The Gates of Hell III- Imperial Mandate
#3 of The Gates of Hell
So I had this written almost 9 months ago but I lost my memory stick. So for those who were actually following this (and still here :o) I do apologise. It's a bit long, I got slightly carried away (10,000 odd words) for those who just want the smut, scroll down to about 3/4 to 8/10 of the way down, it's right there. Some more dialogue in this, so SF streches it out somex.x
Other then that, here's part three of the Gates of Hell series.
Legal disclaimer:
The following story depicts adult acts between consenting male soldiers, if the idea of this offends you or you are under the age of majority in your respective country/state, please go look somewhere else. For those who do not mind such acts and who are over the age of majority, read on.
All characters are property of myself or their respective players (used with permission).
Imperial Mandate
Today, January twenty-ninth, of the year twenty-two forty four, a dastardly and underhanded surprise offensive was launched against Imperial forces in the Tarturus system by the Union of Twenty-four. The native population of Tarturus, the Vandoon, under the direction of the Union of Twenty-Four assaulted Camp Hades, a major base near a previously established border, in the early hours of the morning whilst the vast majority of the base was asleep. The Vandoon have, in doing so, violated any and all peace accords between them and the Nidian Empire.
It is a testament to our Imperial Armed Forces that they held the base, when besieged on all sides and outnumbered thirty to one. It is an inevitable fact of war that there are casualties. Currently, the Nidian death toll stands at just over seven thousand, five hundred. Give thanks for their sacrifice, they sold themselves dearly, as the confirmed enemy dead stands at well over eight-hundred thousand. Our brave soldiers made the heathens pay for every inch in blood.
In light of the deaths of so many Nidian citizens I have no option but to place the Nidian forces on Tarturus, as well as the surrounding systems on a war footing. I have ordered that the 9th Fleet and all of its attached units re-deploy from the Terran DMZ to Tarturus to assist the forces in suppressing this latest challenge to our Empire.
Finally I ask that every Nidian, offer up a prayer to our all mighty god and ask him to look over our brave soldiers all across the galaxy as they carry out their duties. They do us proud, keeping us safe from the immeasurable horrors that try and do harm to our proud people. May the live to come home to their families.
-Statement given by the Emperor of the Nidian Empire, after learning of the attack on Camp Hades
Dark clouds hung over Hades. The sky overcast, filled with large, greyish-black clouds. A crack of thunder could be heard rolling off the nearby hills, the deep grumble of nature seeming to emulate the feeling of anger that permeated Hades.
The base had been hit hard by the Vandoon Union's assault. The outer trench system was still clogged with bodies, the perimeter wall had been breached in several places along the whole line and large piles of dead Vandoon were still located inside the walls where the Nidian bulldozers had piled them. The stench of death filled the air as carrion birds descended on the corpses in their thousands, feasting on the dead flesh.
The base had been reinforced and fresh troops been brought up to replace the decimated defenders. Tired, hurt and angry the soldiers and marines who had made the Vandoon pay for each inch they gained in black blood, limped back towards the central camp. There, they would spend several weeks regrouping whilst their fate was decided by bureaucrats located far away in safe hive spires. Some would be strong enough to be put back into rotation after some R&R, but unfortunately for most they had suffered such heavy casualties it would be impractical to deploy them again in their current state.
The latter was the case for Striker Company. They had sustained over seventy percent casualties, lost their commanding officer as well as the second in command. This meant, as far as high command was concerned that Striker Company had been 'decimated' and rendered combat ineffective. The members of Striker couldn't believe more differently. They were all chomping at the bit to be put back on the front line and get revenge for their fallen comrades.
Deep down though, under all the anger, they all knew that it was for the best. They had little to none working equipment and were yet to be resupplied, some squads only had one or two combat effective soldiers, no clear command chain and every single one of them was dead on their paws. The Strikers now had to focus on their future, which was far from certain. They had taken way to many casualties to make up the numbers with replacements, so a disbanding and re-assignment across the rest of 2nd Battalion looked the most likely.
As he contemplated such thoughts, Sergeant 1st Class Vaughan Gray looked up at the foreboding sky from the barrack complex's open air observation deck he was standing on, sighing to himself. "I bet that's gonna be an ammonia storm..." Not a moment later the base klaxons sounded four short bursts then one long one, the storm warning. Another mechanism Tarturus used to try and kill Nidians. Thanks to most of its native fauna having certain glands that secrete ammonia into the atmosphere, Tarturus' atmosphere could go from perfectly breathable to highly toxic in a matter of minutes, with anyone caught outside without a re-breather, unconscious in about sixty seconds, dead in three minutes.
Whilst the sporadic changes in ammonia levels made life hard, the real killers were the ammonia storms. Large cloud formations, saturated with ammonia that looked like normal storm clouds from a distance, most easily mistaking them for such. That was until the highly alkaline rain fell. The water would cause burns to any exposed fur and if left exposed for a long enough it would burn through clothing and to top it all off the rain would run into large pools of highly corrosive fluid that gave off noxious and toxic fumes that could easily overwhelm an unprotected Nidian.
Vaughan wasn't worried as he stood in the stale open air, as no sooner had the klaxons sounded, large armoured blast doors slid down from the roof, sealing off the observation deck. He sighed once more as he heard the first rain drops hit the armour plating, first sporadically but gaining in frequency and strength.
"Looks like it is going to be a bad one." A new voice echoed around the empty room, causing Vaughan to spin around on the spot to confront whoever it was. His hard expression softening as he saw the friendly smile radiating off the face of the Otter standing opposite him. Closing the space between them without saying a word, he embraced his fellow in a tight hug, clasping his paws around his back, the otter reciprocating. They stood there for a good minute before they both relaxed and gently let go of each other, a barely detectable blush forming across the bridge of the dingo's muzzle.
The otter was roughly the same height and build as Vaughan. His fur was a light brown, with a tinge of white running down his neck and off under his green and black tiger striped camouflage fatigues. Black gloved paws were resting in his pockets as he slouched slightly, brilliantly green eyes blazing with life as he casually observed the dingo.
"Vaughan, damn it's good to know you're alive. When I heard how bad the east wall got hit..."
"Heh, we just did our duty. Just like every other Nidian." Vaughan looked at the floor avoiding the otters green eyes, knowing full well what the effect that had on him. Desperate to focus his eyes elsewhere he pointed to the brand new, shiny silver rank pins on the otter's collar. "Ohh, they promoted you?"
Nathaniel glanced down at them, giving them a little polish with his paw. "Yeah" He said with a grin "I'm now 2nd Lieutenant Nathaniel Hope instead of just a Sergeant, they gave me command of a LIST security team."
"Should I salute? But dude seriously, a security team? Why are you happy, that's a dead end assignment?"
"Aye I know but with this war ramping up, they are gonna be calling up any officers they can as replacements."
"Yeah, you're right... hell we might need a replacement soon and that's if they don't disband us." Vaughan eyes fell as emotions overcame his pretence, sliding down the cold, metal wall, ears flat against his skull, the sudden silence of the room filled with the steady drumming of the rain on armoured plating. Nathaniel could plainly see how upset the dingo was, not that he could blame him. They were all still trying to come to terms with what had happened that day.
Sliding down the wall next to him, he slipped an arm around the dingo's shoulder, stroking his arm gently. "Is he that bad? I thought the doctors said they could save him."
He whined gently as he looked up at the roof. "I know... but he looked so bad when I went to see him. Just hanging limply in the tank, it...it was horrible Nate."
"Did you ask the doctors how he was?"
Vaughan was silent for a second before shaking his head timidly, a tear coursing down his cheek. "I can't lose him Nate. I just can't. He... he... I know I shouldn't feel this way but..." Nathaniel silenced him by pressing a finger to Vaughan's trembling lips.
"I know how you feel. You don't have to explain yourself to me." He squeezed Vaughan's huddled form, squeezing and holding his paw. "Look, I'll go and check on him for you. I need to go drop off a few messages over there anyway." Something in Nathaniel's eyes reassured as he felt his paw squeeze. Then it clicked in his head. "You know I'm gay don't you?"
"It was kinda obvious from the way you looked at Alex. Oh and I've seen the rainbow bracelet in amongst your underwear."
Vaughan raised an eyebrow at the otter's last statement, noticing the blush erupting through the brown fur. "What where you doin' in my underwear draw? Hmm?"
"I...I needed to borrow a pair."
"Sure you did..."
"Shudup. Now I'm gonna go check on Alex for ya."
"Are you sure?" A loud crack of thunder issued from the sky the wind screaming and howling overhead. "That storm sounds really bad. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
Nathaniel shook his head and smiled as he pulled himself back up onto his foot paws, offering his own paw down to help the hurting dingo up. "Look, you're a good friend and I hate seeing you like this. I might as well go and check since you're stuck here."
"Oh yeah I forgot about that." Vaughan looked down at his paws. How could he forget he was now acting commander of Striker 3? He should be down amongst his troops, not up here on his own. "I shouldn't really be up here wallowing in my own problems should I?"
The otter patted him on the back, getting a bit more contact with him then what just a fiend would. "Yeah. The troops need you to be strong for them. I'll send you a message once I've seen Alex."
"Thanks Nate. You get goin'." Vaughan grabbed Nathaniel's shoulder and pulled him into another hug however this time he gave Hope a little peck on the lips, desperately restraining himself from going further. "Now go on get going." Sending the otter on his way with a pat on his rump.
His face as bright as the sun, the otter backed away towards the door. "O-Okay Vaughan. Look, don't worry about Alex, he's gonna be fine." Almost as an afterthought, Nathaniel popped his head back around the door. "Oh and did you hear. You and most of the Strikers are up for awards. I have even heard a rumour that they might even give out a Crux Imperialis." Then he bounced away down the corridor, leaving a smirking, much better dingo behind. It had indeed been the first time he had heard mention of any awards. "I wonder who got the CI?" Asking the empty room aloud.
The Crux Imperialis was the highest order of bravery that could be awarded in the Empire. The citation read 'Given in the name of the Empire for Incredible and extraordinary bravery shown in the face of the enemy with actions that far exceed the call of duty in service to the Nidian Empire'. It was only awarded by Imperial Decree and each recipient was chosen personally by the Emperor. Such an award was incredibly rare even in a galaxy so stricken by war. Across the many billions of the Nidian Imperial Forces only a few thousand had ever been awarded. On top of the award proper, it conferred on its recipient several privileges as well as granting membership to the Imperial Council when they so wished.
Nathaniel left slightly stunned from the brief but more then welcome kiss. He shuddered slightly as the savoured the taste of Vaughan's lips, tongue flicking along his own lips briefly. He caught glimpses of the remaining members of the decimated company sitting in huddles, laying on their beds with partners or just generally standing around the barrack building. All of them silent, all of them coming to terms with the sheer loss they had sustained. Hope considered himself lucky. His troops had got off much easier, sustaining only six deaths.
With a deep breath of the cool but metallic recycled air that blew out of the grills at the top of the corridor he continued to stroll along the halls. The buildings were all running on their own internal life support systems from the lockdown to prevent any traces of the toxic fluid seeping in. No system was completely foolproof and as he neared the exit hatch he caught whiffs of the stench of ammonia, the hints of the deadly gas making his eyes water. As he peered through the glass of the exit hatch, the drumming of the corrosive rain seemed to get heavier, the cracks of thunder louder and the flashes of lighting glimpsed through the glass and metal grew more frequent, all as if in spite of him.
He reached his paw down to his waist to grasp the River IV Pattern Re-breather attached to his utility belt by a clip and by a semi-rigid hose to an air canister strapped just to the right of the mask clip. The grey and black mask was specifically designed for an otter's snout and face, closing his eyes as he slid it on, feeling the thin, rubber internal cushions against his fur, the seals sucking to his face pushing his sensitive whiskers down to his muzzle. Finally the built in eye protection pressed gently against his skull. Opening his eyes to check his oxygen levels displayed on his wrist display, relived to see a bright blue bar indicating a full tank. He transferred, with a few taps of his gloved fingers, the oxygen and ammonia level meters to his masks HUD along with a mini-map for navigation.
Standing in front of the air lock he could see through the two small windows the lashing rain hitting the concrete outside. Already large pools of the clear liquid had formed, giving off visible toxic fumes. Another klaxon sounded briefly as he opened the inner hatch of the airlock, the alarm shutting off instantly once he was inside. His eyes drifted to the alert panel on the wall, what he saw didn't exactly fill him with confidence. Apparently according to the bases weather office, the current storm was one of the worst the base had ever been hit by and it was set to get worse. Official recommendation was not to go outside at all, with all base travel restricted to armoured vehicles and all flights in, as well as out had been grounded.
Nathaniel ignored this like he always did. Patting down his uniform, he checked all the zips were up and no fur was on show. Finally to complete his protective gear he pulled on his reinforced base ball cap, flattening his ears against his scalp, ensuring the seals at the top were engaged. He took one more look out of the window at the rain, barley able to see more then a few meters. Resolving himself he opened the outer door to the sound of more alarms, stepping out into the barrack buildings small porch. Sealing the door behind him he looked at his HUD to see his ammonia level had already jumped into lethal levels a red danger symbol flashing in the top right of his display. Breathing short and shallow in the mask he scanned around for any sign of movement. It seemed like all other base personnel had seen sense and stayed indoors.
"Now just go to remember where I parked the bloody buggy" Nathaniel couldn't see more then two or three meters. The rain was like a wall. A never ending, lethal, burns your face off wall. Glancing to his HUD he was thankful he had made the small oversight of leaving the buggy's locator beacon on when he has parked. It was just off to his west, stored in the barrack sectors car park. He did a third and final check of his uniform before sprinting off into the rain.
As soon as he left the cover of the porch his ammonia meter went off the chart. He sprinted through it, ignoring the warnings in his ear. As he turned a corner he slammed straight into a chain link fence, bouncing back off it, barley avoiding what looked like a rather deep ammonia pool. "Fuck!" He had run into the fence surrounding the car park, not normally a problem but in a situation that meant every second you spent outside was another second closer to death it was certainly unwelcome.
Feeling his way around the fence, he reached a side gate built into the fence. A gate that was unfortunately for him, locked. As he considered his options, the ammonia warning continued to sound off in his ear. He could keep going for the main entrance, but that might be too far, he could already see his uniform starting to burn as the edges of the green fabric started to curl and turn black. His key card would work on the lock but he doubted it would survive the seconds it was exposed. That left him with his final and probably most dangerous choice. He pulled his side arm from its environmentally sealed hip holster. Rapidly flicking it to its lowest power setting he aimed the revolver at the gates locking mechanism. Hoping the fire arm didn't ignite any nearby ammonia concentrations he pulled the trigger, the sound lost to the storm. The large metal slug propelled by the electric rails smashing the lock apart, burying itself in the concrete floor.
Kicking the gate open, he holstered the pistol in a practised motion as he sprinted towards his buggy. The little four wheeled vehicle was nothing more then an elongated quad bike with a roof, doors and windscreen. Slamming up against the body of the vehicle his breath heavy, gloved paws fumbling with the door handle. Yanking it open after a brief moment of struggle he practically dived inside the protection of the cabin. The door sliding shut behind him he sat in a heap as he caught his breath, the mask inherently shortening his breath.
Pulling himself properly into the seat, he hit the buggies engine start button, the roar of the powerful engine audible even through the muffling effect of his baseball cap. As the car's engine started, it simultaneously activated the myriad of electronics that supported it. These included the cars environmental suite that began draining the contaminated air from the cabin and replacing it with clean air from the vehicles supply tank as well as using a sophisticated set of dryers to evaporate any ammonia left on his uniform. Nathaniel waited for the green light on the buggies HUD to flicker on, cross checking with his masks meter. When both ammonia indicators displayed good signs he pulled off his baseball cap, undid the clips holding the mask on and tugged his gloves off. Gratefully sliding the mask off his face, stroking his fur back down in place with one paw, as he stowed the mask and its air tank in the under seat locker.
His cap went back on his head, this time whoever he poked his ears through the pre cut holes which he had sealed previously. Grasping the steering wheel with his right paw he flicked on the radio with his left, setting it to receive only priority messages. He switched on the buggies headlights as well as the orange beacon, the rotating light casting an eerie glow through the torrential downpour.
Slowly easing his boot down on the accelerator the buggy began to trundle forward towards the car park exit. Driving the buggy out onto the adjacent side road he followed the road until it eventually joined onto one of the bases major, six lane supply routes. He travelled along the road in silence, the sound of the rain and thunder was soothing him, he had always loved storms. Ever since he had been a cub, he had enjoyed them. Brought up on the stormy world of Gyges IV, he remembered sitting out on his front porch up in the hills watching the violent and sometimes deadly storms out to sea, eventually falling asleep to the scream of a howling wind or the crackle of thunder and lightning.
The main roads were empty, he saw one or two other vehicles on side roads but in comparison to the normally bustling and congested roads this was blissful. If anything it let him open the throttle, speeding of down the straight tarmac road. Engine roaring, Hope shifted gear quickly, slamming it into fifth and then into sixth. Doing roughly one-hundred and thirty miles per hour, letting out a loud whoop of enjoyment as he listened to his buggies engine roar, the specially designed tires in tandem with the advanced traction systems, keeping the buggy glued to the wet road. Lights flickering past him, he checked his map, letting out a low whistle after realising how much ground he had covered going such a speed.
As he eased up on the speed to take the turning into the medical sector, the priority channel started broadcasting. "Attention, attention, this is Hades dispatch. All east-central units, class 5 medical emergency on MSR-3 sector 2D. I repeat class 5 medical emergency, all available emergency personnel to MSR-3 sector 2D. Multiple environmental incidents, multiple casualties with two fatalities confirmed by first responders. All available fire/rescue and medical units are to respond immediately. Police and security forces are to set up a cordon, respond on your respective channels. Dispatch out"
Nathaniel was forced to quickly shove his buggy into a siding as on both sides of the road ambulances launched from all across the medical sector, the boxy black and red armoured vehicles flashing past with sirens wailing and red beacons flashing. Briefly considered joining in the convoy to see what help he could offer but after a moment of consideration he realised he would just get in the way as he wasn't a medic, he had no fire fighting training and well he didn't have suitable gear for extended exposure.
It took another few minutes for him to reach the hospital where Alex Fairchild was healing. Parking the buggy in the sealed underground car park, he reattached the air tank and mask to his belt as protocol demanded. Navigating his way up several flights of stairs to the main reception of the hospital, looking totally out of place in dark, dirty green fatigues amongst the exceptionally white walls of the hospital filled with the various white, blue, green and maroon uniforms of the medical orderlies, nurses and doctors.
The receptionist was a rather short and plump feline who obviously took her job very seriously. She was perched on the edge of her chair, furiously typing away at her keyboard. In fact she was so preoccupied with her typing she didn't notice Nathaniel until he leaned against the reception desk and cleared his throat loudly. Her reaction was far from friendly. Obviously taken aback by this rather grubby looking soldier intruding into her clean and pristine world, she seemed to take it as a personal affront from the look on her face. "Do you need something lieutenant?" Her haughty, core world, aristocratic accent filled with displeasure.
He just smiled and said rather happily as he slapped down two sealed manila envelopes. "Two, priority one messages for the head surgeon of the triage unit at 5,698th field hospital, 407th Medical Command." The otter's cheery tones seeming only to infuriate the feline even more, claws flashing as the feline took the two envelops into her paws and returning to her computer to start processing them. The furious tapping resumed momentarily until she realised Nathaniel had not moved. Unable to prevent her utter disdain from entering her voice, her purring aristocratic tones laced with the not so subtle undertones.
"Why are you still here?" Blunt and to the point the receptionist's cold eyes fixed Nathaniel with what she hoped was an intimidating stare. He just shrugged it off, not letting his smile falter.
"Perhaps you could tell me where a friend of mine is located. Second lieutenant Alex Fairchild. He was wounded on the east wall defence."
The receptionist briefly considered being obstinate and refusing to give him the ward name but she decided she just wanted the filthy soldier out of her sight and it was a relatively quick process to pull up the hospitals roster. "He's in tank room 12, D ward."
"Thank you for your help." With the information he needed, he swaggered off down a hall way, looking up at the various signs for D ward.
It took him a while but eventually he found D ward. It was here they housed the giant tanks full of some concoction of drugs, stimulants and an assortment of other chemicals and liquids that all assisted in speeding up the healing process. Technically known as M.R.H.S.Vs (Medical Recovery/Healing Submersion Vessels) the colloquial terms used almost everyone was 'vats' or 'tanks'.
Alex's room was right at the end of one of the side corridors of the large ward. The walls were pristine white like the rest of the hospital but with a dark green stripe along the walls centre, signifying an M.R.H.S.V ward. It defiantly made a change from the blood stained interiors of field triage centres and front line combat hospitals which Nate was used to. A scent all too familiar with any medical establishment was still prevalent. Disinfectant filled the air, creating a nauseating and intimidating atmosphere.
The room was large. All around the perimeter were various computer terminals and medical interfaces the readings of which doctors and medical technicians held hushed conversations over. The white tiled floor reflected a slight glow from the soft illumination given off by the strip lights embedded in the ceiling. The whole focus of the room was the large transparent cylinder at its centre. Constructed from floor to ceiling filled with a blue-green liquid, fixed down by what looked like two solid metal disks. Nathanial could only assume that all the internals of the tank were concealed within it.
Inside the vat Alex's was suspended naked, bedraggled and pale but quite obviously alive from the way his chest rose and fell. The doctors had performed a minor miracle in Nate's opinion. When he had first been admitted, his chest had been torn open by the close range revolver shot, his rib cage had been shattered open and one of his lungs shredded. However thanks to the efforts of the doctors and medics, a quick glance at the large displays around the room made it apparent Alex had escaped with a nothing but a rather large, vivid scar.
Nathaniel padded up to the tank, the doctors and technicians ignoring him as he placed a grubby, blood stained paw on the tank, staring in at his friend. Memories and thoughts flooded his head, leaning further forward to rest his head on the thick glass, a tear streaked through the dirt on his face. Alex hanging limply in the greenish fluid didn't respond, in fact he didn't do anything, no sign of life at all except for the steady "beep" of the heart rate monitors and the synchronous rising and falling of his chest.
A scene so often repeated across the war torn empire went as usual unnoticed by the higher echelons of Nidian Command. As when your total command strength numbered in the millions and billions you had little time to care for each individual. This was no less true then for the High Marshall of the Nidian Empire. The de-facto commander in chief of the Empire, with total control over all aspects of the Nidian military, he answered only to the Emperor himself.
Millions of light years away in the vaulted halls of the Imperial Central Command on the capital Nidia, sat the High Marshall. A tall, grizzled wolf with fur as black as the void, he wore a dress uniform that matched the colour of his fur, the only defining line between the two being the gold fabric that edged the collar and epaulets, the gold buttons along his chest and the braid that hooked from inside his chest and over his left shoulder. It was simple attire for someone of such high office but a fur such as High Marshall James Steel didn't need to wear audacious uniforms or large badges of office. Everyone knew who he was, the second most powerful fur in an Empire, a hero of an untold number of conflicts, an undefeated commander and a master administrator.
Behind a dark, polished wooden desk in a large office he sat. The room was spacious and gothic in architecture. A great vaulted ceiling with imperial banners hanging proudly. Dim lights provided an ominous atmosphere, the crimson carpet that was flanked every few meters by his personal guard seeming to mimic rivers of blood in the flickering light. All of it intentional, designed to intimidate those who entered to meet the High Marshall.
Sifting through several sets of papers he ran a paw through his head fur in exasperation. So much conflict with so little respite was causing the Nidian Imperial Military to be stretched further and further. Shipyards, training centres and factories were doubling then tripling their output but it wasn't enough to maintain the many theatres on which they fought. Not to mention there eternal enemy, the Terrans, who sat just across a thin line in space called the DMZ, were probably plotting and waiting for a time to strike again. Tarturus was just another rebellious world, another situation that drew troops away from other, more critical missions.
If James were to have his way he would just glass the planet from orbit, reduce it to ashes and never look back. The Emperor however had personally vetoed this plan, stating that Tarturus was to be captured at all costs. There was something there that the Emperor wanted but what, he didn't say. So to this effect Steel had deployed a whole fleet as reinforcements to the system. One-hundred and fifty capital ships carrying well over three million soldiers and marines, the fleet's mission, to reign all hell down on Tarturus. They were to eradicate the local population and claim the world in the name of the Empire whilst letting nothing stand in their path.
Until they arrived the High Marshall had set in motion, other plans to help speed up the victory on Tarturus. Reports had filtered back to him of several units that had performed exceptionally in the defence of Camp Hades, units that performed such a great feat the story was being recounted the other side of the galaxy. One unit in particular that had grasped his and the Empire's attention was one which had killed ten times the amount of Vandoon then any other unit that had fought that day. A unit that currently was looking at Decimation. Striker Company.
Not something normally noticed by men of his rank but the story of the Strikers had stuck with him. Above all, the exploits of one of the platoon commanders, an Alex Fairchild. It was no secret, at least amongst the rest of the empire that Striker company was up for several of the highest honours that could be issued. After a brief round of questions to the Emperor, he had learned that the Crux Imperialis was to be issued to a Sergeant Major Charlotte Crux and the Imperial Medal of Bravery to Fairchild himself.
James had from the point he had learned of this made it his personnel mission to ensure the Strikers were not split up. Calling in several of his favours and a special petition to the Emperor, two days later he grasped in his well groomed paws an Imperial Mandate, a Mandate that ordered the creation of an Imperial Legion. The 15th Imperial Legion.
The Imperial Legions were legend amongst the Nidian Imperial Military. At any one time there was a maximum of fifteen legions anywhere in the Empire. They were the personal hammer of the Emperor and the High Marshall. Answering to them and only them. They weren't Special Forces as such as they didn't undergo any special training. They were formed from decimated units in the field that showed extraordinary combat prowess, normally commanded by a set of young, skilled and promising officers.
Some of the older heads in the military regarded them as huge gambles, placing so much power, responsibility in the paws of such a patch work group of young furs but they were proved wrong time after time as Imperial Legions consistently performed the impossible. It was almost as if the title itself infused the furs with power.
The previous fifteenth legion had been utterly destroyed a hundred and fifty years ago during the last Great War with the Terrans. Now it was time for a replacement to rise and take up their mantle. So it was with this task at hand that High Marshall James Steel of the Nidian Empire boarded the IWS Tyrants Bane, a Skoll class battle cruiser and set course for Tarturus, the mandate held tightly in his paws.
The journey from Nidia to Tarturus would take two weeks, considerably shorter then normal thanks to the Tyrants Bane's experimental FTL drives. In fact everything about the battle cruiser was experimental. It was loaded up to the gunnels with the most advanced tech the Nidian Empire had to offer. Ranging from the latest in AI and computers to weaponry and engines, the Skoll class were possibly the most powerful class of ship with its combination of speed, firepower and sensors. It could out gun some classes of battleship whilst out manoeuvre light cruisers at the same time. The only restraining factor being the sheer cost of each ship, as they cost near the entire GDP of a planet to just construct. Currently there were only five of them in service, but those five left their mark wherever they went.
Back on Tarturus the situation hadn't really changed. Minor borders skirmishes had erupted all across the planet as Nidian and Vandoon met in 'tit for tat' engagements. Yet they all knew it was just the calm before the storm. The Nidian Empire was a lumbering beast. Slow to rise and make ready but once angered Fenrir help whoever stood in their path.
All across the planet preparations were being made as division upon division brought themselves to readiness. In the large military bases such as Camp Hades the perpetual roar of shuttle engines could be heard all day and night as troops deployed forward from orbit and rear echelon mustering points.
All these preparations were watched by the dispirited furs of Striker Company. Much to their surprise, they still remained at Hades. Most of the 'decimated' units had been withdrawn to orbit several days ago for extended leave. Most, except the Strikers as well a few other units. Some of the more astute furs amongst them noticed that all the decimated units still remaining at Hades were ones that had fought amongst the hardest actions during the Vandoon assault.
Rumours abounded around the various units as they intermingled. No one was sure what was going on. Some feared the worst, some hoped for the best and some just took advantage of every day of rest they were given.
Acting Striker company 3rd platoon commander, Sergeant 1st Class Vaughan Gray was just settling into his bunk. It was nearing midnight and outside invisible gods seemed to be clashing as the vicious ammonia storm continued to rage outside. The Dingo in nothing but his boxers pulled the sheets over himself, eyes gazing up at the empty top bunk. In fact the entire room was empty. He was the sole occupant of the barrack room he has shared with the other 2iCs of Striker Company. However with manpower stretched so thin, he found himself alone as his fellows covered holes in the line.
Sighing to himself he closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift to the two furs who meant the most to him, first Alex and now the otter Nathaniel Hope. He had crushed on Alex Fairchild ever since he had met him. His feelings for Alex had convinced him he was gay. He looked at other guys and he found them attractive but in his opinion none of them compared in the slightest to that fox. He often dreamt about running his paws down the toned flanks of the fox, the feel of Fairchild's teeth nipping their way down his neck, his own heavy panting as Fairchild turned him around and slowly but surely filled his tight tail hole with his thick meat.
A loud crack of thunder brought Vaughan back to reality. It took him a moment until he realised he was feeling very hot and his boxers had quite the tent. Panting gently under his breath he stared underneath the sheets at his tight black boxers, a damp patch of pre at the top of the tenting fabric. It had been so long since he had paid any attention to his lower regions, the constant combat patrols and deployments had seen to that. So now with the relative quite all those pent up hormones were breaking free of their chains.
With a hurried glance around the room to check he was really alone the dingo kicked off the covers. Hastily he pushed down his boxers down past his knees. With his thick white fuzzy sheath and bright red tip now exposed to the recycled air he sighed contently. Closing his eyes once more he reached a paw down to grasp the emerging shaft. Gripping the crimson meat tightly in his coarse pads he slowly started to move his paw in a gentle back and forth motion, coaxing more of his meat free as his mind resumed his rather vivid dream of Alex pounding the his tight rump.
Gasping audibly as he sped his paw up over the now fully erect 7 inch shaft, his thoughts drifted to Nathaniel, that cute Otter, who had not to long ago had convinced Vaughan to come out. Something he would never have done with anyone else, despite the accepting and frankly homosexual orientated atmosphere of his unit.
Pumping his cock harder and faster he imagined the Otter grasping from behind, slipping his brown furred paws down over his chest, stroking the fur down before he himself grasping Vaughan's shaft, slowly teasing it in time with his grinding action against his rear. The Otters sheath throbbing against his taught buns. Then in a matter of seconds the otter was inside him, Vaughan letting out a pleasured whine. Another thing the dingo was afraid to admit was that he was pretty much a total bottom. He could dominate someone if he was in the right mood but there was something about being filled with a males shaft and having his insides painted with their white seed that really appealed to horny Dingo.
Pre-cum was now flowing freely from his shaft, the large, swollen ball of flesh that was his knot had started to form at the base of his shaft. The heavy musk of arousal permeated the room as more pre-cum flew from his tip, trickling down onto his chest fur. Only scratching the surface of his pent up hormones, his two fantasies morphed into one. Eyes screwed tight shut, the dream continued as Nathaniel was swapped for Alex, the fox cock slipping easily in and out of his pre-covered tail hole, his powerful paws clasped onto the Dingo's rump Alex was obviously nearing his climax as he slammed forward into the tight rump, slipping in the huge knot. This wasn't all however as the dingo's maw was fully occupied with the long cock that belonged to Nathaniel. Spit roasted between the two stud males, Gray couldn't help but moan, his own shaft throbbing wildly as Nathaniel and Alex sunk as deep as they could inside him, firing off their loads.
As, the furs in his dream climaxed, back in reality so did Vaughan. Slamming his paw down fully over his long shaft once he let out a rather loud moan as he shot a considerable load all over his chest and face. Groaning happily as the warm seed filled his nostrils even more with an exceptionally strong musk. He was left lying back on his bed, paw dripping with his own cum, panting quite heavily. However rapidly he was brought crashing back to reality as a chuckle filled his ears.
Over by the door stood Nathaniel Hope, the otter was grinning from cheek to cheek, his eyes drifting up and down the dingo's body, lingering for a considerable amount of time on the Dingo's still hard shaft. He was dressed in slightly too tight combat pants and tank top, his quite sizeable package and abs on show. The two looked at each other in silence for a minute or two, Vaughan frozen in place with embarrassment, Nathaniel purely enjoying the view. It was the otter who would break the silence. "You know I could hear you moaning three rooms away..."
The dingo just answered by turning a deep shade of red, his white fur looking as if it was on fire. How could he of been so loud, the whole unit must of heard him moaning. Then another fear shot through his body, what if he had said names, if they had heard him pawing over two officers, not only would his visage as a straight guy be shot to shreds he'd never hear the end of it.
"I could also distinctly remember hearing mine and Alex's name issuing from your lips...must have been quite the dream."
Vaughan just stopped dead, unable to move he thought he was about to die from embarrassment. His whole reputation was ruined what would happen when Alex found out, what was Nathaniel going to do.
"Thing is... it's just you and me for a good dormitory or two... the rest of the men are over in the mess hall getting some food."
A great sigh of relief escaped his lips. He had forgotten he had gone to bed early, just before the late mess call. Most of the blush disappeared from his cheeks and he relaxed although still quite conscious of the fact he was naked and hard in front of Nathaniel. Even thought he had just pawed off it had only scratched the surface of what he needed. His cock was still throbbing, pre was already leaking from his tip as he stared at the otters form.
"Heh...just us with quite a bit of privacy..." He surprised himself as he spoke, the words seeming to come from someone else but he had indeed spoken them. His hormones were taking over once more, controlling his words and actions. Shuffling up the bed slightly, he spread his legs ever so subtly to give Nathaniel a much better look at his throbbing, cum covered package, enticing him closer with a wink.
Nathaniel was taken aback slightly by the forward act Vaughan was putting on but he guessed it was because he hadn't been able to relive himself with a male in so very long and so his cock was dictating his thoughts not his head. Normally the otter would move away from what would be a very lust filled and hard breeding on either side but he himself yearned for the feel of another male and well he had quite a few hidden feelings for Vaughan which where just coaxing him on further and further. Taking a few steps forward he slipped out of his tank top and pants, dropping the clothing onto the floor, standing next to the dingo's bunk in his green army issue boxers.
Vaughan murred softly under his breath as one of his fantasies seemed to be coming true before his eyes. Nathaniel was stepping closer and closer to him, losing his clothes and obviously as horny as he was. Then as he reached grabbing distance a strange beast to Vaughan reared its head, his dominant side seemed to surge to the fore as with a loud growl he grasped the Otter by his wrist, yanking him down on top of him. Quickly he wrapped his arms around the warm form of the Otter, pulling him tightly against his chest, giving him no chance to escape. Their two noses pressed together for a brief moment before Vaughan engaged them both in a passionate and lust filled kiss. Clamping his maw to the otters, the dingo ran his tongue over his lips before forcing his long, wet and warm muscle inside the otter's maw. Moaning quietly into the kiss he savoured each moment of heavenly bliss given to him by his fellow soldier's maw.
Nathaniel was totally surprised to hear he dominant growl escape from Vaughan's lips. He had thought from the start he would be leading this but from the look on Vaughan's face he could tell what the dingo wanted. The grin was jammed across his face as Vaughan pulled him down, meshing the two warm chests together. A low murr escaped Nathaniel's lips as he felt Vaughan's cum from his previous ejaculation matting his chest fur. His tongue wrapped itself around his own, suckling on it fiercely as the dingo's paws felt their way over the otters toned stomach, moving from the hardened abs to along his hips to finally rest on his rump, giving the firm cheeks a squeeze.
Vaughan had now fully surrendered to his hormones, eyes alight with fire for Nathaniel. His heart thundered in time with the otters, forming a stead drum beat that accompanied each little movement of the pair. Lost in Nathaniel's maw, the dingo closed his eyes as he drew the otters tongue back into his own maw. As tongue and saliva mixed between the two muzzles, the two furs clamped onto each other. Two soldiers who just wanted to lose themselves in each other, to get away from all the horrors they face and to forget about their uncertain future if only for an hour or two.
"Bazza...I want you...I want you inside me" Hope was the one who broke the kiss, pulling away reluctantly from the Dingo's tasty maw. Lips linked by a trail of glistening saliva that shimmered like silver in the soft glow cast by the dimmed base lights. Vaughan had to admit he had never seen someone as beautiful as Hope as he was now. A shy grin just breaking out onto his face, his head slightly tilted.
"You sure...I can't promise I'll go easy" Vaughan had a similarly shy grin across his face, giving the otter an affectionate lick with each of his words. Hope winked teasingly and ground his own bulging crotch down on top of the dingo's drawing a gasp.
"That's good then, 'cause I'm gonna breed you like there's no fucking tomorrow." Growling his answer, he gave the otter one more passion filled kiss before with a grunt he heaved him over and under him in one fluid motion.
With the otter pressed firmly underneath him, he could feel their two hearts beating in time, the rapid 'thud thud thud' of entwined lovers. Only one more barrier stood in their way. Paws wrapping around the lip of the green boxers, Vaughan swiftly tore the fabric down, desperate to feast his eyes on the otters cock, he wasn't disappointed. Nathaniel was just a bit longer then him, but certainly not as thick, the blessing of being a canine. Trailing a claw up along the inside of the otter's leg, the paw lazily came up to cup the heavy, fuzzy brown orbs that were Nathaniel's sheath.
Breathing heavily as the dingo's warm paw cupped his sensitive balls Nathaniel laid his head back on the not so soft army bunk, eyes closing shut unable to suppress the quiet pleasured groan. Nate sneaked a peak just in time to see Vaughan bending forward. Eyes shutting tight again as he knew what was coming next as the dingo's rough, wet and warm tongue wrapped itself around the tip of the otters pale meat.
As he slipped his maw down on top of the Otters cock, Vaughan brought his hips forward sandwiching his cum covered cock between Nate's firm buns. No matter how enjoyable Vaughan found the tasty otter shaft, he couldn't hold himself back as his paws grasped Nate's legs. Pushing them up and over his shoulders he ground the thick canine meat up against the otters exposed love hole. "Last chance to say no..."
Nate let out a rather feminine giggle and in response to Vaughan's question he just wrapped his legs around the dingo's waist. Pulling him closer, practically forcing the tip of the dog cock inside him, drawing a deep gasp from the otter as his tail hole was slowly pushed open.
Once Nate had signalled his willingness, Vaughan needed no further encouragement. Gripping the base of his cum-slicked shaft with his paw, he pushed his hips forward, sinking the shaft into the otter's tight nether regions. Moving his paw from his shaft to Nate's hips, he took grip of them as he hammered down, pinning the otter to the bed as he hilted inside him.
Filled with the dingo's thick dog cock, Nate just squirmed underneath him, moaning loudly as he dug his claws into Vaughan's back, raking several lines down his thick, orange fur. Pre was already flowing from the otters tip, mixing with Vaughan's left over saliva, smearing all over his chest fur, matting the soft fur into thick locks.
Slowly and purposefully Vaughan lent back with his hips, withdrawing his cock, leaving just the tip of his crimson meat sandwiched in the otters pink star. Then with equal purpose he pushed forward again, hilting up to his balls, the heavy, white fuzzy orbs slapping off Nate's plump rump. Chest rising and falling in time with his movements, the dingo got into a steady rhythm, his hips swaying back and forth. All the while, underneath him, Nate continued to squirm and moan as he was filled time and time again by the thick meat.
Pent up emotions finally broke down the last barriers of restraint holding Vaughan back. Completely withdrawing himself, he gripped Nate's waist and effortlessly tossed the other male onto his front. Eyes ablaze with lust and passion, the bright green orbs settled once again on the raised rump of Nate. Now on all fours, his tail held high out the way, this had been the moment the otter had been waiting for. Looking over his shoulder he could see the large ball of flesh that was Vaughan's knot had formed larger then he could ever have imagined.
Paw going back to the base of the engorged shaft, slick with pre and the juices of Nate's rump. Holding for a second to get his aim, Vaughan slammed forward, sinking his full length inside the otter. Giving him no time to recover, his hips pulled back and shot forward once more. The dingo's knot spreading the otter's love hole wider each time but never locking inside him, withdrawing moments before it would.
Lost in passion, Vaughan's hips moved as a blur as he speared the otters rump time and time again, hammering his shaft down on top of the otters prostate, drawing even louder moans. Like a piston he went back and forth, unable to do anything but fuck and pant. Feeling Nate start to give way underneath him, he slipped his powerful arms around his form, pulling him into the line of his body as well as grasping the otter's shaft in his paw.
Nate had forgotten how good this felt, hoisted back against Vaughan he need do nothing else other then moan loudly. Rump thoroughly abused by the horny dingo, he felt his balls start to pull up as the dog started to furiously stroke him off. The coarse pads of the dingo's paw moving so quick yet softly over his sensitive meat almost what pushed him over.
Vaughan had still one more card to play as with a loud grunt he shoved his full length inside Nate once more, however this time when his knot threatened to enter. In fact he surged forward, tugging Nate down on top of him, the two animals' moans joining in unison as the huge ball of flesh slipped inside the abused and battered tail ring with a lewd plop. As it penetrated, Vaughan's moan transformed into a wild howl as he climaxed, painting Nate's insides white with long streams of his hot dog seed. Humping as much as the knot allowed as he climaxed he pushed the otter back down onto his face, fully mounting him as he unloaded.
Nate was in pure bliss as he felt his insides start to fill up with copious amounts of cum. The warm, throbbing ball of flesh didn't help either as he himself climaxed. His moan drowned out by Vaughan's howl as the otters load fired off onto the bed sheets below, the long strings lasting for quite some time.
Eventually the howl and moan melted into pleasured murrs and growls and then finally into silence. Collapsing down on top of each other, Nate landed chest first into the pool of his own seed on the bed, not that he cared. Vaughan's thick cock was still throbbing inside him, occasionally throwing out a shot of left over seed. The otter could feel all that cum sloshing about inside him, held in place by the thick knot. He was content as the pair rolled onto their sides.
Spooning Nate, Vaughan brought his paws up to hold the otter's chest. Nuzzling into his thick neck fur, he hoisted the sheets over them, happy to just lay there with his knot sunk inside the otter's hot rear. Snuggling into his back he felt his eye lids grow heavy, exhausted from the sex. Gentle pants slowed and then stopped as both dingo and otter drifted into quiet slumber.
When the men returned from the mess hall, a few popped in to check on their 2iC but upon discovering the scene of scattered clothes, heavy musk and two furs curled up together, they just chuckled, closed and locked the door, giving the pair some privacy. They didn't care that it was two males, or an enlisted and officer, the soldiers just went back to getting on with their lives.
Whilst Gray and Hope lay together, slowly drifting off to sleep into each other's arms, in a brightly lit tank room on the other side of Hades, two furs stood. A tall, cloaked figure, tail and ears covered by the thick black fabric. Next to him, a racoon that in comparison seemed tiny, dressed in the white coat of a doctor, the gold and black shoulders indicating him to be the hospital's chief medical officer.
"Is he ready?" The cloaked figure questioned, his booming voice, filing the room, the deep growl lying underneath his tone betraying his species.
"Yes, Grand Marshall. His bio readouts read green across the board, one of the fastest recoveries I've seen, a truly impressive soldier. I'd recommend him for the Praetorians if I had the time"
"No need Doctor. He is going to serve a much greater purpose then the Praetorians. It is time to wake him from his slumber." Silent, the Doctor obeyed the Grand Marshalls orders, scurrying off to the control panel next to the tank. Rapidly tapping in a code, he glanced up at Alex's naked form, gave him one last appraising look. Satisfied with his final assessment the Racoon nodded to himself as he swiped his key card through the reader, starting the draining processes.
A 'whoosh' could be heard from the tank as the healing fluid was rapidly drained through the tanks floor grating. Inside the now drained tank Alex was left suspended by a simple black harness, which in turn was lowered, holding his paws a hairs breadth from the floor. By this time the drugs injected into him in the final stages of the draining processes where kicking in, so as the harness released, Alex was more or less fully conscious.
The fox stood up straight as he re-adjusted his view and re-gained his bearings after some time in artificial sleep. The tank and hard work of the medical team had worked wonders on him. The previously grievous bullet wound had been reduced to a simple scar that was more or less hidden by his jet black fur. No other blemishes or wounds could be seen upon his body, in fact his very fur seemed to shimmer and glow. The tank had not only repaired and probably improved his body it had brought his fur back to standards the best core world fashion models would have been envious of. A truly magnificent sight, completely naked, every little line on his body was clearly defined, his thick muscles flexing effortlessly.
Grand Marshall James Steel looked upon Alex with a rather pleased eye. Alex was truly everything he could have hoped for. The pinnacle of physical fitness, confident, a personality that just seemed to ooze leadership, incredibly charismatic in appearance alone and to top it off very good looking, all traits looked for in the commanders of Imperial Legions. Steel could tell all this and Alex hadn't even spoken a word, then again Steel prided himself on being able to tell pretty much everything about a person without ever having a conversation with them.
"Should I salute Grand Marshall?" The wolf was brought back from his appraisal by Alex's pointed question. Observant and astute too, Alex really was the perfect candidate.
"Well that depends Lieutenant...what do you think?" The growled response, spoke in a tone that would make lesser men quiver in fear, Steel continued to be impressed. Even when face to face with the fur one step down from the Emperor, Alex was un-phased, exactly what he wanted. He had no time for sycophants.
"I think that the Grand Marshall of the Nidian Empire doesn't come see a lowly junior officer, fighting on some back water world unless he has a good reason...that or he is just feeling lonely and wants some company." The latter part obviously a joke, but still the Racoon hiding in the corner was taken aback by the soldier's forward nature.
A loud chuckle filled the room, Steels booming voice no less quiet especially when in mirth. Shaking his head slightly, he looked Alex straight in the eye. "You're right, I don't normally do this and yes I do have a good reason to be here. Although as much as I wish it was for private recreation, I never seem to have the time to relax. I have a proposition for you." Even Alex was taken aback by this, did the Grand Marshall of the Nidian Empire really just flirt back at him? Any wandering thoughts were rapidly brushed aside, ears perking up at the sound of this 'proposition'. Reaching inside his cloak Steel pulled out a tightly wound piece of paper, tied together with a red ribbon and a crimson wax seal of a crescent moon and a howling wolf. The great black wolf weighed the parchment in his paw momentarily before spinning it around and offering it to Alex.
The fox had recognised what it was the moment Steel had withdrawn it from his cloak. One didn't see parchment in the Nidian Empire very often, even rarer was seeing parchment bearing the personal seal of the Emperor. In Steels hand was an Imperial Mandate, and order from the highest office. It was in similar mandates that declarations of war, peace and other decisions with far reaching galactic implications were signed for. Even though any educated Nidian could recognise one on sight, he stammered his words, having to confirm what was being passed to him. "Is...is that a ..."
"An Imperial Mandate addressed to you, personally from the Emperor? Yes. It is" Steel cut him off mid sentence, head cocked slightly as Alex almost reverently took the parchment, studying its sealed outsides. Before Alex could open it to read its contents, Steel placed a heavy set paw on his shoulder.
"In light of the recent action that occurred at Camp Hades on twenty-ninth of the year twenty-two forty four, myself and the Emperor have decided it is time for the mantle of the fifteenth Imperial Legion to be taken up once more. The conflict on Tarturus must be brought to an end, swiftly and efficiently.
As such we have decided upon reviewing multiple reports that one member of the Nidian armed forces present that day is suitable to lead the fifteenth legion. That member is you. Should you accept this mandate you will immediately receive the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
From that point on, you will be charged with forming and maintaining the Imperial Legion as you see fit, whilst following orders set forth from me personally. The Legions are the physical manifestation of the Emperors will, under my direction they act as his hammer throughout the galaxy. Previously impenetrable strongholds have surrendered upon the mere arrival of a Legion, whole systems have risen in revolt against the Terrans when a Legion is deployed, you know the stories. The Praetorian guard are the Emperor's shield. The Imperial Legions are his sword.
You and your men will become a living legend, a beacon of hope and glory for the rest of the Empire to follow. It is an honour to even be considered for this position, the power afforded to it nigh on limitless, the checks almost none. You are your own warlord. You have two superiors, me and the Emperor.
You and your men will be forever entombed in history, you will write history and you will wipe the Empires enemies from the annals of history.
So second lieutenant Alex Fairchild of Striker Company, the second battalion, four-hundred and fifth mechanised brigade, ninth armoured division, twenty-seventh corps of the fifty-fifth Field Army, now you make your choice. Will you accept this Imperial Mandate?"
The question hung in the air like a loaded gun. Alex was stunned, never in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined his military career would lead to this, to be asked to join the exalted few, the commanders of Imperial Legions. To follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest warriors, generals and strategists of Nidian history, no one had ever turned down such a mandate and he was not about to be the first. "I accept the Mandate sir. I will serve my Emperor and Empire to the best of my ability." Clasping the parchment close to his chest, his eyes glowed slightly, almost as if the parchment as transferring the power of its words into him
"Then, effective immediately you are Lieutenant Colonel Alex Fairchild, commanding officer of the fifteenth Imperial Legion, charged with expediting the defeat of the Union of Twenty-Four and bring the world of Tarturus into compliance with the wishes of the Emperor."
Both furs saluted simultaneously, the doctor still hiding in the shadows utterly gobsmacked by what he just witnessed. In awe of the two furs he now gazed upon, the commander of an Imperial Legion and the Grand Marshall of the Empire. Feeling weak at the knees he slipped as quietly as he could from the room, leaving the fox and the wolf deep in conversation.
Alex Fairchild had taken his first steps down the road of his destiny, a road that as paved in blood, sweat and tears. A road that would set the galaxy a blaze, Alex would rock Nidian and Terran civilisation down to its very roots but that was a while ahead, in the far future. First he had to overcome Tarturus and the dark secrets hidden within.
There you have it.
Comment with any critic you may have, trust me it is more then welcome. I'll try not to take so long on the next chapter.