**Finnegan's Tradehouse**

"Well shit," muttered Alik as he watched the five C'ran ships stabilize themselves. Where could they possibly have come from? He didn't know of many that would have power near close enough to move such large objects via the use of magic so it obviously hadn't involved an accident such as happened to him. Presumably the Thing now hovering over the Tradehouse had been chasing them in whatever dimension or plane the five ships had been sucked into. The portal most certainly did not resemble one into the Fell Plane and the anti-space drives were not created to access other dimensions. Whatever the creature was, it exerted a tremendous magical force. Maybe that would explain what was happening.

After the brief pause at the appearance of the creature most in the compound began to rush to and fro. A holographic face appeared in front of the small brick building, proclaiming that any who helped destroy the creature would have their debts wiped, whatever that meant. Apparently quite a bit as many of the Fairy, and even a few non-Fae, hoisted weapons and proceeded to unload a hail of ordnance into the creature. Nothing happened. All weapons, including those on the ships in orbit, turned on the streaming horde of creatures pouring from the Titan. Despite the volume of fire the swarm made its way inevitably forward. Upon landing the scene became chaos. With a sudden reduction in anti-air fire the rain of creatures became heavier.

Already tired from his previous spells it was all Alik could do to cast destructive bolt after destructive bolt to keep the swarmlings away. Backing towards the group of winged women he found himself suddenly dragged into air by one of them. About to protest, a random flying object struck his head, rendering him unconscious.

Above in the ships panic was abounding, crew scrambling as weapons shot ceaselessly to inhibit the flow of creatures and perhaps damage the Titan. Forming a screen of fire between themselves and the rest it was decided the ground was a hopeless cause to involve themselves in. The best the Sakari could do was escape this madness. Even as they moved away one ship convulsed before tearing apart, gravitating towards the Titan, consumed by the endless stream of Swarm. Observing the hopelessness of an air defense most weapons turned towards keeping stray Aeon away from the small battle group. A few weapons turned towards the compound known as Finnegan's Tradehouse, obliterating massive areas in an attempt to clear some of the forces. Coordinating a jump, the four surviving ships turned and opened a portal into the Fell Plane. The sudden influx of the chaotic plane caused swarms of Aeon to divert towards the vessels, many piercing the hulls. Teams responded quickly to these threats, eliminating the hostiles. Despite the precautions hundreds were dying every minute, the Aeon breaking through the AA fire. Several specimen found themselves contained in fields of psionic and magical force as the four ships finally entered the portal, leaving the madness of the Tradehouse.

---

**Roman Colony World A-02**

Shields activated and targeting systems latched onto the new threats as the Abh vessels streamed into the space occupied by the Roman colony. Great Record files identified them as the same style of vessel as the one currently in negotiation with a smaller group at a world recently attacked by these 'Romans'. A perplexing dilemma. Harmful whatever path was taken. Excuses could always be made later. Establishing a link with the Roman suites, a translated message was beamed to the lead ship of the Romans: "This system is lost. Perhaps when the situation is better." Turning, the C'ran ships began to activate their anti-space drives. Just before the FTL systems activated the two Dasius dreadnoughts ejected two capsules each towards the Abh fleet. Graviton bombs. Designed for the destruction of planets they would nevertheless disrupt the Abh sufficiently if detonated close to their ships.

---

**Concilan Palace, Allaris, the Orthos System**

Jagar Hais stood in front of Morval, awed by the appearance and presence of the Sakari despite having known him for decades. Having finished the debriefing after Al'za Kail's battered fleet had returned, Jagar explained the presence he felt off in the galactic distance. There was something there. Something unimaginable.

Morval pursed his lips momentarily before looking up, a mere tilt of the head for the massive Sakari."We go to this anomaly. Come with me Jagar. Find Al'za and bid her attend as well. It is time we found out what this growing anomaly has been doing all these decades."

Swirling, the Patriarch swept from the room, heading off to prepare his own personal vessel. They three would journey into the heart of the Aeon Brood itself, searching for answers. Searching for the Hellstar.