A Planet in Peril by lborgia88
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Chief Anderson stood up from his desk at Federation headquarters and turned to face the four members of G-Force who sat in a row on the nearby couch.

"The situation that I referred to," he told them as he walked their way, "Is that an unknown rebel group on Spectra says they're planning a coup against Zoltar and wants Federation backing."

"And you believe there's a chance that Jason's involved with them, Chief?" asked Princess, as she and the others stared up at screen that was lowering into place on the wall, showing a image of the Earth, with a cross section removed to show all the planet's layers, crust, mantle and core.

"I believe there's a worse situation," answered the Chief.

"Don't like ‘worse,'" Keyop remarked to Tiny worriedly.

"And you think I do?" needled Tiny.

"Got to… hope for the best?" said Keyop, still looking apprehensive.

"Right," sighed Tiny.

"Allow me to explain Zark's most recent findings to you all," said Chief Anderson, "Using this image of planet Earth."

But he changed the image to one of a multitude of atomic particles, and then to images of numerous, small atomic reactions creating bursts of energy.

"It has long been theorized, that energy producing reactions could be unleashed within a planet's mantle, and then tapped for a near infinite supply of energy.  But, the reactions would have to be carefully positioned and controlled to maintain stability."

Chief Anderson looked very grave.

"If mantle stability is lost, well then…"  He bowed his head, eyes closed.

"Is this happening on Earth?" asked Mark, frowning in concern –and some confusion.

"No," replied the Chief, still looking grim, "All of Spectra is in peril."

Everyone jumped to their feet, shock registering on all their faces.

Chief Anderson changed the image again, to one of a planet in space, beginning to disintegrate.

He held up both his hands, simulating the shape of a planet.

"Dangerously high pressure is building within Spectra's mantle, straining its crust and causing severe earthquakes and volcanic eruptions."

The image changed again, to one of a planet breaking apart, spewing its matter into space to form a swirling cloud around it.

"Unless mantle stability is restored –quickly!- the entire planet will self-destruct.  Nothing will remain but a cloud of matter in space, gradually dispersing."

The image changed to that of a cloud of planetary fragments fading away into nothingness.

"Can't believe it," said Keyop, trying to laugh.  "Bye bye to Spectra?  Too good to be true!" he joked to Tiny.

"Keyop, the Chief's dead serious!" cried Tiny, giving him a shove on the head.

"Indeed I am," answered the Chief, his eyes closed briefly.  Then he held up one hand, saying "Millions of Spectran children and non-combatants are in mortal peril, and I doubt they've been warned what's really happening."

The image changed again, to utterly empty, black space, a meteor passing through the void where a planet once existed.

"Spectra may be our enemy," he continued, "But we cannot stand idly by while an entire planet is lost."

"You've sure got that right, Chief," declared Mark, looking horrified.

"But determining what to do," replied Chief Anderson, "Will be a most critical decision."

Walked over to the couch and sat, slumping forward and holding his head in his hands.

"If only we could find Jason –I'm sure that would be a start."

"Chief!" cried Mark, his eyes contorting with emotion as the full scope of the situation sank in, "You have just got to let us go to Spectra!"

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Another pod exploded deep within the Spectran mantle, dispersing its contents, but stability was far from being restored to the planet.

Inside the Damruk Mountain base, another earthquake shook the walls of the mantle procedure room, leaving cracks and causing debris to rain from the ceiling.

‘It's not getting any better," said one soldier, staring upward nervously.

"Does Zoltar know what he's doing?" asked another.

"Why isn't he here right now?" demanded a third soldier.

"We've still got time," said the first soldier, and the mantlemeter did indeed indicate that time remained –but not nearly as much as before.

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Elsewhere within the base, more walls and ceilings shook and cracked and hanging lights swayed.

In a soldiers' barracks room, one soldier at a table clutched his drink nervously.

"I'm not liking this one bit," he said, as his card-playing companion added "Should we scram?"

"Not just yet –let's wait and see…" said another soldier, also easing his fears with a drink.

Over in a far corner, though, the two technician soldiers who had taken Jason's gun and wrist communicator were huddled close near one of the bunks.

"I think I've almost got it, Cronus," whispered the younger of the two as he carefully took the remaining loose components that had fallen out when the communicator was damaged and inserted them back inside it with long tweezers.

"Don't use my name," whispered Cronus in reply, putting his hand on the younger soldier's shoulder, "We're too close –no mistakes now."  His companion nodded silently and continued with his repair efforts.

0000000000

Chief Anderson banged his fist hard on his desk.

"Doesn't the Federation Council understand how little time could be left, while they sit around debating what's to be done?" he demanded into his telephone's receiver.

They were still at the Federation headquarters.  Mark was seeking relief for his frustration by staring out the window while the others sat on the couch, listening to Chief Anderson.

"I must get authorization to send G-Force to Spectra!  I understand the Council wanting more information first, but frankly, who better to get it than G-Force?  And no matter what happened, the situation could hardly get worse!"

Mark turned his head to stare, along with the others, as Chief Anderson abruptly hung up the phone.

So rarely did the Chief raise his voice like this, but the stress and uncertainty were taking their toll on all of them.

Mark turned back to the window, banging his own fist against the glass.

Jason, contact us –now!

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Chapter End Notes:
(Hey, I figure if Gatchaman's Masaki can be presented as Colonel Cronus in the BOTP episode "Awesome Ray Force," then I can do it here too!)
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