Sierra enters Farron’s office with the information she obtained. As she enters Farron’s office, Sierra sees him looking at a telescreen. On the screen are reports of attacks on various Federation bases. Farron then turns and addresses Sierra. From there, Sierra tells him everything she discovered while on Panthera.

“I see. While assassinating the Emperor is one strategy, I doubt that’s the only thing the Republic is planning.” Says Farron while pointing Sierra towards the reports.

“Wait a minute. Are you telling me there’s more to this than just taking down the Federations head honcho?” Says Sierra.

“Precisely. All of the bases that were attacked recently show all of the signs that the Republic is looking for something. These attacks also double as a diversion while they gain the means to take down the Emperor.” Says Farron.

“Do you have any idea what they’re looking for?” Asks Sierra.

“At the moment, no. What we do know is that their next target is located on the Planet Florana IV. I want you to prepare a team and retrieve that object before the Republic does.” Says Farron.

“It will be done Captain.” Says Sierra before leaving Farron’s office.

As Sierra makes preparations and devises a plan, the Humpback sets it course for the jungle planet of Florana IV. So far, the plan is for the onboard hackers to create a diversion to distract the soldiers guarding the base. While this is happening, Sierra and Xel will lead a few troops into the base, find what the Republic is looking for, and get out. With everyone in agreement, the crew makes the necessary preparations to put this plan into motion. Little do they know, the Humpback is being followed by a Federation ship known as the Dunkleosteus.

After a long travel, the Humpback arrives on Florana IV and deploys Sierra, Xel, and a squad of ten known as piranha squadron at their command. They cut through the jungle foliage and soon enough come across the Federation base. As suspected, the base is heavily guarded by Federation troops armed to the teeth with standard weaponry. Sierra gives the hackers the go ahead and they hack into the mechs and other the machinery. Everything goes haywire as the machinery acts in very erratic ways. This causes the mechanics to panic while the troops try to get everything under control to no avail. With the diversion working, Sierra and Xel lead the squad into the base. They begin their search, scouring every room and taking out cameras while doing so. At first, the search result in nothing to show for it. As the search continues, Xel notices something off the corner of their eye. They activate the panel and enter the room. What Xel saw shook them to their core.

“Hey! Everyone! I found something!” Says Xel, calling out to Sierra and the squad.

Sierra and the squad enter the room and see what Xel sees. Sierra then orders the squad to guard the room while Sierra and Xel take a closer look at their findings.

“Sierra. Do you have any idea what this is?” Asks Xel.

“Based on the schematics here, this is a blueprint for something the Federation is working on.” Says Sierra.

“And that being?” Asks Xel.

“Best case scenario, it’s just a really large speaker. Realistically, it’s a new kind of weapon. As for how much damage is can do, I have no clue.” Says Sierra.

“In that case, we’re better off taking this thing and destroy the research they’ve done.” Says Xel, as they are about to grab the schematics.

Suddenly, Sierra gets a call on the radio but something is off. When she tries to respond, all Sierra hears is static. Sierra tinkers with the radio until she is able to get a signal. What Sierra and Xel hears is a desperate warning.

“It’s a trap! Get the hell out of there now!” Says Farron with fear in his voice.

Suddenly, shots are heard from outside the room. Of the squad of ten, six enter the room with their hands behind their heads. Sierra and Xel watch as a platoon of Federation soldiers enter the room followed by their leader, a Smilodon Felis known as General Fatalis. Upon seeing the state of their squad, Sierra and Xel lower their weapons. General Fatalis takes the opportunity to analyze the newly acquired hostages.

“Well, well. What do we have here? A bunch of crooks sneaking in to steal our tech.” Says Fatalis with a sinister grin.

“What the hell are you making here?!” Asks Sierra with rage in her voice.

“Little lady, I can’t just spoil what the Federation has mind. All I will say is that this will be the Republics reckoning.” Says Fatalis.

“Do you have any idea how many lives will be lost from this?!” Asks Xel.

“A sad fact of life I’m afraid. But the Republic had this coming. Shame you won’t be there to see it. Now if you don’t mind, hand over the blueprint.” Says Fatalis pointing his energy pistol at them.

Meanwhile, Federation troops return to guarding the base now that the Dunkleosteus has arrived. The troops stand waiting for Fatalis to finish off the intruders. Suddenly, rustling can be heard from the foliage. The troops ready and aim their weapons at the foliage. But that rustling is followed by another and then another. The troops slowly realize that they are surround but have no clue about what is surrounding them. One by one, shots ring out and Federation troops drop like flies. The Federation troops respond in kind and open fire into the jungle. Suddenly, a large cetus class ship known as the Orca bombards the base with autocannon fire. Eventually, Federation and Republic forces continue to open fire with greater aggression. It’s clear that the Republic is after the blueprint in the Federations possession. Little do they know, a fourth group is also after the blueprints. This fourth group full intends on using the commotion to take the blueprints for themselves.