SI-9

By now, an underground hangar had been constructed for the Alicorn. Flurry Heart and the Young Six were exercising in the hangar's gym when a siren began wailing in the control room to indicate an incoming call. They set their weights down and rushed to answer the call. When they saw Callie and Marie come into focus on the screen; they realized that something was wrong. Callie had streaks under her eyes as if she'd been crying, and Marie still had her face buried in her hands with tears dripping to the ground.

"Please, you have to HELP us!", shrieked Callie.

"What's the matter?", asked Flurry.

Callie motioned for Lizzie and Taylor, who came charging into the camera range. Lizzie was breathing fast and Taylor was shuddering. Before they spoke, the crew noticed that everyone was clad in Squidbeak uniforms, meaning that Lizzie, Taylor, and Angelo had likely joined the Squidbeak Splatoon alongside their parents.

"It's Angelo.", said Taylor nervously.

"HE'S IN DANGER!", screeched Lizzie.

"Alright you two, take a deep breath and give it to us gently.", said Smolder softly.

Lizzie and Taylor nodded and breathed slowly for 30 seconds before finally explaining what had happened.

"Angelo agreed to join the Squidbeak Splatoon's air force for six years if the Captain helped pay for his college expenses. Tonight, he was test flying the Splatoon's most recently designed aircraft. He was on his way back to the base when an enemy spotted him and gave pursuit.", said Lizzie.

"There is another race here on Earth that we are at war with. They're called the Salmonlings. One of their pilots tried to capture Angelo in order to steal the aircraft's schematics. Angelo got away by flying higher than the enemy could go, but then the engines blew out. He bailed out, but we've lost radio contact.", said Taylor.

"Are you still receiving data regarding his vital signs?", asked Gallus.

"Yes we are, but they're very weak. We think he is badly injured and possibly unconscious.", said Callie.

"Please, just promise you'll bring my precious son home.", wailed Marie through her fearful tears after looking up at the camera for a brief moment.

"Fear not, Marie. We're on our way.", said Silverstream.

"Thank you much. I'll bring you in once you arrive.", said Lizzie before ending the call.

Sandbar and Yona began prepping the Alicorn for immediate launch while Ocellus radioed Twilight that they'd gotten an urgent mission. Twilight wished them luck and they started boarding. Once they were strapped in their seats on the bridge, Flurry began the 15-second countdown.

"Fifteen.", she said.

"Fourteen.", said Ocellus.

"Thirteen.", said Smolder.

"Twelve.", said Gallus.

"Eleven.", said Yona.

"Ten.", said Silverstream.

"Nine.", said Sandbar.

"Eight.", said Ocellus.

"Seven.", said Flurry.

"Six.", said Yona.

"Ignition sequence start.", said Smolder as the thrusters began spewing fuel.

"Five.", said Sandbar.

"Four.", said Silverstream.

"Three.", said Gallus.

"Two.", said Smolder.

"One.", said Ocellus.

"IGNITION!", shouted Flurry as the fuel was lit.

Within minutes, they were leaving Equus' orbit and flying at maximum warp to reach Earth as fast as the Alicorn's powerful star-core engines would allow. After reaching Earth and passing through atmospheric entry; Ocellus radioed Lizzie that they had arrived. Lizzie flew up into the night sky on a helicopter and used a red light on the tail to guide the crew to a landing platform above the ocean on strong support towers. After disembarking and giving Lizzie a hug, the crew boarded a shuttle so she could take them to the Squidbeak base.

Lizzie explained during transit to the base that Takara had started her college studies in aerospace technology two weeks prior, meaning she was unable to assist with the rescue mission. However, Taylor had given her a phone call that afternoon, detailing the incident. She was holding a candlelight vigil with her classmates, her professors, and the school's dean in hopes that Angelo would be alright.

After reaching the base; the crew gave Taylor, Callie, Michael, Marie, and Andrew each a hug for moral support. Then they prepared to take in the startling details of Angelo's botched flight.