Operation: NECSUS, Part 3

Chapter 3: Caesar Retrieval

Prison Transport Ship to GKND H.Q.

The prison ship was on route to GKND H.Q., and Sector V was onboard to guard their prisoner. Aaron and Rhilliane Doblemitz piloted the vessel as Aurora Uno spoke to them. "All right guys, nothing too major here, this is just a simple prisoner escort mission, we drop off the clown at GKND H.Q., we go home. So NO fighting over Yipper Cards and blowing up the engines. And I hope we've made sure to REMOVE that Blow Up The Engines button."

"Ahh, relax Ror, we got it under control." Aaron assured.

"Besides, we aren't into Yipper anymore." Rhilliane stated.

"Yeah, 'cause Yu-Gi-Oh Cards are the way to go!" They both held up Duel Monster cards.

"It was only a matter of time." Aurora said with disbelief.

"Shurororororo!" laughed the clown scientist from his cell. "Come on, boys, set up the inflight movies! You can't expect me to sit here bored! It's no wonder you never get any customers! Are cheapo flights like this even good for travel??"

"You just keep quiet!" Chris demanded. "Save your jokes for the Galactic Council."

"Aww you kids are no fun." He frowned. "Should've just let Sector DR come. But if you won't put on a decent movie, the airline food better be good. I mean, what's up with that stuff, right?"

"Uuugh." Haruka eye-rolled. "Let's just get to GKND and be done with this guy."

King Household

After the graduation ceremony, George and MaKayla had to skip the afterparty to return home upon their parents' request. "All right, you guys are back!" Their mother, Misty beamed. "Any new team members?"

"No, not really." MaKayla said with a frown. "But, there's always next time!" she smiled again.

"Anyway, you're just in time! Your father's all ready to go." They entered the garage, where Mr. King waited beside a small spaceship.

"Hey, guys!" Jagar greeted. "Any new members?"

They shook 'no.' "So what is this?" George asked.

"Oh, just a spaceship Clockwork whipped up for me, before he vanished. That's 'cause where we're about to go, is pretty much in the deepest reaches of the universe."

"Is THAT where we're going??" George questioned. "What exactly are you SHOWING us?"

"Something you kids will need to know eventually." Jagar chuckled. "Alright, everyone get on. I've already packed the essentials; including your DS. Let's go." With that, the family hurried on the ship as Jagar began to activate it. The garage's roof opened, and before they knew it, the family was flying out of the atmosphere.

GKND H.Q.

The prison transport parked outside of the intergalactic treehouse's hangar, connecting a bridge for Sector V to step inside with their prisoner. "Ahhh, Sector V, good to see you!" Nebula exclaimed as she, Jerome, and Team Vweeb were there to greet him. "I hope our passenger wasn't too much trouble."

"Well, it's not the worst job we've had." Aurora said.

"Shurororo! I could say the same about your plane! But at least we didn't have to stop in Florida." Caesar joked.

"Your assignment's done for now; Team Vweeb will handle the rest." Nebula told them. "They'll deliver Caesar to the Galactic Council on Coruscant to put him on trial. Meanwhile, I have something else for you, so I'd like you to stay here for a while."

"Sure thing." Aurora said simply.

"Alright, you four, the show's yours." Neb said to Team Vweeb.

"Come along, Crazy Face." Makava told Caesar as they led him onto their Nova Cruiser ship.

"Shurororo! Oh nooo, I'm taken, I hope my friends come to rescue me! Any of you kids want any candy?" Caesar smirked.

"I'll take some!" Vweeb perked.

"Vweeeeb!" Makava yelled.

They watched as the high-tech S.C.A.M.P.E.R. took off from the hangar into deep space. "Haaaa, now that that's taken care of," Nebula began as she clapped her hands, "GLAD to have you here to help us get ready for our anniversary party!"

"HUH??" Sector V exclaimed.

"Cheren told me you'd be happy to help!" Nebula grinned. "It's why he sent you to guard Caesar! So come on, we've got a thousand party favors, let's get started!" With that, she and Jerome floated off.

"Sigh. …This job really blows." Artie said as they looked with disbelief.

"I'm buckin' Cheren's bum after this." Aurora stated. "Sigh, all right, let's get started." With that, the team of 11 split up to do different tasks.

KND Moonbase

Following the graduation ceremony, many of the operatives attended the afterparty, where Cheren was doing paperwork at a table in the corner. "Hm… I feel like someone's gonna kick my butt later."

"Hey-heeeey, wassup, Cherry mah man!" Cheren looked up as Doflamingo Jr. approached him, his grin sparkling.

"Heheh, hey, Doffy! Congratulations to your sister for making it in!"

"Heh, I always had faith in her. So listen, Cherry, wanted ta ask you something: About sendin' Sector V on the mission to escort Clown, I've been thinkin', kinda dangerous, don'tcha think? I mean, you don't know WHAT kinda people might go after 'em just to get Caesar back. Especially in SPACE. I was wonderin' if MY sector should go along to provide backup. I mean, if you look at our record, we've rarely taken a hit. Sector V can get done a lot more safely with our help."

"Ehhh, I wouldn't worry about it, I have faith in them. Besides, your sister just got done with training, maybe she should relax."

"Come on, my sister just got done with training 'cause she was EAGER to get goin' on missions! And this is her CHANCE man, come on! Show a little love!"

"I don't know, Doffy. I mean, if something bad does happen, I'd need everyone else I can to be ready. But hey, I'll find a different mission for you! You could check out those candy mobsters for me. Still need to do something about them. Uaaah." Cheren stood up to stretch his arms. "I cannot sit down for this long. I need a walk." And Doflamingo frowned as Cheren walked away, glaring behind his sunglasses.

The Supreme Leader approached Panini by the snacks table. "Hoi, Cheren! Doflamingo givin' you trouble?"

"Ehh, not really. He wants to go on the mission to hand over Caesar. But to be honest, I'm not sure we can trust him." Cheren frowned worriedly.

"Why not?"

"Well, Dillon told me that Nolan told him that Caesar told HIM… well, Caesar listed a group of people who order from him. Someone called Specter, Big Mom, Percival Tachyon… and Don Quixote Doflamingo."

Panini gasped quietly. "You mean… Doflamingo's father?"

"Mm-hm." Cheren spared a suspicious glance to the Sector Leader. "I feel like his father put him up to getting Caesar back. But that would mean his father knows about KND, too."

"Who is his father, anyway?"

"He's the owner of a major toy industry, and his company creates living toys that talk and interact with people. His two bestsellers are Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear. But I'm not sure what he would want with Caesar. But the fact that each of Sector DR are metahumans…"

"Maybe he wants to raise his own army?"

"I dunno… but I think we should keep an eye on them. I hate to distrust fellow operatives… but you never know."

Doflamingo still glared at the two as his teammates approached. "What's the plan now, Boss?" Numbuh Sweetie-1 asked.

"We'll go after Caesar eventually. But with those two pryin' over us… We'll just have to wait for the perfect diversion. Then we'll go for it…"

Downtown Coruscant

Team Vweeb entered the atmosphere of the expansive, planet-wide city, where the streets were active as always, on both the low levels and high levels. "Shurororo!" Caesar cackled, his hands and faced pressed to the ship's window. "Whoa, what a VIEW! Oooh, look at all the aliens! OOOH, an Applebee's, let's get some GRUB!"

"Siiigh." Tronta sighed. "So what, we just fly over the Galactic Council, drop this freak out the door and be done with it?"

"Uhhhh no." Makava said. "Besides, they've sort of upped security at the council today, because they think Caesar's customers might try and kidnap him. And in case they mistake us for an enemy ship, we should land a safe distance and just cut through town. You know, so we don't draw much attention."

"Oh sure, 'cause leading a handcuffed psychopath through town doesn't draw attention." Tron remarked.

"Well, if we're walking there, I call Arianna's shoulder." Vweeb stated. "'Cause I ain't walking on the ground where I'll get lost and likely get stepped on in the confusion."

"Hm hm hm hm!" Arianna giggled.

"There's a spot right there." Makava pointed. "Let's land and make this quick. And no running away, you." She scolded Caesar.

"Okaaay, Mooooom." Caesar moaned.

Stage 1: Coruscant

Mission: Guide Caesar safely to the Galactic Council Headquarters.

The Nova Cruiser took land on a small balcony, in the center of four planted trees, on some random building, hundreds of feet above the ground. The four operatives stepped off as their prisoner cooperatively came along. "Now remember, kids, I want you to be on your best behavior and don't stray too far from the group!" the clown told them with his wicked grin. "If you kids are really good, I'll treat you to KFC, but only singles, no doubles, also-"

"Put a cork in it." Makava retorted as they stepped down some stairs along the side of the building. "And FYI, it's SFC; Secco Fried Chicken."

They entered a door into the building, bypassing several aliens in business suits. "Nothin' to see here, people, just a group of kids leading a dangerous criminal!" Vweeb exclaimed happily.

"Oh, Vweeb…" Arianna scolded.

They earned a few suspicious looks as they passed through the building, but no one seemed to care. Caesar twirled around as he followed them and examined the building. "Ooooh, the primary distribution center of flying cars! Very futuristic! After we're done, can we stop by and get a Cadillac??"

"Dude, get with the program, that car's been obsolete since 2219 BBY." Makava said.

They exited the building onto another outer balcony, where two treadmill sidewalks connected this building with the next. The left treadmill moved toward their building, while the right one moved to the next, so the five got on that one with many other people. They stood patiently while it carried them across; except of course for Caesar, who jumped onto the left one and ran alongside them. "Ha haaaaa lookameeee, I'm running up the down escalator, shurororo! Ohhh, I always wanted to do this, but MUM never let me!"

"This guy is an A-ranked criminal?" Vweeb questioned.

"Too much time in prison really hurts a person's spirit…" Tron remarked.

Caesar decided to jump back to their side as they arrived at the next building's balcony. As they went around the left, they spotted a small, pixelized picture of a gray robot with an antenna's head pasted on the side of a building. "Why do robots think it's so funny to make graffiti art?" Arianna asked.

"That's what happens when they aren't properly checked:" Makava began. "They run around and start doin' whatever."

They reached a ledge where many other citizens waited before speeding traffic of flying cars. Caesar sat along the railing and exclaimed, "Now remember kids, when crossing the street, it's important to look both ways and make sure no other cars are coming! These rules apply no matter how high above the street you are, shuroro! And only cross the street when the crosswalk sign gives the signal!" And with that, the clown fell backward, hanging on the railing with his legs as he hung upside-down, grinning madly at the thousand-foot drop. "HOO hoo hoooo! MAN, wouldn't wanna fall HERE!"

Makava grabbed his jumpsuit and pulled him back up. "You make US feel like the adults."

The hovering stoplight turned red, and the cars immediately stopped as a row of circular platforms hovered up to allow everyone to cross. They jumped the floating platforms carefully as Tron said, "I don't see why hover-cars still have to drive in lines of traffic."

"Do you want flying cars to fly everywhere aimlessly?" Makava asked.

"Good point."

They reached a wide, bustling park; stationed atop another thousand-foot building, where children frolicked and people went about their business. They approached the fountain in the center, where a huge metal statue of Anakin Skywalker stood in all its glory. "Ahhh, Anakin Skywalker… now that's a real Galaxian hero." Makava said in admiration.

"Hehe, you're totally crushing over him." Tron snickered.

"Well, why not? He's a badass swordsman."

"Galaxia was in a brink of darkness, and Anakin saved everyone." Arianna said, her eyes sparkling at the statue. "Just think… this statue will stand proud and tall for hundreds of years, and people will always look on it with hope." But at that moment, a storm of bombs rained down and pelted the statue, exploding all around as the kids and clown ducked. They peeked back up when the smoke cleared, and the statue still stood proud and tall, making a light sparkle. Ding!

"…Hey! You were right, Ari!" Vweeb grinned.

"FREEZE!" The kids jumped around and faced a squad of robots with glass helmets. The helmets contained little orange fishlike aliens.

"What're YOU guys??" Tron snapped.

"Those're Drophyds." Makava replied, her swords ready. "They're a violent race of fish that come from Aquaria. They've been aiming to take over Galaxia, but they've never acquired the resources. I wonder what they're doing here?"

"We're here to take Caesar." The Drophyd leader responded. "Our boss requires his knowledge, so he's coming with us!"

"I'M SAAAAVED!" The clown cried as he immediately dashed over to the soldiers. "TAKE ME AWAY FROM HEEEEERE!"

"Hey, get back here!" Makava yelled as she charged over. The captain Drophyd activated its rocket shoes and flew away, carrying the scientist with him. He hovered over the edge as Tronta spun around and launching his Light Discs. The twin discs zipped up and struck both the robot's legs, causing him to fly out of control and ram headfirst into a building, breaking the Drophyd's glass helmet.

"SHUROOOOOO!" Caesar cried excitedly as he began the thousand-foot drop, but Makava dashed forward, spun around, and TOSSED a sword to stab it right through Caesar's cuff's chain-holes, afterwards sticking to the side of the building and letting the clown dangle.

As Caesar hung in place patiently, he peeked into one of the building's windows and saw an alien woman undressing. She noticed the clown and screamed, "Aaaahh!" before hurrying out of there.

"LOOKIN' GOOD, Honeeeeey!" he grinned.

"Hoo…" Makava sighed in relief. "We'll have to go up and retrieve him. Let's go, team!" (Play the "Metropolis" Theme from Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction.)

The kids hurried past and attacked the squad of Drophyds as they ran to a row of floating platforms, taking them to a narrow pathway. A Drophyd appeared on the path's right corner turn, but Tronta easily kicked it off as they hurried onto a new road. More Drophyds came down from a transport ship, but Makava spun her single sword and blocked their shots as she jumped over to slice their glass helmets. Tron tossed his discs to break their helmets while Vweeb ran up, climbed into their suits, and dismantled them from inside. The Drophyds fishy heads bounced around on the ground, but Tronta jumped around and squashed all of them.

Makava stabbed her sword in the side of the building on their right and climbed her way up. She reached the walkway around the building and hurried around to have a view of Caesar, still hanging over the abyss. She wasn't sure how to get to him, but she watched as a hovercraft of Drophyds parked below him. Caesar grinned and pulled himself from the wall, causing the sword to fly out as he fell onto the craft, backfirst. Makava summoned her sword back to her hand as she watched them leave. Thankfully, an alien teen was driving by on his hoverbike, so Makava leaped over and landed on the backseat. "Hey! Give me a lift, will ya?" Not really understanding, the teen decided to chase the Drophyds on her request.

With that, the rest of Team Vweeb hurried along their route as Tronta tossed his Light Discs and knocked down a few Drophyds, while Vweeb shot their robot suits with his Stun gun and disabled them, forcing the fish heads to come out. Arianna couldn't do much, so she only kicked the flopping fish-heads away. "I sure wish Coruscant had more animals." she said.

The three reached the ledge on the other side and watched as the wall of the lower floor of a parallel building was blown open by the Drophyds. They decided to hop into this opening and fight their way past the Drophyds in the building's interior, which was now nothing but burning office desks, smashed walls, and dangling ceiling lights. A Drophyd Enforcer took land in the building, a Drophyd inside a tall, four-legged spider-like body. It blasted them with machineguns, but Vweeb hopped off Arianna and started bouncing up its spider legs, squeezing his way into the robot's interior. He crawled through until he reached the cockpit, surprising the Drophyd controller. Vweeb simply shot the fish-head and destroyed him, causing the robot to fall over.

The group reached an outer balcony of the building, which had the end of one of Coruscant's many transport tubes. They stepped in and allowed it to zip them around the city at high speed, before they were forcefully dropped off at the top of another building. Two more Drophyd Enforcers began to blast them, but Tronta tossed his Light Discs at one's helmet while Vweeb climbed his way up the other. After the Kateenian got inside the robot, he fiddled around with the controls until the robot was forced to shoot his companion. Vweeb jumped back to Arianna as the robot he was just in self-destructed.

The kids reached the ledge of the building, seeing another building top several yards away, too far to jump. A row of Drophyds were flying past with jetshoes; lined up like a staircase, so Tronta and Arianna simply bounced across them to reach the next building. A Drophyd Dropship then came by and released a Cyclocannon, which was a Drophyd in a pod between two huge wheels. It sped toward the operatives, forcing them to jump away, then turned and faced them as it blasted a machinegun. Tron threw his Light Discs to try and hit it, but it used its wheels to defend. Vweeb tried to run up to it, but the little alien was forced to dodge when its wheels sped forward.

Thankfully, Arianna noticed some pigeons flying overhead, so she used her telepathy to summon them down. They flew over the Cyclocannon's cockpit and pooped on the windshield, blinding the Drophyd and causing him to drive over the edge. They saw a grind rail connected to the edge of the building and hopped on as they skied down and around the building. They passed by a gigantic poster on the building's side, depicting the galaxy-renowned mariachi band and their Broadway stardom.

"Celebrating the 15th anniversary of Los Búhos Musicales, Galaxia's greatest Broadway hits next to the Cantina Stars. For it was 15 years ago today that four Seccoan owls followed a random visitor around, who happened to be a professional record dealer. The moral of the story is, sometimes stalking people with music really pays."

The kids grinded off that rail and landed on a set of 3 parallel grind-rails. "Yuh-oh. I think we're on the skyway tracks!" Tron exclaimed as they jumped to the middle rail just before a train sped by. Two more trains were coming on the middle and right rails, so they jumped to the left, then jumped to middle when a train came from the left, then jumped right, then quickly to left, then middle, then left again. "I will never understand their clustered train schedule."

They finally jumped on another left rail, which led them down to another pathway atop a building. Two Cyclocannons appeared ahead, but the kids dodge-rolled forward when they boosted over, causing them to bump each other. They tried to ignore the enemies as they hurried ahead, seeing another transport tube. Another Drophyd Enforcer landed and blocked their path, beginning to shoot at them. The kids turned and saw the Cyclocannons speeding back, so they dodged to the side and allowed them to ram the Enforcer's legs. The Cyclocannons drove off the ledge, while the transport tube blocked the Enforcer's fall; before it slipped to the side and fell anyway.

With that, the group entered the transport tube and sped over the city again. The tube's route went pretty straightforward, until "WOOOOAAAHHH!" It was suddenly blown open by cannon fire from a Drophyd ship, causing the three to fall the tremendous drop. But before they could fall long, Makava came by and caught them on her occupied hoverbike.

"I never did trust those things." She remarked.

"Man, what kinda crazy kids are you?" the bike's teen driver asked.

"Shut up and go after that clown!" Vweeb ordered.

The group recklessly sped around several buildings and speeding traffic, seeing the Drophyds craft with Caesar Clown up ahead. "Shurororo! This is taking car chases to the next level! Faster, faster! And don't be afraid to jump those hovertrucks via hoverramps!"

The Drophyds shot backwards to try and hit the pursuing bike, but the operatives swerved around and evaded while Makava bounced a few shots away. And what seemed like total coincidence, they were speeding to a hovertruck that was blocking the road, with a hoverramp stationed before it. The sign on the side of the ramp read, HoverCorp's new hoverramp. Convenient for any car-chaser on the go.

The Drophyds' craft sped for the ramp and successfully shot up over the truck. "Think we'll make it?" Makava asked.

"Yeah, I got a plan." The teen said. With that, he simply flew his bike under the truck, then returned at level with the traffic.

"Eeee-yep. That was a good plan." Vweeb said.

"Alright, we gotta bring their craft down." Tron said, pulling out his Light Disc. "Vweeb, get on."

"Right!" The little Kateenian hopped on the Frisbee as Tronta tossed it straight over. The disc bonked a Drophyd's helmet and returned, but Vweeb jumped off and climbed into the hovercraft's structure. After taking apart the wires, the craft began to spin out of control before crashing onto a lower street.

Vweeb managed to jump out in time as the others landed, and Arianna picked him up. "We'll take it from here." Makava told the teen.

"Please do." And the teen was out of there instantly.

The operatives looked to the ship's wreckage and saw Caesar trying to tiptoe away. "Hold on a second!" Makava yelled as she leapt over and KICKED the back of Caesar's head.

"OW!!"

"What did we say about not running off?"

"I WASN'T running, I was TIPtoeing!"

"Look, you are gonna go to Galactic Council, and YOU are gonna… well, probably hate it but you're STILL going! Now let's go!" And Makava pulled Caesar along as they turned around more buildings. The humongous dome that was Galactic Council was in sight, so the group began their dash across the mile-long path.

"I STILL don't see why we couldn't just FLY." Tronta said angrily. (End song.)

New GKND H.Q.

As Kirie was laying plates and cups around the cafeteria's tables, the mute girl was joyfully drawing faces on them with crayons. "What the heck do you think you're doing??" Nebula questioned as she walked in.

I thought the party would be more fun if everyone thought the cups were making faces at them! I mean, aliens probably have a lot-a things that're alive, right?

"Ugh, but no one's gonna wanna drink from some thing that looks alive, it's the kind of thing that'll make them sick to their stomachs and-"

"Numbuh Eternal!" Jerome yelled as he hurried into the room. "Our scanners picked up activity on Planet Coruscant! There's an invasion happening at the capital!"

"An invasion?? Who is it; are they after Caesar?"

"It's the Drophyds, from Aquaria. We're not really sure what they're after."

"Sigh… alright, let's head down and try to help Team Vweeb. As long as we still get Caesar into Council, everything'll be okay. Sector V, you all stay here and keep preparing for the party." And with that, the two ran off. Kirie smiled as she was about to draw another face on a cup, but Nebula ran back, smacked the crayons away, and said, "Nnno!" before running off.

Outside Galactic Council H.Q.

"Huff, huff, we're almost there." Makava panted as they ran. "If we could just get in Galactic Council, we should be safe."

But before they could reach the building's entryway, they were blown back by a sudden explosion. When they recovered, they saw their assaulter was a white-skinned teenager with dark-pink hair and dark-purple armor. "Sorry… this is as far as you go."

"Oh, great." Tronta remarked as they stood up. "And who're you?"

Makava gasped. "Wait! I know her… she's…"

Most Wanted criminal in Galaxia

"Space Witch" VENDRA PROG

"Sorry to interrupt you kiddies' playtime," Vendra began as a gorilla-like being, with similar hair, skin, and armor, approached her from behind, "but I can't allow Caesar to face imprisonment. His powers are much too important."

"I'M ALL for that!" Caesar exclaimed. "GET me outta here!"

"Try and TAKE him from us!" Makava declared as they readied for battle. "Heeee-YAH!" The Glomourian leapt at Vendra, but the criminal conjured a purple barrier and bounced her back.

"Unfortunately, I'm a spacebender. Though my powers are a bit more advanced."

"Oh yeah? How come?" Vweeb asked.

"Well, I come from a race that lies in the deepest confines of space itself. But it's too much to explain right now. I'm running on a tight schedule, so, I can't get into it. Neftin, would you do us the honors of finishing them?"

"Nnn, my pleasure, Sis." The gorilla grinned evilly.

Second-most wanted criminal in Galaxia; twin brother of Vendra

NEFTIN PROG

The gorilla man raised both fists and slammed them together, shaking the space around the kids and knocking them back. Makava and Tronta jumped back up and ran at him, but the gorilla grabbed them both and SLAMMED their heads together, knocking them out as he threw them forward. Arianna stood her ground and tried to look fierce, but Neftin could detect her quaking. The muscular Nether leapt high and smashed his fist to the ground, causing a shockwave that knocked Arianna out.

Vweeb was flung high into the air from the force, able to recover as he bounced along the ground. The tiny alien looked up as the gigantic gorilla towered over him with a fierce and merciless grin. "Eeep!" The tiny Kateenian dashed away as fast as he could, but Neftin lowered a hand down and flicked him away. It was a light flick from his perspective, but the force was strong enough to knock Vweeb out cold.

Caesar was knocked out by the previous shockwave, but the clown woke up when Neftin suddenly lifted him over his shoulder. "That's right, Daddy, I've been a really bad boy and I need to be CARRIED over the shoulder so I don't run away! COME ALOOONG, let's go home!" And with that, the gorilla Nether jumped several yards and grabbed the side of another building, jumping his way down to the street as his sister flew after him.

With Nebula and Jerome

"It looks like they're retreating for now." Jerome observed as he and Nebula flew high above a city street.

"I wonder what they came for?…"

As they skimmed the area, Jerome took notice of the pathway to the Galactic Council, and gasped with horror. "Sister! Look!"

Nebula's eyes widened, seeing the team of Makava, Tron, and Ari being carried into the building on medical pads (Vweeb was there too, but he was too tiny to see). "Oh no!" The two immediately flew down, finding their operatives were bruised and bloody. "What happened to them?"

"We'll ask them as soon as we get them treated." a doctor explained. "Their injuries aren't serious, it shouldn't be long."

"We're coming in, too!" she insisted as she and Jerome hurried in the building.

One hour later…

"Mmmm…" The kids moaned after finally recovering, bandages wrapped around their bloody spots.

"Hoo, finally." Jeremy sighed as he knelt down beside them. "Are you kids all right?"

"Yeah… we're fine." Makava said.

"What happened? Where's Caesar?" Nebula asked.

"I can clarify that." They turned as Percival Tachyon approached them. Team Vweeb looked around and suddenly realized they were in a huge courtroom with all the planet rulers.

"What're we doing in here?" Makava asked.

"Tachyon requested we'd all be in here." Jeremy said with a spiteful glare to the senator. "Although they should get more rest."

"I'll only be a minute, Councilman." Tachyon assured. "I just want to get something across, once and for all." He stepped to the center of the courtroom as Nebula shot him a glare. Tachyon raised his scepter and spoke to everyone, "People of Galaxia! THIS is what's becoming of our next generation. Do you SEE what happened to these kids?!" he pointed to the injured Team Vweeb. "Because we trusted them with the task of escorting a dangerous criminal, THEY almost DIED today! Do you see what we're allowing them to do?? Because our own imperial force is TOO damn lazy, we allow these inexperienced children to go out and RISK their lives doing something we ADULTS should be handling! If this continues, the future of our galaxy will be in grave danger, letting our next generation PERISH due to our laziness. YOU should be ASHAMED of yourselves!"

There were small discussions of agreement and guilt going about the courtroom. "And because of their reckless blundering, they've allowed a dangerous criminal to escape in the hands of the two most wanted felons in the galaxy! Who knows WHAT they can produce with his intellect!"

"Wait just a second!" Nebula spoke up. "Our operatives were unprepared for a planetary invasion. The Galactic Kids Next Door has every intention of tracking down-"

"ZIP IT!" Tachyon yelled, bashing her head with his scepter. "A child's premature outbursts don't matter to us here!" He spoke to the audience again, "Allow me to reiterate, if I am elected Chancellor, my first priority will be to shut the Galactic Kids Next Door down! Not for the safety of our own adult kind, but for the safety of our next generation! Will you really allow our precious youth to KILL their selves in place of our lazy, good-for-nothing troops? Like how THOSE two would've?!" He pointed accusingly at Jeremy and Phyronix. "Not just in our galaxy, but ALL over the universe, they're risking their lives! And that's why, we need to shut them down! Elect me as Chancellor, and I will execute the perfect plan, to do so!"

The operatives began to look worried as mutters of strong agreement began to go about the courtroom. Nebula glared at Tachyon, who bore a smug, wicked grin on his face.