Rebirth (Original-Free Federation)

[Imperial Overlord]

The Senate
Sandresha
The Free Federation

Gods and ancient heroes had descended to fight among mortal men, but it was common infantry sithi who took the Senate. The Praetorian center and left were crumbling, but it was the right wing that collapsed first. Sithi soldiers moved around to flank the remaining Praetorians while a detachment pushed forward towards the Senate.

Sharehless lead her squad up the hill and under the shield umbrella. The Senate building had been constructed in faux-Roman style complete with white paint and columns. It was, in Sharehless's less than humble opinion, ugly and only its stark simplicity saved it from being completely hideous. In her opinion, only sithi and Lios Elvindar architecture should be used for parliamentary buildings.

Fire lashed out from soldiers hiding behind the columns. Heavy weaponry was contraindicated, so her squad retaliated with seeker shells and shoulder carried beam cannons. Lasers seared the air and blew columns apart as the shielded sithi advanced. Brilliant flashes and loud booms marked the detonations of seeker grenades. Five columns were blasted apart by the blasts which also tore open a six meter wide whole in the outer wall.

A single Praetorian survived the beam volleys and the grenades. The beams cannons blew apart the wall around him. Three struck the Praetorian in the chest and blew his torso apart. A drone darted inside the door, relaying data back to the Sharehless's squad. It was clear. She motioned her troops forward and the entered the Senate.

Crystal light globes cast light over lacquered wood and intricately woven carpets. The floor vibrated under the impact of armoured feet. More soldiers were moving up to join them. "We want them alive," she reminded her people. Clicks of affirmation came from her squad.

Inside the building there wasn't much resistance. The attack had been timed to catch the Senate in session and most of them had remained in the hall. Some had attempted to flee, but most of them were dug out and taken into the Senate chamber either at gun point or by having their stunned bodies dragged in by annoyed soldiers.

The senators milled around the semicircular chamber under the watchful eyes of their guards. The seating was cut up into sections with replaceable seating so that the varying physiologies of the Senators could be accommodated. Fear, outrage, and resignation were recognizable on their faces. The soldiers of the Grand Alliance let them stew.

Dianna strode into the chamber, the light glinting off the silver streak in her black hair and the hilt of Night's Edge projecting over her shoulder. "Illustrious thieves and plunderers of the Free Federation," she cried out, "you must be somewhat dismayed at your present circumstances." Her smile was fierce and white. "I can't say that I feel the same."

"Get on with it, you corpse-whore!" a white haired senator snapped. "I have no stomach to listen to your gloating."

Red light limed her hand and she closed her fist. The man gasped and fell, twitching and moaning. The chamber fell silent. "He'll live," she said, "just nerve induction. Of course, he might not live much longer." It was an easy enough trick even with her current strength.

"I am Dianna Hellborn e'Incaradine e'Kail e'Zarana. I was saved from the hell of Slaver captivity by my lovers Incaradine and Lacana. The Slavers tried their best to make me a thing of horror and torment and they mostly succeeded. I am not a merciful or forgiving woman and it would please me greatly to share your agonized screams with my husband. You deserve no less.

"It is, however, the will of the Grand Alliance that the chance to buy mercy through service be extended to you. It is correctly believed that the lives of Free Federation citizens are more valuable than the excruciations that you so richly deserve. Those that cooperate may even buy a quiet retirement if they perform well enough. Those who do not," she shrugged. "There will be trials and the mind probe. Considering the available evidence, I can say with a certain degree of confidence that those who do not buy mercy can expect the pleasant parts of their lives to be over. Now, who here loves life?"

[LadyTevar]

It would be only the most hide-bound idiot who'd turn down that offer.

[Imperial Overlord]

Tehendrosh
Sandresha
The Free Federation

The aircar howled out of the garage at full speed. The vehicle stayed low, barely above head height, as it zoomed downed streets congested with panicked pedestrians and fleeing vehicles. "Can't this bitch move any faster?" Rhaven snarled at the Praetorian driver.

"I will try, my lord," the driver replied. Rhaven snarled and looked behind him at the Senate buildings that were receding in the distance. He had only been able to Solem with him, but hopefully that should be enough. It would be impossible to prevent the Black from making some use out of captured senators but with the titular head of government still under his control he should be able to avert the worse.

Escape by air car was impossible, of course. Grand Alliance drones had undoubtedly spotted him and elements of their military were undoubtedly moving to encircle the city and prevent any escapes. That didn't matter because the Grand Alliance's own actions were going to enable his escape.

What they had not considered in knocking out every D-scrambler they found was that the scramblers not only prevented the Powers from intervening, they also prevented Rhaven from escaping. He just had to make it far enough away to force open a passage and then drag his prize through to friendly territory. He had lost this battle, but he could still win the war.

He could feel the resistance of the D-scramblers. They weren't far enough yet. "Give us another three kilometers," he said to the driver. If they could just avoid being a targeting priority for just a little longer, he would be free.

The aircar raced towards the outskirts of the city. He could feel the influence of the D-scramblers lessen. "Just a little further," he ordered. He could probably force the breach here, but it would leave him too weak. He needed to get further.

The aircar sped past the last of the buildings and into the countryside. From both the north and the south Rhaven could see the elements of the Grand Alliance forces closing in. "Take us down," he ordered. They were likely to try and take prisoners. He could use that against them.

The car landed by the side of the road. Long fields of grass stretched on either sides of the clogged highway. Rhaven dragged Solem with him. They were more than far enough. He called upon all his power and a black gash appeared in space before him. He shielded both of them and stepped through the gushing clouds of icy missed and into the Between. The rift closed behind him.

Distant lights looked down from a perpetual twilight sky. Dark mist swirled and shifted over a bone white road that cut through a dark plain. Skeletal trees reached for the night sky. Rhaven took a moment to catch his breath. He had used great amounts of power to force the breach and that took more than a little out of him. Breathing heavily, he turned to study the sky and orientate himself, looking for the Blood Edge and the route that would take him into friendly space.

A howl rose from close behind him. He spun around to face it. Then another, off to the left. Then another behind him. The mist rolled away, revealing three wolves the size of ponies with fire in their eyes. He spun around to see a three meter tall lupine warrior walking towards him. He wore rune etched steel plate and carried a two meter long blade.

"It was anticipated that some would seek to flee," said Daemonwulf as he appeared from the mists. "Who better but me and mine to guard the way? You would be Rhodan, yes? And what a fine gift you have brought for us. What a considerate Slaver dog."

"There is only one piece of Slaver shit here and that would be you," said Rhaven. A corona of violet light crackled around him. The sword wielding wolf hurled toward him. Rhaven punched a violet bolt through his chest and blew most of his organs out through the back. A whip of power smashed away the wolf that was leaping at him from behind.

He had made an error. He had focused on the pack and not on the master. Daemonwulf was upon him and then his blade was piercing his chest and spine. Rhaven fell to his knees as wolf jaws closed on his arms, pinning them. Scarlet lightning flashed from Daemonwulf's hand, playing over Rhaven's body. Rhaven shuddered and screamed.

"That should do for a few moments," said Daemonwulf. "Not too many augmentations. Was that for stealth? Doesn't matter." He removed a collection of orichalcum needles and adamantine wire from his shadowcloak. He began to drive the needles into nerve junctions.

"I'm curious," said Daemonwulf, "why didn't you stand and fight. You've very powerful. You might have tipped the scales. Instead you ran. And you're a crappy fighter. How did you get that old and strong without learning better." Then it hit him.

"You're no Slaver. A Slaver would have fought, would have known how to fight. You're really old. You've been getting by on stealth and on brute strength. You don't fight, at least not anymore. Whose enemy are you? Nalhen's? Lamech's? Zerakis? Doesn't matter if you don't talk. Kane or Incaradine will tear it out of you soon enough."

Rhaven trembled in pain and impotent fury. "I am more than you can imagine. Did you every why Daemonstraum turned traitor? Why he murdered his legion and joined the Naomar Kordassi? Who he built the Slaver Empire for? Not for himself. He was my slave, just as you were. I made you. The high and mighty Slaver Lord Autocracy was nothing more than a weapon forged to do my will." He took on the Voice of Command. "You will obey your master."

"That piece of conditioning was removed long ago," said Daemonwulf. He hauled Rhaven up with one hand and ripped his blade out of the sorcerer's chest. He turned to Solem. "Come with us. Time to pay the piper."

[Imperial Overlord]

Tehendrosh
Sandresha
The Free Federation

"Legate," said Canza Sarduka as he approached Incaradine. The legate gently placed the body in his arms down with the others. Incaradine looked up, his face streaked with blood and soot. The blue glow of the preservation field made his skin seem corpse-like and ghastly.

"What?"

"Daemonwulf has captured Solem and a 'prize of great importance'. Legate Kane has assembled the media heads. They are in quote 'more than sufficiently compliant.'"

Incaradine rose. The slaughter-lust had faded with the end of the battle, leaving only rage and grief. His voice grated. "Five centuries of being under the thumb of the Senate does not encourage the development of a backbone. They did at least get well paid for their whoring. No, that's not fair. Prostitutes only sell their bodies, not their integrity."

"Yes, my lord." Sarduka was a veteran of the Fifth Legion and knew the warlord well enough to know Incaradine was still in one of his killing rages. Incaradine's legendary self-control made it quite difficult to detect until the legate erupted into a whirlwind of violence. It was an old saying in the Guard that the most frightening thing one could ever see was Incaradine's hands twitch. "You are wanted for the surrender ceremony."

"They must see the conquerors triumphant and know that we are still strong," said Incaradine. "I know. Where is Kail?"

"Finishing off Staff Headquarters." The military headquarters was about two kilometers of the Senate, but had been a much lower priority target. Unlike the senators it wasn't as important that they be captured alive.

"Status?"

"They've chosen to surrender. They don't appear to desire being on the receiving end of the Death Walker's wrath."

Incaradine nodded mutely and then passed through the guards surrounding the dead. In the days ahead, when their strength had returned, the necromancers would attempt to restore as many of them as possible. There was such a collection of power in this place that most of them would live again. Most, but not all.

Incaradine looked across the open square and across the swath of destruction that had been torn in Tehendrosh. Tens of thousands had been killed, wounded, or rendered homeless. Emergency services would be swamped in dealing with them. Even with assistance from the Grand Alliances forces, there was still much suffering ahead. And all of that was a pale shadow compared to what would happen if the war continued. Fold, he willed them. Fold and end this so we can begin rebuilding paradise.

His sensor net picked up Kail and Celene approaching from another street. He turned towards them. Long legged strides ate up the distance between them.

Kail clasped Incaradine's forearm and they then moved into a more intimate embrace. "How many did you lose?" Kail asked softly.

"Three," Incaradine as he broke the embrace. "Two can be healed. The third, Elezana, . . . maybe."

"I am sorry."

"I know. My heart soars to see you again." He turned to Celene. "And to see you whole again, sister of my heart." She half smiled in return.

"Too many gifts are mixed with ash," said Kail. "Shall we see what the Wulf has caught?"

"Probably a Slaver Lord. Kane has long suspected that deliberate manipulations were involved in creating the crisis."

"Perhaps," said Kail. "Perhaps not. The Slavers are the enemy we are familiar with, the ones we are comfortable with. The ones we expect to see. The ones we know how to deal with."

"True," said Incaradine, "but Kane is not prone to that particular form of selective blindness. He suspects deliberate manipulations and suggests Slavers. Others are possible."

"We'll know soon enough."

-------------------------------------------------------

Kane Kinslayer, legate and once head of Internal Security, left the room full of terrified media execs and addressed the guards outside. "Do not let them leave. Monitor all communications. There is a less than three percent likelihood that they will deviate from instruction."

"Your will legate," said the Internal Security shock trooper as he saluted, fist to heart. Kane returned it, thumping his artificial right hand against his breastplate. The necromancer walked down the corridor, towards the bank of elevators and passed a line of shattered windows. The Mennai Broadcast Center had suffered only moderate damage during the attack and was still fully functional. A sorcerer could send transmissions to any part of the Free Federation from this building.

The Senate had insisted that the headquarters of all major media organizations be in easy reach, a fact the Grand Alliance would now use to its advantage. Kane stepped out of the window and descended to the street below. "Daemonwulf," he said.

Daemonwulf had Rhaven's bound body slung over his shoulders. "Kane, just the man I'm looking for. I have something for you." He tossed Rhaven at Kane's feet.

A ruby beam shot from the gem studded prosthesis that Kane wore instead of his left eye. The beam enveloped Rhaven's body. "Inhibitor spikes and binding wire. Skeletal alteration to conform to Free Federation human normal bone structure. Minor genetic alterations. Extensive sorcerous augmentation, primarily life extension. Conclusion: subject is a Terran-normal human sorcerer with alterations and augmentations to pass as a Free Federation native. Subject is likely to be Terrani and extremely old."

"He was strong, but his fighting skills were lacking. No tattoo on the back."

"Supports hypothesis that subject is a Terrani and not a Slaver Lord."

Rhaven looked up and gazed into Kane's scared face. "When the demon ripped out your eye, know that that was my work. When it bit off your hand, that was my work. When it killed your lover, that was my work." His voice rose hysterically. "When you brother brought it into this plane, that was my work! WHEN HE GAVE HIMSELF TO DAEMONSTRAUM AND PLOTTED YOUR MURDER THAT WAS MY WORK!" He started laughing. "I burned your life to ash without even trying!"

Daemonwulf stomped on his left elbow, shattering it and grinding the bone to fragments. "Oh yeah, he claims to be responsible for the existence of the Slaver Lords."

"Mind alteration would explain Daemonstraum's betrayal and defection to the Naomar Kordassi," said Kane. "It is one of the more likely theories." The beam projecting from his eye narrowed until it only encompassed Rhaven's skull. "Confirmation shall be obtained."

[Imperial Overlord]

The White House
Washington, DC
Terra
United States of America


"This is the latest?" asked William Chen as the report was placed on the desk in front of him.

"Yes sir," said General Phillips. He was a stocky, grey haired man with no neck. "The White Winds has publicly sided with the Black. It's the most important defection to date."

The President eyed the members of his cabinet, intelligence services, and military assembled around the long table. "This seems to continue the trend."

"Yes sir," said Phillips. "The public signing of the surrender by the Senate and the decapitation of virtually every branch of government service was bad enough, but the reemergence of Kail or a reasonable facsimile along with a Slaver mastermind of some sort to parade around has only helped them. Defections and popular uprisings in support of the Black are continuing and the White loyalists are having difficulty setting up a new chain of command and support systems. Almost all media and propaganda traffic is pro-Black or Black controlled. With the White Winds joining the Black, the chances of successfully prosecuting a ground campaign against the Black is very low and the White navy is torn.

"My best guess, Mister President, is that the lifespan of White senior officers who are hold outs is going to become very short and the Black will continue with their broad amnesty programs. They are the only order in a sea of chaos and they're getting stronger while everything else is weaker. Our fleet hasn't fired a shot, but is helping to keep the pressure up. The White Feet has been decapitated and has lost some of its best fleet officers while the Black has new technology and living legends in command. It's only a matter of time, Mister President."

"Then the question becomes," said President Chen, "how good are the promises they have made to us?"

A senior CIA analyst adjusted his glasses, a sign of personal idiosyncrasy in an age of cybernetic replacement and biological engineering. "There are two strong indicators that they will keep to the spirit and letter of their bargains. One is historical precedent. They always have, especially to an ally that aids them. The second indicator is capacity. They are going to have to govern their new territories and Mister President, they aren't that big of a snake and that's a damn big goat. They are going to be sleeping that off for a long time."

William Chen smiled. "I see what you mean. Still, there is some truth to the old saying that possession is nine-tenths of the law. Let's see if we can grab some territories in the prohibited zones now while everyone is busy with weightier matters. The Grand Alliance made promises that I believe they intend to keep, but lets present them with a fait accompli."

There were nods across the table. "Any more to say on this gentlemen?" Silence answered his words. "Very good. I'll want proposals on the best way to approach the . . ." he paused, "new territories issue. Cover government and private sector involvement. I want something workable as soon as possible. That's all."

There were nods of agreement and then people rose from their chairs and began to leave the room. The war was seemingly over, the decisive battles already fought and won with the victory taking charge of the spoils. Life, however, went on and so did the business of nations. A new phase was beginning for both the nations of the Grand Alliance and the ones born on Terra. The men in this room, like those in similar rooms elsewhere, intended to take advantage of all the opportunities that presented themselves. Only time would tell if they were successful.

[Imperial Overlord]

Super Dreadnought Sun Eater
Sandresha
The Free Federation

Arms that could bend steel grabbed Kail from behind. "What are you thinking about?" Celene whispered in her husband's ear.

He smiled. "The future," he replied, gazing out of the observation dome and into the void. "We've all but won and everyone knows it. The surrenders and defections are coming faster now."

"Yes," she said. "Victory with only a fraction of the blood spilled that it have taken. But the state is scarred. It will take time before the Free Federation is what is once was."

"It won't ever be the same," said Kail, "and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Meanwhile the Terrani grab every planet they can. We are entering a new phase of history. Rhaven Hellborn is screaming his last under Incaradine's blades."

"He deserves worse," she said. "Too bad we can only really kill him once. He should have stayed dead on ancient Terra. Zerakis ran him through and dropped a castle on him."

"But he lived and followed us here, hiding. He made a good man into Daemonstraum and Daemonstraum joined the Naomar Kordassi and eventually the order he founded became the Naomar's masters. We were born in the hell that Rhaven helped unleash on galaxy. And then when that didn't work he gnawed at the roots of the state until he found another way to bring us down. I thought we knew hatred, but we are amateurs compared to Rhaven."

"We have things like love and friendship," said Celene. "Even when we hate, there are other things. With Rhaven there were no limits and no restraint."

"Yes," said Kail. "Even for me, during the dark times, it was different. And now the Free Federation will be reborn again and we will face a future with these young, hungry Terran nations clamoring for space and territories. A challenge that is best faced without using the sword. For once."

"Indeed," she said with a smile and kissed his neck. "Already these Terrani colonies are different from the nations of their birth. The ties are fading. Give them another century or two and they will begin to slip the leash, wishing to join the Grand Alliance as either independents or as members of another power."

"You think so?"

"Things could change my husband, but the colonies are governed too much like colonies. They are different from their mother countries and need them less with every passing year. The Terrani are not adapting well to these changes. Their politicians do not see them. When they do it may be too late for their budding empires."

"We shall see," said Kail. "After all, we have time."

[Raj Ahten]

Hmm,
either this story is nearly over, or the shit is about to hit the fan.

[Imperial Overlord]

The story is over. I may, if people like the universe, write more stories in this setting.

[White Haven]

I'm rather fond of it, actually. As usual with your work, it'd be difficult to pick up midstream, but it's certainly worth starting from the beginning, so that's hardly a quibble.

[LadyTevar]

If you feel up to it, ImpO, why not do some of the backstory that you hinted about so heavily? Kail and Celene. Incardine becoming an Avatar. The Seven at the Anvil.