The recruitment effort was mostly successful. Dr. Octavius put the word out through his scientist network that he was alive and putting a plan into effect.  

In the meantime Zeke returned to the bandit's hideout and secured help from Daedalus, who promised to bring a few more bandits as well. 

Sarah found Timmy on a nearby street corner attempting to offer his services to passers-by, albeit more vigorously when they were attractive women. He agreed to help on the spot in an effort to impress her and promised he'd get Bobby as well. On her way back to the lab she bumped into Cuthbert, who also joined up after some slight coaxing involving getting scratched behind the ear. 

Max, in the meantime, went to a bar. After a few drinks he managed to rile up the other drunkards into a state of revolutionary frenzy. Most of them soon forgot what they were all wound up about, but a few remained loyal to the cause.  

Shortly before sunset a small, ragged band of creatures had assembled in Dr. Octavius' lab. They talked amongst themselves in hushed tones before the good doctor stood up to speak. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As I'm sure you're all aware, Trevor Mastodon intends to make some sort of announcement at City Hall in about an hour. We don't know exactly what he's going to say but we suspect he's going to make some sort of grab for power and I'm sure you can imagine the horrors of the sort of fascist regime he would institute. It appears it's up to us to stop this from happening. To that end, I've managed to procure some arms." He pulled out a big cardboard box and began to hand out what appeared to be machine guns. 

"All right!" Max shouted eagerly. "Heavy artillery! You got bullet clips for us?" 

"I'm afraid these don't shoot bullets," Dr. Octavius said. 

"What, are they some sort of high tech laser guns?" Max scratched his head. 

"No, not exactly," Dr. Octavius replied. "Allow me to demonstrate." He pointed the gun upwards and pulled the trigger. A spring with an oversized boxing glove attached to the end of it popped out. 

"That's what we have to fight Trevor Mastodon?" Max asked disappointedly. 

"They may not look like much, but I assure you they pack quite the wallop. Now we'll need to conceal these so I'll also be providing each of you with these fashionable flower-patterned shopping bags." He pulled out another box and began distributing the bags. 

As they passed around the room there was a light knock on the door. Max leaped up and opened it a crack. "What's the password?" 

"Uh, gee, I don't know," a voice said from the other side. "Flounder soufflé?"  

"Good enough," Max shrugged as he opened the door. Bobby entered accompanied by a female panda bear. 

"Hi Bobby," Sarah smiled. "Glad you could make it." 

"Hi everyone," Bobby said sheepishly. "Sorry I'm late. I got my hand stuck in a jar of anchovies." 

"It's okay, we were just getting started," Sarah said. "Who's your friend?" 

"Oh, this is my new girlfriend, Cindy," Bobby said. "You remember Cindy, don't you Max? The head guard from the city wall?" 

"Indeed I do," he said as he puffed out his chest. "And I can't believe you would compromise the cause by bringing this woman here. It's obvious she's working for them. Well, that's it. Our cover's blown now." 

"No, I want to help out," Cindy said. "I hate Trevor Mastodon as much as anyone. What can I do?" 

"Just keep your cool and don't freak out in the heat of battle," Max said suspiciously. "I know how chicks get. Women are just plain bad luck when it comes to important military operations." 

"Hey!" Sarah punched him in the arm. 

"Sorry, toots, but it's true. In fact, you women should probably just stay here and get dinner prepared for us men-folk for when we get back from the fighting." 

Sarah grabbed him by his shirt collar and shoved him up against the wall. "You're lucky we have a common enemy or you'd be in a world of hurt right now, toad. As it is I'll smack the living daylights out of you if you make another derogatory comment about women." 

"Still got that feisty quality, eh? That's what I love about you. All right, well if it makes you feel better to pretend that we're 'equal' I'll humor you." 

She released her grip and went to grab two chairs for Bobby and Cindy. Max exchanged glances with Zeke as he straightened out his shirt. "Chicks," he muttered under his breath and rolled his eyes. 

"People, please," Dr. Octavius said trying to restore order. "We don't have much time. Now there will likely be a large crowd assembled to hear the announcement, so we should be able to scatter ourselves strategically throughout it. Our greatest advantage will be the element of surprise. At the proper moment I'll pretend to sneeze. That'll be the signal to attack from all sides. Hopefully we can take out Trevor Mastodon and his goons before they know what hit them. From here on out I'll be in my 'Juan' persona to avoid detection." He pulled on his customary disguise of a bright blue Afro wig and oversized sunglasses. "Onward to City Hall!" he shouted and led the march out the door.