BotP Close-up 093

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Bobkat
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BotP Close-up 093

Post: # 700Post Bobkat »

Happy September! This week's plot is interesting in seeing how eager our heroes are to help out. However, Chief Anderson temporarily grounds them because he's sure Spectra is setting a trap. :o The team isn't happy and neither are those in the colony being attacked!

Things do turn around and the team is allowed to "Save the Space Colony"! It's personal for them because they have friends there. They have to be creative in their rescue operations, not helped by Keyop falling through a window at an abandoned airfield. :lol: There is some really nice teamwork at play too in order to destroy the mech! :) Enjoy "Save the Space Colony"!! :D

The Other Jason's write-up is here: https://www.battleoftheplanets.info/ep93.html

E93: Save the Space Colony

Act One

7-Zark-7 is always on the alert for sneak attacks from enemy aliens from outer space at Center Neptune, a peaceful looking base in the ocean. He's in the middle of a ten second oil break using a "vintage ten four" that Princess brought him back from Venus. He likes the smooth body of it that is only from imports. Zark calls up a book on the history of planet Pluto where his counterpart Susan works in the Early Warning System. Zark says Pluto is 3,666 million miles from the sun, about 40 times the distance that Earth is from the sun (true fact!).

Speaking of Susan, she calls reporting a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) headed toward planet Zeebor. A space colony is located there and Zark notifies Security. He also detects some strange movement in the ocean and alerts the colonists to move to their bombproof shelters right away, just in case the UFO is from "you know where."

Zoltar laughs maniacally as "The Great Spectra Offensive" kicks off taking over planets in that solar system and then onto every other one in the Milky Way. In the ocean, a fish-like mech with glowing red eyes sits and waits. The captain of the mech, in a bluish fish costume and mask, tells Zoltar that the Luminous One wishes to speak to him. Zoltar turns his chair around, ordering Pesca (the captain) to prepare his men and equipment for battle. Zoltar then skips to the elevator singing "Tra la la la la, Tra la la la la" to confer with the Spirit and receive blessings for this mission.

Zoltar and the Luminous One discuss the mission with Zoltar saying they're only awaiting word from the Luminous One to commence the attack. The Luminous One wants to make certain that Center Neptune is unaware of their presence. Zoltar says their "spy beams" cannot penetrate the base's walls. The Luminous One orders the attack and Zoltar leaves to make it happen.

Zark has informed Chief Anderson of the activity on Zeebor and he has a tough decision ahead of him. The team is in various states of waiting but also a bit downtrodden. They grouse about the 'hurry up and wait' mentality with Mark being the firs to speak up. Jason adds it would be nice to know what they're supposed to do before they're too old to do it. Princess complains they've been waiting for hours without the chief saying one word. Keyop suggests they go surfing while Tiny says he hasn't eaten anything for over an hour. Suddenly, the phone rings. It's Zark confirming the space colony has been attacked but everyone has been evacuated and are safe. The team is stunned because they can hear Zark!

On Zeebor, the fish mech plows through the ocean and fires missiles into its main city destroying several buildings. Zoltar laughs again saying they caught them off-guard. Back at the base, Chief Anderson hangs up the phone and Mark anxiously asks what's going on. Jason answers that one of their space colonies is under attack and the team runs for the door. Chief Anderson makes them stop and confirms Jason's statement. However, he explains that while he feels the same as the team, they can't go – "it's a trap." Chief Anderson sits at his desk telling the team Spectra is waiting for them to arrive. Mark retorts it's a chance they'll have to take with Princess adding, "Our friends are up there! … We have to help them!" Keyop is willing to go alone while Tiny back him saying they need to stop Spectra from wrecking the space colony. The team heads to the door but Chief Anderson presses a button locking them in! Jason is stopped in his tracks with Keyop running into him as the door slams down. Jason turns, "What's going on?" The chief tells them they're grounded for now because they can't risk sending the team to Zeebor, not right now.

The conditions on Zeebor are terrible with the colony in flames! However, the people are in a shelter waiting out the attack. It's a working theory that Spectra went after the space colony specifically to lure G-Force to Zeebor.

Zoltar toasts a glass of wine to the destruction of Zeebor as he watches the flames dance on the video monitor. He knows G-Force can't resist going to the aid of a "stricken planet" and know his plan is working beautifully. An eerie whistle makes Zoltar break his wine glass as he completely spooks. Pesca reports and Zoltars chews him out for sneaking up on him. The captain informs Zoltar that G-Force can't approach the planet without them knowing about it. Zoltar is pleased with that part and orders Pesca back to his post – any mistakes are not an option. Zoltar ponders why G-Force hasn't shown yet and sets up another attack. Spectra keeps pounding Zeebor including launching "ground borers" from a large control room. The borers take out the defense forces.

Chief Anderson has a discussion on the phone about Zeebor's situation. While he understands they're taking a beating, he explains to the other end that he must be allowed to do things his way or they risk losing all of Zeebor. Chief Anderson assesses the situation in his office, deciding they can't wait any longer. He walks to the room where G-Force is locked up and he opens the door only to have Mark walk away from him and the rest of the team not pay attention. Chief Anderson enters, proclaiming they're headed for Zeebor and makes them gather around the map he lays out. The chief points out that Zoltar will be expecting them to land where they always do. Mark notes it's the only place they can land while Jason points out they'll be spotted if the arrive on the day side. Chief Anderson tells them they'll be approaching from the night side. He goes to say they'll be running with no lights to a small strip with an abandoned tower – all by feel. He tells them "Godspeed and Good Luck." The team salutes, chants "G-Force!" and takes off running for the Phoenix.

The Phoenix launches for Zeebor and flies through space finally touching down much to Zark's relief. His Triaxial Synthesizers had been in a nervous state until they landed safely. Zark points out they're safely on the ground, but the real work has just begun. On Zeebor, Tiny notices that no one seemed to have spotted them. Jason says, "No, we'd heard from 'em by now." Mark spots the abandoned tower and figures they can use it for a home base. The five make a run for it eventually arriving. Mark warns them to "watch the glass" as he breaks a window to gain entry.

Once inside, they see forgotten paperwork scattered about and several cobwebs among the broken windows. A group of bats fly through with Keyop jumping at the movement. Then a whole slew fly around scaring the crap out of Keyop who falls through a window into the building. Princess runs over and yells at Keyop to fly but Zark cuts the telecommunications for security reasons. He hopes Keyop landed safely and not into some sort of trap.

Act Two

Zark paces in the control room while 1-Rover-1 watches because he's pretty sure Keyop is all right but he doesn't know for sure. He says Keyop is "a sturdy fellow" but still. Zark's puzzled as to why Spectra would invade the space colony in the first place. There are several other planets with lots more to offer and make far better targets. Zark needs to see what's going on on Zeebor.

The team flies down to where Keyop fell with no luck finding him. Tiny even makes a new hole in the building next to where Keyop fell through. When they've landed, Mark tells him "to sound off." Keyop yells from yet another level below them! Keyop's wings are hung up on an antique airplane. Mark leaps down and cuts him loose causing Keyop to fall to the ground. Princess goes to him and asks if he's okay. Keyop responds, "Been better."

Jason surveys the building telling Mark to look around – it's an underground hangar. Mark says he understands the hangar part, but not the underground part. Tiny taps the wall finding it hollow and he beats a hole into it with the butt of his gun. Tiny discovers another room on the other side. Princess is shocked while Mark orders Jason to "get the drill." Jason works on making the hole large enough for them to step through. Jason is the first and Mark realizes they've stumbled onto Spectra's arsenal. Princess comments it's a great hiding place. Mark wants to put the place "out of business" and Tiny wants to do it because he loves fireworks. Jason tells everybody to hold on and not waste the ammunition. He wants to "surprise Zoltar with a little present." The team hands over all their homing devices, which Jason rigs to the missiles. Keyop says, "Flying hot foot for Zoltar." Mark agrees and thinks this is a great idea.

Jason completes the task and wonder what Zoltar's response will be when he see the missiles "climb into his lap." Keyop makes the comment that he would like to be there but Jason cracks, "If you were there, Shorty, you wouldn't have time to enjoy it. You'd be pulling out splinters." Mark then orders Tiny back to the Phoenix while the rest check out what else the tower has in store. Tiny grouses a bit about how he always misses the fun but Mark points out it's no fun if he's not standing by. Tiny goes on saying how everyone else can fly the Phoenix but they "never get left behind." Tiny leaves to go back to the ship and Mark asks the others if they should find out what the building leads to.

Zoltar has since poured himself another glass of wine and holds in his hand a cassette of Spectra's plan for conquest made by the Great Spirit. Zoltar and his men salute the plan while G-Force secretly watches from above. Zoltar tells his men there will soon be no Federation, only slaves for Spectra. Mark wants to grab the plans and Princess says they need to snag the cassette. Zoltar inserts the cassette saying the Luminous One demands loyalty. But a goon interrupts, informing Zoltar that someone has broken into the arsenal! Zoltar knows it's G-Force who broke in "unseen." He orders his men to alert security and find them.

Zoltar goes off, cursing at the team and wondering why the Great Spirit allows the team to torment so much. He says they move like smoke, first they're there then they're not. He vows to get them before they make him insane. Suddenly, the lights turn off and spotlights are turned on. He orders the rest of the men to discover who is behind the goings on. As Zoltar is about to drink another drink, the eerie whistling happens again. He calls out but knows there's no one in the room. After the wine bottle drops to the floor, Zoltar starts hitting his head to make the insanity stop. The whistling keeps up and the tablecloths move. Turns out, Zoltar is afraid of ghosts! "The flip side of the mighty Zoltar."

Mark stands before him with the other three telling Zoltar his "evil" Spirit can't help him now. Mark demands Zoltar's surrender and the cassette with the plans. Zoltar refuses on both counts and gives the team a bit of a surprise – an exploding capsule he spit from his mouth. The team leaps away from the explosion and Mark throws his sonic boomerang to dislodge the tape. Princess and Keyop make a grab for it with their weapons as Zoltar tries to reach for it. Zoltar makes a getaway but Mark is rebuffed when he tries to give chase. Princess says Keyop has the tape but before they leave, Mark wants to "redecorate." He tosses explosives and the four leap to safety and the goons nearly catch up.

Zoltar retreats to his fish mech, cursing the meddling Earthlings. He doesn't know how he will explain it to the Luminous One. Zoltar vows that there will be nothing left of Zeebor but dust due to Spectra's defeat. The team makes it out of the base while Pesca orders the missiles fired. Outside, the team watches the mech raises up and Mark calls Tiny for a pick up. The team takes off running while the building where the mech sat lies in ruin. Tiny moves the Phoenix in for a swift pick up. They take off following the mech.

On board the Phoenix, Mark asks Jason when will the missiles explode. Jason answers, as he stands by the missile launch, it shouldn't be long after they're fired and they turn for home. Tiny tells Jason it was a "good trick" on his part as he flies the Phoenix at a low altitude. They eventually catch up with the fish mech where they dodge missiles and fire one of their own. Mark considers it done but Jason wants to stick around and watch his handiwork play out. He explains Zoltar should be getting suspicious pretty soon as the missiles turn and close in.

A goon watches the radarscope as the missiles hone in on the mech. Zoltar orders the escape ship launched while the fish mech crashes and the four missiles explode. The main ship explodes in a hug fireball with Keyop yelling, "Bull's eye!" Jason calmly walks to his station and sits contemplating Chief Anderson's orders. Jason says he must have known what he was doing by preventing them from jumping the gun. But the destruction of the main ship will make him happy, even if Zoltar and his men got away. Mark says what will really make him happy is the cassette of Spectra's plan for conquering the galaxy.

Mark hands off the tape to Chief Anderson who can't believe it – they have Spectra right where they want them. But when he tries to play it, the tape self-destructs! From the highest high to the lowest low, Chief Anderson is gut punched. Mark states they're right back where they started. Zark knows this is a major disappointment but the team did a great job in stopping the invasion of the space colony on Zeebor.

Zark says G-Force will meet Zoltar anywhere in the galaxy to continue to repel the evil forces. He wishes he could go out with G-Force at some point. Zark would use his boomerang against Zoltar if he tried to run to an escape ship. Zark says he would cut the fuel lines and apprehend the "scoundrel" himself and drag him in for trial. 1-Rover-1 yips, reminding Zark that he gets airsick if he flies higher than the control room. Zark resigns himself to doing his part for G-Force and salutes.

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