Two years. Saryn had been stuck on this miserable besotted little system for TWO WHOLE YEARS. She had been working on the cure for that zombie causing parasite when the news came in that the Immortals had been destroyed wiped out totally by the robotic threat. It was not new news to Saryn that the Immortals were being assaulted but when she was informed that nobody would be coming to collect her and with no way to escape she had been stuck here. Oh but I bet you're wondering why she didn't just use her space ship to escape the planet hm? Well that was because it was broken. The Immortal staff she had been working with had attempted to steal her ship and, in the resulting disagreement as Saryn stopped them, broken it and left her stranded on this dump. Of course they had all died in an immensely painful way as a result but that didn't change the fact she was stuck here.

Luckily enough there was an Immortal distress beacon built into the laboratory but that, sadly, didn't do much good. See despite the beacon nobody had come to this part of the galaxy for a long time, mainly due to the A.I uprising that had been going on for a long ass time, and as such she had been alone on the planet for two years. Two years stranded on a planet filled with slack jawed farmers, moronic city folk and brainless undead lumbering about eating the still living. At least they didn't try, like the still living, to steal from Saryn's laboratory. It was why, after finally getting sick of playing security, Saryn had captured some of the undead and, with a lot of research, formulated a way to control them using her natural psychic abilities. They made a rather good security force especially as Saryn had worked her genetic magic to enhance them.

The work she had been carrying out over the last two years, mainly to prevent her from losing her mind from boredom, had resulted in the hulking brutes guarding her laboratory armed with bio-organic flamethrowers, lighting spewing organs, spine shooting growths and more rudimentary organic weapons such as claws or blades. Additionally she had upgraded herself giving her a way to directly connect to and communicate with machinery via a cybernetic implant in her right arm. With that out of the way she had just...well she had really lacked much else to do except perform further work on upgrading the ten foot tall muscle bound zombies that protected her laboratory. She had actually been working to restore their minds and grant them the humanity stripped from them by the parasite but sadly that had...not been possible. The parasite had been too ingrained for too long for her cure to work on it and short of removing the parasite surgically, which would kill the host, there was little Saryn could do. An amazing scientist she may be but even the greatest minds had limits.

Over the two years that followed the uprising of the mysterious robotic plague, The Freelancer had distanced himself from the fall of the galaxy's greatest factions as the plague tore through their ranks and annihilated them completely. The Immortals and Clan Kyodain were all but wiped out, while The Inquisitional Reich still stood strong somehow.

The Nypherians had seemingly left the galaxy in response to the threat. It seemed that they didn't view it as their problem, The Freelancer presumed. It was perhaps unwise of him to return to the Northern Sector of the galaxy, but he was confident that his armoured, heavily armed and shielded ship could defend itself against any rabid threat. If worst came worse, he'd use the emergency slipspace protocol to teleport out of the sector.

He was no pushover either. Standing at 8 foot tall, he was an intimidating figure. Hailing from a race of cybernetic robotic organisms from a planet unknown to most, and an outcast, The Freelancer was a mercenary/bounty-hunter of sorts. As such he'd racked up quite the kill count and exploits throughout most of his life.

A blip registered on one of his screens. The Freelancer turned towards it and, through his ability of technopathy, interacted with the screen without need of physical contact. A distress beacon out here? It seemed to be emitting from one of the Immortals' former planets. It seemed that someone had survived after all. Or perhaps the plague had evolved to the point of hive-sentience and this was an elaborate trap. The Freelancer had faced parasites before, and they weren't his most favourite enemy to fight. Although, he had to admit that were was a sense of enjoyment in slaughtering his way through their hives.

Plotting a course towards the planet, his ship fired its thrusters, accelerating itself towards the planet at a high speed. At the same time, The Freelancer activated and began to prepare his ship's self defenses, preparing for any hostile presence he may encounter.

The ship entered the planet's atmosphere, swiftly cutting through the layer of air. The outer hull of the ship glowed faintly with heat from the friction of re-entry.

As the vessel arrived just a few meters above the ground, The Freelancer activated the ship's camouflage. The vessel was no invisible to the naked eye, but along with that, the advanced nature of the camouflage masked its heat signature and mass as well from any scientific instruments.

The Freelancer descended from his ship's gravity lift located at the belly of his ship, dropping down just a few meters away from the source of the distress beacon: which seemed to be a lab of some sorts. He saw them straight away as he walked towards the lab. Large, hulking creatures of obvious synthetic design. They seemed to be a mix of organic and mechanical components from what he could roughly see, and it looked like to him that they were guarding the lab.

The Freelancer closed his proximity to them under he was just a few feet away from them and stood still, waiting for them to act.

The call had been heard by more than the Freelancer. This could be seen as, above the old Immortal world, a single Cruiser, one of the Inquisitorial Reich, slowed from faster-than-light speeds to a halt in comparison to its former speed.

After the AI uprising, the Reich considered its lesser understandings and integrations of artificial intelligence a godsend, as the factions around it, even their allies, the mighty Serpentum Imperium, were assailed. The Reich was left fighting off the waves of machine warriors, coming to a stalemate on their northern borders, as they continued growing in the galactic south. Most considered this the end of the Reich. The Grand Inquisitor Krieg, however, saw this as the beginning of a new age of humanity. An age of superiority. When the machines finally stopped fighting, he thought, Humanity would spread through the galaxy, reigning supreme over all other races, too inferior to fight against the might of the Human race.

For now, however, the Reich had to grow. The GSU, too pacifistic in their ways, would never join such an empire. The Immortals had amazing technology, such as teleportation. With their destruction, they would of left droves of weaponry, technology, and other such prizes for the Reich to take. This particular planet, as said by a two year old report from an Inquisitorial agent in Immortal ranks, was the center of the bioweapon production of the faction, and that their head scientists were trapped here when the Rebellion began. Such data would be invaluable for the Reich, and a distress call only forced the Inquisition to make the scavenging of this world an even more imperative task. A distress call would mean that someone, maybe even one of the virologists who worked on the weapons here, survived and needed to flee. The Reich cared little now for if they were magic user or no; They just knew that someone needed to be saved from certain death.

Several Transport ships broke off from the cruiser, gliding quickly through the atmosphere, descending furthermore with the aerodynamic efficiency of turtles, before lazily flopping onto the ground in a rushed manner. The transports' bay doors dropped to the ground, and several Badger Buggies rumbled out, followed by a Donnerbier transport, carrying several dozen troopers, and one Guerran Knight, the nowhere near esteemed General Grenwind. His embarassment at the meeting of the Nypherians is still talked about and laughed to this very day. At this point, the annoyance it brought him had completely subsided, his own platoons and regiment having respected him due to his valor on Thenna, and his large assistance in repelling the machines from Sankisk during the early first weeks of the Rebellion.

The vehicles rumbled along the land. They would be seen by the Freelancer, far in the distance, but would not notice the cyborg themselves, their clunky vehicles not allowing for such sight or range.

Sitting in the office she had set up many months ago now Saryn was typing away on a computer filling yet more discoveries she had discovered away. Her memory may be pretty much perfect and she may never forget anything but it never hurt to have a back up somewhere in case of her unfortunate death. As she was typing away her hearing detected the sound of a vessel breaching the atmosphere and she wondered if somebody had picked up her distress beacon; it was broadcasting on an old Immortal frequency after all but then again this visitor could be a scavenger. She finished what she was typing and rose out of her seat. Her skin shifted and changed forming a layer of high density organic bullet proof armour over her body just in case her visitor turned out to not be friendly. She walked through the abandoned, but still immensely clean, laboratory walking out into the planet's sunlight. 

The Freelancer's vessel may have been invisible, hiding its mass and heat source but still Saryn could tell it was there. Her eyesight was acute enough to make out the distortion of light that obscured the vessel and, if that wasn't enough of a valid reason, she could easily sell the grass being distorted and crushed beneath the bulk of the Freelancer's vessel. If the Freelancer arriving wasn't enough of a shake up from the skies came a series of weighty looking landing vessels which birthed numerous vehicles including walkers, buggies and troop transports. "After two years of being ignored they finally crawl out of the wood work to answer the call Sending a mental command to her security force to stand down for the time being but keep their weapons ready. Of course as they were all merely extensions of her body it wasn't difficult to keep them prepared as Saryn was always ready. Rest, relaxation and slacking off were terms utterly beyond her as she only required food or water and even then not little. Simply put she was on guard as were her creations all of which stared at the approaching Reich forces. 

It was obvious why the Reich were here. They, like every faction really, were probably just here to plunder Immortal technology but...sadly there was very little unique technology here; in fact the only thing of any value would be Saryn herself. "Oh of course. Vile scavengers...." With a few moments of concentration Saryn's vocal cords twisted, changed and transformed into ones that would allow her to bellow loudly loud enough for even the Reich's scavengers to hear. "I know not why you're here but I warn you. Hostile acts shall result in your death." What the Reich and the Freelancer knew was that Saryn could easily kill them in a matter of seconds. Her body was essentially a walking plague character and so it would be very easy to release spores that could pretty swiftly crush these scavengers. Perhaps a rust eating spore? No no maybe one that caused insanity and hallucinations? Or what about a skin eating cloud? Yes one of those would be perfect but it would be rather easy to carry all of them out. "Speak to the guard by the gate if you wish to justify entry. I am in no mood for scavengers." With that said and done Saryn went silent awaiting the next move.

Upon getting closer to the gate the armoured ten foot tall slab of walking muscle guarding it would growl in a bestial tone but spasmed painfully as a result of Saryn asserting her control not that it was obvious why the beast spasmed. Not only was the door guarded by the beast there was also a pole nearby mounted with the fused together corpses of people still dripping fluids on the floor. Closer inspection of these corpses revealed that their faces had been melted off, their skin surgically removed and their muscles eaten inside out. God only knows why, or more importantly how, they were still producing blood after the two years they had been there. Saryn was responsible for this gruesome display but she had no done it out of cruelty, hatred or because her sanity had cracked. She had done it purely because it would serve a purpose that purpose, when combined with the hulking monstrosities she had as security, served to be a symbol of terror a warning that hopefully kept away anybody who might otherwise bother Saryn. All she really wanted was to await a lift off the planet in peace and quiet.

The Freelancer looked back, in response to the sound of approaching vehicles. He almost reached for his weapon but stopped and opted to investigate instead. He turned fully and using his optics, zoomed in to get a clearer look. It seemed that the Inquisitional Reich had also intercepted the distress beacon. He'd worry about them later, as he still had time.

Upon nearing one of the creatures, the Freelancer realised that it was in fact, not partially cybernetic but fully organic. Whoever had created this thing was clearly a genius. Still, perhaps not genius enough to get themselves off this planet. Or maybe that wasn't their area of expertise.

The bounty hunter glanced over to the pile of corpses fused together on the pole. A gruesome display for those who were made of flesh and bone. He however, was not. However he wasn't so foolish enough to not recognise it as a warning to any potential attackers that may set their eyes on this laboratory.

The Freelancer stepped up to the creature. He didn't even flinch as the creature spasmed randomly, assuming that it was natural of such a vile thing to have certain... glitches. Despite his confidence that he could effectively make short work of the beast and the laboratory with the equipment available to him, the Freelancer decided to take a more diplomatic approach.

"I have come to negotiate your trip off this planet." The Freelancer said. His voice was deep, rough and slightly robotic. It was also slightly echo-y, as if spoken from the inside of a helmet and without emotion.

The Reich convoy halted at the gates, and the Guerran Knight stomped out, looking down upon both the Freelancer and the abominable guard. Soldiers began to stand infront of the transport, as the Cruiser lazily descended, its mass far off from the situation.

"I am General Grenwind of the 46th Armor Regiment, and I am here under the orders of Grand Inquisitor Krieg himself. I am also here to negotiate your escape from this world, and I can assure you that you will be safe if you come with us, away from these machine-infested worlds." Grenwind said, a tinny echo coming from the man in the walking life support, "We can make sure that you will survive this... apocalyptic event."

"More troops are being mobilized to defend this position, so that you may be evacuated safely, Mi'lady. In fact, I believe there's even a pair of Tyrants being mobilized to defend you and whatever you got. And you... Aren't you of the Galactic Systems Union? What are you GSU fools doing out this far north? Shouldn't you be defending your slowly decaying empire?"

Through the senses of the abomination guarding the main entrance Saryn could see and hear everything her guests did or said. First the mechanical man spoke up offering negotiations about a way for Saryn to get off world but of course the freelancer had said nothing beyond that which did not add credence to his offer. The second party spoke up then and their leader announced himself as the General of the Reich's 46th armour division but unlike the cyborg this general was offering security, military forces to protect Saryn and an actual trip off world of course the scientist did not believe for a moment the General expected some form of payment. With another painful spasm the beast guarding the entrance began to speak in Saryn's voice but with what seemed like a great deal of pain. "And I should trust you...why? The tin-man offered negotiations and the General offered an actual ride off world..but of course I know you carrion birds want something in return. Name your wants. I do not want a lift off world. What I want is the parts to fix my vessel." Of course where that vessel was happened to be a closely kept secret.

"Allowing me to give you some advice as a piece of good will. I was, two years ago to the day, a scientist among the Immortals responsible for creating the parasite infecting this world. I'm sure the Reich were aware of the scandal that caused especially as I, myself, temporarily left this planet to attend the press conference. Luckily enough the cure did succeed however...there were complications. Some members of the population carrying the parasite when the cure was applied have been changed. As opposed to loosing their minds the parasite, due to reasons I have been unable to fathom on account of complications with acquiring samples, the people of this planet have been given enhanced abilities. Of course due to the robotic frenzy gripping the planet society has crumpled and now it is every man for themselves. Obviously the arrival of an off worlder and a military force is a perfect opportunity to acquire supplies no?" She had no directly stated it but Saryn was warning her guests that the planet's residents were coming for them but really it was supposed to be a bargaining chip. She was planning to try and use this situation to achieve her goals.

"Now as I said I want the parts required to fix my vessel. Provide them, or give me some form of assurance that they will be provided, and I may grant you assistance in dealing with the incoming aggressors. Said assistance will be my laboratory as a base of operations and the aid of my creations." Saryn was fortunate she had triple encrypted all the data, the only thing of any real scientific value inside the lab outside of herself, about her work. Of course what Saryn hadn't mentioned she was partially to blame for the current state of this planet's residents as, apart from the cure that is, as she had offered them certain....favours in return for their assistance with things. "I estimate you have about five minutes before they arrive. We can discuss further details of this deal inside my laboratory...provided you give me some assurance I can trust you." What kind of assurance would Saryn expect? Well a hostage was the obvious one someone she could keep prisoner to ensure loyalty to the agreement at the pain of the hostage's death. The scientist did not trust the Reich and she definitely did not trust this Freelancer. He was obviously here for his own ends.

The Freelancer turned and looked to the general for a moment before examining the forces that he brought with him. He then looked back at the creature, through which the individual inside the laboratory spoke.

She spoke of an incoming threat, apparently the residents of this planet had been infected with some sort of virus. The Freelancer tapped a few controls onto his wrist and his ship, that was still cloaked, rose up from the surface of the planet and ascended just over five hundred meters, situating itself above the laboratory, the Freelancer and the Reich's forces. The effects of the ship rising could be experienced by a sudden gust of wind from the ship's movement.

"Here is your assurance." The Freelancer said. He grabbed the small pistol-like weapon attached to his hip and dropped it down onto the ground. He then proceeded to unsheathe multiple plasma daggers from his shoulders and waist and dropped them onto the ground too. "I will enter your laboratory unarmed." He said, still no change in the tone of his voice nor emotion.

The General, in his hulking suit, scoffed. "Do you think this scrap man has anything to really offer? The Reich's presence on this planet alone can most likely repair your ship ten times over and still have a surplus of parts! We have some of the finest ship-engineers in the Northern Territory, and they would be willing to help you repair your vessel if you will let them." He turned his voice to a transceiver inside his suit. "Send a team of engineers with the next transport. I want it here soon, got it?" He ordered before turning his attention back to Saryn's bodyguard.

"I cannot unarm myself- the gun is attached to my life support's arm- but I can assure you I cannot fire it.." he opened a hatch on a barrel-like chamber on his back, and flung several large chains of ammunition to the ground. "With no ammo, this gun is useless." Grenwind stated, as several soldiers meekly ran up, grabbed the chains of bullets, and ran back to their formation, as another Transport could be seen in the distance, growing ever closer.

"I do not need assurances of my safety. I need assurances you can be trusted." Saryn failed to see what good dropping your weapons would do especially as that didn't prove her demands would be met in fact it didn't prove you could be trusted either as humans, nay all species, did not need guns or tools to be dangerous. The Abomination craned its neck painfully to look at the General and a faint arrogant sounding scoff could be heard. "Don't insult me. My ship is made with technologically you could not even hope to fathom. My people are two thousand years of travel away from you primitive." Saryn knew just how advanced this section of the galaxy's technology was so behind that of her people it was laughable; they couldn't even make A.I advanced enough to resist the effects of a virus hence the collapse of the Immortals Saryn had once worked for.

"I have decided to grant you entry..and only you two General and Tinman...speaking of which Tinman your vessel is not as hidden as you believe it to be. I can easily see the grass being crushed where it lands." The contempt in her voice was palpable as the gates of the laboratory's walls opened up granting access to the grounds. Once the General and the Freelance were through they would begin to close. If any of the General's possess attempted entry they would find the abomination guard moving to block them snarling as its weapon arm began visually charging up with electricity. Only when any one who attempted to force entry backed off would be the abomination stand down the doors slamming shut behind it. From the direction of the city there was a large group of about hundred man advancing towards the laboratory who happened to make no effort at concealment meaning any sentries would find them easy to spot; still the lack of effort at stealth seemed rather odd. 

When the General and the Freelance made their way into the lobby they would find Saryn sitting upon an organic looking chair placed behind an equally organic desk which was closer to the truth as Saryn had actually "grown" these two pieces of furniture. It seemed like a lot of effort but the scientist knew the basics of psychology and she knew that a physical barrier, albeit an easily overcame one, was often enough to hammer home the sense of distance she wished to maintain. "What do you want? I highly doubt you're here out of the goodness of your heart. Like all carrion birds you smell a corpse to scavenge but let me tell you this. The Immortals left little of value here except their research which is stored up here." She gestured towards her head with a smug grin on her face utterly unaware of the fact yet another party was currently in space attempting communication with the Reich. Of course that would be last forever as obviously they would be interested in the planet and what the Reich found so interesting about it.

The truth was, she was right. The Freelancer was in this part of the galaxy with the sole intent of scavenging left-over technologies. His efforts hadn't been too successful as space pirates or other factions had seemingly beat him in that race. Not that it would be out of his bounds to pluck said technologies out of their cold, dead hands.

"What kind of research did the Immortals leave behind? Perhaps it could be of some interest to me." The Freelancer said. Perhaps he could get something out of this rescue attempt after all. If not, there was always the General. It wouldn't have been the first time the Freelancer worked for a faction in exchange for a few payments here and there. Perhaps he could offer those services to The Reich? Time would tell, and if things did not go awry in this meeting.

A transmission rang back in quick succession to the newly arrived Imperial forces. "This is Admiral Elor Pak of the Vigilance Creed. Are you.. actually Imperial ships? We believed you lost to the infernal metal soldiers."

--

The General scoffed, "Oh, really? I'm going to ignore the fact that you have just denounced the people who want to help you, and give you an offer. By the orders of our Grand Inquisitor, the 46th Armor Regiment and it's General is to assist whomever sent out a distress signal off of this planet. If you would like, you can stay, though getting resources to assist in whatever research you would conduct would be.. troublesome, to say the least. We lost an escort ship, the Epion, to the machines on the way here. Trying to bring resources from Reich space to here would be... well, suicidal for us. And I doubt you will be able to stay without harm, considering how you broadcasted it publcly.. The machines are most likely already on their way."