This fic, as stated above, was primarily inspired by the Event Horizon: Storm of Magic series on this very site, as well as on AO3 and Alternate History. The basic story is that a mega-corporation from Earth finds four fantasy worlds in deep space: the words from ASOIAF, LOTR, Warhammer, and The Legend of Korra.
Unfortunately, the author never finished the series. I've always wanted to write my own 'science fiction invades fantasy world' fic, so my initial idea was to do a reboot of Event Horizon. However, I eventually hit upon the idea of what if the space-faring civilization didn't come to boost profits, but with the explicit goal of conquering all four worlds.
After a few more changes (such as removing the Warhammer world and changing the space-faring empire to a non-human one), I think I've come up with a satisfying story start for you guys. Enjoy!
Dong, dong, dong, dong.
The sounds of the bells of King's Landing urgently tolling were what woke Robert from his alcohol-induced slumber, more than the sounds of screaming coming from the streets down below.
Robert opened his bloodshot eyes, then hissed in pain. His attention was momentarily diverted by the sudden pang in his temples from last night's pleasure.
He rubbed his face, forgetting for a moment that there seemed to be a panic steadily rising in his city.
"Was' happening, your Grace?", came the confused mutter of the whore he had brought to one of his bedchambers the night before.
Brought back to reality, Robert jerked out of bed. He quickly dressed in a loose tunic, his head still throbbing and wondering what on Earth could have the people of King's Landing in such a state.
Then, he heard it. A... roaring sound echoed above the castle, rushing past. It was unlike any sound Robert had ever heard. As it sped past, the room itself rattled. In fact, a dull rumbling could be felt in the floor beneath Robert's feet.
"M... M'Lord!?", said the whore, looking around in wild bewilderment at the sound and the motion.
Robert, however, felt anger rising in his body, a blind rage he only felt in connection to a certain family.
Dragons. That was the only explanation. The beggar king and his bitch sister had somehow hatched dragons and were now attempting to take back their kingdom.
Robert lurched up out of bed and staggered to the window, his fist clenching his nonexistent warhammer. He didn't care that facing what sounded like a flock of dragons one on one was the height of foolishness. He just wanted to get a look at what he was facing, then head for his hammer and start slaying Targaryens.
As he strode to the window, he heard shouting steadily approaching from outside the door. A voice (Barristan Selmy) was calling, "Blount! Ser Boros Blount?! Damn him to seven hells, where is he?"
Idly remembering that Blount had drawn guard duty on his chambers last night, Robert flung open his shutters and looked out.
At the same time, the door to his chambers came crashing inwards, as Selmy, Lord Jon Arryn, and the Kingslayer came rushing in.
The whore screamed in fright, pulling her covers up around her.
"Your Grace!", said Arryn. "We are under attack! We must leave!"
Under normal circumstances, Robert would have argued. Said that only a coward would run. Said that it was his duty to kill every last Targaryen left in the world.
But these were not normal circumstances.
In the night sky, flying like a blasphemy against nature, a triangular object was circling above the city.
Not only that, but it was joined by several dozens of identical objects, circling like giant buzzards over the buildings of the city.
Every now and then, bright flames of blue fire appeared out of the objects. The fire flew down, hitting the walls and gates surrounding the city.
They're trying to block us in, thought Robert, in sudden realization.
A hand gently laid itself against his shoulder. Robert turned; shock written on his face. He found that look of shock repeated on his face by Jon, Selmy, Lannister, and the few petty guards that had ran in with them.
The whore had disappeared, no doubt at the first chance she had got.
"Your Grace, we must try and...", began Arryn.
He was interrupted by a rumbling, much larger and louder than anything that had come before it.
Robert looked outside, expecting to see a much larger craft. For the moment, he saw nothing. Then, he noticed, in the dim half-light of dawn, a shadow blocking out the sun, beginning to cover the city.
Robert, dread filling his mind, leaned out of the window, turning to look up directly into the sky.
His eyes widened, the breath left his mouth, and too his shame and horror, he felt his bowels loosen.
The dome-shaped object quickly blotted out the sky, as Robert watched.
It continued to hang motionless there, as Robert's Kingsguard pulled him back through the window.
All'freck's breath hung as a cloudy mist whenever he breathed in and out, sometimes distorting his view of the primitive city below. He was inches from the force field covering the viewing platform on the top of his ship, keeping both the cold air in and to deflect any weapons fire directed at the ship.
Not that they had to worry about potential weapons fire. This nation-state below seemed to be completely backwards and would probably try firing arrows at the invading ship.
All'Freck glanced up at the holographic images projected onto the force field. They showed an enhanced, overhead view of the city streets. All'Freck saw people running through the streets, pointing up at the ship with uncomprehending fear, gazing up at him through the windows of their abodes. All'Freck saw several guardsmen wearing gold cloaks over their shoulders, looking like they were about to soil themselves, with the exception of a few brave souls. All'Freck sneered.
Pathetic.
The door leading back into the ship from the platform opened in a sliding motion and All'Freck heard clipped footprints approaching. He knew who those feet belonged to; he had become familiar with the walking style of all of his senior staff in the long years of exile. He also knew that only one alien would disturb his musings on the observation deck.
"Your Majesty.", greeted Kal'wod, his trusted Narn councilor. "We are now completely over the city, as you requested. Shall I prepare your ship to bring you down to the castle?"
All'Freck nodded and turned off the holographic screens with a harsh wave of his hand. "Yes, thank you, Kal'wod. If you will lead me to the armory, I can gather my..."
All'Freck turned to see that the Narn had already got his favorite war axe, along with a belt containing his myriads of daggers. He also noticed that Kal'wod seemed to be shivering, though trying to hide it. The ghost of a smile graced All'Freck's lips. It was of course necessary to keep the temperature this cool, as a Quonarian like him would be gradually weakened and even killed in far hotter temperatures.
In fact, All'Freck only had plans to claim the throne of this city quickly, then retire back to his ship to re-cool. It would be a few weeks before the red castle below was made livable, by Quonarian standards.
"You know me too well.", said All'Freck, his attempt at playful jesting. He took the axe from his second in command, feeling the cold metal through his fingerless gloves.
He turned for a moment to look back at the view. Fires had already started, most likely from the general chaos that had erupted in the city. All'Freck grimaced at the thought of the heat, then turned to lead Kal'wod back into the ship.
Let's start this conquest, thought All'Freck.
As you have no doubt noticed in the second part of this chapter, I mention that one of the characters is a Narn, from Babylon 5. I will be using an assortment of species, races, and characters that were introduced in other franchises, mostly because I like them and also because I don't want to have to create several new species and cultures for my fic. Just a few original aliens is enough.