Insane Cafe 4: The Insane Frontier

[Serris]

(Weyard)

Sveta appeared in front of the gates of Belinsk. The city itself was a surrounded by imposing as stone walls. In the sky loomed Mertavius's countdown timer.

Two Beastmen guards immediately spotted Sveta along with Gabuna and Tigress.

The second guard looked over Gabuna and Tigress. "Fellow Beastmen," he said. "I am glad to see that you have safely made it to Belinsk."

"Queen Sveta! We are glad to see that you have returned," the first guard said.

Sveta shook her head. "Dispense with the pleasantries. We need to evacuate the entire city. That marking in the sky heralds an event far more dangerous that he Grave Eclipse. Weyard itself is at risk of being destroyed."

-------------------

A flare of radiation marked the arrival of the transport ships that would take the refugees to their temporary housing in the mining colonies.

The fleet slowly braked and loitered in orbit as they hailed Spire of Winter.

-------------------

(Spire of Winter)

Stripetail's radio buzzed. "Stripetail, this is Captain Carson. The transport ships that will carry the refugees to the safe mining colonies have arrived."

[Nick22]

Thank you captain. How many Colonies are available? and how many persons can they take?" stripetail asked
_

 Thank you  sir' Dixie said as she entered the city.  being Called "Beastman' didnt insult her,  sje figured it was just what they called all sentient animals. ' We're going to need to split the city into thirds. Tigress, take the west, third, Gabuna, the center third, and I'll take the  eastern third."
 Got it Tigress said "You Girls be careful .Dont want to lose any team member while getting people out. " We'll meet back here once your zone is cleared" Gabuna suggested. We'll meet in the center of the city" Dixie said. I'm sure we'll be very hungry once we are done>"
 _
 Ayouthay
 Kovu , Vitani Stitch and Angel appeared in front of the walls of Ayouthay ' we need to speak with the royal family" Kovu called out to the town guard. " its extremely important!"

Kaocho
 Kopa entered the city and looked around the mountains towered over the city in the distance and it was a very scenic view. "  Alright everyone ' he said to the iothers " we need to work as quickly as possible ' He motioned to the timer which read 13 days 1 hour and 7 minutes." We have a huge population to clear out, and we'll be spending the niht here, probably the next two or three nights.

[Serris]

(Weyard)


"I'll deal with the artifacts and regalia," Sveta said as she sprinted for the castle gates. As was usual, Vande and his troupe were playing music in the town square. Hinting at the effect that firing of the Apollo Lens had on the continent of Weyard were several golden-furred Beastmen. Among one of them was Vande.

"Queen Sveta, we are glad to see you are safe!" a guard exclaimed as he opened the castle's gates.

"I am safe but we need to evacuate the regalia and treasures in the museum. Some Beastmen from beyond Weyard are helping us. Follow!" Sveta ran into the castle's courtyard where she planned to address the royals and the guards.

---------------------------

Ayuthay was a beautiful walled city with elaborate carvings on the walls and canals that resonated with magical energies in the water. Strangely, the city was mostly empty save for a few tents and vendor's stalls.

---------------------------

Kaocho was a farming village with numerous rice paddies being tended to and bamboo forests being trimmed and harvested. Despite the timer in the sky, people were going about their business as usual.

---------------------------

(Spire of Winter)

"We've got five mining colonies that are close by. Because they're not designed for long-term habitation, I'd say we can fit maybe an extra fifty or so people," Captain Carson said via radio. "However, we may be able to fit more aboard the shuttles."

[Nick22]

thats only 250 people total  captain. we are dealing wth 5 million, may i remind you. while every little bit helps, I ws hoping for more than that. a few thousand, each..' stripetail said. " at this rate we'll need several hundsred worlds to pitch in to get everyone off."
_
Ayouthay

 Wow , this place is emptier than the Prideland larders after a  Puumba late night snack' Kovu said, as  he walked through the city. Perhaps they evacuated already?" he said to Vitani. " If they had, i dont think stripetail woulkd have sent us here" Vitani paused. ' lets keep looking PErhaps they are in a shelter somewhere/ she Said , looking intoi the windows of a house.
-
 Belinsk
 Tigeress heased out to her section of Belinsk, Followed by Dulcy who flew above her  " you dont mind if I follow you,? dulcy asjked ' No, you can help me carry.." Tigeress was cut off as dulcy suddenly crashed into a wall and crumpled into a heap " Sorry, I crash a lot" Dulcy said embarrassed. " you said you could fly" tigeress said a tone of exsperation in her voice " we're relying on you to fly folks to safety. ' well, truthfully, I'm just ok at flying. Still i volunteered to help" tigeress helped Dulcy to her feet. ' just  try not to crash when folks on riding on your bsack' tigeress said.
_
 Passaj
 Scooby entered the city followed by  Metalgarurumon and Wargreymnon." Now the  question is, How re we going to evucuate all the residents. thgeres only 3 of us after all; MetalGarurumon said " i should have brought Gabuna with us.. ah drat , She cant digivolve yet. still h She could help in other ways. ' You like having her as your partner? Wargreymon said " definitely. It helps that  shes a big fan of me. " Is there a Gabumon is Awesome! Club " wargreymon smirked. " no! Nothing like that " Metalgarurumon said/ " thank goodness ' Fine line between being a fan and the kind of people who buys another persons garbage.' Agumiona used to be like that, frankly. But shes gotten better.' Wargreymon said, cracking a smile

[Serris]

(Spire of Winter)

"I'll see what I can do. Captain Carson out."

Captain Carson was inside the bridge of the starship. She had opened channels to the heads of the mining planets. A teleconference was being held inside the bridge. Granted, due to the limited bandwidth that was available for superluminal transmission, it was text only.

Even so, there were delays.

"We have millions of refugees. We need to find a way to fit more than fifty in each mining colony. Remember, we just need to give the refugees a place to sleep."

Five seconds later, the reply from the head of SRS-890 appeared on the terminal. "We may be able to fit refugees into the disused mine shafts and tunnels that are currently being used for storage."

A full minute later, the reply from the head of ZDC-241 appeared on the terminal. "Fifty is the maximum we can take in our prefab shelters. The mineshafts are filled with a toxic gas. However, we may be able to convert some of the ore carriers into makeshift living quarters.

At the same time, the head of SRS-990 replied.  "Our planet has a normal temperate climate but air is pure argon, water vapor and carbon dioxide. However, we can supply refugees with oxygen masks and we can have the refugees live aboard the shuttles.

Two minutes later, the head of CYD-021 replied, "The ore carriers we have are being modified for housing purposes."

Concurrent with that message, the head of CYD-022 replied, " Volcanic activity makes it unsafe to live on the planet outside the armored prefab shelters that were built. Placing ships in orbit is option."

Captain Carson rubbed her head. They weren't ideal but they were better than nothing.

-------------------

(Weyard)

Passaj was a mining town set high in the peaks of the  Khiren Mountains. Its elaborately carved structures and roads hinted at its founders: Exathi, a race of non-Adepts who were famed for their skills as engineers and architects.

Its main resource was a green magically charged mineral that levitated. Indeed, the air was speckled with greenish pebbles of zol floating like feathers in the wind.

As for the inhabitants, most of them had taken refuge inside the Alchemy Forge and mines that lay under the city. But there were a few guards watching to ensure the safety of the townspeople.

[Nick22]

stripetail looked at the 6 members of the rescue party gathered around him . " I dont think I need to tell you how dangerous this mission is. This is an extraction mission, designed to enter the Phoenix, rescue Chongs captives and get out. stripetail gestured and produced 6 glowing green  wristbands. ' wear these, they wikll turn you invisible to the naked eye, and also allow you to skirt any security systems Nick's installed." Anything excepted infrared. We're still giving off heat" Nick said. " only if you get too close to someone can they feel your heat." stripetail said " any questions. Before i sent you off?

[Serris]

Prince Ryu Kuo, Tyrell and Mr. Bigmouth put the bracelets on. All of them had their gear ready. In Mr. Bigmouth's case, he had his ballistic armor and helmet along with his messenger bag of supplies.

Tyrell looked at the bracelet. "I'm a Mars Adept," he said. "Will this disguise my fire magic?"

"Nick," Mr. Bigmouth said as he got his PDA ready. "Perhaps we should start with planning? Namely, the security systems and defenses of your ship."

The Saurolophus had traded his standard rifle for a specialized and nearly silent magnetic rifle that used alternating magnetic fields to launch steel darts. The only noise was the steady high pitched whine from the energized magnetic coils. Even though the switching was done electronically, there was still the noise the magnetic field produced along with sound of the projectile being launched. It was nearly silent but it was much less powerful than his rifle. All in all, it was about as powerful as the Great Valley bow he had but much more compact with a faster rate of fire and higher ammunition capacity.

Prince Ryu Kou was examining his sword and waiting for everyone to get ready.

[Nick22]

yes, this will not only turn you invisible, it will render silent any magic you cast,  and your magic will only become visible once it hits its target, which by then, it will be too late   for them to  do anything about it. a wellplaced fireball will be fatal.
  Nick ;pulled out his ring phone, and pressed a button causing an image of the Phoenix to appear in front of them.  "The Phoenix has 5 floors, each has a central hub for video security, which is normally watched over by 2 or 3 guards or staff.  Further, if one floor shuts down the system is triggered so that the others will shut down as well, within a minute or so.  this is designed to protect the system from further damage.  getting them back on will require triggering backup power  from the main hub in my office, which takes 10 minutes to restart one floor, and a further 5 minutes to restart power on each other floor, so all told, thats 30 minutes. this will effect all cameras,and turn them off. Although with us being invisible, we wont show up on the camera anyway. The dungeons are on the lowest floor. Entering the ship, we will be on the main floor ' Nick said, pointing to an area near the mall. there are stairs here and here. and  4 sets of elevators.  Getting in, wont be the issue. Getting out, with our friends, will be.  stripetail, can we have 2 more of those magic bands? To turn Karis and amiti invisible?" stripetail smiled briefly,  then produced the bracelets and gave them to Spyro." Will these bracelets work on our armor" spyro said. " yes Stripetail said. You'll be wearing your armor, for protection."  dont worry  boss' Cynder said with a smirk. we've handled missions like this before. " Its not you i'm worried about. I know you can handle yourselves perfectly well. keep an eye on Nick and the others." stripetail said."once you locate the Phoenix, place a tracker  within the ship so we can find its location. its likely in orbit or in near orbit. we dont have time retake the ship now, but the tracker will help us follow it.:
_ we got this " Spyro said within a grin as he and Cynder Activated thier armor. "Once this is done, and you are safeky back. I'll send you to the planet to help evacuations. there are 4 cities the rest of the team is in, Ayouthay, Belinsk, Kaocho and passaj." Stripetail said.  Which ones did you send Dixie and Tigeress to?.' Cynder asked "Belinsk, They both picked that city." stripetail said. And where did you send Scooby?" spyro asked. Passaj. Its a mining town, full of a magical ore known as zol' Stripetail said " The stuff actually floats. Bring some back for analysis, wont you?' Certainly' Spyro noded ' I'll send you to those cities once we're done  with this mission. Evacuating several million residents is going to be a long, hard slog. you'ere going to be spending days in those cities, so get used to the lodgings.

[Serris]

(Spire of Winter)

Mr. Bignouth nodded. "So knocking out power just puts the whole ship in lockdown. I have breaching tools in my bag to get through various obstacles but I doubt Nick will approve of me cutting holes in his ship. Now are there any active defenses like booby traps or weapons aboard the ship?"

"We cannot discount the fact that this 'Chong' character may have added them." Prince Ryu Kou sheathed his sword and took a seat.

-------------------

(Weyard)

The guards noticed Scooby and his group.

"Beastmen!" he yelled out. "State your purpose for being here!"

[Nick22]

there are screen doors that drop in and block off escape routes should intruders get in. i've connected the security systems to my fingerprints, so i can open them  ' Nick said. there's also ocular tests, again geared to my eyes. Chong has put in a few added features. he added them in after taking over. theres magical turrets on the first and second floors, which shoot glowing projectiles. he tested them on a few uncooperative staff' Nick sighed " and Bigmouth, you do what is necessary. Punching a few holes in my ship is nothing. i'm going to be spending a lot of time and money fixing it  up after this ordeal is over anyway. A few more holes wont make a big difference' He finished. " and i was 2-3 months from paying stripetail back for the loan. " he scratched his head. ' the money isnt important Nick" stripetail said. " Helping you get your business back is.. and maybe, perhaps , splurge for   some better advertising?' You dont like My " Your tastebuds will go into orbit' tag line? nick said "  You can do better. Have specials, geared towards the planets your ship visits. skylander Lava cakes, or mawashii Sumo cookies or Warfang mole mints. things like that>"
_
We're here to help the city Evacuate" warGreymon said to the guards. " that countdown in the sky is a countdown to the planets destruction. Another planet, significantly larger than Weynard, is hurling straight towards us! unfortunately, it also has living creatures on it, so we cant just blow it up. So we have quite the dilemma on our hands. We've ben sent to help evacuate Passaj' The Digimon leader said. " we must have a meeting with your royal family. It is extremely important.'

[Serris]

(Weyard)

The guard scratched his chin. "You mean Bogho and the Elders?"

The other guard nodded as he ushered them in. "Quickly! If you have a plan to save Passaj and its inhabitants, we must get you to them!"

The door was slowly opened and the two guards led them down a winding mountain trail. There were chains to prevent people from falling down the chasm that the trail wound around. Interestingly, some chunks of zol riding upwards on a current air from the chasm.

----------------

(Spire of Winter)

"Chong has likely reprogrammed them," Mr. Bigmouth said as he analyzed the Phoenix. "I'd suggest entering above or below the ship so we have the element of surprise, but it's likely that there are defensive weapons emplacements on the top and bottom of the ship. Assuming Chong is still operating Phoenix as a mall/cafe, we maybe be able to sneak in by posing as tourists."

[Nick22]

i can  change  each of you into another form." Stripetail said,  pulling out a number of small vials from his robes. the vials sloshed with a greenish purple liquid" this will transform you into the guise of another, for 24 hours." One request, Stripetail If you please. don't change me into a girl."Nick said.  stripetail  looked at him then picked out 2 of the vials ' these two are female transformations' he said." Nick grabbed one of the other 4> and put it into his shirt ' I think posing as tourists is a good idea." here ' He tossed Nick a bag of gold " Buy food, buy stuff, do all the stuff tourist normally do. Play the part to avoid suspicion."
_
 underground Paasaj
 Scooby grabbed a few of the floating rocks, which stopped floating the moment they were grabbed ' As long as you held on to them, they looked like ordinary rocks, but once you set them down, they would begin to float. " I could use a big rock like this in the kitchen, Scooby said. " Save me the cost of having a ladder"  Don;'t be cheap, Scooby. You're wealthy, you can afford whatever you like' Wargreymon said " I've been to your house a number of times after all." " I'm sure you could find uses for this in the digi world too, Monster world as well ' Scooby mused as they continued to walk down the winding trail. each of the 3 guys took some zol and put it into their storage compartments

[tempestwheel]

"So......Master Sneed," Oliver said from the bear's big vest pocket, "What types of things will you have me do the most?" The kitten slave figured its best he became aware of all the expectations of his new "job."

.............

Kiara looked around the city she was sent to check out. "I hope there are some still alive around here," she said, concerned for the residents' safety.

[Nick22]

Well, i have a few things' Sneed said pulling out a roll of paper and giving it to Oliver.  " read them, and start to work on them.  Cook here can help you' sneed said with a smile. " If you dont do them, the penmaty is, a sitting. that is, i sit on you" he grinned as Oliver began reading the (very) long list of chores.
_
 come on Flash, Mona' luca said ' lets go get something to eat . oliver has a job to do, kllet him do it."  The wolf pups quickly followed Luca out  of the room, and headed out  to the town.  The girls were glad that Sneed hadnt tried to get them to serve him too. What do you want to do? mona asked her best friend " theres a photo Booth in Mall" Flash said " we could take some Silly photos " Oh! I like it' Mona said " theres a book store too." Mona beamed. " Just dont get into too much trouble girls " Luca smiled as she led them into the mall.
_

[tempestwheel]

"Brush your teeth," Oliver read off, "Get you breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks....I'll get you some food right now for a snack."

"Trust me, master is not kidding," Other Oliver smirked, "He will sit on you, and master is quite heavy."

[Serris]

(Spire of Winter)

Ms. Swimmer took the female transformation potion and tucked it into her leaf pouch.

Mr. Bigmouth gave his equipment a once over. "All right. We'll need to take a vehicle that doesn't arouse suspicion."

------------------

(Weyard - Underground Passaj)

The passageway opened into an expansive chamber. The Elders of Passaj were gathered around an altar. Lines that glowed with a fiery light were etched on the ground of the cavern.

The guard tapped his spear against the ground. "Elder Bogho!"

The Elder in question, a wizened old man turned around. Despite his age, he was quite spry and he walked over to the group.

"You are the group that the guards have told me about. Tell me all you know about the markings in the sky," he said. "For I fear that those markings will be the end of Passaj."

[Nick22]

Bring me some doughnuts' sneed said " oh, right, thopse cost money "  he said digging into his pockets, and bringing out some gold. " 6 dozen, if you please. a mix of springkles, chocolate and glazed. No filing, please, just cake doughnuts." he said to Oliver. " now go." he said.
-
 Mona and Flash reached the photobooth on the second floor < and climbed in behind the screen  60 pictures per session' Mona said "Theres silly faces, rolling eyes, pursing lips,  and stuff like that." The photos began to flash, with the girls rolling eyes, sticking out tongues, and putting claws behind  each others ears, and laughing throughout, as they followed the instructions before the pictures being taken. the girls switched positions in photos, sticking thier heads inbetween the others arms in a goofy manner.  the pictures finished and they headed out of the booth.
_ Passaj Underground
 Yes we are " scooby said. That   mark in the sky is a countdown. And you are right to be scared.  another planet is headed in our direction, it will arrive when the countdown  reaches 0. The countdown is a countdown to Weynards complete destruction. Not opnly will passaj be destroyed, but everything else on Weynard as well.

[tempestwheel]

Oliver nodded and went to the donut shop to buy Sneed what he wanted. He asked the Mawashiin working at the counter for the ones the bear wanted, and he provided them.

"Thank you sir," he said as he returned to the room.

...........

"See anyone yet?" Kiara asked Kopa

[Serris]

(Passaj Underground)

Bogho gestured for the group to sit down on the cushions that had been placed for them.

"So I see. If the force is great as to place all of Weyard in danger, how do you propose we--"

Elder Bogho was interrupted by a messenger who was covered in sweat. "Elders!" he panted out. "All towns surrounding Passaj have been deserted! I have encountered some of the townsfolk and they are headed to Kaocho and Ayuthuay."

The Elder nodded. "I see. However, I will not burden the leaders of those towns. But I fear that the Alchemy Forge will not protect us this time. If only we could find a way off of Weyard."

-------------------

(Vaalbara)

The Aphelion landed on what appeared to be a a rocky plain. The fact that the pebbles melted into clear puddles under the craft's thrusters hinted that the "rocks" were actually frozen water ice. A clear lake of liquid ammonia was surrounded by twisted metal and rock, indicating that it used to be a resort. Hazy clouds of ammonia vapor rose into the nitrogen, methane and hydrogen sulfide atmosphere as the craft touched down.

[Nick22]

Ratchet, Angela and Clank climbed out of the ship and began to look around. Clank, being made of metal, did not have to worry about breathing oxygen, or the cold. "Looks like this once was a resort of some kind' he pointed " Theres part of a a building or hut over there" he said, and the lombaxes could see that some of the buildings were still somewhat intact." well, better head over there. This place is freezing" angela said ' she was glad  the armor kept out the cold " i dont think what is left will provide my in the way of shelter" ratchet said, But we do need to find out what happened here. Come on."
_
 We have started evacuating those cities as well ' Agumon said after returning to his rookie form. " The problem is, that we're not sure how exactly to get everyone off. We have worlds wiling to take in refugees, but not 5 million of them."
 Ayouthay
 Stitch was using a boat to float in one of the canals, grinning as the boat turned the surround water different colors. Angel was turning the water colors as well as  she dabbed at it with her tentacles " Stop messing around " Vitani called out to them. as she did, glowing blue torches soon appeared at the entrance of the city, and a steady stream of Weynardians started entering the city. " Word must have spread ' Kovu said. "But these arent the residents of the town. they are from elsewhere.' He paused. They must be underground. See if theres a mine entrance or something. we need to find the residents.
_
Belinsk
 Dixie was headed around her section of the city ' Stopping people, pointing to the clock in the sky, and telling them to  go home, collect their families and belongings and evacuate as soon as possible. this was not easy work, as there were many streets in this part of the city, and this part of the town, was open to the sea. a dock lay in the distance, and  Dixie made her way towards it.
Gabuna headed inside Belinsks inn, which was nearly empty, save for a clerk ' I'd like to um, reserve a room for the night. Actually, a couple nights. she said to the clerk'  " oh, and Um. i'm staying with a couple friends. We're all sharing the room.  " thats 14 per person.  so 3 persons, thats 42 coins, 3 nights then is 126.' the clerk said " Do you have It" Um. Just give me a minute' gabuna said , walking away a distance and searching her pockets, and finding nothing. " dixie?' Tigeress' she spoke into her ring " i'm checking us in to the local inn for the next few days, and its 126 gold" Check your container compartment on your wrist" came Tigress' voice" Thats where we store stuff we find, or any money or gems we get as pay ." Checking" Gabuna said ' She opened her wrist compartment  and found a big   coin bag inside with a note" To cover expenses incurred while evacuating the continent. 10000 coins in all. Dont spend them all in one place. Stripetail>" ' she spoke into her ring again " Yeah Stripetail gave me some money. I'll pay for the room, and er, we'll have to share a bed." Just pick out which side of the bed you prefer, its not a big deal' Tigress replied.Well, i like my space.' Gabuna said " well Gabuna, You're going to have to get used to sharing beds with us, and giving up personal space. This is, as far as I can see, the only inn in town and unless you want to spend hundreds of more coins, just to have your own space, Its cheaper to share. Besides, We'll be spending most of the day evacuating people and will be too tired to really care about whether any of us has personal space. Look at it, as a time to bond and talk about your experiences' Tigeress said." or Charm us with your singing" Tigeress laughed " Very funny' Gabuna made a face  as Tigeress broke off
 Mam? the Clerk interrupted' do you have the money or not?" Oh, sorry! Yes, Yes I do"  Gabuna said pulling out the coin bag and began counting out coins to put on the counter, doling out 130 in in all " um,. keep the change Gabuna said, as the Clerk pulled a key off the wall " follow me mam" he said.