A/N With the population becoming so large in Draconia, family names are no longer the purview of royalty/nobility. Many of the names are similar to ours, either based on professions, locations, etc.
Chapter 22: Final Solutions
Deep Space, 75 light years from Forceria
Defiant Class Heavy Frigate
IDS Starseeker
Same time as end of Draconian conference
Having been started 5 years after Malkira's birth, the Starseeker followed on the heels of the Defiance in orbiting Forceria until the then King Manaweaver ordered them on a long range patrol. Rotating guard or scouting duties with the Defiance, the two ships began exploring space around the newly named Mana system
The second built Defiant class heavy frigate of the Draconian Empire followed on the heels of their most recent probe reporting sign of life in a nearby system. Moving under cloak, the ship arrived to find an orbital station of some sort. Hailing frequencies went unanswered as the station hovered around the world, dark and lifeless as it maintained its lonely position above the unnamed world.
"Are we able to connect with any computers?" The Captain asked.
"Yes sir, there is a docking computer active, and it has poor encryptions. I'll be able to access the station's database in a few minutes," the science officer replied.
"Good if it has been abandoned as long as it looks we will claim it for the Empire," the Captain proclaimed.
"Sir?" Another officer asked.
"If no one has used it in long periods, better we use it as we are heading out into space," The science officer said.
"Indeed Lieutenant," the Captain agreed as he waited for their computers to connect.
"Sir, it seems that this supply repository was created by a group called the Terran Confederacy. Some of the data is corrupted, one moment… Ah, this supply point was established about 50 years ago, but was abandoned about 10 years after it seems, there have been no patrols or any ships having been in this area since."
"Excellent, are we still in communications range with the homeworld?" The captain asked.
"Yes sir, using our probes as relays we will be able to communicate in real time though there will be a slight delay," the comm Officer reported.
"How slight?"
"2-3 seconds thanks to the subspace relays on the probes."
Captain Avandan Stargazer, one of the many Elves who met MIRN's requirements for induction into the starborn forces made his way into his ready room and opened the hailing frequency back to New Vancouver. Xapferey answered it, though his face showed alarm.
"What is it Captain? Make it fast as I am right in the middle of a crisis here."
"Anything you need us for Milord?"
"No, if we need anything Defiance can handle it if we need orbital support. So?"
"We found a repository abandoned by a force called the Terran Confederacy, the outpost has been abandoned for over 3 decades. We have found everything we need to speed ship construction and build a full shipyard from preliminary estimates alone."
"Good, then claim it, I will send Defiance to assist you, I want this acquisition done in one trip."
"Yes Milord, I'll have a full report for the council of everything we found by the time Defiance gets here."
"I have to go Captain, excellent work," Xapferey cut the comms and left to deal with the crisis he spoke of. The Captain left his ready room and returned to the bridge before giving his orders.
"Let's get to work, we have 15 days before Defiance gets here and I want everything ready for their arrival, load quantums in the tubes and standby weapons just in case."
"Yes sir, we are coming to dock, security teams are ready for boarding," the tactical officer said.
"Good send them."
Security teams along with various other officers began swarming the station intent on categorizing and organizing everything for transport back to Forceria.
Back on Forceria
Draconia's royal chambers
Having shut off the communicator, Xapferey sighed. Feelings of self-loathing filled him for what he had done and for what he had to do to stop Wagnard. Moving to a wall and a hidden cabinet inside, the Dragon snickered at the reference he had done deliberately.
"Now time to unlock the most secure security code," Xapferey sighed. "1-7-3-4-6-7-2-1-4-7-6-Charlie-3-2-7-8-9-7-7-7-6-3-Tango-7-3-2-Victor-7-3-1-1-7-1-8-8-8-7-3-2-4-7-6-7-8-9-7-6-4-3-7-6-Unlock." Mentally thanking his Dragon enhanced eidetic memory; the hidden locked cabinet swung open to reveal the project Xapferey had worked on for decades until five were completed. Taking one, he locked the cabinet with the same code and strode off. Boarding his personal shuttlecraft, and escorted by six of his elite guard all armed with advanced technological and runecrafted armor, the ship launched for Marmo island hidden under cloak.
"Gentlemen, what we are about to do will likely alienate all other kingdoms but it needs to be done."
"We have been briefed about the possible futures you are aware of Sire, but regardless of whatever weapon you use, Kardis must not rise."
"I'm glad you agree Lieutenant, not that you would have had a choice in the matter. I will be writing a letter to the other rulers while we are enroute to Wagnard's castle. Understand that when we land we have to hit hard and fast, we cannot afford mercy here."
"Yes My Lord," all 12 marines were trained in firearms and explosives as part of the Royal Guard. While one piloted the shuttle, Xapferey began penning a letter on the computer to the other main rulers of Lodoss.
To Fahn and Kashue my friends, regrettably this crisis came so soon after our conference. As I said in my last message I am sorry I cannot assure you fully as to my intentions and my latest actions today will put our other relations in jeopardy. But what I am going to tell you is genuine and can be confirmed by Beld as I have his permission to act as I see fit in these unique circumstances. But Marmo's high priest Wagnard has kidnapped one of my citizens, namely little Neese Starseeker. His actions have been disavowed by the Marmo Emperor, as he seeks to resurrect/raise Kardis the Destroyer, my actions are to destroy the shrine permanently and poison the land in such a way that no one will be able to tread there. Granted the way I will do it will terrify everyone, as they terrify me. It was something even my people of my world lived in fear of seeing again.
Regardless I will always treasure your friendships however long it may last past this point but what I do I do for the good of all Lodoss. Beld has assured me that he has already evacuated every citizen of Marmo loyal to his regime; leaving only those who would aid Wagnard on his quest to raise Kardis. This is not something that can be allowed to happen, nor will I allow it regardless of what others may say.
Fondest wishes and regards my old friends
Xapferey Manaweaver, Emperor of Draconia.
After finishing the letter, he forwarded it to his aide back in Draconia to be sent to Fahn and Kashue as he turned his attention to the landing shuttle.
"Gentlemen, we are going stealth for now, suppressors and subsonic ammo for now," Xapferey ordered as they crept from the shuttle and the three remaining Royal Guard protecting it.
Xapferey caught a couple of Dark Elf sentries on patrol in the head with two quick shots as they proceeded into the sublevels. Things were quiet and patrols were scarce as Wagnard clearly expected to have plenty of advanced warning in case of attack. As such it was easy to bypass or kill what few patrols moved throughout the sublevels around the temple until the Draconian forces came to where the ritual was taking place.
Wagnard's priests were chanting in a circle with the evil priest at the head of the circle with Neece lying on the altar in front of them. Signaling his forces, while carrying the device forwards, Xapferey crept forwards and switched to his G11, while his other forces switched to various machine guns. Holding his hand up to signal three seconds, he let them fall one by one until 10 assault rifles on single fire shot each of the priests in the head.
Wagnard himself was shot in both knees, then in the elbows by the angry Dragon Emperor as he strode forwards.
"I've been waiting for this a long time Wagnard, did you really think I wouldn't know your plans? I've known your plans since before I arrive in Lodoss. That's right you nihilistic little shit, this world I thought was fictional. Even in another time or universe you think I'd let you get away with trying to sacrifice my wife?" The Dragon snarled. "Die now knowing that with your failure, any chance to resurrect the Destroyer dies with you."
Kicking the injured High Priest in the face hard enough to break his nose, Xapferey triggered the device and activated his beacon. Wagnard watched Xapferey and his troops disappear into a shimmering blue light; before he lay there able to do nothing but curse the Dragon and watch as a timer on the device he brought finally detonated.
It was a powerful weapon as Wagnard didn't even have time to scream before it exploded, sending out a powerful blast and shockwave.
Everyone on the southern part of Lodoss saw the titanic blast
Moss, Valis, Draconia and Kanon saw the fear everyone on Earth knew.
Over the island of Marmo the results of project Final Solutions could now be seen.
An ever rising and expanding mushroom cloud.
A/N BAM! Literally… who was expecting that? This was what Xapferey was working on in chapter… 8 I think, a runecrafted nuke and he has 4 others done… but now Lodoss takes a backseat as we take to the stars. Welcome Warchief everyone as he is going to help me co-author future chapters as we combine my story and an extra AU of his.
