40 Operation Renaissance

Chapter 40 Operation Renaissance As the group walked from the Map Room to the Transport Room, Mr and Mrs Markmaker started shouting urgent instructions about 'Operation Renaissance' into their walkie-talkies, causing much frantic activity around them. 'Josephine,' said Peanut as they made their way towards the Transport Room. 'How did you escape from the Spire?' 'It was the strangest thing,' said Engelberger. 'Suddenly the doors to every single cell just... opened. It happened at exactly the same time that the RAZERs were disabled.' She looked over at Rockwell. 'So I am guessing that was also down to you and your button-pressing. Thank you, my friend.

Rockwell grinned and looked down at Little-Bit. She smiled and held up her hand in readiness for the high-five that arrived with a satisfying slap. 'That explains why there are so many more people here helping the Resistance now, I guess,' said Peanut, looking at the hundreds of operatives running this way and that around the Bunker. ' Yes,' said Engelberger. ' It didn't take long for word of the new HQ to spread. If anybody has reason to want to stop that man, it is the people that he locked up in the Spire. It's a strong motivator, let me tell you. Quite a few of us came straight here, and I suspect there will be more joining us on the battlefield later.

We have a proper army at our disposal now.' Peanut couldn't help but think of her father. If he hadn't escaped from the Spire, he might be there with them too. Where are you, Dad? she thought to herself. And why aren't you coming to help? We need you. I need you. I wish, wish, WISH I could see you again and talk to you about what's been going on. ' Sorry, did you just say "battlefield"?' said Rockwell, the smile disappearing from his face. ' Yes,' said Engelberger. ' Operation Renaissance is, essentially, our code name for the battle.' Suddenly, the sound of a hundred engines igniting at the same time filled the bunker. Bright blue and pink military vehicles of all kinds revved their illustrated motors and got ready to roll. 'ALL UNITS, THIS IS ZERO ALPHA,' shouted Mrs M into her walkie-talkie. 'DEPLOY MUNITIONS. STAND BY TO ADVANCE ON OBJECTIVE SPIRE AT TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED HOURS. OUT.' 'Sorry, Mrs M,' said Rockwell. ' Er, can I just check? Josephine mentioned the word "battle" again just then. That doesn't mean we are going to be actually having, like, a proper fight, does it?' Mrs M looked at him. 'I'm afraid it does rather, yes. But you three don't need to be here. You have done more than enough already. You should get back home. Peanut, I think

you and Little-Bit need to be with your mother and your brother. You have to make sure that your family is safe.' 'But they are safe. Mr White... er, Mr Stone is not going to be concerned with Mum right now, anyway. He has other things on his mind. Plus, I have Little Tail now. If you think we're not going to stay and help after everything that has happened, well I'm afraid you've got another thing coming,' said Peanut. 'Don't worry, we'll go back once the battle is won, but winning the battle is probably the best

chance we'll ever get to keep everyone safe not just Mum and Leo.' Mrs M nodded and stood up straight. She looked out of the huge doors that were slowly opening at the far end of the Transport Room to reveal a beautiful, starlit landscape with a tall, white spike at its centre. 'Well, children,' she said, 'in that case you'd better brace yourselves. Because the battle for control of the Spire is about to begin.'