Now he was inside the main bridge of the spaceship, Dodgers saw the rest of the Society inside. Z-9 was sitting on the strong, metal captain's chair with Darkstar standing next to him. The others were standing by a metal table that was inside. On the table were the metallic device and the box-shaped machine.

What'sth that for?

Dodgers' eyes were upon the two things while he was dragged by the New Cadet and Moonbeam. Sweat was starting to come down his face.

What are they gonna to do to me? What are they gonna to do? What are they gonna to do? What are they gonna do?

The looks of the machine and device were scary that Dodgers tried to back away from them when he walked closer to the table. By the table were five chairs. As much as he didn't want to, Dodgers was forced to sit on one, close by the weapons.

"No," he mumbled while attempting to stand "No, pleasthe, no. No. I don't wanna. Let me go. Pleasthe, no. Pleasthe."

"Sit down Dodgers!" Canasta yelled at him while helping the New Cadet and Moonbeam. Those two walked away that Canasta held Dodgers by the shoulders.

"Which one first?" Moonbeam wondered while looking at the weapons.

"I got dibs with this one!"

It was the machine Canasta went with. Now that Dodgers was closer to the machine, he could see it in full detail. It was as big as a Television box set with a square shape and there were two sockets. Through the socket Dodgers was close to had numerous blades inside; probably a hundred. On the other side of the machine was another socket that had a small cup underneath it. Whatever is thrown into the machine would come out from the other end. Dodgers did not like the looks of it.

"Good choice Canasta," said Z-9.

Dodgers was shaking the entire time while Canasta pulled the machine closer. Since he was sitting next to the table, the machine was pushed closer to him and his right arm was near it. Dodgers shoved away from the machine.

"No! Gosh, pleasthe, no! Don't! No! Pleasthe! I'm begging you, don't do this!"

It was going to cut him. That's what the machine is going to do. It's going to cut Dodgers. He's going to be cut.

"I want to get out! Thisth isth sthcary!"

Dodgers again stood up but Canasta forced him on the chair.

"Keep that thing away from me! Pleasthe. Pretty pleasthe."

Again, Dodgers tried to get up but…

"Get down!" yelled Canasta.

To stop Dodgers from standing, Canasta, Skunderbelly, and Hilgalgo tied Dodgers upon the chair. They were given rope from Silver and wrapped it around Dodgers arms and legs.

"We need his right arm," Canasta told the others.

"For the machine?" Hilgalgo asked. His colleague nodded.

So, the cuffs were unlocked from Dodgers wrists with only his right arm out. Canasta pulled his glove off.

"Hey, that'sth mine!" Dodgers begged while watching the glove fall to the ground. "Give it back! You can't do thisth! Let me go, pleasthe! Pleasthe. Pleasthe, let me go! Pleasthe!"

Silver yelled, "Shut up ya bilge rat!"

With ropes ties on his left arm and legs, Dodgers didn't have chance to fight back. Plus, his right arm was pulled making him moan. Instead, he begged even more, "Pleasthe, no. Pleasthe! Have mercy. Pleasthe! Pleasthe!"

Hilgalgo punched Dodgers from behind his head to shut him up.

"Are we ready?" said Z-9 from up front.

The minute Dodgers was pulled closer to the table and his injured arm close to the machine's socket, Canasta replied, "Yes."

"Good. Make contact with the first ship you see Cadet."

"Yes sir," said the New Cadet.

Dodgers was only whimpering and still begging with, "Let me go! Pleasthe! Don't do thisth to me! Pleasthe! Pleeaasthe! Pleasthe!"

"SHUT UP!"

Everybody in the ship shouted to Dodgers including Z-9 and Darkstar. That was enough for Dodgers to stop talking but he whimpered. The fiery pain in his shoulder was coming back and so was the hot sweat. He didn't dare say another word but look back to the machine.

Just then the communicator screen buzzed revealing to be E.J.

"You're not a captain," said General Z-9.

"Where's Captain Dodgers?" E.J. demanded.

"No captain has answered me yet but if you wish to see yours, look here."

Dodgers looked up to the screen and smiled.

"Hey, E.J.!" he exclaimed. "Sthave me! Help me! Get me out of here! Help me! Thesthe guysth are sthcary!"

Cadet also showed up that both him and E.J. gasped. He wasn't sure what they were surprised about but Dodgers was sure as heck happy to see them.

"C-C-Cap'n!" said Cadet shocked.

"What did you do to him!?" E.J. yelled angrily while she stood up. "His shoulder! And why is he shaking?!"

"Not to worry," said Z-9 coldly. "I must talk with a captain."

"Talk with me! Just let our captain go and we'll negotiate."

"As I repeat, you're not a captain."

"So, what? He's my captain and Cadet's! Whatever you need, we'll give it to you!"

Z-9 laughed, "Not from you."

"Help me guysth!" Dodgers went on. "Do anything! Anything! Pleasthe! They broke my shoulder! Help me! Sthave me!"

"Don't worry Captain!" said E.J. worriedly. "We will!"

Again, Dodgers was punched from behind his head but this time from Silver.

"Hey!" yelled E.J. after watching the scene. "Leave him alone!"

"That'sth where you're incorrect Missth," said Darkstar, getting involved. "You will never have your preciousth captain. One: He'sth an idiotic duck. Two, no one caresth for him. And three, we need him."

"You don't need anyone, you clone!"

Z-9 glared back to E.J. but was distracted when his screen buzzed. This time it was a Galactic Protectorate Captain: Star Johnson.

"Have the machine ready," Z-9 told his crew. "Answer the call."

The New Cadet pressed a button to show Star Johnson on the side of the screen. In the meantime, Dodgers heard the whirring sounds coming from the machine.

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

He didn't watch who turned it on but the sounds gave him chills and plus, his right hand was close to the socket.

"General Z-9," said Star Johnson with a scowl.

Z-9 replied, "Right on time. There is a proposition I'd like to deal with you."

Star Johnson queried Z-9 with, "Like what?"

"Destroy the Earth's shield."

No one was expecting that, except the Society. Dodgers and Cadet held their breaths but Johnson glared at Z-9.

"That's thing's important, right?" said E.J. to Cadet.

"V-v-very," he replied.

"General Z-9," Star Johnson puffed out. "I would never do that!"

"If you refuse to cooperate, he won't be lucky." Z-9 pointed to Dodgers.

"What about him?" Johnson said rudely noticing Dodgers. "He ruined a message and is a mockery. Why, out of all captains, would you kidnap Dodgers?"

"What is that machine?" E.J. asked loudly. "What are you going to do to him?!"

"I know what Dodgers has done and the fact you hate him," Z-9 went on, ignoring E.J. "But what would you do to him? If you wish to have him maimed, be my guest."

"I would never do anything like that. Never. He should've went to prison."

Dodgers shook. He didn't say a word knowing he'll be punched and now that he was remembering his luck, things didn't look that promising for him anymore. It's true he was close to going to prison but he's now with the Society of Darkness. The machine was in front of his hand and it was still buzzing.

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

Do what he wantsth. Do what Z-9 wants. Do it. Pleasthe. Have mercy. Pleasthe.

Z-9 still interrogated Johnson with, "Which will it be Captain Johnson? The shield's destruction or Dodgers' suffering?"

Instead of looking at the machine, Dodgers looked up to Star Johnson, E.J., and Cadet. Johnson looked as if he was lost for words and Cadet and E.J. were watching apprehensively. It was Cadet who shouted,

"D-d-d-don't do it Captain Johnson! Don't destroy the shield!"

"Don't worry, I won't." That was grave mistake.

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

Dodgers' arm was pulled closer to the machine, sharp intake of breaths came from his mouth, and more sweat came down from him. It was going to come. He's going to be cut. The machine is going to cut him. It's coming.

"No, pleasthe! No! No! Pleasthe! No, no, no! Pleasthe, pleasthe, pleasthe!"

He fought against the grip on his arm from Canasta but his hand was getting closer and closer. Up to the point his fingers were about to touch the dozens of rotating blades.

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

He held his fingers behind.

"Get in there!" he heard Canasta yell.

"No! No, pleasthe, no! Pleasthe!"

"Leave him alone!"

That yell came from E.J.

"Don't do it! Let him go! Captain Johnson, do something! They're going to hurt him! Do something! He's scared!"

Johnson was speechless.

"Leave Dodgers alone!"

"You are not a captain," Z-9 repeated to her. "Go ahead, Canasta."

"Leave him alone!"

E.J.'s pleas were only ignored and Canasta held out Dodgers' fingers closer to the blades. Dodgers didn't want to watch but the tip of his fingers came to the cold metal and a sting came upon him.

"YYEEOOWW!" On the other side of the machine came feathers and blood.

With everyone watching, E.J. and Cadet jumped in fear and Johnson dropped his jaw. Z-9 looked back to the screen to Johnson telling him, "Are you going to obey?"

Johnson held his breath and let it out by saying, "No!"

"Push in further!"

It wasn't just the tip of Dodgers' fingers. Now it was his fingers in general. They went into the blades, being cut off in front of his eyes.

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

"AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

E.J. gasped loudly such as Cadet that they both yelled worriedly, "Captain Dodgers!"

"Will you destroy the shield?" Z-9 repeated again.

"Never!" Johnson replied.

Cadet and E.J. quickly shouted, "NO!"

It wasn't just the fingers that went into the machine. Dodgers' knuckles and palm went inside, on the blades slow enough for a loud scream.

BZZZZZZZZZZ!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The scream from Duck Dodgers was enough to scare everybody, but not the Society. They just stared at the sight with slanted eyes, evil grins, or angry looks. There were many feathers, bits of bone, and spurts of blood all over on the table; not just in the suction cup underneath the opposite opening of the machine. They were surrounding the entire thing and even Dodgers himself. Droplets of blood came upon Canasta.

Now the fire wasn't just on his shoulder, it was on his arm. The icing on the cake was now visible. Dodgers didn't see it but he felt it. Every inch of his right arm was in immense pain, coming from his wrist up to his elbow and shoulder. He didn't look but knew it was there. Since he had his eyes covered, tears came from Dodgers' eyes, his body twitched, he started to pant hard. The more he panted, it was easier to feel so the stinging wouldn't strike him anymore. It wasn't fire, it was stinging. Stinging. A thousand paper cuts or needles poking him. The touch of the stings; the stings.

And he cannot move his hand. He can't feel it anymore. What happened to his hand? He didn't want to watch anymore, after seeing his fingers go in the mechanical box, that he closed his eyes at the time. The blades were menacing enough. Dodgers took sharp pants while he hung his head and kept his eyes shut while he leaned on the table.

The stinging was unbearable that the only way he can deal with it was to breathe. That was all he can do. He didn't open his eyes but his arm was twitching madly and an urge came upon Dodgers that he wanted to look. His hand should still be there. It should be, it better be, it must be, it could be. So how come he can't feel it? It has to be there. He has to look. So, Dodgers opened his eyes expecting to see his right hand but instead, "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" His hand was gone. "AAAAAAHHHHHH! MY HAND!"

The machine had it. Black feathers were coming from it and even the bones. They spurted out from it on both sides of the openings. Blood was the only thing coming out from his wrist.

"MY HAND!"

It was off! Completely off! The scary blades took it! His hand was gone! Torn off, ripped off, cut off. How is he going to hold things?

Not a single word was spoken. Not in Z-9's spaceship, Johnson's, and Dodgers'. No one said a word but there has been movement. A few people fainted, including Star Johnson, but some threw up at the sight. Cadet was one of them. Some were crying at the sight, shrieked, or looked away from the sight. Only a few people in the opposite ships were still as a statue, such as E.J and the Society. The only people who were grinning were Z-9 and Darkstar.

The people staring at Dodgers saw the bloody stump on his wrist. There was no hand but just bones and muscles; And blood was pouring out.

"Let him go," E.J. asked desperately with reddened eyes. "Please."

Z-9 and Darkstar looked back to her; Canasta as well. They noticed Star Johnson passed out on his chair and E.J. crying. She had her mouth nearly covered by her hand but instead rubbed her eyes. Dodgers looked up to the screen, noticing her crying; She wasn't crying as hard as he was. Tears were already coming out of Dodgers' eyes but stronger ones. The stinging was still upon him and he lost his hand.

"L-l-leave him alone," she pleaded, stuttering. "P-please. I'll give you anything you want."

"Anything?" Darkstar said fiendishly.

"Yeah. Just let him be."

"Well," Z-9 sighed. "Your captain has lost his hand and Star Johnson has fainted, I guess I could ask you about the shield. You know the codes for that?"

E.J. looked over to Cadet. He was shaking like a leaf and was speechless after returning from the bathroom.

"It's the only way to save him Cadet," E.J. cried.

"No," said Cadet softly. "We can't."

"Dodgers is going to die! They're going to kill him! Look at him! Just look at him!"

From inside their ship, E.J. and Cadet looked back to the screen. Dodgers was indeed scared. Not only was he breathing heavily but his terrified look, strong crying, and cringing face is what gave it away. That was enough to convince Cadet and E.J.

"O-okay," said Cadet worriedly.

"We'll do it General," E.J. said back.

"Excellent!" Z-9 exclaimed. "You would make a good captain madam."

E.J. glared at him with her reply, "It's E.J. Captain Dodgers' second space cadet."

"Even greater."

"You're a monster Martian." She was staring at him with an angry look. "A monster."

Cadet agreed with her while he pressed buttons on the controls but he hesitated.

"I…I can't do it," he mumbled. "E-E.J., I can't."

"Such cowards," Z-9 scowled.

"You're t-t-t-t-t-torturing our captain!"

"Dodgers will lose more than a hand. Push again!"

Canasta held Dodgers up but instead E.J. yelled, "WAIT! Cadet, do it!"

"Earth will be d-d-d-d-doomed!"

"What about the Captain!?"

"Th-th-there'll be a war, E.J.!"

"I don't care!"

Everybody looked at her in disbelief, even Z-9 and Darkstar. Only Dodgers didn't hear her. E.J. stood up from the chair and pushed the red button to destroy Earth's shield. They weren't close to the planet but knew it was demolished. If they were a couple of inches closer, the crowd would've heard a loud zapping sound.

"The shield is gone sir," the New Cadet told Z-9.

"I'll have to thank you Miss E.J.," said Z-9 to her. "Now our mission is easier."

"What mission?" E.J. demanded. "What did you do!?"

"Depends on a foolish woman who cares about her friend than her home planet. Ciao." Z-9 buzzed off their screen.

It took a few seconds for E.J. to fill in what Z-9 told her. Then she gasped in horror.

"What did I do!?" she shouted, covering her mouth in horror. She started a war? Her? Why her? Why did she have to do that?

"What is wrong with me!?"

Cadet looked at her regretfully that he thought, "I th-th-th-think we should check on Earth."

E.J. nodded in agreement.

Back to the planet, both E.J. and Cadet looked out of the window. For sure, Earth's shield was gone. No longer was Earth protected and it was all thanks to E.J.

"Oh no!" Cadet exclaimed while E.J. paced after backing away.

"Sorry Cadet," said she. "It's all my fault. My fault. I'm such an idiot!"

"I b-b-b-b-warned you!" the pig scolded her.

"But I was thinking about the Captain! He could've been killed! You saw what they were doing to him!"

"I know. B-b-but what are we going to do n-now?" Cadet took the words right out of E.J.'s mouth.

"Come in E.J., Cadet," they heard I.Q. Hi say from the screen. "Come in."

Cadet answered the message that he and E.J. were facing the scientist.

"What is this about Earth's shield destroyed!? It came from your ship!"

E.J. filled him in before Cadet could. With the thought of Duck Dodgers having his hand cut off and giving in to the Society was enough to convince I.Q Hi.

"I can't believe it!" he gasped. "They tortured him?"

"I'm not kidding!" said E.J. gravelly.

"It was not a p-p-pr-pr-pre-pre-, nice sight," Cadet brought up. "And she has a good point."

"Now I'm going to have to tell the President! All of the captains have to know!"

"Then let them know!" said E.J. angrily. "I'm sorry I did it but it was for a good reason. You've got to believe me!"

"I do believe you."

It was a good thing that I.Q. did. After buzzing off, he instantly called Star Johnson, who was still in shock.

"I.Q. Hi to Star Johnson," said he. "Star Johnson."

"Ri-right here," Johnson replied. He blinked his eyes hard after waking from his slight coma. "Where's Z-9?"

"What?"

"Oh, Dr. Hi. You haven't seen it but General Z-9 tortured Dodgers! He tortured him! Such an abomination!"

"I've heard. Cadet and E.J. told me. You must catch up to the Society! They're on their way to Earth! The shield is destroyed!"

"Excuse me?" Johnson questioned him. "I never allowed that!"

"Go stop them!"

"Will do!" I.Q. buzzed off the screen for Johnson to give the orders to his crew.

In the meantime, Dodgers was still by the machine crying. Staring at his stump wasn't enough to bring back his hand but he didn't want to look nowhere else. All eyes were already upon him and there was laughter. Dodgers' didn't care who laughed. The only thing that mattered was the loss of Duck Dodgers' hand. There was crimson blood coming out of the wrist and he could see his muscles and bones poking out.

My hand. My beautiful hand. My hand.

"My hand," Dodgers mumbled. "My hand."

"It's only temporary Dodgers," he heard Canasta say from behind. "And by the way, you deserve it. You're going to call us criminals? Have a taste of it."

Dodgers didn't like the taste. He's not a criminal, despite having a record, but he's never been tortured before. Never. Is this what the Society is expecting for him? Why did they have to take off his hand? It was gone! He won't be able to hold things anymore! It's gone! Gone!

BOOM!

The ship suddenly shook that everyone jolted immediately by the shock. Dodgers was still on the chair tied up that he looked up to see Z-9 staring around the windows.

"Keep Dodgers by the machine," Z-9 commanded.

"With pleasure," Canasta snarled.

Dodgers was held up, still hearing the buzzing sound, and his wrist was close by the blades.

BZZZZZZZ!

On the screen, was Captain Dallas Rodman.

"I am here to stop you, Martian!" Rodman yelled. The monkey with him whooped in agreement.

It wasn't just him but more Protectorate Captains facing Z-9. There were Long, Peters, Aurora Soleil, Richards, and Tortelli. Star Johnson came back to the picture as well. He was the only one who was giving Z-9 an angry stare.

"Give it up Martian!" Long yelled. Aurora Soleil and Peters agreed.

"Now more than one captain," said Z-9 calmly. Dodgers had a feeling that Z-9 was furious since his ship was attacked.

Dodgers was looking up to the captains, whose screens were facing Z-9 split in fours. Since there were more screens surrounding the main bridge, he saw all of them looking back to General Z-9. He heard Z-9 say to the captains,

"How about we give a show about Dodgers' losing his arm if you refuse to attack my ship."

Every single captain, including Johnson, saw Dodgers sitting next to a table with a machine in front of his arm. They didn't see his stump of a hand since it was behind the machine but it was evident Dodgers was scared. Sweat came down his head and he was panting. The machine was still buzzing and Canasta held his arm.

BZZZZZZZ!

He looked around to the captains while mumbling, "Listhten to him. Pleasthe. My hand. Pleasthe."

No one heard Dodgers.

"What happened to him?" Aurora wondered. Tortelli nodded.

"Yes," Rodman, Long, Peters, and Richards agreed in unison. "What happened?"

Z-9 stood up and towards Dodgers but Johnson shouted furiously, "Let it go Z-9!"

"We wouldn't want to lose the duck's life, would we?" Z-9 said threatingly. "As long as you don't shoot my ship, Dodgers could be spared. Or if you do, he'll get it."

Rodman ignored Z-9's warning that he commanded his crew, "Fire!"

The monkey, Make-Go, took aim on Z-9's ship and shot, shaking it. Out of anger, after his ship calmed down, Z-9 glared back and ordered Canasta, "Cut him more."

Canasta pushed Dodgers' arm further into the machine. This time Dodgers was prepared that he panted first but screamed.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH! AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!"

Dodgers' hand might've been gone but so was his wrist. He closed his eyes right on time, in order not to watch, but he put his head down and breathe as much as he can. In and out, in and out, in and out, in and out. From the other side of the machine came more bones and feathers, including blood flowing down. Rodman, Long, Aurora, and the rest of the captains watched in shock while Johnson hung his head.

"Do you understand?" Z-9 asked the captains. "As long you don't shoot me, your precious captain will be spared."

All the captains were lost for words, but not as much as Star Johnson. They stared at their screens, hardly believing it. If only Dodgers could concentrate, despite having his wrist gone now, he would know how much trouble this would be for the captains. He took a gander up to see their shocked, speechless faces but the only person who wasn't watching was Star Johnson.

"Put your guns down," Z-9 ordered the captains. "And the duck will be spared."

There were a few gasps when Darkstar came to the screens and addressed to everyone, "You don't want him to die, do you?"

Then Johnson yelled back, "We will never negotiate with you!"

Dodgers' arm was pushed again.

"AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! RRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! AUGH, AUGH, AUGH, AUGH! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!"

Dodgers cringed his face the minute his arm was pushed and the machine was closer to his face. He didn't dare watch the scene but he could feel every stinging pain coming from his wrist and up to his arm. It wasn't just his hand that was missing.

"Will any of you ever leave or not?" Z-9 repeated.

"Never!" Long yelled.

Again, there was the stinging of Dodgers' arm and his yell with feathers flying around.

"AAAUUUGGGHHH! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH! RRRRGGGGHHHH! RRRRGGGGHHHH! RRRRGGGGHHHH!"

"Any one of you?"

"Well, at least you can spare Dodgers some mercy." That was Star Johnson. "But we will stop you!"

That paid more on Dodgers and again the stinging of his arm returned.

"RRRRGGGGHHHH! AAAUUUGGGHHH! RRRRGGGGHHHH! RRRRGGGGHHHH! RRRRGGGGHHHH!"

More of Dodgers' arm was pushed. How far it has gotten, Dodgers didn't know. All he knew was that his arm was being cut again, again, and again. Plus, he started to cough after getting a feeling inside his throat.

"Are you going to surrender or not?" Z-9 growled.

"Never!" Johnson replied.

Dodgers stopped screaming but was now whimpering but louder and his shakes were getting violent. With his arm pushed more into the machine, he only gave out, "Rrrgghh! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Rrrggghhh! Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Rrrggghhh!"

"Let Dodgers go!"

The shout from Aurora Soleil caught Z-9's attention that he looked up to her.

"There will be peace?"

"No! What you're doing to him is torture! Let him go! We will never leave but you will release Dodgers!"

"He's ours now."

"Yesth," Darkstar agreed while grinning. "Do it again, Canastha."

Dodgers shook harder that the machine was pushed closer to him and his arm was inserted more.

"RRRRGGGGHHHH! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Aauugghh!"

More blood was pouring out of the machine including feathers. Feathers were flying everywhere around the panting Dodgers and the machine, and blood was dripping from the table to the floor, surrounding his feet.

"Show them."

Listening to Darkstar's orders, Canasta held up Dodgers by pulling his top feathers. The machine was still whirring but Dodgers wasn't watching anymore. He kept his eyes closed and breathed heavily. Around him, Dodgers heard many loud gasps. To know why, Dodgers opened his eyes and looked down. The machine was still on the table but a pond of blood was surrounding it. Including where his arm used to be.

Now that his hand is gone, it was his entire arm! Well, not entirely. It was up to his elbow that Dodgers saw the stump. A stump where more of his bones and muscles were visible and blood was pouring out. He jumped in fright and screamed, "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"OH MY GOSH!"

Dodgers wasn't the only one who was shocked to see his mutilated arm. The loud screams came from the captains, including Johnson.

"HIS ARM!"

"We can do more," said Darkstar evilly. "Until you're willing to cooperate. What do you sthay Dodgersth?"

It was a hard decision for the captains. They stared at their screens in absolute horror noticing the blood coming from Dodgers' arm and the seriousness of the situation.

Still they were in their ship that E.J. said, "I can't take it anymore Cadet. We must get to the captain. Whatever it takes. They're going to kill him!"

"You're right," said Cadet worriedly.

If they knew, E.J. and Cadet would've been watching the entire show but E.J. had no idea what was happening to her captain. Cadet asked her, "What do you su-su-su-suggest we do?"

E.J. already had a plan forming in her head. So, she told it to Cadet.

"We'll jump inside their ship and rescue him."

Cadet stared at her incredulously.

"We'll go in there, get him, and return to our ship. Then we'll bring the Captain back to Earth where he's safe."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm sure of it. Now, where'd the Society go?"

"Th-th-they're here. Close to Earth. I'll get closer."

All of a sudden there was a bump on their ship. Because of that, Cadet answered the message that he was getting. It was someone they were least expecting.

"Cadet!" the Martian Commander X-2 roared, angry to know that he bumped their ship. "You've gotten in my way for the last time!"

"What are you doing here?" Cadet asked him snappishly.

E.J. and Cadet looked at X-2 with disgust.

"It is none of your business."

"Then we'll do ours," said E.J. outsmarting X-2. He glared at them. "So, good luck."

"B-b-b-but wait," said Cadet. He just thought of something. "If you're in a ru-ru-ru-ru-hurry why did you hit our ship? Even at Earth?"

"You're very smart pig! I'm just on my way to fetch that infernal Dodgers! It's a mission I must do for my queen."

"Why?" E.J. thought. "Are we gonna have to work with you?"

"Think again Earthling," X-2 pouted.

"Well," said Cadet thinking it over. "We're b-b-b-both after the Society t-to save the captain. We'll work together."

"Are you sure Cadet?" said E.J. to him. "A Martian? He's from another planet. The same guy who the Captain fought earlier."

"We're g-g-g-g-going to save Captain Dodgers, and the M-M-Martian is to. Might as well."

E.J. looked back to the Martian Commander and agreed with her fellow cadet, "Alrighty then."

"Any plans then?" said X-2, also agreeing with them.

"We're going to jump into their ship and take Dodgers out."

"Suicidal."

"So? It'll be fun." If they were inside the enemy's ship, E.J. would think twice if their mission was going to be fun.

Back to Dodgers, things were already getting blurry and he was starting to lose sense in his body. And his face was getting cold, despite the fact that someone pushed him back onto the table close by the buzzing machine.

"Tell me," Z-9 went on. "What are you worried about the most?"

"Our missions," Long answered him.

"Yes," said Johnson.

"And our mission is to stop you," said Peters proudly.

"Not Dodgers," Z-9 exhaled. "How disappointing. I'd thought you worry about both. The captain and Earth. Isn't it the Protectorate's job to not only defend Earth but also their captain?"

Johnson glared at Z-9 with, "You will never have Earth!"

"Ah, but Dodgers has no arm. Look at that for yourself."

All of them took another glance at Duck Dodgers' bloody arm. Aurora Soleil was the only one who noticed Dodgers' pale face that she said, "I think Captain Dodgers passing out."

Everyone took a closer look at Dodgers. Instead of panting, he breathed slower and slower and he was already closing his eyes while hanging his head.

"Take care of him!" Z-9 yelled to the Society. "We need the duck!"

Darkstar and a few Society members went to Dodgers. While still on the chair, Dodgers was trembling.

"Dodgersth," Darkstar said to his face. "Look at me!"

Through heavy eyelids, Dodgers looked up and saw Drake Darkstar. It was hard to keep his eyes open that it was either he was getting tired or was hungry.

"Wook how much bwood," said Fudd. "There's a wot." The doppelganger glared to Fudd with menacing eyes.

"Take care of it then!"

"What do I do?"

"Get the sthalt!"

"Yes siw. That'w stop the bweeding."

Nearby was Black Eel who said, "That is a lot of blood."

"But looks lovely," said Muerte devilishly.

Since they already had the salt shaker on the table, Fudd grabbed it and opened the shaker. Moonbeam came by and held up Dodgers' cut arm. Both men, or child, dumped the entire salt on the stump while the captains watched from their screens.

"AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH! YEEEOOOW! RRRGGGHHH! Rrgghh!"

The crunch of the salt fizzled on Dodgers' arm that more was sprayed until the bleeding stopped. It wasn't just his cut arm but also where the Catapoid bit him earlier and the open wound on his shoulder that Fudd sprayed the salt on.

"AARRGGHH! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! RRGGHH! Ugh! Rgh, rgh, rgh!" Then there was no blood coming from him and the salt shaker was left on the nearby table.

Dodgers didn't see it but Johnson rubbed his forehead and shook his head, hardly believing the sight. Earlier, Dodgers had a close call to prison but now he's with a group of villains being tortured. The only duck captain in the Galactic Protectorate was in extreme, grave danger.

Duck Dodgers has always been a nuisance since the beginning, had his job for over a couple of years, and now he's being tortured. Why is Johnson feeling sorry for Dodgers? He's never cared for him and saw Dodgers as a joke. Why does this have to happen? What can he do? Should he save Dodgers or Earth? What should he do? A Protectorate captain is being tortured! Their only duck captain! The main thing for Johnson to care about is Earth since that's always been his job, and he will do exactly that. Maybe do both? It truly was a difficult decision for him.

Johnson looked back up to the scene where he heard Dodgers panting and wheezing loudly. If he could, Johnson would jump into the spaceship and take Dodgers instantly. Listening to his pain struck a gut, making Johnson gulp. With his hand resting on his temple, Johnson said loudly, "Never in my life have I seen anything like this. Never."

He shook his head. Only Johnson's crew knew that he was talking to himself.

"Why wasn't I given the orders to save Dodgers? I'm stronger and am willing to do the job. But no, they just had to tell me to protect Earth. Aurora Soleil is right. This is absolutely horrible! Who would do such a thing!? General Z-9!"

Now he was starting to talk back to the former Martian General.

"You will stop this! I order you!"

"Well, you see Captain Johnson," said Z-9 calmly. "I will never take orders from the Protectorate. Martians would never listen to Earthlings. Is Dodgers ready yet?"

He looked back to the scene of Dodgers tied on the chair with Darkstar, Fudd, and Moonbeam surrounding Dodgers.

"He'sth done," Darkstar replied. "Now with the other arm."

With all eyes upon Dodgers, Darkstar and Canasta let Dodgers free from the chair. Dodgers didn't stand but leaned further down from the chair as if he were about to fall to the ground.