The mood on the way to Corson V was melancholy. Kit wanted to let Rivet process what had just happened. After all, she had just lost not only her friend but her home as well. There wasn't anything she could say that would make her feel better, at least that's what Kit thought. So throughout the trip, there was nothing but silence.
Eventually, they reached their destination, entering the atmosphere and getting a view of the galaxy's capital: Hope City, previously Nefarious City. It had gone through many changes since Kyla became president. Gone was the propaganda splattered everywhere, reminding everyone who Nefarious was. Instead, the signs of various shops and public events took their place. Some even say that the city felt more colorful and bright ever since Nefarious was defeated.
Rivet landed her ship and walked towards the capitol building, with Kit walking beside her. She first had to pass through the Bazaar, which normally had people bustling around trying to find the best deal on something. But there were fewer people there now, and the ones that were there felt uncertain and scared. From the looks of it, Rivet and the morts weren't the first ones to find out about Drek Industries and their activities.
After passing through the Bazaar, she walked past the statue of a galactic citizen with a child on their shoulder in front of the capitol building. After the statue of Nefarious was taken down, President Phyronix was offered the chance to have a statue of her replace it. She refused, insisting that the people needed to believe in an ideal, not an idol. Normally Rivet would stop to look at the statue, admiring that what they fought for came true. But much like the people in the Bazaar, her mood was too dire for that.
Rivet entered the new capitol building, getting through all the people running around in a panic before entering the elevator. As it went up, Kit finally broke the silence. "How are you doing, Rivet?" she asked, even though she probably knew the answer.
"I just lost my home. How do you think I'm doing?" Rivet said in a hostile tone, seeing the surprised look on Kit which made her instantly regret it. "...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take it out on you. I just…I just don't want to talk about it right now."
"I understand. But if you ever need me, I'm here for you."
"I appreciate it, Kit. Thank you." Just as they stopped talking, they reached the top floor, which was President Phyronix's office. The secretary let them in as Kyla was sitting at her desk in front of a window overlooking the entire city, giving a public statement to a camera bot.
"Hello, citizens. I know the news of Drek Industries is causing a lot of fear and uncertainty. But just remember that this isn't the first time we've felt this. There were times while I was leading the resistance when all hope seemed lost. But now we actually have freedom, all because we worked together to fight a tyrannical regime. Alicia Drek is nothing more than a ruthless opportunist who wishes to destroy everything we've built, all for the sake of greed. We can defeat her, though. If you're not a galactic ranger, you might ask yourself, 'How can I help?' It's simple, help your fellow citizens in any way you can. Volunteer and check in on your neighbors. By doing that, you can give each other hope, and that's how we will win this."
The camera bot stopped filming and left the office, flying past Rivet and Kit. "That was a marvelous speech, Madam President." Kit said.
"I hope they think so, too," Kyla said as she stood up. "If there's one thing people need right now, it's hope. Now, I'm assuming you're here because of the news?"
"Sargasso…it's gone." Rivet said.
"Oh no…I'm so sorry. What about the morts?"
"Alive, and on their way here through a transport." Kit said.
"That's something, at least." She put her hand to her ear, activating her comm. "Prep the Defense Center. I'm coming down there."
Kyla put a hand on Rivet's shoulder. "Rivet, I know how much Sargasso meant to you, but we need you now more than ever. Think you can save the galaxy again?"
Rivet looked up at her with a look of determination. She was hoping she would say something like that. "Yes, ma'am!"
Kyla gave a smile before pulling out a remote and pressing the button on it. A tile on the floor flips, revealing a teleporter on the ground. Each one of them took turns standing on it, which brought them to the Defense Center, the place that supports the rangers through intel and R&D. The room they teleported into had rows of desks on each side, with defense operators typing away at their computers and contacting members of the rangers.
"What do we know about Drek?" Kit asked as they walked by the operators.
"Not much." Kyla said, "Her company started up shortly after we set up the Corson V Government. Supposedly, it specialized in weapons and robot manufacturing. They were buying up Nefarious warbot factories and using them to manufacture their goods, but aside from that, we didn't think of them as a threat."
Rivet and Kit followed the president to a control room, where they stood on a platform overlooking operators at their consoles. In front of them was a large screen with smaller screens on its left and right. Kyla kept talking. "But now we're getting reports of pieces of planets being taken for unknown purposes. As if that wasn't enough, a message was broadcasted throughout the entire galaxy by the woman herself." She motioned to the operator next to her, which made them turn on the big screen, showing a video of Drek.
"Hello there, Galaxy! Allow me to introduce myself! I am Alicia Drek, Chairwoman of Drek Industries. I'm going to give it to you straight. Once upon a time, I was an oppressed 'squishy' just like most of you were. Slaving away doing maintenance on Nefarious' warbots on Corson V when I knew I was destined for greater things. Then one day, a miracle happened. The Emperor was defeated, and while all the robots that served him were panicking about them losing their leader, I snuck into his office, transferred his entire fortune into my account, and used it to start my own company, becoming the girlboss you see in front of you!
The best part about it is that you can be just like me! That's why Drek Industries is declaring war on the Corson V Government! Let's face it, all governments do is hold back your potential! When we win, we'll create a galaxy where you make your own rules without pesky things like government intervention crushing your greatness! So while I'm invading planets and taking pieces of them, for reasons I cannot fully disclose, ask yourself, 'Do I wanna be a follower, or do I want to be my own boss?' But you don't have to decide right away! As soon as I invade your planet I'll choose for you!"
Drek struck a pose for the camera with a smile as the Drek Industries logo popped up with their slogan at the bottom that said, "Join us or we will make you!" The video kept playing until Drek looked off-camera at someone. "We can cut now." She said, still with a smile on her face.
The video stopped.
Throughout the entire broadcast, Rivet clenched her fists in anger. This woman was responsible for the destruction of her home and the death of her childhood friend. There was no telling what Rivet was going to do the moment she got her hands on her.
"Where is she?" Rivet asked.
"If we knew, I would've sent the rangers over to her as soon as I could." Kyla said, "Which is why we need your help. I already have the rest of the rangers spread out trying to defend the other planets from Drek. I need you to find out where she is so we can put an end to this war as quickly as possible."
Rivet gave a salute. "I'll help out in any way I can!"
"As will I!" Kit said, "Wherever Rivet goes, I go!"
Kyla gave a smile. "Thank you, you two."
One operator from the floor below shouted out. "Madam President, we're receiving an urgent message from Terachnos!"
"Put it on the screen!" Kyla said.
The video feed showed a purple Terachnoid with a white mustache in what appeared to be an office area. "This is Armkin. I don't have much time! Drek knows we betrayed her and she will no doubt come after me! I have valuable information about Drek Industries that I am willing to share with the rangers if you rescue me! And hurry!"
"Armkin?" said Kyla. "He's the Terachnos ambassador. To think he had information on Drek. No matter, looks like your first order of business is getting that info from him. But before you two go, I want to give you something."
Phyronix led them outside to the landing pad. On it was a purple fighter ship that Rivet immediately recognized. "Is that an Aphelion class fighter ship!?" she said as she ran to check it out up close. Before Nefarious took control of the galaxy, Aphelion ships were state-of-the-art fighter ships piloted by the best of the best. It was said that one of them could take out a small fleet all by themselves. However, they were the first to be taken out once Nefarious' conquest started. From taking over their fuel depots to using special seeker missiles designed to take them out. Once Emperor Nefarious banned their production, Aphelion ships were believed to be extinct. Rivet used to read about them and always dreamed of flying in one herself.
"We found this in one of the old abandoned hangers," said Kyla. "The techies in Defense managed to fix her up pretty well. I personally requested the paint job. I thought it would fit well for its new owner."
"You're…You're giving this to me?"
"Of course. I know you're comfortable with that other ship you have, but a ranger should be prepared for combat in space as well as on the ground."
"I-I don't know what to say."
"Just save the galaxy for us, ok?"
"I won't let you down, Ma'am!" An eager Rivet jumped into the ship, with Kit jumping in with her. She then took off and flew into the sky.
"You never have," Kyla said with a smile as she watched them fly off.