Chapter nine: personal gain

The second they got back to Fastoon, Oort marched directly to Elor Tharp's cell in the detention center. Upon opening it, he was greeted by the sight of Tharp slumped over sleeping, proceeding to wake up, and give Oort a smug look. The look was quickly changed from smug-like to horror when Oort grabbed Tharp by the throat, and pinned him against the wall.

"You're in for it now, you little scumbag!" Oort yelled as he punched the Terachnoid. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" Oort then slammed Tharp down on his bed, still clenching his neck.

Tharp sighed. "As a matter of fact I am fully aware of what my actions have brought, and I have absolutely no regrets for what I've done. You may have figured out this much, but you'll never know the full story of my work with the Emperor!"

Oort continued steaming with rage as he began to choke Tharp. The little Terachnoid gagged and gasped for air as Oort tightened his grip, almost causing Tharp to black out. He then let go of the Terachnoid's neck, letting him breathe for a few seconds, only to repeat the same brutal process that he had just done. After he let go again, Tharp immediately yelled in a now raspy voice: "Okay! Okay! Okay! I'll tell you everything, just please don't do that again!"

Oort sat him up on his bed, let go, stepped back, and crossed his arms. "Well, talk then."

"The honest truth goes like this: I worked as a researcher at Pollyx Industries, where I was involved in all sorts of projects. But my job didn't satisfy me, I was ambitious, wanted to go further, and was willing to do whatever it took to do so. I wanted to go beyond this life and achieve great fame and fortune. So I continued for a while, hoping I'd eventually get lucky and create something important.

It was then that the Prog incident occurred, which gave me an idea after it was all over: why not try to build some sort of inter-dimensional device? Things like that are so rare someone would pay a FORTUNE of bolts for one. I honestly didn't care what they'd do with it, other than them paying me enough to make me wealthy.

So I began working on my own inter-dimensional device in my spare time. It was ambitious, yes, but worth the risk if I could get it working. About a year ago, I made a breakthrough, my device was beginning to project portals. It seemed like I could have been on to something.

So, being the scientist I am, I stepped through one of the portals, curious to see what might be on the other side. When I stepped through it, I was greeted by a rocky surface floating in space. I had to take the risk that the portal would close, and I felt quite confident since everything was going fine up to now. It was after a little walking on this rock that I spotted a little figure in torn up clothes. As I approached it I recognized who this was from the years he used to rule, Percival Tachyon. He was standing next to a pile of bones, who I later found out belonged to Artemis Zogg. Tachyon wouldn't say how he died.

Tachyon started ranting about how I was a stupid inferior creature, and also about his desire for revenge and to get what he wanted once again, but to go even further this time. I knew of what he was capable of doing, and saw this as my opportunity to finally get money and influence. I ended up making a deal with the fallen Emperor, I'd use my device to bring his race to his dimension, then I would smuggle them the supplies and materials they needed to help build up an army, with me as a tech supervisor and overseer.

In exchange, when Tachyon conquered the universe, he would make me a member of his nobility. About a month ago Tachyon and the Cragmites had raised an army that was the most powerful the Cragmites had ever seen, not needing me as much anymore, Tachyon told me to remain back in our original dimension and update him on what was going on there, so he could ponder when to strike.

When the Lombaxes started coming back, I knew this would be the trigger for him to finally do his thing, it seemed almost perfect. I informed him of the situation and he immediately began to plan his comeback. When they started coming into our dimension, to keep me safe he had me taken to Opertus, which was a planet I had previously tested projects on and knew it would be hard to find due to its remoteness.

After the Fastoon attack failed, he informed me that if I would be captured, I would say that his fleet was at Reepor in order to divert your forces away from the worlds they were protecting, so he could launch rapid attacks on as many of them as possible, demoralizing you and causing massive destruction in the process. I-"

"I've heard enough." Oort cut him off. "If we make it through this all, you, Mr. Tharp, will be facing war crime trials."

Oort and company left the cell and headed to the main planning room. Oort projected an image of Igliak. "Alright, the first order of business for you guys is to assist the Polaris Defense Force on Igliak. Kepler, I want all of Sierra one, Ratchet, and Ms. Apogee to be the force to bail these guys out. I know it sounds like a daunting task considering your small numbers, but we need to send almost everyone else to other planets to help wherever we can." Oort paused for a few seconds. "Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes Sir!" Kepler responded.

Oort told them the plans. They'd have to fight their way to the besieged garrison in Meridian City, and do whatever they could to assist the Defense Force, even with their small numbers. The task seemed like a suicide mission, but it was either do the mission or let allies die and allow a planet to fall into Cragmite hands. This was going to be interesting.