After our little misadventure at lunch, we said goodbye to Dan and went back to the speeder with the confiscated arm. Before we made it back to the speeder, Skyva received a call from her mother. Apparently she had managed to arrange the council meeting early, so we headed back to the compound. Freddie sat in the driver’s seat while I sat next to him and Skyva sat in the back.

“Patrick,” said Skyva, handing me something from the backseat, “I want you to keep this.” I took the item and realized that it was the Y3K flash drive.

“Why are you giving me the virus?” I asked.

“I need you to display it at the meeting,” she answered. “I’ll be presenting the arm, so I need someone to present the virus, and who better to do it than its guardian?”

“I guess that makes sense,” I shrugged, placing the virus in my pocket.

When we returned to Sector H-1 and the speeder parked itself, Skyva led Freddie and me to Sector M-3 where the council met. Ravenstone was sitting in a tall, padded chair with forty-four other chairs positioned in a circle around her. The chairs were in groups of five designated by Protector divisions with the representatives’ seats in the middle. A few other people, including Rys, were already seated in their respective seats.

“Go ahead,” said Ravenstone, pointing to the chairs surrounding her and Rys. “Take your seats.”

Freddie, Skyva, and I came closer and followed Ravenstone’s orders. They sat on her right and I took the empty seat next to Rys. As more and more people filed in, I analyzed the representatives of each division and their guests if any. The Canadian division was led by a large, burly man with many of Brutuch’s physical characteristics. I assumed that they were related in some way. It was likely that he was the leader of the Pynes Clan. Brutuch and three other guests followed the Canadian leader to their seats. The group made a formidable impression.

The African division only contained three members, all of whom were female. The two guests were about the same age as Ravenstone, but their leader was only a teenager. I assumed she must’ve done something worthy of being a leader, but I didn’t know what that could have been.

The South American division had five members, each one from a different country. The Moonite division only had one member. Judging from the condition of the other four Moonite seats it didn’t look like there had been any guests for a long time. Much like the South American division, Europe also had five leaders from different countries.

Japan only had three members: its director of the country’s Protector division, the Empress of Japan, and a woman who appeared to be a genetically engineered anime girl. I noticed Ravenstone giving her a look of disdain.

The Australian division included their director, their Prime Minister, and his daughter who was wearing a brooch made from a taxidermied spider. A moment later, Hyro walked in talking with a young Japanese man. They both moved to their respective sections and took a seat.

The final division, the Antarctic division, only consisted of two members: the Director and his son who was roughly Rys’ age. They had hair covering their entire faces except for their eyes and lips. One might have mistaken them both for sasquatches. They were dressed casually and profusely perspiring. Once everyone was seated, Ravenstone finally began the meeting.

“The meeting of the International Council of the Protectors is now in session,” she announced. “We shall begin with the mandatory roll call. Please stand and state your full name and allegiance starting from my left.”

“Rys Jiiles; America,” stated Rys, quickly standing up and sitting down.

“Patrick Robinson; America,” I said, and everyone else followed.

“Zakesons Freinam; Antarctica.”

“Director Herbert Freinam; Antarctica.”

“Empress Yokohito; Japan.”

“Director Yugi Oginome; Japan.”

“Hidaki Yakamora; Japan,” said the man who had accompanied Hyro.

“Sayuki Dokidoki; Japan,” said the anime girl in a quirky way. Brutuch gave her a death glare.

“Hyro Chettam; Australia.”

“Director Shep Dangervest; Australia.”

“Ashley Jaxan; Australia.”

“Prime Minister Barroll Jaxan; Australia.”

“Great Scandinavian President Kjell Almqvist; Europe.”

“French President Monsieur Hugo; Europe.”

“British Prime Minister and Director Nikola Parkinson; Europe.”

“West Russian President Ivan Toltsky; Europe.”

“German Prime Minister Ivanka Gregor; Europe.”

“Director Rosie Lumar; Moon.”

“Prince of Argentina Bic Widron; South America.”

“Duchess of Chile Veronica Gonzalez; South America.”

“Director and King of Brazil Yundo Shepparton; South America.”

“Prime Minister of Peru Thomas Christo; South America.”

“President of Venezuela Hondo Valorro; South America.”

“Chancellor Hibo Kata of Algeria; Africa.”

“Director and Queen of Mozambwe Y’takka Adesina; Africa.”

“Duchess of Mozambwe Bamidele Adesina; Africa.”

“Brutuch Pynes; Canada.”

“Cherry Pynes; Canada.”

“Director Arlon Pynes; Canada.”

“Tybalt Pynes; Canada.”

“Lorrie Pynes; Canada.”

“Skyva Ravenstone; America.”

“Fryscus… Jacob; America,” stuttered Freddie. He’d never told anyone his last name, so it took all of two seconds to figure out that he was using a fake one.

“Supreme Director Pamela Ravenstone; America,” Ravenstone said calmly, finishing up the roll call. “Now that the roll call is finished, this meeting is called to order. As we know, the war against the Red Mune has been long and hard-fought. Today, we have acquired information that may change the course of the war. I call upon Representative Ravenstone to speak first.” Skyva stood from her seat, still cradling the Red Mune arm. An audible gasp erupted from the other representatives as she held it out for all to see.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the Protector Council,” she began, “there was an attack in the City of Rolland today. Five agents stormed Dannel’s Diner in search of the Y3K virus.” The eyes of the council members widened and they began to talk amongst themselves in varying tones. Ravenstone hastily called them all to order.

“Skyva Ravenstone,” asked Director Pynes, “your last mission was to steal the virus from the Red Mune stronghold in Mexico. Did you succeed?”

“Yes, Director,” answered Skyva. “I recently gave it to my new acquaintance, Patrick James Robinson.”

“I invite Mr. Robinson to show us the virus,” Queen Y’takka requested, prompting me to stand.

As I was being encouraged to stand in front of the entire council, it seemed like gallons of sweat dripped from my palms and my heart might pound out of my chest. Each of the nine directors stared intently at me as I mustered the courage to present the Y3K. I slowly stood up and pulled the virus from my pocket and bravely held it up in front of all thirty people. I turned back and looked at Freddie who smiled and gave me a thumbs up, as if to say “you can do this!” Suddenly I felt more confident.

“Protectors,” I started, “I have seen that the Red Mune will stop at nothing to reclaim their precious virus. We must destroy the Red Mune once and for all before the turn of the millennium! The time has come to go to, um, wherever Cypus Skavenge is and defeat him! We’ll then take his electrostaff and plunge it into this USB drive, and save the timeline!”

“Well said for a new recruit,” said Ravenstone. “Now take a seat.”

I sat back down and grinned at Skyva. She smiled proudly at me and the meeting continued.

“Mr. Robinson’s speech was inspiring, but planning an all-out assault on the planet Mars in thirteen days would be impossible,” said Director Shepparton.

“Why don’t we just transfer the virus onto another USB drive?” asked Director Parkinson.

“The moment you plug this into any computer it will automatically spread,” I said. “It wouldn’t matter.”

“I say we send the virus back to 1999 with young Robinson,” said Director Lumar coldly.

“But if we send him back, the Red Mune will go back to Patrick’s time and hunt him down,” Y’takka pointed out. “More innocent people will die and we will eventually lose the war.”

“A new issue has developed,” interjected Freddie. “Patrick’s sister has been kidnapped as well. They’ll have to go back to the past together if we don’t want to cause a paradox.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Oh,” gasped Queen Y’takka, her eyes widening. “This is more serious than I thought.”

“Still, a large-scale assault on Mars would be unthinkable,” added Director Oginome. “And when you add a rescue mission into that, it becomes too complicated.”

“Who said we had to bring the whole Protector army?” reasoned Brutuch. “We could send a small task force into a Red Mune-controlled country and they could sneak onto a cargo aerospaceship headed to Mars.”

“Not bad, but who would be willing to volunteer for this suicide mission?” asked President Hugo. Skyva, Freddie, Rys and I jumped up to our feet, like we were suddenly ready to face the whole world.

“We’ll do it,” we declared with utmost confidence.

“I appreciate the offer,” said Ravenstone, “but four people isn’t a task force. You’ll need at least two more for this to pass.”

“This is what I was made for,” exclaimed Brutuch, standing up.

“Joining this task force would be an honor,” said Y’takka, rising modestly.

“Looks like we’ve got a task force, Mother,” said Skyva. “So are you going to approve this mission or not?”

“It’s a go for me,” said Ravenstone.

“As a queen, a director, and a member of the task force, I am obliged to say that I agree,” said Y’takka.

“I have to disagree with this suicide mission,” sighed Director Shepparton.

“It’s a no from me,” said Director Lumar.

“It’s a yes from me,” said Director Pynes.

“Me too,” said Director Parkinson.

“It’s a no from me,” said Director Oginome.

“It’s a no from me,” added Director Freinam.

“What does the Director of Australia have to say?” asked Ravenstone inquisitively. There was a long moment of silence as Director Dangervest contemplated his vote, a vote that would ultimately decide the fate of the timeline.

“You have my support,” the director finally said. Our task force and its supporters applauded while our opposers sighed.

“Then it is decided,” Ravenstone declared. “Meeting dismissed.” One by one, the council members filed out of the room. My companions and I started to leave, but Ravenstone stopped us.

“Brutuch, I need you to take Patrick to your workshop so that he can pick out a weapon,” she ordered. “Everyone else, go to Sector T-4 and wait for further instructions.”

“Yes, ma’am,” we all said in unison. The six of us left the room and made our way to the crowded halls of the compound where Protectors went about their days. Brutuch led me to Sector C-16 as the others split up and made their way to Sector T-4.

“So were the countries represented at the meeting the only countries that the Red Mune doesn’t control?” I asked.

“No,” answered Freddie. “Europe as a whole is free, not just the countries represented. South America is partially under Red Mune control, same with Africa and North America. Asia, on the other hand, is almost entirely controlled by the Red Mune except for Japan. A few countries, like Markistan, have managed to stay neutral.”

“I see,” I muttered as we made our way to Sector C.

Inside the many rooms of Sector C, craftsmen were building weapons of all sorts. There were blacksmiths around Brutuch’s age and older wearing goggles and aprons pouring the molds for certain weapons into trays and smelting ores in large ovens. Engineers were putting the finishing touches on the newly molded weapons, building laser weapons, simpler blades or firearms, and even pieces of armor like the vest Skyva had been wearing when we met. In C-10 and C-11 there were small boys and girls, no older than Jake, learning how to forge from older men and women.

“Patrick, meet the Pynes Clan,” said Brutuch.

“Impressive,” I replied as we turned to go into Sector C-16.

Inside Brutuch’s workshop were standard bubble guns and flashbeam-proof vests, but there were also weapons that I could never have imagined. There were several large spears with electric tips and heavily modified flashbeamers. There were bows that fired infinite electric arrows, and a metal shield that fired dozens of small darts at once. But one weapon that caught my eye was a lightsaber-like device that functioned as both a sword and a shield that could shoot out its own blade and regenerate itself.

“Go ahead and pick one,” said Brutuch, watching me stare in awe at his handiwork.

“I’ll pick that one,” I said, pointing at the sword-shield hybrid.

“Ah, the light-defender, or defender for short. It’s the most convenient weapon I’ve ever made.” He picked it up and showed me how it worked. “Press the circular button and the blade will ignite, and press it again for it to extinguish. If you press the square button the shield forms, and then press it again to dissolve the shield. To fire the sword or shield, just hold their respective buttons. Got it?”

“I think so,” I nodded.

“Great. Feel free to try it out.”

“But what about all the stuff in the room? I don’t wanna break anything.”

“I can solve that problem,” said Brutuch, pressing a button next to the doorway that activated ray shields around everything in the room. “Now you can’t harm anything except yourself.”

I pressed the circle button and a yellow blade made of plasma emerged from the weapon’s hilt. After waving it around for about a minute, I held the circle down for about one and a half seconds. The blade ejected from the hilt and disintegrated once it hit the ray shields. Almost immediately, the blade regenerated. I tapped the circle, extinguishing the blade. Next I pressed the square button and a large shield generated from the same place the blade previously had been. The shield was the exact same height as me, seemingly able to adjust to the size of its user. After ejecting the shield and turning it off, Brutuch turned off the ray shields.

“Let’s meet with the others,” I told Brutuch, placing the defender in my pocket.

“Wait!” exclaimed Brutuch. “You’ll need some armor.”

“Right,” I replied. Brutuch handed me a black vest and I put it on underneath my jacket. The vest automatically adjusted to my body size.

“I think you’re ready,” smiled Brutuch as he put on another vest. The two of us made our way to Sector T-4 where Freddie, Skyva, Y’takka and Rys were discussing our course of action.

“Oh, hi Patrick,” greeted Skyva. “We were just trying to figure out how to sneak inside a Red Mune-controlled country and steal an aerospaceship to Mars.”

“Their nearest territory is Mexico,” explained Freddie, “but crossing over as ordinary people would be impossible, let alone as Protectors.”

“Skyva passed the border,” Rys pointed out.

“Yeah, how did you get past?” I asked Skyva.

“Y’takka gave me a holographic disguiser that changed my outward appearance, so while in Mexico I disguised myself as a Red Mune agent who was patrolling the exit.”

“But I only have five with me,” said Y’takka. “They’re a somewhat recent invention, and the rest of them are back in Mozambwe.”

“We could all wear one except for Rys,” I suggested. “Once we pass the border, I could pass him off as a prisoner. From there we could find a ship.”

“Red Mune traitors are supposed to be delivered to the citadel prison on Mars,” said Rys. “So the six of us could take a prison transport and get there that way.”

“Sounds great,” said Brutuch. “But how will we know where Patrick’s sister is?”

“Maybe the arm can give us a hand,” quipped Freddie, taking the Red Mune agent’s arm. He held it in front of us and searched through its memory log for intel on my sister. It displayed a hologram of the agent from a first person perspective dragging Emily along with the other four agents leading her to some sort of prison cell. She was wearing a gray prisoner jumpsuit.

“You’ll never get away with this,” she grunted as the agents hung her tied hands from the ceiling of the tiny room. “I’ll get out of this somehow.”

“You won’t be so optimistic when Master Skavenge interrogates you,” laughed an agent.

“What is there to interrogate?” asked Emily, who was suddenly very confused.

“You will tell us everything you know about your brother,” hissed another agent. “His strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes. We’ll use everything you tell us to assist in his capture.”

“Step aside,” shouted another, even scratchier voice. “She’s mine.” The camera turned around to reveal a seven-foot-tall tall man wearing modified Red Mune armor and a mask sporting a long, blood red cape and a wide-brimmed hat. There were two staffs half-hidden underneath his cape and his black eyes were somewhat visible behind the eye holes in his mask.

“Yes, Master Skavenge,” bowed the agents.

“Now bring the Y3K to me,” ordered Skavenge. Then Freddie turned off the hologram.

“Have you ever been to Mars?” I asked Rys.

“No,” he answered. “I‘ve spent my whole life in Mexico.”

“If we’re going to disguise as Red Mune agents, then where are we going to get their images?” asked Y’takka.

“We can just go down to the police station and copy the images of the agents that attacked us at Dan’s,” I suggested.

“Unfortunately, Patrick,” explained Skyva, “there’s kind of a rivalry between the police and the Protectors in Rolland. We both think that we’re the primary law enforcement and we can barely tolerate one another.”

“She’s right,” said Freddie. “The officers are usually rude to us Protectors, so the chances they’d be willing to let us take pictures of the terrorists they arrested are low.”

“But Rys and I aren’t technically Protectors,” I pointed out. “The police might allow him to get full body shots of the agents. He could tell them that he’s a reporter for the Rolland Middle School newspaper and he wants mugshots.”

“That sounds highly unethical,” replied Y’takka. “Not to mention Rys is technically a wanted criminal, and the arrested agents would probably rat him out.”

“Fine, then I’ll go,” I said smugly. “Didn’t Rys say that I’m an international hero or something?”

“Yes,” answered Freddie, “but there’s more to being a hero than having bragging rights for something you haven’t accomplished yet.”

“Still, Patrick’s our best bet,” Rys argued.

“I think it’s worth a shot,” said Y’takka.

“As much as I hate it, you’re right,” Freddie said irritably.

“Works for us,” Brutuch and Skyva agreed in unison. Once we had all agreed that I was the best person to take the pictures of the Red Mune agents, Y’takka walked over to me and pulled out what looked like a small pennant from her pocket.

“This is the holographic disguise,” she explained as I got a good look at it. “The eye in the front is a camera and you take the picture by holding your finger over a sensor on the back. It can only take one picture, so make it count. Once it has the picture of the person you’re trying to disguise as, you place it anywhere on your body and it will place a hologram around you within a minute. Got it?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Enough talk, let’s go save the world.” I started to get up from my seat when Skyva stopped me.

“I should also let you know that we have a time limit,” she confessed.

“You mean the thirteen days until New Year?” I asked.

“Not just that, but you and Emily have three to five days before you both get time sickness,” she explained.

“Time sickness?!” I gasped.

“It happens when a being is in another time period for too long,” explained Freddie. “The more someone time travels, the more resistant he is to time sickness. But you and Emily have never time traveled, so the stakes are higher for you two.”

“Well what are we waiting for?” I exclaimed, bolting out of the room. I ran to Sector H, pushing past Protectors, while my friends swiftly chased after me. They eventually caught up to me in Sector H-1 to find me standing next to the cool speeder.

“You realize Director Ravenstone asked us to wait for further instructions, right?” Y’takka asked sternly.

Suddenly Ravenstone walked into the room, almost as if on cue. I smirked at Y’takka as she rolled her eyes at me.

“I take it you’ve figured out your plan,” said Ravenstone.

“Yes, we certainly have,” I said smugly.

“That’s good,” she replied. “I just wanted to make sure you had one. What is it?” Skyva explained our plan to her mother who nodded as she listened to her daughter.

“Sounds like a decent plan,” said Ravenstone. “But if you’re going to Mars, you’re gonna need a map.” She then sent something from her implant to my iPhone as well as everyone else’s implants. I pulled it up to find a surprisingly detailed map of every Red Mune military base on Mars, including their locations and how heavily guarded they were.

“I sent this map to Skyva two days ago, but you’ll all need a copy too,” said Ravenstone. “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” I nodded.

“Oh, and it’s going to be a long drive, so feel free to take the fastest speeder we have,” added Ravenstone, pointing at the cool blue and green speeder.

“Yes!” I cheered. After Ravenstone exited the hangar, the six of us all piled into the speeder. Brutuch drove and Freddie sat in the passenger seat, Y’takka and Skyva sat in the middle row, while me and Rys sat in the very back. The gates opened, Brutuch put the roof up, and we set out to the police station to get images of the Red Mune agents.