Chapter 4, Part 4

*the scene opens in Guido's chamber, six weeks after the last scene. Gilgamesh enters, and kneels before Guido's throne*

Guido: Rise, Gilgamesh.

*she does*

Gilgamesh: My Lord, my scouts have located the Lost Jedi. They are at Bellerophon Academy.

Guido: How is it that you did not find them sooner?

Gilgamesh: Marcus protects them, as does Shimato.

Guido: Ah, the Scholar and the Apostate. I'm impressed that you found them at all. Some things they've hidden are never found.

Gilgamesh, bowing slightly: It is my pleasure to serve, my lord. What is thy bidding?

Guido: Take three platoons and five apprentices. Bring me the Lost Jedi.

Gilgamesh, bowing: It shall be done, my lord.

*Gilgamesh leaves, and the scene ends*

*the next scene opens in a well-lit room, similar to the Archives at TNT HQ, but larger. Sparc sits at the console, and Gonick idly plays with some marbles, making them orbit each other telekinetically*

Sparc: How can they have a larger library?

Gonick, giving Sparc a look: They're a school.

Sparc, annoyed: Hmph. Oh hey! Yearbooks!

Gonick, dashing over: Ooh! Lemme see!

Sparc: What, we don't have these at HQ either?

Gonick: No, Marcus ordered them deleted from our computers.

Sparc: With good reason, it seems. I mean, talk about hair!

Gonick, gaping at the photo: That's not hair! That's a wombat!

Sparc: Heh. Oh! Marcus and Shimato were in the same graduating class. Seems they knew each other, too. Listen to this: "Marcus Mandrake and Shimato Kusanagi stand proudly as they're presented with the first place trophy for "Outstanding Impromptu Intoxicated Duet""

Gonick, laughing: Wow, yearbooks are comedy gold! We should ask Marcus to allow these back into the base mainframe.

Sparc: Oh, here's your picture!

Gonick, smoothly as if Sparc had said nothing: But then, some things should be banned for reasons of guild security, and I support Marcus's decision in this matter.

Sparc: Oh no. You're not getting off that easily.

*Sparc pulls up an image, it's Gonick's freshman profile*

Sparc, reading from the display: Gonick Grayson, 20. Member of the Bit Busters, Chess Club, and the Society for Creative Anachronisms.

Sparc, suppressing a giggle: Do you still have the helmet?

Gonick, imitating being strangled: Please, no more, I beg you...

Sparc: What, no Drama Club? I suppose you didn't need the help...

Gonick, from floor: *gurgle*

Sparc, teasingly: Oh, get up you drama queen. Here's Emma's profile.

Gonick, still on floor yet more comfortable: Nice knowing you, you masochist.

Sparc: What she doesn't know can't hurt us. Let's see here...

*he pulls up Emma's profile*

Sparc, reading aloud: "Emma Elise Elish, 22. Cited twice for fighting out designated areas. High marks in combat training."

Gonick: Emma's middle name is "Elise"?

Sparc: I won't bring it up if you don't.

Gonick: Deal.

Sparc: I wonder what it says about Edward...

*he moves to call up Saganami's profile, but before he does, an alarm klaxon sounds, and red lights flash*

Gonick: We're sorry, Emma! We didn't mean to pry! Have mercyyyyy!

Shimato, over P.A. system: Attention all personnel! A well-armed strike force has just been sighted in orbit! Trajectory, speed and markings indicate that they intend to attack. Report to battle stations! Gonick, Sparc, Zero Time, Edward, and Emma! Report to the Command Center!

Gonick, to Sparc: Mr. Guido?

Sparc: Him, or that Gilgamesh woman. Or both.

Gonick: Both might be problematic. Now, you heard the man. To the lift! Allons-y!

*they dash quickly out of the room, and the scene ends*

*next scene opens with Sparc and Gonick exit the turbolift into the command center. The others are already present, and Shimato notes their entry*

Shimato: Good, we're all here. I'll be succinct. Four ships are inbound, and will be within weapons range in ten minutes. The ships are fast, but lightly armed and armored. We believe they intend to invade the school. We will try to shoot them down before they get here, but our cannons are too slow to hit them. We may get lucky with a disruptor bolt or two, but the reality is that we will soon be facing an invasion force. The students are prepared, we do battle drills every month. You five should go anywhere you can, and kill any enemy troops you come across. Here's the official orders, straight from Marcus. You may want to divide into two groups, and use whatever methods you wish. Just be quick about it, we need to keep casualties to a minimum. Any questions?

All: Nope.

Shimato: Good. Then snap to it!

Gonick: Sparc, Saganami, with me. Emma, you and Zero go to the basement. We're heading to the roof.

Emma, crazy-girl cheerfully: Ah! The vise grip!

Gonick, grinning eagerly: The vise grip. Now let's go!

*Gonick, Sparc, and Saganami go into a turbolift on the left side of the room, and Emma and Zero enter the one Gonick and Sparc left earlier, on the right. The turbolift doors close with the classic swoosh, and the scene ends*

(Author's note: Go look at the cast bios, they've been updated)