Chapter 10.- The UNSC Pillar of Autumn II.
-
Sly was looking at the ceiling of his room, he had fought with Dudley to see who'd get the top bunk and he had won. Sly chuckled at the memory of Dudley being knocked out after he had tricked him into seeing at other side with the phrase "Hey look! A cheap excuse of distraction to make you turn around so I can knock you out!" He never thought it could work, but then again, he was fighting with Dudley.
- Life's good, but the Dark Side is growing. - Sly said while his smile faded away. - I don't know if we're ready for something like this but we have no other choice.
- Can't sleep too, huh? - Dudley said from the bottom bunk.
- I feel like we're risking too much, Dudley.
- I know, but we must defeat the UCA.
- Yeah but what if we can't do it?
- No worries, with our upgrades and new toys, I'm pretty sure we'll be kicking their butts in no time!
- You sound so confident, you reminded me of a friend, actually you two aren't too different from one another.
- I know, Bentley and Murray told me about your other friends, they're awesome.
- Don't sell yourself cheap, Dudley, you're one of the best crime-fighters I've seen. - Sly said with a chuckle. - Of course you mess up things, but somehow you always find the way to fix your mess and more.
- But I'm such a disastrous agent, Kitty is way better than me.
- Don't say that, Dudley, besides Kitty has told me that she's quite jealous of you, she likes your spontaneity, your happiness, your luck, you're really a good man.
- I dunno Sly, if I mess up this time, someone could die.
- Don't worry, you won't mess up.
- How could you know?
- I just know it.
- So, what're we gonna do now? - Dudley asked. - I'm sure that the UCA has finished their ship.
- So is ours, the Autumn should arrive tomorrow at twelve o'clock.
- How did you get into the Army, Sly?
- That is a long story, the short version is that Clockwerk met six villains in Hell, they combined their powers and sent their worst enemies, incluiding me, to another desolated dimension. When we came back everyone hated us, we fought our way back to the top after joining to the Rebel Alliance and at the end of the war we had become Generals.
- Amazing.
- Indeed it is. - Sly said. - We should get some sleep; we need to be ready really early.
- Ok, but first, can you answer me one thing?
- Why shouldn't I?
- The question is kinda personal.
- No matter, you wouldn't even imagine some questions I've answered all these years.
- How did you and Kitty met?
- That was kind of a funny story. - Sly said with a chuckle. - You see...
(A bit more than nine years ago)
Sly was entering a museum, somehow he managed to run into a group of second-class criminals who called themselves the "Diabolical Order Of Mayhem" or DOOM for short.
- I can't believe I was so stupid! - Sly cursed under his breath. - Why did I just stand there and did nothing?!
What happened during Sly's encounter with DOOM? Well, he was found and stood motionless, he was a sixteen year old rookie after all. The villains, a crocodile, a shrew, a possum and a rat called Verminious Snaptrap seized him and threw Sly's family cane inside the museum, breaking a window with it and setting off an alarm. Then, DOOM escaped and left Sly to risk to recover his family cane.
- Darn it! - Sly cursed again. - Where's my cane?
- Freeze, thief! - A female voice behind Sly ordered.
Sly raised his hands and saw a cop, or rather an agent trainee for what she was wearing. The trainee was a tan cat with black hair and green eyes. Although he found it weird, he could definitely say that the agent was beautiful.
(Present time, with Carmelita and Kitty)
Though Sly and Dudley fought for the top bunk, Carmelita and Kitty just tossed a coin and Kitty won, and nothing else happened, except that they couldn't sleep, just like Dudley and Sly, so they were talking, curiously about the same thing that Sly and Dudley.
- You mean that you liked him since you saw him for the first time? - Carmelita said incredulously.
- Yeah, you said it, he's handsome and a charmer. - Kitty said.
- I hope you just mean it in a platonic way.
- Of course, I'd never interfere between two persons who love each other. I admit that it hurts to know that Sly and I weren't made for each other but I've gotten over it.
- So, what happened after what you told me?
- Lemme remember...
(A bit more than nine years ago)
Kitty was astonished, she couldn't belive that in her first week as a TUFF trainee she had already caught her first criminal. Not even her partner Jack Rabbit was this good. The criminal was like no other she had seen in the files she studied in TUFF, this was a male raccoon of about her age who wore blue boots, t-shirt and cap. To make things weird, she thought that he looked rather handsome.
- Who are you, ringtail? - Kitty asked while she kept her blaster pointed at the raccoon.
- My, my, officer, I am Sly, Sly Cooper. - The raccoon replied with a charming smile.
Kitty's eyes went wide open. She had caught a Cooper! No one else had done that, not even her father.
- Ok Cooper, you're under arrest. - Kitty said while she pulled out her cuffs.
- For what charges, if I may ask? - Sly asked with the same charming tone.
- For attempted theft of the Petropolis Museum.
- You got me wrong, Miss...
- Katswell, Kitty Katswell.
- Ok, Miss Katswell, I might be a thief, but this isn't any of my gang's heists.
- Why should I trust you? You're a criminal.
- I am a Master Thief, not a criminal.
(Back with Dudley and Sly)
- Is there really a difference? - Dudley asked.
- Of course! - Sly said, feeling a bit offended. - Criminals don't care on who they hurt to get what they want, Master Thieves just steal from Master Criminals, which is more fun and more honorable than stealing from normal people.
- Ok, I get it. What happened next?
- Well...
-
- There's no difference, Cooper. - Kitty said.
- Look, there is a big difference. - Sly said firmly. - Master Thieves never steal from normal people, that's not honorable nor fun; criminals don't care about honor.
- Cooper, you're not innocent, you broke inside this museum so stop pretending to be the victim.
- I am a victim! Some second-class criminal called "Verminious Snaptrap" and his pack of suckers surprised me, they took my cane and threw it in here.
- I heard that! - Someone yelled from outside the museum.
- What was that? - Both teens said in unison.
Sly saw that Kitty had lowered her blaster and now it was his opportunity to run and find his cane to get the heck outta there. Sly lowered his arms and ran like a soul to the devil with a smirk, a few seconds before Kitty realized that Sly was gone.
- COOPER! - Kitty yelled while she ran after the thief.
Sly chuckled when he heard Kitty's shout, however, his amusement was short lived when a purple blast almost rips his head off. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Kitty with her teeth clenched and shooting her blaster left and right. Sly started running faster and saw his cane, it was hanging from a chandelier in the main aisle. He frowned with determination and started to jump over some statues and cases. When he was about to grab his cane, a rope tied his feet and dragged him to the ground, slamming him face-first.
(Present time, with Kitty and Carmelita)
- Jack Rabbit interfered? - Carmelita guessed.
- Who else if he didn't? - Kitty replied.
- Well, continue please.
-
Kitty stopped short when she saw her partner slamming Sly on the ground, now she knew that she had lost the opportunity to become the first person to capture a Cooper.
- Going anywhere, ringtail? - Jack asked.
- Let go of me, you fool! - Sly demanded.
- Not a chance, criminal.
- Jack, you didn't have to do that, I had him under control. - Kitty snapped.
- Except for the part where you didn't.
- He's my criminal, Jack, I found him first.
- But you didn't capture him.
While Jack and Kitty discussed, Sly pulled out a small knife from his backpack and started to cut the rope that tied his feet. Once he was free, Sly smiled, he climbed a showcase and jumped to grab his cane. He grabbed it but the chandelier didn't hold his weight, so it fell down, making Jack and Kitty notice him.
- COOPER! - Both trainees yelled.
Sly grinned and used his cane to climb a wall while he took a painting with his cane, then he broke another window, strapped the painting to his back and escaped. Kitty jumped over a showcase and followed Sly.
Sly and Kitty started running over the rooftops of Petropolis, Kitty was shooting at the grinning raccoon while the latter tried to keep his head over his shoulders.
- You'll never escape, Cooper! - Kitty yelled.
- Try to get me, Katswell! - Sly yelled back.
Kitty had enough, Sly had really made her angry and now he was going to pay the price. The trainee ran faster and tackled Sly, who managed to roll on the floor and pin her down by grabbing her wrists. Kitty struggled to set herself free but Sly was stronger.
- Let go of me and return the painting you stole! - Kitty demanded.
- Calm down, Kit, I'm not gonna hurt you, and I'm sorry but not a chance about the second request. - Sly said with a charming smirk.
Kitty blushed and kept struggling with Sly, then the raccoon did something unexpected, he kissed her cheek and escaped, leaving a calling card with a blue rose beside Kitty.
Kitty snapped out of the trance that the sudden kiss had put her into and saw the calling card. She took it and read it.
- "We'll meet again, my beautiful agent." - Kitty read aloud.
Kitty blushed again and put the card in her pocket, taking the rose in her hands and sighing dreamily.
(With Kitty and Carmelita)
- He hasn't changed much since then. - Carmelita let out.
- He used a calling card and a blue rose to escape from you? - Kitty asked.
- Yes, in India, after we danced to distract everyone so Murray could steal the Clockwerk Wings.
- You worked with them?
- No, I wasn't part of the gang at that time, I was angry at Sly after that though.
- Well, looks like things worked out between you two just fine.
- We went through a lot, but in the end we could finally be together.
- I hope one day I can find my soul mate, just like you.
- You still hiding your feelings?
- Whatcha talking about?
- I've seen how you see Dudley, and let me tell you, he might be a baka, but he's one of the best persons I've ever met. His heart is always in the right place, even if his mind is somewhere else.
- You're right, but Dudley doesn't like me, he hates the idea of he and I as a couple.
- Things change, you should give it a try, after all, the worst he can do is stay as your friend.
- Maybe, but I don't know if I'll be able to tell him how I truly feel.
- You can do it, why is it that when it comes to heart matters, all the crime-fighters and heroes are clueless about what to do?
- I dunno, because we don't know how to interact socially that well?
- Maybe, well, we should get some sleep, tomorrow is gonna be a long, long day.
- Ok, good night Carm.
- Good night, Kit, may the Force be with us both.
- Why do you guys keep saying that?
- Because we're Jedi, it's a long explanation and I wanna sleep.
- Fine, but you'll have to tell me later.
- If we survive to tomorrow, then it's a deal.
Both vixen and cat laid on their bunks and drifted to sleep in a few minutes.
(Meanwhile with Sly and Dudley)
- That was quite a story, Sly. - Dudley said.
- Yes it was, I had a crush on Kitty since that little encounter on that rooftop. - Sly said before noticing an icy glare from Dudley. - But don't worry, my feelings for her are gone, I only like her in a friend-way. - The thief explained nervously while he scratched the back of his neck.
Dudley sighed and Sly smiled knowingly.
- You really like her, don't you? - Sly said bluntly.
- Wha? No, no, who could have ever thought such a thing? I mean, yeah she's cute and all but I... - Dudley said nervously.
- You're only proving my point with that nervousness, Duds.
- Am I that obvious?
- Not at all, I just tried to get the answer from you by faking that I knew it, and you believed my act. - Sly said with a grin. - Man, I never knew I was that good of an actor.
- Sometimes you're an idiot.
- So you are most of the time, pal.
- You got a point there.
- Well, you gotta tell her soon or she might choose that water delivery guy instead of you.
- Don't you even dare to mention him!
- Ok, chill out pal, I was just saying. - Sly said. - We gotta go to sleep right now or else we won't be ready when the Autumn arrives.
- Fine, good night Sly.
- Good night Dudley.
Both males slowly drifted to sleep, without knowing that their biggest challenge ever was about to come.
(Meanwhile, at DOOM Headquarters)
- Our ship is finally finished. - Dr. M said with an evil smile.
The ship was massive, almost three kilometers long and one kilometer wide, it was covered in black paint to nullify the reflection of the adamantium. It had four hangars, full of remote control starfighters, M-Wings, according to the stolen data. The weapons system was composed by twelve plasma-laser cannon batteries, sixty-five Archer missile pods, seven ion cannon batteries, ten proton torpedo launchers, ten plasma torpedo launchers, two MAC guns and an energy projector; also the ship had a 6-meters thick armor plating and a shield generator that could stop two hits from an energy projector.
The UNSC Pillar of Autumn II was seriously outgunned against the UCA Cooper's Nightmare.
- Good thing we still had those TUFF Agents and your mutant minions. - McCullen said while he eyed the ship.
- Indeed, now it is time to destroy Cooper, with the very same technology he used to protect his friends and family. - Dr. M chuckled evilly.
- Even with that Pillar of Autumn, Cooper won't be able to defeat us. - Neyla said.
- And when that happens, not even the UNSC nor anyone else will be able to stop us! - McCullen said.
The villains laughed evilly while they boarded the Cooper's Nightmare, ready to confront the Pillar of Autumn in the earth's orbit.
(UNSC base Étoile du Matin)
It was around ten o'clock when everyone on the team had woken up, now they were having breakfast in the dining hall, with the stares of many soldiers.
- Why are they staring at us? - Mz. Ruby asked.
- Because of three things: 1.- You're still classified as an S-Class villain, Ruby. - Carmelita said while Mz. Ruby glared at her. - 2.- The UNSC normally doesn't accept people the way you were accepted; and 3.- Sly, Murray, Bentley, Penelope and I are war heroes. - Carmelita said while she munched her horrible breakfast.
- War heroes? - Pat asked.
- Remember that Rebellion we were talking about some days ago? - Murray asked. - We saved the Galactic Republic, and that's why we're in such a high place within the UNSC.
- That's a story for another time, Murray, we need to hurry, Riggins will be here at any minute. - Sly snapped.
At that second, a soldier tapped on Sly's shoulder, everyone turned to see the soldier who saluted at them.
- General Cooper, Admiral Riggins wishes to meet you and your team in his ship. - Said the soldier.
- Thanks Sarge, tell Riggins that we're en route. - Sly replied with a salute.
The soldier left and Sly said:
- Well guys, time to see the upgraded and improved UNSC Pillar of Autumn II.
(Several minutes later, UNSC Pillar of Autumn II)
Most of the team was astonished, the Pillar of Autumn II, or just "the Autumn" for short, was an amazing feat of technology.
It was a bit longer than 2 kilometers, it had a powerful weapons system composed by ten plasma-laser cannon batteries, fourty-five Archer missile pods, six ion cannon batteries, five plasma torpedo launchers, five proton torpedo launchers, a Hyper-MAC gun and an energy projector; it was also incredibly maneuverable and fast, it had an armor plating made of Forcidium-Z that was four meters thick and one of the best shield generators in the galaxy.
- This ship is amazing! - Carlos said. - I never imagined that I would be aboard a spaceship.
- This is so cool, bros! It's totally greasy-sweet! - Dimitri said.
- This is more than just greasy-sweet, Dimitri. - Pat corrected.
- I was definitely not expecting something like this. - Cleo said.
- Me too, pal. - Scarlett let out.
- I know it's exciting but we need to keep focus, Riggins wants to tell us something. - Carmelita said.
- Just stay calmed and follow me to the bridge. - Sly ordered while he did what he had said.
The team shared some glances amongst themselves and shrugged, then they kept following the master thief.
A few minutes of walking through the massive ship and some stares from the crew, the Team TUFF Cooper entered the bridge. They found a middle aged man with some gray hairs and a kind but determined look on his face, the man smiled at Sly, Carmelita and Murray and saluted them.
- Generals. - Said the man.
- Admiral Riggins. - Replied Carmelita, Sly and Murray while they returned the salute.
- It's an honor to see you again; I wish it could be under better circumstances though.
- I think the same. - Sly said. - Anyhow, Team, this is Admiral Marcus Riggins, he's the captain of this ship and second in command of the whole UNSC Fleet; Riggins, this is the Team TUFF Cooper, Chiefs Barton Barkley and Herbert Dumbrowski, General Carlos Fox, Agents Dudley Puppy, Kitty and Katherine Katswell, and Camila and Cecilia Fox, Dimitri Lousteau, Cleo Venezuela, Scarlett Vandes, Dylan Puppy, Kelly Katswell, my sister Alice Cooper, Keswick, Pat Penguinator, Jing King, the Guru, and you already know Murray, Bentley, Penelope, Carm and I.
- Hi. - Barton and Herbert said.
- It's an honor, sir. - Carlos said while he saluted. - By the way, I'm a Lieutenant Colonel not a General.
- Nice to meet you. Jing, Cleo, Katherine and Cecilia said while they bowed.
- Hello, human dude! - Dimitri said.
- Dimitri, that's no way to talk to an Admiral. - Pat said. - Name's Pat, at your service.
- What's up? - Scarlett, Kelly and Camila said.
- It's a pleasure to meet you, Admiral Riggins. - Dylan said.
- Hi Marcus, long time no see. - Alice said.
The Guru spoke in his language and Riggins just chuckled.
- Thieves and agents working together, who would've ever guessed I'd see something like that? - Riggins said.
- Stop the chit-chat, let's get down to business. - Carmelita snapped. - What did you want to tell us?
- Well, General Cooper, sir. - Riggins said while he looked at Sly. - The UNSC Pillar of Autumn II is under your command.
Everyone's mouth dropped agape, they couldn't believe what they had heard.
- Say that again... - Sly asked while he checked his ears.
- I won't be commanding the Autumn in this battle; those are direct orders from the Chief Director. - Riggins said with a smirk.
- CHIEF! - Sly yelled. - I'm gonna kill John for this!
Suddenly, an alarm rings in the whole ship, startling and alerting everyone inside the Autumn.
- Sir, I'm detecting an unidentified ship moving towards our position, the orbital platform Cairo is also sending their reports, and it looks like it's another Super-Halcyon-Class Cruiser, only bigger and with more armament. - The ship's AI, who happened to be Cortana, said.
- Battle stations! Remove the safes of all the missile pods, prepare the cannons, charge the MAC gun and the energy projector, open fire at my signal! - Sly ordered while he took Riggins' place as captain.
- Sly, you need more officers. - Dylan said while he showed the team that most of the bridge consoles were empty.
- Great, John really wants us to die; he didn't allow Riggins to command his ship and sent the Autumn without a trained crew! - Sly complained.
- We can take the places, just tell Cortana to help us in case we don't know how to do something. - Kitty said.
- This is gonna be tough. - Sly sighed. - Good thing I know I can count on you. Carlos, take the PL cannons; Kitty, you use the Slipspace cannon; Bentley, get to the navigation console; Katherine, you take care of the motors; Carm, the MAC gun is yours; Jing, the missile pods console; Camila, the proton torpedo launchers are at your command; Murray, the plasma torpedo launchers are yours; and Dudley, you handle the energy projector.
- Wait, I can't do that! - Dudley said. - I don't even know how to use a cellphone properly!
- I'll help you, Mr. Puppy, don't worry. - Cortana said.
- And we all trust in you. - Murray said.
- Yeah pal. - Pat said.
- You can do it, little brother. - Dylan said while he patted his brother's back.
The rest of the team also showed their support to their comrade, they smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up. Dudley smirked with determination and said:
- Let's do this!
- That's the spirit! - Sly said.
- Sly, the UCA ship is about to engage the Cairo station, they won't be able to withstand a battle with that ship! - Cortana reported.
- Kitty, activate the Slipspace cannon, Bentley, set the course, we need to go there now! - Sly ordered.
- Yes, captain! - Kitty and Bentley said while they typed some commands on their consoles.
Kitty activated the Slipspace cannon, and it shot a black-bluish beam that became some sort of vortex.
- Full speed! We need to stop that ship now! - Sly said.
- Aye, sir. - Said Cortana and Katherine.
The ship accelerated and went through the crack, appearing immediate after on the other side of the earth, where they found a massive black ship and the UNSC station, still intact.
- Get ready, but first, Riggins, open a com channel with the enemy vessel. - Sly ordered.
- What do you think you're doing, Cooper? - Carlos asked.
- It's protocol of the UNSC, he's following the rules. - Riggins said while he sat at the communications console. - We're transmitting, sir.
The main screen of the Autumn went black for a second and then it showed the captain of the enemy vessel, who was none other than Lancelot McCullen.
- Well, well, Cooper Gang, it seems your friends in the highs did some marvels with your equipment. - McCullen said with an evil grin.
- Save the chit-chat for the inmates in Azkaban, McCullen, let's get down to business. I wouldn't mind blowing your ship to bits right now, but the protocol states that I must give you a warning. - Sly said. - Surrender and hand over your battlecruiser or we'll be forced to destroy it.
- How about no, Sly?
- It's your choice, may the Force be merciful with you... Because we won't.
The com channel was broken and Sly turned to his improvised crew.
- Ok guys, let's kick some butt! - Sly said.
(Meanwhile in the Cooper's Nightmare)
- Prepare everything! - McCullen said.
- You don't know how to lead this thing?! - Rabbit asked.
- I do not like Sci-Fi movies and I do not know the entire weapons system of this ship!
- Lemme lead, I've already done so. - Neyla said.
- No, I will lead and I will be known as the man who destroyed the Pillar of Autumn II!
(Back with the team)
- Open fire! - Sly ordered.
The Autumn's cannons and missile pods opened fire, however, the missiles and plasma-laser rounds impacted on a flickering deflector shield.
- Darn it! They have shields! - Sly cursed. - Is the energy projector or the MAC gun ready?
- The MAC is charged at 78%, not fully but we can shot a round. - Carmelita informed.
- The EP isn't ready, 34% and increasing. - Dudley reported.
- Fire the MAC gun! - Sly ordered.
Carmelita typed some commands in her console and the H-MAC shot a powerful round of Super-Charged Ferric Tungsten at a half of the speed of light. The yellowish round hit the UCA's shields, which flickered but withstood the damage.
- This can't be happening! - Sly said while he slammed his fist on the railing in the bridge.
Meanwhile, even if the Cooper's Nightmare could resist the Autumn's H-MAC round, the shields were dangerously low.
- Why haven't we shot anything?! - McCullen yelled.
- You know, I now see that you use contractions everytime you're angry. - Snaptrap let out.
- SHUT IT, SNAPTRAP!
- I was just sayin'.
- We need an AI! - Neyla said.
- No, I will take the AI's place. - Dr. M said while he plugged his head on a ceiling console.
- Shoot the MAC guns and the energy projector now! - McCullen ordered.
Raleigh and Neyla typed some commands on their consoles, and immediately the MAC guns and the EP shot at the Autumn, making its shields flicker and go dangerously low.
Sly was really worried, the UCA ship was just as powerful, if not even more, than the Autumn, and the worst was that he had no idea of what to do to defeat the UCA.
- Set course to 3-1-7! - Sly yelled. - Cease the fire and put all the larboard cannons away!
- Cooper, you're crazy! - Carlos said.
- We'll be vulnerable if we move there, Sly! - Kitty said.
- It's part of my plan!
The Autumn ignited its engines and moved in the course that Sly had ordered while its cannons stopped shooting and were put away in some kind of compartments. The Autumn's larboard was vulnerable, and McCullen wasn't going to let that chance slip from his hands.
- Destroy that ship! - McCullen ordered.
The Nightmare's cannons opened fire and started shooting at the Autumn, which was protected by the shields for a second, but a few moments later, the energy shields of the Autumn flickered and died.
Back to the Autumn's bridge, the alarms were ringing louder, however, the armor plating was resisting the plasma-laser fire very well.
- The shields are down! - Cortana reported.
- I know that already! Activate the emergency starboard thrusters! - Sly ordered.
- What? - Everyone on the bridge asked.
- Just do it, for the Force's sake!
The thrusters were suddenly turned on, which sent the Autumn to the left, making it crash against the Nightmare, destroying the latter ship's shields and denting many of its cannons and at least two meters of its armor plating.
Sly smirked and said:
- Emergency larboard thrusters! - Sly yelled. - Then release the larboard cannons and use the maximum firepower!
Cortana activated the thrusters and the ship got away from the Cooper's Nightmare, while Carlos typed the commands to release the cannons, then he started shooting. The plasma-laser rounds of the Autumn's cannons easily melted the adamantium plating and this was bad news for the UCA.
- Prepare the slipspace jump! - McCullen ordered.
- We're not gonna abandon this fight, McCullen! - Muggshot stated firmly.
- Unless you want to be burned by plasma-laser, you will do what I am ordering! - McCullen replied. - M, prepare the coordinates to appear right behind the Autumn!
M closed his eyes and did what McCullen had said, then some keys on Neyla's console started to glow, the double-crossing tigress typed the glowing keys and the ship charged the only thing the UCA didn't know it had, its Slipspace cannon. The Nightmare disappeared through the Slipspace portal that the ship opened and reappeared behind the Autumn, with its MAC guns charged and pointed at the hyperdrive of the UNSC ship.
- FIRE! - McCullen ordered with an evil grin.
The MAC guns fired and the hyperdrive of the Autumn received a direct shot, severely damaging the motors and the shield generator.
In the bridge, everyone was typing franticly on their consoles, they knew that they had a major disadvantage against the Cooper's Nightmare, but they weren't going to give up just yet.
- Report of the damage! - Sly ordered.
- The hyperdrive was disabled, the motors suffered a major damage and are operating at 43% of their capacity, and the shield generator was disabled! - Cortana reported.
- Turn the ship and prepare the energy projector!
- We can't shotçot the EP without turning the ship, Sly! - Carmelita snapped.
- I'm not stupid, I know what I'm doing, trust me.
Katherine and Bentley did what Sly had ordered while Dudley just stared at the console in which he was.
- Is there any problem, Mr. Puppy? - Cortana asked.
- I don't know how this thing works. - Dudley said.
- Press the keys in the order they turn on.
Dudley did what Cortana had told him and the energy projector prepared to shoot.
Meanwhile the Autumn was now in attack position again.
- Shoot the energy projector! - Sly ordered.
- How? - Dudley asked.
- Press the big red button in your console that says "Fire". - Sly said while he facepalmed.
Dudley understood and turned to press the button.
Immediately after that, a powerful round of super-heated plasma hit the Nightmare's energy projector, rending it useless.
McCullen was angry, he had managed to disable the hyperdrive of the Autumn but the mentioned vessel had responded by destroying the energy projector of his ship.
- Fire the missiles! Concentrate on the bridge of that ship! - McCullen ordered.
- You know, some people say "Please" before asking for something. - Snaptrap said.
- And some people slit the throat of the people who disobey them!
Snaptrap gulped and did what McCullen had ordered.
The Nightmare shot its missiles, but thankfully none of them hit the bridge of the UNSC ship, but it still took a lot of a toll on it because the missiles destroyed two of the plasma-laser cannon batteries and damaged ten missile pods.
Sly grunted and bared his teeth, the battle was dealing much more damage to the Autumn than he had anticipated.
- Ok, we gotta finish this and fast, I didn't know that the UCA's ship could do this to the Autumn. - Sly said out loud.
- What do you want us to do, sir? - Carlos asked.
- Unlock all the remaining missile pods and prepare to open fire from all stations.
The crew did what Sly had ordered, and pointed at the enemy cruiser.
Meanwhile, McCullen had ordered the criminals that weren't on the bridge of control consoles to go to the hangar and start piloting the starfighters to deal more damage to the Autumn. Madame Catastrophe led Larry, Francisco, Ollie, Tsao, Muggshot, Rajan, Leather Bear, Mad Dog, Octavio, Quacky, the Sharing Moose, Meerkat, Escape Goat, Wannabee and the Contessa to the hangar, where they all took some remote controls and activated a few of the starfighters in the hangar.
- Let's show Cooper we still have aces up our sleeves! - Said Madame Catastrophe.
The fighters got out of the hangar and started shooting at the Autumn.
Sly bared his teeth and growled, then he said:
- All those who aren't in a console, go to the hangar control, tell them to send in the fighters and let's crush that ship once and for all!
The crew raised an eyebrow but shrug their confusion rapidly. Penelope, Barton, Herbert, Cecilia, Dylan, Scarlett, Cleo, Dimitri, the Guru and Kelly ran to the hangar control, there they found five soldiers.
- Guys, Captain Cooper orders that you release the fighters to engage the UCA's fighters. - Cleo informed.
- Ok, but I thought Cooper was a General. - One of the soldiers let out.
- Forget about that for now, release the fighters! - Scarlett ordered.
The soldiers pressed some keys on their console and some of the M-Wings on the hangar raised flight.
- We'll need your help to control the fighters. - The senior officer said.
- You got it, pal. - Dylan said.
And back to the battle, the Autumn and the Nightmare were attacking each other with everything they had. And fortunately the Autumn had the upper hand.
- Charge the MAC gun and the energy projector again! - Sly ordered.
- Already doing so, Sly. - Carmelita and Dudley reported.
- Cortana, check the hangar and tell me if the fighters have already been deployed.
- They're out sir. - Cortana reported. - Incoming plasma torpedoes!
- Prepare for the impact!
The plasma torpedoes hit the Autumn's energy projector and a part of the hangars, which shaked the ship violently and made Sly and the crew start to worry.
- Guys, are you alright?! - Sly asked through the communicator.
- We're ok, the impact wasn't direct but we got some troubles here. - Scarlett reported through the com.
- Report of the damage, Cortana. - Sly ordered.
- The energy projector was destroyed, and the larboard hangars suffered a breach, if we don't seal those decks, the ship will lose all the oxygen suply. - Cortana reported.
- But if you seal those decks, the others will die! - Murray said.
- Don't worry, we still got the armors. - Herbert's voice said.
- Bentley and Keswick said they could recycle the air for at least to hours, so I think if we use them while you guys keep battling the UCA's ship, we'll be fine. - Cecilia added.
- Besides, I don't think you'll take more than two hours to defeat them. - Mz. Ruby said.
- Ok, just be careful. - Sly said.
- We'll be careful, now evac the soldiers and seal the decks. - Barton ordered.
Riggins gave the advice and all the soldiers in the Autumn activated their armors, and the personnel that didn't have one was moving to the inner decks. In the hangar, Jing and the rest of the gang was engaged in a remote control dogfight, but the UCA's fighters weren't so easy to destroy. And as Sly had ordered, they were wearing their armors.
- Darn it! I did't know those fighters were that good! - Scarlett complained.
- Even I have to admit that they are pretty good, but they're just remote control fighters, just like ours. - Penelope said while she blew up a fighter.
- We gotta keep them away from the bridge, they're trying to get at our friends. - Scarlett said.
- Let's bring them Hell! - Cleo said.
The soldiers with them chuckled, which made the team members get confused.
- Did I say something funny? - Cleo asked.
- No, it's just that it's weird to see a gang of thieves talking like a Hell Rider. - The senior officer replied.
- Focus on destroying the enemy fighters. - Said another soldier.
The team members and the five soldiers kept using the RC M-Wings to destroy the enemy fighters, little did they know that they had a bigger problem coming sooner than they could even imagine.
Back at the bridge, the Autumn and the Nightmare had been firing at each other with everything they had, they both had lost almost all their plasma-laser cannons and their missile pods, also the Nightmare's MAC guns were out of comission and the Autumn's H-MAC had been disabled.
- Keep firing! - Sly ordered.
- What do you think we're doing?! - Carlos replied angrily.
- Would you mind shutting up and keep shooting?! - Carmelita asked in annoyance.
At this point, it was clear that the battle was taking a toll not only on the UNSC ship but also on the team members' spirits and had let them mentally weak.
- We gotta destroy that ship! - Sly said.
- But that'll kill them! - Dudley snapped.
- Indeed, but we can't let them use such a monstrousity on innocent people.
- We must find a way to capture them and put them in jail, we cannot kill them! - Kitty said.
Sly did some thinking, then he snapped his fingers and said:
- I got it!
- What?! - Carmelita asked.
- Bentley, the Slipspace cannon can transport any of our tech, right? - Sly asked.
- Yes, why you ask? - The turtle genius replied.
- You think you can settle the coordinates to travel right behind the UCA's ship?
- Yes, why do you ask?
- Bentley, try to set the coodinates; Jing, prepare the antimatter warhead; Kitty, charge the Slipspace cannon. - Sly ordered.
- On it, captain. - Kitty, Bentley and Jing said in unison.
The girls and the turtle typed in their consoles and prepared everything for Sly's plan of action.
Meanwhile on the Cooper's Nightmare, McCullen knew that if he wanted to defeat Sly and the Autumn, the UCA would have to use their ultimate weapon, the rail cannon, the prototype weapon that was stolen from the US Army, which began all of the Team TUFF Cooper's problems. The cannon was supposed to shot a steel projectile at a quarter of the speed of light, just like a MAC gun but it dealt more damage as it was designed especifically to penetrate the adamantium.
- Charge the rail cannon, let's see what that weapon can do. - McCullen ordered.
- I'm working on it, McCullen, it won't take long. - M said.
- This time you will not survive, Cooper! - McCullen snarled.
Back at the Autumn, Kitty and Jing had finished with settling the coordinates and preparing the warhead, now they were only wating for Sly's order to open fire.
- Everything ready here, Sly. - Kitty reported.
- Waiting for order to shoot the warhead, Sly. - Jing said.
While his crew was trying to get his attention, Sly was thinking about something important that he had missed since the very beginning of this adventure.
- The UCA is planning something. - Sly let out.
- What do you mean? - Carmelita asked.
- Cooper, they're still attacking us, we need to open fire now! - Carlos snapped.
- I know but... didn't they steal a secret weapon from the army to incriminate us?
- You're right. - Dudley said. - I might not remember many things, but I do remember that one.
- So, where's that weapon?
- Um guys, I think there's the answer. - Bentley said while he pointed out of the front window of the bridge.
Everyone's mouths dropped agape, in the front of the UCA's ship they saw some kind of cannon, and they knew it meant only one thing, they would be dead if they didn't attack before the UCA could shot their cannon.
- Fire the warhead and the Slipspace cannon now! - Murray ordered.
- Hold your horses there! - Sly yelled. - The captain here is me!
- You're gonna get us killed, Sly! - Carmelita said.
- I won't, trust me! - Sly replied.
- I trust you, but this is madness, Sly! - Kitty said.
- Even I have to agree! - Dudley added.
- Just trust me on this one!
The crew fell silent, then they went back to type in their respective consoles while they sighed.
- Ok Sly, tell me when do I have to fire the warhead. - Jing said.
- Me and Jing have to fire at the same time, don't we? - Kitty asked.
- Yes, that's the plan.
Again in the Nightmare, McCullen was smirking evilly, this time he got the Autumn where he wanted.
- FIRE! - McCullen roared.
- FIRE! - Sly ordered.
The rail cannon, the Slipspace cannon and the antimatter warhead were shot.
The rail cannon projectile hit the Autumn very close to the bridge, causing a massive breach on the lower hull of the ship. Sly and his crew activated the armors and sealed the damaged decks.
Meanwhile, the Slipspace portal was opened and the warhead passed through it, and thanks to the distraction created by the cannons of both ships, they didn't know about it. Seconds after the warhead entered the Slipspace, it erupted again and hit the Nightmare directly on the motors, not only destroying them completely but also the shield generator and the power source, which also contained antimatter. The Nightmare started to explode because of the massive damage, and after a few minutes, the Cooper's Nightmare blew up, right before the Team's eyes.
- It's over. - Sly said with a cold look on his eyes.
- I do not think so. - A frightening english voice said.
Sly and his crew turned their backs and saw something that completely stunned them: The whole UCA was inside the bridge of the Autumn. And the worst part was that some of them were carrying the rest of the team, all of them unconscious.
- Impossible... - Sly let out.
- No, no it is not, Cooper. - McCullen said.
McCullen and the UCA lunged at the Team, and the latters got quickly knocked out. The UCA had won the battle, even though they lost their ship. In the end, McCullen got close to Sly and grabbed the latter's cane.
- Now there is absolutely nothing you can do to stop us, Cooper. - McCullen said with a smirk. - Let's get out of here.
The UCA laughed evilly and left the bridge, shortly after they abandoned the Autumn not before leaving an antimatter charge in the hangar. However, Cortana saw what happened and called for backup, which arrived rather fast and disarmed the Covenant bomb.
(Two hours later)
Sly shot awake and panting, he looked around and saw that he was in some kind of hospital room. He also saw that his team was in the room on the beds around him.
- What happened? - Sly asked out loud.
- I hate to say it but the UCA won. - Cortana's voice said.
- Then you shouldn't be here, you can't die.
- You're not dead, ringtail, you got knocked out by McCullen when he and his pack of criminals infiltrated on the Autumn, then they tried to destroy the Autumn with an antimatter charge, good thing I called reinforcements, they disarmed the bomb and brought you to the Cairo station.
- No! Don't tell me that McCullen has...!
- I'm sorry, Sly, but he does. - A booming voice said.
Sly glanced at his right side and saw John sat on a chair beside his bed. Sly lowered his head in dispair but then he started chuckling in a sarcastic way
- Amazing, I'm trusted with the most powerful ship of the universe, and probably the best team I could've asked for, and I still lost the battle. - Sly let out grimly.
- Yeah, you're an idiot, but not a whiner, nor a failure, Sly; and you may have lost the battle, but you haven't lost the war. - John said.
- Yeah right, you've already seen how good I am.
- Sly, I've known you for a long time, longer than any person with half of his brain would put up with, and if there's anything I've learned from you is that you never give up, no matter what.
- That's because I've never suffered such a defeat before.
- We've endured a lot worse with the other guys, you call this hard? Have you forget about the Rebel Season? Our return from the ZNothingness? Our first fight with the Seven Evil Ones? Does any of those ring any bells?
- How could I forget them?
- Then shut up, get your team and your ass ready, and go stop the UCA before they destroy the world!
- It's not that simple, John! They have my cane!
- Don't use excuses and much less such a stupid one! - John yelled. - I know you have not only Jack's soul rubber but also Sally's!
- Stop yelling at my brother, John! - Alice demanded while she stood up.
- Then tell him to stop being a crying baby! - The Spartan replied.
- That's enough, Chief Director McArthey! - Jing said.
- Not until this idiot returns to be the same annoying and over-confident raccoon he was!
Meanwhile, the rest team was waking up due to the yells, and now it was war with the Spartan.
- John, you're only making this worse! - Carmelita said.
- He has to come back to his senses, Carmelita!
- It's not the right way, John! - Murray yelled.
- SHUT UP! - Sly shouted.
The room fell silent and everyone stared in surprise at Sly.
- Stop, arguing, John's right, I gotta stop whining and start acting like a man. - Sly said with a frown. - But first there's something I need.
- What do you need? - Kitty asked.
- Cortana, can you teleport the CFC-2 to this station?
- Of course, tracking CFC-2, got it. - Cortana's voice said. - It should be in the armory in five minutes.
- What's the CFC-2, Cortana? - John asked.
- It's a little project of mine, you're gonna be really surprised. - Sly said while he stood up.
The team got cunfused but still stood up and followed Sly to the armory.
A few minutes later, six to be exact, the team was inside the armory, along with the Chief Director McArthey and Cortana's life-size hologram.
- What's the big idea with wasting time now, Sly? - Herbert asked.
- Well, McCullen took my cane, and I guess that he and the UCA has already arrived to the Cooper Vault, so we need a key to open it. - Sly said while he approached to a locker.
- We're not using a HAVOK warhead, are we? - Carmelita said.
- No, I mean that we need the actual key for the Cooper Vault.
- But didn't you say that only who has your cane can open it? - Kitty asked.
- Exactly, and only an exact replica can do such a thing too.
- What? - Everyone said.
- Sly, you smart-ass genius. - John said.
- Thank you, now here's what I was talking about.
And after Sly spoke, he opened the locker, which shot a blinding light which blinded the team for a few seconds. After the light died, they all saw that Sly had his cane in his hand again.
- But how could you...?! - The team tried to say.
Then everyone noticed something interesting, the cane was not Sly's cane. Instead of being brown with a golden hook it was blue with a silver hook.
- This, as you all now can see, is not my cane. - Sly said while he showed the new cane. - This cane was supposed to be a gift for my son or daughter for his or her eighth birthday. It's an exact replica from my cane, and by that I mean that it has each and every item my cane has, and also can open the Cooper Vault door.
- It's amazing, not even the Scientists could replicate your cane, Sly. - Murray said.
- That's kind of insulting, Murray. - Bentley said with a pout.
- Quit pouting, we need to go to Kaine Island and stop the UCA once and for all. - Sly snapped.
- It's good to have you back, pal. - Dudley said.
- And it's good to be back.
- Ok, let's stop talking, we got some work to do. - Carlos snapped.
- Carlos' right, let's get going! - Katherine said.
The team smirked decidedly and ran to the hangar, where they found the new van and the new TUFF Mobile.
- I was really looking forward to drive the new van! - Murray said excitedly.
- I can say the same about the new TUFF Mobile, pal! - Dudley said.
The team hopped aboard both vehicles, then Murray and Dudley ignited the motors and prepared the vehicles for the travel. A few moments later, the van and the TUFF Mobile exited the Cairo station and saw the damaged Autumn being repaired on the station.
- Wow, I didn't think something that big could suffer such damages. - Barton said.
- Me either. - The rest of the team said.
Dudley and Murray stomped on the throttle and accelerated towards the island where the final battle with the UCA would take place.
"The war has just begun, McCullen" Sly thought, "Hope you're ready because we're coming."
