In the Arabian Gulf the crew of the Retriever watches as the Constellation keels over and then sinks. Luckily, her crew managed to get off safely and were all rescued. Bowser, in the situation room turns off the monitor he was watching and leans his head in his hand on an armchair and sighs.

"How worse can this get Sultan?"

As if in answer, all the monitors showing various newscasters scramble and the face of Kali-Baba comes on the screen.

"To all residents of the Middle East, this is General Hassan Kali-Baba. As I speak my air force and ground troops are on their way to Mecca, Medina and Riyadh. Under my command, they will surround and cut those cities off from the outside world unless the entire Arab community and Isreal surrenders to me. If not, I and my newest ally, General Parvo, will destroy those cities, your precious shrines and everyone in them. You have 48 hours to surrender."

"Good lord, He really is a madman!" says Sultan "Teaming up with General Parvo!"

Bowser goes to intraship.

"All senior officers report to the briefing room."

In the briefing room, all the senior staff are here while the Master and the Road Rovers are on the main screen.

"I knew Kali-Baba was crazy, but this is rediculous." says Bowser "What help can we expect from the home office?"

"What's your status at the moment captain?" says Master

Sultan steps up.

"Most of our aircraft are operational sir. We lost Mutt Four during the dogfight and Maverick's plane was slightly damamged. Sidewinder is allowing him to fly her plane until its fixed. Kali-Baba's air force is decimated, what's left is under Parvo's "command" overseeing the blockade of Mecca and Medina.

"By command, I assume you mean that Parvo is using Kali-Baba as a shield of sorts?" says Master

"Yes sir. The Constellation has gone to the bottom of the ocean after taking several Scud hits and two pilots from that ship have joined us and have agreed to fly with us for the duration of this crisis. Akira's pilots are ready to go on the flight deck."

A wheaten terrier crewmember bursts in.

"Captain, Sultan, we got more problems!"

"Report Hank." says Bowser

"Saudi Arabia is almost overrun, elements of Kali-Baba's forces are turning towards Qatar and headed for Sunshia and Kuwait!"

Bengal pounds his fist on the table and stands.

"We have got to stop them, now!"

"As you were Bengal!" says Emerald

"He's right." says Bowser "We don't have anymore time to waste. I know what your going to say Master, but were on our own. Winston, contact the Enterprise, Reagan and Eagle to launch everything they have. We finish this today."

Winston nods and leaves the room.

"The media is already in an uproar over how this entire thing has been botched from the beginning." says Master

"I don't care, sir. We get it done today. I am not going to let my last days in command of this ship end with Parvo in control. Dismissed!"

"Good speed Bowser."

As the crew file out, Bowser heads for his office.

"Winston to Bowser, please report to the bridge."

Bowser leaves his office and enters the bridge.

"Report!"

"Good news sir!" says Winston "Every country in the Middle East is combining their air forces with ours. They have all agreed to make the Retriever flagship of this entire operation."

"Your kidding? This might be the first time the entire region has agreed to anything."

"Yes sir. And we have additional backups. The British carrier Ark Royal is on its way, the Australian carrier Uluru, the South African light carrier Mandela and the American carriers George Washington and Colin Powell. Kali-Baba doesn't stand a chance!"

"Glory Hallelujah." mutters Bengal

"When will they get here?" says Bowser

"Within the hour."

****

Rabu City, Kali-Baba's headquarters. Kali-Baba hurls a mug into the wall shattering it and swears vehemently in Arabic.

"Nine aircraft carriers and the combined air forces of the Middle East against me?! Parvo you freak, you promised to help me take over the region!"

Parvo is on a monitor scowling.

"You dug your own hole Kali-Baba, you deal with it. That kind of firepower I stear clear of."

"Coward!! Have your constant defeats at the paws of the Road Rovers made you weak?!"

"Not weak, just cautious. So long Hassan."

The monitor switches off, and Kali-Baba shrieks in fury, the techs in the room cowing behind their consoles.

"Ready my Doom Jet! If I go, so will they!"

"Yes Your excellency."

****

Retriever bridge. Taiko and Sultan are here as well.

"Mr. Taiko, lets get this show on the road." says Bowser

"Aye sir. Launch aircraft!"

The flight deck crew ready the aircraft for takeoff and the planes begin soaring away. Hank enters the bridge and goes to Sultan.

"New info on Kali-Baba sir."

"Thank you Hank."

Sultan reads it and looks up sharply at Hank who nods.

"Captain, I have just gotten good news and bad news."

"The good news?"

"General Parvo has abandoned Kali-Baba. His ground forces are unprotected."

"All right!" says Seamus

"And the bad news?"

"The Road Rover spy satelites picked up some disturbing news. Kali-Baba is loading a nuclear warhead onto his personal learjet. He intends to use it on the fleet when he is defeated."

All eyes turn in shock at Sultan.

"A nuke?! Is he crazy?" says Bengal

"My first guess would be yes." says Patton

"We need another plan." says Bowser

"And quickly." says Sultan "When our jets converge he'll launch his plane and blow us out of the water."

to be continued....