A Story of Kalathanon

by Kalathanon

The Second book in the Kalathanon Series that started with The Legend of Spyro: The Kalathanon Files. New faces include, David Web, RWBY, Ezio, some D3, Firefly, Borderlands, and more.

45. Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Why is There Always a Beacon

Character John (Master Chief)

"You picked up a what," John asked Cortana while the two finished repainting her ACU. The mech was now a metallic purple, much like Cortana's own coloring.

"It's faint but it's a reading like we encountered when you got that body," Cortana replied.

"Forerunner then," John stated, "The Didact?"

"Possibly," Cortana replied, "He is the only other one we know of, but Harbinger blew up his ship last time we met."

"What if he wasn't on the ship," John asked.

"That is my point," Cortana said, "Either way it's a weak signal so I can't pinpoint it just yet. Meanwhile Geyser and Krista called in for some assistance out by the edge of Vale."

"The suit just got painted you want to take it out so soon," John asked.

"No," Cortana said, "Ivan is on his way to pick us up. But while we wait for him I picked up something I want your opinion on." She ducked into the house and came back out with a purple cloak wrapped around her, her eyes gleamed from under the hood and the shadows that covered her face gave the appearance of just her eyes floating in the cowl.

"Hey that looks pretty good," John commented as Cortana twirled around in the cloak causing it to flare up. "The glowing eyes in the hood are a nice touch."

"I thought so," Cortana said, "And there is Ivan, he's quick I'll give him that."

"I may be fast but your ACU is far faster than this one," Ivan said from his suit, "What's with the cloak... oh that is a bit disconcerting with the eyes."

"There you go again scaring off our ride," John said as he jumped up to the gun then to the shoulder of Ivan's ACU.

"Ivan's probably more curious about it than scared," Cortana stated as she landed next to him and they walked into the command room of the ACU. Ivan spun his chair around to greet them as the ACU took off on a preset path to Geyser's location.

"John, Cortana it is good to have a break is it not," Ivan asked with a smile.

"I would rather be heading towards my enemies than waiting for them to find me," John said, "but it seems that we are doing that now correct?"

"We are doing something like that," Cortana said, "Geyser said they had found someone of interest and want's us to help find out why he was harassing the farms outside Vale."

"The farms supply seventy percent of the food for the city," Ivan said, "an interruption in their production would be most unfortunate."

"Right," John said as he sent a radio call out to David with an instruction to just listen in on the chatter.

"Expecting trouble," came David's acknowledgment through the radio, "Nikki and I are ready and waiting." He had gotten along pretty well with the retired assassins and figured if they needed anyone to track a guy down David and Nikki would be the two who could do it invisibly.

Ivan touched down out front of a single story, log, house that was stained a deep brown and sported a rustic metal roof. To the right of the house were gathered Geyser, Krista, Zar, Tom, Velvet, Penny another Fanus and a man with a big nose.

"Greetings," Ivan called from the ACU.

"Velvet, you got any other 'friends' you want to tell me about," the man said.

"Faren," Velvet scolded, "I did tell you about them."

"You said a man named Ivan, a man named John and a woman named Cortana," Faren said, "I see a giant robot." John and Cortana climbed out of the ACU and hopped down after a few jumps.

"You got the names right," Cortana said, "and there are three of us, so what is the situation?"

"This Fanus is White Fang by the looks of him," Velvet said, "He's be harassing the farmers out here for a while. We want to know where his boss is but he is not open to saying anything to us."

"He'll talk to you though," David said over the radio, "With those new teeth you've got you could convince him to listen."

"Why," John asked both David and Velvet.

"He is very uncooperative," Penny said, "We would rather not hurt him but he..."

"That's why," David said, "Scare this kid, he looks young enough to be afraid, thanks for patching through the video feed from your helm by the way."

John pushed past Penny and Tom to pick the Fanus up with one hand as he faded his visor's gold tint to clear and snarled at the kid. "Listen I don't come with a lot of patience so you'll answer my questions or I'll have to find some way to keep amused with you. Let's start with something simple, what's your name?"

"Barry sir," the kid squawked, "just don't eat me."

"John what are you doing," Cortana exclaimed at the same time.

"What works apparently," Tom said, "I told you to be rougher on the kid."

"Barry huh," John said as he looked him over. Barry had a now rumpled black shirt and slacks with boots, teal eyes, a small nose and lips, black hair that flowed down around his two horns to his jawline and a nasty knock to his head that was bleeding fairly steadily. "Not a real entertaining name, that blood there says something different about you though, you tried to ram something didn't you or someone. Looks like that didn't work out too well so why don't you start with that story maybe it will be more entertaining."

"Masterful," David remarked.

"Look all I know is the boss wants to know how weak these lands are to attack," Barry said, "I ran into the farmer's plow and got this gash while out scouting."

"Yeah the plow that was in my hands," Faren said as he crossed his treelike arms and huffed.

"That sounds like gathering information for an attack," Krista said, "Fi operates the same way."

"Barry," John stated, "Is there a particular reason you're with the White Fang?"

"Look I've got a sister to feed," Barry said on the point of desperation, "After our parents disappeared into the Schnee mines we never heard from 'em again. Left us out on the streets, Ellisa was only thirteen, I was seventeen. What was I supposed to do, the White Fang pays and I needed the money... still do."

After hearing Barry's story John felt bad about strong-arming the kid but it had worked. John set Barry down, dusted him off and looked him in the eyes. It was apparent that the hit to Barry's head had caused a minor concussion due to the different dilations of the pupils "Ivan you have anything in that suit to treat this wound and help with concussion," John asked.

"I see my job is done from here," David said, "Nikki and I will prepare to move out and follow the boy."

"I do," Ivan replied, "I'll bring it down to you."

"Does he mood swing much," Faren asked.

"New body," John replied, "It's an adjustment thing."

"Obviously," Cortana said, "First painting my ACU then this, I'm starting to worry about you."

"Here we are," Ivan said as he walked up to them with a med kit in his hand.

"Oh and a cyborg, great," Faren said.

"It's Cybran actually," Ivan said as he applied the bandages to a very nervous and confused Barry's head, "and I am rather remarkable."

"Ow hey watch it," Barry said as Ivan tied the bandage off.

"Okay now your going to go get Ellisa and the two of you will meet us in Vale at the Fried Fillet," John said, "You two meet us there, eat your fill then tell us everything you know about what the White Fang is planning. Now go on get out of here it's nearing lunch time already and I don't want to pay for dinner plates."

"Yes sir," Barry replied as he took off down the street.

After he had gotten out of sight Zar asked, "So what are you not telling us?"

"That David and Nikki were listening in and watching all of that," John said, "They will make sure he shows up one way or another."

"It sounds like the White Fang is seeking out a way to harass Vale," Penny said, "Why else would they go after the farms?"

"They come out here and we don't have a whole lot of defense," Faren said, "One good fire can take out the whole crop."

"Then we make good defenses," Cortana said, "Ivan you want to start on that?"

"I'll see if Riza and Johnson would help as well," Ivan said, "I expect you will join us after your lunch with our wayward informant?"

"I will," Cortana said.

"Let's get back to town," John said, "We should be waiting for Barry when he arrives.

"I'm interested in his sister," Velvet said, "I can't help but think I've heard that name before... Ellisa. I just can't quite place it, but I know I've heard it."

"Uh-oh," Cortana said.

"What," John asked.

"That signal I told you about earlier," Cortana said, "It just got a lot stronger. It's the same one, the signal from Requiem, it's the Didact."

"We'll get with Doug then and see what we can do," Geyser said.

"Get Kris, Allen and Lona's input on how to approach him," Tom said, "I'll inform K."

"What's a Didact," Faren asked.

"He's like me," John said, "Only bent on destroying us all and with a whole planet at his fingertips to do so."

Faren, Velvet and Penny looked between each other and John before Faren said. "So I should probably go load up my other shotgun then."

"Also if you could get the other farmers to show me the best places to set up a perimeter I could start on those defenses," Ivan said.

"Right, I'll do that but then I've got to tend to the cattle," Faren said.

"Get on you four," Krista said, "We'll drop you off on our way to meet with Doug."

John and Cortana split up between Geyser and Krista, since they were the heaviest of the four, Penny rode in front of John and Velvet in front of Tana. The flight back was grim as John sent all the information he had on the Forerunners to Doug, K, Shepard, Del Rio, Jack, and Ozpin none of the leaders seemed happy about the news. Ozpin was concerned enough to actually establish a call to John.

"I sense this Didact followed you here," Ozpin said.

"I would expect he did," John replied, "I am a grave threat to him."

"Do you know any more than this," Ozpin asked, "How he fights, what his tactics are, anything else?"

"From our first encounter," John said, "Not much. He rarely showed himself to us."

"So we can expect his minions to do most of the fighting then," Ozpin said.

"I wouldn't count on it," John replied, "I've sent you notes on the Encoder... my guess is he will try to use that."

Ozpin scanned through his scroll before saying, "Assuming he has found it and was able to bring it to this dimension."

"Right," John said, "Even so talk with Kris or Allen or Lona they were encoded so know how to combat it."

"And you are immune to it correct," Ozpin said.

"Supposedly," John said, "I've never tested that theory."

"If this Encoder is with the Didact," Ozpin started, "You will recognize it?"

"It should be pretty obvious," John said.

"Shepard's ship, the Normandy, it is designed to assassinate other ships isn't it," Ozpin said.

"That is one way to look at it," John replied, "Lets see what Shepard has to say about this."

Character Harold Shepard

"Assassinate a ship," Harold repeated to John over the comm channel. "Let me ask my technical adviser, Garrus!"

"Hey Shepard," Garrus said, "What you can't open another chip bag?"

"No nothing so important," Shepard said with a laugh, "Those cannons powerful enough to assassinate a ship of unknown design and material?"

"They did once before didn't they," Garrus said.

"We can do that," Harold said to John, "just point out which ship."

"Doing something crazy again," Garrus asked as he walked over to the holo projection of the planet that Shepard was standing in front of and leaned against a railing. "You know it's normally polite to get our input on these things."

"Polite sure," Harold said, "But only Tali's is required and I know she wouldn't approve so I made the call."

"Yeah really keeping up the title of Commander aren't you," Garrus said with a chuckle. The Turian clacked his jaws together before continuing. "This doesn't sound like anything we would really get a choice on though, like with the Reapers or Collectors."

"It isn't," Harold said, "You remember those planets we came in over when we first joined DC?"

"Yes," Garrus said slowly, "Wasn't one of them a giant ship?"

"Right," Harold said, "and that one has a really crazy guy on it that wants to turn everyone into a computer program."

"So basically just like the Reapers," Garrus said, "Great."

"Well we are going to blow his people up-loader into a million pieces," Harold said, "Now about those guns, with all this technology around us what can we use to amp them up?"

"Some of that Sith tech that Adam was able to bring to our side would be handy," Garrus said, "I hear they have focusing crystals for lasers that are remarkable."

"I'll see what I can do," Harold said, "You figure out where we could put them."

"On it," Garrus said as he headed off to the gunnery.

"EDI get the rest of the crew to meet us in the war room," Harold said as he headed for the mentioned room.

"Of course Shepard," EDI said, "Legion is already within."

"Thanks for the heads up," Harold replied as he passed through the checkpoint to the war room.

"Shepard Commander," Legion greeted as Harold walked in, "We are collaborating with the sentient AI Cortana on the arrival of hostile ships, would you like an update?"

"Hold that until the rest arrive," Harold said, "I only want to go over this once."

"We will comply," Legion confirmed as he went back to monitoring the situation on the Normandy's scanners.

"Harold," Tali said as she walked in, "What is this about assassinating a ship?"

"It's the Chief's plan," Harold replied, "I'll fill you in when the rest arrive."

Soon the commandos of the Normandy crew were gathered in the war room and all of them had the same question, a question best voiced by Javik, "So can we do this?"

"We don't know the strength of the materiel that this Encoder is made of or the strength of it's shields," Ash said. "That doesn't look good Commander."

"I may have a solution to that problem," Liarra said, "The Sith have a crystal that charges an energy beam with ions that disrupt shields. The concept should work across platforms of shield generators."

"Garrus is working on finding where we can fit a gem or two in the guns now," Harold said, "EDI patch him through."

"Yes Shepard," EDI replied before Garrus' voice said, "Hey Shep, got some good news, it looks like I can fit two crystals into the design of the guns. All I need now is crystals to go into the power cells, make them about five inches long."

"We may not even have to use the Sith," James said, "What about that Dust we could add some of that to the weapons to amp them up."

"I calculate that one ion crystal from the Sith and one fire dust crystal from Remnant would result in optimal performance," EDI said.

"Alright," Harold said, "they are your guns after all. K, Qui-gon or Star would be our best bet to talk with the Sith, Ozpin would probably have a fire crystal handy if we ask him."

"Starkiller has ties with the Sith," Legion stated, "we will call him and the professor."

"Good, just let me know where we meet to pick up the gems," Harold said, "the Didact is getting closer while we wait."

"At his current speed he should arrive in a few hours," Grunt said, "heh heh this will be fun."

"Okay everyone ready up we may have to deploy to finish the job once we hit the Encoder," Harold said, "Legion see if you can get Kris to join us, Joker put us down on the air field out side of Beacon."

As the group dispersed Wrex waved Harold over.

"Shepard," Wrex said, "after this is over we should see about getting back to our universe, for a time at least. I want to see how the Krogan are doing and I'm still not sure how I feel about the Reapers 'helping' us."

"I'll go talk to K about it," Harold said, "I know Garrus want's to see Pallaven and I want to see what Earth looks like again."

"I'll admit it's been an interesting ride," Wrex said, "I'll be down in the weapon bay if you need me."

"We have Ozpin and Starkiller in a channel," Legion said as he moved away from the communication equipment.

"Thanks Legion," Harold said as he took the call.

"Shepard," Ozpin greeted.

"Legion indicated that you needed something," Star said, "What is it?"

"Crystals," Harold said, "An ion one from the Sith and a fire one from Remnant. We can use them to amp up our weapons for when we strike the Encoder. I need them to be five inches long."

"A five inch long ion crystal," Star stated, "That is asking quite a lot, those don't come cheap but I think I can get you one. It looks like you are headed for Beacon, I'll meet you there."

"Dust rarely forms into crystals that large but we have a few on hand here at the school you can look through them for what you think will be the best fit," Ozpin said.

"I'll see you soon then," Harold said in closing then to Tali who had been waiting by the door, "You want to go crystal hunting with me?"

"You know me I'm always with you," Tali said. With that the two headed for the air lock.

Character Paul Jackson

"All I'm saying is that the RWBYs and JNPRs got mechs why don't we get some," Paul said to Price as 141 walked through the Ark to meet with Doug about the approach of Requiem.

"Dude mechs sound like tech," Ghost said, "No way the Captain will go for it."

"Did you ever wonder why we are here," Price asked.

"No you told us why we are here," Paul replied causing Soap to chuckle, "What? I am missing something here aren't I?"

"Well I must be missing it too," Ghost added, "Come on Price I told Anjali I'd be back in an hour lets not make this long."

"We are here because this fight is going to happen in space," Price said, "And we need to be able to fight in it. Now I've got a hold of Hood and he gave us eight Mantis class walkers to modify as we see fit. Doug, Elly, Shelia and Diablo have donated their time to help us customize these..." They walked into a building from the grassy plain they had been walking across. Inside towered the eight Mantises. The Legionaries were already inside along with the afore mentioned help. The Mantis was a bipedal assault bot with a .50 cal machine gun on one arm and a quad barreled rocket pod on the other arm. It stood about fifteen feet tall with the cockpit being inside the triangular head of the vehicle.

Shelia was directing Elly on how to modify the designs of the Mantises to be space worthy as well as providing schematics on the internals of the walkers so the different members could customize their Mantis. Elly was doing most of the mechanic work while Diablo and Doug were mostly being living lifts, jacks, clamps and just about any other heavy equipment that they would need.

"Then again times change," Ghost amended his prior statement.

"Okay now that is impressive," Paul remarked as he saw Lucas' Mantis. The gun and rocket arms had been removed and replaced with much more versatile arms that had a shield and sword at their ends. Reinhardt's had the gun replaced with a Gauss cannon, a hyper speed magnetic cannon that fires explosive rounds at 36,000 fps. Katarina's had the rocket tubs replaced with massive shotgun barrels and Anjali had a flame thrower attachment added to both arms.

"And here is the other half of the team," Shelia greeted, "I'm taking care of designs so just tell me what you want on your Mantis."

"Flame throwers," Ghost said, "Lots of them."

"Is there a more accurate version of that rail gun," Price asked, "or a kinetic cannon. I want a weapon with range and accuracy but also packing a punch."

"Make mine much more agile," Soap said, "Those look clunky I want mine more like Lucas' but more work on the feet too, same arms though with those shotgun attachments that Katarina is using."

"I'll have mine like that too," Paul said, "But I want the sword and a Gauss cannon."

"Okay I have the schematics pulled up beside your vehicles," Shelia said after a moment, "Elly will get to them as soon as she can. Though I have to say, Soap and Paul your designs will take longer just due to the amount of modification we require."

"That sounds fine," Paul said, "So long as it works."

Character Cortana

"Where are they," Cortana asked John as the two sat awkwardly at the Fried Fillet. Cortana was out of place in restaurants since she couldn't eat and John always drew attention with his armor and Forerunner body. He never seemed to mind though, or maybe he just never paid attention, either way the amount of eyes at kept watching them as bites of fish disappeared between John's now fanged teeth was unsettling.

"Barry and Ellisa are coming down the dock now," Nikki said. David had patched Cortana and Nikki into the call once they all went mobile.

"You didn't have to force them," John asked.

"No," David said, "They seem legitimately eager to get away from the White Fang."

"And the White Fang is not fond of those who leave their ranks," Cortana said, "From what I hear they haven't been since Adam left."

"I heard about that," Nikki said, "Adam shook them up when he left. Now they are defensive when any of their members try to leave."

"Okay they are entering the Fillet now keep your eyes open for them," David said, "Chief if you could give me visuals that would be nice too."

"Feeds are on," Cortana said as she sent her video feed to Nikki, "I see them." Cortana waved Barry and his sister over. Ellisa was not what any of them had expected. Standing six feet tall she was a dominating presence in the room, her arms were covered with spikes that looked like they could be fired with the flip of her wrist, her short, spiky, hair was dyed a deep blue to match her large, eyes; in contrast to her full red, lips and slender nose cheeks and jawline.

"Well here we are," Barry said, "Ellisa this is John and Cortana, they can get us out of the White Fang."

Ellisa stared at John for a minute after the two had taken their seats and ordered their food before she said, "Your not Fanus, you smell wrong."

"I never said I was," John said.

"You probably look like one though," David said.

"I apologize," Barry said, "She can be blunt at times."

"I am blunt all the time I make a point to be so," Ellisa said with a smile at the oxymoron.

"I like her already," Cortana said, "So you two have information on the White Fang for us?"

"Right," Barry said, "I was sent to hit the farms and see how tough it would be to cut off the food supply from the farms to the city. Then the White Fang would come in and grab the stalled supplies."

"Of course since they bring everything in on trucks so they don't startle the animals with the airships the White Fang could pick up some easy supplies from the farms while weakening the city," Nikki said.

"The idea is to strengthen our supplies while depleting Vale's resources," Barry continued unaware of the two on the radios. "Then we could sell the food back at a much higher price, gather the funds we need to mount a full blown war against the Schnee Corporation."

"Wait so Vale is not the target," Cortana said.

"Not really it just happens to be one of the richest cities on the continent," Ellisa said, "So the White Fang can exploit it for more money than they could other cities."

"Weiss will want to hear of this," David said.

"Ozpin will want to know about that," John said.

"We will call him," Nikki said, "Tell him you need to speak with him."

"Look you tell the Schnee Corporation and people will die," Barry said, "We... uh, the White Fang, just wants to sneak in free some of our people and sneak out, no one has to die if we can get the gear we need."

"On the other hand if they know about your plans then they will up the guard and both sides will loose blood," Ozpin said as he walked in and took a seat next to Barry and John. "I heard we had some informants down here, a pleasure to meet you." CRDL waked in behind Ozpin and took their seats at the bar.

"How did," Cortana started.

"I am the Head Master of Beacon," Ozpin said, "I maintain a vigil over half of Remnant's Hunters and Huntresses, do you really think I don't keep up with what is happening on my doorstep?"

"I guess we don't have to call him," David said.

"I don't believe you have the whole picture," Ozpin continued, "Cardin." Cardin walked over and handed Ozpin a stack of notes which Ozpin opened and handed to Barry, Ellisa, John and Cortana. "These letters were found in Lao Long's house, they were supposed to go to Blake Belladonna and Sun Wukong. They are warnings about the White Fang, Lao believed that they were planning an attack on Vale and soon. Now since he is one of out top information gatherers it would be hard to persuade me otherwise, but having the leader of the White Fang himself appear in the apartment and trying to find these letters means I very much doubt the information is incorrect."

"These are," Barry said.

"Letters signed by Gerald himself," Ellisa said.

"They are detail plans on an attack on Vale and Beacon," Cortana said, "Schematics, troop movements, everything... no wonder their leader wanted these back."

"How did Lao get a hold of those," Nikki speculated.

"More importantly why did he try to send them to Blake instead of Ozpin," David said.

"Why wouldn't Lao have just sent these to you," Cortana said echoing David's question, "If he was working for you anyways why send them to Blake and Sun?"

"Blake is on the same team as the Heiress to the Schnee company," Ozpin said, "I would bet he was hoping to get a peaceful solution through that friendship. Since neither of them are here though we don't have that option."

"The White Fang is going to go in, 'save' some of the Fanus from the Schnee mines, and then 'reward' those same Fanus with years of hard labor for their own goals," Ellisa said, "Many will end up worse than before and it soils the reputation of Fanus everywhere even more... we have to stop them."

"We can't just let the Schnees enslave us," Barry said.

"They don't enslave us," Ellisa said, "We do that to ourselves by allowing such organization like the White Fang to be corrupted, by not standing up as individuals and proving our worth as a person."

"Your sister is right," John said, "The White Fang have failed you, it's time you stood up for what you thought is moral."

Barry was quiet after that for a moment before he said, "If we stop the White Fang, me and Ellisa will be there to help and we want to go to Beacon afterward."

"I think we can do that," Ozpin said, "These documents indicate that the attack is tonight, normally we would be to far away to do anything but call and warn Mr. Schnee about it but with your suit, Cortana, several of us could fly to this mine and put a stop to this foolishness."

"Tana you go with them I'm going after the Didact," John said as he got up from the table, "Have Nikki and David go with you."

"We'll meet you out by your place," Nikki said.

"Bartholomew and Peter can accompany you. I will tell them to meet you by your ACU," Ozpin said, "I will take Glynda and CRDL with John, the Didact is the more extreme threat but the Schnees have been a long time supporter of the school and we could ensure their help by preventing this attack."

"They've got a lot of droids don't they," Cortana said.

"That they do I imagine your talents will be very useful with that in mind," Ozpin said as he and CRDL followed John out.

"Okay you two," Cortana said, "lets go." Barry and Ellisa followed her out of the Fillet. "Barry you've fought before with the Fang correct?"

"Yes," Barry replied, "Though this will be the first time I am fighting against them."

"Ellisa how about you," Cortana asked.

"I've killed many a Grimm and droids have never been a problem for me," Ellisa said, "I don't see how people will be any more difficult."

"To kill them," Cortana said, "It isn't, to live with yourself afterward... well that depends on the person."

"An interesting thought for one who looks more droid herself," Ellisa said, "But then again John looks Fanus but isn't."

Their trip back to the ACU was filled with conversation of this sort, Cortana found Ellisa very intelligent and thoughtful while Barry was more impulsive and heartfelt. She found herself liking the two orphans.

"That doesn't look like the other ACU," Barry said when they arrived back at Cortana and John's building.

"This one looks very agile for something so large," Ellisa remarked, "I assume the four people by it are your friends."

"They are," Cortana said, "David is the one in the leather trench coat, Nikki is the woman, Peter is... well portly, and Bartholomew has the coffee."

"They don't look very dangerous," Barry said, "Aren't Hunters and Huntresses supposed to be big and mean?"

"Peter and Bartholomew are teacher at Beacon," Cortana said, "David and Nikki, they are assassins. Other than Peter with his gun ax we are pretty much a stealth based team."

"Ah Cortana," Peter called out as they noticed her arrival, "These are the new recruits then?"

"That they are," Cortana said, "This is Barry and Ellisa, you four ready to go crack down on the White Fang bullying?"

"Lets go," Nikki said as she chambered her shotgun. Cortana leaped to the top of the ACU in one jump then activated the gravity lift to let the rest up.

"Welcome to my home away from home," Cortana said, "Now flying in this can be a little disorienting for passengers I recommend holding onto something. Ivan are you on the comms?"

"I hear you Cortana," Ivan said, "You are on your way I assume?"

"In a bit," Cortana said, "Got to take care of some White Fang mischief first. John is probably hitching a ride with Shepard up to fight the Didact so we've got guard duty here."

"I understand," Ivan said, "I wish him best of luck and you as well."

"Thanks, we won't need it," Cortana said. "Okay hope you all got a hand hold." She fired up the jets and took off into the air. "Here we go."

Character Summer Rose

It was midday when they touched down on Londonium, an odd change since Summer had just woken up on the Invention an hour ago. Lao was next to her in the back of Scooter's truck-armor. Yang was sitting across from them with Junior and Ruby was on the turret. Harbinger was in front of them clearing the way for the convoy. Griffen was bringing up the rear to keep roving Reavers at bay and in between the two mechanical giants was the rest of the team. Summer could tell that her daughters were worried about Weiss, despite Ruby's attempts at assuring everyone Weiss would be fine. JNPR was split between two Warthogs with Miltia and Melanie riding shotgun in each Hog. Sun, Blake, G and N were riding on a Scorpion tank that Adam was driving. Moroni, Imhotep and Roman were in another Warthog behind the tank.

Their convoy moved slowly from the plain where their freighter landed towards what was left of a city. The Reavers had sent kamikaze ships in ahead of them to level most defenses on the planet so the city was pretty well busted. Where once thousand story buildings loomed now only a few stories remained. The amount of death that the planet had see was astounding.

"I don't know how much rescuing we will be doing here," Junior said.

"Leave Ruby some hope will you," Yang said, "Besides we can't know that everyone is dead, can we?"

"I'd bet Harbinger could tell," Lao said, "Don't know if he would consider Reavers living or not though."

Above them the Hunter flew past, Ax and Gaige were using it to drop bots in the city. The Idea was to see if the Reavers were still there or if, by some miracle, there were residents that had survived. The Vault Hunters would also be dropping in once Griffen had set up shop.

"I would hate to drop out of that thing," Summer said, "They just get in a pod and it fires them out like a gun... it's insane."

"No insane is that we have sixty thousand cities to check," Junior said, "I'm going to need a few beers when this is over."

"That makes two of us," Lao said.

"Griffen and Harbinger will be doing most of the heavy lifting," Yang said as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her hands, "We're just running these first few cities manually so they can get an idea of what to look for between Reavers and survivors, assuming there are any."

"People always find a way to overcome," Summer said, "I'm sure we won't have to go too far to find someone who has survived."

"I'm not so sure about that," Lao said, "You heard Mal, these Reavers they turn others into them. Anyone left alive is probably alive for a reason and it's not a good one."

"Lao," Summer said.

"I can hear you you know," Ruby said from the turret, "You don't have to steer around the topic for my sake. I... I can already tell there are only six left here."

"What how," Junior asked.

"It's just a feeling," Ruby replied as she turned the turret around so she was looking at the four seated in the truck bed. "Same way I knew when mom died, and when she came back. It's sort of like how scrolls can pick up Aura or how Huntresses know where Grimm are, people just feel a little different than Grimm."

"Wait you can use the Grimm Sense on people," Yang and Summer asked.

"I call it People Sense but basically yeah," Ruby replied.

"Okay the what," Junior asked.

"All Hunters and Huntresses are trained to feel when Grimm are near, so we are not taken off guard," Summer said, "Grimm don't have Aura so they feel like voids in what would be naturally in an area. Scrolls can reproduce the effect and can be programmed to detect people as well so it is common knowledge that peoples' Aura can be tracked and monitored, but not typically by another person without the aid of said scrolls."

"Well there was Beor," Ruby said, "From the legends. He was supposed to be able to detect people with his Aura."

"That is why he is considered a legend," Yang said, "Still if you can do that..."

"If you could do this why haven't you told us before now," Lao asked.

"Well I didn't want to until I finished at Beacon," Ruby said, "and ever since then we've all been pretty busy."

"It's true they don't teach the Grimm Sense until the last year or so," Summer said, "It was the same for me. Maybe this is why, to try and detect possible misuse by the students."

"So there are probably others who can sense people," Junior said, "That is reassuring."

"I'd say Cinder is probably one of those people," Summer said, "and Glynda."

"That would explain their rivalry," Ruby said.

"Hey Rubabe," Scooter yelled from the driver's seat, "Mind turning that turret back this way? We are stopping up here."

"Rub-what," Ruby tried to repeat Scooter's nickname for her while Junior started laughing.

"What did you call my sister," Yang yelled.

"Uh... uh-oh," Scooter's voice came back faintly through the armor of the cab. "Never mind, just keep that turret pointed in whatever direction you like Ruby."

"Still protective as ever," Summer remarked, "

"Well looks like we are walking now," Lao said as Scooter stopped the truck. They got out and Scooter morphed the truck into it's armor form as Sun, Blake, G, N and Adam got out of the tank.

"Well I guess I will make the fourth in your team today," Sun said, "Wish I didn't have to though."

"I have a feeling that you will fit in just fine," Summer said.

"Oh he's worked on plenty of missions with us," Blake said, "Its just that Weiss is... well she usually needs someone to guard her back."

"Weiss is fine," Ruby said, "I would know if she wasn't."

"No way a scroll works over that much distance," Adam said.

"Nope," Ruby replied as she jumped onto the back of Scooter's mech armor, "But Aura does."

"What was that supposed to mean," G asked as Ruby and Scooter walked over to JNPR's Hogs.

Summer thought about her daughter's words for a moment before replying, "I think it means Ruby knows the strength of her team's Aura no matter where they are."

"Is that even possible," N asked, "I mean can even K do that?"

"Not that I know of," Adam said, "and I know K pretty well, Celantra can probably do that by monitoring the energy of the individual. I don't know what distance that would be limited to though."

"Either way we can't figure it out here so lets go get this over with," G said.

"At least we can try to clean up what is left," Summer agreed as all the teams moved in behind Harbinger.

"Warning, motion detected; source, unknown; classification, hostile," Harbinger warned as thousands of Reavers started pouring out of the buildings like ants out of an ant hill. Summer brought up her twin hatchet pistols as everyone prepared for a fight.

Character River Tam

They were in the Tardis which was inside Serenity but was also much larger than Serenity. It made perfect sense to her but Simon just wasn't getting it.

"Look it is a shell for a dimensional compartment," River said again, "So by walking through it you enter the true Tardis, the police box is just the shape of the door." River found the situation odd, she was going to go fight the Reaver Magog because her mind was distorted, but right now she was able to function normally. It frightened her because she knew the visions and sensations would come flooding back at anytime. The Tardis was helping her though, she could stop the endless bombardment of feelings so River could think again, it was a comforting sensation.

"I get what it is I just don't understand how it is," Simon said, "The laws of nature would keep this from happening. Two dimensions that could freely access each other would cause a massive energy flux, boiling the one and freezing the other."

"Is he arguing about how I exist when he doesn't even know how I travel through time yet," River heard Tardis remark, "If he can't even understand simple inter-dimensional, time reverberated, construction he will never understand how I work."

"Probably not," River agreed then to Simon, "Well we are standing in her so she must be here somehow."

"Right," Simon muttered, "Here why don't we go over the plan for when we arrive at this Reaver king or Magog."

"It's not what you think," River said, "The Reavers are their Magog, we have to go to where they started and put them to rest. We have to go to Miranda."

"Who," Simon asked.

"It's the planet that Church got from the navcomputer on the Reaver ship," River said, "It's the Reavers' home."

"What," Simon stated, "A whole planet of Reavers?"

"No the planet that they started on," River explained, "Only from there can we undo them."

"How do we do that," Simon asked.

"Their fleet is there," River said, "We bring them to Harbinger, he can harvest them... it's the best possible outcome for them."

"So we are bait," Simon asked.

"We are very dangerous bait," River said with a smile. Simon took a deep breath and let it out slowly before patting her on the shoulder and walking out of their room in the Tardis.

"He took that well," Tardis said.

"He did at that," River replied with a laugh.

"How will you get Mal to draw the Reavers after you," Tardis asked.

"Oh he will run when he finds them," River replied, "He always runs, sometimes into trouble sometimes away from it, but he always runs."

"River, what about us," Simon asked as he stuck his head back in the room.

"We go to Miranda," River said, "The Doctors and their Rivers. What happened there must be known. Tardis, take us there then take us home."

The sounds of the Tardis taking off sounded as River finished her sentence. She got up and walked past her confounded brother to the control room. Simon followed her still in wonder at her ability to seemingly control the Tardis. In the control room the Doctor was running about trying to figure out where they were going while River was reading out coordinates and times to him.

"Hey you two," Doctor said, "Looks like we are going somewhere, the old girl has never steered me wrong before but usually I set us off."

"She is going where I asked her to go," River said, "Tardis is very nice to me."

"Oh ho ha," Doctor exclaimed, "You can hear her! I thought she had something to do with your stabilization."

"So where are we going," River Song asked.

"The Reavers' home world," Simon said as he leaned against the railing that ran around the control room.

"Is that a good idea," River asked.

"Of course it is," River Tam replied, "The Reavers are on their ships above the planet, not on it. Besides Mal will be drawing them all off shortly."

The sounds of the Tardis landing filled the room as everyone went silent. Dr. Song drew her laser pistol and headed to the door. River followed her and walked right past her out into the world. Tardis' effects were still helping her but they weren't as effective here. This place, it was her nightmares, her paranoia, the memories of all those who's minds she read, but here they were all silent, all dead.

The Doctor, River and Simon followed her out. The dead lay everywhere, mummified in their death. The Doctor took it all in before turning to her and asking very deliberately. "What. Happened. Here?"

"I guess that is what we are supposed to find out," Simon said after River failed to respond. She tried but the words wouldn't form for her.

"I am picking up one energy signature," Song said, "It's the only lead we have."

As they trekked across the city River felt the echoes of the Reavers as they lost their humanity, as they fell to the emptiness. She felt the rest of the people's ghosts as they let themselves die. They arrived at a crashed search and rescue ship, it was the source of the power. River went in first with her laser then River, Simon and the Doctor.

"Here," Simon said as he drew their attention to a recording that was waiting to be played. He activated it and the record played. It was the last survivor of the ship's crew. She told about how the planet's air supply was injected with a chemical called Pax. How it was supposed to prevent aggression, how it worked too well on most people, causing them to literally just lay down and die. She also recounted how on about ten percent of the population it had the opposite effect, how it caused them to loose their reason, to be only aggressive, to become Reavers. The Doctor stopped the recording as the survivor drew a pistol to stop the encroaching Reavers.

"They created the Reavers," Simon stated shocked, "The Alliance made the Reavers and killed a planet in the process."

The Doctor collected the recording and turned to River, his eyes burned with an inner fire, a resolve. "We will stop this. Lets get back to the Tardis."

They passed through the graveyard world, this time River could feel the peace that followed in their wake, as if the planet itself knew that they were going to make things right. Once back on the Tardis she started up again, returning them to Serenity, taking them back home. Once they landed the four headed to the bridge where Wash, Mal, Tex and Omega were busy trying to evade Reavers that were following them from the edge of space.

"Oh great time to show up," Mal said, "Those coordinates were right, got a whole gorrham Reaver fleet after us."

"Take them to Harbinger," River said, "He can harvest them."

"We know how the Reavers were started," Dr. Song said, "We have a recording from their planet."

"It was the Alliance," Simon added, "One of their experiments gone wrong."

"Great more reason for me to hate the Alliance," Mal said, "Right now we need a miracle to get us out of this!"

"Well we have the Tardis," Doctor said, "I think she will do." He ran back to the Tardis in the hold and a few moments later they were moving faster as the Tardis materialized out front of Serenity and pulled them along with a gravity well. "The Doctor to Serenity how are you doing back there?"

"Much appreciated," Mal said.

"That is a handy trick," Tex said, "Now what is this about the Alliance creating Reavers?"

"Hold that thought," Omega said, "We've got a beacon coming in... It appears as Alliance but Harken said his ship was the last one with the range to reach us out here."

"Well it isn't Harken," Wash said, "this is a different wave than his. This is... Alliance Parliament."

"And their Magog comes to help them," River commented as Mal played the incoming beacon. The sounds of screams both feral and terrified echoed through the cockpit. "They come to their doom." River said with a smile.

Character Harbinger

"The Harvest has begun," Harbinger said to Griffen, "As these Reavers throw themselves against my defenses our power increases."

"I have to hand it to you, despite the really creepy flesh robot fusion you have here your troops are very effective," Griffen replied as he fired a rocket into a hoard of the Reavers scattering them. Harbinger then finished off the survivors with his lasers.

"It is preservation," Harbinger replied, "It is my primary purpose for existing. My creators would not have built me otherwise."

"So you really are the first Reaper," Griffen said as they pushed deeper into the city with the rest of their team following in behind them.

"I am the beginning, we have no end," Harbinger replied. He found this Griffen being interesting. It appeared human but was clearly not even close to a human, not close to any being Harbinger had encountered before. Griffen was unreadable, unscanable, impossible to categorize much less preserve. It disturbed Harbinger so he talked with it to try and understand the being better.

"Everything ends at some point," Griffen said.

"Incorrect," Harbinger replied, "Nothing ends it is only transformed to either serenity or chaos. I bring unity, peace, serenity to those I harvest, do you?"

"I must say I am a little surprised to be talking philosophy with you," Griffen replied, "I don't bring peace or pain to those I kill, I kill to bring peace to those who still live."

"But even the living eventually die and are then out of your grasp," Harbinger replied as he directed some of his Reapers to harvest the dead Reavers, "Then you can not provide them with either."

"At that point your messing with God's domain and even I am not brazen enough to do that," Griffen said.

"I understand the word but do not comprehend the concept," Harbinger said, "I was created by the race I preserved, I do not know of a being that is beyond the scope of this existence."

"Well you're intelligent," Griffen replied as he built a turret to keep Reavers out of the next area they were moving into, "why don't you try to get some information on it and figure that out?"

"The endeavor would make for an interesting diversion," Harbinger replied, "I shall consider it. Am I to understand that you believe in this God?"

"I do now," Griffen said, "It took all this with DC to get me there but I used to be in the same spot you were in. I am the last pure blood dragon from my home after all, no one there could even come close to harming me."

"You are dragon," Harbinger said as the pieces fell into place for him, "That explains much for me thank you."

"It took you that long to figure it out huh," Griffen said, "Well I've had a few thousand years to practice my disguise so don't feel to bad."

"I detected some force that was preventing me from scanning you," Harbinger said, "It is logical to believe that you are the source of this interference."

"How many Reavers did you say you detected in this city," Griffen asked.

"In this city alone I detect seven million three-hundred and twenty thousand eight hundred and seventy nine," Harbinger replied, "Estimates for the rest of the world are still being calculated and the reinforcements that are incoming from three-hundred light years out are estimated to be in the billions."

"Wait reinforcements," Griffen asked, "From where?"

"Unknown," Harbinger replied, "I would deduce that they are following Serenity back towards us. Mal most likely got in over his head."

"You two know we can hear you right," Scooter said from below them.

"Yeah we know," Griffen said, "Why?"

"Uh, cause you just said Reaver reinforcements," Scooter replied, "I don't like the sound of that."

"But if they are following Serenity then that means Weiss is on her way back," Ruby said, "I told you she was fine."

"If you consider being chased by billions of Reavers fine then you would be correct," Harbinger said, "Otherwise we are going to be really busy. Also they have arrived prepare for incoming missiles."

Griffen started working on missile defenses and shield domes, the Tardis and Serenity screamed by overhead before coming about and landing. Harbinger paid little attention to the regrouping of their forces on the ground as he turned his attention to the sky where the Reaver ships started to appear in the clouds.

"I'm heading up to intercept those ships," Harbinger said as he lifted off, "Hold the ground here." From the air Harbinger could still run the army of Reapers he had on the ground. He did not worry about the incoming ships being able to damage him, he was the Reaper, the first, his systems were more advanced and integrated than any of the others of his kind. No he did not worry about him, but there was the slightest tingling of concern for his allies on the ground. It would be regrettable for any of them to be squished by falling debris or exploded by a stray laser or rocket. He dismissed the notion, Griffen's shields would stop such events. Harbinger charged up his lasers as the first Reaver ship came into range.

Character David Web

Cortana was not kidding when she said to hold onto something. The advanced flight system in the ACU allowed her to fly it like a fighter jet, a very agile fighter jet. They arrived above the Schnee quarry just as the White Fang crept over the edge of the rocks to start their 'rescue' mission. Cortana had dropped the ACU from the sky to land in front of the White Fang. David was picking himself off the floor and helping Nikki up as Peter and Bartholomew were doing the same. Barry and Ellisa had stayed upright during the landing, perhaps another Fanus trait.

"No way," Barry exclaimed, "It's Gerald. He is personally leading this attack."

"Why would he do that," David asked.

"It must be do or die time for him," Ellisa said, "That is how the White Fang works under him. Maybe he can't keep his own rules so this is his last attempt to maintain control?"

"It would seem likely," Nikki said.

"That is what worries me," Barry and David replied. After they gave each other an appraising look, David nodded for Barry to continue.

"Gerald, he doesn't ever follow his rules," Barry said, "He is above them. The rules are for the members. No if he is leading this then it is for a personal reason."

"Come out of there you Schnee dog," Gerald yelled from the ground, "You can't hide behind your machines anymore." Gerald was just as cybernetic and wolf like as the White Fang mercs that were with him.

"Or he has a chance at one of the Schnee family," Cortana said then with the loud speaker, "What makes you think I work for the Schnees? Maybe I'm just helping them out because I don't like your attitude."

"Well looks like we will get some action today boys," Gerald replied, "EMP it."

"Uh-oh," Cortana said, "That won't end well for them." One of the mercs aimed and fired a bazooka like device that sent a massive lightening bolt at the ACU. Cortana grabbed the energy and returned it to the attacker frying him. "ha seems like they've never." The power to the suit shut down a moment later, "Crap, forgot about the Dust enhancements. Okay everyone out we go."

"We'll scavenge it later," Gerald said as he led his men around the disabled ACU.

"I don't think so," David muttered as he popped the hatch to the outside and drew his silenced pistol. Three shots later and Gerald was face down on the rocks of the quarry. "Unless the rest of you want to end up like your boss I suggest you rethink your plan." The mercs' response was to fire at him. Cortana intervened however and stopped the bullets with her metal body. Nikki, Peter and Bartholomew had their own response to the attack with bursts from Nikki's MPK5 slugs from Peter's rifle part of the ax-rifle, and Bartholomew with his coffee cup turned laser pistol. David was about to finish off another three of the Whit Fang when Barry grabbed him and pulled him out of the way of a fire ball.

"Careful Gerald is much harder to kill than that," Barry said.

"Well that is annoying," Gerald said as he looked up to the top of the ACU and felt around the three holes in his chest and head, "Fortunately I have a fail safe copy of myself saved before every mission, that way if anything should happen to me I can just reboot in AI form."

"Another AI," Cortana said, "but he is not a Sentential, lets see how this plays out. An AI you said, seems we have something in common now. You can't really be Fanus now though we AI's don't have race."

"Ah a construct within a construct very clever," Gerald said, "You are correct I am no longer Fanus, I gave up that title so I may make a better world for them. One where they rule, where they are dominate, not having to fear oppression and hate. I should be no more apart of that world than any of you. I am a monster."

"I think your idealistic," David replied as he sent a text to Xarle and Tom telling them to get the Primes and meet them, "You want to see monsters... we can show you monsters."

"Yes your from those ships, with the demons," Gerald said, "Tell me what did they make you give to let you work for them?"

"Nothing," Xarle said as he, Blood-Raven, Tom, Diablo, Baal and Mephisto appeared in the quarry thanks to Xarle's Teleport skill. "We joined K mostly for the fun of it."

"Over react much," Ellisa remarked, "Gerald remember me?" Then she covered him and his mercs in a bath of electricity and ice. "Never. Underestimate. Aura wielders!" With a massive pulse she exploded all the unfortunate Whit Fang cyborgs in a chain reaction. David and Nikki both stepped away from her as she landed back on the ACU. During the electrical storm Ellisa had started floating so David held out a hand to steady her as she landed. "Thanks," she said.

"Mr. Schnee," Peter bellowed, "It's clear out here, are you okay in there?"

"Peter is that you," replied a voice that was smooth and authoritative.

"It is Abrams," Bartholomew said, "Bartholomew too."

"Come on in then," Mr. Schnee's voice replied, "We need to talk, have your Hunters and Huntresses remain outside if you would."

"Hey means us doesn't he," Nikki said,

"He means you," Peter replied, "Cortana is the lift working yet?"

"Yes you can use it now," Cortana replied from back inside the ACU. She had ducked inside to start repairs as soon as the fight was over. Peter and Bartholomew descended the lift to meet with their friend. David and Nikki led Barry and Ellisa back inside the ACU.

"You need any help getting this thing running again," Barry asked, "I'm a fair hand at mechanics and electronics."

"We'll see about that," Cortana said, "hand me those pliers and a hundred amp breaker." Barry went over to help while Ellisa took a seat on the railing.

"You okay," Nikki asked.

"Yeah just used a whole lot of Aura back there," Ellisa said, "it was pretty draining, first time I've ever killed anyone too."

"They aren't dead," Cortana said, "Upon their destruction I detected a signal being sent out from their forms. I can only assume it was their AI code that is probably being uploaded into more frames that they can use."

"Wait if they can respawn then we are still in danger," David said, "they could mount another attack tonight even."

"Why do you think I am fixing up the ACU," Cortana said, "Let them think we've gone in to the caves to meet with Mr. Abrams Schnee, we will be ready for them."

"Hey nice work," Diablo bellowed up to them, "I was about ready to lightening inferno them myself, nice touch with the ice."

"Thanks," Ellisa said, "uh what are you exactly?"

"Demon," Diablo replied.

"Gerald was not entirely wrong you know," David said, "We do work with former demons."

"Key word there being former," Cortana interjected, "Barry five sixteenths not three eights."

"Former," Ellisa asked, "How so?"

"You've heard of the Cross Bearer right," Nikki said.

"Yeah everyone has," Ellisa said, "You're saying there is something to that story?"

"You could say that," David said, "We're from the world He lived in."

"David which of you two is better with a sniper rifle," Cortana said as she got out from under one of the consoles.

"I am," David replied, "We have interlopers I take it."

"Several," Cortana said as she pulled the rifle out of her chair back, "take this, keep an eye on them and take out anyone that gets to close to the mine entrance. Do try and give me as much time to repair the ACU as you can though."

"D you get that," Nikki asked.

"Sure did," Diablo said, "We'll keep them busy if you want to brain them."

"Tana how do you get under there with that rack," Nikki asked as Cortana slid back under the console.

"Flow metal body," Cortana replied, "I have that 'rack' cause I want to, same reason I have such a saucy walk."

"Hey my sis is a minor still," Barry said.

"Who can kill fifty plus cybernetically enhanced White Fang with one skill," David said, "But you're right we should try and be more mindful."

Nikki and Tana both huffed as he headed to the hatch and looked out through the scope of the sniper. Diablo was at the north end of the quarry, Mephisto the West, Baal the South and Xarle and Blood-Raven at the entrance to the mine on the East side.

"Cortana which direction are the White Fang approaching from," he asked.

"North-west," Ellisa replied, "the scanner is working again."

"Good you keep me informed on their direction, Nikki how many rounds are in there for this rifle," David continued.

"I count ten boxes," Nikki replied.

"Good that is plenty of ammunition," David thought as he took aim at the first of the returning Whit Fang.As he was about to shoot an arrow from Blood-Raven dropped the merc before Mephisto or Diablo could engage him. "Right she is even more accurate with her bow than I am with guns," David considered as Blood Raven continued to take out the encroaching White Fang from the north-west. Xarle was throwing spells to the south-west so David took the only side that was undefended, the cliff above the mine.

"Ellisa how does the east look," David asked.

"It looks empty," Ellisa said, "No movement there."

"That is not right," Cortana said, "The scanner picks up some movement animals at least, unless it is being jammed."

"Never mind I've got them," David said as a team of ten Whit Fang, Gerald included, walked out of the forest and to the cliff edge. He saw Gerald smile as the White Fang leader pulled out a package of some sort and tossed it off the cliff towards Xarle and Blood-Raven. David lined up a shot and blew up the explosive in mid fall causing a rock fall and forcing Xarle and Blood-Raven back into the mine. It also drew Gerald's attention and that of his men.

"Okay now you've really annoyed me," Gerald growled across the probably fifty yard gap from the ACU to the ledge.

"No now you have annoyed us," Mephisto replied, "K get them."

K materialized in the midst of the White Fang along with Moloch and Asteroth. From their hand spider webbed a net of energy that covered Gerald and his mercs. They howled as they became trapped in the unwavering net and were hefted onto K's now draconic shoulder. In physical form Moloch looked like a dragon-bat hybrid with horns around his head and his front two legs acting as wings his leathery skin was a deep green with brown highlights and his jaw was beak like. Asteroth stood tall on her four legs as the somewhat skeletal being flexed her arms and neck.

"Thanks for the help," K said as his two friends returned to their over watch of Hell, disappearing from view. "Lets take these to see Bernie and Joel, I'm sure they will be very interested in them."

"K if your here then what is happening with the Didact," David asked.

"John, John and John are happening," K replied with a toothy grin.

"Chief and 141 then," David remarked, "I almost feel sorry for the Didact."

"Don't," Cortana said.

"I said almost," David reiterated.

Character Lucas

"Yeah take some of this," Lucas yelled as he smashed his Mantis' shield into a pack of the dog like robots. Riding on his shoulder was Allen with his laser based shotgun weapon and massive energy ax. Allen and Kris had come with them to help take out the Didact while Lona remained at Beacon to advise Ozpin on where to send people should the Composer get in range of the planet.

"That is one way to handle them," Allen remarked as he fired he scatter-shot into a flying drone that was trying to rebuild one of the battle-wagons.

"Having fun brother," Katarina asked from his left.

"Quit fooling around you three," Kris said from atop Price's Mantis, "It's all fun and games until someone gets encoded."

The four laughed at that while Price huffed saying, "This is not stealthy at all." as he finished the sentence Soap and Jackson charged past them and smashed down a wall to allow for access to the core of the encoder. Chief was right behind them with a large following of the freed Prometheans, as the encoded creatures referred to themselves. Inside the core was a massive light bridge structure with the Didact at the center. He seemed oddly calm to the arrival of eight Mantis' Chief and what used to be part of the Didact's own army. Chief motioned for them to stay there while he walked out to the Didact.

Lucas didn't hear the conversation but he saw that both Chief and the Didact had dropped their face shields so they could speak to each other face to face. The Didact's face looked similar to Chief's now that he too was Forerunner but with more spikes than Chief's, who still managed to sport a beard. The two spoke for a few minutes before the Didact tried to press a button and Chief knocked him across the room and was likewise thrown back to Lucas' feet.

"He's extended the range he can hit the planet from here with the beam," Chief said as he sprinted back to the console.

"I'll tell Lona to start getting the people underground," Allen said as he jumped off of Lucas' shoulder. Reinhardt moved up next to Lucas as the two pressed forward to help Chief against the Didact. Reinhardt began firing his Gauss cannon drawing the Didact's attention. Soap scooted around to the left to get at the Didact from the side, Lucas moved forward with his shield up to deflect the projectiles that the Didact was redirecting at him. Ghost and Anjali were trading off firing their flame throwers, but the Didact's mental shield was strong enough to divert the flames. Price was staying back with Kris as the two traded out sniper rounds, though Price was using a modified Gauss cannon as a sniper rifle and Kris had a Binary rifle which fired an intensified bolt of light. Jackson was behind Lucas as Reinhardt had to back off to avoid the missiles that the Didact redirected to him. Katarina had moved to the right side of the chamber and was locked in with her shotgun and machine gun. Chief was concentrating on keeping the freed Prometheans out of the Didact's control, leaving Lucas and Jackson to actually push the melee attack.

"Back," the Didact hissed as a wave of force pushed against Lucas and Jackson's Mantises. Jackson locked down and Lucas planted his shield to keep the ricocheting projectiles from hitting them. They were at a stale mate, on against eleven and the Didact was holding his own.

"Wait a second," Lucas thought, "where did Allen go?"

Then he saw Allen appear on an over hang above the Didact. The thousand pound construct would normally been nothing for the Didact to fling away from him, considering how easily he had thrown Chief back, but Allen was undetected by the Didact and landed right on top of the demented Forerunner. Instantly the forces holding back the rounds, flames and swords of the assembled party vanished and the suspended ammunition headed straight for Allen who had just fired his Scatter-shot into the Didact's head. Amazingly Allen avoided all the projectiles as he teleported back to Lucas' shoulder.

"That was risky," Lucas said with relief, "Nice move with the teleport though."

"Well I had to do something," Allen said, "Lona said there wouldn't be time to get everyone far enough underground before the Encoder could be used. So I had to stop him from using it."

"Good work," Chief said as he walked over to them and shut down the console, "We need to get out of here, I've called for the Infinity to blast this facility into dust and we don't want to be here when that happens."

Lucas headed towards the window that looked out over the planet below them, "Anyone up for a free fall?"

"You're kidding right," Ghost said, "Or not okay these things can supposedly be used like drop pods anyway so why not test them out." After that he and Anjali jumped out of the window and started the long fall to Remnant. Soap dashed out after them followed by Allen, Price, Kris, Reinhardt, Katarina, Chief and his Prometheans, then Jackson and Lucas followed them down. Knocking swords together in a mech version of a high five as they did so. Moments later a MAC blast hit the Encoder shredding it and causing a spectacular light show.

"Lucas to Infinity," Lucas radioed, "That is one hell of a light show Del Rio glad you decided to stick around after all."

"Just doing my job lad," Del Rio replied, "Good thinking jumping out of there just don't land on each other when you get planet side."

"We won't," Lucas assured the stickler Captain.

Character Badger

"Of all the worsts time to be on Londonium," Badger ranted to no one in particular. He knew the mercs he hired didn't care what the situation was as long as they were getting paid, but he was mad. He had left two of his doubles in charge of the Persephany operation while he went to work out a deal with a Londonium contact. Since then the Verse had gone to shit, Reavers had nearly destroyed the planet, his doubles had dropped out of contact with him and now it was himself and five mercs taking refuge in the sub basement of a building that they had barricaded as soon as the Reavers had shown up.

His thoughts were scattered as a massive crashing sound echoed down to them from outside followed by yelling, gun fire and the sounds of Reavers howling.

"Guess we ain't the only ones left after all boss," one of the mercs said.

"Guess not," Badger agreed as he tried to send a wave to whoever might be out there. To his surprise his cortex up-link detected Malcolm and Serenity not far from his location. He sent directions to Mal to meet him in the basement of the hospital, where he and his mercs were hiding. "Get to the door, open it when I tell you to." Two of his mercs moved forward while the other three trained their guns on the door in case Reavers were following their guests. "Now," Badger said. The door opened and Mal, his crew, and three new faces ran into the room. Mal quickly turned and bolted the door closed while Zoe and Jayne pushed a metal plate back in front of the door.

"Badger nice of you to let us in," Mal said as he turned around.

"Badger," Jayne and a girl in blue and white exclaimed.

"What did I do to them," Badger asked honestly confused.

"How 'bout trying to sell my mother and sister into slavery," Jayne yelled at him.

"I am not in the slaver business any more," Badger said, "Persephany law cracked down on that a few years back, it's been to dangerous. I take it you ran into my doubles then?"

"You could say that," the girl in white and blue who was now next to Jayne replied hotly, "They tried to kill me!"

"Sounds like you've been doubled crossed," Wash said with a laugh.

"Uh Wash that pun was Yang worthy," the girl in white and blue replied.

"Might I ask who the three new ones are," Badger asked Mal.

"The feisty one is Weiss, the other two are the Doctor and River," Mal replied, "Not to be confused with Simon and River but it can get complicated at times."

"I'll bet," Badger replied, "Well Jayne, Weiss I do hope you ended my doubles' little plans, can't have slave trading tied back to me you know."

"Weiss put her sword in you twice," Jayne said.

"Oh good," Badger said. Glad that what could have been a very messy situation was so easily resolved, "Violence it seems always comes in handy when political trouble is on its way. I just hope you are not planning on putting that blade in me a third time eh?" Weiss gave him a glare that sent shivers down his spine, "right then so what is you two's story?" he asked the Doctor and River.

"Oh traveling, hiding, saving planets, harvesting Reavers, tea time, things like that," the Doctor replied.

"Don't forget rescuing Harken and now being rescued," River added.

Badger looked between the three new faces and then back to Mal, "have you finally lost it?"

"I doubt I ever had it," Mal replied, "But yeah helping the Alliance was not on my to do list this week."

"Now what is this about being rescued," one of the mercs asked.

"Oh a bunch of our friends saw us crash they are probably on their way to help us out right now," Kaylee said.

"Right good," Badger said, "And how is Persephany?"

"Much better off than here," River Tam said, "The Reavers have us surrounded now, there is no escape for them."

Badger tilted his head trying to figure out that logic, he liked River tam, she was an interesting girl, but she could also be very confusing at times. Then the howling of the Reavers was replaced with gunfire and heavy thuds from some massive foot falls.

"Those are your friends I take it," Badger said.

"Probably," Simon replied as the banging on the door was silenced with a squish from outside. "definitely."

A metal hand punched through the door and opened it up, standing in the hall outside was what looked like a large human robot. "Ruby over here," it yelled out down the tunnel.

"Hey Scooter good to see you found us," Shepard greeted the new arrival.

"Scooter," Badger repeated quizzically.

"Well that is his name," Shepard said, "or it is the only name I remember him using." Then a young girl in red and black rush in and hugged Weiss.

"Ha I told them you would be fine," she said.

"Ruby," Weiss exclaimed, "let go. Do you always have to be so overly dramatic?"

"Sorry," Ruby replied as she let go of her friend, "Come on lets get out of here before more Reavers show up, Harbinger is, uh, converting, harvesting, whatever the Reaver leaders, apparently they followed you right into him. He won't be over to this side of the planet for a while but we followed you here in Torgue's ship, he is waiting outside with Blake, Yang and Sun.

"Mal how many friends have you picked up," Badger asked.

"About three hundred or so," Mal replied, "Or those are the ones who's names I've heard before probably several million on the ships that travel with us. You know I'm glad we ran across you, I think you are just the kind of ruthless person that Harken needs to help him rebuild this Verse once we head out. I'll put you in touch with him and you can have a happy life running your own little world."

"Heh heh... you're not joking," Badger said, "My own world huh, okay lets hear what this Harken has to say."

A month later and Badger was resting his feet on a desk in one of the Alliance Cruiser's offices. He was head of logistics and supplies, a good, well compensated, position that allowed him the freedom to continue his other, 'jobs' on the side. Sure there were still a lot of planets to fix up but the Reavers were gone, harvested by the massive machine Harbinger. Mal had rode out of the Verse again to God knows where, The Alliance had crumbled once their parliament had turned Reaver leaving Harken and Badger in the position of galactic leaders. He smiled as the now familiar sound of a blue box appearing in the corner of his office greeted his ears. The Tams, the Doctor and River had become the communication line between Badger, Harken and the Dragon Company that Mal had gone back to. Their arrival meant he got to spend more time talking with River, who was becoming more normal by the week. He had no romantic intention towards her but felt more like an older brother to her and Simon had proven his ability to plan out operations on a couple of occasions making him feel more like a brother to Badger. Then there was the Doctor and River, they were still odd, but he had dealt with odd before and they always seemed to get things done so he smiled as he considered the pay check this next plan of his would bring him.