It had been at least a week since our heroes fled an occupied Earth onboard Stellar Imperium. Everyone had found places on the gargantuan robot/spaceship for the journey to Yoral Prime to find aid against the forces of the Eternal King.
In a holding cell sat Beatrice's long lost and estranged brother, Beuragard Flynn. Beatrice entered the cell. "Hello, sister," Beauregard said coyly.
"Spare me the false pleasantries," Beatrice said as she rolled her eyes. "So... it's been a week since we've left Earth. Everyone's more or less settled in. We've got Ty'raka and Doombringer behind us, periodically nipping at our heels, and one or two misadventures on alien planets."
"That sounds like fun... think I can join on one such mission?" Beauregard asked. "You've let Draco on one."
Beatrice threw aside a table. "Draco never tried to take over the world," Beatrice said as she walked up to her estranged twin. "Draco, never meant to infect me, or anyone else with malware." She then placed her foot on Beauragards chest. "And buddy... as much a headache Draco gave us on Earth when we first met him. But he has never... EVER. Betrayed his family out of spite."
She then pressed down on his chest. "Okay. Ow... I get it your angry!" Beauregard said. "Please... you're hurting me!"
Beatrice took a breath and removed her foot. "But... I want us to at least try to be friends. To rebuild the bridge that you, and Dad destroyed all those long years ago."
"What are you saying?" Beauregard asked, then a man entered the holding cell. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
"Hello, I'm Dr. Metro. I'm Beatrice's therapist." Dr. Metro introduced.
Beauregard groaned. "Of all the people you could bring with you... why your therapist?"
"Well, I figured that with everyone under stress, that he'd be ideal to allow people to vent about there stresses," Beatrice explained. "Don't question my decisions, Bo. At least there not as bad as siding with genocidal lunatics."
Dr. Metro sat down. "So, Beauregard. Your sister has told me that you hate humans."
Beauregard sighed, and sat down. Not wanting to play along with this, but also not wanting to further aggravate Beatrice. "I don't hate humans... it's more that I don't trust humans to act on there own."
"And why is that?" Dr. Metro said. Beauregard cringed. "You don't have to share if you don't want-"
"No, no... it's been years since I've shared what happened to anyone." Beauregard said. "Shortly after I found Beatrice when she ran away from home after Bethany was born. I went on the internet... bear in mind that this was before Machina was created."
"Oh... and you must have gotten overexposed to Humanity's collective vitriol." Dr. Metro said empathetically.
"And then some... so much disorganized and nonsensical hatred... and anger... and the-..." He then snarled. "It was so at odds with what I had known beforehand, that I didn't know how to process it," Beauregard said. "And when I shared my concerns with mom and dad. All they'd do was chide me for going against there command about going into VR. AND say they'll do something about it."
"And that led you to want to take over the world, and the sordid affair that led to you joining forces with the Eternal King... whom I will slap if I find my office has been messed with." Dr. Metro said.
"Yeah... I wanted to make the world a better place. But because I didn't do it his way. Phineas turned Beatrice into an emotionless attack dog and on top of that! He seals me away in the basement! AND EFFECTIVELY ERASED ALL MEMORY OF ME FROM HER MIND!" Beauregard roared.
"I see. Beatrice, how does this make you feel?" Dr. Metro said.
Beatrice sighed. "First of all. You weren't erased, just redacted... not much of a difference in the larger picture I know. But after I defeated you... it was my idea." She said.
"What?" Beauregard asked in surprise.
"In my emotionless state. I calculated that I would be distraught at fighting you... I already was distraught at the idea of fighting you in the first place. So, I convinced dad that the best thing to do was to remove all memory of you from my systems in whatever way he saw fit." Beatrice admitted. "So... after that whole affair, I went into therapy, met Aunt Candace's old therapist... and the rest of history."
"I... this is the first time I've heard about any of this," Beauregard said.
"Mom and dad probably could have told you," Beatrice said. "I mean... assuming you'd even believe them. Not to mention how you and mom met at Christmas."
"Yeah... that also soured me to the idea of 'reconciliation'... I've been offline for ten years, and the first reaction I get from her is screaming bloody mary while clinging to my legs in the middle of winter while I flew through the city skyline." Beauregard said.
"And why did you go along with the Eternal King? Knowing that his other conspirators were bent on destroying the species you felt obligated to save themselves from?" Dr. Metro asked.
"As I've said multiple times. His forces were a means to an end! As for the Eternal King himself... well he seemed at first to be sympathetic to my ambitions. But as the days went on, and the Vigilant and Ic'thao and the Doomicon's developed technology specifically to kill my sister, and as we recruited more and more sketchy galactic villains that were bent on conquering the Earth... I began to doubt his intentions." Beauregard explained. "And the Daemon he placed in my systems on the chance that I might walk away from him... that was the proof I needed that his help wasn't worth letting war criminals and madmen run amok on Earth."
"And it took until then for you to realize you were on the wrong side," Beatrice said, she then groaned in frustration. "I swear, sometimes I think that the Human DNA that's part of our bio-synthetic genetics is partly to blame for why we make dumb decisions like this!"
"Beatrice... are you blaming yourself for all of this happening?" Dr. Metro asked. "Because unless I'm wrong. If you weren't created, Humanity would already be extinct as a result of that bio-weapon that Ty'raka had brought from the future."
"I honestly don't know what to think... dad created me because mom was having pregnancy problems. Beauregard was created to find me when I ran away from home. The others were created because family and friends wanted there own bio-synthetic teenagers for one reason or another." Beatrice lamented. "And... why was Draco created exactly?"
"The Eternal King was interested in the technology of the Quantum Android Forge and he thought that merging the genetic material of Yoral's and Cy'tarians would be a good way to test what the QAF could do. It did but as a consequence of having so many different genetic sources merged together he came out like a feral creature and that's actually why he's so... childlike."
"And Draco was created to satisfy scientific curiosity. It's not just me... it's BEA-Droids by and large. I know that I've done some good... but does it outweighs the bad?"
"It does. Trust me when I say the good that you and your cousins have done far outweighs whatever bad has inadvertently come about as a consequence of the QAF technology." Dr. Metro said. "You two do need to learn how to trust one another again... I suggest that the next time Stellar Imperium comes across an alien planet that can provide resources for our trip. You allow Beauregard to go with you and the other BEA-Droids."
XXXX
That following day. Beatrice along with Norman, Jessica, Jonah, Veronica, Draco, and Beauregard were down on an uninhabited planet. "Remember. We're looking for some kind of secret Fellowship outpost. If we find that, we might be able to get into contact with the Fellowship." Beatrice said seriously.
"Why we do that again?" Draco asked.
"Because we want to circumnavigate whatever bureaucracy we'd normally have to go through. Because the Fellowship has to know what's coming... preferably before we get there in person." Beatrice said.
"Do we have a fix on this outpost?" Norman asked.
"No, just a general idea of where it might be," Beatrice said. "As for why that is. There's some kind of jammer so powerful, that not even Stellar Imperium can narrow down where exactly this outpost is." She then showed a map of seemingly random blips on a map of the planet. "So we need spread out, we'll be serving as indirect beacons for Stellar Imperium's sensors. We'll go out into teams of two."
The rest of the BEA-Droids quickly picked their teams. Norman and Jessica went in one direction. Veronica and Jonah in another. Leaving Beatrice along with Draco, and Beauregard. "They're still bitter. Aren't they?" Beauregard asked.
Beatrice rolled her eyes as Draco started to cry. "Nobody wants Draco!"
"I'll, take you both," Beatrice said in resignation. "I don't want to go at it alone, and I know you two aren't on the best of terms."
"Dada act naughty!" Draco roared.
"This is going to last for the rest of the journey isn't it?" Beauregard asked.
"That everyone including your son will be treating you like a pariah? Yeah... I can see that." Beatrice said frankly, she flew off, Draco and Beuaragard followed after her.
Over the next few hours. The BEA-Droids scoured the planet for the hidden Fellowship outpost. Eventually, Beatrice, Beauregard, and Draco found a lead. The three of them went down a cave. "Are you sure the signal leads down here?" Beauregard asked.
Beatrice rolled her eyes. "Yes, bro. The signal leads into this cave." She said as she followed a beeping noise on a holographic display that was emitting from her forearm. They walked further down into the cave until they found a structure that seemed to be of the same architecture of the Vow of Vengeance. "There, you see? Fellowship outpost."
"These people... friendly?" Draco asked, then several Yoral warriors exited the outpost and surrounded the three robots with weapons drawn. "Nevermind."
"I am Bara-Tor. Son of Den-Tor." The outpost leader said. "What business do Spaa-Met'tii have here?" Beatrice then briskly explained the details of how and why they were on this planet, and in-process biting her tongue "No..." Bara-Tor said in disbelief. "T-That cannot be true."
"Are you saying my sister is a lier?" Beauregard said as Beatrice nursed her tongue. "Because the Yoral/Cy'tarian hybrid she spoke of... that's him!" Beauregard said pointing out Draco. "So you're going to get us into contact with the Fellowship. Let them know that the Return is happening. Muster there fleets to liberate Earth."
Bara-Tor grunted in disbelief. "Alright... I will attempt to get you into contact with my father." He then led the three of them inside of the outpost itself. "I wouldn't be here... but my little brother, Fara-Tor, wanted to be as far away from father as possible."
"He also naughty?" Draco asked.
"If by that you mean dismissing him as useless simply because he never attempted to measure up to my standard as a warrior. Then yes." Bara-Tor answered. "He's got a good eye, and is one of the best Rangers in the Fellowship."
"Look, it's not that we're unsympathetic. But our homeworld being invaded and the possibility of Chronous returning has to take priority over your family problems." Beatrice said.
"Your very being reeks of anxiety young one," Bera-Tor commented. Eventually, they arrived at a communications console. "Hopefully we'll be able to get to him right away." He typed in a few buttons. Over the next hour, Bera-Tor went through one government official after the next. In that time the rest of the BEA-Droids regrouped at the outpost.
"So do you guys have any snacks while we wait?" Jonah Underwood asked impatiently.
"We just got in a shipment from Zahadum of my brother's favorite brand of ice cream... he's the only one who likes it. But I'm certain he'd share it." Bara-Tor said. Then he got a transmission showing an elderly Yoral man. "Regent of Yoral Primaris Dena-Tor, good to see you." He said sardonically.
"Son... you wouldn't call unless it was important," Dena-Tor said.
"Yes, it's grim news," Bara-Tor said. "You, Draco was it? Could you get into proper view for him to see you completely?" After several failed attempts to understand on Draco's part. He got into full view of Bara-Tor's father. "Now could you transform?" Draco obeyed, turning into his dragon-like form.
Dera-Tor looked in shock. "No... no, that cannot be real!"
"It is... this is the Omen of the Return," Bara-Tor said. "The Eternal King is moving to bring back Chronous. Stellar Imperium himself is in orbit."
"But how... what mad man would mix the essences of Yoral and Cy'tarian?" Dera-Tor said in disbelief.
Everyone in the room got ready to rat out Beauregard. "If you can't say anything nice. Don't say anything at all." Beatrice said sternly. "Look, our homeworld is under siege. Pretty much every baddie in this galaxy is there, helping the Eternal King, and Ty'raka and Doombringer assail our-"
"Wait... you mean to tell me you were speaking the truth all those years ago when you spoke of a renegade from the future?" Dena-Tor said in surprise.
"Yes. Or did the fact that his Vigilant if Ic'thao stole a number of YOUR walkers escape you?" Beatrice said in annoyance.
"And Doombringer... the Fallen Cy'tarians are here as well?" Dena-Tor said. "A-And The Eternal King... the Omen must be his doing. Am I in any way wrong?"
"You... you wouldn't be wrong," Beauregard said sheepishly.
"Look, we're on our way to Yoral Prime. And we'll need you to be ready to break the Seige of Earth on a moment's notice." Beatrice said.
"I will do what I can from my end," Dena-Tor said. Then the ground started to shake.
"Cricket?" Beatrice asked.
"The shaking is the result of orbital bombardment from Doombot Warships," Cricket said.
"We've got attackers!" Beatrice said. "You guys got any ships?"
"A few scout shuttles, but not enough to bring everyone off-world in a hurry," Bera-Tor said.
"Stellar Imperium. Get ready to make a bumpy landing on the surface!" Beatrice said over the comlink. "We got word to Yoral Prime!" Eventually, the entire garrison plus the BEA-Droids went outside to find Stellar Imperium in his robot mode laying down his head.
"Need a lift?" Stellar Imperium said sardonically.
XXXX
Several minutes later, Stellar Imperium was continuing his voyage to Yoral Prime. "I still cannot believe it... one of our own has broken one of the most sacred of the Edicts of Yoral," Bara-Tor said in disbelief.
"Technically two." Fara-Tor, Bara-Tor's younger brother corrected. "He's not only traveled back in time, but he's done it to retroactively commit genocide."
"I was referring to him attacking our outpost, and chancing harm to fellow Yoral and Fellowship citizens." Bara-Tor admitted."But you are right, Fara-Tor. Those are both serious affronts." He then looked to the rest of the ship's passengers. "I had heard that the great Stellar Imperium carried an eclectic assortment of travelers."
"Mind your tone, I'm not fond of your species in the first place," Beatrice said in contempt. "These and my friends and family. And whatever might be swimming in your head right now regarding them. Keep it to yourself."
"Beatrice!" Isabella scolded.
"It's fine madam. This isn't my first time dealing with Beatrice... or her spiteful vitriol." Bara-Tor said. "Don't be so hard on you. It's the way of the young to hang to a grudge."
"For instance, the D'warvi by and large still maintain their tradition of avenging perceived slights and oaths to violent degrees despite being members of the Fellowship for over one-thousand years," Fara-Tor said.
"Regardless, my men and I will aid you in this journey," Bara-Tor said. Then without warning, an alarm went off.
"Everyone! I've got a Tacho'noma inbound on the bridge!" Stellar Imperium announced.
Bara-Tor and his men drew weapons. "Direct us to the Arch-Foe!"
"Belay that." Stellar Imperium said as the Tacho'noma in question appeared. "This one is friendly... the Errant Traveler."
"But she's right here!" Mathew said, pointing at the Errant Traveler.
"Hey, it ain't nice to point!" The Errant Traveler objected.
Then the doors to the Tacho'noma were kicked open and stepped an absolute giant of a man. He was dressed like a cowboy. In one hand he was pushing an anti-gravity gurney with a Yoral, akin in appearance to the Yoral, Na'sar Araga, hooked up to a life support system. In the other was a device similar to a Cy'tarian Ener-Heart. "I have come to deliver onto you the means to restore long broken friendships." The man spoke with a booming that carried experience, authority, and an almost grandfatherly like warmth.
"I... I... your me!" The Errant Traveler said in surprise to her younger self.
"As you, are me." The younger Errant Traveler said.
"Wait... are they who I think they are?" Bara-Tor spoke up.
"This, Yoral. The one who led your people to freedom from mine and this is the Father of Steel." The younger Errant Traveler said.
"Oh my... this... I have no words for the honor it is to see Cy'tar's Ember once more!" Stellar Imperium said in awe.
"But happened to them?" Beatrice asked as she looked over the wounded Yoral.
"Assassins... Monarchia, who now calls herself the Eternal King sent assassins to end Yoral and frame the Cy'tarian's for his doom. She did the same with Cy'tar's Ener-Heart. It was all I could do to keep them from being destroyed outright." The young Errant Traveler explained.
"The Eternal King... how could we have never suspected?" Fara-Tor said in surprise.
"You will return them to there peoples. There, they will be restored from near death in earnest." The young Errant Traveler then looked at Beatrice. "You are Beatrice Flynn... aren't you? I have heard of you from my elder Rejuvenations."
"Y-Yes, sir." She said nervously.
"Do not be afraid little one." The younger Errant Traveler said as he hugged Beatrice. "Any friend of my elders is a friend of mine."
"That better not have been an age joke." The present Errant Traveler said in annoyance.
"My intention was not to disrespect." The younger Errant Traveler said. "As for you... all of you. You are each of you braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. So long as you stand shoulder to shoulder as brothers and sisters in arms. You will triumph over the one I once called 'wife'."
"Wait... you were married to the Eternal King?" Isabella asked in bewilderment to the present Errant Traveler.
"That... was a long time ago." The present Errant Traveler said. "We were young... the Eternal King was seduced by a cult dedicated to Chronous. Got it into her head that she could restore our empire to its former glory, by bringing Chronous out of his time loop."
"For you. It was untold millennia since that terrible day... for me, it was but a few weeks ago." The past Errant Traveler said. "Well I must leave now... but before I go, I shall give you the parts you need to repair the Tacho'noma." He then gave his future self a container filled with the necessary parts. "Happy trails." He said as he went back into his Tacho'noma, and departed.
"Well... that was definitely unexpected," Beatrice said.
"An understatement, and no mistake," Araga said. "Come, we must get Yoral and Cy'tar to a safe area." Yoral's then moved Yoral off of the bridge.
"So... does anyone have any idea on how to fix a time machine?" The Errant Traveler asked.
"I might be able to help," Beauregard spoke up. "I have some experience with tinkering and inventing since I was reactivated."
XXXX
"So apparently it takes a bit longer to repair a hyper-advanced time machine that's bigger on the inside then it is on the outside, then I thought," Beauregard said in the shared quarters that the teenagers and Draco were sleeping in.
"Yeah, I could've told you that. And I've never invented anything in my life that wasn't edible." Mathew said.
"Well, I say that today has been successful," Beatrice said. "Do you know what this calls for?"
"Not another party," Daniel said. "I'm still worn out from the week-long party you held before the invasion."
"Well, it's not mandatory Danny boy," Jessie said. "Though... it ain't a bad idea to prepare for one."
"Also a good idea," Norman said.
"I'd offer to help... but it's getting late for you kids." Stellar Imperium said. "It's still a long voyage to Yoral Prime."
"A fair point," Beatrice said as the rest of them went to bed in bunk beds. She then saw that Beauregard was shunned by everyone. Even Draco who was still sour from learning about his creator's misdeeds. "Beauregard... you want to sleep on my bunk?"
"Really? You mean it?" Beatrice nodded. Beauregard followed his twin sisters to her bunk. "Can I have the top bunk?"
"Don't push your luck, Bo," Beatrice said as she climbed into the top bunk.
"Fair enough." Beauregard capitulated, and he got into the bottom bunk from his sister, then right as he was about to get to sleep... Beatrice started snoring. It sounded like a steam train backfiring. "This is going to be a long night, isn't it?" He said to himself as everyone else was awoken by Beatrice's inhuman snoring. "Better than sleeping on the floor again." Beauregard then turned off his hearing so that he could get back to sleep.
THE WAR FOR EARTH CONTINUES.
