by SK Benton
"What if he resists arrest?" she asked with a hopeful tone.
"Hermanita, we'll see what happens. Let's just find him first. Gadreel, can you give us intel on Johnson's whereabouts?" asked Bagatelle.
The turncoat Primulus seemed to pause for a moment, and then finally revealed, "Yes, he is on what you call the Vrol Brood Carrier."
"Oh great! And we can't find that shitshack insectoid barge," yelped Jennie.
"I know not what shitshack means, young one, but I can tell you that it is formidable in its own right. It has an extremely powerful defense shield, impenetrable from the outside, and is nearly the size of a small moon," Gadreel informed Jennie.
Bagatelle had walked off to the side of the room, apparently in some sort of communication. He nodded his head a couple of times and then returned to the rest of the group, saying," Alicia just informed me that all Vrol have basically disappeared from New Sydney. I checked and more bug forces are attacking Buenos Aires from the outside."
"Admiral Bagatelle, may I know who this Alicia might be?" asked Gadreel.
"Sure, she's my fiancé."
"As is your betrothed?"
"Yes, why?"
"Get her out of there - now! In fact, get anyone you know and love out of that place. There is only one reason the Vrol would leave a location."
"And what would that be, Gaddy?" asked Max.
"The final attack is about to commence, and New Sydney is the primary target."
Chapter 36 - Mass
Nobody saw it happening. One moment the sky was clear, and the next there was an object the size of Sienna hovering just outside the atmosphere over New Sydney, the federal seat of Azul System. People stopped what they were doing and stared into the sky, squinting, and trying to discern what occupied basically all of their airspace. There was absolutely no way any number of Draeders could have taken it out. It would have been like a group of kindergarteners trying to kill a tank with peashooters.
"Ali, come with us, now," ordered Luigi Bagatelle, as he grabbed his future-wife's arm and started to drag her to Gabriel's location a few feet away.
"G, what's up? We just heard that a massive ship is in the sky, over the comm. All of the rebellion is here, assisting in the fight."
"Luigi, we have no time. We must go," ordered the archangel.
Bagatelle looked around and saw impending death.
"Gabe, can you create a doorway to Vera? Quickly? We can't let these people die."
"Die? What? What's happening?" Alicia demanded.
Before she could say another word, Gabriel, former enemy of all that Mankind stood for, created a massive doorway, and yelled, "Everyone! Through this portal, now! Your lives depend on it! Stay at your own peril!"
Nearly everyone in the large room immediately ran through the glistening door, and found themselves in the temporary safety of Vera, which was many hours away by normal transport. Bagatelle, Alicia and Gabriel followed, with the archangel closing the portal once they had safely passed through. Gabriel then created an infoscreen, showing activity on Azul.
"Oh crap. Those are mass drivers," gasped Alicia Vasquez, as she watched craters the size of small, rural cities being created in the middle of what was the pinnacle of Mankind - the glistening, beautiful city of New Sydney, Oz. Buildings toppled, grav trains fell and structures turned to dust.
Man learned long ago that mass drivers were the most efficient way to destroy cities. It was a matter of taking a sufficiently large object, say, a meteor three kilometers in diameter, and simply pushing it towards a planet from out space. Gravity takes over, and the objects strikes to ground at terminal velocity. The devastation is unimaginable. A small meteor collided with Earth and destroyed the dinosaurs millions of years prior, and the Vrol had decided to create the extinction of Mankind on a much larger scale. The collective mind reveled in its ability to change the destiny of the Universe.
Gone were the Plaza de Armas and the Federal Complex. New Sydney military base followed - all completely wiped out, their only legacy being massive craters, many kilometers deep. Millions of people had their lives snuffed out in seconds.
The Vrol had decided to forgo the attack of virulent amoebas, as the Grigori informed them of the presence of Draagh and other Prīmulī, who they assumed had activated health particles in the planet's atmosphere..
###
"We need to get to Buenos Aires immediately and help with the fight. Gadreel, this is where you can show your true colors, if they aren't yellow," said Max.
Gadreel looked at him with a strange expression, not being familiar with the concept that yellow was the color of cowardice. "I shall assist, Max. It is all I can do at the moment."
Draagh, Jennie, Max, Michael and Gadreel gathered together, while the old mage slipped them to a safe location in Buenos Aires, near the police headquarters. The Vrol Ship was so large they could see it on the edge of the atmosphere, Buenos Aires being many thousands of kilometers away from New Sydney, and on an entirely different continent.
"Max, who's in charge of the Reagan right now?" Bagatelle asked.
"Logan Stor. I thought he'd be a good fit."
"Excellent choice. Let's get him on the comm."
"Captain Stor, what is you location at this time?" asked Bagatelle.
"Hello, Admiral. We're in orbit around Vera. We just finished destroying the last of the known Vrol ships left out in deep space, so we came back to protect the moon."
"Stor, I'm sure you heard the main Vrol ship is attacking Azul?" asked Max.
"Yes, Captain Gunnarsson. Would you like us to go planet-side?"
"Absolutely! Come in on the far side from the Vrol craft, and take care. It is quite large," Max answered.
"Everyone, prepare for side space. Activate the hook," ordered Logan Stor, naval captain and now activated lycan as well.
An ensign at the command control console flipped a switch and a massive panel structure opened out, revealing a large apparatus. Something that appeared to be a giant spear, littered with electronics. It started to glow, and a rift opened above, displaying a different part of the physical universe. Within seconds the ADF Ronald Regan was off all scanners on its way to Azul.
Max, Draagh, Jennie, Michael and Gadreel ran into the Buenos Aires Police headquarters and went straight to the chief's office. They found a distraught Jake Williams who was holding his head in his hands.
"Chief! New Sydney has been attacked! We need to evacuate this facility!" Max yelled, as he burst into the small office.
"They're dead… my son and daughter-in-law are dead," he moaned.
"Oh… shit," said Jennie.
"Why were they there, Chief?" asked Max.
"They wanted to help. They were hunting vampires. We were on the comm, and they said they saw the Vrol ship in the sky. Then… they just stopped communicating."
"That doesn't mean they're dead, Chief," Max said hopefully.
"No, I can feel it. These comms enable us to touch the person with whom we communicate. They are no longer."
"He is right, son," said Michael.
Max lowered his head and tried to hide his remorse, but he had much bigger issues at hand. No one knew if the Vrol Brood Carrier would move over to other landmasses on Azul.
"Chief, where are your grandchildren?" asked Jennie.
"They are safe, on Krynos' land."
Max felt at least some relief, knowing Tommy and Janie, Chief Williams' grandchildren, were his daughter's best friends. At least she would be spared some grief. The twins, however, were not to be given the same consideration.
"Chief Williams, we shall need to take you to safety. Please contact all of your tribal members and have them come to this location. Then we will take them to Krynos' castle," said Michael.
The old Haida chief shook his head. "No, Michael. We shall stay and fight to the end. We are not cowards. My children may have died, but at least my grandchildren are safe." Pausing briefly, he looked over to Max, and said, "In case I do not
survive, would you do me the honor of caring for my grandchildren?"
Max was thunderstruck. He had never before witnessed such bravery. Jake Williams wasn't even from Azul. He was from an alternate Earth, and had no reason to sacrifice his life for anything aside from his own family. Gadreel was also astounded. He looked at the Alaskan, wondering how someone could sacrifice so much, even in the face of having lost his own child.
There is so much more to Mankind than I ever thought.
"Of course, Chief. I'll take them back to Córdoba and put them in the same school that Liliana will attend. We'll make sure they get great college educations and have productive careers and all that," Max responded.
Jennie went up and hugged the Haida chief, whispering in his ear, "Don't worry. Besides, you'll be safe. We're going to take those bugs out."
"Come, children! We must make haste and act while the ship is present," bellowed Draagh.
"Admiral, we'll have the Vrol Brood Carrier in visual range in about ten minutes," Logan Stor informed over the comm.
"Good. Once you see it, start annoying it with cannon fire."
"G, who's in charge of the Revolution?" asked Jennie.
"Topper Stanton. That's why I felt Max's choice was so appropriate."
"Yup, they're buddies, alright," answered Max. "So, where's you ship at?"
"Guarding Luna and Sienna, if it actually can. We have it parked in between their orbits, picking off Vrol attack ships."
"Stanton, I need a status report," Bagatelle said over the comm.
"Sir, we were achieving a 100% success rate destroying enemy craft until that damned main vessel came into orbit. Now we can't hit a single one."
"Logical. The Brood Carrier, as it's called, provides a form of shield. I'm sure the ground troops are experiencing the same difficulties. Keep on trying. Captain Stor is bringing the Reagan around to assist."
"Sir, yes sir."
"Luigi, if you will allow me, I believe I can shed some light on the situation," said Draagh, as he conjured an infoscreen, showing the Brood Carrier, and both the Revolution and the Reagan, which looked like gnats hovering around a city block.
"There's no way we're going to do any damage to that thing. Gaddy, it's time for you to help out," said Max.
"Max, Samyaza refuses to bring me to his side at this time."
"Cool, then we're going to a ship. G? The Revolution?"
Bagatelle nodded his head, and in a matter of seconds the team was in a hallway outside the command bridge of Bagatelle's beloved vessel. Following the admiral, everyone entered onto the bridge, with a junior officer jumping up and bellowing, "Attention on deck!"
Everyone stood up and saluted Bagatelle until he returned the gesture, going over to the command panel and looking over the displays. Jessica and Pandy were off to the side, having been watching intel displays, and both popped up, saluting while wearing broad smiles.
"Girls," whispered Bagatelle, "you stop saluting when I do."
"Oh, sorry Admiral," they both simultaneously chimed, as they dropped their hands and went back to their duty stations.
The Brood Carrier would soon be in plain view, as it maintained a static orbit around Azul and directly over New Sydney, which is had effectively wiped off the face of the galaxy. However, Azul's two moons moon in asynchronous orbit and were soon to reach the carrier's vicinity.
"We have about three hours before we get near, if we stay locked with the moons. We need to formulate a plan," said Bagatelle.
"My friends! Long has it been since I heard your dulce tones! I wish to assist in any way possible," said Krynos, using his special comm.
"Hello, King Krynos. Would you like to join us on my starship?" asked Bagatelle.
"Yes, in fact I would! Please have one of your… oh. Hello!"
Krynos found himself standing on the bridge of the Revolution. His sudden appearance caused a stir on the deck, even though most had witnessed his massive girth there before.
"Hello, my brother," said Draagh, giving Krynos a hearty hug and man-pat on the back, while making sure the king coughed a bit from the force of his slaps.
"Ah, Mrs. Gunnarsson! It again delights me to be in the presence of such beauty and warrior strength!"
"Um, thanks King Krynos. As always, it's great to see you too," the gorgeous dega responded while her husband watched, him being a little miffed by Krynos' constantly complimentary fashion of greeting his wife. Still, he knew Krynos had no mal intentions towards Jennie.
"And who do we have here?" the king continued, seeing Gadreel.
"This is Gadreel. He is here to help," said Max, not wishing to alarm to lycan king as to the nature of the ex-Grigori and his treachery.
"Ah, excellent. So, how may I be of assistance?"
Draagh conjured another infoscreen and showed Krynos the massive damage that had been done to New Sydney. The king immediately gained a look of sadness, and clenched his fists in rage, before screaming out, "We shall have none of this! I shall batter that pathetic ship with my own bare hands until I render it to dust!"
"King Krynos, we are all upset, but punching it won't do anything," said Max.
"I know, my boy. It is a figure of speech. In any case, I am here to help. Admiral Bagatelle, as I am on your fine vessel, what is it you wish for me to do?"
Gadreel interrupted, causing Krynos to give him a cautionary glare. "King… Krynos, is it? I am pleased to make you acquaintance. I have intimate knowledge of the enemy, and am certain that Jennie Gunnarsson is a target of theirs. Perhaps you could use your considerable strength and battle knowledge to protect her for the time being?"
"Gadreel is your name, yes? Well, I shall certainly assist in any manner, and if the most capable Jennie Gunnarsson, who single-handedly destroyed the skull of the wicked Ryder Johnson in hand-to-hand combat, requires my help - which she does not - I shall be by her side."
Jennie grinned, liking Krynos' compliment, while Max groaned.
"Well, I think I'm good on my own, but if Gadreel says I'm a target, then so be it. King, you're with me. Let's go to check the Draeders."
"Good plan, Jennie. I don't know how much damage they can do, but we have to hit them with everything we have," responded Bagatelle. "Bring Ensign Moonbeam with you, just to have a second set of eyes."
Jessica popped up, lightly slugging her best friend in the shoulder and giving her a wink, before running over to Krynos and Jennie's side.
"Hi King! It's good to see you, as always," Jessica said with a smile.
"Young Jessica, it is my pleasure, as always."
"Ensign, we're going to the flight deck. I'll need you to go to the observation room and check all recordings for any abnormalities," said Jennie.
"Yes, Commander. Shall we?" she said, holding her arm out for her superiors to proceed.
The three left the bridge and started out for the flight deck, Jennie in the lead. As they rounded a corner she felt a slight disturbance in the air. Turning around, she saw Jessica with a blank expression on her face, which was odd, as the friendly lycan from an alternate timeline usually wore a smile, accompanied by sparkling eyes. She turned to see where Krynos was, but instead her vision turned sideways, and then spun around, fading to black.
"She's becoming a good officer, Max - both of them, in fact. I believe it was a good choice to bring them along. It really has to be better than where they lived before," said Bagatelle.
"I was thinking the same thing too," said Max, as he followed his superior officer down a corridor to the Admiral's quarters, bringing Draagh, Michael and Gadreel in tow.
"Where are we going?" asked Gadreel.
"My office. We're going to figure out how to stop your jerk of a brother."
The group entered into Bagatelle's office, with both Bagatelle and Draagh taking the two seats. Max looked at the small couch in the corner and pulled his father over with him, taking seats and leaving Gadreel standing in the middle of the room.
"The time is now, Gadreel.
I am afraid I must demand you bring us to Samyaza. Millions of people died today, and I am afraid I cannot allow any more to perish," said Draagh, giving his nephew a burning glare.
Gadreel looked at his estranged uncle, desperately trying to decide a course of action, but before he could even formulate a response everyone heard a scream over the comm.
"Oh my god, nooooo! Noooooo! She's dead!" He killed her!"
"What? Who's dead? Jessica, what happened?"
"Jennie's dead! King Krynos killed her!"
Chapter 37 - Tragedy and Loss
What have I done? How is this possible?
Len Johnson remained connected to his perverse configuration of techno-organic Vrol machinery, effectively enabling the hive mind to control the hook drive so precariously attached to the Brood Carrier. It was all he could do to think and keep his thoughts private, but his emotional outburst forced him to drop his guard.
"This isn't happening. I could have killed Ryder. Where is my son?"
"Your son is nowhere in our vicinity. If he comes for you we shall bring you both together as one."
"Bastards! You murdered my planet."
"Murder is an emotional description for an action. We cleanse."
"I swear, if it's the last thing I do…"
"You have already served your purpose. We thank you."
The Brood Carrier, which was hovering over the now-destroyed city of New Sydney, simply blinked out of view. It disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. Behind it was a trail of death - millions of Azulians decimated - wiped from existence - in the most efficient manner possible. The Vrol had done more damage with space rocks than they could have ever done with their amoebic plague, but they weren't without help.
