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In Chaos and Despair: The Enemy Within
Posted By: Maraxus6<deathperson@att.net>
Date: 5 February 2004, 12:46 AM
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Excerpt from Bellerophon 3
..."What happened?" Inquired Brutus. "Did you detect something odd?"
"You bet we did."
Suddenly, the screen clicked on, and a very drowsy and ruffled man sat in his bed, Staring at Robertson.
"What the blazes are you doing, waking me up at this time of night?"
"Sir, we've detected a ship. Its not one of ours, and its not one of the Covenants, either. I think that we should send the survivors from Harvest back to Earth. It'll get them out of the way in case any of those things decide to attack this planet just like at Harvest."
"Fine, but be quiet and discreet about it. Send doctors to help the patients. And tell them to talk about this to no one. I don't want a panic if that ship contains what we now dread."
"Yes sir. Ill give the order right away."
The man on the screen stood up and looked Robertson right in the eyes.
"Were going to get off this planet while we still can."
Chapter 3: The Enemy Within
Goross continued to monitor the scouting reports. There had been two planets invaded, and casualties had been far less than expected. The humans had always fought in vain, suffering greatly as they died, one by one. Their weapons were only moderately effective, and only a few of the humans' warriors had killed many of his fellow legionnaires.
"Well?" said a deep voice behind him. "What do the reports have to say?"
Goross almost jumped at the sound of the voice. He hadn't expected it, although he felt angry that he didn't expect the voice when he should have. After a brief moment, Goross spoke up. "They didn't find it, my lord, although the local inhabitants of each planet have been running head-over-heels to escape the wrath of the Legion. Their weapons have no where near the effectiveness of our own." Goross smiled. He loved referring to the more primitive technologies of lower races.
The voice seemed pleased, and continued to speak. "Good. However, you know exactly how important finding this artifact is. We must find it! If we do, then the nearby galaxies will be ours, and I shall rule all the loathsome creatures within millions of light-years with an iron fist. None shall oppose me!" the voice roared. "First, however, these pathetic beings called 'Humans' shall suffer and die!"
"O- of course, my lord." Said Goross shakily. He always got a little nervous when his master got in a rage. "Perhaps we should send out the probes. We could run scans of each planet, and find the artifact far more quickly. Not to mention, it would save us a large amount of time, along with being more efficient."
"Your wisdom never ceases to amaze me, Goross, and I am pleased. Send out the probes!" the voice barked at one of the other creatures on the bridge. "A-a-as you command, my lord." Stuttered the creature.
"Do not stutter before you lord!" screamed the voice as the creature bowed and covered it's head with it's claws. "You know of The Pact. I shall always protect those who serve me. Work and speak to me as if you knew me for your entire life!"
"Yes, my lord. I hear and obey." Said the creature after it had gathered up its dignity.
"And what of the next planet?"
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Vaelok. We shall invade the orbital station at the planet called Bellerophon 3 by these humans. However, if any ship attempts to leave the planet, board it. As soon as we have control of the station, begin incorporating bombardment weapons on it. We will then run a scan of the planet. If the artifact is not there... invade the planet." The voice paused for several seconds, and said calmly: "And tell the legionnaires to capture as many of the humans as possible. I have a plan-"
Before the voice could begin to speak of it's plans, two more of the creatures walked onto the bridge, dragging a vainly resisting human with them. The human was dressed in the standard UNSC uniform and armor, and had very minor burn marks on his hands, as if they had been near a flame of some sort. His head was also facing the floor, and a dark bruise could be seen on the back of his neck. One of the two creatures spoke to the source of the voice. "My lord, we have brought you this human scum from one of our hangars. He had apparently stowed himself aboard a shuttle, although I do not see the damage that a single one of his kind to do to a ship like this one."
"That intrigues me as well. Set him before me." Commanded the voice.
The two creatures threw the human onto the metal floor before them, and a loud clang echoed from the striking of the armor against the floor. The human did not lift his head, as if afraid to see the being that created the voice.
"Leave us." The voice said quietly. All the creatures in the room left immediately, filing out in neat, orderly lines. Many of them glanced at the human in almost a look of pity, as if he was about to suffer the worst torture in the whole universe.
Once the room was quiet, the voice spoke in a calm but demanding tone. "Tell me everything about yourself and the weapons that your race holds, along with every ounce of information about your anatomy, and any other information regarding... ancient alien structures."
The human remained silent.
"I will warn you once. If you do not tell me what I need to know voluntarily, then I will take any information I need from you by force." The voice warned.
The human began to look up.
"Ahhhhh... You are one the few brave enough to behold my visage. I respect that. Most cower in fear. Continue, and behold what sits before you." The voice said proudly.
The human finally looked into the face, and gasped.
"You see? I am not pleasant to look upon. Because you have shown courage, I believe that I must give you a more... proper introduction. I am Vulkarius, Emperor of the Vocorian Empire." The voice explained. "My empire comes from a galaxy that is approximately 24 million light-years away from this general area of the galaxy that you call the Milky Way. According to the astronomical data salvaged from your databases, you humans would refer to it as Sb-type spiral galaxy M64, located in the constellation Coma Berenices. We have control of a vast amount of territory. Speaking of which, do you know the name of the aforementioned galaxy, human?"
"Yes, I do. It's called the Black Eye galaxy. I excelled in astronomy at the UNSC trading academy." Said the human carefully.
"Very good. Now, you must give me your name." The voice inquired.
"I'm called Pyro. Not that it's anything to you." The human said.
"That's true... Now then, Pyro, prepare to spend the rest of your measly existence aboard this ship. The only times you will leave the brig will be for memory retrieval. I will access your brain, and take any information that may be of use to me. Goodbye." Vulkarius called for some guards.
Immediately, two Vocorians walked onto the bridge, and dragged Pyro off.
Vulkarius pressed several buttons on a terminal. Then he said: "Now, I will commence with the rest of the plan I have in mind. I'll have to brief Goross later."
And thus, the alien ship continued towards its destination...
Commander Kronus Noslomee paced the bridge impatiently. "Where in the seven hells are those scouts!?" he roared. "I'd better hear a report soon, or I'll start bashing your puny skulls in!"
A few grunts quivered in the background after hearing the words 'bashing', 'your', and 'skulls'.
Noslomee loved the watching the grunts quiver in terror. It was his opinion that grunts were placed in the Covenant forces for the amusement of the other soldiers. Most of the crew agreed (at least the ones that weren't grunts), and almost always laughed about it.
Suddenly, one of the bridge's doors produced a tone and slid open with a hiss, and a troop of several elites strolled onto the bridge.
"By the names of every god, what took you so long?!" Noslomee roared. "Speak quickly, before my blade finds your heart!" Noslomee motioned his hand menacingly over the hilt of his plasma sword at his belt. At that moment, one the elites spoke up.
"Commander, the planet Harvest has been destroyed. Whoever was there before us, they glassed the planet. It's in ruins." The elite said.
"Was it one of ours?" Noslomee asked.
"No." The voice said callously. "Our scans revealed that whatever bombarded the planet was using huge amounts of supercharged electricity. Our guess is that the attackers were using... macroelectric weapons."
Noslomee looked shocked. "That's not supposed to be possible. Our weapons designers have tried for centuries to come up with that kind of firepower. It's even supposed to be only theoretical!" Noslomee then spoke in a whisper. "What else? What of the humans?"
"No survivors, commander." The elite said. "Every deteriorating biosign we detected was burned from the electricity." The elite wondered what could have massacred the humans in such a way.
Noslomee pondered this news for a moment, wondering what to make of the information. "This is very interesting indeed. Perhaps we have allies somewhere in the galaxy. Set a course for the homeworld!" He barked at one of the grunts, who was the navigations officer. He then turned back to the elites. "I must speak of this strange incident to the prophets, and you'll be coming with me. I think that they'll be very intrigued by this bit of news."
As the Covenant Vessel entered slipspace, a long, bulbous, black ship roughly a mile from the Covenant vessel's previous location faded into view. The ship sat in space for a moment, elongated, and disappeared into a flash of light.
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