High above the atmosphere, the ship of alien design floated in the low gravitational pull of its home dock. Purple metal glistened as the naked sun struck on the substance of strange composition. But what was strange in a world as chaotic and eclectic as Rhy?din?

And as dangerous.

The Captain stood in his quarters as battle harness was applied, advanced shield technology seeping through the sinuous design of his race?s technological prowess. The Sangheili looks over as the beeper went off on his desk, and he took it up. ?Talk to me, Commander.?

The female voice of his Communications officer emanated over from her console. ?Captain, our scanners indicate massive activity under the Orphanage. Scans indicate that there is a device of mass destruction buried underneath. The Avengers are requesting our immediate presence.?

?Time to move,? he would say. ?Have our Marines muster at the grav lift, along with a contingency of five software people, and proceed with re-entry.?

?Copy that, sir,? she would say before static took over with the severed contact. But without even waiting, Buram?s sword, pistol, and plasma rifle were planted on his hip and thighs and he was heading out to the bridge.

Upon access to the dark of C deck, Buram nodded to his Marines and the group of software engineers gathered for the oncoming battle, strapped to their seats in the wall as the ship shook with re-entry, and soon it would appear high over the city of Rhy?din. The Avengers card was then taken up from a compartment on the Captain?s back side, and he would activate the comm device. ?Captain Fovemai to Elpis. Elpis, do you copy? We have entered Rhy?din skies, and myself and a group of Marines and software people are ready at the grav lift on board the Traveler. What is your situation, and are we coming in hot??

As the voice of Diana broke across the line of communication with his fellow Avengers, Buram and the gathered crew listened intently to their mission. With a nod, the Captain would answer the affirmative and shut off the device.

He then looks at the apprehensive crew and speaks up. "Alright, men. Here is the plan. Our orbital scans of the warehouse indicate strong forces, anywhere from twenty to forty. We have to move fast and silent in order to disarm the bomb and succeed in extraction." That is when the communicator was taken out, along with a chip, which Buram inserted into the former. A holographic display of the warehouse was conjured from the top of the device, offering a blue 3D image of the target, complete with reds, and entry and extraction points.

"Now, the device is located somewhere under here. Our mission is to find the basement, disarm the device, and make our way out without attracting attention.

"Be sure, marines. We will be outmatched, and outgunned. Secrecy is imperative if we are going to get out of here alive."

That is when Rithmussk spoke up. "How will we get in, Captain?"

"Getting in is the simple part. The scans tell me that there is no enemy presence outside. We will enter, and extract, from the roof. If these scans are accurate, we will be able to enter without attention through the ventilation shafts open on the roof. We will simply crawl, single file, through the shaft that runs on the basement.

"We will send two teams, with a pair of the Software people in attendance. I will lead one, and Rithmussk will lead the other. Whoever takes the right shaft and finds themselves in the basement will silently deal with any enemy forces that might be protecting the bomb. Now, Diana has warned us that the bomb is very unstable. You need to check your fire and not hit it. I also cannot stress enough that the Software Engineers must be protected at all costs. We can't afford to lose them, otherwise the bomb will be unable to be hacked and disarmed properly.

"The team that finds themselves in the main body of the warehouse will make their way to the basement access. This is most likely where the heaviest enemy presence is found, and if you draw attention, distract them and head for the outside. Hold out for as long as you can to secure our extraction."

"And what about extraction, sir," spoke one of the Lupinossai marines, apprehension and fear in his eyes.

"Excellent question, Spots. Once the bomb is disarmed, we will be unable to climb out through the ventilation due to the length of the vertical shafts heading to the roof. It will also require somebody to stay behind to lift us into the safety of the ventilation, and I'm not going to abandon any of you. We will have to fight our way out, men. Keep close, stay together, and all of us should be lifted safely into the Traveler without major casualties.

"Are we clear?"

"Hoorah!"

The Captain, unable to smile, simply nods and deactivates the hologram, depositing the chip into his belt before holding up the same device to his quadrapedal mouth. "Ellie, take us to the warehouse."

And so she did.

"Are you ready," asks the Captain as the ship stopped in its flight and the grav lift which they were situated next to opened and activated. The marines and Software people they were charged to protect stood up and nodded their affirmative.

With that prominent hiss, Buram's plasma blade was taken in hand, the bluish hue reflecting off of his power armor. "Then let's get this done." With the Captain in the lead, the brave crew jumped through the open door and landed gently on the gravelly roof of the warehouse.

Behind his helmet Sergei grinned - top speed he could definitely do. "I was hoping you'd say that."

But no other words were spared for his teammates. He marched toward the edge of the roof, querying air traffic over the radio as he went. Then he dove off, engine igniting before he could hit the street, and a blur of motion consisting of the young pilot and his rocket streaked toward the Market District.