105 : Assembly

"Hmmm… This is troublesome," said Admiral Tarung. 

"Three Terrans came to you for Axion and you're telling us now?" said Guruhan Commander. 

"It was my mistake. I failed to understand the importance of the situation," said Maskmana. 

"It can't be helped. Axion has a lot of enemies. Her show of strength has made us complacent. It never occurs to us that there will be someone who can actually push her back," said commander Koko Ci. 

"True. Even I would reconsider when it comes to her power," said Guruhan commander. 

"What do you plan to do, Maskmana?" ask Admiral Tarung. 

"I am now heading to TrES-2b with a team of rangers as we speak," said Maskmana. 

"Kaizo's team?"

"Yes. The team insisted on stopping the Terrans."

"So you're going to help her," said Tarung. 

"Yes."

"You know how dangerous this mission is. TrES-2b is a planet infested with vicious monsters. You're going to fight an entire army with just a group of rangers?!" said Guruhan Commander. 

"We, Martians, will provide reinforcement," said Zanarith. 

All eyes point towards the Martian Admiral. 

"As you know, we Martians owe Axion for her deeds years ago," said Zanarith. "Had it not been for her power, the monsters from TrES-2b would've rampaged our home and destroyed our planet."

"That's right. Axion has been keeping TrES-2b sealed for years. Preventing the monsters inside that planet from going loose. It's something that even us would have a hard time doing," said Koko Ci. "If those Terrans kill Axion, the monsters would certainly raid other planets like before. Mars will not be the only planet at risk."

"Then it is decided. We will provide support to help Axion," said Admiral Tarung. 

"I will prepare my fleet. We'll meet you at TrES-2b," said Guruhan Commander. 

"I don't know if we can make it in time but… hang in there until we arrive," said Tarung. 

"I understand," said Maskmana. 

"Since Mars is closer to TrES-2b, I will go ahead and wait for you at TrES-2b," said Zanarith. 

"I will send you more details on the Terrans. Those Terrans went to TrES-2b ahead of us. So you'll probably meet them first," said Maskmana. 

"I understand. I will inform you right away if we see anything," said Zanarith, an officer on Mars.

"Thank you, Zanarith. I owe you," Maskmana replied. 

"Don't mention it. After all, Mars is also indebted to her," said Zanarith. "If you need anything, call us."

"Will do," Maskmana replied. 

-Transmission end-

Maskmana walks out of his office and heads to the command center. 

"I've notified Mars station about the Terrans. If they see anything, they'll contact us," said Maksmana. He turned to Rum. "Still no sign?" 

"No," she replied. "I haven't found any Terran spaceship in our vicinity."

"Looks like they got ahead of us quite far," said Maskmana. 

"Can't we go any faster?" Kaizo asked. 

"This is the fastest Astrum ship can go," said Lahap.

"Ugh, we should've gone with a smaller and faster ship," said Kaizo in frustration.

"Sorry. If only I managed to plant that hacking device…." said Lahap, regretful.

"Don't worry about it. You saw what they can do. Our enemy right now is powerful and unknown to us. It's good enough that we survived the first round," said Maskmana. He turned to Kaizo. "This Astrum ship has the most powerful weapons among all the spaceships at our disposal. Had we go with a smaller ship, we'll be missing firepower," he continues. 

"Our power alone should be enough!" said Kaizo. 

"Both Valerius and Zivon are able to use magic. I have no doubt Verchiel can use it too. Their magic is wide enough to cover an entire spaceship and it's powerful enough to withstand cannons. We need more," said Maskmana.

"How are we going to handle them with just weapons from the Astrum spaceship," Ramenman asked. 

"I talked to the other Admirals. They're sending reinforcement. We need to find Axion and defend her until they arrive," said Maskmana. 

"They're sending reinforcement?" Ramenman asked.

"Yes. As you know, TrES-2b is a planet filled with monsters. Thousands of savage monsters," said Maskmana. "This is no longer a rescue mission. It's a war." 

---------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, Valerius and Zivon board their ship.

"How's our status?" Valerius asked.

"As you can see there's a hole in the ship," said Verchiel. "The ship sustained several damages."

"Can it reach our destination?" 

"Possibly. The dark planet that the Admiral mentioned is in the same galaxy as our planet. It is an exoplanet outside our solar system. We can go back to Terra first for repair and preparation before going to the dark planet," said Verchiel.

"That will take time. We don't have much time. People of Astraeus are probably already on their way to the dark planet. We must reach her before they do," said Valerius.

"You heard what they said. She has an army of monsters on that planet. We need help," said Verchiel.

"I know. But I'm the one with the holy sword. I must finish this myself," said Valerius.

"... I'll send a message to the order of Verchiel. See if anyone can send us back up near the dark planet."

"Thank you," Valerius replied.