Ben10 & Digimon Tamers

Heroes and Humanity

Part 02: Humanity and Heroes

The Invasion – Chapter 039

Originally Written: Sunday, November 1st 2015 1126PM to Monday, November 2ndd, 2015 1253AM

. . . . .

"So much for an in and out operation." Albedo murmured. A tray of food in a forgotten Styrofoam container sat next to the computer station he currently sat at. He rubbed his eyes. Despite Fridge taking over monitoring duties along with Rose's squad, as other Plumbers took watch, sleep did not come easy to him. He had no apartment to sneak off to at night, and he was frighteningly, in his opinion, comfortable with sleeping on the floor in the corner of the room. Unfortunately, any one besides Swamps, Fridge and Hugh seeing him sleep in this manner would completely undermine any authority he managed to build up. Therefore sleep was no longer his friend, not that it really ever had been.

He ran a hand through his hair as Rose stood from Jeri's station on his right to let Jeri take over. Jeri sat next to him and put on her headset.

He was used to watching things go slowly, due to his interests and work with his foolish mentor, but it was only day three of the waiting game, and no one else seemed as accustomed to it. Jeri was too busy to be bothered by the waiting, having taken over Ryo's position of giving orders to Plumbers and forming strategies of resistance. Often she was not in this room during the past seventy-two hours.

Kazu and Kenta eagerly strummed up conversation with Rika and Jenrya. The Incurseans were too preoccupied with figuring out who Ryo Akiyama was and getting into Lab 23 to focus on the fact that the Tamers were talking to anyone outside Hypnos. Communicating via D-Terminal and D-Arc utilized signals the Incurseans would not be looking for on top of that. The conversation did help stem the concern Rika had with her dwindling supplies.

Even Albedo acknowledged that if the plan took too long to unfold, they'd have to venture out of their safehouse. Jenrya managed to get into the security system in more detail with Rika showing them the commands on the console in the lab. As such, they now had visual access to many parts of Hypnos via security camera. Still, Ryo was not Yamaki or a Monster Maker. he could not gain access to wherever Attea went when she wasn't bossing grunts around.

Albedo spent a bit of time watching Bullfrag enter floor B08, enter a particular room, and dismiss the grunts under Attea's orders without any repercussions. He'd spend time 'Chatting' with Justimon. According to another Plumber and Fridge, late last night Bullfrag had visited Justimon again.

"Emperor Milleous has called for the Princess to head out to Bellwood. Tennyson's allies have been making quite the stir. She's takin' me wit her.Wants to see how I do against the Big Leagues." He had said. The plumber even showed a recording of the sound clip. "Daddy," Bullfrag had said in a mocking fashion, "isn't happy with babysitting this lowly planet anymore."

Albedo wished he could have seen the shit eating grin disguised as gritting teeth Justimon gave him. This was the break he knew would have eventually come. No one could argue with him anymore.

"I hear Attea may not be in Japan anymore" Jeri looked at Albedo.

"By now she is over the Pacific." Albedo replied, watching Jenrya run through some exercises to pass the time.

"She took my shield," Gallantmon whispered annoyed in their headsets, "and my javelin."

"They'll disappear when you change back." Jeri giggled, "She'll be so surprised."

"I know, but I feel so naked," the digimon whined. "She better not have dented either of them."

"Digichromizoid doesn't dent." Albedo spoke in a no nonsense tone.

"Normally, but these Incurseans are so thickheaded."

Albedo rolled his eyes as Kazu and Kenta, wearing their own headsets, laughed. He took note of the lax security. He typed a few commands on the computer, "You know, if you two wished, you could take a stroll to a certain gate."

"Now?" Jenrya looked down at his D-Arc then up at the security camera with a grin.

"The Incurseans are underestimating how long humans can last without sustenance. Many think no one else besides you, Gallantmon and Justimon caused any disturbances."

"They don't know we're here?" Renamon spoke clearly surprised.

"They have no clue." Albedo stretched his arms and yawned.

"You can take a break, you know." Rose chimed in, "You've been streaming along from the get go." Albedo wasn't certain when Rose had started showing signs of being cordial with him again, but he didn't mind.

"It wouldn't achieve anything." He replied, "An elegance like mine requires a proper bed to nurture." He looked back at Swamps who snorted, with a smirk.

"Of course." Rose replied, not surprised.

"Since you're so determined," Jeri rested a hand on his shoulder, "you can watch Jenrya and Terriermon and I'll watch Rika and Renamon."

Albedo responded by turning back around and directing his eyes to the computer screen. Renamon hadn't digivolved, but Terriermon digivolved to Gargomon. The Digimon's turret hands circled dangerously for a short bit. Albedo figured he was quite eager to put some lead in those who had tested on him. Renamon had no need to Digivolve. She was a speed demon either way. Renamon was smaller and more agile than her other forms, and with Rika by her side, she had another set of eyes.

"Who is headed where?" He questioned. Kazu stood behind him and Kenta behind Jeri.

"Henry's going to get Beelzemon from the Digiworld and Rika's going to find Mr. Wong and Yamaki." Kenta replied.

Albedo nodded.

"After that, they're going to see about," there was a distinct excitement to Jeri's voice, "unlocking some of these gates."

"They'll need to be careful, and do it quietly." Haiphen spoke.

Albedo caught Yckat pace around the room, tail wagging in impatience. "The Incurseans can still contact Attea to release the Waybads, right?"

"Yea." Haiphen muttered.

"I-I don't think the odds of them doing that are high." Hugh commented, "I-if they bruise like me, t-they wouldn't want to risk a Waybad s-stepping on them."

Albedo chuckled.

Jeri suddenly stood. She placed her headset on the table.

"Jeri?" Kenta questioned.

"Commander?" Yckat looked at her. Albedo did as well.

"Back to your post, Yckat."

The catboy quickly complied.

"I think they'll need a bit of help in the form of a distraction." She walked until she was next to Rose, then she turned around. "Don't you?"

The others laughed. Albedo folded his hands and rested his chin on them.

"I'll send another squad to assist you with surveillance, Albedo." Jeri looked at him, then Kazu and Kenta. "We'll rest until Henry and the others are ready. Then we'll head out."

"Sure thing, Jeri." Kenta set his own headset on the table. He, Kazu, Andromon and MarineAngemon followed the Commander.

Albedo watched Jenrya weave through the halls of Hypno's Plumber floors as though he had lived in the building all his life. Fridge, Hugh and Swamps stood behind him. The other Plumbers kept a sharp watch on all four of them. Akari watched Rika and Renamon. Albedo figured both were doing as fine as Jenrya and Gargomon were. He frowned, noting that Gargomon seemed a bit sluggish. He wasn't certain if that was Gargomon's natural speed or if it was the result of whatever the Incurseans had done to Terriermon. Either way, at this point in time, he had done all he could considering the circumstances.

He eyed the blaster sitting next to his chair. 'I don't think I'll ever get a chance to use that thing. A pity.' He looked back at the screen. He grabbed his food and decided to eat. 'Might as well.' He looked to the right at the curry sitting in the tray. 'Be careful Jenrya.'