A diplomatic mission! As
dissent threatens to tear apart the
peaceful Planet Wisp Zone, Duchess
Liza struggles to protect her people
against the escalating violence.
Betrayed by two of her trusted allies,
Liza now travels to Mobotropolis. There,
she hopes to convince the Senate that
a destructive splinter group, the Diamond
Cutters, does not represent the entire
Wispon government...
Somewhere in space a massive Separatists fleet was waiting. On board the lead Egg Carrier bridge Dimitri was speaking to a hologram of Smithy "With your Diamond Cutters in place, all we need to do is sit and wait". Smithy didn't seem to like this "But for how long? My men are anxious to fight" "Trust me, my friend. With what we have set in motion I assure you that the Republic will oblige you the fight you're looking for. First, send one of your men to Mobotropolis. The Duchess of Planet Wisp must die".
Little did either of them know that on Smithy's side of the conversation a bear spy had been watching them and was on his way back to the capital. He entered the throne room and saw Prime Minister Menniker. The bear bowed "Prime Minister" "You found them then?" the echidna asked. "Yes, sir. They're preparing for battle. But if they attack it would strengthen the people's resolve to fight against them. The Diamond Cutters will never rule Planet Wisp without the will of the people". Menniker sighed "That depends on if the Republic send in troops. With a military presence on the planet then the Diamond Cutters will be seen as liberators. We must put our faith in Duchess Liza".
A Senate meeting was taking place with Liza on a disc that was hovering near the centre podium. Solaris began "It grieves me to say it, but the Diamond Cutters now pose a significant deadly threat". Liza activated her microphone "Planet Wisp is making great strides in finding the leader of this movement. They are not powerful enough to destabilize our government. We will end this without conflict. If the Republic gets involved in our affairs, then all we will achieve is more violence. Thus, I will reassert our position of neutrality". Solaris looked down at her "I'm afraid Duchess that it is not that simple. A message was given to me this morning. I think you will find it most illuminating". A large hologram of male green sloth appeared in front of the podium along with appearing on all the discs "The actions By our government have taken us into a period of civil war. To acknowledge it would be to invite panic in the streets". As it spoke Liza watched in shock. Another disc carrying Tikal came up beside her "Duchess, do you know this man?" "Yes. Deputy Minister Moss. He's a dear friend". The message continued "It is more than Mere possibility, More than eventuality. It is here". Liza heard enough "Stop!" she told Solaris who paused the recording. "Deputy Minister Moss is an honourable man. He would never commit such lies to the record. Planet Wisp's government holds no secrets from its people" "If only that were true" Solaris replied as before he continued the message.
"The Diamond Cutters are far stronger than we once thought if we are to combat them effectively, we must have republic assistance. Instead, this government acts out of pride and rejects the help of the Shinobi. Duchess Liza will ultimately cause our defeat". Liza shook her head in shock "It's not true. It's not true!" she said sounding desperate. Espio watched from a viewing post and sighed. "Make no mistake, Republic intervention is absolutely necessary" the message ended. Liza stared in shock "This isn't right. Something here isn't right. I wish to speak to Minister Moss". Solaris looked down to her "Sadly, Deputy Minister Moss perished this morning in a Death Watch bombing. Let us assure that his death was not in vain. Let us commit our military to defending the Wispon people". Liza stared at him defiantly "Defend? You mean to occupy our home. You trample our right to self-determination" "We mean to save your people" "You will turn our planet into a military target which will bring the war to us. Planet Wisp must remain a neutral system". Solaris turned to the rest of the rest of Senate "The vote shall commence in the next session".
Outside the Senate building Espio ran up to Liza "Duchess! Liza, wait" the guards got in front of them, but Liza called them off. "I saw what happened in the Senate" Espio told her. She looked defeated "You're sweet to be concerned. But I'm quite alright" "Liza, I don't think you should make any decisions in this state of mind". This seemed to anger her "State of mind? What state of mind would that be exactly?" "I'm saying that… anyone would be hysterical by now-". This didn't help "Hysterical? The Republic is going to force its will on innocently people. Frankly, I'm surprised you're not hysterical. Perhaps if more people were hysterical, they'd be more inclined to speak up when the Republic tramples on their rights". Espio remained calm "Liza, rushing in like this, it's full hardy" "Says the peace keeper who frequently engages in violence at the behest of the Republic. In my opinion you're the one who's fool hardy" she stormed off to a transport leaving Espio alone.
The transport flew her through the city until it suddenly started shaking "What's happening?" "The navigation system" the pilot answered. He tried to keep the ship under control but they were going down "Get her out of here!". The two guards grabbed Liza "There's a platform up ahead. I'll try to get closer" "No! Stop!" Liza yelled but the guards forced her to jump off the transport onto a platform. She quickly stood up and watched in shock as the transport along with the pilot crashed in a building.
She was now in Solaris' office "What do you mean no charges are to be filed? Someone tried to kill me. My transport was compromised". "Sadly, my dear, there is no proof anyone tampered with anything. It might have just been an accident" Solaris answered. She looked sceptical "And it just happened to coincide with me defending my world". Solaris' aid, Julian turned to him "I agree, Your Excellency. This proves what we have been saying all along. The Diamond Cutters are out of control. The Republic must step in". Liza was shocked "No. You can't do this" "Unfortunately it's not up to either of us. The Senate will decide".
She exited the office and was met with Espio in the corridors "Liza, I heard about your accident". He could then tell she was angry "Yes, it proves I've upset someone. I must be on the right track" "This attack proves you have enemies here on Mobotropolis… You're not going to let Republic authorities deal with this matter, are you?". She scoffed "Republic authorities? I'm on my way to the Ministry of Intelligence right now to meet my contact". They both suddenly realized Tikal was in front of them looking trouble "Senator, what is it?" Espio asked. "The Senate completed its vote. They've decided in favour of occupation", Liza's eyes opened wide in disbelief "When did this happen? The vote was supposed to be tomorrow". "It was during your meeting with the Chancellor. Your accident accelerated the Senates decision. Republic forces are set to leave for Planet Wisp at sundown tomorrow".
That night Liza was wearing a cloak with the hood covering her face. She was at the ally of a street where an octopus walked up to her "I didn't have much time. They're following me" he sounded scared. Liza gave a thankful smile "You've put yourself in great danger. I'll never forget it" "I had to come. This is worth it" he took out a small disc. Liza took it "Where did you get this?" "Buried deep within the evidence facility of the ministry. It wasn't easy to find, believe me. But you were right, someone faked the evidence. It wasn't the full recording. But the disc is. You have to show the Sen-". A blast suddenly hit him in the chest form an unknown shooter. His body fell to the ground "Davu! No" Liza kneeled down next to his body. She took out her deactivator to defend herself, but silver humanoid hunter bots arrived "Hands up. You are coming with us". She backed away "No, I didn't…" she ran. As she was running at top speed a cyan laser blast hit the ground in front of her. She looked up and saw a Wispon aiming his weapon at her. She ran into an ally where a skunk was boarding a speeder. Clone shock troopers saw her enter the ally and then saw the speeder leave. One of them got on the commlink "She's escaping on a speeder. Heading east!". They ran in the speeder's direction. Once they left Liza exited the ally and enter a large crowd.
Smithy was at a holo-unit that showed a projection of the Wispon assassin "Duchess Liza escaped again. But I took out an informant. It looked like a hand off, I don't know if I stopped it in time". "Find her. Whatever she's carrying could compromise our plan".
On the Egg Carrier bridge Dimitri kneeled in front of a hologram of Mephiles "My lord, everything is going as you instructed. The people have been worked into such a frenzy that when the Republic arrives the Diamond Cutters will be considered heroes". "Excellent. The Republic occupation force is loading their ships and will arrive on time. If Duchess Liza doesn't get in the way". Dimitri sinisterly smiled "A Wispon assassin is dealing with her as we speak".
Liza was in a large public area sitting on a bench when a cloaked chameleon sat next to her facing the opposite way "I got your message. I'm glad you're alright" Espio said to her. He then looked stern "You should turn yourself in. We've both sworn an oath to the Republic" "Believe me, neither one of us is breaking our oath. And this will prove it". She placed the disc on the bench and Espio subtly took it "I need you to get that to the proper hands. Be careful, there's most likely someone in the Senate who doesn't want that seen. Give it to Senator Tikal". The two stood up and started walking together and went down a street "Where will you be while I'm at the Senate? What if they find you?" "Not to worry. I'm turning myself in". Espio turned to her "What?" "You'll need a distraction if you're to get inside. They know we're… associates. I can't risk them searching you". Espio shook his head "I'm a Shinobi. They wouldn't dare" "Things are changing". A grenade suddenly landed between them, Espio pushed Liza out of the way before running but the blast knocked him down. He turned and saw the Wispon assassin advancing on Liza. He activated his lightsaber and charged at him. The assassin managed to knock the saber out of his hand and the two engaged in a fist fight. Liza picked up the saber and hit the assassin in the back of the head with it disorientating him. Espio pushed him away and realizing he's been beaten the assassin used his wispon to shoot up like a rocket and fly away with a crimson colour. Liza handed Espio his lightsaber and he smirked "Did you not think of activating it?" "Oh, I'm sorry, did I not save your life properly?", Espio chuckled.
Liza was at the entrance to the Senate building walking towards two guards with a smug smile "Excuse me but I believe I'm the one you're looking". As the guards watched her cautiously Espio sneaked into the building. In the meeting room Solaris was speaking to the Senate "The occupation of Planet Wisp will usher in a new level of security for the Republic and its fight against corruption. If there are no objections-" "Supreme Chancellor!". Solaris looked down and saw Tikal standing on a disc with Espio "There has been a development in the case of Planet Wisp's neutrality" "The chair recognises the Senator of Albion" Solaris said sounding slightly annoyed. Tikal held up the disc "I believe this should cast a new light on the so-called evidence we saw earlier". She placed the disc in a slot and the same hologram of Moss appears as before. He repeated the first part of his original message before "Death Watch is far stronger than we once thought. But we have been training for this. We can stop them. But if we are to combat them effectively, we must have the temerity to stand strong in the name of peace. And if we are to do so, we must reject any Republic assistance. Instead, this government will act. It acts not out of pride, but for safety. Intervention by the Republic will inflame the opposition, and this is why our government rejects the help of the Shinobi. We must listen to the Duchess Liza. If we do not, we will ultimately cause our defeat".
Smithy was angrily walking through his base as his men were being told to stand down. He marched into a tent where a hologram of Dimitri was waiting "Unacceptable! You promised us that we would reclaim Planet Wisp from those cowards. I will order my men to attack". Dimitri scoffed "If you do you will hold the planet for perhaps a day. Without the backing of my forces your revolution will be over before it begins. But I have other ways of accomplishing our goal".
Tikal, Shadow ad Espio were in Solaris' office "Thank you, Senator Tikal. With the revelation of this new information the occupation of Planet Wisp is no longer necessary" Solaris said. "The person to thank is Duchess Liza. She found the proof" Tikal responded as Liza entered "I require no thanks". Tikal turned to her "The Senate held and emergency meeting, Duchess. Republic Forces have been ordered to stand down". Solaris stepped forward "Allow me to offer our sincere apology on behalf the entire Republic. You are a most loyal servant, and we are all grateful" he left with Tikal to discuss the Senate's decision and they were followed by Shadow. Liza stopped Espio "Thank you. I couldn't have done this without your help" "No, it was your unshakable faith and determination that won the day". She smiled "I appreciate that. But still, who's behind all of this? Who tampered with that recording?". Espio looked troubled "I don't know. But now more than ever the line between friend and foe is blurred".