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***HR. Justice League/Legion Star Base***

The Star Base contained within the Sol System was fully repaired and in the process of constructing its defense platforms that would reside over the planets of Earth/Gaia, and Mars. Along with the refinery of the planet of Jupiter. The Galactic Sheriffs had arrived to reinforce their original position within the system. While every day war ships from neighboring civilizations arrived to help fight off the machine intelligence known as Brainiac. On the edge of the solar system floated the Thanagarian war fleet as they played the role of pirate hunter. Not the role they wanted, but given by the rulers of the system.

Despite the invasion of the system one by one merchant vessels started to show back up in the system to visit the Star Base to use the facilities. Including but not limited to the recycling plant, and the slingshot. Several people enjoyed watching the rainbow bridge shoot ships into the vastness of space from the observation level. The overall mood in the area was...tense. Brainiac was around, but they couldn't find them. Today the Justice League/Legion would meet in the 'Head Quarters' to discuss the issues that have grown since the invasion began.

The Head Quarters module was designed in an amphitheater style seating. A speaker stand with several seats behind it. With layered seating in front of it of multiple layers. Over time the senior members of the League/Legion had grown so the room had to grow. They had come a long way since the days where it was just Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aqua Man, Aqua Woman, The Green Lanterns (now Blue), The Hawks, Martian Man Hunter. Just to name a few. Now the senior members was well over a hundred people.

One by one the different senior staff came into the room. They greeted each other and discussed social niceties. While the tense mood only grew. Many were clearly agitated as they had places to be but understood the need for the meeting. Then several prominent albeit none JLI members showed up. The Seelie, UnSeelie, Twilight fae Courts, Wardens, and the emissary of the planetary deities. Like Ares/Kyle though he was technically a member at this point. Or Gozith the demi-god of Krypton.

A holographic image of Vici's avatar appeared in the modules space above the seats and called everyone to order. Everyone found their arranged seats. It wasn't mandatory of course, but it tend to place people at least in the same countries together. Or in many cases the same planet. As Martian Man Hunter, Miss Martian, and one of the members of the royal family of Mars was in attendance. J'emm J'axx who was invited to attend.

J'emm J'axx was a red martian who stood at at approximately 6' even or 10' if he stood up straight. As all Martians he was a talented shape shifter and took on a human like appearance though he had red skin instead of green. He wore a ceremonial garb befitting of his station. He sat next to J'onn, and M'gann and shifted uneasily. Though he was in his forties by human standards. To Mars he was around 16 maybe 18 of equivalent age.

“Everyone, thank you for attending the meeting. I understand we all have places to be. But it is important that we take the time to be in the same room together.” Vici's holographic projection showed her to be a near-human adult female. Her voice carried a firm, and confident tone.

“First and foremost I would like to take the time to thank the royal martian representative for joining us. His highness Prince J'emm J'axx.” Vici pointed a holographic finger at J'emm who stood a little straighter and waved at everyone.

-The Martian people have agreed to come together in these trying times to share resources with our neighbors of Gaia, and the Justice Legion. Once the machine intelligence known has Brainiac has been defeated. We plan to come together as a united front so we may be one as a people.- J'emm said through telepathic speech. A few people winced at his voice inside their heads. While a few others looked around confused. They had blocked the communication by habit. J'onn sent a message to J'emm through a though speech and the prince blushed in embarrassment and once again said what he said out loud then sat down looking at his hands more than anyone else.

“Did the atmospheric tower get hit during the initial attack?” John Stewart Blue Lantern asked.

“Oddly enough, no. It was spared. We had it under heavy guard and the death cults have understandably been preoccupied with other matters.” J'emm was quick to jump on the topic making sure he spoke out loud.

“Also thank you for dispensing the JLI member, Ash. He was prominent reason the capital is no longer on fire.” J'emm continued and sent a thankful glance at everyone in the room.

“Well they always say, when you have to. Fight fire with fire!” Hal Jordan the Blue Lantern said with a wry grin on his face. However J'emm looked at him in confusion.

“But he didn't use fire, he snuffed it out?” J'emm asked then had it explained to him by J'onn. “Oh Gaian sarcasm. I understand, it's funny.” J'emm said then smiled at Hal. Of course it was a giant gaping grimace of a smile that showed off all of his teeth which made half the room bust up laughing while the other cringed.

“Did I do it wrong? I thought smiling conveys understanding?” J'emm asked, not sure what he had done.

“No, you did it right! Sorry kid, I think the room needed that. Thank you.” Hal said with a big smile to show J'emm how it was done. The kid quickly adjusted his facial expression with a bit of shifting. The mood in the room lifted just a bit.

“Lanterns, where are we with the Guardians?” Batman asked suddenly, and the room went back to a tense environment.

“The Guardians have agreed to leave us alone. The entire space sector of 2814 is no longer under their rule of law. That is approximately twenty five different systems. Systems that we are now responsible for.” Katma reported, and adjusted a holographic projection for the room. Several people groaned in dismay at that report.

“The Sling Shot can reach each system. The Galactic Sheriff corporation has offered to patrol each one. But we do have to pay them for it.” Katma continued.

“Will the sheriffs actually do their job? Or will they just flee at the first sign of trouble?” A rogue Green Lantern asked.

“Brainiac is an unfair example. Most advanced militaries would run in the face of the machine. The fact that Commander Bhol'uns stuck around says a lot about his character.” Said another JLI member.

“It doesn't matter... Mr. Xags won't sign off on any large payments without Wraith's authorization. And it will be a large payment. Thankfully most of these systems have their own security. It's just larger threats we have to worry about. We are setting up Lantern communication buoys now. In many ways we are better equipped to respond than the original Green Lanterns.” John Stewart replied.

“The Guardians are no longer doing a smear campaign to ruin our reputation?” Hawkman asked.

“No, given we have done something they could not. Fight off Brainiac.” John replied with a bemused expression.

“Speaking of the great purple cue ball. Do we have any idea where the big ass ship flew off to?” Another JLI member asked.

“It was last seen moving towards the galactic edge. It has been theorized that Brainiac may have a wondering planet, or station between galaxies where he keeps his main force. I wish I could say that this was the last we've seen of that ship. But we may see it tomorrow, or a century from now. Unfortunately as a machine intelligence it has the ability to wait.” Another rogue GL replied.

“How about the more immediate forces contained within our system?”

“That is more troubling. As far as we can tell the...Virus that Wraith implanted them with has caused every cyber-slave, skull, and shard to think independently. Even to the point that they openly attack one another. Each proclaiming themselves to be the true Brainiac. However, they are doing their best to remain hidden. A majority of Earth, and Mars cities and infrastructure is in working order.” Cyborg said next, and produced several holographic documentations, and videos.

“One of our teams in the mid west of North America received reports of an abandoned auto parts factory with power, and assembly parts being shipped to the installation. The only reason it even came up on our radar was because the driver of the deliveries jumped on our hot line and filled out a report. We sent our team and found a single cyber-slave making rudimentary robot soldiers with basic software.” Cyborg continued his line of thought.

“So it wasn't making more cyber-slaves? Just walking death machines like skynet?” Nightwing asked from his place at the meeting.

“Essentially... We were able to destroy the specific cyber-slave and shut down its operation. But this is just one out...thousands on Earth? Each one has the collected knowledge of Brainiac hard wired into it. As far as we can tell it is in their best interest that our society forgets they are around. From what we've obtained from the bottled cities in our possession. Brainiac is normally a brute force persona. But its more than capable of subterfuge.” Cyborg concluded his thoughts.

“Speaking of the bottled cities. Do we have any plans for them? Some of the cities we have belong to civilizations that still exist to this day?” Superman asked next, though many understood he meant the Kryptonian city of Kandor.

“We've contacted those civilizations and they are sending delegations to retrieve their lost cities. The issue we have is... We have no idea how to unshrink them. It's based on spatial compression technology that we don't understand.” Vici replied.

“How is the moral in the cities?” Hawkwoman asked.

“Ecstatic. They all know they are not prisoners anymore. Some of those cities have been captives for centuries. Some of them... Are the last living members of their race.” Vici replied, her holographic facial expression was conflicted.

“What are we doing with our Kryptonian prisoners?” Supergirl asked from her seat. The room paused as they looked around at each other.

“Potentially they are innocent? They were manipulated by the Guardians to attack us. However, it is clear to see that Dru-Zod would have attacked us either way. During our questioning he had planned to enslave the people of Earth and turn it into a new Krypton. With the humans as the new labor guild.” The android Naya'il spoke from her position as warden of the prison module.

“However, more than half of the surviving Kryptons are open to the idea of being moved to the system known as alpha centauri. We have the capabilities of terraforming a planet there.” Naya'il began to say but was interrupted by another.

“Oh bit of good news! Sorry sister!” Samanthei the head scientist on the station called out. “We have an approximate location of the celestial body that contains the city of Argo!” Samanthei said brightly, Superman, Supergirl, Jor-El, and Lara Lor-Von who were in attendance sat up straight. “Gozith made contact with them oddly enough through their prayers.” Samanthei smiled brightly.

“Indeed. It seems the people of Argo still pray to the original pantheon of Krypton. I'm sure if our brother was here he would hear them as well. With the Justice Legion's permission I would like to take one of the corvettes we have and mark the city on our maps. This way we can make plans to steer them towards the Sol System.” Gozith asked the room and the room agreed.

“Speaking of Wraith, how long has he been gone? Also, why isn't Hell Knight here?” Wonder Woman asked the room as they noticed the seat for Vyllith was noticeably empty.

“Hell Knight is visiting our brothers hellish dimension. It is apparently chaotic and in need of guidance. Several of our kin are there now as well aiding her.” Gozith replied to the question.

“Wraith has been gone approximately two weeks for us. Last time he was gone this long it was several years for him, subjectively.” Vici replied to the rest of the question. Wonder Woman grimaced at that information.

“Woah! Woah! Hold up! Are we just going to ignore the fact that Wraith has his own personal hell?” Constantine asked the room.

“Constantine, Wraith is a deity it makes sense that he has one.” Gozith replied as if it was plain as day.

“No, it doesn't!” Constantine shouted at him.

“Is Wraith collecting souls?” Bat Girl asked from her seat.

“Yes, he has several hundred thousands souls there currently. Any that carry the taint of hell will be sent there as long as they are directly, or indirectly killed by him.” Gozith replied to the matter as a simple fact. He was clearly pleased.

“We can discuss the fine details of Wraith's dimensional holdings at another time.” Giovanni Zatara said with a pointed glare at his son-in-law Constantine who tried his best to smile. As Zatanna elbowed him in the ribs.

“Speaking of dimensions and alternate realities. Our neighbors had offered to come help. AR-Superman, and AR-Supergirl will be here in two days to help clear our Brainiac. Apparently Rolf Dex had several anti-Brainiac weapons. We'll be using them to root out the machine intelligence.” Aqua Man said from his seat.

“Do we have any word on Flash?” Caitlin Snow aka Frost asked from her seat.

“Flash has jumped realities in an attempt to find another copy of his wife, who died in the initial attack.” Zatanna spoke from her seat.

“We have no idea where he is. He removed his spatial beacon after the first jump. Our reality neighbors said they saw him for about an hour. Long enough to determine if Iris was there. Then ran jumped through a reality tear. Unfortunately, we have an infinite amount of realities to go through to find him. We... We just don't know how to find him.” Zatanna continued to say, and gave an apologetic look towards Team Flash.

“Alright, lets discuss the next rotation between nations. We need to ensure we don't burn ourselves out. Who's first?” Superman asked...

It didn't take long before another subject pulled their attention. But all in all the discussion helped a lot of people decompress. Eventually the meeting was called to an end with getting very little done. But it did help. Different teams rotated out, while others were on site. More of the same, just on a different day. Who knew how long it would last before the next crisis would happen....

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***Star Wars Rift. Naboo***

The planet of Naboo had gone through a lot of changes over the recent decade. Nearly every man, woman, child, and senior on the planet practiced the new Force Martial Art. It had been adopted culturally through out dozens of systems. Especially when it was discovered that unique individuals could bend elemental energy. Compared to the Jedi, Sith, and Jensaarai they may as well as appeared as children playing with finger paint. But unlike the the other Force Users. Elemental bending didn't risk the corruption of the user.

Since Naboo was considered the birthplace of the martial art, statistically it had the greatest number of practitioners. In the central square of Theed several students of the art were putting on a show. A Gungan used their water bending to create extravagant animal shapes that chased around a flaming bird. While another bender created the entire city of Theed out of sand. All the while an air bender propelled long strips of ribbons through the air. All of this tied to music by the orchestra and it created a marvelous scene.

The performance went on for several hours. Each set of students put on a specific event, or action. Showing off their various talents. While even several small younglings had grown disciplined enough to create basic shapes. While one particular youngling had even learned to bend lightning. All the while off to the side the instructors watched with pride. One instructor in particular was Shmi Skywalker.

After the performance was the wine and dine phase of the party. Though most of the attendee's were not old enough to drink. They still danced around the upper echelons of Naboo society. Several of the students had been born into humble beginnings but were now part of the upper crust of the world. Being able to manipulate an element when no one else could tends to do that. The Supreme Chancellor Palpatine couldn't attend the festival. But he did leave a holographic message for his people.

As the Supreme Chancellor he was meant to be impartial, and be the leader of the Republic. But no one would besmirch him for holding a special place for his home planet in his heart. He was most delighted by the different elemental benders on his home world. He told the crowd through a recorded video that he had big plans for each and every one of them. Many of the younglings went to bed that night filled with dreams of grand ambitions to serve Palpatine in the future. However they could.

Later that night after excessive drinking. Shmi Skywalker danced through the wind on her way home. She'd jump from rooftop to rooftop stepping across the wind. She had grown strong in her chosen element. She eventually arrived at her estate much to the relief of C-3PO. His golden metallic shell glimmering in the porch light. She landed on the path and his synthetic voice brought a smile to her face.

“Lady Skywalker, welcome home! How was the festivities?” C-3PO asked? As he shuffled over to her and fussed about her ruffled clothing.

“They were good, 3PO. They all performed wonderfully and are looking forward to the next year to our perform themselves. Some of the planetary security petitioned to have a martial combat tournament next year as well. I'm not sure how well that is going to go over.” Shmi replied and allowed 3PO to fuss over her.

They both walked into her home and she made her way to the master bedroom. C-3PO had drawn a bath for her. She slipped out of her ceremonial garb and took a dip. She wrapped her hair up into a bun to keep it dry and simply enjoyed the wonderful sensation of water on her skin. She had lived on Naboo for many years. But she still remembered her life back on Tatooine where bathing in water was considered a luxury.

After her bath she put on a silk bath robe and stepped into her bedroom. She took a moment to admire her muscle toned body in the full length mirror. Her skin was golden and flawless. All her scars, and burns from her time as slave were now gone. Her gray hair was golden brown once more. While only her eyes told the true story of her life. Only a few of her fellow instructors, and students knew about her life as a slave before. It was not a pleasant story to share. But she looked back at it fondly in many respects simply because it was through this life that she obtained her new life. Her son Anakin was a Jedi Knight, and General in the Grand Army of the Republic, Force watch over him. She was seeing a nice man here in Theed. Though she was secretly terrified to introduce him to Anakin, or even Master Lash.

She would never tell a soul. But she always had a bit of crush on Master Lash. She knew she was not the only on on Naboo that did. Shmi pulled on a pair of sleeping pants, and top and sat down to brush her hair. Or rather, C-3PO would brush her hair. He would come in and untangle any knots, and brush each side of her head at least one hundred times. He would go on, and on about his day. Who knew one could discuss the intricate details of dusting into thousands of words? Well C-3PO was a master of it. But half way into the art of dust motes a holographic message went through the communication system in her home.

Jensaarai Master Lash, Grand Admiral of the Republic Militia, Chieftain of the Mandalorian clan Ghost Claw had a new holographic video. Shmi opened the message and nearly fell out her chair in laughter as she watched Lash dance on a video with several other women, and one Obi-Wan Kenobi. But unfortunately the smile soon wilted on her face as she saw a follow up message from Pre Vizsla challenging him to a duel. Only to be completely stumped at the announcement of the new Mand'alor the Renewer.

“Lash... What are you doing?” Shmi said to her self softly.

“Well I must say. Those words about Master Lash were uncalled for. I thought he did a delightful job dancing on stage.” C-3PO said, and continued to brush Shmi's hair. That brought a smile to Shmi's face and she rewound the video to watch the dance portion over again.

Two o'clock in the morning rolled around and Shmi was just getting to bed. C-3PO left her room silent as a droid can be and returned to his own room that he was given by Shmi. Far better than most droids would receive. Shmi laid in bed and listened to the wind coming in through her window. The rustle of her balconies curtains softly. Lulling her to sleep. Then she opened her eyes and pulled her feet out from the covers. She went to an assuming wall and slid her finger tips along a hidden seem. A hidden compartment pulled out. Containing a long rectangular case.

Shmi pulled the case out and placed it gently on her bed. She typed in a key code and the box unsealed to reveal a long ziloni boa staff. Intricately carved with Force Scriptures. Shmi held her hand over the case and the staff floated up and into her waiting hand. She felt like a circuit snapped into place and she was complete. Lash had given this to her many years ago. Three drops of her blood went into the staff. Since then she had always known where it was, how far it was, and it in turn would warn her of danger. Like right now.

Shmi whirled the staff around towards her balcony and channeled the element of wind. A near hurricane force propelled through the air and slammed into an invisible figure into the door frame. “Alarm! Code zero three zeta beta!” Shmi called out and emergency response activated.

The Force cloak of invisibility pulled back on the assassin and a humanoid figure in a black body glove pulled out two shoto red sabers. Then sprinted across the room towards Shmi. As fast as a Sith Assassin could go. Shmi's eyes went wide in shock and her staff pulled around almost on it's own and slammed the Sith through a wall. Shmi was pulled out her shock and she jumped after her assailant. The Sith rolled to their feet and struck with their blades. Surprise clear in the body language as the boa staff deflected and blocked the light sabers with ease.

Shmi twisted the boa staff and pulled it apart into two separate weapons. Then channeled her chosen element and shot another hurricane force wind into the assassin who was once again shot through the outer wall of the estate. Shmi raced after them and brought her weapons down onto the street with a thundering crack! Then blocked the next six saber strikes towards her. Shmi now out of her house jumped through the air and out of reach.

The whole time the Sith Assassin never said a single word. They moved like a shadow and jumped from roof to roof only to come up short. As Shmi Skywalker, walked through the sky. Shmi stepped into the wind and flew in the air like an elemental being. The Sith Assassin looked on in disbelief.

“Your very good. But Master Lash always told me to keep a trump card hidden.” Shmi said with a smile as a high caliber blaster bolt shot from out of no where. The Sith Assassin jumped to the side with centimeters to spare.

“Most regrettable! Not to worry, I'll keep trying!” C-3PO said from the door way. His outer shell was gone and in its place was a fully functional Sentinel Force Droid. With a high powered rifle pointed right at the Sith.

Then surprise surprise! Shmi sent a wind blade at the Sith that cut through sixteen inches of duracrete. Then another, and another. Sith jumped from side to side avoiding blaster fire, and wind blades only to hiss in frustration as they saw over a dozen Jensaarai Defenders sprinting towards their location. A land transport shot overhead and opened up to reveal Mandalorian warriors who shot out with their jet packs. In an action of true loyalty the Sith Assassin called out in ancient Sith and cut off their own head. The action surprised everyone present.

Happily there was no trap/self destruct bomb on the assassin. The Mandalorian warrior called the all clear and Shmi landed in the street outside of her now ruined home. The Sentinel armor of C-3PO folded back and he returned to the delightful albeit annoying protocol droid who was fussing over the ruined front garden. Within the hour the entire city of Theed was locked down as the royal security force did a city wide search. How did a Sith Assassin sneak into the capital of Theed?

Every Jensaarai that completed stage one was on a register. If you carried a light saber you were registered. So that stood to reason that the saber was constructed on site. Carrying a kyber crystal didn't essentially mean you were a Force User. Every refugee ship, and transport that came onto Naboo was checked thoroughly by Jensaarai Defenders. That knew the Force Blank technique. So how...How? Did a Sith Assassin get into Theed? It never occurred to anyone to check the diplomatic transport ship of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Who at this moment received word that his assassin had failed to kill Shmi Skywalker. Pity...

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***Star Wars Rift. Ryloth***

Cosmic Awareness: A Sith Assassin has failed to kill Shmi Skywalker.

Lash obtained that little message along with almost a mini video of the event as he was in the process of helping the people of Ryloth, and the militia engineers build a mantle tapper on the planets surface between two tectonic plates on the planet. He had paused mid instruction and rage boiled off of him like throwing a match onto a gas fire. The physical sensation of standing next to a burst fire made everyone within a hundred feet of him step back as they looked at him.

“Mand'alore?” A mandalorian warrior called to him. Lash turned around towards him as a visible hear aura boiled off of his armor.

“A Sith Assassin attempted to assassinate Shmi Skywalker on Naboo at her home in Theed.” Lash replied, then took a moment to settle his emotions. There was no reason to take his anger out on the people around him.

“Attempted?” The warrior asked.

“She fought them off... Apologies everyone! As you were, I need to check something.” Lash replied, and called out to everyone at the work site.

Palpatine had made no mention to Lash about attacking Shmi. Lash assumed it was going to happen at one point or another. He had believed Palpatine would of asked him to do it. At which point Lash would have made it look like she had died. Despite Lash's best attempts and keeping everyone in this Rift at arms reach certain people had gotten past his barriers. Shmi was one of them. Perhaps Palpatine knew that about him? Or maybe Palpatine wanted Lash angry? Or maybe? Who knew with that man. A master manipulator he was.

Lash excused himself and made a beeline to the last Acclamator assault carrier star ship that was granted to the militia while they remained on Ryloth. The renovation of Ryloth was going well. They had finished the expansion and upgrade of the star port and brought it to 'Stellar Class'. With the inclusion of the mineral mantle tapper Ryloth would at last have mineral export that wasn't the spice Ryll. He had one more trip to make to one of the newly terraformed moons before he was going to leave the system and travel to Concordia in Mandalore space.

A transport brought him towards the spaceport of Kala'uun looked great. They had split the city up into districts and each district was fully furnished with duracrete, durasteele, and transparisteel structures. With renewable energy generators. Lash had been surprised when he found out that most people didn't even use solar energy, or wind turbines. Oh no! If you didn't have plasma energy then you went without power. It made him roll his eyes. How advanced civilizations like the republic still required limited fuels in one form or another.

The Acclamator ship named the Reliant was sitting at the one and only cruiser sized space pad within the shield wall. The giant sand storm they had been waiting for had come and gone and thanks to the shield wall, and atmospheric shield the city got at most a light dusting. It had been the best storm ever in the cities creation. Though the control tower of the ship had been painted sand colored brown. It had stuck out of the shield by just the tip.

Before the transport even landed Lash jumped out and sprinted into the ship. Anyone who saw him got out of his way as he made his way the primary communication room. Before he got half way the Admiral and commander of the ship Ronti Jedree called him on his holographic. The older human male looked at him in confusion as Lash wasn't expected back for another day. Lash requested a private room to a direct line to General Skywalker. Admiral Ronti made a quick order off screen and told Lash to head to terminal three.

Blissfully the room was empty, with two clone -->>

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