For the last half of the war, the Divine State has struggled, millions of souls lost to a war that seems to go on without end, and no clear end in sight. And once against, more will be sent to their inevitable deaths to the Graveyard that is Anuria. ------------------------ [b][u] Elysium, Paradise System Capital City of Tanis, Starport Two Years ago [/u][/b] Today was quite a busy day then normal for the Tanis Starport, for today was the deployment of a new wave of reinforcements for the forces fighting on Anuria, a dark and saddened day for many. All the men and women were very much aware of the reputation of the planet, to be sent there is guaranteed death, never to see their loved ones ever again, this was particularly heart-breaking for one man. At the very back of the masses of soldiers and other personnel lining up to board the transport ships, was a man in his early thirties bending down to a young boy, around the age of seven, behind him was a another boy, much older then the younger one by five years and a woman around the same age as the man. "Don't worry, It's only for a little while." He lied to the boys, holding back the tears. "Your Dad's gonna go save a whole planet from horrible heretics! So cheer me on, ok?" The younger child unfortunately couldn't hold in his tears, sniffling and tears running down his face, the same happened with the older boy and the mother, she too was aware that he may no ever come back. "Ok..." the child responded." "I'll be fine! Jarus will watch over me and keep me safe!" He assured his family, wiping away a tear from his son's cheek. "Come on, give your old dad a goodbye huge!" He widened his arms as his sons, without hesitation, rushed into his arms as they embraced him hard, and him back. After they were done, he rose up and gave his wife a long huge, and shared an intimate kiss. "I love you." he whispered into her ear. He grabbed his bag and turned to the quickly dwindling masses as they herded into the transports, quickly hopping aboard one. The man turned and took one finally glance towards his family, waving each other goodbye as the doors slide close, the ship lifting off to orbit, shipping him to and his comrades to certain death. ----------------------- [b][u] Anuria, High Orbit Hanger Bay of the Zealot Cruiser [i]Sacred Promise[/i] Two Years later [/u][/b] Two years pass, an almost amazing record for a soldier such as Adam Morrison, he and his batch of recruits were noting more then untrained cannon fodder to hold the line, and die, but he was damn stubborn, or lucky, or even blessed as some say. But in the end, he's just a determined family man desperate to return home, to Elysium. Adam and seventy-one others lined up in an orderly fashion, standing at attention as a tall imposing Argoshan paced back and forth. "Alright you small worms." He said in intimating, gruff gravelly voice. "Our Company just received a new assignment from the Temple. We're to leave for the surface again, and set up a beachhead for the Basin." The word "Basin", oh that dreaded jarus-damned word. The Anuriite Basin is a living death trap for all who enter, all sorts of dangerous predators lurk underneath that sea of green. "I'd rather go the Sand Straits.." Adam muttered to himself. "Command has set a rather small timetable, we head out now." The Captain said as three doors behind him lowered down, behind him were three pilgrim dropships, all stocked up with weapons and other equipment. "Martyr Company, move it!" "Sir, yes sir!" they replied as they rushed to their seats within the ships, buckling up. Once all had boarded, the Pilgrims had begun to hover as they prepared to jet out of the Hanger Bay, and into the [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udI19nj7fdc]fray[/url]. Another space battle waged as The Crusader fleet were engaged with two opposing fleets, dozens of ships exchanging fire, hundreds of fighters zooming around, it was chaos. The Dropships stayed as close as possible to each other as they dodged incoming fire and wreckage from previous battles, it wasn't long before a wing of Archangel Fighters flew in formation with them, escorting to the planet. From within, in Adam's ship. Everyone, bowed their heads and preyed, Adam in particular was shaking in fear as the ship tremors become more frequent, it was terrifying for all aboard. "Oh Holy Jarus, Everliving Father of the People...look upon us with fortune as we caste down the heretics and guide us to safety...amen." From outside, the dropships were fast approaching the planet below and onwards to the Basin, it's fighter escort breaking off to return to the fighting above. They seemed safe for the moment until one of the thrusters of Adam's ships was blown off, the ships spiraling down towards the basin. "Shit! Everybody hold on!" Shouted the Captain. The other pilgrims followed the stray closely as it made it's rough descent. Crashing into the trees, not too far from the Venusians. The pilgrim was caught in one tree, above the ground, the door hanging way out, some weapons even had fallen out. An outcold Adam quickly opened his eyes to see frantic soldiers leaving their seats, and jumping out of the dropship, He followed them without delay as he raised the bar, grabbed the closet weapon he could get his hands on, and jumped out afterwards. He looked up as the other two pilgrims hovered over their position, blasting away the trees to make a clearer landing zone, crushing those that stood. "Rough landing, but by Jarus, we made it." The Argoshan Captain said, turning to his men. "Anyone de-" The Captain was suddenly interrupted by a horrific screech. "Ah shit..." one soldiers muttered. From the now cleared trees, a large six-legged [url=http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070620035629/swfanon/images/6/63/600px-Acklay_NEGAS.jpg]creature[/url] came rushing out to one of the landed dropships, jumping on top of it, and then proceeded to smash the roof with its blade-like nails, breaking through in mere moments as the screams of the men and women inside were being crushed by the beast. The others can only look in sheer terror as the monster's legs were covered in blood, even the innards. "Oh god..." Adam thought. The beast climbed off the wreaked ship as it lowered it's head to feast upon the tattered remains of the soldiers, it's sinister maw covered in blood. "My sister was in that ship..." A young light plum-colored naasi said, his voice trembling from the sudden grief and anger. "Dammit....I promised to look after her...YOU MONSTER!" He shouted in rage, grabbing a LMG, pushing pass his squadmates and unleashed a hail of lead on the beast. "DIEEE!!!" "Shit, everyone, open fire!" The Captain ordered. "Take that thing down!" Adam and the others didn't hesitate as they all aimed at the monster, a rain of bullets and plasma bolts crashing against it until it finally collapsed. The Naasi dropped the LMG, falling to his knees, tears flowing from his eyes. "Nasha...I'm sorry..." Adam placed his hand over his shoulder. "It's ok Naska....let it out.." they turned their heads to the others, and although some were obscured by the faceplates, they could clearly see their sympathies towards the young soldier and nodded in approval to let his pain out. The Naasi let out a loud scream of sheer agony from the shock, followed by whimpers. The Captain slowly approached. "I'm sorry for the loss, but...we have a mission to do." "Right.." Adam said, helping the grieving Naska up. "Let's head out."