All the Argonautis' crew assembled before Carter and Lev in the mess hall. The crowd before them carried the marks of Lev's mistakes, all manner of scars, cuts, and bruises. She trembled in fear, gazing at their wounds in sorrow and regret. But still, digging into the depths of her soul, she summoned the courage to walk ahead of Carter to meet them.

  "I would like to thank all of you for assembling here! I'm deeply grateful you still respect my orders!"

  Ollette raised her hand, asking."Why wouldn't we?"

  "Let me be frank! This mission has been a hellish disaster!"

  "Ma'am?"

  "The ship is out of commission, and ninety percent of our forces are unfit for duty! All before making any progress taking the planet!"

  "But we have a plan B," Carter said.

  "An all-out siege is no longer possible! So, instead, we'll go for a more precision attack!"

  "Precision attack?" Kinana asked.

  "We were able to locate the enemy's base of operations. General Carter and I will lead a two-pronged attack on the facility. If all goes well, we can take it and sabotage their logistics like planned!"

  "But, ma'am, we would still be stranded in enemy territory! And we're wildly outnumbered!"

  "Which is why we're leaving the final decision up to you! Please talk amongst yourselves. Are you in favor of our plan? If not, we'll figure something else out!"

  The crew quickly went as quiet as a grave. The opinions racing in their minds were as diverse as the species comprising their ranks. Each person knew that retreating harbored their best hope of survival, but the cost would likely be long-term nemesis victory in the war! However, with aid from Aelia, a great decider limped into the room, Damara!

  "I overheard everything! I don't know about anyone else, but I'm still willing to fight, General Lev," Daisy said.

  Kinana stood up in the crowd."If Damara's in, I'm in!"

  Sarah stood up."Same! How about the rest of you?"

  An energy swiftly filled the room, washing across the vast number, destroying despair, and leaving hope in its wake! The crew stood up, cheering with overwhelming enthusiasm and approval! Damara, the hero of the galaxy's fighting spirit, fully restored their morale!

  Carter smirked."I guess that's a yes?"

  "Damara, you would trust me with your life after all this?" Lev asked in shock.

  "Of course I would!"

  Lev balled her eyes out."Thank you, Damara!”

  Later, Evelyn watched as her vast legions surrounded the Argonautis on a holophone panel in the fortress. They encircled the vessel in a colossal hangman's noose, slowly tightening its death grip with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, preparing to destroy the United Planets!

  A soldier ran to Evelyn."General, all our captains stand ready to terminate the vermin!"

  "They were doomed to fail from the start, but still, they were worthy opponents! Do your best to make it quick and painless!"

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  Meanwhile, Daisy and the United Planets traveled down a dark tunnel led by Ollette.

  "Captain Fides, are you sure we're going the right way?" Norn asked.

  Ollete sniffed the air."Yes, Lieutenant Norn! Damara, if you would?"

  Daisy quickly commanded her shield with a flick of her hand. The shield far ahead of the group spun at immense speed against the tunnel wall. And the faster it went, the more it dug into the wall, becoming a drill and extending the path forward!

  "The scent of waste materials and machines gets stronger this way!"

  "How much longer until we reach the enemy base? The air's getting a bit thin," Carter said.

  "If I'm smelling correctly, it should only be a few more meters!"

  "Good work, Ollette! We'll go a bit further than take a chance, surfacing," Lev said.

  A few minutes later, Daisy's shield burst from the ground. The first to emerge from the hole peaking out was Daisy, scanning the area."It's safe!" Jumping out, followed by Carter as they lead the pack to the enemy fortress. And together, the couple marched ahead on guard, readying to defend their comrades from hidden perils.

  Carter walked beside Daisy, gazing at her longingly."So beautiful!"

  Daisy slightly jumped in fright."Don't say things like that! There are too many people!"

  "I can't help it! It's been a long mission!"

  "I would be lying if I said I wasn't in the same boat. But as much as I need a kiss right now, we'll have to grin and bear it!"

  "Maybe not!" Sarah hastily grew to a giant size.

  Sarah blocked the path for the rest of the United Planets in her giant size. She became a wall, obscuring their vision of Daisy and Carter before them.

  "Captain Fortitudo, what's wrong with you?"

  "Sorry, General Lev! My injuries from earlier must be messing with my size altering. I'll fix it in a quick minute!" Sarah playfully winked at Daisy and Carter.

  Daisy and Carter quickly realized what Sarah was doing. And with an approving look from his beloved, Carter pulled Daisy in for a passionate kiss! They wrapped their arms around each other, kissing like they hadn't embraced in an eternity!

  "Captain Fortitudo?"

  "Sorry! I'll change it right now!”

  Sarah began to shrink, and the couple released each other. As the path was clear, Lev walked forward, joining them. Together, they led the pack and scouted for danger. But the trio stopped as their destination appeared on the horizon!

  "There it is, at last," Daisy said.

  "Do or die time, ladies!"

  "Agreed, General Carter! Norn, come here, please!"

  Norn ran to the trio."Yes, ma'am?"

  "There's been a slight change in plans. I want you to take Lieutenant Rogers and lead the attack in my stead!"

  "Ma'am?"

  “They may have something special in store, so I’ll draw their fire!”

  "What gives?"

  "General Carter's right! I'm supposed to d-"

  "That's just it, Damara! I'm not taking any more chances. Your blood is more valuable than mine!"

  Daisy swallowed a lump of anxiety."No, it's not!"

  Norn swiftly heeded Lev's command. She took the soldiers to their battle positions, saluting and hugging Lev goodbye. Lev walked forward to the base, unshakable in her resolve. With this act, she was committed to more than a military victory but moral redemption, knowing only death would stop her. But, in a rare moment of glancing back, she giggled, looking at Carter!

  "What's so funny?"

  "I can't help but admire the lovely red lipstick on the corner of your mouth!"

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "I-I ate a jelly donut!"

  "Of course you did!" Lev playfully rolled her eyes, knowing the truth.

  "G-good luck, General Lev!"

  "Thank you, Damara!"

  Lev quickly flew, racing toward the fortress and drawing the enemy’s attention. Within seconds, bright purple dots covered the vast labyrinth of rock formations! As an ominous purple glow washed over the landscape, she readied for what was coming. It revealed an onslaught that surpassed that of a darkhold fortress!

  With immense speed, countless thousands of plasma bolts flew from the fortress. The pillars of energy filled the air, impeding all paths forward. They formed a wall of death that would annihilate any other opponent. But still, Lev remained calm, racing toward it."Favian!" Remembering critical information.

  Within Lev's mind, her thoughts turned back to her dinner with Favian. She recalled how he described the attack pattern of the fortress on Planet Aqua. With that knowledge, she recognized a similar pattern with the fortress before her. And her battle-hardened eyes swiftly guided her to the narrow spots of refuge among the bombardment!

  Lev hastily danced across the battlefield. But even as a master artist, several bolts still grazed her arms and legs. However, she hurried to the fortress, ignoring the pain. She finally reached her target in a pink mist! The nemesis soldiers freed their guns, firing at Lev as she flew above their base. But Lev dived toward them, drawing her dual tessen. She spread the mist from her body, fanning it away in a massive vortex. As the pink cloud washed over them, the soldiers swiftly dropped dead, learning it was poison!

  "Son of a gun! She did it," Carter said.

  "I knew she would!"

  A few minutes later, the United Planets were ready for their attack at the rear of the base. With Damara and the others attacking the front, Norn’s forces would cut off any support from the back, allowing them to reach the war room’s precious data. And idealistically, secure the base with minimal casualties. But Norn watched the battle at the front, worrying about Lev. She gazed concerned, seeing colossal flames and light dance wildly through the dust clouds and pink mist. But soon, she refocused on the mission as she saw enemy troops readying to move.

  Norn dialed her communicator."Lieutenant Rogers?"

  "I'm here!"

  "General Lev's poison mist will dissipate shortly. Are you ready?"

  "Everything's lined up nicely on my end! Just give the word!"

  "Move on my signal!"

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  Norn hung up."Kinana!"

  Kinana began the attack, summoning a bow and arrows of pure electricity from the cliffs above. She fired her shafts, bombarding several targets with massive explosions of white light. The other snipers swiftly followed, freeing their guns and firing at the Nemesis! And as chaos ensued, Norn led the infantry, ripping into the enemy!

  Meanwhile, Clive watched the battle from the other end with steely determination, unphased by the incredible peril, knowing it was Norn’s signal!

  "Showtime!"

  Clive spotted Ros among his soldiers and hurried to her.

  "Ros, I wanted you to know I want to talk after the mission!"

  Ros took a deep breath."Only If we survive!"

  "When we survive!"

  Ros cracked a small smile."Aren't you confident!"

  "Light it up, boys and girls!" Clive waved to the other soldiers.

  The snipers quickly fired their guns, bombarding the Nemesis soldiers. They lay defenseless as they hurried to the battle with Norn, unaware of the opponents behind them. Like Norn, Clive led the infantry with Ros as chaos ensued. The United Planets swiftly ensnared their enemies on two ends with immense ferocity, like a predator closing its jaws on prey!

  Clive and Ros quickly met Norn in the middle. But a red blur zoomed over their heads, catching Clive's attention!

  "That looked familiar," Clive said.

  The trio trembled in terror, seeing a squadron of blood troopers land before them.

  "An entire squadron," Norn said, terrified.

  "Oh, no," Ros said.

  The troopers fired their guns at the snipers on the cliffs! And hastily turned their vicious attack on the ground troops, decimating the United Planets forces in brilliant explosions!

  Norn looked on in horror."Kinana, Ollette!"

  Clive shook Norn vigorously."Snap out of it, woman! We have to fight!"

  "But, Clive, how can we possibly defeat them? We barely survived against just one!"

  "If we can beat them, great! But I plan on buying Carter and Damara as much time as possible!"

  "You want to die trying?"

  Clive nodded yes.

  "V-very well then! I'm with you!"

  Clive and Ros charged toward the blood troopers, weapons ready, meeting their destiny!

  In the war room, Evelyn marshaled her forces as the sounds of an approaching war echoed. They aimed their weapons at the doors, readying to shoot anyone who entered.

  "How did they bypass our defenses? I can't believe I was this careless," Evelyn said.

  A soldier ran to Evelyn."The fail-safe is ready, General!"

  "How far is the download?"

  "Seventy percent down, ma'am! Our confidential files will be on a remote server in a few minutes!"

  "Good! As for the rest of you, hold nothing back! We're fighting Damara and two enemy generals!"

  The nemesis soldiers responded in kind to Evelyn's orders. They hurriedly finished their battle formation, crowding around the doors. And awaited their enemy’s arrival as the sounds of fighting grew louder. But with a final boom, the sounds stopped as the corridor went as quietly as a grave.

  "What?"

  As a minute passed, Evelyn gazed at the doors, bewildered. She wondered what could have silenced her enemies, but soon, a new sound drew her attention. Evelyn followed a grinding sound to the floor. And in that moment, she realized her answer, as Daisy's shield burst upward!

  Daisy and the generals leaped through the hole, meeting their enemies. Carter led the charge, slashing the enemy soldiers at blinding speed. Lev flew through the room, cutting down more with her fans. But quickly, Evelyn retaliated against the assault on her soldiers!

  Evelyn swiftly revealed a devastating power. Throwing a single punch, it was as if reality shattered like a glass panel. A shockwave of uncountable strength traveled to the generals with speed and range too vast to dodge! But Daisy intervened, blocking certain death with her giant shield.

  Evelyn glared at Daisy."Damara the Valiant!"

  "It's a pleasure, and you're name is?"

  "I prefer you call me executioner!"

  Evelyn rushed to Daisy in a blur, faster than even the battle-hardened eyes of Carter and Lev could track. She reached inches before her, readying another punch to Daisy's stomach. And even as Daisy defended against it with her shield, she coughed blood, thinking."That still hurt a little!" Flying into a wall.

  Carter quickly slashed at Evelyn, but again, she outpaced him, running to Daisy for the kill. But as she readied another punch, Daisy's shield flew to her, smacking her face!

  The shield swiftly returned to Daisy as she emerged from the wall. "There's no way of resolving this peacefully, is there?"

  "What do you think?"

  "I think I hate this!" Daisy sighed.

  Again, Evelyn charged at Daisy, but Daisy matched Evelyn's speed. The women swiftly met, connecting blows, and two mighty forces collided. The impact of Daisy's shield and Evelyn's shockwave blasted a hole in the ceiling, blowing them away from each other into opposite sides of the room. And everything not bolted down, including allies, flew away in the resulting cyclonic wind!

  In the mayhem, Lev spotted the countdown on the holophone panels, nearing its final seconds before the download. "Oh, no!" Flying at top speed to the computers.

  "Stop her!"

  Nemesis soldiers swiftly aimed their guns at Lev, but Carter slashed them dead! With one second left, Lev reached the computer, inputting a small device into the closest port. And the countdown instantly stopped.

  "What? How?" Evelyn asked.

  "My engineer! We thoroughly studied your darkhold systems before the mission. And ensured you couldn't dump the data with a computer virus!"

  Enraged, Evelyn quickly tried for another punch, but a tap on her shoulder drew her attention. As she turned to see what it was, she got punched in the face by Daisy!"Eyes forward!" Sending her crashing onto the floor.

  Spitting blood, Evelyn quickly stood up, gesturing for Daisy to attack. She complied, rushing to Evelyn at blurring speed. And, again, the two young women clashed with tremendous force, but more than in a duel of raw power. Their battle was one of martial arts mastery!

  Daisy ignited her shields, flinging her flaming fists at Evelyn. Daisy's attack appeared random, but there was a method to her madness. She bombarded Evelyn with a flurry of powerful techniques. Techniques Everton developed over the centuries. Techniques he made a painstaking effort to teach Daisy to defend her life. But as she used them against her opponent, they were useless. Evelyn defended against each one, devoid of the slightest flaw!

  In Daisy's shock, Evelyn broke through her defenses, punching her in the face with a shockwave. "Amateur!" And readying another for the kill when Carter zoomed toward her, slashing his sword. He kept her attention, forcing her to defend against his strikes. But as he moved aside, Daisy's flaming shield flew toward her, smashing into her face.

  Again, Evelyn crashed to the floor. But as she rose to continue the battle, Carter pointed his blade inches from her windpipe."Don't try it!" Holding her in submission.

  "We did it," Lev said.

  "I guess we did! Good work, ladies!"

  Evelyn glared at her enemies."Don't celebrate just yet, new friends!"

  "She's right! I should run over to where our troops are and help them!"

  "Go, Damara! We'll hold down the fort until-"

  The feedback from the speakers flashed through the air! The agonized voices of Clive and Norn vibrated through the speakers, capturing Daisy and the other's worried attention! And after them was the cold machine-like voice of Evelyn's Lieutenant, Palos!

  "This is Lieutenant Palos speaking! We have your soldiers and lieutenants as hostages. Surrender now, or we shall execute them immediately!" Palos said over the speakers.

  "Whatever you do, finish the mission! Forget about-"

  "Silence!"

  Sarah screamed in pain over the speakers as Palos attacked her.

  "Sarah! Oh, no," Daisy said.

  "Oh, Palos! He never lets me down!"

  "Shut up!" Carter shouted.

  "This is General Lev Papillon speaking! We have total control of your war room and all its data! A single button touch and forty percent of your empire will fall!"

  "Then we have nothing to lose! Soldiers aim!"

  Lev and the others felt the sound of the Nemesis readying their guns as if Evelyn fired a devastating shockwave to their ribs. Her hand trembled over the button, knowing that no matter what she did, it would come at a dire cost. Lev wondered, would I dare sacrifice my loyal soldiers and dearest friend for victory? But with a deep sigh, her answer came as she quickly backed away from the button.

  "Please stop! You have my word, I won't press it!"

  Carter glared at Evelyn, fighting the urge to plunge his sword into her neck."Call off your thugs now, or else!"

  "Or else what, you'll kill me? Go ahead! I'm more than willing to die for the cause!"

  Enraged, Carter readied his sword for the kill! But as he went, Daisy stopped his hand.

  "Carter, please don't!"

  "Damara, the mission is officially a bust! And this bitch is too dangerous to be left alive!"

  "There's still a way we can salvage it and keep the killing to a minimum!"

  "How?"

  "Let's use her as a bargaining chip to get our people. Then, we can return to Hachiko and interrogate her for information. It's not the victory we wanted, but it's still a victory!"

  Carter took a deep breath."Only because it's you!"

  "Thank you!"