Tales from New Terra

Chapter 5: Deal With the Devil

Somewhere In the Ocean
February 21, 51 After Arrival, Time Unknown

The New Terran Navy Norad's three hulls silently cut through the waves as it approached its destination. Its crew had been on edge for the last five days. The ship's surface radar was constantly scanning for threats, and the crew continuously monitored both the Norad's hull sonar and its towed sonar array for any potential underwater surprises. Two of the Norad's three RQ-11 Kestrel spotter drones circled overhead at all hours of the day to extend the ship's radar coverage over the horizon. The captain had ordered the ship to general quarters on average once every six hours to keep up the crew's readiness. No one wanted to be responsible for the loss of the New Terran Navy's flagship and only ocean-going vessel.

Alarms blared throughout the ship as the captain ordered general quarters once again. This time, though, it wasn't a drill. The Norad's two state of the art hydrogen-burning rotation-detonation engines began to idle as it approached its destination 50 kilometers off the coast of Qua-Toyne. Shouting could be heard across the deck as sailors prepared a rigid-hulled inflatable boat for launch. Six shadowy figures climbed into the boat, which was lowered into the sea before speeding off into the distance.

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Lord Chancellor Daeron Kanata watched as the rest of the Small Council filed into the meeting room. Behind them were the top brass of the Royal Ground Forces and the Royal Navy, and a representative of the Royal Flying Corps, whose commanders were in the field coordinating operations against the Lourians. Kanata took his seat at the Princess's right hand, who motioned for the others to do the same. He raised his hand, signaling a start to the meeting, when he was interrupted by the shimmering outlines of two figures appearing from thin air.

Almost immediately, the guards jumped into action, raising their rifles and aiming them at the two silvery, masked figures. The members of the military present drew their own weapons. The two closest officers ignited their ceremonial psi-blades, holding them at the beings' throats. The rest unholstered their pistols, pointing them at the two mirrorlike figures. At the same time, the sound of glass shattering could be heard as four red dots appeared on the Princess's head. Kanata winced as the Princess's psychically-enhanced voice boomed through the room.

"Unknown individuals, identify yourselves, and tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now."

The two figures turned towards each other, speaking in some unknown tongue. Then, both individuals slowly raised their hands above their heads and took off their helmets.

Kanata was shocked to see the faces of two elf-like beings, one with what he could only guess was a mechanical eye, and the other whose eyes glowed like those of the Princess. The one with the mechanical eye spoke. Its voice was harsh and guttural, but it was clearly understandable as the Common Tongue.

"My sincerest apologies for the intrusion. We are-"

A Navy admiral yelled out in rage. "You mongrels threaten Her Majesty's life, and you have the audacity to apologize?" Others around the table clamored in assent.

The individual with the mechanical eye spoke again. "Again, my sincerest apologies for the intrusion. As a show of good faith, I will have my marksmen stand down." The individual said something in that same strange tongue, and the red dots on the Princess's head disappeared. A chill went through the room, as Kanata realized he could've been lying in a pool of the Princess's blood.

The elves lowered their weapons, realizing the implications of the stranger's statement. Satisfied, the one-eyed being continued. "We are representatives of the Republic of New Terra, and we wish to aid you in your fight against the Lourians. Should you agree to our proposal, we can deploy forces within the day."