Author's Note: Unedited Chapter
Didn't that mean that they would have failed to capture him if they wanted to?
….
In the far reaches of the galaxy, a group of assailants, clad in crimson robes and adorned with eerie fox masks, appeared on an alien planet that thrived with vibrant energy. Its towering spires and bustling streets were filled with beings from countless, different species, all living harmoniously.
The tranquilness of the city they appeared in was suddenly shattered when the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie twilight upon the land. The citizens were going about their usual routines, unaware of the imminent peril that awaited them. As darkness enveloped the city, a loud explosion rang out.Boom!
The central power station, a vital hub that controlled the city's grid was destroyed, plunging the alien city into darkness. Panic spread like wildfire as the once-illuminated city became a maze of confusion and fear.
"We are the Gustavo Alliance!"
As the citizens stumbled through the darkness, trying to make sense of what was happening, a loud voice suddenly rang out, and with it came a massive projection of a being clad in Crimson robes and wearing a mask.
While the panic was still spreading, the figure continued speaking.
"With the name of our Lord and Savior Gustav Crimson… we bring retribution upon this city!"
The moment the sentence ended, a bright yellow twinkle appeared in the north sky.The citizens at first didn't know what to make of it until it grew larger and in the blink of an eye, they recognized what it was.
"A meteor!" The cries and panic in the city increased as they tried to make their way to safety.
The massive meteor gleaming intensely in the night sky had given them illumination but it was practically impossible to outrun it.
A bunch of similarly looking whitish species ascended across the air while giving off powerful energies in a bid to stop the descent of the meteor but in the next instant, they realized how futile it was.
ZHHIINN~ ZHHIINN~ ZHHIINN~ ZHHIINN~
Hundreds more meteors just as massive, appeared from other locations as well. Just a single one was enough to wipe out the entire city and yet a hundred more had appeared.
The Gustavo alliance had left them with no chance of survival.
"Meet your justifiable end!" The loud voice rang out once more as the first meteor hit.
Boom!
Its descent was accompanied by a cacophony of thunderous booms as if the very heavens were being rent apart. They all looked up in both awe and terror as more of the celestial bodies hurtled toward them.
Shockwaves emanated like ripples on a disturbed pond, shaking the planet and rattling everything in their path.
The force of its descent created a symphony of destruction; shattering windows, fracturing walls, and cracking the very foundations of the planet.
Their impact unleashed a cataclysmic explosion that seemed to defy the very laws of physics. Blazing flames erupted, consuming everything in their path, and reducing buildings to smoldering rubble. The shockwave, akin to a mighty tempest, reverberated outward, creating a domino effect of destruction in its wake.
….
….
….
[Earth]
In a sleek and modern boardroom adorned with polished walnut furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city, an important meeting was taking place. The room buzzed with anticipation as high-ranking authorities, each dressed in crisp uniforms, took their seats around a grand crystalline floating table.
At the head of the table sat General Chell, a stern and formidable MBO figure known for his outer space travels. His eyes bore the weight of his experiences, and his presence commanded respect from all those present. To his left was Grand Commander Shion and a couple of other Generals. Many high-ranking MBO officers could also be spotted in the space.
As the meeting began, the air became charged with a sense of purpose and determination. General Chell wasted no time in setting the agenda for his return to Earth. The room fell silent as he outlined the pressing matters at hand – the meeting he had with the top brass of the alliance a couple of days ago.
"The Gustavo alliance struck again… Another three million lives were lost," General Chell stated.
"The meeting with the top leaders of the alliance ended in a stalemate on whether or not to change the details of Gustav being wanted. If they eventually go through with changing the details, Gustav Crimson is as good as dead," General Chell added.
"That would be a foolhardy decision," Grand Commander Shion chimed in from the side.
"The Gustavo alliance has nothing to do with Gustav Crimson. Gustav Crimson is a loner who likes to do everything alone. The few he allowed to become his friends are all here on Earth so killing Gustav Crimson because of the Gustavo alliance would be foolhardy," He added.
"I can't entirely agree with you Grand Commander Shion… Even if the Gustav Crimson is not affiliated with the Gustavo alliance, killing him would end the workings of the alliance. Since they commit these nefarious acts in his name and claim to worship him as their god, if their god was dead surely they would no longer believe in him and put a stop to everything they have been up to," General Chell spoke from another point of view.
"And what if they don't stop? What if that just pulls a trigger which ends up worsening the situation and makes the Gustavo alliance go on a frenzy?" Grand commander Shion questioned with a distressed tone.
"I don't think that will happen," Another General voiced from the side, supporting General Chell.
"They worship him after all… no one worships a dead god," he added.
"Sirs if I may," A commander voiced from the side.
"I will suggest we remain on the side of Gustav being wanted alive and not alive or dead. We should be trying to protect our own no matter what may have happened especially when Gustav Crimson has no hand in the deaths of those extraterrestrial species.
Shouldn't the alliance focus more on bringing the Gustavo alliance to justice than arguing about whether or not to kill Gustav? Imagine a person committed a crime and claimed to do it in the name of the Grand commanders, would you advocate for the grand commanders to be slain?" The commander added.
"Aren't you the commander who is like a guardian to Gustav Crimson?" General Chell questioned.
"It matters not what he means to me. I am just giving a rational opinion. If Gustav Crimson is to meet his end, it should be at our hands and not that of the alliance."
This commander happened to be Xanatus.
He had gained enough rank to be a part of the meeting. General Chell and some others seemed to recall just how close he was to Gustav when he was still a Gradier and assumed he was speaking from a place of sentimentality.
"Commander Xanatus speaks the truth. It says a lot about us if we choose to go forth with such a decision for one of our own who has also saved this planet several times," Grand Commander Shion supported from the sides.
"It says a lot about us that one of our own is slaughtering innocents across galaxies," General Chell chimed in.
"It has been made clear to you that Gustav Crimson has no motive for engaging in such acts. I have made my decision, General Chell. At the next meeting with the alliance higher-ups, inform them that Earth is against changing the details of Gustav being wanted.
If they are truly concerned about bringing the Gustavo alliance to justice, a task force can be set up to specially go after them. We will allow some of our most decorated officers to be a part of it," Grand Commander Shion's lengthy response gave no more room for arguments.
"Understood, Grand Commander Shion," General Chell may be the MBO they had chosen to appear in most meetings for them but he was still below Grand Commander Shion in ranking.
No one was allowed to go against the commands of the Grand Commanders regardless of how high they were in the MBO.
"Now onto the next topic of the day – The death angel…"
….
Perched atop a towering mountain, the view of a futuristic metropolitan city could be spotted in the distance. Its streets teeming with bustling crowds and gleaming hovering vehicles, that flew to and from blueish rings. Some citizens on the sidewalks stepped into glowing circles stationed in multiple areas and vanished in the next instant.
The sun's golden rays danced upon the mirrored surfaces of the towering skyscrapers, casting a mesmerizing sparkle that was visible even from that great height.
The architecture itself was a sight to behold. Flashy holographic billboards adorned the sides of buildings, advertising the latest technological marvels and showcasing the artistic flair of the city's inhabitants.
The structures reached unimaginable heights, with innovative designs that defied the laws of gravity. Twisty spires melted seamlessly into curvaceous shapes, creating an otherworldly view.
A group of three who were positioned atop that mountain peered into the distance with different expressions on their faces, ranging from nostalgia to fascination.
