Chapter 1: Arrival
As the armada neared ground, Grievous leapt out onto the barren ground, and was soon followed by Dirge. The alien bounty hunter looked about in distaste. "So much for overtaking the Empire, Grievous." Grievous looked about. "Then we'll just have to start with this one." Dirge pulled back. "This dump! There's nothing here! Why would you want this place?" Grievous merely laughed. "Who says we have to stop here? This is just a start. Soon enough, the whole galaxy shall be in our…" Suddenly, a piercing laser beam shot by, nearly striking Grievous and Dirge. "Stop right there, Maverick!" Scowling, Grievous turned his head toward a group of humanoid robots, guns pointed at them. "Maverick?" Grievous asked. "You heard us, punk!" one of the Hunters replied angrily. Grievous crossed his clawed arms. "What is this 'Maverick' of which you speak?" the Hunters looked confused. Suddenly, one of them started laughing. "We've got a joker here! All right, wise guy, I'll tell you. Mavericks are Reploids like us who've decided they can do what they want with the world." Grievous looked at Dirge. "Reploids?" Dirge shrugged. "It's probably some kind of advanced droid. I've never heard of 'em." Nodding, Grievous turned back to the group. "Sorry to tell you this, but we're no Mavericks. If it's a fight you're looking for, though, we'd be happy to oblige!" He turned to Dirge. "Dirge, take care of these fools." Dirge, though looking a bit angry at being referred to as a lackey, laughed. "With pleasure!" He held up his arm and revealed a flamethrower from his wrist. "Burn!" He let loose a gout of flame, setting several of the Hunters on fire and causing them to fall to the ground, screaming in pain. Laughing again, Dirge held up his other arm and revealed a flail on a cord. He swung it toward the incapacitated hunters, crushing them and causing their blood-like oil to spill onto the ground. Clearly frightened, the other Hunters opened fire. Dirge merely advanced forward through the blaster fire, grabbing one Hunter by the neck and wrenching his head off. After distastefully disposing of the corpse, he whipped out a pair of dual blasters, opening fire and ripping through the crowd. After all had been disposed of, he tossed a small, round object at their remains and stepped back. Seconds later, a massive explosion emitted from the bomb, atomizing their remains. Dirge laughed as debris from the explosion pelted his body. "Not even worth my time." He turned back to Grievous. "Should we allow the army to attack?" Grievous shook his head. "No. I would like to learn more about these 'Reploids' first." Suddenly, a loud clapping was heard. Startled, they both turned to see a tall, imposing Reploid with body armor and a beam saber by his side. "Impressive," the mysterious being laughed. "Who are you?" Grievous growled. The robot stopped applauding for a moment. "My name is Sigma, and I was wondering if you would wish to join me." "Join you?" Grievous glared at Sigma. "All right, I'll hear you out. What is it you wish to do?" "I'm glad you asked. A highly skilled Maverick Hunter known as X has been a thorn in my side for many years now. I want you to help me destroy him." "And what do I get in return?" Grievous growled. Sigma smirked. "In exchange, you shall attain a seat of power by my side once I dominate this world." As soon as he finished, Grievous and Dirge smirked. "Sorry, not interested." Grievous laughed evilly. "I intend to dominate this planet myself, though if you wish to assist me, then feel free." Upon hearing this, glared angrily. "How dare you! I am the ultimate in Reploid technology! I shall not take orders from one such as you!" He called his beam saber to his side and got into a fighting stance, then dashed toward Grievous and Dirge. As Dirge was about to attack, Grievous held up his hand. "Let me have some fun with this one." He pulled out two lightsabers and leapt toward Sigma, cape flapping behind him. "Die, you impudent scum!" Sigma swung his saber at Grievous, who blocked with his own. Upon landing on the ground, Grievous kicked upward, momentarily throwing Sigma off balance. Grievous pressed on, spinning his blades like buzzsaws and pressing them against Sigma's body, causing him to wince in pain as the energy weapons cut into his body. As the blades continued to slice into Sigma's body, Grievous stopped one of his blades and sliced downward, removing Sigma's sword arm. "GAHHHH!" Sigma screeched in pain. Narrowing his eyes, Grievous extended one of his feet and grabbed the Maverick's head, squeezing as hard as he could until a satisfying crunching sound could be heard. Grievous' glare intensifying, he spun around and tossed Sigma's mutilated body into the ditch that had been formed by Dirge's grenade. After hearing Sigma's body hit the bottom, Grievous turned to Dirge. "Now that that minor annoyance is out of the way, let's see if this barren wasteland has any cities, shall we?" Dirge growled in confirmation.
Meanwhile, at Maverick Hunter HQ…
X, a blue armored Reploid, stared intently at the intercom as yet another announcement blared forth. "Hunters X, Zero, and Axel! Eighteen hunters have gone missing! Head to area 6-E immediately and investigate!" Seconds later, Zero, a long-haired, red armored Reploid and Axel, a teenaged, black armored Reploid appeared beside him. Nodding at each other, they headed into the HQ garage, leapt on speeder bikes, and sped off.
End of Chapter 1! Love it? Hate it? Don't know? Let us know!