With the ominous invitation from somewhere on Xephos Prima, and having witness the devastating power that ripped apart Kaga's ship's hull as if it were nothing more than paper, the Fraction Remnants agreed, it would be stupid to not accept the strange invitation. As all of the ships regrouped and made their way to the surface of Xephos Prima, they broke through a layer of clouds to find pink soil, with green grasses, bushes, tall trees, waterfalls that flowed upward, and so much more chaotic beauty.
Once they'd they got within range of the surface, their ships no longer accepted their control. Rather, it was as if someone else was piloting them toward something. Their ships landed, then the voice spoke fleet wide. "Only the leaders of each ship may get off. Trespassers will die instantly. Leaders, come outside, and head to the large octagonal metal platform." With no other choice, Prescott, Michigan, Theta, Kali, Argo, and Genesis all left their ships and made their way to the metal platform. None of them spoke, but with shared occasional glances, they understood one thing... this could be the deaths of all of them. Prescott drew Saint Helen from his magnetic weapon holder on his back. Kali and Michigan unholstered their weapons as well. They had no idea what was going to happen, but they'd at least go down swinging if it came to that.
However, as they all stepped onto the octagonal metal platform, the top began to descend rapidly, pulling them downward like some kind of elevator. The six stayed close to each other as they descended into the darkness. Once the elevator had come to a halt, Prescott and Michigan activated their helmets' exterior lights, illuminating the area, revealing a passage way... more like the most horror coded hallway in the universe. As they entered it, they avoid stepping on skeletal remains of a dead civilization's once proud soldiers, cursed to lay still in the overwhelming darkness for who knew how long. After about a three minute walk down this hallway graveyard, the six arrived at a set of large blast doors. That's when a soft-volumed intercom called to them. "Listen, below this intercom is an emergency release handle. Pull it down. The doors will open for you."
Prescott and Michigan exchanged glances and walked over to the intercom, located the emergeny release handle, and pulled it open. Loud hisses of air blew past the six as the doors unsealed. Once they were open, the four followed behind Prescott and Michigan. Inside, the room was dimly light with technology they'd all never seen before. However, before anyone could speak, Theta screamed a bloodcurdling scream, making the others group up close to her. However, she pointed to the far side of the room. She was the only one with great night vision... and she'd caught her first glimpse of the thing behind the mysterious voice. Loud thudding footsteps approached them, cautiously, slowly, as if trying to decide if they were a threat.
"Holster your weapons. If this thing wanted us dead, it could've well have done so, and there'd be nothing we could do." Order Prescott, locking Saint Helen on his back. Once the others had done the same, the being actived the full lights within the strange room, allowing everyone to catch their first looks at the eight-foot - eleven inches tall, extremely muscular, pale-gray skin, and mechanical armored being standing about five-feet from them. Neither of the being nor the group spoke, both silently examining the other(s). After about five minutes, an ambient background tune similiar to the song Rebourne - Clarity [Hardstep], came on, allowing the group to relax, just a bit. Then, Prescott spoke up. "I am Prescott J. Philip, Commander of the Interstellar-Battleship the Spirit of Freedom. I don't wish to come off as rude, but you can probably imagine what we're thinking... who the hell are you, and why did you call us here?"
The being took a deep, powerful inhale, then spoke. "My name... is Tyitanus, former Elite Guardian of the Prodaerian (Pro-dare-ian) Empire. Now... just the keep of the crypt of that former empire." Tyitanus' voice was gruff, deep, and yet oddly disarming. "You, Commander Prescott of the ship, Spirit of Freedom, are the one who self-sacrificed for the safe of protecting your allies... WHY." Growled Tyitanus, in a deep and gutteral tone of voice. Prescott looked up at Tyitanus, eyes showing not an ounce of fear as he replied to the large alien's question. "I have always asked myself one simple question.. If Not Me, Then Who? It has been my philosophy that the strong should protect the weak... and cull those who'd use their might to crush the weak." Prescott answered with eyes slightly squinted due to the memories of his parents deaths at the hands of an enemy pretending to be an ally.
"Now then", started Prescott, "I have only one question for you, Tyitanus, the last Prodaerian... Which are you? The Strong who protects the weak, or the Strong who seek an ego boosting, power trip? Answer... wisely." The others slowly turned with glares at Prescott, all trying to convey the message of "Really?! You chose to threaten him?!" However, Tyitanus let out a hearty laugh. I am no longer either. However, I was a defend of the so called weak.. but that was a very long time ago." Said Tyitanus, nodding acceptingly. "You have passed my test. Welcome to Union Prime, or as you all call it now, Xephos-Prima. This is my homeworld, and I am formerly requesting to join your alliance... after all, I am the last remnant of a dead civilization."
The six looked at each other, then Prescott spoke. "Only if you come with us. We'll return you to this place if you so wish to return here, but uh.. you might scare the crews..." Tyitanus laughed. "I mean them no harms, just as I mean you and the other alliance leaders harm. I accept your terms. Let us, me, return to the surface... shall we?"