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V.E.R.O understood the organic and what they were saying.
"I'll send you the what you need for now.......We will show you what you need." V.E.R.O said.
"Arriving at Ketora in 5 minutes." The pilot said over the comms.

-------5 minutes later------

V.E.R.O walked out of the transport vessel with her new organic allies, each one looked amazed at the technology that surrounded them but it was normal every.
"I will take you to our tech labs." V.E.R.O said as she headed deeper into the labs . Walking past lab after lab each one different areas searching different, one may have a life form being checked the overs were full of weapons. Suddenly alarms began to blare and doors began to lock.
"ALARM! ALARM! BREACH IN LAB 235! BREACH IN LAB 235!" A male voice yelled over and over.
"What is that?" one organic asked and his bodyguards grabbed their weapons.
"A test subject escaped. Stay here!" V.E.R.O yelled as she grabbed a weapon from one of the drones standing on standby.

++Start Feed++

The Lord plodded his way through the corridors from the mechanical bay. other cyborg underlings stopped and snapped to a perfect posture so many times executed before. Nexon Made his way to the bridge. He assumed his standing position at the center of the control room.

“Helian, start link up.”

Instantly the floor below him disappeared. He could see the entirety of his fleet. He had full view of each and every ship, their designation, and their diagnostics. He Commanded his navigation cyborgs to link up as well, he could see them spark into view, appearing to be floating in space as he did.

“do we have range with our close range scanners.” His rarely fluctuating voice spurred the cyborgs to action.

“ The closest system is within range of our scanners and slip space range, but I cannot get an accurate location. There is some interference with the Target designator.”

The lord paused a moment and reviewed the information of each and every ship in orbit above Dromosius. His ship, the Axis, was at the head.

The lord remarked “set the slip space course preceding the zone of interference... Slipping into a planet would not be enjoyable."

without word, the cyborgs ended their link to what was called. SIN: Space intelligence and Navigation. This program fed information on all known records and diagnostics to Andromons. No one else could have access to this information unless they were assimilated, which meant security measures, amputations, cybernetic implants and mind wipe.

Nexon commanded Helian to bring up progress on the legions’ systems upgrades with his mind.

Immediately a progress report showing the progress of the legions outfitting, blipped up on his heads up display. The bar was at 2% 3% 4%... the progress was slow. Every Andromon had to go through the cryo-surgery just as Nexon did, but Helian had to divide his process power to attend to each and every one on the ship. Many other Ai’s were doing this on the many other vessels in Nexon’s fleet.

The navigation officers filed out of the room single file in a militaristic like manner. They were called to Cryo-surgery. The navigation officers would undergo an upgrade to outdated programs and reaction times. They did not need to military grade outfitting.

++hours later++
76% 77% 78%
“Is the outfitted portion of the legion combat ready?” Nexon inquired
Helian replied from indistinct point. “yes my lord”

Judging the Ai’s answer, he was satisfied.

“Set course for the Ankarun system.”

++End Feed++

**expansion system codenamed Xil**

*aboard the Killumunjaro Socketwrench's ship*
"I agree boss we shuld set up camps down dere," a lesser ork leader said in agreeing to socketwrench, he replied "yes it is a good idea ya grot, the more space we ave for diggin, and making guns, and stuff like that the more killy things we have!" the ork finishes and dismisses his command staff just as he does this a private enters the bridge "boss un of our gunships inter, intaysepted a scouta of some kind its got sum markings that da brainboyz fink mean V.E.R.O. on it"

**Orkus system**

"Hostiles?!" the ork warlord screamed "im not worried, send out our next fleet as ordered. An get our new battlyship prototype runnin"

Lo're looked at his charts from his flagship depicting the fleets and forces of the Republic and other races, as he sat in the conference room.

'Two fleets away..' his voice was cold... metallic... sadistic. 'There are four fleets ready to move. We know of these dogs called Orks, and I am not impressed. I want them gone.'

A captain spoke up

'My general, we have four fleets, and we have that of the Lerots and the Mandragorian corporation. The Triumvirate agreement was signed. Mutual defense for all.'

His eyes grew narrow as an icy glare pierced at the captain for Lo're.

'DAMN THE AGREEMENT. I am general and I choose WHERE AND WHEN our fleets sail.' said Lo're grasping up his friction axe.

The chatter about the room died down.

'I make decisions AND DAMN THE GODDESS if you don't follow my orders. Feth Ro'lok and his negotiations I'd slaughter everyone here in this damned systemm if I had the chance.'

a lone figure in the corner stepped up to the dais and shed his guise.

'The chance you say? I can give you this chance.' said the figure. All stood silent as the arch traitor, spoke.
'You need only do one thing, take this fleet and join The Damned.'

Lo're stood, pondering for a moment. The silence broke.

'TRAITOR!!!' the captain earlier had pulled his pistol and began firing, striking down other officers before he was seized. Lo're took his friction axe and slid it effortlessly through the captains neck. His decapitated head fell to the ground.

'Tell me of this Chance'


--------------aboard the Lerot ship, tech labs------

'No! V.E.R.O. we can help!' shouted Ro'lok as the A.I. flickered off down the hall. Looking at Vu'lek he shrugged hoisting his coil rifle.

'Lab 235 i believe.'

V.E.R.O ran down the corridor each marked by a symbol of the work. Bi-organic and mechanical work areas each filled with synthetics and cyborgs all now armed, this was V.E.R.Os first time in combat but she had combat experience burned into her intelligence.
"Now unlocking Lab 235. WARNING! TEST SUBJECTS HAVE ESCAPED!" a male voice boomed over the speakers. Suddenly V.E.R.O could hear foot steps and behind her was the organic allies.
"What are you doing here!" V.E.R.O shouted knowing that the mutants would want to feast on their flesh. Suddenly the locks popped open and the door slid open.
"Get ready." One of the drones said as it lifted its plasma rifle aiming into the darkness but nothing was there.
"Right split up. Vu'lek take your troops and watch the entrance we are moving in." V.E.R.O said as she walked into the darkness with 10 security drones.

A deep blood curdling his seeped from the lab, paralyzing Ro'lok with fear.

'Wha...what the hell is that thing!...!'

'Fire damnit !' shouted Vu'lek, as he began firing off at the mutants, the horrors. Their cries, seared the mind of the untested captaiin, while Vu'lek strode through with ease shooting down the beasts with percision hip shots. He was a war-god.

'Harbinger, this is Vu'lek, dispense the Rool'jek slaughterhounds.'

'Vu'lek, this is harbinger order confirmed, eta 10 seconds, Hide.'

++Start Feed++
The fleet led by the axis of the Andromons went into slip space. The legions were ready and waiting for battle.

"Lord Nexon, they are hailing us."

"Put it on screen Helian."

A human like face appeared on screen. Missing only some common features. They Man was bald, and had rugged features, like that of an old worn military man. Nexon gave Helian a notice to translate if necessary.

He spoke, in a fast fluid tongue. as if every word were one, Helian translated.

"Greetings, I am Dhurnzith, of Ankuran-1, with whom am I speaking?"

Nexon adjusted a knob on his helmet before he spoke.
" I am Nexon, Machine lord of the Andromons, i come to your system bearing gifts of peace."
His projected version was rigid and manufactured, almost garbled.
"Ah well we might just have to figure somethin' out now dont we? Why dont we meet on a nearby neutral ground. The closest moon Ernjaks is where we can meet halfway." Dhurnzith said

Nexon said "Agreed i of course will be alone."

and with that Nexon's personal shuttle was dispatched to Ernjaks, alone.
++End Feed++

College exploration vessel FAFNIR...near the Lazarus nebula.


Lady Caladryx, marveling at the sheer beauty of the vista, had been lost in her own thoughts for hours. Her mind drifting from probabilities to complexities to possibilities...

Suddenly a alert hummed in her perception and she was forced to divert her attention from the glorious spectacle.

Report from the Contact department...it seems they have made eleven planetary contacts with sub system capable or primitive species two of which have already begun basic god worship of the probe shards contact, and one higher order contact identifiying a system DX-1179 as designate " Liamarrr" She mused these findings before sending to Valhere.

Valhere prepare a stage 1 contact team and lead it yourself , this is the first meaningful sentient response made from the initial probe waves, and I will not have it handled by any but our best, I expect your status within twenty hours

Valhere's mind reeled from the ladies powerful sending, shaking his frilled and horned ancient head, blinked and spoke to his thralls and contact teams. Relaying the ladies orders his members were able to provide 100% status at the eighteenth hour, but Valhere waited until the exact 20th hour to report..no sense in letting them reduce their expectations, and therefore time.

A Contact vessel had been prepared and separated its bulk from the monolithic Fafnirs hull, crewed by a select assortment of personell and helmed by Valhere himself, he quickly relayed the coordinates of system DX-1179 heretofore known as Liamarrr...the astral chorus sang and the ship slipped from reality.

Aboard the Fafnir Lady Caladryx relayed the best potential planetary expansion prospect back to the Astathalon on Darastrix V, Then with this accomplished she allowed her gaze to return to the stellar nursery . such beauty I wonder how long it will remain thus.




Far from the Fafnir..deep within the conclave of the College the High chancellor set into motion the next steps of the Daragon expansion, with a mental nod , departments across the planets set into action , preparing expedition parties and prepping of encounter teams, Stellar survey teams began preparing new vessels for conversion and manufacture, within the warrior fraternities and households, recruitment began..for the first time in known history Daragons were becoming warriors far in excess to the long standing and established tradition. But the fraternities knew this would come and were prepared.
Slowly...precisely the Daragon race began to awaken to their destiny.

Far away in the now designated Liamarrr system...a Crystalline Contact vessel slipped from the ether at the outermost edges of the star system, and began first contact protocols, Valhere instructed the chorus to remain at the ready, remote veiwers began scanning the system, and bio-special experts shifted through the data provided, all this accomplished Valhere then waited for confirmation of the species that inhabited this island in the void.

'Lady Caladryx have you come to meet me in person? I ever so want to meet you.' The goddess projected herself into the minds of all the Daragon in 1000 lightyears.

'Meet me on the seat of my empire, Liamarr. Bring your bodyguard along whatever their number.'

Within his cathedral like command chamber Valhere noted a persistent echo on the doorstep of his mind, the message had followed none of the carefully executed psionic key notes that allowed free contact between the Daragons, but was there nonetheless.

Turning his attention to his exo-psion specialist his entreaty was answered, Professor Valhere, subject is a scale 3 Psion presence, unschooled in our protocols of mental contact, our near proximity allowed the message to even be received intact, shall we respond or will you be the primary upon this contact. Valhere's azure eyes drifted across his displays and the forms of his team before responding.

Psion Presence within the Liamarr system, I am the Daragon emissary and speak for the College, we stand upon the doorstep of your system and will begin a dialogue at this time Valhere then followed the general message with a limited psion key to facilitate communication, best to get these forms of communion off to a proper start with mental etiquette intact.

V.E.R.O could hear the gunfire from the vault doors, there must be more free from the labs.
"Motion detected." One drone said it's visor lit up the rest of him along with his torch. V.E.R.O was just a A.I along with the rest but she still had emotions and now she could feel fear.
"Contact!" a security drone yelled as it's plasma rifle fired a purple stream of energy lighting the room and everything in front, standing there was 12 mutants standing over some destroyed mechs.
"Open fire!" V.E.R.O yelled as her squad opened fire but the mutants were fast able dodge most shots. The rounds that it melted flesh like it was nothing, the screams must be heard all down the corridors.
"Pull back! Pull back!" The A.I yelled as her squad backed into a small vault but before they locked the door a mutant grabbed a drone and dragged it into the darkness.
"We need a way out!" V.E.R.O groaned as she looked around the room.

Hunt, that was their order, feast of crows, this was their prize. 10 massive Rool'jek rounded the corner, sliding as their thick musclulature rippled as they ran on all fours. The harbinger had released the slaughterhounds, and they had been named as such for good reason. Ro'lok hear a bestial roar that shook the very ship he knew this titanic clash would be hell.

They had come.

With a leap over their master, the Rool'jek burst into lab 235, their archaic howls of bloodlust peircing the minds of all. The champion lept at a mutant taking it down in such grace that one would think it was a dance. At least until the champion stood to his hind legs curling his arms and sucking deep the air of the ship, he released a roar that lasted several seconds before laying into the mutant with his jagged claws.

Mayhem ensued, as mutant battled creation Vu'lek stood in the middle firing his coil rifle at the mutants, peircing flesh, and burning the soul.

'V.E.R.O LEAVE NOW, WE CAN SEAL IT!'

--------The Goddess on Liamarr------

'Enter, we wish you land and converse face to face. There is much to discuss.'

6 months previously, the Expansionist Principle Assemblage located within the solar transition region of Godking.

The ovoid ships were arranged in a tight sphere, no more than 10 metres separated them in some areas. On the ship closest to the star 50,000 equidistant Tseb converged on an unmarked locus. The nanites that contained the Oxygen wafer fell like snow, or ash, as more and more succumbed to the coronal flares.

Each Tseb was naked, slicked with hyper-insulating perspiration, most were blind now, the radiation proving too much for their eyes. A handful started to stumble, slipping on blistered soles. When they finally met, making an unbroken circle, all were crawling. And with that the ships jumped. All 50,000 in a different direction, a different volume. Like the ships, the atomised remains of the 50,000 bodies dispersed like dust in the wind.

Galactic Present Day.

Ote hovered around the convening nest, a pillow of nanites taking his weight, he waited patiently outside for one of the assembled to finally formally address him. A thin substrate covered his body, it glittered softly as the nanites transmuted the low pressure Argon and Hydrogen into breathable Oxygen. A number of hours later the gnarled exoskeleton of a native Ambassador floated towards him on glowing flagellum.

'It is Joyous to see we, the humble [Linguistic Aprox.]Voiddrinkers[Linguistic Aprox.] find we are not alone in the Galaxy. It is doubly Joyous that we greet fellow travellers.

Our home Nebula started to sublime into a New Star, giving us but 5 million years to vacate it!

With the weight of my peoples warmth i offer you the [Linguistic Aprox.]Hand[Linguisitc Aprox.] of Friendship Ote-Baracet-Tseb-Godking. Let us discuss our mutual goals, let us pool our minds towards collective greatness!''

Ote stared blankly at it's expressive region, what it might call a face; a flailing lobe covered in sensory antennae. With a gentle fizzle he deactivated his environmental protection, stopping short of the thermo-regulators. As his skin started to freckle with blood he grabbed at the Ambassador, enclosing the brittle 'Face' in his palm. With another sharp movement he crushed it, a loud hydrogen pop accompanied an explosion of golden Ichor. With that, he withdrew, his environmental protection reactivating as his attendant Nanite swell rapidly sling-shotted him back to a safe distance, some 20 million miles away.

He drank in the sight of his Ship's nanite swell enclosing the reddish lilac glow of the Voiddrinker flotilla, which was really just a mobile mini-nebula. Full-spectrum radiation bombarded his eyes as the Nanites re-purposed the matter they contained, he couldn't look for long before it became too bright. All of it would be turned to 'Ash' a Meta-compound that was almost completely inert and ten-million times harder than diamond. An utterly redundant substance, No creature could ever unmake or use it.

Rim of Liamarr system EXT. Valhere contact gemship.

"Message received and astral jaunt calculated professor..go on call." Valhere raised a claw and the jaunt was enacted, the gemship faded from existence and reformed above the designated coordinates at the Liamarr homeworld.

As the sensors and Psion talents began intial scans, data streamed across Valhere's various displays..noting relative temperatures and environmental concerns he sent instructions to his team..Prepare stage 4 envrio suit protocols , I will augment the fields personally, and include standard contacts package as well, no reason to go empty clawed, I will be the only physical presence but chorus will be engaged as well as communion status, have gemship on immolation standby, and send to Fafnir our status. Smoothing down his ventral scales which had been unconsciously raised at the excitement of a first contact, Valhereslid from his command perch and proceeded to the ready chambers.

Donning his Exo-suit and all augments, the Ancient Azure professor checked seals and when satisfied re-enforced his containment fields with his own mental prowess, testing his verbal translator and voice tab, Valhere found it all operating within accepted parameters.

Acknowledging his psi-apportate department members, Valhere prepared for initial egress...a flash and the Daragon professor found himself floating 50 miles above the contact site.



Testing his flight characteristics and nav points, he extended his wings and started to soar towards his destination, the bulk of his 71meter body easily slid through the upper atmosphere and for the first time a Daragon flew through a alien atmosphere..

Arriving at the provided co-ords Valhere Alighted a bit clumsier than he would have like (Being a very old Daragon and not as nimble as he once was), he surveyed the surroundings with his shapphire eyes and activated his Voice tab and xeno trans,

"I am Valhere of the College , our talks may now begin in physical presence now."

The Goddess coalesced in the presence of Valhere.
The mighty daragon dwarfed her as a bear dwarfs an ant.


'It is nice to meet you, Valhere of The College. Let us begin negotiations. We are of sound judgement you and I. I wish your people and mine to be of one cause. Anything you need will be provided. Mutual defense and open trade will ensue as per the Triumvirate Agreement. What says the college?'

Slowly inclining his head in a appropriate bow, Valhere mentally adjusted his voice tab, and regulated its volume to match the being speaking to him.

"Representive of the Liamarr system, what is the proper designate for your address, it is always good to know the name of whom you speak with (adjusting his tab for a humorous inflection), as to trade, defense and other concerns currently the College is in a exploration phase, but all good things will always start small... let us begin with communication and build upon that."
With that Valhere motioned with his huge clawed hand, and a one meter blue gemstone detached from his exo-suit, and floated a few meters in front of the Daragon.

"This is a contact crystal, and is encoded with your planets signature, it will enable ...communion with our species designate at almost any distance, and will facilitate further discourse, since you have exhibited a Psion talent I will demonstrate thusly..do not be alarmed."

Inclining his head for a moment Valhere's eyes slid shut..before snapping open once again.

There...the crystal is now attuned to your signature and will allow communion between your mind and any Daragon with the proper mental key..currently that is only myself, but others will be added on a requested basis...ahh I see your reference designate is ..."Goddess" , fascinating that is very old designate amongst the Daragon, and seldom used, first contact is a most wonderous thing.

Ote Looked down at his hand, the shards of silicon had pierced it in numerous places and he noticed the first signs of frostbite on the it's back. With an almost curious look he pushed the largest shard further, the frost-burnt skin of his backhand bubbled near the center and slowly the shard pierced it's entrance. With a far sharper movement he withdrew it, a small stream of his thin blood coming with it.

He heard the voices of Consensus in his head. Most of the Arbiters on his ship applauded his actions some simply reiterated their desire to murder him, some remained silent.

The Voiddrinkers had been weak he thought, they had had no military, they were naive. The other races in his sector would prove far more difficult, in truth he had but the power of around 1000 warships in his nanite swell, 25,000 elite marines and the explosive power to destroy 2.19 light years in his ships reactor. The other 49,999 ships were forever elsewhere, other galaxies, other volumes, some had simply jumped into life-giving stars, sparking a nova, wiping tens of systems clean. He could not count on their support.

The death of the Voiddrinkers may prove a statement of intent, he thought. During the negotiations he had been masquerading as an Agent of the Liamarr with whom the Voiddrinkers had had contact with. The death of an entire race was also supposed to issue some kind of 'Scream' in the Psionic sub-layer, he wondered if any would hear it.

'The psychic death chorus of billions of souls pierced The goddess' mind at once, like a direct and graceful thrust of a rapier it punctured her presence in the aether. Falling down before Valhere, she slightly craned her head and said three words.

'It has begun' and dark forces who created her so sucked her away from Valhere ans pulled her back to the temple of sacrifice. Hundreds of children were brought to her altar, and one by one she looked them in the eyes, and consumed their essence.

All gods need sacrifice, and The Goddess needed souls to maintain her form in the material plane. Her form shimmered and she contacted Valhere,

'Can you move to the psychic realm... I am strong there & we must speak.'

**Xil** (2 habitable worlds)

colony framework in place focusing on ground to space defence grid & main shields

the mek & his brainboyz finish decoding the probe they picked up

**new system codenamed Gundabad**

start estabishing colonies on habitable worlds

**Orkus**

continues building ships and amassing materials

sends out the third fleet to yet another system

New Moscow: Some time ago.

"It is with great pride that I announced the launch of our first colony fleets just a few days ago. Long have we worked towards this goal, building up our home system and empires to create the heart of a great socialist nation. And now that long work shall finally bear fruit. Comrades, we have already picked out star systems to bring forth the joys of our socialist democracy to, we do not know if they are inhabited or not, but we have taken every precaution. Though we are a peace loving people, we will use force if needed. Now comrades, let us celebrate our coming success." The premier repoted to the adulation and cheers of his people, he briefly looked to the sky, briefly wondering how their efforts were going before returning their cheering with a wave.

Fifteen such colony fleets, one for each of the constituent empires of the NUSSE had already set out, each containing a thousand vessels that proudly bore the symbols of the Soviet Union, each with more than enough firepower to utterly devastate a planet, and each being trailed by five hundred transporters that contained the brave colonists of the union. Once each fleet dropped out of hyperspace they would scan the system for any signals from sapient life forms before making a repeating broadcast to get their attention. "Greetings people of this star system, we are a colonization fleet from the Novaya Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Imperiya, and we wish to help you join our great nation. We offer you improvements in living conditions, education, healthcare, a democratic government, and eglitarian living. Please think well of our offer." The broadcast would tell them in a friendly tone, translated into as many different languages as was possible.

A series of probes were dispatched from these ships to investigate the planets in greater depths, feeding their mother fleets more data as they approached their target inhabitable planets, determined by careful scientific analysis and study, often by prior probes that passed these systems by in search of new worlds for the great expansion project. Swarms of the smaller boats surrounded their larger ships like bees around a hive, strike craft such as fighters, gunships, interceptors, and bombers kept at the ready, with regular patrols being sent out while combat mining vessels stripped down asteroids or comets with valuable ores to help get the base ships' industrial capacity rolling.

The Iron Curtain shield generators, Arena point defense systems, composite and explosive reactive armor, and banshee ECM systems of the ships were quite operational, as were the impressive arsenals of the soviet ships themselves. Missiles, torpedoes, tesla coils, rapid fire rocket launchers, cannons, radiation beamers, and psionic brigades all at the ready on the gargantuan ships. The brave men, women, and machines of the Soviet Union waiting within their bowels, hoping they wouldn't have to fight, but each ready to do so anyway. Many of the soviet soldiers, such as the Shock and Tesla troopers, the Desolators, Conscriptnauts, Cosmonauts, Gargarins, Pyros, and Eradicators were also equipped with varying designs of power suits, though all could reasonably be proud of the marvels of soviet engineering they wore.

Tanks, walkers, AFVs, SPAs and more all waited in their multitudes, while the various war robots, whether sapient or not, keenly awaited news of any further orders or situational developments, while maintaining a communication line back home in the unlikely case that they would need reinforcements. Unlikely as each fleet contained billions of people and with the Soviet's extremely rapid cloning, manufacturing, and training capabilities they could grind just about any foe into the dust as long as they kept their supply chain to the base ships and carriers steady. Then the contacts started coming in.

"You will bring the Jiralhanae under your heel when you have proven your strength to us!" One reported, with analysis determining that this species was large, ape like, quite tough, and had no more space presence than what could be brought up by 20th century Earth technology. The Soviet fleet then decided to set itself up above the planet, and upon further examination, found that the planet was currently embroiled in a world war between three separate camps, one being dedicated to theocratic worship of a now dead race, one being having agreeably socialist prinicples, and the third being dedicated to disturbingly absolutist but secular principles. The fleet commander decided to try negotiations with the socialist brutes while fighting the other two factions, launching with offers of aid, development, and equal standing with the soviets while preparations to attack the incompatible alliances were made.

The second planet gave no response, as it was uninhabited by anything more complex than nonsapient animals, and the colonization fleet moved in to set up shop largely without incident, allowing the conquest troops to shift gears into guarding the new gain while the base ships helped start up the planet's industrial development. The planet was then renamed Volgomir, due to it's large number of rivers and lakes and largely temperate clime, not being particularly hot or cold save for a few extreme regions. As was decided by the Soviet before hand, this planet would be made self sufficient, having a balance of agriculture, residence, military facilities, resource mining, and manufacturing. The council decided that the idea of devoting a planet solely to one aspect of society was monumentally stupid as it meant that planet had no hope of surviving on it's own.

The third responded with an angry message of rejection and launching forward it's fleet of ships, which had a rather unpleasing mixture of organic and mechanical technology. The enemy identified itself as the Combine as it launched it's attack with it's dark energy technology and copious usage of synths and headcrabs, but the soviets were already ready for war. "Power up weapons and prepare for battle." The commanding admiral ordered as his fleet prepared to meet the puny attackers head on. Launching their swarms of boats and strike craft forward while the long range weapons of the capital ships and escorts let loose with their apocalyptic fury.

Planets four through twelve were also uninhabited, with four being somewhat warmer than earth, five being somewhat colder, six being almost entirely tropical due to the positioning of it's continents, seven being primarily cold tundra, eight being a very close match to earth, nine being inhabitable but very mountainous, ten being significantly more humid than the earth, eleven and two being ocean worlds with only a small amount of land available, which made the soviets thankful for ocean platform and submarinal colonization technology.

Planet thirteen, upon receiving the message shot back one of their own. "Oi! Look boiz! "umiez! Dis iz Warboss Killzalot and Iz gonna stomp ya good! Like yer red paint though, means we getz ta stomp ya fasta! WAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!" The barbaric voice shouted, the warcry being repeated by each and every one of the ships in the brute's fleet as they barelled over one another in an attempt to get into battle with the Soviets, who responded in kind much like the fleet dealing with the Hrumik.

Planet fourteen responded with a single terse "No" before the fleet of Turian vessels brought themselves to the fore in an attempt to engage with the soviets, who once again launched themselves into battle positions to get ready to stomp down on them and make them accept the Soviet Union's offer through force, patriotic music blaring through their ships as they prepared to engage with the aliens, although they noted quietly that their biggest ships didn't get more than one and a half kilometers long, as big as a soviet frigate, and they called it a "dreadnought", whereas the Soviet dreadnought was ludicrously larger at nearly thirty kilometers. The enemy's ground forces though, appeared to be more even with the Soviets, even if what they could tell of their tank designs made them giggle.

The fifteenth planet though, seemed to be surrounded by a fleet of biological ships, who seemed to take the Soviet's entry as a personal attack, sending off their vessels containing their monstrous cargo to meet the larger soviet fleet, while on the ground their six limbed monstrosities were busily slaughtering the natives and the part of their fleet that remained around the planet seemed to be chasing the surviving native ships around. The Soviet fleet once again launched with their standard offensive launch to meet the fleet of hive ships around the planet they dubbed Tyran, the soldiers inside preparing for boarding and counter boarding operations before engaging in ground warfare to free the planet from the great devourer.

Fifteen colonization fleets, five separate wars to be fought. Five different wars in which a soldier could prove their worth and glory to the motherland. For the workers everywhere, for the Rodina, for the Tsar!

 High Emperor Aggron wrote:
'The psychic death chorus of billions of souls pierced The goddess' mind at once, like a direct and graceful thrust of a rapier it punctured her presence in the aether. Falling down before Valhere, she slightly craned her head and said three words.

'It has begun' and dark forces who created her so sucked her away from Valhere ans pulled her back to the temple of sacrifice. Hundreds of children were brought to her altar, and one by one she looked them in the eyes, and consumed their essence.

All gods need sacrifice, and The Goddess needed souls to maintain her form in the material plane. Her form shimmered and she contacted Valhere,

'Can you move to the psychic realm... I am strong there & we must speak.'

within Valhere's Communion three Event specialists relayed warnings and statistics forecasts, showing some form of galactic extermination event of sentient life forms had occurred and noted the ripples within the "resonance" of the stellar music...these discordant notes were a fairly common occurance but the exact times and locals were always of interest to the College.

Relayed to Valhere Professor, please note "Godesses" subject may also be a member of the Psion vampiric school, notable drastic aura and imprint changes in accord to a localized life force drain, recommend stage one Psion protocols

Noting his chorus of advisors recommendations Valhere established a restricted link to the Goddesses' mental entreaty....
There we go...if psion communication is more ..comfortable for you "goddess" then we may now continue in this manner...but pure astral projection is not allowed within my current mandate, but I assure you , I am quite aware and present within this stage of consciousness, and now what specifically is it you wish to speak of
Valhere then awaiting this unusual and somewhat fascinating beings response, noting to himself perhaps he could offer some alternatives to her for non consumption Psion power sources, but if this is what is the most efficient for her, then who is he to dither with it..all life ends, and all energy has a use....

When Valhere arrived he looked onto a garden dead in a cracked and failing marble courtyard. Looking around he saw a creature dressed in the splendour of the God's and she spoke, projecting her thoughts with the grace of an angel.

'Long ago, I was created by the God, Aetheros. He is an all powerful God and asked me when I was born what I was to be. I replied, A Goddess like my father a God. He granted me my wish and told me to use my power wisely. Many days we would walk in the Garden of the Ancients, He would look at a stone that stood in an open clearing and he'd say "There is the forge of creation with which all beings I hammer into existence." He'd continue to speak "None but I may use it." and we'd continue our walk. But each day I would look back at the Forge of Creation. I envied my father for not letting me use it.. and so one day I went to it, and took up the hammer and created the Liamarr, as my own, without knowing my father was watching from the balcony all the while. On completion my father stormed to me, smacking me down with his mighty hand he cursed me.. " To live a gods life as a mortal, consuming your creation." I was forbade to ever return to the Garden of the ancients, and what you see now is as close as what I can create. There in the clearing,' the Goddess pointed to a stone.

'That is the anvil of sacrifice, to which untold hundreds of my people I have connsumed. Due to my curse and damnation, My father also created every other sentient race to bleed me. "until the mountains shake and the skies bleed, and the oceans run dry, this long I tell you, you are damned to be Co'dra He'an.'

'It means fallen.' the words slipped from her mind accidentally.

-------------------Ku'rea colonisation of Uro.--------------

'Send probes out to every corner of the galaxy, Mak. I wish to know whoever is out there.' Mak lumbered over to a holo panel and typed in a code to allow the recorder to start.

'I am Ku'rea of the Liamarr republic, to all who answer, we are alive and we wish to know of you more.' She paused, and lifed gently her hand to her face. What are we in for

 High Emperor Aggron wrote:
When Valhere arrived he looked onto a garden dead in a cracked and failing marble courtyard. Looking around he saw a creature dressed in the splendour of the God's and she spoke, projecting her thoughts with the grace of an angel.

'Long ago, I was created by the God, Aetheros. He is an all powerful God and asked me when I was born what I was to be. I replied, A Goddess like my father a God. He granted me my wish and told me to use my power wisely. Many days we would walk in the Garden of the Ancients, He would look at a stone that stood in an open clearing and he'd say "There is the forge of creation with which all beings I hammer into existence." He'd continue to speak "None but I may use it." and we'd continue our walk. But each day I would look back at the Forge of Creation. I envied my father for not letting me use it.. and so one day I went to it, and took up the hammer and created the Liamarr, as my own, without knowing my father was watching from the balcony all the while. On completion my father stormed to me, smacking me down with his mighty hand he cursed me.. " To live a gods life as a mortal, consuming your creation." I was forbade to ever return to the Garden of the ancients, and what you see now is as close as what I can create. There in the clearing,' the Goddess pointed to a stone.

'That is the anvil of sacrifice, to which untold hundreds of my people I have connsumed. Due to my curse and damnation, My father also created every other sentient race to bleed me. "until the mountains shake and the skies bleed, and the oceans run dry, this long I tell you, you are damned to be Co'dra He'an.'

'It means fallen.' the words slipped from her mind accidentally.

Valhere observed the mental constructs with great interest, making note of the imagery provided, and each of various psionic constructs, as the beings story unfolded Valhere made evaluations that were conferred within his chorus and debated by the departments within the Gemship.

Multiple unaccounted mental blocks...likely emplaced to restrict self termination or allow potential growth along predictable lines....use of god/goddess constructs to allow morality and amorality choices at a reduced cost to individual, and as social construct......creation myth enforcement to enable stability of claim and as refuge for ID......Consumption block as a inhibitor, not certain at this time if being's actual Psion capacity is fully vampiric in nature or just relative to block.....Fallen self image, useful for rstrictions upon self hubris and infallibility, emplaced to allow self doubt, but allow drastic measures to be excused.

Processing these assessments deep within his locked and guarded confines of consciousness , Valhere continued..

Most fascinating "Godess", your origin is unique so far in our experience, but now to the root of first contact..what is it you and yours would request of us, and how may we two civiliazations be at a balance with our interactions

Providing what in effect was a mental smile, Valhere adjusted his aura from one of a schoolmaster to one more in line with a compassionate friend.

'Explain to me Valhere, why is it you assume I am a myth? Are you not in my realm? Are you not assure of Me? Where do you think your abilities come from? manifestation of some sorts? NO... Aetheros, created all meaning to destroy my people. I may be a slighted God, but I am all knowing. I see you Valhere, I see my father in your eyes. I am not sure whether it is the father who cursed me, or the father who created me. You must understand, I am divine everyday. The masses pray to my feet and I sit in my realm as the sacrifices come to be undone on The Anvil. Do you not know that nothing is hidden from me here? In the Garden of the Damned I hear every whisper the soul procures.'

Sitting down amongst to fallen dark leaves, the white garbed Goddess ran her hand on the stonework on which brown corded vines once grew.

'I wish you to be with my people. I cannot save them, yet somewhere, the mountains shake, the skies bleed, and there the oceans are dry. It is there I am saved by Aetheros, it is there I must end my pilgrimage and ascend to be a true Goddess once more.'

Valhere adjusted his mental key notes, and restricted his access, while calming his chorus's clamor for countermeasures..

Our race..The Daragon has no gods or goddeses, not the claim or intent of one for over fifty of our generations, but that is a truth of our race, and not of all, if your people deem you a god, then so it is within your scope....but not ours, but you may have misunderstood our intent, we seek contact but not conquest, we collect knowledge not leverage, we explore but do not exploit, our entire race shares these talents, or Psion capabilities, and of that number I am not close to our most skilled, just chosen for my aptitude of acceptance.
What you believe is inherently your own and unique to your creation, and myself and the College acknowledge that, if our diffence of view is a affront to that self image, we will remove ourselves from your stellar confines, otherwise a discourse may continue

Valhere at that removed all but the slightest level of Psion communication, and awaited with a guarded stance, the chorus was not ment for outside the confines of the Daragon communion, and now new protocols would have to be enacted.

Breaking down, her realm cascaded into nothingness. She opened her eyes. Looking into the Daragon's eyes, the azure of a thousand seas roaring, she began to speak with her voice.

'I..' she pondered her words 'I.. knew there were others like me. Aetheros.. Father couldn't of only made me.. these people of mine, they are all gifted, and do not know. It is why i consume their souls... to remain all powerful over them.. you alone can know this.. were the college to teach them of their gifts.. such unbridled power brings death alone. And so I consume their souls... to render them innate.'

Regarding her words with the stoic draconic mask of features, Valhere found himself some what sympathetic to the wayward Psion's plight, but then the old..polished schoolmasters persona re-emerged.

Each race, finds its way of dealing with evolution, but all safety valves eventually break, all controls will fail in time, then change occurs , no race is immune..

At that the Daragon opened his racial history nodes and gave the goddess the quickest glimpse of ancient glorious, terrifying Daragon events...civil wars, god emperors...heresies, genocide wars upon wars, then finally peace and a rebirth a flowering of enlightenment, and discovery....

The images fade as quickly as they were revealed.

Now..Goddess of the Liamarr we the College will count you amongst the enlightened we have so far discovered and will in due time offer chances of cultural exchange, we can learn a great deal from your race and you may be able to learn a small bit from ours as well, we are very different but have qualities that may in time connect our peoples in a glorious future.

Bowing his horned and scaled head, Valhere waited for any addition discourse or questions from the Goddess of Liamarr.

The images of the genocides were fresh in the Goddess' mind like the genocides she had ordered on her people who did not believe in her.

'I wish someone from the college, to build a pantheon of schooling here. If keeping them safe from will... fail. I wish them to know of their gifts, but you must teach them in such a way it does not deface me... Can the college do this?'

Briefly Valhere consulted with his chorus, before responding..
The College does not come to the students, forgive me but a old Daragon expression..but we can offer.."scholarships" you may select individuals to attend sessions at our forums, and will be returned to you for scrutiny, we do not instruct beings in defacement or rebellion, only truths and discovery, I can arrange a small initial raft of scholarships. Perhaps ten, choose from your best and brightest, and then judge them when they are returned..and perhaps they can help pass along any kernels of knowledge that your race thirsts for, and teach the teaming multitudes of your people

So offering Valhere motioned with his claw to the glowing contact shard, and ten tiny duplicates of it erupted from its surface, as the shards formed into tiny teardrops of brilliant blue, the shards rents sealed themselves and the mother crystal was as new.

This accomplished Valhere turned his clawed hand palm up as the teardrops of crystal danced and floated atop it.

'Take, ten of the priesthood, Ko'de, the high priest, and his youngest orderlies, Su'je, Su're, An'ka, Mo'tek, Li'ro, Su'pa,
Ur'Mu, Na'ga and Ki'tek. Who are to be trained in the priesthood and now in the college. This is my request, and is there anyone amongst you who can stay amongst us?.'

The Goddess was fascinated to say the least, yet she hid her excitement behind graven eyes.