Hello everyone, quick note before we get going. Spaze felt inspired to do another drawing of Zero Two, this time in her black parasite suit of the rebellion. Use the link below while remembering to add in dot and com in place of the brackets to have a look.

Link: imgur[]/a/j8hNra8


Four remain, that is what Alpha tells himself as the spear is withdrawn from the corpse of the rebel FranXX. The metal creaks in response, Valkyra's breastplate having been punctured through to the vital reactor beneath.

The complete calm with which Alpha conducts himself is rudely interrupted by the assault of his partner's thoughts through their connection. Psi was a chained beast and nothing more. The young woman, if she could really be called something so dignified, was ruthless, impulsive, and absolutely brutal. In comparison to the quick, clean, and precise nature of the first class' commander they were polar opposites. Thus, his duty of keeping her in check as the stamen of M9 Prime was proving to be rather annoying.

"Four more," Psi growls between heavy breaths. Her excitement only continues to build as the confrontation grows longer.

The rebel FranXX that remain are the most skilled: Strelitzia, Argentea, Delphinium, and Chlorophytum. Taking them down in a one versus four fight will not be easy.

Argentea is the first to engage, rushing the pair with her claws scraping against the topsoil. At the same time Chlorophytum begins to charge the laser weapons built into her wings. The tandem team of Strelitzia and Delphinium take to the sky in hopes of using the aerial advantage to flank, catching Alpha and Psi off guard.

Since her time as a FranXX of Plantation 13 the pink and white mech had grown much stronger, physically and mentally. Though, that strength was still nothing compared to two Nines at their peak. Her first jab is sidestepped and the second is batted away. This is followed up by a swift kick in the head from her opponent.

M9 Prime then executes a backflip to dodge two beams of lights fired by Chlorophytum. On their way down the spear is directed at Argentea, still recovering on her knees. The FranXX manages to interlace her gauntlets together but they clang against the reinforced steel of the shaft, the blade having already passed through. With a spear pierced clean through her chest and embedded in the broken earth behind her Argentea slumps over, magma fuel dripping from the dying unit.

"Three," Psi snarls with delight.

There isn't a moment's respite as Delphinium attacks from behind. The blow is blocked easily enough, but when she wreaths her twin blades in fire thereafter the prospect of trading more seems much less inviting.

Seeing this unit sends Psi into a state of frenzy, however.

"Omega is mine! Give him to me!"

Before Alpha can stop her Psi launches the two of them at Delphinium, brandishing the chain whip. Given the length of the weapon there is a slight advantage when engaging the sword-wielding FranXX, but it is negated rather easily by Chlorophytum firing more lasers.

The pure aggression generated by his partner threatens to overwhelm Alpha as she takes the lead over him and instigates a deadly dance, bringing them closer and closer to the fiery blades capable of burning through anything.

Due to either luck or skill, Alpha really can't say which, the chain whip encircles Delphinium's left hand. Pulling it taut results in the mech dropping the sword held tightly in her grasp, giving them the opening they so desperately need.

Alpha takes the opportunity and goes for Delphinium's throat. What should have resulted in a clean kill instead turns into a botched attempt as he is involuntarily thrown to the side.

Psi pulls back at the last second. She screams, "Don't hurt him!" just as Strelitzia body checks M9 Prime.

After rolling to a stop the pair finds Chlorophytum standing directly above them. The edges of their vision teem with gold as she charges a bolt of light in one of her wing fins. Not a moment too soon, the team of Nines rolls out of the way as the space they'd occupied is turned to glass.

Disappointed by her lack of a kill, Chlorophytum attempts to finish them off with her knife-like legs. She punches multiple holes in the earth before her opponent rolls back to their feet and slips behind her.

Wrapping both hands on the FranXX's neck, Psi twists and twists hard. Metal screeches and groans before Chlorophytum's head pops off of her body, replaced by a fountain of magma fuel.

Psi's animalistic nature never failed to notice weak spots or habits from her opponents, but it was also easily taken advantage of. Intent on overpowering her opponent, she grossly over committed. In her ruthless decapitation of Chlorophytum, she had given the remaining rebels the time they needed to mount a counterattack.

Unfortunately, this means Strelitzia has outmaneuvered them using her superior speed. Then with her overdrive she overpowers them, and all that Alpha and Psi can manage to do is catch her lance by the shaft and bring it to a halt just before it runs them through. There was nothing either of them could do other than watch as the outermost of her bladed wings whistle through the air toward the exposed sides of M9 Prime.

In an instant the view of the world changes from Strelitzia's feral snarl to the sky above. The vast cloudless blue is tranquil. It's hard to think about the fact that he and Psi are dying, having been cut in half at the waist, when there is something so beautiful to capture his attention instead.

A shadow looms over Alpha, blacking out the gorgeous sky. Strelitzia snorts and raises her lance. Moments later the heavens come crashing down by way of a sharp point.

The image of their killer is replaced with large red text in block letters.

"Match Completed."

Alpha pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath to keep himself from lashing out at the girl before him. Her recklessness had cost them the match without a doubt.

Meanwhile, Psi smashes her fist into the console, venting her frustration onto the inanimate object. Sparks shoot from the ruined machine as she bares her teeth, letting out a guttural roar.

"Kill them, I'll kill them all!"

"Psi!" Alpha raises his voice to reprimand her. "Gain control of yourself or I will have you sedated."

With murderous intent the blue-haired girl looks over her shoulder at him. "I… will… kill you."

Seconds tick by in silence as neither pistil nor stamen moves an inch. Both glare at the other, looking ready to fight to the death here and now.

A hissing sound fills the air as the pressurized module simulating the cockpit opens. Even though it was only a simulated match, both participants are drenched in sweat in addition to being energized with their heightened emotions.

The machine still created a real parasite connection between pistil and stamen even though they weren't physically in a FranXX, giving the most accurate model of how a parasite pair would perform outside of live combat training. In the case of the Nines' personal system, it is run by a highly complicated computer network in real time. The cluster uses previously recorded combat footage to create accurate depictions of any enemy captured on film, including the top rebel fighters and the most dangerous of Klaxosaurs.

Finally, the battle for dominance subsides when Alpha sighs and stands to leave.

"You lack discipline, and I refuse to allow it to jeopardize our missions in the field. We will continue this training until it is completed flawlessly."

Taming Psi, so far, was proving to be almost impossible. It had been four days since they began their testing and had yet to emerge victorious from a single five vs one skirmish.

The young man shakes his head after stepping into the hallway.

How this creature had ever been allowed to live escapes the lead Nine, but his orders were to work with her. To describe how much he loathed the task with words would be impossible. However Papa had decreed it, and as his loyal servant it was Alpha's duty. That doesn't take the edge off, though.

As Alpha walks away there is a loud thump behind him.

"Don't you walk away from me acting like this is all my fault!" Psi screams from a slouched position where she had hit the wall opposite the door.

"Then whose would you claim it to be?" the boy demands, raising his brow. "Certainly not myself, who remained cool and collected while never leaving an opening for our opponents to capitalize on."

Psi pushes herself to her full height, still snarling. So much so that Alpha is surprised she isn't foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. "I killed the purple one! I crushed the armored one!"

"Who killed which is irrelevant," Alpha states, turning to leave her once more. "We lost and that is all there is to it."

Not caring if Psi has anything further to say, the young man takes his leave and returns to the longue. Two faces he has yet to grow familiar with are among the crowd, though the one he wished to see still isn't present.

Rather than welcome him back, the first class instead seems engrossed in whatever it is they have thrown up on the holotable. This sparks curiosity in Alpha and he chooses to investigate. It is footage of a battle, which itself really is not that interesting. It's not like they didn't occur daily, with APE fighting a war on two fronts with both the rebels and the Klaxosaurs. Something had to be special about this one to keep so many veteran soldiers engaged.

When he approaches, the first thing the lead Nine notices is that the field of battle appears to be a Garden. This doesn't make sense however, because if one had fallen under attack then the Nines would have been mobilized immediately to defend or retake the facility.

He then watches as a single figure steps out of a cloud of dust and rubble created by a supersonic impact on the north rampart. Nothing in the world should have been able to walk away from that. The black and blue figure then quite literally shrugs off a full barrage from the Garden's artillery compliment.

With morbid curiosity the group continues to observe as this single figure decimates not only the defense force of the Garden, but the very walls themselves as well. Nothing is spared save for the Maternal Ward and Nursery.

"...What was that?" Gamma asks, incredulous.

Alpha takes a moment to recount the most classified of dossiers he's read, and only one being had ever been speculated to have such destructive power. Surviving virtually any blow, wielding weapons telekinetically as if by magic, and most of all, bearing resemblance to the only known likeness of the leader of APE's true enemy.

"The Klaxosaur Princess," he finally answers. "This war just got a lot more interesting."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You are certain that your kind will welcome me?" Terra asks from her position beside you as you make your way towards Haven.

You run your hand through your hair and let it rest on the back of your neck. "I'm not sure 'welcome' is the most accurate term. Some will be scared, others will be curious, but if you're with me then no one will try anything."

The royal huffs as a show of her dissatisfaction.

"I do not need you as an escort. I am Nila'Terra'Tari, Princess of the Klaxosaurs. Leader of the most advanced civilization this planet has ever known, and wielder of power you cannot comprehend. My accomplishments echo throughout the history of my people."

"If only modesty was one of them," you mumble.

Fortunately, Terra is so focused on her fine points that she doesn't hear you.

Looking forward, sunlight turns the path ahead aglow as Haven comes into view past the dense forest. To your left, the reigning Klaxosaur monarch adjusts her crown and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. She doesn't have to tell you that first impressions are important, and that as a leader it is always pertinent to look your best. The strangest part to you is her expression, as the pride that she usually carries herself with has been replaced with a look that is as confident as it is regal.

"I didn't know you could make any face other than a scowl," you joke.

Glancing up at you, Terra raises a brow. Her voice is much softer when she chastises you, spoken in a higher pitch and softer tone more befitting of her new persona.

"I shall ignore that, given we are about to meet your followers. Do refrain from making any remarks that would delude their opinion of me."

With Terra having now doubled down on her queenly act you have little choice but to adopt your commander personality, but not before you give her one last ribbing.

"You keep acting this way and I'll be uncomfortable."

There is a small thwack against the back of your head, caused by the end of your companion's tail. Before anything more comes of it the two of you step out of the forest and into Haven.

With it being the middle of the day there are numerous people out and about. It takes mere seconds for all eyes of the square to focus on the newcomers. As expected, many show signs of fear the moment Terra comes into view, and to their credit it's hard to blame them. A being with horns, fangs, and a large tail, not to mention blue skin, is not what they had expected to see walking side by side with their commander.

"Morning everyone," you say to them in passing. The hope is that acting as though nothing is out of the ordinary will cause others to believe it.

"Good, uh, morning, commander," a young woman offers as you stroll by.

They are afraid of me.

Murmuring out of the corner of your mouth to avoid detection, you answer, "You are an alien to them, and one who is quite deadly-looking at that."

You should introduce me.

"I don't think that's–"

"Good day, humans!"

You freeze and slowly crane your neck, hoping that what you'd heard hadn't really happened. Unfortunately, you weren't wrong. Terra has left your side and is making her way to the center of the park, where many were gathered to enjoy the morning.

The Klaxosaur Princess continues her address of the populace with the same royal tone she had adopted before entering Haven proper. Placing her hand over her heart and giving a minute bow, she begins to speak.

"Many of you are wondering who I am and how I have come to walk among you. My name is Nila'Terra'Tari, and I am the reigning monarch of the Klaxosaurs."

There is no shortage of gasps, and several children run to their caregivers after hearing the dreaded monsters mentioned.

As if on cue, a breeze wafts through the clearing and catches Terra's hair, causing it to flow in the wind. The light catches her face just right, and in this moment she undoubtedly looks like a princess.

"Fear not," Terra proclaims. "I am here in your lands as an ambassador to your people. Your resilience has impressed me, as has your resourcefulness. Scrounging up the scraps of a discarded world and building a home for yourselves in a hostile environment is an accomplishment to take pride in.

"You may be asking yourselves, 'why is the princess of our former enemy here?' You should, as that skepticism will keep you alive. However, my purpose here is only to solidify our alliance."

The slack jawed faces of those gathered seem to become even more so, as they realize this powerful figure before them capable of untold destruction instead says she wishes to be allies.

"As of four days ago the human rebellion against APE and the Klaxosaur Kingdom have entered into a formal alliance against the current oppressors of this world. We are committed to standing by one another once order has been restored, and also to coexist on the earth."

The crowd is speechless. Everything the regal woman with pale blue skin and silver hair said sounds almost too good to be true. An alliance with the Klaxosaurs? The mortal enemy of humanity?

"Judging by how quiet it is I'm sure most of you find this hard to believe," you say, joining Terra in the clearing. "Everything she has said is true. This woman is the leader of the Klaxosaurs, and I've seen them answer her call. You can trust her. If you can't bring yourself to, then trust me. We're going to win this war, and the Klaxosaurs are going to help us do it."

It isn't immediately clear what effect your words have on those gathered. Even after you and Terra excuse yourselves to continue the journey to the manor on the hill, everyone seems to still be processing the information they've been given. The world is a strange place, after all, and as the war continues it only grows stranger.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Asuna, Asada," you call, knocking on the door to their room. After several seconds without reply you try the handle and find it unlocked. Through the crack in the door you see the girls sitting on either side of Asuna's bed, with Kokoro between them holding an open book.

The blonde woman is the first to notice you. She finishes reading the page and closes the book, keeping a finger inside to mark their place. "Come in!"

"Hey girls," you greet the others in the room with a smile.

The children in question perk up immediately upon seeing you. They shout, "You're back!" in unison before rushing to embrace you. Asada slides off the side of the bed closest to the door, while Asuna climbs over Kokoro before jumping off the bed and into your arms.

You plant a kiss on Asuna's forehead and set her down, before repeating the process with her silver-haired twin.

"You were gone two whole days!" Asuna shouts. "You said you wouldn't be gone that long!"

While it had taken longer than anticipated to return from your outing with Terra, you don't want to reveal to the girls that you'd spent almost a day recovering from riding in the Klaxosaur with her. It might worry them.

"I'm sorry angels, it was just a really long trip."

Asada, still holding your hand, looks up at you with her large silver eyes. "We forgive you."

"I'm glad," you chuckle with a smile.

"I believe they mean something else," Kokoro interjects, now standing by the edge of the bed.

You tilt your head to the side. "Hmm?"

"We forgive you, for what happened to Ichigo," Asada clarifies.

In an instant the pit of guilt in your stomach that you have been carrying swells, only to dissipate instantly.

"You didn't mean to," Asuna picks up. "We saw that when you told us. And it still hurts, but we're a family. Family stays together no matter what!"

"That's right girls," Kokoro says with a pleased look from behind them.

From the look on her face it is clear that Kokoro is at least somewhat responsible for the twins' forgiveness. She really had stepped up to take care of them since Ichigo passed. Offering her a small smile as your eyes start to water, she looks back with a contented grin and motions to Asuna and Asada.

You pull the girls into a tight hug. "Thank you, both of you. The last thing I wanted was to lose you two as well."

"We do too," Asada whispers, her voice muffled by the cloth of your shirt.

After holding them close for a good half a minute, you move on to the next stage of your return visit. Taking a deep breath, you prepare to tell the girls who's waiting just outside the door.

"Girls, there's someone I want you to meet."

Hearing her cue, the door behind you is pushed open and Terra steps into the room. Her footsteps are practically silent, so your only indication of her presence are the jolts that course through your daughters.

"You do not need to be frightened of me, small humans. I bid you no harm," the Klaxosaur Princess says in her regal tone.

Regardless of her intention, the monarch does put the twins on edge. They can't be blamed for their reaction though, as even the adults in the courtyard had tried to hurry away upon seeing Terra.

"This is Nila'Terra'Tari," you continue, kneeling behind them so that your chin rests above their shoulders. "She's the Princess of the Klaxosaurs. See her crown?"

Terra takes a step forward, then bends over to stand at eye level with the girls. "My given name is long and complicated, so please, address me as Terra. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Asada is the first to gather the courage to speak to the newcomer, which is surprising. It is only after a visible gulp, however.

"I'm Asada," she says, though her voice remains a tad shaky. "P-pleased to meet you."

Asuna huffs and crosses her arms. "If you think you can take Ichigo's place, you're wrong!"

Terra bats the provocation aside without so much as a second thought. You breathe a small sigh of relief.

"I am very sorry for your loss, little one. I did not come here to replace your mother and I wouldn't want to. She was admirable, and you should both be proud that she raised you."

"We are!" Asuna shouts, still seeming somewhat cross.

Asada tugs on your shirt and stares at you with wide eyes. "You're just her partner, right?"

"That's right, angel," you say with a nod. "Terra and are going to fight together until we beat APE."

"We will ensure that no one else loses their mother or father to those monsters," Terra affirms.

It takes a moment for Asada to render her judgement before she says, "Sister, we should be nicer. You haven't told her your name."

"Why should I?" the blonde twin asks.

"Because if you don't, one of us will," you push her.

"Fine. I'm Asuna," she groans, and then turns to you. "Good enough?"

A message slithers through your mind, delivered by an unheard voice.

My presence is off-putting to them. I shall excuse myself and wait outside. Take the time that you need before joining me.

Terra places a hand over her chest and bows. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Asuna, Asada, daughters of two fierce warriors. I must take my leave. Being a princess is busy work."

With that the Klaxo-sapien shows herself out. Ten or so minutes later you join her, after having promised that you will spend all evening with your children once your duties as commander are done.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Your offspring, they do not bear resemblance to their father," Terra says after the two of you have excused yourselves.

You nod. "Asuna and Asada don't look anything like me, that's true."

"I presume then that their mother was the appealing one in your relationship. You gained her through clever wielding of your status and proving your worth in combat."

"Is that how Klaxosaur society worked?" you ask, brushing off the insult at the beginning of her comment.

"Klaxo-sapien," she corrects you. "And yes. The strong or powerful choose their mates. Those chosen were elated to be selected, raising their status and securing for themselves a comfortable life."

Before you can dive deeper into the specifics of her former home, Terra returns to her initial question.

"How did you acquire your mate?"

You bite your lip, weighing the options of denying her the information because it's quite personal or telling her to build more trust. Eventually you decide on the latter.

"Her name was Ichigo, first off, though I'm sure you know that from either reading my mind or the girls'. Even if you didn't, their talking about her should have given it away."

"That is a strong name," Terra says with a gentle nod. "I'm certain she lived up to it. You would not have selected a mate weaker than yourself."

The blue-skinned woman's reply causes you to think back on the time you'd spent with Ichigo. She had never been one to back down when fighting for something she believed in, whether it was against the goliath APE or with you as her lover. That was something that had been attractive about her, the drive and ferocity, and the unmatched fearlessness even in the face of insurmountable odds.

"She was," you finally answer. "She was stronger than me, really."

A small grin snakes across Terra's lips. "It was she who chose you then."

Having reached the end of the hallway, the two of you step into an elevator waiting to take you below ground into Haven's military complex.

"Kind of. We were partners in a FranXX. Ichigo was the squad leader of Plantation 13 when I first arrived there. Her first partner died protecting her and I was his replacement."

The lights of the elevator shaft whizz by, casting bright white splotches into the car that dance across the face of the smaller woman sharing the space with you.

"She imprinted on you due to you supporting her in a time of crisis," Terra supplies.

"To begin with Ichigo hated me, actually," you tell her. "She was in denial over her partner's death and I was a constant reminder that he was gone. But it got better with time. Eventually, we even ended up falling in love.

"Asuna and Asada were adopted, which is why they don't look like me. We started taking care of them after we captured the Third Garden from APE."

After hastily wrapping up your story, you turn the tables and try to get a better understanding of the elusive Klaxosaur Princess.

"That's enough about me, what about you?" you question her, seeming to catch the monarch off guard. "Did you ever have a husband?"

Terra's cheeks turn a sort of purple as she blushes.

"I… um… no, I did not."

Once the final word has been uttered, the woman's blush vanishes and is replaced by a frown. At the same time her eyes droop and shoulders slouch. With the rest of her regal posture disappearing she cannot help but fixate her eyes to the steel floor of the elevator.

Sensing that there is more to tell but also that she might not wish to, you remain silent, content to allow the conversation to end here.

"I never had a true mate," Terra says quietly. "Not as you did. There was no joining and we sired no nurslings. Nothing to prove that we belonged to one another."

It takes you a moment to decide how to approach the situation. Clearly, she wishes she and her lover had been able to have what you and Ichigo did: a family.

"I'm sorry," you offer a simple but well-meant condolence.

"Your kindness is appreciated." Terra's voice remains soft and she doesn't yet meet your gaze, but the reigning monarch does manage to raise her attention from the ground.

"He died for me, similar to your mate's first partner. A member of my royal guard, he was killed with the rest of my loved ones during a rebellion that tore my people apart. It took almost a millennium to reunite our lands. Even after claiming victory I was still left alone, without a mate or my kin."

You exhale, releasing breath you hadn't realized you were holding.

"I preserved the monarchy and governed my people," Terra's voice begins to waver and she shudders. "Only to be forced underground by the cruel sun bombarding the planet with its anger and hatred. We fragmented into city-states loosely aligned under my banner until the day humanity found us."

"Brazil," you say, recalling the footage of the Klaxosaur that had devastated the coastal city of Rio de Janeiro.

Terra stifles a snort.

"We had observed your people for hundreds of years before your civilization was advanced enough to reach our home. The monsters in your folklore are nothing more than our scouts who reported back from the surface. Humanity was too weak and too terrified to understand what they were truly seeing."

"That… actually makes sense," you admit.

Considering the descriptions of many creatures in mythology, there is a definite connection between some Klaxosaurs' appearance and that of the monsters involved in the stories. Jörmungandr was a perfect example. Not only did the Klaxosaur perfectly fit the description of the Midgard Serpent, but Terra had referred to it as such. Ancient humans must have heard it somewhere. The thought of this Klaxosaur being older than human history itself is stifling. Even more so is realizing that the young by appearance woman beside you is older still.

The doors of the elevator slide open, giving way to the command center. The hustle and bustle stops as all eyes focus on the new arrivals. Everyone knew you would be coming, and each person in the room wants to see the infamous leader of the Klaxosaurs for themselves.

"Commander on deck!" a voice shouts, causing a series of salutes from those below.

You return a crisp salute of your own. "As you were."

It seems that the order is hard for many to follow as the room remains equal parts silent and still.

"Well then," you mumble under your breath before adjusting your stance and clasping your hands behind the small of your back.

Terra is ready to introduce herself much in the same manner she had to Haven's citizens, but you are much more prepared this time and take the lead.

"I suppose it was a little presumptuous of me to think you all could just go back to whatever it was you were doing with our guest here."

You speak loudly, broadcasting a firm voice across the multistoried room.

"Everyone, this is Nila'Terra'Tari, Princess of the Klaxosaurs and their reigning monarch. I expect each of you to show her the utmost respect and courtesy while she is visiting our humble home."

"Are we really working with the Klaxosaurs, sir?" someone calls out.

You nod. "We are. The Klaxosaurs have agreed to a cease of hostilities followed by an alliance with us. They hate APE just as much as we do and are more than happy to help with putting them back in their place."

From somewhere else in the crowd another voice asks, "Does she talk?" There is an undertone of mockery present in the question's phrasing. It does not go unmissed by your companion.

Using her keen sight and hearing, Terra easily discerns the individual who made the remark. She then takes two strides, hops up and over the railing, sails through the air, and lands with the grace of a ballerina on the opposite side of the room in front of them.

"I believe you will find I am quite well versed in all human tongues," the monarch says to the young man who has lost all color in his face.

"I… uh," he stumbles over his words but is unable to form a sentence after being directly confronted by the intimidating woman.

"Are there any further inquiries about my speech?" Terra asks, looking around the room. "Irgendwelche Fragen? Shitsumon wa arimasu ka?"

Even you have no idea what she's asked, but the pride that she's stumped everyone is apparent in her smile.

"Hearing none, you won't mind excusing myself and my companion by returning to your duties. We have important matters to discuss."

As the room resumes its activities, you make your way to the war table. Waiting around it are the members of the council and Freya.

The Klaxosaur Princess seems most interested in the AI, staring through her in deep thought.

"Artificial intelligence," she addresses Freya in her usual collected tone.

Freya nods. "It is a pleasure to meet you, your majesty. Welcome to Haven."

Terra turns to you with a cheeky grin. "If only everyone were as well-mannered as your AI."

"You wouldn't have anyone to poke fun at," you reply dryly. "And her name is Freya."

With everyone's attention collected you move on to the reason for today's meeting.

"As you all know, our war with APE is reaching its conclusion. With VIRM out of the picture and the second class of Nines defeated, they have lost two of their biggest pieces."

Your voice drops an octave.

"They weren't alone in their losses. We've made many sacrifices to get here. When we win this war, and believe you me, we will win, it will be worth every last drop of blood, sweat, and tears."

The faces of those gathered around the table display the same grim determination reflected in your words.

Before you continue, the holo-table displays a floating space station in the shape of three fan blades.

"This is Cosmos Station. Papa and the APE Council hide here in low earth orbit, thinking they're safe from us. They're wrong."

Beside the floating station appears a large piece of artillery that seems to be only partially constructed.

"Based on intelligence gained from the remains of VIRM's complex, we discovered that APE is in the process of building an experimental railgun. With it they could shell any location on the planet indiscriminately from one location."

"Instead of letting them do that, we're going to capture the site and point that thing at their little space station and blast it out of the sky. Then, we'll sift through whatever survives reentry and deal with whoever survived. Once APE's leadership is gone, the remaining plantations and other facilities should either surrender or fall easily. We anticipate the war being over in less than a few months as we mop up the rest."

You pause to allow the information to sink in.

"Any questions?"

"I have one," Miku says, raising her hand. "Well, two. What are we calling this plan? And who's leading it?"

"The operation has been christened 'Starfall'," Freya answers.

Terra also steps in to resolve the redhead's second question.

"My partner and I shall lead the machines and whatever of your forces are able-bodied enough to face combat in conquest of the facility. The Klaxosaurs shall lead the charge to free this planet of its oppressors."

"And the rest of us?" Zorome inquires, looking conflicted about the notion of fighting again.

You wave your hand to dismiss the concern. "APE has no idea that we've allied with the Klaxosaurs, only that Terra is now in play. When we attack with their support it will be more than enough to capture the rail cannon. Everyone else will be allowed to rest and recover in preparation for the storming of Cosmos' remains."

After several seconds with no further questions popping up you adjourn the meeting.

"We will commence the operation in three days. Everyone, work diligently to make this plan a success. Humanity's future rests on our shoulders."