Hyperdimension Neptunia - Across the Multiverse
A HyperDimension Neptunia Fanfiction by Dumbrarere1
Chapter 13 - The Emperor's Fortress
Denzion was amongst the landing forces that deployed onto the battlefield. He was currently in one of the assault walkers with his own elite Imperial Shock Troopers. Kurome remained in orbit with the rest of the Imperial fleet under Denzion's command. They had the Heroes of Tython caught in their web.
"Approaching the Republic base in twelve kilometers." a walker driver reported.
"Remember your training, men. The Emperor looks down upon us this day, and will reward anyone who serves with distinction. Glory to the Empire!" a colonel shouted.
"Glory to the Empire!" the rest of the men shouted.
Asmund and the rest of the group took their places in the trenches, awaiting the incoming enemy forces. From the hangar, a flight of scout fighters flew out to intercept the walkers. The sound of automated defense turrets echoed through the landscape, only to be replaced by the metallic clanging and groaning of the enemy assault walkers.
"Jeez, they're huge…" a Republic soldier said, trying to keep himself from panicking.
"Easy, soldier. It's going to be a tough battle, but we merely have to hold the line until the evacuation is complete." Andrew said. A slight wind chill bit at his cheeks as a pair of macrobinoculars were handed to him. He rose the gadget to his eyes and looked at the approaching walkers.
"What do you see?" Sergeant Rusk asked.
"From what I can tell, the assault walkers are heavily armored and armed with some pretty heavy guns." Andrew said.
"Oh, that ain't good." a Republic soldier swore under his breath.
"I'd say we still have time, though. They can't seem to advance fairly quickly." Andrew said. That was when one of the assault walkers fired from the outer limits of its range, the turbolaser fire smashing the lines. "Or not…" Andrew corrected. The fighters from earlier were attempting to hamper the walkers with little success.
"Do we have any heavy guns?" Andrew asked as he ducked into cover.
"Aside from the Anti-Armor emplacements? Negative. We're on our own." the Republic soldier said. Andrew thought long and hard about their situation, looking to see the advance of enemy infantry.
"Lend me your rifle. Try to designate those walkers for the armor-killers. I've got your back." Andrew said. The Republic soldier traded the rifle for the electrobinoculars and began to light the walkers up for the anti-armor emplacements. Heavy counter-fire began to fly across the valley, hitting the walkers. Andrew took aim and opened fire on the Imperial soldiers.
"Why'd I have to get caught up in such a big battle?!" Asriel asked himself, frustrated.
"Just keep your head down, kid, you'll be fine!" another Republic soldier shouted to him. Neptune was also staying in cover.
One of the Republic pilots, a Corellian named Marc Antilles, was focusing on the walkers, trying to at least divert their fire off the anti-armor emplacements. However, the most he and his squadron could do was fire plink shots into their armor.
"I never thought this was how my day was going to go…" Marc said.
"Rogue Leader. Wedge, you okay?" a voice on his comm link echoed.
"We're not doing a lot of damage here, and we're barely even diverting their attention." Marc replied.
"Rogue Squadron, this is control. Walkers are in range of the ground defenses." their controller advised.
"We're not even slowing them down." Marc retorted. He looked down in amazement as one of the massive Imperial walkers took a direct hit from one of the anti-armor emplacements and exploded, toppling over. That amazement was short lived as the four surviving walkers attacked and destroyed both emplacements.
The Republic soldiers cheered as the first walker fell to their defenses. They'd soon reel back as the cause for celebration was cut short - the anti-armor emplacements were quickly destroyed. Soon, they, the scout walkers, and the Imperial infantry were barreling down on the first line of defense, and men were getting cut down all around them.
"Fall back! Fall back!" Andrew yelled, and the surviving members made a break for the second line of defense. The assault walkers were proving most troublesome, their heavy guns blasting the defense lines apart. "There's gotta be something we can do to hold them off until the evacuation is complete." he swore. He looked up to see one of the Republic fighters open fire on a part of the neck of one of the walkers, destroying it and causing it to keel forward.
"That's two down, but they're not letting up…" Asmund said.
"We're going to be overrun if this keeps up." the Republic Soldier said, reclaiming his blaster rifle from Andrew. The low thud of the ion cannons indicated an attack on whatever Imperial fleet was above, in support of the shuttles handling the evacuation. It seemed like it was about to turn back in the Republic's favor, but the enemy had more tricks up their sleeve. One of the three assault walkers fired on one of the ion cannons, destroying it and sending debris falling on some of the men.
"Dammit. I just wish we had something halt their advance…" Andrew swore. Asmund attempted to reach out with the Force and halt one of the walkers that way, but was quickly driven back into cover by the enemy assault.
Marc was growing frustrated. Though he was able to successfully destroy one of the armored behemoths below him, it still wasn't enough to stem the tide, and his squadron was beginning to get shot out of the sky.
"Control, have those shuttles evacuated yet?" he asked.
"Not yet, evacuation is still not complete." his controller replied.
"Tell them to hurry. Our first line of defense has been broken, and the enemy is growing smart." Marc countered. He went in for one more run, only for him to have to abort in the face of incoming fire. He felt powerless against the enemy assault, and his fighter had taken battle damage.
One of the walkers began its attack on the power generator.
"Power generator in sight. Range, two kilometers." one of the crew reported. "Open fire." the commander ordered. The gunner opened up with the turbolasers. Undefended, the power generator began to crack, then explode from the direct attack. With primary power cut off, the Republic base's defenses began to dwindle as anti-infantry emplacements went silent. With the defense line crumbling it was easy to see the defenders falling back to the next line of defense, and then the next.
The entire defense line fell back further and further into the base, until they could not logically fall back anymore. Then a loud explosion nearly deafened the Republic soldiers.
"Imperial troops have entered the base! Imperial troops have entered the-" an officer reported, before getting cut short.
"This is a massacre... " Andrew said as he opened fire on Imperial soldiers storming the base with his blaster pistol. Even Sergeant Rusk was being pushed back. That was when Asmund spotted Denzion and his elite Shock Troopers.
"Denzion…" Asmund muttered.
"Shoot… A battle with him in these tight quarters would be suicide…" Andrew said.
"Evacuation has been completed. Go, I'll keep them busy." the republic soldier said.
"Come with us. We're not leaving anyone behind." Asmund gestured.
"Do you want to live, Master Jedi?!" the Republic soldier shouted, knowing that the attack was specifically targeting Asmund and his group.
"I don't think we have a choice, if we want to get this stuff to the Jedi Council." Asriel said as he used Shocker Breaker to try to stall the Imperials. Asmund, realizing that Asriel was right, made a break for it. The rest of the group followed suit, and they boarded a shuttle just as Denzion and his troops entered the hangar bay. From there, they made a mad dash towards the Endeavor as the starbase was under fire. T7 started the ship up and they took off.
"Endeavor, this is Rogue Leader - Callsign Wedge. You guys alright?" Marc asked.
"We're alright, Rogue Leader." Andrew said.
"Looks like the only obstacle is that large Imperial warship and its fleet. I've never seen anything so massive!" Marc shouted.
"They're launching fighters… looks like they're not giving up." Asmund reported.
"Wedge, form up with us. Asmund, keep the ship steady. Asriel, Neptune, stay here. Sergeant Rusk, you're with me on the guns." Andrew said.
"Roger that! Victory or death!" Sergeant Rusk shouted excitedly as the two of them headed for the gun turrets.
"This is the Thranta-class Cruiser Olympus. We'll set a rendezvous in the outermost asteroid belt, then make a beeline for Coruscant. Coordinates have been uploaded to your navicomputers." a man said.
"This is Wedge, going to be a bit late to the rendezvous. We've got fighters on us." Marc reported.
"We'll wait for you for however long we can, but don't take too long. If the evacuation fleet comes under fire, we may be forced to disengage without you. That impossibly large Imperial warship will be coming down on us at any second." the captain of the Olympus replied. The fighters closed in to firing range, and Andrew and Sergeant Rusk went to work on them with the gun turrets. Before they were aware, they entered an asteroid field that was more chaotic than the last one.
"Really?! We're seriously doing this?!" Andrew exclaimed.
"Not a problem. I've flown asteroid fields more hazardous than this." Marc said.
"Don't get overconfident, Rouge Leader. Watch the asteroids' vectors, and keep an eye on your six. If you can, try to force the enemy fighters to crash into the asterioids." Asmund said.
"Understood." Marc said, before taking on an escort role with his already damaged fighter. He went after heavy fighters that were trying to make attack runs on the Endeavor, as well as any threats to his own fighter. Asmund and Marc's expert piloting, along with Andrew's and Sergeant Rusk's gunnery skills, eventually got them clear of the asteroid field, where the evacuation fleet's defensive guns became a death wall against the Imperial fighters. Marc and Asmund landed their ships in the Olympus' hangar just in time, allowing the evacuation fleet to make the jump just before they were in the massive Imperial warship's firing range.
Denzion was no doubt furious as he entered the bridge of the Eclipse, hearing that the Jedi and the CPUs escaped yet again.
"My trap was perfect! How did they escape?!" he boomed.
"Our strategy failed to factor in the skill of that one fighter pilot, sir. Based on the colors of his fighter, he's probably one of the Republic Navy Starfighter Corps' best pilots." his executive officer said. Denzion, having enough of the man, stabbed him with his lightsaber as an example.
"My Master will have my hide for this… Where are they heading to?" he ordered.
"Based on their intercepted communications, it sounds like they're headed for Coruscant." one of the crew said.
"Now the Republic will learn of the Eclipse… We can no longer rely on secrecy." Denzion snarled, before walking to his quarters, seething.
The Olympus left hyperspace above Coruscant. It was at that moment that General Var Suthra sent a message to Asmund.
"Asmund, CPUs. We need to talk. Bring Marc Antilles with you." Var Suthra said.
"What about, General? Is something wrong?" Asmund asked.
"Best you and the CPUs see for yourself. Meet me in the Senate Tower." Var Suthra said.
"We're on our way, General. See you planetside." Andrew replied, before cutting contact.
"General Var Suthra? I heard he got an earful from command about what happened on Nar Shaddaa, regarding the failed Power Guard project." Marc mused.
"Yeah. That was one nasty mess that SIS and the Republic High Command had to clean up." Asmund said with a sigh as they returned to the Endeavor. The idle conversation continued as T7 guided the ship in to land at the Coruscant spaceport. From there they walked to the Senate tower, where General Var Suthra and Supreme Chancellor Dorian Janarus stood in the senate tower lobby with a couple armed guards, as well as an Admiral who has many awards for her bravery and tactical genius. Master Yuon Par and Nodru were present as well. They were standing among people they've never seen before, and were wearing peculiar styles of clothes. Andrew recognized one of them wearing a United States Navy patch on their shoulder. The overall outfit looked like a navy pilot's flight suit without all the gear.
"Asmund, CPUs. This is Supreme Chancellor Dorian Janarus and Admiral Helen Dodonna." General Var Suthra introduced.
"It's a pleasure." Andrew said.
"The pleasure is all mine, CPU. News of how you CPUs and the Jedi Heroes of Tython saved the Republic and stopped Darth Angral is all over the holonet. Inspiring stuff. And, of course, I thank you for helping to root out corruption in the Senate. It's a shame that Coruscant's most popular senator made dealings with petty criminals." Dorian said. "Even more of a shame, though, that we didn't call you all here for a nice chat over Corellian Sweetcakes and Tarisian Ale." he continued, gesturing to the eight people.
"What's this about, Supreme Chancellor?" Marc asked.
"Security teams and cameras have shown that these seven people suddenly appeared in the Senate Tower about a day ago, through holes in midair. Many people suspected that they were dabbling in Sith Alchemy, to which Master Yuon Par and her apprentice intervened and questioned them." Dorian replied.
"Nice to see you again, Nodru." Kira said with a warm smile, looking at Nodru.
"Same to you, Kira. Hard to believe so much has changed since Mygeeto." Nodru replied.
"So, Master Yuon Par… What can you glean from your questions on these people?" Asmund asked.
"Well, I can certainly say they don't know why they're here. They each reported that they last remembered their worlds suddenly collapsing, before being swallowed by voids of some kind, which rules out the possibility of Sith Alchemy." Master Yuon Par replied.
"Hmm… that can only mean that they're interdimensional beings… and that they didn't come here on their own volition." Andrew said. He walked up to the people in question. "What are your names?" he asked.
"Clyde Blackburn, Bristol Pilot and gambler." one man said.
"Captain Pete Mitchell, United States Navy and F/A-18 pilot." another man said.
"Ryan Turner, Strider 2 of the Osean Air Defense Force Long Range Strategic Strike Group." another man said.
"Lieutenant James Thorpe, United States Army Air Corps pilot with Operation Wildcard." another man said.
"Dmitri Sokov, Russian Air Force and member of HAWX Squadron." another man said with a thick Russian accent.
"Nathan Zackary, Sky Pirate and leader of the Fortune Hunters." another man said, this time with a subtle Texan accent. The word "pirate" set one of the armed guards off, but he quickly stood down on Var Suthra's order.
"Kara Thrace, Viper Pilot assigned to the Battlestar Galactica." a woman said. Andrew pondered what this all meant, why these people were displaced.
"Hmm… that doesn't make any sense… why would they all be pilots?" he asked himself.
"You seem bothered. Is everything okay?" Master Yuon Par asked.
"I can't figure out a pattern that would allow only pilots to be displaced and stuck here." Andrew said.
"There was an eighth interdimensional person of interest, who arrived during the earliest days of Angral's personal war against the Republic. A Starfleet captain named James T. Kirk fell out of a dimensional gateway right in the middle of a firefight between Republic forces and Imperial commandos on Malastare. He was assigned to the Thranta-class cruiser Excalibur after two days of incarceration, due to the need for qualified fleet commanders." Helen interjected.
"So… these people are losing their homes in other dimensions and are getting displaced." Asriel said, beginning to make sense of it all.
"Aw, shoot, this is getting interesting…" Neptune groaned.
"Talk about a load of crazy…" Kira said.
"You said it." Nodru replied. Andrew pulled out his N-Gear and contacted Histoire.
"Histoire, bad news. It appears that dimensions are starting to collapse. We have about eight individuals in this galaxy who have been displaced from their worlds." he said.
"I was just about to contact you about the same thing. Gonnaer and the Greybeards have reported a similar circumstance in Tamriel. It seems that Kurome's actions are starting to have an effect." Histoire said.
"Who would have guessed that this was a sign of something much worse…" Var Suthra sair quietly.
"Give me a break... we aren't the only ones that had this happen?" Ryan asked.
"As if that wasn't obvious enough by the fact that eight people of other dimensions were shoved to this one, including us." Pete said.
"I wonder if Wilson made it out alive as well… Poor Brit deserved better." Clyde thought out loud.
"In all my days as Supreme Chancellor… I never thought I'd see something quite like this." Dorian said in a rather grim tone.
"What do we do with this information, Histy?" Neptune asked.
"The CPU Candidates have started to rediscover their powers after all the Sharicite Fragments you have collected. There is little I can suggest beyond continuing to move forward." Histoire said.
"A sound plan. Hopefully as more shares are recovered, the destruction of other dimensions should slow down." Asmund theorized.
"Keep us updated if anything else should arise." Andrew said.
"Very well. And good luck to you all." Histoire replied, before ending communications.
"With that out of the way, we need to figure out what to do with these people." Master Yuon Par said.
"Marc Antilles, how many of your squadron are left since Hoth?" Asmund asked.
"I'm the only one left, Master Jedi. The other pilots of Rogue Squadron were either killed or captured in the Imperial assault." Marc replied. Asmund thought for a moment.
"General. Admiral. The Republic Navy Starfighter Corps is in need of pilots, right?" he finally asked.
"Desperately. We still have not fully recovered from all of our losses in the previous war despite the mass recruitment in the thirty years after." Var Suthra replied.
"I think I know what Asmund is thinking… These people here, who have been displaced by the loss of their worlds at the hands of Kurome's malevolent schemes, are all pilots, even potentially aces. Could the Republic benefit from accepting them into the Starfighter Corps?" Andrew asked.
"Absolutely. Being trapped in an unfamiliar dimension with no valid form of currency must be hard enough, and we do need able and skilled pilots to fill the ranks. This will help fill the gaps left by the previous war, and give these people a job to provide them with enough income to sustain themselves." Helen exclaimed.
"The Senate is prepared to authorize the formation of an elite fighter squadron comprised of these "extradimensional aces" at once. We merely need a name." Dorian said.
"I can look no further than "Arrow Squad". They were a highly trained and highly elite squadron during the Jedi Civil War, led by a man named Seth Draze. I honestly believe a newly reformed Arrow Squad would be fitting for these aces." Var Suthra interjected.
"I'd like to request to take the role of flight lead for this "Arrow Squad." Clyde said, jumping at the chance to get behind the controls of a fighter once more.
"With me being the only pilot left of Rogue Squadron, I'd also like to request to be transferred to Arrow Squad, Admiral." Marc added.
"I'll send forward your requests to Strategic Command. In the meantime, you will be escorted to a temporary station within the fleet until the squadron's assignment to the Excalibur can be finalized. I expect you all to follow your orders and respect each other as pilots." Helen said.
"Yes, ma'am." Pete said.
"Righto." Ryan added.
"Yes, ma'am." Clyde said. All the other pilots were in agreement, aside from Kara.
"Miss Thrace?" Helen asked. Kara sighed, before finally speaking.
"Yes, Admiral." she finally said.
"Good. Now, you two, follow us to the spaceport." Helen said, gesturing to two of the armed guards to follow her, before she and the seven people left.
"Glad that clusternep is over…" Neptune said with a sigh of relief.
"Nodru, I'd say you handled yourself well." Kira remarked.
"You think so?" Nodru asked.
"She's quite right. You did well." Asmund said.
"I agree with Kira and Asmund, but don't let praise cloud your judgement." Master Yuon Par said. "That said, we should all return to Tython. Many battles are raging, and we don't all have time for a break. We must remain vigilant." she continued.
"Agreed. We need to report back to the Jedi Council about our success on Hoth." Andrew said.
"I got the sensor and visual logs from the Endeavor on that massive Imperial warship that you all saw above Hoth. Watcher One has the entire Republic SIS working on overdrive to find details on that ship and possible weaknesses. We'll meet again soon, I promise you. May the Force be with you all." Var Suthra said, before taking his leave. Asmund and everyone else returned to the Endeavor, before heading to Tython. There was a discussion between Asmund, Doc, Sergeant Rusk and Andrew while they were en route.
"Now that I've had a good look at this ship, I honestly feel right at home." Doc said.
"It's certainly better than my last post, I'll tell you that." Sergeant Rusk said, agreeing with the doctor.
"How have you survived with a droid, Little Miss Uptight, a furry kid, the Purple Wonder and Mister Sees-All as your friends?" Doc asked.
"This is no party, Doc. We're on an important mission." Andrew interjected.
"We can save the galaxy and still have a good time, right? Leave everything to me." Doc countered in a fairly confident tone.
"Is he for real?" Andrew muttered to himself.
"Before I settle in, a few things. First, I like my quarters five degrees warmer than the rest of the ship. I only eat energy puddings, so stock up on that. Also, give me thirty minutes in the refresher every morning. That's it." Doc said.
"Did somebody say "pudding"?!" Neptune asked from across the ship energetically.
"And someone needs to keep the Purple Wonder off my back when I'm eating…" Doc added with a facepalm. Asmund and Andrew both couldn't help but chuckle.
"You'd better be careful, Doc, or she might eat your food." Andrew joked at Doc's expense.
"You really know how to push my buttons, don't you?" Doc asked, somewhat annoyed.
"You can stand to learn the patience of a commando." Sergeant Rusk said, before turning to Asmund. "I've watched how you fight, and how the CPUs accomplish their missions, since we met on Hoth. Observing you all in combat was enlightening. I'll be sure to study your melee combat forms for the next time we clash with the Imps blade-to-blade." he added.
"If you need a teacher, don't be afraid to ask." Asmund said, offering his help.
"I'll be sure to keep your offer in mind, Master Jedi." Sergeant Rusk replied.
"As much as I enjoy this conversation, we're probably about to drop out of Hyperspace. I'll go contact Master Braga on the holoterminal." Andrew said, and the conversation ended.
"Master Braga, we've returned from Hoth. Leeha Narezz has also returned with the prototype cloaking device and other necessary info on the Emperor's Fortress." he announced on the holo.
"Leeha told us about the large scale battle that ensued afterward. It wasn't expected that the Empire would retaliate in such strength, but I knew you would be unstoppable together." Master Braga said.
"We look forward to working with her again." Asmund said.
"Your successes in the Maelstrom Prison Break and on Hoth are nothing short of extraordinary. Our plan to capture the Emperor is already taking shape. Come back to the Council Chambers, friends. We'll discuss the particulars there. Master Braga, out." Master Braga said, ending the holocall.
"No sense waiting around. Let's get down there and see what they have planned to capture the Sith Emperor.." Andrew said.
"Agreed. This is going to be an interesting mission. Not really going to be happy seeing him again." Kira said, shaking her head.
The group returned to the Council Chambers, meeting with ecstatic Jedi, including Master Braga and Leeha Narezz.
"Welcome back, Asmund, CPUs. We've made astounding progress, thanks to you." Master Braga said.
"Analysis of the data from the Emperor's Vengeance has laid bare the entire defense grid of the Emperor's Fortress. There are weaknesses we can exploit." Leeha reported.
"Even better, we understand how the cloaking device protects the fortress. We've jury-rigged a device that sees through it." A Jedi named Warren Sedoru added.
"At last, the Emperor is within our reach." Master Braga said.
"Our vessels are being prepped for the journey to Dromund Kaas. Long Range sensors will receive upgrades to detect the Emperor's Fortress." Warren said.
"We'll pilot our individual starships to land in different docking bays. Multiple targets will divide the enemy's defenses." Master Braga said.
"Once we're inside the fortress, we'll each follow an assigned path through the security grid. We'll converge on the Emperor's throne room." Leeha said.
"So we have a plan, but we never fully explained why we're capturing the Sith Emperor. What's the end goal?" Andrew asked.
"We'll capture the Sith leader, bring him to Tython… and redeem him to the light side of the Force. A perfect victory." Master Braga replied.
"Redeeming the Emperor? You're nothing if not ambitious, Master Braga." Asmund said, astonished.
"Defeating the Sith through violence accomplishes nothing. We must embrace them as our own. It is the key to a lasting peace that will save countless lives." Master Braga said. That was when the door opened, and a few Jedi barged in. Master Satele was at the head, and Revan was among them.
"Master Braga. We must speak before this plan goes any further. There are those among us who have raised… concerns…" Master Satele said.
"I thought you supported this plan, Master Satele." Kira said, confused.
"I do, but I don't speak for all Jedi. I must ensure their voices are heard." Master Satele said.
"I've always considered your plan reckless, Master Braga. Now your former team member, Jomar and the Jedi Revan come to me with a disturbing vision you chose to ignore." Master Kaeden said. His words were critical, but not unwarranted.
"Jomar, we discussed this. You should be in the kolto baths. You haven't recovered from your attack on Tatooine." Master Braga said.
"It was during those healing meditations that I saw a vision of Asmund. He was falling to the Dark Side, becoming Sith." Jomar expressed.
"Asmund? A Sith?" Andrew asked, looking between Jomar and Asmund.
"Nothing in this galaxy could make me join our enemies." Asmund said.
"You will fall, and others with you. Revan and I saw it." Jomar countered, so sure of his vision.
"The future is forever in motion. Events that appear certain today are impossible tomorrow. Must I remind the council that the Jedi do not pass judgements based solely on visions?" Master Braga countered back.
"Asmund's fall to the Dark Side will not be a natural one! The Emperor will corrupt him, Master Braga! He will corrupt all the Jedi assigned to your mission! Even you!" Revan warned with the wave of a hand.
"If you take him on this mission, it will fail. Revan or I should go instead." Jomar said.
"If Master Satele and the others agree with you, I'll step aside." Asmund said. But the Council had other ideas.
"I've known Asmund since he was Master Orgus' Padawan. He has saved lives across the galaxy, as have his CPU Companions. I do not doubt their loyalty." Master Kiwiiks said.
"You know, maybe Revan and Jomar are right. We are rushing into this without considering the risks and consequences." Andrew interjected, looking to the Jedi Masters.
"Even if what you say is true, Andrew, we cannot fail. Too much time, effort and preparation has gone into this mission. We will succeed." Master Braga said triumphantly.
"Jomar, Master Kaeden, Revan. I appreciate your concerns, but I do not share them. I see no reason to delay Master Braga's mission." Master Satele said, dismissing the issues brought up.
"Thank you, Master Satele. And you, Master Kiwiiks." Asmund said.
"No thanks are needed. With the Force as guide, I simply follow my conscience, nothing more." Master Kiwiiks said.
"No! This is wrong! Revan and I know what we saw!" Jomar shouted, realizing that the Council wasn't heeding the warning from the Force.
"You're dooming him and this mission, Master Braga! I beg you to reconsider!" Revan added, also alarmed at the lack of consideration for their vision.
"I agree with Revan, Master Braga. There's too much at stake here." Master Kaeden said.
"The time for debates is over. The hour of victory approaches." Master Braga countered, shutting down any further resistance.
"Fine, then. I will not stop you, but believe me when I say that the Emperor is very powerful. Perhaps too powerful." Revan said calmly, before leading Master Kaeden outside of the council chambers.
"My friends, we depart for the Emperor's Fortress at once. We'll coordinate our assault once we're all inside. May the Force be with us!" Master Braga declared, and they all headed to their ships.
Denzion approached Malgus on the bridge of his Star Destroyer, having been called over to answer for his failure to stop the CPUs and Jedi Knights from escaping Hoth.
"You summoned me, Master." Denzion said.
"I am deeply disappointed in you, Denzion. I trusted you to kill the Jedi Asmund and capture the CPUs." Malgus snarled angrily.
"Milord, I-" Denzion tried to say, only to be interrupted.
"Silence! The Sith do not tolerate failure! And you will answer for yours!" Malgus shouted. "If you hadn't brought Kurome to the Empire and given us a means to slaughter those pathetic Jedi, I would kill you now!" he continued.
"Master, let me expla-" Denzion tried to say once more, only to get interrupted a final time.
"NO, ENOUGH! You have failed me for the last time! You are no longer my apprentice! Take your ship and do whatever, but the next time I see you, I will kill you! Now get out of my sight!" Malgus shouted, lashing out at Denzion, before turning to the observation windows. Denzion stood up and walked off, angry at his former master, and at himself for his failure. This unrepentant rage, burning hotter than the surface of the nearest star, fueled his need for revenge. And so he stopped halfway towards the door.
"You are so right. I AM no longer your apprentice…" he said, taking and igniting his crossguard lightsaber. "For today, I am the Master." he declared, before leaping back towards his master. Malgus immediately blocked the lightsaber attack, entering a saberlock. Denzion anticipated this, and he slowly drove part of the crossguard into his neck, watching his former master's eyes fill with fear before the end. Soon, Malgus fell to the floor, and would be pronounced dead. The Imperials backed away, bowing towards them.
"Commander." Denzion said, looking to Malgus' former Executive Officer.
"Y-Yes Milord." the exec replied shakily, terrified of the new Sith Lord before him.
"I leave this ship under your command. From now on, you follow my orders. Now, form up with my flagship and prepare to jump for Dathomir."
"Of- Of course, Lord Denzion. I shall follow your orders at once." the new captain of the Star Destroyer replied, before telling his crew to follow Denzion's orders. Denzion himself went to the shuttle bay and returned to the Eclipse. Soon, his growing fleet jumped for Dathomir, where additional Imperial warships will join him.
The Endeavor and a few other ships left Hyperspace in the Dromund system, close to Dromund Kaas and far enough inward that they won't be attacked by the Empire's defenses. The other ships in the Jedi strike group entered the system as well. The ships made their approach to the Emperor's Fortress, before landing in separate hangar bays. Asmund led the group out of the Endeavor, and they secured the hangar. It was rather quiet. He took his holo out and contacted Master Braga.
"I've docked inside the Emperor's Fortress. No sign of opposition." Asmund announced.
"I'm in, as well. Perhaps we caught the Emperor napping." Master Braga said. "I took some cannonfire getting in, but my shields held up." he continued.
"The Meedees detect enemy forces converging on my hangar. Looks like I drew the short straw." Leeha announced.
"Everyone, follow your routes to the objective. No surrender, no retreat." Master Braga said.
"Remember the fallen, and do not fail them." Asmund added.
"I'll see you in the throne room. May the Force protect us all. Master Braga out…" Master Braga said, before ending the call.
"So, we're actually doing this, huh?" Andrew asked.
"Yeppers… This is going to be a heck of a fight." Neptune replied.
"I can feel him. He's waiting. He'd be laughing, if he still knew how." Kira warned.
"Who's laughing? I can't hear anything." Doc said.
"The Emperor isn't afraid. He's just quiet. Still. All he feels is… cold rage." Kira said.
"Anger is born from fear. The Emperor knows his time is up. We'll be alright." Asmund said.
"The Emperor is the strongest Sith alive. Stronger than any of us. We shouldn't have come. This is a trap." Kira warned.
"She's right, Asmund. I've had this feeling of dread before, at Vergesso." Andrew said, agreeing with Kira.
"The Emperor has no power over us if we stick together. Face your fear." Asmund said.
"I won't let him take me. Never again." Kira declared.
"Further delay = mission failure. Time to act = now." T7 chirped. They began to make their way to the throne room. It was a long way, and they had to fight through the Imperial Guard. Eventually, they all made it. The only one standing in their way was another Sith and the Emperor's Wrath, Lord Scourge, who pointed his lightsaber at the strike team.
"You violate the Emperor's sanctum. There is only one punishment." he said.
"Another Sith? We've fought and defeated many of your kind. Are you certain that you can win?" Asriel asked.
"Your friends did not survive. You fight alone." Kurome said as she stood next to Lord Scourge, unsheathing her weapon.
"Kurome!" Andrew shouted.
"Not alone. The Force is with us, and so are the prayers of many." Kira countered.
"By my master's command, you must die." Lord Scourge said unrelenting. He turned to Kurome. "Kurome. This is my fight. Do not interfere." he said.
"As you wish, Lord Scourge." Kurome said, backing off. Andrew, Neptune and Asriel activated HDD once more, before joining Kira and Asmund in battle. Andrew and Neptune used Joint Assault, surprising even Lord Scourge and the Emperor. They would be interrupted by a jolt of Force Lightning. Asriel leaped in next, attacking with every known trick he had, including Shocker Breaker and Star Blazing. Before Scourge could stop Asriel's attack, Asmund used his own round of Force Lightning on the foe. Kira jumped in next, using her talents and strength in the Force to beat back their foe. The battle finally ended when Neptune used Cross Combination, and Scourge slumped to the floor. "You are the Jedi's finest. And the CPUs are more powerful than I realized. It will not save you." he declared.
"I'm not trying to kill you. Believe it or not, I'm here to help." Asmund said as Master Braga, Leeha Narezz, and Warren Sedoku joined in.
"You'd be surprised what I believe." Scourge said.
"Surrender, Sith. You and your master cannot stand against all of us." Master Braga said.
"Thank the Force. He told me you were all dead." Asmund said.
"Have faith, my friend. The Force and the Shares are powerful allies. The Emperor's reign is at an end." Master Braga said. That was when Kurome stepped forward.
"Misdirected passion. Such a waste." she said, turning to the Emperor. "My Emperor. Allow me to smite these vermin and rid you of their presence." she declared.
"That will not be necessary, Kurome. I will speak to them myself." The Emperor countered, turning her offer down.
"As you wish." Kurome said, sheathing her sword and backing down. The Emperor looked towards the Jedi and CPUs who stood before him.
"My friends and I wish to speak to you. Please, accompany us to Tython." Master Braga said with a respectful bow. That was when the Emperor jumped down, before approaching.
"An infantile display, Tol Braga. Reckless pride limned with self-righteousness. You are master of nothing." he said. The other Jedi activated their lightsabers, and Asmund did so as well.
"You can insult us all you want from your cell, but you are coming with us." Neptune said, still in HDD.
"It was a matter of time, before I met the CPUs face to face, Neptune. The three of you have limitless power and immortality, and I envy it." the Emperor said.
"The CPUs stand with us. You cannot change their allegiance." Asmund said.
"You stand there because I allow it. Because I do not fear." The Emperor boomed. The Jedi ran, as the Emperor unleashed a flurry of Force Lightning. The CPUs ran in to assist, but were quickly drawn back. They soon realized that the Emperor was trying to corrupt the Jedi Knights. Asmund got in close, but he too was forced back.
"Fight back! We can resist him!" Master Braga shouted. They were unable to do so, and they were quickly being corrupted by the Emperor. Andrew and Neptune tried to intervene and stop Asmund from falling, but they were blown back by the Force. They would find themselves too late, as Asmund, Leeha, Master Braga, and Warren Sedoru were completely changed.
"No…" Asriel whimpered, backing up.
"Asmund!" Kira called out. But he didn't respond.
'You are mine. Servants. Slaves. Weapons. And you will obey..." the Emperor declared. Andrew, Neptune, Asriel and Kira made an attempt to run for it, but were stopped by a jolt of Force Lightning from the Emperor, enough to knock them out and force the CPUs out of HDD. That was when a number of soldiers with the Imperial Guard ran in, and Kurome took charge.
"Arrest these fools, and send them off to interrogation." she ordered.
"Right away, Ma'am!" the Imperial Guard captain replied briskly, before cuffing the other four of them.
"Now the CPUs are mine…" Kurome said sinisterly.
Andrew woke up in the interrogation room with a Sith Lord and Kurome standing over him. Neptune and Asriel were both locked in a cage, whilst Kira was strapped to the interrogation table. As for Andrew, he was shackled to the wall.
"Wake up, scrub." Kurome ordered, whacking him with a baton. It hurt him, but it startled him awake.
"Nnnggg… What do you want?" Andrew asked, glaring at the two of them.
"What we want? Information, of course… and to fulfill our own pleasures…" the Sith Lord said.
"Andrew! Try to resist!" Kira shouted.
"Silence, whelp!" Kurome shouted, filling her head with twisted nightmares. Kira struggled as a result. "Now, then. I don't have all the time in the galaxy to stay here, and Lord Chaskar needs to train the Emperor's new acolyte. So why don't you make this quick and tell me what I want to know? Starting with, how many Jedi are on Tython?" she asked.
"I have nothing to gain from talking to you." Andrew said, refusing to speak.
"Oh? Is that so? Because by my reckoning, I can make your wife relive all her dark memories, this time under Lord Chaskar's ownership." Kurome said, trying to scare Andrew into revealing info. Chaskar smirked, seeing the two CPUs squirm in fear. The interrogation would happen for an hour straight, before Andrew passed out from the immense pain caused by the torture. He was able to resist the questioning, at Neptune's behest. She unfortunately would lose her freedom.
"This was a disappointment… I had hoped he would tell us what we needed to finally get rid of the pesky Jedi Order." Kurome said.
"Perhaps, but I admire his resilience. It takes a lot of willpower and endurance to stay conscious, yet resist the interrogation, for an hour straight when Force Lightning is used." Chaskar said as he grabbed a slave collar off the wall, putting it around Neptune's neck. Being back in this position after three years brought dark memories flooding back, and it instantly broke her. "Regardless, I will have lots of fun with her." Chaskar added with a smirk.
"Neptune…" Asriel whimpered as he saw everything happen.
"I hope you both die horribly! Let her go!" Kira shouted. She was quickly restrained with a shot of Force Lightning from Chaskar.
"If you will not yield, swine, then you will suffer." Kurome said.
"We're out of time, Kurome. I have to oversee the new acolyte's training." Chaskar said, glancing towards Neptune. "Come along." he ordered. Neptune, not wanting harm to come to her husband or her protege, could only comply, and they both left.
"You are all lucky I am needed elsewhere." Kurome spat, before leaving.
A week would go by, as Asmund received training from the Sith, with Lord Scourge escorting him around. Lord Chaskar oversaw his training. While Neptune looked on rather emptily. This continued for some time, until at the end of the week, he was alone after finishing off a battledroid used for training. That was when he collapsed. In a dream-like state, he heard Master Orgus' voice speak to him.
"Don't let him win. Free yourself. You're stronger than his influence. Fight!" he said. Asmund fought for control and won.
"Master Orgus? What happened?" Asmund asked in the dream-like state.
"The Emperor clouded your mind in darkness. Made you do terrible things. You've been his pawn for about a week, but you're finally free." Master Orgus replied.
"The Emperor overpowered us… Master Braga, the others…. We all fell. The CPUs and Kira tried to run, but were stopped. After that, nothing" Asmund said.
"You were not yourself. What you did in your time of darkness was not your fault." Master Orgus.
"What happened to the CPUs?" Asmund asked.
"Lord Chaskar, the sith that oversaw your training, has enslaved Neptune. Andrew and Asriel were interrogated at the hands of Kurome Ankokuboshi. They all went through unspeakable things. But all is not lost, for their fighting spirit remains." Master Orgus said.
"What do I do now? How do I free Neptune and the others? How do I even get out of here?" Asmund asked.
"You're still aboard the Emperor's Fortress. The enemy is everywhere, but they think you serve them. Keep your true nature secret. Try to free Neptune and release the other CPUs, then find a way out. Your dark ally will help." Master Orgus said.
"I'll play along until I can break free. Thank you, old friend." Asmund said.
"The Force is with you again. Be strong... "Master Orgus said before his spirit faded away. That was when Lord Chaskar walked up behind him with Neptune in tow. After a week or so as his slave, she looked like she'd been through hell and back twice, physically, mentally and emotionally.
"Stop muttering to yourself, acolyte. Today we test your ability to extract information from the enemy. Knowledge is power. Our enemies possess the secrets to their own annihilation. We must learn them." Chaskar said. Neptune clenched her hands and tried not to cry at the thought of watching Andrew get tortured again, but didn't say a word. Asmund saw her and felt her pain through the Force, but knew he had to play along for a while.
"I'm ready for my lesson. Please instruct me." he said.
"One of the CPUs you arrived with, the husband of my slave, has proven himself most resilient. They have valuable information that Kurome herself wishes to have. I'd like to see if you have a shot at breaking him, so I'll use this as an opportunity to continue your training. Follow me. I'll instruct you in using the tormentor device." Chaskar said, before looking to Neptune. "Come along." he ordered, and she complied. They walked to the interrogation room, where Andrew was on the interrogation table this time. He too looked like he'd been through hell, but he was just as defiant as ever. He saw the irony, however, in having Asmund become his interrogator.
"Let's begin. Three inducement settings, each inflicting greater pain on the subject. The tormentor monitors the subjects vital signs, stopping just short of delivering lethal damage. Still quite agonizing, however." Chaskar said.
"Oh, that's fair. Having Asmund be my interrogator. I don't care what you do to me. I'll tell you nothing." Andrew snarled.
"Proceed with the lowest inducement setting. Get your subject focused." Chaskar instructed.
"The tormentor isn't functioning, Overseer. It needs repair." Asmund said. Andrew raised an eyebrow.
"The tormentor isn't functioning. It needs repair." Chaskar repeated. Andrew was pleasantly surprised to see a mind trick work on a Sith Lord. "Stay here while I sort this out. I shall leave my slave under your care while I'm gone. If the containment field fails, the subject may attempt to escape." he continued. When he was gone, Asmund shut down the containment field and freed Asriel from his cage, before removing the slave collar from Neptune's neck.
"I thought he'd never leave… You're all free. Let's get going." Asmund declared.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't punch you in the face right now." Andrew said angrily towards Asmund.
"Master Orgus came to my aid. Helped me break free of the Emperor's control." Asmund said.
"That's about as good a reason as any… Man, it's good to be out of that cage." Asriel said, before looking towards Neptune with a sigh. He couldn't believe what Kurome and that Sith had done to her.
"We'll leave her under the care of the Jedi Council for mental and spiritual healing when we return to Tython. Let's get back to the Endeavor." Asmund said, rushing towards the hangar bay with the CPUs in tow. They stopped to see Kira chewing up Imperial soldiers with her lightsaber, with the Emperor's Wrath helping out. Andrew, Asriel were both confused.
"Step away from my ship! We're leaving!" Asmund demanded.
"If I wished to fight, I would not have freed your crew or helped kill these guards." Lord Scourge countered.
"That's a laugh! I don't believe a single word you said!" Andrew said.
"He's telling the truth, Andrew. We couldn't have gotten out and secured the hangar without him." Kira countered.
"More guards will come. Shall we go before they arrive?" Scourge asked.
"You can come… if you offer unconditional surrender." Asmund said, not trusting him.
"If that is my destiny, so be it. I could have killed you in the Emperor's throne room. But you overpowered me. I know something about you and the CPUs that you don't." Scourge said.
"Oh?" Asriel asked.
"I have waited over three hundred years to see the faces that came to me in a vision. Your faces." Scourge said.
"Three hundred years? How can that be true?" Andrew asked.
"I am much older than you think." Scourge said. "Only a few beings have ever broken the Emperor's domination, and fewer still have resisted it outright. You, that girl and the CPUs are special." he continued.
"Kira, the CPUs and I have the power to destroy your master." Asmund said.
"Not yet. Not without my help." Scourge said.
"So- why are you helping us?" Andrew asked.
"Though the Emperor seeks to conceal his true plans, I have seen them. That vision has driven me to this… I pledge my loyalty to you. Take me to your Jedi Council on Tython, and I'll reveal why." Scourge said.
"We're not actually considering this? I mean, he's obviously full of awful." Doc interjected.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm with Doc. This is a trap." Kira said.
"I seek to save the galaxy from annihilation. Without my help, your ship will never escape. I can guide you to freedom." Scourge said.
"An old friend told me I'd meet a dark ally here. I think he meant you." Asmund said.
"I will always be Sith. But that does not mean we can't work together." Scourge said. "Time is a luxury we no longer possess. We must go. Now. I will navigate us through the defense grid." he continued.
"Then let's get on board and get out of here, before the Sith that enslaved Neptune figures out happened." Andrew said, leading everyone on the Endeavor. After leaving the hangar, Lord Scourge navigated them through the defense grid, and entered Hyperspace. Neptune had her head hung, staring emptily at the floor. Andrew was trying his best to comfort her until they returned to Tython, but he knew she needed the Jedi Order's healing to get her back to her old self.
"Is she okay?" Doc asked as he entered the room.
"She's… been through a lot on that fortress." Andrew said, without revealing too much.
"Mmm… Most of the crew can't stand seeing her like this… Nobody can help but feel bad for her, especially Kira." Doc replied.
"It's good to hear that you all care and worry about her after what has happened…" Andrew said with a sigh, looking back at her. "Unfortunately, she'll need healing from the Jedi Council before she will be back to her old self." he added.
"If you say so. Just holler if she needs anything from ol' Doc." Doc said, before leaving. Eventually, they left Hyperspace above Tython and began their landing at the Temple. From there, they walked to the council chambers with Lord Scourge in tow. Some of the other Knights eyed him suspiciously, but made no comment. Eventually, they got to the council chambers. Master Kaeden, Revan, Master Kiwiiks and Master Satele were already there. Revan eyed Lord Scourge suspiciously, and almost scornfully, but kept his anger in check.
"It's been about a week, and we've heard nothing from you. We thought you were lost forever." Master Satele said.
"The mission was an utter failure, and the consequences were truly dire. The Emperor was far too powerful. Master Braga, Leeha and Warren are still missing." Andrew said.
"Perhaps you should have heeded the warning that the Force gave me. We could have avoided this disaster. Now, can someone tell me why this Sith is here with us?" Revan asked.
"The Emperor's Wrath helped us escape. He betrayed his master to join our side." Asmund said.
"Sith serve no one but themselves." Master Kaeden warned.
"And I know this one. He was the one that betrayed me and Meetra the last time we fought the Emperor. I wouldn't trust him farther than my hair grows… or lack of.." Revan warned.
"Betrayed?" Master Satele asked.
"It was not your face I saw defeating the Emperor, Revan. During that fight, I had a vision, of the Jedi Asmund and his CPU companions standing before the Emperor, blades drawn and victorious against him." Scourge countered. "I altered my loyalties to avert a threat to myself and you. Jedi are not alone in seeing the future." he continued.
"So why are you here?" Revan asked inquisitively.
"Centuries ago, I had a vision of the Emperor destroying the galaxy. Republic, Empire, everything. Gone. Asmund and the CPUs have the power to stop him." Scourge explained.
"Wait, extinguishing all life in every star system? How is that possible?" Andrew asked.
"He wields power no Jedi or Sith has dreamed of. The renewed war is merely a diversion to conceal the Emperor's designs His true plans are already in motion across the galaxy. One by one, every star system will simply die. Trillions will perish." Scourge explained.
"How does that benefit the Emperor?" Master Satele asked.
"He'll feed on those deaths to become more powerful than every Jedi and Sith, past and present, combined. An immortal being of unlimited power." Scourge replied.
"The Emperor defeated my strike team without a fight. He's stronger than we realized." Asmund said.
"How did he gain this much power in the first place?" Master Kiwiiks asked.
"A thousand years ago, the Emperor tricked an entire Sith world into aiding a dark ritual. He promised great power. Only for himself, of course. The ritual consumed every living thing on the planet. He absorbed those life essences through the Force." Scourge explained.
"That explains how he's lived so long, and why he has so much power." Asmund said, understanding.
"That was merely one world. Imagine what he'll become after consuming millions." Scourge said. "The Emperor has manipulated events for centuries toward one goal: performing an even greater ritual that will destroy this galaxy." he continued.
"Perhaps even this dimension…" Andrew said, shocked.
"But the ritual requires a great sacrifice to begin. Billions of simultaneous deaths. He seeks to commit genocide on Belsavis." Scourge said.
"That prison holds the worst filth captured by the Republic. Mass-murderers, tyrants… even Sith Lords." Master Kaeden said.
"We've kept the planet's location secret for decades. If the Emperor has found it…" Master Kiwiiks said.
"Once the Sacrifice occurs, the Emperor's ritual cannot be stopped. We must save Belsavis." Scourge said.
"No wonder why you want the Emperor dead… I still don't trust you after you betrayed me and killed Meetra, but the Force is telling me that you are speaking the truth." Revan said. That's when Master Kaeden activated his lightsaber.
""We?" Your role in this is over, Sith!" he announced as he pointed it at Lord Scourge.
"Master Kaeden, lower your lightsaber. Master Satele will determine what to do with him. Don't overstep your authority." Revan said.
"I confess I agree with Master Kaeden. Leaving the Emperor's executioner free is a terrible risk." Master Kiwiiks said.
"I know the Emperor's ways. Belsavis is not the only world in danger." Scourge said. "We must find the others, and I cannot do it from a prison cell. Like it or not, we need each other." he continued.
"He's right. I can feel the truth. Without his help, we are all dead." Master Satele said, asking Master Kaeden to lower his weapon.
"The council will concentrate on locating other worlds at risk, and find the missing Jedi Knights. We're counting on you to stop the Emperor's plans." Revan said.
"I know this has been hard for you to accept, but it's our best hope. I promise I won't fail." Asmund said.
"Before you depart, I need to speak with the CPUs alone. When you reach Belsavis, contact me… and don't rely too much on your "ally"."
"I'm disrupting the fabled Jedi calm. I suggest we depart." Scourge said. The group departed for the Endeavor, leaving the CPUs to join them later.
"Follow me to my meditation chamber. We can speak there." Master Satele said, leading Andrew, Asriel and Neptune to her meditation chamber where they first met. "When you all walked in, I noticed that Neptune was not herself. What happened on the Emperor's Fortress to put her in such a state?" she asked.
"Kurome was on the Fortress. After we lost the battle, she and a Sith Lord named Chaskar were interrogating me for information. Chaskar enslaved her when I resisted, and her time under his ownership forced her to relive a brief but traumatic moment in her life. She had those memories buried in the years since, but there's only so long that they can remain buried…" Andrew explained. Neptune was on the verge of tears as the memories continued to haunt her.
"I see. I can't imagine it as an easy memory." Master Satele said, looking towards Neptune in sympathy.
"Is there anything you can do for her? It just hurts looking at her like this." Asriel asked.
"We can take her in for physical, mental and spiritual healing, and contact you when her spirits are back up." Master Satele suggested.
"Please. I'd rather leave her under your care than risk having her be like this forever." Andrew pleaded.
"We will do what we can. For now, you and Asriel should return to your mission." Master Satele said. Andrew turned to Neptune.
"Stay strong, Nep… They'll help you. I'll see you again soon." he said, before giving her a quick peck on the cheek. This helped raise her spirits again a little bit, but the rest was up to the Jedi Order. "Let's go, Asriel." he said, leading the boy to the Endeavor.
"Where's Neptune?" Kira asked.
"She's currently with the Jedi Order for healing, after what that Sith did to her." Andrew replied.
"Thank goodness, seeing her look so gloomy and empty felt like taking a blaster bolt to the chest. I hope her healing goes well." Kira replied.
"It'll be nice to have her back on the team after, that's for sure." Asmund said as he entered the cockpit.
"It's going to be a bit tougher without her, but we have to push on. Teeseven, plot us a course for Belsavis." Andrew said. T7 chirped as he followed his instruction, and soon, the Endeavor lifted off from the Jedi Temple hangar.
Geralt was fitted out in the uniform of the Imperial Legion, ready to perform the duties he's been given. He was about to report to his post in Windhelm, when he was stopped by a courier.
"Are you Geralt of Rivia?" the courier asked.
"Aye. What about it?" Geralt asked.
"Got something I'm supposed to deliver, your hands only. Let's see here… I've got a letter, from someone called 'Yennifer', calling you their love. Seems you've got an admirer. Looks like that's it. Gotta go." the courier said, handing Geralt the letter, before leaving. Geralt felt overwhelming joy to hear that Yennifer survived the calamity that happened to their world, and that a reunion is certain. He opened the letter and began reading.
"My love. I hope this letter finds you, for I haven't much time. The Aldmeri Dominion is hunting me and Ciri, and we don't know why. We have an Imperial soldier trying to smuggle us out of Cyrodiil, and into Skyrim before the Thalmor find us. Ciri is scared, love, and I'm struggling to keep her calm around checkpoints. I hope we make it, but in case we don't, I love you.
-Yennifer"
Mentions of the Thalmor hunting Yennifer and Ciri did not bode well. He hurried to his post and passed along the knowledge to his superior, who notified wrote to General Tullius and sent the word out immediately. Another skirmish was about to happen, to bring these people to safety, and Geralt was going to be in the middle of it.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Dang, this chapter was a bitch to finish. I feel I kinda butchered the Battle of Hoth part a bit, and despite my best efforts, I could not fix it for the life of me.
This chapter is a bit shorter than some of the other ones. I did the best I can to make the 10k word goal.
Seth Draze is another character from Kevin Smets' Loganverse KotOR fan films. He leads Arrow Squad in The Circle of Fate.
It was inevitable that Neptune's dark memories from the events of The Neptunia Chronicles would come back to haunt her in such a big way. Buried memories can only stay buried for so long, before a trigger causes them to surface.
Clyde Blackburn's role in the story is a bit of an eye-roller initially. Those who have played the story Friends in High Places on the game Battlefield 1 will understand why this is.
"Captain" Pete Mitchell, otherwise known as "Maverick", was supposed to appear in a sequence called "Top Gun: Wings Triumphant." as an idea that remains retconned due to not fitting the overall theme of the story despite Neptunia's ability to mold into anything else. His return as an extradimensional ace displaced by Kurome's malevolent deeds in the Star Wars The Old Republic sequences, and his description as an F/A-18 pilot, are more a celebration thing for the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick than anything else, but he will be a pivotal pilot for the new Arrow Squadron.
Looks like that's it. Gotta go!