"Plasma. He is lucky it hit this far out. A few inches right, and it would have been lethal. He will need a full week of rest before he can move without risk of tear or overexertion. And he shouldn't talk much, either", the head doctor said.

...

Aruna, Kaleor, Teira, Ralea, Luran, Aira, Ervalon, Commanders Lok and Arlon gathered around Teoros's body.

"If only we had intervened sooner, this would not have happened", said Aruna. "That bastard would have still escaped", Arlon said. "The mecha suit should have crushed him. Instead, we are now a fighter short", said Ervalon. "More mecha suits have to be constructed. When we have enough for our entire regiment, we shall storm through any place where they hide. Destroy them and anyone who supports them", Lok said. "No. We shall deal no collateral damage. Our target are the Tauron, no one else. Once the Tauron fall, their supporters lose all power. We will let them be, for without them, they shall be no more than a nuisance", Arlon said.

"The Tauron will take advantage of that. They must be wiped out. The deaths of bystanders don't matter. We must destroy our enemy at all cost. Even if it takes our entire order to accomplish that. So long as the Tauron are gone, any price is acceptable", Lok said.

"I will not stand for execution of innocents. Reign yourself in, or I shall do it for you", Commander Arlon said, hand hovering over his sword. Lok glanced at his positioning, and stood to his full height, hand firmly on the hilt of his own sword. "Our enemy can not remain in this world. Whatever will get the job done, will be done. But then you are too blinded by your so called protection of the innocents to see the truth", Lok replied. "You are the blind one, old friend", Arlon said, shaking his head.

"Sir, we stayed here long enough. We must pursue the Tauron", said Ervalon. "Indeed. Mount up. Return to Caelor, and launch a fleet."

They departed, Ervalon carrying Teoros in his speeder.

...

Durial stretched his body, and dug deep for the shadow energy. A ball of it materialized on his outstretched palm. He sent it dancing around his head, and warped it into a dagger. He dispersed it into a wave of energy, and sucked it back into himself.

"How do you feel?" Kylara said, sitting next to him. "Much better. My arms are still somewhat weak, but otherwise, I am fine. What did I miss?" "A Tudor fleet attacked us the day after they brought you back. We lost two more corvettes, and our other ships were damaged, but we dealt them heavy casualties. Tailen and Akala fought well. Out of the 7 Inquisitors, 2 were killed, and the others wounded. Several hundred Tudor fighters and 3 destroyers were shot down, one of the three battleships was disabled, and our engineers are now repairing it", Kylara replied.

"Good to hear. Now, I have urgent news to report. I'd like all of us to be present for that", said Durial. "Alright." "Alenar, we need you and Admiral Kallas in the command room. Bring Tailen and Akala with you as well." "On our way."

Alenar, Tailen, Akala, Admiral Kallas and three other rebel officers entered the command room, and approached Durial and Kylara.

"What is the meaning of this?" said Admiral Kallas. "The Tudor have developed a prototype for a new weapon. It's a 10 foot tall human like mecha suit. Its interior space allows a fully grown human to comfortably fit in it. The human controls the mecha suit with internal buttons and knobs. The mecha suit is armed with a flamethrower, plasma projectors in its hands and chest, a huge sword, steel nets and a head mounted electro cannon. Its covered with a thick layer of Skallos steel, and equipped with a heat shield and electro rods, which provides it with good protection against fire, lightning and shadow. It has anchors against wind. It is developed in Caelor. We have to destroy it and all traces of it, before they are mass produced and the entire Inquisitor army is covered by nearly impenetrable armor, and armed with high powered weapons", Durial said.

"Do these mecha suits have any weaknesses?" said Alenar. "Very few. The only element that can really damage them is shadow. Enough fire and lightning would eventually overload their protection, but it would take too long. The only reliable way is to target their joints and their eyes. This mecha suit has to be destroyed", Durial replied.

"If this weapon is truly important, they will have it under a lot of protection. Our fleet isn't enough. We would need help. Admirals Sarron, Taal and Lanzur are the only ones close to us. The others are too far away. A massive strike will have to be coordinated", said Admiral Kallas. "Yes. That is the only way."

"It will take a few days for us to gather. And there is always a risk of them being intercepted, and for Tudor to catch on to our plan. We will have to strike from different directions", said one of Kallas's officers. "If any of us are intercepted, we will have to inform the others so they can help us. Which means we will have to maintain open contact the entire time. That will also make it easier for the Tudor to track us", said another officer.

"It is an all or nothing situation. Either this works and the mecha suit, the lab and all traces of that are destroyed, or we will fail, and our other allies will be left to fend for themselves. The risk is high, and the reward may not be enough. Still, it is the only way", said Durial.

"Then I suggest we should proceed. Are there any objections?" said Kallas. None followed.

Kallas activated the holo table. "R1, R5, R9, this is R7. Do you copy?" "R5 in." "R1 in." "R9 in." "We are in a dire situation. The Tudor have developed a new weapon to counter Tauron powers. A mecha suit. It is in Caelor. We have to destroy it." "R1. My fleet is down to one corvette and 3 squadrons. But I will come." "R5. I still have all six of my cruisers, and recently captured two Tudor destroyers. You can count on me." "R9. I will come as well." "R1. The only question is, when? Perhaps we should send out a diversionary attack first?" "R5. Yes. I can send three of my cruisers and the destroyers to attack Alveor. The rest will go with us to Caelor, and the others shall rejoin us." "R9. When do we launch the main attack?" "R7. As soon as the diversion group hits Alveor." "R5. I will send them out immediately." "R1. My fleet is on its way. We gather just out of sensor range, and as soon as the others report, we attack." "R7. Then let us get to it." "R5. See you at Caelor. May fortune be with us all."

The call ended. "Be ready. We will distract their fleet, then you will take all of our soldiers on the ground", Admiral Kallas said. Alenar nodded.

The cruiser, the corvette and the two frigates departed to Caelor.