Now that they're out of the room, it was a golden opportunity for E.J. to get inside. The Society was on their way to the main bridge that Cadet was about to guide E.J. to the living room until he saw the Fudd look back to the door. He hesitated and talked to the Society.

"I think we should take it easy on Dodgews," he said to Moonbeam, Canasta, Sa'am, Muerte, and Crusher. "He can't move."

"Why are you so worried about him now?" Moonbeam argued. "Who cares about Dodgers?"

"Exactly," Crusher agreed. "Dodgers deserves this! The boss is right!"

"I know," Fudd exhaled. "But I think he's had enough. Didn't you see the wook of Dawkstaw and Z-9 when they kiwwed Bwack Eew? And when Dodgews passed out?"

Muerte, Sa'am, and Crusher took a moment of thought that Muerte said, "You do have a point. Darkstar is one unique individual."

"Yeah," Sa'am wondered. "But why does he look like Dodgers?"

No one had an answer for that.

"That is creepy."

"Dodgers doesn't matter anymore," said Canasta. "All we have to do is stick with the program and do whatever the boss tells us. If you're so worried about him, why don't you keep watch of the darn duck. No one cares about him and Darkstar doesn't want to lose him."

"Dodgers is too easy," Crusher brought up. "But I agree with Canasta. Just do whatever they tell us." Sa'am nodded such as Muerte.

"Go ahead and keep an eye on him Fudd. We can't lose him."

"Awight," Fudd agreed.

Cadet watched Fudd return to the living room while the others went into the main bridge. What Fudd was going to do, Cadet was afraid it was going to be bad. What else are they going to do to him? He heard everything they said to X-2 about the torture on Duck Dodgers, and the reason why Cadet heard the scream. Him and E.J. have to rescue Dodgers on time.

Dodgers was still on the couch but with his eyes closed. His right arm was dangling while the left was lying in front of his head. The legs were also sagging. Opening his eyes weren't going to make a difference or to make any slight of movement. There was nothing Dodgers could do now. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He can't get out, won't be able to walk, and escape was impossible. The throbbing fire was still on him and his teeth and beak felt loose. With his tongue, Dodgers can already feel a broken tooth.

"Hey Dodgews."

Who wasth that? The Sthociety? They're going to hurt me again. They will.

"Dodgews."

Everything hursth. Leave me alone, pleasthe. I'm in enough pain.

"I'm not going to huwt you."

Whoever it was, the person was closer and knelt down to him.

"I'm sowwy Dodgews. Weawwy. I didn't think this was going to be so bad. I just wanted pay back fow what you did. You defeated me befowe. But did you know you were unconscious eawiew?"

I did? Really? I did?! I almost died?

"I bwought you back."

No, no, no, no. No. No. I can't die. I can't! No! Pleasthe, no! No!

As if Dodgers didn't cry that much earlier, his eyes drooped and tears were coming from his closed eyes.

I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die! Pleasthe! I don't wanna die!

Hotter and redder his eyes became and so did his cries. Dodgers let out a loud sob and cried, "I d-d-don't wanna die! Pleasthe! Pleasthe! I wanna live! I don't wanna die!"

This was all too sudden. If only Dodgers could have his ticket out, he'll take it. Never in his life would Dodgers be facing this situation and neither to have his life in jeopardy. It was too scary and he wanted out.

"Help me! Pleasthe! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna! I wanna live! Pleasthe, pleasthe, pleasthe! Pleasthe! Help me! I don't wanna die!"

More and more watery tears fell out of his eyes but it didn't soothe him. Nothing on him felt comfortable but the cushions on the sofa were soft. Is he going to die on this couch? Is he going to be comfortable? How come he was never on a bed before? He's not that comfortable with his right arm and legs dangling out but at least he's on a couch.

"Help me," Dodgers continued to sob. "Pleasthe, whoever you are, sthave me! I don't wanna die!"

"Thewe's nothing I can do," said the person. "Nothing. If I hewp you, the boss wiw know and they wiw kiw me. How did you get out the cwoset?"

Should Dodgers tell them or should he continue to beg for his life? He went with begging.

"Pleasthe, sthave me. Pleasthe. I don't wanna die. Pleasthe."

"I can't," the person replied.

More sobs came out along with a cough that Dodgers wanted to see. He opened his eyes. At first things were blurry that only shapes and colors were in front of him. To see, Dodgers blinked his eyes heavily and there was the form of The Fudd.

Dodgers sobbed, "NNNOOOOO! NOOO!"

It was the Society he was talking to. They're only going to hurt him even more and so will the Fudd. He was right in front of him and would be holding any kind of weapon. A gun? A dagger? The poker? The machine? The acid? What will he do? Dodgers is never going to get out! There's no possible way for him to escape! No way whatsoever! There's absolutely nothing he can do! Nothing! And he is nothing! Nothing! They were right! He is nothing! Just a stupid, dumb, selfish duck who only cares about himself. That's all he is. He's a dumb duck. The message on his stomach was right.

"Dodgews," he heard the Fudd say. "I'm not going to huwt you."

Dodgers looked back up to him though heavy sobs.

"I'm just going to stay in the woom. I'm tiwed of watching towtuwe."

Dodgers was lucky not to have pain inflicted on him from the Fudd, but he remained on the couch. Next to him, the Fudd sat down and he turned on the television. At first the TV was on Animal Planet but Fudd changed it to a documentary about viruses. That was the only thing Dodgers watched and listened.

"We have to get him!" Cadet panicked. "E.J., hurry!"

"How is he?" she asked. "The captain?"

"He's sc-sc-scared and the Fudd is with him! Hurry!"

"Which way do I go?"

"Keep going straight. Th-th-th-there will be a turn up above, so t-take a right."

"Is the Martian with you?"

"No. The So-So-Society have him. And they destroyed his wa-wa-walkie-talkie."

"Don't tell me we have to rescue him," E.J. pouted. "But I'm on my way."

"Now k-k-k-keep walking through the hallway and take a left tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-route."

She did just that. There was a door in front of her that E.J. asked, "Do I open this door?"

"Yes," Cadet answered. "I'm inside."

The door of the camera room opened and much to Cadet's joy, was E.J. They were back together.

"I made it," said she looking to Cadet. "Where is he?"

Both of them looked to the cameras and found Dodgers in the main living room. He was still on the couch with the Fudd sitting next to him.

"Why is this Fudd guy with him?" E.J. wondered. "What is he doing?"

"I don't know," Cadet replied. "But you have to get him. I'll g-g-g-guide you. The Martian, j-j-just see what happens."

Judging by the cameras, Cadet and E.J. saw X-2 sitting on the familiar chair where Dodgers sat before. The machine was still there but it wasn't being used. Inside the main bridge, the New Cadet was next to X-2 holding the drill to his right hand, waiting for the commands.

"This is treason, again Z-9!" the Queen roared.

"Oh, well this time it's more of a compromise," Z-9 reminded her.

"And you will let the Commander go! I demand you! Release him!"

"Only if you keep the fleet away, I will let him go."

For sure there were Martian ships around. If E.J., Cadet, X-2, or Dodgers were paying attention, the black and gray spaceship already left Earth and was close to Mars. X-2 saw the familiar Martian spaceships through the windows and the other Commanders from the many screens. The Martian Queen was upon the large one.

"How dare you!" she scowled.

"Don't do it your majesty!" X-2 shouted. "I'll be fine."

"What will it be, highness?" Z-9 asked her. "The Commander or Mars?"

The Queen glared angrily toward her former general that X-2 could tell she was thinking hard. If he was her, X-2 would refuse. Mars must be protected, but why did he have to be the one held hostage? Is he going to lose his hand? Is there a way he could fight back? He must. Unfortunately, the Society had him tied to the chair; around his legs and his arms and the henchmen were around him. He knew from the sight the Society knew what they were doing.

"Let him go Z-9!" the Queen yelled again. "Now! I will never give up Mars!"

"Go ahead," Z-9 ordered the New Cadet.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

The drill came deeper and deeper on his gloved hand that X-2 shouted in horror and pain, "OOOOOOWWWWWW! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!"

The Martian Commanders who were watching stared in horror or fainted while Queen Ty'hranee widened her eyes in shock.

"AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! AAAUUUGGGHHH! OOOWWW! MOTHER! YEOW! Oh, the pain!"

Fire was engulfed in his hand that the only thing that could help X-2 was to moan loudly, anything to keep his mind off the pain. Anything he could use. Mars was not only in danger but so was he. Is this what Dodgers was suffering? This kind of pain? How did he handle it?

As for now, Dodgers was breathing. That was his way to handle the pain. Breathing helped him a lot. The sounds from the television show didn't matter to him. It talked about Malaria after the Ebola virus. The thing he wanted the most was food or water. That was all he can think about. That's it. He cannot ask the Fudd. The Fudd will only abuse him even more. If only he had food, Dodgers would be happy. How come he can't be happy? The only thing he was allowed to do was breathe. That was it and that's what he's doing. Fudd heard the labored breathing from Dodgers that he turned down the volume of the Television. Plus, Dodgers closed his eyes.

"Dodgews?" he said softly. "Dodgews."

The sofa was indeed comfortable and he just wanted to rest. Dodgers' body was tired but so was he. Tears weren't falling down anymore but his weary face didn't leave.

"Dodgews, are you awake?"

He has to answer so Dodgers nodded.

"You have to stay awake. The boss wiw get angwy."

E.J. was ready to leave the room before she saw the mice nearby. They came from a mouse hole and came to her and Cadet.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"It's okay," Cadet told her. "They're with us."

"Yeah, we tried to help your captain," Bertie said as well.

"You better get him," said Hubie. "I think he's dying."

Without another word, E.J. barged out of the room while Cadet kept his eyes on the cameras. For sure, Dodgers wasn't moving at all while Fudd was shaking him.

"Dodgews," Fudd said again. "Dodgews, move! Move you siwwy duck! Move!"

She has to get to him. No longer can E.J. stand it but the sight of Captain Dodgers lying motionless on a couch was hard enough, but not the strong rock that held down her heart. She cannot lose him. No. She cannot. After taking the guides from Cadet, such as a right turn, further down, and another right turn, to a left, then another right, E.J. opened the door. There was the Fudd leaning to Dodgers.

"Leave him alone!" she shouted.

Fudd looked from behind and saw the youthful E.J. glaring angrily at him.

"Leave him!"

"Awe you his cwew?" Fudd asked her.

"Get away from him! Do you hear me?!"

With the saber in her pocket, E.J. held it up pointing it to Fudd while she walked further into the room. Fudd slightly twitched while he held up his hands. E.J. circled Fudd that she made it to the couch and knelt to Dodgers.

"Captain," she said softly to him. "Captain, I'm here. It's me. E.J."

The look of the captain was plain as day; he was tired. Through a few blinks Dodgers opened his eyes and sighed loudly.

"I'm here. My Gosh, what did they do to you?"

"You can't take him!" Fudd yelled to her. "He bewongs to the Society!"

All of the injuries on Dodgers, E.J. couldn't stop looking. There were scratches on his back, his feet were losing their flesh, his right arm was halfway cut off, there was a large hole through his left arm, the left hand was flat like a pancake, a small hole was upon his left shoulder, the right shoulder was broken in two, and many bruises were on his face. Some blood was already dried from the nose and mouth and some soaked on the cushions. At least the many cuts on his arms and legs stopped bleeding.

"H-help me," Dodgers breathed. "E.J., pleasthe."

"I…Captain…"

She was lost for words but took out her walkie-talkie.

"Cadet, come here."

"Coming," said the Cadet.

E.J. kept her eyes on Dodgers that she slightly put her hand on his arm, just to look at him. His eyes were red and watery but tired. Neither of them knew the Fudd walked closer.

"I'm sowwy we did this," he told her. "But we had to. The Generaw said we could."

She wanted to say something to the Fudd but E.J. held her tongue. Instead, she said to Dodgers, "We'll get you out. Cadet is on his way. Just hold on."

"Thank you," said Dodgers tiredly. "Thank you."

A tear was already coming out of E.J.'s eye that she instantly wiped it off. He was safe now and is thanking her. Dodgers never said that to her before. Never. It seemed like a long time ago when Dodgers was treating her like trash but now he was thanking her for coming to save him. That's what he needs right now. He needs help. And E.J. is going to save him. She'll do anything to keep him alive. They're friends and that's what mattered the most. Friendship. If only E.J. made it to him earlier, Dodgers wouldn't have to be lying on this couch tired of the pain or for her having to watch. Duck Dodgers was huffing and puffing that he didn't have to make loud sounds but he again said to her, "Thank you."

E.J. grinned to him with, "You're welcome." Dodgers also smiled.

"Hey!"

They heard the yell from the Fudd that E.J. assumed Cadet came in the room. For sure it was because she also heard, "Stay away Fudd!"

Dodgers started to shake. The fear in him was rising that E.J. can see it in his eyes. With her next to him, E.J. looked from behind and saw Cadet fighting off the Fudd.

"C-C-C-Captain Dodgers is coming with us!"

"That's what you think!" Fudd yelled back. "I'm again sowwy for what we did but you can't take him!"

E.J. held onto Dodgers, making herself as a shield. If he was going to fight, she'll have to protect Captain Dodgers at all costs. That was when Fudd took out a gun of his own that he took a shot to Cadet. Cadet quickly maneuvered and swiped his saber to the Fudd like a ninja. The Fudd was dumb enough not to dodge that he got the hit on the arm.

"OW!" he roared, gripping his sliced arm. "That hurt!"

"Now you know how the Captain feels!" E.J. shouted.

Fudd looked over to her and back to Cadet. They didn't know what he was thinking but Fudd held up his wrist and called through his watch, "The intwudews awe hewe."

"Repeat that." That was the voice of Drake Darkstar.

"Intwu-"

Cadet quickly knocked out Fudd before he could finish his sentence. Then he walked over to Captain Dodgers and knelt to him.

"Cadet," Dodgers mumbled. "Thank you."

It wasn't just E.J. who was happy. Cadet grinned at the sound of the thanks that he replied, "You've n-n-n-n-never said that." He chuckled. "Are you okay, Cap'n?"

"No. Get me out of here. I can't sthtand it. Get me out. Pleasthe."

"We're leaving now. Can you walk?"

"My feet hurt. It burnsth. Everything burnsth."

For sure it did seem like they were burning. E.J. took another glance at Dodgers' feet that she noticed the flesh came off revealing the muscles and a little of the bone.

"We'll have to carry him Cadet," said she. "I don't think he can walk."

"Come on," said the Cadet, determined.

Both he and E.J. stood up and held Dodgers by the shoulders. Willingly, Dodgers relied on them to stand without having to do it himself but instead of standing, he sat upright on the couch. That was when E.J. suddenly gasped, "What the-?"

There were bloody words written, tattooed on Dodgers' stomach. I'm a dumb duck and proud of it. And there were two D's written a few inches higher. Above the words was a hole. A bloody hole. Plus, more scars were on him.

"Oh my Gosh!" E.J. and Cadet gasped in unison. The blood in Cadet's face drained.

With E.J. staring at the words, Cadet knew that he had to keep going. They have to get Captain Dodgers out of here and he was sitting on the couch cringing. He didn't see the shocked looks on Cadet and E.J.'s faces.

"E.J.," Cadet called her. "We have to go!"

"Yeah," she muttered. "Yeah."

Cadet took hold of Dodgers' left shoulder while E.J. held his right. There was no possible way that Dodgers could walk that Cadet wondered how Dodgers was handling the agony. Horrible wounds were everywhere on him that Cadet didn't have to ask. It was obvious that Captain Dodgers was in a lot of pain.

With them holding up Dodgers, his arms were on their shoulders, he leaned on them without having to use his feet. Deep sharp breaths came from Dodgers that he hung his head while they walked out of the room. The door was already open and they took a right turn. Further down from that hallway, they took a left turn and another right. Dodgers' breathing was getting labored by the minute.

"Food," he muttered. "I want food."

"We don't have any food," E.J. told him. "Isn't there a kitchen?"

"I d-d-d-don't know where it is," said Cadet.

"It's over here." That was from a squeaky voice that only Cadet and Dodgers recognized.

At the bottom of their feet, coming from behind them were Hubie and Bertie. Bertie was pointing to the door from Cadet's left while Hubie said, "Come with us."

Cadet and E.J. obeyed them. Since the mice had their own device, a door handle, they opened it to reveal the large kitchen. Over by one of the metallic tables, Cadet and E.J. put Dodgers down to let him sit.

"Stay with him E.J.," Cadet told her. "I'll get him something."

"Water," Dodgers mumbled.

"I'll g-g-g-g-get it." Cadet went to the large refrigerator.

"It hurtsth. It hurtsth so much, E.J. It's hurtsth."

"I know Captain," she exhaled. "I know. Cadet's getting you food and water."

Through his panting, Dodgers leaned upon her. E.J. held him trying not to look at the injuries.

"It hurtsth."

In the fridge, Cadet found many kinds of food such as fruit, vegetables, butter, a jug of milk, two jugs of orange juice, five liters of soda, Tupperware full of leftovers, leftover pizza slices, a cabbage of lettuce, egg cartons, a large container of mashed potatoes, and many water bottles. Knowing what Dodgers likes, Cadet took the pizza slices that were covered in foil including a water bottle. After closing the fridge, Cadet went to put the water bottle over by his crew.

"Here's the water," Cadet told them. "Help him E.J. I'll reheat the f-f-food." Then he went to the microwave that wasn't far from the fridge.

Dodgers sighed in relief when he had E.J.'s help to open the bottle and he gladly took a drink of it. A large, long drink hit the spot while the pizza was reheating.

"You guys are good for now," said Hubie. "So, we'll leave." Only E.J. watched them leave while Dodgers kept his eyes closed.

The drill was inserted more into X-2's hand that a small hole was letting out droplets of blood on the table, explaining his loud moaning.

"RRGGHH! AAUUGGHH! RRGGHH!"

"How could you do this?!" the Queen roared at Z-9. "How dare you!"

The drill was pushed further into X-2's hand that there was nothing inside the hole but shattered bones, muscles, and veins. The groaning was helping to distract X-2 from looking at his bloodied hand. Anything to avoid the sight and maybe help him to deal with the pain.

"Yeow! Ugh. Mmf. Ow. Ugh, ugh."

"As long as you leave him Z-9," said a Martian commander. "We will let you land."

"No!" the Queen yelled at him. "Not at chance!"

"But your majesty, the Commander."

X-2 knew they were thinking hard. If Mars was going to be protected, he'll be in more pain. Already, the New Cadet walked away that he saw a square-shaped machine nearby. What was that for? Is Z-9 going to use that on him?

After another moan, X-2 looked up to the cameras watching a Martian Commander talk with the Queen of Mars.

"If we don't do anything we'll lose him!" said he. "We have to surrender."

"What will you do Z-9?" the Queen asked him.

"Only unless we fly closer, you will know," Z-9 replied. "Would you like a demonstration? If you fly away from us, I can give you a hint. It won't hurt. And perhaps, the fleet would be willing to return to Mars for the demonstration."

"Should we trust him?" a Martian Commander asked the Queen.

"No!" the Queen shouted. "But what will you do?"

"I can drive near Mars and give it to you," said Z-9. "Once the commanders return."

"Fine. Commanders, return to Mars."

Nearby, X-2 heard Darkstar chuckle evilly but he wasn't watching. From his right, there was Dodgers' evil duplicate talking to the henchmen.

"Canasthta, Sthilver, vampire, come with me," he told them.

The three agreed and walked out of the room with Darkstar.

"Who are these people?" X-2 wondered softly while he looked around. "What demonstration? Are they going to use me?"

"Just watch, ya mangy critter," he heard Sa'am say. "You'll like it."

Will he? Something about the demonstration didn't sound promising. X-2's shakes were getting a little tense that he kept his eyes out the spaceship window. It wasn't just the fiery pain on his hand that made him shake. What's going to happen to Mars? From outside the windows was Mars such as the Martian ships flying towards it. They were about to land but one of the commanders retaliated.

"Wait a minute!" said the one Martian. "What will you do Z-9? We've trusted you before but you betrayed us! You've betrayed everyone on Mars! How can we trust you?"

"Would you like the show or the aftermath?" Z-9 said back. "Either way you have no choice. You may not trust me, but I know I can trust you. This is between us Martians. My henchmen are very obedient. If you don't land, there will be no compromise. Neither will you see the last of me. I won't land on your planet. It's just a show."

"Very well then."

Why can't X-2 be with the fleet? He could lead them away from Mars and defeat Z-9 but what was this show he was mentioning? Will it be good or will it be bad? He must know.

The pizza came and finally Dodgers can eat. All of the water that dissolved in his mouth and taking a few bites of the pepperoni pizza was enough to make him tired. His body was still in pain but his eyes were drowsy and he wanted to rest.

"I think he's tired Cadet," he heard E.J. say.

"C-C-Cap'n, stay awake," Cadet said to him. "We have to g-get off the ship. You can sle-sle-sle-sle-sle-sle-sle-rest when we get off."

Dodgers wasn't leaning on E.J. anymore. Earlier, he was sitting upright when he ate and drank but now he was lying on the table, ready to close his eyes. The coldness of the metal was comforting on his back. It stopped the stinging.

"Cap'n Dodgers," Cadet said again. "Wake up."

"I'm tired," Dodgers whispered. "Just a sthleep?"

"I kn-know but we have to go. We'll hold you."

"What about his wounds?" E.J. thought. "Can't we do something about those?"

"I'll n-n-n-n-need bandages," Cadet told her. "But th-th-they wouldn't be in here. We have to evaporate. For some re-reason, I can't."

"What?" Dodgers groaned. "Why? I wanna, ugh, get out."

"I'm trying. Our sh-sh-sh-ship is supposed to be above us. I don't get it."

"Try again," said E.J.

Dodgers wasn't watching but he knew that Cadet was trying to reconnect with their spaceship. Out of all the buttons he pressed on his communicator watch, the screen just fizzed.

"Esthcape podsth," Dodgers muttered. "The esthcape podsth. Go there."

"Good idea," Cadet agreed. "We'll go the-there. I have a map that will di-di-di-di-di-di-di-guide us so we don't get l-lost. Let's go."

Dodgers sighed. Hands were upon his arms and to his shoulders that he was now standing but on Cadet and E.J. They were walking out of the kitchen. Despite being very tired and keeping his eyes closed, Dodgers knew he was safe. He was back with his crew and they're taking him out, away from the Society. He's leaving and he doesn't have to be scared anymore. Cadet and E.J. came to save his life. He's going to be okay.

But how much, Dodgers didn't know. Over in the living room, Darkstar, Silver, Canasta, and Muerte returned in the room but to see the Fudd waking up from laying on the floor. That was not acceptable. Fudd was supposed to be watching Dodgers, not relaxing on the job. Darkstar never ordered him to do that. He will pay. Plus, he didn't see Dodgers on the couch. His most prized possession has escaped again!

"WHERE ISTH HE?!" Darkstar bellowed.

That woke up Fudd. He took strong blinks and looked up to Darkstar.

"WHERE?!"

"The intwudews were hewe!" Fudd replied. "They took him!"

"And you let them go?"

"No! I twied to fight them! I did! Pwease don't kiw me!"

The flame inside Darkstar's head was growing more and more that he ran to Fudd and held him up by the wall.

"If we don't get him, it'll be your head to!" The frightened look on Fudd's face made it clear that Darkstar went through to him. "We're getting that sthupid duck back! You Fudd, go back to Z-9! He'll want you. Vampire, get the restht, except the Cadet."

As if that wasn't enough to scare anyone, Fudd and Muerte obeyed Darkstar. They might've been scared at Darkstar's outburst but they, at least, did their job. The two went back to the main bridge that only Muerte returned back to the living room with the Catapoid, Sa'am, Moonbeam, Hilgalgo, Rogue, Van Chancey, Skunderbelly, and the Whoosh.

"Where'sth the Crusher, Stherpentisth, and Tasthmanian?" Darkstar snarled, noticing they weren't with them.

"The general wanted them to stay in the main bridge," Skunderbelly told him.

"Fine. All you, get Dodgersth back! I'm sthick and tired of thesthe sthtupid esthcapesth!"

All of them were surprised by Darkstar's angry glance.

"NOW!"

"Yes boss," said all of them. They left the room.