Legends of Amacia Return of the Beowulf

Report on the Electromagnetic Storms

In the Black Fortress, Azeroth looked over the reports from the electromagnetic storms in his lab office. Scanning them on his computer screen and scrolling through the information, Azeroth frowned as he noticed the storms not only consistently created electromagnetic, temporal, and gravimetric anomalies, but also they were growing several orders of magnitude each time one appeared. Just as he finished reading the reports, the Emperor entered with a sour look on his face. “Oh, milord Emperor,” Azeroth called out in surprise, jumping to his feet and bowing. “What can I do for you?”

“Have you restored contact with Kartoom?” the Emperor demanded.

“We have, your majesty,” Azeroth replied. “All is well in Kartoom. The storm and subsequent gravity wave it released did no damage to our facilities there. The shielding was more than adequate to prevent any damage. Lord Zeus is implementing your orders as I speak, and he’s forwarded me the data and reports on the electromagnetic storms gathered in Kartoom. I’ve just finished going over them.”

“Excellent,” the Emperor replied. “What have you and Lord Zeus uncovered about the storms?”

“It is as you thought,” Azeroth replied. “The storms are spawning warps. However, the warps are extremely unstable and collapse before they fully open. That’s what caused the gravity wave we felt from that last storm.”

“The warps are collapsing prematurely?” the Emperor asked, his expression narrowing.

“Yes, milord Emperor,” Azeroth reported. “The warps fall apart just before they coalesce, wreaking all manner of havoc on the world in that area. A collapsing warp is what decimated the Hunter Legions of the 7th Division in Cushar as they laid siege to Hreidmar’s Bastion. When the warp generated in that electromagnetic storm fell apart, the energy had to go somewhere. It therefore tore southern Cushar to bits, causing category nine volcanic and seismic events there. Only a handful of the Hunter Legion soldiers escaped the carnage, and I’m sure every single rebel perished when the volcano blew. That entire valley collapsed into the volcano. We still don’t have reliable intelligence on it because the volcano is still spewing ash and magma, causing great interference with our machines. The event hit with such speed and force, no one could have anticipated it. The entire lower third of Cushar is now uninhabitable. The small valley where Hreidmar’s Bastion stood is now a lava lake.”

“Did any of the officers survive the storm?” the Emperor demanded.

“No,” Azeroth reported carefully. “Only a handful of soldiers who were seriously injured survived long enough to link up with the rest of the 7th Division in Khitia. As of the latest report, even those who survived the calamity have succumbed to their injuries.”

“Good,” the Emperor growled. “That means I don’t need to have them executed for incompetence. What of the other storms?”

“Both were located in the Sea of Calui,” Azeroth stated, scanning the report on his screen. “The last one was a solid category seven electromagnetic storm with strong temporal and gravitational distortions. It almost created a stable warp, but fortunately didn’t. That storm was the strongest yet.”

“Can you predict where the next one will appear?” the Emperor asked bluntly.

“No,” Azeroth answered with a hint of hesitancy in his tone. “That’s the problem with these storms. They appear completely at random. They follow no set natural or artificial pattern we know of. Furthermore, the power being unleashed in these storms is far beyond anything we can deal with. We presently have nothing that can either control or dissipate the energy being unleashed in the storms.”

“Have you established a correlation between the storms and the Rising?” the Emperor growled menacingly.

“We have,” Azeroth stated. “What the ancient writings say about the Rising is proving out with these storms. They are definitely being generated by an incredibly powerful outside influence. The historical records also record similar storms occurring at the same time the Kragonar took place when the Hammer of Nibiru smashed this planet. Those storms too created unstable warps, so I’d say we have confirmation of these storms being connected to the Rising.”

“Very good,” the Emperor stated, pleased with the report. “Have any of you managed to determine when the Rising will actually take place?”

“Not as of now,” Azeroth answered cautiously. “We’re still gathering data on that. However, the closest estimate we have is within half a cycle, but that too could change with new data.”

The Emperor’s gaze narrowed menacingly. “That isn’t good enough,” he declared icily. “I must know exactly when the elements are going to unleash and release us from this grave. If I’m not in position, the Rising will ruin everything I’ve planned. I’m not going to let that happen. Find out when this thing is going to blow apart or I’ll find someone who will. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, milord Emperor,” Azeroth replied, feeling an icy chill race down his spine. “We will make that a priority.”

“Good,” the Emperor hissed, “Now let me see the data on the storms.”

“Right here, milord,” Azeroth replied, gesturing to the computer display. “With your permission, while you’re reading the reports, I’ll relay your order about the Rising.”

“Go,” the Emperor replied coldly, sitting down at the monitor. Azeroth bowed, leaving the Emperor alone with the reports.