-Chapter 50-
-Sacrifice-
Selvaria and two of her valkyrie marched down the hallway to Admiral Dugalle's office. The valkyria were human psi-kers enhanced with Ragnite and equipped with specialized weapons mimicing the Valkyrur shield and lance. Their numbers are few and far between however.
Selvaria knocked on the door.
"Enter" the admiral replied.
Entering Selvaria and her Valkyira stood before the admiral.
"You called for us Admiral?"
"Yes. As you know we have entered into a alliance with the Umojan protectorate and the Kel-morian combine. As apart of that were soon going to conduct a joint military operation to obtain the fragments of the keystone. The first operation will be conducted in the Sigma quadrant where two of the keystone fragments have been located. A joint fleet of the three groups will be deployed under my command to retrieve the targets and I want you and your Valkyrie to participate. Do you have any questions?"
"When will the operation be launched?'"
"Normally I would like to have at least a week to prepare and organize for a operation like this. But since the Dominion is after the keystone fragments as well and they are still picking up the pieces after the Zerg attack on their crown world we have a short opportunity to operate with impunity. So we'll launch the operation in three days. I expect you to be prepared by then."
Perking up at the challenge Selvaria smiled.
"Yes Admiral. I'll be sure that my forces are ready to the operation in three days. Now if that is all?"
Dugalle waved them off.
"No that was all. You may leave."
Selvaria and her subordinates left walking with purpose in their steps.
"Lady Selvaria it seems the time of our long planning has arrived."
"Yes it does. Now we can operate more in the open."
Selvaria smugly grinned for a brief moment before returning to her normal placid serene expression.
"We must not get ahead of ourselves. Gathering all the fragments together will only be the first part. And lest we forget one of the fragments remains in the Azure empresses hands. It will be most grueling retrieving That fragment."
"Of course mistress." both valkyria replied.
-Several days later-
Several splinter fleets of the Umojan protectorate, Kel-morian combine and UNSC-expeditionary fleet all gathered into a single fleet called the tri-alliance fleet. Each was only fragment of each groups total forces but together they were still a force to be wary of. Alexei stukov watched from his shuttle as the fleet departed lead by his old friend Dugalle. He was still wary of the Umojans and most of all of Narud and his Moebius foundation and their Hybrids. Deciding to investigate he called the man up requesting to see the process of how Hybrids are made and controlled while Dugalle was off retrieving the keystone fragments. Narud accepted Stukovs request and sent him the location of one of their main productions facilities.
The shuttle entered warp space traveling to the secret destination.
As Stukov road the shuttle down through the atmosphere of the unnamed world to the Skygeirr facility He looked out the window to the cross-shaped facility hovering over a fairly large chasm below. It was easily a few mile's across and the Skygeirr facility end to end was almost as big. The shuttle landed and Stukov was greeted by a female researcher.
"Hello Vice-admiral Stukov it's a pleasure to meet you. Im Nancy Wyndham. One of the lead researchers of this facility. I have been assigned to give you the tour of the facilities."
Stukov stood straight locking eyes with Nancy.
"The pleasure is all mine. Im grateful for Narud to allow my request to see just how you create these, Hybrids. As a private company im sure you are quite protective of you're manufacturing process."
Nancy nodded.
"That is quit true but considering you have authority to act as a representative of the Terran empire it is at least acceptable to let you have a look at the process."
"I wouldn't really call us a empire." Stukov stated.
Nancy smiled keeping on her cherry demeanor.
"Of course. Now then why don't you follow me I'll lead you to the Hybrid cloning lab."
"Please do."
Stukov followed the miss Wyndham to a elevator which they took inside. It was a full minute of downward travel until they reached the lab.
"This facility is quite large." Stukov commented.
"It was built to have the latest and most advanced technology and can be rapidly replace older tech with the best bleeding edge versions to remain up to date and at the very edge of advancing technology and science. And to protect all of it has many powerful defenses. There are many groups and foreign powers that would profit greatly from stealing our corporate secrets. We take pride in maintaining our company secrecy and security for our clients."
"I see" Stukov noted as the doors opened.
Walking along they progressed further into the facility and at nearly every hall Alexi saw no fewer then one, four man team of marines patrolling at a time in each hallway. Security also included auto turrets and thick bulkhead doors placed at kill points. Nancy lead Stukov on a tour of the basic facility that lasted for half a hour until they at last reached the Hybrid production chambers. As the doors slit apart Stukov's eyes were quickly drawn to the rows of giant cylinders along the walls. Some empty others containing giant Hybrids as big as Siege-tanks or larger. They walked down the rows of containers reaching a type of control room where other scientists were working.
Nancy stopped gesturing with her hand to the room.
"This is the heart of the Hybrid production. All the information you would ever require will be found in this room. Now please don't bother the researchers or other workers while you have your look around. Normally we would never allow anyone outside the company let alone from outside this division in here with authorization to look at anything they want. But since the Moebius Foundations founder and chief CEO Emil Narud gave you authorization it's allowed. Please if you have any questions please ask me."
As Nancy talked Stukov glanced around the room paying attention to the various scientist as they worked.
"Understood. I'll have a look around now."
Stukov walked slowly around the room as he observed the various scientist working. Some monitored genetic coding being mixed and spliced in real time while others made real time alterations to the growth of embryonic Hybrids. Scientist at other stations were neatly preparing the implants talked about before on clean metal trays. The ones that were used in controlling the Hybrids.
"Tell me how do these work?" Stukov asked the middle aged scientist.
The man slowly turned to Stukov with a almost robotic movement. His face oddly placid almost emotionless. Stukov noted the mans odd expression that was as He had found to be all to common in through-out the facility. For a moment Stukov thought it was overtime work they had been doing but his gut instincts told him it was more then that.
"Well this is a par of micro Psi-emitter and Disrupter units that are surgically implanted into the brains of the Hybrids. They require installation in the early development. "
"Is see. But I asked how they control the Hybrids."
The man blinked glancing at Nancy who still had a slight smile on. She nodded and the man turned back to Stukov and started talking in a slow almost emotionless tone as he explained.
"The Emitter is used to stimulate the Hybrids endorphin and other brain chemical levels directly. While the disrupter implant drops those levels. Effectively allowing us to turn their brains on and off like a light switch and control their emotional levels including aggression. Tuning the implants fin control over the Hybrids sense of ally and enemy was difficult but workable. The Hybrids are around the intelligence level of a common house dog. Any more intelligent and it would be hard to control them. Actually im pretty sure they put dog DNA in there for making mental programming and imprinting on their handlers easier."
Despite the some what unenthusiastic explanation Stukov was quite intrigued by the technology and methods.
"Well they do say a dog is mans best friend. So perhaps structuring the minds of the Hybrids like that of a dogs helps with their ability to control them. Thank you for the explanation."
Stukov moved on observing the various stages of the Hybrids creation process from the beginning where a Hyrbrids DNA was cloned from a master template to the growth process. Nancy followed him along every step of the way answering most of his questions. There was a few things Stukov was not allowed to know or ask about. But despite this He enjoyed his tour. Eventually He watched as the Psi-emitter and Disrupters implants were surgically installed in a young Hybrid. The surgery was nothing too interesting other then being brain surgery on a dog sized alien monster baby. The body was kept in a liquid solution while the head was covered in surgical cloth with a hole on the section that was opened up. The chips were installed and the brain case section placed back and sealed in place. With the Zerg like resilience and regeneration ability the Hybrids had a easy time recovering.
But as He watched through the surgery Stukov has a odd feeling that made him not trust what he just saw again opting to trust his gut. He didn't know where the feeling was from but it made him doubt everything he was being shown. He needed more proof.
"Miss Nancy would it be acceptable for me to analyze one of the Implants my self."
"Unfortunately that is one of the things you are not authorized to do."
"Ah. Understandable. Well shall we continue with the tour." He replied gesturing out the door.
"Yes. I believe the live fire testing is next. This way."
As Nancy lead Stukov out of the surgical suite He casually reached into his coat pocket and grabbed a small sphere. Using a physical cyber-implant in his hand He commanded the sphere to collect one pair of the Hybrids implants in the other room and return to him. As He programmed the miniature spy drone Stukov pulled out a cigar and lighter with the same hand. Simultaneously the drone cloaked and floated out of Alexi's jacket pocket going about it mission. Lighting the cigar Stukov took a few puffs relaxing from just doing something very dangerous. Despite how the Umojan and Kel-morian combine felt about the Moebius foundation and their Hybrids Dugalle and Stukov were less believing in the Hybrids safety.
Nancy sniffed the air turning back to see Stukov smoking.
"I hope you don't mind. I like smoking a few everyday." He said.
Nancy stopped and held her hand out.
"Please mister Stukov put that out this instant. The smoke could mess with sensitive instruments in the facility and we have designated recreation areas for that."
Stukov reluctantly puffed on the cigar once more before pulling out a tin box and smothering the lit cigar in it and closing it.
"Such a shame. It was a vintage series from Cuba on Earth. Very expensive and hard to get all the way out in the colonies."
"Im sorry mister Stukov but no exceptions." Nancy stated not showing a hint of remorse for the wasted cigar or for Stukov's sense of taste.
"Very well then. Shall we continue on then."
"Yes lets." Nancy stated starting to show irritation towards Stukov's habit.
They continued on to a large open chamber several hundred meters wide and dozens high.
"This is where we test each Hybrids ability to follow orders. Each one has a handler like any trained dog."
Stukov felt a barely noticeable low rumbling shake the ground below his feet at the moment she said that. As if something felt insulted by her words. Moments later a pair of large double doors opened and a large Hybrid walked out with a handler in gear similar to a Dominion ghosts standing on a elevated walkway along the wall that went up to the Hybrids chest. The suit and gear was heavily modified by the look. Shaking the floor and walls with each step a Hybrid walked through the doors stopping when inside a blue circle.
"Firing test for unit 0078 beginning!" a technician stated over the loudspeaker.
The Handler made a gesture aiming his hand towards the distant tanks along the opposite wall. The Hybrid shadowed the handlers movements perfectly. A blast of energy shot from the Hybrids palm detonating one of the tanks.
"Results confirmed within output and tolerances. Move to next scheduled test." said the technician over the loudspeaker.
The Handler moved their arms out as if grabbing the other tanks. Again mimicking the handlers movements the Hybrid reached out with its arms and telekinetically lifted three of the tanks. Then as the Handler clenched their fist the Tanks were crushed into metal balls. Stukov was impressed raising a eye brow.
"Impressive."
Seemingly pleased with his response Nancy smiled as she spoke.
"We already have several scheduled to be transported to both the Umoja and Kel-morian combine. Their purchase costs a hundred million credits each but their power is undeniable."
"Quite true." stated Stukov continuing to watch the test. "Though they still cost almost double a battlecruiser price. But in certain situations I can see them as the only answer or response. I'll consider giving your endorsement to the Admiral. But I still feel some what troubled by them. Can you provide me with a private place to review their previous combat records and test data? "
Nancy bowed slightly.
"Yes a private room and those records can be provided to you. You can also smoke there if you want Please follow me."
Smiling in glee at the chance to smoke again Stukov followed Nancy up several floors to a private room where Nancy prepared several records of the past battles the Hybrids have been used in.
"I'll probably be a few hours reviewing these records." stated Stukov. "If you have other duties then by all means please see them through. I would hardly think standing around watching me watch some vids and read documents would be productive for you. I'll call you you when im done if that's fine?"
Nancy took a moment to think.
"I do have some things I need to get done today. Please use call for me with the stations intercom should you need me."
"I'll do just that when im done. I also have my own duties back on the fleet."
Nancy turned around and left. Shortly after the door closed a small spherical drone decloaked and floated into Stukov's hand. He quickly took the drone into his coat and accessed its contents. Not only were there a pair of the Hybrids implants in the drones lower compartment but the drone had also captured a picture of a Hybrid storage room. The chamber was massive and the picture showed several Hybrids just walking about. Still the picture could provide no contents other then a room exists that holds several Hybrids and allows them freedom of movement. Stokov had assumed the Moebius foundation kept them in stasis between missions but it seems to not be the case with all of them. This was a red flag in of its self but Stukov needed more evidence.
Making sure the room had no security cameras Stukov light up another cigar before watching the videos and dismantling the Hybrids implants. He had invented the spy drone himself in one of his many experiments and private projects. While Dugalle was the more tactically inclined Stukov was more of a researcher then front line commander. Not that he lacked experience or skill as a commander. It was just a preference that suited his personality. He was actually quite glad that his micro spy drone proved useful in this situation. Stukov had invented it to serve as a disposable unit in clandestine operations behind enemy lines but given its low battery life it couldn't be used in long term missions. Which was exactly is the type that most spying missions tend to be so the micro-spy drone was relegated to the failed list of inventions. That is until now.
As the spy-drones internal systems analyzed the pair of implants Stukov frowned. The data being fed trough his cyber-implants showed him that the implants while able to interface with the hybrids minds, were not designed to suppress them but rather enhance their ability to project their psionic powers specifically that of telepathic kind. If this information was correct then it means the Hybrids in truth are not actually under anyone's control.
"Damn!" Stukov cursed realizing the possible truth.
Are the Hybrids in control of the Moebius foundation? They are made with Protoss and Zerg DNA so it's not too crazy of a idea to think that they can take over the minds of others. Perhaps it takes time or requires a proximity but it would be devastating if Stukov let him self be taken over considering all he know of the UNSC military. Starting to sweat from the danger He found himself in Stukov quickly finished his analysis of the implant chips and finished watching the Hybrids field records. Stopping the last video. He stood up put his hat on and contacted Nancy.
At the landing pad Nancy escorted Him to the waiting shuttle.
"I do hope you found everything satisfactory."
Stukov hummed.
"It was. I'll discuss the possible purchasing of Hybrids with admiral Dugalle. Though I would think He would perhaps wait for confirmation with the UNSC high command and considering the distance it may take a while for a official order to be given. Till next time miss Nancy."
"Your welcome back here anytime vic-admiral Stukov."
Stukov walked onto the shuttle breathing a silent sigh of relief. As the shuttle lifted off He brought out the micro-spy drone and opened its storage compartment dropping the pair of implants into his hand.
"I'll have to do a more through analysis but things aren't looking good." He said scrutinizing the implants.
As the shuttle lifted off a camouflaged Azure swarm Phantom looked up from a near by hill over looking Skygeirr. Several seconds passed as the Shuttle accelerated during its ascent out of the planets atmosphere. Then without warning one of the shuttle's engines exploded. The camouflaged Phantom watched as the distant craft plummeted without proper propulsion. The craft leveled out thanks to the skilled pilot but it wasn't enough and the shuttles belly scraped on a protruding hill. The impact jerked the shuttle up before slamming into the hard ground grinding over the rough terrain right over a cliff. The Phantom quickly made its way to the crash sight joined by several others. Like their original ancestors the Komodo dragon they crawled on all fours as they climbed the rocks and cliffs to reach the crash sight.
The Phantoms reached the remains of the shuttle scattered across the valley. Climbing inside they found the bodies of the pilots and co-pilot twisted and burned in the cockpit. Moving into the passenger compartment or what was left of it, the Phantoms creeped in finding no one. Looking out the massive hole where the back half of the shuttle used to be they creeped along the ground finding the rear half of the shuttle. Inside they found the broken body of Stukov.
"Empress must be informed."
"Empress wanted him."
"Bring body."
The Phantoms picked up the body gently bringing it outside where a Abyss-ray decloaked and picked them up. Re-cloaking it flew higher until it was out of the atmosphere.
In Narud's office He typed away on his keyboard filing documents and authorizing resource transfer's among other things. The door opened and Nancy Wyndham stepped in.
"Is it done?" Narud asked casually.
"Yes." Nancy answered. "The bomb detonated in the left engine and the shuttle crashed. Our emergency personal have already reached the crash sight and begun their investigation. The damage will only be be found to have been the cause of mechanical failure dew to stress."
"Good." Narud replied. "Its a shame Stukov got too nosy for his own good. But we mustn't take risks while were so close to our objective. The empress will fall and we'll gain the key to the ark."
"Sir?" Nancy questioned not understanding her bosses words.
Narud huffed in amusement at his mortal employee's ignorance to the truth.
"It's nothing. Just forget about my inane ramblings dear. Your dismissed."
"Yes sir. I'll return to my duties now."
Nancy departed the room leaving Narud to his work.
-Sigma Quadrant, Unamed system-
Dugalle stood in the bridge of his flagship the Aleksander, as the second fleet of the tri-alliance between the Umoja protectorate, Kel-morian combine and UNSC expeditionary fleet arrived in system. There floating amongst the asteroid belt was a massive ship several hundred thousand kilometers away. Bigger then most small moons the unbelievably large vessel was mostly in shadow as the fleet was on the opposite side of it from the sun.
"What's the situation?" requested Dugalle.
"Sir." answered the ships A.I. "Im reading several Tal'darim fleets in orbit of the alien ship. I count five smaller patrol fleets and one larger one maintaining it's position above the world-ship. And they know were here."
"Confirmed" stated a bridge officer. "The enemy fleets are converging on our position."
-Tal'darim fleet, Mothership-
Ascendant Sylock leered at the Terran fleet on the holo-screen. Multiple times have they defiled the sacred keystone and now they have come for the final pieces in much greater force then previously. Sylock growled, his desire for the blood of his enemies to be spilled growing. Contact Ascendant Nyon immediately.
Nyons angered face appeared on the holo-screen of Sylocks bridge.
"Psylock. This better be important! I am meditating." Nyon boomed in annoyance.
"I understand my lord but a Terran fleet has arrived just as you had feared."
Nyon became visibly redder as his anger rose to new levels.
"Prepare the fleet and all our armies. We will annihilate these Terrans once and for all. They will drown in their own blood as we crush their bones and souls to dust. And prepare to activate the rip field generators."
Sylock bowed.
"At once my lord."
All across the world-ship countless Tal'darim prepared for battle. Running to their duty stations and piloting war-machines as the Terrans approached. Deep within the bowls of the world-ship Nyon stood before the final two keystone fragments. Both floating in a stasis field.
"Death or victory. Or victory in death. My lord Amon I shall do my duty and slay all mine enemies gleefully. Until my own time comes. Until my masters chosen one comes to obtain what is theirs."
With a wave of his hand the massive doors closed with a resounding boom as the vault door closed leaving Nyon in darkness.
-Aleksander, Bridge-
Dugalle sat down in his commanders chair as the Taldarim fleets closed their formations moving on a intercept course for the ally fleet. As per the agreement Dugalle would serve as the military head in-charge while Jorgensen served in the government position counter part. And the alliances first major objective together was to take the Keystone fragments from the Tal'darim and the Azure swarm. More easily said then done. But not impossible.
"So that's the world-ship left by the Xel'naga." Dugalle stated.
"Yes." Narud answered from a holo-screen. "Not only are two of the Keystone fragments on that world-ship but If we can obtain some of the vessels technology we may be able to make taking the last fragments form the Dominion and Azure swarm much easier."
"Admiral several of our screening fleets have engaged the enemies vangard." reported a officer.
"How is the battle faring?" The admiral asked.
"Our forces are holding their own however the large number of enemy drones and fighters is complicating the fleets attempts to hold their ground."
Dugalle thought for a bit thinking over his own forces abilities while matching them up with his enemies and their mentality. The admiral wanted to win with minimal losses while avoiding getting trapped in a net. From the information on the long ranges scanners both fleets were evenly matched. However both Terran and Tal'darim technology were vastly different. Dugalle had to make sure a surprise doesn't take him off guard.
"Admiral two more Tal'darim fleets have entered weapons range and have begun assaulting our right flank."
On screen the Tal'darim ships launched barrage after barrage of fierce red beams against the Tri-alliance fleets right side. Seeing a opportunity Dugalle opened a com line with several of the Umojan ships engaged with the Tal'darim.
"Admiral Dugalle I assume your calling because you have a plane of attack?" asked the Umojan admiral.
"Yes I do. Retreat. I'll support your forces fall back with a portion of my own fleet. Once your disengaged maneuver your fleet into a high position above the enemy at a 8-o-clock position and we'll hit them from two directions."
"Understood." the Umojan admiral replied.
Hitting their retro-thrusters the Umojan fleet slowly retreated backwards while continuing to return fire on the Tal'darim. The Tal'darim gave chase but were soon engaged by the secondary UNSC fleet. This allowed the Umojan fleet to fully disengage and move into their new position over the UNSC fleet. Once in position the Tal'darim were hammered with long ranged missile, MAC-cannons and Laser barrages that depleted their shields. Once most of the Tal'darim's shields were down Dugalle ordered his flagship the Aleksander in the main UNSC fleet to rotate towards the Tal'darim fleet. Dozens of maneuvering thrusters ignited turning the massive Infinity class ship towards the battle while charging up its pair of Valkov class super heavy main cannons.
Extremely costly to make the Ragnite based Valkov cannon is a rarity even before the Zerg raid on Gallia many years ago. The rarity of Ragnite, its many use's especially in FTL and military psi-plating tech and its costs to shape and manufacture have made the practicality of building massive cannons entirely made of the psionically reactive mineral very costly and time consuming. The Aleksander was one of the vary few Infinity class capital ships to receive actual Valkov cannons. Both installed into pods on the Aleksander's bow (nose) opened revealing the tips of two spiral lances extending far into the ships hull. They glowed bright azure as lines traced along the lance shaped barrel as both massive cannons started charging up. With a single order Dugalle had his ships and the Umojans scatter quickly getting out of the Aleksander's line of fire and forming into a ring shaped formation arround the Valkov's firing path.
Dugalle grinned as the last ship got out of the danger zone.
"Valkov charging rate at 97%" reported a bridge officer.
"High enough." the admiral stated. "Fire."
With the admirals casual tone the firing officers pressed a single button sending a signal to a series of firing control computers and discharge emitters. A surge of psionic energy flooded the twin Valkov lances releasing all that energy into a pair of massive particle streams that surged towards the Tal'darim fleet. Unfortunately for them they had kept a relatively close formation to support each other allowing them to pick off any enemy that got in weapons range. Normally this would be a good strategy is not for the Aleksander's main cannons.
The twin streams of azure light shot through space heading right for the Tal'darim fleet. Seeing the danger they quickly reacted to evade but it was already to late. The Valkov streams widened spreading over many miles eventually engulfing most of the Tal'darim ships. Some ships that still had shields were able to weather the storm and leave the streams path with heavy damage. But all of the ships that had lost their shields quickly evaporated and atomized. The Tal'darims secondary fleet had been nearly wiped out with the exception of a hand full of ships. Dugalle ordered the Umojan fleet to pick off the survivors while the main alliance fleet moved ever onwards.
-2 Hours Later, Tal'darim Fleet-
Ascendant Sylock was stunned at how quickly the Terrans had destroyed one of his fleets. After the first fleet was destroyed by the Terrans flagship and its catastrophically powerful main cannon Sylock was forced to change his strategy on the fly. Still the battle had gone poorly. Sylock had first targeting the flagship with a multi pronged assault of multiple fleets combined with heavy numbers of drone Interceptors but the Terrans had just countered by turtling forming a sphere around the Flagship. The weaker fighters while able to devastate the Terrans own light attack craft were only able to deal light to mild damage against the larger ships whos anti fighter weapons swept them aside easily. Especially since they were in close formation. Wanting to send in his larger ships Sylock had the ships in two more of his secondary fleets scatter remaining at minimum fifty miles distant from each other to avoid another wipe out from the enemies super weapon like the first time. By the time the larger ships got in weapons range of the Terrans the weapon had been recharged again and fired anyway surprising Sylock. Though the number of ships lost during the second shot was only four the Terrans flagship had, in a alternating pattern fired all four of its main cannons. Two being the same psionic energy weapon as before but the last two shots launched kinetic slugs of a as of then never before seen size. The physical projectiles were so large and traveled so fast that the full shields of Tal'darim Battleships couldn't resist and were annihilated.
Sylock clenched the arm rest of his command chair thinking of a way to break the Terrans forces. They had stayed turtled in that sphere formation as they kept approaching the world-ship. Only opening the defenses to avoid friendly fire when the flagship fired its main weapons. Sylock could feel Nyons fury at his incompetence. And it would be pointless to call Nyon for any reason at this point other then to admit to his failures.
"If only the Terrans were closer to the World-ship, I could use the rip field generators and tear them apart."
Sylock then got a idea. If the Terrans were not close enough yet to use the rip fields on them then all he had to do is move the generators closer to them. As the plan formed in his mind Sylock leered into his display screen showing the Terran fleet with all the malice he could muster.
"Send word to the World-ship to deploy the experimental ripfield-ships."
At first Sylocks supplicants hesitated but then relayed the orders. Normally the Rip fields generators across the world-ship when activated created a field that disrupts the vary stability of matter causing all physical objects to sublimate into individual molecules. The field behaves something like water so it dose not effect a object or crew of a ship so long as there's no hull breach. But their range is enormous stretching across a thousand miles so long as power is supplied. Normally the rip field generators are used to destroy asteroids that would collided with the world ship or as a lethal defense screen. But there had been planes to use the fields offensively by transferring generators on board ships that were able to supply enough power. Since the fields can be attenuated and shaped to avoid damaging the ship its self the plane seemed sound. But as of yet not been fully field tested. Any other unshielded ship in the rip fields range on the other hand would still toar apart.
Sylock sent the rest of his fleets to hold the Terrans off long enough for rip field-ships to be deployed from the world-ship. A holo-screen blinked on in front of Sylock.
"Ascendant Sylock the ships are operational and are on their way." reported a Phase-smith.
"Good. Immediately have them move out."
Four ships exited the world-ships hangers heading straight towards the rest of the Tal'darim fleet making a quick tactical warp jump within several hundred miles of the rest of the Tal'darim fleet. Once the four ships were in position Sylock gave the order for the fleet to split into five groups. The largest portion of the fleet charge in ahead while the other four battle groups individually protected each of the four rip field-ships. Though it be a bit ruthless and brutal even by Tal'darim standards Sylock was more then willing to annihilate any and all enemies by what ever means he could.
-UNSC Flag Ship Aleksander-
Their fleets were closing in. They had destroyed several dozen Tal'darim ships as they approached the World-ship. Given the sear size of the World-ship Dugalle was not in a hurry to split up his fleet or forces to search such a massive vessel. It was more practical to eliminate the enemy forces first then start searching for the Keystones.
"Sir enemy fleets approaching in formation." reported a bridge officer.
Looking to the main display screen Dugalle spotted five enemy battle fleets formations. One charging directly at his fleet in a line formation while the other four battle fleets scattering into a four corner formation behind, above and below the main battle-fleet.
"What are they planning?"
Not taking any chances Dugalle decided to act first rather then wait to see what the Tal'darim have in store for him.
"I want the fleet to focus fire on the enemies upper left fleet. The Aleksander will target the upper right fleet."
The entirety of the tri-alliance ships all focused the entirety of their armaments on the small fleet coming in from the high left while a small hole was opened in the sphere of ships surrounding the Aleksander. As the fleets launched their attack on one of the Tal'darim fleets the Aleksander's twin valkov cannons fired erasing the upper left enemy fleet. Both fleets were destroyed in short order leaving the remaining three. Despit losing two fifths of their forces the Taldarim fleets pressed onwards hitting the Terrans with long ranged bombardments. As both Terran and Tal'darim fleets approached each other their weapons fire shot back and forth as the distance closed. Eventually the fleets reached within just a few hundred kilometers of each other.
-Tal'darim main fleet-
Sylock watched as two of his rip-field generator ships finally got within his desired range gleefully narrowing his eyes.
"Activate the rip field generators."
The supplicants and lesser Ascendants on the ships comply. Sputtering to life the rip field generators installed onto the ships activated. Generating their molecular disrupting fields the effects quickly expands across kilometers then tens of kilometers then hundreds ripping apart any and all debris floating in the vacuum. The Tal'darim ships whose shields were still up took no damage but any ship that didn't have any shields or whose shield were down continuously took damage as their hull's molecular structure was ripped apart layer by layer.
The effect reached the Terrans fleet and they instantly begin disintegrating. The psi-plating affording some resistance slowing the process.
The Aleksander shook and rumbled as the ships hull sublimates off ever so slowly.
"What the hell is that?" Dugalle questions in a worried tone.
"Admiral." reported the Aleksander's A.I. "Im receiving ship wide hull and systems damage reports. Our ships hull is evaporating. The engines seem unaffected for the moment but if this continues we will be destroyed or at the least crippled. I am also receiving similar data from the rest of the fleet."
"Well it seems both sides had a ace up their sleeve then?" Dugalle complained.
"Hull integrity falling to 88%" reported a bridge officer.
"Can we warp out?"
"Yes but I don't know how the Shaw-Fujikawa drives will be affected?"
In other words there was a possibility the ship would explode if they activated the warp engines while in the area of effect of the enemies weapon.
"We can't risk it damn it!" Dugalle cursed. "Where is this vaporising effect coming from?"
The Aleksander's bridge crew diligently typed away on their controls trying to find the source of the damaging effects.
"Sir I've found something!"
"Well tell us Lieutenant?"
"I've found significant gravitational distortions being emitted from two Tal'darim ships. One in each of the fleets positioned at the lower 8 and 4-o-clock positions."
"So that was their game." Dugalle stated understanding the enemies strategy.
"Sir? your orders."
Dugalle thought to order his fleet to attack the two ships emitting the Rip fields but then he had a bolt of tactical inspiration and immediately decided to use the situation to his advantage. After all whose to say the Tal'darim don't have more devices like these on the World-ship If they get any closer then many more of these devices could activate and since it doesn't seem to effect shielded ships like the Tal'darims then Dugalles forces would always be at a disadvantage even if they got through this trouble now.
"Listen closely everyone this is my plan." the admiral stated calmly.
-Tal'darim fleet-
As he watched the pitched battle from his main fleet still holding position over the World-ship Sylock leered intently at the slowly disintegrating Terrans ships. He had lost six of his own ships who had lost their shields when the Rip fields were activated but the Terrans had halted all progress towards the world-ship and were holding position. Sylock's own fleet was continuing to hammer away at the Terrans from long range while the Terrans kept in a defensive position while counter attacking. Before too long several ships on both sides were destroyed as the battle went on. Then several of the more damaged Terran ships started exploding sending high velocity debris flying out in every direction. Some of these debris had low level psionic responses but that was ignored as drive material as it was known that the Terrans also used a material much like Khaydarin crystals in their ships like the Protoss. Shortly after words the Terran fleet turned around and started a full retreat.
Sylock laughed gleefully as the Terrans ships fleed.
"Oh no Terrans your not leaving just yet. All ships pursued the defilers of our sacred treasures. Let none of them live." ordered Sylock.
The remaining Tal'darim fleets pursued the Terran fleet as they attempted to leave the proximity of the rip field ships. Sylock's fleets chased them half way across the local system to a moon. Six Terran ships had exploded from the continues effects of the rip field generators and others had been destroyed from the continues long ranged harassment of Sylocks forces. Everything was going perfectly and soon all the Terrans ships would be destroyed. Sylock was also quite eager to have his phase smith's have a look at the main weapons of the enemy flagship that he fully planed on capturing. It would be a excellent prize.
As He was lost in his own delusions a shout brought him back to reality.
"Master Sylock. The rip field generator ships have been destroyed!" reported a underling.
Enraged and surprised Sylock stood up.
"What! How?"
-The Near Past, Aleksander Hanger-
Selvaria and her team of four valkyrie suited up into their armor adding atmospheric gear onto it so they could breath in the vacuum.
"I can't believe were doing this?"
"Its a crazy plan but the admiral knows what he's doing."
"Stow it girls" Selvaria exclaimed as she placed her helmet on. "The planes possible and were just the ones to pull it off. Otherwise the admiral would have gone with another idea."
"Yes ma'am!" the four valkyrie saluted.
Selvaria and her four valkyrie transferred to a heavily damaged frigate that was being evacuated. It was the most damaged ship along with a few others and more then likely would be the first to be destroyed by the destructive effects of the Tal'darims mysterious technology. Everyone else was quickly transferred to other ships along with their A.I.'s via docking umbilical, shuttles and drops-ships while the valkyrie squad was moved onto one. A eva vehicle that uses a old fashioned gas propulsion system was delivered as per their request as well. Normally used to allow engineers the ability to do a EVA trip to preform field maintenance and light repairs on ships in the field the system would now be used to get the Valkyrie squad onto an enemy ship.
Minutes passed and before long Selvaria and her squad mates were the only people left on the doomed frigate. With the engines running on autopilot along with the weapons, the illusion of still being crewed was maintained.
"Did you place the explosives." asked Selvaria as she finished prepping the eva vehicle with the others.
"Yeah there all planted and ready to go."
"Still a shame to just blow up several ships for a ploy like this though."
"I agree but it can't be helped. We need the Tal'darim to believe this ship exploded because of their weapon. Now hop on board."
Selvaria and her valkyrie's produced a psionic barrier around themselves and the small eva vehicle before opening the hanger door and jettisoning out into the void. As they were flying out the edge of the hanger one of the valkyrie triggered the explosives in the reactor room causing a instant meltdown. The ship exploded and the eva vehicle just looked like a highspeed debris as they hurled through space conveniently towards one of the Tal'darim fleet. Protected from the rip field by their barrier the Valkyrie squad waited for the right time as they drifted. Minutes passed until the Tal'darim fleet started passing by them. Then with careful maneuvering Selvaria sent them speeding towards their target ship. The ship was moving slightly faster then them but using telekinesis they were able to pull close enough to make contact with the hull.
Once on the ships hull and matching its speed they flew over the black armored hull towards the closest airlock. Merely placing her hand on the door one valkyrie took over its systems with her technopathy ability. The airlock door slid open and closed as quickly as the valkyrie squad entered.
"Ever tell you I love your technopathy."
"Always."
"Activate your cloaking systems." Selvaria ordered.
The valkyrie squad disappeared from normal and psionic detection as they silently made their way through the enemy ships hull way's. Avoiding any Tal'darim warriors encountered. They took long winding trailed through the ship to avoid the advanced detectors and alerting the enemies to their presence. Being discovered would ruin the mission and more then likely get them killed. Eventually they found a main terminal connecting to the ships control network. From there they got the location of the device called the rip field generator. Silently moving to their target Selvaria remained wary of any sudden encounter that could happen. Though it took almost a hour they finally reached the upper deck of the ship and the rip field generator control terminal.
"How is it?"
"Heavy guards. No avoiding combat here."
Selvaria unsheathed her twin golden swords.
"I'll deal with them. Keep a eye out for more of them after the alarms go off."
Dashing out into the large room Selvaria decloaked and kicked off the floor flying through the air towards the nearest Tal'darim Zealot. The Zealot sensed a malicious presence just in time to turn as a golden blade bit into his neck.
As one Tal'darim Zealot lost his head another shouted.
"Intruder!" shouted the Zealot igniting his bane-blade.
Not hesitating for even a second Selvarie dashed at him. The Zealot repealed several of her blows, then Selvaria ducked and using her size she slipped under the Zealots defense impaling him. With a flick of her blade Selvarie bisected the Zealot gut to shoulder as two more rushed her. One fired a psi-spear but She deftly dodged and charged her swords shooting a radiant beam of golden light. The momentary beam pierced one Zealots shields striking his shoulder while the other Zealot raised his blade to strike Her. The instant Selvaria turned her eyes towards the falling bane-blade a lance flew through the air striking the Zealots shields sending him flying across the room.
One of the valkyries reached out telekinetically pulling their lance back.
"You ok master." the Valkyrie stated stepped beside Selvaria.
"Yes im fine. But we need to finish them off."
Both Zealots recovered and reengaged. One lunged at Selvaria the other at the Valkyrie. They fought a pitched battle but then the other three Valkyrie entered the fight quickly killing the Zealots from behind. The Valkyrie with technopathy placed her hand on the controls and quickly took over the machine.
"Im in. I can set it to overload by causing a feed back loop with the ships power systems."
"Do it and lets get out of here. We can use the teleportation room we passed just a while ago to escape."
"Sounds like a plane. "
Warning alarms started blaring as the rooms light shifted to a red color. Selvarie and her team left, quickly returning to a teleportation room.
"Can' you get us on the world-ship?"
"Yeah. The Tal'darims teleportation matrix is all tied together. It's not a very secure system. But then again since one would have to get onboard one of their ships anyway to access their teleportation network even I wouldn't think to keep excess security unless I was paranoid. But whos to say that the world-ships teleportation gateways don't have a ton of guards just waiting for us on the other side."
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to the other side." stated Selvaria.
Activating the gateways Selvaria steeped through first and was instantly teleported away. Each valkyrie followed until they were all away. Tal'darim guards arrived soon after.
"The intruders left using the teleportation gateway."
"Warn the fleet that there are in..."
The Zealot was interrupted as the ships warning klaxon blared and moments later the ships detonated.
-World-Ship-
Selvaria flicked her blades cleaning them of blood. Four Zealots lay on the ground as the other Valkyrie arrived.
"Guess there were guards."
Sheathing one of her blades Selvaria turned to her team.
"First of all we need to locate the Keystone. This ships massive so we need a map."
"On it." the technopathy expert chimed making her way to the terminal on the wall.
With a touch she began tapping into the ships systems. Several minutes passed before she exclaimed.
"Got it. This ships systems are way different then any Terran or Protoss I know. Took me a while to figure it out. Security was a Bitch too. If I had tripped any of those reflex defenses! (shudder)."
"But you got the map right?"
"Yeah yeah. The Keystone fragments are in a place called the vault. FYI It's hundreds of miles away."
"Good thing we didn't bother relocating then."
"Get us to the closest teleportation chamber to the Vault." ordered Selvaria.
"Yes ma'am."
Teleporting to the new location Selvaria and her team reactivated their cloaking gear and silently slipped passed the guards. They progressed silently until the alarm sounded.
"Guess they found the guards at the teleportation room." One valkyrie stated.
"Well our cover is blown. We've been lucky to only encounter small patrols or groups of Tal'darim but if they start organizing hunting parties in numbers?"
"Were dead" replied another Valkyrie.
"Yep."
"Just focus on getting to the vault. I'll deal with any distractions."
Switching from stealth to combat mode Selvaria and her team decloaked cutting down any Tal'darim resistance they encountered along the way. Mostly by virtue of Selvarie's power. Not to say the four Valkyrie were weak but they were still only so strong and the Tal'darim forces greatly out numbered them.
-Minutes later-
Selvaria lead her team closer to the vault, eventually to a much thinner hallway that connected to the vault. Finally arriving Selvaria and her Valkyrie team at last stood before the vault but the second Selvaria crossed the threshold into the vault the giant door slammed shut leaving the four Valkyrie alone in the hall. Teams of Multiple Zealots started appearing at both ends of the hall surrounding the Valkyrie.
One Valkyrie kicked a charging Zealot into the wall, jumping out of the way as another lunged at her slashing in a attempt to decapitate.
"Damn their so persistent!"
"DIE Heretic!"
The Valkyrie blocked the Zealots attacks with her shield and countered. Her psionically charged lance shattered the zealots shield but only left the Zealot stunned. Groaning in annoyance the Zealot lunged again slashing and thrusting with their bane-blades. Moving deftly and skillfully the Valkyrie evaded and blocked the lethal strikes.
"I could use some help over here!"
All around her all four Valkyrie fought back to back against twenty Tal'darim Zealots. If it wasn't for the fact the Zealots could only come from two directions and the hallway became much smaller they would have been over whelmed already.
"Same here." replied another Valkyrie as she blocked a Zealots furies, if suicidal attacks.
"Hey swap partners!" shouted the first Valkyrie.
The first Valkyrie turned to the second as she evaded the strikes of the Zealot attacking her. The second Valkyrie did the same and the two of them caught the Zealots off guard attacking their vulnerable backs in tandem.
"Two more down."
"A few hundred left to go unfortunately."
"Gha!" screamed another Valkyrie.
Turning their teammate the other three saw three Zealots triple teaming the lone Valkyrie. Two had forced her back and the third had buried their bane-blade into her midsection.
"Damn it. Barriers now!" shouted one of the other Valkyrie as she charged up her lance and fired at the three Zealots. The blast impacted their shields depleting them and knocking them back a moment. While the wounded Valkyrie backed into the wall protecting her self two other Valkyrie activated their shields forming barriers that blocked off the hallway from both ends and cut the three Zealots off from the others. With one Valkyrie wounded and two maintaining barriers to keep the other Zealots back the last Valkyrie left free attacked the Zealots. They scattered evading her first strike but two were left backed against the wall and barrier.
"Kill that one." ordered one Zealot.
Another Zealot that was between the two Valkyrie nodded and turned around to the one creating a barrier.
"Watch your back!" one Valkyrie warned.
The Valkyrie maintaining the barrier turned towards the Zealot as they swung their energy blade. Using a psi-dash she moved like a blur evading as she let go of the shield and lance while drawing her short sword. As the Zealots blade fell cutting a after image the real Valkyrie stabbed him in the gut. In rapid movements she pulled her blade out and stabbed the Zealot repeatedly ending in a decapitating slash. With her shield held in place by the barrier it was creating (while still receiving her power vie a remote energy transfer) the Valkyrie quickly sheathed her blade and picked up her lance and grabbed her floating shield.
"Three down."
One of the remaining Zealots (the one that ordered the other to kill the Valkyrie) cursed and lunged at the wounded Valkyrie. Putting her own barrier up the wounded Valkyrie sealed her self and the Zealot in a thick barrier that sandwiched the last Zealot against the other barrier. The free Valkyrie pointed her lance at the Zealot and fired a rapid pulse of psionic bolts. The Zealots shields quickly fell and they were perforated with bloody holes and went limp as they slumping against the barrier.
"Five down."
Dropping part of her barrier the Wounded Valkyrie exposed the back of the Zealot she trapped allowing the other Valkyrie to kill him.
"Six" the wounded Valkyrie stated in pained gasp.
Just as the Valkyrie started celebrating their victory the barriers began shaking as multiple psi-spears struck them. The other sixteen Zealots outside wanted in.
"Damn. These psi-spears pack a punch. I can only maintain the barrier for another minute at this rate."
Thinking the Valkyries needed a solution to their predicament.
"Collapse the tunnel's." the wounded Valkyrie suggested as the other healed them as best they could with a medic pack. "If we waste time and our own energy trying to keep them out we'll eventually be overwhelmed. But if we make them waste time cutting through a debris wall."
"They'll be the ones wasting time and energy. Got it. Anyone else got a better plan."
"No."
"Nope."
On the other side of the barriers the Zealots continued firing psi-spears at the barriers the whole hallway shook from the small explosions.
"What was that?"
One Zealot pointed to the Valkyrie.
"The Terrans are doing something."
Pointing their shields down one hallway three Valkyrie focused all of their power to reinforce and expand the shield wall causing it to press into the walls causing breaking at the points of contact.
"What are they?"
Before the Zealot could finish the thought the barrier expanded and extended along the walls replacing them all along the hallway even below the Zealots feet. Then parts of the barrier opened and formed into short tubes. Intense telekinetic forces were used to literally rip chunks of the wall out and fill up the hallway with the debri. This continued until the Zealots were forced to retreat all the way back to the T intersection a few hundred feet back. Then all the wall debris was pulled into one massive chunk of a rock pile and pushed back through the hallway until it completely filled the hallway and blocked the T intersection from the vault. Breathing heavily a bit from the effort the three Valkyrie relaxed a bit.
"One path blocked. Now for the other."
Repeating the process on the other side the Valkyrie team completely blocked off both paths to the vault. The wounded Valkyries wounds were treated more properly and everyone relaxed taking the opportunity to eat their rations as they sat along the giant vault door.
"What's taking miss Selvaria so long?"
"Yeah im worried. You don't think they lade a trap for her in there?"
"If she was dead then any Tal'darim in there would have opened the door and attacked us by now. She's either still fighting or trying to open this giant freaking door."
"I know what you mean I lost all trace of her psionic presence once that door closed."
"All we can do is wait."
-Minutes Before-
Selvaria looked back as the vault door shut behind her. The moment it did she lost all perception of her Valkyrie team outside.
"What is this? Some kind of Psionic jamming seal?"
"No." answered a voice echoing in the giant chamber.
"Show your self."
"I take orders from no one but my glorious lord Amon." stated Nyon as He descended (floating) from a upper balcony that ringed around the room.
Selvaria smirked a moment at the mention of Amon.
"Odd? I didn't sense you Nyon?"
With no small amount of contempt for the Terran Nyon replied.
"The space with in this vault is special. It exits in a altered dimensional state and blocks psionic powers from entering or exiting. To those outside we may as well be in another galaxy."
"Another ancient technology left behind by the Forerunners I take it." Selvaria said glancing at the two keystone fragments in a stasis tank behing Nyon.
"I'll be taking the keystone fragments Nyon. You have served the Light well."
Nyon leered at the Terran.
"The only reason I give even a modicum of respect to you Terran is because you are blessed by the Light. And though I am more then willing to fulfill my lord Amons plans I can not so easily accept defeat. As a warrior and leader I have been shamed. I would rather die then, simply hand the sacred keystones over to a Terran. Even one who serves the Light and my lord Amon."
Selvaria shrugged.
"So you still want to fight. Very well. I know your type well. But You know just how powerful I am right."
"I fear not death. Only dis-honor. Dying in battle to a blessed servant of the Light is no loss in my eyes."
"Even if im a Terran. Very well then. Do try to put up a fight."
Nyon nodded igniting his twin bane-blades. Selvaria charged her armor, shield and lance with a extra amount of her own Psionic power taking a battle ready stance.
A silent moment passed.
In the blink of the eye Selvaria dashed forwards, a blur. Her lance's tip aimed to pierce Nyons chest. Nyon just as fast shifted his body to the side, evading the piercing lance tip by mere inches. With a single swing He batted the lance aside and stabbed at Selvaria's abdomen. A clank and sudden resistance told Nyon his blow had been blocked.
"Your faster then what I would have thought." commented Selvaria.
Straining against the Ascendants strength Selvaria pushed Nyons blade away with her shield and while using her own momentum lead into a strike with her lance. Following the lances movement with his eyes Nyon evaded ducking and stabbing forwards again. Selvaria flipped backwards narrowly avoiding the twin psionic blades as she cartwheeled away. As soon as she was on her feet Nyon was on her again continuing to press his attack. Keeping his attacks simple and quick while maintaining his precision Nyon punched his arms forwards like a boxer keeping close to Selvaria and not allowing her to use her abilities at range. He new from a glance of her weapons that her skill lay in mid to long range mass destruction. But up close with high speed attacks and her over sized weapon and shield she would be hard pressed to attack and would be forced into a defensive posture.
"Heh! "Selvarie grined. "Your actually quite good at reading your opponents weaknesses. Too bad that doesn't extend to your tactical abilities as a leader. After all its easier to read a single warriors abilities then a whole armies."
Not losing focus to her banter Nyon pressed his advantage in close combat. Hid Bane-blades were short but powerful. So as long as he kept close to Selvaria she would be kept from using her lances and shield to their best ability. Selvaria was pressed further back by Nyons relentless assault in the one sided battle. Nyon just kept hammering away at her shield and lance keeping them fully utilized in blocking his high strikes until the moment came. With every blow she received Selvaria was pressed further back. Each step coming closer to the wall. But it wasn't all that hard to tell what Nyons plan was. Grinning as she was forced back further and further Selvaria just waited for the moment Nyon thought He would win. Then it happened. Selvarias back hit the wall. With no where left to go She was literally forced into a corner. Nyons eyes narrowed in a smirk as he made one last full power slash. Selvaria blocked it with her shield but instantly noticed the angle and which arms Nyon struck with.
It was his left arm which left his right arm free. Selvaria was right handed so she had her Lance in her right hand and her shield in her left. The positioning left her completely open on the left side. Using his weight and legs Nyon pushed harder pressing Selvaria into the wall more. He then quickly and smoothly swung his right arm aiming his bane-blade for Selvarias leg. As the blade swung Selvaria grinned. Using Nyons own pressure to keep herself up she simply raised her legs narrowly avoiding the blade. Simultaneously and with a single smooth motion she flipped her lance around to a back handed position and thrust it under her own legs to block Nyons blade from moving any further up or closer to her.
"What?" He exclaimed in surprise.
Selvaria wrapped her legs around Nyons left arm and stabbed her lance into the ground to anchor her self, and with all her psionically enhanced strength lifted Nyon up and slammed him into the wall above her. Kicking off of him Selvaria flew several dozen meters away rolling back to her feet. While Nyon dropped like a rock to the floor.
"I'll admit your idea of keeping in close and using your size and bane-blades in close was a good idea Nyon." Nyon picked him self up off the floor holding a bloody face plate that had been broken on impact with the wall. "But woman are more flexible then guys like you. And Your biggest mistake was not planning for what you should do if I got out of your trap and away from you."
Nyon narrowed his eyes.
"I'll take your advice to heart. So that the next time I battle one as powerful as you I will not lose so easily."
As she raised her lance Selvaria locked eyes with Nyon.
"See you in the next life Nyon."
Selvaria fired her lance sending a beam straight for Nyons head. Nyon dodged at the last second dashing towards Selvaria. But as he practically flew towards her Nyon passed through a nearly invisible barrier of wires arranged into hexagons and was sliced into pieces by the thin wires of solid psionic aura. Nyons corpse literally fell into pieces. Selvaria took a moment to silently pray for His soul and that it reached the other side of the great barrier the Halo array creates. Just because the Halo array separates the material plane with the immaterium it still allows certain connections as both realities are fundamentally connected making it actually impossible to completely separate them. Souls still connected to the immaterium are still able travel to go to the other realm so long as they aren't the altered kind the Forerunners created to replace the old type that was inherently connected to the Lights realm in the immaterium. Nyon was of the original Tal'darim that long ago left the galaxy under the lights orders at the end of the great war many long aeon's ago. So his soul was still inherently connected to the Immaterium unlike Selvarias and most of the rest of the galaxy's sentient beings.
She maybe blessed by the Light but she has never felt a direct connection to it like the way Nyon and many Tal'darim had. With the exception of a certain first Ascendant.
Using her power to ignite and cremate the body Selvaria turned to the fragments of the key stone.
-Outside the Vault-
Resting after sealing the only two paths to the vault the squad of four Valkyrie waited for Selvaria to come out.
"I wonder if we should force our way in."
"It would deplete our powers. And we need to keep any and all stamina we can muster for when we bust out of here."
"She's right we should just wait."
As the Valkyria waited a ascendant joined the Zealots who were slowly cutting through and moving the compressed ball of rocks blocking the path.
"By Amon's will what is going on here!" the Ascendant shouted.
"My lord." A Zealot saluted. "We are removing the debris from this hallway. The Terrans tore the walls apart and used the material to block the path to the vault on both ends."
"So the fools sealed themselves in. But also kept us from attacking. They may be cowardly vermin but they are smart. I will open the way. Stand back your weak Votary."
As the Zealots backed off the Ascendant using his considerable psionic power fired a stream of crimson lightning into the wall of debris. The material started vaporizing filling the hallway with smoke and dust. If they were Terrans the Tal'darim would have been choking but Protoss don't breath the same way. Before too long the debris wall exploded into the slightly widened hallway. Though the foot path was the same the walls looked as if a large groove was carved out from them making them quit a bit wider.
"Kill the Terran heretics!" shouted the Ascendant.
The Zealots poured into the breach as the Ascendant simply waited a few moments as the sounds of a struggled battle ensued. Then once everyone was fully engaged He floated in using his powers to hover several meters off the ground. Passing through the yet to dissipate cloud of smoke and dust the Ascendant arrived in the middle of a pitched battle. All four of the Valkyrie were occupied with holding the Zealots off and doing a surprisingly good job considering the disparity in numbers. Deciding to end the stalemate the Ascendant gathered energy forming two psi-orbs. He then took a second to concentrate and fired a mind-blast into the middle of the melee.
As the stunning effects of the Mind blast hit everyone the Ascendant fired his psi-orbs into two of the stunned Valkyrie sending them flying back from the blasts. The other two Valkyrie quickly recovered from the mind-blast thanks to the adrenaline surging through them from the danger. Both recovered Valkyrie fired back striking the Ascendant shield depleting it by a considerable amount.
"Filthy wretches." the ascendant bellowed firing a barrage of agonizing blasts.
The Valkyire were forced to defend but while their attention was on the Ascendant hovering above the other Zealots recovered from the Ascendants mind-blast and took the opportunity and attacked, impaling the Valkyrie and killing them. The other two Valkyrie were only then standing back up from taking direct hit from the psi-orbs and the mind-blast before and were quickly over whelmed and also killed. Pleased the Ascendant glanced over the Terran corpses.
"Now we need to get into the vault and check on the keystones. There may have been more of them that got in there."
Just as Ascendant spoke those words the vault door shuttered and opened. As all the Tal'darim readied for battle the lone Terrans eyes stared intently at the corpses of her team mates. A pair of Zealot's charge at Selvaria and just as their blades fall towards her she bit her lips making them bleed. A instant later the two Zealots were cut to pieces by a flurry of lighting fast blade cuts. Literally falling to pieces before their corpses hit the ground. The shear speed of the kills surprises and strikes fear into the Ascendant as the other Zealots also recklessly charged in only to meat a equally quick death. Realizing the power of the new Terran is much beyond him and with a quickly depleted reserve of soldiers the Ascendant opted to retreat and gather reinforcements.
But as the thought is formed in his mind the Ascendant realized the Terran was gone. Some how she left his line of sight without him noticing. Hearing a foot step behind himself the Ascendant realized he can't feel his body anymore and his vision darkens to pitch black. The Ascendants body hits the floor with his head rolling a distance away. Selvaria sheathed her golden sword and kneels at the bodies of her team mates.
"Veronica, Angie, Grace, Lila." the names of the dead girls escape her mouth. "Justin, Hibiki." adding the names of her deceased lover and best friend, tears escape Selvaria's eyes.
For a moment she thinks why she's even doing this. She betrayed her family and joined the Lights side. But it was all for her dream. Yes the Light also wants all beings to not have to feel so torn. To feel so horrible and alone. To feel alone as their loved ones die around them.
"Yes. It's best way. Like the Protoss who all become one within the Khala when they die all sentient beings will become one one day. And they'll all be embraced by the lights love."
Wiping away a tear Selvaria carries the keystone fragments away leaving the bodies behind.
-Chapter End-