Chapter Forty-Five, Part Two

"This is going to be your new home," Dan waved through the viewport of a kryptonian scout, hand on the young Han's shoulder. New-Krypton, formally Zonama Sekot, spun in its peaceful orbit. "The others have arrived… I'll take you to meet Candorus, he can help you get settled in and show you the ropes."

Dan directed the ship towards the landing field, where Canderous waited as ordered. He was not alone, joined by one of the first force sensitives to ever 'join' Krypton's cause. Maul was deep in conversation with the Mandalorian, the armour of Madalore at their feet.

"That ship is massive…" Han pressed his nose to the glass, gaze set on the Gladius' emerald hull. She had never stopped her growth, now a massive wedge over forty kilometres long. "... are those people flying around in space?"

"Hmmm?" Dan let the auto-pilot take control and followed Han's sharp eyes. Kara and Cal, alongside eight other Kryptonians, were engaged in a coordinated spar. "Those are some of the teenage members of my species, it seems like young Kara is positioning herself as a leader amongst them."

"Can I learn to do that, if I work for you when I get older?" Han's eyes flashed, the look of a boy who yearned for the freedom such power could bring. "I always dreamed of flying through the galaxy…"

"We'll get you a symbiote from the Hive soon enough," Dan let Venom extend himself, sharkish teeth on display. The scout broke through the atmosphere, soon to arrive. "With one of Venom's children, you'll be capable of visiting any star you desire… now come on, let's get to the boarding ramp."

Dan guided the young Han toward the exit of the scout, mind focused on Maul and Canderous' conversation. It seemed the Sith was recruiting his replacement, the title on Mandalore was about to be handed off once again.

– – – –

"Come now, Mandalorian," Maul waved at the piled suit of armour and flashed Canderous a cold glare. "What better place for you, but at the head of your own people?"

Canderous snorted and cast his gaze to Dan-EL's scout, already on a direct course for their position. He would act as he was commanded to, but he had no allegiance to this former Sith.

"We'll see what the Emperor has to say about it," the Mandalorian shrugged his shoulders and waved an arm to take in the planet around them. "As of right now, I've been ordered to assist Revan and the others in training more newborns… they'll be awake tomorrow, but you're welcome to pitch your idea to Dan-EL when he arrives."

"I can't see why he would disagree," Maul scoffed as he joined Canderous, eyes set on the scout as it settled to the ground. "My attention is needed in the unknown regions and your skills make you the ideal replacement."

"He's not wrong, Canderous," The scout's ramp hissed open and Dan-EL led a young boy from within the ship's interior. "If you're interested, you're welcome to take Maul up on his offer… it will make it even easier for you to personally source Mandalorian instructors to help with the training to come."

"As you command," Canderous thumped a fist to his chest as he bowed his head. His eyes slipped to Han, who stood wide eyed as the Mandalorian captured his gaze. "Who is this? Another recruit for the line?"

"You could say that," Dan laughed as he shepherded Han closer to Canderous. "He's not force sensitive, but he has an abundance of talent… I'd like you to train him in both combat and piloting, personal instructions from the best of our teachers…"

A notification from Venom interrupted his words, a message from Ultron that Dan had been waiting to receive. The Outbound Flight project had launched. A coordinated mission between the Jedi and the Republic, with the goal to explore beyond the galaxy's edge. He returned his focus to the people around him and sent Han a reassuring smile.

"You go with Canderous, I've got other work that needs my attention," Dan scanned the horizon until his eyes found May. She was with Bear and Stormy, playing in the forest around Yggdrasil. "We'll meet again, once you've settled in."

A gentle push of his biolfield and Dan was already a kilometre away, headed for his Wife's position. With the launch of the Outbound Flight, it was almost time for Dan to meet with one of this galaxy's greatest tactical minds. Known as Grand Admiral by an Empire that would never exist, Thrawn was soon to be discharged from his people's military.

"Thrawn might be the most qualified person to manage Krypton's fleets, more so than even Ultron or HK," Dan raised his hand and waved as May spotted his approach. Bear charged over the ground, a blur that hurried to meet him half-way. "If May is ok with managing things here after tomorrow's mass birth, I'd like to visit the Chiss Commander sooner, rather than later."

"First, you made me a promise, a match to see the difference between us!" Etrigan whispered from his shadow. "Let's see if your power is worth all the fuss!"

– – – –

"You're finally awake again!" Goku beamed down at Anissa, back in the med-bay after her short attempt at escape. He gave the woman a shake of his head. "I hope you'll relax long enough to listen to me this time… May said next time she was just going to kill you and be done with it."

"May…" Anissa flinched and blinked the sand of sleep from her eyes. She forced herself to a seated position and gave Goku a reproachful glare. "Why didn't you mention her before? When you said Dan-El and whoever Etrigan is were off-world, I assumed it was just you I had to worry about."

"Sorry about that…" Goku rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "I've never fought May, so I don't really know how strong she is…"

"She's also not the only one beyond Dan or the Demon that can manage your level of strength," a mechanical sigh drew Anissa's gaze to a well built silver robot with an expressive face. "Many of Krypton's servants could end your life without much effort."

"Anissa, this is Ultron," Goku walked over to the machine and patted his shoulder, face embarrassed. "May left him here to make sure I get you back to your home universe without any more trouble…"

"You're letting me go home?" Anissa raised her eyebrows. "Will I be free to go, or do you plan on locking me up with the other Viltrumites you've defeated?"

"Well…" Goku seemed to deflate a bit under her cold stare. "Maybe we can talk with Thaedus, I'm sure if you promised to never act against the Coalition or Krypton…"

"So, I'll be another prisoner," Anissa laid back and sighed. Thaedus would never free her, not until Thragg and the Empire fell. "What's the point of even going back? At least here no one wants to lock me up…"

"Incorrect," Ultron barked out a mechanical laugh. "I have requested the use of your genetic material for my research, only Goku's insistence that he take you back has saved you… for now."

"Be nice, Ultron," Goku gave the A.I. 's shoulder a shake as Anissa forced herself from the bed and onto her feet. He turned a smile towards her, the same honest expression he'd had since the moment they met. "Dan promised that you could go back with me, and I'll fight anyone that says otherwise!"

"Please, try me, little monkey," Ultron rolled his eyes and returned his attention to the ceiling. "Hurry up and get her ready, we're scheduled to travel as soon as we arrive on New-Krypton."

"Come on, Anissa," Goku reached out a hand to the taller woman, smile still fixed under his ridiculous hair. "Let's go, I promise, as long as you don't act against our interests, I'll convince Thaedus to let you go free!"