Lana Blake was a member of the Nova Rebellion; in fact, she was one of the high ranking members together with Portgas Balorio and Starkid, only beneath president Husk in the organization's hierarchy.

She was an Apex with all the typical physical characteristics of that race. A body covered in fur, menacing fangs, big nose, and prolonged skull. What really differentiates between a male and a female is their bosom and chest; in this case, they are very much like Humans.

Lana had her body covered in a rough and dry brown fur, the result of her long live life on the battlefield, she already lost her hair on fire more than once. She wasn't what an Apex would call beautiful; she was average looking in Apex's standards. There was also a big red scar across her left eye, courtesy of a ruthless slash of a Miniknog soldier.

Not counting her scar on the eye, there were many more that were hidden behind her fur. They were all granted to her by her long years fighting as a revolutionary against the oppressive Miniknog and Big Ape's government. She was more than 30 years old, in which almost 20 she spent fighting.

A master tactician that also help run black-market goods between rebel camps and Nova Rebellion. But she's not the sort of to merely sit behind a desk and lead from the back.

Lana is often right up front leading the charge against heavily-armed Miniknog installations, cool red scarf flapping in the wind, and a battle-scarred, green military uniform, as she sprays the battlefield with hot lead. Despite these overwhelming odds, she kept coming out alive and on top. She had entirely devoted her life to toppling the oppressive Apex government.

Today she was in one of her hidden rebel bases just with some of the soldiers of the Nova Rebellion. She was preparing an attack on another Miniknog's laboratory on a faraway planet when her PIPS started to ring.

Her cold face frowned as she glanced at her PIPS.

She wondered who was calling her at this important moment.

The members inside the chamber she was currently hosting the reunion were all Apaxes as well.

The conference room was reasonably big, with a giant table in the middle with 11 seats. On the sides of the room, there was a giant glass screen that showed images of cameras of the facility they were at and also other things.

Lana was listening to a report coming from a soldier that just stood up when she received the call.

The soldier stopped speaking when he noticed that Lana wasn't paying attention to him anymore.

He didn't show any displeasure and just respectfully stood by the side and waited until Lana authorizes him to continue.

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Once Lana caught a glimpse of the number in her PIPS, her face immediately changed.

"I need a minute. Continue with your report, soldier. I'll take a look at the resume after I'm back." She said at the people that were sitting on the table and also at the standing soldier before immediately walking out of the room.

At the back of the conference room, Lana immediately answered the call.

"President!" She saluted the person that appeared on the hologram just before her.

The image of the hologram was very blurred, but it was still able to see that the person on the other side was a man, possibly human from his hands and body structure. He was wearing what seemed to be a formal tuxedo suit, and on his face, there was a complete white mask that covered his facial features.

The person in the hologram was known as president Husk, the leader of the Nova Rebellion.

"Lana Blake, change of plans." Husk said with a deep and calm voice, "There's a problem in Jevil's side. Forget the mission I gave you before. Your new mission is to harass and earn the Miniknog's attention for one week."

"Yes, sir!" Lana saluted and replied in a loud voice.

"That's all. Get back to work." With those words, Husk turned off the call.

[One week...] Lana Blake frowned and scratched her furry chin. [That's too much time. To keep the Miniknog's attention for this long, I have to do something that will really piss them off...]

She continued to think of a way until she returned to the conference room and announced the change of plans.

...

The engines of the ship roared as the spacecraft left the planet's atmosphere.

Itsuki rested her head at the chair and closed her eyes as she waited for the nurses to bandage her wounds.

*Beep, beep.*

Her eyes opened as she felt her PIPS vibrating.

Glancing at the number displayed, she bitterly smiled.

As soon as she answered the call, she spoke, "Hello, father."

"Itsuki, my daughter." The person on the other side was clearly not angered but rather thrilled, "I'm glad that you are okay."

"Father..." Itsuki's eyes softened once she heard her father, Sumeragi Hanzo, worried about her safety.

But his worry also brought a sense of shame and disappointment at herself because it was her fault that the name of her family and their Faction suffered a hit.

"I failed you." Itsuki lowered her head asked for forgiveness, "It was my fault that Jevil Redhook betrayed us. I should have never invited him."

"There was no way for you to know that Jevil would betray us. He always seemed loyal, always doing his job perfectly without mistakes. Who would have thought he was already a spy of the Nova Rebellion." Hanzo spoke slowly and gently with Itsuki, "You don't have to blame yourself. He's already underway towards Alpis Prisonal Center; there's no way for him to escape from there. Also, look at the bright side, we could get something from him. Letheia Corporation has been struggling to deal with those rebels for a long time. Maybe we can finally get some information about the Rebellion from Jevil's mouth."

"Yes, father. I understand."

"Return home. Come back to Kuraokami. Your grandfather misses you."

"Alright, I'll go back once Jevil's secured in Alpis. Nothing must go wrong."

After saying goodbye to one another, they ended the call.

She stared at a Condor-class spaceship flying beside her own Condor-class.

It that ship was where Jevil was.

Their destination was Alpis Criminal Detention Center, one of the biggest, and secret prison of the UHG, Universal Hylotl Government, that was basically built and controlled by Letheia Corporation.

The premonition, the omen, she felt when looking at that spaceship only increased after each minute.

Ever since she captured Jevil, she couldn't shake off this feeling creeping in her body and mind.

The feeling that something was about to happen in the near future...