Topic: They Who Cannot be Named: Demons against Devils

[SimplyNecro]

"Truly is it not better to use demons to fight devils?"
                                                                -Chairman of Oslosis                   

Open Space: En route to intercept Assault Node approaching Talsenreave: Super Dreadnaught Aracknash

The Aracknash… the flagship of Supreme Commander Scourge, the Overlord appointed dictator of the Core Combines ship absolutely outsized and out armed every other ship in the Combine armada, armed with enough weapons to arm a small alien empire, and enough size and armor to dissuade anyone from so much as even looking at it funny, it was a sight to behold... sadly the enemies ships where still bigger, and perhaps even more heavily armed.

"Finally" The Supreme Commander thought in contrast to many odds, finally, the Core Combine could fight these Nameless head on. Talsenreave was a valuable and irresistible target; one whose importance the rest of the galaxy possibly failed to realize. It was a piece of technology that scratched, perhaps even broke into the boundaries of type-4 tech, something the Nameless would definitely wish to secure… not if the Core had anything to say about it.

Today, unlike their other battles with Origin, the Nameless would fight an enemy of which the concepts of fear and mercy where completely alien to them, an enemy that simply did not give up, one that would continue to fight until either they or "Them" where all dead…


As of now, the fleet was on the move to intercept an Assault Node reported to be heading straight for the Talsenreave station as predicted, there was no way the Core could allow it to reach the station first.

Among them however, where not only Combine ships, but a group of certain GPA vessels, flying alongside the Combine fleet, these craft along with some of there own where carrying a very specific and unique payload.

A new channel opened and a transmission was sent. "Approaching Nameless Assault Node, ETA: 5 minutes." The harsh grating cybernetic voice of one of many Skrall on the fleet spoke. "The experimental weapons are operational?"

[Yuu]

"Primed and ready!", a rather jovial voice quickly answered back, the sound of countless Choro echoed across the background.

As the fleet swiftly cruised towards their intended targets, the several GPA ships which seemed to be of Choro Deidalus origin began to change formation, preparing themselves for the coming battle ahead.


The Choro Deidalus Technocracy Super Experimental Weapons Fleet...

The crown jewel of the experimental branch of the Choro Stellar Navy. Tasked with the deployment of some of the most advanced technological marvels of the civilized galaxy, it has seen much experience in every major war that the Choro have come across.

Despite its humble size, even by the Technocracy's own conservative standards, the small, seemingly ragtag group of vessels, composed mostly of bare bones weapons platforms, have proven themselves time and time again to be an effective component in any military formation. From behind the relative safety of larger allied fleets, to the very front lines of the bloodiest of stellar battles, the vast array of freshly built hardware decked across the fleet's many platforms have more than usually proven to let them hold their own, even against the most trying of adversaries.

But will such steel will ever be enough against an enemy so vastly stronger, and undoubtedly more advanced than even their own?

Only time can tell.

And so, as they await the final answer, the Super Experimental Weapons Platform 01, flagship of the SEWF, begins its final preparations for the much anticipated reveal ahead.

[SimplyNecro]

"Affirmative." The simple confirmation rang as everything became slightly more tense, the fleet was now approaching the assault node, and they would have to fight with everything they had...


As the gargantuan bulk of the Assault node made its way towards Talsenreave new signatures began to appear... lots of them. A massive fleet of strange organic looking craft appeared from the abyss in great numbers, as well as the smaller but no less significant in its role experimental weapons fleet. Both of them appeared directly in front of the Assault Nodes path, stating very clearly that this was as far as the Nameless would go...

"Assault Node in sight Supreme Commander!"

"All systems locked and primed!"

"Assault Fleet in battle formation!"

Supreme Commander Scourge looked upon his armored bunker of a bridge hidden deep within the super dreadnaughts armored hull, inspecting multiple readouts in split seconds before turning his attention to the Assault node. It was a large craft no doubt, but strangely... he had actually expected worse...

A slight pause filled the hive network before Scourge gave the oh so long awaited order...

"Exterminate them..."


In seconds the entire Combine fleet was upon the assault node, unleashing every bit of gravitic hell it had, and launching swarms of smaller craft towards the enemy. Massive clouds of gravity missiles flew towards the adversary, followed by chunks of shells hurled by the gravitic railguns, followed by the devastator class gravitic bombs... the types that were used to turn moons and small planets into asteroid fields with repeated bombardment. All the while, several of the Combines own experimental weapons craft, armed with unique payload they planned to test in this battle, got into formation with the Choro experimental weapons fleet to maximize their effectiveness when they unleashed their "cargo".

[Yuu]

On the other side of the field, the Nameless Assault Node began to summon what seemed to be a vast veil of distorted space which then began to spread all across the vessel's surface. As the Combine's wrath bombarded the gargantuan fortress, numerous flashes of light trickled along the barrier, the myriad gravitational punishments trying to rip the massive shield apart.

Elsewhere on the ship, fields upon fields of portals began to reveal their presence, the obsidian construct swiftly unloading its burden.

As the enemy vessel pushed against the current of fire, an indeterminably cloud of constantly darting figures sprang from within its bowels and began to charge and engage the Combine fleet. Unleashing a storm of assorted offensive programs, actinic beams of energy formed an expansive phalanx which doused the Combine fighters in an unimaginable torrent of heat.


Super Experimental Weapons Platform 01

"Professor...", one of the bridge's hands called the fleet's captain, who seemed to be enjoying the marvelous, albeit violent display of technology currently unfolding before them.

Without as much as a word, the visibly ecstatic captain responded with a simple nod as a large and knowing grin was confidently painted on his face. The superior officer's face contrasted with the chamber's sleek, white interior, which released a clean and sophisticated aura, a far and distant cry from the former's seemingly malevolent appearance, driven not by evil, but simply due to a morbid sense of curiosity.

Smiling in turn and understanding the superior's tendencies, the subordinate officer jovially faced the comms network and began issuing orders all across the fleet.

Moments later, a small, conical, floating, ivory podium descended from the bridge's ceiling, its top, dome-like portion dissolving into the air to reveal what seemed to be a large, circular button.

"Preparations for Experiment Number Six-Two-Seven-", the Choro carried on as all the other ships confirmed their respective targets for the coming exercise.

Starting in Six...

Five...

Four...

Three...

Two...


ONE!


A massive display of radiance raced across the vastness of space, making their way to the very center of the fray.

The effectiveness of the myriad measures against the hostile presence would soon be finally seen.

[SimplyNecro]

Battle reports where immediately filing in to Scourge’s senses, analyzing every single reaction of the Nameless and the effect the Cores weapons where having on them, so far the results were not exactly satisfactory, but they were getting a reaction.

"Weapons are having minimal effects Supreme Commander, the ship appears to be shielded by some sort of shifting spacial shield… though we are indeed putting strain on it, repeated bombardment may lead to a breach."

"Enemy craft launched, fighters suffering casualties, third and second arms suffering casualties."

It was almost humorous, casualties were hardly a worry to Scourge, where ever a slave died ten more took its place, and fleets could easily be replaced. However, attrition and brute force (sadly) had their limits, and against a foe like this, one needed to think outside the box.

With missiles…

"Have the experimental weapons group follow the Coro formations” Scourged ordered "Let’s see how they react to this…"


With each utterly punishing barrage the Combine unleashed, the Nameless went ahead and launched a more destructive one right after, followed by another devastating barrage from the Combine, which was returned in kind by the Nameless, to put it simply, it was an utter hell hole. Few times had the galaxy seen such brutal ship to ship combat.

Swarm upon swarm of Combine craft descended upon the Nameless phalanx, easily replacing whatever was destroyed, and never relenting in their assault no matter what type of punishment the Nameless unleashed. Now, the Core’s own raider class mech armors began to enter the fray, first utilizing their GWSS’s to interfere with the Nameless crafts communications and targeting systems then attacking the confused forces en mass with their fighters, all while the rest of the assault fleet continued to batter the shielded vessel.


The small battle group of experimental platforms soon followed the Choro formations, making last minute preparations; the launch was announced as the Skrall analyzers readied themselves to observe the resounding effect of their new weapon. Seconds later when the Choro unloaded their ordinance, the Core’s fleet did the same, finally revealing exactly what type of weapon they had been preparing against the Nameless foes…

SPAM missiles…

Brilliant white streaks, similar to those fired by the Choro Deidalus, raced towards the Nameless craft, upon detonation they unleashed utter cybernetic warfare hell, bombarding the Nameless with add, viruses, worms, and all manners of….spam…

[Yuu]

As the maelstrom of knowledge drowned the horde of Nameless, the vast fabric of distorted space which surrounded the assault node began to fade from existence as the vessel's myriad processors began to go blind, if not completely falter from the sheer blast of information received from the coalition's strike.

Slowly, but surely, the Core's atempts at penetrating the dark construct began to yield results as the dark fortress's surface finalyy began to deform from the constant bombardment of intense gravitational punishment.


"Predictable, their action...", a small, lone voice said to himself confidently as numerous readings of the node's internal damage began to crop up around him. As the being raised his arms and flicked several projections which were low enough to be within his reach, the mosquito-like silhouette began to take to the air as what seemed to be a portal opened up from beneath him.

"Yet, for me to be the first...", he mused as he slowly descened to the recently conjured gateway. "... it is, verily unforeseen indeed."


All across the field of battle, the swarm of Nameless fighters suddenly found themselves unable to use their programs, much to their scorn.

With what can only be considered an act of stubborn resistance, the greatly handicapped forces began to engage the Combine in a more traditional manner, using conventional weapons, and if possible, engaging the coalition in close quarter combat.

[SimplyNecro]

It was time to end this…

"Experimental weapons group, give me a report!" Scourge spat, not so much angry but simply eager to get an update.

"The SPAM missiles are working marvelously Supreme Commander!" One of the commanders on the aformentioned battle group replied confidently. "Just like we predicted, the enemy craft are currently confused."

"It appears the spatial shield is also dissipating!" Another Skrall next to Scourged chimed in. Good news.

"Good… very good." Scourge stated to no one in particular. "Set gravitic generators to maximum; charge all weapons… eradicate these vermin…"


The Core continued to engage the now confused and disoriented Nameless. While they continued their classic ‘rush the front’ tactic, they where now doing it even more furiously, now that the Nameless were vulnerable they were basically going berserk. Frigates charged in and punched their way into the fray, fighters swarmed their prey from every directions, even the raider mech armors also seemed to be able to go toe to toe with the Nameless larger craft, and needless to say, the Combine never ceased their brutal bombardment.

If most Skrall could collectively feel joy, they would be cheering. But Skrall were not like that with most emotions accept those useful for war deadened and replace with cold, calculating ruthlessness. Slowly they watched with utter scrutiny the effect of their damage, always on guard for the possibility of another Nameless trick.

[Yuu]

As a torrent of gravitational punishment ripped across the battlefield, droves of upon droves of Nameless were swiftly extinguished by the attack. All the while, their fellow dampened minions were starting to be outmaneuvered, and outgunned, by the superior Combine fleet.

The battle seemed lost for the Nameless as a long chain of blinding explosions raced across the assault node's surface, only to be followed by several more all over the vast obsidian sphere. The incessant flurry of intense gravitic strikes ultimately sealed the fortress's fate as the construct's massive shell slowly began to crack.


"Quite burdensome...", the mosquito-like figure remarked as he stood in what seemed to be a completely identical chamber as before. He watched from one of the room's many holographic projections as his original vessel slowly give in to its own colossal weight.


It appears that programming ... at least ones as primitive as this ... equally contains its flaws.


"However..."

[SimplyNecro]

The assault fleets occupants watched as the fortress slowly cracked open like an egg, and reports were now coming in that the Nameless minions where now being wiped out... a clean victory it seemed as the bombardment continued until the ship began to come apart.


"The Nameless vessel has taken critical damage and appears to be breaking apart!" one of officers reported the obvious "It appears victory is ours..."

Every Skrall, slave, and soldier turned towards the quiet Supreme Commander, who did not look as satisfied as the others. Hooked up to the ships systems motionless made it difficult for any non-Combine being to understand what Scourge may have been thinking, but the they themselves could easily sense that he was not through yet...

"No..." Scourge's voice broke the silence. "This battle is only beginning..." He said as he focused intensely at the projection of the dying Assault Node in front of him.

[Yuu]

"Something's not right here, but I just don't know what...", the SEWP-01's captain said as he ran his fingers along his mandibles, a part-inquisitive part-anxious stare evident in his eyes.

Turning towards one of his aides, he wasted no time in giving out his order, "Contact the Aracknash, now."


//You felt it too, didn't you?//, came the Choro captain's voice as he called out to Scourge.

//That encounter was just, too easy.//, the Choro carried on. //I'm pretty sure you already know what I mean by that...//

[SimplyNecro]

"Transmission from the Technocracy sir." one of the slugs said while turning it's head slightly in it's "seat" (Basically a large tangle of wires and cables that connected it to the ships systems like the other stations)

"Put it through." Scourge replied, still contenplating their "easy" victory... and a small spark of his temper was starting to show.

//You felt it too, didn't you?//

//That encounter was just, too easy. I'm pretty sure you already know what I mean by that...//


//Laughably easy.// Scourge replied out in a similar tone //...this is not over.// he continued, his tone showing a slight hint of anger.


"Their just mocking us..." Scourge finally snapped a bit. Inside the tactical part of his cybernetic mind began to cycle through data at an increased rate, considering every scenario, best and worst case. Watching the Nameless craft tear it's self to pieces from the torrent of destruction, Scourge, and by extension every Skrall on the fleet continued to look for any sign of a trick... there would be no relenting until they confirmed their kill.

[Yuu]

A blinding cacophony of light showered the field of battle as the dying Nameless warship finished its final throes. All around the fray, the menagerie of hostile shapes that plagued the Combine forces quickly began to falter after the core of their force finally met its fate.

The Assault Node had truly, and without a doubt, fallen.


However...




SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKK



The sound of grinding metal was heard for but a fraction of a second before one of the Choro's ships suddenly fell silent. Soon enough, another, much smaller blast of light echoed across space, this time coming from behind the mass of vessels which composed the coalition fleet.

Not long after, several more explosions sprang up from the fringes of the combined fleets as it soon became apparent what had recently transpired before them.


Without warning, a sudden string of completely identical signals coming from all directions suddenly bombarded the Aracknash with but a single, synchronized message.

//Greetings, Supreme commander Scourge...//, came a cold, almost monotone voice. Several seconds after the message began, the SEWP-01 managed to steal one of the transmissions, opening it in their system as well. Yet, just as the crew started activating the hijacked message, the mysterious figure behind the sudden call began to speak again.




//... as well as, Professor Sforza.//



The SEWP's captain was more than slightly put aback by the sudden, and totally unexpected response.

H-how... H-how did he know...

//... that the message would be stolen and read by none else than you, professor?//, the voice answered again, seemingly aware of what the captain was about to say.

I was certain that that message was only directed at the Aracknash!
//'I was certain that that message was only directed at the Aracknash!'

You willed to say?//

Sforza staggered for a moment at the being's seemingly psychic parroting before carrying on with his thoughts.

Then, this could only mean...
//Then, this could only mean...//

That if we're to calculate the probability, of one of them joining the Nameless' side...
//That if we're to calculate the probability, of one of them joining the Nameless' side...//

... the number of those among them who possess the level of skill required to do this...
//... the number of those creatures who possess the level of skill required to do this...//

... and finally, the chance of us being the ones to encounter him.
//... and finally, the chance of us being the ones to encounter him.//

I see...
//I see...//

It all makes sense now...
//It all makes sense now...//

//How nice of you to drop by, then...//, echoed deep within the mosquito-like figure's chamber. //... Galactic Protection Agency's six most wanted fugitive! Or should I say...//

//Top Assassin, Haraia Hiraoto!//

[SimplyNecro]

SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKK

"I thought so…" Scourge thought to himself as multiple explosions began to appear among the fridges of the coalition fleets, yet another Nameless trick as he had suspected, first things first though, locate exactly were the shots where coming from.

"All craft, engage sweeper maneuvers, launch all probes and scan the area, locate this scum and-"

//Greetings, Supreme commander Scourge...//

What?!

"How did he get into our secure channels?" Scourged growled at one of his other officers.

"Unknown." The officer replied rather bluntly

"Well find a way to lock the parasite out!"

"Sir, we are intercepting a transmission!" Another Skrall said as he began to send the intercepted transmission through the network. Scourge listened intently, dissecting the message with his mind; something did not seem to connect here…



//Then, this could only mean...// The stolen transmission played.


//That if we're to calculate the probability, of one of them joining the Nameless' side...//


"One of them?" Scourge thought "Who are them?" Did he mean the galaxies top criminals? Seemed a little out of their league.


//... the number of those creatures who possess the level of skill required to do this...//


//... and finally, the chance of us being the ones to encounter him.//


//I see...//


//It all makes sense now...//


//How nice of you to drop by, then...//


//... Galactic Protection Agency's six most wanted fugitive! Or should I say...//


//Top Assassin, Haraia Hiraoto!//


"Haraia Hiroto…" Scourge mused, he had heard of the top assassin who was on the top ten on the GPA’s hit list, but for him to join the Nameless… and these people the Choro referred to as "Them"...

Scourged turned a small portion of his senses towards the Coro fleet, a small spark of distrust emerging in his mind (Well technically there was always distrust considering the Core and the galaxies past, but now there was more…). He always suspected that the GPA knew more about this threat than anyone else, but the amount of how much the Skrall were out of the loop was disturbing.

[Yuu]

A channel re-opened on the bridge of the Aracknash.

It was the SEWP-01.


//The Jyunkichi... ever heard of them?//, Captain Sforza asked Scourge in a rather inquisitive tone. //Though, considering that none of them operate in Core territory as far we know, probably not much.//

There was a light yet somewhat sinister chuckle followed by a relatively long sigh before the Choro carried on.

//Well, since we've already fallen for his trap, there's really no point in not trying to tell you what we know about them.//, Sforza paused for a second as he cleared his throat.

//The Jyunkichi are a race of highly secretive warriors known for their seemingly prescient level of tactical skill. They are few in number and most, if not all that we know of, work as freelance mercenaries all across the galaxy.

Naturally, we'd end up going after them. And since Core territory is, let's just say, not very conductive to their activities, they're essentially a non-matter in that region, which is why we considered them a low priority in the negotiations.

In any case, we've just probably unwittingly did what he planned for us to, aside from taking his bait.



Doubt each other...



He probably made me respond in an unwittingly suspicious manner, from your perspective, just to break our sync.

Then again, maybe he didn't and I'm just making stuff up out of paranoia.

Well, that's exactly how these people work.

Don't fall for anything that first comes to your mind.//, the Captain stressed.


//That said, never, ever be predictable in your habits when you have a Jyunkichi as an opponent.

Even the more predictable ones can single-handedly demolish an entire army, from the inside out, given enough planning.

The best Jyunkichi will always have countless layers of misdirection, and rarely refrain from taking everything into account.

And this particular one, is one of, if not the best...



... in his entire race.



For all we know, this conversation might even be part of his plan...//


Moments later, several powerful signatures graced the coalition's sensors from all known directions.

It didn't take long for the probes to deduce that these were none other than the recent assailants.

Several medium-sized vessels, probably classified as destroyers, appeared in both flagships' visual, slowly charging their cannons as they aimed for the ambushed fleet.

[SimplyNecro]

“Where Surrounded…” Scourge said calmly. "Now we don't have to try too hard looking for them..."

The Coro’s never got a response from the war fleet, either now distracted by the presence of new enemies or the Skrall simply did not respond as they usually did.

The fleet began to form up, quickly trying patch up all their openings, which they did so by placing a massive bulk of metal and biological parts that where the Combine craft in front of the enemy as a type moving barricade. Smaller ships such as frigates and destroyers spread themselves out and charged, probing the Nameless lines for weaknesses and perhaps trying force the enemy craft to spread themselves thin while stronger strike groups of battleships and the occasional dreadnaught dished out death from behind the "meat shield" of swarming ships, other battle groups where using similar stratagems across different fronts on the warzone, though they were more focused on simply keeping the Nameless off their flanks and their reserves unharmed.

All the while inside the Aracknash and other key ships, the officers worked franticly to see if they could lock out the Jyunkichi presence that had somehow infiltrated the network. The creature seemed to be capable of almost reading surface thoughts, but it was still too early to tell just how much information he could gleam from such powers.