The Game Continues

Location: Unity Dreadnaught Time 23:25

Captain 00127 was a massive Triari, who had captained Dreadnaught 12 for years. He had ferried many members of the Unity from one edge of space to the other, and had personally be involved in the recent purge engagements of E-strain space. His new directive, and his new passengers came directly from Prime, though...the whole situation made him somewhat nervous.

Behind his great armored frame were four silent figures in armor he had not seen before. The stark white armor was tight fitting, and four thin jointed metal limbs came from their backs. His task was to bring them to Orleos, and to ensure that particular affects of his were secured. There would be a brief window where they would have to secure an exit; it was made clear to 00127 that this was a black op of the highest clearance.

Orleos paced back and forth in the Studio beneath the Amusement Park, he had traded in his normal clothing for his battle attire. He was hoping Prime had a clever idea as to how to escape.

He had made it clear that Orleos was not to leave the studio, for his own protection. Prime apparently was not going to be taking any chances, but Orleos was effectively trapped in this place like a rat with wolfmen along with who knew what else digging him out and ready to kill him.

One of the Unity Coder's turned towards him and he received a quick message stating only, "Orleos, sending a four-man extraction team. Prepare for hot evac via shadow drill."

With that, the Dreadnaught made a microscopic portal during it's flight path, through which a Shadow Drill was activated.

In front of Orleos, there was a high pitch whine as reality was torn apart in front of him. From that rip in space time came the four silent armored figures. Silently, one extended a hand, interfacing with the Unity coder's networks. Another looked at Orleos and spoke through a filter, making him sound mildly robotic.

"We are setting up the shadow satellite now, and there is a second Dreadnaught incoming. Stand by. Do you have any affects you need to take from this place?"

He nodded, "Yes. Layne's men, the Coder's, the Captive Tsogari, those monuments, and this bag I have on my person. Other than that, the Saturated Soul Harvesters as well, although I suggest Non-Unity entities handle them, anything else is unimportant and deadweight."

The armored nodded in compliance and responded immediately, "All affects are here correct?" at Orleos' nod he cotinued, "Very well. Stand back, we will begin the extraction."

Part 1 of 8

Location: Stark's Ship Time: 23:27

Sector General Stark watched the blips move.
He looked down at Science Officer Saito Makuma and asked the portly human, "Are we sure this is Sacrenine?"

SO Makuma nodded enthusiastically, "Sir, we used these feeds hacked from the EEF Catspaws to follow his transit."

"And the captive?" asked Stark, "The K'ias prisoner? The one the Bounty Hunters working for the Tsoga reported."

"He has apparently escaped sir," said SO Makuma.

"Heh, sly creature," murmered Stark to himself, "He escapes for today..."

"Sir, should we continue tracking him?"

"Yes. Ship Captain Artemis Dane, please send in two squads of Omega Brethren," ordered Stark, "Keep the targets harried with sniper fire from aboard their own ships. I assume the new cloaking devices are ready?"

"Not funny sir," said Ship Captain Dane as she signalled the deployment of the Omegas and their handlers.

"What is not funny about giving the Omegas cloaking belts?" asked Stark.

Dane really had no time or patience for the K'ias Tarrisian Warlord's failed attempts at humor. There was a strange set of events leading to a potential "incident". Sending in squads of Omegas would get the job done, but beyond making disruptions on the Unity Vessels, they would serve no tactical value.

"Sir is it worth testing the treaties like this?" asked Dane.

"What test? I want them wearing TFS symbols armor. If anyone has a problem with it they can take it up with President Bergin back on Refuge in the Tarrisian Free State." said Stark, "I may technically still make an IR pension but we have a little wiggle room. Speaking of wiggle room, I wonder where EEF General Vulfrym is..."

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Location: Stark's Ship Time: 23:38

Stark watched the point where the Omegas vanished into the inky-blackness of space. He wondered how they would hold up against the might of what the Unity would throw against them.

SO Makuma interrupted his line of thought, "Sir, we have a new contact. Another Unity Dreadnought inbound."

Stark frowned at first, but then broke out into a smile, "Well then, this should at least prove entertaining."

Part 2 of 8

Location: Orleos' Studio Time 23:31

Orleos was in disbelief at the events unfolding before him, Prime had pulled out all the stops with his security force. This was…not a normal extraction team. Orleos saw them stand still for only a fraction of a second. One of the three figures, hidden behind a featureless helmet spoke in a monotone robotic voice.

“We will begin Purification of this facility." From his side, he produced a helmet and handed it to Orleos. One of his extraction team told him to wear it for the “purification protocol”…whatever that meant. Considering what he knew of things the Unity liked to use the word “purify” to describe, though, he thought it might be best to put it on.

As one of the armored figures lifted a hand above the floor, and a column of metal erupted from what Orleos thought was solid floor. Wires twisted chaotically around it, writhing like living things. The man, if man he was, that summoned it slammed a fist into its core, and the wires whipped around the armor, interfacing at hundreds of nearly invisible ports. One of the its companions put a small cube on the ground, and Orleos watched as it jerked like a living thing, sending tendrils into the floor of his safehouse.

The hacker, as Orelos thought of him, grabbed hold of something in the column of metal surrounding his arm and twisted. The room went dark, and was filled with a dull red glow. He could more feel than hear a sound which must have been overpowering. Suddenly, he was rather glad that he wore the ostentatious helmet. The metal limbs on the back of two of the armored figures projected wings of pulsing black energy, and then they streaked down the corridor, almost too fast to see.

They would kill any who would interrupt the extraction. The hacker had the capability to scan the entire facility at once, and would act as command/control for the extraction squad. It also put the entire facility on lockdown, forcing targets to break through doors or walls to advance. If any foes were attempting to sneak beyond the hacker’s ability to scan, their screams and twisted psychic projections would lead the two enforcers to them.

The Tsogari and affects would be isolated from the mind-crushing affects of the Purification protocol by the hacker through his remotely assembling of the cage into an isolation system. One of the enforcers would quickly bring this isolation system to Orelos. The squad’s hacker was in reserve, guarding the shadow satellite and their charge until they could affect an escape through the shadow-network to the Horror Nexus. All Unity technology would destroy itself after the extraction team left.

Part 3 of 8

Location: Quanalithi's Sewer System Time 23:32

Through the cobblestones streets, into the grates of a sewer, a line of eight insects moved throughout Quanalithi and not a single soul was the wiser. Andal traveled with his packmates in a loose-knit formation through the cracks and grooves of the sewer system of Quanalithi.

With a sense of smell keener than that of most known trackers, the insecto-morphed Tsogari made their way towards the hiding place of Orleos Sacrenine. The man had covered his tracks well enough visually, but not well enough that he couldn't be tracked by smell. One by one they slowly filtered into the deepest part of the sewers that were not on the base's maps.

He was the current leader of this pack, tasked with bringing their targets head back along with his imprisoned brethren, and they were not far from their goal. He proceeded to shift back to Tsogari form and the rest the pack followed suit. They didn't even have the time to defend against what hit them seconds later.

The sound was not just around them, the sound of nails on a chalkboard did not even sound close, it was more like nails scraping across the insides of their skulls. A few of the younger Tsogari dropped to passed out while others, in an attempt to block out the noise, dropped to their knees. The sound made Andal's eyes water, but he could still make out the figure of a man with wings racing towards them.
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Location: Brethren Ship Time 23:35

In the hold of the deployment ships, the Omegas meticulously cleaned their rifles to make sure that it would be directly on target when they were ordered to start shooting. Quickly, they disassembled the rifles with precision and grace that showed that the Omegas had done this so many times that they could do the exercise in their sleep.

Over their commlinks came the voice of Ship Captain Dane, "Brethren Squads 1 & 2 prepare for deployment via drop-pod. All lights green. Deploy!"

Their window was small, the squads were put into the drop-pods and prepped for launch. One by one the Omegas were launched via drop-pods, their appearance was little more than space debris to the eye if seen, but due to the insulated non-reflective material of the pods, that was highly unlikely.

The loose-knit formation that the pods were in was sporadic and non-threatening to the naked eye, slowly they drifted in the direction of the lone Unity Dreadnaught and it towards them. The moments ticked by, the only saving grace the Omegas had in their minds was that if they were found out, there wouldn't be enough time to feel the response.

Two sets of thuds were felt more than heard in the null-gee of space. Almost as if a signal flare was lit, the pods burst open and the Omegas found handholds alongside the lining of the Dreadnaughts Hull. They worked quickly and efficiently, cutting through a service hatch on the exterior and entered the ship.

Upon entering the ship, they felt the pull of artificial gravity and used the inertia to slip through the shaft. Upon reaching a divide in the shaft, the squads split, and made their ways to separate areas of the ship. When Squad One slipped through a vent and entered a corridor, a single Unity Technician and Enforcer that were deployed to identify the breach had their backs to them.

When the pair had turned to identify what lay behind them, the cough of several bullets flew and found their marks. Two bodies dropped to the floor, before the pair had the capability to compute what had happened. The Omegas were on their own now, deployment was the easy part, extraction would be the hard part, but then again, they lived for this line of work.

Part 4 of 8

Location: Quanalithi Sewer System Time: 23:35

Andal was in the worst pain imaginable. He had fought Nightmares, Vampyrs, and Quall to name a few. All the scrapes, bruises, broken bones, and pain did not even compare to what he felt now. The anger he felt was the only thing that could rival what he felt now. Jasper and Drundat had been cut down by the winged and armored being when they resisted.

All it was doing was walking calmly from one to the other. Slitting their throats as if they were no more than helpless children. He had to do something, anything to stop the slaughter of his packmates. Anything! Anything at all! The figure's back was in front of him and as he lay there on the floor, paralyzed by pain, he watched it's sword descend upon the throat of Erudai, the newly blooded and youngest Tsogari amongst them.

Between the strong metallic scent of blood in the air, the pain, and the pleading eyes of the young one, something snapped in Andal. He did not feel it when he sank claws into his own ears and the world turned silent. He did not register the pain that wracked his body as the figure moved faster than he could see and it's sword sank into his flesh.

But what he did feel, was satisfaction when elongated claws and fangs pierced armor and the flesh underneath. With monstrous strength he took the figure that had come so willingly into his arms and hurled it through the sewer wall. Although he was panting from the exertion he just put his body through, the wounds upon him slowly sealed shut, all save for his ears.

With a howl of rage that was drowned out by the Scream of whatever hellish design plagued this world, Andal surged forward towards the source of the Scream and the Man who was no doubt behind it, Sacrenine.

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Location: Quanalithi Sewer System Time: 23:37

Life Threatening Damage Sustained. Self-Repair Engaged. Estimated Time until Completion, 112 Seconds and Counting. Unlikely, Yet Foreseen Possibility Encountered. Other Personnel Advised to Intercept and Not Rule out Unlikely Situations.

The Non-Connected always were a puzzle to the members of the Unity. What kind of being would run off without even inspecting it's work to make sure it had finished it's task? An illogical one, that's what. Using the leverage it's legs provided it, the Unity Enforcer slowly sat up against the wall. The Tsogari had surprised him, that was all, but it had not beaten or killed him.

Their task would be completed, regardless of interference.

Part 5 of 8

Location: Quanalithi Sewer System (Outside Sacrenine's Studio) Time: 23:38

Andal raced through the tunnels, following the scent of Sacrenine. Heavy Metal Doors were slamming shut before him and quickly shredded by his claws soon afterwards, nothing would stand between him and his prey. As he raced around a corner, he jerked back just in time to keep his head, as a stream of blinding light screamed past him, it splashed against the wall of the sewer beside him, and he watched as the rock became slag.

The smell of burnt ozone filled the air while steam rose up from the water, limiting his field of vision. Deafened though he was, he felt more than heard, the vibrating blade that came towards his neck, and tumbled forward, while it passed through the corner of the wall he hid behind like butter. Using the momentum of the tumble, he sprung into a stand with his hands, and faced his opponent.

An Enforcer like the one he had just faced, save for the fact, that this one stood directly between him and his prize, a simple metal door that had the scent of Sacrenine wafting from the cracks. The Enforcer must have read his mind, because it was on him the moment he got to his feet.

Andal did his best to avoid the strokes of the sword, but his opponent was becoming exponentially faster, and he was becoming increasingly injured as more and more of the Enforcer's attacks landed. Blood leaked into his eye from a cut upon his brow that was knitting shut slower than before, he was becoming fatigued, this had to end quickly.

With what reserves of energy remained, he leaped backwards in order to put distance between them, only to have the ground slip out from under him. He fell towards water, but never made it, a sword pierced his chest and the wall behind it, effectively pinning him against it.

The Enforcer floated in front of him, mere inches above the water, "Your resistance has been amusing."

It made a fist and placed it beneath Andal's chin. Heat built beneath Andal's face, hair and skin began to cook and peel away. The monotonous voice of the Enforcer never changed, "This game ends now. This facility will be purified."

With a clench of it's fist it released the pent up energy.

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Location: Unity Dreadnaught Time: 23:40

Captain 00127 was becomingly frustrated with the disruptions occurring on his ship. Multiple members of his staff had fallen prey to a group of unknowns that had infiltrated his ship. Although surveillance would be established of the area and they would gain images of their aggressors, it would be disrupted moments later.

Enforcers had been sent to the area they were holed up in, yet when the Enforcers arrived to apprehend and exterminate the rats on board, they fell prey to traps that had been rigged on the ship. The traps were not what killed his men though, it was the hail of disruptor blasts and bullets that came seconds after the set charges has blasted them.

The momentary surprise that was created was what caused the problem, but it was inevitable that the stowaways would be cut down. Three had been injured and the group was being pushed back from the two fronts they had established in the ship. Speaking of which, he was watching the group being pushed back further through Eye-spy cameras at that very moment.

As more Enforcers poured into the dead-end corridor that the infiltrators had retreated to, he was satisfied that he would have the cause neutralized, and there would be no question as to his competence as an able-bodied Ship Captain. Frustrated though he was with the disruptions upon his ship that marred his normally immaculate record, he couldn't help but grin at the prospect of being able to present a threat to the Unity, to Prime.

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Fate, however, seems to have had other plans.

Part 6 of 8

Location: Quanalithi Sewer System (Threshold of Sacrenine's Studio) Time: 23:39

Heat lanced forth from the Enforcer's hand and hit nothing but the wall in front of him. Slime oozed towards the water and the water beneath him shot up in a tidal surge, pushing him against the ceiling, and then froze into an icy prison.

Andal emerged from the dark waters, the ooze that made up his form slowly congealing and becoming solid once more. Panting with fatigue, he ran at the door before him. With a single bound, he slammed into the door and burst into the room.

The sight that met his eyes was an oddity of that there was no doubt. The light from the sewer behind him was seemingly absorbed by the darkness in front of him, yet it provided just enough illumination that he could see who and what was in front of him. His attention was drawn away from the large figure that was dealing with a column of metal, to the smaller figure of a man with a helmet, and that of his brethren strapped to metal slabs.

A feral grin tugged at his lips, Sacrenine was here, and from the looks of what the other person occupying the room was doing, he was effectively helpless and alone. Even in the dim lighting of the room, he could make out Sacrenine's eyes beneath the glass of the helmet, they were wide with fear. Andal straightened his back to his full imposing height, rocked on the balls of his feet, and leaped at Sacrenine.
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Location: Unity Dreadnaught Time: 23:42

Omega One fired his rifle over and over again at the slowly advancing line of Unity Forces, Omegas 2, 3, 6, 7, and 9 had been wounded and the likelihood of more injuries occurring was becoming harder to avoid. The Unity had thought that they had the Omegas cornered, but what they truly did not understand, was that this last stand that they had been lead to was the Omega Brethren's extraction point and parting gift.

All they were waiting on, was for Omega 4&5's signal when they had completed the patch jobs on their wounded comrades, so that they could survive the vacuum of outer space. Until that time, he would keep firing, which unfortunately was not long, as the click of his last clip sounded, indicating that he was out of ammo.

Diving so as to avoid the slew of plasma, chill bolts, and other technological devices that were being used in an attempt to kill him, he hid against the bulkhead opposite where he just has been, which was nothing more than molten stub. Omega One didn't believe in God, but he certainly started to pray that the status light that was amber in his HUD, would turn Green.

As if the great universe has heard him, his status light winked green, and he sent the signal that was necessary to detonate the charges that were in the service shaft, that he and his squad had entered. Explosions rattled the hull of the ship and if not for the deathgrip he had on the bulkhead, he would have been tossed for the ride of his life.

Atmosphere vented, emergency doors activated, and shut off the Omegas corridor from the Unity Forces. The artificial gravity for the wing became disabled and the Omegas felt a pull from the venting of atmosphere. One by one they were sucked through the small hole that they had punched into the side of the Unity Dreadnaught.

The great void met their eyes and the power of the ventilation propelled them forward. Lights from behind sliced through the darkness, and where Omegas 4 & 7 has been, was now nothing but empty space and slagged armor. From behind them, Enforcers were making their way through space and closing in.

A response from Stark however, was not slow in coming, two drop ships charged with extraction raced to meet the Omegas, providing covering fire, and attempting to rescue them from a swift death. The Enforcers gave chase for only a few minutes, trading fire with the ships, but before anymore damage was done, they seemingly lost interest and returned to the Dreadnaught.

The question was, why?

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Location: Quanalithi Sewer System (Inside Sacrenine's Studio) Time: 23:40

Andal descended on Sacrenine and they were sent crashing to the floor. He pinned the smaller man to the ground by his throat and took pleasure in feeling the man gasp for breath beneath him. Sacrenine raised his hand towards Andal's face and a stream of acid blasted outwards from his palm.

Andal rolled to the side, bringing Sacrenine with him, and slammed him head first into the wall opposite the door. The glass of the helmet cracked slightly and he could see the man's face contort in pain. Andal wished to extract as much pain as possible, but time was against him, Best to take his head now, fun could come later.

Sacrenine's struggles were beginning to get weaker as he ran out of air, Andal shifted his claws into Vorpral ones so that he could take the man's head off in a single slice. He savored the moment, he had won. Fatigued though he was, he had won, his brethren were here, and he would save them all. He poised his arm for a clean cut, the only mercy he would afford the man, his claws descended and blood gushed from a most lethal wound.

The sword that burst forth from his chest resonated with powerful vibrations, it's wielder wasted no time and pulled the sword sideways, bifurcating his shoulder, and his arm dangled, merely held by a thread. 'How?' was the only thought in Andal's mind, he turned his head, and beheld his assailant. Black Armor and pulsing wings met his gaze, the Unity Enforcer stood in all his unmarred glory.

Fluid filled his lungs and he felt a euphoric high from the loss of his blood, he felt like he was beneath the water, everything was blurred and moved with unnatural slowness. His grip loosened on Sacrenine and he fell to his knees. Andal looked into the blank mask of the Enforcer and spat blood upon him. The sword being raised was the last sight he saw. Darkness took him.

Part 7 of 8

Location: ????? (The Horror Nexus. Prime's Infirmary) Time: ??????

Prime observed as a Unity Medic tended to Orleos, extracting samples of blood from where the claws had broken his skin, and healing the bruising that ringed his neck. The man looked away and fidgeted in place as the needles punctured his skin, "And why exactly can I not just heal myself, Prime?"

Prime's response was immediate, "Because samples need to be taken. The more data I have on varying factors along with the Tsogari's odd manifestation of certain qualities is necessary to calibrate the Enforcer's armor and tactical data. That is why. Any other questions?" at his guests silence, he took that as a 'Yes'.

The medic completed her medical procedures and took the samples to Prime's Lab. With a simple gesture to follow, he and Orleos walked from the Infirmary to Orleos's wing of the Horror Nexus's facilities. The research laboratories were complete replicas of what Orleos had left behind, "These labs, your so called 'Studios', are completely stocked with all that you will need. There are accommodations for Layne's men, your own, and yourself. Anything you need will be provided for you via my assistants."

Prime's voice took on a more serious tone, "And under no circumstances are you to bring those Soul Harvesters that contain the essence of the FoF here. Is that understood?" Orleos nodded, "Good."

Prime walked out of the 'Studio', Orleos was quieter than usual, Prime chalked it up to his near-death experience. While it was a bit of a close call in terms of Orleos dying, not that it would have done much in the line of his work as resurrection was easy, but it certainly was informative in the necessary calibrations that he would need to implement in his Archon Armor.
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Location: SG Stark's Ship

Stark's only downer of the day, was that he had lost two Omega's on this mission. Other than that, he was ecstatic about the chaos he had created on the Unity ships. His Omega Brethren had preformed spectacularly.

Ship Captain Dane however was another story, she was absolutely furious, though she'd never let Stark see that. He'd just exacerbate her foul mood. What purpose would this whole fiasco server? If anything, this entire incident could lead to disaster. Wiggle room or no wiggle room, testing the treaties was never a smart idea.

As if the Universe just loved to rain on her head, he made his way over to her, "You see. Nothing bad happened. And if they had cloaking belts, how much better do you think these operations would go?"

Her lips pulled into a tight line, "They would go better sir. Although we did lose two Omegas."

Stark merely scoffed, "Now Dane, no need to be such a downer. It went great. It went better than expected."

Part 8 of 8

Rewards:

UnityPrime Gains Clonable samples of Orleos, a variety of Tsogari, and a hunch Sector General Stark is hunting down K'ias... but why?

Sector General Stark gains access to Cloaking Belts for his Omegas and the floor plans of a Unity Dreadnaught

Oreleos Sacrenine gains, they think they got me, a sigh of relief...for now.

"Why?" Stark, smiled when he saw the I.R. security reports from the attack.
"Of course they wonder why..."

He was on the bridge of the crown jewel of his fleet. The former FoF Mothership was now fully operational and cleared out of all the nasty little traps the FoF had left onboard.

The tactical officer leaned in quietly, "Sir it would help me to accomplish this task if we did understand why we are hunting this K'ias so far from the planet Refuge?"

"There have been legends of K'ias who had infiltraited the Tsogari priesthood, only to be won over by by the teachings of the pack. No Tsogara priest I have interrogated has confirmed this and they say they would kill any such K'ias found on sight. But during the Cult of the Tsoga attacked the city of Kasanth one of my meks got footage of Illuminated and other half-K'ias fighting alongside Half-Ear and Black Claw. If the leaders of the Tsogari are willing to fight alongside half-K'ias and Vir's troops, then they may actually have K'ias in their ranks."

"Sir with all do respect," replied the tactical officer, "So what does that have anything to do with our mission?"

"The Iron Republic is always looking for the perfect Brethren," Stark replied matter-of-factly, "And those few K'ias who have been restored to life have been seeking a way to breed children that are not half-breeds of other species. A Nu Brethren will be the perfect answer."

"Sir are you seriously considering mass-producing some Human-K'ias Hybrid?" asked the tactical officer.

"Brethren Shapeshifters," mused Stark, "Stronger, Faster and able to assume the form of any enemy they face. Armed with the newest enhanced Power Armors coming out of the I.R. Secret Labs."

"The Secret labs?" asked the Tactical officers, "I've heard legends in the mess halls of every ship I served since I was a cadet."

"The I.R. Secret Labs, a set of systems where they have been gathering all the technological developements of advanced science that the I.R. refuses to allow any civilian or military officer below the rank of Sector General access to even witness," Stark replied, seeing the soldier's eyes widen as he spoke, "There are planets there with technology beyond even the tech the Unity is sporting. Stuff reverse engineered from devices stolen from the Grey and the Da'uhnb. Stuff found lost in space. And Stuff is as descriptive as I can get without having to order your execution soon afterwards. But this one thing they have is a suit of symbiotic power armor Codename: Golem.
This Golem Power Armor needs the perfect host and the Nu Brethren will be those hosts.
Fort Lendill has supported the growth of the K'ias Lords and Ladies of S.U.A.R.M. Space.
Now the Iron Republic will show them a Nu K'ias. A Nu K'ias for a New Era.

Now we just need more samples to create the perfect Nu Brethren..."