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The newest model of Rescue Robots with the promise to do the impossible and replace a whole team of rescuers. It works for smaller towns that don’t have as many personal to begin with but that leaves to many what ifs for Cody’s liking. He has been questioning his dad’s decision about this however no one have been paying him much attention for the last few weeks.
In a few hours, it won’t matter what Cody has to say.
“I’m sure it’s going to be fine, Cody.”
Cody glance away at the grilled cheese that he was making to his tablet. Just as he looks, a puppy suddenly jumps into frame and knocks Ryder to the floor, causing the boy to laugh and had to play fight to get the pup off. A small laugh escape Cody.
“I mean most of the original crew had left for other branches already.” His family is part of a larger group called the Rescue Heroes that work all over the world. When his dad had announced about the Rescue Bots, Director Warren Waters haven’t been that keen on them either but something had changed between one meeting and the next. “And Director Waters haven’t changed his mind on the matter.”
Cody plates his sandwich before moving over to the table. It takes him a moment to set up the tablet just as Ryder on the other end have his own lunch box open and fighting off the pup that had knocked him down earlier.
The two had met thanks to their families being apart of the same program; though where Cody’s family are Rescue Heroes, Ryder’s parents are a pair of scientists who are looking in generically modified dogs for rescue work. It’s a cool project that many in the program uses save for Cody’s family since they don’t have a need for a rescue dog.
No matter how much Cody says otherwise.
“Seriously Chase, I’ll share but you need to sit.” Ryder held his sandwich out of reach and only takes a piece off once Chase had sat down, waiting to be rewarded. “Sometimes, I don’t know what to do with you.” Once he gives the piece over, Ryder turns his attention back to Cody. “Maybe you should talk to your dad about this, even it seems pointless now.”
“Maybe…”
They continue on with talking about their lives instead – since neither one were able to talk in a while due to busy schedules – before suddenly another call connects. It takes a moment before Director Waters appears, though busy with directing something that they couldn’t see.
“Cody, have your dad left for the mainland yet?” Waters question before back tracking. “Sorry, hello and how are you this morning, Cody?”
“Fine.” Cody shrugs since he’s in the middle of washing his plate while Ryder is still fighting for his lunch from Chase. “And Dad haven’t left yet but I’m going to be late for school if I don’t leave right now.”
“Alright, good luck on that math test today.” Waters turns his attention to Ryder, just as the boy lost a piece of ham from his sandwich and Chase running away in the background. “And Ryder? Can you please tell your mother to answer her emails, I know she’s busy with her dogs but this is important.”
“I will,” Ryder said as he just notices the missing piece of his sandwich. “Not again.”
That got a soft laugh from Director Waters and a chuckle from Cody before they all say their goodbyes and Cody decided it’s about time he leaves for school.
…
Most of the town are hyped about the newest addition to their island while others are planning on watching from the distance. Cody already knows that the Pynches are going to try and buy the tech while Doc Greene would probably want to study it at some point. Which wouldn’t be all that bad until Frankie gets involved.
Right now, she’s more interested in the new dinosaur exhibit but that’ll change with time.
“Cody Burns, Griffin Rock PD. Please pull over.”
Cody glance back just in time to watch his family roll up in the squad car which is being replaced later this afternoon. Everyone had gotten the chance to drive it, save for Cody. His dad promised to teach him how to drive with it as well when the time comes but that probably will be another promise broken that his dad wouldn’t realised.
Maybe he should just stop expecting things by now.
His dad came to a stop and roll down the window – a soft, kind look on his face that Cody couldn’t even think of matching right now. “Figured you wanna say goodbye to the old rust bucket, it’s her last day on the job.” Cody glance back at his siblings but none of them seem to be paying full attention to the conversation happening.
“I still don’t understand why the town is making you get a new car, Dad.” Cody thought about reaching out but force himself to stay still. “This one work fine.”
Even Ryder’s parents didn’t have to give up vehicles when they didn’t want to. Normally, they would use the old ones as parts for any tech they have. The Rescue Heroes even have a recycle program put into place when a vehicle needs to be switched out for safety but this order isn’t coming from the Heroes but from another group that contacted Griffin Rock.
“Progress, Kiddo.” And that was it; progress. “It wouldn’t be high-tech testing grounds if we stayed back.”
Griffin Rock have always been at the foundation of any new tech that could help the world, which is why so many have trusted them with new tech. It’s something Cody thought was cool but grew tired of whenever it effects his family in ways that it shouldn’t.
“Give it up, Dad.” Kade had put a hand on their dad’s shoulder from the back seat. “If Cody had it his way, we all would be paddling everything.”
“‘Course you’d still be on training wheels, Kade,” Dani said.
“The helmet may mess up your hair.” Graham had reach around from the front seat to ruffle Kade’s hair, who batted their brother’s hand away with a scowl.
“Quit it, Graham.”
While the three of them argue in the background, their dad turns back to Cody. “Don’t forget to be at the dedication this afternoon.” It won’t matter since they probably wouldn’t notice even if Cody did go…which is one of the reasons why he’s thinking of not attending. “Okay, Cody?”
“Do you think I can test-drive one?” Cody asks, even though he knows the answer to that.
“We’re getting rescue vehicles, not go-carts.”
The trio had stop when Cody had asked his question with Dani speaking up first while Graham does look a bit sheepish about excluding Cody from the big event.
“Sorry, Bud.” Graham had motion to his updated badge which the others do have as well but aren’t wearing them. “For authorised emergency responders only but maybe later you can help me take a look at them.”
Cody knows what’s going to happen to that offer because it goes to the same place as all the others. Though, it would be nice to be able to do something with Graham even though he doesn’t understand everything his brother has to say, the machine side of things have always been Cody’s favourite part.
He had checked out every book he can about fixing and repairing cars before he had to turn to the internet. Luckily, Director Waters and Jack Hammer have both been helping him with finding good sources of information for that kind of thing. Cody knows – thanks to a slipup from Rocky and Ryder – that there’s a bet about what career he would choose to take in the future.
As far as Cody knows, his family is unaware of that bet.
“I’ve got to drop these troublemakers off before catching a ride to the main land.” Their dad gives said troublemakers a look before turning back to Cody. “You get your bottom to school, oh and Cody? Give it time, you’ll find your place.”
Cody could only watch his dad pull away and leave him behind…like every time. He hates being the youngest and hates the fact that it’s like his family doesn’t even cares sometimes. All he could hope is that Graham remembers his offer, if not then maybe Cody can give Ryder call while he does it himself? It could mean getting into trouble but he could also get in trouble for skipping school if anyone actually notice him missing.
He pulls out his phone and notes the time before turning his bike around to head in the proper direction for school.
…
The school lets everyone go early after lunch time, causing many to head straight to the park for the dedication in less then an hour. Frankie is standing outside of the school with her dad, both of them going over the flyer for the museum that Doc Greene is taking her to later. Cody was offered to go but turned it down since Dani promised to take him.
“Cody!” Frankie waves him over. “We’re just checking the tour times, maybe Dani and you can join us for the four o’clock one?”
“Uh, maybe.” Cody doubts his sister even remembers anymore. “Anyways, are we heading over?”
Doc Greene herds them into the truck before driving them over to the square; though he did stop long enough to get them lunch even though Cody had packed his own with a new recipe from Fire Chief Billy Blaze, who seem off while Cody was cooking but he never asked. They reach the park soon after and Cody lead the way as close to the stage as he and Frankie can get.
“The tech is like nothing I’ve seen before.”
Cody peers around people just as his dad came up onto the stage.
“Thank you for coming, folks.”
Frankie places a hand on Cody’s shoulder, causing him to look over at her. “I’m not talking about the rescue stuff; I’m talking about this.” She holds out the flyer from earlier which is a lot more detailed than Cody thought it was going to be; whoever made the tech wanted people to know. “The Dino Exhibit at the museum. Cyber-wired arranged actions and fuse with the Cretaceous DNA! Our town has a long history of being cutting edge of new technology but this takes it.”
Cody only got half of that before his dad’s voice cut through again.
“Now, thanks to our friends in Washington, I give you the latest in emergency response: The Rescue Bots!” Suddenly the platform opens and brings up each vehicle with its pilot. “Robots, transform!” It takes a moment before each of them transforms into a bot which similar to the Transformers; an alien group that came to Earth with their war before disappearing shortly afterwards. He wonders if that’s why these robots were made like this. “These robotic rescue vehicles will streamline our resources.”
It seems a few people around him are feeling the same way but more are curious to see what the future could be with these guys roaming about.
“Now, one human teamed with one robot can do the work of an entire police force, fire department, emergency response unit and engineering core,” his dad said while gesturing to the police bot before moving to fire bot then the copter bot before stopping on the bulldozer. He seems proud of the ones up there on the stage. “Each robot is programmed to respond only to the commands of its hander, so you can sleep at night knowing that Griffin Rock is protected by the very best technology and humanity have to offer.”
Cody looks between each of the bots before – “hey, that robot moved on its own.”
His family had left the stage to answer questions with the mayor, leaving the robots unattended. Cody managed to slip away from Frankie, who had disappeared off somewhere, and climb up on the stage. There’s something off about these bots, nothing like the bots that the Heroes uses that’s for sure. They seem more alive somehow.
“You, kid!” Cody jumps and spins around to see that Huxley Prescott and his flying camera are trying to get a shot of the robots, and probably his family. He looks to the side to see that his family is still busy but the mayor is talking about getting a photo taken for the papers. “Can you move, I want a photo of the Burns Family of Heroes.”
He steps back and accidently runs into the Fire Bot; he mumbles an apology before getting off the stage behind the bots and hiding behind it. There’s no one walking around back here which leaves Cody a moment to slow his thoughts down. That was until he hears his dad’s voice; Cody moves to peers over the edge.
“…Fire at the natural history museum.”
The moment the words left his dad’s mouth, the fire bot suddenly transforms back into vehicle mode but none of the others react…well, not that Cody could see from down here.
“Hey, I didn’t tell it to do that,” Kade said.
“It’s new technologies, son.” Their dad pat Kade on the shoulder. “Ought to be some bugs.”
Cody only came out of hiding once his family have left but there’s something not right with those robots. Maybe he should follow and see if he can find some kind of answer.
…
Nothing from the museum shine much light at what the robots really are – nor nothing about their programming. Cody had stayed behind while the rest of his family left the museum; he only has a few minutes before a cleaning crew comes in and takes care of the place before the tours later this evening.
He pulls out his phone to call Jack before taking out a portable toolkit and a flashlight.
“Do I even want to know, kid?” Jack asks. “Normally, you only call when you are struggling with something.”
Cody set his phone down on top of a piece of rubble so it doesn’t get wet while he finishes climbing up onto the stage to take a better look at the dinosaur. It’s doesn’t look damaged but engineering isn’t his speciality. He quickly grabs his phone to take a picture and sends it to Jack of the mess inside before going back to looking.
“Not my speciality, Cody, but I did send it to Moriss so maybe they’ll tell us something.” It’s quiet for only a moment. “Are you going to tell me what’s this is about?”
“One of the robots moved without anyone telling it to,” Cody said before hopping off the platform; taking the phone off speakerphone before putting it to his ear. “And then there was a fire at the museum which Dad said that the fire bot still had the directive to save lives or something.”
“Huh, that is strange.”
Cody went out the back way before making his way around to the front just as the cleaning crew pulls up. “Graham said that a short started the fire due to the old circuits with the new cyber wires but something about that doesn’t seem right.” Specially since Frankie would have clock it long before anyone else.
“Well, keep me updated, okay?” Jack asks. “And I’ll see if Moriss can take a look at those photos.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
“No problem, kid.”
The line went dead; leaving Cody with more questions than answers. Maybe he can get some from the bots themselves when Graham checks them? He pockets his phone before grabbing his bike to head straight home but he suddenly stops when his phone dings.
A message came through from Ryder with a picture of Chase in his police gear which is far to big for the pup. Cody sends a quick message back before deciding to stop at the café on the way home.
…
“Huh, that is weird.”
Cody had tuck himself into an alleyway in between the café and another building before video calling Ryder, who have Chase fast asleep in his lap. A stack of cookies rests on Cody's knee with an ice coffee sitting in front of him. Thanks to the allowance money that his dad leaves him, Cody has enough to get himself a treat once in awhile.
Of course, it’s rare for Cody to be getting treats like this and managed to save up quite a bit which he has stored away in his room.
“I know.” Cody glance out of the alley to see everyone going about the rest of their day while his dad sits in his new police car across the road. “I already sent the pictures to both Frankie and Moriss but I haven’t heard anything back from either.”
“Have you thought about asking your family?” Ryder asks.
It’s a good question but Cody already knows what the answer is going to be. “Graham said that I can look at the bots with him but who knows when that’ll be.” Also, Graham is on the other side of town while Kade had stopped at a pizza place. Frankly, hooking his phone up to the command center wasn’t hard and it makes moving around town easier. “I might look at them tonight.”
Dani is at home but from what Cody had heard, it’s not surprising if the copter wasn’t going to fly faster than a snail. He checks the time and wonders if there’s still time to go on that tour with Frankie and her dad.
“If you’re doing it by yourself, call me or a Hero please.” Ryder gives him a look that reminds Cody of an older brother – which makes sense since Ryder is older than him by a few years. “We don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Cody agrees to the terms, specially when Ryder tacks on that Cody can come out to Adventure Bay to help test out some new equipment next month.
When he finishes his snack, he notes that his dad had left and figures that he should head home for the day.
…
The copter had been left on the landing pad in the back which he had notice when Cody arrives home; white and orange but there’s something off about it…almost like it watching him. Cody puts his bike away and decided to take a closer look but got stop by Dani when she came downstairs.
“Hey Cody, I’m heading out for a bit but I’ll be back for dinner.”
“Okay,” Cody said as he watches his sister walks out of the firehouse. “I guess I’ll just hang out by myself…like always.”
The doors slide shut leaving Cody alone but he didn’t let that stop him as he grabs his toolbox and went over to the copter. “Uh, hello?” Cody set down the box and takes a moment to look the bot over. “The name’s Cody Burns, my dad’s Chief Charlie Burns…and this is stupid.” Cody couldn’t help sighing and taking a step back.
“It’s a robot,” Cody said. “It’s not alive…”
He glances back at the copter: “You’re not alive, right? Like those Transformers that went missing.”
Nothing but silence which was expected.
…
His family continues to talk about the day’s events as Cody head down the firepole. He thought about going to bed but instead decided to take a walk to the drive-in, which is playing some old movie that he have seen a dozen times by now. Once his feet hit the ground, he notice quickly that something is missing.
“Huh, that’s odd.”
Cody pretty sure the bots were left on this floor since there’s no need to store them in the bunker. His toolbox was also knocked over. Cody gathers up his tools before taking the ladder down into the bunker and freezing at the sight before him.
“Then, we’ll all go.” The fire bot said while looking around at the other Transformers because that’s what they are. “Those humans will never understand us, we’ll never belong.”
They are alive but it seems that only Cody knows that fact.
“I know what you mean,” Cody said. A laugh slips out when the robots’ visors snap into place and they went stock still. “Don’t bother, you’re not fooling anybody.”
Even though that’s a lie because they managed too so far. His class is in the middle of learning about the war that was brought to Earth and about the missing Transformers. Though, they don’t look like any Transformers that people had managed to catch on film.
Cody hops off once he’s closer to the ground; “living in Griffin Rock, I know robots and you guys are the worst robots I’ve ever seen.”
“We had failed our mission,” the police bot said. “Our cover is blown. If this human knows, he’ll tell the others.”
“Are you kidding?” Cody couldn’t help questioning because this is huge. “And waste a chance to know something they don’t? Something this huge? I’m the best thing that could happen to your mission, ‘cause I’m gonna teach out everything you need to know about Earth.”
The copter bot had separated itself from the group while the remaining three look at one another. “Can you teach me how to make my human stop yelling?” it’s a simple question that Cody doesn’t have that great of an answer to give.
“Dani? I don’t think anyone can do that.” Cody holds a hand out towards the copter bot. “I’m Cody, by the way.”
“I know, you introduced yourself earlier.” The copter bot kneels down and gently takes Cody’s hand to shake. “I’m Blades.”
“Boulder,” the bulldozer said.
“Classified.”
Boulder chuckles; “that’s Chase.”
Finally, the fire bot: “and I’m Heatwave.”
There’s a look on Heatwave’s face that Cody couldn’t read but it’s a mix of curious and concern. “So, Cody, now that you know what we are, name one good reason why we shouldn’t leave this planet right now.” That’s a lot of pressure Heatwave just put onto him but Cody can think of a few reasons.
However, his phone decided to ring right at that moment which cause the bots to become worried.
“Hello?” Cody answers. “Oh, Moriss! Have you discovered anything?”
Cody puts on speaker phone to allow the bots to hear.
“Hey, I don’t think your fire was set by a short.” A few dings alerts Cody that Moriss had sent something over which he’ll look at in a moment. “It might have been set by someone but whoever it was, they’re a professional. Make sure this information gets to your dad, okay.”
“I will, thanks Moriss.”
Cody hangs up before pulling up the text messages to see that it’s a few official reports and documents about what Cody had sent. He jumps suddenly when Chase’s face is suddenly far to close for his liking but quickly settle himself so to show Chase what he’s looking at.
“You are looking into the fire?” Chase questions.
“Well, I was actually looking into you guys when I notice something off about it.” Cody shrugs before quickly apologizing since he moved the phone. “Frankie, that’s my best friend, was looking forward to touring the exhibit before it caught on fire. Anyways, she would have noticed if the tech wasn’t right.”
“And you think she would have said something?” Boulder asks.
“Her dad, Doctor Ezra Greene, is the head scientist of the island, so yeah, she would have notice.”
“Heatwave,” Chase stands back up and turns to their leader, “I think we should look into this.”
Heatwave doesn’t look convince which Cody doesn’t blame him but he agrees in the end until Blades brings up that they can’t just walk out of here without someone noticing.
“Like I said, you’re lucky to have me,” Cody said while opening up on the tunnels. “These tunnels, like this one, goes all over the island and all end in the bunker. Great for sneaking out of the firehouse.”
“Do you sneak out often?” Heatwave questions.
“No,” Cody said just a bit to quickly. “Anyways, come on!”
…
It takes a few minutes before they make it out of the tunnel; thankfully, the map that Cody had spent hours scouting out is up to code but they still have quite a way to get back into town. It’s not far since Cody had taken this walk a thousand times before but he can see the gears turning in the bots’ heads about all of this.
“Wow.” Boulder had move away from the group to look at the town below where it was all lit up. “It’s like a million optics set in carbon. It’s beautiful.”
Cody had seen this sight so many times but he never really bothered with looking at truly. Even when he comes up here to just sit and watch the world move on without him. “I guess, it kinda is.” He glances up at Heatwave, who had moved to stand next to him. “So, why would you want to leave?”
Heatwave gives him a look before turning away.
“It’s still a hike into town,” Cody said while getting off the rock he had climbed on top of. “The drive-in is in that direction which means the museum would be more that way.”
He gives vague directions but it should be enough for them to understand.
Boulder and Chase had transform while Blades had opted to walk since it’ll only draw attention if anyone sees him flying around, specially since all the Burnes had retired to the firehouse at this time of night. Heatwave decided to walk with Blades – since apparently Blades is scared of the dark – and ordered the others to go on ahead with them.
Chase opens the passenger door for Cody, who’s surprised by the action. It didn’t take long after that to head towards town.
…
The museum went dark once the final tour group had left but it doesn’t take long for Cody to get into the system and bring up what they needed while making sure they wouldn’t be caught. Chase did question Cody about it but he plays it off that it’s fine since they’re doing a police investigation. Neither bot seem convince of that but didn’t complain either when Cody led them through the back door and into the building.
“Amazing,” Boulder said while looking over some paintings on the wall.
Chase and Cody went into the Dino Exhibit but there’s nothing off or missing from the room.
“Hey, Chase? Do you mind giving me a lift?” Cody nods towards the Dino and it takes a second for Chase to figure out what he’s asking before doing so.
Once high enough, Cody takes out his flashlight and toolkit – taking a second to remove the plating to reveal nothing Cody understands but that’s okay because Boulder joins them a few seconds later.
“It looks like a few of the wires were messed with,” Boulder said. “Just enough to cause a fire that’s for sure but what’s the purpose of it? Why cause a fire here?”
“Maybe someone wanting to rob the bank but that doesn’t make much sense.” If someone wanted to rob somewhere else then they’ll need to time it perfectly but with how quickly the fire was sorted that can’t be the case. “Any ideas, Chase?”
“I believe that whoever is behind this might have more planned,” Chase said. “Like a string of some sort, though I am unsure what this person could be after.”
Ding. Cody pulls his phone out and notice that the cameras had picked up movement from outside, which turns out to be Heatwave and Blades. The two came inside through the backdoor a few seconds later with Blades complaining about something but Cody doesn’t understand what they are saying.
“Any clue?” Heatwave asks.
“Not as of right now, this case is cold.” Chase appears a bit disappointed in that fact. “Though, I’m sure the Chief and I can properly look into it thanks to Cody and Moriss’ help.”
“Do you have to tell my dad?” Cody asks, panicking a bit. “I mean about how you got this information; can’t you say that it was a tip from a concern citizen instead?”
"You wish for me to lie to the Chief?”
Cody can feel all the bots’ gaze on him while he focus on the panel before him. Until he notices that something is off with the way that the wires are hooked into the rest of the machine. Cody put his kit away before pulling out his pocket knife that he uses to open up beneath the top panel; having lost his screwdriver months ago with the promise from Graham to help him find it.
“It’s a fake panel.”
He tucks the fake panel under his arms before looking further into the machine and notice that nothing has been changed. That’s why Frankie probably didn’t notice, why no one questioned it. Though, the question that needs to be answer is where the dinosaurs went to be upgraded.
“They were given to a lab back on the main land,” Chase said. “This would need the Chief and Doc Greene’s help to get the records of what they did.”
“Which means you two are done playing detective for the night.” Heatwave seems worried about something that’s happening outside. “Let’s get back to the firehouse before anyone notices.”
“But what about the driver-in?” Blades ask. “You promised that we go to the drive-in if this didn’t take long and it’s only nine.”
Heatwave sighs at the looks that he was getting from everyone and agrees. He was the last one to leave the building after Cody returns the system back to normal; the camera are on the same loop – with being able to add additional footage if needs be. He can tell that Heatwave wants to ask questions but Cody ignores him and decided to talk to Blades about the drive-in.
…
“Look, Cody, I understand what you’re doing, but what I don’t understand how talking like this is going to make my ride along respect me.”
Heatwave had kneeled down to be more level with Cody, which surprise him a bit but it changes to a bitter feeling at the mention of Kade.
“The trick with Kade is to make him think he’s in charge.” Not surprisingly, this always works since Cody have all his siblings figured out by now. Now if he can figure out how to make them pay more attention to him than that would be great. “Trust me, I’ve been doing it for years.”
There’s that look from Blades again.
Cody wishes he never said anything to Blades but he can’t take back his words now. Which means dealing with those pity looks or whatever they are. Then Blades’ attention turns away from Cody to the move screen where he points out something that shouldn’t be there. The T-Rex from museum have somehow activated and is now roaming the island.
“Heatwave, wait!” Cody surprise that Heatwave actually listen to him. “Look, if anyone sees you taking down that dino on your own, there goes your cover and your mission.”
It means the one thing that Cody promised to protect is suddenly gone, even if it’s not actually his fault. Cody looks past Heatwave just in time to see the T-Rex go after the blinking billboard set up behind the drive-in.
"It’s attracted to the light!” Cody turns to Chase while pointing out the dino. “Chase, your lights!”
The moment the flashing lights are turned on, the dino changes it focus on the Rescue Bots. Heatwave calls them to transforms and…Cody was alone again.
For a moment, it felt nice to be part of something and that he managed to find his place but he guesses that’s not the case.
He already knows what’s going to happen once his siblings find out about the bots; all of them will forget that he’s here.
Why does everyone forget him?
What is he doing wrong?
“Cody?” He snaps up at the sight of Heatwave sitting there with the driver’s door open. “Come on, we got a dinosaur to wrangle.”
“Why?” Cody couldn’t help asking.
“I’ll give you a reason later.”
Later…that means that the bots might be staying.
Cody didn’t waste a moment to get into the driver’s seat, making sure to buckle up, before Heatwave went racing after the others with his lights flashing; casting light along the darken streets. His heart beats loudly in his ears and he wonders if this is what everyone goes through during high action like this.
He pulls out his phone while Heatwave brought his dad into this; Cody gives a quick run down until his dad said that he and his siblings are on their way. He ignores the bots in favour of dealing with giving a pathway. Pulling up the menu for the command center, along with the cameras, before changing lights and giving orders to Chase on where to go.
“Blades, can you fly ahead and make sure there’s no one along the dirt road?”
“On it!”
Cody jumps at the sight of his family in the old squad car as Heatwave race by within even the thought of stopping. “They’ll catch up,” Heatwave said. “Where are we going, Cody?”
“Uh, the old pit.” Cody pulls up the map of Griffin Rock before zooming into the pit. “It should be enough to slow it down but it hasn’t rain in a while.”
“Leave that part to me,” Heatwave said.
They reach a spot where Heatwave can come to a stop with the others. Luckily, Rex had ran on past them which gives them time to get their partners and for Cody to be left behind again. Kade wasn’t happy that Cody had ‘jacked his ride’ while Cody was trying to explain what they needed to do.
“Stay here, son.” His dad guides him over to the squad car but stops when Chase suddenly transforms and kneels down. “What’s the matter, Chase?”
“Sir, Cody have done much in this investigation that he should be allowed to come with us.”
“It’s okay, Chase.” Cody can tell that he’s going to be getting a lecture later, maybe. “I’ll wait here until you guys are done.”
Chase doesn’t look convince but left with his dad shortly after. Cody stays outside just until Chase is nothing more than a blob in the distance before getting inside of the car and pulls out the radio out of the car while giving the space station a call and got Roger Houston. Which wasn’t who he was aiming for but it has to do.
“Shouldn’t you be in bed by now, Cody?” Houston asks.
“Should but not,” Cody said; hissing when he accidently shocks his fingers before continuing on rewiring the radio. “Anyways, I need eyes in the sky over the mud pit on Griffin Rock.” Cody gives some vague coordinates since he doesn’t know the actual location of where it could be. “And maybe also giving me the code for our comms?”
Houston doesn’t look impressed but did what Cody asked anyways; whistling softly at the sight of the bots chasing after the T-Rex. “Anything else?” he asks, while adding a few more things to the menu that Cody have to check out later.
“No, but we’ll be watching that movie later.”
“Alright, take care!”
Finally, the radio crackles and the voices of siblings come through, mostly complaining about what he did to their rides which makes Cody roll his eyes before grabbing the mic. “If you need them to do what you want, you have to ask nicely.” He pulls up the menu to see the bots’ faces; causing them to be surprise as well but also relax for some reason.
“Cody, get off this channel.” Kade doesn’t sound impressed. “It’s for emergency responders only, plus how you even managed to do this anyways?”
“Pip down, Kade.” Their dad sounds to tired for all of this; when Chase disappears and shows a video of his dad it paints a different picture since he actually looks proud of what’s happening. “Cody spotted the dinosaur first. For now, he’s on the team.”
Boulder’s face disappears to reveal Graham: “Fine by me, got any ideas, Cody?”
“Not exactly but I know someone who will.”
He feels bad about waking Frankie up at this hour but it’s important and hopefully it would work. It takes a bit to wrangle all the parts together but, in the end, they managed to capture the dino bot and Cody barely managed to turn it off but when he turns to get back down, he slips and land hard on the ground.
It takes a few seconds for the world to stop spinning but that’s enough time for Kade to make it to his side with Heatwave a few strides behind him. Cody force himself to sit up and wipe off the mud on his jacket; a bit upset that he has to wash it now but that’s fine. Ding. He pulls his phone out to see a message from Ryder which he’ll ignore for now.
“Cody?” Kade helps Cody back to his feet. “You alright?”
“I’m fine,” Cody waves the concern off while ignoring the look Heatwave is giving him. “Really, I had worst falls.”
That was not something he wanted Kade to know since he rarely tells his family about the many failed attempts at skateboarding – which had turned into hoverboarding later. Anyways, it doesn’t matter.
…
Cody decided to sit outside on the steps of the museum while his family dealt with the dino-bot inside. He had just finished texting Ryder when Heatwave suddenly kneels down in front of him and gently brush some of Cody’s hair out of his face, causing Cody to look up at him.
“Are you sure you are alright?” Heatwave asks.
“I…” Cody notices the worried looks between them and the guilty feeling welling up inside of him. “I think I hurt my wrist.”
Blades tap Heatwave on the shoulder so he can take over his leader’s spot. Cody held his arm out and Blades carefully takes it, noting a few things before gently pulling away.
“You’ll be fine but I suggest not doing anything extreme for the next few days or so.”
“Thanks, Blades.”
The two return to their spots next to Chase and Boulder just as his family came outside. His dad had gone to Chase to get his camera since he wanted a picture. Cody had moved to the bots while his siblings are busy with figuring out what they should do.
“I want a picture of all my heroes,” their dad said.
Graham and Dani don’t see anything wrong with that and moves to stand with Cody but Kade had a problem with that.
“Come on, Dad.” Kade gestures to Cody. “Just because Cody answered one rescue call doesn’t mean he’s part of the team.”
“Yes, it does.” Cody didn’t move unlike Graham and Dani, who had jump away, when Heatwave came down to their level while placing a hand on Cody’s shoulder. “Or we’re not.”
Blades had crossed his arms – looking a bit scary from this angle – while Boulder and Chase attempt to look like they mean business. It’s a bit funny but Cody couldn’t focus on that with Heatwave’s next set of words.
“Cody is our liaison on this mission, he’s the reason we’re even giving this place a chance.”
The reason Heatwave was going to give him later…it was him. Cody couldn’t believe that someone would pick him as a reason to stay.
“Are we clear?”
Kade had jump away, back towards their dad: “Dad, did that thing just talk back to me?”
Graham just seems disappointed while Dani appears to be falling into the same thought process as the rest of them.
“Something’s definitely wrong with the robots,” Dani said.
“We can’t use technology prone to malfunction.”
Heatwave had stood back up while their dad went about moving Cody’s siblings into place while the timer is ticking. “They’re not malfunctioning,” he said while giving a knowing look at Cody before turning to the camera. “They’re aliens.”
With a click, the picture is taken and the start of something new had started on Griffin Rock.