Week 5: Sabotage Salvo

The twin suns of Korax Prime beat down mercilessly on the barren landscape as the Relay Roundup reached its midpoint. Jet Masterson gritted his teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped Nova's reins. The stegosaurus surged forward, her iridescent scales shimmering with cosmic energy as they navigated the treacherous canyon course.

Suddenly, a flash of movement caught Jet's eye. A massive boulder, dislodged from the canyon wall, hurtled towards them on a collision course. Jet yanked hard on the reins, barely managing to guide Nova out of harm's way as the boulder crashed down behind them, sending up a cloud of dust and debris.

"That was no accident," Jet muttered, his heart pounding. The sabotage attempts were escalating, and he knew he had to act fast before someone got seriously hurt.

As they approached the next relay point, Malachi Vazquez and his majestic Celestial Ceratops came into view. The cosmic blue cybernetics of the Ceratops glowed softly, the constellations on its frill shimmering with ancient wisdom. Malachi raised a hand in greeting, his warm smile a beacon of calm amidst the chaos.

"Jet, I'm glad I caught you," Malachi said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to talk. Lina and I have been doing some digging, and we think we might have a lead on who's behind these 'accidents.'"

Jet nodded grimly. "Let me guess. Nero Saurex and his Marauders."

Malachi's expression darkened. "It's worse than we thought. Lina discovered a message that hints at a mole within the Brigade. Someone's been feeding information to the Marauders."

Jet felt a chill run down his spine. The thought of a traitor in their midst was almost too much to bear. "We need to get to the bottom of this, fast. The Roundup is our chance to prove that the Nova Brigade's way is the right way. We can't let Nero and his goons destroy everything we've worked for."

Malachi placed a comforting hand on Jet's shoulder, the Celestial Ceratops nuzzling Nova gently. "Remember, Jet, our strength comes from our bond, not just with our dino partners, but with each other. The Brigade will weather this storm, as long as we stand united."

Jet took a deep breath, drawing strength from Malachi's unwavering faith. "You're right. We'll find the mole and stop the Marauders, together."

As if on cue, a sleek black shape streaked across the sky, the telltale glint of Nero's illegal augmentations flashing in the sunlight. The Marauder leader landed in front of them, his face twisted in a sneer.

"Well, if it isn't the Nova Brigade's shining stars," Nero drawled, his tone dripping with contempt. "You rookies really think you have what it takes to beat us? Your little cosmic light show is no match for real power."

Malachi stepped forward, the Celestial Ceratops' horns glowing with an ethereal light. "Real power comes from the heart, Nero, not from illegal tech. The Nova Brigade will always stand for what's right, no matter the odds."

Nero barked out a harsh laugh. "We'll see about that. The Marauders will crush you, one way or another. I'll make sure of it."

With that, Nero spurred his mount forward, disappearing into the canyon depths. Jet and Malachi exchanged a determined look, their resolve hardened by the encounter.

The final leg of the relay was a blur of adrenaline and sheer grit. The Nova Brigade fought tooth and nail, their cosmic dino partners working in perfect synch to navigate the treacherous terrain. Malachi and the Celestial Ceratops led the charge, the dinosaur's star-metal horns deflecting the Marauders' attempts at sabotage.

In the end, it was Nova's incredible speed and Jet's unwavering trust in their bond that clinched the victory. They crossed the finish line a mere hair's breadth ahead of Nero, the crowd erupting into deafening cheers.

As the dust settled, Jett Novak's voice crackled over the comms, pride evident in every word. "Incredible performance by the Nova Brigade, folks. Malachi and that Celestial Ceratops of his continue to inspire, leading by example and proving that honor and heart can triumph over underhanded tactics. This is a turning point in the fight against Nero and his Marauders, mark my words."

Jet couldn't help but grin as Nova let out a triumphant bellow. They had won the battle, but the war was far from over. With a mole in their midst and Nero growing more desperate by the day, the Brigade would need every ounce of cosmic courage they could muster.

But for now, in this moment of hard-earned victory, none of that mattered. The Nova Brigade stood tall, united by an unbreakable bond and a shared vision of a better future. As long as they had each other, Jet knew they could face any challenge the universe saw fit to throw their way.

The stars themselves seemed to shine a little brighter as the Relay Roundup drew to a close, a celestial testament to the power of the Nova Brigade's resolve. The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was crystal clear: the rookies were rising, and the Marauders' days were numbered.