The final return home

[srwu_npc]

"I am very sorry, everyone. I wish I could have done more on Earth - but, it's time..."

Armana is right - unfortunately, she can't wait any longer and she has to return to Balmar. But she isn't alone, accompanied by friends and allies from Project Unification... and even the Discovery of Self itself, the ancient rocky vessel moving towards the Crossgate.


"Ruach's power has waned so much that he cannot even open the Crossgate reliably anymore. How convenient that we have the Discovery then, hmm? Stepping foot on Balmar is highest taboo for outsiders but he excuses us and trades the ancient artifact, all in exchange for the Discovery of Self helping with evacuation efforts."


"Sounds suspicious if you ask me. We're not trusting him completely, are we?"


"Of course not, Commander. Even if the Spirit Emperor's intents are fully genuine, Shiva Gozzo and the Golar Golem forces are still unaccounted for." Viletta frowns briefly. Golar Golems are still out there somewhere - and so is Spectra...
"While the Discovery's original TSEN system assists with evacuating the Balmarian populace, most of our force will remain on standby around it, in case anyone tries anything funny. The few who are allowed to land on Balmar will serve as Armana's escorts. Armed escorts, in their machines. Keep your eyes peeled."

The Discovery of Self's systems activate and it moves through the Crossgate - just a short voyage that throws it to the other side of the galaxy. And on that other side... there lies no ambush. The Balmarian fleets are present indeed, two huge Hermodrs and countless smaller units. But they are all busy escorting unarmed civilian spaceships as they try to make their way out of the planet. The planet that, even now, is being ravaged by meteorite swarms.

The landing party makes its way towards the Balmarian capital, its beautiful stone halls and great canals now almost completely destroyed and abandoned.


"Just a little more. A little more, and all this suffering will be over..."

Comments

[prismphantom]

[And they finally get to see the capital of the Balmarian Empire.]

No wonder someone finally had the sense to stop trying to war with everyone else.

You're doing a very brave thing, Armana.

[srwu_npc3]

"Actually I'm terrified. I feel like running away... but, Selena. I made up my mind. And if I run now, all the deaths and suffering on Balmar will be my fault."