"My dear defenders," Captain Zector began, his voice reverberating through the council chamber, "I have summoned you all today to convene this crucial meeting and address the pressing situation at hand. There is something I must divulge to you. Defender Wally has fallen into the clutches of our formidable adversaries and now finds himself ensconced within the stronghold of the revolutionaries."
"Do you mean he's been taken hostage?" Roger interjected, his tone tinged with concern.
"Precisely," Zector replied, a peculiar smile playing upon his lips.
"And what, pray tell, do you propose we do about it?" Roger questioned, skepticism lacing his words. "Rescuing a fellow defender from the clutches of dirty traitors hardly seems like a worthy pursuit. True defenders should never succumb to being kidnapped by such rabble."
"Who said I was seeking your opinion?" Zector retorted, his countenance darkening with a menacing intensity.
"Captain, please, let us maintain composure," Gantlik interjected, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension. "And as for you, Roger, you have always been a thorn in our side. Do not underestimate the enemy. While they may pale in comparison to our physical might, have you forgotten who they have in their ranks? Allow me to pose a question. Are you familiar with the name Sam Tucker?"
Roger remained silent, his demeanor betraying a sense of embarrassment.
"As I suspected," Gantlik continued. "Sam Tucker happens to be the grandson of the brilliant scientist, Lloyd Tucker. And do you know who Lloyd Tucker is?"
"No," Roger muttered, his voice barely audible.
"What was that? Speak up!" Gantlik demanded, a glint of reproach in his eyes.
"NO! Damn it!" Roger blurted out, his frustration evident.
"Defender Tyler was a formidable force, possessed of extraordinary powers," Gantlik explained. "However, after witnessing the deaths of his comrades, he grew disillusioned with his duties and yearned to abandon the Fifth Dimension. In an unprecedented move, he sought out Lloyd Tucker, a scientific genius, and relinquished his powers in exchange for freedom. Unbeknownst to Tyler, Tucker retained those powers for his own nefarious experiments. It would behoove you, Roger, to verify your information before making hasty judgments."
"Hmph..." Tony scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Hey, who the hell do you think you are, you filthy mutt?" Roger lashed out at Tony.
"Oh really? And what did you just say?" Tony shot back, his hand firmly gripping Roger's neck.
"I'd like to hear you repeat that," Tony growled, his patience wearing thin. "I'm not one to settle disputes with mere words. Know your place."
"Tony, release him," Viole intervened, his voice steady and commanding.
"You heard your boyfriend," Tony sneered, relinquishing his hold on Roger, who gasped for air, his embarrassment palpable.
Tony returned to his seat, the tension in the room still lingering.
"Defender Roger, if you have come here to contribute your ideas, then by all means, stay," Viole asserted. "However, if you intend to disrupt our proceedings, we would prefer you to depart. The choice is yours."
Shifting the focus back to the matter at hand, Zector addressed the room. "In any case, we have managed to apprehend one of the revolutionaries. An exchange is to take place—Wally for this captive revolutionary."
"But isn't that an obvious ploy? They are undoubtedly planning something," Tony voiced his concern.
"Indeed, that is why I am entrusting
both Viole and you, Tony, with this mission," Zector replied. "If there is a trick afoot—and I suspect there will be—you two shall handle it. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," Viole replied, his unwavering determination evident in his response.
And so, Viole and Tony embarked on their journey to the designated exchange location, accompanied by their captured hostage. Yet, lingering in the minds of Roger and the other defenders was a single burning question: What treacherous scheme did the revolutionaries have in store?