12/07/19
Hello there everyone, Eienias20 back again. Bet ya'll didn't see this coming for QUITE a few reasons. Yeah. Believe me I already know a specific group of people calling me a hypocrite but I can kind of explain? Sort of?
See, I was just thinking about Xenoblade X again and my disappointment with the game's narrative and characters and such. I started rereading my old X fics and I still love them. I still consider them to feature some of my best writing ever if not only for Jaynix as a character. At work I started thinking well, if I were to write X again, how would I want to do it? What would I do differently? Is there some new story I could tell while taking elements from my old ones?
The answer was yes. I want to give an advance notice that this story is actually going to be something unlike anything I've written before. What does that mean? Not much yet but you'll see. I wanna preface all this by saying this probably will become the kind of story that doesn't really "count" as a Xenoblade X fanfiction. But we'll see if you agree with that view by the time it is done. Anyway, without further ado, here is another chapter, I always planned to start with two.
One more thing: this story is unrelated to all my other Xenoblade Chronicles X stories, it has nothing to do with that continuity. You will see the return of several of the OCs I created for the "Jaynix and Kruse" universe of stories but they will be in different roles and experience different things. Same goes for the actual XCX cast members with two of them that will never show up in this story.
And also no worries to anyone reading Code Vein Bloodlust, that story will continue, I've been typing away at both of these interchangeably. Bloodlust is the one I want to finish first, my main focus but I couldn't get this concept out of my head until I got it out of my head and gave it to all of you. I may no longer be in the Xenoblade X fandom, but I love writing and I wanted to write this. So here it is. Welcome to Xenoblade Chronicles Mira.
(Noun) A mass departure of people, especially emigrants.
Chapter Two
Exodus
After three decades of preparation, the long awaited war was finally here. Two alien races from the farthest corners of the universe were now engaged in a violent struggle in the space around the Earth.
Project Exodus was fully underway and Ark ships carrying large populations of the planet were entering final preparations before launching into space. Regiments of Skells gathered around each one, launching ahead of them to do their best to ensure their survival.
With the chaos in space many had to hope that the hostile xenoforms would be too distracted with each other and whatever their aim was, thus allowing as many Ark ships as possible to slip through.
Two divisions of Skells floated in the air high above the L-002, the White Whale. One was the famously renowned division led by Elma, the Skelleton Crew. The other were those who made a name for themselves in the Lawless Sectors, the Reapers.
With the final check complete, the White Whale and its dozen neighbors were given the all clear for liftoff. In advance the Skells shot ahead, heading into deep space to prepare clearing the way.
Elma opened up her comms.
"Alright everyone, this is it. Remember that what we do is to ensure the continued existence of our people. Irina, Gwin, are your lines ready."
Irina a blonde woman in the Skell to Elma's right took a deep breath.
"More than ready, Colonel."
Gwin, a brown haired man on Elma's left could only chuckle nervously before speaking.
"As set as we're going to be, Colonel."
"Then let's go."
They were the shield of the White Whale, no harm was going to come to it. Thrusters blazing, the Skelleton crew shot off, far ahead of the rest of the divisions. Radars began beeping all at once signaling the approaching targets.
"Targeting two dozen hostiles! Waiting on xenoform species confirmation!"
Elma heard Irina's call out as the forces drew closer and closer, seeing the one in the lead, Elma prepared to relay as Gwin cut in.
"Enemy dropship sighted! It's turned its focus on us and I'm pretty sure its gonna launch more fighters!"
Elma's eyes moved to the dropship.
"At attention everyone, these xenoforms are the Ghosts so be absolutely careful! They're nothing more than a hivemind and if suicide attacks will get them the best results, they'll do it! Steel yourselves!"
At that, the lead line of Skells unleashed a furious barrage of missiles on the leading Ghosts, the explosions covered the skies in smoke and ash and most of the Ghosts turned away from their head on charge only for the second and third lines to take their place.
"Everyone engage your direct arms and begin the offensive!"
With that the Skells drew their various massive blades and close range weapons and engaged the Ghosts. Blades cutting deep into the hulls, one Skell swung a massive wrecking ball, striking the Ghost and throwing it into another, the pair erupting in a dark explosion.
As the fight continued, now in space, the dropship opened its bay doors and new squadrons of Ghosts headed for the battle.
Elma kept her eyes on them as a new line of Skells flew past the Skelleton crew.
"We'll hold this line Colonel!"
"General Kumon, thank you for the assistance."
"None needed, this is what the Reapers are here for!"
The White Whale's sword shot off toward the Ghosts.
"Corporal! Take the lead!"
With a wide smile, Jaynix nodded.
"Crimson Edge engaged!"
Her Skell, Firebird, took the massive blade off its back and boosted ahead, one mighty swing sliced clean through several of the Ghost pods. There was then a click, the following swing saw the blade detach itself from the hilt, a chain linking the two pieces of the weapon together.
Jaynix swung the mighty blade around as the rest of the Reapers joined her.
Blood One and Blood Two's skells, crashed into several of the Ghosts, disrupting their formations as Strategist flew on high and began tapping away at her controls.
"Targets acquired! Missile Rain engaged!"
With that, the massive rack on her Skell's back let loose a barrage of missiles on the Ghost detachment, further breaking their lines.
Kumon's Skell drew its blades and charged ahead, cleaving through as many Ghosts as he could.
"Major, Agent how is the path looking? We need a clear shot at that dropship! Just one!"
The fierce battle continued, Dark Matter stained remains of Ghosts floating in space. Major Tai Alistair observed the battle from afar with Agent Lyla at his side.
"Everyone remember to steer clear of the Ghost debris, the readings I'm getting show it'll adversely affect the structural integrity of our Skells and very very noticeably."
"We've got that Captain Hook, though maybe leave the analysis to me next time?"
Strategist fired back, Tai let out a small laugh before noting that only a few Ghosts remained in their way.
"Get ready Agent."
Agent's Skell moved forward and brought its long rail gun to bear, the weapon aimed at the Ghost dropship.
"Preparing to engage Reaper Phaser. Give me the signal!"
Jaynix's Skell continued to charge ahead, massive blade knocking more Ghosts aside. The ones attempting to blindside her were interrupted by Blood One and Blood Two.
Strategist continued to rain hell on them from above while Kumon flew over the dropship itself, scanning its hull and transmitting the information to Agent.
Her weapon continued to charge as she changed her target slightly, aiming for the newly discovered vulnerability.
With the Ghosts effectively scattered, Tai moved forward, his Skell brought out a massive hook, hurling it ahead, the weapon clipped a Ghost and pulled it out of range.
"Now!"
Immediately, Lyla fired, the massive beam shooting from her Skell, pushing the machine back through space. The attack shot forward at a blinding speed before piercing clean through the dropship.
"Target acquired!"
Blood One, Blood Two and Strategist let loose all their arms into the new opening, the dropship then exploded from the inside out, scattering malicious Dark Matter in every direction.
Kumon looked to his scanners, the hostiles in their area had been effectively destroyed or scattered, he watched as the White Whale shot ahead through space, the Skelleton crew still engaged with another tenacious lot of enemies.
"Colonel, need assistance?"
"Not with this group, General. We'd like your Reapers to take perimeter as planned, we're not out yet!"
"Of course."
Signaling the others, they shot off towards the White Whale. As the war raged, most of the Ark ships were not as lucky. As hard as the defenders tried, the enemies would overwhelm most of them and many Ark ships were shot down, debris scattered in space.
The Ghosts destroyed by the Skelleton Crew and Reapers meanwhile, began to fuse themselves back together, Dark Matter sealing the imperfections. Lights returning and flashing in some sort of language.
A new line of warships warped in on both sides of the conflict and larger fighters were launched including what seemed to be enemy Skell like weapons.
"The second wave is here! Rear guard engage!"
Elma called out, causing those defending the back end of the White Whale to turn and face the advance alien mechs, this time it was Ganglion tech.
Remembering the briefing they attained the defenders focused on taking out the leadership, unlike the Ghosts the Ganglion relied on a more standard hierarchy, one easily disturbed by targeting the correct hostiles.
"Major, Blood One, Blood Two, fall back for assistance, the rest of us can hold the perimeter."
The three nodded and broke off, their respective Skell lines following suit.
Jaynix kept her eyes on the radar watching the chaos and the constant string of updates, hostile after hostile was taken down but the same could be said for them.
Her eyes turned to look outside of her Skell, spotting an Ark ship as it erupted in flames, sustained enemy fire continued, destroying any semblance of what once was a massive ship.
She spotted a particular ship among the wreckage, a massive thing that flew away immediately.
"Corporal! Agent! We have Ganglion on approach! Strategist, we'll hold steady, you two, take your lines and hold them off!"
There was no time to relax, the battle raged again and Jaynix and Lyla did as instructed, turning back and shooting deep into the chaos.
As the number of defenders of the White Whale continued to drop, the bridge was full of many engineers and the head commanders barking out orders.
"Are we ready to jump or not?"
A large man, the head engineer of the entire ship, Vandham yelled. The subordinates around him nodded and shook their head.
"We never tested this function if-"
"Either we do it and it works or we all die here! Get to it, we're running out of time!"
The men took off as another approached.
"We've got to give the Skell Divisions out there the notice to pull back and enter the hangar or they'll get left behind."
Vandham turned to him.
"I'm aware of this Constantine! But in case you didn't notice the enemy is swarming us! We-"
"Vandham. Be calm. We've been preparing for this. All of us."
Turning he faced an older asian man, Kentaro Nagi. While he was certain it would succeed he also knew that ensuring it meant not everyone would make it back to the hangar. There was no good option, there hasn't been since preparations began three decades ago.
"Attention all! Forward the command to all of our Skell divisions! Return to the White Whale we are engaging the jump!"
The noise on the bridge grew exponentially as the order was given out.
Nagi almost turned away from the displays until something caught his eye, looking back he saw the flash of light. Vandham did as well, muttering something under his breath.
Everyone else on the bridge fell silent again as the light engulfed their planet, leaving nothing behind.
Nagi closed his eyes, the silence continued. Clenching his fists he called out.
"The orders! Relay them! Immediately!"
Out in space, Jaynix saw the blinding light engulf the planet, since the fight began, large Ganglion ships were shot down and fell to Earth, obliterating massive swathes of the planet, but the control ship that just went down, did so much more.
Staring at the shattered remnants of what was once their home, anger and rage filled every cell in her body, with a mighty roar she shot off into a horde of Ganglion and began to destroy anything and everything that crossed her path.
The Skelleton crew also paused their engagement briefly at the sight of their home planet's destruction. Elma took a deep breath before giving orders, they couldn't be distracted. Not now.
Despite uncertainty, her division continued their engagement, the Ganglion horde throwing themselves at their defensive lines with seemingly endless numbers. No matter how many were destroyed more continued to take their place.
She saw more and more of her Skells being taken out by the Ganglion, no doubt the destruction of Earth was damaging to their morale but they needed to keep going. Before she could make another call she finally received the order to retreat and immediately relayed it to her division.
"Everyone! Fall back! Now! The White Whale is about to jump!"
"But Colonel-"
"Now! That's an order!"
Irina fell silent and followed suit, the lines behind Elma breaking away as she focused, her Ares responding in kind.
Two weapons floated from the back of her Skell and began charging.
"Aghasura Cannon! Fire!"
Two bright beams of astounding energy shot ahead, Elma swept them back and forth over the Ganglion lines, incinerating countless ships. At this display of power the attackers peeled off to preserve their numbers.
Elma watched the timer on her display, the jump was imminent.
Then she saw it, a massive hulking goliath of a machine with a pulsating Dark Matter core. Eyes wide, she knew all too well what it was. They had to jump now.
It charged her as a whole line of Skells, her line returned, cutting off its attack.
"Hurry Colonel! To the White Whale!"
"No! You-"
She fell silent as the massive machine, ripped the Skells apart with ease. She had to take this opportunity, it was her one and only chance.
Quickly she shot back to the White Whale and entered the hangar.
"Jumping in five!"
Artificial gravity engaged Elma leapt out of her Skell and turned to the bay door as it began to close, she could see the massive hostile rip the last few of her allies to shreds.
"Four!"
Focusing on the White Whale it charged with blinding speed.
"Three!"
The bay door sealed and Elma looked to the scanners on display all over the hangar showing it almost touching them.
"Two!"
And then, it was gone.
The White Whale jumped across space, everything around them vanishing in an instant as they headed deep into the unknown.
There was deathly silence aboard the White Whale, despite how many battle weary soldiers stood in the Skell Hangar, no one seemed to want to disturb the silence.
Her eyes found Irina and Gwin, the latter speaking in a very quiet voice. Her gaze then moved to the Reapers, like everyone else, the effect of everything that just transpired was evident on their faces.
There should be some excitement over escaping with their lives, but seeing Earth's final moments was a lot more for them to handle, even knowing it was a likely outcome.
Elma reached into her vest and pulled out a small communicator. With a deep breath she spoke.
"Aeon. We did it...we escaped…"
As she expected, there was no response. Shaking her head she activated the device and tried again, once more receiving nothing. Feeling more tired than ever, Elma sat down, leaning against her Skell. With a long sigh, she closed her eyes.
Irina and Gwin approached wanting to call Elma over to the rest of her division, or what remained of it but they held their tongues upon seeing her.
Gwin almost spoke but a look from Irina silenced him. The pair merely bowed their heads to Elma before walking away. She continued to sit there, putting her device away she whispered.
"My brother, where are you?"