[IC] Dawn of Angels: Humanity's Twilight

[Siren]

Part 1: Black Gold

Faeya Duncan ~ Divided We Fall~ Location: Venel Dregs; an oil-rich desert

It's already a surprise how a daughter from a rich family would just leave the safety of a fortress, much less survive out in the wilderness. Faeya was already, perhaps, accustomed to this way of life: Slay and be slain, break and fall... It was already normal for Faeya; perhaps even for all humanity. The young girl, in her wanderings, was already in the Venel Dregs, a famous land for oil. This desert was never penetrated by the humans because the thick sands of this place was enough to dent even the strongest of their weapons.

The desert in particular wasn't all that hot, it wasn't even hot. The sulfur in the sky was enough to reduce the sun's ultraviolet rays, making this desert no different than any other landscapes; except for the sand.

Faeya would notice that the scent of machines was in the air... This smell of sulfur and ash... It was an omen of what was to come: the Choir of Angels.

Zenon Drewziak ~ He who works in the dark to serve the Light ~ Location: Babylonian Tunnel leading to the outskirts of the Venel Dregs

Babylon was indeed a sullen and dark place. The sun's rays would only pierce through cracks and crevasses, but the people would never receive sunlight as much as the other fortresses would. These harsh conditions hardened these veteran warriors into the determined soldiers they are now... Zenon is an example of that hardened warrior. The lad had made one of the worst fortresses in this god-forsaken world as his home... It was not much, but it was home.

Zenon was fond of the secret tunnels that defined Babylon as it is... However, even through the darkness of the tunnels, not even Zenon could avoid feeling the rumblings of the earth... It seemed like a whole battalion was marching on the battlefield... It wasn't an earthquake; it was a battle formation. Would the young Zenon leave these ominous signs or will he risk the secrecy of Babylon and scout the world above?

Dr. Charles Richardson ~ PhD in Survival? ~ Location: Junalok Woods; razed forest that leads to the Venel Dregs

The desecrated forest loomed around one of the world's last geniuses. Traces of animal and human carcasses were splattered around the tainted grounds. The angels had left a parting gift, literally, parts of the humans here, and there. The attack was just recent as evidenced the stench of sulfur that was still attached to the charred trees; luck was on Dr. Charles' side or is it? Charles would notice that a trail of black fluid swept through the forest ground, the trail was leading the path to the Venel Dregs, one of the shortcuts towards the Church... It would now be a hard decision...

Would he follow that trail and risk detection or would he skirt around the danger and possibly encounter problems by using the longer way around?

Jack and Ryan ~ Bolts and Courage ~ Location: Fortified Bunker on a hill, overlooking the Venel Dregs

It was truly a miracle how these two robots were able to work together. Jack was definitely fine, but Ryan still had the Kill Code within him; hopefully it won't cause trouble for them in the future. The view from their fortification was quite a sight to behold and admire; not that these two robots had the code to admire such views.

The electromagnetic waves in the air had increased in intensity... almost as if it was amplified exponentially. Jack had encountered this sign before... when the robots conducted a siege on his former bunker. From the duo's fortification, they would see a timid female trudging through the Venel Dregs; oblivious to the incoming destruction that was fast approaching her. There was a benefit to having a higher ground... The duo could see the incoming Choir: Fallen Ones, Adjudicators, and a Guardian...

Alexander Price ~ A Heart that Bleeds ~ Location: Venel Dregs

The scent of sulfur would already be strong at this point... Alexander, a young man with grim determination was seen trudging through the Venel Dregs. It would seem that in his wanderings, he had come across this oil-field as well. This scent of sulfur was already an obvious omen to everyone: A choir was approaching. The young Alexander would be able to see a silhouette of a girl at the farther end of the Venel Dregs... He could leave the Venel Dregs now, escaping the incoming Choir, or would he go forth and try to assist this young lady before the Choir would sing her a chorus?

[User]

what's happened here? he asked himself looking around at the body parts strewn around the outskirts of the clearing "hosts?... no too clean. Thrones?... no too rare and why send thrones against some random soldiers. could be cosmos, that way they could chop the parts up without major problems. but then we woulent have the dirty cuts. that leaves guardians, expendable enough to be used but good enough and well armed to cause this kind of danger." he looked around pulling the brim of his cap over his eyes and leaning against his cane "which means big problems for anyone around." he twiddled his thumbs and layed his hand on the horse "i should warn church about this at once" he was about to jump on the horse when a strange smell caught his attention. he walked over to the long black line entering the darkness. he took a knee and smelt it "hydrophilic fluid. looks like these men put up a fight." he took out his long metal torch and shone it down the ally way of trees, it just got lost on trees and the darkness. "well its towards church, best get there quickly before any problems happen" he stood back up and looked around. climbing on his horse he said one final thing before he set off. thundering down the path.

"i hope their not there yet"

[Gareth]

The dirt and rocks didn't bother him at all. It was just another day of scouting for Zenon. Except that this day brought something new. Motion and a lot of it that came from above. He wasn't sure what it was, but inside he prayed that it wasn't the robots that he thought they escaped from years ago. Even so he had to know.

Within a mile of the sound he found what him and other Babylonian's call a "Spy Hole", basically only a man made hole in the ground, just big enough for one man to go through at a time. Quickly he scaled up the rocks they left to reach the hole for future spying and took a quick look back towards the sound he had heard earlier. He saw what could be machines in the distance, but he wasn't sure. He decided it was worth the risk to get more info. on these robots and so he stepped onto the ground level and kept hidden behind rocks and other debris's shadows as he made his way closer to the disturbance.

[BKburke]

Jack and Ryan looked down upon what was ready to unfold. Having eyes above others was a tactical advantage that their bunker location had. They looked to see a girl moving through. Jack zoomed his sight in to get a better look. "Hopefully she moved along. We have gone awhile undisturbed." Ryan cut in rather quickly. "We a choir moving to intercept her path. A decent number of fallen ones, a couple adjudicators, and a guardian angel. Systems give her a 3.2 percent chance of survival with out our help. What do you want to do? She will most likely fire upon us as well; we are machines after all." Jack looked at the choir. "I want you to cut her off and warn her. I'll flank around and fire upon the adjudicators. They can't fight but will repair the others. They will probably focus their repair efforts on the guardian. It's their most effective unit in their choir. Lets move." Ryan was a guardian angel, so getting to the girl before the steady marching choir wouldn't be too difficult. He was built to have alarming speed. Jack was moving around. As long as he kept a distance while moving behind, they wouldn't notice. He knew they had their scanners on the human.

[Siren]

Dr. Charles Richardson ~ Defying Guardians ~ Location: Junalok Woods; razed forest that leads to the Venel Dregs

As the Doctor surged through the woods of the razed trees, it was quite unavoidable to see the entrails of fellow humans dangling from every shrub and branch. However, as the doctor crossed the trees, there was quite a sight in front of him.

A large mechanical construct, an Oil-Extractor, moved slowly. Around it were numerous Guardians and some Adjudicators who were all moving towards the right side of the road, probably going to the Venel Dregs. However, straight ahead was a group, composed of Adjudicators, Hosts, and a Throne, was heading towards the visible forest that surrounded the Church... The Venel Choir was significantly larger than the Church Choir but the strength was unknown...

The forest that Charles was in had a quicker path to the Venel Dregs, and if he should choose to take it, he will arrive at the Dregs faster than the choir. However, it would mean that Church will inevitably be detected... On the other hand, should Charles choose to follow or overtake the Church Choir, the chances for Church's detection will be smaller, but Charles' life will be in grave danger should he be detected...

Zenon Drewziak ~ A Deadly Gamble ~ Location: Babylonian Spy Hole; revealed to be near the shortcut to Church

As the young Babylonian emerged from the hole, he was smart to instantly hide behind a group of rocks. It was a lucky thing that the adjudicators were actually far from his location. The lad had taken a gamble, and he is about to find out whether it was worth it.

Zenon could see a large choir of Guardians and Adjudicators, as well as a large Oil-Extractor just outside of the forest that the angels had razed... Behind him as well was the smaller group of a Throne, Hosts, and Adjudicators who were heading towards the Church. Things were about to go awry...

Zenon could hear a slight muffled, robotic voice which would send a shiver down anyone's spine: "Scum detected. Lethal Force, Authorized." Two guardians jumped into the air, swords drawn. Their robotic order to exterminate humans, aimed at a fleeing female civilian, dressed in a white laboratory coat..

[Gareth]

After only ten or so minutes of going from boulder to boulder in order to conceal himself, he saw a large group of robots of which there was guardians and adjudicators. He had learned basically all about the robots capabilities from an officer of Babylon years ago and he is thanking his lucky stars today, that he still had a good memory.

He decided to take a look behind and saw a smaller group of robots heading to the church. Great news.... The powers at be in Babylon are not going to like this at all and I need to head back, before I'm discovered.

He had made up his mind to return to Babylon, when he heard a robotic voice from behind coming from the group with the guardians, and turned around in time to see two of them target a lady scientist.

He knew that against two guardians he had most likely a zero percent chance to live. So it was either ditch scientist lady or come to the rescue.

He did some very quick thinking as he looked at what was the nearby forest and saw that there was a part of it that they could move through because-the destroyed trunks of the trees were placed against each other like a hut, and this went on for some distance, couple that with a spy hole underneath that forest somewhere and they just might have a chance. He quickly checked to make sure no robot was looking his way then he ran towards the forest and at its edge he whistled back to the lady. Out of some small miracle she noticed the whistle and he beckoned for her to run and to run fast. He waited for her to come within two seconds of arriving where he was-and prayed firstly that she made it that far and secondly that they would both make it to the spy hole alive and unharmed.

[User]

"damn it, to church or to dregs?" he looked around from his horse "church!"

he kicked the horse and galloped down the land making sure to stick by the forest, he got to large wall of rocks and saw a man run our and into the forest. "HEY! WHAT'S HAPPENING?" he shouted at the man, the only response he got was him becoming and to see a women running for her life.

suddenly shots flew over his head and the robots fired at him, he galloped into the forest to meet the guy who may have got them killed.

[Siren]

Zenon and Dr. Qualia Queen ~ Scientist Problems ~ Location: Spy Hole located near the Korpus Forest of Church

The scientist, Dr. Qualia, one of the 12 Minds of Renaissance, ran for dear life. She was hungry and desperate for food, and being unable to barter anything in Church, she decided to go outside and find something worthy of trading. However, she made the wrong gamble, and the Guardians detected her. She thought she was done for, until she heard a somewhat audible whistle that was coming from a discrete area... Qualia made a bet and ran towards the source of the sound, darting between trees in order to avoid the sight of the Guardians. The young scientist tumbled for her life as she finally reached the source of the sound: a young man...

Qualia's eyes began to water in fear as she looked at the incoming Guardians from afar...

"Please... please... please tell me that you have a plan!" the scientist began to plead; the look of guilt on her eyes were so apparent for some reason.

Dr. Charles Richardson ~ Fleeing the Choir ~ Location: Junalok Forest; land bridge connecting to the Korpus Forest

"First Rule Disabled. Initiating Protocol: Exterminate Humans." a vibrant chanting could be heard from the pursuing Fallen Ones. The Fallen robots were jumping from one tree to another, similar to how primates move in the jungle. Closely following the Fallens were the Adjudicators, and Guardians who were moving at a medium pace... What was more terrifying was the fact that the Throne that was in the choir had suddenly vanished... This was not a good sign.

The Guardians were firing the red bolts of death, searing trees and shrubbery that protected the doctor. Furthermore, it seems that the Hosts had already set their sights on Charles, evidenced by the fast and deadly purple bolts that flew past the escaping scientist.

It seems like the whole choir was targeting Charles... It's like a code had been switched inside their systems, forcing them to prioritize this single target... The Empyrean had plans.

Suddenly, short bursts of electric lasers flew past Charles, hitting some of the Fallen Ones that was chasing him. From the shadows of the Junalok burst forth armored humans who were equipped with AG-32F Electric Plasma Rifles. The humans, perhaps a dozen of them, were firing at the robots who were in pursuit. However, the purple bolts brought down one of the humans instantly.

Projectiles coming from each side were soaring through the air as Electric Lasers collided with Red Bolts, creating miniature explosions. The humans had now taken cover behind some large trees, returning each fire with more and more hate at the Choir that had caused them much suffering.

Dmitri Holmes and Sgt. Flintlock Gregis ~ Forgive Me Father ~ Location: Church, Entrance

It was one those less stressful days in Church... People trading crops for guns, and equipment for electronic pieces. Truly, Church is the shining example of Capitalism even in dangerous times. The entrance of Church is heavily guarded... There are two S22-D3 Machine Gun Fortifications atop of a tower, and more than a dozen guards guarding the gate. It's such a shame that such a force was only used to guard, not to attack.

Dmitri, a talented inventor, was among those in Church... It was quite a busy day, the sulfur coated sky bearing down on the busy remnants of humanity's past. Suddenly, a hand tapped Dmitri... It was Sgt. Flintlock, one of the soldiers assigned to defend Church.

"Quite a rare sight to see you here, Dmitri! You can put your guns away, ya know? As long as I'm guarding this city, NOT a single robot will touch her." Flintlock laughed as he walked steadily to the entrance, meeting Pvt. Shedder, a newly recruited, 16 year old boy. Flintlock jeered at the recruit as he motioned for Dmitri to come to the gates...

Suddenly, a splash of blood filled Flintlock's armor... Shedder's head toppled down his shoulders as the soldier fell to the ground; dead before even touching the soil. A robot began to come into view... A familiar figure; one that many humans fear: A Throne.

The Throne uttered: "Inventor Detected and Recognized, Initiating Protocol: Eliminate Empyrean Threat." The robot began to vanish into thin air as panic ensued.

Jack and Ryan ~ Chaos Chorus ~ Location: Bunker overlooking the Venel Dregs

The Fallen robots began to set foot on the Venel Dregs, their soulless eyes fixed on a certain human girl who was quite stricken with fear.

"Human Scum Detected. Lethal Force, Authorized."

The Adjudicators fixed their scanners on the girl as the Fallen Ones charged at their lone prey... The Guardian, on the other hand, was quite passive... As if it was waiting for something else to happen.

The Fallen began to pull out their serrated blades, and now surrounded the girl who had nowhere to run.

[User]

Charles notices the shots ring over head "oh how i love robots" he galloped back towards the rocks streaks of light flashing past him "lets pray we dont have some battle droid up here" he smiled at that and sped up.

[Gareth]

Zenon turned his head to the man, who called over to him responding a little stressfully with, "Just saving a life you know??"

He then took the lady's hand and started dragging her towards the spy hole, "You have to come with me and run like you've never run before-because there's a hole underground beneath this forest and if we find it, we're home free." As he started pulling her along building up his speed to a sprint he called over to the man who had been wondering what was happening, "Sir come with us quickly! You won't be able to escape by hiding among the rocks! If you follow me you actually have a chance at survival!" Hoping that the guy heard him, he sped up and weaved among the tree's towards the spy hole, now hoping that the three of them got there together unharmed.

[MonsieurShade]

Having looked forward to a relatively carefree as he prepared to sell his weapons and wares to civilian and soldier alike, Dimitri had almost forgotten for the briefest of moments about the threat of the machine menace. He'd been mere seconds away from setting down his weapon as per the late sergeant's request, only for him and the recruit that he'd been messing around with to meet a gruesome end at the hands of one of his least favorite type of angel. "Mother FUCKER!" Dimitri snarled, adrenaline pumping as he raised his rifle and peered down the sight, only for the Throne to disappear. Dimitri clucked his tongue, there was a lesson to be learned here, but not for him, there was a lesson to be learned by the throne who had seemed to believe itself safe with it's cloaking. Dimitri switched the vision in his left eye to infrared, taking advantage of the difference between the thermal radiation given off by machines, humans, and the surrounding area. "Peek-a-boo pissant." Dimitri hissed as he made out the unmistakable heat signature of a machine and began to fire in three round bursts.

[User]

"You have to come with me and run like you've never run before-because there's a hole underground beneath this forest and if we find it, we're home free." wait what? he stopped the horse and went after them "wait!" he pulled into the forest early as the bots fired into the one guy who happened to be elevated and getting closer by the second. this guy better be right or ill tear his head off his shoulders himself he whizzed through the trees and caught up if your wrong ill kill you!"

[BKburke]

Ryan looked as the girl was surrounded by Fallen ones. He pulled out his phase rifle and opened fire with extreme accuracy. He was built for combat, he was a better, stronger, and faster machine than the fallen ones. He did the math. The fallen ones didn't stand much of a chance against him.

Jack noticed most of the bots were focused on the girl. He pulled out his phase rifle and opened fire upon one of the adjudicators. He was trying to pick it off quick and and demolish it as quick as possible. He wanted to damage it beyond repair. He knew those adjudicators could repair some pretty impressive dmg; then again, he knew they weren't miracle workers.

[Siren]

Dmitri Holmes, Sgt. Eldric Romeo and Capt. Petrov Griego ~ Of Thrones and Powers ~ Location: Church, Entrance

As Flintlock and Shedder dropped to the ground, the Throne vanished into thin air. The crowd began to panic as they ran in different directions. Capt. Petrov alongside his men came to the scene as they only saw Dmitri and the two fallen soldiers.

"Throne... We're dead." Petrov cursed under his breath as he heard a resounding gunfire from Dmitri... As if by magic, the Throne appeared, three visible holes in its head. The robot shivered and convulsed before dripping oil; falling to the ground with a resounding crash. Petrov opened his eyes in disbelief... for the first time in his memory, someone had taken down a Throne... Usually, people die before they can shoot.

Petrov approached Dmitri, his eyes surveying the obvious cyborg.

"You... took down a Throne.." Petrov spoke slowly as he kicked the robot. "How did you do it? What equipment did you use? We'll buy it... Every last one... It can help us combat these assassins." Petrov's tone was desperate... Suddenly, Sgt. Eldric, one of the officers approached.

"Dmitri... I heard what the robot said... It said that you are a threat to the Empyrean... I know we are all threats, but why did the robot only focus on you?" Eldric spoke in a doubting manner as Petrov held up his hand in silence.

"He is a hero as of today, Eldric... Treat him as one." Petrov commanded as some distinct gunfire could be heard in the background. "Shit... They're on their way here... It seems like this is Church's first... and hopefully, not final battle."

As if an answer to the queries, one of the men who were guarding the towers fell to the ground... A glowing purple bolt embedded into his chest... The poor man only had a few seconds to speak before his eyes closed in eternal sleep.

"Hosts... Guardians... Here... Fight.." the man shuddered, his eyes closed. The distinct shouts of human pain could now be heard outside of the gate... The battle for humanity's income was about to begin.

Dr. Charles Richardson, Zenon Drewziak, and Dr. Qualia Queen ~ Of Shadows and Men ~ Location: Korpus Forest

As the three weaved through the trees, their pursuers seemed to stop aiming at them. The Guardians and Fallen Ones who were chasing immediately pulled back and rushed to another location... Church.

"Wait, wait! The robots... they're retreating..." Qualia whimpered as she panted heavily. "It seems... the Empyrean had ordered them to do something else... Church. The Empyrean is like that... it orders robots to do something, and if the need rises, the Empyrean commands a full Choir to attack a certain area." Qualia breathed as she slumped on the ground. She turned to Zenon and Charles... "Thank you... I thought no one would help me... People have always hated me." Qualia uttered a suppressed sob as she forced a smile.

The sounds of battle could now be heard at Church's gate... The gate was cracking...

Jack and Ryan ~ Override ~ Location: Bunker overlooking the Venel Dregs

The Fallen Ones fell one after the other... They were obviously no match for a robot that was meant for battle. Their attention focused on the rogue Guardian as they charged at the robot; notwithstanding the casualties. The Adjudicators were also falling one by one... their repair speed was no match for the upgraded damage from the rogue robots... Suddenly, the Guardian spoke: "Order Override: <Church> classified as <B> Threat. Adjusting course: Exterminate <Church>."

The robots began to pull back from the Venel Dregs. moving at the full speed towards Church. A dozen of Fallen Ones were sent to distract the rogue machines, in hopes that the Guardian and the other choir members were able to escape.

[MonsieurShade]

Dimitri lowered his weapon as Petrov and Eldric arrived on the seem with a group of men. Between the Captain and Sergeant taking to him in one after another, he didn't know who to start with first, especially considering the tone that Eldric was using. Worse still, as his eyes darted to the Throne he could feel that painful tingling sensation in behind his eye as it scanned the Angel automatically, a horrible reminder that he wasn't fully human, a reminder that they could take him over at any moment. Thankfully, or rather unfortunately his thoughts and the attention of the soldiers was immediately disrupted by the sound of gunfire outside of the church gate. Isaac reached out and grabbed Capt. Petrov's shoulder to get his attention "You and your men came on a damned good day Captain. Have your boys go to my booth and open the safe, the code is 1-4-7-8-3-9. There's some special things in there that I had planned to sell you guys today. Things that dance to the tune of twenty five rounds of armor piercing goodness per magazine." He said with a look somewhere between pride and determination. Dimitri considered cracking a joke about expecting extra payment for the 'sneak peak' of his new babies, however it was neither the time, nor the place. For now, Dimitri nodded to the Captain and ran for the gate, prepared to fight, and if need be, die to protect the trading hub.

[Gareth]

"No worries there, sir, I won't be dying because I'm not wrong. There were very close to the spy hole when...

Zenon heaved a sigh of relief as he turned back to see that his pursuers were retreating and smiled in agreement at hearing the scientist lady point it out, and thanked some divine intervention that they got away so easily.

He then listened to her talk about the Empyrean and nodded thoughtfully-but first off he wanted to get introductions out of the way-seeing as he was going to take full advantage of having some peace after going through such crazyness to get here. At the same time he heard, the scientist lady thank them and explain that she's usually hated and that made him frown sadly. He placed an arm around her shoulder like it belonged there, and told her,"There's no need to worry lady, I'll protect you and by the way my name's Zenon, what are your names?" He asked the lady and then the other fellow who said "-if your wrong i'll kill you."

[User]

Charles looked down from his horse "Doctor Charles Richardson. Creator of the host and thirteenth best mind in all. pleased to meet you" he reached his hand down from his horse "why do you ask?"

[Gareth]

"Hmmm, well I like to learn the name of the person I just ran away from death with?", He asked laughing at what he thought to be a silly question. "And I'm pleased to meet such an important person such as yourself Doctor," He said smiling.

[User]

"yes, unfortunately im not seen as important, i never made it onto the list of best minds due to how the host isnt seen as a important advancement. i sometimes wish that i created and pursued my dream of the centrer pod. they turned it down too much money they said." pulls hat over his eyes "and now look where we are"

[Siren]

Dmitri Holmes, Sgt. Eldric Romeo, and Pvt. Dane Farther ~ An Ode of Destruction ~ Location: Church, Entrance

"I do not know where you're going with this, Dmitri... But I'll dance with your plans, for now." Petrov nodded as he turned to Eldric, and one of the younger soldiers, Pvt. Dane. "Stay with Dmitri, follow him and aid him as much as you can." Petrov instructed as he took his remaining men and rushed to Dmitri's stall. Eldric and Dane looked at each other as they had internal debates whether to follow a cyborg or not... however, Petrov's orders were absolute. The two infantrymen followed Dmitri's charge towards the entrance of Church; an opaque electromagnetic current that functioned as a forcefield and a gate.

Eldric aimed his A22-GF Right Handed Electroplasm Machine gun, as Dane did the same with his HO-55 Sniper rifle. The event that most men feared had come... the electric gate shattered in sparks as the outside survivors attempted to flee from the rows of red bolts being fired at them. A number of battalions rushed to the aid of the gate as a massive clash between robots and humans commenced.

The choir was composed of Fallen Ones, who rabidly charged at any nearby humans, Adjudicators, who stuck near the Guardians. The Guardians were firing left and right at humans; some even brought out their swords as they decimated one soldier after another. The humans returned fire with their makeshift weapons, toppling down Fallen after Fallen... However, purple bolts soared through the air, taking down soldiers every second... The Hosts were there in the forest...

Eldric and Dane returned fire as they approached Dmitri.

"Dmitri! I'll take down those Hosts! They'll wipe us out if this keeps going!" Eldric roared as he quickly dodged some projectiles. Dane, on the other hand, was busy covering Dmitri with his rifle. "Cover me! I'll try to pin-point those purple bolts!" Eldric continued as a purple bolt nearly dented his face.

"One up there in the tree near the gate..." Eldric mumbled as another bolt soared past him. "Another two meters away from the first one. The next one is on the ground.." Eldric gritted. "Three... Three hosts." the soldier sighed as he returned fire at a nearby Guardian.

"Those Hosts must fall." Eldric urged as he instructed Dane to cover him. The soldier leaped from the rubble as he dodged one projectile after another; charging those three deadly angels.

Dr. Charles Richardson, Zenon Drewziak, and Dr. Qualia Queen ~ Why I am Hated ~ Location: Babylonian Spyhole, Korpus Forest

So you are the Dr. Charles Richardson... I was one of the avid supporters of your paper and proposition of the Hosts! Yes, I did study your proposals as my dissertation back in Lyceum De Academia. Although... I'm sorry that your paper wasn't accepted by the committee... Instead... my paper was the one, unfortunately, credited." Qualia tone shifted from somewhat happy, to guilty. Suddenly, an arm wove around her shoulders; something she had never experienced since the apocalypse.

Qualia recoiled a little bit at Zenon's touch... Such a gentle and soft human touch. Since the destruction, the only touches she received where punches and spits. Qualia's eyes began to water as she held back a sob... "No... don't... You'll hate me, both of you will hate me once you know what I've done." Qualia shook her head as she held Zenon's hand; her small palms trembling with remorse and fear...

"If I had never entered that Research Conference... None of this would have happened... but my pride... I not only denied Dr. Charles of due credit, but I also caused all of these to happen." the young scientist began to cry. "All of them hate me, and they have every right to do so... I won't even feel bad that both of you will hate me... You see..." Qualia breathed heavily as her chest heaved.

"I'm the one who suggested and invented... the Empyrean."

Javak ~ Cutting them Off ~ Location: Junalok-Korpus Road; route of the retreating Venel Choir towards Church.

There was an obvious disturbance in the air. Sounds of distant battle were very evident, and it looks like, it wasn't going to end soon. The dusty road was disturbed as a choir of angels, led by a Guardian, stampeded through the terrain. They were apparently in a rush; acting upon a single code that the Empyrean had sent: Destroy Church.

Along the road arrived Javak, a nomadic fighter who had survived the initial purging. The Choir would spot him soon though... There was bound to be a problem: either Javak faces the choir, or retreats, risking a chance of detection by some unknown robots... Adjudicators were prone to their sensory abilities...