“The Astralbians have gone crazy!” said Swampy over the comms.

The void wasps had lost any sense of order, zipping around the aether as though lost. They were furious, and attacked viciously, but lacked discipline and focus and were easily dispatched.

“Yeah, but this looks like… an opportunity,” said Drixen.

“What do you have in mind, Textbook?” asked Swampy.

“Look, the great eyes are open,” he answered.

“So I can prowl around freely, waiting for one of them to start glowing?” asked Kaihla.

Drixen grinned. “Exactly.”

***

D’Jarric blasted another of the mad Kooans that had broken ranks and tried to charge them. It had become a standoff, with an increasingly large horde of the worshipers of Koo L’Koom, whose name they continually chanted, surrounding the campsite, which bristled with spears and swords. It seemed the mad ones were waiting for their numbers to be sufficient before charging in, and that the sheer numbers would be the death of the whole camp, Trebor and D’Jarric falling with them.

A low rumbling sound caught D’Jarric’s ear. He smiled. “I believe we’re soon out of here, Trebor.”

Trebor looked towards the noise and saw the Swamp’s Pride coming over the cliff that overhung the camp.

“Depends who’s flying,” said Trebor.

As if in answer, the ships guns began to fire, breaking the enemy lines with massive blasts. The cowardly horde scattered suddenly, and the Kooans in the camp roared with joy and chased behind them, routing the scattering enemy.

The Swamp’s Pride landed in an open area at the base of the scale, and soon Vanbrook, Raivyn, and Darvik came out to greet Tru’ik, D’Jarric, and Trebor.

Tru’ik, the invaders are destroyed, and so is their wicked creation, said Raivyn.

That is welcome news, said Tru’ik. And now you will leave, as well?

Yes, we have things we must attend to, answered Raivyn.

That is welcome news, as well, noted Tru’ik. Koo L’Koom is no place for outsiders. Though I have enjoyed the company of this lesser god who is not a god.

D’Jarric nodded. I have enjoyed yours, as well.

With that the party boarded the Swamp’s Pride and shot off into the aether.

***

Keshri, Grepk, and Krum-Bahk fought side by side with the Xanthous Brotherhood, clearing the entrenched and loyal elite Astralbian forces that held the command room of the tree. The others had taken other floors, but they had allowed the most armored force available to be the ones to take the most heavily guarded room. A massive Astralbian with a huge cutlass attacked Krum-Bahk head on, but the equally massive Krauqian was ready for him. The Astralbian was dizzied by the duelist’s ability to wield a cutlass, and found himself frustrated and ultimately destroyed.

Fists and high caliber weapons crushed through the electromagnetic fields that made up the bodies of the enemy, and soon the Marines and Xanthous Brothers stood alone in the command room. Reclan and the others joined them shortly.

“The fort is ours,” said Relcan triumphantly.

The strike force cheered, but the mad Shairet psychics outside pounded on the doors. They had gone almost instantly from the besiegers to the besieged. However, the sound of the maddened horde died off. It was as though someone threw a switch, and the murderous energy of the Shairet psychics died away, replaced by a confused, subdued murmur. Reclan looked at Doc questioningly, unsure what to make of the sudden shift outside.

“Should we, uh, let them in?” asked Doc.

***

Crush fought for her life beside Hacksaw, but she was shocked at the strength of the Ramshackle soldiers. Her sailors were literally being torn apart.

“Ah, you’ve noticed our upgrades,” said Grim. “You see, the Astralbians wanted stronger allies. We threw off the shackles of the Code and let loose the full fury of the Robot!

“Oh, and Hacksaw, I see that you’ve betrayed me again.”

“Betraying you once was a privilege,” said Hacksaw. “Betraying you twice was an honor.”

Crush looked questioningly at Hacksaw who shook his head and said, “I’ll explain everything later.”

Grim laughed and stomped over towards them, throwing aside friend and foe alike. Crush fired at him, and blasted some of the armor off his shoulder, but he kept coming. She blasted out a burst of T-waves, and he stumbled back.

“You dare!?” he demanded.

Hacksaw ran at him, trying to take advantage of the moment, but Grim grabbed hold of him and threw him into the wall of his cabin, where he stayed, lying still against the wall, held not by magnets but by twisted metal.

Crush looked to Hacksaw for just a moment, and when she turned back Grim was on top of her. He grabbed her by the throat and ripped her off the deck.

***

Drixen’s strategy was paying off handsomely. A few of the star trees had tried to fire in their distracted state, and they had paid dearly for it. Much of the Astralbian fleet was in ruins. The great mother tree began to move, and the fighters converged on it, but it began to flee, and then jumped, leaving the battlefield nearly empty.

“We’re not done just yet,” cried Drai. “The Ramshackle fleet is attacking the Free Revolutionary Fleet! All forces, focus your fire accordingly!

“I am also happy to announce that our heroes are on their way back from Koo L’Koom, and have called from a commandeered Koomite vessel to inform us of their victory. The Koomite device responsible for the psychic disturbance has been destroyed! Victory is ours, now let’s see it through!”

***

A heavy metal fist landing on Crush’s face plate once again. She struggled in vain against Grim’s superior strength, his rusty laughter echoing in her mind. Then, through staticky eyes, she saw the mother tree jump away. She laughed.

“Your friends have abandoned you,” she said. Her voice cracked and sputtered through broken speakers.

Grim looked over to see the empty battlefield, and the converging Republic forces. He roared. “You’ll die either way, traitor!” He tore Crush’s head from her shoulders. Then, still holding on to her by what was left of her neck, he tore her arm off, and began slamming her body into the deck, tearing open her torso to reveal her core. He pulled his fist back to crush the core and snuff her out entirely.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

There was a deafening bang and Grim’s world spun. Hacksaw stood behind him, having just put a heavy round into the back of Grim’s head.

“Your allies are gone,” seethed Hacksaw. “Your soldiers are fleeing. You may have killed Crush, but she has a legacy. You have nothing.”

Grim looked to see that his pirates, who had just been tearing through the enemy, had now begun to flee back to the ships, which were turning from the battlefield en masse and jumping as quickly as they were able. He roared in anger, turning his fury on Hacksaw now. Despite a hail of heavy gunfire, Hacksaw quickly found himself in Grim’s grasp.

There was another deafening bang, this time through Grim’s torso. His eyes flickered and went out. Hacksaw stepped back and saw that Grim’s chest was torn open, and his core was shattered. Behind him lay Crush, headless and one-armed, propped up on her single elbow. She had fired a deadly T-bolt into Grim’s core. Now she went limp. Hacksaw rushed over to grab her before she floated off into the aether.

***

Less than a day later, the Swamp’s Pride landed on the surface of Gateway, greeted by cheering masses of the soldiers, sailors, Marines, and warriors who stood on a field of victory. They landed in the scorched remains of the Astralbian encampment, where the Wingspan sat alongside the Gladius, the Pinion, and the rest of the Silver Star Fleet as well as the Liberty and many other FRF and PIC ships. Reclan ran up and hugged Vanbrook and D’Jarric. Raivyn stood behind them, and Reclan hadn’t noticed her wound yet.

“We won!” she shouted. “The Astralbians fled, and so did the Ramshackle fleet. Crush killed Grim, and we’re not sure about Jylik just yet. There are rumors he was killed when the madness hit and… and what happened to your eye, Rai?”

“It’s ruined,” said Raivyn, shaking her head as though she didn’t mind, and smiling wider than Reclan had seen her smile in a long time, maybe ever. “But we won, too. Hoon-Kra is dead. Now all that’s left is a celebratory date.” She looked up at Vanbrook, who smiled sheepishly back at her.

Reclan balked. “I need DETAILS!” she screeched.

“I’ll take a look at that eye in a moment,” said Doc. “But I think Jasken might want a word.”

Ol’ Blue descended from the sky, Jasken sitting imposingly on his back.

“Welcome back, all,” said Jasken. He dismounted and approached Talon Squad. “I’m sure that’s not the last we’ll see of… well, any of them. But I believe we broke the back of the Empire, and the Koomites have no real power without their backing.

“As for you,” he turned to Darvik. “You will submit yourself to the brig aboard the Wingspan until we return to Griffonia.”

Darvik nodded, but Trebor stepped forward.

“Darvik is a psychic of unknown ability,” said the RTS agent. “I will keep him under my custody until we return to Griffonia.”

“Very well,” said Jasken. “He’s your problem, then.”

Vanbrook scowled but said nothing.

“There are more important considerations, Jasken!” cried Reclan. “Vanbrook and Raivyn have a DATE planned!”

Jasken stared at the impudent Dromean harshly for a moment. Then his eyes wandered to Vanbrook and Raivyn, who were trying and failing to suppress wide, giddy smiles. Then something amazing happened. Jasken laughed. His face split into a wide grin and he laughed until he was doubled over–a deep, heartfelt, joyous laugh.

“Now?” he asked, wiping away tears. “Now you two figure it out? Oh, that’s something. That’s really something.”

***

As much as everyone was eager to go home, it was decided that while shields were recharging and ships were being repaired that a victory banquet would be held on Gateway. In preparation, the dead were gathered and mourned. Crush’s broken body was set out on the deck of the Liberty. Though much of her circuitry was destroyed, her core was still intact. Hacksaw insisted that she would be returned to Cradle, where FRF smiths would repair her body. In the meantime, she could be visited and honored aboard the Liberty.

The banquet was held out of doors in an open space by the airfield. Prime Minister Skritka had come, as well as Baron Grubula, King Hrynkak and Elder Rehkna, and a number of other dignitaries. Talon Squad sat together with the Marines and Scouts, scarfing down the meats, cheeses, and vegetables that had been brought along by Skritka from Griffonia. The meal was a bittersweet occasion for Talon Squad, who would be parting ways with Hrake as he headed back to Hruduk, his quest to learn about the wider galaxy having been fulfilled.

As the meal was winding down, Jasken stood up and got the attention of the revelers. “My friends,” he began. “It feels like a lifetime ago that the Blue Griffon Fleet set out for Hittania. Our discoveries there led us through many hardships, and, with Providence shining upon us, we overcame them.” The crowd cheered and banged on the table. “And certainly it was a lifetime ago that I joined the Navy.” There was a burst of laughter from the table, and Jasken grinned. “Which is why I am today announcing my retirement from the Griffon Republic Navy.”

Now there was silence, followed by a few unsure claps that erupted into a cheering applause. “After we return to Griffonia, I will officially relinquish command of the Blue Griffon Fleet to Admiral Hunt.” The young admiral stood up from where he was seated next to Jasken and waved to the crowd. There was another round of applause. “Enjoy this feast. Tomorrow will bring its own trouble. Today, we celebrate. Providence shine on us all.”

The feast went on for some time before something in the atmosphere changed. Raivyn felt the tinge of a headache coming on. The sun seemed to lose a bit of its brightness, as though some huge, unseen object had passed between the sun and the planet. She turned to Vanbrook.

“Koo L’Koom,” she said. “He’s here.”

A wave of panic rippled through the crowd, and Skritka rose up as if to say something when a burst of light emanated from the Liberty. Crush’s broken body rose into the air, her severed head and arm floating in place. Raivyn’s headache subsided, washed away by a sense of peace.

“I am Crush,” said the levitating Robot in a voice that carried over the whole crowd. “I am the Guardian of the Cradle, the homeworld of my people and of the Astralbians, appointed by the Progenitor to defend the people of the Cornucopia Cluster and the wider galaxy from the terror of the aether beasts. Do not fear, for the Guardian has returned.”

The sun brightened again, and Crush’s body laid back down, the glow softening until it was gone. She lay as she had before, as though nothing had happened. The feeling of peace was all she left behind. Everyone stared on in awe, unsure of what to make of what they had just witnessed.

Epilogue

The farmhouse sat in the middle of an open field. It wasn’t a huge house, nor was it new, but it was well-kept, with a perfectly trimmed lawn and immaculate shrubbery. A huge, gnarled tree stood by the house, with an ancient-looking swing hanging from it, swinging a little in a gentle breeze. Ol’ Blue lay curled up in front of the porch, snoring softly and soaking up the afternoon sun. Jasken sat on a chair on the porch, a glass of Griffonian rum in one hand and a cookie in the other.

Vanbrook and Raivyn ambled up the front walk, and Jasken rose to greet them. “Thanks for coming out, you two,” he said happily.

Gone was the stern admiral Vanbrook had learned to admire. Here was an old man whom he’d learned to love. They had gotten back to Griffonia a few weeks ago, and Jasken had wasted no time fixing up his old place and settling into civilian life.

“Of course, Admiral,” said Raivyn.

“You’re the only ones I let call me that,” he laughed. “All the folks who served under me, I mean. Here, have a cookie. Mairen dropped them off last time she was here.”

“I heard she retired, as well,” said Vanbrook coyly. “You two spending a lot of time together?”

“We plan on spending quite a bit of our time together,” said Jasken, smiling sheepishly. “We’re too old to waste time about these things. I’ve asked her to marry me. She agreed.”

“That’s wonderful!” said Raivyn.

“How about you two?” asked Jasken. “Tell me about that date.”

“We, uh, haven’t had it yet,” said Vanbrook. “I’m trying to get a reservation some place, and it’s just been really busy since we got back.”

“Take it from an old man, Vanbrook,” said Jasken. “Time slips away quicker than you think.”

Vanbrook nodded.

“But why don’t you fill me in a little,” said Jasken. “What’s happening out in the galaxy?”

“Well, we took back Thioa,” said Raivyn. “Jylik is well and truly dead, and the Empire is a kingdom once again, though notably one without a king. General Wyven has been released back to the Astralbians and appears to be consolidating power on Astralbia, while Trilia returned to Koomia and has been trying to recruit cultists. I suppose one of them owns Quarry now, but they’ll have to sort that out on their own.

“On the positive side of things, Crush has been returned to Cradle, and there’s been a steady pilgrimage of Robots and Astralbians who want to know more about their ancestral homeworld.”

Jasken shook his head. “There’s so much more to this galaxy than we realize. What about Darvik?”

Vanbrook frowned. “The RTS swept him out of the public eye, but they’ve been hinting to the press that he’s some kind of tragic hero. I don’t know what their angle is, but I’d like to see Darvik before a firing squad before the year is out.”

“Alright, alright, let’s not ruin the moment,” said Jasken. He motioned to two additional chairs that sat on the porch, and poured the couple some drinks.

Vanbrook and Raivyn sat by Jasken and enjoyed some rum and cookies. They talked for a long time, watching the sun fall below the horizon, painting the sky in purples, pinks and oranges. Providence was shining upon them, indeed.