After the destruction of Alamo Moon, and Jesse's ultimatum, an emergency council meeting was called on Yuma. Any delegate that could get there arrived and entered the council chambers immediately upon arrival.
It took several hours, but once everyone that could be there was, a few were vid-linked in that were unable to reach Yuma in a timely manner. General Whitehawk called the meeting to order, and after a few minutes, the chamber fell silent.
"As you all are aware, the Outriders have not only broken the peace treaty, but decimated Alamo Moon. This callous loss of life cannot be ignored," General Whitehawk states.
"But what can we do? The Bismarck has been destroyed," one delegate says.
"We die either way. We gave all they wanted and we were still betrayed," says another.
"The original Bismarck was destroyed," Commander Eagle begins, "But we were in the process of making a second unit, we are not as bad off as you think we are."
Several people start throwing questions at once.
General Whitehawk holds up a hand to silence everyone again. "We do not have time to go over everything, put your question to the council, Commander," he says to Commander Eagle.
Attention goes once more to the commander, "Our choice is this...we surrender and most likely die in slaughter anyways, or we fight to the best of our abilities, and if we die, we take them with us. If you wish to fight, then stand up and show your vote."
One by one, the entire room of delegates rise.
"Very well. We know this will be his most likely target, so I need some delegates to coordinate civilian evacuations, I shall go inform Jesse Blue of our decision, in a few hours, to buy us some time."
Whitehawk nods, "Meeting adjourned."
"We need you to find the Kobalt Blaster and take it out. Saber, can you run a scan to find it?" Commander Eagle asks.
"Let's see…" Saber says as he types into his console. "There, it looks like it's core is in the heart of the base."
"April, this mission will be extremely dangerous, but also crucial to our chances. Be safe."
"I will, Daddy. You do the same."
The Commander nods. "Godspeed." the connection terminates.
"Let's go blast us a blaster!" Colt says enthusiastically.
"Here comes the welcoming committee," Shinji mutters.
Colt starts firing back, making headway when the ship is hit head on.
"Damn it, they're coming from behind us now. Colt, hit it with all you got. Shinji, try and shake it," Saber says, eyeing his screens.
"Shinji, you're way off course!" April calls out.
"I can't help it. That ship is pulling us in!" Shinji says through gritted teeth as he struggles for control.
"Go to challenge phase, Shinji," Saber says as they're hit with another blast.
"On it," he replies and they transform, and fire on the trailing ship, blowing it up. "Now to get out of the pull of this ship," Shinji says as an alarm goes off. "Shit they're locked on. Brace for impact!"
Just as the ship fires, a blast hits it, cancelling out it's blast.
"You look as if you could use some assistance, Bismarck," King Jared says as he appears on the screen.
"Your timing is perfect. We need a diversion, so we can get onto the command ship," Shinji says.
"A big diversion?" the king asks.
"That would be great!"
"You got it. Jarre fleet, cover the Bismarck!"
Shinji races through the firefight and they approach the far side of the ship's surface. "You're in control, April," Shinji says as he, Colt, and Saber disembark, landing on the exterior of the ship.
April pulls away and Saber places an explosive on the surface.
"Back up, lads," Saber calls, and the three back away just before the explosive blows a hole in the surface of the ship big enough for them to enter.
They enter and are heading down a corridor when they run into a patrol and engage in a blaster fight. After several minutes, they destroy the Outrider patrol and continue on.
"Patrol six, come in," an Outrider fighter calls over their com."Patrol six, report!"
"Sorry, they won't be reporting back," Saber says as the three enter the control room and kill the Outriders.
"Com room six, I'm picking up blaster fire. What's going on?" says a voice on the com.
"Galro's blaster went off by mistake, Everything's fine here," Saber says in a gravely voice.
"Roger that. Tell that moron to be more careful or he'll end up in a cryo chamber."
"Will do," Saber replies, and disconnects the com.
"Damn, Saber. You had me fooled," Shinji said with amusement.
"Now, we need to take over this hunk of metal," Saber states in a normal voice.
"Right. Let's go blast us some Outriders," Shinji replies as Colt guards the door.
"Why not be rid of them from here," Saber muses.
"How?" Shinji asks.
"Depressurize the ship. We have those controls here, he says indicating the console."
"They'd certainly never see that coming."
"We're starting to lose ships. Send out the reserve fleet!" an Outrider calls from the bridge.
Alarms start blaring.
"What the?" the Outrider says.
"Sir, Sector six is depressurizing!" a soldier says urgently.
"Then close the doors!"
"I...I can't the controls aren't responding!"
"What is goi-"
The bay doors open and the soldiers are all sucked out into space. After a couple of minutes, the doors close and a different set opens, and Shinji, and Colt enter and start going over the controls.
"Let's see if we can contact the Outrider Base," Shinji says as he and Colt familiarize themselves with the controls.
"Base to Vigilante command what's your status?" a voice calls over the com.
"Request permission to fill up, Sir. the battle's getting hot. Need to refuel." Shinji says in his most gravely voice.
"Verification acknowledged. Permission granted."
"Roger that," Shinji replies and closes the connection.
They steer the ship into the base towards the refueling dock they are sent to.
"What happens when we're discovered?" Colt asks.
"I guess we'll find out soon enough," Shinji replies as the ship starts to dock itself.
"Corporal Blue, we're getting an emergency transmission," a soldier says.
"Put it in," Jesse replies.
An Outrider soldier appears on the vid-screen,"Outrider base, this is Yuma base. We're taking heavy fire down here."
"What?!" Jesse says as he pulls up views of the battle occurring on Yuma. "Hmmmm…" he says as he watches the destruction below.
"These humans are becoming a nuisance, release the Renegade unit!" Nemesis says from his control room.
"Chancellor, we're taking heavy damage!" an officer says as he approaches Nemesis, who turns from the screens to face him.
"I see this. Tell me something I don't already know."
"Um...the Renegade is taking heavy fire?" the soldier asks hesitantly.
Nemesis goes to reply when another soldier enters.
"Sir! The Renegade is down. I've released another,but I'm not sure we can stay here."
"Get Corporal Blue on the com. Have him send an extraction team to get us."
"Yes sir! Right away," the officer replies and rushes to the communication console.
"Corporal Blue, this is Yuma Base."
"I hear you're taking quite the beating, Commander," Jesse says.
"Yes. Nemesis wants you to send an extraction team immediately."
"Of course. I'll get right on it," Jesse replies cooly.
"Great. Yuma out," the Commander replies and disconnects.
"So...Nemesis needs me to save him…" Jesse thinks to himself.
"What squad should I send, Corporal?" an officer asks Jesse.
"Let me consider it. They'll be safe for a time," Jesse replies.
"Um...yes sir."
The ship docks and the three star sheriffs race out and around a corner, managing to remain unseen.
"Now, we need to find the center of the blaster and take it out," Saber says as they regroup. They head down a corridor, only to end up with multiple directions.
"Can your helmet scanner find it's signature?" Shinji asks.
"I can try and gauge energy readings, that should get us in the right direction," Saber replies and touches the side of his helmet. "There it way," he calls, taking off and the other two follow him down a corridor.
They reach the end, only to discover the way sealed off.
"Looks like we've got to find another way, and time is not on our side," Saber states, as he inspects the blockade.
"You got any other ideas?" Colt asks.
"We'll just have to inflict damage at multiple vortice," Saber replies. "That means splitting up."
"I thought this required concentrated firepower?" Shinji asks.
. "Ideally, yes. But now we have to change tactics," Saber replies. "But if placed strategically, we can have just as devastating an impact."
"I see what you mean. Set 'em off to blow at once, and boom! Chaos," Colt states.
Saber nods. "All right, we need to set the explosives and meet back here within half an hour," Saber says as he looks at his screens, then to his companions. Shinji and Colt nod and each take a bag. "April, monitor our positions and be ready to take off if things get bad."
April nods, "I've got my orders, Saber. All of you try and make it back in one piece," she adds casting a glance to both Shinji and Colt.
"Shoot, we'll be careful, April. I plan on getting married just as soon as this is over," Colt says with a grin.
Shinji laughs and pats him on the shoulder, "I'll make sure he comes back. I don't want to face Robin's wrath."
Colt grins and they all laugh before heading out to place their explosives.
"Why won't these controls work?" Jesse says as he hits various buttons on the console.
"You've betrayed me, Jesse," Nemesis' voice says from seemingly everywhere.
"Nemesis?" Jesse says as he looks around wildly. "Where are you?"
"I am everywhere Jesse. I know everything you do and say. You have betrayed me for the last time!"
Jesse is shocked and thrown backwards when he touches the console. "If I can't win, then I'll take you and the humans down with me!" he says as he rushes back to the bridge. "Set this rock on a direct course for Yuma!" he says as he enters the bridge.
"But sir, that's suicide!" a soldier protests.
"They'll give up before we hit, then we'll call it off. Now follow orders!" he snaps.
"Um….yes sir," the soldier replies.
"Good, now we'll play a little game of chicken," Jesse says laughing.
An alarm sounds. "Sir, someone just accessed the cryo room."
"Pull up the camera, let's see who it is," Jesse replies as Colt's form appears on the screen as he steps back into the elevator, the view switches to him going across a heavily damaged debris field.
"Hmmm...just what is he doing here?" Jesse muses. "Stay the course. I'll go check this out," Jesse says and leaves the bridge.
Saber arrives at the rendezvous point to find no one else has arrived. Becoming anxious, he calls April, who confirms that Shinji is on his way toward his location, but that Colt was still a good ways away. Sighing in frustration he swears under his breath just as Shinji arrives.
"Let me guess, Colt's late?" he asks.
Saber nods, "And he's evidently gotten tied up. April says he's still not heading this direction." He looks around and then glancing once more at his watch he sighs. "I'm going in to get him. Head back to the escape ship and take off at the two minute mark."
"No way," Shinji states. "I'm going after him this time. You head back to the escape ship."
Saber starts to argue, but changes his mind and nods, deciding it better to save time. Shinji nods and heads towards Colt's location and Saber heads for the ship.
"Colt, where are you?" Shinji grumbles as he searches for his friend.
"You're gonna pay for killin' my parents, Jesse," Colt says coldly, his hand ready to grab his blaster and fire.
"I hear you're the best shooter in the New Frontier, make your move and prove it," Jesse taunts, his hand ready to grab his blaster and fire.
The two square off, neither one making any sudden moves for several minutes. Getting tired of staring the cowboy down, Jesse launches for him and pulls his whip and flicks it at him. He lands a hit and Colt staggers back. "Well, that is disappointing. I thought you'd be more of a challenge," Jesse says with a sneer.
Colt manages to recover and scramble to his feet, firing his blaster in rapid succession, causing Jesse to move quickly to avoid being hit. "I'm just getting warmed up," he says landing a hit, causing Jesse to stumble. He readies another shot and lunges for him. Jesse moves quickly and Colt his hit by a laser whip, slicing him on the shoulder. "Damn it!" he grumbles, wincing in pain as he tries to move away from his attacker, barely avoiding a second hit.
"Not such a hotshot now, are you?" Jesse retorts.
Colt manages to get behind some rocks for cover. "Too bad you have to beat me using something other than a blaster. You're not man enough to fight me man to man," Colt says through gritted teeth.
"Man to man, huh?" Jesse says with a hint of amusement. He releases his whip and grabs his blaster. "All right. I can beat you man to man. Get ready human."
"I'm ready when you are, Jesse," he says coldly.
Jesse pulls his blaster and before he can fire, several explosions are heard. Instinctively, he turns towards the explosions. "What the-?"
"Looks like you're little planet is going down. You and Nemesis are gonna blow with the rest of your kind."
Jesse looks shocked for a minute, then turns and hops into his vehicle. "You're gonna die here, Cowboy," he says as he starts firing the ship's main lasers in Colt's direction.
Colt scrambles to get out of the way as Shinji approaches the scene.
"Colt?" he asks over the com-link.
"Kinda busy right now!" Colt replies, while still trying to avoid being hit.
Shinji appears and is nearly hit by some of the lasers Jesse is firing.
"Oh good, I can kill two of you at one time," Jesse says amused. He fires with more frequency and hits some rocks that collapse onto Colt.
"Colt!" Shinji yells and heads for him.
"Later, Star Sheriffs," Jesse says as he takes off, heading for an exit.
"Colt?!" Shinji says as he reaches him, managing to lift some of the heavier rocks off of him. "We need to get out of here. This whole place is gonna blow."
"I know," Colt says weakly, stumbling as he tries to stand.
"Where's your pack?" Shinji asks, coming to his aid and helping him remain upright.
"Over there," he replies weakly with a nod.
"You shouldn't have tried to take him on alone," Shinji admonishes after fetching the pack.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. But he killed my..." Colt starts to reply before collapsing.
"Colt!" Shinji says as he races back over and straps on the pack. "Stay with me, we've got to get out of here."
Colt manages to stand and activate his pack and the pair head towards the ship docks as quickly as they can.
"Looks like you two could use a lift," Saber calls as he approaches them in the escape ship.
"You got that right," Shinji replies as Saber opens the ramp, allowing the two of them to board the ship.
"April's heading in our direction, but we need to get out of here," Saber states as the two men work their way out of the control bay of the ship.
Colt plops down in a seat, wincing as he does.
"We would have been here sooner, except that Colt decided to try and take on Jesse on his own, and just about got himself killed," Shinji states.
"Shinji, could you help get this helmet off, please?" Colt says weakly.
Shinji removes his helmet, setting it next to him.
"There would have been time for that later, Colt, you should have followed the plan," Saber admonishes as he continues heading away from the area, casting Colt a worried glance. "April, how much further are you?"
"Just about there, Saber," she replies.
"Good to hear, we're just about out of the base, and we're going to have to make a hasty exit," he replies. They exit the hangar and are immediately met with enemy fire.
"Can't we catch a break?" Shinji asks; as Saber struggles to control the ship and Colt is barely able to hang on to keep upright.
"Let's see what this ship's got. Fire anything you can at them, Shinji," Saber says as he tries to keep the ship on its course.
Shinji begins firing, managing to make a dent in the number of enemy fighters. "Yes!" he whoops as suddenly many more fighters start disappearing.
"Glad we made it in time," April says.
"Yes, as am I. I am glad to finally be able to return the favor," King Jared says.
"Glad to see you've got our backs, Your Highness," Saber says as April lowers the ramp and he docks their escape ship on the Bismarck.
"We need to get Colt medical attention, he's been hurt," Shinji says as he helps Colt to his Saddle unit.
April comes over to examine him and he winces in pain when she touches his shoulder. "You look flush, Colt," she states with concern, before touching his forehead. "And you're burning up."
Saber nods, "I've requested that medics meet us when we arrive. Our ETA is about ten minutes."
"We've discovered that Nemesis' original body was badly damaged in the last war," Commander Eagle begins, as a diagram of an Outrider appear on a holo screen at the center of the table. "What we have recently discovered is what Shinjiro Hikari tried to warn us of in his last-known transmission. At the time, it didn't make sense, it does now." the commander pauses, pondering his next words carefully. "The transmission said Nemesis was not a singular body. That it was a network."
"Impossible!"
"I shook his hand personally. He's a huge imposing figure, but he is a solitary figure," another argues.
Eagle holds up his hand. "His life force is tied to the Outrider base's main computer, we think."
"So that's why they didn't want to kill it?" King Jared asks, receiving a nod in reply. "That's why I felt it was alive. Why I heard Shinjiro's warnings in my head when I saw it."
"As did I," Eagle states. "And now, the energy to sustain him is being drained. I do not think he can leave his base."
"We've got Nemesis pinned down at the Yuma settlement base, now we need to destroy him," one of the commanding soldiers reports as he looks at Commander Eagle. The rest of the officers turn in Eagle's direction at the conference table.
The commander nods and releases a heavy sigh, "We've readied everything we've got. Unfortunately we currently don't have the Bismarck unit. One of its crew members was seriously injured in the last battle."
"We may have to send them out with three, instead of four," the other man states. "It can be run that way, can it not?"
"Yes, technically it can be done," the commander admits. He stands, and the others around the conference table stand with him. "Let me go and speak with the crew members and you work on sending out our other combined forces and try and keep Nemesis pinned down. I'll send them out shortly."
"I will send out my fleets to keep the pressure on keeping the base from getting closer from Yuma until they can launch," King Jared states. "Those of you with fleets at your disposal, prepare them for defense and relief when it gets heavy, as you know it will. We will fight to our end, but we will not let them win!"
"Yes sir!" the men reply in unison and they all head off to begin implementing the plans.
"He looks so small right now," Robin states quietly, as she watches Colt's sleeping form, hooked up to an I.V. and bandaged up.
April comes over and places a hand on the young woman's shoulder in a show of support, "He'll be okay, Robin. He's been hurt worse, I'm sure."
"Yeah, he's too stubborn to not pull out of this," Shinji states with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Robin casts a small smile and takes a breath, trying to calm herself as someone knocks on the door to the room. "Come in," she says quietly.
Commander Eagle steps in and looks over the group. "Any improvement?" he asks.
Robin shakes her head. "He's stable, but that's about all we know," she replies quietly. "The doctor is trying to keep him sedated for now."
"I need to talk to you three," he states, looking to Shinji, April, and Saber.
The three nod and then follow him out to a waiting room, just down the hall before sitting down.
"I come with some news. We have destroyed one version of Nemesis," the commander begins.
"One version? What do you mean?" Shinji asks.
"Well, nearly sixteen years ago, your father severely damaged his original body. It was how we were able to defeat the Outriders at the time. However, he was evidently able to transfer his conscious self into a mainframe computer before his body dies."
"So is he an Outrider or a computer?" Shinji asks frustrated.
"Technically, he's both, I suppose, which makes him all the more difficult to fight. The body we've seen is the one currently linked to his consciousness. However, we have launched a combined offensive with the alliance and the kingdom of Jarre. As difficult as this is to say, we're going to need you to launch without the help of Mr. Wilcox."
"I'm concerned about Colt," Shinji states.
"We all are Shinji, but you know Colt, he would not want us to not fight just because he's unable to be there," Saber says firmly. "Our duty is to launch and help win this fight. I can handle the weapons end of things, with April's assistance with the nav."
The commander nods. "Meet in the launch bay in ten minutes," he says and the three stand up and salute him before turning to leave.
Ten minutes later, they are awaiting the commander before departing. He comes in looking grim. "The urgency of your mission has increased exponentially; the Outriders have decided that if they can't beat us, then we're going down with them. Their base is now headed on a collision course for here. We have a matter of hours to stop it. Go and do your best."
"Yes sir!" the three say as they salute him before boarding the Bismarck and launching. They quickly reach the battle and are dodging enemy fire.
"We've got to find a way to get past these ships," Shinji states as Saber fires the laser cannons, hitting a few of the ships.
"Looks like they are sending us some fighters to greet us," April states as she sees a renegade unit heading towards them.
Saber looks at his screens and nods, "Aye, we'd better go to challenge phase, Shinji."
"On it, Saber," he replies and hits the button to activate the transformation. As soon as the transformation completes they are hit by the renegade unit. Shinji steadies them and Saber grabs the enemy unit and throws it over them.
"Firing laser cannons," Saber calls as they manage to hit the renegade unit, knocking it back from them. It draws a sword and they pull back pulling the blaster," Saber calls and fires a shot after Shinji evades a couple swings with the enemy blade. He lands a solid hit to the hand of the unit, causing the unit to drop the sword, firing up all the cannons and the blaster, they eliminate the enemy renegade, causing it to explode. "Now, we need to get inside their main blaster. If we can destroy it from the inside, I'm betting the base will go with it," Saber states as he fires a blast into the barrel of the main cannon of the base, creating an opening that they take to gain entry.
"Well, I guess I just head to the center of it," Shinji says as he follows the barrel deeper into the base.
They make their way down deeper into the barrel when April pipes in, "I'm getting some astronomically high energy readings. I think we need to get out of here."
"I don't think we'd be able to get out in time, let alone escape and stop it," Shinji states. "I say we blast it."
"That will most likely be our best chance. Perhaps hitting it with all we've got, will cancel out their laser and cause it to explode. We'd at least stop the attack," Saber states.
"It's firing up!" April calls.
"So are we," Saber replies as he fires up the main blaster and all the cannons. "Here we go."
They fire at nearly the same second as the enemy does, the two shots hit, blasting their ship backwards, and causing some damage to the main cannon of the base.
They are able to right themselves and pull back and run a systems check. "We look like we're okay. Only some minor damage," April calls.
"How about their systems?" Shinji asks.
"They seem to still be intact as well," Saber says as he scans over his various screens. "We've got to get back there and destroy that base."
"Incoming, guys," April states.
"That is one mean-looking Renegade unit," Shinji states.
"Get ready to die, humans," Jesse calls from inside the enemy unit. He lunges towards them, hitting the Bismarck and knocking it backwards. They ram the top of the enemy unit, causing it to drop and then fire at it. Jesse dodges the hit and pulls out a whip, wrapping it around them and electrifying it.
They cry out in pain as they struggle to get free of the whip.
"Everything is jammed," Saber says through gritted teeth.
"We've got to get out of this," April manages to say.
"I'm trying," Shinji replies, while struggling with the controls.
They continue their struggle when suddenly the enemy fighter is hit from behind, allowing them to break free of the whip.
"What the Hell?" Jesse says as he recovers from the hit.
"Looks like ya'll could use a little help," a familiar voice calls over the com-link.
"Colt?!" they say simultaneously.
"Are you gonna let me in or what?" he asks as he dodges fire from Jesse.
"Ready for you, Cowboy," April says over the com-link.
"Here I come!" he replies as he boards the Bismarck in his Bronco Buster.
"Colt, I didn't think you were allowed outta bed!" Shinji admonishes.
"Save it, Raceboy. Let's finish this," Colt replies as he limps his way to his saddle unit.
They head into a crevice of the Outrider base, Jesse not far behind him in his unit, still trying to hit them.
"This is going to be tricky, Shinji. The base is starting to break apart," Saber states.
"Yeah, I know, and we've got to avoid being hit by Jesse too," he replies as he dodges numerous attacks. A couple land glancing blows, but he presses on.
"Head for the central mainframe, we've got to kill this thing from there. It's the only way to knock this thing off it's' collision course," Saber says as he watches his screens. "Almost there, just through that wall."
"On it," Shinji replies as he crashes through the wall and is met by a huge mainframe computer.
"It's you," the voice of Nemesis states.
Nemesis!" the four say at once.
"Now you will pay for what you've done to me!" the voice says as the computer activates and begins firing at them.
"Evade!" Saber calls as Shinji attempts to avoid being hit.
They are hit in the chest of the suit and then are caught up in Jesse's whip from behind, causing them all to scream in pain from the electrical pulses. Nemesis fires at them and hits them, jolting Jesse's suit in the process, enabling the Bismarck the use the whip to throw him towards the computer that is Nemesis. He hits and loses the whip, but quickly turns and hits them with a laser blade. They make an attempt to block, causing only a glancing blow. The fight goes back and forth for a while. They come to a draw when Jesse makes to strike them downward with the sword and they catch it, holding it so he can't strike and neither one can move. It is then that Nemesis hits the blade, knocking it from the grasp of Jesse's unit and allowing the Bismarck to catch a hold of it. Grabbing it, the Bismarck slices the Renegade unit in half and the throws the sword point first into the center of the computer. It starts a chain reaction of explosions and they quickly make their way out of the base. They head back towards Cavalry Command, stopping about halfway in time to see the base collapse into itself, much like a star that undergoes a supernova.
"It appears we did it," Saber states quietly as the last of the light begins to fade from the implosion.
"Yeah, but we couldn't have if Colt hadn't shown up," Shinji replies.
A silence follows and then April becomes concerned and goes over to Colt's saddle unit. "Colt?" she asks hesitantly. He doesn't move and she shakes him a bit, only to receive a whimper in reply. "Colt?" she repeats and getting no reply, she pulls off his helmet to see him unconscious. "Colt?!" she says shaking him more violently as Saber and Shinji come over, obviously concerned.
He stirs a little and slowly opens his eyes, obviously weak, "Can't a fella get any sleep around here?"
April lets out a growl of frustration and then punches him on the chest, "I thought you were dead, you idiot!" she replies, getting laughter from the other two, who are relieved that he appears to be mostly unscathed.
