Digimon Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Ultimatum 2: The Argetlahm Adventures ❯ Mission #2 - Paradox Equation ( Chapter 5 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Ultimanium 
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Adventure / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.15.2002 | Pages: 6 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 279 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Adventure / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.15.2002 | Pages: 6 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 279 | Status: Completed
Argetlahm Bunks
Day 5, 10:32 AM
Conker lied on his bunk and stared at the celing. "Whoa... you really changed bodies with that little guy? I have to say, he must've been a pretty good shot then.... anyways, what was it like? Was it really weird?"
Davis folded his blankets over and pushed himself out of bed. "Reeeeally. I was short, I talked in his really stupid accent, and whenever I saw Gatomon I got a boner."
Conker remained still. "...riiiiight."
A message crackled over the Argetlahm's loudspeaker.
"Attention, all Argetlahm personnel, report to the war room for a mission briefing. Everything will be explained when you arrive. I repeat, everybody report to the war room for your next mission briefing."
Conker tossed himself out of bed and landed gracefully on his feet in front of Davis. "Let's go!"
********
Everybody filed into the war room and took their respective seats. The hologram projector in the center was activated, showing a map of an area of Magnopolis.
Karsh looked over to Tai. "What's going on here?"
Tai shrugged. "Beats me."
Ultimanium phased onto the center of the stage, followed by Magnus and Lord Raul. "Greetings, heroes. Glad you could show up."
"What's the mission?" Gohan blurted. "C'mon, let's get it over with."
"Calm down, Gohan," Ultimanium said. "Alright, let's get on with it..."
The projector hummed to life. The image in it burned a bright veridian.
"On your last mission, you attacked an android plant outside of Magnopolis and successfully knocked it offline. This hasn't detered Ultramagnus any from his plan, and he has increased security at the other android plants on the outskirts of Magnopolis. He's certainly taken notice of us. What I mean to say is that full frontal assaults aren't going to work anymore."
Conker bowed his head. "Damn it, thinking sucks!"
"We all understand. Let's see what's going on... alright. You see here, a map of the slums of Magnopolis. Ultramagnus is working harder than ever with his R&D team to attempt to build a variant on the J2 he captured, a new probe called the J2000. Ultramagnus boasts that the J2000 will be able to make it to the first dimension where we lie, but I know that this cannot be done, because the exact same experiment was performed in the fifth dimension during the construction of the J2. While Ultramagnus cannot use the J2000 to get to our dimension, it is still in our best interests to destroy it."
"Why?" Patamon asked. "If he can't get to our dimension with it, why bother?"
"Because if Ultramagnus sees it doesn't work, he'll put it to the task of taking over the remaining three dimensions along with his android army. We need to shut it down."
Serge stood up. "No problem. All of us'll..."
Magnus shook his head. "No. The slums are an easily defendable place. I know Magnopolis inside and out. Like Ultimanium said earlier, a raid isn't going to solve anything. This is going to be a covert operation. Send as few people as we can in, and get as many of them out. Understood?"
Berri stood up. "Well, like, who do we send in then?"
Magnus folded his arms. "We leave that, again, up to you. Pick a team of six people, preferably five, to scope the J2000 out. Capture it, destroy it, whatever. Just get it out of Ultramagnus' hands."
Lord Raul pointed to a building on the map. "The J2000 will be shifted from an abandoned warehouse in the slums, here, where heavy R&D normally takes place. It is effectively a covert laboratory, so be on the lookout. Make sure you are not discovered, otherwise you'll be coming home in several pieces."
Ultimanium faced the crowd again. "That is all. Come to me with your teams."
Everybody huddled in the aisle.
Tai frowned. "We're not powerful and quiet at the same time. I don't think the digidestined would be liable choices for a mission like this."
Conker emptied his pockets. "...I'll get back to you on that as soon as I find my silencer."
Vegeta stepped forward. "The only fighters here suitable for melee combat are I, Kakarot and his son. Those people over there with those archaic weapons may be of some help as well."
Karsh strided in, next to Vegeta. "The Chrono people'll go along with them."
"I guess," Ultimanium said. "I mean, those people are the greatest melee fighters of their time, along with the Z fighters. The dropship will be loading up soon. Those going on the mission will be down in the hangar in ten minutes."
Everybody nodded, and began to make their way out of the expansive war theatre.
********
As Veemon waddled away from his chair, ready for a good game of Quake, he phased out mysteriously from his position. He reappeared on the center platform of the bridge.
Veemon looked around him. "...er.... Ulty? Was that you?"
Ultimanium's silouette appeared several feet away from Veemon. "You could say so."
"Well, what am I here, for and..."
Ultimanium, in a lightning-fast gesture, dove forward at Veemon and drove a large hypodermic needle through his right arm.
"YYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!" Veemon screeched. He began to rub the welt where his arm was bleeding. "What was that for?!"
Ultimanium approached Veemon and rubbed his arm with a wettened piece of gauze. As Veemon gazed into his darkened face, he could swear that he was smiling. "Wait and see, Veemon. Wait and see."
Veemon opened his eyes, and found himself back in the war room aisle again. He glanced down at his arm and saw a piece of gauze taped to where he got the needle.
Davis looked over. "...Veemon? Where did you get that?"
Veemon, in a daze, looked up the confused Davis. He would never believe something like that. "Accident in the mess hall. I was washing knives, and..."
"Geez, Veemon. Don't wash knives. Let someone else handle it. You up for Q3?"
Veemon grinned. "Yeeeeah!!"
********
Gohan shook his head. "Rough stuff. Are you sure we'll be able to take it without the other peoples' help?"
"Of course we will," Vegeta barked. "Those of Saiyan blood are true melee combantants, much more that can be said for these other insubordinates which supposedly make up our 'team'."
"I'm not taking any of your shit this time, Vegeta," Karsh growled. "Don't get in my way. We have this entire mission under wraps."
"Don't start this, guys," Goku sighed. "Alright, everybody wait in the hangar for me. I need to check something in my bunk first."
"Hurry, Kakarot," Vegeta groaned. "I'm beginning to tire of your tardiness."
Goku began to walk off toward the turbolift. "Sure will. See you guys in a couple of minutes." He stepped into the transport and tapped a button on the control panel inside. The lift slid quickly down to the male bunk floor. As he stepped out, something hit him.
"....King Kai?" Goku said, somewhat confused at the.... er... whatever King Kai is... attempting to pierce into his inner thought, sending him a message like he always had.
********
Kai sprung up from his lawnchair. "Goku! Is that you? I've been trying to get a hold of you! I checked your normal dimension but I couldn't find you there! Where are you?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you...." Goku mumbled. "Say, how long do we have until the Cell Games?"
"I tapped into Master Roshi a couple of seconds ago, he said he saw you just phase out from where you were. He told me some kind of light engulfed you and whisked you away.... anyways, what's going on?"
Goku blinked. Couple of minutes? Oh, yeah, time didn't exist in this dimension. He could've stayed eons on the Argetlahm and come back to the fourth dimension seconds after he supposedly left.
Goku tapped onto Kai. "Remember the Ultimatum a while back?"
"I was supposed to get back to you on that. What were those two large power levels present at the Ultimatum?"
"Two men named Ultimanium and Ultramagnus. Anyways, I'm in another dimension, yes. Ultramagnus supposedly went on the fritz and invaded the third dimension. Since time doesn't pass here, I thought I would step in and help Ultimanium keep him under control."
"What do you mean, time doesn't pass?"
"...I've been here 5 days." Goku said.
Kai fell out of his chair, and quickly got up. "Wha?!"
"Anyways, Kai, I don't have time to talk about it right now. I have to go on another mission. If everything goes well, I'll show up for the Cell Games."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL?!?' GOKU!!"
Goku quickly severed the psychic link. No point trying to explain something like that to Kai in a time limit of 3 minutes. He looked around. It had been seven minutes talking to Kai, so getting his lucky charm from his bunk would have to wait. He strided back into the turbolift and head for the hangar.
MISSION #2 - Paradox Equation
Get information on the prototype dimensionsplitter J2000, and gain access to the probe if possible. Lethal force unadvised. Danger level is classified under Defcon 2.
Z TEAM will sneak in through the front of the building, while the CHRONO TEAM will attempt to get into the laboratory from the top. Both teams will work toward the J2000 and capture it, which then will be phased back to the Argetlahm for study. If one team fails, the other will be expect to cover up for them.
Secondary objective - if available, gain plans for any new model dimensionsplitters that may be in construction.
Good luck.
The dropship phased into the street. One after another, the Z fighters slowly climbed out of the transport and peered at the destruction around them.
Gohan grit his teeth. "This is bad..."
The slums around them had apparently had some value to the city at some point. As corroded and weared down as the buildings around them were, they had a futuristic design to them. However, many of the windows were blasted out, and the walls were missing in several sections on each building.
Goku tapped a button on his Scouter. "Never mind about it, Gohan. Let's just get to the meeting point and get this over with. The Scouter says 3 blocks ahead, 1 left."
********
Serge took his first step forward after the dropship deployed them onto the roof of the building. "This place is a warzone."
Kid shifted uneasily. "You're telling me. This should be the building. I had no idea it would be this big."
Karsh rubbed his hands together. "Weeell, we're not getting anywhere fast. How about we use the roof access to get down to the highest floor? Those hallways will be the least defended, and as long as we take out everyone at once, we'll have no problems with security."
Serge nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Me and Kid will take the east access, you can have the west."
Both groups departed to the downarching doorways on each end of the rooftop. With a click, they shut behind each other.
********
Ultramagnus stood up for the first time in what seemed like hours to him. "Minonim? Do we have a status report?"
The small probe hovered up to Ultramagnus' desk. "Yes, master... we're ready to shift whenever we get the word. However, I got word from some of the R&D droids that some extra dimensional calibration would be needed for the greatest accuracy. They didn't sound like they wanted to build another probe if this one got lost."
"How long will that take?"
"I would guess about 10 minutes, sir."
Ultramagnus brushed back his gleaming blond hair and fell back in his seat. "Commence calibration. Take any longer and I'll see to things myself."
A tiny microphone slid out of a slot of Minonim's arm, and he began speaking into it. "Commence dimensional calibration. Priority 8."
********
Serge kicked out a steel plate on the celing. Like almost guided, the thick metal plate fell down and crushed a patroling android's head beneath it. Serge hopped down from the rafters, and helped Kid down to his position.
Kid looked around. "The place's damn well kept for being an abandoned warehouse, huh?"
The halls were plated in semi-shined metal. The floor was carpeted dark blue, stretching off as far as Serge or Kid could see.
Serge turned around. "We should be able to meet Karsh at the stairwell. C'mon, let's go."
********
Karsh reached over with his dualheaded blade and decapitated an android. The immobile body fell to the ground with a shower of sparks. With a fancy kata, he quickly returned the massive Rainbow Axe to his sheath on his back. Karsh dusted off his hands. "Good for the top floor... I suppose it only gets worse as we go down. I wonder if it was a good idea to split us up like that. I hope Ultimanium knows what he's doing..."
********
Goku cautiously paced down the hall, Gohan and Vegeta on his flanks. They had managed to get in rather easily, and it was up to speculation whether the Chrono team had already run into trouble. Goku had little time to worry about it, though. He was worried about getting caught himself. He realized they were going to get noticed by the time they got to the J2000, and he could escape through the top of the building and pick up the Chrono team then.
Vegeta plodded along. "Any readings, Kakarot?"
Goku turned a small dial on the side of his Scouter. "None. Funny, is this the right place?"
Gohan held a piece of paper to his face. "We got the right address. I checked. Do you think they might've moved the J2000? Maybe they know we're coming..."
"Regardless," Goku pointed. "We're going to continue into the center of the warehouse and see if we can pick up the J2000 there."
A loud beeping filled the air, radiating from Goku's Scouter. Vegeta stumbled back. "Kakarot! What's going on?!"
Goku's eyes grew wide. "Power levels! Huge! Incoming!"
Gohan backed off. "How do they know we're here?!"
"The master knows all." A monontonous voice hummed.
"Oh, son of a ..." Vegeta stammered.
*All the heroes turn and face into a side hall. Standing in an expansive storage room is a blond man with a mustache, wearing a torn up karate gi.
Er... if you've read Chronoceptor, you should know what we're talking about here....
ANDROID 25 - Cybernetic Commando Mk.II
"I have combated your type before and lost," 25 droned. "I will be sure not to make that mistake again."
Vegeta stood ready. "Another damned android! Power level?"
"Around 800,000," Goku shouted. "It's defeatable, but we're going to have to try on this one!"
"Do not worry about defeating me. You will not have that luxury. I shall take care of the child first."
Gohan was able to let out an audible yell before the android barrelled through the air at him. The android threw a normal-speeded punch at him, which Gohan was able to sidestep easily.
"Saiyan/Namek power level analyzed. Enabling melee combat module."
Goku backed away. "I take it that's a bad thing."
Blow after blow deflected by Gohan, the android began to speed up, slowly but surely. After landing several blows on the hellbent robot, Gohan's attention was focused on defending himself as the android began to reach up to his speed, when all of a sudden a loose fist slammed Gohan in the face, sending him flying through the wall behind Goku and Vegeta. Various cries of surprise could be heard from behind their position.
Goku sweatdropped. "So much for quiet."
"Kakarot! Forget about sneaking, we have to take care of the robot!"
********
A siren sounded from Serge's position. He stopped walking.
Kid glanced around her. "What's going on now? C'mon, we can't quit now, the stairwell's ahead!"
4 androids ran up from behind Serge. "Are these the intruders?"
Serge shifted his eyes. "..crap.."
Kid had already lunged back to deal with a single android. A lasersharp blade crossed over the neck of the android up to the face. The remaining three advanced on her. Serge, seeing no other alternative, leaped in and flailed the Mastermune in the general direction of the androids, slashing one across the chest and batting one back. The last remaining one attempted to bring a clenched double-fist down on Kid, but Serge leaped at him in time and severed its arm, bringing another robot down in a flurry of electrical sprites.
Kid caught her breath. "What the hell is going on here? Did the other squad set off the alarm?"
Serge grabbed Kid's arm and began dragging her off in a run. "I don't know, but I don't think we're going to have any more time to get to the J2000. We're just going to have to fight our way down there."
********
Karsh stood at the base of the 2 androids he had destroyed. "Damn it, that ass Vegeta set off the fricking alarm! I KNEW I shouldn't have gone along with this group!"
********
Vegeta, unnatural hate for androids and all, was the first to leap in and launch an assault at the motionless android. As he dove through the air in front of him, the android threw up an arm to deter Vegeta's first punch. Vegeta froze in his position and threw jab after jab at the android, the robot blocking his every hit. Vegeta threw in two hooks, then, seeing an opening, dropped quickly and sweeped the android off its feet. As the android headed toward the ground, it braced itself with its hands and flipped off. Goku dove down with a flying knee, trying to pinpoint the defensive-minded foe, but he smashed down through the concrete flooring.
Goku quickly glanced up. "Why the hell is it so fast?!"
Vegeta hovered above the stacked crates and scanned over the storage. An eerie grey light shone over the exposed center area in the room via the large plate glass windows on a southern wall. "Come out, android... don't make me get..." a ball of ki formed on his hand. "...inaccurate."
He ran a quick check of the room once again. Waiting not a second longer, he let loose a battle cry and slung a storm of ki blasts upon the floor of the storage room. Wood splinters and shards of concrete flew through the air as the explosions erupted in front of him. From admist the maelstrom, 25 flung himself from the destruction and planted a roundhouse kick in the side of Vegeta's head, making him spiral toward the ground. As fast as he righted himself, 25 and Vegeta began trading blows in a blur of motion. A quick riposting fist from Vegeta sent 25 shooting toward the ground, the impact sending up the tattered remains of the room in a cloud of debris. Vegeta lunged down at the ground after the android and began beating it mercilessly. With a cry of rage, Vegeta drove his fist down through the android's chest, sending up a storm of sparks. With a flash, the sparks on the ground died out and the android's eyes turned a disabled black. With several shocks, the android shorted out.
Vegeta started breathing again. "....Pfft.. androids." With a grimace he plunged another fist into the mechanical corpse of the android and tore it in half.
Goku helped Gohan up from the wreckage. "Hey... you all right?"
Gohan coughed. "Yeah... I guess..."
Vegeta folded his arms. "I imagine security has been notified of our little escapade. Perhaps we should just cruise to the J2000 from hereonin?"
Goku looked reluctantly at Vegeta. "...we don't have any choice. Let's go."
******
Serge looked down from the balcony. A massive stage sat in the center of the large open storage room. On it sat a device looking like the J3. However, instead of the red chrome paintjob, the entire probe itself was a white silouette. Serge scratched his head. "What's the deal with that?"
Kid leaned over the guardrails. "Hell if I know. We aren't getting there anytime soon, with that many guards." Kid gestured out onto the open floor, where at least 30 guards stood in a solid circle surrounding the stage, facing outwards.
********
Minonim lit up. "Master, R&D confirms that dimensional calibration has been completed. Begin final countdown?"
Ultramagnus folded his hands. "Start it."
********
Goku stepped blindly into the massive storage room. Before he could lift a hand, he saw all the androids guarding the J2000 bearing down on him. He quickly threw his hands in front of him and expeled a large ki blast, tearing apart 4 androids. Soon, the androids had all surrounded him and beat him down to the ground.
Serge bailed off the balcony and leaped down a stack of crates, leaping through the air on his last step and slashing the heads of 2 androids clear off. Karsh bounded down from another facing stack of boxes to the ground below.
Karsh stood to his feet. "Serge? Kid? Goku? What are all you guys doing here?"
As the entire group prepared to strike at the androids surrounding them, the J2000 sparked and let out a transmission.
*T-minus 2 minutes*
Gohan stumbled. "Why didn't we notice this before?"
********
Lord Raul sprung out of his chair on the bridge. "Damn it! Guys! Get out of there!!"
********
Goku backed in towards his friends, all of them being surrounded by the approaching androids. "We're too late! We have to get out of here before the J2000 shifts!"
Karsh held up his axe. "We're a bit blocked off here."
Gohan looked back at everybody. "Karsh! Kid! Serge! You guys take the dropship, and we'll be right there!"
Kid shrugged. "If you say so." She dove at the nearest android to her and lopped its head off. In a split-second, the Chrono team rushed through the temporary breach created by Kid and ran as fast as they could to the building entrance.
*T-minus 90 seconds*
Vegeta grinned. "We'd love to stay... but we have greater manners to attend to." He sent a wave of energy blasts in a sheet in front of him with a wave of his hand, destroying another 5 androids. With a leap, Vegeta was surrounded with an energy aura and he flew straight up, shooting through the floors of the building and outside. Goku and Gohan followed suit.
*T-minus 50 seconds*
Goku and the gang quickly landed outside by the dropship. Everybody leaped in and did up their belts. Serge took the throttle of the transport and jacked it. "Hang on, everybody!!"
*T-minus 20 seconds*
The dropship Sigma tore off into space.
*T-minus 10 seconds*
********
Ultramagnus watched the entire event through the third monitor, smiling to himself. "Didn't look like your little cronies showed up in time to stop me, did they, Ultimanium? Have a last look at your beloved ship.. there won't be much left of it!!!"
*6...5...4...3....2....1...0*
A wave of energy crackled through the several surrounding blocks of the city as the J2000 blasted into the dimensional warp. Ultramagnus watched everything through a line feed.
Everything froze.
Ultramagnus shot up in his seat. "MINONIM!! What's happening here?!"
Minonim whipped around. "Sir! The compressed quanta isn't holding up to the linear compression! It won't last in the first dimension!!"
Ultramagnus slammed his fist down on the table. "Then bring it back!!"
"We can't, sir! It seems the infrastructure of light is only SPEEDING THE LINEAR COMPRESSION UP! Not only will it not last in the first dimension, it won't last even through the dimensional gate!"
Ultramagnus rubbed his chin. "But if it compresses IN the gate..."
Minonim hovered up. "A dimensional rupture will occur. The dimensions will intersect for a short time in the target dimension, probably a couple of hours. Sir, we've lost the probe."
"And this dimensional rupture will do what?"
"We have yet to research that. Whatever it is, though, it can't be good. The Argetlahm is bound to run into it at some point, and they will NOT be prepared for it."
Ultramagnus stopped, and relaxed in his seat. "....maybe this wasn't a total loss at all. Minonim, track the dimensional rupture and report to me of its whereabouts and actions."
"Can do, sir."
WHAT COULD THIS DIMENSIONAL RUPTURE POSSIBLY SPELL FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE ARGETLAHM?? LIKE HELL YOU WANT TO KNOW... BUT IN CASE YOU DO, READ ON TO THE NEXT THRILLING CHAPTER OF THE ARGETLAHM ADVENTURES, DUE UP SHORTLY!!!! ..... yeah. Read it.
Day 5, 10:32 AM
Conker lied on his bunk and stared at the celing. "Whoa... you really changed bodies with that little guy? I have to say, he must've been a pretty good shot then.... anyways, what was it like? Was it really weird?"
Davis folded his blankets over and pushed himself out of bed. "Reeeeally. I was short, I talked in his really stupid accent, and whenever I saw Gatomon I got a boner."
Conker remained still. "...riiiiight."
A message crackled over the Argetlahm's loudspeaker.
"Attention, all Argetlahm personnel, report to the war room for a mission briefing. Everything will be explained when you arrive. I repeat, everybody report to the war room for your next mission briefing."
Conker tossed himself out of bed and landed gracefully on his feet in front of Davis. "Let's go!"
********
Everybody filed into the war room and took their respective seats. The hologram projector in the center was activated, showing a map of an area of Magnopolis.
Karsh looked over to Tai. "What's going on here?"
Tai shrugged. "Beats me."
Ultimanium phased onto the center of the stage, followed by Magnus and Lord Raul. "Greetings, heroes. Glad you could show up."
"What's the mission?" Gohan blurted. "C'mon, let's get it over with."
"Calm down, Gohan," Ultimanium said. "Alright, let's get on with it..."
The projector hummed to life. The image in it burned a bright veridian.
"On your last mission, you attacked an android plant outside of Magnopolis and successfully knocked it offline. This hasn't detered Ultramagnus any from his plan, and he has increased security at the other android plants on the outskirts of Magnopolis. He's certainly taken notice of us. What I mean to say is that full frontal assaults aren't going to work anymore."
Conker bowed his head. "Damn it, thinking sucks!"
"We all understand. Let's see what's going on... alright. You see here, a map of the slums of Magnopolis. Ultramagnus is working harder than ever with his R&D team to attempt to build a variant on the J2 he captured, a new probe called the J2000. Ultramagnus boasts that the J2000 will be able to make it to the first dimension where we lie, but I know that this cannot be done, because the exact same experiment was performed in the fifth dimension during the construction of the J2. While Ultramagnus cannot use the J2000 to get to our dimension, it is still in our best interests to destroy it."
"Why?" Patamon asked. "If he can't get to our dimension with it, why bother?"
"Because if Ultramagnus sees it doesn't work, he'll put it to the task of taking over the remaining three dimensions along with his android army. We need to shut it down."
Serge stood up. "No problem. All of us'll..."
Magnus shook his head. "No. The slums are an easily defendable place. I know Magnopolis inside and out. Like Ultimanium said earlier, a raid isn't going to solve anything. This is going to be a covert operation. Send as few people as we can in, and get as many of them out. Understood?"
Berri stood up. "Well, like, who do we send in then?"
Magnus folded his arms. "We leave that, again, up to you. Pick a team of six people, preferably five, to scope the J2000 out. Capture it, destroy it, whatever. Just get it out of Ultramagnus' hands."
Lord Raul pointed to a building on the map. "The J2000 will be shifted from an abandoned warehouse in the slums, here, where heavy R&D normally takes place. It is effectively a covert laboratory, so be on the lookout. Make sure you are not discovered, otherwise you'll be coming home in several pieces."
Ultimanium faced the crowd again. "That is all. Come to me with your teams."
Everybody huddled in the aisle.
Tai frowned. "We're not powerful and quiet at the same time. I don't think the digidestined would be liable choices for a mission like this."
Conker emptied his pockets. "...I'll get back to you on that as soon as I find my silencer."
Vegeta stepped forward. "The only fighters here suitable for melee combat are I, Kakarot and his son. Those people over there with those archaic weapons may be of some help as well."
Karsh strided in, next to Vegeta. "The Chrono people'll go along with them."
"I guess," Ultimanium said. "I mean, those people are the greatest melee fighters of their time, along with the Z fighters. The dropship will be loading up soon. Those going on the mission will be down in the hangar in ten minutes."
Everybody nodded, and began to make their way out of the expansive war theatre.
********
As Veemon waddled away from his chair, ready for a good game of Quake, he phased out mysteriously from his position. He reappeared on the center platform of the bridge.
Veemon looked around him. "...er.... Ulty? Was that you?"
Ultimanium's silouette appeared several feet away from Veemon. "You could say so."
"Well, what am I here, for and..."
Ultimanium, in a lightning-fast gesture, dove forward at Veemon and drove a large hypodermic needle through his right arm.
"YYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!" Veemon screeched. He began to rub the welt where his arm was bleeding. "What was that for?!"
Ultimanium approached Veemon and rubbed his arm with a wettened piece of gauze. As Veemon gazed into his darkened face, he could swear that he was smiling. "Wait and see, Veemon. Wait and see."
Veemon opened his eyes, and found himself back in the war room aisle again. He glanced down at his arm and saw a piece of gauze taped to where he got the needle.
Davis looked over. "...Veemon? Where did you get that?"
Veemon, in a daze, looked up the confused Davis. He would never believe something like that. "Accident in the mess hall. I was washing knives, and..."
"Geez, Veemon. Don't wash knives. Let someone else handle it. You up for Q3?"
Veemon grinned. "Yeeeeah!!"
********
Gohan shook his head. "Rough stuff. Are you sure we'll be able to take it without the other peoples' help?"
"Of course we will," Vegeta barked. "Those of Saiyan blood are true melee combantants, much more that can be said for these other insubordinates which supposedly make up our 'team'."
"I'm not taking any of your shit this time, Vegeta," Karsh growled. "Don't get in my way. We have this entire mission under wraps."
"Don't start this, guys," Goku sighed. "Alright, everybody wait in the hangar for me. I need to check something in my bunk first."
"Hurry, Kakarot," Vegeta groaned. "I'm beginning to tire of your tardiness."
Goku began to walk off toward the turbolift. "Sure will. See you guys in a couple of minutes." He stepped into the transport and tapped a button on the control panel inside. The lift slid quickly down to the male bunk floor. As he stepped out, something hit him.
"....King Kai?" Goku said, somewhat confused at the.... er... whatever King Kai is... attempting to pierce into his inner thought, sending him a message like he always had.
********
Kai sprung up from his lawnchair. "Goku! Is that you? I've been trying to get a hold of you! I checked your normal dimension but I couldn't find you there! Where are you?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you...." Goku mumbled. "Say, how long do we have until the Cell Games?"
"I tapped into Master Roshi a couple of seconds ago, he said he saw you just phase out from where you were. He told me some kind of light engulfed you and whisked you away.... anyways, what's going on?"
Goku blinked. Couple of minutes? Oh, yeah, time didn't exist in this dimension. He could've stayed eons on the Argetlahm and come back to the fourth dimension seconds after he supposedly left.
Goku tapped onto Kai. "Remember the Ultimatum a while back?"
"I was supposed to get back to you on that. What were those two large power levels present at the Ultimatum?"
"Two men named Ultimanium and Ultramagnus. Anyways, I'm in another dimension, yes. Ultramagnus supposedly went on the fritz and invaded the third dimension. Since time doesn't pass here, I thought I would step in and help Ultimanium keep him under control."
"What do you mean, time doesn't pass?"
"...I've been here 5 days." Goku said.
Kai fell out of his chair, and quickly got up. "Wha?!"
"Anyways, Kai, I don't have time to talk about it right now. I have to go on another mission. If everything goes well, I'll show up for the Cell Games."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL?!?' GOKU!!"
Goku quickly severed the psychic link. No point trying to explain something like that to Kai in a time limit of 3 minutes. He looked around. It had been seven minutes talking to Kai, so getting his lucky charm from his bunk would have to wait. He strided back into the turbolift and head for the hangar.
MISSION #2 - Paradox Equation
Get information on the prototype dimensionsplitter J2000, and gain access to the probe if possible. Lethal force unadvised. Danger level is classified under Defcon 2.
Z TEAM will sneak in through the front of the building, while the CHRONO TEAM will attempt to get into the laboratory from the top. Both teams will work toward the J2000 and capture it, which then will be phased back to the Argetlahm for study. If one team fails, the other will be expect to cover up for them.
Secondary objective - if available, gain plans for any new model dimensionsplitters that may be in construction.
Good luck.
The dropship phased into the street. One after another, the Z fighters slowly climbed out of the transport and peered at the destruction around them.
Gohan grit his teeth. "This is bad..."
The slums around them had apparently had some value to the city at some point. As corroded and weared down as the buildings around them were, they had a futuristic design to them. However, many of the windows were blasted out, and the walls were missing in several sections on each building.
Goku tapped a button on his Scouter. "Never mind about it, Gohan. Let's just get to the meeting point and get this over with. The Scouter says 3 blocks ahead, 1 left."
********
Serge took his first step forward after the dropship deployed them onto the roof of the building. "This place is a warzone."
Kid shifted uneasily. "You're telling me. This should be the building. I had no idea it would be this big."
Karsh rubbed his hands together. "Weeell, we're not getting anywhere fast. How about we use the roof access to get down to the highest floor? Those hallways will be the least defended, and as long as we take out everyone at once, we'll have no problems with security."
Serge nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Me and Kid will take the east access, you can have the west."
Both groups departed to the downarching doorways on each end of the rooftop. With a click, they shut behind each other.
********
Ultramagnus stood up for the first time in what seemed like hours to him. "Minonim? Do we have a status report?"
The small probe hovered up to Ultramagnus' desk. "Yes, master... we're ready to shift whenever we get the word. However, I got word from some of the R&D droids that some extra dimensional calibration would be needed for the greatest accuracy. They didn't sound like they wanted to build another probe if this one got lost."
"How long will that take?"
"I would guess about 10 minutes, sir."
Ultramagnus brushed back his gleaming blond hair and fell back in his seat. "Commence calibration. Take any longer and I'll see to things myself."
A tiny microphone slid out of a slot of Minonim's arm, and he began speaking into it. "Commence dimensional calibration. Priority 8."
********
Serge kicked out a steel plate on the celing. Like almost guided, the thick metal plate fell down and crushed a patroling android's head beneath it. Serge hopped down from the rafters, and helped Kid down to his position.
Kid looked around. "The place's damn well kept for being an abandoned warehouse, huh?"
The halls were plated in semi-shined metal. The floor was carpeted dark blue, stretching off as far as Serge or Kid could see.
Serge turned around. "We should be able to meet Karsh at the stairwell. C'mon, let's go."
********
Karsh reached over with his dualheaded blade and decapitated an android. The immobile body fell to the ground with a shower of sparks. With a fancy kata, he quickly returned the massive Rainbow Axe to his sheath on his back. Karsh dusted off his hands. "Good for the top floor... I suppose it only gets worse as we go down. I wonder if it was a good idea to split us up like that. I hope Ultimanium knows what he's doing..."
********
Goku cautiously paced down the hall, Gohan and Vegeta on his flanks. They had managed to get in rather easily, and it was up to speculation whether the Chrono team had already run into trouble. Goku had little time to worry about it, though. He was worried about getting caught himself. He realized they were going to get noticed by the time they got to the J2000, and he could escape through the top of the building and pick up the Chrono team then.
Vegeta plodded along. "Any readings, Kakarot?"
Goku turned a small dial on the side of his Scouter. "None. Funny, is this the right place?"
Gohan held a piece of paper to his face. "We got the right address. I checked. Do you think they might've moved the J2000? Maybe they know we're coming..."
"Regardless," Goku pointed. "We're going to continue into the center of the warehouse and see if we can pick up the J2000 there."
A loud beeping filled the air, radiating from Goku's Scouter. Vegeta stumbled back. "Kakarot! What's going on?!"
Goku's eyes grew wide. "Power levels! Huge! Incoming!"
Gohan backed off. "How do they know we're here?!"
"The master knows all." A monontonous voice hummed.
"Oh, son of a ..." Vegeta stammered.
*All the heroes turn and face into a side hall. Standing in an expansive storage room is a blond man with a mustache, wearing a torn up karate gi.
Er... if you've read Chronoceptor, you should know what we're talking about here....
ANDROID 25 - Cybernetic Commando Mk.II
"I have combated your type before and lost," 25 droned. "I will be sure not to make that mistake again."
Vegeta stood ready. "Another damned android! Power level?"
"Around 800,000," Goku shouted. "It's defeatable, but we're going to have to try on this one!"
"Do not worry about defeating me. You will not have that luxury. I shall take care of the child first."
Gohan was able to let out an audible yell before the android barrelled through the air at him. The android threw a normal-speeded punch at him, which Gohan was able to sidestep easily.
"Saiyan/Namek power level analyzed. Enabling melee combat module."
Goku backed away. "I take it that's a bad thing."
Blow after blow deflected by Gohan, the android began to speed up, slowly but surely. After landing several blows on the hellbent robot, Gohan's attention was focused on defending himself as the android began to reach up to his speed, when all of a sudden a loose fist slammed Gohan in the face, sending him flying through the wall behind Goku and Vegeta. Various cries of surprise could be heard from behind their position.
Goku sweatdropped. "So much for quiet."
"Kakarot! Forget about sneaking, we have to take care of the robot!"
********
A siren sounded from Serge's position. He stopped walking.
Kid glanced around her. "What's going on now? C'mon, we can't quit now, the stairwell's ahead!"
4 androids ran up from behind Serge. "Are these the intruders?"
Serge shifted his eyes. "..crap.."
Kid had already lunged back to deal with a single android. A lasersharp blade crossed over the neck of the android up to the face. The remaining three advanced on her. Serge, seeing no other alternative, leaped in and flailed the Mastermune in the general direction of the androids, slashing one across the chest and batting one back. The last remaining one attempted to bring a clenched double-fist down on Kid, but Serge leaped at him in time and severed its arm, bringing another robot down in a flurry of electrical sprites.
Kid caught her breath. "What the hell is going on here? Did the other squad set off the alarm?"
Serge grabbed Kid's arm and began dragging her off in a run. "I don't know, but I don't think we're going to have any more time to get to the J2000. We're just going to have to fight our way down there."
********
Karsh stood at the base of the 2 androids he had destroyed. "Damn it, that ass Vegeta set off the fricking alarm! I KNEW I shouldn't have gone along with this group!"
********
Vegeta, unnatural hate for androids and all, was the first to leap in and launch an assault at the motionless android. As he dove through the air in front of him, the android threw up an arm to deter Vegeta's first punch. Vegeta froze in his position and threw jab after jab at the android, the robot blocking his every hit. Vegeta threw in two hooks, then, seeing an opening, dropped quickly and sweeped the android off its feet. As the android headed toward the ground, it braced itself with its hands and flipped off. Goku dove down with a flying knee, trying to pinpoint the defensive-minded foe, but he smashed down through the concrete flooring.
Goku quickly glanced up. "Why the hell is it so fast?!"
Vegeta hovered above the stacked crates and scanned over the storage. An eerie grey light shone over the exposed center area in the room via the large plate glass windows on a southern wall. "Come out, android... don't make me get..." a ball of ki formed on his hand. "...inaccurate."
He ran a quick check of the room once again. Waiting not a second longer, he let loose a battle cry and slung a storm of ki blasts upon the floor of the storage room. Wood splinters and shards of concrete flew through the air as the explosions erupted in front of him. From admist the maelstrom, 25 flung himself from the destruction and planted a roundhouse kick in the side of Vegeta's head, making him spiral toward the ground. As fast as he righted himself, 25 and Vegeta began trading blows in a blur of motion. A quick riposting fist from Vegeta sent 25 shooting toward the ground, the impact sending up the tattered remains of the room in a cloud of debris. Vegeta lunged down at the ground after the android and began beating it mercilessly. With a cry of rage, Vegeta drove his fist down through the android's chest, sending up a storm of sparks. With a flash, the sparks on the ground died out and the android's eyes turned a disabled black. With several shocks, the android shorted out.
Vegeta started breathing again. "....Pfft.. androids." With a grimace he plunged another fist into the mechanical corpse of the android and tore it in half.
Goku helped Gohan up from the wreckage. "Hey... you all right?"
Gohan coughed. "Yeah... I guess..."
Vegeta folded his arms. "I imagine security has been notified of our little escapade. Perhaps we should just cruise to the J2000 from hereonin?"
Goku looked reluctantly at Vegeta. "...we don't have any choice. Let's go."
******
Serge looked down from the balcony. A massive stage sat in the center of the large open storage room. On it sat a device looking like the J3. However, instead of the red chrome paintjob, the entire probe itself was a white silouette. Serge scratched his head. "What's the deal with that?"
Kid leaned over the guardrails. "Hell if I know. We aren't getting there anytime soon, with that many guards." Kid gestured out onto the open floor, where at least 30 guards stood in a solid circle surrounding the stage, facing outwards.
********
Minonim lit up. "Master, R&D confirms that dimensional calibration has been completed. Begin final countdown?"
Ultramagnus folded his hands. "Start it."
********
Goku stepped blindly into the massive storage room. Before he could lift a hand, he saw all the androids guarding the J2000 bearing down on him. He quickly threw his hands in front of him and expeled a large ki blast, tearing apart 4 androids. Soon, the androids had all surrounded him and beat him down to the ground.
Serge bailed off the balcony and leaped down a stack of crates, leaping through the air on his last step and slashing the heads of 2 androids clear off. Karsh bounded down from another facing stack of boxes to the ground below.
Karsh stood to his feet. "Serge? Kid? Goku? What are all you guys doing here?"
As the entire group prepared to strike at the androids surrounding them, the J2000 sparked and let out a transmission.
*T-minus 2 minutes*
Gohan stumbled. "Why didn't we notice this before?"
********
Lord Raul sprung out of his chair on the bridge. "Damn it! Guys! Get out of there!!"
********
Goku backed in towards his friends, all of them being surrounded by the approaching androids. "We're too late! We have to get out of here before the J2000 shifts!"
Karsh held up his axe. "We're a bit blocked off here."
Gohan looked back at everybody. "Karsh! Kid! Serge! You guys take the dropship, and we'll be right there!"
Kid shrugged. "If you say so." She dove at the nearest android to her and lopped its head off. In a split-second, the Chrono team rushed through the temporary breach created by Kid and ran as fast as they could to the building entrance.
*T-minus 90 seconds*
Vegeta grinned. "We'd love to stay... but we have greater manners to attend to." He sent a wave of energy blasts in a sheet in front of him with a wave of his hand, destroying another 5 androids. With a leap, Vegeta was surrounded with an energy aura and he flew straight up, shooting through the floors of the building and outside. Goku and Gohan followed suit.
*T-minus 50 seconds*
Goku and the gang quickly landed outside by the dropship. Everybody leaped in and did up their belts. Serge took the throttle of the transport and jacked it. "Hang on, everybody!!"
*T-minus 20 seconds*
The dropship Sigma tore off into space.
*T-minus 10 seconds*
********
Ultramagnus watched the entire event through the third monitor, smiling to himself. "Didn't look like your little cronies showed up in time to stop me, did they, Ultimanium? Have a last look at your beloved ship.. there won't be much left of it!!!"
*6...5...4...3....2....1...0*
A wave of energy crackled through the several surrounding blocks of the city as the J2000 blasted into the dimensional warp. Ultramagnus watched everything through a line feed.
Everything froze.
Ultramagnus shot up in his seat. "MINONIM!! What's happening here?!"
Minonim whipped around. "Sir! The compressed quanta isn't holding up to the linear compression! It won't last in the first dimension!!"
Ultramagnus slammed his fist down on the table. "Then bring it back!!"
"We can't, sir! It seems the infrastructure of light is only SPEEDING THE LINEAR COMPRESSION UP! Not only will it not last in the first dimension, it won't last even through the dimensional gate!"
Ultramagnus rubbed his chin. "But if it compresses IN the gate..."
Minonim hovered up. "A dimensional rupture will occur. The dimensions will intersect for a short time in the target dimension, probably a couple of hours. Sir, we've lost the probe."
"And this dimensional rupture will do what?"
"We have yet to research that. Whatever it is, though, it can't be good. The Argetlahm is bound to run into it at some point, and they will NOT be prepared for it."
Ultramagnus stopped, and relaxed in his seat. "....maybe this wasn't a total loss at all. Minonim, track the dimensional rupture and report to me of its whereabouts and actions."
"Can do, sir."
WHAT COULD THIS DIMENSIONAL RUPTURE POSSIBLY SPELL FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THE ARGETLAHM?? LIKE HELL YOU WANT TO KNOW... BUT IN CASE YOU DO, READ ON TO THE NEXT THRILLING CHAPTER OF THE ARGETLAHM ADVENTURES, DUE UP SHORTLY!!!! ..... yeah. Read it.