---UNHOLY ALLIANCE---

CPI OMNIVERSAL RECORDS VAULT
PLANET XYBER XVII, MANOS SYSTEM
0845 HOURS, OCTOBER 2, 3034 A.D.

Inside the Institute’s Records Vault, Mike and an associate, Jaansen, were rummaging through various stored data. The Vault contained files that documented virtually every race, beast, and important figure from all dimensions and time periods were stored here. But today, they were looking for a certain file in particular…

“Jaansen, did you find that file yet?!” Mike hollered.
“Hey, gimme a break, would ya? There’s a bazillion different records here that we need to sort through.”
“Well hurry your ass up! The meeting’s at 9 AM sharp!”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m movin’…” he muttered. “Ah! Finally found it. File CD-3649 Epsilon.”
“Good work. Let’s get going. Time’s a-wastin’.”

They hurried to the briefing room about 3 floors up, file in hand. Entering the room, they presented the data disk to Bowser, with Commander just at his right.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Bowser said, “please be seated.”

All 200 and some-odd number members complied. Bowser inserted the disk into the projector, and a holographic projection of the subject appeared.

“This man is our focus, ladies and gentlemen: the individual known as Chade McGowan. Wanted for betrayal of Morgan and his crew of the Association of Free Traders’ ship Unrelenting. Current age estimated to be 65. Occupation: Leader of the Guild of Free Traders. Former Headquar…wait, ‘former?’ Robertson, what’s the meaning of this?!”
“I’m sorry, Chief Technician. We forgot to mention that an unidentified species had recently laid waste to Harbor Space Station, the Guild’s former headquarters. Even the survivors don’t know who the aliens are.”
*Disgusted sigh* “Never mind. Former Headquarters: Harbor in the Scheall System, now destroyed. Has been rumored to have ties with the Bureau of Internal Investigation and their leader, Commander Melissa Krane.”

Mike stepped forward, continuing the discussion…

“As of 72 hours ago, a lone CPI patrol in the Nova-Verse had detected a massive trans-dimensional energy spike; one on par with that caused by the creation of an Inter-Dimensional Time Gate. They tracked the signal and found that McGowan’s flagship was standing before a Time Gate, and they witnessed it entering said gate.”
“We now have a grave situation on our hands, people,” Commander commented. “The gate was described as being blood-red in color; only Akasi’s Gate Generator creates openings like that. It appears that Akasi has contacted McGowan with a deal of some sort.”
“We believe,” Mike continued, “that Akasi is likely offering membership with the Guild Leader. As despised the man is, it wouldn't be surprising if such was the case.”
“So what do we do about it?” a voice hollered from the back.
“Well, first of all...”

Elsewhere…

THE CITADEL OF DARKNESS
PLANET NEW ALCATRAZ, PARIAH SYSTEM
0903 HOURS, OCTOBER 2, 3034 A.D.

The massive Pirate Carrier exited The Nexus and touched down in the massive hangar inside the Citadel. Crews instantly rushed to the front of the ship to welcome their distinguished guest of honor. Colonel Acheron, in particular, was the first to greet McGowan.

“You are Chade McGowan, correct?” he questioned.
“That is correct, Mr. …?”
“Acheron. Colonel Acheron, at your service,” he said, making a deep, sweeping bow. “I apologize for the inconvenience, but I was sent by Lord Akasi to greet you.”
“And where is he?”
“Inside his meeting room. Please follow me.”

McGowan and his crew were led by a squad of Renegades down several long corridors. All along the way, there were several pieces of artwork (disgustingly) displaying Akasi’s vanity.

“Quite a little base your master has here, Colonel.”

Eventually, they approached a doorway flanked by a pair of red banners emblazoned with the Renegade Insignia. The doors swung open, and the group walked inside. McGowan finally had met his mystery host.

Hmm. He certainly LOOKS like a man of competence. I’m nothing if not impressed.
“Why, thank you, McGowan. I pride myself in my accomplishments.”
“What? But I never said anything!”
“You don’t have to. I am a psychic, just like my adversaries, the Commandarians. In fact, it’s hard to find anyone these days who isn’t a psyker (our generic term for those with psychic abilities).”
“…”
“But enough talk. Please, take a seat, if you would.”

McGowan was already impressed by his host. He knew that this proposal must be important if someone like Akasi requested his presence.

“So, what is it that you want, Nar Akasi?”
“You see, McGowan, we Renegades and Voinians have been fighting the Commandarians for centuries, now. We have tried everything to smash through their barriers and dominate the universe, but alas, we’ve failed. All we’ve managed to achieve is a stalemate at 45% of the Universe under my control. We would wish to…”
“Get on with it, already!” McGowan shouted, annoyed.
*Ahem* “Yes, sorry about that. Long story short, McGowan: we’d like to form an alliance with the Guild of Free Traders.”
“…An alliance, you say?”
“Yes. We feel that with your forces, we could finally lay waste to the Commandarian Empire and finally dominate the Universe!”

McGowan was silent for a moment.

“I don’t know if you realize this, Akasi, but we’re not exactly mercenaries for hire. We are our own government, and we shall do what we wish, not take orders from some higher authority!”
“Tell me this, then…how do you expect to run your own government if Harbor, your base of operations, has been destroyed?”
“What?! How did you know about that?”
“A slight confession: we hacked into the transmissions line just at the moment you were informed by one of your minions.”

McGowan stared, then had an evil smile on his face.

“Very sneaky. You’ve impressed me far more than I could have ever imagined, Akasi.”
Akasi relaxed back into his chair. “I thought I might. I’ll make you a deal, McGowan: if you and your government swear fealty to me, I’ll make you one of my greatest lieutenants, and you can use planet New Alcatraz, of which you’re on, as your new base of operations.”
“Hmm…”
“Oh, did I mention the signing bonus? You also get access to all of our technology; some of which you will never see anywhere else.”
“What kind of technology are we talking about, Akasi?” he inquired.

Akasi didn’t respond. He simply snapped his fingers, and the room went dark. A projector displayed the various weapons of the Joint Renegade/Voinian Alliance. After a few minutes, the lights came back on.

“I’ve seen enough, Akasi. As of today, the Guild of Free Traders shall be allies of your empire.”
“Outstanding. You’ve made an excellent choice today, Chade.”

They shook hands, sealing the deal.

“I’ll head back to my ship and tell my cohorts the news.”
“Don’t take too long. Your first assignment will be in a few hours.”
“As you wish, Lord Akasi,” he said, bowing.

With the unholy alliance created, McGowan and his crew left the room. Soon, Akasi was by himself. He pressed a button on his desk, next to an intercom speaker…

“Ensign.”
“Yes, Lord Akasi?”
“Prepare the Infernal Pit. Lord Diablo must know of this new development…”

CPI WAR ROOM
PLANET XYBER XVII, MANOS SYSTEM
0913 HOURS, OCTOBER 2, 3034 A.D.

“...and that about covers it, ladies and gentlemen.” Mike concluded. “Are there any questions?”

No response came.

“Very well, then. You have your assignments, people – dismissed!”

Suddenly...

[ATTENTION ALL UNITS! RENEGADE FORCES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED NEAR THE BORDER OF THE EMPIRE! REPORT TO YOUR STATIONS TO RECEIVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS!]

No sooner said than done, the room was evacuated, and everyone was scrambling for their individual briefing rooms. Akasi had struck again, it seemed, and the worst was yet to come…

---END TRANSMISSION---

---

This section was a lot longer, but it involved the revealing that Mike knew about Akasi's meeting beforehand. Since I covered that LAST chapter, it's a fair bit shorter.

Chade McGowan © Ambrosia Software
Bowser © Nintendo
The Empire, JR/VA, and all characters w/in © Me