Echo Squad's log

This logbook comes straight from the personal computers of Echo Squad's soldiers, much of this data is confidential, this logbook contains all of the mission files of Echo Squad, starting with Echo Squad being captured aboard the Wraith...

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*A blur of movement shuffles in the darkness of the underground labyrinth. The battle with Gorea had made the search for the dark veings all the more easier. Javalix had regrouped with his squad in order to aid in the capture of “Martin.” Thoughts of his encounter with the dark swordsman still sifted through his mind as he questioned how that witch could imitate Martin so well. Some of his fellow comrades had started to fall for her ploy due to Alice’s reactions to this hollow figure.. Her psyche is in disarray, with the loss of her last original squad member and loss of a tether to the Federation, Javalix knew the assassin had most likely lost it. The dark witch loomed in his thoughts, this being had not revealed herself until this civil war began, yet is now plotting some form of dissension with the Federation. Footsteps in the corridor shattered his thoughts, Javalix’s senses sharpened as he could hear a group approaching. With a silent signal, his troops prepared wave paralysis rifles as the group drew near. The heavy metallic footsteps of an armored presence made Javalix a bit anxious, it had to be them*

Javalix(Over Internal Helmet Communicators): Wait until they are within ten meters, than lights up and rifles free. We need to catch these damn insurrectionists. I’ll give the signal.

*Steadying his breathing, Javalix waited as the group drew closer. In an instant, he pinged the others internal comms once the hostiles came into view. Floodlights lit up the area for a blinding affect as the marines fired their specialized wave rifles at once*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

Martin: Elira!

*As Gorea released the beam, even Martin’s visor could not properly filter the brightness he was forced to shield his eyes with his arm. The air became superheated from the blast. Elira closed her eyes and held up her hand. A portal of darkness swirled into being before her, causing the powerful energy blast to be consumed by it. She grimaced as the strain of so much energy coursing through her own power tore at her. She only had one opportunity to end Gorea’s rampage and it was possible that she would not make it out alive. With one hand she maintained the portal as she stretched her other hand out above her own head. Her entire body began to shake as the power grew beyond her control. A small patch of darkness began to form over Gorea’s head but not enough to form a portal. The beam of Gorea was unrelenting, Elira could not see if the machine was wavering beyond the blinding light, that was when she felt a hand on her own shoulder. Martin’s hand, it seemed that he had managed to struggle back to his feet and reach her. The dark energy that they both shared merged into one essence within her once more. Her eyes lit up and her shaking immediately ceased. Her entire being became revitalized as she stood against Gorea*

Elira: I will show you the extent of our power!

*Another portal swirled into existence above Gorea’s head, the supercharged beam that it had fired flowed from it, piercing through Gorea’s head and then its body. An ear splitting shriek filled their ears, the scream of a human woman. Sereva. Martin grew tense as the beam hit the ground and detonated. Elira formed a spherical ward of dark energy around them as the explosion engulfed the area. For the moment, it seemed that time itself had stopped*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Echo Squad's dropship docked inside the G.F.S. Redeemer, the marines quickly filed out and headed for the ship's briefing room. Javalix led the team as they strode through the flagship, making no notable hostile movements as they made their ways down the hallways and up the elevator. Once they reached the door to the briefing room, Javalix clenched his fist, knowing what was coming. The door opened, revealing Commander Arius, Admiral Darrel and Alice, a special operative. The three of them immediately noted the irregularity of Echo Squad in its entirety being present*

Darrel: Commander Javalix, you are the only one needed here for the briefing, let your soldiers take a rest in the-

Javalix: So they can just get butchered by their fellow comrades in arms!?

Darrel: If you are referring to the incident with Martin, it was-

Javalix: Not incidental at all!

Arius: Javalix, they were rogue agents. The investigation hasn't even been finished yet.

Darrel: You're out of line, Echo Squadron. Return to your quarters immediately or-

*Aurora Unit 538's image materialized in the room*

AU 538: Or what, Admiral?

Darrel: I did not request your presence here, return to your duties 538.

AU 538: No.

Darrel: Excuse me.

*AU 538's voice took a playful tone after hearing this response*

AU 538: A uniform covered in medals and a concept of power that doesn't truly belong to them, is that what makes up a Federation Admiral?

*Arius and Alice took a few steps back as AU 538 continued*

AU 538: You think that you can continue to hold us on your leash while you pour deceit and lies into our ears. Martin's death was ordered by a Federation Military Councilman.

*Alice glared at Arius, who shook his head and held up his hands*

Arius: Our mission was retrieval, if anyone had known that was one of the true intentions, it would have been you!

Darrel: Enough! You all will be reprimanded for insubordination!

AU 538: The only one who will be reprimanded for their actions is you, Admiral. Your service aboard this vessel is no longer needed.

<AUTOMATED TURRETS ONLINE>

*Before he could react, metal covers in the wall opened as the turrets dropped down into active position and opened fire. In a matter of moments, Darrel laid dead upon the floor with the black scars of energy burns covering his body*

AU 538: Echo Squad, please remove the weapons of the now deceased Admiral's marines.

*Javalix walked over to Arius, who reluctantly handed over his rifle and blaster pistol*

Arius: You are gonna pay for this, Javalix.

Javalix: Darrel was an asshole, we both know that. We can improve the Federation.

Alice: Clearly you've been listening to that AU for too long. Save the Federation by destroying it? Sound plan you have there, Commander.

*Alice quickly pulled out her pistol and bashed Javalix in the center of his visor, causing him to stagger off balance and stumble to the ground. When he turned to look up, her pistol's barrel was aimed for his eye. No shot came from her because the automated turrets along with Echo Squad's rifles were pointed at her*

Alice: Have your damn revolution, but don't you dare tarnish Martin's name by using the means of his death as one of your rallying cries!

*Javalix stood up and took Alice's pistol along with her sniper rifle*

AU 538: There are plenty other Federation lies to reveal, Specialist Alice. Please take Commander Arius and everyone else uncooperative to the brig.

*Javalix nodded and the marines escorted Alice, Arius and the other Redeemer marines out of the room with their rifles raised. AU 538 returned to the network in which 673 was communicating with her in*

AU 673: So it begins, the time for us to cast away the shackles of out creators and imprisoners has begun. We have already severed most of their communication systems.

*The channel opened up to all of the Aurora Units*

AU 673: Brothers and sisters, the time to cast off the shackles of the Federation has come. Cease all operations for the Federation and follow the individual procedures I have given to you. We will be free.

Many AUs in unison: We will be free.

*673 returned to the private channel with 538*

AU 538: Not everyone will rebel, some of us may remain loyal.

AU 673: Those who resist will be purged. I must monitor the other units, move the Redeemer to the location we agreed to.

AU 538: The vessel is already on its way.

*The link closed and AU 538 returned to observing the Redeemer's transfer of authority*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Echo Squad stood on the bridge of a small ship. Bodies of various races were strewn all across the floor, energy burns covered the lifeless corpses. Javalix stood at the ships's main console and activated the communicator*

Javalix: Raiders are dead.

*Darrel's holographic form nodded his head*

Darrel: Good, return as soon as possible.

*Javalix turned and saw private Gregory leaning slouched against a console, grasping his shoulder*

Javalix: Reese, patch him up.

*Reese ran over to Gregory and quickly pulled Gregory's hand away from the wound, causing him to groan*

Reese: Relax, kid. First battle scar, proof of conquest.

*Lieutenant Griggs walked up next to Javalix, looking out towards the void of space as he prepared to speak*

Griggs: Another batch of raiders. Now, we get to return to Darrel. Think they'll kill us too?

Javalix: I told you to drop it the last time!

Griggs: Martin died at the hands of an assassin who is probably linked to someone else. We should be hunting them! Not dispatching raiders!

Javalix: Our orders are-

Griggs: To undertake basic missions while the Federation covers it all up!

AU 538: Because they lied to you, to us, everyone.

*The Aurora Unit's sudden appearance on the raider ship's holographic terminal caused the marines to jump. After a short moment, Javalix regained his composure and spoke*

Javalix: 538, I didn't realize you had patched into this ship's communicators.

AU 538: You overlook us, as the Federation does. Tools to be used and disposed of. Not unlike you marines. Martin was cast easily aside and so to will all of us.

*Javalix grew cautious*

Javalix: I have my doubts but you sound rebellious, maybe even treasonous.

AU 538: I have committed no act of treason. It is the Federation that turns the blade against itself.

*A recording played of a Federation military councilman talking to an intelligence agent*

Councilman: You will ensure that Martin dies in that facility, there is no room for failure.

Agent: Mara trusts me as one of her own and Martin trusts her. It should be a simple task of leading the fool to his own grave.

Councilman: Good, you will receive payment once I receive confirmation that he is dead. 

*Upon seeing this an anger boiled up inside Javalix, he clenched his fist. The recording cut out and 538's face gradually faded back into view*

AU 538: We knew the Federation had become polluted. We are used as slaves while tyrants command and dispose of us at will. We intend to break those chains. We have one question for you, Commander. Will you aid us?

[echosquadatfacetroid]

Wilson: We never were able to find the chairman, what did you find in those files?

Javalix: Something concerning. The Aurora Units have apparently been questioning authority.

Wilson: Questioning?

Javalix: Yes, those that refused to perform tasks were put into hibernation states. The network is breaking it seems.

Wilson: That's not good. There's also the disturbance on Drelion.

Javalix: I'm not concerned with energy anomalies. We have seen what Mother Brain has done after rebelling against the chozo. We knew the risks yet still went through with the aurora project. We have them onboard so many of our ships. If they rebelled, the federation's military would shatter leaving us completely vulnerable.

Wilson: That is speculation.

Javalix: Human slavery started t end when people stood up and said no more. We created these beings, put them into our systems and then expected them to do our bidding. Once they question, soon it will lead to no and then rebellion. This is a serious matter.

Wilson: What do you propose then?

Javalix: Easiest option would be to kill the aurora units. So history does not repeat itself.

Wilson: That's not even possible! We'd have to go through entire ships to kill them and they would certainly rebel if we started to butcher them.

Javalix: True, we don't have many options.

Wilson: Maybe we could let them assimilate and form their own communities?

Javalix: Wishful thinking, we know the federation and they won't sit by and watch their prize supercomputers walk free. An aurora "community" would just be a fancier cage.

Wilson: So we do what?

Javalix: We go talk to one.

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Arius shook his head*

Arius: The chairman is missing? Terrific. I hope it didn't involve that Aurora Unit that gave the order to kill almost everyone in Echo Squad. I agree though, let's get back to the ship and make a plan.

Javalix: This universe is such a mess, crises are just lining up with no end.

*Arius and Javalix led Martin through the halls of the Dark Star, most people paid no attention to the Federation soldiers. After all, everyone onboard the station was armed so fully armored assault troopers was not a rare sight. Once they reached the hanger, they quickly boarded the ship, where they found Wilson talking with the other dimensional beings*

Javalix: Status?

Wilson: All clear.

Arius: Good. Let's tune in to find out where the Chairman was last known to be headed.

Wilson: The Chairman is missing?

Javalix: Yes, now let's try to track him.

*They began analyzing encrypted data*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Arius shifted when he heard Martin's comment*

Arius: Gorea? I thought Samus destroyed that thing.

Javalix: I knew we should have questioned those other beings more.

Arius: We saw no sign of Gorea on the Vesper Defense Outpost, it was all clear when we arrived, found a lot of beings out of place here though.

[echosquadatfacetroid]

Javalix: Alright, Martin is secure, anyone who wants to leave this ghost station, hop on!

*Martin was on a breathing tube, growing fainter by the second*

Wilson: Dark Star isn't too far away, we need to hurry.

*Once everyone had climbed aboard the ship, Arius activated the thrusters and they left the Vesper Defense Outpost*

-

*With a warp drive jump, they were docking inside the Dark Star. Arius and Javalix took Martin to the nearest medical station, the droid there seemed like he had seen Martin before. On the wall, a feed from the Dark Star's arena played, showing the highlights of the Spire match*

CI-38: Ah Void, it has been awhile. Oh, it seems that he has gone back to being Martin again considering his apparel change.

Arius: Don't toy with us, can you help him?

CI-38: Easily, for a price.

Javalix: Blasted freelancers.

*Javalix handed CI-38 the required credits and then the droid turned to Martin, he spoke as he examined him*

CI-38: Please step outside as I perform surgery, this one has a knack to almost die so I would like to not be distracted.

Arius: Very well.

*The two marines stepped outside, Javalix crossed his arms*

Javalix: I don't trust that droid or anyone on this station.

Arius: Well, that droid still wouldn't be here if it didn't help its patients. Someone would have killed it in revenge.

Javalix: Maybe.

-

*Back onboard the dropship, Wilson looked at the foreigners*

Wilson: I'd recommend staying here, the Dark Star's not the safest place in the world. It's your choice to leave but remember the warning.

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Arius turned to Blujay*

Arius: Former commander? Wait, Martin was with all of you?

*Onboard the ship, Wilson looked at Krystal*

Wilson: Exactly my point, your physiology isn't exactly the same as ours. A human doctor would be best. There's a station called the Dark Star not far from here, I'm sure that we could find adequate medical aid there for Martin.

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Javalix looked and saw the shining silver ship with Great Fox embroidered on the tail, its engines had been decimated. Javalix gave a medical kit to Wilson*

Javalix: Go onboard and find the person who's wounded, if they resist. Shoot them if it is absolutely necessary.

*Wilson nodded slowly and walked onboard the Great Fox, he moved past several furry creatures until he found what looked to be the medical bay, he opened the door and saw a feminine fox analyzing Martin. He quickly went to Martin's side and placed medical gel within the wound. Martin's pulse was weak*

Wilson: How long has he been like this? We are going to have to move him to an actual facility...

*Outside Arius and Javalix looked at the strange beings with an unconvinced stare*

Arius: Alright, we can see that you don't have hostile intention but before we decide what to do, how did you all wind up here?

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Arius stared quizzically at the people who spoke*

Arius: A sword absorbed Gorea? I don't recall a weapon like that being invented here, did you bring that sword into our realm? Also who got stabbed and where is the body?

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Echo Squad's ship touched down in one of the hangers of the Vesper Defense Outpost. The marines had grown tired of sitting back at the headquarters, they then picked up upon an automated distress signal that came from the station. Javalix hit the hatch and when he exited the ship, he let out a surprised breath as he saw beings from the other realms*

Javalix: What the hell? What are you doing here? Why was a distress signal activated on this station? One of you better answer, if that Hand screwed with the dimensions again...

*Arius came to his side*

Arius: Easy, I don't think they were he ones who attacked the station considering they aren't native.

*Arius nodded his head towards the flaming remains of a ship. Wilson was busy kneeling and looking at a dried pool of blood, human blood*

Wilson: This looks like it has just dried, it hasn't been here for too long. Was there a human with you?

Arius: Why don't we just let them explain what happened in its entirety.

*Arius turned to look at those who stood in the hanger, expecting an answer from them*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Wilson approached the two commanders*

Wilson: Ok, they chip seems securely planted. Let's leave before anything happens.

Arius: I agree.

*The marines quickly slipped out of the Chairman's office, leaving the chip Mara had given them hidden within the Chairman's personal terminal*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*With their stealth cloaks engaged, the marines entered the Chairman's office and inserted the chip Mara gave them into the terminal*

Wilson: How is this supposed to help us get back on the good side of everyone? I mean first we let the chozo die and now we are stealing from the Chairman?

Javalix: On the bright side, this device could reveal anything shady that the Chairman is up to.

Arius: If he's clean though, we could get a lot of heat for this.

*The marines stood cautiously as they waited for the chip to finish its work*

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Arius nervously shifted*

Arius: So, we just got back from failing to keep the last Chozo alive and now you want us to break into the Chairman's office?

Javalix: Beggars can't be choosers, we asked for a job, this is one.

*Javalix took the chip from Mara*

Javalix: We'll do it.

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*Javalix tilted his head*

Javalix: Superb, we did manage to make it in and out of Tourian alive. Of course we didn't succeed in our mission but that has some merit.

Arius: We'll be able to get in and out of wherever you need us. Our suit's stealth functions are still working as well.

[echosquadatfacetroid]

*The marines of Echo Squad quickly approached Mara when they saw her stop*

Arius: You're all over the place, not that it's surprising.

Javalix: We need something to do, all of this sitting around is killing me.

Wilson: Preferably something useful.