Prologue: Why a caravan of high end salvage ended up in a Giant’s Pincer…
The Armies of Eloga had claimed these lands in the name of the Der’al Collective. Luckily for Godart there were no border guards preventing passage across their territory. Since the Elogans were used to Brezan and Karovian Nomads wandering through their territory they usually had a live and let live mentality about these things. But in this one situation, there were rumors of a known dangerous element the Infamous OtO making its way through the territory with huge amounts of military grade metals and plastics.
OtO hadn’t wanted to be here, but when the VofV pushed them out of the Beckett Corp Depot south of the Dead Dome, OtO was left without other options.
The UtR had closed borders preventing Airships from reaching them in UtR lands, and Godart was stuck with only one option move north into the more hospitable Der’al Collective lands. But things didn’t work out to his benefit, the Der’al Collective allowed free passage to many factions often considered undesirables in UtR lands. The least worrysome of these were the Ar’yeserai, more concerning the disease bringing Tor’lallur, and the most dangerous travelers in these lands were Yyan Giants who had been given free passage and a nonaggression pact with the Der’al Collective.
The Armies of Eloga had been kind enough to alert them to the two Yyan Giant packs that were closing on their position. Godart was stuck with a tough choice. Meet the Giants here…or try and run for the Karovian border.
Some negotiation by commcrystal had gained Godart the right to bring in allies among the Bruskti Airship pirates into Der’al Collective lands. The Bruskti would help extract them and their goods.
It hadn’t been a free interaction though, and nine Der’al Collective representatives, Olgogs of the Tor’lallur, the Army of the True Flame, and the Kolgul Militia, had arrived to pickup the border tariffs.
Each walked away with an armful of high end steel and aluminum salvage to Godart’s chagrin.
Turning southwest, the caravan of Hovertrucks, nomads dragging pallets, and their Artillery Strider began increasing their pace. The plan was to force the Giants onto advantageous terrain, where their size would work against them, and Godart’s defenders could use their unique talents.
Godart noticed Blake Arlash begin stalking off to flank the enemy. Seeing the Noble disappear into the shadows, he hoped their planning would be enough.
Part 1: A Squad too Late
Lurtor knew that going into a mission with so many unknowns was not good. But his new team members seemed all very powerful in their own rights. Also this mission fell inline with his more recent tendencies. He was starting to realize in the change from the assassin to the Knight of the Bladed Sun he was becoming. And it was those changes that were going to help them.
Lurtor had the group board the Lur Union Fighter. He made sure they had their weapons and armors back from before their capture. Lurtor also made sure each of them and the pilot of the Fighter had the group commcrystal.
Lurtor was surprised to see Lalon. Obviously Lalon was here to make sure the Fighter had full Leyas shield protection and get the crew out if needed. Lalon as an artificer could bounce even magi cannon fire, cloak the ship, or even teleport the gogs out. He was happy not to have to work about their safety, and that was probably Lalder’s plan.
As they reached the edge of Der’al Collective Airspace, Lalder said to the group “Remember, keep your distance from the Neliff infested host even if you think it is dead. We’ll use the radar to make sure no life signs in the corpse, and then we’ll pick it up. If the Neliff are still alive, we’ll shoot them more. I plan to create a Ice storm over the giants. This will shield us from view while providing a distraction. I don’t plan for the fighter to interview unless we need support as want to limit what magi cannon fire
Our objectives are: Kill the Neliff, Kill the hosts infected with Neliff, and if possible bring physical proof that the Neliff exist. This will be crucial to get the Der’al collective and some race to help exterminate them.
I can detect them by sight, I will relay which ones are infested and I already gave you the description of what Neliff look like.”
As the Lur Union fightercraft flew low over the sand, the VLAD squad dropped out.
Part 2: Neliff Negotiations
Neliff was the prophet, and all Neliff after the prophet worshipped Neliff as the right arm of Warmonger. All Neliff called themselves Neliff, and Neliff be as they are; predatory, raping, little monsters.
This particular Neliff was called Neliff (I see you are catching on now), and had come to Refuge alongside the fiend known as the Usurper. The Usurper had told Neliff and his fellow Neliff that this planet was a prime home for them.
Few here knew of them, and the planet was home to the doorways to the Prison Dimension that Warmonger was trapped in. Neliff could turn this planet into their new homeworld., The trillions of lifeforms on this planet were all viable hosts. And to top it all off, their nemesis the Quall N’drone Hordes were already hated and hunted by the sentients on this planet.
“Warmonger you are truly great,” whispered Neliff as he clutched tighter to the Yyan Giant’s neck, “Your servants have found us a true home. One day I hope to serve you as the next Neliff the Prophet. May I one day serve as a Hiveking to your greatness.”
As he prayed his mantras, Neliff’s tentacles extended down under the Giant’s armor. Three of his tentacles were plunged deeply under the flesh. Their semi-etheric nature meant no blood dripped, and no wound would be visible when he was done. But with how massive the Giant was, there was much flesh to implant. Even now, eggs flowed down his tentacles, each depositing in a different muscle group.