Chapter 22B: The Moloch Desert.

The Garuda Team has returned from their mission and they are aware of what's gonna happen because they are in serious trouble. None of the other pilots spoke to them on the way to the debriefing. Donaldson enters the room and although he remain stern, the Loonatics knows that he's not happy.

"According to intelligence from our department of planetary safety. Estovakia has a scorched earth policy in mind for Acmetropolis. They plan to use weapons of mass destruction to completely and indiscriminately annihilate our capital city. If we keep advancing at this pace, the Estovakians are sure to destroy our capital. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have ordered us to temporarily halt the advance of all forces. This order is part of a high-level strategy. This temporary order of cease fire was an unavoidable action for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As Acmes, we cannot excuse this outrageous and inhuman threat posed by Estovakia. By continuing on with the mission, you have defied a direct order, and will be suspended for it. You are forbidden from flying in battle starting from 1600 hours today, and all combat mission qualifications will be revoked. Any action beyond going to your own barracks from that time on will be strictly limited. I've lost a lot of respect for you after pulling this stunt. Return to your barracks and wait for further instructions. That is all." Donaldson said while suspending the Loonatics.

The Loonatics left the room and the other pilots had no intentions of talking to them. When the Loonatics got to their barracks, James was waiting for them.

"What was that all about Garuda Team?!" James yelled.

"We're the Loonatics. We don't leave our comrades behind. So we help Chopper." Ace said.

"Chopper, you better give me an explaination since you're the one who disobey the order." James said.

"Let me answer that with a question." Chopper said. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Yes." James replied.

"And what would happen if you found out that something bad has happened to her?"

James had no answer to that.

"That's what I thought. You see, I have a girlfriend. I've been dating her for 5 years. There is no way I'm gonna let her suffer and there's no way I'm gonna let something bad happen to her." Chopper said.

"Chopper, I know how you feel but disobeying orders will not save her." James said.

Afterwards, James leaves the Loonatics in their barracks and they start doing their separate ways but flying.

That's the end of this chapter. What will happen to the Loonatics? Can the Acmes solve the problem? Can the war come to an end? Keep reading to find out.