COTN House of Karen Part 2

2. Mother's Love

Kiring looked at the old tower which used to be her home. Once it was a towering heights build into the side of the mountain using the sides of it as foundation and strengthen by the stones that deep down to the great lake below. The city of seven main tower surrounded the deep lake situated within the mountain. Its like a design of most dormant volcano, but there is a difference here. There is an island in the center of the lake where a smaller tower is situated and its not high like the rest but rather cone to the tip. That is not the only differences; the smaller tower is string to the others with monkey rope ladders.

But today, there are only three towers left which is not reduced to rubble, while the ones intact are in the state of derelict and devoid of inhabitants. The rubbles of the collapsed towers are seen partly beneath the lake surface.

"Why did you bring me here? This place gives me more pain than I can handle." The five days of traveling on the wagon was long and followed by the serpents but none attacked the wagon. The spell held well to deter them.

"Kiring, the best place to heal is home. This is your home."Shana explained to Kiring but the later lashed out.

"This was my Mother's home. I left it when she died. They discarded me as an outcast on her death. They said she cause them to lose the warrior' superiority over the others. My Mother was executed by them." Kiring cried out on the buried memory. She was taken by Malech on his pleading but later she found out the truth from others.

"Kiring, this is still your home. You are a Karen and remember that. Do not forget that. If what you know is the truth then restore the honor. Faced the one which caused you to be a discard." Shana point out to Kiring the tower in the center of the lake. "That is where you would find your own truth version."

Kiring turned her face away as tears come down on her cheek. Her right arm hold hard on the side of the wagon as her mind go back then.

"Malech, why are they not looking at me?" The child was on the wagon which Malech was holding the rein. She looked at the people who once knew her as the daughter of the High Council. She also used to play with their children but they pretend not to know her. She saw one other who tried to approach her, but the others stopped her.

"Malech, can I sit closer to you?" She had shifted her position to sit closer to the sorcerer.

"Its okay, child. No one would hurt you when I am here." They rode out that day and the last sight of the tower soon disappear as they crossed the summit and going down the other side. It was then the child was more chatty again as she see the new scenery before her.

"Is that a forest?" She points to the green trees that covers a wide expanse of land. She had already forgotten her previous home.

Kiring is now standing at the bottom of one of the intact tower watching the water lapped at the foundation. They have not seen any living Karen on the way down; only bones and more bones. Shana is looking for something to use to cross over. Kiring saw something which she can use; the double blade sword of the House. This sword is different; it has some etching on it which is reserved for the sword used by the Councilor. This one belongs to Jarek; a fellow Councilor of the House, and rival for Kiring' mother' position. Kiring picked up the sword and carried it with her.

"Kiring, there is a way to go over." Shana points to her. "There is a monkey ladder rope. Its still intact."

Kiring looked at the rope and she laughed.

"You expect me to climb that with one hand. Shana, I would not made more than a short distance before I fall down."

"Well, its that, or the swim across with them for company." Shana points to the lake and there are a large serpent there. Its five times their size and it look hungry. Its a Sea Serpent but how did it come here, would be the question that would be raised by everyone.

"Let me try. I am their Queen." Kiring walked to the edge again and she raised her right hand. She called out to the serpent and its coming forth but its moving fast. More like its going to attack her but Kiring stood her ground. Its coming in faster now, and the serpent is within striking distance.

"Stop!" Kiring shout out in rage. "I am your Queen."

The serpent raised its neck and its fang flared out from its jaw, but the serpent head remained poise in its attack. Its slowly closed its jaw and its hissed out with its forked tongue. Its picking up the scent of its queen and its slowly lowering its head. Its came down to the edge of the lake and the orb which its eyes stared at her. Its registering her in its mind and its bowing to the queen.

Kiring walked to the serpent and pat it on the jaw. She leaned down and kissed the scales there. The serpent moved forth slowly and laid its head against it mother who is also its queen.

"Neppy, I knew you would not betray me. Thank you for waiting for me here. Only you would know I would come back here. You are mother's favorite." She turned to look at Shana who is still standing in the tower. "You may come out now."

Shana walked out and the serpent raised its neck as its sensed danger. Not danger form Shana but who is rappeling down from the top. There are twenty of them and they are of Man; Red Guards. Not any Red Guards, but the elite division. The one division used in suicide missions, as these are the best and ruthless in nature. They are few of them, and this probably the last of them.

"Shana, the walls." Kiring point to the walls and the assassins coming down.

Shana looked up and then she called back.

"Go to the Tower. I will be fine." Shana disappeared into the Tower while Kiring looked back to the Serpent. She mount on top of the neck and the serpent turned back to the lake. Its slithered away on the surface to the island while the Red Guards are left standing there.

"You grown big, Neppy. You must be about ten times the height of Man, and you are coming to maturity. Was it only a short time when you were a little one. Tell me what happened to your sister, Meppy."

The answer came with the shouts of alarm on the lake edge. Meppy had made her appearance by attacking the Red Guards. She is a replica of Neppy but she has a dark mole on her right side of the jaw. She is battling the guards and she is winning as she is five times their size.

"Guess I would leave her there for now. We would get acquainted later. Proceed on Neppy."

Kiring got off the serpent on her arrival at the island. She pat the serpent but its slithering back to go join its twin.

"Be careful, Neppy. I love you." She called out to the serpent but its beyond hearing distance. Kiring could not let go of her maternal instinct. She looked at the departing serpent and she sensed something wrong.

"No!" She screamed out. She knows what it happening. Neppy is going for Meppy on a duel like before. They are twins but they never liked each other when its comes for mother's love. Kiring presence here is creating the coming battle and if she read Neppy' mind right, Neppy is upset at Meppy telling her that mother does not love her anymore.

Neppy rushed up the edge and rammed into Meppy who is biting a guard off by its lower torso. Meppy sensed the arrival of Neppy too late, as the other twin crashed into the side of her jaw. It made her drop her last victim when Neppy bite into her neck just below the jaw. Meppy shrieked out in pain and it lashing back by using its body to push the other twin off.

Neppy by then had coiled her body onto the land and it now using its body mass to pushed the other against the wall. It pushed its body to get the other be cramped in tight. Meppy finding itself in a disadvantage tried to pull away from the wall by slithering backward. It pulled away and it reared its head up to strike back but Neppy ever the more smarter one had pushed hard on the attack now lunged at Meppy' neck line again. Neppy' fangs sink into the flesh below the neck and she bite hard. Meppy shrieked out louder as this time the other twin is furious on the lies.

Neppy rise up again on releasing the neck and ready for the fatal bite on the head. It heard the call form across the lake, and it stopped on the move. It paused to hear its mother, and it looked at the injured twin. It closed it jaw and hissed out the tongue to scent the twin. It caught the familiar scent and the memories come back to ease the anger. It raised it neck to hear the call again. It felt the other slither closer to it and Neppy lowered it neck. It nudged the other serpent and then its head on top of the other.

Across the lake, a voice can be heard with soothing words for the two children. Kiring is singing a lullaby and though they could not know the words, but they can feel the vibrations of her voice.

Killrock: 00:00hrs Day One on the planet 1.2

1.          The first contact

Kirov walked into Micheal's squad; Andrei and Tasha was on point as being siblings, they have a psychic link to each other. The section was descending the mesa trailing down in between the breaks on the slopes and using the boulders or outcrop for cover when Tasha signaled for caution. She crouched down behind the outcrop and raised up her PH375. Her eyes scour the surrounding ahead of her. She saw the damaged settlement below and scanned it for any signs of life but all she can make out were metal and concrete structures shadowed by the setting sun on its side facing the lake they been told to use as landmark. She moved her shoulders to ease the extra weight on her back as it was hurt from the bad landing. She then saw the Guard coming up the slope armed with a PH450. He must had been hidden some metal wall as the sensor did not picked up anything.

Tasha did not shout a warning but held the PH375 aimed at the Guard. The Guard walked into her path and saw the rifle. He raised his hands and shouted out his name; "Guard Kirov, Selvan VIII."

It was then when Andrei body wrestled him down to the ground and pulled the PH450 at the Guard face.

"Keep down. There are Draconian down there." Andrei whispered to him and then looked below to see the squad of Draconian patrol stopped in their march and looked up. They are soon seen climbing up the slope to check on the shadows movement recorded there The Draconian struggled to come up the loose sands with their bulky frame and cumbersome body armor. They battled to find some hold which to pull themselves up and most times falling on their knees. Andrei counted four of them moving hurriedly up on foot then before he signaled Tasha who gave him the affirmative nod.

"Move to the top, Others would take care of you." Andrei told the Guard as he slipped down the slope towards the left. Tasha had found a comfortable spot at the outcrop and now extracting the silencer from her waist. She had it attached to the PH450' its effective for short distance but they are limited in issuance to the snipers only. She saw her brother moving down and soon found his cover by another outcrop.

The Draconian paced up in a single column but they were more looking at the ground than around them. They had their instruction and now are looking for something or someone.

Tasha who was on the right took out the rear Draconian with a head shot at five metres. The projectile hit the right side of the head. It splattered out the flesh and metal piece from the projectile. The other Draconian turned back to look when Andrei took the front one with a shot at the right forearm area; piercing the armpit into chest cavity hitting both hearts before resting at the left ribs. The rest of the squad started reacting looking but the siblings had them lined up for head shots; Tasha took the second Draconian similar to her first and Andrei onto the last Draconian with two shots; each in one heart.

Once the Draconian threat were removed, Kurata and Silve rushed forth to check the Draconian bodies.

"Draconian Troopers." Tasha reported in when she saw the insignia. They are the front line troops of the Draconian Forces.

Kirov also took his first look of a dead Draconian since the invasion. Draconian looked similar to Man but they are larger and taller on an average of about two metres and a half. Their pale looking skin are devoid of any hairs but have wrinkles or creases in the layers. The facial expression was one close to Man but the jaws are protruded out with two sets of fangs overlapping out of the side of the lips, and the eyes are a set of orbs covering half the forehead. Its does not have any nostril but its skin breathes in whatever air they may need. Their body torso are longer than Man with their upper limbs reaching to the knees The killing point of the Draconian are head shots or making a wide tunnel out of their torso making sure you get both the pumping hearts there, as the Draconian would still move with one heart intact. More to it, there are gaps in the armor edges and this can be exploited in killing them like the area below the armpit was not covered by armor, the bottom of the Helm which leaves that of the neck opened. Their back armor was thinner and can be penetrated by the normal projectiles used in the PH375/

These were what the Intelligence section dug up on other Draconian prisoners autopsy.

The Draconian personal armors as mentioned above are actually metal chest plate with shoulder pads and greaves that reached the elbow. The lower body are covered with loosely padded rings of metal that are encased onto their thighs and shins. The head gear was the Helm; round cylinder with a flat top and front plate removed to cater for the jutting jaws. The helm had a set of ribbons attached to its rear which denote the rank of the Draconian. The darker the shades, the higher the ranking. The kinks in the armor was that its not integrated like the Rangers; they are exposed areas where

the armor plates do not joined.

The main weapon was the double barrel plasma gun which can fire eight shots before the need to reload the plasma cell. The barrels fired in turns by the gunner when triggered on the switch before the rifle stock. The gun was about one metre in length inclusive of the rifle stock.

Their preferred close combat weapon was the one metre long cleaver with jagged edge coming to the end of the blade, Its hilt is another half metre of ceramic material. There are some Draconian who preferred the long handle mallet than the cleaver.

The other preferred personal weapon of the Draconian Officers was its talons on the gloves; they are like that of the wild creatures. More so when these creatures are cannibals themselves. They should had been branded as man killer but seventy percent of their DNA matched Man which was why they are branded as cannibals.

Ranger Micheal dragged the Kirov aside and started getting updates.

COTN House of Karen Part 1

Fourth Part

The House of Karen

1. Recovery

Kiring sat by herself at the pond when they took their rest. Shana has gone off to look for fruits to feed their hunger, while Kiring' condition could only make her wait here. Kiring looked at herself in the reflection and she could hardly recognised the face on the water. Her once proud braided hair is now short cropped but it covers only half her scalp. The scarred left side is deprived of hairs and now covered by wrinkled skin. She looked down to the left shoulder and set her sight on her missing limb. Shana had to removed it to stop the infection from spreading to her heart.

Kiring cried out on the loss of her arm, then and now again.

"Kiring, its time for your potion." Shana placed her hand on right shoulder of Kiring but the warrior shrug her shoulder.

No more potion........." but Kiring did not get to complete the sentence. She has been sedated by Shana with the pin needle into her shoulder. Kiring slump onto the ground in a deep sleep.

"Sorry, Kiring. Its for your own good. You are not ready to face your new reality." Shana dragged the warrior to the shade and leaned her against the tree trunk. "Sleep well. Its time to dream now."

"Kiring, its time to come home." Kiring heard her mother but she is in the middle of perfecting her spell to levitate the stone. Her innocent mind at the age of five is not strong to control the thoughts but she is determined to try. She been failing to concentrate on the spell as her mind find too many distraction. She shut them off as much as she can. Most she can beat over, but not her mother who is more powerful than any spells.

"Kiring, this is your mother. I am also the most powerful person in the House of Karen. When I called out, or even whispered their name; they come running and fall to their knees. You are not an exception." The lady who speaks dressed in a long red silky gown with a plunging neckline laced together to hold her bosom high. Around her waist is the bejeweled belt with four mini daggers as they are the length of the finger than the full hand. Some may mistaken them for steel darts but they cut instead of prick. That is not all, but her hair is braided length lead to below her waist.

"No, mother. I am the exception. All your children are warriors except for me. I am the one dabbling in spells and playing with toads. And serpents too. The roaches I feed to the birds." That made her mother laughed out loud.

"Ever the exceptional one. You are lucky that I only have you. My other children are mine by command and not by blood." Kiring mother is the Head of Council for the House of Karen. Her personal guards are loyal to her and considered by her as her own children.

Kiring hugged her mother as any child would do. Both the mother and daughter walked to the Dining Hall. On their way there, one of the Council guards came to her.

"Head Councilor, we have a situation. There is a guest from the House of Genoe. He give his name as Malech."

Kiring had her supper alone. It was only later that her mother appeared and she looked distressed. Kiring watched as her mother take the seat next to her. The Head of Council took the goblet of goat's milk and drank it down.

"Yuck! I never did like milk. I am sorry that you have to consumed it but its supposed to be good." The look on the mother' face is worth the words. "I have some news to talk to you. You need to know as one day you would inherit this position."

"Mother, I am trying to be a sorceress, not any Councilor. I want to be more than you ever would be. I want to be greater." Kiring stood up in showing her aspiration but her mother like any mother never take any tantrums from their kids. The Head of Council glared at her and raised her voice.

"Kiring, behave or you would be in the chamber for a spell." Kiring' mother stomped out leaving her daughter in tears. Kiring was not to know the gravity of the issue at hand then. She next met her mother three days later in the Main Hall. Her mother is dressed in her blue robe with the emblem of the Karen Logo on it alongside of her belt waist. During that three days, she watched as guards and servants rushed through the chambers. She discovered that her mother and the rest of the Councils has personal guards behind them.

"House of Karen, please listen to me. We are at the verge of war with the Serpents; our old foe for over five centuries. There is a new Set on the throne and above all, they are strong in numbers. The Man has asked us to answer their call of unity. I was told of that by the Genoe sorcerer and he sounds out his reasons well. House of Karen, we are to marched to war."The house roar to her words but Kiring did not even get within arm lengths of her mother. For those few moments of her early life, Kiring felt she needed her mother as her birth mother.

"Mother!" but her call was not heeded. Her mother is needed elsewhere with all her other children.

"Kiring, you need to wake up now." Kiring opened her eye to see Shana overlooking her.

"You are with me. You were dreaming." Shana helped the recovering warrior to see the current environment. Her mind now setting back to reality and the realization of her current state in her body, put her back into shock. Shana placed a potion to the mouth and forced Kiring drink it.

"You would be fine soon." Kiring slumped back to sleep as Shana sat back to figure who would last the ordeal; she or Kiring. Kiring would need a more conducive place like her own home. It was then Shana noticed the new oncoming threat from the nearby trees; they are slithering down the branches and trunk as more serpents are appearing from the trees.

"Serpents! I hate you all." Shana took out a potion from her robe. She throw it to the air and she then chant a spell which would bring the elements she want. Its the wind which build up to a small tempest that lashed out with its arms to the trees and flinging the serpents to far distance.

"She belongs to me." Shana dragged Kiring again to the shade. She then sat down to think of how to move this mass to her home.

"Perhaps I can help." Shana turned to see who was one who spoke.

"Hello, Malech. How long you been following us?"

Malech laughed out loud. He walked over and then crouched down next to Kiring.

"How is she?" I just caught up with you half an hour ago. I saw the serpents and I wanted to hit them but you played a spell from Artoo. She need to be moved?" Malech after his soul searching decided to make sure of the health of Kiring.

"Yes, to her own place. The Tower of Karen."

"Shana, the Tower has been destroyed as what I was told. So why there? Kiring left the place after her mother died. She told me she did not want to go back.

"Kiring, my name is Malech. I am sorry about your mother. She died for a cause." The child is hiding in a dark corner holding onto her mother's red silky gown. "Could I sit down sith you? Its been a long day."

The child nodded and Malech crawled in next to her. They sat there for some time before the child slept on the lap of the sorcerer. He hymn these words to soothe down her fear.

Few want, few wished for the crisis wars to cease,
More that nations restored to unity an' peace;
There is also a wish of a child her and there

Who wished the return of her father who would turn the road.

His name was called to cross the distance between 
A reunion she yearn for the warmth of being held

But that departure from it would need to wait

Her father is not stopping in his walk

She cried her name and tears to dropped

She cling to his legs and yet they move

As if they are drawn by others that even love

Cannot stop the calling from even her daughter.

Sorry my love, the crisis wars wont' cease

Its my fate to continue my fight for us

In defend of our home and also your life.

Wait for me my child; your parents would unite

I promised you and also your mother

Your brother needs my protection and care

His brash attitude to join without my knowing

His life may may be mine to save as I give his.

Yet, I plead for the others to heed mine

If I am to fall, please tell my loves

That I did aim to come back but

I cannot now, so please take care of them for me.

I can only looked as he leave the road

The dust now settled the memories fresh

Another love come to hold me

She replaced the one who just left.

Held her close, my love

I am at tears myself but I must

Bring our family home all altogether again

I hope not to failed you too.

Malech leaned own to laid his lips on Kiring. He then looked up at Shana.

"I would help you to ensure she is fully recovered. I promised her once before." He then ran off but he promised that he would return. He did with a wagon pulled by two horses.

"Take it and bring her there. I have other matters to attend. I have also placed some spells to protect your journey from the serpents." Malech soon stand there to see the wagon take the two ladies to the Tower of Karen.

Killrock: 00:00hrs Day One on the planet 1.1

00:00 hrs Day One on landing at Killrock

1.          The mesa named Flat Top.

The figure dragged his weary body across the sands and pushed away at the boulder. It moved slightly on his push and then he was able to squeezed himself through. Once inside, he pulled back at the boulder back to its original position. He turned around and found himself facing the muzzle of the PH450.

"Its me, Kirov." He pushed the barrel away and dragged himself into the tunnel. Guards Kirov was one of Guards but during the attack he was at the Settlement. Chief Stewart was at the mine when he saw the invasion. He ran for one of the mobiles and rode it to the Settlement skirting the Space Port. He was worried about his daughter there that he did not notice the Draconian scout who was hiding behind the large boulder. The scout took down the mobile causing Stewart to fall down. His fall caused him to fall unconscious. When he woke up, the Chief was greeted by the large explosion in the skies. He tried to get up, but his left leg was wounded in the fall. It was bleeding at the shin with a wide gash. Stewart dragged himself to the Settlement. On the way there, he was met by Kirov who took him to Flat Top.

"Chief, I know of a hidden spot. Come with me." That was how Kirov had hidden with the Chief during the invasion. The cave was rich in metal mineral and it distort sensors reading. Kirov found this place in one of the search tasks and had it recorded for emergency uses.

The Chief pulled his injured leg along and sat down by the wall. It was his fifth attempt to locate his daughter but there were no signs to report on her. He looked at his new haven in this land. His tears flowed on remembering his daughter but he would not give up. Suddenly he heard the drone of the engine and then the sound of crashing. Kirov grabbed his PH450 and ran to the cave entrance

"Its on the top. Something landed there." Kirov point to above them. "I would go and check but you stay here."

Chief Stewart wanted to follow but weary muscles will not move at all. He just sat there watching Kirov moved the boulder to leave.

2.          The rogue landing.

When the carrier carrying the 5^th Squad was about to land, it was hit by missile launched by a Draconian scout causing its navigation system to be recalibrated for another location. It landed on Flat Top instead of Large Flat but the surface on Flat Top was not that flat for smooth landing; it had craters and small mound of surface. The carrier overturned and skid on the surface.

"Micheal, we would break the squad into two sections as agreed. Our mission are as usual; we go rogue." Going rogue to them was mean going on recon and destruction. "Micheal, you take the direction down from here, while I used the higher elevation to recon more."

It was then Ranger Ante walked up to them.

"Squad Leader, we are on the wrong coordinates. We are on the adjacent mesa named Flat Top." Basilus looked at his left greave and punched in the codes. Ranger Ante was right and they have been screwed.

"Micheal, proceed as planned. I would clear the mesa of any Draconian." Basilus note the second section proceed on their way. He then looked at Ranger Ante and told him to take point.

"You two cover the flank; spread out five metres distance." Ranger Gareth and Winslow nodded and adjust their distance while the rest distance themselves in between.

"Leader, we have made contact." It was Micheal.

Killrock; 70 hours prior Day One to landing at Killrock 2.3

1.          The Invasion wave

The Draconian came in one Troop Transport ship with an escorting Destroyer. It was the Destroyer who stood in patrol nearby while the Transport ship came into orbit. The Transport launched the advanced troops; six hundred of them them onto the surface. The Transport Ship holds the rest of the Division of four thousand over troops still on board.

Their first target was the Production Lines. Then the Space Port and finally the Settlement Structures. The Mothership took its main guns and shot at the Space Port. The Port was flatten with the barrage from the Mothership but there was no freighter on the landing pad. It had took off on the instruction of the Controller and was now loading in non-combatants at the blind side of Flat Top. The officer on board the Mothership did not scan the whole place except the structures.

The Militia and Guards mobilized took to the offensive with the pods launched from the Troop carrier. But the lack of practice with the weapons took its toll on the accuracy. They were no match for the crack scouts of the Draconian invaders. The invaders were on their hovering discs which made them very fleeting and deadly. The Draconian scouts shown have mounted up their rotary guns which was blasting holes in the colony defenses.

Lieutenant Peterson was the one holding the defence at the Production Lines but when he saw the first wave of Draconian scouts approaching. It looked a s shifting sand storm and then the appearances became more apparent with the image getting clearer. The huge Draconian frame at a distance was still intimidating but on their hover disc; they looked like hornets on the field.

It was a nightmare brought to life for these inexperienced Guards.

The perimeter were overrun by a blink of an eyesight, and the Draconian Scouts were already in the Production Lines facility. Peterson screamed for the countdown to began but the Sergeant at Arms was still nervous in reaching for the main switch. He looked at the Lieutenant for affirmative again.

"Do it, Rashid. You got five clicks to get out." Peterson had pulled puy his PH450 and point to Rashid.

Rashid nodded and pressed the remote switch to start the countdown. He then threw the switch into the corner before running for the doorway. Lieutenant Peterson did not bother to stopped him as he knows the Draconian have surrounded the outside. He looked at the young militia next to him.

"You get bullied in Hell, tell them my name. I would take their hide off." Peterson assured the young man. He then pressed the primary switch which was the final switch that would blow the place up but nothing happened.

Rashid did not mount the switch properly or someone sabotaged it. That was the first thought on his mind. 

"Damned!" Peterson went over to the secondary main production controller and pushed all the levels to maximum. That was his second choice to overload the machines. He was to push the last main level when he changed his mind. He helped to build to this place and now he was destroying. He looked at the Militia and was surprised to find the man pointing the rifle at him. The young militia had shot him dead then before he took to the doorway. He did it as he was afraid to die there with the machines. The young man rushed out of the office to looked for his family but he was waylaid by some Draconian Scouts. They came up to him and removed his head with one sweeping move with the blade.

The Draconian officer on the Destroyer managed to detect the freighter leaving the planet. It alerted the Commander of Destroyer who had the ship guns leveled on the freighter which was climbing into orbit.

Captain Manning have flown army crafts and this was one time he wished had guns or missiles. The Destroyer guns first took off his main engines and then the left wing side of the freighter but Manning held on tight to the controller. He had a load of five hundred refugees here but inside him, he knows they are going to die. Then he did the next stupid thing; he's going to make sure all their lives are delivered to Hell with a prize; the Destroyer.

The hundred tonnes freighter went to full power as the Captain swung the freighter to avoid the guns. He evaded some of the shots but those he did not missed, hit the freighter on some areas on the surface causing some damages. Manning leveled back the controller on the Freighter and brought it to bear towards the Destroyer. The collision of both ships created a bigger explosion that decimated both ships.

Back on the planet surface, the Militia and Guards with the Settlers all looked up at the explosion. They fought for those to escape but then there were all destroyed.

"Lets kill them." The Militia and Settlers shaken off their hope and fear now charged at the Draconian. They staged a desperate defense line at the Settlement but the Draconian were just overwhelming. The wave of the Draconian were just delayed for a slight time before they declared victory over the enemies.

The Draconian were successful in invading the colony in less than two hours. Their losses were minimal but the lost of the Destroyer was a major setback. The Troop Carrier unloaded all its contingent of over three thousand troops and weapons onto the colony before taking off on getting reinforcement. There are now a division of Draconian on the surface complete with armored support and weapons. The Guards and Militia are all neutralized and put to death.

That was the Intelligence assessment and as usual it was a blunder based on assumptions. Not all of them were annihilated.

Killrock; 70 hours prior Day One to landing at Killrock 2.2

1.          The Security Office

Lieutenant Peterson looked at the order received by him from Federation. He threw the pad to the floor and walked away from the main window view from his office to the Production line in the Grinding Building. The machines are still grinding feverishly there while the workers are manning the control panels.

"Lieutenant, do we proceed?"Sergeant at Arms Rashid await his order from the tall man with the metal hook. He smiled to himself, that would the story character he read to his son fits the officer well with only one thing missing; the cutlass at his waist.

"Yes, we would proceed but beware that Chief Ricken does not see you set those things?" Chief Marcus Ricken runs those lines like his own babes. He was one miserable son of bitch who married five times but left all of them without a word; and now living in his own unit working or cursing at the skies.

The Sergeant took to his duty with those heavy set shoulders bearing on the wide waist line; hollering to the men to carry out the crates of explosives. Those voices would reach some ears which would repeat to the Chief and there goes the secretive nature of the works.

"Damn you, Rashid." Lieutenant Peterson cursed at his officer but made no effort to reprimand him. He knows the Chief well; both of them were here when the first foundation for the lines were laid and they made a pledge to keep it running for many more years. Now he is going to break that pledge to destroy the lines.

2.          The Production Lines

Chief Ricken threw the faulty gauge at the Technician who had just replaced it. The issue was not the gauge but the shoddy works done on the piping was causing the short life of the gauges. The Technician does not dare to tell that to the Chief as he knows the Chief loved the lines like his own.

"I am telling you these parts are not up to par. You guys are sabotaging my lines." Chief Ricken got up when he saw the Guards placing things in the controller panels. He walked over and confront the Sergeant at Arms who was giving the commands.

"Rashid, what are you doing at my consoles? And what are those things?" Ricken points to the boxes at the back of the consoles. Then he identified the design. "Are those C10's?"

"Ask the Lieutenant." Rashid was indifferent to the Chief's questions. That caused the Chief to grabbed the wrench from the flooring where the Technician was working. The Chief swung the wrench at the Guard placing the explosives but he stumbled on some loose nuts. He fell forward and topple over the railings onto the next level below at ten metres.

Chief Ricken was the lucky one to missed the coming battle.

3.          The Space Port

Controller Theresa directed the hundred tonnes freighter 'FC Odin' to Landing Two. Its a small ship with a very big name on its hull but she was a fast ship. It only need a five man crew to operate it. She completed the landing sequences and saved the data. She then looked at her five year old daughter Alice named after she read the fable tales during her pregnancy. Upon the birth of her daughter, Theresa signed on for this exploration and two years ago she got her letter of confirmation. She was to approached her daughter when she saw the incoming signal. It was from the remote warning satellite.

"Level Three Alert Warning." It could only mean one thing; they are under the threat of being invaded.

Theresa picked up the comms and called for Lieutenant Peterson.

COTN House of Genoe Part 11

11. Captured

Malech saw the trap too late to evade it. He was taking a rest at the tavern on the trader' trail when he watched three Man dressed as traders walked in. He should had noticed they have a bandanna knotted at the wrist. Its the same color and design. What should had intrigue him that there was more of them in the tavern who had those on the wrists. He got up to move but was stopped by the next person sitting next him at the long table.

"Master Malech, you are in now. So don't leave just yet." Malech looked to the one who speaks; an elf with a patch over half his face. He is dressed in the trader attire but his wrist says differently. "You should know us well."

"The Council of Magic does not interest me then and won't do now. You can keep your agenda to yourself. More to it, the Council of Magic cannot defeat the Seti. You did not that, and you won't now." Malech placed his hand on the elf with the half face in patch; the elf fell down in pain.

Malech got up to face the rest: there are ten of them in the tavern wearing the bandanna. He looked at them closer and now the faces comes back to his memory. He smiled and then laughed out aloud.

"Council, my foot. You are all the charter members only. The one from Midlands, I believe. I recognise George there, and also Smithy. So tell me your plan. But if you are not my match. Neither of you or all of you together." Malech picked up his goblet and finished the drink. One of them threw a weak kinetic spell but Malech had anticipated the move and block the spell with a returning spell on a bigger force.

"Pick him up." Malech indicate to the fallen elf.

"There would be no such need." An unidentified voice came out.

Malech turned to see the whole chapter on the ground. They are all dead as they have been decapitated of all limbs and head. There was one other person standing there and he was none other than Lord Netsu. He is dressed in a white robe that flow to the feet but it no ordinary robe. This one is made of the fine sable fur and has matching hood. Beneath his robe is the dark double chested jacket with marching pants that tucked into a set of dark leather boots. The emblem on the jacket is the flaming sword; the motto of his avenging mood when he kills his enemies. That sword is in its scabbard safe from its avenging mode at the waist of its master.

"Minions, they think they can negotiate with me on your capture." Lord Netsu looked at old sorcerer. "Malech, how are you?"

"I am fine, father. I can see you have not lost your touch of death. How does it feel to be a Man for once?" Malech looked at the man standing there. "I see you still have the raging sword with you; the Fangoran."

"Malech, I would prefer a more suitable place for the family reunion but I have not many family members to take up seat on the table. So pardon me if I did not organized it." Lord Netsu pulled on his hood to turn for the doorway.

"You had invited Malent." Malech spoke out to his father. That stopped the Lord at the doorway.

"Nothing evades your sight. Or nose. Or whatever you have. Yes, he is here. Come out, Malent." Lord Netsu motioned to the bar. There was a metal display of a coiled serpent. It dissipate into a figure of an Elf in a green robe made of leather that encased the person. It was not really a robe but its a skin cover over the body that drape over like a robe. Once open, it reveal the person inside. He is no more an elf, but a serpent skinned person clad in a green tunic to the knees. His skin is all scaled and his eyes are not not of elf but a reptile. His ears are missing but there are now a slit over it. The jaw is protruding with the lips missing and the in place of teeth, are fangs. His hand is a webbed in between the fingers but he is wearing a set of leather boots.

"Don't be alarmed by his new look. I think he is doing well in his metamorphosis. He knew the risk and he accepted it." Lord Netsu looked at his second son. "Yes, I sent him to command the Serpents while you take on the Elves. I move with Man, and soon we would conquer all."

"Father, you need not do this. What are you doing? You destroy the Elves. Is that part of your plan?" Malech confront his father.

"The Elves were not easy to controlled like Man or Serpents. I had to reduce their numbers so that it can be managed. You stood in the way with your help that defeat the serpents and then the Dome. Malent had to go to hiding while you became a new threat. I had you imprisoned then." Malent is not talking but he did show some signs of irritation.

"You got me now, so what's next? Another imprisonment or joined me offer?" Malech questioned his father.

"Yes, your choice." Lord Netsu looked at his two sons. "Malent did and now its your turn."

Malech stepped back and shook his head.

"So be it." Lord Netsu raised his hands to conjure up a spell. He threw the spell at Malech. Malech find himself frozen in his steps.

"Take him back." Lord Netsu told Malent. The King of Serpent looked at his father.

"No! < Hiss > I should not < Hiss > had believed you. <Hiss> Stop your < Hiss> plans." Malent stood in between of Malech and their father. "He < Hiss > is not us."

"No one can stop my plans." Lord Netsu pushed with his kinetic spell at Malent, but the later defended himself with a kinetic shield.

"Do not < Hiss> harm him. < Hiss > Not ever again." Malent conjure up a spell which sweep him and Malech away, leaving their father seething in anger.

Malech find himself in the forest again, not far from the tavern. He sees Malent standing there. Malech reached with his mind down to his finger and he began tapping them. Its not any trivia movement but he is calling up a spell which broke the holding spell.

"Good, < Hiss> you are free. < Hiss > I want you to do it yourself. < Hiss > Now go." Malent told his brother. Then he turned to look at Malech. "There < Hiss > would be a war soon. < Hiss > Man and Serpents < Hiss > and your friends would be in the middle. < Hiss >. Be prepared."

"Malent, there is no need to fight., We could unite against Father." Malech walked towards his brother.

"There would be. < Hiss > I changed the plans. < Hiss > I am taking control." Malent walked away from his brother and then disappear into the forest leaving Malech standing there alone.

Malech sat down on the tree root and ponder. His thought was on himself; what is happening and why all these conflicting directions. He lost a son and lover to the last war, and now he finds a new war involving his own brother and father. The two could had been in the last war too but there are now coming to surface. This new war now involves his two apprentice; one which sided to his father and the other to his brother.

So many confusion and yet he feels he is holding the balance on the war.

He does not know what to do.

He is finally getting lost.

He need to get away.

From all of it.

I am sorry, Cedi. I am sorry, Medi.

I am sorry to myself.

"Its sad that you know the truth. Its so more sad that you choose not be with me. You are pathetic, Malech. I would destroy you now. Then Malent. I don't need all of you." Lord Netsu is standing there. He raised his hands up again, but this time Malech is upset and more to it, he knows why he need to do this. He raised his right hand and lashed out with a cold spell onto the sword at the waist of the Lord. The cold spell pained the sword, Fangoran and it lashed out with its flame. The flame pushed out the Lord from his spell and Malech lashed out with the second spell that is a magical blade that cuts into the soul. The blade cut into the Lord's left thigh and he screamed out in pain. Malech jumped back and ran the opposite direction.

He had to run far as he could not battle Lord Netsu alone. He needs the others. He know why he could not rest until the Serpents are destroyed because he is not part of the family with Lord Netsu. He was adopted by the Lord to cover his true identity. He is Lord Netsu' enemy's son. The one that died fighting Lord Netsu as the earlier Set before Malent. His real father died not on the battlefield but by deceit of Lord Netsu.

Netsu buried the memory until the last Serpent War. Malech found some indication of the memory surfacing as the spell Netsu placed on him was cracking. He was discovered by Lord Netsu and the Lord influenced Berhan' volunteer to the Dome, forcing Malech to be exposed to the Serpent Lair. It would had worked but Malech was fighting it too much. Lord Netsu arranged for the apprentice to imprisoned him until Lord Netsu can figure out how to weaken his mind again.

He almost did but he was rescued too soon. Malech visit to Aleria strengthen his feeling to fight the Serpents on the death of Berhan. When he opened the old scrolls, there was a scroll which gave him the spell to work off the remainder of Lord Netsu' spell. After he left Kiring with Shana, he has dreams of his own life and his real father. He had visions of the betrayal and that was why he became more confused. The two he considered his own family is his enemy, but his biggest regret is the mother he learned to love.

She is the one holding back his need to go on, but on seeing his fake father still wanting to kill him, he decided to seek closure to all the issues.

That includes stopping the Serpents too.