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[tiberius-ttd]

Causing Miner Problems

Tiberius:

I am able to pull up video footage of the simulator room on the bridge. I smirk, as I both watch and sense the increasing terror of the hybrids. For a moment, I am tempted to play to their fears, add some mutated swine into the simulation… However, I manage to quell the instinct. It is a desire that stems from emotions, and hence weak, to take pleasure from an enemy’s suffering. (The only exception is the Abomination, whose suffering is a goal in and of itself.) I remove all sentiment from my mind, and return to seeing the hybrids simply as minor threats that need to be eliminated.

Once their fear has reached an optimal level, I forewarn my brothers outside the room, before opening the doors. [As the hybrids run out screaming, Claudius and Quirinus attack, but leave some for Gaius, so he has a respectable ‘body count’.]

Soon enough, the telepathic field is cleansed of hybrids, and I only sense the minds of my kin. I order Quirinus and another brother to check the hibernation pods, just in case any hybrids were clever enough to hide away, but my confidence is high that we have the ship. I summon the rest of my brothers back to the bridge, to prepare for the next stage of our plan.

“Now there are simply the hybrids on the surface to contend with. With two hive ships, we far out-gun them, so I doubt they will pose much of a threat. Nonetheless, things may go more smoothly if we can convince the prisoners on the planet to assist us. There are speakers in the mines (normally used for giving instructions) that we can access from this hive, so we can easily send out a message to them. Gaius, what do you suggest that we say?”

I ask him, since he was the most eager to form ‘allies’ in the debate. Perhaps this will make his message ‘friendlier’, and hence more convincing, than if myself or Claudius attempted to compose it.

[tiberius-ttd]

Causing Miner Problems

Tiberius:

While the others hunt down the remaining crew members, I stay on the bridge to maintain control of the ship. I have a drone put down the unconscious hybrids in the room with a knife- hardly the most honourable of deeds, but it must be done to ensure no future interruptions.

I follow the hunt through the eyes of my brothers, and notice the last few remaining hybrids have decided to hide in the simulator room. Quirinus, of course, makes to rush into the room without hesitation. However, I order him to stop before he can enter, along with the others.

((There is some trap to this, no doubt. Allow me to turn it to our favour.))

If the hybrids wish to fight us in the simulator room, I’m sure I can grant them their request…

I check to see what access I have from the bridge. Unfortunately, I cannot change the key settings from non-lethal to lethal, but I can add to the simulation, as well as opening and closing the doors to the room. I notice the newest simulation option, both angered and amused as I read my own name. I almost pity the hybrids; Michael can only have based it on what he recalls of our time together. I’m sure the fools will be brimming with confidence at being able to beat ‘Tibby’, but sadly for them I am no longer our sister’s mind-wiped lackey. Although, even that puppet of a man should be enough to terrify these pathetic hybrids…

I add a hundred of ‘myself’ into whatever simulation the hybrids were running, and slam the doors shut.

((Let’s leave them to enjoy their little fantasy world for a short while. Then, when I give the command, be ready for when the doors open.))

[tiberius-ttd]

Causing Miner Problems

Tiberius:

As the ship nears our first destination, I check that everyone is prepared.

Tacitus has finished his task of making it appear as though we have battle damage to our life support system. He and the other scientists are now hibernating, so that they will not be detected by the other hive’s sensors and beamed over when the time comes. As for the soldiers, they are split between the control room and the dart bay. Should the other hive not fall for our ruse, then we are ready to take the hive by other means.

Once we drop out of hyperspace, I nod to Quirinus to begin communications (audio only, of course) with the other hive. I refrain myself, just in case the Abomination is using voice-recognition technology as part of his search for me. He may even have searches out for other high-ranking soldiers, like Claudius and Gaius, but I doubt he even remembers who Quirinus is. I watch on tensely, hoping he can make it through the message I wrote for him without mispronouncing anything.

(Quirinus): “We encountered a small group of… ‘Bain One’ rebels not far from here. We defeated them, but took some battle damage, including to our life support system. We have little breathable air remaining, and request immediate transport of our whole crew over to your ship.”

I hold the stun rods ready in my hand, and glare at the console, waiting for the other hive to reply. There are a few apprehensive seconds of silence, but then the captain of the other hive gives the affirmative. I see a bright light, before the familiar feeling of my body being de- and re-materialised.

(Hybrid Captain): “What ha- OH MY KI-!”

I slam the stun rods together, cutting off his reaction of horror to the fact that we are all green, and hence the Abomination’s ‘brothers’. I look around to see that we are all on the bridge of the hive.

“Disable the ship’s transport system, to prevent back-up from the planet coming aboard. Then track down any remaining members of the crew.” A good number seem to have been on the bridge, but I still sense some conscious minds scattered throughout the ship…

[tiberius-ttd]

Causing Miner Problems

Tiberius:

I am pleased that neither Claudius nor Gaius protested to sharing command. Then again, I do not believe that anyone wishes to see more infighting after what transpired those few days ago…

Gaius asks me about supplies.

“Another wise question. Yes, we will take whatever can be salvaged with minimal risk. Food in particular will be crucial. Hive ships can now remain in hyperspace for much longer periods, so the only times we will be forced to emerge are when we run out of essential supplies. This will likely be one of our key weaknesses moving forward, so any supplies we can gather now will be an asset later on.”

Since food is brought up, Hypnos informs us that he has identified a number of problematic compounds present in the food onboard. Nevertheless, he is confident that he will be able to come up with remedies to the worst of the compounds over the coming days. That is good news indeed, I sense a number of the crew including Gaius are currently fasting. It would be a difficult choice indeed, to choose between starving to death or becoming ‘high’ on love for the Abomination.

Tacitus has no further news on Project Never Land (quite probably because he was writing Quirinus’s report for him last night), and unsurprisingly Quirinus has nothing further to contribute either.

“If that is all, then I shall instruct the drones to chart a course to the cobalt planet.”

One of the damned things asked me for a ‘name’ earlier on- it seems the hybrid corruption was not just limited to my siblings! I of course told it that the request was ridiculous, and to remember its place. I am not too worried, however, since I’m sure a handful of drones could hardly cause any large problems ;)

“Hypnos, continue your work on the food. Tacitus, begin work on the life support deception. Everyone else, prepare for battle.”

[tiberius-ttd]

Causing Miner Problems

Tiberius:

After I have read the reports, I call another meeting. I send Gaius rare praise, I was most impressed with his report! Quirinus’s less so… most of it was clearly written by Tacitus. However, the information is useful; at least he knows how to delegate when he isn’t up to a task.

Once everyone has arrived, I present to them a more detailed plan of attack.

“Altogether, we have three main targets; the cobalt mining world, Malevolum, and the Tulco system asteroids. The asteroids will clearly be the most difficult target; they are close enough to a secure area to cause concern. On the other hand, the cobalt planet will likely be the easiest to attack, since it is in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, this is the planet we shall strike first.”

I was reasonably confident that this planet should be an easy victory, given what I had learned of its defences. This information had not been included in Quirinus’s report, most likely because it was not listed in the hive’s database. All that contained was the names of the captains in charge of the planets. Nevertheless, after venturing back onto that deplorable ‘Mhy Space’ app, I was able to glean most of the relevant details from the captains’ ‘status updates’ and ‘selfie posts’.

“The cobalt world currently has only one hive ship, and this always stays in orbit, for fear of prisoner escape. There are not even any darts present on the surface, instead guards are beamed to and from the hive. Hence, we take this ship, and the planet will be ours. Note, however, that I do not want the hive ship destroyed. Most of the prison guards are needed on the surface, so the crew on the ship is minimal. I believe a small party of skilled fighters will be enough to take care of them.”

I sense Claudius’s excitement at finally fighting hybrids again in close combat. It has been a LONG time indeed! I remember the good old days, battling alongside Rubyrose, we had MANY victories… before she was captured… ;)

“Once we have destroyed the cobalt mines and ‘freed’ the wretched prisoners, we shall move on to our next two targets. I shall take our current hive to Malevolum, which is one hour away from the cobalt world and with similar defences. If Michael is still unaware of our activities at this point, I will ensure the guards on this world are able to send a signal to him. That should cause him to send hives to our position, perhaps including some from the nearby Tulco system…”

“Meanwhile, Claudius and Gaius, if all goes well then you shall take the hive ship acquired from the cobalt world. You can fly this to the Tulco asteroid system, which is a two-hour jump. By the time you arrive, Michael and his forces should be well-distracted. Be discreet, and you may manage to destroy a number of targets before being detected. I will leave the finer details of this attack up to the two of you to judge at the time. My only orders are to proceed with extreme caution, and to jump to hyperspace the moment you have any doubts.”

Claudius eyes Gaius, wondering how he will react to the idea of working together after their earlier clash in the debate.

[tiberius-ttd]

Be Prepared

Tiberius:

I hiss when Gaius refers to the Abomination as ‘our brother’. That thing is NOT Lastlight.

“If you are referring to Michael, then I cannot imagine there is much he will be able to do. He does not know our location. He may even still believe us to be on Reign Storm, if those who chose to ‘go it alone’ have not yet been captured. And if they have been captured, or Marcellus and Caelus are still alive… It would be foolish of him to use them against us. He lured me in once with the threat of a hostage, and he knows me well enough to know that I do not repeat my mistakes.”

What happened with Vipsania… I will never allow to happen again.

(Hypnos): “What… would you have me do, Commander?”

Ah yes, I have not yet assigned the biologists with orders. There is one matter that I consider more pressing than other potential projects I could assign them.

“When I was held prisoner, I heard talk of there being certain substances in the human food. These can supposedly induce loyalty towards the Abomination, if consumed in large enough doses. I would have you investigate the validity these claims, and if they are indeed true, create an antidote. Until then, the crew will be on limited rations.”

I had already taken the precaution of ejecting all consumable alcohol onboard, since from my experience that substance seemed particularly mind-altering and dangerous ;)

[tiberius-ttd]

Be Prepared

Tiberius:

I am pleased that not all of my brothers choose optimism over reason. Gaius suggests that the message Tacitus intercepted could be deception.

“That is my concern, too. I do not think it would be wise to chart a course to this location before we gain further knowledge. Tacitus, since you were the one who discovered the message, I leave this task up to you. Investigate what you can of the coordinates using the ship’s map. Then run a search for this Queen Saturn, for I do not recall such a Queen.”

It is possible that she is a younger Queen. I only kept track of those old and powerful enough to command their own hives, and my knowledge is now a century out of date. Nevertheless, the idea of a young Queen managing to outwit the Abomination, when all others failed, seems unlikely.

Tacitus bows his head at my instruction, and has nothing further to say. I therefore turn my attention to the task at hand.

“I know this war may seem impossible to many of you. The Abomination has greater numbers, both in hive ships and men, and such an advantage is traditionally how the wraith have achieved victory. However, we are not without our own advantages. Greater numbers mean a greater range of targets we can attack, whilst it will be nearly impossible for the Abomination to discover our location.”

How fortunate I was that Nala had run away with that diseased alien not long after my awakening. I had witnessed first-hand Michael do all in his power to track her down, only to run out of options. Had she not reached out, I do not believe he would have been able to find her ship for quite some time.

“Furthermore, technological advancement is sure to have made him grow complacent. In my own two weeks as a prisoner, the ‘main hive’ had to be changed many times. Replacing destroyed or compromised ships was easy for him at the time; perhaps in the future he will not have that luxury.”

I only hope that the ‘rebels’ keep up their never-ending onslaught of attempted kidnappings and explosions ;)

“Evening the odds in terms of resources should be our primary strategy. I took the first step in this, when I laid waste to Ophelia. With so few females left, the Abomination will be reliant on cloning to uphold his numbers. Additionally, as you pointed out earlier, Gaius, the hive ships now contain a number of inorganic technologies. These must be produced, rather than grown as the old ships were. Hence, both processes will rely on manufacturing chains.”

And every chain has a weakest link.

“The Abomination may anticipate attack at the end of these chains; the planet facilities where clones and hive ships are produced. I would expect such planets to be heavily guarded, thus difficult targets to attack. Nevertheless, the earlier parts of the chains are a different story entirely. I learned that many of the lowest jobs in the kingdom are carried out by prisoners, in so-called ‘forced-labour camps’. I believe this includes mines, where many of the raw materials needed to make both clones and hives are likely extracted. These planets will be guarded, yes, but with the aim of preventing prisoners from escaping. I doubt they will be expecting an attack from space.”

Security on these worlds may even be lax, given the number of other important targets Michael will no doubt want to protect. I’m sure he’s ensuring that ‘Safe Zone #2’ lives up to its name, more so than the first safe zone did.

“Then there are the prisoners themselves. Given their predicament, I doubt they hold much loyalty to the Abomination. They may be persuaded to assist us in our destruction of these worlds. We need not make a formal alliance with them.”

I glance at Claudius as I say this, remembering his stance from the debate, and then to Gaius as I continue my point.

“However, if we focus our attacks on their jailers and leave them unscathed, that could allow for some… misinterpretation of our aims, on their behalf. Given a chance, I’m sure they would inflict much damage to both the guards and the facility itself. Any who manage to escape would cause further strife for the Abomination. Meanwhile, those who stay behind will be as good as our own garrison in protecting the planet from Michael’s forces. And all without any effort or risk on our side.”

[tiberius-ttd]

Be Prepared

Tiberius:

The soldiers give me their reports first.

One speaks of the simulation room. I am already aware of its existence after ‘game room’ and ‘movie day’ trivialities, but it appears to have more practical uses as well. The fact that the Abomination’s hybrids have access to such technology, yet are still so poorly trained, further highlights their inferior nature. I expect greater things from my brothers.

Gaius brings up the non-organic components of the new hive design, and I nod sharply.

“A good finding Gaius, one that will be key to our future strategy.”

One of the younger soldiers, Quirinus, was brave enough to venture into the Abomination’s personal quarters. Just when I’d thought his depravity could reach no lower depths, Quirinus reports that he found… a freezer full of the heads of our lost Queens! I sense utter disgust fill many minds, and have to quell my own nausea before I can think of how best to deal with the issue.

“When we are next near a star, and not under attack, we shall finally give them the respect that they are owed, and eject them into space. Until that time, I will have the drones move them to this ship’s cryogenic chambers, with their own chamber each.”

Those are hardly fitting resting places, but these are difficult times, and the best that I can currently give them.

The other soldiers have little new knowledge to offer, so I turn to my chiefs of science. Hypnos was too distressed to have been productive, yet Tacitus informs us of a surprising discovery.

(Tacitus): “Whilst I was minding the bridge on Reign Storm, I noticed a signal being emitted from Domus on wraith radio frequencies. At first, the signal appeared empty, but then I recalled that wraith have a more acute sense of hearing than hybrids. The human DNA lowers the audible frequency range-”

I reveal a hint of impatience in my mind to Tacitus. On most days the man barely speaks, but when a scientific topic is brought up, he is prone to giving extraneous details.

(Tacitus): “Er, anyway, I boosted the signal, and was able to discern a message.”

(Claudius): “What did it say? Was it wraith in origin?”

I sense hope in many minds, including his, that perhaps there are others out there. Whilst I am not so optimistic, I am curious to hear the contents of the broadcast.

(Tacitus): “It seemed to be. Although the signal was a recording, not live, so there are no guarantees that the speaker is still alive… They identified themselves as Queen Saturn. The message was brief. A set of coordinates were given, along with an instruction: ‘Find Project Never Land.’”

[tiberius-ttd]

Be Prepared

Tiberius:

At long last, I find myself in a position to begin launching a military campaign against the Abomination!

The number of hurdles I had to cross to reach this point… Not least of which dealing with my own brothers! First the ruckus on the old hive, and then correcting certain problematic behaviours I had witnessed in my key allies.

I’d needed to have a discussion with Hypnos once he awoke… After his speech, I could tell he wished for death as a relief from his guilt. Nevertheless, I reminded him that such an action would only leave the rest of his brothers at a disadvantage. He is the best biological scientist the hive has, after all. Fortunately, both his mind and resolve were weak, and caved easily under pressure. I do not expect any more trouble from him in that regard.

Nor do I expect further disobedience from Claudius, after our private conversation…

We walk together to Michael’s version of a throne room, a ‘meeting room’. Usually I would deride his modern creations. However, in this case, I think the Zenana will flow more smoothly without the presence of an empty throne…

Only upon arrival, do I send out a summons to those whose presence is required for the Zenana; those highest ranking of the soldiers who chose to join me, including Gaius, as well as my heads of sciences. Before I begin the meeting in earnest, I ask for a status report from each of them.

“As I am sure you will have observed, Michael’s hive ships have many differences to our own. Which areas have you explored thus far, and what findings have you made?”

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

Gaius asks me whether Michael can bring our parents ‘back to life’. I speak to reassure myself as well as him.

((I am sure it is not beneath him to have found a method of reanimating corpses… Nevertheless, our parents are dead. Whatever caricatures he creates, it will not be them in truth.))

Although it will still be nauseating to witness, nonetheless…

The drones fly the darts containing our dematerialised brothers over to the new hive, whilst I board a transport ship with Gaius and Tacitus. Tacitus eyes Gaius nervously and keeps his distance; after the fray he is wary of those who spoke out. I tell him to be calm; the debate is behind us, and we are allies now. I address both him and Gaius about what is to happen next.

“It will take time for a number of our brothers to reawaken, once rematerialized. Until they do, those of you who are awake are free to do as you wish. I understand that you all have… a lot to process… Once all are ready, I will call a meeting of the Zenana, and I expect you both to attend. There we will discuss plans for our first strike against the Abomination.”

As soon as we arrive at the new hive, I instruct the drones to report to the bridge and take us into hyperspace. We have lingered here long enough.

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

Aellius informs me that he has his own mission, and it is different from my own. I scoff internally that he considers my mission to be ‘suicidal’. Yet he believes he will succeed at rescuing Marcellus and Caelus from the heart of Michael’s kingdom. The hybridisation process has truly left many beyond the reach of logic…

Nevertheless, I am satisfied that I have done my duty. Aellius’ mind is settled, there is nothing more I can do for him. I do not expect to see him alive again.

“Very well. Then this is where we part ways. Goodbye, Aellius.”

I stun him until I sense his mind is unconscious once more. I take a last look at the floor, at the brothers I will be leaving behind, and push down any emotions that attempt to surface. They were dead the moment Nala tainted them with the Abomination’s drugs… There was nothing else I could have done… Surely Mother and Father would have thought the same, would not be disappointed in me…

At the thought of my parents, I connect with Tacitus, and discover some disturbing news. I had sent him to destroy our parents’ remains. Normally I would have launched them into a star, but given the circumstances, burning up in the atmosphere of Domus would still have been an honourable end. The task should have been done long ago, but I had held off- NOT out of an emotional inability to ‘let go’ as so many of my brothers believed, but because I needed their DNA to fix the damage done to Alana… There was, of course, no need for that anymore… And given my ex-brothers’ reckless plans, I had wished to ensure that the Abomination could not get his filthy hands on their DNA, could not corrupt them as he had the rest of my family…

Yet I was too late... Tacitus tells me that the cryogenic chambers are empty, there is no sign of either of them… That little FREAK, is there nothing in my life he will not twist and ruin?! Even what is already dead?!

…It takes me a few moments to regain my composure. I alert Gaius to the news, so that he does not think me prone to fury for no good reason.

((Our parents… Michael has taken their remains…))

It is the final blow, and I am ready to leave this ship. I summon Tacitus to the dart bay. I consider taking all of the drones; we have so few, and any left here will surely be a waste… and yet… I will not let it be said that I left my brothers completely without aid. I leave them one ;)

((Come, Gaius, it is time to leave this place…))

I bid him to follow me to the dart bay, along with three of the drones.

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

I sigh as Aellius yells at me… he is hardly the first to have had such a reaction, but at least he will be the last. He asks whether he did not make his viewpoint clear in the debate.

“Resoundingly. Yet it is my duty, as your eldest brother, to give you a chance at survival, nonetheless.”

Anticipating what he may snap at me, I say to him.

“I gave Alana a chance, it might interest you to know… Even after she failed to deal with Michael, when we brought him before her in the throne room… Even then, I was willing to try again. To wipe her memory and start anew. However, she used my own drug against me, and demanded a cure. I knew I had little time left; whether Michael executed me, or turned me into some mindless freak in revenge, I would essentially be dead. I presumed we all would be, except her. All I had the power to do, before the drug took effect, was to spare her from the fate of returning to a freak herself.”

I had told myself that I would not plead my case yet again to my brothers… Perhaps it is because Aellius is the last I will speak to… But that is enough.

“In any case, you are not the same as our sister, Aellius. You are not without your memories. You know who Michael is, and the many horrors he has inflicted- not only on our own family, but our entire species. The things he has done to us… were hardly out of mercy…” I try not to go back to that day in my head, the blood, her screaming… “Above all else, I would see him destroyed. Any who share that cause are welcome to follow me. But should you wish to stay here, I will not stop you.”

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

I nod at Gaius’ answer.

((Very well.))

I awaken the younger soldiers next. Some had supported Claudius during the debate, some had favoured Brazen Torch. However, alone and without the backing of their older siblings, fear takes over for many, and they seek my support once more. The older soldiers are a different matter. A few, like Gaius, are willing to see reason. But most refuse to follow me, for one reason or another, be it moral conviction, or ambitions to power in my absence. In any case, I make no effort to convince those who are reluctant; I will not bring any onto the new ship that I cannot trust. I simply stun them, and move on.

As for the scientists, I expect them to follow their chiefs, so the only one I awaken is Tacitus. I have to track him down in the corridors, since he had left the meeting early. So spineless… and yet it is not his spine that I require, but his brain. As I expected, he is easily convinced. He is a cautious, logical man, and while I feel a pang of sorrow in his mind for those he knew best… Caelus, Alana… he chooses the option that will provide him and his men the most stability. The future on this ship is so much less certain, after all, whilst Tacitus knows what it is to work for me.

Given that he is one of the least emotional of my brothers, I send him off to take care of a… special task… for me, whilst I return to the hibernation chamber. Besides Gaius, all those who agreed to join me have already either left, or been taken to the dart bay for dematerialisation. It appears the time has finally come to awaken Aellius.

Before I do, I have two of the drones hold his arms by his sides so he cannot attack.

((Just a precaution.))

I reassure Gaius, before reaching into Aellius’ mind and pulling him back to conscious awareness.

“You are not under attack, Aellius, I simply wish to talk.”

I wait to see how he responds before informing him of my offer.

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

Gaius seems to believe that Aellius is a lost cause.

((I hope for his sake that you are wrong. In any case, I will give him the opportunity to choose. Though perhaps it is best to leave him for last, should there be problems.))

Gaius tells me that he is still upset over our sister, but recognises that I am wisest choice for Commander.

((It is promising, to hear you are making decisions rationally. I believe you worthy of a place on the Zenana [the wraith high council thing Legacy introduced]. You may report to the other hive. Or if you truly feel that Aellius will not wish to join us, you may wait and… bid him farewell…))

I leave the decision up to him, and prepare to wake up another of the soldiers.

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

Gaius asks for more information; understandable, given how confusing these past moments have been.

((I would have you do what you have always done; serve the hive as a soldier. As for my tactics, I will hold a strategy meeting once I know how many men are willing to serve the cause, and discuss the details there. But suffice to say, having the underhand in resources, guerrilla warfare must be employed for the time being.))

The Abomination may have a foothold in the galaxy, yet that leaves me with a plethora of targets to choose from. Even he cannot guard every planet at all times. And if we are smart about where we target…

It seems Gaius still has faith in me as Commander, unlike some of the others.

((I am glad you are willing to listen to reason. Do not fret over Claudius, he will follow my orders, once I speak with him… My concern lies with those such as Aellius. I fear his anger may cloud his better judgement, and there is every chance he will reject my offer. What would you do, if he chooses to remain here?))

Gaius and Aellius are close; I wonder if he would try to convince him to join me, or would he stay with him on this ship?

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Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

After using the stun rod, I drop the device and reach for my stunner. I fire a few shots at those with the strongest builds, including Gaius, Aellius, Brazen Torch, and Claudius. To think I would have to use such measures on my own brothers! It was truly disturbing, to see them so corrupted from the hybridisation process… I had even lost myself there, for a moment… But talk of returning to the heart of the Abomination’s territory, along with observing Hypnos under attack, had helped me to regain my true instincts. I am not afraid to die, but I will NOT be the Abomination’s prisoner once more.

Nor will I forget a debt owed to my brother. Hypnos may have been overcome this past moment, but he had held his nerve when it mattered most. If not for his actions, we would ALL be suffering. I would not see him punished by those he had sacrificed much to save. My brothers were too emotional that they could not see that he- that we both- did what needed to be done.

It is clear to me now that they are too weak to survive without my guidance. I had tried to make preparations in case of my demise, had trained Claudius… Yet shamefully he had declared to all that he did not wish to lead. As for the other contenders… their plans would have seen our entire family dead or back in the hands of the Abomination within a week. I cannot allow that to happen.

I do not consider myself a man above the law. Yet the purpose of such things is for the good of wraithkind. If exiling myself would only doom my brothers to a fate worse than death, then for their sakes, I must remain.

Not on this ship, regrettably. ‘Reign Storm’ is heavy with the history of our family… but sentiment is yet another weakness I have learned must be resisted… I will take the new hive, and bequeath Reign Storm to those brothers who would let past sentiment destroy them. Brothers like Brazen Torch… so much wasted potential there, yet I know he will never follow me again. I must let him go, as I let go of Lastlight and Alana, Marcellus and Caelus, and focus my attention on those who may yet be saveable.

I summon three of the drones to assist me with preparations. Those whose loyalty I can be certain of- Hypnos, Claudius, a handful more- I order the drones carry over to the dart bay, ready for transport to the new ship. As for the rest… I will present them with the same choice I gave to Marcellus and Caelus. To follow me as I embark on this war, or be left behind. I have the drones disarm those who are left, before I begin to awaken them, one by one.

I start with Gaius. I reach into his mind, and pull it back into consciousness. I am quick to reassure him, since I am sure my sudden attack could be misconstrued as having a more nefarious purpose.

((Be calm, it is not my intention to harm you, nor any on this ship.))

Now that we are alone, without the bad influences of our most afflicted brothers, I prepare my case for Gaius to hear. For a moment, I am reminded of Nala, of being in a cell on this very ship as she presented me with her ‘offer’... But I am not the same as her. I am not peddling propaganda for the Abomination, and I am not so foolhardy as to expect all to comply.

((I understand that my recent actions may seem… extreme, to so many of you. But we are now at war, Gaius. Sacrifices- heavy sacrifices- have led us to this point, and I would not see them go to waste. Vanquishing the Abomination, and restoring natural order to the galaxy, those are goals that must come before all else. Perhaps, even at times, the law… That is surely what the rest of our kind would have wished for; our parents, our fallen brothers... And I have plans, beyond doomed rescue missions and petty infighting. Should you wish to be a part of those plans, you are welcome to follow me. Else, I will leave you here, to govern yourself however you see fit. The choice is yours.))

[tiberius-ttd]

Wraithlike Stirrings

Tiberius:

I had believed the freak show would be over when I escaped from Michael, yet now here I stand, watching my brothers as they each fall apart in their own ways.

Any respect that Gaius had for wraith culture seems to have vanished along with his feeding hand. What little backbone Aellius has left is easily swayed by whoever shouts the loudest. Tacitus declares that he is “done with this”, and scurries back to his lab like the coward he is. I am surprised Hypnos does not follow him, I’ve sensed his panic rising these past moments as he presumably fears he will be the next target of this inquest. And, most outlandish of all, Brazen Torch believes my deeds to be worse than Michael’s, and is demanding my head. At first I assume that he is using this situation to his advantage, attempting to overthrow me for the sake of his own ambitions. However, it is weakness rather than a lust for power that I sense in his mind. Claudius presses on; I pity him, that he is the only one who seems to be keeping a rational mind.

(Claudius): “Just because some laws are mute, due to our current nature, does not make them all so! Of course we must uphold the laws concerning alien interaction! If we gain a victory through such means, then Michael will not truly have been defeated, but rather we will have inherited his ideals ourselves!”

It seems that few are listening to him, however. Even the scientists only support him as they believe that he will be gentler with them as Commander than Brazen Torch.

For a while I am speechless. All that I have risked, all that I have sacrificed, all for these men… and this is what it has come to… It is so beyond words, so terrible… If Michael could see us all now, he would probably laugh…

I find myself laughing, more than I ever have before, but it is devoid of humour and mirth.

“The things I have done, to keep you safe and alive… all those unspeakable deeds… and I see that it was all for nought. You are all CHILDREN who know NOTHING of what the galaxy is now! If not for my aid, Michael would have murdered you all a long time ago! And I doubt it will take him long to do so now...”

The thought of my brothers being killed- that final blow after so many losses- brings with it a hollowness that stops the laughter. In its place is distain for those I see as most responsible for leading the group astray. Those who deem me the bigger enemy than the abomination. I turn my attention to Brazen Torch first, and meet his gaze.

“It is true, Brazen Torch, that I killed Nala. But the sister that you knew was gone the moment that Michael took the ship. It was her that turned us all into hybrids, not him, and she would have made you serve and bow to him, one by one. You need never forgive me for my actions, so long as you remember that, without them, you would not be here now as a free man. ALL of you, ALL that you have left of yourselves is because of ME!”

Next I turn to Aellius, who cannot even look at me, and give a pointed glare, before addressing all of the men.

“You all stand there, raining down judgement! Not only upon myself, but sickeningly upon our deceased Mother, for decisions we took on behalf of the hive! Yet when have any of you ever had to make a choice of such significance? You now stand on the precipice of truly being Queenless men with no Commander, and soon you will learn what that means! If none of you can muster enough backbone to do what must be done in times of need, then you will soon find yourselves on your knees before your enemy! And with no one left to come and save you from the darkness!”

Claudius connects with me, begging me to stop, that this is hardly helping my cause. But that no longer matters to me, because for the first time in my life, I am FREE of any responsibility.

“I am no longer your Commander, that much is clear. So the decision is yours, brothers. Battle Michael, hide from him, attempt to join him… I’m sure he would be applauding YOU right now, Brazen Torch, were he to hear your words… it is entirely up to you. And if you wish to kill me, then do so and with my blessing! The truth is I wished to die a long time ago. The only reason I chose to carry on was to put an end to Michael, and to defend all of you. So if you no longer desire my protection, and I cannot be allowed to battle Michael in exile, then death will be most welcome.”

Claudius takes a step in front of me, hand on his blade, showing that it will not be ‘most welcome’ with him if Brazen Torch tries anything.

“But whatever you decide, first allow me to share with you all that I witnessed whilst I was a prisoner. Perhaps there will be some knowledge there that will be useful to you all in whatever you choose to do. And so, if you die, it will be through your own poor judgements, NOT because of me!”

I open my mind to them, and give to them ALL the memories I have of the last two weeks.