The Airship

As Noland and Pool rush after Chris through the hallway, they hear a loud crash. The two of them flinch as they listen to the deafening sound.

"Uh oh... That's never a good sign-" Noland mutters.

"D-Do you think those boys are ok??" Pool asks softly.

"Well, only one way to find out..." Noland replies.

The both of them continue sprinting through the hall, Pool lags behind however due to the fact that she still really isn't used to land. Once they reach the dining room, the sight they're met with is a cart laying on it's side, along with Chris and Corry scattered across the room. MAPI was on the kitchen counter, standing next to a big chocolate cake.

"....Well, it appears we've been discovered." MAPI states, chuckling nervously.

Noland stares in confusion at MAPI before remembering the situation, running to help up Chris and Corry.

"Corry! Chris! Are you two ok!?" Noland shouts in a panicked tone.

Corry slowly sits himself up, groaning as he rubs his head. Chris rises as well, taking off the hazmat mask he was wearing with the suit.

"Ough... Maybe that wasn't such a good idea... Ah, who am I kidding... It was awesome." Chris says, chuckling dizzily.

Corry looks at Chris, who looks back. The two of them stare for a bit before giggling, the giggle turns into a chuckle, then the chuckle turns into full-blown laughter. Pool was now standing by Noland, looking down at the two as they laugh.

(That answers it in full... I really have joined a crew of hooligans-) Pool thinks to herself.

"How... Can you two just laugh about this!? Your heads are bruised!" Noland yelps.

"You gotta learn to have a little fun, Noland!!" Chris guffaws.

"H-Hey, I pushed that cart!" Noland replies.

"Well then it looks like you're the one who got us into this situation!!" Corry snickers.

"E-Ehh!? Well... I mean- You're-" Noland stammers.

Seeing his friends laughing up a storm, Noland can't help but crack a smile before eventually joining them in the laughter. Pool watches from Noland's side, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head with a grin.

(Yes... A crew full of loveable hooligans.) Pool admits in her head.

Chris and Corry finally get back into their feet, Chris removing his hazmat suit. As his laughter finally starts to subside, he crosses his arms with a smirk and looks at Corry.

"Alright, spill it buddy, what were you hiding back here?" Chris asks.

"Oh! Well umm... You see..." Corry starts, chuckling nervously.

"The place looks really festive, is there a reason for that?" Noland asks quizzically.

"There's also a cake." MAPI says with an innocent look on her face.

"There's also a cake!" Chris exclaims, his sweet tooth tingling.

"Alright then... I guess I can tell you, we're practically done preparing now anyway!" Corry remarks.

"Captain wanted to throw a party for the event of this ship taking off. He didn't get the chance to do it when we first lifted off, so he decided to use this time before our inevitable attack on the enemy base to hold a celebration for his achievement." MAPI explains.

"Hey, I had the talking under control MAPI!!" Corry shouts.

"Oh, so what you're telling me... Is that the electric tape was for this?" Chris mutters with murderous intent.

"That was MAPI's idea." Corry replies immediately, pointing at MAPI.

Chris, Noland, and Pool all look over to MAPI, who freezes like a deer in headlights.

"....In my defense, I didn't think it would work that well." MAPI squeaks.

"...I will forgive you if you give me an extra big slice of that cake." Chris says slyly.

"Done-" Corry and MAPI say in unison, scared of what would happen if they didn't do what he demanded.

Thus, the party really began. Corry began cutting slices of cake for everyone, nervously giving a bigger slice to Christopher the Blond Menace. MAPI began playing music from a large speaker in the room, the first song being from a relatively popular rock band. Everyone then sits down to enjoy their cake, even MAPI, who had her body made so that it could taste food and convert it into energy. 

"I used the best chocolate cake recipe I could find on Earth's Internet to make what you're consuming now, so I hope you like it." MAPI says with a smile on her face.

"The best recipe, eh? Well then, I'll be the judge of that..." Chris replies with a smirk.

He takes a bite out of his slice of cake before locking up. His hand shakes in it's spot as his fork falls back down to his plate. 

"I-Is he ok?" Noland asks cautiously.

"I think he just needs a minute to process the flavor-" Pool tells Noland.

Chris eventually looks up at the group, seemingly trying his hardest to hold back tears.

"Ish frntshtic..." (It's fantastic...) Chris says with his mouth full.

"You know it's rude to talk with food in your mouth, right?" Corry chuckles. 

Chris swallows his food and smiles, holding a thumbs-up to MAPI and Corry.

"I forgive you." He states.

"That's good-" MAPI sighs, relieved.

"Is it really that good?" Pool asks.

Pool takes a bite from her slice. As soon as the cakes touches her tongue, tears start pouring from her eyes like waterfalls.

"IS SHE OK!?!?" Noland yelps.

"An endless stream..." Chris mutters, dumbfounded.

"MAPI, I think you may have made it too good-" Corry says.

"Apologies." MAPI replies, smiling awkwardly.

Meanwhile, at Techway HQ...

Employees walked around the building as they normally would, only a select few people inside aware that their enemies were approaching as they spoke. Headmaster Bellows sits in his room as per usual, smoking a fat cigar.

"So... They're approaching. Figures, they most likely felt somewhat inspired after their victory in Atlantis. However, they won't last long in the home base of the enemy, they may as well be heading straight into a death trap." The Headmaster monologues to himself.

The guards at Bellows' side look at each other before looking out the window. Suddenly, a notification pops up on Bellows' PC, causing him to jump. The notification reads "Incoming call: Grandmaster Keller".

"Jack, Joseph! You know the drill, get out!" Bellows yells.

"Yes sir." The two guards reply, walking in a uniform fashion out the door, closing it behind them.

Mr. Bellows sighs and picks up the call, revealing the same hooded figure from last time.

"Grandmaster sir... We haven't located any of the crystals yet, I apologize." Bellows explains to the digitalized figure.

"Well now... That's disappointing. I even provided you with locations they might be located at, what's taking you so long Old Man?" The figure demands quietly.

"W-Well... We have our hands full right now, you see..." Bellows stammers.

The figure tilts his head to the side.

"And... What could be more important than accomplishing our goal? I already told you, you get what we need, you get what you want..." The figure says maliciously.

"We are preparing for battle. A group of fools has found an older model of the airships that we use and have already defeated us in Atlantis as you may know... Now they're on their way here to commence battle with us." Mr. Bellows explains nervously.

"Oh...? Well, this should be interesting... Are you positive that you can handle this on your own, old timer?" The figure asks.

"Of course I am, Keller!! I don't need any assistance!" Bellows states.

"Don't forget your place. That's Grandmaster Keller to you, fatass." Keller hisses.

"Y-Yes... My apologies, Grandmaster Keller..." Bellows whispers fearfully.

"Anyways... I doubt you'll mind if I watch this little altercation from a distance." Keller retorts.

"That's a huge risk, Grandmaster... You might be seen." Bellows warns.

"I'm not worried about that in the slightest. I've been inside your tiny little base several times without anyone noticing." Keller says, a wide smile barely being seen from behind the darkness of his hood.

"W-Wha-!?" The old man yelps, looking around frantically.

"Calm down, I'm not in there right now, coward... However, I am right outside, watching your every move, so act carefully. Toodles." Keller says mischievously.

The dark figure of Keller waves before ending the call. Mr. Bellows stares at his computer screen before slowly turning his chair to look outside, not seeing anything.

"I... I have to make sure that we win... T-They had numbers on their side at Atlantis... But now we have the bigger numbers..!" The poor old man reassures himself.

Back at The Airship...

Everyone was just about finished with their extra rich chocolate cake. Noland and Chris were patting their lips with napkins while Corry, Pool, and MAPI just relished the taste as they finished.

"Welp... I'd say you and MAPI have outdone yourselves. I'm honestly pretty surprised." Chris says, satisfied.

"Heh... Just leave it to your captain to prepare an absolutely epic party!!" Corry says proudly.

"Don't leave me out of this, Captain!" MAPI shouts.

"....Leave it to your Captain and MAPI!" Corry restates. 

MAPI's eyes blink as a beeping is emitted from somewhere on her body.

"Hmm? What's up MAPI?" Noland inquires.

"We're approaching our destination." MAPI says.

The whole crew recoils lightly from MAPI.

"A-Already??" Pool asks, shocked.

"Well, I guess it's true what they say! Time passes when you're having fun!" Corry chuckles, trying to keep a calm appearance.

"So then... It's time to fight..." Chris mumbles.

He looks at his friends, a somber look spreading across his face.

"...You're all awesome, I hope you know that." Chris whispers.

"Did you say something, Chris?" Noland asks.

"N-No, it's fine... Let's just... Go discuss the game plan." Chris replies hesitantly, walking down the hallway to the main lobby.

The others look at each other before following Chris down the hallway. Once they arrive at the main lobby, Chris had already laid out a map of the base. 

"Alright, somebody will go straight through the main entrance to create a distraction. They need to get the attention of most of the soldiers around the base. This job is very risky, is there anyone willing to do it?" Chris explains.

"Yeah, no thanks..." Noland replies.

"Leave it to me! I can do it!" Corry chirps.

Chris nods to Corry, but then Pool walks up next to Corry.

"I'll help Corry... As long as there's a water source in there, I can fight back..." Pool says softly, twiddling her fingers.

"There should be plenty of water in the pipes, so good luck." Chris says.

"So then, what are you gonna do, Chris?" Noland asks.

"We are gonna crawl in through the back vent." Chris replies.

"W-We?" Noland asks, pointing to himself.

"Yep, take a look here." Chris says.

He points at a line that was intersecting with various hallways on the map.

"This is the duct system. As you can see, it spans throughout the whole base, including the Headmaster's room." Chris points out.

"The Headmaster... Being the big boss?" Noland inquires.

"Yep. That's how we'll do it. It's the least dangerous job, I just need you to watch my back, Noland." Chris states.

"Well.. O-Ok then I guess." Noland hesitantly agrees.

"Alright crew, are we ready??" Corry asks semi-enthusiastically.

"Y-Yes!" Pool squeaks.

"Mhm..." Chris mumbles.

"Uhh, yeah-" Noland replies.

"Right then... Let's go!" Corry shouts as the ship begins to make it's descent a little ways away from the HQ.

To be continued.