Supreme Commander Powers continued his summing up, looking towards the warriors collected before him.

"Warriors, this is a risky strike but if it is successful we will ensure our safety for the next 100 years and the right of every Llama to spit at who he wants!"

Bobobski cheered and clapped, the rest of the NKO and the other clans gradually applauded as Powers left the stage. Cadman lifting his hand to his mouth in a mock act of shouting and in a lowered voice cried,

"Get off, your crap!"

NKO members cracked up around him and even the darker than a very dark thing [N3D]Shadow turned and playfully slapped the battle hardened warrior of Keith heartily on the back. Cadman regarded Shadow with a wry smile, many comets ago Shadow and Cadman had kicked seven shades of llama out of each other in a bar but death was a great leveller and they all faced that now.

"Ok, chaps and chapesses lets lock and load before those Neo3D boys nick all the best sun loungers…"

Shadow let out a deep resonating raspberry before picking up his towel and running for the transports. The followers of Keith gathered in a small circle, placed their right hands together in the centre and chanted their offering to Keith, for a brief second a blinding blue column of light shone down upon then believers, bathing them in incandescent photons and lifting their spirits. In that second they were joined as one and time stood still for Cadman, the powerful but cynical warrior, Bobobski, the tall willowy mystic, Jesus, the omnipotent engineer, Sozo, the short odorous scout, Drew, the planner with an interesting choice in heels, JoeSoap, a warrior who had seen and done it all in his great life (indeed rumour has it that he remembers the first Status Quo gigs on Earth), Righteous, the tall blond, dashing knight and Venom an equally tall but dark haired charismatic knight. As the light faded the band dropped hands and headed to the transports and to adventure.

Transport 101 squatted on the departure ramp looking like every other transport surrounding it but to Cadman and the other Keiths it appeared to glow protectively. Cadman turned to Bobobski with a quizzical grin "Keith intends to protect us today brother."

"There is much to be done in his name Cadman, least of all reunite the clan." Bobobski replied gravely.

Cadman nodded.

This was not a true first strike into Stroggos as Powers might have everyone believe crack undercover teams had been gaining reconnaissance there for months but very few had returned. EOA were all missing, as were LSD and half of NKO. Mester, Bloke, Creed, Trojan, SpeedDemon, Pantman, MrPsycho and Apocalypse could all be dead for all Cadman knew but KNOW for sure he would.

Inside the transports the Keiths were surprised to find N3D members, Spoof, Shadow, Dave and Spoone.

"Whats the matter then Spoof? Trash your own transport?" quizzed Reaper.

"NO, we lent it to CFH and ADS… we… err… thought we’d be stronger working as a team… guarding each others back" replied Spoof uneasily.

No one wanted to take the piss or act out any form of macho posturing; they all just checked equipment and began buckling in. Drew went forward to join Jesus at the controls and Cadman seated himself next to Spoof.

"Do you think you’ll find any traces of Mester and the others?" asked Spoof.

"NO" answered Cadman, "I don’t think that we will, I KNOW that we will. Keith will show us the way."

"You really believe all that Cadman?"

"You know I do" replied Cadman before turning his head, lowering his voice to a whisper and continuing "and so do you Spoof, else you’d be in your own transport"

Spoof nodded acceptingly and the matter was dropped.

Turbines and drive units hummed protesting to anyone who would listen and the bulk of the transport lifted itself from the ground and rapidly accelerated skywards into the crimson night. Spoone inhaled a deep breath opposite Cadman and nearly gagged. Cadman breathed in and choked out "Jesus!"

"What?" yelled back a voice from the cockpit.

"Phaoorrr, no not you… Sozo’s dropped his guts on cue. Hit the turbo on the air cleaner mate will ya!"

"Will do"