From College To Cradle - A Toddler’s Want For Intergalactic Exploration

Chapter 9
Defeating The Sentinels & Revelations About Battles

Chapter Description: Fighting the Sentinels…except I have some issues and end up…waking up in my bed needing a change. Maybe Overseer Drogra can explain what just happened.

Date: 17:00 45th Cycle (17:00 Hours/27:00 Hours, Cycle 45 of 368, Planet Ayodele Standard Time)

Location: 10 minutes out from Ayodele Prime Imperial Base Alpha, Planet Ayodele Prime, Ayodele Alpha System, Neuvoian Galaxy

I growl as I dart my eyes around the Sentinels swarming around me. I spin on my bare feet allowing my purple T-shirt to flutter whilst my ATC Cruisers diaper crinkles as I aim at the left most Sentinel and unleash a barrage of Plasma Auto Rifle fire causing the Sentinel to burst into metal and Pugneum.

I smirk as I turn toward the other Sentinels while they all open fire at once, sending my Hazard Shielding to 75%. I take aim at the center of the remaining four Sentinels that are flanking me and release a giant ball of blue Plasma Launcher fire, resulting in the Sentinel reeling while the others continue firing on me.

I backpedal as I unleash another volley of Plasma Launcher fire at the Sentinel that’s floating toward me with half its metal plating missing. SHIELDS DOWN. I jump to the air whilst my jetpack activates and I recharge my shields. TECHNOLOGY RECHARGED. I glare at the remaining three Sentinels while they all fire at me sending my shields to 75% again.

“DARN IT!” I focus my fire on the right most floating Sentinel and within moments of the Plasma Auto Rifle fire contacting, it bursts into metal and Pugneum. I giggle as the other two Sentinels float toward me, unfazed by their brethren falling as they send more laser fire at me. SHIELDS: 25%

I release a guttural growl as I take the air and pelt the two Sentinels with Plasma Launcher fire. I sigh as I land on my feet whilst behind me metal and Pugneum are raining onto the snow covered ground below. “I think I got them all.”

WARNING! Sentinel Mech DETECTED! I turn around and my eyes widen at the red Minotaur stomping toward me. I jump to my right as a giant ball of Plasma lands where I once stood, “Oh you beasty.” I take aim with Ayodele’s Balance and call my own Minotaur…

FUEL REQUIRED – MINOTUAR 25% “DARN IT!” I jump in the air seconds after the Sentinel Mech stomps in front of me. Before I can take aim, I find myself flying backwards. SHIELDS DOWN! I charge toward the Sentinel Mech, my rage rendering me oblivious to my blaring shield warning as I pelt the Sentinel Mech with Plasma Launcher fire.

The Sentinel Mech stomps to the left as it takes the punishment I dish out and releases a volley of laser fire while the smaller Sentinels float up behind me, flanking me.

I smirk as I see the Sentinel Mech’s health bar at 50%. I sigh as my shields rise to 75%, “Looks like I…” My words fall me as my vision is filled with blackness. CRITICAL DAMAGE! CRITICAL DAMAGE!

……

Date: 17:41 45th Cycle (17:41 Hours/27:00 Hours, Cycle 45 of 368, Planet Ayodele Standard Time)

Location: Ayodele Prime Imperial Base Alpha, Planet Ayodele Prime, Ayodele Alpha System, Neuvoian Galaxy

I jump up and straightaway I notice I’m sitting on my bed. I blink twice and dart my eyes around my body – no scratches from the Sentinel fire remain on my T-shirt, and no singe marks can be seen on my diaper. One thing I do notice is the wetness indicator is fully yellow, “Wait, I was dry when I attacked those Sentinels.”

Overseer Drogra rises from my computer and walks over to me, “Yes, you were. But when you take critical damage like you did, your Armorsuit transfers you back to your homebase and you lose all your inventory. Or in your case,” Overseer Drogra sits down at the foot of my bed with a fresh diaper in his right hand, “all the damage from the battle after your shields failed gets absorbed by your diapers, and you’re transferred back to your base.”

Overseer Drogra sets the new diaper down at the foot of my bed and kneels to grab the baby wipes and powder. He rises to set them down next to my new diaper and pats the foot of my bed, “So at the end of a battle that a Toddler-Entity loses you just return to your home base in much need of a diaper change.”

“I see. That’s a fair price to pay.” I crawl toward Overseer Drogra and lie down to the right of the changing supplies. “I was so close to finding that Sentinel nest.”

Overseer Drogra nods as he unfastens my wet diaper and lifts my legs to slide it away, “So that’s where you ran off to.” He grabs some baby wipes and works on getting me dry whilst tossing the wipes into my old diaper. “I’m sure that Sentinel Mech and his buddies will be waiting for you once I’m done.”

I smile toward Overseer Drogra as he lowers my legs and rolls up my old diaper into a ball, “That’s good. Cause I’m gonna get revenge.” I turn toward my computer and take note of the Sentinel Mech and the smaller Sentinels patrolling the area around the grey triangular marker, “They’re still there.”

Overseer Drogra nods as he lifts my legs with his left hand and slides the fresh diaper under my bottom with his right hand, “Yeah, and you can surprise them this time.”

I turn back to Overseer Drogra as he powders my uplifted bottom, “How?”

Overseer Drogra smiles down at me as he brings the green circle decorated shell of the new diaper up to my belly, “Well for one, use the Overcharge Ability of Ayodele’s Balance. It’ll result in you needing another diaper change after you’re done due to how much energy it requires, but to defeat those Sentinels and reveal their nest,” Overseer Drogra tapes the new diaper snug around my waist and pats the front of my diaper, “it’ll be well worth it.”

I jump up atop my bed and smile down at Overseer Drogra, “Thanks, Overseer Drogra.” I dart my eyes around my bedroom while Overseer Drogra puts up my changing supplies. “Anything else I should know about the Ayodele’s Balance Overdrive function?”

Overseer Drogra sanitizes his hands seconds after closing the diaper drawer, “Well you might want to eat or drink a lot of fluids before using it. If you don’t, you could fall asleep immediately after using it. Again, this is because of how much energy it requires.” Overseer Drogra grabs a baby bottle of Happy Fruit Tree juice from the bottom right drawer and tosses it over to me, “Here.”

I take the bottle and begin draining the delicious juice while smiling as the sweet multiple flavors caress my tastebuds, “Thankies!”

Overseer Drogra smiles as he watches me drain the juice and walks over to pat my diapered bottom, “I’m glad I could help. The weapons training with Ensign Hapoton and my technical know-how,” Overseer Drogra pats my diapered bottom again and a blue orb appears on the middle of my diapered rear, “will guide you to success.”

I glance back at my diaper and notice the blue orb, “Um, Overseer Drogra what’s this?” I turn back to Overseer Drogra with a raised eyebrow as I toss my empty baby bottle into the air for it to be sent to the food processor inventory.

Overseer Drogra ruffles my hair, “Teleportation Crystal. It will allow you to teleport directly to where your last battle falling occurred. Saves you the fuel of flying back there and getting up all those Sentinels again. They’ll be shocked to see you again I’m sure.”

I smile at Overseer Drogra, “Yeah!” and my vision of my bedroom fades.

……

Date: 17:51 45th Cycle (17:51 Hours/27:00 Hours, Cycle 45 of 368, Planet Ayodele Standard Time)

Location: 10 minutes away from Ayodele Prime Imperial Base Alpha, Planet Ayodele Prime, Ayodele Alpha System, Neuvoian Galaxy

I blink twice and realize I’m standing in the open snow covered plain while the Sentinel Mech and the four Sentinels are bearing down on me. “Heh.” I press the green button on the left-hand side of Ayodele’s Balance and take aim at the Sentinel Mech. My eyes widen when a red ball of plasma roars from the barrel and strikes the Sentinel Mech, sending it into a heap of metal and Pugneum.

I giggle as I turn to the Sentinels who are still firing at me, “You’re next.” I charge toward the left most Sentinel and send it to the scrap heap while my shields drop to 75%. “Wow! THIS IS AWESOME!” I smirk as I turn to the last two Sentinels and charge toward them, jumping left and right as I dodge their laser fire. I take aim at the repair drone floating above them and fire, oblivious to the slow change of my diaper’s wetness indicator from green to yellow-green which each Sentinel repair bot that I destroy.

……

Date: 18:00 45th Cycle (18:00 Hours/27:00 Hours, Cycle 45 of 368, Planet Ayodele Standard Time)

Location: 15 minutes away from Ayodele Prime Imperial Base Alpha, Planet Ayodele Prime, Ayodele Alpha System, Neuvoian Galaxy

I sigh as I scan the sunset from my starship while it lands in front of the collection of four cylindrical towers. I hop out of my starship and waddle over to the giant rectangular structure resting in the middle of the towers. Straightaway I notice the terminal jutting out of the building that’s otherwise entry-less.

I tap at the Terminal and ACCESS DENIED. DEFENSE MATRIX ACTIVE. I turn toward the four cylindrical towers that now seem to surround the structure. I smirk as I take aim at one of the towers and send it to dust and carbon molecules with my Plasma Launcher. I swallow a lump in my throat and glance to Ayodele’s Balance.

I sigh with relief when I see Overdrive isn’t active, “Well, I guess these Sentinel nests are just really easy to destroy.” I giggle as I take out the remaining cylindrical towers and waddle over to the Terminal. I tap at the screen and POWER NODES EXPOSED. STATUS: VULNERABLE.

I tap at the screen again and a menu appears: 📒Read Logs | ⚔Extract Weapons Technology. I tilt my head, “Weapons Technology? I don’t need it.” I tap 📒Read Logs and my eyes widen at the readout.

SENTINELS. GUARDIANS AGAINST ANOLOMIES. SERVENTS OF ATLAS. PURSUE ANOMOLY. SENTINELS HAVE DISCOVERED. POWERFUL TODDLER. AYODELE PRIME…UNKNOWN WORLD…TRADING ACTIVE…SENTINEL PRESENCE ERASED. ADVISEMENT. AVOID TODDLER AND AYODELE PRIME.

“Well…I guess that takes care of the Sentinels.” I waddle over to my starship and within seconds of hopping inside, my starship communicator is beeping at me. I activate it and smile when Overseer Drogra’s hologram appears on the screen, “Hi Overseer Drogra! I defeated the Sentinels.”

Overseer Drogra smiles and snaps his fingers, “That’s good. Come on home now, it’s dinner time.”

“YAY!” I press the boost button and swing my legs whilst my ATC Cruisers diaper crinkles as I fly away from the destroyed Sentinel Nest.

……

Date: 19:16 45th Cycle (19:16 Hours/27:00 Hours, Cycle 45 of 368, Planet Ayodele Standard Time)

Location: Ayodele Prime Imperial Base Alpha, Planet Ayodele Prime, Ayodele Alpha System, Neuvoian Galaxy

I giggle as I devour the purple steak and Happy Tree Fruit slices. I turn to Overseer Drogra and Farmer Kriptu with a smile as they sit across from me, “So…what have you guys been doing since I was hunting the Sentinels?”

Farmer Kriptu smiles as he finishes off his fruit slices, “I discovered a new dish that can be made from combining the Solar Vine, the Gutrot flower, and the purple steak.”

I jump down from my seat, sending my empty plate into the air, “Really?”

Brian chuckles as he catches my empty plate and sits it under his own, “Calm down, Stacey. I tried it out, it was really good.”

Ensign Hapoton nods as he rises from the living room table, “Yes, Farmer Kriptu has outdone himself with this dish.” He turns to the Faenus farmer, “What do you call this glorious dish?”

“Well, the meat is cut into small pieces and the Gutrot petals and solar vine leaves are the vegetables of the meal.” Farmer Kriptu swings his legs as his smile radiates between all of us, “Then you’ve got the solar vine’s sweet nectar juices as the soup. I call it Solar Flower Stew.”

……

I giggle as I watch the farmer Faenus and Pra'Elia Weapons Master chatter about how good the farmer’s planting has become since he came to my home. It’s been a great experience if I do say so. I yawn seconds later, breaking me of my thoughts.

Overseer Drogra walks over to me and ruffles my hair while everyone else begins leaving for their respective room, “I guess you’re ready for bed, Stacey?”

I rub my eyes and smile toward Overseer Drogra, “Yeah.” I dart my eyes across the empty living room and chuckle as Overseer Drogra lifts me into his arms, “Brian’s asleep already too?”

“Actually,” Overseer Drogra walks into my shared bedroom and lays me down on my bed, “he’s chatting with the Alvus Scientist about the Intergalactic Terminus last I heard.”

“Oh…” I rub my eyes as Overseer Drogra unfastens my wet diaper and lifts my legs to slide it away, “Scientist Uzlovsk doesn’t eat like we do.” I rub my chin as Overseer Drogra works on getting me dry whilst tossing the wipes into my old diaper, “How does he…”

Overseer Drogra chuckles as he tosses the last wipe into my old diaper and lowers my legs so he can roll the diaper into a ball, “He’s a living entity with a core that connects him to others. In normal cases this would be the Alvus Hivemind.”

Overseer Drogra tosses the old diaper into the air for it to be converted into Carbon and grabs the fresh diaper, “In our case though,” He lifts my legs with his left hand and slides the new diaper under me, “he gains his energy through contact with us. If that makes sense.”

I nod as Overseer Drogra powders my uplifted bottom, “So we being a family provides him with an artificial Hivemind from which to draw energy.”

Overseer Drogra sets the powder down and brings the circle decorated shell up to my belly, “Exactly. You’re a smart toddler, Stacey.”

I giggle and smile toward Overseer Drogra as he tapes the new diaper snug around my waist, “I may be a toddler, but I’m the smartest one in the galaxy.” When Overseer Drogra pats the front of my fresh diaper, I kick my legs and smile as my fresh diaper crinkles, “Thanks for the change.”

Overseer Drogra smiles down at me as he sanitizes his hands, “You’re welcome, Stacey.” With his hands clean, he returns my changing supplies to the drawer at the foot of my bed. “Now,” He walks over to the right-hand side of my bed and runs his hand through my hair, “it’s bedtime.”

I blink my sleepy eyes and jump in my bed, “Aww...Really?”

Overseer Drogra nods as he boops my nose and tucks me back in, “Yes, really.”

I yawn and my eyes droop as I scan Overseer Drogra, “I’m so happy to have you all as my family. Thanks for agreeing to be here for me.”

Overseer Drogra kisses my forehead and smiles when I shut my eyes, “It’s no problem, Stacey. We’re your family. Farmer Kriptu, Ensign Hapoton, Scientist Uzlovsk, Brian, and myself. We’ll be here for you always.” Overseer Drogra yawns as he watches me fall into a peaceful sleep, “Have a good night.” Once he’s secure in my slumber, he heads toward the Maintenance Wing bedrooms to sleep for the night.