Last time, both sets of our brave explorers were being questioned as to how they got to where they are. Bloom and her group managed to convince the commander of the Thermopylae, Vincent Vega, that they could be trusted. Vincent said that he'd do what he could do to help. Meanwhile, Stella came up with the idea for Morgan to turn the others in the Irken holding cell invisible. (I know, it's unbelievable) After disabling their captors, Aiden led them out to find the communications room. And now, on with the show!
Chapter 5: The Plan
DREAM SEQUENCE
Bloom was walking down a dark corridor in an unfamiliar castle. As she walked, she noticed three tapestries on the wall. One showed a brilliant silver stag standing against a cloud of darkness. The cloud was in the shape of a huge snake with red eyes. The second tapestry had five symbols, each in a different color: Orange, aqua, red, green and blue. The third tapestry held a silver hand inscribed in a bronze circle. The hand appeared to be grasping a gold hammer.
"Bloom of Sparks," said a voice from behind her. Bloom turned around to see a tall man. His face was hidden beneath a hooded cloak, but his eyes glowing-blue eyes were clearly visible. "Bloom of Sparks," said the man again, "You must listen to what I have to say." "Who are you?" asked Bloom. "It is imperative, " said the man, "That when we meet in the waking world, that you pay heed to what I have to say."
END DREAM SEQUENCE
09:54:02
Bloom woke up with a start, unsure of where she was at first. I'm on the Thermopylae she remembered. She then checked her watch. There was less than ten hours left before the second wormhole opens. The others Bloom thought, they're still on that planet! Just then, Sky burst into the room. "Bloom! Good you're awake!" he exclaimed.
"I just had the weirdest dream." Said Bloom. "It's not a dream," said Sky, "We really are on the other side of the universe, and our friends are trapped on the planet with those aliens." "I know," said Bloom, "I'm talking about something else." "Well you should get up to the bridge," said Sky, "The others are waiting for us. Stella and everyone else that got left behind have made contact with the ship." "Why didn't you say so?" exclaimed Bloom as she ran out of the room.
A few moments ago…
09:57:17
Back on the planet, Stella and the others have barricaded themselves in the communications room of the Irken base. Aiden and Tecna had just succeeded in making contact with the Thermopylae. "This is Lt. Aiden Cain calling Thermopyle, come in Thermopyle." There was a burst of static from the other end of the transmission. "Please respond Thermopylae," said Aiden, "That last part was garbled." "I said we read your signal," said a voice from the other end of the communication device, "Your aunt will be relieved to know you're alright Big Boy." "Big Boy?" asked Stella. "That's my call sign." Said Aiden.
"Anyway, please stand by for Commander Vega." Came from the other end. There was a few seconds silence before, "Lt. Cane, this is Commander Vega." "Good you here your voice, Commander," said Aiden, "It's been a fraking mess down here." "Did there anyone else form your patrol survive?" asked Commander Vega. "I'm afraid not sir," said Aiden, "But there are some teenagers from the other side of the universe here with me. They've been a great help."
"What's your situation?" asked Commander Vega. "Right now," said Aiden, "We're hold up in the enemy's communication room. We're trying to hack into their computer system, so we can determine the enemy's defenses." "I'm almost in," said Tecna, "Just a few more lines of code to break." "Well hurry up then," said Riven, "it won't be long before the bugs figure out where we are."
"There!" exclaimed Tecna, "I'm in their computer network." "Try to find their defense systems." said Aiden. "Here we go," said Tecna, "Oh my! This does not look good." "What does not look good?" asked Commander Vega over the radio. "The enemy defenses," said Aiden, "I'll upload you the specifics." He pressed the send button of the transmitter and sent the data to the Thermopylae.
09:51:11
"You're right," said Vincent as Bloom and Sky walked into the bridge, "It doesn't look good." "What's wrong?" asked Bloom. "The enemy has a high-powered energy/particle shield over their base." Said a man standing next to Vincent. He was several inches taller than the Commander, with graying hair and dark brown eyes. "This is Corneal Mark Powell," said Vincent, "Executive officer."
"The bugs have several radar controlled air-to-air missile platforms;" said Corneal Powell, "Along with Anti-aircraft laser turrets, and two Ion cannons." "How do we do this?" asked Major Samson, who was also on the bridge. "Could we try an orbital bombardment?' asked Corneal Powell. "No," said Major Samson, "Their shield is too strong for an orbital attack." "And if we try to attack with Vipers and Heavy-assault Raptors," said Vincent, "They'll get slaughtered before they get in range."
09:47:32
"Can you shut down their defenses from where you are?" asked Vincent over the radio. "Well?" asked Aiden. "Not from here," said Tecna, "I'd need to be at the defense computer core to turn it off." "Um, guys?" said a worried Morgan, "I think they're trying to get in." There was a loud commotion from the other side of the barricaded entryway.
"They definitely want to come in!" said Flora. "What now?" asked Stella. "Can you use your powers yet?" asked Riven. "Somewhat," said Tecna, "But not enough to transform." "I think I have enough Winx to teleport us out of here." Said Stella. "That solves that problem," said Riven, "Now, how do we get the bugs shield and weapons offline so we can get rescued?"
"I may have the answer." Said Carmen. "What?" asked Aiden earnestly. "What?" asked Bloom from the other end of the transmission. "Is that you Bloom?" asked Stella. "Yes," said Bloom, "As well as Brandon, Timmy, Layla, Musa, Sky and Elise." "Can I talk to Brandon?" asked Stella. "I'm right here, Stella," said Brandon. "I was so worried, Snookums!" exclaimed Stella.
"Ahem!" said Carmen, "As I was saying, I may have the solution." "Please tell us," said Aiden. "It's a long shot," said Carmen, "But I think I have enough energy to pull off a Dragon Slave spell."
09:44:28
"She'd better not have said what I thought she said!" exclaimed Elise as she shoved Vincent away from the Communication terminal. "Could you repeat that last part Carmen?" asked Elise, "I'm not sure I heard you right." "I said I think I have enough energy to pull off a Dragon Slave spell." Said Carmen over the radio. "That's what I thought you said," said an irritated sounding Elise, "Don't do it!"
"Why not?" asked Carmen, "What do I have to lose?" "Your life for one thing!" exclaimed Elise. "What's a Dragon Slave spell?" asked Musa. "The Dragon Slave is the most powerful Dark Magic spell there is." Said Elise. "It was originally called Dragon Slayer when it was first used to stop rampaging dragons several thousand years ago. Over time, the name was garbled into it's present form. The Dragon Slave's destructive power is vast enough to destroy a city in one blast. It is a highly advanced spell, something a high-school student isn't ready for."
"Lina Inverse could use the Dragon Slave," said Morgan, "She mastered it when she was 15, and she did it without going to Cloud Tower." "Lina Inverse was psycotic!" exclaimed Elise, "She cared more about treasure then her comrades." "Lina Inverse was a genius!" exclaimed Morgan "You're just jealous that Carmen can do it and you can't!" "I could use the Dragon Slave if I wanted to!" exclaimed Elise defensively, "I just don't want to."
"What's the worst that could happen if she uses the Dragon Slave?" asked Bloom. "Best case scenario," said Elise, "Nothing happens. "And the worst-case scenario?" asked Sky. "She'll kill herself and everyone around her." Answered Elise. "Do you have a better idea?" asked Carmen, "Because if you do, by all means tell us, we'd all like to here it." There was a moment's pause before Elise said, "It's your life, do with it as you will."
09:39:11
"Okay then," said Riven, "This is how we should do things: Stella will teleport us out of the building. From a safe distance, Carmen will use the Dragon Slave to destroy the enemy power generators and their backups." "When the shields are down," said Vincent over the radio, "I'll send a squad of Vipers and some Raptors to pick you up." "Then in approximately nine hours and thirty-eight minutes," said Tecna, "The second wormhole will open." "We'll be there with plenty of time to spare." Said Sky. "When do we strike?" asked Carmen, "Because I'll need at least half an hour to prepare. "We strike when our timers read 8:45:00." Said Riven as he checked his watch.
09:37:45
"In that case," said Vincent, "We'll see you in less than 90 minutes. Until then.. Thermopyle out." The transmission ended. "With all due respect sir," said Major Samson, "You don't honestly buy into this crap." "What are you implying, Major?" asked Vincent. "I mean," said Major Samson, "Seriously, dragons and magic?" "Major Samson," said Vincent, "I've been an officer in the Colonial Navy for almost twenty years. In that time, I've seen things that I wouldn't have believe if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes. Besides, this is our chance to take this system from the bugs."
"And what happens when the enemy fleet gets here before our fleet does?" asked Major Samson, "Because that's what's going to happen if we stay here." "Major," said Vincent, "In almost twenty years in space, my instincts have never led me wrong. They're telling me that this is where we need to be today. If the enemy gets here first, then we fight until help arrives."
"When Admiral Cain gets here with the rest of the fleet," said Major Samson, "I'm going to have a long report about your command decisions, sir." He turned around and left the bridge. "I really don't like that man." Said Corneal Powell. "None of the other Battlestars wanted him," said Vincent, "We just had the bad luck to have an opening in the ranks." "You're taking a big risk here, Vincent." Said Corneal Powell. "If we never take risks," said Vincent, "Then humanity wouldn't have survived the Cylons."
Vincent then turned towards Bloom. "You're friends will be aboard in less than 90 minutes."
09:32:08
"This door isn't going to hold much longer!" exclaimed Helia. The barricade was breaking under the pounding from beyond the door. "Okay Stella," said Riven, "Can you teleport us onto the roof?" "I think so," said Stella. "That's a good idea." Said Aiden. "Why the roof?" asked Flora. "Because it's the last place the bugs are going to look for us." "And we'll have a clear view of the power generators." Said Tecna. "Everyone get together." Said Stella. They all grouped together as Stella exclaimed, "Groupus Teleportus!" There was a flash, and they were gone.
Second later, the barricade broke and Irken guards came poring into the communications room. In strutted Zim, closely followed by Gir the robot, whom was shoving cupcake after cupcake down its metal throat.
"They're not here, Fleet Master." Said one of the guards. "Find them," said Zim grimly, "And when you do, kill them." "It shall be done, Fleet Master." Said the guard. "Those human teenagers think they can make a fool out of me," said Zim to himself, "Well they're wrong! For I am Zim! I will not be denied my destiny! I will not be humiliated!" "Yeah! I'm going to be sick!" exclaimed Gir, who then proceeded to vomit cupcake goo all over Zim.
The end of chapter 5. Next chapter, the plan to escape is carried out. Plus, Carmen uses the Dragon Slave. Please note that the 'Dragon Slave' spell and the nave Lina Inverse both belong to the anime/ma Slayers. Please don't sue me, i'm only a humble writer. See you next time.