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"Well of course it's a damn trap. Do you really think I believe a civilization that still shits in buckets would be able to create an intergallactic communicator in order to send out a distress signal?" Dante was frustrated with Isa. He couldn't believe that she sounded as foolish as she did, "But since we're the only ones in the area, we have to investigate, don't we?"

"Yeah. Sorry about that, but I don't make the laws. Keep a level head, shoot when you need to, and I'll get a few bottles of the good stuff waiting for you."

Dante closed the screen and rolled his head around, "Imbecile. She's been getting dumber as time goes on. Titus, make sure we have our equipment ready."

He nodded, "Should we expect something?"

"The usual one-sided firefight. Extra ammunition is a necessity. Tell Sere to get her toy ready, it may come in handy." Titus walked away from the bridge, "I don't like this at all. I can feel it in my bones."

"Instinct is something many cannot understand. You may be right to be wary Dante." Victoria was sticking close, but at least she covered up a little better. A slate gray and full length form-fitting coat with the Zero Unit symbol on the back and a belt to cinch it shut, "But do you know who sent the signal?"

"I told Mira, we both knew how this was going to end. All in tears. I know the other board members are hiding something." He just didn't know what. A familiar enemy? A secret contract? Whatever it was, a lot of people were going to die, "Victoria, have you settled on a gun yet?"

"Yes sir, a small single-handed SMG from the armory. Sere has worked to make improvements. I have also become quite accurate. However, she has promised to work on a secret weapon for me that fits my needs better."

He leaned his head back into his chair, "Good. Make sure to stock some armor piercing rounds as well. Primitive metal armor isn't highly resistant to our standard ammunition, but they will eat up too many rounds."

Sere stumbled onto the bridge. Dante could tell because of the jingling of tools, "Here ya go. Just finishing up some bits and pieces. Range and stuff." She set the shoulder pad and the long cannon onto an empty chair, "So, no airship support? It would make it quick."

"Not possible. If this is an ambush, I need the Albatross ready for pickup and aerial support. We'll handle the ground approach. I just can't shake this feeling."

"Isa's voice indicated that she was not giving up all of the information she knew." Angel chimed in, "It is likely that Fallen Sky has an investiment in this operation."

"And of course she leaves out one of their top members. I wonder why." Sere was only half curious, "Probably something you won't like."

The Albatross was hovering just over a field, "No more time to think, let's move. Phalanx formation people." Zero Unit hopped out and formed a circle, "See them? Barely hiding in the trees." The open plain was surrounded by forest. Thick and ancient trees, quite valuable in their own right, but impossible to grow off of this planet. The briefing only touched on the facts, but the planet was mostly cylindrical, with the only inhabitable area around the equator. Rich in nutrients but low in tech, this was a protected planet. Or rather, it used to be.

Slowly but surely, the soldiers, knights, and even the king stepped forward, "Today is the day you die, invaders from the stars! Men! Onward to victory!"

"Not even a damn conversation." Chey fired a rocket into a crowd, "Guess they really want to die!"

Dante fired a few rounds, "These are all of the people, even the old. What is going on?"

Zero Unit didn't struggle to make a dent as the natives fell one after the other. Someone riled them up to fight, but failed to mention how, "What're you thinking Dante?" Ratchet asked over the gunfire, "You look like you're confused."

"Where's the puppet master?" It wasn't long before the last soldier fell and a slow clap emerged, "Come out. Now."

A man in a black cloak walked casually over the bodies as though they were dirt, "My thanks, Commander Dante. I'm looking forward to working with someone with such... skill."

Dante took aim, "Not as long as I breathe asshole."

"Now now, let's stay calm." His smooth voice was unnerving, "I have here a union, signed by none other than Captain Isa herself. Seems like we're going to be allies."

"Like hell. I won't work with a dick like you." He touched his earpiece, "Sere, Angel, what's he talking about."

"Uh... according to this... he's telling the truth. We can't kill him."

"Get Isa on the damn line! Zero Unit, we're leaving." The Albatross swooped in and picked them up, all while the man in the cloak watched, "Isa! I know you can hear me!"

"Yes, I can hear you. We all can, but this isn't a secure line. We can talk when you're back, alright? Until then, safe travels." She cut off communication.

"Uh... Dante, calm down please." Jill was rubbing his shoulders as he seethed, "Maybe they had a reason. Or were in a panic. Or something. Just... don't kill anyone yet."

"I'm getting liquor. Jean, you help me carry it."

"How much are you getting?!"

Chey shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I'm gonna need you to help carry it."

Dante tapped his fingers on the armrest, "I'll murder them if I have to."

"Let's not get too hasty. Try talking first." Cratis would have experience in that matter, though it seems as though she was still limited in her reach on her planet, "Then make decisions."

Ratchet wanted to talk, but she didn't have anything to contribute, "Well, whatever happens I'm on your side. People that go against you meet unfortunate endings." Miss Star nodded in agreement.

"Angel, go as fast as possible. I'm not giving them a chance to hide."

"As you wish Dante."

The Albatross' engines kicked into high gear as the ship flew through space. Members of Zero Unit became worried when Dante's mood refused to change, and among themselves they prepared for another firefight. Sure, they stood no chance against the entire Fallen Sky army, but they could at least shoot enough to evacuate the area in safety.

It took a few hours, but they eventually arrived and landed directly in front of the main Fallen Sky building. Needless to say, this was quite alarming to the security guards and to the general population. Even more alarming was when Dante stormed out with his rifle in his hands, "Move." He pushed through the doors and made his way to the conference room.

Two guards stopped him, "I'm sorry, but-" Dante bashed him on the head with the butt of his rifle and took aim at the other guard. He got the hint and let Dante pass.

Isa, Marie, Mira, Rachel, and the Goddess were sitting and waiting. Dante threw the cube of knowledge at them and then waited for a response. The women weren't sure who should talk, but Mira made sure that they held the advantage, "It was an agreement that benefits us all."

"Bullshit! And when was I going to be involved in the approval? Was I going to be told at all?!"

Marie looked down at her fingers, "They cover sectors 4,9, and 19. High crime sectors. We get a cut of all contracts and we don't have to risk out own. Sorry we couldn't tell you, but-"

"You're all afraid I'm going to leave if you use me to help them, is that it?"

"We were asked to clear out a part of that planet, and I knew you wouldn't agree to do that. Dante, it's going to be good for us." Isa set her hat on the table, "Please understand that. We can't risk our own people's lives for that little pay." Out of all of the women, Isa seemed the most uneasy about the entire situation.

However, there was a consensus among them, an oddity considering their conflicting personalities, "So, I guess you've decided that I wasn't important enough to vote or get a word in. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't see this coming."

"Dante, just listen-" Mira was making one last attempt to convince him to stay.

"You've already made your decision. They're in." Dante spit on the table, "And I'm out."

"Wait!" Isa shouted out with a tremble in her voice.

"No, I've been through enough shit here. My team does all of the work, my team takes the risks that none of you are willing to take. But what do we get? An 'agreement' that only satisfies your wants and needs. Marie gets a challenge, Mira gets more negotiations, Rachel just gets to sit back and do nothing, the blue girl keeps her spot up top, and Isa gets to keep her crew safe and sound." Dante slowly left the room, "See you all in hell."

He walked past the injured guard, through the halls, and out into the open. Fallen Sky had betrayed him before, and it seemed as though it was happening again. Whatever that cloaked man had on them must have been big. Either that, or they were tired of Zero Unit being the only capable unit of Fallen Sky.

Zero Unit was waiting outside of the Albatross, "So, what happened?"

"You're all free to do whatever you want. I'm out of Fallen Sky for good."

Titus spoke after the long, silent pause, "What does that mean exactly?"

Dante holstered his rifle, "I'm now an independent mercenary not affiliated with any organization. I'll be taking the Albatross and finding a dock. You're all allowed to do whatever you want. Stay with Fallen Sky, leave, up to you."

"Yeah, and get put on a squad of idiots, I'm with you." Ratchet murmured. Jill and Chey nodded in agreement.

Victoria bowed, "I believe I vowed to fight by your side until death. That hasn't changed."

"I trust you over them anyday. Save my ass enough times." Titus commented.

Cratis saluted, "I'm with you, captain."

Miss Star's loyalty wasn't even a question, and even Sere and Jean seemed content to go along with the group. Wendy was was the only one to have something to say, "Listen, I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I think... this is my chance to make a name for myself. Sorry, but I'm going to be staying."

"Alright. Get your stuff and get going."

Zero Unit felt a variety of feelings at Dante's lack of emotion, "Oh... okay then..."

"Ra'yui Pon'chet. Chey Nuzeen. Jill of Tarken. Titus Brownscale O'Leary. Serenade Brownscale O'Leary. Cratis Redscale Callaghan. Aira Starchild. Victoria Yukiko. Jean Yukiko. If you choose to come aboard, you are deserting Fallen Sky. If this is alright, then hop on in. I'm sick of this planet." He climbed the ladder and took his seat on the bridge, "Angel, get ready for takeoff."

"Destination?"

"Choose a free port, somewhere away from all of this crap. We'll set up base there."

"Understood. Clearing the registration information and preparing for takeoff. All of Zero Unit is onboard. Wendy is currently emptying her room. Estimated time is five minutes. Flight time unknown. Solar storms in most direct path."

"Angel, just make it work."

It took mere minutes before the Albatross was in space again, and to nobody's surprise Fallen Sky was trying to contact the ship, "Should I ignore the call, Dante?"

He nodded, "We owe them nothing, and they had their chance to make things right. As far as I'm concerned, they are enemies to us." Stars passing by was a sort of comfort, though at any time a star could turn out to be a raider ship or a rogue military vessel, "You'd think I would be used to not having any backup. I guess it's always different once you're truly on your own."

"Agreed Dante. I took the liberty of sending our docking plans to the free port of my choice an hour ago. I received a secondary message. A captain is requesting a meeting with you. In exchange, all docking, fueling, and supply fees have been paid in advance. It is up to you to attend, but he plans on meeting you as we dock."

"Another ambush?"

"Unlikely. The Albatross far surpasses each ship in terms of military might. Even collectively. The captain that contacted us is in possesion of a modified tanker. Moderate weaponry, slow speed, moderate armor. Formerly a scrapped ship bought for cheap and rebuilt."

It was better than going in blind, but free ports weren't known for safety and reliable characters, "I'll meet, but we're going in armed. Not going to live through all of this to get killed by some street thug that thinks himself a captain."