BotP Close-up 035

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Bobkat
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BotP Close-up 035

Post: # 445Post Bobkat »

Another week, another plot! :)

This week we get another peek into the inner workings of G-Force and how much they allow outsiders to work with them. Tabul is a prince from an oil-rich country and has worked at Center Neptune for a time. He now has to lead his people against a direct Spectran attack! He calls in his friends, G-Force! Enjoy - it's Demons of the Desert!

The Other Jason's write-up is here: https://www.battleoftheplanets.info/ep35.html

E35: Demons of the Desert

Act One

7-Zark-7 says he's been given the task of "monitoring the heavens" to prevent any alien invaders from destroying or dominating Earth. He says most of the problems originate in one area: Spectra and its ruler Zoltar. Zoltar is out to rescue his own dying planet but as Zark is about to say more, he receives an alert and flies to his monitors. Zark expected trouble for some time in the Sheikdom of Aburra on the Persian Gulf. The Sheikdom has some of the largest oil reserves on Earth. Zark is especially interested in Tabul, the young prince in the sheikdom. Tabul had recently studied at Center Neptune and became close friends with all of G-Force.

Recently, Tabul's Uncle Ajeeb overthrew the young prince and has begun oppressing the people. Zark says everything in his Mercury-Vapor Detector tells him that Zoltar is somehow behind it. Meanwhile, in Aburra, Tabul and his men invade the palace grounds to try to find answers. Tabul calls out to his uncle but Tabul and his men are quickly repelled. Zark says that Tabul was so close to his Uncle Ajeeb that Tabul considered him like a father.

Tabul and his men regroup at the statue of Balu, a winged dragon god. The temple has become a hideout for the now rebels against the sheikdom. When an elder prays to Balu, Tabul makes the decision to make radio contact with Chief Anderson and G-Force. Tabul recognizes that they can help. When the elder protests because most of them don't know G-Force, Tabul explains that he does and he knows they'll help in their cause for freedom.

At Center Neptune, Chief Anderson receives Tabul's call for help. G-Force immediately launches for Aburra with Mark saying it'll be good to see Tabul again. Keyop calls Tabul a friend while Princess reminds him that they forget their friends. Mark adds that Tabul "is a man of pride" and wouldn't call unless there's "some great danger." Jason sits at the radar screens saying there's "no greater danger than facing greedy men who takes what doesn't belong to them." Mark doesn't understand what happened and Tiny says that Ajeeb was tempted "by all those oil fields." Princess tells them they're just speculating at this point and they'll find out what happened once they land.

From the radar station, Jason tells Tiny he's clear. But on the way to land, several fighter jets tell G-Force they aren't authorized in Aburra's airspace. The lead pilot informs the Phoenix they've been warned and can't evade the fighters. Mark radios back, "We're sure gonna try." Tiny begins evasive maneuvers and they wind up in some clouds. Commander Saleem, the lead pilot, orders his fighters to begin firing missiles. On the Phoenix, Jason wants to "discourage" the fighters but there's too many for Mark's liking. Jason asks if Mark is "getting cautious in your old age?" Mark replies, "It's how to reach old age." Mark orders them to go to Fiery Phoenix. Commander Saleem reports back that he's seen "a fiery bird in the sky." The base orders the fighters back and they return. Meantime, the Fiery Phoenix continues flying over Aburra. Tabul immediately recognizes the Phoenix and follows it.

The Phoenix has landed in the middle of the Arabian Desert and a sandstorm is in progress. Princess wonders how they'll let Tabul know they've arrived and Mark is confident that Tabul will find them. Jason is concerned what the desert heat will do to their Climate Affector. He tells Tiny to see what's outside. When Tiny turns on the view screen, he says, "That doesn't look like a welcoming committee to me." Mark realizes it's Tabul and his men but no one can see anyone clearly through the sandstorm. He leaves the bridge to stand on the Phoenix so Tabul can see his white wings. Somehow, they manage to yell to each other through the storm.

Tabul is thrilled to see his friends and grateful for their help. He doesn't understand why his Uncle Ajeeb has changed, only that it happened while Tabul was at Center Neptune. Tabul explains that he is now considered an outsider but he's truly concerned about his people. Ajeeb refuses to share in the riches brought by the oil fields, which his father started long ago. Jason asks about the danger Tabul is in but the young prince says it doesn't matter what happens to him, his duty is to his people. Mark wants to know who or what is behind all the mess in Aburra.

Zark receives an alert that Spectra has launched a vehicle of some sort into space. The Galaxy Warning System will detect it if it heads for Earth. Zark says it's an incredible craft – traveling at three times the speed of light! It's entered the Milky Way and then the Solar System. Zark keeps tracking it and has figured it's headed for the Arabian Peninsula where G-Force is located. He contacts Mark right away to warn him of the impending danger.

Mark approaches Tabul who is sitting on a cliff lamenting what has happened. Mark tells Tabul that Zark informed him of a Red Alert. Just as Mark gives Tabul the details of a ship launched from Spectra and headed toward Aburra, the ship appears! The front is a tri-winged configuration with a cylindrical body. The ship holds several spherical bombs and buzzes Mark and Tabul. Mark is sure the ship's appearance has something to do with Ajeeb's takeover. The ship flies away from the cliff face and towards the city.

Act Two

Zark paces in Nerve Center because the progress report from G-Force isn't good. The strange Spectran ship has attacked Tabul's forces but Zoltar is nowhere to be seen. Zark says Zoltar is usually in the middle of an attack. The whole situation is upsetting his Stoma-flex and his FOSDIC is in a flutter.

At the Palace, one of the aides reports what the pilots saw with the giant fiery bird "transformed" from the craft they were chasing. Ajeeb says it's G-Force when he turns on a monitor – Tabul and Mark are downstairs! Ajeeb orders to have Tabul brought to him. The aide tells Tabul that his uncle is in "a good mood" and maybe things can be worked out if Tabul is "tactful." Mark warns Tabul this could be another trick just before the aide frisks Tabul. The young sheik is highly offended because the aide says he can't take any chances, even after Tabul tells him that he is unarmed. Tabul slaps the aide's hand away before he walks up the stairs.

As Tabul is taken to his uncle, Mark sees something suspicious on the main floor. Mark flips an aide and flies upstairs with an assist from the chandelier. He is quickly reunited with Tabul who took out the aide who was escorting him. Tabul pulls a gun on his uncle demanding answers and admonishes his uncle for mistreating their people. Tabul threatens him with the gun but says Ajeeb doesn't deserve mercy. Ajeeb brings up memories of carrying Tabul on his back and talks about Tabul's father, which irritates Tabul even more. Ajeeb begs for his life but Tabul is ready to kill him. Mark stops him. Tabul is surprised because Mark is supposed to be there to help. Mark says, "Two wrongs don't make a right. You'll regret it for the rest of your life." Tabul demands Mark let go but Mark tells him there are things going on that they don't understand. Tabul eventually relents as Mark explains Earth's fate is at stake as well with Aburra's oil reserves being an important part of the defense. As they talk, Ajeeb trips a trap door that Tabul and Mark are standing on. They fall through the trap door to the floor below. Ajeeb stands above them calling them "the biggest fools of all."

Mark and Tabul have landed in a brick lined room. Mark calls Ajeeb "deceitful and cunning" with Tabul reminding the commander he "played right into his hands." Mark isn't worried and makes a call to Tiny on his wrist communicator. Tabul stands and turns to Mark but something catches his cloak. It's a skeleton! A ring spins off a bony ringer and Tabul recognizes it immediately – it belongs to his Uncle Ajeeb! "It never left his finger." The ring was a gift from Tabul's father and he's certain.

Outside, Tabul's followers have decided to march on the palace themselves with torches. The line goes for miles with a senior aide telling "Ajeeb" they want to know about Tabul. "Ajeeb" tells the senior aide the mob is his problem and reveals himself to be Zoltar!

Zoltar happily sits on the palace steps gloating that all the oil in Aburra now belongs to Spectra. Mark, who calls from somewhere above, rudely interrupts Zoltar's gloating. Mark is ticked off that not only did Zoltar kill Ajeeb, but in disguise, "destroyed his good name as well." Zoltar isn't sentimental at all picking up a rifle to take Mark out. But Mark fires his sonic boomerang to knock the rifle out of his hands. Mark also gets behind Zoltar and throws him down the stairs! As Zoltar flees, Mark gives chase but outside the ship attacks Aburra!

Tabul directs his people to get the anti-aircraft guns working as evacuations commence. He knows they have to capture Zoltar. However, Zoltar is picked up by his personal craft to make a clean escape. Several bombs hit "the center of the village" as G-Force regroups on the Phoenix. Mark mentions that Tabul was able to clear out the village because what Zoltar can't have, he'll destroy. Jason says they don't have the right weapons to stop the ship. Tiny has a brainstorm to be "the Judas goat" – the goat that leads the livestock into the slaughterhouse. Mark says it's worth a try but Princess asks how they are going to spring the trap. Mark plans to contact Tabul because they won't need much firepower. All they need is some of the bombs to explode and set off a chain reaction.

Tiny flies the Phoenix off the ship's nose and it follows. Mark contacts Tabul, who is hesitant about catching the oil refinery on fire. Mark assures him this is the only way to stop Spectra and refineries can be rebuilt. If they were to lose the oil reserves, the jig would be up. Mark appeals to the leader in Tabul and Tabul agrees. The workers are in their bomb-proof shelters but it's still tough for Tabul. Mark admires Tabul's courage.

When the ship is over the refinery, Tabul fires at it. In turn, it released multiple bombs onto the refinery. The massive explosion takes out the ship. Tabul makes a vow to his Uncle Ajeeb that the refinery will be built anew. G-Force escapes the carnage by transmuting into the Fiery Phoenix. When Tabul sees it, he says, "May Allah protect you." Other villagers are left in awe.

Zark says Tabul will take his rightful place now that Spectra is gone. The new refinery will be built "on the ashes of the old" and be the largest and most efficient on Earth. Zark adds that the Fiery Phoenix will soon be changed to normal and the team will head home. The robot goes to his Ready Room remembering that he has an appointment for his ektostructure to be lined with Zolium, a silver substance. Zark knows it doesn't make a big difference but it'll make him feel better knowing the Zolium is there, he likes to look his best. He takes a ten second oil break and buzzes Susan. He asks her what she's doing tomorrow night and she answers that she'll be at her station day and night. Zark says his Transceptors will remind him that he'll be at his station day and night too. After they hang up, he wonders if they'll ever meet face-to-face.

This plot summary Copyright Bobbi Baker ©2021. No reproduction of any kind without permission.
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