Vagrant Queen

Get out here, 598.

Uh... please?

Don't try any heroics again this time, 598.

And how's your buddy?

You broke Alvin's freakin' neck,

you monarchy psychopath!

Well, he looked at me funny.

Don't even think about it, 598.

I'll put you down, now.

I'm gonna enjoy shoving your head

up his ass when the Republic falls.

You've been in confinement too long.

The Republic has fallen.

Our Grand Supreme Guardian

will usher us into a new light.- Leader.

- What? - Grand Supreme Leader.

He only uses Guardian of the People

in certain circumstances...

Then I shall eradicate the poison

of your new leadership as well.

With the royal ancestors of Arriopa as my witness...

I shall end the evil that has infested my land.

Whoo!

Oh, Doctor, you have outdone yourself.

- That was fun. - Thought you'd enjoy that one.

One of my personal favourites.

Each vessel is made from harvested Qrudustia,

less machine and more a conduit

in which to harness the energy of the Sterzaad.

It's remarkable.

Without that specific source of energy,

these tools are essentially useless.

And my new ship?

It'll be ready forlaunch after your inauguration.

Excellent.

Now, if you'll excuse me... I have a party to prepare for.

Hey, Winni, can you forward a message to Chaz?

Would you like to call him?

No. He'll try to talk me out of going,

and he does the big brother guilt trip thing really...

...really well.

Hey, bro, we're on Arriopa.

We're doing it. We're gonna take down Lazaro.

I'm aware how crazy that sounds.

I know what I'm doing.

We have a plan and we have Elida.

We'll be okay.

Love you, bro.

Send, Winni.

Message sent.

I wish you were returning home under better circumstances.

- Yeah. - Aw...

It'll take a few hours to hike into the city.

Just what this one needs to cure his hangover.

Was it a good party, at least?

A... a giant murderous spider monster was on our ship.

How drunk were you?

You sure you wanna do this?

Take him on solo?

I can't risk losing the both of you, too.

He's too powerful.

We're taking you as far as we can.

We're with you. All the way.

Or until Dessai and her crazy Loyalists,

they bomb us into oblivion.

So, THAT you remember?

Obviously.

We left enough messages with Dessai and Volun

letting them know we're in Arriopa.

It's all we can do.

Winni.

If we should die...

tell only the heroic stories about me.

It would be preferable

if you all came back alive.

We'll miss you too, Winnibee.

I'm sorry we have to leave you here.

I've increased the security protocols.

Anyone tries anything, and they'll...

I am aware, Amae.

We set the protocol together earlier today.

Right.

- You ready? - I'm ready.

Let's do this.

I just gotta pee.

It's the wrong way around!

- Well done, Harry. - It came like that!

Bring it up... we'll do it again.

Hey. It's me again.

I know. You think me unworthy of this gift.

The fact is, I am the only one capable

of using it the right way, the way it was intended.

I mean, it knows that.

You see, this isn't aboutcontrol, this isn't about power.

No, none of the ambitions of foolish leaders.

When simpletons are left running the show,

logic is held in such low regard.

You're just another...

...in a long line of failures.

Lazaro...

Lazaro!

You promised!

I let time get away from me again.

You promised you'd be back before your father got up.

I can't keep covering for you.

It's not gonna happen again, mom.

Where were you?

You were at the protest, weren't you?

Lazaro, if your father finds out..

- I hope he does! - Shh.

This monarchy massacred hundreds

on Huya Prime because they wanted to govern themselves.

And the king? The king lets this planet rot

while we do nothing but throw a damn party.

Mom, I'm sorry, I just...

- I... - My boy.

You're such a thoughtful soul.

Always thinking about the greater good.

He sees a great leader in you too, your father.

A great leader?

Mom, I'm more like a dog that he can beat into submission.

At the very least...

I need you to save me from the baroness

talking my ear off about her philanthropy today.

Yeah?

Fine.

Your father's in the library.

Laz gear, get your Laz gear here!

Rejoice!

Peace and love, friends!

Buy one, get one half price.

I'll even throw in a free hat.

You know... ...this'll be a lot easier

to accept if everyone was under Lazaro's spell.

Then it wouldn't be so disappointing

how many idiots there are in this galaxy.

He calls himself a guardian,

but where was our vote? If he wants power,

hold a fair election, join the revolution!

Well, at least not everyone is a crazy Lazaro fan.

First time back here since you were a kid.

- Must be strange. - Yeah.

None of this used to be here.

Gentrification, man.

It looks so different.

Not that I got to leave the palace much anyway, but...

You ever think about the queen you could be now,

if given the chance?

First thing I would do if I was queen

- is put you in charge. - All right.

Yeah, I wouldn't have to worry about anything.

Check in, you'd have it all under control.

Wait. In your fantasy version

of my monarchy rule, you're not even around?

And you're off doing what, taking all the adventures?

I kindly decline your offer.

I'm not missing out on all the fun.

All right, well you guys have fun.

Chilling in a palace hot tub sounds like fun to me.

What is all this? What...

Somebody taught me to blend in.

Ah, getting into character, I like it.

I've got eyes on her.

Arriopa City.

I'll take that, thank you.

Oh, is that young Ori Lazaro?

Look how you've grown!

He's looking more and more like you every day.

No need to upset the boy on such a fine day.

I hear you're petitioning alongside

our remote colonies. Change comes from within, boy.

Not by distancing yourself from the monarchy.

So, you'd agree there needs to be change?

Our son has a passion for social justice.

I recall a fair few of our own

campaigns as youngsters, Francis.

They were quite the pair, these two.

The stories I have on them!

I would love to hear some of those.

- Oh, well... - Before they were complicit

in this monarchy's heinous actions.

If you will excuse us, Francis.

- Duchess. - Oh.

Would you like a drink, Duchess?

- Oh. - You must see our gardens.

Oh, I'd love... I'd love to.

Who do you think you are, boy? Embarrassing not only yourself,

but your own family? You've been given great privilege,

and now you're throwing it all away.

Father, please, just listen to me.

All right, the crimes committed under the king's rule cannot...

No more, Lazaro.

You are the future marquis, for goodness' sake.

This childish behaviour stops now.

Do not make me choose between my son and this monarchy.

Because that is an ultimatum you will not win!

You will apologize to our guests.

Is that understood?

Frustrating, isn't it?

Watching our home crumble under a corrupt, oppressive ruler?