Chapter Forty-Two, Part Three

[Congratulations on the completion of your quest! You have received the mass summon: Mixed Pirate Grab Bag: a single-use summoning that will generate a random number of pirate style ships and crews.] Dan's system chimed in his mind as soon as he rejoined May on the Gladius. [Congratulations, you have over completed the bonus section and received double bonus rewards! You have received twelve vials of compound V (The Boy's universe) and six canisters of T-Virus (Resident Evil universe).]

"Not bad… but I'm not sure Mira or Hanharr really count as my forces just yet," Dan shook his head and shrugged. Either way, the rewards were decent. A mass summon had the potential to be good, and both compound V and the T-Virus had high research value. "I should really visit them soon…"

"What are you murmuring about?" May slipped her arm around his waist and ducked under his arm. "Is your quest finished?"

"It is," Dan leaned in, pressed his lips against his Wife's and scooped her into his arms. He carried her through the corridors, toward their private chamber. "We can also go home at any time, but I think we should stick around for a few more years…"

Five more years and both he and May would be in their physical primes, while the other Kryptonians would be close enough. The extra time would also let him settle the affairs of this branch of his empire. He'd received no gate from his quest rewards, so once they returned this place would be on its own.

"I'm fine with that," May rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. "We've wiped out most of the big threats in this galaxy, but back home there's still a bunch of work to do."

Dan echoed his wife's sigh at the thought of their return. It would be good to get the full scale expansion of Krypton on the go, but it would require far more effort than he'd invested toward this trial run. He would have to walk the line between unopposable Emperor and hero of those forgotten by the Republic.

"Well, let's enjoy our vacation while it lasts," Dan slipped through their chamber doors and gave May a playful toss onto the bed. Eyes hungry, he pounced forward to join her. "Five years will pass in the blink of an eye!"

– – – –

The Starforge hummed with activity, its halls crammed to the brim with a combination of living and mechanical bodies. Krypton had uprooted the strongest and most valuable of its forces and shipped them into the mighty station, ready for the journey to come. Symbiote controlled lifeforms from across the Empire's territories marched side by side with Kryptonians and HK's drones, endless lines that packed the hallways full.

"That's the last of them," May rubbed her temples as she interfaced with the semi-intelligent Starforge. "Venom has jumped the last of the fleets away, just in case our transport has a negative effect on the system… we should be ready to go whenever you are."

"Alright… system, it's time to take us all back home," Dan nodded and sent the command, five years of rest and relaxation was enough. It was time to go home. Silence reigned, but Dan waited patiently. The last time, it had taken a moment, and now there were far more passengers.

"Is it work…" bright white interrupted May, a flare that blinded even Kryptonian eyes. It filled the star system, a mighty halo that wrapped the Starforge in its embrace. The light consumed the world and time fell into nothingness.

– – – –

"Dan-EL and May should return in a few days, provided nothing unfortunate occurred in the other universe," Doom shifted a holographic chess piece and motioned for Ultron to take his turn. "Our momentary freedom is soon to end… a good move…"

Doom clicked his teeth as Ultron moved an inconspicuous pawn and changed the position completely. He used to win half of their games, but lately the A.I had shifted the balance to its favour.

"Be patient, one hundred years is not so long and our master has even granted you an immortal body," Ultron smirked at Doom's next move, hand already extended to raise his knight into the air. "The testing we've done on your physiology suggests you'll continue to absorb solar energy faster than Dan-EL until he comes of age… perhaps it will create a gap he cannot overcome."

"Perhaps…" Doom sighed and tipped over his king. Another defeat, the fourth in a row. "Let's play again, a final game before I have to return to the senate."

– – – –

A wave of light surged through the void, countless phantom portals that heralded the arrival of a vast fleet of Kryptonian vessels. The huge fleet drifted forward, greeted by three smaller figures. Goku gave the Ultron controlled ships a cheery wave, while Allen and Thaedus looked on in horror.

They had spent the last several weeks on the hunt for any Viltrumite they could find. Reinforced by the symbiotes of Krypton, they had yet to find one that could stand against them in a three on one. Conquest had been the closest, and now he was in a Venom induced coma right beside Nolan and the others.

"This is quite the fleet…" Thaedus took in the thousands of super carriers and their escorts with a shake of his head. If these ships contained similar advanced technologies as the others he'd seen, this force was enough to conquer most of known space. "I'm not sure they'll be much help against the Emperor of Viltrum, but they'll certainly give the standard Viltrumites reason to pause."

"I think Ultron said this was just the… ex-plor-atory probe… whatever that means?" Goku scratched at his absurd hair and gave a wide yawn. "Either way, he said Dan left instructions that he 'Defend Earth and hunt down the Viltrumites if possible,' so we can focus less on defence and go all out!"

"Earth isn't the only planet at risk… did you say this fleet is just a probe?" Allen took a second look at the innumerable ships, eye nearly out of its socket. "How big are your regular fleets?"

"I don't really know…" Goku tilted his head, deep in thought. He tapped on his chest and questioned his symbiote. "How about you Pride? Do you know how many ships are in a Kryptonian fleet?"

"We are accessing the phantom network… a standard defence force contained thirty-thousand supercarriers, twenty-eight heavy dreadnaughts and a vast number of support vessels," Pride's voice crackled over their coms, just as bored as his master. "Can we proceed to the planet now? The fleet has already detected a high energy being on its surface, a suspected Viltrumite that has begun to rise into orbit."

The group glanced toward the planet, where a youthful woman with short black hair rose to meet them. Her eyes held a deep fury, fists already aimed toward the Kryptonian fleet. Goku slammed his fists together and accelerated to meet her charge, while Thaedus and Allen struggled to follow.

"Let me fight one-on-one this time," The Saiyan put on a burst of speed and extended his lead. "I'm sick of all the team matches!"