Chapter 42: A Sweet Weakness and the Master of Time
"We require assistance. Are you willing to temporarily become Galactic Enforcers?" Ultimos extended the formal invitation to Klein and his family.
"That's a fantastic idea!" Tini, the Tetramand member of the team, boomed enthusiastically.
"That's a dreadful idea!" Synaptak, the Cerebrocrustacean, countered immediately.
"It seems I have the deciding vote..." Ultimos stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his chiseled face. After a moment's consideration, he reaffirmed his decision. "The invitation stands."
Ben, of course, was practically vibrating with excitement and couldn't possibly refuse. Klein and the others saw no reason to object either; after all, it was only a temporary arrangement.
"This is the Galactic Enforcers' Code," Ultimos announced, pressing a button on a nearby console. From a slot in the ceiling, a massive tome dropped onto the platform with a heavy thud. It was a book so thick it looked more like a brick than a manual. "The first twelve thousand pages can be a bit dry, but given the emergency, we can discuss the finer points later. For now, please put on your uniforms."
Seeing the bewildered expressions on their faces as they stared at the monstrous codex, he wisely decided to move on.
'So that's why you're always late to stop villains,'Klein thought with dry amusement.'The paperwork alone must take a week.'
Tini scooped Ben up, placing him on her massive shoulder as she carried him off to get changed. Ben shot a desperate, pleading look at his cousin, but Klein met his gaze with a cold, deliberate indifference that offered no hope of rescue.
Klein, for his part, politely declined Ultimos's kind offer. The uniform looked awkward enough on a grown man, let alone a child. Seeing Klein remain behind, Gwen chose to stay by his side without a word.
Grandpa Max actually felt a flicker of desire to suit up. He and Ben shared a certain adventurous spirit, and the idea of a Superman-style uniform held a definite appeal. However, one look at the strange, critical expression on Klein's face as he eyed the outfits was enough to make him reconsider.
A few moments later, Ben re-entered the conference room, swimming in a loose, yellow-and-white uniform that was a clear homage to Ultimos's own.
"Please welcome... Super Ben!" he declared, striking a proud pose. Unfortunately, his grand entrance was cut short when he tripped over his own cape, landing flat on his face with a muffled oof.
"Uh... I did that on purpose," Ben mumbled awkwardly, scrambling back to his feet.
"Alright! Let the Galactic Enforcers move out and deal with these villains!" Ultimos declared, striding over to the control panel. He began inputting coordinates, preparing to teleport them directly to their destination.
Ben watched from the side, munching on a chocolate bar.
"What is that?" Ultimos asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Chocolate. Want some?" Ben replied, offering the bar.
"Ah, a specialty of this planet. Of course, I won't refuse your kindness," Ultimos said with a gracious smile, accepting a piece.
...
At a remote iron mine, the group crouched behind a massive piece of digging machinery, covertly observing Sunder and Kraab as they tore into the earth, harvesting ore.
Klein was less than thrilled with the situation. He had a particular distaste for this kind of "peeping," an aversion he specifically blamed on his encounters with Paradox. But it had been Grandpa Max's suggestion to launch a surprise attack, so Klein had reluctantly gone along with it.
"Ugh... So cold! I'm so cold!"
A weak, trembling voice suddenly sounded from behind him. Klein turned to see a horrifying sight. Ultimos's skin had taken on a sickly, dark hue, and his once-powerful physique had withered, leaving him emaciated. He was huddled on the ground, arms wrapped around his shivering frame.
Synaptak immediately rushed to his side, using his pincer-like legs to support the collapsing hero.
"What's wrong with him?" Ben asked, his voice laced with concern.
"This is clearly a case of acute saccharine poisoning... Hmm? What is this?" Synaptak's sharp eyes noticed a brown smudge at the corner of Ultimos's mouth.
"Uh... I just gave him some chocolate," Ben admitted, shrinking back.
"I knew we couldn't trust you primitives!" Synaptak whirled on them, his brain-case glowing with fury.
"How was I supposed to know his weakness was chocolate?!" Ben shot back, indignant. "What kind of lame power-scaling is that?!"
Klein shot an unhappy glare at the bickering pair. 'Seriously? We're in the middle of a stakeout! What's with all the shouting?!'
Across the quarry, Sunder and Kraab had already noticed the commotion. The sounds of their digging ceased as they began to creep stealthily toward the source of the noise.
Sighing internally, Klein decided to intervene. He always sided with his own.
He stepped forward and, with a swift, decisive motion, slapped the top of Synaptak's large, glass-domed head. The resulting thunk was surprisingly solid.
"Get a grip," he said flatly.
Then, while the Cerebrocrustacean was still reeling in stunned silence, Klein pushed him aside. "Move. I'll save him."
Raising his left hand, Klein twisted the dial of the Another Omnitrix, selecting an alien silhouette before slamming his palm down on the faceplate.
"Clockwork!"
'Well, stealth is already out the window,'he thought.'Might as well make an entrance.'
A flash of cerulean light washed over the area. When it faded, a new figure stood in Klein's place. It was a humanoid machine made primarily of brass and copper. A transparent green glass panel on its chest revealed a complex array of whirring gears that glowed with the same cerulean light, the Another Omnitrix symbol displayed proudly in the center.
The winding key atop Clockwork's head gave a slight turn. The glass on his chest flared brightly, and a shimmering cyan beam shot forth, enveloping the weakened Ultimos.
Seeing this, Synaptak and Tini moved to intercept, assuming it was an attack.
"Wait!"
Just as they were about to act, Ultimos's voice boomed from within the light—no longer weak, but loud and clear.
The cyan energy dissipated, revealing Ultimos, restored to his original, powerful form.
"Thank you," the hero said, looking at Clockwork with sincere gratitude.
Clockwork, however, simply turned away without a word, his mechanical body completely impassive.
Ultimos didn't seem to mind. After spending some time with the boy, he understood this was simply Klein's personality.
Just then, the massive machine they had been using for cover was violently torn from the ground and tossed aside. Sunder's menacing voice echoed across the mine.
"Now, where did these little mice come from...? What the hell!"
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