B33
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 33: Internal Affair
It looked like Garax, but far more cruel. It was a few inches taller too.
With blood-red eyes, and menacing stomps, the dark-gold machine made a steady advance, smoke rising out of the hole in its hand, the one that it'd used to assault LJ.
Kshin inched back, gripping the weapon — a long pulse blaster with a rocket attached. Rick had designed it for this situation, to stop an intruder in Monitor. It simply hadn't managed to do that, though. He had shot the target at least six times. Other machines would be dust by now.
There was something different about this one.
Kshin pumped the weapon, and fired again.
The laser round bounced off the robot's chest.
He pumped it once more, and aimed at the head. He found it was hard to hold steady now. His breaths were heavy as he twitched in place.
Garax stared, pressing forth.
That was when Kshin reached a certain conclusion. It couldn't be Garax. Garax talked. And Garax had never been quite this cold.
"You shot my friend," he told the machine, throwing a glance at LJ on the floor. He squeezed on the trigger, gritting his teeth.
The noisy blast hit the robot's head.
The enemy stumbled, inching back.
Then it recovered, striding forth.
Kshin felt a shiver spreading over his frame. He knelt into a crouch, and fired the rocket, knowing that it shouldn't be used indoors. Rick had always cautioned to save it for last.
The rocket made a screech until it blasted his foe.
A raucous explosion sounded off in the base. Deep, dark smoke swept across the machine.
Kshin couldn't see the thing's head anymore — or anything else underneath that face. The rocket had blown it to oblivion.
Then he saw the eyes, dark and red, shining through the smoke with that threatening glow.
The stomping continued. The robot marched, aiming a finger at Kshin's chest now.
Kshin eyed a little red light on his shirt. The foe had its sights locked onto him.
A door flew open. Amy sped in, hair bundled up as she tightened a fist. Mere seconds later, the robot flew — slamming on the ceiling, then crashing to the floor. It crackled and popped as it groveled there.
Kshin was relieved while observing the girl. She had attacked the thing viciously.
Amy eyed the foe as it lay on the tiles. She tapped on her brow, tilting her chin. She was clearly readying a final assault.
The robot shook. Its head flew off, sailing through the room before it fell on the floor.
Kshin stared a moment, and then heaved a breath. He got to his feet and ran to LJ's side. His friend was breathing, but still knocked out. The laser had just nicked the side of his head.
Then he heard a whirl. The robot stood, shifting its focus to Amy now.
She was amazed.
So was Kshin. Somehow, the thing could still target its foes. Its visual sensor wasn't just in its head.
The thing's chest opened. A sphere fell out.
Amy jumped aside amid a deadly explosion. She had barely managed to save herself.
Kshin raised his arms as the flames spread out. Then he noticed Rick rushing into the room.
"Down! Stay down!" Rick shouted out. He fiddled with a watch — or something similar. You couldn't be certain when it came to him.
Several small devices flew into the room too, each looking like a little flying saucer. They latched on the robot — and then blew up.
This produced the loudest explosion of all.
Amid the deep flame and the thickening smoke, the enemy collapsed, losing its arms. It fell face-first and held still on floor.
Kshin did his best to stop his body from shaking.
Rick looked about, gripped by awe.
Then the gold arms moved across the tiles, attaching themselves to the robot again.
"What in..." Rick took a step backward.
The robot stood, aiming at Rick.
Dale sprinted in, rifle in hand. She dropped to a crouch and shot the foe in the leg.
It fell on its side, then started to stand.
"Everybody back!" Amy said. She floated for a moment, spreading her arms.
It seemed the whole base was beginning to shake. Kshin had rarely felt anything like this. He lost his footing. His friends did too. Everybody fell as a rumble approached — everyone except for the hovering girl.
A huge stream of lava shot up from the floor, tearing through the tiles, rising in the air, and utterly consuming the gold machine. The enemy flailed around helplessly.
Kshin raised a hand, shielding himself. Rick and his mother were doing the same.
Amy was squinting, directing her might, ponytail blowing as she floated about. A cutrain of red had hit the dark-blue room.
When the mass of crimson finally fell to the floor, the enemy was nothing but sparkling bits. It definitely wasn't coming back from this.
Amy touched down, her feet on the tiles.
Everyone was silent for a number of seconds. He gazed through the room, eyeing the others, hoping he'd see that they were shaken too. He could take comfort if he noticed that. He'd see that even they could get a little afraid.
Amy looked bitter as she studied the sparks. Rick appeared smitten at LJ's side. Dale twitched a tad, regaining her feet.
Then a flicker twinkled on a viewing screen, one that was used for incoming calls.
Kshin could see a man on the monitor now, staring everybody in the chamber down.
"Brilliant, Defenders," he said mockingly.
Rick stepped forth. "You're Kent Madden..."
Kshin began remembering the tales he'd heard. Madden was sick, but just in the mind. The man was convinced he was physically ill, which often led to trouble as he searched for a cure.
April ran in, her leather coat flailing, hand on a blaster as she studied the scene.
Madden made a nod. "Now that I've seen how effective these are, I know they'll be of use as I strike Mongo. I think that my cure can be found up there."
A blanket of horror spread over Kshin. Madden had even more golden machines. It looked like 100 were standing with him.
The screen went black.
Dale eyed the viewer with a stony face, then turned to the others with a look of concern.
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Chapters
Volume I
As the New Rebellion rages across Mongo and Earth, Jedda and Krotan unite against Ming — and find themselves pursued by one of his ships.
2: Mongo Is Burning — Part 1
Desperate to end the battles, Krotan and Jedda, who have fallen in love, agree to a politically driven wedding — which Rick opposes.
3: Mongo Is Burning — Part 2
Despite growing opposition to the wedding, Jedda and Krotan remain firm in their decision.
Rick observes Amy venting, then ends up on a wild ride.
Amy visits her ailing foster mother, only to realize that she's fallen into a trap.
Rick and Amy take May to the Netherworld, where an invasion has begun.
Against the wishes of Rick and others, Amy makes a bargain with Damian Dark.
While the Defenders scramble to catch up with Amy, another battle occurs in the Netherworld.
Volume II
Flash sets out to free Ming, who has vital information regarding an impending attack.
Lothar and April move to counter an assassination attempt.
The team hurries to prevent LJ and Rick from carrying out an assault on another planet.
The Royal Five converge to counter a group of outlaws who've abducted Castra's husband.
Despite Castra's objections, Hadea grows tempted to remain on Mongo and take over as queen.
Kshin and LJ suspect that Veena is planning to bring her father back.
The Gordons arrive at Dale's grave.
Castra and her relatives vie for the position of queen on Mongo.
Volume III
Dale reveals the identity of her first child.
Veena uses her powers to help others.
Flash gets a startling surprise while chasing Ming.
20: The Princess Makes Her Move
In Dimension K, Ming weds his ambitious stepdaughter Hadea.
A visitor arrives from Dimension Y, intent on taking Dale back with her.
Duffy attempts to bond with Dale, who learns of a portal to another dimension.
After arriving on Earth K, the duo find themselves captured by Queen Hadea, who tasks Dale with a mission.
Now a mother of four, Dale attempts to help ease tensions between April and Duffy.
Rick learns that Duffy might have another special ability.
Volume IV
After using her seer to avert a grim future, the Hadea of Earth K believes herself unbeatable.
April receives a visit from her aunt, Commander Abigail Gordon, who seeks her help on a mission.
Amy confronts her mother Cathleen, who is attempting to conquer Earth P.
On Earth C, Agent Kristina Graf seeks members for a new defense team.
April and Duffy are approached by Kent Madden's daughter Clare, who claims to need their help.
Sheila reflects on her choices.
32: Parental Guidance Required
Duffy develops an unexpected bond.
The Defenders are challenged inside Monitor.
In response to the recent assault, Abby and Dale take action against Madden.
Duffy begins acclimating to life on Earth B.
Krotan receives comfort from Jedda in the midst of a new matter.
Amy seeks to help an old friend.
Hadea and Jedda bond on Earth H in the series finale.
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