Chapter Text
The year is 2347, Common Earth Era (CEE), and all the world was at peace. The war of the Starian Court versus the Legion of Chaos ended centuries before. War dared not exist. All was well — until a new enemy force, the Darkström, rose to power in post-war Eastern Europe.
The Clandestine Rebellion rose up, out of a few rebels to the destructive government, to attempt to overthrow the Darkström. Despite the growth in numbers as far as Clandestine Rebels were concerned, the Darkström overpowered the underground regime and, separating families and friends, sent many Rebels to various imprisonment camps throughout Eastern Europe. A few remaining Rebels hid in the Underground and set up the Trans-Underground Express (TUE). They also turned the Trans-Europe Express (TEE) into a secret life-saving route that would reconnect the few lucky escapees of the concentration camps with their hometowns and/or loved ones (if any remained). Most of the Rebels however were imprisoned or killed, either in battle or within the walls and gates of the imprisonment camp.
Among the handful enlisted in the Rebellion are half-human robots — humans who, not wanting to lose their lives having been mortally wounded, had their bones replaced with metal, and most of their organs replaced with wires and the most advanced technology available. They were often termed humanoid cyborgs, and were still mostly able to have human senses. The human never really died, as the operations would be successful. These humanoid cyborgs looked human, and it would never really pass to the Darkström that they would've been anything but human. Their main purpose was to serve and protect escaped Rebels onboard the TEE, and sometimes even after the journey homeward ended.
The TEE originated in 1957 CEE, and was mostly abandoned by around 1984. After the Rebellion was organized the TEE was revived, and served as the Rebellion-escape-route version of the EuroCity (EC), which replaced the TEE in 1987.
“ — no, there is no time, Fritz. You must go. Please.”
Radioland was a peaceful realm, living in brilliant harmony with and outside of Common Earth. The heart of the realm, the royal city of Metropolis, was home to its Princess, Kometenmelodie — the keeper of the Radiostern, a magical energy that protected the realm. However, a fraction of the Darkström was beginning to start their attack on the realm, and the Princess would make sure her closest friend would survive and aid the Clandestinians in the battle to come.
“But Kometen, we can transport you and the Court out if we hurry!” Fritz whispered, not wanting to risk his beloved Princess getting injured (or worse).
“Negative, I am needed here” the Princess insisted. “Henning will need you back in Düsseldorf, he's on an important mission and it will involve the Trans-Europa. You are the best Conductor I know... you can do this.”
Fritz sighed, and nodded. “Alright. Just, be careful. Please.”
Kometen smiled. “Of course! I am strong, we are strong. We'll fend them off here.” Quickly she used a special device that looked like a calculator, and a portal opened to the Spacelab in Düsseldorf. She then kissed Fritz goodbye. “Now, go. And hurry.”
Tenderly Fritz took her free hand and kissed it, before stepping through the portal over. She watched the portal close before turning to prepare for battle. Taking a deep breath, she hurried to grab her magical scepter — but not before whispering a plea that would transmit through airwaves into the ears of a blind young woman in Lisbon, Portugal ———
— “Hilfe!”
— Help.