Chapter 14: Hostile Intentions
Location: Madubin Island
The next day...
From the edge of the island, Tarro watched as the Behemoth-class Battlecruiser continued its slow, methodical coarse. It was quite apparent that it was General Tatarin who had dispatched it, and the young Saiyan saw the wisdom in his decision. Though it might be viewed as something akin to killing a fly with a rocket launcher, it served its purpose as an instrument of fear. Whirling around, he headed back in the direction of the estate, reaching his destination in under three minutes. The living room was crowded with the Mobians who had taken shelter within his estate, with Sally the only one absent. She was still wallowing in self-pity following their spat days earlier, but now there was no time remaining.
"You need to leave," Tarro declared, stepping through the patio doors.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Amy asked.
"There's a battlecruiser headed in our direction, doubt they're friendly."
"Where exactly are we suppose to go?" Sonic questioned, crossing his arms.
"Mercenaries have seized control of the Central City Speedway," the boy answered, "Shard was able to confirm that they're under orders from King Routhe."
"Looks like the King's taking action," Tails commented.
"What about Sally-girl?" Bunnie asked with obvious concern.
"I'll handle it."
"What's going on?" Korianda asked, entering the room.
"Have everyone move into the shelter," he instructed, "We've got a battlecruiser inbound."
"Wonderful..."
"Get Adria up here and have her escort our guests to the transerver chamber."
The girl departed without another word, while Tarro proceeded down an adjacent hallway that led to the bedrooms. NICOLE was standing outside the door to Sally's room, a frown forming on the holographic lynx's face.
"You're not planning on causing trouble, are you?" she asked as he approached.
"That's up to her. There's a battlecruiser on approach, you've all got to leave."
"Can't guarantee our safety?"
"Not willing to risk your safety," he corrected, banging on the door.
"GO AWAY!" Sally yelled from the other side.
The building was suddenly rocked by a series explosions, most likely from the B2-C 75 pound concussion bombs being deployed by several Grizzlys.
"Goddamn bastards are destroying my house," the boy cursed angrily.
Tarro took a step backwards and kicked the door in without any warning, causing the doorframe to splinter. The door swung open with such speed that the doorknob became buried in the way, preventing it from being closed.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" both women cried out in unison.
"We don't have time for this," Tarro stated, strolling into the room, "You know what's headed in our direction, you can't remain here."
That declaration did little to spur the Princess into action, who proceeded lay back down and rolling over.
"What's the point...," the chipmunk muttered.
"Sally, for god sake...," NICOLE began.
Tarro seized the Mobian by the wrist and dragged her from the bed, dumping her onto the hardwood floor.
"You know what: No one can help you, if you're not willing to help yourself."
The boy immediately leapt forward, landing atop the dresser and launching himself through the closed window. He shattered the windowpane upon impact, shower the ground outside with shards of broken glass. It was fortunate that he was wearing shoes, otherwise he would've slashed up his feet quite severely. The battlecruiser had obviously made a tactical jump, as it was now within striking distance of the island. A Grizzly soared out from behind the tree line, its Hellsworn 30mm flack cannons swivelling to target him. It immediately opened fire on him, the bullets creating large furrows into the soft ground, but completely missing their target. Tarro landed on the cockpit of the fighter-bomber, punching his way through the canopy and dragging the pilot out. Tossing the man over the side, he leapt down from the aircraft as it listed to one side, crashing into the island's rocky shoreline. There were survivors onboard, but that was easily rectified by blowing the vessel up with a Ki blast. He immediately refocused his attention to the battlecruiser, which held position just off the coast of the island. The fact that it hadn't fired upon the island with its Yamato Canon was nothing short of a miracle, but he doubted the commander would continue to remain that complacent. Stretching out his arm, Tarro pointed his index and middle fingers directly at the vessel, causing it to detonate in an explosion. Large chunks of the battlecruiser landed in the waters, the resulting tidal wave slamming against the coastline. The water rolled inland, saturating the ground and leaving his clothes completely drenched when it crashed into him, but he managed to stand his ground. The remaining Grizzlys wisely chose to retreat, the destruction of the battlecruiser was more then enough to instil fear in them. Heading into the foliage, Tarro made his way to a concrete bunker where the Mobians had already gathered, including Ebony and Pyjamas. There was a young woman standing with them, dressed in a sleeveless top of black leather with matching pants and boots. Her black hair was worn in a bob-style, with dyed streaks of bright red running throughout it.
"'bout time," Sonic commented, "What was all that racket?"
"Me...blowing up a battlecruiser," he replied.
"Wait...what?" Tails asked.
"You heard me correctly the first time."
He approached the control panel for the blast doors and went about gaining access to the interior while Adria stood guard.
"Finally decided to get up?" Tarro asked, glancing at Sally.
"Well you were right," she stated, "I have to be willing to help myself."
The machinery groaned to life as the blast door slowly slid away allowing them entry and shelter from the battle raging across the island. The bunker was surprisingly cavernous with electronic equipment scattered about, while a large platform was situated directly in the center.
"Get on," Tarro ordered the group.
The Mobians complied with the order and climbed atop the platform while Tarro walked over to a nearby computer console, with Adria manning another.
TRANSERVER ONLINE...
ACCESSING NETWORK...COMPLETE...
SCANNING TRANSERVER GRID...
-SCANNING MAR SARA BEACONS...-ERROR DETECTED-
-ERROR DETECTED WITH CENTRAL CITY BEACON...
-ERROR DETECTED WITH CITY CENTER BEACON...
-ERROR DETECTED WITH BEACON HILL BEACON...
-ERROR DETECTED WITH JACKSON HEIGHTS BEACON...
-ERROR DETECTED WITH COAL HARBOUR BEACON...
-UPLINK ESTABLISHED UPLINK WITH BACKWATER STATION BEACON...
-UPLINK ESTABLISHED WITH BORAL BEACON...
-UPLINK ESTABLISHED WITH LOS ANDREAS BEACON...
-UPLINK ESTABLISHED WITH ANTHEM BEACON...
-SCANNING CHAU SARA BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING DIAMOND HILLS BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING ASH'ARAK BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING KORHAL BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING UMOJA BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING TORSONIS BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING HALCYON BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
-SCANNING TYRADOR BEACONS...UPLINK ESTABLISHED...
PLEASE ENTER COORDINATES OR DESTINATION...
"SHIT!" the boy cursed, "I'm not getting a response from the beacons in Central City."
"You're sending us to Central City? That's a terrible idea," Amy stated.
"As I've said: 'Mercenaries have seized control of the Central City Speedway', you'll be safer with them then you would remaining here.
"Why not just send us back to Mobotropolis?" Sonic questioned.
"Because you're needed here," he replied, "never mind the fact that this isn't set up to teleport outside Augustgrad."
"What aren't you telling us?" Rotor asked.
"You may feel some slight discomfort," the boy warned, ignoring the question, "your physical form will be digitized and converted into data to allow for the teleport."
"Wait! Will we be in any danger?" Tails asked with concern.
"No. There are safety measures in place," Adria stated.
"It's basically the same as your Particle-To-Light Organizer and Transporter Device," Tarro replied, "but you'll be transported to a different location rather then cyberspace. The closest I can get you to the Central City Speedway is Backwater Station. I'll inform Shard of where you'll be."
He stabbed at the Y key with his index finger causing a large ring rose up from the floor, while the platform began to pulsate with a white light, alarms began blaring throughout the bunker.
"Coordinates locked. Transferring in 3...2..."
"I'll be along as soon as I can," Tarro declared.
"...1..."
The group was teleported away in a flash of white light as the Transerver began to power down, the ring descending to the floor.
"What now?" Adria asked.
"Ready the ship for launch," he ordered, "I've got training to do in the meantime."