Hetty, Eric and Nell were working in a lab near Miltian space, and they were making progress. It was at that moment that they received a video call.
"Hetty, we're getting a call from outside the system." Eric said.
"Put it on screen, Mr. Beale." Hetty
It took Eric and Nell a moment to put the call through, and they were greeted by the friendly faces of Sam and Callen.
"Mr. Callen, Mr. Hanna; what have you learned since our last visit?" Hetty asked.
"That the plan to give the Aeon's the boot is a lot more complex than we originally thought." Callen said.
"Where's Kensi and Deeks?" Nell asked.
"Director Vance sent them back into Unknown Space to get the last section of the Omega code." Sam said.
"Where is the finally section?" Eric asked.
Sam and Callen could see that Hetty already knew the answer before either one of them could answer.
"The wayward members of our team went into occult space. Do you have any clue on when they will return to us?" Hetty said.
"No clue. Hetty, we're not even sure how Deeks is going to find the Omega code." Sam said.
"I have to agree with Sam. Even if Deeks body know how differentiate the difference in the codes, we're still not sure how Deeks is going to get the code out of the stronghold." Callen said.
"That is a problem that you needn't worry about gentlemen. Where is Director Vance?" Hetty asked.
"Heading back into the Core region. That's where we're heading as well." Callen said.
"How long until you are in the Core systems?" Nell asked.
"About twelve hours." Callen said.
"Send us a message when you link up with Director Vance." Hetty said.
"Will do." Callen said, and then ended the call.
"Round up the gear and send out the messages. We need be ready to move when they call." Hetty said.
"Yes, Hetty." Eric and Nell both said.
Star Ocean-
Occult space-
"Deeks." Kensi said.
"Yeah, Kens." I said.
"Can you show me how that object works that we got before leaving." She said.
"It's really simple. Grab the object firmly in your hand, and then press the top of the object." I said.
I watch Kensi follow my instructions, and then object grow to a full-length staff.
"You don't think they will try to confiscate this thing?" She asked, trying to return the object to its original form.
"Press the button on the side of the base, and then press the end firmly against your thigh. And to answer your question, no I don't think they will. These things have become standard equipment for those in the occult." I said.
"Wonderful." She said.
"The main problem is getting into the inner sanctum to download the final section." I said.
There was a moment of silence, and then I turned to Kensi to see what the hold up was.
"What?" I asked.
"Director Vance got us ids to get us in the door." She said.
"That's good and all, but will it get us to the main computer?" I asked.
"That's a goo—"
Kensi was got cut off mid sentence When the computer started beeping. We stared at each other in shocked silence. The computer beeped for a good minute before either one of us spoke.
"Don't just stand there, answer it." I said.
Kensi glared at me, and then opened the line.
"So, my ship has finally returned." A male voice said.
"It has." I said.
"Who are we speaking to?" Kensi asked.
"Who else? But one of the creators of the tech in your heads." The man said.
"Albon?" I asked.
"The one and only." Albon said.
"What do you want us to do?" Kensi asked.
"I know you have been collecting the Omega clearance code sections, and that you know that the code fragment that is currently in No Man's space is a bogus copy meant to entrap humanity in the current state it is currently in." Albon said.
"That's good to know all of this, but why are you telling us? You have to know that we aren't with the psychos currently inhabiting this sector of space." I said.
"A simple, but effective term for the people that inhabit this sector of space, but it matters not to me if these "psychos" succeed in their endeavors. As a point of fact, these bumbling morons are a plague on the natural order of things. If my father was still alive, he would be disgusted with what his life's work has become." Albon said.
"You don't seem to bothered by all of this." Kensi said.
"Of course not. Why would I be?" Albon said.
"He has no reason to be." I said, nonchalantly as if I'm talking to nobody in particular.
"Your sarcastic tone is beneath me." Albon said, with an air of pompousness in his voice.
I turn to Kensi and mouth "Like I said," to which Kensi stifled a chuckle.
"Do you want to give us the information, or pass code for us to bypass all the idiots we are about to encounter?" I asked.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. The idiots here have technology in place to keep the transfer of information from leaving their databases." Albon said.
"Do you have a code that would allow us bypass security on the computer where the last fragment is located?" I asked.
"Uploading it now. You have two days until the idiots realize that I've betrayed them. Don't disappoint me." Albon said, and then cut the line.
There was a moment of silence, and then I said. "We'll do our best." I said.
Kensi laughed as shut closed the line, and then we took our seats.
Star Ocean-
Old Miltia star system-
Hetty, Eric, and Nell were aboard a ship that was about to leave hyperspace in the Old Miltian star system, followed by a ship that Sam and Callen were in. The five of them were meeting Director Vance on the fifth planet in the system. Which was the closest to the path leading to the sealed off sector leading back to Earth.
The two ships dropped out of hyperspace just outside the radar range of the fifth planet. Within minutes of exiting hyperspace, Sam and Callen received a message. Sam opened the channel.
"Agents Hanna, and Callen I have a three way with Director Vance." Hetty said.
"Director Vance. Sam said.
"We just received word that Albon has contacted our team in occult space. Albon has graciously, albeit arrogantly, given them the code to extract the final section of the clearance code." Vance said.
"How long until they land?" Callen asked.
"We expect radio silence for a couple of days." Eric said.
"We have no idea how long it's going to take to complete the whole process." Nell said.
"And even if we could, the occultist network is to far to remotely hack." Eric chimed in.
"Looks like Ms. Blye and Mr. Deeks are on their own." Hetty said.
"What have you learned from the two sections of the code we have collected so far?" Sam asked.
Star Ocean-
Occultist space-
Kensi and I thought we were going to have to spend a couple of hours looking for the right building, but then we were stopped by guards that had weapons drawn. We stared at each other, wondering what kind of trouble we just got ourselves into, but then a man walked up followed by more guards.
"So, you are the two that came from off world that will lead the way to our supreme leader." The man said.
Kensi stared at me, looked at the man, and then back at me. I gave Kensi the play along look, raised my eyebrows at her, and then look at the man and said. "That we shall."
"Good. The yearly tradition, which was fated to be canceled, can finally be performed. Please, follow me." The man said, and then walked away.
"Do you have any idea what you have gotten us into?" Kensi whispered.
"If you have any better ideas, please speak up. What I just agreed to will at least get us to the computer within the final section." I whispered back, and we fell silent.
We were escorted to a changing room where we had people waiting for us.
"What do we have to do?" I asked.
"We need you two to get change." The leader said.
There was a moment of deliberation, and then I asked. "Changed?"
"Yes, the procession has an air of pomp and circumstance." The aid began.
"Oh no, here we go." I said.
Kensi backhanded my abdomen, which elicited a grunt from me, and then said. "Ignore my partner, we are delighted and honored to assist with the ceremony."
"Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you prepare for the coming festivities." The leader said, and then walked away.
"Follow me please, and I will take you to the preparation chamber." A male aide said to me.
"See you on the other side." I said to Kensi, and then walked away.
An hour later, I was walking out of the changing room wearing ceremonial garb from some event in the past. It was pretty reasonable, and it wasn't gaudy. A kimono of sorts. I turned around to see Kensi wearing a kimono as well. From the look in my eyes, Kensi could see that I wanted to ravish her right there on the spot.
"What?" Kensi asked.
"After all these years, you still cease to amaze me." I said.
"Save it we have a ceremony to perform." Kensi said, taking my hand and giving it a quick squeeze.
Both Kensi and I had the same lustful look in our eyes, and it took every ounce of will power to walk away. I could hear Kensi groan, and I could imagine the pouting look on her face.
I was two feet from the door when I realized that I had no idea where the ceremony was being held.
"Umm…Yeah. I have no idea where we are heading." I said, looking back to our aides.
"Follow us." The female aide said, and then walked away followed by her partner.
Star Ocean-
Miltia Five-
"Hetty, we have a problem." Eric said.
"What's the problem Mr. Beale?" Hetty asked, flanked by Callen, Sam, and Nell.
"The Aeons have just been whipped into a frenzy." Eric said.
"Starting from where?" Callen asked.
"From the Unknown Regions." Nell said.
"So, it begins." Hetty said.
"What's the major problem?" Sam asked.
"This is the end of everything." Eric said.
"End of everything?" Callen asked.
"Whatever caused this frenzy is making them head towards this location." Eric said.
Eric brought up a map, and it showed the Aeons moving towards the closest system.
"What's the problem?" Director Vance asked.
"Well director, the path that the Aeons are on is going to allow them to take over a production facility." Nell said.
"Which means the Aeons can mass produce anything and make their galactic domination all but assured." Callen said.
"Can we move the facility?" Nell asked.
"That would be impossible." Hetty said.
"Do we have to physically move the plant, could replicate the necessary parts and destroy it?" Sam asked.
"Theoretically, yes, but we don't have time for something like that." Eric said.
"Why not?" Vance asked.
"Actually, I've had people keeping an eye on it for some time." Nell said.
"Nell, how devious." Callen said.
"You wouldn't have asked them to make copies, or find the original blueprints, Ms. Jones?" Hetty asked.
"They most likely did." Nell said.
"Do whatever is necessary to get the plant decommissioned." Director Vance said, and then ended the call.
"Make it fast Ms. Jones, Mr. Beale." Hetty said.
Star Ocean-
Occult space: two hours prior-
"Kensi, we have a problem." I said.
"What?" Kensi asked, approaching the computer.
"I found the file but downloading it will alert the Aeons to our presence here." I said.
There was a moment's hesitation, and then there was a knock at the door. "Is everything okay?" a female voice asked.
"Do it. Hetty will think up a plan when we get back." Kensi said.
"Downloading the file." I said to Kensi. To the woman at the door, I said. "Everything is fine. We are ready to begin the ceremony."