Andromedan Orbiting Operations Center (and offworld adventures)

[PC Master Race]

"It is. And it's time for us to make our way to the camp proper."


Oliver looked at the snow leopard.

"You'll have to forgive Nydos, we dragons are too used to this wormhole thing."

Oliver stepped through the wormhole as directed.

Things are getting awkward between the two sides.
The taurs are under the impression that the dragons see their natural elements as the magic equivalent of stone age. Utterly inferior.
But this is war, not competition. They don't care who is helping them, be it mercenaries or bounty hunters or even gods, all help is appreciated. At the end of the day, the more dead amphibians, the easier they can breathe.
...
Back at the main encampment, the taurs are gathering together, when the dragons and the squad return.
Jin is the only elephant.
Aquatic taurs (mainly sharks) are present, too. Though, they have fins where their legs would be, and they "hover" just above the ground by a few centimeters.
Those of the mythical species (griffin, hypogriff, pegasus and basilisk) are there as well.
For dinosaurs, there are brontosaurus and triceratops.
But not a single dragon among the taurs. Nydos and Oliver are the only two.
The dragons might see that each taur, except Jin, wears a watch-like device on their wrist, with the same design. Black-color leather, with a plate looking similar in design and pattern to the weapons they all have, and with 3 colors too.

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

Things are getting awkward between the two sides.
The taurs are under the impression that the dragons see their natural elements as the magic equivalent of stone age. Utterly inferior.
But this is war, not competition. They don't care who is helping them, be it mercenaries or bounty hunters or even gods, all help is appreciated. At the end of the day, the more dead amphibians, the easier they can breathe.
...
Back at the main encampment, the taurs are gathering together, when the dragons and the squad return.
Jin is the only elephant.
Aquatic taurs (mainly sharks) are present, too. Though, they have fins where their legs would be, and they "hover" just above the ground by a few centimeters.
Those of the mythical species (griffin, hypogriff, pegasus and basilisk) are there as well.
For dinosaurs, there are brontosaurus and triceratops.
But not a single dragon among the taurs. Nydos and Oliver are the only two.
The dragons might see that each taur, except Jin, wears a watch-like device on their wrist, with the same design. Black-color leather, with a plate looking similar in design and pattern to the weapons they all have, and with 3 colors too.

Perhaps Nydos had seen species like these before. But Oliver had yet to. He marveled like a little kid at the variety around him.

He did find it strange that one of them didn't have a wrist device. He approached them, probably having to fly to be able to look eye-to-eye at them.

"Greetings. I take it from the lack of wrist device that you're Jin?"

 

[Universe]

Perhaps Nydos had seen species like these before. But Oliver had yet to. He marveled like a little kid at the variety around him.

He did find it strange that one of them didn't have a wrist device. He approached them, probably having to fly to be able to look eye-to-eye at them.

"Greetings. I take it from the lack of wrist device that you're Jin?"

“hi”

 

[PC Master Race]

Perhaps Nydos had seen species like these before. But Oliver had yet to. He marveled like a little kid at the variety around him.

He did find it strange that one of them didn't have a wrist device. He approached them, probably having to fly to be able to look eye-to-eye at them.

"Greetings. I take it from the lack of wrist device that you're Jin?"

“hi”

The elephant looks back at the dragon and nods.

Jin : That I am.

He sees Oliver, Nydos and the other taurs from the fight earlier. Some brief exchanges with them, then he nods as they take their leave for now. He looks back at Oliver and Nydos.

Jin : Pleased to meet you. I am Jin, blacksmith of the resistance against those Dendroban amphibians. The only blacksmith. You are Oliver and Nydos, sent here by... Oriana, right ?

Meanwhile, the other taurs are pretty busy with their current tasks, which are quite a lot. From reinforcing the wall to repairing the damaged buildings, tending to the injured.
All taurs have one melee weapon and one gun, though the dragons could see that carnivores have small-medium melee weapons (mostly swords, combat knives and military axes) and firearms (the biggest among the carnivores is assault-rifle), while the herbivores are armed with heavier gear such as war-hammer, battle-axe, even polearms, and heavy machine guns.

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

The elephant looks back at the dragon and nods.

Jin : That I am.

He sees Oliver, Nydos and the other taurs from the fight earlier. Some brief exchanges with them, then he nods as they take their leave for now. He looks back at Oliver and Nydos.

Jin : Pleased to meet you. I am Jin, blacksmith of the resistance against those Dendroban amphibians. The only blacksmith. You are Oliver and Nydos, sent here by... Oriana, right ?

Meanwhile, the other taurs are pretty busy with their current tasks, which are quite a lot. From reinforcing the wall to repairing the damaged buildings, tending to the injured.
All taurs have one melee weapon and one gun, though the dragons could see that carnivores have small-medium melee weapons (mostly swords, combat knives and military axes) and firearms (the biggest among the carnivores is assault-rifle), while the herbivores are armed with heavier gear such as war-hammer, battle-axe, even polearms, and heavy machine guns.

"I see that she has informed you of our arrival."

Oliver noted the taurs. He'd heard of herbivores being a bit more cantankerous than carnivores, and the weaponry arrangement sure seemed to lend weight to that notion.

"She originally sent us because the daimyo of the Dendrobans, Hanzaki, put out a hit on my grandfather - and Nydos' father - and there were concerns about the nature of the weaponry Hanzaki was building on the four habitable planets he controls. To find out that the Dendrobans are still trying the slavery route..."

Oliver hesitated. It seemed some mental information was being pumped into his head. Nydos would recognize it as Oriana and Kurt filling Oliver in on interstellar history.

"I may need to get you caught up a bit. The Temporal Imperium previously fought the Dendrobans when they tried to enslave another species and split the empire in half. The ones you're fighting are the ones who were bitter about the loss, and still saw the whole region as rightfully theirs. The remaining ones, the one who wanted to be free and saw no benefit to slavery, were absorbed as the Situla Empire, and even have a designated Lord watching them. As you can imagine, the two factions have been in a cold war for a while."

Oliver tilted his head.

"But they've never mentioned enslaved taurs or a rebellion. How long have you been fighting these battles?"

 

[TrixieFox]

"It is. And it's time for us to make our way to the camp proper."

Sandstone: Lets go!

 

[PC Master Race]

"I see that she has informed you of our arrival."

Oliver noted the taurs. He'd heard of herbivores being a bit more cantankerous than carnivores, and the weaponry arrangement sure seemed to lend weight to that notion.

"She originally sent us because the daimyo of the Dendrobans, Hanzaki, put out a hit on my grandfather - and Nydos' father - and there were concerns about the nature of the weaponry Hanzaki was building on the four habitable planets he controls. To find out that the Dendrobans are still trying the slavery route..."

Oliver hesitated. It seemed some mental information was being pumped into his head. Nydos would recognize it as Oriana and Kurt filling Oliver in on interstellar history.

"I may need to get you caught up a bit. The Temporal Imperium previously fought the Dendrobans when they tried to enslave another species and split the empire in half. The ones you're fighting are the ones who were bitter about the loss, and still saw the whole region as rightfully theirs. The remaining ones, the one who wanted to be free and saw no benefit to slavery, were absorbed as the Situla Empire, and even have a designated Lord watching them. As you can imagine, the two factions have been in a cold war for a while."

Oliver tilted his head.

"But they've never mentioned enslaved taurs or a rebellion. How long have you been fighting these battles?"

It seems things are more than just slavery, and even this mess is as bad as it looks, the elephant reckons.
But at Oliver's remark of the lack of mention about enslaving taurs and the rebellion, Jin just shakes his head.

Jin : We've only started fighting them back since... last month, I believe. But as for why they never mentioned enslaving us taurs...

He rolls his eyes.

Jin : Those amphibians never called us "taurs", more so some other derogatory terms at us, until we fought back and the whole war broke out. I guess that's why there's no mention of enslaving taurs, they just saw it like we only existed to be owned like beasts working for them. But when things got this bad, I suppose it's not easy to coordinate with others, if you have nothing but slang and derogatory terms to refer to your enemies.

Then he shrugs.

Jin : Knowing these Dendrobans are all amphibians... that is, frogs, toads, newts and salamanders, I can only take a wild guess that the weapon they're building, has something to do with venom, poison, radiation, or anything else along that line. We do have noticed that our people have bigger troubles with poison and venom than weapon injuries.

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

It seems things are more than just slavery, and even this mess is as bad as it looks, the elephant reckons.
But at Oliver's remark of the lack of mention about enslaving taurs and the rebellion, Jin just shakes his head.

Jin : We've only started fighting them back since... last month, I believe. But as for why they never mentioned enslaving us taurs...

He rolls his eyes.

"And the last war was a decade ago..."

Oliver briefly looked at Sandstone (@TrixieFox ), who would have followed through the wormhole.

"This may take a bit, you may want to meet and greet with some of the taurs while we're here."

Jin : Those amphibians never called us "taurs", more so some other derogatory terms at us, until we fought back and the whole war broke out. I guess that's why there's no mention of enslaving taurs, they just saw it like we only existed to be owned like beasts working for them. But when things got this bad, I suppose it's not easy to coordinate with others, if you have nothing but slang and derogatory terms to refer to your enemies.

Then he shrugs.

Jin : Knowing these Dendrobans are all amphibians... that is, frogs, toads, newts and salamanders, I can only take a wild guess that the weapon they're building, has something to do with venom, poison, radiation, or anything else along that line. We do have noticed that our people have bigger troubles with poison and venom than weapon injuries.

"I have an idea. Let me contact that Lord I mentioned."

Oliver manifested a viewscreen in his hand. He reached out his mind... and on the viewscreen, a poison dart frog appeared. The dart frog's voice was static-riddled, as if the connection was bad.

"We have a war going on. Why am I being called?"

"Xochimilco, do you recognize these people?"

Oliver seemed to show the back of the viewscreen to a couple of taurs.

"Beings with four legs and normal bodies? They look vaguely.... hold on. Sergeant! Get me the file on the Blightbeasts, I want to make some comparisons."

Jin would recognize "Blightbeasts" as one of the derogatory terms. Someone did hand a file to the poison dart frog.

"Hmmm... this file and those beings... Oliver, was it? The beings you're showing me are too lively for the Blightbeast reports. No sign of crystals...."

The poison dart frog hesitated, looking at the file he was handed again.

"....wait a second.... these scars.... no one could survive these scars... and the beings you showed me, Oliver, don't have them. Nor do they have the inky black crystals that the Blightbeasts have... and their eyes are normal.... I just had a thought... and I think I'm gonna be sick..."

"Jin? I think I know what thought he had. Do the Dendrobans ever try to steal the bodies of your fallen?"

 

[Universe]

The elephant looks back at the dragon and nods.

Jin : That I am.

He sees Oliver, Nydos and the other taurs from the fight earlier. Some brief exchanges with them, then he nods as they take their leave for now. He looks back at Oliver and Nydos.

Jin : Pleased to meet you. I am Jin, blacksmith of the resistance against those Dendroban amphibians. The only blacksmith. You are Oliver and Nydos, sent here by... Oriana, right ?

Meanwhile, the other taurs are pretty busy with their current tasks, which are quite a lot. From reinforcing the wall to repairing the damaged buildings, tending to the injured.
All taurs have one melee weapon and one gun, though the dragons could see that carnivores have small-medium melee weapons (mostly swords, combat knives and military axes) and firearms (the biggest among the carnivores is assault-rifle), while the herbivores are armed with heavier gear such as war-hammer, battle-axe, even polearms, and heavy machine guns.

“yes”

 

[PC Master Race]

“yes”

"I have an idea. Let me contact that Lord I mentioned."

Oliver manifested a viewscreen in his hand. He reached out his mind... and on the viewscreen, a poison dart frog appeared. The dart frog's voice was static-riddled, as if the connection was bad.

"We have a war going on. Why am I being called?"

"Xochimilco, do you recognize these people?"

Oliver seemed to show the back of the viewscreen to a couple of taurs.

"Beings with four legs and normal bodies? They look vaguely.... hold on. Sergeant! Get me the file on the Blightbeasts, I want to make some comparisons."

Jin would recognize "Blightbeasts" as one of the derogatory terms. Someone did hand a file to the poison dart frog.

"Hmmm... this file and those beings... Oliver, was it? The beings you're showing me are too lively for the Blightbeast reports. No sign of crystals...."

The poison dart frog hesitated, looking at the file he was handed again.

"....wait a second.... these scars.... no one could survive these scars... and the beings you showed me, Oliver, don't have them. Nor do they have the inky black crystals that the Blightbeasts have... and their eyes are normal.... I just had a thought... and I think I'm gonna be sick..."

"Jin? I think I know what thought he had. Do the Dendrobans ever try to steal the bodies of your fallen?"

Jin gets visibly annoyed at hearing that terms "Blightbeasts" and "beings", but still waits for them to finish the conversation. Then he just grumbles.

Jin : I am just as sick of those terms you're calling us. Why is it so hard for you to just refer to us as "people", for the love of...

He ponders for a bit, then shakes his head.

Jin : ... No, they can't steal bodies of our fallen. We always cremate the deceased and scatter their ashes, there'd be no bodies. Not even skeletons left.

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

Jin gets visibly annoyed at hearing that terms "Blightbeasts" and "beings", but still waits for them to finish the conversation. Then he just grumbles.

Jin : I am just as sick of those terms you're calling us. Why is it so hard for you to just refer to us as "people", for the love of...

He ponders for a bit, then shakes his head.

Jin : ... No, they can't steal bodies of our fallen. We always cremate the deceased and scatter their ashes, there'd be no bodies. Not even skeletons left.

"....so... it is potentially WORSE than I thought..."

"Well, Xochimilco? What IS making it so difficult to call them people?"

"This is the first time I've seen anyone of their body structure NOT trying to destroy our cities, okay? This is the first time I've seen them able to talk! Cut us some slack!"

"You say it's potentially worse. What are you on about?"

"Here, I'll pin the file up on the screen, maybe they ought to know how our people are seeing them."

Oliver did show the viewscreen to Jin, as Xochimilco pinned a file up on his side.

The file that had been pinned up was indeed labeled "Blightbeasts". The creatures on the file did indeed have the same body structure as the taurs... there was some measure of species variety, but the following traits were common to the creatures:

• All of them had skin more like an amphibian than the creatures they actually were supposed to represent.
• All of them were the size of Jin or slightly larger.
• All of them had jagged black crystal shards embedded in said skin.
• All of them had black eyes that seemed to emanate fire.
• All of them had scarring that would indicate absolutely fatal injuries on a taur. The most consistent scar seemed to be one at the throat, as if they'd had a total laryngectomy.
• The reports indicated that none of them were capable of speech. In fact, none of the reports even indicated they were capable of language comprehension or vocalizing at all!

The reports were consistent that there was always an amphibian with a black crystal gauntlet on the scene whenever these beasts show up.

Included in the reports were stories of destruction. The most devious being several of the monstrosities boxed up and unleashed in the middle of an amphibian metropolis... half a city fell that day, according to the report.

 

[PC Master Race]

"....so... it is potentially WORSE than I thought..."

"Well, Xochimilco? What IS making it so difficult to call them people?"

"This is the first time I've seen anyone of their body structure NOT trying to destroy our cities, okay? This is the first time I've seen them able to talk! Cut us some slack!"

"You say it's potentially worse. What are you on about?"

"Here, I'll pin the file up on the screen, maybe they ought to know how our people are seeing them."

Oliver did show the viewscreen to Jin, as Xochimilco pinned a file up on his side.

The file that had been pinned up was indeed labeled "Blightbeasts". The creatures on the file did indeed have the same body structure as the taurs... there was some measure of species variety, but the following traits were common to the creatures:

• All of them had skin more like an amphibian than the creatures they actually were supposed to represent.
• All of them were the size of Jin or slightly larger.
• All of them had jagged black crystal shards embedded in said skin.
• All of them had black eyes that seemed to emanate fire.
• All of them had scarring that would indicate absolutely fatal injuries on a taur. The most consistent scar seemed to be one at the throat, as if they'd had a total laryngectomy.
• The reports indicated that none of them were capable of speech. In fact, none of the reports even indicated they were capable of language comprehension or vocalizing at all!

The reports were consistent that there was always an amphibian with a black crystal gauntlet on the scene whenever these beasts show up.

Included in the reports were stories of destruction. The most devious being several of the monstrosities boxed up and unleashed in the middle of an amphibian metropolis... half a city fell that day, according to the report.

The files on the Blightbeasts are so alarming that Jin changes from upset to outright horrified.
While he is always certain that the dead would be cremated, he felt something wrong when Oliver asked about stealing bodies of the fallen. And it's indeed wrong. Very, very wrong.
Those Blightbeasts look to be taurs fatally injured and infected by the Dendrobans to be crystal zombies of sort.
That amphibian skin is just more salt and insult to injury.
But there's something else that irks him...

Jin : While we have not encountered those... things, yet, I can't help but feel that there's something familiar about that kind of crystal infection...

He ponders a bit, trying to remember something.

Jin : ... I remember about a few months ago, during our slavery, the Dendrobans made me open wormholes for their reinforcement between planets. One time, I caught glimpse of a massive black-purple dragon with crystals on its body like those Blightbeasts, on the other side. I felt like it was so big, you could see it even from outside looking at a planet... or even just fly between planets, without the need for a wormhole !

(For some reason the Blightbeasts reminds me of this one) https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Kralkatorrik

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

The files on the Blightbeasts are so alarming that Jin changes from upset to outright horrified.
While he is always certain that the dead would be cremated, he felt something wrong when Oliver asked about stealing bodies of the fallen. And it's indeed wrong. Very, very wrong.
Those Blightbeasts look to be taurs fatally injured and infected by the Dendrobans to be crystal zombies of sort.
That amphibian skin is just more salt and insult to injury.
But there's something else that irks him...

Jin : While we have not encountered those... things, yet, I can't help but feel that there's something familiar about that kind of crystal infection...

He ponders a bit, trying to remember something.

Jin : ... I remember about a few months ago, during our slavery, the Dendrobans made me open wormholes for their reinforcement between planets. One time, I caught glimpse of a massive black-purple dragon with crystals on its body like those Blightbeasts, on the other side. I felt like it was so big, you could see it even from outside looking at a planet... or even just fly between planets, without the need for a wormhole !

(For some reason the Blightbeasts reminds me of this one) https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Kralkatorrik

"Massive dragon with crystals... flying between planets without wormholes... Nydos, I'm going to relay this to Oriana."

Oliver seemed to concentrate for a few moments.

Suddenly, on the viewscreen, Xochimilco reeled as if he had a sudden massive headache.

"Ow. OW! Okay, okay, Oriana, I GET IT!"

Xochimilco's headache receded just as swiftly.

"Listen. Oriana has authorized the complete annihilation of the Dendroba Empire. Her instructions were that the four galaxies that empire owns - both habitable and non-habitable planets - belong to the taurs. They will not have to worry about alliances with the Temporal Imperium until they're ready - and if the taurs need to know more about space travel, she's willing to teach them personally once the Dendrobans are gone."

"Nydos (@Universe )? Oriana gave the name 'crystalbanded dragon'. Are you familiar with them? She says they were supposed to be completely exterminated."

Xochimilco regained his composure and refocused on Jin.

"As for you... are the taurs your kind's actual name, or simply a term Oriana invented? I need to know because I'm going to order the passage of laws that ensure your rights in this region. Sending soldiers might cause issues given there's not enough visual difference between us and the Dendrobans... there's intel on the four habitable planets they control, I'll send it and antidotes your way."

"Well... it looks like this just went from horror to a five-alarm galactic crisis. Nydos, when was the last time you had to destroy an empire?"

 

[Universe]

"Massive dragon with crystals... flying between planets without wormholes... Nydos, I'm going to relay this to Oriana."

Oliver seemed to concentrate for a few moments.

Suddenly, on the viewscreen, Xochimilco reeled as if he had a sudden massive headache.

"Ow. OW! Okay, okay, Oriana, I GET IT!"

Xochimilco's headache receded just as swiftly.

"Listen. Oriana has authorized the complete annihilation of the Dendroba Empire. Her instructions were that the four galaxies that empire owns - both habitable and non-habitable planets - belong to the taurs. They will not have to worry about alliances with the Temporal Imperium until they're ready - and if the taurs need to know more about space travel, she's willing to teach them personally once the Dendrobans are gone."

"Nydos (@Universe )? Oriana gave the name 'crystalbanded dragon'. Are you familiar with them? She says they were supposed to be completely exterminated."

Xochimilco regained his composure and refocused on Jin.

"As for you... are the taurs your kind's actual name, or simply a term Oriana invented? I need to know because I'm going to order the passage of laws that ensure your rights in this region. Sending soldiers might cause issues given there's not enough visual difference between us and the Dendrobans... there's intel on the four habitable planets they control, I'll send it and antidotes your way."

"Well... it looks like this just went from horror to a five-alarm galactic crisis. Nydos, when was the last time you had to destroy an empire?"

“I will destroy them they are not immune to my destruction”

 

[Universe]

"Massive dragon with crystals... flying between planets without wormholes... Nydos, I'm going to relay this to Oriana."

Oliver seemed to concentrate for a few moments.

Suddenly, on the viewscreen, Xochimilco reeled as if he had a sudden massive headache.

"Ow. OW! Okay, okay, Oriana, I GET IT!"

Xochimilco's headache receded just as swiftly.

"Listen. Oriana has authorized the complete annihilation of the Dendroba Empire. Her instructions were that the four galaxies that empire owns - both habitable and non-habitable planets - belong to the taurs. They will not have to worry about alliances with the Temporal Imperium until they're ready - and if the taurs need to know more about space travel, she's willing to teach them personally once the Dendrobans are gone."

"Nydos (@Universe )? Oriana gave the name 'crystalbanded dragon'. Are you familiar with them? She says they were supposed to be completely exterminated."

Xochimilco regained his composure and refocused on Jin.

"As for you... are the taurs your kind's actual name, or simply a term Oriana invented? I need to know because I'm going to order the passage of laws that ensure your rights in this region. Sending soldiers might cause issues given there's not enough visual difference between us and the Dendrobans... there's intel on the four habitable planets they control, I'll send it and antidotes your way."

"Well... it looks like this just went from horror to a five-alarm galactic crisis. Nydos, when was the last time you had to destroy an empire?"

*Nydos grins* “it’s about time it’s been 100,000 years since I last destroyed an empire”

 

[PC Master Race]

"Massive dragon with crystals... flying between planets without wormholes... Nydos, I'm going to relay this to Oriana."

Oliver seemed to concentrate for a few moments.

Suddenly, on the viewscreen, Xochimilco reeled as if he had a sudden massive headache.

"Ow. OW! Okay, okay, Oriana, I GET IT!"

Xochimilco's headache receded just as swiftly.

"Listen. Oriana has authorized the complete annihilation of the Dendroba Empire. Her instructions were that the four galaxies that empire owns - both habitable and non-habitable planets - belong to the taurs. They will not have to worry about alliances with the Temporal Imperium until they're ready - and if the taurs need to know more about space travel, she's willing to teach them personally once the Dendrobans are gone."

"Nydos (@Universe )? Oriana gave the name 'crystalbanded dragon'. Are you familiar with them? She says they were supposed to be completely exterminated."

Xochimilco regained his composure and refocused on Jin.

"As for you... are the taurs your kind's actual name, or simply a term Oriana invented? I need to know because I'm going to order the passage of laws that ensure your rights in this region. Sending soldiers might cause issues given there's not enough visual difference between us and the Dendrobans... there's intel on the four habitable planets they control, I'll send it and antidotes your way."

"Well... it looks like this just went from horror to a five-alarm galactic crisis. Nydos, when was the last time you had to destroy an empire?"

“I will destroy them they are not immune to my destruction”

*Nydos grins* “it’s about time it’s been 100,000 years since I last destroyed an empire”

The taurs in the immediate area are startled a bit at Xochimilco's yelp when receiving the instructions (a bit too forcefully, it seems). They look back at the dragon squad and the screen for a bit before resuming their tasks.
But Jin is just dumbstruck at what Oriana said.
For almost 60 years of his whole lifetime, he knew only of slavery, the Dendrobans being his people's rulers. No-one knew the existence of any other taurs in any other planets. Just recently, when they finally fought back ; with their number, they would not think need more than a planet for their people.
Let alone a galaxy.
But...

Jin : FOUR galaxies ? Belong to us ?

His first words finally escape his mouth, after that info. It takes him a while to regain composure as well, and clears his throat.

Jin : ... Alright, more on that later. Ahem. Yes, the term "taurs" is the actual term for us. Normal upper torso, but four-legged lower body. Or, for the aquatic species, four fins.

He crosses his arms.

Jin : So, from what I heard, we got green light for completely wiping out those amp- sorry, the Dendrobans, right ? Because if that means the liberty of my people, and no more of my people have to serve them as their Blightbeast zombies... then it's go time.

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

The taurs in the immediate area are startled a bit at Xochimilco's yelp when receiving the instructions (a bit too forcefully, it seems). They look back at the dragon squad and the screen for a bit before resuming their tasks.
But Jin is just dumbstruck at what Oriana said.
For almost 60 years of his whole lifetime, he knew only of slavery, the Dendrobans being his people's rulers. No-one knew the existence of any other taurs in any other planets. Just recently, when they finally fought back ; with their number, they would not think need more than a planet for their people.
Let alone a galaxy.
But...

Jin : FOUR galaxies ? Belong to us ?

His first words finally escape his mouth, after that info. It takes him a while to regain composure as well, and clears his throat.

Jin : ... Alright, more on that later. Ahem. Yes, the term "taurs" is the actual term for us. Normal upper torso, but four-legged lower body. Or, for the aquatic species, four fins.

He crosses his arms.

Jin : So, from what I heard, we got green light for completely wiping out those amp- sorry, the Dendrobans, right ? Because if that means the liberty of my people, and no more of my people have to serve them as their Blightbeast zombies... then it's go time.

"I believe you're basically being given all the Dendroba Empire lands because something about that dragon you described spooked Oriana. An immediate call for annihilation is rare out of her. But sometimes, some things get... complicated with her. That is definitely a discussion to have when you're liberated."

Oliver scratched his chin.

"So I originally mentioned space weaponry. I think the Blightbeasts and that crystal dragon are the larger priority, but before we go after whatever weapon they put on this planet we need to secure a spot for Xochimilco to drop the intel and antidotes. I almost don't want the drop point too close to this encampment, in case that assassin interferes."

 

[PC Master Race]

"I believe you're basically being given all the Dendroba Empire lands because something about that dragon you described spooked Oriana. An immediate call for annihilation is rare out of her. But sometimes, some things get... complicated with her. That is definitely a discussion to have when you're liberated."

Oliver scratched his chin.

"So I originally mentioned space weaponry. I think the Blightbeasts and that crystal dragon are the larger priority, but before we go after whatever weapon they put on this planet we need to secure a spot for Xochimilco to drop the intel and antidotes. I almost don't want the drop point too close to this encampment, in case that assassin interferes."

Apparently, this goes from slavery to crystal zombie apocalypse, to dragon destruction, on a galactic scale. And the taurs just happen to be caught in the cross-fire.
He rubs his chin, thinking on the situation at hand.

Jin : Alright... space weaponry, crystal-blighted zombies, crystal dragon, poison from the Dendrobans, and assassin. Let's get to them, one at a time. First, the poison. We have scorpions and vipers in charge of that field, using their own venom mixed with herbs found around this planet to make antidotes. So far it's enough to help the poisoned patients recover, but only enough to push back the enemies, not exactly enough to press the attack. Which is one of the main reasons we're locked in this stalemate with them, barely any progress yet. The problem is to help increase resistance to their poison, or at least recover quick enough.

He pauses for a bit.

Jin : For the space weaponry... I have a gut feeling that it has the Dendrobans' poison, and maybe the crystal corruption of that dragon too, along with... something from us taurs ? To turn the infected into those Blightbeasts. I can't tell for sure, not until we can actually find it. For something as big as that dragon... my suggestion is to strike it from inside out. Here's my idea. I can open two wormholes, one next to us and one right inside it. The two will form a one-way link to direct all attacks straight to inside it, ignoring all its defense from the outside. Though, that's just my idea. I've only been able to do it to destroy the Dendrobans' vehicles and weapons, to cut off their supplies and reinforcements.

Another pause.

Jin : Finally... the drop point for the intel and antidotes. And that assassin. I've already notified everyone to be on alert, but if I may suggest a location for the drop... maybe somewhere with cold temperature that the enemies have to avoid ? And we'll have the snow leopards to go get them.

 

[Universe]

“actually it’s a laser beam powered by a gem called a voidstone”

 

[PC Master Race]

( @Firuthi Dragovic btw can ya give a brief idea on the relationship between the dragons so far ? I only get that Cosmos is Universe and Nydos' father, and... Oliver's grandfather ? that means Universe and Nydos are Oliver's uncles of sort ?)
(Asking because my boyfriend wants to hear about this story, heh)

 

[Universe]

(Oh no Cosmos is Universe’s grandfather)

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

( @Firuthi Dragovic btw can ya give a brief idea on the relationship between the dragons so far ? I only get that Cosmos is Universe and Nydos' father, and... Oliver's grandfather ? that means Universe and Nydos are Oliver's uncles of sort ?)
(Asking because my boyfriend wants to hear about this story, heh)

((Cosmos is Universe's and Oliver's grandfather. Cosmos is also Nydos' father, so Nydos is one of Oliver's uncles.))

((I should really put an easy-to reference family tree some time, because a large portion of the extended family was encountered before you joined in and some of them may be coming up later.))

 

[PC Master Race]

(Oh no Cosmos is Universe’s grandfather)

((Cosmos is Universe's and Oliver's grandfather. Cosmos is also Nydos' father, so Nydos is one of Oliver's uncles.))

((I should really put an easy-to reference family tree some time, because a large portion of the extended family was encountered before you joined in and some of them may be coming up later.))

(Alright, got it, thx)

 

[Universe]

*Nydos senses something*

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

*Nydos senses something*

What Nydos sensed wasn't an amphibian or a taur.

It was actually a rabbit, some ways away from the encampment. He was setting something up.