by SHARKLAD
It's raining on Argus 7 ... "SharkLad, report" ... "The colony has been destroyed, Loser Lad" ... "Any signs of life?" ... "None, Lash ... only some kakaribirds" ... "kakaribirds?" ... "They're like vultures, Loser Lad ... there are dead bodies everywhere" ... "Any idea what might have happened?" ... "Not yet ... scanners show a large radiation surge 50 meters from here ... I'm going in to investigate" ... "Copy, SharkLad ... maintain communications" ... "the radiation surge is coming from, well, what's left of the communications center ... roof is caved in ... walls are blown out ... it looks like something crash-landed here" ... "proceed with caution, SharkLad" ... "Copy, Loser Lad, I, wait ... scanners are showing life signs" ... "More kakaribirds?" ... "Negative, Lash ... human life signs ... multiple signals ... aw jeez" ... "SharkLad, what's happening?" ... "The colonists ... they're coming back to life" ...
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<<The Incursion>>
"SharkLad, report!" ... "We've lost his signal, Loser Lad ... we have to go in" ... "Send for backup, Lash ... I, wait ... we're not alone ... another cruiser has entered orbit ... raise shields" ... "Opening communications ... this is the LMB ... identify ... no response" ... "They're leaving orbit ...damn, I don't like this ... send a message to LMB headquarters ... we're going to the surface" ... "Incoming message" ... "Loser Lad ... this is BBC ... return to Earth immediately ... we have a crisis" ... "We have a situation here too, BBC ... SharkLad is missing on the surface of Argus 7" ... "Copy ... return home as ..." ... "BBC? What happened?" ... "I don't know, Loser Lad, but let's get SharkLad and get out of here" ... "Agreed" ...
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<<The Seizure>>
"SharkLad? Or, should I call you Bruce?" ... "Where am I?" ... "You're aboard my ship" ... "Why can't I see?" ... "Side effect of the teleportation process ... your eyesight should return in a few hours ... now what shall it be, SharkLad or Bruce?" ... "Why don't you tell me who you are first?" ... "Now, that wouldn't be fun ... tell me, do you enjoy being part of the LMB?" ... "It has its moments" ... "It's not what your mother would have wanted for you" ... "What the hell would you know about that?" ... "Dr. Helena Aurelius and I were very close ... I've watched your career with great interest" ... "To hell with this ..." ... "Now, SharkLad ... don't bother to struggle ... those restraints were designed to hold your 'unique' frame ... I must say, I don't think Helena intended for you to turn out quite so 'animalistic' ... you're downright frightening to look at" ... "Is this why you've brought me here? To bait me? I guarantee that you'll know the full meaning of 'frightening' when I free myself" ... "My, my, SharkLad ... once again, I don't think your mother would approve ... after all, we are family" ...
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<<The Contagion>>
Argus 7 ... "Which is the communications center, Lash?" ... "According to the colony schematics, it's that building up ahead" ... "That's not how SharkLad described it ... the building is intact ... the whole colony appears normal, for that manner" ... "According to scanners, Loser Lad, the colonists are all gathered inside" ... "But, no sign of SharkLad ... any trace of that radiation surge SharkLad detected?" ... "Negative ... your call, chief ... do we go in?" ... "No choice ... well, scanners are right ... they're all here" ... "They're ignoring us" ... "Hello ... I'm Loser Lad, leader of the LMB ... is the colony administrator here?" ... "A lot of blank stares, Loser Lad" ... "This just keeps getting stranger, Lash ... can I please have your attention ... we received a distress signal en route back to Earth ... one of our members, SharkLad, came to the surface to investigate ... have you seen him?" ... "Loser Lad, I'm detecting a radiation surge" ... "Where?" "Here ... in the communications center" ... "What the hell is happening? The walls are disappearing ... this was all an illusion, Lash!" ... "The colonists!" ... "Lash, get out before ..." ...
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<<The Query>>
LMB headquarters ... "Lunar base is reporting that the last of the ships has left orbit, Newcru" ... "Is the military in pursuit, BBC?" ... "Affirmative ... unbelievable ... peace negotiations break down in the fourth quadrant, so the Natarqui attack Earth" ... "How much damage did the invasion fleet do?" ... "Reports are coming in from around the globe ... the LMB helped keep things to a minimum" ... "Any word from Loser Lad's team?" ... "Not since the Natarqui cut our transmission, Newcru ... they haven't responded to any hails since" ... "Alright, let's get a team out there ... Fan Boy and Beagz seem to have things under control in South America ... call 'em in, BBC" ... "Incoming message" ... "Newcru, this is Lard Lad ... there are massive casualties in Thailand ... we need assistance" ... "Affirmative ... we're sending Fan Boy and Beagle Boy" ... "Copy ... Lard Lad, over and out" ... "I guess the rescue mission is off?" ... "No choice, BBC ... I'm sure Loser Lad has things under control" ... "I hope so ... LMB headquarters to Fan Boy and Beagle Boy ... I have new orders for you" ...
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