Alright, we're going to the next chapter and with that, we're getting closer to the end of the story. Not really a whole lot more to say I guess, so I'll just get onto the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, Halo, Alien, Storm Hawks or anything else that appears in this story.
The battle had started several hours ago, and still the fighting raged on, with more and more Covenant forces arriving through the portals. At this point, any of the remaining installations that hadn't been damaged beyond repair were being used to ferry the Covenant troops from the other side of Atmos, where they joined the sacking of the Far Side.
Blaster fire, crystal energy, plasma bolts and explosions erupted all over the city Cyclonis was using as her capital. More and more Covenant forces had arrived into the Far Side, carving a path through the First Order and Cyclonians. It was rather clear who the victor was likely to be.
To make matters worse, Laccabeus' troops had found the crystal powered turbolasers, and were laying siege to the installations at this very moment. The First Order was holding as best they could, but their loss was inevitable, and once it was done, the Covenant could bring the full power of the Intention's Eye to bear on the Far Side.
Master Cyclonis was well aware of when she was in a losing situation, and this was one of those moments. She needed to turn things around, and quickly, otherwise this would assuredly end with her remaining power base being turned to glass.
Fortunately, good news had appeared: Domiwick had found the temple of the Ancient Ones and her loyal Night Crawlers and Talons were already there to secure it. Preliminary reports had been vague, but it seemed that this was the exact kind of discovery she was hoping for.
The First Order leadership had already evacuated from the capital city, having chosen to coordinate the defense from onboard the Finalizer, the repairs of which were being rushed further in order to at least get the vessel off the ground.
She was doing the same, having already moved her crystal supplies to a hidden and secure location. Now, she had one destination in mind, and had told the First Order forces to meet her there.
...
Cyclonis arrived first at the ruins Domiwick had called about, and was greeted by her Night Crawlers outside, who bowed in reverence as she approached. As they should. She thought as she entered into the tunnel.
"Master Cyclonis." Domiwick bowed as she approached, in both respect and fear. "We are honored to have you here."
"Spare me your sniveling, Domiwick." Cyclonis used a burst of energy to bat him aside. "This place's power will be mine alone."
"Of course, Master Cyclonis." The explorer coughed. "Right this way." Cyclonis and her Night Crawlers followed the explorer into the depths of the ruins, displaying even more awe-inspiring technology. Through it all, Domiwick was still droning on.
"We've determined that this was indeed created by the Ancient Ones of legend. The good news is that it seems to be functional even after all this time."
"And the bad news?" Cyclonis asked with falsely sweet tone.
"We... don't know how to turn it on." Domiwick sighed. "It must require something to open it, a key perhaps." By now they had reached the main control room, where the platform was hovering in the air.
"So unimaginative." Cyclonis floated forward until she was in front of a holographic console. "Let me show you." The crystal in her staff began shining even brighter before the energy bathed the room in purple light.
All across the ruins, lights and crystals turned on, long dormant machines whirring to life. Streaks of glowing patterns appeared on the walls, streaming in neat lines across the room. Rippling flame-like panels glowed even brighter, all to the awe of the Talons and Domiwick, who simply took off his hat to get a better look.
"But... how?"
"According to legend, the Ancient Ones were the first of the crystal mages." Cyclonis replied, looking over the control panel. "Obviously, their technology would respond to the same power."
A loud noise interrupted her thought process, as the single statue over the entrance way began glowing red, gathering power in its grasp. Cyclonis simply gathered her own energy and the red turned to violet, signalling her control over the device.
"Such grace, such energy." She ran her hand over the control console. "And it's all mine to control."
She brushed her hand over one symbol, and suddenly she was assaulted by visions of unimaginable power. Stars and worlds flew past at the speed of light, and through it all, she could feel the power radiating throughout the cosmos.
Then she was back in the temple, her mind still reeling from what she had just felt. So much energy, so much power. All of which would be hers to control. She just needed to access the source and then, even the First Order and Covenant would be irrelevant. The knowledge of how to do so had been burned into her head, and a wicked grin spread across her lips.
"Get the First Order here immediately." She ordered. "I need their protection while I do what must be done."
"As you command, Master." One of the Night Crawlers bowed and left, heading straight for the radio. The rest of the Talons and Night Crawlers set about their own tasks of making sure the ruins were defendable. Domiwick however, made his way to the platform.
"Master Cyclonis, you promised me the glory of this discovery." The explorer said. "I've made history by finding this place and I-" A blast of energy erupted from Cyclonis' staff, bathing Domiwick in a sickly violent glow.
"Silence you fool." The Empress of Cyclonia snarled, lifting him over the ground. "You've served your purpose."
"Bu-but we had a deal! You can't do this to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-!"
Tired of his prattling, Cyclonis had dropped the explorer down one of the shafts around the platform, into the depths underground. She couldn't be bothered to spare any second thought on him, instead opening a screen and noticing the arrival of First Order ships to the facility. She smiled evilly at the sight.
It was time.
Far from the ruins, the Covenant forces were finally assaulting the last turbolaser tower. It had been hard going, but with the support of Halmat and his Spec Ops Elites, they were breaking through nevertheless.
"Forward my brothers!" Commander Erda 'Renad shouted. "Destroy this tower and anyone foolish enough to stand in our way!"
Wraith mortars were launched into the air, striking the portable shield that protected the turbolaser generator. The Imperial technology had held against the onslaught, but cracks in the shield were showing from the strain.
The First Order retaliated with artillery fire of their own, along with an AT-AT that zeroed in on and destroyed two of the Wraiths. Banshees flitted through the air, firing plasma and fuel rods at the walker's vulnerable areas, but the joints held, and AA missiles from First Order lines retaliated against the Covenant aircraft, destroying two and damaging a third, forcing them to retreat.
The stalemate almost seemed destined to continue, the First Order having pulled most of their troops back to this battery and dug in, determined to weather the Covenant attack. Unfortunately for them, events would soon change.
The first indication that things had gone wrong was when the technician maintaining the shield generator around the turbolaser power source was lifted into the air by two blue prongs of energy.
Shadow Troopers and Terror troopers noticed immediately and moved to deal with the threat, but the Spec Ops Elites retaliated with plasma and needle fire, killing many of the defenders before they could react. Meanwhile, the sword wielding Elite had thrown a plasma grenade into the shield generator, which instantly caused the shield to collapse.
After being denied for so long, Covenant forces charged forward with renewed zeal. Brutes and Elites led the way, slaughtering through the infantry while Covenant armor attacked the tower and generators.
Plasma ate through the durasteel metal, simultaneously vaporizing anyone unlucky enough to be in the impact zone. The aliens refused to stop, raking the area with more energy and gunning down any First Order soldier still standing.
Within minutes, the last of the turbolaser batteries was nothing more than a charred wreck, just like the rest of the towers. The Covenant around cheered and roared, feeling rather elated with their victory. Commander 'Renad, meanwhile, sent a message through the battlenet, one which immediately entered the bridge of the Intention's Eye.
"Shipmaster, all the First Order batteries have been destroyed." Makterbus reported. "Our forces have gained control over a significant amount of the Far Side."
"What about this end of the world. Have all our forces returned?" Laccabeus asked, having recalled the Covenant from the rest of Atmos soon after the portals had opened to the Far Side.
"Yes Shipmaster, they are aboard and ready for battle."
"Then let's not waste any more time." Laccabeus stood up. "The First Order's destruction is long overdue."
The Intention's Eye began moving once more, making its way to the other side of the planet. With none of the First Order's crystal enhanced turbolaser batteries to bring the vessel down, the tables had turned. It was time to put an end to this.
...
Back on the Far Side, the combined forces of the Atmosian Sky Knights, who had linked up with the few resistance members still remaining in the Far Side, were making their own way to the ruins Cyclonis was after, the location of which was known thanks to the Rogue Shadow's scanning system. Those same scanners soon detected a new problem, one which Jarvis was quick to share.
"The Intention's Eye has abandoned its position over Terra Tropica." The AI reported. "It's heading this way."
"How long until it gets to the Far Side?" Aerrow asked over the radio. The answer wasn't very encouraging.
"Approximately an hour at its current speed." Jarvis replied. "With the First Order batteries destroyed, it will be able to operate with impunity."
"Meaning Laccabeus will just glass the First Order without giving a damn about any collateral damage." Hunter summed it up.
"Well, there is some good news." Finn flew back in formation, having been scouting the path ahead. "We do seem to be in the right place."
"Alright, I'll bite." Piper sighed. "How do you know that?"
"Because the First Order is heading to the same place in full force."
"Well that's just great." Harrier complained. "Now how are we supposed to get in?" At that moment, the Republic AI let himself be heard over the radio.
"There is a hidden pathway below." Jarvis reported. "It does not seem like the Cyclonians have detected it."
"Alright, we'll go in first and make sure it's safe." Aerrow gestured to the rest of the Storm Hawks and the Republic agents. "With any luck, we'll find a way to get us around the First Order."
"Copy that." Starling nodded. "Good luck."
Silently, Aerrow, Radarr, Piper, Finn, Junko, Hunter and MK made their way down to the side of the mountain, where the passage was hidden. Stork had remained behind with the Condor again, but they were joined by Kara, a young girl from the Far Side who was considered an expert in mythology about the Ancient Ones.
"So, Kara." Piper started. "What do you know about these Ancient Ones?"
"To be honest, not much." The young silver haired girl replied. "All we ever knew were legends. Honestly, I've been searching for answers for a long time."
"Well, you've come to the right place." A voice emerged from the shadows, prompting everyone to activate their weapons and point them in its direction. "Good to see you all too." The voice came closer as a figure stepped into the light, revealing-
"Domiwick." Piper's voice was almost a growl. The explorer smiled coldly.
"Welcome to the ruins of the Ancient Ones, Storm Hawks."
"It's about time you've arrived." Cyclonis growled, as Snoke, Vestara and Phasma walked out of their dropship, the former once more wearing his Dark Trooper armor. Behind them, more First Order dropships were landing, deploying anyone still battle ready that they could spare on short notice.
"Our apologies." Snoke said. "It was a little difficult to get here, what with the battle still raging as we speak."
"Never mind that." The young dictator snapped. "If everything goes according to plan here, the Covenant will be irrelevant."
"If you say so." Vestara responded doubtfully. "What do you need us to do?"
Unknown to Cyclonis, the First Order was considering their little endeavor on Atmos to be a loss. With only the Far Side to deal with, they could accept some casualties, but with those two Republic agents and the Covenant in the mix, attrition was not favoring them.
In fact, the Finalizer's repairs were all but complete, with preparations to take off if this final deployment didn't work out. Truth be told, they were planning to leave anyway, but Cyclonis' almost desperate plea for protection convinced Snoke that whatever was here could be very useful. The young dictator had never begged before, so this was likely something rather important.
And once they saw what was here, Snoke and his commanders couldn't help but agree. The technology here was surprisingly advanced, especially for a civilization that hadn't shown their capabilities to be all that spectacular, beyond crystals of course.
At this point, the three of them had followed Cyclonis into the ruins, where she was standing on a floating platform with suprisingly advanced (for Atmos anyway) holographic consoles around her.
"Just protect this generator no matter the cost." She replied.
"And what exactly are you going to do, precisely?" Phasma spoke up for the first time. "What is all this supposed to accomplish?"
"It's simple really." Cyclonis said. "This device will open a portal to a power beyond imagining. After that... well, you'll see." The three extraterrestrial humans looked at each other dubiously.
"If you say so." Vestara muttered.
Hesitantly, the First Order leaders left to join and coordinate their troops, while Cyclonis began powering up the generators around her. One by one, the the power became active after being disused for so long, and blue/white energy began gathering in the roof of the chamber.
So it begins. Cyclonis thought.
"So it ends." A rasping baritone voice echoed.
...
Alright, and that's the end of this chapter. And at this stage, there are only about three or four more left before this story is finished. Suffice to say though, things are going to escalate really quickly, though the last chapter is just going to be the epilogue.
Anyway, with that out of the way; I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and reviews are always welcome.