Road Rovers: Chaos Computer Episode 7: Melee In The Mountains By Gerhard Naudé All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners Norwood, Cadwell, Sky, Tesla, GONV, L-22, Series 9, Stalker and all others related to the KH Military © Gerhard Naudé USS Retriever and its crew © Greg Williams Alethia, Renegade © Kylen Miles Bear © Steven Today Nitro © Amanda Stephenson Zayra Cabot © Pablo Augusto Caminos Any question, comments, complaints, feedback or suggestions can be sent to gnaude_@hotmail.com. North Sea 1 October 8:02 AM: The vast ocean spreads out as far as one can see and there is no land in sight. Sailing through the ocean is a large convoy of ships. The convoy consists of several merchant ships and tankers and a group of USNF ships: five Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and a carrier, the USS Retriever. Several F-22's are flying around the area of the ships. Bridge USS Retriever 8:05 AM: The bridge looks like that of any carrier, with state-of-the-art equipment and computers. Captain Bowser, 1st officer Emerald and navigator Mauser are here. Bowser is looking out to sea with a pair of binoculars, Mauser is busy plotting the course and Emerald is keeping an eye on the carrier's radar. Bowser lowers his binoculars and looks at Emerald. Bowser:"Anything on radar?" Emerald:"Lots of merchant, commercial and military traffic out there, captain, but no threatening GONV forces heading towards us." Just then Viking appears carrying a tray with cups of coffee on it. Viking:"Coffee's up." Everyone looks at Bowser, then walk up and take a cup. Mauser:"Thanks, man." Emerald:"Thank you, Viking." Bowser:"Indeed, Viking. You are always keen on keeping on us alert and well fed." Viking:"Well Captain. You all need to be alert, what with all these killer robots running wild out there. Besides, there's nothing else for me to do on this ship." Mauser:"I agree with that. Ever since Bandage accidentally set fire to the recreation room we haven't had much fun out here." Emerald:"And the war isn't what one would call a stress reliever." Bowser:"Calm down, everyone. After this war is over I will have a brand new and upgraded recreation room built." Everyone smiles and goes back to work. Viking leaves the bridge and Bowser activates the carrier-intercom. Bowser(into com):"Firebird?" Firebird(over com):"Yes, Captain?" Bowser(into com):"What is the situation in the ops room?" Firebird(over com):"We've all finished drawing up the latest defence plan should the GONV attack us, Captain. We are in the process of giving our fellows the new plans." Bowser(into com):"Very good, Firebird. Keep me posted on any new develop- ments." Firebird(over com):"Aye aye, Captain." The intercom goes dead. Bowser picks up his binoculars and resumes his scan of the ocean surface. Flight Group Juliet 8:12 AM: This flight of four F-22's is lead by Commander Turbulance. In the other fighters are Maverick, Durandal and Sidewinder. Everyone is listening to Arial Ops Commander Santiago. Santiago(over radio):"So not only do you have to watch for fighters, but also for any cruise missiles launched at the ships. Remember, though these missiles are powerful they are rather slow. Thus you can try and shoot them down should they breach the perimeter." Turbulance(into radio):"Copy that, Santiago. We fully understand the new strategy. Don't we, crew?" Maverick, Durandal, Sidewinder(over radio):"We copy, sir." Santiago(over radio):"Very good. Carry out your orders, Commander." Turbulance(into radio):"Roger, sir." He then radios the other pilots. Turbulance(over radio):"You heard her, boys. Let's keep our eyes open for any hostiles." Maverick, Durandal, Sidewinder(over radio):"Yes, sir." They keep flying over the convoy. Maverick looks briefly down at the water. Maverick(to himself):"I hope we come out of this alive, Love." He looks forward again. USS Retriever Minisub 8:16 AM: The carrier's minisub is dwarfed by the various Seawolf-class submarines all around in the ocean. Fish swim out of the way of all the subs. Inside the minisub Captain Slide is busy talking to Chucky (naval ops) while her crew, navigator Tracker and pilot Electric, are working on the sub. Slide(into radio):"Copy that, Chucky. If any GONV sub appears it will be the last thing that it will do." Chucky(over radio):"Very good. Y'all have a good hunt now, ya' hear?" Slide(into radio):"Sure will. Out." The radio goes dead and Slide turns to Tracker. Slide:"Anything on radar?" Tracker:"Nothing yet, Ma'am. Those GONV sharks are very good at hiding until the last moment." Slide:"Keep tracking. Sooner or later they will appear." Tracker:"Aye aye, Captain." Tracker goes back to work while Slide turns to Electric. Slide:"Steady on course." Electric:"Aye aye, Captain." He maintains his current course. Ocean Floor 10 Kilometres From The Fleet At that moment: The muddy ocean floor consists of rocks, various sea plants and a deep trench running through it. Fish are swimming about minding their own business. Suddenly they begin swimming away from the trench. A large group of GONV Shark Submarines rise up from the depths of the trench. Sharks are white shark-shaped subs with two torpedo tubes at the "mouth", a single horizontal screen across the "forehead" and a single large screw at the "tail". On the sides are the letters GONV. They begin to head for the convoy. Minisub: Tracker sees the sharks appear on his radar screen. Tracker:"Contact! Twelve, I repeat, twelve GONV sharks inbound at 10 kilometres northeast!" Slide quickly radios the carrier. Slide(into radio):"Commander! We have twelve bogies closing in on the convoy!" Operations Room USS Retriever: This is a high-tech room with many computers, electronic maps, etc. A large table in the centre with an electronic map shows the fleet in blue and the spotted sharks in purple. Various technicians are around monitoring the equipment. Commanders Santiago, Chucky and Firebird are around the map studying it. Santiago:"Smart, aren't they? Hiding in the trench before popping up for the attack." Chucky:"Too damn smart." Firebird:"Alert all the defence groups. I'll contact the captain." Santiago, Chucky:"Aye, sir." They begin to alert the fleet. Minisub: It is still the same. Radio reports from the other sub captains can be heard. Seawolf C. 1(over radio):"We have confirmation. Twelve sharks closing in." Seawolf C. 2(over radio):"We have them radar. Awaiting orders to fire." Chucky(over radio):"This is Commander Chucky. You are free to fire at will." Captains(over radios):"Aye, sir." Slide turns to Electric. Slide:"Hold our position here. We have to destroy any torpedoes, for we cannot take on such a large group of those subs." Electric:"Aye aye, Ma'am." Slide turns to Tracker. Slide:"Ready the new automatic anti-torpedo laser weapon." Tracker:"Aye, Ma'am." He pushes a few buttons. Outside on the minisub's front two turret-like laser weapons appear. GONV Sub Fleet: The sharks are closing in on the ships and subs. They begin launching their torpedoes and their HK Missiles from their tubes to the surface. HK Missiles are tubular missiles with a blue warhead, no wings and a special underwater/surface engine. On the sides of it are the letters GONV. Bridge USS Retriever: Mauser sees the incoming missiles and torpedoes on his radar screen and turns to Bowser. Mauser:"Captain! We got about 50 incoming torps and HKs!" Bowser quickly activates the radio. Bowser:"All ships, this is the Retriever! We got about 50 incoming HKs and torps! Fire at will!" He then turns to the carrier's intercom. Bowser(into com):"Rusty! Increase power and turn right full rudder!" Engine Room: The engine room is full of frantic-working cano-sapien technicians. Rusty is speaking into the intercom at his deck. Rusty(into com):"Aye aye, Cap'n!" He turns to the technicians and shouts out loudly above the noise. Rusty:"Right full rudder and power to maximum, Laddies!" Technicians:"Aye aye, sir!" They begins turning the carrier's rudder and increasing the power. Missile Room: In the missile control room is Rocky, Jocky and Stocky, listening to Bowser's commands. Bowser(over com):"Lock on and destroy as many incoming HKs as you can!" Rocky, Jocky, Stocky(into com):"Aye aye, Captain!" They turn to their controls and start activating the missiles. The room's main doors are opened and missiles are then launched to the incoming HK missiles. Outside one can see the destroyers also firing missiles, as do the F-22's. Ocean: There is a vicious fire fight between the opposing subs. The Seawolfs are faring better than the sharks, but not by much. Left and right subs are being sunk or blown up completely while torpedoes cris-cross the battle 'field'. The minisub closes in on five torpedoes heading for the convoy. Inside Slide sees them on her periscope. Slide:"I have contact. Keep it steady, Electric." Electric:"Aye, Ma'am." Tracker:"The lasers are fully powered, Ma'am." Slide:"Activate." Tracker:"Aye, Ma'am." He pushes a single button. Outside of the sub the two lasers begin firing green laser beams at the torpedoes. The beams strike their targets, turning them red hot. The torpedoes then explode and the lasers fire at the others. In a short space of the time the five torpedoes are destroyed and the minisub is heading for more enemy torpedoes. Flight Group Juliet: The F-22's are winning the battle in destroying the missiles well beyond the carrier. Durandal:"This wasn't so bad." Sidewinder:"No kidding." Just then Maverick spots a HK missile from the corner of his eye that has gotten through the defences and is flying low, straight for the carrier. Maverick(over radio):"This is Juliet 3! Got an HK that snuck through! I'm going after it!" He guides his fighter right behind the missile and accelerates after it. He is quickly closing in on it, but the distance between them and the carrier is rapidly diminishing. Bridge: Mauser is closely monitoring the radar screen while Bowser is looking through his binoculars at Maverick's fighter and the HK missile. Mauser:"ETA is 20 seconds!" Bowser(to himself):"Come on, Maverick. Don't screw it up this time." Maverick's Fighter: The missile is in Maverick's sights, but the carrier is now dangerously close. He carefully takes aim on the missile. Maverick:"Gotcha." He pushes the fire button on his flight stick and his F-22 lets loose a hail of bullets at the missile. Most of them miss, but several bullets tear into the missile. It catches fire and its engine blows up. It cartwheels into the ocean and into the side of the carrier with a loud "CLANG!". It falls into the water and sinks harmlessly to the bottom. Maverick:"Yes!" He then sees he is on a collision course with the carrier at breakneck speed. Maverick:"Oh crap!" He pulls back on the flight stick. Bridge: Everyone ducks as Maverick's fighter flies over the carrier and barely misses the antennae on the bridge's roof. Once he has passed everyone gets up. Mauser checks the radar. Mauser:"Target destroyed. Phew." Emerald:"Maverick could have gotten us killed!" Bowser breathes a sigh a relief and smiles. Bowser:"Just another h***ish escort-the-convoy-during-a-war-against- genocidal-robots day. Give me a status report, Emerald." Emerald begins to prepare her report. CNN Center Atlanta, Georgia United States of America 8 October 11:03 AM: The anchor is busy reading the headline news about the Techno War. On the war map the latest territorial control is shown. GONV control stretches from a little east of Moscow in Russia, the north coast of Africa and deep into the Middle East to a considerable part of France and half of Norway and Sweden with pockets in Iceland, Spain and the British Isles. Anchor:"Thanks to swift action by the United Nations Peacekeepers and the success of incursions by the Road Rovers, the GONV Forces' massive assault has exhausted itself and ground to a complete halt. With both sides now equally matched, the war has stale- mated. However, military experts warn that unless the stale- mate is broken in favour of the UN, the GONV's assault will resume in a matter of weeks. When that happens, experts say that it will be impossible to stop the GONV Forces." Warroom Jumbo Rover At that moment: The Road Rovers(excluding Muzzle), Alethia, Renegade, Cadwell and Norwood, along with the Master, Hubert, Bear and Nitro (who's pregnancy can now be more clearly seen) on the smaller screens, have just finished watching the CNN news report on the main screen. When the report is over, the report is replaced by the same territory map. Colleen:"Looks like we got the upper hand now, guv." Master:"Not really, Colleen. This stalemate is only a temporary measure against the GONV and cannot hold forever." Norwood:"We do not have the sufficient manpower or resources to sustain such a stalemate for more than a month or two, much less launch our own offences." Renegade:"And when one considers factors like the facts that GONV robots do not need food or water, cannot suffer low morale and are created in a few days compared to the 16 years minimum to create and train a human soldier, the GONV can easily turn the balance back into their favour." Cadwell:"Which means we have little time to find some way of shifting that balance in our favour." Hubert:"And I think we may have one. Nitro." Everyone looks at Nitro. Nitro:"A new military satellite was recently put into orbit which might help us beat the GONV Forces." She pushes a button and the main screen becomes active again. This time it shows a large satellite orbiting the Earth. It has a long, rectangular body with equally long solar panels. At the back is a tubular attachment and at the other a strange, electronic tube with several round dishes on it. Nitro:"This is an Electro Magnetic Pulse Wavegun, an experimental weapon which can shut down any electronic device within a specified area. It can target anything from a small Volkswagen to large cities. In fact, when used in conjunction with other satellites, you can target an entire continent with pinpoint accuracy." Hubert:"With this weapon, we can disable a huge portion of the GONV's robotic forces with a concentrated attack. In short, if we can get this weapon we can turn the tide in our favour." Everyone look and talk amongst each other in surprise. Hunter:"Renegade, are the GONV Forces EMP proof?" Renegade:"Most of them, no. The GONV knows we would not use nuclear arms, nor does it know we now have the technology to create such a weapon." Alethia:"This is wonderful news." Cadwell:"All we need to do is to contact the various space agencies to help us increase the Wavegun's area of effect." Everyone looks back at Nitro. Norwood:"To which country does that weapon belong?" Nitro becomes less jolly. Nitro:"That's the catch." Blitz:"There is always some kind of catch." Nitro:"The Wavegun was built and launched by a faction we all know too well..." She pushes a button and the image moves to a top view of the Wavegun. On the panels is the KH Military insignia. Nitro:"The KH Military." Everyone else loose their smiles. Hunter:"Bummer." Nitro:"That's only half the bad news. The other half is that we suspect that the GONV also knows about this weapon and will try and gain control of it for it's own use." Norwood:"We cannot allow GONV to gain that weapon, nor can we allow the KH Military to keep it. Where is the Wavegun controlled from, Nitro?" Nitro pushes another button and a map of Scandinavia appears. In the mountains appears a KH insignia. Nitro:"The Wavegun is controlled from the science facility located in the old Viking mountain city of Thorstadt. It's very isolated with the only access being either by foot or air. The city is mostly old buildings dating from the Viking era, but several buildings, like the radar dome and science research facility, are new. It's in this facility where the Wavegun's decoder is being held. Defences consists of SAM launchers hidden inside the mountains and patrolling Mohigans around the city, troopers and Walkers in the city as well as several Missile Batteries and Jump Troopers. It's pretty well protected." Exile:"Looks like wolf bad guys keep the city protected enough to not even allow a polar bear to escape through the door." Hunter:"Uh... yeah, like he said. Those defences will be difficult for us to get past." Hubert:"That's why you should wait until the GONV comes to steal the decoder." Everyone but the Master looks surprised at Hubert. Alethia:"What ever for?" Blitz:"Those bad robots will shoot us to pieces!" Master:"Not exactly, Blitz. The reason why we want you to wait until the GONV attacks is that the KH Military's defences will be focused on the GONV and will allow you all to sneak into the facility with minimal resistance. You can then get the decoder and leave before both the KH Military and the GONV Forces find out about you." Hunter looks at Renegade. Hunter:"Will the GONV really commit a large force to get the decoder?" Renegade:"Most likely, yes. The GONV will know about Thorstadt's good defences and will send a sizable assault force to get that decoder for itself." Cadwell:"Also, the Swedish and Norwegian forces are having a hard time trying to keep the GONV Forces at bay at the front, so such a large force might get through their defences." Master:"Rovers, you must go to Thorstadt and steal this decoder away from the KH Military and the GONV Forces. This Wavegun is our only chance of stopping the GONV's war machine." Hunter the others stand up and salute. Hunter:"We're on our way, Master! We'll bring that decoder safe and sound to the United Nations." He looks at the other Rovers. Hunter:"Let's hit the skies, Rovers!" They all get up and Blitz, as usual, gets into Hunter's face. Blitz:"Hold on! Why can't I ever get to say 'let's hit the road'?" Hunter sighs. Hunter:"Read the manual on page 149, Blitz. I get to say it because I'm the leader of the Road Rovers." Blitz:"Then let me be the leader!" Colleen walks up, balling her fists. Colleen:"Get out of Huntie's face, Fluffy, or I'll karate kick you into the middle of next year." Exile:"Easy, Colleen. We will just call comrade Shephard. You know what he didski to Blitz when he got into his face." All the Rovers except Blitz grin. Blitz is now cowering. Blitz:"He chased me around Mission Control with a shotgun. And with shot at me with live ammunition!" Alethia:"I'm not surprised, after you told him that he was fat, dumb and a big sissy. And that resulted in dozens of bullets holes, five smashed doors, ten broken windows and two shot-up beverage machines." Colleen:"So you'd better get out of Huntie's face, Fluffy. Or Shephard will make a house call on you." Blitz steps away from Hunter. Hunter looks at the others. Hunter:"Again: let's hit the skies, Rovers!" They all howl, then run out of the warroom. Thorstadt Somewhere in the Mountains Norway 1:12 PM: The mountain fortress of Thorstadt sits on a platue amongst a group of high-peaked mountain ranges. It is surrounded by a large, high wall with old guard towers at strategic points. Inside the walls most of the buildings are old Viking homes, pubs, barracks, etc. (all in Medieval European style). Several other structures, however, are much more modern times. A large scientific research structure sits at the one end of the fortress along with a radar dome. At an open piece of ground inside the fortress are some hangars with a control tower. Flying above some of these buildings are flags of the KH Military. On the walls are dozens of battle troopers while inside and around the fortress are patrols of battle troopers and walkers. Flying around in the mountain ranges from ledge to ledge are small groups of jump troopers along with the occasional Mohigan. Missile Batteries are also on patrol within the fortress. Advanced Psylogical Labs Thorstadt Research Facility 1:14 PM: This is a square room with white tiles on the floor, ceiling and walls. A single metal door leads out of the lab. Inside the lab are several high-tech equipment, a steel table with microscopes, syringes and other small scientific and medical tools and a medical table in the middle with an overhead lamp. Lying on the table wearing only white shorts is Sky, with small sensor pads from monitoring equipment attached to various parts of his body and head. Tesla and several other wolf-sapien scientists are busy examining Sky and the equipment. Tesla looks at the sensor equipment. Tesla:"Hmmm. Yes, it has improved by around 16 percent." Sky:"Only 16 percent?" Tesla:"Psyhic abilities, such as your Heart-Child powers, take time to develop, Sky. And since you are the only wolf in the KH Military with psychic powers, our research into this field revolve almost entirely around you." Sky:"But my abilities are already powerful enough." Tesla:"Not really. Even Alethia's abilities are more developed than yours, and hers is not even being used to its fullest extent." Sky:"I cannot waste my time in labs like these. I'm the Squadron General for the Gamma Squadron." Tesla:"ACTING Squadron General, Sky. And it will remain that way until we can elect a new one. Besides, most of the Gamma Squadron has been pulled out of Europe and the Middle East due to the Techno War between the United Nations and the GONV Forces." Sky:"That is another thing I don't get: why can't we fight against the GONV Forces? After all, they are trying to destroy all life on Earth, including us." Tesla:"Stalker says that we could use this war to our advantage. We let the GONV Forces destroy most of the United Nations military forces, then we use the Wavegun to shut down the entire GONV robotic military. The result: we save the world and ourselves from the GONV and seriously weaken the United Nations at the same time." Sky:"Is that the real reason why I'm here?" Tesla:"Yes. We must keep the Wavegun under our control until we can use it. For both the United Nations and the GONV Forces, this weapon can change the tide of the war for either side. Something we do not need right now." Sky:"If it is so important, why do you all keep working on me with these experiments?" Tesla shrugs, smiling. Tesla:"Well, guard duty can be a boring task with not much to do, so why waste the time when one can use it?" Sky sighs in frustration while Tesla and the other scientists continue with their research. Ledge Not far from Thorstadt 2:01 PM: This is a small, out of the way ledge in one of the nearby mountains by Thorstadt with some large boulders and a few hardy shrubs. Hiding behind the boulders and shrubs are the Road Rovers, all of them wearing their alpine uniforms (from "Where Rovers Dare"). They are all peering over the edges of their hiding spot looking at the fortress with binoculars. Alethia:"Nitro wasn't kidding. The KH Military have this fortress well guarded." Colleen:"No bloomin' surprise there, guv. After the Iron Fist crisis, I would come to expect this from them." Exile:"And only way inski is by foot through front doorski." Shag mumbles something. Hunter:"No, Shag. They will not believe that we are Swiss tourists coming to see the fortress." Shag mumbles something again. Hunter:"And they will not allow door-to-door salesdogs in, if they are smart." Shag mumbles something else again. This causes Hunter to think for a while, but afterwards he shakes his head. Hunter:"I don't think they eat pizzas up here, Shag, so dressing up as pizza delivery dogs might not work." Shag shrugs. Hunter looks at the others. Hunter:"Right. We've seen enough, so let's get down and stay down until the GONV arrives." They all duck behind the boulders and sit down against it. Blitz rubs his body in an attempt to keep warm. Blitz:"My tuckus will soon get all frostbitten up here. Can't we make a fire to keep warm?" Exile looks at Blitz. Exile:"You must have taken sense of your leave. Smoke from fire will be seenski by those baddest wolves." Blitz:"Not even a small fire?" Exile shakes his head. Exile:"Nyet. No fire." Blitz:"But we'll freeze to death!" Renegade:"Calm down, Blitz. Once the GONV attacks we will move out into the fortress and find warmth there." Blitz looks at Renegade. Blitz:"But that could take ages!" Hunter:"Nope. Nitro says the GONV's attack on Thorstadt is pretty much imminent." Blitz:"How much pretty much imminent?" Hunter looks at his wristwatch. Hunter:"Round about..." Radar Dome At that moment: Wolf-sapien technicians are busy monitoring the equipment. Suddenly they see a large group of signatures on their radar screens. Technician 1:"Sir, we got incoming! And quite a lot!" The radar officer comes up. Officer:"Who are they?" The technicians quickly identify the signatures on their screens. Technician 2:"It's a large of GONV aircraft!" Officer:"Go to red alert! We got hostiles!" Ledge: 2:09 PM: It is still the same. Suddenly air raid sirens go off all over the fortress. Hunter:"... now." They all get their binoculars and look over the ledge. Thorstadt 2:10 PM: Troopers are scrambling from every building to their designated posts while the Walkers and Missile Batteries go into position. In the mountains several hidden SAM launchers appear and ready their ME-10 missiles. After a few moments the attacking force appears from behind the mountains and going towards the fortress: a group of GONV aircraft consisting of several blackbird transports escorted by a large group of predators and skydragons. As the assault force appears over the fortress they are greeted by a barrage of missiles. Many of the predators and skydragons are shot down, but those who survive fire back, destroying an equal number of KH defences. The blackbirds appear over the fortress and land at various spots inside the walls, except for one which is shot down before landing. The blackbirds open and dozens of drones appear from them. Soon a massive fire fight breaks out between the GONV and the KH Military. Ledge 2:16 PM: The Rovers watch the battle ensuing in and around the fortress. Colleen looks at Hunter. Colleen:"You always seem to be right about timing, Huntie." Hunter looks at Colleen and grins. Hunter:"Why, thank you Collie Wollie." Colleen giggles. Blitz, Exile and Shag groan. Blitz, Exile:"Get room!" Shag mumbles something. Renegade:"Look, we must move in quickly. The battle won't last long, and we need to get that decoder before the GONV does." Alethia:"Renegade's right. We're wasting valuable time." Hunter snaps out of it, then points towards Thorstadt. Hunter:"You're right! Let's go in and try to get into the fortress while our enemies are busy with each other." They all get up and out from behind cover. They start making their way towards the fortress, where the battle continues. Advanced Psylogical Labs 2:21 PM: Sky has just gotten up from the table and is busy stepping into his battle trooper suit. The scientists are busy saving files and turning off the equipment. Sky is talking to Tesla. Sky:"Is the decoder in working condition?" Tesla:"Of course. I made an inspection of it and it is in perfect condition." Sky's suit closes around his body and he picks up his KH-50 rifle. Sky:"Good, and is it possible to build another decoder should this one gets stolen or destroyed?" Tesla:"Yes, but that will take some time. And if our enemies get the decoder, the Wavegun will be beyond almost all our control." Sky:"That is why I'm going to order to have that decoder destroyed if the GONV gets to close to it." Tesla:"A very crude decision, but then it is a better option than it to fall into enemy control." Sky cocks his rifle. Sky:"Precisely." He turns to leave, then looks back at Tesla. Sky:"Coming?" Tesla:"Naturally. This will be an excellent opportunity to study the use of the GONV's robotic weaponry in combat." They both leave the lab while the scientists continue with their work. Ventilation Shaft Thorstadt Fortress Walls 2:34 PM: This is a large shaft with a fan behind a steel grill within a section of the large fortress walls. The sounds of battle can heard from behind the walls. Not far off the Rovers climb up from the nearby ridge, watching out for any hostiles. When they see there is no one about they run up to the shaft. Hunter looks at Exile. Hunter:"This is in your field of duty, Exile. Go ahead." Exile:"Piece of pie, comrade." Hunter tries to correct, but shakes his head. Hunter:"Close enough." Exile walks up to the grill and uses his heat-sight to melt the grill. Only the fan remains. Exile steps back as Hunter turns to Shag. Hunter:"Jam that fan, Shag." Shag:"Wrokay!" Shag walks up to the fan, digs around in his fur and takes out a bucket of blueberry jam. The others watch in surprise as Shag tosses the jam over the fan. The fan starts slowing down, then stops completely as the jam seeps into the fan's motor. Shag walks up and licks a bit of the jam off the fan. The others walk up to him. Hunter:"Not exactly what I meant, but it worked. Thanks." Shag mumbles a "you're welcome". Hunter points at the fan. Hunter:"Follow me." Hunter climbs into the shaft and crawls in past the fan. Colleen and the others follow one-by-one until they all into the shaft. Shag then reappears from the shaft, licks some more jam from the fan, then goes back into the shaft. A light starts flashing on the fan's motor. Maintenance Control Old Viking House Thorstadt At that moment: The old living room of the house still has old wooden chairs, a table and design. The only thing modern here is a large control panel with dozens of lights on a screen. A flight of stairs leads down from the first floor while a window looks over the narrow alleys between some of the other old Viking buildings. On the table is some coffee mugs, a phone and papers. A wolf-sapien engineer is busy monitoring the control panel. One of the green lights on the panel goes red. The engineer sees this. Engineer:"Great. As if the GONV wasn't trouble enough." The engineer picks the phone and dials a number. It only takes one ring before it is answered. Engineer:"This is Engineer Reginald. One of the fan units in wall section 13 has just been sabotaged.... No, sir... We already done some maintenance on that unit yesterday... I'm saying that someone besides the GONV has gotten into the city through that shaft." Alleyways 2:41 PM: The narrow alleyways run between the various Viking buildings. The ground is covered with snow and some barrels stand against some of the building walls. The Rovers are walking cautiously along the alleys towards the research facility, with Hunter leading. The sounds of fire fights and nearby skirmishes have them on their toes. Blitz is hiding behind Exile and Shag is hiding behind Renegade. Blitz:"Why don't we just wait until the battle is over?" Exile:"And let the GONV getski decoder. No laneski!" Renegade:"The battle will provide us perfect cover, Blitz. Neither the KH Military will know about us until we have our paws on that decoder." Suddenly Hunter stops them as he sniffs the air. Hunter:"We got incoming troopers! Hide!" They quickly duck behind the barrels as a squad of four battle troopers appear from around a corner. They run down the way the Rovers came from. One of the troopers is talking to another. Trooper:"Why should we be checking a broken fan, especially while we are being attacked by the GONV?" The troopers continue until they disappear from sight. The Rovers appear from cover, looking towards the spot where the troopers disappeared. Alethia:"Guess the KH Military does, or will, know we are in Thorstadt as well." They then hear a hovering noise behind them. They turn around and see a recon drone watching them. The recon drone quickly flies away over one of the buildings. Colleen:"Blimey. Now the GONV knows as well." Hunter:"We'd better move, and fast. The KH Military and GONV will soon be choosing us as their main targets." The Rovers quickly run down the alleyway. Main Street Central Thorstadt 2:49 PM: This is a very wide cobblestone street running between the old Viking buildings from the main gate right up to the research facility. Currently the street is littered with destroyed drones and injured or killed KH troopers. The troopers and walkers are fighting a retreating battle to the research facility while the tight phalanx of battle and combat drones, covered on the sides by light drones and followed by maintenance drones, nullifier drones and a covering squad of light drones, move on- ward towards the facility. Nullifier Drones are round, floating robots with a single camera "eye" in the middle and various equipment attached to it's purple body. On the body above the camera are the letters GONV. Recon drones fly overhead around the fighting groups. In the middle of the phalanx are Series 9, L-22 and Zayra Cabot. Zayra looks nervously around. Zayra:"Are you sure we are safe?" L-22:"As long as we remain within the phalanx there is little chance of us becoming damaged. The KH Military does not have a sufficient amount of weaponry, that can cause enough losses amongst the drones, committed against us." Series 9:"What L-22 is saying, Zayra, is that you should just calm down and proceed with the plan." Zayra:"Is the Wavegun decoder really inside that research facility?" L-22:"We are 99,982113 percent certain of the information." Series 9:"And once we have it under our control, we will it use against these destructive organics and rid this planet of their foul presence." Zayra calms down. Zayra:"Yes, you're right. We must save this beautiful world from the pollution and destruction of these humans." Series 9:"Good." Just the recon drone that spotted the Rovers flies up to L-22. L-22 receives the drone's transmitted message and processes it. L-22:"Our chances of retrieving the Wavegun control unit has just been drastically reduced." Series 9 and Zayra look at L-22. Series 9:"What do you mean?" Zayra:"Yeah, what is it?" L-22:"According to recon drone number 13451, the Road Rovers have managed to access Thorstadt and are also planning to take control of the Wavegun on behalf of the United Nations." Series 9:"Perfect. Just what we need: the Road Rovers." Zayra:"Who are the Road Rovers?" L-22:"They are canines who were altered by the humans to help them combat our forces and spread destruction, discord and pollution across the planet." Zayra:"So they are evil too?" Series 9:"Yes. In fact, they are even more evil than their masters." Zayra:"Really? How do they look like?" Series 9:"They look like dogs, but in human form, and they wear ugly and utterly ineffective armour. You should be able to defeat them easily." Zayra chuckles. Zayra:"That's good. Now I can punish them as well." A thermal grenade explodes nearby, taking out several light drones. Zayra jumps in fright and grabs Series 9. Zayra:"I want to go home!" Series 9:"What for? We haven't gotten the decoder yet." Zayra:"All these explosions and shooting and stuff are scaring me!" Series 9:"Scared?" L-22 looks at Series 9. L-22:"Of course. Zayra is still an adolescent child within the body of an adult, thus it is normal for her nature to be frightened by these events." Series 9:"So what do we do about it?" L-22:"According to our studies of mammals, the frightened young are to be comforted and reassured by her family. This will help her feel more secure." Series 9:"And how do I do that?" L-22:"Hug her, gently, and tell her you will not let her get harmed." Series 9:"This was definitely not in my command orders and tasks." He hugs Zayra, who is shaking with fear, carefully. Series 9:"There, there. It's all right. We'll keep these foul creatures from hurting you." Zayra calms down and looks at Series 9. Zayra:"You will? Really?" Series 9:"Of course." Zayra calms down even more and hugs Series 9 back. Zayra:"Thanks, uncle Nine." Series 9 looks up surprised. Series 9:"Uncle Nine?" L-22:"I must inform you that we must accelerate our progress. The Road Rovers will be able to reach the control unit before we do. I recommend we send in our nullifier drones and spider drones to neutralize them." Series 9:"Why not? It would be great to see them fighting amongst each other without their super powers. I will command our drones to increase their speed." L-22 begins transmitting new orders to the nullifier drones and the unseen spider drones while Series 9 issues new orders for the other drones. Alleyway End By Research Facility 2:56 PM: This is where the alley ends against the wall of the research facility. In the alley are more barrels and doors leading into the Viking homes. The Road Rovers appear from around a corner further back, then run up to the wall. Hunter:"Well, here's the research facility. Now to get in." Shag digs around in his fur and takes out his rocket launcher, but Hunter shakes his head. Hunter:"Not yet, Shag. We first need to see what on the other side of that wall before we blast our way in. Exile." Shag puts his rocket launcher back into his fur. Exile:"Dokey okey, comrade." Exile uses his x-ray vision on the wall and looks into the room beyond the wall for a few moments, but then suddenly stops. Hunter:"Finished already, Buddy?" Exile rubs his eyes. Exile:"Nyet. My x-ray vision went caputski on me." Colleen:"You mean you didn't stop by yourself?" Exile:"Nyet, comrade Colleen." Renegade:"Then how...?" They all look behind them and see a nullifier drone hovering a distance away from them. Alethia looks at Renegade. Alethia:"Renegade, what kind of drone is that?" Renegade:"I don't know, Al. I've never seen that one before." Blitz:"It's looking at us." Colleen:"Well, it's about to see my boyfriend." Colleen takes out her Boyfriend, loads a sponge and takes aim on the nullifier drone. The drone sees this, then quickly disappears into an adjacent alley. As it does, Exile's x-ray vision returns. Exile:"Bolshoi! My x-ray vision has come backski." Everyone looks surprised at Exile as he stops using his x-ray vision. Alethia:"You mean it just came back by itself?" Exile:"Dah, just when round purple drone made coop flewski." Renegade:"If that's so, then does that mean that drone must have somehow stopped Exile from using his super power?" They all look at each other, then shake their heads. Rovers:"Nah." Hunter:"Exile, carry on." Exile:"With pleasure." Exile turns back to the wall and resumes his x-ray scan, but he is once again interrupted. Exile:"Bolshoi! Againski." Alethia:"Could it be...?" They all look behind them again and see the nullifier drone hovering on the same spot again. Renegade:"I guess it does mean that drone can neutralize our powers." Colleen:"Well, it's about to get neutralized." Colleen raises her Boyfriend at the drone. The drone once again ducks into the alley and Exile's x-ray vision returns. Blitz:"That little drone is scared of my magnificent muscles, yah?" Blitz strikes a pose, which disgusts Exile. Exile:"Please, my medical insurance does not cover thiski." Hunter:"We may have chased it away, but my guess is that it will just come back and annoy us. So that means someone will have to keep that drone away from us until we can finish our work on this wall." Blitz stops posing and reveals his claws. Blitz:"I'll go get him! I'd love to sink my teeth in his round toosh." Exile groans. Hunter thinks for a moment. Hunter:"Okay, Blitz, but don't go too far." Blitz:"Yah, yah." Blitz immediate runs down the alley and around the corner where the drone disappeared. Hunter looks back at Exile. Hunter:"Okay, Exile. This time you should finish." Exile:"With Weird Boy? I doubtski, but I will try." Exile looks back at the wall with his x-ray vision and looks through it into the other room. After a few moments he finishes and looks back at Hunter. Exile:"Behind wall is a medical room with nobodies around." Hunter:"Is the wall thick?" Exile:"Not much thicker than my bedroom wall, comrade." Hunter:"So you can cut it?" Exile:"Easy as molasses." Renegade:"It's pie, Exile." Exile looks confused at Renegade. Exile:"Easy as pie? Doesn't sound rightski to me, comrade." He turns to the wall and uses his heat sight to begin cutting a doorway into the wall. After a few moments he finishes up. Exile:"Doneski." Hunter:"Good. Shag, open the door." Shag:"Rha!" Suddenly they hear Blitz screaming not far off. They all look into the direction from where the scream came from. Alethia:"Uh oh. Sounds like Blitz got scared, again." Colleen:"He's too 'delicate' to get hurt, according to what he often tells himself while he showers." Exile:"Dah. Weird Boy is big scary dog. He will be running towards us and hiding in comrade Shag's fur as usualski." They all wait for Blitz to appear. In a few seconds he does appear at the corner. He looks down at the others and growls fiercely, his claws still extended. The Rovers start worrying a bit and Shag begins to whimper. Colleen:"You know, for someone who is supposed to be scared he does look rather angry." Alethia:"I have a bad feeling about this." Suddenly Blitz starts charging towards the Rovers, his jaws clamping and his claws held out in an attack stance. The Rovers are now really concerned. Shag yelps and jumps into Renegade's arms. Renegade:"He's going to attack us!" Colleen:"Blimey! Is he crazy?" Hunter:"I would not have predicted this!" Just as Blitz reaches them Colleen comes up and karate kicks him away. Colleen:"Michael Jordan!" Blitz flies through the air and into some of the barrels. However, he quickly gets up and starts charging again. Alethia:"He's turned against us! But how?" Exile:"Weird Boy now Nut Boy! Better give him big chill!" As Blitz continues his charge Exile quickly uses his freeze sight to encase Blitz in a cube of ice. The cube continues to slide onward on the on the slippery cobblestones. The Rovers quickly move out of the way and the cube hits the cut part of the wall. The wall falls over and the cube slides on into the room before stopping in the middle of it. The Rovers look inside. The room has surgical tables, health kits and computers for medical purposes. A steel door leads out of the room opposite the custom doorway of Exile's. However, the Rovers' attention is clearly focused on the frozen Blitz. Hunter:"What's gotten into him?" Alethia:"Perhaps that drone did something to him." Colleen:"Well, I'm going to have a closer look at him to find out what made him so bloomin' nuts." Colleen enters the room and the other follow. They all surround the cube and look at him. Renegade is first to spot what is wrong. Renegade:"I think that's the problem." He points towards Blitz's head and the others look at it. Sitting on Blitz's head like a helmet is a mechanical spider with four legs (who are gripping tightly to Blitz's head), a blue/metal body and a camera on top with a red lens. On the legs are the letters GONV. This is a spider drone. Exile:"A spider droneski? On Blitz's noghead?" Colleen:"I thought they were used for scout jobs, like those flying recon drones." Hunter looks at Renegade. Hunter:"Do you know what is wrong with this picture, Renegade?" Renegade:"Sorry, Hunter. I'm just as stumped as the rest of..." Suddenly they hear voices coming from the corridor behind the closed door. Voice:"The announcement system says the breach is in this medical room." Colleen:"Uh oh. Company." Hunter quickly looks around and spots a vent against one of the walls. He points at it. Hunter:"We'll escape through that." Colleen runs up to it and gets it open with a high kick. Colleen:"Don Johnson!" Hunter looks at Shag. Hunter:"You carry Blitz, Shag." Shag:"Rhokay." Shag then tries to pick up the frozen Blitz while the rest climb one by one into the vent. Shag, however, is having trouble. His paws keep slipping off the smooth ice. Hunter pops his head from the vent. Hunter:"Hurry, Shag!" Shag whimpers. Footsteps start coming from behind the door. Voice 1:"Open the door." Voice 2:"Yes, sir." Someone begins to type on an access lock on the other side. Hunter looks back at Shag. Hunter:"Leave Blitz, Shag! We'll get him later." Shag quickly runs up to the vent and Hunter helps him into it. Just as they disappear into the darkness of the vent the door opens and a large group of battle troopers rush in. Some of them go to the breach and secure while another group surrounds the frozen Blitz. The squad corporal then comes into the room and spots the frozen Blitz. Corporal:"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Blitz on ice." He looks around. Corporal:"But where are the others?" A trooper calls the corporal's attention. Trooper:"Sir!" The corporal turns to the trooper, who is pointing towards the open vent. Corporal:"Great. They are in the vents." He turns back to the troopers and starts issuing orders. Corporal:"Secure this breach. Get this frozen Rover to Master Sergeant Sky and issue an alert to all forces: the Road Rovers have breaches the facility and are inside the ventilation system." Troopers:"Sir, yes sir!" The corporal leaves, followed by some troopers who push Blitz out of the room. The rest begin to secure the breach. Surveilance Room Research Facility 3:11 PM: The room has banks of security monitors showing large portions of the fortress. Police troopers are busy monitoring the screens. Sky and Tesla are here watching the battle on the monitors. The phalanx of drones is now very close to the two front doors of the facility, with the troopers and Walkers retreating even more. Sky:"The GONV may be all robotic, but they are also predictable. Once we let them in we'll give them a very nasty surprise." Tesla:"I must admit, this plan of yours might be successful, though you must beware that one cano-sapien amongst those drones next to Series 9 and L-22." Sky:"Yes, I didn't expect her among them, but she's also a cyborg. Even if she survives, she will be very weakened." Tesla:"I agree, but I want her alive. She would be an interesting subject to question and study." Sky:"Can't you think of anything else besides science?" Tesla:"What is wrong with it? I'm a scientist. If we did not think of science, then you would still be eating grass." Sky shakes his head. Round about that time the corporal from the medical room enters the room and walks up to Sky. Sky turns to him and they both salute. Corporal:"Sir, we had a breach in medical room H. We have also secured a prisoner." Sky:"A prisoner? You know that the GONV drones don't talk, Corporal." Corporal:"I know, sir, but the prisoner was frozen in a cube of ice. And he is a Road Rover." Sky and Tesla are both immediately interested. Sky:"A Road Rover?" Corporal:"Yes, sir." Tesla:"Do you know which one is it?" Corporal:"It's the cowardly doberman, sir." Sky and Tesla look at each other. Sky, Tesla:"Blitz." Sky looks back at the corporal. Sky:"Did you see the other Road Rovers?" Corporal:"No, sir. They've escaped into the ventilation system. I have ordered a complete lockdown on all shafts and vents to contain them and have posted guards at the various vents." Sky:"Good, but increase your guard as much as you can. These Road Rovers are a difficult lot." Corporal:"Yes, sir." Tesla:"Where's Blitz at the moment?" Corporal:"We're busy thawing him out in holding cell B." Tesla looks at Sky. Tesla:"I'm going to have a look at him. It's always beneficial to study the Rovers up close and personal. Coming?" Sky:"Not yet. I'm first going to finish off the GONV phalanx." Tesla:"Try to capture that female cano-sapien if possible and bring her to me for research." Sky:"If there is anything left of her." Tesla leaves the room. Sky looks at the corporal. Sky:"Search the vents for the other Road Rovers. You have authorization to shoot on sight." The corporal salutes. Corporal:"Yes, sir!" The corporal leaves the room as well. Sky turns his attention back to the monitors. Research Facility Entrance 3:17 PM: The main entrance is a very large sliding door with the design of the KH Military on the central lock. Currently the KH defenders have their backs against it while shooting back at the oncoming GONV phalanx. When the phalanx gets close enough the door opens, revealing a room with another door at the end (which is also open). The KH defenders quickly run into the facility through the two open doors while Series 9, L-22 and Zayra watch. Zayra:"The facility is open and the enemy is running away!" Series 9:"Our offence is going well. Soon the decoder will be in our claws." L-22:"If the KH Military does not relocate the control unit away from Thorstadt or destroy it in desperation." Series 9:"You're right. We must speed up the offence." Series 9 transmits an order to the phalanx of drones and they start to sprint to the open doors. They all enter the room, but before they can go through the next door, it quickly closes and locks. The phalanx stops and the front door also closes and locks. Zayra, Series 9 and L-22 examine their current situation. Zayra:"We're trapped!" Series 9:"We've been tricked!" L-22:"It appears we have underestimated the lupo-sapien organics." L-22 then detects something. L-22:"I am detecting an increase of energy storage within the floor and ceiling of this room. It would appear that the organics are going to send out an electrical discharge throughout this room." Series 9:"Uh oh. Is that bad?" L-22:"Correct. The discharge will severely damage all our mainframes and destroy our processing units." Zayra is shocked. Zayra:"We're going to die?" L-22:"As you would state, correct. I estimate we have about two minutes and 33 seconds left before the discharge." Zayra starts to cry. Zayra:"No! I don't want to die!" Series 9:"This IS bad. L-22, see if there is a way to escape." L-22 scan the room and spots a vent high in the wall on their left. He points towards it. L-22:"That ventilation shaft is the only escape that can use at this present moment." Series 9 looks at Zayra. Series 9:"I'll help you up to it and you open it, Zayra." Zayra:"Okay." The two quickly run up to the wall. Series 9 picks up Zayra and lifts her up to the vent grate. She takes out a large, elegant sword, then uses it to pry open the vent. She climbs in, then helps L-22 push Series 9 up into the vent. Series 9 then pulls L-22 put into the vent. L-22:"Twenty seconds before discharge." Series 9:"We must get as many drones as possible." Series 9 pulls up a light drone, who in turn pull up another light drone. The second light drone then begins to pull up a third light, but suddenly electrical beams start shooting through the room. Every drone in the room, including the one helping the other up into the vent, is hit by a powerful current. Many of them short circuit, others malfunction and the rest just simply explode. When the beams stop, all that is left of the GONV phalanx in the room are smouldering heaps of metal. L-22 surveys the damage. L-22:"We have lost all but one of the drones and have been severely weakened." Series 9:"We can still get that decoder. Let's proceed." Zayra:"Okay." L-22, light drone:"Processing command." The remains of the GONV phalanx proceed deeper into the darkness of the ventilation shaft. Announcer:"Warning. Hostile signatures detected in ventilation system, sections J and M." Holding Cell B 3:22 PM: The room has many prison cells with only a single door leading out. On a table in the middle of the room is Blitz, thawed out but unconscious and still having the spider drone on his head. A lot of battle troopers are standing about the cell area, all keeping an eye on Blitz. Tesla and a few scientists are here as well and are busy examining Blitz's head with various medical and examination tools. Tesla:"Facinating. What a remarkable piece of technology." In a ventilation shaft running above the cell are the Rovers. Hunter is busy leading them and they are whispering to each other. Alethia:"Thank goodness for Exile's heat sight, or else we would have never gotten past those vent blockage panels." Colleen:"Must we really save whatsisname?" Hunter:"Of course. He's one of the team, and the Rover policy clearly states we must save each member if they are caught, no matter how weird they are." They come over to the grate which looks out over the cell area. Hunter looks through the grate and sees Blitz. He signals the others and they all gather around the grate to look down into the cell area. About that time Sky enters the holding cell. All the troopers salute him. He salutes back and the troopers go back at ease. Sky looks at Tesla. Sky:"We didn't get that female cano-sapien. She and three of the GONV robots escaped through the vent." Tesla continues his examination. Tesla:"Pity. Still, the examination of Blitz is even more rewarding." Sky:"Why's that?" Tesla motions Sky to the table and he points at the spider drone attached to Blitz's head. Sky looks it over. Sky:"What is that?" Tesla:"That, my dear Sky, is a GONV spider drone. And a remarkable piece of technology I might add." Sky:"So what? Why's that so important?" Tesla:"That spider drone has taken over control of Blitz." Sky looks at Tesla, confused. Sky:"What are you talking about?" Tesla:"Let me explain. The spider drone you see here has grabbed hold of Blitz's head and has inserted a needle-thin probe through a crack in his skull. The probe has reached his brain and is sending out small pulses out to the brain." Sky:"You mean this robot is using mind control on the Rover?" Tesla:"Not really, but it has taken over complete control of Blitz's nerve system. This means it can control the movement of his arms and legs as well as his super claws, his head and other parts of his body. In addition, it also stimulates the production of more adrenaline under any circumstance." Sky:"You mean Blitz has been turned into a GONV zombie." Tesla:"Sort of, but he still has control over other functions such as decision making, emotions, thoughts, memories and so forth. That means Blitz knows his body is being controlled by the spider drone on his head, but he simply cannot do anything about it." Sky:"Let me get this straight: his body is beyond his control, but he is still a Rover in his mind?" Tesla:"Exactly. He does not want to attack his friends, but he cannot do anything to prevent his body from doing it." Sky:"Doing things against your will. That must be bad." Tesla:"Indeed. In fact, I'm curious in seeing the physiological and emo- tional effects of the host after being controlled by a spider drone." Sky then realises something. Sky:"Wait a minute. If this drone can control bodies, then why haven't any of my boys been grabbed by it?" Tesla:"The probe is somewhat fragile and can only go through skin and between the cracks in the skull. Our troopers are wearing helmets, making it difficult if not impossible for the spider drones to take control of them. In fact, even if a person is wearing a hat he still has a chance of thwarting a spider drone attack." Sky:"Oh. So this little terror has a glass jaw." Tesla:"Two of them. When a spider drone takes control of a host, it does so with minimal damage, since it does not want to damage the brain for fear of destroying a vital nerve. Thus the host can be saved by destroying the spider drone. That is, if the host hasn't been been killed while being controlled by the spider drone." Sky:"Can you reprogram this thing?" Tesla:"Reprogram? No. The GONV's command code is very complex and I've haven't been able to decipher it, much less alter it to..." Suddenly Blitz's body starts shaking, to the surprise of Sky, Tesla, the other scientists and the Rovers. Sky:"What's going on here?" Tesla:"I don't know. I..." Blitz jumps off the table, claws and fangs at the ready. Before Sky and the troopers can react he charges past them and out the room. Sky:"S***! It's loose!" Sky looks at the other troopers. Sky:"Follow me!" Troopers:"Yes, sir!" Announcer:"Warning. Road Rover escape from holding cell B. All personnel on the red alert." Sky and the troopers run out of the room after Blitz, weapons at the ready. Inside the vent the Rovers look at each other. Colleen:"Well, our mission is complete. Let's go." Hunter:"Stay, Colleen. Stay. We still have to get that decoder from the KH Military. I'm betting that the spider drone on Blitz's head has gotten orders to go fetch it." Exile:"Weird Boy get decoder? That is beans!" Renegade, Alethia:"Nuts, Exile." Exile:"Oh." Hunter:"That drone on his head is in charge and you heard Tesla: that robot can make Blitz a fearless killing machine. We'd better roll and get to that decoder before he does." They continue moving through the vents. Corridor 3:29 PM: This a short corridor with fluorescent lights in the ceiling and a ven- tilation shaft running along the top right corner of the corridor. In the vent is Series 9, Zayra, L-22 and the light drone. They are waiting by a grate in the vent. Zayra:"Why are we stopping here?" L-22:"We have to await the arrival of our reinforcements." Zayra:"Reinforcements? But we lost all our drones! How are we going to get help in here?" There is suddenly the sounds of heavy fighting, biting, clawing and shouting. Series 9:"That should be it." Blitz appears around the corner, tossing around the troopers he has just bitten and clawed. He starts running to the vent grate, but a machinegun turret appears from the ceiling. Before it can spool up and being to fire Blitz jumps up to and bites it in half. When he is done he goes the vent and claws it open. Series 9, Zayra, L-22 and the light drone climb out the vent. Zayra hides behind Series 9, in fear of Blitz. Zayra:"It's a Road Rover!" Series 9:"Don't worry. He's working for us now." Zayra:"You... you sure?" Series 9:"Yes, I'm sure." L-22:"The Rover Blitz is also a fine specimen of his species. Very strong and has powerful claws and dental work. He will be a useful drone." Series 9:"Good. He can lead our attack." Series 9 transmits his orders to the spider drone. After a few seconds Blitz starts running down the corridor followed by Series 9, L-22, Zayra and the light drone. Wavegun Command Room 3:33 PM: This is a small square room with a large computer against the one wall. It has many screens, several consoles and control panels and a special slot for the black decoder box. Opposite the computer are the sliding security doors of the room. Blitz's claws slide in between the doors, then forces the doors open. Announcer:"Warning. Wavegun security doors have been breached." Blitz walks in followed by Series 9, Zayra, L-22 and the light drone. L-22:"I will retrieve the control unit." Series 9:"We'll keep guard." Blitz stands in the middle of the doorway, flanked by Series 9 (holding his laser shotgun) on the left and Zayra and the light drone on the right. L-22 walks up to the computer and begins to remove the decoder from it's slot. After a few moments he successfully takes out the decoder and calls Zayra. L-22:"Hold the control unit for a period of time, Zayra. I have to access the Wavegun data banks to search for any information we may have overlooked or may require." Zayra:"Okay." Zayra walks up to L-22 and takes the decoder in her paws. L-22 turns back to the computer, accesses it and begins to search though the data banks. Just then Sky, followed by a large group of troopers, appears at the other side of the door, their weapons ready. Series 9, Blitz and the light drone aim their weapons at the group. Zayra turns around, looking with a small touch of fear at the troopers. L-22 continues with his work, completely oblivious of what is going on. Sky:"You're trapped now. You will give us back that decoder." Zayra gathers her strength and defiance. Zayra:"Never! We'll rid the Earth of your foul touch!" Sky:"The GONV has clearly filled your mind with a lot of fluff. What is your name?" Zayra:"I'm Zayra Cabot, you mean thing!" Sky laughs. Sky:"I was expecting some colourful language from someone your age. Now, Miss Zayra Cabot. You will give me that decoder." Zayra:"Never!" Sky:"Oh? Really?" Sky looks into Zayra's eyes. She immediately becomes mesmerized by his super powers. Sky:"You will give that decoder." Zayra:"Yes, I will." Series 9 looks surprised at Zayra as she slowly proceeds towards Sky, holding out the decoder while Sky grins. Series 9:"What are you doing? L-22." L-22 stops and turns to see what is going on. He sees Zayra walking to the troopers. L-22:"This is unfortunate. Zayra is being influenced by Master Sergeant Sky's power of mind manipulation." Series 9:"You mean she's being mind controlled?" L-22:"Correct." Secretly, L-22 sends a transmission Series 9, Blitz's spider drone and the light drone. They all process and understand the transmission. As that happens, Zayra walks up and stops before Sky, holding out the decoder to him. Zayra:"Here it is." Sky:"Good girl." Sky moves his paws towards the decoder. Suddenly Series 9 and the light drone aim their weapons at the ceiling above the troopers and fire a single shot at it. The shots crack the ceiling and it collapses upon Sky and the troopers. Following the debris are the Rovers and they fall atop of the troopers and knock them to the ground. When the dust clears the Rovers, Sky and the troopers are lying in a heap on the floor. Zayra recovers from Sky's control of her and looks at the mess. Zayra:"Wha... what happened?" L-22 runs up to Zayra and takes the decoder from her. L-22:"I will transport the control unit." Series 9:"Let's leave. Now." Blitz runs out, followed by Series 9, L-22, Zayra and the light drone and they all start running down the corridor. Everyone in the heap groan and start recovering. Colleen:"Blimey. That hurt a lot." Renegade:"I should have known L-22 could see through the ceiling." Sky then sees the GONV group running away. He quickly gets up and looks at the recovering troopers. Sky:"Follow me! We must get that decoder back!" The troopers get up, then notice the Rovers and aim their weapons at them. Sky:"Screw the Rovers! The decoder is our main priority!" Sky takes off and the troopers reluctantly follow. The Rovers watch them go. Aelthia:"The GONV is way ahead of us!" Exile:"And KH bad wolves are not far behindski!" Hunter:"Let's roll, Rovers! We got to get that decoder!" They all get up and start running after the KH troopers. Announcer:"Attention. All Thorstadt military personnel. The GONV Forces are now your primary targets." Alleyway End 3:42 PM: The breach is being covered by battle troopers looking at the hole in the medical room to the alley outside. Blitz then appears behind them and before the troopers can react Blitz mauls them in submission. He then runs out, followed the rest of the GONV group, and they all continue down the alley. After a few moments Sky and his troopers rush in and out through the breach. Announcer:"Medical attention required in medical treatment room 13." Just then the Rovers rush in and out into the alley, following Sky and his troopers. After another few moments medical troopers rush into the room and begin treating the injured troopers. Ventilation Shaft 3:56 PM: The vent is still in the same condition. The Rovers appear from the vent and climb out into the open. Colleen and the others look at Hunter with a worried look on their faces. Colleen:"This is very risky, Huntie. This plan of yours might not work." Exile:"Dah, comrade. You making a chance very bigski." Renegade:"I have to agree here with the others, Hunter. We don't know if those GONV robots will be able to reach the Blackbirds before Sky and his troopers do." Hunter:"Just trust me on this one. Shag, use the Remote Calling Unit." Shag:"Rhokay." Shag takes out an electronic pad (that is the shape of a poodle) and presses a button on it. Hunter:"Now let's just wait for our ride." Alethia:"I still have doubts about your plan, Hunter." Hunter:"Just trust me." The others shake their heads. Market Plain Central Thorstadt At that moment: This is a large cobblestone square that was once a marketplace in it's heyday. In the centre of the plain is a large statue of an old Viking hero. Currently a vicious battle is going on between the defending KH Military forces and the GONV Forces that had landed. The drones are busy defending the last blackbird transport (all the others have been blown up on the square). Currently some of the drones are busy covering Series 9 and his group, who have just appeared from an isolated and undefended alley, as they rush towards the blackbird. As they reach it Sky and his troopers appear from the alleyway and he sees the GONV drones all starting to board the blackbird with only a few drones remaining to fight off the defenders. Sky:"Oh no! You're not getting away that easily!" He spots a nearby Walker and starts running towards it. The blackbird's engines fire up and it begins to take off. About that time Sky reaches the Walker and calls to the pilot inside. Sky:"I need to take command of your Walker, pilot!" Pilot:"Yes, sir!" The pilot opens his cockpit and climbs out. Sky climbs in, closes the Walker cockpit and takes control. The blackbird, now airborne, starts flying over Thorstadt as the last GONV drone in the square is destroyed. Sky aims the Walker's missile system at the blackbird, then gets a lock. Sky:"Bye bye, Blackbird." He pushes the fire button and the Walker fires two missiles from it's twin missile packs. The missiles travel after the blackbird. Just as the blackbird clears the city walls the two missiles slam into the VTOL engines of the craft. The blackbird quickly starts to loose altitude as its destroyed engines burn with a thick smoke. Ventilation Shaft At that moment: The Rovers watch as the damaged blackbird rapidly descends towards the mountains. Everyone but Hunter is shocked, he is still remaining calm. Hunter:"Yup. Everything is going to plan." The others look at him in surprise. Colleen:"This is part of your plan???" Exile:"Comrade Hunter is acting even worseski than Weird Boy!" Shag raises his voice as well. Hunter:"Not really. Look." He points towards the blackbird, the others look towards it as well. They can see several parachutes coming from the blackbird before it disappears behind a mountain. There is a flash from that area, followed by a large explosion. Alethia:"They use parachutes?" Renegade:"The GONV uses the most efficient methods, which is sometimes the most simple ones." Hunter:"Ah. Here's comes our ride." The TurboJet Rover appears from behind the mountains, flies up to the Rovers and lands before them. Hunter:"Man, I love technology." He looks at the others. Hunter:"Let's get that decoder, and Blitz, before the GONV can escape or the KH Military sends out a search party." They run to the TurboJet Rover and climb in. Soon they take for the area where the parachutists had landed. Mountain Valley 5 Kilometres from Thorstadt 3:59 PM: This is a narrow, rocky, but passable valley between the high mountains. Shrubs and boulders are everywhere. Moving through the valley away from Thorstadt are the remains of the GONV assault force: Series 9, Zayra, L-22 (holding the decoder), Blitz and a few light drones. Smoke coming from the destroyed blackbird can be seen from behind a mountain rise. Zayra is shaking from the cold. Zayra:"I'm cold." L-22:"We need additional time to reprogram on your sensory matrix so that you cannot suffer temperature discomfort." Zayra:"I can't help it. I'm very cold." Series 9 looks at Blitz. Series 9:"The Rover Blitz's body gives off heat, right L-22?" L-22:"Correct. His species' blood temperatures are well maintained at all times." Series 9:"Good." Series 9 transmits some orders to the spider drone. Blitz walks up to Zayra, puts his arms around her and hugs her close to his body. She stops shaking and begins warming up from Blitz's body heat. She smiles. Zayra:"I like it. It's nice and warm." Suddenly a powerful energy blast hits amongst the light drones, blowing them apart. The others quickly turn around to see what caused it. They see the TurboJet closing in on them. Zayra clings more tightly to Blitz in fear. Series 9:"It's those Rovers again!" L-22:"They are extremely tenacious." The TurboJet Rover hovers closer and its one side door opens. Hunter, Colleen, Renegade, Exile and Alethia jump out while Shag remains at the controls. Renegade and Alethia are both carrying Puppy Blasters. Hunter looks at Series 9. Hunter:"Alright, Nine. Give us the decoder and our Blitz, then we might not recycle you." Series 9:"I don't think so, organic!" Series 9 aims his laser shotgun, but is immediately frozen by Exile's deep freeze sight. Exile:"Now you doski." They then look at L-22. Hunter:"Right, L-22. Give us the decoder or else we'll freeze you as well." L-22 transmits orders to the spider drone on Blitz's head, but Renegade, being a former GONV cyborg, picks this transmission up. Renegade:"He's ordering Blitz to attack us!" Blitz let's go of Zayra (who backs off a bit) and goes into an attacking stance. Alethia then gets an idea. Alethia:"I think I have plan to get Blitz back to normal." Hunter:"What is it?" Alethia:"What does Blitz like the most?" Exile rolls his eyes. Exile:"Toosh biting." Alethia grins. Alethia:"Exactly." Renegade:"Wonderful idea, Love! It might help him take control of his body away from the spider drone." Hunter:"We just need the right 'rear' for it." Colleen:"And who'd be bloomin' crazy to advertise for Blitz?" Everyone looks slyly at Colleen. Her eyes widen. Hunter:"We have a volunteer." Colleen:"No way, guv! I am NOT, repeat NOT going to do it!" Alethia:"Colleen, you're the best chance we have. Blitz likes you." Exile:"And Blitz likes good toosh. You got bothski, comrade Colleen." Colleen folds her arms in defiance. Colleen:"No! No! And triple NO!!!" Hunter:"Please, Colleen. We got to get that decoder. And you don't need to have Blitz really getting your.... well, you know." Colleen:"No, Hunter!" Hunter shakes his head. Hunter:"I have no choice, but... Colleen, I order you in the name of the Road Rovers and the United Nations to get Blitz's attention." Colleen throws her arms up in frustration and looks coldly at Hunter. Colleen:"Once this mission is over and we've used the Wavegun, you and I will be having a VERY - LONG - TALK." Colleen looks towards Blitz and strikes a pose, showing off her rear figure to him. Colleen:"Hey there, guv. Got something for you." This clearly gets Blitz's attention. He quickly takes control of his body again. Blitz:"Ach tung lieber. I must be dreaming." The spider drone fights back and retakes control of Blitz's body. He growls again, but Colleen shakes her rear at him in a sexy way. He gains control again and starts drooling as he looks at the "show". Blitz:"I'm not dreaming!" The spider drone struggles to keep control over Blitz, but the more the struggle continues, the more Colleen advertises. After a few moments, Blitz takes full control. He grabs the spider drone, forces it off his head and tosses it against a rock. It shatters into a dozen pieces. Blitz rubs his paws in glee as he looks with mischievous eyes at Colleen. Blitz:"It's time for the chewing of pretty she-doggy's sexy toosh." Hunter:"I think he's back to normal." Exile:"Maybe too normalski." Blitz charges for Colleen, teeth at the ready. Just as reaches Colleen, she karate kicks him. Colleen:"ICU!" Blitz flies into a boulder and falls to the ground, groaning both in pain and disappointment. Blitz:"So close. So close." Hunter looks at L-22. Hunter:"Okay. Now you give us the decoder." Zayra gathers as much courage as she can and takes out her sword, going into a defensive stance. Zayra:"You're not getting the decoder, you foul creatures!" The Rovers (except Blitz, who is still recovering from the kick) all look confused at each other. Exile:"She must be missing basket of many marbles." Alethia:"Either that, or the GONV is deceiving her into thinking we're the bad guys." Hunter:"Perhaps we can talk her out of it. Alethia, you try while I go for the decoder." Alethia:"Right." They all turn to Zayra and see L-22 running off while she covers. Alethia begins to talk to her while Hunter runs off super fast after L-22. Alethia:"Let us talk first. What is your name?" Zayra:"My name's Zayra." Alethia:"Zayra. That's a pretty name." Zayra:"Um... thanks." Alethia:"Why are you helping the GONV, Zayra?" Zayra:"Because we are trying to stop you and the humans from destroying this beautiful world with your fighting and pollution. We will wipe you all out to save Earth's other creatures." The Rovers all look surprised at each other. Renegade:"She's thinking we're the bad guys while it is exactly the opposite." Alethia:"I can sense that her mind isn't really that of an adult. In fact I'm even wondering if she even has the mind of a teenager." Colleen:"Try telling her the truth, Al. Perhaps she'll believe you." Alethia:"I'll try." They all turn to Zayra. Alethia:"Listen, Zayra. You must believe me. The GONV is the bad guys. We're on the good side." Zayra:"Liars! You're all liars!" She charges at them with her sword pointed forward in a thrust-position. Before she can reach them Exile freezes her as well. The others look at Exile. Exile:"Sorryski, but I had zero choice." Blitz, who had been watching the whole the scene, walks up to the others while pointing at Zayra with an angry look on his face. Blitz:"She is a bad female! She deserves to be frozen." The others look coldly at Blitz. Colleen rolls up her sleeves. Colleen:"Do you want another kick or punch, Fluffy?" Blitz cowers. Blitz:"Ah... nein." Meanwhile L-22 is running fast down the mountain, but Hunter quickly catches up with and stops right in front of him, leaning against a boulder and a smug smile on his face. Hunter:"Where are you going, Speedy?" L-22:"That information is none of your concern, Hunter." Hunter:"Really?" He takes out his tennisball shooter and aims it at L-22. Hunter:"Drop the decoder." L-22:"That is not possible. The command mainframe requires the control unit." Hunter:"Then I'll blast you into a toaster." L-22:"That would not be wise, Hunter." Hunter:"Oh? And why not?" L-22:"One kilometre to the southeast is an approaching fleet of our aerial forces coming to evacuate us from this area, all of them fully armed and having you and your comrades as primary targets. You do not have the available time to destroy me and take possession of the control unit." Hunter looks into the direction that L-22 mentioned and sees the incoming GONV aerial fleet. Hunter:"Okay. You're right. Then it's time for me to speed things up." In the blink of an eye Hunter runs up to L-22, takes the decoder and runs back to the others, leaving a trail of flames. L-22 turns to see where Hunter had disappeared. After a few moments he sees the TurboJet Rover appearing from behind the mountains and flying off quickly into another direction away from the GONV aerial fleet and Thorstadt. L-22:"We may require further study of the Road Rovers. They are extremely complex organics." L-22 begins walking back to where he left Series 9 and Zayra as the GONV aerial fleet closes in on their position. Assembly area 4:30 PM: The machines are still working with the assembly. A small device that looks like a brain and spine with two blue eyes is held in front of a steel panel. Two freeze beams fire from the eyes and encase the steel panel in ice. The eyes then fire two heat beams that melt the ice, then the steel panel. The part is then taken to another part of the assembly area. Warroom Jumbo Rover 7:06 PM: All the Rover units are now gathered in the warroom with everyone else who is involved with the Rovers. On the main screen is a computer image of the globe with some satellite icons surrounding the icon of the EMP Wavegun. Nitro and Hubert are both busy on screen getting the Wavegun ready. Hunter has just told the others about Zayra. Master:"So this Zayra is working for the GONV, thinking that they are the good guys in the war and we the bad?" Hunter:"So it seems. Al suspects that Zayra's mind is very young and can be easily influenced." Norwood:"Any idea of her origins?" Colleen:"None, guv. We checked all our data banks on the various cano- sapiens out there in the world, and none come close to fitting her descriptions." Renegade:"She could be an experimental cyborg like me. Created for some sinister purpose." Master:"You may be right, Renegade. We had better keep an eye out for her. We don't know what she is capable of, even if she has an immature mind." Hubert and Nitro finish up and tell the others. Hubert:"The Wavegun is ready to fire." Nitro:"Co-ordinates are locked, the satellites are in position and the Wavegun is fully charged. Say the word." Norwood looks at Cadwell. Norwood:"Have our own forces been alerted about our usage of the Wavegun on the GONV Forces?" Cadwell:"Yes, sir. We have told them to turn off their equipment so that they do not get shut down as well. They are all ready for it." Norwood looks at Nitro and Hubert. Norwood(impersonating Admiral Tarkin):"You may fire when ready." Hubert and Nitro begin typing on their computer consoles. Master:"I hope this weapon does work. If it doesn't..." Norwood:"... then God help us all." They all look at main screen. The air is full of tense anticipation. EMP Wavegun High Orbit over the European Continent: The EMP Wavegun is in a stationary orbit above Europe. Various other satellites are holding their positions around the Wavegun in a circle. The Wavegun's tubular attachment start charging and sends a powerful energy charge to the main body. The front electronic tube starts gathering energy, turning blue as it does. After a few moments a thin blue beam is fired from each dish to the other satellites. Once that is done a second, more powerful beam is fired to the satellites and from the Wavegun's front. The beams all start spreading as they become powerful waves of EMP. GONV Advancement Group 30 Kilometres from Paris France At that moment: A large GONV battle group is being assembled for an assault. It consists of legions of drones, laser tanks and MKI to MKIV mechs (including the MKIII mech). MKIII mechs are large, three-legged robots with a round body, two heavy artillery rocket packs on their backs and an anti-personnel laser cannon hanging from below. On the bodies are the letters GONV. Suddenly the wave of EMP goes over the entire countryside and the battle group. A second later the robots all go nuts. EMP beams go over them as they malfunction. Some of the robots simply go dead and collapse to the ground, some explode into fireballs and the rest go wild, either doing fancy dances or shooting madly. After a while there is no moving GONV robot left here or anywhere else in France. East Front Russian Federation: A large group of GONV aerial fighters are flying over the countryside of central Russia. The EMP washes over them and after a second they too go nuts. Some explode in mid air, others just shut down and plummet to the ground. When they hit the ground they explode into large fireballs. Soon nearly every GONV division along the east front has been decimated by the EMP. Mediterranean Ocean 15 Kilometres from Tripoli, Libya: The GONV fleet, consisting of wave speeders, corvette cruisers, hydrofoils and dreadnaughts, has also been hit by the EMP. Many of the ships shut down or explode and sink, others ram into each other and the rest shoot wildly into all directions, at each other or at themselves. Soon the once powerful GONV navy all across the oceans around Europe, Asia and Africa is reduced to floating or sinking piles or junk with only a few surviving fleets. Warroom Jumbo Rover 7:18 PM: Everyone is watching anxiously at the main screen, which is now showing the territories controlled by the United Nations and the GONV. It being updated with new information about territorial control. First it shows the GONV's latest advancements, but there is little territory taken. Then it shows the United Nations' latest advancements. Large purple zones of GONV control across the map go from purple to blue. Soon all that remains of the once powerful GONV Forces are small purple blobs here and there across the map. Everyone in the room and on the screens jump up and cheer. There is the clapping of hands and paws, hand- and pawshakes, kisses, hugs, cheers and congratulations all around. Cadwell:"We did it!" Hunter:"The GONV Forces is wasted!" Blitz:"Yah, and I'm still in one piece!" Everyone looks at Blitz. He notices this. Blitz:"I mean WE'RE all still in one piece." Suddenly the main goes to static. This gets everyone's attention. The screen then materializes into the recreation room of the KHA Alexander. A wolf-sapien wearing the golden combat suit and red cloak of Stalker has his back turned to the camera, looking out of the window (which shows it is night time where the ship is). Wolf:"Congratulations, Road Rovers. You have managed to destroy nearly all of the GONV Forces with our Electro Magnetic Pulse Wavegun. I am pressed." Master:"Well, thank you." Norwood:"Same here. Are you the new KH Supreme General?" Wolf:"Yes and no." The wolf turns to face the screen. Everyone in the room gasps. The wolf is really General Stalker, grinning at them. Everyone:"STALKER!!!" Stalker:"Correct. Alive and well, as you can see." Colleen:"But you were killed when the Iron Fist exploded! You were at ground zero when it blew up!" Stalker:"True, but my suit protected me and I came through with only a few broken bones and some burns." He becomes more serious. Stalker:"However, I have more important matters to discuss with you all and I do not wish to enter a lengthy and tedious conversation with you. I demand the return of the EMP Wavegun to our control." Hunter:"Not a chance, Stalker! The Wavegun is ours now, free from what- ever evil plans you have for using it on us as well as the GONV Forces." Stalker:"So does that mean you will not return it?" Everyone fold their arms in defiance. Norwood:"Definitely not, Stalker." Master:"We will not bring about our own defeat by giving you back the Wavegun." Stalker sighs. Stalker:"Too bad. If you will not return it, then you will not be able to keep it." The screen switches to that of the EMP Wavegun in high orbit. Suddenly electricity travels through the weapon for a few seconds, then it explodes into a million pieces. Everyone looks at the screen in surprise. Bear:"Well, I'll be. He blew it up!" Hubert:"He must have had a special auto-destruction command built into the gun should it fall into the wrong hands." Norwood:"Never mind that. We still got we needed. The GONV's massive army has been reduced to a small militia force, thanks to you Rovers." He looks at the Master. Norwood:"This is your cue, Professor." The Master smiles and looks at the Rovers. Master:"You all did a wonderful job, Rovers. You're good good..." He picks up a notepad and begins reading it out loud. Master(reading):"Dogs, cats, humans, wolves and cyborgs." He looks up at the Rovers again. Master:"Did I miss anyone?" Hunter looks out over all the Rover operatives in the room before looking back at the Master, smiling and giving the okay sign. Hunter:"I think you got them all covered, Master." Master:"Good. Now, I think it is your cue, Hunter." Hunter:"You betcha, Master." Hunter turns to the others. Hunter:"To the power of the pack!" The Rovers all howl in unison while the humans (some of them) and felo- sapiens all cover their ears. GONV Computer Bunker 7:30 PM: On the GONV's screen appear the following words: "GEO-ECONOMIC ATTACK FAILED. LAUNCHING BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL ATTACK." The mighty GONV war machine has been decimated and is now only a few scattered groups across Europe. The tide of the Techno War has now shifted in favour of the Road Rovers and the United Nations. But the now GONV is beginning to resort to the use of biological and chemical weapons in its battle against the organic life on Earth. Will the Rovers be able to stop the GONV's biological and chemical weapons? What is the real truth behind Zayra Cabot's alliance with the GONV? What new surprises await the Rovers in their battle against the evil GONV computer? THE END