[OPEN] The Shadows of the Past

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Ah yes. I see...", said the Grand Templar, looking at the three humans. "Not the cargo we usually expect, eh? Hmmm... I recognize them."

A Terror Blade winced. "What, Shan'do?"

"These humans. They are... from the fictional works of the humans from long ago. I can just barely recognize them, but I do. From my knowledge, the Jugsar created humans, or at least human like organisms and implanted them with memories of certain characters from human fictional works. These are just some of them."

The Grand Templar then looked back at the humans. "Well, well, you need not suspect of us. I am Grand Templar Shan'do Ulter, leader of this expedition. Your robotic friend has asked of us to bring you to somewhere nice, which we will do shortly."

 

[Nyq]

The trio were immediately sent into confusion by the sudden change in events. Grand Templar? Expedition? Robotic friend? What's happening here? Since when they had robotic friends? The most important question is that where is the somewhere nice the strange looking person spoke off? Things seem to be kinda off now.

The man in the business suit straightened his black clothing with his hands before he looked at the so called Grand Templar. In a serious tone, he asked:"What are you? You certainly look too strange to be a human, isn't it?"​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Oh, of course I am not.", the Grand Templar turned. "I am Altaran. I am what humans would consider an alien. Just like my companions here. Worry not. We are not the genociders upon humanity that your media has probably shown you."

His tone then changed a little bit. It was more serious.

"As a matter of fact humanity killed many of us. But enough talk. We are bringing you to our kind allies, the humans of the Colonies. There, it is where the concept you call freedom and democracy upholded like its a god. Not too bad for your taste, probably, eh"

 

[Nyq]

The trio continued to eye the Grand Templar suspiciously, one of them only because he clearly doesn't understand the speech of the alien, forcing the Grand Templar to reiterate his earlier speech in the man's language.

The soldier took a moment to think about his current predicament, while the man in the business suit and the girl kept bickering with each other. Quite a while later, he said:"幹他媽的，我還是跟你走吧。反正呆在這兒也是等死而已。(Fuck it, I'm going with you. I'm only waiting to die if I stayed here.)" He then proceeded to take a few steps forward. "地方在哪兒? (Where's the place?)"
​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

The trio continued to eye the Grand Templar suspiciously, one of them only because he clearly doesn't understand the speech of the alien, forcing the Grand Templar to reiterate his earlier speech in the man's language.

The soldier took a moment to think about his current predicament, while the man in the business suit and the girl kept bickering with each other. Quite a while later, he said:"幹他媽的，我還是跟你走吧。反正呆在這兒也是等死而已。(Fuck it, I'm going with you. I'm only waiting to die if I stayed here.)" He then proceeded to take a few steps forward. "地方在哪兒? (Where's the place?)"
​

"Hmm. Most wise.", the Grand Templar said as he floated a bit higher up to the air. "This station is all but abandoned and you probably won't have anything to eat."

At the soldier's question of where is the place, he nodded at first. Then he said,
"Let me put it out like this. We will be going to another galaxy to reach the place. Fortunately, it will take all but an instant." If he had a mouth, he would have snickered, smirked even. "More than 10,000 light years away, and that doesn't count the void between the galaxies. However, as I said, it won't take long."

He then turned to the girl and man in the business and said, "So, how about you? Make your choice. Stay here and starve, or live amongst humans like yourselvee, in a country with free education and what not."

 

[Nyq]

The girl and the man in the business suit stared at each other for a few moments, throwing a few glances at the strange soldier occasionally. After quite a while of waiting, the soldiers started to tap his feet onto the ground repeatedly in annoyance, hurling curses at the duo in his mind for being such pessimists.

It took another 5 minutes for the duo to make a decision, that is to follow the strange soldier. Anywhere is better than a place with nothing to eat.

"I guess we'll have to follow you, alien." said the man in the business suit before stepping forward.​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"A most prudent decision.", the Grand Templar said upon hearing the man in the business suit agree. "Follow me to the ship then.". he went as he and his escorts begin walking/floating towards the exit of the facility.

 

[Nyq]

The trio followed the alien onto a really advanced looking metallic structure, filled with dozens of humanoids with the same appearance as the Grand Templar. The girl watched the aliens in excitement, while the others scanned their surroundings with caution.

"Can I touch this?" asked the girl, pointing towards a button before accidentally pressing it. "Nevermind."​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Oh...", the phase smith of the ship whimpered. "You just activated FTL. Good thing Ulther here already told me to set the coordinates beforehand..."

One of the Night Haunters decloaked and appeared out of thin air at front of the soldier. "In case you are wondering, FTL means faster than light. Brace yourselves. Grab a handrail. Now."

 

[Nyq]

The trio was surprised by the sudden appearance of the Night Haunter, taking a step back in shock. His words had put even more confusion onto the men and women. Although the soldier immediately grabbed the handrail without questioning the newcomer, knowing that the instruction was for a reason, while the other two doubted the man's words, their mouth moving to question his words. However, they don't have the chance as their faces met the metallic ground as the ship went FTL due to a force known as inertia, and they wouldn't have the chance to get up for quite a while. Moans of pain could be heard from the two as they were dragged through the floors of the ship as it continue to speed up.

Meanwhile, the Night Haunter stared at the duo as if they were stupid. "See, I told you so."​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Well, well.", Ulthan said as he floated towards the duo who were still on the floor. "We are at our first stop. Antiga Prime. Come and see, my friends.", he said as he motioned for the three to come towards the window.

As they looked out towards the world below, they would see a lush,verdant world. Blue oceans spread towards the west, and a green continent is placed to the east. Several space stations are barely visible from their ship, and another ship passed by. A human freighter from one of the smaller human colonies, Moera. Just as the freighter passed by, another ship, this time a Star Cruiser, warped in front of their window, effectively blocking their view.

"How rude.",Ulthan said while putting a hand on the soldier's shoulder nonchalantly.. "Oh well, AI's can't be talked out with stern words."

 

[Nyq]

The trio stared at the beautiful surface of the world, with the mouths of two of them wide open in awe. Even the soldier's facial features slightly changed as he processed the beauty of the planet. However, their gazing was cut short when a metallic craft suddenly appeared in front of the window, giving them the shock of their lives.

"What are those things?" asked the girl immediately after she recovered from the shock. "Are they going to shoot us?"

​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"No, girl.", Ulthan said in reply to her question. "Those orbital defense stations are tasked with protecting the planet, and they are one reason why it still looks like this. To be more correct, they are one of us."

He paused for a short moment, and asked something.

"Strange that I never asked your names. What are your names, hmm?"

 

[Nyq]

"Oh, uh, my name is Daisy! Daisy Bolen!" said the girl enthusiastically. Ulthan tend looked to the man in the business suit, who hesitated to answer the question.

"Name's Charion. Not really feeling like introducing myself today."

The last of the trio continued to stare at the blocked window for a while, before finally introducing himself. "莫國雄.(Mo Guo Xiong)" After that, he remained silent for quite a while.​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Hmmm... Daisy Bolen, Charion, and Mo Guo Xiong. I see. Good names you have there. Anyways..."

He floated back towards a command console being manned by a phase smith, to whom he gave an order. At least, that was they saw. An order.

Suddenly, the ship began to move towards the planet below. Its general direction is towards one of the space stations.

"We will take our rest there, before I begin to communicate with the Colonials to negotiate your... Integration."

 

[Nyq]

The trio looked in awe as the ship approached the space station orbiting the lush planet. As with most spacecraft they witnessed in their short journey, it was made out of mostly metal, with some unknown materials added into the mix.

"I hope they do have nice coffee." said Charion as he yawned​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Of course they do.", Ulthan said in a matter of factly way. "Every kind of race comes here, from humans, Versteks, and everyone, including my own people, the Altaran."

They landed without so much of a bump into a hangar. The trio would walk out of the door to see all manners of races walking around. A human female, dressed in a long blue robe of sorts, could be seen conversating with what seemed to a masked human male. Ulthan brought the three close enough to them to hear what they are saying. The lady had a very loud voice, and they could be heard to be saying,

"I am going to miss you, my love."

"Me too. I will be off to go to Aiur. Moera needs a diplomat to them."

"Okay, dearie... Take care."

With that, they embraced tightly and then parted ways, but the lady could be seen to be vaguely weeping.

Elsewhere, several Altaran Titanic Watchers strods across the massive hangar, their heavy frames casting gloomy shadows. A Star Gazer floated beside a Void Spectre, who appeared to be speaking to a Terror Blade. A Dire Avenger flew above the trio, and gave Ulthan a proper salute. In a little distance, chairs, tables, and a counter filled with all sorts of foods. These foods were vaguely similar to what Terra would have, presumably because of the numbers of human tourists here.

"Come now... I know you are hungry. I'll pay what you like.", Ulthan told them.

 

[Nyq]

The trio strolled through the counter, staring at all sorts of food presented to them. The aromas of the food items assaulted their nasal cavities, causing their stomachs to grumble in hunger.

Daisy looked over to a counter filled with chocolate chip pancakes with strawberry syrup, and took a giant portion of it.

Charion strolled over to the counters holding the classy food, taking a generous portion of steak and also a mashed potato salad.

Mo walked towards a counter, picking up a few mantou and preserved vegetables, while mumbling something about he's a soldier, not some pampered priss that needs classy food for every meal.​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Ahh, so that is all?", Ulthan said to the three people as they settled with their food. "Alright then..."

He went over to the counter, and paid the bill. The cashier was a Hydroxyl, who are basically beings that are made of cascading water; or just look like it. It took the money and placed it into a cylinder like device that pulsated with energy.

As he watched them eat in delight, a human with a long black coat and grey boots approached. He was...

"Ah, Greg. So long, my friend.", Ulthan would say to the human that just came over. "Being one of the Explorators gives quite a fortune, no?"

"Yeah, I think that treasure hunting all over the galaxies is a dangerous venture with huge rewards. Anyways, who are these?"

 

[Nyq]

Daisy noticed the human who walked towards Ulthan, eavesdropping on their speech while stuffing her mouth full of pancakes. In fact, her mouth has been filled with so much pancakes that she's barely able to chew it.

When the man asked a question about their identities, Daisy said cheerfully through her stuffed mouth.

"Heloh! Am Daisi! Dis is Kelion, und dis is Moh!"

The other two of the group facepalmed at the girl's antics.​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Uhm...", Greg sputtered at Daisy's antic. "Maybe you should not talk while chewing. Your mouth is so full."

"And I think it is actually 'Charion', not Kelion, ehhh?", Ulthan said, giggling.

But just then, a Void Spectre flew past above them, before retreating back.

"Lord Ulthan...", the Void Spectre said to him. "Several Colonial ships are just around the system. They can be contacted at any moment."

"I see.", Ulthan said in reply to the informant. He then looked back at the three, and told them that "Once you are done we will go to the comms tower to contact the Colonials."

 

[Nyq]

Mo calmly observed his surroundings as the others ate their food. He had already finished his a few minutes ago, unlike these pampered men and women who are still slowly chewing through their food.

Daisy was still going through her abnormally large serving of pancakes, while Charion has already finished his steak, and is now enjoying the mashed potato salad.

The man looked over to the direction of Ulthan for a second, before he was disrupted by a noise coming from the direction of Daisy, who yelped with her mouth full again.

"Oopsh, Shorri!"​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Any idea on just old they are??", Greg asked Ulthan as the two retreated a little distance away from the three still on the table. "You told me that-"

"Yes. Yes. We found them in an ancient, abandoned Jugsar cloning facility. Or so we thought."

"It wasn't really abandoned, was it?"

"Yes. It's guardians were still alive. We identified some of them as belonging to the Leth and Kapolek races, but others are apparently different mechanical and biological Jugsar creations. Only with an AI with a profuse metaphysical tongue telling us to the do in order to deactivate the guardians did we successfully get something out of it. We have a new powerful beam weapon at our hands, but it asked us a little favor to bring these people to them. They are not true humans, Greg. They are... artificial."

"So it is true. Well, here's Neptukos...", Greg said while looking over to the direction of an approaching Hydroxyl.

"What do they-"

"News."

"Master Ulthan. I have been looking for you."

"What is it?"

"The High Watcher of the Explorator Guild has heard that you gotten something useful from an ancient facility."

"Yes, yes.", Ulthan replied most eagerly. "Semantics are in the Star Seeker I commanded. I will tell them to send it to the High Watcher."

The Grand Templar then began to telepathically relay orders to the crew of the ship, who then hastily did what they were told. In a few moments, it was done.

He then looked back. Daisy and Charion were still gobbling their food while Mo was done. They can wait.

 

[Nyq]

By the time the duo had finished their meals, Mo has already strolled through the entire room, giving every single person in it a slight glance.

'This place is really strange' Thought the soldier as he casually walked towards the chair he was sitting, with Daisy still busy gobbling her pancakes while Charion sternly stared at her.​

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

"Ahem. I think we should be going.", Ulthan said when a messenger drone approached him and whispered a message. "The station has pinpointed the most suitable Colonial vessel, so to speak."

Meanwhile, in the control tower of the station, Station Keeper Arathar is patching a message to the Colonial ship.

"Hello? Hello?", Arathar kept repeating over the comms link as the magnetic storms in the atmosphere of Antiga Prime interfered with the signal. "Ah, here you are.", he said in relief as the screen finally became clear.

"So, greetings, Colonial commander. We have a humble request, if you may. Three humans from Andromeda wish to integrate to Colonial society. Will it be alright if your vessel will be the medium for this integration?"