As the warriors came to formation their captain allowed them to be at ease. She had decided to gather a small boarding party to follow her on a rescue mission in hopes of spreading the good will of Ephangi and the Eripme. Based off what Aneyali understood it had seemed the ship was one of substantial class and most likely belonged to someone of significant importance, or if nothing else it’s payload was that. It would be worth whatever karma would return to them in the future.  

‘Looks like lord Thiesz smiles upon us today my kindred’ she said as she addressed her kill teams with a grin.

‘We will have 3 groups take 3 attack pods to board the main vessel in the trading party that has been assaulted while The Reglicha (The Death Whisper) destroys the enemies main vessels which there are 2 of. Pirate trash or otherwise we will annihilate the enemy and rescue the distressed in the name of Ephangi, The Eripme and The Dizko King! Our claws as deadly and swift as the razor winds. The flame in our hearts as hot as the belly of the great skykanos.’ 

Aneyali held short gazes with each set of eyes that looked back at her peering into the souls of those before her, even while she herself was blindfolded. Though they could not see her eyes, she could see theirs and more. 

‘We are the *iso of fire and the *isa of lightning. We are the blade with which our Archai, Lady Venustasiarch, carves a path towards the future...’ She returned to the center of the line and faced the three units as one, the wings on her head and her back both spread wide in a display of elegance and dominance.

‘We are Da Million Sons Legion and we are chosen!’  

In unison the troops all threw the crest of the Eripme over their hearts in salute, their dedication and focus of the highest caliber. There wasn’t a thing a unified Ephangi couldn’t do, Aenyali thought. Her people were superior to all they had come across in almost every way and the fact that they had been so youthful and chosen by Lord Thiesz after all he had seen. To start The Sivithu Opex otherwise known as The Omega Crusade, was the highest honor. More specifically to represent Lady V and Da Million Sons, the 1st and most glorious legion as far as Aneyali was concerned, was a greater honor than she could ever repay. 

She gave the nod and her troops dispersed as they saw to the preparation of their battle gear, pre engagement prayers and assignments. Their souls should be pure, calm and ready to serve the greater good without distraction or dissonance. 

Aenyali took a moment to think to herself. The irony of being chosen to restore order to the madness of the galaxy by the lord of madness himself, however, she had seen Lord Thiesz and the gifts he bestowed in person. She had seen the power he had and the ease with which he wielded it and like most all others who had with their own eyes, she had been swayed to his side. 

Therefore it was no surprise she too had decided to follow him as many other Ephangians had, believing him to be a prophet like a distant relative of ancient bonds. As if he had been created for the highest purpose of guiding all of nature and he was waiting for them, his chosen people, to join him and begin his ultimate plan to conquer and nurture the garden of the galaxy. Aenyali counted herself among the blessed, her role to play in the dance of destiny and fate that was to come would be legendary if she had anything to say about it. 

Just in time her comm link alerted her with a message from the bridge of The Reglicha.

‘We will be approaching our targets soon *Atem, The Reglicha calls for the deaths of the enemy ships. She thirsts for battle and danger.’

‘Proceed to put us into attack position and have her worry not. She will soon have what she seeks.’

‘By your will’ the bridge officer responded before cutting the link. Aenyali  

‘Excuse me, *Atem. May I have a word?’ Ubi approached, his tone even and of respect.

‘But of course’ Aenyali

**

*Blaring alarms

Sirens sounded throughout the base and armed men and women rushed to take position in defense of the property. It had seemed just like any other day in any city on Ishpha until a surprise attack was launched against a small military compound. There were a couple dead bodies of guards outside, their heads split by blade-like shard shots that came from nowhere seemingly. Their blood splattered across the pavement.

Two more guards from outside ran towards the lockdown zone, others waving them in, but before they could even make it a paper thin beam of light appeared for a half a moment, and a moment later the one in the lead had his head split in half, a fountain of blood spraying from his neck. The other guard stumbled over him, unready for the sudden death amidst their retreat. As he got back up to run, his leg was taken from beneath him and then one of his arms and finally his head as well, all of this happening before his body even hit the ground. The other guards at the gate quickly stumbled back in closing it, but before they could one more of them had his head split down the center vertically, his body falling backwards. The gate shut as he dropped to the ground in a puddle of his own life fluid. 

The people of Ishpha, the planet next in line in the star system from Rorokis if moving away from the star, were of mixed species. The planet becoming a refugee hotspot after the war for the world engines decimated enough of the sector to cause the mass migration of many if they were able. For the most part the people were of the minor races, their various lineages and kingdoms unworthy of note to those who had their eyes and hearts set on the stars and imposed their will in equal measure. 

However, in the many years since the world had become its own thriving center of business, and a home for those rich enough to travel from Rorokis as its habitat was much fairer to the average biology type and was close enough for the wealthy traders and political members to get to and from easily enough. The world hadn’t seen much trouble out of the ordinary of basic crime for quite some time, the populace remaining fairly humble after the period of strife they ran from. No one could get away from drama forever though, no matter how far they ran.

‘Sir! We have secured the southern perimeter sir, but we do not have eyes on the target.’  A soldier said, his voice betraying his valor. 

‘Maintain position and keep in touch! I already have 4 dead men on this watch and I don’t need anymore am I clear!?’ The captains bravado inspired the soldier he spoke to over the comm as well as those around him. He had seen true combat more than once and survived, his deeds somewhat local legends that the people loved. He could’ve retired, but he felt a duty to train and lead the younger guards and set a good example of how to live life. He turned to one of the more capable soldiers next to him, wasting no time giving his commands. 

‘I want you to take a squad and secure the engine container and then radio for immediate armored evac! I don’t want to take any chances, go!’ 

The commander shouted and off the soldier went to rally his men and head towards the center safe house of the complex. The engine containers were rare and ancient technologies that allowed for the storage and transportation of objects that may for one reason or another be extremely difficult to contain and or relocate. Yet, if obtained and not in use, they were kept as priceless artifacts or sold for top dollar to anyone who knew their worth and the weight of their history. Originally gifted to the various leaders of the intergalactic nations who rebelled against the Evayn Empire, many like the engines themselves ended up destroyed, stolen or lost in space and to time. 

This container shared a different fate and in fact it had remained in transit 95 percent of the time on Ishpha, never stopping in any place for what felt like longer than blinking. Yet, for the moment here it was. 

‘If this ain’t some bullshit. And I was just bouta go on vacation, man just my damn luck.’ the commander said to himself as strategy and tactics ran through his mind side by side with the recent events that no doubt led to his anticipation of whatever was coming to collect. What was inside was unknown as technically, barely anyone outside of the highest ranking officials and the governor himself should’ve known the container itself even existed due to the delicate and threatening nature of what it may hold. Regardless no doubt whatever was in that container was worth all of their lives and this attack was no coincidence.

Earlier in the month a governor had passed away while meeting with a wealthy rogue trader. Everyone had assumed the rogue trader had killed the governor due to a dirty deal gone wrong, but when the rogue trader wound up dead while in custody only half a week later things went beyond disturbing. The commander pushed the thoughts from his head, all that mattered was an enemy was out there and until they were located and apprehended or killed, his job was to remain vigilant and battle ready. 

Through the commotion a beautiful voice sang in the heads of all within the building clear as day, ‘The path of blood is the path of life and life must lead to death. Across the stars like a whisper we crept, but now the stage is set.’ Many of the guards stood bemused, some clutching their ears, others seeming to be more entranced. 

‘Get your shit together soldiers! Or do you wanna die in this shit hole!? We have to hold this down!’ The commander yelled, getting through to most of them who then began getting the others back composed. Then, all the lights shut off for a moment before resuming with loud alarms blaring, the red and yellow warnings flashing in patterns that expressed the danger that must be present. Hard banging could be heard against the gateway door that seemed to get louder and louder. The guards all took position, their weapons aimed at the gate. Their rough skin and wide eyes flared with anticipation and dread.