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From:  DSkye.11.11.42

To:  PZak.44.23.25

Cc:  PlaCouncil.11.11.42

Gaia's Stepdaughters declare the following faults upon the University of Planet:

Inadequate waste control affecting other factions

Unlawful use of research technology

Insubordination

Trespassing

These preceding faults have been deemed serious enough to enact a state of vendetta between the Gaian's and the University.

-Lady Deirdre Skye of Gaia's Stepdaughters

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The waves crashed against the steel walls of Deep Sea Lab twenty-four hours a day.  Zakharov stood on the observation deck and watched calmly as Shila tossed bread into the ocean, feeding the creatures that spawned beneath them.  It was a calm break from his normal train of thought.

As per his prediction, Deirdre had sent the Declaration of Vendetta by daybreak the morning after the council meeting.  He'd barely even received news of the declaration when the first damage reports came in.  Lab Three and Cosmograd, which skirted Deirdre's territory, were quickly swooped upon by the waiting armies.  Her Chaos Rovers cut through the primitive perimeter defenses like melting butter, and they were soon overpowered.  Within a year, Deirdre had taken almost every University-owned base.

What surprised Zakharov was that she didn't hold his bases; instead, the satellite maps showed a change of ownership.  The bright green color of the overtaken bases turned into a hot pink hue…which Zakharov had come to understand stood for Meskha's new faction, the Remnant's of Earth.

He stared out into the green sea that surrounded them, wishing for a moment that he was a seagull back on Earth.  Not having to worry about his faction or Deirdre or even about Planet sounded euphoric to him.  Just having to fly and eat sounded much more appealing then running like a frightened dog.

"Prokhor, sit with me."

He awoke from his reverie and noticed Shila looking at him.  He feigned a smile and sat down on the edge of the deck, overlooking the ocean.  She was grinning at him.

"I always marvel at it…the ocean.  We've been here for a year, but it still is awe-inspiring.  I've never seen something so big, besides from the air at the council meeting."

He looked out into the endless sea, trying to take his mind off of those dreaded get-togethers.  "It covers nearly half of Planet."

"It's beautiful."

"It's also our last place to hide."  Zakharov sighed.  "We're nearly the last, Shila.  Only University Base remains.  She's overtaken everything else...I wish I knew what she was thinking."

Shila blinked and leaned back against the deck.  "I don't think she likes us very much."

He smiled and looked at her.  "Way to state the obvious, dear."

She reached for Zakharov's back and pulled him down against the deck so that he lied next to her.  The force knocked the wind out of him.

"I'm too old to be pushed around by youthful holograms."

Shila giggled and looked at the sky.  "We've been here twelve months, Prokhor.  Can't I be integrated into Deep Sea Lab's computer yet?"

He looked at her and fingered the Datapad in his pocket, which was her makeshift "home".  "I can't risk it.  I can't afford to have the Gaian's find you.  If they were to find out you were a sentient being, they'd probably put you to work immediately…'the one that never sleeps'.  There's no way I'd let that happen to you."

"Oh Prokhor, you do care!"  She leaned into him and hugged him tight, catching Zakharov by surprise.  After a moment of confusion, she loosed a little and leaned her head on his chest, musing.  "Prokhor, what do you feel about me?"

He raised an eyebrow.  "What do you mean?"

"We've been together for four years now.  What do you-?"

The sound of an explosion behind them interrupted Shila's statement.  They sat upright and looked back, noticing that something had stuck Deep Sea Lab on their opposing side.  They didn't have time to investigate, however, as a cadet was already running up to him.

"Provost, latest news from the front line.  Gaian air forces destroyed University Base's Tachyon shield.  Gaian rovers took the opportunity and destroyed our ground forces, then rammed the gate.  According to the report, they then flooded the streets with mindworms.  Ever our most hardened soldiers were destroyed by the beasts.  There were no survivors."

Zakharov nodded numbly.  "Go on."

"What's more is that ten minutes after the base was taken, it was gone.  Spectators said there was a bright light, an explosion, then nothing.  University Base has disappeared."

"Obliterated…" Shila whispered behind them.

The cadet nodded solemnly and went on.  "They must've gathered the position of Deep Sea Lab from our comm. system.  Sir, you must leave.  The Gaian navy is on its way."

Zakharov shook his head and smiled.  "First off, cadet, where would I go if I left?  This is the last remaining base of the University.  Second…do you think we're defenseless?"

Zakharov rushed past the confused cadet and grabbed a microphone attached to the wall.

"A-A-AIL, alpha blue, authorization Prok489.  This is not a drill."

Shila looked at him with a grin.  Zakharov, despite the situation, returned a humorless smile.

Deirdre…did you really think we've just been sitting around for twelve months?  I hope your army is ready…it's time for a little payback.

~