The rain on this planet remains unrelenting for the next few days. Everyone spends most of their time either training, eating, sending out or picking up updates on broadcasts. 

My days are mostly spent with the humans here where I have learnt more and more about Earth and the way it is being run currently. I always knew Earth was run differently from Pluto, large pieces of land divided into many countries. 

Each country is apparently run by a government and the countries who call the shots and hold the most power are the ones who have been working with the Plutonians from the beginning. It makes everything fall into perspective for example the deputy directors actions as well as the Japanese authorities who arrested us when we crashed in Tokyo.

In a twisted way Earth does in fact have a central unified hidden power calling all the shots, whereas on Pluto it is more transparent with the generals and the war council leaders. 

Although come to think of it I may never have learned about the war council meetings and generals if I had only remained a slave.

I am walking along a wooden corridor with Joon, Cat and Rachel by my side. The rain from the dark skies above pound against the roof above like beating drums. It drowns out everything else in my ears and leaves little opportunity for conversation amongst the four of us. 

The other humans are trailing from behind. Our pace is swift, almost urgent as we make our way to the main hall where everyone has gathered to discuss our next steps from here. 

We have yet to discover if our broadcasts were received well or received at all and then there is the impending fear of war looming over our every thought. 

It is at times like this where I long for my nights spent with Lucian. Those moments serve as my only reprieve where we pretend everything else doesn't exist and make small talk about frivolous things that have no meaning. 

I stifle a smile as I remember our conversation from last night. Tangled up in the sheets and each others arms we had discussed about how the universe came to be and how rain was formed, only our discussion had taken a much less realistic route. 

Lucian had joked about the rain coming from the skies tears. According to him the planet was crying because we had to wake up in the morning and start a new day. 

I joked about the universe being a figment of our imagination and this went on to a heated conversation about protons and dimensions, etc only Lucian had to end it with the cheesiest line. 

"You are my universe." 

The smile on my face stretches as I recall hitting him after that which lead to other things. 

"Why are you smiling like a creep?" Cat has to shout to be heard over the rain and I turn to face her abruptly. "Has there been any good news about the broadcasts?" 

I blush and shake my head quickly. It has nothing to do with that at all. "No, just remembered something." 

Cat narrows her eyes at me mischievously but doesn't prod further. We march through a few buildings, getting wet in the rain ever so often till we reach the main hall where everyone has gathered to meet. 

The hall is already full by the time we get there with Commander Rigel, Luna, Lucian and General Lyra standing by the head of the long table that lies in the centre. 

They are all engaged in a heated discussion with leaders of the other planets who have come to support us. I see leader Mori standing amongst them, listening in and then catch sight of his daughter Xari who is standing by his side idly. 

She notices us and rushes over. 

"Has the meeting started?" Rachel asks in panic. 

"No, they've been here all morning," Xari answers. She stands next to me and runs her stony fingers through her dark grey hair. 

I study my new Spican friend carefully. She is missing her usual playfulness and the childish smile she usually wears has been replaced by a grim line. It makes me feel uneasy. 

"Bad news?" Joon asks, noticing her change in demeanour as well. 

"Not bad but not great either," She says vaguely and before we can press her for more, Lucian speaks up. 

"Shall we begin?" 

Everyone falls silent, waiting for the leaders to take charge. I look around at the alien representitives who have gathered here today to come to our aide. There are many faces of species I have never seen before, most of which have flown in over the past few days which could only mean that other planets have decided to fight with us. 

I have never been in a room as diverse as this one and it only reinforces how big our entire universes is with so many life forms, so many beautiful and different species littered all over the galaxy. 

There are Spicans, tall tattooed Amazonians, some Elcians, Taygetians, smaller red skinned aliens with fiery eyes, white skinned reptilian looking aliens and many others that stand around the table. Each of them serious and determined.

Some of them are large and menacing, some small, petite and frail looking but for some reason I don't feel intimidated or out of place. 

A tall female looking green skinned alien with long ears that reach her shoulders notices us standing by the wall. Her face lights up in recognition when she sees me and she moves to the side, to make room for us by the table. 

I smile at her gratefully and we squeeze into the space she has created for us while Joon is tall enough to stand behind Rachel and still see everything. 

Everyone at the table glances at each other in brief acknowledgment and we turn to Lucian who is standing at the head of it with his squad around him. 

"To everyone who has made it, thank you for joining us. I deeply appreciate your camaraderie. As you all know we are currently up against a massive Plutonian army and need all the support we can get if we hope to overthrow the current system under Lazarus's rule," Lucian's voice carries over the room and everyone's face turns grim at the mention of Lazarus. 

Lucian has mentioned that the taxes have been increased in all the planets with the excuse that the empire needs funds for the war Lucian has declared against Lazarus. The planets under the empire are all in turmoil, forced into labour to spew out resources they don't have.

This and the broadcasts sent out by Lucian, General Lyra and Luna were the driving force that lead to more planets joining us today. I wonder how many of them are on our side now and if there are finally enough of us to fight Lazarus's side.

The broadcasts to Earth still remain a mystery though. Since Lazarus's main focus has turned to our planet none of us know if the general public even got our messages or if they were manipulated just like how our landing in Tokyo was.

Apparently Pollux has finally gotten news about Earth and I stare at him apprehensively as he fiddles around with his computer. 

"Our recent mission lead by officer Aria and the late officer Polaris destroyed the command centre on Pluto, giving us the time we needed to tell you the truth," Lucian nods at in acknowledgement and I feel numerous eyes on me. "But as anticipated, our time frame is running out. We have intel that the empire is currently setting up the new central command on Earth as we speak. They have an army guarding Earth's atmosphere as well as Pluto." 

"They are making the transition," Leader Mori states and my blood runs cold. 

It's happening. The invasion is already happening. 

"Where are they setting it up?" Cat asks, her voice filled with panic. "Are the humans on Earth already affected?"

"They are assembling it in Antartica. That is to become the impenetrable Central Command. The plan was for us to orchestrate a nuclear war on Earth between two powerful countries. There would be casualties and then the Plutonians would make their appearance, playing the saviours who had to intervene, saving the humans from the war and then solving all their other issues," General Lyra says, a hint of guilt in her tone. "I'm guessing Lazarus will proceed with the same set of plans that has already been laid out." 

"Any news of a nuclear war yet?" Joon asks Pollux and he shakes his head. 

"Not yet. But it is only a matter of time." 

For a moment there is nothing but silence as the rain pitter patters on the roof above our heads. It is as if everyone has realised the same thing at the same time. 

If there was ever a time to fight it would be now. If we don't intervene before the nuclear war, it might be too late and thousands, maybe millions will die on Earth for this Plutonian hoax. 

"What about our broadcasts to Earth? Did the general public get our messages? Do they know about the bunkers?" Rachel asks desperately. 

Pollux's face is unreadable as he looks up from his computer screen. "I don't think they did. I couldn't detect any traffic on any of your broadcasts." 

My heart sinks at this piece of news. 

"We need to split up," Luna suddenly says. "If the transition is happening it means that half the population, half of the military would still be on Pluto guarding our intel. We need to attack both sides so that Lazarus won't have any back up to fall back on." 

"How many soldiers and fighters do we have now?" Commander Rigel asks. 

Each leader takes turns to offer their numbers as General Lyra's team takes them into account. After everyone is done Commander Z summarises our new count. 

We now have a whooping three hundred thousand soldiers on our side. Granted not all are trained military personnel like the Plutonians on Lazarus's side but still it's better than what we started with. 

"We're still two hundred thousand and two space splitters short," Leader Mori states grimly. 

"We have no choice. With our numbers, the only thing that would work in our favour is a good offence instead of a defense. It would be much harder to defend Earth once they have taken over. General Luna is right, we have to attack the army on Earth as well as the army on Pluto," Lucian says with conviction. "And we need to send a few teams to blow up the military bunkers they have set up underground on Earth." 

"Leave that to us. No one knows our planet like we do. All we need are the locations," Cat answers, her eyes burning with determination. The humans gathered behind us all hum in agreement and their bravery fills me with pride. 

The mere fact that everyone is gathered here, every species with different skin, different hair, maybe even different coloured blood flowing through our veins. None of us are exactly alike and yet we are all similar because we feel the same way. 

It's funny how a common goal can bring everyone together like this. 

The meeting today is different. It feels different. Before this it was just us listening to Lucian, Commander Rigel and the generals, with the occasional butting in from randoms like Leader Mori or I, when I suggested to blow up the Command Centre. 

But today the humans have been extremely vocal and the Plutonians are discussing and sharing opinions with almost every species on tactics. 

Today we are equal. 

"I will lead the fleet to Earth and it's atmosphere where the empire's army currently resides, while General Luna and Commander Rigel will lead the ones to Pluto," Lucian says. 

The aliens discuss about which fleet they will join while I remain silent, assessing the entire situation. It seems like a good plan so far but the thought of two hundred thousand trained Plutonian soldiers outnumbering us still looms in my thoughts. We need to have an edge, something we can use as an advantage against Lazarus.

After the discussion dies down, Lucian speaks slowly, his tone heavy. 

"I have called you all here to fight and I know most of you see me as the former Plutonian precursor general who was to rule the empire with Lazarus prior to this. Yes, I admit I was a strong believer of the Plutonian rule, it was after all the world I was born into and my way of life but that is not what I stand for anymore."

I notice General Lyra frowns ever so slightly but she catches my stare and her mask comes on again.

 "I value every one of you who has made it today. I value your lives, your families lives, your soldiers lives," Lucian leans forward, his pale fingers gripping onto the edges of the table tightly. "It is a war I want to win, not a massacre and if we are losing, I want you all to save yourselves by fleeing under my instruction. I will surrender to Lazarus to end the fighting and spare your lives. If it comes to it." 

My heart clenches with fear the moment he finishes his sentence and his mother scowls. 

"Let us all hope it doesn't come to that," She says. 

Everyone nods, the atmosphere now solemn matching the sky outside the windows that have turned a darker shade of grey. 

"I know we are short of soldiers but we might have a slight advantage," I suddenly feel the need to say something.

My cheeks burn under everyone's absolute attention but I carry on. "The Plutonian soldiers on Lazarus's side are trained soldiers but they are all JUST Plutonians. No offence." I add quickly, nodding at my squad and Lucian. 

"None taken," Lucian smiles at me, his gaze teasing me to go on while his eyes shine with pride.

I nod at him and then turn to the rest of the room. "On the other hand, look at us. We are from all over the universe. We each have our own strengths, weaknesses, style of fighting. We are diverse and it makes us unpredictable." 

I don't even know where these passionate words are coming from, all I know is that I have to share them because it is how I feel. "We should us this against them and their arrogance." 

"You are right, Bone Breaker!" A tall red skinned alien with a beak for a nose raises his fist in the air and soon everyone does the same. 

Even the Plutonians do the same with the exception of General Lyra who doesn't show much emotion as she stares at me.

Lucian's eyes meet mine as he raises his fist and for the first time I am not driven by revenge or hatred or any other negative emotion. 

Because this time I am filled with hope that a universe can exist with the same unity that currently fills this room.

Hey guys sorry for the delay. I have been stuck in my head about how I want to end things. It's really easy to imagine everything but to put it in words seems so hard. I keep wanting to do something epic and am so afraid I will fall short. 

Anyway I have just decided to go ahead and write it because I can always do revisions in the future. Hope you guys enjoyed the long overdue chapter :) :)