We are the hunted, we once the hunters. We are the prey, but we were once the predators. We were once the Reapers but now we are the ones who sow. All that we’ve known ripped away, all that we’ve pledged to be…destroyed. With our destinies now combined, and our future unknown, we search the stars, for what we do not know. Our one objective now…survival. All we have left is each other…

Episode 2

As the older warrior slept, images raced through his mind in a haunting nightmare of exploding space stations, thousands of people screaming in stark agony as they perish in a tremendous ball of fire. Tossing and turning, Valen finally awakes with a start, beads of cold sweat running down his face. Panting hard he runs his fingers through his graying hair and rubs his face, his pulse racing in his chest. Plopping down on his pillow yet again, his hand searches for the small controls on the wall next to his bed. Valen’s finger pushes a small blue button and a small basin ejects from the wall. Streams of water deploy and rapidly fill the basin. The old Reaper nervously splashes some of the liquid on his face and again plops down on his pillow. The reflection of the room shines like a mirror in his blue eyes.

The planet below shone like a jewel, the brilliance of its blue oceans and its well defined land was a sight that Czerell had not seen in quite some time. Quietly sitting in the large cockpit he admires the beauty of it all. He inspects his plasma pistol as thorough as a pilot would inspect his craft before flight. He disassembles the sleek weapon with precision and extreme accuracy, it’s obvious he has done this procedure countless times before. His analytical green eyes pouring over even the smallest of details. Suddenly a faint knocking is heard from behind and Czerell casually looks to the source of the sound. Standing in the doorway is Cale, with a twinge of sleep still left in his eye.

The young Reaper’s hair is matted down and disheveled from his time in his bed. “Not disturbing you am I Leutenni?” asks Cale.

Czerell’s eyebrow raises “No not at all, come join me won’t you…Cale is it”?

Cale slowly walks into the cockpit and beside Czerell “Yes sir, that’s right, that’s my name”.

Czerell slightly grins and returns to the inspection of his weapon “You can leave out the sir, there isn’t any rank structure on this ship, not any more anyway”.

“I appreciate that…sir” Cale says with a laugh.

Czerell nods his head “I guess old habits die hard, huh”.

Cale looks dutifully out onto the brilliant blue planet “Wow, how many of those do you see around. I’ll bet for sure there is Reaper presence there”.

“I thought the same thing, but after running several scans I don’t see anything that would constitute Reaper infiltration. Well that and there are no security check points around, which we‘d pretty much be dead if their were.” says Czerell.

Suddenly a voice sounds from behind “Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad fate” says Valen.

The old warrior strides into the cockpit beside the two others.

Czerell just chuckles “Ahh, yes if it isn’t our resident gloom and doom man. Have a good sleep, did you Valen” Czerell says rather mockingly.

Valen just stares out the window “Don’t start with me Czerell, I’m in no mood”.

Mocking him even further “Oh no, he’s not in the mood, big surprise. Tell me Valen when the hell are ever in the mood” says Czerell.

The old soldier looks at the young Leutenni with contempt “Let me tell you…” he is cut off by a low sounding alert on the consoles.

Cale looks on in worry “You think it could be Reapers” he asks nervously.

Czerell pushes past Valen and analyzes the signal “I doubt it, Reaper signals are much stronger”.

While Czerell fiddles with the controls, Valen grows impatient “Bring up the central data systems”.

“Oh shut up, I know what the hell I’m doing” Czerell snaps back.

“Oh really, you can’t even isolate the signal…” says Valen.

While the two continue to argue Cale is transfixed on an ominous craft now hovering outside the ship “Um…guys, you had better take a look at this”.

The craft hovering outside the ship is an impressive looking vessel, shining bright crimson, with several armaments boasting its destructive power. Cale looks back at the still arguing Leuteniis, who are oblivious to the spectacle outside.

“That doesn’t make any sense, why is the signal so close” asks Czerell.

Valen slaps his hand away from a dial “I told you to bring up the central data systems, the signal is much to close to isolate”.

A yell from Cale catches their attention “Hey”!

They immediately look in Cale’s direction and he points out the window. Slowly their heads turn to view the impressive craft right outside their view.

“Where in the hell did that come from” asks Czerell.

“I’ve never seen a ship like that” says Valen.

Czerell leans his head forward to see the anomaly closer “Look at those guns, not even our fighters have guns that big”.

“But where did it come from” asks Cale.

Suddenly a commanding voice projects from behind “Actually we have been there for quite a while”.

With nothing but instinct Czerell draws his weapon and whirls around. To the astonishment of the trio, in the cockpit entranceway stands a tall crimson clad armored being. The being stands at least seven feet tall and he is covered from head to toe in a shining red armor, with several long spikes protruding from it. It also boasts an impressive array of cybernetic weaponry and devices.

Czerell has his hand firmly on his weapon, pointing directly at the warrior “Who or what the hell are you supposed to be, and talk slowly, this has a hair trigger”.

The figure just stands there, seemingly unconcerned about the weapon being pointed in his direction. In a commanding voice “Welcome ye undeclared travelers, to Lythorak…”