Last time, our brave explorers were reunited aboard the Thermopylae. There, they waited the long hours before the wormhole opened. With less than an hour to go, the Irken Armada showed its self. Fleet Master Zim demanded the surrender of Stella and the others whom escaped the planed. Commander Vincent told Zim to drop dead. While getting ready to leave for the wormhole, Brandon had doubts about leaving the Thermopyle to its fate. Flora cleared up any remaining doubt about leaving. And now, on with the show!
Chapter 8: End Run
00:23:30
"Four minutes and thirty seconds until launch." Said Sky Our brave explorers were on their ship, preparing to leave the Thermopylae and head home. "We're ready on our part." said Sky. "Okay then," said Bloom, "All doubts resolved then?" "None on my part." Said Stella. "Me neither." Said Carmen. "I'm cool with it." Said Riven. Let's go home!" exclaimed Morgan. Just then, there was a large shudder that shook the entire ship, including the Thermopylae. "What was that?" asked a worried Musa.
Sky then activated the ship-to-ship communications with the Thermopylae bridge. "What just happened, Vincent?" "Nothing to worry about," said Vincent over the radio, who was sounding slightly worried, "Just a high-powered particle beam slamming into the hull. There's nothing to worry about, nothing at all. You just worry about leaving on time."
00:22:58
Back up in the bridge of the Thermopylae, things were not as Vincent said they were. "Damage report!" ordered Vincent. "That last blast nearly ruptured the armor," said one technician, "Hull integrity is at 85." "How many enemy ships remain?" asked Corneal Powell. "We've destroyed two of the larger vessels and damaged three others with our Turbo-Lasers," said a second technician, "Over half of the smaller vessels are either destroyed or damaged by the torpedoes." "And the enemy fighters?" asked Vincent. "Our Vipers have knocked out nearly 150 of the enemy, and our flak cannons have destroyed another 120, but more are still coming."
"We just need to hold on for another twenty-two minutes and a few seconds," said Vincent, "Until then, let's even the odds some more. Reload forward torpedo tubes." "Tubes one through four reloaded sir." Said a third technician. "Lock onto one of the larger ships and fire!" ordered Vincent. "Torpedoes away!"
"How long until the Turbo-Lasers are recharges?" asked Powell. "Less than a minute sir." "Commander! We've destroyed another one!" "Confirmed, the enemy vessel has been broken in half!"
00:21:35
Meanwhile, on the enemy flagship, Zim was not having a good day. "Those filthy humans think that they can defeat the unstoppable might of the Irken war-machine. Well they're wrong!" "Fleet Master, we've just lost another ship!" "Our fighters are being massacred." "Curse those humans!" raged Zim, "I'll have their skulls as drinking glasses! Gir, get down from there!" Indeed Gir was swinging from the overhead lights like a monkey.
"Signal all remaining vessels," ordered Zim, "Prepare to fire a full volley at the enemy. I want that ship in pieces! Ow! My spine!" for Gir had left the ceiling and fallen on Zim's back.
00:18:45
"Forty-five seconds to go." Said Elise. "Okay then," said Bloom. She then activated the intercom with the Thermopylae bridge. "Vincent, we're about to leave. I just want to say thank you for all you've done for us." "You can thank me by getting the frak out of here." "We'll be gone in less than thirty seconds." Said Sky. "Then may the gods keep you safe," said Vincent, "Good luck." The transmission ended. "Ten seconds," said Elise. "This is it," said Layla, "We're going home."
00:18:05
00:18:04
00:18:03
00:18:02
00:18:01
"Now!" shouted Sky as the ship took off and left the Thermopylae.
00:17:58
"They're on their way." Said Powell. "Now can we go?" asked Major Samson. "Not until they've reached the wormhole," said Vincent, "And not one second sooner." "Incoming fire!" exclaimed Technician 2. Vincent activated the ship's intercom, "All hands, brace for impact!"
The combined firepower of the remaining enemy warships slammed into the hull of the Thermopylae. The ship shook with the force. All over, lights and consoles were shorting out. "Damage report!" ordered Vincent. "Hull integrity is at 63." "We've got multiple system failures on all decks. Switching to backups." "There's a fire on deck 4!" "We can't take much more of that." Said Powell. "I know," said Vincent, "That's why we're going to use one of our nukes."
00:16:21
"We've got them now," said Zim, "Order all warships to close in for the kill." "Fleet Master! A small craft has left the enemy Battlestar. It's energy signature matches that of the one we detected earlier." "The human teenagers are trying to escape!" raged Zim. "Order all fighters to peruse and destroy." "It shall be done." "Fleet Master! The enemy has launched a Nuclear Missile at us!" "Yay! We're doomed!" exclaimed Gir. "Destroy it!" ordered Zim. "Too late! Missile detonation!"
(Insert visual of a nuclear warhead exploding in space)
00:15:49
"How many did the nuke take out?" asked Vincent. "We won't know until the energy blast clears." "Ready another missile for launch." Ordered Powell. "Sir, the firing control for the missiles are down, we can't launch any nukes." "It must have been damaged during that last blast."
"Weapon status." Ordered Vincent. "Targeting computers for the Turbo-Lasers is down, switching to manual control." "The fire in deck 4 is under control." "Sir, forward torpedo room reports that we've used up almost all of our ordinance." "If the forward torpedo room is our of ammo," said Major Samson, "Then get some from the rear torpedo room." "Commander! The enemy fighters are after Bloom and the others!" "Send the Vipers after them."
00:14:27
"We should reach the wormhole coordinates in just over 13 minutes," said Elise, "After that, we're home free." "This is the point where we think we're safe," said Riven, "But then something happens to change our minds." "Do you have to be such a kill joy?" asked Carmen. "Is he always this negative?" asked Morgan to Musa. "Not all the time," answered Musa, "He's like this when the heat's on." Just then the onboard computer started beeping.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Timmy. "I told you that something was going to happen." Said Riven. "The Irken fighters are chasing us!" shouted Sky. "When he's right," said Flora, referring to Riven, "He's right." "There's over a hundred enemy fighters behind us," said Sky, "We've got two laser turrets to defend us." "Our chances are not looking so bright." Said Tecna grimly.
"We didn't come this far just to give up when we're so close to going home!" said Bloom. "I'll take one of the turrets." "I'll join you on the other." Said Helia.
00:11:06
"What is the status of the armada?" asked Zim. "Fleet Master, there are less than 20 warships still capable of fighting, including ours." "Order them to converge on the human Battlestar. This fight ends now." However, there was one Irken officer who thought enough was enough. "Fleet Master, I must protest." "You, protest me?" asked Zim, not sure he was hearing the officer correctly. "If we continue, we risk complete destruction of the armada. We must withdraw." "You dare question my orders!" raged Zim.
"I only have the empire's best interests in mind, Fleet Master. To continue this battle would be a waste of military resources." "If we withdraw," said Zim, "Then the humans will believe them to be superior to the empire. That is unacceptable. Now, converge on the enemy and destroy them!"
"Fleet Master the armada has been decimated!" exclaimed the officer, "We must withdraw before we lose any more warships!" "Guards! Throw this traitor out the airlock!" ordered Zim. Several robots grabbed the officer and began to haul him off the bridge. "You're mad!" exclaimed the officer, "We're being lead by a lunatic!"
"Not that that distraction has been removed," said Zim, "Converge the armada on the enemy." "Yes, Fleet Master." The remaining Irken warships began to close in on the Thermopylae. "I am Zim," said Zim to himself, "I will not be humiliated! I will not be denied my destiny!"
00:08:41
"Here they come!" exclaimed Flora as the enemy fighters attacked. With Bloom and Helia on the defense lasers, and Sky's maneuvering, it was hard press of the enemy to hit our brave explorers. Yet time was running out. "At this rate," said Elise, "We'll never make it to the wormhole." "Never say never," said Sky as he dodged more enemy fire. "How you holding up, Stella?" asked Brandon. "I'd be fine if someone wouldn't keep shaking the ship up!" Indeed Stella was looking green again. "It's called evasive maneuvering," said Sky, "We're supposed to evade the enemy."
Suddenly, the computer started beeping again. "Oh damn!" exclaimed Riven, "There's more enemy fighters coming up behind us!" "Hold on!" exclaimed Brandon, "The new fighters are attacking the old ones!" "It's the Colonials!" exclaimed Timmy. Indeed, the Vipers form the Thermopylae had arrived to help. "We're getting a signal from the Vipers." Said Brandon.
"Thought you kids could use some backup." "Aiden?" asked Riven. "The one and only! We'll keep the bugs occupied, you get to where you need to be." Soon, all the enemy fighters were destroyed. "How can we thank you, Aiden?" asked Stella. "By getting out of here and go home." Said Aiden. "Will do," said Sky.
00:02:53
"Commander, all enemy fighters have been destroyed." "Good," said Vincent, "Recall all Vipers. Navigation, prepare to Jump as soon as the Vipers have landed." "Sir! The enemy warships are closing in! They're preparing to fire on us!" "Armor status!" barked Powell. "Hull integrity is still at 63 sir." "Reroute all available power to the armor!" ordered Vincent, "Manually target the closest warships with the Turbo-Lasers, and stand by on torpedoes! As soon as they fire, we fire back!"
00:02:20
"Fleet Master, the armada is in position." "Stand by to fire on my command." Ordered Zim. "This is it, Gir. The moment of victory is at hand. I can taste it even now, it's delicious! Soon we shall return to Irk in triumph to the praise of the Almighty Tallest… Get off my head!" For once again, Gir was perched on Zim's head.
00:01:35
"Commander, all available power has been transferred to the armor. Hull integrity has been raised to 81." "It'll have to do." Said Vincent. "All Turbo-Lasers are locked on target." "All torpedoes are armed and ready." "They're firing!" "Fire all weapons!" yelled Vincent as the Thermopyle was struck by the enemy attack.
00:00:53
"We're at the coordinates for the wormhole," said Tecna, "With just under a minute to go." "Look!" exclaimed Helia. On the main screen, our brave explorers watched in horror as the Irken warships fired on the Thermopyle. "Goodness!" exclaimed Flora. "How can anything survive that?" asked Brandon. "I don't know," said Sky, "But the Thermopyle is still intact."
00:00:42
"Damage report!" ordered Vincent. "Hull integrity is down to 11 sir." "All weapons are off line!" "Did we get any of the enemy?" asked Powell. "We only managed to fire a few shots from the turbo-lasers before we were hit." "Only one torpedo managed to be fired."
"Two enemy warships have been destroyed, and one damaged." "Sir, all Vipers have landed." "Finally," said Major Samson, "Let's get the frak out of here." "Sir! Engineering reports that the Jump dive was hit! F.T.L. drive is off line!" "We're not going anywhere." Said Powell.
00:00:21
"The enemy has been disabled, Fleet Master." "Excellent," said Zim, "Now send a warship after the teenagers." "Yes, Fleet Master."
00:00:14
"Oh crap!" exclaimed Riven, "One of the Irken warships is closing on us!"
00:00:12
"Commander, the enemy has sent a warship after Bloom and the others." "Where's that fraking wormhole!" exclaimed Vincent.
00:00:08
"Eight seconds!" exclaimed Elise. "They're getting close!" exclaimed Helia.
00:00:05
"We almost have them, Fleet Master."
00:00:04
00:00:03
00:00:02
00:00:01
00:00:00
With a flash of bright blue light, the wormhole opened up, exactly when Elise said it would. "Go! Go! Go!" shouted Bloom as Sky floored it. The ship entered the wormhole, and the wormhole closed after it.
"They made it, Commander!" "Yes!" exclaimed Vincent.
"They got away, Fleet Master." "No!" exclaimed Zim.
Meanwhile, the ship with our brave explorers was on its way back to the other side of the universe. "Oh thank god!" exclaimed Stella, not caring that the ship was shaking from the turbulence of the wormhole, "Oh thank you god!"
"Techna? Timmy? Elise?" said Riven, "The next time you discover a wormhole to unknown parts of space, keep it to yourselves." "Oh my god!" exclaimed Bloom. "What?" asked Sky. "I just remembered where I heard the name Thermopyle!" said Bloom, "It's the site of an ancient battle on Earth." There was a moments silence as the ship rode through the wormhole. "Why would an alien society name one of it's warships after a battle that happened on the other side of the universe?" asked Sky. "I don't know," said Tecna, "I just don't know."
The end of chapter 8. In case you haven't figured it out yet, Thermopylae is a real place in Greece. In 480 B.C., 300 Spartans held the pass at Thermopylae against an invading Persian army of over one million. The story is told in the movie, 'The 300 Spartans,' a really good movie. Now, there's one more part to the story, so don't miss it. See you next time!