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>>1349170
Welcome back to Death Among the Stars Quest!

Pastebins: http://pastebin.com/u/ceronull
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Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=death+among+the+stars
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Stockpile:
>25,400,000B
>88,100,000M

(Biomass stat + structures) * 500 * dev score + modifiers = Biomass income total
(Metal stat + structures) * 400 * dev score + modifiers = Metal income total

Income:
>7,275,000B
>19,480,000M

Horizon's Drop
>60B (60 + 30) * 500 * (35 + 40) = 3,375,000B Daily
>60M (60 + 40) * 400 * (35 + 40) = 3,000,000M Daily
>35% Developed
Structures:
>Biomass Farms: 30B
>Mining Facilities: 40M
>4 Wormstar Fingers: +40D

The Bastion system

Rukor:
>80B (80 + 30) * 500 * (10 + 10) = 1,100,000B
>10M (No Mining Presence)
>10% Developed
Structures:
>Coral Farms: 30B
>1 Wormstar Finger: +10D

Bastion
>30B (30 + 30) * 500 * (15 + 20) = 1,050,000B
>90M (No mining presence) + 250,000M
>15% Developed by Armada
Structures:
>Volcanic Farms: 30B
Modifier:
>Obsidianborn Tributes: +250,000M
>2 Wormstar Fingers: +20D

Protoplanet
>0B
>70M (70 + 40) * 400 * 75 + 450K = 3,750,000M
>75% Developed
Structures:
>Mining Facilities: 40M
Modifiers:
>Asteroid Belt: +450,000M

Bastions sister moon
>0B
>90M (90 + 40) * 400 * 40 = 2,080,000M
>40% Developed
Structures
>Mining Facitilites: 40M

Asteroid Belt: Gives 450K extra Metal to nearest planet (Protoplanet)


Urdir System:

Rocky Planet(s) x3 (A lot of the Armada's mining efforts have become focused here)
>0B
>50M (50 + 40) * 400 * 35 * 3 = 3,780,000M
>35% Developed
Structures:
>Mining Facilities: 40M

Ice planet
>70B (70 + 30) * 500 * 35 = 1,750,000B
>0M
>35% Developed
Structures:
>Biomass Farms: 30B

Andai System:

Clour
>15B
>70M (70 + 40) * 400 * (40 + 10) = 2,200,000M
>40% Developed
Structures:
>Mining Facilities: 40M
>Space Elevator + Station 88: 10 Development

B'Nan System:

Kanda
>5B
>90M (90 + 40) * 400 * 85 = 4,420,000
>85% Developed
Structures:
>Mining Facilities: 40M

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>>1349175
Special Units:
>8 Voidknight Disciples
>Gral, Void Juggernaut
>2 Void Juggernauts
>1 Reconstructed Sunscale
>Illuminator Juggernaut

Troop Totals:
>900,000 Talons
>3000 Aquatic Talons
>500,000 Cyclops
>6000 Aquatic Cyclops
>750,000 Stingers
>2,000,000 Gargoyles
>500,000 Aquatic Gargoyles
>1,000,000 Flatbody Gargoyles
>700,000 Trolls
>300,000 Shock Trolls
>20,000 Arc Trolls
>50,000 Molten Trolls
>240,000 Looms
>Crit Crawls (Blister, Zapper, Chatter)
>400,000 Stalkers
>50,000 Lurkers
>240,00 Shadows
>600,000 Scourges
>500,000 Dirges
>100,000 Obsidian Dirges
>Think Tanks
>Demi Think Tanks
>70,000 Requiems
>50,000 Brutes
>35,000 Crawlers
>10,000 Volcanic Crawler
>50,000 Drakes
>10,000 Devils
>100,000 Bone Cluster

Necrolyte Legion:
>1 Voidsinger Commander
>15 Officers
>20 Solar Arbiters
>80 Voidsingers
>38 Arcdancers
>13 Necromancers
>6,000 Legionnaires

Living Subjects:
>Necromancer Jor
>8 Necromancers
>6,050 Civilians
>650 Stonestar
>115 Tyrre Gladiators
>2 Epikor Elites (Gladiators)
>7 Ructu Elemental trainees

Armatocere Guests:
>6 Solar potentials
>3 Void potentials
>4 Arc potentials
>2 Necrotic potentials

Prisoners:
>Vle'Karak Ahkam Male Elder
>Dne'tec Ahkam Male
>Cve'jok Ahkam Juvenile
>21 Necrotic potentials
>20 Void potentials
>20 Solar potentials
>2,060 Osjiic Soldiers
>400 Freed Slaves
>99 Sunscale Workers
>10 Sunscale Scouts
>10 Sunscale Divers

Cloning Projects:
>10 Sunscale Warblood (4/4)

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>>1349212
Vehicles/Ships:

Unique ships:
>1 Flagship "Charnel Vault"
>Fury of the Wormstar
>Blackscale Destroyer "Pestilence"
>7 Void Terrors
>2 Pyroclastic Destroyers
>The Wick - Confederate Smuggler

Vehicles:
>10,000 Chariots
>5,000 Hearses
>2,000 Battletombs

Strikecraft:
>15,000 Coffins
>10,000 Support Coffins
>2,000 Stealth Coffins
>15,000 Common Nails
>10,000 Piercing Nails
>8,000 Gunships
>15,000 Craw-Bombers
>2,000 Intruder Coffins
>2,000 Stealth Gunships

Sub-Capitols:
>1,350 Corvettes
>920 Support Corvettes
>250 Stealth Corvettes
>100 Sower Corvettes
>900 Frigates
>200 Stealth Frigates
>500 Boarding Frigates
>695 Light Cruisers
>250 Boarding Cruisers
>345 Heavy Cruisers
>150 Boarding Heavy Cruisers
>130 Plasma Weaver Cruisers
>50 Stake Cruisers
>800 Bloat Carriers
>100 Terrordromes

Capitols
>163 Battlecruisers
>80 Hangar Battlecruisers
>85 Destroyers
>70 Void Destroyers
>240 Battleships
>10 Mirrorsoul Battleships

Captured Ships:
>7 Osjiic Heavy Cruisers
>8 Osjiic Light Cruisers
>18 Osjiic Frigates
>22 Osjiic Corvettes
>3 Osjiic Battleships
>5 Osjiic Destroyers
>4 Osjiic Battlecruisers
>10 Dagger disguised Frigates
>5 Osjiic disguised Frigates
>14 Osjiic disguised Fighters
>2 Ahkam Battleships
>2 Ahkam Destroyers
>2 Ahkam Battlecruisers
>3 Ahkam Light Cruisers
>8 Ahkam frigates
>7 Ahkam corvettes
>1 UON Battleship
>1 UON BattleCruiser
>1 UON Heavy Cruiser
>2 UON Light Cruisers
>6 UON Frigates
>7 UON Corvettes

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>>1349225
Completed Research:
>Quasiphasic Disruption: What originally started as a volatile accident has lead to a series of scientific discoveries, one of which was hardly predictable
>Void Reconstruction: Designed by the Voidknight Order they have created a new type of undead soldier
>Tenebrous lifeform investigations: The Tenebrous twin planets are host to unique ecosystems. Life is believed to have originated in the cavern systems of the larger of the binary planets that then spread to the surface only for the ecosystem to be duplicated on the smaller planet after ancient terraforming efforts by an unknown interstellar intelligence

Research Event:
>Quasiphasic Disruption breakthrough: A unauthorized attempt by a rogue Think Tank to reopen another Anomalous Rift have has lead to the creation of another. Rather than breaking down and resealing overtime this Think Tank has managed to stabilize the rift by using an initially crude amalgamation of Reality Anchor and Quasiphasic Locking technology.

Current Research
>Elemental Experiments: Ongoing, possibly Dangerous
>Anti-Wraith Technology: Slow
>Arc Drive: Slow
>Sub-Space Experiments: Slow and Dangerous
>Solar Technology: Slow
>Advanced Hardlight Structures: Slow
>Necrotic Drive: Slow, Unpredictable
>Advanced Quasiphasic Materials: Medium
>Quasiphasic Weaponry: Medium
>Advanced Mental Reading: Medium
>Advanced Orbital Construction: Medium

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>>1349233
Think-tank goes rouge eve for a bit=bad.
Very promising tech=good.
Stable Rift=*loud and confused sweating*

>>1349244
>rouge
Fucking kill me.

>>1349175
Holy Jesus we really need to bring our biomass intake. We've got nearly 4 times as much metal as flesh and we're a civ that requires roughly equal amounts of both in it's construction efforts, maybe we could trade with the Armatocere.

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>>1349233
Unlocked:
>Quasiphasic Disruption: While in practice the result is quite similar to the Sun-Eater Wraiths form of incorporeality this process is achieved harnessing the energies of the Anomalous Rifts. A Reconstructed unit enters a specially prepared pod where they are then subjected to intense bombardment by Quasiphasic Fields and the still mysterious energies of the Rift. If the Reconstructed unit survives the ordeal they are forever affected by the process, their physical form now out of phase with reality but still somewhat solid, their forms visually indistinct and seeming to fade in and out of solidity at random when at rest. By focusing they are able to enhance their natural disruption field allowing them to phase through solid objects for a short period of time before they solidify. If they occupy the space as a solid object when time runs out they will be shunted out toward the nearest open area or be trapped within the solid object, effectively destroying the unit. Due to the nature of their incorporeal state these Quasiphasic units are unable to use ranged weaponry with blunt weapons losing some force to their blows. Instead slashing and piercing melee weapons have significantly increased damage and armor penetration, blades or claws phasing through armor to strike solidly at the flesh or circuitry beneath. Only regular sized Reconstructed can undergo Quasiphasic Disruption. It is extremely unlikely for elementally infused Reconstructed other than Necrotic to survive the process.

Unit unlocked:
>Void Centurion: Standing nearly as tall as the Voidknights these heavily armored Reconstructed are powerfully infused with Void energy and additionally enhanced with a Void Core. Equally deadly in melee with voidbone weapons or at range with void infused weaponry they serve as the personal shocktroops and vanguard of the Voidknight Order.

>Void Juggernaut: Modeled after Juggernaut Gral these Large Reconstructed use the base model of Brute but are heavily infused with Void energy and further enhanced with a Void Core. Preferring melee combat with massive tower shields and voidbone flails they nonetheless will sport Voidflayers and Voidscreamers, supplemented by their volatile breath attacks.

>>1349244
Think Tanks would look good in red

>>1349348
Tenebrous Lifeforms: The twin worlds of Tenebrous possess a variety of unique lifeforms, the shadow shrouded worlds truly alien among the galaxy with equally alien inhabitants. Among their number several have shown potential for use by the Armada.

Fauna:
>Basketmaw: Appearing at first to be a strange form of bioluminescent plantlife the Basketmaw is actually a large sessile invertebrate organism that can reach up to two meters tall and up to three meters in diameter at its widest near the base. With a radial bodyplan the basketmaw has rows of limbs resembling branches lining its bulk, these branches covered in a multitude of luminescent cilia covered in sticky digestive juices that capture and transport food to its mouth. Acting as both a filter feeder and ambush predator these branches draw in the constant haze of spores that fill Tenebrous' atmosphere while also capturing small organisms that are drawn in by it's powerful scent similar to that of rotting meat. At the top of its body is a mouth filled with grinding plates to digest the larger meals it may capture. Juvenile forms are actually mobile ambush predators that become sessile and root themselves in place as they age.

>Parasite: Appearing in a number of different animal samples in various sizes and development these octopodal invertebrates possess a soft and malleable form that when coupled with their complex mandibles and sophisticated chemical glands are able to live comfortably within a larger animal host. Samples ranged from only a few centimeters long to nearly a foot long in larger hosts. Seeming to prefer different organisms for differing stages of its growth, likely spreading to a new host once they out grow or outsurvive their current. While parasitic organisms are common throughout the galaxy, a living body often an irresistible source of food and shelter to smaller opportunistic lifeforms, these parasites possess a seemingly unique trait in actively providing for their host a range of benefits. With a series of complex glands and organs they are able to create and secrete a variety of chemicals and horomones, among them a powerful antibiotic to fight infections in a host along with a powerful anesthetic to allow them to painlessly enter a host through a cut. By manipulating the hosts body chemistry they can compel them to feed more than the host would need or drive it to nearly suicidal behaviors to summon a predator when it is time for the parasite to enter its next lifestage.

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>>1349360
Flora:
>Vampire Vine: A parasitic and opportunistic organism the vampire vine expands itself in a vast interconnected network of vines and roots that drain nutrients from the surrounding plant-life. A single vampire vine is capable of spanning across kilometers, it's parasitic nature nonetheless providing a benefit to it's hosts in making their hosts unpalatable to all but the most determined herbivores by secreting a burning, irritating oil.

>Siren Tree: A rather extreme example of the carnivorous plantlife of the Tenebrous planets the Siren Tree is a deceptively beautiful organism. By using an array of large leaves covered in highly advanced chromatophores and bioluminescent cells the siren tree is able to generate a dazzling spectacle of patterns and light. It has evolved to use these colorful displays to entrance animals as they pass, drawing them in close enough for stinger-tipped vines to lash out inject a powerful paralytic venom. Paralyzed prey are then drawn up under the branches of the tree and vines pierce their veins to slowly feed on their fluids while keeping them in a comatose state until they expire and the rest of their fluids are fully drained. The largest of the Siren Trees, which can reach nearly two stories in height in extreme and rare cases are typically surrounded by piles of old bones and chitin from their past meals.

>>1349381
Unlocked:
>Tenebrous Biomass Farms: Operated by using genetically modified Basketmaw organisms to feed on the ever-present spores that fill the air of Tenebrous and various small organisms to generate biomass. Basketmaw biomass farms can be used on other worlds with a high content of microorganisms in the air. Generates 30B on the Tenebrous planets.

>Vampire Vine Farm: While not as efficient as other dedicated biomass farms the modified vampire vines are able to generate biomass by spreading across wide areas of land and tapping into native plant-life to drain negligible amounts of nutrients. Genetically modified to produce large pods of Cauldron friendly biomass, the "fruit" resembling raw meat surrounded by a chitinous shell. Generates 10B on worlds with a Biomass score of 30 or higher.

Adaptation unlocked:
>Advanced Chromatic Flesh: With an array of complex chromatophores and bioluminescent cells under the skin units with this adaptation are able to change the appearance of the fragile skin to better blend in with their environment, greatly improving stealth attempts. This also allows a unit to produce a dazzling display of rapidly shifting patterns and flashing lights that can either daze a target or induce a panic response in most lifeforms that rely on visual sight. This adaptation can also be used to create detailed two-dimensional images either on a unit or stretched across a wall or panel.

Adaptation upgrade:
>Cyclopean Gaze adaptation can now see into a wider range of visual spectrums into both the thermal and ultraviolet with the addition of several lesser eyes around the central eye and expanding their peripheral vision.

Research Unlocked:
>Chemical Fabricator: Fast - The chemical producing glands and organs of the Tenebrous parasites show a potential for significant improvement

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>>1349387
Wrapped in a shell of warped light the Sower Corvette drifts through the Refuge system towards its outer limits. In the distance the gas giant Spindle floated, its multitude of moons where the undead plague was believed to have originated. Several lightminutes out and they slow their approach, the Eyegore of the system relaying a close look of the moon through one of its drones orbiting the jovian world.

Countless vessels ranging from single person jumpships to shuttles to subcapital ships milled around the moons. A constant stream of them funnel to and from their surfaces as resources were ferried from Junkyard and the asteroid belt in the wake of the Armada's raids. One the surface of the largest moons were outposts that had once been full of living beings and were now filled with only the undead. The outposts were being reinforced by starship hulls, new construction plainly visible on the surface as zombies and ghouls work in the airless environment without need for environsuits.

Jor looks over to the Necrolyte Commander as he and his officers looked over the information gathered by the Eyegore, "So how's it look?" he asks, unsure of how to process the large amounts of information displayed before them.

"Looks like they're digging in pretty hard now that they know the Armada is on its way," the Commander says, "If they dig in too deep it may take bombardment from the battleships to root them out."

Rosa looks over to Jor from across the table, "Think you could use some of that Necromancer magic to find whatever the fuck is controlling these things?"

The human frowns in thought for a moment then shrugs, "I could give it a try."

A netu officer, a former Dagger vanguard, speaks up, "I suggest scouting runs with our Coffins. Look for the most heavily fortified bunkers," he said refering to the compliment of stealth coffins docked with the hull of the corvette, awaiting to ferry the Necrolytes and Reconstructed.

"Too bad we can't interrogate them," Rosa says.

There was a moments silence then a kesh officer speaks up, "Have we ever tried a NID on the zombies?" they ask.

The Commander frowns, "Actually, we hadn't. Capturing an undead here though could compromise our position though."

How should the Necrolyte strike team attempt to locate the controlling source of the undead?
>Scout with stealth Coffins
>Jor attempts to sense the leader
>Attempt using a NID on a local undead
>Other (Write-in)

>>1349512
>>Scout with stealth Coffins
>Jor attempts to sense the leader

>>1349512
>Scout with stealth Coffins
and if that doesn't work
>Attempt using a NID on a local undead
and if THAT doesn't work
>Jor attempts to sense the leader
The leader might be able to sense Jor right back so I think its best if we save it for last.

>>1349512
>scout
>jack in

So when do the last rolls come in?

>>1349536
Soon

>>1349512
>>Scout with stealth Coffins
>>Other
Find and capture a ghoul who is clearly in advanced stages of infection, and has been infected earlier than most of the others. Have Jor work his undead mojo on it in an attempt to connect to and locate whoever infected it, and NID it if he doesn't have much luck there.

>>1349512
>Scout with stealth Coffins
>Jor attempts to sense the leader

Roll me 2d100 best of first three please

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Rolled 41, 82 = 123 (2d100)

>>1349595
Time to find that cackling asshole.

Rolled 51, 51 = 102 (2d100)

>>1349595

Rolled 60, 22 = 82 (2d100)

>>1349595

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>>1349595
Once boarded the Coffins detach their umbilicals and engage their stealth fields before passing through the larger cloak of the corvette. Their grav-thrusters sending them toward Spindle and gaining speed as they drew closer to it with the corvette following at a slower pace to keep itself hidden. The Coffins began to split apart as they each aimed toward a different destination.

Jor was secured in one of the Coffins with his eyes closed and grasping the skull of the Talon in his lap as he placed himself into a trance. He'd tried this only a few times before, sending his mind out to see through through the mind of a Reconstructed. But now, rather than searching for the familiar motes of necrotic energy that marked the Reconstructed and Armada vessels he stretched out his mind and felt the distant energies of the undead infesting Spindle's moons.

Surprising himself that it could work at such a distance he nearly lost his concentration. Feeling the cold stone of the fossilized Reconstructed under his fingers of flesh and reconstructed bone steadied him and he reached out once more. Like motes of corruption shining in the abyss he could feel the undead and with a mental command the Coffin shifts course.

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>>1349806
In a distant sector of the galaxy a similar hunt was underway. Stealth cloaked Coffins and Gunships flew in the upper atmosphere above the clouds and Skydevil patrols, their sensors drinking in information from far below. Calera was a highly corrupted world, only a few precious areas left untainted by the pollution of the Council's crude technology and industrial run-off. Auras of necrotic light shimmered over particularly corrupted areas, the very air toxic to the living but still life seemed to flourish there, if mutated and stunted.

The stealthcraft listened in on the radio frequencies of the Councils forces, Think Tanks carefully sifting through the information. It was one of these hunters, a gunship crewed by Shadows and Stingers, that overheard a transmission from a vehicle travelling over land along one of the roads that striped the landscape. They were part of a small convoy transporting supplies between cities but they used a code phrase recognized from the stolen memories of a captured officer signaling a high value individual or cargo. Their message relayed that their arrival would be delayed do to the Necrotic enhanced storm they were about to pass into, the billowing cloudbanks in the distance flashing with green lightning. Storms of that nature were common across Calera, moving tides of Necrotic energy often drove the natives underground.

The gunship descended and followed the convoy while signalling nearby stealthcraft and aerial Reconstructed. The vehicles rumbled along a narrow paved road winding through rocky hills, occasionally passing into a tunnel boring through a steep ridge. Only one was a hovecraft placed near the center of the convoy, heavily armored with a gunners nest perched on top. The others rolled on wheels and spouted streamers of black smog behind them as their engines rumbled, mostly smaller vehicles with gunners nests as well with smaller caliber weaponry and what was plainly a troop carrier trailing behind.

>>1349611
>No one Checking those Double dubs
>Seriously the percentage chance of both ROLLING dubs AND getting dubs in a post

>>1349929
Feelsbadman

>>1349929
Dubs for the dubs God

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>>1349906
There was much to be done and tend to in the New Necrotic Armada.

The Think Tanks are in a flurry of excitement over the Quasiphasic Disruption breakthrough, refined versions of the prototype pod already under construction in isolated caverns as a precaution. They speak of finding ways to integrate the Cauldrons with the Disruptor pods and of which Reconstructed would benefit the most.

Vyi'a'Rthun continues to be a center of excitement on Rukor, fleets of ructu ships circling the island as more continue to arrive from distant tribes. Even the wide and flat decked pontoon barges of the mainlands river dwelling ructu were docked among the piers, drawn by their dreams as the planetary network of Dreamstone obelisks and shrines whisper to all corners of the world.

In the orbit of the gas giant in Horizon's Drop system the Treeship carrying your would-be students arrives. Great engines flare to life as they accelerate inward to the blue-green speck of your capital world.

Deep in Clour Ruscuv continues to devour the knowledge and history you have gained of the galaxy since your awakening. She sends word that she'd like to speak with you, finding the need to leave a message some what insulting but amusing at the same time.

Nekris reports that they have arrived in the system the Zaeen creatures Captain Vorlam spoke of were last spotted. The Predator General sends his regards, amusedly apologizing for taking a vacation during such a volatile time for the Armada.

To you surprise Vle'Karak turned to one of the Stingers that had come in pushing crates full of cloned rukorian squid and herd beast. The Reconstructed had never been addressed by him, the great serpent normally preferring to act as if they didn't even exist, jumping back in alarm with the others as the Terror spoke to them, requesting your presence.

Illuminator Tlacex reports in that his arrival on the field of Scatters has effectively scattered the undead hordes threatening the shanty city, the undead generals delight at his joke palpable even through the message. He had continued on to a smaller nearby settlement fortified by the Necrolytes while leaving the ruined remains of the initial horde to be mopped up by Reconstructed forces.

Valresko reports that the Sunscale Diver and Scout clones were ready for awakening. The Blackscale had already moved ahead with the process of awakening two of each batch of ten, the undead General annoyed that they did not confer with him first. They were due to awaken any moment now, the Blackscale eagerly waiting.

There was much to do and tend to. What shall you do first?
>Speak with Ruscuv
>Speak with Vle'Karak
>Other (write-in)

>>1349929
>>1349962
I was impressed actually

>>1350095
>>Speak with Vle'Karak

>>1350095
>>Speak with Ruscuv
Best little sister wants to talk we can find the time. If she's getting cabin fever down there we can always invite her along to any one of the major conflicts we're in.

>>1350095
>Speak with Vle'Karak
First time hes actually requested to speak with us.PROGRESS!

>>1350095
>Speak with Vle'Karak

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>>1350095
Vle'Karak had coiled up around the large pillar of stone he had requested when he spoke with Nekris, an Obsidian Dirge recently forming the pillar for him. The stone was heated and was apparently a typical amenity for Ahkam nobility similar to a humanoid bed. The serpent was dozing when the door slide open but he quickly lifted his head at the sound, alert at a moments notice as his single eye fixated on your form as you drifted inside.

He uncoiled somewhat from the pillar, "I think I scared your undead," he remarks with amusement in his tone.

Chuckling with a nod as you float closer with your arms clasped behind your back, "It was startled for certain."

"I have meant to ask. Nekris is clearly independently intelligent. A good nauri player," he references an ancient Kosda strategy game using a grid shaped board and various carved pieces to concoct a plan to defeat your opponent before first contact between armies, "but tell me, are the soldiers and workers, are they independent or are they a collective? Are they a part of you?" he asks with sudden interest but you could sense no animosity through him from the empathic scanning sensors embedded in the heated pillar itself, only a curiosity. You knew the Ahkam were psionically fortified and the new technology was still being refined to deal with that but they seemed to glean his surface emotions at least somewhat accurately.

You look up at the serpent, covered in old wounds as even those gained with his duel with Nekris were scarred over. Three domination collars were linked around his body, a precaution after his show of power during one of your discussions. He seemed to grow more...relaxed as the days passed, no longer snapping or hissing at the Reconstructed. Nekris had mentioned in passing the day of their game saying that he had been at first guarded during the first meeting but warming up as they shared war-stories and played.

You were uncertain of the Ahkam's motives, his deeper emotional state and dreams nearly impossible to probe. How should you reply to his query?
>Write-in

>>1350317
They have some basic individuality which increase as time goes by but only up to a point. They are part of Jadyk but only in a similar way to a memory:not present in ones mind but can easily be accessed and given varying amounts of attention. However with greater effort and greater materials, a more powerful reconstructed can be formed, with a greater capacity for growth and independence, though they are loyal till death and n the face of all odds. What prompted this question?

>>1350317
Yes, and No. Basic reconstructed grow in experience and quirkiness as they age and fight. The longer they last the more unique they become. However they are never truly alive. The higher levels of undead, the generals, the voidknights, and the like? They are themselves, even if their memories off thir past life are forgotten. Of course then there are Immortals who are the ones who willingly risked undeath to continue their existence, and are wholly themselves memories and all.

>>1350374
Immortals are still a tricky issue because the Masked seemed interested in it and it provides eternal life without the need for necro training,so I recommend leaving that out for now.

>>1350317
They are a part of me and an extension of my will. There are shades of individuality among them, some more than others, but all are bound to me and all are messengers of my word.

>>1350374
Let's not explicitly tell him about the Immortals just yet. Instead let's subtly and mysteriously reference the undead who retain a part of their minds through reconstruction, without giving him any clear details. We should aim to intrigue him and fuel his curiosity into how we can pass on a living being into eternity, but avoid giving him hard info until he's loyal to us.

>>1350317
Drawing your legs up under you to sit in the air before him. You think about it for a few moments before replying, "Yes and no. The basic Reconstructed, like the Stingers, Talons and Dirges you have seen, possess some basic individuality but little in the way of actual intelligence. Over time as they experience and witness more they grow in individuality with quirks and preferences however they are not true sentient beings. They fight and die for me at my commands, as much a part of me as this body you see before you.

"Yet, as you said concerning Nekris, with greater effort and greater...stock material, a more powerful and unique Reconstructed can be created. Beings such as Nekris, his sibling Generals, and other powerful individuals are formed from the mighty of the living except they do not retain their memories of their previous life. Although I am working to rectify that shortcoming," you say and tilt your head inquisitively not letting him question that, "What prompted this question?"

The serpent sways their large head from side to side in indifference, tongue flitting out to taste the air before he spoke, "I had seen recordings of your Reconstructed in battles against my nieces forces before I had ever departed for B'Nan. The Matriarchs are...annoyed at how undead constructs can prove such a challenge against their loyal forces," Vle'Karak lets out that guttural clicking laugh that almost sounded as if they were choking, "After facing Nekris and seeing how your Reconstructed fight, I am finding myself regretful the Matriarchs never considered necromancy," he says with another laugh.

"Was the question concerning my Reconstructed all you wished to speak of?" you ask.

"Actually that was a mere passing thought. I have a request for you, Jadyk," he says, looking down at you through his keen eye with your image reflected in its surface, "You have kin of mine imprisoned. They are no longer here on this moon, I can no longer feel them through the Arc, this I know. What I do not know, is if they live or exist as some new thinking undead," they sway their head slightly, tongue flitting out, "Before I would have cared nothing for them. They were failures who fell before an enemy. Now, being a victim of the same fate, I grow curious about the fates of my fellow failures. Do they live or do they serve your Armada as you have asked me so many times before?"

How should you answer him? Currently Dne'tec and Cve'jok are imprisoned on Rukors moon within the Predators newly formed temple while Vle'Karak remained behind on Horizon's Drops moon.
>Tell him they live
>Tell him they have been slain
>Other (Write-in)

>>1350475
>>Tell him they live

>>1350475
>>Tell him they live
Any particular reason Vel'Karl wasn't moved with the other Akham?

>>1350506
Easier for Jadyk to drop by for a chat if he's just next door on the moon rather than lightyears away.

Jadyk is preferring to keep his contact with Vle'Karak to personal visits rather than Harbinger

>>1350475
>>1350506
Oops, I meant to vote
>>Tell him they live...for now
We don't plan on keeping them around and alive forever. All will serve the Armada, living or dead, and sooner or later we're going to call upon them to make their final decision. It would pay to remind Vel'Karl of this, he's going to have to make that decision himself eventually.

>>1350475
>Tell him they live

>>1350524
Eventually

>>1350475
>Tell him they live

>>1350475
>Tell him they live
>>1350506
He is far more powerful, so its just a precaution. Also id say it removes any potential echo chambers that would hamper our attempts at getting him to join us. Once hes with us it should be easy to convince the other two to join us, though it will take longer for it to go from grudgingly following orders to being loyal.

>>1350524
I mean it has been established that Jadyk pretty much sees Vle'karaak as a decent conversation partner, not just that but a relatable one. , i mean i could see jadyk letting Him live for as long as possible JUST for that.

>>1350475
>Tell him they live

>>1350539
You miss grave saying that the only reason is that it makes it easier for jadyk to personally talk to the Bro snake?

>>1350537
Precisely. Reminding Vel'Karak of this will ensure he keeps mulling it over instead of getting comfortable. It's only fair to him too, to tell him of our plans for him rather than springing it on him out of the blue after weeks of mostly friendly conversation.

>>1350555
I mean judging by the question he asked i think he already knows. what his fate will be if he chooses to serve in death

>>1350475
"They live. For now. Transferred to another system where Nekris has them helping my Armada in developing new ways to utilize the Arc. All will come to serve the Armada, either through life or undeath, that is every beings choice I give," you state rather bluntly, feeling the old snake could handle it, "They serve my purposes for now, improving our sciences and powers, proving their worth for keeping them alive."

"You think like an Ahkam," he says with a rough chuckle and you let out your own dry laugh before he continues, "I figured they would be serving you in some way. You don't seem the time to deal ransoms. I know that it is safer for your Armada if they think we are dead. My Niece and Daughter would send for us I believe."

"You are starting to think like a Lich," you say and the serpent lets out a round of laughter, his head swaying, "It is actually my hope that someday they learn you live."

His laughter ceases and he lowers his head to a closer level with you. His head turns to keep his eye on you as he starts to uncoil further from the pillar. His dense scales scrape across the stone floor with a rasping sound as he moves then asks, "If my kin live because they are providing secrets into the Arc, an act that their mothers would punish with death, what purpose do I serve by keeping me alive?"

Still you could sense no animosity from him through the empathic sensors, only an intense curiosity and focus with a flicker of minor annoyance.

How shall you answer him?
>Write-in

>>1350580
Best not to bring it up too soon or else he might think in death is the better option. Give him time and show him how awesome our city is and how he could have an interesting life again. Lets give that snek a zest for life!

>>1350590
Perspective. You are old, strong, and if not for tradition probably worth more than the matron you serve. You give insight into how TRUE Akham think and act. Ones worthy of the name will attack me in time after all.

>>1350590
If we can convince him that our way is best then the only sneks we would have trouble convincing are he Matriarchs themselves. You have also shown to be a very interesting being that I would greatly enjoy serving me willingly and as yourself. You would make a mighty reconstructed, but a far more useful general. Not asking you to decide now for there are still many things I wish to show you.Just know you are not simply a lump of biomass that gives me passing amusement.

>>1350590
Also ask him what he knows of the Head Matriarch before we leave. We know some things about the Osjic Emperor, but next to nothing about her.

>>1350590
>Knowledge, Prespective, various things really wither you give them up is another thing however.

>>1350590
None but my idle curiosity, you make for interesting conversation.

>>1350631
Where the hell have you been? He's nowhere near indoctrinated enough to serve us yet, and he'll never respect us enough to follow us if we keep heaping all this undeserved praise on him.

>>1350590
...He brings up a good point actually, have we tried reconstructing Akham yet? Though obviously we should start with the male juvenile in case something goes goes wrong

>>1350650
1.The very fact that such a renowned Akham is talking to us as if we were equals and have discussions without being a smug superiority snake shows that we are closer then you might think, though I will not deny that we still have progress to make.
2.Undeserved? He is apparently a legend among Akham and in several ways gets more respect then the matriarch of this sector. He is a veteran of countless battles, practically destroyed 50% of Nekris and it took three domination collars to stop him from using any arc. Out of all the people we have meet in this era after the Age of Legends that was our era, he is one of the few people who has power and earned it.

>>1350674
Well we are going to have to refine our techniques if we're ever going to immortalize Vel'Karak, and he would be the ideal candidate for experimentation. Now if only our predators had any free time on their hands.

We. Would be fully honest

"You where originally captured for me to drain you of your arc powers and.make them my.own however due to.your nature and attitude I find your company and knowledge far more valuable to me at this time

I like the idea of offering him imortality should he prove willing to serve the Armada

>>1350803
Lets not play our whole hand just yet. There is plenty more we can tempt him with first.

>>1350787
>>1350803
I like your style sir. Immortality is a perfect incentive for the Vel'Karl, he was already getting depressed by his own mortality before we picked him up.

>>1350827
Such as? He already had just about every material want fulfilled among his kin. There isn't much we can offer him that he didn't have access to in his old life.

>>1350845
I mean actually showing him what he would be fighting for. Im curious as to how he would react to our city with all the speces living together.
>>1350836
He wasn't pissed of that he was going to die, he was just resigned to the fact that he really hasn't much left worth living for. It seemed like he wanted to die fighting a worthy foe, not to keep living until age or sickness gets him.

>>1350590
"I enjoy our conversations," you state simply and he looks at you for a moment then chuckles but you continue, "You offer a unique perspective an insight into the Ahkam. The fact that you make for conversation is a bonus.

"If not for your kinds tradition and genetics you would be ruling this sector rather than your niece. You are old and strong. I find your knowledge valuable for the future when I will face Ahkam that deserve the name in the future after all.

"Originally I thought either to steal your power or remake you into one of my Generals. You would make a mighty Reconstructed Hero that would guide my forces against the Dynasties," you shrug, "But now, I believe you have greater usefulness to me alive for the moment."

Vle'Karak looks at you with a critical eye for a long moment before he speaks, "You wish me to serve you of my own free will," he states openly. He slithers around you in a large circle, keeping his eye on you, "Do you believe you can make me serve you? To openly serve your Armada?" he doesn't let you answer just yet as he continues to speak, "I admit, it is a good plan. Have the Butcher, the Terror, victor of a thousand campaigns against the heretics serving the Armada and renouncing his loyalty to the Dynasties and the Matriarchs. I can only image the havoc that would cause to the faith of the vassal races.

"I will humor you, Lord Jadyk. What would you do, what could you say, that would make convince me to serve you? I have no fear of death, you saw that in the battle with Nekris. You have just explained to me your Reconstructed do not retain their memories so I would not be burdened with the curse of undeath. My only fears are a wasting death and I doubt you would let me waste away while my potential wanes, I am too valuable an asset.

So tell me, Lichlord, why should I serve you?" he demands, a steely determination hiding his emotions and thoughts as he stares eye level to you now that he had encircled you but his body was relaxed and untense.

What shall you say?
>Write-in

>>1350890
I can give you a cause worth fighting for.
I can give you a life worth living, a life of a conquering general of a growing Armada instead of a general in charge of border skirmishes in the middle of nowhere.
You looked for a worthy death before your defeat. I can give you something better:A worthy life.

>>1350890
What if I told you I have learned how to reconstruct the living with their memories and intelligence intact? True, I have not attempted this on your own species and there are a great many hurdles to address before this can be made possible, but I have eternity to master this. And I can offer you a part of that immortality.

>>1350881
As an Akham, he already presided over a multi species alliance that adored and feared him in their worship of him. That's nothing novel to him.

>>1350932
I'd say his life was pretty dang worthy at the time of his capture, again, that isn't anything he didn't have before he met us.

>>1350890
I said Most, not all. There is a way to retain your memories and live forever, but it is dangerous and may well strip you anyways. but that's for later.

>>1350942
Its just he was doing the same old, same old. He was a legend, but his days of glory seemed to be over.

>>1350890
>I can ensure you have even more battles to add to your belt and when this is all over, Possible be the one who actually ensure those who join us of your kind are kept closer to you then me.

>>1350963
Indeed, his glory days seemed to be over because his power was gradually waning as he aged. But now we have the means to halt that decline permanently, and we're the only one who can offer it to him.

There is a third option, but it is currently only.offered to those who are loyal enough to earn it, immortality, an undying body while the original.mind is retained.

Of course for those who wield powers other then the necrotic there is a chance of failure but it is, minor

>>1350890
"What do you want, really? You have heard what I have said, seen what I do, know what I am. What we have not talked about is what you want. I could offer anything, but I know you could have much, nut not all, of what I offer back in Ahkam territory. What would you ask of me?"

>>1350890
You sought death, a honorable death, a way to finish your legend. To you, your life was already over. Let me tell you something, if you were to follow this path, your legend would only be a footnote in the galaxy's history.
Only to be remembered by me, and as one of the victories of Nekris. Perhaps this might be enough to you, but I think I know you well enough so far.

Let me show you the future of the galaxy (either we give him a tour or should him pictures). The thing I offer is simple, a way to continue your legend, believe me when I say that I do not think you have reached your peak yet.

>>1350890
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-7sFT9M5K0

This conversation wasn't one you expected to have so soon but you knew it was only a matter of time before Vle'Karak deduced your intent. You rub at your chin with a finger in thought as the great serpent looks down at you. Finally you look back up to him, "I can give you a cause worth fighting for. When you faced Nekris you asked for a worthy death in battle. You believe you have no worth anymore, Matriarchs younger than you ordering you to oversee mere territory disputes in a backwater sector.

"I care not that your power wanes, your intelligence and experience are a wealth of resources I am loathe to see go to waste. You can help me guide this Armada to secure a place among the powers of this Galaxy, to carve a section of space where my people can exist and grow in safety. Rather than let you wither away into obscurity like the Matriarchs I would have you join me in bringing order to a chaotic universe," you say firmly while looking up at the Ahkam.

He was silent for sometime and withdraws, slithering away closer to the heated pillar but he turns back, "I have another century or two in me if you keep me well-fed and healthy. When I faced Nekris I did desire a glorious death, the thought of dying with a whimper through age or sickness, rather than with the Arc surging through me in battle..." he trails off and shakes his head, tongue flicking out a few times, "It is the first time in known memory that I felt fear."

You could tell it took a lot for the proud reptile to admit this to you, "I can ensure that you will have many more battles to add to your legacy if you serve me. I want to know what I can give to have your loyalty."

"Earlier when I asked about the Reconstructed you spoke of rectifying the flaw of an undead being unable to retain their memories of their original life," he pauses and looks off in the distance for a moment, his gaze going unfocused then looking back toward you but you speak before he could.

"I can grant you immortality. You would be Reconstructed and your mind and memories kept safe in this new form. With it, if you accepted, you would outlast the Matriarchs, likely outlast the Dynasties. I can grant you a way so that you can become your own legacy, that the name of Vle'Karak carries through the Galaxy of all time," he was looking at you intently as you said this and continue, "Rather than become a footnote in the history of the Armada, a victory for Predator Nekris, you can rise to greatness with us and further improve the glory of the Armada.

"Among my loyalists and faithful, there is a saying that has grown in popularity. To Death and through it to Eternity. This has become the core doctrine of the Armada. Under my guidance and protection you can reach out and touch eternity, to become a part of the grand cosmic story," you say, "I can offer you Eternity."

>cont

>>1351102
Vle'Karak was silent for some time as he regarded you, his emotions frustratingly difficult to discern. Finally he lets out a laugh, the guttural sound confusing you momentarily, "You speak well for a dead thing," he moves to coil around the pillar once and looks to you, "Your offer is...tempting. I would need...prefer proof but I have no reason to doubt your skill if the old legends of the Wormstar are true."

"Then, do you accept, will you serve me and the Armada?" you ask, hiding your incredulity.

He is silent as he coils around the pillar a few times and rests his head on a loop of his form, "There is much to absorb of your offer, Jadyk. I don't believe I can give you my answer right now but there is much to consider."

You nod and extend your legs so you were floating upright before him, "Of course, I eagerly await your answer, Vle'Karak."

Making to depart he stops you, "I do have one last question for you Jadyk. What happened to my bodyguards, the epikor twins that Nekris so handily defeated?"

"They fight in my arena, preferring to face countless of my undead rather that serve in my armies. They say they will only follow you until death," you wave a hand and a few moments later a demi-Think Tank floats through the door as it slid open, "If you would like, I have have footage of their duels displayed for you," you say as the construct projects a 2D screen showing one of their recent fights against a squadron of Shock Trolls and Lurkers.

He watches for a few moments and chuckles, "I should not be surprised. They are stubborn. They have served me since they were mere children, chosen from birth to train to be my protectors. They are useful tools but just horrible in conversations," he says with a small laugh then settles in to watch the battles.

You give a small polite bow before departing as well. As you drifted through the halls you finally glean something of his emotions as he relaxes somewhat, distracted by the holoscreen. His emotions were tumultuous, his thoughts likely racing as he considered your offer but amid the fear and distaste, you detect the glimmer of hope.

>>1350890
What could the matriarch not give you.

>>1351109
Hmm, I hope he doesn't want those twins back to bad, I wanted to turn them into hero units. The predator order is stretched thin with only two real members, and they need to expand.

>>1351120
Right now the bigger concern with the orders(aside from the voidknights) is getting new initiates. True, they are not nearly as powerful as full hero units, but they are critical help to our armies and can be groped together for smaller missions. Not saying we cant dunk the twins, just that we can wait.

>>1351178
We've got plenty of new initiates, and they're all still in their infancy in terms of their powers. Hero units, proper predators are more effective and useful to our armies by multiple orders of magnitude, there is no substitute for them. We can't entrust common arc dancers with a fraction of the duties we assign the predators, and we've been giving them a lot of duties as of late. And their to do list isn't even half done yet. We simply need more of them.

>>1351178
We also have to remember that the Voidknights are a refounding while the other orders are basically made from necrotic energy, some other elements and pure awesome

Also wasn't it mentioned that our old buddy is somehow whispering to the knights?

>>1351120
But, neither are arc attuned. One of them is solar the other is void if I'm not mistaken

>>1351314
No one is solar and the other is arc. Normally I'd ask Graves directly but he seems to have fallen asleep mid post again.

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>>1351109
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZv2OCbQOmI

Lightning flashed in the sky, washing the landscape in sickly green light. Winds thick with necrotic corruption howl and tear at the landscape, the air surprisingly dry as it refused to rain. The necrotic winds were enough to drive the convoy to seek shelter in the shadow of a sharp ridge with clustered trees stripped of their leaves by the toxic winds. Their radio transmissions started to fail as the storms increased in ferocity, driving them to cut attempts as the vehicles huddled together and waited for the storm to weaken.

Gunners sat in their nests protected by bubbles of glass and reinforced metal allowing to watch the toxic winds shake the trees around them. More necrotic charged bolts of lightning illuminated the sky just above, thunder rumbling overhead and shaking the glass in its frame.

One of the gunners gives a start when they saw a pair of triangular shadows highlighted against the storm above in another flash of lightning. They motioned to the gunner in the armored truck next to him and gestured to the sky but the other human just shrugged in misunderstanding.

There was another flash of lightning and the shouts of the gunner were drowned out as thunder rolled across the land. It hadn't even completed it's rumbling growl when an alien shriek pierced the air and lances of necrotic flayers lit up the air. The beams of destructive energy leaped from the beaks of the Reconstructed Devils and carved into the armor of the vehicles. Glass melted and men screamed as the bubbles protecting them became molten glass and metal slopped onto them.

Panicked shouting raised as the Devils descended on the convoy. Several of the vehicles turned on and leaped forward with a spray of dirt, others failing as the beams cut into their engine blocks or melted their tires. The would-be escapees did not get far as Devils dove out of the sky and land bodily on them, their shrieks mingling with booming thunder and shouting as they tore at the armor with their claws, their beaks gushing with necrotic energy to weaken the metal.

The troop carrier opened and soldiers dashed out, their heads hidden under masks with bulky hoses connected to respirators jangling at their belts. They opened fire with slugthrowers at the Devils perched on the other vehicles, the undead screaming disdainfully at the attack. The humans scattered as one charged with its hopping three-limbed gait like the native beasts of Calera. They continued to shoot at the Reconstructed as it snatches a man up with its split beak and shakes it viciously by the arm and head until the rest of the body flew off and knocked over another soldier, the Devil swallowing the mouthful even as its armored hide was riddled with slugs to little effect other than chipping its hide.

>cont

>>1351422
The hovercraft fired its engines and lifted off, black smoke belching from the pads underneath as it sped forward. It races past the soldiers, nearly running several down if they hadn't dodged out of the way abandoning everyone behind them. Even as more Devils swooped out of the sky to drop down on the soldiers or charging after them as they attempted to flee over the rough terrain. The predatory Reconstructed would give chase, taking to the air to snatch them up with their single clawed foot and lift them into the air with their screams lost in the howling winds. Other Devils would dash by, twisting acrobatically through the air and snatching at limbs with their wickedly sharp beaks with the shredding inner beak tearing bone and flesh to pieces as they fought over the morsels in the air.

The other vehicles were similarly doomed as Devils tore doors or rooftops away to pull shouting soldiers out that feebly tried to defend themselves with handheld guns and shotguns. Dragging them out into the open they tossed them to their fellows, the undead falling into a feeding frenzy as they gave into their predatory instincts carried over from their living inspirations.

The hovercraft raced over the terrain, frantically trying to radio through the storm but still the Necrotic gales reduced all communication futile. Its gunners nest was a melted mess of metal and glass, the gunner cooked alive and his screams finally falling silent as one of his comrades inside put a bullet through his heart. Those inside hoped they had gotten away, looking through thin slats and portholes for any sign of Devil pursuit, believing they were rightfully distracted by the soldiers and other vehicles.

Yet it wasn't the shadow of a Devil that fell over it as a bubble of shimmering light flickers away and a Gunship materializes overhead. Its twin turrets set in the front of the T-shaped strikecraft swivel in their mounts and a pair of brilliant green energy leaps out, striking the hoverpads on the left side of the transport. Smoke and fire billowed from its wounded side and careens sharply into a pile of boulders next to a ridge and finally coming to a stop.

Two more bubbles of light flickered then took the form of two Coffins swooping in overhead as their cargo doors open. Trolls leap out, their jump-packs softening their landing as Stingers rappel down sinew ropes. The undead land on top of the vehicle and around it, the sounds of their landing on the armored hull making those within shout in alarm over the groans of pains from those injured in the crash.

>cont

>>1351427
A trio of Trolls sporting Flayers on their shoulders focus their beams on a central point of the armored roof, the metal being stripped away molecule by molecule and sending sickening necrotic energy into the vehicle. Others began hacking at the doors with thermal vibrobladed axes, the human soldiers inside shouting in disbelief and panic as they looked through the slats and portholes. At a grunt from a Stinger the Trolls with their axes step back and lifting its forearm where a cluster of dark green crystals lit up and a blade of similarly green hard-light materialized. The Stinger plunges the blade into the seams of the door and drags it down, slowly but surely cutting through the door.

Just as they were nearing completing cutting through the hatch the Trolls on the roof of the vehicle shouted out in triumph as a hole appeared in the hull and spread. They ceased their barrage, not wishing to injure their target with a stray beam. Instead a Stinger steps forward and tosses in a pair of riot gas-grenades through the hole in the glowing metal. The shouts inside reached a new level of panic as choking gas billowed out of the hole in a thick stream.

Moments later the Stinger finally cut through the doors seams and steps back to let a Troll walk up and yank it from its frame. The edges of the carved door glowed and the undead uses it as shield from a barrage of gunfire that rang out from inside. There were more shouts and coughing as the first humans began falling out of the doorway, their eyes and noses thick and running as the agitating bioweapon ravaged their airways. They were quickly struck by bolas launched by Stingers, the men falling as whips of metal coiled around them and pinned their limbs.

As a Troll approached the door there was another hail of gunfire as it spotted several more humans wearing gas masks and holding handheld slugthrowers and shotguns. There was even a flicker of flame from a flamethrower in the hands of a soldier nearby igniting the pilot light but the Troll ducked back out.

Instead of charging in a pair of Stingers stepped forward with their grenade launchers and each fired a cluster of Storm Grenades into the chamber. The mini-Arc Condensers turned weapons hummed and crackled as they drew in ambient Arc energy and sent crackling bolts of blue lightning that seemed positively sterile in comparison to the sickly necrotic lightning above.

There was a series of screams, then just the crackling of the grenades, and finally total silence. Stingers piled into the hovercraft and hauled out the scorched but unconscious humans. Stingers hooked themselves to the sinew ropes still trailing from the Coffins while clinging to their captives and were hauled up rapidly into their cargo bays.

>cont

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>>1351432
Another Coffin materializes above the hovercraft and throws down more sinew ropes and the trolls secure the hooks to the vehicle, the Coffin hauling up the wreck to hold it snugly against its undercarriage as it enshrouds itself in twisted light to disappear along with the other strikecraft.

Only scorched earth, a few melted pieces of metal, and a furrow carved into the ground marked that the hovercraft had been there, the sky clear of any visible vehicles as the storm rages on. Nearby Devils continue their feast, the screams of those they toyed with still mingling with the howling wind and rolling thunder.

Many miles away seated in his command chair the Wayward Disciple nods in satisfaction as the captives were brought toward him. One of the soldiers grabbed wore a uniform decorated with elaborate carvings of bone and chitin, a missing eye covered in a chunk of scrimshawed ivory in the center of a vicious scar.

Yet it was the crate that a Stinger seated in the hovercraft had opened that drew his attention. Within the case a small construct lay on padded leather. It's form looked like shaped chitin but felt pliable yet firm like a plastic. It was mangled from battle but it could tell that whatever it had been, it was a complex piece of machinery as tubes like blood vessels hung from the torn stumps, pale metallic bones supporting the dense strands shaped like muscle.

The Wayward Disciples hunt appears to have gone better than any could expect.

>>1351438
..wait. What?

>>1351354
Sorry for the delay. Got caught up watching Samurai Jack with my brother then got caught up with that wall-o-text

>>1351450
Whoops, also meant to say,

The Epikor twins are indeed Solar and Arc potentials respectively. They are similar in every other way though, being a rare genetic anomaly among the Epikor with some old cultural significance that isn't really observed much now but still holding a sense of superstition into their uncanny nature and intense empathic bond

>>1351438
Man, if that's the fragment of the wormstar...

But on other matters, with our inevitable showdown with the Osijics over B'Nan coming up, I think we should build more ships. I put together a list, could we start building them now?

650 Corvettes
100 Support Corvette
300 Frigates
100 Stealth Frigates
105 Light Cruisers
255 Heavy Cruisers
70 Plasma Weaver Cruisers
100 Void Weaver Cruisers
227 Battlecruisers
100 Voidspear Battlecruisers
50 Torpedo Battlecruisers
100 Hangar Battlecruisers

All of which should cost 2,094,950B 3,485,700M. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

>>1351447
The convoy was protecting a valuable piece of salvage, overseen by what appears to be a high ranking officer in the Council's miliary.

>>1351461
Night graves. I Gotta die here for tonight. Thanks for the run

>>1351462
Yeah I'm probably done for the night as well. I'll be picking it up against later this afternoon since I won't have competition from HQQ to worry about
RIP

>>1351459
Nah, I think this is one of the "synthetic" enemy the Council was fighting.

>>1351459
Should be building a shitton of lances on the surface too

Folks should feel free to suggest new or existing units to use the Quasiphasic Disruptors on.

I'm curious to see what you all could come up with.

>>1351478
Damn right we should, I've tried to vote to do so but the limit on how many we can build is kind of opaque. According to the pastebin a single lance requires 10% development of a planet just to power the damn thing, but if thats the case we won't be able to build any before the Osijic reach Kanda.

No matter what though, we need to turn that dustball into a fortress world, and soon.

>>1351481
Either a shadow or lurker, maybe a bone cluster if we can manage it. But I think we might as well design a fresh unit to undergo this process.

>>1351481
Oh, and can we start building lances on Kanda or are we going to have to build more stuff there first?

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>>1351491
>>1351494
Yup, you can build Lances on any world that is 10% or higher which includes
>Horizon's Drop
>Rukor (mainly around Vyi'a'Rthun
>Bastion
>Bastions sister moon
>All the planets in the Urdir system including Legions Home around the central base
>Clour
>Kanda

>>1351497
Sweeeet, I propose we construct the following on Kanda;

Anti-Air Network x3 (camouflaged)
AOMBS
Advanced System Sensor
200 Jammer Pylons
Anti-Orbital Lance x3

2,000 Devastators
20,000 Obsidian Dirges
Total: 2,656,060B 2,536,060M

We build the three lances on the same sites as the previous ones built by the Osijic, but disguise them to make them appear destroyed at a distance, and install crystalline energy dampeners over their generators so they look dead on scans. The dirges work on constructing earthwork fortifications while the devestators can create networks of tunnels (ideally under the direction of Agona or Muic) beneath them out into the countryside. These tunnels provide ambush points around the likely positions the Osijic will take in assaulting the more obvious defenses, and will be linked to resevoirs of molten stone, especially in locations adjacent to valleys, lakebeds, or other depressions in the landscape.

When the void tyrants make landfall they'll see a burnt out shattered husk of world with skellies occupying the ruined defenses, with only a single lance still operational. We hold off on activating our jammer network (although they can passively point out their positions) until they are right where we want them. Then boom, all their comms go dark, waves of undead start coming out of the hills and the sky is lit up by blaster fire coming from AA nests they didn't know were there. Hot lava flows out of the hills in streams and channels, cutting their formations off from each other, making them easy pickings for specially concealed gun nests.

How does that sound for a defensive strategy anons?

>>1351481
Quasiphasic Devourer swarms?

>>1351481
I want brood war lurkers, they can use the quasiphasic disruptors to bore through the ground and impale whatever the hell they want.

also quasiphasic crit crawls- who cares about enemy fortifications if you have intelligent suicide bombers who can phase through walls?

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>>1351109
because i cant help myself

And little Arkham's that's how grandad broke out of undead space prison!

>>1351691
You misspelled "Jadyk". I must insist you hand in your DATSQ membership card and officially licensed DATSQ baseball cap.

>>1351691
rick and morty!!

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>>1351733
my shame is too great to be atoned for, I will commit Sudoku as soon as i can find a book of it large enough to be crushed under.

>>1351741
100 years!, Jadyk and Karaky!

>>1351481
So it occurs to me that our dear Illuminator general is currently lacking a special power...

What is the Confederate ship The Dauntless currently doing? Id like to know how long till it reaches this sector just so we can buff up our forces in case we need to deter a trigger happy admiral or senate.

>>1352061
He's got Hardlight powers and is a purely Necrotic entity like Nekris and Agona were

>>1352253
I think buddy and pals are keeping an eye out.

We should really purchase a warehouse or something on Veraga. Place to store the big batches of food kelp as a disguise but with a hidden Cauldron for reasons

>>1352537
If we do, they had better be able to be vaporized so that The Confeds cant fulfill more of their Necrotic fetish.

>>1351512
Sounds like a good time...for us lol

>>1352551
Oh of course. With energy dampening crystals built into the walls or what ever materials are used in the smugglers hold to prevent scanning

>>1352061
He has Hardlight

>>1351512
We should also build 9 terror dromes over kanda. That way there are three of them for every approach to the planet

We should be resuming in about an hour or so depending on how quickly I can finish these errands

>>1351691
>>1351826
A quality snake

>>1352061
He's got a big focus on Necrotic energy and Hard-light technology that is now fused to him.

By joining with his juggernaut mount he is also capable of manipulating whatever energy core the mount has inserted at the time like right now on Scatters it has a Void Core so he'd be able to manipulate them by using the juggernaut as his tool to do so

Jadyk and Jor designed him to be a symbol of the Armada's powers and its "standardbearer"

>>1353280
You know it's kind of a shame that our standard bearer for the might of the Necrotic has to rely on hardlight so much in battle. Out of all our elements, the necrotic is the most neglected, with fewer necromancers than any other potential and almost no offensive capabilities on the battlefield.

Is there any way we could weaponize the necrotic more effectively? It's rather regrettable that the defining energy form of our armada is falling into irrelevance the way it is.

>>1353635
Considering how our main fighting force are the reconstructed(not counting the units of each order) then the Necrotic is without a doubt our main element, though I agree we should still see what else can be used with it.

>>1353635
>>1353645
There are actually a number of Necromancers within the Legion now that were necrotic potentials gained during the B'Nan campaign. They are going to focus more on battle along with several of the original Necromancers returning to the Legion as well to help train the new ones and develop a new path for combat necromancers.

>>1353645
Maybe we could start brainstorming of novel ways it can be applied on the battlefield. It shouldn't be too hard, at it's heart necromancy is a study of converting the essence of life into other forms of energy that naturally corrodes everything.

How about a warhead or bomb that drains the life from every living being within a set radius and then forces that energy back out explosively? It would work equally well as an anti-infantry or anti-armor weapon. Imagine a bomb that could suck the life out of a tank crew and then use that energy to slag the tank. A wickedly effective one-two punch I'd say.

>>1353635
Well, from the sound of things it's only our necrotic units that can seem to use our new Quasiphasic technology. We might have to look into giving our Looms an upgrade with it. Phasing through helmets and such to use a NID?

Not sure if any of our necrotic champions are small enough to undergo the Quasiphasic pod, or if it's smart to risk them in such a way until we understand more about the rift.

It wouldn't do to give Akka-tor a backdoor into our operations.

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Hours passed as the stealthcraft travel carefully around the gas giant, avoiding the swarms of patrolling ships, their sensors sweeping across the moons. The large numbers of vessels prevented them from getting close enough for deep-scans but they made notes of heavy undead presence around the bunkers growing like mushrooms on crust of the moons.

Jors vessel was guided by him, carefully avoiding the motes of necrotic energy he could sense surrounding him like a sea of muted stars. As he was surrounded by the vast number of undead around him he was able to grow accustomed to their energies and among them the noticed a resonance, like a sour note plucked at their being over and over. He followed that resonace, tracing its echoes where they flowed out and washed over the undead. Sweat dripped down his brow as he focused intently, his mind stretching out as he followed the path he divinated from the zombie hordes. He could feel it, the heat and pressure of a mind, it's thoughts echoed countless times across mindless vessels like a vast resonant chamber that grew more intense as he guided the Coffin.

Finally he was shocked back to awareness as the Coffin let out a short alert of increased traffic ahead. Unbuckling from his seat he sends himself toward the front of the Coffin and looks over the shoulder of the Pilot and through the viewing port. A moon hung over Spindle as ships ferried resources to its surface. One of the other scouting Coffins was drifting nearby where it had been collecting data on the moon. Images taken by its long-range cameras showed a decently sized bunker being constructed from the remains of a surface outpost but the amount of pulverized stone being piled up around it showed there was likely extensive tunnel networks being dug.

Nodding in satisfaction Jor sends a message to the corvette and the Commanders image flashes into being before him, "I believe I know where the source is. Sending data and coordinates."

The osjiic looks over the data briefly and gives a shout to someone off-screen then turns back to Jor, "We are on our way. You are certain this is the source?"

He gave a shrug and wiped the sweat from scalp sending it back in a spray in the zero-gravity, "As sure as I can be. That's where I hear the thoughts controlling the undead originate from."

"You can do that now?" the Commander asked in surprise.

Jor just laughs with another shrug as the scattered vessels of the striketeam move to congregate in preparation for their mission.

>Jor has located a probably location of the controlling influence of the Refuge undead

>>1353819
Alright, roll call time, who's lurking

>>1353841
Present and accounted for.

>>1353841
Launching Tomahawks.

>>1353841
Answering roll call, awaiting call for rolls.

>>1353841
I'm here

>>1353819
The B'Nan system was a busy place in the aftermath of the Armada's campaign. Carriers ferried resources between worlds or transported them from neighboring systems. Kanda was quickly churning out the first loads of processed ore since they had resumed mining where the Osjiic had left off after they had repaired the majority of the damage sustained during the invasion. Buildings of cauldron-forged bone and metal were mixed among the remaining osjiic buildings with constant construction going on somewhere as they tear down and replace portions of the various cities.

Yet it was the Eyegore that had remained in the system, it's drones keeping a lookout scattered throughout it, that sensed something amiss. A gravity well was sending ripples out ahead of it as it approached, the Eyegore rapidly checking against the Deep Rots data of incoming ships, and a split second later an alarm ripples out through the ships in the system. Even before it had completed its alarm the light of an Osjiic Empire fleet emerging from FTL in novas of Voidlight reached the drone.

The fleets engines flared with life as they rocketed toward Kanda having arrived between the asteroid belt and their former planet. Ships throughout the system mobilized to respond, the picket fleet over Kanda moving to place themselves on intercept with the newcomers. The fleet wasn't a full scale invasion force, only slightly larger than a typical Scout fleet but they were guided by a heavy battleship with a significant void presence from its oversized reactors..

The Osjiic Empire has come.

Roll me 3d100 best of first three for defending against these would-be invaders

Rolled 10, 67, 40 = 117 (3d100)

>>1353930

Rolled 11, 29, 50 = 90 (3d100)

>>1353930

Rolled 88, 62, 71 = 221 (3d100)

>>1353930

>>1353949
Nice save.

Rolled 2, 15, 27 = 44 (3d100)

>>1353930

>>1353930
FUCK WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO FINISH THE DEFENSES SHIT

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>>1353930
As the fleet moved itself in a wedge formation with a heavy cruiser as its vanguard in it's path toward Kanda, the scattered ships that were along its path shift their course, either firing as they retreated if they were isolated or merely transport ships, or striking at their flanks as they passed. A collection of advanced skip drive subcapital ships appears off their port side without warning and after a moment of reorienting their weapons unleashed a barrage that carved into the side of the fleet.

A wing of the fleet peeled off to engage the small strikeforce as turrets from the rest of the fleet opened fire as they passed. The Armada ships fought valiantly to their last as a frigate trailing atmosphere and crew rammed its prow into the command deck of a light cruiser, the defiant shouts of Pilots ringing out only to be silenced. Their sacrifice helped slow the fleet and injure a portion of its ships but still it moved upon the planet.

Terrordromes, hauled in from the Bastion and Horizon's Drop systems, spread like a net as they moved into position ahead of the picket fleets. Their turrets swivel and unleash their attacks once they were in range, exchanging fire with the osjiic fleet. Their reinforced and redundant shields seemed to surprise the fleet as they stubbornly held their ground and their shields shone like pearls in space as missiles, kinetic rounds and energy blasts struck them.

As the Terrordromes began to fall as the fleet stared to spread and focused their fire on the spherical craft, the picket fleet unleashed its fighters. Nails and Gunships tear past the remaining Terrordromes or swoop around their burning wreckages as the void of space is illuminated by countless energy blasts. Flayers crackle against the shields of the osjiic fleet, chain-flensers tearing the glowing bubbles of energy to pieces as a barrage of needle missiles rain down on the hulls.

Turrets and auxiliary weapons cut down the fighters and strikecraft as they engaged in vicious close range combat. The smaller craft tried to deter the larger vessels from firing upon them by sticking close to the hulls of the osjiic ships. Yet as they harassed the forward ships a barrage of weaponsfire erupted from the heavier ships behind striking a few of the Empires ships, already damaged by the Armadan attacks, causing them and the surrounding strikecraft to be destroyed in great balls of flame and void energy.

Using the distraction gained from the fighters and Terrordromes the picket fleet ships moved in to attack, several Battleships aiming their kilometer long spinal cannons to send necrotically infused slugs the size of shuttles flying at near lightspeeds. The kinetic rounds struck their shields, many of them failing in the first attack. Powerful lances of Void energy leap out to strike the approaching picket fleet even as they retaliate with Necrotic flayers carving into their hulls.

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>>1354188
The battle grew frantic and chaotic as the ships clashed in relatively close ranges, their spinal and fixed guns becoming nearly impossible to aim and reducing them to rely on turrets and auxiliary weapons as they filled the void between them with missiles. The osjiic fleet stubbornly fought on, rallying around the massive battleship who's weapons shattered a good number of Armadan ships.

The Eyegore watched the battle with rapt attention but two hours into the battle it senses yet another gravity well approaching them. They were momentarily alarmed, fearful of another Empire fleet but their fears were quickly dispelled as a reinforcement fleet appeared around the curve o Kanda to hide its approach.

Voidknight Jareth guided the fleet of reinforcements from the front in his Void Terror ship, his commands making the fleet hold back their attacks until they were nearly upon the Empire fleet. Missiles and beams of light leaped out and struck the flank of the Osjiic fleet as a large number of Nails followed in their wake guided by Jareth himself.

The Osjiic fleet quickly knew it was a hopeless battle and began to withdraw. Not ready to let the fun cease Jareth pushed his fleet to strike at the battleship and prevent its escape. As his Nails supported and protected him, dodging between osjiic ships and cutting through groups of their own heavy fighters, a message was beamed to Jareth.

He was surprised that the battleship knew to target his ship but as he curiously answered the hail a screen popped up to show a familiar sight standing on the bridge of the Osjiic Battleship. Clad in advanced black armor an Osjiic stood in the display, the visor of their helm removed to show the burning skull within devoid of flesh and wreathed in voidflame.

The Deathshead Guardian did not see an outgoing image but knew their hail was answered, "You must be one of the Voidknights of this new Necrotic Armada. A skilled pilot indeed," it states even as the battle continues to rage, it's engines glowing brighter with Voidlight, "I can see why several of my number have fallen before you, I suppose."

"What do you want, Imperial puppet?" Jareth demanded as his ship twisted to avoid a missile that strikes the Nail behind him with a sizable detonation.

"The Empire grows intrigued by you all. You can hear him, can't you?" it asks suddenly as Voidlight begins to wrap itself around the Battleship and the ships around it.

Jareth snarls out in anger as he pushes is Void Terror harder, hsi own flames fueling the reactor. The Deathshead continues to speak, "You have awakened something that should have stayed dead and we will all suffer for it. Until we meet in battle, my distant brethren. Ascendant Blade, thirteenth to hold my name. Remember me, Voidknight and we shall meet once more in glorious battle."

>cont

>>1354193
With that his communication ends and the Osjiic Fleet makes its retreat into FTL, Voidlight wreathing them as they disappear into the cosmic distance. Jareth slams his fist against his console in frustration, his mind racing but he turns his ship back to Kanda along with the defensive fleets.

Several Osjiic ships had been stranded and boarding crews were already pouring into the hallways to subdue their new prisoners. The Osjiic had attacked fiercely, nearly as many Armadan ships laying damaged or destroyed as the fleets. Thankfully the fighting had not reached Kanda and construction resumes on the surface where forces had tensed and prepared for the chance of ground battle or bombardment.

Yet most alarmingly, was the Deathshead Guardian of the Osjiic Empire by the name of 13 Ascendant Blade has made contact with Voidknight Jareth. The undead General was disquieted by this meeting, ignoring Lorguls incoming messages demanding an update for now as he mulls over the encounter.

>>1354193
Well now, that was...unsettling. About how many ships did we lose in this little skirmish Graves?

>>1354197
who?

>>1354193
The "he" in question is most likely whats left of Ghul. As for what we have apparently awakened, I have no fucking idea.

>>1351605
>also quasiphasic crit crawls- who cares about enemy fortifications if you have intelligent suicide bombers who can phase through walls?
Holy shit that's brilliant. Imagine battle hardened veteran troops fleeing in terror as a ghostly rolly-polly bug merrily rolls toward them.

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>>1354197
As the battle in the B'Nan system raged you had been in transit to the Andai system and now as the battle drew to a close your Coffin lands on the surface of Clour near Ruscuv's tomb.

Your Throne moves across the dry earth then into the darkness of the caverns. Moving through the tomb you passed a number of Ruscuv's Reconstructed moving through it, pushing carts of rubble or repairing sections of crumbling walls. They were similar in stature to your Stingers but they were clearly designed by a differing aesthetic as the Talons and proper Stingers that worked alongside them.

Enter into the main chamber you find Ruscuv seated in the center as a demi-Think Tank displays the footage of Tlacex's attack on the vastly underpowered undead hordes. Looking through the image at your arrival she stands and the hologram flickers away, "Ah, there you are, Jadyk! I was thinking you had forgotten about me," she says with amusement as the tendrils framing her wide maw of teeth and mandibles twist gently.

Lifting from your Throne you drift forward, "Doubtful, sister. You said you wished to speak with me?" you ask floating "eye" level in front of her.

The point of a scythe longer than your were tall scratches at the ground as she nods, "Indeed," she turns as she starts to wander around the large chamber, claws digging into the stone, "I was just admiring that Illuminator. The work of your Necromancer I hear, very lovely work. Especially with the crystals, very fancy," she says with a laugh, "I do love that you've managed to take the technology of the Crystals and making it into weaponry," she compliments.

She turns to look at you again, "I've noticed that your Armada is quite busy, Brother. Would you like my help? I do not have the numbers that your armies do, not yet, but some of my toys could be taken out from storage to assist you. Even I could do with some practice. Something worth more glory than some shamblers and droolers," she says dismissively of the Refuge undead.

Ruscuv has grown bored and wishes to know if you have need of her military aid.
>Write-in

>>1354389
Maybe a raid so she can get more experience then the Think-Tanks will give her. Not sure where though. Maybe even give her a chance to work with the Lava Father.

>>1354389
Perhaps raiding the staging bases of our enemies? It'd be a good trial run for you and yours. I assume you either have some ships in storage or will be fine with a taxi?

>>1354389

I agree with the raid idea - outfit her with some ships tailor-made to counter either arc or void, depending on the target, and have her harass them a bit.

>>1354389
Yes. I'm sure you've read my notes on the Osijic Empire and my conflict with them. As we speak my forces are engaged with them in the B'Nan system, once the center of their control over this sector. This was a probing attack I'm sure, but I fully expect them to attempt a full scale invasion to retake the world of Kanda, and very soon. This will likely be the greatest yet battle between the Armada and the void tyrants, an will decide the pace of the war to follow. If you wish to lend me your strength and bring glorious death in true battle against the desecrators of Ghul, Kanda would be the ideal place to do it.

>>1354389
Send her out to raid and maybe have one of our Generals to support, they'll be nominally under her command but we can still countermand orders

>>1354422
Supporting having her go to Kanda in prep for the Osjiic

>>1354389
Suggestions so far seem like:
>Send her to raid either the Ahkam or Osjiic
>Send her to Kanda to help defend against Osjiic incursions

Which system would you like to send her to raid?

>>1354471
How about N'Tin? It's far away enough from B'Nan that the Osijic probably won't have a high concentration of ships compared to other systems, and it's only a hop skip and jump away from Kanda. Once she's done with the raid she can return there and help prep the defenses.

>>1354471
"You've learned about my foe, the Osjiic Empire correct?" you ask while drawing your legs up under you.

Ruscuv nods, a tendrils barbed tip picking at her teeth, "The ones who stole Ghuls fire, yes, your Think Tanks have told me much about them," she lets out a dramatically despondent sigh, "I always admired the Voidlords prowess in battle. The campaigns I fought alongside the Black Flame armies were always full of glorious battle."

"Indeed, sister. Recently I conquered one of their systems here in this sector, an important piece of their Empire here. Just moments ago they sent a probing fleet to judge our defenses, likely in advance of a larger invasion," you say and she cuts you off before you could continue.

"And you want me to defend this newly gained system of yours," she says matter-of-factly then nods, "I suppose that could keep me entertained."

"You didn't let me finish, Ruscuv," you say with a slight shake of your head and she turns to you again, "That is only part of it. I would have you join one of my Generals in raiding one of their systems, to destabilize their efforts to prepare for this invasion. You will go with Voidknight Jareth, one of the inheritors of the Black Flame and one of my most gifted pilots and fleet commanders.

"After you two complete the raid, you shall join the other Voidknight, Revenant Lorgul, who was the first to be Reconstructed with the Voidflames," you let out a small laugh, "I think you would get along will with Lorgul. As long as the inevitable duel between you keeps collateral damage to a minimum," you say, knowing well the temperament of both your first General and your sister Lich.

Ruscuv lets out her own laughter, echoing in the lofty chamber, "Very well, brother Jadyk. I shall join your Voidknights in battle," she says and bows her upper torso.

Ruscuv has agreed to join the Voidknights in raiding the Osjiic Empire and then to help protect B'Nan for the inevitable conflict.

Which osjiic system do you want them to raid?
>R'Jur
>D'Hrin
>N'Tiin
>N'Bic
>Cerberi

>>1354570
Any system have a shipyard or something of value?

>>1354570
We could either strike somewhere with a shipyard or other important infrastructure like >>1354594 suggests.

Or probe somewhere else on their borders to keep the Empire from massing too many of their forces while we work on consolidating Kanda and rebuilding the defenses.

I honestly don't remember which of the Osjiic worlds have what.

>>1354570
>>N'Tiin
>As long as the inevitable duel between you keeps collateral damage to a minimum
Birds of a feather, those two.

>>1354594
N'Tiin does! The planet of Tur've has a bunch of their factory cities, and the world of Tor've is where it's picket fleets and military bases are located. We could hit Tur've to blow up their shipyards and draw away the fleet, then hit Tor've while their fleet is en route. Classic bait and switch.

Speaking of factory cities, I wonder what happened to our research into them.

>>1354570
>>N'Tiin

>>1354570
backing this guy >>1354607 god Bless Anon remembering.

>>1354570
>>1354607
>>1354609

>N'Tiin

>>1354570
With a mental command a demi-Think Tank projects a display of the N'Tiin system, "This system is where they produce much of their warships. You and Jareth will go here and strike at their shipyards. It will buy us time as they work to repair them along with any vessels you two may damage."

Ruscuv looks over the data while chuckling in amusement, "May damage," she mutters with another chuckle but nods, "As you will it, brother Jadyk. This system looks rather fortified. Continuous raiding strikes would be ideal for the eventual invasions, never letting them have a chance to fully repair or shore up their defenses. Always attack, never relent," she says while imagining would-be scenarios of attack in the system.

"Then it is decided. I will have you meet with Voidknight Jareth and you two shall make your plans," you say while sending a mental message through the Deep Rot to Jareth with the plan.

Was there anything you wished to speak to Ruscuv before you depart?
>Write-in

>>1354611
Lol there's no way I could remember all that, I pulled up the pastebin real quick. I had to check it five times typing that post just to get these wacky Osijic names right. Don't know who's idea it was to give two neighboring planets the same name with only one letter swapped out, but it must have made mail delivery hell for this system.

>>1354623
So sister, what do you think of this new world?

>>1354623

How do we suggest she take an Osjiic pet? She needs a Jor of her own.

>>1354623
>Ask how she is fairing with things, and if there is anything she'd need for this task.

>>1354623
Rejoice sister, for glorious war approaches and we will soon taste the lives and voidflame of our enemies. Hope it's to your taste.

>>1354623
Advise she alter her form to add an aesthetic "face" for when interacting with mortals, it puts them at ease and makes speaking with them easier. Even if they face has nothing of value in it from an enemy attack stand point.

>>1354623

Hmn, on further thought, as a serious suggestion might we offer her the use of the Fury of Wormstar for this raid? And plant the notion in her mind that she may want to start designing her own flagship. We do have plenty of metal stockpiled and can always use more ships with the war ramping up.

>>1354638
It could be a wise idea to get her to start building her own ships, we're pretty inconsistent on what we produce and when.

Although now that you mention the stockpile we really do need to bring up our biomass intake to match it somehow. Our ships and most of the construction options cost roughly equal amounts of both and the comparative lack of biomass is one of the primary limiting factors on the growth of the Armada right now.

>>1354623
"So tell me, sister, what do you think of this current age?" you ask curiously.

She pauses from looking over the displayed data to look toward you, "Still have yet to make my judgement. From the looks of it, your presence is accelerating the conflicts that took place in this sector so it is good you awoke me. You will need my help, of course," she says matter-of-factly, "At first I found your alliance with these...Armatocere plants to be laughable but if what the Think Tanks said about their military might is true, then I think you made a good ally. If they are able to deter almost every faction out there, they must be doing something right with their warfare."

"Indeed, I am thankful my Necromancer pushed for peace with them. I think they found it refreshing to find another "long-lived" entity that could commiserate about the follies of the quickly aging races of the galaxy," you say, "Was there anything that you needed or wanted since your reanimation?"

She thinks about it for a moment, "A tour of your territory once things settle down. I am interested in seeing Iti'a'Ropku in person and meeting this Lavafather your reports speak so highly of. In fact, I would enjoy meeting all of your Generals sometime and not to mention your Necromancer who so graciously gave a part of himself for my return. I would thank him."

"Necromancer Jor is in the middle of an important mission. I am sure once it is concluded he would enjoy meeting with you proper."

Ruscuv nods, "My disgraced caretaker is eagerly awaiting his arrival as well. They just mope around in the tunnels, doesn't even try to escape," she clicks her mandibles in shame, "Just lingers hoping I will forgive it," she says with a shrug of all four shoulders.

Her humanlike hands motion suddenly toward the demi-Think Tank, "Oh! One thing I forgot to say how proud I am of."

You tilt your head in curiosity, "Oh?"

"Your Colosseum reminds me of something I would make, pitting Reconstructed against the might of captured enemies. I thought I would find those races boring but they are surprisingly exciting," she remarks, "Although my favorite are the Tyrre. I can tell they evolved for combat, every moment not spilling their enemies blood or shattering their bones is a life unfulfilled," her tendrils twist with minor excitement, "In time, I would like to meet them. They seem like my kind of species," she says pridefully.

"You know, a few of my Think Tanks mentioned you would like them and vice versa. From what I've learned, their homeworld is a deathworld that made old Kyn'tk look mild in comparison," you mention with a small laugh, the fractal-bladed construct shifting inside your ribcage at the mention of its namesake.

>cont

>>1354715
Letting your legs unfold you drift back toward your throne as it lifts to meet you part way, "Should you get bored as you wait, feel free to have the Think Tanks in assisting you in designing your own warships. Each of my orders has their own unique vessels, or they would if they had the time," you add dryly then continue, "I am sure you could design a deadly vessel worthy of your name."

Ruscuv taps her chin with a claw, "I do not think I have returned to the levels that let me fight subcapitals on my own with no need of a warship. Your way seems to be working so far, I shall try it."

You bow politely and the undead monstrosity returns the gesture, "Remind the Galaxy why they once feared the chosen of the Wormstar, remind them why they should fear us once more, dear sister."

Ruscuvs wide maw twists into a parody of a grin, "Of course, dear brother. I will enjoy bringing terror to our enemies."

>>1354696
Catoblepas space farms then? We can get plenty of carbon from chondrite asteroids or methane from cold gas giants similar to Neptune. Just need a source of nitrogen, and we're set to grow plenty of kelp in orbital habitats.

>>1354717
When Graves allows it. If I didn't know better I would think he's deliberately trying to inhibit our resource generation at times.

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>>1354717
With the Tenebrous lifeform survey completed this thread there are two new biomass options.

The twin worlds of Tenebrous can now be colonized with biomass farms custom-tooled for their environment.

The Vampire Vine can be used to boost biomass gains on planets like Rukor and Horizon's Drop and other planets with healthy floral biospheres without harming them by siphoning very minor amounts of nutrients from local plants and trees.

There is also the Worllunan system with Vannec that could also be colonized where the Confederate colony disappeared.

Gimme a little bit and I'll have a list of worlds that are available for colonizing and biomass production to vote on

>>1354740
I feel insulted lol

>>1354745
Well, orbital habitats aren't strictly beyond our technical capabilities. O'Neil cylinders aren't as complicated as starships, just big! We might even call in a favor from the Armatocere to ask about any plants they have that will grow in vacuum/orbit and generate biomass.

>>1354745
You know, now that we've integrated Rukor into our armada we really ought to find a way to develop it, it's incredibly rich in biomass. Given how it's mostly ocean we could find a way of doing so without harming the local environment much, or even enrich it. We just need to find a corner of the ecosystem that isn't actively contributing to the food chain and plant a nutritionally rich aquatic crop (i.e. kelp) and allow the local fauna to feed off it. That will send the fish stocks soaring, providing us with a readily available source of delicious biomass. Any of this sound feasible Graves?

>>1354763
Put Fingers down with their base in the ocean, and they'll be artificial reefs, essentially.

>>1354789
Yeah, assuming aquatic life functions like it does IRL, life will blossom wherever it can find a solid structure to grow off of. If we really want to take advantage of that we can construct free floating frames and chains for stuff to grow on in the deep ocean. That's the greatest amount of surface area for stuff to grow on that I can think of.

>>1354763
>>1354789
>>1354824
I was actually thinking about this recently. Rukor, due to it having less land-mass than most worlds that a majority if not all Armada development would be on the ocean floor like the aquatic sectors of Vyi'a'Rthun.

With aquatic adapted Reconstructed they would be tending to biomass farms that rely on a modified version of the native "coral".

The single Wormstar Finger that is on Rukor so far is anchored to a relatively shallow portion of the ocean at the equator and organisms and plants are already securing themselves to its super structure and would be a good spot for more biomass farms.

>>1354752
There is something of a low gravity catoblepas farm in sections of the orbital platforms attached to all the current wormstar fingers. The Catoblepas don't really like the weakened gravity but they are kept secure in harnesses to keep from jumping out of their pens.

>>1354834
That's the great thing about O'Neil cylinders. Spin gravity.

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>>1354834
Would large scale fish farming be feasible with help from the Armatocere? That's where a whole lot the biomass in the ecosystem seems to be found, and I'm sure the Ructu would appreciate increased bounty.

Either way, I'd like to propose a new aquatic unit to help defend our infrastructure from both the native wildlife and possible invaders; the nuckaleave. We take the plainsrunner/crawler six limbed body plan and shrink it to medium size, and give it a cyclopean eye and siphon jets. The jet in it's main body can propel it at high speeds, and the eye will give it excellent vision, allowing it raise it's 'torso' out of the water to snipe at targets while still moving. Under the waves it would be perceptive enough to detect approaching threats while being quick enough to outmaneuver most threats, while still being able to move around on land.

Think a very agile aquatic cyclops that loses it's shit whenever something messes with our kelp.

Six limbed body plan
Amphibious
Siphon Jet: 3B
Crude Camouflage: 2B
Advanced Cyclopean Gaze: 2B
Sonar: 2B
Neurotoxic Venomgland: 2B

actually, sadly it looks like I gotta call it here for the night. We'll probably do more scenes tomorrow sometime in the afternoon.

Still have to welcome the Armatocere guests and initiate the next step of Jor and the Commanders mission.

I hope folks had fun, I know I did running it.

Feel free to place build orders for ships or troops or suggestions for who gets thrown into the Disruptors.

Small vote before I go though, begin colonizing the Worllunan system? There are two worlds prime for biomass farming along with a metal rich world and an asteroid belt
>Y/N

>>1354893
>yes

I really gotta look over stuff and see if I can't think of something bullshit

>>1354893
>Y
More resources are always nice, though I am concerned that one of our enemies will attack before we can set up some local defenses. We have a lot of enemies, and not all have acted against us recently.

>>1354763
Clone and farm the beast, Which actually if we Clone the thing as fast as possible we MIGHT be able to get some decent cruiser class bioships, out of it(Under the assumption that the Fury of the Wormstar is Battleship/Dreadnought size)

>>1354893
Hey graves. I might be an idiot but can we phase shift our defenses yet or just ground forces?

>>1354893
Lets grab every planet we can hold. Expand, nail it down, do it again.

>>1354893
>>Y
If we're going to bring up build orders I'd like to propose we start building both these orders >>1351459 >>1351512 for grand total of 4,751,010B 6,021,760M. We need to prepare for the coming onslaught.

>>1354915
So far just regular sized troops. No ghost bullets...yet

Speaking of which, we need to disrupt some of these units:
>Shadows
>Looms
>Flat Gargoyles
>Shock Trolls
>Lurkers
>Crit Crawlers

>>1354919
Supporting

>>1355318
no one wants to see a Ghost Dirge, or a Ghost chitin choir? or a Chitin choir/dirge combo.. get a real haunting going on

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>>1353280
>A quality snake
a slightly higher quality snek
Too many god damn scales edition

Also.. if we immortalize this guy, this is going to be a bitch to redraw.. unless i just, give him goth make up or something, dripping eye shadow >.>

>>1355650
You can do it smiles. Don't give up!

>>1355650
Gods, smile. That is fantastic looking. Go you.

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>>1355650
Rick'em, rac'um,rick'um rack,draw those scales unto that snake!

Alright so we're going for third night in a row, hope there are folks around.

Roll call time!

>>1356870
no

>>1356870
Here

>>1356870
Whaddup

>>1356870
Your a machine grave

Once returned to the Sower corvette Jor joined the Necrolyte Commander with the rest of the Legionnaires selected for the mission standing around the strategy table. A mass of holographic data floated before them from the scans and footage of the compound now that the stealth cloaked ships had fallen back from the hive of activity.

The Commander looks up upon Jors arrival, "Just in time, we were going over plans for how to approach this."

An osjiic Arc Dancer speaks up, doubt heavy in her voice, "Are you sure this is place? I doubt we'll get another shot if they think we're going after whoever's controlling them."

Rosa smacked the osjiics elbow with a half-hearted back-handed swat, "Hey, this is the First Necromancer himself. I'm about as inclined to believe his word on these things as if it were Lord Jadyk himself saying it," she said with a nod to Jor.

To his credit he didn't get flustered, merely giving an appreciative nod before looking to a display of bunker the undead were building, "Whatever is guiding these undead is coming from under that. I could hear echoes of commands through them and those commands got clearer the closer I got to that moon."

Necromancer Klikli, the stonestar chosen by Jor to accompany them since he was known for his prowess in combat as a warrior in his tribe before their banishment to Horizon's Drop, spoke up, "Could you understand what their commands said?" he asks, his code-like language instantly translated by every Necrolyte's Domination Spike.

Jor glanced around the table and saw the battle-scarred faces of the Necrolytes around him, each of them seeing years of mayhem and carnage, all looking at him for guidance. He knew they were veterans and knew it would be insulting to shield them, "Their commands are simple. 'Gather, Infect, Consume, Spread, Kill'. Stuff to that effect," he hesitates a moment then continues, "I hear a name though and this is what concerns me the most if I am being honest. It repeats the name "Jadyk" over and over in between its commands and it does not sound...respectful, shall we say."

He expected them to be alarmed only to be surprised himself when a netu threw her arms up in amused disbelief, Voidlight flickering over her form in a moment of emotion, "You mean to tell me this is all a grudgematch between Lord Jadyk and some old buddy of his?"

An epikor Legionnaire let out a laugh as the human next to him groaned, the epikor grinning at the Commanders questioning look, "I bet him it was something like that. Our Lord, the Lich, sending us to fight off a bunch of undead? Must be a rival I figured. He thought it was a feral infection or Confederate experiment that got out of hand," they explained and those around the table joined in with the laughter.

>cont

>>1356983
Jor was bewildered at first but found himself joining in with the laughter until the Commander raised his hands and motioned for them to be quiet, "Alright, settle down, we'll handle cashing in bets until after we complete our mission. I doubt it will be our place to find out the real reasoning behind this whole thing. Our job is not to analyze or deduce the reasoning for the battles we fight. We are Legionnaires, our job to achieve victory no matter the cost!"

He paused to let his soldiers let out boisterous sounds of approval and agreement before he continued, "Our job is to get in there and locate the controlling force of this plague," he then nodded to Jor, "And going by the judgement of Jor we are to either subdue and capture or eliminate with prejudice.

"This will be a highly dangerous operation. We'll be going into an unknown environment to face an unknown number of enemies with potentially unknown powers. But this is what we trained for, to deal with whatever insanity the Universe throws at us. We follow an ancient undead who once strove to conquer all life in the Galaxy who now sends us on humanitarian efforts. Nothing can be stranger than what our lives have become," he says with a small laugh that was echoed by the others.

He nods to a kosda soldier and they tap at a screen set in the side of the table and the holograms flicker and shift to show the section of the moon where they bunker was and icons indicating the ships that buzzed around it, the reptilian speaking up, "They have heavy ship presence, a few subcapital class ships nearby but most are shuttle size or smaller. Even a few where it looks like they slapped thrusters onto heavy repair exosuits," the data shifts with a tap of the screen to show close-ups of the bunker itself, "Now judging by the piles of rubble nearby they are heavily excavating underneath along with the amount of what we can assume to be resources being taken into the bunker. They've got some mounted guns," they say and they were highlighted on the image, "Bunch of foot-troops of course, those that don't have protective suits or armor still appear to be the typical collection of zombies and ghouls."

Another tap of the screen and several portions of the bunker highlight along with a cavern behind a nearby ridge, "These are the proposed entry points. The main "hangar" where we've seen shuttles enter and leave is the largest but has the most mounted guns. The others are entrances the undead use to go in and out while pushing crates of supplies," the kosda indicates the cavern, "Almost missed this but it looks like one of the exits they used to dump the rubble from their digging. Likely connects to the main tunnels."

The Necrolyte Commander nods gratefully to the kosda then looks to the rest, "So that's the situation. Time to make Jadyk proud."

>>1356987
For this operation the Necrolyte Commander and Jor have selected an elite team of the Legionnaire's best.

Forces:
>Necrolyte Commander
>Necromancer Jor
>Necromancer Klikli
>15 Voidsingers
>10 Arcdancers
>50 Necrolytes Legionnaires
>50 Trolls (50% Void core equipped)
>25 Stingers
>10 Stalkers
>10 Shadows
>10 Looms
>5 Dirges
>20 Flatbody Gargoyles
>5 Demi-Think Tanks

How should they proceed on this mission?
>Write-in

>>1357013
First of all we should have raids against all the moons at once to lessen the amount of space traffic and land our forces during the confusion

>>1357013
Perhaps call in some capital ships to make a passing attack and draw away some enemy air craft to clear us a path to then stealth in via the rubble removal tunnel

Maybe even deploy some disposable undead at the main entrance to draw away any reserve ground forces

>>1357013
What assets fleet wise do we have in system or nearby?

>>1357013
Well, I'd say a stealthy infiltration is impossible here, so let's launch a feint attack on the hangar to distract their forces and destroy their getaway vehicles. Preferably with our own strike craft to minimize the risk to our dudes.

While they're busy dealing with a rain of fire coming down on their ships, deploy the looms and shadows to the alternative entrances to make sure nothing gets out without us knowing, and then send in the troops to the least busy passage. We can't let the mastermind escape so we need to put eyes on every possible backdoor to the bunker.

>>1357038
You could pretty much call in as much firepower from your forces if you wanted. There's a consider amount of ships in Refuge right now as it is. A least a quarter of your fleet strength if not more

>>1357013
> can we grab a clutch each of talons and trolls to drop on to the planet to use as a distraction on another part of the planet? make this appear as us starting to cleanse the world.

Otherwise i suggest we use some old armada tactics here and start to GLASS the surface from orbit it is not like we lose anything by doing that

>>1357043
Do we have full space control and a blockade around Refuge?

>>1357081
If we make their situation seen TOO hopeless,then they might do something stupid like blowingitzelf up like what the osjic tried,though probably not that since it seems primaly minded and thus prioritized survival.

>>1357081
With a quarter of the entire armada in the system, we better have.

>>1357081
Hearth is pretty much on complete lockdown with the combo of Armada ships + Pirate and Local ships.

Scatters is less so but still has a good amount of ships in orbit.

The rest of the system has just been raids and scouting ships moving through it

>>1357087
>>1357088
>>1357092
Pull ships from Hearth to 'raid' the enemy fleet while we slip our forces in.

>>1357094
I can support this plan.

>>1357094
Sounds legit, let's do it.

>>1357043
Go full frontal assailants whIle strike team sneaks in to try and nab the brains behind the operation

>Have ships raid the moons of Spindle as a distraction

Roll me 2d100 best of first three please

Rolled 91, 95 = 186 (2d100)

>>1357120

>>1357121
HOLY SHIT.

NOBODY ELSE ROLL.

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>>1357121

Rolled 39, 64 = 103 (2d100)

>>1357120
gonna ruin it.

Rolled 27, 82 = 109 (2d100)

>>1357120
Whoops

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>>1357130
>>1357133

>>1357136
At least they didn't fucked it up

>>1357140
I appreciate their moxie.

Rolled 47, 16 = 63 (2d100)

Time for ones

>>1357120
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlK8jCJrsH4

With their plan finalized the Commander dismisses them and the Legionnaires depart to go inform the others and see to last minute preparation. At a command from the osjiic ships throughout the system began to mobilize, their engines charging as they prepared for a very brief stint of FTL to reach the outer edges of the system. The Think Tanks plotted their course carefully, not wanting to end up lightseconds or minutes out of the system or appearing in the center of Spindles core.

Jor stood by the table, looking at the image of the bunker where he had felt the controlling presence. The Commander came to stand next to him as they looked at the hologram then to the human, "How do you feel about this plan?"

The necromancer shrugged, "Why are you asking me? You're the soldiers. I was just a failed architect turned miner," he says with a laugh and turns to lean against the table made of organically shaped bone.

"Who then became the first Necromancer in service of a Lich. You're more than Jor the failed architect and Jor the miner," he claps a large hand on Jor shoulder and the human nearly buckles under the heavy blow, "Just let me and the Necrolytes handle the brute stuff. You and the stonestar handle the delicate Necromancer stuff."

Jor laughs and nods, "Yeah yeah, I'll keep you between me and whatever guns those zombies might have."

As they joked and conversed they waited for the ships to arrive. Many of the Necrolytes were tense but others had a relaxed bravado that confused some of their comrades but they all prepared themselves in their own way. Necromancer Klikli had separated himself and began a prayer to Jadyk and the Wormstar, the stonestar surprised when they were joined by a group of the Necrolytes and soon they were leading a group prayer with a good portion of the Legionnaires. They prayed for the guidance and protection of the Wormstar, for the wisdom of Jadyk, they intoned the name of Voidlord Ghul calling upon him to share his fury in battle.

Nearly an hour later the alert ran through the corvette and troops moved to the ready, securing themselves in Coffins while waiting for further orders.

Flashes of light began to appear in the outer orbits of Spindles moons and moments later as the light of the Armada ships reached the undead crewed vessels they were followed mere seconds afterward by a volley of kinetic rounds then a swarm of missiles. Chaos erupted across the multiple moons infested with the undead as Disciple lead ships launched their attacks. Flights of Nails and Gunships raced in to duel with the seemingly countless number of strikecraft, the darkness of the vacuum illuminated with explosions, energy beams and detonating vessels. On the surface of the moons Craw-Bombers unleashed deadly clouds of flechettes against the undead before Shock Pods began to rain down sporadically, releasing small groups of Shock Trolls and Lurkers to attack.

>cont

>>1357272
Not wanting to raise the suspicions of whatever entity was hidden in the moon bunker by ignoring them a flight of ships emerged on the moons side opposite of hidden corvette and launched their fighters. As predicted the shuttles and strikecraft milling around the bunker were launched to intercept the Armadan ships.

As a light cruiser moves through the cloud of undead strikecraft to unleash its drop pods the Necrolytes were surprised to see anti-air guns emerge from under the piles of rubble and begin firing at the drop pods and Coffins attempting to deposit Reconstructed on the surface. Gunships strafed the surface, their flayers and missiles reducing the gun emplacements smoldering craters allowing the drop pods and Coffins to land safely.

Once again, as predicted streams of undead moved out of the main hangar to clash with the shock trolls and lurkers, body-parts and moondust thrown up in the low gravity as they fought in the airless silence.

With their opening clear the Coffins swooped in low over the surface of the moon and quickly set down behind a line of ridges near the excavation tunnels. Their scans had picked up several more entrances that had been hidden behind or under cliffs and ridges and the Coffins had split up in transit to space out their forces to prevent a bottleneck filing into a single entrance.

Helms snap shut with hisses of pressurized seals and the fins of jump packs flexed with ripples of voidlight. The doors of the Coffins slide open and the Necrolytes emerge, weapons held at the ready as they spread out covering every approach. The lights of the fighting above them flashed and illuminated the landscape in eerie strobes as the giant mass of Spindle loomed monstrously over the horizon.

To an outside observer they would have seen the Necrolytes and Reconstructed emerge from nothingness as they left the bubbles of twisted light around the Coffins. They moved with hopping skips in the low gravity, each member trained for fighting in similar conditions allowing them to move rapidly across the lunar landscape.

With a mental command Shadows and Looms broke away ahead of the groups, their darkened forms fading from the view of their living comrades as they scouted ahead with Flatbody Gargoyles wrapped firmly around them. Minutes passed as the living soldiers crouched in silences in shadows of rubble piles and low ridges.

Jor and Klikli could feel a sense of sudden excitement now and then from the scouting undead as they encountered and dispatched lone zombies and ghouls. To everyone's relief their removal did not seem to alert the base.

At an order from the Necrolyte Commander the forces of the Legion and Reconstructed surged forward. They hopped over the remains of zombies and ghouls as they filed into the tunnels, Flatbody Gargoyles slithering ahead of them to scout.

Necrolyte Legion forces have made it into tunnels.

Roll me 2d100 best of first three to navigate the tunnels and find the controlling entity

Rolled 66, 20 = 86 (2d100)

>>1357278
KEEP GOING LEFT, ITS THE SAFEST BET.

Rolled 22, 81 = 103 (2d100)

>>1357278
THROUGH DEATH AND FROM IT TO ETERNITY

Rolled 23, 2 = 25 (2d100)

>>1357278

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>>1357292
Welp, that's the last time I'm rolling tonight.

Graves ded like our necrolytes will probably be?

>>1357444
>tfw lose 3 hero's in the tunnels

Rolled 18, 63 = 81 (2d100)

>>1357278
Praise the Wormstar!

>>1357278
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJdafz4tpcg

There was predictably no light in the tunnels as the Flatbody Gargoyles used their bonespurs to cling to the ceilings and scuttle along like large centipedes, their newly granted five eyes allowing them to see clearly in the darkness. The tunnels ranged in size from barely wide enough for a human to walk through to large enough for three osjiic to stand should to shoulder and the demi-Think Tanks assisting them helped split up and guide the squads accounting for the sizes of the Legionnaires.

It wasn't long before the Gargoyles detected more of the undead in the airless tunnels. Shadows and Looms moved to eliminate those that were alone, bone rifles and sting whips silencing them before they could raise the alarm.

The distraction outside seemed to be having its desired effect, the numbers of undead mercifully low. Yet as they descended deeper and angled toward the bunkers position the undead began to increase.

Jor was with a group that included Rosa and the osjiic Arc Dancer that had questioned him but had followed his commands well enough. They were waiting in the darkness as a Gargoyle, Jor watching the view through his helm, investigated a junction where multiple passages met. Thermal imaging showed a large group of the zombies and ghouls ahead appeared to be working around a piece of machinery emitting heat and necrotic energy.

Jor looked to Rosa and the others, their forms illuminated in his helms display, and explained the situation to them, "There isn't a way past without doubling back. Should we take them out? We're going to be discovered sooner-or-later."

Rosa nods and opens her mouth to say something when their communication lines crackled with the Necrolyte Commander shouting that they had made contact with a large number of hostiles. Throwing up her hands Rosa just snorted and looked to Jor, "Doesn't matter now, does it?" she said and pulled her thermal vibroaxe from the inside of her shield, the blade beginning to glow and throw a weak light in the tunnel.

The Necromancer motioned down the tunnel, "Lead the way," he said and the human berserker took off down the passage followed by the other Legionnaires.

The undead chamber had begun reacting even before the Legionnaires burst into the room with a hail of weaponsfire, their own silent alarm about intruders ringing in the back of Jor's mind now that he was so close to them.

The osjiic Arc Dancer charged into the chamber, her form a blur of distorted light as Arc energy pulsed along her armor and her heavy bone shield. A pair of ghouls turned to charge her but with a flash of light she had blinked ahead, her heavy shield sending them flying back with cone of crackling energy, then spinning to fire her heavy shardspitter in controlled bursts to riddle a number of the undead.

>cont

>>1357471
Light filled the chamber not just from muzzleflash and blasterfire but from the strange machine in the center casting sickly green light that Jor instantly recognized as a crude replica of a necrotic reactor. He didn't have long to inspect it though as a ghoul leaped through the low gravity at him, the epikors teeth jagged and grown too large for the mouth open wide and fingers turned into claws as sharpened bones burst from the fingertips outstretched for him. Moving before he could even truly comprehend the situation he swung Neun up in his grasp and unleashed a burst of flechettes that caused the ghouls face to cave-in with a burst of gore.

Side-stepping the new corpse as it flew past he looked up to see an osjiic zombie lumber out from a side passage toting a missile launcher on its shoulder. A shout rippled out from the necrolytes as it aimed but Jor thrust his hand forward with a defiant shout of own and clenched his fist. The metal of the launchers barrel crumples in on itself under his telekinetic grasp and a moment later detonates in a fireball that consumes the osjiic and several nearby undead.

The undead did their best to fight back but they were overwhelmed by the squad of soldiers in relative quickness until there was calm once more in the chamber. Several of their number suffered minor injuries and the breaks in their armor were sealed with cans that sprayed out a dense foam that rapidly hardened into a bone-like material very similar to they shaped the bone that was used in Armada ships and construction.

Jor inspected the crude reactor for several minutes as reports from other squads came in of resistance and similar discoveries, the demi-Think Tanks funneling field reports to the necromancer. Canisters of necrotically infused protein slurries littered the chambers, labeled for various food processors that many Confederate and Netu ships relied on. Rosa approaches and he looks over, "Gotta keep going, the Commander's squad found airlocks and are trying to breach them."

Nodding Jor looked back to the reactor for a moment. With a frown he took his Reaver staff in both hands and the thermal vibroblade at its end flicked out. Rosa started to shout when he plunged the end through the metal hide of the reactor and into the mass of necrotic power at its core. The lights from within dimmed rapidly and Jor ripped the staff out after only a few seconds then nodded to the others, "Let's not keep them waiting," he says calmly and walks away from the drained reactor.

Rosa just shrugged at the others, "Necromancer stuff," was all she offered to the others before they set off down the tunnels at a quick pace.

>cont

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>>1357474
Elsewhere the Necrolyte Commander lobbed a condensed orb of twisting Void energy down a passage and moments later it detonated in an eruption of voidflame that incinerated the limbs of the undead it had detonated next to and knocked down the rest in the group that had been charging after him. A netu stepped up next to him and hefted their lightning gun, the crackling bolt of lightning illuminating the hallway as it arced between the undead and left them twitching on the ground as smoke filled the tunnel.

He turned back around to look where a demi-Think Tank had extended cables like sinew and was plugged into the torn out controls of an airlock door. There was a triumphant alert from the construct and the outer door opens and begins transmitting the codes to its sibling demi-Think Tanks with the other squads to bypass the airlocks. Piling into the airlock a group of Void Trolls move in as the first wave to weaken any forces waiting for them not wanting to send the necrolytes into a shooting gallery.

The door closes behind them and then with a hiss of pressurized air the other slides open and they were met by a hail of gunfire. Protected by their shields the Void Core enhanced Trolls marched forward, their bone rifles and voidflensers firing around their shields as they marched steadily forward.

The passages on the other side had proper, if cheap, paneling on the walls and floor, weak lights set in the ceiling, clearly once where the living residents had stayed. The air was stale but breathable to most races but to the two dueling forces of undead neither had any need for it. Trolls broke past the ranks of shield bearers, void-weighted hammers and mauls smearing the weaker undead against the walls and floor.

The scene was similar at the other airlocks, Trolls and Stingers moving into the halls to break the initial line of defending undead. Then the Legionnaires moved in to mop up the remainders and secure the passageways. The moved down the halls in disciplined movements, covering each other as they cleared rooms and hallways of undead. The Dirges kept back, shielding their living charges by creating mobile cover with a number of bone towershields.

Despite the skill of the Necrolytes the undead had time to prepare their defenses. Panels fell away or burst open as squads passed and ghouls leaped out to attack, their claws roughshod in metal welded to them and jagged shards of scrap embedded in their forms. They threw themselves at the Necrolytes fighting much like the Tyrre or Shock Trolls by turning their entire bodies into a weapon that gored and maimed. Blood flowed as several necrolytes fell before the ambushes, their comrades retaliating with brutal efficiency that left the undead shredded piles of gore and scrap. The gravely injured and the dead were taken by the Reconstructed, Trolls and Stingers carrying them to secured areas where medic Necrolytes could tend to the injured as best they could without evacuating them.

>cont

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>>1357481
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qXmxVySMzw

Necrolytes charged into brutal melees with the battle-ready ghouls, screaming their warcries as thermal vibroaxes and hard-light gladiuses carve through the undead. Among the dead they also carried melee weapons, axes and spears made from pipes and scrap metal but also the occasional vibroblade or thermal sword.

Rosa was at the vanguard of the living soldiers, her shouts and ferocity driving the others on as her exoarmor was quickly drenched in the gore of countless zombies and ghouls. She cut down every undead that threw itself at her, shield long torn away from her so she continues to fight with her axe in one hand and a hard-light blade emerging from her prosthetic arm through her exoarmor, the name of Wormstar fueling the bubbling rage and zealotry that drove her ever forward.

Voidsingers cast spheres of destructive voidflame against the undead and threw up shields of roiling voidlight that consumed the bullets and blasterfire the undead unleashed against them. They distorted gravity in group concentration, reversing it to send groups of the dead into the air for their comrades to fire at will into the helpless undead flailing in the air or bouncing off the ceiling.

Arc Dancers moved with distorted light, afterimages flickering in their wake as they struck the undead unexpectedly from the flanks or behind. Blinking short distances they didn't let the undead to get a chance to target them as they attacked, blue-white light illuminating the passages from their abilities. Their skills honed by Eitons training they dashed quickly, blades of hard-light slicing through flesh and bone then blinking away before the undead could even realize they had been struck.

They fought their way through passages and chambers that had once been a large community, galleys and chambers filled with dishelved beds were in disarray with dried blood telling a gruesome tale only to be recoated in fresh layers of gore. Gardens that served as the air filters were dry and brittle, quickly catching flame until still functional fire suppressors sprayed chemical foam over the clashing fighters. The Necrolytes that found the community school fell to a dark rage as they saw the piles of gnawed upon small bones and exoskeletons scattered among the overturned desks and shredded clothing.

They fought through passages that had recently teemed with life, the destitute and refugees managing to carve out a home for themselves on this inhospitable moon only for a plague of undeath to sweep them all away. Jor could feel them getting closer to the source, their presence well known as panic started to filter through the undead. Reports came from the demi-Think Tanks that undead spacecraft were breaking off engagements with the fleet and were headed for the moon, the Armada fleets doing their best to wipe them out as they fled but the sheer numbers meant a good number were still en route.

>cont

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>>1357484
The necromancer knelt by a human ghoul that had its arms blown off, a kosda Necrolyte pressing their thermal bayonet against the back of its neck as they pinned it to the ground with a boot. The undead snapped its jaws at Jor but he reached out with his prosthetic hand and gripped its bare scalp. He focused and the undead went slack but reverberating suddenly through Jor's mind was a voice, a voice that was quickly echoed and amplified by the undead around him.

<JADYK! I KNOW IT'S YOU JADYK! NO NOT JADYK? NECROMANCER JOR! I KNOW YOU! I KNOW YOU! I KNOW YOU!>

Jor falls back from the undead with a startled gasp and the necrolyte quickly plunges the glowing blade into its skull and looks at your worriedly, "Necromancer Jor?"

The human was panting but he quickly regained his composure as he stood with the offered help from the kosda, "I'm alright, thank you," he reassures the Legionnaire then establishes a link to the Commander.

The osjiic was unleashing a powerful beam of destructive from Jadyk's former Voidscreamer against a charging netu, the micro-singularities produced by the weapon tearing its chitin armor to pieces and sending it crashing to the floor as its leg disintegrates at the knee. He falls back and taps the side of his helm, "Yes, Jor? Have -"

He was cut off by Jors voice full of tense excitement, "I know where the source is, Commander. They know where I am too. I know what is controlling them and they are not happy I am here."

>>1357486
And with that this weeks thread is done.

Hope folks had fun, I know I did writing it.

I'll be around for a while and we can get down to voting for build orders and discussing which troops to throw into the Disruptor Pods. Feel free to ask questions, as long as they aren't too spoiler heavy I should answer.

>>1357486
I remember when we wanted jor to look human. His gonna have to be all bone like now

>>1357492
Thanks for the run man, can we start working on these orders>>1351459 >>1351512?

>>1357493
I'm holding out hope that if we can research the genetic impact of necrotic mutations we can learn how to direct his changes in a more aesthetic manner. With our mastery of life and death, there shouldn't be any reason we can't turn Jor into the pale but pretty type of undead, like a vampire.

>>1357492
Can you OD on necrotic?
If so we should start researching that. Maybe do it for the other elements too.

Then we can work on ways to prevent ODing