seymoure | (no subject)

12.

The morning began as routinely as any had since the family arrived at Thunderbase. Mickey had breakfast after getting dressed, and was saying his “See you later” to his father when the phone rang.

Mickey didn’t really notice much about the call, being at that wondrous age where the phone was just a device to be used when needed, and not an integral part of one’s body.

He had noticed that people who had gotten these phones to get their business done faster were now on the phones all the time.

Others had gotten the phones to keep in touch, found themselves talking about nothing all the time. He knew girls in his class who could not tell you a single thing that they had been
talking about for the last 2 hours, but knew that had been talking heatedly for all that time.

Luckily, it wasn’t something he had to think about, and so he rarely did.

“Mickey!” His father called as the boy was about to exit the front door.

He stopped and looked back, as his father said, “We have to meet your mother in the Main Hall. There is a crisis.”

The man did not look comfortable.

The last few days Mickey started picking up signs that his father felt out of place in this crowd. While he brought much experience and expertise to any group to which he was a part, he didn’t have any superhuman powers. He might have sensed that he might not have as much to offer.

“I’ll feel better that you’re there,” Mickey said as they walked down the hallway. His father continued to button his sweater, but Mickey couldn’t see if his expression changed.

There was a powerful hubbub as they entered the main hall. At least 40 people stood in small groups of 5 or 6 and milled and talked in an orbit around the speaker’s podium.

They were obviously waiting for some sort of announcement.

Suddenly the conversations ended as Colonel Stonedragon and Mickey’s Mom entered the room and strode to the center of the room.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” The Colonel called the room to order, “We have a most serious situation to act upon.”

The amount of sternness in his voice exceeded anything he had so far displayed, as far as the boy knew. This was something big.

“A troop of Fighting Machines has been dispatched to attack a military base in America. These appear to be robots with an powerful physical make up and so far have denied any attempt to stop
them. We have been asked to aid in the battle. We must go now, as they will be near very important secret elements within the hour.”

“You need volunteers?” Someone asked.

A giant metal bubble began to descend from above, at the same time as half the floor began to withdraw and release the dragon Rugglestump.

“You are all requested to volunteer,” Colonel Stonedragon said, “And, since the trip would take to long to ride the dragon or any normal form of transport, we will all have to take the Sphere. But, there is another point before we reach the Groom Lake Base . . .”

“Groom Lake?” Mickey thought, “That’s Area 51.”

At this point Mickey’s Mom moved to the podium.

“For those of you who don’t know, this is Maria McCauley,” The Colonel announced, “She was the most powerful of those among us for several years. She brings specific information that is pivotal in this confrontation.”

“The Robots we will face,” She began, “Bear the markings that I have seen in the past. They bear the signet of the 'Sleepless Knight.' This means that they exist only to help him in the
destruction of all life on the Earth.”

The silence thundered.

“Please enter the Sphere. Background information will be available there during the short . . .” He looked around and saw a hand signal, “Ah . . . 5 minute trip, you will find out more as
time allows.”

Without another word, the individuals, the dragon and Mickey loaded into the sphere, which floated off into the sky.

Benjy stood alone in the cavernous room.