The Mactan Alliance, Magellan System

[Dark Centurion]

Deckhand Will Jenkins watched with growing unease as the alien craft slowly drifted through the inner lock doors and began to slowly settle on the deck. The sound of steel on steel rang through the Mactan Hanger Deck as the ship touched down and cut its lift jets.

I can't believe the Commanders letting those things come here. Will said to the deck chief in nervous tones. The chief just shot him a reproachful look and turned back to his control console clearly agreeing with his subordinate but not daring to counter one of Commander Moris orders.

With a sinister hiss, the rear of the alien ship lowered and from the darkened interior there were sounds of mechanical whirring and the clank of metal. Two imposing figures descended rapidly down the ramp, red beams sweeping rapidly across their helms. Each figure had the loose shape of a man but they were 8 feet tall and completely mechanical. At the ends of their arms instead of hands were the unmistakable barrels of weapons. Moving with inhuman speed they scanned the hanger bay, and then, with machined precision they moved to the sides of the ramp in guard stances. The barrels of their weapons slid back into their arms and sharp fingers and hands extended in their place.

The lieutenant that stood to meet them stared open mouthed at the two centurions while behind him, the two escort guards pulled their weapons to the ready. After a few moments when it became clear that the mechanical men werent going to attack, the guards slowly lowered their weapons but kept a nervous eye on the pair. They quickly forgot about the two strange centurions, though, as three more figures emmerged from the ship and casually made their way down the ramp. They appeared to be human in stark contrast to the centurions flanking them. One of them was a woman of striking beauty wearing a white trench coat. The man to her right was older and wore a beat-up hat. The last one was male as well and had the unmistakable look of a bureaucrat. They stopped in front of the Lieutenant.

Are you alive? said the woman as she intently studied the young man. Her mesmerizing beauty captured the already shaken officer as he tried to stammer out something unintelligible.

Stop it six. Said the man in the rumpled hat. Then turning to the Lieutenant he said. Were here to see Commander Mori.

Regaining some of his composure, the officer wordlessly motioned for them to follow and started off towards the opposite end of the bay. The strange guests followed and the two guards, with a backward glance at the centurions, fell in behind them. The young officer led them through a maze of corridors until they came to a set of dark doors embossed in crimson with the Hellfire Legion ensignia. The Lieutenant opened them and quickly stepped aside as the visitors walked casually into the room.

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