10 Chapter 9

(Rimbor's Moon: Appellaxian base)

After we finished discussing about ourselves and, Torg and Neep were done fooling around, we were escorted to the armory to suit up

The armory was a building besides the barracks of us non-Appellaxian soldiers, although it was a small structure the inside was massive, they probably hollowed out the hill behind the building to achieve this.

We were given equipment by the logistics officer and then we went to the changing rooms to suit up, Torg and Neep didn't really need much equipment and didn't suit up but Cecily and I did.

The suits given to me and Cecily were form fitting and reinforced with an alloy I don't know of but is similar to reinforced tri-polymer, making it resistant to not heat and cold but impacts with some amount force.

After we geared up and were given plasma rifles, we were escorted to General Attrax outside the base.

In front of us was General Attrax and Chief Scientist Lartrox, "We are going to fight against the dominators from our surveillance, it seems to be a small team, what we seek to do is annihilate them" said Lartrox

"We move out" said Attrax in a commanding tone.

A large shuttle the size of truck was the transport of our team, the inside looked like a high tech train which is the only way I can describe it.

We took our seats and strapped in, "Well it seems like we are at the eve of our first battle, are you worried Cecily" I asked her

"Yes, I won't lie and say I'm not worried, not just for myself but also for you, I'm afraid to leave a child like you alone in this place" she replied emotionally

Although she doesn't know of my reincarnation and treats me like a child but her concern for me touches my heart, most people take kind people for granted but people like Cecily are one in a million.

"I'm also scared" I admit, "I would be a fool not to admit I'm worried about this battle even with our powers but the only we can do is move forward together"

At my reply she beams a smile, "Wow look at you encouraging me I thought you were still in your emo phase because you thought it was cool" she teased me

I wasn't even in the mood for back and forth with her because she helped me calm down my previous anxiety, so I just smiled and closed my eyes to contemplate.

"Don't worry emo-Peter, your big brother Torg will protect you" Torg said boisterously which had comedic effect

"Neep!". "oh and Neep too" added Torg. Cecily and I just smiled as we watched their joking faces while I thought maybe this squad wouldn't be so bad after all.

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In a vast red-like valley sounds of explosions rung as plasma rifles were fired all around and the turrets of space tanks sounded in the distance.

At the center, bipedal wrinkled-like skin with multi-fanged mouths and red skull creatures carrying wrist like plasma blasters were gaining advantage over the Appellaxian forces.

Suddenly a large blast was fired to the Dominators who were beating the Appellaxian forces, it was the main cruiser of the Appellaxian reinforcements

The cruiser lands and several reinforcement disembark and engage the dominators in a melee.

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The dominators looked exactly how they looked in the arrowverse franchise, tall, lean and ugly but the only difference is that they don't seem to have telepathy which they use to talk to others and make illusions but they seem physically stronger than those of the arrowverse.

We were forced to engage them in the center of this valley while the General in the cruiser has circled round and wants to pincer them. Our current location is at the edge of the valley behind the cliff and from the looks of it the Appellaxians we are supposed to back up that are close to our area are getting slaughtered, not that I care but we still need to engage these dominators.

I turn to my teammates and speak, "Well since we are going in for head on combat there really isn't much of an elaborate plan but Torg and I will engage with them in a melee while Cecily supports from mid-range with telekinesis and plasma fire, for Neep help with an aerial assault"

"That's fine" said Cecily

"Roger Captain Emo-Peter" replied Torg jokingly

"Neep!"... which I still don't understand him.

" Ok let's go" I replied to them.

Using the Appellaxians who were being killed we charged at the dominators from the side

Cecily opens up the battle by telekinetically lifting a dominator who was about firing our way and threw him into several dominators and their carrier which caused an explosion

While she did that Neep took to the skies and started spitting out acid on several dominators while dodging their plasma fire.

Torg and I were left to handle four dominators in front of us with a melee, Torg already rushed forward blasters were fired but he crossed his large arms guarding himself while still running to the enemies when he was within range of the dominators he upholstered his battle axe and made a wide swing for the dominator in front of him the dominator used its arm plasma blaster to block but was knocked several meters back along with another one who was behind it, Torg didn't let up and gave them a chase.

I wasn't idle while the battle was going on, I fired plasma blasts with my rifle, the dominators reacted quickly, either dodging or putting up force fields that blocked my fire, I guess those gauntlets are for more than just firing.

Seeing that maintaining my distance was not giving any results instead giving them time to counterattack, I rushed to them similar like Torg had done, with my heightened reflexes and physical ability I was able to the blast that was fired to my face by tilting my head left, there were three dominators in front of me , two of them were firing while the third was shield my fire.

Weaving my way through the hail of plasma fire, I approached the dominator at the forefront with incredible speed, it reacted immediately trying to blast my face off but I was one step ahead of it, I slid in between its legs avoiding the fire, without giving it anytime to react I quickly turned around and shot it point blank in the head.

Green blood coated my face as I realized this was my first time killing an intelligent living being, I didn't have time to wallow as I jumped to the side to avoid fire , there were still two remaining enemies, with superhuman agility I rolled forward avoiding another blast then jumped up and kicked a dominator in the head and sent it flying after which I got in front of the dominator who was shielding before, the force field by this time has already worn off, I grabbed its arm with precision and quickly threw him over me with a judo throw, instantly without giving it a chance I fired in its mouth and it was dead.

I turned around and I saw the last dominator getting up, it had its guard up as green blood leaked off the side of its head. This dominator seemed stronger and slightly larger than rest but frankly I don't care and just want to get this over with.

I started off with firing blasts at it to which it dodged, it seems that its gauntlet doesn't have the force field function, I dashed towards it as i kept firing and jumped up and delivered a superman punch to it before it had time register what was happening, it stumbled and was fumbling with its gauntlet while screaming something in indelible language.

I didn't really care what it was doing and just wanted to finish this fight fast, I quickly moved forward and gave it a leg sweep, it fell on its back, not wasting time I jumped up and landed on both its arms with a thud, it gave a shriek of pain, calming down I raised my blaster to its head with the confidence the fight was over until I heard a beeping sound, turning I saw the dominators gauntlet blinking red and was heating, the dominator let out a shrill cry.

With alarm bells sounding in my mind I quickly leapt away from it and an explosion occurred and rushed towards me.

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Cecily pov

I used my telekinesis to snap a dominators neck while firing to the last of my opponents that I disarmed earlier, without any gauntlet the dominator couldn't defend itself and was left with a hole in the head.

I kneel down and start coughing, some blood escapes my mouth, it seems that using my powers slightly worsens my condition at this rate I would last a year maybe two but I've already made my peace with that.

Sometimes I think of myself as emotionless, I was raised in a good orphanage in New York from the moment I was born, by the time I was ten, I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, the fact that I've lived till forty-four is actually a miracle but then again in a world with aliens, meta-humans and super geniuses, I guess it doesn't count for much. When the kids at the orphanage found out about my sickness, although they treated me well, they kept me at arms length maybe subconsciously, probably because they didn't want anymore pain of loss.

My saving grace was the old matron who took care of me like her own daughter and even used her savings to pay for my medical expenses and school. Because of her I was able to work at a decent fashion design company but after she died, I never truly opened up with anyone, I didn't really care about the life death and death of other people while the basic sensibility in me would think its unfortunate someone died, I wouldn't go out of my way really care or feel bad about it, I guess that's why I didn't really care about the havoc the recently emerging Gotham terrorist who calls himself 'The Joker' caused before my abduction even when few acquaintances of mine were victims.

I always felt disgusted with myself, instead of using the rest of my short time doing something meaningful and impactful in the world, I already resigned myself to my fate, sure I supported the kids at the orphanage but that just felt out of obligation to my deceased matron.

Everything changed when I was abducted and experimented on by the Appellaxians, frankly, now that I think about it, I didn't really care about my abduction and quietly complied with the experimentation till I met an eight year old child named Peter Shepard.

Peter was strangely mature for a child and quite quiet, an ordinary child in the situation he was in would be crying for his parents but instead he had a contemplative and resolved look. At first I approached him because I thought he was like me, resolved to his fate and situation but I couldn't be more wrong, he resolved himself to find ways to attain power to escape and survive in this mad world.

At that, I pitied him and began helping him to ease the guilt and disgust I felt within myself but he rebuked me strongly at first probably wary of my telepathy but then warmed up to me. While I was trying to use him to make me feel better about myself, we established something of a true relationship, I saw myself in him, the loneliness he hides behind his mask of realism and maturity and the slight fear he has of getting close to someone in fear of losing them like his parents.

Since then we have gotten along and opened up to each other about our respective problems, when I told him about my problems, he said trying to live by the ideal standard I set for myself is just making things hard for myself. Since then I have been more free-willed than ever and he has been more open to accepting people. I consider him like the son, I never had, I never connected with most of the kids at the orphanage like I have with him, I have still resigned myself to my fate but with what feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders due to the fact I don't have to act like in a certain way and try to leave my mark on the world but I have resolved myself that before I die I would make sure Peter's escape is successful or I will die trying, Peter respects and honors my resignation to my death and I know he wants to make my last days peaceful, I appreciate his care for me.

I am brought out of my musings when I sense Torg approaching along with Neep who has acid drooling from his mouth.

"It seems you have taken care of your opponents Torg, Neep" I intone to them

"Yeah Miss Cecily, I took on two dominators, really mean and really tough if I do say so myself, they got some good hits in before I could take them down" Torg replied lightly despite seeming relatively unharmed

"Neep! neep!" Neep exclaimed with what seemed to be a joyful tune

"Well we need to work harder and get stronger the Dominators or the Appellaxians for that matter are hardly overlords in the universe, we should also go and support Peter he took the bulk of the enemies, he should be alright but we should still..."BOOM!!

I was interrupted by the sound of an explosion in a short distance from where we are and realized that was where Peter is.

"That's where Peter is we need check if he is alright" I said to Torg and Neep while my voice showing panic and worry

"Roger""Neep!"

The three of us immediately rushed to the area of the explosion while I silently hope Peter is okay.

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Peter pov

Fuck, I'm pissed off at myself, standing at the edge of a small crater with my arms raised up and a dark blue energy barrier surrounding me.

Dismissing the barrier, I begin to think of what just happened, I made the mistake most isekai or reincarnated protagonists in light novel always make when they find themselves with a modicum of power, I underestimated my enemy as a regular small fry and nearly died.

I saw that dominator tampering with its gauntlet, I didn't give it any thought other than a signal for help which wasn't going to make it in time and underestimated, the resolve of the dominator. Now that I think about it, that wasn't a regular dominator, it must have been a commander of sorts but the point is, I nearly died, when the explosion occurred, I had to use my biotic barrier which I never was able to make a decent one, on reflex.

It worked out and the most I have are burns on my right elbow because of the heat, I couldn't completely shield but it will heal due to my healing factor and it won't leave a scar, what has woken me up is that I survived right now due to luck, that's all. It's like a splash of cold water to my face that despite all my planning and meta knowledge, I can die or at least be seriously injured just like now because an unforeseen circumstance or surprise attack. I now wholeheartedly understand Batman's obsession with preparedness and backups upon backups of plans.

In a world like this where extraordinary science and magic exist, no matter how low the power level is, anything can happen, that is both humbling to the sense of superiority I had as a reincarnator and eye opening because reading or watching something while well and good, doesn't give you the full information on things, there is probably a lot I don't know about the DC universe and my preconceived notions on people might not be correct.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I realize what happened is a good thing, my near brush with death has given me perspective on how to approach things that come my way, I will just use my meta knowledge as a guideline not the full facts of the situation or of a character I may encounter in the future.

I also need to train my biotics, I was intent on hiding it which I still am but in cases like this when there are no Appellaxians to monitor me, I should be using it in combat to better myself, hiding a trump card completely is only when the user has mastered that card all round. While biotics are versatile and potent in their own right, they are far from the most powerful, I can name like twenty characters whose powerset are more powerful than me, not that I am not thankful for these powers but I believe they shouldn't be my main trump cards.

With that thinking, I should branch more into tech and dabble into magic after mastering my biotics and if all goes well when I escape.

I was brought out my musing when I heard heavy footsteps and people approaching, I immediately put up my guard and pointed my rifle at where I heard the sound only to stop as I heard the voice of one of them approaching

"Peter are you alright!" Cecily exclaimed worriedly as she ran towards me

I waved to indicate I'm okay and said " I let my guard down a little, it won't happen again, just got off with some burns, don't worry I heal fast"

"Sigh, I glad your okay, just don't scare like me that again" Cecily said a look of relief washed over her face

"No promises" I joked with her to which she just beamed a smile, while we letting relishing in fact of each others safety Torg came running and lifted me up like a baby

"Emo-Peter, I'm glad you're okay!" he exclaimed excitedly while Neep hovering above us was yelling enthusiastically in his usual tone, Cecily just watched them looking at me with a coy smile.

I shook Torg off and got down, "Sigh, I'm fine and can you please stop calling me emo".

As to that Cecily just laughed, I sighed and began, "Ok with the jokes and all, but how were things on you guys' end, any trouble?"

"Not really, but it seems that the dominators in general are stronger than the Appellaxians but the numbers which the Appellaxians brought including us outnumber them, we shouldn't let down our guard when facing them because it seems they aren't too invested in the conflict here" Cecily replied to which I nodded

"That's true, I'm pretty sure the reason why the site of this conflict is here on Rimbor's moon is because of the corrupt government of Rimbor in which they just let it slide as long as t doesn't affect them and if the dominators and Appellaxians escalate the conflict here the Green Lantern Corps will intervene" Torg said as he nodded his head while trying and spectacularly failing to look sagely

"Well we should try and regroup with the rest of the the other squads" I said but before anyone could reply, we were interrupted by an explosion and screaming Dominators.

Each of us instantly became serious and battle ready but we calmed down when we saw the Appellaxian carrier we came in approaching us.

The hatch opened and walking out was the smug looking General Attrax or at least I think he looks smug since Appellaxian faces weren't really meant for facial expressions.

He looked at each of us and after he was done he nodded, "Good, you recruits have been baptized by the battlefield and tasted blood, you did good work in eliminating the enemy in this area" he said as he praised us, which really none of felt flattered or thankful for his praise

He continued, "You would be glad to know that operation to destroy the enemy from the rear was successful, most of the dominators engaging here have retreated back to the other side of the moon to replenish their supplies and attack again, so this small scale war might be drawn out longer than we anticipated, we leave and return to headquarters where I and the higher ups will come up with a counterattack, your assignments will be assign after discussions end, Move out!"

As he said that he turned around and entered the carrier, after he entered we followed. On the way back to head quarters I was just meditating on my plans for escape and the battle earlier, trying to find areas of improvement in both.

I sigh and lift me head to look up at the ceiling of the carrier, this world is a dog eat dog world, despite the appearances of heroes it is a mistake to rely on them and try to be like them if you truly want to live freely.

I reaffirm my resolve for power and freedom as we approach the base and towards an uncertain future.

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