Author's quick note:
Someone seemed a bit confused about Chapter 9's title, and I've got nothing better to do (except sleep), so I feel like explaining! The term "classic" describes anything that sets the standard for everything that is to follow it. Examples include Beethoven's music, Shakespeare's plays, and Alexandre Dumass' books. The girls might be considered as the models for which the clones are based on, making them "classical" in a sense. The clones scrutinize their genetic mothers in the chapter, so they're studying the classics, so to speak, and hence the title. However, are the girls just the crude concept designs, and the clones the standards which humans will follow? I hope that cleared it up a bit for some of you. Now enough rambling and on with the story!
On Angel Wings
"Darn it! Do that one over, I blinked!"
Alex checked the camera. "Clover, we've spent half a roll on this one shot! Can we please just go on to the next shot?"
"If I'm going to beat whatever the heck Mandy has planned, it has to be absolutely perfect!"
Sam sat on a couch away from the "set" – some chairs and drapes Clover borrowed from her mom and set up in her room at the villa - and sighed. "Clover, it's just an amateur competition. The judges aren't going to be looking for world-class material. We're just kids and they know it."
"Well then I'm going to give them world-class material! There's no telling what Mandy's up to!" Clover had a nasty image of Mandy surrounded by a professional photography crew, smiling arrogantly with her victory assured.
"Sammie's right," said Alex. "It's not like you two are the only ones in the running. The judges are looking for potential models, not pros."
Clover huffed. Her pride was losing ground to her friends' logic. "That…that's not the point! It's principle of the thing!"
"What principle of what thing?" Sam asked smugly.
"The principle of…of…humiliating Mandy!"
Alex sighed. "The portfolio isn't everything, Clover. There's still the actual pageant, you know."
"Hey! Don't distract me! Let's focus on getting this done right. Now," she struck a pose, "again!"
Alex sighed and took another picture. Clover relaxed and clapped her hands. "Okay! I know I got that one right! On to the next one!" She rushed to her closet and started filing through outfits. "Ooh, which one to wear? Which one to wear! Something fashionable, but down-to earth, unique but comfortable, oh I have too many clothes!"
Alex and Sam both looked up. "Clover," began Sam, "in all my days, I never thought I'd ever hear you say I have too many clothes."
"Well, you were wrong!"
"Besides, the mission's not done yet. Jerry's just giving us a break until they finish tracking that ship. We could get WOOHP'ed at any moment."
"Exactly. Until then, we keep working on winning!"
"We?" said Sam.
"Well, I'm going into the pageant, of course. But I will thank both of you when I win." Sam and Alex were looking at her funny. "Um, what's up?"
Sam leaned forward. "I dunno, Clover. I could use a good excuse to go on a shopping spree. I might just enter that pageant myself."
"You wouldn't."
Alex grinned. "Yeah, I think I could put up a good show, myself. This could be fun."
"Alex!"
"What's the matter?" said Sam. "Afraid of a little competition?"
Clover regained her composure and put her foot down. "NO! I just don't want to have to kick both your sorry tails off the stage, that's all!"
Sam stood up. "We'll see about that. I'm getting my camera!"
Clover dashed to the door and blocked it. "Nobody leaves this room until I say so!"
"Then how do we develop the film?" asked Alex.
"I don't know, but you two are not stealing my chance at stardom!"
Mischievous smiles crossed Alex and Sam's faces as they crouched to spring at Clover. "Come on, Clover. Let us out," said Sam.
"Yeah, we won't rub your face in it too bad," said Alex.
"You'll have to get through me first, girl."
"I think we can manage that."
Sam and Alex sprang at Clover just as the floor disappeared beneath them. The girls grabbed one another and held on as they fell into the tunnel.
"I think Jerry found the clones!" shouted Sam as they slid down the tunnel.
"Gee, you think?" Clover shouted back.
"You think he'd bother calling us first every once in a while!" shouted Alex.
Eventually the tunnel ended and the girls dropped from Jerry's ceiling and landed on the couch. Jerry turned around and leaned back in his chair. "Ah, hello girls. So nice of you to drop in."
Sam straightened her blouse out. "Ha ha, very funny, Jer. So what's up?"
"We've finished tracking the clones' airship. They apparently found the transmitter, but not before we could zero in on their hideout."
"So where is it?" asked Alex.
"You might be surprised." Jerry pressed a button that drew up a map of a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean. "We tracked the ship to this location. At first I couldn't figure out why it looked so familiar, but then I zoomed in with the satellite." He pressed another button that caused the image to zoom in until a small cluster of islands occupied the screen. The girls could make out installations linked by bridges sitting atop the islands.
Sam's eyes widened in alarm. "That's Macker's old lab!"
"Precisely. It seems our friends have renovated his facility for their purposes."
"So what's the situation look like?" Alex asked.
"Currently, the Navy has formed a blockade around the islands and is keeping their distance since we haven't been able to gauge the, what did they call it, Convent's defenses."
"So, does that mean we can like, leave it to them and go home?" asked Clover.
Jerry clasped his hands together and leaned on his desk. "If you want to, yes. But truth be told, I don't think you can do it anyway."
"What!?" exclaimed the girls.
"When I told the Joint Chiefs of Staff we found the Convent, the Navy Chief of Staff didn't believe you three could take down the clones and asked to take over for me."
"Of all the nerve!" said Alex. "Who does he think we are?"
"I don't know, but I do know you three are the best agents I've ever had, and this mission is still under WOOHP jurisdiction, so the Navy will stay put until I say otherwise."
Sam crossed her arms and blew a strand of hair out of her face. "So how do we get in? UPWHATI? Helicopter? Submarine? Speed boat?"
"None of the above."
"What? Why not?"
"Remember how the labs originally had a force field around them?"
"Yeah, but I don't see-"
"The clones have modified it into an electro-magnetic field that will short-circuit any electronics that try to go through."
"So how do we get in, Jer?" asked Alex. "We can't exactly walk on water."
"I can argue otherwise, but time is short. You can still fly in, because not all forms of flight need an engine."
Sam clapped her hands together excitedly. "You mean we get to use the glider again?"
"Not quite. Instead, I'm giving you each your own personal glider. I call them the PGs. Because they're powerless in glider mode, you'll be able to safely cross the barrier. The cockpit will protect your gadgets, so don't worry about them."
"Glider mode? What other mode does it have?"
"Should you get into trouble and need some extra speed, the PGs can change into fighter jets. Just don't cross the barrier in fighter mode or you'll short out the engine."
The girls stood up and used their Compowders to change into their spysuits as the conveyor belt carried them around Jerry's desk. Jerry stood up and stepped onto the conveyor after them as GLADIS started handing out gadgets.
"You'll be using the Jetpack Backpacks, Immobilizing Gunk Bombs or IGBs for short, and I'll refurbish all your gadgets from last time."
GLADIS doled out a set of belts for the girls. Sam hesitantly accepted hers and looked to Jerry. "Um, Jerry? We already have the Bungee Belts."
"Not these, you don't. Dr. Parker helped us design a type of disruptor field that can cancel out the clones' ability to communicate psychically when you're in the area. I know it's not much, but it's better than nothing."
The girls clipped the new belts on and shouldered their backpacks.
"You coming with us, Jer?" Alex asked.
"I've got some things to take care of here, but I'll be out there as soon as I can." The end of the conveyor belt was approaching. "Good luck, spies. I'll see you there." He tried to step off the conveyor belt, but GLADIS' arms blocked his path. "GLADIS, I need to get off."
"Negative. Please remain on the conveyor belt while it is in motion."
Jerry sighed. "Very well. GLADIS, stop the conveyor belt and let me off."
"Negative. WOOHP operatives are in deployment."
Jerry shook an angry finger at GLADIS. "Now see here youuuuuuuu!" GLADIS waved goodbye as Sam, Alex, Clover, and Jerry tumbled into the hole in the floor.
"Goodbye, everyone. Have a safe trip!"
The girls' gliders flew through the barrier with no ill effects. They aimed for the Convent's main facility and maintained a little distance between themselves.
"Well, no turning back now," said Alex over the radio.
"Nope," Sam responded. "Now it's just a simple matter of capturing the Athena clones, and then we can go home."
They flew in silence for a minute, as the Convent grew closer. They could see the buildings were much bigger than before and were linked by intricate bridgework.
"Hey Sam," said Alex.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think we're doing the right thing?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course we are."
"Have you forgotten what that clone did to you?" said Clover.
"No, but…all they really want is a cure for their sisters and a place to live. A family and a home are all that is, right? Is it right to take that away from them?"
Sam took her time answering. Her mind was still in turmoil over that very issue. "We can't let them destroy WOOHP."
"I know, but we can talk them out of that, don't you think? Sam…I don't want to hurt them. But I don't want to let them do anything bad, either."
Sam took a long time to answer. "I guess…we simply have a job to do, Alex. As long as the clones want to cause trouble…we have to stop them…even if it means denying them happiness."
"So if we were the troublemakers," said Clover, "then someone would be after us, wouldn't they?"
"Yeah, that's how it works. We already know what that's like from the last time we saw these clones."
"Don't remind me. The law is great as long as I'm on the right side of it."
"I hear that," Alex responded.
They flew on until the Convent was clearly visible.
"Man, they've really upgraded the old place since last time," said Clover.
The Convent's facilities now covered most of the islands. The buildings were composed of elaborately designed steel and concrete, possessing many windows. Three transmitters sat atop the largest buildings.
"Those must be the barrier transmitters," said Sam. "We need to disable those so WOOHP can get in."
"Sounds like fun," said Alex. "Any idea how we do that and fend off an army of genetically enhanced clones?"
"Calm down, I'll think of something. We need a place to land, first."
They flew over the first and smallest of the islands, which was dotted with what appeared to be a communications array. They flew past it without a second thought, and it was only when Clover glanced back did they find something to worry about.
The two buildings on the island opened up and launched a dozen small aircraft at the girls.
"Girls, we got company!"
The girls dove to avoid the aircraft, which circled around to attack them.
"I think it's time to take this into high gear!" said Sam.
Clover and Alex responded, "Right!"
The girls switched their gliders into jet mode. The long, graceful wings retracted and the wingtips split and folded up. The sleek fuselages opened up and the engines extended into position. Panels folded and shifted to form control surfaces. The planes started to fall as the engines ignited and accelerated the planes back to flight speeds. The Interceptors dove after them and the chase was on.
Inside the main compound, Sam-Athena watched the radar from behind one of her sisters with interest. Her sister asked, "Orders, sister?"
Sam-Athena spoke softly but firmly, "Blow them out of the sky."
The Nemesis clone started. "What? Are you sure?"
Sam hesitated. "No, retract that order. Force one of them to land. Kill the other two. I think I can complete my research with just one."
"As you wish."
Sam-Athena strode to the door, where Alex and Clover were waiting.
"Well?" asked Alex.
"They're here. Let's prepare a proper welcome for our mothers."
"Should we wait and see if the Interceptors get them?" said Clover.
"Those drones are no match for them. It will come down to us eventually."
"What about the Navy?"
"As long as the barrier holds, we'll be fine." Though she said it, there was no confidence in Sam's voice, and the others noticed.
"There's something bothering you," said Alex.
Sam stopped, but she kept her back to them. "I think…I think this is the end for us."
Clover looked at Alex with concern and placed a reassuring hand on Sam's shoulder. "Then we give 'em Hell before we go."
Alex placed her hand on Sam's other shoulder. "We'll make them regret ever putting us away."
Sam turned around and placed her hands on their shoulders. "If we survive this…" her face darkened with a mix of sorrow and anger, "we'll make the whole world pay for giving us a life we can't have."
Alex and Clover clasped her hands. "To The End."
They let go of each other and headed in different directions to prepare for their guests.
Sam dodged another volley of gunfire while four Interceptors maintained pursuit. Another burst fired across her wing and she dove out of the way.
"Darn it! We can't win if we can't fight back!"
"Then use the machineguns, Sam," said Jerry's voice.
"What?"
"All three PGs are equipped with machineguns for emergencies. You just need to turn your targeting computer on."
Sam switched the targeting computer on and a digital reticule appeared on her Heads Up Display. An interceptor drifted into the reticule and she pulled the trigger. The jet shuddered as the wing-mounted machine guns pulverized the Interceptor's fuselage. Sam let go of the trigger as the Interceptor exploded in a cloud of smoke and debris.
"Whoa."
The other Interceptors scattered at the sight of a new threat.
"Okay girls, head for the main facility before they come back!"
The girls turned and aimed for the main compound as the Interceptors completed their turn and streaked toward them.
"Here they come again!" exclaimed Alex.
Sam looked to her left just as a hailstorm of bullets rained down between her and the others. Alex and Clover pulled away and the Interceptors followed. Sam gasped in surprise when one of them suddenly appeared next to her. She pulled away from the Interceptor and it stayed with her. She slowed down to get behind it and the Interceptor sped away from her as another one cut in front of her. Sam pulled up to avoid it and then performed a barrel roll away from a stream of bullets. When Sam finally managed to break away from the Interceptors, she noticed she was much closer to the Convent, and she had three Interceptors on her tail.
They're herding me to the compound. But why?
Another volley crossed her wing and she swerved right.
Oh well, might as well accept the invitation!
Sam opened the throttle and gunned for the main facility. The Interceptors backed off, but maintained a steady pursuit. Sam drew close to the building and spotted a landing pad on the roof and a hangar in the side of the cliff. She circled above the building slowed down to land on the roof as armed Nemesis clones ran out to meet her.
But Sam had no intention of landing on the roof. Instead, she gunned the engine and sped past the landing pad. The interceptors sped up and unleashed a hail of bullets upon her. Sam hugged the cliff wall, dodging around and through pipes and support structures as bullets ricocheted around her. She ducked through a narrow opening in a support strut and one of the interceptors crashed into it. The other two fired again, tracing paths along the cliff wall beside Sam's speeding plane. The bullets edged closer to Sam's plane until they found their marks on the wings and fuselage.
Sam's plane bucked with the impact, almost sending her into the cliff wall. Sam yanked on the controls and pulled away from the cliff with effort and the Interceptors followed. They continued to shower her plane with bullets, and the plane was taking more damage every second. Sam aimed for the cliffside hangar and opened the throttle all the way. Another bullet found its mark in the engine and smoke began to pour from it. Sam looked forward to find the hangar doors closing. She bit her lip as her plane rocketed forward and the gap shrank.
And then she made it, only just barely. The wingtips scraped the hangar door, kicking up a shower of sparks. The plane fell to the floor and slid across the hangar. An unlucky Nemesis clone didn't look up in time and was caught on one of the wings. She held on to the wing and looked at Sam in surprise. Sam opened the cockpit, waved back, and Jetpacked to safety as the jet crashed into the wall, sending canisters and equipment flying everywhere. As more armed clones rushed in to investigate, Sam landed and snuck off amid the confusion.
Outside, Clover and Alex had their hands full. Eight Interceptors were chasing them and trying to shoot them down.
"Where's Sam?" Alex exclaimed as she tried to evade her pursuers.
"I don't know! I lost track of her!" said Clover.
They swerved to avoid another attack and dove toward the water.
"Follow me!" said Alex. "I've got an idea!"
"I'm all ears!"
"We've gotta lose these guys. Follow me!"
Alex and Clover leveled out just above the water and aimed for the Convent. Their jets kicked up a massive wake as the Interceptors followed close behind. The drones leveled out and fired another volley just as Alex and Clover's jets made a sharp left turn. The drones flew right through the wall of water and two of them crashed into the sea while the others pulled up and scattered. Alex and Clover flew straight up at the momentarily disorganized drones and shot two of them down as they flew through their formation.
The drones dropped back and regrouped to chase the girls.
Alex and Clover flew around a rock spire and the drones followed. Two of them flew ahead and launched a pair of missiles at the escaping jets. The missiles streaked ahead with grim accuracy and blew the red and yellow jets to pieces. The remaining Interceptors circled for a moment before heading back to their hangar.
Alex and Clover waited on the cliff and watched the drones circle the area before heading off. Alex leaned against the cliff wall and heaved a sigh of relief.
"Phew, glad that worked."
Clover looked at her in alarm. "Glad that worked? You mean you didn't know it would?"
"Not entirely, no. But it did, right?"
Clover slapped her forehead and activated her Jetpack. "Let's just get in there, find Sam, and finish this, okay? I still have a pageant to win."
Alex activated her Jetpack. "Sounds good to me!"
"You're not still thinking of entering against me, are you?"
"Come on, you know I'd never hurt your chances at realizing your dream!"
"You're the best, Alex."
They fired their Jetpacks and flew to the Convent's main facility.
"Man, I don't think Jerry's gonna be too happy about this, I think he really liked those things."
"Well it's not the first time we've lost one of WOOHP's vehicles. Not like we haven't gotten them blown up before."
Alex shrugged as they neared the building. "Oh, well. Let's find a way in."
They found a large window and hovered in front of it while Clover used her Laser Nail File to cut a hole in the glass. They dropped into a large room and looked around. Their curiosity turned to astonishment as they came to realize what the room was.
"Clover," said Alex, "just what is this place?"