Simmering Rebellions

            It was an incredibly hot day in the mining town of Duskmire’s Hollow, The Dahlia, the only tavern in town, was hosting an Ascendancy Rekt-Tarn Legion. Ubban and Oly had finished a long day at the mine and attempted to enter the space, no larger than a cargo container, which felt cramped on a normal day, was filled with raucous soldiers. As the door opened, letting in some of the atmospheric dust, the two figures entered the tavern, and the door shut behind them forming a seal against the rest of the outside. As the noise level dropped down to silence.

            Ubban and Oly stood at the bar and Ubban spoke to Zadi “Can we get some water?”

            “YOU SURE YOU DON’T WANT SOME OIL, AUG-BORN?” came a shout from the back. Which was met with scattered laughter from the soldiers within the Dahlia.

            Careful not to say anything, Ubban continued staring ahead. Oly, still new to the town, began to look down attempting to shrink his silhouette.

            Some of the soldiers continued their business, however a few took it as an affront that the tavern served Molari. The largest stood up and walked over to where Ubban and Oly were, “I didn’t know that Aug-born modifications allowed you to drink regular Ascendancy water, thought you all had your stomachs removed so you didn’t need to eat”

            Ubban continued to say nothing, familiar with the abuse that Ascendancy soldiers were capable of. Oly felt courage building up, but Ubban put a hand on his shoulder urging him to calm himself.

            “Why don’t you just take your water back to your bunkers and let the rest of us Natural Colonials enjoy the bar without needing to look at the mistakes you’ve made”

            At this Oly stood up and was about to speak, before Ubban stood up and intervened. Grabbing both of their waters, filling their flasks and leaving the tavern.

            Ubban began speaking to Oly outside the tavern “They look for any reason, and you know we are not allowed to speak to anyone other than Molari. The punishment is being put in the Sanctorium! Do you want that? They take Molari apart and reassemble them, taking out parts that do not fit the mold. Usually, they start with your vocal cords, replacing those with a psy-screen that will interpret your thoughts as text. That way they can monitor your thoughts in the open”

            “WE ARE NOT MISTAKES UBBAN! AND I REFUSE TO LET A GROUP OF IGNORANT IDIOTS TELL ME WHAT I AM!” at this Oly began to weep. “We live in the shadows of lesser people and allow them to tell us what we are, where we can go, and who we can speak to. Something needs to change!”

             “QUIET YOURSELF!” shouted back Ubban. “The Ascendancy has ears everywhere”

            They continued moving towards Bunker 5. As they did, Ubban began to see what looked like an Ascendant Zintar officer. Eventually they reached the door and they both heard a voice behind them. “So you think the Ascendancy should leave Duskmire’s Hollow?”

            “No, he’s just had a long day and the heat is affecting him. We both love the Ascendancy. Varkh etern!”

            “Meet below the Dahlia after dark and we will see if you have what it takes to reclaim your lives.”

Beneath the Dahlia

The basement of the Dahlia, only accessible from the rear of the tavern descends 20 feet into the mountainside before reaching the bottom. Interspersed around the room are crates and containers full of various foodstuffs.

Inside the basement were three Molari Hybrids, not including Ubban and Oly. Five Gravari, their hulking frames almost too large for the space, choosing instead to sit rather than hunch down. In the corner was what appeared from the outside to be two piles of rocks. On the opposite side of the room were two beings, one in an exosuit and one in what appeared to be tribal gear, however, both featured a symbol of a fanged jaw consuming a circuit board.

Standing in the corner was a woman who appeared to look like a Zintar officer, however, upon closer inspection, many of the badges and awards had been defaced, with an even closer inspection revealing blaster marks and dried blood inside of the coat.

“My name is Lyra Meadowlight, I know most of you from the mines, others I have found walking the streets fearing the ever-watchful eye of the Ascendancy.”

“And we’re supposed to believe that a Pureblood Colonial will join with us against the Ascendancy?” said Ubban “How do we know that you aren’t working for the Zintar, and this is some operation to find dissidents”

At this Lyra removed the coat and hat and revealed her form underneath. “I may look like them but I am no Ascendant Colonial. I was here long before the Ascendancy found their minerals, living with the locals and sharing their beliefs. The Ascendancy can’t imagine that any pureblood colonial will reject their structure.” At this, she released her form of Lyra Meadowlight and took on her true form of a shape-shifting Grimari.

“So why get us together? This only seeks to put a target on all our backs, there are twenty Ascendancy soldiers that have reason to hate all eleven of us. We are sacrificing everything for a chance at getting out from under the boot. Do you even have a plan?”

Just then the rocks in the corner began to move, the Draxorith Burrowskins maneuvered themselves closer toward the center of the room and one spoke, if it could be called speaking. The sound of rocks and crystals scraping together joined with a choir of churning and bubbling.

“The mountain dreams," the Draxorith’s voice resonated. "The Ascendancy’s drills have woken it. They seek only Iridite, but we feel an older, deeper resonance. In the dark, we have touched crystals that do not just shine, they sing with the memories of a forgotten age. We have felt the echoes of beings made of starlight... of gentle, towering giants who walked these valleys and catalogued the galaxy's joys and sorrows. The Ascendancy thinks these are mere stones, but this whole moon is a library of ghosts. We must protect this memory before they shatter it forever."

Lyra continued speaking, “I am a member of the Severed Fold. We seek to establish our own lives free from anyone who seeks control. We need a few more people, but my contacts with the Lucent Pact will allow us to bring in some specialists.”

“But we have no blasters, no means of defending ourselves. How do you suggest we defeat a military legion?” asked Oly

At this, the two figures in the shadows stepped forward. They were a study in contrasts. One was a Kheltasi Amphib, its vibrant green skin and large, dark eyes visible through the gaps in a custom-fitted exosuit that hissed with every movement. The other was a Zorai Skyrunner, his rust-colored fur adorned with leather straps and wind-chimes that defined his 'tribal gear.' They both bore the mark of the Black Fangs.

The Zorai gestured to his companion. The Kheltasi opened the container, revealing a large amount of explosives and blasters.

“We are representatives from the Syndicate,” the Zorai spoke, his voice light and rhythmic. “We bring you the weapons necessary to hold off the Ascendancy. All we ask is that the Syndicate be welcomed after the Ascendancy leaves.”

Lyra interjected, “So, we have everything we need to fight and win control. All we need now is a distraction for Kaelen Trallix while we take care of the rest. Prepare yourselves as the attack will come with the next arrival of workers”

Arrival on Thunaris-17

The dust clouded the entire atmosphere as the transport ship descended onto the Ascendancy docking pad of Thunaris-17. All 12 passengers clung onto safety rails in the ship as it navigated through the dust clouds and sediment that lived in the sky. As the ship continued downward the horizon was able to clear, the entire skyline was an orange-brown haze with tall Mining towers built equidistant across it, the closest was the town of Duskmire’s Hollow.

The ship landed askew onto the docking pad, when the passengers finally relaxed their grip. Then each covered their eyes and mouths as the port side entrance opened, and a momentary cloud of dust blew in. When everyone regained their vision standing in the dusty haze was a man in a black coat and a kerchief covering the lower half of his face, while he had an eyepatch over his right eye surrounded by scars from battle.

He very sternly and reflexively shouted “YOU HAVE ARRIVED ON THUNARIS-17, PLEASE EXIT THE SHIP IN AN ORDERLY MANNER. YOU WILL EACH BE CATALOGUED AND GIVEN YOUR HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS FOR DUSKMIRE’S HOLLOW.” With that each passenger stood up and began to form a line behind the large Gravari near the port entrance.

“I AM VARKH ASCENDANT GRAND ADMIRAL KAELEN TRALLIX, I HOPE THAT YOUR TIME HERE IS FULFILLING AND ALL ACCOMODATIONS ARE SATISFACTORY. THE ASCENDANCY THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.” He then turned around and began marching through the colonnade of twenty soldiers towards the booth flanked by the Ascendancy’s banners, blood red with an orange star surrounded by a laurel above two crossed swords. Above the symbol, the words Order from Blood while below it, the words Unity through Control

The Gravari was the first in line, enormous and covered in fur he towered over the Colonials that were there. But as large as his frame was, he moved with swiftness in silence. As he slowly headed towards the booth, the guards instinctively gripped their blasters tighter, readying for action. He continued forward calmly, undeterred, and placed his work documentation on the counter for the agent to confirm. The Gravari looked on, sure not to make sudden movements to upset the guards.

“Name?” the agent asked.

“Rast Grusav”

“We have enough Gravari for the mine, take your papers and return t-”

“I’m here for the bartending job” said Rast, interrupting gently

At this the guards shouted, “DO NOT SPEAK UNLESS YOU ARE ASKED A QUESTION ROOTBORN!”

“I have never heard of a Fur-Brute that can make drinks…” said the agent “You will be staying in Bunker 10 next to the bar. Your direct supervisor Zadi will give you instructions from there. Follow the path down and head towards the glowing light. Theres a big 10 next to it. ONE. ZERO” as she stamped his paper and handed it back to Rast before continuing “NEXT”

With that, a human with metal arms stepped forward and presented her papers to the agent as she asked “Name?” 

“Pug” said the human

The agent looked up, tired “…full name…”

“Pugmalo Kadden,” said Pug

“You are an Augment-Hybrid. What enhancements did you take?”

“Arms and Leg enhancements, after losing them in the battle for Gorath” as she pointed to the brand on her right temple, signifying her status.

“All Molari are stationed in Bunker 5. Make sure to keep your badge displayed at all times” as she stamped the paper and handed it back to her “You will be working on the unloading outside of the Mine, speak with your Molari leader when you have questions.”

Pug continued down the path as she heard the agent shout “NEXT”

A Starforged stepped forward, a green pallor to his skin and yellow mechanical horns emerging from behind his ears and curling up and forward, distorting the shape of his skull and making his silhouette appear demonic. He placed his work orders on the booth and opened his shirt to display his Virex brand with pride. “Name” said the agent.

“Zondul Rin, Vorn-sek. Recon for poisoned planets. I was told you needed some engineers, Ma’am”

“We have engineers, your immunity is needed further down the mines, you’ll be in Bunker 15, we don’t have many other Starforged here, so you’ll be sharing with the Burrowskins” she stamped his paper and handed it back to him “NEXT”

Then Grand Admiral Kaelen Trallix stood up and walked alongside the remaining visitors standing in the line. Every one of the Ascendancy soldiers froze at attention as he walked slowly with his cane. Surveying each person in the line, he looked them up and down with his remaining eye, then he spoke looking at the person first in line “You are up”

Nervously the hooded woman walked up to the booth and set her documents down. “Perriadox Frabell” she spoke softly.

“Says here you are a pure-blooded Colonial. What house do you owe alliegance?”

“U-Ulonixkar"

“What is the purpose of a Ulonixkar agent visiting this town? We aren’t due for an inspection” asked the agent.

“I am to oversee and report back on the mining operation that is here.” Spoke Perriadox

Just then the Grand Admiral’s cane began to let out a chirp, as he pointed the base at the woman’s back. “Lower your hood, my dear.” Said Trallix in a calm and measured tone

“I’d rather not sir”

“It was not a request, madame. I have reason to believe you are hiding as a Colonial. The only question is, who are you working with? Syndicate... no not likely, the Pact perhaps. Now, I will not ask again, lower your hood!” As she removed the hood, her lengthened ears gave her away as Half-Colonial, and Half-Elari. Missing, however, was the customary brand signifying her status as an Umbric below her ears.

“Take it inside the Sanctorium, we will see if it will tell us who forged those documents” said Trallix

The two closest soldiers then seized and dragged her into the next building, followed by the Grand Admiral as the agent at the desk shouted “NEXT.” While the line continued as if the disruption had never happened.

Inside the Sanctorium

            Perriadox sat in a quiet windowless room with a single door and padded walls. After being dragged into the building and being forced to sit for genetic scans and blood tests. She sat, her face unchanged, but determined, and began to survey the space. There was one camera that was very obviously pointing right at her. But that couldn’t be the only visualizer in the room, she thought as she stood up and walked calmly around the room, stopping every few steps, looking back toward the center of the room. She did this three times, at the start of the fourth, the door into the room opened. Standing in the entryway was Grand Admiral Kaelen Trallix, Perriadox stood in the corner opposite and looked at him.

            Kaelen Trallix pulled out a folder and sat at the table motioned to the chair opposite his.

            Neither wanted to be the first to speak, but Perriadox had been in this situation before, so, confident in the bureaucratic mire that is the Ascendancy, she sat there with a small and confident smile on her face.

            Trallix spoke first “do you know how many Strandspliced are in the empire?”

            Perriadox didn’t respond, instead they both just sat there in silence.

            “Less than 300, each catalogued and tracked. Most, in fact, don’t ever get the chance to see true sunlight. Only being given a small cell on Vexis Prime, built from Iridite. Do you know what the first Strandspliced did when they were put in those cells?”

            Perriadox, looking slightly more nervous, averted her gaze from direct eye contact, and the smile left her face.

            “They screamed because they couldn’t connect to the Strand, apparently your Elari blood finds being cut off from the Strand a painful experience. Some would die from the pain, some creative ones found ways to end their torment. That’s why we started putting in some padding, we can’t have valuable property damaging itself. The only thing is, the padding acts as a diffuser for the Iridite, making its anti-Strand properties require a closer connection but even in this confined space. However, you don’t seem affected at all.”

            “Do you have a point?” asked Perriadox

            “Only this, official umbrics – you know ones found in regular society – they are each supposed to have a brand and a tracking chip. Now when we brought you into this room you went through our scanners, and we found no such chip. So, why would an undocumented Strandsplice risk capture to come to Thunaris-17. You will tell us who you are working with, you will tell us why you are here, and you will tell us what your benefactors want.”

            Perriadox resumed her silence and stared back at him.

            “You may think you can play for time, pure colonials have tried this technique on other Ascendancy worlds, but we are far from Caer Aeternum. And you seem to have forgotten, Umbrics do not have rights, that was given away when your colonial parent decided to sully themselves by procreating with a beast. So, you will tell me what I want to know, or you will be branded, chipped, and sent to Vexis Prime”

            Perriadox began to feel her confidence crack, this was what the plan had been, she was to distract the Grand Admiral, and the others would begin their attack. “I have my papers that signify I am from Ulonixkar, Tiberius employs Strandspliced on outer worlds.”

            Trallix straightened at the mention of Tiberius, a brutal and cruel man, with a penchant for spying on other houses. He walked towards the door and was about to open it before Perriadox continued.

“but a Strandspliced Umbric under the banner of a Kar would be familiar with Null Beacons and other anti-Strand technology. So, your little room isn’t going to be enough to cut off my connection.” She began humming rhythmically and a small mote of light appeared over her shoulder.

Trallix looked on with horror and instinctively drew his Blaster and began shouting for reinforcements, but as he listened closer, he could hear nothing. He discharged his blaster into Perriadox, opened the door and quickly put himself on the other side and went to find the soldiers. Just then the entire building shook from the foundations.

As he neared the exterior doors of the building, he heard blaster fire and explosions. Looking out the closest window he saw the border station was gone, but as he looked closer, he realized that the entire Docking Pad was gone.

“Such confidence when you had me behind a locked door” said Perriadox levitating behind him, droplets of blood leaking from her nose. “You should have listened to your superiors when they told you Thunaris-17 was too far from the Core.”

“Tell Tiberius that House Kaelen will swear fealty, we will give him all that he wants”

“You were right about me from the beginning, I escaped from Ulonix,” as she spit on the ground. “I am from the Severed Fold, Thunaris-17 is liberated” she said as the threw him out the window

Ten Minutes Prior

            Rast headed down the walkway from the landing pad and made his way towards the Dahlia, followed closely by Pug. Both arrived at the Dahlia’s backdoor and descended the stairs to find the 13 other members ready to fight. They merely had to wait for the signal. Zondul, instead of joining them, maneuvered to a back alley and found his way to a control panel.

            As Perriadox was taken into the building the Black Fang Member’s, hiding on rooftops over the landing pad, signaled to each other and set off an explosion that  shut down the Ascendancy’s communication tower, it wasn’t a loud crash but was loud enough to signal the severed fold to attack the landing pad.

            A guttural roar erupted from the ramp as Rast led the charge. He swung his metal pipe not like a tool, but like an extension of his rage, the impact against an Imperial's helmet echoing with a sickening crunch. The front line of the Rekt-Tarn crumpled under the sheer, unstoppable mass of the six Gravari. The commanders in the back began attempting to shout orders, but it was here that the communications tower affected the Ascendancy as they were unable to organize a coordinated resistance against the attack.

Pug Kadden, her augment-hybrid arms whirring softly, had already taken position with Oly and Ubban behind a row of abandoned mining crawlers. The battle for Gorath had taught her that victory wasn’t about the first shot, but the first coordinated volley. “Now!” she hissed. Three blaster rifles fired in unison, their red bolts striking down the last two soldiers in the now-fragmented line. Oly, his hands trembling but his aim true, felt a surge of terrifying exhilaration. This was real.

The Ascendancy soldiers were reeling, but their training was ingrained. Their commander, a stern-faced officer, began barking orders, trying to reform their lines. “Mirn karv ekta! Ghar dren Molari rav! Kuth mirn vor! Varkh ete—”

But his orders were cut short by an impossible sight. The Zintar officer—Lyra Meadowlight—who had been observing from the shadows, began to change. Her uniform seemed to melt away, the fabric flowing and reforming like liquid shadow. Her human features dissolved, her limbs elongated, and her skin became a swirling, iridescent void-black. A being of living nightmare to the Ascendancy, a Grimari Morph, stood where the officer had been. With a fluid grace that defied physics, she launched herself into the fray, her arms morphing into long, obsidian blades that sliced through Imperial armor as if it were paper.

The Ascendancy was broken, scattered, and fighting for their lives against a coalition of ghosts and monsters they never knew existed.

From her vantage point, Pug saw Zondul Rin, the Starforged engineer, emerge from behind a massive generator. He wasn't fighting; he was working, his hands a blur as he rerouted a primary power conduit. He gave her a single, sharp nod. It was time for the finale.

"Everyone, take cover!" Pug screamed, pulling Oly and Ubban behind the crawler's chassis.

Lyra, her Grimari form a liquid whirlwind of death, disengaged and flowed back into the shadows. The Gravari and Draxorith fell back. The Black Fangs agents were already gone.

A blinding flash of light erupted from the docking pad itself. The explosives, planted days ago by the Draxorith and armed by Zondul, detonated with the force of a fallen star... The concussive blastwave slammed into the Sanctorium, shattering its reinforced windows. And from one of them, amidst the glittering shards of falling glass, the body of Grand Admiral Kaelen Trallix was thrown out to meet his death below.