Sivoc and Merko's ships were positioned near the moon to map the planet and look for precise signs of spacecraft Genesis' location.

"Keep the ship's antiradar shields. We don't want to be detected by our enemies", Sivoc ordered.

Captain Merko reiterated this order to Star Hunter spacecraft. The alien ships possessed a powerful camouflage system, which protected them even from other ships of their federation, making them invisible.

Drako looked at the radar through a hologram that rose above the control panel.

"Commander, I see in our systems the position of the enemy's mother ship. It and some smaller vehicles are flying over the planet."

"What region are they in?" Sivoc questioned, already thinking about the next strategies.

"In the place corresponding to the future African continent."

Merko and the others were already on the bridge of Sivoc's ship, organizing the attack on Mirov's forces.

"Take us as quickly as possible to a safe point, inside the ocean. It will be more difficult for them to locate us. Ask the ship Star Hunter's first mate to join us."

The commanders of the two ships thought together of a way to approach the enemy without harming humans and the earthly past.

Meanwhile, Mirov was continuing his plans of governing the planet.

After being revered among humans, he wanted to modify the human genome for them to evolve physically and technologically. In order to do this, he would order geneticists to implant embryos in the wombs of pregnant women, replacing the existing ones, thus initiating an evolved generation as he wished, in his likeness.

He didn't care about what would happen in the future. He wanted to shape the present, without thinking about the consequences. For this, he had a unique opportunity in his hands of transforming the entire human race and dominating it. Moreover, in making his experiments of genetic recombination between the humans of the future and the present, he would be eliminating all known history... Perhaps he would extinguish the very planet that disowned him, regardless of the consequences.

"I'm building a new race. I don't believe in temporal paradoxes, or what will happen to me in the future. I believe in the power I have in my hands, now," Mirov was all pride and fury.

Merko and his allies decided that they should attack the enemies, drawing them into an uninhabited region. Dodging a confrontation in a populated place, they would avoid to the maximum that the future was modified. The damage Mirov had done was bad enough...

"Our enemies are exposed, as if they wanted us to find them. I think that's very strange." Nicholas was worried, suspecting a trap.

"Maybe they're sure no one will chase after them", Tibor said.

"I agree with Nicholas. This is a weird thing. They must have imagined we would come after them. Murdering King Zador was an unforgivable crime," added Merko.

"And the atrocities they did to Queen Isadora! They need to be punished," just by remembering, Zara was revolted.

"We must be careful," Sivoc warned everyone. "Maybe they've set up some ambush. Mirov doesn't play to lose and his heart must be full of hatred for having been forced to flee from planet Life."

"By now, he already knows that we sabotaged his plans of destroying the original human race or, at least, that humans are alive and developing normally," Nicholas said.

"One more reason for him to be angry. No doubt he must be preparing something for me," Merko concluded.

The allies, who were already positioned at the bottom of the sea, decided that some soldiers would go along with Tibor in fighter aircrafts to the eastern part of the planet. There, they would build a base, using the support of the robots that accompanied them on the mission. They would install armaments to attack Genesis spacecraft, scout spaceships and their robots.

Inside Science spacecraft, the crew discussed what were Mirov's reasons for having built huge pyramids and obelisks.

Drako sent three disguised drones, in the shape of birds, for investigation. They emerged from the sea waters, raising the reconnaissance flight over the enemy hordes. They swept the regions the invaders were exploring on Earth and recorded the suspicious activities. As soon as he got the information he needed, Drako passed it on to the command officers, who analyzed it, searching for some shady operations.

"Sir, we marked the coordinates of the position of the battle cruiser Genesis. Now, the location is eight, three, one, five. We're retransmitting the positions of Mirov's scout ships and robots. We found that he was able to bring two robots."

""Good work, Drako," said Captain Sivoc, staring at the bottom of the ocean through the hatch of his ship.

Merko asked Sivoc:

"You, who are a scientist, could you tell me why Mirov's building these pyramids all over the planet? Drako informed us that he also built obelisks and spheres with quartz crystals. Are they energy generators? Another issue that bothers me: why didn't he hide the ship, if he probably knew we were coming after him?"

"I believe he wants to create an electromagnetic field and modify the space-time around the planet, changing the gravitational field, perhaps even creating passages to other regions of the galaxy. I also believe that by civilizing people, he'll try to influence humanity with the power of our technology. However, I'm not sure what his real goals are with all this."

Merko squeezed his fingers, worried about the lack of concrete answers from Sivoc or from the engineers accompanying them. The commander was partly right in his answer, but the main purpose was unknown... That was the real danger.

"I don't know the enemy's purposes and I don't like this," Merko thought.

"As for not hiding the ship, this seems to be part of a cunning ambush," added Sivoc.

"Whatever it is he's planning, the best way to stop him is to attack as quickly as possible. However, we must also be very cautious," said Commander Merko. "Ask Drako to map one of these pyramidal constructions with a robot insect. Tell him to use a beetle to go unnoticed and record the images, sending them to my command room. I want to know what's inside them."

"How do you intend to catch Mirov? Kirubi's team, the other crew informed me, is well prepared for battle," interrupted Nicholas, asking Merko.

"We need to use the surprise factor. We have prepared several weapons in the region where I intend to lure them."

Merko looked at Nicholas suddenly, worried about the young man's poor experience in battle.

"I don't know, son, if I should have let you come with us. This is a dangerous mission," he confided. "Maybe it's best that you stay with Zara and Drako at Science ship to support our operation. We'll use the ship Star Hunter, which is ready for the attack."

Nicholas understood his father, but was annoyed by that idea. It was as if he was not competent enough to be there.

"I really want to participate in this mission. Tibor trained me for the fight and you also taught me how to use my powers. I think I can be useful to the group."

Even though Merko was vexed for putting the boy in danger, he replied, knowing that he wouldn't be able to change Nicholas' idea:

"I knew that it would be difficult to make you give up the fight. After all, you are my son. Stay close to me, then. I want to make sure you're going to be okay." He then turned to Tibor. "I want you to lead the forces on land. Check the entire defense system and take the men you need with you", he continued.

"Be careful, Merko!" Said the officer, shaking hands with who was now one of his best friends.

Meanwhile, Drako mapped one of the pyramids with his insect and verified that there was large energy production in the inner part. Merko accompanied the images through a hologram on the command bridge.

Tibor entered one of the scout ships and traveled towards the east of the planet, along with other ships, loaded with armaments and manned by many soldiers. He would prepare the place where the enemies would be drawn to battle.

The Science spaceship remained in the sea, from where it would support them. In it were Drako and Zara. Before leaving, Nicholas teleported himself near to his beloved. He gave her a long kiss and said good-bye, knowing that the mission would be dangerous.

"I don't need to say it, but be careful, dear. The enemy's strong and has soldiers trained for the fight."

"I want to see you again and always. I'll be careful, my love."

"Come here, Nick. Give me a hug! I'm feeling a strange thing, something bad's about to happen."

She squeezed him into her arms and kissed him, trying to show him that she would be always at his side, whenever he needed.

The young man put his hand on her face, staring into her piercing eyes. He wanted to stay by Zara's side, but duty called him. He needed to join the others for combat.

"Zara, I promise I'll come back," coming close to her, he gave her one more kiss.

"Wait!" She said before he disappeared. "Let me put this necklace around your neck. It has a lucky charm that I brought from planet Life."

Nicholas lowered his head and she placed the gold piece on him, which bore a bright blue gem as a pendant.

"Remember me, dear, upon seeing this stone. Don't forget to contact me if you need help."

They said goodbye, knowing that there was a chance he might never come back from the battlefield.

Merko, Nicholas and the officers returned to spaceship Star Hunter, which emerged from the sea. They flew over the area that corresponded to ancient Egypt. They were carrying some robots in the ship's hangar, for they knew that Captain Kirubi was also armed with the dangerous mechanical monsters. Robot Bob, Nicholas' loyal servant, would be connected to him all the time.

The ship flew toward the eastern region of the planet, where Tibor erected the fortress that would attack Mirov's horde. A base was built underground so as not to catch the enemy's attention. The robots worked uninterruptedly following the planned architecture. Rocket launchers, heavy artillery, laser firing platforms, as well as sound weapons were placed in their proper positions.

When all was ready, it was time to catch the rivals' attention, and Captain Merko's battle cruiser went to Egypt. They turned off the ship's invisibility mode to be recognized.

An intermittent beep sounded in Mirov's Genesis spacecraft. It was the warning of danger cutting through the spaceship's air.

"What's going on, Kirubi? Is this what I'm thinking? Did our prey finally arrive?"

"An object of this size on our radars, sir, can only have one explanation. It's a Federation ship that found us", said the captain.

"I'm the one who found them. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I'll satiate my thirst for revenge, at last!" Mirov said, his eyes narrowed, filled with hatred.

At this moment, the enemy battle cruiser passed through the pyramids. It was observed by the Genesis spaceship military men and several scout ships that were landed on the ground. Although the radars already warned of the presence of their executioners, when they spotted them, they felt threatened and preparations began for combat. Mirov and his horde contemplated the ship Star Hunter's magnitude. The sun rays reflected on the hull of the silver ship that covered the skies. He thought:

"The long-awaited time has come. They can't imagine the surprise I prepared to destroy them."

The Egyptians looked at the great ship, which shadow covered and darkened the whole region. They fell on their knees in a sign of devotion to what appeared to be the arrival of new gods. Commander Merko's ship fired a few rockets and destroyed a smaller pyramid to catch the enemy's attention.

They installed general panic, thus shaking the human's constitution, who believed they were being punished for something they didn't know about. In the face of this reaction, Mirov's soldiers triggered the sirens, urging the crew to attack. They flew off at once and began to follow them. 

 __________________________