"…What the hell do you want?" Naome muttered as Matt took his seat, crossing his legs in the same manner as the grey-skinned woman.

"We need to talk. You've seen our situation, I'm sure. This entire space station is going to be an enormous battlefield, and it's going to be a massacre if what you said about this ambush is true." He answered with a sigh.

"So? How's that my problem?"

"Because you don't want Elijah in charge. I know you don't, because nobody who lives on this station wants him in charge."

Naome opened her mouth to answer, but hesitated.

"…And how do I know I can trust you to not stab me in the back?" She mulled over his words, and eventually answered.

"Because our lives are just as much on the lines as yours at this point, and I don't go back on my word." He answered confidently.

"I don't know if you're real, or if you're just some nutjob who's trying to kamikaze himself and everyone around him into this…but fine…yeah, I'll help. What about your…friends?" Naome reluctantly agreed, closing her eyes and trying to return to meditating as they spoke.

"Marc is injured, but he's not ready to give up. Deneve is…well…she's—" Matt began, but the sound of the door opening cut him off.

"Deneve's ready to fight." He was shocked to see the silver-haired girl standing before them, hefting her two favored claymores. One, however, was scorched from the blast. She had also found new clothing, a grey light military uniform.

"Deneve…? You're…" Matt cleared his throat, not having expected her to return.

"I'm here to help kill Elijah. But that's it. Whatever friendship we have is gone, Matt…I don't need friends anymore." She answered coldly, sheathing the two blades onto straps located around her back and moving to the side. Jai came into the room, bowing politely.

"Greetings, Matt. Dezi aga." She greeted him, and regarded Naome with curiosity.

"This is Naome…she's going to help take down Elijah, but more importantly, we have a major problem on our hands. Naome?" Matt introduced her and allowed the woman to speak.

"Yes. Elijah is preparing to launch a final campaign upon all factions that haven't aligned with him, leading a veritable army of Drakon, Legion, and Arachne forces. There isn't a single group in this station that can hold up against such a force, not alone." She stood up, explaining dutifully.

"The grey-skin is right. Our time has run out." A deep voice boomed outwards, and Matt had to clear his eyes as he saw it, disbelieving what he was watching.

A Mojin had arrived as well, this one larger, scarred, and heavily armored with bark and scrap metal.

"This is Genji, our matsu dio." Jai explained, bowing to him as well.

"Matsu dio…?"

"I lead our forces into battle, boy." Genji answered, folding his arms and coolly studying each of them. Matt had never seen one up close until now, so he took the time to study him as well. As earlier, he couldn't help but notice they were very much similar to blue gorillas, aside from the sentience and speaking ability.

"Then you must agree to join forces with the others! The Xenomorphs and the Volcarona have already agreed to a pact. We have to make a stand against Elijah, all of us!" Matt exclaimed impassionately.

"…That is a dangerous decision to make. War is a costly venture, boy." The ape shook his head slowly, pacing back and forth.

"Yes, I know that. But, Genji, if you don't fight this war, Elijah will come for you. It won't be a war then, it'll be him wiping you off the face of this space station. You know that, I can tell."

"…Yes, I do."

"Then you'll help us?"

"…"

Matt looked around, studying the faces of those present. The scowling Deneve, her body half-burnt and scarred, the mysterious grey-skinned Naome, the wooden yet energetic Jai, and the blue-skinned ape Genji.

"…Yes. You have the support of the Mojin and the Spriggans." Genji finally answered, letting out a deep breath.

"Then ready your soldiers and do what you need to do. Jai, if you could deliver the news to the Volcarona, that'd be immensely helpful. Make sure they know to pass on the message to the Xenomorphs. Deneve, you and I are going to find Marc…and Naome, perhaps you can help by telling Genji and the rest of the leadership here what you know about Elijah and his plans. In the meantime, everyone…get as much rest as you can…for tomorrow, we go to war."

TO BE CONTINUED