DARK ONE:"We're done. Stand down. They gave us a chance to surrender take it."
The General's eyes burned crimson. A red aura erupted around him. Muscles swelled.
GENERAL:"I'm still mad at you. Stay out of this, or I take you out too."
The Dark One didn't flinch.
He clenched his fist. A portal opened in front of him.
He punched through it.
The fist reappeared in front of the General's face.
It hit him. Hard. Clean.
The General's wind was knocked out of him. He stumbled.
DARK ONE:"You're done."
He clapped his hands.
Crush.
The General's body shook. Impacted.
Both hands rose. Portals opened. Absorbed the impact.
A hand reached through touched the General's body.
He was sent flying backward through a portal.
It closed behind him.
He was gone.
The Dark One lowered his hands. His voice was calm.
DARK ONE:"He's out cold. I'll be leaving. Next time... we'll be ready."
Then he left through a portal dark void.
Eva stepped down.
LT. COL. BRANDT:"This is a good time to retreat."
Lt. Col. Brandt got up, dusted himself off.
LT. COL. BRANDT:"This isn't over. Next time we get them. They got lucky the rebels arrived. Let them leave. For now."
David got up, saw ECO.
DAVID:"Captain ECO, we can't let them go."
ECO:"No. We're letting them go. This goes against my plan if we attack."
Meanwhile, Kiro saw a blur. He coughed blood, forced himself up.
KIRO:"I've got to get up. That airship is getting away. It has my friend."
He walked like a drunk.
The Lieutenant grabbed his arm.
LIEUTENANT:"Listen. I'm the right hand to that guy on top, so listen. We'll get her back because it's you. But for now, trust us. We know where they are and we've got a plan. But you need to heal. Cubes require stamina."
Kiro tried to pull free. His legs gave out.
He fell to his knees. Eyes closing.
KIRO:"Fine... if this goes bad... I blame youuuu..."
His body went limp.
The Lieutenant caught him before he hit the ground.
Raiji and Aurora returned.
Raiji was being carried, leaning on Aurora's shoulder.
RAIJI:"Who are you people?"
AURORA:"They're the rebels most wanted in the world. And one of the factions who control it. But unlike the others, they control it from the shadows. Real question is why are they here?"
The white coat man stepped forward.
WHITE COAT:"I'm a Seat Officer. We're looking into this group in particular. More info you should come with us."
RAIJI:"This isn't the first time you've helped us. Why so sure we'll go?"
WHITE COAT:"Not your group. Someone in your group. The boss will explain."
RAIJI:"Sure. But we've got our own airship the Reaper."
LIEUTENANT:"We've got space for it."
The Lieutenant carried Kiro back to the blimp.
Raiji and Aurora went to the Reaper.
The white coat followed.
They towed it to the blimp into a storage room filled with airships.
Kiro and Raiji were placed in healing pods to recover faster. But in an hour halfway healed Kiro got out early.
He went looking for answers.
AURORA:"You're up already? Seems like no one can keep you down, Mayor."
She paused.
"Wonder what they want. Why help us?"
They were escorted by the Lieutenant to a room.
LIEUTENANT:"This way. The Captain would like to speak."
They entered.
KIRO:"Hi. You must be the boss of the rebels. Thanks for helping us, but we need to rescue one of ours."
CAPTAIN:"No."
Kiro's face hardened.
KIRO:"I won't take a no. I will rescue her."
CAPTAIN:"No as in I'm not the boss. Someone else is. I'm Captain of the 11th Division Fleet."
He leaned forward.
"And we can help rescue your friend. But don't you want to know why we helped you?"
AURORA:"Yes. We do."
KIRO:"No. Not right now."
AURORA:"Well, why? I have a guess. You don't rescue just anyone. You free cities, not small groups. But one of your people said someone in our group is special."
She glanced at Kiro.
"So why?"
CAPTAIN:"You're right, Princess Aurora. Our data network goes far in this world. Remember Grand Electrum? That was a bad job."
A pause.
"Other than that, we can't tell you why. First, we need to test you. After this favour you owe us, Kiro."
KIRO:"Sure. What have I got to lose? But what do you bring to the table?"
CAPTAIN:"Good answer. What do I bring? My fleet. You'll need them to attack a Special Forces base."
CAPTAIN:"There are training areas and bedrooms. Rest up or train. This will be a big fight. They're Special Forces. Like those two that beat you. They're out of your league without a special skill or something."
KIRO:"I've got one. Just got to learn it."
AURORA:"Me too. Just never went all out yet."
They left the room.