Scattered Through Time

[antiaircraft]

((That's a good idea. Any chance of me taking on the dragon's character for the RP? :P ))

 

Shade called up a flat holographic pane showing the new readings from the radioactivity sensors on the recon probe. They were highly unusual in the fact that they were almost normal. Almost. There was a subtle difference... a very subtle difference. The creature that had shaped the time portal was very, very good. After about half a minute of silent calculation, Shade was able to narrow down the range of possible times to a period of twenty years. Cross-referencing this with the dates he had been given for the assignment, he identified the time they had to head for. "All units, this is Shade - form up and prep for TimeRip."

 

In a very different time, Mird emerged from the portal just as a barrage of disorienting nausea hit him. He promptly doubled over and threw up, before turning around to examine the unusual assortment of creatures that had brought him here.

 

((Mird is allergic to time travel. :P ))

[Guest Levy]

Yema appeared from behind Floaro and began to speak, "Sorry warrior, I had no choice. If we had stayed, we would have been killed. Mird Earth needs you."

[antiaircraft]

Mird dropped subtly into a combat stance while carefully assessing his situation. "Why exactly do you say that, strange one?"

 

((I'm ready to create another hero character if we need one))

[Guest Levy]

"A great threat from beyond the heavens has targeted this world and will stop at nothing until the planet is destroyed. You have been chosen along with these two to protect life." she explained.

[Loc]

((Sorry I haven't been on in a while.))

Floaro woke up from his meditation. Somehow his body did everything for him while he was meditating. His power actually felt more powerful.

[Guest Levy]

A hulking mass whizzed passed them and they heard an explosion. Debris was about to hit them but something saved them.

It stood to full height and it became clear.

"Its about time you got back. We're in the middle of a war here."

"C!" Yema said brightly.

The sky lit up.

"You've missed a hell of a lot. They are in the middle of a war up there and we're in the field!" He said urgently.

"We need to get to safety!" Yema said.

"What little there is. The debris from the space battle has been pelting the planet for days. And its still going on."

"C, when does the sun rise?"

"...Now!" He said, running to Yema to shield her from the rays of the Sun piercing the sky. He pushed her into the emptiness of his exoskeleton.

"Everyone, follow me. We'll try to explain this as best as we can when we are safe."

 

((Sorry if it seems I am controlling other characters. The enemy aliens have been engaged by the ally aliens and are in a fierce space battle above the planet. They've been in stalemate for days.))

[Midtime]

((Sorry, I've been loaded down with schoolwork.

@Levy: Um... I didn't really think about that. :P I try to be realistic, but it's hard to imagine a three-foot-tall velociraptor actually attacking a human. Well, I'm open to suggestions.))

 

The first thing Echo did after the time travel period was to look up.

The sky was still blossoming with impossibly graceful explosions, but the ground was peaceful.

He took in a breath. The air seemed stuffy, oxygen-deprived. He felt a bit dizzy.

 

In these circumstances, there is nothing for a peace-loving, bewildered 'raptor to do but rest, and wait.

[antiaircraft]

((Just to clarify: Che-Jan = bad aliens, Chraxon = good aliens))

 

Mird looked up at the massive display of energies in the sky above. He couldn't understand what was going on, but he decided that sticking with somebody that did know would be a good idea right now. Drawing his sword and looking around warily, he followed the strangers.

 

---

 

The tiny Che-Jan task force emerged in the middle of a massive space battle. Elements of the 12th Che-Jan fleet were scattered throughout the solar system, trading fire with a significantly smaller Chraxon merchant fleet. With superior skill and numbers, the massively powerful Che-Jan fleet should have triumphed hours ago, but somehow it had been manoeuvred into positions where the inter-meshing gravity wells of the planets, their moons and the Sun restricted it from achieving its full destructive potential.

 

After watching the battle for a few minutes, Shade realized why. The Chraxon fleet was moving with near-perfect coordination. Every ship, from fighters to super-massive battleships, synchronized its motion to meet the needs of every tactical situation it encountered: covering allies, riding magnetic fields, leading missile barrages on hopeless wild goose chases through clouds of asteroids. In short, the Chraxon commanders were performing with incredible brilliance, pinning the much tougher Che-Jan fleet into tactical sinkholes. But the Che-Jan still held an advantage. With skilful direction, its bulk could crush the Chraxon with ease. The problem for the Che-Jan had been finding a skilful commander. But that problem was now irrelevant.

 

"This is fleet command to Echronal Physig - is the tactician on board? Its input would speed our victory greatly."

 

Char-Kin-Vine let out a snort of laughter. "Speed our victory. What idiot decided to throw together this bunch of arrogant amateurs and call them a fleet command?" He muttered to himself, gesturing to the communications officer to respond.

 

"Fleet command, we have the tactician on board. Requesting data link so we can provide its input."

 

"Request cleared. Linking now."

 

Any irritation Shade might have felt at being treated as nothing more than a machine vanished as he delved into a world of swirling, multicoloured holographic ships. But a nagging thought from his subconscious hung in the back of his mind. The Chraxon ships had moved in a beautiful, unpredictable, but somehow familiar manner. The Chraxon commanders, whoever they were, had moved their so artfully that it reminded Shade of... himself.

 

---

 

On the bridge of a nondescript Chraxon corvette, a small figure sat, directing the Chraxon ships through a holographic interface similar to the one used by Shade. The figure occupied a somewhat more comfortable space than the one Shade did though, with several cushions and a non-spill mug of coffee beside him. The crew members on the bridge were regarding him with an unmasked sense of awe.

 

"Uh, guys," the figure said, "I would appreciate it if you didn't gawk at me so much." Several minor officers quickly turned their attention back to their consoles.

 

If somebody who had seen Shade before had watched the figure that was effectively the supreme commander of the Chraxon forces in the battle, they would have noticed that the dance of his hands across the tactical display was uncannily resemblant of Shade's. Looking closer, they would have seen that he had the same black hair, distinctly human body, and disturbing orange eyes as Shade did. It wouldn't take them long to realize that he and Shade appeared completely identical.

 

((The new hero requires a bit of explanation, so I'll wait for my next post before doing the form and everything.))

[Guest Levy]

They arrived at a cave, Kait inside waiting for them.

"The radio frequencies have been going off the charts. The governments of the world are trying to work together, by blowing the large debris up before it hits the surface. It is still unknown if either are allies." She explained.

Yema, now in the darkness of the cave, emerged from C.

"What is going on up there?" She asked.

"All out war." C said.

[antiaircraft]

"A war?" Mird asked quizzically. "I see no armoured infantry, no riders, no war engines - only the lights in the sky. Or is it that you speak a language that differs from mine?"

 

((Here's the info on the new character by the way.

 

Name: Asyphar (Chraxon word meaning 'Ace')

Gender: Male

Age: 18

Species: Genetically altered human, just like Shade

Alignment: Heroes

Skill: Exceptional cognitive skills, allowing him to coordinate billions of ships into an incredibly effective fighting force. Shade is the only other being in the universe with these abilities.

Time period: Present

Character Description: Physically Asyphar is Shade's identical twin, but mentally they are very different. While Shade was raised and treated as an advanced computer by the Che-Jan, Asyphar was raised as a person by the Chraxon. Therefore, he displays emotions, possesses a character, has a large ego, and has the same high-end moral concepts as the Chraxon.

Other info: When the Che-Jan originally developed Shade as a biological tactician, they actually created two copies, partly as insurance against losing one of them, and partly because having two coordinators would allow two separate fleets to be directed effectively at the same time. However, while Shade and Asyphar were still embryos, intelligence was leaked to a Chraxon task force. The Chraxon immediately mounted a raid on the Che-Jan genetics facility (not because they were worried that its results might pose a threat, but because they were disgusted at the concept of a sentient being raised as nothing more than a special machine).

 

The raid was successful, and an embryo was retrieved. Unfortunately, the Chraxon were unaware that there were actually 2 embryos, so the Che-Jan successfully developed Shade in secret and under heavy guard. Asyphar, however, was raised by the Chraxon. His brilliance quickly became apparent, and he has climbed to the rank of the one and only civilian commander of the Chraxon fleets.))

[Guest Levy]

"Tell me, you see me... What do you think I am?" C asked Mird.

[antiaircraft]

Mird focused his full attention on the odd figure before him for a few seconds before he was distracted by another explosion, somewhat louder than the others. "You appear to be a hero of large stature, well trained in the arts of combat. Your armour seems to be of great size and weight to the point that few men could bear it - does it not weigh you down?"

[Guest Levy]

The ground of the cave began to drop down and slowly descend.

"Don't move, just stand still." Kait warned.

"I weigh over a ton. Do you want to know how this is possible? I don't know if you would be able to comprehend just what I am." C said.

The elevator slowed then stopped. Kait took the first few steps into the darkness then said aloud, "The lights here don't emit ultraviolet light. You should be safe energy being."

"Yema." She said quietly, "My name is Yema."

"Good to meet you, I'm Kait." She introduced herself formally. "LIGHTS!"

The entire room lit up, computers hummed to life, and several generators groaned loudly in another room.

C took steps into the light. This is the first time anyone other then Kait had seen him in a good light. He stood to his full height of about 9 feet. His upper body was broad and extended. His abdomen was caved-in a bit and didn't look natural. His knees had an extra joint, for more support. The entire being, covered in plate and solid metal. His feet were large, another means of support. His armor was highly decorative with intricate lines and patterns. Two large spikes extended from his left shoulder blade. After looking at him more and more, the armor on his left arm was thicker than his right. His visor shown with dazzling brilliance, a marvel that looked like a mirror. It was a mirror. A one way orange mirror, he could see through it but no one could see his eyes.

He knocked off the cloth from his right shoulder and let it fall to the floor.

His armor was stone gray in color.

 

((Note, the cave was an entrance to the lab. They rode an elevator to the lab.))

[antiaircraft]

"Interesting." Mird murmured, momentarily fascinated by the strange warrior's armour. "I compliment whoever created the armour you wear, strange one, for it is a thing of beauty, despite the unusual touches, and at the same time it seems greatly practical - a rare occurance."

[Guest Levy]

"Its what keeps me alive." C said. He then gripped his chest piece and pulled it apart, seemingly forcefully. As the piece came loose, his internal organs began to receive light through the protective three inch thick polyurethane covering his soft interior. His heart was wrapped in metallic braces forcing the movements which the muscles ceased long ago. Lungs forced together and stomach fused with the internal battery which made up the rest of his chest.

"Sorry." He said, bringing his chest piece back over his organs, sealing them once more.

"I am not human, I once was, but not anymore. I am a machine, a machine powered by lightning and controlled by my mind. This armor supports itself, I just tell it how to move."

[antiaircraft]

"I see," Mird said, startled somewhat, but not shocked. In his business, it didn't pay to be shocked easily. "So... I am anxious to know more about what is going on. It would help significantly if you wish me to assist you in some way."

[Loc]

((I'm going to drop out, unless someone can PM me with everything going on, I just don't understand, I've been grounded for a while.))

[Guest Levy]

((Could someone else PM him? I don't know how I could explain it, except to say, "Read what you missed!"))

 

"Kait, are the satellites in position?" C asked.

"Almost. Hopefully this will work." She responded.

Thin streams of water began to run down the center of the room and soon it was like a misty waterfall. Lights beamed into the stream of mist and the room lights dimmed.

"There we go. The satellites, perfectly aligned. They are recording as much as they can now." Kait explained.

Soon, the lights displayed fleets of ships and debris. The smaller fleet was clearly dominant and the larger fleet was boxed in.

Soon the images faded and disappeared.

"Signal lost, we got 23 seconds of holographic information." Kait said.

What's the largest ship of the ones recorded?

It was none other than the Echronal Physig, of course the language on the ship was undecipherable. It spun in the holographic display completely uncloaked and massive.

C's eyes lit up. "That writing, I have seen that thing before. It was in the rubble I was forced to endure. That thing is one of the first large ships to go down!"

 

((Remember, C has seen the future. But its not set in stone.))

[antiaircraft]

"Amazing!" Mird said. "Images floating in the air! What kind of device is this?!" (( :P ))

 

---

 

Sitting calmly in isolated holographic worlds of their own, Shade and Asyphar were locked in a deadly battle of wits. Hundreds of ships clashed, twisting and turning in intricate patterns through the void of space. The two identical twins probed each other carefully, randomly feinting or striking full force at the other's defences. The two fleets were locked in a perfect stalemate now, both battling for tactical positions, both taking heavy losses. But the Che-jan fleet was far better equipped to sustain these losses. A Che-jan victory seemed inevitable now - but then, it would have seemed inevitable to an inexperienced observer long ago.

 

---

 

Shade moved the massive forces under his command slowly, deliberately towards dominance. His counterpart was good. Very good. But even a commander of his - or her - brilliance couldn't achieve the impossible. A feeling of predatory joy enveloped Shade as he initiated yet another series of subtle advances and retreats through the many twisting pathways of space.

 

---

 

Sweat ran down Asyphar's ghostly pale face. This was a normal phenomenon for both Shade and Asyphar as their bodies automatically diverted as much energy as physically possible into their brains, while at the same time trying to frantically dissipate the critically excessive amounts of heat energy they generated. Even so, the Chraxon, being insectoids who never sweated or changed skin colour, gave him several worried glances. One even considered challenging his superiors to give Asyphar a break, but then reminded himself that everyone had their own critical role to play.

 

After the first few minutes of combat against the new enemy commander, it had become obvious that they would not be able to hold their positions for long. But a barrage of carefully orchestrated assaults had allowed him to subtly shift several of his ships to engagement positions around the Echronal Physig, preparing for an assault on the ferocious destroyer. Something else had caught Asyphar's attention though - and it wasn't good.

[Guest Levy]

"We have to get ready, this battle is going to hit ground soon." C said, then asked Yema something. "The Velociraptor, it can't speak can he?"

"No, he can't." she responded.

"Ai, this might take a while." he responded.

"I might be able to communicate simply with telepathy. But I don't know how he will respond." Yema explained.

"Try to tell him to hold still, I need to scan his vocal chords, see what language would be best to teach him if we can teach him." C requested.

"Okay, I'll try." Yema replied, giving Echo the simple command. Hold still.

[antiaircraft]

((How did you guess that Che-jan troops were about to land? XD ))

 

A single Che-jan corvette, covered by a swarm of intermeshing fighters and missile barrages, slid smoothly into orbit above the Earth, displacing a Chraxon cruiser and its escorts in the process. A quick scan with its powerful sensors rapidly located its target. 20 shuttles detached themselves from the corvette's docking sections and descended rapidly towards the ground, successfully evading a whithering but poorly aimed barrage from the amateur Chraxon turret gunners.

 

On the bridge of Asyphar's corvette, one of the officers repeated this news, just in case there was still somebody within a light year who hadn't noticed. "We have Che-jan shuttles deploying troops in the vicinity of the heroes! Ëst Chanigrán! They're elites! Che-jan Black Knights!"

 

By this time Asyphar had already opened a flat holographic pane displaying an optical feed from the Chraxon cruiser in orbit. As per Chraxon custom, any swear words he might have wanted to utter were thoroughly vented internally, allowing him to make his next decision with a clear mind. He requested a direct communique link with the Chraxon cruiser while continuing to direct the rest of his fleet in a slow, fighting retreat. But they weren't pulling out to points where they could accelerate and run from the battle - they were withdrawing to form a tight defensive cordon around the Earth. Chraxon ethics would never allow an armed force to leave a population incapable of effectively defending itself.

 

Meanwhile, the 20 Che-jan shuttles hit the ground, throwing up spectacular showers of dirt in the process. Each shuttle disgorged 15 reptilian Che-jan soldiers, dressed in the intimidating black combat armour of the elite Black Knight warrior house. They rapidly moved out, firing heavy weapons indiscriminately at nearby targets, whether military or civilian - no potential threat was left intact. Despite their random and ruthless appearance, all 300 troopers were perfectly coordinated - years of experience and a vicious genome had made them the most fearsome ground unit the universe had to offer. Their instructions were simple: enter the underground laboratory as fast as possible and obliterate everything inside. Then consolidate the area for reinforcements from orbit. There was no reason they couldn't do both at the same time.

 

From the bridge of the Chraxon cruiser that was now trading fire with a force that severely outmatched it, a Chraxon captain made his report nervously. "The Che-jan troops still have a significant amount of ground to cover - their corvette was not able to position itself in optimally, so we are still closer to the heroes."

 

Asyphar nodded, several different parts of his mind focused on different parts of the battle. "What is the largest force you can deploy there?"

 

"10 paratroopers, sir. They have taken their combat vows already, and are willing to die to defend those who need them."

 

"Not enough - but if they are willing, deploy them. Their priority is to slow down the Che-jan troops. Under no circumstances should they put themselves at unnecessary risk."

 

"Acknowledged, sir."

 

Out of the corner of his eye Asyphar watched as 10 tiny figures in full combat gear dropped out of the Chraxon cruiser and dropped towards the ground at dizzying speeds. They would do their best, but in contrast to the Black Knights' centuries of experience, this was probably the first time the Chraxon commandos had ever fought in a battle. They would be slaughtered to buy time for the heroes.

 

Asyphar fervently hoped that the heroes had a means of rapid escape available.

[Guest Levy]

((Best to get your bro on. And try to wake up Loc, who is too lazy to read what he missed.))

 

C finished scanning Echo's vocal chords, "German. That would be the best language for him. Its mostly deep throat spoken without a lot of lip movement. If he is anything like the common parrot, he should be able to pick this up quickly."

Then C began to quickly utter words in German to the Velociraptor.

"Clint! There's no time! Missile bases missed some very larges objects, clearly not debris. Best to go to the surface. I'll stay down here with the others." Kait said.

"Aye, this won't take long." C said confidently, then the spikes on his back lit up with static energy and a huge light shield emanated from his left arm. The light blade extended from his right fist.

Yema only had seconds to find cover.

"Sorry for not warning you Yema." C apologized, then climbed the elevator shaft to the world above.

"They are in the city, 10 miles west of your position." Kait's voice said over his comm system.

"Keep this channel clear in case of emergencies, we don't know if they are monitoring the radio waves." C commanded.

He then took off running south, he could cover incredible amounts of ground. Thundering footsteps and trembling Earth. He couldn't wait for the slaughter to begin.

 

((Note, C's armor is strong enough to withstand plasma blasts. In fact, the charged energy fuels him, thats what those spikes on his back are. They collect energy from the atmosphere, mostly static electricity. But that fuels the sword and shield. Even lightning projectiles would fuel him. C will not die by these guys. His death has been prepared by me personally.))

[antiaircraft]

((Note: Che-jan warriors have very tough hides in addition to their armour. They have been known to survive direct hits from orbital turrets. They also carry a variety of weapons capable of taking down almost any target. I have no doubt C will be able to take them down, but it won't be easy.))

 

The 10 Chraxon paratroopers only opened their parachutes about 150 metres above the ground, landing so that their rigid exoskeletons absorbed most of the impact. They quickly checked their weapons, then fanned out, making sure to remain well concealed.

 

The commander of the small force was a young, but incurably serious female. Although this was the first time she had held a weapon loaded with live ammunition, she was more than prepared to use it. But her inexperienced squad of 10 was up against an elite force of more than 300 troopers, which they were tasked with delaying until the heroes could escape. A virtually impossible task. Harassing fire would be ineffectual, as a Che-jan sniper would simply shoot back with considerably more accuracy. Ambushes could not be achieved by a team so small and with so little knowledge of terrain. Mines and other traps would simply be rolled over. So the commander resorted to the most effective tool in her arsenal. Signalling two of her soldiers to follow her, she stepped out in front of the lead Che-jan warrior and calmly levelled her weapon at him.

 

About 50 Che-jan warriors levelled their weapons back. Several of them activated portable sensors and began scanning the area for any other Chraxon troops.

 

"You have no right to invade this planet." The Chraxon leader said in practised, barely accented English. As merchants, Chraxon quickly learnt to be fluent in almost every known language. "You are restricting the freedom of the people here, to the point of actively harming them."

 

The lead Che-jan warrior, probably also the leader of the force, snorted in a reptilian expression of disdain. "And your arrogant little race is going to make a difference, bug?"

 

The two paratroopers flanking their leader twitched, but the young Chraxon herself maintained a perfectly calm demeanour. "You and the rest of the Che-jan force are instructed to withdraw from these territories immediately, with a full apology to all societies that have been negatively affected by this conflict. It is also required that-"

 

A rising tide of laughter from the Che-jan troops cut her off, but she persisted, at the same time wondering how long her banter would be able to stop the progress of the Che-jan soldiers before they decided to just cut her down.

[Guest Levy]

C raced through the terrain he had known all his life. His thunderous footsteps would not go unnoticed. Eventually he picked up a radio communication in horrid English. He would not back down. "Leave here! Or be destroyed! I have seen the future and I have learned! NO ONE WILL SURVIVE! Leave or destruction, those are your only options!"

His voice over the comm was thunderous and demanding. He wouldn't stop there. "I am the guardian of this world and you will obey me!"

Silence.

He kept running to the city.

[antiaircraft]

The patience of the Che-jan troops finally ran out. Without so much as a hand signal, they advanced rapidly in a coordinated assault, instantly killing the Chraxon commander and her two troopers. A barrage of fire suddenly erupted from several concealed positions on higher ground, but HE firebombs rapidly took down the seven remaining Chraxon paratroopers. Now nothing remained between the Che-jan Black Knights and their target - nothing but C that is.