Stoick was in the briefing room with Toothless and the Rangers began to discuss their next move.
"Now that we have all of the Morphers, it's time that we plan our next attack with the enemy minus one general," said Stoick.
"That dreadnought cost them a pretty penny, it's going to take quite a lot of coin to cover the losses on its destruction," said Eret.
"No doubt Johann will be instrumental to cover the cost," Valka concluded.
"There could also be a power struggle, if everything we've heard is accurate," said Hiccup.
Eret nodded. "From what I understood both Krogan and Johann joined forces in order to take down Viggo."
"Why would they do that?" Fishlegs frowned.
"Viggo is Drago's top tactician and he's been listening to Viggo's advice practically every single day," Eret explained. "Krogan is a powerful general, but he's much more predictable and constantly underestimate his foes which has been the result of many of his defeats especially against you guys. Johann is more of a businessmen than anything else and is the only links to the black market."
"So they feel threatened that they're losing their respected positions," Astrid concluded.
"Krogan might be Drago's second-in-command, but he is starting to grow annoyed with his constant failures. Krogan might very well fear that Viggo could replace him."
"Makes you wonder they didn't send that an ominous tipoff about the dreadnought?" Heather pondered.
"If so we can use that to our advantage," said Hiccup. "We just have to keep them off-balance and maybe they take each other out or try to use us to do it."
"Then we should try and make a strategical strike," said Toothless.
"You have something in mind?" Stoick asked looking at him.
Toothless then turn to the monitor and an image of a planet showed up and then showed a tower. "The resistance believes this tower is the main command centre in quadrant of the galaxy. It relays messages to many battlefronts on many of our worlds and others, if we can take it down we can do series of old amount of damage."
"It'll be well guarded," said Hiccup.
"We believe that we have the access codes to get past the shield, but there will be heavy resistance that is true," Toothless nodded.
"Like nothing we haven't done before," Snotlout smiled.
"I know that place," said Eret as he placed his hands behind his head. "It's called Hunter's Watch, the guy in charge is someone named Porksag."
"Strange name?" said Snotlout.
"From what I hear all of you have strange nicknames," Eret pointed out.
"He's got a point," said Tuffnut.
"Yeah, it's no more dumber than Snotlout," Ruffnut agreed.
"Yeah!" Snotlout glared.
"What do you know about the commander?" said Hiccup quickly.
"Only that I don't want to work under him, I hear he's a hard task manager and he said to be quite strong, they say that he managed to conquer an entire planet by himself," said Eret.
"Sounds powerful," said Hiccup.
"But surely we all can't go," said Ragnar.
"Why not?" Ruffnut asked.
"Yeah, I want to go and kick some porky butt," Tuffnut nodded.
"Drago might very well attack while we're away, surely we can't leave the entire city and defended," said Ragnar.
Stoick nodded. "I agree, some of you should stay here."
"Okay, but who?" Hiccup asked.
"I'll make the team, until then all you should get yourself ready," Stoick advises he rose to his feet. "Best of luck."
In Drago's flagship both Krogan and Johann were meeting in secret to discuss their next move.
"So Ryker fails and we get chewed out," Johann growled in annoyance.
"It would have been a lot worse if Ryker had succeeded," said Krogan folding his arms. "Right now we need to make sure that we don't follow the same fate as him."
"Drago isn't wrong, the ranges are now more powerful than ever with ten of them now active," Johann pointed out. "And we still don't know what Viggo is planning, he has become very reclusive even I don't know where he is."
"We'll have to make that our next priority, I don't want him to get the other hand," said Krogan.
"But what do we do about the Rangers?" Johann questioned. "With Eret now joining them they now have more information of our operations."
Krogan nodded. "I agree, we need find a way in order to eliminate them permanently."
Ragnar and Heather were currently relaxing in the recreation area, Heather was playing on her Nintendo while Ragnar was reading a book.
"So, you've noticed that Astrid and Hiccup are getting more familiar," Heather smiled.
"I'm just surprised it took them this long," said Ragnar as he turned the page. "Though the two of them have always found it difficult to express their emotions, especially to each other."
Heather nodded. "And they still think they're keeping it secret."
"In fairness I don't think anyone but you and I know of their secret," Ragnar pointed out.
"True, but don't you think we should tell the others?"
"I would leave that to Hiccup and Astrid," said Ragnar looking above his book. "Once they're ready to tell us they will, though I'm more concerned about Astrid. She seems to take this relationship a bit more seriously."
"What you mean?"
"She's become a bit more overprotective of Hiccup and with our kind of job there is a lot of uncertainty."
Heather nodded. "Now that you mention it she was a bit distraught when we thought Hiccup was gone when he fell through the floor that temple."
"As is second-in-command, she has to be ready to take command if something happens to him, especially in the heat of battle. If she is too concerned about Hiccup to do her job properly she's endangering the entire team."
"You don't think we should mention this to the general?" Heather asked curiously.
"We're not there yet, but maybe a few helpful words from you might set her mind at ease."
"Why me?"
"You are her best friend, aren't you? I would gladly talk to her, but I think you would have more of an effect coming from you."
"I'll try, but Astrid can be stubborn when she wants to be."
"Rangers, report to the command centre," said Stoick's voice over the speakers.
Ragnar placed his book down. "And I was just getting to the best bit."
It didn't take them long to get to the command centre where they met up with the other Rangers and they all knew what this was about.
"I have decided the teams," said Stoick looking at them all. "Hiccup, will be leading the mission and accompanying him will be Eret, Ragnar and Snotlout."
"Why only them?" Astrid asked.
"Eret knows the facility in question, Ragnar will be needed for medical and scientific expertise and Snotlout in case things go south," Stoick explained.
"I will like to volunteer to go myself," said Astrid.
Stoick looked at her. "I appreciate your enthusiasm Astrid, but you are needed here. I need someone to come and the remaining Rangers in order to defend the city."
"B-but…" said Astrid looking at Hiccup.
"But what?" Stoick asked raising an eyebrow.
Heather then placed a gentle hand on Astra's shoulder and gave her a reassuring look. "Nothing, sir."
Toothless then handed Ragnar a data drive. "This drive contains the floor plans and the security protocols. Of course I don't know how accurate it will be since security is very tight in that tower."
Ragnar took the drive. "So long as it assists us to get inside, we should be able to take it from there."
"Good luck, son," said Stoick.
Hiccup nodded. "We'll be back before you know it."
Hiccup then access the portal device and once the portal appeared they began to step through. Astrid can help but look at Hiccup one last time before he entered the portal and it vanished behind him.
"You shouldn't worry too much," said Heather.
After the meeting Heather began to comfort Astrid and reassure her that Hiccup would be all right.
"I know, I know, I just can't help but worry about him," said Astrid rubbing her arms. "This is the first mission that we've been separated. I can't help but feel as if something is going to go wrong."
"Hiccup has beaten against the odds in number of times, you should know that by now," said Heather gently.
"But supposing that—"
Heather then grabbed her and forced to look at her. "Look if you gonna keep on worrying about this you're not going to be able to command. Stoick is counting on us to defend the city while Hiccup and the others are gone, you need to stay focused on your own mission and not worry about him."
Astrid sighed. "I guess you're right."
Hiccup and the others were now on the perimeter of Hunter's Watch, the entire facility was built right into a mountain and they could see the shield surrounding it. Hiccup and the others were already in their Ranger suits and were observing the patrols from their vantage points.
"This place is certainly heavily guarded," Hiccup nodded.
"I say that we just go in there and knock some heads," said Snotlout.
"A good way to get us killed," said Ragnar under his breath.
"I would like to avoid as much conflict as we can, we need to get to the command centre the facility," said Hiccup.
"That would be here, on the 90th floor" said Eret as he pulled out a hologram of Hunter's Watch.
"How to be near the top didn't it," Hiccup sighed.
"Toothless gave us patrol routes, we should be able to avoid running into a big patrol," said Ragnar.
Hiccup nodded and looked at Eret. "Eret, have you actually been here before?"
"Once, but that was several years ago," said Eret. "However from what I've heard the guy in charge likes to keep things regular, I very much doubt they changed much besides the security protocols."
"Which we have," Ragnar added.
"Okay, the first step is to get through that shield. Remember guys, we want to avoid attention so we only engage if we have no other choice."
"You take the fun out of everything," Snotlout grumbled.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Let's go."
Porksag was sitting in his office eating and tossing his rubbish on the floor. He looked like an oversized pig, but his muscles were nothing to joke at any had tusk like teeth shooting out of his mouth.
"This is the best job in the galaxy," he laughed. "Monitoring and transmitting information to our forces, all I have to do is just sit around and approve things."
"I'm so glad that you're having a wonderful time," said a voice.
Porksag immediately sat up when he found a hologram of Krogan standing there with his arms folded.
"My Lord, I wasn't expecting you," he said abruptly.
"Clearly," said Krogan with narrowed eyes. "I advise that you take your job more seriously, we have suffered major defeats. If we lose this station locations across our Armed Forces will be in disarray."
"I can assure you that I have everything under control," Porksag assured.
Krogan didn't look convinced. "Just keep your eyes open for anything unusual. Lord Drago does not tolerate failures."
Krogan's hologram then faded and Porksag growled angrily. "Who is he calling a failure? Last time I checked he failed more times than I can count on my fingers."
He then sat back down. "Just let those Rangers come, I am more than prepared to deal with a bunch of humans."
Valka had taken notice that Astrid was feeling a bit lonely and she had a strong feeling she knew why. She then decided to join her at the canteen where she was sitting alone, looking miserable.
"You all right my dear," she said as she sat down.
Astrid looked up. "I'm fine, ma'am."
"Just call me Valka," Valka smiled at her. "You haven't been acting yourself since Hiccup left, am I assuming that you miss him dearly."
Astrid's face turned pink. "Hiccup is an excellent commanding officer I just feel more assured when he's here leading us."
"Yeah you were quite quick to volunteer to join him," Valka smiled slyly. "I get the impression that your relation with my son is beyond professional."
"I-I don't know what you mean."
Valka gave her a reassuring look. "Astrid, I've been where you been and this is the perfect opportunity for us to speak woman to woman."
Astrid felt very awkward. "I suppose we have a knack she had a real chance to talk since you returned."
Valka smiled. "So, when have you and my son been a couple?"
Astrid's face was now bright pink. "About a week. I hope it's not a problem, Valka."
"Oh, it's no problem at all. I think you are a nice young lady and I'm sure that you make my son happy. Though I get the impression you can't stand being too far away from him."
Astrid looked uneasy. "I'm just concerned, I would feel a lot better if I was there with him and not sitting here having lunch."
"Your military Astrid, you know full well that your priority to the city must come first before your personal feelings. If we had allowed our personal feelings to rule over the military, entire countries would have fallen apart. I'm not a big fan of the military myself, but I would rather have one then not."
Astrid looked up. "I hear that your bit of a pacifist."
"I don't enjoy fighting that's true, but I do believe in protecting ourselves against an enemy and it is only then that I will fight. Now if we were the ones attacking, I would have very different stance on that."
"And yet you married a soldier," Astrid noted.
Valka chuckled. "Ironic isn't it? Stoick, might be a bit hot headed, but he would do whatever it takes to protect his people. I admire that and it is one of the things that I love about him."
"How did the two of you meet?" Astrid asked curiously.
"Oh, it was quite a while ago," said Valka with a dreamy look on her face. "It was back when planet Earth had been invaded by Astronema forces. We fought side-by-side against the invaders, we practically mirrored each other's movements it was almost as if we were dancing."
Astrid blinked. "You fell in love in the midst of battle?"
Valka laughed. "Well, I wasn't about to stand idly by when this large soldier chose to defend us against all kinds of creatures. After that we began working with one another when we started the Berk Project."
"Wow," said Astrid stunned.
Valka looked at her. "Goes to show that you can fall in love practically anywhere doesn't it?"
Astrid laughed. "I suppose it does."
Meanwhile at Hunter's Watch, Hiccup and the others had finally reached the shield. Hiccup then pulled out the disrupter that Toothless had given to them.
"Now I just have to insert the right setting," he said as he fiddled with the disrupter.
Are poles emanated from the disrupter and there was a small opening within the shield and quickly the four them jumped in and a few seconds later he closed behind them.
"Looks like were going have to find another way to get out," said Eret.
"Once we get to the command centre it shouldn't be that difficult," Ragnar assured.
"Let's move," said Hiccup.
They began making their way through the complex, avoiding the heavily patrolled areas and stay out of the site the security cameras. Fortunately with the security protocol that Toothless gave them they were able to use the disrupter to create an endless loop around any cameras they came across.
"So far so good," said Snotlout.
"Then don't jinx it," Hiccup warned.
They eventually reached the elevator that would take them to the command centre, but that it was out of order.
"What did I say?" said Hiccup looking at him.
"Is there another elevator that can take us to the command centre?" Ragnar asked looking at Eret.
"This is the most direct route, we could try jumping from elevated the elevator, but that is too risky," said Eret folding his arms.
Hiccup sighed. "Looks like were taking the stairs."
Snotlout immediately protested. "But it will take is ages!"
"Unless you can find a better way to get to the command centre undetected, I like to hear it," said Hiccup.
Sadly Snotlout did and so he had no choice but to follow Hiccup and the others as they made their way to the staircase. Climbing the stairs was quite the hurdle as there were so many of them and they didn't appear to be any end in sight.
"You know, there has to be an easier way to do this," Snotlout panted as they reach the 40th floor.
Ragnar looked at Hiccup. "I hate to admit it, but he does have a fair point."
"It's too risky taking the ever elevated," Hiccup reminded. "I don't like this anymore than you do, but it is the only efficient way to get the command centre without being detected."
Snotlout groaned as they continued to climb and by the time they reach the very top of they were completely worn out.
"I need to catch my breath for a second," Snotlout wheezed.
"My feet are killing me," said Eret.
"We should try to relax a bit before we enter, we don't know what's going to be in the command centre," Ragnar advised leaning against the handrail.
"I agree," said Hiccup as he breathed in and out with his hands on his hips. "Figures we had to come here the day the elevator was out of order."
"So what are plan once we get into the command centre?" Snotlout asked.
"We take down anyone who is inside and then Ragnar hacked into the system," Hiccup explained. "After you download everything inside, we destroy the place. It'll take Drago a long time to fix is communications network and we can use the time in order to strengthen our defences and attack any other small soft spots in his army."
"So let's go and say hello," said Eret.
Once they were rested they immediately bust down the door and entered into the command centre. There were only several Drakenoids inside and they were easily taken down and Ragnar wasted no time at his way to the nearest console.
"Can you hack in?" Hiccup asked.
"Ordinarily no, but thanks to the information Toothless provided I should be able to hack in rather easily," said Ragnar.
"What's all the commotion!" said a large voice.
Then suddenly entering inside the room was Porksag and the moment he saw them he pointed a finger at them.
"You're Rangers!" he roared.
"What gave away, the spandexs?" Snotlout asked.
"So much for getting in and out undetected," said Eret.
"Can you guys him while I complete my job, it's gonna take a while," said Ragnar.
"We've got your back," Hiccup assured.
Porksag immediately charged at them with his fist raised, he swung it towards Eret who quickly jumped away and he smashed through a console.
"And would you mind taking it outside?" Ragnar asked.
Hiccup then immediately grabbed hold of Porksag. "You heard the man, we're taking this outside."
He then pushed with all his momentum and immediately smashed right through the window and they began falling towards the ground.
"Did he had taken quite so literally?" said Eret.
"At least will be able to knock around without destroying stuff in here," said Snotlout.
The two of them then immediately jumped after them leaving Ragnar to download the files.
Hiccup and Porksag struck the ground, Hiccup had used him as a shield in order to cushion his fall, though the impact still left a bit dazed. Porksag rose to his feet and glared down at Hiccup with immense hatred.
"I will not be made the fool of!" he roared.
Snotlout and Eret then landed on the ground behind him and immediately drew out their weapons.
"I think you do a good enough job yourself," said Eret.
Eret then quickly charged in dealing a few powerful swipes with his daggers. Then while he had Porksag's attention Snotlout swung his mace and struck him hard in the face. Hiccup finally managed to regain his senses and immediately charged in with his sword.
Porksag ducked in time to avoid the blade and then grabbed Eret's arm and spun him around. However, Snotlout then came charging in and struck him with his mace and while his back was turned Hiccup struck him with his sword.
"Is that all you got pork chops," Snotlout sneered.
"Don't make fun of the bad guy," said Hiccup.
"Why not?"
Porksag roared and rose to his feet and looked enraged.
Hiccup looked at Snotlout. "That's why."
Porksag then swung his fist directly at them unleashing a powerful shockwave the created a massive dust cloud.
"And so it ends," he smiled.
However when the dust dispelled he found that his fist had made contact with Ragnar's shield.
"Looks like I got here just in time," said Ragnar.
"Did you complete the download?" Hiccup asked.
Ragnar looked at him and smiled. "Got every last scrap of data and the rest of the mission should be complete roundabout now!"
There was a huge explosion and immediately looked up to find that the command centre had completely been blown to pieces.
Porksag roared. "Do you have any idea what Drago will do to me? He'll turn me into bacon."
"And we care why?" Eret asked.
"Because before he dies I'm going to destroy you!" Porksag roared and charged in towards them.
Ragnar quickly raised his shield again as Porksag's fist slammed into it, this time it was more powerful than his previous punch and Ragnar found himself losing ground.
"Careful guys, is a lot stronger now," Ragnar warned.
"Stand your ground," said Hiccup.
Porksag swung his fist again and this time Ragnar decided to dodge. A good thing he did as the punch slammed into the ground creating a massive crater. Snotlout then came charging in with his mace, but Porksag caught it with his bare hand and then tossed them over his shoulder.
Eret then quickly moved in and dealt a few strategic strikes with his daggers and Porksag roared in pain. Ragnar then jumped in and slammed his shield with all his force into his chest pushing him back. Hiccup then immediately acted while he lost his balance and charged it with his sword, he dealt a powerful blow that went straight through his chest.
Porksag just stood there looking down at him. "It's not possible."
"I'm afraid you'll find that it is quite possible," said Hiccup.
Porksag then immediately collapsed and soon there was an explosion.
"I wanted a pound him," Snotlout groaned as he rose to his feet.
"You're welcome," said Hiccup and then he turned to Ragnar. "Is the shield down?"
Ragnar nodded. "The shield should have gone down the moment I took down the command centre."
"Then let's get going," said Eret.
On Drago's flagship, Krogan and Johann had discovered that the communication network had gone down and could only be one explanation.
"That fool Porksag did not heed my warning," Krogan growled in frustration.
"That shouldn't be a surprise," Johann grumbled folding his arms.
Krogan straightened up. "Fortunately Lord Drago cannot blame us for this one, I make sure my communication with him was private. Still the Rangers have gained momentum and we must find a way to strike back and quickly."
Hiccup and the others soon returned back to Berk with the mission complete and Astrid was utterly relieved to see them back.
"The mission was a complete success," said Hiccup as he saluted his father.
Stoick nodded and saluted back. "Excellent work, it'll take them a while in order to fix their communications, time we can use to strengthen our defences and give aid to the resistance."
"We already scored some major victories on some of our major colonies," Toothless reported. "Skullcrusher wished me to relay his gratitude."
Astrid then approached Hiccup. "You know I was concerned for a while."
Hiccup looked at her. "Astrid, you will people know that we need to not allow our personal feelings get away in the mission."
Astrid nodded. "I know, I know."
Hiccup then immediately pulled her into a kiss and everyone just stared at them.
Snotlout jaw dropped. "Since when were they a couple?"
"About a week," Ragnar shrugged.
"Yeah, it seems quite obvious," said Heather.
"Got that right sister," Ruffnut nodded.
"Wasn't hard to figure out," said Tuffnut.
"I'm surprised it took them so long," said Fishlegs.
"I'm I the only one who didn't know?" Snotlout groaned.
Everyone then immediately laughed, it was nice not to worry about Drago just wants, but everyone knew that this peace would not last long.