Hey everyone, 087-B here, finally back with another chapter of Beach Bandits!

In the previous chapter, the gang had entered the mysterious Pumping Station. Locating some of the water that had been drained from The Lakes, they had opened a door at the bottom that would close in a short time. As they ran down, Soos had a feeling they wouldn't make it. So he lept over the edge and into the bottom pool, they swam out and ran through the door.

In this chapter, after a momentary separation, what will happen next? Will Soos manage to crack the code of the computer he found? What will the others do? How will this be resolved? Where will the water go? Where the heck is the sand? Is Tech really making a private beach after all?

Find out in this chapter of Beach Bandits!

Now, on with the show!

Chapter 8

The Lakes Arc - Part 5

"Water, Water, Everywhere"

Mabel sighed, slumping down the wall and onto the floor, where she pulled her legs to her chest. "Waiting sucks."

Wendy pounded her fists on the doors. "Waiting? Who said anything about that?! Soos could be in danger behind there! We have to get in!"

"I'm sure he's fine, Wendy." Mabel muttered. "Maybe there's a way to open the door on the other side? He'll come out, I bet."

"Well what if, on the other side, is a big army of giant evil robots?! They'll tear him to shreds!" Wendy slammed her fists on the door one last time. "Dammit, we have to get in! Dipper, would you just-"

Upon looking over, Wendy saw Dipper fiddling with a little yellow device in his hands.

Mabel glanced up. "Huh? What's that?"

"Walkie-talkie." Her brother replied nonchalantly. "Trying to input a signal code."

"You brought walkie-talkies with us?" Wendy asked, reaching a hand out quickly. "Gimme it, I've got a phone, I'll look up the code."

Dipper shrugged and handed it off. "I gave one to Soos earlier, sorry I forgot to give them to you two. Thought I already did."

Wendy tapped the keyboard on her phone quickly with one hand, and after the signal code had popped up in the results of her search, she briskly inputted it into the walkie-talkie, then clicked the button. "Soos? C'mon, are you there?"

Mabel and Dipper gathered around in a hurry, the red-head holding out the walkie-talkie in front of them so they could all hear what Soos had to say.

If he even replied at all.

Wendy sighed. "Great, it doesn't work-"

"...crzzt...g-guys…?"

Immediately, the communication device jumped to life, Soos' voice flowing through, the static clearing.

"Soos?!" Dipper called in, taking the device from Wendy and clicking the 'talk' button.

"...hey dude, what's up?"

Dipper chuckled. "You okay in there?"

"Yeah dude, everything's fine. Just dealing with a computer lock-a-majig thingy."

"Computer lock-a-what?" Mabel cocked an eyebrow.

"This weird computer in here is pointing all these wires and pipes and stuff to a generator, and I guess I gotta connect them? Pretty weird puzzle for something as big as this place. How're you dudes?"

"We're fine, just waiting outside the door." Wendy replied. "So talk about this computer more."

"Well, it's just a hunch, but...I think maybe if I redirect the water here through these pipes and into the generator, it'll short it out and shut down the building. Downside is, there's a catch."

"A 'catch'?" Dipper raised an eyebrow himself. "What kind of 'catch'?"

"I think that...the building might blow up once this is all complete."

Everyone stood silently, taking in what Soos had just said.

"...b-blow up?" Mabel muttered. "Th-Then...how do we get out? How do you get out?!"

"There's an elevator nearby, I can take that way out, I think. And there should be an elevator where you dudes are. Take it up and get out the way we came, if you can. I'll meet you outside when I'm done. But go now!"

Nobody needed to be told twice, the three were already sprinting for the elevator Soos had talked about mid-sentence. It was a glass, cylindrical elevator, with metal panels every few yards upwards. As they stepped in and started going upward, Mabel stared out at the pouring water.

"...it's so weird. We've already found the water."

"I doubt this is all of the water, Mabel." Dipper said. "It's too little to fill the entirety of the central lake. The surrounding lakes are probably being drowned as well, maybe this water is from those areas."

"This should be enough water at least to start bringing back waterfalls and streams, and maybe fill up a few of the lesser lakes." Wendy put a finger to her chin. "I'm sure we've made some progress, eh team?"

"Assuming Soos can get the computer shorted out." Dipper shrugged.

"Of course he can, he's a handyman! He'll get it done in no time at all!" Mabel grinned, crossing her arms proudly.

Wendy checked her phone. "It's been like, twenty minutes since he went in. I don't know how long it will take until-"

A large click was heard, and the building momentarily shook. After regaining their balance, they stepped out of the elevator once it had reached the top platform. Then, everyone looked out over the railing to see the water stop flowing from above. It drained slowly from the bottom pool into a large pipe, before it was completely dry.

Mabel smiled. "Soos did it!"

Dipper quickly went wide-eyed. "Crap...we gotta get out, come on!"

They sprinted back to the door they had entered through, seeing it pop open due to the building starting to malfunction. With one last glance over her shoulder, Mabel smirked and followed the others out.

"Heh, sayonara, Tech! Your plan's been busted!" Wendy pumped a fist, fisting bumping Soos as they exited, who had been waiting for them to return.

"Oh yeah, we rule!" Mabel hopped up in victory.

Dipper chuckled. "So, what now?"

Soos thought for a moment before holding his breath. "Guys, wait, hide behind cover before it blows!"

After processing that thought for a moment, everyone ducked for cover behind a few large crates. Peeking out, they saw multiple panels from the building break apart, fall off, or even explode. The ground shook as the building exploded from the inside, the remnants of its outer shell sinking down into the mud, leaving nothing but a small pool of water. The explosion of the building sent out enough debris to take down the fence.

In the end, they had a way back out, and the building was destroyed, allowing the water to flow back to The Lakes.

Everyone smiled and ran back to climb over the fallen fence.

"Sheesh...look at that." Wendy crossed her arms. "Three teens and a young adult blew up a drainage factory. Do we rule or what?"

"But that can't be all." Soos muttered.

"Huh?" Dipper looked to his friend. "What, Soos?"

"It obviously can't be just this building, dudes. There has to be more." Soos replied. Then, he pointed up a hill leading to a forest. "That way, we should go that way."

"Into the forest?" Wendy cocked an eyebrow. "Soos, we don't know what's in there! Why should we go that way, when we can just go back the way we came to get to the central lake?"

"Because we won't make any progress by going backwards, Wendy. There's no other way to go but forward into the woods." Soos started off towards the woods. "C'mon dudes, I'm sure if we cross the forest, we'll find whatever else Tech has planned!"

Without an objection or any hesitation, the gang followed Soos up the hill and into the darkened forest, the path ahead of them shrouded in mystery.

Clearly, they weren't done yet.

-(End Of Chapter)-

To be continued…

Well, not much happened, but hey! The Pumping Station has been dealt with! Water is sure to return to The Lakes soon, right?

...right?

As the gang travels into a forest, leading them deeper into the wilderness, one can only guess what lies ahead for them, and what they'll find. But Tech's plan can't already be foiled, right?

Anyways, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, reviews are highly appreciated, and as always…

Stay Tuned!

~087-B