A/N: This idea has been floating around in my head for weeks—maybe even months—but I only really got down to writing it when I got inspired by EEZ’s latest update to actually sit down and write it. And so... this prologue is born. (I would like to take a moment to urge you all to read her fic, Beginning Of The End, if you haven’t done so already, because it’s the best thing since hyper death rays. Seriously!)

This prologue involves events several decades before the present-day BLoSC we have come to know and love. I won’t dwell in the past too much, but I wanted to show you a glimpse of what happened 40-something years ago for several reasons, because it was a turning point for what was, is, and will yet be. Read on!

Cursum Perficio

Prologue

By Mystic Dawn

With a grunt, he swerved abruptly to the right, trying to maintain his tight grip on the controls despite his sweaty fingers slipping in his steel gauntlets. He chanced a quick glance at the small, pulsing red blip on his screens and saw that the red-and-black spacecraft was still hot on his tail. “Craters,” he muttered under his breath, his upper lip zigzagging in annoyance over his large yellow teeth. Not now! Not when he was so close!

An incoming message suddenly flickered on a small screen on his left, and an angry voice slightly corrupted by static hissed, “You won’t get away no matter what moves you try, alien.” The last word was uttered in a way that made it sound like a curse.

“Just watch me,” the flier growled, flicking switches and pressing buttons with rapid precision. With a gentle hum, the small ship began to pick up speed. The stars beyond the blankshield no longer appeared as dots, but rather like streaks in the blackness of space. His grip on the controls tightened even more as sweat trickled down the back of his neck, staining his black suit.

“You think jumping into hyperspace will save you?” An incredulous laugh followed. “I’ll find you no matter where you go. You can’t escape from me.”

He ignored his pursuer’s boisterous talk and concentrated on tuning the controls just right. If this didn’t work... if his calculations had been wrong... then all would be lost... all...

The ship suddenly jerked to a full stop, groaning with an ear-splitting metallic shriek of protest. He was tossed back and over his seat at the sudden jolt, the air rushing out of his lungs with his collision against the wall. He blinked dazedly as he got to his feet, trying to clear his head from the ringing noise, gripping his broken seat for support, before realizing with a gasp that the hull of his ship had been pierced by the tip of the enemy cruiser’s nose. However, his small intake of breath had burned in his lungs like fire, causing him to fall to his knees with a wheezing cough. He tried to breathe more evenly, less forcefully, his chest heaving in his efforts. He could take the lack of oxygen for a small matter of time, but time was of the essence now. His experiment could not fail!

Almost stumbling at the lack of gravity he suddenly realized was no longer there, he half-ran, half-dragged himself to the dashboard and sighed in relief when he saw that his transfer had not been interrupted, despite the occasional sparks hissing and flickering around the controls and the numerous scraps of metal floating around him. But he had no time, no time...

A sudden scrabbling, scraping sound permeated his senses, and he whirled around, his hand flying immediately to the disc-gun at his belt. His steel fingers froze two inches from his weapon, realizing his defeat the moment his eyes focused upon the laser aimed at his head.

“I told you I’d catch you,” the same smug voice that had threatened him before said, the figure floating a few feet away from him, his arm poised to shoot at him with his laser if given the opportunity. He was dressed in a black-and-red spacesuit, complete with aerodynamic wings and a helmet to provide him with oxygen. His navy-colored short-cropped beard and hair made his ice-cold eyes stand out menacingly on his hardened face. “There’s nowhere else to run anymore, alien filth.”

His opponent straightened, despite semi-floating in midair, his upper curling back slightly. His suit was black, with purple and silver markings adorning his garments and the black cloak that trailed behind him. But it was hard to concentrate on what he was wearing because of his purple face. His red eyes were narrowed, his yellow teeth set in an angry sneer, and his large silver horns complemented the look with a flair. “I’m no mere alien filth, as you put it, rogue,” he hissed through the cracks of his teeth, his eyes still trained upon the laser. “I am an emperor, and I demand that you treat me as one.”

“Ooh, an emperor, are you?” he jeered mockingly. “I’ve never apprehended royalty before.”

“Nor will you ever,” he snapped back, his hand lunging for his disc-gun.

But the red-and-black dressed human was quicker. With a blast from his laser, he shot the other in the shoulder, causing him to slam back into the blankshield with a sickening crunch.

“Not so tough now, huh, alien?”

“Stop calling me that!” he hissed, his steel hand clutching at his wounded shoulder. A black stain began to spread beneath his fingers.

“But that’s what you are... just a lowly, pathetic—”

“Lightyear! You have to get out of there fast!” a voice coming from the human’s wrist communications suddenly snapped. “There’s an unnatural swarm of pure energy gathering around your area!”

“I’ve got him!” he growled. “Give me a few more minutes!”

“That’s an order, Fighter! Withdraw!”

“Not without finishing the job first.” His teeth clenched as he fiddled with his laser before aiming it at the emperor’s head. “If I can’t take you in, then I’ll just have to kill you.”

The black-garbed noble grunted, his left arm raising his disc-gun. “You can try,” he snarled.

The Star Fighter smirked and took careful aim.

Just then, there was a small tinkling sound. Both creatures shifted their gazes away from each other and towards the source of the sound.

“Transfer complete,” the crisp voice of the AI announced.

Then there was a blinding flash of light.

And they were gone.

To Be Continued

A/N: This fic isn’t exactly Zurg centric, rather than Zurg and Buzz centric, because this storyline will concern their friends and families, their hopes and secrets, and their deepest and darkest fears. What was set in motion by their fathers (yes, you read right) on that fateful day put them on the paths they now tread. Things could have been different, but the past cannot be altered. Hence the title of this fic. “Cursum Perficio” is latin for “my journey ends” (although a more precise translation would be “I accomplish my path”) which is why I deemed it an appropriate title for what I have planned for this story.

I hope you enjoyed my fic! Constructive criticism and feedback would be greatly appreciated!