Chapter 1608 Alliance Fugitive Author's Note: Unedited Chapters ----------------- Gustav hovered in deep space as the vast emptiness stretched out endlessly around him, broken only by the faint glimmer of stars. He had reached the next vestige of his power, nestled delicately between two large, icy moons orbiting a distant planet. The vestige pulsed faintly casting a mythical glow that illuminated the dark surroundings, calling to him with the same sense of familiarity as the others. Without hesitation, he extended his hand, letting the energy of the vestige flow toward him. The force was overwhelming, flooding his being as it merged with him. This particular vestige brought yet another sliver of his original strength—a mere 2% but it was significant enough to make him feel a surge of power unlike anything he'd experienced since reclaiming his fragments. His body pulsed with newfound strength, and he felt yet another of his Outworldly abilities unlock within him. After testing the effects of the boost briefly, Gustav turned and flew back to his spacecraft. He still had five more he needed to retrieve. He entered the ship, settling back into the cockpit as he set a course back on his path through space. But just as he turned the ship around, his senses caught onto something attaching itself to the ship. The ship sensors didn't go off but his senses were too astute for anything to occur without his notice. "What the... something's attached to the ship?" he muttered, glancing over the control panel as he searched for the source. But before he could investigate further, the flashing lights on his communicator signaled an incoming transmission. His screen lit up with the familiar insignia of the Universal Alliance, and in the next instant, the ship's speakers filled with a sharp, gruff voice. "This is Checkpoint Bravo-17 of the Universal Alliance. Halt your ship immediately and prepare for inspection." Gustav let out an irritated sigh. "…Again?" Nevertheless, he slowed his ship and waited for the Alliance officers to close in. As before, two of their imposing vessels flanked his spacecraft. The same officer from earlier, the tall, scarred man with a stern expression and a hint of something personal in his gaze, appeared on the screen. "Mr. Crimson, we're conducting another search," the officer announced with a curt tone. Gustav raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Another search? What a coincidence, I was just thinking of you, officer." The officer's eyes narrowed, clearly unimpressed by Gustav's sarcasm. "We'll be quick about this, Mr Crimson." Gustav gave a mock sigh, glancing at the scanner display before him. "You know, you might want to start your search at the southern part of the ship's hull. I've got a feeling you'll find something interesting there." The officer frowned, giving Gustav a skeptical look before signaling his subordinates. A few moments later, one of the Alliance officers hovered close to the southern edge of the ship, carefully scanning the surface. Suddenly, a figure cloaked in a shimmering, camouflaged layer began to materialize, clinging to the hull. "There!" one of the officers shouted as the figure's camouflage faded, revealing a thin, wiry man with sharp features and a wild look in his eyes. Before anyone could react, the fugitive sprang forward, shoving one of the officers back with a powerful kick and darting into the open void of space. "Stop him!" the officer in command shouted, lunging forward as he aimed a glowing weapon. But the fugitive moved with astonishing speed, warping space around him as he vanished from sight, leaving only a faint ripple in his wake. The officer turned back toward Gustav in anguish. "Mr. Crimson, you're coming with us for harboring a fugitive." Gustav let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Harboring? You're not serious, are you? That guy was clinging to the outside of my ship! If I were harboring him, don't you think he'd be, you know, inside?" The officer's face darkened as he spoke with irritation. "Your smart remarks won't save you, Crimson. You're coming with us for questioning, one way or another." Gustav crossed his arms, giving the officer an unimpressed look. "I'd rather not waste my time with that. Stay out of my way if you know what's good for you." Without waiting for a response, Gustav's form shimmered, and in an instant, he vanished from the cockpit, reappearing millions of feet away from his ship. He darted through space at unfathomable speed, closing in on the fleeing fugitive. Ahead of him, he could see the fugitive's silhouette, nothing more than a tiny, distant shape moving at incredible speed. Gustav narrowed his eyes, extending his arm as he channeled his energy, focusing his vision on the figure racing through the stars. "You're not getting away that easily," he murmured while clenching his fist. In the blink of an eye, he accelerated. Closing his fist made space fold around him, making him cross vast distances in a heartbeat. The fugitive was moving fast, but Gustav was faster, and within seconds, he closed the gap, appearing directly behind the man. The fugitive barely had time to react before Gustav's hand shot out, grabbing him by the neck in a vice-like grip. The fugitive gasped, struggling in Gustav's hold, his limbs flailing as he tried to break free. Gustav held him effortlessly with a cold gaze as he tightened his grip just enough to subdue him. "Going somewhere?" Gustav questioned with a smirk. The fugitive's eyes widened in fear, his voice coming out in a strangled gasp. "Let… me… go! You have no idea who you're dealing with!" Gustav raised an eyebrow as his smirk widened. "Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea. But I'm curious… why hitch a ride on my ship? Seems like a dangerous game for someone so desperate to stay hidden." The fugitive's eyes flickered with panic, but he said nothing. His body tensed as he continued to struggle. Gustav gave him a slight shake, bringing him face-to-face. "Come on, now. Don't make me work for it. Why were you hiding on my ship?" The fugitive swallowed hard as his face contorted in fear and defiance. "They'll kill me if I go back. I had no choice. I thought… I thought you could help." "Help? Now that's funny. I don't make it a habit of helping stowaways, especially ones with bounty hunters on their tails," Gustav replied coolly, his grip unyielding. "But since you're here, maybe you can answer a few questions. Like, what exactly did you do to get the entire Alliance out here looking for you?" The fugitive's expression hardened, and for a moment, Gustav thought he might get an answer. But before the man could speak, a familiar, harsh voice cut through the void. "Mr. Crimson, release the fugitive immediately. This is your last warning." Gustav rolled his eyes as he spottedthe alliance spacecraft closing in on their location. "I've got him under control, officer. But if you want him so badly, come and get him." The Alliance ships closed in rapidly and made a stop not too distant from their position. "Mr. Crimson, you're in violation of Alliance protocol. Release the fugitive and stand down, or we'll use force." Gustav glanced back at the approaching ships with an unamused expression. "You really don't know when to quit, do you? Fine, have it your way." With a flick of his wrist, he loosened his grip on the fugitive just enough to give the man a brief moment of freedom. The fugitive hesitated, glancing between Gustav and the Alliance ships with a desperate expression. Gustav looked at him briefly before speaking with an icy tone. "Run all you want but if you keep make trouble for me next time, I won't be as generous." Without waiting for a response, Gustav released the fugitive, watching as he shot off into the distance, vanishing into the void once more. He turned to face the Alliance ships with his arms crossed as he waited for their next move. The officer's face displayed a look of annoyance as he leapt out of the spacecraft. "You let him go?!" "'Release the fugitive and stand down'... weren't those your words?" Gustav questioned while raising a brow. "How could y... Now he's gone!" The officer was speechless. "You sound like you don't know what you want," Gustav remained unbothered by the current situation. The officer growled in response; "Mr. Crimson. I suggest you return to your ship and prepare for questioning. You have aided and abetted a fugitive today." Gustav raised an eyebrow and replied with a calm voice edged with irritation. "If you think I'm going to waste my time answering your questions, you're sorely mistaken. I have more important things to do than babysit your fugitive. So unless you have something useful to say, I'd suggest you move along." The officer's face turned red with anger, but before he could respond, Gustav's form shimmered, and in an instant, he vanished, reappearing in his ship's cockpit as he activated the engines. "I dare you to stop me..."