MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Shadows of the Emperor
Chapter 7: Shadows of the Emperor
The night air felt unusually thick with tension as Ben stood on a cliff overlooking the vast expanse of Planet Vegeta. The sounds of distant thunder echoed in the sky, matching the storm of emotions brewing inside him. The countdown had begun, and the first strike against Frieza's forces was imminent. Ben knew that once they launched their rebellion, there would be no turning back.
His plans had been carefully laid, and his allies had all been briefed. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was on the verge of something much bigger than he had anticipated. Every move would need to be calculated with precision, as one wrong step could end the revolution before it had even begun.
Tonight, Ben's task was simple: sabotage a key Frieza outpost located in the outskirts of the planet's most populated region. The outpost was a critical supply hub, and if he could cripple it, Frieza's forces would be forced to divert attention elsewhere. Disruption would give them the breathing room they needed to continue their operations. The Saiyan rebels were counting on him, and for the first time, Ben truly felt the weight of responsibility.
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In the shadows of the caves, Ben met with his closest allies: Rax, Korrin, and a few other warriors who had volunteered for the mission. The cave walls loomed overhead, and the flickering light from their torches cast long shadows across their determined faces.
"We hit fast, we hit hard," Ben said, his voice firm. "No messing around. We don't have time to waste. This operation has to be clean."
Korrin nodded, his sharp gaze never wavering. "What's the plan for getting inside? Frieza's forces have a pretty tight grip on that outpost."
Ben's eyes glinted in the dim light. "I'll use the Omnitrix. We'll hit them with an unexpected force. While we distract them, I'll get close enough to disable their communication systems. No alarms, no reinforcements."
Rax folded his arms across his chest. "You're really going to rely on that thing, huh? You know it's risky, right?"
Ben's fingers brushed against the watch-like device on his wrist, the familiar weight of the Omnitrix giving him a sense of both power and caution. "I don't have many options. I've already tapped into some powerful forms, but I need something more for this. Something that will give us the edge."
"Got it," Rax said. "Just don't let that watch get you killed."
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As they made their way through the rocky terrain, the air grew colder, and the sounds of distant machines and Frieza's forces became louder. The outpost was a sprawling complex, built to withstand any attack from hostile forces, and Ben knew that getting inside undetected would be the hardest part of the mission.
They arrived under the cover of darkness, crouching low to the ground. The outpost loomed ahead, with patrolling Frieza soldiers keeping a watchful eye over the perimeter. Ben scanned the area carefully, calculating the best route in. There were a few guards in the vicinity, but none of them had noticed the group approaching.
"Stay low, and don't make a sound," Ben whispered.
Rax and the others nodded, following Ben's lead. With careful, practiced steps, they advanced, using the shadows to remain hidden from view. As they neared the outer wall, Ben activated the Omnitrix. He wasn't entirely sure what form he would take, but he knew that he needed to pick something that would help them get past the guards and into the heart of the outpost.
The Omnitrix hummed, and Ben's body began to shift and transform. In a flash, he was no longer standing as himself, but as a large, powerful alien. His form was sleek and armored, a dark-skinned warrior with elongated limbs, sharp claws, and an aura of raw power. The transformation was quick, and Ben's new form immediately felt powerful, yet strangely controlled.
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Rax's eyes widened as he looked at Ben. "What the hell…?"
Ben grinned, the deep, guttural voice of the alien escaping his lips. "This is Feedback. He's perfect for this job. I can absorb energy and redirect it, even manipulate electrical systems. Should make it easier to disable their security."
Without waiting for a response, Ben dashed forward, his newfound speed and agility propelling him past the guards. His claws dug into the ground, propelling him higher up the outpost's walls with ease. As he neared the top, he could see the high-tech defenses and alarm systems positioned around the perimeter.
Ben's eyes narrowed as he focused. He reached out with his hand, connecting with the nearby power lines. A surge of energy flowed into him, and he absorbed it, feeling the immense power course through his body. The security systems went silent as he redirected the energy, disabling the alarm and communications with ease.
The way was clear.
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Ben's team made their way inside, using the chaos caused by Ben's transformation and the disruption of the outpost's systems to slip past the soldiers. They moved quickly, dispatching any guards who tried to stop them. Ben's alien form gave him the edge, allowing him to avoid detection and swiftly neutralize any threats.
They reached the heart of the outpost, where the main communication hub was located. Ben's eyes scanned the room, and he quickly went to work, hacking into the system. His hands moved with purpose as he disabled the critical functions, ensuring that Frieza's forces would have no way of sending reinforcements.
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Just as Ben finished, a voice crackled over the speakers, a familiar tone that sent a chill down his spine.
"You think you can sabotage my operations, Saiyan?" The voice was cold, icy, and unmistakable. It was Frieza.
Ben froze, feeling the weight of Frieza's presence even through the speakers. He quickly turned to his team. "Get ready. We're not alone anymore."
The next few moments were a blur as Frieza's soldiers descended upon them, a battle erupting in the heart of the outpost. The Saiyan rebels fought fiercely, but Frieza's forces were well-trained and well-equipped. Ben fought alongside them, using his new form's abilities to absorb and redirect energy blasts, taking down enemies with precision.
But Frieza wasn't just going to let them leave so easily.
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From the sky above, a familiar figure descended—Frieza himself, hovering with an air of arrogance. His golden armor gleamed under the light of the twin moons. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the chaos below, his cold smile never faltering.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A group of rebellious monkeys trying to ruin my plans?" Frieza's voice dripped with disdain.
Ben's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't back down. Instead, he stood tall, his hands crackling with energy as he prepared for the inevitable clash.
"This ends now, Frieza," Ben said, his voice firm.
Frieza's smile widened. "You think you can stop me, even with that pathetic little toy on your wrist?"
Ben's mind raced. He knew this was only the beginning, but it was a necessary first step. Frieza would learn to fear the Saiyan rebellion.
And Ben would make sure of it.
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