(OOG: Alright everyone, now that Colin, Sere, and Arcana have posted I think I can post the final battle post. After this I think DeM is ready for the time jump. If anyone has other posts to make, make them but otherwise perhaps Arcana could confirm that the timejump is set after this. Well I hope you all enjoy - it's a collaboration between myself, James, Amber, and Anas.)

Adin Senka and Shad Vander made their way up the mountain on which the capital's Palace stood, moving over the fallen gears of all alignments and climbing over those harder to pass. Although the battle was nearing it's end, and Kislev had all but surrendered to the greatly amassed Gebler forces, small skirmishes could skill be heard throughout the city. As Adin led Shad up the mountain's side the view of Bledavik became increasingly clearer and even the small Gebler infantry gears at the southern edge of the city came into view as they efficiently rounded up captives and made their way through the streets.

In one hand, Adin firmly held Shad at gunpoint as the Shevat pilot took the lead in the ascent, and with the other he futilely swiped at his sweat-spotted forehead, hoping to rid himself of the thin film of perspiration that was there. He wondered idly about what Gebler would gain from such a take-over. With the recent capture of Nortune, Solaris had almost all of Ignas in its command. The Ethos, also a puppet of Solaris, virtually held Aquavy in it's clutches. Elru was hardly a threat any longer and any villages on the ice caps or anywhere else on the surface offered hopelessly small defense against Solaris and Gebler. Captain Senka's thoughts kept scanning the day's events and the preparation beforehand. What /would/ Solaris gain? What /could/ they possibly strive for after the surface was entirely theirs? What would come next?

Shad's sudden stumble over the dead body of a fallen Kislev soldier brought Adin from the void of thoughts, but the glimpse at the pilot's flight suit only dropped him back in. Shevat. Solaris' most hated rival - atleast from the stories he had been told in Jugend. Would Solaris attack the twin floating country after the surface was theirs? Would there be no end to the hunger for power? A sudden vocal question brought Adin from his own.

"If you're going to shoot me, get it over with"

It was Shad, who had slowed his pace enough to safely turn and ask the question. Adin's reply was a momentary blank stare, but he soon firmly pressed his gun into Shad's back.

"You won't get hurt as long as you cooperate" he replied, forcing Shad to continue his trek up the deserted streets.

Adin turned again to look at the city below. Clouds had sailed their way over Bledavik and under the sun, spilling their shadows crudely over the land, rays of sunlight piercing through at spots, making golden spotlights that moved over the city, like god's eyes were looking over the victory. A bittersweet scene, Adin thought, but once again he was brought to by the sound of Shad's shuffling footsteps. Their walk had taken them to the giant steel gates of the Palace courtyard. Two Gebler soldiers (neither of which Adin recognized, probably under Ariath's command) stood guard, and saluted as they approached.

"Captain Senka, Lord Ariath and company are expecting you inside"

**************************************

Dust hung in the air like a fog, just thick enough to tint everything a brownish-gray, and shafts of light streaming in through the windows high above seemed like solid fingers reaching down from the sky to touch the unworthy stones of the palace.

Myaru lifted a cloth to cover her mouth and nose, stifling a cough. Describing this situation as 'unpleasant' would have been quite an understatement, in her opinion. She was well aware of the consequences of battle within city walls and the various effects it might have, but it wasn't unreasonable to wish the battle had been steered away from their base of operations, was it?

Not that it was plausible; Gebler soldiers were so strung up on drugs they likely didn't even remember their own names while in the heat of battle. Pathetic.

After a few moments of surveying the room, Myaru turned on her heel and strode to the nearest chair, taking a seat gingerly so she wouldn't stir up yet another cloud of choking dust. The palace hadn't been hit hard... but apparently the ruckus in the city below had been enough to shake the hill's weakened foundation...

Bledavik wasn't going to be able to stand up to much more of this. First Diablos, then Kislev... now Solaris, once again. Three wars, all fought on the same front. No wonder the palace was falling apart. The foundation had been damaged in the first attack; if steps weren't taken to repair the city permanently this time, Solaris wouldn't need to worry about Aveh any longer, she'd wager...

"Fancy meeting you here."

She lifted her gaze from the floor, and suppressed a shiver, immediately casting it down again. This meeting had been expected - time to play her part. "I left a message."

Footsteps advanced toward her, crunching through a scattering of broken glass and splinters; one of the windows had imploded during the battle. "You 'left a message'..." Ariath's voice was calm, still. No sign of anger; but he expected an answer, and his tone said that he meant to get it, sooner or later. "You left two actually, as I recall. Neither was very informative."

Ah well. This had been expected too, hadn't it? "I'm sorry. I was asked to leave at short notice... I did my best. I wasn't allowed to say anything about it..."

She couldn't see his face; his voice gave away nothing, making it almost impossible to discern what he was really feeling, or thinking. She could have tried other methods, but now was not the time for that.

"Nervous, Myaru?" He bent down, his head tilted so he might get a look at her face. "Don't be. I would like to know where you've been, and what it was that was so important you could not even notify me of your departure... but this is neither the time nor place for a private conversation. Don't you agree?"

"Of course I do." She lifted her eyes again, finally, and he straightened, forcing her to tilt her head back to look at him. "I... just wanted to apologize..."

Ariath raised a smooth eyebrow, reaching forward to twist a strand of violet hair around his fingers. "I was worried about you. I hope you won't do this again, Myaru... but we can talk later, as I said." He let her hair slip through his grasp, and he motioned for her to follow him. "Come along... we have a meeting to attend to."

*******************************

As Shad and Adin walked through the almost-decimated courtyard to the main entryway to the Palace, Adin noticed several dead Kislev soldiers that still hadn't been collected for disposal. They clutched at their wounded parts, their gazes forever fixed as they lay limp on the stone. The main doors opened, pulling Adin's attention from the corpses, and out stepped Lord Ariath...followed by Myaru. Adin couldn't help but notice the look on Ariath's face as Adin bowed in respect, a look of surprise almost at the Shevat pilot that Adin now held as a captive. The commander's first words only confirmed his thoughts

"A Shevat pilot...an spy perhaps?" He looked at Shad and spoke to him. "What is your name?"

Shad looked distastefully at the commander, an act Adin was sure would have gotten him killed right then and there, but that wasn't the case. "Shadrach Vander. Shevat Pilot"

Ariath looked him over, suppressing an amused chuckle, "So I see...and what, pray tell, were you doing on the surface?"

There was no answer. Perhaps Shad didn't have one? Adin wondered where this meeting was to lead, but was soon interrupted when heavy footsteps could be heard behind. Adin spun, hesitating his gaze back to Shad to keep a watch on him, but soon looked fully at Aloysius as he approached through the courtyard. His demeanor, as always, showed few emotions, and those that did break through the mask weren't any that Adin would like to have dealt with. He walked beside Adin, regarding the Special Forces Captain as he did so.

"I had my eye on you Adin...and I must say I am impressed. The battle within the Power Station was impressive..." he looked to Shad, a grin - if the man's face could even support one - seemed to tug at the corners of his lips. "...And you've got a fine trophy there."

Adin beamed. This was the chance he was looking for, although he wondered what his fate might be if he /hadn't/ captured Shad. The thought wasn't something Adin liked to think about. Ariath spoke.

"Mr. Kal'Ahaz is right, Captain Senka...I as well am impressed. You secured Solaris a fine spot on the surface."

Adin nodded, but couldn't help but look to the floor at the mention of it. He again thought of Shevat...and his future. Myaru spoke lightly, placing a hand on Ariath's decorated shoulder.

"We must go now...the preparations are to be set."

Ariath nodded and looked to Aloysius once more. "Take Captain Senka back to the capital. I'm sure your friends in the ministry have plans for him."

To Adin, and probably Aloysius as well, there were no doubts of the sarcasm in those words. Lord Ariath and Myaru disappeared into the Palace, and Adin was left with Aloysius...and Shad.

"Bring the Pilot," said Aloysius, motioning to Shad with a glance "We'll deal with him once we're back in Solaris. There's a transport waiting outside the city limits."

***************************************

Shad inwardly groaned. What he would have given for a weapon right now! Some of the highest personnel in the Solarian military were standing before him. His revulsion was almost overwhelming.

He almost considered making a move, just so - what was his name? -- oh, yeah, "Adin" would shoot him, sparing him the trouble of torture. On the other hand, if he were dead they would just take what little identification he had and get the same amount of information either way.

What had Adin said? They were taking him to Solaris? Shad didn't know what to expect. He'd always imagined it a dark and desolate place; the fact that he was going to see it firsthand was frightening, to say the least.

What were his superiors thinking right now? He hadn't reported back since the beginning of the attack on Bledavik. Surely they would think something was wrong down on the surface.

Shad lost his footing amidst the rubble, forcing him to drop to one knee. He could almost visualize Adin lifting his pistol quickly.

"Get up."

Shad rose slowly, wondering just how bad things were about to get.

***************************************

Adin lamented that he had captured such a clumsy pilot. How could this guy even pilot a gear - always tripping right and left? Adin secretly hoped that after they were through interrogating him, Shadrach Vander would trip off of Entrenank and fall to his death. As he began to follow the General, Shad still the focus of his pistol, he looked out to the city below. After so much preparation, and destruction, Solaris finally had their prize. The battle of Bledavik was over.

(Summary: Adin and Shad reach the Palace, where they meet Ariath and Myaru. After commending his efforts, The Commander and the Lady leave, leaving Aloysius to the Captain and the Captive. Aloysius explains that they are heading back to Etrenank to finalize things.)