Meanwhile back at the moonbase, Proteus was full of shock and wonder as a servant of the base talked to him about a visiting ship that just came in.
Proteus: the Reginae onerariis?!
Servant: Yes. M'lord. And if I may recall it's the one where Queen Lux-aurea is using to explore some other parts of space with?
Proteus: To test the ability of Gold-Dust in space? yes. I know of it very well, for Queen Lux-aurea Allcroft is my mother. And Goodness what a reunion would I have.
As Proteus thought about how his reunion with his mother would go, the crew of the Brighton Star received a message from the head of the Plantarty, Defense Force, saying that they require assistance for their assault against the Winsdor empire. Knowing that they have no choice, Thomas and Timothy said their farewells to their parents, before boarding the Brighton Star and departing for the base. Once there, the head of the Planetary Defense Force got all the captains and commanders together and began to debrief them. As the debriefing went on, the captain became a little suspicious.
Gordon: (in mind) What kind of attack plan is this? With what they got here, they're asking for something that's impossible to win.
As Captain Greasly thought more about the plan he began to wonder about something.
Gordon: (in mind) If they are not aiming to win, then... they're probably going to make it real this time.
As the captain then continued to listen to the plan, another plan was being formed within his mind. When the debriefing was over, the captain and commander returned to the Brighton Star to debrief their crew about their role to play.
Gordon: As you see, along with the F.F.D.'s space unit, we were tasked to attack the Prince's Orbital-Castle. This operation is on 2 fronts and that part is our responsibility. This is the mission we were assigned by the P.D.F.
As everyone gasped and murmured, James spoke up.
James: an attack on two fronts?! Are they expecting us to victorous?!
Gordon: Possibly, but no way in heck do I intend to endanger this ship and it's crew. So until we are through, keep your heads down and don't throw your lives away. I want you all to give it your 100% during this mission. Everyone is now dismissed.
And so as everyone then began heading off to their assigned places, Thomas stayed behind as he then looked towards the captain.
Thomas: Captain Greasly.
Gordon: Ah. I figured that you would want a word about this Thomas. Is that new remote mech piloting feature complete yet?
Thomas: Yes, and it should work well during the fight. Now why do you ask about it?
Gordon: Because we're going to need it. I'll discuss it with you now.
And so as Captain Greasly spoke to Thomas about his suspicions, Queen Allcroft was sitting down in Proteus's office when the Prince then stepped in. As Proteus saw his mother, he bowed to her as he then spoke to her.
Proteus: Forgive me for the wait mother. I was busy tending to some matters.
Queen Allcroft: Oh don't be. I understand your reasoning my son.
As Proteus took in his mother's words, he smiled for he had not seen her for a long time. As Proteus then offered her to sit down and have a chat over tea, Queen Allcroft nodded and began to catch up with her son. Then when they finished, Queen Allcroft had another question.
Queen Allcroft: Proteus, how is Lady's wellbeing? The last I've heard about her was that she wasn't doing well.
Proteus: Don't worry mother, Lady is actually doing pretty great, and I would imagine that he would be ecstatic to see you again.
Queen Allcroft: I'm certain she will. However, Daniel being her husband? I believe that's a major mistake. For the last time I saw and checked, your sister's betrothed was...
Then before Queen Allcroft could finish her statement, the alarm began to sound as multiple enemy mech signals began to appear on the holographic monitor. As then Proteus had his mother escorted back to her ship, the mechs of the S.H.R. and it's allied forces launched into action. As the mechs began their launches an assault, Thomas was aboard mech 006 with Percy at the controls, as mech 001 flew with the others with no-one inside. As the best friends stood hidden, Percy spotted a group of their own but in black spacesuits. As he saw this Percy recalled a discussion he had with Thomas and the captain right before his mech was launched.
Percy: Whoa, looks like you and the captain were right. This assault was indeed just a distraction. But what could they want from infiltrating the moon base?
Thomas: What else? They don't know that Lady's broadcasts were fakes and so they think that she's the enemy. so there for...
Percy: (realizes why Thomas is trying to say) Wait?! You're not saying they're planning on...
Thomas: yes Percy. They're planning to stain the floor with Lady's blood and asassanating her. (clenches his fists) Which is why, I'm letting my usual mech be destroyed by the enemy, and willing to go in alone to help her escape.
As Percy took in the words and determination of his best friend, he couldn't help but smile for he could tell that Thomas was not going to just stop at once to save someone who was dear to him. Once Percy brought his mech to a safe distance from the moon base's tunnel, Thomas left the hands of mech 006, and headed towards the inside of the imperial moonbase. Meanwhile, Proteus was having troops deal with the invaders as well as escorting Lady, King Allcroft, Annie, Clarabel and Burnett to safety as bullets fired. As all of this was happening Thomas was looking through the halls for Lady. As he then began to open up a 3d on his implant through the security feeds, Thomas began to feel pain in his left eye.
Thomas: Argh! I'm using you too much? (ocular implant beeps worriedly) Don't worry, I'm ok. (grunts as he gets up) Now, let us try this again. If I can find their path of advance, I'll find Lady.
Meanwhile, Lady's escorts were bringing Lady, Burnett, King Allcorft and the handmaidens to their destination when the assassins found them. As the escorts then closed the doors between them and Lady, King Allcroft drew his photon saber and spoke to Burnett and his daughter.
King Allcroft: I'm not just going to simply sit about while my dear daughter is being targeted. Come you 4. It's best that we find another way out.
As Lady then nodded, she Burnett, Annie and Clarabel then quickly followed behind. Meanwhile, in the landing port, Thomas had gotten lost and was about to do another search with his implant when a bullet was shot at him, tearing a hole in his suit and scratching his arm. As Thomas then got behind the cover of metal shipping containers, he heard a familiar voice.
???: What a surprise? I never expected to see YOU here Thomas Billinton!
Thomas: (sighs) Proteus Allcroft! I should have known.
And so with that line said, Thomas and Proteus began to fire shots at one another as both of them flew off the sides of the crates in the low gravity. As Thomas then began to find a way to end things quickly, saw some steam pipes through the thermal imaging mode on his implant. As Thomas then took a deep breath, he decided to ask Proteus a certain question.
Thomas: Where is Princess Lady Allcroft?! Don't you dare involve her in this.
Proteus: (as he reloaded his gun) Can't you see? She has always been a necessary part of the bigger goal. Nothing more.
Thomas: And so is that the talk of proper big brother? One who's just going to exploit his own sister?!
As Proteus then heard Thomas's words, he growled and gripped his handgun crossly before spotting Thomas and starting the battle again. Then as the next exchange of shots chipped at each other's clothing, Thomas fired at the steam pipes and clouded Proteus's vision as he then ran into the halls. Meanwhile, Lady, Burnett, King Allcroft, and the handmaidens were on the run, when Burnett closed yet another door that only led to the assassins. As they were about to find yet another way out, they began to hear footsteps from behind, as Burnett, the handmaidens and King Allcroft readied to defend the princess. As the figure got closer and closer, Lady began to fear for the worse until she heard a familiar voice.
???: (as he stepped out of the steam) Lady.
Lady: (gasps and smiles) Thomas!
Thomas: Lady, I'm so glad that you're alright... (collapses to the floor)
Lady: (gasps) Thomas!
As Lady then ran over to her betrothed, she felt worried for Thomas had mysteriously collapsed to the floor. As she began to wonder, Thomas's left eye opened and looked at Lady before the ocular implant spoke with Thomas's voice.
Thomas: (ocular implant) Analysis complete. Identity confirmed, Princess Lady Allcroft, has been found.
Lady: Huh? what's going on?
Thomas: (ocular implant) Explanation, Prince Thomas Howard Billinton, is presently not conscious due to the overuse of ocular implant that was given to him inplace of his left eye. As of this moment, all speech and thought patterns are being utilized by the ocular implant to ensure the completion of Thomas's goal and main priority: ensuring Lady's safety, for she is very precious to him.
As Lady then took in the words that she heard, she smiled and gentle rubbed Thomas's face with her thumb. Though she knew that it was his implant talking, Lady felt touched that Thomas still found her very precious to him and was glad to hear his voice again. As Lady looked at Thomas, the implant spoke again.
Thomas: (ocular implant) Within the priority of ensuring Lady's safety, the step to find air lock D78 and contacting Percy Avonside is still yet to be completed.
Burnett: D78? I know where that one is. Come on your highness. We gotta get moving.
Lady: But, we can't just leave Thomas here!
Thomas: (ocular implant) Have no worries. Help will arrive in the next 437 seconds.
As Lady then took in the information that the implant gave, she knew that she must hurry for the help that Thomas was referring to may not be on her side. As Lady then kissed Thomas on the cheek she handed him her charm bracelet before turning heel and headed toward the airlock that the implant mentioned. Once there Burnett was about to send the transmission when one of the assassins found her and was about to shoot when another shot fired from behind hit the ceiling and a leg roundhouse kicked the assassin unconscious. As Lady then saw the man who stopped the assassin from killing, she recognized him.
Lady: Mr Conductor.
Mr C: Hello, your Highness. It's been quite a while hasn't it?
To be continued...