[IC] Eternal Galaxy: Shards of Starlight - Part I

Nexion System
Planet: Nexus

As John left for the warp gate, Avonna watched from a viewing platform. Behind her alabaster mask, she had a grave expression; only her frown could be seen. "Must we throw this many lives into the abyss?"
Behind her, standing in the open doorway was a white-haired man with a silver armor mask and white cloak embroidered with gold and silver. "To break time's grip is no simple task. There are bonds here that cannot be broken by sheer force. Sacrifices must be made." The man spoke softly.

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

Helios System
Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

Aion was still toying with thoughts that tormented his mind. The riddle, his past, his future...

***
A dream...

It was a dark room with crumbling stone columns and water was on the floor. A faint blue light emanated from beneath the glass like water, only disturbed by the two men standing across from each other. One was Aion, holding a sword he had never seen before; a blade where the two edges accented with a blue vein on each side formed a hollow space crisscrossed with an elegant lattice of silver white metal. The man across from him was shrouded in the darkness, but the red light of his Ether Sabre could be seen.
"My Life...is forfeit. I sacrifice my everlasting mortality, for this Eternal Galaxy." The man with the red sword spoke. His voice seemed vaguely familiar. "Can you do the same? Can you throw aside your immortality? Can you truly do what must be done to end the suffering of this galaxy?"
"You are ready to sacrifice yourself? What happened to trying to stop me?"
"I have every intention of preventing you from completing what you came here to do. Your mission would end everything I have fought for a thousand times over. Everytime...everytime you manage to keep me from fulfilling my duty...but that will not hinder me. I will end you, even if I must fight this same war a thousand more times." With that, the man charged at Aion and just as his opponent's sword was about to meet his, the dream ends.



***

Heading for the exit of the Archives was when Aion snapped back to reality and saw Mima coming back in. "Oh, Mima, there you are."

Helios System
Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

---

"Hm? Were you looking for me?" Mima asked.

Nexion System
Warp Gate

Once John brought the ship to the front of the gate, he stopped and waited to see what would happen.

"So,... what's supposed to happen?", John asked Cortana.

"The Warp Gate should open within a couple of seconds. Scans show that it's charging.", Cortana said to John as she continued to look through and run simulations on how to tweak the ship's systems without damaging them.

Within a couple of seconds, a large green portal was projected out of the Warp Gate Station and waited for John to pass through. John activated the ship's thrusters and flew straight into the portal, slightly nervous after the malfunction with his Slipspace Drive, but not enough to affect him.



Helios System
Near Duon and Delta Division Flagship

John's Longsword was instantaneously transported near another planet, this time, being more solid and having ships nearby.

"Do you think that's Delta Division?", John asked Cortana.

"I don't see any other military vessels, so that must be them.", Cortana replied to John.

John activated his ship's thrusters and began to approach Delta Division's ship.

"So how do we dock with it and get on board?", John asked Cortana.

Sol Inceneron
Near Inopia - NGO Ares Class Cruiser

Nhiome jerks when the man mentioned the crystal, how could anybody know about it? As far as he could tell, no one knew his real identity, he was even more certain that no one could have found out about the crystal. Maybe that black roses leader? She might have seen something when he had unthinkingly summoned that small flame while she was there. He still did not like having to dock there, but his interest was aroused.

But this might just be a ploy, as Nhiome has said earlier, he did not survive on his own as a rogue by trusting anyone. He decided to go along with it, but took precautions, he instructed ShiroiKaze to get a lock on KuroiKaze, then sent instruction to stay within 1000 km of KuroiKaze. Only then, did he send a message to the NGO cruiser that he would comply. He then headed to dock in landing bay D-601.

He put on his suit and helmet once KuroiKaze was secure. After making sure that he could not be identified, he stepped out of his fighter. He then looked around at the people gathered around, many seemed to be glaring at him, perhaps because of his status as a rogue, perhaps because of his bio-weapon. He didn't really care, the only thing he cared about regarding what others thought about him was if they identified him, but still, he kept his hands near his weapons.

"So, now what?" The voice-distortion system made his voice come out as a monotonous, emotionless but at least human-sounding voice.

Helios System Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

Finishing with her tinkering, Mara excused herself and thanked the chef for such a delightful food, and then heard a group of people calling for them

"Hello there, thanks for letting me stay on your ship" the bioroid made a small bow to the group of people

Sol Inceneron
Near Inopia - NGO Ares Class Cruiser

The officer gestured to a warp gate, designed for one person to enter and so that it can only be used once. "The Lieutenant is awaiting your arrival."



Helios System
Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

Aion nodded. "For the most part, yeah. Joe and the others went to get food right? Wouldn't be surprised...Joe is always lookin for food. Going to do more research? I think I'll-"
Just as he was about to finish his sentence, a ship-wide announcement was made. "All pilots, report to your stations. All pilots, report to your stations."
"...I'll get back with ya on that." With that he patted Mima on the shoulder as he ran off for the Maverick Hangar bays.

***

The close range sensors' officer noticed an inbound vessel. "Sir, approaching ship. Nexus Affiliation."
Commander Sullivan nodded. "Open a channel."
"Yes, sir." The communication officer activated a secure communication link with John's ship.
"This is Commander Sullivan of the Delta Division Fleet. State your name, purpose, and affiliation."

***

Joe shook his head. "Why you thankin' us? It's what the Strike Fighters do. Besides, I have yet to go through with that-" Then the announcement played. "And that's my cue. Gotta run, sorry!"
Kiara nodded. "Right, training...good luck with that!"
Terrisa also wished her brother good luck and then was looking at the woman. "What's your name, miss?"

Helios System
Space | Outside Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

"This is Commander Sullivan of the Delta Division Fleet. State your name, purpose, and affiliation."

"This is UNSC Master Chief Petty Officer Sierra-117. I have no real affiliation except for the UNSC and had help from the planet Nexus. I am here to receive training form Delta Division after hearing about their training program.", John said over his ship's com system.

Helios System
Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

Sullivan thought through what the man had just said. "...Lady Avonna sent you, didn't she?"

Helios System
Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

---

Mima sighed. At least she would get somme alone time. She searched through the databanks, and started reading about her species in the dimly lit room.

Helios System
Delta Division Flagship | Excalibur

"Yes.", John said in a way that made it sound more like a question than a statement.

John didn't really know what to think about Sullivan's reaction. Has this happened before? Was it a bad thing? John would soon find out.