The New Star: Interlude 4
It is the judgement of this court that the Sidereal Exalted Zephon, Chosen of Saturn and Resplendent Water Sutra, Chosen of Jupiter, be set a task to offset the penalty of their offences against the Celestial Hierarchy. It is felt that the performing of a sufficiently meritorious deed will demonstrate the appropriate good character that will make a trial unnecessary. It is also felt that, as they are accused of assisting in the theft of one of the Peaches of Immortality, if they should undo this crime in its entirety then there will be no case to press.
Subsequently we charge Zephon, Chosen of Saturn and Resplendent Water Sutra, Chosen of Jupiter with the following: That they go to Creation and retrieve the stolen Peach of Immortality, returning it to its rightful place in the Heavenly Peach Gardens. The Bureau of Destiny has divined that this stolen Peach is destined to reach the hands of the Terrestrial Exalted king Mnemon Alexius, Chosen of the Air Dragon. It is therefore essential that the Peach be recovered before this comes to pass.
Court is dismissed until such time as it becomes clear whether or not the Peach of Immortality can be recovered uneaten from the lands of Creation.
-- Judgement of Meggido, Celestial Censor and Lesser Elemental Dragon of Earth
Meanwhile…
It did not take Finn long to discover the cause of the rumbling. At 20 feet tall, it was unmistakable. Although he had never seen one before, he knew instantly what it was. They have many names: Warstriders; Battle Armour; War Armour; Mecha; Sentinels, to name but a few, but most commonly they are just called ‘Striders’. And one was coming straight towards him, walking far faster than he could run. The ground was shaking at each of its footsteps. Then it spoke:
“I told you I’d get you, Finn!”
The unmistakable voice of Cathak Delandau came from within the scarlet Strider.
“I’m coming to get you, Finn!”
Lt. Cathak Delandau