Wild Space (Freedom's Republic, Independent, & The Rebellion)

Archwar

Rider of the Unicorns
Original poster
FOLKLORE MEMBER
Invitation Status

On a screen showing the cosmos, a human-shaped figure was stepping forward with a moderate pace. As its size grew, the black fabric of a business suit became visible and the figure’s head seemed to be made out of glass if the reflections of the galaxies, stars, and planets were any indication.

The figure held out its hands to either side as if to embrace an old friend and a smooth voice echoed across the universe.

“Greetings and welcome to the Republic, or if you’re so inclined, Freedom’s Republic.”

A chuckle could be heard and the person’s head tilted slightly back as if the idea was amusing.

The figure brought its hands back, putting one in its suit and letting the other drop to its hip.

“I am Mr., or Miss/Mrs, Freedom, founder of the Republic.”

The person then turned to the right and began walking, eventually coming face to face with the Emperor of the human Empire.

“As the Terran Imperium and its allies expanded, I fled because of their culture.”

A tiny ship busted out of the Emperor’s head, sending flesh, bone, and brain out flying into space and as they travelled, they morphed into planets. The ship went straight towards a garden world and Freedom held its hand under it.

“I don’t need to tell you the horrors the Imperium and its allies committed. That’s why I founded the Republic and opened it to all!”

Soon hundreds of other ships of varying sizes and types mineralized into existence, each settling onto the planets and shortly after, cities, space stations, and signs of civilization took form.

Freedom turned back to the screen and placed its hands behind its back.

“And because of that, we propelled ourselves into dominance!”

Thousands of ships took form around Freedom and shot out into the darkness, each exploding into a light
which transformed into a colonized world.

“Even though we are not as old as some other factions, we still nonetheless practically have the ear of every faction which has made us safe from them. Our allies are various though, such as our good old friends of the D.A.R.G.”

Freedom held out its right hand as the leader of D.A.R.G. formed next to it.

“Or certain peoples.”

Freedom held out it left hand as a Byrrigis formed next to it as well.

“We give the chance to be reborn anew which is another reason why we are so powerful! It is because of our desire to bring down tyrants, our unity, and the fight for a better tomorrow that Freedom shall ring!”

As Freedom spoke, more and more people of various races formed behind it till they simply went beyond the screen.

“So if you are new to our Republic, or a returning seasoned veteran, we welcome you!”
 
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The holoscreen on the wall dissipated, and the visage of Freedom welcoming peoples to, or back to, the Republic shattered and fell away as a fading collection of scattering pixels.

"And that, Acolyte Mannis, is why we are here, and not in the Imperium, or the rebellion.." The synthesized voice of the High Priest of Immortal Artifice echoed through the quiet chamber of the Common Room.

"We are here because The Republic, it's leader, and it's community, are open and willing to listen to our message, or at the very least tolerate our existence. It is their choice if they wish to remain in their weak, slowly decaying forms, or if they wish to die while a computer programmed to act like them carries on their existence. We are not here to force them. We will outlast. Perhaps the children the fleshlings sire will see the truth, and join us, but commitment to the process of Phyresis must start with one's own determination. It is a waste to strengthen the vessel if the soul is not ready to bear it."

Acolyte Mannis waited a moment before continuing his point from earlier. "But, High Priest Ygmareth, why not simply join the rebels? They are tolerant of all, and they may consider Phyresis as a path to victory in their fight against the Empire. On the other hand, the Empire-"

"The Empire is full of fools who cling to their flesh like toddlers with the toys they sleep with. They are comfortable as they are, and will refuse to see our path as progress. Besides, they will consider us as Untermensch, in one of the old Human tongues. Subhuman. Not worthy of being recognized as sovereign individuals. They will look down on us, and refuse to give us a chance. The Legionarii Terra, in particular, will brand us heretics and hunt us down. As for the Rebels, one sect seeks to return to the past, reclaiming Earth and Human history, and so are not as open to the level of progress we have acheived. The other sect have only their victory over the Empire in mind, and would not be able to withstand Phyresis to the extent a dedicated Acolyte can.

"The Republic, however, lets us flourish and spread at a natural and continuous pace. Since moving here, the Church of Phyrexia has gained sixteen new members, and more every week. And as well, both Sector and Interplanetary governments allow us to continue our way, so long as we don't make trouble for them outside The Proving Grounds. Speaking of, Acolyte Mannis, are you prepared for your Trial today?"

"Yes, High Priest."
 
Outside of the Immortal Artifice's building, a human held up a card and looked at the building's number. Sweat beads rolled down his dark skin as he wondered what these... cultists were like. He didn't know why Freedom took a fancy to them and was willing to allow them to test a prototype nanite. His dealings with past cults weren't pleasant. Either they were kind, but oh so creepy or tried to chop off his head for being a non-believer. It was his choice not to believe in religious nonsense and right not to have his head rolling about!

But he had a job to do and he would do it so well, a promotion would be on the horzion! However, with each step he took, his heart beated faster and faster till he was sure it would explode. The man had heard about the members of the Immortal Artifice and their worship of cybernetics. Rumor had it they kidnapped people and stuffed all sorts of devices into their bodies. It was just silly stories... right?

When he was in front of the door, he took a breath and walked in, one hand sliding into his pocket. The man felt his chest relax upon gripping the handle of his pistol. If things went south, he could shot his way out yet as he looked around, his grip loosened. They looked decent enough and in all honesty, they looked like regular cyborgs. Perhaps this was why Freedom wanted them to test out the new nanites.

"Hello!" He greeted, trying to get the attention of one of the members."I've been sent to speak with your Church's leader about a business proposal."

@Thomas McTavish
 
"Ah, one of the Unenlightened has entered our home. Welcome."

His voice echoed through the makeshift cathedral, amplified by electronics and bounced off stone and steel walls. His smile was inviting, his gait open and friendly. "I am Ygmareth, High Priest of Immortal Artifice and the leader of this congregation. May I ask what it is that brought you to our door? Not many would seek to do business with what many would refer to as a cult."

Some of the other cyborgs shifted uneasily, prepared to strike if it was a trap. Others merely watched with interest, more optimistic about the encounter. "If it is in regard to the match today at The Proving Grounds, I'm afraid everything has been arranged already. In any case, please, come to my office."

The office was through a small corridor to the side of the podium at the front of the room. Ygmareth shut the door behind the man and offered him the seat in front of his desk, while taking his own seat behind it. The room was rather plain, various mechanical augment models and computer boards lined the walls in display frames. "Now tell me, what is it that brings you here? I can tell by the fear in your eyes that this 'business proposal' you have does not involve our church gaining new members, so let's get to the point, shall we?"
 
[BCOLOR=#000000]Orvis VysKani eased the agile craft into the lanes of air traffic that weaved through the neon obelisks of the city. It would be a short trip through the dark commons before he reached his destination.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]<If, this isn’t a massive ambush.> He thought to himself as he tapped the glowing console to lock in the route. He reached for the holographic postcard in the side pocket of the seat. He stared at the rendering of Freedom, leaning casually against the borders of the image. One arm was crossed while the other presented the flowing text beside him.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]“It’s time we had a chat.” It simply read. It wasn’t the words however that gave it credence. It was the source. He took a deep breath and tucked the holocard into a pocket hidden between the seams of his combat armor.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]<Ambush or not. We have to face it, and prove our worth. Be it with words, or warfare.> He thought as he stared out the window at the dark cavernous walls of metallic rock. The whole city had been built inside the core of a large and robust asteroid.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]The field itself was claimed by a mining conglomerate that at this point, VysKani believed, was a front to keep people away from this city. The dense walls blocked out a wide spectrum of energy wavelengths, concealing the city from sensors as well as visual scans. And then there was the fact that he had to perform a blind jump into the asteroid and materialized in a large gun filled chamber lovingly referred to as the Jump Gap, which they thankfully let him leave.This made Orvis fairly certain that if they were going to kill him, he would already be dead. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]Suddenly the ship rocked and Orvis grabbed the sidearm off his thigh and spun. The Piloting chair folded into the floor rapidly, rearranging itself into a sturdy metallic half wall where Orvis took cover. A defensive energy shield encased his armor with little more than a ghostly shimmer. The craft continued to rock as it steadied itself. Orvis looked back towards the view screen to see a flashing blue indicator that read “Turbulence.” Orvis sighed with disappointment. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]<Why are you so nervous? No one wants to kill you.> He thought to himself calmingly. He holstered his sidearm slowly, and the hum of his shields began to fade. He turned back towards the view screen and peered past the HUD. The traffic had long abandoned his course, and now his tiny recon fighter sailed alone through the dark steel tunnels. When he emerged from the other side, his ship veered towards a set of landing platforms nearby.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]<Pull it together. Lives are at stake. You can do this.> He reassured himself as he made his way to the exit. The ship settled on the platform carefully, and the doors parted at his approach. Outside, there was a set of large hangar doors, sealed tight. They were built into another cavernous wall. To the right was a steady concrete ramp that lead to an unassuming metal door. This could be any establishments loading dock. There were no other craft in the air, even the sound of air traffic was even absent. It was just Orvis, and the silent dock.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=#000000]Orvis peered around silently, and double checked the chronometer on his hud. Two minutes early.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=#000000]<Perhaps I should have aimed to be fashionably late.> He thought. [/BCOLOR]
 
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