In the vast emptiness of space, Anissa flew swiftly, racing back to her ship. She was overdue to report to General Kregg. What was supposed to be a simple 10-light-year recon mission to identify and neutralize potential threats had unexpectedly escalated into a clash between a Saiyan and a Viltrumite.
Confusion clouded her thoughts. How was it possible that a man with strength rivaling that of a superior Viltrumite, coupled with expert hand-to-hand combat skills, had been on Earth? She pondered this enigma, especially since she had encountered no such individual when she had been sent to confront and hasten Nolan's son, Mark, known as the Invincible.
She uttered a derisive snort. 'Invincible' — the name suggested an unbeatable and unyielding force. Yet, during their encounter, she had found him to be less than his title proclaimed. She had maneuvered around him with ease, almost playfully. If her mission hadn't been to expedite Earth's subjugation, she could have effortlessly dismembered him.
However, it wasn't Mark who occupied her thoughts now, but the Saiyan, Goku. He could have passed for a Viltrumite, if not for his distinctive hair, his unusual attire, and his lack of a mustache. Indeed, Goku was an extraordinary being. Nevertheless, Anissa found his behavior perplexing. His carefree demeanor bordered on foolishness, and she was especially taken aback by his ignorance of the concept of 'mate' in the context of male and female relationships.
With a quiet scoff, she watched the distant shape of the General's ship, a tiny speck against the backdrop of stars. As she approached, the docking bay door slid open, welcoming her into its belly. She floated through the threshold with practiced ease.
Once inside, she inspected her suit. It was frayed and bore the marks of recent skirmishes, yet it remained functional. She made quick adjustments to its fit, ensuring she was presentable for her audience with General Kregg.
She rehearsed her report in her mind, knowing she could bend the truth without breaking it. She could send Conquest on his solo journey to Earth while paving her own swift return to Viltrum. She would inform Kregg of a potential Scourge Virus anomaly, buying time for Goku as promised.
Taking a deep breath, she composed herself. Her heart rate needed to be steady, her demeanor calm. She couldn't let the General sense her reluctance towards Conquest or the simmering tension within her.
Relaxing her shoulders with one last deep inhale, she readied herself for the confrontation.
Stepping before the General, she stood at attention. He was engrossed in the data displayed on the hologram board until her presence demanded his attention.
"It's clear, General," she announced, her voice carrying the weight of authority and confidence.
Without turning, he responded, "You seem to have been in a skirmish. Explain," his tone sharp as a vibro-blade.
Her mind raced, piecing together a narrative as resilient as her battered armor. "During my reconnaissance, I encountered another Unopan survivor harboring strength beyond what I expected. I engaged, intending to bring him in for questioning and analysis. However, the confrontation ended prematurely—he took measures to ensure he wouldn't be taken alive. Moreover, I've gathered intel suggesting the resurgence of the Scourge Virus near the planet assigned to Nolan's offspring."
Her report concluded, her tone unwavering, but her hands betrayed her—their clenched state a silent scream against the fabrications she spun.
She locked eyes with the General, searching for any hint of suspicion, any sign that he might see through the veil of her carefully constructed half-truths.
Would he deem her words as credible, or would her fists, now balled as if ready for combat, give away the storm of emotions she fought to hide?
The General finally gazed at her eyes, his own eyes narrowing
She waited, tension coiling within her as her hands formed into tight fists at her sides. A nagging suspicion burrowed into her mind that General Kregg might have pierced the veil of her lie.
"If the rumors of the Scourge Virus being present in the region of the planet we're en route to are indeed true, then logically, it would be ill-advised to continue our journey there, wouldn't it?" he asked, his piercing gaze never wavering from her.
"Yes, sir," she responded quickly, her eyes locked onto the General's, searching for any sign of doubt in his stern features that might betray his awareness of her deceit.
"Any suggestions, Anissa?" The question took her completely by surprise. The General was known for his decisive actions, often acting swiftly and posing questions later. It was not his style to solicit advice, especially not from her—an unexpected confidant, at best. Recalling her promise to Goku, she articulated her carefully devised plan.
"We should maintain our course of action, deploying Conquest to the planet as planned. Concurrently, we'll initiate a backup protocol to return to the Viltrum Empire to brief the Grand Regent and our fellow superiors," she articulated with conviction, her gaze steady, even as General Kregg's intense scrutiny seemed to try and pierce her very thoughts.
"Your proposal is indeed prudent, Anissa. It seems wise to heed your counsel. However, I must inform you that two days ago, the Unopan whom you captured within our ship's brig managed to escape. Nolan, the traitor, also cooperated with the Unopan by shattering their containment," General Kregg revealed, his focus momentarily shifting to the shimmering hologram that hovered just behind him.
Her eyes widened involuntarily, betraying her shock. The Unopan had been secured with restraints designed to withstand the brute force of an average Viltrumite. How had they been breached?
"Shocked? I was equally astonished to learn of their escape. Prior to the breakout, Conquest had successfully extracted information from our esteemed Unopan captive," he continued, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of something more, something ominous.
"The Unopan in question—the one you apprehended and brought aboard—is the very entity that the Unopans and Coalition co-created as a weapon against us Viltrumites," she thought with a sinking feeling in her chest.
"He confessed to being the lone member of his kind capable of wielding power comparable to ours. I find myself puzzled, Anissa. How do we now confront another Unopan, one who not only evaded our custody but also displayed might surpassing the original?" General Kregg's inquiry was pointed, his eyes now scanning the cosmic tableau through the viewport, as though seeking answers among the stars.
She silently scolded herself for not crafting a smarter lie, one that didn't involve another Unopan. General Kregg was a warrior who deeply trusted his soldiers and followers. However, she had overlooked his sharp intelligence-gathering skills.
"General, there's been a misunderstanding, I can—"
"I think you explained enough, Anissa" Conquest interjected, slowly walking behind her. His foots 'thump'-ing inside the ship.
Cursing herself under her breath she took glance over her shoulder, Anissa identified three silhouettes — Conquest at the forefront, flanked by two young but determined Viltrumites. Was Conquest so overconfident that he brought mere novices to apprehend her?
She turned back to General Kregg, speaking in a calm, measured voice, "You are making a grave error, General."
"Really?" General Kregg retorted, his head tilting slightly in a gesture of defiance. "With over 8 billion humans on Earth, each carrying identical genetic potential, there will be ample opportunity to repopulate the Viltrumite legacy to its former splendor. Proceed, Conquest," he said, dismissing her with a wave as he returned his gaze to the shimmering holographic board before him.
Conquest, the seasoned Viltrumite warrior with a frame as solid as granite, let out a guttural chuckle. "With pleasure," he growled, and with that, he sprang forward, his powerful hand aimed at her throat in a swift, lethal strike.
But Anissa was not one to be caught off guard; she sidestepped with a dancer's grace, kicking the Conquest plummeting him to the control panels, her fist connecting with the jaw of the young female Viltrumite who had barely had time to brace for the impact. The young male was also too slow to take action as she pierced his chest with her hand before before shoving his corpse swiftly. With the room suddenly in disarray, Anissa made a break for the window, her only escape.
General Kregg let out a weary sigh, he had expected this much. The window, which had exploded into a web of cracks from Anissa's desperate escape attempt, was promptly attended to by a specialized repair crew. He watched as Conquest pursued her, with three additional Viltrumites swiftly following in his wake.
Pity
He had always respected her strength and prowess as a Viltrumite warrior. Yet, it was such a shame and disheartening about witnessing Anissa resort to secretive scheming. Although her actions were directed not against him but against Conquest, the very act of foolishness along with Noland and now her, he will not stand such absurdity allow.
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Propelling herself out of the ship's window into the cold expanse of space. The sounds of the ship's metal hull groaning and the rush of escaping air filled her ears for a split second before the emergency systems kicked in, hermetically sealing the breach behind her.
She spared a fleeting moment to scan the stars to navigate herself. But her search was swiftly interrupted as a hulking shape blindsided her, a collision of bodies amidst the stars.
Conquest's voice raged in her mind, a mental assault as fierce as the physical one. "You think you can escape?" he bellowed telepathically. "I'll tear you limb from limb and stuff you into a pillow! You hea—" His tirade was cut short as Anissa landed a trio of strikes, targeting his abdomen and throat. The blows were precise, delivered with the desperation and skill of one who knew that failure meant death.
She threw her punches with a ferocity born of necessity; Conquest's older physiology was far more durable than that of the younger Viltrumites she had previously encountered, whose bodies yielded more readily to her might. For a moment, her assault seemed to have the desired effect, stunning her adversary just long enough for her to land a kick to push him back and buy herself some precious distance.
As she turned to flee, another Viltrumite lunged at her, a fist rocketing towards her face. The impact was fast, but not hard enough. She twisted her body in a fluid motion, narrowly evading a follow-up blow.
With no time to waste on defense, she channeled her momentum into a counterattack, snatching the aggressor by the throat. With one swift, grim motion, she separated the attacker's head from their body.
Without a second glance at the lifeless form now drifting away, Anissa threw the severed head toward the oncoming Viltrumite squadron as a distraction. She then catapulted herself deeper into space quickly.
Behind her, Conquest's mental bellows echoed with a chilling promise of violence. "I'LL FUCK YOUR SKULL, BITCH!" his thoughts screamed, laced with malice and the thirst for retribution. Anissa forced herself not to look back. She knew all too well the horrors Conquest was capable of unleashing upon those who crossed him.
Her mind raced as fast as she flew, calculating trajectories and plotting a course to the only sanctuary that might offer her a sliver of hope against the onslaught she had just provoked. There was only one destination in her sights now, one chance to turn the tide.