On the western side of United Planets territory, the gears of war turned faster and faster as battle broke out! Space was ablaze as the forces of the United Planets and the nemesis fired seas of plasma at each other at the border between their territories, known as the great schism. But as both fleets tried to annihilate the other, Damara flew to the enemy on flaremane, breaking the dead heat!

She grew her shield to a giant size and tossed it at the nemesis fleet. It cleaved through their forces as effortlessly as a knife would cut bread, creating a fiery line of destruction across the war zone. And as most of the enemy fleet went up in an inferno, the survivors retreated.

But Daisy gazed deeply upon the violence and death of war with a depressed expression.

“At least we won!”

Later, Daisy flew through space and reached the homeworld of General Favian, planet Aqua. The planet was a Titanic marshland. Water covered its surface as dense vegetation with all its strange scents fostered life from it. A world comprised solely of vast swamps with little to no solid ground. The only exception was the giant plants on which the natives constructed settlements.

She flew to the largest one, on a lily pad of godly size, Palus Urbs. A colossal city using towering plant life as buildings.

As she headed for it, she made her way through busy skies. Daisy evaded United Planets ships as they hurried to complete their missions.”Sorry!” As per Favian’s strategy, several of the planet's cities became fortresses, converting the world into a military stronghold. It would allow them to defend Aqua better and support future attacks. Eventually, they could use the world as a launching point for campaigns into enemy territory without straying too far from supply lines.

Daisy soon landed, and Favian ran over to her as she dismounted from flaremane.

Daisy saluted.“General Favian, my mission was a success. The enemy forces at the sector are in full retreat!”

“Excellent, Damara, this will be vital for our defense. So why don't you look happy?”

“Nothing, sir! It’s stupid!”

“If it affects you, I better hear it anyway to be safe!”

“Well, I know there’s no choice but to fight. But this war still feels wrong!” Daisy took a deep breath.“To keep a long story short, my parents raised me to treasure life!”

As Favian heard Daisy, painful memories flashed in his consciousness.”So did mine! But unfortunately for the both of us, life isn’t fair!”

The two noticed a commotion nearby and spotted some soldiers chasing young aquis boys. But the little boys soon ran over to Daisy for refuge. As the soldiers reached them, Favian grew an angry expression.

"What are children still doing in this area? Especially since I ordered all civilians to the safe zone!"

"W-we were going to inform you about that, General Favian. The evacuation will take a bit longer than scheduled. As for those kids, they snuck past us when we were taking a little rest!"

"Rest? Well, that's funny! Because Mavor won't rest until you are all dead!" Favian shouted.

"General," Daisy said, enraged, holding the boys.

One of the boys tugged on Daisy's dress and got her attention. He spoke in the native language of Planet Aqua. But she was shocked as he didn’t say anything in Galactic Novice. It was a widely accepted tongue known to humans as simply English, but beings across the galaxy used it as an easy means of cross-species communication.

"Ma'am, we're sorry that we broke the rules. We just wanted to meet you because you're a cool hero and super pretty!"

Daisy cracked a smile as she finally recognized his tongue."I'm going to eat your souls!"

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As the boys heard Daisy, they all burst into crying. And Favian's anger gave way to shock and disbelief. But Daisy looked at their reactions with intense bewilderment, unaware of what she said!

"Did I say something rude?"

Favian cracked a smile."Damara, please repeat what you said, but roll your tongue from the top of your mouth!"

Swiftly, Daisy heeded Favian's advice."You’re all sweet enough to eat. Bless your souls!"

The boys quickly stopped crying and grew big smiles. They all hugged Daisy, and she happily reciprocated.

"Damara, you'll save us. Right?

"Yes, you'll be safe. I and many other brave men and women will make sure of it! And that's a promise!"

Daisy initiated a pinky promise with the boys. The boys quickly accepted it. As they did, Daisy was the only one who noticed her shield emitting faint light.

Meanwhile, thousands were scrambling across a military base outside the city. With Carter in command, he directed his forces in a race against time. However, they moved remarkably efficiently despite the mounting pressure, accomplishing their jobs. But Carter soon spotted a familiar face amongst the hustle and bustle. A timid and reserved-looking fellow knocked about in the big crowd. Eugene, eighteen, was a skinny Caucasian human man.

Carter hurried over to him."Good to see you, doc Parker. How was the trip? I heard our species still doesn’t take to space travel very well!"

Eugene staggered back and forth, fighting the urge to vomit."You heard right!”

“You’ll get used to it, soldier!” Carter chuckled.

“General Carter, may I ask you a question?"

"Shoot!"

"Well, first, I don't want to sound ungrateful because this is the chance of a lifetime. But there are far more experienced scientists who would kill to be your head scientific advisor. So why did you choose me? I mean, I'm only eighteen. And all I did was crack that code for darkhold!"

"That code saved lives, Dr. Parker. Besides where I come from, boys need to become men fast!"

"Y-yes, sir! Eugene exhaled heavily. “Oh, before I forget, I completed that project you gave me!"

Eugene quickly dragged over a rectangular case. As he opened it, Carter looked in amazement at its contents. It was a sword unlike any other! A beautiful long blue shining blade with black circuitry shimmering below its surface. With a nod of approval from Eugene, Carter slowly reached for the sword. His anticipation rapidly grew as he got closer.

As he finally picked it up, Carter smiled at how comfy it felt in his hand.

"What a girl she is! Does she have a name?"

"Yes, she is called the Betanian blade. Light as a feather but strong enough to withstand a nuclear blast. And when you swing her hard enough, she emits a powerful energy attack!"

"Man, I've seen a lot of beautiful women in my time, but she must be the runner-up!"

"Why thank you, I-. Wait, who is the first most beautiful?"

Carter grew a smug smile, thinking of Daisy."My business, that's who!"

Eugene saluted Carter, nervous as if he did something wrong."Yes, sir!"

Later, the sunset and a horde of soldiers passed through the gates, returning from Palus urbs with Daisy and Favian leading them. And as Carter saw them, he hurried over.

"Carter," Favian said indifferently.

"Favian," Carter said indifferently.

"So, General Carter, how was your end?"

"Pretty good, thanks to Dr. Parker. We're way ahead of schedule! How about you, Damara?"

"Not so lucky, I'm afraid. The evacuation will take at least another day!"

Favian swiftly walked away from Carter and Daisy.

"General Favian, where are you going?"

"There's something I need to check!"

Favian hurried across the base and quickly entered a building. Inside, he reached a computer room with rows of individuals typing away on the machines. And he soon found his Lieutenant, Yara. She was a beautiful Hachiko of twenty-four with a slender, curvy body that resembled a Siberian Husky.

Yara saluted Favian as she saw him."Glory to the lawgiver. Good evening, General Favian!"

"Same to you, Yara. Now tell me, how is General Carter's human doing?"

"Great! It's scary, but the guy can work our technology better than we can!"

Yara pointed over to Eugene on a holographic computer nearby. He stared at the big screen expressionless as his hands moved at inhuman speeds across the keyboard, inputting data. Favian looked at his work with disbelief, seeing him type away so fast without exhaustion. Almost as if Eugene was a machine himself!

"Dr. Parker, do you have a minute?"

Eugene stopped working in a daze, clutching his head from a headache."Oh, General Favian, when did you get here?"

"About a minute ago. And I would like a progress report!"

"W-well, my guardian barrier should be fully functional by tomorrow. And thanks to Damara, we can cast it over a massive area without the nemesis being an issue!"

Favian took a deep breath."I see. Please, keep up the great work!"

Favian prepared to leave, but without warning, alarms went off! He stopped cold, but with one look at Eugene, he ordered him to search for the cause. And Eugene typed away like the wind!

"My god, colossal enemy troop movement," Eugene said.

"They're coming back in force? Yara, we're at priority red! Everyone to their battle stations!"

"No, General Favian, please stop! The nemesis is in a mass retreat!"

"What?"

"Our scanners verify it. Entire fleets of enemy ships fleeing this part of space!"

As she heard Eugene, Yara grew a big smile, saluting Favian."Congratulations, sir! It looks like your defensive strategy has already borne fruit!"

Favian grew a look of concern."That's the problem. It only looks like that!"