Sol: Deep Space

"Sounds good to me tell the rest of your boys to group up and go around the back of the station, split the enemy to chase us down. Then we we meet up again on the other side we take out each other's tailgaters." said Roschev with a grin. "You get that Skulls." "Hell yeah," "Let's do it."

"Alright, let's go, A43 on my wing, hope you are good at playing Chicken."

"Neptune, our boys are doing good out there," said Shogun, "We'll be sending Juggernauts out soon."

About half of the Derith fighters bean flying around the station. The battle was the Allies' to win. "I'm on your wing," said Luk, "Chicken? Of course! So let's go!" Juk was quite energetic.

"Alright, crewmen, scramble escort Sparrowhawks." "Sir." "Sparrowhawk escorts, prepare to launch, prepare to launch."

The Skulls and the other ships headed the opposite direction. "Already Sharks, you better not suck at your jobs, you have to go right past my boys and take that bogie off their ass." said Roschev, getting ready to do the same for them.

Eight Juggernaut Gunships launched off of Shogun, two of which armed with a mech and four Derith soldiers. The team was ready for a hot rescue.

A squadron of Hellfires did exactly as Roschev said. Luk stayed on Roschev, covering him where it was needed. "I just got word from Shogun. They are sending out their rescue," Luk communicated, "We got to be ready for the Juggernauts."

A number of alien fighters were destroyed and many more were damaged or left adrift. Still there were others that weren't going to make it easy to get to the station.

The escort fighters fell into the place around the gunships, roof top turrets swiveling and tracking distant targets until they would come into range.

The Juggernauts made they're way to the station, taking out as many fighter as they could with their turrets, but the Sparrowhawks were helping.

Among the gunships was Deri's Pride, which carried a mech and a squad. The ship was notorious for it's squad dying. The soldiers were nervous, but they couldn't let that stop them.

What met them in the hanger bay was a makeshift medbay. A number of the red skinned Zel were running about and trying to tend to their wounds. As the gun ships descended some navy blue armored security troops ran up with rifles in hand, not that they could do much but they were desperate to defend their station.

One of the mechs was deployed. He was immediately shot at, but the armor deflected all attacks. "Stop your firing," said the mech pilot, "We are here to help. Get aboard the gunships and we will evacuate you."

"Wounded first." one of the guards announced, blinking his four yellow eyes in relieve as the others in his group went to get he wounded into the ships.

"Gunships, we may have a problem, something big coming in, we need to be loading up and jumping out." said Roschev as he and the others worked at mopping up the remaining fighters.

"Everyone get in!" Instructed the mech pilot, "We have to go, we need to be gone yesterday!" Deri's Pride's crew looked like it was going to survive. "Alright, you squads," said the mech pilot, "One to a ship, keep the aliens calm."

The Zel were fairly calm and once aboard the ships aside from those wounded most appeared to be praying. "Alright, all fighters cover those gunships, we're packing up and shipping out." called Roschev.

The Shogun moved in closer and the gunships made they're way to the hangars, all of the remaining fighters returned. "Any remaining UP fighters, we have room aboard and we are read for jump, make your choice," Shogun came across the radio.

"Alright Skulls, any port in a storm, let's get out of here." The UP ships headed in to the Shogun's hangers at least until they were out of the combat zone. As soon as all the fighters were loaded the Neptune jumped and not a moment too soon as a massive black ship snapped back to real space and obliterated the station with its first shot.

Shogun arrived back in the fleet. War demanded a report from Shogun. The report was delivered. The hangars were once again opened and the UP fighters were released. After Shogun's exciting battle, one of its hangars were designated a refugee bay. What a mission.

Initiating final pre-voyage checks.

Cargo loaded? Check. Shields stabilized? Check. Energy crystals activated? Check.

Life support online. Defense systems online. Engines online. Comm’ systems online. All systems go!

All personnel to stations! Dimensional breach in… shatu… shinbali… mokhad…

Darkness.

Void.

Emptiness.

A flash of light.

Just outside the border of the Sol system, a flash of light erupted in the dark emptiness of nothingness and gave chase to the endless shadows of space. A swirling vortex of purple, blue, red, and gold forged a violent tempest where there was once a calm blackness. Like a raging sea storm the energies churned, gathered, dissipated, and thundered as a funnel in the fabric of space and time formed. Blue and violet lightning illuminated the cosmic maelstrom.

A blinding light erupted from the vortex. Three enormous shapes emerged from the maelstrom in single file. Their surfaces were like golden diamonds that radiated with auras of shimmering light. The hulls of the vessels were crystalline and seamless. Like three stars, they hovered unhindered by the cosmic wrath of the vortex. Two of the vessels were triangular while the third bore a more rectangular shape. All three of the mysterious vessels rivaled the size of the asteroids that they brushed passed with little effort as they lumbered towards the center of the star system.

For the humble humanoids that called the Sol System 'home', the brilliant multidimensional portal mine as well have been a fireworks display. Whispers of the incredible energy-surge left in the wake of the dimensional breach echoed for millions of miles on end, easily reaching the ever-searching scouters and radars of the Terran National Government. It wouldn't be long before the three massive vessels confronted a trio of much smaller-looking ships. The insignia of the TAF was plastered over their hulls, as did as each of the vessel's names. Joy Ride. Theseus. Nero's Fiddle.

The first of the trio, Nero's Fiddle, advanced towards the hulking leviathan ships with considerable speed. A hail would be sent to their bridges quickly. If they chose to accept them, they would be presented with the holographic image of a young, stern-faced man with raven locks, adorned in a finely-pressed military uniform.

"Unknown parties," the image spoke, "please identify yourself immediately. This is Captain Aaron Vrail with the Achaian Armada. You are intruding in Terran space."

Sire, three incoming vessels. They appear to be signaling for communications. Shall I respond?

Aye. Activate the Arcaneogram.

As you wish, my lord.

After a moment the screen within the bridges of the Terran vessels would come to life with a mirage of static, as if the receptors were trying to comprehend a signal that had never been previously encountered. An eerie low hum resonated from the speakers. Slowly the snow storm of incoherent pixels warped and shifted. Cosmic energy flowed through the screen like a conduit as it was gradually illuminated with a golden hue. A soothing and calming aura of tranquility and peace flowed from the object along with a soft tune that melted away any anxiety, tension, or uneasiness in the room with the symphony’s warm embrace. The radiance flowed from the glass like a graceful golden flame and melded into a tall humanoid form.

The figure grew in size until it nearly doubled the height of the human crewmen. It was wrapped in long flowing robes that just barely covered the being’s clawed, paw-like bare feet. A long furred tail swayed along the ground. Short golden brown fur covered the being’s body large and muscled body. Like a shining waterfall, a golden brown mane surrounded a fierce yet noble feline-like face and flowed down his shoulders and back. His eyes shone like two stars that illuminated an aura of great wisdom, power, nobility, virtue, and honor. A massive broadsword, jagged and covered in glowing runes, rested in his paw-like hands. They gripped the hilt and held it like a cane with the point facing downward. The image of golden light and warm flame shimmered slightly as he raised a clenched fist to his chest in a salute.

“Greetings, friends,” the being said in a deep, strong, yet gentle voice, “I am Neodin Shadowslayer, son of Lo’din the Fearless, King of the Aryites, High Priest of the Chosen, and Prophet of Leolik. On behalf of the Khroniktan Alliance, I extend a banner of peace and friendship towards you and your race. Please respond if you can understand me.”

"We greet you then, King Shadowslayer," Aaron Vrail nodded, "and we are pleased you come in peace. We understand you perfectly. If you would tell us where you come from in the Multiverse, how you came to our system, and why you decided to come here?" There were still questions to be asked, of course. Just because someone said they didn't want in trouble didn't mean there was no threat.

The two other ships pulled up to Nero's Fiddle in a flank, but made no aggressive or hostile actions against the Aryites. Vrail briefly turned to a nearby technician. "Search the Union archives," he commanded, "get me everything you can on the Khroniktan Alliance, if there is anything at all."

“Our people hail from the world of Khroniktus, a domain not of this realm.” replied the shimmering visage of the Aryite priest-king. “It is an ancient world abundant in arcane and magical energies. We have journeyed here through a gateway formed between the folds of time and space in search of kinship among the stars. Several of your moons ago we encountered a faction known as the Aschen Empire during another of our explorations into this dimension. After a short diplomatic meeting, we had agreed to meet on the world of Terra in order to secure a possible treaty and trade agreement. Our vessels come bearing gifts and diplomatic convoys for your people. In exchange for the many exotic foods, trinkets, furs, and other trade items on board our cargo vessel, we were to acquire knowledge and technology.”

As the Terran vessels drew closer, an invisible scan resonated across the ships. Information regarding cargo manifests, weapons, positions of personnel, blueprints, and other information that may be a boon in case of hostilities poured into the Khroniktan Frigates and Galleon. Their crystalline hulls shimmered with light as the defensive shields were activated.

They were new to the cosmos, but they were not naive to the possible dangers that lurked in the darkness.

Aaron frowned slightly at the mention of the 'Aschen.'

"I am sorry that you had the misfortune of meeting with the Empire before you met with us, High Priest," Vrail nodded, "you must have come to our dimension in a different time when Terra was under the occupation of the Aschen. We have since fought them off and regained our sovereignty as a planet. Although we currently have an uneasy peace with the Empire, it was not in their place to designate our home-world as the grounds for diplomacy between your two nations."

Aaron cleared his throat. "That said, I would be happy to welcome you into the Sol System as guests of the Terran National Government. My people would be only too happy to receive you on our planet, if you would allow me to escort you there?"

The Aryite king’s lion-like maw tensed with a frown. He turned for a few moments as he brought his attention to an unseen party. King Shadowslayer spoke long with them. His words bore vague resemblance to a miss-mash of the Terran Middle Eastern and African tongues, yet they flowed like an ancient river refined by the guidance of time. There was a long pause as the priest-king locked himself in deep thought. Finally he returned his attention to the Terran.

“Yes, Captain.” he said. “I am afraid we were delayed due to certain… domestic issues on our home world. The construction of these vessels and the advancement in our portal magic were temporarily halted by an aggressive and advancing military campaign against our lands by a most heinous and dark entity. However, after a grueling and courageous stand, we were able to push them back and resume our research.

“We offer thanks for your hospitality, Captain, and would be honored for you to guide us to your world. Lead on!” he said with a smile. The cosmic energies forming the visage of the Aryite king began to dissipate. Within moments the bridge of the Terran vessel returned to its previous state.

The Triremes turned in formation quickly, their thrusters blaring as they began the journey through the Sol System back to Terra.

Aaron Vrail, meanwhile, would be consulting with one of his technicians.

"We have nothing, sir," the crewman shook his head, "whoever these 'Khroniktans' are, they're not in our records. Or in the Scatteran's. I think they were telling the truth when they said they were from another dimension. No organized nation has had contact with them in... well... ever."

Vrail sat contemplatively in his seat, mulling over the facts. On one hand, accepting the Khroniktans posed a dangerous threat. This union was alien and mysterious. Who was to say the lion-men were not plotting their downfall this minute aboard their ships? The Trireme's backs were turned to their own. It would be easy to shoot them down now. What if the Khroniktans were enemies in disguise?

That said, if the Khroniktans WANTED to kill them, wouldn't they have done so already? The fact that they were willing to commune and treat in a civilized, respectable manner already spoke volumes about their character. Perhaps they truly desired diplomacy? If so, then securing an extra-dimensional ally for Terra could also be an enormous asset in the long run.

Pros and cons, pros and cons. Though young, Aaron was anything if not careful. Reason and intellectualism had always been the captain's principle moral guidance, and they hadn't let him down since. They had advanced him through the university an early age, keeping him at his books while he friends went off to party and drink. They had kept him prudent and disciplined in his service to the TNG, quickly elevating the aspiring soldier from bridge technician to forward-defensive overseer to first-mate to captain. It would see him through now, in this trial.

"Open a comm-link to the Aryite," Vrail gave an order to one of his men. A moment later, the audio-link would be established.

"I thank you for joining me, King Shadowslayer," Aaron spoke calmly and fluently, "since we're relatively close to Terra, I'm going to refrain from using slipspace travel or any other means of hyperspace transportation. Just a steady thrust should see us there in a few hours time." He twirled at a curl in his hair. "Perhaps you could tell me about your people? Your nation? You must understand that no one in this universe has any idea who or what your alliance is. We don't even have a basic grasp of it, really. We are very eager to learn."

As the Terran vessels lumbered through the cosmos, the Khroniktan ships followed closely behind. They gave no sign of acceleration, no sign of friction against the space dust or asteroids that surrounded them, or even the fabric of reality that wrapped around the physical entities that swam through its embrace. They simply went – like magic.

It was true. Due to the almost paranoid cautiousness that the Khroniktans practiced during the engineering and construction of their vessels, their ships were outfitted with enough firepower to take out a medium sized fleet and had virtually unlimited power. The Khroniktans took nothing to chance when it came to the unknown.

Sire, the human officer is requesting communication via audio. Shall I patch you in?

Aye, very well.

Yes, my lord.

“Aye, Captain.” The Aryite’s deep voice rang through the channel. To the average man, the being’s low resonance would be chilling, yet calming. It was like the low rumble of a waterfall mixed with the hum of a great battle horn. Neodin was a charismatic and careful speaker – a king in all rights of the word. “I honor the opportunities to strengthen the bonds between our peoples. During our scouting missions to this realm, we have accumulated a limited knowledge of your world.

“Our world, Khroniktus, is a world scarred by eons of war that has stripped the flesh of the earth. Most of Khroniktus is covered by wounds that have thus far been immune to any form of healing bestowed upon it. Only a small portion has retained the required sustenance for life, thanks to Leolik’s blessing. Due to the scarring, the ley lines that run through the fabric of the plane have been exposed, allowing access to the raw cosmic energies that flow at the core of Existence.

“Over the course of millennia, the Aryites – my people – and the Rokin, have learned to access and channel these arcane energies. Instead of creating tools to alter the world around us, we sought inward and studied how we could manipulate and harness the world – for the good of all. Generations of studying what your people call magic has made us adept in its properties. Because of our choice of advancement, we have remained in what your people call a ‘Late Medieval’ period. However, recent discoveries have prompted us to look outward – towards the stars.

“Overall, the Aryites are a peaceful people. We are a nation of scholars, sages, philosophers, magi, architects, craftsmen, and priests. We serve the mighty and righteous Leolik, who guides us in His ways and ignites within us the Eternal Flame. However, when provoked, we are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. A true Aryite fights with honor and ferocity, courage and cunning, strength and keenness of mind. Whenever a malefic tyrant has sought to encroach upon our sovereignty, they have always been met with far greater resistance than they have comprehended!

“The Rokin have been our close allies for centuries. They are a stout race that has a resemblance to the avian species of your world, like the Aryites bear likeness to your wild felines. Rokin are renowned for their grand choirs, music, poetry, and literature. We have several among our voyage that are chronicling this momentous occasion.

“There are two other races among our confederation: the Derew and Elementals. A Derew is a noble and magical creature formed from the forest. They take the form of great living trees. The Elementals, as you may guess, are creatures that represent a personification of the elements. However, these two members of our faction are not represented in our convoy. Their preference is to remain in the territories that they have called home."

"Interesting," Vrail nodded, fervently listening to Neodin's brief insight. If he was truly the first man this side of the Multiverse to have contact with the Khroniktans besides the Aschen, then he wanted to know as much about him as he could. "It's a curious tale. Remarkable how such diverse and unique races can all unify together in a peaceful alliance. I think our own universe could learn a thing or two from yours."

The captain reached for a glass of water that an engineer presented to him, sipping at it tenderly. "You'll find that our little corner of existence is not much different from yours, King Shadowslayer. We have armies and empires and nations. There are weapons and cities and churches and schools. Magic exists as well, though no quite in the same way it exists for your people." Vrail took another sip, shaking his head. "But enough of this, you shall learn all there is about Terra soon enough." He leaned forward in his seat. "I am curious. You mentioned earlier that your Alliance has recently been engaged in a conflict with a 'most heinous and dark enemy.' Who is this enemy you speak of? Why were you at war? I should think that most of the intelligent races in your dimension would have allied themselves with you by now."