- Location
- Beyond the Unknowable Veil
Getting the Commander unit back was surprisingly easy. Now you need to KEEP it.
Typos
Typos
focusing
the
Victory Through Unity! (Planetary Annihiliation Self Insert Multicross)
187. The Tide Turns
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
Tylos watched as the Genetic Heroes began their assault. For the most part, they had been sidelined for operations in this universe, barring some occasional black operation, leaving all of them thirsting for battle. Now that such an opportunity had presented itself for them to take part in a glorious grand battle, they had bene very eager to take advantage of it. Already, they were tearing into the newly arrived Sentient Lines. The fighting was relatively one sided, owing to the massive differences in durability between Progenitor forces and Sentient ones, though occasionally, an omega or artemis would be reduced to burning scrap. Really, though, this fight was decidedly in the technicolor antler headed flying reptile's favor.
Now then, onto step 2 of his plan to help his master: play music!
AN: Soundtrack Start: Primo Victoria by Sabaton.
Hopefully, the Creator would like his choice of music.
XXXXXXX
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way Through Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria!
…Apparently, Tylos knows my tastes' well.
Also, it looked like he somehow managed to contact Melissa's forces as well, seeing how more space marines had showed up…and a group of Mantis from FTL….were those Protheans?
….How the hell did she get the Vex on her side?
….Okay, I have no right to complain, seeing how I am relying on them for help.
"Good. Now can you shut up ang get back to fighting?"
Yes, Sweetey.
"Please Don't Call Me That. We aren't an item."
True enough. Now onto killing the Sentient drones!
XXXXXX
We've Been Training For Years
Now We're Ready To Strike
As the Great Operation Begins
Within minutes, the Grineer began to ravage the Synthetic forces. True, the clones were rather simple minded, but the excavations on the plains and across the moons of Uranus had proven fruitful….even if they had taken a long time to do so. The Ascaris, though ineffective in its original goal, had also helped to finally find a weakness among the sentients.
We're The First Wave On The Shore
We're The First Ones To Fall
Yet Soldiers Have Fallen Before
As a large, shield shaped Sentient moved to protect its brethren, a tusk lancer threw a grenade at the machine-creature. A moment later, and it exploded, causing the Sentient to collapse to the ground in agony, as did all those it tried to shield. Now defenseless, the Orokin Biotech drones were soon cut down.
In The Dawn They Will Pay
With Their Lives As The Price
History's Written Today
Desperately, others of their kind moved in to reinforce them, only to be blasted by an imperial knight.
In This Burning Inferno
Know That Nothing Remains
As Our Forces Advance On The Beach
Laughing, the Grineer quickly tore out the cores of the Sentients, before gesturing for their allies to advance. Taking their que, a pack of giant mantis warriors leaped forward to engage more conculysts in battle, whilst a living artillery drone was swiftly torn apart by a giant pack of spiderlike creatures wielding scythe-like blades.
Aiming For Heaven
Though Serving in Hell
Victory's Ours
Their Forces Will Fall
Chittering in anticipation, the Megarachnids moved onto the next cluster of foes, just as a group of Luna Wolf Terminators deep struck into the fray.
Through the Gates of Hell
As We Make Our Way to Heaven
Through the Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
A moment later, and several kestrels joined them in attacking the army of shards. The group was soon forced to route.
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty Four
D-Day Upon Us
XXXXXXX
Blitz grinned as he ripped out the Battalyst's core, causing the shard to crumple whilst the reptilian's wounds healed. Nearby, Arakna tore into another of the beasts, whilst Zrin burnt a third to ash. Further out, Tork jumped back as one shard scanned the cores of three dead ones, bringing them back into the realm of the living, though their resurrection was short lived. Leaping into action, Goliath cleaved his sword through all three, then threw it into the fourth one.
As the Energy Guardian retrieved his blade, several Arbiters advanced – they had not yet begun to fight!
We've Been Here Before
Used To This Kind Of War
Crossfire Right Through the Sand
Not much further beyond, Red Veil Operatives and Steel Meridian troops were tearing into another large Sentient, doing all they could to harry it, whilst the Tenno moved in for the killing blow.
Our Orders Were Easy
It's Kill Or Be Killed
Blood On Both Sides Will Be Spilled
XXXXXX
As their forces continued on with the assault, Cressa Tal turned her attention to General Ruk, who was busy burning a vomvalyst like shard into nothingness. As his foe finally crumpled into ash, the General looked at his former subordinate.
For a moment, the tension was palpable
In The Dawn They Will Pay
With Their Lives As The Price
History's Written Today
But then, the tension broke, and the pair nodded. Just for today, their personal vendetta would be postponed.
Now That We Are At War
With The Axis Again
This Time We Know What Will Come
Whilst Ruk called for a Firbolg to bring him closer to the next enemy group, Cressa merely pulled out a Vulkar – why wait?
Aiming For Heaven
Though Serving In Hell
Victory's Ours
Their Forces Will Fall
Just as the synthetics noticed Ruk's arrival, a Tusk Ogma moved in to bomb them, as did several wyrms. Before they could recover, the Grineer advanced, poised to strike.
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way To Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
Joining them were Ant tanks, which quickly began to bleed the sentients dry.
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores Of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty-Four
D-Day Upon Us
XXXXXXX
As the Grineer and second Progenitor force continued their offense, Natah watched on, unsure how to react, beyond taking pot-shots at Progenitor fighters that had strayed too close to her.
Rationally, the best option would be to go in and kill the one known as CMDR Flame, so as to eliminate the threat of the Progenitor machines. Without those, the enemy force would be easily broken.
Yet, realistically speaking, Natah had no opening to attack him – he was too well defended, and besides, his forces were now equipped with void weapons that could actually harm her. Trying to get in close enough to attack was a death sentence.
Additionally, if she did succeed in killing the Commander, then the first thing her parents would do after winning the battle was hunt down, and murder, the Tenno. The Tenno, who had been, and to some degree, still were, her children.
Could she really let that happen?
….Would her mother allow it?
A nearby explosion forced Natah to pause her thinking. The enemy was starting to fire at her. Involuntarily, she groaned, before making her choice.
She began to descend to the surface, her destination the edge of the battlefield. Here, she would wait out the battle. If the Commander prevailed, she would submit to him and beg for clemency. If her brethren won…she would run. Her parents would not take her sitting out of the battle lightly.
XXXX
Sixth of June
Nineteen Forty-Four
Allies Are Turning The War
Oh yes, we were turning this battle. In fact, the Sentients were taking massive losses. As for us.
None.
Oh hell yes!
Normandy
State Of Anarchy
Overlord!
As I sunk my zaw into the remains of a nearby shard, I used my powers to summon the Paracesis to me – might as well use it against what it was meant to kill.
Nearby, Melissa was jumping off a Gantulyst, which she had been using as a platform to reach a Sentient dropship. A moment later, she torn the ship apart, whilst the Gantulyst blew a second one out of the sky.
Aiming For Heaven
Though Serving In Hell
Victory's Ours
Their Forces Will Fall
Smiling, I pulled out a Dual Decurion and opened up on several of the Sentient drones trying to hit my ROB – I would make sure she lived through this fight!
…Never expected to say or think those lines.
"Never expected you to do that either."
Thank you, beautiful.
"..Um, thanks."
You're welcome.
NOW DIE, SENTIENTS! DIE!!!
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way To Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
Soon, more dropships began to fall, and Natah's fleet began to fall back. Natah herself, however remained on Earth, content to just watch us. Maybe she was looking for an opening to strike?
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores Of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty-Four
D-Day Upon Us
Realizing he was losing Hunhow called a retreat. He knew better than to fight a losing battle.
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way To Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
Soon, only pockets of enemy forces remained on the ship, and those would soon be cut down.
We had won this.
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores Of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty-Four
Primo Victoria!
…Now where was the next Sentient fleet? I was pretty sure something else was about to happen that would make things go bad. Plus Lotus' mom hadn't shown up yet.
"Warning: Enemy Force Detected."
There we are.
"Oh, my husband, how disappointing. Is one Commander too much for you?"
"My wife, I can explain-"
"I jest, I jest. This one is clearly more of a challenge than expected. Fall back for now – I will handle this. Oh, and see if you can find our daughter – she seems to have disappeared."
"Of course, my wife."
As Hunhow fled, I closed my eyes and reached out into the void.
When my eyes opened, I turned to my left.
Sure enough, Wally was there.
"You got a plan for this?"
"Yep."
"..Could you unveil it now?"
"Done."
A moment later, something showed up on my orbital sensors.
"New enemy force detected. It appears to belong to the Corpus."
"By the will of the Void, we will vanquish these Synthetic Demons!"
I turned back to Wally, a quizzical look coloring my face.
"Really?"
"Yeah. He's smug as hell, and I don't really like how he portrays me, AT ALL, but he's useful."
"I see. Is that all of your plan?"
"Nope."
Before I could press him for more details, I saw the Obelisk leading the Corpus fleet fire down something at my ship, which I realized was a device used to create a teleporter field. A moment later, several crewman, ospreys, MOAs, Jackals, Raptors, Razorbacks, Lynxes, and Hyenas arrived into the battle, as did…a Colonel Sub Commander?!?!
Oh, and it was transmitting to me. Still somewhat confused, I answered.
"Who is this-"
"HI DAD!"
..WHAT?!?!
"Rory?! What are you doing here?"
"I'm still back at home, but to answer your question, HELPING YOU!"
When I finally processed what he had said, I felt a sense of pride in my chest. I might have also cried a little in joy.
"…Well, thank you."
Then I decided to go stern with him.
"But one Sub Commander isn't really that much help."
"Don't worry, I brought more help."
Before I could get an elaboration, more ships suddenly started appearing, among them…was that an XCOM Biotrans?!
"Yes, it is, Commander," intoned the voice of Asaru. "You really need to shield your mind better."
…Yeah, I really needed to do better there. So, Rory called you in to help?
"No, all of us came of our own volition."
…All of you.
"Just look at the other ships headed here."
I did just that…and balked.
I could see a Clumpy Starship…and an Iconian one, and a Terran Alliance Vessel, an ARC one, a Nocturni one, and even a Dread Lord veseel.
Had all of these people come to help me?
….Apparently they had.
"Thanks for the help. So, what's next?"
"That's up to your son."
Okaaay. "What now, Rory?"
"We play music."
AN: Soundtrack Start – The Last Battle By Sabaton
….This music felt very appropriate.
XXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! We're almost at the end of this arc!
Now then, onto step 2 of his plan to help his master: play music!
AN: Soundtrack Start: Primo Victoria by Sabaton.
Hopefully, the Creator would like his choice of music.
XXXXXXX
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way Through Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria!
…Apparently, Tylos knows my tastes' well.
Also, it looked like he somehow managed to contact Melissa's forces as well, seeing how more space marines had showed up…and a group of Mantis from FTL….were those Protheans?
….How the hell did she get the Vex on her side?
….Okay, I have no right to complain, seeing how I am relying on them for help.
"Good. Now can you shut up ang get back to fighting?"
Yes, Sweetey.
"Please Don't Call Me That. We aren't an item."
True enough. Now onto killing the Sentient drones!
XXXXXX
We've Been Training For Years
Now We're Ready To Strike
As the Great Operation Begins
Within minutes, the Grineer began to ravage the Synthetic forces. True, the clones were rather simple minded, but the excavations on the plains and across the moons of Uranus had proven fruitful….even if they had taken a long time to do so. The Ascaris, though ineffective in its original goal, had also helped to finally find a weakness among the sentients.
We're The First Wave On The Shore
We're The First Ones To Fall
Yet Soldiers Have Fallen Before
As a large, shield shaped Sentient moved to protect its brethren, a tusk lancer threw a grenade at the machine-creature. A moment later, and it exploded, causing the Sentient to collapse to the ground in agony, as did all those it tried to shield. Now defenseless, the Orokin Biotech drones were soon cut down.
In The Dawn They Will Pay
With Their Lives As The Price
History's Written Today
Desperately, others of their kind moved in to reinforce them, only to be blasted by an imperial knight.
In This Burning Inferno
Know That Nothing Remains
As Our Forces Advance On The Beach
Laughing, the Grineer quickly tore out the cores of the Sentients, before gesturing for their allies to advance. Taking their que, a pack of giant mantis warriors leaped forward to engage more conculysts in battle, whilst a living artillery drone was swiftly torn apart by a giant pack of spiderlike creatures wielding scythe-like blades.
Aiming For Heaven
Though Serving in Hell
Victory's Ours
Their Forces Will Fall
Chittering in anticipation, the Megarachnids moved onto the next cluster of foes, just as a group of Luna Wolf Terminators deep struck into the fray.
Through the Gates of Hell
As We Make Our Way to Heaven
Through the Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
A moment later, and several kestrels joined them in attacking the army of shards. The group was soon forced to route.
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty Four
D-Day Upon Us
XXXXXXX
Blitz grinned as he ripped out the Battalyst's core, causing the shard to crumple whilst the reptilian's wounds healed. Nearby, Arakna tore into another of the beasts, whilst Zrin burnt a third to ash. Further out, Tork jumped back as one shard scanned the cores of three dead ones, bringing them back into the realm of the living, though their resurrection was short lived. Leaping into action, Goliath cleaved his sword through all three, then threw it into the fourth one.
As the Energy Guardian retrieved his blade, several Arbiters advanced – they had not yet begun to fight!
We've Been Here Before
Used To This Kind Of War
Crossfire Right Through the Sand
Not much further beyond, Red Veil Operatives and Steel Meridian troops were tearing into another large Sentient, doing all they could to harry it, whilst the Tenno moved in for the killing blow.
Our Orders Were Easy
It's Kill Or Be Killed
Blood On Both Sides Will Be Spilled
XXXXXX
As their forces continued on with the assault, Cressa Tal turned her attention to General Ruk, who was busy burning a vomvalyst like shard into nothingness. As his foe finally crumpled into ash, the General looked at his former subordinate.
For a moment, the tension was palpable
In The Dawn They Will Pay
With Their Lives As The Price
History's Written Today
But then, the tension broke, and the pair nodded. Just for today, their personal vendetta would be postponed.
Now That We Are At War
With The Axis Again
This Time We Know What Will Come
Whilst Ruk called for a Firbolg to bring him closer to the next enemy group, Cressa merely pulled out a Vulkar – why wait?
Aiming For Heaven
Though Serving In Hell
Victory's Ours
Their Forces Will Fall
Just as the synthetics noticed Ruk's arrival, a Tusk Ogma moved in to bomb them, as did several wyrms. Before they could recover, the Grineer advanced, poised to strike.
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way To Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
Joining them were Ant tanks, which quickly began to bleed the sentients dry.
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores Of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty-Four
D-Day Upon Us
XXXXXXX
As the Grineer and second Progenitor force continued their offense, Natah watched on, unsure how to react, beyond taking pot-shots at Progenitor fighters that had strayed too close to her.
Rationally, the best option would be to go in and kill the one known as CMDR Flame, so as to eliminate the threat of the Progenitor machines. Without those, the enemy force would be easily broken.
Yet, realistically speaking, Natah had no opening to attack him – he was too well defended, and besides, his forces were now equipped with void weapons that could actually harm her. Trying to get in close enough to attack was a death sentence.
Additionally, if she did succeed in killing the Commander, then the first thing her parents would do after winning the battle was hunt down, and murder, the Tenno. The Tenno, who had been, and to some degree, still were, her children.
Could she really let that happen?
….Would her mother allow it?
A nearby explosion forced Natah to pause her thinking. The enemy was starting to fire at her. Involuntarily, she groaned, before making her choice.
She began to descend to the surface, her destination the edge of the battlefield. Here, she would wait out the battle. If the Commander prevailed, she would submit to him and beg for clemency. If her brethren won…she would run. Her parents would not take her sitting out of the battle lightly.
XXXX
Sixth of June
Nineteen Forty-Four
Allies Are Turning The War
Oh yes, we were turning this battle. In fact, the Sentients were taking massive losses. As for us.
None.
Oh hell yes!
Normandy
State Of Anarchy
Overlord!
As I sunk my zaw into the remains of a nearby shard, I used my powers to summon the Paracesis to me – might as well use it against what it was meant to kill.
Nearby, Melissa was jumping off a Gantulyst, which she had been using as a platform to reach a Sentient dropship. A moment later, she torn the ship apart, whilst the Gantulyst blew a second one out of the sky.
Aiming For Heaven
Though Serving In Hell
Victory's Ours
Their Forces Will Fall
Smiling, I pulled out a Dual Decurion and opened up on several of the Sentient drones trying to hit my ROB – I would make sure she lived through this fight!
…Never expected to say or think those lines.
"Never expected you to do that either."
Thank you, beautiful.
"..Um, thanks."
You're welcome.
NOW DIE, SENTIENTS! DIE!!!
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way To Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
Soon, more dropships began to fall, and Natah's fleet began to fall back. Natah herself, however remained on Earth, content to just watch us. Maybe she was looking for an opening to strike?
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores Of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty-Four
D-Day Upon Us
Realizing he was losing Hunhow called a retreat. He knew better than to fight a losing battle.
Through The Gates Of Hell
As We Make Our Way To Heaven
Through The Nazi Lines
Primo Victoria
Soon, only pockets of enemy forces remained on the ship, and those would soon be cut down.
We had won this.
On The Sixth Of June
On The Shores Of Western Europe
Nineteen Forty-Four
Primo Victoria!
…Now where was the next Sentient fleet? I was pretty sure something else was about to happen that would make things go bad. Plus Lotus' mom hadn't shown up yet.
"Warning: Enemy Force Detected."
There we are.
"Oh, my husband, how disappointing. Is one Commander too much for you?"
"My wife, I can explain-"
"I jest, I jest. This one is clearly more of a challenge than expected. Fall back for now – I will handle this. Oh, and see if you can find our daughter – she seems to have disappeared."
"Of course, my wife."
As Hunhow fled, I closed my eyes and reached out into the void.
When my eyes opened, I turned to my left.
Sure enough, Wally was there.
"You got a plan for this?"
"Yep."
"..Could you unveil it now?"
"Done."
A moment later, something showed up on my orbital sensors.
"New enemy force detected. It appears to belong to the Corpus."
"By the will of the Void, we will vanquish these Synthetic Demons!"
I turned back to Wally, a quizzical look coloring my face.
"Really?"
"Yeah. He's smug as hell, and I don't really like how he portrays me, AT ALL, but he's useful."
"I see. Is that all of your plan?"
"Nope."
Before I could press him for more details, I saw the Obelisk leading the Corpus fleet fire down something at my ship, which I realized was a device used to create a teleporter field. A moment later, several crewman, ospreys, MOAs, Jackals, Raptors, Razorbacks, Lynxes, and Hyenas arrived into the battle, as did…a Colonel Sub Commander?!?!
Oh, and it was transmitting to me. Still somewhat confused, I answered.
"Who is this-"
"HI DAD!"
..WHAT?!?!
"Rory?! What are you doing here?"
"I'm still back at home, but to answer your question, HELPING YOU!"
When I finally processed what he had said, I felt a sense of pride in my chest. I might have also cried a little in joy.
"…Well, thank you."
Then I decided to go stern with him.
"But one Sub Commander isn't really that much help."
"Don't worry, I brought more help."
Before I could get an elaboration, more ships suddenly started appearing, among them…was that an XCOM Biotrans?!
"Yes, it is, Commander," intoned the voice of Asaru. "You really need to shield your mind better."
…Yeah, I really needed to do better there. So, Rory called you in to help?
"No, all of us came of our own volition."
…All of you.
"Just look at the other ships headed here."
I did just that…and balked.
I could see a Clumpy Starship…and an Iconian one, and a Terran Alliance Vessel, an ARC one, a Nocturni one, and even a Dread Lord veseel.
Had all of these people come to help me?
….Apparently they had.
"Thanks for the help. So, what's next?"
"That's up to your son."
Okaaay. "What now, Rory?"
"We play music."
AN: Soundtrack Start – The Last Battle By Sabaton
….This music felt very appropriate.
XXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! We're almost at the end of this arc!
188. Enemies Leaving The Past
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
AN: Soundtrack Start - The Last Battle By Sabaton
Within minutes, the Corpus forces were engaging the Sentients, as were the other new arrivals. Just in time, too - the Senient fleet we were facing was colossal (as I later found out, it compromised all of their remaining forces), and they were poised to take us down. I was under no illusions about how decisive this battle would be - if we won, the Sentients would be defeated (and then, of course, I'd have to deal with the Corpus, and the Grineer...and the infested, who, according to my sensors, were currently trying to attack the sentients still in orbit, because they'd figured out how important this battle would be, and they really hated the sentients).
If we lost, though....well, Celm's orders still stood. Either we won here....
Or well all died.
Needless to say, failure was not an option.
Fifth Of May, V-Day Is Just Around the Corner
1945, The Fuhrer's Rain Is At Its End
Ducking to avoid a laser strike from a mimic, I threw a knife at a drone harassing Melissa, who promptly blasted away the mimic attacking me.
"Thanks for the save."
"You're welcome," I replied. "Now let's end this."
Jenny At The Gates, As The SS Open Fire
There's No Time To Waste, The Final Battle's Begun
XXXXXXXX
Some distance belong, Solaris and Perrin Sequence Operatives were pinned down by a large group of flying sentients. Running low on ammo and strength, the group hastily pulled their wounded into cover, determined not to be overwhelmed.
After The Downfall, A Castle Besieged
Facing The Nazis, Awaiting Relief
Suddenly, a trio of Kyta Raknoids slammed into the sentient lines, forcing them into disarray. Moments later, a force of crewman followed them, and began tearing into the synthetic battle line.
Gangl And Lee And Their Men Set The Prisoners Free
The Solaris and Sequence members stared for a moment, before joining their former enemies in the fire fight.
And It's The End of the Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last
Taking massive losses, the Sentients soon fell back.
XXXXXX
As the fighting continued, I watched as Natah's mother moved to join the battle herself, only to be met with a...titan legion?
Okay, where'd she get that?
"My mom owned them. I think the Progenitor's made her line to guard stuff they got as concessions from the end of the war."
...Fair enough. Also, man, that was an awesome looking legion - Warhounds, a few battle titans, two emperors and....what the hell is that?!
"Revelation Class Superheavy Titan," intoned the voice of Elling. "Her name is Vision of Everlasting Victory."
"....Are you piloting that titan?" I asked, bewildered.
"Yes, and my mother and father are commanding one of the Emperor Titans."
"...Seriously?"
"TITAN PRINCEPS MUST BE BRED, YOU FOOL! NOW STOP WASTING TIME AND GET BACK TO KILLING THE ENEMY!"
...Fair enough.
XXXXXXX
One Last Fight, It's The Death Throes Of The Third Reich
Justice Shall Be Done, The Final Battle Remains
As the fighting continued, Steel Meridian operatives and Kuva Grineer tore into a sentient armor group, joined by a truly bizarre monster - one of the female ROB's allies.
Suddenly, a meteorite fell on the battlefield, and when the dust from its impact settled, a horde of infested crawled out of the crater and moved to attack.
Ammo's Running Low, They're Depleting Their Machine Guns
Every Bullet Counts Until Surrender's Announced
Yet whilst the abominations attacked the synthetics with reckless abandon, they ignored the clones and their allies.
It seemed even these horrors knew who to stand with.
After The Downfall, A Castle Relieved
Defeating The Nazis Who Held Them Besieged
Gangl and Lee and Their Men Set The Prisoners Free
Happy with these turn of events, the Grineer renewed their attack as a force of doxes joined them, swiftly tearing into the synthetics' armor.
And It's The End Of The Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
Under such a withering assault, even the Sentients could not last long.
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last
XXXXXXXXXX
As the fight around us continued, I couldn't help but admire how things were going - sure, we were winning, but how we were winning was what made me happy.
All the powers in the Origin System - the Tenno, the Grineer, The Corpus, The Infestation, the Syndicates, even some of the Sentients - had united to face a common foe. Furthermore, all of the powers I had met on my travels, good and evil, had put aside their differences to fight against a common foe...All to aid me.
And because of that, we were winning. Spectacularly.
Some people said that people wee inherently evil. Others believed that sentient beings were inherently good.
Right now, I was seeing validation of the latter belief. And it was glorious.
From The Foot Of The Alps To The Shores Of The Sea
From The Foot Of The Alps To The Shores Of The Sea
From the Home Of The Brave, From the Land Of The Free
From The Foot Of The Alps To The Shores Of The Sea
Briefly, I observed several Red Veil operatives assisting some Arbiters, before returning my attention to Melissa, who smiled and threw a rope at me.
As soon as I caught it, she tugged on it and sent me flying toward a sentient force, who I greeted with a slam of the Paracesis.
And It's The End of The Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
Soon, Melissa appeared right behind me, and we engaged the remaining sentients in a shoot out, back to back.
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last
Desperately, the Sentients attempted to bring us down, but try as they might, they failed. Soon, we had forced them off.
And It's The End Of The Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last!
XXXXXXXXXXX
As The Sentient forces were cut down, I couldn't help but smirk at Lotus' mom, who was trying and failing to keep the shock, rage, and fear off her face. Payback's a bitch, isn't it.
"Well, it looks like you've lost," I intoned, smug as all hell.
"...I think not."
"Oh please, do you have another fleet left? Do you intend to use the Stalker and his acolytes to defeat us?!"
"That was….part of the plan," spoke a certain shadow.
Turning to face him, I found him with his acolytes...and a void key?
"How is that going to help you?" questioned Melissa, eyes focused on the key.
"It will bring us the weapon needed to defeat you."
Before I could try and probe them for more, the key began to light as the stalker channeled energy into it.
Once the key was bright enough, the stalker threw it, before disappearing with his acolytes. A moment later, the key exploded into a void fissure, releasing several corrupted.
Then, though, something else came through….something with lots of tentacles.
…..Oh no.
"Oh yes," intoned Natah's mother.
Like something out of a horror movie, the creature tore its way through the portal and landed with a crash onto my ship.
As it moved to stand, I finally got a good look at the beast. It was covered in tentacles, as well as hundreds of eyes in places eyes most definitely did not belong, as well as several mouths. Parts of it were bulbous and glowing, whilst others were hard and bladed.
Overall, it looked like something out of a horror movie. Or a Lovecraft Story.
Hastily, I focused all of my firepower on it, as did my allies, and even the Corrupted, to my surprise.
Yet I was pretty sure we just made it angry.
As the last of our efforts to hurt it died down, all its eyes suddenly focused on something....and I was pretty certain that said something was me.
For a moment, the eyes widened in surprise.
Then they contracted in what I assumed was fury, whilst the tentacles went rigid, before lifting into the air as bioluminescent spots lit up.
I heard various statements questioning what the creature in front of me was, but all were drowned out as the tnetacles, now fully illuminated, slammed into the ground, causing a wave of light to shoot forth around the beast.
And just as the light hit and blinded me, I heard a voice.
"Usurper, know that you time has come."
XXXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
Within minutes, the Corpus forces were engaging the Sentients, as were the other new arrivals. Just in time, too - the Senient fleet we were facing was colossal (as I later found out, it compromised all of their remaining forces), and they were poised to take us down. I was under no illusions about how decisive this battle would be - if we won, the Sentients would be defeated (and then, of course, I'd have to deal with the Corpus, and the Grineer...and the infested, who, according to my sensors, were currently trying to attack the sentients still in orbit, because they'd figured out how important this battle would be, and they really hated the sentients).
If we lost, though....well, Celm's orders still stood. Either we won here....
Or well all died.
Needless to say, failure was not an option.
Fifth Of May, V-Day Is Just Around the Corner
1945, The Fuhrer's Rain Is At Its End
Ducking to avoid a laser strike from a mimic, I threw a knife at a drone harassing Melissa, who promptly blasted away the mimic attacking me.
"Thanks for the save."
"You're welcome," I replied. "Now let's end this."
Jenny At The Gates, As The SS Open Fire
There's No Time To Waste, The Final Battle's Begun
XXXXXXXX
Some distance belong, Solaris and Perrin Sequence Operatives were pinned down by a large group of flying sentients. Running low on ammo and strength, the group hastily pulled their wounded into cover, determined not to be overwhelmed.
After The Downfall, A Castle Besieged
Facing The Nazis, Awaiting Relief
Suddenly, a trio of Kyta Raknoids slammed into the sentient lines, forcing them into disarray. Moments later, a force of crewman followed them, and began tearing into the synthetic battle line.
Gangl And Lee And Their Men Set The Prisoners Free
The Solaris and Sequence members stared for a moment, before joining their former enemies in the fire fight.
And It's The End of the Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last
Taking massive losses, the Sentients soon fell back.
XXXXXX
As the fighting continued, I watched as Natah's mother moved to join the battle herself, only to be met with a...titan legion?
Okay, where'd she get that?
"My mom owned them. I think the Progenitor's made her line to guard stuff they got as concessions from the end of the war."
...Fair enough. Also, man, that was an awesome looking legion - Warhounds, a few battle titans, two emperors and....what the hell is that?!
"Revelation Class Superheavy Titan," intoned the voice of Elling. "Her name is Vision of Everlasting Victory."
"....Are you piloting that titan?" I asked, bewildered.
"Yes, and my mother and father are commanding one of the Emperor Titans."
"...Seriously?"
"TITAN PRINCEPS MUST BE BRED, YOU FOOL! NOW STOP WASTING TIME AND GET BACK TO KILLING THE ENEMY!"
...Fair enough.
XXXXXXX
One Last Fight, It's The Death Throes Of The Third Reich
Justice Shall Be Done, The Final Battle Remains
As the fighting continued, Steel Meridian operatives and Kuva Grineer tore into a sentient armor group, joined by a truly bizarre monster - one of the female ROB's allies.
Suddenly, a meteorite fell on the battlefield, and when the dust from its impact settled, a horde of infested crawled out of the crater and moved to attack.
Ammo's Running Low, They're Depleting Their Machine Guns
Every Bullet Counts Until Surrender's Announced
Yet whilst the abominations attacked the synthetics with reckless abandon, they ignored the clones and their allies.
It seemed even these horrors knew who to stand with.
After The Downfall, A Castle Relieved
Defeating The Nazis Who Held Them Besieged
Gangl and Lee and Their Men Set The Prisoners Free
Happy with these turn of events, the Grineer renewed their attack as a force of doxes joined them, swiftly tearing into the synthetics' armor.
And It's The End Of The Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
Under such a withering assault, even the Sentients could not last long.
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last
XXXXXXXXXX
As the fight around us continued, I couldn't help but admire how things were going - sure, we were winning, but how we were winning was what made me happy.
All the powers in the Origin System - the Tenno, the Grineer, The Corpus, The Infestation, the Syndicates, even some of the Sentients - had united to face a common foe. Furthermore, all of the powers I had met on my travels, good and evil, had put aside their differences to fight against a common foe...All to aid me.
And because of that, we were winning. Spectacularly.
Some people said that people wee inherently evil. Others believed that sentient beings were inherently good.
Right now, I was seeing validation of the latter belief. And it was glorious.
From The Foot Of The Alps To The Shores Of The Sea
From The Foot Of The Alps To The Shores Of The Sea
From the Home Of The Brave, From the Land Of The Free
From The Foot Of The Alps To The Shores Of The Sea
Briefly, I observed several Red Veil operatives assisting some Arbiters, before returning my attention to Melissa, who smiled and threw a rope at me.
As soon as I caught it, she tugged on it and sent me flying toward a sentient force, who I greeted with a slam of the Paracesis.
And It's The End of The Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
Soon, Melissa appeared right behind me, and we engaged the remaining sentients in a shoot out, back to back.
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last
Desperately, the Sentients attempted to bring us down, but try as they might, they failed. Soon, we had forced them off.
And It's The End Of The Line Of The Final Journey
Enemies Leaving The Past
And It's American Troops And The German Army
Joining Together At Last!
XXXXXXXXXXX
As The Sentient forces were cut down, I couldn't help but smirk at Lotus' mom, who was trying and failing to keep the shock, rage, and fear off her face. Payback's a bitch, isn't it.
"Well, it looks like you've lost," I intoned, smug as all hell.
"...I think not."
"Oh please, do you have another fleet left? Do you intend to use the Stalker and his acolytes to defeat us?!"
"That was….part of the plan," spoke a certain shadow.
Turning to face him, I found him with his acolytes...and a void key?
"How is that going to help you?" questioned Melissa, eyes focused on the key.
"It will bring us the weapon needed to defeat you."
Before I could try and probe them for more, the key began to light as the stalker channeled energy into it.
Once the key was bright enough, the stalker threw it, before disappearing with his acolytes. A moment later, the key exploded into a void fissure, releasing several corrupted.
Then, though, something else came through….something with lots of tentacles.
…..Oh no.
"Oh yes," intoned Natah's mother.
Like something out of a horror movie, the creature tore its way through the portal and landed with a crash onto my ship.
As it moved to stand, I finally got a good look at the beast. It was covered in tentacles, as well as hundreds of eyes in places eyes most definitely did not belong, as well as several mouths. Parts of it were bulbous and glowing, whilst others were hard and bladed.
Overall, it looked like something out of a horror movie. Or a Lovecraft Story.
Hastily, I focused all of my firepower on it, as did my allies, and even the Corrupted, to my surprise.
Yet I was pretty sure we just made it angry.
As the last of our efforts to hurt it died down, all its eyes suddenly focused on something....and I was pretty certain that said something was me.
For a moment, the eyes widened in surprise.
Then they contracted in what I assumed was fury, whilst the tentacles went rigid, before lifting into the air as bioluminescent spots lit up.
I heard various statements questioning what the creature in front of me was, but all were drowned out as the tnetacles, now fully illuminated, slammed into the ground, causing a wave of light to shoot forth around the beast.
And just as the light hit and blinded me, I heard a voice.
"Usurper, know that you time has come."
XXXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
- Location
- Beyond the Unknowable Veil
How many last minute super weapons do they HAVE!?
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
This is he last one they've got left.
Granted, it's also the one that will probably be most effective.
189. Coelohim's Wrath
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
It took my eyes approximately ten seconds to refocus after the light was released. And when I did.....well, I was left speechless.
On the previously barren top of my ship now lay an alien forest. Surrounding us were membranous, glowing trees, vaguely similar to the white thing located within the Transference room of the Tenno Orbiters. Also, flaky white stuff was falling from the sky, and according to my scanners, it was snow...in the middle of a region that did not experience snowfall at this time of year.
Oh, and Melissa was just standing frozen next, a stunned look on her face....wait, did she recognize this?
….I mean, she WAS one of these things, if the one in the Progenitor temple has been honest...had it?
"Hey," I began, trying to take things slowly, "you seen these before?"
"Yes," she replied. "...My mom used to grow them back home. They're called Auralis grandis. They're...."
She went quiet after this, her expression growing somber. I got the feeling that she was remembering something rather sad.
Instinctively, I put my hand on her shoulder. It might not do much, but if it made her feel better, l...
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'm guessing you have some of these back at your hub?"
"Yeah, greenhouse level on my tower. They're from a bag of seeds my mom gave me. They're...all that I really have left of her now."
"I see."
"Are you done speaking now?"
Instantly, the two of us turned toward the enormous mass of the flesh that compromised the Coelohim that had made this forest.
"Impressive, isn't it? The land our makers bred us to create? This was to be what would become of the worlds we would have won following our mastery of the multiverse."
"And I take it that the Progenitors never got those?"
"No. The Elder Ones chose to forgo such concessions for their victory, instead falling back into their home realm. They still live there, if memory serves right."
"Then why do you live here?"
"To protect their secrets from YOU!"
"Me?"
"...Well, both of you. Those who would abuse the power of the progenitors do not deserve to live."
"How the hell is HE at fault here?" asked my ROB. "I'M THE ONE WHO GAVE HIM THE DAMN THING!"
…..Wow. I really didn't expect her to defend me like that.
"You may not have been at fault for owning this wonderous machine, but you still used it."
"So?" I inquired, annoyed. "Why is that a bad thing? The Progenitors are long dead."
"Which makes your actions tantamount to grave robbing."
"Again, I took it and gave it to him, so only I am guilty of grave robbing. Besides, I'm certain they would approve of us...of him trying to make the multiverse a better palce-"
"WHY DO YOU THINK OUR CREATORS WENT TO WAR ACROSS CREATION IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!"
..What?
"Our makers tried to make the lives of all better. True, many appreciated it, but inevitably, some grew jealous of our lords. Once enough shared that opinion, conflict was inevitable. Much suffering came of this war, suffering that should never happen again. And that is why I exist - to stop those who do not deserve this technology from abusing it. Only the Tenno deserve this technology."
Ok, I've heard enough of this. "...Really, your reasoning is absurd."
"Such mortal beings like yourself cannot comprehend my reasoning, and in the end, it is unnecessary. My directives only allow one solution to the problem you present."
"Let me guess, my destruction?"
"No - the destruction of you, and all who know of you. Only once all evidence of this location is removed will it be safe once more. And for that, all who can take up your cause - allies, subordinates, kin - must die."
.̶͚̮̦̩̦͇͙̥̣͈̤̥̰͔͇͔̾̇ͬ́͛̏͋ͫͣ̚̚͢͠.̡̨ͧ̓̆̌̓ͧ̌ͩ̊ͧ̍ͦ̕҉͖̜̞̯̟͔̹̫̘̰̹̰͢Fͥ͆̊͂ͥ͊͗̓͒̔̚҉̛͕͉͈̻Ų̵̪̺̤̝̱̥͔̦̭̱̯͎̟̞͈̑̆ͥ̒C̫͍͈̞͕̭̻̜̙͓̙͔̔͊ͦͩ́͡Ķ̴̴̖̮̠͖͔͍̪̝̬̭̩̹̙͍̈͐̓̓̑̈̀͌ͥ͆̿̌͆́̀ ͓͚͍͖̺̳̟͉͍̦̞͈͍͙̙̩̤̜͋̿ͨ̍ͩ͢T̴̖̦͓͔̫̦̘̺̞̐́ͫ̀ͦ̄H̷̨͔̭̺̠̥͉̜͈̞͓͍̳͇̅̾̈̔̇ͩ͐̈̀́̚̕A̧̱̻͉̯͎̲̘̠̥̗̟̞̪̬̬ͯ̒̀̈́͢ͅͅŢ̵̻̞̯̗͖̟̰̼̦̔̾̀͛͂ͅͅ ̡̢̨͈͖͈̻̗̤̮͉̝ͥ̊̇̏ͨ͑̔̇ͫͥ̌ͭ̅͛̄ͯ̌N̡̘͓̹̱̹̼̟̜ͤ̾ͯ̎̕͜Ọ͙̭̯̘͉͈̪̣͈̼̟̬̪͕̃͋ͪ̄͆̐̒͆̀̅̄̈́̉̀̀̚͡I̎ͣ͑ͩ͆ͧ̽ͥ̅ͨͣ͢҉̜͉͕̥̖̭S̵̛̹̩̫̮͓̘͚̱̹̮͍̼͈̲̃̌͊̄ͥ̏̐ͤ̒ͨͫ͟͞͡Ę̴̝͈̦͈͇̭̝͙͇͚̬́ͨͮ̋͂̒͛̒̇́̀͛̊͌͐͡!̒͊͑̍̐̅ͪ̉̍͆́͊̓͊҉̷̞̻̞̙ͅ!ͫ͐̃ͯͥͦ͛͏́͏̧͎̺͉̖̝̫͚̠̙̫͇̥!̶̪̖̞̼͙̞̝͍̽ͩ͐́ͨ̉̅̈́ͣ͗̓ͫ̾͑͊͑̄͊̉͠͡͠
A beam of light surged from my hands toward the creature, and managed to destroy one of its tentacles, causing it to cry out in agony.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU HARM MY FOLLOWERS OR MY FAMILY!"
"...So be it."
Then, suddenly, a huge cloud of purple smoke surged from the monster.
AN: Soundtrack Start - Parasites, from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
The minute the smoke hit me, I fell back, as did Melissa. Following this, the creature began to slam its tentacles around, trying to hurt us. Occasionally, it would fire off a powerful beam of energy from one of its tentacles, or from its eyes.
Well, time to fight back.
Pulling out my decurion, I fired at the beast, aiming for its eyes, whilst Melissa started tearing into the creatures flesh. The monster was actually bewildered by this, wondering why she would attack one of her kin.
"Because you hurt the only person I've knonw in the last coupe of centuries who gives a crap about me and isn't my boss or surrogate family!"
"...What?!"
Melissa declined to answer that, instead beating the creature's body in.
As this continued, our forces began to recover their wounded - the sentients had since fled the battle, determining that remaining in this fight would only lead them to defeat.
Hopefully, this didn't provide them the opening to make a comeback.
That being said, the creature was taking quite a pounding - how could it take so many cuts and bullets without dying?
"Do you really think anything less than progenitor technology can hurt me?"
"...Thank you for shooting yourself in the foot."
"...What?"
A moment later, a pillar of light descended on the beast, causing it to roar in agony, then grow silent.
Whilst its body began to twitch, Melissa joined me in continuing to pump it full of lead and lasers. Best to make sure it is dead.
"And stay down."
Sighing, I turned back to my ROB...just as a strangely colored boom jumped toward her. As the machine exploded, I felt something pierce into my chest.
Staring down, I dimly realized a large claw was now sticking out of my chest.
"So...childish."
Before me was a humanoid creature, vaguely similar to Melissa's alien form, which soon drove another blade into my chest. At this point, my brain had stopped registering pain, lest I be rendered defenseless from agony.
Somehow, I still felt that blow.
"...You fight well, but your defeat was inevitable."
Towering over me, the monster put its hands around my throat and began to squeeze.
"Die fast."
Then, suddenly, something surged into the beast.
"Leave him alone!"
XXXXXXX
Melissa tore into the Coelohim, biting and tearing, her true form now unleashed. Everything Flame had seen so far, from her humanoid appearance to the monster she had been on the Drengin homeworld, was a façade. This was what she was...and this would probably be the last anyone would see of this form.
She had expended a lot of energy during this fight - more than she had in the last few months. In her weakened state, this had...taken its toll on her body. Her flesh now ached, and she was certain that transforming back into another form would likely be impossible. As is, she was just holding back enough strength so that she could live to have her soul healed.
But if that wasn't possible, so be it - at least she could die making amends to her pawn.
The Coelohim, however, disagreed.
Deflecting her punch, it grabbed her and threw her into the ground with such force that the back of the ship dented. Capitalizing on this offense, it leapt onto her and started pounding away. Her torso and head became soaked in her own blood, yet the monster continued ot hit her, determined to see the life drained out of her.
"..S..St...Stop!"
Amazing, the monster did just that. It moved to punch her again, yet it couldn't bring itself to strike her. As this revelation came, its eyes widened in shock.
"...Traitor.."
Then, it shook itself, and gently held out a finger to her face.
When the claw at the end was able to scratch her unimpeded, the creature pulled back its arms to deliver another blow...only to take a laser to the back.
Bewildered, it turned, and found the Commander staring at it.
"This is our fight, and I am not dead yet."
As he finishedhis declaration, the human pulled out his zaw blade and took up a fighitn stance, as did the monster.
Now, at last, the final battle would begin.
XXXXXXXXX
Deep within the ship, a mass of technocyte flesh moved. Appraching the ship's sound controls, it lightly surfed through the available sound files, before selecting one an hitting play.
AN: Soundtrack Start - Europa by Globus
A fitting way to send off this battle, no?
XXXXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
On the previously barren top of my ship now lay an alien forest. Surrounding us were membranous, glowing trees, vaguely similar to the white thing located within the Transference room of the Tenno Orbiters. Also, flaky white stuff was falling from the sky, and according to my scanners, it was snow...in the middle of a region that did not experience snowfall at this time of year.
Oh, and Melissa was just standing frozen next, a stunned look on her face....wait, did she recognize this?
….I mean, she WAS one of these things, if the one in the Progenitor temple has been honest...had it?
"Hey," I began, trying to take things slowly, "you seen these before?"
"Yes," she replied. "...My mom used to grow them back home. They're called Auralis grandis. They're...."
She went quiet after this, her expression growing somber. I got the feeling that she was remembering something rather sad.
Instinctively, I put my hand on her shoulder. It might not do much, but if it made her feel better, l...
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'm guessing you have some of these back at your hub?"
"Yeah, greenhouse level on my tower. They're from a bag of seeds my mom gave me. They're...all that I really have left of her now."
"I see."
"Are you done speaking now?"
Instantly, the two of us turned toward the enormous mass of the flesh that compromised the Coelohim that had made this forest.
"Impressive, isn't it? The land our makers bred us to create? This was to be what would become of the worlds we would have won following our mastery of the multiverse."
"And I take it that the Progenitors never got those?"
"No. The Elder Ones chose to forgo such concessions for their victory, instead falling back into their home realm. They still live there, if memory serves right."
"Then why do you live here?"
"To protect their secrets from YOU!"
"Me?"
"...Well, both of you. Those who would abuse the power of the progenitors do not deserve to live."
"How the hell is HE at fault here?" asked my ROB. "I'M THE ONE WHO GAVE HIM THE DAMN THING!"
…..Wow. I really didn't expect her to defend me like that.
"You may not have been at fault for owning this wonderous machine, but you still used it."
"So?" I inquired, annoyed. "Why is that a bad thing? The Progenitors are long dead."
"Which makes your actions tantamount to grave robbing."
"Again, I took it and gave it to him, so only I am guilty of grave robbing. Besides, I'm certain they would approve of us...of him trying to make the multiverse a better palce-"
"WHY DO YOU THINK OUR CREATORS WENT TO WAR ACROSS CREATION IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?!"
..What?
"Our makers tried to make the lives of all better. True, many appreciated it, but inevitably, some grew jealous of our lords. Once enough shared that opinion, conflict was inevitable. Much suffering came of this war, suffering that should never happen again. And that is why I exist - to stop those who do not deserve this technology from abusing it. Only the Tenno deserve this technology."
Ok, I've heard enough of this. "...Really, your reasoning is absurd."
"Such mortal beings like yourself cannot comprehend my reasoning, and in the end, it is unnecessary. My directives only allow one solution to the problem you present."
"Let me guess, my destruction?"
"No - the destruction of you, and all who know of you. Only once all evidence of this location is removed will it be safe once more. And for that, all who can take up your cause - allies, subordinates, kin - must die."
.̶͚̮̦̩̦͇͙̥̣͈̤̥̰͔͇͔̾̇ͬ́͛̏͋ͫͣ̚̚͢͠.̡̨ͧ̓̆̌̓ͧ̌ͩ̊ͧ̍ͦ̕҉͖̜̞̯̟͔̹̫̘̰̹̰͢Fͥ͆̊͂ͥ͊͗̓͒̔̚҉̛͕͉͈̻Ų̵̪̺̤̝̱̥͔̦̭̱̯͎̟̞͈̑̆ͥ̒C̫͍͈̞͕̭̻̜̙͓̙͔̔͊ͦͩ́͡Ķ̴̴̖̮̠͖͔͍̪̝̬̭̩̹̙͍̈͐̓̓̑̈̀͌ͥ͆̿̌͆́̀ ͓͚͍͖̺̳̟͉͍̦̞͈͍͙̙̩̤̜͋̿ͨ̍ͩ͢T̴̖̦͓͔̫̦̘̺̞̐́ͫ̀ͦ̄H̷̨͔̭̺̠̥͉̜͈̞͓͍̳͇̅̾̈̔̇ͩ͐̈̀́̚̕A̧̱̻͉̯͎̲̘̠̥̗̟̞̪̬̬ͯ̒̀̈́͢ͅͅŢ̵̻̞̯̗͖̟̰̼̦̔̾̀͛͂ͅͅ ̡̢̨͈͖͈̻̗̤̮͉̝ͥ̊̇̏ͨ͑̔̇ͫͥ̌ͭ̅͛̄ͯ̌N̡̘͓̹̱̹̼̟̜ͤ̾ͯ̎̕͜Ọ͙̭̯̘͉͈̪̣͈̼̟̬̪͕̃͋ͪ̄͆̐̒͆̀̅̄̈́̉̀̀̚͡I̎ͣ͑ͩ͆ͧ̽ͥ̅ͨͣ͢҉̜͉͕̥̖̭S̵̛̹̩̫̮͓̘͚̱̹̮͍̼͈̲̃̌͊̄ͥ̏̐ͤ̒ͨͫ͟͞͡Ę̴̝͈̦͈͇̭̝͙͇͚̬́ͨͮ̋͂̒͛̒̇́̀͛̊͌͐͡!̒͊͑̍̐̅ͪ̉̍͆́͊̓͊҉̷̞̻̞̙ͅ!ͫ͐̃ͯͥͦ͛͏́͏̧͎̺͉̖̝̫͚̠̙̫͇̥!̶̪̖̞̼͙̞̝͍̽ͩ͐́ͨ̉̅̈́ͣ͗̓ͫ̾͑͊͑̄͊̉͠͡͠
A beam of light surged from my hands toward the creature, and managed to destroy one of its tentacles, causing it to cry out in agony.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU HARM MY FOLLOWERS OR MY FAMILY!"
"...So be it."
Then, suddenly, a huge cloud of purple smoke surged from the monster.
AN: Soundtrack Start - Parasites, from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
The minute the smoke hit me, I fell back, as did Melissa. Following this, the creature began to slam its tentacles around, trying to hurt us. Occasionally, it would fire off a powerful beam of energy from one of its tentacles, or from its eyes.
Well, time to fight back.
Pulling out my decurion, I fired at the beast, aiming for its eyes, whilst Melissa started tearing into the creatures flesh. The monster was actually bewildered by this, wondering why she would attack one of her kin.
"Because you hurt the only person I've knonw in the last coupe of centuries who gives a crap about me and isn't my boss or surrogate family!"
"...What?!"
Melissa declined to answer that, instead beating the creature's body in.
As this continued, our forces began to recover their wounded - the sentients had since fled the battle, determining that remaining in this fight would only lead them to defeat.
Hopefully, this didn't provide them the opening to make a comeback.
That being said, the creature was taking quite a pounding - how could it take so many cuts and bullets without dying?
"Do you really think anything less than progenitor technology can hurt me?"
"...Thank you for shooting yourself in the foot."
"...What?"
A moment later, a pillar of light descended on the beast, causing it to roar in agony, then grow silent.
Whilst its body began to twitch, Melissa joined me in continuing to pump it full of lead and lasers. Best to make sure it is dead.
"And stay down."
Sighing, I turned back to my ROB...just as a strangely colored boom jumped toward her. As the machine exploded, I felt something pierce into my chest.
Staring down, I dimly realized a large claw was now sticking out of my chest.
"So...childish."
Before me was a humanoid creature, vaguely similar to Melissa's alien form, which soon drove another blade into my chest. At this point, my brain had stopped registering pain, lest I be rendered defenseless from agony.
Somehow, I still felt that blow.
"...You fight well, but your defeat was inevitable."
Towering over me, the monster put its hands around my throat and began to squeeze.
"Die fast."
Then, suddenly, something surged into the beast.
"Leave him alone!"
XXXXXXX
Melissa tore into the Coelohim, biting and tearing, her true form now unleashed. Everything Flame had seen so far, from her humanoid appearance to the monster she had been on the Drengin homeworld, was a façade. This was what she was...and this would probably be the last anyone would see of this form.
She had expended a lot of energy during this fight - more than she had in the last few months. In her weakened state, this had...taken its toll on her body. Her flesh now ached, and she was certain that transforming back into another form would likely be impossible. As is, she was just holding back enough strength so that she could live to have her soul healed.
But if that wasn't possible, so be it - at least she could die making amends to her pawn.
The Coelohim, however, disagreed.
Deflecting her punch, it grabbed her and threw her into the ground with such force that the back of the ship dented. Capitalizing on this offense, it leapt onto her and started pounding away. Her torso and head became soaked in her own blood, yet the monster continued ot hit her, determined to see the life drained out of her.
"..S..St...Stop!"
Amazing, the monster did just that. It moved to punch her again, yet it couldn't bring itself to strike her. As this revelation came, its eyes widened in shock.
"...Traitor.."
Then, it shook itself, and gently held out a finger to her face.
When the claw at the end was able to scratch her unimpeded, the creature pulled back its arms to deliver another blow...only to take a laser to the back.
Bewildered, it turned, and found the Commander staring at it.
"This is our fight, and I am not dead yet."
As he finishedhis declaration, the human pulled out his zaw blade and took up a fighitn stance, as did the monster.
Now, at last, the final battle would begin.
XXXXXXXXX
Deep within the ship, a mass of technocyte flesh moved. Appraching the ship's sound controls, it lightly surfed through the available sound files, before selecting one an hitting play.
AN: Soundtrack Start - Europa by Globus
A fitting way to send off this battle, no?
XXXXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
190. One Last Fight
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
I stared at the Coelohim, now standing over Melissa's twitching, whimpering form. Good grief, she looked like crap.
That made my blood boil. My grip tightened around my zaw, Unwritten Destiny. Yeah, absurd name, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Know that your efforts defeat me are pointless," intoned the beast. "I am far beyond your ability to outmatch-"
It prompted shut up when a targeting laser appeared above it.
"You were saying."
"...One moment."
Suddenly, a pulse of light shot out form the monster, which caused my vision to screw up, as if I had been hit by one of the magnetic bubbles the Tenno created from sabotaging a reactor.
"Warning: Commander Network compromised. Only forces within a fifty kilometer radius will remain under your control, Commander."
"You were saying?"
...Welp, time to go to plan B.
"..Does anyone read me?"
"We read you LOUD AND CLEAR!" intoned Asaru.
"Good. I apologize to ask, but could you help me with one last problem?"
"YES! JUST GIVE US THE WORD!"
"....That was a lot more forceful than I had expected."
"You are way to humble for your own good," intoned Cassidy.
"Oh. Well, just listen and do what I say....sorry if that sounds demanding."
"It does, but you have earned the right to do that," replied Etran.
"Okaaay."
Then, I turned my attention to the Coelohim.
"Let's end this."
"As you wish. But do you really think that fragile form can stand up to my might?"
I could only respond to that by smiling, much to the monster's surprise. "Who says this will be the form you will fight?"
Then, my body glowed bright blue, and a moment later, an angelic figure replaced it.
This was my pinnacle of warframe research - Marcosias, the Nephilim. A hybrid of heavenly and infernal power, attuned to the designs of Equinox. Currently in its angelic form, it allowed me to fire forth a blast of light, blinding the monster, after which I charged toward it, shifting into its demonic form. When I was right up to the beast's form, I unleashed its darkers powers, blasting the body with explosive force and setting it alight. The result was larger than anticipated, to my immense joy.
As the beast tried to recover, I unleashed Hellfire upon it, igniting it once more, before transitioning into its angelic form and bathing it in Heavens Light, leaving it damaged and confused.
"What the-"
"I still have a few tricks up my sleeves. Now, bring it on!"
"FINE!"
AN: Soundtrack Start: Europa by Globus
Howling I anger, the Coelohim somehow created an ax and leapt into the air. Side stepping it, I transferred out of my frame and used a void blast to knock it back, before beginning to pepper it with my Kitgun. When the creature recovered, I returned to Marcosias, pulling out the weapons I had crafted for it - an automatic shotgun that could switch into a semi-auto rifle, which I had named Nephilim; a set of dual pistols that could be treated as separate weapons known as the Twin Judgements; and a sword and shield combo known as Malebranche and Seraphim. I'd really wanted to make a duality motif for this thing, okay?
As the beast recovered and charged at me, I aimed the rifle and pulled the trigger, catching it in its leg and sending it tumbling down. As it rolled past, I switched to shotgun mode and blasted it away. No way I would lose to this monster!
From Agincourt To Waterloo
Poitiers And Then Ajou
The Roses War, The Hundred Years
Through Battlefields Of Blood And Tears
Standing tall once more, the monster threw something into the ground, causing it to grow into another plant, which soon grew a bow from one of its limbs, as well as organic arrows. Taking aim, the beast let loose the pointed objects.
Quickly bracing with my shield, I transferred back out of the suit and used my E-DNA powers to ignite the tree, forcing the Coelohim back.
From Bosworth Field To Point Du Hoc
Stalingrad And The Siege Of York
The Bloody Turf Of Gallipoli
Had No effect On The Killing Spree
As it reeled from the assault, I summoned forth my avatar and fired a null lance at the humanoid, sending it flying back. As I advanced toward it, though, the monster released another pulse of energy, turning the ground around it into a field surrounded by what looked like anemone.
Well, I can work with that.
'Jegudiel, Cyreesia, and all you Clumpies, your time is up.'
"Can't find a way to outmatch my defences?"
"Actually, I can!"
The creature looked perplexed by that.
Then it heard the sound of aircraft approaching. Before it could react, though, I opened fire - not going to let it escape.
Bannockburn To Austerlitz
The Fall Of France And The German Blitz
The Cruelest Of Atrocities
Europa's Blood Is Borne Of These
The creature didn't notice the airstrike until the first hits came. And before it could recover from being hit with a Seraph and a Scimitar, several kestrels and Mecha Clumpys started peppering it with lasers and bullets.
Heaven Help In All Our Battles
Heaven See Love
Heaven Help Us
As the creature regained its feet, something huge burst out of my ship, turning toward it, the Coelohim found itself facing the mass of technocyte flesh that had been part of me until recently...and which I still have control over.
Roaring, my old body shot a gout of flame at the Coelohim, which soon dodged and countered by, to my surprise,modify its skin to secrete a flame retardant fluid.
Then, to the bafflement of my sensors, it began increasing the gravity field around itself, causing my old body to begin to collapse under its own weight.
Well, two can play at that game.
I opened up a portal beneath the my technocyte form, causing it to vanish. The Coelohim tried to find where I had moved the monster, but stopped when it noticed that a shadow had suddenly appeared above it.
A moment later, and the creature was pancaked by my old body, whose weight had been increased to 1,000 times its current one. Amazingly, my form survived this and managed ot roll out of the impact crater it had made.
Bolshevisks And Feudal Lords
Chivalry To Civil Wars
Fascist Rule And Genocide
Now We Face The Rising Tide
Crying out in anger, the Progenitor creature leapt at me, and managed to knock me back. Keeping its momentum, it beat me with all its might, only to find itself weakened when I transferred back into Marcosias, unleashed its demon form, and sent a Malediction its way. Kicking free from its legs, I wrapped my own around its neck and lifted, slamming it into the ship.
Of New Crusades, Religious Wars
Insurgents Imported To Our Shores
The Western World, Gripped In Fear
The Mother Of All Battles Here
Returning to angelic form, I sent a Benediction toward Melissa, before sending a signal to XCOM and the A.R.C....god, I hoped I never wnet to the Primeval Universe - too much confusion there.
"Getting tire-"
The Coelohim was cut off when a plasma sniper shot flew toward it, causing tis head to jolt sideways from the impact. Jumping away, it readied for another attack...just as it heard the whistling.
Fun fact: SABR Artillery platforms hit very hard.
Déja demain, (nous) sommes éclairée
Empires Built, And Nations Burned
Mass Graves Remain Unturned
Descendants Of The Dispossessed
Return With Bombs Strapped To Their Chests
Charging at the monster, I unleashed all I had, beating and tearing at it, pumping it full of bullets, burning it with lasers, and ravaging it with my blades and fists. It would not win this fight!
There's Hate For Life, And Death In Hate
Emerging From The New Caliphate
The Victors Of This War On Fear
Will Rule For The Next Thousand Years
Hurling it around, I dodged its counterattacks, rolled with its punches, and even managed to kick it in the gut when it tried to increase the gravity around us, which ended up cancelling that attack. I soon returned to my human form to lay into it with E-DNA, Psionic, and MC based attacks.
All Glory, All Honor
Victory Is Upon Us
Our Savior, Fight Evil
Send Armies To Defend Us
Europa, Europa
Find Better Days Before Us
In Kindness, In Spirit
Lead Us To A Greater Calling
Me and Umbra continued to pound the beast, and when it tried to fight back, a Dread Lord launched meteor knocked it away.
Then, using all my strength, I hurled it into the air, tearing one of my arm muscles in the process. Oh well.
Determined not to lose, I leapt into the air, using a supercharged version of a bullet jump (pretty much shredding my leg muscles in the process).
Pain does not matter now - only victory.
As the creature tried to aim at me, I pulled out my rifle and charged up its under-slug laser.
Fun fact: said laser was a scaled down annihilaser.
And while it wasn't capable of shattering planets anymore, said laser was still more than capable of tearing through moutains...or roasting the poor Coelohim beneath me.
Not letting up for a moment, I went into freefall toward the monster, zaw drawn. It was time to end this.
Lennigrad, Berlin Wall
Rapidly, we fell downwards, creature and Commander locking eyes. The Coelohim's expression turned hateful, ready to slaughter me...until it realized that it couldn't move its muscles. They'd been roasted to the bone and, despite the creature apparently possessing a rapid regeneration ability, it still needed time to heal them.
March On Rome, Byzantium's Fall
Desperately, it tried to bite at me, but found itself unable to extend its neck far enough to reach any part of me.
Lightning War, Dresden Night
As we neared the ground, my blade moved into position. Two seconds after I had it ready, we made impact.
Drop The Bomb, End This fight
Without missing a beat, I swung down....and free the Coelohim's head from its neck.
NEVER AGAIN!
At last, it died, it died. Slowly, it body ceased twitching, whilst its shocked eyes slowly glazed over, but didn't close.
Finally, victory.
Smiling I cried out in triumph.
Then, I collapsed.
XXXXX
I watched as my pawn fell to the ground, battered and beaten, but still alive.
I smiled, only for my face to ache in disagreement.
Well, that's it then - this fight is over. He won.
Not that it meant much for me. Flame might have healed me, but really, he was only delaying the inevitable - I'd taken too much damage to heal from here. At best, I had...fifteen minutes left. My Commander had won the battle, won the war even, but I wasn't going to live to see the fruits of his victory.
….Oh well. I guess that's how life went.
And really, this wasn't a bad way to go. Giving your life for a cause you believed in.
Of course, I'd be leaving Cassidy behind...and all of my followers...maybe this wasn't such a good end.
...Not like I could do anything about it - this was the end of the line.
Exhausted, I turned my face to the clouds...which had just parted, revealing the sun.
How cliché.
...still beautiful, though.
Well, at least I had one silver linning to all this.
Letting out a sigh, I closed my eyes. Might as well look my best ot meet the great shadow.
...Why did the sun get so much dimmer? I'm still hurting, so I haven't passed on just yet.
"..You look like crap."
….What?!
Opening my eyes, I found a very beaten up Commander staring right a me.
"Feeling okay, beautiful?"
"..Somewhat."
Before I could pester him for more, he put his hands around me and hoisted me up, bridal style. Oddly, while I had expected my wounds to hurt, the minute he laid his hands on me, I felt...soothed.
"Vermir."
...Oh. I guess he had paid attention when I taught him healing magic.
Suddenly, the ship around us came apart. Everything apart from the platfor we were on folded up, whilst said platfor rapidly descended through the ship. All around us, the crew had returned, hastily working to fix the damages to the superstructure and return things to the way they had been.
I could only observe this all for a moment, before my wayward pawn moved the platform to the hospital bay. In mere seconds, he had me on a bed, and was hastily trying to dress my wounds....even though he wasn't doing well at all. Even in comparison to me.
"...Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you healing me? You're practically on death's door yourself, but you're wasting time to make sure I'm okay before you get any help."
"Well, friends put friends before themselves."
"...We're, friends?"
"By this point, regardless of what either us say, yes. We're friends."
I know he'd said this over a transmission. He'd told someone else that I was his friend.
Still, hearing him tell me this to my face made me feel....happy.
"..Okay."
Slowly, my pawn pushed himself to his limits, using whatever powers he had to fix my wounds. After those were mostly treated, his hands started to glow purple...ah yes, Necrogensis. Power over fear...and anger...and the soul.
Using what remained of his strength, my amusement worked to heal my soul. I didn't know if he succeeded, at least not at the time, but it did make me feel...better.
Finally finished, my Commander let out a sigh. Then he fell over, unconscious, but still strong.
The fact he was taking a knap on my chest was...honestly? I didn't give a fuck.
...Well, he's saved me. Might as well return the favor.
I used some of my remaining strength to call in my best healers. Once they arrived, I left him in their hands.
Movement at the corner of my eyes turned my attention to a nearby bed...but there was no one there.
...Must have been the Man in the Wall.
XXXXXXXX
The Great Shadow watched on as the girl massaged the young man resting on her (rather generous) bosom, seemingly uncaring that he wore a coat of his own blood. In fact, she seemed to take enjoyment in cleaning the sanguine fluid off his face.
How cute. Perhaps they were lovers? At the very least, they were close friends.
One did not give up part of their soul to someone they were not close to, after all.
Indeed, the human had taken fragments of his soul and used it to heal the girl's. Unknowingly, he had also taken the torn pieces of her soul into his own, to repair the damage he had inflicted upon his own.
One could say they were soulmates, in the most literal way imaginable.
Amused, the Shadow chuckled, then prepared to leave. He had expected to take the girl's soul with him, but he could wait.
After all, he was Myrthir, Lord of the Shrouded Kingdom, Ruler of the Afterlife. He had waited millions of years for some souls to come his way, billions in some cases.
He could most certainly wait for this one to come his way.
XXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
That made my blood boil. My grip tightened around my zaw, Unwritten Destiny. Yeah, absurd name, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
"Know that your efforts defeat me are pointless," intoned the beast. "I am far beyond your ability to outmatch-"
It prompted shut up when a targeting laser appeared above it.
"You were saying."
"...One moment."
Suddenly, a pulse of light shot out form the monster, which caused my vision to screw up, as if I had been hit by one of the magnetic bubbles the Tenno created from sabotaging a reactor.
"Warning: Commander Network compromised. Only forces within a fifty kilometer radius will remain under your control, Commander."
"You were saying?"
...Welp, time to go to plan B.
"..Does anyone read me?"
"We read you LOUD AND CLEAR!" intoned Asaru.
"Good. I apologize to ask, but could you help me with one last problem?"
"YES! JUST GIVE US THE WORD!"
"....That was a lot more forceful than I had expected."
"You are way to humble for your own good," intoned Cassidy.
"Oh. Well, just listen and do what I say....sorry if that sounds demanding."
"It does, but you have earned the right to do that," replied Etran.
"Okaaay."
Then, I turned my attention to the Coelohim.
"Let's end this."
"As you wish. But do you really think that fragile form can stand up to my might?"
I could only respond to that by smiling, much to the monster's surprise. "Who says this will be the form you will fight?"
Then, my body glowed bright blue, and a moment later, an angelic figure replaced it.
This was my pinnacle of warframe research - Marcosias, the Nephilim. A hybrid of heavenly and infernal power, attuned to the designs of Equinox. Currently in its angelic form, it allowed me to fire forth a blast of light, blinding the monster, after which I charged toward it, shifting into its demonic form. When I was right up to the beast's form, I unleashed its darkers powers, blasting the body with explosive force and setting it alight. The result was larger than anticipated, to my immense joy.
As the beast tried to recover, I unleashed Hellfire upon it, igniting it once more, before transitioning into its angelic form and bathing it in Heavens Light, leaving it damaged and confused.
"What the-"
"I still have a few tricks up my sleeves. Now, bring it on!"
"FINE!"
AN: Soundtrack Start: Europa by Globus
Howling I anger, the Coelohim somehow created an ax and leapt into the air. Side stepping it, I transferred out of my frame and used a void blast to knock it back, before beginning to pepper it with my Kitgun. When the creature recovered, I returned to Marcosias, pulling out the weapons I had crafted for it - an automatic shotgun that could switch into a semi-auto rifle, which I had named Nephilim; a set of dual pistols that could be treated as separate weapons known as the Twin Judgements; and a sword and shield combo known as Malebranche and Seraphim. I'd really wanted to make a duality motif for this thing, okay?
As the beast recovered and charged at me, I aimed the rifle and pulled the trigger, catching it in its leg and sending it tumbling down. As it rolled past, I switched to shotgun mode and blasted it away. No way I would lose to this monster!
From Agincourt To Waterloo
Poitiers And Then Ajou
The Roses War, The Hundred Years
Through Battlefields Of Blood And Tears
Standing tall once more, the monster threw something into the ground, causing it to grow into another plant, which soon grew a bow from one of its limbs, as well as organic arrows. Taking aim, the beast let loose the pointed objects.
Quickly bracing with my shield, I transferred back out of the suit and used my E-DNA powers to ignite the tree, forcing the Coelohim back.
From Bosworth Field To Point Du Hoc
Stalingrad And The Siege Of York
The Bloody Turf Of Gallipoli
Had No effect On The Killing Spree
As it reeled from the assault, I summoned forth my avatar and fired a null lance at the humanoid, sending it flying back. As I advanced toward it, though, the monster released another pulse of energy, turning the ground around it into a field surrounded by what looked like anemone.
Well, I can work with that.
'Jegudiel, Cyreesia, and all you Clumpies, your time is up.'
"Can't find a way to outmatch my defences?"
"Actually, I can!"
The creature looked perplexed by that.
Then it heard the sound of aircraft approaching. Before it could react, though, I opened fire - not going to let it escape.
Bannockburn To Austerlitz
The Fall Of France And The German Blitz
The Cruelest Of Atrocities
Europa's Blood Is Borne Of These
The creature didn't notice the airstrike until the first hits came. And before it could recover from being hit with a Seraph and a Scimitar, several kestrels and Mecha Clumpys started peppering it with lasers and bullets.
Heaven Help In All Our Battles
Heaven See Love
Heaven Help Us
As the creature regained its feet, something huge burst out of my ship, turning toward it, the Coelohim found itself facing the mass of technocyte flesh that had been part of me until recently...and which I still have control over.
Roaring, my old body shot a gout of flame at the Coelohim, which soon dodged and countered by, to my surprise,modify its skin to secrete a flame retardant fluid.
Then, to the bafflement of my sensors, it began increasing the gravity field around itself, causing my old body to begin to collapse under its own weight.
Well, two can play at that game.
I opened up a portal beneath the my technocyte form, causing it to vanish. The Coelohim tried to find where I had moved the monster, but stopped when it noticed that a shadow had suddenly appeared above it.
A moment later, and the creature was pancaked by my old body, whose weight had been increased to 1,000 times its current one. Amazingly, my form survived this and managed ot roll out of the impact crater it had made.
Bolshevisks And Feudal Lords
Chivalry To Civil Wars
Fascist Rule And Genocide
Now We Face The Rising Tide
Crying out in anger, the Progenitor creature leapt at me, and managed to knock me back. Keeping its momentum, it beat me with all its might, only to find itself weakened when I transferred back into Marcosias, unleashed its demon form, and sent a Malediction its way. Kicking free from its legs, I wrapped my own around its neck and lifted, slamming it into the ship.
Of New Crusades, Religious Wars
Insurgents Imported To Our Shores
The Western World, Gripped In Fear
The Mother Of All Battles Here
Returning to angelic form, I sent a Benediction toward Melissa, before sending a signal to XCOM and the A.R.C....god, I hoped I never wnet to the Primeval Universe - too much confusion there.
"Getting tire-"
The Coelohim was cut off when a plasma sniper shot flew toward it, causing tis head to jolt sideways from the impact. Jumping away, it readied for another attack...just as it heard the whistling.
Fun fact: SABR Artillery platforms hit very hard.
Heaven Help In All Our Battles
Heaven See Love
Heaven Help Us
Smirking at the creature's pain, returned to my normal form, then opened fire with an assault rifle of my own design - variable bullet firing combinations with underslug laser and grenades. Needless to say, those hurt a lot.
Avant hier, avons êtreHeaven See Love
Heaven Help Us
Smirking at the creature's pain, returned to my normal form, then opened fire with an assault rifle of my own design - variable bullet firing combinations with underslug laser and grenades. Needless to say, those hurt a lot.
Déja demain, (nous) sommes éclairée
I barely got to use it, though, before the creature tackled me and started wailing away-ARGHSGBHTSBL
SO MUCH PAIN! MAKE IT STOP!
Yet the blows continued, until I felt my consciousness fading.
How did this thing manage to still have this much strength?
...Had I even put a dent in it?
…..Could I really hope to beat it? Maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew.
Maybe this was how I was going to die...how my empire would die...how my Ro...my spons...my friend, would die...
̵͉͉͚̣̩͔̣͔͇̝ͧ̽̒̊́̓̓̑͘͠.......̨̔͐̽͗̄͗ͯ̊̄̆̆ͩ̂̅͆ͧ͌ͯ̚͞͏̠̬̟͚͕͙͚̬F̡̪͕͖͎̮̃͌ͧͯ̿̔͞Ṳ̧̮̠̯͍͙͎̰̞̲̻̜̲͓̼̏̌̓̓́̔̍̿̔͌͆ͬ̚̚̕͞͠ͅC̢͙̲̖̙͉̬̲͉̻͍̹͍͇̟͍͉͖ͩ̋̓̋ͨ̓̾̽̀͗̉̐̃̌͒ͭ̎̈̉͝K̴̛̟̙̬̜̜̮͔͔͎̹̝̳̫̠̣̼͐ͮͮ̎ͭ̉̃ͬͣ́̚͡ͅ ̋͂̋̈͗ͤ͐҉̼̗͚̫͓̳̯̜T̢̛̙̜͈̞̫̭̲͗̊̽̒͑͗̉͊ͤ̍̿̂̊̓̈̚͜͜H̙̻̺̟̼̥̘̙̬̜̜̩̊̿͆̋̿̓͋̽̉ͨ̄͋́ͥ̆͘͢Ạ̡̬̟͖̩͔͇̹͇̯͙̻͇̲̞̠͍͋͒̏ͤͭ́̃ͫ̃́͌̎ͤ̉́̉̇́͋ͅͅT̡̬̦̖͕̣ͭ̃̓ͪ̀͋̌ͨ̅ͫ̉ͯ̊̓̕͘!̢̯̹̫̭̽̊̽ͪ̒̏̇ͯ̏̄͊̽ͧ̄̌̎
Forcing myself to remain conscious, I called forth the form of Umbra, then unleashed a howl. As the organic drone reeled, I kicked it away, impaled it upon my swords, then transferred out and resummoned Marcosias.
All Glory, All Honor
Victory Is Upon Us
Our Savior, Fight Evil
Send Armies To Defend Us
Charging up my frame, I unleashed its ultimate, Perdition. Then, as the damage increased, and the numbers on my hud soared, I switched to angelic form, and unleashed my second ultimate, Salvation.
Instantly, the shards of hide and bone in my body were expelled, whilst my wounds, and those on Umbra, and on Melissa, began to heal themselves.
THERE WOULD BE NO MERCY FORM HERE ON OUT!
SO MUCH PAIN! MAKE IT STOP!
Yet the blows continued, until I felt my consciousness fading.
How did this thing manage to still have this much strength?
...Had I even put a dent in it?
…..Could I really hope to beat it? Maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew.
Maybe this was how I was going to die...how my empire would die...how my Ro...my spons...my friend, would die...
̵͉͉͚̣̩͔̣͔͇̝ͧ̽̒̊́̓̓̑͘͠.......̨̔͐̽͗̄͗ͯ̊̄̆̆ͩ̂̅͆ͧ͌ͯ̚͞͏̠̬̟͚͕͙͚̬F̡̪͕͖͎̮̃͌ͧͯ̿̔͞Ṳ̧̮̠̯͍͙͎̰̞̲̻̜̲͓̼̏̌̓̓́̔̍̿̔͌͆ͬ̚̚̕͞͠ͅC̢͙̲̖̙͉̬̲͉̻͍̹͍͇̟͍͉͖ͩ̋̓̋ͨ̓̾̽̀͗̉̐̃̌͒ͭ̎̈̉͝K̴̛̟̙̬̜̜̮͔͔͎̹̝̳̫̠̣̼͐ͮͮ̎ͭ̉̃ͬͣ́̚͡ͅ ̋͂̋̈͗ͤ͐҉̼̗͚̫͓̳̯̜T̢̛̙̜͈̞̫̭̲͗̊̽̒͑͗̉͊ͤ̍̿̂̊̓̈̚͜͜H̙̻̺̟̼̥̘̙̬̜̜̩̊̿͆̋̿̓͋̽̉ͨ̄͋́ͥ̆͘͢Ạ̡̬̟͖̩͔͇̹͇̯͙̻͇̲̞̠͍͋͒̏ͤͭ́̃ͫ̃́͌̎ͤ̉́̉̇́͋ͅͅT̡̬̦̖͕̣ͭ̃̓ͪ̀͋̌ͨ̅ͫ̉ͯ̊̓̕͘!̢̯̹̫̭̽̊̽ͪ̒̏̇ͯ̏̄͊̽ͧ̄̌̎
Forcing myself to remain conscious, I called forth the form of Umbra, then unleashed a howl. As the organic drone reeled, I kicked it away, impaled it upon my swords, then transferred out and resummoned Marcosias.
All Glory, All Honor
Victory Is Upon Us
Our Savior, Fight Evil
Send Armies To Defend Us
Charging up my frame, I unleashed its ultimate, Perdition. Then, as the damage increased, and the numbers on my hud soared, I switched to angelic form, and unleashed my second ultimate, Salvation.
Instantly, the shards of hide and bone in my body were expelled, whilst my wounds, and those on Umbra, and on Melissa, began to heal themselves.
THERE WOULD BE NO MERCY FORM HERE ON OUT!
Empires Built, And Nations Burned
Mass Graves Remain Unturned
Descendants Of The Dispossessed
Return With Bombs Strapped To Their Chests
Charging at the monster, I unleashed all I had, beating and tearing at it, pumping it full of bullets, burning it with lasers, and ravaging it with my blades and fists. It would not win this fight!
There's Hate For Life, And Death In Hate
Emerging From The New Caliphate
The Victors Of This War On Fear
Will Rule For The Next Thousand Years
Hurling it around, I dodged its counterattacks, rolled with its punches, and even managed to kick it in the gut when it tried to increase the gravity around us, which ended up cancelling that attack. I soon returned to my human form to lay into it with E-DNA, Psionic, and MC based attacks.
All Glory, All Honor
Victory Is Upon Us
Our Savior, Fight Evil
Send Armies To Defend Us
Europa, Europa
Find Better Days Before Us
In Kindness, In Spirit
Lead Us To A Greater Calling
Me and Umbra continued to pound the beast, and when it tried to fight back, a Dread Lord launched meteor knocked it away.
Then, using all my strength, I hurled it into the air, tearing one of my arm muscles in the process. Oh well.
Determined not to lose, I leapt into the air, using a supercharged version of a bullet jump (pretty much shredding my leg muscles in the process).
Pain does not matter now - only victory.
As the creature tried to aim at me, I pulled out my rifle and charged up its under-slug laser.
Fun fact: said laser was a scaled down annihilaser.
And while it wasn't capable of shattering planets anymore, said laser was still more than capable of tearing through moutains...or roasting the poor Coelohim beneath me.
Not letting up for a moment, I went into freefall toward the monster, zaw drawn. It was time to end this.
Lennigrad, Berlin Wall
Rapidly, we fell downwards, creature and Commander locking eyes. The Coelohim's expression turned hateful, ready to slaughter me...until it realized that it couldn't move its muscles. They'd been roasted to the bone and, despite the creature apparently possessing a rapid regeneration ability, it still needed time to heal them.
March On Rome, Byzantium's Fall
Desperately, it tried to bite at me, but found itself unable to extend its neck far enough to reach any part of me.
Lightning War, Dresden Night
As we neared the ground, my blade moved into position. Two seconds after I had it ready, we made impact.
Drop The Bomb, End This fight
Without missing a beat, I swung down....and free the Coelohim's head from its neck.
NEVER AGAIN!
At last, it died, it died. Slowly, it body ceased twitching, whilst its shocked eyes slowly glazed over, but didn't close.
Finally, victory.
Smiling I cried out in triumph.
Then, I collapsed.
XXXXX
I watched as my pawn fell to the ground, battered and beaten, but still alive.
I smiled, only for my face to ache in disagreement.
Well, that's it then - this fight is over. He won.
Not that it meant much for me. Flame might have healed me, but really, he was only delaying the inevitable - I'd taken too much damage to heal from here. At best, I had...fifteen minutes left. My Commander had won the battle, won the war even, but I wasn't going to live to see the fruits of his victory.
….Oh well. I guess that's how life went.
And really, this wasn't a bad way to go. Giving your life for a cause you believed in.
Of course, I'd be leaving Cassidy behind...and all of my followers...maybe this wasn't such a good end.
...Not like I could do anything about it - this was the end of the line.
Exhausted, I turned my face to the clouds...which had just parted, revealing the sun.
How cliché.
...still beautiful, though.
Well, at least I had one silver linning to all this.
Letting out a sigh, I closed my eyes. Might as well look my best ot meet the great shadow.
...Why did the sun get so much dimmer? I'm still hurting, so I haven't passed on just yet.
"..You look like crap."
….What?!
Opening my eyes, I found a very beaten up Commander staring right a me.
"Feeling okay, beautiful?"
"..Somewhat."
Before I could pester him for more, he put his hands around me and hoisted me up, bridal style. Oddly, while I had expected my wounds to hurt, the minute he laid his hands on me, I felt...soothed.
"Vermir."
...Oh. I guess he had paid attention when I taught him healing magic.
Suddenly, the ship around us came apart. Everything apart from the platfor we were on folded up, whilst said platfor rapidly descended through the ship. All around us, the crew had returned, hastily working to fix the damages to the superstructure and return things to the way they had been.
I could only observe this all for a moment, before my wayward pawn moved the platform to the hospital bay. In mere seconds, he had me on a bed, and was hastily trying to dress my wounds....even though he wasn't doing well at all. Even in comparison to me.
"...Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you healing me? You're practically on death's door yourself, but you're wasting time to make sure I'm okay before you get any help."
"Well, friends put friends before themselves."
"...We're, friends?"
"By this point, regardless of what either us say, yes. We're friends."
I know he'd said this over a transmission. He'd told someone else that I was his friend.
Still, hearing him tell me this to my face made me feel....happy.
"..Okay."
Slowly, my pawn pushed himself to his limits, using whatever powers he had to fix my wounds. After those were mostly treated, his hands started to glow purple...ah yes, Necrogensis. Power over fear...and anger...and the soul.
Using what remained of his strength, my amusement worked to heal my soul. I didn't know if he succeeded, at least not at the time, but it did make me feel...better.
Finally finished, my Commander let out a sigh. Then he fell over, unconscious, but still strong.
The fact he was taking a knap on my chest was...honestly? I didn't give a fuck.
...Well, he's saved me. Might as well return the favor.
I used some of my remaining strength to call in my best healers. Once they arrived, I left him in their hands.
Movement at the corner of my eyes turned my attention to a nearby bed...but there was no one there.
...Must have been the Man in the Wall.
XXXXXXXX
The Great Shadow watched on as the girl massaged the young man resting on her (rather generous) bosom, seemingly uncaring that he wore a coat of his own blood. In fact, she seemed to take enjoyment in cleaning the sanguine fluid off his face.
How cute. Perhaps they were lovers? At the very least, they were close friends.
One did not give up part of their soul to someone they were not close to, after all.
Indeed, the human had taken fragments of his soul and used it to heal the girl's. Unknowingly, he had also taken the torn pieces of her soul into his own, to repair the damage he had inflicted upon his own.
One could say they were soulmates, in the most literal way imaginable.
Amused, the Shadow chuckled, then prepared to leave. He had expected to take the girl's soul with him, but he could wait.
After all, he was Myrthir, Lord of the Shrouded Kingdom, Ruler of the Afterlife. He had waited millions of years for some souls to come his way, billions in some cases.
He could most certainly wait for this one to come his way.
XXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
- Location
- Beyond the Unknowable Veil
It's always good to find a decent Death of whatever type. The patient kind that will wait, not the mean, greedy ones that want you dead NOW!
- Location
- England
So romantic. Like Harry Potter and Voldemort.
I guess this does make them each other's horcrux in the Rowlings universe, though.
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
The couple you mentioned will never, EVER be considered romantic.So romantic. Like Harry Potter and Voldemort.
I guess this does make them each other's horcrux in the Rowlings universe, though.
But yes to the second statement.
191. Disclosure
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
It took me half a day to wake up after healing Melissa. I'd slept through the night, and entirely by chance, awoken at dawn.
...Why was my head sandwiched between two soft, warm...oh.
Slowly, I lifted my head up from Melissa's chest, taking care not to wake her. Once I was free, I stared at her for a moment, for the first time able to see what I assumed was her true form.
First off, she was just about as tall as I am. She also had hair similar to myself - platinum blonde, with the ends being orange, purple, and green. Her hair was also intermixed with feathers and fleshy tendrils. Growing around her neck was a second, floppy jaw, resembling a coelacanth of all things. Normally, I'd find it intimidating, but right now? It looked adorable.
There wasn't much else that I could not about her physical appearance, other than the fact that she was considerably more stacked than she had initially appeared to be, and also had feathery tail...which I really wanted to pet, but refrained from doing, partially because doing so was childish, but mostly because I wasn't sure whether doing so would wake her. Or make her get really weird, lewd dreams.
Unable to get anymore information on her, I forced myself to stand up, ignoring the aching in my body, and sent myself to the ships' mess. So far, rebuilding was going well, but I had more work to do.
XXXXXX
I don't really know how long I slept for, though when I finally started to awaken, my eyes refused to open..at least unitl a smell came to my nose: that of blackberry pancakes, mixed with maple syrup.
My favorite.
Instantly, my eyes shot open. Food, glorious food! I must have some.
I found the pancakes arrayed out on a small table in front of me, along with milk and better.
Nearby stood my pawn...my Commander, watching on intently.
"Good morning, beautiful."
"Oh, so you're happy to see me?"
"Always happy to see a friend doing fine."
And there goes my heart again. Having someone who both IS my friend and admits as much is weird.
"Thanks," I stammered out, not wanting to sound ungrateful. "So, where'd you get this?"
"I made it."
"You...made breakfast...for me?"
"Yes."
"...That's very kind."
"Least I could do....funny, didn't I wake up once to you watching me in a hospital?"
"Eh, seems we've come full circle."
"So it seems. So, what do you want now?"
"In order: get both of us up to tip top shape, get this ship mobile, then deal with the Grineer, Corpus, and Sentient's surrenders."
"You mean make them surrender?"
"No, I mean discuss the terms of their surrenders. They already formally made a surrender, and now they just want to decide the terms. What they'd sent into that last battle was all they had left. None of them are in an position to try and fight back."
"..Unusually smart of them. Oh, and why'd you make me blackberry pancakes?"
"Cassidy said they were your favorite."
"Oh. Well, the thought is appreciated, Melissa."
...I needed to correct him about that, didn't I?
"Vivienne."
"Say again?"
"My name is Vivienne...well, actually, it's a lot longer, but anything after Vivienne Veravenora Vitrimithios gets hard to fit on a business card or name tag, so just stick with Vivienne."
"...Okay, Vivienne...Can I call you Viv?"
"Only people I trust absolutely can call me that."
The Commander seemed to deflate at that remark.
"So yes. You can."
And then he perked right back up. Cute.
XXXXXXX
The repairs and refurbishment of the Extinction were going quite well, so I had plenty of time to spend with Melis...with Vivienne. It was nice, to say the least. She was quite a bit different from what I had initially believed her to be - friendly, kind, beautiful (well, more so) and, surprisingly, lonely. She'd already made it clear that she did miss her family, and was unhappy about not having friends, but from how she was acting right now, she had been hiding the full extent of that.
….A sympathetic ROB. What are the odds I'm the first commander to ever have one of those?
And what are the odds I would have refused the one thing most commanders desired because of that?
XXXXXXXX
"So, do you want to go home?"
"What?" questioned the Commander, perplexed by my question.
I sighed. Perhaps I should have worded that better. "Do you want to go back to your old life? Before you became a Commander? Because I'm willing to send you there."
He froze up at that. Unsurprising, really.
"Oh, and I would be sneidng you back to the moment you left, give or take a few seconds. It would be as if you never left."
His face hardened up somewhat. I suppose he was lost in thought.
I had to wait a minute for his reply.
"...No, actually."
….What?!
"I don't want to go back. As for why...well, first off, I don't want to leave Rory behind, and I don't want to explain him to my parents..."
Understandable.
"...I'd also need to leave behind my creations and their empire..."
Power is hard to give up, yes.
"...I'm really not sure if I'd fit in anymore..."
Maybe a mindwipe could fix that.
"...and lastly, I don't want to leave you."
……………..
………………
…………
XXXXXXX
Vivienne.exe has crashed!
Rebooting...Reboot Sucessful!
XXXXXXX
"...You...don't want to leave me?"
"Yes," I answered. "I've honestly had a better friendship with you in these past few months than I've had with any of my other friends in several years.....and you're also the only girl I really get along with often."
"...You did spend a lot more time playing videogames than being with friends."
Guilty as charged. "So, is it okay if I reject your offer?"
"...Yes."
I was about to ask more, when suddenly a letter, of all things, appeared in front of me. It was addressed to the both of us.
Sharing a glance, we tore it open.
Get the Commander ready, and bring it with you. I have need to discuss things with the both of you.
-Celm
….Well someone wants to get things done fast, it seems.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Standing next to the recently refurbished Xenosentry, we found ourselves being watched by Celm and his council.
"For what it is worth, we are sorry," intoned one of the Councilors. Said statement was clearly directed at Viv.
"Forgive me if I am not exactly forgiving."
"That is hardly surprising," intoned Queeneeria.
"You, however, are forgiven."
"Thank you," responded the female Councilor.
"...Do you want to check the Commander for hacks?" I inquired. "I'm still fixing some damages Hunhow inflicted on its coding."
"That won't be necessary," replied Celm, who then turned toward the Commander. "Alpha-Nu-Kepler-Rho-Chi-Ri-Qin-Niner-Seven-Tree-Four-Zulu-Fiver"
"Access Code Accepted. Returning to last uncorrupted system state."
….What?
"How did you know that?"
"I put it there. You don't examine a commander without figuring out a few things..."
"Okay..."
"Though I do believe I owe you some honesty now."
"Can you elaborate-"
I wasn't able to finish that statement before a portal suddenly opened up in front of us, which promptly spilled out Etran, Cyreesia, Asaru, and a couple of other people from the various empires I'd met, before closing. As the group got back to there feet, I heard Etran mutter something about needing to be more specific when asking Wally to send him somewhere.
It didn't take long for the new arrivals to realize we were in the middle of a meeting.
"On behalf of all of my companions, I apologize for interrupting this meeting," began Cyreesia. "My name-"
"Cyreesia, granddaughter of Executor Mytruthia," finished Celm. "How is you grandmother doing, but the way?"
"....I'm sorry, have we met?"
"Yes, actually, though I wore a different face and spoke a different voice. Would all of you be okay if I returned to that older form?"
I thought for a moment, then nodded, as did all of the others.
"Good. This might clear up some things for you."
With that, Celm changed. Flesh split, golden plates and feathers emerged from his skin, and bones stretched as Celm turned into an entirely different, inhuman, golden looking creature.
A very, very, very familiar looking golden creature.
As he finished taking his new form, I struggled for words, yet none.
Eventually, though, I did manage to choke out some words.
"Yo...you...you're a....Progenitor!"
"Indeed. I, Celempheros, am a Progenitor. And now, I believe I owe you the truth."
XXXXXXXX
AN: Read And Review! This Is Flameal15k, signing off!
...Why was my head sandwiched between two soft, warm...oh.
Slowly, I lifted my head up from Melissa's chest, taking care not to wake her. Once I was free, I stared at her for a moment, for the first time able to see what I assumed was her true form.
First off, she was just about as tall as I am. She also had hair similar to myself - platinum blonde, with the ends being orange, purple, and green. Her hair was also intermixed with feathers and fleshy tendrils. Growing around her neck was a second, floppy jaw, resembling a coelacanth of all things. Normally, I'd find it intimidating, but right now? It looked adorable.
There wasn't much else that I could not about her physical appearance, other than the fact that she was considerably more stacked than she had initially appeared to be, and also had feathery tail...which I really wanted to pet, but refrained from doing, partially because doing so was childish, but mostly because I wasn't sure whether doing so would wake her. Or make her get really weird, lewd dreams.
Unable to get anymore information on her, I forced myself to stand up, ignoring the aching in my body, and sent myself to the ships' mess. So far, rebuilding was going well, but I had more work to do.
XXXXXX
I don't really know how long I slept for, though when I finally started to awaken, my eyes refused to open..at least unitl a smell came to my nose: that of blackberry pancakes, mixed with maple syrup.
My favorite.
Instantly, my eyes shot open. Food, glorious food! I must have some.
I found the pancakes arrayed out on a small table in front of me, along with milk and better.
Nearby stood my pawn...my Commander, watching on intently.
"Good morning, beautiful."
"Oh, so you're happy to see me?"
"Always happy to see a friend doing fine."
And there goes my heart again. Having someone who both IS my friend and admits as much is weird.
"Thanks," I stammered out, not wanting to sound ungrateful. "So, where'd you get this?"
"I made it."
"You...made breakfast...for me?"
"Yes."
"...That's very kind."
"Least I could do....funny, didn't I wake up once to you watching me in a hospital?"
"Eh, seems we've come full circle."
"So it seems. So, what do you want now?"
"In order: get both of us up to tip top shape, get this ship mobile, then deal with the Grineer, Corpus, and Sentient's surrenders."
"You mean make them surrender?"
"No, I mean discuss the terms of their surrenders. They already formally made a surrender, and now they just want to decide the terms. What they'd sent into that last battle was all they had left. None of them are in an position to try and fight back."
"..Unusually smart of them. Oh, and why'd you make me blackberry pancakes?"
"Cassidy said they were your favorite."
"Oh. Well, the thought is appreciated, Melissa."
...I needed to correct him about that, didn't I?
"Vivienne."
"Say again?"
"My name is Vivienne...well, actually, it's a lot longer, but anything after Vivienne Veravenora Vitrimithios gets hard to fit on a business card or name tag, so just stick with Vivienne."
"...Okay, Vivienne...Can I call you Viv?"
"Only people I trust absolutely can call me that."
The Commander seemed to deflate at that remark.
"So yes. You can."
And then he perked right back up. Cute.
XXXXXXX
The repairs and refurbishment of the Extinction were going quite well, so I had plenty of time to spend with Melis...with Vivienne. It was nice, to say the least. She was quite a bit different from what I had initially believed her to be - friendly, kind, beautiful (well, more so) and, surprisingly, lonely. She'd already made it clear that she did miss her family, and was unhappy about not having friends, but from how she was acting right now, she had been hiding the full extent of that.
….A sympathetic ROB. What are the odds I'm the first commander to ever have one of those?
And what are the odds I would have refused the one thing most commanders desired because of that?
XXXXXXXX
"So, do you want to go home?"
"What?" questioned the Commander, perplexed by my question.
I sighed. Perhaps I should have worded that better. "Do you want to go back to your old life? Before you became a Commander? Because I'm willing to send you there."
He froze up at that. Unsurprising, really.
"Oh, and I would be sneidng you back to the moment you left, give or take a few seconds. It would be as if you never left."
His face hardened up somewhat. I suppose he was lost in thought.
I had to wait a minute for his reply.
"...No, actually."
….What?!
"I don't want to go back. As for why...well, first off, I don't want to leave Rory behind, and I don't want to explain him to my parents..."
Understandable.
"...I'd also need to leave behind my creations and their empire..."
Power is hard to give up, yes.
"...I'm really not sure if I'd fit in anymore..."
Maybe a mindwipe could fix that.
"...and lastly, I don't want to leave you."
……………..
………………
…………
XXXXXXX
Vivienne.exe has crashed!
Rebooting...Reboot Sucessful!
XXXXXXX
"...You...don't want to leave me?"
"Yes," I answered. "I've honestly had a better friendship with you in these past few months than I've had with any of my other friends in several years.....and you're also the only girl I really get along with often."
"...You did spend a lot more time playing videogames than being with friends."
Guilty as charged. "So, is it okay if I reject your offer?"
"...Yes."
I was about to ask more, when suddenly a letter, of all things, appeared in front of me. It was addressed to the both of us.
Sharing a glance, we tore it open.
Get the Commander ready, and bring it with you. I have need to discuss things with the both of you.
-Celm
….Well someone wants to get things done fast, it seems.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Standing next to the recently refurbished Xenosentry, we found ourselves being watched by Celm and his council.
"For what it is worth, we are sorry," intoned one of the Councilors. Said statement was clearly directed at Viv.
"Forgive me if I am not exactly forgiving."
"That is hardly surprising," intoned Queeneeria.
"You, however, are forgiven."
"Thank you," responded the female Councilor.
"...Do you want to check the Commander for hacks?" I inquired. "I'm still fixing some damages Hunhow inflicted on its coding."
"That won't be necessary," replied Celm, who then turned toward the Commander. "Alpha-Nu-Kepler-Rho-Chi-Ri-Qin-Niner-Seven-Tree-Four-Zulu-Fiver"
"Access Code Accepted. Returning to last uncorrupted system state."
….What?
"How did you know that?"
"I put it there. You don't examine a commander without figuring out a few things..."
"Okay..."
"Though I do believe I owe you some honesty now."
"Can you elaborate-"
I wasn't able to finish that statement before a portal suddenly opened up in front of us, which promptly spilled out Etran, Cyreesia, Asaru, and a couple of other people from the various empires I'd met, before closing. As the group got back to there feet, I heard Etran mutter something about needing to be more specific when asking Wally to send him somewhere.
It didn't take long for the new arrivals to realize we were in the middle of a meeting.
"On behalf of all of my companions, I apologize for interrupting this meeting," began Cyreesia. "My name-"
"Cyreesia, granddaughter of Executor Mytruthia," finished Celm. "How is you grandmother doing, but the way?"
"....I'm sorry, have we met?"
"Yes, actually, though I wore a different face and spoke a different voice. Would all of you be okay if I returned to that older form?"
I thought for a moment, then nodded, as did all of the others.
"Good. This might clear up some things for you."
With that, Celm changed. Flesh split, golden plates and feathers emerged from his skin, and bones stretched as Celm turned into an entirely different, inhuman, golden looking creature.
A very, very, very familiar looking golden creature.
As he finished taking his new form, I struggled for words, yet none.
Eventually, though, I did manage to choke out some words.
"Yo...you...you're a....Progenitor!"
"Indeed. I, Celempheros, am a Progenitor. And now, I believe I owe you the truth."
XXXXXXXX
AN: Read And Review! This Is Flameal15k, signing off!
- Location
- Beyond the Unknowable Veil
Not totally unexpected. We all knew one would turn out to be involved somewhere.
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
Well, there are two.
I think I already said it somewhere, but Viv's none-human parent was from the same species as Celm.
192. Secrest Unveiled...By Both Sides
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
….Well, that was not something I expected.
In hindsight, though, it made sense.
How did this Celm have access to a Commander or seven? He probably had it stored somewhere.
Why'd he want to 'preserve the legacy o the Progenitors'? That was his legacy.
His anger at Viv for allowing Hunhow to obtain a commander with much of its technology database intact? It was allowing an old enemy to gain a leg up on his kind.
There were other reasons, I'm sure, but those were the most obvious.
"So," I began, "you're a Progenitor."
"Indeed."
"...Did you own my Commander?"
"Own it? I built it."
Oh....
"I built all of them... well, the first few, to be precise."
Wow. That's a lot of Commanders...wait, does that mean my Commander was one of the originals?
"Yes, it is. Your mental defenses have improved, if the initial reports Omega has given were any indication, but you have a lot of learning to do."
I let my indignation at his comment flow through for a moment, then composed myself. "So, why did you leave the multiversal scene after you triumphed over everyone else? And I am refer to both you as an individual and your species."
"We did...not view our actions taken during the war as...justified."
"Understandable. Continue."
"We did not believe it was right to condemn others to die solely to make a point. We felt a line had been crossed, even if our enemies had crossed it first."
"They stole Virus Bombs from the Imperium of Man. I doubt anyone would fault you for that, even if you might have been overzealous in punishing the offenders."
Suddenly, Celm's expression turned to one of shock. "Do you honestly think the Imperium would e able to assist in such a large scale war and not crumble under the myriad other threats that oppose it?"
What did he mean-oh. "You mean you fought Dark Age humanity?"
"Well, before they defected to our side over having one of their superweapons stolen and used without their permission. Reasonable folks, they were. Far better than the modern Imperium. They even had a few ideas for how to beat up Chas....which aren't really up to date anymore, but might help with some of the current problems humanity faces."
I'd be surprised if anyone was willing to remain allies with people who did that.
"So, what happened after that, anyway?"
"Once our war was one, we retreated back to our home universe. Drifting through the currents of the Empyrean, we returned to the land of our origin."
"Empyrean? Sounds like something out of Warhammer 40,000."
"The similarities to the warp are not coincidental - the warp is a tributary to the sea's ocean, to use an analogy."
"...Seriously?"
"Oh please, why act surprised? Did you really think that such a system exists in isolation? Or that the warp represents the sphere of thought in its entirety? Surely their must be more to creation and thoughts than that cancerous growth."
...That was a good point. "Continue."
"Once our kind returned to our origin, we had a new vote to pass - another decision on an Extinction Edict - one for an old and might race, driven to extremes by conflict with others."
Another extinction edict? On whom? I mean, who would they know that deserved such a fate, who had acted so rashly during a war that...oh. "Your kind actually voted on whether or not to commit themselves to the grave?"
"Voted unanimously in favor of doing so, to be specific."
...What?
"...that's stupid," intoned Etran. "Why would anyone do that?"
"To answer that question, I need the Commander here to answer one for me: what lead the warp to become the nightmare that it is?"
"Well, the War in Heaven, and with it, the rampant use of psychic powers...and death of souled beings...."
"Exactly. And just as how death, fear, horror, range, debauchery and despair twisted the Realm of Souls into the Warp, so too can they turn the Empyrean Sea into a nightmare. Unlike the Warp, though, the sea can rid itself of this corruption."
"How?"
At this, Queeneria decided to speak. "It opens up a place in a random universe and spews out its corruption into that land, where it will break down faster than it would in the sea. I belive one such example is the Zone of Alienation. As if Chernobyl had enough issues already."
Now it was Cyreesia's turn to speak. "So why couldn't the sea just open to a universe or dozen where life never really appeared? Nothing bad would happen in that case."
"Merely asking that question provides its answer - you assume the sea can choose where it opens."
It cant?
"No, my dear Commander, it can. And let me say, the sea holds a deep dislike for those whose actions taint it."
….What? "Wait, wait, wait. You mean that the Empyrean Sea is intelligent, it can choose where to vent its corruption...and that it chose to vent it on your home universe as vengeance for causing said corruption?"
"Yes, the last especially, as my kind are native to the sea, and any actions we perform have greater ripples on it than other species...well, barring mankind, who has probed the sea enough to also draw its ire."
"So how did you try to end your kind, and why did it fail?"
"We settled on the simplest way of driving our people to Oblivion - let the corruption vented on our kind devour us. As for why it failed, well, the humans of our universe did not take kindly to our decision. The fought for us, and after a while, we joined them in defying our own judgement. We survived, so...yeah."
".....What do your kind do now?"
"For the most part? Try to fix our mess."
"What mess?"
"Well, do you really think that we were the only ones the sea wanted dead? It sent out efforts to purge the others who had fought in this conflict. It also made sure to launch all attacks simultaneously, so as to prevent any of the universes from coordinating their efforts to whether the storm. Many of those we fought....are now gone forever, only surviving in copies of their universes that avoided the worst of the sea's retribution."
"Understood. Now, I have one last question."
"Shoot."
"Why are you so opposed to Commanders? Also, and I do apologize for making my last question two questions, why did all of our previous candidates for my position fail?"
"....Ah, yes, Milsanrima told me that she ha shown you that.
"I regards to the first question....I don't like people taking my things without my permission. To use an analogy, how would you like it if someone took a car you had just bought on a joyride? Even if they returned it to you unscathed, would you still be angry with them?"
"...Good point."
"As for the second...well, you succeeded where they failed."
"...They were wiped out by the Coelohim?"
"Coelohim, Commander forces, the list goes on. Commanders are so used to curbstomping foes that facing one who can match them tends to turn out...poorly, to say the least. Additionally, the Coelohim you encountered was specifically tailored to beat Progenitor technology, normal or biological, so that it would never fall into usurpers."
"Aren't I an usurper?"
"Your 'handler' gave her permission for you to use that, as do all ROBs, and maternally, she bears the blood of my species."
"...Wait, you mean Vivienne is a Progenitor?"
"Only on her mothers side, and due to her gender, the proper term would be Xziphid, but that's hare splitting."
I think Viv had shorted out upon learning what, exactly, she was.
"....Why do you even want your technology back?" I asked, still unsure. "...Sorry for asking another question."
"Don't be, and to answer that one, I...do not like the actions other commanders who have wielded our might. They tyr ot make things better, yet they make mistakes in spite of knowing how some things would turn out. Destroying an inhabited space station to stop one world from being scorched. Allowing parasitic space worms to run rampant in a universe after killing the one person who could have stopped them due to faulty knowledge. Condemning the Imperium to destruction, though that one was more by unforeseen consequences. Creating an unstable peace treaty between a rebellion and a federation that will inevitably lead to future conflict. The list goes on. And that doesn't even include those who have gone drunk with power."
"...Okay. I'm out of questions."
"Good. Now, if you'll excuse us, I must assist my wife in shutting down some systems that you accidentally activated during your last victory."
...What?
"You slew a Coelohim, but we do not put those in isolation. Each one is tethered to a pocket universe where more of its kind can be reproduced, which is in turn linked up to several others, to make for an even deadlier force. This was our final vanguard for when we died out - a force to ensure what was left of our might never fell into the hands of those who would abuse it."
"So, what, you made it so that if one machine/creature was destroyed, the rest became active?"
"Only fi they found proof multiple commanders were working in synch to one goal, good or ill. Luckily, that is not the case with you, so shutting them down should be easy-"
"Honey, a scout on the nearest Coelohim universe just started examining something odd. It appears to be some kind of cube."
"Cube?" I asked, confused. "What does it look like?"
"Have a look."
Instantly, Milsanrima obliged. "It appears to have drifted in from another universe, which is unsurprising - multiversal junk tends to end up in these pocket dimensions.
The minutes I saw the cube, though, I broke out in a cold sweat. Something Celm and his council quickly picked up on.
Before they could even borach the question, I pulled up an image of an almost identical cube form my menories. This had been what the Tenno had given me following the mission to Uranus.
And now, it was going to cause me so much trouble.
"Why are you so worried about this?" asked Celm. "It can't be that bad-"
I immediately pulled up everything relating to what I had done with the cube. It had included a handshake protocol to ensure only those who were intended to receive it got the message.
Unfortunately, it had just been received by beings who could easily access its data, but should never have read it/
I watched as Celm and the other Councilors read the message. Slowly, their eyes widened, and as they examined each detail of the message, they grew more and more alarmed. When they had finished their reading, all of them looked deathly white.
"Well...fuck," spoke Celempheros.
On the other screen, the scout had finished examining the cube. All of the planet it was on, everything was going berserk.
"...Ok, ok, I can deal with this. Just let me send the stand down code and-"
On the screen featuring the scout, a 'CODE NOT ACCEPTED' line suddenly appeared...as did a 'TRANSMITTING ACITVATION SIGNAL' line.
"...What?! How the...doesn't matter. I'll just use my other powers to-ARGH!"
Celm's eyes had started to glow when he had decided to use another solution to this problem, but he didn't get far before he flinched and fell over, eyes now bleeding profusely.
"CELM!" shouted his wife, who quickly began trying to assist him, as did all of his allies, and even my forces, whilst I pulled out some bandages from storage.
As I readied t apply the covering, though, my attention turned back to the screen.
'ACTIVATOIN SIGNAL SENT. MASS ACTIVATION HAS BEGUN.'
"...The activation signal went out, didn't it?"
I was surprised that Celm was able to recover enough to talk in such a short timespan, but I confirmed his fear.
"Yes. So, how bad is it?"
"In short? There are now one million plus pocket universes that are filled with Brutally Efficient Self Replicating Engines of War that want to kill you."
"I get the feeling it's worse than that."
"They are all going to share any information the get on you with each other, so that they can develop counter measures to kill you more effectively."
"...I can take that."
"They will also expand to other universes as they hunt for you, so there could potentially be a billion universes under their control by tomorrow."
…..I think the scream that I released upon hearing that statement put Umbra's radial howl to shame.
XXXXXXXXX
AN: Thank you, @Mr. Cloak, for providing me a supposed boon that could be easily crafted into a Diabolus ex Machina.
Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
In hindsight, though, it made sense.
How did this Celm have access to a Commander or seven? He probably had it stored somewhere.
Why'd he want to 'preserve the legacy o the Progenitors'? That was his legacy.
His anger at Viv for allowing Hunhow to obtain a commander with much of its technology database intact? It was allowing an old enemy to gain a leg up on his kind.
There were other reasons, I'm sure, but those were the most obvious.
"So," I began, "you're a Progenitor."
"Indeed."
"...Did you own my Commander?"
"Own it? I built it."
Oh....
"I built all of them... well, the first few, to be precise."
Wow. That's a lot of Commanders...wait, does that mean my Commander was one of the originals?
"Yes, it is. Your mental defenses have improved, if the initial reports Omega has given were any indication, but you have a lot of learning to do."
I let my indignation at his comment flow through for a moment, then composed myself. "So, why did you leave the multiversal scene after you triumphed over everyone else? And I am refer to both you as an individual and your species."
"We did...not view our actions taken during the war as...justified."
"Understandable. Continue."
"We did not believe it was right to condemn others to die solely to make a point. We felt a line had been crossed, even if our enemies had crossed it first."
"They stole Virus Bombs from the Imperium of Man. I doubt anyone would fault you for that, even if you might have been overzealous in punishing the offenders."
Suddenly, Celm's expression turned to one of shock. "Do you honestly think the Imperium would e able to assist in such a large scale war and not crumble under the myriad other threats that oppose it?"
What did he mean-oh. "You mean you fought Dark Age humanity?"
"Well, before they defected to our side over having one of their superweapons stolen and used without their permission. Reasonable folks, they were. Far better than the modern Imperium. They even had a few ideas for how to beat up Chas....which aren't really up to date anymore, but might help with some of the current problems humanity faces."
I'd be surprised if anyone was willing to remain allies with people who did that.
"So, what happened after that, anyway?"
"Once our war was one, we retreated back to our home universe. Drifting through the currents of the Empyrean, we returned to the land of our origin."
"Empyrean? Sounds like something out of Warhammer 40,000."
"The similarities to the warp are not coincidental - the warp is a tributary to the sea's ocean, to use an analogy."
"...Seriously?"
"Oh please, why act surprised? Did you really think that such a system exists in isolation? Or that the warp represents the sphere of thought in its entirety? Surely their must be more to creation and thoughts than that cancerous growth."
...That was a good point. "Continue."
"Once our kind returned to our origin, we had a new vote to pass - another decision on an Extinction Edict - one for an old and might race, driven to extremes by conflict with others."
Another extinction edict? On whom? I mean, who would they know that deserved such a fate, who had acted so rashly during a war that...oh. "Your kind actually voted on whether or not to commit themselves to the grave?"
"Voted unanimously in favor of doing so, to be specific."
...What?
"...that's stupid," intoned Etran. "Why would anyone do that?"
"To answer that question, I need the Commander here to answer one for me: what lead the warp to become the nightmare that it is?"
"Well, the War in Heaven, and with it, the rampant use of psychic powers...and death of souled beings...."
"Exactly. And just as how death, fear, horror, range, debauchery and despair twisted the Realm of Souls into the Warp, so too can they turn the Empyrean Sea into a nightmare. Unlike the Warp, though, the sea can rid itself of this corruption."
"How?"
At this, Queeneria decided to speak. "It opens up a place in a random universe and spews out its corruption into that land, where it will break down faster than it would in the sea. I belive one such example is the Zone of Alienation. As if Chernobyl had enough issues already."
Now it was Cyreesia's turn to speak. "So why couldn't the sea just open to a universe or dozen where life never really appeared? Nothing bad would happen in that case."
"Merely asking that question provides its answer - you assume the sea can choose where it opens."
It cant?
"No, my dear Commander, it can. And let me say, the sea holds a deep dislike for those whose actions taint it."
….What? "Wait, wait, wait. You mean that the Empyrean Sea is intelligent, it can choose where to vent its corruption...and that it chose to vent it on your home universe as vengeance for causing said corruption?"
"Yes, the last especially, as my kind are native to the sea, and any actions we perform have greater ripples on it than other species...well, barring mankind, who has probed the sea enough to also draw its ire."
"So how did you try to end your kind, and why did it fail?"
"We settled on the simplest way of driving our people to Oblivion - let the corruption vented on our kind devour us. As for why it failed, well, the humans of our universe did not take kindly to our decision. The fought for us, and after a while, we joined them in defying our own judgement. We survived, so...yeah."
".....What do your kind do now?"
"For the most part? Try to fix our mess."
"What mess?"
"Well, do you really think that we were the only ones the sea wanted dead? It sent out efforts to purge the others who had fought in this conflict. It also made sure to launch all attacks simultaneously, so as to prevent any of the universes from coordinating their efforts to whether the storm. Many of those we fought....are now gone forever, only surviving in copies of their universes that avoided the worst of the sea's retribution."
"Understood. Now, I have one last question."
"Shoot."
"Why are you so opposed to Commanders? Also, and I do apologize for making my last question two questions, why did all of our previous candidates for my position fail?"
"....Ah, yes, Milsanrima told me that she ha shown you that.
"I regards to the first question....I don't like people taking my things without my permission. To use an analogy, how would you like it if someone took a car you had just bought on a joyride? Even if they returned it to you unscathed, would you still be angry with them?"
"...Good point."
"As for the second...well, you succeeded where they failed."
"...They were wiped out by the Coelohim?"
"Coelohim, Commander forces, the list goes on. Commanders are so used to curbstomping foes that facing one who can match them tends to turn out...poorly, to say the least. Additionally, the Coelohim you encountered was specifically tailored to beat Progenitor technology, normal or biological, so that it would never fall into usurpers."
"Aren't I an usurper?"
"Your 'handler' gave her permission for you to use that, as do all ROBs, and maternally, she bears the blood of my species."
"...Wait, you mean Vivienne is a Progenitor?"
"Only on her mothers side, and due to her gender, the proper term would be Xziphid, but that's hare splitting."
I think Viv had shorted out upon learning what, exactly, she was.
"....Why do you even want your technology back?" I asked, still unsure. "...Sorry for asking another question."
"Don't be, and to answer that one, I...do not like the actions other commanders who have wielded our might. They tyr ot make things better, yet they make mistakes in spite of knowing how some things would turn out. Destroying an inhabited space station to stop one world from being scorched. Allowing parasitic space worms to run rampant in a universe after killing the one person who could have stopped them due to faulty knowledge. Condemning the Imperium to destruction, though that one was more by unforeseen consequences. Creating an unstable peace treaty between a rebellion and a federation that will inevitably lead to future conflict. The list goes on. And that doesn't even include those who have gone drunk with power."
"...Okay. I'm out of questions."
"Good. Now, if you'll excuse us, I must assist my wife in shutting down some systems that you accidentally activated during your last victory."
...What?
"You slew a Coelohim, but we do not put those in isolation. Each one is tethered to a pocket universe where more of its kind can be reproduced, which is in turn linked up to several others, to make for an even deadlier force. This was our final vanguard for when we died out - a force to ensure what was left of our might never fell into the hands of those who would abuse it."
"So, what, you made it so that if one machine/creature was destroyed, the rest became active?"
"Only fi they found proof multiple commanders were working in synch to one goal, good or ill. Luckily, that is not the case with you, so shutting them down should be easy-"
"Honey, a scout on the nearest Coelohim universe just started examining something odd. It appears to be some kind of cube."
"Cube?" I asked, confused. "What does it look like?"
"Have a look."
Instantly, Milsanrima obliged. "It appears to have drifted in from another universe, which is unsurprising - multiversal junk tends to end up in these pocket dimensions.
The minutes I saw the cube, though, I broke out in a cold sweat. Something Celm and his council quickly picked up on.
Before they could even borach the question, I pulled up an image of an almost identical cube form my menories. This had been what the Tenno had given me following the mission to Uranus.
And now, it was going to cause me so much trouble.
"Why are you so worried about this?" asked Celm. "It can't be that bad-"
I immediately pulled up everything relating to what I had done with the cube. It had included a handshake protocol to ensure only those who were intended to receive it got the message.
Unfortunately, it had just been received by beings who could easily access its data, but should never have read it/
Handshake Message: This is a final safe measure for any Commander moving towards a SpaceBattle or is moving Sufficent Velocity. Please respond. (MESSAGE REPEAT @ 3SECOND DELAY)
Handshake Response: #set_include(sufficient)(velocity)(space)(battles)/*combination_type = MIN-2
After Handshake Response detected, validate multi-spacial cordinates and local reference frames for contact via fabricator nanites.
Contact message after establishing fabrication firmware connection Via nanites:
"Hey. If you are reading this, you were once a human. Probably from Earth in the mid 20th century, maybe early 21st. I was one too.
As a commander in a vast and uncaring multiverse, filled with cosmic horrors and ROB's that are looking for a good story, I just want to tell you this: You are not alone.
Since I woke up in this massive robot body, I have thought about what I would want to hear out of a gift package from one commander to another. We can build anything we want given time and some knowlege. We can destroy galaxies given provocation.
And we are incredibly vulnerable, as, in most of the universes you will travel to, you will be alone.
Yes, you may have a companion. Maybe even a child that sprung from your mind like Athena from Zeus- but peers are rare for us now. We have the unique chance to actually make a difference in a vast universe, and the vaster multiverse, and yet we will either be enemies with beings on our own scale, or uneasy allies.
Do not give up! Someday, we will find our way home, or our way out of the eternal war, or finally destroy our enemies. Don't sacrifice who you are just to get an edge. Don't forget that there will be those small allies you may make along the way.
I have included a backup of all my tech that isn't directly related to inter-universe travel (although you may have or figure it out in any case, the math can be derived given time), the math behind our tech (because we may as well learn it), and two unique pieces of technology you may find incredibly useful... And one that is both derivative and way more effective than I would have expected.
First, something I call a 'Tuning Fork'. It re-enforces all the laws of the universe that are needed to make our tech work, but nothing else. It is our greatest weapon against magic, or someone with tech that can twist the laws of physics into a pretzel. Learn how it works- and it may save what counts for us as a soul.
Second, a small modification to the fabricator modules. Don't worry- this is the equivalent of a firmware update. It will allow you to work in more than three spacial dimensions for our gear. I think I was given the body of a late-series Commander, and this is a newer level of tech than even WE are used to, so think about it carefully. Space outside of the third dimension is mostly empty, but you never know- so be cautious! This upgrade will also augment your sensor packages, so be prepared for the new level of fidelity in your field and exotic detectors.
The third piece is a method for directing teleporters THROUGH teleporters. You may have noticed that the bog-standard teleporter (included in the tech backup) uses a shortest-distance method for connecting between gates, and that those gates only need two small standard generators worth of power each? Well that limit is set for a bit over a light-year. As I had no method of FTL at first, I rigged a method where these teleporters can 'cast' to a location without a receiving gate. Set up a gate there, link the two, then send through a third gate to cast farther. You can set up TITANIC teleporter chains, so that going through one gate ends up taking the shortest path to the receiver gate through a chain of other teleporters. It's a nice piece of infrastructure that can help you with any transportation needs until you work out any other form of FTL, and it can be used by client races while any bottlenecks can be fortified by you and your forces!
Anyway, you may have noticed that besides the tech backups, and this readme file, there is a massive stack of data. That's the Internet, yes, from Earth, with all Youtube Videos, and frankly everything I could get my fingers on from every website and archive humanity had created between the development of the internet as a thing to March, 2156. Yeah, I got dropped in a universe where James Cameron was either a god or one of the biological designers working for one.
REGARDLESS OF THE NAKED BLUE PEOPLE (yes, I know you would be looking at that now), I hope to meet you in person eventually... Or in giant metal robot bodies. Whichever.
Don't spend two long staring at the massive archive of porn. I just grabbed everything.
Don't give up. The Multiverse is BIG, but we can make a difference- and make the lives of so many others better... Just don't forget yourself. Even clad in metal, we are still human.
Sincerely,
Commander John Cloak"
Handshake Response: #set_include(sufficient)(velocity)(space)(battles)/*combination_type = MIN-2
After Handshake Response detected, validate multi-spacial cordinates and local reference frames for contact via fabricator nanites.
Contact message after establishing fabrication firmware connection Via nanites:
"Hey. If you are reading this, you were once a human. Probably from Earth in the mid 20th century, maybe early 21st. I was one too.
As a commander in a vast and uncaring multiverse, filled with cosmic horrors and ROB's that are looking for a good story, I just want to tell you this: You are not alone.
Since I woke up in this massive robot body, I have thought about what I would want to hear out of a gift package from one commander to another. We can build anything we want given time and some knowlege. We can destroy galaxies given provocation.
And we are incredibly vulnerable, as, in most of the universes you will travel to, you will be alone.
Yes, you may have a companion. Maybe even a child that sprung from your mind like Athena from Zeus- but peers are rare for us now. We have the unique chance to actually make a difference in a vast universe, and the vaster multiverse, and yet we will either be enemies with beings on our own scale, or uneasy allies.
Do not give up! Someday, we will find our way home, or our way out of the eternal war, or finally destroy our enemies. Don't sacrifice who you are just to get an edge. Don't forget that there will be those small allies you may make along the way.
I have included a backup of all my tech that isn't directly related to inter-universe travel (although you may have or figure it out in any case, the math can be derived given time), the math behind our tech (because we may as well learn it), and two unique pieces of technology you may find incredibly useful... And one that is both derivative and way more effective than I would have expected.
First, something I call a 'Tuning Fork'. It re-enforces all the laws of the universe that are needed to make our tech work, but nothing else. It is our greatest weapon against magic, or someone with tech that can twist the laws of physics into a pretzel. Learn how it works- and it may save what counts for us as a soul.
Second, a small modification to the fabricator modules. Don't worry- this is the equivalent of a firmware update. It will allow you to work in more than three spacial dimensions for our gear. I think I was given the body of a late-series Commander, and this is a newer level of tech than even WE are used to, so think about it carefully. Space outside of the third dimension is mostly empty, but you never know- so be cautious! This upgrade will also augment your sensor packages, so be prepared for the new level of fidelity in your field and exotic detectors.
The third piece is a method for directing teleporters THROUGH teleporters. You may have noticed that the bog-standard teleporter (included in the tech backup) uses a shortest-distance method for connecting between gates, and that those gates only need two small standard generators worth of power each? Well that limit is set for a bit over a light-year. As I had no method of FTL at first, I rigged a method where these teleporters can 'cast' to a location without a receiving gate. Set up a gate there, link the two, then send through a third gate to cast farther. You can set up TITANIC teleporter chains, so that going through one gate ends up taking the shortest path to the receiver gate through a chain of other teleporters. It's a nice piece of infrastructure that can help you with any transportation needs until you work out any other form of FTL, and it can be used by client races while any bottlenecks can be fortified by you and your forces!
Anyway, you may have noticed that besides the tech backups, and this readme file, there is a massive stack of data. That's the Internet, yes, from Earth, with all Youtube Videos, and frankly everything I could get my fingers on from every website and archive humanity had created between the development of the internet as a thing to March, 2156. Yeah, I got dropped in a universe where James Cameron was either a god or one of the biological designers working for one.
REGARDLESS OF THE NAKED BLUE PEOPLE (yes, I know you would be looking at that now), I hope to meet you in person eventually... Or in giant metal robot bodies. Whichever.
Don't spend two long staring at the massive archive of porn. I just grabbed everything.
Don't give up. The Multiverse is BIG, but we can make a difference- and make the lives of so many others better... Just don't forget yourself. Even clad in metal, we are still human.
Sincerely,
Commander John Cloak"
I watched as Celm and the other Councilors read the message. Slowly, their eyes widened, and as they examined each detail of the message, they grew more and more alarmed. When they had finished their reading, all of them looked deathly white.
"Well...fuck," spoke Celempheros.
On the other screen, the scout had finished examining the cube. All of the planet it was on, everything was going berserk.
"...Ok, ok, I can deal with this. Just let me send the stand down code and-"
On the screen featuring the scout, a 'CODE NOT ACCEPTED' line suddenly appeared...as did a 'TRANSMITTING ACITVATION SIGNAL' line.
"...What?! How the...doesn't matter. I'll just use my other powers to-ARGH!"
Celm's eyes had started to glow when he had decided to use another solution to this problem, but he didn't get far before he flinched and fell over, eyes now bleeding profusely.
"CELM!" shouted his wife, who quickly began trying to assist him, as did all of his allies, and even my forces, whilst I pulled out some bandages from storage.
As I readied t apply the covering, though, my attention turned back to the screen.
'ACTIVATOIN SIGNAL SENT. MASS ACTIVATION HAS BEGUN.'
"...The activation signal went out, didn't it?"
I was surprised that Celm was able to recover enough to talk in such a short timespan, but I confirmed his fear.
"Yes. So, how bad is it?"
"In short? There are now one million plus pocket universes that are filled with Brutally Efficient Self Replicating Engines of War that want to kill you."
"I get the feeling it's worse than that."
"They are all going to share any information the get on you with each other, so that they can develop counter measures to kill you more effectively."
"...I can take that."
"They will also expand to other universes as they hunt for you, so there could potentially be a billion universes under their control by tomorrow."
…..I think the scream that I released upon hearing that statement put Umbra's radial howl to shame.
XXXXXXXXX
AN: Thank you, @Mr. Cloak, for providing me a supposed boon that could be easily crafted into a Diabolus ex Machina.
Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
Thanks.
Really, though, your message was a godsend. I wasn't really sure how I was going to pull off getting these Progenitor creations to turn against Flame, since their bosses were friendly to him.
Then I read your message, and a lightbulb clicked on.
Mr. Cloak
Orchestrator of Paradoxical Apocalypse
- Pronouns
- I
Glad it helped man. I know how easy it is to write yourself into a corner, and this is just one of the ways to get myself, and others, out.
Now go forth, and WRECK THINE SHIT! Also, be careful what tech your character uses at what level of reality, because there is always a bigger fish (that's also another way to get some more leverage if you write yourself into a corner).
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
Flame has a work around for those kinds of problems.
Mr. Cloak
Orchestrator of Paradoxical Apocalypse
- Pronouns
- I
It's good to have many... Not unlike the army of Commander-Bots with a Muderboner for you. Hehehehehehehehehe..... Seriously though, well played. I look forward to the next segment of the story.
- Location
- Beyond the Unknowable Veil
This would be the best place for a multicross. Or a lot of cameos.
won
193. Stand Side By Side
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
"...Well, fuck."
Yeah, probably not the best way to follow up a scream of undiluted rage, but seriously, this sucked!
"Indeed. You are not exactly in a good position."
Thank you, Celm, for taking that well.
"You're welcome. So, what are you going to do next? You've already made it clear with Omega that you won't try to go back to your ordinary, dreary life. Not anymore, at least. Are you going to hole up in your hub universe and maintain your dominion there?"
"Would that actually work?" questioned Cyreesia.
"yes. Somehow, while I was not able to stock the rest of our anti-commander measures from awakening, I was able to ensure they would not be able to track you back to your hub. You could just lie low there and avoid their wrath forever."
Hmm.. "I could...but I won't."
"Why?" asked Celm. I got the feeling he not surprised by my course of action, just curious as to my motivations.
"Because as long as the counter measures exist, they'll target other commanders. Others like me. And while I'm willing to bet some are unspeakably evil, most probably aren't all that bad, and I can't condemn them to die because of an accident on my part."
"Brave words, and brave thoughts. Though, I must ask you this - how will you stand against this tide, all on your own?"
..Ok, I didn't think that part through. "Well, I-"
"He's not alone."
Turning, I found that Viv had stepped up to my side, face now filled with determination. "I'm with him."
"So am I," intoned Etran.
"Count me in," interjected Asaru.
"...Eh, I'm in too," remarked the representative of the Nocturni Legion, "and so are all my followers."
On and on the affirmations of alliance continued. It seemed I had drawn quite a few allies to my cause.
"Really," intoned one of Councilors. "And who are you?"
For a moment, the crowd looked at eachother.
At last, Etran spoke. "We are the heroic.."
"..and we are the villainous," continued the Dread Lord Ambassador.
"We are the liberal," answered the Terrran Alliance representative.
"And we're......the tyrannical," intoned...wait, when had the Worm showed up?!
"We are the wise," spoked Simaris.
"And the mad." That was Alad.
"We are the honest-" remarked Eudico.
"And we...are...the corrupt."
"We are the beautiful," boasted Ballas.
"And we are the monstrous," added Zen'hurros.
Then, to my surprise, Cassidy spoke up. "We're not exactly the best group of heroes around, if we can even be called heroes, but for that man? For Commander Flame? We'll fight for him."
The Councilors seemed taken aback by that statement. Milsanrima was the first to recover.
"So, you're going to help this one man try and defeat an army of machiens that are pretty much the pinnacle of the warsmith's art?"
"Yes!" Shouted my ROB.
"...Good."
...Wait, what? She was complimenting them on this?
Apparently, everyone else was surprised by this turn of events as well, if their expressions were anything to go by.
Finally, I mustered up to strength to venture a question. "You're...happy with this?"
"Yes, I am. You see, the only reason you defeated the lone Coelohim was because you had allies to call upon."
"Really?"
"Yes. All other attempts to defeat it, by other commanders, invariably ended in failure because they went it alone. Be it for pride, or care for their allies, they always tried to overwhelm these drones with their own might, only to be bested by those who new the power of the Progenitors better than any gamer could. You, though...you know when to ask for, and by extension, when to accept help. You know when to swallow your pride. And that is what secured you victory."
"....oh. Well, good to know."
"You're welcome. Now, anything else you want to say?"
"Just one thing."
"And that is."
Welp, time to drop a bombshell.
"I think I'm going to replicate what the guy who made these cubes did."
"...Explain. Now."
Here we go! "Now that the Commander Annihilation Force your kind left behind is on the loose, it would be prudent to send out information to warn other commanders this, if only to prepare them for the coming storm. Also, I'd like to send out an advance force of probes across the multiverse, to cultivate some universes for my arrival such that they will be prepared to face the rather of your forces when and if they decide to come knocking."
"Fair enough. Now, with that out of the way, meeting dismissed."
The council moved to leave. As they did, I turned my attention to my newfound allies. "...Thank you for supporting me."
"Eh, don't mention it," was Etran's response. "You've helped us so much, might as well repay the favor."
"I see."
Then I turned my attention to Anyo and the Worm. How they had arrived was beyond me. "Why are you helping me, though?"
The Worm went first. "Well...um.....me an my sister thought siding with you and dealing with whatever punishment you offered was better than letting the sentients try to eat us?"
"...Would they actually eat you?"
"Some of my former comrades would," intoned Zen'hurros. "Also, Ntah has decided to return to assisting the Tenno. She is...conflicted, at the moment."
"...When did she change sides?"
"Sometime during the battle. I believe she assisted in the sniper and artillery attack against the Coelohim."
"...Well, thank her for that."
Then my attention rested on Anyo. "Why are you going to help me?"
"The Void told me assisting you would lead to greater profit...but also, similar reasons to the Worm."
Noticing movement behind the two tyrants, I tilted my head. There, Wally was waving at me. Wordlessly, I asked him a question.
"Yes, I really did tell Anyo that," was his response.
"I see. You know I can't exactly allow you o go unpunished for your actions?"
"Yes......how much do you.....want me.....to give up......to charity?" questioned Anyo.
Silently, I sent a message to Eudico. She replied soon enough.
"Eighty percent of your holdings, barring what I paid you to see the Solaris forgiven of debt. As for other terms....ask Solaris United."
"I understand. May the void bring you....good fortune."
With that, Anyo left to...have a meeting with his investors.
Now my attention was focused on the Worm.
"....Please be reasonable."
Hmm, what to do with her and her sister.
"...Please don't kill me."
"I'm not going to do that. Know, though, that the Grineer aren't going to be as strong as they once were."
"I suppose you'll want us to demilitarize and assist in the rebuilding?"
"I also want the Kuva Fortress."
"As a trophy? Not surprising....How long are we going to spend in prison?"
"...However long it takes for me to feel you've learned your lesson….even if that never happens."
"Fine."
"Well, then, I guess were done. Really, though, I do need to ask one more thing."
"And what might that be, scrawny?"
"...Did all of you reherse that part where you referred to yourselves as brave, craven, and stuff like that?"
"No.....it was a spur of the moment thing. I didn't even want to say tyrant, it just felt most appropriate."
"Makes sense. Now go, get your sister."
"Ok....and thank you for being merciful."
As the Worm left to prepare, I turned my attention back to Vivienne. "So, I guess were allies...permanently."
"Eh, yep. I guess we are."
"...So what do we do next?"
"...Well, get ready for tomorrow. Trust me, its important."
….Why did that sound so worrisome?
XXXXXXXXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
Yeah, probably not the best way to follow up a scream of undiluted rage, but seriously, this sucked!
"Indeed. You are not exactly in a good position."
Thank you, Celm, for taking that well.
"You're welcome. So, what are you going to do next? You've already made it clear with Omega that you won't try to go back to your ordinary, dreary life. Not anymore, at least. Are you going to hole up in your hub universe and maintain your dominion there?"
"Would that actually work?" questioned Cyreesia.
"yes. Somehow, while I was not able to stock the rest of our anti-commander measures from awakening, I was able to ensure they would not be able to track you back to your hub. You could just lie low there and avoid their wrath forever."
Hmm.. "I could...but I won't."
"Why?" asked Celm. I got the feeling he not surprised by my course of action, just curious as to my motivations.
"Because as long as the counter measures exist, they'll target other commanders. Others like me. And while I'm willing to bet some are unspeakably evil, most probably aren't all that bad, and I can't condemn them to die because of an accident on my part."
"Brave words, and brave thoughts. Though, I must ask you this - how will you stand against this tide, all on your own?"
..Ok, I didn't think that part through. "Well, I-"
"He's not alone."
Turning, I found that Viv had stepped up to my side, face now filled with determination. "I'm with him."
"So am I," intoned Etran.
"Count me in," interjected Asaru.
"...Eh, I'm in too," remarked the representative of the Nocturni Legion, "and so are all my followers."
On and on the affirmations of alliance continued. It seemed I had drawn quite a few allies to my cause.
"Really," intoned one of Councilors. "And who are you?"
For a moment, the crowd looked at eachother.
At last, Etran spoke. "We are the heroic.."
"..and we are the villainous," continued the Dread Lord Ambassador.
"We are the liberal," answered the Terrran Alliance representative.
"And we're......the tyrannical," intoned...wait, when had the Worm showed up?!
"We are the wise," spoked Simaris.
"And the mad." That was Alad.
"We are the honest-" remarked Eudico.
"And we...are...the corrupt."
"We are the beautiful," boasted Ballas.
"And we are the monstrous," added Zen'hurros.
Then, to my surprise, Cassidy spoke up. "We're not exactly the best group of heroes around, if we can even be called heroes, but for that man? For Commander Flame? We'll fight for him."
The Councilors seemed taken aback by that statement. Milsanrima was the first to recover.
"So, you're going to help this one man try and defeat an army of machiens that are pretty much the pinnacle of the warsmith's art?"
"Yes!" Shouted my ROB.
"...Good."
...Wait, what? She was complimenting them on this?
Apparently, everyone else was surprised by this turn of events as well, if their expressions were anything to go by.
Finally, I mustered up to strength to venture a question. "You're...happy with this?"
"Yes, I am. You see, the only reason you defeated the lone Coelohim was because you had allies to call upon."
"Really?"
"Yes. All other attempts to defeat it, by other commanders, invariably ended in failure because they went it alone. Be it for pride, or care for their allies, they always tried to overwhelm these drones with their own might, only to be bested by those who new the power of the Progenitors better than any gamer could. You, though...you know when to ask for, and by extension, when to accept help. You know when to swallow your pride. And that is what secured you victory."
"....oh. Well, good to know."
"You're welcome. Now, anything else you want to say?"
"Just one thing."
"And that is."
Welp, time to drop a bombshell.
"I think I'm going to replicate what the guy who made these cubes did."
"...Explain. Now."
Here we go! "Now that the Commander Annihilation Force your kind left behind is on the loose, it would be prudent to send out information to warn other commanders this, if only to prepare them for the coming storm. Also, I'd like to send out an advance force of probes across the multiverse, to cultivate some universes for my arrival such that they will be prepared to face the rather of your forces when and if they decide to come knocking."
"Fair enough. Now, with that out of the way, meeting dismissed."
The council moved to leave. As they did, I turned my attention to my newfound allies. "...Thank you for supporting me."
"Eh, don't mention it," was Etran's response. "You've helped us so much, might as well repay the favor."
"I see."
Then I turned my attention to Anyo and the Worm. How they had arrived was beyond me. "Why are you helping me, though?"
The Worm went first. "Well...um.....me an my sister thought siding with you and dealing with whatever punishment you offered was better than letting the sentients try to eat us?"
"...Would they actually eat you?"
"Some of my former comrades would," intoned Zen'hurros. "Also, Ntah has decided to return to assisting the Tenno. She is...conflicted, at the moment."
"...When did she change sides?"
"Sometime during the battle. I believe she assisted in the sniper and artillery attack against the Coelohim."
"...Well, thank her for that."
Then my attention rested on Anyo. "Why are you going to help me?"
"The Void told me assisting you would lead to greater profit...but also, similar reasons to the Worm."
Noticing movement behind the two tyrants, I tilted my head. There, Wally was waving at me. Wordlessly, I asked him a question.
"Yes, I really did tell Anyo that," was his response.
"I see. You know I can't exactly allow you o go unpunished for your actions?"
"Yes......how much do you.....want me.....to give up......to charity?" questioned Anyo.
Silently, I sent a message to Eudico. She replied soon enough.
"Eighty percent of your holdings, barring what I paid you to see the Solaris forgiven of debt. As for other terms....ask Solaris United."
"I understand. May the void bring you....good fortune."
With that, Anyo left to...have a meeting with his investors.
Now my attention was focused on the Worm.
"....Please be reasonable."
Hmm, what to do with her and her sister.
"...Please don't kill me."
"I'm not going to do that. Know, though, that the Grineer aren't going to be as strong as they once were."
"I suppose you'll want us to demilitarize and assist in the rebuilding?"
"I also want the Kuva Fortress."
"As a trophy? Not surprising....How long are we going to spend in prison?"
"...However long it takes for me to feel you've learned your lesson….even if that never happens."
"Fine."
"Well, then, I guess were done. Really, though, I do need to ask one more thing."
"And what might that be, scrawny?"
"...Did all of you reherse that part where you referred to yourselves as brave, craven, and stuff like that?"
"No.....it was a spur of the moment thing. I didn't even want to say tyrant, it just felt most appropriate."
"Makes sense. Now go, get your sister."
"Ok....and thank you for being merciful."
As the Worm left to prepare, I turned my attention back to Vivienne. "So, I guess were allies...permanently."
"Eh, yep. I guess we are."
"...So what do we do next?"
"...Well, get ready for tomorrow. Trust me, its important."
….Why did that sound so worrisome?
XXXXXXXXXXXX
AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
194. A New Journey Begins
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
"Ugh, what's so special about today again?"
"Just follow me and you'll see."
Vivienne, you may be my friend, but I do not like secrets being kept from me!
"Eh, then you should have remembered what today is!" she exclaimed, before dashing into a dining room near the Extinction's bridge.
Sighing, I followed and-
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
I blinked, surprised by the sudden outpour of light and sound.....wait, today's my birthday?
…Apparently it is.
….Wow, I forgot about my own birthday. That's....kinda embarrassing.
'But not unexpected, given the circumstances.'
Thank you for being quiet about that, Viv.
Her snickering in response was actually kinda cute...as was her flustered reactions to my thoughts on her acting cute.
But I digress. Anyhow, in addition to my children, the party guests included the Tenno, Asaru, Viv herself, and Cassidy. Each of them had prepared me a present, to my immense surprise.
Also, it appeared that someone had made me a cake. Given their expressions, and the fact that both could read minds, it appeared Vivienne and Cassidy had been the ones to prepare.
More trivially, it was an ice-cream cake - cookie dough, to be exact.
Oh, and it was delicious, but that isn't really that relevant.
After all the guests had finished singing to me (childish, perhaps, but I enjoyed it), and the candles were blown out, the gifts were given. Those from my children and Cassidy were hand made crafts, be they paitings, sculptures, or simple things likes bags and pictures, but all held some sentimental value in my heart.
The ones that I received from Asaru and the Tenno, though, were a bit more surprising.
Asaru's gift was rather large, and I initially assumed it to be a SHIV or something like that.
Instead, unwrapping the container revealed not a war robot...but a suit of psi-armor. Tailor made psi armor, to be precise.
"I...I don't know what to say to this."
"You've worked with XCOM for some time now. You're practically one of us already. Consider this an official offer to join."
"..Thank you."
Putting the gift away, I turned to the Tenno.
First to give a gift was Cyreesia. Pulling it out, I found myself staring at an Ignis Wraith.
"For all that you've done for us, you deserve this, at least."
"...Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Carefully laying down the Flame Thrower, I turned to Etran, who held a much smaller gift. Taking and opening the gift, I found myself staring at a void key.
"It leads to our dojo," spoke Etran, answering the question that had been forming in my head. "Like it or not, you're a Tenno now....and that means you'll need a clan to work with."
"...Is this an invitation?"
"It is."
"Well, I accept it."
"Good. I look forward to training with you."
Laying the gift down, I turned to the final one that needed to be opened - Viv's. I was almost the size of a chair, but givne that the container marked the contents as fragile, I assumed it was far heavier. Carefully, I removed the box, ready to examine my last gift.
As the covering came off, I found myself staring at an interesting statue. It consisted of a man standing over a beast he had slain.
What made it so special?
The man in question was me. The beast, meanwhile, was clearly the Coleohim I had recently bested.
"You won a great battle, might as well remember it."
I'm pretty sure some people would be ashamed to give someone a hug because they gave you a gift you really, really liked, unless that person was family/a close friend.
I am not one of those people, as Viv can attest to.
XXXXXXX
AN: And thus this part of the story comes to an end.
Don't worry, the real story has only just begun.
Anywho, I'm going to post an epilogue chapter after this, then move onto the next arc. If you guys are okay with it, I'll also post an 'opening' of sorts (I really like the opens tv shows, cartoons, and anime have and have one for this story). PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU ARE OKAY WOTH ME PUTTING THE 'OPENING' IN THE STORY!
With that out of the way, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
"Just follow me and you'll see."
Vivienne, you may be my friend, but I do not like secrets being kept from me!
"Eh, then you should have remembered what today is!" she exclaimed, before dashing into a dining room near the Extinction's bridge.
Sighing, I followed and-
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
I blinked, surprised by the sudden outpour of light and sound.....wait, today's my birthday?
…Apparently it is.
….Wow, I forgot about my own birthday. That's....kinda embarrassing.
'But not unexpected, given the circumstances.'
Thank you for being quiet about that, Viv.
Her snickering in response was actually kinda cute...as was her flustered reactions to my thoughts on her acting cute.
But I digress. Anyhow, in addition to my children, the party guests included the Tenno, Asaru, Viv herself, and Cassidy. Each of them had prepared me a present, to my immense surprise.
Also, it appeared that someone had made me a cake. Given their expressions, and the fact that both could read minds, it appeared Vivienne and Cassidy had been the ones to prepare.
More trivially, it was an ice-cream cake - cookie dough, to be exact.
Oh, and it was delicious, but that isn't really that relevant.
After all the guests had finished singing to me (childish, perhaps, but I enjoyed it), and the candles were blown out, the gifts were given. Those from my children and Cassidy were hand made crafts, be they paitings, sculptures, or simple things likes bags and pictures, but all held some sentimental value in my heart.
The ones that I received from Asaru and the Tenno, though, were a bit more surprising.
Asaru's gift was rather large, and I initially assumed it to be a SHIV or something like that.
Instead, unwrapping the container revealed not a war robot...but a suit of psi-armor. Tailor made psi armor, to be precise.
"I...I don't know what to say to this."
"You've worked with XCOM for some time now. You're practically one of us already. Consider this an official offer to join."
"..Thank you."
Putting the gift away, I turned to the Tenno.
First to give a gift was Cyreesia. Pulling it out, I found myself staring at an Ignis Wraith.
"For all that you've done for us, you deserve this, at least."
"...Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Carefully laying down the Flame Thrower, I turned to Etran, who held a much smaller gift. Taking and opening the gift, I found myself staring at a void key.
"It leads to our dojo," spoke Etran, answering the question that had been forming in my head. "Like it or not, you're a Tenno now....and that means you'll need a clan to work with."
"...Is this an invitation?"
"It is."
"Well, I accept it."
"Good. I look forward to training with you."
Laying the gift down, I turned to the final one that needed to be opened - Viv's. I was almost the size of a chair, but givne that the container marked the contents as fragile, I assumed it was far heavier. Carefully, I removed the box, ready to examine my last gift.
As the covering came off, I found myself staring at an interesting statue. It consisted of a man standing over a beast he had slain.
What made it so special?
The man in question was me. The beast, meanwhile, was clearly the Coleohim I had recently bested.
"You won a great battle, might as well remember it."
I'm pretty sure some people would be ashamed to give someone a hug because they gave you a gift you really, really liked, unless that person was family/a close friend.
I am not one of those people, as Viv can attest to.
XXXXXXX
AN: And thus this part of the story comes to an end.
Don't worry, the real story has only just begun.
Anywho, I'm going to post an epilogue chapter after this, then move onto the next arc. If you guys are okay with it, I'll also post an 'opening' of sorts (I really like the opens tv shows, cartoons, and anime have and have one for this story). PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU ARE OKAY WOTH ME PUTTING THE 'OPENING' IN THE STORY!
With that out of the way, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
- Location
- Beyond the Unknowable Veil
We are okay woth you putting it in.
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
Thank you, my friend!
Arc Epilogue Interlude: And So The Pieces Move
- Location
- Arizona
- Pronouns
- Him/His
I watched on as the Commander finished up the message and the probes. He may have held his oratory skills as being sub-par, but really, he's underselling himself. He does that, quite a bit.
To some, it may seem hypocritical, sending out aid to Commanders across the multiverse, when something just like that was what had gotten him into this mess in the first place. With the coming storm, though, being prepared was entirely reasonable.
Plus, you never knew when you might need more allies.
As he continued on with his actions, I briefly turned my attention toward his hub-universe. Here, besides some strange reports relating to when he had put gravity and mass alteration systems in place so that he could prepare new worlds for any refugees that wished to emigrate to his empire lived, my own forces and auxiliaries had arrived to begin making things more...accommodating for the new arrivals....and not just those from the warframe universe.
Several civilians from the Imperium of Man, bot pre and post-heresy, had been entombed within the Repository, and now sought to live with the one who had been their savior. Of course, those who had been put into stasis from a time after the Heresy had desired a place to venerate the Emperor. I had volunteered the assistance of the forces of the Black Templars and Imperial Heralds that fought among my armies to assist in the construction, though they would likely have complained if I hadn't done so - they may have respected me, but their loyalty was to the God Emperor first and foremost.
After a few minutes, though, it seemed my former pawn had finished his final preparations. Nodding, I made a gesture for Celm to come forward. He had desired to bare witness to what was about to happen, and really, I couldn't refuse him that honor.
My Commander, however, did have one last thing to ask before the word was given.
"Hey, Celm?"
"Yes?"
"Do you...remember....anyone you met in the Progenitors wars...anyone famous?"
"...A couple. Before we retreated to enact our plan, my kind hosted a celebration of victory. I have a few photos left over from that party."
A moment later, Celempheros materialized a photo in his hand. Taking it, Flame gestured for me to come close, so that both of us could examine the picture.
Most of the beings were not recognizable, being of races I kew nothing about, or wones who I did know much about, but could not identify the individual in question. One who did stand out, though, was a man of Turkish descent who was trying to hide that he was enjoying himself. Standing next to him was....oh.
I did not see that coming.
Neither did Flame, if his next words were anything to go by.
"You knew the Master of Mankind?"
"Er, yes, I did. How'd you recognize him?"
"I didn't. But I know the guy with the flaming staff is Malcador. Also, why does he have his staff here?"
"....He wanted to show off?"
"I highly doubt that. Is there anyone else famous from 40k you know?"
"No, but Vivienne has the Tanith First and Only in cryostasis within her hub universe."
I gave my superior a blank look.
".....Sure," replied the Commander, not buying it. "So, ready to witness history?"
"Of course."
Smiling, my ex-pawn hit the button. A moment later, the probes and the warning pods launched, while ahead of them, portals opened all over the multiverse, ready to take this sacred objects to their intended destinations.
For those of you who are curious, here is what my dear commander put on them:
As the last of the first set of the probes and pods entered their portal,s the Commander made his leave - he had two surrenders to negotiate.
When he was out of earshot, I turned my attention back to my former superior. "DId you have to tell him about the Tanith?"
"What? Did they die?"
"No, but I'm having trouble waking them up, despite UR-025's best efforts."
"Wouldn't it be angry that they destroyed its comrades?"
"No love is lost between him..her...them and the chaos corrupted abominations built by that tainted STC."
"Fair enough."
XXXXX
The Custodians trudged forth through the ship's cavernous interior, careful to avoid those that would asks questions. At last they came upon their destination - an empty room, unattended by work drones.
It would be perfect.
Carefully preparing the area, the Custodians checked three times to be sure that no one was watching them. This actin must be conducted in absolute secrecy, lest their mission be compromised before it even began.
Carefully, the pulled out the special dataslate and its transmitter/receiver. In mere minutes, it powered on.
Then, the leader of the Guard began typing.
XXXXXXX
++BROADCASTER: CUSTODIAN SQUAD INVICTUS++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE IMPERIUM++
++SUBJECT CONTENT: TRANSMITTING NOW++
Your majesty, we have managed to integrate ourselves amongst the Commander's forces. It has taken a millennia less than expected, but some unfortunate citizen of Old Earth was indeed placed in one of these machines and managed to stumble upon us. The Lord Sigilate's prediction was correct.
Unfortunately, the countermeasure has also been awakened, and now seeks to wreck havoc for the Commander's plan. How shall we proceed with this?
XXXXXXXXXXX
++REPLY SENT++
++THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THE EMPEROR KNOWS++
++RESPONSE: TRANSMITTING NOW++
Excellent work, captain.
Though regrettable, the awakening of the failsafe was not unexpected. Indeed, I have already planned for this outcome.
Remain embedded in the Commander's forces. His title is...strange, but he is from more innocent times. Ensure he survives long enough to reach our universe. Additionally, try to get him to be friendly with the Progenitor known as Celempheros. That individual is in possession of several STCs (as per agreements made following the cessation of the Multiversal wars) that would be of colossal benefit to the Imperium.
An advisement: please inform the Sisters of Silence accompanying you to submit themselves to examination by the Commander - access to live blanks is difficult for those out side the Imperium, and if the Commander could synthesize blank traits and apply them to machinery, opposing the Archenemy will become far easier.
Finally, please provide additional reports in the future - and do attempt to steer the poor soul toward our universe soon enough.
THE EMPEROR PROTECTS,
The Master of Mankind
++POST SCRIPT++
Dorn, please tell Magnus and Kitten to stop trying to read outgoing messages. It's annoying.
XXXXX
The Lotus groaned as the machine pulled out the shrapnel from her body. How in the void had that explosion hurt so much?
It had been many days since the fighting had ceased, yet she still ached from the battle.
When the Commander had engaged the Coelohim in single combat, she had initially refused to act. Yet soon, her hand had been forced.
From the creature's original body, Progenitor robots had emerged to try and wreck havoc on his allies. Amongst them had been a horde of boom suicide bots, which had made a beeline for her Tenno....who had no idea that these machines were hostile.
In an instant, the Lotus had been forced ot make a choice - close in on the drones and shield the Tenno, at the cost of some injuries and forever truning against her parents (the machines were close enough to the Tenno that shooting them was out of the option), or allow her surrogate children to die, but remain loyal to her progenitors.
It had not been a hard choice.
Still, that didn't mean she liked getting hurt....but the fact that her children were all around her right now, trying to see if she was okay, did make things a little easier to bare.
XXXXXX
(Directly before Flame slew the Coelohim)
Hunhow stared at the arena before him. One moment, he had beeen retreating from the battle on Earth, the next he had been here, in this shadowed realm. Nearby, his wife watched on curiously, as did several of his closest lieutenants, all searching for who or what had brought them here.
"We...apologize for keeping you in the dark."
Before Hunhow could make a retort, a glowing being descend into the arena, eyes focused on him.
"Why did you take us from the battle? We had a chance to win."
The glowing one's expression hardened. "The monster would only have seen you as a foe to slay. Once the Commander died, it would turn on you...and in your current state, you would stand no chance against it."
"Hmph. And I suppose you could improve us?"
"We could, for starters, repair your womb, and let you raise new generations of your kind."
"For what cost?" Questioned the Sentient destroyer of worlds, who could already see many shadows moving about at the edge of the arena.
"The completion of a shared interest: the destruction of the Commander."
"How do you intend to achieve that?"
"To take a page from your book, we intend to....clear a path to its heart....then rend it beating from its rest."
Suddenly, a gigantic glowing creature resembling a lobster emerged from the shadows. It stared intently at the glowing figure at the center of the arena.
"So, do we have a deal?"
".....will you allow me to destroy the Tenno?"
"Of course."
"Then yes. We have an agreement."
"....Good."
XXXXXXX
AN: Welp, the current arc is over! Trivia will be up tomorrow.
Also, since we have a tie over whether or not I should do an intro, I'm throwing in my vote...which is an aye. Don't want to read it? Then just don't - I will put a warning telling you which post is the intro.
So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!
To some, it may seem hypocritical, sending out aid to Commanders across the multiverse, when something just like that was what had gotten him into this mess in the first place. With the coming storm, though, being prepared was entirely reasonable.
Plus, you never knew when you might need more allies.
As he continued on with his actions, I briefly turned my attention toward his hub-universe. Here, besides some strange reports relating to when he had put gravity and mass alteration systems in place so that he could prepare new worlds for any refugees that wished to emigrate to his empire lived, my own forces and auxiliaries had arrived to begin making things more...accommodating for the new arrivals....and not just those from the warframe universe.
Several civilians from the Imperium of Man, bot pre and post-heresy, had been entombed within the Repository, and now sought to live with the one who had been their savior. Of course, those who had been put into stasis from a time after the Heresy had desired a place to venerate the Emperor. I had volunteered the assistance of the forces of the Black Templars and Imperial Heralds that fought among my armies to assist in the construction, though they would likely have complained if I hadn't done so - they may have respected me, but their loyalty was to the God Emperor first and foremost.
After a few minutes, though, it seemed my former pawn had finished his final preparations. Nodding, I made a gesture for Celm to come forward. He had desired to bare witness to what was about to happen, and really, I couldn't refuse him that honor.
My Commander, however, did have one last thing to ask before the word was given.
"Hey, Celm?"
"Yes?"
"Do you...remember....anyone you met in the Progenitors wars...anyone famous?"
"...A couple. Before we retreated to enact our plan, my kind hosted a celebration of victory. I have a few photos left over from that party."
A moment later, Celempheros materialized a photo in his hand. Taking it, Flame gestured for me to come close, so that both of us could examine the picture.
Most of the beings were not recognizable, being of races I kew nothing about, or wones who I did know much about, but could not identify the individual in question. One who did stand out, though, was a man of Turkish descent who was trying to hide that he was enjoying himself. Standing next to him was....oh.
I did not see that coming.
Neither did Flame, if his next words were anything to go by.
"You knew the Master of Mankind?"
"Er, yes, I did. How'd you recognize him?"
"I didn't. But I know the guy with the flaming staff is Malcador. Also, why does he have his staff here?"
"....He wanted to show off?"
"I highly doubt that. Is there anyone else famous from 40k you know?"
"No, but Vivienne has the Tanith First and Only in cryostasis within her hub universe."
I gave my superior a blank look.
".....Sure," replied the Commander, not buying it. "So, ready to witness history?"
"Of course."
Smiling, my ex-pawn hit the button. A moment later, the probes and the warning pods launched, while ahead of them, portals opened all over the multiverse, ready to take this sacred objects to their intended destinations.
For those of you who are curious, here is what my dear commander put on them:
To those who await a spacebattle, travel at sufficient velocity, or undertake questionable quests, listen up.
If you are reading this, you wield the power of the Progenitors, and possess a Brutally Efficient Self Replicating Engine of War. In all honesty, you've got the most powerful weaponsever made..or so we thought.
I'll cut right to the chase. The Progenitors? They aren't dead. There's a whole universe or five left of them, ready to go back to the multiversal stage. And they did not want others to use their commanders.
The Progenitors left behind failsafes to make sure that no one got access to their commanders, and if someone did that anyway, they had other measures to...remove them form the picture.
I...may have woken one of those up, and now, we're being hunted. Not by the progenitors, though - they've decided to observe us and see whether we are worthy to inherit their might. But their failsafes? One of those went rogue, and it wants us dead.
All of us.
I'm....I'm....I'm sorry for unleashing this blight on you all. I didn't mean for any of this to happen.
Here, though, is my way of making it up to you.
I've included the schematics for, well, everything the progenitors were willing to let me share with you...which is literally everything they got. Matter generation, dark matter weapons, time distortion devices, biotechnology.....even some stuff on magic. Yeah, they had that. Surprising, isn't it?
Just one catch, though. This stuff will only be yours if you..well….if you're willing to fight with me.
We can't beat these things on our own. We need to stand as one against them or be wiped out one by one.
So, please, if you get this, send my a return message. Tell me you've got this. Let me know that you're out there.
Let me know that I'm not alone in this fight.
This is Commander and Former SB, SV, and QQ user Flameal15k, signing off. Good luck.
If you are reading this, you wield the power of the Progenitors, and possess a Brutally Efficient Self Replicating Engine of War. In all honesty, you've got the most powerful weaponsever made..or so we thought.
I'll cut right to the chase. The Progenitors? They aren't dead. There's a whole universe or five left of them, ready to go back to the multiversal stage. And they did not want others to use their commanders.
The Progenitors left behind failsafes to make sure that no one got access to their commanders, and if someone did that anyway, they had other measures to...remove them form the picture.
I...may have woken one of those up, and now, we're being hunted. Not by the progenitors, though - they've decided to observe us and see whether we are worthy to inherit their might. But their failsafes? One of those went rogue, and it wants us dead.
All of us.
I'm....I'm....I'm sorry for unleashing this blight on you all. I didn't mean for any of this to happen.
Here, though, is my way of making it up to you.
I've included the schematics for, well, everything the progenitors were willing to let me share with you...which is literally everything they got. Matter generation, dark matter weapons, time distortion devices, biotechnology.....even some stuff on magic. Yeah, they had that. Surprising, isn't it?
Just one catch, though. This stuff will only be yours if you..well….if you're willing to fight with me.
We can't beat these things on our own. We need to stand as one against them or be wiped out one by one.
So, please, if you get this, send my a return message. Tell me you've got this. Let me know that you're out there.
Let me know that I'm not alone in this fight.
This is Commander and Former SB, SV, and QQ user Flameal15k, signing off. Good luck.
As the last of the first set of the probes and pods entered their portal,s the Commander made his leave - he had two surrenders to negotiate.
When he was out of earshot, I turned my attention back to my former superior. "DId you have to tell him about the Tanith?"
"What? Did they die?"
"No, but I'm having trouble waking them up, despite UR-025's best efforts."
"Wouldn't it be angry that they destroyed its comrades?"
"No love is lost between him..her...them and the chaos corrupted abominations built by that tainted STC."
"Fair enough."
XXXXX
The Custodians trudged forth through the ship's cavernous interior, careful to avoid those that would asks questions. At last they came upon their destination - an empty room, unattended by work drones.
It would be perfect.
Carefully preparing the area, the Custodians checked three times to be sure that no one was watching them. This actin must be conducted in absolute secrecy, lest their mission be compromised before it even began.
Carefully, the pulled out the special dataslate and its transmitter/receiver. In mere minutes, it powered on.
Then, the leader of the Guard began typing.
XXXXXXX
++BROADCASTER: CUSTODIAN SQUAD INVICTUS++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE IMPERIUM++
++SUBJECT CONTENT: TRANSMITTING NOW++
Your majesty, we have managed to integrate ourselves amongst the Commander's forces. It has taken a millennia less than expected, but some unfortunate citizen of Old Earth was indeed placed in one of these machines and managed to stumble upon us. The Lord Sigilate's prediction was correct.
Unfortunately, the countermeasure has also been awakened, and now seeks to wreck havoc for the Commander's plan. How shall we proceed with this?
XXXXXXXXXXX
++REPLY SENT++
++THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THE EMPEROR KNOWS++
++RESPONSE: TRANSMITTING NOW++
Excellent work, captain.
Though regrettable, the awakening of the failsafe was not unexpected. Indeed, I have already planned for this outcome.
Remain embedded in the Commander's forces. His title is...strange, but he is from more innocent times. Ensure he survives long enough to reach our universe. Additionally, try to get him to be friendly with the Progenitor known as Celempheros. That individual is in possession of several STCs (as per agreements made following the cessation of the Multiversal wars) that would be of colossal benefit to the Imperium.
An advisement: please inform the Sisters of Silence accompanying you to submit themselves to examination by the Commander - access to live blanks is difficult for those out side the Imperium, and if the Commander could synthesize blank traits and apply them to machinery, opposing the Archenemy will become far easier.
Finally, please provide additional reports in the future - and do attempt to steer the poor soul toward our universe soon enough.
THE EMPEROR PROTECTS,
The Master of Mankind
++POST SCRIPT++
Dorn, please tell Magnus and Kitten to stop trying to read outgoing messages. It's annoying.
XXXXX
The Lotus groaned as the machine pulled out the shrapnel from her body. How in the void had that explosion hurt so much?
It had been many days since the fighting had ceased, yet she still ached from the battle.
When the Commander had engaged the Coelohim in single combat, she had initially refused to act. Yet soon, her hand had been forced.
From the creature's original body, Progenitor robots had emerged to try and wreck havoc on his allies. Amongst them had been a horde of boom suicide bots, which had made a beeline for her Tenno....who had no idea that these machines were hostile.
In an instant, the Lotus had been forced ot make a choice - close in on the drones and shield the Tenno, at the cost of some injuries and forever truning against her parents (the machines were close enough to the Tenno that shooting them was out of the option), or allow her surrogate children to die, but remain loyal to her progenitors.
It had not been a hard choice.
Still, that didn't mean she liked getting hurt....but the fact that her children were all around her right now, trying to see if she was okay, did make things a little easier to bare.
XXXXXX
(Directly before Flame slew the Coelohim)
Hunhow stared at the arena before him. One moment, he had beeen retreating from the battle on Earth, the next he had been here, in this shadowed realm. Nearby, his wife watched on curiously, as did several of his closest lieutenants, all searching for who or what had brought them here.
"We...apologize for keeping you in the dark."
Before Hunhow could make a retort, a glowing being descend into the arena, eyes focused on him.
"Why did you take us from the battle? We had a chance to win."
The glowing one's expression hardened. "The monster would only have seen you as a foe to slay. Once the Commander died, it would turn on you...and in your current state, you would stand no chance against it."
"Hmph. And I suppose you could improve us?"
"We could, for starters, repair your womb, and let you raise new generations of your kind."
"For what cost?" Questioned the Sentient destroyer of worlds, who could already see many shadows moving about at the edge of the arena.
"The completion of a shared interest: the destruction of the Commander."
"How do you intend to achieve that?"
"To take a page from your book, we intend to....clear a path to its heart....then rend it beating from its rest."
Suddenly, a gigantic glowing creature resembling a lobster emerged from the shadows. It stared intently at the glowing figure at the center of the arena.
"So, do we have a deal?"
".....will you allow me to destroy the Tenno?"
"Of course."
"Then yes. We have an agreement."
"....Good."
XXXXXXX
AN: Welp, the current arc is over! Trivia will be up tomorrow.
Also, since we have a tie over whether or not I should do an intro, I'm throwing in my vote...which is an aye. Don't want to read it? Then just don't - I will put a warning telling you which post is the intro.
So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!