This was just before Markowski sent his transmission to Calhoun.
"Umm.. So how to do this, I wonder," Ashley said worriedly, "We don't have any sort of transportation ready yet, and walking will be impossible."
"Whaddaya mean? You got here just fine, didn't you?" Vanellope pointed out. Are you just being lazy?
"It's a bit different," Ashley said softly, "These wires would instantly kill a game character if they ever came into direct contact. I'm not made of pixels like you guys, we surges are made of electricity, the very thing that will kill you if you step out into the outlet unprotected."
"Well I've got my cruiser," Calhoun said confidently, "Vanellope and I will just fly there." You can lead the way so we don't get lost.
Ashely shook her head and said, "It wouldn't keep you safe from the electricity arcing around inside.." Come on, Ashley think. You were trained for this.. There has to be some- "Oh! We can use that, yeah.. If I use my force field to bend the arcs away from us.." If we were walking it would be impossible, because I would run out of stamina too fast to keep it up the entire way. Plus the extra electricity.. But with her cruiser.. This just might work!
Calhoun took the cruiser that was resting on her back and set it down. It was a bit small for three people.
"I'm going to need some space to do this, Ashley said sheepishly, "Can you hold Ms. Vanellope for the trip?" Sorry, I know it's awkward to ask..
"What?! What am I, a child?" Vanellope asked in an annoyed tone. Well actually.. She sighed in frustration. "Oh.. Well just this once, but don't get any ideas, alright!" I don't want to be seen being carried around like a little kid after a long day. It's different with Ralph..
Calhoun picked Vanellope up and held her in her arms, with Vanellope's legs wrapped around her for support. They were mortified. Luckily for them, Ashley was the only one who could see them in this condition.
Vanellope and Calhoun were synchronized in their thoughts on the matter. We might have to shut her up later..
"Ma'am, we've got a problem," Markowski's voice rang out from Calhoun's radio. She let go of Vanellope with one hand to take her radio out. Luckily there was no video feed present at the time, otherwise this would have been a nightmare come true.
"What is it Markowski? If this is another bad dream, I'll have you on toilet detail," Calhoun said firmly. What is it this time?
There was a slight bump. A particularly strong arc of electricity pushed them to the side a bit. Ashley was trying her best to keep them stable, with difficulty. Her hands were extended above and below, keeping a spherical force field around them which prevented the power from turning Calhoun and Vanellope into nothing. This is harder than I thought it would be.. Please let us make it in time..
"Much worse, ma'am. I'll explain later, but someone has been messing with our code," Markowski said, "I'm doing my best to fix it, but I think it would be best if you have a look yourself."
Calhoun let it sink in for a moment and said, "Stay put and don't let anyone else in, I'm already on my way." How would he of all people find out about something like that? And why is he there already before even contacting me about it? She shook her head. No.. He may be an idiot, but he knows better than to do anything to hurt our game. And he did tell me about it, albeit a bit later than he should have.
"Sounds like someone's gone Turbo," Vanellope said seriously as she squeezed closer into Calhoun. I hope this Markowski guy is able to fix whatever got messed up.. I know better than anyone what it's like to have your life ruined by some guy messing around in code rooms. 15 years living alone in a volcano, being rejected by people who were meant to be my friends, chased by people who were meant to be my guards.. I'm just glad I have Ralph now..
The three finally got to Game Station West. By then all of the games had their signs fixed up.
Alex had gone through the trouble of entering a few games himself, as there didn't seem to be anyone entering or leaving them. He wasn't too worried about that, however, as he understood the situation as noted from private Marco, the soldier he had met before.
Alex zipped over in a flash as soon as he heard the alarm set off as Calhoun and Vanellope arrived.
Vanellope was no longer being carried, much to her relief. Tammy is oddly comfortable despite wearing all that armor. I almost fell asleep. She can forget about me ever saying that though.
"Quite risky, coming through like that," Alex said in a serious tone, "Luckily it seems you got through safely." What would you have told the Source if they had died as a result?
"Sorry!" Ashley pleaded. I know it's against our training to put game characters at risk like this, but if I didn't help them they would have tried anyway and they really would have gotten themselves killed..
"Don't apologize," Calhoun said firmly as she took a step forward and crossed her arms, "We're the ones at fault here."
"I.. I've got to hurry back," Ashley said nervously, "I'm sure my colleague can help you find your game." She almost instantly zipping back to Game Station East.
Alex didn't hear, since he was distracted, but an alarm went off at Hero's Duty as Spears chased the man in the blue jumpsuit out, and into Sugar Rush 2.
"Sorry about before, I'm sure that you have your reasons," Alex said while composing himself, "I'm Alex Belkin.. If I can just have your full names and where you're headed, you're free to go." I'm just legitimately curious what was so important that you had to risk dying to get here so soon..
"Belkin?" Calhoun said inquisitively while looking back at the exit, "She your sister?"
"Ah, no, about that.. It's the brand name," Alex said, "We use brands as last names to identify where we work, usually when dealing with other surges." It's just a formality, really.
"I'm Vanellope von Schweetz," Vanellope said as she hastily began listing off the requested information, "and she's Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun. We're going to Hero's Duty. Can we go now?" Ralph needs my help. We don't have time for this. And then there's also Tammy's game in danger.
"Hmm.. I already have a Vanellope von Schweetz listed here," Alex said confusedly, looking through papers on his clipboard.
"Huh?" Vanellope asked in confusion, "There's only one of me.." Is.. Is someone pretending to be me? The person who messed with Hero's Duty?
"Kid, look up at the sign over there," Calhoun said plainly as she pointed, "Sugar Rush 2." I never would have guessed that the game Litwak got was a sequel to Sugar Rush. I couldn't see it from Sugar Rush's console at all. Litwak just had to be so secretive about it..
Vanellope's heart fluttered as the excitement mounted inside her. N-no.. Ralph comes first. She shook her head. "I'm from the first Sugar Rush," Vanellope said as calmly as she could. What am I like in the sequel, I wonder? I don't feel like asking this guy. We're wasting time here.. I'll find out soon enough. I really want to take a look right now, but when I find Ralph and snap him out of his daze we can check it out together! That's definitely the best way to go, yeah..
"Of course, thank you for your cooperation," Alex said with a smile. I can tell that I will only make people annoyed if I continue with questions like this.. At least I don't have to warn them since Ms. Calhoun here is wearing similar armor. "By the way, a Felix, Ralph, and William have already gone inside." At least I'm pretty sure Ralph must have gone back inside. I didn't notice him get up..