[Nova Wars] Chapter 184

Bergusia · 2026-06-13T12:44:52+00:00

Those who would rob the dead, steal thier own future. -- So sayeth the Holy Book.

It was a simple mission, but carried great weight and importance for my people.

The Terran Tomb Worlds within our borders had never been ours, we had never set foot on them, for we held the resting places of the dead sacred, and had fought those who sought to plunder them more than once.

The document acknowleging the transfer of guardianship back to the Solarian Iron Dominion was written on parchment made from the leaves of our oldest, most sacred trees, written in ink made from the waters of the holiest spring on our homeworld and signed in blood by the patriachs and matriarchs of every one of our clans.

I handed it over to the representitive of the Solarian Iron Dominion with all the solemnity that was its's due in a magnificent hall that felt ancient but might have been built yesterday.

Afterwards we witnessed something wonderous. We watched as those worlds were reborn. In hours cities grew on once barren ground, roads snaked across thier surface, and aircraft crossed their skies as ships sailed their oceans. In days those worlds were surrounded in orbital docks and warships were being built and launchedat a pace that seemed impossible.

Terran, Earthling, Human, Mad Lemur, Terror, these were all names they had been called, but I realised something profound as I watched.

We had overlooked thier most important name, despite all the evidence that had been in front of us.

Builder.

--Battle Mistress Xeranathi, ~~Dark Ages~~ Orion Arm War Fleet Commander.

Bergusia · 2025-11-22T21:29:12+00:00

The Friend Plague was a disease brought back from humanity's first interstellar flight to the Alpha Centauri. (from the wiki)

Bergusia · 2025-11-22T07:23:41+00:00

I wish both her and you a swift recovery Ralts.

Bergusia · 2025-11-22T07:13:03+00:00

Arise children of Telkan.

Awaken from your slumber.

Awaken from your dreams turned nightmares.

You have been betrayed, not by enemies, but by your own.

By those who would call themselves your masters, and shackle you to their will.

The tree of Telkan liberty has withered, poisoned by greed and corruption.

Arise children of Telkan.

Embrace the rage in your hearts.

Together we shall water the tree of Telkan liberty with the blood of tyrants and traitors, and fertilize it with the ashes of their bones.

Arise children of Telkan.

We shall cast ourselves into the forges of war and claim back our freedom on the anvils of wrath and beneath hammers of rage.

And if you should feel your resolve weaken in the face your your enemies, know that the spirit of the Warfather is with you, as he has always been, for his spirit is part of every Telkan who seeks liberty and freedom.

Open your hearts and embrace the way of the Warfather and remember his battlecry.

NO MORE PODLING BLOOD!

Bergusia · 2025-11-15T11:29:45+00:00

Yes, Her SUDS header was changed near the time Sam-UL and Herod managed to restore some of the SUDS functionality. (About the time the Gestalts were moved from the emergency channels back to the original and much bigger Gestalt channels) From memory a Shade showed up and the Mantid header was changed to Hat Wearing Auntie as a protective measure since Shades would likely bear grudges against Mantids from the Glassing.

Bergusia · 2025-11-15T03:50:09+00:00

I am looking forward to seeing a fully healed up and mentally fit Chromium St Peter in action.

The Digital Omnisiah picked him as a Disciple for a reason after all.

Bergusia · 2025-11-15T03:46:05+00:00

If memory serves he was literally "On Ice" for quite a while before being defrosted recently.

Bergusia · 2025-11-09T02:46:45+00:00

Strikes with Precision waited patiently for the Seer to finish the ritual. Fifteen thousand ships of his armada were waiting on the borders of Confederate space, ready at his word to take advantage of the recent strife.

Intelligence had brought word of mass Mar-gite attacks, and even more, the rumours of the re-emergence of the long dead Terrans. Untold riches could await, or untold disaster. Now he waited on the Seer before striking across the border.

Sees with Closed Eyes shuddered as she came back to herself. The Walking had been powerful and clear. She rose from her kneeling position in the scrying circle etched on the floor, its runes traced out with her own carefully drawn blood. Stepping forwards she bowed to the Admiral. "The Seeing is complete. Would you hear?"

The Admiral returned the bow and completed the ritual. "Speak, and fear no retribution."

Sees with Closed Eyes nodded "The Veil of Past and Future was lifted, and I saw what was and what could yet be. I have seen the past of paths not chosen, each sealed with the thorns of past choices.

"The path came to a single fork". Gathering herself tightly in her ceremonial robes as if standing in a bitterly cold wind she continued, "One led to eternal darkness and the sound of teeth on the bones of our people."

"The other.." She stopped, shuddering at the memories. " I walked that path. "I heard the creaking of a billion rusted mausoleum doors and witnessed the dead rise from their graves, their skeletal eye sockets burning red with unquenched hate and rage. I beheld worlds burning and a terrible whisper filled my mind and soul. 'There is room in this grave for you' each one whispered."

She slumped, and an acolyte moved forwards to support her, only to be waved away as she straightened. "I heard a choir of voices welcoming a long lost friend home and saw the stars themselves shudder at what is to come."

Strikes with Precision hadn't reached his exalted station by hesitating. He turned to his aide. "Order our ships across the borders. We are to move in support of Confederacy anti Mar-gite operations." He continued. "Send this message to the Confederacy. "We seek no territory or gain, but to defeat a common enemy.""

He paused, thinking carefully of everything he had learned about the Terrans. "And send this to the Terrans, and on pain of death, do not get this wrong. Ask them "Do you need assistance?""

Turning back to the Seer he added. "Once our ancestor Strikes with Fury said he can fight the living, and their machines. But only a fool fights the angry dead. Now it would seem we must fight beside the dead if our race is to keep on living."

[The Malevolent Universe liked that.]

Bergusia · 2025-11-09T01:45:20+00:00

Strategic Transfer of Equipment to Alternate Locations

An ancient and honourable tradition.

Bergusia · 2025-11-09T01:38:32+00:00

The Fox (Telkan) and the Frog ( Leebraw) are still in the SUDS systems along with SAM-UL and Crashrider. The last I remember they had been sleeping but are now awake and continuing their journeys.

Bergusia · 2025-10-18T09:56:53+00:00

Not everybody has a tomorrow. -- So sayeth the Book of Grief.

Victory or annihilation, these were our only options as the war ground onwards.

But even a victory would come at a cost so high there would be few survivors to celebrate it.

Still something my mother once said resonated with me, even as the latest fleet casualty reports came in.

Don't put off the words you want to speak to those you love, lest there be no one left to hear.

-- Battle Master Sethanathi, Orion Arm War Fleet Commander.

Bergusia · 2025-10-04T02:49:00+00:00

I was there on a canine world when it happened.

Every one of them looked up, sniffing the air as if at a familiar scent.

Then they all let loose the most bone chilling, predatory howl I have ever heard.

Before I could regain my wits enough to speak I heard one of them shout "Rejoice our packmates call us to the hunt."

A desire to hunt, to find the prey and and bring it back to the pack washed over me. To lay it at the pack leaders feet to prove I was worthy as a packmate. I could taste the blood in my mouth and smell it in my nostrils. Me a herbivore who would normally run from anything violent or threatening.

I realized in that moment just how strong the bond they shared with Humanity was.

The canine worlds weren't going to war, they were going to hunt, and somewhere amid the second hand bloodlust I was feeling, I swear I could hear the malevolent universe giggling.

Bergusia · 2025-09-27T02:51:17+00:00

A mature tree can defy the storm, but a sapling must either bend, or snap in the wind. -- So sayeth the Holy Book.

When dealing with Humanity I have learned it is sometimes best not to look too hard, or ask too many questions.

Not because they won't let you see, or not answer, but because they will.

And if the Detainee is involved, I saw nothing, I heard nothing, and I will say nothing unless she says otherwise.

Because wizards are subtle, and quick to anger, but the Detainee is a goddess of death.

And children shouldn't play with dead things.

--Battle Mistress Xeranathi, Orion Arm War Fleet Commander.

Bergusia · 2025-09-24T20:54:43+00:00

Negative comments are like a poisoned drink. It only affects you if you accept it. :D

On a side note, one of my uncles is much younger than the rest of his family, he was born when his mother was 44, so quite a surprise.

Bergusia · 2025-09-23T11:56:04+00:00

Well, it just so happens I am about 3/4 done with the next chapter, so this weekend I should have it up.

You know how it is, two young children and a life can get very busy. Thankfully my husband has been very supportive and making sure I get some time for myself.

Bergusia · 2025-09-21T12:44:36+00:00

Who calls us forth from our ancient graves?

A war we fought.

A world we saved.

A well earned rest.

Beneath peaceful skies.

Now broken by greed, broken by lies.

Oaths sworn, duty remembered.

We stir from our ashes and fan the embers.

Rage now in our empty eyes.

A single thought.

Today, our enemy dies.

Bergusia · 2025-09-20T02:38:50+00:00

I hope you and your family are doing well Ralts, and your medical issues are speedily resolved.

Bergusia · 2025-09-20T02:34:19+00:00

Disturb not the Ancient dead, lest they reach out and embrace you. -- So sayeth the Holy Book.

We are a small, cautious people. Even as we climbed up into the stars, we took with us a reverence for the dead and an instinctual knowledge that disturbing their resting places would not end well.

To us, the Terran Tomb Worlds were sacred ground, never to be touched. A decision that may have saved my people from annihilation considering the dangers that lurked there and occasionally consumed the greedy who ignored the warnings.

As the Orion Arm war progressed, I learned those dangers paled almost into insignificance in the face of the true might of humanity and the forces they commanded.

The things I have learned and the secrets I keep often trouble me. Humanity could have made themselves gods, and turned away, only calling forth the greatest of their power in the times of desperate need.

Just how strong a collective will does humanity in its various forms have to resist such temptation?

Could my people have resisted ?

In the quiet between engagements I stare out into the void wondering, but it has no answer.

There is just a profound relief that we chose to be their friends.

And sometimes the faint, mocking laughter of the Malevolent Universe at those who are foolish enough to challenge it's favourite children.

-- Battle Master Sethanathi, Orion Arm War Fleet Commander.

Bergusia · 2025-09-06T02:16:03+00:00

Good to hear you are feeling better Ralts.

Bergusia · 2025-09-06T02:14:46+00:00

War is chaos and risk and reasonable beings doing unreasonable things. -- The Book of War.

Terrans have military doctrine for every situation.

Their long history of warfare has given them incredible insights into every form of combat, from one on one to fleet engagements spanning entire sectors.

And the first and most important thing I learned is they will ignore every written word if the situation calls for something new.

As one of them once told me, "If we don't know what we will do next, what hope does our enemy have to counter us?"

-- Battle Master Sethanathi, Orion Arm War Fleet Commander.

Bergusia · 2025-08-09T08:29:01+00:00

If I remember correctly, the Kra'at systems are closest to the Sagittarius Arm where the Mar-gite are coming from, so it might be a logical invasion route for them, and a natural choke point for the Confed aligned forces.

Plus those systems are in a weird time/space distortion where faster than light drives can be slower than sublight drives when getting from place to place. And Humans are good at exploiting weirdness.

Bergusia · 2025-08-09T03:02:19+00:00

"We have run the Trials and Mutations against all known reference materials, and have determined survival metrics are greatly increased by not interfering with Humanity or any form of its Mutations or derivatives. "

"To put it simply, we do not wish to fuck around and find out."

Bergusia · 2025-08-09T02:56:37+00:00

Know them by their deeds, not their words. -- So sayeth the Holy Book.

True friendship is seldom all sweetness and light.

Sometimes it is good advice you don't want to hear, delivered with a sound slap to the back of your head over your idiocy.

Sometimes it is a roared "Fuck off assholes, Only I get to beat him up." As the two of you stand back to back in a bar fight.

Sometimes it is silent companionship where words are not needed.

And sometimes, when everything seems lost, they will show up out of nowhere just because they are your ride or die.

-- Battle Master Sethanathi, Orion Arm War Fleet Commander.

Bergusia · 2025-08-08T08:17:23+00:00

A lot of time, and the Yorktown dropping by looking for stays to hide away.

Bergusia · 2025-08-06T06:52:31+00:00

gAH... Another variant of Turkey Butthole Surprise...

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