Excerpt Six

“Then it is settled,” said Tahu. “We will enter the cavern at dawn and defeat any Nui-Jaga we may find. Onua, Pohatu, it will be your job to seal up the nest when we are done. Lewa, you remain outside in the treetops to hinder any of the Rahi who may escape. Gali will…”

“Gali will protest,” said the Toa of Water. “This matter is not settled. This plan is foolish and dangerous. The Nui-Jaga dislike smoke… they dislike water… using our powers, Tahu, we could force them from their nest and deal with them here in the open. Instead, you want to plunge in like a starving Taku bird after a fish.”

“That is enough!” Tahu snapped.

“Perhaps wise Gali has a point, brother,” Onua said quietly. “We do not know how far the cavern extends, or even if Nui-Jaga are all that we shall find in there.”

“You worry too much, Onua,” Pohatu interjected. “We can handle Makuta’s beasts in any numbers, can’t we?”

Lewa turned to Kopaka, who stood apart from the group. “You’re very quiet… what do you think?”

Kopaka turned and walked away from the assembled group. “I think… that ‘Charge!’ is not a plan.”