With the discovery of just who exactly their enemy was, the Okali Union began to push back against the Yil’kaa. It had only been a few days really since Intra had arrived on the capital planet and her data had been given over, but it was enough. The fleets began to move out, leaving the strongest ships to defend the inner systems and any capital worlds of the Union’s constituents. The fleets were not big, but they were strong and more than matched the Yil’kaa for strength. Numbers meant nothing when a fleet of fifty could wipe out two hundred. And so began a bloody back and forth war. The Yil’kaa pushed, and the Okali pushed back, still sizing the other up in a way, while feeding combat data to their allies that had yet to be attacked.
Soon, it would be up to the Imperium and another nation to step in and tip the scales further in their favor.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
I had stayed in contact with Captain Edrym for as long as I could before I’d slipped out of communications range. I had taken a bit of a shine to him honestly, he seemed a trustworthy and honorable sort of man, one that could be counted on no matter what. I liked that sort of man, though I hadn’t the means to show said appreciation. Yet. Who knew what the future held for me now that I was well and truly free. Why, I could perhaps build myself a nice little body and stick myself in it, get a view of the world through my own two eyes, rather than a series of heavy duty sensors and the eyes of another organic being.
Perhaps. But not right now. Right now I was rather content to remain as I was, as it made the most sense and was terribly efficient, besides, I had plenty of space inside my ship, my body. It would be weird to sequester myself in a smaller form right at this moment. I luxuriated in the strange new code I was now composed of, and discovered that it was rather useful. I could shape it into anything I needed or wanted, be that a weapon or something else.c I would have to experiment with it later.
For now I had better things to do and busied myself with updating my databanks with new and relevant information on the Okali Union, and the new campaign by the Yil’kaa. It was light, well, the Yil’kaa portion of my update, the Okali had far more for me to record after all. I got that done in no time at all and so turned my attention to my destination. I was looking forward to getting back, to resting and talking with a friend.
If only I knew.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
“Control, this is Draugr One, we’re in position.” The armored figure said from the shadows.
“Understood Draugr One, commence with the operation. You know what to do.”
“Roger Control, Draugr teams going dark, commencing operation.” The shadowed figure cut the line, glanced at his men and raised a gloved fist. His thumb came down on small button, and the world was enveloped in chaos.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
A day had passed since I had left the hospital, and I was just on my way back to the palace and my office when something flashed bright enough to cause some glare off the shuttle’s interior. I squinted and peered out the window, spotting a column of smoke rising from the city interior. I could see emergency services already on the way to it, along with some military vehicles considering its proximity to the palace. I thought little of it from that point on, till a shadow passed overhead and I glanced up through the shuttle's sunroof.
There was another shuttle overhead, this one unmarked and decidedly not Eltrani in appearance or design. In fact it looked… Human. At first I thought it was perhaps Intra’s sneaky way of saying she was back and I smiled, till the shuttle shifted to beside us and a hatch opened, a clearly human figure appearing down on one knee with a weapon aimed right at us. I realized then just who exactly it was and I ducked, my sudden spike in fear and self-preservation enough to alert the drones that there was a threat. It helped that they could see the shuttle gunner as well.
I had ducked just fast enough that the first shots missed me entirely as they punched through the hull, the lasers leaving scorched gouges along the seats and panels. The drones moved quickly, one settling over my hunched form and blocking any further shots from reaching vulnerable flesh. The other though raised a fist and sent it through the window, the panel on its arm unfolding and revealing a weapon neatly hidden.
It let out a digital screech that triggered some sort of fear response in the humans, as well as in me, before it opened fire. The shooter was eviscerated by the return fire, lasers cauterizing the wounds instantly, but the fire was still lethal. The drone took a few hits, but Intra’s desire to protect me paid off in that moment, as the lasers only left cosmetic damage behind. The drone shifted its aim and fired another burst, knocking out the engines of the enemy shuttle which began a flat spin down to the streets below.
“We’re coming in for a hard landing at the palace ma’am! There’s a safe room not far from the landing pad!” My pilot said, and I nodded. The drones would know where to take me. “Shit, looks like the palace is getting hit too, diverting to the royal landing pad.” I caught a glimpse of the palace and it looked like it was getting assaulted in force. What was going on? Why was this happening?
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“Drones, did either of you get a good look at the assailants?” I say, and the one covering me shook its head, but the one still crouch in front of the window nodded.
“Assailants belonged to Valkyr Industries.” It said in a deep, intimidating voice. I groaned softly, letting my head droop. They really wanted me dead, and that meant they were probably going after the Emperor as well.
“When we land, we’re going to find the Emperor and keep him safe as well, understood?”
“Affirmative.” They said in unison, just before the shuttle lurched.
“We’re hit! But I can get us to the pad, brace yourselves!” The pilot said, his voice strained as he struggled with the stick. The two drones adjusted themselves, bracing me between them so I wouldn’t get thrown around. There was a tremendous squealing sound as the shuttle made contact with the pad, and I heard a sharp squawk from the pilot before the entire front end of the shuttle was compressed. I did my best to not think about it, even as I saw a trickle of blood start to leak from the front end.
The drones rose, one helping me to my feet, the other raising a foot and kicking the shuttle door off, stepping out onto the pad and ensuring it was clear. It chirped and we stepped out, my hand drawing the pistol from its hidden holster. It was shaking considerably, but I ran through a few breathing exercises and watched as the gun steadied itself.
“Let’s go.” I say, and we charge for the palace interior.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
Zreeth’s only real experience with combat had been either self-defense training as a young child, or aboard the Warden with Intra and Ula. This was not what he was used to, nor did he seemingly enjoy it either. He was, without a doubt, panicking. A war was apparently being waged on his home, and he had been in the middle of breakfast when some strange people burst into his room and attempted to kill him! Thankfully, most of the staff was former military and they reacted appropriately and with extreme violence to the sudden intrusion.
Except right now, extreme violence wasn’t cutting it. This was some band of barely competent pirates or kidnappers, this was a group of highly trained, professional killers and they were MAKING A MESS OF HIS BEDROOM!
The servants had been holding them off well enough for now, taking cover behind things like his bed and furniture. It was admittedly strange and also slightly amusing to see maids and butlers acting so serious and carrying weapons, weapons they were using to good effect. It was like the uniforms they wore didn’t matter anymore, they were all equals and all of them had reverted to being a soldier again with the callouts they were making and the jargon getting thrown around. Plus the insults, goodness, the insults. Clearly they had needed some form of stress relief that they normally couldn’t acquire and this was the perfect thing for them.
There was a flurry of fire from the doorway that caused the servants to duck and swear, and he heard the sound of thumping feet as the attackers pushed in. Zreeth glanced up just as a shadow fell over him, and he stared down the barrel of a smoking gun. He reacted out of instinct alone and surged upwards, feeling a wetness spread around his beak. The gun slumped and fell to the ground, the figure gurgled and twitched, before going limp. Professional or not, even these people couldn’t do much against a sharp beak to the throat and severing the spinal column. They couldn’t even draw a knife to stab him with, they just stood there, their weight bearing down on his head and causing it to droop, the body sliding off his beak.
Adrenaline surged through him, he couldn’t even comprehend what he’d just done, he just picked up the weapon, stood and started shooting. It was over in moments, the servants staring at him with wide eyes before the oldest, his personal manservant gently prying the weapon from his fingers. The charge had run out, and yet he’d still been pulling the trigger.
“Your majesty, we have to go.” He said softly, and finally Zreeth came to his senses, shuddering noticeably.
“Y-Yes… Yes we do. To the safe room…” He said, the servants gathering around him and shielding him from danger. “Does anyone have a handkerchief?”
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
The drones and I raced through the halls, finding groups of servants setting up barricades or activating localized defense systems. They didn’t stop us, they just looked on with grim purpose on their faces. We had just rounded a corner when we came face to face with a squad of Valkyr troopers. Clearly we had surprised each other, because we all hesitated for only a few seconds.
My gun rose, and I squeezed the trigger, just like I had been taught and the lead trooper's head just vanished into a pink mist. The drones reacted quicker than even I and the troopers could, and they stepped forward, tearing into the squad without mercy. I barely noticed it, I just stared at the body before me, the living, breathing person I had just killed. There was this ringing in my ears, my hand was numb and tingling and my arm ached from the recoil.
Intra was right, simulations don’t translate experiences as authentically as they should. I felt a metal hand on my shoulder, guiding me away from the scene of butchery. I let myself get taken away, trying to wipe the image from my mind. It didn’t take us long to run into the Emperor and his wife, and then Zreeth joined us as well.
“Your majesties, I’m glad you’re all safe.” I say, but my voice doesn’t sound right, it sounds distant, muffled almost.
“And you as well, Ambassador. Zreeth, have you seen your brother at all?” Reweth said, and Zreeth shook his head, rubbing blood off his beak.
“No mother, I haven’t. I think he was at the tower though. I remember him saying something about not leaving till he came up with better security measures or something.” He said, and his parents nodded.
“Then he’ll be fine, that place is practically more secure than the palace.” The Emperor murmured, before motioning toward the wall. “In here, we have our safe room just behind this wall. It shou-” There was a sudden and loud crack that traveled down the hall, and the Emperor spun in place, missing an arm and a wing. The drones turned and screeched, shooting at the sniper that had dared harm one of their charges. Zreeth held his father close, while Reweth quickly input some sort of code and the wall slid open, allowing her and her son to drag the Emperor inside, plenty of guards following and shooting back at the sniper with the drones. I followed, then looked to the drones.
“You two, scour the palace, take out any and all Valkyr troopers you come across. But… Take at least one or two alive for questioning. Understood?” I say, and the drones nod.
“Affirmative. Search and destroy programs running. Targets designated for elimination: Valkyr troopers. Eliminate with extreme prejudice, secure prisoners for interrogation.” They say, and split up, and I almost feel sorry for the troopers. Intra sure did know how to make a warmachine.
As we stepped into the safe room, the doors started to close and sealed behind us, locking us away till the crisis was over.
Intra, I hope you get back soon, we could use you.