On the upper levels of the Palace with her eyebrows raised, "I think we're screwed," said Jinx showing her fear at the sight of the massed army.
"Jinx," said Beast, "I think you said the understatement of a lifetime."
"Empress, what should we do?" asked a guard.
Slowly shaking her head, "I don't," she said, "I don't know."
Taking his gun belt back, "Where's the safest place the most people can fit?" asked Jake.
"That would be the lower levels of the palace," said Starfire, "It was made to protect the most people."
Turning to the guards, "Then we need to get everyone out there in here," said Nightwing, neither moved, "People are dieing. Why haven't you gone yet?"
Pointing their weapons at Nightwing, "We only follow the orders of Empress Koriand'r."
Starfire said in Tamaran, "He is right, get our people into the palace. Now!" causing the guards raising their weapons again then rushing to carry out the orders given.
Loading up his rifle, "I don't got the-" said Jake then getting caught off by an explosion then followed by half dozen black clad individuals, bearing weapons, then joined by a second and third group.
Raising his weapon at Starfire, "Freeze Troq," said the leader, "you've already lost."
Aiming their weapons, couple commandos fired stunning Nightwing and Jake. The others didn't move fast enough. Orders to freeze and drop to the ground with hands on their heads proved these guys were pros, and the Titans stood no chance with both Nightwing and Jake unconscious. Yeah, they were in trouble.
Half an hour later the commandos group led the captured Titans to the lower Palace levels, .
Throwing Starfire onto the ground, "And stay down," growled one of the commandos, "stupid Troqs."
"Star, are you ok?" asked a worried and still feeling the effects of the weapon's stun setting Nightwing.
"I will be fine," she assured him.
Everyone who was brought into the group was bound in full-encased shackles so that they couldn't use their hands and most with power restraining collars.
A pair of soldiers came up from the dungeons, "We found one more. She was a bit feisty, but we showed her who's boss," throwing a rather beaten and somewhat bloody Blackfire in front of the Titans.
Shocked at the sight of Blackfire, "Sister?" asked a concerned Starfire, .
"Don't worry about me, sister," moaned Blackfire, "I can take a beating, always could."
Starfire gave a small laugh while fighting back her tears. She hated seeing her sister like this.
Approaching the group on four metal crab like legs was a projector of some kind. It rested in front of the group. A holographic image of Val-Yor flickered before them.
This being the first time Jake ever seen the guy and he wasn't impressed by the gray metallic skin on his face with matched his neck, gloves, and boots wearing a dark blue jumpsuit with a four point red star on his chest.
Grinning, "Oh, how the mighty have fallen," said Val-Yor with a tone of pride, "We didn't even get so much as a struggle. I thought you came to warn the planet, Titans, not get them to surrender it for us."
"How about you come down here yourself," growled Jake, "and try your luck with me, bub."
Looking him over, his grin never faulting, "Ah, so this is Jake Spiegel," replied Val-Yor, "I must say, your fighter has impressed me greatly. Reconsider your place with the Troq, you could do so much better."
Jake just grinned, "If you were here in person, I would be tempted to spit in your face. But then again, I don't think I would want to waste the spit." Like Jake being born.
Val-Yor just shook his head, and motion to a soldier. The soldier came up and kicked Jake in the stomach, hard. Quick record this.
"Jake!" shouted Raven, trying to get to him, only to be shoved back to the ground by the one guarding her.
"No matter, finding and looking over your ship and recreating the technology won't be that hard," said Val-Yor. "Now, down to business. The leader of this world will sign a treaty declaring themselves unfit for life, and surrendering themselves to me and my forces for whatever we see fit."
"You mean murdering them," growled Nightwing, knowing full well that he wouldn't let these people live.
Just smiling, "Don't worry, Nightwing," remarked Val-Yor, "you and your team will be included."
Looking the holo over, "And if it isn't signed?" asked Cyborg.
"The ruler watches their people die until the treaty is signed," he said with a smile.
"I will sign nothing," said Starfire.
"Ah, so it is the Troq in your group that is ruler of this world, but being that you are the true heir, I had already known that, I just needed that large oaf out of the way so that you would return to the crown," stated Val-Yor. "Being that I cannot kill your people just yet, I think a sound beating will change your mind."
Three guards with clubs in hand with nasty looking rings towards Starfire, who watched with wide eyes. She screamed in pain as the rings made contact with her skin, sending a huge amount of electricity through her body, along with the pain from being struck with the club.
"STARFIRE!" scream Nightwing trying to get to her.
"Where are you going?" said a soldier, grabbing Nightwing then pinning him to the ground.
The other Titans tried to moved towards their friend, only to be pushed back at gunpoint by the soldiers.
In horror, Blackfire watched as her sister received blow after blow.
Listening to her sister's screams of pain, "This is my fault," she thought, "I screwed up everything. What have I done?" moving her eyes away trying not to cry.
"Your sister is not a hero here. If you become one when it's needed, you'll find your place," came through her mind along with, "Instead of running away, face your problems head on. I'm sure you will get back on the right track."
Staring at her sister still screaming from the pain, she witnessed her sister managing to open her eyes a bit. Looking at Blackfire pleading quietly for help caused Blackfire's anger to grow.
"No one," she said pulling at her restraints, "Hurts my," the metal groaning in protest, "LITTLE SISTER!" ripping off the shackles.
Rushing forward, smashing her fist into the first guard's face which almost popped like a balloon. In her rage, her attention turned to the other two guards that finally realized what was going on.
Ripping off the collar, she powered up her starbolts, and in a voice that rivaled Jake's pissed off mode, "ever."
Her starbolts slammed into the two remaining soldiers exposing circuitry and metal. They fell to the ground, lifeless.
Knowing that the soldiers were nothing more then war machines, Blackfire swept across of the side of the room, using her eye beams to literally cut the robots in half. Pausing, Blackfire thought of what to do next. More war machines would be coming soon.
"You've brought your people death, little girl, starting with your-," came Val-Yor's voice. Till a black boot smashed into the side of the machine.
"Fuck you, asshole," said Jake to the smashed machine then focused on Blackfire, "Think you can get these off now."
Smiling, Blackfire proceeded ripping his shackles apart.
"Check your sister," ordered Jake, "I'll free the others," stepping away with the unsheathing of his claws.
Blackfire paid him no mind, even when he order her to do something obvious. Her only worry was Starfire. Kneeling down next to her sister, she torn Star's shackles and collar off.
Holding her sister her close, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Slowly opening her eyes, "Why are you sorry," replied Starfire, "you have done nothing?"
Shaking her head, "No, this is all my fault. I'm the reason our people are suffering and dying because I had to try and best you."
Shocked, "Why?"
Staring into her sister's eyes, "Everyone looked up to you. Everyone cared for you, gave you everything. I thought if I could be better then you, people could see me as a true heir, and not a freak."
Again, shocked. Their people, her own people, saw her sister as a freak. It never occurred to Starfire, ever.
"Oh X'Hal, sister, I, I never knew."
"You weren't meant to, why do you think we were separated for so long."
Looking away, "But you were so much stronger," said Starfire, "The better fighter, so much braver. I looked up to you."
Blinking at this information, "Wha..."
Openly crying, "I wanted your strength. I could never stand up against another, even myself for the longest time. I wanted my sister to be proud of me."
Completely shocked. Bringing her sister closer to her, "I have always been proud of you," whispered Blackfire.
For the longest time, they sat there.
A hand touched Starfire's shoulder causing her to look into the masked eyes of her love.
"Star, we need to go," said Nightwing, "Can you walk?"
Taking a moment, Starfire looked at him with fire in her eyes. With support from Blackfire, Starfire stood on her legs.
"I plan to do more then walk, boy that is friend Nightwing. I plan to fight for my people, with my sister," noticing Blackfire beaming her statement, "if, she wants."
Giving her a smile, Blackfire placed a hand on Starfire's shoulder.
"Sister, a super nova couldn't separate us."
"I hate to break this up," came from Jake, "but we need a plan." Yeah, Jake never could make a plan work, "What do we need to do?"
"We must free our people, first," said Starfire.
"And push back this army, at least out of the palace. This is the best place to put up any sort of a defense, and the orbital fleet won't bomb the planet because of that treaty."
Crossing his arms, "And what's up with the treaty?" asked Cyborg.
"A group of races created a form of government several hundred years ago," said Blackfire, "Long story short, they created a law stating all planets concurred must sign a treaty declaring their defeat. The idea is that way, races will survive rather then be wiped out."
Thinking for a moment, "Whether they attack the palace or not," said Nightwing, "we don't have the strength to hold back that army long."
"It is likely that the army is being controlled by the ships in orbit," stated Starfire. "If we can find and destroy the ships controlling them, then the majority of the army will stop. How many control ships there are, I do not know."
"If we send too many," said Blackfire, "we won't have as good of a defense."
"And if you don't send enough," said Nightwing, "they won't have a chance."
"I'll go," bringing everyone's attention onto Jake, "I can't take on an army that size, and my guess with the ships we saw, this may only be a third if lucky. I don't have the firepower or stamina on the ground to stop a force like that. But I would have a better chance with my fighter."
"You can't go by yourself. You saw the fleet. Five thousand ships and if they have fighters, you're dealing with them to."
Placing his hands on her shoulders, "I have to, that's where I can do the most damage. I still have plenty of ammo to take them down a few pegs, and it gives everyone down here more muscle for whatever defense that's needed."
A bang from the closed door that as a sitting elephant Beast Boy kept closed ended anymore discussion.
"Are you sure, Jake?" asked Nightwing.
Jake nodded.
"Go, leave this place to us," he said, pulling out his staff.
Nodding, Jake looked at Raven.
Producing a weak smile, "Don't worry, be back before you even know I'm gone. You still have your radio in your belt right?"
Patting the holder that held the radio, she held back her tears.
"Be careful."
Smiling a bit more, "Hey, its me." In other words, his ass gets saved by someone else.
With that, Jake jumped out the closest window, using his claw's to repel down the side of the palace.
A moment or two later, Beast move out of the way, right when the door broke. In rushed a dozen soldiers, only to be hit with waves of different types of energy. Those who survive meet their fate on the receiving side of a fist or staff.
The battle for the palace had begun. Cue Mr. Blue Sky.
"Sun is shinin' in the sky
There ain't a cloud in sight
It's stopped rainin' everybody's in a play
And don't you know
It's a beautiful new day, hey hey"
"What's your name?" asked the green glowing man.
"Daria."
"Daria. Daria. Daria."
"Daria!" waking her up from her daydream.
"YOU DIED," flashed in red on her screen.
She failed her v-tech test again. Dropping her heard down, she unbuckled her harness. Climbing out of the trainer, she saw Captain William Rogers, her instructor, with his arms cross.
Walking towards him, her ears caught, "If you don't get your head out of your ass, you're going to get drummed out."
"Yes, sir," heading to the locker room.
Looking at the screen of his notebook, "Miss Altair, she got one chance. If she fails, she stays on patrols."
"Understand, sir."
Warm flowed down her bare back as she rested her forehead against the wall. Again, she passed out during Mach 5. Her last chance was coming up.
Rubbing her shoulders, "Want to talk?" entered her ear.
"Stop, Altair. Softening me up won't pass my test."
"You proved you can fly anything"
"Except a v-tech," slipping from Altair's rubs.
Listening to the dryer blowing Daria dry, "It might help."
Repealing downwards, "Maybe staying a hunter isn't such a bad idea," he thought, "this makes what, the third army I've got up against in just this reality. And I've only been here for what, one maybe two years. Sometimes, I hate my life." Too late for regrets and be careful what you wish.
Jake moved as silently as he could towards the landing area he and the Titans used.
Stopping to look at the view in front of him, the T-ship was in plain sight being looked over by a good half dozen of the war bots, or whatever name they had. No sign of Red Wolf. He smiled. Another custom feature was the cloaking device, he used when parking in areas he don't what to be seen in. Namely married women's bedroom. It can't be used in motion. Right now, it was working just fine.
Tapping a button on my watch, "Red Wolf, time to pounce," he said.
The ship's computer recognized his voice pattern causing it to rear up on its own. Disabling the cloak caused the bots to turn in surprise in time to witness the head of the battloid drop down and four barrels focusing on them.
As the four laser mounted ripped through two of the war bots, he used his pistol taking out a third. The head swept across cutting the two standing together as he took out the last one emptying his handgun in the process.
Now clear of enemy movement, he rushed towards his fighter tossing the empty gun onto the ground. Warming up the engines so getting off the landing would be quicker. Good thing Raven took her helmet with her cause it would be flying around the cockpit right now.
Keeping his eyes on the computer screen as he strapped himself in, the engine finally came online in time for him to see a full squad raise their energy rifles at him. Grabbing the controls, the gun pod arm of the Veritech opened up wiping out the aggressors. Sighing with a bit of relief, engines engaged launching upwards. Changing back into fighter mode, he continued upwards dodging stray shots biting at his backside. Broking through the atmosphere, his eyes went wide at the sight of sky filled with huge ships massed around the planet cutting everything off from the world.
The warning light flashed on his screen warning of a target lock producing the only thought that popped in his head was, "Me and my huge fucking mouth." Too late for realizing your short comings.
Sitting in the cockpit of v-tech simulator, Daria moved the control stick.
"Bang. Bang," another enemy fighter biting the dust.
Tap, tap brought her attention to Captain Rogers watching her mock battle.
Blushing, "Sorry, sir," slipping her helmet off.
"If we can imagine our enemies defeat then we wouldn't need fighters," handing her a bottle.
"Whiskey?"
"An old fashion way of remembering. Go to your room and relax," climbing down from her sight.
