The Virus

[Professor Fenway]

The guard tumbled to the ground, caught by surprise. The nearest one raised his rifle and hit Jefferson with the stock of it. The third took Hope's data pad and smashed it, shooting it a few times for good measure. The alarm passed without any visible effects. "The hell was that?" The first guard asked.

"No idea," said the second, burliest one. He turned to Hope. "Don't do that again, you hear? You don't want a stickier situation." Hope nodded. Two of the guards picked up the unconscious Jefferson before they continued on to the shuttle bay for transfer to the surface.

//ELSEWHERE//

The face on the viewscreen was looking very unpleasant. "Tell me again why the EE almost fired the Harmony on us!"

"One of the crew from the captured ship sent a distress signal, apparently identifying itself as Hope Kintober's to the EE," the officer said. "The automated systems there, to protect Hope, apparently triggered. We stopped the firing by proving that Hope is still in the Kalii II facility."

"This may be a massive security breach." The man on the screen pondered. "I want them transferred to the capital so I can question them personally." The officer looked shocked.

"You? Hierarch..."

"Call me Fenway! None of this Hierarch business."

"Alright alright! Fenway, we don't know how dangerous these people are. The crew seems fine, but these scientists..."

"I don't care. I want them at the capital internment in 1 hour. Fenway out." The viewscreen clicked off.

[Crash Override]

*Slowly opened the eyes inside the shuttle,lookin a little lost*

-Danm i should never drink anything again..wait...was not a drink...someone hit me with a rifle!
-Shut up! Want other of this?
-No. Can someone say sorry for the guard? I hate when someone hold my arms and do..
-SHUT UP! *punch on the face*
-Stop doing that danmit! I´m a scientist! do you really want to keep punching a scientist ?

*The shuttle stopped on the groun,they vended the eyes of Jefferson *

[Error]

A pair of Commonwealth cruisers dropped out of hyperspace in the NeoRome system. The lead ship sent an urgent mesage to Fenway, text only.

//P.M. Markus Error . to . Fenway Ash//
>Fenway. What the hell is going on?

[Professor Fenway]

Fenway responded with a quick message.

//Fenway Ash-TO-Markus Error//
I'm not sure. Some ships with Darkstar, NeoRoman, and Commonwealth, yours, jumped into the system. The NeoRoman signatures were already present in the Kalii II system, and the ships match those from their. Darkstar, whom we contacted, says the ID's I sent them were in use, but not deployed. If you're willing, you can help with information gathering from the scientists on the ships, whom are now at the capital.

//END//

[Error]

//CWS Ascension to Fenway Ash//
>We'll do that. Give myself and Nighthawk's commander sectors to scout out, and we'll do that.

[Professor Fenway]

//Fenway Ash TO CWS Ascension//

Check on the Kalii II system, to make sure nothing has gone to hell. You cannot warp directly there from NeoRome as it passes very close to the Lyat system, so take the path through Lambda Leonis. I need not explain why you need to avoid the Lyat system- Class VII Existential threat, lost so many ships.

Once done, it would be very helpful if you came down to the capital and did a thorough analysis of these scientists. We would get more precise data this way.

[Crash Override]

-Hope,you like your new acommodations? Its a fine cell,really. I think i could paint the wall in a..hmm...in black and red? I hate gray colour anyway.

*Jeff was a little nervous thinking in various ways of doing something*

-Hell! I have to arrange a mean of contacting Darkstar! and a mean to get chocolate,of course. If they interrogate us i have to eat some chocolate.Why? Why i want chocolate,oh yes. That don´t make any sense but...i´m becoming crazy,i think. Or..i should need something more cofeelicious? Coffe?

[Prototype]

Omega was preparing to kill the engines on the Bruiser, when something caught his attention, there was a room on board this Bruiser, that was not standard, Omega knew this as he had designed the Bruiser, the room was towards the rear of the ship, so he decided to check it out.

The room was sealed off by a bulkhead door, password protected, Omega entered his top level access code.

The door slid open, what laid inside shocked Omega.

What now stared him in the face, Omega bellied was a MK-IV Lamentor, but a, it had not killed him, and b, it was dead, both things suggested that this was not a MK-IV, but the features were unmistakeable.

A hologram appeared, it was Alpha:

:::MESSAGE START:::

"Omega, if you are hearing this, then all is not lost, I am sending this message in the last 0.00001 seconds of my life, Theta has betrayed us, he is infected by the virus, and aims to spread this infection. Now, I'm sure you know the processing capabilities of the ARKBRAIN, which only I control, and I'm sure you remember our work on the ARKBRAIN MKII, and I'm sure you remember how I told you it failed, I'm afraid I lied, it worked perfectly, and I discovered some vital information:

You know how my predeseccor,O.M.I.C. was awakened by a Terran expedition team, well I have discovered that they were not the first, there were expeditions long before, and my data suggests that it was by the Old Romans, and I am afraid that they may have discovered a particularly potent Frestorian weapon, similar to this virus, and I have reason to believe that they may have reverse engineered it and produced their own version, which would explain why N.S.C.D. units are susceptible to it. Now I have also discovered something else, which involves the thing in front of you now, the regenerative capabilities of the MK-IV Lamentors render them immune to the virus, if the virus attempt to enter their system, the regeneration systems destroy it. Now, the ARKBRAIN MKI was unable to analyse how the Lamentor achieved this regeneration effect, but the ARKBRAIN MKII has worked it out, I managed to construct this MK-IV combat rig, which is an exact copy of the Lamentor's body, only it can house an N.S.C.D. brain, this one can only house your mind. Now, your mind is contained in a large cyberbrain back on ARK-1, which can be infected, which renders you vulnerable, but if you transfer your conciousness to this MK-IV combat rig, then you will no longer be vulnerable to the virus, but the process is irreversible, you will not be able to go back, but then again, I know how much you dislike your current body, so I doubt you will be bothered.

Now, in front of you, there is a button, pressing it will transfer your mind into the MK-IV combat rig, and you will no longer be vulnerable to the virus, you will be theoretically invincible, but don't go mad with power, you can still be immobilised.

You will also have vital files implanted into your mind, these will help you to develop an antivirus.

Now Omega, you must find a way to combat the virus, Theta will try to stop you, I fear he has gained control of the flagship.

Farewell old friend, by the time you hear this, I will have died"

:::MESSAGE END:::

Theta gazed at the combat rig, it was truly fearsome, it possessed the same weaponry as the Lamentor, a huge heat duty extendable claw mounted on the left arm, a big plasma cannon on the right, a gorilla like locomotion system, and an ugly head full of top class sensors, this was the ultimate body, Omega did not hesitate to press the button.

Omega felt a wave of nausea as his entire being was transferred from one location, across the galaxy, into the MK-IV combat rig.

He saw nothing but darkness

"I...... Feel... P... P... POWER"

[Ivan2006]

A communication was sent to the NeoRoman forces directly from the main HQ of the Equestrian Coalition:

This is SGM Ivan Kintobor.
The Eggman Empire-well, at least its leftovers-can verify that there was a heavy security breach in the Kalii II research facility, leading to a full-scale evacuation.
A joint-force group has been founded with the goal of retaking the galaxy from the Virus.
We can also verify that communication with NeoRoman forces and government has been impossible, in fact noone has recieved any word from NeoRome HQ since the start of the international research project.
Please release the prisoners, they are who they claim to be.
Their ships match precisely the ships that were sent on a recapturing raid into NeoRoman space, same goes for their biodata.
Also, one of your crewmembers will have to take some consequences for destroying an EE Nicole-series data-pad with cryptographic communication and level "CODE-9" security access.
Please send the leftovers of the device to the EE for savety reasons.
Again, release the prisoners or hand them to the EE in case you require further identification.
If you don´t, we´ll have to mark you as allies of the Virus and then we are going to send several hundred commando drones abord your ships and take them from you.
It´s your choice, but keep in mind that every second you wait for your decision is a second we lose in the war against the Virus.
If you have problems verifying my identity, play the attached audio version of the message and use voice verification.

...in the prison block...

Hope: "Jeff, you´re acting pretty weird lately. Anyway, what were you working at in Darkstar before you got to whatever-that-station-was-actually-called?"

[Prototype]

Omega had never felt such power, not even in cyberspace

"What the hell did Alpha build here?"

He shakily disconnected himself from the holding mechanism, and saw his previous body slump on the ground before him, he could feel the virus attempting to infect him, and he could feel his own body reject the virus.

"If I am to join the others I need to cleanse the ship"

Omega lifted up his old body as if it was a twig, and hurled it out the airlock, and fired a single shot at it from the plasma cannon on his right arm, destroying the body completely.

"I could really get used to this"

Omega made his way back to the bridge of the Bruiser, fortunately Alpha had taken the liberty of installing standard hand manipulators on the MK-IV combat rig, something the original MK-IV Lamentor did not posess.

"Plotting course to NeoRome system, rejoining patrol group, assuming they are still alive"

[Crash Override]

A communication was sent to the NeoRoman forces directly from the main HQ of the Equestrian Coalition:

This is SGM Ivan Kintobor.
The Eggman Empire-well, at least its leftovers-can verify that there was a heavy security breach in the Kalii II research facility, leading to a full-scale evacuation.
A joint-force group has been founded with the goal of retaking the galaxy from the Virus.
We can also verify that communication with NeoRoman forces and government has been impossible, in fact noone has recieved any word from NeoRome HQ since the start of the international research project.
Please release the prisoners, they are who they claim to be.
Their ships match precisely the ships that were sent on a recapturing raid into NeoRoman space, same goes for their biodata.
Also, one of your crewmembers will have to take some consequences for destroying an EE Nicole-series data-pad with cryptographic communication and level "CODE-9" security access.
Please send the leftovers of the device to the EE for savety reasons.
Again, release the prisoners or hand them to the EE in case you require further identification.
If you don´t, we´ll have to mark you as allies of the Virus and then we are going to send several hundred commando drones abord your ships and take them from you.
It´s your choice, but keep in mind that every second you wait for your decision is a second we lose in the war against the Virus.
If you have problems verifying my identity, play the attached audio version of the message and use voice verification.

...in the prison block...

Hope: "Jeff, you´re acting pretty weird lately. Anyway, what were you working at in Darkstar before you got to whatever-that-station-was-actually-called?"

Jeff: Thats actually a good question. And i would love to have a answer..wait,i have one . I was working in 3 things at once. Project "NIGHTGALE". Project "ARCIEL" and project "OVERLORD"

*He was in front of hope,a little confused locking her at her eyes. He have a very hipnotic looking and very charismatic form of talking*

-Nightgale is based in using diferent resonances to confuse sensors,a form of upgrading our stealth systems. Its very fun when no one know that you are there.
- ARCIEL is a project based in manipulation of certain radio frequencies and molecular spin to estabilish a better control of how certain materials behave.
-Also,i never said this but i think that you is very attractive. Anyway,DARKNESS is the project that created our special ops and our information network. Is a simple naming for the creation and the upgrade of sensors,cyber-warfare,you know,eyes and ears on everyone. We need information for better prices and...other things.
-I can tell this because are all old projects,the new ones are a little secret. But nothing that a kiss would not resolve *He smiled a little "Jack Harkness" *

-Sorry,i was just saying hello. And you? what were you working before the gates of hell were opened? And please,tell me,don´t come with "CLASSIFIED". I hate when someone don´t talk with me. I love talking. As much as i love girls with glasses. D...Do you think that i´m a little weird ? *He was in the floor,desesperate*Wh..what is happening to me..i´m losing control of..my thinking..is so much...information i guess...*He recovered itself stooding up* Sorry. To much information in my mind...sorry,i ussually become very..unnatural near girls so...nah forget it. I ´m embarassed anyway.

[Chairman_Tiel]

Did they just have intercourse? In a prison block? Ewwww..

[Crash Override]

Did they just have intercourse? In a prison block? Ewwww..

OCC: NO! i only mate with Tiels. Rawr. Jeff is a little confuse and crazy. A little manipulative,charismatic,very inteligent and etc.

[Professor Fenway]

Fenway looked over the data log. He frowned. "Where the hell did this message come from?" He asked the room. "It's not from the EE, that's for sure! We checked with their leader. They did not send this." He moved over to the intercom. "Bring Hope in here, immediately." He sat down in one of the chairs in the interrogation room. Not long after, Hope came in. Before Fenway could speak, she piped up.

"Are you going to release us?" She asked. "You do realize you are under threat of annihilation." Fenway sighed.

"Look, that is not the case. We checked with the EE, they have made no such claims! Take a look for yourself!" He slid over the data-pad, containing the EE's response.

//SGM Ivan Kintober -TO- Hierarch Fenway ASH//
-LEVEL PSI CLEARANCE ONLY-

I am positive that I nor any member of the EE has sent the message or threat. Voice print analysis matches perfectly with myself, however, and we are at a loss at how it came to you. Recommend double checking everything received by us with me. We don't want a misunderstanding. [DATA EXPUNGED]

//END//

"I censored out information you do not need to know," Fenway said.

"I'm sorry sir, but this is impossible. The EE was infested by the virus..." Fenway slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"You don't get it, do you?" He asked, slightly raising his voice. "No! I should have known from your profile..." He turned away from her and turned back. "You are in an alternate fucking universe! Why do you think there is an exact copy of you researching the virus at the Kalii II facility?"

"No sir, you're wrong. I have video proof that..."

"And I have video proof that you're wrong!" He turned to the wall. "Open the video feed!" A panel slid out from the wall and turned on. It synchronised, and showed a picture of Hope in the Kalii II facility, typing on one of the computers. The monitor near her spilled out complex numbers and arithmetic.

"Sir," Hope stood up. "That could have been taken at any time-"

"Do you remember doing this work at all in the facility? Do you recognize those numbers?"

"How do I know you haven't, I don't know... WIPED MY MEMORY?" Fenway kicked the chair over and turned away from Hope.

"Take her out, this is going nowhere." Several security guards entered the room and escorted Hope out. Fenway picked the chair up and sat down. He thought for a moment, clearly steaming. He gestured with his hand, and a small panel opened. A small arm delivered a tray with a cup and a pitcher of old Earth Tea- Fenway found it relaxing. After a moment, he turned to the wall. "Send Markus in. Maybe we'll have a little more success with him."

//ELSEWHERE//

Jump signatures registered on radar to a dead room. A ship jumped into the NeoRoman system. Omega adjusted his scanners, as the radiation output from the pulsing blue core of NeoRome was unusual. Several ships immediately moved towards the Bruiser. Omega raised the shields and scanned the area for any signs of Markus' fleet. He found none, and jumped back to Kalii II as the ships finally caught up to him.

When he arrived, the Kalii II system was bustling with activity. He was immediately hailed by a NeoRoman battleship, the Primeron. The ship asked for the ship's purpose, identification codes, and whether it involved any of the researchers. Slightly confused, Omega sent the data requested. The station then noted that it was infected by the virus, and asked Omega to dock with the station and leave the ship so the computer systems could be purged of the Virus.

[Ivan2006]

Hope: "Well, I´ve been working on Project MEALSTROM.
It´s basically a giant de-engineering and adaption project that was responsible for most of the EE´s successes in psionic engineering.
It was launched over 80 Years ago as a joint-effort project of the Overland and the United Federation, two of the six nations that later turned into the EE.
After piece returned to Mobius, the project was continued, leading to the development of psionic scanners, manipulators and weapons as well as prototypes of generators, energy weapons and FTL drives.
We are currently working on a special form of cloak that does not hide but change the readings.
Early versions that just make the readings useless were already used in the Typhoon-class.
I was the leading computer expert and worked alongside several other great scientists from other sciences who I learned quite a bit from.
For example, did you know that the Chaos Emeralds actually create Huon Energy?
We found that out when we researched on one of our "test subjects".
No, not alive beings, that´s just how we call the machines we are de-engineering.
Anyway, that particular test subject is the one we´re getting the most information out of.
In it, there were some circular letters we had never seen before.
It had some kind of energy generator that appeared to work just like a Chaos Emerald.
After deciphering the writings, we found out that whatever ancient civilization that artifact is from called that form of energy "Huon".
Ever heard of it? The legends say it once was the most powerful form of energy there was.
Until the great Cuuyth war. According to the legends, several large factions from across the multiverse united and fought off the Old Strigiforme Empire and its allies.
It is believed the ancestors of the Mobians and Overlanders were some of them who were seperated and stranded on Mobius.
But of course, that is just some fairy tale, altough the similarities on the database of the... machine were fascinating."
Suddenly a guard came in and took Hope to Fenway.


Soon after the interview:
Several EE Typhoon-class escort carriers and a Halberd-class dreadnaught engaged the NeoRome fleet, knocking out their shields and then unleashing several boarding pods onto the ship holding the prisoners while destroying the rest.
The total robots sent onto the ship were:
10 Metal Sally Commando robots
50 Metal Tails Recon robots
50 Metal Sonic close combat robots
300 SWATbot Mk.II generic battle robots
commanded by an E-123 Omega.