At the gates with Butterbeans

Alex hears Butterbeans barking ferociously up ahead. He double times his steps and races down the passageway. Up ahead the sounds of Butterbeans confronting something, grow more urgent, and Alex races full out now.

Within moments he rounds a bend and finds Butterbeans standing her ground against several of the Agents¹ from the topside. They are all facing off with one of the portals between them. Alex can see right away the agents are trying to disable the portal. They move to block Alex and Butterbeans from interfering. Therefore, Butterbeans gives them strong warnings.

At the gates with Butterbeans

Furthermore, he cannot fathom their plan. What could they hope to gain from the destruction of the portal? He doesn’t have long to wonder because they see him. And immediately there are loud orders to stop and surrender all items. Including artifacts. Butterbeans bristles, and moves closer to Alex as the agents spread out in the chamber holding the portal.

Alex is thinking back to the encounter with the strange being of light. Additionally they discussed many things during the time they were there. However, before they began the journey to the temple, there was an exchange. Alex remembers the warning from the ancient and advanced being:

“Let no one, except the commander of the base, retrieve the artifact from you. The well being and safety of all hangs in the balance. Therefore, it is imperative the artifact makes it to the commander. He will know what needs to happen from there. …“

Alex had known there would be difficulty making it back to the surface. Furthermore, he anticipated this encounter. Therefore, the artifact is well hidden. However, he is at a loss to say how these agents know of the artifact. He moves closer to Butterbeans, and they prepare for the worst, as the agents close in.

Butterbeans

They are here again. She is ready for them. Their scent was in the passageway, long before they saw her. And she had waited to see. It was important to protect Alex. Therefore she had made the first move. They were trying to break the water glass again.

Butterbeans couldn’t understand why this was so important. However, she knew the agents were not trustworthy in the least. For one thing, she could tell one of them had wounded the sergeant. She liked the sergeant. Furthermore, he always had the bacon treats. And was always kind to her.

Therefore, she is determined to defend Alex, no matter what. As they stand together the agents try to out flank them, however Butterbeans is ready for them, and she bristles, and shows them her teeth. She is no longer only warning.

At the Gates

The Sergeant limps into position. He is waiting for the silent word from the Lieutenant. The scene in front of him is concerning as he watches the agents try to bear down on Alex and Butterbeans. They are standing their ground, and the Sergeant wills the Lieutenant to hurry, and give the word. He is not going to let Alex and Butterbeans stand alone.

They had managed to over power and evade the other rogue agents, and now they were here to rescue their team mates. Furthermore, they were moments away from an all out disaster.

The agents aim their weapons and bark out orders for Alex and Butterbeans to stand down and surrender. Then the Sergeant sees Butterbeans bare her teeth and get into position. Furthermore, he knows the battle is about to begin. There is a loud noise, and a flash of light. Then all is quiet.