After I was infected, I could feel a gnawing pain growing from where I was struck, a venomous grasp crawls around me, like a surging parasite. If I am to survive this, then these Valhallans might be my only way to escape before the dark crystal turns me into one of his legionnaires.
I sat in the med-bay as Phoenix tested my blood.
"Yes, I am getting positive readings of acute crystalline poisoning. Given its rate of spread, as your body fights the infection, we got only a day's worth of time until total conversion." She said.
"Great… so are we in position?" I asked.
"The ship is calibrating and preparing for a false Drive Attempt. Hopefully, the reality gems will at least try and disturb the planes enough to lure Crystallion here but I just thought of a plan." She said.
"Shoot."
"This ship still has its distress call codes. If I send them across all local Garnesian frequencies, the imps will also show up. That should stir up shit between Crystal and the Garnesians if they're both at each other's necks. We'll use the chaos as cover and insert you inside the deity's battleship, steal the gems, and high-tail it before they realise what happened." She explained.
"Now that's a great idea." I said.
"Tricks of the trade, captain. Now, get ready, we're about to pop the flare."
I got up to prepare the Drive for activation.
"Phoenix, the drive has been damaged in the fighting against the Garnesians earlier as there's no connection to the computer systems. I'll have to do a manual activation from the central console." I said.
"Fuck… well you better get out of the room because the drive exposes its nuclear core to cool down." She responded.
After typing in the computers, the lever folds into shape, ready to be flicked. I held it firmly in my hand and whispered.
"Pray for me Polly…"
With a forceful yank, the Drive began to glow and spin, with heavy machinery spooling up. Lightning sparked between the nodes as the magnets begin to spin around at high speed. The exit was about to shut so I dived under, to avoid being trapped with the machine. I headed up to the bridge.
"The Drive is about to execute a phase shift… it will bring Crystal to where we are. When he arrives, make sure the distress call is sent before we hide in the asteroid field ahead. Once the fighting starts, weed and Phoenix is going to insert me into the Genesis of Fate. I am going to have to be prepared to fight the Captain but I will try and avoid him as much as I can because I am going in there for the Reality Gems. Once I got em, we get out of there and head straight for the Holy Planet of Valhallos, cleanse me of the infection, and then find a way to get back home.
Any questions?" I asked.
"What…what if this Reality Drive fails to warp us home?" Polly quizzed.
"I was thinking, you'd say that but we'll figure that out when we get there, right now. It's about getting the rest of the Reality Gems. We still got the Emerald, and Amber. Just need the others including the Diamond of Light, which Valhallos contains." I explained.
"Drive is 100% charged, dispelling the reality planes… now." Phoenix said.
I feel as if time slowed down and a weird sensation ripple through my feet an out into the stars. Then, we could see glowing cracks appear out of nowhere but they never worsened, only fading back into non-existence.
"So, the ancient records, are true… the gods have been establishing these plates as barriers, to keep Crystalion from jumping between dimensions. Right, I'll send the distress call and it'll contain requirements for heavy ship reinforcements. They won't survive a fight against Crystalion if they send only a few skippers." Phoenix said as I took the controls and veer the craft to the asteroid field.
We hid behind a massive rock and turned all of the lights off. An awful haunting aura sweeps through the crew as we dread the arrival of the Dark Lord himself and then, sure enough, the lights outside grow dim to allow a massive wormhole to open and the majestic crystalline-infected ship appears.
"Genesis of Fate identified. The plan worked… and now for our "friends"." Phoenix muttered.
Then crystal's bone-wrecking voice pulsed through my mind.
I know you're here… you have the last few gems, in your ship's hold… the infection, I can feel it's presence… I will tear the cruiser apart like a tin can and prise the fruits of labour out… like a freshly picked apple…
You can succumb to Us and join my legions… become a part of something great…
Then the asteroid exploded and we could see the massive presence of the dreadnought bearing its looming shape on our feeble existence. Giant, triangular cannons were pointed at us and were still emitting an eerie purple glow.
The Genesis is the greatest and most powerful ship to ever slip through the cosmic regions of the uncharted stars. It obeys my every word and nothing can chafe its sacred armour. Your tiny piece of junk is nothing but pathetic worms that it will rip through like a mighty katana.
Now…die!
Then explosions ripped across the back of the Genesis and we looked to see that the Garnesians had arrived, just to help prise us from the maws of death.
"Holy shit, I never expect the ENTIRE Imperial Navy to come!" Phoenix barked.
With the Dreadnought caught with its pants down, I ordered Phoenix to bring the engines to full and we speed away, to try and avoid their weapon-fire.
"They must be both after the gems and now if they know that Crystal has half of them then that would explain the sheer size of their force. Looks like these are being hot-rocks amongst the high-heads of cosmic society." She said as we slipped through the asteroids as the ships launch a vicious assault between each other.
"Right, the Garnesians and the Genesis are fighting each other, lets slip in the other side." I explained.
Me and Polly watched as the colossal leviathan brilliantly bringing down the imperials, as they come.
"This fighting is not like the conflicts back home… it seems to be more of a duel between ships capable of travelling amongst the stars." She said as we veered in under it.
"Take the Gunship and fly in, grab the Reality Gems, and head straight back. Don't ever fight Crystalion as it was obvious that we learned that the hard way." She briefed.
"Got it." I nodded.
"I hope you make it back, Robi. We can't afford another chance since you're our only shot at it. If you fail, I won't be able to make it home without you." Polly said.
"Well, we'll shelter in Cryino-7 and come with a new plan but come back in one piece captain. You're more valuable than some mystical stones.
Good luck." Phoenix added.
"I'll try my best." I said as I walked to the waiting gunship, jumped in and veered into one of the hangars.
It was eerily empty, as if no one was there, so that's one good thing. I got out and explored, hoping to find the whereabouts of the Reality Gems, that Crystal had stashed somewhere. Unlike the sleek, clean metal decks of the Eye, the Genesis' walls were covered in sharp spikes of crystal and the floor laced in a hexagon-patterned flooring of the substance. The only traces of Garnesian metal were the doors separating the various sections of the entire vessel.
"I managed to uncover blueprints of the dreadnought, that Crystalion took over. The Overlord-class battlecruiser is an ultra heavy, extremely well armed fortress that is a respective navy by itself. It was used as the primary enforcer for invading armies. Only one was built to fight the encroaching threat of Tenebris' himself. However, it got seeded and the crew converted to serve him instead. Now it is a haunting memory of every upper class commander who remembered its name.
The ship's appearance may have disfigured significantly but the interior structure is still the same and these blueprints are still relevant. The ship hosted a prototype warp drive that would use the reality gems only for hyperspace. We have the Reality Drive but this ship can only use them to get to places faster. If my calculations are correct then that's where he might be keeping them while hunting for the rest.
You'll need to gain access to the warpdrive's chamber to get the gems there. Just don't waste any time. It's a smash-and-grab so get to it, Captain." Phoenix spoke on the radio.
I hurried towards the hyper drive, using the map given to me but just as I arrived, the door is locked.
Do you think you can just sneak aboard and steal MY gems? Hah, I knew your intentions all along. Your mind is ripe with planning and logistics, ready for someone to look over your shoulder.
His voice echoed through my mind, fuck! He can read my thoughts and that's bad. The best thing to do is to try and open the doors from the bridge… where Crystal would be at. I guess I have no other option but stare death in the face and confront the captain.
I strolled over to the bridge and heard some of this old-school music coming from it and, as I walked in, Crystal was at the windows, dancing. A flamboyant routine of steps and timing rippled through him like he was enjoying himself. Beyond the glass windows was the warfare as the Genesis effortlessly fights the Garnesian Navy with brutal efficiency.
He then turns to see me and began to boogie around me. As the music ends, so did his poorly orchestrated dancing.
"Oh, I love it when everything comes together in the end. It's as if I am the true and rightful being on this side of the galaxy. First you, boldly facing your fears and the entire Garnesian Empire, composed entirely of anti-god heretics. Soon, I'll be the only one left to annex every civilisation and make them their ruler. Together, with my Reality Stones, I will usher in a new era where only I and my most devoted followers, cultists and worshippers will ascend into the greatest and only remnants of the world with me as the SUPREME overlord of the ENTIRE multi-verse. Hahahahaha! Ahhhhh… the dream is so beautiful, I could cry.
Everyone hated me back then, y'know. I was just lowly scum, like you until I took up the opportunity to become a God and here I am, standing before you. You… tailed worm…
While you were gathering the gemstones, I was waiting, waiting to pick them up after you. I only needed you to take them from their hiding spots so I can take it from here. The other two are kept in your tiny spaceship but I am congenial about your enthusiasm towards your goal, despite me snatching the first 4 from your tiny thieving claws so I will give you another chance.
"If you establish fealty towards me, then I'll tell the Dark Crystal, that purges within your veins, clawing for control over your nervous system as it ever so slowly starts to convert your subconsciousness, to leave you alone as a pure being yet devoted to becoming his second hand.
I might even put you through a ritual for Ascension. To become a God! I heard you're very fond of machines so why not a God of Machines! No one ever had created the God of Machines. Since everything has adopted technology into their lives, having someone to have complete control of the very mechanics of development would be amazing to have and you sound like the ideal candidate.
So, what about it… Robi? A chance to start a new life instead of chasing an old one, finding a planet that never exists. I know it doesn't because I have studied my kind's ancient records. Not a single trace." He bartered.
It was a tempting offer, to become the controller of all things machine but I knew where my heart lays but then the infestation begins ravaging me with agony.
"GAAAAAAAHHHH-!" I groaned.
"Haha, the infection has taken hold of your nerves, now it will use it as a medium to force your mind to give in. I'll let it to help add pressure shall we? Resist and it will only end in travesty." He giggled.
"No…no… I won't allow it… I can fight it… but if I can fight the infection, I'll fight you. You may flood me with false bargaining but it won't work. I know my home exists because my heart does. I know where I truly come from and if I am here then it is.
I will only come for the gemstones and you'll never use them for whatever godforsaken plan you have with them." I boldly claimed, as I aimed my rifle in his direction.
"Hohoho… you're very chivalrous and brave to defy me yet futile in your efforts. Didn't you learn your lesson since you last challenged me? Allow me to give you a refresher…" He smiled and he once again brings me to his face with his telekinesis.
"So weak and pathetic. A dog whose bark is worse than bite. Such a pity, I'd play you around like a spider with her food." He laughed as I was launched through the floor, and into the deck below. It hurt like shmuck as he lands before me.
It's no use, I can't fight him head on, I'll have to think on my feet so the best way is to run. With a flashbang on hand, I tossed it at his feet and ran for it. The grenade detonates, dazzling the god enough to get some doors between him, if that's to shield me from his annoying grip.
Good, run, you little rat. I will stomp you out of your hiding ground sure enough!
Fighting through the pulses of pain, I ran through the corridors when Crystal faces me once more but, just as he was about to use his powers, the war got serious outside and an explosion severs a pipe. Flames spewed between us and he screeched in reconciliation.
"The flames of war beckons, Robi. I will not waver!" He hissed.
Fire? He hates fire! That's it! If I can get to my gunship, I can use its guns to burn him! Wasting no time, I got back to the hangar and got in, just as I hopped into the ship.
Tenebris makes it to me but his eyes opened as I floated the craft before him. He roared in reaction to its presence.
"You possess the ARK OF FIRE?! You have become far more dangerous than I expected. How did you procure the way?!" He hissed.
"Oh, I took it off your dead wife's planet. Some of those imps were poking around so I blew their asses off it. You should thank me for that." I said through the loudspeaker.
"Okay well, you did help me cleanse my wife's homeplanet of their heresy but you still are a considerable threat to my plans! I'll bring the Ark to its knees and have you plead for mercy!" He barked.
As he tried to use telekinesis, the shop detected it and fired a burst of gunfire at him.
"Gah, it senses the disturbances of forces! Very well, I'll use my traditional methods." He scoffed and began shooting dark crystal needles. I routed most of the ship's power to a forward facing shield, to tank them. He hardly stops for a break but when another explosion rocks the ship, he staggers and it gives me a chance to finally strike back.
Dropping the shield, I let the rapier autocannon loose on him. Incendiary bullets sprayed the Dark Lord in molten fire and he roars in agony. Then to apply the finisher, the heavier guns blasted him until he was sent below deck. A series of explosions followed as well as him screaming in agony.
"Well, that should keep him out long enough. Ok, you veer out, its not safe knowing he knows you're here. Come back, when I give the signal." I said to the ship.
It chirped in response as I jumped out to watch the gunship fly out. I can't believe I knocked Crystalion out. He may be immortal but that doesn't mean I had to kill him to get what I need. Wasting no time, I went to the warp drive room, which has been opened thankfully and ventured inside. To my surprise, it wasn't a warp drive, it was a massive life-sucking machine deriving the dark crystal substance of the life-force that it collects for its master. The four reality gemstones were held within its icy cold grasp.
I used my rocket launcher to great effect, the missiles shattering the glassy containers with ease and the four crystals fell to the floor with a clean clink. With all four in my possession, I ran out… only to see the captain once more standing in the hallway, with a wall of raging purple flames behind him.
"You…you have proven…way more than a cunning threat… you must have learned quickly since we last met. I am a God, the overseer of the Escalation! I will achieve my dreams! Dreams that I have been chasing for CENTURIES! I AM AS OLD AS TIME ITSELF AND NOT EVEN A MODERN, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCE WORM LIKE YOU WILL STOP ME!
SURRENDER MY GEMSTONES OR PAY THE PRICE!" He screamed.
Another explosions rips into the ship.
"Captain, the Garnesians have outwitted his defences and are now pounding the vessel with everything they have! YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THERE NOW!" Phoenix barked.
"Sorry, Crystal but I need to make a sharp exit." I smiled when debris, from above deck, piles in between us and, as I turned tail and made my way back to the hangar. I could hear a loud demonic roar rip through the ancient hallways.
GWRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!
With my prize in possession, I signalled the gunship for evac and made it out.
I WILL FIND YOU, I WILL NOT STOP! IN MY PURSUIT FOR THE GEMS WILL NOT CEASE FOR I WILL CONTINUE UNTIL I GET WHAT I DESERVE… AND YOU WILL FALL IN MY REVENGE!
I tripped as the infection took hold.
"GAAAH! It burns!" I cried.
"Shit, the dark crystal infection reached stage 2. Polly, stabilise him while I power up the Reality Drive for Valhallos.
Polly helped me up to my feet, and through this soothing voice, I felt a warm fighting the coldness that was staying my feet.
"You done well so far…we'll get it out as soon as we can."
We limped to the bridge window to witness a spectacle. The Genesis, badly damaged, pushes through the blockade of ships and finally warps away. Knowing too well that it was against the odds.
"Crystal retreated because the Genesis had underestimated the determination of the Garnesians. We'll use the Reality Gems to get us to one last planet before we can finally get you home. Just hang in there, Captain.
We're almost home."
The last three words haunted my mind and images of this Gaia was soon flooding my mind with various figures speaking it to me.
We're almost home… we're almost home… we're almost home…
I groaned in response as Polly softly spoke to me.
"You'll make it… just hang on a little longer."
"Reality Gems in place, spinning up drive…." Phoenix said to herself as a glowing wormhole, framed with 6 differently coloured lights opened up.
"Wow… I never seen that before… so that is how it works… ok… let's get there before the Garnesians finish us off next." I groaned as we were sucked into the wormhole and was in for a treat. A winding tunnel of swirling light swept past us.
"Power's low on all systems, the Drive must be drawing 90% of the reactor's output to maintain the effects." Phoenix said as the tunnel ends in another wormhole and before us was a dark green and blue planet.