Nights Apart

Chapter 4

Warnings: Language

Time was of the essence, that much any idiot could pick up (Ed, for instance, was very nervous). Offworld Plaza was under furious reconstruction after the news that there were still people on Moonbase. A good half of all able bodies were on the project (the rest on guard for fusions).

"We can't continue like this, Dexter," even Mandy was on edge.

"Offworld Plaza is due for completion within a week."

"And if there's an attack within that time?"

"We'll handle it," Dexter briskly replied.

"Look, I know you're anxious to get Ben back, but think logically. We can't afford to drop our guard this much."

"Moonbase is an important resource and it is imerative we get it back!"

"Moonbase is useless now. It's overrun with fusions! We can't send enough cadets up to eliminate the problem."

"The cadets there are still able. Just send enough people to free them."

Mandy heaved out a sigh in frustration. It was no use to argue with this damned kid when he got set on something. But she was still Mandy. "I'm reassigning a quarter of the personel here tomorrow. Another quarted two days after that. Do you see a pattern there?"

Gritting his teeth, Dexter answered with a resiganted "fine, that's fair". She was giving him a lot of leeway, that much was clear. He'd just have to work with it.

'A good excuse to stay out of the lab, I suppose...'

-Nights Apart-

"They need me up at Moonbase," Ben stated, getting straight to the point. He'd come down to the lab, found where Dexter was busy working, plopped down and started talking.

"I know Nigel has informed me of as much. He neglected to tell me why, though."

"They want me to try and slow down the amount of fusion matter that lands on Earth. They're sending me up there to catch the pods."

"I could easily desing a net for that very purpouse."

"The kids are losing their minds up there, Dex. They're getting paranoid and destracted and it's getting easier for Fuse to kill them off. At the rate they're sending up new recruits, everyone's gonna end up in space!" Ben tried to explain.

"If the KND want to cheer up cadets they can send them candy." Dexter pouted.

"They need to feel like there's a chance to win this, or we won't."

As a relpy, Dexter heaved out something that sounded like an overdramatic sigh, meets an exaperated groan, Ben tried not to chuckle. He did! Stop rolling your eyes! "Okay, okay. I understansd why they wantyou there," he relented.

"Can't blame them for having good taste in heroes," Ben gloated. Dexter just smiled.

"No, I suppose not."

-Nights Apart-

This was the day Dexter had been dreading for a week. Ben was launching off to Moombase. In 2x4 KND tech. This was going to be a nightmare, he could just feel it.

"Don't look so glum," Ben teased.

"Forgive me for not painting on a plastic smile for this trainwreck," Dexter snapped.

"It'll be fine. Over before ya know it!"

"Unlikely. What if the Earth ends up needing you?"

"It's in good hands."

Dexter just sighed dejectedly. Ben pulled off his jacket. "Take care of this for me," he said, handing it over. Dexter stared at him for a minute before accepting it. "Don't worry, Dex. I'll be back before you can blink!"

And then he stepped onto the ship.

-Nights Apart-

"What is the situation?"

"Infected. They snuck in and caught us by surprise. We didn't notice until it was too late." The banging on the TM hall door was getting louder, getting faster. "Uh, we could kinda use some back-up up here."

Dexter bit his lip. "Ben, Offworld Plaza has been destroyed." Ben's features sank.

"And repairs?"

"Underway. They could take a while."

"There's no back-up?"

"No."

"For future referance, then. You think you guys could get it up in a week? We should be able to hold out for this long. They're preforming some god-awful experements on the KND here."

"I'll make sure we get it done sooner."

The door was almost down.

"Hey, Dexter?"

"Yes?"

Ben just looked at him. It was the most meaningful stare Dexter had ever seen on him. And then the sinal went out.

Author's note: WHAM-BAM-THANK YOU MA'AM. Mainly flashbacks. Seeya! *pops out of existance*