[color=gray]
[color=white][i]"We might not have time for that, but it's your call."[/i][/color] Sara heard Fiona say.

Sara nodded and mulled over the thought of going down to investigate. Before she could come up with an answer, she heard Jimbo speak up over the radio. [color=white][i]"Lancaster, that supply truck isn't going to hijack itself. Make a decision ASAP."[/i][/color]

She bit her lip. Looking back to Fiona, Sara came up with her answer. [color=white][b]"Jimbo, immobilize the truck. Lukas, secure it."[/b][/color]

They needed that truck more than anything. The supplies it carried alone would keep Falcon going for another month at least. If they could secure the truck, then it wouldn't matter if they got any extra goods from the base. [color=white][b]"Rifle team, be advised. Once you incap that truck, it's likely the base will respond. Expect a patrol to come and investigate."[/b][/color]

Right after she said that, the lights in the corridor began to flicker and die. Eventually, they died out completely across the entire base. ADVENT troopers stopped what they were doing, and began running to their officers for instruction. The four troopers that were in a gaggle behind the crates seemed to be the first into action. They were leaving the warehouse through the large garage doors, and headed for the power station. [color=white][b]"David, Carlotta, you've got company. Four troopers closing in with their rifles raised. We're going to be going loud soon, get read-"[/b][/color] Sara was cut off by a horrible shriek over the radio.

She gasped from the piercing sound and pulled her headset off. She looked to Fiona, [color=white][b]"What the hell was that?!"[/b][/color]

Seconds later, a rumble could be felt in the building as a bright purple light blasted out from the access at the bottom of the ramp, followed by a fiery explosion. The flames billowed out toward the guards at the ramp, causing them to dive for cover. Scientists and troopers and staggered out of the brief blaze waving in dismay as they caught fire and burned alive. Fire alarms in the warehouse began ringing, and suppression systems spewed water in every direction. Sara hurried to get her headset back on, [color=white][b]"I don't know what the hell you did, Carlotta, but things just got chaotic inside the warehouse!"[/b][/color]

There was another rush of purple light from the access, and this time Sara could feel something. A massive shiver ran up her spine. It was familiar to her for some reason, like she had the feeling before but couldn't quite explain what had caused it. Sara clenched her teeth and looked to Fiona, [color=white][b]"Supplies or not, we need to investigate what's down there."[/b][/color]

[center]__________[/center]
[center]
[h2][color=white][b]Meanwhile...[/b][/color][/h2]
[/center]

The Executor walked through the metallic corridors of his ship. On his left were long windows, which gave him a view of the great expanse of space. A large nebula of orange and green dominated the backdrop, while a fleet of hundreds of ships occupied the foreground of the view. He always felt a rush of pride whenever he looked over his Grand Armada. It was a fleet the Executor had built from the ground up in the Elders' honor. Once the fleet of the elders could have been stopped. But since his ascension, their might had become insurmountable. Each warship in the Grand Armada was capable of punching above its class, and each one could act as a vanguard for invading new worlds. The Executor was at the head of it.

He was the Elders' mightiest fleet admiral, and the best commander his species could offer to the Elders. The Executor had fought in countless battles even before his ascension, the first of which were against the very masters he now served. There were no regrets. Not anymore. The Elders had improved the Executor in more ways than he ever could have dreamed. At first, his ambitions were small in scope compared to the Elders' vision. He wanted to rule his homeworld, the cradle of life for his people. But when he was chosen, he was granted the resources and tools needed to conquer more. His sights were no longer set on just one single world, but rather the galaxy in its entirety. He was successful thus far. And his name was feared throughout the expanse: Sempra-Tor.

While he looked over his armada of thousands of ships, he felt a calling in the back his mind. The Executor knew what it was. Something had caught the Elders' attention, and he was being called. The Executor let out a low growl, and dropped to one knee. His quill-like furs of his mane lifted slightly as psionic energy gathered around him. There was deep rumble, and a pillar of light engulfed him. When the light retreated, the Executor was gone.

[color=gold][b]"It is rare to be pulled away from my duties, masters. I inquire... What is so important that you call away the admiral of your fleets?"[/b][/color] the Executor said as he emerged from the psionic rift in another chamber.

Towering over him was a halographic display of an Elder. Its regal robes and mask hid its appearance, but its presence in the room was absolute. The Elder turned its head to look down on the Executor. [color=darkviolet][i]"Sempra-Tor. You have been a faithful servant to us, and we wish to extend our gratitude to you."[/i][/color]

The Executor kept his eyes on the floor, [color=gold][b]"I am honored, my masters. But there is no gift so great that could match my servitude to you. Although... I will concede. How do you wish to show your gratitude?"[/b][/color]

Another hologram appeared in front of the Executor, this one much smaller. It was a planet, marvelously blue and green. The Elder spoke while the Executor studied the orb, [color=darkviolet][i]"This world is one of our newest acquisitions: Earth, as the inhabitants call it. More importantly, it holds the key that we have been searching for for the past millennia. The importance of this world is greater than any you have conquered for us. We grant you rulership over this world. Subdue it, and ensure it does not fall to the Great Enemy."[/i][/color]

The Executor bowed his head again, [color=gold][b]"If that is your will, my masters. I will redeploy the fleet to ensure its safety."[/b][/color]

[color=darkviolet][i]"Good. We know you will not disappoint us, Execu-"[/i][/color] the Elder was cut off as it keeled out and let out a shriek of pain. The Executor quickly stood to his feet.

[color=gold][b]"Master! What is it?"[/b][/color]

The Elder clutched its masked face, [color=darkviolet][i]"The Key. It is threatened... Go now, Executor! Travel ahead of the fleet to Earth, and ensure the Key's safety! We cannot replicate it yet, it is fragile!"[/i][/color]

The hologram of Earth showed a red ping where the Executor was ordered to go. [color=gold][b]"At once, my master. Your Key will be safe under my watch."[/b][/color]

Another beam of psionic energy engulfed the Executor. Just as fast as the beam of light had appeared, it vanished, along with the Executor.
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