Hello, welcome back in the story. Previously on…The goddesses were informed about the events that unfolded regarding the Galax Mission and it's fate. Because of that, the military of all four nations was put on high alert regarding the incident, until the whole situation gets resolved. However, CPUs and everyone else in the star system is unaware of the true face of these events and the plot that unfolds.
Now, let's get the reviews out of the way.
To end5: Once again, thank you. And I wouldn't call them 'raiders'. But this will be explained later.
Alright, with this out of the way, let's start this.
Chapter 3
April 6, 2254 G.C.
09:36
Planeptune's Department of Defense, Tactical Room
General Mio Sakami stood in the middle of the room, looking at the holographic map of the system. On it, she could see all of Planeptune's forces deployed across the system, from fleets to ground forces. This, of course, included all outposts and space stations.
This is why when several outposts stopped responding and their signals disappeared, the whole DoD was tense.
"Do we know anything about it?"she asked her adjutant.
Young corporal simply shook his head.
"No clue, sir. Their transponders simply started disappearing and we don't know why."he replied.
Right then, another signal, representing one of Planeptune's heavy cruisers orbiting one of their colonies, simply vanished, followed by the signal of refueling base it was protecting.
"This is just ridiculous."Sakami stated."Our assets are probably being destroyed, our men possibly killed and we don't know why!"
"It must be one of the other three!"some hotheaded officer said."Lastation, Lowee or Leanbox!"
"Or pirates!"
"Or terrorists!"
"Definitely none of the other nations."adjutant said."We received reports from their DoDs reporting that their assets are also being destroyed."
Mio just sighed.
"We have to contact the Basilicom. Goddess and Oracle must know of this."
Comms officer immediately went to work.
April 6
09:43
Planeptune, Planeptower
After the meeting in Planeptune's Space Center and taking care of the important business, Neptune, as expected, quickly returned to her rather lazy attitude. She continued playing video games with Nepgear and eating pudding. Of course, Histoire had some things to say about that, but it mostly fell on deaf ears.
The same was today, when she was enjoying a calm day, playing a video game and eating pudding, while Nepgear shut herself in her room and worked on some new project, which she didn't want to reveal too quickly. Life was good again.
Or rather, it would be, if the door didn't open and Histoire didn't fly in at blazing speed.
"Neptune! There is an emergency!"the Oracle exclaimed.
Neptune only moaned in dismay.
"Again?"she asked."You really like that 'always three' of yours, don't you?"
"This is serious, Neptune! We were just called by the Department of Defense. They wish to speak with us. And 'us' includes you, me, and Nepgear, which I already pulled out of her room."
"Fiiiiiiiine…"
Saying that, CPU stood up, turned off the game and left them pudding, after which she followed the Oracle. They went down the corridor and towards the elevator. They took it and after riding it a few floors down, they stepped into the security floor. Nepgear was already waiting in front of the main entrence.
"You're here."the CPU Candidate said, when they stood next to her.
"Yes."Neptune said."Although some would rather stay in their room."
"I told you, this is a distress."Histoire argued."Someone of your position can never neglect her duties."
Without another word, she opened the door and flew into the Planeptower's Security Control Room.
"Sometimes I just think she secretly hates me."Neptune said, pouting."How can you hate me, the protagonist?"
Nepgear patter her back.
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you."she said."But you should really take your role more seriously."
"Et tu, Nepgear?"
The two entered the PSCR and were immediately greeted by numerous security officers either bowing or saluting them. Sisters simply nodded back at them and approached the main holo-table in the center of the room. There stood the chief security officer, Histoire floated next to him and general Sakami was present as a holographic window hovering over the table. There was also map of the system.
"Alright, what is the ruckus?"Neptune asked, with her hands behind her head."Another ship disappeared?"
"Neptune, be more serious."Histoire hissed.
"Goddess, Oracle, Candidate."general Sakami said."As much as I would want a single ship to disappear…the situation is much worse."
As she said that, the map of the system got updated and now, numerous red dots could be seen on it.
"What are those?"goddess of Planeptune asked.
"These used to be our facilities and ships."general Sakami replied."It all started around half an hour ago."
Hearing this, everyone, even Neptune, went wide eyed. They looked at the map once more.
"So many…"Nepgear said."And all of this in just half an hour?"
"Yes, we…"general started, but stopped, as someone appeared and started whispering something into her ear."Update the map."
The map updated once more, with two more dots appearing in the asteroid belt between the inner and outer planets.
"We just lost two listening posts."Sakami said.
"This is not something normal."Histoire stated the obvious.
General nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, Oracle. Worse, we received information from other nations, that their facilities and ships also started disappearing."
"Oh no…"Nepgear said.
"We already sent orders to all still available units. They are to go into combat readiness and be ready for anything that might happen. We intend to…"
Once more, general was interrupted, when the same person came and started whispering something into her ear. As she listened, her eyes went wide.
"We have a new update on the situation."general said."We just lost contact with our facilities on the Moon."
"The Moon?"Histoire asked, shocked."When…"
"General!"someone in Sakami's background exclaimed."We're getting visual from orbital defense! These are…!"
His words were cut out by a flash of light which lit up the room and turned the view from the camera into static. Everyone in the room stood there for a few seconds, not knowing how to react, while sounds of screams and sirens came from the outside.
'What's going on out there?"Histoire asked.
Neptune and Nepgear were already running towards the window. Oracle followed them and they all looked out on the city. In the distance, from a place where the Department of Defense was, a giant pile of black smoke was rising into the sky.
"We have confirmation, there is a giant crater in place of the DoD."one of security officers said."It's gone."
"What did it?"Neptune asked.
"Something like that could only be caused by a big bomb or…"Nepgear said and gasped."Orbital bombardment."
The three looked at each other.
"We're going outside!"Neptune decided.
Not long after, two goddesses and Oracle literally flew out of the room and ran down the corridors leading towards the elevator. They quickly took it, rode it down several floors and exited in the main hall. Basilicom Guards standing there saluted, but the three didn't pay attention. They just opened the main gate and entered the Planeptower's main courtyard. And when they did, their eyes widened from disbelief.
Slowly flying down from the sky were numerous ships of various sizes, all colored black and gray. All of them had some alien, unknown designs, which might have meant, that they didn't come from this solar system. There were also numerous smaller machines leaving them. All of them had some unknown designs, much different than anything used by any military from Gamindustri. But just by their shapes, it wasn't hard to guess their purpose. Bigger, slower machines acted like typical dropship used by armies and police forces, while sleeker, faster were certainly some kind of fighter.
Right then, a squadron of Planeptunian fighters appeared in the sky. However, before they could do anything, enemy machines got on their tail and opened fire. Within few seconds, all seven machines were shot down.
"What…What is happening…?"Nepgear asked, terrified by the sight before her.
"It would appear to be…"Histoire said, her face pale and voice grim"…an invasion."
"Invasion by who?"Neptune asked."Aren't we all friends with other nations?"
Right after she said that, one of the ships started projecting something in the sky. It was a holographic screen. It was only static for few seconds, before it cleared. On it, they could see a middle aged woman with fiery red hair, dressed in black robes. She was sitting on some kind of throne and was flanked by two soldiers dressed in combat armor. But what was most shocking for everyone, was that she looked like a normal human.
"People of Gamindustri!"the woman started.
April 6
10:07
Lastation
Noire, Uni and Kei watched the fleet of ships in the sky and the woman on the hologram. They didn't even pay attention to sirens and smoke rising over the Ministry of Defense.
"My name is empress Keya Aristos I!"the woman continued."As of today, you will be under the rule of Aristian Empire!"
"Where are our troops?"Noire asked.
Kei looked at the tablet in her hands.
"They're moving out of their bases."the Oracle replied.
"They have to be here within half an hour! That's an order from the goddess!"
"Of course!"
April 6
10:08
Leanbox
"Our forces have already rendered most of your military assets harmless and most of your facilities in outer space have been taken by our troops!"Keya said, with no change of her expression.
Vert stood unmoved, watching the speech from the so-called 'empress' while Chika stood behind her, shifting from foot to foot and looking at her tablet.
"I just got information from RRoD."Chika said."They have a dropship ready to get you out of the city."
Vert looked at her, rising an eyebrow.
"Tell them to call it off."she stated firmly."I'm not leaving."
"B-But…"
"What goddess would I be, if I simply left our nation in the middle of invasion?"
Oracle tried to say something about it, but just stopped and nodded.
"Understood."she replied, sending the order to the RRoD.
April 6
10:09
Lowee
"The only sensible course of action is for you to peacefully surrender and allow our troops to take control of most of your facilities!"Keya demanded."Anyone who will resist will be eliminated with extreme prejudice!"
Rom and Ram cuddled onto her sister, shaking.
"Blanc…I'm scared…"Rom said.
"Wh-What do we do?"Ram asked.
Blanc squinted her eyes, looking at the empress, feeling the rage growing inside her.
"Mina."she said.
"Yes?"Mina replied.
"Take Rom and Ram out of here."
"Of course."
Although the two resisted for a second, they finally agreed to go with the Oracle inside.
April 6
10:10
Planeptune
"This is not a request!"empress pointed out."This is an order I expect all of you to obey! And I want to hear your answer within the next ten minutes!"
After saying that, the screen returned to static.
Neptune, Nepgear and Histoire looked at it, wondering about their possible course of action.
"What do we do?"distressed Nepgear asked.
"Honestly, I don't know."Histoire replied.
"Wow, if even Histy doesn't know what to do, you can be sure the situation is bad."Neptune stated."Alright, it seems we have to do it the old fashioned way."
There was a flash of light and once it vanished, Purple Heart stood in Neptune's place. She pulled out her katana and floated up into the sky towards the screen.
"Sis, be careful!"Nepgear called out.
"We don't know what we're exactly dealing with! Be cautious!"Histoire added.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"Purple Heart replied.
She stopped before the screen and lifted her weapon above her head.
"Hey! I need to have a few words with you!"the goddess exclaimed.
Nothing happened by the next few seconds, except of the proceeding invasion, but then, the screen turned on again, showing the empress still sitting in the same place as before. She had a confident look on her face.
"I guess you decided to surrender?"Keya asked.
"You would like that, wouldn't you?"Purple Heart replied with a smirk."My answer is no. We will not surrender to you."
"And who are you anyway?"
"I'm Purple Heart, the CPU of Planeptune."Purple Heart replied proudly."And I will not allow anyone to come into my nation just like that, with their armies."
Hearing the term 'CPU', Keya almost stood up from her throne, clearly shocked, but quickly stopped herself and her confident face returned.
"CPU, you say?"she asked."Well then. We were prepared for such an eventuality."
This time, it was Purple Heart who was surprised.
"What do you mean?"she asked.
In response, Keya only smiled.
"Neptune, look out!"Nepgear hollered from the ground.
Almost instinctively, Purple Heart turned around and blocked with her sword. Immediately after, sparks flew in all directions, as the blade she just blocked collided with her katana. She managed to push the enemy back and could take a clearer look at them.
It was a young woman, somewhere in her twenties, with blonde hair braided in two braids. What was most surprising, was that she was wearing a suit similar to those worn by CPUs, wings included, with gold elements. In her right hand, she held a big, claymore-like sword. A sadistic smile spread across her face.
"Hahahaha!"she laughed."So these CPUs are actually something to work with! Oh, long have I waited for this opportunity!"
"Who…are you…?"Purple Heart asked.
Woman didn't answer. Instead, it was Keya who spoke.
"Goddesses and Gamindustri."she announced."I would love you to meet my treasured children. Hall-A…"
The one that attacked Purple Heart nodded.
"…Tacoma…"
Another holographic screen appeared. On it, everyone could see Black Heart, facing off against another woman similar to Hall-A, but purple-haired and with a big chain axe, wearing a suit with orange elements.
"…EVEa…"
Third screen appeared, this time presenting Green Heart standing against a third woman, this time a bit younger than Hall-A and Tacoma seemed to be, with short, brown hair, dressed in a suit with gray elements. As her weapon, she used a spear, similar to the one used by Vert.
"…and Stellaria."
With that, empress vanished from the screen and was replaced by a view of Lowee and White Heart hovering in front yet another younger girl, no older than fifteen, dressed in a suit with teal elements, with white hair tied in a ponytail and using some claw-like weapons.
"All four of them form the Imperial Knights."Keya finished.
All four Knights bowed.
"How about this?"Keya's voice asked."Let's decided the fate of your precious system with four duels. If you, CPUs, win, we will leave and never return."
"And if we won't?"all CPUs asked at the same time.
"Then your system will have to surrender to us immediately."
All four goddesses, all in their nations, facing their own enemies, simultaneously tightened the grip on their weapons.
"Bring…"Purple Heart said.
"…it…"Black Heart said.
"…on!"White and Green Heart exclaimed.
"Thought so."empress said."Daughters, take care of them."
"Yes, mother."the four replied.
Goddesses and their enemies looked at each other.
"You know what?"Hall-A asked Purple Heart."I always wanted to taste the blood of a CPU. If you even bleed, of course."
"Come here and find out."Purple Heart said.
"Let's deal with this quickly."Tacoma said, correcting her glasses."I've got things to do and places to be."
"Not on my watch."Black Heart stated.
"So, how does it feel?"EVEa asked."Knowing all you worked hard for will soon turn to ruin?"
"You have to first beat me."Green Heart replied."Then you can ask me questions."
"FYI"Stellaria said"this will hurt me more than you."
"Shut up and fight!"White Heart exclaimed.
They looked at each other for few more seconds. The tension rose higher and higher, as both people on the ground and the opponents waited for the first moves.
And then, it started.
All duels begun simultaneously, as opponents charged at each other. Purple Heart tried to slash from the right, but her attack was parried by Hall-A's blade. Next, the Knight went to the offensive, slashing and bashing from every direction. Purple Heart, fortunately, managed to block or evade each of her strikes, although it wasn't easy, considering her unpredictable movements and wild attack pattern.
Black Heart observed as Tacoma revs her chain axe and charges at her. Goddess prepared her sword for the fight and when two weapons collided, sparks flew in all directions and the revved chain axe tried to eat through the metal of the blade. Looking into her opponent's eyes, Black Heart didn't see any emotion. At first glance, she knew, that her enemy was cold and calculating, but only now she got the confirmation. She pushed Tacoma back and started attacking again. Knight didn't let herself be shaken by it, though, at quickly got to work, evading the attacks and sometimes again going into the offensive.
In Leanbox, both fighters circled around each other in the air, before charging forward. The tips of their spears met and they immediately started trying to outmaneuver the enemy, to find their weak point and strike there. But it seemed to be no use. Green Heart parried the attacks, but when she went into the offensive against EVEa, she was surprised to see how easy did she evade her strikes. It was almost like she knew exactly where and when will the attack come.
White Heart immediately started it with a hard one. She went for a frontal attack, trying to quickly end this with one, precise strike on enemy's head. Stellaria didn't even move. Lowee's CPU gave out a scream and brought down her hammer. But right before the hammer hit it's mark, Stellaria's hand grabbed it and stopped it in place, surprising White Heart. After that, the Knight hit the goddess in her stomach with her fist, making her fly away several hundred meters. Fortunately, she managed to stop and regain control, right as her opponent charged at her and started slashing with her claws.
In just a few seconds, it was clear, that these duels might not be as easy as previously thought.
After a few seconds, all opponents flew away from each other. CPUs' strength clearly depleted a bit, while the four Imperial Knights didn't even seem phased by anything that was going on.
"What is wrong with you?"all four goddesses asked.
Empress answered instead of the Knights.
"I forgot to mention you one thing."she said."My daughters are…special. Tacoma's intellect exceeds the one of any normal being and she's able to calculate anything, including the timing of attack. EVEa has a power to predict the nearby future, so she knows what will enemy do. Stellaria's strength is much grater than anyone could dream of."
"And what about here?"Purple Heart asked, pointing at Hall-A.
"Hall-A? It's obvious? Her sadistic and wild side has complete control over her."Keya replied.
As if to confirm her words, Hall-A licked the sharp side of her sword. Purple Heart actually shuddered at that.
"Now continue, please."Keya said.
Without waiting, all four Imperial Knights once again charged forward.
"Daughters."Keya spoke in their communicators.
"Yes, mother?"Knights asked.
"Finish this."
"Understood."
As the four Imperial Knights closed the gap between them and goddesses, their suits suddenly started glowing brighter and brighter. Same happened with their weapons and even their eyes lit up with the colors of their suits' lights. And when they collided their weapons with the goddesses, the shockwaves that spread across the land managed to shatter numerous windows and even collapsed some people.
"How…?"Purple Heart asked, blocking Hall-A's sword with whatever strength she had left.
"These suits can be powered up."Hall-A replied."And you know by what?"
"What?"
Knight closed her face to goddess'. She had a sadistic smile on her face.
"The longer we fight, the more of my enemy's energy goes to me."she hissed.
Purple Heart's eyes widened. That would explain, why after only few minutes of fighting, she felt exhausted. And if she didn't notice this earlier, she certainly noticed now, when she felt share energy leaving her body, while lights on Hall-A's suit started lighting up more. In their fights with their opponents, remaining three goddesses also finally understood that.
"If you…think…that you can win…"Purple Heart said through tightened teeth.
"Yes, I think so!"Hall-A laughed.
"Then you're wrong!"
Saying that, goddess simply punched the Knight in the face, throwing her away for a few meters. After stopping, Hall-A touched her face and found out that she got a cut from the punch, which was now bleeding.
"Impressive, you actually hurt me."she said."Boring."
"I can do more to you, if you don't get out of here."Purple Heart stated with hatred in her voice.
She glanced at the three screens. On them, she could clearly see, that other three Imperial Knights were also now some distance away from the goddesses. She could also clearly see that Noire, Vert and Blanc were also exhausted, so probably the other three managed to suck out their share energy from them too.
"Come on. Let's end this."Hall-A said, licking her lips.
Purple Heart readied her katana.
"Agreed."she said.
With that, she charged at the Knight. Same happened in other three nations.
But the Knights didn't move. Instead, they pointed their weapons at the CPUs. Orbs of energy came out of these weapons, crackling with energy. Goddesses noticed this, but it was too late.
Beams of energy launched from the weapons and flew straight at the CPUs. Goddesses tried to block, but it was no use. Beams rammed into them and flung them backwards. Goddesses flew towards the ground and slammed into it, making small craters in the places they impacted.
Neptune flew over Histoire's and Nepgear's heads and crashed into the Planeptower's courtyard. When the dust settled, Neptune was laying on the ground in the crater.
Same was for the other three. On the screens, everyone could see the goddesses laying unconscious on the ground.
"And these are supposed to be your protectors, people of Gamindustri?"Keya asked."The ones that watch over you? Pathetic."
All around the world, people only watched in disbelief. For many, goddesses seemed undefeated. And although they did have some weaker moments, they always came out on top. But now…
"Sis…"Nepgear whispered.
"No…"Histoire said.
Right then, Hall-A landed next to Neptune and grabbed her by the collar.
"Sorry, gotta throw out the trash."she said and flew up.
"Wait!"Nepgear exclaimed."Stop! Let her go!"
"Nepgear!"Histoire said, stopping the Candidate."You won't do anything on your own!"
"But…!"
She went silent, because she knew, that the Oracle was right.
At the same time, on her flagship, empress Keya watched her daughters pick up the CPUs and fly back to their ships with them.
"General Al'roy?"she turned to the general standing beside her.
He bowed his insectoid head, clattering his mandibles.
"Yes, Your Highness?"he asked.
"Give the order."
"Of course."
He reached his communicator, spoke into it and it begun.
Invading forces all across the planet immediately went to battle. Militaries of each nation put up some resistance, but they were unable to hold their line. With any kind of higher ups gone, all forces were being eliminated or routed within just minutes or hours. Lowee was the first to fall, when first enemy infantry managed to get into the Basilicom. Lastation followed, then Leanbox and finally, Planeptune. By the end of the day, imperial troops were marching through the streets of each capital city, singing and celebrating their victory.
The whole invasion, from the beginning to the end, lasted for just a single day. History would later call this event The One Day War. While many people would forever know it under the name of A Day That Will Live in Infamy.
April 6
23:07
Planeptower
The whole hangar was covered with bodies of Basilicom Guard, which tried to hold it. Imperial troops walked around it, occasionally finishing off the ones that were still alive. The whole assault went better than expected. There were still some enemy holdouts, but they were already being dealt with.
Right then, a shuttle flew into the hangar, slowly touching down. It's back door opened and it's ramp lowered, allowing the passengers to leave the passenger compartment of the machine.
Stepping out, empress Keya and general Al'roy looked around and nodded proudly.
"Great job, soldiers."she said.
"Thank you, Your Highness."they all replied, saluting.
"Are there any survivors?"Al'roy asked.
Sergeant in charge of the unit stepped forward.
"There are some sections of the tower that are still resisting, but remaining troops are taking care of them as we speak."he reported."We also…got a prisoner."
This spiked empress' interest.
"Prisoner, you say?"she asked.
"Yes."Sergeant activated his communicator."Lead her in."
The door into the hangar opened and two other soldiers entered. Between them, they were holding surprisingly small woman, sitting on a flying book. She was trying to get out of their grip, but the two held her tightly. Keya risen an eyebrow at this sight.
"Interesting."
"Indeed, Your Highness."Al'roy agreed.
Soldiers led the woman through the battlefield and stopped before the empress and the general.
"And what might you be?"Keya asked, leaning towards the prisoner."Some kind of drone? A really small android? Or maybe something else."
Woman scoffed.
"I am Histoire. I was created by the Primordial Goddess to register the history of Gamindustri for future generations."Histoire replied."And know that in the future, you will be known as nothing more but murderers and invaders."
Keya laughed.
"You really think so?"she asked."There is one small problem."
Saying that, she grabbed Histoire by the throat and squeezed.
"History is written by the victors."
She let go and looked at the soldiers.
"Find a safe place to lock her up. In the meantime, I will go and take a look around my new palace."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Empress looked at Histoire once more.
"And we will talk later."
With that, the soldiers turned and led Histoire away, while Keya and Al'roy went to see the state of the tower.
April 6
16:02
Imperial prison ship Alcellay
The corridor was being lit up by only few lamps hanging from the ceiling. Slight hum of the ship systems filled the area. Although it was a prison ship, there were no prisoners, as the vessel was specially converted to hold four prisoners.
And these prisoners were just being dragged across the floor by their late opponents.
"I don't get it."Hall-A said.
She dragged Neptune's unconscious body harder.
"Don't get what?"EVEa asked.
"Why don't we just kill them? I would love to hang her innards around her city for people to see and make myself a mask from her face's skin. It would be awesome."
"Hall-A, please stop."Stellaria said.
"You didn't listen to mother, didn't you?"Tacoma asked.
She stopped in front of the door and pressed some buttons, writing in a code. The door opened, showing a large, circular room with only four pods in it. Imperial Knights dragged their captives inside.
"No. I just heard her say 'beat them'. Nothing else."Hall-A admitted.
Tacoma sighed.
"If you did, you would know, that CPUs are basically impossible to kill by normal means. Even when they are not transformed. You can severely hurt them, but they will recover quickly. There are currently no means known, that could kill them."
Each Knight approached a different pod and wrote the code to open them.
"You put an emphasis on 'known'."EVEa noticed.
"Yes. Because our scientists are hard at work right now, trying to figure out a way to kill them for good. Until then, they will be held in crio-stasis. Besides…"
The pods opened and each Knight put the unconscious goddess inside. Next, they pressed the buttons to close the lids. Immediately, the cryogenic systems started working and the glass part of the lid was covered with frost, which covered the four held inside.
"…what's a better torture, than to live with knowledge that you failed the people that looked up to you for protection and with no way to fix it?"
"Oooooh, I like that."Hall-A laughed."I would never come up with that."
"I know."Tacoma said, as a green light showed, that the cryogenic process was completed. Similar lights appeared on other three pods."Let's go. We have a star system to conquer."
The four quickly left the room, closing the door behind them. After that, the lights all turned off, covering the whole place in darkness, interrupted only by the hum of cryogenic systems of the pods.
XXX
And here we end for now. As always, leave a review, follow and favorite. It will be highly appreciated!
Also, a little game. Can you guess what I based the names of Imperial Knights on?