Standard disclaimer: I do not own the Happy Tree Friends; they are the property of Mondo Media. I own only my own characters and this story. Now here's chapter 6:

6 – PLAN OF ACTION

When the council heard what Barry, and then Flippy and Splendid, had to tell them they all became very grave. A transcript of the meeting shows the discussion running like this:

TOOTHY: "It's quite clear that the city is in grave danger. With XL-Jack-3 actually here I believe a code zero may be our only defense."

MAYOR KING: "We haven't had a code zero emergency in generations. Will everything still work?"

VIRGIL: "As far I can tell everything's working fine, but Robot can say more."

ROBOT: "Yes. I was constructed before the last code zero – "

MAYOR KING: "But that would make you – "

ROBOT: "175 years old. The last code zero occurred during my fifteenth year of operation. I was part of the team that effected it. I have kept an eye on all of the equipment since then and everything is still operational."

DANE: "How long will preparations take?"

VIRGIL: "At our current rate of speed, we will need another 24 hours before we're ready to go."

DANE: "I hope we'll have that much time. Can't it be any faster?"

VIRGIL: "It should be 36 hours. Sniffles came up with a way to speed up the process, but we can't go any faster."

SNIFFLES: "I calculated that 24 hours is the absolute minimum amount of time needed from now to be able to safely do what we need to do, and that may even be pushing things a little bit."

MAYOR KING: "All right we'll set the code zero for 24 hours from now. How shall we proceed until then?

DANE: "We should probably announce some sort of curfew to keep everybody at home when the time comes, but I don't think we should announce what's really about to happen. If word of that were to get out it could get back to the Marauders and it might spur them to attack sooner."

MAYOR KING: "Very good. I'll send out a general order that tomorrow, at exactly one half hour before the procedure everyone is to be in their homes until one half hour after it is carried out."

TONY RIDE: "I wish you luck madam mayor. You know what people are like."

BARRY: "As long as they're in the city itself that's all that really matters."

EMILY: "What if someone disobeys the directive and goes outside?"

DANE: "Then they're on their own. We won't be able to help them."

EMILY: "I thought after the last war that things would be better. Why can't XL-Jack-3 leave us alone?"

TONY RIDE (laughing without humor): "Oh please! This is XL-Jack-3 we're talking about. That thing will never rest until it's utterly destroyed not only our city, but any other civilized communities that exist."

KEVIN: "Are there any others? I thought our city was the last one."

TOOTHY: "There's the Animal City on the other side of the continent. I communicate with their leader every now and then. I don't think they've had the problems we've had yet, but probably only because we're a larger city."

ANNA RIDE: "If I might say something, suppose the Marauders attack between now and the code zero deadline?"

FLIPPY: "I've been thinking about that. May I speak?"

MAYOR KING: "Of course."

FLIPPY: "If the Marauders do attack we have to be prepared to meet them, but I don't think we should give them that chance."

DANE: "What do you suggest?"

FLIPPY: "A diversion to keep them busy. If they don't attack before tomorrow then I think that Splendid and I should make a trip to the Marauders and make some mischief."

SPLENDID: "Sounds good to me!"

BARRY: "Wow. Can I come too?"

FLIPPY: "Better not. Once the code zero happens Splendid can fly me back to the city, but he can't carry everyone."

SPLENDID: "I could carry both of you."

FLIPPY: "I know. But the fewer people who take the risk, the better."

TOOTHY: "I'd rather not risk either of you, but I have to say your plan makes sense. Can you cause enough damage so that the Marauders can't react quickly when they realize we've carried out a code zero?"

SPLENDID: "I think so. Fire is my friend."

MAYOR KING: "Then do it. And good luck to you. Meanwhile the preparations will continue. And before we end things, with the consent of all present I officially activate this council and declare that all thirteen of us present are now members."

SPLENDID: "Us too?"

TOOTHY: "Yes, you and Flippy and Sniffles too."

BARRY: "Welcome to the club."

Meeting adjourned. End of transcript.

(To Be Continued)