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Ho-Hum and the Alien Visitation

A Hyperdimension Neptunia Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Epilogue 2: Discharges and Signings

*Leanbox City Military Base*

Peach sighed to herself as she sat on a bench outside the JAG courtroom, where Adrian was being court-martialed for his villainous actions... Soon, however, the doors opened, revealing the man himself, Vert at his side. "So, how did it go?"

"Pretty much as expected," Adrian shrugged. "I knew my military career was likely over the moment I agreed to join IF and Ho-Hum... but, I'm not getting any younger, I was kinda thinking it was time to hang up my dog tags anyways."

"At least I was able to persuade the commander to give you an honorable discharge, given that it was technically a false-flag operation by the Planeptune Guild," Vert said. "I still think you owe Uni an apology, as well as Noire."

"I'll get on writing one out soon," Adrian agreed. "Anyway... do you think I could still be part of the Armored Rangers?"

"I think we'll give you two weeks of forced leave from that," Peach spoke up. "Now that Ho-Hum's done for good, things should be quiet again for a while, so I think the four of us can handle things for now. Oh, speaking of that..." She went to her purse and rummaged through it, pulling out a pink sheet of paper. "Here, Lady Vert. I figure it's a good time to give you this..."

"What is it...?" Vert asked as she took the paper from Peashy, scanning it... "Wha- two weeks notice?! You're quitting?!" She looked up in shock.

"Yeah... this whole thing with Ho-Hum and IF not wanting you to get lazy... I've been thinking, since Etna and Lilithmon were sent packing, you did seem to get lazy and just game all the time... and now I'm wondering if I wasn't, um... enabling that by doing Quests in your stead... Up until that point and that terrorist attack beforehand, my bodyguard position seemed more ceremonial than anything..."

"Well, that's true, but you know why I did," Vert pointed out.

"Right, because you didn't want me and Mom going back into poverty after I was discharged from the army," Peach nodded. "I know that, and I appreciate what you've done... but I think it's time for me to move on. Not that I won't put on my armor to defend Leanbox if crud hits the fan again, though..."

"...I see," Vert sighed, looking down. "You make a fair point. In this light, I shall reluctantly accept your resignation. But don't hesitate to use me as a reference for future employment."

"I won't," Peashy smiled. "If nothing else, maybe I could get a job at Dad's company, even if it's just pushing a mop around or something..."

"Well, I actually kinda had something else in mind," Adrian spoke up again. "Could you meet me at the base entrance here tomorrow? There's something I wanted to show you..."

"...Sure, just as long as it's not some sappy romantic apology or something," Peach nodded.

"No, no, nothing like that..." Adrian shook his head and smiled.

*The next day, at Planeptune Basilicom...*

"Heed my words, citizens of Planeptune, and all who call Gamindustri their home!" Purple Heart announced to the gathered crowds, she and the other HDD CPUs clothed in sexy yet formal dresses. Asseylum was standing with them, back in her classic princess dress as well. "Today is a momentous occasion, where we officially formalize ties between our world and the Vers Empire of the Animenga Star Cluster! The non-aggression pact that we shall sign today will hopefully serve as the first step in a long-lasting friendship between our star systems! Representing the Empire, as many of you are aware, is Princess Asseylum Aldnoah Zero, who will now speak a few words on said empire's behalf!" She then stepped back, Asseylum coming up to the microphone.

"Thank you, Lady Purple Heart," Asseylum began. "While our empire does not represent the whole of the Animenga Star Cluster, we do have authority over a significant portion... as well as the only faction with access to technology that allows us to make the journey to this world to begin with. Ironically, it was thanks to a denizen of this planet that we acquired such technology, her recent terrorist actions notwithstanding. At any rate, as I have said before, we have only come to establish contact, not subjugate or conquer. This pact we sign today is a gesture of our goodwill and hope for closer relations in the future. I have no doubt that my father will be pleased with what we have accomplished here today, though I imagine he'll be upset at two of our giant mecha being badly damaged..." A light rumble of laughter through the crowds. "At this time, I would also like to announce the appointment of my loyal retainer, Mikuru Asahina, as the first official ambassador of the Vers Empire to Gamindustri. She will be staying in a spare office at the Basilicom here until a formal embassy is established. Unfortunately, she's a little on the shy side, so she won't be speaking here today..." A few more laughs from the crowd. "With that, do the other goddesses have anything to say?"

Black Heart stepped up first. "Thank you. To the citizens of Lastation, I hope that the signing of this non-aggression pact today will set your minds at ease, and defuse any tension you may have with these visitors. While I understand your concerns, my repeated interactions with Princess Asseylum and the others have convinced me that their benevolence is genuine... And of course, the actions of the House of Humiliation also helped to unite us against a common foe. On a side note, all Ho-Hum operatives have been rounded up and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Thank you." She stepped aside, White Heart stepping to the mike next.

"I'll keep this brief. I just want to thank two individuals from my nation for their actions in securing peaceful relations with these aliens. First and foremost I wanna thank Rei Ryghts for assisting Oracle Neon Evangelion when she first arrived here and was falsely accused of a crime she did not commit. Had she been convicted, it would have soured relations with the Animenga Cluster before the Vers delegation ever arrived, so thanks again to Rei for clearing Neon of all charges and averting that disaster."

"The second person I would like to thank is one John Smith, aka Kyon, for traveling with the goddess Haruhi and giving a ground-level perspective of how common citizens and NPCs live here. Though our meeting was happenstance, I think it did a lot to smooth over relations with Haruhi and the others. Vert, you got anything?" White Heart stepped back to allow Green Heart the floor.

"I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Leanbox Aeronautics and Space Administration, or LASA, in launching the satellite that made First Contact with the Animenga Cluster possible. In addition, I shall authorize additional funds so that LASA headquarters will be capable of properly receiving ships from the Vers Empire in the future. And hopefully they will be councilor ships instead of armed battlecruisers..." She glanced over to Asseylum, who just smiled and nodded in response. "Well, with that, shall we proceed to the signing?"

And so the four CPUs took turns signing the document, with Princess Asseylum signing last, and affixing her royal seal to the pact as well. Purple Heart then raised the pact above her head, showing it off to the audience who politely applauded... But suddenly, someone fell on top of her, the pact blowing away into the wind! "Ow! Neppit, Crostie! I wish you wouldn't do that!" The figure stood up, revealed to be Adult Neptune. "Uh... crap, did I interrupt some big event?!"

"What are you doing here, Neptune?" Green Heart asked fairly. "And why did you fall on your counterpart instead of Noire?"

"HEY!" Black Heart shouted, causing some laughter in the crowds.

"I landed on Tiny Me?! Crap!" Big Neptune quickly helped Purple Heart back to her feet, her hair now a bit disheveled. "Sorry 'bout that! Knowin' Crostie, she probably did it on purpose!"

"I'll be fine," Purple Heart sighed, pulling a hand through her hair to try and put it back in order. "But again, why are you here?"

"Oh! Well, Plutia finally got those dolls done for the aliens, so..." She held up a bag containing the dolls in question. "Um, here you go, Princess," she walked over and handed the bag to Asseylum.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," the princess nodded. Trying to salvage the embarrassing situation, she walked up to the microphone, saying, "Um, if I may, our delegation briefly visited Lady Plutia's Planeptune in the Ultradimension as well, and she made some dolls for us as a goodwill gesture after some initial tension between her and our goddess. This Neptune just came to deliver them, but her method of transport clearly leaves something to be desired..." Laughter echoed from the audience again.

"I'm sorry for messing things up!" Big Neptune called out, causing the laughter to intensify...

*To be continued...*

Next time, the bad guys receive their punishments!