Swirling blue portals could be seen appearing in several locations within the infamous Wasteland, as Emery and his two friends rushed to head north.
The objective was to find and regroup with Julian and Thrax who were last seen on the Nexus’s first colony.
Emery would find several mechanical drones chasing after them during the first few jumps. These drones of course immediately attacked upon sighting them, but their attacks had no effect on the group since another Spatial Gate had been created by then.
The distance between the Southern Outpost and the first colony was one thousand two hundred miles. Along the way, Emery couldn’t help but notice that there were more hordes of orcs on the loose. In fact, they had encountered more than a few thousand within a span of a dozen miles.
“Did we set it loose?” was the question that all three had in their minds.
After some thought, Emery could only assume that this was either because he had defeated the two magus who were supposed to exterminate these loose orcs or the Star Blaster which had torn a huge hole in the Orc Lair and allowed them to escape.
“Should we deal with them?” Chumo asked, ready with his bow already in his hand.
“No,” responded Klea. “It will certainly take some time, which is bad. We might be able to escape from the drones, but if that elf magus is still chasing us, dealing with these orcs is putting ourselves in danger.”
Emery nodded in agreement with Klea’s words. There shouldn’t be any problem since these orcs need to spend at least half a day before they reach the colony. Moreover, even though they were numerous, their numbers were not something that the well-armed and prepared Nexus soldiers could not handle.
After a dozen more jumps through Spatial Gate, the three of them finally reached the outskirts of the Nexus third colony – which Klea and Chumo visited to investigate and gather information.
Just as Emery was about to enter the colony, Chumo quickly stopped him saying that his eyes didn’t detect Julian nor Thrax inside. In addition, there was no guarantee that the Nexus soldiers stationed here would not try to harm them.
“We should at least warn these people about the incoming Orcs.”
“It’s also perhaps necessary for us to confirm if they were ordered to capture us,” added Klea, still finding such a situation to be amusing.
There should be more than two thousand Nexus-affiliated individuals in this colony. Of course, it was a number that wouldn’t be too much trouble for the three of them, but he didn’t want to fight them unnecessarily.
After making sure that there were no magus level individuals in the vicinity, the group snuck into the colony. Led by Klea, they made their way to confront General Lucien.
When they saw the alarmed expression on the general’s face, Klea quickly shackled him by using her Enchantment skill. That said, the general soon went through a round of interrogation held by the Egyptian Queen herself.
“They have a priority order that says we are dangerous individuals and need to be reported immediately when seen.” Klea told the other two. “Also it seems our two friends are among the list, so we can assume that they are in hiding as well”
“That’s good to hear. Thank you, Klea. Now please release the enchantment.”
After General Lucien was released from the bind of the skill, he spoke about their purpose for coming here.
“General, we have spotted thousands of orcs heading in this direction. They should arrive here in half a day. Be prepared.”
After confirming that the anxious general understood the message perfectly, the three quickly left the place.
“Where should we go now? How are we going to find them?”
The three decide to find a place among the locals and try to find any information while Emery casts [light whisper] hoping the spell would reach the two.
A few hours later, finally, a ring came from the communication device given by Julian. They finally received news from their Roman friend.
The message was concise, which told the group some things about the two’s situations.
[If you received this message, be careful not to be found by Nexus and head toward this location]
Emery quickly sent a reply and the three of them made their way to the location stated in the message. It was an inconspicuous rocky hill situated in the middle of the yellow plains.
It was night time when Emery and the others arrived at the said hill. With his Spirit Reading, he quickly senses his two friends Julian and Thrax. They were not alone however, as there were some people with them.
One magus level individual and three dozen men, with half of them being saint level individuals.
This naturally attracted some suspicion from the three.
“A trap?” asked Klea without missing a beat.
However, Chumo, who has his special eye ability, quickly said, “I don’t think so… I think this is the rebel hideout, and both Quartermain are with them.”
Considering the coast was clear, Emery cast [Spatial Gate]. The sudden manifestation of the Spatial Gate in the middle of the hideout certainly alarmed everyone nearby, especially when they saw three unknown figures coming out of it.
All of them without exception quickly aimed their Solar Rifle at the group, their demeanor showed they were ready for a fight.
A spatial gate was created in the middle of the hideout and all turned alarmed seeing three figures appear out of nowhere. All quickly draw their solar Riffle ready for a fight
“Stand down!! Calm down, they’re friendly,” said Stildar Quartermain when he realized the new arrivals.
Next to him, the group could see that both Julain and Thrax were safe and sound.
“Thank god, you guys are fine. Sorry for the late news, we just finally managed to modify the communication device,” said Julian with a relieved expression.
“It’s good to see you two alright as well,” responded Emery with a smile. Then, a serious expression appeared on his face. “Tell us what happened.”
After exchanging information, the group finally understood the situation. It was clear that the Nexus leader was in cahoots with the elves. Even though they knew the terrible things the faction had done, the Quartermain brothers didn’t realize the Nexus leadership would go that far.
“Those people have gone mad, aren’t they? What are they trying to do!”
Shane calms his brother down and asks if the alliance would come and help.
“Yes, with them destroying our ship, there will certainly be a team from the alliance who will be inquiring about us. So we just need to remain hidden for the next two or three days,” said Julian.
Emery however still felt anxious about the unknown project the elves were working on the South Outpost. Hence he voiced this thought of his to his friends.
“I don’t feel right to just hide. I need to know what they are really doing down there, what exactly are they making?”
The group fell into contemplation at his words, and then as if they were connected, all heads turned toward the man tied on the corner. The Nexus faction’s Minister of Science, Otto Schrandefude.
“As Minister of Science, you should know what they are building there, right Otto?”
Seeing that the man acted like a mute, Klea casually walked up to him and spoke in a casual but cold manner. “You can spill it yourself or I will force it out of you, Your choice, mister.”
A shiver ran down Otto’s body as he recalled the fate of the ones that fell under her hands. Moments later, he lifted his head, looked at Emery, and said,
“They are building a stargate.”