By Juris Zvaners

Part 1

Many ravaged worlds across the universe have been destroyed and decimated by the war.
Countless millions have died and continue to die. I watch the races born, thrive, struggle, and die.I am Lumnous and as I watch I see many a story lived out. This one is of Lunaria a peaceful planet with two stars, and three moons. The people have advanced far beyond their counterparts of their galaxy. Under their rule is total peace and tranquility. That has long been destroyed, the planet being in control by the Arm and its people cloned beyond comprehension. Except for one individual.

Plasma fire could be heard all around them. On the sickened planet of Lunaria a battle was being waged. The Core have nothing to do with this for the Arm's enemy on Lunaria is Falcon, the rebel force opposed to all but their own ancient government.
"Sir reinforcements are gone, we're all that we're gonna have," screamed the 2nd in command as plasma fire erupted on his Zeus, turning it into a wall of shrapnel and blood.
D@mn rebels, my troops are dying left and right and there's not much I can do. You'd think after all that we'd done for them they'd thank us.
Well this sure is some thanks.
"Troops, these are my last orders as your commander. I'll say this, I couldn't have had a better troop.....if I get cloned again I will do all I can to clone all of you and those who have died.Now CHARGE!!! DEATH TO THE REBELS!!!" And with that the unknown commander and his troop of 75 kbots died for the Arm, their patterns lost in the scramble.

__________________________________________________________

One year later

On the southern continent of Roenix lies Grauloth or on other worlds known as "Rebel Prison" or "Living Death".
Its harsh stone walls, an unending light gray, invisible because of Roenix's constant night.
The wails are in unison with sobs of many races.
Of all the prisoners one in particular is of special importance. Locke Lutonia has been here for only one year since his greatest battle and downfall. Sure he had won the battle against the Arm on Lunaria but he hadn't counted on five platoons surrounding him as an ambush, which even the Arm commander he had defeated had known his mission was a suicide one.
Has it been a day? a week? since then. So this is the punishment the Arm delivers to opposers of their so called good will.
Once I was a world hero top rank commander of Falcon, the Lunaria army. Now this, a stinking, rat infested hole. For me there is no shame in the loss of my world, my men, but the guilt of all their deaths and the uselessness that it was to oppose the Arm.

"Prisoner, wake up. You're to receive a counsel with Admiral Vadimer," and with that he said it in complete admiration. "He has some proposition for you to consider," spat the guard with total distaste to his prisoner.

"Well, Admiral now, is he? How many lifetimes did it take that imbecile to get the job..."
"You'll speak with Admiral Vadimer with respect" and with that the guard struck Locke across the face.

In silence they walked to the air transport to take them to Fulvakk, the capital of Roenix and HQ to the Arm.

Part 2

The barren obsidian landscape was illuminated by the lights of a transport. With the war going on, new transports were only used for the military. It retched, pitched, and stuttered. The rust was the only color visible.

In the middle of the transport the prisoner, encased in chains and manacles that enclosed his hands totally. Though he may not look it Arm Command knows all too well what this man can do. That is the reason for the four Zeus guards.

Over a secure channel the four Zeus's had a conversation about their incarcerated guest.

 "I don't get it, he's only a Lunarian at best. How dangerous could he be to need Zeus guards let alone four?" asked Zeus 410 quizzically.
"Think about it. The man's got manacles covering his hands. They say he has some forgotten power. When we recruited his kind, command expected that power, but its said only the one's that created that rebel force has it," explained Zeus 322. "I hear he commanded only 80 troops and though he was the only one to live he almost burst through Grocklan's Army..."
"WHAT?! That's hogwash!"
"Never, Grocklan is a master! that's blaspheme!"
(Cried the two in unison)

After a few slugs were passed among the three they all went off to their rounds. And as they did a shadow flitted toward the captive.

Zeus 117 slipped toward the restrained Lunarian. Under his gauntlet hand a small device was reveled, this he slipped into the Lunarian's pocket only saying "Troth". Though examined closely the device was a mere rock but to a Lunarian it embodied hope especially when one had the expertise to use it. Marching off 117 left Locke to start his rounds.

Ah, you can always count on Falcon to help one in need. I think though that I will wait and hear Vadimer's educated Arm B.S. (With that he spat on the ground at the thought of the Arm trash)

Unexpected, the shock of a sudden stop threw all four guards onto the floor, who then later rushed to check on their so called cargo. Sitting there unruffled because of his restraints he gave each guard a cold hard and impenetrable glance until one by one they looked away. Shying away they all walked briskly to the bridge for landing procedures.

Part 3

 The bay doors creaked with protest from age. Marching out were two Zeus's followed by the prisoner, who was chained to a hover dolly, with a cautious and respective distance followed the other two Zeus's.

 "Locke. How good that you could join us here," said the pleasant yet commanding voice of Admiral Vadimer.
"Did I have..."
With that the Admiral nodded and Zeus 410 slugged the prisoner for good measure.

 After all this the Zeus's left the escort duty heading for main camp to await new orders. Out of watch and hearing Vadimer punched Locke one again when he started to lull back to life.
Grabbing the dolly like a grain of sand Vadimer turned and thought of the Arm's possibilities with this new power, not even noticing that someone had been watching. Its mission complete the Core spy sent its message.

 Intercepted visual lock and audio confirmation of transport of Magi Rebel class warrior

 Sector 4 Seta Arm Western Continent HQ

 Urgent Urgent Urgent

Core Interceptor 021:6 to Core control of galaxy Theta 0

Last Magi known located in Sector 4: Arm central stronghold on Western Continent of planet 1136:04 Alpha

Recommended: Full campaign to capture and copy Magi supernatural powers to make sure Arm does not do so also.

Request: Commander class warrior

 Probability of Arm already copying powers: 46.99%

 Probability that this is last Magi warrior: 78.21%

 Probability there is no Magi warrior: 00.00%

 Probability of Arm survivability of full Core campaign: 00.93%

 Core Control of Theta 0 to Interceptor 021:6

 Request for commander class warrior accepted, it will arrive in eight local months. Initial core force on planet 001 will be ready in two local months and transport in one local year.

All nano programs are being transmitted to Outpost leader 023 and contact with it will relay these to commander upon arrival.

 End Transmission

 Coming to, Locke heard a hushed voice. "He will not tell of how his powers work, sir. And anything else I could do would kill him."
Off to his left a booming voice which he knew all too well startled him awake. "Keep trying, we can't allow this chance to slip. If your techniques don't work we'll dispose of him. We may not be able to extract his powers by common means but we all know how the Core could. Give him an ultimatum, if he tells or teaches you how he does what he does we give him citizenship, and if not kill him."
The massive footfalls were still booming when the Doctor talked to his patient for the first time while he was conscious.
"Ah, you're awake. Hello. I'm Dr. Sarindo. I would like to begin..." After the flash of light had died from the lighting gun, Zeus 117 picked up his commander and stored him inside a secret and crude pocket under the real cockpit. Leaving the lab Zues 117 picked up the so-called doctor, and put him on his own table and restrained him. With that he casually went outside of Arm HQ and met a transport that was waiting for them.

Part 4
 
The constant rhythm of the Zues's foot falls were hypnotic
causing Locke to fall asleep. Just the minor fact that
the Zues 117 stopped jolted him awake.

Wondering where he was and who exactly had rescued him.
More than likely it was one of his many battle hardened veterans
of the Rinan Campaign. In the time span of only a year
they had located him on Roenix. Light years away from
their devastated and occupied planet his men must have taken
great risk in coming to free him. A voice echoed through the suit
"Commander I see you are awake. Debriefing is in one hour."
The voice was light yet hardened and another thing something
inhuman in comparison. I had always taught my soldiers to feel yet
not show it. And what of this debriefing? What has happened to the
rebellion since my absence?

With a big hiss and the sound of something being locked the Zues was
lifted into a borrowed Atlas. The feeling was that of freefall for a second
then the lurching of gravity returned.
At the push of the unknown pilot's button the cargo compartment was
opened and Locke came face to face with relief. Standing in front of him
was not only his first commander in the Slavue Campaign but also his father.
Commander Sontius died 100 years ago and his pattern was thought to be lost
when he was told to fight on Core Prime. His tall stern battle hardened looks
couldn't mask his feelings. In his jubilation Locke took them to be joy but
to see deeper he would have seen something inhuman in those eyes a cold burning
triumph.

"Father I thought the Arm had erased your pattern after your treason on Core
Prime which started our rebellion. After your death at the hands of X the Core
Commander I thought you gone forever," shaken knees and nerves he collapsed.
Ill was his timing on realization. His collapse was a ruse for he saw the even
more dreaded symbol of the Core on the transport wall. Thinking up escape and his
options which were pretty grim indeed he willing meet his fainted blackness.

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"What! How'd you let him out of here?! You incompetent ingrate! Space Venture Comm
this is Vadimer at HQ seal off the plane. Prisinor class 1 stolen," turning to the
crowd of sub-commanders ,"Boys were going hunt'n, and get that excuse of a doctor destroyed".

One faithful sub commander attempted it but the doctor just screamed "For the Rebellion!!!"
before he blew himself and the sub commander with his internal psycho bomb.

Knowing and having seen it before the Admiral ducked into the hallway. The shattering blast
destroyed the lab, its creations, all its findings, and one hell of a sub-commander.

Salvaging himself Vadimer started barking more orders,"Venture Comm Alert 1 Alert 1 repeat
Rebel forces on planet. This planet needs to be tighter than a drum".

"Copy that Admiral Omega Delta in action. Theta Zero is scrambled to intercept all unknowns,"
The screams of a wing of hawks could be heard reaching mach speeds in seconds.
With a great feeling of betrayal the Admiral was grinning at his new thought. "Time I killed
that Lunarian reject".
 
Part 5

Relay Message Along Spy Route Beta 002-9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Core
Spy to Commander 6

Mission: Accomplished. Magi Warrior in Core control
Status: Presence not detected. With Zeus stolen k-bot Core has not revealed itself on Roenix.
Arm believes it was Rebel rescue 93%. Probability of Arm sending out scramble force 88%.
100% of atmospheric planet systems are operational.

Request: Orders on escape procedure
Orders on opening powers of Magi Warrior
Reinforcements to aid in escape

Commander 6 to Core Spy

Request on orders for escape being transmitted
Request to tap Magi powers denied
Reinforcements request denied none available at present time

Orders: Follow transmitted route
Keep radio silence ALAP
DO NOT KILL MAGI WARRIOR
Main objective: KEEP MAGI WARRIOR UNDER CORE CONTROL AND ALIVE

TRANSMISSION END
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Osprey Lead questioned why he and his Hawk wings needed to hunt for one lone prisoner.
What's the point, what could one man have done to be so important? Distracting his attention
from his musings the radio barked into life.

"Lead this is Osprey 12, some really weird stuff is going on in grid 9. Bright flashes reported by
all of Osprey wing and it looks to be some straggling transport is in the their cross hairs."

"Sir Osprey 2 here. Should we check it out sir? What are your orders on gird 9 sir? Sir? Sir!
"What? Heck ya! That transport could be those Rebels we're looking for or ever worse a
transport of our own. Whichever it won't be able to hurt us so we guard it anyway necessary
from that force. Scramble pattern Lotus 3converge in diamond delta formation along the z axis of
grid 9, 3…..2…..1…..BURN, Go, Go, GO!"
The screams of the hawk squadron were booming in the silence of the valley. Breaking peace
speed limits they sped at mach speeds to grid 9.

Looking onto the battered battlefield Osprey Lead saw platoon after platoon of an unknown
army and its massive ground forces. Watching from above he couldn't see what they were trying
to do. They shot around the transport but never at it. Atlases are slow but even with the best
pilot it should be gone by now. Then it just flitted by and he saw why it had stayed alive.
Mounted onto its back were some new engines. Now why would they shot around it? Capture
that new unit? The army doesn't look familiar at all. Well if they are trying to capture are new unit
they all must be secret Core k-bots and vehicles.

"This is Osprey Lead to all audible Osprey fighters. Core army sited. Army's purpose presumed
to be capture of important Atlas class transport. New mission protect and guard new unit until it
reaches a safe zone."

The screams of engines and booms of missiles could be heard throughout grid 9. Going down
left and right Osprey fighters splashed into the sea of an army not even denting it or relenting its
salvo. Only one jet started to flee.

Seeing his mistake Osprey Lead watched in horror as his wingmen were shot down one after
another. Raising his radio Osprey Lead was going to issue a retreat but the missile that came
from the new Atlas sliced through his plane. In his last seconds before impact he saw the symbol
of the supposed Core army. Rebels.

A smoke plume caught the attention of the Rebel commander "Well splash one for that Core
thieves. They'll not leave any witnesses" He walked to the wreckage to find what he was looking
for.

A figure climbed out of the wreckage. Osprey Lead turned at a slight noise. Seeing it wasn't
anything he searched to find the med kit. A shadow fell over him and the ching of that all known
sound brought him to look up. Looking straight into the Rebel commander's D-gun Osprey Lead
muttered one oath and then ceased to exist.

Part 6

Arm command HQ Roenix Western Continent
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"Sir Osprey, Tiger, Swallow, Baron and Omega wings are missing and most likely gone. The
Southern continent has given no communication since the abduction. Satellites, radar, and all
forces cannot penetrate the Southern continent. Request orders Admiral."

It's too subtle to be. They haven't ever been detected or seen at that matter. If they have they
must have destroyed all witnesses. Possibly that was the fate of Osprey, Tiger, Swallow and the
other wings. The silence in the room and the anxious eyes of his XO brought Admiral Vadimer
back to reality and out of his musings.

"The unknown forces in the southern continent have been too subtle to be Core. An old
nightmare is back. We thought our prisoner was the last Lunarian Rebel but it seems that was
wrong. Send out a distress beacon to the outer atmosphere. The fire's in the over and without
anyone else we're cooked."

Madly scrambling the XO went to send a beacon. Falling back into his chair Admiral Vadimer
finally showed his sleep depravation, grief, and most of all his fear. The wrinkles appeared more
and more as he thought. His thoughts were filled with the past. That long ago nightmare which
now seems like today.

"Sir what do we do?" "Sir what are your orders" "Mayday Mayday" "This is Bravo Sam to
anyone, the Rebels are closing in we need…….."
"Sir reinforcements are gone, were all that's….."

Bolting awake in frightful screams Vadimer remembered the Lunarian Campaign. He had been in
Comm service then. The last message he heard before he became a commander was from an
unknown commander and his small troop while he was asking for reinforcements. To this day he
hears that thinking of their dying cries without names. The intercom switched on "Sir we're ready
in the briefing room."

Climbing up Vadimer put on his mask of authority, and walked through his door with shaken
knees. His fear was even more then the time he worked the Comm for now instead of hearing
the cries he would send and create those cries. The only hope he had was that his would not be
added into the melee.