Chapter 5: Scourge
A/N: I would like to remind everyone to read my story as well as the other GrimmFall stories very carefully to make sure you all get every word. Some of you misread some of what I wrote in the previous chapter and got the wrong impression. I had said "former" Red Legion Cabal and some of you got the idea that the actual Red Legion were involved somehow. I'm sorry if I sound like an a-hole right now but I'm only doing this for your own reading pleasure so please don't hold it against me. Also, there will be spoilers for Sonic Frontiers in the chapter so sorry in advance.
Accessing File: Orobas Vectura
The Orobas Vectura is a Cabal Carrier that had once been a part of the Red Legion. The Carrier itself was commanded by Thumos, the Unbroken, a Centurion who had served as a commander of the Blood Guard. The Blood Guard themselves served as an elite unit of the Red Legion and were described as the "chosen" of the Cabal's former leader Dominus Ghaul and would have gladly died for him.
When Thumos died in the Shadow Realm System alongside Dominus Ghaul at the hands of Vilgax the arms dealer Bracus Zahn took command of the Oribas Vectura and took any soldiers willing to join him.
Empress Caiatl has declared the Carrier a rogue vessel to the intergalactic community and has put out hits on Bracus Zahn and his crew for "dishonorable military conduct" and for supplying weapons to her now deceased father the former Emperor Calus when he tried to have her killed so he could regain control of the Cabal Empire.
Close File
.
.
.
.
.
Accessing File: Chaos Emerald Energy
Chaos Emerald energy is a mystical form of energy that is generated by the seven Chaos Emeralds and their controller, the Master Emerald. In the case of the former, it is the product of the gems' ability to manifest peoples' thoughts as power. Said to be appliable to all living things, this energy is an unimaginable source of power great enough to let someone control the whole world or possibly even the entire universe. In fact, the energy of all seven Chaos Emeralds can bestow one with what has been described as unlimited power. It is said that the seven Emeralds can make your thoughts real, warp time and space, and even resurrect the dead.
The Master Emerald exists as a counter to the Chaos Emeralds. While it contains Chaos Emerald energy as well, but in more quantities than a regular Chaos Emerald, it also possesses the ability to control and neutralize the power of the seven gemstones. This is done by reciting this prayer or a variation of it…
The 7 Emeralds are the servers.
Chaos is power, power enriched by the heart.
The controller serves to unify the chaos
Famous Mobian hero Sonic the Hedgehog has once been observed by the public using the seven Chaos Emeralds to enter a transformation state he has dubbed 'Super Sonic' to defeat a rampaging creature made of water called Chaos in Station Square a few years ago. After Chaos was defeated, the Chaos Emeralds were scattered to the winds.
While the Emeralds and Master Emerald are the only two known sources of Chaos Energy the United Nations military taskforce, Guardian Units of the Nations (or G.U.N. for short) has developed an artificial form of Chaos Energy called Chaos Drives to be used in their own robots and military crafts. A recent break in at one of their military bases has reported that a few dozen Chaos Drives were stolen as well as a copy of the schematics to make them.
Recent evidence suggests that the seven Chaos Emeralds (excluding the Master Emerald) are known to a few extraterrestrial races. How they possess knowledge of the seven emeralds is currently unknown.
Xxx
3037, Earth Coalition Lunar Base
Mission Briefing Room
"Excellent work everyone, Operation Seraph was a success."
Inside the briefing room Kiva and several other mech pilots stood before their captain. He was a bald man with a grey beard and a blue suit, and right next to him was a hologram depicting a space station.
"Thanks to all of your efforts we've managed to recover pieces of the Warmind Rasputin's code along with his subminds and their data to reconstruct him." The captain explained as a hologram of a portal appeared with the station hologram going into it. "With Rasputin reconstructed and uploaded onto Seraph Station Elsie Bray and Banshee-44 managed to get the transwarp unit to send the station and themselves to Gaia Union territory to get help from one of our world's old allies."
"Can we even rely on them?" One pilot asked.
"Both Elsie and Banshee have proven to be driven and trustworthy in our fight against the Glorft soldier." The captain explained. "If anyone can secure help it's them."
"I'm not talking about the Exos I'm talking about the help they're trying to get." The pilot clarified before he went into detail. "When the Megalith attacked us five hundred years ago, they brought a collapse to our golden age plunging Sol and its surrounding systems into a thirty-year war. Our ancestors tried getting help from the Gaia Union, Eliksni, United Stellar Alliance, Akiridions, Atasians (that's the Highbreed's real name) and the Cabal but they refused to help them. I can forgive the Akiridions since they were busy fighting their own war. So, our ancestors had to defeat the Megalith on their own. After that they isolated themselves from the rest of the galaxy because of their refusal to help. How can we rely on them now?"
(A/N: The Megalith were a species mentioned in Cartoon Network's old game Project Exonaut)
"Your concerns are noted soldier." The captain answered. "From what we've gathered the Glorft have been on the warpath across the galaxy and with their Warmaster here I gather the other races would choose to help us now, especially with mankind's greatest military mind back up and running again. However, we have received reports that the Glorft are creating a weapon to use against the Coalition. Commander Andru has the room now."
The captain stepped away as Kiva steps forward and the hologram changes to depict an unknown Glorft mech.
"Thank you, sir." Kiva says before turning her attention to her squad. "Craftmind unit Medusa has managed to uncover information about this mech designated as 'Avatar.' From what she has gathered the Avatar is an assault mech meant to be the coup de grace against the Coalition. All of its known weapons are more advanced than anything we've seen before. However, if we can acquire this mech ourselves we can use it against the Glorft."
"How exactly?" A pilot asked. "The Coalition is low on soldiers, and we don't know if Rasputin and the Exos can secure allies for our cause."
"Before Dr. Bray left she gave the science division schematics for a time drive to be used with the Avatar." Kiva explained, catching the attention of all the pilots. "If the Exos are not able to secure allies the next best thing is to modify the Avatar unit and bring it to 3035, at the Battle of the Last Stand. It was at that point that the Coalition had all but lost to the Glorft and if we change history in our favor then maybe we can survive this."
"However, this plan is only a theory." The captain stated. "The schematics are based on a time drive unit Dr. Bray made a thousand years ago and she dismantled the original unit back in the 21st century. We don't know if this new time drive will work."
"True but even so we can't let the Glorft use the Avatar against us." Kiva stated as the hologram changed to that of the planet Reach. "The Avatar unit is being constructed in a region on Reach called the Highland Mountains, this was the only area on the planet they didn't glass. To construct the mech they have been mining Titanium from across the planet and bringing it to this area. And according to Medusa the Avatar is almost complete."
"You all understand the mission." The captain said as he stepped back into place and Kiva rejoins her squad. "Retrieve the Avatar prototype at all costs."
"Yes sir!" Kiva and the pilots say as they salute the captain.
'Whatever it takes to win this war.' Kiva thought to herself.
Xxx
Vent system of the Arms Dealer's Firebase
"That's how the mission started." Kiva explained to Cayde-6.
When the Megas team approached the firebase that Bracus Zahn had set up Kiva had Coop stop Megas a good distance away so Zahn's men and Siviks' Eliksni wouldn't spot or detect them. From there Kiva and Cayde made use of Cayde's own Pike to get to the base.
Coop and Jamie would remain in Megas and should the situation call for it they would be called in to provide assistance.
"This is so boring." Coop said over the comms.
"Unfortunately, not all missions start out with action and explosions." Cayde said to the pilot of Megas.
When Kiva and Cayde made it to the base, they hid the Pike and made use of stealth to move around. Going in guns blazing would make them lose the element of surprise something they needed to take out Siviks. If Siviks knew that there were intruders in the base, he would know doubt try to run away and every Cabal outlaw and Eliksni renegade would try to kill the duo. Though the two of them didn't know were he was they managed to secure a data pad that had a message from Zahn saying that he and Siviks were going the sublevel construction bay to install the final device of Siviks' new war machine. The data pad itself didn't specify what this war machine was itself, the duo knew that they had to put a stop to its construction before Siviks used it for whatever he intended it for. Using schematics found on the data pad the Exo and human found the quickest route to the sublevel area would be through the ventilation shafts.
"So back to what I was asking you about the 31st century." Cayde said as they continued moving. "So the Glorft destroyed Rasputin but he dispersed his data across the Coalition network, eventually you guys found what was left of him, secured his data and reintegrated it with his surviving subminds, installed him back onto this Seraph station thing, then sent it through a wormhole with a group of Exos to get help from Earth's old allies correct?
"Yes." Kiva said in confirmation.
"Okay and you mentioned the Cabal and Eliksni as potential help in the liberation of Earth are the Cabal still led Empress Caiatl and the Eliksni by Mithrax?" Cayde asked.
"I'm pretty sure his name is pronounced Misraaks." Kiva said.
"It's never really bothered him before." Cayde responded with a shrug.
"Well to answer your question yes their still alive and leading their respective people." Kiva answered.
"That's good." Cayde says. "Mithrax spent time learning what he originally did was wrong and a longer time trying to liberate his people from their corrupt rulers. And Caiatl's armistice with the United Stellar Alliance and Gaia Union has been going on for ninety years without any major problems. Well, aside from some soldiers deserting her army but in the grand scheme of things the Cabal Empire aren't a threat anymore she's nothing like her predecessors."
"How are these guys even still alive in the future?" Jaime asked over the comms.
"You got to remember not every race in the universe have the same lifespan as humans." Cayde explained to the slacker. "The Cabal and Eliksni can live for thousands of years and not so any significant changes from aging."
"Cayde over there." Kiva said, motioning the Exo over to a vent. "This vent leads to maintenance bay."
"That's where will find Zahn and Siviks." Cayde says as he uses his Semblance to create a dagger out of molten fire in his right hand. "Stay behind me."
Cayde approaches the vent and grabs it with his left hand. He cuts the molten fire dagger into the sides of the vent and drags it across melting parts of the vent until the fire dagger makes a return to where it started on the vent. He then dissipates the dagger and then grabs the vent with his right hand. Very carefully he moves the vent out of its spot and gently places it outside. Once he and Kiva got outside of the ventilation shaft, he then puts the vent back into place though it was now at a noticeable angle.
"You think anyone will notice?" Cayde asked.
"Doesn't matter to us." Kiva answered as she motioned Cayde to follow her.
The two hid behind some crates and got a good look at what the war machine that was being built and it surprised them. It was a 25 meter tall mech that resembled Siviks without his cloak, its head even resembled his helmet.
"Guess we know what he hired Zahn to help him with." Cayde says.
"What's going on?" Coop asked. "Is it something I can smash?"
"You'll know if they activate it." Kiva replied.
Cayde then taps Kiva's shoulder and points to a group of Cabal and Eliksni and among this group was Siviks and Zahn.
"Remarkable Siviks." Zahn says to the mercenary. "You've actually managed to acquire Chaosian technology and thanks to your Splicers and my engineers it has been integrated as the core of your mech."
(A/N: Chaosian is a name I've given to the Ancients from Sonic Frontiers for this story, as calling them Ancients here wouldn't make sense. In Sonic lore they are actually the ancestors of Chaos and the Chao.)
"Guess it's already complete." Cayde whispered as he unslung a sniper rifle and pointed it at the group of aliens, but he couldn't get a clear shot of Siviks. "Damn it their blocking my view of Siviks can't get a clear shot of him."
"We'll have to wait for an opportunity." Kiva whispered as they watched the group approach a device in front of the mech.
"Vulkanus found the technology and sold it to me." Siviks says as Kiva and Cayde move out of their spot and carefully try to get closer without being seen. "He found evidence of the Chaosians presence on Earth at a small cluster of islands but apparently never went beyond them. He acquired the power core from their but retreated from the archipelago when the Chaosians own defense system activated. Despite being old they were more advanced than anything we have ever encountered."
"They lost their home world a terrible destroyer that the Athenaeum worlds of my people's empire simply calls 'The End'." Zahn says as the group stops walking and he then turns to face Siviks. "The Chaosians technology made use of the power of seven gemstones of ultimate power that they called the Chaos Emeralds. So how did you manage to get this power core to work without the Emeralds?"
"Evidently the Terrans have encountered the Chaos Emeralds themselves." Siviks explained. "Vulkanus didn't have the time to search for a single Emerald but he discovered that the Terrans on global military taskforce, something called G.U.N. for short managed to artificial sources of Chaos energy called Chaos Drives. He secured a collection of Chaos Drives and schematics to make them and brought them and the power core to me and I made payment for them."
"What do you intend on doing with this mech?" Zahn asked.
"I'll take it to Riis and use it to kill Misraaks." Siviks explained. "I'll use it to so anarchy across Eliksni domain I will be a scourge across this galaxy and order itself will die."
"Then I guess your no Acrius." Zahn says to the renegade Eliksni.
After saying those words his men point their weapons at Siviks and his Eliksni.
"What are you doing!?" Siviks says to the arms dealer.
"Caiatl has branded me and my men as enemies of the empire for my past dealings with other criminals and warlords throughout the galaxy." Zahn explained. "And because of that it's become very hard for me to find someone to sell my arms to. They don't want me accidentally leading Imperial Legions or even the Plumbers to them. Luckily I know a few warlords that would risk it all for something like this."
Siviks then growls at Zahn who chuckles in response.
"I had also broadcasted a message on a private channel to my men." Zahn explains. "Once I said that you were no Acrius they began to engage your men. I would recommend that you surrender now before things get worse."
"Good thing I anticipated betrayal." Siviks says confusing Zahn.
Suddenly a Shock Grenade lands in front of Zahn and his men forcing them to jump out of the way. Looking around he sees squads of Eliksni mercenaries uncloaking and killing the rest of his men. He looks at Siviks and sees a 12ft Eliksni wearing a magenta cloak and possessing robotic legs uncloak next to Siviks. This was the mercenary Thaviks, the Depraved and from his back he unholstered an Eliksni rocket launcher called a Scorch Cannon and fired it at Zahn. Using his thruster pack Zahn was able to launch himself into the air and out of the rocket's way though the rocket itself was about to hit some crates, specifically the crates that Kiva and Cayde were right behind.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Cayde shouted as both him and Kiva jumped in different directions from the crates.
BOOM!
The Eliksni and Cabal had heard Cayde's voice and turned their attention to where it came from and saw Cayde and Kiva. Both groups had stopped their fighting to see the Exo and human leaving them confused.
"Uh…hi?" Cayde says to the aliens.
Siviks shakes himself out of his confusion and runs to the device in front of his mech. He steps onto it and it begins to hum with energy.
Zahn sees this and yells out, "Stop him! He's transmatting into the mech!"
The Cabal try to fire at him but he's already teleported onboard the mech. The mech itself activates and a door above it opens up. It then activates the thrusters on its back and flies out of the roof.
"Well, we'll just leave you all to your fight to the death then as this clearly doesn't concern us." Cayde says as he begins walking toward the nearest door. "Come on Kiva let's blow this joint."
Suddenly Shrapnel Launcher rounds are fired at Cayde's feet stopping him in his tracks and he turns to see Thaviks and several Eliksni approach him.
"Your not going anywhere Reynolds." Thaviks hissed at the Exo.
Kiva sees this and picks up an Eliksni Shock Rifle to fight the Eliksni with but see then sees Bracus Zahn and some of his men approach her.
"You caused Siviks to get away with the mech!" Zahn said in an accusatory manor. "Now you'll die for it!"
Kiva narrowed her eyes at the arms dealer and points the rifle at him and his men.
Xxx
Outside the Firebase
Siviks lands the mech outside of the Cabal firebase. Everything looked so small from inside the mech. He raised the mech's four arms and gathered energy into its palms ready to destroy the firebase along Zahn and his men. Of course, he knew some of his own forces would be killed as well but he didn't care at all he could always hire more.
BEEP!
BEEP!
BEEP!
The computers of his mech warn him of incoming missiles. Thinking fast he has the mech create an energy shield that blocks the incoming attack though the impact pushes his mech away from the firebase. He sees a blue mech with flame designs that was about the same heigh as his own fly over and land in front of him.
"I am Siviks, Lost to None!" Siviks says through his mech's communicator. "Identify yourself!"
The computer of his mech then displays the image of an overweight human with blond hair smirking at him.
"Just the guy who's about to kick your butt!" Coop said to the Eliksni mercenary.
Siviks then hisses at what was said and says, "For that you will die where you stand!"