After hearing this, the gang headed out of the rec room and out of the school. Making sure they didn't run into any of the faculty, they cleverly made their way outside.
"Where are we going?" Sam asked. "The cafeteria's over there."
"Sam, will you forget about your stomach for one second and make way to the factory?" Rumiko asked.
"But it's 'Pasta Night'." Sam whined.
"Will you shut up already?" Dennis said pulling out his cell phone.
"What are you doing?" Ami asked.
"Letting Antea know."
At the Hermitage, Antea was busy eating dinner with her mother when she heard her phone go off.
"May I be excused to answer the phone?" She asked.
"Yes you may." Aelita said as she grabbed her phone and answered it. "Hello?"
"Antea, it's Dennis. We need you at the factory, pronto."
"Okay, I'll be there. See you." Antea said as she hung up the phone. She then went back to the table.
"Mom, XANA's on the attack. I have to leave." Antea said.
"Okay." Aelita said. "Should I save your food?"
"I really don't think that'll be necessary." Antea said.
"Oh right." Aelita said as Antea walked out the door and went to catch up with her friends.
A short time later, everyone else had already reached the bridge to the factory. Dennis could then see Antea coming out of the sewers and running towards the rest.
"Sorry I'm late, guys." She said.
"No problem." Ami said. "Now let's go."
The gang then went down to the factory floor and took the elevator down. As the elevator descended, Antea turned to see Calvin standing in the corner, staring at the ground.
"Is Calvin okay?" Antea asked.
"He's feeling a little insecure right now." Rumiko said to her.
"About what?" Dennis asked.
"I don't think he wants us to talk about it." Ami said. "So I'd leave him alone for now."
"Very well." Antea said. The elevator door then opened as Dennis stepped out and took his place by the main computer.
"Antea, Calvin and Rumiko, I'm sending you three first." Dennis said. "The rest stay with me."
The others then exited the elevator while the former three stayed behind and took the elevator down to the scanners.
"Alright guys." Dennis said. "The tower's in the Ice Sector this time. I'll give you the exact location after I send you in."
The three then stepped into their own scanner; Dennis began the procedure.
"Transfer Calvin. Scanner Calvin."
"Transfer Rumiko. Scanner Rumiko."
"Transfer Antea. Scanner Antea."
"Virtualization!"
Seconds later, the trio found themselves on the Ice Sector awaiting their orders.
"So where to now?" Antea asked.
"The tower should be 97 degrees east by south." Dennis said.
"Alright, we'll take it from here." Rumiko said drawing her sai and leading the way.
"Careful." Dennis said. "XANA's bound to be waiting."
"Hey, Dennis?" Sam asked. "This may seem like a bad time, but look." He then handed Dennis his smartphone.
"What is it?" Dennis asked. He then saw that it was open to a news article; he read it out loud.
"'Break in at Zanbato Publishers main building leaves many injured and CEO missing.'" Dennis said. "Sam, when did this happen?"
"About a few minutes ago." Sam said. Dennis than began tapping frantically on the keyboard and brought up another window that showed a live report of said news story.
"Just moments ago, Zanbato Publishers was broken in by a group of unknown assailants." The newscaster said standing in front of the building, where an investigation was visible. "Despite the attempts of nearby security officers, the assailants still managed to make their way through the building and head to the office of CEO William Dunbar Sr. Eyewitness reports have claimed to seen Mr. Dunbar tied up and placed in a van, but these reports have yet to be confirmed."
"Oh my God." Dennis said shocked.
"You don't think that…" Ami said.
"It has to be." Dennis said. "XANA's kidnapped my father."
"What?" Rumiko said.
"We have to move out now." Antea said. "Who knows what could happen next."
They then picked up the pace and made their way to the tower. Rumiko then turned around to find Calvin not catching up with them; it was almost as if he were distracted by something.
"You coming?" Rumiko asked.
"Yeah." Calvin said snapping back to reality. He then ran up to the other two.
Back in the streets of Paris, the van that contained William Jr.'s gang was already cruising away. Inside, William was tied to the floor, blindfolded and his mouth taped while he was being guarded by his son and three of the thugs.
"I do apologize for the inconvenience, but it's all part of the plan." He said. "You see XANA and I met and he made me a deal: Do his bidding until his ultimate plan is complete and he'll bring Russell back. It's only a matter of time, but don't worry, you'll survive no matter what I do to you." William Jr. then removed the piece of tape around his father's mouth. "Any thoughts?"
"Willy, let me just take this moment to say that you are completely insane." William said.
"To each his own." William Jr. Just then the van stopped.
"Where are we?" William asked.
"Julian? Help our guest up." William Jr. said as one of the thugs untied their hostage and opened the van doors as they led him out.
A minute later, they entered an abandoned warehouse and they tied William to a metal support beam.
"Now, here's the deal." William Jr. said. "The Lyoko Warriors are already on Lyoko attempting to deactivate the next tower; however, I want the situation to be direr."
"What does this have to do with me?" William asked.
"You are the victim in a race against time." William Jr. said. "The Lyoko Warriors have 10 minutes to reach the tower area. If they fail, I take this gun, point it at your head and fire."
"I thought you wanted me alive."
"Oh, I do." William Jr. said. "But the Warriors don't know that. Therefore, they'll have no choice but to activate a return trip, should anything happen."
"You're really going to risk that?" William asked. "You're really going to endanger your own father's life? What if XANA's lying to you? Ever think of that." He then stopped as he felt the barrel of a pistol upon his forehead.
"Ten minutes." William Jr. said. "Starting now."
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