Chapter 2: Drawing lines
Holing up in an abandoned apartment wasn't something I'd done before, nor was it something I could profess to having aspired towards, it was however where I ended up with the Colony Maker. Sitting in the currently dark apartment, I stared at the gynoid sitting opposite me and asked, "Can you give me a run down of the state of the war, and how Cray's sitting in it?"
"Query: May I ask as to the reasoning behind your inquiry?" The Star-vader asked as she gave me that same expressionless but questioning look, it's honestly sort of cute. Now that I'm not in the middle of a battlefield with death on all sides, I can freely admit that the gynoid who'd ended up sharing my shelter was attractive. Stop being cute Colony Maker, you're the tool of a regime that's intent on enslaving entire races and wiping out planets, you have no right to be this cute.
Running my hand through these goddamn luxurious locks of hair that I recently became attached to, and making sure to skewer my hand on the horn jutting from my forehead, I banish those thoughts. Instead focusing on the issue at present, I reply, "Simple, I need to know the state of Cray before I can figure out how to proceed from here. It's all a matter of intel, you know?"
"Assertion: Understood, in that case this Star-vader, Colony Maker will pass on what is known at this time." She answered, her expression remaining unmoving as she then continued, "Query: Where would you like to begin?"
"Let's start with the Link Joker, what's going on with them and their positioning at the moment?" Better to start with the main problem, isn't it?
"Statement: The Link Joker currently hold much of Star Gate, and with the Яeversal of Daiyusha, it can be expected for them to use Star Gate as their main launch site and staging area for the Invasion. Assertion: At this time, that is all that is known about the Link Joker's current holdings on Cray." She answered promptly, nodding a bit as she finished.
Alright, best to escape from Star Gate then, given that I'm trying to avoid the Star-vaders at the moment. Digesting that information, I continue my questioning, deciding that I may as well get my favourites out of the way first, "What about Magellenica? What's their status?"
"Statement: Magellenica is currently providing heavy resistance from all clans native to it, even the Bermuda Triangle despite their usual workings." The Aqua Force and Granblue I expected to be in the thick of it, given their natures as a military force and a clan of pirates… But who'd have thought that the pop idol mermaids would put up that much of a fight… I gotta give it to them then, they've got spunk.
Nodding a bit more, I closed my eyes and asked, "And what can you tell me about the Dark Zone?"
"Statement: The Dark Zone is mostly untouched at this point, but it is known that one Silver Thorn Dragon Tamer, Luquier of the Pale Moon clan has been Яeversed and that one Demon World Marquis, Amon of the Dark Irregulars clan has been in contact with Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon. Statement: It is unknown as to how the Spike Brothers clan is acting at this moment." Damn, so Chaos Breaker has already gotten to Luquier, and it looks like Amon is already considering submitting himself to Яeversal for more power… Fuck, this isn't going to be pretty…
Swallowing, I forge onward, "United Sanctuary then?"
"Statement: The United Sanctuary is currently one of the strongest opponents that the Link Joker have in their war, every clan sending their armies out to combat the Star-vaders. Statement: Star-vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon has put a bounty on the head of Blazing Lion, Platina Ezel of the Gold Paladin clan, given his interference with earlier missions to subvert or cripple Cray." Sounds about right, although it's good to hear that Chaos Breaker's yet to get his hands on Ashlei or Ramiel.
Scratching at my chin, I ask, "Do we know anything about the Dragon Empire?"
"Statement: The Dragon Empire is the other major source of resistance, but they have taken a heavy blow recently, as Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon has been Яeversed in a recent skirmish with a unit led by Star-vader, Nebula Lord Dragon. Cautiously: It is rumoured that there is a plan for an infiltration of some kind, but it is not confirmed." So Vowing's already been caught, and it seems that they plan to activate Hyakki Vogue soon… That'll be a right mess when it finally blows wide open.
Sighing, I'm about to ask about the last nation when she cuts me off, "Statement: The Nation of Zoo has made no movements in either direction, but it is believed that they are currently observing and building up their forces, but there is only observations from deep cover agents that suggest this, and even then they are only vaguely worded."
Alright, so that's the shape of things then… Bugger it all, I'm going to eat something, I always think better on a full stomach, and I haven't eaten all day either. I'm not even really hungry… maybe it's because of Promethium's body or something? Whatever.
Sending a look at the Colony Maker, I tell her, "I'm going to raid this place's kitchen, you want anything?"
"Query: Why do this when you do not need to do so in order to survive? Assertion: It is illogical for you to do so." Again with the logic.
I shake my head, giving her what I think is a smile, "Because it's not about logic, it's about me and what I want. I want to eat, so I will. If I want to sleep, then I will. If I wanted to shower, then I would, in fact I plan to. As simple and complex as that."
"Assertion: I, this Star-vader, Colony Maker, does not understand what this all means." She murmured, looking about as downcast as she can manage without actually changing expressions.
She looks kind of like a kicked puppy, and I do have some empathy, so I walked over and put my hand on her head. Patting the top of her head, mussing her hair a bit, I say, "Then stick with me for a while, maybe you'll figure it out."
"Assertion: Then I, Star-vader, Colony Maker, shall follow you, Barrier Star-vader, Promethium, until you return for reprocessing." She perked up at that, not smiling, but I'll take what I can get.
And talking about taking what I can get… "Don't call me that, if we're going to be going incognito, we can't announce that we're Star-vaders. Call me… Trent, Trent Blackmore."
It's a name that I've used before for a few usernames and for a few characters in D&D so it should be easy enough to get used to wearing. The Colony Maker then spoke up, "Query: What is the pseudonym for this unit?"
"I'll think of something, so let's just settle in here for the night. Now, do you want anything to eat?" I ask as I head for the kitchen, may as well use what ever they left, maybe leave a note to say sorry about it.
Her voice called out from the sitting room, "Assertion: That is not necessary."
"Suit yourself." I shoot back as I survey the small kitchenette, complete with stove, microwave, and fridge.
I nearly tripped when her voice drifted in, "Assertion: I am already wearing my suit, and your assistance would not be necessary."
After recovering from that and working on putting together what I'm fairly sure is a roast beef sandwich (at least I think it's beef, do they even have cows on Cray? A question for another time, I suppose), I consider my own situation and that of Cray.
The Star-vaders, the forerunners of the Link Joker and the Void are invading Cray with the intention of not only perfecting Яeverse, but also destroying their world.
Star Gate, home of the Nova Grapplers and the Dimension Police had basically already fallen to Link Joker with the Яeversal of two of their major units. Given that this place will be under Star-vader control, it would be best to hightail it out of here, and come back later, if at all.
Magellenica is basically in control of Cray's oceans, even though they only claim a few archipelagos and islands as their territory. The Aqua Force is a clan that values Justice above all other things and it used to resemble the Marines from One Piece back when Maelstrom first appeared and the Royal and Shadow Paladins, along with Kagero were sealed away. The Granblue are zombie pirates, and that's about all they have to them at the moment. The Bermuda Triangle… they're mermaid pop idols, the fact that they're giving the Link Joker trouble is actually hilarious.
The Dark Zone is home to three clans at the moment, and once the threat of the Star-vaders and the Deletors is dealt with the time and space warping clan called Gear Chronicle will appear. As it stands, the Dark Irregulars, demons, misfits, and monsters of all kinds, are going to be trouble due to Amon's thirst for more power, which will be offered to him in the form of Яeverse. The Pale Moon, a group of assassins disguised as a circus, has already been hit which means that Luquier's using her Mystic Eye to enslave things, which is trouble enough. There wasn't anything about the Spike Brothers, a clan based around the bloodiest sport on Cray called Bloodball, but they seemed to be rather low profile compared to the others in their nation…
The United Sanctuary, home to some of the more powerful clans on Cray, and definitely one of the places that'll be fortified against the Link Joker for a while to come. The Royal Paladins… if I remember correctly, they were currently under the command of either Ashlei or Salome of the Jewel Knights and Ashlei will be Яeversed soon enough. The Shadow Paladins were currently following the guidance of Dragruler Phantom, under the guise of Mordred Phantom, with all of them taking up the sub-clan of Revenger. Created when both of the prior clans were sealed away were the Gold Paladins, led by Ezel, and like the Shadow Paladins, they likely wouldn't have a unit get Яeversed. The Oracle Think Tank wouldn't do too much over the course of the war, I don't know what they'd actually end up doing but perhaps they'd use their business ventures to benefit the war effort. Then there was Genesis, who'd be led into war by Omniscience Regalia, Minerva and they'd be pretty effective. Last but not least of the United Sanctuary clans is the Angel Feather, and they're current leader Prophecy Celestial, Ramiel, would be Яeversed.
Dragon Empire, which borders the United Sanctuary, is one of the largest nations and will be hit pretty hard by the Link Joker. The Kagero, currently led by Dauntless Drive Dragon, would be left for a sometime without a leader because Dauntless would be Яeversed and their old leader, Dragonic Overlord, is dead at the moment, but he'd get better. The Narukami would be hit hard in the beginning by the Яeversal of Vowing Saber, but they'd redeem themselves latter because of the actions of the Eradicators. The two ninja clans, Murakumo and Nubatama would be fighting, because of Hyakki Vogue would reveal himself to be a plant and then go to be Яeversed. The Tachikaze apparently would be mooks for the most part.
That left Zoo for last. The university of Great Nature would be hit hard by their current leader, Leo-pald, getting Яeversed. The Neonectar would also have a unit get Яeversed, but their main fighting force of the Musketeers would be fine. The Megacolony wouldn't make too much noise, but the Machinings would pop up near the end of the war.
I need to plan out what I'm going to do, I'll need some time.
"Query: Barrier Star-vader, Promethium, is there an issue?" That shook me from my thoughts, causing me to peek out of the kitchenette to look at the Colony Maker.
I shook my head, replying, "It's fine, it's fine."
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Stepping out of the bathroom, having found that I could in fact remove the bodysuit, I shook my hair a bit and noticed that the Colony Maker was staring at me. Giving her a cautious look, I asked, "Something wrong?"
"Assertion: No. Query: Why did you bathe when it wasn't necessary?" She replied, giving me what could pass for a scrutinizing look. Figures that the more mechanical Star-vaders would view things as either necessary or unnecessary.
I simply answered, "I already told you, because I wanted to."
"Assertion: This subject of doing something because one wants to is… difficult…" Her face is almost screwed up in concentration, the only indication being a slight furrowing of her brow which is sort of adorable,
"You'll get it eventually." I wave off her concerns as I lie down on one of the couches in the sitting room, and consider falling asleep.
It's weird to not be tired, to not feel hunger or thirst. Maybe I should sleep, but I can't if there's a chance that the Colony Maker will contact the Star-vaders.
Sighing, I sit up and look at where she's sitting, unmoving in her observation of me. As her mouth opens to ask a question, I preempt her, "I'm just considering what we'll do tomorrow."
"Query: What plans have you made?"
I should have expected that.
Running a hand through my hair (damn all the people born with naturally thick hair, even more now that I know how great it is), and answer, "We're going dark from the Link Joker for one, and after we put together some disguises, we'll hop aboard an evacuation vessel toward Zoo, and then we'll head to the Dragon Empire. From there, we'll search out Nouvelle Vague."
"Query: Why would we search out Transcendence Dragon, Dragonic Nouvelle Vague?" Another expected question.
I answer easily with the half-truth I'd thought out, "Nouvelle's the only known being currently alive on Cray with the rank of four in power, I want to know why."
"Assertion: Acceptable." The Colony Maker nodded, seemingly accepting it without doubt.
It's part of the reason, but the real reason is because I want to see if I can figure out Stride or, known by its other name, Interdimensional Crosstalk. If I can unleash it, then not only will it turn the tables on the Star-vaders, but it might help me get home.
Gotta risk it for the biscuit, right?
NOTE: Special thanks to AbZHz101 and Peanut.007 on SpaceBattles for their work betaing this chapter!
