it takes a few days to reach the launch site, then the moon.
The same pale, weakly rep from the council begins outlining the capabilities of the ships. It is evident now, that he is human. He is the representative of the moon colony that survived the nuclear war. over the past few centuries humans have gotten weaker due to the low gravity, but as descendants of scientists of many fields they are very technologically advanced, and have colonized mars as well, where they get many of their resources).
The enterprise will be manned by humans, and the Matrix will be manned by the programs. Both ships use a black hole, or specifically the singularity as the main power source, drive, and theoretically defense. both ships are mainly designed as science vessels
The enterprises main role is as a science vessel, and cargo carrier. It is as the same size as the matrix, but has much less space, and has much less mass. this is because it has crew quarters, and other living spaces. It is lightly armed with gyro jet launchers (no recoil), and directed energy weapons. these are mainly for point defense. It's sensor arrays are superb, and are meant for studying, and detecting just about anything.
The matrix, being manned by programs, has much more room for equipment, armor, weapons, and power sources. It's black hole is somewhat bigger. It has the same point defense as the enterprise, but also carries heavier weapons. It has four batteries of rail guns, one on each side (right left, top, bottom), and on the lower half running down the spine there is a larger rail gun, that is big enough to be called a mass driver. it is fixed, and requires the ship to maneuver to aim. It's sensors are almost as good as the enterprise. The sensors are better at tracking multiple fast objects at great distances tho.
After study, and analysis of the anomalies, there is a theory that some of the effects seen can be recreated using the rip in time and space that powers the ships. It was already known that FTL travel, and "jumping" are possible using the black holes. Before the launch they do a few tests, and find that a shield of sorts can be made easily against the sort of power they might be facing. Whether they can harm it, is another question.
The strength of the crews is as follows.
013- good at research, and problem solving. this comes from their pro-progress and science policies. the scientists of the matrix crew
016- with access to cape canveral, and much of NASA's old work, they have become adept at space travel, a few probes with "colonies" have been sent out to explore the outside universe. the general populace of 016 is aware of their world's nature. It is hoped one day 013's population will be ready for the news. 016 are the general crew, and pilots of the ship.
137- masters of the computer world. This comes from their iron grip on the functioning of reality itself in their world. Actually pretty nice people once you get to know them. have an archaic view of things, treating technology in almost a mystical sense. they're not superstitious, it's just their culture.
Humans- They are born and bred in very low gravity, in sealed buildings, so space travel is instinctual to them. they are all very well educated, even the lowest workers. Every miner has a degree in geology. They'll try to stay out of trouble, and leave most of the danger to the matrix. they're scientists.
The crews board the ships, and head to the last recorded anomaly.
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Random Nonsense
King of the mountain/hill/mound/bump
It takes the council a few minutes to realize that the things being launched from the surface of the planet are not actually major ships per se, but are instead transports.
This does nothing to reassure them of the situation, however, as they still believe their enemies have noticed as well. Yet they have detected no movement into the general area.
"Perhaps they are only interested in biological life?" The deep voiced male ponders aloud.
"No." Lucifer, the lighter voiced male, replies. "We cannot assume that." He beings pacing. "I fear they suspect something we don't."
"What could that possibly be?"
The first, so far unnamed, female speaks up. "What is the destination of the transports?"
"This planet's moon." Earatar responds.
"Might there not be humans on that moon? The place Canuovea visited displayed a high level of technology, even to make it, surely they could have…"
"So, the Karian may be waiting for confirmation of organic life forms on the moon." Earatar finished. "We need to know what we are dealing with. I doubt they can defend themselves from Karian, but we could. I only worry about if they have brought in thrall from this galaxy. We cannot defend them against both."
Lucifer cut in. "Perhaps they are not trying to destroy these people. They probably just want to grab them for their own."
"We can solve two problems at once." The deep voiced male announces. "Send Calthorne in as an ambassador. That way we can discouver if they are worth protecting and if they could defend themselves from attack. Sometimes it is better to talk than fight. And since Calthorne has some experience with them… why not? I believe he should be more or less recouvered for this?"
Earatar nods. "So be it."
Within minutes a small ship is heading towards the moon, with the intent of reaching there just after the package from Earth. It is broadcasting a request along the lines of "Permission to come aboard?"
(touched up some dialogue that was bugging me…)
from around the moon come a squad of small two man ships. They are designed for asteroid interception. one of them fires a mesh net that envelops the ship so that the pilot can not tell where it is going. after some time there is gravity, and the net is removed, and the ship is inside some sort of hangar. there is a single door open at one end of the hangar.
"Proceed through the door"
through the door is a hall way, the announcer guides you through the hall, to a room with a single chair, and blank walls.
Calthorne dismounts his position from the ship and moves off towards the open door. He is dressed in his armour from earlier, the hole that had been punched in the armour is slowly repairing itself. Through the remaining hole in the armour there is what looks like bandages wrapped around his gut.
He stops abruptly, turns turns to face his ship, and says: "Now, stay you!"
He then continues towards the door and, when he sits in the chair (which he presumes is for him) he smiles and says, "Take me to your leader… or suitable representative."
"Oh good, a friendly fa-… well. Human turns of phrase don't always sit well with my kind."
"Alright then. I understand that you are familiar with the concept of alternative realities, yes? I'll assume so. Despite appearances, my kind are not human, you've undoubtedly figured that out by now. Where we come from is important, I'll try to keep this relatively simple. We are a kind of, category, of beings who find themselves able to travel from one universe to another. It is not so simple as saying "multiverse", as we find plenty of those too, and we may be in one which we ourselves are unaware of." He chuckles. "Either way, we are from an entirely different universe. We arose through a kind of, semi, natural evolutionary process."
"Despite us being not human, we are quite aware of humans, having run into them on a variety of separate occasions. Usually there are subtle differences between them though. Hence my comment on alternate realities. You'd be surprised with what we have found. We've come across people with green skin, for example."
"Anyway, we are here to oppose and improve, but improve indirectly and by permission. For example, your Earth is devoid of life. If you wish, we could provide you the means to change that. If You are content with the status quo you can choose to leave it. It is kind of a… hobby of ours. The main business is in dealing with our opposites. They are like us in their essence of being, but differ considerably in the origin and philosophy. In origin they were directly created. Philosophy, well, this is difficult. They like to improve things too, but without asking. Their approach to areas under their control is fairly… disturbing for us."
Calthorne pauses. "Okay, while they do not always take the same approach to the matter, I find this descriptive in a general fashion. Now, you wake up in the morning. Do you brush your teeth? You might decide not to, or you might decide to. It isn't my business. For them, however, you lose the choice. I've heard it described as watching a movie with every one of your senses, but not being in control. The upside is that they eliminate anything that could be considered negative. So, no war, disease, poverty, etc etc etc. You might even feel happy. But I don't think you can be happy, if you understand me? I am fairly biased I suppose. But that is what is meant when they say they grant you freedom. Freedom from choice and responsibility. We oppose them on a moral basis."
"Any questions so far, or can I move on to the, eheh, source of our power?"
"Okay. Source of our power is fairly simple. It is a part of what we are. We… are not physical creatures. We have a physical manifestation, yes, but that is not the principle factor. We aren't some form of energy either, not in a conventional sense. What we are is creatures of will. When we fight each other, it is only partially physical, and always a contest of wills to some degree. We decide that something must happen, and we can make it happen. It is almost what you would call psychic I suppose, or magical, whatever works for you."
"However, we have recently been careful to limit ourselves to more directly physical means of contention. This is because the last time we all started firing away at each other we left a permanent stain on the fabric of that reality. Not exactly what either side wants happening."
"We pop around from place to place doing our business. But how? Well, we could just do it ourselves. And sometimes we do. But when working on a galactic scale it is much better to have a base of operations, you know, to let us relax and not stress ourselves to death. Our BOOS, or base of operations ship, is relatively nearby. We call it George. Canuovea calls it the HMS Humming bird. I still don't think it looks a thing like a hummingbird. It is a large sentient space vessel, that is armed with what is basically the most conventional weaponry you will find with us. I think Canuovea had it made that way just for kicks, but I don't understand the man, and I'm certain he doesn't understand himself half the time."
"Also, with our decision to restrict ourselves to more physical forms of warfare, space has put us in a difficult situation. So we have living ships, like the one I rode in on. Don't get too close to it though, it might mistake you for food. They're worse then Beagles. Anyway, I hope we don't end up having to demonstrate how we fight with them, but it isn't conventional space combat. Fun fact, one of our Commanders named his "Pony."
"Anything else I can help you with?"
"could you give a demonstration of these powers? I think you'll agree that it is in both our interests for us to know what we are dealing with."
back at the george…
everything is normal. there's an asteroid that seems to have drifted out of the asteroid belt, but it's not on a collision course.
"A demonstration? That depends. You have already seen a Karian in action, it appeared and disappeared. That was what can be simply called teleportation. Physical death is not a permanent thing with us, as you will see when our leader returns. You saw how one of us appeared in that computer simulation, thing, of yours. And that was inadvertent, he was trying to find the creature. Will and direction took him out of the physical universe and into a digital one, by accident. I also communicated with you directly from outside your program."
"But if you want to see the power we can represent… very well." Calthorne smiles. "I wish to access the images pertaining to Vaerius' recent defeat as well as incident 'Transcendant Ire' and 'Restoration.' Yes, thank you commander."
"The first thing you are about to see is a particular incident that was dealt with by our current head of staff. You see, we do not take kindly to certain treatment of our charges."
A holographic simulation plays itself out in front of Calthorne. It involves a female in a kind of white armour standing on a thin object in space. "That is the very front of George." In front of her is a planet, covered in constantly broiling dark clouds. "A very technologically advanced civilization, in theory. Very aggressive as well. They seemed to think that the best way to deal with possible threats to their existence was to exterminate all life they came across. Not the nicest of fellows. We decided they shared a collective responsibility for genocide, as they were a race with a kind of collective consciousness, a hive mind if you will." The female regards the planet for a moment and gives a dismissive gesture. The simulation pauses. "This incident could have gone one of two ways, we use the ship or ourselves. Earatar felt that this was personal enough for her to warrant this reaction. Canuovea was less then pleased with this, but allowed it to happen." The planet shatters, and the fragments disintegrate. "You must understand, Earatar is one of the more dangerous of us, I could not do that, as I am simply an Auxiliary. She is a captain of the Praetorians."
Calthorne shrugs. "Not everyone was for that course of action. You should count yourselves lucky that she is not in full command of this expedition. She was all for incinerating your planet with George. Speaking of which, I will get around to demonstrating George's capabilities in a moment. But I figure having seen what we can do when we are feeling destructive, you should see what we do when we decide to repair. This is 'Restoration.'
A barren planet appears on the simulation than moves in closer until it is focusing on a single Praetorian, Earatar again, standing with a look of concentration on her face. "This was the second phase, coming after 'Transcendent Ire,' which you've already seen."
Earatar begins muttering to herself. "Carbon Dioxide. There. What else? Ah right. Make it so." The planet springs to life, returning vegetation and basic animal life, as well as actual atmosphere. "And the cities, as they were before." Strange buildings appear. "Were it I could restore the whole population. Caurus? Bring the survivors back home. Then we move to the next one."
"We are not omnipotent. That was only possible because a Praetorian was doing it and because nothing opposed her. Most plant life doesn't have a strong force of will, nor does metal and stone. Restoring that was easy enough. But we… cannot quite, bring people back from the dead. As you have seen, we do intervene sometimes, despite what Canuovea may have lead you to believe. But that was an extreme case."
The simulation ends. "There is one more thing that you should see. I will only provide an image of this. Not a moving picture. But it demonstrates what we are dealing with." A picture appears where the simulation was. In it a male dressed in armour similar to, though more ornate than, Calthorne's has a blade being pushed through his head by a creature almost exactly like the one that finished off Caligula's monster, except taller and of completely indeterminate gender. "That was our leader Vaerius. That is the leader of the Karian, named Zerus. This is why, at the moment, Earatar is in charge of this expedition. We expect to get Vaerius back at some distant point in the future."
"So, there you have it." Calthorne pauses. "Oh, we may have a chance to demonstrate George. I have just gotten word that George is feeling a little leery about an asteroid. They are currently debating if they should move away, blow it up with the star killer, or just let George ram straight through it. George doesn't believe that he can't ram straight through it, so he probably can. I know, what would you prefer?"
"Alrighty then. They want you to blow it up." Calthorne nods. "I don't think they have a preference. Uh huh… George feels like what?… Yes, I suppose he hasn't bisected anything for some time."
"I'll show you here in real time, in the very unlikely case that you don't know what is going on."
The hologram thing switches to showing George, it is made of a fluid length of white material that stretches from one end to the other, the front ending in a long, thin, pointed hummingbird like nose. The whole thing is dotted with glassy orbs. There are three particularly large ones though, one near the back of the ship, placed between a fold in the white material. A second is located just above and before the beginning of the nose. The final, and largest, runs along the bottom front of the ship (terminating a slightly further distance from the beginning of the nose than the second orb) for a good third of the ship's bulk. "The biggest one is what we call the star killer. We have tested it on stars, but I swear, George takes an almost sadistic delight in blowing chunks of space rock up with it."
George angles his belly up slightly, to a degree that he feels appropriate for the matter. The glassy bottom orb begins to glow a light pinkish colour. Next second a thin beam of white light shoots from the large glass orb and hits the very top of the asteroid. From that point the light continues along, very rapidly, until it hits the bottom. George simply maintains the beam where the asteroid has already been cut, creating a fan like shape. Before the asteroid can drift apart the beam splits open and becomes two separate, fan shaped, walls of light that incinerate the remnants of the asteroid. Immediately all the glassy orbs begin glowing different colours, then rapidly shifting. "He does that when happy." Calthorne ends the Hologram.
"Actually, one of the more natural methods of killing stars is simply to open a large black hole in the center of them, then shut it off before it consumes too much. It isn't particularly difficult to do that. George just likes flashy lights. And that is only one type of beam weapon he has available to him. It changes according to his tastes on that day, and the required effectiveness."
(Fun fact, the US navy are working on a free electron laser. They want one able to cut through 2000 feet of steel in a second. I did the math, sorta, and that should take about 30 days to put a hole in the planet from end to end. Scary thought, eh?)
"Oh. Hmm. Okay. Easy I suppose. You aren't anything overly novel to us, we just see you as another piece of the game."
"On a personal level, I find you all fascinating. But I don't get to make the decisions, the council does. So, let me see… And, mind you, this is just my impression of them. Lucifer doesn't hold a personal like or dislike for you. Basically he represents the status quo. Filraen is undecided, but I think he is leaning towards amicable. Caurus seems to like you, but that could just be to aggravate Earatar. Earatar is, as I said, our current head of staff, and I think she wants you all dead. You are lucky in that she is currently outvoted, and I doubt that any of the others will change their minds in that regard."
"You probably find us an annoyance, then again, I don't know the position of all your different factions. You may be curious about us, possibly optimistic with regards to some of what I have said, but… worried at the same time. We could be a danger to you, that is true. But, if you don't want our help then simply ask us to leave and we will, most likely, leave. I am also not entirely certain you understand the magnitude of the threat posed by our adversaries." Calthorne shrugs. "But this is just my personal understanding of it. After all, this is the first time I have had the pleasure of playing ambassador."
"Though, in order to help you, we need to know just how capable of defending yourselves you are. The problem arrives not just when we consider our adversaries themselves, but also who they may have brought along with them. We can fight Karian easily enough, but we cannot defend you from both them and any thralls they bring along at the same time. We can deal with that question if and when you wish it."
"Anything else?"
(Turns out that the fan art section has over 111 posts, the largest thread is about 138 or so I think).
(neither of us seem to be running out of ideas. 45 more posts to go. it'll be easy. After that, we just go on to make sure the record is never broken.)
"You don't know what we think of you, what our different factions think. I'll tell you. You just showed us a video of you blowing up a planet, and then recreating it, with only a few survivors. Compounded on this is the fact that your current leader wants us dead, with no explanation for why. You have a ship near by that can destroy stars, and seem to think of us like insects. We are barely armed, because til now there was nothing to fight. All we have in the way of weapons are equipment meant for knocking out asteroids, not beings from another universe with ill intentions. What we do have are Highly effective sensors for studying the unknown."
at that moment a hologram of the solar system appears, with the location of everything labeled. including any other ships in, or near the system, no matter how hidden they try to be. the enterprise, and the matrix are not on the map. at this point you don't know they exist, and have only guessed at the existence of humans
"You'll find we know exactly where the George is, and any other ships of yours, or anyone else. As an ambassador you have done poorly. an ambassador should calm any worries, and leave a good impression of those they represent. You have shown us a group that at best finds us interesting like a new insect, or wants us dead. Right now, if you want to help us, it seems you should kill your selves. We doubt you will do that, so tell us why, we shouldn't begin planning a futile defense against you?"
"And if your still interested in knowing the different stands of the factions, then here they are. 013 thinks that helping us was a coincidence, and you would just as soon torched the planet. 016 is of the opinion we should begin arming. 137 believes we should begin hiding, they are also grateful to you for making them look good."
"start talking, and talk fast. Why are you not a threat to be dealt with?"
"We are not a threat because if you want us to leave we will. Is that what you want? Just say so."
"But first, some misconceptions. No, the planet we destroyed remained destroyed. We were repairing planets that had been rendered dead by the inhabitants of the plant we destroyed. We do not kill for the sake of it, in fact we strive to avoid it when necessary!"
"Why our current chief of staff wants you dead? Here, let me lay it out for you nice and plainly. You remember Canuovea, yes? We may be practically unkillable, but that doesn't make death a pleasant experience. Self doubt is something we take very seriously. I believe if Canuovea were to take charge, our policy would be radically different. What you did is seen by Earatar as utterly unforgivable. The others see it differently."
"Next. Insects. No, not really, Insects are, generally, mindless. You are far more valuable, but that does not make you any more important to us then any other sentients that we have met. If we see you all equally in that light, then that means we see everyone as insects. And believe me. We do not. Do you care if you accidentally trod on an insect? Perhaps a fleeting moment of guilt at most. If that were the case, as soon as we discouvered Caligula's presence in your little computer system we would have annihilated the planet just to deal with it. It would be far more easy than our current approach. For that matter, if we discouvered him on a regular planet it would be easier to torch it and be done with it!"
Calthorne takes a couple of breaths to steady himself.
"And it isn't "The George" it is "George" just like you aren't "The Tiberius!"
Meanwhile, the ship in your hangar becomes antsy. That is a side effect of Calthorne becoming angry.
"Now, to explain something to 013. Helping you was not a coincidence, it was Canuovea's policy and my, personal, choice. Had I abandoned you as Earatar ordered and behaved like a good little drone you would all be dead now. I suppose that is the kind of behaviour that 137 would have preferred." Calthorne visibly calms himself. "I also believe that is the same course Earatar would have argued for, before the Canuovea incident."
"As for my position as ambassador… I am no good at sugar coating things. I tell the truth, as it is, and as plainly as possible. I really do hope you can defend yourself, Agent Tiberius, because with or without us here, you may have to. I await your response."
a few moments pass
"Thank you for the plans to the star killer, and all the other information we've acquired from your ship, they should come in handy."
A ship suddenly powers up right next to George, then disappears.
"thank you for this information, and the chance to stall for time. When I said we had no weapons, that was also a lie."
You feel a sudden change in the area. It seems your powers are blocked. The moon, earth, and sun also disappear.
"By now I'm sure you've guessed that there are human survivors on the moon. They are all descendants from the moon colony that survived the war, and thus are all descended from scientists. In the past thousand years they have produced amazing works of science, and technology. one of these, is an adept control of the fundamental force of gravity."
The George is suddenly sucked into a worm hole, and placed at the other side of the solar system.
"There is a lot you can do with gravity."
"You have made your choice. Very well. Good luck agent Tiberius."
"But a word of warning. They will certainly find such a display interesting."
Calthorne disappears, reappears on his ship, and then the ship moves off at a speed impossible for all you monitoring things to track.
A couple of minutes later George begins turning away. Then it stops and relays a message from Earatar. "Oh, you wouldn't happen to have people on Mars, would you? If you do, I suggest setting up some sort of defense. We noticed the Karian begin to move a moment ago, and Azraeel did say that she was moving on to the next planet, am I correct? And such parlor tricks are sure to simple attract their attention more. We are leaving you to your doom, as we should have done earlier. Try negotiating with Them!"
George simply disappears. There is no trace of movement, nor any kind of evidence to suggest it left or that it is still there.
At approximately the same time a fleet of ships enters the solar system near Pluto. They begin a systemic scan of the system which will discouver the location of anything hidden. One of the larger ones moves closer to Pluto and fires a missile into it. Three minutes later it explodes. One demi-planet gone.
Another ship becomes visible just where the sun had been, it had been using the sun as a place to simply sit and wait, the fusion pressures and energy had not harmed it in the least. This one is of similar size to George, but far more angular. George has always been of the opinion that it is uglier than him.
A Karian has already confirmed life on Mars and ground troops begin deploying. They are mostly thrall, and a handful of actual Karian, mainly second generation but four of the first generation. Karian are unaffected by any dimensional or force based parlor tricks, though it is possible that the thrall will be effected. The troops immediately begin closing in on any area that may have people in it, refineries or colonies (you did say that you colonized mars).
A transmission is broadcast throughout the system. "Surrender, we come to give you the gift of freedom." The voice behind it is incredibly cold and emotionless.
(I forgot to mention mars disappeared too, my bad. it did.)
(saying there not affected by anything based on force or dimensions. means literally nothing hurts them. if it is energy, it has some force. it is physical, it has dimensions. if it's based on will that still is dimensional, just the 5th one, instead of the 3rd.)
as the karian are searching the system, one of their ships is hit by an incredibly fast object. the ship is shattered. that is what happens when a planet going 0.1 cee hits you. this starts happening a lot, with swarms of steroids covrering them from missiles like chaff.
The planets reappear. just not where they were. They are currently where ever George went. It seems they hitched a ride, and Calthorne's ship never really left. it teleported away, but so did the location it was at.
a transmission arrives. "you seemed to be of the false assumption we were done. this really was your first time as an ambassador. word of advice, sending the person with the "I don't sugar coat things" attitude is a bad idea."
"We're not isolationists, at least not by choice. So when your group showed up and revealed how vast the world really is, there was no reason to stay in one place. We had already rigged our system to travel in a way, so we decided to take it with us."
"We will leave you momentarily to begin exploration, and liberation. if you wish to still talk we'll be at Ceti V"
from your records you see that ceti V is under karian control.
The rogue system disappears.
(Okay. The nature of Karian is similar to the others. They are hardly anchored in reality, if something happens naturally(ish) then they react oddly. For example, if you were to destroy the hill one was standing on, they wouldn't necessarily fall. They would kind of stand there in mid air until they decided to come down. It is a matter of thinking "I am standing here" vs "I am standing on a hill", it's world of difference. As for will, it is not it just being will that matters, but contending with their will as well. Very few things can do that.)
Lucifer looks at Filraen and mutters "This isn't going to end well."
"For who?"
"Them. Remember the last people who started tossing planets at Karian?"
"Point."
As soon as your location changes to Ceti V, everything seems to make sense. The crews find themselves unable to continue work, lethargically sitting down and almost going to sleep. Even the programs are exhibiting similar behaviour. All because this was always what they were supposed to do. The process is virtually instant and your people have no will to change the situation. The only one who is not affected is Calthorne (who was still stuck there it seems), and only with the greatest effort on his part. He knows he needs to resist and he can barely do it.
A planet attempts to hit the Karian BOOS (called the Sailboat by George and the Praetorians). It slows and disappears in a flash of light, along with all its chaff. The ships being destroyed by the asteroids and planets are not Karian ships, just that of their Thralls, so more just keep appearing. Even they aren't helpless, once they figure out what is going on, and start destroying the things, well, trying to, most of the time they just hit the asteroids, sometimes they get their target. Ships still get killed, but slower.
You forget that there was already a Karian on Mars. As it was purposely on Mars (it was thinking "I am on Mars"), and it didn't like being yanked all the way to Ceti V. It continues its work for a moment before noticing that Calthorne is in the area. It knows this immediately because Calthorne is able to resist the pressures of the place. Calthorne knows it is there and knows that it knows he is there. This prompts a panicked reaction involving the drawing of his sword.
Back in Sol. One Karian decides enough is enough. This is their leader, named Zerus. A moment of focusing is all it takes for the Earth and Moon to be pulled away from wherever they are and back in their proper place. Then Mars, then the Sun, then held there, all in an instant or two. This is lucky for your people, as it also breaks the hold that the unfortunate choice of Ceti V had on them. It is also lucky for Calthorne, because he was about to face a first generation Karian in battle and most likely have his intestines liberated from his gut. Again. He was also lucky that the Karian had decided "I am going to point X" rather than "I am going to wherever that blasted interloper is", as such, the Karian ended up in empty space.
Zerus also backhandedly destroys the asteroid belt, and all asteroids zooming around. Earatar blew up a planet; Zerus is a lot more dangerous than her.
In a matter somewhat different from Zerus' will, the Matrix and Enterprise both find themselves back in the proper solar system. This is both lucky and unlucky for them. Lucky because they escaped Ceti V, but unlucky because the Karian are immediately aware of them. The numerous Thrall fleet finish destroying Neptune (They don't seem to like useless planets) and turn their attention to the immobile ships.
The Karian BOOS finally moves out from inside the sun. There is a flash of light and Mercury disappears. Then Venus. It bypasses Earth and moves toward Mars. The Karian are more than willing to let their Thrall attempt to deal with your two ships. Ground troops begin appearing on Mars near any place where people are.
"That seems to be that." Earatar snorts and turns. "Next destination please. Calthorne will return later."
"What the hells do you think you are doing!" This is a new voice.
Earatar blinks. "Vaerius. We are leaving. They are arrogant, foolish, and deserve everything that is coming to them."
Lucifer picks up where she left off. "They have made their choice. There is no reas-"
"Turn this ship around!" Vaerius barks. "They hurt your pride, suck it up!"
Filraen: "For."
Caurus: "For."
Lucifer: "Opposed."
Earatar: "Opposed, and I will not participate!" She disappears.
Meanwhile, the Thrall fleet has already fired a salvo at the Enterprise and Matrix. Due to disorientation, the crew are unable to respond in a timely manner. Luckily, George materializes in time to take the brunt of the laser powered weaponry. George shrugs it off and responds in kind. Space glitters with (C-)beam weaponry as the Thrall fleet either retreats or is annihilated.
A transmission is broadcast throughout the system. "This is High Commander Vaerius. Retreat, or we will all die here." In addition to this, the moment George arrives, Zerus finds it impossible to maintain a hold on all the system. It relinquishes Earth, the moon, your ships, and the sun; but, it focuses even harder on holding Mars, and is able to do so because Karian presence is already established. Vaerius sends a transmission to your people: "We will deal with Mars and try to protect the civilians there. Get as many of your non-military personnel out of the area, I suggest somewhere that isn't infested by the Karian, something in the direction of the Andromeda galaxy."
You also find that all the information you lifted from George about the star killer has been replaced by an apple pie recipe, and this includes inside the memories of those who lifted the information. It is a fair trade really, after all, it is a really really good apple pie recipe. "And I do believe that is ours."
With that, George and the Karian BOOS begin exchanging beam weaponry, but to seemingly no effect.
Praetorians, Legionaries, and Auxilliaries instantly deploy to Mars to counter the Karian advance on the population centers.
(uhhhm. you forgot a really big detail. A monumentous detail
Shields. specifically the ones designed to prevent all that from happening, and that work. Very well. They were on. Which means, the Ceti V effect did not work, and that nothing was pulled away. as far as will based powers are concerned, anything shielded does not exist. this is a pretty big part of what I was doing. the karian couldn't even know that I appeared in their system.
sorry to contradict what you said, But the defense against near omnipotence is not to be forgotten. it's one of the few things that gives me a chance, since you can destroy planets with your mind, and I can't touch you, or anyone else in a harmful way. It would be like me saying the karian died of being shot. it doesn't work.
did you really think me that stupid? That I'd go to an area of mind control without a defense against mind control?)
(Ah. Shields, kinda forgot about them. Didn't think that those effected the fabric of space, but it does make sense, if you brought your own chunk of space with you and simply existed out of the area you were are.)
(In that case, they see no reason to follow you, as you seem to be doing fine on your own. And they aren't going to risk moving into an area already claimed by the Karian as it would put them at a disadvantage in a fight. In which case they also see no reason to fight for empty space. Having already arrived, somewhat confused, the Karian begin assimilating the area regardless of whether or not something is there, just in case.)
(This makes it your move, I don't see what else they would do. Except Calthorne, who is still stuck on the moon, and he doesn't quite know what to do).
(no prob. I'll go ahead an explain how the shields work.
most of my tricks from this point are based on gravity, black holes, and white holes. White holes are a concept I came up with my self. they are basically the opposite of black holes, and provide a repulsive force, rather then an attractive one. The way the ships/planets disappear are in two ways. either they worm holed away, or they bend light around them rendering them invisible to all spectrum of light. this makes them very hard to detect, except for the gravity distortions that can still be found, but you have to be looking for them closely. To protect against will based powers they use the fact that black holes are holes in the fabric of space and time. They then manipulate it further to render them selves non-existent to the 5th dimension {it might not be a "#th dimension", but referencing the twilight zone is always a noble thing} they can extend this shield from will based effects a large distance, but is limited to the size of the black hole used. there is one built into the sun… it can effectively shield most of a star system. the field emanating from it would end between Saturn, and Jupiter. anything farther then that would be doomed, unless it had it's own field.
I like to base my powers on stuff I at least have a working knowledge of, but leaves wiggle room for my own imagination. thus computers (I love computers, and the matrix), and black holes (I've researched them before).
also. they can access the 4th dimension (time), but don't unless it's dire circumstances.)
They don't realize they have a kadrian on mars. They do suddenlt realize they've kidnapped calthorne.
a short snippet of what the conversation sounds like.
"alright onto busine- Is Calthorne still there?!?"
"Oh shit! How did we forget!"
"Crap crap crap. calm down, we have a god like being on the moon. Our shield should protect us."
"But His friends will be looking for him! and they'll start shooting! we can only run for so long."
"okay. uhhm… we'll just hole him out of here, and back to his ship."
"But then the people on those planets over there might notice, the sudden change in gravity. they're not noticing our small disturbance now, but if we make a worm hole, and don't move ourselves, they'll know where we are."
"ok ok ok. I got an idea"
Calthorne hears Tiberius again
"would you like to come meet our leaders I'm afraid you are stuck with us for the moment. We apologize for the inconvenience, it was not on purpose.
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