Free Healthcare Is Nonnegotiable (Maelion)

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Valiens Nantaris"]


The once beautiful city of Santaissa lay in ruins, devastated by the impact of a massive asteroid, floods and quakes. Its proud ziggurat had been reduced to rubble, as had its great temples and the Citadels. The planet had been thrown into an impact winter, all civil government had collapsed and now the only thing that was left was a desperate struggle for survival amongst the natives.


Along with hatred for those who had been lucky - or rather wealthy - enough to escape the cataclysm. These chosen ones had been led into the promised land half a galaxy away, while their brethren were left to languish in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. They had not been special enough for the imperialist megacorporation called Firemane Industries to save them. Nor had the Great Goddess Ashira intervened to save her people.


But there was one force in the Galaxy that had not forgotten about the Eldorai. The humanitarian droidmaker Archangel Research and Design, guided by the highest principles of corporate social responsibility, would save them, set up refugee camps, provide security and healthcare. The forsaken would be given a chance to leave this hellhole. In orbit above the planet, the Lightbringer was in position. Several concentrations of Eldorai, what passed for settlements post-collapse, had been identified in remote regions of the planet. Even before the calamity, HRD agents had been stationed on the planet, helping anyone they could to save themselves. Now they had returned in great numbers.


A flotilla of Archangel transport ships dove through the atmosphere of Kaeshana. Archangel knew what was best for the Eldorai and would take care of them; better than their false goddess could have ever hoped to. Whether they wanted it or not.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

The Forsaken. That was what they called themselves. They were the ones abandoned to their fate by the offworlders, their Queen, their Goddess. None cared for them now, and as they lived within the broken ruins of past glories they suffered and died alone.
Sometimes one of them would look up at the sky, at the stars from whence their sistren had gone and from where their doom had come. Then they would look back down at the mud, decay, filth of their reality and curse fate.
Few believed in Ashira now. Why should they? The Goddess had failed them.

Tales spread through the scattered survivors. Tales of Eldorai landing to rescue them, but it was always a mirage. Perhaps some were saved, but few found escape in that way. Occasionally rumours set off a trek over the cold, bleak landscape to find one of these mythical places, only to find them abandoned.
However, there were new outsiders. These came from space, and though they were mainly humans, they came to offer aid.

In the broken city of Ashkirae one such ship came in to land. Warily it was watched from the shadows. The survivors did not come forward to greet the offworlders. Many had heard dark rumours, and in any case wanted nothing to do with the betrayers.
From the shadows a few stasers, blades and even primitive bows were prepared just in case….

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


The Forsaken had been abandoned by the puppet Queen Tirathana and the corrupt Siobhan Kerrigan. Even their Goddess had failed them. But Archangel was there to help, bearing the torch of civilisation to lead them out of darkness into the light. Its quest was most noble, its motives purely humanitarian.


Units HRDs and battle droids exited the Archangel ships. Though their desire were purely humanitarian, Kaeshana was a very dangerous place and the Eldorai would not be trusting. No one could blame them after the hell they had been through.


"Secure the perimeter around the landing zone. Do not engage the natives unless fired upon. Deploy the wasp drones for recon," Callisto commanded. The order was transmitted to every droid in the group. "The temple is to be cleaned up and turned into a clinic." Fortunately Archangel had brought cleaning droids with it, since hygiene was important.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
A couple of ‘drifters’ in the city were carefully placed agents for Archangel. They would not activate yet, but when the time came they would subtly urge the Eldorai around them that these outsiders might be trusted.

And so Archangel landed, and their array of HRDs and regular droids started to clear the area and renovate a shattered temple.

Last to arrive from the transport was Maelion Liates herself. The co-Director of Archangel had judged this mission vital enough that she should be here to handle it in person. After all, the Eldorai might have abandoned the planet for all practical purposes, but there were still valuable organics here to be processed. Not only would these add more essences to the collection to aid in future creation, but they might hold secrets which could be used against their sistren later.

“Callisto, control the wasps personally. Locate all potential threats, but do not neutralise yet,” she ordered.

She would personally direct the clearing of the temple. Food would be provided, medical care too. After all, only healthy organics produced the best processing targets.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


"Acknowledged," Callisto responded stoicly, impassively. For a moment she closed her eyes, then there was a crimson flesh between them due to buried photoreceptors when she opened them again, before they resumed their human colour.


Her mind was synched with the control network of the wasp drones. Anything they saw, she would see. Electronic communication was so much more efficient than verbal, which was another reason why droids were superior to organics. Having provided them with a set of coordinates and a general command to scout for potential threats, she sent the wasps on their way.


They would be able to rapidly transmit images and recording to the improvised command post and through the link she could give them commands, adjust their recon patterns and such. Ashkirae was a shadow of its former self. Santaissa had been always the main economic, political and religious centre of Kaeshana. The other cities had been satellites compared to it, but this city had still been of great importance in the more remote north.


But now its proud buildings lay shattered, its people huddled in fear. So the drones swarmed out like a cloud of wasps. Scans picked up on Eldorai hiding in the ruins of various buildings, armed with a variety of weapons. These ranged from modern ones such as blasters and even bolters to very primitive armaments like stasers, pikes and old bows. The Eldorai army had taken care to evacuate its heavy equipment, but even so some weapons got lost and not all soldiers had obeyed orders. Some had elected to stay behind loved ones or friends did not receive a silver getaway card. Primitve turrets were detected blocking a road into the inner city, Eldorai militiawomen on patrol. Along with bodies lying around or being strung up from lampposts, the reminder of what must have been fierce fighting.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
Whilst Callisto detected the dangers which might face the operation, Maelion was at work strengthening their position.
The typical provincial Ashiran temple was built along a single model; a simple rectangle with protruding walls to form a courtyard. Open air services were common, and processions of the cult statue started in the courtyard. Inside the main, more substantial building, was the living areas for the priestesses, storage and administrative areas and the inner sanctum for the highest level priestesses.
As Maelion toured the ruins she found that the place had been thoroughly looted. The inner sanctum and cult statue had been subjected to the most furious punishment. The marble head had been smashed off and had been smeared with blood before being tossed in the corner.

Still, the temple was in good shape structurally, so Maelion installed droids in hidden locations to cover every approach. E-webs were concealed in upper galleries to provide suppressive fire where needed on any attack.
With this done the courtyard was cleaned and tidied, the upper areas were stocked with supplies lowered from drones.

Soon they would be ready.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


Archangel's recon operation proceeded as planned. Soon the Command Unit, which in this case was Maelion Liates, would receive a transmission from Callisto. "Drones have picked up on concentrations of armed Eldorai in promixty to us. Coordinates of the sectors are attached. Most are armed with primitive weapons, a few bolters and blasters, few vehicles beyond basic speeders. Gangs appear to be in power. Presume minuscule number of Sciians in the city due to the evacuation plan prioritising them. Civilian population is huddled in encampments and ruined buildings. Thorough looting has taken place, few buildings have power."

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
“Acknowledged,” came the positively laconic reply.
An analysis of the situation yielded the basic facts; the gangs and mobs had the civilians cowed and working as slaves on menial tasks. In order to give access to the civilians as well as to protect their operations the gangs must be dismantled.
However, mere brute force would not suffice. If Archangel bombed the concentrations of gangers, they would take everyone off side. The willingness of the organics to walk to their fate was key.

“Dispatch replica units to ‘negotiate’ with the organics. Avoid use of violence unless attacked first with organic witnesses. I will begin preparation for arrival of organics with food, medicine and lodgings. Persuade organics to enter, and do not prevent them leaving…yet.”

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


Kaeshana was so much like old Contruum, or so Callisto thought. An abused, abandoned world that, controlled by lawless gangs and thugs - and Archangel's new playground. A planet in turmoil, united in hatred against those who had abandoned it. Commoners labouring as slaves to serve the whims of warlords. "By your command," she responded in a positively laconic manner.


She accessed her databanks, running through a mental check-list of units of suitable replicant units before settling on Lycea Taeri. Once the woman had been a 'Dashdae Eldorai', which was a catch-all term the Eldorai government applied to a elf who opposed it. Contrary to popular belief, not all of them had been religious zealots who wanted to murder all 'monkeighs'.


Lycae, for instance, had been a republican, for even Tirathana's reign had been unrepentantly autocratic, just less repressive than that of her predecessors. And so, accompanied by two replicants, the faux Eldorai was sent on her mission.


It did not take long before the units were intercepted by a patrol at a checkpoint. Primitive blasters and slugthrowers were levelled at them. Many of the fighters looked like they were children. Their uniforms were soiled with dirt, their faces worn, scarred, their eyes devoid of hope but fierce in their hatred. "Slavers!" one shouted.


"I am Lycea Taeri. We are not aligned with the traitor Queen or Firemane," the replicant said quickly, but calmly. This route had been chosen for the simple reason that there was an HRD embedded inside the patrol. "I represent a group called Archangel. We wish to negotiate with your leaders and provide aid."

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
“Huh, aid?” one of the Eldorai spat bitterly. “Does that mean you’ll be leaving as soon as there’s a light shower?”
“Enough,” one of the others said, coming forward. She seemed to be one of the leaders and was, secretly, the mole in this group. “I am Elthis Vray. Now you listen to me, Lycea, why’re you here really? If you’re really against the Queen have you come to genuinely help us, or just to assuage your guilt?”

Meanwhile, back at the base, Maelion had almost finished her stocking of supplies and resources. This done, she waited for word on how the first contact had gone.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


Outwardly Lycea remained composed. "I'm here to help, not make myself feel better by telling myself about how noble I'm being. I fought the Queen and her lackeys before the collapse. It's not right to leave our sisters to suffer on this hellhole while the traitors live happy lives, acting like Kaeshana doesn't exist. That queen Kerrigan might've forgotten about Kaeshana, but we can help - with medical supplies, food, weapons."

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Moira Skaldi"]
Vray looked around at her crew. Grudging nods and words gave general consent.
“Alright, but you bring the supplies here for now, we’re watching you for any tricks,” Vray said sternly.

Soon several speeders would make their way from the base to Vray’s camp loaded with supplies. Stage one was underway. The targets had been tempted, now they would have to move to the next step which was much harder; ensuring the organics did not notice the trap!

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


Lycea nodded curtly. "Understood. That works just fine," she said laconically. Transmission was sent to Maelion. Purely electronic communication that the elves would not be able to intercept. It was so much more efficient than verbal communication organics so relied upon.


They have taken the bait. Ready to initiate stage one. And so soon several speeders bearing goods would proceed from the outpost towards Vray's camp. They would be loaded with supplies, though for the time being most of them were food or of a medical nature, though there would be some weapons, too. Enough to perhaps wetten the appetite of the elves, but still in moderation. After all, it would look suspicious if they suddenly flooded the Forsaken with goods. Meanwhile, the wasp droids would continue their recon of the city, which, far from being united, was apparently being run by various fractious gangs that bickered for control over resources.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
The Archangel plan was quite ingenious in its own way. Vray’s gang was the biggest in the city, and with them pacified a truce could descend over the area. That would allow the peasants to come out of hiding and come to the main base. At the same time the convoys would drop off supplies in Vray’s camp.
Thus provided for with fresh supplies and weapons, Vray would grow to take over other gangs in the city. All of the time they would be eating the food which was fine for now, but soon would start containing a long-burn sedative. Soon the organics would start dropping like flies, the Harvesters could be unleashed, and any resistance could be swiftly crushed.

Once they were done they could move on to another city.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


The process was comparable to getting someone hooked on stims. At first it felt good and you experienced a rush like no other. You felt stronger, more powerful. For a while you achieved impressive feats and were on the top of your game. But as time passed, you got more and more addicted. In the end it mucked up your health.


Then you would need rehab. The best form of rehab was to be processed and turned into a replicant that transcended organic weaknesses. So it would be with the Forsaken and Archangel. At regular intervals, convoys of supplies would appear on the doorsteps of Vray's stronghold. Over time, they would become more dependent, then start dropping like flies once the sedative was added to the mix.


It went without saying that even with these supplies, the Forsaken would have to make priorities. In a post-apocalyptic environment with no functioning infrastructure, basic services and no civil government, access to food, water and medical supplies constituted control. Some would live, others would die. Clashes between the gangs would produce prisoners. Some would be put to work as menial labourers, others would be classified as superfluous eaters. Not out of cruelty or spite, but simply because there was a limit when it came to how many could be fed.


Archangel would kindly take care of these individuals. Moreover, Archangel would be creating a clinic. To be sure, the Eldorai would be highly suspicious and it would be a long time before any of them came for treatment, but at the same time their healers had been decimated because Sciians had been prioritised for the evacuation. Any Eldorai who went to the clinic would indeed feel better afterwards. For the time being they would not be processed because vanishing for long periods of time would cause suspicion. That would change...soon.


And so it was that Vray's militia, bolstered by her new friends, would soon mobilise to take on a rival gang in the city. The Eldorai of the city were fractious, but the place was too small for so many, and so the metaphorical drums of war sounded.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
It was true that Archangel one day wanted to exterminate all organics…but they could not just start blasting away. Organics had an unfortunate tendency to overcome even vast odds and survive. No, the process would be slow and it would be a long time before they could reveal their true plans. In the meantime a few million Eldorai on a ruined planet would be their tools.

Vray’s militia, now better fed and equipped, as soon bringing the whole area under their control. More and more of the Eldorai would be taking Archangel charity and aid. Word would spread and more refugees would come.
When the time came and they had achieved a proper amount they would start to drug the Eldorai, then unleash the Wasps on those who escaped. Some might get away, but Kaeshana was a big and above all isolated place now….

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


Sporadic fighting continued across Ashkirae, but by and large the town was falling under the control of Vray's militia. More destruction, more dead Eldorai. It was probably fortunate for the civilians that none of the militias possessed much in terms of heavy equipment or artillery. The destruction caused by the apocalypse, combined with the loss of critical infrastructure and manufacturing capability, had in many ways caused a technological regression to a time prior to First Contact. Once the Omega Protectorate and later - and far more substantially - Firemane Industries had brought progress to Kaeshana. Now Archangel was taking their place.


Just in a very different way. After defeating one of the last rival warlords, the militia were in high spirits. Many weapons had been seized, those soldiers who'd surrendered would now labour for the victors. It went all but unnoticed that Archangel had claimed some of the prisoners for itself.


Such a victory deserved celebrations, for happiness was hard to come by on this terrible, benighted planet. And so a day of celebration was announced. Flush with victory, soldiers were making merry and celebrating. Here and there, shots were fired into the night sky, alcohol flowed in judicios amounts like blood, carnal fornication took place. They sang no praise to the Goddess, for Ashira had abandoned them and almost no one believed that such an uncaring mother was worth venerating.


Government House, which had once been the residence of the governor of the city, was the centre of the party. At this juncture, Eldorai vigilance was at its lowest. Spoils would be enjoyed by all. Then the elves would begin to drop like flies, for there was a special additive inside their food and drink. Lycea was mingling amongst the Eldorai. As a matter of fact, she was presently in bed with one of the militia's commanders, playing her part until the strike could begin...

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]
Maelion had watched all from the command centre, links fed in from every HRD and Wasp in the vicinity.

“Callisto, begin stage 3. Create a perimeter around the area. Organics which try to flee are to be terminated. Dispatch Wasps to subdue survivors.”

She manipulated a control panel. Lycea would soon receive new orders – together with Vray and the other embedded HRDs they would capture or exterminate the leaders.

Without leaders the organics would be captured or destroyed.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Maelion Liates"]


The time to strike had come.


Archangel had promised to aid the Eldorai...now it would fulfil that promise. Just not in the way the elves had expected. Lycea and an Eldorai officer were locked in a dance of passion and lust across the bed, kissing heatedly as their hands roamed over each other.


Suddenly Lycae felt a jolt in the back of her skull as new commands were directly imprinted upon her. For a moment she broke off contact with the officer's lips. "You're wearing too many clothes...," the elf was not able to say anything further because Lycea gave her a surprisingly hard backhand across the face, throwing her into a daze.


Grabbing the elf by, she jabbed a syringe into her neck. Her free hand was pressed over her mouth to keep her from crying out. The woman struggled futilely, but the grip of the droid was ironclad and the only thing she accomplished was hurting herself. Soon the drug took effect and the elf fell unconscious.


Blaster pistol in hand, Lycea opened the door and left the room. Unconscious Eldorai were slumped across the hall, having evidently eaten too much of the poisoned food. A shocked Eldorai soldier came running down the corridor. Seeing the HRD she raised her gun, but calmly, dispassionately the droid squeezed the trigger and put her down. Everywhere across the base, across the city, the purge had begun. Dropships carrying units of battle droids and HRDs descended upon the area, setting up a perimeter. Swarms of wasp droids fell upon those elves who'd not been taken out by the sedative in their food.

 

[Maelion Liates]

[member="Callisto Scarlett"]

It was over very swiftly. The militias and rabble of Eldorai were surprised by their ‘allies’ and either captured or killed. All night the dropships loaded with captives took off into orbit.

Maelion led a patrol of HRDs to detect and dispose of the last survivors.

“Begin sweep of sectors four and five. Destroy buildings or locations where survivors might be hiding. I will ensure sectors two and three are clear.”

Each and every room was searched in the benighted village. Those who resisted were blasted, those who could be stunned were caught and dragged out. One place where the Eldorai had barricaded themselves inside a cellar and managed to damage an HRD which had tried to enter, a couple of gas grenades and a volley of blasters dealt with them.

The tally; 769 captive Eldorai for processing. They would be taken to the new Archangel ship in orbit, a ship which made the Lightbringer seem small in comparison. It was a processing factory in a ship, a craft which could turn those 769 captives into HRDs in less than a day….