Tiera Ares wasn't exactly happy about her current assignment. Shandoria was a beautiful planet, and filled to the brim with different cultures and creatures, but working on the "hearts and minds" front of the UGN's fight against the Bydo Empire wasn't what she'd signed up for. And, given Raijin's behavior, her familiar wasn't thrilled that they weren't fighting. It was a trait bred into his species over hundreds of generations by the people of Austar, something that could be suppressed, but never eliminated. Raijin enjoyed a good scrap, and it had been too long since Tiera had gotten permission to let him run wild outside of simulations.

That all changed when the sky darkened and the alarms began blaring.

Tiera was in the park with Raijin. A couple of kids had insisted on getting a picture with her and the drake. She wasn't particularly well known as far as Mages went--a fact confirmed by a quick Gogol search--but the children had been so insistent. The children's expressions quickly shifted to one of worry as the sky darkened and cracked. Tiera knew what was about to come. She'd never seen it happen in person, but she'd seen enough footage of Bydo invasions in human space to know what was about to happen.

"Get to the closest shelter!" she instructed. Tiera felt a change in the atmosphere. A sizable burst of magical energy.

<[i]This is Mana Septima, preparing to engage. Anyone else out there?[/i]>

Tiera blinked. She still wasn't used to the usage of telepathy. Unlike with most Mages, it didn't come naturally to her. <[i]<Tiera Ares, reporting[/i],> she projected. It took some conscious effort, but she got the message sent. <[i]I'm assisting civilians to a nearby shelter. Once they're safe I can assist.[/i]>