Book 2 – Chapter 14

-Olympus-

“Okay so the psionic dampeners are our best bet right now?”

“Yeah, until she can learn to control and contain her power.”

“Okay then, take off your suit and let is study it. Meanwhi-”

“No, I’m not taking off my suit.”

“What do you mean?  I thought you said-“

“I said you could study it. Not that I would take it off.” The ghost said.

“Alright then, we’ll scan, replicate it, then use that one.” Leo said.

“If you can.”

“Come with me.” Leo said as took the challenge he let the ghost to his underground lab.

As the ghost allowed Leo to study his armor, he was slowly observing the lab. There were plenty of things he could use to kill Leo and get away. However he was curious about the Great leader of the people who wanted his allegiance.

“This is going to take forever.” Leo sighed.

“Whats wrong?”

“I can produce the tech but it’ll take a few weeks since our molecular fabricators are being used to build new space ports.”

As Leo thought in silence about how to produce the tech he needed without pulling the fabricators out, the Ghost decided to ask a question.

“Aren’t you afraid of being in the same room as me… alone?”

Leo laughed at that.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Just.. If you wanted to try and kill me you’d have tried already.” He smiled as he stood in front of the ghost.

“Who’s to say I can’t kill you now?”

“Feel free to tr-”

Without warning the ghost struck at Leo, only to have his fist hit a shield.

“Personal shield. I was a bout to say. Plus the fact of the force field would be around you in under a second if you actually touched me.” Leo told him.

Leo couldn’t see it but the ghost was smiling under his mask.

“Well now that that’s out of the way. Since this will take time I need you to send me back to Deadman’s port.”

“Why?”

“Can’t tell you.”

“Fine, I’ll have one of the mercs take you back, but if you betray me… deadman port will just be deadman. If you understand me.” Leo threatened.

“That’ll work for me.”

“Eden, make the arrangements.”

“Underway”

-Terminator Universe-

Looking around the room, it seemed like people had all contracted food poisoning. In actuality it was the effect of people seeing the sheer savageness and brutality of the Zerg. People being ripped apart by zerglings, melted by infestors, trampled by ultralisks.

“Stop. Turn it off. Please.” Kate begged.

As the holograms of death and destruction closed off, many were silent. Not one of them could say a single word. They had lost all ability to do so after what they witnessed.

“This is our enemy. The Zerg, for thousands of years they have been evolving as the perfect death machine. Thats not even counting the other horrible things they can do.”

“It gets worse?” Kate asked, astonished.

“Much worse. And to defend our citizens, we need every single war machine available. Even terminators and this machine army.” Nathaniel said sadly.

“You think you know death and war. Truth is you’ve barely touched the surface of it. In our universe, humanity still has its squabbles and wars. Yet at the same time we are unified in the fights against the Zerg. Their last attack consumed an entire planet, 40 billion lives were lost. Please believe me when I say we need every gun we can get.” Ka interrupted.

Nodding to each other, they agreed to join the Imperium and to fight against the Zerg.

“Thanks to you guys joining us, we will extend protection to the entire planet. We haven’t started yet but I think in about two years we’ll be able to clean up all the radiation left from ‘Judgement Day’.”

The leaders were extremely surprised at the extremely short amount of time to clean up the radiation that spanned an entire planet.

“Meanwhile we will begin tearing down ruined cities and begin building new ones. Of course save a few historical sites that survived or cultural important ones. According to our projections, it will take three months for a new and improved city to be raised.”

Everyone was astonished and looked to John for some semblance of reasonability. John who was standing there just smiled.

“Remember when this war started, when the bombs fell. We never saw hope or salvation, we saw despair and for the first time in my life I see the end of the tunnel. My mom left a message for me about his day, she said that I would lead us out of the dark. Maybe I lead us, but they are the light. I can’t help but think how many live we will save if you all agree to join. I know I’ve already made my decision.” John said as if the war was already over.

“Whoa, who said you get to take a break? Who do you think will be leading this planet into the future?” Nathaniel interrupted.

“Don’t I get to retire? I’ve been fighting all my life.” John complained.

“Don’t worry, we’ll talk retirement plans later. Our High Lord has plans for people of distinguished service. You will be one of the first people I push to get that right.” Nathaniel smiled.

“Well before anything is set in stone, that is what we offer from our side of negotiations. As for our demands, they are a bit… different from what your probably expecting.”

“What do you mean?”

“Citizenship. If we do this then every single person will have to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Imperium. That means there are no ‘elected officials’, our system of government is different from that you are so familiar with.”

They agreed to do so, eagerly seeing how the last government did so miraculously well at ending their world.

“Alright then lets let everyone else decide.”

-Deadman’s Port-

In a dingy bar at the center of Deadman’s port , where there were few people around. There was a known rule for the place. You enter at your own accord, that was the rule. Many wannabe tough guys have veered through those doors, only to leave the station through an airlock. That was the rule of the White branch Bar.

Wiping the glasses behind the counter was a burley woman, she seemed normal but she was a former medic through the brood wars and was also a seasoned wraith pilot. Sprinkled throughout the bar were other men and women. Each and everyone of them were different, pilots, marines, star fighters, and even normal run of the mil smart criminals. The only thing that some had in common more that others was the fact that there were people who escaped Tarsonis.

Tarsonis, before the fall that half over two billion terran humans.

All lost in the tide that was the swarm.

There were literally, families ripped apart and dead bodies piled up mountains high.

Many of the people would never forget the sight of the zerg destroying the heart of the confederacy. After that many people lost the ability to feel safet, lost peace, and more than  that they lost hope.

“Marcia!”

Looking up from her glass, a skinny patron came up to her with a frantic expression.

“What is it Peters?” She smiled at the skinniest patron in the bar.

“Its Kal’mor! He’s sent something!” he said excitedly.

“Really? That guy hasn’t been here in weeks, last he said was that he was on a job.” She recalled.

“Yeah well I got the message but I need the decoder.” He said.

She raised an eyebrow.

“Decoder? We only use those in emergencies… come with me. Carl! Can you take care of the bar for me?”

A man came out from behind and nodded to her.

Together she led Peters to the backroom of the establishment. The backroom looked like a normal office, office desk… lamp… terminal… shotgun… grenades… all basic things in a office on the port. Handing her the message, she put it through the terminal and the message revealed itself.

‘sanctuary’ came up on her screen.

“Whats that mean?” Peters asked.

“Something I have to check…” she said with a smile.

-Prometheus.-

“So this is home? Not a bad colony you have going here but I was expecting a bit… more.” The ghost said as he stood on the bridge.

“Wait until the people start arriving, we’re small in number now but we will grow once old confederate refugees arrive.” Nathaniel said.

“Well they might not be so nice.” The ghost commented.

“What do you mean?”

“Back in the day, Confederate Officials were little better than bandits in power. I know because I was a long arm of them. In short some will be aprehensice about joning, some will take a chance cause they’re desperate, and some will just want to take what you have.”

Nathaniel laughed as he finished. “We have over thirty ships, planetary defenses, and technology this universe has never seen before. They dont have a chance.”

The ghost just nodded and stared at the planet.

“Sir im getting your encoded briefing packet.” The communications officer stated.

“Thanks, I’ll take it in my office.” He told the officer. In Nathaniel’s  office he pressed his hand on the scanner and his screeen began showing him reports. However it wasa small memo from Sadia that made him get out his chair.

“Transport me to the High Lord’s palace. Immediately.” He said as he lft his office, the ghost heard this and was intrigued.

“Ira, you’re in command until otherwise stated. Stay here Ghost”  Nathaniel tells them.

“Nathaniel!” The ghost interupted.

“What?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I think there’s another ghost down there.” The ghost said as he looked at Olympus.

“What are you talking about? There cant be any ghosts on Olympus, you’re the first ghost we’ve encountered.” Nathaniel exclaimed.

“I don’t know, but I’m definitely feeling psionic energy from the planet. Its weird though, like its untrained, like a wave, powerful. Almost like they haven’t learned how to control themselves yet. Which is weird seeing how powerful they are since I can feel them from here.”

Nathaniel considered his words and remembered something that Leo had told him before they left their home universe.

‘Sometimes we will run into unexplained situations, where all we can do is adapt and prepare for it as best we can. Don’t deny whats in front on you, since nothing is impossible anymore.’

“Alright Ghost, come with me. Paul you stay here with Ira and monitor our new friends and check up on the mining stations.” Nathanial said as him and the Ghost were beamed straight onto the planet.

-Olympus-

In the Palace, Leo was currently lying down, enjoying the feeling of being pampered. Sadia was in the process of preparing lunch. Meanwhile Sara was upstairs doing some research on some interesting projects she found. He himself just laid back and relaxed in one of the best moods since they arrived. The knock on the door didn’t disturb him so Sadia let them in.

“Leo! How are you? Are you alright?” Nathaniel said as he rushed in worried about him.

“Nate, please. I’m fine, just some stress.” He said, dismissing him.

Nathaniel let out a sigh, relieved at the news.

“Thats great, I’m glad you’re okay. You should take a break, its been only a few weeks but you’ve been at it non-stop.”

“I’ll be fine. My fiancee and daughter are more than enough to take care of me.” Leo slipped.

“Fiancee?” Nathaniel said with a raised brow.

“Yeah. Who’s this?” Leo said as he noticed the ghost standing there.

“This is… actually I don’t know your name.” Nathaniel realized.

“We don’t have names. Nathaniel the energy is close, extremely nearby” The ghost told them.

“What he talking about?”

“Seems like there might be ghost on Olympus, the ghost can sense their psionic energy and is . Sara!” Leo called out.

Sara who was upstairs came down and stared directly at the ghost as he stared back at her. Staring at the Ghost she walked across the room, saying “Who are you?”

“The question is who are you?” he replied.

“I’m getting a vibe from you… like you’re not really there.” She told him.

“I’m a ghost. You find me only if I let you find me. Nathaniel, I found the source of our psionic disturbance.”

“Sara? Really?” he retorted.

“Yeah, she’s got the gift. Very raw and untrained but she’s powerful.”

Standing up to interrupt them, “Whoa whoa whoa, hold on there a second. What are you guys talking about, Sara can’t be a-“

“Yes I am dad. I’ve known for awhile now.” She interrupted.

“Wha…” Leo stammered.

“Trembling objects? Whispers in the middle of the day? Little sleep but full of energy?”

“Objects, yes. Sleep and whispers rarely.”

“I figured.” The ghost sighed.

“Explain. Now.” Leo sternly stated.

“Those are the basic abilities that most ghosts develop in training. The first manifestations of psionic energy that we can use. Normal psychics can use their abilities to influence the world arounds us. Real powerful psychics can crack a person’s mind open and rip thoughts and knowledge from other people’s minds. Untrained, she could be a risk to those around her, I’ve seen it happen and its not pretty.” He explained.

“What do you mean by risk?”

He struggled to find proper words to explain, “Basically, those who lack control go a little… psychotic and then need…removal.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“Psi dampeners. They’re a little difficult to get ahold of but… it should work.” He said.

“Nathaniel.”

“On it.” He said as he quickly pulled out his communication tablet.

“My combat suit has some installed on it, but its not really designed for her.”

“Let us scan it and we’l replicate the tech, promise it will be returned to you exactly they way you leave it.” Leo pleaded.

“Sure but what she really needs is to learn how to control her power. How long since you started feeling it?” he asked.

“A week or so.”

“Good you haven’t had time to lash out yet.” He said.

“Lash out?”

“Its complicated.”

“We have all day.”

-Terminator Universe-

Guy was watching on the main monitor John Connor with his resistance forces  and Theta Squad move across the ruined urban city. Earlier he had heard John convince the other fighters allow Theta squad to accompany them. After sending a Dropship with transport vehicles filled with medical supplies, clean water, and good rations. They were more than happy to bring them along.

It was another two hours later before they arroved at what semed to be an underground bunker entrance. The supplies were being unloaded as some marines stayed behind to help with some of the heavy lifting.

“Theta-1 bring the hologram projector.”

“Affirmative.” He said as he brought a square case with him.

As they walked through the bunker many people were frightened to see the walking giant suits of armor that were walking. People gathered to See John return from battle but stayed away because of the new people.

“Everyone gather into the auditorium.”

People moved and immediately began started moving as if the whole base moved at his whim. They walked through the  inner part of the bunker, reaching an office that the Marine could barely fit through. Kate followed shortly after and brought some of other leaders in command.

“John what is going on? And what is this?” one of the older Leaders commented.

Theta-1 who had his visor screen down, slowly opened up to reveal his human appearance.

“What the fuck is going on? Is that an exoskeletal suit?”, one of lab coat wearing woman said as she began rambling on all the pieces of tech she could identify. Slowly others who had questions began

“Pamala, shut up. All of you, please.” John sighed. All the others immediately silenced themselves. It was rare for John to be so blunt, normally he’d ask them all to ‘quiet down’ or ‘wait a moment’. They realized that he only said ‘shut up’ in extreme circumstances.

“This is a new friend, I made. I thought it was a little crazy how he fell out of the sky but I’ll leave it up to him to explain what he represents.” John said as all eye’s fell on Theta-1.

“Thank you John. I am Ka, leader of Theta squad, messenger of ‘The Grey Imperium’. What you’re about to hear is going to be beyond your realm of understand or belief. That however doesn’t make it any less true.” He said as he set the box he carried down and opened it. Inside was the dome shaped object that had a small hole in the middle. Ka brought the dome and set it into the middle of the room.

“This is Theta-1, projector is set up.” He said.

“Affirmative, activating projector.” The voice on the other end responded.

From the sphere, a transparent back of a person appeared. “Is this thing working?”

“Sir you’re facing the wrong direction.”

“Huh? Oh damn.” The person turned around to reveal Guy.

“Sorry about that, I am Commander Guy Fisk, of the ISS Atlas.” He introduced.

“ISS? As in?”

“Imperial StarShip” Guy answered.

That quickly got everyone’s attention.

“So you’re aliens?” one leader said.

“No, we’re perfectly human. Its all a bit complicated and I’m not really qualified to explain the technical details but all I can really say is this. We can end the war, today. The only thing is though we’re not doing it for free”

Hearing those words made everyone twitch. Some had a concerned expression, while others had a look of hope.

“ What do you want?” Kate asked.

“We want to send a message, to all of humanity. John is the only one everyone listens too. We want you to endorse us, of course that can come later. The main thing we want is numbers. There are 10 million people left on earth, if they all joined the imperium then we would feel more secure. The other this is that we want to take all the machines off earth and use them, put them to good use.”

“Put them to good use? What good do you need an army of war machines for?” One of the other leaders exclaimed. The others nodded and were equally concerned.

Guy pouted as he saw their reactions.

“Alright. Fair enough. You deserve to know what we’re going to be fighting. Eden, display projection and scenes of the Zerg.”

“Acknowledge, displaying Zerg attacks.”