The pirates in the sector seemed to be in a generous mood, as they encountered no resistance on their way to the Void Gate past Populara.
Passing through the familiar blue gate, they found themselves in the unfamiliar Spetses sector. On the way to Leucas, Kira spoke. "Here they come Yuri."
"The Spetses Defense Guard, huh?"
Ahead, around half a dozen ships slowly made their way towards them, the lead ship releasing what looked to be fighters.
"They look like Nova Nacion ships. And I see a carrier too." Nia called out. "Underestimate them and we're done for!"
"Got it." He answered, activating the ship wide comm. "All hands, prepare for an anti-ship, anti-air battle! Watch out for enemy fighters!"
The carrier's two escorts were quickly disposed of, before they turned their attention to the incoming fighters. With the fighters providing a temporary distraction, they had no choice but to take the carrier's attacks.
Soon though, the fighters were gone... along with the carrier.
"Whew..."
"They might have called for reinforcements. We had better keep moving." Ian informed them.
Probably a wise decision.
"Yeah, I know. Let's head out."
Meanwhile, on the capital planet of Spetses, inside Cadmus's fortress.
"Hm? Somebody has invaded my territory?" Cadmus asked. "Then what are you waiting for Admiral Beleko? Send a complaint to whatever nation they belong to at once!"
He almost rolled his eyes.
If only it were that easy.
Literally looking down at the Feudal Lord, the tall man spoke. "They appear to be private citizens I'm afraid. To be on the safe side, I'm asking for your permission to dispatch the Spetses fleet."
At this, Cadmus nearly spit out his drink. "Whaaat? And leave my personal guard short-handed?"
"But sir -"
"All right, how about we do this then?" Cadmus began, quickly changing his mind. "I'll let the defence guard know they're here. Tell them to be on their toes. Run along now. Off you go!"
"Yes Lord Cadmus."
Making his way back through the crowd wasn't a problem for the Admiral. The problem he did have, was that he was stuck taking orders from a pompous idiot.
He really didn't want to have to babysit Cadmus... he had thought that when the man's father had died, he would be released from his debt.
He had served faithfully, after all. Though then again, he supposed, Cadmus's father had saved his life. This meant that he could order him to do whatever he wanted.
And Beleko would have to oblige.
Why the Grus did you have to up and die on me... you old fool? He found himself thinking.
Leucas was the first planet they came across, and during a quick stop off at the local tavern, Yuri found himself being approached by a crewmember.
"Ah, Captain. Here you are."
Wearing a grave expression on his usually cheerful face, he spotted Feodor Kuchin entering the tavern... apparently searching for Yuri.
"What's the matter Dr. Kuchin?"
"I took a tour of the neighbourhood, and found out there are some very serious diseases going around here. I think the Feudal Lord's dirty dealings have driven the price of medicine up so high, people can't afford to buy it." He started, right fist clenched. "Captain, could we possibly donate some of our ship's medical supplies to the people here? About 500G or so worth?"
"Okay, sure. I'll make the arrangements."
"Really? Oh, thank you! I'll make another round and provide as much care as I can." Kuchin began, his smile returning full force. "I'll be sure to come back before it's time to ship out."
With that, Feodor Kuchin rushed back out of the tavern in a hurry. Leaving behind a smiling Yuri, who downed his drink, and made his way back to prepare the movement of his ship's medical supplies.
As they arrived at the asteroid field past Leucas, they became witnesses to a very unusual scene.
"Yuri! There's a battle going on ahead!" Kira called.
"Huh? Are they fighting pirates or something?"
"One reading I'm getting is huge. That's no ordinary pirate."
Yuri thought for a moment. He could barely make out flashes of light in the distance. "All right. Let's get close enough to get a visual."
As they got closer, Yuri spotted a black and red ship firing back at a very familiar one.
"It's Valantin's CORSAIR! What the Grus is he doing here?!" Yuri growled.
"Never mind that my man! Look who he's fightin'! He look familiar?" Torlo asked.
"Uh, let's see..."
"That's the guy that was askin' for it from Celina back in Kalymnos. Remember him now?"
Yuri barked out a quick laugh. "And now he's trying to pick a fight with Valantin?! What, is he crazy?"
"What should we do? He's going to get crushed." Tatiana asked, turning to the young Captain.
"Maybe we can at least help him get away..." Yuri said, not really believing his own words. "All right! All guns, get ready to fire! Target the CORSAIR! Just a warning volley!"
Nia nodded in confirmation, and as she turned to her console to lock in the firing course projections, Yuri watched the battle ahead...
Turning to watch Valantin's CORSAIR as his ship's laserfire slammed into the enemy, he found himself gritting his teeth.
He wasn't nervous per se, more like shivering in anticipation. His smile disappeared, as an unknown volley appeared from nowhere.
It just missed the massive enemy ship, whizzing past the nose in a flash.
He growled. If the other ship had wanted to hit the CORSAIR, it would have.
It wasn't like it was a hard target to miss.
A warning shot perhaps.
Standing in silence for a second, he watched as Valantin stopped attacking, before pulling away.
Grus!
He growled again, drawing all attention to himself, as he turned to the communications officer.
"YOU! GET ME IN TOUCH WITH THAT SHIP, NOW!"
"HEY, WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA, GETTING IN MY WAY LIKE THAT?!" He asked, before spotting the familiar mop of silver hair. "Oh... it's you guys again!"
"Yuri, Captain of the FLAKRUNNER. That was pretty reckless of you to try and take on Valantin with that one little ship."
One little ship? He thought. The nerve.
"Huh?! What the Grus do you know about it anyway?! What, are you gonna try and tell me you've fought him before?"
The Captain was silent for a moment, before responding.
"I have fought him before. And just like you, I didn't stand a chance against him."
He found himself gritting his teeth again.
Whatever.
"Tsk. Just don't get in my way next time!" He almost shouted, cutting of the feed, and turning to his crew to get moving.
Back aboard the FLAKRUNNER, Kira found herself watching the conversation her brother was having with the unknown Captain.
Kira found herself blushing. He was cute, she had to admit.
"Hey, wait a minute!"
Yuri's shout brought her out of her thoughts, and she found her attention drawn back to her console. "He cut us off."
"Hm. He's got a pretty competitive spirit... picks crazy fights... remind ya of anyone we know?" Nia asked, shooting a look to Yuri.
"No. Who?"
"Now, who could I be talkin' about? Geez." She said, turning away from him with an eye roll.
Making his way through the partly crowded tavern, Yuri finally managed to reach the bar, letting out a sigh of relief.
"I see you have some pretty fine young ladies with you..." The bartender began.
"Huh? Is there anything wrong with that?" Yuri asked, suspicious of the man's intentions.
"Well, it's just that here, in the Dominion of Spetses, it may not be the wisest thing to do." He told Yuri, looking around. "To parade around like that, I mean."
"What do you mean?" He asked, eyebrows furrowed.
"Uh, nothing at all. Forget I said it." The bartender replied.
After ordering a drink, and passing several of his crewmembers, Yuri's mind wandered back to what the bartender had said.
He wondered what it meant.
He was shaken from his thoughts as he ran into someone, spilling his drink on the floor... and thankfully, not on the other person.
"Huh?! You!"
"Are you -"
"You're that guy that was gettin' your ship remodelled by Valantin!" Torlo said.
Yuri hadn't even seen him turn up.
The teenager looked to be his age, with the same height and build... if not a bit more muscular. He had medium brown hair, with a red headband peaking through. He had a black jacket that fit tight around his upper body, over a light grey singlet, and armbands around his bare biceps.
"Hey, whaddya mean? I was just startin' to get a handle on him!" He said. "Besides, you guys got in my way! I woulda had him ya know."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say." Nia said, appearing from nowhere as well. "But hey, you were gettin' slammed pretty hard. I'm glad to see you're still in one piece."
"That's right! I'm not like your average joe ya know! I'm tough." He smiled, cocksure. "And maybe yeah, I let Valantin get away this time, but I know where to find him, so don't you worry 'bout a thing! He won't get away so easily next time!"
Tatiana sighed from behind him. "You don't learn, do you?"
Rolling his eyes, the man replied. "Anyway, whatever. Hey, white top! Yeah, I'm talkin' to you!"
"Me?" Yuri asked, pointing a finger at himself.
"You see anybody else with white hair here?" He remembered Nia too late, but didn't comment. "So you're the Captain, huh?"
"Yeah. I'm Yuri, Captain of the FLAKRUNNER. Nice to meet you." Yuri said, holding out a hand.
"You're about my age, aren't ya? But you're pretty damn good. I'm Cico. Cico of the RUDIANOS." He said, glancing down briefly at the offered hand, before taking it. "You shoulda been mindin' your own business back there, but... ya know... thanks for steppin' in when ya did."
"So, Cico, what's your deal anyway? How come you're always pickin' fights with the big guns like Celina and Valantin?" Torlo asked suddenly.
"That's right. If you want to fight, why not try somebody more your own size?" Tatiana added.
Cico shrugged. "I've gotta build up my reputation, fast. I don't got time to be foolin' around. Besides, where's the fun in fighting weaklings?"
"But you shouldn't be too reckless either, you know." Kira said, studying him. "You could get hurt... or worse Cico!"
"Yeah..." Cico started, rubbing the back of his neck... blushing. "Well... that's a good point, uh, Kira..."
"Hm?"
"Well, well." Tatiana said with a small smile.
"What?!" He asked, glancing at the two. "So what are you guys doin' way out here? Spetses is a pretty rough neighbourhood!"
"Well..." Yuri began, explaining just what it was they were doing here.
A few minutes later, and Cico let out a low whistle as Yuri wrapped up his explanation.
"You're going up against Cadmus?!"
His voice came out louder than anyone expected. Thankfully, no one seemed to be paying them any attention.
"You idiot! Hey, keep it down." Torlo said quickly, almost slapping him.
"Oh, sorry. But are you guys serious?"
"I'm dead serious. If we don't do this now, a war could break out."
"Hm..." He seemed to think about what he'd heard, before answering. "You know what? I like it! Count me in!"
"Are you serious?" Yuri asked in surprise.
"Hey, I'm always serious. Dead serious." He laughed. "Besides, I like the idea of goin' up against the whole fleet of a nation."
"But -"
Interrupting Yuri, Ian seemed to recognize the opportunity that was being placed before them. "Listen, Yuri. I think you should definitely take him up on his offer."
"Do you have an idea, Ian?"
Ian smiled. He sure did.
"In fact, I do." Turning away, he faced Cico. "Cico, you said you know where to find Valantin, is that right?"
"Yup. My Rudianos is equipped with a special radar." He answered with a nod. "It told me he's headed to the Sardis Asteroid belt. He's probably gonna hang out there for a while, I figure."
Ian held his chin with his hand in thought, before... "I've got it Yuri!"
"Yeah? What have you got?" Ian launched into an explanation of his plan, watching the others nod and smile around him. "... and that's my plan. It's extremely risky, but if it goes well, we can cut down the Spetses forces quite dramatically."
His head spun around, catching the eyes of everyone, before settling on their new friend. "Cico, are you okay with your end of the plan?"
"Sure! I mean, it's not the most glamorous role, but damn, I ain't lookin' to be no movie star. So yeah, I'll do it! I'm off then!"
"Okay, now the rest of us -"
Yuri nodded, turning to Ian. "We head to Cadmus's blockade right?"
"That's right. And we put the plan in motion as soon as we arrive."
Making his way towards the bridge, he found himself walking beside Adorinda Nobelo.
"You look upset Miss Nobelo. We've been having one battle after another. Is the tension getting to you?" Yuri asked.
"No, the thing that's getting to me is... the slovenliness you people seem to deem acceptable living on this ship." She said, angrily.
"Yikes! Uh, what are you talking about?" Yuri asked.
"What am I talking about?! The filth and disarray, from the bridge, to the captain's cabin. The crews cabins, to the bathrooms! It's disgusting!" She said, an angry look on her face. "A Captain has to keep his ship clean and in good order at all times! He has to be ready for any emergency! What kind of example of leadership is..."
Yuri cringed.
The last thing he wanted was to be lectured, but then again, he couldn't see any way out of this.
And if he didn't keep the ship in better condition after this... well then...
He'd rather not think about it.
Being chewed out by Adorinda Nobelo was bad enough the first time around.
He certainly didn't want it happening again.
Rushing through the halls of the RUDIANOS, Cico couldn't stop smiling. If there was any fast way to building up his reputation, this was it.
Fighting the military of a whole nation.
His skin shivered in anticipation.
His mind wandered back to Yuri. To the new friends he'd made.
Friends. Such a strange term.
He'd never had friends before. Then again... maybe they were more like acquaintances. He really didn't know them all that well.
As he burst onto the bridge, he ascended to the top of the captain's dais. He didn't have the time to be thinking about things now... he had a job to do.
"Prep the engines and get us the Grus off this dump!" He called out over the noise. "We're leaving!"
"Destination sir?"
"Set course for the Sardis Asteroid belt! And don't let up for anyone." He ordered, taking a seat. "I don't even want to be able to identify a single ship. Clear!"
"Yes sir!"
"I just can't believe Ioannou's gone."
Yuri's words broke Nia's concentration away from her mobile terminal, and she looked up at her younger friend. "Don't worry kiddo, it happens. Besides, we won't all live forever. One day it'll happen to you... and one day to me..."
Recognizing that her reply seemed to have the opposite effect of what she was hoping for, she shrugged, flashing him a small smile as she waved away her previous words with her hand. "Ah... what do I know. Don't listen to me. Anyway... we have bigger things to worry about."
"Right. Ian's plan."
"Listen Yuri. You have to be careful with Cadmus." She told him. "He may be an idiot, but idiots with guns are dangerous."
"Really?" Yuri asked.
"This isn't like Panfilov and that pathetic military of his. Cadmus inherited a strong military and nation from his father." Nia answered. "Anyway, he might not be knowledgeable in warfare and strategy, but it doesn't take a genius to throw around their power."
"Well... I guess you're right."
They lapsed into silence, and Yuri found himself watching his friend. His mentor.
She sure had been with him through everything. Since Kalymnos, and their battle with the Kreios Pirates, Yuri had been cultivating an idea, and he hadn't realized just how much it was beginning to make sense.
He cleared his throat. "Um... Nia... there's something I wanted to ask you."
"Sure kiddo, what's up."
"Well... you see..." Now that it was finally being brought up, he couldn't find the right words to explain. "I've been thinking. Actually it's something I've been sitting on for a while now, so..."
"C'mon Yuri... out with it." She said, a teasing smile on her face.
"Okay then." He took a deep breath. "I want you to be my first officer."
Nia's answer was silence... and it was the last thing he'd thought she would respond with.
"Yuri -where'd -"
"I've had it stuck in my head since we fought the Kreios Pirates in the Kalymnos Junction." He told her truthfully. "You've been there every step of the way. You've given me advice, warnings... you even took over when I nearly died that one time on Medyn."
She listened. If there was anything he was going to ask her, or tell her... this was definitely not the one she would have thought.
"If anything happens to me, for whatever reason, I need to know that there's someone here that will look after everyone."
"Yuri... I don't know what to say."
Yuri looked at her with those eyes. Big puppy dog eyes.
"Please say yes."
Nia gulped.
"Huh? Loukas? Is that you, Loukas Barberis?"
Noticing Loukas Barberis behind Yuri, the zero-G dog hopped up to his feet, a broad smile on his weathered face.
"Hey, Comis, is that you?" The old miner asked.
"You remembered me! You saved my life in that mine in Dodecanese, and I'll never forget ya for it!" The man said, a smile of surprise shining back. "What are ya doin' here, you ol' devil?"
"Well, here's the story..." Barberis began, explaining the sequence of events that had led them to Spetses.
"So you're on a ship now, eh Loukas? But a zero-G dog at your age! Aren't ya havin' a rough time of it?"
"I... I've been hangin' in there." Barberis said with a small wince.
"Hey, why don't I give ya a few pointers? After all, I really owe you!" He offered.
"You'd do that?"
"Of course! Now, whaddya wanna know about?"
"Let's see. I guess I'm havin' the most trouble with..." Resting his chin in his hands, Barberis began to think. "Navigation."
"Okay, you got it!" His friend said, rubbing his hands together. "Now just sit back and listen up..."
Some time later.
"... and I guess that's about it."
"You're a fine teacher Comis. That was real clear and easy to understand."
As the two men bid each other goodbye, the man turned to Yuri.
"I owe Loukas my life. Take good care of him, won't ya?" He asked. "He's a tough guy, but he's not a kid anymore, you hear what I'm sayin'?"
Nodding, Yuri promised that he would do his best. Soon, the group had found a table, and Rhea began to speak.
"I've been reading about Cadmus the Second. All about how he lives in an ugly, garish fortress, and how he has a harem of enslaved women..."
"Where did you read that?" Yuri wondered aloud.
"Here, in this article, Dominion Report."
Rhea Loizou then brought up several images of Cadmus's gaudy fortress on the mobile terminal, showing them to the others. The images revealed Cadmus's living quarters, done up in tawdry neon colours so bright, the group found their eyes hurting.
"Whoa! What a sweet pad! I mean... erm..." Torlo began, before changing his mind halfway through at the looks he was receiving from the women.
"Ugh! That is the height of bad taste."
"Unbelievable! This man has no class whatsoever!" Tatiana said in disgust.
"What did I tell you? There's definitely something wrong with a guy who'd live in a place like that."
Yuri had to agree, and as he watched Tatiana scold Torlo...
He couldn't help but laugh.
"That Cico ain't such a bad guy, once ya get to talkin' to him." Torlo began amidst the lull in conversation.
"I really question the prudence of his always picking fights with much stronger opponents though." Ian jumped in.
"I'm with you on that. He's gonna get himself buried if he keeps that up. I wonder what he's in such a big hurry to build up his rep for." Torlo asked aloud.
"I don't know why, but I get the feeling he always has his mind on someplace very far away."
"Really? Like where?" Yuri asked his sister, watching as she twisted her fingers and hands nervously.
"I don't know. Just someplace far, far away, someplace we don't even know about."
Yuri sat in silence, his thoughts suddenly turning to Cico.
He knew almost nothing about him, and now, as he sat there, he began to think...
Was it really a good idea bringing him into this? Could he trust him?
"All right. Let's go over this one more time." Ian's voiced called out in a hushed tone. "We head to the Spetses blockade... and we put the plan in motion as soon as we arrive. Is everybody clear on this?"
"Got it." Yuri answered.
Torlo thought for a second, before adding. "And their fleet has a lot of carriers. We'd better be sure we're equipped with anti-air, or we're gonna be in trouble."
"Got it. You can count on me."
Nia knocked back another shot as she watched the teens bicker and batter things back and forth, as they discussed Ian's plan.
She found herself chuckling.
"What is it Nia?" Minas asked.
"Oh, I just think it's funny how fast kids can grow up, ya know?"
"Hm..."
They were just about the most mature teens he had ever met. But as he watched Nia's eyes gaze at the group, an unreadable expression on her face... he knew.
That wasn't all that was on her mind.
Calling together Yuri's Circle, he met them quickly in the war room.
"Okay people, I just want to make this quick, as I have another meeting to be at right now." He began.
"So what's up Yuri, what's the emergency." Torlo asked as he entered.
"No emergency. Just something I wanted you all to know before the others do." He told them, watching as they shared confused glances.
"What's wrong Yuri? What is it you wanted to tell us." Tatiana asked.
"Well..." He began, not sure how to start. "Ever since we fought the Kreios Pirates in the Kalymnos Junction, I've been wrestling with a decision that probably should have been made weeks ago."
They kept silent as he tried to find the words.
He was grateful for that.
"The decision I've come to, is in regards to that of my First Officer." The raised eyebrows told him all that he needed to know. It was a surprise... obviously. "I asked Nia to be my First Officer, and she said yes."
The silence in the room turned to cheers of congratulations as the small group crowded around the blushing woman.
She wasn't used to this attention. He could tell.
Locking eyes across the room, Yuri flashed her a small smile, to which she returned briefly, before thanking Kira.
He was grateful, and she didn't know how much it meant to him...
But he promised...
She would.
Making their way down the starlane towards the blockade, Yuri wasn't sure what he should be feeling, he'd done this plenty of times before.
Should I feel nervous? Should I be shaking with anticipation? He really didn't know. The only thing he did know, was that he was excited, very excited.
"Yuri, the fleet is straight ahead. I see fifty... no, seventy ships." Kira informed them.
"Whew. That's a lot!"
Nia shrugged from beside him, hands on her hips. "That's about how many I'd expect. They're defendin' all of Spetses ya know."
"Okay Yuri. Let me run down the plan again. Our aim is to lure out the Spetses fleet and draw it to the Kilkis Sector." Ian cut in. "In Order to entice as much of the fleet as possible, stick strictly to defence. Don't take down any of them, do you hear me?"
"Right. I've got it."
From his left, Kira's voice called out, her hands flying across the console. "Yuri! The enemy noticed us! A few ships are heading our way!"
"Okay, all hands to your stations!" The Captain called with narrowed eyes. "Our goal is to lure the enemy in. Do not take down any of the enemy ships. Stick to defence only!"
As the enemy ships got into weapons range, Yuri ordered his fleet to retreat from combat, holding fire... as planned.
As Yuri's fleet backed off, he was glad when the enemy ships followed, continuing to fire at them...
Yuri's fleet dodging the oncoming shots as they retreated.
Music pounding, lights blinking wildly, Cadmus danced stupidly up on the dancefloor stage, surrounded by many beautiful women.
He was barely paying attention to the soldier currently trying to brief him. "Hm? Somebody is taunting my fleet you say?"
"Yes my lord. It's just a few ships, but we believe they're the ones who defeated the border guards." He said quickly. "I ordered Task Force 4 out to counter them, but so far they haven't attacked my lord."
"Grus! Get Admiral Beleko in here!"
"Yes, my lord!" He bowed, turning and walking off.
Some time later, Admiral Beleko was walking into the room, approaching the Spetses Lord.
"Lord Cadmus, you called for me?"
"Why are you dragging your feet Admiral?" Cadmus asked. "Send out the entire fleet immediately and crush those intruders!"
"It's too risky my lord. The enemy is acting suspiciously."
"Hmph! The Lord of Spetses gave you a direct order!" Cadmus said in anger. "Send out the entire Spetses fleet now!"
"Yes, my Lord."
Back aboard the FLAKRUNNER, Yuri and the bridge crew watched as the Spetses fleet gave chase.
"All right Yuri, the rest of the fleet is on the move!" Ian said in excitement.
"I see them. Now we just lead them to the Kilkis Sector!"
And they did.
Like a predator chasing its prey, the Spetses fleet continued the hunt, hot on Yuri's heels... ship's thrusters burning brightly.
"Uh oh! Got a few right on our six!" Torlo called out not long later.
Nia clicked her tongue before she spoke. "Fast little buggers, aren't they?"
"We still can't bring any of them down." Yuri said with a serious face. "We don't want them putting their guard up before we reach the Kilkis Sector!"
As much as it annoyed him to not fight back, they retreated, and Yuri watched as the Spetses fleet continued to swell...
"More and more are coming after us! More than fifty now!" Kira called out, concern in her voice.
"Good. Keep heading for the Kilkis Sector!" Yuri ordered, gripping the console.
He just hoped that Cico was waiting for them.
The Sardis Asteroid belt didn't look any different than the others spread throughout the sector.
It was hard to find... making it easy to miss if you weren't looking.
A good place to hide out. He thought.
Not that Valantin the Pirate needed to hide from anything... or anyone.
"Captain! I'm picking up a massive inflation reading coming from within the rocks —"
"The CORSAIR?"
"It looks to be..."
He smiled. Finally!
"Take us in!" Cico ordered, leaning forward as the rocks passed them by harmlessly. As they made their way in, his eyes scanned every inch of the asteroid belt... looking for his target.
And but a few minutes later, he found it..
The big thrusters at the rear revealed themselves first, before the dragon's head bridge began peaking up over the top... the long hull hanging out in front.
He needed to get away, and he thought he had come up with a rather good idea. "Push the thrusters with everything they have, and put us on a course right by the CORSAIR."
"Yes Captain."
The shift of the thrusters power was sudden, but he didn't feel anything, and soon, he found his target drawing nearer.
"Transmit the CORSAIR's location to the gun crews, fire all batteries... target their starboard hull!"
The bridge picked up with activity, and Cico's RUDIANOS rolled by them as the Valantin's ship rocked.
"Captain, should we slow down to attack speed?" One of the men asked him.
"No. Stay the course. We need to get him to the Kilkis Sector. Yuri should alm —"
The RUDIANOS shook, and he reached out a hand to steady himself. Taking a look around he turned to the man again.
"Put everything we have into the engines!"
"I think that would be most wise —"
"Then shut up and do it!" He ordered, sending the man on his way.
And as the RUDIANOS left the CORSAIR to follow behind, their only saving grace, was that they didn't need to shoot down every asteroid in their path...
"We've reached the Kilkis Sector! The enemy is still in pursuit!" Kira announced.
"Where's Cico? Do you see him?!" He asked them.
"Not a trace of 'im! Grus, we're gonna get penned in!" Torlo replied from the front of the bridge.
"Damn! We've got to buy some time until Cico gets here!" Yuri said, thinking aloud.
Turning around, Tatiana looked at Yuri as if he'd grown a second head. "We can't take them on! There are too many!"
"Damn it."
In the distance, as the enemy fleet slowly made their way forward, he watched in surprise as a couple of ships exploded. He could barely make out the red streaks of laserfire.
"Huh?"
"Somebody's backing us up...?"
The communications alarm sounded, and Yuri found himself face to face with a very familiar face.
"Do you read me Yuri?"
"Ensign Pappas!" Yuri said dumbly.
"I'll back you up!" He said with a cocky grin.
Beside Yuri, Nia let a small smile slip. Despite how annoying he was, she was glad to see him.
"Great!" Torlo said quickly. "But, wait a minute... you're Sector Security Agency. How can you —"
"I just turned in my resignation." He explained, much to Yuri's shock.
"What?!"
"I'm a private citizen now! But never mind that." The cocky smile disappeared, replaced by a serious frown. "We've got some urgent business to attend to, right in front of us!"
"Right! All hands, prepare for an anti-ship battle!" Yuri replied. There would be time for questions later. "No need to lure them anymore! Just shoot down everything you can see!"
The dozen units in the lead charged forward, and Yuri found himself watching as the each of the four ships began returning fire. The MISUNDERSTOOD and the JUSTICE were busy dealing with a squadron of fighters, as he and Pappas continued their snipping tactics.
"Yuri, they're still in hot pursuit!" Tatiana said.
"They're comin' in droves man!" Torlo added, not looking back.
Tell me something I don't know. He thought.
"Any sign of Cico, Kira?"
Glancing down at her console, she found herself staring at a small inflation reading, followed by big one.
She smiled. "Here he comes!"
"Really?!" Yuri asked, almost not believing his ears.
Yuri and the others watched in stunned silence as Cico's RUDIANOS came barrelling towards them at an alarming speed, barely staying ahead of the much larger CORSAIR.
He wasn't sure what Cico had done, but it sure had worked.
"Cico!"
Cico laughed as the RUDIANOS rocked from the attacks, a bridge crew member falling over behind him. "Sorry about the wait bro!"
"Did you get Valantin to follow you?!" Ian asked.
He heard Nia mumble something, and he choked back a laugh.
"Yup! I feel just like a matador!" He smiled.
Soon, they watched as the RUDIANOS got closer to them, and then, spotting the much bigger threat... the Spetses fleet turned, firing attacks at Valantin.
"The CORSAIR and the Spetses fleet are now engaged in battle." Kira said, stunned at the display of power from Valantin.
"Good. Now's our chance to get out of here." He said. "Ensign Pappas, follow us!"
"Roger!"
And as they made their way back up the starlane, they all watched in silence as the Valantin and the CORSAIR tackled the Spetses fleet, charging headlong into the fray.
"Man, that CORSAIR is one incredible battle machine!" Torlo said with a stupid smile. "That Spetses fleet is sure shrinkin' fast!" He whistled.
"You guys are the ones who are incredible. What a brilliant plan!" Pappas added suddenly. "I came here to avenge Commander Ioannou on my own, but I sure met up with some fine allies!"
Turning to the silver-haired teen, Yuri replied. "And thanks to Ian, the Spetses forces should be stripped down to almost nothing by now. Let's take Cadmus down and rescue Katida Lanco together."
"Roger that!"
The overhead alarms sounded as laserfire dotted the CORSAIR's hull, and soon, they found themselves approached by no less then eighty ships.
Valantin turned to see the look of confusion that crossed his First Mate's face. "They're attacking? They must either be really stupid, or really stupid."
Valantin smiled. That kid sure had come up with a Grus of a plan, and he had found himself bang in the middle of it.
He had known though... a man of his reputation needed spies and information. While he had heard about their assault on the Dominion of Spetses, he hadn't known the lengths that they would go to...
He never would have guessed it would have turned out like this.
Ah well. He found himself thinking. Nothing for it now.
"Captain?" Aloiza asked, waiting for his orders.
She was getting antsy, that much he could see. Actually, she'd been like that for the last couple of months. The lack of any competition certainly played a part.
He couldn't blame her though, he felt the same. Though he had become accustomed to the long periods of waiting between battles.
"Transmit enemy locations to weapon targeting systems. Have all gunnery crews ready to fire!" He ordered.
He watched, a small smile playing on his lips as a grin split his First Mate's face. Whirling around, he heard the excitement in her voice... if the squeal of delight was any indication.
She began shouting orders, a wicked grin on her face... the crew never bothering to question her.
They'd learned the hard way.
"Disable energy limiters and bring the guns to bear on the Spetses fleet!" She almost shouted. "Crush them where they stand!"
And they did.
The CORSAIR charged headlong into the fray, red streams of laserfire darting this way and that. Despite being surrounded, the enemy stood no chance, the might of the most powerful ship in the universe was just too much.
And as he watched Aloiza yell and cry out in excitement at the destruction and death they were causing, he found himself thinking...
Well played kid... well played.
"Admiral Beleko! I'm getting a reading on the intruder!"
The voice of the Spetses soldier broke him from his thoughts, and he shook his head quickly. "Hmph. Good thing we at least left the elite guard behind."
He spoke more to himself, before realizing that he should probably ask some questions of his own.
He turned to face the soldier. "What about the pursuit detail? Are they heading back this way?"
"I'm afraid they're not responding sir."
"Hm. I guess they're done for." He mumbled. "All right, send a message to the guards! Tell them to defend the Capital at all costs!" He shouted, before turning to the Helmsman and the Navigators.
"Let's get underway."
Standing with his arms crossed on his chest, the fleet left the planet Alonnisos behind them...
They had passed the place where the original blockade had been set up, and yet... nothing.
Yuri sighed in relief, though he knew that their troubles weren't over yet.
"Yuri, there's a unit heading this way. Eleven ships!"
"Eleven huh?"
They might not be as dumb as the rest.
Nia leaned forward from beside him, studying the incoming fleet. "Looks like those guys didn't fall for our trick. They've been waitin' for us. This isn't gonna be easy."
Yuri was thinking the same thing. "I know."
Nodding at Kira, he waited for the communications channel to buzz to life, before speaking. "Cico, do you read me?"
"Yeah, I hear ya. I'll take the ones on the left." He answered firmly.
"You take the ones in the middle Yuri" Pappas added.
"Roger! All hands, prepare for anti-ship combat!"
Yuri's fleet pushed ahead to deal with the five enemy vessels in the middle, as Cico and Pappas broke off to deal with the rest.
Not wanting to give the enemy an opening, Yuri ordered for them to begin their attack. The enemy wasn't making it easy on them though, and their fighters swarmed the three.
The enemy Commander seemed to know what he was doing, and wasn't giving up an inch of ground. He was fighting for every scrap, and Yuri respected that.
"This guy's good." He found himself mumbling.
One of the cruisers out front exploded, raining sparks and debris down upon the rest. The others seemed to shrug this off, and just pushed on.
The second was taking a beating from Selenia and the MISUNDERSTOOD, who battered their hull with barrages until they too... were eliminated.
Then, the two destroyers out back moved forward to protect their commander... not that it was going to make any difference. Soon, they too were destroyed, leaving the carrier alone.
Back aboard the enemy ship, Admiral Beleko watched with growing annoyance as the other ships in his fleet slowly dwindled to zero.
"The enemy brought down all our escort vessels sir!" A soldier announced.
Beleko grimaced internally. "Hmph. I guess it's all over then. What about the rest of our fleet?"
"They're still holding out sir, but just barely."
"All right. Order the remaining troops to withdraw. Get the crew off this ship and set it to autopilot." He ordered his subordinate. "I'll buy some time for their retreat."
"But Admiral —"
"DO IT NOW!"
"Y-yes sir!" He stumbled, looking back as he evacuated with the rest.
"Hmph. I owe my life to Cadmus the First, and I end up repaying that debt to his idiot son. This hardly seems right, but..."
He pushed the carrier forward, activating what weapons he could from what little control he had. Not that it would be of any use however.
He was right though... and soon, he found his words coming true, with a blinding white light.
"All enemy ships have retreated from the area. They've scattered in all directions." Kira announced with a smile.
"So the battle is over huh?" He asked. "Let's go in for the survivors." Yuri ordered.
"Roger!"
"The entire Spetses fleet has just essentially been wiped out." Ian said, more than a little stunned.
Yuri smiled in response. "And it's all thanks to your strategy Ian. Thank you."
The boy in question found himself blushing with embarrassment from the praise, and the attention he was receiving. "Oh. Yeah, sure. I... I knew it would work."
Some time later, Yuri heard Torlo's heavy footfalls coming from the hallway. "We're back Yuri my man! We picked up every last survivor we could."
"Thanks Torlo."
"Found somebody on the bridge of the flagship too. Might be the Captain." He replied.
"The Captain of the flagship? Is he okay?" Yuri asked.
Torlo found himself shrugging. "I dunno. He's messed up pretty bad. I give it a fifty-fifty chance whether he'll pull through or not."
Yuri frowned. "This brave guy put his own ship out there as a shield and gave his men a chance to escape. I hope we can save him."
After everything they had gone through, and everything that they were doing... it was strange to find somebody that cared as much about his men as Yuri did.
Strange yet satisfying.
"Yeah. Me too. I'll give the medical team the low-down." Torlo answered, stumbling back the way he'd come.
And as the fleet of five made their way towards the Capital, Yuri found himself thinking of all the death and destruction Cadmus had caused...
And found himself growling.
You will pay!
Leaving the planet of Alonnisos behind them, they quickly closed the gap to the capital.
The ringed planet of Spetses loomed in the distance, a black shadow with the edges of the sun shining down upon the outside.
"Oh, look Yuri! There's a Dead Gate here too!" Minas exclaimed in excitement over the comm.
"Looks like Ms. Mistika's prediction is turning out to be true." Yuri added.
"And another thing she was right about..."
"What's that?"
"As you recall, Aminda mentioned getting a strong Higgs boson reading in this area recently." He started, trying to keep things simple. "Doesn't it stand to reason that it may be because Valantin is here? After all, as you said, he has the Epitaph he stole from you."
"Oh, that's right!" Yuri said suddenly. He hadn't forgotten, more like put that bit of info on the backburner for a while.
"Her theories are being proven, one by one. This is getting very interesting indeed!"
Yuri listened to the Professor, before turning to face the ringed Capital.
Cadmus has got to be taken down. And if he just so happens to have an Epitaph too, it'd be almost too good to be true. He thought.
He was broken from his musings by Cico, who's voice continued trying to wake him. "Hey! Hey Yuri! You there?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"I'll stand by here. If any stragglers come up from behind, I'll take care of 'em." He informed him.
"Great. Thanks Cico."
Hurrying through the halls and corridors of the fort, the soldier quickly found himself pushing through the people inside Cadmus's party room.
The music was loud, and the lights were blinding, and he found himself grunting with annoyance as he elbowed and shoved dancers out of the way.
Approaching the Feudal Lord, he waisted no time in explaining the situation.
It was urgent after all.
"Lord Cadmus! The intruders are headed this way!"
"Hmmmmm?! Where's Beleko?!" Cadmus asked in confusion, clearly not understanding just how dire things were. "What's the matter with him?!"
"We haven't been able to reach him my lord." He replied. "In all likelihood, he fell to the enemy."
Cadmus's eyes widened. "Son of a —! Grus! That fool!" He said in anger. "That's how he repays me, after daddy saved his sorry-assed life?!"
"Our force's have been depleted. We can't stand up to them. What do you want to do my lord?"
Placing a hand on his chin, he began to think. "Hmmmmm... what am I going to do? What am I going to do? I know! I'll run away!"
The Feudal Lord's sudden epiphany startled him, but it was nothing compared to the look he threw at the man in question... who jumped down and raced out of the room.
He couldn't believe it. This is the guy I'm following? Pathetic!
They met no resistance at the spaceport, and none at the base of the orbital elevators. He didn't even bother checking the tavern... it would stand to reason that it would be deserted.
Yuri came to a stop, debating whether or not it would be prudent to go after Cadmus, or free Katida Lanco, the prisoner. His thoughts ultimately led him towards Cadmus.
Besides, he was more than sure that she would be at the fort anyway. Despite the threat of going up against Fort Cadmus, they hadn't come across anything that they couldn't handle.
The fight at the entrance was the most intense battle they'd been in in a while. A sort of kick down, drag out fight for survival.
No side willing to back down.
Soon enough, Yuri's crew were walking unchallenged towards the throne room, and as soon as they arrived, they were attacked by guards. Despite their 3 to 1 advantage, Yuri's crew found themselves crowded together... though wasn't something that stopped them from winning.
After the fight, Yuri, as well as the crew, had begun to take notice of the large group of attractive women milling about...
Cadmus no where to be found.
"Man, look at this Yuri! Jackpot!" Torlo said, eyes alight with lust... mouth open. "A whole army of beautiful babes."
"They must have been brought here by the Kreios Pirates as part of the slave trade. Captivating..." Pappas wondered aloud. Before realizing his mistake, and coughing awkwardly. "I don't see Cadmus anywhere though."
"Yuri, I asked the women, and they say that Cadmus ran off into the desert to the east!" Tatiana approached.
"The desert? Why would he go there?"
"Well, there are Epitaph ruins in the desert..." Kira informed them.
"Epitaph ruins huh?"
"Oh Yuri! Let's go there at once!" Minas exclaimed suddenly.
"Right!" Yuri agreed, before stopping.
What the Grus was he doing here anyway. He shook his head once more, getting his mind back on track.
Katida first. Ruins second.
As they approached the prison complex, the group found themselves bathed in lights, and surrounded by guards.
"SEIZE THEM!" One shouted, before the fighting began.
Despite being outnumbered 3 to 1, the guards put up a decent fight, but one that ended with the arrival of Pappas and his crew.
Entering the building, they found themselves greeted by many people, pressing their faces up against the small windows in the cell doors to get a better look.
"Huh? Do they have a lot of crime here or what? I bet the property values are really low around here." Torlo said, breaking the silence.
"People are locked up here for their political beliefs or their ideas." Pappas spat in disgust. "Everybody who dares to go against Cadmus are considered to be a criminals."
"Sounds like a real coward and a despot to me, this Cadmus guy." Ian replied.
"Let's spread out and look around. Miss Lanco might be here somewhere." Pappas told them, issuing orders to his men also.
"All right."
The minutes passed as each of the cells were checked, and soon, Yuri found himself looking through the window of a nearby door.
"Hey!" He called out, drawing everyone's attention.
The blonde girl looked very out of place in the prison. "Is your name by any chance Katida Lanco?"
"That's right. Who are you?" She asked cautiously.
"My name is Yuri. I came to get you out of here." He replied.
A smile split her face.
"You did! I knew it! I knew somebody would come! I knew grandpa would have me rescued!" She said, almost pressed up against the door herself.
"I'm going to get this door open now. Stand back!" He ordered, pulling his sword free.
Barely a few seconds later, and Katida Lanco stepped forward.
"Don't worry. You're safe now. Right this way." He said, watching as Adorinda Nobelo stepped forward.
"Oh, Miss Lanco!"
Katida's head perked up at the familiar voice. "Miss Nobelo? You came to rescue me too?"
The young girl had barely finished the sentence before she was being wrapped up in a tight hug from the older woman. "Yes! Yes of course! Oh, thank goodness you're all right! I've been so worried!"
"Are you hurt?" He found himself asking.
"No, I'm perfectly fine." She answered, pulling herself free. "Your name was Yuri, right?"
"That's right."
She smiled. "Thank you. I'll have to make sure you get paid handsomely for this. You can take me to see my grandfather now."
"H-hey, wait a minute! We still have things we need to do." He said quickly.
"You can take care of them later. I want to go home now." She said, waving away his reply dismissively. "I positively have to take a bath and change out of this dreadful outfit."
"Look, uh..." Yuri stammered, unsure of how to put it.
Seeing the predicament that he was in, and knowing the feeling all too well... she decided to take pity on him.
"Miss Lanco, the Captain has something very important he needs to do first." She said, leaning down to her level.
"That's right. Why don't I take you to see your grandfather in my ship?" Pappas asked politely.
"No. I want Captain Yuri to take me! Come along now Yuri. I want to get back as quickly as possible." It was like she hadn't heard a word he'd said. "I'm ever so tired. In fact, could you maybe carry me?"
"Uh, look, I..." Yuri was shocked. He honestly wasn't sure how to respond. "Ensign Pappas, she's all yours!"
"Hey..." She called out after him.
"He ran away?" Ian asked in shock.
"This ain't the type o' gal a guy could take a lot of, if ya ask me." Torlo added from beside him.
Outside, Yuri found the fresh air good, as he took a deep breath. "Phew. That was scary."
"Hey, Yuri my man!"
"Torlo, what happened with Miss Lanco?"
Torlo smiled. "Ensign Pappas took her in his ship. He said not to worry, and to leave it to him."
Yuri sighed in relief. Thank you!
"He did? Oh good. Now we just have to find Cadmus."
Torlo nodded in agreement, and as he walked off, he felt a nudge from his right.
Turning, he found himself looking into Nia's unsurprisingly smiling face.
"Wow kiddo! So you have an older woman and a girl pining after you. Look at you Yuri... the ladies man."
Yuri groaned.
Kill me now!
Approaching the desert ruins, Minas's joy at seeing them wasn't as infectious as the last.
"Look! This looks like the ruins on Mytilene!"
"Yuri, there are fresh footprints here." Ian informed him, examining the ground.
"Cadmus has got to be here all right." Yuri nodded. "Lets spread out and find him."
It didn't take long, and soon, they found themselves facing down a very scared looking Feudal Lord of Spetses.
"Eek! Get back! Stay away from me!" He shrieked, waving his arms madly.
"We found him." Torlo added from his right.
"So you're Cadmus huh?" Yuri asked.
"Eek! What do you want?!" He asked. "What did I ever do to you?!"
What did he — the nerve.
"You murdered Ioannou, that's what you did! Don't tell me you forgot?" He asked angrily.
"Ioannou?" Cadmus asked stupidly. "H-he invaded an Autonomous Dominion! A Security Agency man! That's why I had to do it. He broke the laws of space! What choice did I have?"
"The laws of space?"
He was really starting to test Yuri's patience now.
"What the Grus would a spoiled man who never stepped one foot off his planet, who stayed holed up there doing whatever the Grus he pleased, what would he know about the laws of space?!" He asked, barely containing the anger that bubbled below the surface.
Drawing his sword, he gripped it tightly, activating the plasmic blue glow as he spoke. "And now, by the laws of space, I'm going to take you down! That's a plasmic blade on your belt, isn't it? Draw it now!"
Cadmus was scared beyond belief, about to wet himself. "Eek! No!"
Yuri was done playing around. "Come on! My friend's aren't going to touch you! You're going to answer to me!"
"But I don't want to fight you! I don't want to! No! No! No! I don't want to, and you can't make me!" He begged pathetically. "I'll give you anything you want! I'll give you the whole dominion! Just don't hurt me..."
Yuri was frozen. Not in shock, or pity, or anything of the sort. He was frozen in rage.
Nia sighed. "I've seen some pathetic men before, but this is ridiculous.
"Damn! Panfilov... Balik... Argun... they might have been some despicable men, but at least they weren't spineless." Yuri said, his rage white hot. "BUT YOU! Why did Commander Ioannou have to die at the hands of somebody like you?! This is all you deserve... this is all a man like you will ever deserve!"
As quick as he could blink, Yuri had dropped his sword, and smacked Cadmus across the jaw so hard his face rocked... and his nose started bleeding.
"Aaaaaagh!"
The man stumbled back, and Yuri followed, continuing to beat him senseless until he was a sobbing mess on the ground.
Something shook then, drawing his attention.
"Huh?"
"What's that?" Torlo asked.
"Something big is landing!"
The shakes continued to come, and rocks began to fall, striking both Yuri and Cadmus.
"Oh Grus!"
"Kira! Get back!" He called to his sister.
The sounds of falling rocks and debris did nothing to drown out Cadmus's screams. And after the dust had settled, and the coughing stopped, Yuri spoke.
"Unh... is everybody alright?"
"Yup. Kira's okay too." Torlo answered.
"Good. What about Cadmus?" Yuri asked, turning to the last place he had seen the Feudal Lord. His body was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a very big pile of rocks and rubble... underneath of which, lay a large pool of blood.
"He's underneath that rubble. At least he saved us the trouble of havin' to bury him." Nia added.
The silence then was broken by a voice, one that would be forever etched into his brain.
"Oh, did I crush that rich little brat Cadmus?" It asked. "Aw, ain't that a pity?"
"Huh?" Yuri grunted, searching for the owner.
"Yuri! Over there!"
Turning, he spotted the large form of Valantin, standing beneath a large patch of light that rained down from above. "You! Valantin!"
Yuri's plasmic blade was instantly in his hands. If he was going to fight Valantin for Cadmus's Epitaph, then so be it.
He wouldn't lose this time.
He couldn't.
"Hey kid! How's life been treatin' ya?" He asked, arms crossed, smiling down at him. "Startin' to grow into quite the rugged young lad, ain't ya?"
"Damn. I thought the Spetses fleet would keep him busy for a little while longer." Ian remarked.
Valantin barked a quick, short laugh. "I knew about your plan from the get-go, ya know. I was just nice enough to play along with your little kiddie games. So where's my thanks, eh?"
"Vexed because you fell for it huh?"
Yuri had to give Ian credit at least. It wasn't everyday that someone insulted Valantin.
"Yeah well, let's see which one of us is gonna be more vexed. You want the Epitaph, don't you?" He asked, turning to face Yuri directly... ignoring the others. "Well there it is, right behind me."
"Huh?" It didn't make sense. Valantin would never willingly give up the Epitaph.
"Oh! So that's an Epitaph, is it?" Minas asked, suddenly ignoring Valantin. "I never thought I'd actually get to see one with my own eyes!"
Yuri growled. "All right, fine! I'll fight you for it! Again!"
"Now, hold on there." Valantin said, holding up a hand. "Not so fast kid. I came here to give this to you."
"What?!"
"Here ya go!" He said, slowly picking up the Spetses Epitaph behind him, and tossing it to Yuri.
Catching it in one hand, Yuri slowly began noticing the odd blue glow that pulsed from the surface markings. "Huh? Why would you —?"
"Heh heh. And whether or not I let you live depends on what happens right now." Valantin said, more to himself.
He watched Yuri and the Epitaph intently, as if waiting for something to happen.
And a few seconds later, it did.
The Epitaph burst in a shower of blue and white light. Startling Yuri. "Aaaaagh!"
"Huh?! Yeah! C'mon now."
"Yuri nooooo!" He could barely hear Kira's voice.
"The Epitaph.." He called out to Valantin. "It's changing..."
"Bingo! This is the one!"
"What? Writing?"
"Ha! Har har har! And that would be the Epitaph's true form!" Valantin laughed. "All right now, chosen one. Tell me what it says! Read the Epitaph, read the inscription on the tombstone of all those who go to space to die!"
"Agh!"
Yuri cried out, as the light intensified, and he shut his eyes, as the beam of blue engulfed his body.
On board the RUDIANOS, Cico, who was currently bent over the back of a chair belonging to an Operator, continued listening to the report.
Soon though, he heard a startled cry from the front, drawing his attention. But once he'd turned, it wasn't the cry that had drawn his focus, it was the beam of blue light erupting over Spetses.
"What the Grus is that light?"
He watched it surge forward, aiming directly for the Dead Gate in the distance. And as it connected, he watched the charred, blackened frame disappear, replaced by a gleaming new one.
"What the Grus!"
Back in the desert ruins, the light had faded quickly, leaving them surrounded by darkness for a few seconds, before their eyes adjusted.
"Wh-What just happened?" Ian asked.
Valantin smiled, chuckling as he watched Yuri thoughtfully. "You did good kid. The path is open now."
"The path?" He asked in confusion, once he had gotten his breath back.
"You oughta go check, and see what happened to the Dead Gate floatin' nearby."
And as he finished, he laughed, wandering off into the desert sands... ignoring Yuri's shouts.
"HEY! WAIT!"
"Yuri! Forget about the pirate! Let's go examine the Dead Gate!" Minas responded quickly.
"But -" Yuri started, turning to the last place he had seen Valantin.
He still has my Epitaph!
"Yuri, I agree with the Professor." Nia added, hand resting gently on his shoulder. "We oughta go find out what just happened, and see what Valantin was talking about."
Yuri grunted in annoyance. It seemed something was always getting in the way of the retrieval of his father's Epitaph.
He sighed. "Okay, you're right. Let's go."
And as he followed his friends, he turned to look back at the place where Valantin had stood.
One day he would find Valantin.
One day he would beat him.
And one day, he would get back his father's Epitaph.
One day!"
"So... did it go well?"
Valantin answered Aloiza's question with a smile... who returned with one of her own.
"So did you find him? Is he the one?" She asked.
Valantin laughed. After so many years of searching, he had finally found him.
The one he'd been looking for.
"Oh he's the one alright. Beyond a shadow of a doubt." He grinned. "All right my men, let's get under way!"
The second they had stepped off the orbital elevators, and onto the spaceport, Yuri found himself accosted by Cico.
"Hey Yuri!" He called out, weaving his way through Yuri's crew. "What happened out there?! I saw the CORSAIR, and then this weird-looking light..."
"I don't know exactly. That's what we're going to the Dead Gate to find out!" He explained.
"Huh? What's going on Yuri?" Pappas asked.
He had thought the man had left.
"I'll explain later. Ensign Pappas, take care of Katida Lanco for me, will you?" Yuri asked.
""Okay, sure thing."
Staring after Yuri as he made his way down the corridor, Cico glanced back to Pappas, who shrugged.
"HEY, HOLD UP THERE A MINUTE YURI! I'M COMIN' WITH YA!" He shouted, running after him.
Approaching the Dead Gate, Yuri and company found themselves staring at a very strange sight.
"Yuri! Look at the Dead Gate!"
He frowned. "Is it... reactivated?"
The closer they got, the bigger the Dead Gate became, until the four ships were dwarfed by it.
"Yuri look! I can see Valantin, out in front." Ogar added.
"What, were you waiting for us Valantin?" He asked the pirate.
Valantin laughed at Yuri's question. "Do you read me kid?! A newly-opened gate! Where it leads, nobody knows! Think ya got the guts to come after me?!
Without any hesitation, Yuri and co watched as the CORSAIR quickly backed up right through the gate, disappearing from view.
"Hey! He went through the gate!" Torlo exclaimed.
"Damn!"
Standing beside him on the dais, Nia spoke. "What are ya gonna do Yuri? Just like he said, nobody knows where that gate goes. It could lead to a black hole, and then we'd all be done for."
She was right however. What do I do?!"
He thought it over in his head for a second. Valantin wasn't stupid, that much was clear. He wouldn't do anything unless he was 100% sure about it.
And with his mind made up, Yuri turned to his crew. "Valantin went through the gate. He's a pretty clever guy. If he thinks it's safe to go through, then it probably is."
Listening to the explanation, Nia shrugged. "Sounds like a good argument to me. Ready to take the plunge?"
"Let's do it!" He ordered. "Adjust the bearing angle for the gate! We're going in!"
The four ships lurched forward, FLAKRUNNER in the lead, followed by the RUDIANOS, and the MISUNDERSTOOD... the JUSTICE bringing up the rear.
The moment they had passed through, Yuri and company found themselves staring at a very peculiar sight.
The white on black of space was replaced by a swirling, twisting red haze, dotted through with black spots...all manner of colours of the rainbow shining here and there.
Then, they heard a scream, and Ian shivered. "What in the universe is this place?"
"It sure is creepy. It doesn't look like a black hole though." Torlo added.
"What do you think Yuri?" Kira asked.
Yuri woke himself from his stupor, and found himself replying. "I don't know, but don't worry. The ship seems fine. We're gonna be okay."
The communications channel soon activated, and Yuri found himself staring at Cico. "Hey Yuri! You read me?"
"Yeah, loud and clear Cico. Do you have any idea where we are?"
"Nope, not a clue. My chart and navigation functions aren't working either."
"Ours too." Selenia added.
"Chart functions?" Yuri asked in confusion. "Is that true Kira?"
He waited for a moment, before Kira's console beeped. "Oh, he's right. I'm not getting any positional coordinates at all. Huh?"
"YURI!" Ian shouted suddenly.
As one, they all turned, watching as a black haze erupted around the gate, before disappearing, taking the Void Gate with it.
"The gate! It's gone!"
"What's going on?" Yuri asked, looking around.
At that moment, Tatiana grunted, prompting Torlo to speak. "Tats! What's wrong?!"
"I... I don't know. My head feels funny all of a sudden."
"Yes, now that you mention it, I've been feeling odd too."
Looking around at the faces on the bridge, he turned to Gavriil Minas, who had decided to join them instead of returning to the lab. "What's going on here?"
"Hm... yes. Fluctuation Sectors like these have been known to exist. They have only been observed from the outside though, of course."
"Fluctuation Sectors? What are those?"
The old Professor frowned, trying to determine how to go about explaining. "Sectors in which all phenomena continuously diffuses and converges in irregular patterns, forever oscillating. Scholars call such sectors Phenomena Fluctuation Sectors, or the Flux."
"The Flux?!" Nia asked strangely.
"Have you heard of these sectors Nia?" Kira asked.
"I've only heard rumours from other spacefarers, but they made 'em seem like pretty dangerous places."
"Dangerous in what way?" Yuri added.
"Just like Professor Minas said, everything in a sector like this, even life forms like us, it all fluctuates." She replied. "That means that if we stay here, our very existence will go all topsy-turvy, and before we know it..."
She didn't need to finish, it was more than clear what would happen.
"Approaching nothingness, it will scatter and become lost within this sector. In other words, we're going to be null and void."
The screaming cropped up again, and Yuri shivered.
Thanks for clearing things up! He thought.
"S-so you mean we're gonna die?!" Torlo asked.
Shaking his head, Minas responded. "No, it has nothing to do with death. It will be as if we never existed in the universe at all."
"B-but..."
If things were bad before, they were even worse now.
"Never existed?! I mean, I'm not afraid to die, but for it to be as if I had never existed at all... that's... that's simply..."
"Ian's right! It's just too awful for words! Professor, Nia, isn't there anything we can do?!" Tatiana asked.
The silence from the two in question wasn't reassuring, and Yuri found himself wondering. What should I do?
Hoping to steer the conversation back on track, and hopefully get everyone out of this mess, Yuri spoke firmly. "Okay, I say we look for Valantin. I bet he knows a way out of this sector."
Seeing what he was trying to do, Nia, as his First Officer, turned to Kira. "I bet you're right. Kira, can you track the CORSAIR's path?"
Turning around, Kira made her way back to her console, sitting down as everyone crowded around behind her.
"I can detect the inflations it left behind, so yes, I think I can." She turned.
"Alright! Everyone back to work, we've gotta get ourselves out of here!" Yuri ordered. "Kira! Give us a heading."
And she did.
They continued straight ahead for a time, before Torlo started growing restless. "Damn! Where's that CORSAIR?"
"It's trail continues on from here." She said, indicating a direction off to the right.
Following her instructions, Yuri found himself asking her again. "Kira, any sign of the CORSAIR yet?"
"Its trail is getting clearer. I think it must be nearby."
"Yuri, my head is starting to feel really fuzzy." Tatiana said suddenly, followed by Ian.
"Y-yes, me too."
"Are we really gonna disappear?"
"Damn it..."
And sure enough, as the minutes passed by, Yuri spotted Valantin's ship in the distance.
"There he is! Kira, open up a line!"
"Roger."
Valantin's laugh echoed throughout the bridge. "Feelin' a little panicky there kid? Looks like you're catchin' on to what kind of place the Flux really is!"
"But if you stay here, you're going to disappear too!" Yuri stated. Now he was even more confused. "What are you going to do?!"
"Wouldn't do ya any good if I told ya. It's not like you could copy me!" He laughed.
Yuri growled.
"Well kid, I gotta run, but lemme leave ya with a little piece of advice. Whether ya get outta here or not, depends on what's in your heart."
"My heart? What do you mean by that?!"
The pirate smiled. "You figure it out. So are you just gonna disappear, not even turn into dark matter? Or are ya gonna —"
He cut the link then, and Kira called out, as something began to happen. "Yuri look! The CORSAIR!"
"What's it doing?!"
They watched as a ring of blue erupted from behind the CORSAIR, which then backed into it, disappearing in an instant.
Yuri paled. "No way! It warped all on its own, without even using a Void Gate?! Did you see that Nia? Nia..."
Not receiving a response, he turned, watching his friends, all who had frozen around the room.
"Yuri, what's happening to everybody?!" Kira asked.
"Nia!" He called her name. "Torlo! Ian! Tatiana..."
Kira closed her eyes. "This is really freaky!"
One moment he was watching them, like statues. The next, they were all vanishing before his eyes. Yuri paled again, his heart lurching in his throat as he turned to Kira... who was now gone too.
"Kira?! Kira?!"
He couldn't find her.
He couldn't find anyone.
"Nooooo! We're disappearing?!" He said to no one. "This can't be happening! Nobody will even know that we ever existed?"
His fist clenched. "No... no... NOOOOOOOO!"
Soon, his vision was filled with white, and he found himself closing his eyes against the blinding light.
Is this really how our story ends?