As The Universe Turns
When the Galaxy Rangers returned from BETA the following day, Shane was there to meet them at the hangar. He was wearing his black cowboy uniform without the hat. "Niko!" He waved.
"Shane!" Niko couldn't resist running to him and giving him a passionate hug. "Oh Shane!"
"Easy there! I'm not going anywhere," Shane smirked.
"Hey Goose," Zach waved as he and the others disembarked from the ship. "The new Mars commander arrived a bit early so we were able to return ahead of schedule. Niko we'll file the report. You might as well tell him what happened."
"Tell me what?" Shane asked.
"It's a long story," Niko said. "Let me get a cup of coffee and find some place to sit and I'll tell you."
A few minutes later they were alone in the Rec Room. Niko told him of what happened on Mars. "Niko I'm sorry," Shane let out a breath, stunned after learning the truth.
"So am I," Niko sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't save the last of my colony from themselves. And all the damage they did."
"Niko you're no more responsible for what Essex and his family did than I am for what Kilbane and the other renegade Supertroopers do," Shane told her. "A lot less actually."
"I know," She admitted. "It's just a tragedy. But in an odd way it's also justice. Essex was also responsible for my colony being destroyed. And he destroyed himself rather than face what he did."
"And got his son and a lot of other people killed as well," Shane added. "You're right. He did it to himself."
"I'd like to think that I'm a pretty tolerant person but there are some things even I can't forgive. I'm glad Essex and his insane followers are dead. They took so much from me. That's how I feel anyway. But…"Niko let out another breath. "I also feel so…For a long time I felt like I was the last. The only survivor of my colony. I barely remembered that I was part of a colony. Just as I was getting used to it along comes Troy Dumas…I mean Alexander Essex. For a short time I actually had some hope. I thought maybe if I could find the other survivors and help them…I'd get a little something of my parents back."
"Didn't work out that way did it?" Shane sighed.
"No and yes," Niko said. "I mean, I now know the same technique they both learned from the same teacher. And I'm a little conflicted about knowing a dangerous and powerful technique and the responsibility it brings. The same way my parents felt. It's not what I hoped for but it's better than nothing."
"I know how you feel though about how disappointed you are about your people's lives being a waste," Shane added. "I mean, at least the Supertroopers had Wheiner as an excuse. Essex and his followers did it to themselves."
"The Black Rose Society also has it's share of responsibility but for Essex to betray his people like that…" Niko shook her head. "I guess his mind couldn't handle the guilt or maybe he was always insane? Why did he hate my father so much that he would get revenge on an entire colony? I don't know. He was so warped and full of hate. Even though I hate him…There's a part of me that feels sorry for what happened to him. Not a large part but…"
"Very little good comes from revenge," Shane told her. "Believe me, I know that lesson better than anyone."
"But some good did come out of it," Niko said. "Now that the attacks are over maybe things on Mars will settle down? The Walcam on Mars have a new home. They're making a new settlement right next door to Demeter's Blessing and it seems that town has learned from Essex's mistakes. Oh I almost forgot! Some of the people there remember Cheyenne!"
"That Lady Cassia you told me about is one of them right?" Shane asked.
"Yes, she's the one that taught me the Psychic Blade technique," Niko said. She hesitated.
Shane guessed it. "You don't have to show it off to me, you know? Just because you learned a new trick it doesn't change the way I feel about you."
"It's not just that," Niko said. "It just feels, weird. Like I've always known it's been a part of me but it kind of scares me a little."
"You should try being a shape shifter sometime," Shane smirked. "Trust me, changing your body to have gills or horns or armor makes making a little knife seem like nothing."
"Little knife?" Niko raised an eyebrow. "Just wait until our next battle training session. I'll show you a little knife!"
"We'll see," Shane grinned.
"You can really be insufferable sometimes, you know?" Niko gave him a look.
"That's part of my charm," The Supertrooper shrugged.
"Is that what you call it?" Commander Cain walked in. "Because most of us call it something completely different. Gooseman you do realize you were supposed to see the psychiatrist today?"
"I would have if Bubblehead hadn't gotten away and snuck into your office," Shane gave him a look. "And started fooling around with your liquor collection. I think I saved most of it."
"One of these days that excuse is not going to fly anymore," Cain groaned. "And neither is that insane bird of yours. Speaking of insanity, I just heard what happened on Mars. You okay Niko?"
"I'm fine," She said. Part of her wasn't but she had stopped grieving a long time ago.
"Good because we have an intelligence briefing right now. There's a lot of new information out there that we need to take a look at. Goose, you might as well come and see this," Cain said.
"It's that bad?" Shane asked.
"Some of it is," Cain said.
"Oh goody," Shane said sarcastically as they made their way to the briefing room. They met up with Waldo, Zozo, Q-Ball and the rest of the Series Five team.
"All right! Let's get this over with!" Cain called out as several large holographic maps appeared in the middle of the room. "Time to find out how much of a mess the universe is in."
"Thanks to our new helpful friends the Black Hole Gang we've gotten a lot of information about what's going on out there," Q-Ball smirked. "Not to mention some other intelligence sources of ours that have been reporting to us."
"The Crown Empire is growing smaller every day. Looks like several factions are already dividing territory among themselves," Cain pointed to a map of the Crown Star Systems. "Lazarus Slade raised a small army and took over Quadrant G-9. Of course there are almost no inhabited systems in that quadrant so it's not that much of a surprise he was able to take control of it. However that quadrant does have several valuable minerals including star stones. So he does have some power under his belt. On the other hand, he just took away a major source of star stones from the Crown Empire. And something tells me they won't wait too long to try and get them back."
"What about all these other systems?" Zach asked.
"The Black Hole Gang used to hold Quadrant B-5 until they were driven out by two factions," Cain explained. "A rival gang and irony of ironies, an army from MaCross's home world."
"Aquia?" Zozo asked.
"Apparently MaCross doesn't have a lot of fans back on his home planet," Q-Ball said. "I don't know what he did but he doesn't want to go back there."
"From what we've learned there are now at least forty five different gangs vying for control of the entire Crown Empire," Cain said. "And that's not counting the dozens of civilizations that are trying to break free of not only the Crown but these new invaders."
"That many? I thought there was only three or four different gangs?" Niko asked.
"So did we. It seems business is booming," Cain sighed. "Some gangs are breaking apart or forming out of three to twenty individuals. Some used to work for various mob bosses and decided to make their own mark. In some cases with a little help from their former bosses because there's so much territory and fighting. Some aliens who just lost their homes due to the Crown Empire have decided to take up piracy in order to get over the loss of their home world. Others are just down on their luck thugs willing to try anything."
"Captain Kidd is one of many pirates that are trying to grab as much loot as they can due to the chaos," Zozo snorted. "Might be worth paying him a visit."
"At least we know he'll do business with us," Zach smirked. "If he knows what's good for him."
"This system over here was willingly annexed by the Leonoid Empire," Waldo pointed. "Since the alien race there are also of feline descent they welcomed the new government with open arms. The Leonoids have promised to treat them like any other citizen of their empire with the same rights and privileges. And they are providing them protection from the rogue gangs that were trying to conquer their world."
"They were able to break away from the Crown Empire with help from the Leonoids," Cain said. "That's how they escaped the destruction and genocide we've seen on Walcam and other worlds. The Crown Empire is spread too thin to mount a full scale assault on a lesser system with few resources they can use. And the Leonoid Army is well trained and very strong."
"The Leonoids are an empire in name only," Zozo said. "They prefer to gain territory through economics and business deals rather than invasion and their citizens have a lot of freedoms. Of course there is a great deal of sexism going on but the Male Rights Movement has made tremendous gains over the years."
"And their government is clearly interested in becoming part of the League of Planets," Waldo nodded.
"They also hate the Crown Empire," Zach said. "So they'd be good allies."
"On the other side of the coin is Aquia," Cain added. "Who are now deliberately picking a fight with the Crown. If it isn't war between the two empires now, it will be very soon."
"The Aquians are a very proud, arrogant race who don't seek alliances," Waldo frowned. "Only conquest. This could be a problem."
"In other words, no matter who wins this war we lose," Zozo groaned.
"Unless they blow each other up but I wouldn't hold my breath. Fortunately for us Leonoid doesn't like Aquia either," Cain said. "And they really hate how aggressive they've been lately. So the chances of us convincing them to join the League of Planets is extremely high."
"I just had a strange thought," Q-Ball began.
"Do you have any other kind?" Shane quipped.
"Why is MaCross an outlaw from his home world anyway?" Q-Ball asked. "From what little we know about Aquia it seems he fits right in. I mean what did he do to get kicked out of an empire known for aggressiveness and ruthlessness?"
"Nobody knows," Doc shrugged. "There are dozens of rumors. One is that he's a disgraced prince fleeing from his relatives. Another is that he's a member of royalty that got caught trying to overthrow the government. Some say he used to be a general that got kicked out due to a scandal. And then there are some that say MaCross started those rumors to make himself look better because he is really is some lowborn criminal that left his home world to make a better life for himself. Whatever the reason, he won't tell anyone the truth."
"From what little the Andorians know about Aquia it's highly unlikely MaCross is royalty or of any noble blood," Waldo scoffed.
"What makes you say that?" Doc asked.
"Believe it or not, his skin color," Waldo said.
"I believe it," Doc shrugged.
"Nobles and higher rank are blue," Waldo said. "MaCross isn't."
"I don't care if he's pink and purple," Shane grunted. "He's still a crook that deserves to rot in jail."
"What about the planets still under Crown control?" Zach asked.
"That information is a bit more sketchy," Cain said. "There have been recent uprisings on at least twelve to fifteen planets trying to fight for independence from the Crown but…"
"But?" Zach didn't like where this was going.
"From the growing number and variety of refugees coming into League space, it seems the Crown has only one answer for planets that decide to rebel," Cain said. "I'll give you a hint, we saw it on Walcam."
"How many?" Niko asked.
"From what we can tell at least twenty five inhabited planets and seventeen different species," Cain told them. "Not counting Walcam the survivors range from as little as a hundred to as many as a couple thousand survivors."
"Walcam had over three million," Waldo said. "But then again Walcam had the assistance of the Galaxy Rangers."
"And some very big cargo ships," Zachery frowned. "We were just lucky to rescue that many."
"The slaughter is continuing and it's not going to stop anytime soon," Cain said. "And the sad part is there are probably more survivors but a lot of those refuges are afraid to come near League space."
"It's because of Earth isn't it?" Doc realized.
"Let's just say rumors and propaganda fly faster than fact in outer space," Cain said. "The Crown Empire and even some gangs are purposely spreading rumors that Earth is systematically killing aliens and at war with the League so that the survivors would be easier to capture and control."
"Or kill outright," Shane growled.
"In other words they're using the Civil War to their advantage!" Zach snapped.
"We knew they were going to do that anyway," Doc pointed out. "We just didn't realize how. What else Commander?"
"Quadrant D-6 has just been taken over by believe it or not Daisy O'Mega with her own gang and our old friends Nimrod the Cat and Reggit the Tiger," Cain pointed to another system. "That system includes the planet Ma'at. A tropical world full of natural resources where she has her home base. And just a hop skip and a jump from that planet is the mining world Inet. The planet is full of star stones, precious stones, minerals and natural gasses that can be used for power."
"We also have some more information about Lazarus Slade," Q-Ball told them. "He was last heard fleeing from his life from the Montana."
"The Montana? Wasn't that the ship that escaped during the civil war with nearly a thousand traitors?" Shane asked.
"Yes. Apparently he tried to strike up some kind of deal with them but they refused," Cain said. "Nice to see even the Black Rose has standards."
"Slade's mostly been running around gathering whatever he calls troops for his grand army to take over the universe," Cain remarked. "Unfortunately I have also received some disturbing intelligence. Apparently the people who run the Deltoid Rock don't have any. The General is missing. Apparently he escaped despite being in a coma!"
"That insane Cyclops is loose?" Shane barked.
"I'm afraid so. I'm seriously recommending a complete staff change," Cain said. "For a highly secure prison that place has more holes than a sieve. I've already made arrangements to transfer all the human prisoners to Purgatory. At least there we know they are a lot less likely to escape! Except of course for Broscoe."
"You're going to let some of the most dangerous criminals in the universe just run around on Purgatory?" Doc asked.
"Why not? That's what a prison colony is for!" Cain barked. "Let 'em run around and kill each other off. Won't be our problem anymore."
"Anything more on the Montana?" Zach asked.
"Other than them trying to blast Slade to pieces, nothing. But we all know that ship will be found sooner or later," Cain told them. "Moving on…Q-Ball."
"We've also had reports of Mogul and his new demon henchmen running around trying to get star stones," Q-Ball reported. "And we just learned that the mobster Jackie Subtract…"
"Who also broke out of the Deltoid Rock!" Cain added. "Which should be named the Deltoid Revolving Door!"
"Has built up a rather large weapon smuggling and selling ring," Q-Ball finished. "And we now know that Brappo has come up with a deal with some Crown Agents in order to buy and smuggle pilfered artifacts from worlds the Crown has destroyed."
"That snake has always been able to get away with his crimes, even on Tortuna," Niko fumed. Archeology was always her passion. "Profiting off of an entire culture's destruction and robbing the survivors of their heritage! It's horrible!"
"I'm sorry to say he's not the only one doing it," Cain said. "Just the one with the biggest market and best clients."
"If I get my hands on him I'll wring his neck!" Niko shouted.
"Good job Gooseman," Doc quipped. "You've converted her."
"Just what I need," Cain sighed. "Another trigger happy Ranger."
"Sorry. It's just with everything that's happened lately I'm still a little ticked off," Niko apologized.
"Speaking of ticked off, I'm amazed the Supertroopers haven't gotten in on this," Shane remarked.
"Funny you should mention that," Cain smirked. "It appears that they've been doing everything but taking over star systems."
"Do I want to know?" Shane groaned.
"No, but I'm gonna tell you anyway," Cain smirked. "Let's start off with the Adventures of Brainchild and Larry…Brainchild. Now there's an ironic name if there ever was one!"
"What did he do?" Shane moaned.
"Apparently a few prostitutes who got mad when his check bounced," Cain told him. "Caused a small riot and a lot of damage."
"No surprises there," Shane groaned. "What else?"
"He got into a large brawl with Gravestone, Chimera and Jackhammer on who was going to kill you and how," Cain reported. "It got a little involved."
"How involved?" Shane asked.
"You know the outlaw moon Bantera?" Q-Ball asked. "The one just on the outskirts of the Crown Empire? They destroyed the only town on it. Apparently there was a lot of stored fuel and explosives in a lot of buildings and with Chimera and Jackhammer firing all over the place…I think you can see where this is going."
"According to witnesses Gravestone was heard saying something about training a flock of attack chickens to track down a certain former Commander of BETA and to peck your eyes out Gooseman," Cain read from a report.
"In other words they're too obsessed with getting revenge on me and Walsh than getting power for themselves," Shane groaned. "I should have known."
"Thanks Goose," Doc smirked.
"Glad to help," Shane said sarcastically.
"Out of all of the lot Kilbane has been the quietest. He hasn't been seen since the Civil War started," Cain said. "And he's the one I'm worried about the most."
"He also kidnapped Domani before he escaped," Zachery said. "She's probably dead now isn't she?"
"Odds are yes. And it's most likely Kilbane tortured her for information before he did," Cain said.
"He also has that diary Commander Walsh kept hidden," Shane frowned. "The one detailing Cheyenne's past and his family's history."
"And who knows what else is in that little book of secrets?" Cain groaned. "Clearly out of all the Supertroopers, he's the biggest threat. The question isn't what he's going to do. It's when. And where."
If only the Galaxy Rangers knew.
If only they knew that Domani was not only still alive, she was a willing partner with Kilbane.
And that the two of them were a lot closer than anyone realized.
"I can't believe this island base was only ten miles away from Wolf Den and no one ever found out about it," Kilbane snorted as the two of them walked around the abandoned base.
"This is where they did a lot of the Supertrooper DNA coding and experiments," Domani told him.
"Funny, I always thought we were all born at Wolf Den," Kilbane said.
"Most of you weren't. You were just shipped there after birth to be trained," Domani said. "You were obviously too young to remember being moved."
"Makes sense now that I know what I know," Kilbane said. "I can't believe they left a weapon that dangerous unguarded after all these years."
"That's because almost everyone connected to that project and the Supertrooper Program is dead, remember?" Domani said. "That diary you have is the only clue that it even exists."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Kilbane thought. "You know I don't like competition."
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Domani said. "We're going to need all the help we can get if we are going to get our revenge. This way."
They went down into the lower levels. They were blocked by a large door. "Kilbane you have the diary," Domani said. "Disable the security system."
"Yeah, yeah," Kilbane took it out and leafed through it. "Not as much fun as blasting the door down."
"We're trying to get in and out as quickly and inconspicuously as possible," Domani gave him a look. "Besides even with your bio defenses the doors are too thick and it would take too long."
"Fine," Kilbane punched in the code. "We'll do it the non fun way. For now. But I'd better see some explosions pretty soon!"
"If that diary is half as accurate as I think it is, we will see plenty of explosions in the future," Domani said as the door opened and they entered into the room.
"Looks like there already was," Kilbane looked at the remains of a destroyed lab.
"Over here," Domani pointed to a cryogenic chamber marked DANGEROUS. "I need the code."
"I got it," Kilbane shoved her out of the way and punched in the code. It hissed open. Inside was a cryo-tube and something was inside of it. "There he is. You wanna unthaw him now?"
"We can't even if we wanted to," Domani said. "There's some kind of special lock on the casket. We'll bring him back with us to our base. Remember what I told you?"
"Yeah they tried to tame this guy a long time ago and make him their pet and it failed big time," Kilbane snorted. "I remember reading about it in the diary."
"And Walsh almost made the same mistake," Domani said softly.
"You're not thinking of chickening out are you?" Kilbane snorted.
"Of course not," Domani's face hardened. "I'm just being cautious. Let's prepare this thing for transport. We don't want it to break out before we find a way to control it."
"And this guy is gonna destroy Walsh and the Runt?" Kilbane said.
"That is the idea," Domani said. "Not to mention what's left of the Black Rose Society and the Galaxy Rangers. But first we have to make sure that it won't turn on us."
"Don't worry," Kilbane snorted as he looked at the cold casket. "I think between the two of us we can come up with something. Oh this is just perfect. Neither Walsh nor Gooseman are gonna know what hit 'em by the time we get through with them."
The new command structure of the Crown Empire had taken over the Queen's throne room and turned it into a conference room with a large table in front of the throne. After a brief period of infighting and jostling for power, a squad of the most powerful and capable Crown Agent leaders had become the new ruling council of the Crown Empire.
The new leaders of the Crown Agents had also changed their outer armor. Instead of the usual purple armor, it was red. And each one of them had a symbol on their helmets signifying names and rank within the council.
Alpha Zed looked at the others in the room. Alpha Gamma, Alpha Five, Alpha Nine, Alpha Fifteen, Alpha Delta, Alpha Theta, Alpha Epsilon. And their new leader who was once Alpha Three, but had renamed himself Alpha Omega.
"This council will now begin," Alpha Omega spoke. He of course sat in the Queen's Throne. "We welcome back Alpha Zed, who has returned after a successful planet decontamination tour. He has also stopped at least three insurrections and dealt with the rebels accordingly. We thank you for your service."
"I accept your thanks. But I can not stay at the council long. There is more work for me to do on the outer rims. No matter how harshly we deal with the rebels, no matter how many planets we destroy," Alpha Zed explained. "Two more planets decide to turn on us."
"So we either destroy them or force them to work for us in the mines," Alpha Theta remarked.
"We could also alter them and fit them with cybernetic parts to become new soldiers for us in the wars," Alpha Nine remarked. "The last of the Zanquils have been successfully captured and conscripted."
"Conscripted?" Alpha Zed asked.
"That's right, you do not know of the new policy," Alpha Omega informed him. "It has been decided that the remaining Zanquils would better serve us if they served us."
"If the Queen could make Slaver Lords we can make new Crown Agents out of some lowly Zanquils," Alpha Nine said. "With some modifications of course."
"It sounds like a good use of resources," Alpha Zed nodded. "I will make sure that we bring back a cargo of captives as well as treasures from other worlds."
"I still am not happy about this business with Brappo," Alpha Fifteen spoke. "Why do we put up with that fat purple slug? Giving him artifacts that are rightfully ours?"
"And what use are old pieces of pottery or cracked statues to us?" Alpha Zed asked. "Organics are always suckers for things like that."
"Brappo is not the only one making a profit from this little business," Alpha Gamma remarked. "As long as he pays us off I don't care. We can always kill him once he outlives his usefulness."
"At least it's a good source of income," Alpha Nine remarked. "Even with all the resources we acquire we still need vast amounts of money to create new troops and weapons if we are going to destroy Aquia and the League."
"And any other enemy we face," Alpha Zed nodded. "The problem is there are too many of them. It's not just the rebels we have to deal with."
"I always thought the Queen was too lenient on the scum she allowed to populate Tortuna," Alpha Gamma replied.
A Crown Messenger arrived. "Alpha Omega. News from the border of Aquia," He handed him a data pad.
"Very good. Dismissed," Alpha Omega waved. Using their cybernetics the council downloaded the information into their personal databanks.
"The Aquians have now annexed the planet Y-67," Alpha Omega spoke. "Even though it was uninhabited it was valuable to the Crown as a scouting post."
"From there they could easily launch an invasion to the Nibian system and then Tortuna!" Alpha Zed remarked.
"I am afraid that takes precedence over the new rebellions on Lornax and Magmar 4," Alpha Omega said. "Lornax has very little resources we need anyway."
"So we just abandon our troops there?" Alpha Zed asked.
"We have no choice!" Alpha Gamma said. "We can't afford reinforcements! Especially after what happened to Alpha Seven."
"Where is Alpha Seven?" Alpha Zed realized that one member of the council was missing.
"Alpha Seven was destroyed by unknown rebels at Decanting Base 5," Alpha Omega explained. "The entire operations there were destroyed."
"That was our largest Crown Agent facility!" Alpha Zed was horrified. "I was created and trained there!"
"So were most of us," Alpha Omega said. "Because of that loss, creating new recruits have dropped fifty nine percent. The few decanting bases that remain are overworked enough as it is."
"We had to shut down three of them on the outer rims because there weren't enough raw materials," Alpha Nine said.
Even though no one said it aloud, they were all thinking the same thing.
There was no denying it. The Crown Empire was declining faster than they thought.
"At this rate all we will have is Tortuna and a few satellite planets within two years," Alpha Fifteen grumbled.
"I really thought we could do this but now I see it's impossible," Alpha Zed said. "We have no choice but to find a way to revive the Queen of the Crown."
"Our main target is Aquia now," Alpha Five spoke. "The Queen is safe where she is. She will be revived once the empire is stable."
"If we do not get leadership from our Queen now, there may not be an empire for her when she awakens!" Alpha Zed shouted.
"You forget your place Alpha Zed!" Alpha Epsilon shouted.
"Enough!" Alpha Omega shouted. "Alpha Zed is merely following the direction of his programming. The programming we all share that ensures that we obey our Queen and carry out her orders."
"And keeping her injured body in stasis does help us to get around that little rule," Alpha Zed growled.
"Do you want our Queen to perish Alpha Zed?" Alpha Omega asked.
"Of course not!" Alpha Zed said. "Her survival is prime directive."
"Exactly. If she were revived now her chances of survival will be slim to none," Alpha Omega said smoothly. "There are too many enemies more than willing to destroy her in her weakened condition. Therefore it is up to us to protect her and doing so protect our empire."
Alpha Zed changed his tone. "I meant no disrespect, Alpha Omega. I miss our Queen's guidance and only want to serve her well."
"As do we all Alpha Zed," Alpha Omega nodded.
Alpha Zed stood up and saluted. "I will do your command. I see my duty and I will carry it out. For the moment the biggest threat to the Queen is the Aquians. I must go to the border and destroy them. By your leave?"
"Of course. This council meeting is over," Alpha Omega stood up. "For the Crown Empire!"
"The Crown Empire!" The Alphas spoke as one before leaving. But not all thought the same.
"They're all greedy fools! I guess I'm going to have to find a way to revive the Queen on my own," Alpha Zed grumbled to himself as he left.
Meanwhile on the planet Ma'at…
"I must say O'Mega, I am impressed," Jezzel smiled at the Irish outlaw as they lounged in the sun terrace of Daisy's hideout. "Not just with this base of operations, but with the job you did at that Crown Decanting Base."
"With those plans you gave us it was child's play to swoop in there and blow up those tin cans to kingdom come," Daisy snorted. "How did you get them anyway?"
"Oh let's just say I know people," Jezzel said.
"I'll bet. What really impressed me was that job we did together," Daisy said. "The one where we hijacked that Crown Ship and blew up that Aquian outpost."
"And now in addition to Leonoid and the League of Planets, Aquia is in the game," Nimrod the Cat smiled as he lazily strummed a guitar in a hammock.
"Aye, a few more incidents and the entire universe will be at the Crown's throat," Daisy grinned. "Waiting to tear it apart."
"And won't everyone be surprised when they find out who will rise from the ashes?" Nimrod grinned. "Imagine the Queen having a daughter and no one knowing about it?"
"To be fair, we didn't get along," Jezzel shrugged. "Plus I was locked away in that blasted dimension for so long it's no wonder most people have forgotten me."
"They won't forget you after we're done! Like I said before, we need to stage a few more incidents," Daisy said. "Commit a few more acts that will make half of the universe hate the Crown even more than they do now!"
"And when I return to Tortuna as the liberator of the planet and rightful heir to the throne, everyone will be so anxious to get rid of the Queen and her stupid Crown soldiers they'll welcome me with open arms!" Jezzel snorted. "And I will make you all not only high ranking generals, but royalty."
"Lady O'Mega. I like the sound of that," Daisy smiled.
"I just want to show up my father and my goody goody two shoes brother!" Nimrod snapped. "Why shouldn't I have my own kingdom? Oh I can't wait to stick it to them!"
"The best part about this is that interfering League of Planets and those busybody Galaxy Rangers are too occupied with their own problems to stop us," Daisy snorted.
"Yes, they do have a habit of complicating things," Jezzel nodded.
"NIMROD! DID YOU BORROW MY BEST SHIRT AGAIN WITHOUT ASKING ME?" Reggit was heard screaming. "AND YOU GOT A STAIN ON IT! YOU ARE SO DEAD MISTER!"
"Gotta go!" Nimrod ran out of the room.
"Ah I see the entertainment has started," Daisy laughed. "This is always fun." She went out to watch the madness. "REGGIT! PUT DOWN THE CHAINSAW YOU BIG DRAMA QUEEN! WE BOTH KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE IT!"
"This is only the first step in returning to my glorious Empire," Jezzel smiled to herself. "The next planet we will conquer is Tortuna! And once I have the heart of the Crown Empire…I will rebuild the Crown Empire and surpass it's past glory! I will retake lost worlds such as Andor and Kirwin and conquer Earth and the League of Planets themselves! And nothing can stop me!"
