Hi! So, you find yourself here. First of, thank you. Second of, this is my first story dedicated to Neptunia series. So if there are any die-hard fans, I'm already saying sorry if I made some mistakes. But who doesn't make mistakes, right? Besides, it's an AU, so bear with me.

Anyway, as I said, this is gonna by my first Neptunia story and I'm gonna take it in a pretty unusual direction. After all, there aren't many Neptunia stories that are set in space, right? Actually, I don't know if there are any such stories at all. But that's not important right now. Although, Neptunia game set in space would be interesting, if you ask me.

Well, I hope you will have fun reading the story. Let's start and enjoy!

Chapter 1

August 12, 2257 G.C.

21:43

Planeptower, Planeptune

Fires were visible everywhere on the horizon, lighting up the sky with an eerie glow. Traces of kinetic and laser fire were flying into the sky. Gunfire, melee fighting, jet engines and explosions were coming from all directions. Entire city became a battlefield and as of now, the defending forces were slowly being pushed back by the attacker.

Empress looked around at the burning banners of her people. She still couldn't believe this was happening.

"What have you done…?"she asked weakly.

Four goddesses of Gamindustri, Purple Heart, Black Heart, White Heart and Green Heart, stood several meters away from the Empress, with their weapons drawn. They all gave her a hateful look.
"We did what we had to do."Purple Heart replied, her blade lighting up with a blue aura.

"You had it coming for a long time."White Heart stated.

"The time of your rule shall end now."Green Heart said.
"This war already took too many on both sides."Black Heart ended.

Empress slowly started standing up. With groans of pain, she rose up from the ground and pointed her sword at the four goddesses.

"You understand nothing…"she said."Only we…can…"
"Enough of your crap!"White Hear cut her off."You will not deceive us with your lies! This ends HERE AND NOW!"
"I agree with Blanc."Purple Heart said."The end is nigh. You just have to accept it."

"NEVER!"Empress bellowed.

With the last of her power, she once more transformed. Her blade, covered by a bloody red aura, looked like a tear in reality itself.
"Well, seems like she still has some power left."Green Heart stated casually.

"Not for long."Purple Heart stated."Come at me."

"AAAAAARGHHH!"

With that, Empress charged at the four. In response, Purple Heart charged back. Blue aura of her sword became stronger as it neared the other blade. Same was happening with the red aura of the sword wielded by the Empress. Time seemed to slow down as the two fighters neared each other.

"You were right!"Empress shouted.
"About what?"Purple Heart shouted back.

Empress started swinging her sword.
"This…"
Purple Heart also started to swing.

"…ends…"

Both blades collided.

"…NOW!"

As both blue and red auras collided, they unleashed a blinding blast of light, which for a few seconds enveloped the whole area.

Three years earlier…

April 3, 2254 G.C.

09:43

Planeptune's Space Center, Planeptune, Gamindustri

It was a normal day in the Planeptune's Space Center, ran by Planeptune's Space Agency. Or rather, it would've been a normal day, if it wasn't for the very important even, which might have been a history changer. Even bigger history changed that what came two hundred years prior.

When two hundred years ago a combined effort of scientific community from all around the world the fusion drive was invented, it was decided that all conflict around the planet should cease, following the Share War of 2015 G.C., which saw all nations of the world, under the guide of their goddesses going to war following the sudden drop in the inflow of shares. It was a devastating war, which almost brought an end to the whole planet. But when the news of this breakthrough technology reached the goddesses, they all decided to cease fighting. Something like that simply couldn't be lost in a senseless fighting. Additionally, when the war ended, the inflow of shares returned to it's state from before the crisis and the war.

With the fusion drive, ships were built, that carried first colonists and scientific teams to other planets of the system, which were now in range of just a few days or weeks, not months, setting up outposts and settlements. Resources were brought from these planets, which helped in rebuilding Gamindustri after the Share War. Since then, except several minor incidents, both the planet and the whole system was peaceful. Colonies developed under the watch of various corporations or national governments, technology developed and humanity prospered.

However, now, another breakthrough was made. Originating from the planet Nintedus, professor Viero Utegi created the next step in the human expansion into stars: slip drive. Thanks to time-space manipulations, the drive created a portal that could transport a ship from one place to the other within just few minutes. In short, he created the first ever hyperspace drive.

And today, the first mission to another star system was supposed to be performed. The next step in human expansion across the stars.

Michael Slim, a mission controller for the PSA, just exited his car and grabbed his suitcase. Next, he turned and went towards the entrance to the building. This day was gonna be also very important to him, as he was supposed to be the one supervising the Galax Mission, the name used to describe the mission to other star system that had to take place today. He was really excited about this, as it could be the next step in his career.

"Good morning, Mr. Slim."the secretary at the reception desk said.
"Good morning."Michael replied."How is everyone today?"
"Awaiting today's event."

"As everyone. After all, history is gonna be made today. First ever humans will set foot on a planet in a completely different star system. Something generations dreamed of, but never were able to see. And today, it's gonna become a reality."
"We all hope so."

After saying his goodbyes, Michael turned into another corridor and made his way to the locker room, where he saw several other members of his team already preparing for the mission.

"Oh, Michael, you're here."Marlene, one of his colleagues, said, seeing him.
"Yeah, although I almost lost hope."Michael replied.

"Why?"
"Well, there was this bunch of dogoos blocking the road! I had to take a side route to get here. If I was driving a bit faster, I would get a speeding ticket."

"Yikes. Good that you made it on time."
"I'm glad too. How long do we have left before the start of the mission?"
"Just twenty minutes."
"So, it's time to make history."
"Indeed."

They quickly changed into their work clothes and left the locker room.

Twenty minutes later, the two of them, as well as everyone else overseeing the mission, were gathered in the control room. People were sitting at the computers, showing various parameters important for the ship and the mission as a whole. There were specialists from not only Planeptune, but also from Lowee, Lastation and Leanbox, as the whole project was under international supervision.

Representatives from all four nations were present in form of directors of all four space agencies. Michael approached them.

"Supervisor Slim, we're glad to see you."director Neo Amazin, director of Planeptune's Space Agency, said.
"I'm also glad to see you all here."Michael said, looking at the four directors.

"This day is especially important for Lowee."director Sierra Dowser, director of Loweecosmos, said."After all, this technology was discovered by a citizen of Lowee's colony."
"You don't have to brag about it so much."director Yoichiro Keida, director of Lastation National Space Administration, said.

"And there is no time for arguments, ladies and gentlemen."director Mastia Cortna, director of Leanbox Aerospace Institution, said."We should be all happy for the fact that humanity is pushing past further boundaries."

All other space agencies directors looked at each other and nodded.

"You're right."Amazin said."Supervisor Slim, commence the mission."
"Yes, director."Slim replied.

He then turned and approached the communication station. Comms officer pressed a button and Slim spoke to the microphone:
"United, this is Planeptune, can you hear me?"

United was the name of the ship that had to perform the Galax Mission. It was small, with only four crew members, one from each nation. It was basically built around the Utegi drive, with the engine itself making much of it's mass.

"Loud and clear, Planeptune."one of the astronauts said.
"We're glad about that."Michael said."Are you at the jump point?"
"We're almost there."second astronaut said.
"Good, so, before you go, allow to say it. You are the first to carve a new path for space exploration for all of Gamindustri. The pioneers of new era. You will be remembered for all you did and the future generations will look up to you as the heroes, which led humanity's charge into the unknown frontier of the galaxy. Your names forever will go down in history."

Everyone in the control room clapped, hearing this short speech. When the congratulations ended, the third astronaut spoke:
"Thank you for your words, Planeptune."
"How is your communication equipment?"Marlene asked from her position.
"Everything seems to be green."the fourth and last astronaut said."The egg heads really put some effort into it, did they?"
"Indeed."Michael confirmed."It's a state of the art quantum equipment, which will allow us live communication, even though we would be light years away from each other. We will see everything you see."

"Good to know that, Planeptune."

"Are you ready to commence the mission?"Michael asked.

There was a short period of silence on the astronauts' side, but after that, one of them said:
"Yes, we're at the jump point."

"Good."

Right then, everyone looked at the big screen in the control room, which showed the view from camera mounted right above the astronauts' heads. On it, everyone could see the frame of the ship's frontal window and black emptiness behind it, with numerous stars.

"Commencing jump in 5…4…"

Everyone in the control room held their breath.

"…3…2…1…Commencing jump."
"Jump confirmed."one of the controllers in the control room said.

Right then, the view on the screen changed. Stars visible behind the window slowly started stretching, until from simple dots on the dark background, they became streaks of light passing by the ship at astonishing speeds. Everyone observed this new, yet mesmerizing, view and for the next several minutes, most of them couldn't look away from the screen.

"How does it look?"Michael asked around the room.
"All sensors normal."

"No fuel leaks detected."
"Communications uninterrupted."

"ETA to target: 2 minutes 30 seconds."

So as of now, everything was going according to plan. Of course, Michael couldn't be completely happy as many others were. At this point, everything could go wrong. There could be some malfunction in the drive, which would cause the crew to be stranded somewhere, where they couldn't be reached. Or worse, the ship could be destroyed by some unexpected phenomenon. There were multiple possibilities, but as of now, nothing was going wrong. And he prayed to Purple Heart that nothing will change.

After two and a half minutes of tension, the stars on the screen returned to their normal form. But now, what everyone could see, most of the front window was covered by a big mass of gray.

"Planeptune?"astronaut asked.

"We can hear you."Michael said.
"Jump complete. Checking the astrogation data."

Another several minutes of tension and waiting.

"We got it."the news finally came.
"And?"
"The data leaves no doubts: the jump was successful. We're currently in the orbit of exo-planet Zamerius a, in the Zamerius system."

Within just a few seconds, entire control room erupted in cheers. People fell into each other's arms, hugged, patted on the back or simply shook hands, like the space agencies directors. It was a time of unrestricted joy, because the first phase of the mission, and at the same time the first step into new era, was completed.

"Planeptune, we're commencing phase two of the mission."

"We're gonna try landing on the surface of the planet."

"Understood, United. We'll be watching the landing."
"Copy that."

On the screen, the planet now took over the whole frontal window, as ship pointed straight towards it's surface. It's standard fusion engines started pushing the ship in it's direction, slowly. Meanwhile, the celebration in the control room continued. This was what they were all waiting for. First human being on a new planet in a different star system. This whole mission was going to go down in history.

Although, they were unaware, that not because of the reasons they expected.

"Uhhh…Planeptune?"one of the astronauts asked.
"What is it?"Michael replied.
"I have some weird readings here…"
"What weird readings?"
"There appears to be some object heading towards us from…the surface of the planet?"

Suddenly, the whole room froze.

"What is that object?"Michael asked.
"I think I can see it…It looks like…Oh goddess…"

"What's happening!"
"It's a…a missi…!"

Before he could finish, the whole view shook and sound of something exploding was heard.

"Planeptune, we've been hit! We're falling!"
"Calm down!"Michael exclaimed, more to himself than to them."Are you sure it was…"Word 'missile' couldn't leave his mouth.

"Yes!"another astronaut said."I could see a white smoke following it!"

"How is that even possible?!"third astronaut shouted.

"Planeptune, we're falling fast! Brace for impact!"

On the screen, everyone saw as the ship flies towards the ground at great speed. Ground was so close now, that singular craters and rocks could be visible. One of the astronauts tried to even the flight, as the front of the ship started lifting up.

"Daaaaaaaamnnnnn iiiiiiiit!"one of the astronauts shouted at the top of her lungs.

Right then, the ship hit the ground and the screen went black.

Silence that fell in the control room afterwards was almost deafening. Everyone looked at the black screen for the next few seconds, trying to comprehend what just happened. No one could even move because of how shocking this was.

Finally however, Michael looked around and this prompted everyone else to look at him. Even the directors. They all awaited his words.

"I think we…"he started and stopped to think, after which he continued."I think we should inform the Basilicoms. We might have a BIG problem on our hands…"

Two hours later…

Zamerius a

He slowly started opening his eyes. He was surprised to even be able to do that. Unless he was in the afterlife and was about to see how it looks like.

Nope. Once he opened his eyes, he saw the control panel of United, the front window and the gray surface of the exo-planet. So it meant, that he was still very much alive, although in pain.
"Man, this couldn't get any worse, right, guys?"he asked his companions.

But there was no response.

"Guys?"

He looked to his side, where another astronaut was supposed to sit…and almost screamed.

Said astronaut was still sitting on his seat, but now, his face was smashed into a pulp, courtesy of it smashing into the control panel during the crash.

He tried looking back. He twisted his neck enough to look at the comms station. Astronaut sitting there was no better, as his neck was pierced by a part of the ceiling and there were sparks falling right on him. It was pretty certain that he was dead. Same could probably be said about the last member of the crew.

"Seems like I'm the lucky one, huh?"he asked himself.

The only response was knock at the hatch.

He blinked. Wait, a knock on the hatch?! If this planet wasn't full of intelligent rocks, then he had no idea, who could be knocking at the hatch he could see to his left. Knocking repeated itself and this made him gulp.

What made him wide-eyed was the light that appeared on the door. It must've been some kind of plasma cutter, because it started moving down towards the floor, leaving marks on the hatch. When it reached the bottom, it disappeared and the hatch fell on the ground, cut in half with a thud. He looked at the open hole.

There, he saw three figures, which made his heart race. They all looked humanoid, with two arms and legs, wearing some kind of black armor. Their faces were also covered by dark visors, which didn't allow him to see their faces. Two of them held items resembling riffles. The third, in the middle, simply had is arms behind his back. His head moved and looked at the astronaut.

"Well."he said."What do we have here?"

Astronaut had no idea what was more surprising. The fact that he had three people of unknown origin standing before him…or the fact, that one of them spoke in a language he could understand.

Figure in the middle approached him. It was at this point that he noticed that the figure's knees were…doubly bent. Figure knelt in front of him.

"Who are you?"

"I-I am S-Shen…"he replied.
"And where do you come from, Shen?"
"From G-Gami-mindustri, sir…"

Figure tilted it's head and then looked back at the two accompanying him. Next, he stood up and left terrified Shen behind. Before exiting the ship, though, he stopped.
"Dispose of him."he ordered."And all of this junk."

"Yes, general."one of the two other figures replied.

Shen's eyes widened as he saw two riffles being pointed at him.
"Wait…!"

The two pulled the triggers.

On the outside, the 'general' reached into his pocket and pulled out his radio and activated it.

"Your Highness, this is Al'roy."

"What is it?"the voice on the other side asked.

"We might have a problem. We just shot down a ship that claims to come from Gamindustri."

There was a short period of silence.
"Are you certain?"
"That's what the last survivor said."
"That means, that we may have made some mistakes in our calculations."
"What are the orders?"

"We have a slight change of plans. Knowing, that they might be aware of our plan, we shall commence the assault within three days."

"It will be done, Your Highness."

He ended the call right as his two subordinates came up to him.

"And?"Al'roy asked.

"No survivors, the whole ship rigged with explosives."one of them said.

"Good. We're leaving."

They both saluted.

Several minutes later, as his shuttle climbed higher and higher, leaving the anti-air emplacement behind and watching as the wreck of the United disappears in an explosion.

XXX

So, yeah. This is chapter 1. As I said, this an AU. So if you don't like something in it, then it's okay. But don't ruin it for the people who actually like it. With that said, leave a review, follow and favorite. It will be highly appreciated!