Last time found The Intrepid Heart and The Yamato in a star system, Micandor, that was on the verge of being attacked by the local Heartless. Yet as it turned out, the local Heartless were under control, but our heroes and allies had no idea that the controllers turned out to be The Daleks. The hateful monsters launched their attack on the star system, destroying all life on two of the planets that supported life, while the other two planets, which have intelligent life, raised a defensive magical shield around their worlds.
The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart then engaged the swarms of Heartless, and they were joined by the defenders of Micandor V. But then The Daleks resolved themselves to unleash their weapons of mass destruction on our heroes. 'Nuff said, on with the show!"
Chapter 7: Downfall of The Dark Armada
"We have to get to those weapon platforms!" said Sora, "if they're carrying those cobalt-infused missiles, then they'll burn both planets!"
"But we're still surrounded by Heartless," said Kairi.
"Captain Okita," said Riku, "can any of your Black Tiger fighters get to those ships?"
"I'm sorry," said Captain Okita, "but our fighters are preoccupied with keeping The Heartless away from The Yamato."
"And I have to keep the ship moving in order to avoid The Heartless that get through the fighters," said Shima.
"If only we had a few minutes to hold still and charge The Wave Motion Gun," said Kodai, "just a few."
"Can we give you those few minutes?" Group Captain Quartrane asked.
"If you can keep all those Heartless occupied," said Shima, "then yes."
"Just hang tight for a minute," said Group Captain Quartrane. There was about thirty seconds of silence from the alien fighter leader, "I just spoke with my superiors, and they're going to help as much as they can."
"What are they going to do?" Yuki asked.
"Just watch," said Group Captain Quartrane.
Just then the computer monitor for the sensors aboard The Intrepid Heart went crazy as they picked up something powerful.
"There's a tremendous magical energy surge building up on the planet!" said Sidney. "I think they're going to attack!"
"How are they going to attack?" Tess asked.
The view screen then showed five beams of bright light shoot up from the planet. The beams then split into several smaller beams that lanced through the masses of Heartless, destroying them by the hundreds. Several more of these multiplying beam of magic soon cleared the immediate area of Heartless.
"Is that enough breathing room for you?" Group Captain Quartrane asked.
"Plenty," said Captain Okita, "you have my gratitude."
"You can pay me back by destroying that oversized death-ship coming towards us," said Quartrane.
"Kodai!" said Captain Okita, "prepare to fire the Wave Motion Gun!"
"Yes, Captain!" said Kodai. Everyone on the bridge of The Yamato donned flash goggles while a targeting screen rose out of Kodai's consol. In the engine room, a connector cylinder, almost like a giant firing pin, linked The Wave Motion Engine to the firing tube of The Wave Motion Gun.
"Shima, five degrees to port," said Kodai as he used the targeting screen to aim at the Obliterator platform.
"Five degrees to port, acknowledged!" said Shima as he turned the ship a bit to the right.
"Four degrees up," said Kodai.
"Four degrees up, acknowledged!" said Shima as he maneuvered the ship's angle up.
"We're locked on!" said Kodai as a trigger joystick rose up from the consol and he gripped it, "charging!"
"Shut down all nonessential systems!" said Captain Okita. All across the ship various systems powered down.
A loud humming filled the bridge as The Wave Motion Engine charged up beyond normal parameters.
"Power output at 120%," said Chief Tokugawa, "140%…160%…"
"Come on, do it," said Riku, "That thing is getting into position!"
The weapon platform had assumed orbit around Micandor V and had opened a large hatch. A missile launcher extended out from the ship and was preparing to launch its deadly payload.
"180%!" said Chief Tokugawa, "200%!"
"Firing the Wave Motion Gun!" said Kodai, "now!" he pulled the trigger.
The connector cylinder/firing pin slammed into the wide firing tube and shot all the power built up in The Wave Motion Gun out of the ship towards the weapons platform. The incredible beam of energy hit the platform head-on and atomized it in a blinding explosion. When the blast dissipated, only microscopic fragments of the weapons platform were left.
"They did it!" shouted an ecstatic Sora.
"That was so awesome!" said a grinning Kairi.
"Incredible," said Tess, "simply incredible."
"Incredible my eye!" said Aiden, "that was the most awesome thing I've ever seen."
"Yeah," said Riku, "but there's still the other weapons platform heading for Micandor IV."
"Oh, yeah," said Aiden in a deflated tone, "I forgot about that one."
"THE OBLITERATOR PLATFORM DESIGNATED FOR THE FIFTH PLANET HAS BEEN DESTROYED!" shouted the fourth Dalek.
"WHAT!" exclaimed the first Dalek, "INCONCEVIABLE!"
"THE OBLITERATOR PLATFORMS ARE CONSTRUCTED OF PURE DALEKANIUM!" said the third Dalek, "HOW CAN IT BE DESTROYED? EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN!"
"THE LARGER INTRUDER SHIP HAS USED A MASSIVE TACHYON ENERGY CANNON," said the second Dalek, "SENSORS DETECT THE ENERGY CANNON HAS EXHAUSTED THEIR POWER RESERVES."
"THE INTRUDER SHIPS POSESS THE GREATER THREAT TO OUR SURVIVAL!" shouted the first Dalek, "IGNORE THE PLANETS! THE SHIPS MUST BE EXTERMINATED AT ONCE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"
"What are we going to do about that other platform?" Kairi asked.
"I think it just answered the question for us," said Aiden, "it's coming right for us and The Yamato!"
True enough, the second weapons platform had abandoned its course towards Micandor IV and was heading at top speed for the two ships.
"Captain Okita," said Sora, "how soon can you move?"
"At least another ten minutes," said Captain Okita, "The Wave Motion Engine needs to recharge before we can maneuver and fight again."
"That thing is gonna be all over us in six minutes," said Aiden as he read the tactical data.
"Not unless we destroy it first," said Riku, "Sora, Kairi, you still got those keys Cid gave us?"
"The ones that can turn all of the ships' power into one massive weapons blast?" Sora asked, "yeah, I still got mine," he pulled out said key.
"And I've got mine," said Kairi as she pulled out hers.
"And here's mine," said Riku as he pulled out his key.
"What exactly are you going to do?" Kodai asked.
"We have our own super weapon," said Tess, "and as soon as that thing gets close enough, we'll use it to blow that thing out of the stars."
"Riku, get to the weapons control room," said Sora, "I'll take over the helm and use my key from here. Kairi, use your key in the engine room."
"Right!" said both Riku and Kairi. They both ran for the elevator. Inside a minute both of them were in position over their respective locks.
"Insert the keys," said Sora. He, Riku and Kairi opened the glass boxes over the locks and put the keys in, "turn in 3...2...1...turn!" they all turned the keys and a red light lit on the boxes.
"All power transferring to weapons systems!" said Sidney, "life-support and gravity transferred to emergency power. All weapons at 200%!"
"Lock onto that platform and fire as soon as it gets in range," said Sora.
"Locking on!" said Goofy. A large joystick with a red firing button appeared on his consol.
The weapon platform stopped within 100 kilometers of both The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart. Again, a single hatch opened, revealing a missile launcher preparing to fire.
"My scans show that it is indeed a cobalt-infused missile," said Sidney, "one alone is more than enough to reduce both ships to atoms."
"We won't give it a chance to do that!" said Sora as Kairi and Riku ran onto the bridge, "Goofy! Fire!"
"Firing now!" shouted Goofy as he pressed the red button. All the weapons on the ship then fired a combined Fire/Thunder/Blizzard blast that shot towards the weapons platform with almost as much power as The Wave Motion Gun.
The beam hit the platform head on and blasted it into countless fragments.
"We did it!" shouted Goofy, while everyone else shouted with triumph.
Just then all the lights on the bridge went out and emergency lamps were lit.
"Now what?" Aiden asked.
"The power core has been drained," said Sidney as she sat on the floor, a look of exhaustion on her holographic face, "it'll take fifteen minutes to recharge."
"Oh yeah," said Sora in a deflated tone, "I forgot about that part."
"THE LESSER INTRUDER SHIP HAS DESTROYED THE SECOND OBLITERATOR PLATFORM!" said the second Dalek.
"IMPOSSIBLE!" raged the first Dalek.
"THE LESSER INTRUDER SHIP USED A DIFFERENT FORM OF ENERGY THAN THE LARGER INTRUDER SHIP," said the third Dalek, "DIFFERENT, BUT STILL EFFECTIVE."
"SENSORS ALSO DETECT THAT THE LESSER INTRUDER HAS EXHAUSTED ITS POWER AS WELL," said the second Dalek.
"REGUARDLESS," said the fourth Dalek, "BOTH SHIPS HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE FAR TOO GREAT A THREAT TO OUR SURVIVAL TO CONTINUE. WE SHOULD WITHDRAW."
"BATTLE COMPUTER CONFIRMS," said the third Dalek, "WE SHOULD RETREAT."
"DALEKS DO NOT RETREAT!" shouted the first Dalek, "DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY!"
"DALEKS CONQUER AND DESTROY!" shouted the other three Daleks.
Just then a fifth Dalek entered the bridge, "THE INTRUDERS SHOULD BE STUDIED," it said, "ANALYSIS OF THE SHIPS SAY THAT THEY DID NOT ORIGINATE IN THIS UNIVERSE. WE SHOULD CAPTURE THEM NOW, WHILE THEY ARE VUNREBLE, AND LEARN THEIR SECRETS."
"RECALCULATING," said the third Dalek, "BATTLE COMPUTER CONCURS. THE INTURDERS SHOULD BE CAPUTRED."
"BATTLE COMPUTER ALSO SUGGESTS THAT MORE HEARTLESS BE SUMMONED," said the fourth Dalek.
"THEN SO BE IT," said the first Dalek, "WE WILL LEARN THE SECRETS OF THE INTRUDERS. IF THEY PROVE TO BE BENEFICIAL TO OUR SURVIVAL, THEN THE INTRUDERS WILL LIVE ONLY AS LONG AS THEY ARE HELPFUL. AND IF THEY ARE NOT BENEFICIAL, THEN THEY WILL BE EXTERMINATED.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL SUMMON MORE HEARTLESS. THIS UNIVERSE WILL BE CLEANSED, AND A NEW ERA OF DALEK SUPREMACY SHALL BEGIN!"
"Radar systems restored," said Yuki, "scanning for further hostile entities."
"My sensors are also restored," said Sidney as her holographic expression relaxed, "as are my projectors."
"You've saved our worlds," said Group Captain Quartrane, "the people of Micandor IV and V owe you all a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid."
"Hold that thought," said Aiden as he looked at the scanner display, "is it me, or is that faux planet moving towards us?"
"It is," said Yuki, "and…wait…the disruption field around the machine is dissipating. We can see what it looks like now!"
The view screens showed the faux planet changing into a giant space ship made of the same bronze metal as the weapons platforms, and it was coming straight towards The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart at a velocity much greater than an object that size should be able to do so.
"What do we do?" Tess asked, "we can't run and we can't fight back."
"I guess the only thing any of us can do is just wait," said Sora, "and hope for the best."
"And just let them kill us?" an outraged Kodai asked, "Not me! I intend to go down fighting! Captain!"
"I agree," said Captain Okita, "issue weapons to the crew! Standby to repel borders! They can blow us out of the stars, but if they wish to invade this ship first, I intend to make it costly to them."
"I've got a feeling that they're not going to kill us just yet," said Riku, "we started this battle to get their attention, and now that we have their attention, they're definitely interested in us."
"They'll want to study us," said Sanada, "maybe there's a chance that we can reason with these people."
"I don't know about that," said Tess as she shuddered, "I've got that horrible feeling that we're in grave danger, that these people, if they even are people, aren't the kind that can be reasoned with, and that we'll be lucky if any of us gets out of this alive."
"A brilliant plan, using the enemy's engine trail to track them," said Trakinor Darkwind to Grekor, "The Keyblade Wielders are as good as dead."
The Hakonian and Gamilus taskforces had received their respective reinforcements, as well as thousands of Heartless and hundreds of Nobodies, and were now pursuing our heroes' energy trail through hyperspace.
"That's what we said before we tried to destroy them," said a scowling Grekor, "and that's the same attitude the younglings, Reddik and the others, had before they faced them. I now doubt that any Hakonian can destroy those brats."
"Ah, but I am no mere Hakonian, old friend," said Trakinor as he smiled smugly, "you of all of our kind should know that."
"What's Grekor's problem?" Orkal asked Ikura in a hushed tone, "It's like he wants to kill that Darkwind guy more than he wants to kill the Keyblade Brats."
"You really are an idiot," said Ikura, "Trakinor Darkwind is among the top dark magic users in our whole species, and is one level higher than Grekor. I don't know all the details, but Trakinor betrayed Grekor at some point in the past and got the higher rank. Grekor swore he'd kill Trakinor and has been biding his time. I'm surprised that Trakinor has been taking this assignment with such a cool head. If I were partnered with the man who swore to kill me, I'd be sweating bullets."
"Maybe he doesn't sweat at all," said Orkal.
"And here I thought you couldn't be any dumber," said an annoyed Ikura.
"So," said Trakinor in a cheerful yet vicious tone, "how soon until we catch up with our quarry?"
"The trail is getting fresher," said a lesser Hakonian at the sensor terminal, "estimated time to encounter…three minutes."
"In which case we'd better get ready," said Grekor in a more serious tone, "inform all our ships to prepare for battle the instant we return to normal space."
"Receiving transmission from Commander Heinz," said the Hakonian at the communications terminal.
"On screen," said Ikura.
The forward view screen showed an irate Commander Heinz on the bridge of the lead Gamilus ship, "This had better work, Hakonians. My men and I are in enough trouble with Lord Desler as it is."
"And we're in hot water with Maleficent," said Ikura, "both our peoples' heads are on the block. Our lives depend on the outcome of this mission."
"We've got more to lose," said Orkal, "if we go back without killing those Keyblade brats, we're going to be tortured to death."
"That's assuming you survive defeat," said Commander Heinz, "with those who fly the flag of Gamilus, even if we die in battle, win or lose, we still die honorably. But to return home defeated but alive is the greatest shame. Lord Desler will have us disgraced and have our families share that disgrace. So this time, it's all or nothing for my men and I. Either we return home victorious, or we will not return home at all."
"In that case," said Grekor, "I wish you victory. May your honor be preserved either way."
"And yours as well," said Commander Heinz, "your people and mine have the potential of becoming mighty allies. All of existence could be ours."
"It may be yet," said Ikura.
"Maybe," said Commander Heinz, "good hunting!" With that the transmission ended.
"What ruthless savages you've found, Grekor," said Trakinor.
"At least they know where they stand with the darkness," said Grekor, "they're worthy of being our friends. What about you? Made any friends lately?"
"Friendship is for the weak," said Trakinor, "all that matters in the long run is power, and finding new means to acquire it."
"If you two are going to fight," said Ikura, "do it later. We've got a battle to win soon, so if you've got problems, sit on them until after we win."
"I have no qualms with waiting," said Trakinor, "but can't speak for you, old friend."
"Just remember to watch your back during the battle," said an irate Grekor, "after all, accidents happen."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Trakinor.
The combined Hakonian/Gamilua/Heartless armada then exited hyperspace and approached the Micandor system.
"I have the enemy on scanners!" said one of the lesser Hakonians, "they…they're just sitting there in orbit around the fifth planet of the system."
"There are signs of heavy fighting around the fifth and fourth planets," said another lesser Hakonians, "and the sixth and seventh planets have had their Keyholes opened."
"The local Heartless?" Ikura asked.
"Possibly," said the lesser Hakonian, "though there are no signs of Heartless on scanners, it is possible that both The Keybalde Wielders and The Yamato fought them."
"And wore themselves out," said the other lesser Hakonian, "scans reveal that both ships are low on energy and are recharging."
"Then let's destroy them now!" shouted Orkal, "now before they realize we're here!"
"Wait!" said one of the lesser Hakonians at the scanner stations, "there's another ship in the system…and it's a big one!"
"Show me!" said Grekor. An image of the large machine approaching The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart was put on the forward view screen.
"What is that thing?" Orkal asked.
A side window showing Commander Heinz appeared on the forward view screen, "are your scanners showing the same thing as ours?" he asked, "are you seeing that giant ship? What is it?"
"I don't know," said Ikura.
The giant machine stopped several kilometers from both ships and then locked onto them with tractor beams. "It looks like someone else has beaten us to the punch," said Trakinor.
"They've got us in a tractor beam!" said Sidney.
"Can we break free?" Sora asked.
"With what power?" Aiden asked.
"We still can't maneuver either," said Shima.
"Even if we could," said Sanada, "we wouldn't have the power; it'll take a Warp to break out of the tractor beams, and even then it that may not be enough."
"What now?" Kairi asked.
"If they really wanted us dead," said Tess, "they could have killed us ten times over by now. No, they want us alive for some reason, an evil reason, but a reason nonetheless."
"Well, things can't get any worse," said Kodai.
"It just did," said Aiden as he saw the sensor data, "there's dozens of Hakonian and Gamilus ships coming towards us, and they've got tones of Heartless!"
"Confirmed!" said Yuki, "they're coming right for us!"
"As if the frying pan was thrown right into the oven," said Captain Okita.
"SCANNERS REPORT ADDITIONAL INTRUDERS IN THE SYSTEM!" said the second Dalek, "THE INTRUDERS ARE COMPOSED OF TWO DIFFERENT STARSHIP DESIGNES."
"HALF THE INTRUDERS COINSIDE WITH THE LOCAL SPACE FAIRING RACE KNOWN AS GAMILUS," said the fourth Dalek.
"THE OTHER RACE IS UNFAMILIAR," said the second Dalek, "BUT THEIR SHIPS ARE SURROUNDED WITH HEARTLESS."
"EXCELENT," said the first DALEK, "WE WILL TAKE CONTROL OF THOSE HEARTLESS AND ADD THEM TO OUR OWN."
"WAIT!" said the fifth Dalek, "SCANNERS HAVE IDENTIFIED THE ENERGY SIGNATURE OF THE SECOND INTRUDER RACE AS HAKONIAN."
"HAKONIANS!" the first Dalek shouted, "THE RACE THAT DARED TO DEFY THE DALEKS! THEY MUST BE EXTERMINATED! IMEDIATELY!"
"WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OBLITERATOR MISSILES READY AT THIS TIME," said the third Dalek, "BATTLE COMPUTER SUGGESTS THAT WE TAKE THE INITIAL INTRUDERS AND WITHDRAW."
"THE HAKONIANS WERE THE ONLY RACE OTHER THAN THE TIME LORDS AND MOVELLANS WHO POSSESSED TECHNOLOGY CAPABLE OF DEFEATING US IN OPEN BATTLE," said the fifth DALEK, "THEY DEFIED OTHER RACES AND SURVIVED. ONLY THE ONCOMMING STORM, THE DOCTOR,WAS ABLE TO DEFEAT THEM. WE SHOULD RETREET NOW."
"NO!" shouted the first Dalek, "DALEKS DO NOT RETREET! WE WILL AVENGE OUR FALLEN COMRADES HERE AND NOW!"
"HOW?" the fourth Dalek asked.
"WE TURN THEIR HEARTLESS AGAINST THEM," said the fifth Dalek, "WE TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEARTLESS AND MAKE THEM DESTROY THE INTRUDERS, BOTH HAKONIAN AND GAMILUS."
"GAMILUS HAS BEEN DECLAIRED A LOW PRIORITY THREAT TO OUR SURVIVAL," said the second Dalek.
"THEY SEALED THEIR FATES WHEN THEY SIDED WITH OUR ENEMIES," said the first Dalek, "TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEARTLESS! DESTROY THEM ALL! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"
"Something's happening with that machine," said Ikura as she looked at the sensor data, "it looks like it's opening up.
The view screen showed a large hatch opening, revealing a large UFO-type ship, much like the ones used as weapons platforms, but slightly smaller and faster. The ship hurtled out towards the combined armadas.
"What kind of ship is that?" Commander Heinz asked.
"Wait," said Grekor, "run an atomic composition scan on that ship. What is it made of?"
"Running scan now," said the lesser Hakonian at the sensor station, "it's made of…by the everlasting darkness! It's made of Dalekanium!"
"Dalekanium!" exclaimed Ikura, a horrified look on her face, "then that means…"
"That giant machine," said a visibly frightened Grekor, "it belongs to The Daleks!"
"Impossible!" snapped Trakinor, "The Daleks were all destroyed in The Last Great Time War by The Time Lords themselves."
"What are Daleks?" Commander Heinz asked.
"Believe me," said a trembling Orkal, "you don't wanna know."
"That machine is made of the same alloy the weapon platforms were made of, Captain," said Sanada, "it's strong enough to withstand all but the strongest of energy blasts. I'm afraid that only a shot from The Wave Motion Gun or what The Intrepid Heart used could destroy that machine."
"Keep trying to figure out another option, Sanada," said Captain Okita, "we're not finished yet."
"At least they're distracted by the other guys," said Sora, "I thought I'd never be glad to see the Hakonians."
"And I thought I'd never be glad to see Gamilus," said Kodai.
"Hang on," said Sidney, "I'm picking up a carrier signal being broadcast by that smaller ship the bigger machine just spat out. It's being directed towards the enemy armada."
"Are they trying to communicate with the Hakonians and Gamilus?" Riku asked.
"No," said Sidney, "the signal…it's being focused on The Heartless. I think…yes! This carrier signal is how the local Heartless are being controlled!"
"Wait!" said Yuki, "there's a secondary signal being broadcast with the first one, as if it's a subliminal message. It's in a computer language."
"Attempting to translate," said Analyzer.
"I've already translated it, you rust bucket," said Sidney, "I'll put it on audio now."
Everyone aboard both The Yamato and The Intrepid Heart were both chilled and horrified by what they heard next…
"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"
The Hakonians had also heard the second signal, "if that's not proof that The Daleks still exist," said Grekor to Trakinor, "then I don't know what is."
"So they're Daleks," said an unconcerned Trakinor, "we know their weaknesses from the last time they tried to conquer us."
"Just what are Daleks?" Commander Heinz asked.
"Mutated abominations inside mechanical death machines," said Ikrua, "capable of feeling only hate towards all things not like them. They tried to destroy us, but we drove them from our empire. This was before the final collapse of our empire, before we were forced to become nomads."
"But how come there's Daleks here if they were all destroyed?" Orkal asked.
"We'll find out how they survived The Time War," said Trakinor, "assuming there's any of them left after we're done with them. Order all ships to target the approaching warship and destroy it."
"Don't argue with him," Ikura said to Grekor, "he's in Maleficent's favor right now, so don't give him a reason to make things worse for us."
"As long as he remembers just who's mission this is," said Ikura. He then spoke to the lesser Hakonians at the weapons control station, "all ships! Target and fire!"
"All Gamilus ships!" said Commander Heinz, "target and fire!"
The combined armada opened fire on the approaching Dalek ship, yet all their energy blasts and missiles bounced off of the shields of the Dalek ship.
"It would appear that they've improved their defenses since they last encountered us," said Trakinor.
"They must have adapted to our technology as well," said Commander Heinz, "I suggest that we redeploy the armada in defensive formation. If these Daleks are as ruthless as you say they are, then we should show caution."
"Master Grekor!" exclaimed one of the lesser Hakonians at the sensor stations, "that carrier signal being broadcasted by The Daleks, it's affecting our Heartless!"
"Effecting them how?" Grekor asked.
Just then the tactical display of the armada showed several hundred Heartless attacking one of the Hakonian ships, destroying it.
"What in the seven hells?" exclaimed Orkal.
"They've taken control of our Heartless!" shouted Ikura as another Hakonian ship was destroyed by The Heartless. Just then one of the Gamilus ships was attacked and destroyed as well.
"The Heartless are going after the engines of the ships," said one of the lesser Hakonians, "they're ignoring the crews of the ships and concentrating on destroying the ships themselves."
"You Hakonian bastards!" shouted an outraged Commander Heinz as another Gamilus ship was destroyed, "you've betrayed us!"
"Well of course you've been betrayed," said Trakinor in a nonchalant tone, "but not by the Hakonians."
"You," said Grekor in an accusing tone to Trakinor, "you did this! You lead us to The Daleks!"
"Not necessarily," said Trakinor, "you were right about this particular Hakonian being dead," his body them morphed into a demon with three eyes, pale yellow shin and elongated limbs that ended with claws, "I just happened to be borrowing his image in order to get inside New Hollow Bastion."
"You're one of those demons that's been nosing around the worlds," said Ikura.
"Exactly," said the demon, "and I'm glad to say that what my fellow demons and I are looking for isn't on New Hollow Bastion."
"What is it that you're looking for?" Grekor asked.
"That our dirty little secret," said the demon, "but while it's not on New Hollow Bastion, Maleficent may be the one to give it to us, assuming she's willing to negotiate a fair price. She can get what we need, so we will give her what she needs."
"The Uridium," said Ikura, "you're here to sabotage us so you demons can give the Uridium to Maleficent!"
"Precisely," said the demon, "I was going to simply disable the defenses of the armadas so The Keyblade Wielders could destroy you, but I must admit that running into The Daleks, improbable as it is, is far too great an opportunity to pass up."
"So you had nothing to do with bringing us to The Daleks?" Orkal asked.
"Nothing what so ever," said the demon, "they just happened to be here at the right time, and now it seems that they'll destroy The Keyblade Wielders, as well as you. Well…not all of The Keyblade Wielders. There's something in their possession that we need, something, or should I say someone, that I will have to take before The Daleks destroy them."
"What or who is it that the brats have that you want?" Ikura asked.
"I told you before," said the demon, "that's my dirty little secret." It grinned viciously, "and now I have to leave."
"You're not going anywhere!" snapped Orkal.
"As if you could stop me," said the demon. It then teleported out.
"Masters!" shouted one of the Hakonians, "nearly all of our ships have been destroyed by The Heartless, including the mining ships!"
"So many of our people, dead," said Ikura in a defeated tone, "and the Uridium, all gone."
Just then Commander Heinz spoke, "I just transmitted an emergency signal to Gamilus, warning Lord Desler of the situation. I'm sure that if I'm still alive when he sends the reply, he won't be happy with me," several consoles on the bridge of the Gamilus command ship exploded, "but know this, Hakonians, you are no longer welcome in this universe. If ever your people cross paths with Gamilus again, you will not be shown mercy." More and more explosions occurred on the command ship bridge and the signal cut out.
"The Gamilus command ship has been destroyed!" said one of the lesser Hakonians, "their entire armada has been wiped out!"
"How many of our ships are left!" Grekor asked.
"Just our ship, Master Grekor," said the lesser Hakonian, "our shields are failing and…"
Just then several explosions rocked the ship as the shields failed and The Heartless began damaging the engines.
"Abandon ship!" shouted Grekor, "all hands to escape pods!"
"Good gods!" said Aiden as our heroes saw the destruction of the combined armada, "destroyed by their own creatures."
"Whoever's on that giant machine must be pure evil," said Kairi.
"I told you we should have left while we had the chance!" said Tess.
"Getting upset won't get us our of here," said Kodai.
"Well I'm open for suggestions," said Tess.
"Somehow we've got to break free of those tractor beams," said Shima.
"Leave that to my men and I," said Group Captain Quartrane.
"No," said Captain Okita, "you've done enough for us. I fear that if you or any of your people try to help us, you'll be destroyed for sure."
"But that machine came here to destroy us all!" said Group Captain Quartrane, "and now it just destroyed those other guys."
"And right now it seems to have forgotten about Micandor IV and V," said Captain Okita.
"He's right," said Sora, "that thing is focused on us. Maybe we can do something that will make it leave you alone."
"After the way it nearly incinerated the two worlds?" Quartrane asked, "after it just wiped out that armada? I don't think anyone's safe."
"Wait," said Sidney, "my long range scanners are picking up several escape pods from the Hakonian ships."
"I hope they're alright," said Kairi, "they may be our enemies, but they still deserve a chance to live."
"What about Gamilus escape pods?" Yuki asked.
"Sorry," said Sidney, "all I'm getting from their ships is wreckage. Wait…oh no…The Heartless are going after the escape pods!"
"Just who the hell are these bastards in that machine!" Tess asked.
"DESTRUCTION OF GAMILUS FORCES COMPLETE," said the second Dalek, "DESTRUCTION OF HAKONIAN FORCES NEARLY COMPLETE. ALL THAT REMAINS IS THE ANNIHILATION OF THEIR ESCAPE PODS."
"RECOVER ONE OF THE ESCAPE PODS," said the first Dalek, "BRING THEM HERE. WE MUST DISCOVER WHERE THE REST OF THE HAKNONIANS ARE."
"TRASNMISSION SHIP ACTIVATING TRACTOR BEAM," said the third Dalek, "ESCAPE POD CAPTURED. WILL RETURN TO MOTHERSHIP IN TWENTY RHELLS."
"BRING IN THE TWO INTRUDER SHIPS," said the first Dalek, "THEY WILL BE STUDIED BEFORE THEY ARE EXTERMINATED."
"RETRACTING TRACTOR BEAMS," said the third Dalek, "THEY WILL REACH THE DOCKING HATCHES IN TWO RHELLS."
"WHAT OF THE TWO REMAINING WORLDS IN THIS SYSTEM?" the fourth Dalek asked.
"THEY WILL BE EXTERMINATED IN DUE TIME," said the first Dalek, "THEY ARE OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE. WHEN A NEW SET OF OBLITERATOR MISSILES IS READY, THE TWO WORLDS WILL BE DESTROYED. BUT FOR NOW WE WILL FOCUS ON THE INTRUDERS."
"WE OBEY!" said the other four Daleks.
Just then the ship shook and our heroes nearly fell out of their seats, "They're reeling us in!" shouted Aiden, "their tractor beams are pulling both our ship and The Yamato towards that machine!"
"Kodai!" shouted Captain Okita, "Weapons status!"
"Still offline, Captain!" said Kodai.
"Captain!" said Chief Tokugawa, "that tractor beam is interfering with the Wave Motion Engine. We're not recharging at all!'
"Power levels in our engine are still down also!" said Sidney, "even if they let us go now, we still can't go anywhere!"
"Just say the word and we'll take care of that blasted machine!" exclaimed Group Captain Quartrane.
"Don't!" said Sora, "we'll be alright. Just focus on keeping your people safe."
At that time the tractor beams had brought The Intrepid Heart and The Yamato alongside the giant machine. Airlocks extended out from the machine and forced themselves onto both ships.
"They've established docking seals," said Sidney, "I'm reading a breathable atmosphere on the other side of the airlock."
"We're receiving a transmission from the machine," said Yuki.
Everyone on both ships then heard the same emotionless mechanical voice, "REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH INTRUDER SHIPS WILL PROCEED TO COMMAND CENTER AT ONCE. FAILURE TO OBEY WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE EXTERMINATION OF BOTH SHIPS AND THEIR CREWS. YOU HAVE FIVE RHELLS TO COMPLY."
"Sounds like they want to meet us," said Goofy.
"It's a trap!" said Donald, "I just know it!"
"It may be a trap," said Sanada, "but then, knowing that there is a trap is the first step in avoiding it. Captain, I suggest we take up our hosts gracious invitation, but we proceed with caution, and armed of course."
"Agreed," said Captain Okita, "Kodai! Yuki! Shima! Analyzer! We will go with several security officers and meet our 'hosts.'"
"Yes, Captain!" said Kodai, Shima and Yuki.
"We'd better go as well," said Sora, "Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, we'll meet our hosts as well."
"What about us?" Tess asked, "why can't we go with you?"
"Not to seem like a coward," said Aiden, "but I'm sure there's a good reason you picked me to stay."
"You're the only one who can identify the remaining Princesses of Heart," said Riku, "and Tess…well… I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"Why Riku," said a smiling Tess, "I didn't know you cared so much."
"I guess I do care," said a blushing Riku.
"Worry about that when we get back," said Kairi, "and we will get back."
"But while we're gone," said Sora, "Sidney, I need you to try to get inside the enemy's computer again. We've got to break free of that tractor beam and restore our engine and The Wave Motion Engine; both us and The Yamato are helpless until our power is restored."
"I'll do what I can," said Sidney, "but in case this doesn't work out for any of us, I'd like to say that working with you Keyblade guys, it's been a blast."
"It's been great working with you too," said Sora.
"Super awesome," said Kairi.
"Super-califragilistic-expialidocious," said Riku. At that everyone laughed.
"YOU NOW HAVE FOUR RHELLS TO EXIT YOUR SHIPS AND PROCEED TO THE COMMAND CENTER. FAILURE TO OBEY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXTERMINATION!"
"We'd better not keep them waiting," said Riku, "they sound serious."
"They've been serious since we got here," said Kodai.
"We'll meet you on the other side, Sora," said Captain Okita, "whatever that side may hold. Good luck."
"The same for you, Captain," said Sora.
Just then Group Captain Quartrane's voice could be heard on the com line, "my men and I are going to hold back and wait. If it looks like you're going to try and get away, we'll rush in and help in any way we can, regardless of the cost. You've done so much for my people, and the people of Micandor IV."
"The only way you can repay us is by living," said Kairi.
"Well," said Group Captain Quartrane, "we can try, that's just about as best anyone can do. Either way, good luck."
"And to you," said Sora. With that the com link ended.
"Nice guy," said Tess, "if we get out of this intact, I'd like to meet him."
"I'd like that as well," said Riku, "we'll all get to meet them, all of us. I am coming back from this, Tess Thatcher. You and I have unfinished business."
"That we do, Riku," said Tess, "that we do."
"YOU NOW HAVE THREE RHELLS TO EXIT YOUR SHIPS AND PROCEED TO THE COMMAND CENTER. FAILURE TO OBEY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXTERMINATION OF BOTH SHIPS!"
"We're coming already!" said an irate Kodai, "keep your pants on!"
"We shouldn't keep them waiting," said Sora, "let's go."
"Kick their asses if you get the chance!" said Aiden as Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy left the bridge and proceeded to the airlock.
"It'll be our pleasure," said Riku as they stood in front of the airlock. It opened, revealing the interior of the enemy machine. With their heads held high, Sora and the others walked into the machine, with the airlock closing up after them.
"I'll give them five minutes," said Tess to Aiden, "then we're going after them."
"You heard what Sora said," said Aiden, "he told us to stay with the ship."
"He told you to stay because you've got stuff in your head that's dangerous to the wrong people," said Tess, "and Riku, I think he likes me, and I kinda like him. But that's beside the point. Our friends are walking into a trap, and I'm not going to sit here and wait."
"Well what are you going to do about it?" Sidney asked, "I'm doing everything I can to get inside the enemy's computer without them knowing I'm there. It could take hours before I can free The Intrepid Heart and The Yamato, let alone how much longer to restore power to both ships."
"You just worry about getting the ships operational again," said Tess, "I'll worry about saving our friends."
"And how are you going to do that?" Aiden asked.
At that Tess smiled mischievously, "my dear Aiden Mackenzie, have you ever wondered what it's like to be invisible?"
The end of chapter 7.
Next chapter find our heroes and allies finally coming face to face with The Daleks, while at the same time we lean what it is that the demons want. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!