CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 248

---3rd Person POV, Starvine---

Landing at key points around the world, the Automatons and Helldivers immediately engaged the bugs. Initially believing they were our physical equals, they recklessly charged them, hoping to overwhelm our forces with numbers. Greeting the pests with Doomsday Cannons, Meltaguns, and Synaptic Disintegrators, their evaluation was quickly corrected. Hopelessly outmatched, the bugs switched things and began using their captives as shields.

"Drop... Your... Weapons...", an insectoid grabbled out, cowering behind a mother and her children.

"You think using civilians as shields is going to help you, cockroach.", the Helldiver replied, drawing his smart pistol from its holster. "Taste democracy, motherfucker!"

"Please wait!!", the woman screamed, closing her eyes.

Pulling the trigger twice, the insectoid’s head violently exploded as the rounds hit it from both sides. As the bug crumpled to the ground, its colleagues looked on in disbelief.

"You are safe now, ma’am. Please retreat to the safe zone with your children.", the Helldiver said, as his brothers proceeded to kill the dazed bugs. "We have doctors on standby and plenty of warm food."

No longer feeling the bug’s death grip on her neck, the mother hesitantly opened her eyes. Patting herself down, she was confused how he had shot the bug without hitting her.

"We have specialized technology that ensures our bullets hit our targets without collateral damage.", the Helldiver explained, holstering his pistol. "I apologize for scaring the four of you, ma’am."

"No... It... It is fine.", she replied, kneeling to hold her children. "Where did you say the safe zone is?"

"Back that way.", the Helldiver answered, pointing toward where dozens of landing ships were landing. "I assure you, the area is safe and bug-free."

Thanking the soldiers for saving them, the family and other survivors scrambled toward the safe zone. Once they were a safe distance away, another woman posed a question to her peers.

"Were those machines and soldiers wearing the Caspiel Empire’s royal crest?!", the woman inquired, clutching her infant tightly to her chest.

"They absolutely were.", an elderly man confirmed, struggling to keep pace with them. "Only the First Emperor’s legion has the authorization to wear it. The Caspiel Empire must have finally decided to join the war effort!"

While relieved the empire had joined the fray, they were equally bitter it took so long for them to act. Keeping their emotions in check, the group pressed onward in silence as they fled to the safe zone.

---Victor POV ---

Establishing our safe zone outside the imperial palace, our troops fanned out to secure the perimeter as Nana pulled her D-Dial out. Summoning several of her animals to aid in the rescue effort, they pounced on her the moment they appeared. Excitedly licking her face, Nana giggled with joy as she vigorously scratched behind their heads.

"Alright, I get it! I have missed all of you too.", Nana laughed, motioning for them to heel. "Listen up, we desperately need your help right now. There are thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of people in need of rescue. Can you help us find them?"

Responding with what sounded like affirmative barks and meows, Nana enthusiastically thanked them with more scratching and treats. Immediately getting to work, the animals sniffed the air vigorously, looking for any signs of people. As they wandered around the immediate area, Liara and Samara looked upon them curiously.

"I have studied various flora and fauna throughout my education, but I have never seen creatures quite like these before.", Liara commented, while Samara fought the urge to pet one of them. "Are these creatures native to your homeland?"

"They are!", Nana excitedly confirmed. "They roamed our homeworld several million years ago. I created these guys from genetic material I collected out in the field. After some trial and error, these wonderful fluffballs were born. They were personally hand-reared by me, so in their eyes, I am their mother."

Impressed by her flawless work, several of the women meekly inquired if they could pet them. Granting them permission, Nana told them to be gentle with the adolescent animals. Pampering the adorable creatures, I looked on as flashbacks of Jurassic Park ran through my head. Deciding to monitor her work closely moving forward, the last thing I wanted was a bloodthirsty animal attacking my family.

"Major Cross checking-in, sir!", the field commander announced over a private channel. "Our forces have confirmed the inhabitants of five fortresses are still alive. Our arrival was perfectly timed.

"Understood, thank you for the updated.", I replied, relieved to hear there were still large pockets of survivors out there besides the imperial palace. "Keep me apprised of any other large pockets of survivors you come across."

"Understood, Supreme Commander.", Major Cross acknowledged. "Major Cross signing off."

Softly clearing my throat, I politely reminded everyone we had work to do. Backing away from the animals, the deities blushed with embarrassment before rejoining me. With everyone’s attention back on the task ahead of us, a map of the city projected from my chest.

"Automatons and Helldivers are currently working on clearing the noble, residential, and spaceport districts of the city. Lala, Liara, Momo, Nana, and Samara, you five will focus your attention on those areas.", I stated, receiving a nod from them. "The rest of us will clear out the business district and route any survivors we find here."

"I know Samara is a capable combatant, but she cannot protect the five of us herself.", Liara remarked.

"Who said you would be alone?", I chuckled, snapping my fingers.

Phasing into reality, a detachment of forty Doombots revealed themselves, armed with Exile Cannons and Particle Beamers. Cautiously looking the complex machines over, Liara looked at me with sparkling eyes.

"These robots are even more advanced than the Prothean variants I have examined!", Liara asserted. "Where did you get them?"

"They were hand-built by yours truly using knowledge and technology I have acquired from across the stars.", I said, proudly flexing a bit. "My Doombots will guarantee your safety for the duration of our time here. Lala, Momo, and Nana can attest to their effectiveness and lethality."

"These can swat down Carnifex like gnats. We are in capable hands!", Lala stated, backing me up.

"A Carni-what?", Samara questioned.

Leading her animals away from the imperial palace, Nana began to recollect the recent encounter they had with the Tyranids. As they disappeared behind a collapsed building, we headed toward the business district.

---3rd Person POV, Starvine System---

Steadily refining their skills as the battle dragged on, Victor’s family were having the time of their lives. Each crew had shattered the four-digit barrier and was rapidly approaching five digits. Disengaging from the fight for a bit, the captains and copilots took a much-needed break. Unlike their husbands, the captains and copilots needed a breather to maintain their performance under pressure.

"I hate to admit it, Samus, but you are putting the hurt on those bugs.", Mylene said in a frustrated tone. "You are like a lioness amongst sheep. Once my baby is older, I want you to show me how you do it."

"It is all about precision, timing, and above all else, patience.", Samus spoke, taking a swig of water. "The Spirit of Eternity handles similarly to my personal ship. Do you think Victor would let me continue piloting her?"

"Not like he is going to be captaining her regularly. He has the Spiritus Libertatis now, and unless something else comes along, I think that will be his permanent flagship.", Ionica spoke, clinking wine glasses with Amallyn. "If you ask him nicely, I am sure he will give you permission."

Watching the former enemies enjoying each other’s company, Lucoa and Mylene silently laughed at them. Recalling how adamant both were that they would never become friends, they nearly snorted their tea out of their noses recalling some of their arguments.

"Everything okay?", Bo-Katan questioned, sneakily taking a sip of whiskey from her flask.

"Yeah... Just recalling some fond memories.", Lucoa giggled, looking at Yamato’s crew. "How are you ladies doing?"

Slowly looking at one another, wearing smug smirks, Deidre asserted everything was going perfectly. Balking at her answer, Yamato vehemently denied it was anything close to that.

Is it possible for me to ask for a replacement crew? Clarice and Olivia can stay, but my pilot and copilot suck! Deirdre keeps trying to tear my hull apart pulling high-G maneuvers, and Angelica wants to move at a snail’s pace. (Yamato)

Bashing their controls, Angelica and Deirdre rebuked the AI. Both women accepted the other was a problem, but they insisted their personal skills were flawless.

"Hold on a second! My piloting is impeccable.", Angelica spat, jabbing Deirdre in the arm. "Your piloting skills are going to get us killed. It is my quick thinking that has kept us going this far."

"Alright, I will concede I am being a bit reckless. I’m just trying to keep up with everyone else.", Deirdre accepted, poking Angelica back. "However, your ridiculously slow pace is going to cost us the competition!"

Bickering among themselves, Clarice and Olivia looked at the others with exhaustion. Noticing they had been at each other’s throats a lot recently, a sudden thought occurred to Mylene.

"Girls, I need you both to shut your mouths for a moment.", Mylene said, staring them down. "Clarice and Olivia, would you say the two of them have been acting differently as of late? More irrational and irritable?"

"Ha, that is the understatement of the century.", Clarice chuckled, while Olivia silently nodded along. "Why do you ask?"

"Angelica and Deirdre, I want you both to get a checkup from Commander Vaugh after the battle is done. I may be reading too much into things, but in my experience, some women experience drastic personality changes during the early stages of pregnancy.", Mylene spoke.

Going slack-jawed, the two nervously placed their hands on their stomachs. Silently recalling they had missed their periods this month, excitement welled up in their chests. Forgetting all about their dispute, they leapt up and hugged one another tightly.

"It might behoove everyone to get checked out, just to be safe.", Lucoa said, looking at Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, Elma, Ilulu, Samus, and Tohru. "You six do not have to worry about it, though. You have yet to cross that line with him."

"You do not need to remind us... Lucoa...", Bo-Katan stated. ’Some of us are struggling to build up the courage to cross that line. It is embarrassing to say, but it is easier for me to stare down the barrel of gun than broach the subject with Victor. Just contemplating it makes me want to hide my face in shame.

"Is that a challenge I hear?", Tohru responded, flashing a toothy smile. "The next opportunity we have, I will cross that boundary and become his true lover."

"Count us in!", Elma and Ilulu seconded.

Shocked by how readily they jumped at the opportunity, Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, and Samus were amazed by their boldness. Nodding their heads, as they looked at one another, they swore to make a conscious effort to be more romantic with Victor. Wrapping up their break, the women got back out there with renewed vigor.