Rook, Ohm, and Julie fought their way down the corridor. Malware's infected drones impeded their progress at nearly every step. Ohm charged ahead deftly jumping on and off walls to the drones that were firing at them. Taking one's head in his hands he discharged a large burst of electricity, frying the machine's circuits and disabling it. Julie followed up from behind, dashing past him to the next drone.
Ship's new armor form was much lighter and easier to control, she found. She was able to deflect most of the laser fire with her shield. Coming up to a drone she slashed at it with one sword morphed arm, neatly slicing it in half. Despite the gravity of the situation, Julie couldn't help feeling exilirated. With Ship's lighter, more responsive armor she felt like she was playing a match of tennis. Kind of. The only downsides she'd managed to realize were that her strength was not augmented in this form. Additionally, she was unable to do widespread damage as the numerous weapons she could sprout in her full armor were not available to her. Still though, Julie thought she was doing equally well as her counterparts in taking down the drones.
Rook was handily defeating the drones with a combination of his martial arts and proto-tool. He slid under the fire of one of the drones, shooting up into its chassis and sending sparks flying. Leaping to his feet he performed a scissor kick on the drone behind it. His proto tool extended into a staff which he used to knock out two drones on either side of him, before stabbing into the drone under his feet. A volley of fire shot past him and Rook quickly dispatched the shooters with two well aimed shots to their CPUs.
"Wohoh, nice work bud. But, uh I'm still in the lead eh." Ohm boasted.
"Magister I hardly think this is the time for competition." Rook responded. Ohm clapped him on the back fatherly. Rook stumbled just slightly from the force and frowned.
"Sure it is, boosts morale." Ohm replied. "Now come on, the next junction should lead us straight to the lab." Ohm said running ahead. Julie came up behind Rook.
"How much further till we reach the lab?" She asked. Rook frowned.
"Another 15 minutes perhaps. Unfortunately Malware's security locked us out of the main passageways so we are stuck taking the 'scenic route' as you might say." Rook explained.
"I sure hope Gwen and Kevin are having better luck than we are." Julie sighed.
Kevin grunted as he smashed his way through a thick steel wall. His metal coated hammer fist shined in the fluorescent overhead lights. He crawled through the gaping hole he had made into a service hallway. He looked around for any signs of more drones before beckoning the group forward. Gwen stepped through the hole followed closely by many plumbers. After having been forced to retreat from Malware the duo had found themselves rescued by this group of plumbers still fighting against the hijacked base. Kevin of course had wanted to stage a full frontal assault with their superior numbers. The commander however, had managed to convince them to accompany their group to the base's armory, to stock up on weapons. Gwen had agreed with the plan, stating that her magic did not work well against technology and the more firepower they had the better.
"How much further to the armory?" Kevin asked aloud.
"Not far now." The commander answered as he lead the group of about 10 plumbers down the hallway. Suddenly a loud buzzing noise was heard echoing through the chamber. The group's heads were drawn upwards. A group of infected flying drones were swooping down on them. Their lasers charged up and ready to fire.
"Everyone, take cover!" The plumber commander ordered. The maintenance hallway soon was filled with laser fire. The remaining plumbers aimed upwards with their weapons to shoot down the flying death machines. Gwen threw blast after blast of magenta energy at the drones. They exploded into pieces, raining sparks and metal down onto the group.
"We've gotta get out of here. This space is too confined." Gwen called out as she shielded herself and another plumber with a dome of energy.
"One exit, coming right up." Kevin announced. He absorbed the metal of the hallway and rushed forward. Bracing his arms in front of his face, Kevin bull rushed through a wall at the end of the small corridor. He raised his hand and beckoned them forward. The group ran for the exit, blasting the last of the drones as Gwen provided them with cover.
The group exited out into the base's training deck and shooting range. The flying drones did not follow them out. The group took stock of their weapons and any injuries they may have incurred. Most of the plumbers were trained professionals, they'd taken a beating but they weren't out for the count yet.
"Which way from here Commander?" Gwen asked the plumber in charge.
"We're not far from the armory. If we go left down the hallway it should be there." He announced. The group stood up to leave but were interrupted by a voice crackling to life on the base's speakers.
"As if I'd let you get there." The voice cackled. "I've been watching you all. Like ants under a microscope. I know what you're planning, and it's not going to work." Malware's voice taunted them.
"Ignore him. He's just trying to mess with our heads." Kevin cautioned the group.
"Oh, I'll do more than that, Levin." Malware announced. Suddenly the machines and weapons in the training area came to life. Turrets popped out of the wall and began to take shots at the plumbers. The group scattered in all directions, taking cover behind vehicles, boxes, and whatever else was in the shooting range. The plumbers shot back expertly, destroying the turrets and guns that were pelting them with fire. But for each turret that they destroyed, it seemed like two more would take their place.
Kevin rushed the guns on the ground. His metal fists bashing the weapons into nothing more than scrap metal. He jumped and ducked between cover, working his way up to each turret. Gwen took the high road, running across her levitating platforms she blasted the guns from up high. But even they were not immune to the constant laser fire. An errant blast struck Gwen in the side and she fell to the ground with a cry.
"Gwen!" Kevin cried out. He rushed to her. Diving to catch her from falling to the ground. In the process several laser blasts hit him in the back, forcing him to take cover again. He looked down to see Gwen with a pained expression on her face. She winced slightly as she sat down.
"Thanks." She whispered.
"Any time. But we're getting hammered over here. What are we gonna do?" Kevin asked.
"I've had just about enough of all this." Gwen said. She looked around and spotted a rubber tarp covering some plumber ships.
"Commander, get everyone underneath that tarp! I've got a big spell lined up." Gwen called out above the laser fire. The commander made a hand signal and soon all of the plumbers took shelter under the tarp.
"You too big guy." Gwen said putting her hand on Kevin's shoulder.
"What've you got planned?" Kevin asked.
"Something big." She said cryptically. Kevin grinned and then jumped over the box towards the rest of the group.
Gwen concentrated; her eyes half lidded. She muttered her incantations under her breath. Energy began to crackle around her. Her voice rose as her incantation grew stronger. The lighting sparking around her grew in intensity with her volume. She stood up from her hiding spot. A vortex of wind and energy surrounded her as her eyes glowed with magical power. She thrust her hands into the air and chanted her final incantation. The energy suddenly discharged in a shockwave of magenta lightning. The shockwave expanded outward striking all of the turrets and drones that had come to shoot them. The devices short circuited and fell to the ground, powerless.
Once the sounds of laser fire died down the plumbers dared to come out from their cover. Gwen stood, panting heavily with the exertion of her spell.
"Nice one. What was that?" Kevin came up to her.
"A lighting shockwave spell. Figured it would work like an EMP and shut all those robots down." Gwen explained.
"Well it looks like it did the trick." Kevin noted as he watched the lifeless turrets.
"Come on, let's get to the armory before anything else goes wrong." The commander said.
The group made their way to the armory without any further difficulties. However, upon reaching the armory doors they found them sealed shut. The commander attempted to input his security credentials, but the doors stubbornly stayed closed.
"It's no use. Malware has changed the security protocols. We're locked out." The commander said.
"No problem, I got this." Kevin said rolling his shoulder. But the commander held out a hand to stop him.
"Those walls are five feet thick. It would take even you more than an hour to get in." The commander explained. Kevin frowned.
"So what now?" Kevin asked.
"Hold on, let me get in touch with Rook. Maybe Magister Ohm can help." Gwen said. She withdrew her plumber badge and called Rook.
On the other side of the base, Ohm, Rook, and Julie were making their way down another corridor. They were close to the Laboratory when Rook's plumber badge went off. The group stopped in their tracks as Rook answered. Gwen's voice soon came through.
"Rook! It's Gwen, we've joined up with a group of plumbers and are trying to get in the armory but Malware's locked us out. Anything you guys can do to help?" She asked. Rook looked to Magister Ohm who shook his head.
"If Malware's changed the whole base's security codes then mine will be useless. You might have to do a manual reset." Ohm said.
"The commander says that Malware would just change the codes again. If only we could distract him somehow, take his focus off of the armory." Gwen suggested. Ohm turned to look at Julie and pointed a finger at her.
"Hey Julie. Your little friend there is a mechamorph. Maybe he can hack into the system and help out." Ohm said.
"No, Ship isn't like other mechamorphs. I don't think he could do that." Julie replied.
"Perhaps, but before today you did not think that Ship was capable of adjusting your armor. Maybe you should try. At most you would not need to change anything, just mess with the base's control schematics." Rook offered helpfully. Julie frowned unsure. Ship, sensing her hesitance chirped cheerfully.
"You want to try Ship?" She asked.
"Ship!" The little robot replied.
"Ok, if you're sure." Julie said, still unsure herself. She turned towards a command console inset in the wall and placed her hands on the keyboard. Ship's tendrils snaked into the keyboard and screen. Suddenly a wall of information flashed by Julie's eyes. The alien text shifted and transformed with her thoughts. A schematic of the base popped up in front of her eyes. Julie smiled happily. With a mere thought she could alter parts of the base to her whims. It was like she was part of the base itself.
"Woah, I think it's working!" She said excitedly.
Deep in the heart of the base, Malware took notice of Julie's meddling. He walked back over to the control panel. He plunged his clawed fist into the control panel. His techno-organic form molding into the system and granting him control once again.
"Now this is interesting. Which of you could possibly be doing this?" He asked aloud. With a thought Malware extended his influence through the base's control systems once again. His tendrils spread along the wires and circuits like an unstoppable flowing river. They eventually clashed with Ship's own tendrils, wrestling for control.
"Uggh, I think he's taken notice." Julie said from her control panel.
"Try to distract him by opening off the sealed access doors. Make him think we're trying to open a passage way to him." Rook suggested.
"Okay!" Julie replied.
"Gwen, prepare to reset the security protocols." Rook spoke into his badge.
From there it became a game of digital chess. Julie's moves would be instantly countered by Malware's advanced supercomputer mind. Whenever she would unlock a section of the base her control would be ousted and Malware would regain control. She could sense each of Malware's moves through the schematics of the base's network. She deliberately mislead him to parts of the base that were insignificant. Soon she started to feel Malware begin to track down her location through the network. Fearing a physical retaliation she announced to the rest of the group.
"Guys, I don't think I can hold Malware off much longer. I'm afraid he's gonna find us soon." Julie said worriedly.
"It's ok! We've gotten into the armory!" Gwen announced across the communicator.
With the go ahead given, Julie disconnected herself from the network. Ship's tendrils began to retract into her fingers. She gradually lost her connection to the base until there was nothing left. The downside though was she could feel Malware tracing Ship through the network back to their location. When she finally was fully disconnected from the control panel she turned to warn her comrades.
"We've gotta get moving. I think Malware might have found out where we are!" Julie said. Just as she finished speaking they could hear the tell tale clatter of robotic foot falls head their way.
"Quickly, we must retreat!" Rook announced. The trio made a speedy escape down the hallway as they were chased by Malware's drones. Ohm slid to a stop ahead of them, turning back to face the mechanical menaces. He charged up a ball of electricity between his hands and launched it forward. It impacted the drone in an explosion of sparks. A chain reaction of lightining spread among the other drones causing them to similarly burst into flames. With the threat defeated for the moment the trio continued to make their way to the central laboratory where Malware laid in wait.
The remainder of their trip to the lab was fraught with increasing difficulty as Malware centered his defenses on trying to impede their progress. More than once they had to make detours to avoid automated turrets and impassable hallways. Thankfully, not all of Julie's efforts when she was plugged into the mainframe were reversed. It seemed that Malware had left some of her changes in place, unnoticed by the Mechamorph. This allowed the group to make much speedier progress than they would have otherwise.
At last the trio reached one of the lab's many entrances. The doors were sealed shut of course, but another lockbreak by Ship would take care of that in no time. Rook pulled out his Plumber badge again and spoke into it.
"Gwen, come in. This is Rook. We've taken up position outside of the lab and are ready to breach. Do you copy?" He asked. Gwen's voice came back over the comms link.
"We copy you Rook. We're ready to go on our end." Gwen said.
"Then on my mark we will breach! 3, 2, 1, Mark!" Rook called out. Ship forced open the door by hacking into the security protocols. They slid open without any delay and the trio rushed inside before the automatic lockout could trap them outside. On the far side of the laboratory Gwen's group busted through the wall, courtesy of Kevin and the plumbers took formation with their newly acquired weapons. Malware did not seem to be caught unaware however. He stood calmly in the center of the lab, next to the Surge Drive.
"Step away from the Drive villain or I'll have to put the poundin' on you eh?" Ohm commanded slamming his fists together with a flurry of sparks.
"You are just an inconsequential nuisance Plumbers. In a few minutes I will have decoded the force field generator and will take the Pulsar Surge Drive. Then after that, I will have the Demiurge Hammer and then I can finally have my vengeance on that accursed Tennyson!" Malware taunted.
"He's after the hammer too?!" Kevin called out in shock.
"He's not gonna get to the Hammer if we stop him here!" Gwen replied. "Open fire!" She commanded.
The formation of plumbers took aim and let loose a volley of powerful laser fire from their rifles and cannons. Malware raised his arms in defense, clearly not expecting such heavy firepower. He transformed his arm into a cannon and returned fire. The assembled plumbers scattered, abandoning formation just as the ball of energy landed and exploded. Rook and Julie continued firing laser blasts from the opposite side. Magister Ohm rushed in, head ducked low and fists trailing electric sparks. He jumped up and delivered a shocking right hook to Malware's head, causing the techno-organic being to stumble over.
Kevin was quick on the catch and was there to slice him open as he fell. But Malware simply reformed himself and blew Kevin back with another energy blast. Kevin slid backwards before righting himself and joining in the fray once more. Kevin and Ohm continued to trade blows with Malware but the alien's skin was harder than it looked. He resisted almost all of their blows. Even Magister Ohm's electrical attacks seemed to only slow him down slightly. When Malware blasted the pair of brawlers away with another plasma ball the remaining plumbers redoubled their own attacks.
"This is not working. We need heavier fire power!" Rook called out.
"I think I can manage that." Julie replied from next to him. Ship chirped affirmatively and Julie's armor began shifting again. She grew taller and bulkier, her weapons being replaced by a multitude of rocket launchers and laser rays. She fired off a heavy rocket. It screamed through the air and impacted directly into Malware's chest. He was sent flying backwards into another control panel.
Gwen rushed forward to the central force field generator around the drive, bypassing Malware who was momentarily incapacitated. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, sweat running down her brow. She slammed her fist in frustration.
"I can't stop it!" She called out pointing to the countdown clock which showed only a precious few minutes until the shields fell.
Malware groaned from his position on the ground. Slowly making his way up his attention turned finally onto Julie and Ship. His normally unreadable alien expression hardened into a look of hatred that Ship instinctively recognized and caused Julie to shirk in fear as well.
"You. So you were the one hacking into the network earlier. I should have realized only another Mechamorph could have accomplished that feat. But you are not like the others. Most importantly you are not like me, so that means you must be destroyed like all the others." He threatened lowly. Julie took a step back unconciously intimidated.
"Open fire again!" Rook commanded. The various plumbers raised their weapons and fired again. Their energy blasts hit their mark but Malware seemed only more annoyed by their attacks. Suddenly several laser rifles emerged from Malware's body, pointed in various directions. They all fired simultaneously, their shots taking out most of the plumbers surrounding him. With his attackers taken care of Malware rushed forward straight at Julie.
Julie, frightened at the prospect of taking him on directly unconciously activated Ship's weapon systems. Her hands transformed into twin gatling lasers which began firing off rapidly. But Malware easily dodged in between the lasers and latched onto Julie's shoulders.
"AAAAAHHHH!" She cried out as Malware simultaneously crushed and shocked Ship's exoform. Julie's psychic link with the armor transmitting all the pain as if it were her own.
"I will take great pleasure in destroying you!" Malware growled. His tendrils began to invade Ship's armor form, slowly infecting the smaller mechamorph. Ship shrieked in pain as Malware began taking control of him and absorbing him into himself.
"Ship!" Julie called out in worry. She could feel the fear and pain in Ship as Malware attacked them. It filled her with anger and Julie summoned strength she didn't know she had. She raised her arms and pushed back against Malware. Weapons began to emerge from her palms and chest, charging with green energy. Malware was taken by surprise at the turn of events. Julie looked into his face with pure rage.
"GET. OFF. OF. US!" She screamed. A huge explosion of power sent Malware flying back into the force field. He flopped down, his body charred from the explosion. Julie slumped down, hurt and spent. Ship dropped his morph from around her body and returned to his normal form, whimpering slightly. Julie hugged her pet tightly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Julie!" Gwen called out. She rushed over to the other girl, concern written all over her face. Her hands were already alight with energy ready to heal whatever injuries the young woman had sustained.
"I'm fine. We're going to be okay." Julie waved her off. She hugged Ship tight to her chest. The little mechamorph chirped weakly but happily at his owner's affections.
However, they were all brought out of their false sense of security as malicious laughter began to fill the chamber.
"You fools! I've gotten what I've come for." Malware called out, holding the Pulsar Surge Drive aloft in the air. In the confusion of the battle it seemed the clock had run out and the force field fell.
"No!" Magister Ohm yelled.
"You are too late Plumbers!" Malware called. His hand soon expanded and swallowed up the drive, sucking it into his main body. In another second a laser cannon replaced his hand and Malware fired up into the ceiling. The shockwave knocked nearly everyone off their feet. Malware transformed again, sprouting wings from his back and rockets from his legs. His torso morphed into the form of a space ship. Soon Malware took off, filling the room with smoke and escaping out the hole in the ceiling.
The plumbers were left to take stock of their surroundings and their injured. Magister Ohm began barking orders, retaking command of the base and assessing damages. Rook, Julie, Gwen and Kevin had regrouped themselves and set about helping wherever they could. Several hours passed before the base was taken off of red alert as the defenses had come back online and the base was put into a working state. The group walked up to Magister Ohm at the end.
"Magister, I am sorry that we failed you." Rook said with a bow.
"Don't be. If it weren't for you four, I'd say we would have been a lot worse off than we are. Thanks for all your help but we've got things from here." Ohm replied shaking hands with each of them.
The group of heroes returned to the docking bay and boarded the Rust Bucket. Their group was mostly silent as they each recovered from the battle in their own way, and their failure. They stayed in docking as they each washed up and ate provisions from the base's cafeteria. Still though they couldn't keep silent forever.
"So Malware's after the hammer." Kevin stated matter of factly.
"It would appear so." Rook said.
"I just don't get how they all keep hearing about it. Did someone post a treasure map on or something?" Gwen asked exasperated.
"I do not know. But one thing I do know is that it would be incredibly dangerous if even a single one of them got their hands on it." Rook said. He paused for half a second. "We must find Ben. Before it is too late." Rook announced. Gwen and Kevin looked at each other with some shock.
"I thought you were taking Paradox's warning seriously?" Kevin asked.
"I am, but given what we faced today, the current threat is of greater concern." Rook explained his reasoning.
"I'm with Rook too." Julie announced surprisingly. Their heads turned to regard her. "After what we fought today, I won't lie it made me scared. But I know that Ben has villains just as bad as Malware out there and they're all after the same thing. We have to find Ben so he can put a stop to this before anyone else gets hurt." Julie said still hugging ship.
"So it's agreed then. Rook, can you bring up the coordinates then?" Gwen asked. Rook nodded and together with Kevin went to go input the data cube into the console. A few moments passed before the coordinates popped up large on the screen. Kevin began inputting numbers into the command console before he stopped and looked at the coordinates again. An incredulous look came over his face before he nudged Rook in the co-captain's chair.
"Uh Rook buddy, you might want to double check that data cube. These coordinates can't be right." He stated.
"What's wrong?" Gwen asked. But her question was ignored as Rook double checked the information.
"No, no it cannot be. These are the right coordinates." Rook said in a shocked whisper. He stared in disbelief at the numbers.
"Guys, what's the matter?" Gwen asked again. But again she was disregarded.
"Of all the stupid bone headed moves that kid has made this has got to take the cake!" Kevin yelled in anger.
"What is the problem?" Gwen tried announcing.
"I agree but there is no way that Ben would actually go there right? That would be suicide!" Rook argued back.
"Guys!" Gwen finally shouted. The boys were interrupted by her sudden shout and finally turned to look at her. She glared back with annoyance. "What is so bad about these coordinates?" She asked, finally having their attention. Rook and Kevin looked at each other in apprehension before turning back to her.
"These coordinates are the location of Hazard 5." Rook said seriously. Gwen's expression turned slightly worried but she was still confused.
"What's Hazard 5?" Julie finally asked. Kevin spoke up to answer.
"Hazard 5 is practically the most dangerous life-supporting planet in ten galaxies." He informed them.
"It has biomes of every type imaginable, with extreme climates and dangerous weather patterns." Rook explained.
"Not to mention hundreds of animal and plant species that will eat literally anyone or anything on contact." Kevin finished. "It's off limits to everyone because it's so dangerous." He said.
Gwen and Julie frowned at each other and Gwen asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
"Why would Ben choose to go there?" She asked.
"I do not know." Rook answered solemnly.
"He's probably finally lost it. Even with the Omnitrix there's no way he could survive there unscathed." Kevin said.
"I won't believe that." Julie announced suddenly. All heads turned to look at her. "He's just got to be okay, right? I mean, he has to be, he's Ben…" She trailed off quietly.
The group looked between themselves, unsure and unwilling to voice their fears. Instead, Rook and Kevin launched the Rust Bucket and set off for the planet known only as Hazard.