The pilot was at peace. His scouting finished, he could finally return home. It had been years. Long years. He hadn't seen the sun of his home planet in much too long. He was glad he could finally return. "Alpha Base, this is Beta Leader. Docking clamps are disengaged, and I'm on my way out." "Copy Beta Leader. We're glad for you. Have a safe trip home." "I'm sure I will, Alpha. I'm sure I will." "Beta Wing, let's head home." "Copy." "Copy." "On your wing." The four pilots headed toward the jumpgate, and vanished in a flash of light.

The Others. They were coming. Early. The groups must be assembled. The One rushed to find them. The trick he'd learned from Aelsolah would come in handy, this time. Very handy.

"So, Lead, what are you planning on when you get back? After the interminable briefings, I mean." You could almost hear him smile over the comms. 'I don't know. I haven't given it much thought. We've been out here so long I don't know if I remember what 'Home' looks like. I hear they've been finding "artifacts" with some new technology they've cooked up. I might try my hand at that. At least for a while." "Sounds fun. I think I'm going to see if that girl at QC is still around. The last time I was there, she said I was the only one for her!" They all laughed at that one. It was pretty lonely in deep space. Noone said anything much after that, though. They were all thinking about what they'd find when they got home - and how much everything had probably changed. Was it even home anymore?

There they are. Those... monstrosities... of metal. Disturbing the sacred deep with their impetuous wake. They can't even fly without causing those atrocious ripples. Those "gates" as they call them... those are the worst. We keen with anguish to watch our sacred homes sullied by these foul interlopers. Now is the time. The Others will learn what it is they defile. Attack.

Out of nowhere, a dozen Conflux appeared, dead ahead of the returning battle group. The pilots recovered from their surprise quickly, however. "2, I need you and 4 on flank. 3, you're bait, I'm trailer." "Copy." "Copy." "On my way." "Mark. Ok, we have 2 Phocaenas, flanking one Eel. The rest are krakens. I'm going to hang back a bit for fire support. Flankers, you're on the phocs, 3, tag that Eel and take the hell off. I'll try and finish him." Double clicks in response. The Intensity shot under the Eel, dropping a Morning Star into it's side. The eel flipped over and after the Intensity in a pink blur. The trailing Phoenix ignited a flashfire in pursuit. The intensity weaved madly, in and out of range of the eel, taunting it. The two Typhoons angled in towards the paired phocs, evading featherfires from the kraken. With impossible agility, the Phocaenas flipped toward the chasing Typhoons. The astonished pilots juked neatly, just managing to evade their fire, which beginning their circles.

We have them, brothers. Encircle, and ensnare them.

Space was suddenly filled with Conflux. Eels, Kraken, Phocaena, Mantas, and some types the pilots had never seen before.

You are the others. You will be made to see. Here is where it ends - and begins.

The pilots stared, gapemouthed, at the armada assembled. If they resisted, they would be torn apart before they could take even one down. "Beta, this is Lead. Lock comms into long-range, and transmit from now on. At least they'll know what's coming." "I hear you Cerekerr. It was good flying with you." "Omran, with you as well. Xeiathel, I'm sorry we didn't make it home. Widikido, I had hoped we could have made it to QC. But it's been an honor, gentlemen. Resist as long as you can." The thieves closed in, and Cerekerr knew no more. Not as Cerekerr.

You die here.

Soon, brothers. They shall know pain. Their foul emissions shall no more sully our space. We will have Vengeance. We will again be at peace.

The broken craft hung in space. A warning of what is to come. A reminder of death, on purple wings.