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The woman seemed shocked, but listened and her eyes looked around the surroundings. Darting and taking in everything more seriously. “W-what...? What the hell happened? What do you mean... shambling corpse?” She stepped away from the tube she was in and started just looking around the room she was in currently. “And also... why are you here?”
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Liline shrugged, “a good craftsman never needs to talk for long. Plus I’ve known her for years now. ImpSec would send me here for arms and such, as you could tell. So I’ve gotten to know the craftsman behind all the equipment. She’s nice, a typical Creach though. Bit money-oriented, as most of these bloody badgers are. Their whole society is mostly based around commerce and mercantilism. It’s why their society has withstood the test of time for so long. But guess we’ve got to stay here in Cadhainn for tonight! Anything you want to do while we’re in the big capital?” She started walking back towards the main avenue they came in from, and once they reached the street, she stopped. The two had rejoined the main crowds of people who walked the sidewalks, the bustling cobblestone street full of cars and trollies. Each chugging along in their own directions.
Iammelon, Necunda, and House of vengeance
Lord Fendi seemed to be rather pleased, as he was understanding, and Yosgel was making a very reasonable request in the eyes of the Anubite, for it was something he could do. So he smiled and nodded to Yosgel, "Yes, I have gathered from your telling that you have strong traditions here, something I can respect as an Anubite. It is simply a shame that these traditions conflict over the matter of historical preservation, but it is good you understand the family importance." He gestured for two of his soldiers to take the glass box, stepping back afterwards to let Fendi continue.
The Anubite Lord then nodded again to Yosgel, "A simple request, and one I can accomplish with some time. Replicating this will not be difficult, as we still remember the techniques and styles we used to create it in the first place. With enough time and some luck, we may even be able to call back the spirit of the very same person who created it, to truly replicate the techniques. It will be a bit more difficult to ensure the age of the materials will line up, but we have other such ancient objects from a similar time which can be utilized. Although that will require sending people back to my homeland, as of course we did not bring such objects with us. Worry not, for your honor in returning my family's property, my noble family's resources will be used to honor this obligation." He gave a small nod to the troops who were carrying the glass box, "See to it." They both nodded to the lord, and moved away to follow their Lord's orders.
Ilox gave a small smile at the compliment given to her about her situation, "Well, it is difficult, but somebody needs to take charge. And whether I like it not, I just happened to be one of the most experienced and prepared officers for the role, which is saying a lot given that I still see myself as unqualified. Guess I'm just stubborn enough." She then listened to the description of this Baroness Fraph, still rolling her eyes at the constant use of the term softskin, but interested in this person she was apparently going to meet. She nodded, "I suppose then it will be quite nice to meet this Baroness Fraph, as she does sound like quite an interesting person. Sensible that I have to meet the leader of your security before any free movement as well, I cannot blame you for being cautious. A simple check-up is a basic and sensible idea, regardless of who one is meeting. Although, you mentioned Apex. I know them, quite well in fact. They were the biggest pirate group I fought before the Civil War in Iammelon, as they come from Iammelon. As such, I have experience with them, so guess then me and this Baroness have a similarity there. Although, if you have encountered their prized cars... What did you do with them? It is an odd question, I am aware, but it is rather important when dealing with Apex. They are quite invested in their cars."
Forthammer would bounce some shells arriving from the Woodrow but some of them would penetrate their armor on where the armor is thin enough or not sloped enough to guarantee a ricochet, some of the shells would hit the command deck of the Forthammer but its reactive armor manages to absorb the damage done by the shells, its armor skirts would be proved somewhat effective as it has some shells lodged on to it. Forthammer would be able to not take any damage at all if it was the retrofit variant they we’re using, although they captured this before the military modernization act. Forthammer would begin firing again at its general direction where Woodrow is. Sheepskin would aim its cannons at Dernby’s thrusters while taking evasive maneuvers to avoid fire from Woodrow, they are attempting to board Dernby to capture their crew or even the ship itself if they are lucky.
Baron Mithra ship stayed for the moment so that they would escort Ilox's ship to Baroness Fraph's in due time. Once preparations were made of course. Tabbina was starting to like this little softskin for raising to the challenges of command. "If it were not so difficult then the task would not be worth doing no? The role of leader is a difficult and tricky spot to get right. Many can be good or even great leaders, some made into their roles and others it is naturally. But very few are born or become as true leaders. It is a challenge Tabbina aims to rise to one day."
As things in the conversation reach back to Fraph and Apex, Mithra speaks up on the topic of the loot they acquired from those Pirate hooligans and motorheads. "Ah yes, those troublesome vehicles of there's. So fast... What ones we didn't smash up in defending the liveships as they broke on and started to use them as their own personal racetracks, the Splicers of the R&D section have taken apart to see what we could learn from them. There are still two intact cars left I believe, being kept on the Kell of Kell's flagship along with all our more valuable items of interest. The cars themselves... Their methods of propulsion and hardlight constructors has become something the Splicers have taken great interest in. They're eager to hook up similar items to our Pikes, I suppose the closest comparison is a hoverbike, already having great mobility. Another advantage being that we can actually breathe in the ether so we can engage their stupid cars in space and drag them out where their life support can't help them... That was actually largely how we won our last engagement with them. They had no idea we can breathe out there."
“Your highness, if I may call you that, of course it would be quite selfish that you’re doing a favor for us and we have nothing to pay back, and for that if I do remember it properly the saying.. it goes like: ‘I owe you one’ We are also about to leave this structure in order to finalize our reports, if we may, we will guide to the quickest path outside of the structure.” Yosgel would nod at him again. As soon as they leave the structure, surprisingly only taking 2 hours than the supposed 2 day journey, as they take a stairwell toward a balcony. Upon exiting the antechamber they see the infinite sands that roll and roll beyond the horizon. “I’ve lived in this planet for most of my life, to outsiders it is a desolate landscape but for the natives here, to see the rolling sands of Eirheimr is a soothing sight to see.” Sighing then taking a sweet sip from his canteen. “Looking at jungles, forests and cities disorient me, its all different and uneven and chaotic. I can appreciate plains and glaciers I guess.”
As the group stand upon the balcony of the temple something rises from the horizon, something massive. Upon their binoculars they see an insignia of the Nesorite Navy and then the words ‘KS Altameira’ They look in awe as the object reveals its bright blue flames from its propulsions as it rises into the sky like a rocket. “Ah, so it’s also today they launch the Super Colonial Ship, I know they already found a suitable planet.” The KS Altameira is an armed Super Colonial Ship and it is headed Southeast of the nebula to an already chosen planet. A staggering 800 meters long with a girth of 300 meters, it houses all the necessary equipment to set up a colony and become self-sustained away from the mother nebula, it will take a month to get to the area as the usage of etherlanes is too risky and would rather stride the calm, stagnant etherseas of the area.
The Alicorns and Iammelon
Ilox could not disagree with Tabbina there, giving a nod and adding her own insight, "I suppose you got that one right. Hence why there can be many sergeants and captains in an army, as that only requires good leaders. But true, great leaders are uncommon. So there isn't very many generals and admirals in an army, as very few are capable of such a height. Being willing to rise to that challenge however is part of being a true leader. Unwillingness is something I know well. There is one other commander, same rank as I, by the name of Commander Cain. I believe he is in fact a far greater leader and warrior than me, but he will not become an admiral or general. He has all that it takes I believe, but he is unwilling. And so he will never go there, simply down to the refusal to rise to that challenge. Perhaps because he simply does not want to, I cannot really say."
Then Ilox chuckled, as that situation she could believe, "They're an odd bunch, a combination of pirate and racer. Sometimes I am not sure which thing they value more, but I can guess that's an internal divide over what the priority is. As for the tech in those cars, I wish you luck. We've been dealing with them for a while but their technology is oddly elusive. The Omnipo scientists couldn't quite figure it out, they've made it rather hard to understand. Regardless, perhaps we can help with that. You do have the advantage of not needing life support, which is handy. Although let's hope Apex doesn't figure that out and try to do some recruitment. Being Iammelonian, they don't really care about species, and they're always willing to extend invitations to folks getting into piracy, and Apex particularly likes getting folk who want to go fast. Racing and all that. All the same, I do thank you for the preparations, as we cannot breathe ether naturally, not without suits. My armor can do it, although that feature is damaged right now, haven't had the chance to repair it."
Tabbina listened to what Ilox had to say, and she had to agree that not many generals or admirals will arise with traits of a desirable leader. Though both she and Mithra listened to what she had to say about this 'Commander Cain' and his unwillingness to rise to take command despite Ilox's belief that he would make a far greater leader than her. It is not unheard of for such things to happen, people unwilling to tap into the potential they know they have... But is this down to reluctance? Not wanting to shoulder the burdens of command and the hardships that come with it? Or does he not want his scope to broaden, far more pleased with keeping those under his direct command alive instead of having to worry about the lives and functionality of fleets of ships, people, armoured units and assets under his beck and call. "Such things are not uncommon. This Cain may not be wishing to accept the burden or your position. Or Cain has suffered crushing defeat while trying to lead large numbers before. Uncertain, Tabbina will not judge. But he may have his chance out here whether he wishes it or not. The East is not as cushy as the West."
Hearing the possibility to work together on understanding the strange and complicated machines that were designed to be so despite their simple functions. "I'm sure the splicers wouldn't mind working on this with your scientists. I'll bring this up with Fraph, along with the fact that they may try to openly recruit from our numbers. I doubt most would accept seeing as we are just about getting back on our feet... But there are always black sheep that will no doubt jump on the opportunity to return to piracy. It won't be like they'll be able to notice it straight away, we still wear our rebreathers even in space. We just don't have to.. Aah, speaking on preparations. It would seem they are complete. You humans like a nitrogen and oxygen based atmosphere if I remember correctly. It was what those Apex lunatics had on their ship. I'll transmit the coordinates for Fraph's ship over now. I will meet you there to escort you and whoever you bring with you." True to his word, Mithra's ship breaks off as he transmits the coordinates of Fraph's ship as he travels deeper into the flotillas formations. Fraph's ship seemed to be located close to a Liveship close to an asteroid that seemed to have a pretty big mining effort being done on it.
Ilox simply shrugged to Tabbina, as it was simply unknown to her, "I haven't a clue really of his reasons. Very good at what he does, far more skilled. But from what I know, he's considered rather apathetic. Doubt it's trauma, he never struck me as the sort. Just a strange mystery, which maybe I'll know the answer to at some point. Cain isn't part of my fleet, he was stationed elsewhere. I have no idea what happened to him after the Civil War, but I wouldn't be surprised if he made it out. He ain't the type to die easy." She then nodded to Mithra, "The offer is there, since we seem to be preparing to work together. Smart I think to start on such things to encourage trust. As for the recruitment, they'll certainly go for those black sheep, as well as any gloryhounds. Apex has a rather particular recruitment base. Anyways, see you soon. I won't be bringing too many with me on the shuttle, so don't worry about that." With that, she closed the communication channel.
Turning to her bridge crew she spoke up, "Grab Maltoi and Sysglow. They'll be coming with me. Otherwise, just hold down the fort while I'm gone." With that, Ilox moved to get to her vessel's hanger. On the way there she met up with the two she had chosen to accompany her. Both were captains, though one was a Marine Captain and the other an Army Captain. Captain Maltoi was the Marine, and he was a Taurus. His own size was what made Ilox used to Tabbina, and it was also no wonder that he was quite good in close quarters combat. The bayonet on the end of his rather enlarged plasma rifle had been used plenty of times. But notably, he was also a capable pilot. Sysglow was not quite as intimidating, as she was just an Ialao. While she was part of the army and had the experience to match, Ilox kept her along primarily because she had technical knowledge, as well as some basic awareness for magic. These two were primarily coming as guards for Ilox, but they had their own skills they could use to help Ilox's case.
In due time, the shuttle launched with these three onboard, heading towards the coordinates given for Fraph's ship. It was interesting to note the large mining effort, but it did make sense. Nomads still needed resources after all, and asteroids had plenty if you were willing to dig.
Fendi shook his head initially, as Yosgel had made one error he wished to address, "Just 'lord' is fine. I am no High Lord, I am just a regular Anubite Lord. It would be poor form to accept address that is only proper for a ruler when I am simply a noble. Regardless, I accept your guidance." As they were taking the exit, Fendi gave a nod towards one of his researcher followers to quickly make a map as they moved, since the rather effective shortcut was well worth writing down in case of future expeditions here, regardless of their likelihood. As they exited, Fendi looked about for himself, and then shrugged, "It is not too dissimilar to the sands of my homeworld, Tombuiorn. The Anubite Capital world, in fact. On that world, most is desert. Swirling sands and dunes, with only one section of the planet properly suited for urbanization, and so it's where most of the people are gathered. You likely would not like the chaos of the linear city, smushed together as it is. But you could probably enjoy the dunes. The dunes of Tombuiorn however are all sitting above ancient tombs of untellable age. Wonder if that's the case here?"
He then watched the launch in the distance and raised an eyebrow, "Pleasant to see that you're expanding, but where exactly is it headed? Not many planets in the immediate vicinity of this Nebula that I saw of much worth for colonization, besides perhaps some mining operations. And I doubt you'd need such a large group for a planet that is close by. That looks like it is meant to be self sustaining, which means its long range."
The woman shook her head no, seeming to understand Filia’s distaste for the situation. She sighed and looked around, “If your friend passed out I can try and help him as best I can... I’m a doctor, and this is a medical lab.” She searched around and grabbed a small vial of liquid in that strange planetary language, plus a needle. “I’ll help your friend as long as you’ll take me to him.”
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Lilime smiled, “exceptional work! Yes, the Creach are a business like people. Very industrious and avaricious, these women. Warriors to their core, not to be mistaken, surely. However, ore and mining is so ingrained in their society, they used to worship it. Many of these people believe the mountain we’re standing under was the goddess of mining herself, and she died to give birth to the Creach people. And that her blood hardened in the stones here and became precious metals.” Liline chuckled, “funny, innit? How these folk worship something as laborious as bloody mining. And yet they’re so fiercely proud of it. But you are correct, I suspect. It is their business skills and money-loving attitude that allowed them to survive the eckers. When Sephus spoke again Liline perked up a bit, “hobby stuff? Like what? I’m sure we can find most things here, since this is a big city. I’m just not sure what you you’d want? I’m not sure even I could get us in for a round of Lowland Splash, if I’m honest.”
Forthammer and Sheepskin would witness a tremendous fireball from the Woodrow after it let loose a second broadside. The bow of the ship erupted into fire, a magazine had presumably detonated. The ship began limping closer to the Dernby. Both ships still maintained rates of fire at their two attackers, but Woodrow had been crippled. Its firing power decimated by the explosion, and now most of the crew likely on fire duty. Most of the able crew would be attempting to stop the fire and recover the ship from total loss. But an interesting development occurred. Woodrow kept moving closer to Dernby, and the Woodrow raised the maritime flag “Xray.” An experienced naval captain would recognise the Xray flag as to mean “Stop your intentions, watch for my signal.” The Sheepskin would ceased being fired upon by Dernby and witnessed the crew of the Dernby abandoning ship. The crew of the dernby loaded into small lifeboats and made for the nearby Woodrow. The Dernby itself was turned hard to larboard, and veered away from Woodrow. The attackers could see what was happening, Dernby had been abandoned but its cargo left intact in the hopes they would let the sailors and the crew of the Woodrow live. The Woodrow was in a bad way, and could no longer fight. Its only option was to limp to the nearest port. The Sheepskin and Forthammer also realised they never destroyed the Woodrow’s communication’s lattice, so a distress signal was bound to have been sent and perhaps reinforcements were only an hour away. Sheepskin and Forthammer could waste more time destroying the damaged Woodrow, which had extended its olive branch, and risk engaging with larger naval ships from the Bezannian navy. Or let Woodrow go and pillage the loot from the Dernby.
The broadside and the sudden explosion of Woodrow thundered across the battlescape that they are currently in. Both sides seem to be taking heavy damage even for Forthammer, who's sideskirt armor is slowly being torn apart and its improvised slope armor improvement being destroyed. The bow of the Forthammer has been cut off due to poor welding and an entire armor plate dislodges from the ship due to it unable to handle the vibration forces experienced when the shells of Woodrow impact it leaving a wide vulnerable spot for the Woodrow to be shot at and deal some considerable amount of damage, of course if the Woodrow can still sustain fire even after the side of their ship exploded.
The Sheepskin on the other hand is rightfully funked. Their specific angle and their slow speed was proven to be vital for numerous shots of Woodrow's broadside salvo before it exploded to penetrate vital parts of the ship, especially the aft parts. The horizontal drive and mount of the two turrets on the aft of Sheepskin would be torn apart after several shots penetrate the sideskirt and then the rings of the turrets. The sidearmor's connector pieces would be penetrated as well causing the entire armor piece on the backside of the ship to float and drift off, the fuel tank of the ship explodes with a spectacular ball of flame, due to this it would also cause the power generator to rupture and small explosions can be seen, due to having no auxiliary power systems and also an old model of a cruiser, the cruiser goes dark and would stop firing immediately making it a sitting duck. The temperature of the fires on the engine room would be hot enough to melt and seep around the ship causing fires across almost all decks as well as the entire thruster and engine block of the ship being torn apart. The ship itself was drifting away from the Dernby as the forces impacted we're powerful enough to drastically alter the course alongside that the entire ship has been skeletonized for a much lighter ship and a maneuverable one, not realizing how much damage this would cause if they we're actually hit
Forthammer would stop firing after seeing the unknown colored flag raised, unsure what it means but speculation would seem to be a variant of the X-flag, with different colors. Several shuttlecraft that are on the Sheepskin would attempt to escape but the fires would reach the secondary fuel tank that is located in the center of the ship, which was supposed to be the quarters of the crew men but replaced with it. Sheepskin explodes like a bubble, a brilliant white and blue explosion due to the chemical, the shockwave would either destroy the shuttle craft escaping or be pushed off course, one of them would head straight for Forthammer had no choice to destroy its own kin. A lone crewman from the Forthammer would climb up to the top of the command deck of the Forthammer with the flags of C and B, again with a different color scheme. The crewman would suddenly be pushed down by a sudden explosion on the engine compartment of the forthammer. Without clear direction from their captain the crewman would raise the J flag as a warning to them to get the hell out of there immediately.
Yosgel is surprised to hear that another desert world that feels like home also exists amongst the stars, of course such possibility is to be expected in a vast galaxy. He peers his gaze to another side of the horizon, the direction of the only true city. “Yes. There is only one major settlement here, Eirfaeggra, which means “Desert Miracle”, I forgot what the meaning and history is behind the name of that city but it is what it is.. Most of the smaller settlements here are temporary and its rare to be a permanent one. There some nomadic peoples here which in itself developed its own culture distinct from the usual. There are some rare occasions where entire settlements just disappear out of thin air, such example is the City of Exelion, pulverized under millions of tons of sand and dust, everyone on that grim day perished. We have already made a small song in honor of them, but has since been updated to incorporate the colonization mission.”
-♩ Water, fire, wind and earth arise
Stone souls caught in desert storms
Once chained ghosts of a forgotten world
Rise stone souls caught in desert storms
Once chained ghosts of a forgotten world
New born once more. ♩-
As the massive ship scales up into the sky now becoming but a speck of bright light, the winds from its blast propulsion sweep across them bringing small sandwaves toward them. “The name of the planet that KS Altameira will colonize is already known as Exelion. A tribute to the fallen city, hence the new part of the song" Yosgel would ask for Rhian the tablet but a little quarrel would ensue, having to force Yosgel to get the tablet on her breast pocket, unsure why its placed there. “Sorry about that.” Yosgel unfolds the tablet and would show the starmap around their local vicinity. A huge red circle seems to be the nebula proper and then several hundred stars around them catalogued, a rotating cross would be above one of the stars, some few weeks travel southeast of the nebula, but for the ship due to how heavy it is and how much stuff it carries, it might as well take over a month. “Yeah this is kinda unhelpful since you’re looking at our local starmap, maybe you can overlay yours with mine and see where it is from your area?” He requests.
Fendi looked out over the horizon, in the same direction as Yosgel to see if he could get a glimpse of the city. He fidgeted a bit however at Yosgel's description, sighing, "It was once like that on my homeworld. In ancient days, Tombuiorn had very few settlements. The only place one could settle a permanent city was along the major rivers, leading to the planet's singular ocean. Any attempt at settling out in the great sands, even near the occasional oasis, was doomed to fail or be abandoned. Either destroyed by the elements, infighting, or the fury of the dead. But in time the settlements along the rivers grew and became mighty. We too once had a unique culture of nomadic Anubites. They... are no longer with us, in a great tragedy of our history. Their spirits still linger in the sands. The river settlements took hold of the world's destiny, and so was the way the Anubite Empire was born."
He watched the ship leave until it drifted entirely out of sight, listening to the song in the meanwhile, and then found it amusing that they had such a tribute to a destroyed city. Still, it was an interesting idea, and one he could appreciate, "A good way to remember the name. Even if it takes a new form, the name will live on, and perhaps through it the history. As for the overlay, hand your pad here. Let us see where it lines up." With that, Fendi took out a dataslate of his own, to line up the starmaps. With that, he would see where this Exelion was in a far larger galactic context.
Seeing the chaos the two rebel ships were in, the wounded Woodrow continued limping away. Seeming happy to just part ways for now. Steaming off into the deep ether, towards true Bezannian shores for repairs. But the crew of the Forthammer and Sheepskin had another problem, despite Woodrow having slipped away into the Ether, the crewless Dernby now a derelict ship hovering nearby, a bezannian naval squadron emerged from the wake of the Ethercurrent about two hours after the Woodrow’s magazine explosion. Having sailed fast and running their light, the squadron consisted of two modern frigates and one man-o-war. This Squadron moved in very close to the wrecks of the ships and began broadcasting orders to surrender.
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