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On Cflenia there was a hive of activity with the preparation for the final battle. Resigned to their fate, the Cflen would see their enemy the Fodawke have one of the most bloody of battles, in their history. The slaughter might mean the end of the Cflen BUT the numbers of Fodawke butchered in the process would be terrifying.
The new ‘Elite Gladiators’ were highly skilled killers. New training, new tactics, new strengths and most of all weapons. Adapted, improvised and to the ‘point’ razor sharp. Just a swipe across the neck of a Fodawke would see its throat ripped open, leaving it dying.
So how long, had it been since the trip to the Awesa? Arvania was in tears. Wasted and why had she ever given to believing that this Tolgani could ever come through for her people?
Her mother had spoken so much of him. The love she had for him now seemed wasted. Just like the BEAST, with its lies, its promises from the beginning that ended with them now facing the final onslaught.
The embrace of death to her race.
Their prayers, seemed unanswered. Even Tolgani the bringer of wisdom the one who had forewarned them, of the nature of the BEAST? They were abandoned, alone. Finished. A last meeting of all of them, gathered together before the day ahead when they would face the Fodawke for the last time. Prayers and tears.
No more fear. Gone. Forming up to go and face their enemy who they could see too, had formed up along the ridge in front of them. Thousands of them. A sight, that so long ago would have them tremble with fear.
The Fodawke were in rows, their wings closed, waiting. No rush. They could see some of the Cflen heading down the hill. Soon to be joined by others. An overpowering sense that they had won. Licking their lips at the thought of the feast that lay before them.
Arivania, had brought her chosen Cflen together. Gianna comforting some of the younger Cflen.
Suddenly, Ariaki appeared. The priestess from a Shrine? A known misfit, Weird at times and to be avoided!
She was known, that was NOT in dispute, to be a psychic. Had the ability to be able to predict and very accurately! Now she was flustered. Something on her mind? She approached Arvania, hissig at her.
Bring our people back! Do not let them near the spawn of the BEAST." Gianna stared at her. More than aware of her abilities but what had she seen?
"It comes. Be ready! It comes. Be ready." She tore out of the chamber with those watching her leave left speechless.
It would be Gianna who would break the silence. "Go after her! It is rare, that she is wrong, I sense she knows, we will not die this day!
Ariaki was stood some feet from the entrance to their cavern. Looking upwards? Arvania had approached her and was now also looking up. Over the hill to the Fodawke beyond? She could see nothing! Ariaki was telling her to be be quiet, listen!"
The Fodawke? They heard it. with their enhanced hearing. as it came out of the skies, above and to the back of them. Hurtling at speed. downwards towards the Cflen? Minutes passed, before it became visible. to Ariaki as she screamed.
Arvania seeing it, tore off back into the cavern. "My Elite! Follow me NOW!" At least fifty of them chased after her. Out into the open and to the back of where they were. A flat area. No longer empty.
Behind the Cflen, it had dropped as though a sign from the Gods. Some of the Fodawke were nervous! Their apprehension at the sight of such and the memory in the minds of some, who had remembered the coming of the BEAST?
This was different. Much much bigger and its shape did not, resemble that of the craft, the BEAST had arrived in?
Their numbers, their strength and new found intelligence had them awash with a sense of being omnipotent.
A few from such a craft would be tasty treats. They were laughing and making it clear; why should THEY, be the least bit concerned. It had been an impressive turn out for the Fodawke. Various nests had come together. Putting aside their differences, to share a meal with their own kind. Plenty of the remaining Cflen for all to enjoy!
Elite Gladiator Eioni had seen the craft. Arvania screaming at her, telling her, she knew what she had to do. Such a vessel must have technology, she and other Elite had been taught knowledge of. This must have weapons tech.
A fortress, safety, for even some of the Cflen to survive, the oncoming onslaught! But most of all, whether today or tomorrow, the means to stop the Fodawke. Action and NOW! She tasked the appointed Elite leader with the responsibility given to her by Arvania!
It had long been thought, that some day the BEAST might return. To that end Eioni had not been a fool, she had trained a number of select Cflen for such an eventuality.
Purposeful, cunning and deceitful. Strong, powerful and knowing how to use the weapons, of the BEAST. First of all, how to secure a vessel and its crew! If the rigorous training sessions, had seemed a waste of time, Eioni had rebuked them.
It had not been, the first time, that Ariaki had had one of her visions. She had predicted, that one day Eioni, would be remembered, for something, she would do, that would NEVER be forgotten!
Even in their darkest hours, Eioni had NEVER, given up on, nor relaxed on the rigorous training she forced upon, those chosen Cflen, being ready for a miracle.
Blessed by Gi the Priestess. First blood of the sacred revered one. The one who had brought them here, insisted they remain here! True to say it had seemed pointless, as the years went by? Yet it was instilled in them, they were made to accept the potency of their training, their knowledge, or face punishment, for not being alert, and mindful of their purpose!
NOW for Eioni, her forethought, was about to pay off. Captain Vrok had been taken by surprise, when the screens flashed up, a warning, that it would be entering the atmosphere of the planet below, to land? The sudden flashing of the Orb and the way it had had encrypted new commands, into the systems, that could not be overridden?
It would be the way, that the craft’s weapons systems had been ‘woken up’ with system testing of them, reports being generated and the weapons officers, made aware of faults that had to be fixed, new tactical updating AND training schedules?
The troopers were put on alert, the ship searched and everyone aboard thoroughly checked, no personnel that were not accounted for, nor suspicious activities on their part, to warrant arrests or answers, to what had happened.
Measures were in force, to try and counter the actions of the main computer systems, especially the weapons ? Some were being primed for deployment. OUT of the control of and seemingly atuomated. BUT by who?
Whatever had ‘infected’ the systems, was extremely sophisticated and powerful, apart from its resilience to adapt and remove, any attempts to shut the systems down! As they turned off power, attempted to short circuit or similar the systems, it simply re routed power couplings and finally, it seemed it’s patience had run out, It took control of the life support systems.
Any attempt, that it perceived as a threat, caused it to flash up a warning that it would, if they continued, shut off their life support! Now levels dropped on air and as it also reduced the oxygen levels, that slowed the occupants down, made them tired, lethargic, confused, disorientated!
The crew were being attacked if they removed panels to make modifications or adjustments or seek to bypass system controls. The equivalent in today’s terms of being tazered. High voltage plasma shocks and some lazer devices primarily inbuilt to defend the systems against unauthorised intruders were being used against, those who were legit. They backed off.
Aboard, troopers were armed and ready. Though they were half asleep, from lack of oxygen. The hatches were opening to leave the ship and its occupants exposed to any intruders. Whatever was on the planet or should we say, WHOEVER! it was found impossible to override the command protocols in place.
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