VOTOMS Ep. 44: The Forbidden

The Schmitel twins call Killy and inform him they were teleported 800 kilometers away from their previous location and back to Gomor. They’re not sure how it happened, but they know they’re in an area of the city forbidden to Quentians. Killy orders them to return to the Secret Society Flagship to make their full report. Chirico wakes up and wonders what happened to everyone else. On the Society flagship, the Schmitel twins report that Quent is a treasure trove of ancient technology that the natives don’t even seem to be aware of. They think that with that advanced technology Killy could rule the Astragius Galaxy. Killy tells them that 200 years ago a Balarant fleet vanished when it came near Quent. He explains that the reason the Gilgamesh and Balarant don’t go after the treasures of Quent is because it’s dangerous. Chirico and Shako speak with Meji again, and he tells them that the teleporter took everyone back to Gomor. Arron and Gurran discuss the possibility of Killy’s orders to plunder the planet. Arron thinks Killy is ambitious and would prefer to rule the entire galaxy rather than just the Secret Society. Killy thinks about the possibilities of ruling the galaxy with the advanced technology of Quent. A soldier informs him that an unidentified fleet is approaching and will make contact in three hours. Chirico and Shako use the Zwerg to head back to Gomor. A shuttle enters the planet’s atmosphere and requests permission to deliver 100 crates to the Mercenary Center. The shuttle is given permission to land and unload the crates. Arron and Gurran emerge from one of the crates, joined by a large number of Zwergs from the other crates. They tell the Zwerg pilots to make no threatening moves and to attack only when ordered.

As the Zwergs begin to march throughout Gomor, Arron announces on a loudspeaker that they only wish to temporarily take control of the city. A group of soldiers emerge from the Balarant garrison, and their leader says that direct military action is forbidden on Quent. Arron says they are just scientists who want to study Quent, and the officers demands to know why they brought ATs if they’re scientists. Arron says they brought ATs because they’re necessary, and he tells the Balarant officer that he’s the aggressor. The Balarant officer orders his men to back off and stay alert. From a nearby building, a Gilgamesh officer observes the situation and tells his men they will make no move until hearing from Melkia. The Emissary observes the situation and uses the beacon to send a message out into the desert. Shako sees the glowing stone and tells Chirico that something bad is happening in Gomor. Chirico wants to head back to Gomor, but Shako tells him they are too far. Chirico suggests they return to the cave where they met Meji. A Zwerg pilot walks over a loose floor and falls to his death. The explosion of his AT causes a massive metal artifact to rise out of the ground. The Schmitel twins reach the forbidden upper half of the city and find it is filled with giant machines. Shako speeds back to the Quentium mine and asks Chirico what he intends to do. Chirico says he believes the Quentian technology reacts to the sound and movement of machines. He fires his gun into the air, and the teleporter activates and transports them to Gomor. A Zwerg approaches, and Shako knocks it down so that Chirico can steal it. Chirico and Shako make their way through the abandoned streets of Gomor, attacking Zwergs as they encounter them. The fighting eventually reaches the upper half, and the giant machines begin to activate. Streaks of electricity hit the Zwergs and cause them to vanish. Chirico tells Shako to quickly turn off all his systems. He wonders what kind of power has awakened and where it will take them.