-Chapter 24-

…three hours earlier

"So really this is Luce's plan?"

Walking down the hallway they were heading to Tricia's Raptor "Yes this whole time he has been building a contraption that would release toxin into the air that would eventually kill all the models on the planet."

"But what if there are other creatures still alive on the planet?"

"He reassured me that it would target synthetic materials only, anything else on the planet would thrive through their normal lives."

Zero still not understanding the logic "If he does this though wouldn't that make this planet uninhabitable to all of us?"

"Yes, but with eleven other planets that we can rummage through he didn't think it would be a problem. Plus by doing this it would ensure the self proclaimed Emperors couldn't leave any secret weapons behind to access them later."

"Well we have trusted him this far haven't we?"

Shaking her head "whatever you do just monitor the communications on the planet, Luce is ultimately afraid that the one that attacked you will show their true colors when they hear that I'm coming in with the final supplies."

"Great so are you sure you want to launch from here?"

"I'm not sure of the range of the Emperor's fleet, it is possible they would have remote sites or remnants of the Colonial detection screen out far enough to detect you if you bring the ships in to close they will know that you are on the way."

"Yeah but even if that was true what could they do about it?"

"Well for starters I might be able to resurrect but Luce can't, if anything happens that could jeopardize his position it risk him to be possibly deactivated."

"Alright fine" giving in Zero decides to drop the subject, it would appear they have thought this far through.

Moving into the hanger Tricia jumps onboard starting her preflight procedures, finding a place to sit Zero simply watched her as she worked. Their friendship meant everything to her even Luce had a special place in her heart… her heart taking her hand she placed it onto her chest she wondered how much of her was humanoid and how much of her was machine, and if she was more machine how come she had such strong feelings. Returning her gaze on her she smiled gently the idea of her being in the Basestar was probably comforting to Tricia but didn't sit well with her carefully she looked at the arrangements that were inside the ship and all of the cargo containers.

"So what's in all the boxes?" finally breaking the silence.

Looking up from the controls "Most of the items are random Luce wanted to ensure that my deception looked legitimate."

"Sounds plausible… well once you're done are you leaving right away?"

"No, I wanted to get a bite to eat before I headed off… why?"

"Well I need to head over to one of the other ships before this day unfolds I wanted to make sure I saw you off before you went."

Taking her hands off the controls she gets and walks over to Zero "Hey I know you have a lot of responsibilities… I'll be fine" giving her a hug and kiss on the forehead "go take care of your business I will see you when this is all over."

Smiling back at her she gets out of her chair "Be careful." Jumping out of the ship she heads for one of the causeways just before she enter she looks back to see Tricia staring at her with her gentle smile, returning the smile she preceded on.

…Present time

"You were mistaking John if you believe I would have trusted your sincerity that you would keep the peace." Lucifer says as John is looking at the contraption that stood in front of them.

"No my friend you were mistaking if you thought you would live through this day!" pointing to one of his units the centurion begins to raise its weapon towards his head. Tricia turns her head closing her eyes hearing the gun fire she flinches.

Loud explosion fill the room as she hears someone screaming in the background, feeling arms grab her they swoop her up into their arms. Opening her eyes she sees Lucifer carrying her to behind a barricade. "What just happened?" is all she can think to say.

"Well apparently Zero is not dead…" as she continues to look at him quizzically "…just before the centurion was about to shoot she came out of nowhere taking out John and his escorts… I will admit I am kind of confused."

"I knew she was alive but I'm not sure what she is doing here she is suppose to be on the Basestar coordinating from up there?" still a little frazzled from what just happened.

"My word you have been keeping some secrets not only is she alive she now has a Basestar?"

"Long story… I will explain later…" getting out from behind the barricade "…where did she go?"

"Not sure she went down the hall chasing a few more units."

Pulling him out from the barricade "then let's get going and get her out of here" they hunker down as another powerful explosion ricocheted against the building causing them to lose balance slowly getting up they move down the hallway chasing their friend and hoping she isn't getting herself in too much trouble.

…fifteen minutes earlier

Hearing the explosion she thinks to herself this isn't one of her better plans, waiting a little longer the voices seemed to have disappeared. Saying to herself "So much for my surprise…" pushing against the top Zero opens the box she was hiding in looking out of the Raptor door she sees a couple of ships lifting off returning her scan she sees what looked to be Tricia running into the building. Still talking to herself "Where is she going…" a little confused she grabs her helmet out of the container and began to clasp it on her head.

Getting out of the box she begins to exit the ship when she hears the communication on the radio "…be advised… Emperor John… has engaged… we… need…" as the radio goes dead she can only assume that something bad had happened to whoever was on the other end.

"Guess the party started early" moving back to the comm unit she sends a private signal to her Basestar speaking as she types the message "Full scale attack in progress bring all ships launch all fighters do not… I say again… do not bombard planet, I have beacon on do not engage building send reinforcements." Not waiting for the reply she looks back out the door she hunkers down as a troop transport lands near the entrance to the building watching as units enter the building she also sees an old man follow behind them "I don't think these guys were invited."

Activating her guns she sits for a second letting her mind relax, and as expected she began to see her ones and zeros again talking to her as if trying to explain what she needed to do "Well last time I didn't listen to you I almost didn't make it… we'll try it your way this time."

The numbers show her a path that takes her by the transport, jumping to her feet she begins running hard using her sensors she sees all around her. Just before she gets to the edge of the ship it tells her to aim with her left arm forty five degrees to the left and up firing a single shot, mimicking the command she fires as a centurion pops its head out of the shuttle blowing its head clean off "Oh, you're good."

Following the commands she runs to the main entrance of the shuttle jumping in she roles through the door bringing her guns up to bare opening fire taking out four centurions standing by at the entrance.

Running to the controls she activates the engines to begin overheating heading back out the way she came in she runs into the building. Seeing a path it shows the route the patrol of centurions took following she could feel the rage build as the adrenaline began to course through her veins.

Two centurions stood guard at the top of a stairway bringing her guns up with one shot she was able to take both of them out as the round penetrates one head and passes over to the other one doing the same damage.

Heading down the stairs she then enters a hallway following the path the numbers laid for her, finally halting at a doorway she stops peering around the corner she sees Lucifer and Tricia surrounded and the old man talking to them. Before she understands what is going on her body is flung out from her spot as she watches the centurion bringing its gun to Lucifer's head, with her right gun she fires multiple shots piercing the centurions body the gun fire swivels away from her party mowing down the centurion to the right of the one she just took out.

With her other gun she aims straight for the old man's head killing him instantly, the rage is full as it bares down what is left of the centurion screaming a death scream she fires obliterating the ones that are near her friends. To her left she sees a few that gets away she begins to proceed after them knowing that her friends are safe, her fill of death not complete yet.

Seeing the remaining centurions in the hallway the path is laid following it she riddles their bodies full of holes, the whole time the feeling of being in control overwhelms her for the first time. Scanning down the hall she waits to make sure there is nothing left for her to destroy when she feels a hand rest onto her shoulder she sees with her eyes her old friend standing there.

"I think we are safe" watching her stand Lucifer grabs onto her giving her an embrace that she had never felt from him before.

Tricia standing next to him "I know right… weird?"

Smiling under helmet "But, something I could get used to" closing her eyes she enjoys the moment.

Patiently waiting Tricia finally interjects "So what just happened? I thought you were staying on the Basestar until we needed you?"

Pulling away from Lucifer "Well, I decided you guys would be lost without me… so I hitched a ride in one of the boxes while you got food. Don't worry though before I came to save you guys I contacted the Basestars their sending reinforcements."

Lucifer finally joining the conversation "You have a lot of explaining to do… for now though let's get out of here, but first I'm going to set the timer on my device I still don't want them to have access to anything here on the planet."

They quickly head back the way they came as Lucifer quickly inputs information in the machine they then head back to where the Raptor was hopefully still waiting.