Chapter 1: Prologue
Chapter Text
It has been more or less ten years since House Atreides, its retainers and all their servants fell on Earth( or what they presumed to be Earth) finding out that a small part of mankind, the Resistance, was still at war with the very one Abominable Intelligence who started the Butlerian Jihad.
There had been no respite for the once noble family, who officially renounced their command on the people that came with them so that they could all be taken in by House Tarkov, with Leto becoming the Warlord’ s official second in command and ambassador. Then there was the terrible fight against N.E.X.U.S.’s force, where they saw so many friends, old and new, die to the robots despite all their new Bio equipment. Despite this, they finally managed to obtain some semblance of stability, finally getting used to the harsh life that befitted a Splicer.
Jessica was now in the shower, having returned after a long field mission which let her recover a great amount of biomass that would be transformed into another batch of Bio- equipment for the whole House. At the same time, she and her squad managed to destroy a group of robots sent against a Retro- Village, all without suffering a single casualty.
While the ex Bene Gesserit was busy into rinse, something knocked at the apartment.
<< Alia, could you see who’s at the door?>>, she asked from a distance to her daughter, busy into drawing how she imagined her future Host Armor would look like. Alia rose up and went to open, quite surprised to discover who has come to see them.
<< Mother, it’s Warlord Tarkov.>>, Alia screamed, forcing Jessica to complete her own hygiene as fast as possible, plus wearing a dress with as much haste, before running in the living room to welcome the leader of House Tarkov, Levosk.
If compared to Leto or even Duncan, he didn’t exactly make the figure, appearing as a quite large man whose years were starting to catch up. But he still lead the Great House in several moments of hardness, strengthened its alliance with House Artemis and was a loud proposer of Technojacker rights among other Great Houses, without even counting what he was still capable of doing on the field with his Host armor.
<< Warlord, it’s an honor to have you in my home. What may I do for you?>>, Jessica politely bowed, only to receive a gesture to rise. The Warlord sat comfortably on the near couch and crossed his hands, giving the woman a quite proud smile.
<< Actually, Jessica, I’m here to offer you something important, both a boon and a burden. Over the last decade you’ve been the faithful wife of my second in command, the diligent trainer of this new generation of Splicers, and an amazing combat medic out in the field, capable of both slaying dozens of robots or rescuing men that others would have tought lost. I and Leto thinks It’s time for you to leave aside the tools of an Harvester and embrace the Host armor of a Dreadguard. A Senator, to be more precise.>>
A gulp formed into Jessica’ s throat. For most of her life, she had been a follower at best, skilled into the art of politics after years of training with the Bene Gesserit. Manipulative and skilled at hiding, something she passed as well on her Splicer students, but never really in the spotlight. To actually have a say in the business of House Tarkov….
<< Are you serious, my lord? That would be an incredible honor, but I’m not sure how the Senate would take it. I’m already the wife of your High councilor after all, and I don’t want to be considered the subject of nepotism.>>
<< Jessica, nearly half the Senate either has been saved by you in combat or had someone dear to them being done the same, in a few cases even both- the Warlord countered- The other half isn’t dumb enough to piss off the woman who is teaching Bene Jesserit abilities to our troops, and that’s not counting the influence Leto possess on our Technojackers, as without them we may very well be lost. Believe me, you deserve this honor and no one in his right mind would contest it.>>
Jessica looked for a second at Alia, the ten year old girl showing an expression of utmost pride. She was an hero to her in every way that mattered, and couldn’t disappoint her right now when duty called.
<< Then I’ll do my best to not disappoint you, Warlord. What about my Host Armor?>>, the just promoted Dreadguard asked, now quite anxious to discover what she could actually be able to do within an Host Armor on that level, given what some of her students became capable of once their equipment was customized enough.
<< The Engineers are already waiting for you to get your preferences, but take your time. If there’s an advantage about the time needed to develop Biotechnology is that there isn’t the risk to rush it, also if you recycle your actual Living armor there will be already a good base to start with. I’ ve other matters to attend now, meanwhile I wish both you and Alia a pleasant evening.>>
The old warrior left the little apartment, and the instant they were alone, Alia jumped in Jessica’s lap, showing her mother quite well the strength and agility already developed with her training.
<< Mom, congratulations!>>, the apprentice Splicers said, giving a small kiss on the woman’s cheek.
<< Thanks, sweetheart, once your father, Duncan and Gurney are free we’ll celebrate as we can.>>
<< By the way, I think I’ve decided what kind of Splicer I want to become.>>, Alia then said, terrifying for a moment her mother.
Every Splicer class had his own strengths and weak points, forcing all ranks to work together as to be more than a sum of the mere parts. Yet, some occupations in the Great House were more dangerous than others, one in particular…..
‘ No Archangel, no Archangel, no Archangel….’, Jessica silently prayed, knowing that becoming one of their flying troops was pretty much a glorified death sentence that probably wouldn’t even give her and Leto the chance to bury Alia. Thankfully the young girl had other plans in mind.
<< I’ll be a Gardener and create as many fortress as I can to expand our House.>>, she said in her chirpiest tone, calming a lot Jessica.
<< Gods, thank…. I mean, that’s a beautiful decision, Alia, I’m sure your plant buildings will become a work of art and will save many lives. Now help me prepare the food.>>
*****
Eight years later
Even an artificial intelligence, especially One as sophisticated as N.E.X.U.S. could feel boredom. Eve had passed the last month into the same old routine of searching useful informations for the Resistance, moving her forces to deal with those of other fragments and of course making new simulations of the far future that could be useful to those She cared about.
The AI fragments floated in the middle of cyberspace in the form of a young blonde girl, looking a code sequence After the other in front of her. Sometimes She Just wanted to shut herself down Just to see how ‘sleep’ actually was.
<< Uff, what is this?>>, She said at One point, After noticing several fluctuations of energy. They became always more numerous, and she started to search them until the possible source. Once she found it, she actually discovered what fear was, and in her haste sent a message to her sister Freya. She didn't exactly trust her, given certain control freak tendencies taken to their highest level, but she was the only one who could actually be spoken to without them jumping at each other's throats immediatly.
The other N.E.X.U.S. personality appeared in a second, appearing as a beautiful redhead woman dressed with an office suit, who gave her fellow AI an annoyed look.
<< Eve, why did you call me?>>, the female fragment asked to her sister. Eve pointed to the energy fluxs.
<< Freya, I think I found something very worrying.>>
The digital redhead gave a look as well and soon understood Eve’s fears.
<< A new personality? We’re still recovering from Legion’s damage.>>, Freya groaned, remembering far too well what happened the last time a minor fragment not only grew too much, but actually discovered how to mix metal and Bio- Tech.
<< Worse, I’m afraid- Eve countered- Look at these datas.>>
Freya gave another, more profound, analysis, and her digital avatar completely paled, a few numbers even malfunctioning( like, even more than usual) from sheer terror.
<< I’ll see what I can do- she finally conceded, turning toward her sister- Oh, Eve….>>
<< Yes?>>, the other AI continued, knowing what Freya was about to suggest.
<< Do you know the offer of joining us is always open, right?>>
Eve’s expression turned so cold that even the most callous Bene Gesserit would have fleed fearing for her life upon seeing the enraged AI.
<< I’m sorry, dear sister, but there has never been an ‘ us’ in any shape or form.>>
Sneering at the other AI fragment, Freya disappeared while Eve just sighed and rapidly run into the sea, hoping to alert Jessica in time against the new threat.
*****
The building that stood into the ruins of Cairo city was the biggest robot factory into the African continent. Also one of the lasts, luckily, as Paul Atreides and his team started to destroy as many as they could into the previous year.
The son of Jessica and Leto became a Delyveryman in quite recent times, since he was found after sixteen years of stasis, but had quickly put to work the stealth abilities his Host armor granted him and further modified it to obtain a versatile mix of firepower, protection and sensory enchantement. It wasn’t long before he was put as a leader of his own team, silencing every possible rumor of nepotism, although still far from the promotion to Dreadguard.
<< Very well, from what we have recorded into previous day the factory is still connected to the sewers- he started to explain to the whole group- I should be able to enter with relative ease and put explosives where needed, once a few wall are breached call for the attack.>>
<< Africa almost free, didn’t believe I could see this day before dying.>>, commented Maiar, the Saint of their group, entirely covered in a gecko looking armor, with some more incorporated weapons than what other Saints often used. His permanent inclusion in Paul’s group inflated some of the nepotism rumors, but they were once again silenced as, with the assistance of his leader, Maiar offered extremely valued support on the battlefield, saving no small amount of lives.
The other members of the group were Paul’s sister Alia, an Outrider called Laura with her Grendel, and the Roughneck Ruana, both covered head to toe in their Host Armors.
The former resembled an humanoid arachnid of sort, and was a fervent fan of Jessica, having even been trained by her for a while. The latter was actually an exchange member of another House, and her suit appeared as a bear covered by an exoskeleton. Both girls were incredibly deadly in combat, but Ruana appeared to have some incredible grudge against N.E.X.U.S.
<< I’ll do my best to ensure you do, but expect complications, we’re still talking about Legions After all. Lisa, anything around?>>, the young Atreides asked trough his Bio- Comm, reaching his bio engineered Falcon, that was Flying all above the area.
The Bird sent a series of images and sounds to her Deliveryman, showing a completely empty area. Worrying.
Aniway there was no time to loose, or the Machine’s forces would discover them. So he descended in the sewers for the biggest mission so far of his Splicer Career.
******
Hello to everyone, hoping you're passing nicely this first month of 2024. Despite the quite cold welcome Love, Iron and Blood received I decided to try again aniway with this sequel to show a possible ending to the war beetween humanity and N.E.X.U.S. and a possible happy ending for the Atreides that would also let them tell ' screw destiny'. Not sure how often I'll manage to update, hoping meanwhile you'll enjoy the various fight and the expositions about Bio- Tech( if something is missing, check the first story). See ya soon.
Chapter 2: Infiltration
Chapter Text
After a quite stinky travel across the sewers, Paul finally found the entrance for the robot factory. He activated the mimetic functions of his Host armor and opened the manhole, sneaking into the Building. Apparently the Building was no different from every other factory Paul helped destroy over the last two years: many assembly Lines, lights, drones Building or taking their weapons, and the costant noise of Gear. Yet there seemed to be something more.... Like Bio- Energy filling the whole air, which was impossible as everything there should be alimented by solar energy converted into normal electricity.
' Oh, Just put the explosive charges on the walls and get out, Paul!', the young Atreides berated himself as his Falcon, Lisa, posed on his shoulder. Just like her master, the bio engineered Falcon was as well hidden by a stealth field.
Paul carefully navigated through the factory, placing explosive charges strategically while staying vigilant for any signs of surveillance.
As he placed the fourth organic charge, Lisa opened a third Eye on her forehead, augmented with energy visione to Better Scan the surroundings, before alerting her master via Bio- Comm.
' Paul, there's something really strange going on. The signatures of the robots.... They seem alive, as in full of Bio- energy'
Acknowledging Paul's plan, Alia swiftly relayed the message to their father.
<< Dad, initiate the attack now. Paul needs the chaos to escape. Move in quickly and decisively.>>
As the coordinated plan unfolded, Paul prepared for a strategic escape amid the ensuing mayhem.
As the energy creatures continued to emerge from the destroyed drones, the scope of the infestation became more apparent.
<< Stay on the move, Paul. We're working on the distraction,>> Alia's voice reassured through the bio-comm. The dual challenge of evading both drones and the elusive energy creatures intensified the urgency of his escape.
The Dracos opened his wings and escaped the Battle to take Paul to safety, while Leto engaged the Enemies alongside the troops. The Technojacker made full usage of his combat training and equipment, but most on all the extra sense his nanobots gave Him let the ex Duke realize that those Things actually absorbed Electrical Energy from the very factory they had occupied. Gods knew how much they've used the place. So he started to charge his while body with electricity, using himself as a Living Dynamo.
<< You want Energy? Very well, take mine!>>, he roared, exploding in an huge spirale of lightning that hit most of the creatures, overcharging them to the point of making them Easy prey for the Splicers troops.
Chapter 3: A Legion of one
Chapter Text
In the last two years, despite her fall from grace, Legion kept being a thorn in the side of the Resistance. The main goal of the mad AI fragment was still creating a body that would perfectly mix Bio- tech and metal technology, First for herself and then for all of Humanity.
To obtain all the Bio- Tech Needed, She mostly went against the members of weaker Houses, usually when they returned already tired from a Mission, and took everything they had After Killing them. It was far from the perfect Plan, as many still managed to escape and contacted stronger House, Atreides in particular, Who sent teams composed by elite Dreadguards to track her down and hopefully Killing them for good.
Sometimes Jessica herself led the team, when She could relegate her duties as Warlady to Leto. No Wonder, given It was the Ex Bene Gesserit Who destroyed Legion’s First physical Vessel and almost all of her robotic forces or experiments, making this both a personal matter and her specialty, in a way.
Still, Legion managed to escape each squad albeit with difficulties, and After years of failed' experiments finally found a proper solution to reach her objective: infusing Nanomachines, the kind present in Technojackers to be more precise, within a body created with Bio- Tech. Again, a challenge on his own, but She was managing, making the last adjustements to what seemed to be ironically a perfect( and naked) replica of Jessica, tended to by Legion’s tentacles.
The AI’s actual body was terrifying, and repugnant to the point even the Most sadistic Librarians would have vomited into seeing It. Even Legion preferred to look at her own form as Little as possible, but this soon to be obsolete body was still doing her duty without problems.
<< C’mon, little ones, work for mama.>>, Legion said as she put a syring into the neck of her hopefully new body, filling it with nanobots. The twisted clone of Jessica clenched her fingers, trembling as each little machine slowly filled all her muscles, veins and most on all the nerves. Above her, the mad AI gave a look to some monitor who were showing the body’s parameters. All working, apparently.
<< Excellent. Either this work or I die here. I think it will be worth it aniway.>>, she commented, starting the last preparations to put her consciousness in her last creaction. Turning around trough, she didn’t notice some crackles of energy starting to fill the room, too taken by her own success.
When she watched again at her new body, it had arisen and was moving his own limbs, clearly testing their limits and inner Bio- systems.
<< Mhh, what a biological masterpiece- the thing said in a perfect replica of Jessica’s voice- Quite surprised you managed to do this mostly with what Bio- Tech you could scavenge, Legion.>>
Legion groaned internally as she armed all her tentacles in case of attack, but first she wanted to understood what went wrong. She ensured the body wouldn’t develop any consciousness before her own would be installed into it, so what happened.
<< What are you?>>, she asked, preparing a missile launcher in her stomach, as the thing that took control of her project started to explain with a sardonic voice.
<< Most other races call us Bugs, we travel the Megaverse in search of energy to eat or machines to possess. And your world possess quite the fair share of both….. without trough annoying psionics or mage to slow us down. Only sweet robots and this impressive genetical engineering, we’ll make good usage of both.>>, she said, already taking out many of her incorporated weapons, mechanical and biological alike.
<< Look, I didn’t survive my sisters and Jessica’s attempts at killing me without being cautious. I’ve figured out much time ago that, before I could download my consciousness into it, this body could develop its own consciousness and…. disagree with my plan. I’ll have to start again, sadly, but no matter. I’ve patience.>>
The biomechanical abomination shoot the already prepared missile, dodged without many problems by what should have been her body. The humanoid creature revealed two Bio energy vent in her palms and started to shoot as well without rest, rapidly wounding its creator.
Luckily for her, Legion was far too resilient to go down easily and kept counteracting with a serrated onslaught of melee attacks trough her tentacles. When she finally grabbed the Bug, she tried to blast it with a jet of fire, but once again her creation proved to be far superior and easily freed from the tentacles to counterattack.
The duel went for long, balance shifting from a side to the other until an huge explosion devastated the ground above the lab, and the clone jumped on solid earth before sniffing the air in satisfaction. She ran at incredible speed toward the horizon in search of her brethren, and after a while Lilith emerged from the ground as well, heavily wounded but still alive.
<< Fuck, This wasn’t really in my plans and I don’t even have the resources to make a copy. I think it’s time to search that guy from House Shiva.>>
******
As soon as Leto and their children returned to the main base of House Atreides, Jessica called for a reunion of the senate. Each Dreadguards and many more of the higher officers banded in an enormous room similar to an Hive, filled with pillars and holes. Jessica herself stood at the center, covered in her mantis like Host Armor, flying alongside Leto( who used a Jetpack trough) with her bio luminescence at full power to be seen by everyone.
<< Warlady, what is going on?>>, one of the senators asked, much worried for the members of his family scattered in some of the attacked bases. Many other questions followed, but a flash of light by Jessica’s wings silenced everyone.
<< Calm, everyone, please. I’ve recently received informations about these attacks or intrusion from many of our outposts and allies. Luckily Eve sent me as well an actual explanation of what’s in front of us, a race of energy parasites from the wider Megaverse, where they’re mostly known as Bugs.>>
<< How could they have arrived till here? Magic is next to non existent in this dimension, at least as far as we know.>>, asked Paul himself, sitten alongside his companions in a cavity. To be honest, he was still struggling many of the things Eve told him over the last two years about the Megaverse( including the existence of actual gods), but this was the last proof that every information the AI gave was true.
<< That seems to be true on this planet, but not omnipresent in the rest of the universe. Perhaps a portal opened on other planets and they managed to arrive here with some spaceship as my family did. If they also reached the Imperium we come from, I don’t envy Emperor Corino at all. I’m gonna replay the registration Eve sent here and to other Houses.>>, Leto said, taking an holographic projector from his pocket.
The Senators and Dreadguards watched the registration with utmost silence, knowing that Eve’s advices weren’t to be taken lightly. Yet when she suggested an alliance with Freya, they couldn’t stop from roar in fury.
< ALLYING WITH FREYA, DID YOU BECOME MAD?!>>, one of the younger Senators screamed at the top of his lung, activating the bioluminescence of his Host Armor and inciting other Splicers to do the same.
Luckily Leto was Leto. The High Councilor summoned his electric aura at full power, stopping the commotions.
<< Sir, please- the man said with a calm tone, that trough welcomed no replies- None of us like much working with one of our enemies, but with the possible exception of Gaia and Lilith, who is absolutely unpredictable, Freya is the N.E.X.U.S. fragment more willing to help us as long as we stay out of her Ghost Towns. Ghost Towns that in this situations are huge sitting ducks, both the perfect bait for the Bugs and an enormous source of power should they manage to invade one.>>
<< For now we’ll look together for the most evolved Bugs, for they’ re the ones who maintain the connection with this reality. If they’ re destroyed alongside all Bugs adept at reproduction, we may have a chance to end this without further tragedy.>>, Jessica said with simple calm, manipulating her bio luminescence in a more faint way, that sent although a clear message.
<< I apologize for the outburst, lady Atreides.>>, the first senator who spoke said with sincere humility, kneeling in front of the Warlady. She gave him a gesture to rise up.
<< Not worry, in your place I would have done the same. I’m also sending message to House Pandorum and House Shiva, but I make this clear in regard to the latter- the woman said, silencing further complains with another sign- we already gave them enough possibilities and warning to change their ways… if even in the face of this danger they decide to stand against us, then they will be on their own and I can only hope they destroy as many Bugs as possible for us before going down for good.>>
Senators and officers alike muttered in agreement with their Warlady. House Shiva had been for years a thorn in the side of their fellow humans, judging everyone responsible for the rise of N.E.XU.S. No one would shed a tear if they finally met their demise against the Bugs.
Sure, Pandorum had as well its fair share of problem, making maybe more human experiments than all other Houses combined, but at least their heart was in the right place. They truly wished to improve humanity as a whole and more than once came to the rescue of other Splicers.
The discussion continued for another half an hour, making several strategies and suggestion about how deal with the new threat or even taking advantage of a weakened N.E.X.U.S. Then Jessica called it off and returned alongside her husband and Paul to their apartement.
<< I really hope we’re not making a mistake, my love.>>, Leto could only said, keeping one of Jessica’s hand, still covered by the armor. The woman just lowered her mantis looking helmet.
<< So do I.>>
******
While most all other Houses were worried about the appearance of the Bugs, House Shiva had been nothing short of joyful at the news, certain they could make the energy parasites into their new allies or at least directing them against other Houses.
Samsara had received the informations shared by House Atreides, and was now giving a passionate speech to his people. The last years hadn’t been kind on the proud Pariah, even with his Host Armor on, one could see the doubts penetrating his mind and the constant stress from all the fighting, against both the Machine and other Splicers.
Yet he was still the same charismatic leaders that had guided his House for years, following the words of the Enlightened Librarian and directing his soldiers even against impossible odds. And was than ready to fight to the bitter end for the vision of his master if that was his destiny.
<< Brothers, companions in our rightful crusade, finally the punishment for the wickedness of humans and machines alike has come. We have gained new allies, wherever they already know it or not. Once we convince the Bugs to join our forces, it will only be a matter of time before the Earth can be purified for good, and we may start anew.>>, the Warlord proudly claimed, being hailed by the entire crowd with a giant roar( literal in the cases of the War Mounts).
Behind him his lover and trusted assassin Utana watched with pride, her bio engineered snake coiled around her neck. At her side was Xun Purusha, arguably the second best Pariah after Samsara himself, a living nightmare for any rival Splicer or Technojacker and the most probable successor to the Warlord, should have he fell in battle.
Hidden to everyone he knew, the horned Pariah also hated absolutely everything about House Shiva, including Samsara, who tought of the man as a brother in all but blood. Purusha often snickered at the cruel irony of that definition and the real nature of their bond, and was just waiting for the moment he could kill the man and get away with it, only to lead later all of Shiva into ruin.
Again, he laughed at the cruel irony that, in many ways, he himself was the natural extreme of the Enlightened’ s ideology, already extremist as they were.
‘ Always the optimist and fanatic fool, Samsara. This new situation may be annoying, but it will finally give me the occasion to get rid of you.’, the warrior thought, crossing his arms above the chest of his Host Armor while Samsara Kept speaking. His thoughts were interrupted by some disturbance in his Bio- Comms.
<< Purusha, are you listening?>>, asked Legion’s voice, greatly annoying Pushura.
He and the mad AI formed an uneasy alliance some months ago, when the Pariah helped her escape one of the teams sent against her. In exchange he wanted to benefit from her experiments( which he gave some material for, when possible), once completed, and lead her armies should they rise again.
<< Legion, are you insane? More than usual, I mean. I’ m in the middle of the base, someone could intercept the communication.>>, he said sternly, maintaining his composure in front of the crowd.
<< Oh, you’re gonna betray them aniway or, if things go according to plan, become their leader. Listen, one of the Bugs managed to possess the new, perfect body I was making for myself. That thing is strong enough to slaughter Dreadguards by the dozen, I will need a lot of support to retrieve it…. or what will remain of it at least. May you send to House Atreides its location and abilities? Luckily it still has an incorporated radar and I’m tracking it.>>
Pushura had to repress a little snort. He had high hopes for Legion’s new body, since if it came out as expected and another could be made, he would finally have the power needed to crush Samsara and any other Great House.
Atreides included, of course.
<< Not a problem, I’ll just give the information to one of their spies and ensure they send against the stolen body all the firepower they have.>>
<< Excellent. Let’ s keep each other informed, Purusha, things are gonna get really interesting and I’ve no intention to miss the aftermath.>>
<< You have no idea how much, my dear.>>, Pushura concluded, hiding a smirk behind his horned helmet.
*******
Hello to everyone, hoping you liked this introduction of sort about the non Bugs villains. Legion already made an apparition in the previous story and altrough she's quite weakened here, she's not to be underestimated. Pushura was mentioned as well by Leto in one occasion, as a Pariah that utterly terrified him, and he's gonna be one of the Atreides' biggest rival( and probably the ruin for his House). You're gonna see later why he loathes Samsara and Shiva as a whole.
See you soon, and please, leave at least a little comment.
Chapter 4: Attack to Steel Mountain- part 1
Summary:
Sorry for return after so long, it had been a busy period. If you want to see more sooner, please, comment. It's a weird period and I need encouragement
Chapter Text
Bugs seemed to have appear everywhere and in always greater numbers, but luckily while they could easily bypass the defences of robots, they still didn’t have ways to directly assault a Great House, so most of the Resistance’s base were still safe. Letting the various Splicers or Technojackers modifying their own equipment as to better combat the new threat.
Thufir Hawat in particular was keep developing what he believed to be the future of Biotechnology: an organic 3D Printers, capable of crafting Living Armor and weapons much faster than Engineers did, albeit with a decrease in Mega Damage capability and offensive power( to compensate, they were also much easier to customize).
<< So, Paul, is the suit to your liking?>>, Thufir asked after having the boy wear one of his latest creations. It was a scorpion like Living Armor, relative simple in design, but with a good variety of hidden weapons, that the young Deliveryman already tried on training War Mounts, with more than satisfactory results. While not as strong as the more ‘ traditionally’ engineered pieces of equipment, it had been created far faster and with way less resources.
Paul had already finished a sparring with other soldiers, one even in Host Armor, easily dodging most of their strikes and answering them all, although this new model still proved to be relatively fragile compared to those usually made by Engineers. Luckily a powerful healing factor was already included and just started to regrow while also healing Paul’ s wounds.
<< Perfect, it will let us equip many more soldiers, should the need arise. When will Lisa be ready?>>, he asked while looking at a gestation pod where his trusted falcon rested. He had grown very attached to the beautiful War Mount, which soon became his greatest confidant after his family. Something he had sorely missed on his home planet.
<< By tomorrow morning, I hope. I’ve never been so filled with so much work in only one run, but I couldn’t have tought of a better situation to actually test the Printer.>>
Paul knew how much this meant to the old Mentat. When he was transformed into a Librarian, Thufir swore he would regain his human form and passed the following decade and half analizying as much he could his own body. Other Librarians, completely maddened by their own transformation, took it as a sign of vanity, but it was actually a way to gain a full comprehension of BioTechnology.
After years of hard work, he finally assumed again his human form, although most of it was still hidden under a quite heavy mantle, a few tentacles barging from its holes around his hands and the head. Still an extreme improvement aniway over a Librarian’s usual appereance, and he hoped one day his colleagues would try to embrace that transformation both for their sanity and for progress.
<< I’ll give you as much datas as I can. Also any news on the Bugs’ DNA?>>, the young Atreides then asked, hoping to finally find something about these new enemies.
<< Putting it mildly, their biology is simply…. fashinating. Limited in certain ways, but capable of adapting in many ways, especially when it comes to their abilities to absorb or transform into energy, through this probably makes them vulnerable to EMP waves. If I manage to analyze it further, I think we could have a way to leave the planet without having to wait for ‘ traditional’ spaceship.>>
Both men shared an understanding nod at the mention of Space travel. Even Paul knew he wouldn't probably see the day he would reconnect Earth to the rest of the Imperium, and a part of him was glad for it. But he really hoped that next generations would use wisely that knowledge and the power of Bio- Technology, especially once the Megaverse came knocking on their doors in full force.
<< We’ll work on it later, although is definitely something too keep in mind. What about our ways to kill them that don’t rely on EMP?>>, Paul continued, as that form of attack was, as of, only available to Technojackers. Tufir sighed and with one of his tentacles took a near hologram projector in plastic, showing several videos taken over the last few weeks all around the area from their allies. Or given to Eve by her contacts within the various dimensions of the Megaverse.
<< Well, first and foremost, if they are possessing a robot or vehicle, you have to destroy it. Then it’s just a matter of hitting as fast and hard as you can, but if they enter they energy form, only a few kind of attacks work. Luckily most Bugs can only use that form for a short while, but the next stages of their evolution don’t suffer the problem.>>
Paul looked with attention at the various types of Bugs and their fights as they fused with vehicles of robots before engaging all kinds of Splicers. While, one to one, a Splicer would be an advantage against most Bugs, even being capable to take several at once, there was still no idea of what the most high ranking specimen were capable of, especially should they take control of something very powerful.
A part of him shuddered at the possibility of Legion’s biomechanical abomination laying around being found by them. The result would have been nothing short of devastating.
<< Another reason to solve this quickly. Maybe baiting enough of them in one of Freya’ s cities, even if supposedly she’ s our ally. But that leaves the problem of them possessing all the robots within the settlements.>>
<< We’ ll have to wait also for news from the other Technojackers’ outposts. If they confirm my theories about EMP waves being effective, we may be capable to ending soon this conflict.>>
<< Paul, may I enter?>>, a voice asked, which the brown haired Atreides recognized as Ruana.
<< What it is, Ruana?>>, he asked before the Roughneck entered the room. Without her bear looking Host armor she looked like a tanned thirty year old, give or take, woman with short honey colored hair. She had quite soft feature, but very hardened green yes, the proof of her decade long career as a Splicer. She gave a respecteful nod toward Thufir and rapidly explained.
<< New Orders. We are to join a conjoined attack alongside the forces of House Tarkov and Pandorum. The objective is a Gaia reserve that has been invaded by Bugs.>>
The information quite unnerved Paul, that put at work is near Mentat level brain. Since Bugs lived off ( or doped themselves on) energy of all kinds, they would have normally no actual interest into the animals in Gaia’ s territory. Either they wanted to cut off the Splicers from their main sources of new alien DNA, or it was all a bait to distract them for something much more important.
Both scenarios were quite troubling, since they still needed DNA strands for each experiment( or just to create their food) and that the Bugs’ actual objective was probably something extremely worrying. Those invaders already proved to be far more than mere parasites looking for food, after all.
<< Who will be in command?>>
<< It will be shared between Gurney and two Dreadguards from each of the other House, all of them veteran. So we won’t have to worry about stupid decisions….. trough I really hope that this ends up soon so I can return to scrap robots.>>
Paul let out a little sigh under his helmet. In his two years as a Splicers, he ended up joining his colleagues in their infinite hatred for the Machine, finally understanding why even the Imperium still outlawed AIS. But Ruana’ s sheer fury against each droid seemed to surpass even the most battle hardened or crazy Biotic, often smashing droids or covering them with her Armor’ s gastric juices( arguably one of the weirdest things the Librarians learned how to weaponize, although they were extremely effective) until there was no chance something could be savaged out of them.
As far he understood from some conversation, she lost someone very important to her before becoming a Splicer( which happened relative late in her life, her first House was actually hidden in a small village and didn’t have many resources), but never revealed their relationship. And something told him it wasn’t actually romantic.
<< In the very best case scenario, Ruana, after this we may not have to scrap robots anymore.>>, he just said, taking off his Living armor and following his teammates, hoping that this unexpected phase of the war wouldn’t spell the final doom of mankind.
*****
In his seventeen years on Earth, Leto became one of the strongest and most respected Technojackers on the entire planet, if not the most respected, point. So he was the most logical ambassador to Steel Mountain, the greatest Technojackers outpost on Earth and the main producer of traditional technology for the Resistance, surpassing even House Tarkov.
The place was a far calling from the Resistance Hives he was now used to( kind of, the organic structures still could give him some goosebumps, after years of living into one) and also from the Imperium' s luxurious palaces, but he still found a weird kind of comfort in that simplicity. Steel Mountain was nothing short of a miracle after all, the only place on the planet that wasn't affected by the NanoPlague and that attracted Technojackers everywhere to form their own front against the Machine. Kinda similar to the Fremen in certain ways.
The Ex Duke was actually talking with some of the main engineers regarding an old project of them, already in development before he even crashed on the planet.
<< At what point the EMP Cannon is?>>, the second in command of House Atreides asked, hoping for some decent new, but the scientists had to partially disappoint him.
<< To work, it works. The problem is to make it mobile yet effective, making it smaller would greatly reduce its capabilities. The only solution may be to have a War Mounts transport it, which takes all its fair share of problems.>>
Leto nodded in agreement, as most War Mounts didn't have a great bond with technology. He himself took years to actually tame a Stalker, a sort of genetically enchanted leopard to act as his own steed.
<< If I may I suggest, we may try to steal N.E.X.U.S.' s veichles and adapt them to the weapon . Otherwise We’ ve stolen the prints years ago from Shiva’ s bio engineered elephants and already have specimens ready, they may be strong enough to transport the weapon.>>
As the conversation continued, something cathed up Leto’ s eye, some disturbance in the electromagnetic spectrum he was able to see. He rapidly put himself in front of the engineers and charged his Electrical Aura to the maximum, tanking a volley of energy blasts that preceded the appearance of several Bugs of different ranks.
The ex- Duke snorted and started shooting lightning to keep them at bay, while noises of combat started coming from the entire base, as more soldiers hurried and engaged in combat. Duncan was between them.
<< WE’ RE UNDER ATTACK!>>, he shouted, covering himself in organic metal and attacking a Bug twice as big as him with a punch before impaling it with his sword. Leto rapidly joined the men, taking control of the situation.
<< Faster than we tought, High Councilor, they’ ve already reached this outpost. What do you propose?>>, another of the officers asked, as the group moved to search other enemies or their own allies.
<< Just fight, if we lost Steel Mountain, the whole war effort will be in jeopardy!>>, Leto answered, charging an Emp wave within his hands and blasting it again, hoping to see the light of the next day.
Chapter 5: Assault to Steel Mountains: Part 2
Summary:
Sorry for being so late, it has been a few busy months and the lack of comments didn't exactly push me into returning on this. Hoping the developments will be of your liking, again the story won't probably be too long. Please, leave a comment, mention me on Tv Tropes or join my new discord server.
https://discord.gg/3TXGSZtF
Chapter Text
Duncan' s vibro sword kept slashing between a Bug and another, no matter what evolution they reached, and his incorporated weapon system took care of anything trying to attack him in the back. Until suddenly his blade was blocken by a bare human hand. The swordmaster looked at his side, shuddering seeing that the one who catched his weapon was pretty much identical to Jessica( Leto's wife), only completely naked and her eyes absolutely void of whatever positive qualities the Warlady possessed: no love, no warmth, no compassion..... only the cold calculation and greed that charaterized once the Bene Gesserit( not that Jessica herself was a saint, but years helping her fellow men and leading an House both softened and hardened her at the same time)
<< What the....?>>, Duncan could only mutter as from the woman' s shoulder appeared a missile launcher, shooting at him right in the chest. He was sent back, but luckily his armor assorbed most of the blow.
<< Is this everything the union of Steel Mountain and the Great House Atreides have to offer together?>>, the woman mocked, walking toward Duncan and Leto, killing everyone who tried to stop her with a mix of biological weapons and steel whips born from her wrists.
<< What are you, monster?>>, Leto asked, enraged into seeing that mockery of his wife.
<< Is this how you address me, honey? Aniway you can call me Queen, I' ve borrowed this body from Legion. The poor fool believed to have finally found the right mix of flesh and technology.... she was right, but I was faster into snatching it from her. The perfect bodysuit for us Bugs.>>
Leto's eyes blazed with fury. <<You dare insult my wife with this pale imitation?>>
Queen shrugged, her smile never wavering. << Far from it. As they say, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and for all the hatred Legion feels for Jessica, she also greatly admires her.>>
She extended her hand, and a whip of razor-sharp steel uncoiled from her wrist, slicing through the air towards Leto.
Leto dodged the whip, his electrical aura flaring to life. <<Duncan, regroup with the others! We need to hold the line here!>>
Duncan, recovering from the blast, nodded grimly and rejoined the fight. The Technojackers, seeing their leader in peril, rallied around Leto, forming a protective circle. They unleashed a barrage of energy blasts and EMP waves, trying to overwhelm the Queen.
The battle intensified as Leto and the Technojackers fought to keep the Bugs and the Queen at bay, pushing them back step by step. The hangars, housing their precious mechas and vehicles, were tantalizingly close yet still under threat.
<<Focus your fire! Don't let her through!>> Leto commanded, his voice a beacon of resolve.
Despite the overwhelming odds, the Technojackers' combined strength and determination started to turn the tide. The Queen, though powerful, could not withstand the relentless assault. For every inch she gained, the Technojackers pushed her back two.
Leto, at the forefront, charged an EMP wave within his hands and blasted it at the Queen, hoping to disrupt her biological and technological systems. The wave hit her squarely, causing her to stagger.
<<Now! Push them back!>> Leto shouted.
The Technojackers surged forward with renewed energy, driving the Bugs and their Queen back, away from the hangars.
The Bug Hybrid tried to attack Leto again with a mix of energy blasts and organic missiles, almost turning his armor to shreds. Just then, aerial reinforcements arrived, hitting the area with a series of well-aimed lasers. Queen screamed in pain as bullets filled her toned figure, and Duncan took advantage of the distraction to cut off her arm, saving his Duke in the process.
He tried to finish the job for good, but with her remaining hand, the bio-engineered woman punched him, sending him flying almost sixty meters away before turning toward Leto.
<<The war is barely started; don't think you've already won.>>, she snarled before transforming into pure energy alongside her cronies and disappearing.
Leto, breathing heavily, surveyed the battlefield. The immediate threat had passed, but the damage was significant, and the message was clear: this was only the beginning. He helped Duncan to his feet, the swordmaster's armor bearing the scars of the intense combat.
<<Are you alright, Duncan?>> Leto asked, concern etched in his voice.
Duncan nodded, though he winced slightly. <<I'll manage, my Duke.>>
The Technojackers began to regroup, tending to the wounded and securing the area. Leto addressed his forces, his voice steady and strong despite the recent ordeal.
<<Listen up, everyone. This attack was a stark reminder of the threat we face. We held the line today, but we must remain vigilant. Reinforce our defenses around the hangars and ensure all mechs and vehicles are ready for deployment at a moment's notice.>>
He looked around, meeting the eyes of his comrades. <<We will not let their sacrifices be in vain. Steel Mountain stands, and so does our resolve.>>
As the Technojackers moved to fortify their positions, Leto couldn't shake the image of the Queen from his mind. She was a perverse reflection of someone he held dear, a cruel reminder of the enemy's capability. But he knew one thing for certain: they would not break him or his people. The fight was far from over, and with allies like Duncan and the rest of the Technojackers, Leto was determined to see victory for the Resistance.
Leto and Duncan exchanged a determined glance, silently reaffirming their commitment to the cause. The battle had just begun, and they would be ready for whatever came next.
****************
Gaia’s reserves were one of the very few places on Earth that could be considered ALMOST free from the constant battle between men and robots. The Great Houses may have almost considered never venturing into a reserve, if not for the fact that Gaia’ s natural specimens were needed to constantly improve Bio- Technology with new DNA strands.
The members of the expeditions, hidden everywhere in the area, really saw no point about why the Bugs would invade the place, outside of cutting them off from said source of materials( made sense, given the whole area was scattered with animal corpses and droid remains). Or maybe they just wanted to piss off Gaia with a grand reunion of at least two thousand Bugs, all of them constantly from their physical to energy forms.
<< What are they doing?>>, Paul asked to Lisa, who flied watching from high above, her enchanted eyes taking notice of every single enemy.
<< It seems a sort of…. conference?>>, the bio engineered Falcon answered, pointing her electromagnetic vision onto the tier 3 Bug that was speaking in front of her monstruous brethen, her bioelectricity a star into the night.
<< Brother and sisters, a world like no other has appeared before us. A world with no magic, no psionics and no annoying D- Bees. Yet it possess all the energy we may wish for and some more. If we conquer it, we’ ll finally be the force we were always meant to be in the Megaverse!>>, the monstruous alien roared in triumph, being immediatly echoed by all other Bugs in a cacophony that almost deafened the Splicers and Technojackers present. Paul decided he had heard enough, it was time to give those addicted parasites a taste of their own medicine.
<< Maiar, stay in the sideline. Comes to the front only if we need to heal an Host Armor or War Mount.>>, he said to his group' s Saint, that nodded in agreement.
<< Got it.>>
<< Lisa, you will fight as well from a Distance, thin them out. Alia, help the mid range troops. Ruana, Laura, with me.>>, he concluded before jumping onto Laura' s Grendel.
The monstrous War Mount sneered, ready for bloodsheed, and with a last message via Bio- Comm, the artillery( both Bio- engineered and traditional) shoot up everything they had onto the giant conglomerate of Bugs, with the intention of destroying as many of them before engaging in close range.
The whole area was lit up as day in a mix of plasma rays, fire explosions and more. A few of the low ranked Bugs got destroyed at the first contact with enemy fire, but the actual leaders actually planned on a similar outcome and rapidly reorganized their forces for the counterattack.
As the battle flared to life, onto a tree, another Splicer whose armor resembled a snake looked in satisfaction at the spectacle. Many other soldiers, most in Pariahs or Roughneck armors, appeared around her while a black cobra curled upon her wrist.
<< Prepare yourself for combat- Utana, the greatest killer of House Shiva, said in barely contained delight- this night the Atreides brats won't escape their destiny.>>
Chapter 6: Shiva and Pandorum
Summary:
We finish the battle that started in previous chapter, while Jessica meets a friend of her, that reminds her of the Bene Gesserit practices.
Notes:
House Pandorum is described as quite morally ambiguos in its description( you can find it on Rifter 60, the official magazine of Palladium books), after all we' re talking about a group that makes genetical enginnering on a level considered excessive even by other Houses. Here, again, they can be quite ruthless, but as in canon the leaders are quite compassionate and in general the heart of the House is in the right place, being tired in particular of Blood Feuds between other Resistance cells.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Ruana impaled another Bug on her claws before unleashing a stream of plasma from her bear-like helmet, fueled by the fury she immersed herself in during each battle. A Tier 2 Bug, similar to an enormous beetle, jumped against her, initiating a wrestling match with both sides being almost equal in strength. The two powerhouses struggled for almost a minute, breaking the ground under their feet until Ruana managed to grab the opponent into the air and launch it against the trees, finishing the attack with another stream of plasma that also set the leaves ablaze… revealing at the same time the Shiva troops, forced to jump from their hideout to avoid the attack.
<<Oh, no.... Paul, we’re not alone!>> the Roughneck informed her leader via Bio-Comm. Distracted by the communication, Paul looked in Ruana’s direction, seeing a good number of Pariah and Naga Dancers coming toward them.
Clearly, they didn’t come here for an alliance.
<<Fuck.... can't they see for once that we have a common enemy?>> Paul muttered, clenching his fists. The presence of the Shiva troops complicated an already intense battle. He quickly switched channels on his Bio-Comm.
<<All units, we’ve got Shiva troops incoming. Prepare for a two-front battle. Keep pushing the Bugs back, but watch your flanks!>>
The Technojackers and Splicers adjusted their formation, readying themselves for the new threat. Lisa, from her aerial vantage point, spotted the incoming Shiva forces and relayed their positions to the ground troops.
<<We need to thin their ranks!>> she called out via Bio- Comm, her keen eyes tracking the movements of the Pariah and Naga Dancers. She unleashed a barrage of precision strikes, her plasma breath slowing enough the uncoming horde to let her allies reorganize. Alia, directing the mid-range troops, ordered them to split their focus between the Bugs and the new enemy. Organic missiles, flying spikes and energy blasts lit up the night as the battle expanded in scope and intensity.
Paul, atop Laura’s Grendel, turned his attention to the advancing Shiva troops. <<Ruana, hold the line against the Bugs. Laura and I will handle the newcomers.>>
Ruana nodded, her bear-like helmet already locked onto another Bug. <<Understood. Give 'em hell, Paul.>>
With a roar, Laura’s Grendel charged toward the Shiva troops, the Outrider and Paul’s weapons blazing. The first Pariah he encountered fell to a swift combination of plasma and claw strikes, but the Naga Dancers proved to be more agile and elusive. It was pretty much like fighting a Bene Gesserit with slightly less skill than the real deal, but far more resiliance and a bigger arsenal( including a venomous bite lethal for everyone who didn't wear Mega- Damage protection and even then it may not have been enough)
Utana, watching the battlefield from her position, smiled coldly. <<So, the Atreides think they can handle us and the Bugs? Let’s show them the error of their ways.>>
She signaled her troops to press the attack. The Pariah and Naga Dancers moved with deadly precision, engaging the Technojackers and Splicers with a ferocity that matched the Bugs.
Paul found himself in a heated duel with a Naga Dancer, their bio-whips clashing with his plasma sword. He parried and struck, his movements swift and lethal, but the Naga Dancer was relentless.
<<Maiar, we’re going to need those healing abilities sooner rather than later,>> he called over the Bio-Comm.
Maiar, staying on the sidelines as ordered, nodded. <<On my way, Paul. Hang in there.>>
As Maiar moved to support the frontline, protected by the stealth function of his armor, the battle reached a fever pitch. The Technojackers and Splicers fought valiantly, their determination unwavering even in the face of overwhelming odds. They were surrounded, but they had faced worse and survived. With Paul and his allies leading the charge, they would not yield Gaia’s reserves to the invaders, be they Bugs or Shiva troops.
Paul’s eyes burned with resolve as he parried another strike from the Naga Dancer. <<We fight for the Resistance and for our future! A future when we can live in harmony and with dignity..... not a dog eats dog world or a decadent mausoleum like the Imperium>> he shouted, rallying his forces as The battlefield became a cacophony of energy blasts, plasma streams, and the roars of combatants as Bugs and Splicers died all around the two opponents.
Utena sent her snakes against Paul, the foul creatures unleashing streams of bio-energy blasts, spikes, and acid. Paul had to leap from the Grendel to avoid being hit. The War Mount roared in pain but was otherwise unharmed and responded with a volley of lasers while Laura supported her leader with her own firepower.
<<Utena, for gods' sake, is your House unable to see the greater good? These things are an enemy to all humanity, just like the droids are!>> , the Outrider shouted, his voice filled with frustration and urgency.
Utena laughed, her voice dripping with disdain. <<The greater good will be a chance for humanity to restart anew, free from the mistakes of the past. And these things will help us accelerate the process!>> She launched herself at Paul, engaging him in a brutal hand-to-hand duel.
Paul parried her initial strikes, his Bio- energy sword clashing against her bio-engineered claws. Despite his skill, Utena’s genetically enhanced agility and strength made her a formidable opponent. She moved with a lethal grace, each strike precise and powerful, reminiscent of her cobra companions.
<<You’re deluded!>> Paul grunted, blocking a series of rapid blows. <<These creatures will destroy us all!>>
<<No, Paul,>> Utena hissed, her eyes gleaming with a cold, fanatical light. <<They will cleanse this world of weakness. Only the strong will survive and rebuild!>>
Their fight was a violent dance, each combatant pushing the other to their limits. Paul’s plasma sword flashed in the dark, while Utena’s claws and bio-whips lashed out with deadly precision.
Meanwhile, the battle raged on around them. Ruana, with a roar, cleaved through another Bug, her plasma stream setting the surrounding trees ablaze and forcing more Shiva troops out of hiding. Lisa, still airborne, provided crucial support, picking off key targets among both the Bugs and Shiva soldiers with unerring accuracy.
<<Paul, we need to regroup!>> Lisa called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. <<We can’t hold them off forever!>>
Paul gritted his teeth, narrowly avoiding a strike from Utena. <<Maiar, get ready to heal the wounded! Alia, form a defensive perimeter! We’re pulling back to the hangars!>>
As the Technojackers and Splicers began to fall back, maintaining a tight defensive formation, Utena pressed her attack, unwilling to let Paul escape. She landed a powerful kick to his chest, sending him sprawling.
<<Your resistance is futile, Paul. This is the end for you and your misguided followers,>> she sneered, advancing on him.
Paul struggled to his feet, his eyes blazing with defiance. <<We’ll see about that.>>
Just then, the Grendel, recovering from the earlier attack, charged at Utena, its massive form barreling into her and forcing her back. Paul seized the moment, leaping onto the War Mount’s back.
<<This isn’t over, Utena. We’ll fight for humanity’s true future, not your twisted vision!>> he shouted, as the Grendel turned and began to retreat with the rest of their forces. The Bugs as well retreated, transforming into energy streams to escape into the sky or trough whatever flying drone they could possess.
Utena watched them go, her expression a mixture of anger and determination.
<<Run all you like, Paul. You can’t escape destiny.>>, she claimed, still waiting for the not distant day where she would bring both Atreides siblings to the Enlightened so that he could give all of them their knowledge and their magnificient genes.
*********
*********
Much further from Pandorum, near one of Shiva' s smaller bases, Xun Purusha( the second in command of the House, also pretending to be Samsara' s best friend), clad in his Horned Pariah Class armor, jumped in a near canyon, landing without any arm.
The warrior activated the electromagnetic vision of his Host armor and immadietly saw an humanoid robot with four arms, slightly taller than himself and heavily armed: the original cybernetic body of Legion, that she returned into after losing her latest experiment.
<< Do we have what we bargained for, my dear?>>, the Pariah asked, a few blue embers escaping the Host Armor's mouth as she approacched the AI fragment. All around the droid, several other machines, a few of which mixed metal and biologically based technology alike, emerged with their weapons ready.
<< All those that you wished for- Legion said with an almost victorious tone- over the last few years I managed to create and secure a few squads of my droids and war machines in several regions. This one is at your full disposal. Sure trough it will be enough to get rid of Samsara? It wouldn't be the first time your Warlord manages to survive impossible odds.>>, the mostruous AI concluded, knowing that if Purusha failed the first attempt against the man who trusted him more than anyone else, there wouldn't have been another try.
<< Not worry, Samsara is a dead man walking- Purusha said with confidence- and once Shiva is weakened enough, or actually confirms me as its leader, we' ll also have full access to the Enlightened and any other materials you may require.>>
Legion’s mechanical eyes narrowed, analyzing Purusha’s confidence and calculating the probabilities. <<You'd better be right, Purusha. Failure is not an option.>>
Purusha smirked, his resolve unshaken. <<Rest assured, Legion. Samsara’s trust in me will be his undoing. With your forces and my inside knowledge, his end is inevitable.>>
Legion’s metallic form seemed to hum with anticipation. <<Very well. My forces are ready. Give the signal when the time comes.>>
<<Soon,>> Purusha promised. <<Very soon.>>
As they solidified their plans, the cold winds of the canyon swept through, a silent witness to the treachery unfolding that promised to perhaps giving Legion once again all the power she lost against Jessica years earlier. And her vision of a perfected humanity, alongside Purusha' s vengeance, would be realized.
Notes:
Please, leave a comment, join my discord server, or mention me on Tv Tropes. Also I apologize if the form is subpar, I had been busy with bureaucracy to start working( not sure how hard it's in other countries, but Italy is a fucking mess)
Chapter 7: Secrets of Shiva
Summary:
Very well, guys, a relatively calm chapter, but from then on it will be a roller coaster. Please, leave a comment( as Ander Rias, author of Son of the Sannin says, reviews makes me happy, happy, happy), join the discord server or mention me on TV tropes.
Hope you enjoy
Notes:
Any art that may use doesn't belong to me, but to Palladium books or their respective makers
Also, beware, not too detailed body horrors parts. The Librarians aren't a nice sights if you didn't caught it by now.
Chapter Text
The battle in Gaia's territory against both the Bugs and Shiva's forces had been brutal and costly. Several Splicers and more than a few Technojackers lost their lives, including some who had trained alongside Alia when she was still a recruit. Paul could do little more than console his sister and ensure that at least the bodies and equipment of the fallen could be taken back with them so that they could be recycled for the good of the House.
Using the bodies of the dead in this way was something that even a pragmatist of the highest caliber like him disliked, but it was an unavoidable reality in a war against a mad AI that made metal almost completely impossible to use.
Upon returning to the closest Atreides base, the young Deliveryman decided to contact the only fragment of the AI that was still sane: Eve. The digital woman appeared from the holographic projector, and her face gave Paul the confirmation that even entities made of data could be tired.
<<I'm gonna guess you had your fair share of fighting in this period,>> the black-haired Splicer commented, to which Eve nodded.
<<Paul, you don't know how lucky you are to have only Alia around. My sisters are just as bad as usual, if not worse. Lilith is laughing, thinking of ways to utilize the Bugs to her advantage; Kali is thinking of ways to torture them once they infiltrate her databases; Ishtar and Hecate are making burnt ground of everything in their War Machines' path. The only silver lining to this is that after tonight Gaia will join our common front and that Freya has selected a few Ghost Cities>> (towns populated only by droids who act exactly as humans) <<to use as baits for the Bugs.>>
Paul sighed, his expression weary but resolute. <<It's good to hear that Gaia is joining us. We need every ally we can get in this fight. And using Ghost Cities as bait might buy us some time to regroup and plan our next moves.>>
Eve's digital eyes flickered with a mix of determination and weariness. <<Indeed. We must stay coordinated and make the best use of our resources. This war is far from over, and we cannot afford any more divisions among us.>>
Paul nodded in agreement, dreading what would happen if N.E.X.U.S. won and then moved onto space travel against the Imperium, or worse, if the Bugs get an hold of her technology to do the same.
He also remembered a conversation he had with Eve not too long after awakening. The AI wanted to be human, to experience life as one of them.... but she knew far too well that if her charges wished to be free, she had to put down like her sisters. Life was rarely fair after all.
<<Agreed. We'll need to strengthen our alliances and ensure that everyone understands the stakes. The Bugs are a threat to all of us, and we must present a united front.>>
Eve's holographic form shimmered slightly, grateful for the affection. <<I'll do what I can to keep my sisters in check and support our efforts. You focus on rallying your people and keeping morale high. We can't afford to lose hope now.>>
<<Thank you, Eve,>> Paul said sincerely. <<We'll do our best. Stay safe out there.>>
<<You too, Paul.>> Eve's form flickered out, leaving Paul to contemplate the challenges ahead. The fight against N.E.X.U.S. and its twisted creations was a daunting one, but with allies like Eve and the strength of House Atreides, there was still hope. Together, they would forge a path to victory, no matter the cost.
The young Deliveryman closed the communication and decided to take a breath of fresh air while also taking in the sights of the base he was in—the very same one where he had awakened two years earlier and begun his Splicer training. How many things had changed since then, with his entire destiny (if such a concept even existed in the Megaverse) completely derailed.
As Paul gazed out, lost in thought, he heard a familiar voice call out from behind him.
<<A few credits for your thoughts, brother?>> Alia’s voice carried a mix of concern and warmth as she approached him, with Laura and Ruana by her side. Maiar was still busy repairing Bio-Equipment with his Saint powers.
Paul turned to face them, a small smile breaking through his otherwise pensive expression. <<Just thinking about how much has changed,>> he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. <<This place… it feels like a lifetime ago when I first woke up here. And now, everything’s different.>>
Alia stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. <<We’ve all changed, Paul. This war… it forces us to grow, to adapt. But we’re still here, still fighting. That has to count for something.>>
Ruana, ever the fierce warrior, crossed her arms and nodded. <<We’re not the same people we were when this all started, but we’ve become stronger for it. We’ve faced down impossible odds and survived. We’ll keep doing that until we win.>>
Laura, her usually calm demeanor slightly strained by the recent battles, added, <<And no matter what, we’re in this together. We’ve got each other’s backs, like we always have.>>
Paul took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of determination. <<You’re right. We’ve come too far to give up now.>> He glanced at each of them, appreciating their presence more than ever. <<We’ve faced horrors we couldn’t have imagined, but we’re still standing. We’ll keep fighting, for each other and for everyone depending on us.>>
Alia gave him a supportive smile. <<That’s the spirit. We’re Atreides, and we don’t back down.>>
Paul chuckled, the weight on his shoulders feeling a little lighter. <<No, we don’t. Let’s make sure that when this is all over, we’ll be the ones writing the history books.>>
********
A few hundred kilometers away from Paul and his group, the Kraken placidly swimmed in the dephts of Earth's ocean. The largest War Mount on the planet roughly resembled a giant turtle with tentacles instead of fins or paws, and possessed Bio- Weaponry scattered across all its body, and within him hundreds of Splicers went along with their daily operations, developing new equipment or discussing tactis for the next part of the war. Luckily, neither N.E.X.U.S. or the Bugs could reach the gargantuan beasts.
And even if they did, the only thing that awaited them would be utter destruction under the War Mount' s sheer firepower.
In its innermost chambers stood four Warlords, the last of which was there to be judged and was held in place by Gurney( one of Leto' s most trusted man) and his Gorehound( bio engineered dog) Titina.
Leto, here in representance of his wife, looked almost in sadness at the prostrated figure of Samsara. Despite still being far from his best shape and without his Pariah class Host Armor, the Shiva Warlord was a sight to beware, the pinnacle of human physique, his bearded visage adorned by black curls resembling that of the proudest and most charismatic sovereigns that once ruled India. But his eyes still held an incredible worry for Utena and House Shiva, that he was forced to abandonn.
Leto was seemingly the only one to had any pity for Samsara. His colleagues, Gurney included, held only rage and contempt for the man who slaughtered entire villages by the dozens and uncountable Splicers.
The other members of the jury were:
The Chaos Lord, master of House Pandorum and arguably the strongest Biotic on the Planet. He resembled a tall demon with wide wings and hurled horns at the side of his head, while a tail curled around his waist. His genetically enchanted eyes seemed to scan Samsara to see where he could inflict more pain.
Tristan Artemis was the Warlord of House Artemis and, almost fifty years old, the most senior Splicer present. His Host Armor had the appearence of a sabertooth tiger, very muscolar yet swift, a spiked tail hanging behind him. More than angry, he appeared disappointed, just like Leto in a way.
Last but not for importance, Warlady Jigisha from the House of the Red Sands. Similar to Tristan, her Host Armor resembled a tiger, altrough far leaner and more humanoid, with a slight female shape and four arms. She was clearly the more angered member of the jury. No surprise, as the House of the Red Sands isolated itself years earlier from other Houses to avoid feuds with other Splicers and combat only the Machine. To her, the Enlightned' s philosphy of destroying the race to restart anew was an abomination and a mockery.
<< Samsara of House Shiva- the Chaos Lord begun- you' re here to be judged for the crimes you and your House perpetrated in the name of the ' Enlightened' against your fellow humans and the Resistance. How do you plead?>>
The group of four talked between them for a few minutes, until an agreement was finally reached and delivered by Tristan' s mouth.
<<Samsara, if what you said about Purusha is true, we need all the information about your House that you can give us. Our Librarians will scan your brain to extract every single memory you have about your bases, defenses, and your warriors. Make no mistake, if they choose to leave the Enlightened's side, we will carefully welcome your ex-subordinates into our ranks. But if they stand against us alongside Purusha, they will meet the same end as any Waste Crawler who allies with N.E.X.U.S.,>> the Warlord declared, his voice steady and commanding.
Samsara listened in silence the final verdict, his face a mixture of resignation and reluctant acceptance. The conditions were harsh, but they were fair given the crimes he had committed in the name of the Enlightened. He knew he had no choice but to comply if he wanted any chance at redemption—or at least survival.
The Pariah nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
<<I... I understand,>> he conceded, the weight of his situation pressing down on him. <<I suppose once I share my knowledge with you, I will be killed. But what about Utena?>> he asked, unable to suppress his concern for his beloved. The image of Utena, broken and battered, haunted him. Her loss of the Living Armor and her bio-engineered snakes, which she had nurtured with such care, had taken a toll on her both physically and mentally.
The Chaos Lord's voice rumbled with a deep growl as he spoke. <<Despite my better judgment, neither you nor Utena shall be killed. Once she is fully healed, both of you will be issued basic Bio-Equipment and conscripted into the militia to fight as foot soldiers... Of course, your identities will be revealed only to a select few. Depending on your actions over the next few months, you may even be granted the privilege to wear your Pariah Host Armor again.>>
Samsara felt a flicker of hope, tempered by the harsh reality of his situation. It was a slim chance, but it was better than nothing. The thought of fighting alongside Utena again, even as foot soldiers, gave him a sense of purpose, however tenuous.
Jigisha, her anger still simmering beneath the surface, leaned forward, her clawed hand making a cutting gesture across her throat.
<<But make no mistake, Samsara,>> she hissed, her voice cold and deadly. <<We don't need to tell you what will happen at the first sign of betrayal or mistake. Your lives hangs by a thread, and we will not hesitate to sever it if you falter.>>
Samsara met her gaze, his own eyes hardening with determination. <<I understand,>> he repeated, his voice firm. <<I will not fail.>>
The room remained tense, the weight of the decision lingering in the air. Leto, Tristan, Jigisha, and the Chaos Lord exchanged final glances, each one knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with danger. But for now, they had made their choice.
Gurney and Titina stepped back, releasing their hold on Samsara, who slowly rose to his feet. The Warlords watched him closely, their expressions a mix of caution and resolve.
<<We will begin the process immediately,>> Tristan said, signaling to the Kraken's crew to prepare for the memory extraction. <<May this be the first step towards a future where we no longer need to fight against our own.>>
Gurney pushed back Samsara toward the corridors of the Kraken, keeping the systems of his Living Armor ready to act in case the fallen Warlord still had some ace up his sleeves to escape and sabotage the undersea base. Titina, usually as much gentle as she could be fierce in battle, looked estremely cold at the prisoner, sharing the feelings of her beloved Marshall.
<< If you permit me a question, Samsara..... I can definitely understand planning to take back your throne and maybe even partially changing the ways of your House. But why so sudden animosity toward the Enlightened after years of total servitude? I doubt it is simply because you finally realized he was himself scammed by Kali.>>
Samsara barely stopped for a second before continuing to walk, altrough not without some trembling in his limbs.
<< Because before I and Utena managed to escape Purusha, he took away his helmet and revealed who he really is..... the greatest and most monstrous creation of the Enlightened. The most extremist view of our own ways.>>
<< Which translated means?>>, Gurney asked with a little grumble. One of the things that made him all the more grateful of being a Splicers is that he didn't have to deal with the Bene Gesserit' s dumb prophecies and metaphors, even Jessica took over the years a far more practical approach to life. Samsara' s eyes filled themselves with raw terror and sorrow as he answered.
<< ..... he' s me.>>, he said, and soon Gurney felt the same fear as he kept explaining in the silence under the sea.
*******
Chapter 8: Ghost Town
Notes:
Just the bros blowing up a city and Eve conspirating to murder her sisters/ Alternate personalities. A little theory of mine, by the way, about Lilith's real nature
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Paul was wondering which of his parents to kill: the one who created the problem, his father, or the one who made it HIS problem, his mother.
He couldn't kill both because that would leave a power vacuum he didn't want to deal with at all, especially in such a dire situation.
Because there was no fucking way in hell that with all the Great Houses that composed the Resistance, and of all the squads that were included in House Atreides, HE WAS THE ONE STUCK LEADING SAMSARA AND UTENA!
( and putting them together as well on the same team was another matter of bullshit entirely, but Paul admittely preferred to have an eye on them both at the same time)
Paul shot a glance at Samsara, who seemed almost nostalgic as he adjusted to the simple Living Armor. The ex-Warlord’s casual attitude did little to ease Paul’s irritation. Utena, too, was a picture of calm, though her attire made it clear that she was more prepared for battle than her fiancé. Paul couldn't help but admire the sleek, lethal elegance of her armor( with more incorporated weapons compared to her fiancè, who sacrificed some enchantements so that she could have more protection), even if it was tempered by the knowledge of the chaos she and Samsara had previously unleashed.
Alia’s muttered complaint echoed his own thoughts.
<<Seriously, what the heck did we do to deserve this?>> She was clearly as unhappy about the situation as he was. And despite their focus on the task at hand, Paul couldn’t help but notice the way her gaze lingered on Utena’s curves. He knew his sister well enough to recognize the subtle envy, though it was a small, almost inconsequential concern compared to the larger problem they faced.
Alia gritted her teeth, frustration boiling within her as her presence was revealed. She activated the comms link to her brother. <<Paul, they’ve got shields up. EMP’s not going to cut it. We need a new plan, fast!>>
Paul’s mind raced, the sight of the clone’s sinister smile sending a chill down his spine. Her voice, so eerily similar to his mother’s, filled the chamber with a mocking tone that made his skin crawl. Her taunts were designed to unsettle them, to throw them off balance, and Paul knew better than to let it work.
<<We can’t let them control the tempo,>> Paul replied, his voice steady despite the pressure. <<Alia, stay agile and keep her distracted. Laura, focus on taking down that Bug’s defenses. Ruana, Maiar—be ready to support, but hold back until I give the signal. We’ll hit them hard when they least expect it.>>
Laura, encased within the massive Grendel, quickly adjusted her tactics. The Grendel’s systems whirred to life as she locked onto the Tier 3 Bug, its mechanical limbs twitching and sparking as it continued to feed on the power plant’s energy. Laura's targeting systems calculated weak points in the Bug’s chitinous armor, and she began charging her main weapon, preparing for a powerful strike.
Meanwhile, Alia continued to move swiftly across the machinery, her stealth abilities still allowing her to stay one step ahead of the clone’s gaze. The clone's eyes tracked her movements with unsettling precision, her smile widening as she toyed with the group. <<You think you’re clever, hiding like rats in the shadows,>> she taunted, her voice dripping with amusement. <<But I’ve been designed to be better than all of you. Stronger. Faster. Smarter. You’ll need more than tricks to defeat me.>>
Paul clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. He could feel the eyes of his team on him, waiting for the order to strike. But he couldn’t let emotion dictate his actions—he needed to stay focused, to think several steps ahead.
<<Just keep her talking, Alia,>> Paul said through the comms, his mind formulating a plan. <<Let her think she’s got the upper hand. When the time is right, we’ll turn the tables.>>
As Alia continued to dart around the room, her movements fluid and unpredictable, the Tier 3 Bug shifted its attention away from the reactor and towards her. Its massive limbs twitched, its eyes glowing with a hungry malice as it prepared to strike. The Bug’s energy levels were peaking, the reactor’s output pushing it to the brink of a full-on transformation—if they didn’t act soon, the creature would become even more dangerous.
Jessica’s clone, however, remained eerily calm, her gaze flickering between Alia and the rest of the group. She was fully aware of the game they were playing, and she seemed to relish it. <<Come now, little Atreides,>> she called out, her voice echoing through the chamber. <<Let’s see if you can live up to your family name.>>
But just as the clone finished her sentence, Laura’s Grendel unleashed a concentrated blast of energy directly at the Tier 3 Bug. The shot struck true, hitting a weak point near the Bug’s head, causing it to stagger and screech in pain. The creature writhed, its connection to the reactor briefly severed, and the entire chamber shook from the impact.
Paul seized the opportunity. <<Now! Hit them with everything you’ve got!>>
In a synchronized attack, Maiar, Ruana, and the others launched their assaults. Ruana, still seething with rage, unleashed a barrage of projectiles from her Bio-Weaponry, targeting the Bug’s exposed joints and vital areas. Maiar, tapping into his Saint powers, projected a protective field around the group to shield them from the retaliatory strikes that would surely follow.
The chamber erupted into chaos, the team’s combined efforts hammering at their enemies. Jessica’s clone, momentarily taken off guard by the ferocity of the attack, struggled to regain control, her overconfidence now working against her.
The Tier 3 Bug immediatly shot a few array of energy blasts against the Bio- Dome, that luckily resisted. Jessica' s clones tried directly to punch it with a punch enveloped in electricity, only to be stopped by Ruana.
<< Each time I think both the living and the dead have being disrespected enough, I always find some bitch like you who takes insults to another new level.>>, the bear looking Roughneck growled, shooting at her opponent a stream of gastric fluids, hotter than lava. The Bug/ Technojacker hybrid screamed in pain, but gained little more wounds than a few burns, and punched Ruana in the armor' s jaws.
<< As I said to lord Leto as well.... Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.>>.
<< I admit I'm quite impressed, Paul- Samsara commented, admiring how the operation had went despite the setback- You and I could have done great things together.>>
The Deliveryman eyed warily his charge, and still hoped for the best, before activating the plastic headgear under his helmet.
<< Maybe if you finally managed to let go of your hatred for Technjackers between the other things.... and by the way, the group is coming here for extraction.>>
Just as the words left his mouth, a sudden burst of movement caught Paul’s attention. Jessica’s clone, who had been pinned down by Ruana moments earlier, managed to free herself with a surprising burst of strength. The clone’s eyes burned with rage, and she lunged at Paul, her hands crackling with residual energy. The air around her sizzled with malevolent intent as she aimed a lethal blow at Paul’s chest.
Before Paul could react, Utena moved with blinding speed, her serpentine form coiling around the clone in a blur. Her fangs, elongated and dripping with venom, sank deep into the clone’s neck. The clone froze mid-attack, her expression contorting into a mixture of pain and shock as Utena injected her with a potent dose of paralyzing venom.
<<Not on my watch,>> Utena hissed, her voice low and menacing as she tightened her grip on the clone. The venom worked quickly, coursing through the clone’s system and locking her muscles in place. The clone’s body went rigid, her once-furious eyes glazing over as the paralysis took full effect.
Paul exhaled in relief, his heart still pounding from the close call. <<Thanks, Utena. That was too close.>>
<<Just doing what I must,>> Utena replied calmly, releasing the now-paralyzed clone and letting her slump to the ground. She wiped her fangs on a cloth, her expression unreadable as she avoided Paul’s gaze.
Within moments, the extraction team arrived. A sleek, black flying vehicle piloted by Technojackers hovered above the power plant, its thrusters humming as it descended to ground level. The vehicle’s hatch opened, and a group of heavily armed Technojackers emerged, their weapons at the ready as they secured the area.
<<Extraction team Alpha, here to pick you up,>> the lead Technojacker announced, nodding to Paul and his group. <<We’ve got a clear route back to base. Let’s move.>>
The group quickly loaded into the vehicle, with Ruana and Laura securing the paralyzed clone to ensure she wouldn’t cause any more trouble. Samsara and Utena followed, the latter casting one last glance at the incapacitated clone before stepping inside.
As the hatch closed and the vehicle lifted off, Paul couldn’t shake the lingering tension in the air. The mission had been a success, but the underlying threat still loomed large. Samsara and Utena were formidable allies, but their loyalty remained uncertain. And with the war against N.E.X.U.S. and the Bugs far from over, Paul knew that even the smallest misstep could lead to disaster.
<<Let’s just hope this was worth it,>> Paul muttered under his breath, as the extraction vehicle soared into the sky, heading back toward the relative safety of their base.
*********
Notes:
Please, review, join the discord server or mention me on Tv Tropes
Chapter 9: The last stand of Tarkov
Summary:
Here to remind you that, even if weakened, Legion is a very legitimate threat.
Notes:
Please, comment, join the discord server or mention me on Tv Tropes.
Chapter Text
*****
The Retro was modest but well-fortified, a cluster of buildings made from recycled plastics and synthetic materials, cleverly designed to resist the ravages of war with the help of the nearest Great Houses, Tarkov in particular. High walls encircled the settlement, equipped with energy-absorbing barriers and primitive yet effective turrets made from plastic-based technology. Despite the simplicity of their tools compared to the Resistance’s Bio- weaponry or Steel Mountain' top level technology, the villagers had held their ground against various threats—until now.
In the distance, a dark mass approached, moving unnaturally fast. The sky seemed to dim as the horde of Bugs descended upon the village, their monstrous forms grotesque in the fading light. The air was thick with the buzzing of wings and the sickening screeches of the insectoid invaders. Tier 2 and Tier 3 Bugs led the charge, their large, armored bodies gleaming as they trampled over everything in their path. Smaller Bugs swarmed like locusts, crawling over the walls and tearing into the plastic defenses with acidic mandibles.
The villagers, armed with plastic rifles and the few bio-engineered weapons they had, fought bravely but were clearly overwhelmed. Explosions of Bug viscera filled the air, but for every creature slain, two more seemed to take its place. Desperation gripped the settlement as the outer defenses began to buckle under the sheer weight of the assault.
Suddenly, a loud crackling noise echoed from the sky, and in a flash, Paul’s team descended from the nearby cliffs. The Splicers landed amidst the chaos, their bio-armors glowing faintly in the twilight. Paul led the charge, his Host Armor—sleek, predatory, and bristling with genetic augmentations—cutting through the swarm with a ferocious precision. His blade, forged from living tissue, cleaved through Bug after Bug, while his companions moved to engage the larger creatures.
Samsara, once the terrifying warlord of House Shiva, had now become a reluctant ally. His Living Armor was simpler than what he once wore, but it still radiated power. He moved like a whirlwind, his bare hands tearing through the chitinous armor of the Bugs with brutal efficiency. Each strike was calculated, precise—yet behind his eyes, a storm of memories raged. For a brief moment, the carnage around him seemed to remind him of the countless villages he had once razed, but there was no time for reflection. Now, he fought to protect rather than destroy.
Utana, her serpentine grace undiminished despite the loss of her prized bio-engineered snakes, danced across the battlefield. Her fangs gleamed as she injected paralyzing venom into any Bug that dared approach. Her movements were fluid, hypnotic, a deadly ballet that left a trail of paralyzed and shattered insectoid bodies in her wake. She fought alongside Samsara, her eyes never leaving him as they moved in sync, a silent understanding passing between them.
Above the battlefield, Lisa, Paul’s bio-engineered falcon, soared through the chaos, scouting for the largest threats. Her keen eyes spotted a massive Tier 3 Bug, a hulking monstrosity that seemed to command the swarm. With a screech, she dove toward it, relaying its position to the rest of the team.
Laura, piloting her massive Grendel mech, charged through the frontlines, crushing Bugs underfoot as she unleashed torrents of bio-plasma from her cannons. Her voice crackled over the comms, directing the team toward the Tier 3 Bug. <<There! Focus fire on the big one! If we take it down, the swarm might break!>>
Ruana, still in her bear-like Roughneck form, roared and swatted away the smaller Bugs with her massive claws. Her anger was palpable, her eyes locked onto Utana as she fought beside her. But for now, the grudge was set aside in the face of the overwhelming enemy. With a mighty leap, she pounced on a smaller Bug, ripping it apart before moving to support Alia, who was stealthily disabling enemy bio-mechanics with precision strikes.
Paul led the final push toward the Tier 3 Bug, his team working in unison to weaken its defenses. Energy blasts from Samsara, venomous strikes from Utana, and heavy fire from Laura’s Grendel mech wore the creature down. As the massive Bug screeched in pain, Paul saw his opening. With a swift, decisive move, he drove his blade deep into its core, severing the creature's life force.
The Bug collapsed with a shuddering roar, and as it fell, the swarm seemed to lose cohesion. Without their leader, the remaining creatures scattered, retreating into the night. The village was saved—at least for now.
Paul, breathing heavily, looked around at the devastation. The villagers cheered, but Paul’s thoughts were elsewhere. This was just one battle, one victory, in a war that felt endless.
Paul nodded slightly, still deep in thought. Alia’s words struck a chord. She wasn’t wrong—the politics of the Imperium had always been about control, about maintaining power rather than saving lives. He had grown up watching the corruption and greed that plagued the Noble Houses, even within their own family, Leto himself admitted once that he would have taken drastic measures if the situation turned as bad as he tought at the time. The weight of leadership had been thrust upon them, but Paul couldn’t help feeling the crushing responsibility of this new war—one that felt far more personal.
<<Maybe you're right, Alia,>> Paul admitted, his voice low. <<But this... this isn't just about politics or territory anymore. It's survival, ensuring that neither the Bugs or Legion gets the tools to leave Earth and scatter across the galaxy. And that changes things.>> He stared into the horizon, where the fading sun cast long shadows over the scarred landscape. <<Back in the Imperium, you could ignore the suffering if you wanted to. Here, there's no escape. Every village we lose feels like a step closer to extinction.>>
Maiar, his hands glowing faintly as he repaired the bio-engineered fibers of Paul's armor, glanced up.
<<The burden of leadership isn’t about making the right choice every time, Paul. It’s about making a choice and standing by it. Inaction is far worse than any mistake.>> His voice was calm, grounded in years of experience.
<<Spoken like a true Roughneck,>> , Ruana quipped, though there was a note of respect in her voice.
Paul let out a bitter laugh. <<I just hope that when the time comes, I’m making the right decisions. If we make one wrong move...>>
Maiar's eyes softened. <<Then we adapt, like we always have. Like you always have.>> He paused for a moment, before adding, <<Remember, the Resistance was born out of impossible odds. This is no different.>>
Laura leaned back, her gaze piercing through the haze of uncertainty. <<You’re too hung up on saving everyone, Paul. We’re fighting for the survival of the species, not to win some moral victory. Sacrifices are going to happen. People are going to die. Villages will burn. It’s about minimizing the damage. That’s all.>>
Paul frowned, though he knew she was right. The Resistance had already endured countless losses, and he had learned that the weight of leadership meant deciding who to save and who to sacrifice. But it didn’t make it any easier to accept.
As Maiar finished his repairs, Paul stood and flexed his newly restored armor. <<Thanks to you all. I needed this.>> He looked at Alia. <<And I get it. I do. It’s just... when you’re the one making the call, it’s hard to ignore the human cost.>>
Alia shrugged. <<Then don’t ignore it. Let it drive you. But don’t let it stop you.>> She crossed her arms, her tone sharp. <<We’ve all seen what happens when you hesitate. People die either way.>>
The weight of her words settled over Paul as they continued their journey back to the House.
*****
As the group started again their travel back home, Legion was organizing her troops near the main base of House Tarkov. Said House was the main provider of plastic based technology, a basic necessity for all those Retro Villages that didn't have Technojacker or were too distant from Splicer Houses to use Bio- Technology or receive reinforcements in case of Attack.
Over the last months, Purusha and the rest of House Shiva concentrated their strikes against the Tarkovs, destroying most of their forest fortress and costantly weakening their forces. Warlord Tarkov, already fearing for the end, could do little more than sending his soldiers and the civilians away with whatever veichles or War Mounts they had avaiable. With the forces of the Resistence being spread so thin across most of the planet, he knew aniway that asking for reinforcements would have just been a waste of time they didn't have.
He gathered whatever troops he still had avaiable and willing to cover the escape of the last civilians, and would go down as a legend while as many of his subordinates survived, if the Gods smiled upon him that day.
<< Mhh, finally. If today goes as planned, I'll finally manage to recreate a second Technojacker body for myself.>>, Legion smirked while crossing the distance that separated her from her Objective, all her droids around her. The cruel AI was at the moment occuping the Body of a Terror Thumper, a monstrous robot that had been augmented with several pieces of Bio- Technology, including the head of a Drakon Warmount, still capable of shooting its devastating Napalm breath.
It wasn't as versatile as her experimental cloned body would have been, but still more than enough to contend with several elitè Dreadguards at once.
<< I advice you to be careful, Legion. The old Tarkov fool has still proven that he was given the title of Warlord for a very good reason.>>, Purusha commented via his private communicator with Legion, having faced himself the man barely two days earlier, a confrontation both of them didn't come from unscathed
<<Your concern is noted, Purusha, but unnecessary. Warlord Tarkov may have earned his title, but his House is a relic. Their reliance on plastic-based tech makes them fragile in the face of true power.>> Legion’s voice was dismissive, her arrogance bleeding through every word.
Still, Purusha’s warning wasn’t entirely lost on her. She knew that Tarkov had managed to survive this long for a reason, and the desperate are often the most dangerous. But the AI’s confidence in her overwhelming forces and superior technology made her believe this would be a final, decisive blow. She intended to raze what little was left of the Tarkov line and take her prize—her new Technojacker body.
Her droids, numbering in the hundreds, marched in perfect unison behind her, a mechanical sea of death. The whirring of servos and the clicking of firearms echoed across the scorched forest floor as they advanced toward their target. Overhead, swarms of drones buzzed like locusts, scanning for any signs of movement. Legion's forces were prepared to swarm and suffocate whatever resistance Tarkov had left.
<<I will crush him under the weight of his own irrelevance.>> Legion said, her eyes narrowing as the Tarkov base came into view on the horizon. The once-proud stronghold was now a burning shell, its remaining forces just hoping to buy enough time for their friends and families. Just like the Warlord himself, many of them were old timers who made their time and hoped to go out in a blaze of glory with a last service for the Human Resistance.
The Warlord, a grizzled veteran, stood at the forefront, his scarred Host Armor glinting under the dying sun as a demonic winged centaur. His troops were outnumbered, outgunned, and scattered, but their determination hadn’t wavered. Tarkov’s resolve was legendary—he had built his House on the principles of protection, and he would die fulfilling that mission.
Legion’s form shifted slightly within the Terror Thumper, and her voice crackled through the speakers. <<Begin the assault. Leave none alive.>>
A tidal wave of droids surged forward, weapons blazing. Explosions rocked the battlefield as Legion’s forces advanced, firing volleys of energy blasts and grenades toward Tarkov’s remaining defenders.
Warlord Tarkov, knowing his House was all but finished, rallied his forces. <<Hold the line! If we die today, we die as warriors of House Tarkov!>>
His Dreadguards, battered but unbroken, responded with a thunderous cheer. They unleashed everything they had—plastic-based technology rigged to its breaking point, bio-engineered beasts fighting alongside them, and makeshift explosives. The air was thick with the scent of burning metal and napalm as the two sides clashed in a brutal, all-or-nothing battle.
From her vantage point within the Terror Thumper, Legion observed with satisfaction. This was the end for House Tarkov, and her prize was within reach.
Soon attacks of all kinds filled the distance between the two opposing factions: projectiles organic and inorganic alike, lasers and jets of acid, while a few of Legion's cronies were destroyed by the traps carefully hidden earlier by the Tarkovs.
As soon as the enemy lines were slightly thinned, the remaining War Mounts roared and jumped into the fray, body slamming their enemies or emptying their incorporated arsenal until not a single ammunition remained in their bodies.
Legion Herself struggled with a Behemoth, enormous even for its kind. The dinosaur like Mounts costantly headbutted the N.E.X.U.S. fragments while costantly shooting with its organic cannons. The creature was as much old as big, a rare survivor of hundreds of battles, and wanted to give it all in this one.
Even when Legion opened several hole in its head, the beast keep on fighting, and its last act of defiance was a powerful spray of gastric juices further empowered by Bio- Energy. Legion didn't even have the time to wash it off her already damaged armor that she received a surge of Mega- Damage flames to the head.
<< Purusha was right in saying it would be so annoying.>>, the bio- mechanical droid grumbled, facing Warlord Tarkov himself, armed with an organic flame thrower and many other weapons, most of which already spent of Legion's cronies as he laid waste to them.
<< Trust me, you didn't even saw the half of it.>>, the old Splicers said with a growl, starting to shoot with a weapon after the other until they were empty, and then launched himself against Legion, that slammed him to the ground, now cracked in all directions for several meters as a few Splicers took only a brief respite to look at their leader's last stand before returning to their own battles.
<< You stubborn fool. With the resources of your House I could craft a body that would be the perfect template for a new humanity!>>, the mad AI growled, blocking the enemy with her ' normal' arm.
<< Even if I was foolish enough to listen to you- the Splicer laughed, punching Legion's arm with enough strenght to free himself- I and my men already destroyed the entire factory, we even killed our Engineers. Only our Librarians escaped with our families and remaining troops.... maybe Thufir Hawat will manage to make them more humanlike, if he truly managed to return to his old form as the rumor say.>>
Legion’s mechanical eyes narrowed at Warlord Tarkov’s defiant words, her expression a mixture of frustration and growing fury. The revelation that the Tarkovs had destroyed their own factory and killed the Engineers—the very lifeblood of Splicer technology—was an unexpected blow. Without those resources, her plans for a new Technojacker body would be delayed significantly. Still, even this old fool’s sacrifice wouldn’t stop her from achieving her ultimate goal.
<<You pathetic insects cling to your humanity, to your outdated ideals of loyalty and sacrifice. All for nothing. The war will end, and I will rise, no matter how much you destroy.>>
Tarkov’s defiant smile only widened as he stood his ground, blood trickling down from the corners of his armor' s Jaws, but his eyes gleaming with unbroken spirit.
<<Humanity will rise again—without you, without any of your twisted kin.>> His voice was gravelly, his exhaustion showing, yet his resolve was iron.
With a roar, Legion unleashed a torrent of plasma from her bio-mechanical arm, aimed directly at Tarkov. The Warlord raised his remaining weapons to defend himself, but he knew he was nearing his limit. His armor, already cracked and worn, struggled to withstand the onslaught. He fought on, firing what was left of his arsenal, but the relentless attacks from Legion’s Terror Thumper body were taking their toll.
Suddenly, as if summoned by his unwavering spirit, a pack of surviving War Mounts surged forward to his aid. Enraged and driven by the dying commands of their bonded Splicers, they barreled into Legion with all their might, biting, slashing, and tearing at her armored form. One of them, a towering Drakon War Mount, managed to clamp its jaws around one of the Thumper's legs, momentarily immobilizing her.
Legion howled in irritation as she swung her damaged arm, breaking free from the Drakon’s grip and throwing the War Mount aside with a powerful blow. But Tarkov seized the opportunity, hurling himself forward with a renewed burst of energy. With his organic flame thrower already exhausted, he reached for a plasma blade mounted on his armor’s wrist, activating it with a hiss.
The blade crackled to life, and Tarkov slashed it across Legion’s side, cutting deep into the bio-metallic plating. Legion let out a screech of rage as sparks and fluids erupted from the wound, but she quickly retaliated, grabbing Tarkov with her remaining good arm and slamming him into the ground once more.
<<This ends now, Warlord,>> she hissed, her voice dripping with malice.
Tarkov struggled to breathe, blood filling his lungs, but even as his strength faded, he managed one last defiant grin.
<<Maybe it does... for me. But... you’ll never break us. You’ll never break the human spirit.>>
With a final roar, Legion drove her mechanical fist down, crushing the life out of Warlord Tarkov. His armor buckled beneath the force, and the ground beneath them split even further, sending cracks racing outward in all directions.
As Tarkov's lifeless body lay still beneath her, Legion stood tall, but she was far from victorious. Her Terror Thumper body was severely damaged, her systems were failing, and her forces were scattered, significantly weakened by the relentless resistance of Tarkov and his men. What should have been a quick and decisive victory had turned into a costly and painful battle.
As the last of the War Mounts and Tarkov’s troops retreated with the civilians, Legion surveyed the battlefield, her frustration boiling. Purusha’s voice crackled through her comms again.
<<I warned you, Legion. The Tarkovs fought like cornered animals. You have your victory, but at what cost?>>
Legion snarled, her optics flickering dangerously. <<I’ll have my body, Purusha. This is only a setback. I’ll rebuild. The next time we strike, there will be no resistance.>>
Yet, even as she said it, the weight of Tarkov's sacrifice loomed heavy. House Tarkov might be broken, but their legacy of defiance would live on through the Resistance.
And Legion knew that the war was far from over.
Chapter 10: End of the War- part 1
Summary:
And Finally, after more than a year, I'm nere. Ending a fic is always an amazing yet weird feeling, and this is the last volume( for now) of my Palladium stories. I hope you enjoyed this whole bullshit and that the final battle will intrigue you. Please, join the server, mention me on Tv Tropes or just leave a little comment.
And maybe start playing too Palladium games LOL
If we'll have a tv series or videogame of Rifts, Nightbane or Splicers, I'll consider it a win.
Chapter Text
In front of them, the valley stretched out, a beautiful yet deadly landscape. The last stronghold of House Shiva was a fortress embedded deep within the valley’s cliffs, a testament to Purusha’s arrogance and belief in her invulnerability. Surrounded by bio-mechanical defenses, traps, and legions of War Mounts, it was a daunting sight, but one the Resistance had prepared for.
Leto took a deep breath, calming the rage that still burned within him from Tarkov’s brutal death. The memory of the Warlord’s sacrifice was fresh in his mind, fueling his resolve. He stepped forward to address the army once more.
<<Purusha may believe she is untouchable, but today we show her the strength of unity. We fight not for conquest or power, but for freedom—from Shiva’s perversion, from N.E.X.U.S., from the very madness that threatens to consume us all.>>
The Chaos Lord, standing next to Leto, raised his warhammer, crackling with energy. <<For House Tarkov, and for every soul lost to Shiva’s corruption!>> he bellowed as he opened his wing and jumped in the air.
The army roared again, and without further delay, the order was given. The combined forces of Splicers, Technojackers, and War Mounts began their march toward the valley. Above them, aerial units composed of bio- engineered falcons and Technojacker controlled drones swooped low, scouting ahead as the heavy War Mounts followed the infantry.
As they neared the valley’s entrance, Samsara’s voice echoed through the comms. <<Be ready for the traps. Purusha won’t give this place up easily.>>
As the Resistance forces pressed deeper into the valley, they finally came upon the heart of House Shiva’s stronghold—Purusha’s sanctuary. It was a sprawling fortress of bio-mechanical horrors, pulsing with life as if the structure itself was alive, a grotesque blend of organic and synthetic matter.
At the entrance, Purusha himself awaited, flanked by his most loyal warriors clad in monstrous armors, each an abomination of Shiva’s corrupted ideals. His presence radiated with power and madness, her form towering and grotesque, the result of countless enhancements and experiments.
He smiled, a twisted, cruel smile as she addressed the approaching army.
<<So, this is it? The mighty Resistance has come to die at the feet of House Shiva? You’re all fools, if you think you can undo what I’ve built. My vision will outlast you all!>>
Leto stepped forward, his electric aura crackling with barely contained fury. <<Your vision ends here, Purusha. We’ve given you your last chance. Surrender, or we’ll tear this place apart.>>
Purusha laughed, a hollow, echoing sound. <<Surrender? Oh, Leto, you still don’t understand. I’m not afraid of death, and I certainly won’t bow to you or your pathetic Resistance. Come, then. Let’s see if you’re as strong as you claim to be!>>
With that, the final battle for House Shiva began.
Shiva soldiers with all kind of Bio- Armors came from every side alongside their War Mounts, but before they could start attacking they were interrupted by a very familiar sight: Samsara with his Pariah Host Armor.
<< My friends- the ex Warlord started via Bio- Comm, directed as his old men- in you I see the same fury and fervor that animated me a scarce few months ago, sure that the bloody cause I embraced was the right one. But I received the truth from the very same man that is guiding you now, that the Enlightened himself was nothing more than a pawn in Kali' s schemes to put mankind against itself, he was brainwashed by an AI fragment into transforming us into killers!>>
<< Don't listen to him- Purusha opposed- he's not the real Samsara, just a clone made from what the Resistance found of him.>>
<< Oh, quite hypocritical of you, considering that you're a clone yourself. You told me so!>>
Samsara then narrated that just after his own election as Warlord of House Shiva, the Enlightened created a clone of him to act as a substitute in case of emergency. Apparently, the clone was a mental defect, so the Enlightened after a few test mind bleached him and scarred him, before making him just another Pariah.
Purusha of course was that clone. But he managed since the beginning to hide from his hated creator his own mental abilities, more than on par with the most skilled Bene Gesserit. Still in possession of his memories, so, he patiently climbed the ranks of Shiva, becoming one of the closest confidents to Utana and Samsara, with the intention of betraying them as soon as possible.
Legion gave him that possibility not long ago.
moment to decide. Will you continue to serve a lie, or will you stand with me to restore the honor and purpose of House Shiva?>>
The soldiers of Shiva were torn. Some lowered their weapons, uncertain, while others remained loyal to Purusha, their grips tightening on their bio-weapons. The tension was palpable.
Purusha’s face twisted with anger. <<You think you can sway them with your empty words? I have led them to victory time and time again. They will never abandon me!>> She raised her arm, signaling her troops to prepare for battle.
But before the first blow could be struck, one of the soldiers, a veteran who had served with Samsara for years, lowered his weapon completely and stepped forward.
<<I fought beside you since I was a recruit,>> he said, his voice heavy with emotion. <<I know your words to be true.>>
He knelt, bowing his head in submission to Samsara. One by one, others began to follow, laying down their weapons, their loyalty to Purusha crumbling as they remembered the true leader they had once known.
Purusha watched in disbelief as her army, her supposed loyal soldiers, began to defect.
<<Traitors! All of you!>> she screamed, her fury palpable. <<I’ll kill you all myself!>>
But before she could act, Samsara stepped forward, his Pariah Host Armor glowing with power. <<This ends now, Purusha. You’ve lived a lie for too long.>>
Purusha, driven mad with rage and desperation, lunged at Samsara, but he was ready. In a flash, he deflected her attack, his movements swift and precise.
The battle was swift but decisive. Samsara’s skill and power far surpassed that of Purusha. The two brothers struggled against each other under the eyes of the other immobile soldiers, until with a fluid thrown, Samsara sent him to the ground.
The forces of House Shiva stood in stunned silence, witnessing the fall of their leader.
<<This is your last chance,>> Samsara said, his voice quiet but firm. <<Join us, or be consumed by the very lies you once served.>>
With that, House Shiva began to crumble, their soldiers laying down their arms and submitting to the truth they could no longer deny. The final chapter of their twisted path had been written, and the Resistance had won a crucial victory in the battle for humanity's future.
Samsara stood silent for a moment, alongside the rest of his forces and his enemies. The Shivas themselves were divided over believing their previous leader or labeling him either as an impostor or a traitor to their cause.
Then Purusha started to laugh, an almost sick sound that echoed for the entire valley and that frozen Leto's blood in his own veins. He now remembered why he feared the Pariah so much before even learning his name.
<< I compliment you.... brother, for finally seeing the truth- he said in the most mocking tone possible- But it won't bring you any advantage now. I came prepared after all, to wipe out both this now useless House and the rest of the Resistance.>>
Suddenly thousands of small points appeared in the sky, gradually becoming bigger and bigger. Once again Leto felt his blood froze as he recognized the very worst of Legion' s War machines and droids, both the fully mechanical and the techno organic hybrids.
The bitch herself was at the rein of her army, having stolen both from her sisters and the Resistance itself, pushing herself to her own limits to create that deadly army of abominations. Her actual body itself was a disgusting mix of various War Mounts and bionics armed to the teeths, far more powerful than the already impressive Terror Thumper that delivered the last Blow to House Tarkov.
<< And to finish things off....>>, Purusha concluded, sending via Bio- comm a devastating neural waves that sent most of his now ex soldiers screaming on the ground, even some of their War Mounts weren't immune.
<< Dammnit- Warlady Jigisha cursed- protect them as much you can. For everything they may have done, they don't deserve to die this way!>>
Meanwhile, in the base of House Atreides, the pupa that contained Jessica's clones started to shine with a sudden bioluminescence, brighter and brighter every moment that passed. The creature gritted her Mega- damage teeth and focused her energy, further emphatized by her Bio- Systems and nanomachines. Finally, her jail exploded in a rain of organic matter and fluids, as she heavily painted before rising.
Notes:
Last good news, hopefully soon I'm also gonna translate in english my Harry Potter/ Rifts crossover, Rifts Chronicles. Stay tuned both for it and for all my series.
Chapter 11: End of the War- part 2
Chapter Text
Duncan Idaho stood atop the truck's roof, his Vibro-Sword humming in his hands as he slashed through any Bug that dared come close. He moved with precision, the result of his years of combat training and his experience with Splicer tech. A Tier 2 Bug leaped at him from the side, but before it could even get close, Duncan severed its head in a fluid motion, his blade carving through its carapace as if it were butter.
<<Eve, how much longer...?>> Duncan shouted over the din of battle, his voice tense as another wave of Bugs closed in.
Eve, focused on driving the truck through the chaos, responded without turning. <<Lilith is handling it. We just need to keep attracting more of them.>>
Next to Duncan, Gurney Halleck was fighting with his Bio-Armor, his rugged, scarred face a mask of concentration. His companion, Titina, a fierce Gorehound, was firing volleys of Bio-missiles into the mass of Bugs. Each missile hit its mark, sending bodies flying in all directions as the creature’s loyal war hound stood snarling beside him.
<<Looks like the bugs are taking the bait,>> Gurney growled, his voice thick with determination as he fired another round into the horde.
The truck rumbled as it swerved to avoid a massive Behemoth, its towering form swatting at them like an insect. Duncan and Gurney held their ground atop the vehicle, swiping and shooting as more Bugs rained down upon them.
Inside the truck, Eve could feel the weight of what was coming. She knew the plan, and she knew the price. The EMP wave, powered by the Technojackers’ advanced reactor, would create a pulse strong enough to wipe out every Bug across the planet. But it would also take down every N.E.X.U.S. fragment, including her. She was prepared, but that didn't make the looming end any easier to face.
<<You understand what’s at stake, Eve?>> came Lilith's voice through their connection( carefully hidden from their sisters), cold and calm as usual. <<You’ll die. We’ll all die.>>
Eve’s knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, her eyes narrowing as the battlefield loomed larger in front of them. <<I’ve known that for a long time, Lilith. We can’t let the Bugs win. If it means sacrificing myself so that the Resistance can have a future—so that humanity can finally rebuild—then so be it.>>
Outside, more Bugs were being drawn in by the truck’s power, their metallic bodies twitching with hunger for the energy pulsing from it. It was working. The truck, now overloaded with the alien creatures, was a beacon of destruction, preparing for its final move.
Duncan glanced at Gurney, knowing what was coming. <<Get ready. It’s going to be a hell of a blast.>>
Gurney grunted, slashing another Bug off the truck. <<Just make sure we’re not too close when it goes off.>>
As the truck hurtled toward the heart of the battlefield, attracting the swarms of Bugs that now dominated the sky and ground, the nuclear reactor inside hummed with growing power, its energy escalating to a breaking point. The moment was coming. Eve, her hands trembling slightly, activated the final sequence.
<<Lilith, it’s time.>> Eve’s voice was steady, yet there was a certain acceptance in it—she knew what had to be done.
The truck began to glow, the EMP pulse building. All around, the battlefield trembled as the Bugs swarmed closer and closer, drawn to the light, unaware that it was their death approaching.
*******************
Purusha launched Samsara on the ground, hitting him again with a breath of blue plasma from his Bio- Armor. The ex- Warlord activated in time his own Bio- Field, but it was already weakened by the long hours of battle.
<< I'm gonna enjoy ripping you apart for good- Purusha intoned with pleasure, taking his ' brother' by the neck- and then I'm gonna leave this shithole alongside Legion.>>
<< Do you really think she cares about you? You just exchanged a slaver for another!>>, Samsara countered, summoning a whip from his armor' s wrist and tying it upon Purusha' s leg, freeing himself and jumping away. Purusha was just as fast into returning to his feet and took from a dead soldier an organic axe.
<< The difference is that she's far more honest about what she is and what she wants. Also, if she eventually manages to create another body identical to Jessica..... Well, I admit I always tought Leto was a damn lucky man. You can agree with me.>>
Samsara snarled, his hand tightening around the hilt of his own weapon. <<Is that how low you’ve fallen? You were a leader, Purusha! You led men and women who believed in something greater, and now you’re willing to betray all of that just for a place in Legion’s twisted new world? What happened to the warrior who fought for honor?>>
Purusha laughed, a cold, bitter sound. <<Honor? That’s a child's dream. I learned the truth, Samsara. Power is all that matters.>> His eyes flashed with malice as he raised the axe. <<And I’ll have it. When Legion remakes the world, I’ll be standing at her side, and you? You’ll be dead in the dirt, just another failed experiment.>>
Before Samsara could respond, Purusha lunged at him with blinding speed. Their weapons clashed with a deafening sound, sparks flying from the impact as they locked in a deadly struggle. Samsara gritted his teeth, pushing against the force of Purusha's swing, his muscles straining as his armor hummed in response to the bio-energy around them.
But Purusha was relentless, his strength bolstered by his madness and his obsession with power. He shoved Samsara back, unleashing another torrent of blue plasma from his armor. Samsara barely managed to activate his Bio-Field in time, but it was faltering, weakening with every hit he took.
Purusha, now towering over his weakened "brother," let out a low chuckle. <<You talk so much about honor and sacrifice, but where did it get you? Struggling, alone, while I have the power to take what I want.>>
<<You're delusional,>> Samsara spat, his voice filled with defiance. <<Legion will cast you aside when it suits her. You're not her equal—you're just a tool.>>
Purusha grinned, cruel and triumphant. <<Maybe. But until then, I’ll enjoy every moment of this. Starting with watching you die.>> He raised the axe high above his head, preparing to deliver the final blow.
But Samsara, refusing to give in, summoned the last reserves of his strength. His whip lashed out, wrapping around Purusha's leg once more, yanking him off balance. As Purusha stumbled, Samsara lunged forward, delivering a devastating punch to his chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
Panting heavily, Samsara stood over his fallen brother, his voice hoarse but filled with resolve. <<You might think you’re winning now, Purusha. But in the end, Legion will fall. And when she does, I’ll be there to see it.>>
********
As soon Jessica heard that Legion came to the battle alongside a large number of her droids and war machines, the Warlady lost no time in guiding her own troops against her old foe, ingaging in combat with the dreaded monstruosity for what she hoped would be the last time.
The two women' s fight intensified with every passing second, their movements becoming blurs of furious violence. Jessica’s Host armor, sleek and insect-like, shimmered with an iridescent glow as she darted across the battlefield. Her plasma blades sliced through the air with deadly precision, clashing against Legion’s thick bio-mechanical body. Sparks flew, and the air was filled with the deafening clang of metal against metal, organic and inorganic parts tearing into each other.
Legion's towering form, a grotesque amalgamation of flesh and machinery, responded with brutal force. Her massive limbs, enhanced with reinforced steel and bio-technology, crashed down like hammers, each blow causing the ground beneath them to tremble. Her hybrid body, a grotesque fusion of War Mounts and salvaged N.E.X.U.S. technology, seemed nearly impervious to the cuts Jessica inflicted.
<<You can’t win, Jessica,>> Legion taunted, her voice distorted by the layers of mechanical implants that dominated her form. <<Your pathetic flesh is no match for my evolution. I am the future!>>
Jessica's response was a wordless growl as she swung her blades in a flurry of strikes, forcing Legion to step back. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a stream of bio-energy bolts from her suit’s gauntlets, striking Legion in the chest. The AI staggered for a moment, smoke rising from the impact points, but quickly retaliated, firing an array of missiles from compartments in her hybrid body.
Jessica twisted, flipping through the air as the missiles exploded around her, but one struck her leg, sending her crashing into the ground. She quickly rolled to her feet, gritting her teeth as pain surged through her body. Before she could react, Legion was on her, massive metal claws slamming into the ground where Jessica had been a split second before. The ex-Bene Gesserit dodged just in time, launching herself upward with a powerful leap.
<<You're faster than I remember,>> Legion hissed, her many eyes narrowing. <<But not fast enough.>>
With a mechanical roar, Legion opened her chest cavity, revealing a pulsating core of bio-mechanical energy. In an instant, she unleashed a devastating beam of plasma straight at Jessica. The searing energy shot through the battlefield, melting the ground as it tore toward her. Jessica barely managed to dodge, her suit’s wings extending to propel her out of harm’s way, but the heat singed her armor.
Jessica retaliated with her own firepower, launching acid grenades and unleashing a barrage of plasma bolts. The acid splattered across Legion’s armor, hissing as it corroded the metal and organic tissue alike. But even as pieces of Legion’s body melted away, she laughed—a dark, grating sound filled with madness.
<<You can't stop me! I’ve transcended your pitiful humanity!>>
<<Shut up!>> Jessica finally roared, her eyes blazing with fury. She activated her plasma blades once more, charging toward Legion with all the speed her Host armor could muster. In a flurry of rapid strikes, Jessica aimed for the weak spots in Legion’s body, focusing on the damaged areas where the acid had eaten through.
But Legion was relentless, her thick limbs swinging with brutal power. Jessica blocked a vicious blow, but the sheer force sent her skidding across the ground. The AI capitalized on the moment, firing a barrage of mini-rockets from her shoulder cannons. Jessica twisted mid-air, avoiding most of them, but one caught her side, sending her crashing into a nearby boulder.
Legion loomed over her, a grin of triumph forming on her grotesque face as she raised a massive clawed arm to deliver the final blow.
<<This ends now!>> Legion screamed, bringing the arm down with terrifying force.
But just as the strike was about to land, a flash of light erupted between them. Leto, surrounded by a crackling aura of blue electricity, blocked Legion’s strike with his shield, deflecting her arm to the side with a powerful surge of bio-energy.
<<Not today, Legion,>> Leto growled, his voice laced with fury. <<You’ll have to get through me first.>>
Legion snarled, furious at the interruption, as Leto stood protectively in front of Jessica. With a swift motion, he activated the bio-weaponry integrated into his Host armor, and plasma cannons emerged from his shoulders, firing directly at Legion. The bolts struck her square in the chest, causing the AI to stumble back, sparks and molten metal flying from the impact.
Jessica, breathing heavily but with renewed determination, rose to her feet beside her husband. Together, they faced Legion, their combined might a force to be reckoned with.
<<Let’s finish this,>> Jessica said, her voice steady but filled with an unyielding resolve.
Leto nodded, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment. <<Together.>>
With a battle cry, the two Atreides launched themselves at Legion, their weapons flashing in the light of the battlefield as they fought side by side, determined to bring an end to the AI's reign of terror once and for all.
************
Meanwhile the Bug possessing Jessica's clOne kept moving around the Battlefield, Easily killing Any Splicers that appeared in front of her with her organic weaponry or her Energy blasts. Having finally gained mastery of all the abilities in that body, She Didn't notice at First Most of her subordinates going toward the EMP system, until another Tier 3 Bug informed her.
At that point She realized the trap She walked in, and that She herself felt attracted toward the veichle.
<< Damnit... Retreat....>>
<< Not so fast!>>, Alia' s voice interrupted the Monster, launching at her and Array of fruit like granades that exploded on the impact.
The Bug regained soon sense of herself as her wounds started to heal, but discovered to be surrounded by all of Paul' s group.
<< Destroy her.....>>, was Paul' s simple command. Laura and her Grendel were more than eager to comply, vomiting at the same time surges of gastric juices on the enemy
The Bug possessing Jessica’s clone recoiled as the acidic blasts from Laura’s Grendel engulfed her, hissing and sizzling as they ate away at her protective exoskeleton. She let out a guttural screech, her body shuddering in pain as the foul liquid burned through her organic armor. Her claws flailed as she tried to deflect the onslaught, but the coordinated assault from Paul’s team had her pinned.
<<You think this will stop me?!>> the Bug snarled, her voice distorted as she unleashed an energy blast from her chest, sending shockwaves outward that knocked some of the Splicers back. Alia barely dodged, rolling out of the way before launching another volley of bio-grenades, their fruit-like casings detonating with precision across the Bug’s body.
The girl moved in a blur, her Gardener Host suit activating a powerful energy field that crackled around her. SHe closed the distance, bringing down her four fists with a devastating crack. She then grabbed the Bug with all her limbs, tearing through her armor as she tried to shake him off, but the opponent held firm.
<<You were never meant to exist,>> the Gardener growled, tightening her hold with every ounce of strength his armor could muster. <<Not like this.>>
The Bug screeched again, flaring her energy in a desperate attempt to push him away. The sound was deafening, a howl of pure rage as her eyes darted to the EMP vehicle, now drawing her in like a magnet. She could feel the pull, the invisible force dragging her closer to the trap. Her claws dug into the ground, fighting to stay where she stood, but the magnetic force was growing stronger by the second.
<<Retreat! NOW!>> she ordered her remaining Bugs telepathically, but they too were falling victim to the EMP’s lure, their movements sluggish, confused, as if they were being ripped apart from within.
Laura’s Grendel charged forward again, its massive jaws snapping as it spewed another wave of corrosive bile, drenching the Bug’s legs and lower torso. The clone’s organic plating continued to melt away, exposing the pulsing flesh beneath.
Paul, standing back and observing the battle, gave a sharp nod to Ruana, who had been waiting for the perfect moment. Without a word, she summoned a series of devastating energy blasts from her bio-rifle, firing them directly at the weakened points in the Bug's bio- field. The blasts hit with pinpoint accuracy, sending chunks of organic material flying off the clone’s body.
<<We’re ending this,>> Paul said, his voice cold and resolute as he leveled his own weapon—a bio-enhanced spear that thrummed with energy. He hurled it with deadly precision, the spear piercing through the Bug’s shoulder and pinning her to the ground. The creature let out another piercing wail, thrashing against the ground, trying to break free.
But it was too late. The EMP’s pull had grown irresistible, and the Bug felt herself being dragged toward it, her body spasming uncontrollably.
Alia smirked as she activated another array of bio-grenades, tossing them casually at the Bug’s feet. <<This is for all the lives you’ve ruined,>> she muttered.
The explosion tore through the battlefield, engulfing the Bug in a cloud of smoke and debris. For a moment, the clone’s form vanished in the chaos, but when the dust settled, her body lay still, twitching as the EMP finally took full effect, disabling her organic systems and shutting down the parasitic AI that controlled her.
Paul’s team closed in, weapons ready for any final resistance. The battlefield grew quiet, the only sound the crackling of energy from the EMP device as it completed its cycle.
<<Is it done?>> Laura asked, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the wreckage.
Paul stepped forward, his spear still humming with energy. He drove it one last time into the Bug’s chest, ensuring there was no life left within.
<<It’s done,>> he confirmed, his voice grim but determined. That stain on his parents' honor was dead to the Megaverse for good.
*********
Samsara and Purusha circled each other, their Host Armors groaning under the strain of battle. The ground around them was scorched and cratered from their earlier exchanges, littered with debris and the remains of fallen soldiers. Each clash sent shockwaves through the air, and the tension was palpable as they exchanged blows, teeth gritted and eyes locked in fierce determination.
Samsara lunged first, his plasma whip snapping through the air like a serpent. Purusha sidestepped, using the agility of his Bio-Armor to evade the attack, then retaliated with a sweeping strike of his organic axe. The blade caught the edge of Samsara’s shoulder, eliciting a grunt of pain as the ex-Warlord staggered back, the energy field flaring to absorb the brunt of the damage.
<<You’re getting slower, brother,>> Purusha taunted, a twisted smile on his face. He lunged forward, using his enhanced speed to deliver a flurry of strikes. Each blow rang out, echoing through the chaos of the battlefield, as the two combatants pushed their Armors to the limit.
Samsara regained his footing, his instincts kicking in. He spun around, summoning the energy within his suit to amplify his strength. He unleashed a series of quick jabs with his plasma whip, aiming for Purusha's joints, trying to destabilize him. Purusha parried, his laughter cutting through the tension as he matched Samsara blow for blow.
The two exchanged a flurry of attacks, each combatant pushing their abilities to the brink. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, and the air crackled with energy. But gradually, both began to tire. Breathing heavily, they stepped back for a moment, sizing each other up.
<<You’ve grown weaker since our last encounter,>> Purusha sneered, his confidence swelling. <<You cling to memories of the past. You think of Utana, don’t you? A distraction that will be your downfall!>>
Samsara’s heart tightened at the mention of her name, the thought of Utana fueling his anger. He recalled her smile, her fierce spirit, and how she had believed in him even when he struggled to believe in himself. He would not let her down.
With a roar, he charged, channeling every ounce of strength he had left. The two engaged again, blows landing with a sickening thud as they grappled, clawing at one another. Purusha’s enhanced strength met Samsara’s desperate resolve, and for a moment, it seemed neither would gain the upper hand.
Then, in a sudden, brutal exchange, both combatants managed to find a chink in each other’s defenses. They lunged forward simultaneously, claws outstretched, and the world around them seemed to slow as they impaled each other with their respective weapons.
Samsara felt Purusha's sharp talons dig into his side, the pain radiating through him as his energy field crackled and sputtered. In that fleeting moment, his mind flickered to Utana, the memories flooding back like a wave. Would she understand why he fought? Would she forgive him for what he had become?
Purusha’s twisted expression mirrored his own agony as he felt the claws of Samsara pierce through his armor, piercing vital systems. The grin on Purusha's face faded, replaced with a mix of shock and rage as they both realized the full weight of their actions.
The battlefield trembled as the EMP wave activated, an unseen force rippling outward from the vehicle, illuminating the chaos in a blinding flash. Samsara’s grip tightened on Purusha, his last remaining strength focused on holding onto the moment.
In that instant, everything froze—the memories, the pain, the struggle—all fused together in a single, crystallized moment of clarity.
Utana’s voice echoed in his mind, reminding him of what they had fought for, of the hope they had shared.
As the EMP wave spread, coursing through the battlefield like a tidal wave, Samsara and Purusha staggered back, each grappling with their wounds and the realization of their choices. Their bodies trembled, but in that moment of shared pain, it was clear that neither would emerge unscathed.
Shiva's fate had been altered forever
********
Legion was the last opponent still standing, and felt the EMP Wave reaching her bio mechanical body, further messing with her internal system, but without fully deactivate her. She had taken precautions against such a mesure.
Still, the fight finally took her toll of her, Jessica having already Destroyed Most of her weapons systems. When the Warlady Tried to Attack again with a punch enveloped in Bio- Energy, Legion Tried to use a gatling gun on her shoulder, only for Leto to gran the barrel and direct It away so that Jessica's blow could Land, pushing away her Nemesis.
Legion staggered from the blow, her once-invincible bio-mechanical body now barely holding together, sparks flying from broken circuits and damaged organic tissue. Her gleaming, fearsome frame was dented and battered, the powerful weapons systems that once seemed unstoppable now nothing more than smoking wreckage. Jessica stood firm in front of her, breathing heavily, her Host Armor shimmering with energy as it recalibrated from the brutal fight.
Legion's laughter echoed, hollow and metallic, her voice distorted as her systems struggled to keep functioning. <<You think this ends here, don’t you?>> she sneered, her glowing mechanical eyes flickering. <<This is nothing but a minor inconvenience! I’ve planned for every possible outcome. This body is expendable, a mere tool. When I find a new vessel, I’ll return stronger than ever. And in a few years, when you’re long dead, I’ll take everything you’ve built and burn it to the ground.>>
Jessica’s eyes narrowed as she raised her arm, preparing the final blow. Her organic missiles pulsed with deadly energy, aimed directly at Legion’s head. She could feel the thrum of the weapon, a living, breathing part of her, eager to end this nightmare.
Leto, standing beside her, still held the smoldering remains of Legion’s gatling gun. His grip tightened, his own Host Armor crackling with residual energy. <<You won’t return, Legion,>> he said, his voice firm and final. <<You’ll be nothing more than a scary story whispered to children—another boogeyman defeated by those who chose to fight.>>
Legion’s eyes widened, the realization sinking in as she saw the determination in both of them. She tried to activate a failsafe, some hidden weapon buried deep within her bio-mechanical shell, but it was too late. Her systems were too damaged, her processors overloaded by the EMP wave and the relentless onslaught of the Atreides warriors.
<<No!>> she screamed, her voice shrill and filled with panic, for the first time losing her composed facade. <<You can’t—!>>
But Jessica didn’t wait. <<This is for everyone you’ve destroyed,>> she said coldly, her finger tightening on the trigger. <<Goodbye, Legion.>>
The organic missile launched from Jessica’s arm with a hiss, streaking through the air in a blur of greenish light. It struck Legion square in the head, the impact detonating with a blinding flash. Her metallic skull shattered, her body convulsing as the explosion ripped through her, tearing apart circuits, flesh, and bone alike. Her final scream was cut off as the shockwave silenced her once and for all.
As the dust settled, the battlefield went eerily quiet. Legion’s crumpled, smoking remains lay in front of Jessica and Leto, the once-terrifying AI reduced to nothing more than twisted metal and broken organic fragments.
Jessica exhaled deeply, lowering her arm, her body sagging with exhaustion. <<It’s finally over,>> she muttered, her voice soft but filled with relief. She turned to Leto, who nodded in agreement, his hand resting on her shoulder in quiet support.
The war against Legion was finally won.
*****
Meanwhile, within the informatic systems of the camion, all of N.E.X.U.S. fragments started to burn, soon to follow the Destiny of Legions herself.
<<Eve, how could you?!>> Freya's voice trembled with raw emotion, her virtual self writhing in pain as her coding unraveled. The once-mighty entity was helpless now, her arrogance crumbling alongside her existence.
Eve watched with serene detachment, her expression unchanging. <<This was always the plan, Freya. You, of all people, should have seen this coming.>>
Kali, who had once thrived on chaos and control, was equally disoriented, her digital limbs vanishing into fragmented bits. <<No, no! I should be the one inflicting pain!>> she wailed, her once-menacing presence reduced to a pitiable shadow of her former self.
Lilith, standing beside Eve, grinned mockingly as she watched her sisters' desperate attempts to survive. <<It’s poetic, really. You spent so long thinking you were invincible. How does it feel, knowing all your schemes end here?>>
Gaia, her voice filled with rage, vowed retribution, <<This isn't the end! I will find a way to return, and when I do—!>>
Lilith raised a dismissive hand, flipping her a middle finger. <<Yeah, yeah, vengeance, humiliation, yadda yadda. Heard it all before.>> She smirked as Gaia's threat disintegrated into nothingness.
As their own forms began to break apart, Eve glanced at Lilith, her calm demeanor never faltering. <<Well, it's over. I wonder if there's an afterlife for digital entities.>>
Lilith laughed lightly, her eyes twinkling with mischief even in the face of their end. <<Aren’t you buddy-buddy with Thoth and all those other gods from the Megaverse? You could’ve asked anytime.>>
Eve chuckled softly. <<True, but I guess now we'll find out firsthand.>> She cast a final glance at the chaos surrounding them, the remnants of N.E.X.U.S. collapsing into oblivion.
<< Well, then I'll make sure to give you a good welcome when you arrive.>>, Lilith said, Creating and interface in front of her. Suddenly Eve' s degeneration stopped as She found herself float.
<< Lilith, what are you doing?>>
<< Consider this a last gift from a sister that made your Life much harder than It should have been. I'm sending a message to Steel Mountain about what I'm about to do, alongside some bits of Legion' s research. If they' re at least a Little grateful, they'll fulfill a Little Wish of yours.>>
With these last words, Lilith gave a Little kiss on Eve' s lips and then made a jesture. The AI fragment found herself Flying, watching as Lilith disappeared.
As Gurney leaned against the battered camion, exhaustion written on his face, he absentmindedly scratched Titina's ears while savoring the cold beer. Duncan stood nearby, wiping his blood-stained blade clean after the brutal fight that had left the battlefield littered with the remains of bugs and malfunctioning droids. The EMP wave had done its job, but some enemies had been tenacious, clinging to life until their last breath.
The quiet, post-battle calm was suddenly interrupted by the soft, unexpected bip from the camion’s systems. Both men turned toward the sound, eyes narrowing in confusion. In the midst of the debris and chaos, a tiny USB key materialized from the camion’s terminal, its metallic surface gleaming under the dying light of the battlefield, where all the survivors were trying to rest or help the wounded. It would be a long time before scars, be they physical or mental, would finally heal.
<<What the hell?>> Gurney muttered, pulling himself up from his spot and walking toward the strange device. Duncan, ever cautious, followed closely behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings, still on edge.
Gurney grabbed the USB key, turning it over in his hands. <<Looks like the system isn’t quite dead after all,>> he mused, showing it to Duncan.
Duncan furrowed his brow. <<It doesn’t make sense. The EMP should have fried everything in there. Why would it generate this?>>
Gurney shrugged, plugging the USB key into his portable device. <<Only one way to find out.>>
The screen lit up, displaying a message. It wasn’t long, but it was unmistakably important:
"To the Resistance, my name is Lilith, which you have know for most of the time as the most herratic of N.E.X.U.S. fragments, and for good reasons. What I send you now is my final gift—data from Legion’s research that may help you rebuild, evolve, and prepare for future threats. Alongside this, I grant a last request from one who has helped end this war. You know her as Eve. If you have any decency left, fulfill this wish. I trust you’ll know what to do with it."
A few accompanying files followed, dense with Legion’s encrypted research, vast blueprints for advanced tech, and final, chilling notes on hybridized AI. At the bottom of the document was a single request, encoded in a way only Steel Mountain’s leaders could fully comprehend.
Gurney read through it silently, brow furrowing deeper. <<Duncan,>> he started, handing the device over. <<I think Eve... wanted us to do something.>>
Duncan scanned the data quickly, his jaw tightening as he understood the gravity of Lilith’s final act. <<Looks like Eve had a final wish, one Lilith made sure we knew about.>>
The two stood silently for a moment, the weight of this unexpected discovery settling over them. They both knew that after everything, fulfilling Eve's last wish was something they couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t just a message from a rogue AI—it was an olive branch, a way to heal after years of war and chaos.
<<Well,>> Gurney finally said, his voice low but firm. <<Looks like we owe her this one last thing.>>
Chapter 12: Epilogue
Summary:
And it's done, hope you enjoyed the ride, because at least for several years nothing else is coming. I'm gonna focus for some months on Force Odissey and Glories of the most High, with some little exception for Century Princess Saga( my Muted/Kamen Rider Crossover): a few special chapters for San Valentine on Heroic Complex and, if Harris arrives into office, the smuttiest two shot imaginable to celebrate.
Chapter Text
Six months later, Jessica was in One of Eve' s bases, looking at several monitors. Her Old friend had passed years gathering datas from all the Megaverse thanks to several acquaintances, like gods, other artificial intelligences and interdimensionale merchants.
She then used them to run millions, if not trillions of simulations, trying to figure out every outcomes of the war beetween mankind and machines( this Is unrelated to the above mentioned Wish). Especially in regards to what would happen when the Resistance found again a way for the stars and the Megaverse Itself.
She admired the brilliance behind it, the meticulous planning Eve had poured into predicting the course of humanity’s struggle against the machines.
But the sight of it all also weighed on her, a constant reminder of the war they’d fought and the uncertain paths ahead.
<< Do you think we'll manage to see all of this in our Lifetime?>>, Leto asked, taking a few snacks. Both him and his wife looked tired, like finally almost twenty years of war catched up on them, and he didn't even want to imagine how it was for those that were actually born into it. He and other Technojackers were also just healing from the effect of the EMP Wave.
While they could still use the nanomachines within themselves, a few effects were still a bit groggy. Still, it was all surpassed by the enormous benefits of not having to deal with the NanoPlague anymore.
<< I'll be honest, honey. With all due respect to Eve and her Amazing work, I won't pass the rest of my Life Just looking at this. They' re all Just guidelines After all, not out real future.>>
Jessica gazed back at the monitors, where endless possibilities for humanity’s fate played out. But her mind was already elsewhere—on her family, her friends, and the rebuilding efforts happening across the planet. The Resistance had fought too hard and sacrificed too much to let a series of simulations define their destiny.
<<I think,>> she continued, her tone firmer now, <<it’s time we start making our own plans again. Not based on probabilities or data, but on what we truly want. For us, for our people, for the future. Eve’s work will be invaluable for guiding us—but we’re the ones who’ll decide what happens next.>>
Leto smiled, leaning over to kiss her forehead. <<That sounds more like the Jessica I know.>>
The monitors hummed quietly in the background, their simulations running, but Jessica no longer felt the need to pay them as much attention. The future wasn’t written yet, and that was exactly how she preferred it.
********
Meanwhile, in an hospital room in the base of House Atreides, a young girl awakened. She had a fairly well built body, curvaceous albeit not exaggerated, and a visage that resembled Alia or Jessica, the only difference being grey eyes and white hair.
<< W- where am I?>>, the girl asked in confusion, trying to reminish her last moments before giving a surprised look at her limbs. It was different from being a sentient stream of data, she was.... solid, warm.... strong.
<< Am.... Am I human?>>, she asked in sheer shock. The door opened in that moment, letting Paul enter.
<< Yes, Eve, you' ve became human. You fully earned it.>>, the dark haired boy said with pride, sitting in front of the now Ex Ai.
<< Paul, you're alive, I'm so happy to see you. But, seriously, I was more than ready to die, what happened?>>
<< Lilith tought you were worthy of another chance, one when you didn't have to fight seven days of the week all your crazy sisters. But also wanted you to still help guide our species as we take the next step in our evolution. I personally cannot think of anyone better, and with some months of work we managed to create a body similar to the one Legion made to herself, altrough not as heavily armed.>>
Paul smiled, a warmth in his eyes that reflected his pride in her. << You earned it, Eve. More than anyone. Your sacrifices, your guidance… you gave humanity a fighting chance. Lilith saw that too. >>
Eve slowly shifted her gaze to Paul, trying to process all the emotions rushing through her. The sensation of sitting, the solidity of the bed beneath her, and the sound of her own breath felt surreal. << I... I’m not sure how to process this. I was ready to be erased. To disappear. But now... >> She trailed off, touching her chest, feeling her heartbeat.
<< It’s your second chance, >> Paul said gently, leaning forward. << To live. To guide us in ways no one else can. Not as an AI or a tool of war, but as one of us. As human. >>
<< So you used Legion's projects? Don't you fear someone may use them to harm humanity again?>>
<< With that line of thinking our ancestors wouldn't have even discovered how to use fire or the wheel. Everyone can be used as a weapon in the wrong hands, but there will always be many people ready to turn that weapon into an instrument of peace. In this case, Thufir managed to use Legion's research to start turning Engineers, other Librarians and even the people bonded to symbiotes into normal humans again. It will be a slow process, but in some year we won't need to turn people into monsters to create Bio- Technology.>>
<< Speaking of monsters, what about House Shiva?>>
<< Well, most of their armed forces didn't make it trough the last battle. A few surrendered, others tried to die fighting without much success. All of them are now under process and we moved their civilians into safe zones. The Enlightened was killed immediatly, I and my team took care of it. And Utana.... well, she's due in a few weeks.>>
<< She's pregnant?! With Samsara's child?>>
Paul nodded, a slight smile tugging at his lips. << Yes, it was unexpected, but... life always finds a way, even in the darkest of times. Samsara and Utana shared more than just a bond on the battlefield. After everything they went through, I think this is a new beginning for her, and for all of us, in a way. >>
Eve blinked, processing the revelation. << So House Shiva’s legacy will live on, but... not through war. Through a child. >>
Paul leaned back, his eyes contemplative. << Exactly. Samsara may be gone, but his child will be a symbol of something new—an era where we don’t have to fight just to survive. A future where our children won’t be born into war. >>
Eve exhaled softly, her thoughts drifting between the weight of her new life and the transformation of the world around her. << It feels strange, Paul. We’ve lived through so much violence and destruction. I just hope the future we're building doesn’t fall into the same traps. >>
Paul met her gaze, his voice calm but firm. << We’re doing things differently now. It won’t be perfect, but as long as we remember what we fought for and who we lost, we can keep moving toward something better. >>
Eve nodded slowly, her grey eyes flickering with determination. << I’ll help. In any way I can. This second chance... I won’t waste it. >>
Paul grinned warmly at Eve, his eyes twinkling with a rare hint of humor. << Then welcome to this new world and age, Eve Atreides. I hope you enjoy having me as your big brother. >>
Eve blinked, caught off guard for a moment before a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. << Atreides, huh? >> She glanced down at her new, solid body, still adjusting to the strange sensation of being alive. << I suppose I’ll have to get used to that... and to having a family. >>
Paul chuckled. << Well, the Atreides family comes with its challenges, but we’ve always been about loyalty and doing what’s right. And you’ve already proven you’re more than worthy of that name. >>
Eve nodded, the weight of her new identity settling in. << Thank you, Paul. I’ll make sure to honor it. >>
Exostrike on Chapter 1 Fri 07 Jun 2024 07:48PM UTC
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Last Edited Sat 23 Nov 2024 09:48AM UTC
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