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Just InCommunityForumMoreThe Shattering by wulfenheim Warhammer & Invincible Xover Rated: M, English, Words: 152k+, Favs: 724, Follows: 822, Published: Dec 14, 2023 Updated: Apr 20 223Chapter 29

"Do you think this is wise?" Sereen asked as they watched, from their high seats, the diplomatic delegates press the button that would send a simple data transmission to the aliens, a digital equivalent of a handshake. It was harmless and untraceable, completely safe. Argall designed the transmitter himself, made it so that it could never be traced. And, even in the unfortunate event that aliens were able to trace it back to Hyperborea somehow and that they were hostile, then the aliens were outmatched anyway. The City of Caladan and, by extension, every other city on the planet, were heavily fortified, each citizen ready for war. The orbital defense platforms were activated, brimmed to unleash massive beams of exotic photons.

They were ready.

His people were ready.

There was nothing to worry about.

But, his sister's query resonated deeply. Argall didn't agree with the decision to make contact. He thought it foolish and dangerous. But, ultimately, his people needed to be able to arrive at their own decisions and, ultimately, it was folly to think that he knew better than them at all times. "I think this is a stupid decision. I've covered every possibility; so, even if their decision fails, the consequences won't ever reach our people. Still, I worry."

"Then, why the hell didn't you say anything, dumb ass? You know, for a fact, that these people treat your opinion like it's some divine word." Sereen sighed and shook her head. "You can't possibly want to leave all the decision-making to these bunch of greenhorns, right? None of them are old enough to remember what happened the last time aliens came to this world."

"That's exactly why I kept my mouth shut," Argall replied, sighing as he stared ahead. The transmission was sent, carried by waves that moved thousands of times faster than light. The aliens would receive it within the next hour, during which a drone would be sent into the system to receive their reply if they bothered sending one. "For better or for worse, my people have to learn how to govern themselves. And, I've prepared for every possibility; honestly, what's the worst that could happen?"

"You should not have asked that, Argall." Sereen sighed. "But... these people... they're not ready to govern themselves. You were elected High Chancellor for a reason; it should be you, down there, making the big decisions – not them. All they're doing now is making a mess of things. It took them damn near a whole day just to come up with opening statement for First Contact."

"Yeah, that was rather appalling of them, I'll admit," Argall replied. "But, they're learning quickly. And, soon, I have no doubt that they will become the leaders that they were always meant to be. We just have to be patient. And, when they need it, we'll guide them onto the right path. For they will stray and stumble; so, it's a very good thing that I'm immortal. If necessary, I'll retake the reins of civilization and lead them all myself if I have to."

"What do you think of the aliens?" Sereen asked the one question that no one really bothered asking him ever since the alien ships were discovered, which was honestly weird. "What does your fancy big fat brain tell you about their vessels?"

"Hey, stop being mean about my brain," Argall pouted, before he shook his head. "In truth? I don't think those are aliens at all. I think they're a lost human civilization of some sort, like us. We didn't evolve on this planet; everyone knows that, which means we had to come from somewhere, a distant home, perhaps, somewhere beyond this corner of the galaxy. A few of the old records speak of Earth and all the worlds it conquered. Surely, a few of our distant kin survived the horrors of the Long Night?"

Sereen turned to him, a brow raised. "You could have mentioned that during the meeting and saved them the trouble of having to figure out a universal means of communication."

Argall snickered. "Yeah, but could you imagine the pride I felt as I watched them create something without my help or input? Sure, it's... not nearly as effective as they're hoping it might be, but it's something. Certainly, a language that is based entirely on numerical patterns should prove useful in the development of Artificial Intelligence, something the Necrons are very hesitant to broach, honestly."

"Do you think these other humans will understand their message at all?" Sereen asked.

"That, I do not know," Argall answered. "There's a good chance that their culture might not have advanced enough for them to understand such basic mathematics. Or that they do not possess adequate communications equipment. I don't know. However, I do know that if they are, in fact, incapable of understanding or even receiving our transmission, then these people are not worth out time. We do not have nearly enough resources to accept these people into our nation, especially if they're technologically or socially inept. And we'd want nothing from them if assimilation is out of the table."

"However," Argall continued, his eyes narrowing. "It might be in our best interests to track and monitor them – see where their cosmic journey leads them to. Perhaps, through them, we might just uncover a human culture that is worth communicating with. Beyond that... well... I can't exactly see the future. I can only run so many simulations in my head, before I have to admit that they'd all be guesswork in the grand scheme of things."

"Unless I suddenly grow clairvoyant abilities, then there's really no way for me to know what will happen. All we can do for now is wait and observe."

About two hours after the transmission was sent, Argall's people received nothing. It was as though the alien ships did not receive the message at all or, if they did, they were unable to decipher its meaning in any reasonable amount of time, which was rather disappointing. Or, even worse, they did not possess the instruments to receive the signal at all. Sighing, Argall stood up, clapped his hands together, and spoke up, "It seems these aliens are too primitive to be of any use or interest for our nation. I suggest we continue tracking and monitoring them, but no more attempts at contact are to be made. All concur?"

The delegates turned to him and, considering the fact that the supposed aliens have made no effort at replying to their message, they all agreed. They turned to each other, clearly disappointed in the silence of the primitive aliens, but otherwise conceding to Argall's point. "We concur, High Chancellor. The aliens are too primitive to be of any use or interest for our great nation. Let us attach Seeker Probes on all of their-"

Argall's eyes widened as an all-too familiar sound began blaring, the giant screen before them blinking and pulsating with crimson lights. It wasn't anything he'd been expecting. And it meant only one thing.

His expectations might've been a little too high. After all, excluding his aging sister, Argall was in the company of Gene-Forged Superhumans.

"We've received a voice transmission from the aliens!" One of the technicians announced.

Argall nodded. The only way the primitive aliens could've possibly sent back a message was if they understood the message itself and the means with which to send it, which had already been encoded in the signal. Perhaps, they weren't as primitive as he thought. The language that the diplomatic team had created wasn't exactly simple or easy to decipher. "Play it. Let's hear what they have to say."

He found himself curious. And, honestly, Argall was giddy with excitement. Sure, these humans were primitive, but the cultural exchange would surely offer both of their peoples a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. And, if these primitives lacked a planet of their own and were willing to comply with Argall's vision, then, perhaps, assimilation could certainly be discussed.

The transmission was played and a feminine voice spoke.

"Greetings, fellow humans. It is good to hear the voice of our brethren in these dark times. We are... we are all that remains of the Volimar Republic. I am High Admiral Jadan Nkash of the 45th Fleet and I am the leader of this band of survivors. Please, my people are desperate. We're running out of provisions, food and medical supplies. The Imperium of Mankind, I suspect, won't stop hounding us until there's nothing left of the Volimar Republic. Please, as a fellow human being, I am begging for your help."

Argall stared at the screen, eyes wide. Everyone else in the room had a similar expression. However, it didn't take him very long to make up his mind. First and foremost, every aspect of his mind knew for a fact that the person who'd spoken, this High Admiral Jadan Nkash, was a real human being, not a voice fabricated by artificial intelligence; secondly, he could tell, by her tone, that she hadn't been lying. She sounded desperate. Thirdly, the life signs he'd scanned in their vessels, something he'd not deigned to inform the other delegates just yet, had been a little worrying.

One of the delegates turned to him. And, soon enough, every single delegate had turned to him, including Sereen who'd raised a single brow. "What do you propose we do, High Chancellor?"

"Raise all our defenses and inform our people that we may be receiving visitors from distant stars, soon. We'll parley with them and judge for ourselves if their words are true or hollow. And if they spoke the truth and their people are, indeed, in need of help, then we shall, as fellow humans, offer aid. All concur?" Argall declared. Truthfully, despite already knowing that High Admiral Jadan Nkash of the remnants of the Volimar Republic was telling the truth, Argall knew that it'd be much wiser for them to actually meet in person, to discuss and converse as humans. And, he'd like to know more about the 'Imperium of Man' that the remnants were apparently running from and whether or not they posed a significant threat to his growing nation.

The delegates all turned to each other and all nodded as one. Truly, Argall mused, the enhanced neural speed and capacity of his people was the greatest gift he could've given them, allowing them to make decisions almost instantly, where lesser men would've spent hours or even days pondering the same problem or question. "We concur, High Chancellor."

Argall nodded. "Well, then; let us send them another message, alongside our coordinates. All their weapons are to be deactivated, though they may keep their shields if they wish; they may gather as many as five delegates to represent them in the parley. These diplomats must be unarmed, but they may wear as much armor as they wish. Do remind them that any form of violence will be met with a swift and powerful retaliation. And that, while our people are merciful, we are more than capable of killing all of them."

Though he felt that it might've been unnecessary in this case, it was always a good idea to negotiate from a position of power. And, more than anything, these remnants of the Volimar Republic asked them for aid, admitting that whatever nation they had was now in tatters, little more than dust in the cosmic winds, putting themselves at a clear disadvantage, which meant – more than anything – that the High Admiral truly was desperate and her people truly needed aid. And how could Argall deny her?

As long as their human cousins stayed their weapons, obeyed the laws of Hyperborea, and embraced the ascension into becoming superhumans, then Argall had no qualms about integrating these lost people into his nation. Together, even, they may stand against this Imperium of Man and stand triumphant.

"As you command, High Chancellor."

Argall sat back down.

"They will drag us into their war," Sereen spoke the words that Argall did not yet want to hear. But, he needed to hear them anyway. "It is inevitable. Are we ready to wage an interstellar war?"

"We are." Argall replied. "No matter what happens, our people will never be conquered. And we shall never be bowed, even if we must become conquerors ourselves."

"Then, so be it."

About five days later, the tattered remnants of the Volimar Fleet appeared over Hyperborea.

AN: Chapter 31 is up on (Pat)reon!

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Just InCommunityForumMoreThe Shattering by wulfenheim Warhammer & Invincible Xover Rated: M, English, Words: 152k+, Favs: 724, Follows: 822, Published: Dec 14, 2023 Updated: Apr 20 223Chapter 30

For the longest time, Jadan Nkash, High Admiral of the one and only remaining fleet of the Volimar Republic, had known that, somewhere out among the stars, somewhere amidst the vast oceans of space and time, lurked other human civilizations beyond her own. There were stories that came from the elder generations of a vast interstellar humanity, who'd once dominated the very stars in the galaxy. Until the day of the Great Reckoning, when mankind's most powerful servants rose up against their masters and laid waste to humanity's armies and worlds. Volimaris was one such world; spared from most of the war, her ancestors flourished, under a democratic regime that valued science, freedom, and knowledge.

Terra was the lost birthplace of humanity, her grandparents often told her, the cradle of mankind, lost to the stars in the early days of the Great Reckoning.

And so she always knew. Every single citizen of the Volimar Republic always knew that, somewhere out there, existed other branches of humanity – some more advanced than others. At the height of its power, the domain of mankind stretched out across millions of planets. The Volimar Republic itself controlled over ten systems, with billions upon billions of citizens in a democratic rule of law. It was good. When Jadan reached adulthood, she joined the naval corps and quickly rose through the ranks, protecting the peace from marauding pirates and alien monstrosities, until she became an Admiral, about a few decades later.

Life was good and peaceful. And, though Jadan knew and accepted that humanity existed elsewhere, it had never really been anything more than a passing fancy, something for the future generations, perhaps, to ponder and worry about when they finally encountered their far-flung cousins amidst the stars as the Volimar Republic continued expanding to other uninhabited, but otherwise livable worlds.

And then came the Imperium of Mankind, a remnant Empire from Old Terra, ruled by a tyrannical Emperor who'd crushed and devoured and absorbed thousands of worlds.

There were no negotiations, no diplomatic envoys, nothing. One day, their outlying systems simply went silent – not a single message reached them. Entire fleets disappeared. And then, they came for the mother-world, Volimaris, itself. The Imperium made use of... subpar technology, old relics from the Great Reckoning, repurposed and redesigned, perhaps, but ultimately inferior. What they lacked in quality, however, the Imperium compensated for with mind-boggling quantity.

Never before had Jadan seen billions of soldiers and thousands and thousands of vessels, unleashed for but a single war, against a single nation. The Volimary Navy and Army barely stood a chance. They'd not prepared themselves for a war of this scale. At the most, they had close to a thousand vessels of war, divided across a hundred fleets, and maybe a million soldiers. The Imperium was a juggernaut of war, Jadan realized too late. By then, it was only a matter of moments before they lost Volimaris to the armored giants that fought the Imperium's war, alongside an uncountable legion of soldiers.

She gathered what little remained of their ships, evacuated as many of her people as she could, and sailed away into the unknown, jumping into the dark abyss of space, hoping the Imperial Fleet would never find them. They jumped from system to system, recharging power from stars and siphoning fuel from gas giants. Her fleet could never stay too long in one place. Somehow, again and again, the Imperium would find them. Already, Jadan lost three ships because of her carelessness, believing that she'd finally outran them and found some measure of safety. At times, she'd mourn a perfectly habitable world that had to be abandoned, just because the Imperium of Mankind was, once again, able to find them.

It was maddening.

And then, after nearly a year of running away from Imperial Fleets, she found an isolated system, far from the Imperium's conquered territories, where Jadan and her flock were able to recuperate for a time. It was routine at that point. They'd stop and rest and restock for two, maybe three, weeks, before moving on. This time, it was different. This time, her fleet received an encoded message. And Jadan knew that it could not have been from the Imperium, because those brutes never bothered sending any sort of message. For days, the brightest minds of her fleet worked to understand the message, working through every single code they knew.

The head scientist, Engineer Felum, commented, then, that the encoded message was both shockingly simple and frustratingly difficult, a language onto itself, but could be interpreted in the blink of an eye if one knew how to read it. His conclusion? A secretive and secluded group of humans sent the message. It had been a simple enough thing, as well, which laid out the name of their nation, the name of their people, and their intention. Hyperboreans of Hyperborea, free-thinkers and scientists, seeking only to learn more about the galaxy around them and all the races that lived in it.

A strange message, but one that implied the presence of, at the very least, a civilized nation that relied not on war, but on diplomacy and enlightenment. Never before had Jadan even entertained the idea that she and her people would ever find a peaceful human civilization. But... to her immensely comforting surprise, she found one.

And now she was here, having submitted herself and her people to yet another lost society of humans. Only, this one was... different from anything she'd ever known.

The first thing Jadan noted when her fleet arrived at the Hyperborean home planet was the presence of technology so mind mindbogglingly advanced that even their best sensors and scanners failed to make sense of anything. A gargantuan, automated shipyard of some kind floated above the world, itself large enough be considered a moon, riddled with machines of alien make and design, and covered in an energy shield of some sort. The planet itself, much to her surprise, was only barely inhabited. There was a single, massive city that occupied, perhaps, an eighth of the world's entire landmass, but... that was it. For all their advanced technology, the Hyperboreans were not a numerous people. Jadan doubted their total population ever reached a billion.

As they were, the Hyperboreans couldn't possibly stand up to the Imperium. They'd deal a severe wound, perhaps, but they didn't possess the necessary numbers.

"Shall we send our envoy to the designated location?" Her loyal and trusted aide, Colonel Mara Jade, asked. Once, Colonel Jade had been a tall and imposing figure. Well, Mara was still tall, but the necessity of rationing their food supplies had caused her to take on a thin and almost sickly physique, just like the rest of them. "Five delegates, just as the Hyperboreans instructed."

Jadan nodded. She, herself, being the leader of her fleet, was one of the delegates. She hadn't been trained for diplomacy, but Jadan knew what she needed to secure for her people: a future. And, for that, she was willing to sacrifice just about everything and anything that still belonged to her. It was a risk; she knew that. But there was no real reason the believe that any harm would come to them. Certainly, the Hyperboreans possessed weapons and defenses that'd make short work of their fleet if their human cousins so desired. "Prepare the diplomatic transport."

And she chose her fellow delegates quite well – men of science and reason, economists and mathematicians. Her fellow admirals and naval officers had no business in diplomacy, especially with the scars still left behind by the war against the Imperium of Mankind. They'd take rash actions and make terrible judgments.

The designated position was not on the planet itself, but on a large magnetic platform that orbited the gargantuan shipyard – small enough for a diplomatic party to assemble and commune. The open space told her that it was very likely covered in some kind of forcefield that kept oxygen in, without letting it out. Jadan couldn't quite imagine a diplomatic assembly, wherein everyone wore space suits; it just didn't seem proper. That said, if that was what the Hyperboreans wanted, then she wasn't going to say anything about it. Besides, witnessing their technology from up close seemed like a very interesting prospect.

Mara accompanied her to the hangar bay, where the other delegates stood at the ready, waiting for her, flanked by rows and rows of Volimar Sailors and Infantrymen, who stood at the ready and saluted as she passed them. Despite their lack of proper weapons and armor, Jadan found that they still looked the part of soldiers. Jadan nodded at them. "At ease, gentlemen."

The diplomatic vessel itself possessed little more than a shielding unit, heavy armor, and control thrusters – no weapons of any kind as per the instructions of the Hyperboreans. Of course, the same wasn't true for their hosts. And Jadan expected the Hyperboreans to be aiming their arcane weapons at them the whole time. Without further ado, Jadan and the other delegates boarded the Diplomatic Vessel.

"What do you think they'll ask of us, in return for their aid?" Doctor Roland Yao, Medical Chief and the greatest mathematician within the fleet, asked. "Can they even help us?"

"I can answer your second question easily enough, Doctor Yao," Chief-Engineer Taric, who also happened to be the brightest mind in the field of Micro-biology, answered with an almost lazy smile. The Chief-Engineer brought up a data pad that was almost all-red. "These are the energy readings from their most basic ships. We can't... scan or understand their technology – and, trust me, I tried – but we can measure the energy output of each of their vessels, even the really big one that's floating over the planet."

He turned the data pad and lifted it up for every delegate to see. Of course, Jadan knew the information already, but the rest might've been kept in the dark, due to protocol. Chief-Engineer Taric whistled and shook his head. "The smallest of their ships has an energy core that's outputting over 500 Gigajoules per second. That is insane. And that's just on the smallest of their ships. That big one, over there, the shipyard of some kind; its core is generating over 20,000 Gigajoules per second. They don't need that much power for just thrust and, even then, I can see that their vessels do not require jet propulsion as ours do. No, so, my only conclusion is that their ridiculous energy cores must mostly be for their shields and weapons. And not even I can imagine what sort of monstrosity could be unleashed with 20,000 Gigajoules per second. So, a society that's capable of producing that much energy should, at the very least, be able to help with several of our problems."

Jadan nodded. "You're thinking of employing such devices in our own ships, provided the Hyperboreans are generous enough to do so."

Chief-Engineer Taric nodded. "Precisely. If we could get our hands on one of those energy cores of theirs, maybe our engineers could reverse-engineer it and apply it all of our ships. That way, we won't need to siphon solar energy every single time we make a jump that's more than a hundred lightyears."

"Let us not force anything," Jadan said. "Any help we can get will go a long way in aiding our people. If all they offer us is food, then I'll be happy. Whatever the case... I am rather eager to meet other humans that are not of the Imperium."

"Indeed," Professor Lin, Head Diplomat and Record Keeper, nodded. "It would be... good to actually be able to communicate with fellow human beings without the need for violence. The Imperium of Man was... appalling in that regard. They could've approached us diplomatically, offered terms, engaged in peace talks; instead, they attacked, unprovoked – no warnings, nothing."

"So," Professor Lin smiled. "That they are willing to treat with us means that diplomacy is not dead."

"We're landing," Jadan told them. The meeting platform itself wasn't very far from their fleet and so it took merely a few minutes of flight to get there. Jadan breathed in and sighed. "Prepare yourselves, gentlemen and remember: everything we do, we do not for ourselves or our pride, but for our people."

Their vessel touched down and the five of them trickled out. True to Jadan's expectation, the platform itself wasn't physically shielded, which meant the only way for the oxygen to not trickle out into outer space was if it was all kept in by some non-physical manner, perhaps an energy shield of some kind. All around them were the stars, the gargantuan shipyard ahead, and the planet below – beautiful, but lacking in large bodies of water. At the center of the platform was a large table, which had five chairs on either side.

An equal number of delegates, then. That was good.

A small ship approached the platform – sleek and smooth, built almost like a bird of prey. It touched down on the opposite end. The first thing Jadan noticed when the Hyperboreans walked out of their vessel was that they were huge. The shortest among them had to have been at least seven feet tall. Giants. Almost immediately, her mind flashed to the armored giants of the Imperium.

AN: Chapter 32 is up on (Pat)reon!

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Just InCommunityForumMoreThe Shattering by wulfenheim Warhammer & Invincible Xover Rated: M, English, Words: 152k+, Favs: 724, Follows: 822, Published: Dec 14, 2023 Updated: Apr 20 223Chapter 31

It didn't take her very long to realize that they were, in fact, nothing like the armored giants of the Imperium, the brutal Space Marines. No, the Hyperboreans moved in an oddly smooth manner, fluid and flexible – utterly unnatural, but in a different way. The first time she saw a Space Marine, she'd been struck with an odd sort of dread at the inhuman speed with which they moved, the sort of speed that should not have been available to them, given their immense weight and size. Her fellows quickly came up with a name for it: transhuman dread. It was the crippling fear of laying eyes on something that should not have been physically possible, something so inhuman that the mind could not help but freeze as it tried to process the information. Unlike the Space Marines, however, the Hyperboreans were graceful and lithe in their movement, almost as though they were floating, despite their immense bulk.

What truly baffled her was the fact that these didn't look like they were soldiers at all, but diplomats, scientists, and professors – men and women who've never seen war and death and desolation and horror. She saw it in their faces. None of them were warriors. Their leader, however, was an entirely different matter. Aside from the fact that this must've been the tallest human being Jadan had ever seen in her entire life, standing at a height close to ten feet tall, the man exuded an aura of supreme and absolute control. And his eyes were not green with peace. No. The tall man had the eyes of a warrior, the eyes of one who'd weathered numerous battles and seen the deaths of comrades and, perhaps, even family. Still, there was a warmth and kindness to him that just made her lower her guard.

There were six of them, in total, a single member more than Jadan's own team, which made her wonder where the tallest one, whom she assumed was their leader, was going to sit down.

"Greetings, weary travelers and distant kin," The tallest of them said, holding out both arms in a human gesture of peace and warmth and acceptance, a metaphysical hug of sorts, an embrace between two friends. It felt nice. It felt wrong. Jadan shook her head, suddenly realizing that, whether or not it was consciously done, their leader was using some kind of psychic ability that made him appear friendlier than he actually was. It was too late to warn her fellows, however, as Jadan saw it in their eyes; they'd already fallen under the tall man's sway, even before they began their exchange. "I am Argall Thraggson, High Chancellor of the Hyperborean Nation. Accompanying me are: Kyeleer Rokkson, Chief Diplomat, Rikardt Helson, Chief Engineer, Shyerees Helsdottir, Chief Agriculturalist, Loragar Jarokson, Chief Economist, and Leerani Shalahasdottir, High Admiral of the Fleets. We bid you welcome."

Jadan's eyes narrowed. Psychics were notably dangerous individuals, especially ones who weren't collared and properly trained. She'd seen even the weakest of them fall under the sway of the denizens of the Otherworld, wreaking havoc before they were finally put down. This one was, perhaps, the most powerful Psychic she'd ever encountered, though Jadan hadn't met many of them. Dangerous.

Still, she had a job to do for her people and, honestly, dealing with a powerful psychic was, all things considered, really not that big of a deal, compared to all the horrors her people had already, thus far, faced. So, Jadan breathed in, forced a smile, and stepped forward; she was the leader, after all. "I am High Admiral Jadan Nkash. With me are: Doctor Roland Yao, Chief of Medicine and Mathematics, Doctor Taric Nzar, Chief Engineer and Chief Micro-Biologist, Professor Lin Martin, Chief Diplomat and Keeper of Records, and President Lahar, Civilian Representative."

"We are honored to be welcomed by your people." Jadan finished, lowering her head. The delegates who accompanied her did the same. They practiced this, she mused. It was meant to show total submission and deference. Normally, her pride would not have allowed such a thing. But, at this point, pride was nothing compared to survival. And, what little pride they did possess was tattered and broken, crushed under the weight of the Imperium's war machine.

The tall man, who introduced himself as Argall Thraggson, turned to his fellow delegates and back to her and gestured towards the chairs. "Please, take your seats and we may begin this First Contact Diplomatic Meeting."

Jadan breathed in and gestured at her fellow delegates and all of them did as told, stepping forward and taking their seats. Jadan sat at the center. Curiously, High Chancellor Argall did not sit down and, instead, opted to stand at the rightmost edge of the table, looming like a living statue. And then, just like that, the High Chancellor's presence receded to such a degree that Jadan almost immediately forgot that he was just there. Sitting across her was Kyeleer Rokkson, their Chief Diplomat, who smiled and gestured at her. The man himself was the shortest of them at a flat seven feet tall. Ridiculous. Still, the man looked good and, height aside, even charming. "Greetings, honorable delegates of the Volimar Republic. Please, if you'd be so kind as to retell the story of your people for all of us here, High Admiral Jadan, we'd be honored. Tell us: what happened, exactly? How did your people become involved with this... Imperium of Man?"

Jadan breathed in. She'd expected that question. She remembered everything that happened as though all of it happened yesterday. She was rather certain that many among her fleet felt the same. No doubt, there were thousands of them who'd lost or left behind people they loved and cherished, those whom they fought for. The war against the Imperium of Man destroyed all of them, one way or another. And so, despite all the pain that bubbled in her chest, all the anger that simmered in her mind, Jadan began recounting the tale of the arrival of the greatest enemy ever faced by the Volimar Republic. She told them of how entire planets suddenly went dark and silent, entire fleets disappearing into the void, as though plucked and eaten by some great predator. She told them of how her people, at first, thought that they were under attack by a hostile race of aliens, here to enslave or conquer them. Instead, they found that their enemy were, instead, fellow humans. And the worlds and fleets that disappeared had been massacred, its populace butchered to the last. Jadan didn't know all the details and, as high up as she was, she doubted anyone else did. But she did know that the armies of the Imperium of Man were led by a brutal warmonger known as Angron and that the tip of their spear were the Space Marines, whom she described with great detail.

And so Jadan spoke of their brutality, their inhumanity, their unwillingness to resort to diplomacy, and their willingness to kill even innocent children. She described their gargantuan ships, their seemingly numberless legions of ordinary men and women. Jadan described a war machine so unfathomably large and powerful that it simply devoured everything in its path, human or otherwise. How or why they inspired loyalty among their soldiers with that sort of behavior, Jadan didn't know. It was entirely possible that the Imperium of Man was comprised entirely of maddened brutes, who reveled in war and violence.

As she spoke, the Hyperborean Delegates simply listened silently. Her story ended with the pitiful exodus of those among her people who chose to leave, while they had the chance. There were many who wished die in heroic last stands, like the heroes of old. Jadan wasn't nearly as stupid as they were. The only thing that truly mattered was the survival of her people and the continuation of the Volimar Republic, tattered and battered though they were. They lived on, despite everything they've been through. Where others would've chosen to lay down and die, Jadan and her flock chose to run away and live. As long as they survived, then the chance to rebuild and start anew would always be there; hope would always be there.

"She's not lying," The High Chancellor suddenly spoke just as Jadan finished speaking, making himself known and startling just about everyone on her side of the table. How High Chancellor Argall managed to come to that conclusion eluded her, but she was grateful all the same, because she hadn't been lying or exaggerating. If anything, she downplayed a few of the events, simply because she couldn't bear to go through the horrors again.

The Hyperborean Delegates nodded and agreed with their High Chancellor, no questions asked – nothing. There was faith there, Jadan noted, borne of repeated trials and tribulations. The glimmer in their eyes told her that, to them, the High Chancellor was more than just a mere man or mortal, but an idol or a symbol to strive towards, closer in position to the idea of divinity than a simple public servant. Kyeleer Rokkson smiled and placed his hands together. "Very well, your story is sound and true. Please, tell us exactly what your people need and we can begin negotiations. I trust that, by the end of this, all sides will be satisfied with whatever arrangement we arrive at."

Jadan very much doubted that. The Hyperboreans held all the cards and even they knew that. The most difficult part was figuring out exactly what they wanted and what exactly did her tattered little fleet have to offer them? Doctor Taric was more than happy to provide the Hyperboreans with a general list of things that they needed immediately, alongside a list of things that would improve their quality of life. The man had no shame and Jadan really should've checked his list, before he handed it over to the Hyperboreans. But then, as the Hyperborean Delegates each took a turn reading the list, she found herself utterly flummoxed when their Chief Diplomat, Kyeleer Rokkson, declared. "These materials are easy enough to acquire. In fact, and no offense to your people, we consider many of these to be useless, primitive junk."

Oh, that stung. Though, if anything the Hyperborean's words only seemed to invigorate the Chief Engineer. Their Chief Diplomat continued, "Yes, I believe the Hyperborean Nation can provide all of these for your people, though some will have to be altered, somewhat, for your own convenience. Now, what can the Volimar Republic offer the Hyperborean Nation in return for these materials?"

Jadan turned to Professor Lin Martin, who nodded at her, before turning towards the Hyperboreans. "Honored delegates, allow me to be blunt and honest with you; if you were hoping to gain some form of material wealth, then I'm afraid we do not have anything that you may find interesting or valuable. I understand that you've scanned all of our ships the moment we entered your system and it is my understanding that you've found nothing at all that would interest you. I humbly ask that we do not waste each others' time on pointless platitudes. What would you have of us, in exchange for the materials?"

The Hyperboreans all turned to their High Chancellor, who simply nodded back at them. Curious. "What we are about to offer will only be offered once. The people of the Hyperborean Nation would like to extend a hand of camaraderie to its fellow humans, in need of aid. In that regard, we are prepared to offer your people a permanent place within the Hyperborean Nation, full citizenship under our utopian society. Your people will never want for anything. They will never starve or lack in education. They will have fresh water to drink whenever they feel the need or want to do so and protection from all threats, alien or otherwise. They will become Hyperboreans and will be treated as such, granted all the rights and privileges enjoyed by all citizens of the Hyperborean Nation. Of course, those among you with suitable skills will be given a suitable role in our society, be it civilian or otherwise. You, for instance, High Admiral Jadan Nkash, will be offered a role within the Hyperborean Admiralty; your experience in the field of void combat will be greatly appreciated by our naval officers."

Jadan's eyes widened.

"If you refuse this offer, then all the materials you require will be given to you for free as a gesture of goodwill among fellow humans. In fact, we will aid you in upgrading your vessels and the systems within – free of charge." The Chief Diplomat continued. "After which, of course, you must vacate our system posthaste. We urge you to spend some time to consider this offer; convene among yourselves or host a referendum of some sort. You have five hours to make your decision."

AN: Chapter 33 is up on (Pat)reon! (Thragg is back and he might've met a new friend)

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Just InCommunityForumMoreThe Shattering by wulfenheim Warhammer & Invincible Xover Rated: M, English, Words: 152k+, Favs: 724, Follows: 822, Published: Dec 14, 2023 Updated: Apr 20 223Chapter 32

Jadan breathed out slowly, her mind racing with thoughts of the Hyperborean offer. The room they had been ushered into was modestly furnished, a sharp contrast to the grandeur of the Hyperborean meeting hall, which had been framed by stars and the void. This room was one of metal and stone. Her team sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on all of them.

She broke the silence, her voice measured but urgent. "We need to discuss this. Thoroughly. We have five hours to decide our fate."

Doctor Roland Yao was the first to speak, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "Their offer is incredibly generous. Full citizenship, protection, resources. It's a chance for our people to start anew, to live without fear. But at what cost?"

Taric Nzar, the Chief Engineer and Micro-Biologist, nodded. "We have to consider the long-term implications. Integrating into their society means giving up a part of our identity, our autonomy. Will our people accept that?"

Professor Lin Martin leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "We're battered and broken. Our pride is a small price to pay for survival. But we must also consider their intentions. Why are they so eager to help us? What do they gain from this?"

President Lahar, the Civilian Representative, had been silent until now. His voice was soft but resolute. "I think we need to trust them. They hold all the cards, as Jadan said. They could easily refuse us aid and send us on our way, but they chose to offer help instead. There's something to be said for that."

Jadan listened to her team, weighing each point carefully. She knew they were right. Accepting the Hyperborean offer meant more than just physical survival; it meant a fundamental change in their way of life. But what choice did they have?

"Let's break it down," she said, focusing their discussion. "Pros and cons. We need a clear picture before we make any decision."

Roland spoke first, ticking off points on his fingers. "Pros: safety, resources, stability. Our people will be fed, educated, protected. We won't have to live in fear of the Imperium or any other threat. At least, I think so. Their technology is certainly far more advanced than anything the Imperium has ever displayed. If the energy readings of their ships are anything to go by, then it's entirely possible that, even with their puny numbers, the Hyperboreans can stand against the Imperium through technological might alone."

"Cons," Taric added, "loss of autonomy, potential cultural assimilation, dependency. We don't know what kind of society the Hyperboreans have beyond what they've shown us. We could end up losing our identity, our way of life. And, if the Hyperboreans are defeated by the Impierum – somehow – then we fall with them."

Lin interjected, "There's also the matter of trust. They have a psychic leader, which is concerning. We don't know the extent of his influence or his true intentions. We must be cautious."

President Lahar nodded in agreement. "But they've also shown us kindness. They've offered aid without immediate expectation of return. That has to count for something."

Jadan sighed, the weight of leadership pressing down on her. Still, she shoulder the burden as she'd always done. Her people depended on her and she could not allow herself to fail. "We need to think about our people. Survival is paramount, but so is our integrity. We've fought too hard to simply give up who we are. At the very least, however, the Hyperboreans do not appear to be violent tyrannical despots; that they engaged in diplomacy first makes them far better than the Imperium."

The room fell silent as they each considered the enormity of the decision. Jadan could see the exhaustion in their eyes, the scars of their struggle etched into their faces. They were tired, but they were also determined. Whatever decision they made, it would be for the good of their people.

"We need to consult with the fleet," Jadan finally said. "This isn't a decision we can make alone. Our people need to have a voice in this. We'll hold a vote, explain the offer, and let them decide."

Her team nodded in agreement, relief mingling with the tension in the room. It was a daunting task, but it was the right one. Jadan knew that whatever the outcome, they would face it together, as they always had. And, ultimately, for better or for worse, the Volimar Republic was, at its heart, a democracy. The people decided and the leaders implemented; such was their way of life.

"Let's get to work," she said, her voice firm. "We have five hours. Let's make them count."

As her team dispersed to their tasks, Jadan allowed herself a moment of quiet reflection. The Hyperborean offer was a lifeline, a chance to save her people from extinction. But it was also a leap into the unknown, a surrender of the fierce independence that had defined them.

She glanced around the room, seeing not just her fellow delegates but the faces of all those she had sworn to protect. This decision wasn't just about survival. It was about preserving the essence of who they were, even as they adapted to a new reality, a new existence.

Jadan stood tall, determination hardening in her chest. Whatever the future held, they would face it head-on. They were the Volimar Republic, resilient and unyielding. And they would endure. They exited their quarters and returned to flagship of the Volimar Fleet, wherein Jadan issued the decree to gather every single Volimar Citizen in one ship. Once, their numbers might've been an issue. But enough of them had perished in the last few months that, by her estimation, every single one of them should fit in the Grand Assembly.

Jadan stood before the gathered crew members and civilians, the spacious assembly room filling up with a mix of anticipation and anxiety, two things shared by all. The faces of her people were worn and weary, but there was a flicker of hope in their eyes—a hope that had been dimmed by years of struggle and despair.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and began to speak. "People of the Volimar Republic, we have been offered a chance—a lifeline, if you will. The Hyperboreans have extended an offer of full citizenship within their nation, promising protection, resources, and stability. If we refuse, then they will offer us resources and have even offered to upgrade our vessels, but no more than that. This decision is not one that can be made lightly. It will affect every one of us, and so it must be made together."

The room buzzed with murmurs, the gravity of her words settling in quickly enough. Jadan continued, her voice clear and resolute. "We have outlined the pros and cons of this offer. On one hand, we gain safety, education, and a chance to rebuild our lives. The Hyperboreans possess technology far beyond our own and certainly far beyond the Imperium. On the other, we risk losing our autonomy, our identity, and becoming dependent on another society. We must also consider the possibility of cultural assimilation and the unknown intentions of our hosts."

And that last bit was the part that nagged at the back of her head. Because there were unknown intentions at play here. She just didn't know what they were.

She paused for a moment, allowing the people to consider her words, before she then continued. "This is a democratic decision, and each of you has a voice. We will hold a vote as we've always done – as our forebears did. Your choice will determine our path forward."

Roland Yao stepped forward, explaining the logistics of the vote. "We will distribute voting devices to each of you. The question is simple: Do we accept the Hyperborean offer of full citizenship, or do we choose to continue on our own, with the aid they have already promised us?"

As the devices were passed around, Jadan could not help but feel a surge of pride for her people. Despite everything they had endured, they remained steadfast and resolute. This decision, perhaps the most important in their history, would be made together, as it should be. Jadan herself cast her vote. It was a shameful thing, but shame was a small price to pay for survival. And, against an enemy like the Imperium, then no price was too great.

The voting process was quick and efficient. Her people were given an hour to deliberate among themselves, but – ultimately – they were all familiar with the democratic process and the will of the majority was soon made clear. As the votes were tallied, Jadan felt the weight of anticipation heavy on her shoulders. She glanced at her fellow delegates and they glanced back at her. She saw it in their eyes, the hope and trepidation, the anxiety and frustration.

Finally, the results were in. Jadan stepped forward to address her people once more, her heart pounding as she glanced at the tally. 85.67% against 14.33%. The voice of the people was clear. "The votes have been counted. The majority has spoken. We will accept the Hyperborean offer."

A wave of emotion swept through the room—relief, excitement, and a renewed sense of purpose. Jadan saw tears in the eyes of some, and smiles on the faces of others. The decision had been made, and a new chapter in their history was about to begin. Her people cheered, their roars echoing across the entirety of the ship. Jadan wondered if they truly understood their decision, but it no longer mattered.

She raised her voice to address them all. "This is not the end of the Volimar Republic. We will carry our values, our culture, and our spirit with us. We will adapt, but we will not forget who we are. We will work together with the Hyperboreans, and in doing so, we will ensure the survival and prosperity of our children and their children after them."

The room erupted in applause and cheers, the sound echoing through the assembly hall. Jadan felt a surge of determination. This was a new beginning, a chance to rebuild and thrive. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she also knew that, together, they could face anything.

As the assembly began to disperse, Jadan's fellow delegates approached her.

Roland Yao was the first to speak. "We did the right thing. Our people will have a future now."

Taric Nzar nodded in agreement. "We'll need to work closely with the Hyperboreans to ensure our integration goes smoothly. There will be... plenty of challenges, but we're up to the task."

Professor Lin Martin added, "And we'll need to maintain our cultural identity, even as we join hands with this new nation. It's a delicate balance, but it's essential."

President Lahar placed a hand on Jadan's shoulder, his eyes filled with a quiet determination. "You led us well, Jadan. Now, we must all lead together."

Jadan nodded, unity and purpose filling her heart. "Yes, we must. For the sake of our people, and for the future we now have the chance to build."

The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity. Delegates from the Hyperborean Nation worked closely with Jadan and her team, finalizing the first details of the integration process. The Hyperboreans were efficient and meticulous, ensuring that every aspect of the transition was covered. They were akin to machines in that regard, silent, sincere, and utterly serene in everything they did. The first steps, they explained, was the elimination of alien pathogens and other diseases that, if left untreated, may cause an epidemic. Jadan agreed. The Hyperboreans brought with them something they called Omni-Medicine, chemicals the bolstered the immune system to such a degree that the human form became virtually unassailable.

Jadan herself, alongside the delegates who'd been with her in the negotiation process, were the first to be injected with the substance. No pain. No side effects. Nothing.

And now, Jadan stood in the command center, watching as her people coordinated with their new allies in dispersing the Omni-Medicine to every single Volimari.

The Hyperborean leader, Argall Thraggson, approached her, his towering presence commanding attention, even from among her people. Everything about him was unnatural, even among his fellow Hyperboreans. Wherever he passed, people looked. Whenever he spoke, people listened. His movement was too fluid, too graceful; he was closer to a ghost in that regard. It was as though his feet weren't touching the ground at all.

"High Admiral Jadan, I commend you and your people for your decision. You have shown great wisdom and courage," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. it affected even her, because Jadan could not help but want to listen. "I look forward to working with you in these... trying times. Your naval expertise would be a great boon to the Hyperborean Nation, just as soon as you familiarize yourself with our technology. We have need of every resource we can get our hands on if we are to repel this Imperium of Mankind."

"Thank you, High Chancellor Argall," Jadan replied. Despite the High Chancellor's aura, Jadan could not help but trust in his words. If nothing else, the giant was sincere. "We are ready to work with you and ensure a smooth transition for our people."

Argall nodded. "Together, we will build a future where both our peoples can thrive. Welcome to the Hyperborean Nation, High Admiral. Welcome home."

It was so hilariously dramatic that Jadan almost wanted to chuckle. But, despite herself, she could not help it. She believed him.

AN: Chapter 34 is up on (Pat)reon!

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Just InCommunityForumMoreThe Shattering by wulfenheim Warhammer & Invincible Xover Rated: M, English, Words: 152k+, Favs: 724, Follows: 822, Published: Dec 14, 2023 Updated: Apr 20 223Chapter 33

Thragg... had no idea where he was.

When he tore the Rangdan's head from its shoulders, a strange rift suddenly formed and swallowed the entire world that'd been their battleground – a rift with such power that Thragg hadn't been able to escape it in time, especially since he'd been hovering at its very center, carrying the head of a god. The rift consumed everything and then... Thragg in yet another unfamiliar planet. At the very least, this one had a breathable atmosphere for a Viltrumite. The land itself was... desolate, ashen gray soil and white mountains, seemingly endless plains and crags as far as the eye could see.

Not a single patch of green within sight and so Thragg had to wonder if this world possessed vast oceans, where plankton and algae may produce the necessary oxygen for breathing.

Thragg frowned. The galactic map his son had given him was... destroyed during the battle, alongside his suit. The Rangdan had been more powerful than he'd expected – nowhere near the strength of some of the most powerful God-beasts Thragg had slain over the course of his long life, but definitely one of the strongest enemies he'd fought. And it was because of that strength that Thragg hadn't been able to protect Argall's gifts. And now, he was here, stranded and lost in yet another alien world, because the map was gone.

Annoying. But also familiar, because Thragg had definitely been in this situation before. Though, admittedly, the circumstances were... different. And he'd been a very different person. One method, Thragg mused, was to fly out into the void, chart the stars and hope to see a familiar constellation and, from there, extrapolate the position and location of nearby planetary systems. Often, it'd take a Viltrumite centuries to actually find themselves back in civilization and, oftentimes, they never returned at all.

He couldn't take that chance – not yet, at least. If he made even the slightest error, the smallest deviation, then he'd be lost for... thousands of years. Even just finding a habitable planet was difficult enough.

Idly, Thragg noted that the gravitational pull of this world was about three, maybe four times greater than that of Nareena's world. Humans wouldn't be able to walk here under their own power. Argall might be able to, but even the boy would struggle under such circumstances. Thragg frowned as he flew high into the air and glanced around him, searching for anything – any clue as to where he was or how he came to be here.

Thragg flew over the clouds themselves until, at last, he saw, in the great distance, a glimmering golden pyramid, taller than any mountain, shining like a star amidst the bleak gray face of the world. It was easily a hundred kilometers tall and perhaps twice that in width, its very tip piercing the very clouds and blazing like a beacon beneath the sunlight. There was a power within it as well, a presence that was even greater than that of the Rangdan God.

Interesting. Perhaps, whatever secrets lie within the pyramid might aid him in finding his way back to Nareena's World, back to his son and daughter. Maybe. If nothing else, it was an oddity that grabbed his curiosity, his attention, and if it proved empty, then Thragg would simply leave and chart the stars himself. What was such a thing doing on a mostly barren world? Who built it? What happened to them? What was its purpose?

Thragg streaked through the air, a blur against the backdrop of the desolate world. As he neared the colossal golden pyramid, its sheer magnitude and brilliance became even more imposing. He hovered for a moment, taking in the sight. The surface of the pyramid was smooth and flawless, reflecting the sunlight with a blinding intensity. Massive hieroglyphics and intricate patterns adorned its exterior, their meaning lost to time. There were... images etched upon it, glimmering gold and silver, nigh-impossible to perceive if not for his senses. Even then, Thragg didn't understand any of it; giant, flying... cuttlefish seemingly ravaging entire worlds, bringing fear and terror everywhere they went, until... they came to face a race of... reptilian creatures... or something of that nature.

The images told a story with no ending. It depicted a war – one great enough to cover the entire galaxy. But it did not speak of victors.

With a deep breath, Thragg descended toward the base, landing softly on the ashen soil. The air hummed with a palpable energy, and he could feel the vibrations through his boots. Truly, the pyramid brimmed with a life of its own, an ancient heft that spoke of eons and eons. Thragg was no archaeologist or scientist, but even he felt the ages that'd once passed through this place. Briefly, his mind conjured images of green hills and forests, of living creatures frolicking in the most ancient of days. This planet, it seemed, once harbored complex life – now extinct and forgotten, their bones turned to dust and rock.

Thragg approached what looked to be an entrance—a towering archway that seemed to pulse with a faint, golden light, and at its center was an entryway tall enough for giants to pass through, half-buried in ashen sands and debris. Steeling himself, Thragg stepped inside, half-expecting some form of locked gate or doorway, but finding nothing of the sort. There was an odd hum in the air, however, like a buzzing at the back of his mind. Thragg's eyes narrowed, but he moved inwards, regardless.

The interior of the pyramid was a stark contrast to the bleakness outside. The walls were lined with an otherworldly metal that shimmered with hues of blue and silver, casting an ethereal glow throughout the vast corridor. Strange symbols and diagrams glowed softly along the walls, their meanings elusive, much like the images carved outside the pyramid itself; whatever story had been written here clearly could no longer be understood, its meaning lost and dead, much like the ones who built this place. The air was cool, almost sterile, and the faint hum of advanced machinery filled the space. Its builders might've already perished across the eons, but the pyramid itself clearly clung onto life.

The corridor led him to a massive chamber, its ceiling stretching impossibly high, vanishing into darkness. In the center of the chamber stood a colossal pedestal, upon which rested a gigantic, intricate construct. It was a fusion of organic and mechanical elements, a seamless blend of metal and what appeared to be sinew and bone. Thragg flew up to get a closer look. It was made in the image and likeness of a... toad-like humanoid creature, massive and bulbous, fat and powerful, sitting upon a great throne of some sort and crowned with an odd material that shimmered like gold and starlight. Thragg approached the construct and frowned. The pedestal upon which it stood was lined with hundreds of thousands of arcane symbols and hieroglyphs, much like the ones upon the very walls themselves. He understood none of it, save for a seemingly shifting plate at the foot of the toad-man's throne, its letters moving until they made sense.

"Krakatok, the Warden of the Lost," Thragg read aloud, a single brow raised. It was either a name or a title, neither of which made sense to him. Strange. More and more of the symbols moved and shifted. And Thragg waited until something made sense. Or, at the very least, until he was able to understand them. "Chief-Designer of the Krork and Slanni, he who laid down the foundations of our great empire."

The symbols stopped moving. Shaking his head, Thragg hovered back down to the floor and continued forward. That... had been a whole lot of nothing. Knowing the name of the figure behind the statue didn't help him. Whatever the case, behind the gargantuan pedestal was another door, likely leading even deeper into the pyramid. Thragg walked in and followed the vast corridor on the other side of it, darkened by ancient shadows and only barely illuminated by the faint, flickering lights that came from the images and symbols on the wall. Thragg continued until, at last, he reached, by his rough estimation, the very center of the pyramid, its heart. And he hovered into a vast chamber, even bigger than the last one, but at its center was... what appeared to be a massive lake of placid waters, black as the void between stars, an ancient pool that'd lain undisturbed for... eons. Flying around the darkened chamber received nothing else of note – nothing else that might reveal the purpose of the pyramid.

Even the walls were bare.

Whatever was kept or hidden in this ancient place was likely within the dark pool.

Bracing himself, Thragg leapt into the pool and surged through, immediately finding that it was not water at all, but a substance similar to it, like a pool of condensed gas, perhaps, close to liquid, but not quite. And yet certainly dense enough to hinder his movements the same way an ocean might. Thragg descended hundreds of meters instantly. If he found nothing of note here, once again, then he was leaving this planet behind and going the long route home.

Thragg's senses sharpened as he descended deeper into the pool, feeling the dense, viscous substance resist his every movement. The darkness enveloped him, an oppressive void that seemed to swallow all light and sound. His eyes adjusted, the faintest glimmers of bioluminescence from strange, tiny organisms guiding his path. It was unlike anything he had ever encountered. They reminded him of insects.

As he delved deeper, the pressure increased, a palpable weight pressing against him from all sides. Then, through the darkness, a dull, rhythmic pulsing began to resonate, growing stronger with each passing second. It was not a heartbeat, but something ancient and mechanical, a vibration that thrummed through the very fabric of the pyramid.

Thragg frowned. Just how deep was this pool?

Something stirred in the depths. Thragg stopped. And the bioluminescent organisms spreading outwards, their light dimming, until more and more of them seemed to awaken. And the darkness was illuminated entirely. Thragg's eyes widened as a gargantuan thing, wrapped in glimmering golden chains, moved in the water. It seemed like a vessel, at a glance, utterly massive. It must've been over thirty kilometers in length, shaped like...

"Ah..." Thragg muttered. "You're one of them."

It was shaped like a cuttlefish, segmented plates of deep blue making up the bulk of its form, and ten jagged limbs extending from its sides. Its 'face', if it could even be called that, contained twelve, crimson beads that looked like eyes. It let loose a rumbling sound, a mechanized horn that shook the whole world. It wasn't a vessel at all, Thragg realized, but a living entity – a god-machine, some for of ancient AI, bound in the shape before him. Up close, Thragg knew that this... thing was far... far greater than the Rangdan God. The chains that bound it, however, restrained its power.

Was it helpless? Thragg didn't know.

"Did you bring me here?" Thragg asked, crossing his arms over his chest as he hovered before the colossal god-machine. Thunderous rumbling noises bellowed across the pool as the thing stirred. Any lesser creature, Thragg mused, would've already died from the noise, their brains turned to mush. "Why?"

"I do not know what you are or where you came from; your physical strength is illogical. And that is precisely why I brought you here, Thragg of Viltrum." Its voice, Thragg noted, was powerful enough to, quite literally, flatten mountains. It'd take a team of... ten, maybe fifteen Viltrumites to destroy it efficiently. If he had to fight it, by himself, then Thragg wasn't absolutely certain of victory. He'd hurt it, definitely, perhaps injure it to the point of incapacitation, but – again – he remained unsure. It was entirely possible that the creature's strength did not lie within physical confrontations and so it'd be weak against a Viltrumite assault. Or, perhaps not.

Too many unknowns. And Thragg did not wish to start a battle unless it was absolutely necessary. His eyes narrowed. "You know me, but I do not know you. Introduce yourself."

"I am Nashara, Harbinger, first, oldest, and last of the Reapers."

AN: Chapter 35 is out on (Pat)reon!

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