Let's face it: more than likely, the general population of Swellview did not like waking up before the crack of dawn.
Needless to say, this also applies to Swellview's villains. Not one of them was overly enthusiastic about "not a second after seven," but they were definitely ready to finally, finally spring into action. It was the excitement of the plan that assisted everyone, from Derek and Maddy to Dr. Minyak and Nurse Cohort themselves, in the daunting (well, maybe not daunting) task of dragging their butts (and the rest of their body, of course) out of bed.
Not that everyone got there on time. A couple stray Wall Dogs walked in a few minutes after, but if Dr. Minyak was unhappy with them, he didn't show it.
"Are we all here?" He didn't wait for a response, as he had counted a few times. His gaze flickered, Just for a second, at the nearby wall clock: 7:03.
Dr. Minyak began explaining Part Two of his plan, Operation DCMAKDWEDMGP (because the formal name, Operation Destroy Captain Man and Kid Danger With Evil Dr. Minyak's Genius Plan was too long and unpopular) at 7:04. By 8:05, he had given the full explanation, using visual aid such as maps and sketches, went over meeting places, and even quizzed a few people whom he didn't think were listening.
"Does anyone have any questions?" Dr. Minyak asked once he finished explaining Part Two (post-quizzes).
Spray Z hesitated for a moment before raising his hand. "So, um, is anyone else coming? For this, I mean? Or just in general?"
"Yeah, I'd like Drill Finger to show up so I can paint his drill finger. That color is so last season," added Candace. "And maybe a new mask, his is too-"
"This isn't the time to talk about fashion!" Van Del snapped at Candance. "You are always like this! Besides, we need someone like Heather Bogart, who knows how to work around the rules-"
"Heather couldn't even get away with stealing a dang diamond that one time because of a little girl! Face it, guys, we need to get her back, we need-"
"Don't you dare say that little traitors name! She is dead to the Wall Dogs!"
"You people need to think outside your pack, we should find-"
"SILENCE!" Dr. Minyak certainly knows how to project his voice when he wants to. "And to answer the initial question, that is not information you need to know. I've reached out to every Captain Man and Kid Danger hater I can think of- Drill Finger, the Phone Shark, Drex, who I couldn't even manage to contact-" (only Henry and the gang down in the Man Cave know what really happened to Drex, which involves a time machine and dinosaurs, so, obviously, Drex isn't going to show up) "-Steven Sharp, I've even gotten in contact with the Spoiler, for Crust's sake, because I am doing everything I freaking can for this operation, and right now, WE HAVE WHO WE HAVE. DEAL WITH IT."
The room was pretty silent after that. No one even dared to say "Yes, sir" or anything like that.
"Good." Dr. Minyak took a deep breath to calm down. He paused as if waiting for something. "You don't sound very excited."
There certainly wasn't a concert crowd, but the villains made some noise. They whooped, whistled, and someone yelled "Let's get this bread!" Dr. Minyak let them scream for a minute, before he yelled, "Alright then!" He made his back a little straighter. "Let's go."
Henry, Charlotte and Jasper spent most of the school day texting about where Jeff could have possibly gone. Other than that, nothing happened.
Nothing that they knew of, really. Dr. Minyak's team spent their day getting ready; reviewing their parts, dry runs, stretching- one would think that they were getting ready for a play, but that definitely wasn't the case.
Naturally, everyone was very impatient, wanting to move forward, but somehow, they made it to seven in the evening, right as Henry and the others were getting ready to knock off.
"Dang, right when I was about to leave." Henry said as he ran to answer the emergency call that came in. Ray and Charlotte followed, and Schwoz put down the blaster he had been fixing (don't ask why it was broken, there was a pig involved, and that's more information than necessary) and stood behind them.
A female voice was screeching on the other end. Say want you want about Derek, but he sure as heck can do voices.
Henry and Ray has to tell the "woman" to calm down a few times before Derek toned down the hysterics.
Only a few miles away, Derek read from the script that Candace was holding up for him. "I'm in an alley near Forth Street and there's a lot of really scary people here, I hid in a dumpster, please help!" The overdramatic sobbing wasn't part of the script, but, well, improvisation.
"Ma'am, please calm down, we'll be there shortly. Can you stay on the line?" Henry dug his gumball tube out of his pocket as Ray frantically searched for his.
"I don't know, I- OMG, I think they're getting closer!" Some of the other Wall Dogs were making background noise.
"Okay, ma'am, quiet down. We don't want them to find you. We're on our way."
Derek hung up before Henry could, and Henry popped a gumball into his mouth.
One pretty light show later, he was under the tubes, ready to go up… almost ready, actually.
"Ray! Hurry up!"
"I can't find my gum!"
"What?!" Charlotte, always the most concerned for the public's safety, looked furious. "Ray, I just gave it back to you!"
"What did you have it?!"
"Because you asked me to refill it!"
"Oh, for the love of- just borrow mine!" Kid Danger tossed his gum at Ray, who caught it, popped a gumball and chewed as fast as he could as he ran to to tubes. He was still chewing as they sailed up, but still called it with Henry.
"Up the tubes!"
"Urf ha hubes!"
Apologies for posting later in the day than usual, hadn't realized that the chapter wasn't even finished yet... but hey, it's technically not late!
Ciao, and Happy Reading!