AN: Brief Hiatus for personal and work-related reasons. Lots of personal headworld and some lore work in this chapter, so please let me know if you have some feedback.
Samateus' alert to the leaders of the alliance that the Beast had launched an attack directly at the Ahr'Aht worldship's bridge near Khilseith and his crew had them all curious and concerned. Xerxes the most notably so, quickly reaching out and linking his mind with Sternum, Femur, Jade and Graveheart, Cryos and finally Pyrus, who stood near Xerxes wide-eyed.
**What was that? An attack on the World Ship?** Zera was then included with the rest, as she had only just arrived in the Firian palace with Virian, who blinked incredulously at the Ahr'aht nearby, Pyrus next to him near the doorway they had entered from. Flare and Blaze, elsewhere in the Moon, soon joined the conversation as well, needing to finish a conversation in person before they could retrieve their scale-stones to alert Samateus and Xerxes that they were ready to listen. Jade, who had spoken last, frowned physically at Graveheart, who shook his head solemnly at her. Virian was included in the group by her proximity to Zera and Xerxes understood how much she was trusted following his conversation in the recent past with Cryos.
**Yes, Khilseith has called me back to the Obsidian Flare, such a blatant strike needs a response.** Samateus' barely held rage bubbled into their thoughts, even Cryos phsyically clenching a fist at her transmitted emotion.
**I disagree. Wouldn't attacking it right back cause it to send more after us?" Cryos' restraint was seconded by Femur and Sternum, who reluctantly agreed with the Icean king.
**Only if I leave it something to work with.**
**Sam, I don't think calling on Ashtareen herself is a good idea right now, not after what happened to the Moon.** Xerxes quipped, the others giving exclaims of alarm, that a diety could be asked to materialise would be considered madness under most circumstances, and asking for such to appear here, around so many lives, would potentially cause issues with the belief systems of many already in place. Xerxes reassured the others that Samateus would only do so if allowed, the Taalrulthian scoffing at his restraint.
**If not her, perhaps one of the Virtues?** The others could almost envision Samateus' predatory grin as Xerxes shook his head physically, sighing.
**You are injured, therefore the only one I can conceive of listening is Aardreith. Do be careful?** Xerxes smirked lightly, the others all curious as to what they were referring to.
**Of course. Anyone wanting to watch, find somewhere quiet, focus on the stone or me and keep your eyes closed. I'll show you what I can.** Samateus' windy laughter transmitted to the rest, Khilseith briefly passing on through her that the Worldship had only received minor damages to its surface and the internal workings were easily repaired by the nanite systems, but the cowardly Beast commander had backed off to hide amongst the rest of their fleet. Xerxes encouraged those with him to withdraw their thoughts, instead withdrawing one of the holo-beads from his guantlet and let it fall to the floor. The small device moved to the wall nearby and transmitted an image from an observation drone with the Obsidian Flare, Samateus could be seen hovering nearby, yet well enough away from the rest of the fleet, glaring angrily through her armour at the forces following their alliance. Meanwhile Flare and Blaze arrived from the lower levels of the Moon to join their little group in the palace.
Several tense moments passed, Samateus tracing several runes in the air before her, the runes glowing brilliant golden before each were completed and appeared to be dismissed by an unseen hand. The last caused a runic circle to appear at her back, a metallic spider-like creature with six long tendrils from the center of its back, four blade-arms from its upper body -not too unlike what Lamprey's assassins had appeared to have- which made Xerxes and Pyrus shudder, pulling itself through and over the circle as though it were a solid object. The head of the seven-eyed creature, atop a long slender neck, moved to sit level alongside Samateus', the shape of it mimicking her helm, which the leaders of the alliance understood as being a simulacrum of the appearance of Ashtareen, it appearing to open its maw, lower jaw splitting apart to reveal a circular almost snake-like maw lined with countless rows of dagger like teeth. The being, known to Xerxes and Samateus as Aardreith, Virtue of Justice, was at least double her bolstered size, the Taalrulthian ignoring its attempts at making her feel uncomfortable.
Directing it instead to their enemies, the Virtue hissed lightly at her, backed off, and then launched itself bodily toward the Beast planet. Samateus remained stoically floating just before the runic circle, a summoning gate that allowed Aardreith to enter their realm from the Luminous, Xerxes explaining this to those with him as Samateus shared the knowledge to those connected psionically. Well ahead, or moreso behind the alliance fleet, the edge of the back-most World ship just at the edge of the screen as the Obsidian Flare and Samateus, slowly floating backwards as the fleet moved further along, to keep their distance from the Beast planet itself, they could make out the Beast planet attempting to battle the agent of Ashtareen in their midst.
An excruiatingly long moment dragged on, the forces of the Beast planet decimated by the being in their midst as it appeared unharmed by even the null energy bolts fired by the larger ships, two of the larger capital ships appearing to be enveloped by a shadow as they were whisked away elsewhere. Aardreith, howling challenge and rage at the Beast planet for stealing its fun, instead turning to leave massive rents in the Beast planet's shell, even moving to attempt to pry open its maw. Xerxes' eyes widened, alerting Samateus and attempting to pull the Virtue's attention back, as the Beast planet sent a powerful ripple of null energy along its sides and coalescing forward to gather at the edge of the hinge of its maw. Aardreith was promptly repelled and sent careening away toward Samateus, the null energy absorbed by the body of the Virtue which appeared to float helplessly in space once it appeared to slow.
Samateus then dismissed the runic circle, Aardreith's form enveloped in light before it promptly disappeared and Samateus returned to the Obsidian Flare for some much needed rest. Once she had disappeared, and Aardreith had been returned to his realm, Xerxes shook his head, eyeing the Beast planet before dismissing the holo-projection and recalling the holo bead.
"Okay, just what in the Inferno was all that?" Pyrus asked, physically which was passed on psionically once Xerxes had reconnected their minds to the rest, Jade and Cryos both having much the same question.
**Aardreith is one of Seven of Ashtareen's 'Virtues' which were created in response to Setesh creating Seven of his own agents, each modeled after what many would refer to as the Seven Sins, and powered much the same as Aardreith. They have much of the power and strength of Ashtareen herself, just on a lesser scale, and can be summoned in dire straits, or if needed in battle against an Avatar of Setesh. Before you ask, yes there is one Avatar in opposition of Ashtareen that we know of, however he has not been seen for some years now.** Samateus took over the conversation immediately, her ire and desire to have done more to the Beast briefly passing to the rest. Sternum and Jade seconded her emotion, even Blaze offering a commendation for just how much damage had been done, despite the protective retaliation from the Beast.
**Now that Aardreith has been seen working against Voyd so obviously, we will be keeping a closer eye out for any void activity.** Xerxes expressed, pausing to mention that the void is where they assume Voyd had come from initially, and that the Void itself is what they call the opposite realm to the Luminous. **It will take some time for the Beast to recoup its losses, let Khilseith focus on monitoring everything with that bastard sphere. We can focus then on what we need to.**
**You mean that terraforming bit? I thought Tekla took over that?** Samateus responded, Xerxes sighing and frowning that he had yet to explain that. **Sorry, I keep jumping on things before you get a chance to explain.**
**Yes, she and Capacitor have taken over the terraforming project using my old research on planet Fire, as well as focusing on the new shield emitter system. Until then, I suppose it would only be prudent to work on the other project already started amongst the Firians that I had wished to wait a bit before putting forward.** Xerxes physically sat down, curling his long tail around himself and shaking his head but offering a smile to Pyrus and Zera when they expressed concern for him. Xerxes simply expressed he had begun to tire, an old injury to his right leg acting up, and needed to sit. Virian seemed completely lost, looking to Flare with a questioning expression and him offering a hand to her, her antennae standing on end as she was included in the group, Zera and Pyrus lightly chuckling at the brief explanation offered by Flare that the stone he held in his other hand let them connect to Samateus and Xerxes psionically, similar to the telepathy of the Zumahim, just more pointed and less needing conscious acknowledgement. What was most shocking to Virian was that they were all connected from their respective homes, the distances between each and Samateus so varied, that they need no technology to assist made Samateus laugh lightly in their minds.
**Something else we wish to address, is including all of the cluster alliance worlds in our communications network. I already have the start of this here, on the battle moon, to make it easier to compile the concerns of the populace and get messages through the patrol grid with minimal effort.** Xerxes motioned to the case near the vault, which opened on an invisible hinge at its side along the wall, the upper portion a viewscreen which linked to the main Ahr'aht communications grid and connected to the handheld data padds in a lower compartment, the front of the floating case -almost identical to the one that had unfurled into the tree with its tiny lights- sliding aside to reveal a stack of a dozen of the glass-like padds.
**Each one can be set to be available to a group of users, or locked for individual use, and will be able to access the same systems and send messages instantaneously. Capacitor and the Tekians were instrumental in getting this up and running for our alliance. It's only fitting that it be offered to the allies their Empress helped save.** Xerxes grinned, Zera gaping lightly at him. **Tekla has already taken steps in returning to her people, they are certainly elated in having her back, and are just as invested as she has been in making certain all of you are brought up to speed. Any advantage against the Beast, I'm certain, is more than welcome.**
**I don't see any problem with that. Though I have to ask, how can Lobe and the other Bonean ships be brought into this? I know we talked only briefly on it before, but I know it's going to come up again.** Tibia's thoughts rang loudly with her concern, Sternum and Femur seconding her question.
**It will be just a systems update to existing software, nothing your existing hardware will have issue with. It might make things harder for more advanced ships to grow accustomed to, as it will allow for more backend chatter they could catch, perhaps when passing by a larger ship. It may mean we have to put in protocols and extra security algorithms on some communications channels, but nothing too invasive.** Xerxes happily provided, watching with a smile as Pyrus and Zera moved to the case near the vault door, pulled out five of the tablet-like padds, providing one to Virian, Blaze and Flare, while they looked them over. Khilseith briefly popped into their conversation, informing Xerxes briefly that additional padds would be available by the end of the day before he withdrew once more.
Cryos and Jade were quite happy that they would have more open communications with minimal issue, and further impressed that this system would also allow for anyone to access the Ahr'aht archives, including all the recorded battles Samateus had taken part in and dating back several centuries. Older archives could be accessed, but each individual request would likely have to go through Xerxes for permission, which all understood and respected his and Samateus' privacy. Once all had been given a basic overview of how the tablet-like padds worked, how to access the system to lock them to an individual user, or set them as a group of interconnected padds for a given task, the psionic loop was dismissed, the group of Blaze, Zera, Xerxes, Flare, Virian and Pyrus returned to their physical surroundings. Pyrus blinked almost comically, seeing that the padd he held had the time in the upper right corner, and that they must have been conversing for easily a few hours.
"Time can pass by quickly when in psionic conversations, faster when a Virtue is around. We use the galactic calendar and clock that the Maker put into place, because we've been working alongside some of his legacy peoples for so long we only felt it best. Not to mention Samateus herself uses that same measurement on the passage of time." Xerxes purred lightly, glad to see such interest and openness from two very different peoples before him, and elated further that Zera wore a Firian garment almost pointedly.
"I need to get back to my ship, Sairyllia has half a mind to come here for a physical check. Any questions or anything, if the search function on the padd's database doesn't help, or just makes you more confused, just direct your thoughts at me, I'll be listening." Xerxes then lightly bowed to the others, welcoming Virian to their little party before he disappeared in a flash of light. Blaze simply shook his head at the flighty Ahr'aht, looking to Flare.
"I hope that you made sense of all that, I'm still surprised that they have provided us something so similar to, yet far advanced from our usual padds." Blaze's admission and smirk was met with a couple of chuckles from Flare and Virian.
"At least we are advancing, can't let the Beast get all the new toys." Virian's comment made Zera and Pyrus both snicker, the group falling to much needed laughter after the tension and seriousness of the day's prior events.
Xerxes reappearing on the Obsidian Flare, in the infirmary, had Sairyllia relaxing only slightly as Xerxes promptly fell atop one of the beds, coughing painfully. He quickly attempted to retrieve the inhaler she had swapped for his display disc earlier, instead Sairyllia padded over and handed him another, primed and ready for his use. Taking it gingerly, waiting for a moment he could inhale more directly and did so through the inhaler. Shuddering as he cautiously heaved himself up onto the large bed.
"You need to make a choice on this Xerxes. If you tell him now, his genetics might be able to help us with your treatments." Sairyllia's concern was hidden under a fierce and stubborn frown, met with one just as stubborn from Xerxes.
"No... If I do so, it will cause a riot, especially after being as involved with the Firians as I have already. Besides, he is Firian, I doubt he will have anything that will help that Leon didn't already provide, and despite our genetic similarities when I am in my own, there were no discrepancies to show why I am sick and he is not." Xerxes responded haltingly, lightly glaring at her while using the inhaler a second and then a third time as Sairyllia checked him over physically, pausing at his right upper leg.
"Well it seems your stubborn streak has also aggravated this old injury. Full armour, all times. No complaint, you hear me?" Sairyllia's straight and to the point order had Xerxes smiling but nodding that he understood, the Taalrulthian in her bipedal form playfully cuffing him on the side of his head as she went off to work on more of her own research to let him rest. Xerxes watched her go, carefully shifting to lie more comfortably, withdrawing the data padd he had to monitor all the work being done throughout the Maker's worlds, smiling to himself as Pyrus and Zera went with Flare and Virian for a walk through of the second ring.
One thing he omitted, more that he had forgotten to mention it, was that each of the devices and the scale-stones contained a form of tracker that could be monitored remotely. Xerxes' knowing smile at the group of four walking together gave him more hope for the future than the alliances stumbling headlong into each other, that he had reunited with the people he once had seen as his own and could help them when they needed it most, gave him more reason to fight this debilitating illness than he had felt in years.
Xerxes then remembered the battle from earlier, and how two of the larger vessels of the Beast had disappeared before Aardreith was able to destroy them, quickly navigating to the remote camera drones and checking for motion notifications. As expected -though the location was not- one camera drone had sent back motion alerts to the fleet, the one they had left when worrying about moving the Cluster worlds away from the Beast planet's trap. The volcanic world, which Xerxes could see was a blatant copy of Planet Fire just without any of the structures or obvious settlements and farms, and one of the two Beast gunships that had disappeared. They each had groups of ships arraying themselves as had been previously seen before the Beast planet itself, the camera drone then picked up something that they had missed on their first pass through the system, Xerxes audibly growling at the view of the half-hollow planetoid on the other side of the small fleet. He sent this information to Khilseith, who confirmed he had seen it and had launched another drone to monitor on the further side of the same system to be able to keep tabs on the growing force of Beast drones and ships in the system they had recently been through.
"Voyd, you bastard, what are you up to..." Xerxes mused, sighing and closing up his padd, the glass-like surface shrinking down to a handheld size before he hid it away in a pocket. He proceeded then to sleep atop the bed he had all but collapsed upon, Sairyllia checking on him throughout and doing another full-body scan to ensure her inhaler treatments were working to help him heal and not causing more damage while appearing to help.