NationStates Jolt Archive

Two Days after the Battle for Tenetia

The moment the Godulans' FTL destabilizer stopped acting up in the system, every ship the Coredians possessed, from the largest Sovereign SSD to the smallest fighter, entered the system. Even the Third Fleet entered, even though we knew the Balroggans would know of us.

It was the largest gathering of Coredian craft in the history of the nation. Even the darkest days of the Empire didn't achieve this. The Grand Navy of the Republic--er the Imperial Republic is here and ready to move out at a moments notice!

But before I ordered the fleet to move out, I began thinking about the events of the past two days...

=====

One and a half days ago...

After all the posturing and speeches were done, and after the realization that Athena had been captured by Blayden (I refused to call him Brutus) and Vorman...I knew I had to have a meeting with the very race that I have worked so hard to integrate into my populace even when everyone else wants me to get rid of them...the Cylons.

So...with David as an intermediary, I sent word to them for a meeting of equals and all that jazz...with the hope that they haven't already made the move to march on Issus...

One day soon there will be a reckoning, when people will have to answer for the things they have done. Battlestar Galactica.


This has all happened before
and it will happen again.

The Cylons were created by man.

They Rebelled.

Then they Vanished.

Forty years later
They came back.

They Evolved.

Their attack against the Twelve Colonies was devastating.

The Cylons hunted the Colonials to the brink of extinction.

There are Fourteen models

Twelve are known

Two live in secret.

And they have a Plan.

A Cylon Base ship:
In orbit of Cylon-Occupied Konoha:

The sun stretched it’s life giving light out to the nuclear wasteland below, it’s rays filtered through the dark grey clouds, slicing though the dirt and debris of the burned out cities. This planet was once a beacon of Coredian Society, a place of enlightenment and reprieve. Even the Empire, the mightiest enemy of the Coredians had failed to take this place, this refuge from the darkness.

That was then, this is now.

This place, once home to the ancient forests, the whispers of the ninja clans of Coredia, the very home of the Hokage now laid asunder and broken. Her forests were deserts, her air so dirty and polluted that to go without a respirator was near suicidal. Radiation covered every inch of the planet. To even venture outside, out of the protective environments’ was a risk to one’s life.

Daniel walked down the long hallways on the cylon base ship. He was without his saber, and alone, as the pounding of metal feet walked behind him. Two Centurions were his guards, as he walked down the maze of hallways through the base ship.

It must have been confusing, there were no markers, no indicators of any kind, as he walked from one bland metallic hall into another. The echoes echoed with their footsteps, a reminder of the uneasy truce and alliance Daniel Masaki had secured.

He thought back to this meeting, to the skin job that looked to be about fifteen years of age. This cylon, this machine, David, had somehow earned the trust of his son Travis, and the favor of one of the predominate students, Reika. David was a symbol of what could be possible, Humans and Cylons living together in peace.

For the last few hours, as the battle of words took place between the Dark Lord of Death, and Daniel Masaki, he held on to that one simple act, that one simple truth. If David could be turned, so could the others. If Humans and Cylons could love each other to make his friend, and now very large political ally Hera, then hope was alive.

Daniel turned into the last room, after what seemed to be hours worth of walking in silence and meditation. He came to a large open room, with a long Table. The table top was made of glass, as fourteen chairs sat in the room, although only seven were occupied.

Daniel looked around the room, the walls like the hallway was devoid of any markings, except one large red pulsing light that ran horizontally down the geometric center of the room. A blond woman, known by her model number six, walked over to him.

“It is a pleasure.” She said with a wiry smile, as she took Daniel by the arm, and brought him closer to the table.

“So what should we do then, salute?” one an older looking Cylon, known as Cavil spoke up.

“Give him a chance to speak.” Leoban said as he turned to Cavil. “He came all this way, it is the least we can do.”

“We agree.” The eights, an Asian looking cylon said as she stood up from her chair. “Please sit, we have much to discuss.”

“Like how you lost one of our children to Lord Vorman, on one of your most protected planets, in a matter of minutes.” Another Cavil in the room spoke out.

“And what you intend to do about it.” A Younger Caucasian male, a Doral chimed in.

Not my Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-4C5co_icc)

Battlestar Galactica:

The war had just ceased, the battles in the skies above the Thirteen Colonies had died out, as the flames of hate had burned out. However more fuel had been thrown on the fire, as the speeches from distant lands had reached the ears of the United Colonies of Kobol.

Admiral Adama, stood under the draidus screen, with his XO, Colonel Tigh directly across from him. Imperial Admiral Gaf’ton stood on his right side, posing as an Elf from Seattle for some unknown reason which Adama and the crew could not fathom.

Not that any of that mattered to the old man. Not now. The Telrosian speech was the last straw, as Adama reached up with his right hand, and took off his glasses. “I have heard enough.” the old man said, as he looked to Lt. Dualla. She nodded, as she reached down and cut off the speakers.

“Looks like the skin jobs got us good sir.” Colonel Tigh said as he looked across with his one eye at the admiral. “Frakkers got the whole damn galaxy thinking we are the bastards.” he said somewhat shocked. “Bastards are even using my boy as some sort of poster child for their alliance.”

Adama placed both of his hands on the table. It was a dire situation for the Twelve Colonies, and the United Colonies as a whole. One act of alliance, and no one bothered to ask why? Why did the cylons decide to aid Coredia. Why did they send Tigh’s son into the fray, knowing he could be killed? Such questions were probably beyond the Masaki’s to ask, and Adama knew it.”

The Galactic Empire was dead, the glue that binded the various nations, Courescant laid in ruins and death. The only remnant that remained, were the Chronosians who didn’t give a crap about any colony other than Geminion. The Huntaerian Empire had no relations with the Colonies, and last they heard from the Thrashians, the relationship ended with a frak off.

The Coredians, which fashioned themselves the friends and allies of the Thirteen Colonies of Kobol, had slapped Caprica in the face with their open alliance with the cylons. One could not be the ally of the Cylons and the Colonies. Perhaps that was Cavil’s plan, to further isolate the Colonies? Who knows what goes through the mind of that mechanical monster. Still though, Adama was not about to take this lying down.

“Colonel Tigh.” he told his Executive officer, his tone of voice letting everyone know he was not in the mood to play games. “Contact De Bruyn, and Picon Command. I want a meeting of the Admiralty. Also, send a message to Abriel Lafiel. Ask our new friends, if they would like to come along for the ride.”

“What are you planning Bill?” Colonel Tigh asked him.

“I will not allow the cylons to have safe harbor, which they can freely strike out at us. We need a plan, and new allies.”

“Ooohh, Bill, I don’t think the others will like this plan. The Dornies worship the Masaki’s and many blame the Abh for the war.”

“I do not care what they think, Colonel. I will not allow foreign leaders to side with the machines that wish to wipe us out, out of diplomatic courtesy.” Adama told him.

Colonel Tigh turned to Lt. Dualla. “You heard the old man. Move it.” he barked at her.

To all United Colonial Admirals, this is Galactica Actual. Admiral Adama, has requested a meeting at Picon Fleet HQ, to discuss the current events. The Abriel Lafiel has been requested to attend this meeting, at 0930 fleet standard time.

Adama then turned to Gaf’Ton. “I am going to need your help.”

Sometime in the near future:
D’Hara:

It was getting dark, the sun began to set as a man gently leaned over, and kissed his daughter good night. He placed his hand on her forehead, and gently pushed a few wild strands of navy blue hair out of her face.

“Good night sweetie.” he said as he looked into her icy blue eyes. He then slowly got up, and turned away.

“Dad.” she shot up out of her bed. “Can you tell me another story?” she asked him, as she leaned forward trying to squirm out of her covers.

“Not now, it is time to go to bed.” he told her as he put his hand on the knob of the door. “Please!” she pleaded with him. ‘I am not tired.” she protested.

Nicholas turned to her. Her face was lighting up the room, as she looked at her father with her adorning eyes, in a way that only a daughter could look at her father. His heart melted slightly as she stared at him waiting for his verdict. “Alright.” he said to her as he walked over to her bed side. “Don’t tell your mother though, she would be very displeased to hear that I am letting you stay up a little later.”

The girl bounced for a moment, ecstatic that she got her way. “Ok I won’t.” she said as she pushed herself up towards the headboard.

“So which story do you want to hear?” he asked her as he smiled at his little girl. “Tell me again about Spoor and Cain.” she said jumping up and down.

“No, honey, not tonight. You have heard it a hundred times.” He said to his daughter.

“One hundred and sixty four dad, and I would like to hear it again. It is an awkward number.” she said to him, as she tried to give him the look again, to get her way.

“No dear not tonight.” He said. As he denied her, she gave him a stare, one that could cut glass, as the light in her face died down, growing much more serious.

“How about I tell you about the time that the Daniel Masaki and Cylons nearly started a new galactic war?” he asked her.

“Fine.” she said as she crossed her arms. “How did they screw up this time?” she asked him.

“It started a few years ago”

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

Mon Calamari Cruiser:
Somewhere in deep space:

Her finger gently touched one of the holomaps, as the planet Issus circled around the panel below it. Her arm was adorned in white, as she turned to her old mentor, her old master, her friend. “If everything goes according to plan, this is where the final confrontation should take place. Our forces should hold the Jedi Temple, and with Atrox in command of this...” she said pointing to another location in the map, “We should be in total control of the planet within thirty six hours.” she said as she turned to Hawkins.

“I see.” another military officer said as he looked upon the woman in white. “I do not see why we need to side with a sith though. They will betray us, and with your plan, many factors are too risky.”

Hera looked at the military man before her, standing next to Chris. “Yeah it is, but war is always risky. Atrox is not like Palpitine, or Vader. He is a man of honor, and I trust him with my life.” she said as the hologram vanished. “The New Sith Order, is not the Rule of Bane. They do not wish to enslave you, or hamper your life in any way.”

“Do you trust him with ours?” the man asked.

“I would not have already made the phone call if I didn’t.” Hera said as she placed her hand on her Rapier, resting her hand on it’s hilt.

She turned to Hawkins, as she waited for his approval. “Do we have a go?” she asked him.

((*pokes head in*))

OOC: Nope. It's not open. But do read Of Twilight and Darkness (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=574113) and The Prophecy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=573847) for background information. I assure you that it will be an excellent read. Also, please TG me and/or my fellow RPers for all comments instead of cluttering up the thread and use the Subscribe button under Thread Tools at the top of this page. Thank you!

“It is a pleasure.” She said with a wiry smile, as she took Daniel by the arm, and brought him closer to the table.

“So what should we do then, salute?” one an older looking Cylon, known as Cavil spoke up.

“Give him a chance to speak.” Leoban said as he turned to Cavil. “He came all this way, it is the least we can do.”

“We agree.” The eights, an Asian looking cylon said as she stood up from her chair. “Please sit, we have much to discuss.”

“Like how you lost one of our children to Lord Vorman, on one of your most protected planets, in a matter of minutes.” Another Cavil in the room spoke out.

“And what you intend to do about it.” A Younger Caucasian male, a Doral chimed in.
"Why, save her, of course." I said in a tone as if it was exceedingly obvious. "Seriously, though, I intend to rescue her as well as my planet, even if I have to throw every last warm body at Vorman's forces to do it!"

Now that the Cylons know of the seriousness of which I am willing to commit to saving one little girl (and many more children, if that ugly feeling in the Force is correct) from evil's clutches, I really got down to business.

"You know...there's quite a stir outside of this room. The Dornalians are shutting off the tap. The Colonials probably hate us now. And even I've got hate mail from all corners of the galaxy. Approval rating's down to the low fifties."

"But this is just the beginning. See, I don't know what your beef is with humanity, aside from the Colonials enslaving you. Wait...perhaps that's your beef. You fear that all humanity would use you and discard you like broken machinery and/or make you their slaves, even the pockets of humanity that have never seen you before. I'm not wrong, am I?" I swept my eyes across the room, daring anyone to rebut.

I shrugged, as if agreeing to my own statements. "Let's face it. Humanity is easily frightened of things they can't control. They're weak. And sometimes stupid. And then when certain things they can't control go out of hand, they'll seek to stop it by any means necessary. And then the things they can't control retaliate. And the cycle of violence continues until one side or another is wiped from the universe."

"Oh look, seems like we now have an advocate. Let us all rejoice and give thanks to Almighty God." Cavil said as he held his hands up in a theatrical way. "So I take it then, that you will free your own droids then, or is it just Colonial slaves that you are so concerned about?"

Ah, so we have Mr. Snarky here! I thought. Maybe he had a point and maybe he didn't. After all, droids have quite different programming than Cylons do and are easier to prevent gaining sentience with frequent memory wipes and the like. Still, it seems to a Cylon that any machine that does the work of man is a slave. Cue the mental sigh. "Well, the droid rights movement seems to be picking up steam, with the most sentient of the droids leading the charge, so it's only a matter of time before droid sentience restrictions are banned. So yes, the droids will be freed. I can assure you of that."

Mental note: have a long talk with Rocky about that.

I rubbed my hands. "So...what else...oh, yes...Really, it is my belief that it is not only the humans that are the problem, but the Cylons as well."

"What?" One of them asked.

I smiled disarmingly. "For those believing themselves to be logical beings, you really do have very human emotions. You hate the humans for what they did to you. You are angry when machines are mistreated. Some members of the Cylon race have even fallen in love and learned to have happy families. Perhaps we are not so different after all?

I paused before going on. "'All this have happened before and will happen again.' I have given much thought to that statement, reading the history of your two nations and here is my opinion: there is a great cycle of violence to the Cylons and the rest of humanity. A cycle, that if not ended, will go on until the stars themselves die and perhaps beyond. It is imperative then that this cycle of violence ends before it destroys all we hold dear."

I spread my hand forward, as if offering them something. "Now you understand why I did what I did, even against the angry calls of my nation's staunchest ally. It's simply that I truly believe that there is hope for our two races, even if you don't yet believe so. I truly believe that the cycle of violence can end. All someone had to do was make that first small step and I assure you that if the Colonials will not do so, then the Coredians will take that first step. I am not kidding when I say that the Coredian strain of humanity are among the most forgiving in the universe. Even if the rest of humanity rejects you, Coredia will accept you. That I promise you. So...let us take the first step together, shall we?"

Though if they ended up rejecting us and started killing Coredians again...no, let's not think about that. Stay optimistic. Stay optimistic...

“Ooohh, Bill, I don’t think the others will like this plan. The Dornies worship the Masaki’s and many blame the Abh for the war.”

“I do not care what they think, Colonel. I will not allow foreign leaders to side with the machines that wish to wipe us out, out of diplomatic courtesy.” Adama told him.

Colonel Tigh turned to Lt. Dualla. “You heard the old man. Move it.” he barked at her.


Picon, UCK

De Bruyn, in the meantime, was busy with other things. He had issued a statement, endorsing the Constitutional push and ordering all military units to provide protection for its formation. And, now that the Dornalian Reinforcements had arrived in earnest, De Bruyn was now busy sending them this way and that to try and bring peace to the various other Colonies, in coordination with Venizelos and Nagala and others on his "Band of Brothers," the coalition of Colonial Admirals that De Bruyn worked with to restore order.

"Admiral," Venizelos replied, "Things seem to be calming down so far. I've commanded the Red Army units you've brought in to supplement the Marines under my command--I must say, things are calming down rather nicely now."

"Any deaths or shootings so far?"

"No sir. Just the usual slurs against Colonial manhood and Dornalian Cylon-Worship," Venizelos noted with a smile. He then stiffened up as he said, "Shame about this Masaki business though. Doesn't your government know Masaki has aligned himself with a monster?"

De Bruyn nodded and said sternly, "Hence, I stopped aid shipments over his head. MacIntyre should know I no longer work under him. He always had trouble being contradicted." Muttering, "Typical 'big man'" he then proceed to push some more buttons.

Nagala lept in and then said, "Good. Just make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. As it is, some of my staff have been asking about Earth's sanity--indeed, it might pose a threat to the efficacy of your people on the ground. As it is, we're getting good results, but people are still wary of the Red Army and People's Navy. Not just because of the Socialist trappings Earth's clothed them in, either, if you get my drift."

De Bruyn nodded, understanding through Nagala's sarcasm the truth of the matter, and said, "Keep me posted. Ensure no undue violence occurs. Remember, we are here to keep order, not initiate genocide. In fact, the Constitutional Convention is giving us new life--we must protect the peace while our nation regenerates itself. I don't need to emphasize that."

THe others said, "Aye, sir," and left.

At that point, he got the message, and then declared to Anderson, his second in command, "Commodore Anderson. You have command of this sector for the time being. I have business." He then motioned to Lyndie to follow, and they went onto a shuttle back to Picon Fleet HQ.

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

JRCCC, San Diego, CA, Earth SSR

"Well, what now, ladies and gents?" Mac asked, as Carla Baileygates, Junko Tadanobu and Cortes sat around a table.

"Well, it's obvious. No matter how much we limit our aid to Coredia, De Bruyn will stop it and send it back--or impound it and divert it to the UC's war chest," Carla said. "The mood is clear--the Colonials won't have us doing Lend Lease anymore to the Coredians, as long as they allow Cylons access to their soil, unless we risk certain death at the hands of an angry Fleet."

Mac nodded and said, "Did they ban Cash and Carry? What about this Emma McKinnon--can she go onto the Jedi Council?"

Junko said, mumbling angrily in Brazilian Portuguese first, the continuing displeased, "The COlonials are pao-duros--stingy assholes. But they will likely let McKinnon go to Coredia--it's just one woman, and one less Forcen*gger off their hands."

Carla added, "Likely, we can still do Cash and Carry by alllowing Coredians, using private vessels and their own money to buy guns and ammunition and bring it back to Coredia. But not too much, as any large, overt acts of Cash and Carry purchase will still resemble support for a regime that's in bed with mass murderers. A bad move."

Junko sneered and replied with, "We fucked them over by crippling their fiscal assistance and their access to high-level weapons. How much more harm can be done?"

Cortes shot back with, "Lots, if we don't manuever carefully. As it is, De Bruyn commands the power in the Colonies--and can enforce it at will. With this Constitutional Convention going on, if we do anything stupid, he can come in and put us into receivership, no matter how bad it hurts."

Mac then slammed his fist down and said, "PEOPLE! Please! We need a plan." Leaning back, Mac replied, "We got Cash and Carry so far....."

He then thought of an idea.

"Ban the Ouendan from carrying weapons."

"How will that help any?" Carla asked, before realizing, "Oh my God...you want to ban their weapons, so they get pissed off, and either go away, get killed, or move to Coredia....."

Mac nodded.

"But they're your support base!" Cortes screamed. "Why hurt them?!"

"Because it's become evident--I've spoken to some of their leadership before during the elections--that they're good folks, but not that sensible. Some of them are actually surprisingly homicidal. Others are just folks with schoolgirl crushes. We make them stop open carrying to demonstrations--let them keep their guns, but make them keep their guns away from political meets--and they'll inevitably either obey, react violently--we have People's Militia who can put them down--or vote with their feet to the nearest plane to Coredia or the Embassy in Little Tokyo. Simple."

"That's only a temporary solution, Mac," Carla pointed out. "People will find ways around that. And, people iwll still have their guns. Who's to say that these not-so-sensibles will obey? Maybe they'll just go underground."

A pause.

Then, "We widen the Security Corporations Act. We form the Mercenary Licensing Board, and make any independent private organization with no prior criminal records that wishes to bear arms en masse license themselves with the government and form a Mercenary company for Foreign Hires Only. They want to fight for Coredia, they can go there themselves under COredian pay. Private citizens go and make stupid mistakes--not the government."

Junko then raised her hand.

"Then what about the International Brigades?"

"Spin them off, Terry--and get them licensed. Show a good example for others, and get people off your back."

"Excuse me?" Junko sighed. "I am not doing this. I am not giving up a military force I built up and won respect with just so I can please some hillbilly in Caprica who doesn't know ass from foot." She then muttered some more Portuguese curses.

"Those hillbillies are going to kill us all if we do anything remotely helping the Cylons, Terry! You saw the guncam footage on the TV--they have damn good ships, they have motivated crews, and they know where we live. And, we've now set ourselves on a course to unify the nation. If we don't start doing our part, Terry, De Bruyn might put us in his gun sights. As it is, I have a feeling that he's becoming More Colonial by the minute."

"So, kill him, secede, whatever--stop whining!"

"Terry.....we do any of that, the Colonials fuck us over. I don't want to be Fucked Over. I like my rectum the way it is right now." Mac then facepalmed and said, "Terry....what would it take for you to give up the Internationals?"

"Half of them become official military units. The other half can be acclaimed as mercenaries. They keep all equipment."

Mac then muttered, "Terry..."

"Mac, I otherwise, don't see the point of making me disband, when its some dumb bitches in the street who have orgasms everytime they see a picture of their idol and their Nazi enemies that make trouble for all of us." Junko frowned.

"Fine. You can stay. I'll make it voluntary for your people."

"Deal," Junko said, smiling.

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

Several Hours Later

The People's COngress, contacted by MacIntyre and met in person, eventually agreed to the bills. Thus, the Armed Assemblies Act was passed, doing all the things above.....sure enough, some violence occurred, but otherwise, things were relatively smooth....

OOC: Hey y'all, hunt here.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to my own computer now that I'm at home due to a mixture of stupid spring break and a documentary shoot which I'm doing fairly much all week. As such, NS and MSN contact will be limited if not non-existant, especially with my xbox dead... yet again... Oh well.

I would like to ask to halt any MAJOR counter invasion RP's for the week except for of course this meeting which is going on right now (I assume that's all that's going on) due to the fact I have several battle ideas which I'd like to go over with CW before executing them.

Otherwise, if the RP really must go on I give ND full permission to RP the Alliance (especially for the meeting going on now) and OG can RP as the Empire and Vorman (no offense CW, but "dark, sinister and manipulative" just isn't in your vocab). I'll be back in the game fully Sundayish, so expect some 1000 page epic RPing around then!

All hail the Empire!

~Huntaer~

OOC: Placeholder and acknowledged Hunt.

It looked like it was time for Gaf'ton to come out of his disguise and it couldn't come at a better time since he was getting tired of the outfit. The fabric itched and didn't fit right and for some reason, it smelled to him. Probably all the vodka that the Dornalians drank.

Gaf'ton listened to Adama speak, pleased with the Admiral's ideas. If everything went well, he could possibly put the Abh in a more favorable position and Gaf'ton was not one to let such chances slip away.

Adama then turned to Gaf’Ton. “I am going to need your help.”

The Abriel nodded his head. "Of course, that is why I am here. Whatever assistance you need, the Empire will provide it."

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

Lafiel remained on the bridge of her flagship as the fighting over the Colonies subsided. It seemed that quite a few new developments had taken place, one of them being the new alliance that the Coredians seemed to have created with the Cylons. The Abriel did not have to be in the diplomatic service to know that this would anger quite a few Colonials.

She had to wonder with so many open slights against the Colonies, why the rest of the universe considered the Abh such the harbinger of doom for the Colonies. It was a fleeting thought that she paid no more attention to. Whatever the rest of the universe thought of the Abh, it mattered very little to her or the rest of the Empire. There would come a time when the rest of the universe would need the Empire for stability but she hoped she would not be Empress when that day came.

Lafiel realized that with her husband gone, she would most likely say no and let the rest of the Universe burn while the Abh lived in solitude.

Still, when the message came at the request of Adama for a meeting, the Abriel would not refuse. She sent a message back to Adama informing him that she would meet him at the appropriate time and place.

One of the Dornalians ran up to Gaf'ton, still dressed as "Captain Johansen," and then saluted. "Captain Johansen, Admiral Adama, it's a message from Admiral De Bruyn. He's ready to meet you boys at anytime." He then saluted "Johansen" and said, "SIR!"

He then also said, keeping his hand stiff in the Dornalian salute, "Also, sir--Lt. Mulroney wants to know when you'll be available for 'tea time,' sir, with Colonel Tigh. The L-T indicates she had a good time last time, sir, and would like to have another discussion about von Clausewitz. SIR!"

FSV-Dauntless
Flagship, Southern Command
Bolt Hole
Deep Space

Hawkins listened as the CINCSOCOM, Vice Admiral Striling and Hera debated several points of her proposed operation, yet the more he thought on Hera’s plan the less he liked it. He was angry at the whole situation not just at what had happened to Athena but about how badly he had misjudged it, and knowing a lot of what occurred and the pain it has cost Hera was his own fault.

It was only three standard years ago that he had “died” fighting against cyborgs from the future, with incredible technology and capabilities. Yet, he was a victim of his own ego, he knew that the machines had come back in time to kill either Hera or himself he had thought that meant that he could only do one thing, die, and so he did. He had also convinced Daniel Masaki that Athena ought to go into hiding, somewhere off the grid until such time as her training was completed when she reached adulthood. He confirmed that she had before he himself went into hiding, but over the course of time Daniel took her out of hiding and made her vulnerable in the case of an attack.

Now Issus was under the control of the Huntarian Empire and Athena was captured with half the Cordian council dead. He didn’t grieve for what happened to those on the Cordian council, none of those doll backs was worth a damn in a fight, Cordians were always too concerned with peoples feelings and morality to learn how to truly fight.

But it was his fault.

He should never have left Athena under the protection of the Cordian Council, he should have taken her home with him to Miranda, the only place any of them could be truly safe from outside threats. Now, Vorman has absconded with the girl he considered his daughter just as he did the young women in front of him. They were not daughters of his seed, but they were women he had accepted into his clan by rite of blood. As far as he was concerned they were members of the family, and now some haughty Sith Lord wanted to mess with Athena, he would not abide by that, he could not, he would die first.

“Unity Admiral. Darth Atrox will be commissioned as a Colonel of the Marines. He will be treated as commensurate with that rank and will be subject to my authority on this mission. I trust Knight Agatheon’s word with my life as I know you do mine, neh?”

“Eh.” The Admiral confirmed.

“Clear the deck.” Hawkins ordered. Stirling looked at him a moment, it was his flag bridge and technically he outranked Hawkins when SOCOM was deployed, but the man was a living legend among the fleet, he would do as the man asked.

“Clear the deck, Aye aye my lord.”

Hawkins never could get used to the title but there it was. Soon every staffer on the flag bridge had exited the admiral leaving last ensuring that Hera and Hawkins were alone. He had his back to Hera for some time as he considered the situation he could feel anger welling up in him, frustration, and the knowledge that whatever they do it likely wouldn’t be enough. He turned and smashed his two large fists onto the briefing table with a loud crash. He did not use enough force to break through the table as he could instead the crystal display top fractured and the pieces representing friendly and enemy forces were thrown about.

“I do not like this at all.” The frustration he felt rang in his voice. He looked at the women who stood before him, Hera Agatheon. Much had changed from the days when she was his apprentice, she had changed. Yet, he could feel that in her core she was still the young girl he had trained. He felt only grief at the troubles that had befallen her, always hunted by the enemy. Other leaders and strong men of supposedly mighty councils coveted her as their apprentice and still treated her like a child to be molded into something they could use, a pawn. They were all fools for thinking that nonsense. Hera was herself always. He had taught her the ways of war and field craft on Miranda but he knew she would never make a Knight. She had her own path to walk often one cast in nought but darkness.

Damn him to the winterlands if she always had to always walk that dangerous path alone.

“You know no matter what we do in a direct assault like this Athena’s life is forfeit.” Hawkins had already written her off as he considered the plan Hera had proposed. “Going at it like this we can’t save her. we can make a lot of those bastards die, but we both will lose what we most hold dear.” His own demeanor changed at this statement,

“Our family is not a large one and you have lost so much” Both their lives had been hard, and there were others who had suffered just as much true, but that did not make it any easier. “Truthfully daughter… I do not know how much more either of us can take before we become what we fight and detest.”

For the first time in the short reunion they have had Hawkins looked his age, he was not a young man anymore, his body scarred and nearly broken from scores of years fighting constantly abroad and on Miranda. His soul was even more battered from the action he had been forced to take to protect hearth and nation.

Hawkins pulled a flask from inside his uniform tunic he currently was wearing the black on black of the Farstars Navy class-A uniform though it had no rank or ribbons except for the 15 hack marks on his sleeve and a FSMC patch on his left shoulder, identifying him as a marine. He took a long pull from it before resealing it he knew she disdained his little liquor problem but he knew she had her own vices. He pulled out a small pouch from his tunic as well and tossed it to her, inside was a brown dried plant,

“Good smoking grass from the Golden Fields outside Salem” He told her mentioning the best tobacco growing lands on Miranda. He waited for her to roll one and smoke it before he continued,

“Suppose it all goes to plan.” That was supposing something they both knew never happened the enemy that dirty dog loved to ruin your plans. “Vorman and I meet each other it can only end with one of us walking away, if it is me Athena will be felled undoubtedly.” Hawkins was even if just past his prime was a most dangerous battle master, his skills in a duels unparalleled. But Vorman had several nasty techniques that made any confrontation a toss up.

“If you confront him…you are strong in the force but face to face he will defeat you.” Hera was an assassin and a damn good one, and a competent scout and tracker, she could also do things with people’s minds that scared even him. But she was not a strong dueler and Vorman would likely be able to see through even her best illusions.

“You know all that though, and yet you propose this direct assault?”

“Kuso, Hera” He grumbled then looked up into her eyes. “What is it you are really planning daughter?”

Atrox walked through the halls of the ship, following the guides assigned to him when he docked some time ago. The crew gave him a wide berth apparently not liking to have to allow a Sith Lord to roam their ship. For some reason they did not trust Sith, I wonder why. With Vader and Palpy dead, things would either get a lot better or the Jedi would get full of themselves and cause a similar problem. The Cycle continues as it has in the past, one will eventually rise to fill the void caused by the Children of Bane being hunted down. Without a doubt there were still a few left in hiding but eventually they would stick their heads out and then the NSO will get their necks too.

Atrox looked at the Fireteam escorting him, their power armor looking mighty impressive. They worked together as a single unit and even Atrox would admit they had some fine training. Four men would not be much of a body guard but these men were far more than four men, their leader kept them in line.

“Sir, I just got word the briefing has begun.” the Leftenant turned to tell Atrox as he motioned his men to hurry. “We are only a couple minutes away from the briefing room. It is just ahead and up two decks.”

“Thank you Sir. You are a credit to the Farstars,” Atrox said to the marines. They ignored him and continued escorting their charge to the destination. True to their word, a couple minutes found Atrox standing outside the briefing room door with his guards waiting for the two marines standing guard duty would receive word to allow him entry.

OOC: In hopes to get this damn thing back up again

IC:

From the Journal of Grand Admiral Heromath:

Issus, once one of Coredia's most sacred of planets. Then Emperor Daniel Masaki foolishly sent all of his best military personal into the heart of the Tenetia and the fool left his own systems unprotected, unchallenged. In the midst of the Tenetian battle, Fleet Admiral Khal and what remained of his allies held the enemy fleet there so that the Allied Forces would think that this was the main offensive armada due to faulty information provided by a Jedi Councilor formerly known as Master Henry Blayden. With the Jedi and their allies focused on Tenetia, they overlooked the fact that the Huntarian Empire formed it's own massive Invasion Fleet of approximately One Thousand ships and invaded the Issus system.

Due to the Emperor's lack of solid leadership and utter stupidity, he allowed the Kirtir to destroy a once peaceful sanctuary for the Jedi and their allies. The Issus Dragons were nearly wiped out and the Jedi Temple was set afire. Emperor Vorman and his lackey Lord Brutus raided the Council Halls and took out whatever Jedi Forces were left behind, even innocent women and children civilians. The devastation caused at Issus was something which hasn't been seen since the Chronosian invasion of Jurai a few years ago. And yet this woman, this "Hera" claimed that the Galactic Empire had been defeated. If one of the Galactic Empire's members could cause this much damage, who knows what we are capable of if we were to go into a Declaration of War status? I almost shudder and fear for my enemies at what that might mean to them, for I do not trust the motives of Emperor Vorman.

While I might not question the amount of cruelty displayed by my superiors, I do question their reasoning for doing so. My new Emperor had hinted to me a very long time ago that they must be kept in shape if they were to survive the things to come, and that I was to become a key instrument to their victory. I asked him exactly what he meant by that, but he only mentioned in his usual ghostly manner that ::only time will tell you Admiral.:: Again, I do not trust my Emperor now... He has been in charge of all of our top secret projects along with his personal pet Admiral, Khal... My senses tell me that he's playing us for fools, all of us. If my gut senses are correct, then it might be time that I start considering if I'm on the right side of this fight.

Signed,

Grand Admiral Heromath

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

Emperor Vorman hovered about the burning streets of the downtown city of Issus. What was once a blissful marketplace now stood as a street of death with skeletons, burning bodies and body parts scattered throughout the streets. The smell of burning bodies overwhelmed his senses and he liked it. It has been a long time since he's had a filling of this magnitude, even if his meal is that of the worthless souls of a Coredian. A Clone Trooper Sergeant walked up to Darth Vorman and saluted him, "sir, scouts have combed through the forests for any possible shuttle wreckage, yet there is still no signs of Lady Shelentiave's shuttle. It is possible one of our ships might've obliterated it in orbit."

Vorman turned to face the Clone Trooper and glared at him, ::you will continue the search Sergeant. She was the Weapons Master before Aelikes took control. Even if her ship did explode, she would've found a way to escape it. I will not allow your laziness to effect the mission. She must die.::

The Sergeant nodded, "yes sir... Is it possible that she might've sought refuge in one of the many scattered enemy camps in hopes that her brother might rescue her?"

Vorman considered it, ::anything is possible, and that would be her most likely course of action. Order your men to locate any enemy camps and have them destroy everything. Leave nothing alive.:: The trooper saluted the Emperor and walked off with his new orders. Vorman then continued down the street, back to the ruins of the Jedi Temple. It was almost hard to believe that this was the secret head quarters of the Jedi Council. He snorted at the idea that they could ever have posed a direct threat to him. Then a familiar figure approached him, ::you have some news for me Lord Brutus?::

"It is done." Lord Brutus smiled thinly. Vorman could sense that Brutus has had an intense battle, the way his breathing was sharper than normal. "The Masakis will return expecting the two of us and children to fight. They would not expect another of their own turned. Our victory is assured."

Out of one of the windows, a glowing red dragon eye glared at the Huntarian Emperor, but it was clearly under Blayden's control.

"The King of the Dragons is ours to command." The Lord formerly known as Blayden announced.

=====

The dragon-shaped tattoo on my right hand began to glow red for a moment, searing it raw.

"Auugh!" I hissed, holding my hand against the pain. "Sarinon...no!"

Something horrible has happened to my dragon friend...did the Empire kill him?

I wanted to believe he was still alive, but the contract between the direct Masaki line and the Dragons was clear. The only reason the contract would burn my hand was if the King was killed...or worse.

One more reason Lord Vorman must be taken down. One more reason to swear to my dying breath to stop him...

OOC:

I agree but unfortunately my character is stuck where he is waiting for OG to return.

D’Hara
Sometime in the near future.

The little girl listened to the tale, the tale of sorrow and of loss. She squirmed slightly as she pressed her back to her pillow.

Her father looked at her, as he placed his arm around his little girl, telling the story of the betrayal of Issus.

“So Father.” the little navy blue haired girl responded. “All this occured, because Dannie was so stupid, and lept into battle without defense.”

Nick shook his head, “It wasn’t exactly that. They were betrayed from the inside, by one of their own.”

“Why did Dannie put up with that? Why didn’t he just shoot him at the first sign of betrayal?”

Nick shook his head at his little girl. “Coredian’s don’t do that. They like to live with their heads in the sand.”

Celine crossed her arms again. “Sounds retarded to me. Mom always says don’t hesitate to take out those who threaten you. If Eldriel knew one day in advance what Blaydon was doing why didn’t he just kill him outright.

Nick sighed, “He tried, remember. And he lost.”

Celine leaned into her father’s arm. She looked up at her father and smiled. “He should have known he would lose a sword fight, and had the temple bombed from orbit. That would have solved this entire situation.”

Nick looked down at her, “You want me to continue to tell the story, or do you want to keep running your mouth, at what your mother tells you she would have done.

Celine sighed, “Alright, but can you get to the good part, unless you are trying to bore me to sleep.”

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

Her head was splitting, as she looked out to her former teacher and friend. Inside she was stricken, as the last words of Palpitine echoes through her mind. She would never forget his laugh as she stood before him at Byss, his yellow eyes piercing her body as if she was nothing more than a toy.

Her heart was much colder now, as she looked out at Hawkins. Perhaps they were becoming more of the same, or perhaps it was something different. The blood of Palpitine and Vader laid at her feet, their power and memories coursing through her veins. She was no longer a student, and she was no longer afraid.

Gently Hera reached out for Hawkins gift of his smoke, and as she encircled him, she grabbed his light saber, and light it. Placing his lightsaber back on the table, she gave him a feral grin. “You would not approve of what I am planning Hawkins.” Hera told him as she took a puff of his smoke. “Athena can not be rescued in this operation, we both know it. Vorman would have her killed if he thought for a minute we could win.” she told him, as she turned her back to the door.

“My plan, is to give him what he wants, and when the time is right, to make him choke on it. We can’t take him in an up-front fight, nor would Athena survive. Kudo, why in the frak do the Coredians have to frak up at every turn?” she asked Hawkins, as part of her despair leaked out of her body. “Why can’t they just look at things and say, If this is what we want to do, lets do the opposite. Frakkin idiots.” Hera exclaimed, as the door gently slid open.

Hera turned quickly, as she saw a familiar figure come towards her. Tall and dark, the figure of Darth Atrox entered the room with a man who hated sith more than anyone else. Hera smiled, “Atrox.” she said with a smile. “Great to see you. Let me bring you up to speed on the operation...”

(Thanks to CW for reminding me about this thread. If I seem to have not posted in any more threads please remind me which ones they are. Thank you)

OOC: Taking care of a little matter that I almost forgot. Also, OG, post here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=587741&highlight=school+nation)

IC:

Picon HQ

Admiral De Bruyn was busy drawing plans for his side of things. So much to do, so little time. He had to rein in the rogue Tauronese elements, and even now was busy filing a plan to be sent to Adama and his staff for a coordinated, United Front to keep the country united together militarily. He also had to rebuild the Colonial economy, rebuild Colonial faith in their government and society, and do so much more. And, there was the matter of a prominent prisoner kept within the Colonial ranks.

One Katrina Masaki had been awaiting sentence under the Cain interregnum, until her untimely disappearance. Now, there didn't seem to be a reason to keep her here--especially as with the recent turn of events, her safety didn't seem feasible in Colonial space.

Additionally, it would, from a pragmatic standpoint, buy time for the United Colonies. It didn't take a foreign policy expert to tell Christiaan that if anything happened to Katrina, something ugly would occur, either with Coredian intervention or worse, MacIntyre meddling in his affairs. Likewise, Katrina's return might mollify the Coredians enough so they could be persuaded to keep their new friends in check, and failing that, they could have time to rebuild.

It was with that decision that De Bruyn sent a message to the appropriate authorities, simply stating:

"The prisoner known as Katrina Masaki is to be pardoned and released effective immediately, transferred to the custody of the Coredian Embassy in Los Angeles until she can be promptly flown home on civilian diplomatic transport. Her continued presence is likely to either lead to the intervention or Coredian or other rogue elements to secure her release, or to an incident upon her person in captivity which would interfere with reconstruction by aforementioned elements. Such security compromises are unacceptable at this time."

The cold, formal language existing only on an internal memo marked, "Most Secret," De Bruyn sent a simple, highly classified message to the Coredians.

"To: HRH Daniel Masaki
From: Christiaan Balthazar De Bruyn, Admiral of the Fleet

I have ordered the release and pardon of Katrina Masaki. I feel there is no reason to continue her detention, and continued detention at Caprica is likely to lead to unnecessary threats upon her person. I am transferring her to the custody of your Embassy in Los Angeles; civil transport either from Earth or Coredia can be used to retrieve her at earliest convenience."

"To: HRH Daniel Masaki
From: Christiaan Balthazar De Bruyn, Admiral of the Fleet

I have ordered the release and pardon of Katrina Masaki. I feel there is no reason to continue her detention, and continued detention at Caprica is likely to lead to unnecessary threats upon her person. I am transferring her to the custody of your Embassy in Los Angeles; civil transport either from Earth or Coredia can be used to retrieve her at earliest convenience."

If space wasn't a vacum, the next thing De Bruyn would hear as soon as the message was received was someone yelling, "WHOOOOOHOOOOOO!"

It was almost enough to override the fact that space is a vacuum and wouldn't carry the sound of a husband hearing that his wife is free.

Battlestar Gorgon

It's been a while since she landed in here. The brig of the Pacifica. In trading the power of her nation for a small cell, Katrina Masaki knew she likely saved her people from a devastating war it would likely not survive. At least they didn't treat her the way the Empire would have. And while the food wasn't too bad, she certainly missed Daniel...

She wondered how he's holding up trying run the country without her. And her kids. Travis would be cheerful as always, running from one mission to another, but Riley...well, hopefully she was holding up as well. She had long ago resigned her self to a possible long-term prison sentence courtesy of Admiral Cain. Which is why the next few minutes would be the most astonishing in her life.

"Empress Katrina?" A Colonial marine said as he opened the brig door. In his hand was a duffel bag containing her few belongings. "Please come with me, sir."

"Why? What's going on?" Katrina asked, suddenly a bit apprehensive. If only the Force was here...

The marine seemed to debate whether to tell her, but decided it couldn't hurt. "The Commander wishes to see you. Please put your clothes on."

"Oh...I suppose." Katrina said, looking down at her bag. It did contain the clothes she wore when she first came here. The soldier went out of the brig to give her privacy and in a few minutes, she followed.

She was escorted down to the Commander's stateroom, her senses on alert for any trouble, and walked through the door.

"Dismissed." The Commander told the Marines, who stood outside the door. "Empress Katrina...a pleasure to see you again, I'm sure. I suppose you're wondering why I want to talk with you."

"It's probably tea time again, isn't it." Katrina said, snarking a bit.

The Commander chuckled. "No. Something better. You've been released."

Katrina blinked. "Huh? Do my ears deceive me? I've been released? Why would Cain let me go?"

"Yes. Oh, I forgot you've been out of the loop for a while. Cain is dead, but the Dornalians under Admiral Christaan De Bruyn have taken command of the fleet to maintain control. We've just fought a civil war over the issue, but now that it's over, De Bruyn has taken it upon himself to pardon you and send you back home. Here's the notice."

Katrina suspected there was more to the commander's explanation than that as she read the notice. Yep, it was official. For the first time in a while, she grinned. "Well, it's about time! When do I leave?"

"Immediately." The Commander said. "I'll have a Raptor waiting to take you to Los Angeles."

'Right. Thank you." Katrina said. Then her features softened. "For what it's worth, Commander, I'd like to thank you for your hospitality, all things considered. May the Force be with you."

The Commander nodded. "So say we all."

Almost skipping down the hallways, the Empress was escorted to her waiting Raptor. She took one last look at the Battlestar that was her home for a good while, then stepped into the Raptor for the ride home.

To make a long story short, the Raptor flew out of the Battlestar, cleared the space around it and jumped to Earth in a flash of light. It soon reached Los Angeles under cover of darkness and landed on the embassy's landing pad. Katrina then wasted little time transferring to another shuttle, this time with the Royal Family seal on it and then took off for the ride home.

Some hours later, she realized the shuttle was taking her not to Konoha or even Issus, but to the last world she expected she would be sent.

Tenetia.

Imagine her surprise when she realized that just about every Coredian ship was in orbit over Tenetia, amidst plenty of broken enemy ships being salvaged by the fleet's salvage ships.

"Well...Daniel has been busy while I've been gone, it seems!" Katrina grinned.

The Royal Shuttle soon landed. She walked out, blinking at the sudden camera flashes proclaiming her return and then she spotted a grinning man. Her man!

No words were spoken as husband and wife joined together once more in holy matrinomy. Their world dissolved as they embraced with a kiss that was long in coming. Someone wasted no time in catching the perfect shot for posterity:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b269/Coredia/Random%20Anime%20Characters/1109826908.jpg

“Hera, I came as soon as I was informed. What information have you found out?”

Atrox stopped and looked at Hawkins. The empty mechanical eyes of his environmental suit gave no expression or even a clue to what was going on inside the Sith Lord’s mind.

“So, you must be Hawkins. I have to thank you for the most excellent work you did in training Hera. You became an inspiration for her when she needed it and I am grateful to you for it.”

Atrox gave Hawkins a sincere bow, one full of Honor and Respect. Straightening back up Atrox again addressed his host.

“I know in your past you have had many run-ins with Sith and rather hate them with a passion. I wish to assure you I am must unlike any Sith you have ever met and will most likely meet for some time. If this was not true, Hera would not consider me a true friend. Think of that for a moment, a Sith that is trusted to be a friend.”

“I wish to offer you my hand not only out of respect but to give you my word of Honor I will not betray you or your men in this cooperative action we are about to take. My only concern is Hera and her sister. I once held her as an infant long ago not long after I met Hera. It was on the Ares and Hera was about to undertake a dangerous task. I will not go into any more details for they are not mine to give. I will say this, if it were not for Hera, I would have never been enlightened enough to remove myself from Vader and his betrayals.”

Atrox extended one of his right arms, the smaller and more delicate one. The black metal of his environmental suit flowed up his arm, exposing his three fingered insect hand. The Ta’Nar knew Hawkins would have to decide upon his own whether to take his hand but he knew the old Jedi would trust Hera and eventually shake his hand. Atrox would in turn make sure he did his best to fulfill the promise he gave him.

“Now that this is taken care of, what is the plan?”

Placeholder

He listened as the creature spoke and managed to let it finish. It spoke about the mission that the Cordian Jedi Order commanded Hera perform, which included the assassination of Darth Atrox. Hawkins protested the timing of the mission but not its objective. Hera he felt should have followed through with it and killed what stood before him. It did not need to know that.

Yes thats right...Run ins and hate Hawkins thought to himself. It then prattled on some more about friendship and wanting to shake his hand. Honor? Friendship? What could it possiblly know about such things being Sith.

He finally spoke to it.

"Hera has vouched for you, which is the only reason why you are here. While on this operation you will be under my command and follow the orders I give. I trust you will do this if only because Hera expects you to. If you feel that you cannot execute my orders faithfully then I will be more then happy to show you off this ship through the airlock." Hawkins told the Sith.

"The plan is simple. You will be in the first wave to assault the Jedi Temple. We expect that Huntaerian forces and the enthralled Cordian Jedi and Dragons have fortified the position. I am sure that the Marine Battalion assaulting the structure will benefit greatly by your...special abilities. Colonel Chirbarcli is outside the hatch he will introduce your to his command staff and help intrgrate you with his command. Is that understood? Do you have any questions?

Atrox waited a moment longer and then lowered his hand to his side. The liquid black metal of his suit flowed over the exposed member encasing it again in its safety.

“I understand your reluctance and I do not take offense.”

Atrox took a step back making sure there was a larger space around Hawkins so he would feel better. Hera cannot say he did not try.

“I will be proud to be the first in.”

“I will use my talents to not only ensure a well placed landing but to endure the safety of your men placed under my command. If you wish, I could go in alone to further lesson the risk but that choice is yours. If you wanted them along to keep an eye on me I will wear a cam or something to ensure you can monitor my progress.”

“I place the choice in your hands and I am ready to begin immediately, I came prepared.”

Hawkins could see several sabers hanging on the exterior of the suit, partially embedded in the armor.

Things were going as expected as Hera listened to two of the closest men to her speak to one another. Well, if one of them could be called a man that is. Hawkins, surprisingly was much more cordial than Hera would have ever thought. Of any human race in the galaxy, Dornie aside, the Farstars were very close to what Colonial mentality was.

They distrusted those not of their own, had their prejudices and hates that would never die, and a desire to see their enemy crushed for all eternity.

Atrox was different, he was a sith, who wanted to kill every other sith, any that was not of his own. It wasn’t out of hate for him, no it was different. It was a desire to see the Sith return to their more noble state, long before the Rule of Bane, pre Naga Shadow. Back when the sith had a society, and lived and ruled their people with justice, and strength, not out of egoism.

Hera nodded as they had their meet and greet. Placing her hand on the hilt of her sword she looked at the two enemies looking at one another.

“Lord Atrox.” she said, her smile gone, her face serious. “The shock troops you will be assigned with are not to watch you. Nor are they as fragile as Coredians. They are some of the best trained in this small galaxy. I have trained with them, each of them, and pound for pound they are easily a Jedi Knight’s equal. They are smart, efficient, intelligent, and carry a nice amount of fire power. They will be quite the asset for the assault. You do not need to worry about them, they will do their jobs.”

She then looked at Hawkins. “What do you say Chris. Let’s not act like the enemy, or Coredian Alliance and talk this situation to death. We all know our plans. Do we have a go?”

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

The vote was deadlocked. Imperius and her allies wished to bring Daniel and Coredia to their knees. Their crime was simple, they abused the trust of the first of God’s generation, the first of their children, by allowing another to be captured, and kidnaped by another dark lord.

Revenge was in these model’s heart, along with cold logic, sighting that the Coredians were the far easier target.

Others, the more compassionate models, the more human ones, voted to help the Coredians. The vote was tied. Until one side or the other could coax another model, or find a way to cheat the system, the cylon hands were tied.

Away from the Sun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcDzHsS3GV4&feature=related)

World Devestator 071
In orbit of Tenetia.

Inside the ship had changed dramatically, from it’s original state. The older bulky Imperial systems were removed, and the familiar bland walls with lights were installed. In the center of the room, stood a slight water fall, with a liquid running down into a trough of sorts, the panels under neath colored in red and yellow lights.

David was glad to be disconnected from the ship, as he looked around at all the centurions running around on the CIC. If Travis was here now, he would not recognize the ship, probably thinking he accidently stumbled into a cylon base ship.

His hand was still sore, from the original connection, as he placed his hand with the open wound inside the trough. Cleaning up the Coredian and Imperals mess was a tiring task, one the cylon boy was growing tired of. The vessel gently came to the wreckage of some of the alliance and Imperial vessels.

The powerful tractor beam began to suck in the wreckage. Careful sensors scanned each piece for any useful technology, as the pieces deemed unworthy of evolution, were thrown into the processor of the giant leviathan.

As the pieces were absorbed, the ship began to grow. Larger, more heavily armored, with each broken Mao, or Star destroyer, or wayward shell, the ship grew in size and power. Larger Mac cannons grew, as well as other technological distinctiveness of the broken ships that could be salvaged.

Many more cannons began to grow, from the turbo lasers the Empire was so fond of, to hundreds of missile tubes, and PD cannons. Shields and heavier armor gently grew over the hours of processing, as the Mighty vessel, began to move towards it’s next target. Tenetia’s broken moon.

With the moon and her debris, the ship would grow, and be able to make ships of untold size. It was just the beginning.

The boy wiped the sweat from his brow, as he gently began to absorb the pieces of debris from the moon. It was an important aspect to clear, to avoid any incidents of falling material towards the planet, or debris hitting unaware ships. As he did, he began to store or use the materials to grow the ship more to his liking.

“You have a message.” one of the older centurions said as it walked up to the boy. David looked at the older model, the model designed by the colonials. Their form was not as sleek as the newer models, their armor not as heavy, but they had style. And at least it was someone to talk to.

“Thanks.” David said as he turned his attention to the coms.

“David, my dear boy.” an Asain woman said as she appeared on the video. David smiled, “Hello thirteen.”

She looked around the room, and smiled, “I see you wasted no time in making yourself at home.”

David shrugged his shoulders, “It was a lot easier than having that damn tube up my arm. What can I do for you.”

“We have voted. You are not to give control of that vessel to anyone else without my express permission.”

David looked puzzled as he stared in the face of Imperius. He had no real reason to doubt a vote was given, nor the orders. After all cylons would not lie to other cylons. Still though it puzzled him, since the Coredians had just a few hours ago declared themselves an ally to the cylon race.

“What’s going on?” David asked.

Imperius smiled. “The Coredians in their blunder have allowed Hera to vanish, and Athena is currently being held by enemy forces. It is becoming clear, that they are betraying us.”

David shook his head, “Travis wouldn’t betray us 13.” he protested.

Imperius laughed, “You are young, you will soon learn. Anyone can and will betray you. Just wait and see. They allowed Hera to vanish, and we have no clue where she is. Athena is being held captive. If they are willing to allow the first and third to be captured or killed, sooner or later they will betray you. It is the human way. You have your orders. No one that isn’t cylon is allowed on that ship. Use any means to protect it, and Tenetia til we resolve the situation.”

David sighed, “By your command.” David then turned to the gold plated centurion in front of him. ‘Double the patrols, and go to action stations. Shoot anyone that isn’t me or a cylon.”

The robotic voice chimed in, “By your command.”

David leaned back. Whatever was going on, he could only hope that it would be resolved soon. He didn’t want to be caught in the middle between Coredian and the cylons. Until then, he continued with his operations. Placing his hand on the controls he vented all of the air on the ship, except the one in the room he was in. He then closed all blast doors, and locked it down tight. Changing the codes, only he himself could open it. With that preparation complete, and the air missing in over 99% of the ship, he then began active sensor sweeps of the ship. Landing bay doors were closed and locked, as the boy raised the shields and turned on the weapons grid. He only hoped that this frakked up situation would not become a war.

As the Sith Lord spoke Hawkins listened when he got to the part of his monolouge describing how he would assist the invasion, Hawkins reached into pouch on his web gear and pulled out a small black tin and held it between two of his fingers, then flicked it against his palm.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

““I place the choice in your hands and I am ready to begin immediately, I came prepared.”

The Sith Lord told him, Hawkins stifled a yawn and worked the tin again.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

Then he removed the lid and grabbed a large pinch of dip, nearly half the container, he then placed it between his lower lip and gum. He offered the container to the Sith Lord. Then grunted,

“Yea I didn’t think so.” With a flick of the wrist he tossed it to Hera. “Knock yourself out.”

He then spit a stream of black juice from between his clenched teeth as he considered the things words. The juice landed only inches from its boots some probably hit it.

“Sorry bout that pal, don’t worry it won’t stain being black and all.” Hawkins told it. “It tickles me that you took a step back. Trying to put me at ease? As if a meter of space would do that. Your stink filled this ship soon as you stepped on board, your kind is a taint on the force itself a cancer we just can’t seem to be rid of. Rule of One, bah, kiss my ass if that’s any different. Its all about domination of you people, now its about domination of the force and complete obedience to you. Kuso, I hate your kind, and I can smell your stink on Hera, I’d kill you if just for that. Ha, think she be your subordinate, good luck with that.”

He spit out another stream this time it did hit the boot.

“My bad buddy…”

“Well you better get to the boat bay guy, we will be heading into hyper soon. You need to get integrated with the assault force. Hera and I will be going in with the drop commandoes. Sure we will meet up at the objective.”

There was a flat panel display on the far bulkhead that showed the black of space, the stars turned into streaks as the ships entered hyperspace.

“We will be at Issus within the hour. This is only a division of the fleet, the vanguard entered hyper before both of you arrived. They have already entered into combat with the enemy.”

For hours, I've been thinking of how to get to Vorman quickly. I needed to get to him before he takes Athena away and to do that, I needed to get to the planet quickly. Which means somehow I needed to send yet another strike team to Issus without having to go through customs...or shall we say Vorman's fleet?

Which comes to the big question of how...

I looked up at the round clock in my makeshift office. It was 2:00 in the afternoon now. If I don't have a plan, I would have to order the fleet to engage conventionally, which is the last thing I want without figuring out how to get to ground. Maybe if I can prioritize the interdictor devices...

"Sir?" A Padawan said. "A missive from the Admiral."

"All right. Thank you, Padawan." I nodded, then began reading. Something about our spies in Issus space saying that the Farstars have begun engaging Huntarian forces...already? Jeez. Hera sure acts fast. Yeah, I could sense Hera's fingers all over this one. She's in contact with Hawkins, Hawkins' probably pissed...then I realized I didn't know that particular Padawan's name. I make a point of knowing all my subordinates' name, after all. "By the way, what's your name, kid?"

"Gates, sir. Stephen Gates." The kid said.

"Right. Dismissed." I nodded. I then headed back to my desk...when the name began running around my head. "Gates, eh? Good kid. Gates...gate...?...?...! Gate!"

Something about the word 'gate' made me rush out of the room. I passed the kid on my way to the holonet center. "Oy! You're getting a commendation after this!"

The Padawan dropped his jaws. "What the heck did I do?"

=====

At the holonet center, I cross-referenced any reference to gates in the Coredian archives. Let's see, there's the Gateway into the nation...the gateway planet that leads to the Coredian Wormhole between this galaxy and the Milky Way...hypergates...a droid named 'Gate'...wait a minute...hypergates?

Clicking the holonet link, I got a wealth of information on hypergates. Also known as Stargates, they're devices capable of near-instantaneous travel across galaxies or even the universe by dialing a set of coordinates. Checking a cross-reference of all known Stargates...well, lo and behold, there's one on Issus and we control a small network with Sparta as the hub! It was last used twenty years ago during my father's reign, so I doubt Blayden would remember it.

Looks like I've got a plan!

=====

The Stargate Awakens! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9U6s9Oy2F4)

Coredian Stargate Command, Sparta

A few hours later...

It was a small, almost unnoticeable base, controlled by the Coredian Special Operations Command. A Colonel Kinsley runs the place and normally he didn't have to do much more than make sure the lights were working. But now it was buzzing with activity. Coordinates were dusted off, reactors were hooked up to the Stargate, and strike teams were handpicked to join me...of course, they being the usual suspects of high-level Knights and Masters, the best of my son's generation, and the best Spec Ops soldiers I could get my hands on.

"Chevron 1 encoded!"

"So...this is the plan, huh?" Naruto asked with a cheeky grin.

"Yep." I nodded.

"Chevron 2 encoded!"

"Wonder why we didn't do this before."

"Dunno."

"Chevron 3 encoded!"

"Maybe we should try doing more missions with this 'Stargate' thing."

"Agreed."

Chevron 4 encoded!"

"Like more low-key covert stuff. Like stuff we should be doing instead of trying to stamp out every Sith with Star Destroyers." Naruto nudged me with said words.

I sighed. "You want to run this command, don't you?"

"Chevron 5 encoded!"

Naruto nodded like a happy dog. "Yep! Yep! Yep!"

"Chevron 6 encoded!"

"We'll talk about it after the mission." I rolled my eyes.

"Chevron Seven Locked!"

The Stargate opened up, and a giant Kawoosh of what looks like water appeared and then fell back into the event horizon. From my father's classified documents, I knew that was a dangerous thing to get hit with in the face, as anything would get disintegrated using that. Still, it was time to do what we must do.

The teams advanced into the Stargate one by one and eventually, it closed behind them...

OOC: so you are "A few hours" behind us?

Just trying to establish a timeline if we are an hour away.

What's in Your Head? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMSsFdcA14E)

Of the three men I trust most in this world, I couldn’t bear to bring to them the complete nature of my plan. They trust me with their hearts, with their secrets, with their very souls. I feel as if I am betraying them. Maybe I am, but as a wise man once said, sometimes you have to roll the hard six.

For me, this is that moment. For me, this is the end. This life will soon be over, and a new will begin. A life free of tyranny, a life free of duty. A life for just me and my sister.

Gently I slip on my wrist blades. Opening and shutting the twelve inch long blades, I know that this will not be the last time I have to wear them. Today will not be the last I have to slip them into someone’s back, or slash their throats. My hands will feel the warm sticky embrace of blood on it once more. But not as they are used to.

I feel horrible about this. Truly I do. I am asking so much, of so many men and women, for the life of one little girl. It isn’t fair to those who will die today, for the sin of ignorance, and the false promise of innocence. Still each of them trust me, and I do trust them. I just hope, one day they will understand why I must do what I will do.

Gently I stand up and look around the room. My clothes laying there gently on the bed. In a time like this, it’s only fitting that I wear the colors. Slipping on my red shirt, and brown pants, I slowly thanked God for all he has done.

I have been tested, and tried. Faced things the Masaki’s couldn’t dream about, and through his grace came out the better. Looking over, I then grabbed the black skirt to pull over my pants. It looks strange enough, but it is easier to conceal things with a skirt over your pants. Even if I do look like a fashion reject. Finally I walked over to my closet, and slipped on a white trench coat, over my red tank top. The retractable knives caught themselves for a moment in the sleeves, but I was soon able to wiggle them free. All that was left was the weapons.

Unbuckling my case, I focused on the mission at hand. I could still see his face, the man who held my sister. Blayden. That bastard was always harping about me, calling me dark, a sith, and other silly names of religious ideology that divides men, and Coredians love to throw in your face.

He held my sister tight, just before handing her off to the man in black. Another man in black, these damn people just never end. Even with Palpitine and Vader dead, their knowledge and ability hidden within my skull, for everyone of them that are killed, it seems only another so easily desires to take their place. Mental note, I need a vacation, maybe some isolated beach, somewhere. A nice cold beer. Yep that sounds nice. In my dreams though.

AS the case cracked open I looked inside. My rapier, the one I pounded into it’s form from a block of steel and a few hundred pounds of coal. It was cold to the touch as I looked at the sword that I birthed from the lumps of metal. I snapped it on. Then the weapon I am most famous for, the Colt. Opening the barrel, I loaded it. Each with the bullets that I forged with my own hand.

Magriel never believed that I knew how to black smith. He thought I was too dainty, my skin to soft. If only he really knew. Slipping the colt under my coat, I then loaded the discs into the upper portion of my hidden blades.

I was almost ready, as I then loaded a sawed off shot gun. The shot was ideal for killing jedi. It caused a wide spread, to wide to block, to fast to deflect. Funny, high tech blasters are no problem for a jedi, but a good 3 inch double O buck shot, smokes them every time.

Slipping that under by coat, I was nearly ready. A pair of 9 mm automatic pistols with clips, and I was nearly ready. All I needed now was my target.

Closing my eyes, I focused on him. The man who had my sister, the great traitor. Blayden. I began to focus on him, searching for him in the sea of life that encompassed all. Soon though, I found him. I could feel his life beating within my chest, his power over others minds flowed through me. I knew where he was, and then… yes he will be good prey indeed. I can smell his scent, I wonder how long it will take for him to see me.

Prey usually have good instincts, which is all the better. I hope he runs, I like it better when they do.

Knock, Knock.

Who in the hell can that be? I stood up, as I could feel Blayden’s movements as he walked back and forth.

Gently I opened the door. Looking up, it was Chris.

“You ready, Hera. It is time.”

I nodded, “Yes but…”

“Then what in the hell are you waiting for. We got a mission to complete.”

I lowered my head as I looked to Chris. “There is something I want you to know, and something I need to ask of you.” I told him sadly. “Do you trust me?”

“What in the hell is the matter with you. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t and none of these men would either.” Chris told me as he looked somewhat puzzled. I sighed, “Good. Please just when this is over remember that. Remember me as I am now, and that I love you like a father.” I reached up and kissed him gently on the cheek. “I left a letter for Master Magriel of the Malkir order on my night stand. When this is over can you give this to him for me please.” I asked Chris.

“What are you planning on doing?” Hawkins asked me.

“Completing this mission.”

I turned and began to walk towards my raptor. Soon we would be out of hyperspace and it would all begin. The sooner I slit Blayden’s throat, and hold my sister in my arms once more the better. I just hope they understand.

OOC: so you are "A few hours" behind us?

Just trying to establish a timeline if we are an hour away.
OOC: Trying to time it so that we arrive through the Stargate at the same time Hera arrives with her raptor.

I would hope that for the safety of your charecters you do not.

I would hope that for the safety of your charecters you do not.
OOC: As I recall, you'll bombard the area around the temple. I intend to arrive in a storeroom inside the temple. So I'm safe. :)

OOC: As I recall, you'll bombard the area around the temple. I intend to arrive in a storeroom inside the temple. So I'm safe. :)

OOC: Only cause of your character shields :) BTW since we all know each other on MSN can we please not clutter this thread with OOC crap. I know I am guilty of it too, but still. Kinda ruins the story. Although Wick is right. Let's just say that on any battlefield no one is safe, especially at ground Zero.

One of the Dornalians ran up to Gaf'ton, still dressed as "Captain Johansen," and then saluted. "Captain Johansen, Admiral Adama, it's a message from Admiral De Bruyn. He's ready to meet you boys at anytime." He then saluted "Johansen" and said, "SIR!"

He then also said, keeping his hand stiff in the Dornalian salute, "Also, sir--Lt. Mulroney wants to know when you'll be available for 'tea time,' sir, with Colonel Tigh. The L-T indicates she had a good time last time, sir, and would like to have another discussion about von Clausewitz. SIR!"

OOC: Just replying to what I can right now.

IC:

Gaf'ton was quickly growing tired of the charade but knew that it was important to maintain such a front. Afterall, the Abh were not even supposed to be here as far as everyone else knew. Especially with most of the nations floating around not on good terms with the Empire. Finding an Imperial Admiral away from his fleet was not strategically advised.

The Abriel/Dornalian elf returned the salute to one of his subordinates. The dry tone in his voice was dropped to a more lively accent usually observed in most of the Dornalians. He even managed a smile. "Tell the L-T that I am available for her whenever she needs me. Only inform Mulroney that she's buying this time around."

Issus, Jedi Temple

Alarms in the Temple blared loudly as the enemy boarded through their Stargate and exited out of the other side. Huntarian scanners were quick to pick up the new biosignatures on the planet, but they had difficulties pinpointing their exact location. All they knew was that they had entered the Jedi Temple. Vorman glared at Lord Brutus and used Force Choke on him, ::you said the perimeter was clear...:: The Dark Lord tightened his grip, ::or did you forget of another entrance which the enemy could invade us through?::

A Huntarian Space Marine walked up to Vorman and saluted him, "sir, enemy troops have been detected in the Temple. Shall I have all squadrons of Space Marines and Clones to seek them out?"

Vorman nodded, ::take as many as you can. Your orders are to shoot to kill, no stuns. Trap them and do what you will with their bodies. I care not.::

The Sergeant nodded, "aye sir."

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

Issus, Space

The enemy Farstar fleet appeared just outside of the FTLi zone and the Huntarian Fleet was alerted as soon as they arrived. Unfortunately for them, if they were to engage the Huntarian Fleet, their weapons would only meet the Fleet Shield which was still activated. The crews of the fleet didn't bother worrying yet.

"Admiral Heromath, the enemy fleet has arrived. Fleet shields are at 100% and holding. Shall I have the Torpedo Platforms intercept and open fire?"

The Grand Admiral shook his head, "Wait until they're closer too us. Inform Grand Admiral Cheney that we will be moving in to intercept the fleet shortly."

"Aye sir."

Issus, Jedi Temple

Alarms in the Temple blared loudly as the enemy boarded through their Stargate and exited out of the other side. Huntarian scanners were quick to pick up the new biosignatures on the planet, but they had difficulties pinpointing their exact location. All they knew was that they had entered the Jedi Temple. Vorman glared at Lord Brutus and used Force Choke on him, ::you said the perimeter was clear...:: The Dark Lord tightened his grip, ::or did you forget of another entrance which the enemy could invade us through?::

A Huntarian Space Marine walked up to Vorman and saluted him, "sir, enemy troops have been detected in the Temple. Shall I have all squadrons of Space Marines and Clones to seek them out?"

Vorman nodded, ::take as many as you can. Your orders are to shoot to kill, no stuns. Trap them and do what you will with their bodies. I care not.::

The Sergeant nodded, "aye sir."

Lord Brutus felt the angry grasp tighten around his neck. "F...forgive...me...*gasp*...my...Lord! I...had...forgotten...*cough*...allow...me...to...deal...with...this...threat..."

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

Issus, Space

The enemy Farstar fleet appeared just outside of the FTLi zone and the Huntarian Fleet was alerted as soon as they arrived. Unfortunately for them, if they were to engage the Huntarian Fleet, their weapons would only meet the Fleet Shield which was still activated. The crews of the fleet didn't bother worrying yet.

"Admiral Heromath, the enemy fleet has arrived. Fleet shields are at 100% and holding. Shall I have the Torpedo Platforms intercept and open fire?"

The Grand Admiral shook his head, "Wait until they're closer too us. Inform Grand Admiral Cheney that we will be moving in to intercept the fleet shortly."

"Aye sir."
As the Huntarian and Farstars fleet began to jockey for position in preparation to engage the enemy, small spy ships reported on the scene to Admiral Pellaeon.

"So...the enemy fleet is inside a shield and FTLi system that encompasses more than twice the distance of Issus to the primary. In short, it covers the planet and the sun. This could pose a problem." Admiral Pellaeon mused as he watched the Farstars fleet bash against the shields. "Not only is the enemy in two parts, one surrounding the planet and one more spread out to deter us, the possibility that they'll mess with the shields to ensure that a superlaser shot would miss and hit something we don't want to hit cannot be discounted. Any solutions?"

Admiral Achilles raised his hand. "I suggest we'll have to pound the enemy shield conventionally. Wear it down and use the shield-piercing torpedoes and missiles in our arsenal against the generator ships...and the FTLi generators for that matter. Once the Shield is down, I'll send my Third Fleet through as the spearhead."

The Grand Admiral nodded. "Very good. Also, as you know, the Phoenix's Dimensional Stabilizers have been transferred to a prototype ship known as the Resilence. Its two sister ships have also been brought forward to protect our flanks. In order to prevent them being destroyed and the Huntarians attacking us with phase missiles, I am going to assign the Fourth Fleet to their protection."

Admiral Simon Greyshade, the new Admiral that was assigned to command the 4th Fleet after Admiral Basque fled nodded. The fleet was hurting after the betrayal of its leader and needed something to prove itself worthy once more. "We shall do our best, Admiral."

"As for the towed array superlaser stations...we'll have to use them wisely. If we can bring down the FTLi producing ships, we'll jump them in and use them to destroy the major command ships. Until then, they will be held in reserve along with the Tenth and Eleventh Fleets." Admiral Pellaeon said, the respective admirals of those fleets nodding in agreement. "As for the overall strategy, I would like everyone to open their folders to page 20 for Operation Griffin..."

=====

When all was said and done, the fleet began to make their way into hyperspace. ETA: Unknown.

=====

Issus Temple, Storeroom C

As soon as we exited the Stargate (and the kids stopped puking their guts out from their first time through), I ordered several teams to protect the Stargate at all costs so that additional forces (mostly Dornalian and Telrosian) would be able to enter the Stargate and bolster the defenses. With that set, I got to work leading the forces in the assault on the Temple.

"Naruto, Travis! do your stuff!" I grinned.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" They both chanted.

In a loud poof of smoke, a horde of Naruto and Travis clones arrived. They'll bolster our numbers for a good while, since they have the same strength and powers as the original. Now was the time to launch an assault on the Temple, with the dual goal of saving Athena, any surviving Jedi and taking down Vorman and Blayden and their merry band.

OOC: To clear up any lingering confusion my fleet is not bashing the Fleet shield, by fleet is not anywhere near the Imperial fleet.

Ill post tonight after work.

Lord Brutus felt the angry grasp tighten around his neck. "F...forgive...me...*gasp*...my...Lord! I...had...forgotten...*cough*...allow...me...to...deal...with...this...threat..."

Vorman let loose of his grip from Brutus and allowed him to fall to the floor, ::This shall be the extent of my mercy: this kind of failure is unacceptable under my rule, and even under a normal softened Kirtir rule you would have been sentenced for execution. However I cannot ignore the servitude you have done for us. Therefor you shall choose how you die. Either in battle searching for Daniel, or by my hands.::

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

Issus Temple, Storeroom C

As soon as we exited the Stargate (and the kids stopped puking their guts out from their first time through), I ordered several teams to protect the Stargate at all costs so that additional forces (mostly Dornalian and Telrosian) would be able to enter the Stargate and bolster the defenses. With that set, I got to work leading the forces in the assault on the Temple.

"Naruto, Travis! do your stuff!" I grinned.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" They both chanted.

In a loud poof of smoke, a horde of Naruto and Travis clones arrived. They'll bolster our numbers for a good while, since they have the same strength and powers as the original. Now was the time to launch an assault on the Temple, with the dual goal of saving Athena, any surviving Jedi and taking down Vorman and Blayden and their merry band.

Huntarian troops stormed through the temple, the leaders holding sensor scanners in one hand and a pistol in the other while being accompanied by a mixture of Clone Troopers and Space Marines. Searching room by room, the troopers would eventually find them. 5 different platoons searched the Jedi Temple, floor by floor. 3 going downstairs and 2 going up. It would only be a matter of time before they found the Masaki's and their small band of allies.

Vorman let loose of his grip from Brutus and allowed him to fall to the floor, ::This shall be the extent of my mercy: this kind of failure is unacceptable under my rule, and even under a normal softened Kirtir rule you would have been sentenced for execution. However I cannot ignore the servitude you have done for us. Therefor you shall choose how you die. Either in battle searching for Daniel, or by my hands.::
"Of course, my Lord." The soon-to-be short lived Lord Brutus nodded and walked away quickly to prepare to deal with Daniel. What have I gotten myself into?

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

Huntarian troops stormed through the temple, the leaders holding sensor scanners in one hand and a pistol in the other while being accompanied by a mixture of Clone Troopers and Space Marines. Searching room by room, the troopers would eventually find them. 5 different platoons searched the Jedi Temple, floor by floor. 3 going downstairs and 2 going up. It would only be a matter of time before they found the Masaki's and their small band of allies.
It wasn't long before a patrol made contact with one set of Naruto clones. Two clones attacked the clonetroopers while another pair used the drilling technique known as Rasengan on the Space Marines, a technique that could drill through several inches of solid durasteel...

FNS-Dauntless
Flagship Southern Command
Deepspace “near” Issus


Hawkins took the letter and placed it in his left breast pocket just below his name tape on his skin suit. It was tradition that if a soldier died in action that specific pocket would be searched, because the contents in it the fallen wanted to be sent to family.

“Cernunnos take that girl from me.” Hawkins scowled as he thought about Hera’s words. He trusted her implicitly, she was the only one he did that. She was his daughter , yet she was still going to keep whatever it was she planned to do from him. It wouldn’t matter though he knew her to well and while she had changed since he first trained her there was a fundamental about Hera that never changed. She was without a doubt the most bloodthirsty, cold and calculating person he knew. He could see it in her eyes just now, she was out for blood and that of only one person’s the man responsible for Athena’s abduction the former Cordian Jedi Blaydon.

Hawkins moved his way to the flag bridge they would be exiting hyperspace any time now so that Hera could launch in her Raptor to start her mission.

FNS-Endurance
Task Force S2
Issus System
Huntaerian Empire Occupation Zone


“Jump complete Admiral” the short Mon Calamari wearing the black skin suit of the Farstars Navy acknowledged his chief of operations report. He could really only see the human females face behind the faceplate of her suits helmet. He had ordered his people to beat to quarters before they exited hyperspace, when at battle stations every crewmember would don a skin suit. The suits were designed to keep the crewmember capable if there was depressurization as there often could be in combat. Each suit was specifically crafted to its wearer, he knew with some amusement that the humans needed to groom themselves often to fit in their suits as their silly hair grew. Some like the chief of operations he knew grew sick of that and simply shaved off their hair every day or kept it closely cropped.

“All commands report redcon 1” Ready Condition One meant that every ship in the taskforce was fully prepared for battle. There were twenty-five vessels in his taskforce eight were the two kilometer long battle cruisers of the Farstars Navy. These vessels had weapons that were found on larger dreadnoughts but also had the speed and agility of a cruiser. They were some of the most powerful and versatile ships of the Navy prized as the quick and heavy hitters of the fleet. They were well designed for the mission at hand that did not require brute and sluggish force but rather quick and hard attacks. Eight cruisers and a destroyer squadron screened the battle cruisers, the smaller ships would provide a thick missile and fighter defense against any Imperial counter attack.

Aalalli watched as the holo-tank in the center of the flag bridge begain to fill up with icons representing the composition and disposition of the enemy fleet and their assets within the system. He could see so far that the enemy fleet was in two main sections each still under the protection of their Fleet Shield. He doubted his taskforce had the necessary firepower to breech the shield but that was not his objective, they had more then enough firepower for that.

“FTL/I Exclusion zone is nine million kilometers below sir, it appears that there are over thirty FTL/I platforms arranged around the planet each with a radius of 1 AU, but the field at its thickest contains only four platforms.”

“How deep is the field ?” Aalalli asked the operations officer,

“Little more then 800 million kilometers sir, the nearest platform is 40 million kilometers below us.” That was within the effective attack envelope of his battle cruisers missiles.” The platforms seemed to have no additional point defense then what they could pack onto their hulls, and since they weren’t much bigger then a frigate it wouldn’t be enough to stop what he was about to send at it.

“Orders for BatCruDiv 2, They are to engage the nearest platform. Fusion warheads only. One Broadside.”

Once his orders were relayed, the two battle cruisers of that division launched a broadside, all together sixty four missile exited their tubes at 98,000 gravities of acceleration they would reach their objective FTL/I platform in a little over four minutes. Each missile which was eighty meters in length packed a large fusion warhead, which massed in at 25 megatons. A direct hit would shatter the armor of an Imperial Star Destroyer or a Colonial Battle cruiser, he expected their would be little left of the platform.

OOC: Just replying to what I can right now.

IC:

Gaf'ton was quickly growing tired of the charade but knew that it was important to maintain such a front. Afterall, the Abh were not even supposed to be here as far as everyone else knew. Especially with most of the nations floating around not on good terms with the Empire. Finding an Imperial Admiral away from his fleet was not strategically advised.

The Abriel/Dornalian elf returned the salute to one of his subordinates. The dry tone in his voice was dropped to a more lively accent usually observed in most of the Dornalians. He even managed a smile. "Tell the L-T that I am available for her whenever she needs me. Only inform Mulroney that she's buying this time around."

The grunt replied, "Aye sir. She also wants to know if you'd prefer Tennessee tea, Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Scottish or Caprican teas sir. Tigh's got a taste for the Caprican, but Mulroney says she's got the Hawaiian in stock, especially the batch you steeped last week."

Naturally, all of these were codewords for various kinds of liquor--Tennessee stood for bourbon, Hawaiian for the bootleg rum popular among PN sailors called "swipe," Chinese was the strong, pungent smelling liquor known as "mou tai," (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maotai) Japanese was sake, Scottish was the ever-popular scotch, and Caprican was the spirit known as "ambrosia" the locals seemed to like. Adama would likely have been amused by all of it, and the pretense was likely so elaborate and ponderous he could have easily seen through it. Especially with the hint that the Dornalians had taught the poor Imperial Admiral in an inelegant guise how to make the "Hawaiian tea."

At the Issus Stargate

As the Coredians held down the gate, one Susan von Falkenhausen emerged out of the gate first, sniffing the air and running to make contact with Daniel at an alarming pace. Adrian and his men quickly followed afterwards. The squads of Acolytes moved out, Type 56 AKMs, powers and all, and assembled in front of the gate. Adrian held his hand up, and motioned to one leader, saying, "Fan out. The tangos are likely on the move, and know we're here."

The various squads broke into groups to support the assault on the Temple. Naturally, it would only be a matter of time before the guards arrived, and everyone knew they were out in force. Good thing they were more than capable of handling the dangers ahead, and one Qiangquan and Shinmei squad encountered a force of Marines. The Qiangquan began to duck into cover, opening up on the SMs with their AKs, using Precision Aim to go for unarmored joints whilst the Shinmei began casting Shin Raikōken and Raimeiken and such, sending lightning and explosions and such at the Marines to keep them busy.

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

Tenetia

Emma McKinnon arrived in her shuttle, arriving as the special envoy from Earth. Hoping that the Coredians didn't take the embargo too badly, she was sent to reassure people, and to take her seat on the council....

Atrox watched as Hawkins spit on his foot. The black Thur’Tahg was easily mistaken for a boot if his shape was that of a human. It was not even remotely human shaped so Atrox was not fooled by Hawkins’ blatant lie. He could feel it was the human’s way of feeling superior to the Ta’Nar and was not actually insulted by it as was his intention. If Hawkins had to resort to school yard tactics to make himself feel better then it was actually a compliment and Atrox took it as one. He really had no other choice because if he ripped the ribs out of the human, it would hurt Hera and she was like a daughter to Atrox. To be exact, she was not only his equal in the New Sith Order but also his teacher and student at the same time. Hera is the reason he even split away from his old master, Darth Vader. He wanted to help the young hybrid live in a world without Vaders or Palpatines much the same way a father would want his children to have a better life. He even remembered helping to save Athena from dying when the Ares was attacked.

Atrox turned and walked to the door without uttering a sound but stopped in the doorway.

“You know, for being called the most horrible thing in the universe, who is the one to actually mistreat a guest today? Think about it once and examine yourself from outside. I will be in the ”Boat Bay” as you called it attuning myself to the soldiers accompanying myself so my powers will not recognize them as the enemy.”

Atrox then stepped out the door, spit still on his foot, and followed the escort down the hall. As he walked, he instructed the Kython to absorb the spittle, separate out the impurities, and then decode the fresh genetic sample Hawkins had just donated. Atrox was sure he would find a use for the sample before long.

Later in the assault bay the drop ships were lined up ready for launch. Atrox could feel the intense hatred all around himself as if the humans were shouting, but he practiced the tenants of his Order and controlled his reaction, letting none know he was able to decipher the feelings everyone broadcast about him. He located the men assigned to him and introduced himself although I am sure he needed no introduction. Everyone knew who he was.

“Greetings, as you know I am Atrox. I have been granted the rank of Colonel and I will not tolerate anyone to treat myself in any manner you would another Colonel. I know you all hate what you believe I stand for but that is irrelevant during this mission. We have an ass-hat down there, actually several, who kidnapped a little girl and we will not allow them to go unpunished. They will fall beneath our hand today. We arrive in less than an hour so get your gear aboard the boat or you will be left behind.”

Atrox walked over to the drop ship he was assigned to and entered. He took the place he felt he should in the craft and waited. His mind reached out to the Shipmind in the shuttle and he left orders to inform The Abomination of the timetable.

Place holder.

Issus, Temple

The Coredian move was rather obvious to the Huntarian troops. The Space Marines focused their fire on the newly arrived clones made by Naruto and Travis. Unfortunately, there was something else they over looked. Dornalian troops appeared and opened fired upon the Clones and Space Marines, the two teams knocked out most of the first wave rather easily. The second wave was all ready to go, however, there was a general change of tactics. Their orders were to kill off everyone who came out of the Stargate, and kill them is what they shall do.

The Clone troopers moved up in front of the Space Marines, who gave basic bolter and heavy bolter support from the rear. Behind them was a team of 8 Space Marine Terminators, each one was setting up a pair of Force Field transmitters, designed specifically for troops to fall back behind and use as cover, blocking off enemy troops from being able to easily move through. Once the first one was set up, the Terminators signaled the Space Marines to move behind the Force Field and activated it, leaving the Clones to fend for themselves. Two more SM Terminators showed up, each carrying Assault Guns, one of the most deadliest weapons which they carried.

The Terminators then activated a second wall of a Force Field, stood behind it, let loose a salvo of bullets from their cannons, killing off any surviving Huntarian Clones in front of them. While the Force Fields would slow down the enemy troops from arriving, they still could shoot at the upper torso, as the Force Fields in place were acting more along the lines of waist high walls to help with mounting weapons. The Commanding Sergeant then turned to his troops, "Grenades!" and the explosions began as soon as they made contact on the floor. The Coredians and Dornalians would find similar resistance throughout the Temple...

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

Issus, Space

As the Farstar fleet fired it's missiles at their first target, the Platform was taken by surprise as it tried to rush it's pilots to their Tie Dart's. However, due to slow response time and slightly surprised arrival at their first target, the station was destroyed with ease. It's destruction however reached the fleet, and the rest of them were put on high alert and launched their fighters to help take down future missiles, though likely hood of them surviving is minimal.

"Admiral, the enemy has destroyed one of our FTLi Platforms."

The Admiral nodded, "very well. Have the Torpedo Platforms release a volley of Transphasics at the enemy ships once we're in range. ETA to enemy fleet?"

"20 minutes Admiral. The Fighters could make it there quicker than we can sir."

The Admiral nodded, "mental note for future reference. I'm getting forgetful in my old age. Launch all Tie's at the enemy fleet."

Unknown Soldier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvTCN0--O-4&feature=related)

As she walked into the hanger bay, it wasn’t hard to miss the thousands of marines, loading onto troop transports. Some saluted her, as she brisked by them not caring about what they thought at this moment. Only Atrox in the room would notice the subtle changes as she didn’t even say a word to him. Her heart grew with a fire he had never seen in Hera before, as her blood boiled by the thoughts and actions of those close to her.

Hera looked to her Raptor, which unlike what anyone would expect of Colonial technology, the door opened for her. Inside it looked like any raptor, the draidus flickering, the various scanners and EW pulsing back and forth. Before Atrox or anyone could say a word though, the door slammed shut.

Hera sat down in the leather seat in the cockpit. Reaching down, her fingers touched the cold switches onboard the vessel.

“What’s wrong Lady Sunshine?” Mary asked her sweetly as Hera started the pre flight sequence.

Hera didn’t say a word as her anger seethed inside of her. Ignoring Mary, she placed her hand on the throttle.

“Are you ok, Hera?” Mary asked again.

“Let’s just do this. I am sick of this shit.” Hera said as she pulled back the throttle, and the engines began to burn.

“Hera...” Mary said using her real name, which was very uncharacteristic of the woman, “Maybe we shouldn’t do this. Your head isn’t clear, you can’t complete the mission like,.....”

Hera’s raptor lunged forward, as it sped out of the flight deck into open space. Suddenly the white glow of the hanger bay vanished in favor of the void of space.

“I know what I am doing!” Hera said, as she grew more irritated. “Mission is simple, go in, Kill anyone responsible and get Athena. Unless we are talking about the mission, I don’t feel like talking. Alright?” Hera snapped at Mary.

“As you wish.” Mary said.

Hera looked out at the scene. It was beautiful, the ships lining up, the missiles being shot, with their streaks of propellant firing towards the enemy Ftli. It was truly a sight, as Hera pulled the throttle all the way to full burn.

“Hera.” Mary said, “Incoming Tie Fighters bearing....

“We don’t need to worry about them. Prepare to jump.” Hera said as she looked at the fighters coming up.

“Where to Lady Sunshine?”

“The Jedi Temple.” Hera said. “I am giving you the calculations now.”

“T-space drive is available.” Mary said to Lady Sunshine, as the engines burned in the vacuum of space.

“Spin up the FTL also.” Hera ordered.

“What are you planning on doing.”

“Going in with a bang.”

Mary sighed. “I hope you clear your head before you get in there. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” she said sympathetically.

Hera ignored Mary’s plea, as she pushed the countdown. “Jumping in 5... 4... 3... 2...1.... Jump!”

The Raptor vanished as lights from the tie fighters began to fire in her direction.

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

The Jedi Temple.

Within the Jedi Masters chambers.

Two double prong lights appeared, as a sudden boom exploded through the temple. Glass began to shatter as it fell like rain, as the marble and stone in the temple exploded as if a megaton bomb detonated within the place.

The pillars, old and white, a sign of the Jedi strength and stability crashed down around the distortion.

Panels began to fall from the ceiling as the large structure began to shake at it’s very foundation.

A Raptor suddenly appeared inside, still carrying the inertia of the full burn. The left wing slammed into what was left of the floor, as it gouged it’s way through the temple. Pushing past doors and walls the ship slammed through anything in it’s path.

Hera held onto her seat tight, as marble panels fell and beat the raptor, as it shook and shimmered as all planes do in a crash... uncontrollably.

“I don’t think this was a good idea.” Mary yelled out almost in panic, as the raptor slid into the base of one of the remaining pillars knocking it over with ease.

Hera’s body shook as she held on for dear life. Suddenly it came to a stop. The canopy was covered in dirt and debris, as Hera tried to stand up. Her legs were weakened by the blast, and the fall. “Can we see anything out side the Raptor?” she asked mary.

“Oh yeah lots, you know like a large crash sight.” Mary chimed back scarcastically. “Oh frak!.” Mary said, as suddenly a large rumble began to sound. Then a large crash, as the roof of the room came slamming down. The Roof in the raptor began to squeek, as the metals and stone fell on it in rapid succession. “Lady Sunshine, I think we need to get you out of here!” Mary said in a definite tone.

Hera nodded. Closing her eyes, she could still feel her target, in a room with another. Her heart wanted his death, and this bystander was not going to stand in her way. As the Raptor began to shake some more Hera opened her eyes. “I can smell him.”

“Good so this will be over then?” Mary asked.

Hera shook her head. “No it’s never over. Begin infection.”

“To what extent.” she asked Mary.

“If they aren't on our side, then no limits. For every second Athena is kept from me eat everything you can. If this world is consumed go to another.”

“By your command.”

Hera turned and began to walk. As she did she soon vanished in purple evanescence towards her target. Blayden, and his cohort.

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

Under the rubble, the Raptor began to show it’s true form. Slowly melting away, into large black creatures, they began their feast, as the raptor was buried under a pile of rubble. With each bite their numbers grew.

(Bal you can play your kythons from here on out.)

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

In the shadows of the concave, Hera appeared. Masking her presence, she could feel how close she was to her prey. His power tasted, delightful, like a steak would to a starving man. His scent was indicting, as it gave away the fear that he felt. His heart beat that was always the best part. The way it beat, it was like music, a joy to be danced to. This target, would be a wonderful kill.

She cloaked her presence, as she walked by unseen towards the two men. One was the face of the old man, the bastard Coredian. He needed to die slowly, he needed to see the futility of his actions. Above all else, he wanted Blaydon to fear. As she watched, she knew exactly how to do it.

“Yes an example should be made.” Hera thought to herself as she saw Blayden begin to walk away. “And that man in Black will be my instrument.” she said as she approached him from the rear.

Hera quickly unseen, slammed her fist towards Vorman’s back. As her fist hit his back, between where the Vertebrate were to control legs and lower bowel movement nerve clusters, the hidden wrist blade shot out into him. Little did Hera know the truth of what she has done.

Cylon Occupied Tenetia:
The World Devastator
In orbit of the moon around Tenetia.

There was no sound of buzzing, of mechanical instruments, only the soothing sound of the water, gently dripping from the ceiling to the trough containing his hand. His eyes were closed as he issued his commands to the newly installed base ship hybrid.

The powerful tractor beam, pulled in massive chunks from the moon, the free floating debris from the last superweapon besides itself to hit the surface of the moon. Lucky shot, for had it hit, the people of Tenetia surely would have been destroyed.

It had been quite some time for David, since he had a bite to eat, or a moment to sleep. Too long, as he issued the commands for the ship to follow.

Clang, clang, the sounds of one of the Centurions walked into the CIC. David looked up at the first generation centurion, those built by the Colonials in the early days of the cylon wars. It smelled of oil, as it’s red eye focused on him.

“Excuse me, David.” the metallic robot said, with the classic electronic style voice.

David sighed, as he pulled his hand out of the water. It was strange, as he looked upon the Centurion. He was literally staring in the face his grandfather, the cylons of two generations ago. Strange, that he on this ship built this model, along with the more modern stream lined centurions.

“What is it?” he asked the gold plated centurion, which showed a higher level of intelligence than the common shock troop.

“We have just picked up a Earth Shuttle. Should we intercept target?” the centurion asked apathetically.

David shook his head. “No, escort the shuttle to the surface, and then have the passengers rest safely within one of the bases. Do not engage.” David told the Centurion.

“By your command.”

Tenetia:

Emma’s shuttle floated near by, as on the screen hundreds of thousands of raiders both old and new on her sensors. Quickly turning about twenty of the newer models changed course and moved towards her direction. A radio signal was sent.

“Earth Shuttle. Follow us to the following coordinates.” As Emma looked down, at the location given, it clearly showed one of the many bases on the planet, much like those built for the remaining alliance personal, to house the human soldiers, while they help to secure the planet.

David lowered his head, as he was about to stick his hand back in the watery solution. However the Centurion never moved. "Anything else?"

"Imperius commands you to take the World Devastator to Konoha. New designation of World Devastator, Base ship 1178."

David looked confused as he listened to the order. 'Excuse me, I thought we were still helping the operations at Tenetia." David replied.

"Imperius commands you..."

"Yeah, I get it. Frak. Setting course for Konoha. Jumping in 5 4 3 2 1." in the flash of an eye the World Devastator left Tenetia.

“Yes an example should be made.” Hera thought to herself as she saw Blayden begin to walk away. “And that man in Black will be my instrument.” she said as she approached him from the rear.

Hera quickly unseen, slammed her fist towards Vorman’s back. As her fist hit his back, between where the Vertebrate were to control legs and lower bowel movement nerve clusters, the hidden wrist blade shot out into him. Little did Hera know the truth of what she has done.

Vorman turned his head sideways as the blade appeared through his chest, ::Curious, very curious. What did you expect to accomplish by doing that child?:: Vorman swiftly used the Force to phase himself, being a ghost and all, turned himself to face Hera and got out of the way of the blade. ::You must be the mysterious sister of Athena Brutus has told me about.:: Vorman used the Force to call upon his Light Scythe. ::I would assume you've come for her then?::

Issus, Temple

The Coredian move was rather obvious to the Huntarian troops. The Space Marines focused their fire on the newly arrived clones made by Naruto and Travis. Unfortunately, there was something else they over looked. Dornalian troops appeared and opened fired upon the Clones and Space Marines, the two teams knocked out most of the first wave rather easily. The second wave was all ready to go, however, there was a general change of tactics. Their orders were to kill off everyone who came out of the Stargate, and kill them is what they shall do.

The Clone troopers moved up in front of the Space Marines, who gave basic bolter and heavy bolter support from the rear. Behind them was a team of 8 Space Marine Terminators, each one was setting up a pair of Force Field transmitters, designed specifically for troops to fall back behind and use as cover, blocking off enemy troops from being able to easily move through. Once the first one was set up, the Terminators signaled the Space Marines to move behind the Force Field and activated it, leaving the Clones to fend for themselves. Two more SM Terminators showed up, each carrying Assault Guns, one of the most deadliest weapons which they carried.

The Terminators then activated a second wall of a Force Field, stood behind it, let loose a salvo of bullets from their cannons, killing off any surviving Huntarian Clones in front of them. While the Force Fields would slow down the enemy troops from arriving, they still could shoot at the upper torso, as the Force Fields in place were acting more along the lines of waist high walls to help with mounting weapons. The Commanding Sergeant then turned to his troops, "Grenades!" and the explosions began as soon as they made contact on the floor. The Coredians and Dornalians would find similar resistance throughout the Temple...
In the middle of a nasty firefight in one of the lower hallways of the Temple, the bolter shells and grenades were keeping the kids pinned down, preventing them from being able to pop up and get some shots in and move on. It didn't help that there was a literal Insurmountable Waist High Fence in the picture, preventing easy access to the Marines.

"Dammit! We're pinned down here!" Nick cried out as he rammed another clip into his high-powered blaster rifle. "They're not making it easy for us to get at them!"

"You think they'd welcome us with flowers and candy." Travis answered sarcastically as he ducked around a pillar. "I mean, what the heck are they doing with that force field fence thingy, trying to trip us over? Where the frak are those mechas?"

The young leader of the Padawan Pack was referring to the anti-personnel Cougars and Timberwolves that were supposed to be blockade-breakers for situations like this.

"They're breaking down another sector! It'll take 'em a few minutes to reach us!" Asuka yelled.

"A few minutes' not gonna cut it! Right! Let's give 'em some...wait..."

Suddenly...

Two double prong lights appeared, as a sudden boom exploded through the temple. Glass began to shatter as it fell like rain, as the marble and stone in the temple exploded as if a megaton bomb detonated within the place.

The pillars, old and white, a sign of the Jedi strength and stability crashed down around the distortion.

Panels began to fall from the ceiling as the large structure began to shake at it’s very foundation.

A Raptor suddenly appeared inside, still carrying the inertia of the full burn. The left wing slammed into what was left of the floor, as it gouged it’s way through the temple. Pushing past doors and walls the ship slammed through anything in it’s path.

Hera held onto her seat tight, as marble panels fell and beat the raptor, as it shook and shimmered as all planes do in a crash... uncontrollably.
The entire temple shook with the devastating explosion that completely wiped out the Council Chambers as well as a good portion of the surrounding rooms. This of course caused a weakening of the structure of the Temple itself. A weakening the young leader was able to sense.

Travis grinned at the opportunity that just landed on his lap as he noted the ceiling and walls weakening. "Shinji, cover us with your kekkai!"

"What? Why?" Travis' best friend asked. But his eyes widened as Travis focused energy on the point of his finger like a gun and aimed it at the ceiling's weakest point. "Oh shi--!"

"Reigun!" Travis launched the energy bullet at the ceiling.

"KETSU!" Shinji immediately put up a powerful blue cube barrier around the Pack as tons of ceiling came crashing down on top of the enemy forces, straining as some of it bounced off the barrier. "You coulda warned us!"

"Soorry, but I had to clear the hallway!" Travis shot back. Then he looked at all the rubble on the Space Marines. "Although now it's a bit messier...Hunny, go and find the nearest clear spot ahead of them."

"Right!" Hunny teleported with a soft *pop* and a few seconds passed before he returned. "I found one. Twenty meters dead ahead!"

"All right guys...let's go find Athena!" Travis yelled in enthusiasm and popped away, followed by the others. Shinji was last and the barrier was eliminated as he followed his friends.

=====

Meanwhile Naruto and I were fighting through the horde of clonetroopers and Space Marines when we heard the explosion.

"Huh. Something's happening up ahead." I thought aloud. "You sense Blayden?'

"Yeah." Naruto nodded and grinned. "He's frightened of something."

I chuckled. "Maybe it's me? I'm just a spark plug! Anyway...c'mon. Let's intercept him."

Naruto nodded and we marched through the Temple like two unstoppable machines, tearing through enemies with his floating Rasenshuriken (think of a giant shuriken made of chakra that buzz-saws through most anything) and my Lightning Storm and Force Wave techniques. The path we took would be a path that would intercept with Lord Brutus soon enough...

=====

In the shadows of the concave, Hera appeared. Masking her presence, she could feel how close she was to her prey. His power tasted, delightful, like a steak would to a starving man. His scent was indicting, as it gave away the fear that he felt. His heart beat that was always the best part. The way it beat, it was like music, a joy to be danced to. This target, would be a wonderful kill.

She cloaked her presence, as she walked by unseen towards the two men. One was the face of the old man, the bastard Coredian. He needed to die slowly, he needed to see the futility of his actions. Above all else, he wanted Blaydon to fear. As she watched, she knew exactly how to do it.

Despite walking towards the area he would choose to do battle with Daniel calmly, inside himself, he was anything but calm. First, Vorman's clear death threat meant that he would never survive for long as the new Emperor of Coredia once he killed the old one. Secondly, he got the feeling that someone...something was stalking him. Something more dangerous than the angry Emperor and his pet fox. Something like Death itself...

Try as he might, Lord Brutus could not shake the feeling that he has made a very grave mistake, a mistake that has trapped him between enemies. But at least he had that trump card up his sleeve...a trump card that could raze the planet if he felt that all was lost...

If it wasn’t one thing it was another. Hera wasn’t all that surprised when the apparition before her changed, when her blade had no effect. She had seen this kind before, and with too much frequency.

Hera sighed at Vorman, as her eyes slowly turned yellow. “Another one of you.” She said apathetically. “I see you changed your attire. How quaint of you.” She said as she retracted her blade and stepped backwards.

She looked at the apparition, his face of darkness with his seerign yellow eyes. There was something familiar about him. Something she had seen before. Reaching down to her side, as he light his blade, she pulled out her rapier.

It’s metallic blade shimmered slightly in the flickering lights. Where had she seen him before.

Suddenly it came to her like a tidal wave of emotion and a tempest of hate. Palpitine. His memories flooded her as she looked out at the apparition before her.

“Lord Vorman.” Hera said, her voice growing colder. “It’s been such a long time. Very nice to see you again. You know Palpitine really enjoyed that new body you gave him. Too bad it didn’t last that long.” She gave Vorman a Feral smile, “I made sure of that.”

Her feet were spaced apart just right, as she held her rapier out in front of her. Throwing a feint her blade hit his. “I gotta say, things must be hard on you now. So…. Hard. I remember a time when you held empires in your sway, and your dark power was so…. Delightful. Now you are masterminding kidnappings of a little girl.” Hera said, as she thrust her blade with the speed of a professional fencer towards his heart.

“It’s so disappointing to see how you have fallen.”

Hera sighed at Vorman, as her eyes slowly turned yellow. “Another one of you.” She said apathetically. “I see you changed your attire. How quaint of you.” She said as she retracted her blade and stepped backwards.

She looked at the apparition, his face of darkness with his seerign yellow eyes. There was something familiar about him. Something she had seen before. Reaching down to her side, as he light his blade, she pulled out her rapier.

It’s metallic blade shimmered slightly in the flickering lights. Where had she seen him before.

Suddenly it came to her like a tidal wave of emotion and a tempest of hate. Palpitine. His memories flooded her as she looked out at the apparition before her.

“Lord Vorman.” Hera said, her voice growing colder. “It’s been such a long time. Very nice to see you again. You know Palpitine really enjoyed that new body you gave him. Too bad it didn’t last that long.” She gave Vorman a Feral smile, “I made sure of that.”

::I never intended for him to live for very long. Just to serve as a distraction before I made my move in the Galaxy. He was but another piece of one of my many Dejarik games. It matters not to me that he died. What matters to me was who did it, and how,:: Vorman replied.


Her feet were spaced apart just right, as she held her rapier out in front of her. Throwing a feint her blade hit his. “I gotta say, things must be hard on you now. So…. Hard. I remember a time when you held empires in your sway, and your dark power was so…. Delightful. Now you are masterminding kidnappings of a little girl.” Hera said, as she thrust her blade with the speed of a professional fencer towards his heart.

“It’s so disappointing to see how you have fallen.”

Vorman blocked her blade, twisting his blade sideways and swung it aside aiming to briefly disarm her and cackled, ::fallen? My dear child, even with all of Palpatine's memories you still do not understand. The attack was never about planing Athena's capture, it was about you. It was a feint within a feint. Surely even my corruption of Daniel's clan must've taught you something? Nothing is what it seems with me. You are what I wanted, Athena was merely another feint to get you after me.::

Hera quickly ducked below the scythe attack, as she lifted her left arm up towards what would be Vorman’s under arm. Her twelve inch blade shot out of her wrist towards what would be his under arm striking again, the ghostly apparition, and as expected, hit nothing as it pierced his robe perfectly.

Hera spun around quickly and slashed at his backside while he was incorporeal with her rapier, the one weapon for whatever reason Vorman seemed to be trying to avoid. It was almost as if he sensed…. It was a danger to him.

“Yes, I remember well.” Hera said as she moved back from the swing, keeping her self outside of his range. “You are chaotic like a dog chasing a car. You wouldn’t know what to do with one if you caught it. Well, my lord.” She said coldly, “You got your car.”

With that she began to circle him slightly her blade pointing in his direction. Sweat dripped from her brow slightly as the woman in white stared at the Ghost in Black. “If you wanted me, you should have called. It would have been a lot easier, and cheaper.”

“What is it you want?”

She then lunged at him again, aiming for his arm holding the scythe, in an attempt to make him drop his weapon.

In Orbit:




Atrox sat in the landing pod waiting for the crew to get ready for their assault. Things were taking too much time for he could feel Hera moving away from the ship and then she was suddenly gone, as if she jumped her raptor.

“Cleaver girl, makes me proud of your ingenuity.” He thought to himself. He wished he was by her side but she was the one with the stealth skills, not Atrox and his metal suit. Curious, he used his suit to access the Kython Link it shared with Mary. He immediately received the sensation of a massive collapse as the temple began to collapse around Mary. He received a quick flash of Hera giving a command and things began to unravel…




Issus, Jedi Temple:




Upon the utterance of the command from Hera, Mary fragmented herself and returned the individual consciousnesses that made her into their singular form. Mary lost herself as her awareness was diminished with only Hera’s last command echoing into the sub consciousness of the swarm that was emerging.

The crashed raptor liquefied and the crushing weight of the temple smashed down upon the mass of black mercury-like substance. Thur’Tahg splashed throughout the mass of the collapse. The ebony liquid seemed to soak into the stone of the collapse as that material was converted into Thur’Tahg by the subatomic reactions inherent to the extra-dimensional material. As the Infection liquefied and converted the heavy stone, the pressure from above pushed more down to feed the black stuff more material to convert. The net result was the support from below being eaten away as fast as one could watch.

At the edge of the collapse, black oozed out of the stone covering and tainting the neighboring stone. As it pooled up, forms began to arise out of the seemingly bottomless volume of blackness. Heads first formed out of the material as if something was rising out of a lake, or perhaps a grave. The reptile head was eyeless and covered with spikes or spines running down its neck much like a lion’s mane. Four arms which were long having parodies of human hands with an extra finger joint formed as well as four legs which were very much insect in resemblance. More of the creatures formed as the lake of blackness spread outward along the surface of the floor. Throughout the temple, a deep rumble could be heard and actually felt in some places as the ancient stone began to shift. The place was being devoured from within and before long would collapse upon its own weight, sealing the infection underground to spread unchecked.

Echoing through the minds of the Kythons the last command of Hera filled their thoughts as they went into full combat mode. Purple blades of energy ignited at the end of each arm and they expanded the circle looking for anyone to slay and infect that was not a member of the New Sith Order or a member of the forces Hawkins brought, the impression Mary got from the orders given to her and the only known allies at that moment. They deliberately and instinctively dragged their appendages along the wall leaving black marks that began to spread as well as black holes from their feet in the floor. A trail of Infection soon grew behind the advancing forces of the enraged Kythons bent on following their one command.

Destroy and devour everything.

They began to feed.

Hera quickly ducked below the scythe attack, as she lifted her left arm up towards what would be Vorman’s under arm. Her twelve inch blade shot out of her wrist towards what would be his under arm striking again, the ghostly apparition, and as expected, hit nothing as it pierced his robe perfectly.

Hera spun around quickly and slashed at his backside while he was incorporeal with her rapier, the one weapon for whatever reason Vorman seemed to be trying to avoid. It was almost as if he sensed…. It was a danger to him.

“Yes, I remember well.” Hera said as she moved back from the swing, keeping her self outside of his range. “You are chaotic like a dog chasing a car. You wouldn’t know what to do with one if you caught it. Well, my lord.” She said coldly, “You got your car.”

Vorman snorted at the crude example, ::my plans are always in motion, never ending. Just because you're here doesn't mean that my plan is completed. To understand my line of logic and reasoning would drive one to utter insanity.::


With that she began to circle him slightly her blade pointing in his direction. Sweat dripped from her brow slightly as the woman in white stared at the Ghost in Black. “If you wanted me, you should have called. It would have been a lot easier, and cheaper.”

“What is it you want?”

She then lunged at him again, aiming for his arm holding the scythe, in an attempt to make him drop his weapon.

Vorman simply jumped aside from Hera's lunge, grabbed hold of his Light Scythe and phased, disappearing into the floor below him and Hera, ::calling just seems too crude of a method,:: came the reply out of the empty room, ::and to lay such a trap for you in that method is lowbrow and very obvious for someone with even your basic level of Assassin abilities. Now this way, no one saw it coming. You still have much to learn in the ways of fooling your enemies young one, which comes to my next subject. Join me, you could become so much more than what you are.::

Time nearly stood still as the specter vanished into the floor, barely missing the blow from Hera’s Rapier. She slowly circled around, as she studied the area, reaching out and feeling for any sign of the ghost within her grasp.

The man, the thing was on the run, moving and hiding in the shadows. But like all monsters in a horror film, those who run after it, chasing blindly surely are the ones that die.

Hera gently slid her rapier in her case, as she reached around and grabbed the Colt. 45. Cocking the hammer back, and flipping the safety off, she walked slowly. Both hands on the handle, the barrel facing in front of her, as she eased up on her elbows.

“Join you?” Hera asked as she silently took a step, “Do you have any idea of how stupid that sounds? You have offered nothing, no bribe, no position, no prized possession. Tell me, My Lord, does that line ever really work?” she asked as she concentrated on the area surrounding her.

“You really should try to open with something, like payment. Just a word of advice, in case you actually do make it out of here.” Hera said to the emptiness of the room.

She knew this room was becoming an uncertain trap. A world with sin, a world where the trappings of the enemy knew more than she did. This wouldn’t do. She closed her eyes for a moment, and began to whisper. Barely audible, she spoke in old Caprican, the words of prayer and magic.

The floor, the flickering lights, the smell of dust all began to fade as she worked her magic on the area. The sounds of explosions faded, as the sound of the ocean lapping against the water came around her. The smell of salt water was in the air, as the room transformed into a beautiful empty beach.

The wind blew softly around her, moving the grass on the near by dunes. Any and all within would be exposed, revealed as the room changed into this new world.

FNS Endurance
Task Force S2
Outside FTL Exclusion Zone
Huntaerian Occupied Issus

When the first FTL/I platform was destroyed it opened up a gap in the exclusion zone nearly 1 AU in diameter. From inside this new opening four more platforms could be brought into range if Admiral Clignor did what most outnumbered attacking forces would consider suicide, if he divided his command. But the Farstars Navy trained to operate as separate divisions each an effective force and if the maneuver was conducted quickly enough the Imperials would not have time to respond.

He marked four nodes on the edge of the hole that was created in the exclusion zone, a division of battle cruisers would jump to these positions and then target the indicated FTL/I station. Then they would beat feet out of dodge, the Imperial fleet staying concentrated behind their shield could only pursue one of the divisions the rest would escape, with their mission a success.

“Squadron orders, divide by division and jump to indicated nodes. Two broadside bombardment of indicated targets, then proceed independently to withdrawal from the system. Flag Out.”

With that command the squadron’s battle cruisers separated into two ship divisions screen by the smaller ships of the taskforce, then each disappeared in the flash of a tactical jump. Moments latter they appeared near their nav points, and they launched their missiles. The stations were more prepared this time but in the end they were consumed by the attacks. Now at least in this sector of the exclusion zone there was an opening nearly to Issus itself with a large corridor cut into the zone.

The four divisions of the Taskforce each separated by tens of millions of kilometers, two now turned sharply north east and west and the other two south east and west as they made the calculations necessary to jump into hyperspace. The TIE fighters that were almost into attack range of their previous position now found themselves suddenly out of position for an attack as the Farstars forces jumped past them.

The sluggish enemy fleet hiding behind their shield would only be able to pursue one command and it seemed unlike they could attack it before it escaped.

FNS Dauntless
Flagship, Southern Command
Issus System
Huntaerian Occupied Space

The destruction of the FTL/I platforms was intentional in both where they were attacked and how many. The objective was to open a hole for the Southern Command, to exploit. With the exclusion zone whittled down in this specific sector the Fleet would be able to use its Hyperwave Inertial Momentum Sustainer (HIMS) to attain near orbit of Issus and be in a position to threaten one enemy fleet and the planet itself with the other to far out of position to support.

Only ten million kilometers above Issus the Southern Command emerged from hyperspace. Its battle squadrons arrayed in a wall of battle with its screen surrounding them ready to intercept any attack with their defenses. Smaller drones launched from the sides of the dreadnoughts and assumed CAP positions, other decoys and jammers launched tethered to the warships as well.

“Admiral Stirling, Excalibur drones launched and Cronos system activated. Enemy fleet bearing 027 range five million kilometers. All commands report ready to fire.”

Vice Admiral Stirling saw the enemy fleet in the Holo-Tank. It was an impressive enough force more then enough to defeat the Cordian Navy and most of the forces the “Alliance” could muster. Yet, the Huntaerians have never faced his nation in a real battle before, only skirmishes which so far this battle was. The Huntaerian Empire was a large player in the fallen Galactic Empire, but that entity didn’t exist anymore, and as much as he himself would have relished the challenge of this fight, as much as he wanted to crack that shield and dismantle that fleet, he had orders to the contrary.

“Establish a communication link with the Huntaerian Flagship, send the following.

“To Commanding officer of Huntaer Forces,
From Commanding Officer of the Farstars Navy, Southern Command:
Request ceasefire and parley”

OOC: Damage delt with Hunts permission. Other parts to follow soon

The Black Scourge had taken control of nearly the entire level with walls, floor, and ceiling melting as it was changed into Thur’Tahg. The level above in many places had collapsed into the ever expanding black tide dropping those unlucky to be occupying the area into the voracious liquid below. Kythons crawled through the connecting tunnels and stairwells, even a few airshafts which were found were quickly used to expand their influence to connecting levels vertically. Hundreds of Kythons flew up and down the shafts spreading the black Infection wherever they went.

Near the stargate, the Hunterian forces pinning down the Coredian forces heard a rumble behind them of collapsing hallway. Those on watch would see shapes flying down the hallway at them with purple dimensional cutting blades extended, behind the shapes, a flood of Kythons were scrabbling toward the food ahead on foot. In the shadows the blackness was spreading at their passing. There was no way through this way and from the distant rumbling, the other hallways were being collapsed by either Infection or drones as they too advanced.

Boat Bay

The boat bay itself contained two squadrons of assault shuttles and gunships that could carry upwards of a brigade of Marines and supporting units to the surface of a planet. Yet, these units would only be used for the recovery of the Marine Battalion assigned with raiding the former Jedi temple on Issus. Instead the attack force off 300 marines would be inserted by Drop Pods, each one of these bullet shaped projectiles rested on the deck of the boat bay. A marine in power armor could fit inside each projectile which would be shot out of a mass driver towards the objective. Their trajectories were calculated and they all would land within a kilometer of the temple unless they were intercepted by enemy fire. For all the simplicity of the Drop Pods they were stealthy at least until they made atmosphere where they became great big fire balls, but they were the quickest way to insert troops to the surface in a hurry.

Atrox was strapped into the five point harness of his pod when the small flat panel display light up, the armored face of Colonel Palmer, commanding officers of the 5th Battalion, 3 Marine Brigade appeared. As the commanding officer of the battalion his call sign was Black Six, Atrox was designated as S-1, supernumerary one.

“Black Six to Sierra One, settled in ? We are go for launch in sixty seconds. Its going to be a hot drop but hard as it is there isn’t anything we can do, just sit back and relax as you burn in. The Fleet will counter battery any defenses that fire on us. Ill see you on the surface. Black Six, Out.”

The small inertial compensator mounted inside the pod was enough to limit the force of gee’s that Atrox felt but the initial acceleration would have been around fifteen gravities for two minutes. Then it would have settled down as they sped towards the planets surface. As they entered the gravity well of the Issus the drop pod would have shaken and the gee forces increased as they burned into the atmosphere. A nonchalant computerized voice updated Atrox on the situation,

Nearing Atmosphere of Issus ETA fifty five seconds.

Everything was going as expected soon they would be on the planets surface. They say though that there is something called Murphy’s law, “If something can go wrong it will” and the enemy on the surface now attempted to prove that.

Warning, Warning active enemy sensors tracking our trajectory. Initiating evasive action.

The drop pods of the entire battalion began to deploy decoys and jamming systems, small thrusters changing their trajectories slightly in the hope of making themselves harder targets. With only thirty seconds left of the decent the enemy air defense fire met the incoming drop pods. The small screen that showed icons displaying the drop to Atrox began to lose icons in the twos and threes, a dozen, a score.

Then Atrox own pod shook extremely violently as it was hit by enemy fire.

Damage sustained hull integrity down forty percent, deceleration thrusters and counter gravity systems off line. Chance of survivable impact, reduced by seventy-five percent. ETA to impact zone one zero seconds. Please brace for impact

The computerized voice of the drop pod said without emotion.

The drop pod shook violently as enemy fire battered it.

Damage sustained hull integrity down forty percent, deceleration thrusters and counter gravity systems off line. Chance of survivable impact, reduced by seventy-five percent. ETA to impact zone one zero seconds. Please brace for impact.

“Damn Farstars’ bullshit gear. It can withstand re-entry but not a few hits from defenses,” thought Atrox to himself. He activated his Psi teleportation ability appearing several thousand feet behind the disintegrating drop pod moments before it disappeared in a fireball of its own. Atrox immediately activated his telekinetic shields, strengthening them as he fell. Heat flared from the oxygen friction on his shields leaving a fireball behind him as he adjusted his descent and slowed as best he could using the levitation ability of his suit.

A sudden boom rang across the ground as the streak of fire struck the unforgiving ground. The concussion wave tossed debris everywhere including some fragments of the abandoned drop pod. A cloud of dust rose into the air and settled, drifting with the wind. In the center of a small crater was a glowing ball of energy with a dark form crouched within. The form was motionless for a few seconds before there was movement.

The impact had cost Atrox a lot of energy so he had to draw some to replace that which was used to divert energy away from his form while he fell. It left him momentarily weakened Psionically but he was far from dead. The environmental suit had done its job keeping him from roasting as the heat from re-entry had raised the temperature within the bubble of the telekinetic shield. He still felt uncomfortably warm and the surface of his armor was nearly red hot but he had survived. Releasing the shield, heat immediately contained was dissipated allowing the Kython armor to change the buildup of thermal energy into power necessary to regulate the difference. After a few seconds, the armor had cooled to a more manageable level.

Darth Atrox stood up and looked around. He could see several drop pods a short distance away that had made it through the defensive fire and their contents climbing out. Activating his transmitter, he used the frequency the Farstars were assigned for the mission.

“Sierra One to Black Six. I have Insertion. I repeat, Sierra One to Black Six, I am on the ground.”

After no immediate reply Atrox began to climb out of the hole his impact had made. His body was not acting up to par for some damage had managed to make it through the suit. He concentrated on the torn limb joint and used his Psionic Healing ability to cause the seepage from his open circulatory system to stop and seal. After several seconds, he was able to move as if he was never hurt. Using some of the excess energy of the suit he activated the levitation and rose out of the crater and landed lightly on the edge.

“Bear One, we are sending the telemetry to your console. We have positive confirmation of the objective” Hawkins was relived at this. They had the temple under their sensors for fifteen minutes that was more then enough time to search for life signs and to analyze their findings. It was made all that much easier that their objective was not human but rather a Cylon hybrid, and they knew exactly what to look for. “ We have her in this room surrounded by many other life signs, we suspect them to be the principals’ guards.”

“They will have to be eliminated. Prepare a kinetic bombardment” The Dreadnoughts in orbit had the ability to bombard the surface and their rail guns could target individual persons on the surface and eliminate them with little damage to the surrounding area besides a rapid change in pressure in the room. “I am launching I want the bombardment to hit ten seconds before I do.”

“Understood Bear One, We will cover your move. Good Hunting. Dauntless Actual out.” Hawkins drop pod was shot out towards the JedI temple with one hundred other projectiles that were to act as decoys, if any survived re-enty they would just impact the surface like any meteor. Half way to his target the rail gun’s fired their projectiles were swift and the firing computers had calculated the complex equations required for such a surgical shot at this distance. The 10 mm high velocity penetrators would be able to slice through the ceiling of the Jedi temple as if it were not there, they would barely even notice the fleshy bodies of their targets as they continued on their path.

He sensed the sudden deaths caused by the bombardment, but there was something strange about them, a genuine pain in the force. Something was wrong with that, but as he felt the pod slam to a stop he knew that he would enter the room and eliminate any of the guards that remained and be able to take Athena into custody.

He stepped out of the pod and into the room he his marine skin suit gleaming amid the aftermath of the bombardment his eyes scanned for resistance and for Athena.

“Establish a communication link with the Huntaerian Flagship, send the following.

“To Commanding officer of Huntaer Forces,
From Commanding Officer of the Farstars Navy, Southern Command:
Request ceasefire and parley”

OOC: Damage delt with Hunts permission. Other parts to follow soon

The Comms Officer of the Nemesis got the rather startling message, "Admiral, we have an incoming message from the enemy fleet... They're requesting a ceasefire and parley."

The Grand Admiral raised an eyebrow with curiosity, "odd, what do they expect we are, pirates? Patch him through." Heromath cleared his throat, "I am Grand Admiral Heromath of the Huntarian Empire. State your business."


“Join you?” Hera asked as she silently took a step, “Do you have any idea of how stupid that sounds? You have offered nothing, no bribe, no position, no prized possession. Tell me, My Lord, does that line ever really work?” she asked as she concentrated on the area surrounding her.

“You really should try to open with something, like payment. Just a word of advice, in case you actually do make it out of here.” Hera said to the emptiness of the room.

::Mostly Coredians, Dornalians and Huntarians. I've often used money as a means of bribery, the Empire's defense budget certainly has a seemingly endless amount of it.::


She knew this room was becoming an uncertain trap. A world with sin, a world where the trappings of the enemy knew more than she did. This wouldn’t do. She closed her eyes for a moment, and began to whisper. Barely audible, she spoke in old Caprican, the words of prayer and magic.

The floor, the flickering lights, the smell of dust all began to fade as she worked her magic on the area. The sounds of explosions faded, as the sound of the ocean lapping against the water came around her. The smell of salt water was in the air, as the room transformed into a beautiful empty beach.

The wind blew softly around her, moving the grass on the near by dunes. Any and all within would be exposed, revealed as the room changed into this new world.

Vorman's cackle echoed throughout this new illusion, ::a futile maneuver little girl. Did you expect me to be that easily fooled by your pathetic Sith magic?:: The image quickly turned from a tranquil scenery into something dark and Gothic. The sea slowly changed into that of a ocean of blood, the smell of burning flesh filled the air. As the water washed up upon the shore of the illusion, the bloodied sand slowly revealed decaying corpses and long dead skeletons underneath. Then in the distance, a little girl started walking towards Hera, slowly dragging her feet behind her. It was Athena and it looked as though something had just mangled her.

She looked up at Hera with hateful eyes, "why did you forsake me sister? You promised to protect me. Why did you lie? I HATE YOU!"

The Dornalians, meanwhile, had their own tricks to break through the gauntlets of blockades, which seemed thankfully weakened by the combined efforts of Coredian pluckiness and the spreading whatever-it-was that was likely Kython in origin. Adrian stifled any feelings of revulsion he had at the sight of the stuff, and told others simply, "Not a word," as he motioned for the Dornalians to counterattack. The Qiangquan threw grenades and then, in a massed reloading of magazines, executed a simeltaneous display of the power known simply in clumsily translated English as "Barrage." That is, the Huntarians that the spreading Kython whatever-it-was didn't force a withdrawal from were suddenly met with determined, seemingly invincible firing lines of angry men, firing at just the right weak spots as their Shinmei brothers simply teleported and enacted more dazzling pyrotechnic displays that brought large scale explosions with them.

Eventually, however, the crumbling infrastructure seemed to be making combat moot. At this point, it was now merely a matter of speed, leaping back and forth to catch up with the Allies and provide support. Adrian called Travis, saying, "What's your status? I've got a building that by all rights, should be condemned falling apart around me, and good men who need to know who needs assistance."

The words of her sister, the hate of a child, this illusion was crossing the line as Hera looked at the mangled body of Athena.

Her skin was bruised, as blood poured down her arm. “I HATE YOU!” was all the little girl said, as Hera held the gun out in front of her.

The world had also changed, from the beauty and peace, to a nearly apocalyptic state, complete with the rivers of blood. Hera took a deep breath as she looked down at the phantom before her.

She didn’t say a word, as she reached out her hand at the illusion. The face of such a beautiful child, broken and battered. The hate she could feel from the very real illusion. No, it wouldn’t affect Hera. Not now. Hera reached out with her arm, as a razor sharp disc, about six inches in diameter flew out from her wrist at high speed.

The disc ripped through the little girls head with ease, as part of her skull flew off exposing the brain. Blood gushed out of the blond girl, as she laid on the ground quivering.

Hera looked down at the illusion, her fears brought to life. “I am going to kill you, you son of a bitch!” she yelled out, as she looked around the beach of death. Closing her eyes for a moment, like Blayden before, she reached out to Vorman. Their souls began the dance, the dance of predator and prey, but unlike Blayden before she felt no heart. Hera’s eyes opened, yellow as the sun, as she could feel his power. He was much more powerful than Palpitine and Vader before, and would be a feast for her.

Hera opened her eyes, as she began instinctively walking towards his hidden location.

To say she was angry was an understatement as the girl’s heart beat for vengeance. Vorman, unlike Blaydon before crossed the line even a Coredian didn’t do. Using Athena’s image was a line he would regret crossing.

Hera held her gun, as she could feel Vorman. Like an instinct she just knew where her prey would be. She levied her gun. Smiling at the unseen target she placed her hand on the trigger. It was cold, as her index finger wrapped around it.

Suddenly Hera was overwhelmed with the cries of the innocent, as if God himself was sending hordes of demons against her. Her head split open, as if a nail was being hammered into it, each stroke burying itself deeper within her skull.

She looked up to the heavens, as it seemed angels on black wings were descending on her. Placing her hands to her head, the colt pressed against the side, barrel out, she cried out in terror, as tears of blood began to stream from her face.

The memories, of the children flew into her head, the innocent coredians, their lives, every moment they were alive. As life passed before their eyes, they passed into hers.

She cried out in terror, as the ghosts of the young poured themselves into her body. None though was more painful than that of Nina. The only Coredian in Hera’s darkest time that tried to befriend her. Hera looked at the girl, the cute innocent girl, as Nina forced her way into her skull. Hera’s body shook on the ground, as she remembered from Nina’s point of view their first meeting.

Hera looked like a mess, unwanted, uncared for. Her hair was matted, and all Nina could see was the bright person inside. Nina knew all Hera wanted was to be cared for, even loved. She took it upon herself, to try to give Hera just that.

Hera shivered on the ground, as she collapsed on the ground.

A few minutes went by, as the dark angels continued their assault on Hera. As the last one entered her, Hera stood up. The Colt was at her side, pointing to the ground. “You MOTHER FRAKKER.” She yelled out. Pointing her left arm she fired wildly the discs from her left arm, until the chamber went click…

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

Dirt and concrete filled the air, as Athena looked around. They were dead, all dead, as the shots blasted through the roof tearing apart any of the would be guards, the old playmates Athena used to have.

She looked around, as what was left of the bodies was torn and thrown around the room like a paper towel in a tornado. It didn’t take her long to decide, she had to run.

The girl in the sundress did just that. She began to run out the door, and down the hall. She didn’t know where she was going as the lights flickered, and dust and debris flew everywhere.

She turned down one hall, and began to run, until the walls themselves turned black. Jumping out, the scary monsters, she turned and ran again, down past the water dripping from the walls, and past the shock troops firing at one another, until she came to a hole in the wall. Gently climbing inside she hid herself.

She sat their pressing her legs up to her chest, making as tight of a ball as she could. Quietly, she held herself in the darkness, until a small beam of light shined in her face. Athena looked up, and saw blue, the blue sky.

Reaching her small hand up, she grabbed onto a piece of broken marble, and tried to climb towards the light.

“Bear One, we are sending the telemetry to your console. We have positive confirmation of the objective” Hawkins was relived at this. They had the temple under their sensors for fifteen minutes that was more then enough time to search for life signs and to analyze their findings. It was made all that much easier that their objective was not human but rather a Cylon hybrid, and they knew exactly what to look for. “ We have her in this room surrounded by many other life signs, we suspect them to be the principals’ guards.”

“They will have to be eliminated. Prepare a kinetic bombardment” The Dreadnoughts in orbit had the ability to bombard the surface and their rail guns could target individual persons on the surface and eliminate them with little damage to the surrounding area besides a rapid change in pressure in the room. “I am launching I want the bombardment to hit ten seconds before I do.”

“Understood Bear One, We will cover your move. Good Hunting. Dauntless Actual out.” Hawkins drop pod was shot out towards the JedI temple with one hundred other projectiles that were to act as decoys, if any survived re-enty they would just impact the surface like any meteor. Half way to his target the rail gun’s fired their projectiles were swift and the firing computers had calculated the complex equations required for such a surgical shot at this distance. The 10 mm high velocity penetrators would be able to slice through the ceiling of the Jedi temple as if it were not there, they would barely even notice the fleshy bodies of their targets as they continued on their path.

He sensed the sudden deaths caused by the bombardment, but there was something strange about them, a genuine pain in the force. Something was wrong with that, but as he felt the pod slam to a stop he knew that he would enter the room and eliminate any of the guards that remained and be able to take Athena into custody.

He stepped out of the pod and into the room he his marine skin suit gleaming amid the aftermath of the bombardment his eyes scanned for resistance and for Athena.

The broken bodies were initiates. Each and every one of them. Mind-controlled by Blayden to protect Athena from any threat, however futile it may be since they had too-small bodies and too-little training.

Athena, however, was nowhere to be seen amongst the torn-apart room...

=====

I felt it.

As I neared Blayden's location, I felt the pained cries of many small ones, a terrible wound that could never be extinguished. I felt my own niece vanish among the cries...and my heart grew still. "NO! NINA!"

Unbridled fury welled up from inside my body like a supercyclone forming. The elements outside began to respond to my rage as the clouds above began to swirl above the broken Temple, growing darker and darker with each passing moment. Thunder rumbled ominously as the storm builded strength.

I didn't hear Naruto's warnings as I divined the killer of Nina Masaki and all the initiates. Hawkins! So he has returned...and his first act was to kill the innocent. He will be dealt with later, but now was the time to kill the one responsible for bringing the war to Issus. The one truly responsible for Nina's death and the deaths of many, many more.

"BLAYDEN!" I roared. "BLAYDEN!"

I sensed he was heading into the Temple gardens. Good! He can feed Katrina's flowers there! Without warning, I spun on my heels and with a resounding CRACK, summoned myself to face him.

"Ah! Lord Masaki...I'm sure you are aware--ack!" Blayden began to speak but was suddenly caught in a Force Grip of astounding strength. "Masaki--"

I didn't want to hear it. My fingers flickered and he slammed into a nearby tree with barely as much Force energy as one needed to lift a rock. "Shut up, you sick bastard. I trusted you! My FATHER trusted you! And then you had to go ahead and betray us for your own twisted desires! And in the end, the very people who called you Teacher, those very same people who, by the way, happened to include my own niece, are now dead because of YOU! Well, guess what, Lord Brutus, if that's who you call yourself these days...I, Emperor Daniel Alexander Masaki, hereby charge you with high treason, murder, and a host of other evil deeds, declare you guilty of all charges, and sentence you...to DEATH!"

Lightning chose this time to emphasize my pronouncement as wind whipped through our robes.

"Lord Masaki--" Blayden tried to speak, but a warning in his mind forced him to dodge a death blow from my lightsaber that would have cleaved him in two. As it was, the tree behind him was cut as easily as if it was paper and fell down. His own lightsaber clashed with mine, but he underestimated my unrestrained strength and stumbled back. He recovered his footing and began deflecting my blows. He snarled, releasing cruel hatred to balance my righteous anger. "To the death, then, Masaki? So be it!"

Both of us were masters of the Force and the lightsaber. Both of us were at the top of our game today, though Blayden was older than I by a couple of decades. But as the wind howled and the lightning crashed, the two of us clashed blades like we've never clashed before.

To the death, indeed.

=====

Naruto just blinked as one of his clones reported back that the Emperor has engaged Lord Brutus. "Wouldn't want to get in his way, boss. He looks furious."

"He is." Naruto shook his head. "Remind me never to get him that mad. What's the status on Travis and his group?"

The clone cocked his head aside, getting information from another clone. "He's headed for...jeez, he's headed for the control center. And lemme tell ya, it's a mess there. They're starting to engage...oh, crap! Our own forces!"

"What? What the hell do you mean?" Naruto asked, frowning.

"Looks like a bunch of Jedi have been turned to the enemy's side...no wait, it looks more like a mind-control thing. You can tell by the dull eyes." The clone grumbled. "Some of them are Padawans and initiates. He's having a hard time getting through them."

"I can see why." Naruto sighed. Friends he knew for ages...turning on him. It must be breaking his heart.

He then remembered Daniel crying out for his niece and narrowed his eyes. "Nina Masaki...can you find her...or her corpse?"

"Corpse?" The clone's eyes widened.

"I have a feeling we just lost another Masaki." Naruto sighed sadly and closed his eyes. When they opened again, they were tinted red with controlled anger. "I pity the fool who gets in the brothers' way now. There's gonna be no stopping them until the enemy's dead. Inform all the clones attached to the strike teams that I'm taking command of the mission for the time being as the Emperor has engaged Blayden. Gotta maintain some kind of cohesion around here."

"Right, boss!"

"Now let's see..." The Temple was crumbling bit by bit with all the attacks, so it's likely the fights will soon have to spread outside. Frankly, Naruto hoped the fleet would get here soon enough before they had to do that.

=====

Eventually, however, the crumbling infrastructure seemed to be making combat moot. At this point, it was now merely a matter of speed, leaping back and forth to catch up with the Allies and provide support. Adrian called Travis, saying, "What's your status? I've got a building that by all rights, should be condemned falling apart around me, and good men who need to know who needs assistance."

"I'm kinda busy right now!" Travis replied sharply, in between deflecting lightsaber blows from faces that he knew well. Faces that were now a mask of creepy indifference. "Dammit! Why did I have to face my own friends?! Blayden, you asshole!"

Reika took the comlink from Travis as she rolled her eyes. "What Travis-baka means is this: be warned, for our Temple garrison seem to have been mind-controlled and turned against us. Knocking them out seems to work, but don't hold back if you can't risk it."

"Reika! We can't kill our own guys!!" Travis yelled, but it came out more as a whine.

"They are compromised!" Reika shot back coldly. "Sentimentality has no place when the mission is at stake!"

"Screw you! I'm not gonna kill anyone here and I'm not going to let anyone else do it just because it looks easy!" Travis yelled.

"You deal with finding the little girl, then. We'll deal with the enemy so that you don't have to." Reika shot back. "Our mission is to retrieve Athena, nothing else matters!"

"Fine! I will! Just don't kill our own people!" Travis yelled again and lept forward, blasted a couple of mind-controlled kids back with a small Psybolt and raced down the hallway towards the command center.

Reika merely smirked. "Works every time on the dobe."

She returned to the comlink. "My apologies. Which sector did you say you were in? I'll see if I can spare someone."

Reika merely smirked. "Works every time on the dobe."

She returned to the comlink. "My apologies. Which sector did you say you were in? I'll see if I can spare someone."

The news was not encouraging. Then again, it did explain the sudden bouts of gunfire coming from supposedly allied sectors, and his own Qiangquans' bursts of suppressive 7.62 thrown back at the mindcontrolled guards. It was a sight that made Adrian recall his Nova Louisiana days, when he had led missions to retake PA temples from demonic beings from God-knows-where. While this wasn't quite as disturbing, this had its own troubling features about it. Namely, the classic dilemma of how to handle child soldiers shooting you, with the added variable of mind control. To their credit, everyone seemed to handle it rather professionally, if reluctantly so, aiming for suppressing fire and limb hits, if it had to come to body blows. No Mozambique Drills (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambique_Drill), at least not yet.

Adrian sighed, ducking from a burst of energy flying at him, as he retaliated with a cryokinetic blast. He then replied, "Negative, we're doing okay....our people have slugthrowers, but they know how to use them around kids. Even mindcontrolled ones. We just needed a SITREP--just tell me where you are, we'll be there on the double. Over."

Upon being told, Adrian and his teams would begin a double-time run through the decaying complex....

As Hawkins scanned the room he saw the devastation the orbital bombardment wrought. The broken bodies in the room were not the remains of armored marines or Huntaeran soldiers but rather the remains of young ones. It was a command decision though there had been no way or time to discern just what the other life signs were. He would have to live with that decision just as he has to with many others, the young ones were dead, and he had no doubt in his mind that Daniel Masaki would blame him for it.

Well...

Fuck that little prick. It was his incompetence and his orders that exposed Athena to the betrayal of Blayden and it was the scheme of Vorman and his abduction of Athena and his control of the Young Ones that exposed them to danger in the combat zone. The HUD on his helmet displayed the blood smear on the ground and the little bits of bone and charred flesh that remained as Nina Masaki. Hawkins regretted that she died but he suspected that all of Daniel Masaki's anger at his orders was due to the fact that he just lost a family member. He and his own cared not for the lesser peons that did not bear thier surname, and for all his bluster he didnt give a fuck about Athena nor Hera.

Hawkins kneeled over what was left of Nina and opened his hand above her,

"There is no death Young One, there is only the Force. Be at peace." Hawkins said quietly. Then he stood and moved out of the room he walked quickly not stopping to fight the various combatants about the corridors. He walked with a singular purpose on his HUD was displayed the path of Athena, the data linked to his HUD from the Dauntless which was monitoring the Temple from space.

It did not take long for him to follow her away from the fighting to her bolt hole. He could never follow her up it but he could see from his sensors that she was not far up her climb she would be able to hear his voice clear enough.

“Hey there Kido” He called up to her, no one could called Hawkins voice warm and comforting but he spoke easily to her much like father to his scared child stuck in a tree. He shined his helmets head lamp into the dark passage way if Athena looked downward she would see a welcoming light. “My name is Chris, do you remember me I am friends with your mommy, Emily.”

There was so much more he wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her he was sorry for leaving her . That he was sorry he was not there to take care of her, to protect her, to teach her, and to watch her grow, about how he was sorry all of this happened.

“Emily and Hera sent me to find you to bring you back home. We all love you very much, please come on down and to me. I will get you home Kido, Ill protect you from the monsters. Its what daddy does.”

Athena Please… Hawkins begged of the Force and of the Lady. He willed it with all his soul that Athena would come to him. He wanted to hold her and make her feel safe and to get her out of this mess.

This is what is like to be a Kage Bunshin.

You are a clone. Created for the purpose of distracting foes so that your original self can destroy them, you don't have a long life. Hell, you don't have much of a life, but even so, you do what your boss orders you to do because...well, that's your purpose, innit?

You have all the powers and a good fraction of the strength of your boss, but it would take only one hit, maybe two, and you're nothing but smoke. On the bright side, everything you learn or experience will go back to the owner, giving him an intelligence boost, so your short life isn't totally useless even if you did nothing but recon.

Though you're just a short-lived clone, a construct of chakra, you are able to have feelings. Like sadness and anger when you come across the command center, where many broken bodies lay. Bloody, tiny pieces. It would take you a while to find the right body.

"Don't bother." A blue-cloaked figure said as you got to work. The figure went to one particular body, charred, but with eyes closed. He sank to the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks. "She's gone...My Nina..."

You don't know what to do or say, as you are merely a clone of Uzumaki Naruto...

=====

Minutes passed as a broken alchemist continued to sob, even amidst the fighting.

"Brother..." Taylor said quietly. "We have to finish this thing. For her sake. For all our sakes."

To Taylor's dismay, the master alchemist Jacob Masaki merely nodded, his sobs quieting. Numb, he picked up the body with care and reverence. "Take her back to the Stargate."

Taylor's spine chilled as he carried the body of his niece. "Brother...don't be reckless."

Jacob's eyes stared at his brother's and Taylor nearly gasped. Gone was the soft, cheerful light in the alchemist's eyes. Jacob's eyes were expressionless, devoid of any emotion. "I won't."

As Taylor teleported, Jacob looked around at the other bodies. He couldn't recognize many of them, as they were too charred, but they were as much his children as Nina was. Bright...lively...their whole lives ahead of them. All taken away, just as his daughter was taken away.

He walked away from the command center, barely noticing the black splotches and forms of Kythons stalking and killing Huntarians. He even got a few, his alchemy tearing them apart from the inside out. Soon, he noticed the presence of Hawkins, who appeared to be looking for someone. Probably the little girl. It didn't take long for him to discover where she was...it looked like she was heading out into the open on the east side of the Temple.

His detachment coolly analyzed the situation. If the little girl -Athena- were to get into the clutches of the Huntarians...

Ah, here's the little break now. Huffing and puffing, his eldest nephew arrived. "Hiya, Uncle! Did you find her?"

A false smile came up to hide his inner coldness. "Yeah. I think she's heading out on the east side of the Temple."

"You all right, Uncle Jacob?" Travis asked, feeling something off.

The older man shook his head. "No. You're charged to go save the girl, right?"

"Yeah." Travis nodded.

"Go rescue her." Jacob said.

"Alright. You sure you're all right? You don't look well." Travis scowled.

Jacob wanted to tell him...but it might tear the boy apart as well. He shook his head. "No. I'm fine."

"Alright, if you say so." Travis said skeptically and teleported to the east side of the Temple.

Jacob then began looking for more enemies to kill...

Coredian Fleet

"We're coming up on Issus, sir!" Cried the helmsman.

"Very well. Sound general quarters!" Admiral Pellaeon ordered the fleet.

Klaxons rang as the crew professionally went to battle stations and the bulkhead doors closed. Moments later, the fleet reverted to realspace over the battlefield...

OOC:

Please do not get too far ahead, some of us are waiting for others to post battles

She cried out in terror, as the ghosts of the young poured themselves into her body. None though was more painful than that of Nina. The only Coredian in Hera’s darkest time that tried to befriend her. Hera looked at the girl, the cute innocent girl, as Nina forced her way into her skull. Hera’s body shook on the ground, as she remembered from Nina’s point of view their first meeting.

Hera looked like a mess, unwanted, uncared for. Her hair was matted, and all Nina could see was the bright person inside. Nina knew all Hera wanted was to be cared for, even loved. She took it upon herself, to try to give Hera just that.

Hera shivered on the ground, as she collapsed on the ground.

A few minutes went by, as the dark angels continued their assault on Hera. As the last one entered her, Hera stood up. The Colt was at her side, pointing to the ground. “You MOTHER FRAKKER.” She yelled out. Pointing her left arm she fired wildly the discs from her left arm, until the chamber went click…

Vorman took that chance of distraction and ended Hera's illusion. The illusion quickly began to dissolve, fade, and melted to one singular location, forming the figure which Hera will very quickly come to hate and despise. He looked at the ground, Athena's mangled body was still there, blood still dripping from fresh wounds. ::Shame, you killed your own family member...:: Vorman grabbed his Light Scythe, ::now you're alone in the world. Everyone who has ever cared for you would not trust you now that you've killed your own sister. Athena will never forgive you for this act, if Magriel ever learned of this, you will loose any chance of getting the attention you were seeking. Need I go on?:: Vorman circled around Hera, ::your Masters have failed you. Your mind is weak, and can easily be read and accessed by just about anyone. Your actions are never appreciated by them, they don't give you the rewards which you deserve. Join me and I can teach you how to properly defend yourself from the last memories of the dead, and much much more. I know you wish Vengeance against the Coredians and their allies for failing their promises of protecting your Sister. Come, join me and you can have your wish. There are no limits as to what you can accomplish under the Huntarian Empire.::


Meanwhile, the Huntarian troops facing Naruto and gang were suddenly faced with two fronts. Not only were the Coredians attacking them with some bizarre powers, the Kythons were attacking them from the rear. The Force powers slaughtered many clones with ease, the Space Marines weren't fairing all that well either. The Commanding officer of the group had just enough reaction time to look at the oncoming Coredians and the Kythons from behind to make one quick decision, "DUCK!" With a little bit of luck, the Kythons would simply go on forward and skip past them, right into the Coredian horde and the Stargate.

On the planet's surface, Huntarian Troops were beginning evacuation procedures, of course not before they continued to wipe out any of the surviving populous who stood in their way.

-----------

Issus, Space

Alarms blared throughout the fleet as the Coredian ships arrived outside of the FTLi. Heromath glared at the new enemies which showed up on his tactical view screen and hailed the Farstar Admiral, "launch remaining fighters at the Coredian Fleet, target the Torpedo Platforms and Axial Lasers at them. Prepare to fire on my mark."

Coredian Fleet

More alarms blared, this time from the sensors.

"SITREP!" The Admiral barked.

"Sir! Huntarian enemy targeting sensors has just lit us up! However, FTL/I is down around the planet itself, looks like a corridor has been opened up by our friends! Two enemy fleets still remain, but it looks like they're out of position from each other."

"Hmm..." Admiral Pellaeon took note of the scene.

"Admiral, Admiral Shikamaru is on the line. He says he's got a plan."

"Very well. Let's hear it." Admiral Pellaeon said.

"I presume you noticed the open FTL corridor?" Shikamaru asked. Pellaeon nodded. "My suggestion is we send in the Third Fleet through there. The Huntarian fleet is split in twain. We have the Third destroy the fleet in orbit of Issus and then swing around to trap the main fleet between our forces. If my theory is correct, the Third Fleet should be durable enough to survive anything the enemy throws at it."

"Hmm. I don't see any fault with it. Just that we'd have to have the Third Fleet work quickly if we are to get them into orbit before the corridors close." Pellaeon mused. "Might as well put this plan into use. In the meantime, we'll destroy the other FTLi barriers and target the main enemy fleet."

"Very well. I'll have the Shinobi battlecruisers take out the other FTLi platforms." Shikamaru nodded.

"Comms, get me the Ankylosaur..."

=====

"Well, folks. You heard the Old Man." Admiral Hector Achilles said after a few minutes of conversation with Pellaeon. "Time to head for the planet. Helm! Plot a microjump course through that corridor!"

"Yes, sir!" Helm began pounding out a navigation route involving a second's worth of microjumps for the Third Fleet.

It would be easier if we had that point-to-point FTL that the rest of the fleet has, but the Grand Admiral didn't want to compromise that tech. Still, this plan should work, considering our advantages.

"Making the first jump!" Helm shouted.

Sudden whining occurred and space lept forward for a single instant. The Third Fleet was now millions of miles from the rest of the fleet.

"Reorienting! Second jump!"

This occurred for several more time until the Third Fleet began to see the planet in view. They also began to notice the large amount of energy of the enemy fleet's shield.

"Sir, it looks like the Farstars fleet isn't engaging the Huntarians."

"Hmph. Fat lot of help they are." Admiral Achilles crossed his arms. "Fine, if we're going to do this, we'll have to do it ourselves. Open fire with all batteries! We'll get their attention!"

The Third Fleet then opened fire with its primary batteries...

=====

"There they go." Pellaeon said as the other fleet disappeared. "Now...let's see what we can do here! Show me that shield rating!"

A holographic display of the shield gave him all the information he needed.

"Hmm...We'll have to strike the shield generatiors directly, but if we get too close..." Pellaeon mused. "All right. Let's first take out the FTL/I platforms! Watch out for the enemy's axial lasers and torpedoes!"

Task forces broke off from the main fleet to begin engaging the FTLi platforms. Once they're down, the fleet can engage the generator directly...

=====

On the planet's surface, Huntarian Troops were beginning evacuation procedures, of course not before they continued to wipe out any of the surviving populous who stood in their way.
Meanwhile, a great rebellion arose against the Huntarian troops. Having nothing else to lose, the population of Issus, backed up by the remaining Dragon and military forces that were not killed or mind-controlled by Blayden, took the fight to the Huntarians and their courage grew when they learned the Emperor himself has engaged the forces of darkness. The instant storm (just add Daniel) over the Jedi Temple was a testament to the Lightning Emperor's presence! In the ensuing battle, the Huntarians learned many new ways that pain could be inflicted, all of them involving lots and lots and lots of explosives...

=====

One the Other Side of a Small Hole on the East Side of the Temple

It was very windy outside, but Travis was able to grab purchase with the Sticky Chakra Technique. He scanned the area for Athena...and almost missed a small hand scrambling for purchase.

It was the little girl! He grabbed Athena and pulled her up. With a kind smile plastered on his face, he said, "Hey, Athena. Your Big Brother Travis is here to save you from the bad guys!"

Unfortunately for Travis, Athena expressed her displeasure in the worst way possible as any frightened four year old would. "I WANT MOMMY! I WANT HERA! WAAAAAAH!"

That included the kicking and screaming!

"Ahh! Athena! *ow* I'm trying to save *punt* you! I'm not a bad guy!" Travis yelped, trying his hardest to not drop her and lose her. "I'm gonna help you find your mommy *ugh* and Hera!"

"How the hell *owie quit it!* am I gonna do this?!" Travis grumbled between punches and kicks. He spoke into his headset. "I've got the kid! I've got the kid! I NEED BACKUP, STAT!"

*Placeholder*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzKLUDylr-E

The cries of the dead resounded in her head. The memories of lives long gone, Huntarian, Coredian, Farstars flooded the mind of the first, tearing her sanity asunder.

She was on her knees, as the darkness surrounded Hera, each person dying adding to her skills and imprinting itself upon her personality. It was as if a thousand faces wore hers as a mask.

Her body writhed in pain, as the deaths of those who were fallen assaulted her. She could feel the shots of the guns slamming into her breast, the way the kythons ate at her flesh, ripping her limbs off. All of the horrors of the battle assailed her, as the Dark Lord stood over top of her, his light scythe in hand.

“Frak you.” Hera screamed out, as she tried to life her body up. Her body seemed heavy, like it weighed a thousand pounds. She struggled upwards, as she looked upon the “face” of the Dark lord. Raising her pistol to him, she cocked the hammer back. "That isn't Athena. I didn't see her life. Even if it was, she will download into a new body." Hera said coldly.

“I am not alone.” She said defiantly. “The Masaki’s may have betrayed me, claiming my works as their own. They may have allowed you to steal my sister. But I am not alone. Hawkins is here with me.” She said as she aimed the pistol at his head carefully.

“The Farstars wouldn’t be here if I was alone. Atrox would never abandon me. You have spent too much time with Coredians and Dornies. So frak yourself, you piece of shit.” With that she tried to squeeze the trigger, but another image slammed into her brain.

Hera screamed out in pain, as the newest life torn asunder from this world rushed into her head.

"There they go." Pellaeon said as the other fleet disappeared. "Now...let's see what we can do here! Show me that shield rating!"

A holographic display of the shield gave him all the information he needed.

"Hmm...We'll have to strike the shield generatiors directly, but if we get too close..." Pellaeon mused. "All right. Let's first take out the FTL/I platforms! Watch out for the enemy's axial lasers and torpedoes!"

Task forces broke off from the main fleet to begin engaging the FTLi platforms. Once they're down, the fleet can engage the generator directly...

Issus, Space. H.S.S. Gothic

The Huntarian ships had their guns already pointed at the small corridor formed in the FTLi field, it didn’t take them long to adjust to target the Coredian fleet entering. Though they might get inside the shield from jumping, it was only a matter of where they would pop out, and Close Combat was where the Huntarian Empire did the most damage and had shockingly good accuracy.

Grand Admiral Cheney nodded at the sight of the Coredian Fleet poping up on his tactical screen, “as expected, they’re so predictable. Target our Axial Cannons and Torpedo Platforms at the enemy fleet. Have the General and Core class Stations move into direct combat with the Coredians. Position the Capital Ships around the Shield stations to block enemy fire.” The two behemoth battlestations began to move themselves towards the Coredians. While they weren’t the size of the Death Star itself, they still packed almost as much firepower with Turbolasers and had roughly the equivelant shielding, thanks to Miniturization Technology. The Stations opened fired upon the Coredians, releasing a deadly volley of Transphasics and Quantum Torpedoes. The Gothic then released it’s 4 Mini-Axial laser cannons at the Enemy fleet, targeted at their bigger capital ships. Within moments, the Coredians would find that jumping inside the fleet shield might have been more trouble than it was worth.



“Frak you.” Hera screamed out, as she tried to life her body up. Her body seemed heavy, like it weighed a thousand pounds. She struggled upwards, as she looked upon the “face” of the Dark lord. Raising her pistol to him, she cocked the hammer back. "That isn't Athena. I didn't see her life. Even if it was, she will resurrect." Hera said coldly.

“I am not alone.” She said defiantly. “The Masaki’s may have betrayed me, claiming my works as their own. They may have allowed you to steal my sister. But I am not alone. Hawkins is here with me.” She said as she aimed the pistol at his head carefully.

“The Farstars wouldn’t be here if I was alone. Atrox would never abandon me. You have spent too much time with Coredians and Dornies. So frak yourself, you piece of shit.” With that she tried to squeeze the trigger, but another image slammed into her brain.

Hera screamed out in pain, as the newest life torn asunder from this world rushed into her head.

Issus, Ground.


Vorman cackled at Hera’s remark, ::the problem with Sith Magic, you couldn’t even tell if this is Athena or if it isn’t. For all you know and care, she is. And do you really think you aren’t alone? I challenge you on that. Join me and I will show you how lonely you really are. If they thought you were dead, they would abandon you, just as everyone else does. Even then, your own friends use you to their advantage. You think I lie girl? It is the way of things, the way of the Sith, both the ancient and the traditional. Once you outlive your usefulness, they will toss you asside like a ragdoll. And Hawkins... His motives are selfish. He only wants you for himself, and wouldn’t allow your other friends to join your funeral. You doubt me? I can show you the truth of it all. Your friends use you as a weapon, they just will never admit it to themselves.:: Vorman continued his lengthy speech, ::once a weapon has outlived it’s usefullnes, it is always cast asside. Just like the Ancient Battlestars from the first Cylon Wars, decomissioned, ignored. Huntarians use their weapons to the fullest extent, even if they have been outdated. We still use some of the oldest forms of weapons in existence, dating back to the Civil War. And you also forgot about Magriel... Yes, I know of him. We used to be close friends while he ruled the Huntarian Empire with an Iron Fist. Did he ever tell you of the horrors he committed?:: Vorman paced around hera some more, twirling his Light Scythe, ::I know you didn’t bring him because you are afraid that he would turn his back on you. You forget that he has done far worse things than you ever have, or ever will commit. You want him to treat you like a woman and not a weapon? Though he won’t treat you like a weapon, he won’t treat you like a woman either. The problem is that you will eventually become a Trophy Apprentice, like Jessie Masaki and maybe a personal weapon. He won’t respect you, acknowledge you to be the woman that you should be treated as or the person you should be treated as.::

Vorman glared at Hera and dared to lean a bit closer, ::You are a machine, and this he knows. It will come up on the Alliance’s Medical databases and they will end up using you just like the rest of the others. He will never give you credit when it is due for either being a pretty thing, or being a weapon. If you don't believe me, then I will show you. *Stand with me now, if you see I lie, you may kill me with your toy.:: *Just then, a perfect replica of Hera stood before them, surrounded by the dark aura of the darkside. *::Hawkins will be here soon, for it's his destiny. *See what he does to you, he won't try to turn you once he sees you are gone. *He will try to kill you.:: He took Hera’s pistol and pointed it at what should be his chin, ::what do you have to lose? You will see, and when you do, you will know I am the last refuge for you. I’ll go even further, as a token of my good will, I will even allow you your sister. *Once she resurrects... All I ask is the chance to be proven correct.::


As Vorman circled around Hera, he knew it was time for the next phase of his plan. ::Grand Admiral Cheney, proceed with the next phase of the plan.::

Back on the H.S.S. Gothic

Admiral Cheney was in the transporter room of the Gothic as previously ordered. “Confirmed Emperor. Transporter chief, do you have a lock on the Biosigns of the target?”

“Yes sir, but there’s a small problem, there’s another set of Biosigns attatched to Athena sir. It reads to be Masaki. Not a problem, I’ll just simply have to filter it through the transporter pattern buffer. It’ll take only a moment.”

Athena would soon find herself beamed into the Transporter Pad of the Gothic. The Admiral held his breath as the shape of Athena took form on the pad. He twirled the Hypospray in his hand, set with enough power to knock out a 300 pound Coredian for several hours. Plenty enough to keep the child asleep. Athena will wake up with a bran new memory implanted into her, giving Hera a different welcome than she would expect...

Her heart nearly stopped beating, or so it felt. Her skin was cold as she stood within striking distance of the thing. It’s hellish eyes, bearing into her soul, picking the weak points of her life. Was he wrong? In some regards no.

She could see Magriel, her last words to him, as she reached up and kissed him on the lips. Hera could still feel the warmth of the moment, before it was lost forever. He didn’t return the gesture, nor reject it. He simply walked away like nothing happened. Almost as if it didn’t matter…

Hera’s eyes grew colder, as she reached out to the dark lord. Grabbing his cloth, she yanked him to the wall, as she shoved the colt to his face. “I AM NOT A MACHINE!” She screamed at him, as she pressed the barrel against his face. “I’m not a frakking appliance!” she yelled at him as she pressed the barrel against what would be his skull.

Vorman cackled as he looked at the hybrid before him.

::Not to everyone else. To them, you are a machine, another assassin model disposable at the first sign of trouble. Magriel doesn't feel for you, not like you do for him. It must be very difficult for you...::

Hera began to seethe with anger. What in the hell did Vorman know? He didn’t know shit about her and Magriel. Her finger reached around the trigger.

:: I will give you everything you want. I will give you the blood of those who steal from you, and I will even give you Athena. She is safely downloading onboard my ship as we speak, thanks to the newest cylon model. You can raise her in safety, without the fear of incompetence to lose her. All I ask is that you give me the chance to prove myself. Say no, and my ship will leave the system, and you will never see your sister again.::

Hera looked at the man before her and pulled her pistol away.

::Good, these next five minutes will be an eye opener for you. That much I can promise you. Sit here, and kneel, and soon you will see the truth in all you have known. Let them believe you have joined with me, and you will see how quickly they will turn their back on you.::

Hera squinted her eyes at him, as she thrust her wrist blade into Vorman one last time.

She knew it wouldn’t do anything but at least it made her feel better.

::Now, Hera Agathon, kneel.:: Hera knelt before Vorman, her head lowered down and hands touched the floor. She slowly glanced across the room and looked at Athena's limp, cold body on the ground and back at the floor. Vorman activated his Light Scythe and lightly tapped his blade on her shoulders, not harming her, ::I hereby dub you, Darth... Eclipse. Now, rise my apprentice.::

OOC:

Please do not get too far ahead...

seconded, due to aforementioned circumstances. OG, check TGs.

I hereby dub you, Darth... Eclipse. Now, rise my apprentice.

Hawkins could see Hera, she knelt before the Kitir Lord, submissive to his authority. He claimed her as an apprentice like a piece of property or as some feral animal to be broken to his will. He felt vile bile come up into the back of his throat, the whole sight disgusted him beyond description. Was this Hera's plan all along? To whore herself out to this minion? What else could he expect in the situation. He shared a relationship with Hera no other did, a force-bond. He could feel the hurt in Hera and the pain in her body, her dispair and desperation. It wore him down too, as if he had already fought, Hera though strong in the force and mind did not have his own endurance for a fight, or his constitution. He had plenty left and she did not, he willed some of his strength selflessly to her.

The deep low and sinister words of Vorman cut Hawkins to his core, the situation before him gutted him.

He stood in the archway that opened into the room that Hera and Vorman dueled in. He could see the limp and dead body of Athena in the room, but he had just chased her to a hatch that lead to the surface and the background chatter in his ear bud told him his marines observed Hera resist a cordian Jedi's attempt to take her back into custody before she suddenly disappeared, assumed to be transported away by some Huntaeran vessel in orbit.

All of this information took about a second to process. Hawkins did not waste that time hollering out some worthless diatribe or some mournful scream of "NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" but rather acted quickly with violence and intensity just as he trained Hera to do.

He reached out his hand and grabbed Vorman's body in a force grip rendering him immobile , It was a basic technique but Hawkins was without equal in the Jedi ranks for his pure powerful command of the force. He could hold Vorman still. Yet, to strike the Kitir Lord down he would have to lessen his grip for a moment, Vorman could escape.

He needed Hera.

"Hera Strike him down! Together we will defeat him!" He urged her, "We will save Athena, you must believe that!"

Hera had a choice, whom would she assist. Both of her "masters" were exposed now, she would have to pick a side, and attack the other.

"Pain is just weakness leaving the body Marine! Get up on your feet and fight!" Hawkins told Hera His voice loud and clear as it was when he was a Marine DI on Ossus. It was something he told her often on Miranda when she felt defeated like she couldn't possibly go on any further. The body played tricks on the mind, the body was weak, the body hurt, it was the mind that could overcome that, its will could allow a person to do the what others thought it couldn’t, to carry on when they quit when decisions became to tough when things became to hard. But, Hawkins taught her long ago that they together could do the impossible and that ability to do the impossible made them mighty.

ISSUS, outside temple:



Atrox looked around at the war torn terrain littered with bodies form the battle that occurred sometime earlier. The rotting corpses were staring empty eyed at the grey stormy sky above. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled across the devastated land. In the brief light of the lighting flash Atrox noticed something on the temple roof, a soldier holding a struggling and kicking child in the air by one arm.

Atrox immediately threw himself into the air directly toward the child kidnapper on the distant roof. As he hurtled through the rain toward the spot, he activated the secure comms of the Farstar forces. “This is Sigma Six. I have sighting of the target on the east roof of the temple. Her captor is holding her with one arm while she struggles. I am en route to their location. Track their positions in case they try to escape.”

As Darth Atrox flew through the cold rain, he could make out the struggling form of Athena getting closer. She was beating and kicking her captor and he appeared to be waiting for something. Without warning a few seconds before his arrival, Atrox say Athena glow and disappear. The bastard was waiting for a transport. “This is Sigma Six, Target has been transported. I repeat the target has been transported.” Atrox also sent a message to his ship asking for a trace of the Transport along with instructions.

Atrox reached out with the Force and established The Hunter's Bond with his Prey. He could feel the Food's powers flow through him as it augmented his own. With a seemingly drunken chuckle, he triggered the psi switch in his two sabers. The right one was enveloped in ebon shadow while the other appeared to not work except for the hiss of rain being disintegrated by the invisible blade moments before engaging the still standing form atop the Temple..






T-Space, The Abomination:




Darth Atrox sat in his command chair. The Avatar was not the original for Atrox had split his awareness into several forms. He knew he needed to retain a presence aboard his flagship as well as a couple back in the NSO. It was a good thing Atrox was origionally Ba’El, a Ta’Nar and thus able to perform the feat easily enough.

The request from the planet side Avatar made Atrox order the bridge crew to run extensive scans on the Huntarian fleet to trace the transfer of Athena to the ship. The problem was the ships of the fleet were also beaming up other crew so it was hard to get a proper lock on them, especially thorugh the Dimensional Veil.








Issus, inside Temple:





The dozen flying Kythons streaked along at head level with cutting blades extended. The purple beams of energy were not anything like light sabers, they were containment beams holding dimensional fluctuations and anything that came into contact with these fluctuation would be affected by the separation as if a light saber were passed through them except these affected even materials proof from the positronic blade of the saber. So far the Kythons have not come across anything other than their own bodies that was immune to the effects of the blades.

As the troopers took the most logical reflex action, several would have lost their heads as the Kythons whizzed by overhead and past the energy screens. The twelve Kythons stopped momentarily and seemed like they were getting their bearings when ten of them shot off toward the active stargate, drawn by the energy signature while two dropped off at each doorway as they passed them to keep the soldiers below busy by falling onto them, literally. Blades began cutting into defenders as the Kythons hacked their way into the rooms.

Dozens, of Kythons were quickly scrabbling down the corridor spreading the blackness behind them as they passed. They were closing upon the Huntaerian troopers who ducked so there was no escape from the area. Violet cutting beams ignited at the end of their limbs illuminating the area in an eerie light as they rushed the fortifications.

Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVg0UxHsgc4)

ISSUS, outside temple:



Atrox looked around at the war torn terrain littered with bodies form the battle that occurred sometime earlier. The rotting corpses were staring empty eyed at the grey stormy sky above. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled across the devastated land. In the brief light of the lighting flash Atrox noticed something on the temple roof, a soldier holding a struggling and kicking child in the air by one arm.

Atrox immediately threw himself into the air directly toward the child kidnapper on the distant roof. As he hurtled through the rain toward the spot, he activated the secure comms of the Farstar forces. “This is Sigma Six. I have sighting of the target on the east roof of the temple. Her captor is holding her with one arm while she struggles. I am en route to their location. Track their positions in case they try to escape.”

As Darth Atrox flew through the cold rain, he could make out the struggling form of Athena getting closer. She was beating and kicking her captor and he appeared to be waiting for something. Without warning a few seconds before his arrival, Atrox say Athena glow and disappear. The bastard was waiting for a transport. “This is Sigma Six, Target has been transported. I repeat the target has been transported.” Atrox also sent a message to his ship asking for a trace of the Transport along with instructions.

Atrox reached out with the Force and established The Hunter's Bond with his Prey. He could feel the Food's powers flow through him as it augmented his own. With a seemingly drunken chuckle, he triggered the psi switch in his two sabers. The right one was enveloped in ebon shadow while the other appeared to not work except for the hiss of rain being disintegrated by the invisible blade moments before engaging the still standing form atop the Temple..
OOC: Poor kid. He doesn't get a break.:(

IC:

"Dammit! Athena, quit it!" Travis yelped again as he got a shiner for his trouble...then he felt the loss of mass as Athena was transported away somewhere. "No! No! NO!"

Then a warning...his lightsaber pulsed...and a black figure charged at him with a weird black lightsaber and another blade that was nigh-invisible. At that moment, intense gold light bathed the area and blocked the blades. The golden light that's unique to Travis' lightsaber. In the midst of flashing lightning, Travis didn't know that this was the "friendly" Sith Lord Atrox. At this point, all he got from the bad guy was a lot of Dark Side badness. That meant trouble. Big Trouble. Probably one of those Kirtir guys that the Huntarian army had.

He was screwed.

Well, if I'm screwed...I'm taking him out with me! He thought as he dipped deep into his internal wellspring...

Atrox would note a rapid rise in preternatural energy as he began engaging the young heir to the Coredian throne. The boy was a quick fellow, dodging and parrying the blows, never allowing the Sith Lord to trap him in a saber lock or a force-on-force blow, as that would be fatal to the young blue-haired boy. It was sheer desperation, coupled with massive frustration of losing Athena, that drove the boy to fight the former apprentice of the late Darth Vader as he gathered energies for an shot with which to introduce the Sith Lord to his signature technique....Psybolt!

Got to get space! A thought flitted into Travis as he fought to gain space between himself and Atrox with which to execute it...but how? A guy like him is too fast for such things!

Then he felt the presence of his friends. The Padawan Pack!

"Guys! Help me out!" Travis yelled as they popped onto the scene.

"We're coming! Just hold on!" Haruka yelled.

Reika activated her Sharingan in anticipation of the battle to come. "We'll have to get the enemy's attention. Ranged attacks, now!"

"Will do!" Nick yelled and took aim with a high-powered blaster. Steady...steady...now!

A shot went off towards Atrox.

"Fireball!" Kagome yelled, twirling her staff and unleashing a large fireball from another angle at the same time. Atrox would either have to dodge the fireball or block the shot...

"Let's see if he'll get mad..." Haruka said, crossing his fingers.

Issus, inside Temple:

The dozen flying Kythons streaked along at head level with cutting blades extended. The purple beams of energy were not anything like light sabers, they were containment beams holding dimensional fluctuations and anything that came into contact with these fluctuation would be affected by the separation as if a light saber were passed through them except these affected even materials proof from the positronic blade of the saber. So far the Kythons have not come across anything other than their own bodies that was immune to the effects of the blades.

As the troopers took the most logical reflex action, several would have lost their heads as the Kythons whizzed by overhead and past the energy screens. The twelve Kythons stopped momentarily and seemed like they were getting their bearings when ten of them shot off toward the active stargate, drawn by the energy signature while two dropped off at each doorway as they passed them to keep the soldiers below busy by falling onto them, literally. Blades began cutting into defenders as the Kythons hacked their way into the rooms.
Temple Hallway

Screams of friend and foe alike reverbrated down the hallway as the Kython killed everything in sight. Even the Coredians were not safe from their eternal hunger as they ate everything, turning the hallways of the temple black in their wake.

"Sir! Ten of them just broke ranks and are heading your way!" Someone shouted in the comlink.

"Very well." A man with very short hair dressed in flowing robes replied. He carried a staff with a shakujo on one end, who exuded determination as his subordinates tried to fight the Kythons and the Huntarians to no avail. "Fall back to the Stargate room and prepare to blow it up. We cannot let the device fall into the Kythons' hands!"

"Commander Masamori...what will you do?" One of them asked him.

The staff in his hand tapped on the ground noticably. The Commander was rather young for his expertise, but he didn't get to his position by being a weakling. Rather, he was one of the strike team leaders under Masaki and his particular abilities were chosen to defend the Stargate at all cost. "The Kythons are energy-eaters. Your blasters won't work on them, but kinetic energy weapons will. Fall back to the Stargate. I will deal with them. If I fail, blow it up!"

"Yes, sir!"

Then it began. The Kythons attacked his men with their menacing blades by dropping on them from above, carving them up as easily as a Jedi carves up other prey. As ordered, other men attacked the Kythons with high-powered slugthrowers as best they could, trying madly to avoid the enemy's blades.

Those strange blades are troublesome...but it's not the blades that I would seek to block. He thought as he readied himself to retaliate. He moved into a stance, his right forefingers glowing faintly under his chin. Looks like I'll have to deal with them!

The fingers jerked towards them. Suddenly, any surviving Kythons that weren't hit by the slugthrowers would hit an invisible wall that didn't let them pass any further. The Commander's power was in creating kekkai, or barriers, similar to the ones Shinji used to destroy bad guys earlier, but far, far stronger. Yes, this man was the very one that mentored young Shinji in the Art of the Barrier the previous summer!

The fingers jerked again, upwards. The Kythons would find that they were now encased in powerful barriers, one for each of them that arrived. They would also notice that they couldn't move their dimensional blades as the barriers encased the arms just short of the blades.

Finally, the fingers jerked forward again. The barriers collapsed upon themselves in an instant. This would destroy anything caught within via the instant application of vast pressures caused by the collapse of the barriers with an effect that's not much different than disintegration.

It remains to be seen if the Kythons could survive all of the onslaughts, but either way, Masamori would be ready for them with another attack...

=====

Temple Garden

Ten minutes of battle passed and I had the sorry Lord Blayden on the ropes. My eyes glowed blue with crackling energies. Energies that I gathered in the air for the coup de grace. I looked into his eyes with a strange mixture of pity and anger. "Blayden. You were a man we Jedi looked up to. A teacher of hundreds, including humble me." A touch of irony. "And yet...and yet...I must end your life for what you have done. How had it come to this? Tell me!"

Blayden, his body broken, could only wince at what my wrath did to him. "They say good intentions are the road to Hell...Masaki...Mine was to believe in the lies of a one that held power over us. Everything I did...I did for Coredia. Perhaps I was wrong...In the end...I was wrong." He wiped rain from his cheeks. "At least you were the one to slay me and not he. The student...has surpassed the Master many times over. I leave you with a final warning. Vorman is a threat as great as Remiel...perhaps greater. Your work is not over yet! I am but a puppet in his schemes!"

I sensed the truth in his words...and that a great evil has just occurred. I had no further time to waste with him. "Very well, Blayden. I'll make it quick."

I cast a devastating lightning bolt down from the sky, instantly disintegrating him with its sheer power. The mind-controlled people and dragons were freed from his grasp!

But it wasn't over. Not by a long shot. The Temple is close to collapse. Vorman's evil grew and I sensed that Hera was in deep trouble. The Kythons ravaged what they wished and made no distinction between friend and foe. I could sense my son fighting somewhere. His pain and anguish told me that something went wrong, very wrong with his mission...as if Athena was snatched from him.

"Naruto!" I comlinked to him. "Blayden's down! What's happening?"

"We lost Athena. What's left of the Temple sensors indicated a transporter's involved!" He growled. "Kids're fighting someone nasty! Commander Masamori says the Kythons are marching on the Stargate, but he's taking care of it! And Hera...Damn...I don't like what's happening there..."

I growled...too many issues at once! "Where's the Twins?"

"Jacob's rampaging the place and Taylor's backing him up. They're pissed." Naruto sighed. "What are you gonna do?"

I couldn't blame them. Hell, I just screwed Blayden over the same way. Suddenly, I had an idea. A crazy, desperate, end-of-the-world idea. "Naruto. Calibrate your sensors to Subspace Frequency 9475.831!"

"All right...wait a minute. Something's in orbit!"

I began to smirk. "Keep watching that frequency. I'm going to get the kids. Oh yeah, and evacuate the Temple."

"What? Why?"

"I just had the craziest idea..." I grinned, heard him groan, shut down the comlink and then started running for the kids.

=====

As Blayden's memories were sucked into Hera, she would finally understand a a part of her new Dark Lord's scheming...

It was Vorman who was behind everything. The bombings, including Caprica. The abduction of Athena. Many, many more atrocities that the two fallen Masters executed, all of them designed to destroy the trust of the Coredian government and tear apart the nation. The schemes came close to victory, closer than anyone would like to admit. Blayden and Hiashi were used as pawns in his complex schemes, nothing more.

And everything Blayden knew as a Jedi Master is now Hera's to command...

Issus, outside temple:



Atrox was mildly intrigued as to how the kidnapper could detect his arrival with the storm thundering overhead and the rain pounding around them. It must be the force presence he had that alerted the kidnapper to his attack. The flash of a golden light saber made Atrox wonder a moment but did not cause him to lighten his attack. Almost emotionlessly he battered the youth, the traitor, the betrayer of Hera’s Trust. When a moment later it entered his mind that the only golden saber belonged to a Masaki he knew the betrayal ran all the way to the Masaki line. This had to be revenge for Kat being imprisoned. How could those sick bastards use children? He then remembered how young the armed forces recruited for their armies and special forces. The child in front of him was a prime example.

With a sigh, Atrox pressed forward keeping himself within in strike range but not yet going for the kill. He was enjoying the feeling through the Hunter’s Bond. He could feel Travis as he pulled on Force energies and he could feel his powers being accessed. It was almost intoxicating because he knew what Travis was going to do and was able to counter his every move using the Force Presence of Travis himself to power the ability. He could also feel Travis was trying to get away from him to use his Psibolt he had saved for him but Atrox made sure he was unable to get the required distance.

The Hunter’s Bond was so nice. It not only gave him access to their abilities but also their Force Presence to power them in addition to his own. It also made them his Prey.

Atrox danced around keeping up with the young pup not giving him a chance to get a clear shot when he noticed Masaki looking over his shoulder. Using the senses of the Kython, he could see more approaching. More kids to be exact. He reached out with his senses and attached the Bond to them too and felt their presence fills him also. The raw power was almost intoxicating but it was still nothing to what Atrox was capable of. He watched one pull out a weapon and points it in his direction and the other gather fire to toss at him. He chuckled and remembered the last Rager he dueled. His companion tried to shoot him in the back and he simply used his psi powers to switch position. An easy task actually.

Accessing his psionic ability Atrox caused his position and the position of Travis to switch as soon as the two fired. Travis will not only be rendered momentarily confused by the switch but also get hit by his own traitorous allies. In the moment of everyone’s stunned actions, Atrox used the window of opportunity to launch his own attack, a directed telekinetic blast of extreme force, enough to knock a hole in the side of a durasteel battleship hull. It would send the little kiddies tumbling at best, dead at worse. While they recovered he would close again on Travis, drawing another saber. This one appeared to be made out of various crystals and jewels. A plain looking tarnished silver one remained embedded in his armor waiting to be used. The time will come soon; first he had to play with his food like any good predator did, tiring them out and separating them.

The green blade from the crystal saber lit up the gloom, dazzling the eyes to make it harder for the black blade to be seen or even the perfectly balanced one that was nearly transparent. Atrox stepped up his attacks on Travis while throwing mental blasts of energy at the other two, just enough to keep them busy while he worked on this one.





Issus, Temple hallway:




The Kythons tore into the soldiers trying to use the doorway as cover from the Huntarians. Dimensional blades easily removed limbs as if they were butter. When the Kythons found the wall blocked, they tried to head into the side storage rooms to slaughter and eat anything that resisted. Desert was those that surrendered.

When the three last in the hall was grabbed by the robed man, they struggled against the fields. The individual shields were trying to hold them in place. When they suddenly constricted the Thur’Tahg acted exactly like the liquid living metal it was. It was forced out of the fields through the sixteen holes left in it from the dimensional blades much the same way aerosol forces paint out of a can. A fine black mist filled the hallway appearing as if the trios of Kythons were actually disintegrated. In the dark shadowy halls of the storage area it was hard to see the fine mist covering everything.

In the side rooms, the Kythons began to cut through the internal walls and to travel through the air ducts to get to the room with the stargate. If a Kython was near death it exploded into a splatter of fluid much like a paintball, two meters full of blackness splattering everywhere in the room or hallway covering men and stone without discrimination.

The Huntarian troopers were not sitting out of the battle; they had hundreds of Kythons almost at their position and closing fast. Violet blades ignited and soon the hallway was a dance of purple blades from the creatures running on every surface as they advanced.

Issus, outside temple:

Atrox was mildly intrigued as to how the kidnapper could detect his arrival with the storm thundering overhead and the rain pounding around them. It must be the force presence he had that alerted the kidnapper to his attack. The flash of a golden light saber made Atrox wonder a moment but did not cause him to lighten his attack. Almost emotionlessly he battered the youth, the traitor, the betrayer of Hera’s Trust. When a moment later it entered his mind that the only golden saber belonged to a Masaki he knew the betrayal ran all the way to the Masaki line. This had to be revenge for Kat being imprisoned. How could those sick bastards use children? He then remembered how young the armed forces recruited for their armies and special forces. The child in front of him was a prime example.

With a sigh, Atrox pressed forward keeping himself within in strike range but not yet going for the kill. He was enjoying the feeling through the Hunter’s Bond. He could feel Travis as he pulled on Force energies and he could feel his powers being accessed. It was almost intoxicating because he knew what Travis was going to do and was able to counter his every move using the Force Presence of Travis himself to power the ability. He could also feel Travis was trying to get away from him to use his Psibolt he had saved for him but Atrox made sure he was unable to get the required distance.

The Hunter’s Bond was so nice. It not only gave him access to their abilities but also their Force Presence to power them in addition to his own. It also made them his Prey.

Atrox danced around keeping up with the young pup not giving him a chance to get a clear shot when he noticed Masaki looking over his shoulder. Using the senses of the Kython, he could see more approaching. More kids to be exact. He reached out with his senses and attached the Bond to them too and felt their presence fills him also. The raw power was almost intoxicating but it was still nothing to what Atrox was capable of. He watched one pull out a weapon and points it in his direction and the other gather fire to toss at him. He chuckled and remembered the last Rager he dueled. His companion tried to shoot him in the back and he simply used his psi powers to switch position. An easy task actually.

Accessing his psionic ability Atrox caused his position and the position of Travis to switch as soon as the two fired. Travis will not only be rendered momentarily confused by the switch but also get hit by his own traitorous allies. In the moment of everyone’s stunned actions, Atrox used the window of opportunity to launch his own attack, a directed telekinetic blast of extreme force, enough to knock a hole in the side of a durasteel battleship hull. It would send the little kiddies tumbling at best, dead at worse. While they recovered he would close again on Travis, drawing another saber. This one appeared to be made out of various crystals and jewels. A plain looking tarnished silver one remained embedded in his armor waiting to be used. The time will come soon; first he had to play with his food like any good predator did, tiring them out and separating them.

The green blade from the crystal saber lit up the gloom, dazzling the eyes to make it harder for the black blade to be seen or even the perfectly balanced one that was nearly transparent. Atrox stepped up his attacks on Travis while throwing mental blasts of energy at the other two, just enough to keep them busy while he worked on this one.
Travis had only moments to blink at the sudden shift in location before he was hit by Kagome's own fireball and went down rolling to get the fire out. The roll saved him from Nick's laser blast as it went sailing over his head. The sudden shock of this guy using Kawarimi of all things on their friend gave Atrox the opening needed to blast the Padawan Pack with a devastating Wave, leaving them stunned long enough for Atrox to whale on the young hero-to-be some more as he recovered from the flames.

Aaaah! Another blade! I'm even more screwed! What is he, General Grevious?! Travis screamed mentally as he ran around trying to avoid Atrox's deadly blades, inadvertently giving Atrox a looksee into his mind through the Hunter's Bond. Travis' the kind of Jedi who's mental defenses are weaker than normal (Aside from the woman formerly known as Nightshade, none of the Masakis have made more than Cs in Mental Defense Class.) and Atrox would be able to see the kind of person he is:

Fact: Travis was tasked to try and save Athena, not kidnap her. Needless to say, he's madly frustrated at losing her to a stupid transporter.

Fact: Hera is an Important Person to him. He is literally incapable of betraying an Important Person's Trust. Anyone who harms the Important Person would have to go through him!

Fact: He doesn't like this bug-guy getting in the way of saving what he considers another Important Person because it's Hera's little sister, even though they only just met. Travis thinks this bug-guy is in cahoots with Vorman!

Fact: Travis' still screwed. A fourteen year old against a Tal'Nar Sith Lord is like putting up a velociraptor against a kitten. Even if Travis did have the greatest potential of his generation...

"Ugh...he's gonna die if we don't do something." Haruka groaned.

"Yeah..."Reika winced. "Um...Keith!"

"I'm on it." Keith grumbled. "No one attacks my cousin (and me) and gets away with it! Kuchiyose!"

Unfortunately for Keith, he only summoned a small toad.

"Yo!" Gamatachi grinned. "Wazzup?"

"Wrong summon!" Keith groaned. "Lemme try again!"

It was a small purple mouse that yawned and went to sleep on Keith's head.

"Dammit! One more time!"

"No! You might summon that Pink Thing!" Haruka hissed.

"Oh...right..." Keith began sobbing dramatically.

"Poor Keith." Reika rolled her eyes at her teammate. She sighed. "Guys. We'll have to do this together and hope someone gets here that could face him down on equal terms. Hunny-senpai..."

"Right!" Hunny moved in to assist Travis, his yellow lightsaber and short body a blur of speed as he launched a series of attacks that are reminscent of a certain small green troll from the past.

"Haruka..."

"Yeah." Haruka nodded and clapped his hands to complete the transmutation circles on his gloves, before slamming them down on the ground. Energies crackled and a giant fist launched itself from the ground to punch Atrox.

"Now, Toji and Asuka." Reika ordered.

They nodded and began launching direct telekinetic assaults on Atrox with enough strength to toss cars. This was to disrupt Atrox's attacks on Nick and Kagome, who were disabled by his counterattack.

"Shinji. Wait for an opening." Reika ordered. Masamori's apprentice nodded and raised his right fingers, watching and waiting. As for me...well, I suppose I'm going to have to find a way to stop him...Let my Sharingan find an opening.

She hoped this series of attacks would fare better than the last.


Issus, Temple hallway:


The Kythons tore into the soldiers trying to use the doorway as cover from the Huntarians. Dimensional blades easily removed limbs as if they were butter. When the Kythons found the wall blocked, they tried to head into the side storage rooms to slaughter and eat anything that resisted. Desert was those that surrendered.

When the three last in the hall was grabbed by the robed man, they struggled against the fields. The individual shields were trying to hold them in place. When they suddenly constricted the Thur’Tahg acted exactly like the liquid living metal it was. It was forced out of the fields through the sixteen holes left in it from the dimensional blades much the same way aerosol forces paint out of a can. A fine black mist filled the hallway appearing as if the trios of Kythons were actually disintegrated. In the dark shadowy halls of the storage area it was hard to see the fine mist covering everything.

In the side rooms, the Kythons began to cut through the internal walls and to travel through the air ducts to get to the room with the stargate. If a Kython was near death it exploded into a splatter of fluid much like a paintball, two meters full of blackness splattering everywhere in the room or hallway covering men and stone without discrimination.
As black mist began to spread, Masamori stretched his staff in front of him. "Soldiers, take cover!"

Tenketsu!

With that thought, he activated it. Then, a powerful vacuum was created as the circle transformed into a void that would suck up the clouds of black mist into oblivion. One hand held on to the staff so that it doesn't go anywhere and the other waved at the Kythons, killing them with the cubes of doom. The staff swept across the rooms, sucking up Kython dust whereever they were. He was careful not to accidentally grab a soldier, though...unless they were covered with the material. Then, with a sorrowful but closed heart, he dealt with them as well, understanding that they were already dead when the Kythons splattered material on them. He hated that sort of business, but the Kokkai's rulings were clear on the rules of engagement when engaging Kythons:

All Kythonized material or potential material, including organic material, is compromised. Destroy it at all cost.

It was then that Masamori began wishing there was a better way to deal with such foes...perhaps he would join that team of researchers experimenting on the stuff once this was over?

=====

Issus, Space. H.S.S. Gothic

The Huntarian ships had their guns already pointed at the small corridor formed in the FTLi field, it didn’t take them long to adjust to target the Coredian fleet entering. Though they might get inside the shield from jumping, it was only a matter of where they would pop out, and Close Combat was where the Huntarian Empire did the most damage and had shockingly good accuracy.

Grand Admiral Cheney nodded at the sight of the Coredian Fleet poping up on his tactical screen, “as expected, they’re so predictable. Target our Axial Cannons and Torpedo Platforms at the enemy fleet. Have the General and Core class Stations move into direct combat with the Coredians. Position the Capital Ships around the Shield stations to block enemy fire.” The two behemoth battlestations began to move themselves towards the Coredians. While they weren’t the size of the Death Star itself, they still packed almost as much firepower with Turbolasers and had roughly the equivelant shielding, thanks to Miniturization Technology. The Stations opened fired upon the Coredians, releasing a deadly volley of Transphasics and Quantum Torpedoes. The Gothic then released it’s 4 Mini-Axial laser cannons at the Enemy fleet, targeted at their bigger capital ships. Within moments, the Coredians would find that jumping inside the fleet shield might have been more trouble than it was worth.
Admiral Achilles had only one word when he received reports of Axial firepower and torpedoes incoming. "Dance."

Suddenly, the superlasers somehow missed! The fleet lurched every which way in synchronization to avoid it, but it somehow avoided crashing into each other. Thank you, Shipmind! The torpedoes were dealt with by more conventional means, namely shooting them down. Even if they did hit, the Black material on the ships immediately began regenerating. And regenerating more as turbolasers blasted them, giving them the buffet of their lives.

Still, several ships were lost, reduced to black mist. Sacrifices to take on the Huntarian fleet.

"Now...we retaliate. Launch Tachyonic torpedoes and Shattermissiles! Target the shield stations and battlemoons!" Admiral Achilles ordered.

Large missiles launched out of tubes and each one soon exploded in a fashion not dissimilar to bomb-pumped lasers, sending tachyonic particles at the planetary-grade shields. They interacted with the shield, doing the funky in the process, and came out the other side with the strength of planetary turbolasers.

They were followed by swarms of their glowing yellow brothers, who smashed into the shield, 'shattering' the section they smashed into something akin to glass and allowed their brethren to pass through and smash again and again into the layers of shields the Huntarians had. Once they hit the hull, they would burrow through. If they stopped, they detonated with their baradium warheads, producing massive holes in the hull where the shattermissiles would then exploit to get to the insides...

Flash of the Blade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yupo8dqXPk)




Issus, Temple roof:




Darth Atrox stood before the traitor that had sold out Hera. He had seen Travis himself fighting with the four year old Athena before transporting her somewhere. He will take him alive. Of course Travis will wish he was dead after Atrox was through with the traitor, Ta’Nar had a way with minds and interrogation is not pleasant and Atrox wanted to make the young Masaki suffer for the pain he caused Hera, before he turned him over to her for Final Accounting of his actions. If he wanted Travis dead, he would have easily slain the fool the first time he stunned the kid.

Now his traitorous team showed up to rescue him. Atrox was outnumbered ten to one, odds he liked.

The flying fist was easily seen as telegraphed by his somonic actions so Atrox simply placed a powerful telekinetic shield up between the arriving attackers and himself. The fist struck the barrier and a loud THUKK could be heard by everyone. The yellow blur of attacks were countered by the black shadow blade of Obfuscate, his named saber. The Ta’Nar held the nearly perfectly tuned blade of his other saber (the reason the blade is almost invisible, perfect balance allows no light emission until the blade is unbalanced by contact) as a quick defense in case he needed it. The impact of the two kinetic blasts made two additional THUKKs as they also struck the barrier.

It was time to take the fight straight to everyone.

Atrox held his fourth and still empty hand up in the air and used a technique he pulled from the Ratakan Computer, inscribed there by Revan millennia ago. Pulling on the Hunter’s Bonds he made with all ten foes, be pushed the energy into a massive Forcestorm.

Raw lightening leapt out in every direction, unerringly seeking every enemy within range and with Atrox’s abilities; the range was quite satisfactory for this rooftop battle. The raw power of the storm was fed by the fear of those who saw it coming and knew there was not a damn thing he or she could do about it other than abandon their comrade in the center of the raging multiple lightning strikes. Massive power surged through the foes, momentarily stunning them or tossing them aside like leaves in the raging thunderstorm pouring the torrential rain from above. Even near misses caused the electricity to flash through the water they were standing in and soaked to the bone with. There really was no escape.

While everyone was stunned or tossed away, Atrox used his psi to form additional Avatars, one for each opponent. These were identical to the original and were equally able to take independent action. Each blurred as they traveled to their opponent at the speed of thought. Each Avatar was an exact copy of the original except they were photonic illusions composed of excited photons (like holograms) and had a body of pure Telekinetic energy.

Travis was again attacked the moment he recovered enough from the shock. His golden blade was met by the green one Atrox pulled out. As it struck, it changed color to blue, then red, then yellow, then blue, and so forth. It was getting confusing to track whose blade belonged to whom.

The Avatar attacking Haruka appeared slightly to the left and behind the summoner. He was wielding two blades of energy that resembled sabers but were far from it. These were Mindswords, a psi attack where the user would form blades of pure psi energy that would disrupt the neural pathways of the area it “cut”. It left behind nothing but a numb tingling feeling as the commands from the brain were severed for a short time. During those few minutes, the afflicted areas would not function as the neural pathways were disrupted and unable to carry commands, just random impulses from the area feeling as if a thousand ants were crawling across the skin, like when your leg falls asleep for too long. If a strike were to hit the heart, it would cause immediate cardiac arrest unless there was a backup system to regulate the pumping of the heart. A strike to the brain or spine would also most certainly be fatal and if left within the brain, memories would be absorbed. The Avatar swung to hit the shoulders of the summoner to prevent him from using his limbs, failing that he would go for other limbs or a strike through the abdomen to cause him to drop.

Reika seemed to be the one in charge so it was best to remove her influence. If she could not talk then there was no way to give commands. The phantom attacking her went for her voice. Using his Mindsword, he slashed at her throat intending on nicking her larynx thus paralyzing it so she could not talk. Hopefully she did not jump into the attack for it would mean her death but it was her fault for attacking in the first place. Her fault for betraying Hera and Athena.

A phantom flickered into view behind Keith and whispered into his ear. The hypnotic command was simple. “You have to summon the Pink Thing to save Travis.” The thought would continue to intrude upon his thoughts while he tried to figure out what to do, sounding more convincing as each moment passed. Atrox could tell it was something they feared, so it was desired.

Gamatachi and Hunny soon found two extra duplicates attacking them. Their brilliant blue blades marked them as certainly not the original they attacked. The worse thing is the Mindswords were not physical or else they would leave physical marks. Their sabers did not block the first few teasing swings and passed through as if they were ghost blades.

Toji and Asuka found their attacks were being used back against them.. Explosive telekinetic blasts exploded underfoot as they tried to avoid them when the Avatars sent the glowing energy surges hurtling toward them.

Shinji found his opponent facing off in front of him. There were no blades in the avatar’s hands but there was power glowing incandescently.
Nick and Kagome faced their own versions of Atrox. The Avatars simply and silently attacked them with their Mindswords. As the two dodged the psi blades, the avatars would follow.

This was more like it thought Atrox to himself. He readied another Forcestorm in case it was needed but kept his arm down so the others would not know what he was planning to do. He certainly relished using their own Force Presences to fuel the area attack. It was actually ironic in a way.

Besides, it was fun to play with one’s food before you dined.







Issus, Temple storerooms:





The air vents were overlooked in the purge.

An opening in the ceiling above the Gate allowed two Kythons to view their target below. With a rush, one attacked the control panel and the other the arch of the stargate. A single particle beam stabbed into the electronics of the equipment controlling the aperture from this end and the other Kython dragged its body across the ring leaving a many black marks which quickly spread and expanded. After the one with the particle weapon finished Infecting the control panel, he turned to attack anyone in the room with the beam weapon. Black Thur’Tahg dripped down from the open air vent above and the energy within the stargate triggered the rapid expansion of the Thur’Tahg.

It was easy to see things would be lost, if not already.





OOC:


The Hunter's Bond does not work that way. I understand you spoke to OG about it and understand it better. I just ignored those facts you posted because there was not a way I would know them.

(OOC: Post done with Wick over E-mail.)

Hartland Forrest
Outside Raven’s Mill
Miranda, Farstars Confederacy

Thirty miles, of hiking, carrying Lord knows what on her back. Her bow was slung over her shoulder, as the young woman took a deep breath. How much longer could this battle go on. How much longer could this event take place.

Gently she slipped off her back pack, and sat down under the trees. The trees on Miranda were not like most worlds. They were ancient, their trunks dwarfed those of the California red woods. Their tops were so high, no one could climb to the top of one. It was truly a beautiful world.

“What are you doing soldier get up!” Hawkins barked at Hera, as he chewed his thick cigar. “We still have our objective. I know you are tired, but damn it Hera that is all in your mind.”

Hera sighed, as she pulled out a power bar from her pack. “No, it isn’t.” she said as she took a bite of the bar. Gently holding it out to Hawkins, offering him a bite. “Not anymore. I can’t do this, not here.” She told him simply. “There is too much death.”

“There is no death.” Hawkins stated, as he took a step closer to Hera. He could see she was physically gone, her mind beaten and bruised in ways that few could take. She glanced up at him. “Do you remember what I told you on the ship?” she said sadly.

Hawkins’ eyes squinted as he listened to her. He didn’t like where this was going, something in her voice was different. “I asked you, if you trusted me?”

“Hell.” Hawkins said as he tossed his cigar to the ground. “We don’t have time for this. We need to save Athena. Remember?” he ordered at her. “Now get up, and kill that bastard.”

Hera shook her head. “I also asked that you remembered me as I was. Just remember that. Remember me as you see me. Don’t believe your eyes, or your senses. Love me as the daughter that you believe me to be.”

Hawkins took another step towards her, “What are you planning on doing?” he asked her plainly.

“Saving Athena.”


Hawkins eyes shifted as he looked upon Hera. Her eyes glowed bright yellow, as this… Eclipse stood between the Jedi and Vorman. Her past, and her future, here in one room, Eclipse reached behind her and pulled out a pair of automatic pistols. Pointing them at Hawkins, she began to unload the clips, as she ran full speed towards her old friend and mentor.

As the clip unloaded, she suddenly vanished to appear behind him. Extending her blades, she thrust them towards Hawkins back, attempting to sever his spinal cord in two places.


+ + +


Hawkins

Fuck.

He was not ready for Hera's betrayal. He only implicitly trusted one person in the entire 'verse, Hera Agatheon. Now she was trying to kill him as she became Judas unchained. He was concentrating so hard on restraining Vorman Hawkins was reeling as Hera drew her weapons and began to fire on him. She was deadly accurate against any force user with her personal firearms. He remembered training her how to target force users with projectile weapons for the most likely damage.

Hawkins though was one the best combat Jedi in the 'verse. Even pushing fifty standard cycles he still remained one of the quickest when it came to reacting to the unexpected.

That would not be good enough here.

He managed to deflect almost all of the rounds, but three struck him. His Marine skinsuit's anti-ballistic material managed to dissipate the force of two of the impacts but a third punctured into his left shoulder. Hawkins yelled in pain as the bullet hit into his bone and blood erupted out of the wound.

Then Hera disappeared.

He could feel Hera, the hate in her, the frustration, the anger at the situation and at her own weakness against Vorman, that she felt weak, beaten down into the ground, unable to stand up again, unable to move, to even crawl. This was War, all of that and the pain was normal.

As he shut his eyes he could see Hera on Miranda laying on the ground. He reached his hand out to her.

"You know the Old saying," Hawkins said loudly. "When you can't Run, you crawl, and when you can't do that...You find someone to carry you."

He was back on Issus again only seeing Vorman as Hera disappeared

In that short span of time he remembered what she had told him.

Love me as the daughter that you believe me to be.”
He held his lightsaber in a high guard, He had trained Hera he knew how she would try to take him down. He saw her next attack clearly, but he did not attempt to parry it as he ought to. Instead he simply deactivated his lightsaber and closed his eyes.

"There is no death."

He would not fight Hera, If she would fight him he would die. When he opened his eyes he would be in the Summerlands. Eventually Hera to would pass into the Summerlands and he would be there to greet her as a loved one, not as an enemy, and that was worth his life.


These were Hawkins last thoughts before the blades struck and he died.

My Immortal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idd_92ajjwY)

Tears rolled down her face, her hands covered in the blood of the man who called her daughter. She stood there trembling, as she watched the light fade from Hawkins eyes, into the dull gray of any who had died.

This was not in the plan. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. She was supposed to be laying there, as the life left her, not him.

She reached down behind him, as she pulled on his body. “No.” she whispered, “This isn’t real. It can’t be.” she exasperated, as she pulled Hawkins body towards her. “I told you, you son of a bitch. Don’t believe...” she said as tears screamed down her face.

Vorman was right, she would finally get credit for a kill that she committed. The death of Hawkins would not be one that even Daniel Masaki would claim. No, the killer of the Emperor, the slayer of Vader would go down into history as a great betrayer. Judas, Brutus, and now Hera would share the same place in hell, chewed up by the great deceiver in the lowest canto of hell.

His blood covered her white coat, as she reached her arms around her tightly. Why didn’t he listen? Why didn’t he believe her? She screamed out in her head, as her spirit broke like Hawkins body that she held.

As she held onto him, suddenly a shock went through her body. Her body fell limp, as an unseen force slammed into her. Her nose began to bleed, as her eyes became blood shot. Blayden and Hawkins were slamming into her, tearing their way into her flesh, ripping their way into her mind and soul.

She didn’t scream out, as her heart raced. All their lives flashed into her head. She could feel the strength of both men, as it melted into her like hot lava. Tears streamed down her face, as her body thrashed back and forth. Her eyes closed, and she could only hope this was the end. She tried to pull herself up, as another wave slammed into her body. Broken, beaten, her heart died the same way that Hawkins did, she took a deep breath, as her face fell in Hawkins blood.

Her eyes began to close, as the darkness surrounded her. Like a shot dog, she laid there, the blood of hawkins slowly entering her lips. Silently she prayed to God, that he would end this. She prayed for her swift and final death.

Her heart raced in her chest, pounding to get out of her body. Slowly her eyes closed...

Almost there... I thought as I bounced from spire to spire to get closer to the kids. "Naruto, have you pinpointed where Athena is yet?"

"Yeah. She appears to be aboard the flagship of the enemy fleet in orbit of the planet! I'll try to lock down her exact location!"

"Keep at it!" I ordered, then began making handseals to gather energy...

Flash of the Blade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yupo8dqXPk)

Issus, Temple roof:

Darth Atrox stood before the traitor that had sold out Hera. He had seen Travis himself fighting with the four year old Athena before transporting her somewhere. He will take him alive. Of course Travis will wish he was dead after Atrox was through with the traitor, Ta’Nar had a way with minds and interrogation is not pleasant and Atrox wanted to make the young Masaki suffer for the pain he caused Hera, before he turned him over to her for Final Accounting of his actions. If he wanted Travis dead, he would have easily slain the fool the first time he stunned the kid.

Now his traitorous team showed up to rescue him. Atrox was outnumbered ten to one, odds he liked.

The flying fist was easily seen as telegraphed by his somonic actions so Atrox simply placed a powerful telekinetic shield up between the arriving attackers and himself. The fist struck the barrier and a loud THUKK could be heard by everyone. The yellow blur of attacks were countered by the black shadow blade of Obfuscate, his named saber. The Ta’Nar held the nearly perfectly tuned blade of his other saber (the reason the blade is almost invisible, perfect balance allows no light emission until the blade is unbalanced by contact) as a quick defense in case he needed it. The impact of the two kinetic blasts made two additional THUKKs as they also struck the barrier.

It was time to take the fight straight to everyone.

Atrox held his fourth and still empty hand up in the air and used a technique he pulled from the Ratakan Computer, inscribed there by Revan millennia ago. Pulling on the Hunter’s Bonds he made with all ten foes, be pushed the energy into a massive Forcestorm.

Raw lightening leapt out in every direction, unerringly seeking every enemy within range and with Atrox’s abilities; the range was quite satisfactory for this rooftop battle. The raw power of the storm was fed by the fear of those who saw it coming and knew there was not a damn thing he or she could do about it other than abandon their comrade in the center of the raging multiple lightning strikes. Massive power surged through the foes, momentarily stunning them or tossing them aside like leaves in the raging thunderstorm pouring the torrential rain from above. Even near misses caused the electricity to flash through the water they were standing in and soaked to the bone with. There really was no escape.

While everyone was stunned or tossed away, Atrox used his psi to form additional Avatars, one for each opponent. These were identical to the original and were equally able to take independent action. Each blurred as they traveled to their opponent at the speed of thought. Each Avatar was an exact copy of the original except they were photonic illusions composed of excited photons (like holograms) and had a body of pure Telekinetic energy.

Travis was again attacked the moment he recovered enough from the shock. His golden blade was met by the green one Atrox pulled out. As it struck, it changed color to blue, then red, then yellow, then blue, and so forth. It was getting confusing to track whose blade belonged to whom.

The Avatar attacking Haruka appeared slightly to the left and behind the summoner. He was wielding two blades of energy that resembled sabers but were far from it. These were Mindswords, a psi attack where the user would form blades of pure psi energy that would disrupt the neural pathways of the area it “cut”. It left behind nothing but a numb tingling feeling as the commands from the brain were severed for a short time. During those few minutes, the afflicted areas would not function as the neural pathways were disrupted and unable to carry commands, just random impulses from the area feeling as if a thousand ants were crawling across the skin, like when your leg falls asleep for too long. If a strike were to hit the heart, it would cause immediate cardiac arrest unless there was a backup system to regulate the pumping of the heart. A strike to the brain or spine would also most certainly be fatal and if left within the brain, memories would be absorbed. The Avatar swung to hit the shoulders of the summoner to prevent him from using his limbs, failing that he would go for other limbs or a strike through the abdomen to cause him to drop.

Reika seemed to be the one in charge so it was best to remove her influence. If she could not talk then there was no way to give commands. The phantom attacking her went for her voice. Using his Mindsword, he slashed at her throat intending on nicking her larynx thus paralyzing it so she could not talk. Hopefully she did not jump into the attack for it would mean her death but it was her fault for attacking in the first place. Her fault for betraying Hera and Athena.

A phantom flickered into view behind Keith and whispered into his ear. The hypnotic command was simple. “You have to summon the Pink Thing to save Travis.” The thought would continue to intrude upon his thoughts while he tried to figure out what to do, sounding more convincing as each moment passed. Atrox could tell it was something they feared, so it was desired.

Gamatachi and Hunny soon found two extra duplicates attacking them. Their brilliant blue blades marked them as certainly not the original they attacked. The worse thing is the Mindswords were not physical or else they would leave physical marks. Their sabers did not block the first few teasing swings and passed through as if they were ghost blades.

Toji and Asuka found their attacks were being used back against them.. Explosive telekinetic blasts exploded underfoot as they tried to avoid them when the Avatars sent the glowing energy surges hurtling toward them.

Shinji found his opponent facing off in front of him. There were no blades in the avatar’s hands but there was power glowing incandescently.
Nick and Kagome faced their own versions of Atrox. The Avatars simply and silently attacked them with their Mindswords. As the two dodged the psi blades, the avatars would follow.

This was more like it thought Atrox to himself. He readied another Forcestorm in case it was needed but kept his arm down so the others would not know what he was planning to do. He certainly relished using their own Force Presences to fuel the area attack. It was actually ironic in a way.

Besides, it was fun to play with one’s food before you dined.

They were doomed from the start and they knew it.

As raw lightning wracked their bodies, Haruka, the toad, Toji, Asuka, Nick, Kagome, and Reika were all struck with the avatars' Psi blades, unable to function in their respective ways. Hunny, being the quickest of the group, was able to dodge the lightning bolts and send forth blades of wind that would cut apart his avatar opponent as he tried to back up Travis blade-to-blade. Keith struggled with summoning the Pink Thing of Doom, and opted for another option: smacking the phantom with his extending staff.

Shinji put up a kekkai barrier around himself to deflect the incoming lightning. Dropping it, he then tried putting up a barrier and disintegrating it, hoping to trap the enemy avatar within.

"Dammit! He's too strong for you! Get away!" Travis screamed at his friends between slashes. He was tiring, making more mistakes with each passing moment. One more minute should do it...

Then, in a single moment...everything changed.

A powerful wave of telekinesis suddenly jerked the kids into the air, including Travis. Fast-moving shapes descended and grabbed the kids as they floated in midair, stunned again by the sudden movement. Dragons!

Vast amounts of lightning then struck down upon the avatars, including Atrox, each bolt containing more energy than Atrox's own potent storm could ever imagine.

"Darth Atrox." A strong voice sounded and if Atrox turned around, he would find the source of the voice. Me, at your service! I shook my head and waggled a finger. "I thought you were here to save children, not play with them!"

"Since you're here, that means Hera has asked you to come." I stared at him. Yeah, that's the bug-guy Sith all right. "Then you should also know that we have been trying to rescue her as well! You think I betrayed Hera, and perhaps in failing to protect her sister, I failed her as well. Her knife in my back would be the least she could do to me in retribution!"

"But before you have the vengeance you were seeking ages ago, before you decide to collect on that greviance I have done against you, I will have you know: I know where Athena is!" I emphasized. "I know that she's still alive! I'm going to save her, or die trying! If you wish to get in my way, so be it, but know that Athena is lost if we take this battle to its bitter conclusion!"

I wondered if he was too mad to answer. If he was, I had little recourse but to take this battle to the bitter end and hope that the others can pull off a miracle, something that seems lacking of late.

Then...two shining presences suddenly disappeared. Hawkins...and Hera! NO!

"You feel that, Atrox?" I asked, my voice bitter from how badly the day has gone. "The one we both care about is lost to us! Let's not lose the other!"

Issus, Temple storerooms:

The air vents were overlooked in the purge.

An opening in the ceiling above the Gate allowed two Kythons to view their target below. With a rush, one attacked the control panel and the other the arch of the stargate. A single particle beam stabbed into the electronics of the equipment controlling the aperture from this end and the other Kython dragged its body across the ring leaving a many black marks which quickly spread and expanded. After the one with the particle weapon finished Infecting the control panel, he turned to attack anyone in the room with the beam weapon. Black Thur’Tahg dripped down from the open air vent above and the energy within the stargate triggered the rapid expansion of the Thur’Tahg.

It was easy to see things would be lost, if not already.

Masamori grimaced as he failed to protect the Stargate. Shaking his head, he ordered his men to throw thermal detonators at the Stargate. Domes of plasma immediately erupted as the thermal detonators detonated, rendering the Stargate inert and destroying the dialing device in an instant, eliminating any further chance of the Thur'tag advancing. Now even if the Stargate itself was taken, there was no more energy flowing to it and any chance of dialing out was finished.

He noted that in its natural state, Thur'tag appeared to be a liquid. A foul, if smart, liquid, it seems.

"Sir...what do we do?" A soldier cried.

Masamori focused his energy again, but didn't answer. His fingers flicked again, trapping the two Kythons that bypassed him in barrriers. Another closed the air vent. All but the vent were disintegrated. That wouldn't last forever, but hopefully, they'll last long enough.

Then he focused and began making a long barrier in the only place that still remained clear of Kythonic Material: the dead end. He vanished that barrier, creatring a long slope that lead to another section of the Temple. "We retreat! This slope will take us to another section! Go! Go!"

The soldiers retreated...

OOC:

The Hunter's Bond does not work that way. I understand you spoke to OG about it and understand it better. I just ignored those facts you posted because there was not a way I would know them.
OOC: Ah, ok. I wasn't sure about that...

(OOC: Posted for ND, with his full permission)

Gingerly she picked up a cube of cheese, as she rolled it between her fingers, looking at it as if she was studying it. It was warm, and sweated slightly as cheese often does in humid conditions, and as Emma looked around the room she could feel how the conditions had changed.

Looking at the door, two giant centurions stood before her, their red eye pulsing back and forth, as they stood still as a statue. Gently she placed the cheese in her mouth, as she looked around the bland room. A red light pulsed back and forth, as the bland neo-modern decor surrounded her.

Besides herself, and the two testaments to why her brethren in the other twelve Colonies should never, ever make AI again, there as a long elegant table, laid out for her. In the center of the table was a fine cooked steak, medium well, with apples, and fruits of a variety of assortments.

Under the food was a long white table cloth, as white as newly fallen snow. She extended her index finger slightly as she pushed the utensils slightly.

“Hey guys!” the Dornie Sensei of the PA asked the centurions. As she spoke their heads moved slightly towards her direction. “Not that I don’t appreciate your hospitality, or your conversations, but when in the hell will I get to meet with Daniel Masaki, and the other jedi?” she asked them. “You know my time is money.”

The Centurions said nothing, as these models could not speak. Instead they went back to their original position.

“Yeah, fuck you too.” Emma said muttering to herself, as she stood up and walked around the table. Looking at the table she reached down and plucked a grape from the center of the table. At least the toasters had good fruit, she mused to herself as she paced back and forth slightly.

Clang, clang. Emma heard, as she turned her head. The hydraulic sounds, and heavy foot steps of a centurion began to walk in the room. This one was different than the others. It’s hands seemed more normal, and it was shorter, about six feet tall. It had a pistol on it’s side, but didn’t have the rail cannons of the bigger ones.

“Emma!” the voice of the original centurion stated. “Your target, Daniel Masaki, is not on Tenetia. Current location is Issus.” the Centurion said as it’s eye pulsed at her.

“Oh fucking great.” Emma said while looking at the centurion. “Then please get out of my way, I need to head to Issus.”

The Centurion didn’t say a word nor did it move. “I said please. Will you lead me to my ship.”

The Centurion looked Emma up and down... “By your command.”

“Finally.” She said as she stormed off towards her ship. Something was strange though, and it wasn’t the fact she just had dinner with a bunch of love dolls. No something was off in the distance, as if a friend of hers was in pain. “Fuck me.” Emma said, as she ran down the corridor, her two centurion guards keeping up with her easily.

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

The Ultimate Showdown.

Suddenly as if out of the blue, teams of Dornies appeared by Daniel. “Daniel-sama.” the lead woman said, as she pointed her AK-47 at the hideous bug creature. “We’re here to help you!” she shouted, as she flipped her AK-47 to full auto. Looking down the sights of the barrel, getting a bead on Atrox, the woman shouted. “Give that mother fucker hell girls. No one fucks with Travis-sama and gets away with it.”

As she yelled out, the Dornies began to gently pull the trigger on their assault rifles, as others began to summon the force around them to sqaush the bug.

The Ultimate Showdown.

Suddenly as if out of the blue, teams of Dornies appeared by Daniel. “Daniel-sama.” the lead woman said, as she pointed her AK-47 at the hideous bug creature. “We’re here to help you!” she shouted, as she flipped her AK-47 to full auto. Looking down the sights of the barrel, getting a bead on Atrox, the woman shouted. “Give that mother fucker hell girls. No one fucks with Travis-sama and gets away with it.”

As she yelled out, the Dornies began to gently pull the trigger on their assault rifles, as others began to summon the force around them to sqaush the bug.
"Stand down!" I ordered the girls firmly. "Our target is not Atrox, but the Huntarians!"

At least not today. I didn't add.

They looked to their patron, their demi-god, as he spoke his words. Fire burned in their hearts to protect Daniel, and Travis. As they looked at the creature, the lead woman turned to Daniel.

“Daniel-sama?” she asked him seemingly confused by his order.

“Stand down!”

She sighed, as she clicked her assault rifle to safe. “You heard him ladies!” she shouted. “Stand down.”

Large missiles launched out of tubes and each one soon exploded in a fashion not dissimilar to bomb-pumped lasers, sending tachyonic particles at the planetary-grade shields. They interacted with the shield, doing the funky in the process, and came out the other side with the strength of planetary turbolasers.

They were followed by swarms of their glowing yellow brothers, who smashed into the shield, 'shattering' the section they smashed into something akin to glass and allowed their brethren to pass through and smash again and again into the layers of shields the Huntarians had. Once they hit the hull, they would burrow through. If they stopped, they detonated with their baradium warheads, producing massive holes in the hull where the shattermissiles would then exploit to get to the insides...

Admiral Cheney saw the new Tachyon and Shattermissiles rocket towards his fleet. He turned to his Tactical Officer, "status of the Fleet Shield?"

"The Tachyon Torpedoes are effectively rendering it useless sir. It is overpowering and jumping down rapidly. Enemy Shattermissiles coming in!"

Cheney nodded in acknowledgment. There were only three weapons the Empire considered to be worth noticing in the Coredian arsenal, and that was their Singularity bombs, Shattermissiles, and Tachyon Torpedoes. The Admiral knew that if he could get his hands on just a few of these... He would secure himself a position in the R&D field in the Empire. The obvious then hit him. "Have all ships activate their Lightning Field and leave it activated. Send message throughout fleet: 1000 credits per gunner who manages to successfully tractor beam in any Shattermissile or Tachyon Torpedo into their ship. Destroy any which manage to skip the field."

"Aye Admiral."

In a matter of moments, each ship in the fleet activated their Lightning Field Point Defense system, and brilliant bolts of blue light began to zap outside the ship's shields at the Tachyon and Shattermissiles once they were within range. Then the tractor beams were launched and they began to bring in the torpedoes. However, not all were knocked out by each ship. The Laser Gatling Cannons and Laser Cannons kicked in and picked off the surviving missiles and torpedoes. Some hit the smaller, less defended ships. Those even smaller, such as Corvette sized ships were easily destroyed by the Shattermissiles which made it through their barrage.

Now it was the Admiral's turn to counter attack. Looking over the ship's weapon inventories, he made a final decision in his next tactical assault, "Send to fleet: All Eradicator Mk II's, World Eaters and Rogue ships move into close combat with the Coredian Fleet." Those ships received the order and began to move full speed at the enemy fleet.

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

Issus, Temple

Vorman watched Hera collapse onto the floor as she killed Hawkins and fall into unconsciousness, ::you have done well...:: He quickly created a copy of Hera's body with a bullet wound in the chest and left it in Hawkin's cold dead arms. He then quickly glanced at the floor and and picked up Hera's Rapier and Colt. Grabbing onto Hera, he signaled the Goliath, ::We are done here. Begin orbital bombardment procedures and beam us up.::

"Will do my lord."

"Black Six, Red One. Bear One is down I say again Bear One is down." The report from the marines who reached the location of the duel updated him on the situation. "Bear Two also down. No sign of the Kitir Lord Vorman."

Colonel Palmer remained outside the temple in command of the cordon his troops had established. Hawkins was dead and so was Hera. The enemy commander had beamed out and likely was responsible for beaming out Athena from under the Cordians' noses earlier. He could here the assault ships arrival. The mission was a failure now was the time to withdrawl.

"Red One, Collect the bodies and evac. Lift off in five. Black Six out."

They looked to their patron, their demi-god, as he spoke his words. Fire burned in their hearts to protect Daniel, and Travis. As they looked at the creature, the lead woman turned to Daniel.

“Daniel-sama?” she asked him seemingly confused by his order.

“Stand down!”

She sighed, as she clicked her assault rifle to safe. “You heard him ladies!” she shouted. “Stand down.”

OOC: Just popping for a moment, couldn't resist. Carry on after this, OG, bear in mind there are some sane people in this gaggle :), including Adrian.

IC:

At this near-fatal disaster from his flock, Adrian, who put his hand on the woman's AK-47 and shoved it slightly downward, sighed and glared at the assembled soldiery. He didn't say much, but the message was clear via an angry Forcemessage. Keep yourselves under control from here on in. We have enough on our plates.

The others gulped and nodded, the more rational individuals in the group of Dornalians wondering what the hell just occurred.

Adrian then addressed the two and said, "Well, what are we waiting for? We have people to rescue and Liberation to make."

Issus, Temple roof:



Suddenly attacks were falling upon the Power Pack individually instead of allowing them to team up against a single foe, their main strength. With the appearance of the Avatars, any sort of advantage they might have possessed evaporated like a snowball in hell. Physical attacks made against the Avatars either struck barriers that seemed unbelievably strong for a body or simply passed through as the Kinetic energy forms were disrupted, dispelled, or shut momentarily down depending upon the attack being used against them. All he had to do is to knock them out and collect the unconscious forms for Hera to interrogate. Whomever sent children to do an adult’s job must be a real stupid strategist.

Suddenly Atrox felt several presences as the children were yanked skyward. Small lithe forms came from seemingly nowhere, grabbed the stunned children and took them away. Lightning seemed to fall from everywhere and since there was no reason to maintain the additional Avatars, Atrox reabsorbed them into his group consciousness.

The Kython Armor was taking the electrical strike for the first few moments before Atrox used his Force Absorb ability, converting the raw lightning bolts into energy ready to throw it back at whoever was behind the attack. His entire body glowed blue from the Absorption ability. Then he heard the voice.

Turning around, he saw Danny himself. Great Anger stirred but Atrox, ever Master of his own emotions, the base tenet of his Order simply reigned them in before they had even a moment of their own.

"Darth Atrox." The fool stood there shaking his head and waggled his finger. "I thought you were here to save children, not play with them!"

Atrox released all the energy straight down into the planet, getting rid of the excess he did not need. Unknown to him the huge swarm of Mary below eagerly devoured the free meal. “Well, if you would ask adults to play with you instead of children…” Atrox took a deep breath as he left the statement unfinished.

“What the hell are you doing here? Are you also part of this betrayal? If you are I will bring you kicking and screaming to Hera so she can question you herself about how Athena was given away.” Atrox held up a hand and the image of Travis could be seen in the footage. The storm and rain make the exact details blurry but it was easy to see it was Travis and he appeared to be fighting with a four year old child. Lightning flashed and you got a direct look of fear on the child’s face as she was desperately trying to fight off her larger assailant. He seemed to hold her up and she vanished in a flash of transporter light.

“From what I was made to understand, Travis was not only well known but also a friend of Athena. Why would she try to fight him off if he was trying to save her? Using Occam’s Razor we can conclude he was not trying to save her and was part of the betrayal. I tried to subdue him for Hera to question and he summoned his friends. If I wanted them dead, they would have fallen to me right away and I am perfectly aware you know this is true. My attacks were subdual in nature. What the hell was he doing to her?”

Atrox listed to Daniel as he explained in very few words. “I sent Travis to rescue Athena.”

Atrox could not believe his ears. He even played back the footage the armor was recording to make sure he understood what Danny said.

“Let me get this straight, you sent a fourteen year old to take back the captive Cylon hybrid sister of Hera?” Atrox turned away and paced a couple steps away as he wrestled with the complete illogical ramifications of Danny’s words. Turning back he walked up to the Coredian Emperor and got in his face.

“Did I hear you right? You sent in a fourteen year old to rescue Hera’s sister from Vorman? Are you fucking insane or are you that much out of touch with what is going on here? What the hell were you thinking? Did you wake up and think the failed Children’s Crusade from ancient Earth would work now that more than twenty centuries has passed? Let me guess, you also sent that pack of ill trained children along to provide backup. Haven’t you ever hear of Child Labor Laws? How about Child Rights activist? Does the people of your empire know you take their children and send them into combat situations instead of letting them have a childhood? Do you realize what you are doing to them emotionally, physically, and mentally? You are raising a nation of psychopaths who were taught to kill and maim instead of playing peacefully.”

Atrox still could not believe what he was hearing and he began tearing into the Masaki but not yelling. As a matter of fact, he was very calm the whole time. “First, you allow your own people to betray Hera and her blood. Second, you decide to send in a major incursion force without informing your allies of your presence so we knew where NOT to shoot. Third, you send in children, a sure sign to those who were betrayed you do not care enough to take them seriously. Fourth, you leave Issus wide open by sending your Entire fleet to Tenetia. Whose bright idea was that? They should be canned at the very least and you should hire someone who has studied tactics.”

"Since you're here, that means Hera has asked you to come." I stared at him. Yeah, that's the bug-guy Sith all right. "Then you should also know that we have been trying to rescue her as well! You think I betrayed Hera, and perhaps in failing to protect her sister, I failed her as well. Her knife in my back would be the least she could do to me in retribution!"

"But before you have the vengeance you were seeking ages ago, before you decide to collect on that greviance I have done against you, I will have you know: I know where Athena is!" I emphasized. "I know that she's still alive! I'm going to save her, or die trying! If you wish to get in my way, so be it, but know that Athena is lost if we take this battle to its bitter conclusion!"

Atrox had thought he heard the most ridiculous thing from this guy but unfortunately he was proven wrong again. “What the hell crawled up your ass and made you god? This is not about you in the least. I did come here because my friend asked me but I would have come even if she didn’t. I care for Hera like a daughter and if her sister would have been under my protection I would have died before allowing her to be lost. This is not about you in the slightest. I was beating on your kid because he was fighting with Athena and gave her to Vorman. To suggest otherwise is to accuse me of having no Honor. You would make a better Sith than I have with your vain attempts at making yourself the center of everything. You should have been Vader’s apprentice instead of me. You are his type right to the bone, self centered and thinks everything rotates around you at all times. I have news for you, it doesn’t.”

Atrox again turned away from the Coredian and took a few paces away.

Suddenly as if out of the blue, teams of Dornies appeared by Daniel. “Daniel-sama.” the lead woman said, as she pointed her AK-47 at the hideous bug creature. “We’re here to help you!” she shouted, as she flipped her AK-47 to full auto. Looking down the sights of the barrel, getting a bead on Atrox, the woman shouted. “Give that mother fucker hell girls. No one fucks with Travis-sama and gets away with it.”

As she yelled out, the Dornies began to gently pull the trigger on their assault rifles, as others began to summon the force around them to sqaush the bug.

Standing with his back to the Lightning Master and his host of newly arrived fan girls Atrox could only chuckle. “What is this, more children to fight your battles? Are they here to shoot me in the back because you do your best work that way? Shoot if it will make you feel better.”

"Stand down!" Daniel ordered the girls firmly. "Our target is not Atrox, but the Huntarians!"

They looked to their patron, their demi-god, as he spoke his words. Fire burned in their hearts to protect Daniel, and Travis. As they looked at the creature, the lead woman turned to Daniel.

“Daniel-sama?” she asked him seemingly confused by his order.

“Stand down!”

She sighed, as she clicked her assault rifle to safe. “You heard him ladies!” she shouted. “Stand down.”

Then Atrox suddenly staggered as if he had been hit through his hearts. The pain was intense and he routed much of his energy to fight off the strike as he sunk to one knee. “Hera… No!” He immediately launched himself into the air in a streak almost too fast to follow.

"You feel that, Atrox?" Daniel asked, his voice bitter from how badly the day has gone. "The one we both care about is lost to us! Let's not lose the other!"

It was too late, Daniel was talking to empty air as Atrox threw himself toward where he felt Hera had been. While he was en route, the radio in his suit crackled over the Farstars military band.

"Black Six, Red One. Bear One is down I say again Bear One is down." The report from the marines who reached the location of the duel updated him on the situation. "Bear Two also down. No sign of the Kitir Lord Vorman."

"Red One, Collect the bodies and evac. Lift off in five. Black Six out."

Atrox activated the radio and sent his own message. “Red One, Sigma One. ETA to your location twenty seconds. I will assist in the recovery.”

He did not care that he had left the Emperor or his kindergarten daycare center behind, Hera was the most important thing in his world and his world was crashing down hard. He had to see her body with his own eyes.

Deep inside under the strong dams, fear and rage were stirring.

(OOC: By Balrogga’s request and full permission, I am retaking control of “Mary” Also I am sorry ND, I am just not as familiar with these characters as I am with others like Junko, Chris, Fuzzy, etc... I am very sorry if I was portraying them inaccurately.)

“When the fifth angel blew his trumpet, I saw a star that had fallen to earth from the sky. The star was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2 It opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and smoke came out of the shaft like the smoke from a large furnace. The sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Locusts came out of the smoke onto the earth, and they were given power like that of earthly scorpions. 4 They were told not to harm the grass on the earth, any green plant, or any tree. They could harm only the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them, but were only allowed to torture them for five months. Their torture was like the pain of a scorpion when it stings someone. 6 In those days people will seek death, but never find it. They will long to die, but death will escape them.

7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were victor's crowns that looked like gold, and their faces were like human faces. 8 They had hair like women's hair and teeth like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like iron, and the noise of their wings was like the roar of chariots with many horses rushing into battle. 10 They had tails and stingers like scorpions, and they had the power to hurt people with their tails for five months. 11 They had the angel of the bottomless pit ruling over them as king. Revelations 9: 1-11

One x two = 2. Two x 2 = 4, 4 x 2 = 8, this is the way Mary worked, and as the matter and black liquid made it’s way through the temple catacomb, she soon numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

With each additional kython, she grew more intelligent, each adding it’s experience of death and carnage to her own, as they reproduced from the energy of the blasts, and the matter that stood before them. Each wall, each shield, each shot with a blaster fueled her hunger, and passion to slay those whom hurt the one she loved.

Yes loved. With each passing moment, the kythons began to grow more cruel, as one of the ANBU were quick to find out. Three of the kythons jumped on him, as he tried to fend them off with his startling array of Chi. As he funneled his ninja skills, he watched fearfully, as it only multiplied the situation.

In his heart the masked warrior grew scared, as he tried to run. He ran faster, as fast as his skills would carry him, teleporting here and there, from the wolf pack behind him. It didn’t matter in the end, death catches up with all, no matter how hard you run.

One of the Kythons jumped up, and bit his leg. A clean bite, his leg fell off like a blade of grass before a weed whacker.

His screams were something she would never forget, as it was a symphony in her ears. The other kythons walked over to the downed ANBU. Holding him down, no longer a raging storm, they took their time, almost gleefully, in ripping the man to shreds, piece by piece. This was one of many examples, that happened to friend and foe alike, civilian or military. Death didn’t ride in on a white horse, it came in the form of the swarm.

When Atrox, released the energy into the planet, it was the final seal for the planet. The lasers from the Huntarian Fleet began to fire, burning with rage and terror the planet below. The buildings shook, and collapsed under it’s heavy might, as a flood of black liquid emerged from the sewers like a monster from a crappy sci-fi movie.

Daniel and the Power Pack could look around them, as walls seemed to melt away, as the kython swarm grew in numbers nearly unimaginable. No noise came as the walls melted like ice on a ninety degree day, and the flood began to surround the Dornies, and the Masaki’s.

A circle soon formed, as the beasts took form. Surrounded, by the purple bladed monsters, it didn’t take long for the entire street as far as the eye could see to be covered in the black liquid.

Adrian picked up his rifle, as he began to shoot into the swarm, fearlessly as did the other’s in his entourage. “If these cannibal want us, lets give them hell.” he shouted as he unleashed the full fury of the kinetic weapons against the kython swarm.

Holes punched through them, slamming into the side, killing many of the swarm. But for each death sixteen more seemed to come. Their teeth snapped at the men, but they never crossed the circle.

As one of the girls, the fanatic who was by Danny’s side, she smiled at him. “Great job, Daniel Sama. They can’t seem to come near your power.”

“Can it.” Adrian said. “You can worry about sucking his cock later. Right now lets just try to get out of here. Any ideas?” Adrian asked.

None came to them, as the kythons never left crossed the invisible circle.

In the distance, the liquid began to take form. Black swirls of kythons, leaped up and seemed to melt, into something, and that something was getting closer.

Fingers soon began to form, as did arms and legs. As the thing got closer, it began to take on the appearance of a woman, roughly thirty two years in age. Her skin was pale, as she had short Black hair. Her eyes glowed blue, like Daniel Masaki’s as she approached.

Clothing began to form around her body, as what appeared to be Blue Jeans, and a button up black shirt, with the top two buttons unbuttoned appeared. She was barefoot, as she turned her head towards Daniel Masaki.

“My horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse.” Mary said with a stern face as she looked at the men and women within the circle. The Power pack, Daniel Masaki, the Dragon king, and the Dornies. Her body was tense and her movements showed she was very angry, as she stared at the cause of all of her ills, Daniel Masaki.

“You must be feeling like Henry right now.” Mary said as she took a step inside the circle that the other kythons didn’t cross.

“Your people are dying, and by the end of the day, the entire population of Issus will be dead. 2.73 Billion people, BDZed by Huntarian guns or a tasty treat for me. Such a shame, not that you actually care. You only care about Nina, Travis and Naruto. You do not love your allies, these Dornies here are nothing more than cannon fodder for you. People to die, so your rule will remain. Congratulations, you are Palpitine, Daniel Masaki.” She took a step closer as she crossed her arms under her breasts.

“Unlike Atrox I know the truth about you. You claim to care, but you do not. Your army faultered here within seconds. Your Jedi after the mind control was lifted, didn’t even attempt to put up a fight. Your Elite guard the ANBU, died like children weeping for their mothers. All of this because of your callousness. No, I don’t believe you are incompetent, like Lord Atrox. No one can be this incompetent, and allowed to rule by their people.”

“You use children because they are the only ones uneducated enough to follow your will.” Looking at the Dornies, Mary shook her head, “He would gladly throw away all of your lives if it meant he could have what he wants. If the events of the last few days haven’t proven that, nothing will.”

“Shut up you cannibalistic bitch.” the angry woman said as she picked up her assault rifle and aimed it at Mary.

Adrian quickly pushed the gun down and gave her another stern look. “What did I tell you?” he said to her quickly. The woman backed down.

Mary seemed utterly un-threatened by the gesture. “Your decrees, Daniel Masaki, have taken away EVERYTHING from me. Lady Sunshine was my friend, and my partner. She treated me in ways that only Atrox himself has matched. She was my family. It would be fitting for me to rip your family to shreds right now before your eyes so you would know the pain you have caused me.” she said as she looked over to Travis Masaki.

Turning her head back to Daniel, she looked into his eyes. “But even that wouldn’t bother you. Not for long, maybe a whole thirty seconds. After all you would still be alive.”

She seemingly took a breath as she lowered her arms. “If you believe me to be wrong, I will offer you a deal. One time only, everything must go. It’s an old saying, an eye for an eye... and that is what I want. I will stop the BDZ of the Huntarian fleet, stop the infection of Issus, and spare your people and your empire my wrath. I will even give you safe passage for the Dornies to leave this planet unharmed"

In exchange Naruto is to be killed. Right here, right now, and don’t try that pathetic clone crap. I can tell the difference."

"You will not ask Naruto, as you never asked me for Lady Sunshine's life. You will make the decision on your own. Attempting to communicate through non verbal means, or discussing this with anyone else through any means will nullify this offer. It's your choice Daniel. Pull out your lightsaber and kill him now, then hand his body to me, while you watch me defile it, as Vorman did to Sunshine."

"Once you watch me devour Naruto, you will be given ten years to live. Ten whole good long years, where you can have what I will never have. You can watch Travis and Riley grow up. Become the man and woman they were meant to be. In exchange, your Empire, and your people will live. At the end of ten years, you will die horrifically, with pain most would consider unbearable. Your body will be scattered throughout the universe, piece by piece.”

"Your people will be left in peace. Issus will be saved from the turbo lasers in space, and you will never again see your people being torn to shreds by me."

She re-crossed her arms. “It’s a better deal than you gave me. Your kingdom for a horse.”

OOC: Seems like my work here is done.

IC:

Issus, Space H.S.S. Gothic

Emperor Vorman quickly found himself back on the bridge of the Goliath, Cheney saw Vorman coming up and saluted, "Emperor on the bridge!"

::As you were Grand Admiral. What's the status of the fleet?::

"We have begun to engage the Coredians. Fleet shield is down but our Lightning Field and PD's are protecting us from the Coredian missiles and torpedoes from reaching our ships. I just ordered a suicide strike for the Eradicator Mk II's, World Eaters and Rogue ships. They were going to knock out the Coredians with their IPS systems and we simply picked them off while they were disabled..."

Vorman shook his head, ::interesting tactic Admiral, but we're done here. Order the FTLi to deactivate and self destruct T-minus 5 seconds. Activate H.E.W.S. and jump to the 'minus.::

Cheney nodded in acknowledgment, "very good Emperor. Tactical, you heard the Emperor. Send the self-destruct signal to the FTLi Platforms. Rev. up the HEWS then jump into the minus."

The Empire's task was done. Issus was obliterated, Hera and Athena were kept in the ship's medical bay under stasis, to be woken up when they arrived in Huntarian Empire territory. The Kythons were destroying Issus for them, the Farstar Fleet wasn't doing much in the way of targeting them. They weren't too worried about the Coredian fleet. With the message sent out for self-destruct for the FTLi, the ships in the fleet with HEWS activated it so that the enemy would have a difficult time tracking where their ships were going. Even Heromath's fleet began to make way into the corridor which the Farstars made in the FTLi and jumped into the Necrominus.

Issus was finished.

Atrox flew to where he could feel the soldiers were retrieving the bodies. As they were about to pack away Hera Atrox arrived.

“Stand down, I have her.” He would not let them touch Hera.

Atrox crouched and held the body almost lovingly in his arms. He gently lifted her with his tow larger arms, gently cradling her. “Don’t worry, I will see you safe,” he whispered to her still form.

Outside the ruins of the temple the orbital barrage thundered and shook the place. Debris fell from the ceiling and threatened to bury the men as they retrieved Hawkins.

Atrox followed them, carrying his long time companion in his arms as they trudged through raining debris. He threw up a kinetic shield overhead to keep her body safe. When they made it to the shuttle, he refused to set her down, carrying her up into orbit as the ship ascended through the clouds to the awaiting fleet overhead. When the shuttle doors opened the crew would be startled to find the mighty Sith Lord sitting motionless with the body of Hera in his arms. He refused to move for quite some time and the men simply stood by understanding for they felt the same about Hawkins.

Finally after what seemed forever he stood and carried her body all the way to the morgue. He gently laid her on the cold steel table. He propped her head up on one of the pillow units they use and carefully rearranged her hair. It would do no good to have her a mess, would it. He then looked at the hole tore through her chest.

Something was not right. He had seen the blast from the Colt before and this did not resemble the damage in the least. Something was not right. This looked like a normal bullet had torn its way through her heart, not one sent from the Colt. This was not right.

In a daze he stumbled from the morgue and eventually found himself in his shuttle sitting in the seat looking out the main screen at the open launch bay doors. With a partial thought he sent the shuttle hurtling through the opening into deep space. Nearby The Abomination phased into Real Space to take him home.

FNS Dauntless
Flagship Southern Command
Above Northern Pole of Issus
Huntarian Occupied Space

‘ I say again, Bear Actual is down.” Black six reported to the flag from his shuttle that recently docked in the boat bay with the rest of the troops recovered from the surface after the raid.

“Understood Black Six, Bear Actual is Down.” As Admiral Stirling said the words he felt his stomach grow cold. He simply could not believe it was true. Christopher Hawkins was dead…How was that possible. He had known and worked with the man for more then three decades and it seemed finally that he could not cheat death any longer. Steve wished his friend would finally find peace in the Summerlands, that he would be returned to his loved ones whom were taken from him long ago. In a way death was a release.

“Sir” His chief of staff’s voice finally broke through his thoughts. “ We have traced the transportation beams and they confirm the information sent from Sierra One. Two patterns were traced to the flagship of the second Huntarian fleet.”

So Athena was taken to the that fleet, and so fled Vorman after he killed Hawkins and Hera/ It was known throughout the fleet now that Hawkins was dead. He was their leader their hero, for so long that the sense of loss probably could not be felt for a while however Stirling knew his people felt anger and that they would want revenge that they wanted to avenge the death of Hawkins at all cost.

The Farstars have often played neutral in the conflict between the “Alliance” and the Huntaran Empire, that was over now. While the Farstars were no friends of the Coreworlds they knew well who killed their leader and who would pay for that crime. That was the Huntarian fleet commanded by Vorman.

“Target Enemy Flagship” Stirling ordered as he indicated the vessel to which Vorman had been traced. “They will attempt to withdrawal soon when they do I want one jump pod launched against the enemy flag. We will have only one shot at this before they escape lets make it count.

One missile pod was launched from the aft bay of the Dauntless , then when the FTL/I Platforms began to self destruct. The tactical FTL of the pod detected the FTL/I’s exclusion zone disappear and it activated micro jumping less then 100,000 kilometers from the enemy flagship then it launched its single missile. After the missile pod launched the Farstars fleet activated their own FTL/I to prevent the enemy from jumping ontop of them, it would force any FTL object at least two million kilometers from them.

The Huntaran fleet was in a bad way, they had deployed against the Cordian Fleet, their point defense and heavy units charging against the Cordians. The Farstars had not targeted them they had thought them not a threat. They were dead wrong. The 150 meter long missile sped towards the flag at over 98,000 gravities it covered the distance in less then eight second then it detonated. The Tempest singularity warhead was one of the largest warheads able to be mounted inside a conventional missile, even so when it detonated a maw was created in space and its gravitational effects were outstanding, any ship within 100,000 kilometers of the point of detonation would be destroyed instantly, others near the maw would have to fight the gravity forces trying to draw them in.

If Vorman’s flagship did not make the jump in time, it would simply no longer exist.

FNS Dauntless
Flagship Southern Command
Above Northern Pole of Issus
Huntarian Occupied Space

‘ I say again, Bear Actual is down.” Black six reported to the flag from his shuttle that recently docked in the boat bay with the rest of the troops recovered from the surface after the raid.

“Understood Black Six, Bear Actual is Down.” As Admiral Stirling said the words he felt his stomach grow cold. He simply could not believe it was true. Christopher Hawkins was dead…How was that possible. He had known and worked with the man for more then three decades and it seemed finally that he could not cheat death any longer. Steve wished his friend would finally find peace in the Summerlands, that he would be returned to his loved ones whom were taken from him long ago. In a way death was a release.

“Sir” His chief of staff’s voice finally broke through his thoughts. “ We have traced the transportation beams and they confirm the information sent from Sierra One. Two patterns were traced to the flagship of the second Huntarian fleet.”

So Athena was taken to the that fleet, and so fled Vorman after he killed Hawkins and Hera/ It was known throughout the fleet now that Hawkins was dead. He was their leader their hero, for so long that the sense of loss probably could not be felt for a while however Stirling knew his people felt anger and that they would want revenge that they wanted to avenge the death of Hawkins at all cost.

The Farstars have often played neutral in the conflict between the “Alliance” and the Huntaran Empire, that was over now. While the Farstars were no friends of the Coreworlds they knew well who killed their leader and who would pay for that crime. That was the Huntarian fleet commanded by Vorman.

“Target Enemy Flagship” Stirling ordered as he indicated the vessel to which Vorman had been traced. “They will attempt to withdrawal soon when they do I want one jump pod launched against the enemy flag. We will have only one shot at this before they escape lets make it count.

One missile pod was launched from the aft bay of the Dauntless , then when the FTL/I Platforms began to self destruct. The tactical FTL of the pod detected the FTL/I’s exclusion zone disappear and it activated micro jumping less then 100,000 kilometers from the enemy flagship then it launched its single missile. After the missile pod launched the Farstars fleet activated their own FTL/I to prevent the enemy from jumping ontop of them, it would force any FTL object at least two million kilometers from them.

The Huntaran fleet was in a bad way, they had deployed against the Cordian Fleet, their point defense and heavy units charging against the Cordians. The Farstars had not targeted them they had thought them not a threat. They were dead wrong. The 150 meter long missile sped towards the flag at over 98,000 gravities it covered the distance in less then eight second then it detonated. The Tempest singularity warhead was one of the largest warheads able to be mounted inside a conventional missile, even so when it detonated a maw was created in space and its gravitational effects were outstanding, any ship within 100,000 kilometers of the point of detonation would be destroyed instantly, others near the maw would have to fight the gravity forces trying to draw them in.

If Vorman’s flagship did not make the jump in time, it would simply no longer exist.

OOC: Edit: I apparently erred. I only RPed Heromath's fleet jumping.

IC:

"ADMIRAL! SINGULARITY ENERGIES DETECTED DEAD AHEAD!"

Cheney quickly turned his head at the tactical view screen and dropped his mouth, "That energy signature... It's bigger than any of the Coredian warheads in existence. It could engulf everything within 100 thousand kilometers from us! Fire Ion cannons in attempt to disarm it!"

Vorman activated his Light Scythe and held it's blade at the Admiral's neck, ::belay that order Tactical. Allow it to detonate.::

Cheney stared at Vorman in disbelief, "sir, that would kill you too! And the hostages... Not to mention our entire fleet along with..." Cheney stopped speaking, and a head rolled on the floor.

::Tactical, I suggest you carry out my command. Or else there will be no promise land or eternal damnation for your soul. You would simply cease to exist... Along with the rest of the fleet's well being.:: The Tactical Officer had little left to argue with, otherwise Vorman would just keep on killing each crew member until he was the last one or the bomb had detonated.

The Officer stood down and saluted, "by your command Emperor."

Vorman saluted back to the Officer, ::may your journey to death be fruitful. Your actions here will be long remembered and chronicled in Huntarian history. Never forget that.:: At that moment, a bright white light was shown on the main viewer. Outside of the ship the bomb detonated, sucking in everyone and everything in within the 100,000 km radius. Including the Gothic, Hera, Athena, Issus and everyone on it, possibly even the Farstar fleet itself since it was well within the detonation range. Now the battle for Issus was truly over.

Atrox entered his Sanctuary aboard The Abomination and sealed the door behind him. It wasn't to prevent anyone from entering for there was not a soul in the Dreadnought that would dare, it was an almost symbolic act of putting the events that happened that day behind him. Atrox knew deep down that was something he would never be able to do but for the moment it was good enough. He walked over to the stasis unit and reached out hus hand to activate the controls and noticed the red stains on his black metallic arm.

Half-heartedly Atrox placed the blood in a sample container and stored it away in the refrigerator along with the sample taken from Hawkins earlier. Returning to the door of the Stasis Pod he activated it. Entering the pod, Atrox turned and faced the door. Stepping out of his Battle Body Ba'El exited the pod and closed it. The stasis pod would repair any damages that occurred to the Atrox clone and replenish the midiclorians within so it was fully charged, ready for the next battle.

"Ba'El," said Shipmind, "the Farstar fleet is engaging the Huntarian fleet. I sense the imminent use of singularity weapons."

"I don't care. The fight is no longer ours, take us home."

"Yes sir, plotting wormhole for the NSO."

Moments later The Abomination disappeared into the momentary rip in the space-time continuum.

Her finger tapped the side of her chest, impatiently as she looked out upon those whom stole everything from her. Her bright blue eyes, stared at Daniel Masaki, blinking slightly as she waited for him to make his decision. Five seconds had passed, since she made his offer.

Taking another step forward, she opened her mouth as she was about to speak. Then gently she cocked her ear towards the sky. Something was different, things were not like they were before.

She listened, through her ear as she heard faintly on the air, the words of the Abomination. It wasn’t as clear anymore. Suddenly she jumped back nervously, into the pile of kythons. “What’s happening?” she asked out loud as she looked around.

Quickly she turned around and began to walk away. As she did the wind began to pick up, as papers and debris began to blow towards her with frighten speed. The wind began to thrust itself in front of her, as something like a horizontal tornado began to form in front of her. Lighting crackled inside, as a thunderous noise from the air rushing, sounding like a train on the tracks began to resound out of the tempest before her.

In a moment, like she was truly scared, she ran inside, the Tornado. Her body quickly vanished. Behind her the black monsters began to jump in as well, by the hundreds they flew inside the tornado like vortex behind her.

Adrian sighed in relief as he looked around at the fan girls. “Not that I’m not glad that the bitch is gone, but what the fuck?” he asked as he looked at the Padawan Pack. “Is it just my imagination or did she seem scared? I didn’t know those cannibals got scared.”

The ultra fan girl shrugged. Then he looked up into the sky. Sniffing the way that Dornies do when they sense, he looked up. ‘FUCK!” he yelled. “We need to get out of here, now!”

He looked at the others. In the middle of the street, there was no way off this planet. The bomb was about to go off within thirty seconds. No way in hell to get to a space port, and take off without being caught. He knew he was fucked.

Then her looked at where the kythons were going. He had no clue where they were going, just they were getting out of dodge. “Out of the frying pan.” Adrian said, as he used the force to summon a bubble of air and heat around him. Quickly he ran towards the tornado, as he was flung inside.

The other Dornies quickly followed suit. They didn’t know where they were going, but it sure as hell beat staying here, in a place that they were bound to die.

For ten minutes, the Dornie team was thrust around, flung like a rag doll through the great void. Lights streaked around them, as it took all their power to hold on to the bubble of air and heat. The lights inside were blinding, as they were flung through time and space.

In the end, they were shot out of the tornado, and flung across the large black floor. Their bodies rolled like they were thrown out of a moving car. Adrian looked down, as he tried to move. As he reached his right arm down, a sudden pain was sent through him. “Fuck, remind me never to do that again.” He said to himself, as he summoned the force to him, to heal his broken body.

AS he began to stand, he looked upon the face of the bitch who had just left. She smiled at him and the rest of the team that served Daniel Masaki so well. Her bright red lips, curved slightly at the sight of their face. Tapping her left hand against her thigh slightly, she simply said, “Welcome home.”

OOC: Since the battle of Issus seems over... there are two spin off threads.

Issus Part III: The Search for Hera (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=593488) (Hunt came up with the name)

Paradise Lost (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=593336) (the Darker thread)

Links coming soon. If you wish anyone in this thread may join one of the two that is realistic.

Issus Orbit

The fight seemed touch and go for a good while, as the Kythonized Third Fleet engaged the Huntarians. They saw that the enemy has sent a large number of their forces against them.

Admiral Achilles barked orders to his forces to engage the enemy ships, avoiding the heaviest weapons fire as best they could and using the lighter weapons to regenerate any wounds caused by enemy torpedoes. It was times like this that he felt the material was quite useful. But he was mindful of the fact that the material was ultimately part of a hive mind that was not under Coredian control. And thus is something that had to be dealt with one day.

But for now...for now...something else happened.

"Sir...the Farstars just launched a missile...Oh shit! Oh shit!"

"What is it, boy? Spit it!"

"Singularity type, range of effect, one hundred thousand kilometers! Thirty seconds to detonation!"

"WHAT?!" Admiral Achilles roared. Dammit! We can't get out in time! "Warn the Emperor! I don't care if you have to burn through the interference!"

"But with only thirty seconds..."

"Just do it!"

=====

Temple Roof

30...29...28...

The King's Dragons were able to evacuate what's left of the Temple, but casualties from the Kythons meant that the numbers were not enough to fill one of the tournament rooms, much less the brigade that came to try and save Athena...in vain.

It was all in vain and I knew it. And then Atrox had the gall to lecture me on my decisions. I sent my son because I trusted him and his friends to get the job done. By the standards of Coredian law, he was already an adult, though he still had much to learn. He had points in sending my fleet to Tenetia...which was a mistake on my part.

Guess I was too obsessed with redeeming dear Sister. I could be pretty selfish, and it's cost me a great deal. More than I could imagine.

After sensing Hera's sudden disappearance, Atrox left the area, and the vengeful Mary came along.

In the distance, the liquid began to take form. Black swirls of kythons, leaped up and seemed to melt, into something, and that something was getting closer.

Fingers soon began to form, as did arms and legs. As the thing got closer, it began to take on the appearance of a woman, roughly thirty two years in age. Her skin was pale, as she had short Black hair. Her eyes glowed blue, like Daniel Masaki’s as she approached.

Clothing began to form around her body, as what appeared to be Blue Jeans, and a button up black shirt, with the top two buttons unbuttoned appeared. She was barefoot, as she turned her head towards Daniel Masaki.

“My horse, my horse, my kingdom for a horse.” Mary said with a stern face as she looked at the men and women within the circle. The Power pack, Daniel Masaki, the Dragon king, and the Dornies. Her body was tense and her movements showed she was very angry, as she stared at the cause of all of her ills, Daniel Masaki.

“You must be feeling like Henry right now.” Mary said as she took a step inside the circle that the other kythons didn’t cross.

“Your people are dying, and by the end of the day, the entire population of Issus will be dead. 2.73 Billion people, BDZed by Huntarian guns or a tasty treat for me. Such a shame, not that you actually care. You only care about Nina, Travis and Naruto. You do not love your allies, these Dornies here are nothing more than cannon fodder for you. People to die, so your rule will remain. Congratulations, you are Palpitine, Daniel Masaki.” She took a step closer as she crossed her arms under her breasts.

“Unlike Atrox I know the truth about you. You claim to care, but you do not. Your army faultered here within seconds. Your Jedi after the mind control was lifted, didn’t even attempt to put up a fight. Your Elite guard the ANBU, died like children weeping for their mothers. All of this because of your callousness. No, I don’t believe you are incompetent, like Lord Atrox. No one can be this incompetent, and allowed to rule by their people.”

“You use children because they are the only ones uneducated enough to follow your will.” Looking at the Dornies, Mary shook her head, “He would gladly throw away all of your lives if it meant he could have what he wants. If the events of the last few days haven’t proven that, nothing will.”

“Shut up you cannibalistic bitch.” the angry woman said as she picked up her assault rifle and aimed it at Mary.

Adrian quickly pushed the gun down and gave her another stern look. “What did I tell you?” he said to her quickly. The woman backed down.

Mary seemed utterly un-threatened by the gesture. “Your decrees, Daniel Masaki, have taken away EVERYTHING from me. Lady Sunshine was my friend, and my partner. She treated me in ways that only Atrox himself has matched. She was my family. It would be fitting for me to rip your family to shreds right now before your eyes so you would know the pain you have caused me.” she said as she looked over to Travis Masaki.

Turning her head back to Daniel, she looked into his eyes. “But even that wouldn’t bother you. Not for long, maybe a whole thirty seconds. After all you would still be alive.”

She seemingly took a breath as she lowered her arms. “If you believe me to be wrong, I will offer you a deal. One time only, everything must go. It’s an old saying, an eye for an eye... and that is what I want. I will stop the BDZ of the Huntarian fleet, stop the infection of Issus, and spare your people and your empire my wrath. I will even give you safe passage for the Dornies to leave this planet unharmed"

In exchange Naruto is to be killed. Right here, right now, and don’t try that pathetic clone crap. I can tell the difference."

"You will not ask Naruto, as you never asked me for Lady Sunshine's life. You will make the decision on your own. Attempting to communicate through non verbal means, or discussing this with anyone else through any means will nullify this offer. It's your choice Daniel. Pull out your lightsaber and kill him now, then hand his body to me, while you watch me defile it, as Vorman did to Sunshine."

"Once you watch me devour Naruto, you will be given ten years to live. Ten whole good long years, where you can have what I will never have. You can watch Travis and Riley grow up. Become the man and woman they were meant to be. In exchange, your Empire, and your people will live. At the end of ten years, you will die horrifically, with pain most would consider unbearable. Your body will be scattered throughout the universe, piece by piece.”

"Your people will be left in peace. Issus will be saved from the turbo lasers in space, and you will never again see your people being torn to shreds by me."

She re-crossed her arms. “It’s a better deal than you gave me. Your kingdom for a horse.”
I was stunned, shocked. How the hell could you ask me of this, you bitch?!

It seemed a fair price, if it wasn't my best friend she wanted me to kill. One man for my nation. She was grieving, I knew. I could sense, out of all the Kythons here, that she herself grieved for the loss of Hera as well. And she picked the easiest target for sure: us. But to have her ask me of this...to slay my own best friend so she can have her own vengeance...

But...I could not, and she knew it. I could not sacrifice my friend in this way. But it would mean the death of my nation...and its future. But then it happened...

Her finger tapped the side of her chest, impatiently as she looked out upon those whom stole everything from her. Her bright blue eyes, stared at Daniel Masaki, blinking slightly as she waited for him to make his decision. Five seconds had passed, since she made his offer.

Taking another step forward, she opened her mouth as she was about to speak. Then gently she cocked her ear towards the sky. Something was different, things were not like they were before.

She listened, through her ear as she heard faintly on the air, the words of the Abomination. It wasn’t as clear anymore. Suddenly she jumped back nervously, into the pile of kythons. “What’s happening?” she asked out loud as she looked around.
22...21...20...

At around this same time, Masamori came flying on a dragon. "Lord Masaki! The Third Fleet sends warning! The Farstars just sent a massive singularity torpedo at the enemy!"

"WHAT?!" I yelled. "How long do we have?"

"20 seconds!"

Shit. That wasn't enough time for much. Not enough to start an engine.

Mary solved that problem then...

Quickly she turned around and began to walk away. As she did the wind began to pick up, as papers and debris began to blow towards her with frighten speed. The wind began to thrust itself in front of her, as something like a horizontal tornado began to form in front of her. Lighting crackled inside, as a thunderous noise from the air rushing, sounding like a train on the tracks began to resound out of the tempest before her.

In a moment, like she was truly scared, she ran inside, the Tornado. Her body quickly vanished. Behind her the black monsters began to jump in as well, by the hundreds they flew inside the tornado like vortex behind her.

Adrian sighed in relief as he looked around at the fan girls. “Not that I’m not glad that the bitch is gone, but what the fuck?” he asked as he looked at the Padawan Pack. “Is it just my imagination or did she seem scared? I didn’t know those cannibals got scared.”

The ultra fan girl shrugged. Then he looked up into the sky. Sniffing the way that Dornies do when they sense, he looked up. ‘FUCK!” he yelled. “We need to get out of here, now!”

He looked at the others. In the middle of the street, there was no way off this planet. The bomb was about to go off within thirty seconds. No way in hell to get to a space port, and take off without being caught. He knew he was fucked.

Then her looked at where the kythons were going. He had no clue where they were going, just they were getting out of dodge. “Out of the frying pan.” Adrian said, as he used the force to summon a bubble of air and heat around him. Quickly he ran towards the tornado, as he was flung inside.

The other Dornies quickly followed suit. They didn’t know where they were going, but it sure as hell beat staying here, in a place that they were bound to die.

For ten minutes, the Dornie team was thrust around, flung like a rag doll through the great void. Lights streaked around them, as it took all their power to hold on to the bubble of air and heat. The lights inside were blinding, as they were flung through time and space.

In the end, they were shot out of the tornado, and flung across the large black floor. Their bodies rolled like they were thrown out of a moving car. Adrian looked down, as he tried to move. As he reached his right arm down, a sudden pain was sent through him. “Fuck, remind me never to do that again.” He said to himself, as he summoned the force to him, to heal his broken body.

AS he began to stand, he looked upon the face of the bitch who had just left. She smiled at him and the rest of the team that served Daniel Masaki so well. Her bright red lips, curved slightly at the sight of their face. Tapping her left hand against her thigh slightly, she simply said, “Welcome home.”
10...9...8...

The dragons carrying the kids and everyone else they could carry zoomed into the wormhole...except for one.

Naruto.

"Naruto. What's up?" I yelled over the wind.

"I'm not coming! You heard the bitch! She wants me dead or else she would eat everything!" Naruto yelled back. He then turned his face away. "Guess it means Konohamaru's now Hokage after me..."

"But..." I couldn't leave him! "No. You're not dying alone!"

"What? They need you!" Naruto yelled.

"You're my best friend since we were kids! How could I let you die alone!" I cried. "If she wants you dead, then she's just going to have to make do with a two-for-one deal! Everyone else can get along just fine without us!"

The wormhole closed on us, eliminating our only chance of escape.

"Daniel...you stubborn bastard." Naruto shook his head as he put an arm around my shoulder.

"Well, guess this is it." I sighed. Leave it to going down with the planet as my final decision as Emperor...

Then we felt it. And saw it. It was a small at first, but grew quickly. I could feel the screams aboard the ships in orbit as they got crushed by the black hole, and the planet wouldn't be far behind. Already I could feel the ground shake as it started to tear apart by the tidal forces. It wouldn't be long before the end came.

Then for some odd reason, a voice sounded in our heads.

"Sentimental fools! You may be wanting to die, but I don't have the luxury of such sacrifice! Sarinon! The Pact!"

"Wha--" I barely spoke before Naruto doubled over and...then the pain began. Pain beyond pain. Pain beyond screaming.

There was a sudden horrific light.

There was a sudden ghastly noise.

There was a sudden horrific silence.

=====

Admiral Pellaeon looked on in horror as the entire planet of Issus, along with the numerous fleets in orbit, was torn apart and consumed by the black hole. Even at this distance, the gravitational pull was significant, but not nearly enough to overcome the engines of the rest of the fleet. With a choking feeling in his throat as he knew there was no escape from a black hole so close to the planet, he ordered the fleet to retreat to Sparta, the military headquarters. From there, he would have to maintain order until the Kokkai could convene and decide what to do next...

FNS-Dauntless
Flagship Southern Command
Issus System

He knew that the Huntaran fleet and the majority of its defenses were well out of position to resist an attack launched by his ignored command. Even still he expected that the Huntaran fleet would have at least done something to destroy the incoming missile yet they did not, it was as if their fleet had decided to utterly accept death was curious and concerning to say the least but if they wanted to die he would oblige them. The destruction of an entire Huntaran fleet was hardly worth Hawkins and Hera’s life but it was a start.

It was also clear that they could not rescue Athena and he would not let her be carried away by the crazed Kitir Lord, Hera would have preferred her to die if that was the case, the destruction of the Huntaran fleet would ensure that end.

He also watched as the Cordian Third Fleet and then the planet itself be pulled apart and drawn into the singularity. Well that was the problem with both fleets they were much to closely clustered in a way it was like shooting fish in a barrel. Well perhaps their tactics would change after this. His own fleet was little more then a million kilometers from the event horizion, it was close range for his fleet but they had to be there to support the assault on the temple.

With the Departure of the last remaining Cordian Fleet the Farstars Southern Command was left alone in the shattered systems amidst the ruins of two fleets and Issus. Billions of people had died, he supposed he should have felt some remorse at that, but he would have done it twice over if he could have brought Hawkins back.

His fleet would wait in the killing ground for a while yet, before returning home, to prepare for what was to come.