PLANET KILLZONE
FORWARD
The following is an amalgamation of excerpts from texts preceding but related to the apocalyptic war for Habitable World 2965, or “New Earth,” and the Power contained thereupon.
-And verily did the planet’s soil grow fruitless and barren, poisoned as it was by the blood of untold millions. For millions there were who would give their lives and blood for the Power bound herein, millions who paid the utmost price for the sake of the chance to harness this awesome Power. It was only then, however, when the millions of dead grew by such numbers as to dwarf the mountains with the piles of their bodies, to drown the very seas in their spilt blood, that the foes found themselves depleted; at last, they had all but killed one another off.
And so did each of the quarrelers abandon the planet to its barren soil, its mountains of slain and oceans of blood. Thus was the Power for which so many had died forgotten, lost amid the vastness of space and, following the Great Departure, left for whatever other primitive peoples who came to claim it as they willed.
And it is known that, at some unforeseeable time, such shall be. For such is this Power which created mountains of dead and seas of blood that, should it ever be attained, the race into whose hands it had fallen shall nevermore need home; Power in infinity shall bless any who claim it, though whether for good or evil’s end is unknown. Without doubt, however, it has verily been said that, before the Power is claimed, millions more shall die as they had in the days of old; a terrible fate, more so by far for truth and inevitability…
-Translated Archaic Text found on Habitable World 2965 (A.K.A. New Earth)
Race of Origin: Unknown.
Age in Years: Unknown (est. high billions)
The Progressing History of New Earth (Copyright 1570 Post-Exodus Era)
Recorded for posterity, Status Report #201 from the desk of Mary Goodman, first Colonial Governor of New Earth.
By the fifth year since colonization of HW2965, extraordinary progress has been made. Already several large agricultural facilities have been successfully opened in order to provide access to the food necessary for sustaining life on this world. Despite the initial infertility of the soil, recent tests have proved that, by removing a few key elements from the dirt itself, a rich fertilizer can be created. Soil purification facilities are currently under construction, and should be operational within two to three Earth-standard months.
Further scientific testing has also identified the planetary atmosphere which, despite its lack of oxygen and many other different gases found in many other habitable worlds, has been proven to be able to support the needs of the human body just as efficiently. Also a note of interest, the “water” found on this planet, while made of no substances recorded in human history, it has been found to serve every one of the same functions as regular H2O. Further studies will be needed to ascertain the effect that both will have on non-human races, although it is suspected that no extraterrestrial species would have trouble breathing this atmosphere or drinking its water. This itself poses a possible advantage and disadvantage at the same time; see the report from the Head of Colonial Security recorded after this message to learn details pertaining as to why.
Already several major industrial centers have been created as well, along with vast residential facilities ranging all around these. Planetary resources are scarce; while there have been discovered several major mineral deposits (mining teams have been sent to ascertain the amounts and uses of said substances) and a number of small forested stands, much of the planet remains barren. The number of habitant animal species discovered has not grown above 57, although no attempts to plumb the depths of the oceans have yet been carried out.
On a final personal note, I would like to express my optimism for the future of this colony. As well, I wish to send my sincerest gratitude to the High Council of Colonization Affairs, the various corporate sponsors whose good will and donations have seen us through all hardship and strife, and all other gracious groups and individuals who have invested in this small part of the bright new tomorrow for humanity.
-Signed,
Mary Goodman
Colonial Governor Mary Goodman
WORDS FROM THE CHAPTERS, THE HUMBLE GATHERING OF TALES AS RECORDED BY THE FAITHFUL SERVANTS TO THE MIGHTY, BENEVOLENT, POWERFUL, GLORIOUS FATHER AND KING OF HIS PEOPLE, VYRON!
…And so once more did the EYES of Vyron survey the universe in all its wholeness, knowing with WISDOM all that HE saw. And HE was filled with RIGHTEOUS ANGER, for HE knew that there were still those who would seek to deny HIM what was by right HIS. The WRETCHED CWAINIANS, whose demon goddess had long chained him in INTOLERABLE bondage; the INFIDELS of the Celestium, who would MALICIOUSLY thwart HIS every attempt to claim HIS DIVINE RIGHT to the alternate universe that they scarred with their presence, and who worked unabashedly with the HATED VOID SLAVES (Cwainians); the IGNORANT HUMANS of the HERETICAL Galactican Empire, and the WORTHLESS SCUM who named themselves the Aldarecks; the UNHOLY REPTIRAN DEMONS, whose sins are so many as to fill a black hole with malevolence; and always, a DEFIANT and IMPUDENT foe as ever, the very VOID which dares to separate HIM from all that is HIS! All of these FIENDS, HE perceived, and HE loathed them with RIGHTEOUS VENGEANCE!
So, too, did HE see the work of HIS FAITHFUL SERVANTS, the TYRONIANS, whose endless toils were all for but the sake of bringing HIM much deserved GLORY. And this did please HIM, although HE knew that their work and HIS was far from complete.
And then HE saw it…
AT ONCE, THE HOLY, ALL-SEEING AND ALL-KNOWING EYES OF VYRON CONCENTRATED ALL OF THEIR WILL UPON THE POWER! HIDDEN TILL NOW BY THE MALICE OF THE VOID FIENDS (demons) BUT VEILED NO LONGER, IT WAS CLEAR AND TRUE AS HIS OWN WORD THAT IT BELONGED TO HE AND HE ALONE!
“MINE!” quoth our KING, and with that one GLORIOUS word HIS FAITHFUL PEOPLE did rush to see that HIS WILL be done! Five thousand interplanetary ships there were in total; between them was borne ONE MILLION TYRONIAN WARRIORS, including common soldiery, Mass-Leaders and Clerics. To lead them into GLORIOUS BATTLE, HE sent the FEARLESS, LOYAL Arch Mass-Leader, Arador, the WISE, POWERFUL GLORIOUS CLERIC, Mordus, the SACRED PYRAMEN, Tyrgoth, Vyron’s Hand XXXXXXVVVII, all following in the wake of Ragnon the Relentless, MIGHTY JUGGERNAUT AND SERVANT OF OUR KING!
And so said HE to THEY: “GO FORTH, MY CHILDREN, THAT YOU MAY CLAIM THE POWER IN MY GLORIOUS NAME, AND SMITE ALL THOSE WHO WOULD STAND BETWEEN ME AND WHAT IS MINE BY RIGHT! FOR I AM VYRON; ALL THAT EXISTS IS MINE, AND ALL THAT IS NOT MINE IS NOTHING!” And upon hearing this HIS warriors roared and beat their gills, crying for BLOOD and the chance to SERVE their KING!
And thusly were they launched through the DEFIANT VOID, the WILL of our KING bearing them safely to the distant planet, whereupon they would find and claim the POWER that was rightfully HIS! VYRON ONKH BAH!
* Bleep! * Welcome! This is an official recording of the meeting of the Celestian Council held in order to discuss the Power discovered upon the Galactican colonial settlement of Habitable World 2965. The events and discussions of this meeting have been recorded for posterity and so that future generation may gain insight as to the past workings of the Celestian Government. Begin Recording:
(The Council of Affairs sits assembled in the great Amphitheater, located in the Celestium, an alternate universe created in order to house the workers and soldiers of a confederation of the races dedicated to defending the Galaxy from the forces of evil. The Amphitheater is a magnificent structure, stretching so many stories that such a building would be impossible to build given the gravitational limits on any other planet. Even so, despite its incredible height, some distortion of the light causes those at the topmost levels to be able to see those at all of those lower down with acute clarity, and vice versa. The intricately constructed pillars and walls speak of the architecture of many different peoples, all combined into one awesome building. A myriad of different creatures, ranging from regal to humble in their shape and bearing, have all gathered within this immense centre of activity in order to discuss an important issue which has just come to light.)
(The building itself is cylindrical, topped with a great dome and decorated on the outside with the statues of many a historical leader and hero. Within, at the very bottom level and in the very center of the Amphitheater, is a podium reserved for whomsoever has the need to speak on the subject at hand. At the moment, the one who has stepped up to the podium is General Jiath Ouakal, a decorated jorkjagarnian military leader and highly respected soldier and member of the upper echelons of the Celestian High Command. He raises his hands and wings, spreading the hood on his neck as wide as it can go, and silence fills the room; he is about to speak.)
Jiath Ouakal: “My fellow Celestians, please hear me! Statespeople and generals, comrades in war and peace alike, I come into your presence upon an urgent affair! Would that I had but a bit more time to grace you with splendid speeches, but time is of the essence! Please hear that which I have come to say, so that you may judge with expedience and wisdom what course of action is to be taken in order to deal with it!”
(Jiath Ouakal strikes a fine figure for any hero; like all jorkjagar, he is a tall, reptilian bird, whose slightly humanoid torso is accompanied by lean, three-clawed arms and long, bird-like legs, a swishing, snakelike tail, and a long neck like a cobra’s. His head is avian in shape, with a long, hooked beak, an eye on each side and one in the middle, and two eyes fixed to semi-mobile bones that jut from the top of his head. A line of long, sharp blades runs down his spine from the top of his head to the tip of his tail, with one especially large blade between his shoulder blades and another jutting forward just above his middle-eye. A blade is also located on each elbow, shoulder and knee joint. He also has large, impressive wings laden with serrated flight-scales; they are unbelievably light, and act in the same function as would the feathers of any normal bird.
(Generally, Jiath Ouakal holds his head high with pride and confidence, but to look closely into his eyes would reveal, behind all of his bravado and splendor, a solid rock of cool determination and intelligence, ever smoldering against an eternal flame of passion and action. To see this would be to instantly understand how Jiath Ouakal had weathered so many battles, won so many victories against the enemies of the Celestium and all that is good in the universe. He had been alive longer than most of his kind still serving in the military, and had done so through both cold determination and calculation, combined with the burning passion for action and victory. Again he addressed the assembled committee, telling them all about the current situation concerning the Power which had been discovered somewhere on a Galactican settlement.
(When he has finished saying his piece, another member of the committee rises. This one is also a jorkjagar; although he now wears the flowing, multicoloured robes of a statesperson, the many bionic attachments and replacement parts scattered about his body speak of a life lead in service of the military. He spreads his wings, jumps from his seat and floats gracefully down to the podium before Jiath Oakal. Both exchange respectful bows; it is well known that this statesperson, known as Sequarrel Estrauth of the High Military Council, had personally taken Jiath Ouakal under his wing as an apprentice, and raised him into the warrior he is today. The two had fought and bled on many a battlefield before Sequarrel’s age and health dictated that he retire from the field of combat and take up a less direct – although no less respected – position in the military.)
Sequarrel Estrauth: “I have no doubt that you speak truly, my most worthy of students; I, too, have heard of this Power, although until now I had thought it a legend, or at least some long-lost relic from an ancient race which had destroyed itself in its own arrogance. Now I see that this long-lost artifact has been found, and with it either renewed hope or increased danger to all that we hold dear. Clearly, something must be done to seize this relic before our enemies learn of its existence, but I must respectfully ask how it is that you intend to do this?”
Jiath Ouakal: “It was my intention that you, as a committee, discuss this matter in order to create some plan of action. However, if the choice is thrust upon me as to what must be done, then I myself do hereby volunteer to take upon my shoulders this important mission.”
(The murmuring of hastened discussion buzzes through the assembled committee. All had expected the famous jorkjagarnian general to put forth his taloned hand to aid whatever course of action must be taken, although there was some discussion as certain details that must be worked out before anything at all could be done for the situation.)
Member of the Committee: “Nobody here doubts the bravery or sincerity of your words, mighty general. However, you must remember that our forces throughout the Galaxy are stretched thin; between the lizarnians and the tyronians, it is nothing short of a miracle that we manage to hold the territory that we do! Where do you intend to get the soldiers that you need to undertake this mission?”
Jiath Ouakal: “You raise a worthy point, my friend. To this I answer that I shall take my own contingent of five hundred thousand warriors to the Galactican colony of Habitable World 2965. We shall surely meet no resistance from them, and may even commission their aid in our plight. With luck we shall arrive before any hostile empires can do so, and leave without their even noticing. You may discuss whatever you wish here, but any of the fine particulars can probably be dealt with by myself and my officers, if such a plan meets your approval.”
(Murmuring begins anew, although mostly in approval. Sequarrel Estrauth and Jiath Ouakal exchange glances, the former grinning proudly at the latter, who smiles in gratitude.)
Sequarrel Estrauth: “My student, despite the wealth of years you have inexplicably managed to gain in service to our military, I still maintain that you are far too young to listen to the tedious ramblings of old crones such as us in this Amphitheater. I have full confidence in your abilities to handle the situation successfully; any instructions or suggestions we feel fit to give to you can be relayed to your communicators once you have reached the planet. Go now; as you yourself have said, time is of the essence. I am sure that nobody here objects to this course of action?”
(The general murmuring of the assembled committee shows that this plan is generally accepted. Smiling gladly, Jiath Ouakal bows his head respectfully to his mentor, who bows in turn.)
Jiath Ouakal: “I thank you, my dearest friend and mentor. (Raises head, arms and wings to address the entire audience) I swear by my own honour and everything that is sacred that you shall not regret your decision today!”
End Recording: Have a nice day! * Blee-oop! *
AN EXCERPT FROM THE NOTES OF RETSTARA, HEAD OF BIO-ENGINEERING FOR THE FORCE OF THE LIZARNIAN TALON-LEADER, ARRSH’TAK.
SIDENOTE: The aggressive, hostile, super-predatory, and often deservedly classified as “Evil”, race known as the lizarnians keep few known records of their dealings, military or otherwise. However, one rare piece of information was garnered after the apocalyptic final battle for New Earth. It was a leaflet from the documents of Retstara, the chief lizarnian Bio-Engineer from the Talon (a force of four million, seven hundred and eighty two thousand, nine hundred and sixty nine lizarnians (not counting mutants, artillery and airborne forces) – the equivalent of nine Scythes, eighteen Blades, or eighty one Claws) of Arrsh’tak. Upon translation into Galactican English, it was revealed that these notes described a quick account of his current work, written for his eyes only (not all references can be initially understood) in some unidentifiable poisonous black substance upon a smooth, chemically treated skin-like sheet. Unfortunately, the majority of whatever personal documents this insane scientist may have kept have been lost, leaving the innermost workings of the twisted lizarnian psyche a mystery uncovered to this day.
ENTRY #50, 716
The new claw functions relatively well. Revisions include hollow needle-tubes, scalpel digits, and smaller grasping talons. Some veins and arteries need work – blood supply cut off in certain areas. Needs improvement – almost satisfactory. Could be better, though.
Furthermore, have noticed a setback with Test subject 000253. Five hours ago it collapsed inside modification tank, shrieking and gasping and bleeding profusely from several inexplicable punctures. Could not be saved – Test Subject 000253 died within half an hour. Post-mortem autopsy revealed cause of bleeding; internal organ failure, conflict between skeletal, arterial and venereal systems, and chemically induced hemophilia. Walls on some glands too thin; muscular contractions made burst inside body, spilling harmful acidic chemicals. Some veins and arteries compressed against bones during movement, causing trauma to blood vessel walls and eventual, inevitable puncturation. Certain used chemicals also found to cause profuse bleeding in subject. As it was a lizarnian “volunteer” in use during the experiment, said augmentations need more research before being safely added to the private Modification Plan.
On a more pleasing note, the new mutant has turned out quite well. Biological armour is more than stable – can withstand near unrealistic amounts of heat for estimated 1.357 hours, as well as heavy laser and bullet fire. Once correct genetic structure is laid out and proper materials are available, new mutant can be bred quickly and inexpensively, and in large numbers! Physical weaponry lacking, although probably unneeded; is powerful enough already! Even so, perhaps a mutant can never be powerful enough… will ponder subject later.
Finally, have recently made new alterations to Modification Plan; includes twenty more glands for secretion of bio-toxins, neuro-toxins and stimulants of several types; three more claws (differently shaped for different purposes); projectile spines; mobile jointless limbs, and other major augmentations. They will be needed; Talon-Leader Arrsh’tak says that we shall be arriving on planet-side within a short time. I, for my part, look forward to this campaign; the potential held by this fabled Power knows no bounds…
No continuing notes were found, although with sufficient historical knowledge one could easily connect the allusions made within this text to later facts and events which are known to have taken place. In a way, these poisonous scrawlings act as the first tumbling balls of snow before a massive avalanche, and a grim indicator of some of the terrible events that were to come.