Subsequent Fall Part 1: Union

Adam looked out to the stars and smiled. Jaimie and Astral had their first bit of alone time for the first time in thousands of years, really, since Adam came along, they haven't had much time to themselves.

'Why do I feel like I drain on the two, this is the least I can do, is let them enjoy their vacation and time away.' Adam enjoyed his hours of solitude, but the thoughts still lingered. He sat down at the holo table and opened his sketchbook. Drawing away into the stars.

A knock came from the door as Zeta opened it. Indy smiled while the rest of the Dogpound was behind him. "Hello sir, is Astral around or did we just miss him?"

"Unfortunately you are a few hours too late." Adam kept drawing away. Turning to a different page. Writing out something else instead of drawing. Indy and the rest walked in as chairs appeared for each of them.

"We were hoping to tell him some good news, but the hyperlanes are too slow from each bridge." Indy laughed as Adam looked up. "You were there when Astral asked me about the proposal."

Adam nodded his head as they all looked around at each other. "We have come to the conclusion that this is the best thing to do given our current situation." Nevada spoke.

"So we held a vote. Those who wanted to join could. And the others could live with no consequence." Minn handed Adam the paper with each one of their signatures.

"Unanimous vote? I like this." Adam stood up and set the paper above his as he reached out and shook each one of their hands. Applying the spell to them now as well.

"We only have one question, what are you and Astral?" Carolina asked as Adam pointed to the doorway.

"This same puzzle is not only one that I solved, but another that the high ranking members also solved." Adam watched as they stood up.

"I knew Airsoft knew something when we went to that metallic planet." Hawaii commented to Adam.

"Yes and his friends didn't listen, which is why they got punished and not him." Adam gave them the address of the Library. "Read well and pay attention to everything around you when you are there." They all sprinted off as the gust of wind blew the paper off of his notebook.

"We are still missing that other stabilizing piece, Astral." Adam read the names he wrote down in a pyramid.

Zeta looked over it and agreed. "He will find more help in time. But in this moment we must be passive and play defensively." Adam nodded as he agreed to the mech.

"I just hope it's not too late before he finds the missing link." Adam looked at the galaxy's bounty board and the top earning bounty hunters. One name stuck out like a sore thumb. "Joesy, he isn't on the market for bounties right now, but I think if we get a chance to scoop him up."

"Add him to our recruitment list?" Zeta asked.

"Yes, I want to try and boost our numbers. Wait, short range scanners are going off. It's not Astral already coming back is it? It can't be." Adam flicked on the short range cameras and got a lens on what was going on.

"You have got to be kidding me. Zeta, ready the defense fleet and prepare counter fleets! Let's hope Anders and Airsoft got out while they could." Adam recognized the logo on each one of the ships.

"They must have tracked us through our drones." Astrid fired up and started aligning the Red Merle's defensive cannons. "Permission to use the refraction tunnel?"

"No, we can't expose that trick quite yet." Adam gave the command as Alexa and Murphy popped up and started sounding the station alarms as the clones and volunteers got into position.

"This is your galactic empire. I am Admiral Ymatana of the seventh imperial fleet. Surrender at once!" The attempt at communication was responded with a very swift fuck off. "Fine, show these rebels what happens to terrorists who don't listen."

"God dammit. I wanted a break from all of this, defense force theta, position yourself in zone three for a flanking maneuver. Defense force triad take them from the left. Force them to come to the station. Zane!" Adam shouted as Zane got the message.

"What happened, we have been here for no more than a day and already have someone attacking us?" Zane shouted to Adam through the microphone.

"Not now, prepare your men for a boarding mission. I want a ship and I want it safely. Use the Ambassador to clear you a way there."

"Got it, godspeed men, board the Ambassador and lets rumble!" Zane shouted as the clones got into position.

"This is defense force theta, we are in position, give us the order."

"Defense force triad is also ready. Let us know when Adam."

Adam saw the fleet of seventy ships come in. Another blip of ships appeared, but they seemed non hostile to start. "Once their lead ship enters range for the Ambassador to engage, you can fire away." Adam gave his command as he tracked each ship's movement.

The clones were right beneath the lead ship. "NOW!" Zane shouted as the Ambassador uncloaked and slammed its broadside into the lead ship. Knocking it off course while connecting its bottom bay door to the bottom hull.

"Astrid, long range cannons, are they safe to not hit our ships from this range?" Adam asked as he saw the window of opportunity for attack and momentum to be in his favor.

"No, it's not safe. Besides, our ships have it handled, Admiral what's his nuts, is already panicking and forming a defensive line versus us." Astrid was impressed by their work and coordination being given very little instruction.

"Counter fleets, are you ready and prepared?" Adam asked.

"This is Pete checking in, counter fleet Aladdin is ready."

"Counter fleet Lazarus is ready. Thanks for naming it after me!" Laz commented through the radio.

"When they retreat, track them down and start to bully them, got it?" Adam gave the order as they both gave him the green light.