I nod, and we begin to develop the bomb.
≈=============
**POV - ■■■■■**
"Okay, we have the plasma core stabilized. It will serve as the main energy source. With the flow controlled by the magnetic field capacitors, we can ensure that the explosion is directed rather than spreading uncontrollably," I say, looking at the core of the bomb.
"Yeah, it's pretty rudimentary. The plasma core is still not one of the best; it's extremely weak," Graiger says, looking at the core we created from our broken weapons.
'The energy from the weapons we created each had a small plasma core to recharge energy, but now we've combined the two to create the bomb's core,' I think and reply, "Yes, this will be a waste of energy, but there's nothing we can do. It's the only energy source we have at the moment."
"Are you finishing up? How much time is left? The Cybermen are coming!" Lastra says urgently.
"It took us two hours to combine and stabilize the two cores into one. From here, it'll probably take just two more hours and it will be ready," I say, grabbing the devices that need to be integrated into the bomb.
"Okay. We don't have much time for adjustments, so let's stick to the basics," Graiger says, approaching and preparing to adjust the rest of the bomb.
"The plasma will go into a critical reaction once we reach critical mass, right?" I ask, looking at Graiger's calculations.
"In theory, yes. But in practice, we need to add a detonator to ensure it reaches critical mass and detonates," Graiger replies.
"Yes, but we can't do anything too sophisticated. Let's use the electric pulse we made to destroy the Cybermen," I suggest, proposing the idea for the detonator.
"Yeah, that could help with the detonation," Graiger agrees.
"You know, this is a big waste of plasma cores. If we had more time, we could make something stronger that would probably be easier to control," I say, adjusting the core in the center of the bomb.
"Yeah, but this is all we have for now," Graiger replies, checking the electric pulse device that will be used as the detonator.
"So, when are they coming?" Graiger asks, and I know he's thinking that the Time Lords are taking too long to come to our rescue.
"Probably in a few more days or hours. It's been almost 10 days. Your father said the tracker works, so we have to hold on to that hope," I say.
"So, Lastra, did they manage to find the base in these 2 hours?" I turn and ask Lastra, who is commanding and watching the soldiers to protect all exits.
"The squads haven't found it yet. They were on the defensive because they didn't know what they could do. Once we told them about the bomb, they began attacking all the Cybermen bases with full force," Lastra responds with a worried face.
Lastra's communicator starts beeping. "Lady Lastra, Lady Lastra, do you read?" The voice of a soldier comes through.
"Reading you, soldier," she replies.
"Alpha Squad 45 found their central base, but it's heavily protected. There are at least hundreds of Cybermen surrounding it. We're sending the data to you, but we don't have much time, they're invading our bases," the soldier says, urgency clear in his voice.
"Thanks, soldier. The bomb is almost ready. Please hold out for at least two hours, we're on our way," Lastra says and looks at us with concern.
"So, do you have a plan to get as close to the central base as possible?" I ask, speeding up the bomb's construction.
"We can't invade unless we have a large distraction. It'll need a massive invasion, with big numbers as the distraction," Graiger says.
Lastra pulls out the communicator and starts formulating a plan with the high command and the troops heading to the lab.
**-----------------SCENE BREAK------------**
**POV - MR. HEARTSHAVEN**
**LOCATION - HEARTSHAVEN MANOR OFFICE**
'Where are those kids? It's been nine days since they last sent news to my wife and Miss Gillia,' I think, worried.
'They've never gone more than five days without sending word. Should I request a search from Castellan? My son and ■■■■■ are together somewhere... where could they be?' I ponder.
Something starts beeping in the room. I look around, searching for the source of the noise, and see the cube that's connected to the boys'.
"Location acquired, distress signal received.
Location: 250 million light-years from the current location. On a planet called Earth.
Time: 70 million years in the past of the planet called Earth, Cretaceous period," an emotionless voice states, displaying the coordinates.
"What have those two done? How did they end up on another planet? Are they okay? I need to get my TARDIS," I say, discomfort in my voice.
'I need to notify Castellan Rosger to assemble a squad for a rescue mission for these two,' I think, getting up and leaving my office.
"What happened, dear? Why are you in such a bad mood? Did something happen?" my wife asks as she sees me leaving the office.
"Graiger and ■■■■■ got themselves into trouble again," I say quickly, heading out of the house.
"Take care of them, dear," my wife says, bidding me farewell without knowing that they're on another planet right now. 'I can't tell her yet. Otherwise, she'll want to come with us,' I think, uncomfortable, imagining how she'll react when she finds out I didn't tell her. 'She'll probably want to kill me,' I think, uneasily.
I grab one of my ships and head toward Lungbarrow House to talk to Castellan Rosger. 'I need to come back here to get my TARDIS,' I think, speeding up the ship.
**--------------SCENE BREAK----------**
**POV - ■■■■■**
Nearly two hours have passed, and we're finishing up the bomb.
"Lastra, we're almost done. Did you come up with a plan for the invasion?" I ask.
"Yes, all squads will be the distraction. Here, here, and here," she says, showing the map of the Cybermen troops. "And we'll go through here," she points to a spot where the central base likely is.
"Ma'am, we have a problem. A legion of Cybermen is invading this base. We're surrounded," a soldier in defense informs.
"What? How did they find out? This information wasn't leaked," Lastra says, anxious.
"We need to flee and take the bomb with us," I say, standing up and finishing the final touches on the bomb.
"We can't, sir. All exits are blocked," one of the soldiers responds.
"What do we do? We can't get out of here now," Graiger says, helping to lift the bomb.
"We need to find a way. Lastra, can't we gather all the soldiers and try to clear an exit so we can escape?" I ask, formulating a plan in my mind.
"It's possible, but we don't have enough weapons to take them all down," Lastra says, uncomfortable.
"Ma'am, they're coming!" several soldiers shout at once as we start to hear metallic footsteps outside the lab.
"Ma'am, they're coming," one soldier warns, beginning to shoot at them from a distance.
Hundreds of Cybermen start appearing at the base, surrounding everyone here. 'What are we going to do? There's no way out. Am I going to die here? I haven't even enjoyed this life enough yet, and I already have to use a regeneration?' I think, distressed.
*vwoorp vwoorp vwoorp, vwoorp vwoorp vwoorp, vwoorp vwoorp vwoorp*
I hear a sound and look at Graiger. We both begin to smile.
===============
**Author's Note:** The next chapter will probably be the last of this arc. Let me know what I got wrong and what needs to be improved for future arcs. I feel like I made quite a few mistakes in this first adventure arc, but I want feedback from the readers.