Virus read through the reports submitted by his Acolytes quietly in his 'study' on board the Revenant. Most of their reports were typical after-action reports, but one relatively minor bit of data in a report filed by Zodiac caught his attention.
Quote:[font=Courier New]...some Outcast-affiliated AI Cruiser named the |VE|Absolution or something showed up and started scanning us...Things sorta went downhill and we mostly destroyed it and let it limp off, trying to cloak itself most ineffectively.
The data collected from the scans that the new Converts, Nephilim and Zodiac, had taken of the supposed robotic ship they encountered in Bretonia indicated that the... "VE" were capable of effectively scanning Phantom technology and possibly replicating it or, even worse, determining it's origin. To maintain the secrecy of their masters, he would have to make sure they did not get to analyze the scans of Phantom vessels.
It took a while before the energy signatures from the robitic vessel had been analyzed. It was only a matter of tracing that signature to one of their bases. It took but a few hours to locate several cleverly hidden bases around Sirius, hidden well enough from those who aren't looking.
As the Hellbound closed in on the nearest station, Virus engaged the weapon systems and prepared for the glorious work ahead.
---
Inside the Enclave base named: X-23, an asteroid base, used as a base of operations for all agents working around Sirius, it contained all research and data that the Enclave had stored so far about the other houses actions as of late, it held detailed information of the wars of the major houses, some schematics of the ships most commonly referred to as “ships of war.”
All was quiet, and the Arch Deacon Jonas was sitting in the control area at the top of the large station. He had been in a heated discussion with the resident AI nicknamed: Alyssa. She had discussed and argued against the placement of agents within the society of “junkers”, in which the Deacon had argued that:
“Whatever they are, they've had more experience dealing with most houses than other factions besides the Zoners here in Sirius, they are important.”
Alyssa had tried explain to the Deacon that:
“No matter what experience they possess it doesn't change the fact that the Junkers are nothing but scavengers and junk dealers!”
The Deacon had won the argument eventually but, alas, as Jonas knew the AI had a certain personality that where a bit “tidy.” No wonder the base was completely cleaned every morning, something that not only bugged Jonas but actually made him very... Annoyed.
They where finishing up the discussion when the proximity sensors pinged a warning.
“That is strange.. No ships where planned to return today.”
Alyssa responded within moments.
“Sir... It isn't one of ours.”
Jonas stood up his eyes wide and as he pushed the alarm key he knew something bad was to happen.
Ten fighters where scrambled within moments, and launched into space to interdict the unknown target, and from the command and control center Jonas saw each of their ships destroyed, with no damage done to the enemy ship.
He alerted all guard forms surrounding the station, the large robotic platforms capable of spacial warfare brought their guns bear down on the new target.
Virus smiled on the bridge of his warship, Hellbound, this would be too easy.
The large warship opened fire, the station shuddered, impacts striking at vital areas on the station. Jonas screamed to Alyssa “Damage report!”
Alyssa responded with a uneasy calm “Shields are down to 56% and we have hull breaches on sixteen out of 20 decks... Our people are dying of suffocation!”
Jonas sighed as he saw the large ship come into visual.. It resembled a Osiris class battleship, but seamed severely enhanced and advanced.
“It doesn't matter Alyssa, try to send a sub space message to..”
Then the Hellbound fired it's main cannons and the base collapsed in on itself, transforming into a slow expanding golden fireball that eventually engulfed the entirety of the base's defenses.
The Hellbound continued it's destruction of the bases of this so called Enclave. A base hidden within a Gas giant, clever. A mining base constructed on a dead world, impressive. With each new outpost Virus slowly understood that these Enclave people must have taken their sweet time hiding and constructing these bases, making it all the more entertaining to annihilate them.
As last they came to the only remaining outpost, a small space station on the edge of known space. A single missile launched from the Hellbound. The crew of the station watched helplessly as it arced smoothly through space and impacted against their station with a thud. The boarding ramp dropped and five Phantom marines stepped off the small vessel and easily disposed of the small crew standing there, frozen in fear.
The Marine Sergeant plugged a device into the nearest console, "Commander, we're downloading all information off of their database." Virus merely acknowledged the action. The information gleaned from the station was immense: schematics on shields, propulsion and the designs of star ships very different from what the Sirians were capable of constructing.
Two Marines set up a device in the center of the room and bolted it to the floor. A fusion bomb to finish things up once they left. No one would even know they had been there.
Arch Priest Jechaim sat in his chambers, a plain empty room, only a bed and a small idol, the symbol of the Creator.
A foot high Encircled line with etched lines across it, made out a green metallic material, he had been conducting his nightly prayers, asking for his people to remain safe for the future to come.
Little did he know that the the Enclave was to be pushed into demise and chaos, he put out the single candle placed behind the icon, and prepared to rest his body and mind when a message came trough the personal com array.
Jechaim pressed his communications device placed on his wrist
"Yes?"
The familiar synthetic voice of E.v.E, the resident AI spoke in a disturbed tone
"Arch Priest Jechaim.. I have.. Grave news, please accompany me on the bridge"
The link shut of and Jechaim began to re-dress himself, his body now mostly robotic, but still having the resemblance of human skin to it. Cables and wires sticking out by the elbows and shoulders.
He was fully dressed and headed up towards the command and control center of the Enclave Cruiser; Absolution, the bridge doors hushed open, smooth and with a light coming out of the sides.
On it stood three other Virulians, the tactical officer and the medical officer along with the artificially constructed body of E.v.E, they stood facing the bridge view screen. There a image of a destroyed asteroid was shown, Jechaim closed in on the others and asked in a friendly tone;
"What is that I can do for you this evening?"
E.v.E turned around at Jechaim, she looked sad, how ever, since no tear ducts had been installed on her body, she could not cry, instead she made sobbing noises as she grabbed Jechaim into a hug.
"E-e-e-eve? What is it?"
She motioned with her hand to the screen and said
"It's.. It's our bases.. All of them.. All those people.."
Jechaim looked at the screen again, he realized he knew the surrounding star scape, it was the same that X-23 had...
"No... "
Jechaim turned E.v.E's head towards his and asked in a sharp tone;
"How many? How many Eve?"
E.v.E looked up at Jechaim, the man she had come to adore and learn to love, the first one she had felt strong feelings for..
"All of them.. All but the Hive.."
Jechaim wept that moment, thousands of their people.. Dead, slaughtered..
He turned on the tactical officer, a man that had been come to be called; Dale, and asked quickly
"Has the council been informed?"
Dale quickly nodded as he inputted commands into his wrist computer;
"The Absolution is on course back to Alpha.. They are to hold a council, to decide what to do."
Jechaim nodded.. He knew that no matter what, who ever did this, could not get away with it..
In "The Hive" deep underneath Malta's surface, the members of the Enclave stirred, the news of what had happened had reached them at the same time as the Absolution.
Hundreds of thousand of people where packing their bags, in fear of an attack here, the leaders had assured the people that who ever committed this act of violence and agression would not be as stupid as to launch a full scale assault upon Malta and the outcasts.
Yet people no longer felt safe, they wanted to move, man and machine alike questioned the reason for staying in the war ravaged area they resided.
The Priests tried to calm the people, assuring the people that the Council would choose wisely and that everything would be ok yet again.
Inside the council chambers 2 seats where empty, the Patriarch's and the Arch priest's Jechaim's seat.
The others had been deliberating about what they should do in these times, they weren't men of war, save the Arch Priests..
They had also, while waiting voted upon the Patriarch seat and who was to take it.. It was only fitting that there is supposed to be only one empty seat this meeting, and it shall not be the Patriarch's..
As the Absolution approached Malta they where stopped to be scanned as usual, all according to regulations and they where not prepared to break that rule just yet. They landed into the large vent, leading down into the Hive's hangars. Where not only the Absolution was stored, but their transports and freighters, not to mention the fighters.
The Absolution moored with it's decided docking point, Jechaim, quickly followed by E.v.E in her artificial body, ran towards the Council chambers at full speed, somewhat strange to see, as he was known for his speed, it went fast, to fast for a human being.
As he approached the council doors, a familiar face greeted him, it was the commander of the military Caste, Edward Zhane.. His head missing hair, save the well-managed beard, he greeted Jechaim with a palm outwards, the typical salutation of a solder.
"Well met Arch Priest Jechaim, I have been awaiting your arrival.. The others wish us both in the council chambers.. Yes yes, I know it isn't our custom for one of the military caste to be present during it's deliberations. But the other's requested it.."
Jechaim nodded and hurried into the chamber, as the doors opened in front of them, the other three council members welcomed Jechaim with open arms
"Brother Jechaim, please hear us before you take your ordinary seat.."
"We have decided amongst ourselves, that you are to take the position of Patriarch.."
Jechaim looked at the three others, a raised eyebrow, as it is custom the Arch priests and Bishops show their faces in the council chambers, he did not know what he was to say, he knew that the Enclave needed a leader, now more then ever.. He knew it was the will of the Creator.. He had to accept the mantle of leadership, no matter what.
"I accept.. "
The others smiled and said in unison
"Then take your seat, Patriarch Jechaim, leader of the Enclave"
Even Zhane smiled as Jechaim approached the large middle seat, the four other seats sat in front of the middle one.. The others sat down, save Zhane, he remained standing, as he as the rest of the Military caste had no seat in the council.
It was a few moments before anyone spoke, but the first who did was Jechaim.
"What has happened to the Enclave today, is the worst possible thing that could have happened, we have lost all possibilities of sustaining our civilization here on Malta. Without shipments from our mining world, or regular reports from the other outposts, then we are left to one simple option..
We need to migrate, we need to move the Enclave, we need to find Neutral space in which we could rebuild and.. Become what the Creator would want for us.
Us that are left alive, us that haven't left the ways of the Enclave."
He took a few minutes before he continued..
"Prior to me letting the others of you having the word, I will declare a change.. Something some of you will protest to. From this day, the enclave shall no longer be led by the Animus Caste.."
The other council members frooze, and so did Zhane, he stared at the Patriarch.
"Listen.. These aren't normal times for us, we have never faced this kind of... Times before, it is the Creator who is testing our faith's.. That is why, two seats in the council shall be taken by the Military Caste, one of which will be taken by Commander, now Overlord Zhane.. "
Zhane blinked and looked up at the patriarch and then bowed his head and said;
"Yes Patriarch, I accept this decision for the entire Military Caste.."
"Very well, council member Zhane, take your seat at the council."
Jechaim turned towards the other members and nodded at them
"I will let you three decide on which of you that will leave the council"
The three animus caste council members looked at each other and after some discussions amongst each other, the second Arch Bishop stood up, bowed at the Patriarch and the now Council Member Zhane, and left the chambers, with no sign of anger or annoyances in his face..
"Good, let us..."
The Patriarch got interrupted mid sentence as a small Spy form appeared trough the hole in the top of the room, it began to speak rapidly, a bit to fast for at least Zhane to comprehend what it was saying.
Then a holographic image appeared in front on the council, showing the Osiris class battleship launching a missile.
The entire council stood up and watched the video play in front of their eyes..
Jechaim said out loud to the First voice, the AI that had taken residence within the Hive.
"Search trough all records using the scans 2x-I5 took.. Now!"
After a few moments, the voice responded in a thousand voices in unison
"Search completed.. Found similar signature in database, connection:: Phantom Empire, similar energy signatures.. Negative, a complete match. Definitely Phantom made.. "
Every member sat down again, Jechaim was in shock.. Why would they attack the enclave? What reason do they have?
He stood up and yelled out.
"We need to ask for Sanctuary within a neutral party.. Now.. There is no time to delay, if the Phantoms are the ones responsible, they would not stop at this.. They will come for all of us.. Overlord Zhane, prepare the ships and gather all materials into the transports."
Another rose and said.
"Who would we ask to take us in? Who could we trust?"
Jechaim looked at the Arch Priest and said
"There is only one faction that could allow us safe harbor, the Zoners.. They have stations across Sirius and they have controlled space far away from the war ravaged systems of the Outcasts.. We need to move, and we need to do it now"
The others nodded in unison..
Then Jechaim took work again
"The Exodus of the Virulian Enclave begins now."
Zhane knew at that moment, what the Military Caste would be called, and he started, in his mind to plan the things he had dreamed of for so long..