[Ratler]

Originally Posted by Keroko

And while we're at it, track five! Last post for the night. Looots of Keroko development, and a few Rogues introduced.

Spoiler for Track 5 - Report to Carim:

Track 5 - Report to Carim

Keroko walks towards the St. Monarch Church, Kha in tow. At the moment she didn’t care one bit for discretion, Hayate’s mission had held her up longer then expected. She opens the doors to find a nervously passing Carim.

Carim: Keroko, I’m glad you could come on such a short notice.
Keroko: Don’t worry about it, I was going to tell you this when I came here, but the mission intervened. Then Kha told me they encountered more of those drone zombies.

*Both Carim and Keroko’s eyes flicker to Kha for a moment.*

Carim: Yes, he told me you had encountered these things before.
Keroko: Yes, but let’s take a seat. This will take a time to explain.

The trio sits down, and Keroko begins to explain.
Keroko: It all began during a small scouting mission on the 178th world….

*dreamy flashback sound can be heard.*

Keroko: All green in this sector, we should head back and regroup with the others. 178th planet seems clear for now.
Wes: (flying to her left) Roger that leader.
Rogue 4: Still, it’s amazing that Commander Hayate allowed you to come, I thought you were to busy with the new unit?
Keroko: It’s mostly training right now; and the occasional mission. It’ll be a while before we see any real action.
Rogue 6: Still, it’s great to have you flying with us again.
Rogue 8: Yeah, good to see Deathwing has lost none of her charm.
Rogue 7: Nor her cuteness.

Keroko: *sighs and opens a mental link* [Wes, they’re doing it to me again.]
Wes: [Well, you did up and leave one day after all. They’ve been bored ever since they had no-one to fuss over.
Keroko: [I’m the commander of this squadron and they still treat me like a kid. When I joined this squadron as an instructor, I worked hard to get you out of your miseries and did my best to train you-]
Wes: [Torture, you mean]
Keroko: [Details. Into a fine unit, which is now amongst the elite in the TSAB, and what do I get in return? Pats on the head and comments on my ‘cuteness’]
Wes: [Well, you are the youngest in the squadron, even if you’re our commander. You’re like our little sister. *He looks at her with a grin* Our little Deathwing.]
Keroko: [… I hate you Wes.]

*A burst of static interrupts any further conversation*
Rogue 12: Commander! We have possible problems, source is unknown but it’s certainly not of this world!
Keroko: Copy that twelve. Wes, Tycho, grab onto me. We need to hurry considering we’re farthest away.
Wes & Tycho: Ma’am!
Keroko: *checks whether the two are holding on tight before nodding* Artherion, cartridge load!
Artherion: Hyperdrive. *A huge red aura surrounds the trio and they blast of at incredible speed.*

They soon arrive to see the rest of Rogue Squadron assembled at what appears to be a cave mound.

Keroko: *Glances around* So what do we have?
Wes: Looks like a cave.
Tycho: *shakes head* That cave was not made by nature.
Wes: *Turns to Tycho* How so?
Tycho: *Points at the entrance walls* Those walls are too straight, only intelligent hands could carve something like this out.
Keroko: All right, let’s go in then.

The squadron enters into the cave. As they ascend deeper and deeper, they slowly begin to realize that this is more then just a cave. Strange pyramids seem to stand at selected places in the cavern, and the place radiated a certain aura of death.

Keroko: *murmurs* This is no cave… it’s like a tomb.
Rogue 4: Commander!

*A ripping sound can be heard*

Keroko: *Reacting in a reflex* Forcefield!

*The silent cavern turns into a mixture of ripping, cracking and banging sounds as a strange bolt of green energy makes contact with the red shield.*

Keroko: Take cover!
Tycho: *Ducks behind a nearby rock* What was that?!
Wes: From what I saw, gray, metal, and carrying a really big gun.
Keroko: Drones?
Tycho: They sure didn’t look like any of the ones you are hunting.

*more cracking sounds can be heard as multiple bolts start chewing up the rocks*

Wes: Dammit, there’s more of them?
Keroko: *leaps from behind the rock* Return fire! Snipe Shooter!

As one scarlet beam of energy surges forward and pierces three of the drones, many other multicolored bolts follow with a deafening roar.

Keroko: Press on! We need to know where the hell these things are coming from!

The full frontal wall of spells the Rogues weaved downed drone after drone. Despite the fat that the Rogues had no idea who they were up against, they seemed to be on the winning hand. Finally, the flow of drones seemed to stop.

Keroko: Two, Status!
Wes: twelve and thirteen took shots to the arm, and by the looks of it it’s very painful. Their weapons seem to flay the very flesh of ones bones. Four took a shot to the shoulder, and six was hit in the side. He’s going to need medical attention.
Keroko: *Sighs* Right, Five, patch them up for now. We need to find out where these things are coming from and get the hell out of here.
Rogue 5: I’ll get right on-

He is suddenly interrupted from finishing the rest of the sentence as a green burst of energy rips through his chest, setting his body ablaze with green energy. The rogues watch in horror as the skin is torn of his charred skeleton.

Keroko: Zhar!
Wes: Where the hell did that come from?
Tycho: Behind us!
Keroko: *Runs up to the standing metal skeleton and swings Artherion in an upward, lobbing of his head. She shifts the weight and rams the axe-like device through the side of its chest* Where was that bastard hiding!
Wes: Around us!

The Rogues watch in horror as several of the machines pulled themselves back together. Holes make by accurate shots close, tears are mended, some of the mechanic monstrosities even re-attach their own limbs as if they never even left their owner.

Keroko: Run! Blast a way through their lines, towards the exit!

A hail of spells once again blasted a hole in the line, but the Rogues, tired and wounded, can not fully escape the enemies, who are now closer then ever. One of the Rogues managed to get a little close to one of the drones. He prepares for a spell, expecting the machine to level his weapon at him and fire. Instead, the metallic zombie raises his weapon high and struck. Completely not anticipating the attack, the Rogue lost half his shoulder and was send skirting backwards, where another of the strange drones puts a foot on his chest, and applies enough pressure to instantly kill the man.

Keroko: *curses* How much farther!
Rogue 5: Just a little bit, around this turn and- aaaah!

A scream silences any more words, as a gigantic scythe pierces the man’s chest. Moments later he is ruthlessly tossed aside and a giant floating phantom comes into view. Cloaked in grey, the bottom tattered; a hood covers his face yet fails to hide a malicious grin, a scythe in hand.

For a moment, I was reminded of the earth tales of the grim reaper.

Keroko: *glaring at the newcomer* Wes, get them out of here.
Wes: Are you sure, Keroko? He looks different from the others. Stronger, too.
Keroko: That’s why I am staying and you are going. *shifts her glare to Wes* and that’s an order.
Wes: …. Yes ma’am.

Keroko: *Shifts her glare back to the hooded figure* Artherion, Ethereal Mode!
Artherion: Activating. *The two blades on Artherion turn downwards until they’re both at a 120 degree angle, then a third blade appears at the top.*
Artherion: Releasing seals. *A pattern of seals appear all over Keroko’s body, slowly they begin to fade*
Artherion: Seals released, starting Elthereal Mode. *Two wrist guards appear to shield her wrist and forearm, and her skirt gains several armor plates. A diamond shaped hole appears in the cloth her back, from which two black ethereal wings sprout.*

As soon as I had finished shifting to Ethereal Mode, I immediately began casting an Ion Cannon Breaker. I was expecting the creature I was facing to attack, like its predecessors had done. I did not expect the creature to speak to me.

Hooded figure: Power… such dark power… you are an avatar, are you not?
Keroko: *blinks* What?
Hooded figure: Yes… I sense a power greater then yours, and yet you command it at will… identify.
Keroko: Keroko… Deathwing Keroko…

It was a simple error, a slip of the tongue. Yet the creature seemed to enjoy it.

Hooded figure: Deathwing… yes, I shall remember, and we shall meet again, deathwing.
Keroko: Like hell we will. Ion Cannon… BREAKER!!!!

*A huge explosion shakes the cavern as the red-black beam tears through its stone halls*

Keroko: Huff… huff…
Wes: Commander! Hold on, I’ll transport you to the ship!

*In the medbay*

Keroko: Thanks Griff.
Griff (Rogue 12): I’m no Zhar, commander, but I’m glad I could help.
Wes: So what now?
Keroko: *Sighs* Wes, you get this to the TSAB, as soon as you can. Contact Tycho, and send him to the Infinite Library. Tell Yuuno I send him.
Wes: And you?
Keroko: I’m going to Carim. She has to know about this too.
Wes: That serious?
Keroko: Wes, we just lost three Rogues! Three! Even against the Zerg we never lost three Rogues in a single battle. No, this has to go everywhere. The Velkan order has people I trust, and they need to know this too.

*Another dreamy flashback sound can be heard*

Keroko: And that’s how I came here. Unfortunately I only had enough time to warn Kha, luckily his team made it out better then mine.
Carim: Keroko…
Keroko: *clenching the fabric of her skirt* Three Rogues Carim. Zhar, Rutan, Reac, all three of them gone…
Carim: …
Kha: …
Carim: *walks over to the distressed girl and pulls her into an embrace* I know it hurts, Keroko. But remember, though you may have lost three friends, you saved nine others. You are not alone.
Keroko: *breaks down and starts crying on Carim’s shoulder.*

What can I say? I'm a gluton for drama.

Sleepy time now. Will continue work on Keroko's bio in the weekend.

Beautiful Simply Beautiful. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with some drama, nothing at all.