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(7.2) Through the Inferno
(7.2) Through the Inferno
Memorial of Fallen Warriors
Orbital Memorial Station 'The Fallen'
Expansion Rim World of Azgard
November 3rd, 1937
Senni's plan was already well underway. Odin's Pride jumped in and dropped off the assault team, then jumped back out. Senni didn't trust Warlord Ansfrid to have a plan B should his Coup start to fall apart. She felt it was better to hold back the mighty warship as her own plan B. The Assault shuttle, swept in and dropped of the ten five man teams. Senni hand picked each team and their primary and secondary goals. She took the role of decoy for Warlord Ansfrid and his bodyguards. Her reasoning behind that choice was two fold. She felt that Birgr more than deserved the honor of capturing the traitorous Council of Warlords and rescuing Talon from her imprisonment. Secondly, Senni wanted to make sure that all Azgardians and the rest of the Galaxy knew the true strength of the Azgardian Warriors had returned. The rest of the targets for the team were each important to the over all goal of capturing the Council of Warlords and freeing Talon. Senni's plan didn't call for the entire station to be taken. Just those parts needed to secure Talon's freedom and the capture of the Council members. Though her plan called for the death of Warlord Ansfrid, the rest of the Council would depend on what the group learned for their allies.
Senni had laid out her plan in detail to the Black Dragons, Birgr and the remaining Immortals. Afterwards, Birgr laid out his plan. Both addressed the top to key goals with reasonable chances of success. Only Senni's dealt with delivering a message to the rest of the Azgardians. Her plan had a more surgical aspect, others within their group referred to this aspect like a sword slice. His plan was more straight forward and used all of the Black Dragons to seize the entire station in one rapid raid. The same group referred to Birgr's plan like the cutting effect of a battle ax. Because everyone could see equal chancing in both plans of being successful, it came down to a Duel over which plan to use and who would lead the over all mission. The two warriors squared off once more as they had many years ago. Birgr with his beloved ax and Senni with her twin blades. The two dueled for nearly an hour before Senni got the upper hand. In victory, she secured both respect and honor by asking Birgr to lead the mission using her plan. In defeat, Birgr too secured his own honor and respect by pledging to ensure victory under her plan.
Birgr's team was the third to make the space born jump as the Assault shuttle made its pass. The first two teams were heading to the communication tower and the hanger bay. These would ensure that the station would be unable to call for help. If all worked well, according to Senni, the remaining soldiers aboard the station would see the right of authority of the Warrior Caste and accept the outcome without further conflict. Birgr's team was to move on the Council chambers first, then move on to free Talon. By the time Birgr is done with the Warlords, Senni should have Warlord Ansfrid completely pinned down and unable to react to the growing situation. According to Religious Caste spies within the Station, the Council of Warlords had been called in to emergency meetings by Warlord Ansfrid. He had instructed the Council to act quickly to name him as rightful leader of Azgard before the power vacuum would stir unrest within the masses. The spy's last transmission informed Birgr that the Council was unable to name Warlord Ansfrid as leader. Many feared him but none were strong enough to stand up to him. The report troubled Birgr because, they all knew of the Coup before hand and did nothing to stop it. The spy also believes that before morning they will each finally accept Warlord Ansfrid as Leader of Azgard out of political fear. 'These Warlords do not deserve to lead Azgard let alone sit on the Council' Birgr thought of the traitors.
The spy gave one bit of information that Birgr found very helpful if not humorous. It delayed his teams arrival to the Council of Warlords gathering location by a few minutes. However Birgr felt that the delay was more than acceptable. Birgr walked in to the Great Hall of Heroes, used by the Council of Warlords. He didn't bother to request an audience which was required by anyone wishing to speak to the Council. Nor did he allow the soldiers outside a chance to stop him. Birgr left a path of death behind him as he made his way from the first place he entered the station, to the detour location, to the Great Hall of Heroes. He looked around at the shocked and surprised faces of the Warlords of Azgard. Each were supposed to be the greatest warriors of their own houses. Some are that, some seen under a different light, are nothing like that. His fire Immortals stood behind him with their weapons ready and between them a man bound and had a large sack over his head. Birgr looked at each of them with disdain, “Each of you are cowards!” he yelled out from his helmet. Before the senior of the Warlords could speak Birgr continued, “Each of you are standing here where Legends live! You are not welcomed here, drop your cloaks and leave your positions. You will not be harmed, I give you my word. If you force my hand, you will all pay the price.”
“Warrior Birgr, thank the gods you have returned. Warlord Ansfrid has us trapped on this station. Either we accept him as leader or he will kill us.” The Warlord of House Fury said.
Birgr shook his head, “That is a lie and we all know this. I know you knew of the Coup before hand. None of you stood by your Warlord as you pledged. None of you deserve to remain as Warlords of the Council.”
“No, thats not true. We did not know of the Coup. We were just as surprised as everyone else was.” Another Warlord said trying to convince Birgr of their innocents.
Birgr raised his hand and motioned for the man behind to be brought forward. Birgr reached over and ripped the sack of the head of Warlord Buckler from House Redick. The man standing next to Birgr was bound and gaged, though the look in his eyes tell the story of his pain. The Hall was in a state of panic because there were now two Warlord Bucklers. The one sitting silently at a desk stood up and smiled, “allow me to end the confusion” he said as he reached up to his arm and deactivated his cloaker. “I am Priest Addame Redick, Order of the Rose, and Faithful servant to the Warlord of Azgard”
The Warlords erupted in anger and started to scream at both the Priest and Birgr. Birgr only smiled at their outrage. There was no one coming to rescue them. None of them could stand up to his Immortals or him. Before when they first returned, he had thought that they were the best warriors of Azgard. It was only later that Talon told him that she doubted their strength. That she should not have been able to fight all of them in one day. That those kinds of Trails tended to last for weeks. He turned to one of his men still standing at the door and nodded. The man pulled out a chain and secured the door from the inside. The Warlords were still arguing and yelling among themselves as Birgr turned to face them. He slowly drew out his ax as did the rest of his men. It was time for the Council to be released from their duties. Priest Addame nodded his understanding and silently slipped back to allow the Warriors to tend to their tasks. It was clear that the Warlords didn't realize that death had entered the hall. The time of reckoning had come to the Council of Warlords for their betrayal of their leader. Birgr nodded to the rest of his team, each were readying their weapons. There was no guilt in his heart over what was about to happen. He gave them a chance to save their own lives, now they will pay for that last mistake.
The battle in the Great Hall of Heroes was hardly a battle. For Birgr and his Immortals, it was more of a bloody slaughter. At first the Warlords of the Council hardly even realized the change of situation. They stood and argued among themselves over who was the first to follow the traitor, Warlord Ansfrid. Once the doors were chained shut and their weapons were drawn did the Warlords of the Council realize what was coming. They tried to put up a good fight, but none of them could compare to the training and genetic improvements that came with an Azgardian First Class Warrior. Most of them had put up their best effort to avoid death while a few attempted to seek mercy and begged for their lives. Birgr felt a deep routed disgust for the later as he ordered no mercy to the cowards. All eight were cut down by Birgr and his men. Their headless bodies placed back at their desks to show the end of this mockery of a Council of Warlords.
Birgr and his team brought Priest Addame along as they moved for their last goal, freeing Talon. As they were making their way up the decks of the stations, Birgr received word that the Odin's Pride had engaged three warships which had slipped back in to real space. The ships had planned to destroy the station with everyone on board. The quick thinking of the Captain Yngvar, the captain of Odin's Pride, placed his massive ship between the station and the three attacking ships. Even though Odin's Pride had been sitting in storage for nearly two thousand years, her main weapons were still more than a match for the fire power of the three attacking cruises. Odin's Pride was built during the hight of the Republic and Azgard. She was one of three massive ships build in the Overlord Class. Designed as a combined arms ship, she carries over a thousand fighters, tens of thousands of troops and boasted an armament that would compare to five other ships. The two sister ships to Odin's Pride had all been lost in great battles. The flagship of the line, the Overlord, was lost during a hyperspace accident. The Odin's Pride is truly the last of an era. But this Old Lady still had plenty of fight left in her. The exchange between ships was short lived but no less violent. Captain Yngvar refused to allow the attacking ships to get a clear shot at the larger station. The blast marks across the Odin's Pride's haul bore wittiness to this act of bravery. In the end, Odin's Pride destroyed all three attacking ships and drove off two others that came to reinforced the traitor's ships. The space of Azgard and the station belonged to the Black Dragons.
While the battle for the space was won, the battle for the station was far from over. Birgr received reports that the other teams were reaching their goals but the resistance had stiffen greatly. Even Birgr's own team was finding it harder and harder to beat back the waves of defenders trying to block the path to Talon. The efforts of the defenders were of no importance. Birgr was driven and nothing would stand in his way. With the final doors in sight, Birgr and his team had to fight their way through a group of twenty soldiers. This was one of the final battles before they could free Talon. The defenders knew this and refused to give up this area easily. It was during this battle that Senni connected Birgr and informed him that Warlord Ansfrid's head was now in her possession. Birgr called out over the loud speaker in his helm, “The Beast is headless, its body has not yet realized that it is already dead!” He drove his ax in to the soldier he was fighting as cheers echoes from his men. Priest Addame proved to be a strong asset to Birgr's team. While Birgr didn't the Priest as a Warrior Priest like Senni was a Warrior Priestess, he did respect the Priest nonetheless. Birgr drove his ax in to the soldier once more for good measure. He saw from his surround visor in his helm, a soldier drawing his side arm. It didn't take Birgr long to realize that the soldier was going to shoot one Priest Addame in the back.
Birgr tossed his ax in to the air slightly and caught it with a stronger grip. The soldier had his side arm out and started to take aim at Priest Addame. Birgr pulled back his arm and flung his ax side ways at the soldier. It flung through the air so fast that it made a whooshing sound. The soldier backed up to the wall as he aimed at the back of Priest Addame's head. The ax passed right over the soldier's arms and hit the soldier across his neck. The ax man a loud clanging sound as it passed through the soldier's neck and cut in to the metal wall. The body of the soldier fell to the ground and the head remained balanced on the blade of the ax. The last of the other soldiers were cut down by Birgr's men. Each of his men turned to see the head looking back at them from its perch on the ax. The mouth and eyes of the head were open. For about a minute no one said anything as they all looked at the head. It was finally Birgr who broke the silence with a deep laughter. “Loki has gifted us with this” he said as others joined in with the laughter. Birgr stepped forward and bent over the body. He pulled out the knife from the soldier's belt and rose back up. He picked up the head by the hair, “Watch our backs and ensure no one sneaks up on us” he said driving the knife through the forehead and in to the metal wall. Birgr pulled the ax from the wall and motioned for his men to follow.
Birgr walked up to the door as Senni's voice came in over his helm communicator. “Birgr, Warlord Ansfrid's communicator had his last message sent. It read, 'Kill the prison.' Birgr!” It was clear by her voice that she was concerned.
“She is not dead. Don't you remember, Talon can't die. Don't ask me why, but she just can't die.” Birgr said as he prepared to open the door to the prison deck. He waited for his men to take up formation behind him. Then he activated the door. As the door opened Birgr saw eight men standing before him. They were standing one behind another in close formation. Birgr stepped forward with his men. Talon was still alive and Birgr knew it. It was something that Priest Addame told him that gave him that assurance. He couldn't tell Senni over a communication line, but he would later. He and his warriors walked through the door way and in to the prison deck. The first rank of soldiers fell face first toward the deck as the second rank had let them go.
“We do not hold weapons against the bodyguards of the Warlord of Azgard. She is still alive despite the wishes of Warlord Ansfrid and his followers.” The soldier in the middle said as he and the others dropped to a knee out of respect for Birgr and his team.
Birgr nodded, “What is your name soldier?” He motioned for his men to fan out. He was advised that Talon had many followers on the station that could and most likely would join her cause if given the chance. Still Birgr was not taking any chances.
“Aki Mercer, Warrior Birgr” Aki said softly. They knew that Birgr and his men were cutting a path of death right to this point. It was not a hard sell to the others to betray their fellow soldiers and protect Warlord Fiolla. Aki had seen her during the trail and found her to be the most amazing woman he had ever seen. When she was brought here, he almost died. He did everything possible to make her short stay as comfortable as he could. He even managed to sneak a few messages out to the Priest standing behind Birgr. There was simply no way he was going to allow anyone to kill her. Not while he was alive to prevent it. He started to turn the others the hour she was brought in. He knew that this moment would come. He trusted in those that followed her. Just like he hoped now they would trust in him.
“Free her Aki Mercer” Birgr commanded.
Aki nodded and motioned to a soldier who was closest to the door. Within seconds the door hissed open to show a Talon sitting in the middle of the cell calmly. Her eyes were closed and her body still. She slowly rose from the floor and dusted off her long cloak. She didn't say anything for the moment as she stepped forward. The remaining soldiers all moved away as she stepped out of the cell. She paused at Aki, who bowed to her. She knelled next to him, “I will not forget what you have done for me and the risks you took.” she said softly before raising back up. She turned to Birgr, “What do you have to report Warrior Birgr?”
Birgr smiled broadly as he motioned for the Priest to step forward as he said, “Behold Warlord.” Priest Addame brought the bag from his back and opened it up. He dumped out the contents of the bag on to the floor as Birgr continued, “The Council of Warlords would like to send you there most heartfelt apology for their betrayal.” The severed heads rolled along the floor before Talon's feet.
She smiled, “and Warlord Ansfrid?” she said pushing the heads around to get a better look at them.
Birgr nodded, “Senni took care of him.”
She nodded “I see” she said as she stepped over the heads, “I believe we have our brothers and sisters to awaken.”
Once more Birgr nodded, “Yes, Master Visst told us what we needed to know.” Birgr stepped off to the side, “This way Warlord” he said with a hint of pride.
“Um, Warlord Fiolla” Aki said almost unsure if he was allowed to speak. “I...we...were wondering if there was a place within the warriors for us once the other Warriors are woken up.”
Birgr turned to Talon. Birgr had traveled with Talon across the Galaxy and across time its self. He knew of her long before he ever met her. Her legend had long been song in the halls of heroes. He knew every bit of her being and her personality. She didn't have to say anything to him, he knew what she wanted. And more importantly he had long since earned her respect. She only nodded to allow him to handle this. Talon continued to walk forward from the area as Birgr stepped closer to Aki, “Sorry, once the True Borns are woken, Free Births like you will be pushed out of the Warrior caste till you can earn your place back.”
Aki and the others looked down. It wasn't what they had hoped for. There was sadness in their hearts but at least they were not dead. “Thank you Warrior Birgr. We understand” he said softly looking down at the ground. A sack dropped in front of him.
“I was not finished” Birgr said as each of them looked at the sacks before them and then back up to Birgr. “Go on, open them. Because you see, Regardless of origin, it is the leader of the Black Dragons who chooses which Warriors will protect the Warlord of Azgard.” He watched as the four House Mercer warriors opened up the sacks and saw the Black Dragon uniforms within them. “What you four have done here cleansed your House's Honor. Each of you and your House has a clean sleight. What you all do with it from this point on is up to you.” The four soldiers looked at each other and smiled as they found it hard to contain their emotions. Birgr turned to leave and motioned for everyone to follow. “Come on, this is not over yet” he said as the group followed him out.
Talon stood before a large stone table with her hand resting on it. A Priest was working to attach a large metal and stone gauntlet to her forearm and hand. The thick animal hide clock hung over her shoulders masking much of her frame. It was clear that there is much on Talon's mind as another Priest was walking around her talking to her. His words seemed to be distant echoes to her as her eyes were fixed on some point far in the shadows. There were sounds of other warriors and priests at work elsewhere in this large hall, but like the man standing right next to her, they too were only distant echoes in the back of her mind.
“Warlord?” the Priest said softly then repeated, “Warlord Fiolla?”
“Yes, I am sorry. My mind is else where right now.” Talon said making an attempt to refocus her mind on the task at hand.
“Fear not, Priest. Warlord Fiolla is not ignoring the moment.” Senni said walking up from the shadows, “She is merely observing Ragnarök.” Senni had a smile on her face and a bit of almost a hop in her step.
Talon turned to those around her, “Leave us!” she commanded and on that statement the two Priests and two Black Dragons quickly backed off in to the shadows. Talon turned to Senni and took a deep breath. “I was, I was considering what happened here last night. Who is to stop this from happening again. We have crushed our own Government because we feel it is best to do so. How will we prevent others from doing the same?”
Senni turned and half leaned and half set on the stone table. “Your leadership will prove to everyone that this is the right path for Azgard. You will return honor and pride to our realm.”
Before Senni could continue Talon raised her hand to stopped the young warrior. “On that note about leadership. I revisited the Prophecies of Warlord Brea. Senni, they were about you, not me.”
Senni nodded, “Yeah I kind of figured that too. I found out a few weeks ago”
Talon actually looked surprised, “You know, if this is true you have a legitimate claim to this.” Talon held up the Warhammer of Azgard.
Once more Senni nodded, “Yeah I know.”
Talon rested the Warhammer on the stone table, “There is a good chance you could beat me.”
“Maybe. You are a very cunning and able warrior. But I think I have a gift with the Twin Sisters that even your own skill can't over come.” Senni explained as she motioned to her favorite blades, which were on her back.
“But you wont challenge me?” Talon questioned.
Senni shook her head, “No”
“Why” Talon couldn't understand why Senni wouldn't at least try.
“Thor in many ways is more powerful than his father, Odin. Yet, he wont challenge his father. The reason is because Thor knows that he is not as wise as his father.” Senni explained, “Just like I am stronger than you in many ways, you are much more wise than I am. In time, I may or may not hold that hammer. But at one point, I will hold all that you are willing to teach me.” Senni leaped from the table and motioned around them, “look around Talon. A few hours ago, many of these soldiers fought against us. Now they have all sworn an oath to follow the old traditions. They have all shown a willingness to learn what it means to be an Azgardian Warrior once more. They did this for you. Not me, not Birgr, for you. I could only hope to have that kind of influence some day. You have had that your whole life. I remember reading of your exploits on Baklid VI and how you and your Immortals broke the back of the rebels. You were something of a legend back then, now you are even more.” Senni paused and looked around once more, then continued, “This is right where I want to be. By your side, Warlord Fiolla.” There was a smile on Senni's face as she turned to face Talon once more.
Galactic Wide Message
The chamber is filled with shadows that dance about by the torches that have been lit within the chamber. The first thing to come in to view is the pile of human heads that had been removed from their bodies. The image was meant to be clear and to the point. At the base of the pile of heads rested six heads that stood atop of swords which were decorated in Christian symbols. The heads show a varying means of death and rather the head was removed after death or the cause of that death. The faces all showed the signs of terror. Their deaths, regardless of method was brutal and swift. As the image pans upwards a row of hooded figures sits above the heads on some kind of stone table. The shadows prevented the identity of the figures to be discovered. This gave the cloaked figures an even more terrifying presence about themselves. It was clearly seen that they were all armed and wearing some kind of traditional outfits. There are no less than twenty figures that could be made out from the shadows, and most likely more hidden by them. The flames from the torches could easily be heard as the image pans to the center of the table, as the image came closer to the center, a loud sparking sound filled the hall as two heavy stones came together. The image pans up once more to show the center figure raising his or her left arm and striking the stone gauntlet down upon the stone table. Sparks shot out from the table with each new hit. The image centers on the hooded figure as the cloaked figured rested its right hand on the head of Warlord Ansfrid. The right hand was gloved with shaped tips tapping on his forehead as the stone hit one last time. Only parts of the face can be made out but it is clear that the face is of a female. The voice is easily identified by those who know her to be Warlord Fiolla.
“Look back through your history. You will find legends of a race of warriors who traveled the Galaxy keeping the peace and ensuring order. This race of warriors carried the banner of the Great Republic. That when the Republic called on heroes, that this race was the ones to answer that call. Some of you might even know that it was this race who had the military will and strength to bring even the mighty Republic to its knees once the corruption of the Republic grew too great. This race fought along side the Jedi of Old, the Great Republic and in some cases even stood against the night by themselves. This race throughout your combined history has only a few names, most notably, Guardians. Allow me to make a point of correction. We are called Azgardians! Months ago, I informed the galaxy that we had returned. Back then, we wished to keep the Galaxy at arm's length. This has since changed. We can no longer sit by and listen to the cries for help from across the Galaxy. The debates are over, Azgard officially declares war on the Reich and her allies. That is all....” The image goes dark.
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