Chapter 11: The Alliance of Evil

Racing away from Blanc, a Buldogian spaceship piloted by General Vector Bulldog, carried Queen Granicus to freedom. As she stood on the bridge staring out into space, she remembered with intense bitterness, her incarceration by that tiny feathered idiot, Tweetums and her humiliating defeat by his allies the Loonatics.

As she continued to stare at space rushing by the ship, she asked the General to bring her up to date on what events had occurred in the universe while she had been in jail. He gave her a quick and dirty synopsis. She frowned in concentration as she absorbed the information.

"So… you say the Loonatics stopped a renegade general, who once worked for their benefactor, from conquering the entire universe and that they had used the Royal Scepter of Blanc on Wormhole Central's CPU to do it?" She asked, her eyes glittering with interest.

"Yes. The renegade was called General Deuce. He tried to kill his former leader, Zadavia, her brother, Optimatus and the Loonatics. The final battle was inside Wormhole Central between Ace and Deuce. Only Ace was seen leaving it, Deuce apparently had disappeared without a trace. He's presumed dead, though personally, I think he may have been transported to another part of the Universe." General Vector told her.

"Hmm, well isn't that a shame… a person with that much ambition and greed would be an excellent addition to my army." She murmured in disappointment.

Vector growled softly. After all the trouble he went to helping her escape prison, this was the thanks he got… her regret that she couldn't have Deuce. It infuriated him.

She paid no attention to his anger and changed the subject. "Your mention of Zadavia has reminded me of a question I've had while I was waiting in that cell. Why was she in Acmetropolis and who were those individuals with her beside Pinkster Pig?"

"I never found out what she was up to and because of that, we should stay alert. She's an excellent strategist and whatever she's doing won't be good for us. One thing I do know is the Loonatics have moved their entire Headquarters to Blanc. It was on all the news feeds." He warned her.

"Is that so?" She said questioningly, intrigued by this piece of news.

"Yeah, it looks like they've decided to move up in the world by being the protectors for the known universe. However, that doesn't matter, for, once your plan is in motion, nothing will be able to stop us. I was able to gather the individuals you wanted see. They're waiting for us at your base… Asteroid QG 7" Vector said with grim satisfaction.

"How long before we arrive?" The Queen asked returning her gaze outside.

"Should take another two maybe three hours… I'll try to push a little more speed from the engines to get us there sooner." He said as he went to the control board to make the appropriate changes.

"Excellent… I will just sit here and fine tune my revenge plans. I need to think on the best way to put them in motion. I don't wish to be disturbed, so no noise, conversation or music you bothersome canine." She ordered coldly as she went to sit on a bridge station chair.

Meanwhile on Blanc, the Loonatics returned to their tower. They needed to try and figure out where Queen Granicus might have gone and who was helping her.

Tech and Pinkster, aided by Rev, went to the lab. They accessed the security cameras and watched the recorded images from the hallway where Granicus' cell was located, hoping to see what had happened.

In another part of the lab, the rest of the Loonatics were sitting at a large circular table, along with Zadavia, discussing the problem they were facing.

"The shadow of evil is upon us and upon the entire Universe, Loonatics. With Granicus on the loose, we have a very dangerous situation before us." Zadavia said gravely.

"Whatever she's planning must be big. She somehow managed to get help from someone with a lot of power. That's the only way she could have gotten outta that cell. When I worked for her, I knew her as someone who won't make a move without checking for all the angles first." Sylth said tightly, remembering just how ruthless and meticulous the Queen was.

"Well, if Queenie wants a fight, we'll give her one!" Ace said firmly.

"Honestly, Ace, I still don't see what kind of trouble she can cause us. After all, we beat her once and she had the help of Sylth here. I think you're worrying too much. With our new members it will be a piece of cake! I, Danger Duck swear that we'll get her without a problem!" Danger Duck said grandiosely as he stepped onto the table and slapped his chest sending one arm into the air like some knight from the Middle Ages.

"Don't ever say that, Duck… Granicus may be an old lady but she's mean and cunning. If she could get her hands on us she'd execute us without hesitation and you seem to forget, she's not alone in this scheme of hers." Lexi reprimanded Duck angrily. "We need to be prepared for anything she might throw at us. Now is not the time to underestimate the Queen."

"Lexi's right, Sir Duck… I mean, Duck. Granicus is a very powerful and very mean old lady. That's why I, the Royal Tweetums, the rightful holder of the throne of Blanc, have ordered my troops to stand by in case we need them." Tweetums said seriously.

"That's a very good idea, mi amigo, Tweetums. The more help the better. Your troops added to our defense will help us defeat any trouble Granicus might send." Swift said, complimenting his fellow Loonatic.

Their discussions lasted a good two hours as they covered the defense plans Tweetums had made when Tech interrupted with the results of their research. He told them they had found a clue on who was behind the Queen's escape.

Everyone moved to the other side of the lab to the large computer display screen. Tech had it zoom in on a figure that nobody could see at first until Tech gave the computer orders to sharpen the image. Now they could see the image better. It was a bulldog in a uniform. Tech and Pinkster fed the image into their database to find out who the person was. Some seconds later the computer shot up an image that matched and the resultant data beside it on the screen.

"So, our mystery person is General Vector Bulldog. He's the mastermind responsible for the Queen's escape and the one who executed the break out." Tech said grimly.

"Wow! W-w-what a v-v-v-vicious looking guy." Pinkster said unhappily.

"So, this is the guy who's been barking at Queenie's tree, huh? And you're definitely right about him being a nasty looking guy, Pinkster… He sure isn't mister personality." Ace commented with a grimace.

"So who is he, anyway?" Patricia asked frowning.

"Hmm, according to the database, he's one of the most important generals of the Planet Caninus, a war hero, who's been decorated with a bunch of medals and honours…" Tech told them reading the info off a smaller screen in front of him that gave the dog's resume. "It says here, he's recently been suspected of trafficking weapons of mass destruction around the entire Sapphire Galaxy. It's suspected that he stole them from the Buldogian's top secret armories but no one's been able to prove it.

"Looks like we found evidence to that support that suspicion and now this image from the cell block cinches it that he's the person behind the Queen's escape. I also suspect he's the one behind the android who attacked us in Acmetropolis. But, I have una importante question… If this guy is an illegal weapon's dealer, as you're saying, why is he working for Queen Granicus? It doesn't make any sense." Swift said in concern.

"Power… being able to serve a powerful figure, such as Queen Granicus can further a person's quest for power and I think that is why General Vector sought out the Queen. Greed has corrupted his soul. He cares not for others only his own selfish desires for unlimited power." Zadavia said with disgust.

While the Loonatics tried to determine what Queen Granicus and her new right-hand General were up to, the two under discussion were just arriving at Asteroid GQ 7, the Queen's secret base of operations.

The asteroid looked similar in appearance to the one Optimatus tried to hurl at Acmetropolis. However, it was much darker in color and a bit bigger. It had jagged mountains everywhere. A palace made of the same rock as the asteroid sat at the base of one of the mountain ranges. The exterior was well illuminated. Legions of robots, brought by General Vector from Planet Caninus, were standing at the entrance of the palace, waiting for orders.

Its interior revealed the dark and obscure taste of Queen Granicus. There were dozens of sculpted gargoyles wearing menacing looks in every hall of the palace. The floor was done in blood red tiles. The colour was very similar to real blood. The entire place was an apocalyptic, gothic and psychopathic version of the royal palace of Blanc.

Granicus was thrilled to be home surrounded by her futuristic army. Her plans were set in her mind as she walked in the halls of her palace once more. Vector escorted her into the main foyer where two robots awaited them. One of them told the Queen her guests were waiting for her in the dining room and that dinner would be served in a few minutes. Grinning with evil delight, Granicus walked down a short hall to a set of huge dark doors. General Vector opened the door and revealed her guests seated at the table.

Ophiucus Sam, Electro J. Fudd, and General Melvin the Martian, along with his faithful robotic canine assistant, Sergeant Sirius turned to look at her as she walked in and nodded at her loyal henchman.

She continued around the table to her seat at the head, the General at her side. She stayed on her feet as he sat next to her. "My dear friends, I'm pleased that you could come. As you know, I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you all. That is why I had General Vector collect you and bring you here. But first, let's have dinner, shall we?" She said as the perfect host. She signalled dinner to be served. She took her seat, still smiling though she was still puzzled as to where her other two villains were.

Dinner was served. As they were eating the first course, soup, Granicus took the opportunity to talk with Vector.

"Would you care to explain to me, why Pinkster Pig and that bumbling cat, aren't here, General Vector?" She muttered irately to the white bulldog.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you for certain. The only thing I do know is Pinkster was seen with Zadavia through the eyes of my Canis XLR 3.0 just before it was destroyed. I suspect he and the others I saw with Zadavia were responsible for its destruction. As for Sylth Vester, he wasn't in his cell when I went to free you. I did hear a rumour that he helped the Loonatics defeat Deuce. I can't confirm that. I think he managed to escape before I could get to him." Vector told her bluntly.

"He better have just escaped. If I find out he helped my enemies, I'll rip what's left of his skin off with my bare hands and force him to eat it." She hissed furiously then turned with a polite smile and ordered the fish to be served. This was a delicious Martian sturgeon accompanied by roasted potatoes, Lombard caviar and cabbage.

Melvin was very pleased with that delicacy from his planet and complimented Queen Granicus on her excellent choice.

"I have to say that this is really delicious. Usually, I don't get a chance to eat such succulent dishes as this one, you know? Because most of the time, I blow up the planet before I have the slightest chance of tasting their cuisine." The Martian said as he took another bite and saw Sergeant Sirius picking at a metallic bone with his metal teeth.

"Why, thank you, Melvin, I'm glad you are enjoying it. Now, while you finish this excellent repast pay attention while I explain my plans to defeat the Loonatics once and for all." She said with an evil grin as she picked delicately at her meal. Everyone perked up and gave her their complete attention. "Alright, since my original plan to capture Zadavia and lure them into a trap has failed we'll just move on to plan B." She said sweetly. Her henchmen shuddered but didn't say anything as she continued. "Now, I don't have to tell you how the Loonatics have prevented us from robbing, controlling planets, or from destroying them… we all have our tales to tell… except for General Vector, of course." She said reminding them of their many humiliating defeats.

"That is so true… that wascaly wabbit and his fwiends, made a fool out of me… I swore that I would have my wevenge against them!" Electro J. Fudd said furiously, as he slammed one of his fists on the table.

"I also got a score to settle with those Looneytics, especially with that rabbit, or my name's not Ophi… iccy… whatever!" Ophiucus Sam agreed with Fudd, as he remembered unhappily of the first time he was stopped by the Loonatics. "So, tell us… what is this plan you got to stop that rabbit and his meddlesome friends?" He demanded.

"My plan is simple…" Granicus began as she pushed a button under the table and suddenly a huge screen appeared from the ceiling. "According to the information my associate, General Vector, has gathered, the Loonatics have transferred their Headquarters to Blanc so they can protect the entire Universe. I intend taking over what it's rightfully mine… Planet Blanc, by disposing of that wretched bird, Tweetums. But to do that, I need to get rid of those Loonatics first." She said coldly.

The screen showed Planet Blanc in all its glory. An evil smile spread across her face but didn't reach her eyes which burned with the fires of vengeance.

"That's where you all come in," she continued pressing another button and a new image flashed on the screen. "This is Acmetropolis, the Loonatics home world… My plan is to free all the criminals in the Acmetropolis Maximum Security Prison as well as wreak havoc around the city to attract the Loonatics attention. When they arrive, we will be able to destroy them one by one, with the help of the 'rescued' villains, who will certainly be delighted in participating in this sweet revenge. My question gentlemen is, are you with me?" Granicus asked the group in front of her.

"You can count on me or my name isn't Ophi… iccy… whatever! You can be sure that I will be by your side, once its time to teach those varmints the lesson of their lives!" Sam shouted, shooting a couple of shots into the ceiling.

"I'll teach those wabbits and their fwiends that Electro J. Fudd is the best hunter in the Univewse." Fudd smirked.

"The entire Martian fleet is at your service, Queen Granicus!" Melvin declared as he finished his food.

"Then raise our glasses and make a toast, to a brand new future gentlemen… A future where I will rule the universe and you'll be by my side. To the destruction of the Loonatics!" Queen Granicus proclaimed loudly, downing her drink, her henchmen mimicking her.