(AN: As things at work have gotten progressively more hectic, I unfortunately must cut back on my writing for a bit. I will be adjusting my release schedule to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until things return to normal. If I have time, I will release additional chapters, but I cannot promise anything. Unfortunately, I am the only single member on my team, so I am handling out-of-state site visits and overnight client work. It sucks, but all the bonus pay/overtime is a blessing as the holidays are quickly approaching us.)

As the full extent of Bohgan and Moller’s betrayal came to light, the room descended into panic. What began as an alliance to usurp control of the Space Federation evolved into a plan to take over the entire region. Utilizing forbidden brainwashing technology, they had planned to offer the enemy vital information in exchange for sparing their organization. As the only surviving military power, assuming control of what remained would be child’s play.

“You traitorous bastards!!”, a male Appoplexian seethed, nearly lunging over the table to grab him. “I am going to rip your fucking arms off and beat you to death with them!!”

(AN: This is Rath’s species from Ben 10.)

“Not if I get my hands on him first!”, a male Osmosian said, diving onto the table.

“Stop them!”, Emperor Zelevas of the United Empire shouted as their colleagues fought to hold them back. “We need Moller alive to tell us about the bugs. Once he has divulged everything, we can- “

Consumed by an unquenchable rage, Admiral Beatrice Kushan of the Space Federation tossed her blade aside and tackled Moller to the ground. Wrapping her hands around his throat, she slowly began choking the life out of him.

"You are responsible for the death of my beloved Lucius! We were going to get married and become a real family.”, Beatrice howled, snot and tears running down her face. “Not only did you take my beloved, but you also tried to turn my daughter and me into your playthings! I’LL KILL YOU!!”

Commander Alicia Viewstroem of the Space Federation, filled with wrath, ripped the distraught woman away from Moller and proceeded to trample his manhood. Squealing like a stuck pig, the older man shot up to push her away. Pinning his shoulder to the floor with her blade, Alicia drew her pistol and pointed it at him.

“Tell me… What happened to my Fritz…”, Alicia growled, shakily aiming at his chest.

“I… I had nothing to do with their deaths; it was all Bohgan’s doing! He insisted your partners were a hindrance to our plans, so he orchestrated their deaths during the evacuation chaos.”, Moller screamed, shielding his face. “His men crippled them and left them to the bugs!”

Upon learning the grim fates of their husbands/lovers, the women’s minds could take no more. Collapsing to the ground, they violently wept as Maya Cordelia, Kila Kushan, and their male colleagues stood there in utter shock. Up to this point, everyone assumed those men had bravely sacrificed their lives to buy time for their escape. Learning now they had been left for dead, an unimaginable weight bore down on them.

Feeling pity for them, I instructed Azura and Loki to jump off my shoulders so that I could move freely. Calmly approaching Moller, I bent down and grabbed him by the skull. Hoisting him into the air, he wriggled around like a fish trying to get free.

“There is only one question I have for you: are the bugs connected to the Zerg?”, I pressed him. “This is what they look like…”

Transmitting images of their species into his mind, Moller immediately confirmed they were. Admitting he had seen them during their visit to the bug’s temporary base, the old man inquired how I knew of them.

“A different strain of their species had been invading our region of space until recently. I brokered a ceasefire deal with them in exchange for helping them get revenge on their mortal enemy, the Necrons.”, I spoke, probing the surface of his mind for a reaction.

At the mention of the Necrons, flashes of broken technology and writing ran through his head. A scowl formed on my face as I confirmed that the Silent King had also subjected them to his experiments. As I was about to painfully download his memories, one last image flashed through his head.

‘No fucking way…’, I thought, looking at scores of battered Dahl containers. ‘How did they manage to get down here?! The Interstellar Gates have been offline for generations!’

I silently sent a message to Bannister, requesting that she disassemble a few of the bug’s weapons. Wanting to know everything she could dig up on them, she had my approval to coordinate with Yoma’s spies, if needed.

“If you spare my life, I will help you bring down Bohgan and testify against him!”, Moller begged, much to everyone’s annoyance.

“No…”, I replied as nanites began burrowing into his skull.

Converting his memories into electronic data, Moller writhed in agony as his brain was disassembled, bit by bit. Unable to hide their amusement anymore, the Daedric Princes smiled with amusement at his suffering. As blood poured from every orifice, he extended a pleading hand toward his former peers.

“Plickety, floop meep!”, Moller screamed, unable to speak normally anymore.

“I assume you are asking for help, so here it is!”, Lady Jenestra Omalfi'Meos of Lumeris snapped, flipping him the bird. “Rot in hell, you traitorous piece of shit!”

Agreeing with her sentiment, everyone stood by and watched the gruesome process play out.

---Five Minutes Later---

Once his mind was liquefied, I withdrew the nanites and released his lifeless body. Turning his corpse into a pile of ash instantly, Meridia cracked her knuckles with a smug smile.

“This is for all of you.”, I spoke, tossing several holodisks onto the table. “These data disks are copies of everything Moller knew. Please have your intelligence teams review the data to plan our counteroffensive. My forces will continue to create some breathing room to allow you to regroup and assess your situation.”

“You are heading off right away?”, Emperor Syriaca of the Human Galactic questioned, rubbing his hands together nervously.

“If you want your heirs to come back alive, there is no other option. You seem to have not realized it yet, but you placed Bohgan in charge of the latest Envoy Fleet to the Caspiel Empire.”, I remarked, having learned of this from Moller’s memories.

Only now recalling they had put him in charge of the fleet, at Moller’s behest, they began to swear profusely. Fearing for the safety of their loved ones, several dozen leaders begged me to take them along.

“While I sympathize with you, only a small portion of leadership can accompany me. What would the masses think if all of you suddenly left with me?”, I asserted. “A few ‘logistical’ leaders can accompany with minimal issues. If the public were to inquire about it, say they are accompanying me to secure additional supplies for the survivors.”

“You… You are right.”, Emperor Zelevas begrudgingly acknowledged. “Very well, I vote we send Lady Omalfi'Meos, Sister Valete Sapiri Kugua of the Sisters of Mercy, Elder Elysian Varnok of the Amblyr, and Lord Horvik of the Haroshem.”

(AN: All these groups/races are from the Endless Space series.)

Overwhelmingly approving his selection, most agreed they were the best candidates. Considered some of the best negotiators among their peers, their absence would not cause a stir. With the decision made, I turned back to the still reeling Space Federation group. Tapping one of the older men on the shoulder, he immediately snapped out of his daze.

“Yes… What is it…?”, Knight Picard questioned, looking back at everyone. “Forgive me, what did we miss?”

“I am about to set sail for the Caspiel Empire.”, I stated. “These women will require extensive medical treatment, which none of you are equipped to provide right now. If you will allow it, I would like to take them with us to undo Bohgan’s handiwork.”

“I have no issue with it, but…”, Knight Picard began.

Slowly rising to their feet, the group of five women agreed to come with me for treatment. Having lost all motivation for living, their only desire now was to exact revenge on Bohgan. Silently swearing to make him beg for death’s cold embrace, they sheathed their blades and staggered over to me.

“What of you two?”, I asked, looking at Kila and Maya.

“Of course… We will come along…”, Kila answered, operating on autopilot.

Following Kila, Maya meekly accepted my assistance as well. Tasking Picard with leading in her stead, she instructed him to keep what remained of their people safe.

“Of course, my lady!”, Knight Picard swore, saluting the broken duchess. “Lord Stark, we entrust their safety and well-being to your capable hands. Please do all you can to bring them back to us… Our fractured people cannot afford to lose them now.”

“They are in safe hands now.”, I spoke, glancing back at the entire group. “Before I set sail, we will send over the survivors we rescued from the ambush. Please send men to receive them at the spaceport.”

“Thank you again, Lord Stark!”, Emperor Syriaca said, with a warm smile. “We look forward to your speedy return.”

Nodding my head, I remotely engaged the teleporter aboard the New Genesis and spirited us away.

---New Genesis Medical Bay---

Taking the seven women straight to sick bay, the staff on duty presented the women with bed gowns. While they stepped into the bathroom to change, Luxion and I prepared the medical capsules. Given the nature of their ‘affliction,’ an in-depth brain scan would be needed before treatment could begin.

“We are ready…”, Kilia Jech said as the group stepped out. “Where do you want us?”

“Lie down in any of the medical capsules.”, I instructed, keeping my gaze fixed on the screen before me. “I am going to perform a few tests on you to confirm the severity of the damage. Once I know that, I will know how to best tackle your conditions.”

Silently nodding their heads, they climbed into the chambers and relaxed their bodies. Closing the glass doors over them, the automated system took their baseline vitals and then started scanning their brains. Walking over to the capsules, I took a seat and waited for the results.