Ch8: The Darkstar Council

Commander Destruction was annoyed. Lately, he had grown used to such a feeling; a feeling of sadness, mixed with frustration and boredom. He wished that someone would rip out his emotion chip. His large, purple, spiky body, which was an upgrade of a Cluster TX-8900 Macebot, sat at one end of a large metal table, with many chairs and lots of leg room. The large chamber he resided in had been mostly vacant over the past few weeks. He grew steadily tired, and wished all the time for his old comrades to return. Montray, Nool, Sammy and Kuwagas... all were gone. Dead, thanks to the girl who had become Vexus's new lapdog.

Destruction growled, "Ugh..." he was very much disgusted. His face was buried in his giant hands. Life as an elite soldier for the Cluster seemed almost pointless right now, because of that stupid little brat, her mindless, annoying boyfriend Bulldog, and that giant monstrousity Gigan. Not to mention the two giant spaceships that she had acquired, most of the Cluster's maintenance teams now dedicated to outfitting them both with the latest, most advanced technology available. Destruction felt obsolete as of late. And there was nothing he could do about it.

His head slumped out of his hands and whacked into the table. The table, for its part, didn't seem to care. He groaned and closed his eyes, the bloodseal on his forehead pressed into the cold metal. All his Councilmembers were on leave, not needed until called upon. Vexus had authorised indefinite downtime for all elite soldiers until they are required, obviously due to Barasia's continued influence. Destruction wanted nothing more to crush her head in his hands, revenge for superceding him. Revenge for the colleagues he lost.

The Kaijin was quite satisfied with his new, expanded Council. Corporal Virus, Sergeat Hassamu, and the operative Silkoid had survived the encounter with Barasia in Black Eden, and they continued to serve him and the Queen faithfully. Nool, the engineering specialist, who had been sliced in half by Barasia's sister Bell, had been replaced by TentoRaijin, an accomplished electrician and programmer, who seemed to be oddly busy with other commitments that Destruction was not aware of.

Princess Samantha, the only human on the Council, who had been killed by a blast to the chest, had been overshadowed by Rika Nonaka, a young human girl with a heart full of rage. Rika was strong, smart, cold and calculating. She was quite a tactician and very pretty. Her title of Princess, however, was given to Barasia, which made Rika utterly bitter toward the younger girl. Kuwagas, a tank-like stag beetle which had been blown apart after being consumed by burning hatred toward Barasia, was usurped by an alien machine that referred to itself as 'Dalek'. It was a powerful machine, with incredible weapons and tank-like armour. However, it was not very intelligent, speaking in an odd manner and obeying orders without question or debate. In a way, that was a good thing. And finally, Count Montray III, decapitated in a swift fashion by Barasia, had been chief fighter for the Council with his power to summon phantoms. After his death, the position was now filled by a diabolical creature known as Mephistophalanx.

Mephistophalanx was the best of both worlds. Part ghoul, part knight, it was the perfect fusion of defence and offence, resulting in a giant, skeletal cyborg. It stood well over 10 feet tall, with a pair of wings that could stretch wide, one of metal and one of a leathery membrane. Its arms were long, thin and clawed with blades sharper than scalpals. Its incredible size, as well as its high degree of agility and attack power, made it an overwhelming foe. And in a day and age where more and more inhabitants of the planet would sooner choose to rise up against Vexus' iron-fisted rule, she required such a monster at her command.

But even Mephistophalanx had sunk into uselessness thanks to Barasia. Destruction's fingers flexed, wanting to crush something or make something go boom. Every day Barasia grew stronger, more powerful, and at the same time she rose in favour with the Queen. He was willing to bet that it would result in a catastrophe for Vexus should she allow that little terror to get too close to her. One measely slip-up... that's all it would take. Destruction felt terrible. And he felt even worse when he remembered that it was HE who authorised her reconstruction. If he hadn't been swayed... if he hadn't been so hungry for extra power...

Destruction groaned, closing his eyes. Guilt, regret, anger, hatred.... all those feelings appeared as one inside his steely mind. He sighed. He knew he was responsible for this shamble. If only there was an easy way to correct it. With his head slumped, and eyes closed, his did not notice the chamber doors swing open, nor a large, shadowed figure rolling into the dark and reasonably disused room, a single red, cycloptic eye staring right at the large kaijin. The machine hovered in, silently, not grabbing the kaijin's attention.

It glanced around, as its giant mechanical gripper arm flexed slightly. Two enormous cannons on its back glowed brightly from the inside out. Destruction did not notice its silent approach, not even when it stood right beside him. As its head swivelled it made a slight mechanical whirr, the single eye mounted on a thin eyestalk that extended from the front of the head. It was there for a reason. A reason it had to fulfill. Thus, it spoke, a pair of diodes on the side of its head flashing with every syllable.

"ALERT! ALERT! A MESS-AGE FOR COMM-AND-ER DE-STRUC-TION!" it wailed, its voice so loud that it rocked the chamber.

Destruction bolted upright with a start, and glanced around frantically until his eyes came to rest upon the mechanical thing that had roused him from his self-loathing thoughts. Destruction sighed, rubbing his head, "What is the message, Dalek..."

"QUEEN VEX-US HAS OR-DERED THAT YOU PRE-SENT YOUR-SELF BE-FORE HER IMM-EDIAT-LY!"

"And why does she need me when she has that 'precious' little Barasia to kiss her a-"

"VEX-US DID NOT PRO-VIDE SUCH DE-TAILS! YOU MUST O-BEY! O-BEY! O-B-"

"Shut up! Alright! I'll go and see what she wants..." Destruction stood up and grumpily trudged out of the room, Dalek following silently.

Destruction had wanted to confront Vexus for some time about the issue of the tiny menace she had adopted. Vexus had practically signed her own death warrant and there was no way to stop the inevitable unless Vexus could be swayed. And going against the Queen was dissention. It was lose-lose. Ever since Vexus had fallen for Barasia's offer to bring Gigan forward as the Cluster's new weapon, Barasia had been in her favour. Apart from damaging the Irken flagship, Gigan had done nothing under the power of the Queen. He was just another wildcard.

And Gigan was out of her hands. It had been fortunate that two of the androids created to serve the little black-eyed monster had been destroyed on Earth, which was a fairly distant planet, out of reach without the use of portals or spacecraft. To most, Earth was no threat. Vexus only ever made the planet known to her subjects when she kept trying to enslave some robot girl she called Jennifer

"I fail to see why Vexus would even require us anymore. The Darkstar Council has been replaced by that midget."

"SUCH A NI-HIL-IST-IC OP-INION SHALL BE FROWNED UP-ON!" Dalek screeched, making Destruction wince. He wished the oversized salt shaker came with a mute button, or at very least a volume control. "BAH-RAH-SEE-AH CAN NE-VAH RE-PLACE THE CLUS-TAH'S GREAT-EST WARR-EE-ORS."

"I beg to differ. Especially if Vexus actually hands her that chance on a platter. And she's doing a good job of that right now." Destruction grumbled, moving through the corridors that led from the Council chamber to the main dome, situated at the top of a massive tower that overlooked the city.

Cluster Prime was in disarray. The Queen's own daughter, Vega, had attempted to overthrow her mother in an attempt to restore the planet to 'paradise'. The planet was the target of constant raids by alien species as of late. The Irkens, the Planet Jackers, even the mysterious, psionic Protoss. Cluster Prime was far from paradise, even if Vega DID take control! The skies were very often dark, the cities reduced to scrap, the processing of golden microchips completely halted. The land was pockmarked with craters. Vexus had not heard from Vega in some time. Maybe, finally, the little renegade Waspoid has broken her silence.

She resembled less of an insect and more of a human than her mother did. And after Vexus' many recent upgrades, she looked like a queen bee mixed with Cleopatra, more than anything. Vega had also made allies with the robot known as Jennifer, and Vexus had practically disowned her. But Barasia could easily handle a family feud. Hell, she'd probably scare little Vega into rejoining her mother again. But a smile came to Destruction's plated mouth. Perhaps Vexus had seen the light. Maybe, at long last, she was realising that Barasia wasn't the ONLY powerful fighter in the Cluster infantry. Maybe, at last, Destruction would get his next chance.

He reached the main spire of Vexus' tower and stood upon the circular hover platform. "Royal chamber." he ordered, and the elevator's gate-like opening swung shut, the lift resembling nothing more that a thin, disc-like platform and a surrounding fence-like barrier. He took up most of the elevator, being one of the bulkiest kaijin in the Queen's army. The elevator passed many stop-off points whilst travelling up the thick tower's middle. Dalek reached the base of the elevator's path, the eye stalk swivelling upward, tracking Destruction as he ascended.

"EL-E-VATE!" Dalek grinded. It began to rise upward, silently, powered by an ion thruster at its base. It gradually caught up to the elevator, and Destruction folded his arms.

"Where are the other Council members?"

Dalek's single eye gazed upon Destruction. It was slightly unsettling, "THE OTH-ER COUN-CIL MEM-BERS ARE ON STAND-BY IF RE-QUI-ERRD."

"On standby, eh?" Destruction huffed, "What's the occaision?"

Dalek's domed head swivelled slightly, "IN-QUIR-EE NOT REH-COG-NISED. PLEASE RE-STATE!"

Destruction rolled his yellow eyes. Dalek was strong, but stupid...

The lift slowly whirred to a halt, and the gate on one side parted open. Destruction stepped off and onto a walkway that led to two giant doors. There was a faint rumbling sound from beyond them, greatly muffled by the door's thickness. Dalek floated onto the walkway beside him, landing with a quiet 'thunk'. Destruction growled, "Well... break a leg."

"PLEASE STATE MEAN-ING." Dalek barked in its monotonal growl, the lights on its head flashing in time. Destruction sighed.

"State identification." a computerised voice droned. Destruction complied, "Commander Destruction, Darkstar Council, elite soldier unit for the Queen."

"Identification confirmed. Please proceed." The doors parted, and Destruction walked through. The doors immediately shut again, not allowing Dalek through. "State identification." the computer asked a second time.

Dalek's giant blaster pointed right at the door, the barrel spinning and its innards lighting up, "EXTERMIN-"

"Identification confirmed. Please proceed." the computer beeped, the doors reopening again. Dalek sidled through.

Destruction glanced around the chamber, unable to find the Queen. The giant screen on one wall was turned off, and the huge dome of the tower seemed vacant. The door he entered was on one side of the dome. It was slanted on one side, like an ampitheatre, with Vexus's throne sitting towad the top, staring down. But no sign of the Queen herself. But something else stood in the middle of the room; a silver cylinder with a rounded top, with panels that seemed to be able to open up. Destruction blinked. It was a Bomb-bin, a weapon robot that was used as a defensive device. What was it doing here? Destruction was suspicious. Something was wrong, he felt.

Dalek sidled into the room, "I-DENTIFY YOUR-SELF!" it howled, lights flashing, voice grating and monotonal. The Bomb-bin did nothing. Destruction growled and stepped forward. It was generally considered inappropriate, by Vexus, to station defence bots in the throne room itself. It was like bad manners, and it was also underestimating the Queen's ability to defend herself. It made no sense that such a device was here. It was fully automated and capable of basic movement. But it did not make even a twitch. Dalek got fed up, "IN-ISH-EE-ATE-ING SCAN!"

Destruction moved forward, "Maybe it's malfunctioning." he muttered. His foot came down on the floor with a thump.

Immediately the Bomb-bin's panels whipped open, up and down, all across its body. The seemingly harmless dustbin-like device revealed its true nature, as many small turrets popped out from every angle, a spinner turret at the top and tiny missile launchers the the base. Destruction froze as the Bomb-bin's camera-like scanner swung around, sensing out anything that it could attack. It relied mainly on movement

Destruction did not make a single sound, and neither did Dalek, who was so quiet it was as though it had been deactivated. Destruction knew not... to make... a sound. But he yelped and ducked as the Bomb-bin suddenly let loose a huge barrage of laser bullets and tiny rockets in his direction. But the large kaijin was quite surprised when each and every shot passed over his head, the Bomb-bin not bothering to correct its firing vector. The reason why was revealed a moment later, when an almighty shriek rang out behind him and a huge, slender shadow passed over him.

The Bomb-bin's shots bounced back at it as a creature surrounded by a bluish shield sprung upon it, its giant blue claws tearing into the device and ripping it to shreds, sparking shards of metal strewn everywhere. Its top half was pulled apart by the robotic attacker. The large robot, who Destruction recognised all too well, whirled, "Get down!" it howled, giant compound eyes glaring at him. Destruction crouched immediately, and Dalek backed away.

The robot that had sprung from the far wall stood up, its powerful legs extending like elastic slightly, its huge claws stretching out. It turned slightly, as though winding up. At that moment, all three entrances to the dome swung open, and waves of Kaijin soldiers, all identical and of a type Destruction did not recognise, charged into the huge building. They ran right past Destruction and Dalek, headed right for the huge insectoid machine.

At that moment, the creature swung, whipping itself into a ferocious spin as its giant claws tearing through the air. And to Destruction's awe, the soldiers kept coming, right into the ring of flashing blue that the robot was generating with its spin. As soon as they touched the sapphire band of reflected light, their metallic chassis were ruthlessly shredded and ripped as though they were tissue paper, spewing torn circuits and ripped metal everywhere. Destruction gaped. Splinters of metal bounced off his thickly-plated body and fell to the ground like glass. And then, to Destruction's amazement, the fragments of metal, wiring and components fizzled and faded as though they never existed.

Destruction looked up and realised that the robot's arms were extending, the deadly ring of death it created with its claws growing wider and wider. And Dalek was right in its path. "Dalek, get away from there!" barked the Darkstar commander.

Dalek cast him a blank look (it was all it could manage, its face being nothing more than an eyestalk and a pair of flashing lights), before it screeched out once again, "EL-E-VATE!". It rose off the floor without a sound, as the robot's extended arms whizzed by underneath. Destruction growled. All the soldiers were just walking to their doom! Why wouldn't they manufacture themselves some brains??

No sooner had he asked himself that did one of the centurions leap over the cable-like arms of the spinning robot, pointing what appeared to be some sort of built-in blaster at it. Destruction thought things might get interesting now. And surely enough, they did, as the robot ceased to rotate, coming to a screeching halt. Its arm shot up, like elastic, seizing the poised warrior before it could fire and crushing it within the hand. Another stepped up, identical in every way to the soldier who had just fallen to the ground in several crumpled pieces. The robot, which resembled a majestic queen bee, responded accordingly. A sapphire-like crystal on its chest lit up, and before the soldier who had stepped up to her could even hope to dodge, it was incinerated by an enormous fireball launched from its foe, turning the mechanoid knight into dust. Destruction grinned. He expected no less from her.

The robot's two huge wings beat for a moment, as she eyed her remaining foes. Four of them. The same type of elite-looking warrior who could so easily be torn to bits. Destruction felt an urge to break one or two, himself. And he couldn't imagine just how much Dalek was resisting the temptation of screaming its famous cry and blitzing the remaining soldiers on its own. But the other robot was too fast. Its arms shot up and her claws latched to the roof. Her arms retracted into her shoulders again, lifting the insectoid machine up and off the floor of the huge chamber. The soldiers glared up at her, and raised their weapons to fire. The suspended robot had a trick of its own, however, lowering a device from its back, which was shaped much like a stinger. A stinger that just happened to be-

FWOOM!

The cannon fired. And again. And a third time. And each of the soldiers were engulfed by the bright green light. Destruction glanced away as the blinding flashes lit the room. The chamber lit up for a moment, casting shadows on the walls everywhere, before the light cleared and Destruction could look toward the middle of the room again. He chuckled to himself as the robot dropped from the roof, standing in the centre of three piles of ash strewn with charred parts and pieces. Robotic cremation. Saved space, and was often interesting to watch. Destruction stepped toward the large robot, and went down on one knee in ceremonial show of respect, "That was an excellent display, my Queen."

Vexus brushed herself off, dandily, "Yes, I was quite satisfied."

Dalek sidled forward, descending from its hover, "A MOST EFFI-CI-ENT DIS-PLAY OF POW-ER, QUEEN VEX-USS!"

Vexus gave the robot a glance, "I am glad you enjoyed it. I felt that I needed a training exercise after my latest upgrade."

Destruction tilted his head, "You were upgraded again?"

"I was. And I had new programming installed. Your friend TentoRaijin is incredibly gifted. Now I am just as versatile as any of you." Vexus said, proudly.

Destruction nodded, "That is good news, my Queen. It would definitely benefit you should you find yourself... uh..."

"What are you saying, Commander?"

"Uh... it's nothing, my Queen. Do not worry." the purple kaijin rumbled. Vexus' large hands were on her hips. She seemed suspicious, "Well, uh, what I meant was... TentoRaijin has been a little... absent... from Darkstar activities. I thought he may have been up to something."

"If anything, he has been assisting me. He is a most valuable asset to the Cluster, and it is fortunate that the likes of him are not swayed by the pitiful motives of... her."

"Vega?"

Vexus glanced away, eyes narrowed and saying nothing.

"You called for me, my Queen?"

"I did." Vexus nodded, walking gracefully up to her throne. She turned and sat upon it, her wings beating slightly, her hands sitting on the armrests. Her new mouth had no way of expressing emotions, and neither did her eyes. She may have been upgraded, but she hardly looked as majestic as she used to. She glared down, "Stand up, Destruction." she growled, and the purple creature got to its feet again. "I am promoting you."

Destruction's eyes lit up, "You are!?"

"Indeed. Your continued service to me has been most impressive, and I am now going to make it up to you. Commander Destruction, you now hold the rank of Admiral."

Destruction beamed, "My Queen... I am honoured."

Dalek whirred, "RE-CORD-ING DATA!"

Vecus sat back, "I also need you to reconvene with your Council. I may need to call upon their services."

Destruction's eyes narrowed, "And what of Barasia?"

Vexus stared down at him, "Princess Barasia is still working on her plans for Earth."

"How can you be sure that our little 'princess' will serve you to no end?"

"Barasia has no means of accessing the technology needed to surpass me. If she ever wanted to throw a coup d'etat in my face, she'd have to come through me. And despite the fact that she knows I am more than a match for her (I proved it), the thought of her considering betraying us is absurd. Barasia is a darling."

"Indeed." Destruction nodded. Under his breath he added, "A darling little bitch..."

"If you have suspicions, I can summon TentoRaijin here now, if you wish. Tento?"

There was a pause, before a humming crackle lit the air between them and a mechanical insectoid took shape from the crackling energy, "Yes, my Queen?" he asked, on bended knee.

Vexus smiled, "You see, Admiral? TentoRaijin is at my every command."

TentoRaijin cast a sidewards glance at the skeptical kaijin, "'Admiral'?"

"Tento, I must commend you for your excellent work. My new upgrades make me ten times the Queen I once was. You have my thanks."

Tento bowed, "My life for the Queen. I shall continue to serve you even long after the stars in the sky burn out."

If Vexus could smile, she'd be beaming, "Most desirable."

TentoRaijin stood, "I am honoured to be summoned to your presence, my worship, but I have much to do. May I leave your presence for the moment?"

"Go ahead."

TentoRaijin bowed before his body crackled and vanished once more. Destruction cast him a suspicious scowl as he left. Vexus spoke again, a note of serenity in her voice, "Barasia has added another individual to her small army. This one happens to be a human."

Destruction's eyes narrowed, "What?"

Dalek blasted, "IT IS IN-CON-CEIV-ABLE FOR A HU-MAN TO EX-IST AM-ONGST US WITH-OUT A BLOOD SEAL!"

"The human who has been brought before us does not require a blood seal. He has a life debt to Barasia, and to break that will go against his lifelong teachings. He is an expert swordsman with growing powers of darkness. He may demonstrate a quality we have seen in only a few organics. The quality we seek. Dedication. Too few humans have ever found it comfortable enough to work with us. The only ones we could keep ahold of harboured a deep and powerful hatred in their hearts. Hatred that we can use. Hatred that will make them.... stronger." Vexus seemed to linger on that word, as though the very sound of it gave her peace. "Jase's hatred is particularly powerful. He will be a great asset."

"Well, as useful as he may be, my Queen, do not forget that you have others at your disposal. Others, such as my Council."

"The Council, as of this date, is reinstated into full operational service. Plans are in motion, Admiral. Plans that will guarantee the elimination of foes like Jennifer, and complete control of this world restored to me. I will require it. And with Barasia's help, I shall achieve it."

Destruction hissed, "Why do I feel as though you are a little too complacent about that little machine?"

Vexus would be smiling if it were in her ability. "That little machine, Admiral, is the best thing to happen to us in centuries. Once her two warships are operational within the next few days, our plans will finally be-"

"The two starships are almost finished!?!" Destruction gasped, aghast. If Barasia got to wield them.... wield them on this planet....

"Indeed. Once the Matriarch and the Dominatrix are complete, our next phase of operations shall commence. Barasia has done much for us. She deserves every credit she can be given."

Destruction's eyes narrowed. The Queen was blind to the true threat. And if he was mistaken about all this, he would gladly resign his position. But he had a hunch that such an action would not be needed. He knew Barasia better than the Queen herself did. He smelt treachery. He could see it now. Those twin ships... raining glowing meteors of fire down upon Cluster Prime... down upon their heads.

A beeping noise interrupted his thoughts, and behind him the main viewer flickered on, a large symbol of an insectoid face with large, thin antennae atop decorating the picture. It was the logo of the Cluster. A transmission was being sent in. Vexus folded one leg over the other, "This was a productive discussion, Destruction. You are dismissed..." she waved her hand, boredly, as she awaited the image upon the screen. When it cleared, it was very dark. Almost as though being broadcast from space itself. As Destruction moved toward the exit of the large dome, he saw a face appear from out of the darkness, the face of a girl no older than 18. She wore a rather delicate-looking golden head-dress, and had fiery red eyes full of a mischievious intent. The area between her upper eyelashes and her eyebrows was purple from eyeshadow, and her golden hair was tied in bunched on the top of her head. If Vexus were human, she would no doubt look like the person on the screen. Vexus spoke warmly, as though addressing a family friend, "Ah, Galaxia, what can I do for you?"

Destruction passed through the door, Dalek trailing him. The huge slabs of metal slid shut again, muffling the humanoid's response to the Queen. Destruction sighed. Despite his promotion, he did not feel much better.

Dalek swivelled slightly, "WHAT IS YOUR NEXT PLAN OF AC-TION?" its head spun so the eyestalk could face and stare at him, and the machine added in a deeper undertone, "ADMIRAL...."

Destruction's head felt strange, which was odd considered the programming within him usually demanded that such feelings were suppressed. Guess it was one of those days, "We rally the Council. We shall convene. It looks like we're the only ones who can do something about this. Now Barasia has corrupted the Queen! If she does not reveal the true nature of her being here, and exactly why she stole a pair of spacecraft and a massive robotic monster, we'll need to get those answers out of her... by force...."