The Opened Way
Chapter 3
Echoes of Darkness

Time: 2:32 PM EST

"This Is the Quarian Fleet Council. To Unknown race we offer peace and thanks to our saviors. We wish for no violence between us."

The Message of peace had been sent nearly 10 minutes ago and their was no response to any of the Quarian hails.

"Commander? I believe it is likely that this race does not use Element Zero at all. Perhaps their ships cannot translate the Prothean language?" JSO Goo'co commented.

"That is a plausible explanation….but we must not give up hope in trying to establish peaceful contact with the ones who saved us from our deaths." Commander Hijo'caa replied.

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Time: 2:35 PM EST

The Quarians had no idea what was going on the unknown races ships as they were wondering why the UR(Unknown race) ships had not responded. The Humans were in fact searching through the Chthonian database for any match of the language.

"Anything yet Dr. Ramche? Have we found any matches?" Commander Lobas inquired to the ships resident Chthonian expert.

"No…wait! We have a confirmed match. Translating from Prothean to English now sir." Dr. Ramche replied.

As soon as the translation was complete the message of peace played again.

"This Is the Quarian Fleet Council. To Unknown race we offer peace and thanks to our saviors. We wish for no violence between us."

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"Quarians? Is the language known as Prothean?" Commander Lobas asked.

"No sir. It is possible that the race known as the Quarians have based off their tech off that of the Prothean's and have developed a translation system based on it. Beyond that is merely idle speculation." Dr. Ramche replied.

"Is it possible to use the Chthonian database to translate English into Prothean so we can communicate with these…Quarians?" Commander Lobas asked.

"Very much so sir. The Chthonian database is easily able to do that…what do you wish to say to these Quarians?" Dr. Ramche asked.

"Hmmm…uh…I don't know." Commander Lobas replied.

The look on the crews face could only be described as priceless. Here was the Commander of the SF Battalion trying to figure out what to say to a race of Aliens they just saved.

"Alright…we go with IT then sir." Dr. Ramche stated.

"But we hate IT. IT never works…" Commander Lobas replied

"I know sir…but its better than nothing." Dr. Ramche pointed out.

"Fine…I'll say it." Commander Lobas replied.

"Attention Quarian fleet. This is Commander Lobas of the Human Dreadnought StormCaller. We come in peace."

"This is Commander Hijo'caa vas Dena of the Quarian race. We accept your response. Thank you." Commander Hijo'caa replied.

"Thank goodness. We are not dying out today." Commander Hijo'caa thought.

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Time: 2:49 PM EST

"Peaceful First Contact has been established. All ships stand down. Call for scavengers." Commander Lobas ordered.

On board the council ship the Quarians were nearly starting to party in happiness. After nearly 15 minutes of waiting they had an answer…and it was one of peace. Of course a few seconds later they realized they were effectively stranded in the middle of nowhere with barely any fuel. The council quickly began to talk about how to solve this problem.

"Perhaps we could ask our new friends?" Councilor 1 asked

"No…our scanners detect no H-3 emitting from their ships. They do not use it." Councilor 2 replied

"Perhaps but maybe they can harvest it for us." Councilor 3 suggested

"Either way we must ask. If we stay here the Turians may discover us. They are unlikely to have sent no report containing our position." Councilor 4 recommended.

"Agreed." All other councilors.

"Attention Human? Ship. All of our ships are low on fuel. We require the gas known as Helium 3. Could you possibly gather enough for all our ships and possibly a safe area away from the Turians where we can speak? The Turians are arrogant yes…but they are not stupid. Some ships may have reported our position to them and we are in danger." Councilor 1 requested.

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Time: 2:58 PM EST

"Sir. We have received a message from the Quarian council." Dr. Ramche reported.

"Onscreen." Commander Lobas ordered.

"Hmmm…Dr? How long would it take to reconfigure some Scavengers to be able to get Helium-3 and get back here?" Commander Lobas asked.

"Hmm…I would estimate about 4 to 6 hours to reconfigure the Scavengers and then another few hours to get the estimated amount of Helium-3." Dr. Ramche responded.

"That may take too long. I agree with the Quarians that these Turians would have reported their position. We need a better idea Dr." Commander Lobas replied.

"Well…we could ask Governor Hetad for permission to tow the Elysium Super Gate here. It would be much quicker and they can be configured to send ships to a certain area that doesn't have a gate. We tested that function out back in 2240. The ships encountered some problems but were unharmed." Dr. Ramche explained

"That was with biometal ships Doctor. The Quarians do not use biometal, we have no idea if their ships could handle the super gates FTL forces at all." Commander Lobas countered.

"Very true sir." Dr. Ramche conceded.

"Argh…this is insane! We cannot use the super gate, we can't gather the H-3 fast enough, and we have no idea how far or long it will take the Turians to find this position! We need an idea!" Commander Lobas yelled in exasperation.

"There is the Super Carrier prototype sir. It has functioning engines, life support and FTL. It would also be able to carry many Quarian ships in one go and it would be quicker than modifying the Scavengers to gather H-3."

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Meanwhile as Commander Lobas and Dr. Ramche try and solve the problem for getting the Quarians to Elysium a dangerous experiment is taking place.

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Location: Crin System.
Planet: Ojoi
Time: 2:59 PM EST

The planet Ojoi was a regular planet for all intents and purposes if not for its history of sympathy towards France, Spain, and North Koreans. Many of those from the 3 nations fled here after the FSNK Alliance fell. It is however one of the oldest colonies and boasts a force of 4800 Tanks. The Total amount of armed forces however is closer to 1,615,000. The Fleet stationed at Ojoi is estimated to be nearly 400 Patrol Frigates, 79 Cruisers, and 2 Carriers.

Far below the city of Pat however scientists from the FSNK Alliance still work in absolute secrecy. There plan…to make an armored force 10x more powerful, create an army of super soldiers, build up the fleet, and take over the ISDF. So far they had be very successful in gaining support from other colonies sympathetic to the FSNK Alliance. 16 other planets had been funneling supplies and biometal to the scientists.

Under the guise of increasing defenses the planet Mat had increased their tank forces nearly 5x. Over 6000 Tanks had been completed and more men had joined the small rebellion.

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This lab was one of many the scientists of the FSNK had constructed after fleeing from the ISDF's wrath. Even after over 100 years many still hated what the Alliance did to the colonies and to Earth itself.

It was the primary lab of the S.C.I.O.N program. Self Contained Intelligent Organic Newtype.

Only a few Scientists were allowed into this lab and only a few had access to the codes to communicate with the Scientists inside the lab. Right now the head of the S.C.I.O.N program Braar Armond was talking to Doctor Odessa.

"Dr. Odessa? How goes the work on the SCION program?"
"Progress goes well Director Armond. We have had very little problems with the biometal being inserted. Several of the test subjects have had some minor problems however, they are in the Medical Ward now."

"Hmmm…any other problems?"

"None sir."

"Excellent. Continue Doctor."

"Thank you sir. I'll do my best"

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Time: 3:14 PM EST

The computer screen goes dark as Braar shuts off the communication channel to the lab. Back inside the lab Dr. Odessa slumps against the wall and slides to the floor and begins to cry in sadness.

"Damnit! DAMNIT!" She yelled as she hit the chair next to her.

Unlike other scientists who were here from the FSNKA she was taken from College after FSNKA spies found her Doctoral thesis on Human/Biometal combination. He thesis had unlocked quite a few answers that the FSNKA hadn't cracked about how to make the fusion work. Thus, they kidnapped her. She had been working on this project for nearly 6 years and each day her guilt grew as she saw men, women, and even some children come to be tested for compatibility with biometal. She saw the horrors of what happened to those the biometal rejected, controlled, or did nothing at all. She saw the power of the SCIONs as they were termed when they were unleashed against defenseless people.

Only 1 subject had shown anything other than pure aggressiveness. It was SCION A27. Before that his name was Jacob Mandran a member of the janitorial staff at a high school. She herself had been witness to the combining of his flesh with biometal and it terrified her. However, she also saw the strength inside him…the fury that threatened to consume him.

She watched as he tore, smashed, and ripped apart G3 Tanks. She saw the pure power behind that thin body and it frightened her…well it would have if she had not seen the gentleness in his eyes and body language. She saw the hatred he had for his "Keepers" and it gave her strength to continue on despite being trapped in a horrifying hell she had no way to be free of.

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Time: 3:27 PM EST

The sound of the alarm snatched her from her thoughts.

"What? Could the ISDF have found this place? Could it be possible for these people to be free after so many years of depravity! Could I finally be free?" Her thoughts rushed.

"DR. ODESSA! Subject A27 is breaking free and slaughtering out Guards! Shut down all passages to your area! He must not reach the main lab!" Braar Armond's voice rang out over the alarms.

"No…"

"What?" His voice cracked with surprise

"No more! I WILL BE PART OF THIS TORTURE NO MORE! They will be free from you and your petty ambitions Braar. No longer shall I watch as you destroy Human lives in an attempt to gain power!" Her voice filled with vindication as she finally broke free of her shackles that had chained her to her guilt.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS ODESSA RAWN! THE FULL MIGHT OF THE FSNK ALLIANCE SHALL DESCEND UPON YOU FOR THIS TREACHERY!" He roared in anger.

"Treachery? No! THIS…IS…FREEDOM!" She countered her voice filled with confidence.

70 Light years away Braar Armond listened in silent shock as her voice came through the monitor.

"Damn that BITCH!" He roared in his mind. Her refusal and growing of a backbone had shattered his plans.

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Time: 3:38 PM EST

He had been smashing his way through the security forces as fast as he could. He needed to reach the main lab that he remembered from his mind. Only there could he free his brethren from their captivity. He remembered "Her" the only one of his "Keepers" that actually knew what she was doing was wrong. Despite all evidence and testing that said it wasn't possible all Scions had minor telepathy. They were all empathetic and all the dark feelings given off by the guards and the Scion's "Keepers" were toxic to them. The evil thoughts slowly fed into the minds of the Scions driving them closer to the "Fury" side. He and his brethren had no idea what the "Fury" side was…only that it was dark and full of rage beyond any compare. A rage at everything. Many of them had fallen to the "Fury" side and turned into monsters. Beings that only wished to destroy and kill everything…including themselves.

He was almost there before three more Guards stood in his way to block him from entering. He slammed the first guard into the wall and the Guards biometal armor did nothing to protect him as A27 punched through the armor and ripped out his heart. The two other Guards quickly opened fire, but that did nothing as his fusion with the biometal was complete. Their assault rifle ammo did nothing to him as he ripped the head off Guard number 2. The 3rd continued to fire and was ripped in half by the sheer strength A27.

Finally he reached the door. Ripping the motorized door out from its place he came across "Her" near the computer looking at the door with shocked eyes.

"Please…hel?…help?"

"Need to free o-o-o others from Cells to free f-f-from Dark space." He stuttered out. His voice not being used in a long time.

She smiled.

"I'll help A27, I'll help." She replied.

"Nooot A27." He answered

"Oh…what do you wish to be called then?" She asked.

"I…I will be Scion Prime. First of the new Scion Race!" He answered with confidence.

"Then Scion Prime…lets free your people and get out of this hellhole!" She responded with pride.

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Time: 3:44 PM EST

Scion Prime and Dr. Odessa worked quickly unlocking all the cells from the main lab. Hundreds of free Scions burst out and killed the Guards near the cell doors. Some died as the fusion was not complete and they were killed by weapon fire. Others slaughtered the defending Guards and the Scientists they found. Hundreds of FSNKA members lay dead in pools of their own blood and gore as others slowly died from terrible wounds. The entire facility was over run…all except the Hanger.

The Remaining Guards and personnel had retreated to the hanger hoping that the defenses would protect them from the Scions. It wasn't enough. The Scions smashed through the metal gates and turrets that tried to stop them. Finally after intense fighting all the Scions except one were in the hanger. Some were in the "Dark/Fury" Space and still wanted to taste blood and gore. That changed as soon as Scion Prime stepped into the Hanger bay. It was instantaneous the effect his presence had on all the Scions. There low level empathy telling them "THIS IS YOUR LEADER! YOUR PRIME! THE ONE WHO HOLDS THE DARKNESS BACK!"

It was true. As soon as Scion Prime entered the room the ones in Furyspace dropped to the floor, clutching their heads and whimpering in pain.

Time: 3:54 PM EST

"My people. We are no longer human. We have had our humanity destroyed by humanity! However, not all Humans are too blame! We must only blame those that killed us, and those that tortured us. No longer are we Human. WE! ARE! SCION!" Scion Prime roared out to the other Scions.

Happiness and pride flowed through the Scion Collective as their Prime spoke. It was only a few minutes later when they noticed Dr. Odessa however. Some still twitching on the floor stopped and then suddenly lunged towards her. Scion Prime caught 2 with his arms and flung them all across the hanger as they fell into the hull. He beat 9 others before they could harm Odessa and was about to speak before the last one hit something with a loud 'cronk'. All the Scions and even Odessa turned to look at what the 9th had hit on his way down.

"Doctor? Do you know what that sound was?" Prime asked.

"No…no I don't. I was mainly the Doctor for…well you know." She replied hesitance clear in her voice.

"Yes…surely there must be something you know? Perhaps something that could help us?" He queried.

"Well…I have overheard some technicians talking about a project of some sorts for an advanced space ship. But I'm pretty sure those are rumors. There is no way the FSNKA could have something they described." She answered.

"Just as there is no way they could create…Us?" He retorted.

She blushed in shame.

"There is a computer terminal over there. I'll see what I can dig up." She replied meekly.

Quickly Odessa keyed her passcode into the computers login system. The good and slightly odd thing about each FSNKA base was that the staff all had different passcodes and only the overseer of the base could delete a passcode. However, the Overseer for the planet they were on was dead thanks to the Scions. Quickly bringing up the search engine she searched for any data pertaining as to what went on in the hanger and what they could be making. Finally she found what she was looking for. It was a prototype Super Dreadnought. Codename: SoulSmiter.

"Prime? You may want to look at this!" She called to him.

Quickly he hurried over after he was finished talking to some Scions.

"What…dear god they have something that big! ON A PLANET?" He yelled in shock.

"Yes and its been tested once. Its FTL is 3x better than the one the ISDF uses. Instead of being able to jump 150 LY in a single jump it can jump 450! 550 if you push it." She replied.

"We could use this to escape to another place…far from the FSNKA! They'd never find us with this on out side!" He Exclaimed excitedly.

"Lets activate it then and get on our way! I don't want to stay here any longer. The FSNKA is sure to send ships to figure out what happened here and the civilians are sympathetic to their cause. We'd be dead if we stayed here." She explained.

"I agree. I'll tell the others." He replied.

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Time: 4:12 PM EST

"MY PEOPLE! SCIONS! We must flee this world or our killers and torturers will return in greater force! Thanks to Lady Odessa we have found our way to freedom. A prototype ship named the SoulSmiter." He told them everything about what Odessa had shown him.

"I for one do not care for SoulSmiter as the name of the ship that will take us to freedom! Does anyone have any ideas for a name?" He asked.

The Scions milled about debating amongst themselves about what to name the ship. Finally one stepped forward.

"Yes? You have an idea…?" He stopped not knowing what to call the one who had come forward.

"My personal name, I have forgotten. However, I would like to be called Ragem Pator my Prime." He replied.

"Very well Ragem. Your thought?" Prime answered.

"I believe Undying Envoy is suitable for the name." Ragem replied.

"Undying Envoy…I like it…in fact I like it a lot! All those in favor of Undying Envoy speak now!" Prime yelled to the other Scions.

It was incredible how loud the sound was as the Scion Collective roared their approval of the name. It echoed across the great hanger and into the halls and even 70 LYs away Braar Armond shivered as if a great chill had entered the room. He had no idea that his demise was coming.

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Time 4:25 PM EST

It was a magnificent sight as the newly christened Undying Envoy rose out of the Hanger. The Hanger shuddered as the powerful engines of the Undying Envoy rose. The city of Pat was 5 miles away from the Hanger and it felt the massive vibrations of the UE. The prototype Super Dreadnought rose quickly and as soon as it broke atmosphere flashed out of existence. Not 4 minutes later a massive shockwave and a plume of dust came. The base that had once held the Scions captive was gone, totally obliterated. The once proud base of the FSNKA was gone and all its secrets taken with the Scions as they fled to find a new home amongst the stars where they could grow…and return to shatter the FSNKA once and for all.

If you need more information on whats going on in my head during the planning and working stages go to www (DOT) Factpiletopia (DOT) com/ viewtopic (DOT) php?f=14&t=1514

Just replace the (DOT) with a period and get rid of the spaces. You can find what ships look like and possibly a bit more info than what you would get from just reading. It also has faction pages. Constructive Criticism allowed.