Shepherd was rather distraught as you witness the Pine Peak thinking all the while Jonathan was just sitting on the balcony fiddling with his fishing pole.
"No, no, no!" said Shepherd. "Not my Special Ppilppirate Subjugation Squad."
Jonathan then flicked his rod, catching the back collar of Shepherd's jacket. "They slipped off your hook, hey Major Shepherd."
"I have them blast it," said Shepherd. "They got lucky, that's all. Besides you're the command of this two-bit fortress. If they save is entirely your fault."
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Entirely mine? Okay, but be sure to mention how certain someone kept on interfering with my plans in your ports HQ."
Shepherd grimaced because as much as he hates to admitted he was right. If he had opened the doors to the vault than the Dragon Riders wouldn't have escaped and it was his Pirate Subjugation Squad that show the pirates where the currents were located.
"These Dragon Rider Pirates, they are exactly the way that Admiral Asger described them, inventive and bold, and as strange as that sounds I own them my thanks. They have proven that Navarone is still an effective base. Like a wildly fish, they've taken the bait, but up a fight and broken the lines a few times." He then used a fishing rod in order to look around the white king. "Even the wildest fish can be hooked though, it just takes patience, and with that, on our side, there's only one place that they'll end up caught."
The transponder snail then began to ring, and Jonathan answered it.
"Sergeant, you are in place?" Jonathan asked. "Good, standby until further orders."
"Hold on!" said Shepherd. "Are you just going to sit back and let those pirates escape?"
"Don't worry Major, this game is about to end," said Jonathan confidently. "It's almost time for Checkmate."
"But—"
"The Dragon Riders are as good as caught," said Jonathan grabbing the white king. "In fact, the 9 AM net will scoop them up pretty soon."
Net? What net and what's this 9 AM business you're talking about?"
"I can't tell you just yet, it would ruin the surprise," Jonathan smiled much to Shepherd's annoyance.
Hiccup and the Dragon Riders were now sailing towards the Seagate as quickly as they could.
"Looks like we are about to accomplish the impossible," said Ruffnut.
"Yeah, we're going to escape the impenetrable fortress!" Tuffnut nodded.
"Except our navigator seems rather troubled," said Toothless.
"Something the matter, Fishlegs?" Hiccup asked.
"It's one thing after another in this base," Ragnar sighed.
"Marine warships are headed right for us!" Chopper panicked.
However, the warships then suddenly began to furled their sails.
"Hey, wait," said Chopper. "It looks like they're stopping."
Astrid frowned as she watched them drop their anchors. "They're dropping their anchors?"
Snotlout smiled confidently as he steered the ship. "Sounds like they've given up."
"Since when have Marines given up chasing pirates, especially considering was still in their fortress?" Hiccup frowned.
"They're not even firing at us," said Heather.
"I don't like the looks of this," said Ragnar. "You think they set up another trap?"
"That's what's worrying me," said Fishlegs.
"What kind of track and they set in the middle of the bay?" Ruffnut frowned.
"Maybe they're going to drain the water," said Tuffnut.
"And how are they going to do that, you muttonhead?" Snotlout snorted.
Drake was currently with the warships, and the Marines were now measuring the water.
"Commander, the time has finally come, sir," he said over the transponder snail.
"Right," Jonathan nodded. "Just maintain your position."
"'Maintain?'" Shepherd stared. "That's Drake, isn't it? Order him to pursue those pirates this instant! They can't just drop and sit there like lumps!"
"There's a reason why they dropped anchor," said Jonathan looking at his pocket watch. "The time is now 9 AM."
"Yeah, so?" said Shepherd, confused.
"if they can drop their anchors the fangs of Navarones's waters would devour them."
"What are you talking about?"
On the Going Tiger, Fishlegs was still concerned about the Marines actions or lack thereof when he heard something.
"What's that sound?" Fishlegs asked.
"It kind sounds like a river flowing," said Chopper.
"How can there be a river here in the middle of the bay?" Hiccup asked.
Heather then grabbed the lamp and used her powers to lower it towards the water surface. "This should shed some light."
Fishlegs leaned over the side and saw that the sea appeared to be flowing, but he soon realised what was going on.
"Fishlegs, what do you see?" Astrid asked.
Suddenly the ship shook violently as if it hit something, and Snotlout found it almost impossible to steer the ship.
"The rudder isn't working!" he yelled.
"The tide… it's rushing out, and it's taking all the water," said Fishlegs horrified. "It's too late, we're trapped."
Jonathan began to explain to Shepherd exactly what was going on.
"Devoured by the waters fangs, huh?" said Shepherd.
"They could have the best navigator in the world, and it wouldn't matter. Anyone on a ship in that part of the bay this time of day gets caught in the net. Like I said with a little patience, you could hook the wiliest fish."
Shepherd adjusted on the balcony, looking very annoyed.
Fishlegs himself began to explain exactly what was going on.
"Yeah, I knew it," he said, looking at the charts.
"Care to explain?" Hiccup asked.
"I knew there had to be a reason why the Marines would use a shallow bay field with reefs as a port," he said. "I wondered that the first time we tried to escape, and now I have the answer. This is a shallow bay, but they can let warm water in and regulated deeps with the Seagate. However, they can also use it to let water out at low tide if they need to, for instance, to stop a fleeing ship. Which means trying to escape in low tide is impossible!"
"So you're saying that I was right," said Tuffnut. "You should listen to the Nutt, the Nutt knows all."
"It's not exactly something to be happy about," Astrid pointed out.
"It would certainly explain why ships cannot enter or leave the base during certain times of the day," said Heather.
"Is there nothing we can do?" Toothless asked.
"Yeah, hang onto something!" Hiccup yelled.
The Going Tiger then hit the bedrock, and everyone would have fallen off if they hadn't grabbed hold of the ship.
"What's happening?" Chopper yelled.
"We've had solid ground!" Astrid yelled.
"The ship can't take this kind of abuse!" Snotlout yelled.
Finally, they came to a stop, but now there was a huge haul inside the hull and water was leaking in.
"We're leaking water!" Snotlout yelled as he climbed down to examine the damage. He then immediately rushed towards the hole and began using his body to plug it up. "Somebody help me!"
"Oh, no, water!" Chopper yelled.
"That hole is huge," said Ragnar.
"Do you think we can plug it up?" Toothless asked.
However, the water began to die down before any of them could do anything.
"Hey, the water is draining," said Ragnar.
When they poked their heads out of the hole, they saw that the water had been completely drained away.
"With all the water gone there's no way we can sail," said Snotlout.
"And that means…" said Ragnar.
"We can't sail out of this place either," Toothless finished. "We're trapped here. We played right into their hands."
"I'm starting it real sick of these traps," said Ragnar.
"Tell me about it."
"On the bright side the water is so low we don't have to worry about the ship sinking into the next high tide," said Heather.
"That's true, but we can't escape either," said Astrid.
"We're sitting ducks," Hiccup frowned.
Hiccup wasn't wrong as the Marines were now signing searchlights down upon them and no doubt every single canon along the cliffs were now pointing directly down towards them.
"Attention Dragon Conqueror Hiccup and his fellow crewmates!" said Jonathan's voice over loudspeakers.
All throughout the base, every single personnel were now aware that the Dragon Riders were caught in the 9 AM low tide.
"I can't believe it, even those Dragon Riders were caught in the 9 AM net," said the soup Chef as he and other cooks were making their way outside.
"It's like they say, no one can escape from the Fangs of Navarone's waters," said Billy.
"What's going to happen to that cook?" Tom asked.
"Well, hmm," said Sam. "He'll probably get the Marines give to all pirates, a death sentence."
Able was looking down at the Going Tiger along with Lily from the doctor's office balcony.
"Dad, you shouldn't be out here in your condition," said Lily. "You're still sick."
"I'm fine, besides I told you that I was feeling better," said Able. "For his sake, that helmsman had better not ruined that beautiful ship. If he did, I'm going to kick his butt."
"Mr Deer," said Lily.
The chefs had made it one of the abandoned docks are now watching the event unfold.
"All of you have fought valiantly against one of the Marines greatest fortresses, and for that, I salute you," said Jonathan. "You may be the enemy, but you have impressed me greatly. However, it is time that we end this game, this is Checkmate. You've got nowhere to run, and you're surrounded so don't even think of trying to escape.
"You put up a good fight, but accept it you've been beaten. Now listen surrendered as commander of this fortress you have my word that you and your crew will be treated with the utmost respect. Give up quietly, and I'll even make you a deal. You, Astrid and Toothless are the only Dragon Riders with bounties on your heads, so I have no choice but to hand you over to headquarters. However, I promise to let the rest of your crew go free, but if you attempt another escape, I'll get mad."
Shepherd looked at Jonathan furiously. "Take them!"
Jonathan narrowed his eyes. "In case you have forgotten, I'm the commander. You're visiting inspector, be quiet and inspect."
Shepherd was absolutely furious. 'At this rate, the only thing I've accomplished was getting in the way of his old badger. I came here to shut him and his fortress down, but if he catches the Dragon Riders…' He then quickly regained his composure. "Excuse me for a moment."
Jonathan looked at him, suspiciously.
Hiccup and the others gathered upon the Going Tiger's deck to discuss their options, though there were very few.
"You can't think of a way to get out of this in the next five minutes, then I suggest that we take his deal," said Hiccup.
"You want us to hand ourselves over?" Astrid stared.
"If it means the safety of this crew then yes and I do believe that the commander will keep his word," said Hiccup.
"Maybe, but maybe we can also find a way to get out of this mess," said Toothless.
"I'm all for that, but it's not like we can fly out of here," said Fishlegs.
"Maybe we can," said Snotlout as he pulled out the Impact Dial Hiccup loaned him. "While we were escaping from the fortress, I kept using it to absorb impacts when those troopers try to stop us. There so many inside I bet we can blast the Going Tiger out of here."
"Oh," said Chopper excitedly.
"It might just be enough to get over the cliff," said Fishlegs.
"That might be crazy enough to work," said Astrid.
"One problem, we got a massive hole in the hull the moment we have a waterwheel single right away," Ragnar pointed out.
"What if we could make that octopus balloon and fly again?" Heather suggested.
"Hey, that's a good idea," said Toothless.
"We could use the flame and breath dials to re-inflate it," said Hiccup.
"It would have more heart air then Snotlout," said Ruffnut.
"Hey!" Snotlout yelled, causing everyone to laugh.
"Too bad we don't have it," said Chopper.
"I'll say," said Fishlegs.
"So much of that plan," said Astrid.
"Where did it go?" Ragnar asked.
"No clue," said Heather.
"Same here," said Toothless.
"It just disappeared," said Hiccup.
"No one has a clue where it is?" Ruffnut asked.
"I have it," said Tuffnut.
"Tuff, has it," said Snotlout.
"He does?" said Chopper.
"That's what he said," said Fishlegs.
"Tuff, has it?" said Astrid.
"Who has it?" Ragnar asked.
"Tuffnut," said Heather.
"He has it," said Toothless.
"That's good," said Hiccup.
"My brother has had?" said Ruffnut.
"Yep, sure do," said Tuffnut.
Everyone then immediately sat up and stared at him.
"What? Where?" they all yelled.
Tuffnut then reached into his trousers and pulled out the octopus. "Right here."
"You mind telling us why that thing is in your pants?" Hiccup asked, staring at him.
"He helped us out when we fell from the sky, so I want to keep them safe," Tuffnut shrugged.
"Was that gross?" Toothless frowned.
"Him or the octopus?" Ragnar asked, shaking his head.
"Gross how?" Tuffnut asked.
Astrid looked at Ruffnut. "He's your brother."
"Don't remind me," she said.
Heather merely laughed. "Regardless, now that he's out in the fresh air we should inflate the octopus again."
"I've got a breath and flame dial right here," said Hiccup holding both respected dials.
"Uh, but which one of us is going to use the impact dial?" Snotlout asked. He then noticed everyone giving him the evil eye and immediately felt sick to his stomach. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Well, you got that dial," said Hiccup.
"And you have been the one using it," said Toothless.
"Right, Snotlout?" Heather asked.
"Then it's only fair that he should use it," said Ragnar.
"You hear me complaining," said Ruffnut.
"Better you than me," said Tuffnut.
"Just be careful when you use it," said Fishlegs.
"We're behind you all the way," said Astrid.
"Good luck, Snotlout," said Chopper.
"Now, don't worry, we'll give you a hand," Hiccup assured him.
"No!" Snotlout cried.
They then quickly furled the sails and went to work.
Jonathan did not like the silent coming from the ship and immediately contact the cannoneers.
"Sergeant prepared to open fire," he ordered.
"Aye," the Chief Petty Officer nodded and then turned towards his men. "Prepare to fire!"
Jessica then arrived moving aside all the chess pieces and placed a plate of food on the table.
"Come dear, a hard-working man needs to eat sometime," she said. "See, I even made your favourite."
"Including broccoli, carrot and green peppers," Jonathan groaned. "Thanks, but I still have quite a lot of work to do."
"All that's left for you to do is to take those pirates into custody," said Jessica. "Besides they're trapped, you got nothing to worry about. They're not going anywhere, dear."
"I would like to believe that, but so far those Dragon Riders have proven to be filled with surprises," he said, making his way to the table.
"They're trapped into the next high tide. How could they escape?"
"Well, you're forgetting where they originally appeared from," said Jonathan as he picked up the white king. Jessica's eye widened when she realised what he was getting at. "That's right, the sky."
On the Going Tiger, they had set the octopus down onto the deck.
"All set up here!" Chopper yelled from the crows' nest.
"Roger!" Hiccup nodded and then popped his head down below deck. "Everything is almost ready, it's all up to you guys now!"
Snotlout had the impact dial in his palm and was unable to move due to the fact that Toothless, Ragnar and the twins were holding him down.
"Why do I have to do it?" he yelled. "I mean Hiccup is the one that gave me this dial in his dragon scales would protect him."
"Because he's our captain and he needs to be above deck to give out orders," Ragnar pointed out.
"But using this thing is going to hurt like crazy!" Snotlout protested.
However, they do simply ignored his protests and held him down.
"Three…" said Ragnar.
"…two…" said Toothless.
"…one!" the twins yelled.
Unbeknownst to anyone Shepherd was in the reef with his bazooka over his shoulder. He was determined to wipe out the Dragon Riders before they could be apprehended by Jonathan.
"If anyone is going to take you Dragon Riders down it's going to be me," he said. "Headquarters will probably give me a medal and a promotion for crushing the lot of you."
"…and left off!" they all yelled activating the impact dial.
The blast from the impact dial was so powerful that it was enough to send the ship flying into the sky, much to everyone's astonishment. Of course, the impact also sent Snotlout and the others flying into the wall opposite them.
Jessica just stared at them openmouthed, but Jonathan did not look surprised in the slightest.
"So they can fly," he said.
The cooks just stared in bewilderment as did Able and Lily.
"I knew it," said Able.
Shepherd just stared. "What the? No, it's not possible!"
The Going Tiger then started to lose altitude as it began falling back towards the ground.
"Heather, now!" Chopper panicked.
"Well, let's do it," said Astrid.
"100 Flowers!" said Heather.
Hands then suddenly began appearing from below the ship, and they quickly grabbed the octopus is tentacles. They stretched it out with one good pull, and both Hiccup and Fishlegs activated their flame and breath dials. Combining both dials allowed hot air to enter the octopus, and it began to inflate, and they stopped falling just before they hit the water.
"Come on, Snotlout," said Toothless as he and the others dragged him back towards the wall. "We need you to do one more!"
"No, please not that, anything but that!" Snotlout begged.
"Tell you what, do this, and I'll make you something special for dinner sometime," Ragnar promised.
"Move your butt!" said Tuffnut.
"Yeah, so you can move ours!" Ruffnut nodded.
Hiccup and the others were on the deck trying to inflate the octopus with as much hot air as possible.
Then they saw that the ship was starting to land in the water causing water rushing through the hole.
"Water is coming through!" said Toothless.
"It's now or never," said Ragnar.
"Oh, all right," Snotlout moaned. "I get it all up to the Snot."
"Don't worry will be behind you all the way," said Toothless as they grabbed his arms.
They then placed Snotlout's palm against the hole in the ship.
"Three…" said Toothless.
"…two…" said Ragnar.
"…one!" the twins yelled.
Snotlout just activated the impact dial just as the octopus was fully inflated. As a result, they were launched into the air at an incredible speed.
"We did it!" Hiccup cheered.
"I told them not to try anything, you leave me no choice then," said Jonathan an immediately contacted the cannoneers. "Sergeant the minute they're in range you may open fire."
Jessica then stared at him. "What?"
"But target the balloon, not the ship," Jonathan continued. "I want them taken alive."
Jessica merely smiled.
"Easier said than done," said the Chief Petty Officer as he placed the transponder snail down. "Fire warning shot if they don't stop fire a second one at the balloon! Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines then began prepping the canning and aiming indirectly at the Going Tiger, but unbeknownst to anyone Shepherd was aiming directly at the ship or more precisely at Hiccup.
"Oh no, I won't let you get away that easily Dragon," Shepherd vowed.
The Going Tiger was now almost at the cliffs' top, and the Chief Petty Officer was looking at them closely.
'Easy, remember the first one is just a warning shot,' he said.
"Say goodbye!" said Shepherd pulling the trigger on his bazooka.
Unfortunately, his aim was way off as it missed the Going Tiger completely and struck the cliff, causing rocks to fall upon the cannon that was pointed at the Dragon Riders. Shepherd just screamed in horror as the Dragon Riders flew over the cliff.
Jonathan did not look surprised in the slightest. "Should have known, he interfered. He just can't resist."
The Dragon Riders were now directly over the island and watched as the sun began to appear over the horizon.
All the Marines just stared at them as they disappeared.
"The cook, he's gone," said Sam.
"They can really fly, amazing," said Lily stunned.
Able turned and looked at the nurses and workmen that had joined them. "Now, do you believe me? They did fall from the sky!"
Hiccup and the others looked back at the fortress, and it was even more impressive from afar than it was from the inside.
"Whoa, look at the size of that place," said Hiccup.
"I thought that it looked big on the inside," said Chopper.
"Not to complain, but why are they shooting at us?" Snotlout asked.
"That base was designed to repel an attack by sea, its cannons can't target this high," Heather explained.
Jessica smiled at Jonathan. "Lost your catch?"
Jonathan nodded. "They're the one that got away." The transponder snail then rang, and it came from the cannoneers. "Oh, Sergeant, your men, okay?"
"Yes, we are, sir," said the Chief Petty Officer. "The cannon was destroyed, but luckily we suffered no injuries."
"That's good, carry on."
"Commander, we can still catch them," said Drake. "Give the order, and we will pursue!"
"They're beyond our cannons reach now Drake," said Jonathan. "Let them go."
"But—"
"The men in your unit you performed well. I am proud of you all."
"Thank you," said Drake.
The door to the balcony then swung wide open, and Shepherd appeared.
"Shepherd, thanks to you the Dragon Riders have escaped," said Jonathan.
"Don't blame this on me!" he yelled, pointing accusing finger directly at him. "You're the commanding officer! They escaped on your watch, just wait until I contact headquarters! Heads will roll and roll and roll! I don't care whether you're one of Admiral Asger's favourites, you have my word! I will recommend this fortress be shut down for good plus I recommend that everyone who serves here will be dishonourably discharged!"
Jessica then approached him, looking furious. "I don't think so!" She then punched him so hard in the face she knocked him out cold and then turned to her husband. "I hate to agree, but they did get away from you."
"True, but they got away because of his interference," said Jonathan. "It doesn't matter, though, we still managed to achieve our primary objective." Jessica just looked at him, confused. "Haven't you noticed that everyone here on the base has been working together?"
Jessica then started to think back on all the events that happened over the past two days. Everyone was working together as a team, the soldiers, the dock workings, the medics and even the cooks all because the Dragon Riders decided to pay a visit.
"You're right, I hadn't thought of that before," said Jessica.
"That was my goal," said Jonathan resting his hands on her shoulders. "It just took those Dragon Riders appearing to help achieve it. Sure I've heard what the brass at HQ says about this place. That it's too big and hasn't seen any action in a while to justify its existence, but that is not important.
"What is it that we soldiers and you support staff worked as a team, together we proved that Navarone is still a force to be reckoned with. The truth of it the Dragon Riders are notorious pirates, and we endured since we were able to repel the likes of them there's no way that HQ will shut us down now. That assures that you and everyone else here still has a job. You proud of me?"
"Of course," she said and then looked at the unconscious Shepherd. "But what about him? I slugged him pretty hard you know, you think you put that in his report too?"
"Who cares, I was about to slug the bastard of myself."
The two of them then laughed.
Jonathan then looked up towards the sky. 'Well, Dragon where we go next? There are people headquarters who have expressed a deep interest in you. Wherever you go, I have a feeling that the road ahead won't be an easy one.'
The Dragon Riders were calmly flying through the sky once again.
"This sure feels nice," said Chopper. "I wonder how far we'll fly?"
"No clue," said Astrid.
"Then we should sit back and enjoy the ride," Heather suggested. "Leave it to fate."
"I just hope it's not another Marine base," said Fishlegs.
"Or anything worse," Ragnar added.
Hiccup then rose to his feet. "Well, I had better get to work patching the hull."
With that, they just carried on riding for the wind towards the sunrise.