Page 71 of War on Whimsy (Space Brigade 3)

"Horses?" said the princess. "Where did you get horses from?"

"It's not horses," said Nicola. "It's Katie's musical platoon. It's actually drums."

"No, they're real! Look! It's a whole army!"

Thousands of soldiers on horseback were galloping over the ridge of the mountains toward the valley below. The soldiers wore scarlet coats over white pants. They carried bayonets that caught the light. The horses were fine-looking creatures with black shiny coats. It was an amazing and terrifying scene. Blood-curdling cries rang out across the mountain.

"Chaa-aaarge! "

"We will never surrender until we beat the offender! "

"There is nothing flimsy about the soldiers of Whimsy!"

"Where did you get a real army from?" marveled the princess.

"It's not real," said Nicola, although she could hardly believe it wasn't real herself. "That's a painting by Henry Sweet's platoon. They've got a huge canvas up there and they're shaking it to make it look like they're moving."

"But they're real voices!"

"They're actors," said Nicola. "It's Sean's theatrical platoon. They're reading a script by Greta's writers and poets. This is a show. A huge show by the people of Whimsy."

Nicola picked up the radio again. "Shimlara? Are they falling for it?"

Shimlara answered immediately.

"They're in shock! Most of their minds are completely blank! Dad said one of the platoon captains just thought to himself, We're in trouble."

"You can't tell me that enormous tank isn't real!" said the princess in disbelief.

A massive black tank appeared on the crest of the mountain. It was about twenty times the size of the Volcomanian tanks and seemed to black out half the sky.

"It's a sculpture," said Nicola. "Tyler designed it and the Whimsy sculptors built it."

The tank fired. The sound was deafening. The sky was illuminated with shooting flames and clouds of smoke.

"Sound effects and fireworks!" yelled Nicola over the noise to the princess.

"I approve!" cried the princess, jumping with joy. "As your figurehead, I approve!"

Shimlara's gleeful voice came over the radio. "Half the soldiers are thinking about surrendering. The other half want their mothers."

Nicola took up her binoculars.

Some of the Volcomanian soldiers had dropped their weapons and were running for cover. Others were running to their own tanks.

Oh dear.

Nicola quickly picked up the radio. "Come in, Mully. Mully, come in."

Mully answered immediately, her voice clear and crisp.

"This is Mully, Nicola.The United Aunts and I are behind enemy lines and we have successfully achieved our mission objective. Over."

"You mean their tanks won't work?"

"Correct. Over."

"Wow! That's amazing! How did you do that?"