Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
The Invasion – Chapter 037
Originally Written: Friday, October 30, 2015 to 1122PM to Saturday October 31, 2015 310AM
. . . . .
"Commander Katou will be taking my place for the period that I'm gone." Ryo had said before leaving with Takato and Rika. "Follow her instructions as you would my own."
It left Albedo wondering just how Jeri managed to be that good of a leader. He wondered if the other Tamers knew about this. Ryo had said it when none of them were there. Jeri had only looked at him with golden eyes, just barely long enough for him to notice and suddenly he had his answer.
D-Reaper's main general would know how to lead, wouldn't it? He wondered if the Plumbers liked her management. They seemed calm enough, but he imagined ADR-01 would be the type to send people to their deaths. Didn't Plumbers pretty much sign up to do that anyway? Running into someone like Vilgax pretty much guaranteed some form of what Kazu would call 'an asswhooping'.
He followed Rose and her squad through Safehouse Three's upper halls. Jeri walked beside him, dressed in a gaudy, yellow, blue and green tye dyed skirt and a white short sleeved top. While he walked silently for the most part, her heeled black boots clicked loudly accompanying the sound of everyone else's footsteps. Albedo hoped her outfit had blinded a few Incurseans when she headed here.
His alien comrades followed them quickly. Paradox calmly walked next to Albedo on his right. Albedo wondered if anyone noticed him and decided not to say anything or if they actually were unable to see him for some reason. Then he wondered if Paradox actually had something to contribute or if he just wanted to see the behind the scenes actions. The Time Walker seemed most preoccupied with his pocket watch, seemingly focused on his own schedule, no one else knew.
The Plumbers led Albedo to a room full of computer surveillance equipment.
"Kazu and Kenta will be joining us later." Jeri spoke up cheerfully. "For now, it's just us. Rose will guard the door. Akari will be assisting Albedo and myself with surveillance. Yckat will guard the window." Jeri took a moment to eye his tail.
Yckat nodded nervously, and wrapped his tail around one of his legs.
Jeri smiled as she pressed her fingers together and in those heels, somehow managed to rock back and forth on her feet. "Haiphen will be in charge of guarding the Necroffrigian, Vaxasaurian and the Methanosian." Jeri looked back at Fridge, Hugh and Swamps respectively. "Please don't cross me."
Albedo looked at her. That glare was almost as good as his own.
"Course not, human." Swamps folded his arms.
"Do you always get offended at Plumber protocols, Swamps?" Jeri sang as she ushered Albedo and the others inside.
Albedo knew he was scowling. "She means no insult. Plumber records wouldn't have your names," he spoke calmly, "since you've never been in their custody."
Albedo took a seat at one of the computers. He placed a headset over his head and adjusted the microphone attachment. Chairs squeaked as others sat down.
"Okay." Swamps spoke, in a rare moment of compliance.
"If Incurseans attack us, feel free to barbecue one." Jeri spoke as she spun quickly in a swivel chair.
Albedo openly smirked, typing at a moderately fast speed as he opened and set up programs on his computer. He heard weapons click and hum as the Plumbers rechecked their weapons.
More of Ryo's words swirled through Albedo's mind as he worked. "Hm. My receivers and transmitters are working as expected." He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
"For now." Haiphen commented.
"Unfortunately. They are not pieces built with peak performance, despite having peak performance in mind." Albedo reluctantly agreed with the spiky haired plumber.
"We worked with what we had." Rose's voice echoed from the doorway.
Albedo gave her a look, confused. She stood with her back to him, keeping watch on the halls as ordered. Albedo looked back at the screen. Kazu and Kenta with their respective digimon were to provide the main distraction for the others going ahead of them. So far they came across no opposition.
Albedo took a deep yet silent breath, 'What did Ryo mean by "Attempt to contact Jenrya."? I don't have any means to do so.' He folded his hands as he thought, 'I doubt he has his D-Terminal on him after all this time.'
"Can you guys hear me?" Jeri asked.
"Loud and clear." Ryo and Cyberdramon, as Justimon, whispered their reply. The others soon gave their own affirmative reactions.
"I'm honestly surprised at the crispness in sound." Albedo murmured into his microphone.
"Skills." Kazu whispered.
Albedo leaned back in his seat, smug. The group fell silent. The outside world around Ryo and the others seemed loud in his ears.
"Not one Incursean over in that area." Akari looked at a map free of dots on his computer screen. "I hope they weren't expecting them."
"Bullfrag is quite the wildcard." Jeri commented, "We only know his fighting style, not how he works behind the scenes."
"Unfortunately," Albedo narrowed his eyes, 'Behind the scenes...' He tapped his fingers against the desk. His eyes widened. 'Juggernaut! He wants me to contact Jenrya via Juggernaut? That is too dangerous. We cannot risk Jenrya, Ryo!' Albedo clenched his fist, 'Why would you request that of me?'
He had to admit that it would be nice to speak to Jenrya, but certainly not at the risk of giving the silver eyed male away to the Incurseans. As confident as he was sitting here, he worried of an attack on Terriermon knocking him out. He had no clue how he'd explain it to anyone, let alone Plumbers.
'Unable to bridge connection.'
Albedo jumped, knocking his arm into the keyboard.
"Nervous, eh?" Haiphen sat on his left, giving him an odd look.
"Would you not be?" Jeri spoke.
"Well, I'd rather not have the planner nervous about his own plan."
"I'm not nervous." Albedo snapped. He glared at the computer screen. 'This is ridiculous.' He shifted his eyes.
Haiphen rolled his chair back so he was once again close to Swamps, Hugh and Fridge.
'Juggernaut.' He thought as though he were silently calling someone.
'You already have access to my program.' A dull version of Jenrya's voice replied to Albedo in his own mind.
Albedo blinked, staring at the screen. 'How is...No.' He shook his head. 'As much as I'd like to know, knowing how you are within my being, in an advanced form at that, is not top priority.'
As Kazu and Kenta ran into a small square of Incurseans, Akari murmured, "Showtime."
'Are...' He refrained from pinching the bridge of his nose, 'Clarify unable to bridge connection?'
'Either not enough resources are available or the connection is being blocked.' The program's dull voice replied.
It took Albedo strength he was not sure he had to not dash out the room as though he were exiting as Mr. Smoothy. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he was on the cusp of one of the strong shivers that follow a few moments of every nerve in your body being on edge. He shuddered a short moment later.
'Designation Benjamin Kirby Tennyson is not behind our person.'
'Shut up.' Albedo mentally snapped, 'I know that.' He continued. In the background, Jeri told someone that something was 'Their discretion.'
"Bullfrag is headed right for you, Andromon. Hightail it out of there!" Akari warned.
'Can you determine how the connection is being blocked?' Albedo questioned.
'Unable to determine cause of blockade. Distance or outside interference may both be factors.' Juggernaut's dull voice very much unnerved him, he admitted to himself. He ignored it for a long while, watching Kazu and Kenta backtrack as Bullfrag lost them.
"He isn't even concerned with them. Cocky imbecile." Albedo murmured. "I assume he has a feeling that Attea isn't looking for their capture." Albedo caught a figure standing on his left. He turned his head.
Rose stood stiffly, holding out her blaster.
Albedo looked at her, bored.
"Take it." She snapped.
He took the blaster, silent. He set it on his lap. He looked at her again. "What do I owe your hospitality for, your highness?"
"Don't think I won't take it back." She folded her arms, "You need a defense in case things go sour. One that keeps the Incurseans far away from assuming you're Ben Tennyson wearing a wig and contacts."
"Hm." Albedo turned to face his computer.
Jeri gave her blaster to Rose, speaking softly about showing the Incurseans what a Reaper is capable of. Albedo held in a shudder. Rose returned to the doorway.
"I did not realize Sakuyamon held similar speed capabilities as Renamon does." He watched Sakuyamon set down a pulse charge apparatus in front of one of Hypnos' entrances. The pulse would take down the shielding and security set around the building and the entry point long enough for Sakuyamon to get inside, but not long enough for the Incurseans to notice any gaps in their security.
"Sakuyamon aren't normally that fast, but Rika and Renamon worked hard to attain such speeds." Jeri spoke.
"Sakuyamon's got to have that speed to keep up with Justimon." Yckat chimed in, a bit of a purr to his voice.
"She keeps up with ease by the way." Rose spoke harshly. "You will return that blaster to me when the Incurseans are gone."
"Of course." Albedo leaned forward against the table.
Sakuyamon picked up the spent charge and walked into the building with seconds to spare. She disposed of the two guards just as quickly in complete silence and avoided her heels clicking against Hypnos' tiled floor.
"Separate from each other." Albedo commented, noticing that they were about to continue as Sakuyamon. He eyed the blaster hooked on her back.
"Right." The mega digimon murmured, a strong, feminine mixture of Rika and Renamon. The duo deactivated their biomerge form. Rika caught the Plumber weapon. Renamon nodded to her as she handed the rookie digimon the charge and her digivice.
"One will look for Terriermon and Henry. The other will open access to the Digital World." Akari commented. "Separated they have less chance of both being caught. With Renamon holding onto Rika's digivice, if Rika's caught, Attea won't have more evidence for the Digital World's existence."
"Precisely." Albedo spoke, "Renamon's speed difference from the Incurseans and her stealth means the odds of her getting caught are nonexistent, to a point. He directed his eyes to another screen where Attea herself snapped at Bullfrog to take down Gallantmon already. Gallantmon stayed far away from the tall Incursean, playing a game of cat and mouse with the alien.
"Rika, stop." Jeri tapped at her screen. "On her right, Albedo."
Albedo looked at his screen.
Rika looked at an odd machine hooked up to Plumber computers. "That looks like one of those signal things you mentioned."
"Yes, that's a signal jammer. Earth's Plumber technology is a bit too primitive for them to understand in some ways. It is easier for them to block portions of it than take them out completely."
"Like the Plumber communication systems?" Kazu whispered. He and Kenta currently hid in an alley. Their digimon guarded the opening.
"Yes, Renamon, be sure to take out any guards that sneak up on her." Albedo knew he wouldn't get a response, but trusted that she heard anyway. "The small panel on its side. You should be able to pull that off, Rika."
He watched her do as told.
"There's a control panel in there, yes?"
He watched his view shift from seeing Rika fully, to Rika partially and the inside of the structure. He instructed Rika through getting past the control panel and deactivating the piece of machinery such that it still looked as though it were functioning. "Alright, go locate Jenrya or Terriermon, Renamon. Make sure nothing is off in appearance, Rika."
Rika looked annoyed, but she thumbs up'd at him.
"You may have to go hide earlier than anticipated." He watched Rika sneak past Incursean guards talking loudly.
'Feedback loop generated.' Jeri spoke cheerfully.
Albedo winced as Justimon called out in surprise and pain. Humans and aliens sprinted from the street and their nearby vehicles. Bullfrag had chucked Justimon into a car.
"Keep that one alive!" Attea shouted, "Daddy will love conditioning him to be the perfect soldier pet."
Albedo ignored Kenta's vocal worries.
"Gallantmon, get up." He commanded.
"Easy for the one not fighting to say." The knight muttered. "He's pulling out moves that could only be completed with the help of Deities."
Albedo noticed Paradox sitting on top of a car. No one paid him any mind as he looked at his pocket watch. 'What are you waiting for, Time Walker?' Albedo thoughts raced.
"Justice Blade!" Justimon charged Bullfrag. A lucky hit left the Incursean stumbling. Bullfrag's blaster slid against the pavement. Albedo couldn't see Attea on screen. He watched Justimon grab Bullfrag's shirt and pull him towards him. Bullfrag looked at him, still dazed. Albedo caught Justimon not quite looking at the Incursean. Gallantmon slowly rose to his feet. He readied his shield.
"Still feeling lucky?" Justimon snapped.
"Yea...Why wouldn't I?" Bullfrag spoke, a bit breathless, "Not that I need luck."
"Of course you are." Justimon glared at him hard.
Bullfrag raised his arms and pushed at Justimon's hands and shoulders.
Justimon switched to holding his throat. "Allow us to change your luck, filthy Incursean." Justimon leaned in close. Bullfrag looked around discreetly.
"How dare you step foot in my home and try to take the freedom from myself and all I care about!"
"Don't move." Justimon whispered.
Bullfrag stared at him, making fake choking sounds as he kicked his legs.
"Seriously Tennyson. Move a centimeter left or right and you're gonna get blown to smithereens."
"You're gonna pay for this!" Gallantmon yelled dramatically, "Get off our world!"
Albedo resisted cringing. Someone was rubbing their hands together as they watched the computer's with him. Albedo dare not take his eyes off the screen.
"Shield of the Just!"
"My...the hell...!?" Albedo stood up as a giant golden energy beam shot out from Gallantmon's shield. "That's Shield of the Just!?" He leaned his hands on the table, propping himself up.
"Mhm." Jeri nodded.
Akari whistled.
"That is not 'Just' " Swamps stood next to Albedo, "That is a disintegration beam."
Fridge and Hugh watched alongside him. The wide beam engulfed both Justimon and Bullfrag, any cars behind them across the street, and a portion of a building behind them. Portions of the building not hit by the beam collapsed. Against the bright beam, Albedo saw a shadow within it fly backwards, by sheer luck. Quite quickly, the entire building started to collapse spectacularly. Albedo hoped no one was dumb enough to still be inside after all this time.
"Shield of the Just is powerful, but takes a bit to charge." Jeri explained. "Justimon provided the distraction."
A second shadow inside the beam turned around and headed straight for Gallantmon.
"There's also a bit of a sweet spot to dodge it." Jeri continued.
Albedo watched Bullfrag jump as the beam suddenly became more concentrated before it fizzled out.
"Justimon told him how to dodge it." Jeri leaned back in her chair. "It requires such perfect timing that you'd need to know how beforehand. Most things are too large and too slow to reach the sweet spot. Attea should be satisfied with that 'display of skill'."
They watched Gallantmon stumble as Bullfrag yanked his shield with his tongue. Bullfrag spun in the air, swinging his tongue around. He smacked Gallantmon with the shield. Gallantmon hit the pavement face first.
"Kill that one!" Attea yelled. She stood up, slowly rubbing her stomach.
"You don't want a fancy beam shootin' shield for yo'self, princess?" Bullfrag stepped on Gallantmon who tried to stand up with no avail. He looked at Attea who promptly blushed.
Fridge and Swamps gagged as she sauntered over to him. A slew of knocked out grunts surrounded her and Bullfrag.
"How would Emperor Milleous react to seein' us armed with duplicates?"
Attea looked up at him, gushing. "Don't speak about Daddy like that." She swatted at his arm.
Albedo's eyes widened.
"Is she...Are they attempting what I think they are?" Akari questioned.
"What?" Yckat questioned.
"Attea is planning on overthrowing Milleous it seems." Albedo folded his arms, "If I'm reading into this conversation right."
"What the heck?" Gallantmon murmured. Justimon lay unconscious, next to some overturned cars. Attea grabbed the shield from Bullfrag. "You frogs are messed-"
"Shut! Up!" Attea screamed, enunciating each word with a slam to Gallanmon's head using the shield.
"Play unconscious." Albedo commented, watching Bullfrag look at Attea with an expression he couldn't read due to the glasses. "Or she'll keep hitting you." He hoped Gallantmon was still conscious. Those clangs were loud in his ears and Jeri was switching between glaring at the screen and him.
"Princess." Bullfrag spoke as Attea moved to hit Gallantmon again, "We need 'im to tell us how 'e made dat shield." He touched an arm with one of his hands and slowly caressed the limb. "He can't do that, dead."
"Takato, Guilmon." Rika whispered.
"He's fine." Albedo snapped. "He'll be fine." He flopped in his seat, sinking into it. As Attea barked for a cleanup crew, Albedo found that he wasn't sure who he was convincing.
He sat up straight in his seat. He never was one to mope as much as his fool of a mentor did. "Renamon, keep moving and find those controls."
"Albedo." Rika snapped in a harsh whisper, as he turned off the mic from his end to Gallantmon.
"The hard part starts now." He snapped, typing furiously at his keyboard. "Find Jenrya, Nonaka. The rest of you deactivate your microphone connection from Gallantmon and Justimon. If Attea did that to a Digimon wearing armor..."
Bullfrag lugged Gallantmon on his back with a bit of difficulty. Attea swung Gallantmon's shield back and forth while dragging his spear behind her.
"...motivate yourselves with thoughts of what she'll do to you." He didn't think he had to mention that many of those involved currently wore no armor. "Jeri, I need to assess how much communication capabilities we have now with that jammer deactivated."
"This is crazy." Kenta whispered.
Jeri nodded in his general direction, "You got it."
"Chumly took one for the team." Kazu commented. "Big time."
"Let us prevent it from being in vain." Albedo ignored Hugh's tall presence over his shoulder. "Akari, make sure no Incurseans trail Kazu and Kenta. I'll watch Rika and Renamon."
"Yes sir." Akari cracked his knuckles.
Albedo almost felt like a sir, he admitted to himself as he watched his computer screen with renewed fervor. If he had time to care, he'd wonder about what his mentor would think about him at this point in time.