As the chaotic scene unfolded in the Nexus Rings' bar, with the mechas electrocuting the brawlers, Aldred and his crew shared amused glances. After a moment of laughter, Shuzib gathered the team, his eyes gleaming with newfound knowledge about the legendary stones.
"Friends, amidst this amusing chaos, I've uncovered information about the Space Stone and the Soul Stone. The Time Stone we possess could be the key to unlocking their locations," Shuzib exclaimed, excitement evident in his voice.
Aldred nodded, recognizing the significance of this revelation. "Alright, let's use the Time Stone to our advantage. But first, we need to find a safe place to discuss our strategy."
As they contemplated their next move, the Celestial Schemata, a colossal army of thousands of starships, appeared in nearby space. The crew, along with the bustling inhabitants of the Nexus Rings, watched in awe as the massive fleet materialized.
Aldred's eyes widened. "I cannot believe we will see them again at such a short time."
"Fuck!" Salamander cursed. "What do we do now? Is he going to destroy the Nexus?"
The sudden appearance of the Celestial Schemata's colossal fleet sent shockwaves through the Nexus Rings. Whispers of concern and anxiety swept through the bustling space station like wildfire. Visitors, traders, and inhabitants alike couldn't help but express their worries about the potential threat the fleet posed.
Aldred and his crew, hidden in their concealed location, observed the growing unease among the diverse crowd. Salamander's curse hung in the air, mirroring the tension that now permeated the once-vibrant marketplace.
No one could blame them. The Veil of Shadows was a lawless place.
One could do anything as long as one had the power to do it.
The Nexus Rings may provide a little bit of order in this chaotic realm, but it was mere illusion. All of them knew it would be catastrophic if the Celestial Schemata attacked.
As the tension reached its peak, the Nexus Rings activated their defense systems with a cacophony of mechanical whirrings and hums. Gigantic cannons emerged, aiming towards the celestial fleet, creating a visible barrier that surrounded the space station. The once-lively marketplace was now a tense battlefield, with the inhabitants caught between the protective measures and the potential threat from the Celestial Schemata.
However, that made everyone even more worried.
A battle was about to ensue, and they had nothing they could use to defend themselves. Trying to escape now was futile, they would be blasted to pieces before they could leave the dock.
Aldred and his crew, still hidden, observed the unfolding spectacle. Salamander's fingers twitched with anticipation, ready for action if needed.
However, to their surprise, the Celestial Schemata initiated a disclosed communication with the Nexus Rings administration. A holographic projection of their leader, a dignified figure adorned in celestial armor, appeared on the central hub's viewscreen.
"People of the Nexus Rings, we come in peace," the celestial leader's voice resonated through the station. "We understand your concerns, but we harbor no ill intentions. We are seekers of knowledge and guardians of cosmic balance. Our presence here is not a threat to you."
The Nexus Rings' administration, cautious yet open to communication, engaged in a dialogue with the celestial leader. The defense system was gradually lowered, but the powerful cannons remained active, ready to respond to any sign of hostility.
"Guardians of cosmic balance?" Aldred scoffed.
The news of the Celestial Schemata's peaceful intentions brought a collective sigh of relief among the inhabitants of the Nexus Rings. The once-tense atmosphere began to ease, and the diverse crowd started to exchange glances of reassurance.
The Nexus Rings' administration, after a careful consideration of the Celestial Schemata's communication, decided to allow them to dock.
The mechanical whirrings and hums of the defense systems gradually subsided, and the once-imposing cannons were lowered. The Celestial Schemata, with their colossal fleet of starships, began to approach the Nexus Rings and skillfully docked their massive, powerful ships.
As the Celestial Schemata's fleet took positions around the Nexus Rings, a sense of awe and curiosity swept through the inhabitants of the space station. The starships, intricate in design and adorned with celestial symbols, stood as a testament to the advanced technology and cosmic mastery of their creators. The sheer number of vessels and the magnitude of their armaments left the onlookers, both visitors and locals, in silent admiration.
The meticulous maneuvering of the starships, each one a marvel of celestial engineering, conveyed a sense of order and precision. The once-tense atmosphere began to shift into an atmosphere of anticipation and wonder.
"I don't think anything in the universe is capable of stopping them," a man commented.
Aldred heard that and replied: "Are you sure about that?"
"Of course, I am sure. Look at those ships. Those metals. Those designs! The armada has various ships for different purposes. They are clearly a precisely coordinated war machine. I've seen an armada like them capable of destroying an army ten times larger than themselves. Even an entire solar system defense forces would be razed to the ground within a single day."
"You are so confident with your opinion."
"Of course, I am. I've been in this mercenary business for decades. I know who not to mess with. You look like a newbie, how come you decide to come to this place?"
Aldred was quite surprised. Usually, people would respect him for his very expensive gear. "Well, let's just say fate brought me here."
The man scoffed. "Fate, huh. Don't think too highly of yourself, kiddo. You are not that important. Like I said. I have been in this mercenary business for decades. I know who not mess with and I know who I should admire. You guys should come under my wing and I will bring you wealth like you've never seen before. I am actually a commander of a huge mercenary group. If I brought all of my subordinates here, even the Celestial Schemata will be nothing for me."
"Is that so?" Aldred smiled, ignoring all the bullshit.
Shinari approached him and whispered. "Aldred, he's just spouting lies."
Aldred nodded. "I know."
Suddenly, all the Celestial Schemata's warships activated its scanning sensors, enveloping the entire Nexus Rings with green beams for a fraction of a second.
"Found you!"
A squad of robots deployed from the ships with jetpacks. They all flew towards Aldred.
"Fuck!"
They landed right in front of him as everyone else moved away to make space.
The man that talked to Aldred was nervous at first, but then he smiled and stepped forward. "Gentlemen, I am glad that you finally come to me. Let me introduce myself. My name is Gra—"
The robot slapped him in the face, breaking his jaw, removing his teeth, and sent him flying to a nearby stall.
Everyone gasped in shock after that. The mechas nearby was about to confront them until they received order to stay put.
One of the robot stepped forward with a metallic cube in his hands. It put down the cube on the ground and it sprang open.
The metallic cube, adorned with intricate symbols, emitted a low hum as it activated. Green energy pulsated along its surface, creating mesmerizing patterns that seemed to dance in response to an unseen rhythm. The air around it crackled with anticipation, and faint whirring sounds echoed through the marketplace.
As the cube's energy built up, a series of green arcs formed a protective barrier around it. The onlookers, both the crew and the inhabitants of the Nexus Rings, watched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The atmosphere became charged with an otherworldly presence.
Suddenly, the cube unleashed a blinding flash of emerald light. It enveloped the immediate vicinity, leaving an afterimage imprinted on the eyes of those who dared to gaze directly at it. The hum reached a crescendo, and a wave of energy rippled outward, distorting the air itself.
When the brilliance subsided, two figures emerged from the now-dormant cube.
Archon Stratos Vortimer, the leader of the Celestial Schemata, an imposing figure of metal with seemingly endless wisdom in his eyes.
His appearance was that of a robot, but something about him made it easier for others to distinguish that he was the leader.
Behind him was a massive robot built like a bodybuilder on steroids.
Quantum Sentinel, his most powerful and loyal guard, always at his sides wherever he went.
Vortimer stepped forward, staring at Aldred directly.
"Not giving up yet?" Aldred asked.
"Only when the fabric of time unravels and the cosmos crumbles beneath the weight of eternity shall our respite be found. Our relentless pursuit will endure until we reclaim that which is rightfully ours."
"So poetic." Aldred chuckled. "Have you pull any girls with that?"
"Do you yearn for yet another clash upon the battlefield, or do you harbor a desire for the tranquility of peace?"
"I've fought you for 2 years straight on a gas planet. Do you think I am going to give it up now?" Aldred continued. "Besides, I already sell it to someone else."
"What? You sell it?"
Aldred shrugged with a smirk on his face.
