Attention all Citizens! Shelter in place. This is not a drill. Do not approach the orange shimmers. Phaltaric Elements detected. For your safety....--Terra Nova Defense Relay Alert

Who else went missing? We lost all contact with Scout Division 1-22-Niner.--Internal Missive: TN Defense Corps

The stones never lie. You have summoned the Kiwah. You have killed us all. --Seer Malcath of the Ver-un Horde

Location Unknown

Open Plains

First Sword Robert "Crane" Mitchell landed feet first into 4 foot high grass. Not the normal greenery of Terra Nova. Purple shafts swatted his arms and legs. The gold and red threads of his Terra Nova Scout uniform frayed. Passing through that orange kaleidoscope had done a number on his pants and sleeves. He crouched low as he spotted a wave of creatures directly north of his position. Their guttural calls lighter than he expected from such a massive reptilian head.

He paused. His chest holster still clung snuggly to his chest. The pearl white Ri-tech blaster still fully charged.

The dull thud of stone wheels made him slide onto his belly. His hands immediately went to his belt. He flicked one drone into his open palm. It was no bigger than his thumb. It rose silently above the grass. The Lizard men were pulling a large wooden cage. Inside were humanoid shapes. Some were of a similar color to him. Tan with black markings. Others were blue or a pale white pallor.

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A glint of gold drew his gaze. A woman of insurmountable beauty was chained to the head of the cart. Kept separate from all others. Her summer blue eyes widened as she caught site of the drone. Crane ordered it to go into stealth. It was a rookie mistake. Her lips parted. As if to shout but a sudden commotion at the rear of the caravan made the 40 Lizardmen turn as one.

A trio of feathered creatures sprang into action. Their pointed maws expanded to showcase teeth as long as swords. Black tar splattered against the purple landscape. The humans within the cage howled. Their cries galvanized Crane. How could he help? He made the drone circle the battlefield.

10 Lizardmen, their scales ranging from green to gold to black, closed in on the captives. One smacked the wood with his spear.

The drone picked up words. It was a start but Crane had no idea how long it would take to formulate the lexicon from its data banks. Behind his ear his coms relay sputtered to life. Another Terran.

<>

Static hissed as an unknown language came over the line.

The golden haired woman bowed her head.

Red dots materialized. The drone indicated tonelessly, <>

Crane tensed. Then he broke cover. His arms and legs going akimbo as he bounded towards the sky. Men pointed. The woman cried out, “Kiwah!”

So began the Legend.