The Neptunia Chronicles
The Dark Corners of the Black Market
Andrew Hawker and Neptune were enjoying a peaceful, quiet evening together in the Basilicom of Planeptune. It had been almost a week since they got married, and they had the day to themselves. Histoire wasn't particularly irritated at the lack of work being done today since... well... there wasn't any to be done. The past crises have calmed down enough that things are returning to normal, and hardly any action was necessary.
"Andrew, Neptune!" Compa called out from the elevator entryway as she walked in with what sounded like grocery bags.
"Coming!" Andrew replied, getting up. "Wait right here, my love. I'll be right back." Andrew cooed lovingly to Neptune, who replied with a smile. As Andrew was walking to see what Compa wanted- POW! Andrew fell to the floor as a ginger-haired girl in a bee-striped tiger suit pounced on him.
"OW!" Andrew shouted as the little girl giggled. "Peashy, I told you, don't pounce on me like that. Had I been near one of those glass railings, you or I could have been seriously hurt!" Andrew yelled authoritatively. Peashy didn't stop giggling, and soon after, Andrew joined in the laughter, rubbing the girl's hair gently. It took both of them a minute to finally calm down.
"Y'know Peashy, the fact that you catch me off guard like this, you could easily be a member of the special forces division." Andrew complimented. "Speaking of which, I wonder how Avan is doing." Andrew muttered to himself. Peashy slowly rises up from on top of Andrew and he gets up as well. Just as Andrew rose to his feet, Histoire came in. "Something the matter, Histoire?" Andrew asked.
"No, just seeing how you're all doing." Histoire replied gleefully. Compa came in with a bit of rosemary chicken, a smile on her face. Nobody noticed the drips that fell on the plate, however.
"I've got dinner ready, just out of the oven. I even went to the market and got some ingredients for homemade pudding." Compa reported. Andrew fell into a slight daze as he smelled the chicken. "Smells good." Peashy shouted as she jumped up and down, trying to take a bite off of the plate Compa had in her hands. "What's all the fuss about?" Neptune asked as she walked in. "Our dinner is ready, Neptune." Andrew said happily.
Everyone walked to the table, which was already set up prior to Compa leaving to get groceries, and they sat down.
"Well everyone, go ahead and eat." Compa announced as everyone began to dig in.
"This is good." Andrew said after swallowing a bite. Neptune ate a bit and looked somewhat green.
"I don't feel so good..." Neptune moaned.
"Neptune. Is something wrong?" Histoire asked, a look of worry plastered on her face.
"Is it getting... woah. this is so trippy..." Neptune muttered, her upper body beginning to wobble.
"This doesn't look good. What was on her plate other than the food?" Andrew asked, keeping Neptune in his sight.
"I-I-I-" Compa fumbled. "Oooohhhh! Everyone looks so... big. I'm seeing... double rainbows across the table... Why is the author making me talk like this?" Neptune continued to mutter, before she keeled over and fell off the chair. Andrew got up in a split second and ran to her.
"Neptune! Neptune, are you okay?!" Andrew shouted as he shook her warm, but motionless body. Dead? Andrew began to check for vital signs, and sighs in relief.
"She's got a normal pulse, so poison is out of the picture." Andrew said.
"Oh thank heavens." Compa muttered. Something didn't add up, though. Why did she faint like this after taking a bite of Compa's Rosemary Chicken?
"What did she eat?" Histoire wondered.
"I don't know. Perhaps someone put something in her food that drugged her." Andrew hypothesized. Before anyone can investigate, the glass windows shattered and smoke grenades popped underneath the table.
"AH!" Compa shouted as smoke filled the basilicom dining room.
"An attack?!" Andrew shouted as he summoned his claymore. Andrew closed his eyes for a moment, the magic of the blade sets in and he scans the room for the attackers. A few gunshots, however, and he was on the ground, blood coming out of his arm as he seethed in pain while three black figures scanned the room. In a second, one of them grabbed Neptune and, before his eyes, they retreated with her.
"No! You bastards..." Andrew snarled as they left. In a few seconds, Planeptune Security barged into the room.
"Stop in the name of the- Andrew... what the hell?" the leader of the security group shouted as the smoke cleared.
"They've... got Neptune..." Andrew muttered as he clutched his arm. The words made the security personnel lurch back.
"You're... kidding..." one of the guards muttered.
"Our CPU... kidnapped..." another guard said to himself. As the smoke was finally cleared from the building, the extent of the damage was visible. The ornate table was broken, bullet holes were on the walls, Histoire was shaking on one of the walls, and of course there was debris and broken dishes everywhere. Neptune's food was still on a perfectly preserved plate.
On the shattered glass was a note that read: "If you care about her, you will look for me in the plaza by the golden arch tomorrow evening. Come alone, or not at all. CJ" Andrew didn't have time to ponder the meaning of the note, as he began feeling cold and dizzy. No doubt the relentless pain was driving him into shock. Compa started treating his wound as his vision blurred. After Compa finished tending to his wound, Andrew went to bed as the dizziness intensified.
The next morning, Andrew woke up with a foggy memory of what happened the night before. It seemed like a bad dream... at least he hoped it was. Andrew stretched his arm out, hoping to embrace his lover in his arms. Nothing. The Paladin-Knight sighed sadly as he got up and returned to the crime scene. As he was walking, Andrew got intercepted by a news broadcaster.
"And here's Neptune's faithful companion and lover, now. Andrew, what do you have to say about this?" the female reporter asked.
"I don't want to talk about it." Andrew said as he rubbed the still-sore gun wound on his arm.
"Well, the people of Planeptune will want to know what you think-" the reporter continued.
"You wanna know what I think?!" Andrew interrupted, his eyes burning with shock, anger, and sorrow. Andrew then sighed as he regained his composure.
"I think you guys aren't the only ones suffering through this crisis. I thought I could protect her when this all started. But I just HAD to get shot in the arm. Now I have nothing to go on in terms of her whereabouts, other than a note taped to a shard of glass." Andrew said. The answer took the news reporter by surprise, seeing the husband of Planeptune's CPU in such anger and confusion. Andrew sighs, however.
"Forget it." Andrew finally said after a minute and walked off. Andrew sat on the couch where he sat the day before with her, before this all started, and placed his hand in his face as he sighed once more. Histoire was sitting on the table, her face a pale white as if all the color had been sucked out of her.
"I-I-I-I can't b-b-b-b-believe t-t-t-this is h-h-h-happ-p-p-p-pening." she stammered, her whole body shaking as if she were a cellphone with a vibrator connected to a high-power battery. IF was sitting opposite of them, fiddling with her hair.
"A CPU... kidnapped from within her own basilicom..." IF said silently. On the table next to Histoire was one of Neptune's hairpieces, mixed with a few strands of her purple hair still attached. Andrew picked it up gently and looked at it, memories flooding in. He couldn't take anymore as he dropped the hairpiece on the table and walked out onto the balcony to reflect.
"It just doesn't seem real..." Andrew said to himself. Beside him, a shadowy figure condensed into a familiar, hateful form.
"What do YOU want?!" Andrew asked his evil twin brother.
"I know why you're upset. All I can say is that this was not my doing." Jeromy explained.
"And why should I believe you?" Andrew asked back, being in no mental state to snap at anyone.
"Those guys that attacked last night. They were mercenaries serving a criminal organization, named "Heaven's Bane." With Planeptune's CPU in their hands, there's no telling what they might do." Jeromy explained. Andrew gave out a long sigh as he realized what this criminal organization would do with her, a trump card for a hostile takeover of Planeptune without any resistance.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I am a pawn in someone's chess game." Andrew muttered. He heard his twin chuckle.
"You sound like you're admitting defeat." Jeromy said. "There is still time to rescue her. Just think, Andrew. Think of how Neptune would want you to take control of this situation." Jeromy added. As much as he hated to admit it, Andrew knew that Jeromy was right.
"Thank you, Jeromy." Andrew managed to say as his twin began to dissipate into a black cloud and wander elsewhere.
Neptune was still in a daze, just waking up to find things different.
"uhhh..." she moaned, her blurred vision beginning to correct itself as she regained consciousness. "Where... am I?" she asked, before looking down. "Why am I dressed like a slut?" she asked herself, noticing the tank top and immodestly short skirt she was wearing.
"Oh. you're awake. How are you feeling, Princess?" a guard asked her mockingly. Neptune looked up and noticed her wrists were chained to the wall of the holding cell she was in.
"Why am I in chains? What's going on here?" Neptune demanded.
"So, she's finally awake..." another man asked as he walked up to take a good look at her. He was wearing a white business suit with a blood-red miniature rose pinned on the lapel, and a large cigar in between his fingers. "My client will be so glad to know that his merchandise is... up and about." the man continued.
"Client... Merchandise? What are you talking about?!" Neptune continued to demand.
"Oh, I haven't told you yet, have I Neptune? You see, the payment has come in, and my prized possession, you, is now his, and he will do with you as he sees fit. That's how slavery works, you know?" the man explained. The words "possession" and "slavery" sent a chill down Neptune's spine.
"You... sold me?!" Neptune yelled.
"Heh, indeed. And while you are in his possession, you are to refer to him as "Master," am I clear on this?" the man asked, wearing a sly grin.
"No! NOT clear!" Neptune yelled as she told her body to transform. However, nothing happens. "Wha- Why can't I transform?!" Neptune asked, continuing to try to transform.
"Ah, you see I knew about the whole "CPU" gimmick, and had a specially designed HDD Inhibitor locked around your neck. Give up now, girlie, before you burn yourself out and make yourself useless to your new master." the man explained in a twisted manner. Neptune, feeling powerless, could only sigh and accept her fate.
"Andrew... IF... Somebody... please help me..." Neptune cried to herself as she was unchained from the wall and escorted to her new master.
"What?! Kidnapped?!" Nepgear yelled across the screen. Andrew was on his communicator with everyone about what happened the night before.
"I'm afraid so." Andrew confirmed.
"Who would do such a thing?!" Vert asked, a hint of displeasure in her voice.
"A criminal organization called "Heaven's Bane," apparently. They sent in mercenaries and took her in an elaborate plan, drugging her with a tranquilizer in her food and assaulting the basilicom when we least expected it. The dining room is in ruins and everyone here is in complete dismay." Andrew explained.
"Wait till I get my hands on those assholes! I'm going to shove my axe so far up their asses that they'll be puking out their own shit!" Blanc swore.
"Blanc! Keep it together!" Ram shouted.
"Blanc is scary when she's angry..." Peashy mused as she stared at the screen.
"We need to meet up here and think of a plan." Andrew suggested in Histoire's place.
"Got it. We'll see you in a bit." Kagami replied before the link was switched off. Within 4 hours, everyone they could get appeared at the basilicom.
"Okay, here's the deal. I got tipped off by someone called "CJ" as to the possible whereabouts of Neptune. He said in a note to meet at the "Golden Arch" in Planeptune's plaza alone." Andrew began.
"You can't be serious!" Noire shouted in disbelief.
"I admire the fact that you love her enough to sacrifice yourself for her, but you can't go alone!" Sora shouted.
"It's probably a trap!" Uni added.
"I know." Andrew countered "Which is why I need a team to follow me in the shadows." Andrew continued.
"That might work." Avan thought out loud.
"I'll lead the team then. It's thanks to her, after all, that I regained my nation from Avenir's control." Noire offered. Uni seemed uncomfortable with her offer, though.
"Are you sure, sis?" Uni asked.
"Of course. Why would I let her suffer like this?" Noire replied. Andrew had a smile extend across his face, knowing that his friends from all three other nations were here to help him find and rescue Neptune. After two minutes of talking and planning, everyone was in agreement, and they were off.
"I was wondering if you'd come." the mysterious man retorted.
"And you've come alone. That's good." the man continued.
"Enough with the shenanigans, Mr. CJ. I am here because you said you might know something about Neptune." Andrew said matter-of-fact-ly.
"Aye. I do. But this information comes at a cost, you know. I am a businessman at heart, and I like things to be exchanged for things of equal or... greater value." CJ said with a smirk.
"Name your terms, CJ." Andrew replied. CJ merely laughed a little.
"You just have to... play my game." he said suddenly. With a metallic click, a mercenary cocks a magnum revolver behind Andrew's head as three others surround him. "The rules are simple. You simply have to break out of this trap and kill these mercenaries WITHOUT using Hard Drive Divinity. Just guts and timing, no special powers. Oh and uh... try and survive." the man explained with a sinister smirk on his face as he backed off. Andrew closed his eyes and waited for the right moment. When the mercenaries thought he was cowering and lose their guard, he jumped up several meters in the air and came back down, slashing two of the mercs in half, before activating his signature move, "Dimension Blitz," on the other two. With all four mercenaries dead, the strange man walked forward again.
"Very good, Andrew. VERY good." the man applauded.
"What was this about?" Andrew questioned.
"I was merely testing you. Now that you have given me the payment, I will tell you everything, starting with who I am." CJ replied, as Andrew cocked an eyebrow.
"I am Carlos J. Xaldren, the de facto leader of a... certain business company based along the Planeptune-Lastation border." Carlos began.
"In other words, Heaven's Bane." Andrew replied. Carlos simply chuckled.
"Not exactly, though you will know that I lead one part of it.." he chimed in. "However, it was I who ordered your dear Neptune's kidnapping. And of course you'll never find her." he continued with a sinister laugh.
"And why can I not finding her?" Andrew retorted.
"Simple. I sold her." Carlos replied. Andrew's eyes widened as the man continued to laugh. In anger, Andrew lashed out and grabbed the man's throat.
"WHAT?! YOU SOLD HER?!" Andrew yelled, furious after hearing what the man did to Neptune.
"Indeed I did." Carlos replied with a smirk that said "you can't break me." Andrew threw the man onto the ground before picking him up again by the collar of his business suit.
"You monster. You kidnapped the CPU of Planeptune just so you could sell her!" Andrew shouted as he punched the other man's face hard. "You can't break me." Carlos muttered confidently. Andrew thought about stabbing the man while he had him, but realized that would get him nowhere.
"You're coming with me. When we're done with you, you're going to tell us the client and everything. After that, it is up to me and the her to decide your fate after we rescue her. Are we clear on this?" Andrew declared.
"We are." Carlos said with the same smirk, which was unnerving considering he was under arrest.
"So, YOU'RE the one responsible for Neptune's kidnapping!" Histoire shouted, obviously livid.
"Heheheh, yes I am." Carlos replied with a chuckle.
"And Andrew reported to me that you sold her to someone, am I right with that assessment?" Histoire asked again. This caught a few of the guards at Planeptune's prison off guard, though the warden and head detective were informed of everything that Andrew learned.
"That is right as well." Carlos admitted.
"And who exactly is the client?" Noire demanded. Carlos simply chuckled.
"Tell us!" Andrew snapped as he slammed the desk.
"Like I will say anything to the to the likes of you." Carlos stated confidently. Nepgear and Uni both walk up to him and drag him over the table by his shirt collar.
"You will tell us everything about the person you sold my sister to, or so help me I will inject so much truth serum into you that you will be spouting your secrets to everyone you meet for the rest of your miserable life!" Nepgear threatened. The man looked like he was quivering this time.
"N-no! Please!" Carlos begged.
"Then TELL US!" Andrew shouted. Carlos simply sighed.
"I don't memorize every bit of information in case of situations like this. If you want her back that bad, you'll have to get the information from my slave market in the mountains, but be warned, the moment you set foot in there, the guards will be all over you before you can say a peep. I will tell you though that the information is on my computer terminal in my office. The password is "09154." It will be in a text file under "Recent Sales."" Carlos explained. Everyone sighed in return as the warden walked in to take him away.
"Keep an eye on him with the best people you have. If he tries anything, shoot him and let me know." Andrew orders the warden.
"Very well, sir." the warden replied.
"Hey, sweetheart, I'm thirsty. Go get me a beer!" a man ordered.
"Yes, Master." Neptune said with a deep sigh as she headed for the kitchen. 'This stinks. He's really hard on me.' Neptune thought as she opened the refrigerator door and pulled a beer bottle out. 'How much longer will this continue?' Neptune continued to think. As Neptune walked to her master with the beer bottle, she tripped on a step and she fell with a loud yelp, landing flat on her face. The bottle went flying and broke on the hardwood floor in front of her. Her master stormed up to her and picked her up by the back of her tank top, almost choking her.
"You think you can do something like that? You think that's funny?! WELL? DO YOU, BITCH?!" the man shouted.
"F-Forgive me, Master, I tripped." Neptune explained. Her pleas, however, fell on deaf ears.
"I will show you what happens when you disobey my commands or do shit like this!" the angry man yelled as he dragged Neptune downstairs into the basement. "In there, you little slut!" the man shouted viciously as he threw Neptune into a cage, before putting a padlock on the door. Without any further word he turned off the light and closed the basement door.
"Why?" Neptune cried, clenching the bars tightly. Neptune then backed up and crawled into a ball, tears streaming off her face. "Why is this happening to me?" Neptune cried to herself, sniffling. "Andrew... where are you? Please get me out of here. I can't take anymore!" Neptune continued to mutter as her crying became worse. Above her on the wall to her right was a grate, with more bars separating the basement from the outside world. Neptune looked up as moonlight flooded the otherwise dark and cold basement, putting her hand out as if to grab the moon in it's entirety. Neptune eventually lowers her arm and cries herself to sleep.
"We've got the precise location of the slave market, but it's too remote to reach by road. They probably have a hidden transportation network and a well-established system of secrecy, which would explain why we couldn't find it without some form of guidance. Defenses are tight, including automated and hardened guard posts, heavy AA, and even laser defense weaponry, which are providing a sort of shield against unauthorized intrusion." IF explained. They were in the Combat Ops Center of the Guild Hall planning their assault of the compound.
"No doubt Heaven's Bane extends into the Black Market and other criminal fields, especially when they've got Lastation and Planeptune weapons tech." Noire added.
"So how do we get to it?" Uni asked.
"The only way in is a HALO jump." IF explained further. Avan looked pained by the answer.
"That sure was short, and what is a Halo jump, anyway?" Avan asked.
"It stands for "High Altitude, Low Orbit." You're essentially jumping into a designated landing zone from a suborbital or otherwise extremely high altitude platform like a spacecraft or high altitude aircraft like a C-17." Andrew explained.
"That doesn't help me any! I'm not even trained for that sort of thing!" Avan retorted.
"That's why you won't be going in. Besides, you aren't qualified for stealth ops." IF replied back.
"We have a team set up for this, right?" Ram asked.
"We do." a man said, the voice very familiar to Andrew.
"Was that?" he asked, before turning around and seeing a man in an olive drab MJOLNIR powered armor suit, who was followed by some familiar people.
"SPARTAN Sierra-117, ready for duty." the man said again.
"Chief?" Vert asked, confused.
"We're all ready for duty." another man stated.
"David Mason, Callsign Section. With me are Sev, Scorch, and Fixer of Delta Squad, as well as William Bishop and Janice Rehl of Lastation's Air Force." the man, calling himself David, reported.
"Section, Sev, Scorch, Fixer, and I will be the assault force. Janice has offered to fly us in with a high altitude transport while William Bishop flies escort." the chief explained with clarity.
"Alright, but... who's leading the team?" Andrew asked, confused by all this.
"Who else but you?" Section answered. This caught Andrew off guard.
"You loved her, now you're going to be the one to get her back." Fixer responded.
"Thank you all. Very much." Nepgear chimed with a smile. However, the holographic map of the designated location was interrupted by a small, ghostly image of a woman with circuits on her body, short, black hair, and a moderately sized bust, on par with Noire's.
"I've found and designated the best landing zone a few klicks from the slave market. You should have the data on your computers." the spectral woman said.
"Wow, that hologram looks hot." Scorch said quietly before being elbowed hard in the chest by Fixer.
"Cortana...?" the chief asked.
"Never thought you'd see me again, eh Chief?" Cortana asked as the SPARTAN almost wept under his helmet.
"My backed up data was streamed across the universe in search of Halsey's computer system, and I somehow ended up in Planeptune's servers. They were able to recompile my code and get me back to working order." Cortana explained. Without saying a word, the chief unplugged a chip in the back of his helmet and plugged it into the console, and Cortana jumped in, before being plugged back into the chief's helmet.
"Well, that's one reunion..." Noire said with a smile.
"Let's get going." Andrew ordered.
"Right." Section replied.
"The planes are ready, so you just have to take off at your own discretions." A man at Planeptune's airport reported. "Just be easy on them and you'll be fine." the man continued.
"We understand. Just make sure all air traffic is out of the way when we take off." Bishop ordered. The other man simply nodded in reply. The man they were talking to understood the importance of this mission and agreed to take orders from military personnel operating from the airport for the time being. In a low whine, the engines of the C-17 start up, followed by a light buzz of jet engines from an R-99 Forneus fighter aircraft, both painted in Lastation Air Force roundels.
"Never seen a craft like this." Sev said, looking around.
"Hey, Andrew. I know you use a sword and all, but take this." Fixer said to his temporary squad leader as he tossed him a spare DC-15 Blaster Pistol.
"Are you sure about this?" Andrew asked.
"I am sure. It's a spare I brought along from the armory back on Coruscant." Fixer explained. Andrew only gave a slight smile to confirm his thanks. As the planes rolled down the runway and into the air, Andrew closed his eyes and listened to the noise of the world around him. Climbing into the drop altitude was fairly easy for the powerful C-17 with such a light load aboard. The flight was fairly quick, and about 36 minutes have passed before they were-
"What's that sound?" Scorch asked as something beeped in the cockpit of the plane.
"Hold on, boys. We've got company." Janice called out to the people in the back.
"What kind?" Sev asked.
"They appear to be Yak-141s. Six of them." Bishop confirmed.
"Since when did a criminal organization get an air force?" Janice wondered aloud.
"At this rate, we're going to be shot down before we reach the drop point." Cortana estimated.
"Not on my watch!" Bishop vowed. Outside the plane, Bishop threw his R-99 into a steep climb, before pulling hard left on the rudder. The extremely agile fighter pulls a fast yaw, and he gets a missile lock. Before Bishop could fire, however, the Yak pulled up hard and moved it's exhaust duct downwards, bleeding speed. "The hell?!" Bishop cried out.
"Careful, Bishop. They may be less maneuverable than you when in normal flight, but they can quickly enter VTOL mode and bleed speed. You're screwed if you rely on that Forneus's computers for this one. You have to use your pilot's intuition." Andrew explained. With his words, Bishop changed his tactics and pulled back hard, catching the six of another Yak-141.
"Ok... is he climbing?" Bishop thought out loud. Quickly, the Yak-141 he was chasing rolled left and pulled into a steep dive towards the deck. "Nope, he's going low!" he shouted to himself as he pulled the R-99 into a similar maneuver. The two fighter planes leveled off 90 feet off the deck. Bishop was still on the Yak's tail as he got a lock. The Yak in front of him immediately engaged his VTOL, but Bishop countered with a Cobra.
As the nose of the Forneus jerked upward, Bishop put the pipper on the Yak's fuselage and pulled the trigger. The 20mm cannon belched as several rounds left the gun, punching holes into his target. In a bright, fiery flash, the Yak-141 broke up in midair, spewing oil and hydraulic fluid around the surrounding airspace. "Got one!" Bishop shouted.
"Gentlemen, we are two-zero minutes to target, get ready for the jump." Janice announced. "Alright, helmets on!" Andrew instructed. While the chief already had his helmet on, the others got theirs on quickly.
The time seemed to fly by like a snail doing a two mile sprint. The C-17 buffeted as another enemy plane was shot down.
"Alright boys, we're one minutes away, opening rear hatch." Janice called out. Within 15 seconds, the rear hatch of the large plane opened fully. All they had to wait for was the signal.
"Equipment check!" Andrew called out. On instinct, the team checked all their equipment, from oxygen systems to jetpacks.
"Check!" Fixer called out.
"Check!" Section repeated. It only took a couple seconds for the final preparations were completed.
"Approaching drop zone. Twenty seconds to drop." Cortana announced. Andrew raised his left arm and looked at his wristwatch, counting down the final seconds to the drop in his head.
"Ten seconds!" Andrew yelled out. 5. 4. 3. 2... "Green light! Green light! Let's go!" Andrew ordered as he and the assault team ran out the rear hatch.
"Good luck down there, boys. We'll see you back at the basilicom with that intel." Janice said.
"It's 60,000 feet to the bottom. Keep your head on a swivel. Watch for anything." Andrew instructed.
"This is nuts! Jumping off a plane 60,000 feet up?" Scorch complained.
"We have jetpacks, you know. I'll give the signal at 500 feet, and we use them. Right now, it's just a nice little freefall!" Andrew countered.
"Your sense of humor scares me sometimes, you know that?" Fixer moaned. Andrew could only look back at him, his irritated look hidden behind his helmet.
"Passing 50,000 feet." Section said.
"Hey, this is actually kinda fun! If I had a target I could probably-" Scorch chimed in.
"Scorch, let's keep the conversations to a minimum! If they detect us too early they'll scatter their assets and whatever slaves are there. It would be MONTHS before we find anything again and by that time it would be too late!" Andrew interrupted. They were still descending rapidly as they reached terminal velocity. "Passing 40,000 feet. Stay on this axis and don't slow down until I say so." Andrew ordered. The descent was rather uneventful. As they reached the 1,000 foot mark, though, they ran into enemy fire from a mercenary patrol, who had the aim of stormtroopers as they missed every shot they threw at the team from their assault rifles.
"Man, this CJ guy has a whole fucking army!" Section noted.
"Hitting 500 feet. Use jetpacks... now!" Andrew ordered. The strike team spun a full 180 degrees and activated their jetpacks, slowing down almost instantaneously. For Section, the G-forces were relentless, but for the Chief and the Delta Squad members were used to it due to varying reasons. Andrew was able to withstand them with his god-like powers due to his status as the Paladin-Knight of Planeptune. As soon as they hit the ground they started firing on the mercenary patrol, taking them down almost instantly. "Targets down. All members check in." Andrew said, beginning a roll call for the team.
"Section here, still present." David announced.
"Delta squad, reading 100 percent." Fixer announced.
"The Chief's vital signs read normal. We're good to go." Scorch announced.
"Alright. Begin operation." Andrew ordered.
After ten minutes of walking, they come to a stop, kneeling behind a rock close to the facility.
"It looks like they're on full alert. Could be ready to evacuate everything at any minute." Section reported. Andrew thought for a moment.
"Looks like we have a bit of a pickle. Going in quiet would take too long, and going in loud would be suicide." Andrew muttered.
"Looks like the hot way in is our only option, however." Fixer announced. Andrew just signed.
"You're the Paladin-Knight of Planeptune. Just transform and you'll take them no problem. We'll cover your six o'clock!" Scorch shouted quietly.
"That's the best plan that came out of your mouth, 62." Fixer admitted.
"Go for it, man. We've got your back." Sev added confidently. With a smile, Andrew closes his eyes as he mentally tells himself to begin his transformation. In a flash of light, Andrew becomes Purple Shield, like he did the first time against Momus in the previous crisis. The flash did not go unnoticed by the enemy, however, and they quickly ran over to investigate. When they looked around and saw nothing, they turned around to head back... and got jumped.
"Criminal scum! This is for Neptune!" Andrew shouted as he slashed the metal fence with his sword, chopping a mercenary in half in the process. Through the breach, the rest of the team came out, firing wildly at the mercenaries.
"Ah! Who are these guys?!" one of them asked in a panic.
"You follow a man who has committed an unforgivable crime against Planeptune and her people. Surrender now and you will be spared." Andrew declared in the face of a few mercenaries. Two of them step back, but a few others held firm.
"You think I will give up? I will not rest until the very last drop of your blood is spilled!" a mercenary shouted. Andrew sighed in return.
"So be it." Andrew said grimly, before stabbing the defiant mercenary in the gut, and forcing the blade upward through the merc's head. Two more mercenaries jumped back after witnessing the way the man was killed, fear engulfing them.
"Any more takers?" Andrew asked firmly. None of the other mercenaries in the group dared anything.
"I'm after documents regarding the sale of Neptune. Where's Mr. Carlos's main computer?" Andrew demanded.
"In his office... sir. We're not allowed in, however." a mercenary spat in fear.
"Take me to it, please." Andrew ordered.
As Andrew walked through the halls, Section and Fixer kept a steady watch on him electronically. Section simply breathed a silent sigh of relief as Andrew enters a room.
"Alright, he's inside." Section reported to the rest of the group. They had already removed a large percentage of the defending mercenaries, and were now cleaning up the mess. The few remaining mercenaries had already given up. Scorch and Sev already had the place secured, so Fixer, the Chief and Section went to meet up with Andrew. As soon as they got to him, the mercenary guards motioned them in.
"He's waiting for you, getting the files as we speak." was all they said. Fixer and Section looked at each other, puzzled, before walking in.
"Looks like you got here okay. Got a few problems on my end." Andrew reported.
"What kind of problems." the Chief asked.
"I got the password in alright, but I've hit a brick wall. Carlos never mentioned he had a dual security wall on this thing." Andrew mused irritably.
"Dual security?" Fixer asked.
"Yea. A five-digit password AND a biometric scanner. Then there's the firewall which prevents any sort of trojan or remote hacking." Andrew replied.
"Hold on..." Cortana shouted.
"You have a plan?" the Chief asked her AI companion.
"Yes. I might be able to get inside and disable the firewall long enough for Section to bypass the biometric scanner." Cortana mused.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Fixer said as he plugged in an adapter that Nepgear made. As Cortana was plugged in, she transferred herself onto Carlos's computer terminal and worked to disable the firewall.
"Just a little more... Got it!" Cortana shouted. "Alright, Section. Begin the bypass." she instructed.
"Already on it." David said as he worked the TacPad on his left arm. With a few taps, the computer terminal read "ACCESS GRANTED."
"Alright, we're in. Thank you, Cortana." Andrew said as he worked on the terminal. "Alright... main folders... recent sales... GOT IT!" Andrew muttered.
"You found it?" Section asked.
"Yea. It looks like Neptune was sold to a Mr. Jose Carter. He's not registered in any of the four nations, but it says he lives on a private estate on the isles west of Planeptune." Andrew said as he plugged a data drive into the slot. "Beginning file transfer... and done." Andrew said as he transferred all the files necessary to find Neptune. Andrew shut down the computer and removed the data drive and the terminal's hard drive.
"Fixer, go ahead and tell Scorch and Sev to release the remaining slaves, we're closing up shop. Permanently. Section, don't forget to pick up Neptune's outfit and gear before we leave." Andrew instructed as he walked out of the room. "Where will you guys go now?" Andrew asked the mercenaries that turned coat.
"We figured we'd abandon our paychecks and do something else." one of them said, pretty sure of his decision.
"You could always join the Planeptune Security Force. They could use someone of your military expertise. Think about it. You'll be using your skills for the greater good." Andrew suggested. The mercenaries looked at each other, thinking things over for a minute.
"Well I guess there's nowhere else for us to turn. We'll go with your suggestion." one of them answerd.
"Good man." Andrew said with a smile. While Section went to pick up Neptune's gear, Sev was releasing the prisoners as Scorched laid down explosive charges.
After almost an hour, the prisoners were rounded up, marked with white IFF tags, while the turncoat mercs were marked with blue ones. The slaves have also been freed, the slave market was laden with explosives, and the defenses have stood down, knowing full well that the battle was lost.
"...we've accomplished the mission and need... maybe two or three helos for extraction. We've got some friends, freed slaves and some prisoners." Fixer reported, using the radio.
"Have the defenses stood down?" Nepgear asked, using a radio transceiver back at the basilicom.
"Yes, Ma'am. The Slave Market has also been rigged with explosive charges, which we'll detonate following our evac." Fixer reported.
"Very well. We've detailed a couple of Pelican dropships to you for exfil." Vert replied.
"Now that's my kind of ride!" Cortana said excitedly. After 40 minutes, the two pelicans arrive, and everyone in the group boards.
"We're ready when you are." Andrew called out to the pilot. After the dropships lift off and pass the safety line, Scorch hits the trigger, and the slave market goes off in a large blast. After that, it was a quiet 20 minutes back to the basilicom.
"You're back. Do you have the intel?" Histoire asked as Andrew and the team he followed walked inside the Basilicom.
"We do. And there's more in the original hard drive." Andrew said as he lifted both the thumb drive and the hard drive up. Nepgear took the thumb drive and plugged it into a computer terminal, reading the data that popped up, while Section put Neptune's gear and other hairpiece in her bedroom.
"This looks like a tough one. It won't be hard to reach, but we will likely have a hard time with it if they have automated defenses." IF groaned, looking at the data on the screen.
"Noire, can your satellites pick anything up from the general location?" Histoire asked.
"On it." Noire said, typing in some code into the computer terminal. What came up from recent scans was not encouraging.
"That's a lot of defenses for a simple private estate." Scorch swore as chills ran down his spine. "Looks like tanks, mechs, all sorts of units, and it's a lot of open ground to cover. A small team won't work this time. It's going to have to be a major assault to get through all that." Cortana muttered.
"The battlecruiser Archangel and her battle group has the capacity to provide a ground assault and naval bombardment. I'll let the admiral know we need it for this one." Noire muttered as she and Nepgear walked into a communications room.
"I've got pretty bad feeling about this one." Sev muttered. Section and Cortana could only concur.
"Let's get some rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long, bloody day." Andrew suggested.
Neptune was still sleeping when morning arrived and Jose walked in and unlocked the cage in his basement.
"Alright, time to get up. I have plenty of bills to sign, and I didn't get all this equipment for nothing." Jose said. Neptune sat up with a sigh.
"Where will I be working today, master?" Neptune asked. Jose simply looked at her with a neutral face.
"I don't have any work for you today, but I want to keep an eye on you after that little incident yesterday." he finally said as he moved to allow her to crawl out. As she stood up and dusted herself off, Jose led her out to the living room where the TV is and everything... and shackled her leg to one of the walls. "Just so I can keep an eye on you." he said.
Neptune sat down on the floor and began to close her eyes and pretend this was all a vivid nightmare. It did not, however, ease the pain of the knowledge of her situation. In an instant, memories of her past battles, ones with Andrew being the most vivid, came flooding in. Neptune was woken up, however, when her stomach growled. "Don't say a peep, please. I'm very busy." Jose said. Neptune simply sighed and listened to whatever was on the TV. As Neptune listened to the TV, she could swear she heard Andrew's voice in various places.
"Andrew. I miss you so much." Neptune cried in her head.
Out at sea, everyone was bustling about on the battlecruiser and several other ships in the fleet en route to the islands. The carrier LFS Kestrel joined them, and would provide air support in the coming raid.
"How long until we make landfall?" Avan asked one of the sailors.
"About three hours." was all the sailor said in reply. Avan merely shrugged, before Cloud snuck up behind him.
"Something the matter, Cloud?" Avan asked.
"Just... worried." was all Cloud could say.
"About Neptune?" Avan asked in response. Cloud was silent for several seconds.
"Yea." Cloud finally said.
"We all are, though Andrew is taking it the hardest." Compa responded. Next to her were some people who were very familiar to Avan.
"Cosette?! Zeri?!" Avan shouted out of excitement.
"Histoire said you may need help, so we gladly agreed." Cosette explained.
"Sorry if I don't talk much. It's... hard getting accustomed to living in another dimension." Zeri said.
"I know that feel." Avan said with a sigh.
"So, it's a three hour trip to the island." Compa said with a look of boredom.
"Yep." Avan spat, sharing her boredom. Two hours pass, and nobody is anywhere near land. However, something isn't right to Andrew, who is on the Archangel's bridge.
"Admiral, have your men checked the radar recently?" Andrew asked. The admiral thought for a few seconds, before looking at the radar screen.
"Shit, you're right!" the admiral said.
"Admiral, this is the CIC, we have an unknown contact on radar, bearing 4-2-" a man reported via radio.
"I know, Andrew showed it to me." the admiral interrupted.
"Admiral Simmons, this is Commander Halsey aboard the LFS Kestrel, Combat Air Patrol units report unknown contact, verified as a MiG 31 Foxhound, likely on air patrol for Jose's private army." a commander reported.
"Tell the pilot to shoot the damn thing down before he reports our position!" Admiral Simmons ordered.
"Too late for that, sir. CIC just reported an intercepted comm chatter from the unknown." a bridge officer reported. His words did not bode well for Andrew or Admiral Simmons.
"Shit, our situation has just gone pear shaped." Andrew groaned.
"Agreed." Simmons replied before going to fleetwide comms.
"This is Admiral Simmons to all ships in the fleet. An enemy recon plane has just reported our position. Go to Condition Red and be prepared for anything." Simmons ordered, before radioing back to CIC.
"I want a SAM on that fucker before before he reports anything else!" Simmons ordered.
"Right away, sir." the other officer responded.
Avan was standing on the deck, looking across the ocean with Cosette and Zeri, when they heard the SAM launch, which startled them. "A rocket?" Zeri asked, confused. "Surface to Air Missile. Someone must have detected us early, and from the air, too." Avan explained, unnerved.
"How do you know that?" Zeri asked.
"You don't live here for a month without learning a few things. The enemy is likely going to plaster us. Hard." Avan explained again.
Neptune was looking up at Jose who was still working on paperwork. Some looked like sales of narcotics, others looked like purchase documents for military equipment. Suddenly someone walked up and reported something.
"We've got an incoming force, sir. All four nations have sent a joint strike force arrayed against us." he said. Jose smirked, before rising from his seat and walking to Neptune.
"Something wrong, Master?" Neptune asked, secretly happy to hear the news, yet afraid of what Jose might do.
"It seems your dearly beloved has come for you, and he brought a joint assault force with him." Jose explained in a twisted manner, which sent chills down her spine. Suddenly grabbed Neptune and dragged her back into the cage he had her in the night before.
"You'll be staying in here for the time being. I have a battle to attend, gotta protect my assets." Jose said, and Neptune knew exactly what he meant by "assets." As Jose left, Neptune clenched the bars, fearing for the lives of her friends and, more importantly, Andrew's life.
forty-five minutes have passed since the SAM launch, and already the Archangel's CIC makes contact with several inbound forces.
"Admiral, we've got more inbound. Twelve fighters in tight formation, and five ships arrayed against our battle fleet." one of the officers reported.
"Shit!" Andrew yelled. He was getting irritated by Jose's ambitious reaction to the assault.
"We're only fifteen minutes away and the enemy is in position to sink the fleet. We're going to get slaughtered before we make landfall!" an exec spat in frustration. Admiral Simmons picked up the comms and began a fleetwide broadcast.
"This is Admiral Simmons to all ships in the fleet. An enemy force is on route to engage us. Twelve Fighters and five ships arrayed in a formation to block our fleet's path! Everyone, report to action stations immediately. I say again, report to action stations immediately!" Admiral Simmons ordered, before turning to Andrew.
"Can you and the CPUs help us with this? We're not equipped for a fight like this, even with the Kestrel." Simmons asked, almost pleaded.
"We'll do what we can." Noire said as she and the other two CPUs and the Candidates walked in.
"Let's go. Neptune's fate, and that of Planeptune, rests with us." Uni shouted. Andrew, the three present CPUs, and the CUP Candidates transform and run out to join the battle. Jumping into the air from the open deck, they joined a flight of F/A-38s in battle. One pilot stood out, however.
"Good to see you again, Bishop." Andrew said.
"You, too. Let's do this!" Bishop shouted. After a quick second, they merged with the enemy aircraft.
"Woooaaah!" one pilot said, shocked as he narrowly avoided a midair collision.
"Those are Su-33s, and they've been painted in some nasty crimson and black. They've got a reaper on their tails, too." another pilot pointed out.
"Holy shit, guys. They're flying like aces!" yet another pilot yelled. One of the Flankers pulled a cobra and quickly got on Bishop's tail, who countered by entering VTOL mode.
"Got a lock... FOX TWO!" Bishop yelled, as a missile fell from the F/A-38's internal bay. The missile tracked, and hit home, but the Su-33 kept flying, though was severely crippled. Bishop simply put the pipper on target and finished it off with the twin 20mm Vulcan Cannons.
Andrew dodged left as a Flanker opened up on him with its guns, and aligned his sword so that it would slice right through as his opponent passed at high speed. The Flanker pilot was unprepared, and he and his plane get sliced in half. A few moments afterward, the bisected plane explodes in a brilliant flash of light.
Uni was firing wildly at another flanker she was chasing, which kept dodging her shots.
"Let me give you a hand!" a pilot called out, who was flying a black F-14D Super Tomcat.
"He's all yours!" Uni responded, flying out of the way. In an instant, the black plane gunned down the enemy.
"Thanks." Uni said with a smile.
"No problem! Now let's finish this, we have a CPU to rescue and not a whole lot of time to do it!" the pilot responded.
IF was standing on the Kestrel's flight deck, watching the battle with displeasure. While the battle was even, much of the enemy was too skilled, and the opposing fleet was going to be on top of them at any moment. Looking around, she spotted an X/F-135 Valkur, a prototype carrier fighter from Lastation's military R&D group. She ran over and jumped inside, automatically connecting to the plane's COnnection For Flight INterface system.
"Pilot Designation: I F. Priority One Override: Confirmed. All systems, nominal. Tactical Laser: Online. Swarm Missiles: Ready. Tactical Link Systems: Engaged." the onboard AI called out as it made checks of all the systems. After a minute, deck crews began to hear the whine of the Valkur's engines as they spun up.
"Wait! Where is she going?!" one of the flight crew members yelled as he ran across the deck, witnessing the prototype fighter taxi to the catapult for launch.
"No! Let her go!" Commander Halsey ordered as the X/F-135 connected to the catapult.
"Alright. Catapult one raising pressure... 80... 90... we're green!" a flight deck officer reported as they prepped the prototype fighter for launch.
"Check catapults! Raise the barriers!" another flight deck officer ordered. After all the checks were done, the much of the flight deck crews moved away from the fighter. A nearby officer gave the "Elvis in Vegas" signal, and the massive fighter lurched forward instantaneously.
Andrew and Bishop were still engaging the Flankers when they caught a bright flash. As if they thought things were getting weird from stress, the Flanker they were chasing randomly exploded in a massive fireball.
"What was that?!" Andrew shouted. In an instant, what looked like Lastation's prototype fighter passed by them at high speed.
"Who the hell is piloting that thing?!" Noire shouted, trying desperately to avoid another Flanker's gunfire.
"This is IF. I've commandeered the Valkur prototype, and I'm joining you in combat now." IF reported.
"Alright, just be careful with my fighter. That's the only prototype there is, and I don't want to see it destroyed." Noire instructed.
"Got it." IF responded.
"Hey, I'm getting some unencrypted comm chatter from the enemy. Patching it through." a pilot pointed out.
"...Strigon 3, another enemy plane has arrived. He's got some sort of energy weapon, and he's flying very erratically." one of the ace pilots pointed out.
"Looks like Lastation's prototype, but... who's piloting it?" another enemy pilot asked. Suddenly, IF got multiple locks on the enemy planes.
"Shit, I'm being locked!" one enemy pilot shouted.
"So am I!" another enemy pilot shouted in response.
"We all are, what the hell?" yet another yelled.
"There's only seven of us left. If he pulls the trigger..." yet another hypothesized. IF launched the Valkur's swarm missiles at the Flankers, each one tracking clearly.
"Crap! Missiles inbound! Lots of them!" an enemy pilot shouted, almost panicking.
"Dive! Dive! Deploy your flares and go for the deck!" an enemy pilot ordered his compatriot. As one of the Flankers dived down, the few swarm missiles tracking him followed him almost immediately, but then were fooled by countermeasures. However, another enemy plane entered the battlefield at high speed, launching his own swarm missiles at the allied planes.
"Another fighter... a fast one!" Bishop yelled out.
"Attention pilots, this is Admiral Simmons, the enemy fleet will be in range of our missiles in two minutes. Keep the enemy planes off us." Simmons ordered.
"We're doing our best, but it's not enough. We've got another plane in the airspace and he's a fast one, can you track him?" Andrew asked.
"CIC is tracking him now. They say it's a CFA-44." Simmons replied.
"Damn, where does a rich man get all this equipment? And these pilots, too?" one pilot asked.
"From the black market?" the pilot in the black F-14D asked half-sarcastically.
"That's not funny, man. If this keeps up we'll be slaughtered before we make landfall." the previous pilot retorted irritably.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's focus fire on this guy. IF, use that prototype's laser and clear out these flankers." Bishop ordered.
"Already on it." IF replied as she shot the Valkur's laser at another Flanker, which goes up in flames. The CFA-44 fired another round of swarm missiles at the allied planes.
"Missiles inbound, their coming fast again!" a pilot yelled.
"Watch out and hit your countermeasures when necessary. Don't let him hit you." the pilot in the black F-14D instructed.
"Damn, I can't get a solid lock on him!" a pilot cried.
"He must have an Electronic Warfare package on that plane. I can feel the buzz of the jamming on my skin." Noire pointed out.
"This shit just keeps getting better and better." Blanc complained.
"All pilots, enemy ships have entered firing range, and we're launching our missiles now." Simmons said.
"Copy that." IF replied. Below them, long range missiles are launched from the various ships in the fleet, aimed at the five enemy ships. The missiles struck home, though a few were intercepted by enemy point defense weapons, and the five enemy ships were slowly sent to the bottom.
"This is Warwolf 1, I confirm the enemy ships are going to the bottom." Bishop reported.
"Roger, Warwolf. CIC also reports 70% of the air forces have been annihilated. Good work." Simmons replied. Another flash, and another Flanker goes down from a laser strike.
"Jose, we've lost too many of our forces." the sole surviving Flanker pilot called out.
"Let us pull out. I want to get that son of a bitch when he rescues his girl." Jose, the voice coming from the CFA-44, replied.
"No, sir." the previous pilot argued.
"What?" Jose questioned.
"You go on ahead. I'll stay behind and cover your escape." the other pilot said. There was a moment of silence.
"Your sacrifice will not be forgotten." Jose finally muttered as he pulled back on the stick, turning back to base.
"Look, sir. The CFA-44 is turning back!" the pilot in the black F-14D reported.
"That's great news!" Andrew sighed, relieved.
"This last Su-33 isn't following him. I think he's trying to cover the other guy's escape." Bishop added.
"IF. Blast that last guy out of the air." Andrew ordered.
"With pleasure." IF responded, a smirk hidden from within her plane's neural interface system, as she turned the Valkur prototype around. A quick yaw to the left and IF pulls the trigger. A hot stream of highly energized electrons blazes towards the Flanker, detonating the highly volatile fuel inside it and turning the plane into a fireball.
"Outstanding work. We have five minutes until landfall, lets land and get your birds refueled and rearmed." Simmons ordered. Andrew and the CPUs and CPU candidates land back on the Archangel, while the carrier planes land on the Kestrel.
"You did me proud, IF. Not only did my prototype work perfectly, it was also very effective." Noire complemented. IF simply smiled in reply as she landed the plane on the carrier. Everyone took a short three minute breather, before they reported to the landing ships and helicopters.
"You ready, Kagami?" Konata asked, gripping her katana lightly, standing on the landing boat that would take them ashore.
"Who said I wasn't?" Kagami retorted. In reality, she was actually a little scared, having seen what was happening in the air.
"Hey. If you're scared, don't worry. We've got your back." Haruhi said confidently. Kagami blushed, but fought off the urge to give a snide remark. Avan and Zeri simply breathed, taking in the calming atmosphere before the coming battle.
Andrew, Cloud, the Chief, and three Planeptune Security Force soldiers, the former mercenaries, walked onto a Blackhawk chopper, ready for insertion. At the controls were Reno and Rude.
"You guys ready back there?" Reno asked.
"We sure are." Andrew replied.
"All personnel, begin the assault! I say again, begin the assault!" Admiral Simmons ordered. Within minutes, helicopters, landing craft, and amphibious assault vehicles came streaming from the ships, followed by artillery fire from the Archangel that would soften the enemy defenses.
"Alright everyone. The objective is simple. Secure the island and its perimeter, as well as any surrounding islands, and rescue Neptune from Jose's private estate. Make your kills quick and clean, and do your best not to get killed yourself. Remember that the fate of Planeptune rests with us. If Planeptune falls, so does the rest of Gamindustri. That is all." Andrew instructed to the assault force via radio.
"Fixer, here. Delta squad is en route, we're awaiting your signal." Fixer reported.
"Glad to hear you, too, Fixer. You're clear to begin your operations as soon as you land. Meet up with my team outside the main entryway of the estate, and we'll begin breaching." Andrew instructed. The helicopter quickly lurched left as it avoided an RPG. Andrew sighed as he saw the RPG fly past the Blackhawk harmlessly. Without orders, one of the PSF soldiers ran to the minigun on the side of the door and began firing on the enemy.
"Good thinking, soldier. Tear those mercs apart!" Andrew said. As the minigun belched its fire, other Blackhawks joined in the serenade of gunfire, pelting Jose's private army from above. Passing by at high speed was the black F-14D Super Tomcat from earlier, followed by three F/A-38s, which dropped anti-personnel and anti-armor munitions on enemy positions.
"Enemy AA has been knocked out, Eagle 1, you're clear to make your drop." the pilot of the F-14D reported.
"Roger that, beginning landing." Reno responded as they approached the LZ. Reno gradually tilted the Blackhawk's nose up and brought the helo to a standstill, before slowly decending, to which the soldier on the minigun left his position.
"Alright, go! Let's get this done!" Andrew shouted as the front wheels of the helicopter touched the ground, and the group on the Blackhawk ran off for their objective.
"Good luck, people, we'll see you at the estate." Reno called out as the last of the group on the helo jumped off and he flew off for the battlecruiser.
"The estate's roughly 10 klicks from our position, and there is plenty of enemy infantry between us and the objective." Cortana calculated.
"That's a lot of ground to cover, and plenty of bullets to spend." one of the PSF soldiers mused.
Neptune was still sitting in the cage she was locked in, able to hear the echoes of battle as they found their way inside the empty basement.
"Be careful, Andrew. Don't get yourself killed." Neptune muttered.
"Return fire!" Avan shouted to a group of PSF soldiers as they come under fire from an enemy unit, bringing up his M-8C to fire on them as well. A Eurocopter Tiger rolled over, providing its own support.
"This is shooter, you look like you guys could use some support." The Tiger pilot announced.
"Go for it, Shooter." Zeri replied on the radio, before raising an AK-12 against the enemy. Above them, the Tiger flew a quick 270 degree turn, attacking the enemy from a different angle with the chaingun and unguided rockets. While smoke and dust filled the air in front of them, they could feel a rather low vibration, followed by metallic clanking and the sound of a high performance engine. Behind them, a futuristic-looking heavy tank rolled onto them, before coming to a stop. the gun didn't fire, however. Before anyone could react, the hatch opened, and David Mason poked his head through.
"Hey, boys!" David said.
"Section? Man is it good to see you!" Avan shouted.
"You too, Avan. Need a ride?" he asked. With a friendly smile, Avan and Zeri climbed aboard the tank. The PSF soldiers joined them inside, in a back room with seats on the walls. In a slight jolt, the vehicle started moving forward.
Konata was slicing a mercenary to bits, while Haruhi used psionic attacks against a group that was attempting to break their left flank.
"Damn it, we're getting surrounded!" a Lastation Military soldier yelled as a mercenary rushed in along the right flank.
"Come on, Kagami, do something!" Konata shouted as she beheaded another mercenary. Instantly, Kagami began chanting something in Latin, holding up her staff. The sky became black, and a violent electrical storm bombarded the highly energetic enemy force they were up against. As a large percentage of the enemy infantry was fried, the few remaining mercenaries made a tactical retreat.
"Remind me never to piss you off, Kagami." the Lastation Military soldier muttered as the storm cleared. Kagami simply smiled in reply.
Andrew and Cloud were busy slicing through enemy infantry as they ran for the estate. The Chief was right behind them, firing his MA5C assault rifle. Andrew panted as the last of the enemy group they were facing was sliced in half.
"Why does this island... have such a presence?" he moaned, panting heavily.
"I'm beginning to wonder that myself." Cortana said.
"How much further?" a PCF soldier asked as he wiped sweat off his brow.
"We've got about seven klicks to go." Cortana estimated.
"That's still too far. It'd take us until nightfall before we make it with this kind of enemy presence!" the PSF soldier complained.
"Which is why I've called for some wheels." Cortana mused.
"What kind of wheels?" Cloud asked.
"You'll see." Cortana replied. Before anyone could sigh in relief, a group of three T-95 main battle tanks rolled toward them, firing their main gun wildly as they rolled.
"Let's hope they get here fast." Andrew said as he transformed.
"This Jose guy sure is playing all his cards." a PSF soldier muttered loudly as he ducked into a trench.
"We'll deal with them, just get your heads down." Cloud instructed as he raised his massive blade. They ran into the fray, Cloud chopping HEAT rounds as he ran. Jumping into the air, Andrew sliced a large portion of the barrel off, before bisecting the rest of the tank. Andrew ran to the next one, and activated Dimension Blitz on it, slicing it into several pieces as Cloud finished with the third. They walked away as the tanks exploded behind them.
"That was nice." Cortana complimented. Cloud and Andrew simply nodded. Above them the loud roar of Pelican dropships could be heard. They quickly dropped altitude, before dropping something and retreating from the airspace.
"A tank?" a PCF soldier asked as he looked at three futuristic main battle tanks armed with railguns, missile launchers, and 40mm coax machine guns.
"Indeed. Planeptune rolled these out of the factories just last year. Plenty of firepower and space enough for a small squad of soldiers. They'll work for this assault." Histoire said via radio from the Archangel.
"Thanks for the rides, Histoire." Andrew said.
"No problem! Now go and get Neptune and come back safe!" Histoire replied. As they climbed in and fired the tanks up, they spotted more enemy tanks on the horizon.
"More tanks. Let's see what this baby can do!" Andrew said with a smirk. The turret rotated, and in a loud roar the railgun fired. The high energy slug burst through an enemy tank, tearing it apart instantly. "Nice!" Andrew said with a nod. The three tanks ran at full speed toward the target, firing on the enemy as they rolled.
Nepgear and Uni were busy, on their way to the north end of the estate to secure it.
"That's too much open ground..." Uni mused.
"Yea... and no sign of the enemy... this scares me." Nepgear muttered as they continued.
"Alpha group should be close to the objective by now." a Lowee Military field officer reported. Nepgear simply sighed as they ran across the field.
Section and Avan were still en route for their objective, the docks, firing the railgun of the tank on any enemy unit that got in their way.
"Man! Planeptune's new tank is a beast!" Avan shouted over the sound of the railgun as it fired on an enemy bunker.
"You got that right!" Section agreed. A few enemy soldiers ran at the tank. Grabbing a control stick, Zeri mowed them down with the 40mm coax. Above them, the Eurocopter Tiger flew circles around the enemy, firing its chain gun at as it passed key enemy strong points.
"Alpha and Bravo groups are four miles from the estate. Charlie and Delta groups report three miles away. The battle is going well." Histoire reported to all the units on the battlefield.
"Copy that." they heard Konata say on the radio in response.
"The enemy has become completely disorganized. It's only a matter of time before they collapse entirely." a field officer reported.
As they continued on to the estate, Andrew felt a mix of dread and relief.
"Two miles to the estate." Cortana said. As the minutes pass, the estate comes up into view.
"We've got the estate in our view. From here on out, we go by foot." Andrew said as everyone got out of the tanks.
"Alpha team to Bravo, Charlie, and Delta, report in." Andrew called out.
"Bravo team has arrived and is on standby." Nepgear reported.
"Charlie team on standby." Fixer reported.
"Delta team, awaiting orders." an officer reported.
"Alright. We've arrived at the estate. Begin the charge on my signal." Andrew ordered as he prepared a flare.
"Copy." everyone else replied in unison. After five minutes, Andrew pulls the trigger and the flare rockets up. At that moment, all four groups stormed the estate.
"Get in there!" Fixer ordered as Scorch laid down a breaching charge on a thick window.
"Charge set!" Scorch shouted, gunfire whizzing all around as the guards are dealt with.
"Blow the charge!" Andrew ordered. Scorch hits the detonator, and the charge detonates, taking the whole pane of extra thick glass with it. Immediately after the charge was blown, a few mercenaries ran out, only to be cut down by Delta Squad's DC-17s. After a full minute, the estate perimeter was established.
"Everyone! Into the building!" Nepgear ordered. Andrew led the charge inside. Two mercs stood in their way, but were quickly wiped out with gunfire from behind. One of Jose's officers cowered in the corner.
"Detain that man." Fixer ordered. A few PCF soldiers walked up to him and grabbed him, slapping handcuffs on him.
"Where's Neptune?" Nepgear asked him.
"B-basement." the man stammered.
"Thank you. Take him away. Everyone, check and clear every room. Fixer, I'll need your chain cutters, just in case she's chained to a wall down there." Andrew instructed.
"Copy!" everyone responded, while Fixer tossed him the chain cutters. Andrew turned and went down the stairs, kicking down the basement door.
"Andrew?!" Neptune shouted as Andrew walked inside.
"Neptune!" Andrew shouted in reply as he ran to the cage.
"I'll get you out of there, don't worry." Andrew said as he pulled out his chain cutters and started to break the padlock on the cage door. With a loud snap, the padlock breaks, and Andrew opened the cage door. Neptune ran out and hugged him tightly.
"I missed you so much!" Neptune said.
"I missed you too, love." Andrew responded.
"It was horrible! They put this HDD inhibitor on my neck, and my master forced me to do all sorts of work! I hated it! I hated it all!" Neptune shouted, crying.
"It's okay, now, Neptune. I'm here for you now. Let's get you home." Andrew said in a smoothing tone. Before they could leave, however, someone walked up behind them and stuck a rapier in Andrew's face.
"M-master?" Neptune asked, frightened. Andrew turned around and saw Jose standing there with a rapier in his hands.
"On your feet." Jose ordered. Andrew stood up, and was about to grab his sword when Jose poked his cheek with his rapier, drawing blood. "Ngh!" Andrew groaned, trying to resist the pain.
"I knew from the moment that my adviser told me about the attack that you would be coming." Jose spat. "I am Jose Carter. Leader of the organization Heaven's Bane." Jose announced himself.
"Why are you keeping her a slave?" Andrew demanded.
"That's not your concern. Now you will die." Jose said. He raised his blade and was about to strike.
"NOOOOO!" Neptune shouted. In an instant, Jose stopped his attack.
"If you kill him, you'll have to kill me, too!" Neptune shouted. Jose turned around and stabbed Neptune's right hand, and she screamed in pain.
"NO!" Andrew shouted. Jose laughed almost maddeningly as she continued to scream.
"Think about it. You don't want to see each other suffer." Jose mused as he withdrew his blade from her hand. He then suddenly pushed it slowly into Andrew's left arm.
"Stop!" Neptune shouted, on the verge of more tears. Jose then practically ripped his blade out.
"Boy oh boy, do I enjoy seeing you cry Neptune. Your tears are like a heavenly sound to me." Jose said gleefully.
"You... sick... bastard..." Andrew said, trying to fight the pain.
"Savor it while it lasts, kid. It's only going to get a lot worse." Jose laughed as he turned towards Neptune, undoing the zipper on his trousers.
"What are you... No!" Andrew shouted. Neptune was backing up, trying to avoid the coming rape. When Jose wasn't paying attention, Andrew transformed.
"JOSE!" he shouted furiously, gripping his sword and shield tightly.
"Ah, so you finally did it." Jose said as he turned back around, raising his sword.
"I won't let you hurt her ANYMORE!" Andrew shouted. At once, both of them swung their swords at each other. Jose, however, made a tactical mistake as his rapier hit Andrew's shield. In a flash, Andrew's sword went through Jose, who staggered. "Lucky... hit."Jose coughed.
"I'm taking Neptune out of here and bringing her home. Get out of my way or I WILL kill you!" Andrew ordered. There was silence for a little bit.
"You win this time, Purple Shield. I will return soon." Jose said with a laugh as he burst through the grate separating the basement from the outside world. Andrew sighed, as he transformed back to his human form and activated the radio.
"Eagle One, this is Andrew. I've rescued Neptune. Bring Cosette and Compa, she's been wounded." he said. "Roger that. We're on our way." Reno said back. Andrew took his hand off his ear and took Neptune's hand.
"Let's get you home, okay?" Andrew asked. Neptune hugged him tightly again, crying after the ordeal she went through.
Outside of the estate, the assault team walked around cleaning up bodies and rounding up prisoners, when they looked on with a smile as Andrew and Neptune walked outside.
"NEPTUUUNE!" Nepgear screamed as she ran up to them, ready to embrace her sister. With her arms spread out wide, Nepgear almost fell on top of Neptune. That was when she noticed the blood coming off of her sister and Andrew as Nepgear embraced Neptune.
"What happened in there?" Nepgear asked.
"It was Jose. He seemed to have been waiting for me in there." Andrew explained. To the right, the Blackhawk landed, and Compa and Cosette came running out to check on Neptune.
"Oh dear..." Compa said as she looked at Neptune's hand.
"Andrew looks pretty beaten up too." Cosette explained as the four of them went onto the blackhawk for extraction. As the helicopter went up into the air, Compa and Cosette treated their wounds with gentle care. It was then that Compa asked about the strange collar Neptune was wearing.
"HDD Inhibitor." was all Neptune would say in response. Her face was still pretty long.
"Don't be sad, Neptune. When we get back to the basilicom, you'll have a feast of my yummy pudding." Compa declared. Neptune simply smiled, though it was a half-assed attempt.
"Thanks, Compa." Neptune replied.
"Give her some time, she's been through a lot." Andrew suggested. The rest of the ride to the Archangel was silent. The landing was smooth as silk, and Histoire and IF were waiting for them as they got off.
"Nice to see you again, Neptune." Histoire said with a smile.
"You too, Histy." was all Neptune could say.
"Let's get you to Andrew's cabin." IF said, with a smile.
"Before I forget, Neptune, one of your hairpieces." Andrew said as he handed the oversized D-pad to her. Seeing it made Neptune smile, almost the same way she did before she was kidnapped. Neptune simply took it and put it back in her hair as she walked back inside the ship.
Neptune rested on Andrew's bed while he filled out the report on today's mission. It was only a mere ten minutes before Andrew finished the report and handed it to Histoire for archiving. Andrew was getting tired as he returned to his cabin and lied down with Neptune, before clicking the lightswitch. The large battlecruiser had left the fleet, returning to Planeptune with Neptune on board. As Neptune slept, she had felt secure in her lover's arms for the first time in two days. Neptune smile had fully returned by now, as she enjoyed her freedom. She was bummed, however, that they couldn't get the HDD inhibitor off until they returned to the basilicom due to its unusual construction. After a good three hours, they were getting hungry, and went down to the mess hall for some dinner.
It was already sunset, as Andrew could tell from the orange skies. As they entered the mess hall, he noticed his successful rescue of Neptune had become the talk of the whole crew, and were celebrating that and the successful capture of the islands. As Andrew looked around, he noticed Admiral Simmons motioning them over to his table. Taking him up on his offer, Andrew guided Neptune over to the table.
"Glad to see you two up and about again." was all that Simmons had said, offering some food, which turned out to be grilled salmon, to the two of them. "While you were out, we had gotten reports that the assault force had taken the island." Simmons added.
"That's good to hear, Admiral." Andrew said with a friendly smile.
"Oh, I hadn't eaten anything in two days..." Neptune groaned as she chomped on a mouthful of salmon.
"Almost starved in there..." Andrew muttered, feeling sorry for her. After five minutes, Neptune cleaned her plate and felt stuffed. Simmons and Andrew simply sighed simultaneously. Andrew began to look somewhat distant.
"Something the matter?" Neptune asked.
"Sorry, I've been thinking about Jose. He said he'd be back, and it gives me chills just thinking where he might pop up and what he might do next." Andrew explained. Neptune sighed in reply. After a quick drink of water, Andrew and Neptune went out to the open deck to enjoy the weather.
The air was still warm as the sun set behind the horizon, and the orange sky quickly became a black canvas littered with stars and other things. Andrew and Neptune were sitting on a bench, simply enjoying their newfound time together, looking at the stars, a loving smile plastered on their faces. IF walked out and joined them, a glass of fine wine in her hand.
"Enjoying yourselves?" IF asked.
"Yea." Neptune said.
"You know, before we first met, I used to take the little free time I had and enjoy things like this." IF said, talking about the night sky. Andrew was gingerly holding Neptune's wounded hand.
"Everyone else should be returning tomorrow morning. Compa wants to throw a celebratory party back at the Basilicom in honor of her rescue." IF explained.
"I hear you, Iffy." Neptune said. As they sat in silence, Andrew and Neptune looked at each other, before giving each other the kiss that they've missed since her kidnapping. IF checked her wristwatch.
"It's about eight o'clock now. We should arrive in Planeptune soon, so let's get ready to disembark." IF said. Andrew and Neptune break their kiss and return to their cabin. After about twenty minutes, they, along with their friends, received the order to disembark. Following that order, they walked down the gangway and arrived at what appeared to be a limo, escorted by PSF armored vehicles. It was a short ride back to the Basilicom.
As they entered their room, Neptune said she wanted to sleep until morning with a pretty hefty yawn. Andrew smiled as he put his stuff down and moved her gear to a nearby chair. Afterwards, Andrew climbed in bed with Neptune and slept till morning. In Neptune's dream, however, Jose never really seemed to leave, though oftentimes her dream involved Jose getting beaten to a pulp in different scenarios. Cradling Andrew in her arms, however, allowed her to bear the pain.
Morning came and the two of them woke up. Neptune wanted to change back into her regular attire, so Andrew left to give her privacy. After two minutes, Neptune walked back out looking like her old self, other than the HDD inhibitor that was still around her neck.
"Nepgear said that she will be back momentarily with a package that should help remove the lock on that inhibitor, Nep." IF reported.
"Thanks, Iffy." Neptune replied with a smile. Neptune knew she could rely on her sister and her tinkering to come up with some sort of device that will break the lock. They walked out into the living room and sat where they sat before. After about two minutes, Nepger walked in with her "package," an electromagnetic key co-developed by her and one of Planeptune's best scientists who studied a similar inhibitor collar. Nepgear walked behind Neptune and stuck the device up to her collar and pushed a button. With a buzz, the whole inhibitor shut down, and was able to be removed with ease.
"Well, everyone. Let's head outside to the back and enjoy ourselves. The others should arrive shortly." IF said.
Everyone went out to the back, and noticed that the large field had at least a dozen tables. Ten seconds later, the rest of the CPUs, Avan, Zeri, and pretty much every other designated officer from the previous day's assault showed up, some of them holding bags.
"Well, let's get this party started." Noire said. As the day progressed, the Media showed up and covered the event. Nobody thought anything of Jose Carter at all that day. All everyone did was have a good time, sharing stories of the previous battle, and all that. The next day, Carlos J Xaldren was put on trial for conspiring to kidnap and enslave the CPU of Planeptune, which are two of a list of capital offenses. The jury found him guilty, and Andrew and Neptune discussed what the punishment should be. They eventually agreed on death by firing squad.
"My soul shall leave this world. While I am not ashamed of what I have done, I won't forget what you have done for me in ending that miserable place." Carlos muttered as Andrew led him to the wall. Andrew couldn't say anything in return as he walked behind the firing squad.
"Attention!" Andrew shouted, and the five men chosen raised their arms to their chests.
"Raise arms!" Andrew shouted again, and the men aimed their sights on the man they were going to kill for his crimes. A short pause ensued.
"Fire!" Andrew ordered. In a short second, the five men fired on their target, and Carlos lie dead on the ground.
"Weapons safe!" Andrew ordered, and the men lowered their weapons, before a cleanup crew took the body. Andrew didn't question whether or not the death penalty was the right choice, knowing there wasn't a right or wrong answer. Andrew was just glad that Neptune was free, and safe from further harm. As Andrew walked back to the Basilicom, Jeromy talked to him psychically.
"You've done well rescuing her from that man, but he's not finished. This war against him is just getting started. Hold her close, and guard her. Remember the path that you walk. While we may hate each other, we are still joined by the knowledge that evil is still held at bay." Jeromy said.
Andrew, knowing what every word his brother said meant, simply replied "Thank you" to his twin brother. Neptune may be safe, but other attacks may come later. All they must do is prepare.
END OF EPISODE ONE OF "THE NEPTUNIA CHRONICLES."
-Author's Notes-
This first chapter may seem a lot different than it did when I first published it. I made continuity changes and several other fixes to account for otherwise bad grammar, blocky structuring, and "mistaken identity" about my original character, Andrew Hawker, being a "self insert." It may still need work, but at least it is readable.
That's all! Stay cool, and keep on Nepping! C'ya Later!