Chapter 12: A Small Reprieve

Two days pass.

Nameless, as the Omni knight said, has fully healed. It is all thanks to his mysterious healing magic. She cannot complain. She is packing up her tent with her sister. The goddess of the underrealm said she wanted to scout, so they will meet up later. She is not coming along.

“Her loss, I guess.” Nameless shrugs. Her sister is almost done when she can hear a portal open. The Omni knight has returned, as he promised. He emerges from a blue portal that quickly closes behind him.

“Welcome back Mr. Omni Knight.” Divine flash says.

“You don’t have to call me Mr. Knight, you know.”

“Well too bad, you’re Mr. Knight!” He gives up, knowing not to argue with this one. He turns his gaze, looking for the other. “She won’t be joining us, said she has something else to do. Not that I’m complaining.” Nameless says, sighing in relief. She surely didn’t like that woman, so it was nice to not see her wanting to come with them.

“Alright then. Are you two ready? I will open a portal to a nearby location towards our friend. I can’t open one too close. Something is disrupting me.” The two nod as they are ready.

“Also, exactly who are we looking for here? You never told us, did you?”

“Ah. The Divine Hammer.”

“She is the first person we need to meet. She told me to warp her to certain coordinates, but I can’t warp myself to the same ones she gave me. It is quite strange. And unsettlingly me, too. So, we will have to investigate ourselves.” He lowers his head, thinking pensively.

It could be his brother, the Machine of Chaos, blocking his search efforts. But that would be strange.

He wouldn’t do something so...out of character. He was more of a fighter than a plotter.

So it had to be someone else.

Well, no use overthinking it, he thinks.

“Enough talk. It is time to move.” He raises his hand, a blue orb of energy glowing in it. A portal in time and space emerges before the three of them. Omni knight then runs forward, jumping through it. The other two follow his lead. The portal closes behind them.

As the portal is closing, the goddess of the under realm has returned. Her eyes glow red. Her normal white and black dress has morphed, becoming the red and black armor.

Her true self. The Chaos knight. The two had recovered, to her delightful glee.

“Now my prey is ready to be devoured.” She laughs. She opens her own red portal following them.

The blue portal opens. They arrive inside of a spaceship. Some kind of commercial spaceship, deep in the outskirts of space.

Omni knight takes a quick observational glance; they are in the outer rim of the Heavenly Star Realm.

“Where the heck are we?” Divine flash looks around the room they arrived in.

It seems they are inside of some kind of storage area, and from the sounds of it, inside of a spaceship.

A commercial spaceship is used to transport goods from one sector of space to another. Omni knight continues observing, then a radar pulse is emitted from his chest. Seems like he is scanning the environment with some unknown tech.

“We are on board a third class transportation vessel, which carries food, water, and clothing. This ship is traveling in the gamma sector, which is located in the far fringe regions of the Heavenly Star Realm. It seems like it is heading towards a desert planet, which is north of our current position. It will arrive there in about two hours...I will search my archives for data about this planet.”

“It was the planet the Divine Hammer gave me coordinates for earlier. But I was unable to teleport directly on it. Thus, I sent us to this ship, which is the closest thing from it, at the moment.”

Omni knight looks at the two, then his eyes begin to glow blue. He is focused on searching his data logs for information for the time being.

Divine flash looks out of a nearby window, the only one in this storage area. A third-class transportation vessel was one created solely to transport goods and a small number of people. It had very rudimentary weapons systems, four escape pods, and was a medium sized space cruiser. It was often accompanied by at least one second class or great weapon cruiser, which was typically armed to the teeth with energy weapons, physical missiles, battle drones, and occasionally, a small pilotable battle suit for humans.

These suits were prototype weapons based on larger, humanoid machines that the divine hammer had a few that she managed to salvage, mostly in good condition. The price for a Mechsuit was astronomical so very few had the money to pay for one.

Her sister walks next to her, putting her arm over her right shoulder, then holds her close. The two can see a couple second class cruisers surrounding the vessel they are on.

“How many cruisers ya think are out there?” Nameless asks.

“Well, if I were to guess, at least ten. This vessel is travelling with other transportation vessels, so a squadron protecting the four or five would be my guess.”

“In the intergalactic manual for trade and self-defense, this is a commonly used formation known to the public.”

Again, the Divine flash is showing off her practical knowledge.

To be fair, it was common knowledge, even without the manual, of the commonly used tactics that are used by transport vessels. On the intergalactic broadcasting channels, info documentaries were made on the construction of spaceships, weapons, and even the ship manuals of the most commonly used older ship models.

These were things they watched when they were very young.

Maggie forced them to soak up so much knowledge of the universe. And now she was somewhat grateful for that. Nameless cheerfully whistles. The two sisters enjoy their peace.

But for a moment. Someone has opened one of the doors leading into the storage area and is quite alarmed. Intruders have somehow appeared in the cargo area. A man wearing loose work clothes lets out a loud noise. A worker on this ship, perhaps an engineer, by the looks of his outfit.

“Hey! Who are you! And how did you get here!!! This area is locked and can only be accessed by the captain of this ship! And now that I think about it.” He gets closer, inspecting Omni Knight, who is distracted.

“I don’t even know how you three got on this ship. I don’t recognize your faces. Show some identification!” The worker exclaims, wanting to see an ID for verification. A glum looks reaches on Nameless’ face, but Omni knight has turned around. He has finished scanning his database for information. He stares down the man, who is staring at him incredulously.

“Well? What are you waiting for! Hurry up before I call on—” Omni knight raises his hand, extending it forward. Some kind of data emerges on it, saying some information about him. And is readable to everyone in the room, which is even stranger.

Grade 9 Machine God

Omni Knight

Authorization Authority Level 3

USER ID 98183ΔΕ

The worker, seeing his identification info, seems to freak out, then scuttles away from them, walking hurriedly back through the door, slamming it behind him without a word. The two sisters are quite confused. Divine flash walks towards Omni Knight, curious.

“Why did he react like that, after seeing your ID?” She looks at the ID but she doesn’t understand what these words mean.

“It is a bit complicated to explain. I will have to fully explain it later.” Omni knight laughs.

“The short answer is, I am basically a higher authority level than most people. Authority level grants you not only access to information from the system, but it also grants you tangible, feasible skills that can be used everywhere. At level 3, I can automatically command any lower grade machine unit to do my bidding, if I desire. As well as automatically understand how to pilot, use, or understand any machine or machine technology. That person, being a learned engineer, has been taught the commanding power of Authority level.”

The two nod their heads, only halfway understanding what he just said. Omni knight notices and clears this throat.

“In other words, I simply have more control over machines than he, or you two do at this moment, and more universal authority. Think of it like a rank system.” He speaks.

“This is so confusing. How did that guy even know that to begin with? A bit strange he recognized your Identification at one glance.” Nameless speaks the obvious question.

“The systems, as well as the methodology, and even the machines, which were mostly constructed by the Divine hammer, are all based on ancient creations that predate your birth. So naturally, I know many of the customs of your people. Knowledge about us has always been passed down generation from generation. Even if the people are unaware of what they are being told.”

“Not everything, however. I don’t have the highest level of authorization, unfortunately. I am also aware of the design schematics of this ship, the manual, so on and so forth.” Omni knight says, walking forward towards the other door in the room.

“Anyway. It isn’t that important right now. We should be closing in on this planet, Exera, half desert, half filled with mountains and forests, shortly.” He had finished scouring his memory for data on the planet and found it.

He hoped nothing would happen on their way, but he had a feeling. Someone was going to make it difficult for them.

Divine flash thinks pensively, digesting the words of the Omni knight. He was truly a robot shrouded in mystery.

“You know. You are something else. I bet you have more knowledge of not only this realm but all of the others. And honestly, probably other ones, if I were to guess.” He simply nods his head, opening the door for them.

“You aren’t wrong but it’s not like I can share, either. Like the War goddess.” He watches the two walk through the door, then he closes it, following behind them closely. They see a long hallway in front of them. At the end, it looks like a cafeteria, which leads to the front of the ship. The rooms next to them are sleeping quarters for guests on the ship.

“There is only so much I’m allowed to tell you. It’s just protocol. My apologies.” He begins to bow, but the two motion him to stop. Nameless seems a tad worried.

“Looook it’s not your fault! Don’t blame yourself, nothing ya can do.” Omni knight simply returns to his upright stance, as they turn around and walk forward slowly. Arm in arm. The two walk past the rooms, not seeing anyone inside of them. They soon reach the cafeteria of the vessel.

They see a cook, busy in his kitchen. The cook turns around, seeing them, then ignores them.

The thought of questioning two young ladies, who he has never seen before, followed by some powerful looking humanoid machine made him choose the easiest way out.

The path of ignorance.

He simply pretends they don’t exist as they walk up towards him, or as he gives them free drinks and points them towards a nearby fridge with several club sandwiches, ice cream and soda inside.

The three simply walk off towards the main deck, chowing down on their stolen food.

As they walk away, the old man breathes a sigh of relief, happy they have left his presence.

Omni knight says nothing, as he is handed a carton of strawberry ice cream.

Another carton is in Nameless’ right arm, and a whole bunch of sugary space age blue soda, a sandwich and an apple are in the other. Her sister is in a similar situation.

The two are cheerfully eating their food, blissfully ignoring the fact they straight up robbed the chef. Omni knight coughs, speaking up.

“...Are you even going to—” He gets cut off by Nameless.

“Hmmm? Old man? What old man? All I saw was a kitchen full of food. We just lightened his load, he didn’t need all that food!” She smirks, making Omni knight sigh.

“And they had our favorite ice cream, Strawberry! Yummy! Strawberry is number one!” Divine flash also smirks, giggling as she eats large spoonfuls of her favorite ice cream in the universe.

“Straw-berry, Straw-berry supre-macy!” the two chant as they voraciously consume their ill-gotten food.

Omni Knight, at a loss of words, immediately gives up, face palming.

Following the troublemakers, he continues onward.

They arrive in a hanger, which houses some escape pods, as well as some other useful equipment. Such as weapons, emergency rations, space suits for maintenance.

They continue chowing down, the blue haired sister has eaten sixty percent of the carton of ice cream. Not even bulging her belly outwards. Where did it go, Omni Knight wonders. The red-haired sister chugs down another blue soda, as if she has never drank the beverage before.

“Mmmm, we’re almost at the front of this vessel. Omni knight, can you sense anything out of the ordinary?” Nameless asks, as she chows down on her sandwich.

Omni Knight did not need spoons; he merely consumed the strawberry ice cream in one large motion.

Somehow, even without a mouth, it has vanished. The two are completely unphased by its disappearance.

What a strange duo, he thinks.

“No, I don’t sense anything out of the ordinary, yet. I have a feeling though. A bad feeling.” She nods, turning towards him.

“Reminds me of my intuition. I’m sure something is—”

Before she can finish her sentence, they can hear a large explosion in space.

One of the accompanying weapon cruisers has been destroyed, cut into two. They rush towards the perimeter viewing window in the hanger, watching it explode quickly, debris flying everywhere.

Another large explosion can be felt, this time closer to them. It rocks the ship’s shield system, making everything shake.

Two hurriedly finish their food, tossing the trash on the floor. They rush into the main deck, the front of the ship, where the few commanding officers and crew are helming the ship.

There is a captain, vice-captain, navigator, and crew security officer. They all spin and turn towards the three, surprised by their sudden appearance.

The captain yells. Flabbergasted and angry, he just starts yelling frantically.

“Who the fuck are y’all?! And how did you get on my ship! Undetected!” He wants to scream further at them, but he forces his view quickly back to the front viewing monitor.

“Blasted, just what we needed, as our accomin’ ships got blown to bits only a minute ago.” The captain, a grey-haired fox, with pale skin, and jet black hair, is wearing a captain’s hat and a uniform, sighs.

He has had enough of this shit for the day. Omni Knight walks forward, simply showing his ID.

The captain becomes stone faced. The others look at him, worried. They have never seen him like this.

“Cap, what did that strange black machine show you—” He gets cut off.

“Give commanding authority of this vessel to this sir here, and those two brats. Don’t ask any further questions.” He simply gets up out of his chair, then falls disgracefully to the floor. Divine flash looks at him strangely but then just shrugs.

Omni Knight looks away from the captain. Suddenly, he can feel her presence.

The Chaos Knight. But why now, he wonders.

Why didn’t he feel her moments before, as those ships were blown up.

The navigation officer spots her on the short-range scanner. A red and black knight is floating in front of the ship, glowing with menacing red energy.

“Unknown figure has appeared on our sensors, about two hundred kilometers away! It came out of nowhere!” He frantically says.

The Chaos Knight is floating in space. She raises her large giant greatsword, charging energy within it.

And with a simple slash, a large energy wave is hurtled right towards their ship.