Mission 06 - Hermit of Krion

## 06 - Hermit of Krion

An abandoned, presumed mythic complex - and mythic person - are reawakened as an act of urgency...

## Battle Information

### Location

Abandoned Athrael manufacturing complex, Krion System

### Aftermath

Tactical Athrael victory.* Portion of the Krion Facility reactivated and secured.

## Belligerents

* Annaki Order

* Sylon Collective

## Commanders

* Nephral
* Adikara
* Nimir

* None *(Sylon forces on automatic mode)*

## Forces

* Athrael arsenal excluding Sanctuary vessels
* Neda
* Anoch
* Nimir's Rector

* Sylon arsenal excluding Manufacture vessels
* Assimilated ages-old Athrael vessels.

## Objectives

* Find and reactivate the Krion Facility. *(Partially completed)*
* Destroy all Sylon Emitters to force the drones' deactivation.

* Eliminate all hostile units.

## Casualties and losses

Substantial
Severe

## Involved Characters

* Adikara
* Nephral
* Nimir
* Zeraphim *(Briefing only)*
* Cesral *(Briefing only)*

*Hermit of Krion* is the sixth mission of Chapter 03 - Cataclysm in the Five Nations campaign.

## Setting

The day following the successful escape of the Ark from the pursuit of the Thorun Empire in the Sedra System, High Ones Nephral and Zeraphim, and the Patriarch Cesral convened to debate their next move, with Nephral urging the necessity for a combat-worthy fleet before the Thoruns further fortify themselves in the occupied Athrael home system.

However, while agreeing with Nephral's statement, Zeraphim suggested a too radical a solution - to return to the realm of the Izlar, against the decrees of the Post-Izlar Synod and take control of the Zhogarn creatures, deploying them against the Thoruns utilizing domination techniques the Azrati Order further developed, by studying their behavior. Nephral immediately rejected this, stating Zeraphim was insane with the idea of "playing with unknown forces", unaware of the danger they could pose, and also stated the Keystone was lost on Sedra, to which Zeraphim replied the Keystone was fortunately recovered amdist the chaos.

Cesral, unfortunately, garnered an interest in Zeraphim presumed capability to controlling these creatures, to which Nephral tried to dissuade him, suggesting an alternative solution - to instead head to the Krion System, a long forgotten Athrael province, thought lost to the Sylon Collective, and awaken a supposedly effective hidden factory complex there. Zeraphim retaliated against Nephral's suggestion, calling it a "fairy tale" and citing Nephral's "idealistic plans" were trusted for too long, targeting Nephral's particular trust in the United Federation, which had failed to assist the Athrael forces in the defense of Vemana and fled Sedra.

While Nephral defended himself, stating the Federation expedition, under Benjamin Colburne, did fight valiantly but the Thoruns proved themselves too strong an opponent, Zeraphim further pressed by informing Colburne provided assistance to the Sylons, even helping them to escape Sedra - the same Sylon forces that attacked one of the Azrati Order's Starcities in the Arcturus System, raiding it's Knowledge Central and stealing product plans to replicate Athrael vessels, upon which, soon afterwards, the Thorun invasion started.

Despite Nephral dismissing these claims - while they were indeed valid - and insisting on his suggestion, Cesral unfortunately had made his decision - Zeraphim would be allowed to return to the Izlar.

## Immortal Engines

In apparent disgust with the Patriarch's arguably myopic decision, Nephral departed to the Krion System aboard his vessel, the Anoch, and was eventually joined by the Neda under Adikara, whom shared her experiences of her expedition to the Izlar with Zeraphim and the possible influence the Zhogarn realm had within the Azrati High One, and also agreed with Nephral that Cesral had to be convinced away from Zeraphim's suggestion.

As they had reached the edge of an asteroid nebula, they had eventually encountered an entourage of Athrael vessels within it. However, while the vessels seemed indeed empty, they were operational, nonetheless, to which Nephral and Adikara concluded were assimilated by the Sylons. As Adikara presumed the worst, Nephral decided to press forward, determined to discover whatever had occurred, and thus fought through the assimilated Athrael vessels.

> - "Who disturbs my peace?"
> - "I'm High One Nephral, leader of the Annaki Orde…"
> - "I don’t care if you are the Patriarch or Zealot, you have awakened my neighbors, they will soon come here."
> - "Choose your words wisely! You are in the presence of a High One!"
> - "Remain silent unless you can say something that is more useful than your silence!"
>
> First exchange between Nephral, Adikara and Nimir

As Adikara and Nephral fought on, they had come across a deactivated set of Athrael stations, drones and even a shutdown Rector. As Nephral and Adikara proceeded to reactivate the facilities, they were suddenly contacted by the Rector - revealed to have an Athrael pilot within - whom demanded to know whom was 'disturbing his peace'. After a shaky first contact, on which this pilot, whom called himself Nimir, accused Adikara and Nephral of awakening the Sylon "neighbors", the same Nimir agreed to work with the newcomers in destroying the local Sylon Emitters which could localize Nimir's position, thus buying some safe room for the time being.

Immediately assuming command of the deactivated stations, the Athrael trio set to using the available resources and facilities as to assemble an attack force. Due to the inability of constructing proper capital ships, as a result of the war against the Thorun forces back at the Sedra System, Adikara, Nephral and Nimir made use of Harbinger bombardment drones with which to attack the defenses around the enemy Emitters, including additional assimilated Athrael vessels and even a functioning Sylon automated facility.

As the Athrael forces eventually assailed and destroyed each of the Emitters, Nimir shared his story with both Adikara and Nephral, which he was the last warrior, belonging to an Armada of an un-named Order, which was sieged by the Sylons and the battle was not favorable. As all the other Athraels sacrificed themselves to fend the Sylons off, this Order's leader instructed Nimir to destroy the facility, to the last structure and robotic minion.

Nimir however, found himself unable to destroy the factory complex, claiming each machine had a soul. Thus, Nimir instead created a deceptive virus against the Sylons, deceiving them by letting them assimilate some Athrael vessels - the same which Adikara and Nephral engaged - before he hibernated in total safety with the virus infecting the Sylon systems, deleting all databanks concerning the Krion Facility. The Sylon Praetor eventually left the system, as well, and Nimir only awoke once a year, for the last 442 years, before the arrival of the Annaki Order spurred the Sylon machines into action once again.

With the Emitters destroyed, some relief was temporarily bought, with which Adikara, Nephral and Nimir could reconvene to discuss the present situation.

## Walkthrough

The player begins commanding the Neda, Anoch, a Clairvoyant and a Warpglider and has only one direction to head, which is south-east. As the player will encounter assimilated Athrael vessels, including a Flanker, the Anoch should be sent ahead to tank incoming damage. After dealing with those, the player can keep moving ahead until reaching Nimir (a heroic Rector that can recharge shields, reduce damage to units with shielding and slightly improve allied ships' rate of fire) and the Athrael base, receiving then the objective to destroy all three Emitters.

After Nimir is rescued, the player should start building a few Drones while setting the existing ones to work. The player should also note that there is a Mass Transmitter with a pair of additional Drones and a Polaron Sphere at the eastern end of the base that can and should be rescued. This base will have access to Metal and Tachyon but no access to Helium-3. The Helium-3 asteroids the player will need are instead to the southeast of the player's base entrance, guarded by a small Sylon outpost that should be destroyed. As the player already has a Haven available, a Gathering should be built and deployed into a Central Pyramid on this asteroid field, as to allow a building radius for static defenses, particularly Polaron Spheres against enemy Spears. The enemy cruisers can be easily handled by the heroic units, as long as there are Clairvoyants close by to provide repairs, especially the Neda which can't repair itself. A great care should be taken, however, against enemy Glooms that can target past the shields of either the Neda and especially Nimir's Rector, so both should be retreated for the Anoch to handle, as it has the most hull out of the three heroic ships. The player will also definitely need to construct a Martyrium and Conservatory as soon as possible to field Explorers - to help detect stealth units - and additional Clairvoyants for healing. The player can and should build Intruders and Lancets to dock with the Anoch's hangar.

Though the player will have access to all the units of the Cabal and Haven, but no Sanctuaries available. This is to highlight to the player the ability to construct Harbingers, the artillery unit which the player should have familiarized itself with in *False Flag*. As the player will also already have a Craft Mill available, the player should be able to field further Harbingers, at least up to twelve, as they can help handle enemy cruisers and help bombard enemy defenses since the Invader is not available for this mission. However, to be fully effective, the Harbingers may need an Explorer to help provide vision.

The three Emitters the player must destroy are revealed to the player on the minimap. The first is to the southeast of the Helium-3 field supposed to be reclaimed, close to the eastern border of the map, guarded by Athrael-controlled vessels (three Harbingers, a Rector, a couple of Flankers and some Warpgliders). The player's heroic units, both the Neda and the Anoch, are capable of handling these guarding units through baiting strategy with Nimir deployed and supporting the heroes, as well as a Clairvoyant or two. The Anoch should be used to tank damage in this attack with one Clairvoyant casting the Shield Overcharge ability, especially against the guarding Harbingers and Warpgliders, as the Neda neutralizes them. After the both Harbingers and Warpglider are neutralized, the Neda can bombard the Emitter unpunished. As this Emitter is destroyed, the heroic units can retreat to the Helium-3 field and help defend it.

The second Emitter is to the far south of the map, guarded by fortified Aegises and Pillboxes. While long-range bombardment using Harbingers is viable, the distance alone plays against the player to not mention a guarding force of assimilated Athrael vessels is also on the way. For these reasons, the player is best off fielding up to 6-8 Martyrprobes from the Haven, for their speed, ability to fly over obstacles and heavy damage by suicide. The best angle of attack is by the giant asteroid obstacle *(see image)* where the Martyrprobes can fly in and attack the Emitter. Should the Emitter survive, the player should simply try again until this Emitter is destroyed.

The third and final Emitter is by the western corner of the map and close to the main Sylon base. However, while suggested the player should lay siege to the Sylon base and fight through to the Emitter, the player instead can slip a force of about eight Harbingers to the left side of the guarded Sylon entrance by remaining close to the asteroids and nebula north of the entrance, where the range of the Aegises and Pillboxes cannot intercept. However, the player may sustain some damage from the guarding Leech Mines so the player may need to have an Explorer to shoot the mines. The player will need to be fast, however, as firing against the mines triggers the reaction of the defending forces. Passing to the left side, the player can attack from the suggested angle *(see image)*, neutralizing the sole defending northeastern Aegis and focusing all firepower on the Emitter. Should the player taskforce fail to destroy the Emitter, some Martyrprobes can be flown in to finish the job.

After all the Emitters are destroyed, the mission is finished.

## History and Background

The mission to reactivate Krion firmly cements Adikara's loyalties to the Annaki Order, as well as her loyalties to the Athrael as a species over it's ruling political body, confirming her experiences with engaging the Zhogarns to have cemented her opinion of this species as well. This mission would also inevitably cause the entire Annaki Order, including Nephral and Adikara, to be considered anathema for defying the Patriarch's position, despite the recapture of the facility and returning it to peak functionality to allow the reconstruction of the Athrael armadas.

Nimir's admission of his inability to destroy all machinery while allowing Athrael vessels to be assimilated lends support to a possible theory that Krion could have been a test bed for the creation and development of the Sylon Assimilator. However, the planted virus' deletion of Sylon databanks also explains the necessity of both Cura and the successor Praetor's mission to acquire Athrael vessel blueprints in the Arcturus system, as recalled by Zeraphim in the briefing.