Colonel Float broods in his Command Chair on the bridge of the repaired Futility. He is flanked by his Tactical Officer, Starkiller, and the impassive Cmr. Milkshake.

Tacoman slipped right out of our grasp. He will not be so open next time. Contact Lord Adon. It is time for a new plan.

More of this nonsense? I couldn't care less.

Hmm.... I thought that the explosion in the neubla would have gotten rid of that pesky Float...
Oh well... Helm, proceed to these coordinates. Maximum speed.
Tacoman gives the coordinates to the helm, and the Gorgan jumps to warp

Have you been demoted, General? Not like I care or anything...

Whoops... I guess that narrow escape joggled my mind a little...
After an hour or two of traveling, the Gorgan arrives at an unassuming asteroid
Good. Ops, transmit a general hailing message to the asteroid, and also include my command frequency.
Ops: Aye Sir.
The message is transmitted, and a gash opens on the asteroid.
Helm, take us in.
The Gorgan goes into the asteroid and finds itself inside a large bay
I'm glad I have several hidden bases scattered around the galaxy.

Float, Milkshake and Starkiller are viewing the huge tactical display on the bridge of the Futility.

"And our mole in Empire Fleet Administration gave us the coordinates of his base."

Excellent, Starkiller. One would have thought he would use the repair facilities on Terria Vector Prime. Since Adon and I are currently rebels against the Empire, Tacoman should be trying to curry favor with the Empress. Starkiller, what are our respective fleet strengths?

"Tacoman still controls 46.9% of the Empire's fleet, with yourself and Adon controlling the remaining ships. The three fleets are very evenly matched, but there are some differences. Tacoman has more support and utility ships, and can conduct long-term fleet actions. Adon has more heavy battleships, and we have more fighters and gunboats. We also have an edge on technology, since we control the Nightstrom Institute."

Good. We need to demonstrate that we are still a force to be reckoned with. While the Gorgan is undergoing repairs at Tacoman's asteroid base, we'll send the Third Fighter Wing and the Alpha and Beta Bomber Squadrons to attack. They will try to damage the Gorgan as much as possible, then retreat. Let's not give Tacoman time to forget about us. Our negotiations with Adon are going well. Soon our largest plan will be put into action.

Tacoman is resting and chatting in the officer's bar when one of his commanders enters and gives him a PADD. Tacoman directs the commander to an isolation booth so they can talk in private
So, they know we're here, do they? Here's what we do... Order the sixth fleet to arrive here and hide in some of the smaller asteroids. Have the commander of this asteroid station to ready weapons, shields, and cloaking device. That's all I can think of for now.
Commander: Aye sir.
Both men leave the booth, the commander leaving the bar and Tacoman resuming his chatting

Tacoman sits in the waiting room to the station commander's office. Soon, an ensign tells him he can enter Commander Flint's office
Flint: Ah, General. Nice to see you. What can I do for you?
Tacoman sits down and notices the nameplate on the desk: Ella Flint. He tries not to laugh. Flint notices and says:
Yes, my parents had a very strange sense of humor when I was born. The name is a reflection of that.
Tacoman: I want you to program the hologenerators to project a field around the asteroid so we can hide when Adon and Float's people arrive.
Flint: What sort of projection?
Tacoman hands Flint a PADD with the specifications
That should confuse any enemy fleet until we start our attack.
Flint: I'll get my people right on it.

Your ideas are crazy, Colonel Float.

Lord Adon stood on the command deck of the newest addition to his fleet, the Zerstorung. He watched the moves of both his and Colonel Float's fleets on a massive view screen.

He was forced to destroy his old command ship because of the extensive damage it had suffered (and because I can't remember what I called the thing). His new ship was twice the size of his old one. It had a Death Star style superlaser on the front, and thousands of heavy weapons scattered around the exterior. Inside, there was room to hold hundreds of the Mobile Suits, and one special, heavily armed hanger for his personal Mobile Suit.

Admiral Strahd, make sure that our fleet is ready to go, and that our back ups are in place. I don't want a repeat of our last encounter.

Floating silently, but no less deadly, the Zerstorung's sister ship, Dark Tide flew in formation with Lord Adon's fleet. In command was a short, muscular human, Fleet Admiral Vong.

The Dark Tide had almost no hanger bays. Instead, the space was used to keep Lord Adon's ground forces in peak condition. The remaining hangers had drop ships to ferry the troops to a planet or to an enemy ship.

Fleet Admiral Vong was given his lofty position after his small fleet came to the aid of Lord Adon during the Battle of Three Fleets (The big battle before the site crash).

Admiral Vong, I want your troops to remain ready to go on a moment's notice. We will not let General Tacoman get the better of us again.

As Tacoman stands inside the OPS center of the station, reports of all sorts are arriving.
Flint: General, you might like to see this.
Flint hands Tacoman a report about Adon's new command ship
So, he wants to play rough, does he?
Tacoman to Gorgan, what is the status of repairs and upgrades?
Second officer Gorg: All systems to all ships being upgraded sir. Weapons from all allied star systems, other galaxies, and even from a few other dimensions are being added to the ships.
Mobile suits, fighter ships, and robot drones to pilot them are being constructed as we speak.
Also, the scientists are whipping up a new batch of mutants to spring on Adon and Float.
News of the upgrades is being passed to all fleets in all systems. Oh yes... the sixth fleet is in the system.
Tacoman: Good. tell half the fleet to enter the asteroid belt and hide. The other half will wait just outside the system, but cloaked.
Flint, when the enemy arrives, activate the holofield.
Flint: Yes General.

By the way, Flint, what is this asteroid base constructed of?
Flint: The majority of the base, and indeed the outside of it, is made of the purest Plotonium we could find. In fact, much of it was extracted from this asteroid field.
Tacoman pulls up a scan of the field and makes an interesting discovery
Flint, did you know that a large number of these asteroids have veins of hazmatite in them?
Flint: We knew that General. We thought that we would be protected, seeing that most people don't want to tangle with hazmatite.
Tacoman: Smart, Commander, very smart.
Flint: Thank you Sir.

Lord Adon, what if Tacoman has another trap for us like he did last time?

12 hours later...

Float and Starkiller view the results of the attack on Tacoman's base on the Tactical holomap.

"Our entire force was lost, Colonel. Tacoman's fleet barely suffered a scratch. But we do have good news."

Yes?

"Every one of our fighters returned reconnaissance information from the battle. We have full sensor scans of Tacoman's entire fleet. He has a number of very interesting new weapons."

Good, get our people working on countermeasures.

"Right away sir."

Starkiller turns to leave, then faces Float again

"Colonel, what about that man from the alternate dimension? Why are you allowing him to live? His kind dared to attack us."

He could be useful, Starkiller. No man in our history has waged war across dimensions. Our empire has subjugated all it can reach. Think of the territory, ripe for the taking. Another universe, almost identical to our own, except its people are soft, weak. This Milkshake could be the key to our greatest victory. And I hold that key.

Float picks up a padd and hands it to Starkiller

Already our scientists have found a way to open a small portal into another universe. Large enough for a man. Soon, we will be able to open a door large enough for a ship. Several ships. An entire fleet! I will be regarded as the greatest hero of our Empire, because I will increase it double...or even more!

Now, have your advisors contact Lord Adon and send him the recon data. Our ally must also know the weaknesses of our enemy. My scientists have nearly perfected our new weapon. May the universe tremble at its use.

Back at the asteroid base, Tacoman is in a meeting with his people, discussing the results of the battle
Tacoman: Disguising the base as a cluster of smaller asteroids gave the enemy pause, but disguising a nearby asteroid to look like us was a brilliant stroke of intelligence.
Flint: The sixth fleet was what probably saved our hides. The two pronged attack they did, one group rising from the asteroid field, and the other screaming into the system to block the enemy's escape was what turned the tide of battle.
Tacoman: Captain Dinoson, step forward
She does
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Captain Lisa Dinoson, of the battleship Victory. I wish to commend her on her brilliant strategy on dealing with the enemy.
You see, while being persued by one of Float's ships, she escaped into a particularly nasty hazmatite asteroid cluster. She got through, Float's ship entered, Dinoson fired at a few asteroids, and the resulting chain reaction was enough to destroy the enemy.
How many ships and eqipment did we loose, anyway?
Equipment people: We lost several dozen fighers and Mobile suits. The Torid, Robinson and the Yorga were destroyed.
Tacoman: So basically, we won, thanks to you all.
And now, it's time to celebrate

Onboard the Zerstorung, Lord Adon was having a briefing with his commanders.

Admiral Vong, what is the status of your troops?
Fleet Admiral Vong: "We have 25% of your forces scattered around the fleet to prevent enemy boarding actions. The rest of your forces are waiting the the... 'special ships' to board General Tacoman's command ship."

Very good. Admiral Strahd, how is the fleet?
Grand Admiral Strahd: "Your forces are ready to go. There are a number of ships waiting in reserve, under the command of Captain Piker. They are to prevent General Tacoman from springing another trap on our fleet again."

Thanks to Colonel Float, we now have tactical data on Tacoman's defenses. With our new Satellite System, nothing will stand in my way. And if Colonel Float is caught in the crossfire, that is too bad.

Tacoman is once again at the OPS area
Commander, this station is capable of movement, right?
Flint: Yes sir. It was designed as a mobile base for planetary attacks. We just happened to be in this asteroid to avoid detection.
Tacoman: Good. order all ships in the docking area to secure themselves. We leave soon for another asteroid belt.
Flint: Why sir?
Tacoman: To avoid being detected and ambushed, Commander. When we're ready to go, activate the cloaking device and head towards the next major asteroid field. Also, transport some of smaller hazmatite asteroids into one of the cargo bays and make sure they can't explode
Flint: yes sir.

(Ignorer appears on Adon's ship. The security guards draw their weapons, but Ignorer yawns at the sight.)

Adon, your ship was the Som-Tal. But what do I care? Keep track of your own ships.

(The Ignorer disappears.)

Lord Adon was standing in space. At least, he appeared to be standing in space. All around Lord Adon floated asteroids. In fact, he was standing in a three dimensional scale model of the asteroid belt where General Tacoman's fleet was hiding. A few asteroids had a small text readout floating near it, giving some information on that particular asteroid, dimensions, relative motion, and composition.

Doctor Morcas, take a look at constellation D-7.

A viewscreen appeared. Well, just the image that would have been displayed on the viewscreen appeared, the viewscreen was no where to be found. On the screen was a grizzled old alien in a lab coat, with a mad scientist look in all three of his eyes. The scientist looked at something offscreen and cackled in a mad scientist sort of way.
Dr. Morcas: "I like it, my Lord. An Assasin will do nicely."
Lord Adon nodded in agreement.

A small, delta wing shaped craft left the Zerstorung and jumped into warp. A moments later, it appeared in the asteroid belt and headed at full speed for the group of asteroids designated "Constellation D-7." As the craft made its way to the target, tactical data was sent back to the Zerstorung and was displayed in Lord Adon's viewing room. He watched as General Tacoman's forces retreated to a single asteroid. A base lifted off the asteroid and started to leave the belt. At that moment, the Assasin fighter fired at the asteroids, detonating the large hazmatite deposits and creating a massive shock wave. The shockwave passed harmlessly through Lord Adon and rearranged the whole asteroid belt.

Moments later, several capital ships arrived at the scene of the explosion. When they found some wreckage, Lord Adon smiled.

By this time, the large asteroid that contained the main base was several light years away. Inside the OPS center, Tacoman and Flint watch the destruction of the asteroid belt
Flint: I think we got away just in time. Sorry about that base, General.
Tacoman: That we did, Commander. And don't worry about the base and the ships. They were only supply ships, and the base was their to coordinate their movements.
Hmm.. I recoginze that craft, though...
Ops, open a secure channel to Lord Adon.
Greetings Lord Adon. I seemed to have slipped out of your fingers yet again. Goodbye for now.
Transmit that message so that he can't discover where we are.

A nameless crewman entered the viewing room carrying a PADD.

My Lord, We have just received a transmission from General Tacoman. We were unable to trace it.

Lord Adon took the PADD and watched the message from General Tacoman, while the crewman stood nervously at attention. A few moments later, the PADD clattered to the floor, broken. Lord Adon turned around, drew a blaster, and vaporized the crewman.

Now really Adon, you will find fewer underlings willing to serve you if you keep up this nonsense.

Adon spins around to see a life-size hologram of Colonel Float hovering in space.

Interesting, isn't it? I can send a hologram anywhere, within a range of several light-years. It took a bit of tracking to find your ship and transmit the holofield. Be glad we are now allies, if we could find you so easily.

Very nice work there, Dark Lord. Your fighter took out Tacoman's base rather neatly. Of course, I doubt it would have succeeded if Tacoman's fleet was present but...c'est la guerre!

Now, my Tactical Advisors have just handed me a brilliant plan that cannot fail to lure Tacoman into our grasp. What do you say to an attempt to kill the Empress?

The asteroid base arrives at another asteroid field in a deserted solar system. Tacoman is resting aboard his own ship when he gets a call from Commander Flint
Flint: General, sorry to bother you, but our spies have discovered something interesting.
The vidscreen displays the plan of Float in general terms
I'll be at your OPS shortly. Contact the Empress and explain the situation.
In 15 minutes, Tacoman is at the stations OPS and speaking to the Empress
...yes, your Majesty. We only know that they are planning to kill you in order to capture me. May I suggest that you make plans to visit this fair station for an...unnanounced inspection tour? We can meet you here.
Tacoman displays a space map with a certain location dotted
Empress: That is acceptable.
Tacoman: Tacoman out. Commander, have your people set a course for the location indicated.
Flint: Yes sir. Alright, Helm, set a course for those coordinates, best speed. Engage.

Lord Adon began pacing around empty space.

Assassinate Her Majesty? Even after making me an outcast? Admiral Vong!

Another image appeared. This one had Admiral Vong on it. The image followed Lord Adon around as he paced.

Admiral, I want you to pick your best agent for an assignment. Darkness status only. I will fill you in on the details later.
Fleet Admiral Vong: "Yes, my Lord."
Admiral Vong saluted, and his image vanished.

Now Colonel, what are the details of your plan?

Colonel Float looks strangely at Adon, but begins outlining his plan.

I have an agent among the Empress's elite guards. He is expertly skilled at his job, but certain pressures have caused him to switch his loyalties to me.

I will use a small portion of my fleet, disguised of course, to attack the Empress, either on Terria Vector Prime or her flagship. My agent provides me with constant updates as to the Empress's whereabouts. After the attack commences, Tacoman will rush with his fleet to defend the Empress. He will sucessfully protect his ruler, and will most certainly meet with the Empress to recieve his honors. My agent will assasinate the Empress, and frame Tacoman for the murder. The High Council will quickly execute Tacoman, and certain information will come to light that will dispute our rebel status. The Council, in need of military guidance, will gladly welcome us back in order to keep the Empire whole.

My agent is far too good to be caught by Tacoman or anyone else. Even if new developments endanger the plan, I have several fail-safes.

Sometime later, the asteroid base and the Empress's flagship meet
Tacoman: Greetings, Empress. Would you like to start the inspection?
The Empress' flagship enters into the base, and when it docks, Tacoman is there to greet the Empress.
Your Majesty, may we speak alone?
Empress: Yes, we may.
Tacoman and the Empress go to his ready room on his ship and discuss the enemy's plans for her assassination
Tacoman: So you see, we need to protect you at all cost. My plan is to hide you aboard this base and put a quick clone in your place. It will contain a copy of your memories and will destroy itself when the assassian begins to do his work. Here is what we'll do.
Tacoman details his plan to the Empress. All the while, she nods and begins to smile
Empress: I like it. I approve.
Tacoman and the Empress return to her ship where the Empress begins her tour.
Flint:...and here are the science labs, where your best scientists are working.
Tacoman: Mind if I personally accompany her?
The elite guards look startled, but Tacoman convences them that his bodyguards will protect her just as well. Tacoman leads the Empress into the labs, and half an hour later, the emerge and continue the tour
Flint:...and finally, the OPS center, pride and joy of this station.
Empress: Quite impressive.
Tacoman: Pardon me, I have other things to attend to.
Tacoman goes back down to the lab, where the real Empress waits with a couple of Tacoman's trusted guards
Tacoman: Just to be on the safe side, for the time being, do you mind being in suspended animation?
Empress: Pardon?
Tacoman: It's the only way you will be safe and out of the eyes of the public.
Empress: If I must, then I must.

I like the plan, Colonel. I would like to send my own agent in as well. I have known many times when a fool-proof plan has failed because of a lack of independent backups. My people are also very good.

After a formal dinner with various captains and other high ranking officers, the Empress returns to her flagship, which undocks and departs from the asteroid station
Well, Commander, the Empress has been warned. Her guards will be on watching for anything suspicious, and her ship has been upgraded to the standards of the other ships in the fleet.
Flint: Good. Do you know where she's headed now?
Tacoman: She said either Terria Vector Prime or an inspection tour of the diamond mimes of Corinth IV.

As the Empress's flagship made its way toward Corinth IV, an assassin was making final preparations. The Assassin knew what was at stake and what might happen if things were to go wrong. Soon, the deed will have been done, and the balance of power in the Empire will have shifted drastically.

Deep within uncharted space, in territory so barren that even the Empire ignores it, resides a dwindling white dwarf star with one barren planet. Orbiting the forgotten brown speck of sand is Colonel Float's rogue fleet. The ships have been orbiting the unknown planet for some time, waiting for something. Suddenly, the subspace antennae aboard the fleet communications ship extend as a new communique from some untold location reaches the fleet. The fleet remains motionless for some minutes, then the antennae retract, the fleet enters a new formation surrounding the command ship, and the entire group of powerful vehicles jump to warp, heading towards the center of the galaxy.

Tacoman is again asleep in his quarters aboard his ship when he is paged by Commander Flint
Flint: General, we have a report from Corinth IV. The Empress is almost there.
Tacoman: Good. Good. Take the asteroid to the system, hide in the asteroid field, and monitor communications.
Flint: Actually, I anticipated that, and we are almost to the Corinth system ourselves.
Tacoman: Commander, you suprise me.
Flint: I try my best Sir.

The bridge of the Asteroid Base. Tacoman enters the Command Center, inspects the bridge stations as usual, then walks up to his Command Chair. Just before he reaches it, the chair swings around, and who does he find but Colonel Float, insolently lounging in the chair, grinning at the General. Tacoman instantly pulls his sidearm and fires. The back of his chair disintegrates, but Colonel Float remains untouched. He stands up.

Good Morning, General. I trust you slept well. How is her Majesty these days?

Greetings Float. I slept quite well, thank you.
As for the Empress, she's doing well. I believe she's almost at Corinth IV. I'm just here to see that nothing bad happens to her. What have you heard.

Milkshake has a smug grin on his face as Tacoman speaks, but suddenly looks startled.

Corinth IV? Tacoman, you are a brilliant military commander, but you have just admitted to a avowed traitor to the Empire the location of the Empress? You must be supremely confident.

That should be Float, not Milkshake.

No..uh...Milkshake's there too! Remember, um, he was trapped there when the League went to this dimension and the Spidermobile was destroyed! Yeah, that's the ticket!

As the Empress's flagship entered orbit of Corinth IV, a single ship dropped out of warp. It launched three mobile suits and then leapt into warp. One white suit remained stationary, relative to the flagship, the two green suits unfolded a large cannon over their left arms, and then took up a defensive position guarding the one white suit. Meanwhile, unknown to both General Tacoman and the Empress, Lord Adon was watching the entire event from his command room, several light years away.

Everything is in position. Tell the pilot that he may fire when ready.

Six pairs of wings unfolded from the white suit as two large bazooka shaped weapons positioned themselves on the suit's shoulders.

Meanwhile, a large satellite dish extended from the Zerstorung's hull and pointed in the direction of the battle. The dish emitted an invisible beam of energy that instantly began charging the main weapons system on the white suit. The two green suits quickly moved out of the way as the white suit fired on the Empress's Flagship.

The attack took out the flagship's shields instantly and began vaporizing large portions of the hull. As soon as the attack began, the flagship sent a distress call.

Communications: Send to the Empress's flagship: 'We have heard your distress call and are on our way to assist.'

Signal the fleet. We are moving out, best speed to Corinth IV.

Tacoman to all ships, prepare for battle. Commander Flint, decloak the Asteroid Base, tractor the flagship inside, and cloak again.
Flint: Aye sir. Alright people, you heard the man. let's get going.
Tacoman rushes down to the Gorgan, the main battleships undock from the base. The Asteroid Base decloaks, expelling the battleships and taking in the Empress' flagship, and decloaks again. The battleships take up defensive positions and wait.

What is he doing?!? This wasn't the plan! New Fleet orders, proceed to Corinth IV!

Float's battle fleet, just outside the Corinth system, jumps to warp, arriving around the fourth planet in a matter of seconds. At the same time, Adon's fleet arrives.

Now three massive groups of battle-ready ships stand off, Tacoman's, Adon's and Float's, with the Asteroid Base surrounded by the General's forces. Float stands up from his Command Chair.

Starkiller, take command of the bridge. Milkshake, observe. I will be in the Holo-Transmission Room, asking the Evil Lord Adon exactly why he failed to stick to the "fool-proof" directions.

Communications, open a channel to Float and Adon.
Greetings, Gentlemen, what brings the two of you this direction?
If you're looking for the Empress, she's quite safe. My people managed to rescue her ship just in time and is being repaired as we speak in a secret location.
Tacoman out

Wait, General. I wish to speak with the Empress. Just put her onscreen.

After a few moments of arguing, Lord Adon is allowed to speak with the Empress.

Greetings, your Highness. I am glad that you were not hurt in the attack upon your vessel. Do you know who ordered this attack? It was General Tacoman and Colonel Float, your Majesty. My spies have all the evidence that you will need.

Lord Adon transmits a video of both General Tacoman and Colonel Float speaking on the bridge of the Asteroid Base. More video is sent of techies prepping the Mobile Suits for combat in what looks like General Tacoman's hanger wearing the uniforms of Colonel Float's people.

I am ready to make General Tacoman and Colonel Float pay the price for their treachery, on your orders, your Majesty.

Colonel Float walks out of the Holographic room, eyes burning, with a huge grin on his face.

Well, Starkiller, we have another war. Nearly every battle ship in the Empire, about to participate in the greatest Battle since the Nebula War. Is the Weapon ready yet?

"Yes, Colonel."

It is time to carve a new chapter in the bloody history of the Empire. Order the fleet to attack.

Starkiller walks off to the Comm Center to relay the order, but Float stops him.

Belay that order...for now. But make sure Tacoman recieves that "secret" communique from Adon to the Empress. And after that, withdraw the fleet slightly and change formation to block exit routes. This situation could be salvagable.

Tacoman is informed of the communique by his underlings
WHAT? That dirty dog of a cowardly cat!
Meanwhile, aboard the Empress's flagship, the Empress is about to give the order to Adon to attack when an assassian sneaks up behind her
Empress: Lord Adon, you must realise that my ship and I are still aboard the Asteroid Base. Allow us to depart peacefully and return to Terria Vector Prime.
The assassian is just about to strike the death blow when the Empress notices
If anybody can hear me right now, I need mango firetruck planetary gorgo
The Empress melts in a horrible way, much to the suprise of both Lord Adon and the assassian
Tacoman, who has been listening to the conversation, speaks to Lord Adon
You see, I've been preparing for this all along. This Empress is nothing more than a quick clone, designed to self destruct when the assassian came near. The real Empress is in a secret location placed in suspended animation.
Tacoman out.
Tacoman puts in a call to the scientists observing the real Empress
Gentlemen, I believe it is time to remove her Majesty from the scene of battle. Place her aboard her flagship and we shall do the rest.
The Empress, still frozen, is placed aboard her ship, which begins its departure from the Asteroid Base
Tacoman to Float and Adon, may I suggest that we conduct our battle in a less inhabited solar system, or perhaps in open space? That way, the only casualities will be our own.

Um, Tacoman, you have two extremely large battle fleets preventing anything from getting away from the asteroid base. Not like I care, or anything.

Colonel Float, Lord Adon, I have just released the Empress' ship, with the real Empress inside. By this time, the security forces of the Asteroid Base, the Empress's ship, and my ship, have captured the assassian.
Allow her and her ship to proceed to Corinth IV, where she will hopefully be safe. We may then go to open space and conduct our battle there. Do you two agree to these terms? Tacoman out.
Comm, contact all fleets under my command. Tell them to be on alert status and be ready to join the battle when needed.
Communications people: Aye sir.

On the outside of the system sits a fleet of starships. They are Adon's reserve unit. Piker sits in the captain's chair on the command ship. He reads the reports that are coming in.

This isn't good. Not only did the assassination fail, but Tacoman has a huge fleet that is trapping the Lord's ship. All ships, this is Piker, prepare for battle, Lord Adon may call us at any time.

The fleet sits, battle ready.

From all across the Empire, ships under Tacoman's command are headed toward the Corinth system. All the ships have been upgraded to have the lastest technology that the fleet directly under Tacoman has.
Communications people: General, we have reports that ships under your command are arriving from all over the Empire.
Tacoman: Good. we'll need all the ships that can get here.
Communications people: We also have reports that every mobile base under your command are headed this way, too.
Tacoman: Good, Good. Tell then to wait outside the system and wait for my command.
Communications people: Aye sir.

Onboard the Zerstorung's command deck, Lord Adon stood amid the chaos, with Admiral Strahd by his side.

All stations, prepare for an assault. Get my suit ready for launch.

Admiral Vong, you have your orders, carry them out. Several light-years away, onboard the Dark Tide, Fleet Admiral Vong bowed and ended the transmission.
Admiral Vong: "I want boarding teams standing by. We launch on my command."

Tacoman to scientists on all ships, are the troops of genetic monsters ready?
All the ships that have scientists on them respond with an affirmative.
Good. Prepare to deposit them onto various enemy ships.
Communications, open a channel to all ships in my command and encrypt the following message.
General Tacoman to all ships, prepare for battle. Set all systems to battle alert status. Launch all support ships, fighters, and battle suits.
This will be a battle for ages. I know not all of you will survive, but you must fight as best as you can.

Starkiller turns to Float.

"Colonel! Multiple transporter beams from Float's ship!!"

Excellent. Activate the annular confinement reflectors.

Several very LARGE transporter effects shimmer in multiple places aboard the Futility, but they fade away as the transporter beams are reflected. The genetic monsters instead rematerialize in vital sections of Tacoman's ship, including the bridge.

"Phew. Open fire, Colonel?"

No. Tacoman and Adon are almost within weapons range of each other. Hold back and let them "argue".

"Yes, sir."

Around the bridge, especially the pit area, screams are heard as the monsters start attacking all in their path
Transporters, lock onto the genetic creatures and beam them to Lord Adon's ships!
Several minutes later, the genetic monsters are off Tacoman's ship and on several of Adon's ships
So, Float wants to play rough, does he?
Ops, status of the incoming fleet?
Ops: The rest of your fleet has arrived, General, and is now closing in on our position.
Good. tell the ones closer to Colonel Float's ships attack them.
Aye sir. message sent.

Several transporter beams appeared around the Command Deck. As soon as they materialized, a force field appeared around every monster trapping each one. This was happening all across Lord Adon's fleet.

Poor Tacoman. He never changes, does he?
Lord Adon turned to a nearby crewman. Sterilize them.

Every trapped creature was instantly turned into a pile of ash inside the various force fields. The fields collapsed as a small mouse-bot came over and swept up the ashes to be disposed of.

Now that they are taken care of, Admiral Vong, carry out my orders.

With a nod, Admiral Vong signaled his own agent to begin the operation. All power was suddenly cut on the Asteroid Base.

Meanwhile, on Tacoman's bridge
Ops: Sir, the the Asteroid Base has lost power!
Tacoman: Hmm.. I wonder which of the two did it... no matter...have the spies planted the bombs as requested?
Various officers check various readings and respond with an affirmative.
Tacoman: Excelent. Set them off.
On both Float and Adon's ships, hidden explosives go off in vital parts of the ships. Power on many of the ships go off, while on others, the weapons systems start to destroy themselves.

The Futility shakes and shudders as the hidden explosives go off.

Enough of this. Fire the Weapon!!!

Milkshake moves forward to watch the screen, out of curiosity. The ship's engines whine as they supply power to the new weapon. As they watch, a crackling purple beam shoots from the Futility and engulfs the Gorgan.

"But, but that's..."

Your Polymorph Rifle, Commander. An eminently suitable weapon, and one we have no defense against. No one in our dimension has heard of such a device, and I made sure no spy could possibly learn of it. You really should guard your thoughts better, especially while you are sleeping. Now, as for our old nemesis...

The massive command ship of Tacoman's shimmers and changes into...a collossal drop of rainwater, with the former crewmembers engulfed in it. The water begins to rapidly freeze in the low temperatures of deep space.

As the water freezes, Tacoman has enough strengh to open his communicator and says:
General Tacoman to any of my ships, transport myself and my crew onto the ship!
Seconds before the drop freezes entirely, the entire crew is transported aboard the Harpy. Tacoman rushes onto the bridge of the ship and says:
Report, what was that he fired?
Ops and Sensor people: Unknown weapon, sir. It appears to transform the structure of one object into another.. a sort of a polymorph weapon...
Ok... All ships in my command, fire all weapons at Float's fleet.

Boom!

Helm, get us out of here. Tactical, fire one last Polymorph blast into Tacoman's fleet, wide field.

"Aye, sir."

Milkshake is glaring at Float.

"You used me for your little war games. You have no intention of returning me to my dimension. I might as well be dirt as far as you're concerned."

Au contraire, Commander. You are valuable to me. Perhaps we can work out a deal. Let us go to my briefing room, we can discuss this further.

The fleet jumps to warp, firing one last beam at Tacoman's ships.

In the confusion, the Zerstorung had pulled out of the battle, and joined the Dark Tide. Both ships each launched a wing of Class X mobile suits. By the time General Tacoman's forces reorganized, there were 24 Class X suits, each with a clear shot at General Tacoman's forces and their satellite cannons charged and ready. The suits fired and then retreated with the rest of Lord Adon's fleet... after cutting General Tacoman's fleets to ribbons.

Aboard the heavily damaged bridge of the Harpy, Tacoman is inspecting the results of the battle
My god... 474 ships destroyed... 155 ships turned into various objects... All other ships damaged and\or feeling the effects of the polymorph weapon... the Asteroid Base has been changed into a large orange...
Status of this ship?
Ops people: most decks have taken heavy damage. The Polymorph weapon has converted decks 10-12 into oatmeal...
Tacoman sits heavily into a nearby seat
This is my biggest defeat yet. Contact Adon and Float.
Tacoman to Adon and Float, you may have won for now, but I'll be back. I don't know when, but I will.

Float re-enters the bridge and sits in his Command Chair. Starkiller steps away from his console to talk to the Colonel.

"Colonel, where's the outlander?"

Oh, you mean Milkshake? The man was unreasonable. I was forced to dispose of him.

"Most understandable, Colonel, but what of your plans to conquer his dimension?"

Float grows pale, and his eyes narrow.

It is unworkable, Starkiller. I..We must concern ourselves with stabilizing the Empire right now.

"Yes, Colonel."

Fleet status report.

"23 Gunships, 4 light destroyers, 1 heavy destroyer, 2 dreadnoughts, 56 fighters and one carrier lost, the Animosity. We are at 79% of fleet strength."

Much better than Adon or...General Tacoman. Starkiller, we now possess the supreme force in the Empire. Move the fleet to the Capitol, Terria Prime. It is time for a change in the Empire. And dismantle the Polymorph weapon, and destroy it. It has served its purpose, no spy will gain its power.

"Yes, Colonel."

The Colonel's fleet adjusts its course and jumps to the Empire capital. Quickly disposing of the few remaining loyalist defenses, Colonel Float's forces take control of the Heart of the Empire.

4 days later...

A dark figure walks down one of the numerious alleys in Imperial City, the capitol of Terria Prime. The sky is typically dark gray and stormy. The Empire had long ago stripped Terria of most of its resources, permanently damaging its ecosystem in the process. The person turns out of the alleyway onto a large street. Several cyber-punks stare at the stranger, but dismiss him as small fry.

The stranger turns into a small, well-lighted establishment. A cafe. He walks up to the counter.

"Hey, Decker, haven't seen you around for a while."

"Hey, Charlie, been busy. What's up?"

"What's up? Some joke. The news came in on the net a few days ago...the General was defeated out near the Frontier! The Empress is missing!"

"That so? Coffee."

The cafe manager pushes a button and the replicator pad on the counter materializes a cup of hot coffee.

"Yeah, and get this: That Colonel that was outlawed, he appeared in orbit here and declared himself Emperor! Where have you been the last few days?"

"Busy. So what else is new? They're all the same, and if it wasn't Float, it would be General Tacoman or the Dark Lord Adon. They come in, kill a bunch of people, and raise taxes."

"Yeah, Deck, but this is different! That Float, he didn't send down no Death Squads or nothin'! He shut down the drug factories and the crimelord offices! He even lowered taxes!"

"Hmm, that is different. I ain't seen an Emperor like this before, and I been around here a long time."

"Yeah Decker. How old are you anyway? When I set up here 30 quads ago, you looked just like now."

"Old enough, Charlie. Thanks for the coffee, I'm gonna check out what's happening."

Decker reaches into his trench coat, pulls out a credchip and flips it to Charlie. Clutching his coffee, he walks out the door.

Four Days Earlier...

Adon's reserves come out of hiding and join the rest of Adon's fleet. Piker looks at the viewscreen and turns to his first officer.

Piker: Well, I guess there is good news and bad news.
Officer: And they are?
Piker: The bad news is we lost the battle, Float is going to become emperor, and he has a weapon in which we have no defense. The good news is, neither Tacoman nor Float knew that Lord Adon had reserves and therefore do not know that his fleet is actually bigger than it seems and we lost very few ships compared to some of our previous battle. Form up with the rest of the fleet. We're leaving.

I suppose it's time to get things together again.
Comm, send the following to Lord Adon and encrypt it.
Lord Adon, this is General Tacoman. May I point out that we now have a common enemy, Colonal, now Emperor Float. May I suggest that we join our forces in order to defeat him. I also happen to know that just before the battle, the Asteroid Base sent the Empress' flagship to one of the planets under my control.

just as the message is sent, a message comes in detailing Float's arrival at Terria Prime
Hmm... Perhaps he might make a good Emperor after all.. But there will always be people like Lord Adon and myself to make sure he doesn't get out of hand.

Should we close up this board forever?

NO WAY! I'm busy right now with other things, LICC and otherwise, but I am very interested in developing this story.

An assassin waited in a building several miles from the Emperors' Palace. The assassin pulled out an exotic sniper rifle and aimed it in the direction of the palace. The assassin peered through the scope and lined up the cross hairs on the figure on the throne.

As soon as the trigger was depressed, the weapon made a "wump" sound. Miles away, the figure in the throne stiffened and fell over. The assassin put down the weapon and left the room. Within seconds, a small phaser inside the weapon fired, vaporizing the entire weapon. The assassin stepped onto the street and disappeared into the crowd.

In the Palace, there was turmoil. A close friend of Emperor Float was sitting on the throne (with Emperor Float's permission, of course) when the assassin fired. Emperor Float had barely missed the assassination attempt.

In the Palace, there is turmoil. The Emperor's guards swarm throughout the throne room, with several of the heavily armored guards surrounding the Emperor, protecting him from harm. After a few moments, Float pushes his guards aside, and turns to look at the figure slumped on the throne. Commander Starkiller, the Empire's Senior Tactical Advisor, lies peacefully, eyes closed, face calm, with a neat hole in the middle of his forehead. Float grimaces.

Thrag!

"Yes, my lord."

Float's green-skinned Security Chief calmly walks up to his leader.

What happened to the supposed air-tight security around the Palace?

"The weapon utililized some new technology that can penetrate our shields. It is not perfect, however, as you can see. We are sending out the interrogation squads to arrest everyone within 2 kilometers of the palace."

No!

Thrag looks quizzical

"Sir?"

The...assassin wouldn't dare stay in the area. It is probable he or she is working for either Adon or Tacoman. They both are too smart to let any evidence or witnesses remain. It's pointless to detain the populace, looking for nonexistent information.

"Very well, Sir."

Find the hole in our technology, Thrag, and fix it.

"Yes, my lord."

SCENE-A darkened room of the Imperial Palace. A few lights scattered about the room show this to be a defunct computer center. Suddenly, we see a shadow moving against the lights. The figure checks the door, then moves to the largest computer console and powers it up. We hear faint tapping on the console. The figure deftly bypasses the security in the palace network and calls up recent information. As a new screenful of data appears on the display, we hear a soft remark from the figure.

FIGURE:
Ah, ha.

The figure logs off of the console, removing the electronic traces of his presence, and powers down the computer station. We once again see the shadow moving against the lights, and then it stops. Half a second later, the shadow disappears, and the lights shine through.

Meanwhile, in another part of the galaxy, Tacoman's forces have gathered around a planet, waiting for repalrs. An ensign enters Tacoman's ready room and hands him a message
Hmm... This doesn't sound like the Float I've come to know and hate...
Tacoman to scientists, have you made progress anaylzing the the weapon that devistated us yet?
Chief scientist: Well, using the data from the various ships in the area, we have a good idea of what it's made from, it's basic functions, and what it can do.
Tacoman: Will you be able to replicate it?
Chief Scientist: We think so, but you'll get a device that probably won't work half the time and the other half backfire and zap the ship it's firing from. We know a lot about it, but not as much as we would like.
Tacoman: Do your best.
Also, we need something to send to Float... something to cause havoc in his palace. Any suggestions?
Chief Scientist: Well, how about something cute to get inside, and deadly once it's near the emperor?
Tacoman: Do it. Show me the results when you do.
Chief Scientist: Aye sir.
Tacoman continues looking at the report
No... This isn't like Float at all... I wonder if it really is Float...

Personally, I think Bizzaro World SHOULD be executed!!

Several days later, Tacoman is called down to the labratory area of the ship
Chief scientist: Sir, I think we've found a couple of things that can be used for our purposes.
The scientist presses a button. A tube lights up. Inside is a humanoid robot with lots of weapons
meet a terminator. It comes from an Earth in which the human race and a computer are battling for survival.
Tacoman: Very good... but where's the cute part?
Chief Scientist: I was just getting to that.
He presses another button and a tube lights up with red lights. Inside is a cute and furry creature
This is a Mogwi. We discovered some interesting properties about this creature. One is that it's sensitive to bright light, especially full spectrom lighting. Second, from observations in its home dimension, if you feed it after midnight, it will form a cocoon and emerge as large, intelligent, killing machine called a Gremlin. We have one here on display.
A third button is pressed and a very strong tube lights up. Inside is a scaley green creature with a lot of teeth. It's currently chewing on raw meat
Tacoman: Good job. But how will this help defeat the emperor?
Chief Scientist: Well, we'll combine the qualities of the terminator with the qualities of the Mogwi. Make a cyborg Mogwi and don't tell the rules to the emperor. We have it reproduce and transform into a Gremlin, still with it's parts. Studies have shown great stamina and strength in theses Gremilns anyway. Here's what the computer thinks the creature will look like.
The scientist presses a button on the console, and a cute mechanical looking creature appears on the screen
Tacoman: Cute. What are you going to call it?
Scientist: We think we might call it... Furby

Lord Adon stood on the command deck watching the transmission that the ship was receiving.

"Scientist: We think we might call it... Furby"

That ISpy device is wonderful. You are to be commended, Doctor.

Lord Adon turned to a communications officer.
Contact Admiral Vong.

Admiral Vong appeared on the screen and bowed.
The assassin failed. If you do not wish to find yourself at the wrong end of an assassin's sight, I suggest that your assassin does not fail again.

The Emperor's Palace. Deep within the massive stone structure, lies a shielded room in the center of the man-made mountain. Huge computer banks and communications hubs line the room. Uncountable wealth is spent on maintaining this room, for this is the Empire's War Room. In past days however, fewer and fewer attack commands have come out of this room, fewer orders to create fear have been issued, and fewer declarations of war instigate chaos and destruction. The Emperor himself sits in the center of the room, while his advisors study the displays and consoles, and every so often approach the ruler with information.

Major Thrag, report on the rebellion on Fermes III.

"Sir, despite my advice that the revolution be crushed, our diplomats have met with the leaders of the rebellion, and have reached an amicable agreement. The Fermesians will be granted wider local control, and in exchange they will continue to accept the Empire's rule."

Good, Major. No wait, stay a minute.

"Sir?"

The old ways of the Empire are finished, Thrag. If we continue to hold the Empire together with fear and hate as we have, our days are numbered. I want the changes we have made to the Fermesian government to be instituted in all our colony worlds. If we give our citizens more indepenence, they will be much less concerned with constant rebellion.

"I understand, Sir. Some might call your methods radical, and un-Terrian, but anything that holds the Empire together, I will support."

Thank you, Major. See to the changes personally.

"Yes, your Majesty."

Piker sits in the Captain's chair on his ship the Firewalker.

This is bad. People are starting to like Float. A lot. If we don't do something soon we could have the whole galaxy against Lord Adon.
Commander Reichert: What should we tell the Lord?
Piker: Tell him that our only hope is the lower and middle class citizens. There must be some people in the Empire who don't get paid enough. They may be our only allies from within.

The cafe on the busy street in the capital city of Terrios Vector Prime. The mysterious person with the black trenchcoat called Decker walks in, to find the place packed. About 40 people are gathered round the bar, above which the old, sputtering holofield is mounted. Charlie the owner/manager/bartender also has his eyes glued to the display, idly polishing a glass while he watches. Decker catches the tail-end of the program. The bottom of the holofield displays the words "EMPEROR'S PUBLIC ADDRESS". Decker leans against the antique music-player cabinet, and watches the program as well.

"...and effective today, all Empire worlds will be granted an autonomous local ruling government, subject to the Empire. Citizens will elect their own local officials in completely equal, open elections. Bribe-taking, vote influencing and campaign contributions will be SWIFTLY punished. Any corruption in the governmental system will be exposed and destroyed. To ensure this, ambassadors will be dispatched to every Empire world. They will have tertiary control of the government, and answer only to this seat. The local governments will control the industry, services and agriculture of the governed world. Military and communications will still be under Empire control. Taxes will be collected by the local governments, acting under Empire offices.

To celebrate this new dawn of the Empire, a full week vacation with pay is available to every citizen of the Empire, with the exclusion of those in crucial occupations. These will recieve bonuses. The Empire will cover the cost of the festivities and bonuses. Citizens, it is no longer the time to live in fear. Hate is not an option anymore. It is time for peace and...a word not often used these days...happiness. It is my government's duty to make sure every Empire Citizen has a satisfactory life. And I will work to my last breath to make this a reality. Keep the Empire strong. Float out."

The cafe erupts in spontanteous applause and cheering. Charlie, shaking his head, turns and sees Decker standing over by the door, ramrod-straight, with a look of utter shock on his face. The grizzled old restaraunteur walks over to the black-clad figure.

"Really something, eh Deck? I never thought I'd see the day. You know, back 200 cels ago when the Empire was started, they told everybody that hate and fear kept you strong, that it was the only way for the Empire to survive. That's the way it's been all this time. Now this Float, a shining example of that...old Empire, comin' to power and doing this. Whaddya think?"

Decker mutters something, his eyes still frozen on the blank holofield

...not supposed to be this way. The future...

Charlie looks strangely at Decker

"Not supposed to be this way, huh? I never figured you for a supporter of the Empire. Well, this is the new future, buddy-boy."

I...I'm not a supporter, Charlie. It's just that the old Empire was supposed to go on...

"I know, they told us all that in school. But unless the Emperor is lying, it's a whole different story."

Yeah... Listen, Charlie...I gotta go. See you around.

"See ya."

Decker turns and leaves. Charlie, still polishing the quite-clean glass, turns and walks back to the commotion around the bar.

"Sometimes I just don't get that guy."

Aboard Lord Adon's secret base, located deep in interstellar space, Lord Adon himself was watching the empire wide transmission.

He is moving too fast for his own good. I wonder if Float knows just how many powerful people depend on the hate to sustain their careers. And what those people will risk to stay in power.

Aboard Tacoman's ship, he is in a meeting with his scientists
...so let me get this right. One of your Furbies escaped before you could fully program him.
Chief Scientist: Yes sir. We were going to program that one to be popular with the ladies, but something went wrong and it got away.
Tacoman: Where did it go?
Scientist: It got into the dimensional transporter and somehow was able to get it to work.
Tacoman: And took the Furby to where?
Scientist: Where and when, sir. The Furby seems to have escaped to a couple years in the past and to a limbo dimension called "The Phantom Returns" zone..
Tacoman: Do you have anything to show for that hard work?
Scientist: Oh yes. We were able to construct about six of the creatures before the accident. Once in the palace, they're gain access to food and grow into nice healthy, killer Gremlins with cybernetic implants.
Tacoman: Good. Send them to Emperor Float as a present for himself and his staff.
Scientist: Ok sir.
The scientists leave and Tacoman calls Corinth IV. On the screen is the leader of the Diamond Mimes, a entertainment and assassian troup.
Yes, that's right. Provide a bit of entertainment for the Emperor, and when the time is right, kill him. I've already had other creatures made to do that, but I've hired you to be extra careful. Tacoman out.
With that, Tacoman sits in ready room chair and chuckles evily

Float waits patiently while the holo-recorder equipment is shut off and dismantled. Major Thrag, the Emperor's personal advisor, waits until the holo-crews finish and leave the Media Room, before coming over to speak with the Emperor. Float takes off his ceremonial gloves and begins to rub his temples, grimacing. Major Thrag clears his throats, and speaks.

"Sir, your plan is being put fully into action as we speak. I must ask, whether you can handle the patriots of the Old Empire still active in the Senate. They will not respond well to this move."

Thrag...what good is the most fearsome military power in the galaxy if it cannot guarantee law and order? I hate to say it, but if any of the Senators begin to preach rebellion, step on him, hard. I have already spoken with the Chancellor. The Senate will be dissolved, as of tomorrow.

Thrag looks shocked

"Sir?"

As you said, the Senate is entirely peopled with corrupt, greedy power brokers, all with money and posistion and most from Terrios Vector Prime. I am dissolving the current Senate and will replace it with properly elected officials from each Empire world. The military is entirely loyal to me, and those patriots can go hang. A new order is here. I also want my reform plans for the justice systems and espionage offices to go through immediately. I want it to be safe to walk the streets of any city in this Empire.

"Sir...your plans are immense in scope. This could take years to come to fruition."

If that's what it takes, Thrag. There must be a better way of life than unending war, destruction and poverty for the people.

"Not all enemies of the new Empire are in the Senate, your Excellency. What about General Tacoman and the Dark Lord Adon?"

I have not forgotten them, Thrag. I'm assuming an appearance of naviete, so that they will be boldened into an over-confident attack. They are the most dangerous enemies of the new order, and we must be ready for them. Now that the navies are not engaged in a hundred pointless wars all over known space, we can concentrate our search and defense. Make sure the Military Advisor recieves those new shield plans. I don't want our ships vulnerable to the weapon used at the Battle of the Asteroid Base. And as for the plans for Corinth IV, we...

The camera pulls back, leaving the Emperor and his advisor engaged in discussion.

Nothing more to see here. Move along.