating the Invisible Tide, I prove my closeness to the goddess. Also, O'Kuni is an Old World, present during the Godswar. It is possible that some fragments of Annilla may be there, and these will be claimed by the Order to renew the goddess.
"The war on Chaos is an ongoing thing, and a sacred tenet to all who would be trolls-no other reason than this would be adequate to move me-it was Chaos who shattered my goddess, it is Chaos that holds the missing pieces required to restore her.
"It is possible some fragments of Annilla are on your world-they will be my fee. If not, the Invisible Tide itself will be my reward." Morga poured himself a small glass of shoju.

"I have hear of your ailing Goddess. And if fragments of her can be found anywhere in the Imperiaq, they are yours, freely and with my joy for your people. You will have whatever aid I can give in the searching for them...."

Her voice trailed off for a second then came back strangely distant, and not any of the voices the Muri had heard her use before "I remember you know, born again and again, I remember the time of the Black Ships, the eternal voyaging trying to find our way back...the slow death over generations as we mourned, O'Kuni lost to us. What a miserable existance that was, unable to find our way back and yet some how the OmiKami's Light found us and eventaully we found OKuni, and our mouring was afresh, for she was dead, no longer there to sing with us, the Celestial Bells silenced, the Sphere's shattered in their frameworks, and the Gates all but crumbled away..."

Tetsuko shook her head and came back to herself. Standing she walked up to Morga, going up on her tiptoes and reaching up for where his head would have been if he were standing before her. Cupping his face in her hands she looked deeep into his eyes "Thank you Morga."

Then she stepped back, the woman morphing into the Shogun's Heir. "Get your people ready to Gate to Xiscapia today. I'll have one of my ships over Pamaltela in five hours time to pick up the Mukade and their handlers and any other who need to travel by ship."

"Oh and do put Robb back. Just leaving him here would upset him" She smiled gently.

"The Ogasawara islands have been a stronghold of the Ordo Annilla for some time-the kitsune believe them a holding of the Dorakyura Corporation. The main island of Daikaiju has provided them with antivenoms for a long enough time I believe it no longer matters. I may be wrong, of course, but Daikaiju is home to every venomous species known to kitsune-flora and fauna, and produces numerous anti-venoms, as a result-I doubt very much the Emperor himself realizes our part in his heavily-subsidized antitoxin production facilities. Our warriors are on this chain, as the kitsune avoid it. I have need to speak with the Imperial Court, here, anyway. If you will allow?" Morga left the young Lord Robbsworth, and fled to where his presence might do most good...

OOC post - No I haven't forgotten, I've been waiting to see if there was anything I needed to allow for in AtM ( Among the Muri ) but I don't want this thread to be forgotten so I'm going to just move forward.

I need some information and it can be given either IC or OOC as you choose.

Xis - How many ships do you want to bring and how big are they - the Kuro Kaze is 5000 Meters long by about that wide and thusly can generate a DeSitter Gate... that will cover a radius of 50,000 Meters - which means she can act as a 'carrier' for any ships that can fit inside that sphere - and a De Sitter Gate ( aka a StarGate ) is near instantaneoud travel.

Since I have no idea where in the real world universe Xiscapia is, but do know where O'Kuni is, I'm going to say that for conviuence sake that the distance is roughly 500 Million LY and that translates out to...and just for comparison from Earth to Proxima Centauri - 4.2 LY / Polaris ( the current North Star ) is Proxima Centauri 430 LY / Betelgeuse & Deneb are both 1,500 LY from Earth...

5M LY +/-per second transit time for a direct jump -which this Will be...120 seconds...2 minutes to cover the distance from Xiscipia to O'Kuni...any one up for a bit of racing?

OOC:
You lost me there after "500 Million LY." I am not known for my math skills, or my knowledge for astronomy. I will only need to transport a single Battleship. I have no idea of size, maybe the size of your average Star Destroyer? All the troops will be inside the Battleship, and there are drop ships inside the Battleship for transport. However, if the Muri need transport, that complicates matters somewhat. I need to know, OD, how many troops you plan on transporting, as well as any animals or equipment- This will give me an approximate of how many transport troop carriers I need to commit.

Okay if all you need is a single battle ship, the 'bubble' by the Kuro Kaze created can handle it with no problem. And the Kuro Kaze will be easily be able to 'cloak' a single ship inside their IFF signature. So not trouble there either.

Now your Emperor, and you 200 Spec Ops, like the Muri -which I believe are numbering 50,000 - will be tansported though an alternate dimention ( easiest way to understand it) by Tetsuko.She will basically open a version of a Gate to this alternate dimention, every one will go though. The troops will wait there for the signal that the protective forcefield around the Court

O'KUNI Map (http://www.atddm.com/Okuni.jpg) - The Divine Ones Court is the island with the orangish star

Divine Ones Court (http://www.atddm.com/island.jpg) - close up of island * the small island labeled 'starport' if the island with the underwater tunner connecting the island.

Armored suite type1 (http://www.atddm.com/war1.jpg)

Type2 (http://www.atddm.com/war2.jpg)

Type3 (http://www.atddm.com/war3.jpg)

Type4 (http://www.atddm.com/war4.jpg)

Standard trooper (http://www.atddm.com/fighter.jpg)

When the forcefield goes down, Tetsuko will open the doorway back to 'our'
universe - allowing them to exit on to the beaches of the Divine Ones Court on O'Kuni.

As I understand it the Muri's mukade will be used to bore into the tunnel, creating yet another endty point- into the bowels of the Court - and to keep the tunnel from being used as an esacpe route or way to bring in reinforcements from the small island some 100 miles off shore ( that little island is used only to house workers in the Courts underground 'services' quadrant- power generation, water purification, sewage treatment, computer networking, store rooms, laundries, fabrication plants, etc- the servants who work in there have never been on the suface are of the Court and can not give us any knowledge of surface conditions. )


For going home afterwards the Muri ships can come in with not trouble, and the set up that prevents Gating ( Muri style Gates ) will be temporarilay turned off to allow them to be gated home.

Xis, Your ship can take the Emperor, his surviving Special Ops troops and the Emperess back to Xiscipia.

I'm hoping a goodly portion will be willing to stay on O'Kuni for some time while the last of the agents of Chaos are mopped up.

Alright, it all works...
On the map of the island, is the actual palace, not the palace as a whole, put the building located on that little island surronded by rivers?
Also, I'm expecting an epic battle once the Emperor actually reachs the area where the Empress is about to be sacrificed. Some High Priest or something like that.
Lastly, some troops of mine will stay behind for the mop up, they can work as assassins too, but they will eventually go home.

Ha, don't you just wish it were that simple- the Court is the entireity of the large island - there are buildings scattered all over the place - some occupied, some abandones, some just for window dressing...

That is why Tetsuko needed some of your Empresses blood, to make a Talisman that will lead you - more or less -to where she is. And yes there will be a Direct Servant of Chaos there ( as well as the Novan Emperor/Divine One ) to have a most assuredly epic battle with. You can't kill my emperor - it's going to take Indigo to do that ( guided by that lovely bow she just got given - thank you Rakhir for your presecience and generosity !) and the god weapon she doesn't know she carries. ( and probably Gerraks help as well.- baby goddesses just don't take on Major Gods - yeah the slime has made a power level - all by their lonesome.)

OOC:I believe the raw numbers, etc. are in the "The Only Excuse" , but I'll repeat them here-30,000 spider riders, 15,000 guerrilla units, and ten Beast Masters with mukade in a 1:1 ratio. Except for the mukade and Beast Masters, they're all on the Ogasawara island chain on Xiscapia, and the Beast Masters are expected, and will arrive as soon as really needed. The officers are on the main island mass of Daikaiju, where they can organize and assemble their troops within an hours' time.
The Ordo Annilla is investigating the Novan Spacefleet right now, dispatching five-man teams where necessary, but hostilities are awaiting the launch to begin, and trying to determine where influence is being laid. The information is of primary importance right now, but once the troops start moving, they'll hit the officers in question, and the teams will evacuate to neutralize the networks being established.
The wild card is the Ordo Boztakangi, who are cruising Novan space in Battlecrabs-while these ships are devastating, their deployment and use is fully under the control of the Boztakangi. Use them as a deus ex machina to fill in gaps left by DR's absence, until such time as he either returns or such aid is unnecessary.

I finally found the OOC thread and lifted this from a post by OD:

but about 15,000 Spider Cavalry will come in handy, with 30,000 shock troops. They'll be Ordo Zorak Zorani, so they will use fire, and regard War as a sacrament-the Muri's version of the Marine Corps. They'll be equipped with an array of chemical nastiness in their slingstones, and fire-throwers-something like an atlatl with a pyrotic crystal powered off the troll's will.

So either way, no problem...

and from you Xis, it was a 100 Shadow Opsw - I think the note of 200 was so that the Emperor could have a wide range to chose from.

My next post will be IC, the arrival at Pamaltela to pick up the Mukade.

OOC:My bad-got the two mixed up. Comes from working graveyard and suffering Old-timer's Disease. While I do have advanced CRS, I am not yet in the final stages when I remember how cheaper everything used to be. My dear father is at the stage where everything used to cost a nickel and come with a lapdance-I'm amazed he can feed himself.

With Lord Robbsworths visitor gone, The Kuro Kaze lept form orbit about Xiscipia and vansihed in a flash of distressed photons. Just a few minutes later it reappeared well outside the 'aura' that that was an added layer of protection about the planet. However the Celestial Drago that had swallowed the Kuro Kaze and thus protected it, found the field plesant, like diving ito a warm sitz bath. And now, invisible and unsense-able, it hovered over Doraddi.

While inside the ships occupants went about their usual business. They had been told whom to contact and careful mental communication went forth.

Though one waited with some trepedation...as she would met her daughter face to face for the first time ever.

Ha, don't you just wish it were that simple- the Court is the entireity of the large island - there are buildings scattered all over the place - some occupied, some abandones, some just for window dressing...

That is why Tetsuko needed some of your Empresses blood, to make a Talisman that will lead you - more or less -to where she is. And yes there will be a Direct Servant of Chaos there ( as well as the Novan Emperor/Divine One ) to have a most assuredly epic battle with. You can't kill my emperor - it's going to take Indigo to do that ( guided by that lovely bow she just got given - thank you Rakhir for your presecience and generosity !) and the god weapon she doesn't know she carries. ( and probably Gerraks help as well.- baby goddesses just don't take on Major Gods - yeah the slime has made a power level - all by their lonesome.)
OOC:
Nothing more than I expected...but nothing less, either. I do wonder how one kills a god?
Anyway, yes, it's only a hundred Shadow Ops troops, Shadow Ops aren't trained in huge quantities. This is probably their biggest deployment ever.
15,000 Spider Cavalry, with 30,000 shock troops, and the Mukade. This will take some figuring, but I believe I have a ship large enough to transport them all in one go. It's a hollowed out asteroid, see, built for transport and war. As long as none of the trolls get hungry on the way and decide that a kitsune looks particularly delicious, it'll be fine.
Oh, and OD, my father can remember when a gallon of gas was fifteen cents. ;) Sure puts things in perspective.

Morga was surprised at the private chambers supplied by the Emperor. He could hear the Sultan performing his ablutions, so he stood at the door, kneeling with a soft cough.
--What is it?--
--The troops are about ready, and the Lady Tetsuko anxious to get this underway.--Morga replied, head averted.
--Well, it is her people suffering most--Gerrak shrugged, scrubbing somewhat vigorously.--Have we star-charts of the view from the Enclave?--
--I'd have to hypothesize such-no one outside the Imperial Court has been on the island for some time-three thousand years, if the Lady Tetsuko's information is correct.--
--Confer with the Emperor Foxfire Rose. We'll want to coordinate our efforts, and he should have his troops in the optimum locations for a sacrifice. I think it would be most polite of us to allow him to save her. We can run interference and draw troops away from these same locations-if the Divine One feels himself safe he may allow the vital forces to wander off to us.--
--And how do I tell him, based on what we know, his wife is most likely to be sacrificed here or here?--
--Explain the importance of astrological influences on the Divine One's mindset, and work from there. Portray it as psychological rather than the arcane mathematics of the Great Old Ones if you encounter resistance. In fact, work up the charts with him, let him see what you're looking for-probably someplace open to the skies, but possibly not. It would help if we knew the Divine One's patron...--
--For that matter, it would help if he became suicidally despondent and remorseful, handed over the Empress and atoned by seppuku.--
--I'm just as happy to bring him down, foil his schemes, and let his patron exact the price. Go to the Emperor--

OOC: I know this is closed but I just wanted to say it has been a wonderful read and I really enjoy everyone's story telling! Many great ideas to learn from here!

OOC: Thanks Karshkovia- But you really owe your compliments to OD and NN. I'm really just along for the ride.
IC:
The Emperor kneeled in his Imperial Chambers. There was no throne anywhere in the Palace. It was not important to try and elevate yourself above your subjects. He kept his hands flat to the perfectly polished gray tiled floor, and bowed his head to the earth below. He muttered softly in an ancient language nearly no one spoke, communing with his god, the protector of the planet and guide of the Xiscapian people, Qonn. He, (presumably he, when he had appeared to those of Old he had been a male) was responsable for the success of the long odyssey from Old Xiscapia to New. He was keeper of the people and of the planet, preferring to keep mostly out of direct affairs, hidden. When he did move his hand or swish his tail, it was almost always subtle in ways that would not be felt for generations, or perhaps only known to a select few. Proof of his existance was ready in every Xiscapian-born kitsune alive: The power of the Force. Admittedly, very weak, lacking all the power of those Jedi Knights or Sith Lords, but there. It was to Qonn that most Xiscapians prayed, and though him many good and great things were beheld. But not all. Qonn, while powerful, was not the Creator of All Things. He was Creator of the people, yes, but he did not create everything. He was merely a Creator, and the Creator of All somewhere out there, invisible. Or so the Xiscapians believed. A servant appeared softly several feet away from where the Emperor kneeled. "My Lord," he said softly. "What is it?" asked the Emperor, eyes still closed, still looking to the floor. "Lord Morga has requested an audience. Would you like to take it now?" With a soft sigh the Emperor stood. "Yes. Bring him to meet me in this room." The servant bowed and left, as quickly as he came. The Emperor pulled up a chair for himself and had a huge couch put in place for Morga. There he sat to await the Muri.

OOC: Don't sell yourself short, Xis-had I been first to respond, I'd have put it all at your and NN's feet.
IC:Morga entered, bowing low. "Excellency, I thought it best we discuss a bit of tactics and strategy." He pressed his armband, suffusing the room in a soft blue glow, that somehow dimmed all as it illuminated. "Granted, I am working with information some 3000 years out of date, but fairly accurate records have been kept regarding building materials brought to the island, and only so many would have been used for upkeep. Given the Novan Emperor's extravagant tastes, it is possible only a few buildings are kept up, so I think it's best to assume our information is wholly inaccurate."
A projection of the most recent maps of the Imperial Complex appeared before them. "Our-"What was the word the Sultan suggested? Oh yes..."-profilers believe the Novan Emperor intends to sacrifice the Empress, and have assembled these star charts to reflect our timetable and the most advantageous conjunctions he would wish to take advantage of, as well as the location which would best suit his purposes for each conjunction. The locations are marked here, in red-touch one and it will give you the optimal times for sacrifice, as well as probable patron. Given a time for proper purification and ritual preparations, we do have a certain window of opportunity. Do your people use data crystals, or must I transfer this information to another medium?"

OOC: Let's see what NN has to say about that.
IC:
The Emperor silently produced a datapad and jack. "It can go in here," he murmered as he passed it to Morga. He barely glanced at the troll, studying the map. "And what might be," his tone was mild, but suggested coldness beneath the surface, like a calm lake under which a monster lurks, "the purpose served by ritually killing my mate at these points?" he indicated the red dots with an expansive wave of his hand.

OOC: We're all a part of this together.and I think we are all doing a magnificant job of working together to make this fun not only for us but for the readers- obviously someone likes us! And many thanks Karshkovia for your kind words- they are balm to a writers and RPers soul!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tetsuko found herself acting uncharacteristically - she who never had, was fidgeting as she awaited for Kai and Indigo to be gated aboard the Kuro Kazi. She knew that Indigo thought badly of the mother she thought had died at her birth. That Indigo had been left, alone and unsupported in a place, and with a people, that had no use for her- no nurturing, no companionship, no love. The daughter that she had carried beneath her heart for thirteen long months in complete secrecy, the daughter she had not looked upon even in the first moments after birth...the daughter who had every right to loathe her even more ...

And now she would have that all but unknown daughter give up the first love, the first happiness she had found, to sit on a cold hard throne and do her duty....Giri... to serve a people who would never know the sacrifice demanded of her, who would never know her, and wouldn't care if she were happy or sad, or any of a thousand other things as long as their lives proceeded with safe comfort and the Gates of Heaven were held open.

OOC: Thanks NN, and so true too.
TG

Morga indicated the regions. "To the Divine One, these are the optimal times and places for a sacrifice to be properly given and received. As you can see, if you send your people across this belt, the Zorak Zorani can run interference by attacking other areas-for some reason, a band of marauding trolls is considered 'bad joss'-so you'll encounter less resistance until you hit the sacrificial area-we can only draw off so many troops, I'm afraid.
"The astrological influences are as important as any other to the mindset of our foe. In truth, they are more important. There are rather strict limitations in place on Chaos's interactions with the rest of Reality. The truth of the matter is irrelevant, as it is our enemies belief that will guide their hand. We have constructed a meticulous model of the stars above the compound because we know this to be true, and extrapolated our theories based on the knowledge at hand. We know precious little about the Novan Emperor, but we know his allies rather well.
"If you're really all that curious as to the whys and wherefores of their strategy, I can supply some information. A sacrifice here, for example, would summon an Outer God to wed the Empress, while here, her soul would be fed directly to the Sleeper of Vhoorl for power." Morga passed his hand over the display. "Different factions within Chaos would require different times and places, and different purposes served. I could fully explain, but the arcanology takes millenia to properly process and assimilate the data."
OOC:One thousandth post! COOKIES!

The Lady Tetsuko, Kami, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha in her own right, Kensai, Celestial Dragon, Bearer of the Mandate of Heaven, Captain of the Kuro Kaze and the Shogun's Heir looked at Indigo, drinking her in with eyes that threatened to overflow with tears, but wouldn't dare.

Then her eyes moved on to Kai, and in a heart beat they were in one anothers arms, their murmurs of love balm to thier souls, easing the loneliness that had burdened both of them.

Indigo stood watching silent but her curiosity knowing no bounds, and her mind working furiously to fill in all the blanks - including some she hadn't known she had.

Tetsuko and Kai stepped apart, and the Shogun's heir took a deep breath and commenced upon the hardest thing she'd ever done.

"Indigo, I am your mother, though we let everyone think that my twin was..."

Ten hours later both women had red eyes, and Tetsuko had a massive bruise about her right cheek and eye. Words and emotions had flowed fast and furious between the two. Indigo had mustered every logical and then emotional counter aurgument she could muster.

"You can hate me all you want Indigo, but your destiny -all you have been prepared for - is to take the throne and secure the Gates of Heaven. Giri." Tetsuko's tone was implacable patience, and she did not mean to be denied by a mere slip of a girl, even if said girl was her own daughter.

Indigo's shoulders slumped. She was too Novan to deny Giri, but it hurt as nothing else in her life had, and this was nothing she had ever even dreamed of, much less wanted. Slowly she took all her hopes and dreams, the only things she had ever wanted for herself and locked them away deep in her soul.

Part of her was glad that there was a very significant chance that the death she was going to wouldn't be reverseable. They didn't really need her living body. Kai could animated it enough to handle the security protocols and get the shield lowered.

Space shimmered before the Kuro Kaze, solidifying into an ominous black shape. The wedge-like central body radiated numerous black spines, like those of a sea urchin, spread out not unlike the pattern of a bat's wings. A transmission of hoots, clacks, and whistles was translated by Indigo's bolongo:--Your presence is considered an invasion. Lower your hatch and prepare for boarding.--

Morga indicated the regions. "To the Divine One, these are the optimal times and places for a sacrifice to be properly given and received. As you can see, if you send your people across this belt, the Zorak Zorani can run interference by attacking other areas-for some reason, a band of marauding trolls is considered 'bad joss'-so you'll encounter less resistance until you hit the sacrificial area-we can only draw off so many troops, I'm afraid.
"The astrological influences are as important as any other to the mindset of our foe. In truth, they are more important. There are rather strict limitations in place on Chaos's interactions with the rest of Reality. The truth of the matter is irrelevant, as it is our enemies belief that will guide their hand. We have constructed a meticulous model of the stars above the compound because we know this to be true, and extrapolated our theories based on the knowledge at hand. We know precious little about the Novan Emperor, but we know his allies rather well.
"If you're really all that curious as to the whys and wherefores of their strategy, I can supply some information. A sacrifice here, for example, would summon an Outer God to wed the Empress, while here, her soul would be fed directly to the Sleeper of Vhoorl for power." Morga passed his hand over the display. "Different factions within Chaos would require different times and places, and different purposes served. I could fully explain, but the arcanology takes millenia to properly process and assimilate the data."
OOC:One thousandth post! COOKIES!
OOC: Congrats OD! :) *takes cookie*
The Emperor just frowned and nodded. "In the end it is unimportant. I was merely curious. Your strategic plan should work well, I believe a, as you put it, "band of marauding trolls" is more than enough to distract them and draw their forces. My forces will need to get inside with as little, ah, friction as possible. Once there of course we will need to battle to free the Empress, but we're trying to execute this operation as cleanly as possible. Once the Empress is safe we will, of course, assist in the mop-up. Where, I wonder, will be the Novans as I know them? Will they be going after the Divine One directly?"

"Occupying the space fleet, for the most part." Morga replied. "There may be some land reinforcements, mostly saboteurs and infiltration-bringing down the sneeze guard, that sort of thing. The Divine One will be wherever the Empress is-someone has to hold the knife."
OOC:As I poured over the plans, the disposition of Novan forces was never mentioned-I am assuming they'll be taking the place of the Dynamic Revolution forces, or backstopping our forces, but no real idea.

OOC: Hmmmmmmm O.D. Cookies, yummmm!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Celestial Dragon turned about, floating lazily in space, opened one quarter mile wide opalescent eye and surveyed the ship dripping with spikes.

*You remind me of a snack I used to favor. If you wish to board..." and the jaws, starlight made solid opened wide, easily for the Muri ship to traverse the gullet of the god (http://www.atddm.com/heaven.jpg)

"Please feel free. We come in peace, as we always have for the Muri."

"Thought I am complimented that it only takes one of me to be considered an invasion" The Celestial Dragon laughed softly.

The ship spun expertly, adjusting it's position to dock with strange grace. Once aboard, it lowered a ramp that seemed to spin itself from the black matter of the hull, and soon mukade made their way down, bearing several metallic boxes on their segmented backs. Each bore a single troll mounted just behind the head, and after they'd disembarked, loaders began hauling pallets of large sacks.
--This will be a while. We have to make it appear we're thoroughly examining your vessel prior to escorting you out of the Yelm system.--A troll reported, running a hand along the corded braid hanging from a short rod.--This vessel is far too conspicuous, and the Ordo Annilla's damned secrecy... I trust the Sultan's activities are worth all this--

"You are welcome to take all the time you like." Commander Harkano replied. "My Lady Captain sends her apologies that she can not be here to meet with you herself. Is there anything we can do to make it easier upon you?"

"Is there anything that will make the Mukade and their handlers more comfortable?" The lighting in the area was red dim, and atmosphere warm and humid. "Our stocks of fresh raw meats have just been replinished and thus I hope will be most satisfactory."

Though the return trip to Xiscapia would be short, the Novans wouldn't dream of providing less than the best for their guests and allies.

"Occupying the space fleet, for the most part." Morga replied. "There may be some land reinforcements, mostly saboteurs and infiltration-bringing down the sneeze guard, that sort of thing. The Divine One will be wherever the Empress is-someone has to hold the knife."
OOC:As I poured over the plans, the disposition of Novan forces was never mentioned-I am assuming they'll be taking the place of the Dynamic Revolution forces, or backstopping our forces, but no real idea.
The Emperor nodded. "I believe we can handle whatever they may throw at us while we are there. The actual invasion is not difficult, for we have the vastly overrated element of surprise."

"Forgive me, Your Excellency, but we have no such thing. The Divine One is well aware you know he seized the Empress, and will be anticipating Xiscapian reprisals. The only thing he does not know is the involvement of Pamaltela and his own dissident factions in this. He got word from within Rio Casa itself-this very palace. In exchange for a total amnesty for the informant, I shall happily supply you with their name." Morga shuffled nervously. "Treason is one of your few crimes that calls for death, and I do have need of this person."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--I do apologize, but we are scanning the ship as we speak-a full disclosure of it's capabilities will be made available to the Voivode, should he ask for it. The scan will be held in Doraddi for security purposes. Any deviation from standard protocols would be noted, and thus, none shall occur. Once we disembark, our ship will escort you out of the Yelm system, and you will not be welcomed back until the Sultan returns to us. Once that happy event occurs, the Voivode himself would like to host the Lady Tetsuko, in the interest of fostering good relations between our peoples. We have been apart far too long--The officer winked--It is unfortunate circumstances do not allow us to compromise the Voivode's deniability as yet--

"Forgive me, Your Excellency, but we have no such thing. The Divine One is well aware you know he seized the Empress, and will be anticipating Xiscapian reprisals. The only thing he does not know is the involvement of Pamaltela and his own dissident factions in this. He got word from within Rio Casa itself-this very palace. In exchange for a total amnesty for the informant, I shall happily supply you with their name." Morga shuffled nervously. "Treason is one of your few crimes that calls for death, and I do have need of this person."
The Emperor waved his hand irritably. "None of this "Your Excellency" rubbish, just call me Foxfire," he shook his head. "I was not referring to total surprise, merely that the Divine One does not know exactly when and where we will be attacking from-" He stopped at the words of the troll about a inside informat, and total amnesty for the person. "Very well," he said finally. "Tell me this person's name. No harm, physical or not, will come to them." His face bore no expression as he waited for Morga's answer.

Commander Harkano, known far more for his dourness than smiles, smiled broadly. "Please feel free to give the scan results to the Voivode. My orders, with which I agree wholeheartedly, are 'anything our old friends wish, saving necessary personell can't be dinner. And we understand that deniability, and have no wish to compromise it." He reassured the Muri and then remembered somethign "Ah I have a gif6t in return, a small token of our esteem. "I have five Death Cry Oni in stasis. Excellent hunting and better eating I have been told." He took the tesseract cube from his aid and offered it with a polite bow- it really was more of a rectangle, a foot tall by about eighteen inches wide and about six inches thick- than a square cube.

Elsewhere aboard the Kuro Kaze...

"Hate you? Hate is not the opposite of love, the cold indifference I feel towards you is and that is all I will give you. You are not my mother, you were merely my incubator. A mother raises her child, you did no such thing." Indigo held up her hand sharply "Yes, now my memory is given back to me - all those countless lives - I remember as much as you do Tetsuko, I know that life time upon a thousand lifetimes ago I agreed whole heartedly to this, to be bound to this end we seek, but you? You get to have want you want." The looks she gave Kai had nothing friendly in it. But she managed to take the envy and set it aside as unworthy.

"Who on the Planes of Heaven knows what the Sun thinks, as he has comepletely disappeared. But I, life time after life time, have done what I pledged. Never wanting, never asking, anything for myself." Her voice held no self pity merely a resigned sadnessand acknowledgement that she would honor her vows, and shoulder her burden with no further compalint.

"I will be your celestial doorstop, but if you are ever again in my presence without my permission I will do what I have been fighting not to do- the proper Muri thing to do- tear out your throat, eat your heart, and pledge my self to Zorak Zoran.

And Tetsuko knew that Indigo meant every word.

The Emperor waved his hand irritably. "None of this "Your Excellency" rubbish, just call me Foxfire," he shook his head. "I was not referring to total surprise, merely that the Divine One does not know exactly when and where we will be attacking from-" He stopped at the words of the troll about a inside informat, and total amnesty for the person. "Very well," he said finally. "Tell me this person's name. No harm, physical or not, will come to them." His face bore no expression as he waited for Morga's answer.

Morga sighed heavily. "Very well-the informant is the Emperor Foxfire Rose. I'm afraid by squelching investigations into the sudden demises of the Divine One's operatives, you as much as told him A)you know he seized the Empress, and B)you're much deeper into his activities than comfort dictates you should be. Were he not occupied with other matters, we could expect reprisals in kind-what we call a 'Shadow War'. I have already extended our observations to contacts of the targets in anticipation of such an event-but our foe is oddly dormant. Either the Lady Tetsuko's list was most complete, or the Divine One is wholly invested in this activity." Morga shuffled nervously. "The course of prudence dictates our actions be based on the second, and I have adjusted our operations accordingly."

Commander Harkano, known far more for his dourness than smiles, smiled broadly. "Please feel free to give the scan results to the Voivode. My orders, with which I agree wholeheartedly, are 'anything our old friends wish, saving necessary personel can't be dinner. And we understand that deniability, and have no wish to compromise it." He reassured the Muri and then remembered something "Ah I have a gift in return, a small token of our esteem. "I have five Death Cry Oni in stasis. Excellent hunting and better eating I have been told." He took the tesseract cube from his aid and offered it with a polite bow- it really was more of a rectangle, a foot tall by about eighteen inches wide and about six inches thick- than a square cube.
The officer held up a warding claw, an oddly delicate movement.--In my current capacity, that might be misconstrued as a bribe. The Ordo Boztakangi and Sacred Motherhood are both sniffing around this matter too much for comfort's sake. To accept would offer them both opportunity they require to intrude where they are currently not welcome. I do apologize, but to involve either too deeply now would jeopardize everything. Perhaps, when this is over, I can accept, and reciprocate-I have an estate in Kralorela, and in Darkseason, the mosura swarm-it is a splendid sight, and an excellent opportunity for hunting-but that is for the future--

Commander Lord Harkano nodded in understanding. "When it will be not misconstrued then. But please let all involved know that it may never be adequately possible to express how much we appreciate your peoples aide. I hope most sincerely that we are able to have far more open contact in the future. "

The Muri at last indicated that the appropriate time had been spend scanning the Kuro Kaze and with the Muri ship as escort the, Novan Battle Cruiser was escorted to the edges of the system.

Where upon Tetsuko repaied to the starcrafts surgical suite, for her left eye and enough flesh to construct a synthoid head to hold the eye were quickly removed.

Indigo had courteously waved off the bevey of attendants that waited for her in the stateroom assigned to her. Once she was alone the tears rolled silently down her cheeks for a long time. However her training was not to be denied..."To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever-increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires effort. This is one of the things that discipline — training — is about."

She straightened her shoulders, and found a clean cotton cloth to soak with cold water and wipe her face and eyes with. She would make a memory garden in her soul, take all the happy times, the good times and weave a small place where she could retreat in the years ahead. Though part of her felt guilty of taking even that small bit for herself.

That done she settled into deep meditation, seeking to understand what she should do to make her prayers serve her people the best.

With a flash of overexcited protons the Novan Battle Cruiser vanished from the known universe into that infinitely hot, infinitely massive reality known to human theoreticists as DeSitter Space, and in no time at all, litterally, reappeared in the fringes of the Xiscapian system.

The massively encrypted and encoded message went out. The High Plains of Heaven and the Novan troops waited, and the one who would take them there would be in orbit shortly.

Morga sighed heavily. "Very well-the informant is the Emperor Foxfire Rose. I'm afraid by squelching investigations into the sudden demises of the Divine One's operatives, you as much as told him A)you know he seized the Empress, and B)you're much deeper into his activities than comfort dictates you should be. Were he not occupied with other matters, we could expect reprisals in kind-what we call a 'Shadow War'. I have already extended our observations to contacts of the targets in anticipation of such an event-but our foe is oddly dormant. Either the Lady Tetsuko's list was most complete, or the Divine One is wholly invested in this activity." Morga shuffled nervously. "The course of prudence dictates our actions be based on the second, and I have adjusted our operations accordingly."
The Emperor thought about this. "Damn. Only a fool hesitates in time of war, but to act too swiftly can also be doom. So, obviously, can acting without thinking. The sooner we can launch our assault, the better."
A servant appeared, the same one who had brought news of Morga's arrival. "My Lord," he paused, seeing the Emperor was in the middle of something. The Emperor turned. "What is it?" The servant rolled his shoulders. "The time has come, My Lord. The Novans have arrived." The Emperor gave a short nod and the servant vanished. He turned back to Morga. "I now regret my foolish actions, but there is no time now. Apparently the Novans are ready. So are we. Are your troops ready to board the carriers, and come with us?"

"A message to Daikaiju Island, and they will be assembled by the time the ship arrives." Morga bowed. "I shall conduct the affairs of the Ordo Annilla as required-I believe the term is Banzai!" With a brief swirl of his robes, the priest whirled and strode out the door.

Tetsuko's hand reached up to touch the black eye patch that protected the still sensitive tissue that filled the obit where her left eye had been. Then lightly she smoothed along the line of her neck, barely able to feel the invisible to the naked eye PALADIN armor that was her primary defense. The billions of Matrix crystals shimmered crystal silver blue and gold for a fraction of a second, then went quintessecent. She settled her veil about her face nodded to her image in the mirror. She was ready, completely armed and armoured, though of all the incrediblely formidible potent weapondry she carried, only the Honor Blad was obvious to an uneducated observer.

"My Lady Captain" Harkano entered as she turned away from the holomirror. "Lady Indigo and Kai have already transported down to Daikaiju Island to hear your final address. Once they are reaboard, the Kuro Kazi and the Xizcapian ships will StarGate to O'Kuni and begin Stroming Heaven."

"Be careful Harkano. While Death may be lighter than a feather, I have no desire to see your feathers blowing the the celestial winds. I'm going to need your good advice after the blood stops flowing."

The tall Samurai laughted, a predators delight at being unleashed. "I believe the proper reply is 'I have better things to do today than die!' and how could I dare deny the one who carries the Mandate of heaven."

With ritual courtesy he escorted her to the Transporter chamber, her wraiths as an honorguard about the pair. Robb was already there, and took his place a step or two behind her. If he was neverous, he was too Samurai to show it.

A fall of stardust and the pair found themselves on Daikaiju Island. The Wraits could have easly brought them, but they knew that every use of Power could be felt by those sensitive enough and they had no desire to allow the enemy any more information than could be helped. They would be awaiting Tetsuko and those she was to allow to invade the High Planes of Heaven on the Celestial Real, the Real where the Gods could hide their gathering from prying eyes - though not, even there, with one hundred percent sureity.

"A message to Daikaiju Island, and they will be assembled by the time the ship arrives." Morga bowed. "I shall conduct the affairs of the Ordo Annilla as required-I believe the term is Banzai!" With a brief swirl of his robes, the priest whirled and strode out the door.
The Emperor grinned as the Muri vanished. Several minutes later he was on Daikaiju island, along with the Muri. The Battleship was already in orbit, to act as an escort, an eye in the sky, and extra orbital firepower, if needed. The Emperor had lost his red robes and now wore the black armor of the Shadow Ops. His helmet visor was up, revealing his face, but when he was in battle and it was down he would be indistinguishable from any other trooper. His troops were in the field, checking and rechecking and triple checking their equipment one last time. The Emperor stood alone on a small grassy hill overlooking the large plain that the troops were on. He would go with his troops, into the glorious charge once more...except he had been a soldier. There is no such thing as a glorious charge for those doing the charging. It almost made him feel young again, with the heavy blaster rifle and battle armor, though the Emperor was not actually old. His armor held an incredible amount of weaponry, visible and non. Blasters, shurikens, knives, his sword, poison and poison-tipped darts, a flamethrower attatched to his rifle, grenades, explosives and personal shields...among a few others. From Xiscapia, the High Planes of Heaven, then the Novan homeworld, and after that...only time could tell.

Tetsuko stood looking at the troops - the Xiscapian Shadow Op, and she could readily tell which wsa the Emperor, but then again very little could be hidden from a Dragon, especially a Celestial one. Kai and Indigo were among the Muri, seeking Gerrak., but Tetsuko was carefully not paying attention to them. What would be demanded from Indigo would be hard enough for the girl to bear. Honoring Indigo's demand would make it some miniscule amount easier.

Her forces already waited upon the High Planes of Heaven, they had been gathering there for some time, being sent their clandestinely as possible, lest the energies involved become great enough to call attention they could ill afford.

"Robb, please escort the the Emperor Foxfire Rose to me. I have the talisman he and his troops will need to locate his Empress."

With a bow the young Samuria sought out the Xiscapian Emperor to deliver the lady's message. "Please sire if you will join her" He ushered the Xiscapian to where Tetsuko stood on a hill overlooking the assembled forces.

At the base of the hill where the Muri were assembled, it did not take Kai and Indigo long to locate Gerrak.

The Emperor nodded silently and followed Robb to where the Lady Tetsuko, standing on a hill higher than the one he had just vacated, was. He gave a respectful bow. "Lady, I understand you have the talisman nessicary for me to locate and save the Empress?"

Tetsuko's return bow ws equally deep and respectful.

"Yes the Talisman is finished. When you step forthe to O'Kuni from the Planes of heavey say her name with all your heart and soul and it will show you where she is. Follow that, believing in what it shows you. Our foes are past master of illusion."

She pulled forth from her robes a object of mirror polished silver. It was a Dragon Oroborous about a circle of misty silver blue grey crystal. (http://www.atddm.com/cdragon.jpg)

"Also please advise your men- While you are on the High Planes of Heaven you will possibly meet and interact with the Kitsune my people have long known. They will not harm you but they are like grandfather coyote- they love taking the pompous or those of over large ego down a notch or two. Don't make bets with them, you'll lose you tail to them, but if they offer you a ball, accept it - It will bring your their aid when you need it, and it may be that you can tap into the power inherent in the ball. Should some of the Kitsune decide to accompany your troops that will be good fortune. They are not mine to Command, being a family of Kami I have no ancesteral ties to.

OOC: Need to check that link phasing in the text.
IC:
The Emperor nodded. "I will tell my men this. It is interesting. For the longest time we thought we were the only kitsune in the known galaxy. And now you say there are others. Facinating," the Emperor nodded upon hearing about the bets and loss of tail and ball. "We have legends and myths describing gods with multiple tails, which came in threes and sevens and nines. We have also heard that they lose and regrow these tails whenever they do something honorable or dishonorable. Lastly, the ball is of great importance, and it is a most precious thing. Why, I can not say."

OOC: Thanks -Grrrr me and bbc tags have never gotten along.
And OOC r.e. OOC 4 in EatP: Go wash your mind out- as if I should have to say that it is all innocent and above board- one does not go seducing people while in old cotton kimonos and fuzzy bunny slippers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You are knowledgeable indeed. They seldom come to this Realm any more, they are one of the Elder Races and suffered terribly in the GodWar. But yes as they age and grow in honor and power they gain tails though I, personally, am not certain what determines the number of tails. I know but one of them well and she is not your usual Kitsune, I am given to understand. When this is over I shall have to introduce you."

"Many believe that the ball is the source of a Kitsune's power, but I have discovered that this is not true, though they can construct orbs to hold power, as an energy reserve. I have come to believe that the ball is a link to their element, as they are the elements made manifest. But I am no dedicated scholar of the Kitsune."

Her expression turned serious and she turned to another subject. "Foxfire Rose I wish on behalf of my people to tender you the most abject of apologies. That any of my people have sunk so low as to " Her gesture took in what mere words could not..."We have a tradition of sacrifice yes, but it is willing sacrifice, not this intended abomination." Her face was serene, but her eyes clearly showed the depth of her shame and outrage.

'My people are many things, and some of them less than pleasant, but some them are very very good. I do assure you sir, that there will be attonement. My word on that." And attonement among the Nova's was, by tradition, fatal.

OOC: Don't yell at Xis-I myself had odd thoughts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs4P8WKbF-w&feature=related) related to that post.
IC:The muri were all clad identically, in fine armor of black ceramics, the broad skirts cut for optimal movement. Other than a single red flame at the forehead of their helmets, they were all in black, indistinguishable. No rank or insignia did they bear, and a third of them were mounted on great spiders.
"Ho, Lady Indigo! Ho, Lord Kai! Heer tu giff a liddel pep tok?" the large mounted troll sounded very familiar, and when he removed his face plate, was revealed to be Gerrak.
(OOC:troll insignia is rendered in fine wires within the armor, so the trolls know who's in charge via darksense, but other observers see just a mass of identical troops)

OOC: Wasn't yelling at him perse... and darn ya, now you have me giggling too hard to type all but...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ho, Lady Indigo! Ho, Lord Kai! Heer tu giff a liddel pep tok?"

"Welcome my Lord, Sultan of Doraddi" Her eyes were warm above her veils as was her voice. She wore the traditional robes of a Novan Warror, veils hiding all but her eyes, and there was a lot more openly carried weapondry than had been her wont when Gerrak had last seen her-the bow of Rakhir and her honor blade were clearly visable over her shoulder.

She knew that seeing him would only hurt but she couldn't stop herself - her eyes didn't leave him, none of the others mattered. She memorized every thing she could see of him.


Her voice changed with her next words though."No that is left up to the Dragon." Indigo's voice was cooly composed, and a lot different than Gerrak might have remembered.

Her time on Pamaltela had changed her, and the last few hours even more. Though here there was not the walk she had walked on the Muri homeworld. With her dreams shattered there ws no reason for it

"I have a request Gerrak. Can I speak with you in private?" Kai asked in Shadow speach, moving closer to the great spide, so that only the two of them could hear one another. He wore the white armor that had been made for him on Pamaltela.

When they had some privacy Kai spoke with no preable. "Indigo is the only one that can bring the shield down. But nothing living can cross the shield. Only her dead body can pass through the shield. I can get through to her body, and attempt to bring her back, or if not animate it as needed. Hovever the Kagai will be waiting. I have a better chance with you at my side."

When they had some privacy Kai spoke with no preamble. "Indigo is the only one that can bring the shield down. But nothing living can cross the shield. Only her dead body can pass through the shield. I can get through to her body, and attempt to bring her back, or if not animate it as needed. However the Kagai will be waiting. I have a better chance with you at my side."
--My men will need me, but I shall instruct my officers and stay in communication-it is meet and proper for the leader to scout, especially to allow the army access to the war zone. I doubt the Novans monitor the insect frequencies we use. What measures are taken to preserve her soul? Reanimation is not an acceptable outcome.--Gerrak stared hard at the kami, a deep growl forming in his chest.--If need be, I can provide a soul crystal, but with such short notice, I am not certain it will hold her-and these things must be certain--

The Lady Tetsuko's list had been Very complete- the Muri weren't tho only ones with universe class intellegence operatives...And the Divine One was indeed very...involved with the various aspects of the ritual to come. "No don't step there." Everything had to be oh so very precise- for more than just his mundane life depended upon it. But the hazzards would be well worth it when he gained the reward his Masters had offered.

Throughout the Imperia certain ships began maneuvers that had their compatriots puzzzled - but no Novan Warcraft commander, no matter how political his rise in rank, was incompetent. But their misreading of the situation and other factors would have them not responding until far too late.... for most.

From other systems in the vast region of space governed by the Novans, came emergency reports of totally unexpected, inexpliciable, but overwhelming pirate activity. The targets had been chosen carefully and the best of the loyal forces were sippohned off to answer those calls. Their only crime, after all, was loyality to what they believed to be the truth.

Soon, soon the lethal dance amid the stars would begin, barely precourseing that on O'Kuni it'sself. As it would on the hundreds of planets that made up the Imperia as those of the Dragon rose against those of R'lyeh. And should the fighting be intense enough, the God's themselves might stride forth, ancient compromise or no.

.--If need be, I can provide a soul crystal, but with such short notice, I am not certain it will hold her-and these things must be certain--

Kai looked at the Muri, and admitted "I'm using you Gerrak, using you to ensure that she wants to come back. That desire to return will assure it, nothning else save the OmiKami's direct intervention can."

He looked over to where Indigo was stroking the Great Spider Gerrak had been mounted on and whispering to it. It did not seem to mind her presence, standing quietly under her touch.

"She has grown, changed Gerrak, and she is also terribly wounded. 'Loved I not honor more." The Kami would not speak that he knew how Indigo felt about the Muri. Emotions of that depth were private things, but he knew that there would be no chance for her to ever speak of such to Gerrak. And so he came the closest he could

--For a battle fought one soul at a time, each individual only has a choice as to their side--Gerrak said, fierce determination in his voice.--Very well, but speak not of my concerns to the Lady-it would offend her honor to think I had doubts, and I will contest such a slight, and prove her honor between wands.
--I will instruct my officers en route, then confer with you. My men will need certain observances to launch-an aid to morale. Excuse me...--
Gerrak stormed off to the center of the muri assembled. --Well, boys, up for a romp? Shall I speak of the perversity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AXPnH0C9UA) of our foes? Bah! You've all heard the stories, and we go now to see them for ourselves-Let us balm our souls with the blood of our Enemy!--
The muri cackled madly among themselves, as if Gerrak's words spoke depths of meaning not easily translated. Four large Great Trolls assembled around him, bearing long stone rods, fourteen feet long, which they slapped on the ground and together in a random-seeming pattern. As they set their tempo, Gerrak began to sing:
--It's not easy having yourself a good time
--Greasing up your bets and bettors
--Watching out they don't four-letter
--Fuck and kiss you both at the same time
--Smells like something I've forgotten
--Curled up, died, and now it's rotten
--I'm not a gangster tonight
--Don't want to be a bad guy
--I'm just a loner, baby
--And now you've gotten in my way--
He leaped into the midst of the smashing stone rods, his feet and hands deftly interweaving with them to the rapid intake of the muri's collective breath.
--I can't decide
--Whether you should live or die
--Oh, you'll probably go to Heaven
--Please don't hang your head and cry
--No wonder why
--My heart feels dead inside
--It's cold and hard and petrified
--Lock the doors and close the blinds
--We're going for a ride!--
The muri cheered as he flipped out of the grinding stone, and the Great Trolls brought forth triple blades of the same dimensions as the stone rods while Gerrak continued:
--It's a bitch convincing people to like you
--If I stop now call me a quitter
--If lies were cats you'd be a litter
--Pleasing everyone isn't like you
--Dancing Jigs until I'm crippled
--Slug ten drinks I won't get pickled
--I've got to hand it to you
--You've played by all the same rules
--It takes the truth to fool me
--And now you've made me angry--
He leaped into the clashing blades and danced and flipped among them as with the stone.
--I can't decide
--Whether you should live or die
--Oh, you'll probably go to Heaven
--Please don't hang your head and cry
--No wonder why
--My heart feels dead inside
--It's cold and hard and petrified
--Lock the doors and close the blinds
--We're going for a ride!--
As he flipped out this time, the Great Trolls hit studs, sending scintillating bands of energy through the blades.
--Oh, I could throw you in the lake
--Or feed you poisoned birthday cake
--I won't deny I'll miss you when you're gone
--Oh, I could bury you alive
--But you might crawl out with a knife
--And kill me while I'm sleeping
--That's why--
With a flip, he landed among the lethal energies, and his men chanted:
--I can't decide
--Whether you should live or die
--Oh, you'll probably go to Heaven
--Please don't hang your head and cry.
--No wonder why
--My heart is dead inside
--It's cold and hard and petrified
--Lock the doors and close the blinds
--We're going for a ride!--
The muri cheered and applauded as Gerrak flipped out of the deadly crisscrossing energies, and stood before them unhurt. They rushed him, raising him up and cheering him aboard the Kuro Kaze...

Indigo had watched Gerrak's dance with glowing eyes, serenely sure that he would dance unharmed. This was Gerrak after all and no one could have done it better.

Standing between Gerrak and Kai she looked up at him as they were transported up to the Kuro Kaze. "Thank You Gerrak for agreeing to come."

On the overlooking hill, Tetsuko had watched the dance with a small smile on her face, then looking away as Kai, Indigo and Gerrak vanished in the stardust fall of a transporter beam. A heart piercing knife of sorrow shown not on her face.

Turning back, she spoke, her voice carrying easily across all of those assembled, without raising her voice past a conversational level - but the command in it had all listening intently. "Brothers and sisters. Just remember you are here to make the other poor dumb bastard die." Then there was no woman, but an immense crystaline dragon and then they were where none but the Gods easily trod.

There waited serried ranks of crimson clad Samurai, nearly ten thousand of them, knelt in deep meditation. Another five thousand Anubi (http://www.atddm.com/Anubis.jpg) glowing to the sight with power, their Ankh wreathed with arcane energies. They were old, old allies of the Imperia - but hard pressed currently in their own war -and unable to send more. But they were skilled in the use of Power and each one a deadly warrior, with many years of battlefield experience behind them.

Dragons, their scales scintilating like living jewels as their great sinuous bodies floated through the sky or rose from the Plane itself ... Kami in various shapes, some fearsome to behold, others seemingly out of place- silken furred cats, small hares with long floppy ears, Brindle furred Badgers clustered around what seemed to be barrels of honey or sake... Hengeyokai and Kitsune in many guises and varying number of tails, and even those few Oni, Tengu,Gaki, and other Bakemono that had disowned their own so many of millions of years ago. Most would not be able to lend more than their moral support, given the Edicts, but there were those among then willing to break the Edicts should it become ...necessary.

The High Planes of Heaven can not be described by mere mortal words or concepts. It is the Realm where ALL is, the realest of the real, all of ones strengths, all of ones weaknesses, all of ones hopes and dreams, nightmares and horrors. This was the place of the Gods, not their children and many of the warriors, Novan, Xiscapian, Muri and Anubi alike would find this Realm uncomfortable unnerving and even harrowing. But while they might percieve their wait there as lasting a torment of time, in truth it would be short. But then again, on the High Planes of Heaven mortal perception is the last thing that can be trusted. Each would have to discover within themselves the strength of Will of Purpose and Resolve to withstand the Glory and the Power...and be able to leave Heaven to return to the rainments of mortality - to forget, caught within the limitations of mortal mind, the Limitless Light, and enfolding Dark -the eternal circle that ALL are a part of. Even Chaos, the Eternal Enemy...

But as the Forces of Heaven welcomed those that the Bearer of the Mandate of Heaven had brought, the Forces of Chaos howled warning, and those who would oppose them began their own assembly.

OOC: Thanks -Grrrr me and bbc tags have never gotten along.
And OOC r.e. OOC 4 in EatP: Go wash your mind out- as if I should have to say that it is all innocent and above board- one does not go seducing people while in old cotton kimonos and fuzzy bunny slippers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You are knowledgeable indeed. They seldom come to this Realm any more, they are one of the Elder Races and suffered terribly in the GodWar. But yes as they age and grow in honor and power they gain tails though I, personally, am not certain what determines the number of tails. I know but one of them well and she is not your usual Kitsune, I am given to understand. When this is over I shall have to introduce you."

"Many believe that the ball is the source of a Kitsune's power, but I have discovered that this is not true, though they can construct orbs to hold power, as an energy reserve. I have come to believe that the ball is a link to their element, as they are the elements made manifest. But I am no dedicated scholar of the Kitsune."

Her expression turned serious and she turned to another subject. "Foxfire Rose I wish on behalf of my people to tender you the most abject of apologies. That any of my people have sunk so low as to " Her gesture took in what mere words could not..."We have a tradition of sacrifice yes, but it is willing sacrifice, not this intended abomination." Her face was serene, but her eyes clearly showed the depth of her shame and outrage.

'My people are many things, and some of them less than pleasant, but some them are very very good. I do assure you sir, that there will be attonement. My word on that." And attonement among the Nova's was, by tradition, fatal.
"Do not be shamed on their behalf. Every race and people, no matter who, has their good and evil, heros and monsters, light and dark. It is the way of sentiant life, the way of the universe." He nodded and turned to watch as both she and Gerrak gave their "pep talks" to their troops. Before anything else could happen the Emperor spoke, and his assembled troops looked to him. "Well, I can't really top that," there was some muffled laughter, "but here is what we can say:
"I am a servant of the People, I am a servant of the Emperor, I am the servant of honor, my life is not my own, when the people have need of it. My life is given for the People, for my Emperor, and for my honor."
His voice was echoed back to him as his one hundred troops spoke the Warrior's Death Ritual that they knew by heart.
The Emperor bowed to his troops, and they bowed back, and suddenly, they no longer existed on Xiscapia.

(OOC:Oops! Fortunately, the goddess Arachnae Solara has an interest here, and has rewoven a slip of time so this post happens sometime between Kai talking to Gerrak and the Augury Dance. One should always have pie on hand for the Goddess of Time, just for such emergencies)
Gerrak turned to his officers.--You'll be arriving here-this small island. Immediately get the mukade to tunnel you here, to the center of the supply tube, and wait there for me. I want the mainland side locked down-it looks like they're grouping, send out squads to occupy them in Emergency Response-this tube should be a Killing Ground for our foes.
--When I've removed the sneeze guard, I will signal you-CH'ALTHOW-and you will send the Ordo Gorakikki's gift to the island side, and follow it. Deploy the communications drones-I want enemy contact to be through shouting only, and you all know what I want them shouting--the muri cackled at this--I will join up with you at the island side-Gormuu, wait for me(this addressed to his spider, who chirped in agreement). We have a base plan, but we're in unknown territory, so no heroics. Once we've got communications and this tube secured, we begin the attack in earnest-let the survivors frighten their children to bed for millenia with our actions this night. Now, get the mukade to work-we haven't all night.-- Gerrak left his men to discuss traps and tactics, and walked up to Kai and Indigo. "Me tayk kayr uff morale now, den we goezez."

OOC: For any one interested in a semi summary feel free to follow this link (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13359555&postcount=31)
OOC2: This is where this should have gone. Mmmmmm, pie!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Kuro Kaze had disappeared from the Xiscapian system in a flash of ruptured protons. Some what less than two mintues later, and 500 million Light years away in the O'Kuni system, it reappeared. Using the eye that Tetsuko had sacrificed the Kuro Kaze transmitted the proper authentication encryption and the System Defenses acknowledged and turned back to it's normal duties.

Seconds later the Kuro Kaze's transporter activated and in a fall of starlight they found them in a little used side room to the far end of the tube that carried goods to the Divine Ones Court.

"Kai, go make sure one of the transport sleds is waiting...please" Indigo's voice was one of command, and Kai merely nodded and slipped out the door. Slowly she lowered her veils and looked at Gerrak. "I...I have a gift for you."

Her eyes searched his face, once again taking a moment to memorize him, to drink the sight of him into her soul and memory.

"Zorak Zoran owes me a boon, anything within his power. He called you a good son, one with whom He was well pleased " She smiled impishly up at him "And yes I had that in person. He was kind enough to let me visit him. But there is nothing I want that He can give me, but you will be a great Voivode some day and will know when to use it best and what best to ask for. He will know the truth of your words, that I have freely given it to you."

Those that waited on the High Planes of Heaven greeted the new arrivals with ferocious joy.

Kitsune abounded, most in human fox form (http://www.atddm.com/jkitsune2.jpg), their swords ready. A group of multitailed officers (http://www.atddm.com/okami.jpg) stood watch over the younger, more restless warriors, and bowed in friendly fashion to the arriving Xiscapians.

Then they stepped back and bowed even deeper to the ancient, nine tailed Kitsune, bent with age, her fur purest siler, her eyes a faded moss green- though they were as sharp and observant as they had ever been. A cane supported her as she moved with a grace that her vast age could only hobble, never wither.

A pack of younger kitsune tried to help her but her cane licked out like lightening sending them scurrying. "One would think I'm on my death bed" She commented sharply but without malice. She norted "One would think that you youngesters would have learned by now. I'm too mean to die. Heaven can't hold me and Hells afraid I'll take over...as well it should be!"

Slowly she made her way to stand in front of the Xiscapian Emperor. "Hrmmmph! For a race that managed to come into being all on it's own, you haven't done half bad."

Other's of the forces stood in their own groups. wild Warrior Women (http://www.atddm.com/samlady.jpg) with their faces painted white, in armor of blue, crimson, gold and black. Their hair flowed wild about them and throwing weapons of a vast variety hung about their bodies. Near them normally solitary archers (http://www.atddm.com/wilde.jpg) sat checking the strings of their bows and the fletching of their arrows

The kitsune warriors barely blinked as they went from their world to the High Planes. They did, however, react to the fact that there were kitsune...here. Not kitsune like they knew, human formed but fox accented, but full blown fur and paws and claws. A kitsune would bow, and a warrior would bow back, and a kitsune would give a lighter bow, and the warrior the same, and so on and so on and so on...
"One would think I'm on my death bed" She commented sharply but without malice. She norted "One would think that you youngesters would have learned by now. I'm too mean to die. Heaven can't hold me and Hells afraid I'll take over...as well it should be!"

Slowly she made her way to stand in front of the Xiscapian Emperor. "Hrmmmph! For a race that managed to come into being all on it's own, you haven't done half bad."
The Emperor did not bow. Rather, he went down on his right knee, armor and weapons clanking softly together as he did so. "Not on our own, but with help." The Emperor's only specialized decoration was a tiny symbol (http://www.basehead.org/files/shots/1-yin_yang.jpg) on the inside palm of his right glove. This glowed for a moment, a soft blue, when he said the word "help." His warriors bowed in deference to the old kitsune, each bowing deeply and respectfully. "What is your name, kitsune-from-the-High-Plane?"
OOC: TG head your way, NN.

"Ah, young one I have many names, but most call me...Inari. And yes every race has had help - the Gods sow their love for Life widely. And Quon has been wiser than most, certainly gentler than the great majority. You do him proud." She turned slightly anticipating an arrival, a gentle smile upon her face. For despite her words, the Kitusne had allways loved the Younger Races well and Quon was one they well respected

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The meditation ranks of Samurai rose as one as Tetsuko appeared, then each went to one knee bowing their heads to the one they had chosen to follow.
From them came a low surrours of sound that gained in strength as the words could be heard...

This Sacrifice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1blSbM7EF5U)...Winterborn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_WW5M7lmv0)

Dry your eyes and quietly bear this pain with pride
For heaven shall remember the silent and the brave
And promise me they will never see, the fear within our eyes
We will give strength to those who still remain

So bury fear, for fate draws near
And hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls
Endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt
A better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember
And avoid our fate

And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith is come
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born

Hold your head up high-for there is no greater love
Think of the faces of the people you defend
And promise me, they will never see the tears within our eyes
Although we are men, with mortal sins, angels never cry

So bury fear, for fate draws near
And hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls
Endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt
A better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember
And avoid our fate

And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith in God
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born

And in the fury of this darkest hour
I will be your light
A lifetime for this destiny
For I am Winter born
And in this moment..I will not run
It is my place to stand
We few shall carry hope
Within our bloodied hands
And in our Dying, we're more alive-than we have ever been
I've lived for these few seconds
For I am Winter born

And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be the light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith in man
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born

Within this moment now
I am for you, though better men have failed
I will give my life for love
For I am Winter born
And in my dying
I'm more alive, than I have ever been


Tears ran unabashed from the Lady's remaining eye, as she listened to their dedication. These were the people she believed in with all her heart and soul, the ones she had defended down though all the countless lives, and would in all of those to come. This was what the Samurai had been, should be, and by the Heavens would be again.

Their gift of belief, dedication to her banner, was heady power, but she knew that she was just an instrument of that power, not it's owner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just view them both, and you will see why I had to post them both...

"Ah, young one I have many names, but most call me...Inari. And yes every race has had help - the Gods sow their love for Life widely. And Quon has been wiser than most, certainly gentler than the great majority. You do him proud." She turned slightly anticipating an arrival, a gentle smile upon her face. For despite her words, the Kitusne had allways loved the Younger Races well and Quon was one they well respected
"You do us much credit where there should be little. We have decidedly made some mistakes, many of them good for the nation...but bad for our souls. Our God loves us, though, and he demands little."
And there he was. In the Ancient Texts Qonn took many forms: Trees, animals, an entire mountain. He spoke though the wind and the crashing waves of the ocean, he spoke though the stars and the fire. He had many sentient shapes, to prove a point: Xiscapians, Alversians, Korr, North Calaverans, he had even taken the forms of Muri and Wraiths. He guided his people well, giving them a bump here or there, but he almost never acted: He advised, and told, but he rarely used his power to influence events outside of speaking with key people in a given situation. And for all this, he demanded little. He did not require sacrifice, nor mass worship or prayers. His temple was wherever the Xiscapians happened to be at the time, as they though him loved nature and protected it. Xiscapia itself was a temple to Qonn, a testament to his love and kindness. Only a few times has he ever shown his anger, and his wraith has exacted terrible toll on the Xiscapian people. He changed them to break free of their home planet's unique gravitational pull, and then guided them among the stars to a new home.

He was their God.

This time he appeared as an ancient Xiscapian warrior: Face anointed with black paint, dark hair tied into a topknot, his bronzed chest painted with red streaks. He was naked save for a loincloth, although this had not been a part of the warrior's garb. He had a knife in a leather ankle sheath, and a black katana by his side, the most modern construct. His eyes were a warm yellow, not the fierce burning ones that most Xiscapians had. His fox ears (or 'top' ears as they are called) were orange, as was his tail. He moved with all the lithe grace of a dancer, bare feet making no sound. The Emperor's eyes widened and he fell prone to the ground. The other soldiers saw these things and did the same, until all one hundred and one soldiers were lying on the ground in front of their God. Qonn spread his left hand expansively to include them all. When he spoke his voice was deep and rich, like melted dark chocolate.

"Get up. Do not prostate yourselves before me. Do what you do on Xiscapia. Bow," Every Xiscapian hurried to obey his command, bowing low and then standing at attention. Qonn reached out and touched the Emperor on the shoulder. "Foxfire Rose. You have done well. You made mistakes, you placed your priorities wrong, but what ruler throughout time and space hasn't? I warn you now, and heed my words: Dark times are coming for Xiscapia and it's allies. Indeed, they are already here, and all that is left is for them to embrace you. Of the outcome of it, I cannot say." This whole time he had been looking the Emperor right in the eye. "Take heart. For I am with you, and your allies," he spread both hands to gesture to the Muri and the Novans and the people of the High Plane, "are here. I will assist you in battle. You may wonder of my intentions, for I have never helped a fight or war, but there are things I can do and have done that I have not told you. Go in peace. Should you die, and your loyal soldiers, your souls will not be cast into the Forgotten Realms, but uplifted into the Golden Country, where you will live in everlasting joy and harmony."
The Emperor bowed his head. "My God is too good to a wicked kitsune. I can only thank you every day of my life for your help." he murmured.
Qonn laughed, a deep roar of mirth. "You are too modest by half, Emperor! But I understand. Do not fear when you walk in the Vally of the shadow of Death, for I am with you."

Inari watched, silently, the interplay between the Xiscpians and their Deity. She'd given him a deeply respectful bow at his appearance. But among Kitsune such as she courtesy only went so far, and she did have something to say to Qonn.

"Been a long time since you visited" She harrumpphed in mock miffedness, as she poked at him lightly with the walking stick that was a gnarled with age as she. ""You've always been welcome to drop by, have a spot of cha, and discuss the doings of one's sprouts." Her grin was toothy, and wickedly amused yet enduringly gentle and without a hint of censure.

"And since some I know can be so touchy...might I give this young one a gift?" She gestured gracefully towards Foxfire Rose.

"Well," said Qonn, radiating casuallness, if such a thing was possible, "I've been busy, you know? Last time I visited...eight thousand years, was it? I'm afraid I'm going senile in my 'old age.'" he laughed. "You are asking me if you may give one of my children a gift? You hardly need my permission, I know one such as you has...how to they say it, good taste, yes, in things." he winked impishly.

"And too long by half" The ancient one snorted giving Qonn a gimlet eye. "And old is only as old as does..."

"Might I see the Talisman you've been given?" Inari addressed Foxfire, and the Kitsune looked it over carefully but without touching it once he'd produced it from it's resting spot within his armor.

Slowly she nodded in approval "Well done work but...that which is made there can be defeated by opposition from there."

She reached into the broad obi that wrapped many times about her thin waist. Slender fingers brought for a small glowing orb, the lights within a myriad of pearlescent,rainbow hues. "Should your talisman fail...no ... it will fail eventually. Both sides are well matched Foxfire Rose, this win will not be made without considerable sacrifice." She shook her head sadly but continued "When the tailsman fails, just, as they say...follow the bouncing ball"

Lightly she dropped it into his had, and the Xiscapian could feel the energies percolating with in. It was no larger than a marble, but the potential contained with in was enormous beyond mortal comprehension.

"There is chance, and change, life and death, and every potential that ever will be with in that pebble." She spoke, warning filling her voice "Use it wisely, when at last you chose to break the Orb. You can change much...or nothing." Everything taunted, the Realm itself stilling, in a hushed exepectation.

Her vocie lightenend with a laugh and the moment passed as if it had never been "But it's really best at finding things, even one's hearts desire... or the last thing you'd expect" The last she added under her voice.

Now she spoke more loudly "And one additional gift, payment if you will for your helpo in this matter. We the Kitsune of the High Planes of Heaven, acknowledge you as brother and sister to us. You are welcome to visit, walk, and live among us. We offer our knowledge freely, our friendship and familial status freely, without let or hinderance."

The Emperor took the little glowing orb tenderly between two fingers, examining it. There was a almost magnetic vibration to it, and it felt warm but cool at the same time. He tucked it into a pouch around his belt, very concious of it's presence. "Thank you," he bowed. "This is a great gift, in form and function. I am sure it will be useful to me." He listened to her next words. "You show all the hospitality my own people do, and that is in their credit. Some will come here. The dead and the unborn, too. A mix, if you will. You are most generious in your gifts, and I fear I have nothing of equal value to offer you."

Inari laughed, a warm and welcoming sound that came from the depths of her being. " "You, my dear young one, give in full measure of return by your very striving. Gods that ask for returns on their gifts aren't god by my books, just 'other' that has power- maybe universe shakingly vast amounts of power, but not gods." She crinckled her nose and shook her head in a most firm manner, damning such beings with utter dismissal of them.

"Yes" She continued " we like best to see our gifts used wisely, responibly, generously but we also accept the sometimes painful understanding that they not be. Free will, the ultimate gift we've given our children - their right to make their choices- and maybe have to live with the consequences... for them and us. It's all part of being gods."

"But enough of seriousness... I bet you haven't done this in eight thousand years or so!" Inari exclaimed with a vulpine grin as suddenly snowballs flew with pinpoint accuracty to strike agains Qonn's and Foxfire's chests, and the Kitsune cheered with shouts of laughter

Suddenly the air of the High Planes of Heaven were filled with globs of snow beihng tossed in every which way.

Sometimes only play and laughter can eas the tension that builds before the onslaught of lethal violence. And what do you do to remind yourself that Life is just a game...you go out and play games...

Where did that come from!?
The Emperor wiped the snow off his armor, but for now he was no longer the Emperor. He was the nine-year-old Foxfire Rose, playing in the snow with his brother outside their home. He scooped up a pile, shaped it, and drew his arm back, looking for a suitable target. Qonn was standing with his back to him, engaged in a furious snowball fight with some kitsune from the Planes. Perfect. I had a snowball fight with my god today. What did YOU do? Foxfire grinned as he sent the snowball spinning to smash into the back of Qonn's head. The god gave a yelp of surprise and turned to see who was attacking him, snow coating his features. Foxfire waved and was smacked in the side by a snowball. He staggered and turned in time to see three of his own soldiers ganging up on him, throwing snowballs with as much speed and accuracy as they shot weapons. Soon everyone was covered in snow and laughing, unable to continue. Foxfire lay on his back, staring at the sky of the High Planes. Oh, I wish the Empress could have been here. She would have enjoyed this. Of course, he considered, if the Empress was here I wouldn't be here in the first place. Or would I? He looked around. Aside from his own soldiers, there was still the Muri and the Novans and the Kitsune and the warriors. Would I have come, if she was safe? Would I still have offered my forces and power? Yes, he decided, I would have. I made a oath that cannot be broken when I was made Emperor. And part of that oath includes fighting an allies enemies and pursuing and destroying evil where ever it may hide. I am just glad that a place such as this exists. Maybe some of the soldiers who die will choose to come here, instead of the Golden Country. I hope so. It does not seem like a boring place!

"Be welcome and thank you, once again for your aid, Prince Thoth Hau' Aum Horus" The Lady Tetsuko, Kami, Ruling Lady of Ryu Kinshasha in her own right, Kensai, Celestial Dragon, Bearer of the Mandate of Heaven, Captain of the Kuro Kaze and the Shogun's Heir bowed deeply to the tall, elegantly attired Anubi who gave his own bow as he joined her.

"It is good to see you again, lovely lady of Steel,and I sorrow that I have so few of my warriors free to send to your aid."

"Your father, the Serene Emperor and your people have their own war to wage, and you are also guarding part of the Imperia's borders. And you do so without being asked. That is the greatest gift." She praised him warmly, appreciating his generosity. They had known each other for some years now and he might well become one of her husbands in the future.

The Anubi's culture, like the Novans, allowed for multiple mates, and it would forge a dynastic alliance between the two empires. He also knew how she felt about Kai -the two were also friends and held no jealousy between them.

The pair stood watching their respective troops mingle, officers forming small knots as they discussed strategy - many even approaching their comparable among the Muri, delighted to discuss strategy and tactcis with the troops from Doraddi. After a bit Thoth and Tetsuko walked hand in hand reminescing and catching up on the doings in each others lives.

The Xiscapian snowball figtht was an attention getter,and many placed small wagers and cheered their chosen champions on, while some set up games of Chess, Go and Odongwallah, or read from e`books, or sparred to get a feel of different fighting styles.

Again pirates boldly struck at yet other instalations -some of the Imperia's most valuable mining operations, scareing their small handfull of operators into utter panic and making off with their entire current production runs. The nearly hysterical distress calls had additional fleets dispatched with utmost promptness. But there was also many subtle, startling oddities about the reports and orders to the fleets were inexpicably misrouted, misencoded, and misdirected.

Raids so deep into the Imperia hadn't occurred in nearly a hundred years, but the mines produced the rare metals used in growing starcraft hulls - specifically warcraft hulls.The Imperia's incredibly effecient military would not arrive in time however, the invader's unique ships like none ever seen either adding to the growing fog of war.

Elsewhere uprisings, planned and set into slow silent maturity over five generations ago, flashed into endgame.

Novans played the Game of Houses with a depth and invisiblilty that few others did. Losing Face was mostly lethal, and to be as utterly avoided as possible...and the Game was all about Face. A gentle, minute ripple in a pond's tranquil surface, unnoticed by even the most discerning of observers was more obvious than the crudest of plays in the Novan depths.

And now fleets the that had maneuvered into postion just hours before struck openly at their once cohorts, now enemies.

"There are no 'mitigating circumstances' when it comes to rebellion against a sovreign lord"
"Unless you win"

And they intended to in, they had to, for the sake of the Imperia.

Before Gerrak could really respond Kai came back into the store room. "Theres a sled ready, no one in the control booth. We dare not waste any more time." his voice was hard with anger and worry.

Indigo gave a small start and her eyes fell away from Gerrak. Quickly she stripped out of her Novan robs, to show that underneath she was wearing the armor crafted for her on Pamaltela. Soothing a finger along it she began taking it off to, leaving her in nothing but a thin silk shift. Suddenly afraid, and feeling more alone than she ever had she nodded. Her voice was a harsh whisper, as gooshbumps washed over her. "I'm ready"

She couldn't even swallow, but nodded once again. OmiKami, please, give any good karma that I've earned to someone who deserves it. I will willingly bear the bad. Please watch over Gerrak. Help me find the way to best serve my people She looked up at Kai, her face pale, shivering now.

His sword blow was a streak of barely followable light, shattering her heart. The pain was trememdous and she gave a cry that she barely managed to strangle, blood flowing for a second from her bitten through lip. Her eyes sought Gerrak's but they couldn't seem to track and her body slid limply towards the floor. And she was all alone in some place else...

Kai paid not attention to that as his other hand flashed out to catch something mostly unseen, something ephemeral. At first even his amazing reflexes did not allow him to grasp it and he cursed under his breath until he had it clutched in the palm of his hand. "Of course the OmiKami wouldn't waste anything more than a new soul on this" he muttered to himself.

Gerrak scooped up Indigo's corpse and hefted it over one shoulder. He looked disparagingly at the sled, and gently placed her in it before setting a silver sphere dotted with spikes on her lap.--She will be dead a while, and these things are inspected. This should clear the way for her.--
He set the sled in motion and turned to Kai.--Where to now, Revered One?--

Music to mood by... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhjCzBJGNlU)

"Where to now, Revered One?--

"You aren't going to revere me after this, you'll be too busy curseing me for a loon" Kai's eyes glowed with inner energies barely contained- in a manner that was most disconcerting- as they had not even when he had first returned, still struggling to mold a mortal body about himself.

No he was no ones little war kami...

Forcefully he slapped the hand that held what he had caught against Gerrak's chest "Here right now she's pissed as all chaos at me, not that it isn't warrented, but she'll rest easier there."

Then whirling about, his sword screamed and rent open a doorway between realities...

"Follow me if you dare!" His words were almost a taunt as he letp through with a wild battle cry...for Chaos never sleeps and was ready and waiting for them...

Pardon me boy
Is that the lair of Great Cthulhu?
In the city of slime
Where it is night all the time.
Bob Hope never went
Along the Road to Great Cthulhu
Triple A has no maps
And all the Tcho-Tchos lay traps
You'll see an ancient sunken city where the architecture's wrong
You'll see the fifth dimension if you stay there very long
Come to the Conventicle
Bring along your pentacle
Or you'll be dragged off by a tentacle.
There's a mountain in the middle with a house on the peak
A thrashin' and a gnashin' and a clackin' of beak
Your soul you will be lackin'
When you meet that kraken
Ooh! Ooh! Great Cthulhu's startin' to speak!
So come on aboard
Along the Road to Great Cthulhu
Where wendigos and dholes
Will make Big Macs of your souls!
(OOC:sing it to the tune of "Chatanooga Choo-Choo")
Typical of Chaos, Gerrak thought. Everything's a lame joke, and it's all deadly serious. I hope Kai knows the guardians are on the way out-Chaos doesn't care who enters, but it doesn't like it's prey escaping.

What Gerrak, think I'd take you on this little Pas De Morte without a warm up session?" Kai's voice sounded in the Muri's mind. "Ignore the scenery unless it decides to be more than such. But we won't be here more than a few steps - the entrance is the exit and those here to man the welcome wagon are those who intend to keep us from the joys of egress. If they can

What can one say of the raw stuff of Chaos...Don't think or your thoughts will be made manifest in the last way you ever expected them to be? Don't do for every action has an equal and opposite reaction? Don't don't for to do nothing allows Chaos' to prevail?

Life, as we know it, wasn't meant to be in this realm, this alternity...all that we were designed for is 'other' than this place, we can't even visit safely, much less reside here. The mind clings to what it knows, what it has expereinced and tries to frame all new data within those parameters...but here in Chaos it can't and for for a time the sneses are stunned, helpless and open to manipulation ...The body subject to forces it was not designed to openate under simply knows pain, a racking fire that overwhelms the mind, stressing it out even further...

Chaos doesn't follow the laws of any Physics known to man, or any one else

Pressure built up- but was it in the mind, or in the body? Real or illusion? The mind couldn't tell and the senses probvided no definite answer. The zone of instability expanded with each pulse of the hearts of those observing it, microscopically at first but with gathering speed. It would expand then contract every so slightly, expand, contract, expand contract, but each expansion ws a little grearter than the following contraction.

Thud dump! shwoosh thud dump! swooosh Thud Dump!

Ever closer the the chill of nothingness grew...

Then about them half sensed figures, real or illusion, or illusion made real... lunging at them out of the fog of the mind with the claws that catch, the jaws that bite and time only to react...

Kai's sword wailed, licking out like a flicker of living light to amputate some of those clws and sheer though still unseen though felt -as the reverb of the blade impacting nealy unyielding substance raced back up Kai's muscles bones and nerves - and what passed for blood here splashed across the white armor that Kai wore. A deeper, and pain filled, scream echoed that of his blade as once again it lasked out as Kai finished the move.

Razors masquerading as claws swept out of the dense whitness of the mist to smash against Kai's armor but the Muri forged protection held fast, turning them aside.

Now the attention turned to Gerrak...

Jaws, seeking to devour the Muri whole gaped wide at Gerrak, a massive tail disturbing the deceptively serene murk as it lashed round to catch the troll off guard and take him off his feet

"Piffle." said Gerrak in a bored tone. "I am not here to play games of perception, Old One. You and I both know how fruitless that is. I have wandered the God Plane for eight years-not long by your standard, but half my life. You'll need something more than this for me."
Crisscrossing lights dodged about, several beams converging on a single point, where stood a man in a tuxedo. "Well, then-how about Open Mike Night at the Hellfire Club?"
Gerrak charged on, towards the figure in the spotlight. It lowered it's sunglasses. "Wellwellwell-you've decided to pass the rules-always acceptable here, but out there..."
"This is not your concern-let us pass."
"Attempts to escape are my concern." the figure lowered it's sunglasses, eying the pair studiously. "If you would pass, you must defeat me..."
Gerrak bowed his head. "I would pass."
The air shifted, and the world violated their world-view, subtly, as Reality adjusted to the whims of the Lords of Chaos. The tuxedoed man spoke: "I am the wolf, hunting his prey..."
Kai moved to action, but Gerrak waved him off. "He is the one challenged, it is his right to begin. We will escape by defeating Chaos at it's own game-do not fear."
He turned to the wolf, Reality shifting to their bizarre challenge. "I am the Rider, wolf-slaying, persevering..."

OOC: Hollyweird forgive me but...I just can't...watched The Shining once too often maybe...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Music pounded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hynqSB8wxTU) as Gerrak challenged the Elder (http://upload.moldova.org/movie/actors/j/jack_nicholson/jack_nicholson_8.jpg)....who's formal attire vanished at a whim, as a smile spread over it's face (http://www.atddm.com/jacnik.jpg)

Kai nodded, willing to allow Gerrak the honor. This would be most interesting to see...but he would not leave his brothers back unguarded so he faded into the mists of perception and with a Logos set his own protections about the sphere.

"I am the spider, small and unseen," the Elder intoned solemnly. "Horse stinging, rider throwing."
"I am the Bat, lord of night, favored of Annilla." the odd blue power of that strange goddess suffused (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kkToq-JGvM) Gerrak's form, as his fangs crunched on spider chitin. "Devourer of spiders."
(OOC:thought I'd keep to the theme-this fight is going on in many levels in different ways, after all. Wish I could find a still of werewolf Jack from "Wolf", though.)

The Elder screams, unheard...at least in this Reality, but else where three civilizations shuddered into dust..

"I am Serpent, crushing and devouring all that I choose."

and Gerrak found himself staring into the maw of a giant serpent as about him muscle bound coils writhed to pin his arms to his sides and begin crushing the breath from ...him...but is perhaps a weakness, a slowness of movement...

This one is old and clever. Perhaps a change in tactics is called for. Gerrak wheezed out carefully:"I am a world, the balance of life and death is encompassed in me. I accept and endure."
The weight on his body was still felt, but it was now the balance of Life and Death, the circle of Creation, and a part of him barely noticeable. The Elder won the struggle, but it was so little in the entirety of what Gerrak now encompassed, and even that victory was now part of him. He could feel the wrath of the Elder, as it struggled to defeat this new form...

There was but unbeatable recourse, though it was the most dangerous even a Lord of Chaos could attempt, and panicked,the Elder submerged himself, reaching for that which would defeat...

And a golden, sighing voice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goHYC6sfS2Q), only half heard, but with the all the force it needed.."Presumption NOT allowed" and Time fell silent once again...

Again the Elder shifted, moving to counter, bringing forth his True Self...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bravo OD! Bravo!

Standing ovation!

OOC:
:confused:
So...uh, where do I come in at?

LOL I was tangled up in finding this...

Oh so appropriate... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjsC4CQzzG4)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tetsuko had stilled the moment she felt Kai's actions, though they had been planed and prepared for she had not really understood the onslaught on her soul. It hurt and she found herself unbearably afraid for her mate. However she was Samurai, and that fear was ruthlessly examined and shunted aside.

Her voice, trained to carry across a battlefield without it being appreciably raised rang forth.

"Attend Me! Formations please, look to your officers. Remember that the vast majority are going to be far more afraid of you than you are of them, but those that are dangerous truly are DANGEROUS. And my people have never been fond of Gate Crashers."

"And we're about to be the biggest gate crashers in history" Robb's light tenor carried as well.

The Samurai laughed as the fell back into formation readying themself for what was so shortly was to come.

While it may have seemed as if hours had past those waiting realized, when they thought on it, that only a handfull of minutes had...

Hearing her, the Xiscapian troops formed into perfect ranks, twenty-five soldiers wide, four lines deep, with the Emperor at the head. Each soldier was armed to the teeth (quite literally, as some had actually poisoned their teeth in case they needed to lethaly bite someone) and looked rather intimidating in their deep black armor. They only got more intimidating once you actually had to fight one. They were the Shadow Ops, the best warriors Xiscapia had to offer. The Emperor unsheathed his sword and held it high. "If you want peace..." he roared,
"PREPARE FOR WAR!" echoed his soldiers.

And just a little more, phase 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiepOkymDp4)

http://www.atddm.com/katsword.gif

Tetsuko looked at them and bowed deepl, honoring the Xiscapians willingness to fight and quite possibly die.

With deep formality she repeated the honor to every group there- for in the end, what could you say? Words simply weren't suffecient. Her gift in return was to to win, so decisively as make sure as few of them paid the ultimate price as possible. Her people knew that and knew without words that she meant for them to be as ruthless as need be - to kill in order to preserve life. For the Novans this would be no holds barred, no prisoners taken.

Only the Kitsune of the High Planes, and the Anubi, of those here, had ever seen Novans make war. Neither of them would be surpirzed at the savagery of Novan combat. Prince Thoth Hau' Aum Horus (http://www.atddm.com/anubis12.jpg) his spear beginning to glow with mystical life bowed deeply in return and his troops took up a barked roar that shook the planes. "Ma'at!"

http://www.atddm.com/katsword.gif

Mood music2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50lHWjH_RNQ)

Qonn himself raised his own sword, which glimmered with a swirling white energy. He grasped the blade with his right hand, drawing blood which dripped slowly onto the ground and evaporated abruptly. With each crimsion drop a soldier received unpresidented power. It was Qonn's job to protect them. Undoubtably some would die. But he was there to make sure there mission was a success, even if it did mean the cost of every warrior. On their black armor, or on their skin, somewhere, was the image of Qonn, glowing blue and swirling with the Balance: Light and Dark, Life and Death, Order and Chaos, Creation and Destruction. The Emperor bared his teeth in defiance of those who would wish to destroy them. Normally he would lift his Force holds and let some of his troops feel the bloodlust, but they needed a clear head to get though the defenses and save the Emperess. So he kept it all himself, bottled up and waiting for the right time. They were ready. The time was now, or never. Hold on, Jade. Resist them with every iota of your strength. I am coming. And they...shall...pay!

Kai and Gerrak had exited Chaos easily after the Muri had won the contest. Kai was still shaking hiw head over that last change. Brilliant, underhanded, devious, wiley, so very very appropriate and the last theing he'd expected of the Troll. But then again he has some very unexpected depths even for a Muri Kai though appreciatively as the Kami watched Indigo pass the first security checks.

He and Gerrak had exited just where he'd planned to. The sled bearing Indigo's corpse had been surrounded by dead servants. They had died so quickly that no one had time to raise any alarm. Gerrak's last minute little gift had been the perfect accompaniment. He had barely been able to recapture Indigo's soul back out of Gerraks chest - the fact that it was a brand new, never used, karma-less soul made it so very hard to keep ahold of -but he was not inexperienced in what was required.

Shortly, her shattered heart was mended, and her soul reensconsed - though Indigo was dazed and light headed, and Kai rather drained. Indigo was slowly proceeding though the failsafes to where the final security barriers and the shield controls waited. Then she was in, her DNA accepted and the controls overridden and the shield down.

http://www.atddm.com/a12.jpg

On the High Planes of Heaven the Dragons Roared, Tetsuko joining in, a battle cry that shook the skies asnd a vast gate began opening...

"AAAYYAHAHAHHHHH!"
The troops screamed together, getting pumped, getting angry, getting ready. Normally they would be getting over fear and doubt. But these were Shadow Ops. They had not fear, no doubt. You had to be very confident and just a little crazy to be a Shadow Op. They charged though the Gate even as it opened, and fell into the void.

Don't hear, don't deem. Drown in before you dive.
Don't care, commit to your self destruction drive
I kiss the ground with love beyond forever
Flip off the sky with bleeding fingers till I die

The voice came eerily out of the blackness, dark and low and growling. The voice from nightmares. The soldiers all looked around, faceless behind their black helmets.

Enemy, take a one good look at me.
Eradicate what you'll always be,
Your tainted flesh, polluted soul through a mirror I behold.
Throw a punch, shards bleed on the floor
Tearing me apart but I don't care anymore.
Should I regret or ask myself
Are You Dead Yet?

"Steady men..." murmered Foxfire.

Wake up, don't cry. Regenerate to deny the truth,
The fiction you live in blindfold your eyes.
Disclosure, self loathing. This time you've gone too far.
Or could it be, my nemesis that you are me?

The soldiers snarled though their comms and shook their fists, their guns, their swords. They stomped their feet and slashed their tails, flattened their ears and clenched their fists.

Enemy, take a one good look at me.
Eradicate what you'll always be
Your tainted flesh, polluted soul through a mirror I behold.
Throw a punch, shards bleed on the floor
Tearing me apart but I don't care anymore.
Should I regret or ask myself ARE YOU DEAD YET?
The last four words came roaring out of the starless immaterium like a physical force. Images flashed...

Wordless shouting, figures running, dirt and soil blasted high. Terror and pain and helplessness...

A burning city street cast against a orange-red sky. Bodies lay everywhere, disfigured hidiously by an unknown force. Disgust and horror and death...

Creatures bounding though trees, nameless things from the skies, tearing apart the women and children, killing indiscriminitly, forcing worms down throats. Guilt and fear and destruction...

And...

Chaos.

The word rose, thousand of miles high, and an armless cyborg stared down from his dark throne, a great red eye searching endlessly.
Time and space itself tore apart and imploded in on itself, twisting and warping the very inticrite fabric of the multiverse. There was no escaping it...
And a poem came to Foxfire's mind, as suddenly as if he knew it, but it was one he had never heard:

The dark is generous.
Its first gift is concealment: our true faces lie in the dark beneath our skins, out true hearts remain shadowed deeper still. But the greatest concealment lies not in protecting our secret truths, but in hiding us from the truths of others.
The dark protects us from what we dare not know.
The second gift is comforting illusion: the ease of gentle dreams in night's embrace, the beauty that imagination brings to what would repel in day's harsh light. But the greatest of its comforts is the illusion that the dark is temporary: that every night brings a new day. Because it is day that is temporary.
Day is the illusion.
Its third gift is the light itself: as days are defined by the nights that divide them, as stars are defined by the infinite black though which they wheel, the dark embraces the light, and brings it forth from the center of its own self.
With each new victory of the light, it is the dark that wins.

Wake me up
Light and Dark in equal measure
I can’t wake up
Life and death the endless wheel
Save me
Peace and war all things in their time
Wake me up
Today is a good day to die...
I can’t wake up
I've got better thing to do than die!
Save me
Save yourself from the nothing you could become...

The fall was endless but less than a heart beat, a cold that burned and a fire that froze..and did it really mean a thing...as cold indifference sought to turn them back..

Every single night, the same arrangement,
I go out and fight the fight.
Still I always feel this strange enstrangement,
Nothing here is real, nothing here is right.
I've been making shows of trading blows
Just hoping no one knows
That I've been going through the motions,
Walking though the part,
Nothing seems to penetrate my heart.

I was always brave and kind of righteous,
Now I find I'm wavering.
Crawl out of your grave, you find this fight
Just doesn't mean a thing...

And then Foxfire Rose felt Jade scream...

and they landed somewhere...

And, suddenly, they were there. Their thereness was complete, all soldiers had made it though, though with no small amount of sweat and disturb. Foxfire looked around. They were on a flat peice of ground, grouped closely together. The ground was just dirt, and surronded by four monoliths with runes on them. If one looked at them right, they could almost have been trees. The Shadow Ops immediatly spread out among the area. (http://www.atddm.com/37a1a.jpg) Foxfire himself stood in front of one of the trees, and noted beautiful wooden wind chimes over his head, hanging from a tree branch. One of his soldiers jogged up to him. "My Lord, our landing site appears to be deserted. There is no one here that we can detect."
Foxfire nodded. "Fan out into squads of five. I want each squad within sight of at least two other squads. Stay close, but don't clump," He turned on his inner comm, broadcasting to all his soldiers, although no one outside the comm frequency could hear it. "Troops, situate yourselves. This is the starting point on this little battleground. Get a feel for the land, but not too much. We're moving out." Then the soldier broadcasted his orders and they were followed with the efficincy the Ops were famed for. The air was warm, but not unpleasantly so...not that any of the soldiers could feel it though their armor. The area seemed very peaceful, so far anyway. A lightly forested set of hills. Without further ado, the soldiers, in their squads, began to walk in the general direction of the actual Palace buildings. Scanners, sensors, eyes and ears, Force sense and sight were all activated to percieve incoming threats. As it was the Ops made themselves virtually invisible against the background, as was their specialty.

The buildings appeared to be in perfect maintence, but strangely still. There was just enough naturalness about the sceen to make it 'real' not some mental imagery or fantasy... There was infact a few weeds, just a few, growing in the nearest flower bed... though after a fewminutes careful advance the Xiscapian Special Ops could hear the sound of a musical instrument, a samssien perhaps being played some where more towards what seemed to be the center of the city in minature...

A peaceful scene, maybe two peacefull, for the greatest dangers are those not sensed until to late....a trio of -barely seen though their camoflauge enemy troops, seemingly as well armed as the Xiscapians, but far more knowledgeable about the terrain - opened fire...

Elsewhere across the vast Island alamrs sounded and for the first time in 3,000 years the Courts defenders sprang forth to battle...

The buildings appeared to be in perfect maintence, but strangely still. There was just enough naturalness about the sceen to make it 'real' not some mental imagery or fantasy... There was infact a few weeds, just a few, growing in the nearest flower bed... though after a fewminutes careful advance the Xiscapian Special Ops could hear the sound of a musical instrument, a samssien perhaps being played some where more towards what seemed to be the center of the city in minature...

A peaceful scene, maybe two peacefull, for the greatest dangers are those not sensed until to late....a trio of -barely seen though their camoflauge enemy troops, seemingly as well armed as the Xiscapians, but far more knowledgeable about the terrain - opened fire...

Elsewhere across the vast Island alamrs sounded and for the first time in 3,000 years the Courts defenders sprang forth to battle...
There was the distinct noise of a blaster being fired and one of the Shadow Ops took a bolt to the chest. His armor saved his life, but it still put him down hard, bruising and knocking the wind out of him. His ssquad mate was not so lucky, taking a shot to the head and dropping, his brain a charred, smoking mass. The source of the shots was spotted and a storm of fire, from rifles and sniper rifles, flew towards the three soldiers. For one to be good at hiding ones presence, one must also be good at spotting others. The alarms were going off. The enemy knew they were here, and the vastly overrated element of surprise was gone. The Ops spread out, some cloaking themselves, others turning on personal shields. Personal shields defend against physical attacks, like bullets, shrapnel, swords, acid, ect., but a plasma bolt would go straight though them. There was no telltale wavering of the air of those cloaked, only the slight pressing on the ground where their feet where. Snipers hung back or climbed trees to get a better view. Foxfire held his rifle out in front of him, scanning for enemy soldiers.

The trio of beings- for they weren't soldiers at all, though they had projected the image of something closely resembling the Xiscapians- scampered away their only weapons currently exhausted...They weren't even originally there for the suddenly appreaing Shadow Operatives, their target had been the player of the Samisen, now fallen silent as the muscian huddled in utter astonished fear at the sounds of combat so near his remote habitation. Many lesser lights of the Court had found themselves in such semi exile once they grew to old, or simply no longer amusing...

However they would alert more dangerous foes of the location of this group of invders and those sent (http://www.atddm.com/vic1.jpg) to deal with them would be far more dangerous (http://www.atddm.com/vic2.jpg)

The alarms that sounded weren't heard over the island, only in the vast network of subterrainian halls, storerooms, dormitories, and of coursse the vast network of the military regiment that protected the island. The mechs and other machines of war that the regiment considered the 'calvary' portion of their unit were brought to life, but as poslished at this as they were, drilled to within millimenters of perfection, still took some little time - time that gave the arriving Muri just the barest chance to regroup and begin their actions.

Just the barest amount of time for Kai, Gerrak, and a still lightheaded Indigo, to find one of the many passages to the surface - easily found in the underground, for there their entrances were not concealed as they were above. Like all in the underground it wzs clean, well lit, and drably serviceable, a wide upward running flat floored tube, that zigged back upon itself several times so as the 'rise' would not be too steep for supply carts.

"Forward!" Foxfire Rose growled, kneeling beside his fallen comrade. There was a quick flash of fire and the fallen soldier was gone, disintigrated in a swirl of flame. Foxfire plunged his hand into his belt and held up the glass vial of blood. There was nothing apparently remarkable about it, but Foxfire unconciously felt that north was the way to go. His troops fanned out in a line, alert and determined. If another ambush happened, which it undoubtably would, they would be ready. The black armored soldiers ran though bushs, up hills and around trees with speed. There true capabilities had yet to be used, and all were fresh and itching for combat.

The Xiscapian forces had covered several kilometers, still drawn strongly in one direction by the tug of blood ...but then in an instant the enemy was among them, laying one of the Shadow Operative dead before any could react...

The creature (http://www.atddm.com/vic1.jpg) didn't seem a match, but it moved with lighteing quickness and it's claws slashed though the Xiscpian armour as if backed by monomolecular wire. Blood gouted as it next swing all but disembowled the next nearest trooper. It's bellow as it struck rattled all that heard it.

Though that which accompanied (http://www.atddm.com/vic2.jpg) the scarlet and black armored figure was silent, the spear of turgid green light that lashed out from the staff like weapon it carried left those it touched writing in pain and screaming endlessly..

Three soldiers had been killed, cut down before they could react. The beast of claws was fast, true, but it had had the element of surprise. And the kitsune were equally fast, and just as deadly. A soldier occupied a space for a moment, and then, as the monster slashed, as now on the opposite side. The thing turned with a lunge and split apart, ripped cleanly though the middle by the blade. Still soldiers fell to the other monster, not dead but incapacitated by pain. Foxfire Rose held out his hand and, with deadly purpose, clenched it closed. The staff snapped like a twig and the creature was held immobile by the Force radiating out of the Xiscapian Emperor. The soldiers stopped screaming and could only lie on the ground, panting heavily and wincing as they tried to rise. Watching it, he coldly twisted his other hand. The thing's spine broke and it settled to the ground, backbone sticking grotesquely out of it like a flag pole. The soldier which had killed the screaming thing wiped his blade comtempiously on the beast's hide. Cleaning your blade with the skin or armor of your fallen opponet was the ultimite dishonor to the memory of the defeated warrior. And warrior this was not, a savage, unthinking animal. Three more soldiers went up in the dance of flames and the Shadow Ops grimly pressed on.

Tunnel duty was dull, no way around it. Monitor an inactive area, waiting as the protocols resumed, listen to the dull experiences of the Jannissary overseer sounded through-most of them regarded Tunnel duty as a punishment, and saw ways to provide their past experiences through denigration of their current duties.
As the reports of invasion came in, their overseer became most vehement on his being "strapped down" to this post, but he fell silent as it became apparent nothing would be so foolish as to attack the main Tunnel.
His silence bothered a nearby technician, who turned to note a carpet of red pouring into the overseer's armor. A carpet of small individuals, guests from what trolls called "The Heart of Chaos", pile driver ants whjo were reducing the overseer to particulate matter as troll-dust rendered the tech unconscious.
--War sure is easy when there's no opponent. eh?-- The troll scout feeding on the tech inquired.
--The Sultan said he'd clear a way for us-you doubt him, imp?--the sergeant growled.--I don't like him not being here, but the orders are precise...--
He pressed a button, and drones spilled out of the tunnel, round spheroids with bands resembling rotating gears, their only purpose to override Novan frequencies with the muri message (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHw5TWtU_MU)...

Some orders had gotten though before they were cut off, at least temporarily by the chaos of the message being broadcast across the frquencies. And the message in and of itself provided mass confusion, it made no sense at all to them..

But some of the troops managed to get to their posts, and into their Dai'Kodas as they called their Mechs and these has sensors that could penetrate, if not perfectly, the cloaking devices of the Muri.
~~~~~~~~~~~


Gerrak, Kai and Indigo met their first sign of opposition as they emerged onto the island of the Court itself. Five figures stepped out to confront the trio...

"Why Kai, we thought you'de never get here," Purred the central figure, as they fanned out to block their way. And little Indigo," The voice ws mocking, dismissing her s any sort of threat "but who is this you've brought? Dinner?"

Jade struggled firecly as she was pulled from the cramped filthy cell she had been imured in. She ws weak though. No food and precious little water had been afforded her and her captors more ..unpleasant ...attentions had left her bloody and bruised. One hand had nearly every bone it it broken, and her hair had been cut off close to the scalp.

lances of sickly green light again sent some of the Shadow Ops writhing in pain, as they struck from concealment. These were more canny, their shields active and protecting them from the Emperor's deadly bending of the Force to his will...

The sensation of invisible, tourturing pain is one of the most unpleasant things which can be felt, and it struck though shields and armor as if they weren't there. Should one having warning before the strike it was possible to resist the feeling, to bull against the pain and keep going. But the silent bolts gave no warning of their passage until they connected. While the creature's shields gave them some protection from the Force, it gave them no blockage from physical forces or concealment. The things attacking them were shot, brutally put down by blaster bolts and grenades which shredded their targets and the surronding landscape.
Cell...
To say Jade was in a bad way would have been a monsterious understatement. The last thing she knew she had been fighting her captors in the Palace gardens, and then she was here. During the trip between she had been knocked out, blissfully unaware of the events around her. She woke naked, weaponless and in binds. For the duration of the time her kidnappers had her custody it was something akin to how the Korr treated their prisoners during the wars. Simple brutality. She was bruised, bloodied and battered, almost all the bones broken in her right hand when she had tried to fight back. Jade had been humiliated by the cutting of her hair, the disgusting state of her cell and finally herself, her guards jeering and...the other.
Of the Three Great Atrocities, this was second only to Slavery. And the wages of such was death in the most painful way which could be conceived. Jade could not hold strong. She simply didn't have the stamina. During the wars she had been a pilot, not a soldier. Her will came from her intelligence and the Force, not her physical strength. Her mind was dull and muddled, and she could only barely touch the Force to give her strength to look forward rather than down.

Some orders had gotten though before they were cut off, at least temporarily by the chaos of the message being broadcast across the frquencies. And the message in and of itself provided mass confusion, it made no sense at all to them..

But some of the troops managed to get to their posts, and into their Dai'Kodas as they called their Mechs and these has sensors that could penetrate, if not perfectly, the cloaking devices of the Muri.
~~~~~~~~~~~


Gerrak, Kai and Indigo met their first sign of opposition as they emerged onto the island of the Court itself. Five figures stepped out to confront the trio...

"Why Kai, we thought you'de never get here," Purred the central figure, as they fanned out to block their way. And little Indigo," The voice ws mocking, dismissing her s any sort of threat "but who is this you've brought? Dinner?"

The arrogance and incivility of their opposition left Gerrak no doubt that 1) these were members of the Imperial Court, and 2) they were kami, or they would not address Kai so. "How rood-a kree-shoor (creature) of Onn-or wood offer a guest food, den eshpeck a morzel, but not hole meel. But me nohzzez me deel wid Onn-or-lezz dogzzez, not troo kami warriors. Yu wan food? Eat dizz!" and with that brief speech, (much shorter in the speaking than the reading, I admit), Gerrak hurled three small silver spheres at the one who so rudely impugned Kai, hurling them hard enough to penetrate stone. His other hand readied his spear, which he brought into the defensive stance of Wind and Water...

Yu wan food? Eat dizz!

The silvery orbs had been thrown with enought force to shatter stone- and indeed did crater the wall of such some thirty feet behind the five approaching - the lead figure had simply flickered out of, and back into, existance before they could strike him.

However on his reappearance Kai was there to meet him

"You always were too rude Brother" Kai snarled as their swords met in the scream of metal against metal. Sparks cascaded about the pair as power met power.

The other four ignored them, the two Kami were fighting on levels they could not master and so they turned their attentions to Gerrak and Indigo.

"Oh goody," Exclaimed one as he charged Gerrak, sword coming up for a furious blow "Dinner thats going to fight back for once". The other moved to circle behind him, letting his more impatient partner distract the Muri.

"And Indigo will make a fine 'dessert' look how she's blossomed" One of the pair circling her sneered as he licked his lips.

"Yes spread her legs wide and feast" The other commented he sought to distract her with a feint.

Indigo flushed red at their crudness and intentions, but she refused to be distracted by their jibes, and neatly blocked the first ones strike, turning it aside with minimal effort.

Yu wan food? Eat dizz!

The silvery orbs had been thrown with enough force to shatter stone- and indeed did crater the wall of such some thirty feet behind the five approaching - the lead figure had simply flickered out of, and back into, existence before they could strike him.

However, on his reappearance Kai was there to meet him.

"You always were too rude, Brother" Kai snarled as their swords met in the scream of metal against metal. Sparks cascaded about the pair as power met power.

The other four ignored them, the two Kami were fighting on levels they could not master and so they turned their attentions to Gerrak and Indigo.

"Oh goody," Exclaimed one as he charged Gerrak, sword coming up for a furious blow "Dinner thats going to fight back for once". The other moved to circle behind him, letting his more impatient partner distract the Muri.

"And Indigo will make a fine 'dessert':look how she's blossomed." One of the pair circling her sneered as he licked his lips.

"Yes spread her legs wide and feast" The other commented he sought to distract her with a feint.

Indigo flushed red at their crudeness and intentions, but she refused to be distracted by their jibes, and neatly blocked the first one's strike, turning it aside with minimal effort.
The enemy obviously knew little of the muri-darksense is 360 degrees, and being behind Gerrak meant little to it, not like human sight. While a portion of his mind casually considered how to best exploit this weakness, Gerrak's morality forced his hand. He fired a dart from his bracer at the crude one's crotch-since he was fighting Chaos, he didn't bother with incapacitation ammunition, and his darts held the same compound as the spheres now eating through the stone wall-a binary compound, one element held tightly in an easily shattered crystal that mixed with the second to form the Universal Solvent. "Dat gayt to Heaffen clozed to yu now."he sneered, not knowing if he'd struck or not as his own opponents now took up his focus.
The sword strike he caught on his spearhead, allowing the inertia to spin his spear in his hand, directing it only slightly to aim the haft at the jaw of his forward foe while the deadly edge flashed towards the jackanape behind him. If it struck, it would appear to be what trolls considered to be the greatest force in the universe-blind stupid clueless doo-dah luck.
A troll was a large and ungainly appearing creature, but they were blessed with the reflexes usually reserved for felines, and a darksense that made the physical all-too apparent to them. An undistracted troll could leap unharmed through a whirling fan, but Gerrak was not undistracted-Kai's fight was broadcasting on levels beyond what should have been normal, indicating the kami was facing a peer, while Indigo-he would permit any of his men to beat Indigo's foes to the last inch of their lives, but that last inch was his....

Dat gayt to Heaffen clozed to yu now."

In the cacophony of combat, Indigo did not hear Gerrak's combat and so the universe was pleased, for had Indigo over heard Gerrak's jibe, she would have blushed harder, and been distracted. And that she did not need. For while she was well and ruthlessly trained, being dead for a time was always hard on a body, and the little respite before they had been found had not given her back much.

The dart from Gerrak's wrist bracer struck true, as the sudden screams proved out. Indigo had but one whose blows she had to counter now, and so far she was manageing to parry them cleanly. The gelded one crumpled to the slick floor too concerned with the pain - and universal solvent - devouring him.

The one behind Gerrak caught the spear tip at the base of his throat, but the one who's jaw the haft was aimed at jerked aside at the last second. His own sword stroke - targeted at Gerraks chest, hoping to cleave through the armor. The 'man' was certainly strong enough and was backing the blow up with more than just strength, for Force was wrapped around the blade...

The onslaught of the next round of attack was subtle, and did not come immediately after the fall of the last of the X'sheros, their armoured blue hides rent by massed fire from the Xiscapians... No the invaders had been been able to cover close to fifty kilometers before they...

Weariness, boredom, and sudden disinclination to pay attention to ones surroundings, traits not the norm for these superbly trained troops, but a wave of near vertigo passed over them, and the landscape didn't seem to hazzardous any more. They hadn't seen anything living other than wild lands creatures since they'd finished off the blue skinned horrors..

And the silvery mirror with in the oroborous dragon, imbued with the blood of the Empress tugged them on deeper into the Court...

The trees were twisted and gnarled, leafless., stubby hands reaching for a cloud shrouded sky The grass crunched drily underfoot and it was littered dead leaves and the carcasses of toads, beetles, and small birds, some fresh most mummy dry. A pond could be smelled ahead, the rank scent of stagnant, algae filled waters advertsising it.

ELSEWHERE...

Giggling slave girls, clad only in thin silvery collars poured steaming water over Jade, while others scrubbed her vigorously with well lathered soft brushes. They made blunt comments about her fate, envious that she would become a Servant of Heaven, living in a dream of fabulous decadence, wealth and power.

The Isand on the far end of the tunnel and the spaceport there…

“Hey! Look I was just hired to bring this art work here. Here, you can have it, but please, I make my living with this ship” The Novan was practically in tears as he looked at the hulking figures around him. He’d run out to protect his ship, though he had no weapons other than the light stunner – all he’d ever carried. The hydrazine fuel storage area was burning merrily, and in the semi dark- some one had blown the lighting for this entire sector of the sprawling space port- he could see little more than the gleam of reflected light off of balck armor and weapons.. He didn’t know what was happening, but it really was something he hadn’t planned on getting involved in. The small puddle jumper – little more than an in-system freighter was his family’s lively hood, and he was willing to die to defend it

But even if these strange figures who didn’t seem to speak common at all were going to destroy it, he couldn’t let them get shot in the back, that just wasn’t honorable, so he squawked loudly and pointed as the double hand of mechs that burst out of a freight lift shaft “Duck!” He screamed and fled, uncaring if the strangers shot at him. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him to the far side of the ship. He turned and watched with huge eyes- it would be something to dine out on for years should he survive – as battle was joined between the two forces.

He was entirely unaware of course that the shape shifted Muri were perfectly aware of the rising lift platform, and were more concerned about his safety than theirs …

“Ehnjuru Two did you see anything on visual”

“Negative that Lead. My sensors are highly distorted, but I caught something powering up by that old freighter in Green 12.”

“Well in the absence of specific orders, find something and kill it. That craft may have helped bring this problem here, so we close and destroy it.”

“Teefor” came the reply from the other three mechs…


In the cities of the nearest mainlands – they do essentially encircle the Island that comprises the Court, but are none too close and now they have their own troubles…

“I have every fire fighting unit at my city's disposal out and in use. And I am calling in all our off duty personnel. I have no damn idea where you expect me to find more to tend to the estates up in the reserve. … No I have no idea what is causing all these fires, and half the city is without power too boot… Invaded? Have you lost your mind? “ Large hollow boom…”I’ve got to go there is another fire, this time at…Hello…hello?” The incident command room went dark, as all power was lost.

“Don’t panic, the emergency lighting should come on soon enough…I hope”

Elsewhere something large and dark and fearsomely clawed gently picked up a crying girl child and carried her from the roadway where she had stopped frozen in terror. It crooned to her gently in a language she could not understand, but some how she knew the creature out of legend meant her no harm and her tears eased. “’hank you’ She lisped, with just a small hiccup of left over disconcertion.

Of all his soldiers only the Emperor seemed unafflicted by the strange force which griped them. Not sluggish, exactly, just unobservant and lax. The Emperor called a halt as they reached a carpet of dead animals at the line seperating seemingly heathly woodland from decaying, dying forest. He felt uneasy, nervious suddenly. No attacks had come for some time, and now this strange patch of evil land. Something was waiting for them, in there, out here or on the other side he did not know. But there was only one thing to do, and that was press on. Waving his hand the soldiers began to follow again, boots crushing dead animals and insects beneath them. Withered trees grew up into mist above them, the overcast pall that shaded the land. Something was wrong here...it was as if the corruption of the Court had boiled though here, killing the very land and turning it into something horrible.
Elsewhere...
Flinching in pain as the heated water spilled over her wounds and bare skin, Jade did not resist as the slave girls bathed her. She almost welcomed it, the soap and the scrubbing and the soft brushes, if it were not for the talk of glory and honor and great sacrifice from the girls. Summoning strenth and courage, she did not speak but only sat a bit higher. She would not speak to them. They could tell her nothing she needed to hear.

Sparks skidded along Gerrak's ribs as the enemy's blade ripped upwards, gouging Gerrak's skin even as the blade itself was torn and shredded by the force field about the muri's body.
"Yu wud mash yu mind genst me, hoo-man?" Gerrak asked, perhaps a bit cocky from the satisfying gurgling behind him. While hurling a small bolas towards Indigo's remaining foe, it's crystalline orbs giving it weight also supplied with the solutions that made his darts so deadly, he brought his spear into a defensive position.
His ribs groaning, possibly broken, he regretted his attention being so divided-Kai's battle imposed itself on his senses, making the world outside perhaps a fifty foot radius obscure, and his concern for Indigo was dividing his attention between two foes.
He focussed on his opponent. "Yu want zee me mind? Tell me wot yu liyk." He sent an image of Horror, hoping to override his foe's focus, weakening the blade, as his own attention was divided trifold...

And the corruption of the court made manifest as giant wyrms erupted silently from the soil, deadly among the Xiscpian Emperor's troops, either attempting to crush them within mighty muscled coils or to swallow them whole (http://www.strangehorizons.com/2001/20010122/sandworm2.jpg) in mouths filled with razor like teeth.

The wyrms brought with them a foul stench that fouled the air even after the technological efforts of the Shadow Op's filtration units. That told them why the ground was littered with small corpses. Though that was something they'd note later after this battle was won...or lost.

Elsewhere

Pulling the Empress from the baths by her hair indifferent guards dragged her into a robing room, where yet more slaves set about draping various gleaming cloths and jewelry about her.

"Yu want zee me mind? Tell me wot yu liyk.

The creature of chaos- though only a most minor minon and still fully 'human' he had given himself over body and soul to Chaos- chuckled softly at the image. "Oh yes, dinner, give me some more of that". He didn't care if his partner lived or died, and he tossed the ruined sword away without a care.

The two sagging to the floor were out of the fight both gone into the depths of shock.

However the bolas that Grerrak sent towards the one circling Indigo intently missed. And Gerrak had no more time as his Chaos backed opponent was hurtling Chaos created lightening against the Muri.

Indigo's remaining opponent never noticed the bolas. His next blow opened a rent in Indigo's armor that would have left a bright tricking of blood as it sliced into her had it's razoir edge not been stopped by the PALADIN armor, invisible against her skin..

Another flury of moves traded between the two and then it was Indigo's slash that landed - a move that Gemilla had taughter while on Pamaltela - and it was very fatal, carving the Court Lordling nearly intwain but it was a desperation move, one that would have left her free for the taking by another opponent if there had been one about. She was glad that Gerak hadn't seen it, for he would not have been pleased.

OOC: Oh, that's fun. Giant wyrms.
IC:
While they were fast enough to avoid being crushed, three soldiers were swallowed hole as the things burst out of the ground. Swallowing a fully armed, fully equipped soldier would mean terrible indigestion, if not outright death, nearly unbreakable cortosis blades slicing though the gullet and stabbing into the stomach, grenades and other explosives randomly going off, poisons leaking slowly but lethally into the flesh. Once the wyrms were exposed it was laughbly easy to kill them. Explosives down the throat as they tried to eat more soldiers, if enough soldiers gathered around one upraised monster at once they could turn it into wyrm Swiss cheese, and many of the wryms found themselves caught by the power of kitsune Force, internal organs rupturing free from the body, flesh peeling away into stinking, putid piles.
Elsewhere...
OOC: Just a small note...you said the guards pulled her out by her hair, but previously you stated that they hacked all her hair off. Is there still enough left to pull?
IC:
Jade stood and let herself be dressed, to tired to care anymore. She needed to conserve her energy if Foxfire Rose did not make it in time, to make a bid for freedom. As it was she was on the verge of collapse, and only sheer willpower and help from the Force enabled her to keep upright and awake.

The chaos thing leered as crimson energies played over Gerrak's skin, melting his hair and sizzling his skin. His shoulders smoked as molten hair poured onto them. Still, the young troll remained in his battle-ready stance, raising his whip in an arc over his head, where it gathered up the lightning and added that energy to it's own before lancing forth in a serpentine strike at the thing's chest...

OCC: The hack job left just enough tufts to do it - having stopped any number of 'cat fights' I know just how little length of hair is needed if one has a chance to get a good grip...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The swallowed soldiers did die though, finding the gullets lined with the same teeth all of the way down and those teeth were not anything resembling 'natural'. They pierced through the Shadow Op's armor as if it were little more than cloth. However the worms seemed to have little appetite for the pain and death they were getting in return, and after swallowing one or two more they retreated, to all appearances as if they'd never been.

The running fight had taken them out of the Chaos tainted zone however. But luck seemed not to be with them. The next time FoxFire Rose brought forth the mirror medalion holding his mates blood, it was dark, the mirror that had shown a mist shrouded destination cracked and blank.

They found themselves in more 'wholesome' woods, but they now had no idea of which direction to go and an island that covered some thousand miles square had many many places one small Kitsune to possibly be.

Foxfire Rose stared at the little mirror though his helmet. He turned it over in his long, delecate fingers, examining it, before stowing it away, into his armor where it had rested before. Now he remembered Inari's words:
"When the tailsman fails, just, as they say...follow the bouncing ball."
Producing the little rainbow orb from it's carrying place, he drew up his hand and dropped it. He felt his soldiers surprise as they simultaniously drew back and stepped forward, fearing the ball would break.
But it did not.
Instead, the orb bounced up off the ground, arching some five feet into the air, before coming back down again and going back up. The Shadow Ops soldiers stood a little straighter, dozens of kitsune eyes following the sphere. Foxfire pointed to the orb as it propelled away. "Follow the bouncing ball."

The dark is generous, and it is patient.
It is the dark that seeds cruelty into justice, that drips contempt into compassion, that poisons love with grains of doubt.
The dark can be patient, because the slightest drop of rain will cause those seeds to sprout.
The rain will come, and the seeds will sprout, for the dark is the soil in which they grow, and it is the clouds above them, and it waits behind the star that gives them light.
The dark's patience is infinite.
Eventually, even stars burn out.

"Dark can hide a hundred selfless acts, of every kindness small and large, done in quite anonynimity. And harm done in brightest light is still a cruelity. Doubt and lies, empty promises, contempt and conflict, the light does not leaven these, reshaping them into kinder, gentler things; nor does darkness hone them sharper than a serpent's tooth. the Dark - or the Light - is what is made of it."

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep,

The small orb bounced merrily along, most of the time not even touching the ground before it bounced up again, it's softly glimmering light seemingly lending them sharper vision, and clearer heads. Small creatures, their shapes misty and wavering, travelled with them now, winding in among the warriors fearlessly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elsewhere a large Muri looked down at an disctinctly dead human form and pondered what to do. It was obviously the girl child's mother, his keen sense of smell could discern their entertwined scents, just as he was equally sure the male body not too far distant wzs the father. Lulled by the regular croon of the Muri's breathing the exhaused toddler remained asleep safe and warm in his arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The figure moved, all but unseen, a blade keener than any metal in his hand. His quarry was engaged in a running fight, a glittering serpentine form enwrapped in a dance of death with half a dozen Imperia Gladius mechs. He was certain the creature would win, for not even a dozen Gladius's could have hoped to breach the being's crystaline hide. Bur once that encounter had past and the crreature was distracted, then he would strike. And his blade would pierce and kill, exactly, specifically as it was designed to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What do you mean Nu-heru-san that Captain Garramond went down the tunnel and has not returned? Why was not an entire cohort sent? Do you need direct orders?' The voice a whipcrack of anger. One could almost hear the grinding of teeth as the reply sent the questioner into greater fury. "I don't care if it sounds like the planets largest beehive in there. I wasnt every man you can spare to muster up and clear that tunnel. I can not reinforce the Court any other way. Just do it!"

Onward and onward and on. Senses sharper, hearing heightened, eyesight clear, smell unmuddled. Shadows and spirits and ghosts among them now, friends and allies. Foxfire Rose's boots made no sound even on the leave-carpeted ground, nor did any of his warriors. Speed was essential, but speed did not mean loss of stealth. The Emperor noted the clean air, tall trees and the crisp, cool smell that somehow prevaded even though the helmets rebreather. Foxfire Rose did not look around, focused only on the shining ball that was leading him forward. To the sacrifcial place, to those holding what he sought, and to his mate, his wife, his lover, Jade. He was not angry. He was not cold. He was, that's all. As he led his men though the forest of the Imperial Court, Foxfire Rose simply is who he is.

The tunnel was a beehive of activity, those stationed here knowing their purpose and their duties. When Gorlakk loped up to Death Lord Rensha, his arm cradling the sleeping child, he was accosted rather than greeted. --Tcha, did you not receive orders, boy? No prisoners, no civilians--the officer brushed his carefully held captive carefully.--This youngling is neither-why have you brought her here?--
--Her parents died in a fire, Sir--
The officer cursed, in vehement terms.--Just what we need, with troops massing to assault this tunnel. Go to Jaka, get enough provisions for the youngling for a month. I have her scent, and will pick up who set this fire. Take her to the mainland, to a safe cave. You are relieved, Gorlakk Yazeeda-this child is your only duty now. When this is over, I will hand those who killed her parents to her family-by Kiger Lytor, this I vow. This tunnel is about to be attacked, troops are massing even as we speak-take food, provide for her, protect her with your own life. Go swiftly-the mainland will not have the activity here, and you will know when it is safe to return with her. Do not use the tunnels-the enemy have thoqqua(ooc-this is a troll term referring to cthonians-the sandworms our Xiscapians have encountered ot close enough) so they are not safe. May Xiola Umbar watch over you...--
Thus dismissed, Gorlakk gathered his allotment and headed out, to safe caves on the mainland...

Death Lord Rensha, would eventually discover that it was no Muri that had struck the child's parents down, but criminal gangs among the Novcans, that had struck out in their own grab for power, using hte chaos to cover their action, settleing old scores, advancing theri 'holdings'. While not knowingly associated with Chaos, never the less it used, in turn their actions, to cover it's own...

And Gorlakk Yazeeda unexpectedly aquired a daughter, as a thorough check would find no living ken. Her family had not been among the poorest of the poor, that actually would have helped. No they were one of that vast group that had lived pay ceck to paycheck and slipped through the vast cracks in the small social net work that was all the Imperia had. Most of such was taken care of by family, but that network had not existed for the now orphaned childs family.

And besides Joy would not willingly leave her new daddy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The glistening sphere led them onwards, this part of the journey merely tiring as they taveled a distance - until it landed in the foreclaws of a monsterously large Great Troll.

In the other hand was a bright eyed Aurikki, one that Foxfire would easily recognise, from having been in Indigo's company when they lived at his Palace "Thizz Jhor, kknnowwn to ZZZong the Hunter..."

Before Fade could finish however, what had caused them to wait here, the Great Troll - through his ties to the earth and its patterns, knowing somthing terribly wrong lay just ahead - revealed itself.

Jhor, huntbrother to Gerrak - though Gerrak had no idea that his hunt brother had come- swept Foxfire Rose off his feet, snatching him up and throwing all three of them away from where the blue lighting of a ppc cannon's beam played. It would have destroy the Xiscapian Emperor utterly...

But now maybe only his ribs were broken, for the Troll had not had time to be gentle, but at least he was alive, and the danger revealed. Like as trap door spider the small mecha, designed for antipersonell work, sprang forth from it's hide, no longer all but invisible to the senses and technological discovery.

It's powerful mini gun sounded, spitting a stream of lethal rounds - crisscrossing bgack and forth trying to get as many of the Shadow Op's as possible. The allies that has been among them tried to disentangle themsleves, for this was not the sort of enemy they could fight...

Indigo has been too busy, and too unbattle trained to be able to divide her attention and she whirled, and fell - buffeted off her feet by the concussive blast that came from the dead center strike of Gerrak's whip. The fearful energies raced outward faster than the speed of sound, a ripple that destroyed the lighting system, sending sparks flying everywhere, and tearing immense gouges in the tunnel's armored walls. The sound that washed over them left both of them dazed, and deafened. And took the final scraps of life from the three on the floor.

The one that was struck? Most of him simply vaporised.

In the small amount of pale grey light seeping into the tunnel, Indigo caught herself composure, swallowing heavily several times to try and ease the pain in her eardrums. However all thoughts of her discomfort fled when she saw Gerrak. She jerked to her feet, and nearly landed back on her rump for her ill advised quickness. But she stood swaying a second and then moving as fast as she could she went to his side. Gasping at the terrible blisters already forming, she was afraid to touch him. "oh Be..Gerrak.."

She looked about for Kai, but he and his brother were gone, no longer on this plane of existance. But even so the power of their combat still rang, making her, and Gerrak dizzy from the sheer overflow of energies.

Pale and shaken she turned back to Gerrak, trying to figure a way to help him, for she knew burns that severe had to recieve treatment immediately, and were especially dangerous for a troll.

"Komm, we muzzt be zwift." Gerrak hissed through his tusks. "Kai hazz moofed hizz fiyt, but dey ztill zchaking da rampartzez of Heaffen. We zchood be gon wen dem az infestigaytzez komm."
(OOC:"Come, we must be swift-Kai has moved his fight, but they're still shaking the ramparts of Heaven. We should be gone when them as investigate come.")
As Gerrak scooped up remnants of their foes into his mouth, Indigo felt the dread conflict wherein Kai and his counterpart ripped and warped Reality to hurl at each other. Reverberations of that battle echoed even here-a golden dragon wept blood when one struck at the other, and a painting howled soundlessly at the response. Not knowing the exact nature of the battle, only it's most telling blows, was unnerving, and Gerrak was right. This feud would draw attention, and soon...

The Emperor landed hard under the troll and heard at least one snap, he was not sure because he was splayed out like a rag doll, head lolling. As the mecha emerged one thought went though the minds of the Shadow Ops:
Finally, something we can fight on our own terms.
As the mech opened fire the Shadow Ops seperated into three groups: One moved to protect their injured Emperor, one retreated to get a better shot, and the last, largest group held their ground and fired on the mech. Three soldiers were cut down by the stream of fire, one of them dead, one stunned, one greviously wounded. The kitsune dodged about unpredictably, fast and hard to hit despite their numbers. Those tasked with protecting the Emperor made a physical ring around him, blocking energy attacks with personal shields, physical attacks with armor, and magik/Force attacks with a wall of Force. Anti-tank rockets hissed towards the mech, more grenades bounced around it and stuck to armored plating from the forces at the back, and an overwhelming stream of heavy fire pounded away, finding the mech where ever it tried to go.

Kai hazz moofed hizz fiyt, but dey ztill zchaking da rampartzez of Heaffen. We zchood be gon wen dem az infestigaytzez komm."

Indigo looked hard at Gerrak. She knew he was right, but his armor was cracked and ruined from the Force backed first strike, then further damaged by the lightening that might have taken his very life. She could see the rising blisters and could easily imagine the pain he must be in, but she would honor his dedication to his task. Gritting her teeth against a desire to see him out of the battle Indigo nodded.

"Yes I must be in the open to us the Bow of Rakhir," she touched the tip of the great bow where it rose over her shoulder as it rested across her back. Resolutely she started through the door way that led to the surface. Once they had cleared it, they found themselves in one of the servant’s villages...The streets were tidy, almost preternaturally so, and utterly deserted. The low buildings, nothing over two stories, were dark behind their narrow, shuttered windows. The damp cobblestones glistened in the semi gloom, the skies darkened by heavy unbroken cloud cover. Now and again, as the pair moved as quickly as possible through the twisting streets, thunder grumbled in the distance and lighting, both natural and man made, struck in eye searing bolts of unnatural hues. Battles too raged in the distance, unseen but still felt and heard. The Muri and the Novans were not shying from confrontations with their opposite numbers and it tore at Indigo's soul to know that so many fine and worthy warriors were dieing over something so paltry as power.

Then they came to a sizeable plaza (http://www.atddm.com/spot1.jpg), where, apparently, the servants of the Court were wont to gather in their scant free time. One side held a small shrine, and Indigo made Gerrak sit for a moment, and take some water. "Burns cause dehydration. You are the better warrior than I am. You are the one most are going to see as a threat, and they will attack for you first. Therefore..."

She had worked on an idea while they had moved quickly but cautiously through the seemingly deserted village. It was something said to her on Pamaltela, and she was determined to try it before she fired the Bow.

"Do you trust me Gerrak?" She asked softly, almost pleadingly, her eyes large as she anxiously looked up at him. Even sitting on the stone bench he was almost taller than she. She believed he did but she was worried and unsure of so many things now. "I mean...trust me to do something to you." She half reached out to him, but stopped short, afraid that any touch might add to his discomfort.

Gerrak was peeling off his ruined armor and eating it, deciding to trust in his more reliable force field, backstopped by his own will. "Yezz, zertenly-but be quick-da ztench uff kozoru izz zo ztrong me can tazzte it."

The Mecha (http://www.atddm.com/mecha12.jpg) was an anti personnel design, and stood just less than twenty foot tall.
Its ppc cannon spat arcs of blue white energy at the invaders. Where the edges of the beam caught the Shadow Op's their suits electronics were fouled perhaps even ruined, those the beam caught directly had at the very least their suits destroyed, or both it, and the soldier within were vaporized.

One could hear the servos whine as the machine took the battering thrown at it, but it remained standing, it's high-powered mini gun criss crossing though it's attackers. It was, for it's size, heavily armed, armored and well shielded.

Then a fortitudinous hit by one of the anti tank missiles hit the mecha's right knee, and it nearly toppled, but three more of the mecha's could be heard closing fast. The one they were currently fighting was forced to go to one knee, and it's effectiveness was much reduced.

But it was costing them, more than any thing else, was time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elsewhere The Xiscapian Empress was tossed careless ly into a large, room, empty save for monstrous stone statues, whose eyes seemed to follow one about in the barely lit room. The air was hot and still, but there were patches of icy cold here and there, that seemed to move randomly. Low chanting could be heard intermittently

The look in her eyes said her ‘thank-yous’ for her. Then she let her eye lids droop close, and in her she mind began to visualize Gerrak as he had felt to her while he had held her soul. To see him whole, sound, and watching her intently as Kai killed her. Part of her wished she could know how he felt at that moment. She herself had been so scared, terrified. Not of dieing, or being dead; but in somehow failing in what was to come, failing to serve her people to the best of her ability. And yes sad and angry as well. Sad that it meant the loss of ...No, best not to even begin to thank upon that. Though it was the most wonderful dream I could have ever have. It's a necessary sacrifice...

Then the anger and wistful sadness were gone, replaced by a massive spike of pain that dropped her roughly to her knees. But when her eyes flew open as she gave a ragged gasp, Indigo's heart leapt with joy. Indigo might have been a very new and mostly untrained power, but her will had done what she intended it to.

Gerrak's pains and injuries were gone, his mighty body undamaged, unburned.

Three, five, seven soldiers down, only small chunks remaining, if that. Despite the destruction of the mecha's right knee, the weapons obviously weren't effective enough. This one they could destroy. But three at once? Surely not. Therefore a different approach had to be utilized. One of the most irritating things about fighting almost a hundred kitsune at once is that, while one might be able to kill a few, you simply can't kill them all. For now the Shadow Ops were all around the mecha, all sides as well as having scaled the trees above. More anti-tank weapons and blaster fire smashed against it, and the Shadow Ops, for the first time, used their Force skills. Some were as well-trained as the Emperor, others only about the skill level of your average Jedi Padawan learner. But all had it. Force lightening and shock waves shattered against the shield, pure energy against pure energy. And once the shield went down, all the armor in the galaxy couldn't save the person inside. The other three, rather noisy mecha were pin-pointed, and the soldiers closest used the Force from a range against them. Trees toppled, falling against the approaching mechs and in their paths, sporadic explosions of dirt and rock would occur before them or beneath their feet with all the power of a large land mine. The Emperor had been dragged into the shady copse of trees, surronded by soldiers who had erected shields of all kinds to protect their wounded ruler.

The kneeling Mecha could not regain his feet, but his shields held strong, absorbing the Force thrown against it for long moments, then abruptly it failed, in a cataclysmic display of light and fury, damaging some of it's attackers in it's final moments. Then it fell completely, the charred remains unrecognizable.

The approaching reinforcements found themselves harried from all sides, even from below as two of them fell into a large, vertically edged pit that had simply not been there a moment ago.

Jhor looked over the injured emperor and decided that the benefits outweighed the cost, and began humming a low chant between his tusks. Muri healing had a price, but the Troll figured - yes he hadn't asked, and perhaps he should have but Jhor tended to be the sort that asked forgiveness later...
Soon the concussion and broken rib's were healed, and Foxfire Rose found himself able to think straight for the first time in the long minutes since he'd been tackled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gorlakk Yazeeda might have found it strange to find a tidy retirement facility, and a small town almost most at the entrance to the cave. But it really wasn't unusual. Not only were Novan's avid spelunkers, many care were kept well stocked and clean just in case old friends came visiting- a tradition that was many, many thousands of years old. Novans tended to favor Tradition, and often over laws, or absence there-of.

But Gorlakk Yazeeda was going to find a problem with getting to said caves. One of the retirees was a very ancient samurai, only of the lowest rank as a samurai true, but that made no difference to the thugs of the local noble who'd decided to use the confusion of the night to avenge their patron. The old woman's acerbic wit and keen observances had punctured his dignity once too often, and she had also made public note of his corruption...

So they had come to still her voice, but had found to their initial dismay that she didn't intend to die quietly - nor were her fellow retirees going to allow it if they could help it.

Now it was a Mexican standoff. The retirees had barricaded the facility and held off the villains. But they had no real weapons and the lordlings troops had been called in. The adjacent town was getting involved, and they weren't on the side of their erstwhile mostly absentee lord. The roads had been barricaded with vehicles turned on their side and some one had thought to crash the local communications linkage. Here and there a vehicle burned smolderingly and while the towns folk had gathered up their dead, the troops had just left theirs where they fell. Something shocking to them but urged to by their officers...who all seemed to have gone mad...

Getting to and into the cave would mean crossing though a combat zone

With their first attacker a smoking heap of slag and two others fallen into a pit, the Shadow Ops had the oppertunity of a lull. The dead were burned, as according to Xiscapian tradition, the wounded tended to. The country of the Imperial Court had taken it's toll: Twenty-seven soldiers dead so far out of a hundred and one, just over a fourth of their forces. Killed depressingly easily, against foes that should have been taken out far quicker. But strange magics surronded and threaded though this place. After all, the stench of Chaos was disgustingly prevalent in certain areas. Preparing some large shaped charges, a trooper tossed them into the pit holding the mecha. The explosive was more then enough to destroy their sheilds and effectively take them apart, and even if it didn't, they would be damaged and under tons of dirt. Medics had been doing what they could for the Emperor, and nearly attacked Jhor for his help, thinking it some kind of assault. Foxfire Rose felt his shattered bones reform and flesh scab over and become smooth. He had been breathing in shallow gasps, immobilized by pain the like of which he had never known, physically. Lying eagle-spread, he stared at the sky though his helmet for a moment before rising to his full six foot one height. He carefully removed his helmet and knelt on one knee before Jhor, intoning softly. "You have saved my life. For this I thank you, and anything you ask that I can provide will be yours." The Shadow Ops stood in a loose circle around the Emperor and Muri, some facing inward, others outward, watchful for more enemies.

The worms rose triumphantly towards the sky, defiant at the rapid decimation of their foes, when suddenly their cries altered, reflecting pain and sudden death as the ground churned beneath them like a grinder.
The Shadow Ops officer gasped, suddenly noticing a massive, boar-headed figure who thrust a staff at him, a stone mask depending from it's end. It was this mask which spoke:"This is not your fight, now-nor your concern. Move on that building-" the somewhat ominous figure pointed, as the mask spoke-"It is gathering power from that we have harvested, and best we face it not at full strength."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gorlakk watched silently as the forces converged, Imperial troops and a ragtag band of elderly folks. He sighed inwardly at the folly of this-Zorak Zoran would claim them all long before they could do more than be an annoyance, but here the Imperials were assaulting, even in the face of a greater invasion. The child he set down with the parcels of food he'd been given, and signalled her to stay silent and hidden before rising up and checking his weapons.
This was a blatant defiance of his orders, but his heart would not rest easy by letting such a massacre take place. Besides, the child obviously had needs he knew nothing about, and these elders may well be gratified enough to aid in supplying them. The Imperials were crack troops, with an elaborate heirarchy and iron discipline-he could break that by killing officers, he knew, especially in a grisly public way. Ensuring the child was well hidden, he moved out, a lifetime of hunting backing his every move. These men would know what it was to be the prey of a muri...

"You have saved my life. For this I thank you, and anything you ask that I can provide will be yours."

The massive great Troll merely waved a dismissive foreclaw, his bolongo translating for him "Izz nothing..." Then he noticed the not too distnc Humbaba, conversing with one of the Shadow Ops. "Come, haz found greater zztenchh"

The quivering, restless orb, which Jhor returnerd to the Emperor wanted to go in the direction Jhor was leading. The worms it seend had pursued them but when they had broken free to make another attack Humbaba hd stopped them. However in doing so a nest of corruption had been reveald.

And it was directly athawrt the Xiscapian's path. The long, low building was disguised, made to blend in with the rolling terrain, and as the Xiscapians neared they too could sense the wrongness within. A darkness roiling growing, almost ready to burst forth... And it would have to be cleansed or it would be an enemy pouring forth upon them from behind.

The Shadow Ops soldiers wearly regarded the building, blasters leveled. The Emperor, fully restored, reached out with the Force, touching the building...
And recoiling instantly. He stumbled back a step, dark energies having gained a less then a second link to him. Shaking himself, he gazed steadly at the building, as though he could stare it down. Speaking to Jhor, the Emperor murmured. "How do you think we should go about wiping out the darkness inside?"
They considered regular missiles, but these would do little against the building if the power they all felt inside was as strong as it seemed.

"Full uv ded." Jhor pronounced with finality. "Not liyk Zorak Zorani-dem ded stir when dem filled wid rage and hate-yu break taboo, yu kill fam'lee. Dezez kozoru, fyool on blood an' horrer. Dem no heel, need blood and dead fur dat-gadder power, dem nazztee-dem gadder now, kill later. Bezzt we kill now, not let later komm."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gerrak flexed his limbs reflexively, testing their movements. "Yu oh-kay? We needzez move now-dey all rownd, we needzez 'void. Needzez call men, or hed to to Emp'ror. Ztayin' heer bad."
He hrooned Indigo, concerned for her welfare...

OOC: Music to Mood by... (http://youtube.com/watch?v=9oA6YNrwjac)

Indigo was just very tired, and drained, as if she had run for days with no food, water or rest. She stood slowly, her feet wide to brace herself. Carefully she slipped Rakhir's bow fron it's sheath, and strung it. Though she should not have been able to, given its massive strength. But in her hands it acted as if it were a child's willow wand, flexing and bending supply without complaint.

She looked at Gerrak "Can all our sins be justified? Our actions three thouand years ago set right? So many dreams have been broken and so much is to be sacrificed. Is it worth the ones we love and have to leave behind? So many years have past, are we all that noble and that wise? Will all our sins be justified?"

As she spoke an arrow of energy, the nacreous silver light of the moon, was coalescing, made manifest by her will.

Setting it in the bow she trained it toward the sky, so that the arrows flight would pierce the firmament. In the sanctum of her soul she let the face of the Divine One form, and she drew the massive bow bak to full extension.

For a long second she held it , amde sure it kne where she demanded it go, seeking out her target. Hald a breath out, hold but don't lock the body. The release almost a surprize and the arrow lept from the bow string

"It not what we leave behind. it what we left undone." Gerrak stated, simply. "Diz not be undone by me." He stated, rushing after the missile, his grey-black skin blending into the darkness he loped into...

The Emperor nodded to Jhor. The walking dead, corpses animated to do evil. The Xiscapians had clashed with such zombies once before, in the catacombs of Old Xiscapia, dead Danaversian soldiers long awaiting vegence for their deaths at the hands of ancient kitsune. Somehow, the Emperor knew this would be different. Perhaps the missile would work. He signaled the soldier with the bazooka. The soldier nodded and fired, the firey rocket streaking from the barrel and colliding with the building, blowing the roof off and sending debries high into the air. The Shadow Ops approached it carefully, weary of danger. But one did not see what was going for him until it was too late. A hand, rotting flesh decaying off even as it appeared, grabbed his leg from the ground. A unholy scream sounded as a dead body, clad in rags which had once been servants clothes, ripped itself from the ground. The soldier screamed and shot it in the head, gore splattering his armor, and the servant emerged fully, decapitated but still coming. More swarmed from the building, humans and Wraiths and many manner of beast, all dead, all hungering for the flesh and blood of the kitsune. The Shadow Ops opened fire, backing away. Limbs and torsos exploded as bolts hit them, causing their owners to topple to the ground only to pull themselves relentlessly along the ground with their arms or push with their feet. The Emperor stowed his blaster and unsheathed his sword as the undead neared, waving his hand to making the evil things explode apart.

"Diz not be undone by me."

Hand on her hips she watched Gerrak vanish into the night. "I refuse to say 'wait for me' but Gerrak, this is mine to do, to fix." She said with a sigh and resheathed the bow after lossening the string. Once it was reslung across her back she set off after him and the arrow. She forced herself into as ground eating a lope as she could manage.

Her legs felt leaden, but she paid them little attention. She could rest later.

Indigo was glad to leave the too silent, too dark village behind quickly. It wasx small, with less than perhaps five hundred living there. She had not said anything but she too had found the village unsetteling

The small scouting party roved almost casually through the abandoned appearing compound, occasionally vanishing into the night if observers were sensed until an assessment could be made, and either hiding would continue or streamers of flame would engulf the unwanted sentinels.
The muri are arch-practitioners of guerrilla warfare. Kwaratch Kang of the Ordo Himile once said muri forces won't even go to the bathroom without diversionary destruction, and he wasn't far off. The muri were, in this instance, looking for the sacrificial site. Oh, the Xiscapian forces would be informed, but thwarting Chaos would also take precedent. Thwarting Chaos always took precedent.
The outbuildings had minimal activity within, but the muri were wary of any locale from which reinforcements could emerge. Here, they found adolescent males sleeping in chains amongst their last meal.
--Bierce was right--their leader observed.--A naked man may yet be in tatters.--
A warrior lifted the head of one by his hair and slapped him awake, looking in the child's eyes. --Feral--he reported.--Raised to be an animal, but I see none of the defects caused by inbreeding. Think he culls them, or hasn't really started yet?--
The leader sniffed, hrooning.--Just started-the females are kept elsewhere. These may be salvaged-report to the Death Lords, and await further instruction-may as well prepare some defenses, and settle in. Sweep out, and ensure these wretches are all within--
The Sultan of Doraddi had made rather extreme conditions on the muri's involvement, but it is doubtful they would have done otherwise. The children were a program to raise a generation of feral warriors, raised in obedience to their foul lord, but it's fruition was planned for a final assault on Nova Nippon, and this sacrifice was a stepping stone to that event, plunging the entire culture into the service of Chaos.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gerrak loped silently after Indigo's arrow, his keen senses stretching out, making the darkness a panoply of information. Scents marked the passing of sentinels, servitors, and less wholesome things, revealing they were in a little used section, but the stench of carrion wafted pervasive, and he discovered a mass of deliquescing flesh, only a few tentacles lifelessly twitching, and he knew something was among them-these unwholesome things did not die naturally, nor easily...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jhor raged, his great mace sweeping out in an arc to destroy several approaching undead. "Be alert-dezez juzzt da zerfentzez-da kuge and buke lurk behind da zamurai, and dem ztill inzidezez."
Even as he spoke, a second wave emerged, these clad in dusty relic armor, their Honor Blades as tarnished as their honor, but still sharp and thirsty for blood...

OOC: Akkk! My Divine One has been doing things behind my back! Bad Chaos Lord, no biscuit for you tonight!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indigo bit her lip to keep from cursing as she carfully peered around the broad mass of the shubery. The things..she couldn't bring herself to call them humans, but she thought they might have been at one time had apparently decided to take their tea right here, right now. Holding in a sigh she inched back around so that the densely branched bush hid her completely. I can't wait here until they decide to go, and what if they decide to look around or more come. And I have to go this way that ravine to the east is too steep and deep, and theres a river to the west. It's banks are too open, any thing over head would spot me easily. Some how...and I don't think leaving them alive behind me would be a good idea either. How do I do this? She wondered, and chewed at her lower lip.

Then it came to her, an image she'd laughed over back on Pamaltela. Something small and black and fighting tooth and claw. Can I imagine myself as something else? No I don't think I can right now, too tired...but if I could just get where they are and take them by surpirze...

Setting that plan in motion before she could talk herself out of it, Indigo took a deep breath and began to ever so carefully crawl out from behind the bushes. Just remember, quiet, slow, look before you put weight down....

She manged to reach the near side of the hovercarft the pair had arrived in without making enough noise to arrouse the creature's suspiciions. That astounded her to the point where she had to sit a second in utter astonishment.

Now to kill the.. And something hard hit her over the head, and as she slid into unconsciousness she looked up to see six of them surrounding her, ugle smiles on their deformed faces Thats not fair! She had one last though before darkness claimed her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh look some one's lost an arrow." A lightly sarcstic male voice commented lightly. "Well I guess they know where to find me now"

"Lord, They've cpatured her."

That brought a spate of giggles "Oh goody Have her brought to me. Chop Chop!" Came the handclap and immediate order "Oh and do play that Ming the Merciless theme song again. It just so fits my mood "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The child watched Gorlakk Yazeeda vanish into the darkness, then stood, contemplatively looking after him. Then with silent foot steps that left no track in the newly falling snow she followed after him, her eyes glowing softly in the dark. He needed her, though he might not realise it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Captain! Look Out" Robbie roared as he intercepted a blow meant for the immense Celestial Dragon that was collapseing in upon itself as Tetsuko shifted form. He managed to parry the specter's blow, however the assasins next strike nearly decapitated her aide. Robbie fell, blood gouting furiously. Then the shift was finished and the Shogun's heir engaged his slayer with her own Honor blade.