All was well in Alpha Unknown. The pact between the Nomads and the Phantoms was sealed, even if the Nomads didn't fully trust the C'Tan or their, as they put it bluntly, puppets. That was fine with DarkStar. So long as the two were not fighting each other, he could live with it.
The reason he was out this far, in this radioactive system, as because a special guest was aboard. One of the C'Tan surgeons, for lack of a better term, as here to provide Enlightenment, and to improve the already impressive psychic and physical abilities of certain Phantoms. All was well in Alpha Unknown. The pact between the Nomads and the Phantoms was sealed, even if the Nomads didn't fully trust the C'Tan or their, as they put it bluntly, puppets. That was fine with DarkStar. So long as the two were not fighting each other, he could live with it.
The reason he was out this far, in this radioactive system, as because a special guest was aboard. One of the C'Tan surgeons, for lack of a better term, as here to provide Enlightenment, and to improve the already impressive psychic and physical abilities of certain Phantoms.
The Surgeon was finishing up with DarkStar himself when the bridge called down to him.
"Sir, we're picking up a strange contact on long range sensors. You might want to take a look at this."
DarkStar sighed and walked over to the comm. "I'm on my way." He turned back to the Surgeon. "Perhaps you would like to see how we deal with intruders, my lord?"
The alien cocked the somewhat largish jellyfish head to one side. *Yes, I would. Lead on, Enlightened One.*
DarkStar bowed and took the C'Tan up to the bridge.
"Very well helmsman. Where is this intruder?"
"Thats the thing sir... After we found it, it was gone."
"Gone?" DarkStar's eyebrows rose. "How can it be gone?"
"I... I don't know sir. We had a definite lock, but then... Wait a second... Unknown contact within 1000 M! Red alert!"
"What!?" DarkStar spun to face the main view screen, now showing a strange ship drifting in space. Only, the ship wasn't of any design known to DarkStar. It was hard-edged, lumped, almost like... Like some kind of crystal formation...
The C'Tan turned paler and instinctively backed away from the screen. *Miraluka...*
Without warning, the ship screamed in to attack. Literally screamed. It was a scream of hate, rage, pain, sorrow... The final act of something dying. The ship flashed past, slicing through the shields and armor, venting gasses and liquids into space.
"Bring that ship down!" DarkStar shouted, and the guns came to life. Crystal Oni had already diverted power to the large Solaris Chain guns on the ship, now they spun around, tracking the crystal dagger as it turned around for another pass. The heavy turrets fired, sending streams of deadly golden energy into the ship... with little effect.
The ship slashed another ugly scar down the length of the Battlestar. Crystal Oni was puzzled. Nothing on the enemy ship. He diverted power to the massive Battle Razors on the bow, and fired those. Being an AI, the shots were fired at close enough range that the ship could not dodge them. Not that the crystal seemed to want to dodge. It bored right in, taking the Battle Razors and Solaris guns. A third scar ran down the Oblivion. Crystal Oni was not happy. This ship just wasn't playing by the rules, and so he decided to not play by them either. The quad array of Inferno Cannons woke and spat energy out at the ship. To everyone's surprise, the ship was stunned. Crystal Oni wasted no time in victory. The Battle Razors and Solaris' spoke once more, and this time the ship was getting torn apart. Solaris guns started to crack and splinter the armor, and once more the Battle Razors fired their devastating energy packets at the ship. They slammed into the ship, and more of it fell away.
Suddenly, with a piteous whine, the ship faded from view. All was quiet in Alpha Unknown once more.
"I apologize, my lord. I'm not sure what that was..."
The C'Tan, now almost completely pale, jerked in DarkStar's direction. *Miralukan. It was a Miralukan ship. But... they were wiped out centuries ago...*
DarkStar stared at his master. "Is it possible some escaped?"
The C'Tan shook. *No... It was we who killed them...*
DarkStar pondered for a moment. "Lord, with all due respect, if more ships like that one come back, we may not be able to protect you. Perhaps it is time for you to leave. I will send word back once these Miralukan are taken care of."
The Surgeon nodded stiffly and glided out to the docking bay. A small needle of some strange metal launched out, then flashed out of existence as a small hole was ripped in space/time in front of it. DarkStar watched the Master leave.
"Sir, a peice of that ship was found. We have it inside the detention block. Raf'el is watching over it."
"Good... I'll take a look myself." He looked out the port again, small crystals of liquid, gas, broken metal, and even some pieces of the ship glittered around. "Latter."
"As you wish."
This is the real true story of rock and roll; it was not about anything more then, how to live your life, as a gangster, in sartorial splendor, and turning the world into a place where normality would never return again...- Malcolm McLaren
[Lets just say this before it just gets any worse...
Kane, your getting on in years, and it seems like you are repeating things.. so, maybe we should check you into a home... before you forget how to type.
XD I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist.]
Neoa Banttr, just a little man, with 2 other little men. These men were not little in the physical or mental sense, but in the political sense. Just privates in the liberty navy. Being the little men they were, they did not know that just one star system away, on there own soil, an alien race was attacking.
>>>> Incoming Transmission <<<<<
Accept/Deny
Liberty Dispatch: This is Naval Forces dispatch, paging Neoa Banttr, this is an emergency transmission from the liberty president.
President Jakobi: Attention all Liberty ships, all wings Beta -> Zeta must report to the Alaska system. I repeat all wings Beta -> Zeta, must report to the Alaska system. This is a Code white, code white. Some of you may not come back, but if you do, there is a 100 thousand credit bonus waiting here for you. Jakobi, out.
Neoa: You heard the man. Move out.
And there goes the little man, off to his cretin death without second guessing why and what he is getting himself into. How can one person be so powerful as to command billions of ships into destruction, without even one of the pilots knowing why they are dieing, and from what, and how, and who, while he lays on a couch and listens and watches ad 9/10ths of his navy is wiped out.
)M( )E( )A( )N( )W( )H( )I( )L( )E(
Vo: Go go go! Wings 4-7 break formation. Bomb squad X-2 and X-5 commense rear bombing runs. The Vitrus wing along with wings 1-3 will draw Crystal Sword towards the sun...
X5 Leader: We can't get close enough to it, it took down my whole wing!
Vo: Rodger that X-5 break off attack, head back the the Vitrus Oxide for repairs.
The Crystal Sword, as they called it, had taken down at least 20 liberty dreadnoughts. The AW navy was doing a bit better aginst this threat than Liberty had. No cap ships, those were taken down quickly, they instead used small quick fighters and bombers... the outcome of this battle, as we will soon find out, results in the death of many little men, and the one little man that will survive, will have his life changed, for better or worse remains to be seen.
On his way to New Berlin assassin Twin's COMM spoke for the first time in hours. A quiet voice, came out
"Assassin Twin... I was told to give you the details on my findings... attachment follows... Nightfall out!"
All was quiet again. Even the large engine pushing him through space, made not a sound in hit compartment in the front. Stretching his back he stood, his body rippled with muscle. The skin a golden brown, not from the suns of the many planets he had visited recently. No, he was full blooded Italian, or as close as one could be after the leaving of the old world. That's what his Grandfather had always told him, so it had to be true. Now at almost 30, Twin was being handed the most overwhelming job of his life. Find the reason these alien ships were showing up; find their leader, and kill him.
He reached down grabbing the hard copies printed out of the attachment.
'Pictures,' He thought to himself. 'I didn't expect pictures. I guess he's called the best for a reason. AW, thats the second time I hear that. I even tried to contact the one that I heard a name for. Nothing. Hmm, must be more out there than our maps cover. Will have to look into that.' His musing continues.
"Thats's a ship?" He said out loud out of shock. "What the hell? I can't mount an inferno cannon I don't have. Great! Time to go find some Cid's. And a Nova launcher."
He picked up his COMM mic, brow furrowed in thought.
'How do I explain this to him?' He wondered. Empty, lifeless, husks. Indestructable, except to Shield busters. What about missiles. that bust shields? Would they work? Have to put the paralyzer I have sitting around colleting dust to use.' He made up his mind. Quickly speaking into his COMM.
"This is Twin. Sending data attained thus far. Moving to deeper space to finish mission. Twin out."
Attatched to the file was an order for 5 million to be sent to the IND.
Maxwell.Smart - Blood Dragon, by choice and imprisonment.
Remember the little man? Well, He has finally arrived at the battle that would take his life. And he can see what the code white was all about. From what he could see, there were at least 7 Liberty dreadnoughts... the worst part about it, they were all cut in half, a clean cut, right down the middle. He closed his eyes, and then, he knew that he would die. His mind filled with disturbing images, of the dreadnoughts and there crew being being violently cut, the coolant bubbles floating out in the vacuum of space, the screech of metal being cut and tarnished... "hold on..." he said softly. "Coolant bubbles.. there are no coolant bubbles" He opened his eyes... and saw something he never thought he would see in his life... his wing mate, in space, with his life pod cut in half. His wingmate was clawing at the cockpit view port of Neoa's defender. His eyes, were gone along with his legs, his blood was floating around him... or so it seamed. The blood wasn't moving. It was shimmering... like it was on a big crystal. Then it happened, Neoa's face fell still with fear as his wingmates body was cut yet again starting from his head through his body. Then he realized another shocking truth, his wingmate had been 20m from his ship just before he had closed his eyes... He looked over to see his now late wingmates ship cut and ripped in every direction. He looked again to his forward view port and, where there was nothing but broken liberty ships and the space of Alaska, there were Ships, AW, Zoners, Outcast, Corsair, Bounty hunter, and Liberty. Strangely enough, they were all working together. Then he knew why. He saw a large Crystilian being, as it ripped apart a liberty cruiser. Just then a ship came in front of his, facing him. The comm light lit up.
Vo: This is Vo, the Master Chief of the AW Navy. I don't have much time for talk, so lets make this short and sweet. I can kill you now, and you won't have to help, or you turn you and whats left of your wing over to my command, and help us beat this thing.
Neoa: Why should I trust you?!? I don't give my loyalty to the first ship I see!
Then 3 nomad cannons shot off in one direction, then focused back on the ship.
Vo: Like I said, you will join us or die.
Neoa: Fine.
Vo: Good lad, follow me now.
Neoa grudgingly formed with Vo, and they began to speed back to the action. As they passed through the split carpus of a liberty dreadnought. Neoa looked airily at the split beast. He saw the cut, and then he found out why the coolant had not come out. It was burned closed. All the pipes had been burned and melted.
Vo: Get ready, we cant seem to get a hit on this thing. No torps can get close enough to it for it to do much, we've unloaded at least 50 novas onto it so far, and it seems like it's still in good shape.
Neoa: It's hot...
Vo: Come again...
Neoa: It's hot, it melts the metal, it doesn't cut it, well, not entirely.
Vo: By god! How did you get this idea!?!
Neoa: Look at this Dreadnought, its burnt, no coolant bubbles, that thing burnt them closed.
Vo: BIRLLIANT! Come one son, we have something to take care of.
They punched into cruise and headed directly to the crystal being. Dodging fire the whole time. At one point, a nova torpedo blew up what was left of Neoa's wing.
Vo: Wings 10- 20 form on me, everyone follow me, we will end this now! All bombing wings position yourself on each side of that broken battle ship.
Vo sent out a system wide way point, normally, this is illegal, but now it was just desperate. The way point showed a broken battlestar it had been cut in two the long way.
Vo: On my mark, fire all nova torpedoes at the battleship. Now, Are all wings formed on me? Good, When I say go, you all cruise as far away from me as possible is that understood? Good. Lets go!
Just then over 500 ships flew towards the crystal ship unloading all of there missiles, torpedoes, and energy onto the thing. Naturally it followed them, taking out at least 50 of the ships on the way. The comm light turned on in Neoas ship, it was Vo.
Vo: I want you to turn on your tractor beam as soon as you cruise away from me, understood? Then you are to follow the rest of the ships back to my flagship, the Vitrus Oxide. I'm trusting you.
They flew through the two half pieces of the battlestar, and the crystal followed.
Vo: Go, ships go get away from here, hurry up about it. Fire Novas!
Just as the crystal met the ship, all of the novas exploded. as did the ship, and all of the coolant inside the ship. As did Vo's ships, the Armodragoon. Neoa hit the tractor, and flew away, he looked back for only a moment, and saw the biggest explosion he had ever seen. And the crystal exploded shattering everywhere.
Neoa and the rest of the Aw fighters arrived at the Vitrus Oxide. Most of the Aw ignored him, and walked out of the hanger, sobbing. One woman though walked up to Neoa, the little man.
Woman: Vo is dead, and we have a liberty militant on our ship... whats this universe coming to?
Neoa: I don't think Vo's dead... actually.
Neoa hit the "Open cargo hold button" and, sure enough, Vo rolled out, dressed in his armor. and clutching a crystal in his arms. He slowly got up, and stumbled out of the hangar without a word, and then he broke into a run, all the way up to the bridge.
Vo: I'm alive. Thats right... sorry guys, but you have to live with me...
As he said that into the ships communicator, a roar came through the ship. Every member of the ship was cheering and yelling like they were saved from hell. There leader hadn't died after all, he lived, and he will keep on living, as long as he had anything to say about it. But for now, he will rest, and find out exactly what he was holding is.
Raf'el heard the door behind him open and shut. Booted feet coming towards him.
Raf'el: I don't know how long we can keep this up. They will eventually learn that I am alive. When they do, you will likely lose me as your operative.
Darkstar acted like he had not heard him.
Darkstar: What did you find out?
Raf'el: Not much. It would have been better to have gotten a piece of the command bridge, but this will have to do. We sent it through the records. Nothing came up from the houses records, but I did find something in the C'tan's records. I'll bring it up on the holo-projector.
A large dark orange sun appeared above the lab bench, a holographic copy of the real sun it mimicked. Around it appeared a world, one which appeared to shimmer as if it was covered in reflective glass. Raf'el used some of the controls to zoom in on the world and spin it around in a rotation.
Raf'el: Planet Malier, system Malier. Only known supply of this crystal. Says in the records the inhabitants were hostile. Aggressively attacking the C'tan you tried to control them. Also shows they were insusceptible to enlightenment. Which is why they were strong resistors to the C'tan. Says here a war started. Lasted for 200 years. Longest anyone has been able to hold off the C'tan. The planet itself, covered by city. One huge city. Building material was the same as the stuff found in these ships. Different colors were used for the ships to identify them, I'd say the same technique was used on the planet as well. Also, different forms of the crystals were hot and cold. The hot crystal would be very good to destroy things with, while the cold would be excellent armor, due to its incredibly dense and strong features. Also, it seems the cold could not be heated up. It was permanent cold. Down to the atomic levels. The shimmering you see is the reflection off the crystals. I'd suspect that the race's vision wasn't light based, or else the planet could blind them. Seems the C'tan wanted to get their hands on this material and spent 200 years of war to get it. But ultimately they didn't get it.
His hands flew over the keyboard.
Raf'el: This is the world as it is today.
The planet's land had changed from the shimmering bright texture to a lifeless brown.
Raf'el: as you see, its barren, lifeless. The race, when it realized it was losing the war, destroyed the entire planet. Taking all of the crystal with it. Every building, every little mine, every speck or trace of the minerals gathered up and shot into the sun. Leaving only the ships in their fleet with crystal. Instead of submitting to the victor they went on a last attack. Straight at the C'tan home world. The fight devastated both sides. Destroying much of the world. Taking millions of C'tan lives. Even with all that happening on the planet below, the space fight was even worse. A total of 3,000 ships fighting it out. At first the C'tan ships were torn to pieces. The C'tan tried every weapon they had, until finally they found that their electrical weapons could stun or disable the ships. Long enough for them to.. Kamikaze them. The only weapon they had to defeat, not disable, the enemy ships. They eventually destroyed the enemy force due to their sheer number. All but 1 ship. It took everything they through at it. I'll post an image of it up on the screen.
A huge ship appeared, taking the place of the planet. Easily the size of 16 Rhienland Battleships. This one looked more like a blob than a crystal, unlike most of the other ships.
Raf'el: They simply could not destroy this ship. They tried everything. Eventually the had to sacrifice the 20 largest of their ships to ram its engines slamming it around. The engines fired off and burnt down most of those ships, but accelerated it towards the planet. It hit the planet. And you know what happens when something that big hits another thing. It wiped out everything. It took 300 years for them to restore the planet to its original state. Destroying 3 other planets to get the required material to fill in the moon-sized gap in the side of the planet. Thats all I could find on this race and its planet. Seems these ships that are appearing have been flying along for centuries on a straight path, and eventually ended up here. I haven't found anything about the name of this race. Maybe the C'tan want to forget about them, or maybe they are hoping no one can find and repeat what they did. I wouldn't be surprised, I wouldn't want--
Darkstar: They're Miralukan.
Raf'el: What?!
Raf'el's face clearly should the shock he felt at that statement.
Raf'el: No, no, your wrong.
Darkstar: You can read my surface thoughts, you'd know if I were lying. Why do you think Luciaden hunts us with such ferocity, hates you with something beyond the wanted death of an enemy? You are adding the one thing that has ever hurt him. In fact it was really your fault that he was captured. Tortured, drugged, for years. You sensed who he was when he tried to infiltrate the C'tan, at the time you only thought it was a spy, your powers had not been strong then. If he finds a way to use these ships, he would undoubtedly turn them against us. That is why we must find out how to get them, before he does.
Raf'el: Well that would explain the ship's attack on us. Very unusual. Aggressively attacking with the C'tan on here. And, well... This.
He picks up the crystal chunk. It pulses around his fingertips. A contrast between the blue crystal and the red pulsing colors.
Raf'el: If what you say it correct this responds to any Miralukan who touches it. The only problem is, getting those ships to stop killing long enough for me to get aboard.
Darkstar gave him a look he knew well. You found the problem, you solve it.
A Spyglass edged slowly through the border worlds towards it's destination. Tau-37. Omicron Alpha. One more jump hole to the blinding pink expanse of the Upper Unknown. The ship increased its speed to maximum after passing through the jump hole. This ship had no IFF's. Keeping away from Nomads wasn't necessary, but much appreciated. Its slowed as it reached the edge of the sun's corona... And Oblivion.
Without transmitting anything, the large ship began to dock. The commander of the ship waited outside the airlock as the passageway extended towards the Battlestar. With a slight hiss, the pressures of both ships equalized and the airlock opened. Virus stepped through into the lack of artificial gravity the tube had and scooted along until he was back into the artificial gravity of Oblivion.
There were two Phantom marines waiting on the other side. He followed them to the breifing room where DarkStar was waiting. "We are glad to see you.... Both, again." Virus said in his double voice, acknowledging Ra'fel's presence with visible spite.
"Ah Arouk, how good of you to join us." Raf'el spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Your just in time to miss everything." Raf'el glared right back at Arouk's stare.
"Cut it out you two. I won't stand and listen to this again." Darkstar said with contempt. "Just tell him what the hell happened."
"Yes sir." Raf'el's voice was still full of defiance. He locked gazes with Arouk, and his eyes took on a glazed look. Arouk's expression looked like thoughts were moving behind his eyes. In reality, Raf'el was projecting everything he had seen, heard, and explained into Arouk's Host's senses. The entire briefing that had lasted half an hour took roughly 30 seconds. While the projections were not going into Arouk himself, his mind was far to complex for Raf'el's limited powers. But rather projected into the senses of the host body, which would be picked up by Arouk's mind.
"There, I hope that will be sufficient. And if you don't mind I think will take my leave. I will be in the intelligence chambers." He walked towards the door that would exit the room. "Sir." He lowered his head briefly as he passed Darkstar. Speaking with equal parts contempt, reluctance, and resignation in his voice. He exited the room, leaving Darkstar and Arouk back in the room. He made his way towards the Intelligence chambers of the ship. Where he spent most of his time searching for information on AW fleet movements and hidden projects. He now had another thing in his mind. That was doing whatever it took to get himself on one of those ships. And that meant searching. Following every rumor he could find on the locations of these weird ships.
(OOC: For those of you new to this RP thread, which started 2 months ago and died down as 4.80 was released, the ships I refer to ARE indestructible unless you have the permission of Sin|Tech or myself. (The story leaders) Also, you will not be able to board these vessals. Look in one of the early posts made by Sin about his boarding, and you'll see what happens. You can attempt it, but you will not succeed. But you can have the same thing happen to your people that happened to Sin|Techs. This is required to preserve the direction of the story. Other than those things, do what you like as long as it is within normal RP guidelines [such as no killing of other people's characters without their permission. {And NO powerplaying}])
"I don't trust him. Afterall, we're going after his own race, here." Virus said blankly. "But no matter, he's our only chance, right now." Not to business. "My flagship has been outfitted with three extra inferno turrets, making a total of five. Also, I took the liberty to requisition the Outcasts to supply us a large number of the fighter-version infernos as well as Colada Del Cids from the Corsairs. They are being attached to two wings of fighters, Werewolves and Sabres, as well as my new fighter. They're making the additions on a carrier, in private, currently in a remote area of Omicron Alpha. I figured they'd be useful if we need to assault these ships again."
DarkStar shook his head. It was sometimes amusing, sometimes annoying the way those two worked. But work they would, and that was one thing he could count on. At least, for now. Being the only two non-enlightened beings within his crew put them somewhat at odds with the rest, and their reliability questioned from time to time by the Masters. But DarkStar assured them, both Virus and Raf'el would stay to the cause. Virus for his own reasons, and Raf'el because... Well, no one else would take him in. And even if they did, the Asgard Warriors would be all over them like a ton of bricks.
DarkStar momentarily let a scowl cross his features. The Asgard Warriors... Untill recently, they were the single most dire threat to the Phantom Empire. And that arrogent Lord Captain of theirs... Oh, how DarkStar wished he could be alone in a room with him for just five minutes. When he was done, no one would even be able to RECOGNIZE the...
DarkStar gave himself a mental shake. That was not the right way to think. Never underestimate your opponent. No matter what. Oh, DarkStar would be able to take on Lucidaen, to be sure. To come out in one peice... That was subject to debate. Besides, none of this was helping with the current problem.
These crystal shard ships of the Miralukan were an annoyance... rather, a threat, that must be taken care of. To do that, they needed more information. To get more information, they needed an intact ship. And to get an intact ship...
"Well, dear operatives, it seems we must set a trap." One of his trademark vicious smiles alighted uppon his face.
"And I think I have an idea..."
This is the real true story of rock and roll; it was not about anything more then, how to live your life, as a gangster, in sartorial splendor, and turning the world into a place where normality would never return again...- Malcolm McLaren
Raf'el hated having to show respect to that.. Human and his Alien puppet. Showing respect to some sub-species, even more a sub-species that was being controlled by another. The thought of it made him sick. Having to show respect to some puppet. Being so easily converted shows the human's weakness and helplessness. How did such a weak species survive this long?
Nevertheless they were his best chance to get what he wanted. He would deal with it for now. He threw open the Intel ops room doors open and strode, no stomped, into the room.
"Sir, we finished our scan of the meterials and haven't come up with any--" The Intelligence officers voice faltered as Raf'el spitted him with a stare of pure venom. At least these enlightened ones know when to shut their mouths. "I will be in my control room. Do not disturb me unless you have found that ship." He practically growled the sentence. "But sir.." The officers voice again died out as the connections between his throat were mentally disconnected to his brain. The man's knees gave way and he fell to the floor. Not too bright though.. He thought. He released his control on the man's mind and walked past him towards the control room. Two enlisted men grabbed the officer by the armpits and hauled him out of the room. This happened often enough they knew what to do. The only one stupid enough to keep doing it is the head officer. Perhaps its time someone moves up to take his position.
The coughing sounds the man was letting out cut off as he closed the door to his control room. He quickly pushed all other thoughts out of his mind willfully and concentrated on finding that ship.
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![[Image: JamesLee.gif]](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/X-Draker-X/JamesLee.gif)
![[Image: DFinal.png]](http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/Luciaden/DFinal.png)
![[Image: virussig3.png]](http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2062/virussig3.png)