The Birth of a New Horror Nexus

Prime had not been idle, building in the depths of space. Instead he had taken what remains he could of the Horror Nexus, and used it to make a seed. The small cube looked like simple black metal, but it was insanely complex. The perfect geometry of its atoms swirled in exact patterns, giving the information contained therin four degrees of complexity. It would be the new Horror Nexus soon.

Prime stood in a stark dome at the center of a moon base. Surrounding this dome was frantic construction, merging the components of a pleasure station given to Prime with a Moon Base awarded to Prime for his continued efforts. It was staffed with Unity connected with an affinity with Shadow leyas and other, darker arts. Those technicians who devoted themselves to the mind-twisting oblivion technologies, and those who studied the rare art of technomancy were in attendance. One million of Prime’s more loyal companions bent their talents to the construction of a second more perfect Horror Nexus. Veins of black technology twisted through the Moon’s planet, and the Space Station was broken down into component parts to be grafted on to the blackening moon.

The construction was simply a preparation for the seed that Prime had constructed. It would be the center of the Nexus, and would bestow upon it dark perfection.

The moment was at hand. Prime placed the cube into a simple dias in the center of the chamber. It pulsed once, and then there was a scream of twisted metal as the entire moon writhed in a single horrible momment. The rock of the moon was consumed as the Station grew to exact specifications. Its mind grew, guided by Prime to its dark intelligence.

The Horror Nexus was ready to receive shadow energy transmitted to it from the worlds the Unity has cleansed. Its eldritch defenses stood ready to obliterate those who would steal its secrets. Prime was finished, and could return to his other duities.

(OOC Note: I am using the Week 10 survival reward of 1 Moon Base with elite defenses, and the pleasure station from Week 8, full update in the corrections page. I’m back baby!)

(if you don't mind, I just could not resist)


Stepping from Prime's shadow, was the elegant form of Grand Admiral Layne Yr. The Nightmare Lord hybrid flowed around her artfully covering her form, like a dark mirror of the Venus on the half-shell of abandoned Earth.

Layne watched the growing Horror Nexus below as Prime's craft left the surface.

"An interesting...experiment down there," said Layne Yr, "So the demonic heart of Unity was recovered from the battle against the Metatrons of Fate, and the unwashed masses of known space? Good.
It needs to grow and continue to hold and focus the demonic forces that corrupt the connected, just as they corrupt the disconnected. As long as the Unity shunts all of its excess demonic energy into the Horror Nexus the Unity Concensus will thrive and remain untainted."

Prime regarded her without saying anything. Was she making some sort of veiled threat? It was unclear, and veiled threats were not this woman's style in doing buisiness or making war.

"For the last two years, the TRILAT Leadership has seen a universe insane with power and oppression. When we rose from the ashes of the Border Wars of Refuge, our peoples only sought freedom and survival. Did we know that eventually the EEF would unleash its nuclear arsenals on our holdings? Did we suspect? Of course we knew eventually I'tash or his replacement or his replacement's replacement would come for our lands with endless marching feet? I suppose it was in the back of my mind, but the Unity Concensus would have figured it out. And as we helped the stars rebel against the Pawns of the Quall, we did what we could to stem the flow of hosts to the Horde. Our subordinates are consider Warcriminals across known space. Our allies have suffered many attacks for even dealing with us."

Layne ran her hand through her long blond hair, dyed nearly platinum in color to accent the blue eyeliner and classic blue lipstick. As she did her hair changed to a reddish color ending in black tips and her eyeliner and lipstick phased into green. She smiled fully, exposing her white teeth.

"I have learned our purpose. It came to me in a moment of enlightenment during the battle against the Metatrons of Fate. The TRILAT is to serve as the jailers of the worst of the worst. Those that can be redeemed, do so in our service. Those that cannot are sealed away as brave General Garmin Fe has done with his Tartarus Beam."

Layne stepped closer to Prime until she disappeared into his shadow. Her voice and her last few words echoed in the air bubble she had created around them. They were, "Think on it, Prime. Because there have been Primes before, and the Unity will create new Primes in the future. Who better than us to enforce a new freedom in the darkest regions of space for all?"

On the floor where she had stood was a black rose.

The hulking figure of Prime took up the rose. Admiral Layne Yr was right, of course. He was proud to have been her ally and friend for so long. Inside his armor, the war for his mind raged on. Quiet was everywhere, a ubiquitous whisper fighting for dominance. The Dragon left claw marks along his soul as it struggled against its bonds to break and reshape its prison.

The Sephir had made Prime a Prison, but the bars were only barely holding. Prime threw his head back, and from his armor emitted a hideous shriek which echoed off the walls of his meditation chamber in the Horror Nexus. The rose was obliterated in his armored fist.

" . . . good of the Unity ! " could barely be heard.

Ryuk's fist slammed into a bag tied to his belt. "Quiet you!" Ryuk growled.

The docking crew of this station stopped what they were doing and started to stare. Ryuk had a reputation of not being completely hinged, and speaking to a bag was always disconcerning. Some of the things he did without hesitation caused normal Kanasantian's disgust, if he was growing more insane, this could mean the end of them.

Ryuk looked up, and briskly strolled over to the wide eyed worker. "Where is Prime, I need to speak with him." He stated.

The worker, becoming more concerned for his safety as each moment passed, could barely stammer anything out. Also concerning was the bag Ryuk hit stating the only things it did was for the "good of the unity".

Ryuk, becoming visibly annoyed, stated "Lets just make this simple, you lead me to Prime, now".

The worker, now completely fearing for his safety, starts leading the way to Prime. The other workers quickly get back to work, avoid Ryuk's gaze.

Ryuk says to the bag, "I am going to have fun hunting you Hunters"

The worker hurried away leading Ryuk to Prime . . .

Nicodemus 002 moved with Ryuk in tow. Ryuk was well known in the Unity as a dangerous and unpredictable man, one who inexplicably had Prime's ear. He had received confirmation from Prime that Ryuk was to be brought to the inner sanctum, and so he was.

They walked down corridor after corridor of the Horror Nexus, and Ryuk was struck by the sheer scope of the construction. The walls in many places were fine lattice, and beyond them could be seen truly massive twisting construction. The geometries touched at a deep hunger in Ryuk, urging him to drink from their endless darkness...but then the moment passed. The corridor ended at a single huge white door.

The door opened, and Nicodemus 002 bowed, stating simply that he was not invited to go further. Ryuk moved into he chamber.

Inside the meditation chamber was what looked to be Prime. The suit of armor that he had worn in the battle of Unity Core seemed to have grown, and the gauntlets seemed to end in long talons. The helmet piece was faceless, but was marked with seven red eyes. The figure regarded Ryuk, and Prime's voice echoed from chamber walls.

"Ryuk. It is good to see you are well; what can I do for you?"

"I am sure you remember our conversation about the Cyborg Hunters, and through my trials, I have obtained something that you will be interested in. It is also getting out o0f my hands, needing knowledge I don't have. "

With this being said, Ryuk reached inside the bag one his belt and held in front of Prime, the head of a Cyborg Hunter.

"The head of a Hunter, all it keeps saying to me is it does things for the good of the Unity"

Ryuk could swear those eyes looked almost hungry as they beheld the head of a Hunter. His voice reverberated throughout the room.

"Yes. They believe that they are an essential part of the Unity...and they are correct, in a fashion. They play a vital role in the larger functioning of our moral substructure and act as a final safeguard against catastrophic paradigm shifts. This aside, if you could give me the head?"

A metal claw rose from the floor and delicately took the head from Ryuk, placing it on some sort of diagnostic device.

"This aside, Ryuk, I was wondering if I could ask of you a favor. My joint exercise with the Iron Republic goes well, but we are increasing in Scope. This engagement would be an excellent opportunity for yourself and Viggo to strike at some undefended E-strain infested worlds. Does this interest you?"

"This almost seems like a distraction . . . . I am a little paranoid right now, I have concerns about how many weapons were smuggled into my casino during the invasion. I also need to upgrade the uplinks for the rabble, the technology that was used to created them enable someone to remote control them. This is my biggest concern, I want to get the rabble moving again. They are in basic training, which is helping, but experience is the best teacher. . . So I need to figure out how to upgrade the links, keeping the two unique features in them.

I know we spoke about this before, when you were concerned that you couldn't communicate with some that were on a mission. The first of the two features is the ability to limit themselves to a smaller, less intensive grouping. This has been useful in keeping groups cut off in the field from being discovered, as they don't have use as much power to communicate.

The second function was what I called the loyalty function. It was set up to encourage unit cohesiveness and prevent the rabble from killing one another. It was also suppose to be a soft touch, and not interfere with anything. The function was suppose to encourage the rabbles priority in two equally waited priorities. It also encouraged the rabble member to not kill each other. This was not suppose to be a command, but encouragement. Whatever was there before, worked, but with the downfall of the hunters being able to take the people over. This I need to fix. There should be no taking over, for anyone.

Before I can go and attack any planets, I need to fix the uplinks. After this I want to know about the Hunters , They attacked my casino, and now I have to go 'speak harshly' to them about it.

That being said, what is your plan with the cyborg hunter? I need to know as much as possible, so I can start hunting the hunters."

Prime, This silence doesn't become you . . .

While you are designing the upgrades for my unity links, I need you to make is so it is easier to share senses. Eyesite, Hearing, all of them, I need it to run to run some experiments . . .

I have my have a way to make the rabble deadly beyond belief with leyas, and I need the uplinks to have the sense sharing capability to make it easier.

Prime's red eyes glowed in the otherwise dim light. Ryuk could tell that Prime was distracted, but by what he could not say. After a particularly long moment, Prime's voice echoed through the chamber. It seemed almost more recording than dialogue.

"Ryuk. We approve of your proposal as one who investigates the Hunters. You have already brought us this...excellent... specimen. This speaks to your credit.

Regarding your uplinks, the technology you were given was based on the Supplication procedure. It was designed to subsume free will, generating loyalty through neural reinforcement. This technology was forbidden for a reason. Many classes of our foes have the ability to subsume technology and alter it remotely with their skill or esoterics. As such, even a "soft touch", as you call it, is a massive security risk.

Besides, in a Universe where will is power, one can never underestimate the power of devotion freely given. We believe your troops will develop much more quickly if you abandon this loyalty programming. In regards to your second request, the ability to make private networks comes standard with modern Unity Uplinks.

As for the Hunters, we have a plan. The Morning Star station has not been thoroughly investigated. The Hunters may be hiding in its depths, manipulating the remains of the Dragon. As we harvest information from the hunter, you should begin your hunt there.

The Horror Nexus's delicate metal lattice twisted slowly in the void. No stars shone upon the dull black metal of its construction, as the Horror Nexus was in the Darkness between dimensions. The indelible laws of the Universe were malleable here, and already they were responding to the presence of the Unity station as a pond responds to a thrown rock.

Time had a funny way of jumping in the Horror Nexus. As Ryuk stood before the hulking armored form of Prime, there was a moment...and reality seemed to disagree with itself. He knew that only seconds had passed since Prime had suggested that he plumb the secrets of Unity Core, but at the same time he felt as if months had passed. The strange feeling would not leave him as Prime's voice echoed from the walls.

"Ryuk, you now have a target rich environment. The E-strain move against civilized space, and soon there will be a great battle. Your arts make you singularly effective at assassination, and your efforts in killing Magnavore leaders may be critical. On the other hand, the powers of the Universe are distracted. There may be no better time to lead a small force into Unity Core. Which of these would you prefer to undertake?"

At the same time, Prime's voice echoed in Orleos's communicator. It sounded strangely distant, though Orleos was still in his laboratory. The results of his experiments in the Horror Nexus were unbelievable. There was so much POWER here!

"Orleos, we have an opportunity for you. Actually, there are two of them. For now, we must request that you abandon your efforts with the monuments. There is a bigger prize for you in the battles ahead. The E-strain are making war upon the civilized nations, as we knew they would. Their worlds are being ravaged by starvation and by Michael, leaving them with no where to go but forward.

This will be one of the greatest space-battles of your time, yet you must play a crucial role. If a small group of skilled assassins can disrupt their communications, then these E-strain will fall just as they did during our previous culling. There is a second mission for you. This one is more important.

The carnage of this battle will be unparalleled. Without harvesting, the power will go to Warmonger. Use all of your insidious guile, and get that energy here. Do so, and the power at our disposal will be truly extraordinary. The others must not discover this. Go to their planning session, and let us show the E-strain what true darkness is."

Orleos did not miss a beat in responding to Prime about the mission, "It would be wise to interfere and keep the souls of the deceased outside of Warmonger's grasp. The ships fitted with Harvesters will follow the great fleets like scavengers and descend upon the dead until there is not a single scrap left. That matter is trivial."

After a moment of preponderance, "As for the prospect of Assassination, I would gladly take part in the execution of a tactical strike against the E-Strain. We shall not go wanting for reinforcements and should these E-Strain beings lack any form of metaphysical protection, then would be a grand time to test the Wretches in the field, should all hell break loose."

Placing the reports down and making his towards the exit of his laboratory he spoke, "I will make all the necessary preparations on my part. Count me in Prime."

Orleos made his way to Prime's chambers. It always left him with an odd chill and a feeling that was a mixture of awe and desire when he was in Prime's presence. It was not in the usual sense though, it was mainly brought about because Prime possessed a unique soul, something he desired, yet he knew was untouchable.

Those feelings aside, he valued Prime as an ally. The man had been nothing short of the epitome of generosity towards his work and well-being. Something that he valued deeply and which had saved his life when it mattered most years ago, it was something he would not betray unless betrayed first.

He passed multitudes of Unity members along the way. They were pleasant enough, calm, serene, mild tempered, and they played a mean game of chess, but they were a crowd he was not used to. He would have to look into the possibility of sojourns to Quanalithi if it could be arranged, but not before he took care of his current projects and a few others that would allow him to visit unscathed.

He stopped outside Prime's chambers and waited for his presence to be acknowledged before entering. As he entered, he noticed Prime was currently occupied with a man that he'd never seen before, he stood patiently and waited for their conversation to conclude.

Prime

How about I do both, taking out the leaders and recovering the Unity Core. I have in my rabble some very capable men, one in particular that seems to be suited towards this job. He belongs to a sect of people that like peace, and a recovery mission will seem to fit with his skills. I have 20 men that belong to this group, which should be enough to recover the core, unless there is something I am not seeing.

I also have that technique we should work out, and it seems with the current threat that it may help out immensely.

Ryuk

As the conversation reached a lull, Orleos moved forward to pose the thoughts on his mind, "The ships are prepped and ready to carry out their task Prime. Unless the conjoined efforts of the men and women moving against the E-Strain are completely obliterated, they will have no problems with absorbing the souls among the wreckage."

As he walked forward he took in the appearance of Prime's 'guest', but quickly stowed his curiosity for another time.

He stopped once he reached a distance in which he wouldn't have to raise his voice, "As for the matter of assassinating these so called E-Strain 'leaders', I find myself curious. What extent is the threat they pose and will you be needing more manpower as to their disposal? New souls are always a nice addition to my growing collection."

Time seemed to twist for a moment as Orleos entered Prime's meditation chamber. Prime stood in his massive and vaguely draconic armor. The seven off-center glowing red optics which dominated the armor's face-plate glowed brightly, contrasting with the dull red sheen of cyclopian symbols etched on the slate armor.

Ryuk had just proposed sending a scouting mission to the Unity Core. Strangely, in this post-war period, the Core was hardly mentioned. It was little more than a battle-ground, and had given few of its secrets away in the aftermath of the Chaos which traveled in the Warmonger's wake.

Orleos and Ryuk could both feel the immense malestrom of the war being waged for Prime's mind. In the meditation chamber, it was like a constant pressure on the skull.

Prime's voice echoed from no-where in particular in the chamber, addressing those assembled.

"Ryuk, I like your idea. We have no point of contact in Unity Core, and your men can provide valuable scouting information. If the Station is amenable, perhaps we can win it back without further bloodshed. Ferreting out the Hunter presence, though, will be a challenge. The remains of the Morning Star station have also not been fully explored, as most observation equipment fails.

However, gentlemen, time grows short. The E-strain Migration Fleet is a significant threat to our interests, and an opportunity. The outer fleet is led by thirteen magnavores, who are some of the only clear-thinking agents of the outer fleet. The inner fleets of the E-strain are protected by a planar shield which we cannot easily breach. If any of those thirteen magnavores escape to the inner fleet, they will assist the inner fleets in adapting to our aggression. We would have you eliminate them before this occurs.

There is a strategic meeting at the Arc of Midas. If you wish to co-ordinate with those there, we can bring you to them presently. The pirate Ironbane is in our employ, though those assembled do not know this. If you need him for support, gain it clandestinely if you can."

Prime,

Before you take me, we should work out this technique I have been working on. If it can be mastered it will help the rabble out in battle, and you can probably come up with a few tricks and ways to apply it all your own. It will be very valuable in the fight to come, I am sure of it.

Prime's voice echoed in the chamber once again. Even in the filtered recording, there was a sense of strain.

"This is not a thing I can help you with. I have my battles, you have yours. There is little time."

With a nod of confirmation at Prime's words, he turned and addressed Ryuk, "If you've need of assistance, I will help as best I can, but I make no promises in regards to this 'technique' you're talking about."

After considering what else he could contribute regarding the situation, "The preparations for my men in the spacial conflict are nearly finished, the matter of these leaders is another thing entirely. I insist you allow me to come with you and take care of these leaders. We simply cannot leave things to chance is a situation this grave."

He spoke without looking back as he began to walk away, "Prime is right, we do not have time to dawdle, if you've need of me, you can find me in the docking bays."

The strain in Prime's voice combined with the gravity of the situation set Orleos's lips into a grim line, 'This certainly does not bode well.' he thought as he departed Prime's chambers.

As the preparations for the conflict completed themselves, Orleos could not help but feel frustrated with the passiveness of his task. As much as he wished to remain outside the spatial conflict due to the helplessness he felt inside 0gee space, he still could not deny that the thought of battle and adventure quickened his blood.

He directed a message to Ryuk over the comm to garner his attention, "I know our introduction was but a few words, but I can't help but express my desire to participate in the battle upon the ground. I've been a bit passive far too long, I suggest a partnership between you and I."

He waited for a response. The souls from the great battle would come in time, but the souls he fought for personally would be all the sweeter.