Legend of The Sorai

A/N: So once again, I add a new character, and yes, I'm going to tell ya'll what happened to Musaki soon, not to mention Artemis Fowl, and Holly Short and her forces. Incidentally, I know I stated this in Apocalypse Game, but this is like "Crisis on Infinite Earths," if it had been written possibly by Berman and Braga. So lets put it this way, yeah, I know I suck, but my suckage is Berman and Braga level, so it's tv level suckage.

Chapter 7: Sanctum Morti.

Elsewhere. The Rogue group.

Masaki and company.

In an asteroid field in the Hoth system, a small contingent of ships were gathered; these had been the people that everyone was wondering where they were. Holly Short, former Captain of LepRecon, now Commander of New Freedom Alliance. Tenchi Musaki. Lieutenant in the Jurai Special Operations, Commander of the 8th Defense Wing, Ryoko Musaki, Tenchi's wife, commander of Ryo-oki, the cabbit ship, second in command of the 8th Defense Wing, Mulch Diggums, Second in command under Holly Short, Commanding Officer of TacWing Ground Forces, a combination of the 75th LEPpatrol and 8th LEPrecon Advanced, and the prisoners that had signed up with full pardons after this war was over. Plus Game Master and Limbus, commanding a small private spy fleet of about 8 small cruisers. The fleet total was about 20 ships, small by most fleet standards, each with about two to four wings each of fighter craft.

On board the Epicurius, Holly Short was reviewing tactical analysis when an alarm sounded, "All stations," came the voice, "We are at Red Alert, I repeat, we are at Red Alert."

"Spy Command," said Holly to the Com officer, who hurried to punch up Limbus.

Limbus and Game Master's face appeared on the screen, dual screened, since they each had four ships under their control, including their own ships each, "Not sure," said Limbus, "But we think there was a Hyperspace juncture just opened outside our range, we're running cold, so they haven't spotted us, however, the alarms are set to go off in this scenario, you ordered it since you're head command, and Masaki gave it the okay since he's second in command."

"I want a visual," said Holly, "I want to know if we have to move, or if they'll just go by."

"Camera bots are reporting in," said Game Master, looking a bit worried, and then Tenchi's face appeared on screen, "Lieutenant, send out a wing to monitor whatever is in system, do not engage, but I think we have a Star Destroyer in system, but it's just sitting, go in silent."

Tenchi's face went off, but Game Master stayed on and switched to a private line at Holly's command chair, "I'm not sure, but I think we should consider capturing it," he said, "We could use more firepower, move about one tenth of each command to it, rename it the Freed Fire."

"If it can be done then do it," said Holly, "But Artemis is going to..."

"With all due respect," said Game Master, "I do remind you that Artemis has yet to ask you to marry him which he should of done a while ago, you two have been dating now for three years, with no change of plans."

"What does that have to do with anything?" asked Holly.

"You're trying to not lay blame," said Game Master pointedly, "Stop feeling as if you're to blame, you and him are the first inter-species relationship, so don't have him feeling as if he's to blame."

"Let's leave this conversation for a bit," said Holly, "I love him, however his family, and their work, differ from what LEP does, they're still criminals."

"Alright," said Game Master, "Though I think this might have to do partly with Artemais during his working with me, even I thought he was Artemis, if this is because of that, I'm sorry."

"I want a report in ten minutes," said Holly, "I want to know if we can take the ship, or if we can ignore it."

Outer Asteroid Field

Unknown Star Cruiser

7th Capture Wing

Musaki in Command

"Corblet," said Tenchi, "are we reading any life-signs on that bird?"

"Yes sir," said Lieutenant Corblet, "About twenty or so."

"Are their weapons hot?" asked Tenchi.

"I'm detecting their running at Green Level Alert," said Corblet, "However if they've spotted us, they're ignoring us."

"I doubt they'd be able to detect us," said someone else on the com, "we've got cloaking fields around every ship."

"I'm hailing them," said Tenchi, ignoring the guy who had stated the obvious.

"Hailing frequencies are open," said the computer voice.

"This is Lieutenant Musaki of the Jurai Royal Defense Force," said Tenchi, "Attention Unknown ship, identify yourself and state your purpose in the Hoth System."

There was about a minutes silence, then a response.

"Attention Tenchi Masaki," said the voice, "This is Artemis Fowl of the Royale."

Tenchi gulped, "Commander," he said, "What are you doing here?"

"Things are changing," said Fowl, "New players and new plays, The Emperor is ticked to say the least about the loss of Thrawn and his men, plus the fact that Phoenix was not captured."

"Phoenix is still with us then?" asked Tenchi, "That's good then."

"Yes and No," said Artemis, "From my hacking and listening on the webs and communications, The Emperor is mobilizing every force he can, everyone is joining, even the unalligned who he hasn't invaded yet, and the deep core, besides Byss are now under heavy jurisdiction."

"So how did you get a Star Destroyer?" asked Tenchi.

"That's for me to know, and you to find out," said Artemis, "However, I can tell you that it was easy."

"Maneuver yourself into the circle," said Tenchi, "I think that the current commander will want to brief you."

"Let me guess," said Artemis, "My girlfriend Holly Short?"

"Yes," said Tenchi.

"Alright," said Artemis, "I'll deploy a wing of patrol craft to monitor both entrance and exit spots for the hyperspace route, I noticed that your exit spot is less monitored, are you trying to be caught blind?"

"I have a question though sir," said Tenchi before he closed the com, "Why haven't you asked Holly to marry her yet?"

"that's a question," said Artemis, "That I don't want to answer right now, get your men back to their ship Lieutenant, then I'm calling an all general staff meeting, I want to discuss how things are going to go with this battle."

"Yes Sir," said Tenchi, ending the call, "7th Capture Wing, return to the Command Ship, and await further orders.

Two Hours Later

Royale, the Command Ship of the New Freedom Alliance

Conference Room 2

"...And I think that currently, our being here is best for right now," said Fowl, "We do not have enough resources to help out The Alliance of Light, or whatever they're calling themselves."

"Sanctum Morti," said Tenchi, "You're really wanting to do that?"

"Sanctum Morti?" asked a few people.

"Sanctum Morti," said Holly, "Sanctuary of Death, in other words, inviting death to come to us, Artemis wants to play chicken and let the enemy come."

"I stand by this," said Artemis, "small raids aren't going to hurt, building our numbers, and they help by taking away from Dragon's group."

"Fine," said Holly, "This conversation right now is done, everyone you are dismissed, Commander Fowl, a word please, privately."

Artemis glanced at her, and followed her to her Ready Room.

"Are you doing this because I wouldn't let you come?" asked Holly, "Are you really using this against me?"

Artemis sighed, and looked at Holly, well down a foot or so, but his look said everything, "Holly," he murmured, "I care for you too much and love you way too much, I didn't want us to become involved in an inter-universal affair. You are a peace-keeping force, you're all wonderful, your ships are space worthy since you've done some upper atmosphere, but battle wise, your weapons are too weak to be effective against capital and other ships, your ships are half, half the size of a Star Destroyer, you might be effective against the fighter craft, but otherwise, your ships aren't worth it. Even if we got you the design plans that Commander Crusher used to fix the other ships in his fleet, there would still be time and energy."

"I know this," said Holly, "I just want to be able to help."

"Holly," said Artemis looking around and getting something out of his pocket and going down on his knee, "Will you marry me?"

Holly looked shocked, then smiled, and laughed, "About time Fowl," she said, "It's about time, Mulch is going to enjoy this."

"Mulch already knows," said Artemis smiling, "He's my best man, I'm having Butler be one of my groomsmen, I'm hoping to have Foaly be another groomsman."

Holly smiled, "I assume that after this assignment is over, we'll get married?"

"yes," said Artemis, "I want you alive."

"You'd find this interesting," said a voice coming in from the com, "That you two find romance interesting in a time like this,"

"either come on board Mulch," said Artemis a bit annoyed, "or shut up."

Laughing and then an image appeared, a hologram, "Sorry Artemis, but being Holly's second in command and tactical officer is a good thing, I'm sorry for the spying."

"Apology accepted," said Artemis, "What's up?"

"Communication scans are reporting that another attack by Dragon and his army just occurred, they've captured and are occupying some planet, which while little significance to the Empire, is however a part of the hyperspace trade route between Byss and Balsavis the report says that the Emperor believes that this is just the first of many ways that they're going to make him come out against him, and he is urging all loyal citizens to stand up and fight."

"Any response from Dragon or anyone?" asked Holly.

"A video statement that appears to be from Tatooine was just uploaded," said Mulch, and it sounded like he was laughing, "the response was them saying 'We're not on that planet, we're on Tatooine, where we will remain, if there are others out there who are fighting in our name, all the power to them.'"

"Someone else?" asked Artemis puzzled, "Not any of mine, and I know that Phoenix would prefer to fight honorably."

"Did any of the people we monitored break away?" asked Holly.

"No," said Artemis, "They all joined with Dragon and his fellow adventurers, those that didn't are still in Agrahbah."

"Hmm," murmured Artemis, then looked out into space, "Mulch, signal all commands, we're moving to Tatooine, I don't think we're safe."

"what?" asked Holly, "I thought you said we were safe here."

"We were," said Artemis, "However some reckless cowboy just took a planet, and I think I know where, I think I know why, but I don't know who, that's what is scaring me right now, two things I know and one I don't."

"You think," said Mulch filling in what Artemis wasn't saying, "Is that some cocksure and independents are wanting their own slice, and because they just took Balsalvis someone is going to get fried, we're not in their way, but they're going to want to take a look here, because well, random ships coming in and out is suspicious, and when the warp mark of a missing Star Destroyer is seen, well then..."

"Yes," said Artemis, "Exactly."

"Alright," said Mulch, "I'll alert all commands to move out, should I tell them where we're moving to?"

"No," said Artemis, "Not yet, I'll decide once we're in transit."

Mulch ended the com, and Artemis and Holly went back to talking.

"Who do you think it is that decided to do this?" asked Holly, "Who would be this open to stand against The Emperor?"

"I don't know," said Artemis, "They would have to be brave and heavily armed to be at Balsalvis, the Rebels don't have that fire power right now, and they're on Yavin, where hopefully they'll stay for the time being."

"Where is The Death Star?" asked Holly, asking what Artemis was thinking.

"Mulch," said Artemis, "See if you can check into any reports about a planet shaped sphere in space, doing anything."

"Way ahead of you boss," said the dwarf, "Apparently five hours ago, Alderann was destroyed, a ship pulling out via hyperspace watched and recorded it. The emperor didn't stop the uploading in time, there is a lot of uproar about it, The Emperor is saying that it's all about keeping the systems in line. I just got another report coming up that says that two small one man craft just bumped into the area, and bumped out ten minutes ago, it's still there. there's a lot of ties flying around."

"Thank you," said Artemis, "well we know where we're not going."

"They'd destroy Alderann to make a point?" said Holly shocked, "that's new."

"No," said Artemis, "Not totally, empires have done that for a long time, to enforce their rule."

"Hmm," said Holly, "So where do we move?"

"We'll stay in the Outer Core," said Artemis, "For a while, til we figure everything out."

"What about Tattoine?" she asked, "Strength in numbers after all."

"In the event that a full scale force were to come after the main group," said Artemis, "I would hold it inadvisable for the moment, we're going to Dantoine, less noticed, more safer."

"Alright," said Holly as they exited her office, and Mulch stood at attention, "Commander Diggums, set course for Dantoine, alert all fleets to move in two hours, recall any patrols as well."

"Aye Commander," said Mulch, Butler was at one of the tactical tables looking things over, and laid a course and put it in the computer and gave it to Mulch. Mulch looked at Butler who looked back rather pleasantly, and Mulch just gulped and complied.

"I don't need to ask," asked Artemis who had noticed, "What that was about?"

"No Artemis," said both of them at the same time.

Elsewhere.

Tattoine

Army of Light Main Group

At the same time that Artemis and his crew had seen the message, so had the Army of Light. The most incensed at this incident wasn't any of the Avatars, but rather Mozenwrath and Mechanicles.

"Since when do we do something like that?" asked Mozenwrath, "I know we didn't, unless we have rogue elements in our group that decided to strike before we authorized."

"reports are coming in now," said Mechanicles, who was looking at the com station, "No name to the group, but they're claiming responsibility, they've occupied the planet in the name of the Army of Light."

"Who would do this?" asked Malcolm coming onto the bridge, followed by a few others, who wanted to know what was going on, "Who has that much firepower to subdue a planet, kill it's people and take it over."

"Ahem," said Belldandy a bit daintily, "But didn't we do that to Tattoine?"

"No," sighed Chronis who was on the bridge as well, "We only freed the planet, and killed the criminal occupiers who had no right to control this planet."

"So the difference then is...." said about five people.

"Not much," agreed Mozenwrath, "But we gave them a chance to surrender, they refused, so we did it our way."

"Sir," said K1, "The com just spit something else out, I think we have another group in the running."

"Oh this is starting to get annoying," muttered Gandalf, "What are they saying?"

"They've just denounced the Balsalvis people," said K1 looking at it, and showing it to Mechanicles, "If I'm reading this right, they're saying that The Empire can go ahead and destroy that group, since it has no affinity with the Army of Light or....The New Freedom Alliance....The New Freedom Alliance, who the hell are they?"

"Some other group like us...maybe," said Hobbes, "Or, they're another rogue elements group."

"I want someone to go to Balsalvis," said Jack O'Neil finally getting on the bridge, along with Dragon and Tyronis, "a small investigative force, nothing that draws attention, I want to see who these people are who took the planet, and at the same time, if you should happen to run into these 'New Freedom Alliance' people talk to them as well, see who they're working with, if they're with us, fine. If they're with the Rebels and you find that out, do not make contact, I already instructed Captain Richelu of the Musketeer to make it look like an accident that those two droids appeared on Yavin, which is where the current headquarters of the Rebel Alliance is."

"You have a problem with other allies?" asked Gandalf.

"Not exactly," said Malcolm getting where the Commander was coming from, "I don't trust that many people either and any other groups joining us, just might make our plans harder to deal with."

"Sir!" shouted Gandalf who as now monitoring the com, "We have a live broadcast on the vid-net, I'm patching it on to the main screen."

"Greetings," said the face of the Emperor appearing on the screen, "This is your Emperor."

"This important?" several people asked before getting death glares.

"Apparently my rule has come under attack by those who think they are more fit to administer justice then me," said the recording, "My fellow citizens, I think it fair enough to ask what do these anarchists and nutjobs want? do they want power? Do they want screen time? What do they want?"

"We want you to shut up and die!" shouted Phoenix at the screen.

"By now," the recording continued, "A planet in our dominion has been attacked, Balsalvis, none were left alive, the group who took it has not named themselves, but they are saying that they want me destroyed. I have news for you, I will no longer tolerate your fun, from now on, any ships that are spotted by the Imperial Navy will be target locked until they can tell us what they are doing in that sector, the only exceptions are trade vessels and medical vessels, otherwise you will answer to sector authorities. One final message."

"whatever," muttered half the crew, the other giving the image on the screen a stink eye.

"Avatar of The Dragon," said the recording, "This message is to you and you alone, your bird is in my possession for now, she came to me after appearing on one of my ships, she makes a nice addition to my experiments, if you want the one you love to be kept alive, then surrender yourself to me, surrender your army to me and I will let her live, otherwise, she will die. That is all. Good luck my citizens, watch out for yourselves."

The transmission ended, those that were on the bridge, looked at Dragon who was fuming, those who were next to him took a step back.

"He just declared war on us," said Dragon gritting his teeth, "For that, HE WILL PAY!!!!! ALL HAIR THE GLORY OF THE ALLIANCE OF LIGHT!!!!"

Everyone saluted and cheered. Dragon glared out into space, trying to find Coruscant, and beyond it, Byss. He would make the Emperor pay dearly for what he did.

End Chapter 7