[h2]The Assemblage of Gideon: Part 2[/h2]
[h3][i]An Interview[/i][/h3]
[b]Inquisition Headquarters[/b]
Flames flickered fleetingly in the under-areas of the Inquisition headquarters, casting dancing shadows upon the passageways. Colors ranged from dull red to an almost black purple, yet all radiated at the same brightness as any other. Outside of military usage, magefire found utilization in areas of power systems and some machines. Hundreds of Sakari inhabited the massive building, each preoccupied with their own work, work necessary for the survival and betterment of the Dominion. Spires from the Inquisitorial palace pierced the sky, dark crenelations absorbing all light that came near, shrouding the structure in darkness. Each spire, of which there were 13, housed dozens of communications centers, interrogation rooms, armories, and personal quarters, fortresses in their own right not including the hidden weapons arrayed along the outside of the palace.

Deep under the surface of the planet lay the Sanctum Fellbjorn, the true and beating heart of the Dominion. Darkness lay permanent over the corridors and rooms of the complex, lit only by small electric lights every hundred meters. None working there had a need for light, nor would they ever again, having long ago traded their organic eyes for cybernetic replacements fitted with various sensors. If any without such enhancements had need of venturing into the long dark, special equipment would be provided to them, allowing the user to traverse the passageways unhindered. Lord Inquisitor Boreal Autrich ported one such device. Stepping monotonously behind one of the Deep Walkers, the unofficial name of the servitors which operated in this dark place.

Groans of ancient machinery turning reverberated throughout the halls, deafening any that did not have protection. Groans sounded from ahead as an unknown construct moved, operating for an unknown master for an unknown reason. Yet that did no preoccupy the Inquisitor's mind. What worried him was the door which suddenly appeared before him. Glancing around, Boreal found the Deep Walker to have vanished, leaving no trace as to its whereabouts. Above the portal lay an inscription reading [i]And They Shall Know No Fear[/i]. Unsettling, in some ways.

Uncertain as to further action, a path opened itself to him as the door hissed, gears sounding from behind slabs of metal meters thick. Whatever moved such a massive opening must be massive itself. Small lights burned throughout the room, smoke rising from the sources in scented swirls. Incense. Highlighted by the faint light and twirling shadows were the carvings arrayed across the back of the room, eldritch iconography and archaic symbols gracing the stone panels. In the center of the room sat a figure clad in silver, metal kept in a constant state of fluidity by some unknown method. Devoid of hair, the Sakari's eyes, for that is what he was, stared at Boreal, orbs of speckled grey and white. For once in his life, Boreal felt afraid. Not even in the presence of Morval the Ascended had he experienced such a deep feeling of foreboding, that his life could be snipped as a string.

"Welcome, Boreal. Do come in," came a hoarse voice, sounding as sand paper does when scratched against a stone. Stepping through the doorway slowly, the Inquisitor drew his burgundy cloak close. The permanent chill of the deep world appeared even more marked in this vault.


"Do you know why you were summoned here, Inquisitor?" rasped the voice again.

"No. If I may be so bold, may I inquire as to your name?"

"A name matters not. Realize simply that you know not what you think you do. Tell me, Inquisitor, how many have fallen to your hand, how many worlds burned before relegated to the writhing streams of life with which we seed the planet once again?"

"Three. Three worlds have I put to the torch. May I request your position, then?"

"Position matter not either. To settle your mind, however, I shall deign to answer your question. Only Morval stands above me, and only just."

Springing from the ground, Boreal reached for his pistol while yelling, "THAT IS-" His voice cut off as a force gripped him, preventing his lips and hands from moving.

"That is what, heresy? Morval has been subjected to questioning before and the questioner let free. I simply state a fact which in no way degrades him. Now, my little Inquisitor, would you like to hear why I summoned you to the Sanctum?"

The force released him from its grip, allowing his hand to return to its natural position. Seating himself slowly, Boreal eyed the 'man' askance. "Tell me what it is you desire." A smile touched the lips of the being.

[h3]The Return[/h3]
[b]Gateway Prazhnal[/b]
Prazhnal, as the name of the planet implied, served as a conduit between the Dominion of C'ran and the rest of the galaxy. Multiple such Gateway worlds existed, each hosting a dedicated defense fleet independent of the Naval forces. Each planet of this nature featured massive stardocks, facilities stretching dozens if not hundreds of kilometers to accommodate all manners of ships in all quantities. Wreathed in permanent shields and armed with a plethora of weapons, these repair yards also acted as fortresses, an intimidating presence which would be almost impossible to ignore without serious consequence. Prazhnal itself maintained two such stardocks. Shields coated the planets as well, adding a sheen to the dull surface, preventing any form of landing unless special frequencies were transmitted or the shield was destroyed, an arduous task given the nature of the generators.

Following the Council of Orithica, the Anointed had returned to their planets and spread the message of Morval, one filled with fervor and terror. The Return was commencing. Never before had such a massive operation been undertaken by the nation of C'ran, not even during the Unification period. Expeditionary Fleets, the former glories of C'ran and largest operation at the time, had ceased to exist, disbanded so that the vessels could be integrated into the Corennai, the Heralds of the Return. Across the stars would the touch of C'ran spread, spread until there was no more room to expand in the galaxy. Then would their eyes turn outwards, to galaxies distant, especially one close by. For now, however, their eyes would turn inwards.

Each Gateway planet featured a massive artifact, presrved from before the Unification. Massive rings of gleaming metal, the machines glowed blue in the sky, gold when seen in the emptiness of space. A light sprang out from six points along the Gate, moving slowly until they met in the center, a point of concentrated energy nearing the Planck temperature. Within moments it collapsed, struck by a bolt of magic from the ring. Condensing, it exploded outwards, filling the gate so that it appeared to be filled with silver. A similar occurrence happened at each Gateway world, preparing to send off the fleets. An ungiven order issued itself, urging the Corennai to advance. As one, they began to enter the Gates, leaping off into the reaches of space, leaving behind C'ran. At Prazhnal, one ship waited until all others had left. Across the entirety of the Dominion one message was heard: "I shall return, my children." Then it too, advanced into the Gate consumed in light. So began the voyage of the Gideon.