Writer

Hello everyone, this is the first three chapters of the book i have been writing for probably about ten of so years. This is the project told from the aliens point of view and i have been working on and hoping to get officially published one day. the first book is done and i hope to turn it into a 4 book series. I have poured my heart and soul into this work, its my baby. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoed writing it. It still follows the whole Humans are space orks theme lol. I hope you all enjoy.

1

“Apex predators cannot accept the existance of another, they will fight until one or both are extinct”

### Message status-Immediate###

###Planetary invasion underway###

### Enemy forces attacking planet on mass, imediate mobolization of all Kell assets orderd###

###Nature of the enemy...Alien###

* * *

Some weeks earlier.

The sun dawned over the horizon of Unite the largest city on the planet, it was the size of a small continent and there were few cities that rvialled her sheer size and power. This was the powerhouse of the High caste, here they let their will be known. Before the “unification” Unite had been but one of the major powers on Aroura, but now it was the power on Aroura. The heads of all the High caste families lived here and many High Blurn in the central sectors.

Even though it was early morning there was already a buzz of activity with people going about their buisness morning routines. Blurn workshifts ending and begining in a perfect syncronisation of logistics. As a Blurn himself Kenson could appreciate such mathmatics specially since he worked with numbers everyday. The monotrain came to his stop and he quickly departed, he was already going to be late for his shift but he didnt care and the Kell caste could moan all they wished about his lack of punctuality but he had better things to do. His destination was not a long walk from the train stop but with the sheer amount of people on the streets meant it took much longer than he would have liked. The Sanitas house was the largest building for miles and the foyer alone took up enough space that it was larger than most low Blurn's housing complexes. He was carrying fresh flowers which got him a few curious looks, flowers were rare in the cities. Something about the soil made it almost impossible to grow wherever the Learian built their cities and towns. Kenson had to import the flowers specially. The Healers saw him approach but he was a frequent visitor so he was let inside without question. Without thinking and in a state of autopilot he made his way to the room that he wished he had more time to visit, room three hundred and nintey four.

It was quiet, only the sounds of the machines that kept the body alive was the source of any noise that ever came from this room. “Hello father” he greeted as he replaced the whithered flowers in the window with the new ones.

His farther was in a coma, beaten to near death by a drunken Kell warrior for simply being in arms reach.

“I brought you a new book, its called 'Begger, Warrior, Ruler' It about a warlord that lived over a millenia ago, I've read a bit and its quite good” he paused as if waiting for a reply but none came. “Dalsa and Celra have announced their engagment, they are hoping to be wed next spring. I really should bring them to visit sometime or you know you could go see them that would be better” Kenson laughed nerviously, again he waited for a reply and once again he got none. “Farther, please say something” he held his fathers hand and shook it with some vain hope of rousing him. Wiping away tears, he opened the book and began reading to him.

The High Tower or Castle as it was sometimes called was the seat of of the High caste power, here the heads of all the High caste families lived, dined and plotted. One such party was underway along with high ranking members of the Kell and some rich Blurn who like their Kell counterparts were drawn to such events as a month to a flame, anything to try and increase their own standing or power. The High Lord himself sat in a simple throne where he could see the entire hall, the various colours of robes signilling which house each member belonged to. The glances from one group to another as they plotted and made side deals trying undercut their competators and the young males and females looking for any marriage partner that would bring the most merits. It was all very dull Garza thought. His eyes though did find Supreme Commander Garsun, the first to ever hold that title. A young man compared to the High Lord but one seasoned by his share of battles and wars. Some sixty years ago he had led an uprising and the High caste had been forced to bestow him the title of Gar. Fitting he thought that is name was Sun so that his name now reflected his title of Lord of all Kell under the sun.

He was currently being chatted up by some High caste females of which he was doing his best to be cordial. Garsun's eyes met his and he excused himself to join the High Lord.

“My Lord Garza” he bowed low in greeting.

“Garsun my boy, how are you enjoying the party?” Garza smiled walmly.

“I am having a good time, my Lord”

“You're a terrible liar, you know that?”

“Why you insist on making me attend these things I will never know” Garsun's tone suddenly becoming more relaxed now he knew that he could not be heared.

“Politics, such things as this are needed to allow our rule to function, it is a way to gage the strength of your enemies and strengthen ties with your friends”

“I prefer the politics of the battlefield, it's simplier”

“I guess that comes from your breeding, speakig of, those lovly females have had their eyes all over you since you first arrived”

“You'll forgive me for wishing to partake” Garsun said taking a swig of his glass.

“You heartbreaker” Garza laughed.

He looked out over the crowed and hoped these peacful days could last forver.

The droning of Koma's alarm was never a good noise to wake up to, it didn't wake him up nicley it always shook him from sleep like the feeling of suddenly falling. He swung his arm over and hit the off button ontop of it and rolled back over and got comfortable but not three seconds later his wife pushed him out of the bed.

“Its time to get up” his wife Farla was already up and dressed and was grinning from ear to ear as she abruptly denided her husband from going back to sleep.

“No, it can't be I just went to sleep” Koma mumbled rubbing his face, he was still laying on the floor with the sheet ontop of him. Throwing his boots ontop of him and make him cry out in pain she left to wake their young, they had to share a room which the older sister hated but they couldn't afford larger living quarters.

“Frenta, Kren lets not have a repeat yesterday shall we?” she asked banging on the door and stepping him. Kren the younger one was already up, he was in the middle of atempting to put on his shoes and failing. Frenta mumbled her anoyance at being awoken.

“I don't feel well” Frenta moaned.

“You said that yesterday” she said grabbing the blanket and pulling it away.

“No! I am not going to school!” she cried almost on the verge of shouting.

“Yes you are, you say this every morning, ever since you birthing classes started” Farla retorted.

“Of course, why does it matter to me how to raise a child? I hate kids and will never have one” Frenta said sitting on the bed.

“Frenta, it is youre duty as a Blurn female to bare children as much as it is your brother's duty to work for and provide for his furture wife and for our people” her mother said.

“Stop preaching! I know all the crap about the triad of the castes”

“Then you know that one weak link will break the chain”

The two glared at each other.

“Is that why you had me? Out of a sense of duty?” Frenta asked.

That question made Farla frown.

“No” she said softly “I have always wished for children, it is a deep part of every Blurn female to desire children. I love you and want what is best for you”

“But what if I don't want children? What if i want, somthing else?” Frenta asked.

Farla looked at her daughter a bit dissapointed, this was not how she had imagined her to be when she hatched from her egg. She imagined her being much like herself and would find a nice lad to marry and start a large family. It's not unheared of for Blurn females to work but it is seen as they have to choose between work or family and its expected that they will have a family rather than work. Of course the reality is different, many lower class Blurn females have jobs when their children are at school. It's seen as a sign of status for a female not to have to work.

“If you truly wish that, and are willing to sacrifice having a family for it, for that is what it will cost. Then you tred that road well and to it's fullest”

The two stared at one another.

“Plus even Kren learns such skills” Farla pointed out.

“No he doesn't, they teach him all the interesting things like how a car runs and how to build”

Kren had already run out the room after hugging his mum, he was still at the age where he barley left her side and never ran out of energy. “Well if you asked your father im sure he will take you to his workplace someday and teach you about it”

“Yeah right” Frenta said hugging her legs, her mother sat beside her

“Frenta, your father works hard so he can support us, even I work long hours at the store”

“But at least you are willing to actually spend time with us, we have even come with you to the shop, why can't dad work there”

“It doesnt make enough and he has skills that the Kell caste need and they pay well” She kissed her forehead “Now come on you dont want to be late”

Farla was tall for a female Blurn and among her kind considered a beauty, she had been blessed with a number of attributes that were desireable among her sex. A small and flat like head plate, slender arms and fingers and her tail dragged for several feet behind her. Among females the longer the tail the more desirable they were considered. Growing up some of her friends had spent massive amount of money devices that would lengthen the their tails. It was as horrible as the name suggested. Her husband by comparison was a unassuming man, not overly attractive but not plain either. Many would refer to him as simply an average Blurn male which left many scratching their heads to how he landed such a beauty of a wife.

Farla found Kren already raiding the cooler looking for somthing to eat, she had to forcably pick him up and sit him down before she could prepare his days lunch and breakfast. Koma joined them shortly after.

“Daddy” Kren said opening his arms to be picked up but Koma just patted him on the head “Sorry little one no time I've got to get going” Koma stopped in his tracks when he saw Farla staring at him, the kind of stare that lets him know he's in trouble. Walking back he picked up Kren and hugged him.

“Its doesnt matter if you're a little late” Farla said in a tone of mockery as Frenta came in, she eyed her farther, she didn't like seeing him.

“Frenta, my beatiful salamander” he went to hug her but she took a step back, he faultered unsure of what to do so he smiled at her instead.

“Off to work again?” she asked sarcastically.

“Of course” he replied.

“How long before i see you again? A week? A month?”

“Frenta!” her mother protested “Your father works hard to provide for us, so show him some respect”

“Yes...provide” she said looking at the small portion of food before her and at the cheap and half broken utilaties around her.

“The work I do is important-” Koma said.

“Safe the speech mother already gave it to me” she said eating.

Frenta shrugged, Koma hoped this was her being a difficult teen, she was appraoching that age that females went through where they become almost Kell like. He was like it himself once and put his own parents through hell, now he knew how they felt.

“Here drink some tea” Farla said trying to ease then tension, she placed the bowl of soup for Kren on the table, Krens elder teeth hadnt come through yet so his meat had to be mashed, it smelt unappealing but Kren quickly devoured it. Being a carnivorous reptilian species their diet was almost entierly meat, there was a species they manly used called humes that they bred for that exact purpose. They were not only used for food but also as a workforce, they did the more unappealing and dangerous jobs, the humes only had a limited capability for understanding but they understood that if they did what they were told they would live. Not well, but live none the less.

“Huh interesting” Koma said aloud reading the newspaper “It says here the number of wild humes sighted in the northern territories has decreased and that a number of their known villages have been found abandoned”

“I heared, I spoke to your cousin a week ago and she said that they are unusually quiet up there, they are not making their usual incursions south like they usually do this time of year” Farla said.

“Maybe theyre all dying out, how anything can live up there with all that snow and ice is beyond me” Frenta grunted in usual pesimistic tone.

“Say what you want about the humes, they are unaturally resilient when it comes to suriving harsh enviroments. So that being said, i wonder where they all went?” Koma mused for a few moments before flipping the pages to more local news “Oh another mine closing, but a two for one coupon on tator chips” he tore out the coupon and handed it to Farla.

Finishing off his breakfast Koma kissed his wife “Take care everyone, I'll be back as soon as i can” he said ignoring the scoff from Frenta.

It took Koma almost half an hour just to get out of his Block, he lived in one of the higher levels of a relatively small one as some were so large that they held their own schools, shops and hospitals. It was possible to live in the largest Blocks your entire life and never have to leave. In fact some do, the largest Blocks have serious gang problems due to the low employment and low living standards. Koma and his family though lived in a rather small one, it still had close to 30 levels and most of the lifts didnt work but it was comfortable enough. Unlike the Kell caste which all lived in the same standards respectable of rank the Blurn lived very different lives. Their caste was the most versatile. The living standards from one Blurn could be complelty alien to another and those often calling themselves the High Blurn, were the rich ones who owned land and companies that provided for the Kell and High castes and enjoyed privleges because of it. So in a sense the Blurn caste was split in two.

Of course Koma was of the Low Blurn, he worked for his betters and he worked hard for what little he was given. He was a Logistics worker but he often called himself a glorified file checker as all he did was pass along orders and send infomation to where it needed to go and stop unauthorized access to certain files.

Koma hated the jounrney to work, he had to take the monotrain, it was a train that tavelled above the walkways and was always crowded and they were packed in like hume cattle. At this moment he was currently making friends with this great big labourer for the space docks that ships crates into the space for the fleet. Of course he had to make friends since he was basically standing on his toes and his face was burried in his chest. Blurn caste members tended to get along better than those of Kell caste, the Kell caste were continuously competing to test their strength against another from different sqauds or clans and would often bully the Blurn. In fact small wars between commanders were not as rare as the High caste would let them believe. Blurn had a kind of unspoken rule to not fight eachother, mainly because they get enough grief from the Kell caste always pushing them around and making life a little bit more difficult. The train came to a halt and a number of people got off including the one that Koma was pushed up against, it was then that he saw a friendly face. Helba, one of his work friends, they both saw eachother and made their way through the carriage to greet one another. "Well this is typical" Helba said first

"Indeed, I might actually try and invest in my own car someday" Koma then thought for a second "I thought you were off today?" Helba scoffed and grinned "I was, until that arse decided he needed an extra pair of claws today and cancelled my leave" This was typical of him thought Koma, it was rather rare for a Blurn so have any leave at all, there was always some reason that the leave would be cancelled or cut short. Usually just for the sake of it most thought. They both got off at the last stop and headed for the logistic centre where all infomation was stored and relayed. The city was a buzz of noise and movment this time in the morning with cars fighting for space on the roads, the trains running along the tracks over their heads and the huge number of Learian going about their buisness. Shops were opening and their keepers shouting out to get customers attention and groups of Kell warriors were shoving people out their way as they made their way to wherever is was they were going. There were five major continent sized cities on Aoura named after the territory they reigned over. They all had towers several kilometers high, each city was designed to be self sustaining with its own power, water and food supplies. Koma looked at the sky as a number of shuttles were docking on landing pads thousands of meters up near the centre of the city, they were transporting people and goods into space or bringing such down from the ships. The Aoura system was very much colonised, many space stations, shipyards, colonise on the various moons and worlds. It was from far outside their system that the new species came from. The Hume, Koma took an instant dislike to them, not so much as to hate them but he felt uneasy around them. Their language was gaubled nonsense, their skin weird and slimey and two different humes could have different coloured eyes or even skin color and from what he heared they had no concept of castes. They were so utterly alien to them that it was no wonder that they were enslaved when they were discovered.

Putting such thoughts aside he made his way through the central part of the city, Koma always took time to admire the buildings he passed and noticed a huge difference in design. The buildings on the other part of the city were more rough design with jagged edges and basically they all looked alike. But the central part was rather different as though the builders had a sudden change of heart in the design of the buildings. Here they were of a large variety of shapes. Some were block shape others were smooth made from steel. One was clearly made from stone. Being part of the Blurn caste meant that knowledge on buildings came naturally to him but he could'nt remember a single time when they used these type of designs or building materials, at least not in the last couple of centuries. It was as though the builders were experimenting. His train of thought was interupted by the screams of hume children being forced into a truck, he wasnt good at judging the aliens ages but the guessed that they were still a long way from adulthood.

“Beware! Dangerous animals!” called a handler as a line of hume cattle.

Calling after them were females shouting from barred windows a couple of floors up. This wasnt uncommon, once a hume was five or so years old they were taken from their mothers and shipped off to camps to be field workers, some were trained to be house slaves for the more social elite or those who could afford them. Females of good stock were bred with decent males, others that were less lucky or chosen for their fat were sent to slaughter farms for food.

He had read somewhere of how they forcefed some hume so they were so obese they couldn't move before being sent for slaughter and food.

The reason they could feed the hume and not the normal cattle that existed on Aoura before was because after the Ruination, one of the only things that seemed to grow on Aoura was a odd fungus like plant. The other sources of cattle could not eat it but the hume could. So they were ideal.

But they were a weak species and had tendancy to live short lives and die from very simple means. But luckily they bred very quickly. Koma felt a sting of sympathy, he knew it happend but didn't like to see it, it was one of those things he preferd not to be exposed to since his job had nothing to do with them.

Koma sat at his station and entered his passcode, he was one of hundreds of logistic workers in the building arranged almost like an ampitheatre. Next to him was Helba and like him was wearing a headset to listen incoming com calls and updates. He scrolled through the usual infomation, most of his logistic work was the monitoring of the satellites 2000 through to number 3000. It may sound like a lot but really but nothing that interesting was ever spotted, the odd rough planet passing by the system, a meteor here that will collide with a planet in the system or simply pass through. Sometimes a comet would appear which was nice to watch. Most of his time he was scanning ships passing through his monitored sectors and cross checking their clearance codes to make sure they were authorised to pass. These could be anything from Blurn ships to Kell warships, but every one of them was listed and scanned. If any were not registered they were hunted down and more than what was reported were fired upon. They could be smugglers or pirates which was likely or Goddess forbid an alien race. Since the discovery of the alien race , the hume they had wondered about other races that may be on par with their technology. That was why the system had a net of satellites to try and spot anything entering or leaving the system.

But he suddenly began getting worrying signals and reports, a class S sized comet had been spotted by one of the furthest satelites and was it was on a collision course with Aoura. Koma, looked at it with mild interest, yes this was so large that could throw the planet into a ice age but it was not the first one he had seen. Granted that was many years ago but still like then, this one will be dissposed of. He downloaded the data to a pad and handed it to his supervisor who would in-turn give it to his, who was a Kell who would alert the proper people for the job. Most likely the Admiral of the fleet that was stationed in orbit.

He switch off the alert and put it under “pending” meaning the problem would soon be dealt with.

Looking at the picture of his family taken many years ago at a picnic he smiled, how happy they all seemed then. How hard things seem now.

The lights illumited as the preset time was reached and a harsh noise sounded to awaken him.

“Ah” he groaned as he reached over and turned it off.

“I'm the Admiral of the entire fleet why do I have to get up so early?” he asked himself for the millionth time as he threw the blanket off him. The female laying besides him groaned and pulled the blanket over herself more having been awoken by the disdurbance.

“Make sure you are gone before I get out” he told her before going into his washroom and splashing water over his face to wake him up.

He listened for the door, of course she wouldn't use the main door as that would be too obvious, such trysts are not too uncommon really but to have them in the open was taboo. For the Kell to enter into such relations was not allowed by decree of the High caste, but it was tolerated as long as it was kept quiet.

Even though he was an Admiral he had not fathered any children, he had simply claimed such actions were a distraction and he had no time to visit the breeding centers of the Kell mothers.

The reality was very different.

“Good morning Admiral” Karat greeted him.

“Morning” he replied groggily and sat in the chair that his second in command Karat had surrendered to him.

The bridge of the Vendetta was large, it being the flagship of the Learian fleet it was only fitting that it be so. Draka sat in the a chair that overlooked all of his subordinates, this was symbolic as it meant that they had to look up at him as he was of a higher station. In the same way that a High Caste member will never sit on a chair that is lower than any other caste.

“Good morning Admiral” said a soft feminine voice, one that he knew well.

“Serila” he grunted holding out his hand for his morning cup of tea that he insisted on her bringing even though she was his chief engineer.

Instead she handed him a datapad.

“What's this?” he asked.

“It is the report of a few maintenance issues we are having and that you have yet to assign any of the fleet resources to fix” she said annoyed.

He hated this about her, her tone was unbecoming of a Blurn female.

“This is Karat's job, so why are you giving it to me?”

“Because he refuses to acknowledge there is a problem and says we can make do. Well we have been making do and there are only so many times we can use sealing tape to seal leaking plasma cannons” she was nearly shouting at him and the bridge crew were all listening while holding their breathe.

“Then hand it to the requisiton officer” Draka shot at her.

“He only issues with crewmans gear, not ship maintinance, do you want your ship to fall apart? I swear if it wasnt for the Blurn caste you Kell wouldn't even be able to dress yoruselves”

Draka's claws curled into fists and he stood up, she had crossed the line, she had insulted a member of the Kell caste and for a Blurn that was punishable by death should the Kell demand it.

Serila did take a step back and for a moment she was frightened and her prey instincts came through. But then regained her confidence and stared right into Draka's eyes.

This stand off went on for what seemed like an eternity before finally, Draka spoke.

“I will make sure, you are resupplied with enough materials to repair the vital systems” he said, his voice was level and calm but no one missed the anger.

“Thank you” Serila said and was about to turn away but Draka grabbed her arm and looked deeply into her eyes.

“Never speak to me in such a manner again”

He had spoken softly but it carried and everyone on the bridge heared him.

She looked away and nodded “Forgive me, Admiral” she whispered before he released her and she left.

“Insolent Blurn, she should have had her toungue cut out for that” Karat said standing besides Draka as he retook his seat.

“Indeed, but she is the best engineer in the fleet so it would been a waste, but I think a few lashes would not go amiss” Draka said looking away as if he could see her through the hull of the ship.

“Sir, we are reciving a communication from Aroura, high priority” called a deckhand.

“Put it through to my personal monitor”

A small robotic arm with a screen emerged from the side of the chair and placed itself infront of Draka and came to life to show the face of Garmeyr.

“Lord Garmeyr!” Draka said shocked and instantly went down on one knee.

Garmeyr was one of the high caste and a powerful member, arguably the only one more powerful was the High Lord himself.

“Admiral Draka” Garmeyr addressed.

“Yes, my lord?”

“I bring news of a threat to our world, a world ending comet has been detected entering the system and is heading towards Aoura. The High caste task you with it's destruction”

“Of course my Lord, it shall be done”

“I do not need to tell you how ominous the timing of this meteor is, it falls right at the start of the month of life, the great mating is upon us and the universe threatens to end us. Show how Learians are the master race of this universe and destory this lump of rock. I trust being a Kell you are quite adept at hitting rocks”

“It will be done, my Lord”

“Of course it will because I have...the High caste have commanded it, now go”

It made sense that Garmeyr's fleet would be given this mission as his fleet that Draka had control over was the largest in the Learian navy after the civil war that broke out some decades ago. Through either politcal manouvering or more neferious means Garmeyr's fleet was the only offical fleet. Other High caste houses had their own lesser fleets and ships but none as large or powerful as Greymers and that meant he seemed to believe that the void was his plaything.

The screen cut out and the screen returned to its place within the chair.

“I hate him” Draka said under his breathe.

Just as it was taboo and borderline heresy for a Blurn to insult a Kell it was just as severe for a Kell to insult a High so there was no way he was going to say that out loud.

Draka got to his feet and addressed the bridge.

“Assemble the fleet, recall all members currently on leave or rest and order them to report for duty. Prepare the fighters and gunnery decks for combat, just because our enemy is a lump of rock does not mean I want everyone to be lax in their duties ” he commanded.

“Yes sir!” replied the deckhands and went about carrying out his orders.

Draka sat down and rubbed his head, Garmeyr was often the one who would contact him to issue commands, mainly because the two of them had a bit of a history. Much like how Kell are selected for command and trained form young ages, High Caste members will show their families around their subjects and subject them to creul treatment. Garmeyr had taken issue with Draka when they first met, all because the High caste females seemed to find him desireable.

Kell males had often found themselves the attentions of High caste females and it was not totally unknown for those males to go missing for a time or even indefinetly. It was obvious where they went but it was never spoken about that a High caste female had offered her sacred body to a mere Kell.

A number of females that Garmeyr liked, one even being his arranged bride had apparently liked the look of Draka and jelously took over him. It was never proven, but Garmeyr set his guards to assualt him and is why he had lost two fingers on his left hand where they had been torn off. Draka was proud that he was able to kill one of his attackers and of course he knew who it was that had ordered his assault but he was forbidden to react, a single word from Garmeyr and he could have him killed but since Draka was in the command program it made it difficult for him to be disposed of. Thus Garmeyr simply made his life hell whenever he could, Draka wasn't even sure if Garmeyr remembered the original reason by this point.

Draka just hoped there was nothing special about this asteroid, Garmeyr had often set him up with the intention for him to fail but he had so far avoided every trap. The only reason he was alive at all was because he was lauded by the High Lord himself for services and thus Garmeyr could not get rid of him through normal means.

The smell of tea and the tapping of a mug on his chair brought back his thoughts.

Serila had returned and had placed his cup of tea beside him, she smiled her beautiful smile at him before she left.

Was this her apologising for before? Or was she trying to offer some comfort for having to deal with Garmeyr again? Draka didn't care, he drank the tea and felt calmer for it.

“Looks like it's going to be a long day”

He looked down at the main monitor that showed the planet they currently orbited, Aoura. Even from space it was easy to see the captial city of Unite since it was so large.

Fram, a simple line warrior was enjoying one of the few times he would ever get to sleep in when his friend Waln came running into his quarters with his usual grace of falling over his own feet.

“Fram! Look what I found!” he said holding up a bottle “12th century ale”

It was currently the year 3259 of the Learian calender.

“Where on Aoura did you get that?” he asked getting to his feet.

“Remmber the Blurn co conspiritor of the Warlord Sarkara?” he asked referrring to the war they had with another clan some time ago.

Kell rebellions were actually quite common, it was more of fighitng between Kell commanders who commanded clans but every so often one was a Kell commander who wished to carve out some territory of his own.

“That fat thing that drooled?” Fram asked.

“Yeah, this was part of his stash and I was able to get my hands on this as part of the spoils” Waln gloated.

Fram was annoyed, he had been part of putting down that rebellion and all he was able to get his hands on in the looting were a couple shiny baubles.

“Well what are you waiting for? Open it!” Fram said advancing on him

“Tsk tsk Fram, what do you say?” Waln asked grinning.

“I hate you?”

“Nooooo, the other thing”

“You're a sneaky bastard AND I hate you?”

“You're dam right” Waln laughed and opened the bottle and another warrior got some mugs.

Waln was a bit odd, but mainly because his name was a feminine one, in the Learian language the word for female was La or eL depending on the accent. Because of that females were the ones who had “L” in their names or La at the end. The fact that Waln had the feminine character in his name was because it was given to him as a child. During training he had cried because he couldnt keep up with the young males during a run around the city and could only run with the females. So to shame him they changed his name to a feminine sounding one. Of course as he grew up he was able to best most of the males, close quarter combat was his favourite physical acitivity and Fram thought it was so because he was still trying to overcompensate. Still though, now an adult he could change his name but he kept it, stating he had come to like it.

Fram looked over at an empty bunk in their sleeping area, although its occuupant hadn't been therer for some tim hee still looked over expecting to see her.

“You still miss her?” one of their bunkmates said.

“Narla was one of the best marksmen in the Kell caste” he replied.

“And a beauty” Waln said enjoying his ale.

“No wonder she was taken to the breeding center, with her skills and looks she is will mother a whole generation of beautiful killers” one laughed.

Fram and Narla had been hatch mates, they were hatched from the same group of eggs and grew up and trained together. They were never romantically involed as they came to see each other as siblings but he would never deny he loved her. He had a scar above his left eye from coming to her aid one of their first battles and she often traced it as a way of show her gratitude to him.

Every few years those from the breeding centers conduct physicals of the females in the caste to see which will create the best children. These physicians would conduct extensive tests and often invasive but to be chosen was nothing short of the utmost honour. They were hailed as the mothers of the Kell and were treated almost like High caste family leaders. Fram was happy for her, its just a shame he would never get to see her again.

“Im a little pissed they didn't pick me” mopped Lamela

She was quite a large female and had gone through the same inspection as Narla but had been found wanting, she was told that her body was not suited to go through the multiple births that a Kell mother would have to endure.

“Don't feel too bad” Fram said “you're more male than most of us” he laughed.

“Hey!” she said hitting him.

“Oh how unfemale like” he pouted mocking her.

“What do you think I am? Some pansy Blurn girl? Come on!” she said getting into combat stance, her body low and claws ready.

The moment Fram got up she lunged at him and in a few moves had her on her stomach and his knee diggin into her back.

“Ow ow ow, I give, I give!” she said her voice straining.

“You give? So by conquest rights I now have rights to you” Fram grinned.

“Don't you even think about it!” she screamed “I'll bite it off if you try”

“That would be a very small snack im afraid” Waln laughed “Also the High caste and Kell commanders frown upon such unregulated sexual conduct among the Kell warriors” Waln said dealing some cards, he seemed a quite drunk already.

Laughing Fram he let her up and they enjoyed the spoils of their recent war.

2

Kren sat at his desk drawing with the other youngsters, their teacher hadnt arrived yet but one of her assistants had and she had given them paper and coloured charcol to keep them quiet and amused. All of them were younger then ten winters and the class was nearly forty strong, bursting through the door their teacher finaly arrived. Zesha was an elderly Learian and her age was getting the better of her as she found it harder and harder to move with haste.

“Morning everyone” he greeted them and they greeted her in unison almost like a choir.

“I have a interesting lesson for you all today, we are going to learn about the Goddess and mother of all Learians”

The youngsters all looked confused, they had mothers so the idea of someone else being their mum must have seemed odd, it was Kren who voiced his thoughts first. “But I have a mum”

Zesha chuckled “No I mean mother to us all, she was the first Learian to ever live. Birthed by the universe itself she was divinly beautiful and had knowldge of all things living. But she was also lonley” Zesha sat down as her knees started to ache and the youngsters started to get interested and were shuffling to sit on the floor near her.

“So the universe birthed another Learian, a god and he was big and powerful and strong. They fell in love and mated to birth the next generation, our ancenstors. Together they had twelve children and the goddess was happy, she spent all her time playing with them and teaching them language, literiture and love for one another. But the god was jelous, too many times she had refused his advances and join him in his bedchamber and this made him wrathful. He killed all of their children right infront of her and so devistated was she by what he had done she fell into a frenzy. The two fought a ferious battle and the goddess slew the god and devoured his genitals, using the power she absorbed from him she birthed more children to love. For centuries she lived among them and cared and protected them. But as time goes on all children grow up and no longer need their mothers so one morning her children rose from their slumber to find she had gone. But she still looks over us and she still guides us, not always in ways we see and often we wont even notice she is there but she still has a mothers love for us. And when we pass from this life into the next we go into her embrace and live with her as did her first children”

The youngsters sat there listening intently, althugh they didn't quite understand it all, the High caste had demanded that Learian of all castes are taught about the Goddess from an early age.

It took close to sixteen hours for the number of ships needed to gather, with so many ships collisions were the main worry for the captains so they kept a safe distance from eachother. Draka looked at the 3D holographic display on his screen showing the movments of the fleet in real time. "Its been a long time since I've seen this many ships in one area" he said to himself.

Many decades ago he had defeated a larger enemy fleet of a rival High caste lord.

"Sir all ships report ready" said his com officer

"Very well lay in the course for the co-oridinates and give the order for all ships to engage engines and stay in formation" In the soundless void the ships moved like a fish in the ocean, slowly at first setting off towards their destination. The media centre was already running the story telling the population of the meteor, naturally the leaders used this opertunity for propaganda and used it to play of that they are blasting a piece of the universe out of the sky and ensure the rightful rule of the space.

Eventually the fleet went out of range and in the dark spot where signals could not reach. This was the predetermined place they would intercept the comet and where its debris would be pulled into the planet and land far away from Aoura.

Helba was the first to spot it, the report came accross his screen, a number of satellites had gone offline and he had lost contact with the ships in the area. That alone was worrying as ships have their own contact arrays and thus are not reliant on satellites to relay their communications. Soon others were getting the same reports, satellites going dark and ships no longer responding to coms.

“What is going on?” called their supervisor.

“We're loosing contact with our satellites!”

“The outer shipyard stations are also not responding!”

“Fringe system ships are no longer responding to coms”

“I need answers not problems!” the supervisor cried “What is going on?”

“Working on it sir!”

“Can we contact Admiral Draka?” he asked Koma.

Koma turned to look at him, Draka's fleet was going into a dark zone behind the system's gas giant, there were few satellites there and is was expected he would be out of contact during his mission to destroy the asteroid. Their only hope was that they could contact them before they had gone out of com range.

“No sir, I can't” Koma said somberly.

Everyone seemed to hold their breathe at that point, with their eyes and ears in space going dark and the fleet away and unable to be conntacted. They felt very exposed.

“Stay calm people” the supervisor said sensing everyone's thoughts “This is most likely just a system malfunction, stay at your stations and get to work to figure out what this is”

Seeing their superior keep his cool they took heart and turned back to their work, many thinking or hoping that he was right.

“Sir, the comet!” one worker called.

“What?”

A live image of the comet appeared on the main screen so that everyone could see, but still it did not seem real. The comet was the size of a continent, a single large solid mass covered in ice and mist sheilding its body, it was beautiful really. But then, it changed.

It split in two, peices had been falling from it's tail almost continously which was not uncommon really but now a large chunk of it had split from the main part and was now heading in a completly different direction.

“What?” was all their supervisor was able to ask.

No one was able to answer him.

They started to panic and send out scout ships to find out what was going on, with Drakas fleet so far away and out of com range they had to rely on whatever ships the defence force had on hand to counter this. But still more and more outposts, ships, and satelites fell silent, none had even sent a distress call. They had simply...stopped.

This went for days and life on the Aoura's surface went on although many were concerned as those who had loved ones who worked in the central sectors had not seen them for some time.

Serila alone had tried to contact Koma multiple times but would be told that he is busy, until she finally got call from him.

“Farla?”

“Koma! Where are you? Are you okay?” she asked from the family com at her home, Frenta and Kren were watching tv.

“I am fine but things at work are busy, i am allowed to quickly call you to let you know I am well” Koma's voice betrayed that was not entirly the case.

“What is going on? I know something is not right” she said.

“I can't tell you, you know that”

Of course their conversations would be monitored, privacy was something those of low society classes did not have the privilege of.

She heared the faint sound of another talking to Koma on the other end.

“I have to go, give my love to the kids”

“I will, I love you”

The call was disconnected a second after he finished his sentence so he did'nt get to hear her reply.

Farla held the com to her chest, praying to the Goddess that he was alright, something wasn't right, she could feel it, like storm clouds gathering overhead.

One week after the satellites and ships in the system went dark things were only getting worse. Some ships having lost their coms had simply steered towards the planet fearing being out of contact. The comet fragment that had split had diserpated in many smaller fragments and any ship that was near would go silent. Short range coms were still operational but anything beyond the general orbit of Auora was not possible yet. So a game of pass the message was being implimented to keep contact with the outlining stations. But life went on on the planet, Koma still had not gone home and neither had any of his co workers even after staying at work for a few days trying to deal with the influx of work. Fram continued with his life as a Kell warrior, occasionally patrolling the captial or training with his friend Waln and keeping order.

The Blurn worked, the Kell trained and the High caste...well, they were panicking.

The High caste, five hundred families of the five hundred clans and at their head was the High Lord Garza.

Garza had been ruling the High caste for what seemed like generations, High caste members did tend to live longer than the other castes but even by their standards Garza was old.

He sat in his personal chambers reading a book, his room was rather simpy decorated compared to his fellow caste members. Furniture seemed handmade, the heating came from a simple fireplace and the walls were lined with bookcases as well as odd sculptures that did not follow any known Learian culture. It felt more like a cabin deep in the forest than a domicile in the Highest ppart of the High Caste Castle.There was one thing that truly stuck out in the room though. A board game with thirty two peices, with sixteen each side facing each other, one a black colour and the other white. At first glance it looked like a popular rgame called Regicide but the peices were all wrong. Garza had recieved this as a gift a long time ago when he was still young. The pieces had never moved for there was no one on the planet who knew how to play it other than himself. But, right now a pawn had moved forwards.

“High Lord please take this more seriously” begged Garmeyr although his tone made him sound more angry and desperate.

Garmeyr was flanked by two lesser High caste members, his vassals that stck by him in hopes they could increase their own influence by being close to their better.

“Oh I am very much aware of the situation” Garza replied calmly.

“I do not think so, you have done nothing but simply say we can only wait and you refuse to put the Kell on high alert” it was Benan one of Garmyrs vassals that spoke, probably feeling emboldened by Garmyrs outburst.

“The Kell are always on high alert, the reason they were born was to be ready for war”

“So you agree that we are under attack?” Garmeyr asked.

“Oh my dear boy” Garza said, this of course annoyed Garmeyr as he was by no means a child.

“Garsun” Garza called softly.

“Yes my Lord?” Garsun said approaching form the corner of the room and knelt before his master.

“You know what may be happening”

Of course Garsun knew of their races secrets so this wasn't a question.

“I do my Lord, but I doubt it is who we believe it to be”

“But they were animals, it's impossible for them to advance in such a small amount of time” Garmeyr stated “How long ago was it anyway?”

“Eighty years ago” Garsun replied somewhat somberly, it was his uprising that meant that the raids had stopped.

“That is a long time” Garsun observed.

“Impossible, it took us centuries to advance our technology to our current state, there is no way they could have caught up so quickly. Anyway it is not likely that it is them anyway, they had no idea where our homeworld is” Garmeyr said trying toconvince himself “It is most likely others”

“Does that bring you comfort?” Garza asked.

“It matters not whether or not it is, our communications are limited and that is one of the first steps on an invasion” Garsun said getting to his feet.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sounds of thunder that seemed to come from everywhere above them. Even though it was a clear day with so few clouds.

“And here is the next step” Garsun said as he saw on the horizon, streaks of fire falling to earth in huge numbers.

Garsun's ear com exploded with summons to the command centre, it seemed whoever these invaders were they had hit hard as there had been no warning from the ships and stations in orbit around the planet.

“If you will excuse me my Lords” Garsun bowed and hastily left the chambers heading straight for the command centre.

“The war enters it's final act” High Lord Garza said to himself.

The world was thrown into chaos, fire raining, communications gone and rumours of strange invaders, in only a few hours the aliens had attacked so quickly and suddenly that the ships in space that were left behind as some sort of defence force were completely overwhelmed. The civillian ships were destroyed before they could even send out any distress signal or give any signal of warning. Many of the defence satellites mysteriously shut down as the aliens entered range of their weapons and the crews could do nothing as the invaders set up their blockade of the planet unopposed.

Draka's fleet was still away dealing with the asteroid and every ship that had been sent to get updates on them had not returned.

“Commander Garsun” his staff greeted him as he entered the command centre.

“Report!” he barked.

“We are loosing contact with positions all over planet, reports of a strange enemies attacking are flooding in and alien fighter craft in the skies”

“They first hit the Novian islands!”

“The southern hemisphere seems to be where most of their forces are concentrated”

“The continent of Frontire is reporting a mass of enemy forces approaching the central city, their defenses are being overwhelmed.”

“The enemy has been engaged at the Delleesa depression, large numbers of armoured units confirmed”

“Vertica is under seige!”

Garsun slammed his fist on his armchair to get their attention.

“Order all Kell forces to mobolise and to fall back from the enemy, those are already engaged or are within sight of the enemy are to hold their ground to buy us time. Get all our fighters in their air, we must not loose air supeiority”

He let out a stream of orders to get people active in repelling the invaders, in times of panic people look to their superiors for guidence and haert. He would not let them down but even he was shocked by what was happening. Their world was being invading by alien being? This kind of thing happens only in stories and although they had known for some time that they were not alone in the universe they never expected it to become a reality.

Maek was a seasoned fighter pilot with many wars under his belt, he knew his cratf better than the Blurn who built it and whenever he sat in the cockpit he felt like returning to a part of himself. “An alien enemy huh?” he grinned to himself “Finally a true war” he gunned the engines as soon as he got the green light from a Blurn craft director and he knew his wing had gunned their right behind him. He had to gasp at the sight infront of him, the sky was alight with flame engulfed landing pods and the wings of enemy aircraft already running bombing runs.

“Form up, attack!” he barley gave the order before he was struck by an enemy missile. The Learian craft were not armed with such weapons, they simply had powerful pulse cannons to gun down line of sight enemies.

So many Learian craft were shot down and so few were able to shake off the missiles fired at them. But the Learian had one advantage, ground based anti air guns and sheer numbers. They had to hope it was enough.

In the captial city of Unite the cities sirens sounded signalling an emergency and imminent attack.

It had been so long since they had been used that the PA system had to play an audio of it in some parts of the city as the original system no longer functioned. Many thought it was a drill or simply ignored it continuing on with their lives. That was until the bombs began to fall.

Farla was manning the stall that sold trinkets in the market square when the siren sounded, to her it was just noise and an annoyance like it was to everyone else. Like them she went on as if nothing was happening and her two children Kren and Frenta were with her also helping out with the store.

Explosions down the road drew everyones attention and then to the sky as strange shaped aircraft were flying overhead.

The Kell airforce quickly moved to intercept and dogfights started over the city along with flak artilery firing at the invaders.

Farla picked up Kren and grabbed Frenta's hand before running, she headed towards one of the Blocks as with it's large thick walls it was naturally the safest place. Fire raged behind them as the bombs incerinerated everything they came into contact with. Combined with the screams of people dying and panicking it was chaos. Children were seperated from their parents and stood confused and crying.

Men shouted and cussed in anger and fear at what was happening and mothers desperatly tried to keep their loved ones in sight and screamed when struck aside.

An alien bomber made a run along a street and egulfed the hundreds of people in fire, whatever the aliens were using it was unatural, it melted the scales and flesh off their bones leaving black skeleton remains.

The social order that they lived by was ripped apart in only a few moments, these moments of fear and confusion they reverted to their basic insitincts of survival.

Farla made it to the Block entrance which was packed with hysterical people already fleeing the bombs.

“Close the door!” shouted someone on the higher levels.

“There is still room inside for more!”

“Screw that, they'll kill us all! Close it!”

“Close it!” .

Soon the call to close the door was being echoed by everyone, there were still people in the threshold passing into the building, the bombs hot on their heels.

Farla had moved up the stairs to the next level, pushed along by the crowed, Frenta cried out as Falra's claws digged into her arm. She didn't care, she was not about to risk being seperated from her children.

She could see outside through the doorway, so many people were still outside, so many could still be saved.

Then she saw them.

Walking through the flames, a being made of metal standing more than twice the size of a Learian male with a single glowing red eye. On their arms were odd looking weapons, she knew they were weapons for what else could they be? It roared, how it roared or screamed was beyond her but it was such an alien sound that she felt nothing but fear at this monster.

They raised their arms and fired into the crowed.

These were Blurn, unarmed and simply civilians of this world they had no military training nor were they a threat. But it mattered not to these aliens, they would still be slaughtered. Emotionless the machines continued to gun down everyone they saw, man, woman, child, with cold and emotionless precision they were slaughtered.

The large door began to close, the crowed screamed and those that saw they would be on the outside rushed forward with greater fear and vigour to be inside with some slither of hope for safety. Many were trampled to death, in the end maybe only a few manged to save their lives with such desperation.

The door slammed shut and crushed several to death under it's immense weight. The door was designed to withstand forced entry such as explosive devices.

But that was against Learian weaponry, how would it face against alien technology?

Bang, bang, bang.

Something was striking the other side, the aliens were trying to get in!

“They're breaking in!” a woman cried.

“Where are the Kell?!” a man cried.

“Here is one!”

“Why are you here? Get out and fight!”

“You're supposed to protect us!”

“I'm unarmed!” he cried.

“Useless, coward!”

Suddenly they realised the door was no longer being banged on, whatever was happening outside, it had taken the aliens attention.

Fram ran, the call to arms had come in and with the bombs falling on the capital city meant the report of an alien attack was now very real. Harker, their commander and head of their clan had been skeptical about the standby order that had been issued. Their clan had been on the opposing side during Garsun's uprising or ascension depending on who you asked so Harker took every order from Garsun with suspcion.

Many Kell commanders had simply ignored the call to arms, they had gone on standby but when the call to arm themselves for an invasion they didn't believe it and thought it was a drill of sorts.

The alien vessels and soldiers proved them wrong. It was why the aliens were able to gain so much ground and taken the Kell so much by surprise. The capital city was a city the size of a small continent but the alien craft were able to travel over half way before they were intercepted. Thus was the level of their laxity.

But now, they were alert and the aliens would be met in battle.

Fram took his rifle from the distributer and Waln was right behind him, the standard issue pulse rifle of the Learian race was simple in its design and managment. Using oxygen as the basis for it's power source it fired a highly heated energy burst at it's target. It meant it lost power the further away the target was. The design had not changed much in centuries, it was a tried and tested model.

Grabbing extra amo packs he checked his rifle, readied his combat shield and blade and lined up alongside his fellow caste members of his clan.

“No time for speeches, the enemy has dropped a number of troops in the city we are going to hunt and kill them!” Harker said, he too was armed and armoured like them.

“Aii!” the warriors cried and as they had done in a million and one training simulations, they in perfect time with each other boarded the transport.

The tranpsort was a four engined troops transport that carried Kell warriors to their drop off point. Heavily armoued but with little in the way of offensive capabilities it relied heavily on air cover. Which right now was been heavily tested by the alien craft.

The craft shook as the engines came to life and in it's own personal fight with gravity it triumphed and ascended. Fram sat opposite Waln who looked at him apprehensivly but the young one next to him Parn looked terrified.

“Take heart young one” Fram said to him, he looked up at him and tried to smile.

“What do you think these aliens look like?” Waln asked everyone.

“Purple with two heads!” called one.

“Nah, bet they have tentacles!” joked another.

“So, slimy?”

“What if they are giant bugs?”

“Eww”

The tension lifted a little but it was quickly broken when a transport that was flying in formation beside them exploded. Its frame work, almost like it's skeleton carried by the momentum stayed with them for a mere second before falling. They had come under fire.

“Hold on!” called the pilot.

The feel of the wings shifting positon shot through them all as the transport took evasive action to avoid the enemy fire. Their gunner opened the side door and fired the mounted rapid pulse cannon at unseen enemies to try and give the transports some cover.

Another transport was hit and Fram saw one of the enemy fighters that had hit it pass them.

It was a strange design, smooth and bright it was able to change direction and postion with such speed and agility that there was no way a Learian was piloting it.

Their escort fighters quickly broke from the formation and chased after it, firing their pulse cannons, the four wings of the Viper fighter craft that looked more like manacles of a beetle would move and adjust as it flew. It was a fast and manourvourable craft but it was lightly armoured and thus it came down the skill of the pilot when two of these met in the sky. But now so many factors were at play here, how skilled were the alien invaders? Would their techonolgy give them an edge or are they at a disadvantage?

There were not a great number of alien craft attacking them, but with all the movements Fram had no way of telling who was winning. The green flashes of the pulse cannons mixed with brass colour of the enemies were all mixed together. Although he did spot one thing, a long cylinder shaped object being propelled like a fighter.

“Odd looking craft” Fram thought to himself.

But it wasn't a fighter craft, it flew into a tranport ship and exploded taking all the warriors on board with it.

“A suicide fighter?” Fram mused.

Or maybe somthing unmanned?

They are using heretic technology?!

A machine that did not need to manned? Such a thing was unthinkable to the Kell for they lived for war, if a device did not need to be directed then there would eventually be no more need for warriors.

“Get ready!” Harker shouted.

They readied their rifles and prepared to release their belts holding them in place. More explosions from destoryed aircraft were happening all around them and Fram saw out the window Kell warriors firing at an unseen target.

“Go!” Harker shouted.

The transport had not fully touched the ground so they jumped out the back entrance where they had entered, straight into enemy fire.

When fired their pulse rifles would make a high pitched streech but the enemy made a loud thudding noise like the beating of a drum that could be felt as much as heared.

Fram exited and the warrior in front of him was hit and killed instantly, blindly he fired in front of him where the enemy fire had come from.

They raised their sheilds and charged, the sheild had a small curved point where they could point their rilfes through as they moved, this gave them a level of protection while being able to fire at the enemy.

In battles with other clans, close quarters combat was part and parcel of their war docorine.

The warrior next to Fram was hit, the aliens munitions had torn right through the sheild and killed him, their sheilds were usless.

They had landed in the outer sectors of the captial city and it was crawling with the enemy which he could now get a good look at.

Archs, huge metal machines heavily armoured and armed with huge and strange looking weapons. They had been trying to get into a Block but their arrival had stopped them gaining entrance.

“Fram!” Waln shouted joining in and firing a few shots at the metalic giants which simply flared and did no damage.

“What the hell are these things?” he asked.

“How am I supposed to know?” Fram replied and threw a spike grenade which struck one of the giants, it staggered and it's left arm was now damaged beyond use.

His position came under fire from above, on some of the smaller buildings there was the enemy infantry. Armoured with close fitting armour and helmets that covered their entire face and head that didn't reflect any light at all. In fact it seemed to consume light rather than just not reflect it and it was discerning to look at. They were Learian in shape slthough they seemed to have longer limbs and no tails. That was all he could tell of the differences as who knows what they looked like under those helmets.

“Cover fire!” Harker ordered and those behind Fram who had gotten off behind them in the transport or were covering their rear fired upon the aliens on the roofs.

A Learian fighter craft was shot down and crashed not far from them spinning as a disc thrown across water and an alien fighter flew over their heads being chased by another Learian fighter.

From a quick take of the situation Fram could tell they had more numbers so fire surperiority should be on their side but the aliens were holding their own well.

Maybe it was because of the shock of these being aliens or maybe they had a technology advantage but whatever it was the enemy were not being overwhelmed.

In usual Learian on Learian battles the side with more numbers would usually overwhelm the side with lesser numbers and win the battle /war.

Fram fired a few more shots before ducking behind cover again, he knew for sure he hit one in the head but it did not stay down, it rolled backwards and dived for cover. Their armour must be tough to be able to withstand a headshot at this range. The two sides continued to fight in an almost continous exchange of firepower, all the while the air power of both sides danced their own deuls above their heads.

“Medic!” he heared called behind him and saw warriors both veterened and freshly bred being dragged away having been hit. So many were killed after being hit a single time, Fram didn't know what type of weapon the aliens were using but it was deadly.

Movement caught Fram's vision, a group of aliens were moving to flank them. Moving on instinct he ran and he could sense Waln and few others followed him as they charged the enemy flanking force. He charged and tackled an alien throwing him into the front of a small shop breaking the glass but he himself was struck by an alien. The blow felt like it broke his jaw but luckily it was a glancing one as he was still wearing his helmet and it offered some form of protection. Close quarter fighting broke out and now Fram got a close look at the aliens armour.

They were completly coffered from head to toe, he guessed it was tight fitting but it was clearly made of metal and would make mechanical noises when they moved. Through numbers they were able to the push the enemy back and the battle lines formed once again.

A roaring thunder above them sounded as one of the alien craft came into view and hovered close to the ground. It was twin engined and laid down covering fire for their ground troops.

“Gunship!”

“Call in our own air force!”

“Where are the medics?”

“Keep firing!”

Harkers command to keep firing was the one Fram listened to, he was what was called a Warrior of the Line, a frontline soldier that faced the enemy head-on.

Every member of the Kell caste knew their role and which orders were meant for them, be it Line Warrior, Medic, Support or even the pilots above them.

The Supports were youngsters like Parn still in their training, they stayed back from the imediate frontline to lay down covering for those in front like Fram and Waln.

“They are trying to retreat!” Harker shouted “Concentrate fire!”

Just as he said that another gunship appeared and made a pass at their positions making them duck for cover. The gunships seem to double as transports as the aliens were seen loading their own wounded and dead onto them before it took off. Their huge mechanical giants too would hug their legs and a claw would grab them and soon the whole alien force had retreated.

It was only now he saw how few of them there actually was. There could not have been more than maybe a few dozen of them but they were surrounded by well over a hundred Warriors. These aliens had maybe suffered a few fatalities and some wounded whereas the Learians had nearly a third of them dead and others out of action till they were treated and even then the strange weapons the aliens used could mean they may die anyway.

“What the hell are those things?” Fram asked thinking out-loud.

“Fucking monsters” Waln spat, his usual carefree nature seemingly gone “I shot one three times in the chest and it didn't die”

“I shot one in the head from a hundred yards” Fram replied “It got back up”

“They just don't die” said a youngster in shock holding his rifle looking at it as if it was nothing more than a toy.

Fram looked down at him with disgust, weakness, his mind had cracked after a single battle. Such weakness had no place in their caste.

Blurn started to come out of the surrounding buildings now that the threat was seemingly gone, fear was pasted over all their faces as was expected of the Blurn.

“Fear not! The invaders have been driven off!” Harker called to them “Soon they will pushed off our world so do not worry, trust in the Kell for we are the shield of the Blurn!”

They seemed to look happier hearing his words, but Fram was troubled, technically the Kell were the sheilds of the High caste, not the Blurn. That was the saying anyway as it was believed that the Blurn served the High caste and the Kell protected them.

Saying the Kell were the sheild of the Blurn was something close to heresy.

“Sir?” Fram asked.

“Calming the Blurn is part of the job, this is not a normal enemy” Harker said quickly as if he could read his mind.

One thought after the fighting stopped was to check the bodies of the enemy, but there was none to be found, any of their wounded or killed had been taken with them. Fram didn't know if it was either out of comradship or because they didn't want their secrets being leaked to the enemy. Kell had a rather practical view of death, it was expected in the kind of lives they lead and thus when one died they simply disposed of the body any way they could. The soul had left to body, all that was left was Learian shaped meat.

“Well that made the whole alien invasion a reality” Waln said kicking over a stone, his rifle resting on his shoulder.

“It...still doesn't feel real” Fram said looking about at the destruction caused.

It felt like only a few minutes had passed since this skirmish began but his time keeper told him it had actually been several hours. How many other places had the invaders landed?

“I wish we were able to get one, I want to see what they look like” Waln said.

“I'm still banking on them having purple skin” Fram laughed trying to lighten the mood.

“Attention!” Harker called and they jumped at the sound of his voice “We have new deploy orders and we are moving out now!”

The engines of the transports were already firing up and the warriors of the Kell caste boarded, there were more battles to be fought and a war to be won.

They were marching through a small town that fell under the influence of the capital, it wasn't a major city as it only had a population of a couple hundred all were supposidly members of the High caste or high ranking Kell as well as Blurn to work for them.

But now it was empty except for the bodies of the dead, of all walks of life, none were spared. It was the body of a small child, barley seen its first winter holding onto a toy that struck Fram the most.

No mercy shown and no hesitation.

If it wasn't clear before it was now.

These aliens had come not to conquer, but to exterminate.

"Check to see if any are alive" Harker orderd, Kell commanders didn't usually concern themselves with Blurn dead but this was an unusual situation. Fram and the others started checking the bodies, the medic Geram, was inspecting the wounds that killed them.

“What do you make of it?” Waln asked him.

“Its not like anything ive ever seen, this wound wasnt caused by a heat based weapon and the projectile looks like it detonated inside the body”

“Well that sounds horrible”

“Get a move on, we can't linger here” Harker orderd.

Their mission was of a more sensitive nature, their clan leader Yalner of the High caste had ordered them to retrieve her husband and daughter from her estate in this town.

Leader was probably not the right word as technically Harker was their leader, he was the one who led them into battle and commanded their respect. But Yalner was their clan Lord as all Kell clans answer to one High caste family or another. These Lords can change hands as much as any comodity, eitherr by force or traded for something.

“The estate is just up ahead, eyes peeled” said Harker over the com.

They spread out to cover more ground and to make sure there were no suprises.

They moved on, it had been nearly an hour since they first set off towards their objective and still no sign of the enemy, Fram personally hated this part, the suspense. He didnt feel fear, it was more aprehension and nervousness at fighting an unkown enemy. Their previous engangment had been so quick to start and just as quick to end, but now they slowly marched towards them. More Learian aircraft were seen in the distance deuling with the enemy fighters, the thunder of artillery fire could still be heard even at this distance. They started to think they would never encounter the enemy. "Get down" shouted Harker, everyone took up firing postions taking cover behind veichles or just laying low on the ground, Harker stared ahead so intently you would think he could see through the walls if he stared any harder "Asma, Donre go ahead and scout that area I think I saw somthing" Both of them moved slowly and silently out from cover stopping ever few steps to get a look at the surroundings, they made it twenty paces before all hell broke loose.

Asma and Donre were the first hit and went down instantly killed, Harker's squad let loose a volly of fire at where they saw the enemy shots come from. They could only make rough shapes in all the flashes of weapons fire so they were'nt able to make out any features but it didn't matter they knew the enemy was there. Fram was able to hit a number as they moved from cover, he couldn't tell if he'd killed them as they were pulled away after they were hit by their comrades.

“To the left on the roofs!”

Fram couldn't tell who shouted but it mattered little, he swung his rifle round and gunned down an invader on the roof just as it was taking aim at him. “That was close” he thought out loud, more were appearing on the roofs and the invaders further down the street were advancing. Harker grabbed his com and screamed for his Second who he had been sent to guard their flanks.

“Carpen! We're under fire, move your unit to our position to flank the enemy”

“Im sorry sir but we're under attack ourselves taking heavy fire he have to pull back”

Cursing Harker screamed as he poured his anger at the aliens.

“Fall back!”

They retreated into a small house, the first went right through to the back to secure their rear, Fram was one of the last in he took up firing postion next to Waln and Harker all the while the aliens and Learians were exchanging fire. He could hear gunfire behind him and thought the invaders must be trying to flank them.

“Fall back and follow me!” Harker orderd everyone, they had taken heavy losses and there were probably only about just over half of them left and no idea how many casualties they had inflicted. Harker led them down an alley that lead to an open field but about half way down the alley Harker order a number of to hide. They didn't need to be told what they plan was, it was a favourite of the Learian commanders. They would stay in hiding until the enemy either passed or came in close then they would emerge and engage in close quarters, surpise was the main weapon, it was an effective srategy and had proved its worth in the past. Fram had hidden in a large waste bin along with 3 others one of them being Waln and the younger one Parn, the rest of the clan retreated further down the alley drawing the enemy in. Fram listened carefully, there was a few moments of silence before the invaders caught up with them and as the sound of gunfire got louder and louder until it was clear they were right next to him. A quick nod from Waln, Fram held his breathe and let out a battle cry as they all jumped out and attacked. Time seemed to slow down suddenly and Fram first noticed the sun then as his eyes adjusted he saw what he was about to engage. He did not have time to take in all the little deatils as one was turning to face him. Fram jumped down using gravity he smashed his fist into the enemies face but it quickly recovered, the force of the blow hit him to the ground but he rolled and got back up pulling a combat knife, Fram had his bayonet attached and attacked. Fram lunged at the invader who parryed each blow, Fram had the range advantage and was intent on using it but his opponant was keeping pace with his attack. Intent on finishing this quickly he dropped his rifle, the invaders attention was diverted from him for an instant and that all he needed, pulling his own blade he went for his throat. But his opponant grabbed his arm and tried to counter but Fram used his free hand to grab hold of the knife, the two were locked together in a struggle of strength. 'They're strong' Fram thought to himself. Looking back into the face of his opponant but he saw no reflection in the visor, headbutting him the invader staggered back a step, Fram was able to pull his blade arm free and bury it in his neck.

Suddenly there was a huge eruption of dust and the ground shook violently, somthing had jumped down from the rooftops and landed amongst them but was hidden by the dust. He turned and saw it just as it was rising to full height. It was a Arch and now he was up close he could see all the terrifying details of the abomination before him. The body was curved to deflect incoming fire and its head house a sphere that had a single eye lense that shone a bright red. It also had arms with huge hands that could hold a Learians head easily, attached to one of these arms was two multi barrelled gattling guns and on the back was a variety of missiles or cannons. Although it was clearly mechanical, it moved with a very organic feel to it and Fram was shocked for what seemed like minutes as the Arch turned to look at him and in the reflection of its eye he saw his own shocked expression. Suddenly he was struck with a strike to his head. He rolled on the ground to try and recover but only just and he had put himself off balance an opening the invader quickly exploited that bringing is knee up it connected with Fram's ribs winding him. The invader was struck from behind by a Learian weapon, it was Waln who rushed over and helped Fram to his feet but they had to quickly duck again as a Learian body came flying at them. Fram saw what threw it or more correctly who. It was one of the aliens that had three mechanical tails that moved more like tenticles jabbing and slicing Kell warriors around it. Learians also had tails but were more akin to counter weights. It was clear this was some sort of leader as he directed the others with clicking noises and hand gestures. Harker and the others further down the alley were advancing pouring their fire at the mechanical Arch. But the Arch either didn't notice or care about the amount of fire being directed at it and continued killing every Learian within arms reach, once it had torn the head of the last Learian it could get its hands on it turned to face Harker and his squad. One of the missiles on its back began to move and take position on its shoulder, a second later it was flying towards them engulfing them in fire. Waln pulled a spike grenade from his belt, arming it for instant detonation he threw it at the Arch hitting it in its right side, the explosion made the Arch stagger and destroyed it's right arm from the elbow down. The Arch staggered and held onto a wall to stop itself from toppling over, once it regained it's footing it swiftly turned and came at Waln who did little more than run for his life towards his fellow warriors who were deuling with the rest of the alien infantry. Fram had taken cover and took a moment to observe the battle, from the count of the bodies the invaders numbered less that half the Learian but had killed more than their fair share. The other warriors were now directing their attention to the Arch trying to overwhelm it with numbers, but the only thing they had that could harm it was grenades but the Arch was in and amongst them. Then a bright flash of white and blue erupted at the Arch, the explosion shot all the Learian around him onto their backs, even Fram who was further away was dazed. Shaking off the dizzyness he looked up and saw the whole top half of the Arch had gone and was relived to find the source of its killer not far from where he last saw Harker. A Learian Wasp tank, held aloft by 4 anti gravity pads that house a long and highly concentrated pulse cannon turret. The tank commander was looking out of the top of then tank beconing them over. "Come on" Fram shouted to the others, it didn't take long for them to pick themselves up and run after him "Check for survivors, find the commander"

"We havnt got time" shouted the tank commander.

"Make time!!" Waln shouted at him who was now at Frams side. A couple of the others survived the missle strike but so far Harker couldn't be found, he was saddened to see their healer among the dead. Fram suddenly heard a slight weezing of breathe from under another body. He threw the body aside to find Harkers broken but not dead body. "He. Put himself. In. The way." he was heavily wounded but Fram grabbed him

"Ive got him!" Putting him over his shoulders he ran towards the tank with what remained of the clan. The tank comander pointed behind his tank to where an armoured transport with its hatches open was waiting for them, without breaking a stride Fram ran inside and layed Harker on the floor he looked behind him “Where's Waln?”

“Right here” he appeard with a body over his shoulders. “What's that?” asked Fram when he realised it was the body of one of the aliens.

“A souvenier” Waln replied casually climbing in the transport. Suddenly the Tank infront was struck and erupted in flames and debre and more of the Archs had appeared along with more enemy infantry, some of the Archs had large almost artillary guns mounted on their shoulders. Even their infanrty were jumping from rooftop to rooftop with anoying ease as if they could run on all fours. The driver didn't wait for anymore to get on board and quickly sped away, not a moment after they had started moving that an enemy shell landed where they were. Fram tried to keep Harker still through the bumpy ride while others were firing their rifles from open slits in the side of the transport. "Harker stay awake" Fram slapped him to keep from falling asleep and Harker's eyes shot open at the sudden attack.

“Whats giong on?!”

“We're getting out of here, you've been hit so you need to stay awake”

An explosion rocked their transport even more as the aliens were intent on not letting them get away.

“Enemy gunships”

The aliens small gunships hovered from two huge engines and a massives payload of anti infantry weapons but the Goddess was looking over them and it was destroyed by Learian fighters who were caught in their own battles in the skies. It was nearly an hour later that the transport started to slow down, the others with him had stopped firing a while ago so Fram could safely assume they were out of imediate danger. Fram was glad Waln was with him and hadn't been left behind "I spoke to the driver, we're heading into the Sharp Spike mountains, we're meeting a number of others there that are caught behind enemy lines" Waln said looking down at Harker, Fram pointed over at the body Waln brought aboard. “Why did you bring that?”

“Well, we dont know who the enemy is and I for one am curious as to what they look like, of course we'll have to cut it out of its armour first” Waln said grinning.

3

They travelled for nearly an hour before they arrived at the Sharp Spike mountains, it wouldnt have taken so long except they had to keep stopping to find cover to avoid enemy airstrikes and patrols.

The hatch opened and a number of medics were waiting for them, Fram and Waln carried Harker between them and a medic quickly took a look at him.

“Bring him inside, those two can wait” he shouted to is comrades, they handed Harker over inside one of the buildings that had been converted into a medical centre. Fram had a quick glance at his surroundings, it was a small town maybe only a couple of dozen buildings and a lot of tents had been pitched by the warriors. Fram saw insignia from dozens of different clans. “This conflict is barley a day old and look what has happend” Waln said with sorrow in his voice. Their own clan were finding places to rest close by so Fram and Waln went over to join them.

“How is he?” asked Parn

“All we can do is wait” Fram replied, Waln wonderd off back to the transport that brought them here and Fram suddenly rememberd the body that they brought with them. Waln pulled it out of the transport by its leg and dragged it along the ground to where Fram and the others were. This caught the attention of everyone else and a crowd started to gather. Some pointing their weapons and others kicking it.

“Well shall we have a look at the face of our enemy?” said Waln trying to pull its helmet off but was having difficulty “Whats wrong?” asked Parn

“I dont know, I dont think the helmet comes off, it seems built into the body armour”

“Does anyone have any cutting tools?” Parn asked and got only blank looks as a response. The body then moved. Everyone shot back and some even raised their weapons at it as it groand in pain, it looked like it was trying to get up. Parn went to shoot it but Fram stopped him. “Wait!”

“Why?”

“If its alive we may be able to learn more about them, take it somewhere out the way and tie it up” Waln and another Learian grabbed the invader by its arms and dragged it away just as Geram approached. “Fram?”

“How is he?”

“Doing rather well, he suffered burns to the side of his face and some broken ribs but he is going to be fine, not many people can take a direct hit like that. He is also asking for you” Fram was surprised by that, he had only had limited contact with Harker, they had talked on a number of occasions no more than any other memeber of 102nd so nothing that he thought would single him out. When he entered the ward Harker was sitting on his bed putting his boots back on.

“Harker you should be resting” said Geram

“Nonsense you've stitched me up and sorted me out and I hear we have a prisoner and I dont see any other Learian here of command rank so it is my duty to interrogate it” Geram held Harkers gaze for a while before relenting “Fine, but I go with you just in case”

“That might be a good idea, the invader is wounded and we can't remove its helmet so bring any tools you believe that might help” Fram suggested

Geram nodded and grabbed his medic case, Fram helped Harker to his feet but he insisted on walking on his own. Parn appeared just as they left the ward “Take me to the prisoner” Harker orderd, Parn just nodded and lead the way. They had taken the prisoner to a wooden shack away from the other buildings, it wasnt being used for anything so Waln thought it would be ideal. There was a group outside the shack voiceing some concerns. “We should kill it! It's kind have killed thousands of us maybe more, they wouldnt take us prisoner” shouted one at the front and his group voice their support. “That may be, but questioning it may give us more understanding of them” Waln argued

“I only need to understand how to kill it, and how do you expect to talk to it. It probably doesnt even have a mouth or speak our language, we should cut it apart and se what its insides look like!”

“SILENCE!” Hakers voice broke through the shouting of the others who istantly fell silent. “I am clan commander Harker and acting field commander here and I decide we question the prisoner” Harker drew his blade he named Harbourer. “Any warrior who challenges my orders or authority has the right to challenge me for command. Does anyone wish to?”

Silence was the only response he got.

“Good now Fram, Waln and Geram would you be so kind as to join me in this interrogation” Harker didn't wait for them and walked straight in.

The invader was chained to some steel pipework with is arms spread apart and his legs chained together, it raised its head slightly as Harker and the others entered to room.

“Geram find a way to take off its helmet, cut it off if you have to” Geram walked forward but first he inspected a wound in its side. “Its bleeding quite heavily, ill give it something to help it clot so it doesnt die before we get our answers” Harker knodded for Geram to proceed.

Fram and Waln stood behind Harker observing, the invader simply looked at Geram like a child might look at some new object it just found. They guessed that this was the first time the invader had come so close to a Learian. Geram then grabbed a circlier saw and postioned it to cut through the helmet, just as it started rotating the invader started shaking its head and flapping its right hand. “Hang on!” Fram shouted

“What do you think you're doing Fram?” Harker's voice was lined with rage. “Let me try something sir, before we resort to cutting into it” Harker eyed Fram for a while before giving a slight nod for him to proceed. Fram approached the invader and Geram backed off as he knelt infront of him, placing his hand either side of his own head Fram removed his own helmet, it only sat on his head so he had to enphisise what he wanted. The invader looked blankly at him through his own helmet that coverd everything of its own face, until it gave a nod that it understood. “Waln just incase, can you arm your rifle”

“Already have”

Fram slowly unchained the alien's arms, at first it just sat there as if deciding on what to do. Then gradually it raised its hands to its head, but it didn't twist or remove the helmet, it let out a hiss of atmosphere from its pressurised suit, then the helmet came apart and slide into the breastplate. For the first time since the invasion they laid eyes on the face of their enemy.

Draka sat on his chair bored as the asteroid that had been heading towards Aoura was being blown apart by the fleet. As beautiful as the sight was it got dull after several hours of constant fire and broadsides from the numours ships. Checking the ships clock he saw that they had been out of contact with Aoura for about ten days. To be expected really as they were in one of the blindspots of the system and last he heared the planet was having some trouble with it's com satelites. Probably another system malufunction, they were not that uncommon although this one was quite extensive. Yawning he got to his feet and stretched.

“I am going to get some rest, call me once the asteroid is destroyed or there is an issue” he commanded.

“Yes sir” said Karat, his second in command.

“Rest well sir” said a com operator as he past him and Draka smiled and exited the bridge via a side door. His quarters were close to the bridge which made sense as this was his ship, the Vendetta was the largest and most advanced ship ever built. One he had designed which was odd for a Kell as it was usually the Blurn who design and build things and often to Kell specifications. Kell would tell the Blurn what features they wanted their equipment to have and it was up to the Blurn to make it a reality. But he found the construction of ships fancinating and beautiful thus could not help but be a part of the designing stage.

He sniffed the air and smelt the familiar scent of cooked meat coming from his room, she must be in there.

He opened the door and sure enough there she was cooking in his kitchen.

“What are you doing here?” he asked Serila like he didn't already know.

“I thought you would be hungry” she replied.

He wouldn't admit he was and had been hoping for another one of her meals, he often found her in his quarters when he had not called for her to spend the night with him. Breeding outside ones caste was heresy but Kell did often keep Blurn females as pleasure vassals. Of course to make sure no abomination was sired and the female was sterilized before hand.

It was usually low rank Kell that took such Blurn as the higher ranking Kell had access to the breeding farms. Draka though had never visited such a farm and had taken Serila the moment he saw her knowing she was all he needed to satisfy his urges.

She placed his food infront of him, it was well cooked hume meat coppled together with a sauce and herbs for flavour, as she would say it was a recipe her mother had taught her.

In silence he ate and she joined him having served herself, he often spotted her watching him.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing” she smiled.

Something was off with her though, she was being too nice and even more attentive than usual.

“Are you angry I had you flogged on the gunnery deck?” he asked.

“A little, but it was expected as I spoke disprespectivly to you on the bridge of your own ship” she said lightly taking another mouthful.

If she wasn't angry about that then what was she angry about? Something was bugging her, he could tell in all the little ways he had come to know her. The way she breathed, held her utensils or even her eyes would reveal what she was thinking and feeling. He would often toy with her in this way by pretending to be dense to elicit a reaction from her or to tease her. But something was off about her today and it was annoying him.

He didn't even finish his food before she saw the look in his eyes, knowing what he wanted she smiled and stood up and walked round the table to him.

With a motion of his head she undid her belt and pulled off her tunic to stand naked before him, she smiled at him seeing the reaction her body had on him.

He quickly picked her up and took her to bed in the next room.

It was over an hour later that Draka was laying on his back with Serila resting her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.

He held her close as her warmth was a comforting one, often he found himself unable to sleep unless he had her in his bed. Many times he had called for her in the middle of the night just for her to sleep next to him with his arm around her or their tails intertwined. Any kind of contact to remind himself that she was there. Once he had awoken to find her gone and in almost a rage he ran to search for her only to find she was in the bathroom, not ten feet away from him.

He felt strange not having her with him at night.

“Draka?” she asked softly.

“Yes?”

“Do you feel anything for me?”

Her question was odd.

“Desire, lust and the need to exert my urges, why do you ask?” he asked her annoyed.

“Do you love me?”

“I am Kell, we do not feel love, that is for your sort the Blurn so no I do not love you” he spoke coldly.

“If that is true, then why are you holding me so tightly?” her voice broke slightly.

He had not noticed he was but he wouldn't deny that he liked holding her and keeping her close but that was surley because of his bodily desires.

“It means nothing” he dismissed.

She looked up at him her chin resting on his chest looking into his eyes, he looked down at her for a few moments before she kissed him.

“I love you, Draka”

He did not respond and rested his head back to look at the ceiling of his quarters. This female, this Blurn had confessed her love for him...how should he respond? He is Kell, he cannot love her, the High caste have forbidden such feelings and for them to even be sharing a bed is a questionable act.

He was about to chastise her but pushed the thought aside and closed his eyes and slept.

The chime of the com awakened him.

“Draka here” he answered.

“Sir, the asteroid is nearly completly destroyed, we are mopping up the remaining larger chunks”

“Understood, I'm on my way”

He got up and began to dress himself, Serila was still in his bed and was awake, he could always tell when she was pretending to be asleep. He had been a bit confused by her earlier, she had cried and held onto him tightly as he had her. Something was wrong with her.

He opened his mouth to ask her once more if she was alright but scoffed and turned away and finished dressing himself.

“You should get back to your station soon” he orderd.

She stiffened “I will” was all she said.

He was just about to leave when suddenly she shot up.

“Draka!” she called.

“Yes?” he said still in the threshold.

“Um...nothing, it's nothing, take care”

“Hm” he grunted affimitly

And he left, confused, she seemed unusually needy and emotional today.

“Well she is a Blurn female so that is to be expected but this level is unusal even for her” he thought aloud

He put her form his mind, now was not the time for such pillow thoughts, with the asteroid destroyed he could now have the fleet return to their usual duties. Perhaps the order to raid the cattle world will come again, last he heared the hume were not reproducing at a fast enough rate to replace the ones being slaughtered for food or simply dying due to other reasons.

There were hume on his ship too, one was cleaning a rail as he made his way to the bridge. The hume were not too intelligent but can be trained like any animal so it was only fitting that they serve their betters.

“Admiral” Karat greeted and relinquished the chair as he entered.

“Has communications with Aoura be re'established?” he asked.

“Unfortunatly not sir, we are having trouble making contact so we have sent the Faraway to act as a go between to try and get a message through”

The Faraway was a scout ship, it was originally built as a destroyer class ship and was fitted with the first zero drive ever built. It was the first ship in the history of the Learians to travel faster than light. Of course as time went on it fell out of it's own weight class and was kept as part of the ship mainly out of nostaliga. Draka was fond of the ship, it was beautiful even if he didn't get to see it often with his own eyes as the ships were usually hundreds or thousands of miles apart. The captain too loved the ship and prided himself on having the fastest ship in the fleet.

“Good work everyone” Draka said reading a datapad filled with reports since he left the bridge, he did this mainly to look busy and kill time. There were luls in his duties, often he felt more like an administrator than an actual admiral. Yes he had fought his share of ship battles, as much as fights between clan commanders on the surface were common so too were they known in space. Usually between wing commanders of fighter craft but occasionally actual warships will open fire on each other. Usually over some insult given or to climb the ranks. It was during Garsun's uprising that Draka made name for himself, he was already admiral by this point but when most of this fleet turned against him under his then second in command he was serverly outnumbered. But he simply outsmarted them, pulling the ships into killzones and out manourvering his enemy. Soon enough ships were switching sides and he personally killed the enemy Admiral.

The familiar beeping of his com officers console sounded and he waited to hear his report while pretending to scroll through the datapad.

“Say again?” the officer asked over his com “Can you confirm, are you serious?”

“What's going on?” Draka asked.

The officer did not reply straight away and slowly turned to look at him.

“Auora is under attack from an unknown alien force”

The room fell silent, even for a moment the usual sounds of the computers and power that flowed through the ship seemed to fall silent.

This couldn't be real, no way.

“Confirm what you have just said” Karat said.

“Aoura is under attack from an alien force, the planet is surrounded by ships of unknown design and they have already landed troops. The invasion is already several days old”

Draka lept to his feet.

“Put me through to the entire fleet!” he commanded and straightened his uniform, a few moments later his image was being beamed throught the entire fleet on every bridge and every deck so that no one would not see him.

“Comrades, we have just recieved word that Aoura, our home is under attack by an unknown alien enemy” he said bluntly “I know this sounds ludicrous and in the relm of fantasy but it is a reality and the report has been confirmed. We are under attack” He paused again to let the news sink in and give everyone a chance to process what they had just heared.

“We are making all haste back to Aoura to engage the enemy, everyone to your posts, prepare the fleet for war, everyone is to do their duty in the face of the enemy. Let us show these alien bastards what the Learian fleet is made of!”

He heared a cheer from those on his own ship at his war cry and he hoped those on the other ships were taking heart too. This is the best he could do right now, tell his people what has happaned and raise their moral. He seemed confident then they would take that confidence and turn it into their own courage.

He sat back down in his chair and began to recieve reports of the status of his ships, they were not in perfect condition but then again nothing ever was perfect. But the ships were durable and tough and he set about turning the fleet towards home at all haste. There were no stations between them and the planet that could hold their ships and ressuply them unless he stripped them for everything. But doing that meant he had nowhere to retreat to.

Wait? Retreat? How dare he even think that, they were besieging his world and home and he was considering retreating from this battle.

Focusing his mind on the coming fight, he really wished he had some tea to calm his nerves.

“Serila always makes good tea”

Fram shot back to his feet and the sight of what he was seeing, even Harker was shocked and Waln nearly dropped his rifle while Geram gawped at the what was infront of them.

“A Hume!?” Fram shouted “The invaders are Hume's?”

“Thats not possible the Hume are animals” Waln said in disbelive.

“Everyone outside now and you say nothing of this to anyone” Harker orderd

“But sir-” Fram started

“GET OUT!”

No one questioned him further and they quickly left Harker alone with the Hume, a crowed was waiting for them outside.

“So? What do they look like?” asked one of them, Waln and Fram looked at one another not sure what to say till Geram responded.

“We were unable to remove its helmet, but it seems to be able to speak Learian, the comander is interrogating it now” Geram didn't stick around and walked through them to avoid anymore questions and was followed by Fram and Waln.

“This doesn't make any sense, the Hume are animals and they have not long discovered fire!” Waln said pacing the tent “Could they have had alien help?”

“Is it possible its not a Hume at all but an alien that looks like one?” suggested Fram

“It was a Hume” Geram said bluntly.

“This is raising more questions than answers” Waln said getting annoyed

Hours past before Harker finally emerged, it was dark so no one saw him leave except for the Learian gaurding the prisoner. He wasnt surpised to see Fram and the others still awake and wating for him.

“Commander I-” Fran started but Harker held up his hand to stop him.

“I believe you are owed an explanation” Harker took a seat and Waln handed him a mug of tea.

“It was a Hume, or really they are called Hume-man, or Human” he said taking a swig of some ale they had found “There is a bit of a story going that the Hume are just animals with little sentient intelligance, well that is a lie and I know because i was part of the force that was sent to raid their world” Harker told them.

Harker sat in front of a fire with his men closely sitting by watching him and waiting. He casually threw another log on the fire and got comfortable before one of the younger warriors spoke.

“So what is it about this enemy that you want us to know?”

Harker looked at his warriors, males and females he had led in to battle before but none of them old enough to remember the first time they fought this war against the alien invaders.

“We have actually fought them before, a long time ago when I was not long out of my initiation. I was young and brash and often very stupid”

“So not a lot has changed then?” laughed Waln which got him a few chuckles.

Harker smiled “It must have been nearly over a hundred years ago when we first fought these aliens”

Many were surprised to hear that Harker was even that old, they knew he was older than he looked but this was a shock. A lot of front line Kell do not live to see even half that.

“A new world was discovered by a High Caste Lord, his name was Gar'mako of house Polenio. A house that has long since fallen and was my master when it was still about. They were known for having a great fleet that were consistently exploring and looking for new worlds and it was through one such adventure that the aliens homeworld was found. From what I heard at the time it was not suitable for colonising, something about the overall climate and it being too cold” Harker stopped to take a sip of his tea.

“But there were humans and an awful lot of them, stupid, barbaric and primitive humans and Gar'mako would not pass up a lucrative opportunity to expand his own coffers. I was one of the first Kell to set foot on that world when the call to invasion came, I remember charging out of the landing craft with our jets flying overhead. It wasn't a war, it was sport, their weapons could not pierce our armour, their aircraft used a propeller to imitate flight. They were glorified gliders if you ask me, they had tanks though if you could call them that, even small arms fire could take them out. After a few short days, we had essentially conquered the planet. But we rounded up the humans we could take with us and took them back here for slave labour”

“Why didn't you stay?” someone asked.

“Like I said, the climate wasn't good for us, we lost warriors in the fighting of course even against a vastly inferior enemy but we lost more to the environment. We could not comfortably go far from the equator without heated armour so staying there would take considerable resources. At least that what I thought, I dont know what the High caste was thinking. All we were told was the cripple their military and take as many as we could carry back to the ships”

“Then what happed” Fram asked.

“We left” he said matter of factly “We simply came home and the Humans we brought with us were put to work or used as food and life went on. It was years later that we got the call to return and capture more and plunder resources. But this time was different”

He paused as the memory came to him.

“Their technology was different, not that much different really but it was stronger. Their rifles and cannons did more damage and their way of fighting was more...precise. Rather than the usual way of throwing their warriors or soldiers as they called themselvesat us, they seemed to harass us rather than meet us in open battle. In the end though the outcome wasn't any different than the first time, we defeated them although it did take longer and more effort. They were still inferior to us, they feared us, ran from us and hid from us. But it meant little as we stripped them of their population and any resources we could get our hands on. We laughed, we had fun, yes we lost friends in this little war but that happens. It was good practice to initiate our younglings into a life of war. Their trial by fire and then we went home and back to our lives here on Auoura. That was until we were once again called to invade their world a third time but this time, was very, very different”

Haker let that hang in the air for a time before continuing.

“They had once again changed, advanced, their world was ready for us, satellites armed with weapons harassed us as we entered orbit. Usually we would get into orbit and launch the landing craft. But they saw us coming this time and thus we waited, I waited in the landing craft for three days before we could launch safely. But the element of surprise had long since been lost, we had come back too many times and any advantage we had or that our commanders believed we had had now disappeared. The humans, no longer feared us, it used to be a game to us, we hunted them down like the cawoles of the southern plains hunted the elkan. But now, they hunted us as much as we hunted them, they did not fear us, they did not hide or run from us. They fought us and were intent on making us pay for every mile of their world. We no longer cheered and made bets on how many we could hunt. We became quiet, that was one of the things I truly remember of my time there, how quiet we were. Like the slightest noise would summon one of their sharp shooters or some creature that lurked in the dark on their world. I was in one of their deserts around the equator on a scouting mission once, me and a small squad of ten. Night fell and we set up for the night not daring to set a fire we huddled around a heat emitter”

Harker took another swig of his drink, the silence of everyone listening was deafening.

“Then they came, not the Humans no, something else. We heard them, the laughing and whooping as they circled us. The eyes that caught the moonlight and vanished before you could raise your rifle. Those we called Laughters, but there were others things too, if the humans were the hunters of the day, there were far more things that hunted us in the dark. Huge catlike animals, with teeth larger than than any I had ever seen, three of us were taken by them in the night. Their world was no longer some training world for us to pit our warriors against an inferior enemy. It was a death world, the dominant Humans and the very planet itself seemed insulted by our presence. That was the last time we brought back anything from that world”

“Sir” spoke up a young warrior “Why didn't the full force of the Kell get brought down upon them”

“Politics” spat Harker “If Lord Gar'mako had petitioned the other Lords of the High caste for aid he would have seemed weak and his position would be in jeopardy. But he did not sit idle though, for we were only about a third of the force he could bring to bear and the next and last time we went back to that cursed world he brought everything he could spare. Even his own flagship with himself personally overseeing the invasion. But, we had made a terrible mistake, we had waited too long. I was a commander at this point and was present at the strategy meetings and I was not alone in voicing my concern for this invasion. Yes we had more ships and more warriors this time but the element of surprise was non existent and the enemy was not only aware of our timeline of our return but seemed more and more prepared and advanced every time. Gar'mako would hear none of it, the Humans would be either eradicated or enslaved and their world would be burned.

It went downhill the moment we arrived in the solar system, our ships were hit by space mines before we even reached their fourth planet, they were almost impossible to detect only coming online and flying straight into us when it detected us. Many ships were destroyed or damaged but we pressed on and it only got worse. Their entire planet was surrounded by defence satellites that opened fire, again more ships damaged and some even destroyed. Then bombardment came from the surface, huge cannons the size of towers erupted death. It was probably a week before we could even hope to land our warriors. Our fighters could no longer give us full cover, they were stretched thin in dogfights and many landings had to take place under enemy fire. My landing craft was shot down, me and only four others out of fifty survived the crash. It was a disaster, every engagement was nothing short of chaotic slaughter, we were pinned down in fire fights that lasted for days. When the ammunition ran out we fought in close quarters. I think that was the first time I had seen one of their warriors up close like that and I will tell you I had never seen a creature so full both hair and hatred than that before”

That last raid was sixty years ago.

“Wait! You're overa hundred years old?” Waln shouted

“Really Waln!? That's what you find shocking?” Fram said slapping him on the back.

“I'm just saying i think he looks good for someone so close to the grave”

“But why have they siddenly attacked us?” Geram asked trying to get them back on topic.

“The Human called it 'Liberation' or something, they have come to rescue the Humans here on Aoura and basically remove us as a future threat”

“A future threat?” Waln asked.

“It means they intend to wipe us out and make us extinct” Fram said.

“So what do we do with the Human now?” asked Geram

“Nothing, I killed him once I was done asking him questions, which he simply refused to answer most other than why they were here. But it matters not they are the enemy and we will do what Kell are born to do. Kill”

Kenson observed the Kell headquarters workings with much interest, when it became apparent that the invaders were Hume or Human, word quickly spread like these things generally do. The past could be changed and even forgotton, but the present was a different story, Kenson had known of the Humans from Earth for some time. He had learned about it in its entirety once he moved up the ranks in the Advancement Wing.

The only Humans who would know of their otherworldly kin coming to their aid would the “Wild human or Freen as they call themselves” that live in the freezing northern mountains but they kill every Learian they find and have been known to launch raids slaughtering whole towns and sacking their contents. They were made up of Hume that had escaped captivity and thus made their lives in the place where the Learians could not go.

Learians being reptiles were cold blooded and thus the cold was a death sentence for them. Even if they did wear heated clothing it was difficult to move in it and thus they loose their advantage.

There were reports that the Freen were helping the invading Humans.

With the discovery of the invaders identity many Learian had taken it upon themselves to slaughter much of the Human workforce. Garsun had to convince the High caste that without the Humans as raw material for the economy the workforce would suffer horrendous shortages. Besides there was no indication that the Human slaves were even aware that their kin had arrived.

Weeks had past since the invasion begun, the invaders were jamming transmissions to try and contact Draka and the fleet but there were windows where the jamming was not as effective so limited contact could be established. The fleet had yet to engage the Human blockade and Draka had been drawing all surviving Learian vessels to join him in his attack to clear the space above Aoura but in the void things were never done quickly. The war on the ground was much more explosive and fast paced, the invaders were attacking and moving swftly. Launching raids on vulnerble parts of the batteline then retreating before a proper counter attack could be launched. Sometimes they would fight to capture vital area's, destroy them and then fall back, they were always on the move luring the Kell into traps and launching concentrated breakthroughs. The Learian did not fight their wars this way, they were trained for mass clashes between armies, not fighting shadows.

Garsun had deduced that the reason the invading Humans were resorting to this tactic was becasue they did not have a numerical advantage nor the means to face the Learians in such a way.

Some field commanders though were trying to fight them at their own game, Kenson had heard the name Harker be mentioned a few times, apparently this clan commander has been cut off behind enemy lines and has banded together the survivors from other clans into a fighting force and was causing havoc on the Humans. Kenson was amused that at least one commander other than Garsun seemed capable of abstract thinking.

“Kenson!”

That snapped him out of his train of thought “Yes?” he answered not sure where the voice that called him came from.

“Behind you”

Kenson swung round to see the devil whos name he spoke.

“Supreme Commander Garsun” he said with a bow.

Garsun was much taller than most Kell but Kenson was tall even for a Blurn so he didn't have look up much.

“Such formality Kenson, it isnt needed but is there a reason why you are here?”

“I had an hour reprieve and I wanted to see how the war was progressing”

“Did the High caste send you to spy on me?” Garsun said raising his brow

“No of course not”

Garsun leaned down so that he was eye level with Kenson's and stared into his eyes. Kenson felt that he would faint there and then, Garsun could have him executed just for being in the Kell headqarters, it was within Kenson's privliages to be there but he did still wonder.

Garsun smiled and laughed “Had you going didn't I?” he jested patting him in the shoulder.

“You'll be the death of me one of these days” Kenson said rubbing the shoulder Garsun hit. Most of their conversations went like this, sometimes Garsun was serious other times he jested and the anoying thing was Kenson could never tell when he was which.

“But where I really need you is in your lab in the Advancment Wing, we just got more enemy tech for you to play with so go take it apart”

By normal pre Celestrial Human standards the city of Potellan was over a weeks march but their new bodies made the march faster and Jenkins ordered a forced march where the entire armer jogged. Their strides were massive by ordinary standards and they traversed the distance to Potellan at such a speed that even Hopoln was shocked. He had known they were coming, moving such a massive force was impossible to keep secret and within a hour the defenders of Potellan were manning their posts.

It took the Humans 3 days to reach Potellan, their Benemar allies could not keep pace so they rode in the transports. They approached like the armies of their ancestors before gunpowder had been invented, in rank and file and as a massive horde ready to storm the citadel. The Humans way of fighting had changed along with their bodies and minds, they now preferred to fight at close quarters, maybe it was the Gal part of them that yearned to face their enemy face to face. Or maybe because the Benemar always out gunned them and the Humans only major advantage was their superior strength and speed. Whatever the reason the Humans war gear now reflected that mindset, although still armed with a rifle they were primarily armed for close combat. They halted just outside the range of the cities massive defensive guns and stood there immobile as if an army of statues. They were within the Link, no Human was really thinking for themselves at this point, it was a powerful mindset that made them act as a single entity rather than a million individuals. The Gal's major advantage was now theirs.

Hopoln looked at the massive force arrayed against them and smiled, he had been planning for their arrival for months and now everything was in place. He had no fear of the Humans and their new weapons and bodies. Geedol his old rival may have failed but he will succeed in defeating these creatures. Looking out with his binoculars were watched as the Humans simply stood there looking over the vast distance to the City's walls. Behind them he saw Benemar, not prisoners but traitors working with the Human and preparing the Humans artillery. Benemar were expert artillerymen, in the entire Alliance even among the Humans no other race could aim and fore a artillery with greater speed or accuracy than a Benamarian.

But something among all that black armour stood out, just ahead of the army was two Humans, one holding a white flag the other standing alone not far from him.

He knew what this was, it was the Humans way of calling a truce, they wanted to talk. Smiling he called for a transport.

Within a few minutes the gate was open and Hopoln was riding on top of the transport to meet the enemy commander, the wind was rough but he did adorn a helmet to protect himself as it would be a sign of weakness. The Human had begun walking towards him and he for the first time got a good look at these physical changes to the Humans.

They did not look Human at all, were these really the same ones who had landed all those months ago? Were these just hybrids?

The Human removed his helmet and revealed his face and Hopoln got down from the truck and walked to face him, neither had any guards with them.

Jenkins and Hopoln stood opposite each other and each regarded the other.

“I am Commander Jenkins”

“I am Hopoln protector of the city of Potellan and clan leader of the guard”

“You are not the Chieftain?”

“The High Chieftain dwell within this city, no other Chieftains are needed”

Jenkins nodded at this and Hopoln then noticed he had simply told this Humans that their leaders were within the city and cursed his lapse in judgement.

“I have over a million soldiers standing ready to take your city with Benemar allies who man our guns, we have air superiority and your city is and can be surrounded indefinitely. I urge you to surrender the city and these High Chieftains”

Hopoln said nothing and only stared at Jenkins for a long time, then smiled.

“You have less than half that, only 300.000 warriors at most are in your army, you had air superiority over Geeda but not here our anti air guns stand primed and our fighter craft ready. Surrounding this city would be pointless as this is a self sustaining city and we can stay within it's wall indefinitely. The city and their walls have never been breeched and they are manned by well over 2 million trained warriors who will die to defend it”

Jenkins looked at him, he was impressed that Hopoln had known much about his army and much of what he said was true, but he was still bound to give him the option.

“You have until midday tomorrow, when the sun it at it's highest to make your decision, he shall fire a blank shot to signal the deadline is close and at the sound of the second it is up. Hang a white flag from the highest point of the wall and we shall accept your surrender. None of the people or your warriors will be harmed, you will receive the same treatment that has happened in Geeda” Jenkins donned his helemt and turned to leave but stopped gave said one final thing “Remember, when the sun is at it's highest tomorrow”

Hopoln said nothing and returned to his truck and they both left.

Night fell, Golpan the clan leader of the Benemar forces of Geeda that were allied to the Humans walked among the Humans that were asleep, or so he thought they were. They all sat with their legs crossed and their hands on their knees, every single one of them. They were infact resting their bodies like one would sleep but they were speaking within the Link to one another. Discussing the day to come, talking of old times and contemplating how the battle may go. Some sent messages home less they fall in battle of which was a real possibility. Golpan walked among them almost awed that they could sleep in a such a manner, these were truly not the Humans he had fought against when defending Geeda. He in fact had come to respect them, not just their capabilities in war but their general mood towards it. They did not seek it but nor did they run from it, they simply saw it as a fact of life and a job to do to defend their home world. Many of those left on Bento had not known of the invasion of their home world and likely would not have until the victory was certain. One Human he did like was one called Hesky, he had an odd childish nature to him but could switch to a snarling mountain femton in a second. He had found it it was his mate or wife as they called them that he had fought on the roof of the barracks and who had bested him. He owed his life to her as he had lost the grip on his blade and it fell to the streets below. Humans loathed to slay an unarmed opponent she instead subdued him as a prisoner of war. He smiled, he liked these Humans but almost hated them for the damage they had wrought along the way across his world. Whole towns had been burned down and some populations simply vanished, maybe they ran or stood to fight to the last the Humans did not say. But he did have hope, hope in his new Chieftain of Geeda that these Humans could help bring a new and greater Bento to rise from the ashes of the old.

The dawn broke and as a single entity the Humans all awoke and stood up to begin eating their morning meals, none spoke with their flesh voices as they come to regard it as slow and almost inaccurate way of conveying meaning. The only clue they were even aware of each other was the facial expressions they pulled when they saw each other. They smiled, nodded and pulled expressions of surprise or shook their heads. All this but no vocal noises what so ever and their Benemar allies found it creepy as hell.

The sun continued to climb the sky and still no sign of the white flag above the city's walls was seen, Jenkins stood at the head of the army now arrayed and ready to attack waiting patiently. His watch beeped at the sound of it striking midday, the first blank shot was fired. Still no sign of the white flag. He did not truly expect Hopoln to surrender but he hoped that he would, beyond all rational hope he hoped. He delayed the firing of the second shot by one hour, then after that had come and gone he ordered it fired. Everyone heard the shot, those outside and within and they now knew that as of that moment.

The captial city of Bento Prime, Potellan was now under siege.

The Humans, now once more surrendered their motions and direction to that of Jenkins, sitting in his meditative state as they had during the night he could see through the eyes of all of them. His voice was now the only voice, their thoughts were his thoughts and should one see something he would become aware of it. They had trained in this form of fighting the entire time they were station in Geeda and it took a considerable amount of concentration on Jenkins part to achieve. The Humans armed themselves and placed their shields before them all in perfect unison. Now with a throaty cry they shouted at the city they were about to attack. The city responded with a war horn and the defenders shouted their own insults and cries at them and goaded them to attack them.

Hopoln alone stood silent as the Humans stood there watching, waiting for something. Then he saw it, flashes of light behind them and he knew.

“Incoming!” he screamed as the first artillery shells struck the wall followed by missiles, like any army before them the Humans munitions failed to breach or even damage the wall. But they were aiming for the top, trying to kill the defenders.

Then shouting together with their flesh voices, the Humans charged.

“Return fire, primary cannons!” Hopoln shouted and the order went down along the wall and the primary cannons moved forward to fire.

The cannons were massive constructs, usually such weapons were found on star ships but here they were on walls of cities, and almost useless. The Humans branched out expanding the space between them and these cannons were designed to fire on large targets not fire on infantry. The Humans Bastions were the only thing they could logically target. Still Hopoln ordered they fire, they made massive craters almost 20 feet in diameter killing all caught in the blast and even those standing what would be considered a safe distance. But the Humans charge did not stop.

“Secondary cannons!” Hopoln ordered and these more suited to infantry fired.

Hopoln had to admit he was impressed at how fast the Humans were approaching the wall, whatever change had be wrought upon them they seemed to almost leap across the ground rather than run.

“Rifles!”

The Humans were close now and he smiled, soon they would fall right into his trap. Mines, and a lot of them had been placed in front of the wall for more than a thousand yards. He watched and waited, but nothing, the Humans did not slow and they were now well within the minefield yet no mines were detonating.

What Hopoln did not know or even consider was that for months camo troops although had been unable to enter the city had watched it and knew exactly where every mine was. They during the night hours would disable the mines that had been placed that very day. Indeed their was a mine field, but it was a dead one.

“Fire!” he shouted in anger and the warriors on the walls unleashed their volley and the Humans raised their shields and banded closer together, the sheer volume of fire being directed at them meant it was difficult not to a few of them.

Hopoln looked down, he had seen images of Human climbing walls and his own reports told him this was possible but seeing it was something else.

Like a wave the Humans reached the wall and climbed it.

Still with their shield held above them they climbed and they climbed fast, Benemar warriors were raining fire down upon them but this only seemed to slow them. By luck some marks were hit or a Human would loose their grip and fall.

But Hopoln was not beaten yet, in the time of his preparations he had made a few old fashioned adjustments to the wall. Deep within it and lower down from the top hatches opened and Benemar warriors would lean out and fire upon the Humans scaling the wall. Old fashion techniques like boiling oil was also used. This was a shock to the Humans but as they were one mind it was quickly reacted to, the Benemar leaning out would be pulled from their place and thrown to the ground or a Human would jump inside and finish them off in close combat. There were thousands of these hatches and this slowed their climb along with the fire coming from above and the cannons still firing at those Humans within range or waiting to get their turn to climb. Hopoln smiled, their ascent was slowing and if he had calculated it right they would not be able to each the top. He could then sit back and pick them off at will.

Jenkins face strained at all the information he was getting, his soldiers were all suggesting their own idea and he looked through the eyes of them all, even those as they died. He needed to climb faster, a ladder?

Hopoln watched as the Humans behaviour shifted, using their own bodies they made themselves into Human ladders and meant their kin could climb faster with greater defence as those who made up the ladder drew their rifles and returned fire.

This was the state of the battle for what seemed like hours, an almost continuous exchange of fire was flying through the air and even in the sky. It had startled many when their anti air guns had opened up as they were so focused on the enemy climbing the walls they did not even think about what might come from above. The Human bombers loosed their bombs upon the city trying to keep them close to the wall so as not to inflict too many civilian casualties. Sadly this was not always possible and bombs missed and struck the population.

The the words came over the radio, the words that Hopoln had hoped he would never hear.

“Breach! The wall is breached!”

Leaning over the side he saw that to his right maybe a thousands yards one of the Human ladders had indeed reached the top. For the first time since the wall was erected over a thousand years ago, the enemy stood upon her.

“With me!” he cried and all those who were not firing their rifles over the edge followed him. “All available warriors to section 6 of the wall!” he called into his radio and slowly the forces moved.

Hopoln emerged through a watchtower right in front of a group of Humans running towards him clearly hoping to capture the tower, he did not slow his pace and neither did they and the two forces clashed.

Using his momentum he struck the lighter Human over the wall but was met with a sudden stop as the next Human kicked him shattering his shield. These new Humans seemed to have lost strength in their arms but gained it in the legs.

He quickly got back to his feet and regained his composure “Push them off the wall!” he shouted, he knew he and his warriors could not outfight them but they could lift them and throw them.

His warriors fought hard, he knew that if it was not for the strength enhancing drugs they had all been fed this would have probably ended the moment the Humans reached the top of the wall.

Anger surged through him like fire and landed a punch square in the face of a Human, he hated these creatures these monsters from the void who stood against everything it meant to be Benemar. All along the wall it became a desperate fight for survival, the Benemar being the defenders meant that the battle favoured them but the Humans were giving as good as they got. The walls cannons continued to fire and a continuous stream of Benemar bullets were exchanged with those of the Humans.

Then without any prompting or signals the Humans as one turned and retreated from the wall, leaping onto their comrades who made up the ladders as they were given covering fire. A cheer erupted from the wall as the Human's fled.

“To your posts, volley fire into them!” Hopoln shouted at his warriors and they hurried to obey, some in their madness had jumped down the wall to try and chase the Humans but had been killed.

His men cheered as the Humans fled, all of them but Hopoln himself who watched as they retreated out of range and he ordered the cease fire.

“Re-arm!” he shouted and workers went about reloading rifles and taking away the dead and preparing for another attack.

He went to the surgeons office, he was already swamped with wounded warriors, the attack had been a devastating one but they had held but Hopoln knew that this was not the main attack. Jenkins was testing him, probing the wall for a weakness and testing their resolve and fighting strength. The surgeon saw him and went to the cupboard and readied the needle which contained the strength enhancers.

“Double the dose” he ordered.

The surgeon looked at him startled “You are already at the maximum dosage, any more and it could be fatal”

“The Humans killing us will be more fatal, now do as I say!”

The surgeon looked at him horrified for a moment before doing as he said and injecting him.

Hopoln's arm erupted in pain as if it were on fire, every nerve screamed as the serum made it's way through his body and into his muscles forcing unnatural growth. The surgeon looked at him apprehensively fearing the effect, but after some time Hopoln stood up and stretched and left without even thanking the surgeon.

The serum was a strength enhancer, it was still in the development stages but the initial testing was proving encouraging. With this serum the gap between the physical strength of the two species closed and meant the Benemar would some fighting chance at fighting a Human in close combat.

Hopoln's body ached as the serum surged through his body and intensified his muscles. The side effects were unknown but right now that did not matter. All that mattered was holding the Humans at bay, they must be allowed to enter the city, for if even a single one breached the walls. He shivered to even think of such a thing. The Humans, they defied every natural law the Benemar believed in, every rational thought of how the universe functioned and the natural order of reality itself seemed to come undone at the Humans sheer will. Just what where these things? What kind of twisted God created such monsters that the galaxy screamed in fear at them. Were they the cancer? If one thought deeply enough the galaxy was a living organism with potentially millions of planets holding millions of different species. Why were these Humans so unlike every other race? Bio weapons seemed to have no effect, they could out-run a Sprinor with ease and out fight a Benemar without so much as breaking a sweat. Their eyesight was on par with the Engolians and their thinking speed would make the super computers of the Alliance bow their heads in shame.

But Holpoln vowed to end their rampage across his world here, Karakorum was about to awaken.

“These Benemar are being stubborn” Hesky complained as he threw one off the wall onto the heads of his comrades “Here catch” he laughed as the Bememar fell.

Just as he laughed he was struck over the head, it hurt, the serum that they had found out the Benemar were taking were making them into mindless brutes more than warriors. The Benemar helping the Humans had become disgusted with the sight of their own kind now.

“They just wont break” Cho hissed annoyed as he grappled with one for his weapon.

The average Human did not carry a rifle as a main weapon any more, since their change they had come to prefer lighter weapons and such they all carried smaller versions that were attached their wrists and could fire from one hand. They all carried blades and Sharn had even attached one to her tail and was laughing as she swirled around while fighting.

“Can you try not to enjoy this so much?” Jenkins said over the Link.

“Never! In Karens memory I will enjoy every minute of this as I can” she laughed so much even her flesh voice sounded the laugh.

This was the sixth day of their attack, they never attacked the same part of the wall and often would attack multiple sections to try and stretch the enemies force. Much of this was to stress and weaken the Benemar. This was not like the previous battles with them where the Humans had outmatched them. They were fighting on the Benamars terms and on ground they chose. So much of the wall was laced with traps and hidden turrets and crazed Benemar that had taken too much of the serum. Poor buggers, they knew nothing but fighting now, frothing at the mouth and gargling nonsense.

“It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic” Hesky said “Oh what the hell, I'll laugh anyway!”

Again the signal to retreat came and as if they were one organism the Humans retreated. Benemar fighters were spotted and were going to reek havoc on the undefended infantry on the wall and were engaged by Human fighters to give some cover but being so close to the wall the Benemar air defences were giving them an edge.

“This is nothing but a war of attrition” Hesky complained as he slowed down to catch his breathe.

“One we can win, they cannot” Sharn replied “We have superior forms and technology and are well supplied”

“And they are trapped within their walls” Cho added joining them.

A Benemar made his way over to them and the Humans switched to their flesh voices.

“Golpan” Hesky greeted the commander of their Benemar allies.

It felt odd to him now to use his flesh voice, is sounded so rough and did not project the desired meaning half the time as he was use to. The Link could send emotion as well as images and thought faster than any kind of audible communication.

“Hesky, how goes the battle?” he asked.

How could he not know? Oh yeah, he does not have access to the Link.

“Well, soon we will breach these walls and run rampant through the streets” Hesky laughed.

“I want to see what kind of food they have?” Sharn said.

“Ooh, think they have any steak? I'm starving for steak” Cho said.

They continued talking and it took a few moments before they realised that after Hesky's initial reply to Golpan they had switched to the Link not their flesh voices so from the Benmar's point of view they had simply stopped talking to him and started staring at each other.

“Well...um, that's good” Golpan said leaving feeling uncomfortable.

Golpan made his way back to his comrades, some had fought on the wall but mainly they were there to man the siege guns they had brought. It still felt odd to many of them to being laying siege to a city they had considered holy and the seat of power for their kind for over a thousand generations.

“These humans, is it just me or are they seeming a bit...different than before?” asked one of his warriors.

“Yeah, they don't talk to us much any more and they spend all their time in silence and looking at each other with the occasional laugh”

Golpan sat down at the fire where they were cooking their food.

“You are not wrong” Cassion said suddenly appearing next to them.

“Dammit we told you to stop doing that!” one of the Benemar shouted at him.

Cassion was the only one who had not morphed into the new kind of Human, he had no symbiote and thus was not part of their Link.

“I will never stop popping up where I am needed” Cassion said proudly.

“You mean to say where you have to turn up?”

“Shh” Cassion said rubbing his hand down the Benemars face “That's not important”

“So what is up with your lot?” Golpan asked.

“It's simple really, they are evolving, changing or maybe becoming what Humanity was supposed to be, maybe”

“Maybe?”

“Yes, maybe?”

“How can you not know?”

“I only know as much as I am told or allowed to know”

“And who tells you?”

Cassion looked at him shocked for a few seconds before looking off into the distance and turning back.

“That's not important right now”

The Benemar scoffed and turned back to their meal, they used to eat their meals with the Humans but they barley seemed to eat any more, they just sat in circles in silence. They were surrounded by thousands of Humans, fellow warriors in this war but they felt completely alone, not just because these Humans were now different but because they did not speak to each other in the usual way. This Link, made them...not Human?

“So what about you? How come you're not like them” a Benemar asked.

“I won't, or can't, it's complicated all I can say is that's it's not my role to have one and be like them”

“Why are you here then?”

“To see the final act”

Jenkins sat alone in his tent, not truly alone for he could hear all the voices of those in the Link, even those back home on Earth. He had had conversations with friends and family he had not seen in a long time, reconciled with a brother he had fallen out with years ago and now they were closer than ever.

Also Learned he was an uncle again as his sister had given birth to a baby girl and heard all the congratulations from the numberless people in the Link.

He saw through the eyes of those caring for puppies soon to be adopted, a man at his fathers deathbed mourning his recent passing, a child playing in the street of his home town and many more images came to his mind. He and everyone in the Link saw this and heard this, they were one and many, both connected and separate.

Jenkins was the commander and he had noticed that he was changing, not just the normal change that all Humans were going through but another one. Much like how the Conduit of the Gal was the voice of its kind he was becoming the Hive Mind or at least a part of it. He could at will override the will of another and make them act as he wished. Making them a mute observer of their own body. He had used this more than once to save the life of his soldiers, making them duck into cover or moving another to support. He saw the whole battle like one does a chess board. He saw through all their eyes and felt all their struggles. He was everywhere.

His body too changed, his head was morphing into a dome figure that bent backwards with leathery spines growing from it to replace his hair. These were in a sense signal boosters, allowing him to amplify his own mental capabilities and process the immense amount of information he had access to. In a sense, he was growing extra brains. Other commanders who used the Link to command others were undergoing this same change such as Hopkins and the Admirals in the fleet.

“Jenkins?” Hopkins called through the Link from Geeda

“Yes?”

“I see the battle goes well, do you have a plan to bring it to an end? The new Chieftain on Geeda has enquired to the battles current situation”

“Tell him I have a plan so cunning, you can put a nose on it and call it a weasel”

“Ooh, that is cunning”

Chapter 18

The Benemar auxiliaries that had joined them fired their artillery and along with the Humans charged the city, they had demanded to be a bigger part of the attack today. The Humans had agreed with a worryingly amount of indifference, the one called Jenkins who looked nothing like he did when he left Geeda all those weeks ago simply nodded when asked. They ran with the Humans but could not keep pace, the Humans moved as one, keeping time with their steps and pace but the Benemar were erratic and clumsy in comparison. Still when the Humans reached the walls and began to make their Human ladders they extended their hands and helped the Benemar climb up.

Golpan was practically thrown onto the wall, the Humans strength meant he scaled the walls that was over a thousand feet high in moments. He wore a different uniform to the Benemar defending the city, not that it seemed to be of much interest to the Humans who simply ignored him as they went about fighting the defenders.

He was saved by one though, a defender levelled his rifle at him and before he could react a Human had jumped in front of him and what he witnessed made him fear for his own people again.

The Humans arm morphed and changed shape as if it was clay, taking the shape of a shield he blocked the shot before firing a needle shaped spine from his forearm into the neck of the defender. The defending Benemar collapsed grasping his neck and Human left him to die.

Golpan ran to the defender and held him, in that moment he was not an enemy but a fellow Benemar that was dying at the hands of something horrible. The spine was sticking out of his neck and a black liquid was pumping into the body, poisoning him. He puked black liquid and bled from his eyes and ears, the spine grew tentacles and buried its way into his body and Golpan jumped back as the spine grew as it feasted on the flesh of the it's victim. It erupted from the chest of the Benemar, finally killing him and ending the suffering that seemed to have dragged on for hours let alone seconds.

The spine, or maybe it was a new symbiote had a circler mouth and screeched as it came to life using it's legs it pulled itself from the now dead Benemar and jumped onto a passing Human who simply held out its arm to catch it as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

This section of the wall was overrun with Humans now and they were pushing along it towards other sections. Golpan looked at his fellow Benemar rebels from Geeda who had all witnessed similar things as he on the wall.

“Dema?” he asked his second in command.

Dema was huddled against the railing, crying.

The youngest among them, Lomk had shot himself at the sheer sight of what he had seen.

“They lied to us” Dema said over and over again “They lied! they lied!”

Golpan got to his feet and pulled Dema up with him “Fall back, rally our warriors and fall back to camp, let the monsters do their work”

“Monsters....they are worse” Dema whispered.

“The new Chieftain must see what they are, what they have become”

The Humans once again fell back from their attack, they barley noticed their Benemar allies had left them and were heading back to Geeda and in fact they didn't care. They had their own mission, this nest...city needed to be taken but the natives were putting up a much harder fight that before. This was the main city of the planet, if this fell the whole world fell and they knew it. So they fought tooth, tusk and claw for every inch of ground.

Quality versus quantity slammed into each other.

But it was only a matter of time, the Benemar were inferior life forms in many ways, even Sharn who had most of her face destroyed by a shotgun like weapon at point blank range was now recovering. Their own hyper metabolism and increased knowledge of their cellular make up meant healing her was easy, her mind was safe in the Link so that was not lost. The body was simply a shell.

“That shot hurt like a bitch!” she complained over the Link.

“Well you would know, you're a bigger bitch than anyone” Hesky joked.

“Hey!” she protested and Cho who was sitting next to him hit Hesky over the head at Sharn's request.

“Once I can move again I'm coming for you” she laughed.

“As his wife you have my full permission to kick my husbands arse” Cathy laughed joining the conversation from Geeda through the Link.

“Help I'm being ganged up on!” Hesky laughed.

“Jenkins come drink with us!” Cho invited and almost like magic Jenkins was there.

They all looked at him shocked at his transformation, Jenkins had been so secluded they had not seen him in days and now he looked so different.

“Did you do something with your hair?” Hesky asked and they all laughed.

“Yeah, now I can't cut it how I originally liked it” Jenkins joked twirling one of the leathery spines.

“I don't know, you can merge them together and make a mohawk” Cathy suggested.

“Maybe it will make a good picture for our final battle tomorrow” Jenkins smiled.

“Oh? Are we finally done playing around?” Cho asked and they all looked at him eagerly.

Jenkins smiled.

Holpoln beat the female before him, his frustration at being unable to break the siege had weighed heavy on him. The High Chieftains had commanded him to repel the enemy but they never seemed to die, he had countless reports of these Humans taking what should be fatal injuries only to be either taken back by their kin to be healed or would simply get back up and fight. By day they attacked, climbing up the sheer drop of the walls and by night they bombarded the city with their artillery which was seen to be commanded by rebel Benemar.

No doubt from the city of Geeda and this Chieftain Ceran who had sold out his own people to help the aliens.

The female slave he had called for was now nothing more than a bloody lump of flesh before him. He couldn't even remember what species she was he had barely looked at her when she entered his room. He knelt down and feasted on her remains, food was becoming a problem in the city. Rationing was strict as they were cut off from the farms where their livestock were raised. They had a number within the city but not enough to sustain the population so they had resorted to eating the weaker slaves that were not too valuable. Some were even eating the dead and rumours of the poorer families eating their newborns.

“Karakorum must awaken soon before there is no one left to save” he said to himself.

The horn of the dawn sounded and once again the Humans began to amass for the another attack.

“What is this?” he asked his second in command.

“I don't know, they are just gone”

“Gone? After weeks of constant attacks they simply leave? I don't buy it for a second, send out scouts” he growled moving along the wall.

“I have, we lost contact with them”

“They're out there, where are they?” he almost shouted but only silence answered him.

Then the ground shook, lightly at first and many didn't think anything of it as one of the reasons Benemar were so find of sturdy walls was because earthquakes were common. But Holpoln could feel this was different, having lived his whole life on a world that shook he could tell the difference between an earthquake and something else.

This was no earthquake.

His eyes followed his instincts and he didn't look out towards the plains where the Humans should be, he looked at the city behind him.

The ground erupted, shooting skyward before falling back down even faster leaving behind a massive crater that swallowed buildings whole. Dozens of buildings and hundreds of people were consumed.

Then the screaming, not the from surrounding Bememar in the city, they were too frozen in shock, but from the hole. The sound of the Humans war cry as they climbed out of the hole and like a flood, began to rampage through the city.

Potellan, the great city of the Benemar had never had an enemy breach it's walls, and that statement was true, the Humans couldn't breach the walls, so they simply went under them and begun their bloody work of sacking the city.

It was over.

But the Benemar would not go down without a fight.

“The time has come!” cried the High Chieftains

“The enemy is within our walls”

“Let us awaken that which we feared we would never need”

“Awaken the god of War”

“Awaken, Karakorum!”

The high pyramid of the High Chieftain's was the oldest building on Benemar, it was dated to even preceded their own recorded history as any city that existed in the area was built around the pyramid. Few knew of it's origin and even they had only fragments and most was an educated guess.

The pyramid, was Karakorum, or at least the tip.

Karakorum was the name of the God of war of the Benemar, a fitting name as this machine was a war machine. Built aeons ago by a race that no longer has anyone to remember them and no monument left behind to tell their story. That is, except Karakorum.

It came alive, through means the Benemar had discovered over generations they brought the machine to life, last time this had happened it had laid waste to a third of the planet and is why the world was in the baron state that is was. Now it was awake again, built to resemble ironically the Benemar themselves, or at least what they looked like millions of years ago before they gained sentience and asked themselves that question that all sentient creatures will one day ask.

“What am I?”

Four colossal legs erupted from the ground and pulled its gigantic body up, its head had tusks and even eyes that looked more like demons eyes from the Humans point of view who along with the Benemar of the city had frozen to watch this titan appear.

The ships in orbit both Human and Benemar watched and streamed the footage everywhere although the Humans did not need such devices for everyone of them watched through the eyes of the soldiers there.

Everyone was shocked, the embodiment of war had appeared before them.

Ceran and Talena watched in the city centre in shock that such a thing was on Bento Prime all this time.

But Jenkins looked upon it with awe, it was a beautiful creation and no doubt one Humanity could match or surpass one day.

Hesky laughed, his flesh voice echoing over the link and the air in unison and soon the rest of the Humans joined him.

Hesky had said a simple saying.

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall”

Jenkins smiled and gave one order to the entire army.

“Swarm!”

The High Chieftain's rode up Karakorum laughing as they saw they would now finally destroy the Humans, these arrogant creatures that had the audacity to call themselves sentient and their equals. But their laughter soon subsided.

The Humans were running, but not away, they were running at them and climbing over bulidings and over the bodies of Benemar to get to Karakorum and forcing their way inside.

“Activate the weapons! Fire!”

Nothing happened.

“What are you waiting for? Fire!”

“We can't” the engineer said “We cannot control Karakorum only aim it and we have told it the Humans are the enemy but...”

“But what?!”

“The Humans are too close, it wont risk destroying itself”

Karakorum was a walking artillery weapon, designed to level cities and even ships in orbit should it be told to. It had no anti infantry weapons and given there were no enemy vehicles for it to fire at within range and only infantry which were too close it fell into its pre programmed response.

Wait for support to clear the enemy infantry.

This machine did not know that it's creators were long dead and that there was no support, it was a machine, pre programmed responses and actions, one's and zeros, no free will and the Benemar could not control it enough to make it follow their orders.

So the embodiment of the god of war stood idle as the Humans bore into its many legs and ran thorugh it corridors destorying from the inside out like a virus infecting a body.

It was literally torn apart from the inside out.

Holpoln knelt within the ruins of his city, Karakorum was destroyed, their last hope of turning the tide and forcing the Humans off Benemar now lay collapsed like a slain animal. The Humans were taking apart the rest of the city and wiping out any remaining resistance from local law enforcers or commanders that had rallied their men for one last stand.

Futile.

Holpoln himself knelt in the middle of the street, ash covered survivors passed him going this way and that, none looking at him.

A Human appeared and directed them down the street with the promise of food and water.

He raised his head to look at the Human who must have recognised him, he shot him without second thought.

Jenkins stood overlooking the survivors of the city, when Karakorum fell so did with it all resistance on the planet. There was nothing left for which the Benemar could use to fight back with.

This was the moment, Humanity died.

The Gal, they did not lie when they said that Humanity was the only race that is compatible with them as we are genetic cousins. But they did not tell Humanity everything. They were the parasitic part of us, they latched onto hosts and moulded them to suit their needs, that's why no two Gal would look alike, each had it's own host.

The symbiotes, that was the real them, the part of the DNA that Humanity was missing and now they had.

The last Gal host died and the last symbiote was attached to a Human.

They all then looked at themselves, how their bodies had changed without them seemingly noticing, their legs were different, did they always have four arms? Extra eyes now too? Tails? Now they know they did originally have only one, this must be an extra. Is it?

Their hands, was three digits the right amount?

Sharn was contemplating this when a voice she thought lost appeared.

“Karen?” she said aloud, or tried to, they no longer had any voice boxes, no need for speech.

Those within the link could loose their physical bodies but their minds were forever within the Link.

She shed tears of joy, her love was alive, never truly gone.

All of Humanity was connected through this great Link, everyone knew everyone, all were one and one was all. They had reached their peek of evolution, the apex of what their race was meant to be.

Jenkins, or if that's what he could be called now as names were quickly becoming pointless. Looked out at the herd of Benemar huddled together within the ruins of their nest. He saw no sentient creatures, none of the Humans did, these were simply animals, cattle, livestock.

And they did still need food.

The Benemar in Geeda did not understand the sudden change in the Humans demeanour, one moment they were as they had always been, the next they were standing idle staring into space for a few moments before coming back and looking around at them with vacant eyes.

The gates opened as the forces sent to eradicate the infestation at Potellan reutned within two days.

“What did you say?” Ceran asked.

“The Humans are monsters, they are not what they said they were” Golpan said kneeling before his Chieftain.

Ceran sat upon a small throne in the main tower with his pregnant wife next to him, Benemar pregnancies are brief which is why she was already heavily showing her bump.

“Monsters” Dema said.

“They are only different” Ceran said.

“Look child...” Golpan said getting to his feet but Ceran's level stare made him stop “Chieftain, with respect you are mistaken, the Humans will be the end of us”

“The Humans have defeated the tyrannical rule of the High Chieftains, that monstrosity, Karakorum was destroyed by them. Geeda is now a prosperous city because of them. We owe them this new chance for our people to make a bright future and heal this world and make it a lush world where plants and trees will grow again” Ceran said getting to his feet.

“My Chieftain, please I beg of you, do not let them back into the city”

“Enough, you fled from battle and are a deserter, I have no use for warriors such as that” Ceran said and a pair of Benemar guards approached and dragged Golpon away along with Dema.

“NO! You are making a mistake, they will kill us all, they are monsters! Please listen to me!”

Ceran looked over the city from the Chieftains tower, the city was peaceful after a celebration to the end of the war that even though the Humans started it didn't feel like they were a conquered people. They were a liberated people, they now saw a bright future ahead of them, one where their world was lush and sunlight once again shun through the clouds.

But Ceran was brooding, the words of the deserter had troubled him.

“My Chieftain?” Taleena called from the bed.

“We are alone, you don't need to call me that”

She smiled “Sorry, force of habit and I like to do it though”

He smiled back at her.

“So what is bothering my husband?” she asked.

“The Humans have indeed changed, in the nearly two years since they came here they have not only morphed into something else but their minds. The way they look at us its like they don't recognise us. Like a piece of them dies with each passing day”

Taleena, sat there

“They scare me, I mean I always was scared of them but now they truly frighten me”

Ceran joined her in bed.

“I don't know what to do” he said running his hand over her belly, sound asleep inside, so innocent and unaware of the dangers and troubles of this world was his son.

“They don't come back here for a few more days, tell them to wait outside the city under the pretence of organising a parade for them. Once you see them for yourself, then you can decide on what to do”

“And if what Golpan said is true?” he asked “You know what I would be forced to do”

“Yes, and I will be with you the whole time”

Its was a few nights later that the Humans returned, silently moving they neither spoke nor did they make any sound as they sped along the dirt towards Geeda.

The gates, usually under the command of Benemar opened, their operators gone.

While the city slept, the Humans flooded in and began to round up all the Benemar

Ceran was awoken by the sounds of gunfire in the streets and screaming, quickly he ran to the window and saw the city overrun with Humans. Or at leats what he thought were Humans.

They were on every building, running through every street climbing through windows, knocking down doors and dragging the inhabitants of the city in to the streets and dividing them into groups and chaining them together.

They moved like a single organism, a few here and there moved like he remembered, like they were their own persons and directed the others.

The Humans no longer spoke, high pitch cries was the only sign they called to one another or used hand gestures or would simply look at each other as if speaking with their eyes.

Ceran grabbed a pistol just as one resembling Jenkins came through his door and he shot him in the head and continued till the clip was empty. But Jenkins did not fall, he was doubled over but brought himself up again to full height and stared at Ceran with cold eyes.

Taleena screamed and Ceran pulled a blade and charged Jenkins, it took a few moments to have Ceran collared and tagged before being thrown to the ground.

“What are you doing?!” Taleena cried as she too was collared and tagged before being thrown down beside her husband, they locked eyes confused and afraid.

They were dragged outside and made to huddle along with others that had been captured, all of their faces showing fear and confusion.

“Sharn!” Crean cried seeing her walk past him but she only gave him a passing glance. Her eyes, they were not hers.

He was right, Sharn's mind was in the Link with her beloved Karen and her body was being directed by Jenkins who had been evolving into a central Hive Commander.

The Benemar were divided into groups, those that can work, those to be bred, and those to be food. Jenkins looked through the Link and saw a great number of other planets the Benemar occupied, with those properly collected they could feed their race no problem and swell their numbers. They were senile animals and not even sentient but can build primitive structures and operate basic machinery so a good workforce too. How had he not seen this before?

The one called Ceran was calling him but it sounded like the shrill of an animal in distress, he couldn't understand him any more. He would let him and the female he took as a mate be together, they would make good offspring he thought and he was fond of the little one as if he was a pet.

The coming days the planet was thrown into chaos and confusion, the Benemar were rounded up and tagged with identification numbers and a shock collar. They were divided into groups under the direction of a Hive Commander like Jenkins and others who had evolved in such a way.

They would stand on a podium and a Benemar would be brought before them and silently would judge whether the animal would be used as a worker, breeder or food.

Some exceptions were made, Ceran and his mate Taleena were thrown into the breeding pens, the Humans had fond memories of them as one would have for a pet they had growing up.

Cerans father was deemed worthless and slaughtered for food along with his mother although his sister was able to escape that fate by proving she was strong enough to work.

Taleena's family were cut up for food and her brother set to be a worker as well although he was small and many Humans did not believe he would last long.

All of them were grouped and separated, families torn apart with indifference, slaughtered for food without concern for their well-being and worked to near death.

But why just the Benemar? There are dozens of races out there, all of them, food for the Humans, their worlds, ripe for the taking. Not all the planets were right for them to live on but they could terraform them to make it more hospitable to them.

Jenkins and his fellow Hive Commanders stood in a circle and looked towards the stars, their fleet in orbit and countless other fleets across the Human systems all now looking up at the stars.

They were now faster, stronger and more advanced than any of them, the other races were not even sentient, not any more, that word had a new meaning now.

This galaxy was theirs for the taking and they will spread through it like a cancer consuming all in their path.

The Humans were gone, the Gal were gone, what was left is what the other races were come to know by only a single name.

One that described them perfectly.

The Virus.

So yeah, that's how my race died, bit of a bummer really although can't way I didn't see it coming, well I didn't but I just like to say that.

I'm called the Herald now as I go through the galaxy in my crappy little ship and warn every race I find of the danger following me.

Most don't believe me or blame me for bringing them there.

Those that heed my warnings I help best I can to prepare them and their defenses to fight them off or drive them away. But it's never enough, my kind learn fast and can adapt to almost any condition, may take a few years or generations but we always overcome. I think though that another race has set up some kind of blockade around our territory.

I tried to go to them to make contact and tell them of the ones behind me but I was fired upon and forced to turn back. I ran into them again and again and have mapped out that they have at least tried to contain my kind inside their current systems. The galaxy is a big place, it makes sense that there would be another race out there with immense power, maybe an alliance of sort like the one my kind originally joined but stronger. Maybe they can halt my kinds advance through the void. Although right now they seem content to try and contain us, maybe hoping we will consume ourselves.

As much as I am trying to find a way to destory my own race, I don't hate them, I miss them, they were my friends and family but have now become something else. I have even ran into them a few times, them randomly finding me on some planet where I am resting and would call out to me, wanting me to come to them and accept the change. To come home.

It would be nice to not be alone any more.

If you haven't guessed it already, my name is Cassion and I'm leaving this writing on every world I go to, be it inhabited or not. My kind...or really I can't call them that any more, I am the last Human, the proper Human I think. When we merged with the Gal we lost so much of ourselves, or did we gain what we were supposed to have?

Who knows, it doesn't matter any more.

I'm old and I've put the last of my peoples knowledge in this ship and will send it into space, maybe someone will find it and remember us for what we were, not what we are. The only crew member left on the ship will be Sergeant Stabby, may he pilot the ship to grand horizons.

God speed you glorious cleaning machine!

Oops better act quickly one of their pods just landed, they always find me.

Ahh better think of a deep and meaningful way to end this....um , be good, be kind and never eat the last of someone's favourite snack or if you do make sure its someone you can outrun. Haha, time to go home.

Im back after so long, i forgot it had this account to be honest.

I am also submitting the entirely of my previous work, Newcomers. If you want to buy it as a paperback to help support me that would be very much appreciated.

Greetings all.

With my Newcomers book now available and published it has given me the drive to sort out my main work.

Its going to be called the Eternity series, 4 books telling a story about an alien race and their war with Humanity. It is told purely from the aliens point of view and Humanity have little to no dialogue. Specially in the first book as a human will only speak a single line.

This is my main work and one i have working on for many years with the idea of the film Independence day but with the roles reversed. 

The first two books are done but they need to be ironed out and some plot points put in, some stuff taken out and hints to future events in future books made more obvious.  

Keep an eye on this space as updates will come and I’ll get round to posting a sneak peek at the first book here sometime soon.

I love you all and appreciate your support be it a message, buying my Newcomers novel or sharing news about my work. And kudos for doing all three hehe.

Chat to you all soon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1708203923

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081DL5W88

Newcomers is now available on Kindle for only 4.99

I hope you all enjoy the book that got me nearly a thousand followers and will consider buying it so as to support any future work i do.

Final draft has been done and spell checked and will up on Amazon in the next few days.

Will give link once it is done and ready for purchase at only £9.99.

Purchasing this book will help support me in my main book which will likely be 4 books long about a war between humanity and an alien race but told from their point of view. 

Its a project i have been working on for some time and most of it is done although the first book needs a lot of work to make it coherent lol

I hope you enjoy reading Newcomers as much as I loved writing it.

Long time no see everyone

I have finally finished Newcomers and will now work on editing it and on publishing it as an enovel or something.

I love how “pulling a game of thrones” is a thing and yes to be honest one of the reasons i killed off one of the characters was because i hoped people had come to like her. It may yet happen to others. mwahaha

To those who have been asking about the Newcomers book title and my name.

I am hoping to keep Newcomers as the title as I have become rather fond of it and I think it is fitting to the story of Humanity becoming the newcomers to the galaxy. 

As for my name I will only say my name is Ashleigh at the moment but more info will no doubt come as I complete the story and try to get it published.