A sea of silvers, greys and blacks marched through the streets below like oil through ducting; like blood through veins. The constant, precise timing of every ceremonial footfall echoed into the night, each soldier lit only by the lights of the surrounding buildings. On the northern coast, where the edge of the Cluster's capital met the sea that stretched onward to the horizon, the dark waters, so dark even in full sunlight that it earned the expanse the name of Oil Sea, bounced the reflected rays of light up into the sky, glistening atop its unbroken surface like the glassiness of an obsidian blanket. Vexus' forces were fully assembled, just as the Queen had said. A big show of military dominance. The fight to end all fights. Bulldog stared down from the fortress's observation balcony, mounted high upon the ridgeside structure overlooking the capital below, all its buildings silhoutted, its defenders siphoning through. It was almost as though the army below knew what was about to happen. It wouldn't matter even if they did. He had full faith in the girl who had kept him alive this long. Perhaps this was to be the great fight he had been waiting for. The last great test before the ascension. He certainly looked forward to life after this, the big showdown. He wished he had nerves made of the same steel as his bodysuit, however, as he felt so nervous that he could barely stay still.

TentoRaijin had reported the army's status below. Vexus was not quite as worried as she ought to be. Various high-ranking members of her army had control of different units spread throughout the city. It was confirmed that the entire Darkstar Council had been brought into full deployment, and for all they knew, they'd have to do battle with each. That, in the least, gave him confidence. Those soldiers had no idea what was coming to get them. All this time, the Queen would be in her spire, at the heart of the city, watching over the forces she mass-produced. The spire stood in the very centre of the city, surrounded by a building complex that was so tiny in height compared to the Queen's obelisk that it looked as though every other building had been so taken aback by the enormous freestanding tower that they had backed away to give it some personal space. He imagined that it would look fairly impressive falling down. Anything caught beneath it would stand no chance.

The only means of accessing the city by foot was a narrow highway that passed between two tight-knit ridges on the city's south-west. Things flew into and out of the city every day, but this was the only method of normal entry by foot. That was the way that the rogues were heading, and as though anticipating, Vexus had set up blockades at the mouth of the ridge to prevent unwelcome guests from making themselves at home. Even from here, the other side of the city, high up on the mountain slope, Bulldog could see and even count the number of steely insectoid stormtroopers lined up at the ready. He could see an enormous red shape amongst them. Sergeant Hassamu was leading the forces at the city gates. Good. That would make things interesting, right from the start. Didn't make him feel any better though. He still thought that something wasn't right. As though... something bad was going to happen. But that was impossible, right? Barasia and TentoRaijin are right under the Queen's nose and she suspects nothing, and that gives them a huge advantage.... right?

Overhead flew a squadron of ebony creatures, their stocky arms hanging beneath them, carried along by sets of wings that made a deep beating sound. Blackmantis-class aerial assault units, by the look and by the sound of it. So she had air support too, eh? Vexus wouldn't need to worry about being outnumbered. She probably had more than enough firepower too. But the goal here would not be to wipe out each and every unit at her disposal. No, the crosshairs were squarely upon the Queen's head, this time. There were no doubt many who wanted to be the one to pull the trigger. He had a good feeling he knew who would end up doing that though. When that happened, everyone on the planet would know her name. A cult of personality. But both of them that things wouldn't end with this liberation, although it would be a rather indicative step forward. For all of them. It wasn't just about her.

He heard footfall and glanced over his shoulder. His face lit up. Something inside him went 'ZING!' again, and all those bad feelings went away for a moment. But not even she could stave off his jitters. "How's everything?"

Barasia joined him by the edge of the balcony, the night breeze ruffling her hair and clothes. Her eyes seemed darker than the night itself. Her hands rested on the edge of the guard rail and she stared down into the metropolis below. She closed her eyes for a moment, and Bulldog tipped his head a little, not catching on. With the softest of sighs, she told him, "Everything's just fine."

"You ok?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"

"You seem..." his big dark eyes blinked. Barasia resisted the urge to stare into them, "upset by something."

"It's nothing." Barasia told him, turning away. "Everything is set and ready. We can begin at any time."

Bulldog blinked again. Was she like this for a reason? "Uh, that's... great news." Barasia didn't move. He felt she was trying to avoid him. Had something gone wrong? Was it something he said? He changed the subject, wanting to know the answer to something that bugged him for a while, "How is she?" he didn't say a name.

Barasia knew who he was referring to, though, "She's just fine. Still resting. If things go well, we won't need to wake her." she lifted her head a little, "She wasn't supposed to be used at all, but... with everything that was going on... and all that Carapace said to me, I..." she trailed off.

"Carapace?"

Barasia jumped as though poked sharply in the sides, "Oh, n-nothing. It's nothing. I..." she sighed, realising she looked stupid, "I must look like an idiot, eh?"

"You are acting... kinda weird, whassup?"

Barasia shook her head, "Bulldog, I can't lie to you... something is wrong. Or at least, I think it is. I need you to tell me something." she turned a little, not quite enough for her to meet his eyes though, "I want you to be honest."

"Uh... ok."

Barasia fully whirled this time, facing him with an intent glower, "Do you think I am heartless?"

Bulldog gulped, "B-Barasia, why-"

"ANSWER ME!"

Bulldog quivered a little. Honesty, she wants? He mustered his courage, gulped, and replied, "You're not heartless! Not at all! I think you're the opposite, Barasia! Why would you ask me something like that?"

"Would you say I was heartless to those I didn't care about? To Bell, for example?"

"Well... you have a reason!"

"Not just a reason. A reputation!" Barasia seethed. "I think I broke that reputation earlier..."

"Why do you say that?"

"There was a person in the rebel group... someone named Carapace. He told me that... I had a gift inside me that would affect countless people, or something like that. Something real special. But I keep thinking that... with all I have done so far... people are only going to hate me."

"Everyone has friends and enemies, Barasia." Bulldog interjected. It didn't help.

"What's more is... I think I grew a bit... attached to him."

"Uwah!" Bulldog gasped, "Uh... in what way?"

"As in, a kind of bond that shouldn't be there. I'm not supposed to care about these people, I'm not supposed to... worry about their wellbeing and stuff! For all I know, he'll be dead before this fight is over! Why do I feel worried about him? Something's not right! I'm supposed to be... spineless!"

"You mean you don't want to care about others?" the android asked, worried.

"Not like that... it's just..." she brought a hand to the side of her face. Skin against silky soft skin. No pain. Not this time, "Bell..." she whispered, "what have you done to me?"

Bulldog approached her, "I think that makes you an even better person." he told her, truthfully. He couldn't lie to her, either. "That's what I like about you... you've done all this... and I guess if I was in another person's shoes, I'd hate you and want you dead... but when there's someone you truly want to love and protect, you can still manage to do that." he saw a smile come to her face. "That's what I..." he broke off, his cheeks flushing.

"Are you ready for this?" Barasia asked, moving closer, their little bodies lit by the stars overhead and the city lights below. Smoke from the burning city to the south was still rising, forming a sheeted haze beyond the lower ridges, far from the danger zone. Soon, more smoke would join it.

Bulldog nodded, "Yeah. I am. I guess this is what you kept me around for. And... I guess if you had faith in me to help you, then there's nothing that I should be worried about." he giggled a little, "And yourself?"

Barasia threw her gaze toward the city, its sparkly lit mass engulfing the valley below. It didn't seem all that big, really, "I've never been more ready in my life. But..." she turned back to him, "I still feel so unprepared."

"If we could take out this city," Bulldog muttered, "We could take out the world."

Barasia smiled again, that little grin that made Bulldog's steely heart melt into goo, "I've told you before, Bulldog. The world isn't enough. Where we're going... this will seem like nothing at all."

Bulldog went red again, "I-I'm still nervous... even with what you told me. I just keep thinking something bad is going to happen."

Barasia whispered to him, her cheeks going a deeper pink, "How about I give you something that will help the anxiety." she placed her left hand on his shoulder, and brought the right hand to his cheek. His eyes flew wide and his face went ripe-red. He felt something incredibly tender touch his lips, and in those few startled moments, all he saw was her face, her beautiful black eyes drifting shut as her lips met his. The shock wore off quickly as some new feeling took over, something that drove him into relaxation. His eyes, too, slid closed and he put his arms around the girl and pulled her close. He had never felt so warm before. Never felt so... so incredible. Her hand brushed his cheek gently, and time seemed to stop. He had no idea just how long the kiss lasted. But even their little moment of unified eternity was not enough, to him. When they broke apart, there was a shine in her eyes he had never seen before, and a look on her face that he couldn't quite describe with words. He spoke without thinking, and he brought his hands to his mouth, covering it in sudden embarassment. His lips were still tingling.

The look on Barasia's face seemed to intensify. Was she about to cry? "You don't have to tell me that, Bulldog, I've known all along," she embraced him again, resting her head on his chest, "You know what else?"

"What?" was his whisper, almost too soft to hear.

"I love you too."

Tears came to Bulldog's eyes and he could not restrain them. Holding her tight, he vowed, "I'm going to do my very best for you, because I know you did the same for me!"

"Hey, hey..." Barasia muttered, soft and angelic. She was a different person entirely, off the battlefield. Bulldog wished she was like this all the time. "Just come back alive, and we can celebrate together. I'm not asking you for any more than that." She kissed his cheek and let go of him, "Go get 'em, tiger." she giggled at how red his face was. She'd have to nickname him 'Bashful' after all.

"I will." he promised, "I know I will."

They hugged a little longer beneath the pale starlight. Two black shapes beneath a sky just as dark, above a city awaiting its fate. They both knew the moment had been perfect. They both knew this was only the start, and that this was the first of many such victories, for both of them. Two little creatures, ever so small, that both felt larger than life itself. They were both ready and couldn't possibly be moreso. With nods to each other, they took flight, leaving the fortress behind, and soon separating to their different areas, a final glance between them a reminder of their oath. But now, it was time for business, for already the brigade of rebel soldiers was closing on the entrance to the city. A dark day for the reign of Queen Vexus was about to unfold. The Cluster Civil War was about to commence.