B9
Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
By James
Chapter 9: Unthinkable
Raindrops pounded the lengthy pane. Lightning flashed through the blackened sky. Normally, Rick would stare. He loved the theater of a raging storm.
Not on this particular evening, though. He had another beautiful sight to enjoy.
Amy reached out and removed his shirt.
Rick did the very same thing to her, pulling it over her bra-clad chest. He cupped her cheek, closing the gap. Thunder roared as they shared a kiss.
Then they paused, eyeing each other. It seemed Amy wanted to assess the moment, to appreciate what they'd found together.
Rick was thrilled with their current life - and curious about what the future held.
Amy pushed him onto the bed with force, mounting him as he sprawled on his back.
A knock came at their apartment door.
Rick pulled her mouth back over his, closing his eyes as he stroked her hair.
The knock came again moments afterward.
Amy ran her fingers through Rick's short locks.
The knocking continued, louder now. "Rick?" a voice called out from the door.
He broke the kiss, turning his head. Then he sighed. "It's my dad."
Amy brushed an ebony bang aside, looking perplexed as she rolled away.
Rick got up, tightening his belt. He stormed to the door and pulled it open a crack, eyeing his father in obvious spite. "Unless the entire galaxy is doomed, I really need you to walk away right now."
Water was dripping from Flash's coat. "We have to talk," he said in a murmur.
Rick flinched a little. He knew that tone. Something very serious was going down.
"Ming is alive," Flash revealed.
Rick sighed again, eyeing the floor. "And you need my help to change that fact?"
"We're not going to kill him. We're going to save him."
Flash took the seat right across from Rick. Amy came and sat at the table as well, a trio of mugs floating at her side. She eased each cup into place on the wood. Flash offered thanks for the steaming drink, feeling an affection as he studied her. There was no doubt she was Mandrake's child.
Another burst of lightning filled the dark-blue room.
He straightened himself, addressing them both. "Ming survived the clash in the Netherworld. Hadea's got him sitting in a prison cell."
"How do you know?" Rick inquired.
Flash slid his mobile to the table's center. "Somebody down there is loyal to Ming. They slipped him a phone, and he sent me this message." He tapped a side button, and a beam shot up, projecting a small, holographic screen. Everyone could see Ming's face in the air.
"Gordon!" Ming said with urgency, glancing to the right for a couple of seconds. "Operation Night starts in 41 hours. The first target is a large city on Earth. Then they'll expand all around the globe. That's why I wanted the Netherworld. It's the only area they haven't discovered. Get me out, and I'll tell you more." The image disappeared.
Flash tapped another button on his phone. A picture of aliens appeared on-screen. "The Weapon Masters," he said in disgust. "A group of crazed loonies from a family of planets — Beta One, Beta Two, and three other worlds in the area."
Amy appeared intrigued by this. She probably hadn't been to other planets yet.
"One month ago, Dynak confirmed Operation Night, a pending attack somewhere on Earth. Ming was spying on the Masters too. He's learned a little more than we found out."
"What do you mean?" Rick asked with a scowl.
"He knows exactly where they plan to strike." That was the claim Ming made, at least. One month back, Ming had tried selling the information. Flash wasted no time turning him down. He needed the info now, however.
Amy eyed Rick. "He said that they're targeting a major city. It could be here. It could be Paris..." She shook her head. "It could be absolutely anywhere."
Rick leaned forth. "So we free Ming, and he tells us the target?"
"That's the plan," Flash revealed. "And that's why I'm coming to the two of you. Sheila and I tried to ring Hadea. We haven't been able to get through yet." He'd heard she was busy with other affairs. "Someone needs to visit the Netherworld. You know her a little better than I do. I want you to ask for Ming's release."
Once again, Rick was kneeling at Hadea's throne. Amy took a knee right by his side. "Majesty..." he uttered politely, trying to think up a fancy speech. How might he kiss this woman's butt — and how might he do it in a formal manner? "On bended knees, with lowered heads, we bow with honor before your throne. It is our privilege to have your time. We know it is improper to make a request, which is why we thank you for hearing ours. We ask humbly that you free your father. He has information which we must uncover. All in the Netherworld are at your mercy. We would be grateful if you showed it now." He glanced at Amy. She nodded at him.
He eyed Hadea. She wasn't impressed.
Rick's jaw dropped. After all that?
"You have arrived too late, Rick Gordon," Hadea declared.
He cleared his throat. "Pardon, Highness?"
"I have sold Ming to the Weapon Masters. He has been taken to Beta Four."
Rick sighed in rage. "Where on Four?" Then he flinched, looking down, knowing that he hadn't asked properly.
Hadea placed her foot just under his chin, lifting his eyes to meet her calm gaze. "Discipline, boy."
He cleared his throat, then lowered his voice. "Apologies, Highness. Can I ask where? One of our cities depends on it."
She paused in apparent consideration. She might assist. She might decline. She might just play with his chin all day. Finally, she glanced aside. "We will provide the coordinates."
A flutter of gratitude filled Rick's heart. It seemed she cared for the surface world.
Or did she want the land all to herself? He couldn't be sure. "Thank you, Highness."
She lowered her leg.
Moments later, Rick called his father on a special phone. Amy walked step by step with him. "Dad, Ming is on Beta Four. I'm sending the coordinates to you now."
Beta Four
Five Hours Later
Ming paced about in the dark-gray cell. An armed robot stood guard outside.
He was so sick of looking at this place. As soon as he found a way out of here, he would ensure these bastards paid. Hadea would be facing his wrath as well. Nobody did this to Mighty Ming.
He heard a loud ruckus at the end of the hall. Some sort of struggle was occurring now. It sounded like another prisoner had arrived — kicking and shouting as they fought to get free.
Two of the Masters pulled the captive in view. The gate slid open. They threw him inside. Then the gate closed, and they walked away.
The captive rose with a bitter scowl. "Ming!" Flash hollered. "Why are you here?" He threw a subtle glance outside of the cell.
Ming paused a second, then looked out too. "I could ask the same thing of you, Flash Gordon," he uttered with extra arrogance.
Flash stepped forth. "No way are we sharing this cell together!" Flash charged forward and tackled Ming. The two of them wrestled on the grimy floor.
"Enough!" called a Master, approaching the gate.
Flash ignored him, swinging his fists.
Earth
Sheila had a whole lot to process now — much more than she'd planned on today. Her father was alive on Beta Four. Flash was going up there to rescue him.
Her little daughter murmured within her arms. Sheila cuddled her on the rocking chair.
She wanted Flash home. So did their child. She hoped this adventure would be the last.
She knew that was rather unlikely, though.
Beta Four
The Master slid the cell gate open again. He and his companion hurried toward the fight, as did the ice robot by the bars.
While holding Ming down, Flash threw a fast back-kick at the man.
Ming used a quick leg sweep on the other.
Both Masters fell, losing their weapons.
Grabbing a rifle, Flash aimed straight at the robot's head, blowing it apart with a well-placed shot.
Both Weapon Masters scrambled onto their feet.
Ming struck one with the butt of his weapon, drawing a long line of blood as he swung. Then he spun into a roundhouse kick, knocking the other man down as well.
Flash flinched a little. He was impressed. "Let's go!" he shouted.
They left the cell, running together.
"Why am I seeing ice robots here?" Flash uttered as they charged down the hall.
"I've purchased some of them from the Weapon Masters. They brought me here because I owed a debt."
Flash rushed out into a massive room.
Around ten robots were waiting for them. Every machine began opening fire.
Flash took cover behind a pillar, holding the rifle right against his chest.
Ming was assuming a similar stance. Then he peeked out, firing back — taking a couple of robots down.
Flash shouted over the noisy fray. "Where are they planning to attack on Earth? I need to know what their target is!"
"And I need revenge, my valiant foe. Help me get down into Central Control, and we'll both get what we're after here."
Flash destroyed an approaching machine. "You know the way?"
"I've been here before..."
Flash fired at a couple more sentries.
Ming turned around, aiming at him.
Flash tensed up.
Ming took the shot, hitting his mark — a deadly robot at Flash's rear. The thing went down in a series of pops.
"Over this way!" Ming declared, guiding Flash down toward a corridor.
He entered a dark, rectangular room, full of large screens and flashing controls.
A couple of men raised their hands in surrender.
"Out!" Flash yelled.
The men ran off.
Ming eyed a screen. "The Masters' fleets are controlled remotely. They'll use those planes when attacking Earth." He pointed to a squadron of alien ships. Each looked designed with expert care.
"Incredible," Flash said as he stared. He wouldn't mind flying one of those sweet things. Then he looked down at the remote controls, grasping the method to the madness here. The Masters could invade with minimal risk. There were no pilots within their ships. They had such little regard for lives, partly because they rarely risked their own. "If we destroy these remote controls..."
"They won't be able to attack the Earth, not for the time being anyway."
Flash reached down into one of his boots, then fastened the device in his hand on the floor.
"Cluster blast?" Ming asked as he stared.
"It's set to go off two minutes from now!" Flash began running.
Ming ran too.
After he and Ming rushed out of the base, blasting more robots amid their flight, Flash hopped into a fighter jet. He noticed Ming boarding a plane of his own. They paused a moment, eyeing each other. Flash wasn't thrilled that they'd partnered up, but sometimes you do what you have to do. He closed the cockpit, and Ming closed his. Both flew off as the base blew up.
Earth — Three Hours Later
"I was so worried," Sheila said, pulling Flash into her loving arms. This was the life that she'd signed up for. She knew there were going to be nights like this.
"I'm home now, honey," Flash declared, wrapping his arms right around her back. "I'm home," he whispered, holding her close.
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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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