The Cyclone group tore through the Protoculture Power Station at 200 miles an hour on their way to the Space Fold System, followed closely by the fighter mode VTs. Several work drones didn't even notice their passing as the main computer was engrossed in other matters. Nearing the end of a long corridor that emptied into the fold system chamber, a containment wall dropped into place and three light laser turrets sprang into action. Tom was in the lead and couldn't stop in time. He turned his Cyclone sideways and went into a long slide toward the wall. The others powered down and fired missiles at the turrets, taking out all three. Tom ended his slide in a jumble against the containment wall, and the others hurried forward to pull him away as the VTs blasted a hole large enough to get the mecha through. The Cycloners hurriedly reloaded their missile launchers and resumed their attack on the fold system.
As they neared the end of the corridor, Hans came on the net, "This is your show, William! What are we looking for?"
The scientist briefly described the fold system's main terminal, and they spread out to search the fold chamber for the right console, while Robert and Patrick flew cover and discouraged any drones from interfering. The main computer directed a few light drones to pester the boarders while it massed reserves for a large assault. The Cyclones located the main terminal quickly and William went to work. Hans and Tom switched to Battloid and took up positions next to William with their ammo boxes in easy reach, and prepared to defend their ground. Kelli and Steve arrived and joined their teammates, forming a semicircle around William. Then the computer launched its attack, pushing to overwhelm the Cycloners. A small fleet of light assault drones led the way, followed by heavy assault drones and a heavy work drone. Robert and Patrick reconfigured to Battloid and sent waves of missiles and gun pod fire into the massed ranks.
Patrick spotted the heavy work drone and knew the only quick way to stop it was the massive firepower of his Beta. He took careful aim, letting the targeting computer get solid missile locks, then unleashed a small storm of armor peircing missiles and continuous blasts from the forearm lasers. The drone literally caved in under the assault as its armor cracked and split open. The explosion took a dozen other drones along for the ride.
But the tide was slowly turning against the Robotech soldiers. Laser turrets were rising out of floor compartments to add their punch as more and more drones were arriving. The Cycloners had exhausted their missiles and didn't have time to reload. They stood shoulder to shoulder; Gallant H-90s and EP-40s stiff armed in front of them, sweeping the drones with powerful laser blasts and receiving return fire. Hans was hit again and winced in pain, the CVR armor was resistant to lasers but there was just too much firepower arrayed against them.
"How much longer?!" He screamed to William.
"A minute, maybe more." William answered; calm despite the chaos around him, Hans had to give him credit.
Just as Hans was about to give up any hope of coming out alive, missiles, lasers and cannon fire converged on the swarm of drones. Two Battloid mode Battler Cyclones landed in front of the beleaguered troops and added to the tumult. A third Cycloner and the two field scientists moved to flank the drones.
"Thought you newbies could use some help!" One of the arrivals yelled over his shoulder.
"Shut up and keep firing, twit!" Kelli replied, the Cycloner gave her a hurt look and turned back to the fight.
Mike and the rest of Max team arrived a moment later and positioned themselves to catch the drones in a crossfire with the Cyclones.
Unsure of what to do, the computer pressed the attack, desperate to fold away from its very pressing problem. The countdown reached thirty seconds and the computer thought that it might have a chance. Then, with twenty-three seconds to go, the countdown froze. These interlopers had deactivated the fold system! What would they do now? Come for the main computer, of course! The computer issued recall commands to all active drones, except for a bare minimum on patrol, posting them at the computer¹s defensive perimeter. It would end this intrusion permanently.
The soldiers slowly took stock of the situation, wondering why the drones had broken off their attack. The Cycloners reloaded their missiles, put fresh energy clips in the laser weapons, and had wounds tended. Hans called Patrick over and pulled the spare Cyclone out of the cargo bay. There was barely enough left of his own Cyclone to disengage from his body armor. The turquoise and gray coloring was scorched and pitted from countless hits.
Robert showed up from a short fire fight he had had with a trio of heavy assault drones, his Alpha showing the signs of multiple hits, including (or excluding, depending on how you look at it) the small part that was left of the mecha's head.
"What now?" one of the Cycloners from Arrow Team asked.
Mike knew what they had to do, but was reluctant to commit to what could be certain death. But if they didn't go for the computer now, they might as well just pack it in and go home.
"We head straight for the computer."
Sorin sighed with relief when the drones suddenly took off for parts unknown, although he figured he could guess where they were heading. His cockpit timer had counted off ten minutes and change from the sounding of the siren and nothing had happened. He could only assume that Connors had succeeded in deactivating the fold system. But he couldn't raise anyone on the net to confirm his theories. His first panicked thought was that everyone had died despite their success. Moving cautiously as there might still be drones about, he stepped around the Protoculture tank and spied the Beta pulling the arm off a badly damaged Heavy Work drone. The Beta had one foot on the deck; the other on the drone's body and both hands on the work arm of the drone, one tremendous pull and the arm came away. The Beta punched the droid one last time for good measure and turned to the Hovertank and Alpha that had just appeared on the other side of the drone. Sorin realized that his radio must have been fried along with his radar and targeting computer. He activated his body armor's radio and tried calling the other Alpha, who responded quickly. Sorin contacted Connors through the Beta's radio and supported his decision to go for the computer. What was left of the Black and Yellow teams would lend a hand when they could get there.
Bismarck received the message (in Zentraedi) from the factory telling all ships to leave the vicinity. General Forester ordered Deutschland, Tirpitz, Prinz Eugen and Graf Spee to move beyond the factories fold envelope, then ordered Bismarck and Graf Zeppelin in.
"Tell Captain Hynes he has a green light."