The Crumbling Orb

EPISODE VII: Return of the Aparoids

In Coruscant, Ken was looking out a window watching the busy streets and Federation fleets gathering around in the sky.

“Ken.” Thane said walking in.

“Hey Thane, everything okay?” Ken asked.

“Decorus is asking for you down at the council room, the holoscreens are all on patched to each planetary leader.” Thane said.

“The big meeting then huh?” Ken said.

Ken and Thane headed out and down the nearby stairs.

“Got bad news, one system isn’t responding to the meeting and they have been ringing them for three hours.” Thane said.

“Aparoids?” Ken asked.

“We aren’t sure yet.” Thane said.

A few Federation soldiers passed them with rifles in their hands.

“Everyone looks on edge.” Ken said.

“Some people haven’t slept for a week and have to take medicine to stay awake.” Thane said.

Ken noticed Hide who waved at him and followed behind them.

“Guess we are heading to the council room?” Hide asked.

“We are going to meet Decorus, he’s waiting along with the planetary leaders on holoscreens.” Ken said.

They met Scourge and Atton who were waiting at the doors to the council room.

“Any news?” Hide asked.

Atton looked down as his arms was crossed.

“They lost contact with fifteen systems at the north, south, east, and west outer rims.” Scourge said.

“Let’s head in and see what we can do.” Ken said.

The group walked into the council room where there was over a thousand holoscreens floating around in the air with faces of system leaders and some of the screens switched to other leaders and back to the leader of the former sector it showed.

Decorus and Tali looked over to Ken and the others and beckoned them in.

A few Admirals was sitting in chairs while their guards was answering holo calls from different systems of blackouts.

“The Aparoids have arrived.” Ken said.

“We don’t know that yet.” One admiral said.

“Come on, don’t be ignorant, it is them.” Decorus said.

“Doctor Arentei, what do you say to this matter?” An Admiral asked Arentei who was sitting nearby.

“Our scientists believe that if we could get a sample of these creatures we could perhaps create a virus to destroy their queen.” Arentei said.

“Why not all of them?” A planetary leader asked.

“These Aparoids seem to be a hive mind from what we studied of them in dark space. They move together other than independently. She could issue orders to them telepathically and then they carry it out. Say fifty of them move to one system at the same time and another group of fifty moves to another system at the same time as the other, but they are going to two different systems. It works like a hive mind, we kill the Queen, we kill all of them.” Arentei said.

“Is this theory or fact?” A planetary leader asked.

Arentei was silent.

Decorus saw the worry on her face and spoke up.

“It’s the only other option we have, we should try to gather as much DNA from an Aparoid as possible.” Decorus said.

“We need more than just DNA, we need the whole embryo, we need at least fifty percent of one’s body so that we have enough to work with.” Arentei said.

“Those things are massive though.” Ken said.

“We can’t just obliterate one or we will lose chunks of the DNA and Embryo’s we need.” Arentei said.

“We will just make one shot through ones head then.” Tali said.

“To be honest with you Admiral, if we could get one’s brain it would help our research but I know that would be impossible.” Arentei said.

“We will goal for either one then.” Decorus said.

“Admirals with your permission, I’d like my fleet to join Decorus and Tali please.” Arentei asked.

“Permission granted, I think you will be safe with the fifth fleet.” An Admiral said giving a nod to Decorus.

Decorus gave a nod back.

“I have twelve Munificent Frigates that will come with us along with us.” Arentei said.

“What about a lab?” Ken asked.

“I forgot, I need a secure place for me and my scientists to set up. We shouldn’t set up in a hanger, it would be too open.” Arentei said.

“We got an empty cargo hold on the Ebon Hawk if you need a lab.” Hide suggested.

Atton shrugged.

“It’s fine with me and I’m sure Joker won’t mind.” Atton said.

“Then it’s settled.” Decorus said.

Meanwhile, Eto was walking out of an elevator with a group of aliens and looked around at the busy street.

Eto saw Federation soldiers with a few Geth patrolling but they didn’t seem to worry about the citizens and just kept their eyes on the sky.

Eto passed a few of them and headed to a nearby landing pad where she handed a few credits to a droid that began to print her a ticket.

“Look who I find.” Joker said.

Eto turned her head to see Joker.

“Walking with your condition I see?” Eto asked.

Joker gave her a glare.

“You caused one hell of a lot of damage.” Joker said.

“And I don’t want to cause anymore.” Eto told him.

Joker shook his head.

“I can’t fight you, and I know I can’t win.” Joker said.

“Don’t down yourself, you can do anything if you put your mind to it.” Eto said.

Joker looked confused.

“I thought you was our enemy?” Joker asked.

“You could say Ken knocked some sense into me- literally.” Eto said.

Joker looked at the droid.

“Give her back her credits, I’ll take her where she needs to go.” Joker said.

The droid handed her back the credits and Eto followed Joker.

Joker took his time as Eto noticed he was struggling to walk.

Joker noticed her watching him.

“Don’t pity me okay? It helps me to move around a bit.” Joker said.

“Why are you out and about here?” Eto asked.

“Morning breeze and thought to fart in that breeze.” Joker said.

“Hillarious- no really why?” Eto asked.

“Getting the Ebon Hawk loaded up with supplies and I thought to perhaps get out and look around while the Federation prepares us.” Joker said.

Joker and Eto walked around the corner to one of the hangers that had the Ebon Hawk stationed inside.

There was a few scientists pushing in supplies through the bay door.

“Woah what’s this?” Joker asked.

“We are apart of Arentei’s team, we was given clearance to set up a temporary lab in your cargo hold.” A scientist said.

Joker looked at Eto.

“Guess they found something.” Joker said.

Suddenly they felt the wind begin to pick up through the hanger and outside they could see people confused as the wind suddenly grew.

Eto looked at them and then she heard a soft hum which was growing louder every second.

“Joker.” Eto said.

“I know.” Joker said.

Joker waved to the scientists.

“Get the equipment in quickly! They are here!” Joker shouted.

Eto looked out at the exit of the hanger seeing the horizon.

“Eto, a hand please!” Joker yelled.

“Coming!” Eto shouted back.

Eto ran to him and the scientists and using her appendage powers she helped push the equipment in as quickly as she could.

Octavia was on her phone in the Ebon Hawk and saw Eto walk in.

“Woah you-” Octavia began to say.

“I’ll explain later, help us quickly.” Eto said shoving her out the cargo door.

Octavia rolled her eyes and picked up a crate heading in.

Eto looked around the ship to see if anyone else was inside to help them and she heard a noise from a closed blast door in one of the sleeping quarters.

“Ohhhh Draykey, that beautiful body on top of mine, oh my.” Stolas said.

Stolas was looking at a hologram of Drayconivous while rubbing himself.

“Oh Dray, oh **** like one of your whores! Make me **** when you ******** and I ****.” Stolas was saying.

“Stolas!” Eto shouted.

“Egad!” Stolas said fumbling down.

Stolas opened the door.

“Eto!” Stolas said surprised.

“I need you to help us- oh god put something on!” Eto said looking away.

“Traitor!” Stolas shouted.

“Helping traitor! Now get out here and help us!” Eto shouted.

“Dad- oh god!” Octavia said covering her eyes.

“I hate to interrupt you all but I’m going to get the ship’s engines primed.” Joker said.

The scientists got the remaining supplies inside.

“Okay we are filled with supplies and the lab people got their equipment set up.” Joker said.

Everyone heard a louder humming sound and then they began to hear screaming.

“Oh shit.” Joker said.

Meanwhile.

Decorus and Tali along with the other Admirals got up from their chairs with a polite bow to one another.

“We should head to our fleets and-” One Admiral began to say until hearing the humming sound.

Everyone looked around.

“Sir, five fleets are reporting-” A soldier began to say until…

A solar beam went right through the building and vaporized three of the Admirals and sixteen soldiers including the one speaking.

Everyone was knocked away from the blast and the ceiling began to collapse.

Ken got up helping Hide up and everyone else was getting up looking at the torn ceiling.

Outside was over forty Aparoid Moths in the sky and sending down solar beams from the tips of their abdomens.

“Holy shit! They’re here!” Atton shouted.

“We need to get a move on, hurry everyone!” Decorus yelled.

Everyone left the council room and were heading out of the door of the building.

Two Aparoid Moths hovered lower to the streets in front of them and small crawling Aparoids jumped from their wings and down to the streets to attack civilians.

“There are different versions of them!?” Ken asked.

“Seems so, come on we got to go!” Decorus said.

Decorus got on his comlink.

“Joker, I’m sending our ping to you, hurry and pick us up!” Decorus shouted.

“Already on my way!” Joker shouted.

Arentei stayed behind Ken.

“I’ll keep you safe okay?” Ken said.

“Thank you.” Arentei said.

Scourge ignited his lightsaber and sliced down five Aparoid crawlers.

“Pathetic insects.” Scourge said.

They saw one Aparoid Moth send down another solar beam right into a skyscraper and took it down completely.

“Dude, that’s messed up!” Hide said.

An Endurance Class in the sky began to descend while firing at the Aparoid but two Aparoids nearby flew over the Endurance and sent their solar beam power at the ship wiping out it’s shields and then the Aparoid it was targeting turned around and sent a solar beam through the ship making it explode completely.

“Those things have thick skin it seems.” Scourge said.

“We will need to use heavier firepower.” Decorus said.

“The Aparoid Crawlers look like they are six feet, perhaps six feet and a half feet long. The Aparoid Moths on the other hand look like they are two kilometers in height.” Arentei said.

“That’s bigger than our normal-sized battleships.” Decorus said.

“Size doesn’t matter.” Tali said.

Decorus grinned.

“Don’t make a joke, not now.” Tali said.

Atton shot at an incoming Aparoid Crawler and it took ten shots until it fell over dead.

“Things are still killable at least.” Atton said.

The Ebon Hawk flew overhead and turned around and hovered above the steel floor of the street with its top cannon firing at one of the nearby Aparoid Moths.

Everyone headed to the Ebon Hawk but Ken stood there looking at the destruction around.

Hide ran over to him and put his hand on his shoulder breaking his thoughts.

“Ken.” Hide said.

“I know.” Ken said.

Ken and Hide headed to the Ebon Hawk and Hide noticed a Qiqirn salesman trying to get away from the chaos.

“Hey! Need a lift!” Hide called out.

The Qiqirn ran to their ship and climbed in.

“Seroroon thanks you!” The Qiqirn said.

The Ebon Hawk’s doorway closed and the Ebon Hawk headed through the sky passed starfighters and Aparoids and to the fifth fleet that was in a defensive position with a few other fleets taking out some Aparoid Moths.

There was sixteen floating bodies of Aparoid Moths but still a lot more scattered around.

“This is madness.” Hide said.

The Ebon Hawk entered Decorus’ flagship.

“We are inside, prepare the fleet to move toward the moon.” Decorus ordered on the comlink.

“We need an Aparoid Moth.” Arentei said.

“I was afraid you’d say that. We can’t get close enough without them wiping us out.” Decorus said.

“Then we need to confront one, alone.” Arentei said.

“That seems impossible since they are all together.” Ken said.

“Nothing is impossible.” Eto said.

Ken and Hide was shocked to see Eto and there was dead silence.

“I’m going to make an excuse and go to the bathroom.” Joker said walking off from the awkward silence.

“Eto…” Ken said softly.

Eto crossed her arms looking down at the floor.

“You got your lower part of your body back.” Ken said.

Eto was surprised by what he said.

“You aren’t mad for what I did.” Eto asked.

“We can talk about that later.” Ken said.

Ken gave her a hug and Eto smiled leaning into him and hugged him back.

Scourge rolled his eyes and walked by them.

“We have an Aparoid to capture, let’s cut this lovey crap.” Scourge said.

“Aw come on big guy, you got to admit this is cute.” Hide said.

Scourge turned around and pointed his finger at Hide giving him a mean look and turned around walking off.

“Bridge is this way big guy!” Decorus shouted to Scourge.

Scourge took a deep breath and without a word, he went the right way.

“Hide, go with him please.” Decorus said.

“Love to.” Hide said.

Hide followed Scourge who tried to ignore Hide.

“Eto, it is good to see you.” Thane said as he walked up.

“You got a nice scope on your weapon.” Eto commented.

Thane just smiled with a nod.

“Everyone to the bridge please.” Decorus said.

As everyone headed to the bridge, Decorus put his hand on Eto’s shoulder to keep her there.

Ken looked back but Decorus gave him a nod of assurance and Ken headed off with the others.

“Going to give me a lecture?” Eto asked.

“Yes, but after we win this war.” Decorus said.

“What’s up?” Eto asked.

“You are a wanted criminal, you have taken so many lives to where you have a death sentence. I really wished you kept hiding but now everyone has seen you- and with me.” Decorus said.

“So you have to execute me?” Eto asked.

“I should, but the Federation Council is no more. You was right about the corruption, but I wished you would have done everything a lot more differently instead of with murder and terrorism.” Decorus said.

“Aizen said the same thing before he died. I told him who I was and what I was really doing. He told me not to follow his path, his mistake. He thought of power and so did I, but I thought I could do it but I suppose in the end I failed, like him.” Eto said.

“You are of his bloodline, he didn’t want you to have that bad blood.” Decorus said.

“I know.” Eto said.

Decorus sighed looking around the hanger at some people looking at them.

“If you help us, I can see if I can have you pardoned, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be punished.” Decorus said.

Decorus looked frustrated and Eto sighed.

“I know you don’t want to see me dead. It isn’t your fault, it’s mine. I know that I must be punished. If it makes you feel better, handcuff me and keep me in one of your small jails here.” Eto said.

“I am conflicted. I trusted you but at the same time you did wrong and I have my duty and responsibilities. Ken never gave up on you. So I will issue that you are watched at all times. If we win the war then I will see what I can do with a pardon for you but don’t get your hopes up. For now, we need your help.” Decorus said.

“You’re wrong. If we win? It’s that we will win.” Eto said.

Decorus smiled and shook her hand.

“Welcome back, Eto.” Decorus said.

The two headed to the bridge together.

When they arrived, Eto stood beside Ken and Hide while looking at Arentei who was ready to speak.

“We will need to either wipe out an Aparoids head to take the rest of its body before the blood is sucked out into space, or we take an Aparoids brain for a full anatomy to creating a virus to destroy their Queen.” Arentei said.

“Stolas, do you think you could use some magic to hold an Aparoid while we sever the head?” Hide asked.

“My magic isn’t that strong I’m afraid.” Stolas said.

“We’re going to need to face off against one of them alone. But I don’t know how we can draw one away from a group.” Arentei said.

“Bait?” Hide asked.

“It’s more complicated than that. They work like a hive mind so one could easily send a distress call telepathically to the others.” Arentei said.

“What if it didn’t feel distressed?” Ken asked.

“What do you mean?” Arentei said.

“What if we could make a trap, a small town of fifty people. There wouldn’t be need of fifty Aparoids to head to one little town so why not draw just one in?” Ken asked.

“You’re saying to use people as bait?” Hide asked.

“No, I say we have Federation soldiers pose as civilians and trick an Aparoid into coming to that town.” Ken said.

“There are no known towns I can think of that has a population of fifty, let alone a place we could do this at.” Decorus said.

“Seroroon went to small abandoned town to make trade, no one there. Strange smell though.” Seroroon said.

“Who’s that?” Decorus asked.

“Someone we helped save along the way.” Hide said.

“You said there was a small abandoned town? How many buildings?” Ken asked.

“Thirteen.” Seroroon said.

“Seroroon, what town and planet if I might ask?” Ken asked.

“Small town on Tatooine. Seroroon remembers where, in a mountain range.” Seroroon said.

“Tatooine, that’s a planet I haven’t heard of in ages.” Tali said.

“What is Tatooine?” Ken asked.

“It’s a desert planet on the outer rim. The Federation has a small embassy there but really there isn’t much to gain from the planet. Minerals was all mined out years ago.” Decorus said.

“Then I guess we have a town we could use.” Ken said.

“Next question is, how do we draw an Aparoid to it?” Decorus asked.

“Do you think the Aparoids will target Tatooine?” Ken asked.

Tali typed on the console.

“Thirteen Aparoids are over the city of Anchorhead. They’re there.” Tali said.

“Then we just need to draw one of them, perhaps an Aparoid Crawler, to see the small settlement for an Aparoid Moth to come to purge. We just need to dress up like civilians so they don’t see a possible threat.” Ken said.

“Sounds like a plan then.” Arentei said.

“I want thirty soldiers to head with Ken and his group on the Ebon Hawk to Tatooine!” Decorus shouted.

“We aren’t bringing the fleet?” Hide asked.

“The Aparoids will know something is up if we do. It’s best you guys go at this alone. We will be in the System next to Tatooine’s and wait for your call and we will immediately rush to Tatooine and help bring in the dead Aparoid.” Decorus said.

Decorus typed out orders to the other ships while looking over to Arentei.

“I suppose you’re going with them?” Decorus asked.

“I have to.” Arentei said.

“And you’re going with them to.” Tali said.

Decorus and Arentei looked at Tali surprised.

“It’s best I’m here.” Decorus said.

“Come on, you and I both know you want in at some of the action other than to be trapped on a bridge. I can cover for you.” Tali said.

Decorus sighed and handed her an extra comlink.

“That’s my private channel.” Decorus said.

Decorus and Tali looked at one another while his hand was on hers and the two embraced for a moment.

Decorus turned on a shield guard around himself and Tali and she opened her protective helmet glass off for a moment and the two kissed for a few seconds before she put it back on and he deactivated the shield guard.

“If you get sick?” Decorus asked.

“Totally worth it.” Tali said with a chuckle.

The two had joking chemistry it seemed to that.

Decorus gave her a wink and walked by Ken and Hide to head to the hanger.

Everyone was heading to the Ebon Hawk and Ken picked up a few supplies.

“Ken.” Eto said.

Ken turned around and looked at Eto and the two looked at one another for a long time before hugging one another.

Hide noticed them talking and Thane patted Hide’s shoulder to follow and to give them a moment.

Atton was sitting in the cockpit seeing Ken talking to Eto.

“Oh come on, we are in a hurry to save the galaxy.” Atton said shaking his head.

“Dude, it’s like a romantic movie, you can’t ruin the plot.” Joker said.

“Plot? Are you kidding me!” Atton said.

“Just let them talk for a bit. Who knows he might score a kiss.” Joker said.

“Bull.” Atton said.

“Want to place a bet?” Joker said.

“Fifty credit’s says no.” Atton said.

“Fifty says yes.” Joker said.

Ken and Eto kept hugging one another and both slightly paced in a circle.

“I’m conflicted.” Ken said.

“On how you feel about me?” Eto asked.

“Yes.” Ken said.

“It is my fault and after this war, I am willing to accept any punishment the Federation gives me.” Eto said.

“I will stand with you and see if I can convince the courts-” Ken began to say.

“You will do no such thing. If you stand with me then you might get in trouble along with the fifth fleet.” Eto said.

Ken looked worried.

“What is it?” Eto asked.

“This invasion, everything that’s going on doesn’t feel real.” Ken said.

Ken’s hug got closer and tighter.

Eto felt he was scared and deep down she was worried too.

“We have each other, our friends too. You and I are not alone. We’re all in this together.” Eto said.

Ken’s grip loosened up.

Ken looked at Eto who looked at him and immediately the two lip-locked and embraced one another.

You could hear Atton yell ‘damn it’ in the background as he lost the bet.

Ken and Eto pulled away from one another and headed to the Ebon Hawk.

Once they entered, the bay door shut and the engines roared loud.

“We’re heading to Tatooine right now.” Atton told them.

Joker operated the Ebon Hawk out of the hanger and immediately into hyperspeed.

The fifth fleet headed into hyperspeed to a system that would be nearby the Tatooine System.

Decorus noticed a group of small Otter creatures that were near sentient and wearing lily pads for hats going by the corridor of the ship.

“Dare I ask?” Decorus asked Thane.

“Actually, I’m just as surprised as you.” Thane said.

“Atton! Who are these- things?” Decorus asked.

“What the? Hey! Damn stowaways.” Atton said.

“They are with me, sorry, they are an endangered species from the planet Eletania.” Arentei said.

“So you brought all of them onto my ship?” Atton asked.

“They are endangered! There are only twenty-six of them, you have room.” Arentei said.

“Oh, that’s wonderful! We can throw them all a party!” Atton said.

One of them was speaking to Atton who just frowned at it.

“What’s he saying?” Thane asked Arentei.

“We don’t know their language yet. It’s for another time after this war.” Arentei said.

Atton tried to walk away but they all followed him.

“Get away from me!” Atton yelled.

One Otter walked over to Decorus and sat down beside him looking up at him and chirping something.

“Hi?” Decorus responded.

The Otter just stared at him which made Decorus feel a bit uneasy but he tried to ignore the uneasy feeling.

“We have a weird crew, you know that?” Eto said with a grin.

“Hide! Open this door! Let me into the cockpit!” Atton shouted.

“Dude, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Hide said laughing.

Joker and Hide was messing with the door controls while the Otters kept bothering Atton on the other side.

Two hours later, the Ebon Hawk left hyperspeed and headed down to Tatooine.

Seroroon was in the cockpit pointing at a holo map while Joker was trying to pinpoint it on the planetary chart.

“I think I found where he’s talking about.” Joker said.

Joker poked on the holo screen and a landscape appeared.

“It’s six miles away from Anchorhead which is under attack by the Aparoids.” Joker said.

“Land the ship in a hidden area so that it isn’t spotted and we will travel to this abandoned town on foot.” Decorus said.

Joker landed the Ebon Hawk in a small trench and the group headed out except for Joker, Seroroon, Arentei, her scientists, and the Otters.

Everyone was wearing ragged clothing suited for Tatooine and looked like civilians.

Scourge was using the force to guide sand onto everyone so they could really blend in on living on the planet to fool the Aparoids.

“Remember, please see if you can-” Arentei began to say.

“Get a brain or half the body, I know I know.” Decorus said.

“Don’t worry, we have this!” Hide shouted.

A few minutes later, the group arrived at a small abandoned town beside two rocky arches that went into the nearby canyon wall.

“What is that smell?” Scourge asked.

“Sure smells familiar.” Hide said.

“Smells like what Brody had in his dorm, with all that canabis.” Ken said.

“That’s because it is cannabis my man.” A unknown voice said.

Everyone brought their weapons out looking at an abandoned building.

Walking out of the building was a dark-skinned man wearing a Kage outfit but with no shirt on under the opened robe and had shorts.

“Who are you?” Decorus asked.

“I should ask who you are.” The man said.

The man walked by them.

“Freeze!” Decorus shouted.

The man just kept going and walked behind a building where a row of weed was growing, which more was growing behind the other buildings and inside.

There was a few hoses with tiny holes in them spraying drips of water.

“I need to tend to my babies.” The man said.

“Citizen, we need to use this town as bait to take down an Aparoid. Please cooperate.” Decorus said.

Ken began to walk up but he didn’t notice one of the weeds he was approaching.

The man held his hand out and surprisingly blew a strange wind at Ken that didn’t knock him away but instead lazily moved him back which Ken had no control against.

“Was that an attack or…?” Atton asked confused.

“I couldn’t control myself.” Ken said.

“Who are you?” Decorus asked.

“The Taimakage. But for you folks, how about just Snoop.” The man said with a grin.

“Taima- cannabis, wait a minute this is the hidden valley of…” Eto said.

“Huh?” Scourge asked.

They looked around and noticed that it would have been a canyon valley but one said was more open to the desert.

“Years went by and the sand and earthquakes ruined our great valley. I’m all that’s left. Daddy died about five years ago. Villagers left but I never have left, got nowhere else to go.” Snoop said.

Decorus sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Mister Taimakage- I mean Snoop. Please, sir, do you know what’s going on?” Decorus asked.

“I do but nothing I can do.” Snoop said.

“There is, please we need to use this village to trick an Aparoid into attacking it, thinking there are people here. We need to bring it down and collect it’s brain or at least half of its body so that our scientists can find a way to kill their queen with a virus.” Decorus said.

Snoop looked at them and pondered and looked at his small town.

“I know it’s a hard decision.” Decorus said.

“It is.” Snoop said with a sigh.

Snoop just nodded.

“We have a ship nearby, we could take you to another planet or whatever you want, but this mission is for the sake of the galaxy.” Decorus said.

“Alright, but I want your friends to help me carry four loads of the cannabis to your ship.” Snoop said.

Scourge mumbled something before approaching.

“I’ll grab the blasted crates.” Scourge said.

“Sacks my man, just sacks.” Snoop said.

“Least it’s easier.” Scourge sighed.

“Now we just need to draw an Aparoid Moth over here somehow from Anchorhead.” Ken said.

“There was a few smaller ones that marched around but left seeing how it was abandoned here.” Snoop said.

“Then we have to draw them back somehow.” Ken said.

“We need to shout and hollar.” Hide said.

“But we need to draw one to a distance to hear it, we need it to follow someone if we could.” Ken said.

“I got a speeder in the back over there you can take to Anchorhead, just look like you’re taking supplies, and that way it has to follow you.” Snoop said.

Ken and Hide walked to the back and found a speeder and got it running.

“Ken, Hide, hurry! We will be setting up right now!” Decorus said.

Ken gave them a nod and drove the speeder quickly toward Anchorhead.

“Dude’s a better driver than me. Sometimes I just go one mile an hour.” Snoop said.

Everyone looked at Snoop and looked to one another.

“Okay, so we brought along someone who’s high.” Thane said to Atton.

Atton just shrugged.

“Between Otters, a Qiqirn, and now him? It wouldn’t surprise me if we brought in an Aparoid.” Atton said.

Ken and Hide arrived on the outskirts of Anchorhead and saw thirteen Aparoids hovering over the city, sending down solar beams or dropping down Aparoid Crawlers.

“Holy shit those things are scary.” Hide said.

“We will need to get their attention. The Crawlers can’t catch up to us on this speeder so it will be an Aparoid Moth to chase us.” Ken said.

Hide and Ken headed into Anchorhead and hid behind a building grabbing anything they could find and put it in the back.

“So they will think we’re packing up and leaving?” Hide asked.

“Yup, and that they will follow us to see us destroyed.” Ken said.

“How do we get their attention though?” Hide asked.

“Yell.” Ken said with a shrug.

Once they got enough junk in the back of the speeder, they zoomed out to an open zone and began to yell in panic.

Two Aparoid Crawlers saw them and they quickly sped away from them.

“Is it working?” Ken asked while he drove off.

A solar beam nearly hit them from one of the Aparoid Moths.

“I think so!” Hide said.

One Aparoid Moth flew out of the city and followed them.

“That thing is fast!” Hide shouted.

“Damn, I didn’t expect it to outrun a speeder!” Ken shouted.

Ken kicked up the speed but the Aparoid was flying right over them but having trouble to make a precise aim on them.

“Hide, you have to get it agitated or it might give up chasing us.” Ken said.

Hide grabbed one of the metal pieces and threw it but it missed.

“Hide, a blaster would be great!” Ken suggested.

Hide took out Ken’s blaster pistol and shot at the Aparoid and he noticed that one bolt that hit a sphere-like object on its wing made it screech in pain.

“What was that!” Ken shouted.

“I accidentally shot at something on its wing!” Hide said.

“We have to tell Arentei that!” Ken said.

“Oh, it’s agitated alright!” Hide said.

The Aparoid tried to crush itself on them but toppled into the sand missing them but flew back up to give chase.

“It looks like it’s movements are slower since you shot that thing off its wing.” Ken said.

“That’s it!” Hide said.

Hide quickly got on the comlink to Decorus.

“We’re almost there, try to aim at the spheres on its wings, it can easily cripple it!” Hide said.

“Got it.” Decorus said.

“Everyone, act like civilians until it’s above the town and then open fire at spheres on its wings.” Decorus said.

Everyone got into position and right when they saw Ken and Hide coming around the corner, the Aparoid behind them swiveled and nearly fell again but kept flying toward them.

“There it is.” Thane said on the comlink.

“That thing is bigger than I expected, a lot bigger.” Octavia said.

The speeder stopped in the middle of the town and everyone acted like panicked civilians running inside.

The Aparoid Moth soared by making sand fly everywhere to try to blind everyone before turning around and flying over the city with its abdomen pointing down with a solar beam at the ready.

Scourge held both his hands up and used the force to try to hold it in place while Stolas and Octavia used paralyzing magic to help Scourge keep it held.

Snoop inhaled a good amount of air and blew it toward the Aparoid and the smokey air circled the Aparoid’s lower half to numb it and its solar beam ability began to fade away.

Thane, Decorus, Hide, and Atton opened fire at its wings.

The Aparoid Moth screeched loudly.

“It’s calling for help!” Eto shouted.

“Hurry everyone!” Atton yelled.

“It’s weak enough.” Scourge said to them.

Scourge ignited his lightsaber and leaped up slicing off two of eight of its wings making it fall into the ground wiping out the buildings and the canyon arches.

Ken and Eto helped by wiping out two more wings and thus it was immobilized.

Decorus got on the comlink.

“Fifth Fleet, hurry here now. Sending ping location, bring an Endurance-class here to magnetize this thing.” Decorus said.

“Joker, get the Ebon Hawk here now, bring the metal chains, they need to magnetize it.” Atton said on his comlink.

“On the way.” Joker replied.

Scourge, Ken, Eto, Thane, and Hide walked up to the head of the Aparoid as it’s glowing insect eyes stared at no place in particular, but it’s large eye turned and looked at them.

“Annoying Organics, you think by killing me that you won?” The Aparoid Moth said to them telepathically.

“Don’t think, we know.” Ken said.

“Ken Kaneki, we was told about you from your organic known as, Saren. A pity the tool is dead.” The Aparoid Moth said.

“A fool more than a tool.” Eto said.

“Ah, the descent of a man who tried to stop our coming. Our Queen wants to meet you personally.” The Aparoid Moth said.

Eto kept silent.

Scourge ignited his lightsaber looking over to Decorus.

“You wanted its brain?” Scourge asked.

Decorus nodded while still on the comlink.

The Aparoid Moth grew silent.

“Atton, I’m in the air but I see six Aparoid’s in the distance coming our way.” Joker said on the comlink.

They heard a humming sound in the sky and noticed the Endurance-class fleet carrier coming down.

“I think we will make it out before they reach us.” Atton said.

“No matter what you do, it won’t work. Your attempts at destroying us are as insignificant as your future.” The Aparoid Moth said.

Scourge sliced it’s head off.

“Yeah yeah, we heard this before.” Scourge said.

The Aparoid’s eyes went black and it’s telepathy ended.

Everyone quickly attached the metal chains to its body once Joker came back with the Ebon Hawk and the Endurance-class magnetized the chains and carefully lifted up into the sky and activated the shields to keep it preserved.

The head was taken to the hanger with the Ebon Hawk.

“Alrighty, warp us to hyperspeed to Coruscant.” Decorus ordered.

The fifth fleet entered hyperspeed just in time as the six Aparoids was nearing their position and once they left, they went back to Tatooine to purge the planet.

Arentei and her scientists quickly went to work on the Aparoid head and body while in the Endurance-class hanger.

“Thank you.” Arentei said to all of them.

Everyone gave a nod and looked at one another with smiles.

The fifth fleet arrived back at Coruscant where a few other fleets was engaged in battle with Aparoid Moths.

“We will be safe at this distance but I will be sending the Turian fleet forward to help out.” Decorus said.

Barla Von and Tali walked up to Decorus.

“How is everyone doing in the hanger?” Tali asked.

“I guess it’s going to take time as expected.” Decorus said.

“What is that smell?” Barla Von asked.

“Let’s say we picked up someone with strange powers but is willing to help us. And is high.” Decorus said.

Snoop was laying on a couch while inhaling his cannabis and blew it out slowly.

“I see.” Barla Von said.

Arentei walked into the bridge with a couple of datapads.

“How is progress?” Decorus asked.

“Slow and steady. I think from what we are learning so far, their telepathy signals originate from somewhere in the far edge of the galaxy, perhaps where the queen is.” Arentei said.

“That would make sense for the Queen herself to stay away from the main invasion of the galaxy.” Barla Von said.

“Do we got a location?” Decorus asked.

“Not yet, we are trying a few methods to figure that out with the brain.” Arentei said.

“Sir, no one has gotten a contact from the northwestern outer rim for twenty-four hours now.” A deckhand said.

“You think that’s where the Queen might be?” Tali asked Decorus.

“I’d suspect if it went dark first other than the rest of the galaxy.” Decorus said.

“I will head back to my group.” Arentei said.

As Arentei left, three people walked up.

“Ah, Kugo Ginjo.” Decorus said.

Kugo, Riruka, and Yukio who helped Akira and Makoto on Palaven was on Decorus’ bridge.

“Atton told me you guys could help us.” Decorus said.

“Though it took us a long time to register into helping the Federation.” Riruka mumbled.

“Where do you need us?” Kugo asked.

Atton and Ken walked up.

“There they are.” Atton said.

Atton gave them a wave and Kugo and Riruka waved back but Yukio was on his game.

“This here is Ken, he will be your squad leader.” Decorus said and pointed to Ken.

“Nice to meet you guys.” Ken said.

“Back at you kid.” Kugo said.

“Wow, such a doll.” Riruka said having a grin on her face while checking Ken out.

Both Kugo and Riruka looked at Yukio and Kugo decked Yukio’s head.

“Ow, what!?” Yukio shouted.

“Say hi!” Riruka shouted.

“Yeah, hi.” Yukio said to Ken before going back to his game.

Ken blinked.

“May I ask what happened on Palaven?” Decorus asked.

“Palaven?” Ken asked.

“To clue you two in, we helped two detectives out on finding some strange orb or something. Met two Aogiri members that I guess was the last of the Aogiri Organization, one claiming to become the new leader but that was short-lived. You guys see the detectives anywhere?” Kugo asked.

Decorus was confused.

“You know, I don’t think those two detectives returned with the orb.” Atton said.

“Orb?” Eto asked walking in.

“Yeah, the orb you and Ken spoke about. They found it on Palaven and we gave the detectives orders to take it to Coruscant to the smelting plant to destroy it for good.” Atton said.

“We were never notified.” Decorus said.

“Let me see if I can track them, I got the shuttle number.” Kugo said.

Kugo walked over to a console and typed on it and his eyebrows furrowed.

“What?” Riruka asked.

“The shuttle’s existence is gone. Last known projector was on course to Coruscant but it just vanished midway, no trace of it at all.” Kugo said.

Eto walked over to the console and looked at the screen.

“What does this mean?” Decorus asked.

“It means that orb might still be out there somewhere.” Eto said.

“What’s the big deal about it anyway?” Riruka asked.

“You ever hear of the Breakdown Sphere? Of the Cosmic Divine Crystalline? Throughout history that orb has influenced many many things, and not for the better. It grants someone three wishes, the third wish, the person dies. Why some people who know it’s properties are careful to make just two wishes. Though they get their wishes, that orb still takes away some life force out of you and whatever it does with such energy I do not know.” Eto said.

They looked at her in silence for a few seconds before Kugo went back to the console looking at it.

“It doesn’t say the shuttle exploded, it just vanished out of existence is all.” Kugo said.

“Something doesn’t add up about this thing, if history is correct it was created by some Emperor who wanted complete and utter control of all life, and then he vanished. If this guy was so powerful, how come his orb survived but he didn’t?” Ken asked.

“Vanishing doesn’t mean death.” Eto said.

Before they questioned the mystery more, the alarm was going off.

“A hundred Aparoid Moths are heading down to Coruscant!” A crew member said.

Decorus walked over to the intercom to issue an order.

“Decorus!” Tali shouted running over.

“Tali?” Decorus asked running up to her and holding her close.

“Our space probes may have something on a location of the Queen but the main server collecting that data is on Coruscant.” Tali said.

“Oh bloody brilliant.” Decorus said.

“Guess that means we’re heading down planetside?” Ken asked.

“How long will the server be done collecting the data?” Decorus asked.

“At least ninety percent so it can give us a system, but the exact location must be one hundred percent.” Tali said.

“How long is the download time?” Decorus asked.

“Two hours.” Tali said.

Decorus saw the Aparoid Moths heading down to the planet and looked to Ken.

“We’re on it.” Ken said.

Decorus gave him a nod and issued the fleets to gather together and head to the sky of Coruscant to engage all Aparoid Moths.

Kugo and his group followed Ken to the Ebon Hawk.

“Joker, we’re heading down to a server station on Coruscant. I got the coordinates right here.” Atton said plugging in the datapad.

Joker and Atton got the Ebon Hawk up and out of the hanger immediately and headed down to the planet.

“Holy shit!” Kugo shouted.

Coruscant was covered in smoke and flames from buildings, Aparoid Moths everywhere fighting off Federation ships and tearing down buildings.

“Over trillions of people live here, oh god, I wonder what the death count is.” Riruka said.

“Sons a bitches.” Scourge said.

“I wonder what the death count is around the galaxy.” Joker said.

Two Aparoid Moths followed them.

“Ah shit, we got company!” Joker shouted.

Joker operated the top and bottom turrets to turn around and open fire at them.

“Joker, how about you drop us off and fly away.” Ken suggested.

“Agreed. Get to the loading bay door, I’ll open it and jump onto the roof of the server building okay? They might not see you guys jump out.” Joker suggested.

“Jump and roll so we don’t get injured.” Scourge said.

Everyone got to the loading bay door and gripped onto the sides as it opened and the wind was blowing in.

“Almost there!” Joker shouted on the comlink.

They jumped right as Joker was low enough over the server building and headed back up to the upper city of Coruscant with the two Moth Aparoids following close behind.

“I hope he’s got this.” Hide said.

“I don’t see a roof entrance.” Atton said.

Scourge ignited his lightsaber behind Atton and carved a hole.

“Nevermind.” Atton said.

Scourge looked inside first and beckoned the others that it was safe to jump down.

Everyone jumped onto a catwalk inside of the server room and they headed to a nearby ladder and descended down and went further into the complex.

“It should be five floors below us, I got the security codes.” Decorus said.

As they walked down the stairs to the right door, Decorus was going through his security codes on his holocom.

“I’ll find them, just give me a moment.” Decorus said.

Scourge ignited his lightsaber again and began to cut through the door leaving Decorus with an unamused look.

“It would have taken you time that we don’t have.” Scourge said.

Decorus kept silent.

They entered the large server room that was empty.

“Okay, there are six entrances into this place, just stay at each one and make sure nothing comes in.” Decorus said.

Decorus ran to the main terminal and typed on it while plugging in two datapads into its datapad slots.

“You got it?” Thane asked while aiming his scope down the way they came from.

“Yeah, we just need forty percent more of data.” Decorus said.

They felt a rumble and suddenly a swarm of Aparoid Crawlers was coming from Scourge’s side.

Scourge sliced them down quickly.

“Incoming!” Scourge shouted.

Now, Aparoid Crawlers was everywhere trying to get in.

Ken whipped his tentacles out and thrashed at a few Aparoids while Eto was doing the same at her end.

“Do not let them get through!” Decorus shouted.

In the sky, Aparoid Moths was tearing down ship after ship but some of them was battered up by turbolaser fire and fell from the sky and into buildings.

The Quarian Liveship with the Federation began to split apart from the back as two Aparoids using their beams was cutting it through.

Tali was typing on the console giving an alert for all crew members to rush to the escape pods.

“Damn it!” Tali said as the side of her bridge was breached by an Aparoid Moth.

Tali and a few Quarian crew members began to shoot at it.

“It’s bringing in- agh!” A crew member shouted being eaten to death by an Aparoid Crawler

Aparoid Crawlers swarmed the bridge while they was attached to the Moth and began to jump on the crew members eating them alive.

Six other Aparoid Moths flew up to the Liveship and attached themselves to it.

“Escape pod bays are failing! We’re falling from orbit!” A Quarian engineer shouted on the comlink.

Tali was silent and noticed the engines was still operational and sighed walking over to the terminal.

“Decorus, this is Tali.” Tali said on the comlink.

Decorus was shooting at a few Aparoids that was trying to break into the server room.

“Tali! What’s going on!” Decorus shouted.

“I want you to be strong and keep fighting no matter what happens.” Tali said.

“Tali?” Decorus asked.

“I love you.” Tali said.

Tali hung up the intercom leaving Decorus to shout her name.

Tali operated the Liveship to aim for a destroyed skyscraper and turned the engines on full blast heading straight into the building and blowing up, even blowing up the Aparoids that was attached to the Liveship and a nuclear explosion occurred sending a shockwave out, and Decorus felt it.

“Tali!” Decorus shouted in the comlink.

“Behind you!” Kugo shouted to Decorus.

Kugo jumped up and sliced down an Aparoid Crawler that was ready to kill Decorus.

“Download is at ninety percent!” Yukio shouted out.

Six Aparoid Moths was receiving telepathy signals from the Crawlers and headed toward the server building.

Riruka was on the roof watching them coming.

“Guys, we got biggy’s coming!” Riruka yelled on the intercom.

“We need to go, come on!” Kugo shouted.

Yukio took one of the datapads while Ken took the other.

Decorus was on his knee’s not moving.

“Decorus!” Ken shouted.

“Go, I’ll hold them off.” Decorus said with an angry voice.

Scourge decked Decorus hard enough to knock him out and carried him over his shoulder.

“We got no time for debate.” Scourge said.

“You could of at least told him that first before knocking him out…” Atton mumbled.

Riruka was running toward them.

“Aren’t we suppose to go out the way we came?” Ken asked her.

“Run!” Riruka shouted.

Over a hundred Aparoid Crawlers was coming from where she ran from and everyone quickly ran with her.

The group ran through the stairs on the opposite side and broke out the windows to climb out and onto the war-torn street.

Two Aparoid Moths noticed them and were preparing their solar beams until the Ebon Hawk flew by and sent a Proton Torpedo into one of them, killing it.

The other Aparoid Moth followed the Ebon Hawk and tried to knock it down from the sky.

“We need to get to a landing pad for Joker to pick us up.” Hide said.

“Hold him.” Scourge said to Stolas.

Scourge pushed an unconscious Decorus onto Stolas and looked into an alleyway.

“We will sneak to the open area. It isn’t a landing pad but we don’t have a choice.” Scourge said.

Everyone heard a loud humming sound and had to cover their ears while looking up to the sky.

“What is that!?” Hide yelled.

A thousand small hexagons appeared in the sky and opened letting in a large organic-robotic missile come through and heading toward one part of the city.

“That’s some sort of portal ability.” Ken said.

“I didn’t know they could do that.” Hide said.

The missile hit something nearby and a loud soundwave was heard followed by windows shattering and that zone where it hit was obliterated.

“What the hell sort of missile was that!?” Atton shouted.

“Get Joker to pick us up now, right now!” Eto yelled to Atton.

Atton got on the comlink.

“Joker, we are going to send you a ping when we get to an open area for you to land and pick us up.” Atton said.

“On the way now.” Joker said.

“Okay, we should-” Atton began to say.

Two Aparoid Crawlers jumped down on Atton chewing his neck out and Scourge quickly sliced both of them down.

“Atton!” Ken shouted kneeling down to him.

Atton tried to say something but all there was, was gargling blood coming from his throat and then he died.

Ken made a fist and punched the steel floor bleeding his knuckles.

Two Aparoid Moths broke through a building beside them and sent out a solar beam at the group.

Stolas immediately created a reflective magical barrier to reflect the beam back and right into the Aparoid’s head killing it.

The other Aparoid sent out a gust of wind that knocked everyone a few yards away.

Snoop jumped up into the air and let out a puff of smoke that turned into a cloud under his feet and he was now flying looking at the Aparoid.

“You guy’s go, I’ll handle this.” Snoop said.

“But-” Ken began to say.

“Go brother.” Snoop said.

Ken didn’t say another word and they ran to the open street to wait on Joker.

Snoop grinned at the Aparoid Moth that gave a screeching sound to Snoop.

Snoop blew a cloud of smoke at the Aparoid which numbed its wings and immediately flew right in front of its face before sending his elbow straight into its face and blowing its entire head up.

“You need to keep ahead in life my man.” Snoop said to the carcass.

Two more Aparoid Moths headed toward him, one was able to knock him into a building but he quickly retaliated by leaping up in the air and putting his index and middle finger on its forehead and sent out a strange smell that knocked it down and it’s solar beam shot out and hit the other Aparoid Moth instead.

Sixteen Aparoid Crawlers leaped up and grabbed onto Snoop while he was trying to knock each one way.

Snoop landed on the steel floor and kicked two Aparoid Crawlers away and blew smoke toward twelve of them that knocked them all out.

Ten Aparoid Moths headed his way and he just sighed.

“Bitch move to not fight me alone.” Snoop said.

Snoop inhaled a deep breath and blew smoke out of his mouth that soon created a dense fog that shrouded everything.

The Aparoid Moths was trying to look for him and one of them found him only to be met by another elbow strike that blew it’s head off.

The same trick wouldn’t be played out though as the Aparoid Crawlers managed to jump on him and pin him down while eating him.

“I- am tired…” Snoop said as he died.

Meanwhile, the Ebon Hawk was heading down with the bay door opening.

One of the Otters was waving at them and Arentei ran down the bay door.

“We have-” Arentei began to say.

Suddenly an Aparoid Moth came out of nowhere and knocked the Ebon Hawk to the side and it had to fly off again.

Aarentei and the Otter that waved both fell but Scourge quickly caught them with the force and guided them down.

Octavia took a hold of the Otter while Scourge helped Arentei to her feet.

“Close one little guy.” Octavia said to the Otter.

“Careful doctor.” Scourge said.

“We have the virus and gift wrapped for the Aparoid Queen.” Arentei said.

Arentei handed a titanium case to Ken.

“It will be safer with you.” Arentei said.

Ken took it and nodded.

“I need help getting these guys off me!” Joker said on the comlink.

“Throw canisters at them?” Seroroon suggested.

“No, we are not doing that!” Joker shouted.

“I’m coming, Joker!” Barla Von said on the intercom

A Volus assault frigate flew down and shot at the Aparoid Moth that was following Joker and immediately wiped it out but drawn the attention of three Aparoid Moths that came from behind ripping apart the engines.

“Oh no, we are losing stabilizers! Going down!” Barla Von shouted.

The Volus assault frigate fell from the sky and crashed into Federation soldiers and Aparoid Crawlers on a nearby platform but it caused a chain reaction to destroy the entire street.

“Hold onto something!” Eto shouted.

Stolas created an air magic to keep everyone levitated as the street below them cracked into pieces and fell to the depths of Coruscant.

“Close-” Stolas began to say until an Aparoid Crawler knocked into him disrupting his magic.

“Call!” Stolas shouted while punching the Aparoid away.

They all was free-falling trying to grab onto one another’s hands.

“I’ll try again!” Stolas shouted to all of them.

Stolas created another air magic and levitated everyone while they all held hands.

Everyone took a deep breath.

“Okay, I will hover us here until Joker can hover above us and we can simply just glide in.” Stolas said.

“There he comes now.” Arentei said.

They noticed twelve hexagon portals appear in the sky and open with large organic-robotic missiles launching out.

“Oh not again.” Octavia said.

The Ebon Hawk hovered above them and Stolas guided the air magic to move everyone inside.

Ken ran inside to the cockpit and plugged in the datapad while Yukio kept the spare in a pouch.

“Keep that one as a back up okay?” Ken asked.

“Got it, no one goes in this pouch but me.” Yukio said.

“Unless they force it out of your hands.” Kugo said.

Yukio just gave him a frown.

“We need to get out of here right now! Missiles are falling down!” Arentei shouted.

The Ebon Hawk turned to leave but they saw a missile hit a nearby building and the blast radius knocked the Ebon Hawk out of control and into a building causing everyone to jerk around in the ship and the Ebon Hawk fell into the lower city onto a debris-filled street and crash into a business.

A few minutes later, Ken woke up dizzy with Eto shaking him to wake up.

“Ken!” Eto shouted.

Ken groaned sitting up and seeing that the Ebon Hawk was halfway destroyed.

“We need to go.” Eto said to him firmly.

Ken weakly got up but found some blood on him and saw Arentei’s body beside him with sharp chunks of metal through her body.

“Oh my god.” Ken said.

“Nothing we can do, we have to get out of here before reinforcements come.” Eto said.

Ken limped and walked beside Eto as they walked over the flames.

Scourge was nearby rubbing his bloody shoulder.

“Scourge, you okay?” Ken asked.

“The pain makes me strong.” Scourge said.

“I asked if you was okay.” Ken said softly.

Scourge gave him a slow nod.

Joker crawled out from some metal and Thane was nearby getting up and helping the small Otter who waved at them up.

“Guys- guys!” Kugo shouted as he kept shaking Yukio and Riruka.

Both of them had metal in their bodies and Yukio’s body was blown up from the waist down.

“Guys please wake up!” Kugo shouted in tears.

“Kugo…” Ken said.

“No! They might wake up, they have to!” Kugo said.

Thane helped Octavia and Stolas up and walked over to Ken and the others.

“Kugo.” Hide said while trying to walk with a metal plate sticking halfway in his leg.

“Easy Hide.” Ken said.

“It’s okay dude- Kugo, dude. We can avenge them. We have the virus and we have the location on this datapad.” Hide said.

“The Datapad was plugged into the Ebon Hawk…” Ken said with a sigh.

Kugo made a fist.

“Hide’s right- besides, Yukio saved our asses.” Kugo said.

Kugo held up Yukio’s pouch with the spare datapad inside and handed it to Ken.

Ken opened the case that was given to him with the virus capsule and placed the datapad inside and locked up the case.

“Ken…” Decorus said weakly laying nearby with his body battered up.

“Decorus!” Ken shouted.

Everyone ran over to Decorus who lost his sight and blood was running out of his body.

“Ken, everyone, all of you must end this war.” Decorus said softly and coughed a few times.

“Decorus, we will get you help!” Ken said.

Octavia walked to the side and tried to call for help on the comlink into a public frequency.

“No, you must go. L-leave me.” Decorus said grunting.

Everyone was silent and had sad expressions on their faces.

Ken was crying while holding onto Decorus’ hand.

“Eto, I forgive you.” Decorus said.

Eto put her hands over her mouth in tears.

“Everyone, please, you- agh I’m in so much pain.” Decorus said.

Decorus was shaking in pain and they could hear his broken bones grinding as he moved.

“Thane.” Scourge said sternly.

Thane understood what he meant and guided everyone to turn around.

Scourge put his lightsaber hilt on Decorus’ forehead and looked away with a single tear falling and ignited the lightsaber and then deactivated it.

Scourge didn’t look back and just walked by everyone.

Everyone was sad but knew it had to be done to stop Decorus’ suffering.

They walked over to Octavia who looked at them and shook her head.

“No response from anyone.” Octavia said.

Stolas limped over to Octavia and put his arms around her.

“If you’re scared, I’m here.” Stolas said.

“I’m not- I’m not… I am scared.” Octavia had to admit.

The two hugged one another and while they waited, Hide noticed a small ship hovering toward them.

“Guys?” Hide said.

They looked at the ship coming their way.

“What piece of junk is that?” Joker asked.

“It looks like a five seven eight space transport. They was recalled two years ago for safety reasons, the whole company went bankrupt.” Hide said.

“May I ask how you know that?” Eto asked.

“Bought one from them for a test drive- I failed.” Hide said.

The small transport landed and the main entry door opened with a thin figure standing there with covered armor around them.

“Hello?” Thane asked while he kept his hand gripping his weapon.

The figure looked at Eto.

“Are you Eto Yoshimura, descendent of Aizen Sousuke?” The figure asked, which was a female behind the clothed mask.

“I am?” Eto asked confused.

The figure walked back into her transport.

“Good, we need to have a chat.” The figure said.

Everyone entered the small transport and it looked like it was also a home.

“We should probably get out of here before another missile comes.” Joker said.

The figure looked at Joker with silence making Joker nervous.

“Can you fly?” The figure asked.

“If I say no, will you spare me?” Joker asked.

The figure just sighed and pointed to the cockpit.

“Be my guest to take us wherever, this isn’t my ship anyways.” The figure said.

“So you stole it?” Eto asked.

“Long story short, I was given it.” The figure said.

Joker operated the ship and flew it off.

“So how do you know me?” Eto asked.

“I knew your ancestor, Aizen.” The figure said.

“How?” Eto asked.

The figure took off the mask around their head, it was a female with a boy cut medium length natural dark brown hair with magenta eyes.

It was Karura, Aizen’s former friend and rival.

“You could say we had the same goal but different paths to reach it.” Karura said.

“How would you know him unless…” Ken began to say.

“It’s a strange story kid, but I was pushed into a time portal and I came out of it a year ago on this planet. I didn’t know where I was or what year it was, but it was one hell of a year to find out.” Karura said.

“May I ask what your name is?” Ken asked.

“Karura.” Karura said.

“Aizen never spoke about you.” Eto said.

“Of course he didn’t, he thought I probably died or something. Lucky for all of you, I found out that he was here and what his plan was. It took me a while to get all the information I needed.” Karura said.

Karura looked at the case beside Ken.

“I don’t like that look on your face.” Scourge said.

Scourge noticed what she was looking at and stood between her and Ken.

“I’m not going to stop you guys. I want to see these things die. I have regrets, one being not helping Aizen when I could of. I want to make it up to the bastard.” Karura said with a shrug.

Scourge gave her a glare before looking back at Ken.

“Your call.” Scourge said.

“We can trust her. But I keep all this stuff, got it?” Ken told her.

“You’re the chief, chief.” Karura said with her hands up and with a smirk on her face.

Karura looked around.

“Wasn’t their ten of you?” Karura asked.

Everyone looked around.

“Dad?” Octavia asked looking around.

Stolas was in the ship’s bathroom looking at a hologram of Drayconivous with a wide grin on his face.

“Dad, get in here!” Octavia shouted from the other end.

“Oh! I’m just using the bathroom dear!” Stolas lied.

Karura cocked an eyebrow.

“He’s a King where he comes from.” Hide said.

“I don’t care if someones a King, Queen, or whatever. I ruled a Kingdom a long time ago.” Karura said.

“Is it okay if we know a bit more about you please?” Ken asked.

Karura just sighed.

“Me and Aizen goaled to rule the planet, Gielinor. We grew up together but split apart as we goaled for the same thing but our methods was different on how to rule the planet. We wanted to see corruption end and us to rule the entire planet to make laws and rules happen rather than allow Kings and Queens to argue with the citizens. We felt we knew what the people wanted, but it’s what we wanted.” Karura said.

“That’s what an Empire does.” Ken said.

“I know that now. When I heard Aizen was still alive due to the effects of the orb on him, I tried to find him but sadly I learned he died. I found his grave spot on a chunk of Gielinor that was left after the planet exploded and found the Alexandrian robots still active.” Karura said.

“How did you get here?” Octavia asked.

Stolas walked in and sat down behind Octavia.

“I got here through a time portal that was struck on me by another friend and rival of ours. I ended up on Coruscant a year ago. Took me awhile to understand what the hell was going on and what transpired. I traveled around to search for answers and only recently did I find out that Aizen was helping the Federation against what he called an invasion. I guess Aizen saw something from that Oracle that terrified him, and now seeing what’s going on, he was right.” Karura said.

Karura walked over grabbing a cup of Tapioca and taking a sip of it.

“I learned about you, Eto. I learned about your friends here too. I decided that perhaps I could help all of you for Aizen. I know Aizen would be happy to know that I help you all defeat this galactic threat. This time I won’t do it for my own glory, I learned that the hard way. I’m glad Aizen must of saw what he did was wrong too.” Karura said.

“You’re doing this thinking you can repay your sins?” Stolas asked.

“I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do.” Karura said.

“I welcome your aid if everyone else is okay with it.” Eto said.

“I’m alright with it.” Ken said.

“Same.” Octavia said.

“As long as you don’t kill me!” Joker shouted from the cockpit.

Hide put his arm around Karura.

“I’m fine with it!” Hide said with a bright smile.

“Get your fucking hand off me.” Karura said giving him a deadpan look.

“Hehe.” Hide chuckled letting go.

Everyone else gave a nod.

“Then it’s settled.” Ken said.

The Otter walked up and gave Karura’s ankle a hug and she looked down at it cocking an eyebrow.

“An endangered near sentient species.” Ken said.

“Strange thing.” Karura said.

“Guys, you may want to see this!” Joker shouted.

Everyone went into the cockpit and looked out the window.

From the closest building to the far horizon, Coruscant was a wasteland from the missiles dropped down.

“Over trillions of people lived here.” Ken said.

“Dude, this is madness.” Hide said.

As they made it into space, they saw the debris of many fleets and the Fifth Fleet only had one Nebula-class, two Quarian frigates, four Turian cruisers, and two Munificent frigates left.

Ken had to walk off as he was doing his best to control his anger and his power from erupting out.

“I’ll land in Decorus’ flagship.” Joker said.

When they landed, they saw some deck officers line up greeting them but all of them was silent and looked scared.

One of them walked up to Ken.

“Where is Decorus?” He asked.

Ken looked down and the crew knew what it meant.

“We are all that’s left.” Scourge said.

“Then, your majesty.” The crew member said looking to Stolas.

Stolas looked at him.

“You’re the only one of high rank left then.” The crew member said.

Stolas looked at everyone and then nodded.

“Have the fleet head to my homeworld, we will refuel and prepare for the next mission from there.” Stolas said.

The remaining fleet entered hyperspeed with several other fleets entering hyperspeed to join them as their numbers was dwindled down to either three to five ships left.

Meanwhile.

At the Gielinor System, the Alexandrian robots with the Geth were preparing their own fleet.

Cruise Chaser flew to Alexander and landed with a bow.

“Report?” Alexander asked.

“Coruscant is in ruins and the Federation is severely crippled throughout the galaxy.” Cruise Chaser said.

“And our Geth friends on Coruscant?” Alexander asked.

“Decimated. Our enemies are stronger than we anticipated. They have thick layers of skin, but their wings seem vulnerable.” Cruise Chaser said.

“Where is the fifth fleet?” Alexander asked.

“They left Coruscant and their destination was toward the Raloi homeworld, Turvess.” Cruise Chaser said.

Brute Justice walked in.

“The Federation finished a download on one of the server farms on Coruscant. They have an approximate location of the Aparoid Queen on a datapad that they have.” Brute Justice said.

“Then I will head to Turvess, alone.” Alexander said.

“What are we to do?” Cruise Chaser asked.

“Prepare the fleets to enter hyperspeed once I know the location of the Aparoid Queen.” Alexander said.

“Admiral Decorus is confirmed dead.” Brute Justice said.

“A shame, he was an exceptional Admiral for his age. His death will not be in vain.” Alexander said.

“We have reports that seventy percent of the population on planets is being harvested.” Brute Justice said.

“Harvested? Explain?” Alexander asked.

Meanwhile on Decorus’ flagship.

Everyone was listening to the Federation news of some of the deceased being carried off by Aparoids.

“Why are the Aparoids taking dead bodies?” Eto questioned.

“They are harvesting them for some reason.” Ken said.

“But for what purpose?” Thane asked.

“Whatever it is, it isn’t good.” Kugo said.

The fifth fleet left hyperspeed over the planet Turvess and a few other Federation fleets arrived with them.

The Raloi defense fleet headed toward them.

“This is Stolas, we are here to fuel up. I want all news stations linked to me in about an hour for emergency broadcast.” Stolas said.

“Yes, your majesty.” A voice said on the other end of the intercom.

The Raloi fleet escorted the other fleets down to the planet while two of their defense fleets stayed behind in a defensive position incase any Aparoid Moths came.

Stolas sat down in a chair rubbing his face.

Octavia walked up giving her father a hug.

“You need to rest after your speech, dad.” Octavia said.

“Perhaps I should. I think we all deserve a rest.” Stolas said.

Ken nodded.

“Okay then.” Ken said.

“All of you are welcome to my Palace to our guest beds. I insist.” Stolas said.

“Thank you.” Ken said.

“Everyone, this has been a strange journey but I’m glad we are all okay.” Hide said to everyone.

The fleet began to land on different space pads and as they was leaving the bridge, Eto took hold of Ken’s hand and kept him back while everyone else left.

Ken turned around and both him and Eto hugged with Ken wanting to cry.

“I wasn’t strong enough to save them.” Ken said.

“Don’t blame yourself, look we have the virus and we have the datapad with the location of the homeworld. Do not blame yourself.” Eto said.

“But they are dead.” Ken said.

Eto was silent and just kept hugging him.

The two eventually stopped hugging and held hands walking out of the bridge.

An hour later, Ken plugged in the datapad to a star chart and the star chart showed where the Aparoid Queen was at.

In another room, Raloi scientists were making copies of the virus and placing them in missile capsules.

“She’s at the very edge of the northwestern part of the galaxy.” Ken said.

“It looks like on the edge of the Thule System.” Scourge said.

“Then that’s where we plan our attack.” Ken said.

“But how do we do it alone is the question.” Karura said.

“Sneaking in?” Thane suggested.

“Too risky.” Scourge said.

“We got to think of something, what we need is help.” Eto said.

Everyone heard a tapping sound outside the window.

“Uh?” Kugo questioned.

Thane drew his rifle and opened the curtains to see Alexander peeking through the window.

“And we plan to help.” Alexander said.

In the sky, millions of Alexandrian robots was flying around with thousands of Federation Starfighters flying with them.

Stolas walked in with thirty-two Federation Admirals, and the Batarian leaders they helped, and former Neo Sith Empire Captains.

“Guess we aren’t alone after all.” Hide said with a bright smile.

Ken gave a smile to everyone and looked over to Eto who gave him a nod before looking back at everyone else.

“It’s time we take the fight to the Queen.” Ken said.