Disclamier: I do not own any characters from the Marvel or DC Universe. What characters I do own don't steal them or I will sue your ass off.
Alright this is the sequel to "Help from Unexpected Places." I have a good idea where I am going in this story and I hope you will enjoy. There will more characters both good and bad as well as a familiar face every now and again. So enjoy and look for the next chapter in late July.
"Sir, we are receiving transmissions from our spacial defenses. Seventy percent of them are verified as being destroyed. The remaining thirty percent will not last much longer. The enemy forces fire power is too strong. Captain Lamba and Captain Furbis are getting their battle groups into formation to meet the threat. They are awaiting orders to attack now or let the orbital lasers continue until they are drained or destroyed." Said the radio man.
The wolf like creature above him took in all this information. He had a scowl on his face at the options he was presented with.
"Tell the two Captains to attack now. Perhaps their combined might with the orbital lasers will do enough damage or slow them down." He growled.
"Yes commander." Was the response.
Commander Rizen looked on with grim determination. He had hoped the orbital lasers would have done more damage. They were rings of metal machines that harnessed the suns energy and created into powerful laser blasts. It had protected the planet Furbis for generations. But now it had seemed to meet its match in the new enemy. The enemy known as the Kachan Empire.
Rizen felt his fur stiffen and his sharp teeth grind against themselves. The Kachan Empire, the very name sent fear through most galaxies. They had slowly and cruelly taken control of Solar System after Solar System. So far no one had been able to stop them. The so called rebels gained small victories now and then, but nothing significant. Although they did seem to be doing better the last 3 months. If the rumors were to be believed they had a new leader. Whoever he was the Kachan Empire had stopped taking the rebels lightly and actually were pursuing them with vengeance. Which Rizen feared was the reason they were here.
"Lamba and Furbis squads are now in range sir. Orbital lasers are down to 22 percent."
"Tell them to fire everything they have, no mercy." Rizen yelled.
Above the planet Furbis Captain Furbis had just received authorization to attack. Captain Furbis felt very proud at this moment. He was a decorated soldier who had won many campaigns for his planet. Having the same last name as the planet was no mistake. His family had founded this world and protected it for generations. Furbis himself would do the same. He refused to have his people killed and enslaved by the Kachan Empire. Howling his battle cry throughout the ship his crewmates joined him and the noise nearly deafen them all. But they did not care.
"Blast them out of the sky!!" Furbis roared.
Furbis ship had his fourteen ships with him fired orange lasers slamming into the enemy fleet. Captain Lamba and his twelve ships did the same. The Kachan Empire's three ships were bathed in orange and lost from view. A roar of triumph rose throughout the fleet as they celebrated the destruction of their enemy. Roars that were quickly silenced as the light faded and the three Kachan ships remained where they were seeming unharmed.
"Impossible, there is not a scratch on them." Said one of the crew.
"Sir what do we do?" Asked another.
Captain Furbis could hear the voices but not the words. He was in shock. He simply could not believe that the Kachan ships were unharmed. Twenty six of the Furion finest ships had just fired on three ships and hadn't made a dent.
The black and red monstrosities remained standing seeming to glare at them. Each of them was three times the size of a Furion ship and five times the fire power. Each ship contained six powerful proton cannons as well as twelve missile bays. The shielding was of the highest caliber. Even if someone did manage to break through they still had the armor to deal with. It was made out of a special ore call Trillium that was found to be only on a few planets. The Kachan Empire controlled most of those planets. Planet Furbis was one of the only three planets that mined this ore free of their control. With a defeat this day that would no longer be the case.
Captain Furbis shook himself from these dark thoughts and harden his gaze on the view screen. The Kachan ships had fired another salvo destroying the remaining spacial ring that had protected the planet for so long. Their options just had lessen all the more.
"Sir, Captain Lamba is suggesting that we attack again. Maybe we hurt them more than we realize." His radio man said.
Furbis shook his head at this.
"Unlikely, but we have no other choice. Tell Lamba's group to continue to fire while we get in closer. Perhaps at a closer range we can do more damage and take out their shields." Furbis ordered.
"Sir, but closing in would put us closer in their firing range as well. There is no way our ships will hold beyond the initial blast." One of his crewmen disagreed.
"Lamba's team cover fire will ensure their attention is elsewhere. Besides surrender is not an option, we defend our planet or die trying." Captain Furbis snarled to the crewmen.
The crewmen put down their head in shame and returned to his duties.
Captain Furbis looked around for anymore opposition but found none. They had served with him for years and trusted his judgment. Many also conceited that this would be their last battle. If they died this day it would be with honor in battle.
Furbis nodded to himself and turned to his helmsmen.
"Forward helmsmen, I want to be 2 thousand meters in from of them." He said
The helmsmen gasped at such a distance but nodded his head and drove the ship forward. The rest of Furbis's fleet followed in their wake. Lamba's team did their job and fired everything they had at the Kachan ships to draw attention away from them.
On the lead Kachan ship the soldiers on the bridge looked on the assault with no visible emotion. They wore blue and red armor with plasma rifles on the hips and energy swords on their backs. They were some of the fiercest warriors through the universe and their reputations proved that. The most feared were those with gold around their collar. That meant they had personally killed over a hundred. They had yet to fail against any opponent. Failure was not a option for those who served under the Kachan Empire. You either succeeded, or you died. There was no in between.
The only one not in armor was the one seated in the captain's chair. Although to most it would look like a throne. It was decorated in gold and red and was over twelve feet tall. The being seated within was significantly smaller than that but it made no difference. His reputation too was known all over, and it struck fear in even the bravest of souls.
"So, they seek to distract us while more of them get in closer. No doubt to do more damage. A predictable move even if I didn't have the gift of foresight. This battle was destined to be over before it ever began." The figure on the throne said conversationally as if they didn't have a care in the world.
"Shall we ignore those firing and destroying those seeking to come closer my lord? Our defense can hold up to give us the time to do so." One of the soldiers said.
The figure on the throne looked to the sky for a moment before shaking his head.
"No, this so called battle had been prolonged enough. Our Lord Kales grows tired on these delays. It is time these fools realized the pointlessness of this and simply give me the information I seek. To that end I will personally bring this all to its natural conclusion." The figure said rising it its feet.
Those on the bridge momentarily forgot their emotionless mask and looked at their leader. They just as quickly turned back to their duties.
Orion smiled at this and raised both hands to the air.
"Stars of the heavens hear my call. Grant form to which is light and set them forth." He yelled.
Suddenly the space above the fighting ships became dark blue and some kind of portal opened.
" Taurus of Midgar come forth and crush thine enemy beneath your mighty hooves." Orion continued.
From the portal came the giant head of what appeared to be a bull. It appeared to struggle with its great bulk before finally pulling free with its legs and tail.
"Arigin the Hunter of Cronus come forth a pierce their hearts with your glory."
From the portal came a half man half horse carrying a bow and arrow. On its back it had a quiver of arrows and a large sword at its hip.
"Twins Genimi of Valfor come forth and duplicate the mass destruction for which you were born."
Now out of the portal appeared to men dressed in medieval gowns. Both appeared to be identical to the other.
Orion then put down his heads and looked at the screen showing the creatures he had brought forth. The all were half the size of a Kachan ships and appeared to be stick figures that someone had connected the dots to. Still there was no denying that they were alive if not made of flesh.
"Attack." Orion said simply.
He said this very softly but the creatures appeared to hear him all the same. The giant bull snorted and rushed forward on its powerful legs on seemenilgly thin air. It's crude horns punctured through a Furion ship and tossed it aside like it weighed nothing. The ship exploded and was joined by another ship as it was crushed under the bulls powerful calves.
While Taurus did its destruction up close the Hunter did it's from afar. It unleashed arrow after arrow upon the Furion fleet. Three ships were destroyed before they even realized what had happen. They tired to return fire but the Hunter's horse legs proved to swift and he avoiding all contact. Meanwhile his long ranged assault continued with no mercy.
But the terror was far from over. Because the Gemini Twins too began than assault. They joined hands and began to spin around and around each other at high speeds. Soon a hurricane appeared in space like some deadly vortex. A vortex that began to draw in the Furion ships like a moth to a flame. The ships struggled to break the pulling force but we unable to. Engines blew and they were drawn into the vortex with no hope of escape. The deadly winds slashed through the ships shields and armor relentlessly. The brave Furions roared their battle cries to escape their fate but it made no difference. In a matter of minutes the once proud twenty six ships were down to five.
"Sir, our fleet is all but destroyed. We have no other choice but to abandon ship." One of the wolf creatures yelled to terror. His bravery had left him at the sight of his comrades so ruthlessly destroyed. All that was left was the broken form of a man.
Captain Furbis held no disgust at this act. He knew that the battle was over. He also knew going to the escape pods would give them no safety. They were doomed. From the moment the creatures had come into existence he knew it was over. Never would he have thought that the leader of the Generals would participate in this battle. Throughout the universe Orion was only second to Kalis as being feared. He vaguely heard his people telling him another two ships had been destroyed. Furbis knew there was only one option left.
"Place the core on overload and engines to full. We are going to ram that monster. We have lost men but we will not be alone. It has been honor to serve with you all. May I see you all in the afterlife." Furbis said before looking into the view screen and into the raged filled eyes of the mighty bull.
The Furions looked at their leader and then to each other. Finally they turned to the bull which was stampeding right at them. They slowly nodded their heads and performed their last duty. The core was overloaded and head right for the enemy. Both opponents charged at each other without breaking stride. Captain Furbis kept his eyes calm and cool and he met those of his opponents. Even through his failure he knew his family was proud of them. Soon he would be with them again in the next world. With that thought a small smile came to his face as the bull's horns connected with the ship and the core exploded.
Taurus roared back from the unexpected heat of the explosion. It had been unlike the other ships that it had destroyed. It fell to its side and remained limp in space. Seconds later it shook itself and stood again although shakily.
Orion witnessed all this with a smile. His creations had made short work of the enemy fleet just as he saw in his vision. This story too would be told across the universe improving his reputation all the more. But he put that aside knowing it was time to move on to his main objective. Kalis wanted answers, it was Orion and the other generals job to get them.
Orion vanished from the ship in blue light and appeared on Taurus's back. He simply pointed to the planet's surface and the bull charged towards that direction. The Hunter and Gemini twins were closely behind.
Commander Rizen viewed all this from the control tower of the capital city of Furbis. He too could not have fathomed Orion himself becoming involved. He fought to hold back the tears at losing so many comrades. He was even more sadden that he could not avenge them. The battle as well as the war was over. He told his ground troops to stand down. There was no purpose in them throwing away their lives over a losing battle.
"I am going outside to meet him. Make no offensive moves, we can only hope for fair terms of a surrender now." Rizen said walking towards the exit.
"Doubtful." One of his Lutients muttered.
Rizen pretended not to hear him and left the room.
Minutes later he was outside with forty armed Furion's behind him. However their weapons were pointed at the ground so as not to appear aggressive. Rizen could tell how agitated they all were. His race was simply too proud to surrender without giving everything they had. However they trusted Rizen's judgment and stood at his side.
Moments later they saw the three creatures coming right at them. They were just as fierce as they saw them on the monitors. The three eventually landed and looked down on them in contempt. But none made an attempt to attack. Orion himself then jumped from the bulls back and floated down to them. Orion locked gazes with Rizen and ignored the others.
Rizen himself was memorizing everything about his enemy. By looks alone it was hard to believe Orion was one of the strongest beings in the Universe and lead Kalis's armies.
He was only around 5'4' with a bald head. His head was gray with yellow eyes that appeared to see something else. His arms were short while his chest and legs were covered with a blue material. It seemed like a simple cloth, not armor. Still it was said that Orion had never been touched in battle. If the rumors were to be believed by the few who survived an encounter with him.
He had some kind of magical barrier around his body. It was also said that his connection to the stars allowed him to see several futures that enabled him to avoid attack and already know how to win since he knew the enemies strategy. As far as his star powers they were said to be limitless since the stars themselves had infinite power. Rizen was seeing some of that power by the three beasts behind him. He also knew that Orion could have summoned more but didn't feel the need to. A person like Orion was filled with so many contradictions that no one knew fact from fiction. In that way he was like Kalis and no one knew what power he truly possessed. But to control so many power beings he had to truly be some kind of god.
"You are wise to stop your fighting Furion. My ships and my creations can burn this world to the ground if I wish it. Agree to my terms and no further harm shall come to your world. You shall be under the control and protection of the Kachan Empire. You will reap all the rewards that come with that honor." Orion stated.
Rizen had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at this prepared speech. He doubted that Orion believed the garbage that he was spilling out. But Rizen held his tongue knowing that he had to go through these formalities.
"First condition, you will hand over all military control to the Kachan Empire. You may keep some of your weapons and ships but only at our discretion."
"Two, you will give us two hundred of your people for Tengo evolution. We are running short this year and need more."
Rizen flinched at this, surrendering his people to be turned in those power sniffing freaks. He felt bile rise up in his throat.
"Three, you will cut all ties with the rebels and tell us all information you know about them. Be warned that these three terms are not negotiable. There are others but they are subject to change. If you agree say so now and we can begin the process." Orion finished.
"You want a answer now?!" Rizen blurted out. He couldn't believe Orion expected him to answer for his whole planet right at this moment.
"You are the speaker for Furbis are you not? You know a battle would only bring destruction and death to your world. What I'm asking seems more than reasonable for preserving lives. Of course if you believe otherwise tell me now and the destruction of your world can begin anew." Orion told him plainly.
Rizen fought to keep control of himself. One false move and everything would be over. He let out small breaths until he had himself calm once again.
"As for condition two I don't know how long it will take to convince people to allow themselves to be turned in Tengos. I may speak for them but I can't force them."
"If you don't we will choose 200 random Furions. Some perhaps even children." Orion countered.
"As for three what makes you think we have any interaction with the rebels. We know the consequences of helping them." Rizen continued keeping his composure over the children remark.
To that Orion said nothing as a meteor descended from the sky and crashed into a near by city. The explosion was immense and the fires could be seen from their location.
"I just destroyed one of your cities. I don't know what the population was but it is now zero. Lie again and next time it will be two cities, then three. I'm sure you know where I am going with this." Orion said plainly. His expression did not change.
Rizen felt his face fall at the callous loss of life. Perhaps Orion really could see the future and knew he was lying. Either way he had to stop the senseless deaths now.
"Very well, we will give you all the information we know of the rebels. As well as stop giving them supplies. Is that sufficient to stop your assault?" Rizen ground out.
For the first time since their meeting Orion smiled.
"Yes, that will due quite nicely. I feel this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
TBC
In case you were wondering I based Orion's creations on the constellations. More on his power and the other generals will be relayed in the upcoming chapters. Tell me what you think so far.