Good morning, afternoon or night Ultras, wherever or whenever you are reading this! This chapter has been building up for a while, and I hope you enjoy it! I've been a little off my game this week, and I hope it didn't impact the chapter too badly. Nothing serious, just reworking my thoughts over several times as to how this chapter is going to play out.

In other news, my brother is getting married this week, and so I'm going to take an extra week before the next chapter comes out. So expect it to be posted on the 26th of July. Sorry to make y'all wait, but it's a bit chaotic in my life due to the wedding planning, and I want to be able to focus on my brother this week.

Poll results: (I should have reported this last chapter, but I forgot. So its in this one!)

Let Sandra die: 1 vote

Don't know, either way works: 4 votes

Let Sandra live: 4 votes

So it sounds like Sandra is going to continue to live in the Ultra 10 Chronicles, however her recovery is still going to be rough, and its going to affect the story going forward, for better or worse, we shall have to see! Thank you for your opinions!

Trigger warnings for this chapter: There is one instance of choice language. It is after the paragraph after the one which reads, "Very good, Agent 01's voice came through the speaker..." There is a lot of fighting this chapter, though its not too graphic and more from a tactical/war point of view, than from a fight one.

There is a soundtrack for this chapter. It is "Blow Me Away," by Breaking Benjamin. You can listen to it on youtube. Go to youtube dot com/watch?v=5yHuuBZgif0.

Enjoy the chapter!

The Ultra 10 Chronicles: Volume 2: A Hero Earth Needs

Chapter 44: A Battle Over Earth

"Power up the deflector shields," Ultimos commanded. "Focus the power on the forward shield generators. And cycle the ion cannons!" Different officers in the command deck acknowledged their commander's orders, and set about accomplishing their tasks.

"Pull us in close to the Spirit-Breaker, and get ready to angle us towards the planet," Ultimos commanded. "We're going to draw his fire onto us, as if we're pulling in close to board. Then rocket us towards the planet, and out of the fight. The time for his weapons to realign to fire on our battleships will be invaluable."

"Sir, I'm not certain our stabilizers will be able to handle such a breakneck maneuver without damaging the city directly below the flagship," Ultimos's navigational officer warned him.

"Officer Culdahl, you're one of the best navigational engineers the Enforcers have. If anyone can do it, you can," Ultimos reassured his crew-mate.

"I'm just warning you what could happen," the Lepidopterran replied. "And what probably will happen." As the Spirit of Resistance drew closer to the Spirit-Breaker, Vilgax's ship started firing towards them. It also began rising out of the Earth's atmosphere, in order to engage with the three new threats.

The first laser blasts impacted the Spirit of Resistance, buckling it slightly under the force. However, the rocking was minor, and the stabilizers kicked in to negate any feeling of rocking or movement.

"Shields are holding," an officer reported. "Kinetic dischargers are holding up under the strain. Energy disruptors are also holding up."

"Good," Ultimos said. "Bring us in closer." Officer Culdahl nodded, commanding his small team to speed their approach to the Spirit-Breaker. One of his men started to offset the stabilizers, tilting the carrier ship ever so slightly, preparing for their descent towards the planet.

"Our shields are taking all the fire they can handle," an officer said. "The integrity is starting to drop…"

"Come on, Synaptak," Ultimos said under his breath. "Engage Vilgax already!"

In the skies above Bellwood, moments before

"Squad Leader, the flagship is ascending out of Earth's atmosphere," Red 2 reported through their comm system. "It's got to be in response to something!"

"The Galactic Enforcers must have arrived," Jack answered. "He's ascending to engage the Galactic Enforcers's forces." Jack swerved through some laser fire from a cluster of drones in front of his glider. He squeezed his trigger, spraying his own laser fire at them, hitting two of the drones. They began spiraling out of control, down towards the streets of Bellwood. All around him, his team was engaged in a dogfight with the drones. Alternating between chasing them down and firing on them, and swerving between laser blasts, trying to avoid taking any damage.

His glider squad had been reduced to arial support, providing coverage when the fighters that command had pulled from Rushmore were refueling and resupplying. That was the role that the glider squad was designed to be. Fly in fast, hit the enemy hard, and provide support fire to the main fighters. However, the first few days had taken a heavy toll on his squad. They hadn't had the numbers or the armor to act as the only air force against Vilgax's invasion. And although they were flying at about forty percent capacity now, they still were dedicated to accomplish their assignments, whatever they were. Down to the last man if necessary. Still, it was good to finally fill the role they were trained for.

"Fighter Captain," Jack called over his communication channel. "Vilgax's flagship is pulling out of Earth atmosphere, likely to engage an unseen adversary. Requesting orders."

"Break off from the flagship," the captain of the aerial forces replied. His voice was somewhat scratchy due to the interference with the satellites Vilgax's ship had caused. "Focus on providing aerial support for our ground agents. My fighters will engage and harass Vilgax's ship when we are redeployed."

"Affirmative," Jack replied. He switched channels back to his squad chatter. "New orders men, we're moving to provide aerial support to our ground agents. Withdraw from combat and fall into formation as soon as it can be accomplished." He heard a range of acknowledgments from his squad, and he cleared his targets before he distanced himself from the engagement. He flew around for a moment, waiting for his squad to form up. As soon as they did, they flew back down towards the city.

"Blue squad, take the western flank," Jack commanded. "Red, take the eastern. With the reinforcements momentarily cut off, we've got the advantage! And we're going to push those drones back as quickly as our ground men can keep up!" He saw the blue squad break away out of the corner of his eye, and red squad break off the other way. In short order, his men were setting up for a run over the deadlock between the agents and the drones.

Jack continued to glide lower and lower towards the center of the fray. Finally, he found a section of road that was clear enough for him to land, which he did, unbuckling himself out of the glider. Quickly, he found the man he was looking for.

"Agent 10," Jack called out. The agent in charge turned at the call out of his name.

"Agent 36," Max replied. "What's the problem?"

"My men have been reassigned to supply you with aerial support until further notice," Jack supplied. "As such, I am needing to be briefed as to your situation."

"The operation is simple," Max informed his fellow agent. "We are pushing back the drones, trying to corner them into one area of the city. Our number one priority is to keep them from retaking our artillery position. With the aerial drones dropping, we couldn't move too far away without leaving them exposed. However, with your squad, we'll be able to continue pushing them back without worrying about the artillery."

"I can have one of my teams maintain security for the artillery," Jack offered. "However our ability to provide your agents support would be cut in half. So our progress will be slowed."

"That's a trade off I don't see around," Max said. "If your gliders can protect our artillery, then my agents can push forward away from that position. We are using the police primarily as an extraction force, getting citizens out of the fire zone so that my men can focus on those drones."

"Understood," Jack replied. "I'll have the remainder of my men work to clear out the streets of the city, while your agents come in and mop up the remainder. Hopefully we'll be able to make quick progress towards clearing out the city." Max nodded, offering his hand out to Jack.

"Good luck to you, Agent 36," Max offered.

"And the same to you," Jack responded, shaking Max's hand before turning back towards his glider. In a matter of moments, he was firing his engines, heading back into the sky above Bellwood.

"Alright, squad, here's the battle plan," Jack spoke into his communicator.

Ross Park

"It looks like the drones have stopped falling," Ben said to Gwen. "And Vilgax's ship is pulling up out of the sky."

"Do you think that it's over?" Gwen asked. Ben shook his head.

"No, I don't think so. I've still got this," Ben shook the Omnitrix. "And Vilgax isn't one to just give up after a couple of days. Besides, with the number of drones he's deployed, I doubt that he's been defeated so easily."

"It's probably safe enough to go out looking for some supplies," Gwen said.

"We've got enough supplies for now," Ben replied. "Especially after Julie and Ellie dropped off the food and clothes."

"We'd probably better keep training then," Gwen said. "Flying below the radar is kind of new still."

"Agreed," Ben responded. "What's first?"

"Well magic is basically life mana," Gwen said. "So any spells I cast on us works best if you're able to control your mana."

"Which means?" Ben asked.

"Meditation," Gwen responded. "We're going to teach you to meditate. It'll help with your stealth as well."

"Fire the engines, full speed ahead," Ultimos commanded. "Get us out of Vilgax's fire and towards the Earth's surface!" The ship rocked slightly, a sign that the shields were beginning to fail under the barrage of fire they were taking. Through the front porthole, Ultimos watched the planet's surface tilt into view as the Spirit of Resistance angled down towards it. Behind them, Tini and Synaptak's ships were in a full-on engagement with the Spirit-Breaker. Red and yellow laser fire were being exchanged between the three ships, as tiny specs of fighters buzzed around. Every so often, one of them would light up in a flash of light as they blew up. The two battleships were still trying to move into Vilgax's blindspots, but they were taking heavy fire on their way.

Finally, the Spirit of Resistance sped forward towards Earth's surface. In a mere moment, they engaged the drag fins and braking engines, slowing their descent.

"Commander Raggle, we will be arriving on the surface in twenty seconds," Ultimos informed his ground forces officer. "You know what you need to do, and I expect you to act with all due haste."

"My forces are ready," Commander Raggle replied. "And they know the plans."

"Touchdown in five…" Officer Culdhal interrupted. "Three… two… one… touchdown!" He said this as the Spirit of Resistance landed just outside of the city of Bellwood, in a farmer's field. Several fields actually, unfortunately crushing several fences in between. A hatch on the underside of the ship opened up, with a ramp extending down towards the ground. Immediately, scores of alien soldiers rushed out, each of them wearing armor and carrying blaster carbines.

There were a dozen or more species, some of them Tortugans, others Orthopterrans or Methanosians. Some wore special containment suits which allowed them to operate on land or in Earth's atmosphere. But most of them wore simple armor plating overtop their Galactic Enforcers uniform. One of the last to exit the ship was an old Revonnahgander wearing a different uniform than the majority of the other aliens.

"Fliers, get to the PLUMMER frontlines," the Revonnahgander commanded. "Let them know that we have arrived to help them! And where are those artillery ordinances? Get them set up!" A half-dozen Tetramands re-entered the ship, emerging only a second later pulling several large cannons. The remainder of the soldiers formed up into companies and took off towards the PLUMMER lines.

"Commander Ultimos," the Revonnahgander shouted into his communicator. "My forces are deployed and are moving into position. You are clear to depart."

"Thank you, Raggle," Ultimos's response came through as the Spirit of Resistance began to take off. "Good luck to you."

"And to you," Commander Raggle replied as he watched the transport carrier ascend through the clouds. Turning his attention from the spaceship, Commander Raggle focused on the artillery units which were almost completely set up.

"Sargent Hestion, As soon as those cannons are prepared, you are to fire on the Spirit-Breaker. You are to keep pounding at his ship until you blow it out of the sky, or it exits your firing range."

"Yes, sir," the female Tetramand replied.

"Sir, all units are advancing through the streets towards the frontlines. It appears that the PLUMMERs were moderately successful in clearing out large sections of the city," another alien soldier informed Raggle.

"Very good," the Revonnahgander replied. "Keep advancing until we fall in rank with the PLUMMER agents. With our numbers, we shouldn't have too much a problem pushing back those drones."

On the frontlines

Max heard a shout behind him. Not a cry of agony, like he'd occasionally heard from an agent or a police officer that was hit with laser fire. This shout sounded courageous, hopeful even. Max turned around to see about a dozen Lepidopterrians flying towards his position, firing their handheld laser blasters at the drones.

"Who's in charge?" One of the aliens asked.

"That would he me," Max answered, turning from the firefight to address the newcomers.

"I come from the Galactic Enforcers," the stinky, insectoid alien said. "We've landed just outside of the settlement, and our forces are on their way to our position now. We also have artillery trained on Vilgax's ship, and supplies that are here for your men to use."

"That's the best news I've had since this whole debacle has started," Max sighed in relief. "I'm going to call off our gliders, and give them an opportunity to pull out from engagement to recuperate." The Lepidopterran flew back into the sky, providing aerial support to the PLUMMER agents below.

"Agent 36, we have reinforcements from the Galactic Enforcers," Max spoke into his comm link. "You and your men are free to head back to base to resupply and recuperate."

"Affirmative, sir," Morningstar responded. "Call on us if you need us, sir." Max looked up into the sky in time to see the glider squadron to form up in their formation and head off towards PLUMMER command.

"The tides are turning," Max spoke into his comm link to all of his agents. "We're going to win this!"

Onboard Vilgax's Command Deck

"My Lord, our shields are failing," an android reported. "And our deployed drones are being overwhelmed by their ground and air forces."

"Focus your fire on the first battleship," Vilgax commanded. "Eliminate the targets one by one."

"My Lord," another android spoke. "The carrier is back, and they are deploying their swarm fighters."

"Deploy our organic fighters," Vilgax commanded.

"The odds of a successful deployment at this time are…" an android start t say before bing cut off.

"Do not question me!" Vilgax roared. "Do as I say! Time is of the essence!" The android nodded.

"Deploying organic fighters now." With a press of a few buttons, the order was relayed to the barracks, telling the pilots to get to their fighters. Within minutes, the first wave of fighters flew out of the hangar doors, only to be shot to ribbons by the already-swarming Galactic Enforcers fighters.

The second wave of fighters flew out of the hangar, to the same effect. They were shot up almost immediately after exiting. A third wave resulted in the same, although a few fighters made it free of the carnage, swerving away from the firefight and trying to get their bearings. However, they were also quickly shot up by enemy fighters.

"My Lord, our fighters are unable to break through their fire-line," the android reported to Vilgax, who slammed his fist on his throne in frustration. "Send the call back to Vilgaxia," Vilgax ordered. "Have them bring the Oppressor." Just then his ship lurched forward.

"What was that?" Vilgax shouted in frustration.

"A shot from a heavy cannon onboard the Negotiator has fired into the hangar," an android replied. " It has both prevented any additional fighters from leaving, as well as is causing immense damage inside the Spirit-Breaker."

"What kind of damage?" Vilgax questioned.

"Our cooling systems are critical, as is the hangar airlock. Our targeting control systems are offline as well," another android spoke up. "If the cooling systems go offline, we'll loose our shield generator." Just then, an explosion rocketed the Spirit-Breaker.

"Our shield generator is offline," another android spoke up. "Barracks life support is going critical, and our engine room is heating up."

"Pull us out of range of their ships!" Vilgax shouted. Once again, his ship started moving away from the Earth and from the battlefield. However, the two battleships followed him, still pounding away at his ship.

"They are targeting our communications cluster," yet another android said. "If they destroy it, we'll be unable to communicate with Vilgaxia!"

"Did you send the message?" Vilgax questioned.

"It was sent, my Lord," the android replied. "But it will be some time before-" He was cut off as an explosion ripped through the command deck's walls, exposing them to the vacuum of space. Immediately, anything not bolted down was sucked out the opening. Vilgax, although he was very heavy, was still sliding towards the rip in the room.

He growled as he clawed his way around the room, towards the exit into the rest of the ship. When he got close to the door, he grabbed a lever and pulled, which slid a huge metallic sheet across the far wall, sealing the opening and repressurizing the room. Vilgax stood up again, now the only being in the command deck. Sirens blared all around him, and alerts flashed on all the computer consoles that were still operational. However, without his crew and with his organic pilots fighting in their space-fighters, there was little that he could do to salvage his ship before it crashed into the Earth.

"Except that the hangar is blocked," Vilgax remembered. He pressed a button on the wall.

"All available pilots to the command deck immediately," Vilgax ordered through the PA system. "Get here now if you want to survive!" The ship rocked again as another section blew apart. Inky black smoke leaked out of multiple holes where fires raged. The environmental regulators were beginning to give out, forcing the crew to don breathing masks and magnetized shoes to keep them from floating off into space. Within a few minutes, the command deck door slid open, revealing several pilots.

"Get this ship out of here!" Vilgax commanded, angrily. The aliens responded, rushing to the vacant positions, trying to settle the blaring alarms enough to pilot the ship. Slowly, the Spirit-Breaker began its ascent out of the battle again.

"Directing power from the weapons systems to the engine," one pilot said.

"Sealing off the hangar," another pilot reported. "Directing maintenance crews to the life-support systems."

"Fire is overtaking roughly ten percent of the ship," a third pilot reported. "If it's left unchecked, the ship may become unsalvageable."

"Just get us out of here!" Vilgax commanded. "Then we will worry about the state of the ship!"

"Calculating jump coordinates…" yet another pilot said. "I'll plug them as soon as they are ready." In a short time, the coordinates were plugged in, and the Spirit-Breaker shot forward at FTL speed, finally leaving the Earth, and the battle taking place over it.

Onboard the Negotiator, several moments before

"Clear away from the hangar," Synaptak communicated to their combined swarm fighters. "I'm lined up for a shot." Just as soon as the fighters began to pull out of the impact range, Synaptak ordered his officer to take the shot. One rayon missile shot forward into the hangar, using the lack of shielding around the open hangar door to their advantage. An explosion of light and heat rocketed the Spirit-Breaker.

"It was a direct hit," the officer who took the shot reported. "We may have damaged several of their systems critically."

"Was it enough to take out the shield generator?" Synaptak asked.

"It's unclear sir," the officer replied. Just then, a different section of the Spirit-Breaker exploded, the energy shields sputtering before disappearing. "Update, their shield generator is offline."

"Their shields are down," Synaptak communicated to Tini and Ultimos. "Take aim at their communications cluster!"

"I have a shot at the Command deck," Tini replied. "I'm going to take it!" With that, she fired her biggest gun at the deck, blowing a hole right through it. Meanwhile, Synaptak and Ultimos continued firing on the communications cluster, finally destroying it.

"Fire all over the ship," Synaptak ordered his weapons crew. "Give them so many holes to plug, they won't know which ones to focus on!" The crew cheered as they fired away at the ship, many of their shots punching through the sheeting and causing fires and smoke to billow out. After a moment of the Spirit-Breaker slowly falling back towards Earth, it seemed to take on new life, ascending back away from the surface of the planet.

"How is that possible?" Synaptak asked out loud. "We blew up their command deck! There's no one left to pilot the craft!"

"It appears they are preparing to jump to FTL speed," an officer reported. "They're attempting to flee!" The crew cheered again.

"Stay on him, don't let him get away!" Synaptak ordered. "Can we lock onto their coordinates?"

"Negative, sir," an officer responded. "I can't sort through all of the alarms and signals they are putting out."

"Then target their engines!" Synaptak ordered just as the Spirit-Breaker shot off away from them at FTL speeds, leaving little more than smoke, burnt and twisted scrap and dead bodies in their wake.

"The battle is won," Ultimos's voice spoke over the communicators. "Vilgax has fled, and the battle is ours! Return to earth to aid in the termination of the Vilgaxian drones around the globe."

"Yes, Commander," Synaptak responded. "Congratulations on your victory today, sir!"

"I owe it to the both of you," Ultimos responded. "You both played a crucial role in the engagement today."

On the streets of Bellwood

"That's the last of the drones, Max," Sarah informed her partner. "There's no more functioning drones anywhere in the city."

"Good job," Max congratulated her. "Gather your men and check into command. We'd better find out who's still alive, and who we lost."

"Your agents have fought valiantly," Commander Raggle spoke to Max. "It is truly impressive the courage and determination that you humans show."

"They believe in what they're fighting for," Max responded. "And they are prepared to fight for the PLUMMERs. The distain for the fear of dying just comes natural."

"I have fought on many planets against the Incursions and against Vilgax's empire. And rarely do I see any form of sentient life so willing to sacrifice for a cause as I do humans," Raggle replied. "It is quite commendable."

"Thank you for your admiration," Max replied again. "If you'll excuse me, I've got some mopping-up to do." Raggle nodded, and left to see to his own soldiers.

"Command, this is Agent 10," Max spoke into his communicator. "We've destroyed the last of the drones and are running a numbers check."

"Very good," Agent 01's voice came through the speaker. "Alpha is preparing an announcement for the public about the existence of the PLUMMERs. Our knowledge can't stay hidden any longer."

"No shit," Max thought in his head. "We just fought off an alien invasion. People are going to notice!"

"Understood," Max responded.

"As soon as you have recovered any fallen agents, bring them back to Command, and then I need you to go out there and provide some security and comfort to the public."

Understood, sir," Max replied. "I shall get right on it!"

A/N:

That is it for this chapter. What did you think of it? Do you think that this is the last we see of Vilgax or the Spirit-Breaker for a while, or do you think he's got a back-up plan? Any guesses on how the PLUMMERs reveal is going to be received? How about the reception of the Galactic Enforcers by the people of Earth? Other thoughts? Comments, critiques? Leave them in a review! Thanks for reading, and have an awesome day!

Review Responses:

yraj2004: Damn, you're a tease lol, signing off just where the action was about to begin. Nice to see Sam back in the picture and his little chemistry with CharmCaster, although I predict it won't work out, then they have a healthy break up, stay in touch as friends, and Sam goes off with Ellie and CharmCaster, gets swept off her magical feet by a certain Osmosian villain-turned-hero, who might return in the future.

Haha, yeah, I thought it was a pretty good place to cut it! As for Sam, he's definitely not forgotten, and is going to be coming back into the story here soon. As for your thoughts, that's a pretty good prediction! I guess we'll have to see what happens, but that's a good projection!

Signed2TheHeat: Rapid fire. Should rename this to...The Ultra 10 Chronicles: All The Smoke lol!

Haha, maybe! Honestly, this has probably been the most intense and rapid fire in the Chronicles so far. However, we're going to get back to what it is usually like, with some plot progression relationship building, the likes. Thanks for the review!

uchihaNaruto247: This was definitely a buildup chapter. Things are about to go down soon. I'm excited about Ben's new aliens playlist, I find it interesting that he suddenly gets new aliens in this time of crisis.

Sam and CharmCaster huh…can't say I've seen this one coming, so color me surprised.

Thanks for the review, dude! I'm glad you enjoyed the build-up! Hopefully you enjoyed the battle! As for Ben's playlist, it isn't just plot armor or coincidence than he got it right as Vilgax showed up. There is an actual reason for it, though some of it is definitely just Ben treating the watch roughly, so it is glitching out from time to time. And Sam and CharmCaster... That was quite a chance encounter, running into CC. She was trying to get revenge on some low-lifes, right as they were about to try to rough Sam up. And yraj2004 was right in that they are going to be forming a relationship here soon. And whatever happens, it is going to play a part in Sam's reemergence into the U10C.