They had obtained all the precious cargo from the Labor Engine, and returned to the ship. They where about to make for Cyrene, but the ship's scans picked up on xenos activity upon the now exterminated planet of Salika. It was taking place upon the once lush Mount Icarus. Spike intercepted the animal communications.
*Brothers and sisters...* said an Eldeer doe in grief, *the pony ships have carved large fissures into the world... some deep enough to cleave the buried Woodworld. We... we located the Infinity Circuit. The flames reached deep, and... every biodome, every... every soul stone... Nothing remains for us here. All are to report to the Webway Assembly. Once we return to the Webway, we will collapse the channel to the Woodworld, sealing this tomb for eternity.*
"It is rare to have the element of surprise against the Eldeer," said Spike, "and we may obtain something of value from them."
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Without delay, Helios, Applejack, and Pinkie were deployed onto the charred surface of Salika, along with Anti-Armor and Building Devastator Marines. The Eldeer were alerted of their presence, and were both shocked and infuriated of them.
"You... you DARE violate this tomb! You pathetic, soulless savages!" the female Eldeer cried. "... Very well. If you are so eager to hear our cries, I shall shred your mind with the wail of the shrieker! Butcher them! Do not let them near the gates nor the Assembly!"
The Pony Marines moved out on the hunt for the animals' gates and their Assembly.
"Eldeer! Your death comes!" Helios shouted for them to hear. He looked up to see Eldeer Guardians atop the small cliff. He took to the sky and slammed into them, crushing them beneath his hooves.
The Pony Marines had to quickly destroy the gates and the Assembly, or the Eldeer would escape. Helios regrouped with the others and they moved onward, defeating every Eldeer they encountered. Their search led them to one of the Webway Gates, which was being defended by more Eldeer.
"Protect the Webway Gates!" the Shrieker ordered. "They lend their power to hasten our escape! Losing one will slow the Assembly's departure into the Webway!"
The Pony Marines unleashed their fury upon the Eldeer, and destroyed the gate along with them. The Assembly's departure was now slowed down by a fair amount of time. The Blood Phoenixes continued along the rocky path, slaying Eldeer and destroying any gates they found.
They soon found the Assembly, and the Shrieker leading the Eldeer. Helios clashed with the Eldeer warrior while the others opened fire and attacked the Assembly. The struggle lasted for minutes, but soon the Assembly was razed to the ground in a smoldering pile of rubble. The Shrieker looked at what was left of the Assembly in horror. She then felt a burning pain as Helios slashed her across the chest.
She fell to the ground bleeding. "Very well..." the dying Shrieker said, "nibble and scavenge at our bodies, mindless vermin..." She took a painful deep breath as she continued. "The Inquisition's ships come for all in this sector... it... matters not whether you die by our hoof... or... theirs." And she breathed her last breath.