The battlecruiser continued to fall as Kria stood, trapped by the 'Valkyrie' and the marines of Draen's garrison. The troops had surrounded her and stood in a circle, their heavy rifles trained on her. Kria's heart was thudding almost constantly, she could still feel the power in her body. The ground shook and all eyes turned to the Dauntless. The damaged hull buckled, and then all sound was consumed as the ship's reactor drew in energy from the outside. In blinding light, the Terran vessel split as the core overloaded, resulting in a shattering shockwave. The blast hit the surface of Ranala III, throwing up dust and sand, then ran through to Draen like an earthquake. The impact hit. Buildings, people, vehicles, all were broken, crushed, shattered.

The marines surrounding Kria were flung back and the 'Valkyrie' struggled to remain airborne while Kria's own power kept her standing. Seizing her chance to escape, she ran into the wilderness, leaving behind the chaos and confusion. She scrambled across the dusty and hilled terrain and turned to look at her town, her home. The ground shook again as a large ship appeared in the sky with a shimmer, its black and gold hull reflecting the sun's rays. Blasts of pale yellow light erupted in the town, bringing fire and slaughter as unearthly beings struck all.

Kria ran further into the wilderness. It was getting dark now, yet you could still see the flames illuminate the sky. Weary and confused, Kria sat behind a formation of rocks, several miles from the outskirts of Draen. Her clothes were torn and dusty, her hands scratched and bloody. The air was cold, and she brought her knees in to her chest. She could feel the occasional rumble in the ground as the alien vessel unleashed its power on those inferior.

Holding her head in her hands, Kria began to cry. She had been found out somehow, the government knew about her, and now most likely everyone else, if they were still alive. Who would attack Draen? There was nothing here except dust and a few colonies that were full of farmers and mercenaries. Was it the excavation? Were these attackers the event of what the Imperium had found?

Her mind was too weary to make sense of anything that had happened. Still lying against the rock, Kria let her eyes close as she drifted into a troubled sleep...

Kria awoke with a startle. It was still dark. She felt uneasy, something was close, she could sense it. She shifted into a kneeling position and scoured around her. She couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, albeit, she couldn't see much in this light. She heard something scramble in the dirt behind her. She looked over her rock and then dropped back down into a crouch.

The being was standing straight in the dark, illuminated by a single glowing yellow blade that extended outwards from its right arm, held like a police baton. It was tall and clad in sleek black and gold armour. The armour itself wasn't a suit but separate plates that were strapped onto the being's thin, muscular pale blue body. The equipment was strange, worn in a fashion that was ancient but the armour also appeared more sophisticated and advanced than anything a Terran had seen. It stood upon legs that had two sets of knees, making the shape almost of an inverted 'Z'. The plating was full black, accented in gold, with gold inscriptions lacing the gauntlets, spaulders, breastplate and greaves. The being's head was fully masked, with waves of runed cloth and hard skeletal strands that looked like braided hair running out the back.

Kria quietly watched in fascination as the being extended a hand to the sky silently, its three fingers and two thumbs curled as if holding something. Yellow light ran through the being's veins and into the centre of its hand. It was like her. A piercing screeching struck Kria's mind and she screamed. The being dropped its hand and its illuminated yellow eyes stared at her. The plasma blade on its arm soared into new life. The creature walked towards her, blade at the ready. Kria stumbled as she tried to run, but an invisible hand lifted her off the ground halting any chance of escape. She was turned around to face the being, its arm now outstretched towards her and yellow energy wrapped tight against her.

The being stopped and stared at her then suddenly became alert, like he could sense something else. A second being appeared behind him out of blue light, clad in similar armour albeit white and blue, with no mask. He swung a blue energy blade at Kria's captor which was met with a psionic blast. Kria was dropped to the floor instantly but she couldn't help but watch. The two beings circled one another, blades drawn and humming with power. They appeared to be conversing, yet without words. The black being lowered into a crouch and activated a second curved blade along his left arm, while the white being stood up straighter with his body side on to his opponent.

The black being charged with incredible speed and attacked relentlessly, but each strike was parried by the white being. The two aliens fought with tenacity, two gold blades against one blue, sparks flying with each connection. The being in black quickly moved backward and then leapt back at its opponent. As Kria watched, she felt her psionic energy seep into her veins as a tingling sensation ran over her skin like an electric current. For an instant, the being in black made eye contact with her and she saw into its mind. Her vision was blurred, and strange images and thoughts whirled around her head; the detonation of a star, a wide open chamber with three beings sat upon thrones, a fleet raining fire on a world.

Seizing his chance, the white being outstretched his arm and flung the other backwards, pushing Kria out of its mind. Rising several inches off the ground, the white being extended both arms. Blue energy overwhelmed his enemy, ripping apart his armour and flesh, leaving him crumpled in a pool of dark blue blood.

With his fight easily won, the white being turned his attention to Kria.