Road Rovers: Reich of Franco

Episode 4: Alpine Adventure

By Gerhard Naudé

Striker, Franco, Norwood, Tesla, Stalker, Trigger, Champion, Diehard and
all others related to the KH Military © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners.
Shankar, Nomad, Fortus, Hildagarde © Robert Baer Jr.

Any question, comments, complaints, feedback or suggestions can be
sent to gnaude_@hotmail.com.

Stalker's Office
KH Military Headquarters
7 April 1980
4:33 PM:

There is a small meeting going with the various Squadron Generals of the
KH Military: Stalker, Trigger, Nomad and Shankar are busy talking among
themselves. Nomad is Grey Wolf wolf-sapien who stands at 7 foot 2. He has
gray fur and green eyes. He wears a crescent moon pin on his uniform as
a symbol of his origins (Algeria). Shankar is a Grey Wolf wolf-sapien
who stands at 6 foot 10. His fur is grey, but has several 'burnt' patches
he got while in Khmer in India.  His left paw (arm) was badly damaged in
the war, he has a metal hook on the end of it instead of a hand.

Nomad:"The Supreme General is going to have our heads if we do not do
       something about that EDF cocker spaniel!"

Stalker:"Calm down, for goodness sake. It hasn't come to that, yet. We
         are still delivering the warheads on schedule."

Trigger:"True. And despite their raids, the EDF has been unable to slow
         our stockpiling of nuclear weapons to Frazakastan. H***, they
         do not even know we have Frazakastan under our control."

Shankar:"That is true. As long as they do not where the warheads are
         going, we do not have to worry of becoming lunch for Franco's 
         piranhas."

Nomad:"You are all becoming too secure. Before we know it, Striker will
       have the EDF crawling all over us in Frazakastan."

Stalker:"Nomad is right. Striker is only a minor flea bite, but even a
         flea bite can become a problem after a while. Also, the
         Supreme General wants him dead ASAP, especially after he
         managed to destroy the warheads held by Francisco Ortega."

Nomad:"We should have killed Ortega long ago before this slip up."

Shankar:"Then were we to move the warheads out of the Americas? Oqulus
         only stole them, not transport them. Besides, Ortega is
         Malcolm's financial aide so we cannot touch him."

Nomad leans back in his char, fuming and mumbling something.

Trigger:"Now, now. Let's not talk about that incident. It's done.
         Nothing more can be done about it."
  
Shankar:"Very true."

Stalker:"Yes. Besides, we have another... um... problem on our paws."

Shankar:"Problem?"

Stalker:"Yes. Diehard has thought up a plan to destroy Striker once and
         for all."

Everyone in the room groans, even Nomad.

Trigger:"Perfect. As if the last plan did not mess things up enough."

Nomad:"That I have to agree with. Letting the EDF capture our largest
       nuclear weapons hold in Cuba still lingers among the troops."

Stalker:"However bleak this sounds, there could be a possible advantage
         in this for us."

Shankar:"What's that, sir?"

Stalker:"Franco says that if the plan fails, then the wolf overseeing
         operation will answer it with his head. On the positive side is
         that we can send anyone whom we think will do well."

Trigger:"And who will be the unfortunate one?"

There is a short pause before Stalker speaks, grinning as he does.

Stalker:"Fortus Esquire, my Second-in-Command."

Everyone else around the table "Ah's" when they hear it.

Nomad:"A perfect choice, sir."

Shankar:"I agree with Nomad, sir."

Trigger:"So do I. He's going to oversee this operation?"

Stalker:"Yes. He will try and have Striker killed in this latest attempt.
         The plan is to lure Striker to one of our nuclear waypoints in 
         the Alps and into a death trap."

Shankar:"Do you think Fortus will succeed?"

Stalker:"Actually, I am hoping he fails and lets Striker escape. That
         way Franco will have him fed to the piranhas. Also, no one
         will miss him."

Nomad:"Very true. His 'my-way-or-the-highway' attitude can really
       annoy me to the point of making me give up my rank and blow
       his brains out."

Shankar:"He also drives any troops unfortunate to be under his command
         hard to achieve maximum results. I tell you all now, if he
         is executed, there will be a huge party around here."

Stalker:"And it will also help me get him off our backs. You know how
         he spies on us for Franco."

Trigger:"Indeed. This is the one time I will be supporting Striker
         instead of our own troops."

Everyone but Nomad chuckle.

Throne Room
At that moment:

Franco is still sitting here, flanked by Diehard and Champion. He is
looking down at the two figures at the bottom before him: Tesla and
Hildagarde, Tesla's assistant. Tesla still looks the way he would
twenty years later. Hildagarde is a Swiss Red Wolf wolf-sapien who
stands at 5 foot 6, has red and black fur with streaks of white in
it. She is wearing khaki battle fatigues beneath her lab coat.

Tesla:"But sir! The base is where the blueprints of the Colossus
       Tank is being held! What will happen if the EDF manage to 
       discover it?"

Hildagarde:"Years of research will be ruined, sir."

Franco:"That is YOUR problem. You go and get the plans. If the EDF
        get the plans, then you will have to answer for your actions."

Both Tesla and Hildagarde are shocked.

Tesla:"Ourselves? Sir, we will be thrown into the line of fire! If we
       are killed or captured it will be a serious blow for the KH
       Military!"

Franco:"If you two fail I will be the one doing the killing. WITH MY
        BARE PAWS!!!"

Hildagarde jumps in fright and clings to Tesla, who is somewhat surprised
at her action for a moment. He then regains his composure

Tesla:"We understand, sir. Hildagarde and I will promise to bring the
       blueprints back intact."

Franco:"What are you waiting for, then? LEAVE!!!"

The two wolf scientists waste no time in reacting and quickly run down
the bridge out the throne room. Champion chuckles as they do.

Champion:"Them scientists. Always the cowards."

Franco:"I sometimes think the entire KH Military is full of them. I 
        wish I could bring them all into a small tub and grind them for
        fresh meat."

Champion:"No such tub exists that is big enough for them, sir. Besides
          it might not be messy enough. Cowards don't have much guts."

Franco:"True. Still, it would be a sight worth seeing."

He smiles wickedly.

Norwood's Office
EDF Headquarters
19 April 1980
8:00 AM:

Norwood is seated here, reading over yet another report. Striker then
enters the office and sits on the chair. Norwood looks up, smiling, but
then he sees Striker is a bit depressed.

Norwood:"What's wrong, Striker?"

Striker:"I noticed that, being the only cano-sapien member of the Earth
         Defence Force, has several drawbacks. Every time I walk past
         another member they seen to be avoiding me as if I am the
         plague. Several times I tried to talk to some of the women,
         but they walk away every time I approach them."

Norwood thinks for a moment about this.

Norwood:"I can understand your situation to a degree. You are vastly
         different from the others. We had racial problems before, but
         that was basically based on skin colour. You have fur that
         covers your entire body."

Striker:"And that changes the whole idea of racial discrimination."

Norwood:"Indeed it does. I will raise this issue at the next EDF
         commander's meeting on your behalf."

Striker:"Dankie, Meneer."

Norwood frowns.

Norwood:"I wish you would stop calling me 'meneer'. You can call me Mark."

Striker:"Sorry, Mark."

Norwood smiles.

Norwood:"Very good. Now, onto more serious matters."

He pushes a button on the desk and a hologram of Switzerland appears with
a red dot in the mountains.

Norwood:"Our satellites recently picked up this KH Military base deep in
         the Alps. From the readings we got it seems to be a waypoint for
         the nuclear warhead smuggling chain. It is also a research lab
         for new weaponry and upgrades."

He pushes another button. The image of Fortus appears on the hologram.
He is a male Timber Wolf wolf-sapien who stands at 7 foot 5, has black
and grey fur and blue eyes. He wears a metal breastplate and beret.

Norwood:"This fellow here is the latest addition to our profile files.
         He is Fortus Esquire and he is General Stalker's second-in-
         command. I would tell you about his demeanour, but it all sums
         up to the fact that he is a wolf who thinks he is superior to
         everyone else except Stalker and Franco."

Striker:"He must not be very popular among the men he commands."

Norwood:"Definitely. He would drive all under his command to breaking
         point to get maximum results."

Striker:"Much like our instructors."

Norwood chuckles.

Norwood:"Yes, only a bit more worse. Still, he is quite strong and smart.
         Also, he is as good a marksman as you are."

Striker:"I guess we will find out who is the better marksman when we
         confront each other."

Norwood:"That is, if he doesn't make a pin-cushion of you first with his
         daggers. He is quite good at that. Still, I think you will best
         him when you two finally meet."

Striker:"What are my objectives?"

Norwood:"Your primary objective is to destroy the nuclear warheads that
         are held there and destroy the installation. Your secondary
         objective is to steal any research papers that has any kind of
         value and try to find out where are the warheads being sent to
         after this 'waypoint'."

Striker:"Yes, si... Mark."

Norwood smiles.

Norwood:"Good. Now, go get your needed equipment from Hack and leave for
         Switzerland. Don't worry about any witnesses. This is a remote
         facility that are beyond any curious eyes. Good luck."

Striker nods and leaves the office.

Alpine Base
Switzerland
10:22 AM:

This is a large, silver-colour base deep in the mountains. Guard towers
built into the base look over it and the surrounding area while KH
soldiers patrol the ramparts. At key points are missile launchers to
protect the base from the only means of making a direct attack: air
assault. Atop one structure is a large satellite dish along with a radar
dish while on another is the KH flag. A French Puma transport helicopter
appears from behind some mountains, flies to the base and lands on the
helipad. The Puma opens and three figures appear from the helicopter,
surrounded by KH soldiers. They enter the base.

Command Center
10:25 AM:

This is a large square room with windows all around the room, looking
over the base. Control panels and computers litter the room and a flight
of stairs in the middle leads down to the base. Technicians, soldiers 
and commanders are here going to and fro. Just then Fortus, Tesla and
Hildagarde appear from the stairs. Everyone else stops what they are
doing and salutes. Fortus looks at them, speaking in an American
accent.

Fortus:"What are you all looking at? Back to work!"

Everyone stops saluting and continues working. Fortus, Tesla and Hilda-
garde walk to a control panel with a large unoccupied chair by one of
the windows. Fortus sits down at the chair.

Fortus:"Now all I need to do is wait for Striker to appear and I will
        kill him. Easy as that."

Hildagarde(to herself):"Same remark again."

Fortus looks sternly at Hildagarde.

Fortus:"What's that?"

Hildagarde:"Oh! Nothing, sir."

Fortus:"You had better watch yourself, Hildagarde. I will have you
        reported to Franco for such remarks, especially if it has to do
        with me."

Hildagarde whimpers slightly, but Tesla steps in.

Tesla::"Sir. I would suggest that you might need to keep Striker away
        from us and the research facility, otherwise he will kill us and 
        capture our plans for the Colossus Tank."

Fortus "bah's!" Telsa's remark.

Fortus:"He's just a little ant compared to me. I will easily best him at
        anything."

Tesla:"I hope so, sir. For your sake, that is. Remember: if you fail here
       Franco will feed you to his piranhas."

Fortus:"I WILL NOT fail. I will kill Striker and make the KH Military
        safe from the Earth Defence Force."

Tesla:"I certainly hope so, for YOUR sake."

Fortus:"Why, thank you. Now get lost."

Tesla:"Yes, sir."

Tesla and Hildagarde walk away from Fortus and down the stairs. Tesla
looks at Hildagarde.

Telsa:"Actually I hope so for OUR sake, Hildagarde."

Hildagarde:"You're worried that Striker might kill us?"

Telsa:"Yes, and the fact that Fortus might not fail so that Franco can
       kill him."

Hildagarde giggles.

Hildagarde:"That I cannot complain about."

They continue down the stairs.

Ridge:
10:31 AM:

This is a flat, rocky outcropping not far from the base covered with
snow. A small heap of snow lies next to a shrub. Upon VERY closer
look the heap is actually Striker wearing a EDF snow uniform that
mixes with its surroundings perfectly. Striker is busy looking through
some binoculars at a helipad near a door marked "STORAGE A". A crate
marked "SS-18 WARHEADS" is being lifted with ropes by a another Puma
helicopters. The Puma then flies away eastwards with Striker watching
it.

Striker:"Eastwards. At least that provides some clues to where these
         warheads are going. Though I need to find something that 
         would tell me where in the east is it going."

He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head.

Striker:"Nee. Not even the Soviet Union would be mad enough to support
         Franco."

He then looks back up at the helipad. He sees a number of soldiers
standing guard. Just then another soldier appears, tells something to
all of the guards, then heads back along with most of the guards. The
other guards resume guarding. Striker grins.

Striker:"Perfect. Too few guards now to provide a serious obstacle."

He begins to belly-crawl towards the helipad, keeping a close eye
on the guards that still remain. He succeeds to crawl up to the side
of the pad, then goes along the sides where the snow still lay until
he reaches the wall. He gets up and his uniform suddenly matches
the colour of the wall. He pulls the hood over and hugs the wall as
he inches his way towards the open door. Once he reaches the door
he peers around the corner to look for any hostiles. Once he sees
the coast is clear he slips in. Just as he disappears from view the
guards turn to look where Striker had gone in.

Guard 1:"He's in."

Guard 2:"You know, if command didn't tell us that he would be wearing
         the EDF snow uniform that can change colours we would have
         never seen him."

Guard 3:"Still, we got him. I'll call command and inform them that
         the agent has arrived."

The guard takes out a walky-talky and radios his superiors.

Nuclear Storage Depot
10:37 AM:

This is a large, square room with doors in the center of each wall. 
Warheads are stacked on special racks or held inside marked metal
crates. Currently only one door is open. Striker appears at the open
door, cautiously looking around the depot and spots a security camera
panning back and forth across the depot.

Striker:"Hmmm. Should be easy to disable."

As the camera looks off into the opposite direction from Striker he
runs up to it and tampers with the camera. Once he is done the camera
no longer pans left or right and is just staring at the one wall.

Striker:"There. Now, to plant the C4 charges."

He approaches one of the metal crates, keeping his eyes and ears out
for trouble. He takes out some C4 and attaches them to the crate.
He then arms the C4 and moves on to another rack.

Striker:"This one is rather easy."

He stops to think.

Striker:"Then again, perhaps too easy."

He looks at the open door, then at the others. His eyes widen.

Striker:"Ai yai yai."

The one door immediately closes and the others open, revealing large
numbers of KH soldiers. Striker sees them and immediately ducks
behind a crate while the soldiers rush in, weapons ready. Behind
them is Fortus, who has a pleased look on his face. The soldiers
take their positions around the depot while Fortus calls out to
Striker.

Fortus:"Agent Striker! This is General Fortus Esquire of the KH 
        Military's Alpha Squadron! You are surrounded! Throw away 
        your weapon and come up with your paws in the air!"

While he is talking Striker digs around in his uniform and takes out
a EDF Flash Bomb. It is a plain metal ball with a single button on
it. Striker readies it in his paw, then calls out to Fortus.

Striker:"Very well, Fortus. I will do so on one condition."

Fortus:"No! I hate diplomacy! You will do as you are told!"

Striker grins and pushes the button.

Striker:"If you say so! HERE!!!"

He throws the grenade into the air. Fortus and the other soldiers
only have about enough time to identify the flying grenade when it
detonates. The intense flash from the grenade's harmless explosion
blinds Fortus and the soldiers, who immediately cover their eyes.
Striker, who had protected his eyes from the flash immediately
run past several of the still-blinded soldiers and down one of
the nearby open corridors. Fortus, however, catches a very faint
glimpse of Striker leaving. He shouts at the soldiers and points
to the corridor.

Fortus:"He's getting away, you fools! Stop him!"

The soldiers, however, are still not fully recovered and blindly
run to where (they think) Fortus is pointing. They run into the
crates, racks, the wall or into themselves. Fortus screams with
frustration.

Research Laboratory
10:45 AM:

This is a high-tech (in 1980) laboratory with many machines, experiments,
cabinets, tables with papers and other lab equipment. A single closed
door leads in and out of the room. A rectangular window looks over the
mountains. In one of walls is a ventilation shaft covered with a grate.
There is nobody visible in the lab. Suddenly a strong boot kicks the
grate off and onto the floor. Striker then climbs out of the vent into
the lab. He looks around.

Striker:"No one here, for the moment."

He walks up to the window and looks outside. He can see soldiers running
into the facility as they are called in to aid in the search for him.

Striker:"I should have seen this coming. The mission was going far too 
         easy. And now I am trapped in this facility."

He looks around the lab, then spots a table with some blueprints on it.
He grins.

Striker:"Still, while I am here I might as well see what their scientists
         have been up to."

He walks up to the table and begins to examine the blueprints. It is the
plans of the Colossus Tank.

Striker:"Hmmm. A double-barrelled tank fitted with twin SA-14 missile
         packs. Strong armour as well."

He examines it a bit more.

Striker:"A Colossus Tank. Magtig, this tank can easily best any tank
         in the world. And those missile packs will surely give it an
         edge against anti-tank helicopters and aircraft."

He rubs his chin. Unknown to him a figure is slowly creeping up behind
him.

Striker:"I better take a photo of these plans, then destroy them. The
         KH Military must not..."

A fist hits him in the back. He yelps in pain and quickly turns around
to face Hildagarde. She is holding her hunting knife in her paw.

Hildagarde:"You must be the intruder!"

Striker:"And who are you?"

Hildagarde:"I am Hildagarde, assistant to Tesla, and this..."

She motions her knife.

Hildagarde:"...is Bertha, my hunting knife. Together, we will make sure
            that you do not get those blueprints."

Striker:"Just try that."

She lounges at Striker with the knife. He barely moves out of the way
of the knife and it strikes the table. She then tries to pull it out,
but the knife is stuck in the table. Striker quickly readies his
Sonic Rifle, but Hildagarde, seeing this, quickly jumps at Striker,
tackling him to the ground. They both then begin to struggle. 
Hildagarde manages to pin Striker to the ground while she punches
him in the face. Striker tries to force her off, but she keeps her
grip on him with her legs. He then tries to go for his pistol, but
her punching prevents Striker from reaching it.

Voice:"Hildagarde! What are you doing?"

Hildagarde looks up to see Tesla standing by the door, confused. Tesla
cannot see Striker, but he can see Hildagarde.

Hildagarde:"Tesla!"

Tesla:"My girl, what on earth are you doing?"

Before she can reply Striker quickly takes out his pistols, gets up
and behind Hildagarde and holds his pistol to her head. Tesla is now
shocked.

Tesla:"Striker!"

Striker:"So you are Tesla, the chief KH Military scientist."

Tesla:"Well informed, aren't you?"

Hildagarde tries to struggle loose, but Striker has a good grip over
her this time. He pushes the pistol nose closes to her head and she
stops. Striker looks at her.

Striker:"Keep struggling if you want a hole in your head."

He then looks over to the plans. Tesla notices this.

Tesla:"If you think you are going to steal those blueprints you are
       dreadfully wrong."

Striker:"I will. And I will escape with them."

Tesla:"That is what you think."

Tesla produces a lit match and throws it onto the plans. The paper
catches fire and begins to burn. Striker looks at Tesla, who is
smiling in triumph.

Tesla:"As you can see, I am willing to destroy the plans rather than
       letting you take them."

Striker:"You are as intelligent as they say you are, Tesla. I admire
         that."

Tesla:"Why, thank you."

Striker:"Still, I can shoot and kill you along with Miss Hildagarde 
         here."

Striker then hears the sound of soldiers running through the corridors
towards the lab. Tesla hears them too.

Tesla:"You will not escape this facility alive."

The soldiers appear, spot Striker and aim their weapons at them. Tesla
warns them.

Tesla:"Don't shoot! He has Hildagarde as a hostage!"

The soldiers do as they are told and do not fire, but they still keep
their aim on him. Fortus then enters the lab as well and spots Striker.
He smiles.

Fortus:"Well, well, well! I've finally caught the rat. You are quite a
        slippery one. I was beginning I would never catch you."

Striker:"You never will, Fortus."

Fortus:"Clever to the end."

Fortus signals the soldiers.

Fortus:"Ready?"

Soldiers:"Ready!"

Both Tesla and Hildagarde looks shocked at Fortus. Fortus lifts his one 
paw.

Fortus:"Aim!"

The soldiers who haven't gotten the proper aim find them. Tesla quickly
moves up to Fortus, who is about to shout the final order.

Fortus:"F..."

Before he can finish the command Telsa closes his muzzle shut with his
paws. Fortus looks at Tesla while Hildagarde breathes a sigh of relief.

Fortus:"What are you doing?"

Tesla:"You cannot just open fire like this. The odds of you killing
       Hildagarde are 99,8%."

Fortus:"So what? A casualty of war."

Tesla:"This is not war. Besides, how will the Supreme General react 
       when he hears that you have killed my assistant in friendly
       fire incident?"

This makes Fortus think for a moment, then he sighs and looks back at
Tesla.

Fortus:"You're lucky that I'm listening to you now."

Tesla:"That is because I have the intelligence you lack."

Fortus frowns.

Fortus:"Oh, very funny."

As they talk Striker forces Hildagarde to move with him towards the
door. The soldiers' aim follow them, but they do not open fire. Fortus
and Tesla then see what is going on.

Fortus:"And where do you think you are going?"

Striker:"I am leaving. Where do you think I am going?"

Fortus:"I don't think so. Sol..."

Tesla clamps his muzzle shut again.

Tesla:"Did you forget what I just said?"

He lets go of Fortus' muzzle. He glances annoyed at Tesla.

Fortus:"I cannot just let him walk out of the facility without me
        offering resistance."

Tesla:"He cannot walk like this forever. Sooner or later he will trap
       himself to a point where he will have to let go of Hildagarde
       to escape. Then we can kill him as he tries to escape."

Fortus thinks for a moment, then smiles.

Fortus:"Yes. That is a great idea of mine."

Tesla rolls his eyes. Fortus talks to the soldiers while Striker 
continues walking and holding his pistol to Hildagarde's head.

Fortus:"Follow him, but don't open fire until he has let go of the
        scientist. And make sure you kill him, understood?"

Soldiers:"Sir, yes sir!"

Fortus smiles. As Striker and Hildagarde leave the lab the soldiers
follow at a respectful distance, their rifles still aimed at Striker.
Tesla is the last remaining. Before he leaves he spots Striker's
Sonic Rifle lying on the floor, burnt to a cinder. He sighs.

Tesla:"Automatic destruction. The EDF never allows their weapons to
       fall into our hands. Pity. They are very powerful weapons
       compared to ours."

He then walks over to the table with the burnt blueprints and pulls 
out Hildagarde's knife.

Vehicle Hangar
10:55 AM:

This is a large area filled with snowmobiles, Huey helicopters, Harrier
jets, specially-modified snowboards for the mountains along with stacks
of ammo crates and fuel drums. Two large doors lead out onto a tarmac
and the snow-covered mountain slopes. Striker, still holding Hildagarde,
enters the hangar, closely followed by dozens of soldiers with their
AK-47's still pointed at him. Fortus and Tesla follow in after the
soldiers while more soldiers appear at the two doors. Striker keeps
walking until he is finally forced up against a wall and surrounded by
soldiers.

Striker(to himself):"Ai yai yai. This is not good."

Fortus smiles and looks at Tesla.

Fortus:"You see? I have forced him to a dead end. Now he will have to
        surrender to me."

Tesla:"I'm not so sure he will surrender without resistance. Cornered
       individuals can often do desperate things."

Fortus:"Like what? Shoot at me? He will be gunned down before he can
        fire a single shot."

Tesla:"And of Hildagarde?"

Fortus:"Well, her life is of no concern to me. Besides, she might even
        survive the hail of bullets if she can move away from Striker."

Tesla:"I will admit the chance of her surviving is not bad, the chance
       of her not getting killed is not good either."

Fortus:"Then I will just wait this one out. Striker can stand here for
        a while, and my soldiers can stand longer than that. He will
        soon tire and then I will strike."

Striker catches sight of the snowboards from the corner of his eye.
They are against the wall a few feet away from him. He then looks at
the stacked ammo and fuel drums, then gets an idea. He looks at Fortus
and Tesla.

Striker:"Do you want Miss Hildagarde alive?"

Tesla:"Yes."

Fortus:"Not really. I..."

Tesla elbows him in his side, he grunts slightly as Tesla whispers into
his ear.

Tesla(whisper):"Remember what I said about Franco."

Fortus grumbles, then looks at Striker.

Fortus:"On second thoughts, perhaps I do need her alive."

Striker smiles.

Striker:"Very well. HERE!!!"

He pushes Hildagarde very hard away from him into a group of soldiers
in front of him. The soldiers are knocked off their feet as she crashes
into them. Some of the falling soldiers accidentally fire off their
rifles, sending the other soldiers (including Fortus and Tesla) ducking 
for cover. While all this is happening Striker aims his pistol at the
fuel drums and fires several shots. The bullets penetrate the thin
metal skin and ignite the fuel. The drums explode in a chain reaction
and set fire to the ammo crates. A few seconds later also begin exploding
like fireworks, keeping the KH soldiers flat on the ground or behind
any kind of cover. Striker then grabs a snowboard and runs out past the
soldiers into the open. Outside those soldiers who are on the battlements
or in towers spot Striker and open fire. Their shots fall mostly short,
but several of then pass dangerously close to Striker. The moment he
reaches the edge of the tarmac he holds the snowboard against his chest
and jumps into the air. He falls on the snow and board immediate slides
down the mountain. Striker then gets up, quickly gains his balance and
begins surfing down the mountainside. Back inside the hangar soldiers
are busy putting the fires with extinguishers while medics treat the
injured. Tesla runs up to Hildagarde and helps her up.

Tesla:"Are you all right?"

Hildagarde:"I'm fine. Thank you."

Tesla takes out the knife and holds it out to her.

Tesla:"I believe this is yours."

Hildagarde smiles widely and takes the knife.

Hildagarde:"Bertha! Oh thanks, Tessie."

Tesla becomes red with embarrassment.

Tesla:"Hildagarde. Please do not call me that name in front of the
       soldiers, and especially not Fortus."

She giggles. Meanwhile Fortus was talking to the soldiers he had seen
Striker escape.

Soldier:"He jumped over onto the snow with a snowboard and surfed 
         off."

Fortus:"Idiots! Get into the Hueys and follow them! Move it!"

Fortus gathers up several soldiers and the pilots of two of the Hueys.
They all climb into the helicopters and the Hueys start up. They then
fly out the hangar after Striker. Three more soldiers wearing snow
uniforms appear, get onto their snow-mobiles and start out after Striker
as well.

Mountains
11:03 AM:

This a rocky part of the mountains covered mostly with now, but with
many rock outcroppings and gorges. Much further down the mountain one
can see the pine tree line beginning to form. Striker appears, surfing
the board with great skill, dodging the rocks.

Striker:"Good thing I left the Rhino at the end of the snowline. Such
         an escape was always a possibility."

His ears then perk up.

Striker:"Sounds like engines and rotors."

He looks behind him and sees the Hueys and snow-mobiles closing in on
him.

Striker:"Ai yai yai."

He takes out his pistol and checks the bullet holder.

Striker:"Three bullets. I have to make them count."

He looks forward again, dodging another large rock. Behind him the snow-
mobiles are also dodging the rocks with the Hueys right behind them. In
the one Huey Fortus calls out his force.

Fortus(into radio):"I want that spaniel dead before he reaches the 
      snowline! Kill him!"

Troops(over radio):"Roger!"

The snow-mobile drives accelerate and take out their AK-47's. They are
rapidly closing on Striker. Striker sees them, then spots a very rocky
part of the mountain to his right. He grins.

Striker:"Let me see if Fortus is really stupid enough to send you all
         into these rocks."

He quickly changes direction just as the drivers open fire. Their shots
miss and Striker goes in among the rocks, taking extra care not to smash
into them. The drivers just watch him go. Fortus sees this and calls the
leader.

Fortus(into radio):"What are you waiting for? After him, you fools!"

Leader(over radio):"But sir! Our vehicles cannot navigate those rocks!
      We'll be smashed to pieces!"

Fortus(into radio):"If you don't follow him he'll escape! And I will
      have you all appear before the Supreme General!"

The leader gulps.

Leader(over radio):"Copy that, sir."

The leader signals the other drivers to enter the rocks. They all gulp
and follow in among the rocks. Striker continues navigation the rocks
as the snow-mobiles enter the rocks. The third snowmobile immediately
skids on a slippery rock surface and crashes into a boulder. The snow-
mobile explodes sending the driver of it flying into the rocks. His
rifle flies down the mountain towards Striker. He sees the rifle and
catches it. 

Striker:"Well, this is most fortunately. And it is fully armed."

He continues surfing past the rocks, as are the snowmobiles. The 
drivers follow Striker's path to avoid the rocks and open fire with 
their rifles. Striker dodges them among the rocks and the bullets
ricochet against the rocks. He then sees a ravine among the rocks.
He judges his timing, then goes onto a rock that looks like a ramp
and flies over the ravine safely onto the other side. The two snow-
mobiles follow suit. The first one makes a perfect jump as Striker
did and lands on the other side. The second one, however, makes a
judgement error and catches the side of the "ramp". His snowmobile
corkscrews in the air, throwing the driver into the ravine. The
snow-mobile then lands hard into the rocks and breaks apart, sending
debris flying through the air as it tumbles down against the rocks.
Striker looks back and sees that only the leader is following him
now.

Striker:"Thank you, Mother Earth."

He raises his rifle at the leader and he does the same at Striker.
The both open fire at the same time. The leader's shots all miss
their intended target, but Striker's bullets all strike the leader.
He falls off the snowmobile, dead. The snowmobile then crashes into
a rock and explodes. Striker smiles, then surfs out of the rocks
back onto the clear snow. From the Huey Fortus growls in frustration.

Fortus:"Stupid fools! Why can't they do as they are ordered?"

He radios the Huey crews.

Fortus(into radio):"Close in on that mutt and open fire!"

Crews(over radio):"Roger that, sir."

The Hueys accelerate and close in on Striker, who has just heard them
coming. He looks back at them.

Striker:"Hueys. Should be easy to destroy them, if they are in the
         right position."

The Hueys flies closer to Striker until they are flying side-by-side
of Striker. On the one Huey the gunner takes aim on Striker with the
chopper's machine gun. Striker quickly aims his AK-47 at the gunner
and fires a short burst. The bullets all his their target and the
gunner falls backward into the Huey. Striker then fires at the tail
and the rotor engine. The two sections start smoking, then burst into
flames. The pilot looses control of the Huey and it falls nose-first
into the snow. The rotor blades strike the ground and break off, flying
in all directions. Striker ducks as a blade passes above his head. 
The Huey then rolls down the mountain and explodes into a fireball
as it collides with large rock outcropping. Striker dodges the
falling debris and continues surfing down the mountain. In the
other Huey Fortus screams in anger and shouts at the crew.

Fortus:"Damn that mutt! Close in and kill him!!!"

Crew:"Yes, sir."

The Huey flies closer for a better view. Striker sees this and quickly
fires again. The pilot manoeuvres the Huey from Striker, but the bullets
do their damage and strike the tail rotor. It begins to smoke and the
pilot turns to Fortus.

Pilot:"Our tail rotor's damaged, sir. If we don't turn back now we'll
       crash and get killed."

Fortus swears under his breath, looks around in the Huey and spots a
snowboard. He takes it and signals the pilot while taking out a paw-
full of daggers.

Fortus:"Bring me close enough to the ground! I'll deal with him!"

Pilot:"Yes, sir."

The Huey goes up behind Striker and flies closer to the ground. Fortus
jumps out onto the snow with the board and begins surfing towards 
Striker while the Huey flies away. He readies a dagger in his one paw
as he closes in on Striker.

Fortus:"Now we'll see who's better. Me, of course."

As he surfs closer Striker looks behind him and spots Fortus coming
towards him. He readies the rifle and aims at Fortus. Fortus quickly
throws a dagger as Striker prepares to fire. The dagger strikes the
rifle and knocks it out of Striker's paws. It falls into the snow
behind them. Striker begins digging in his uniform while Fortus takes
another dagger in his paw. As they come side-by-side (Fortus is on
Striker's left side) they point their weapons at each other. Striker 
has his pistol aimed at Fortus while Fortus has his dagger pointed at 
Striker. Fortus grins.

Fortus:"Well now. Isn't this an interesting situation? A stale-mate."

Striker:"The only thing that is stale is you, Fortus."

Fortus growls at him.

Fortus:"I will kill you."

Striker grins coldly.

Striker:"So will I, Fortus."

He then spots something from the corner of his eye. They are coming up
to the pine tree line. He then grins at Fortus.

Striker:"Watch out, Fortus. To your front."

Fortus laughs.

Fortus:"Yeah, right. I'm not falling for that one."

Striker:"Suit yourself."

Fortus continues to laugh and looks absentmindedly forward. At that
exact moment he smashes straight into a pine tree. He falls backwards
onto the snow, out cold. Striker watches him, then shakes his head and
looks forward.

Striker:"The holier-than-thou always have to run into something hard."

He continues surfing down the mountainside through the trees.

Office Building
Silicon Valley
United States Of America
12:22 PM:

This is a well-built office building in the famous microchip producing
Silicon Valley, which is still in its first few years. The office has
green laws with well-trimmed trees and a concrete walkway from the
front door to the road. Parked by the road is a blue station wagon. In
the station wagon is Isabel, busy eating some fried chips and looking
towards the office building. 

Isabel:"What is taking Will so long?"

Just then William Shepherd appears along with three executives wearing
navy-blue suits. William is holding a folder of some kind. They talk
for a while more until the one executive shakes his head. They talk a
bit more, then shake hands and say goodbye. William walks down to the
car, hanging his head. Isabel opens the door for him and he climbs
in, throwing the folder onto the backseat.

Isabel:"They didn't accept your plans?"

William:"No. I can't understand why they won't provide funding for me.
         Something like the transdogmafier will benefit mankind, as
         well as my sponsors."

He sighs.

William:"But they all just laughed and refused my plans."

Isabel takes William's hand and squeezes it.

Isabel:"It's okay, Will. I'm sure you will someone who will think the
        same way you do."

William looks at her. She is smiling at him.

Isabel:"Remember. They laughed at Leonardo Da Vinci, and today we have
        everyday devices and such based on his ideas."

William smiles.

William:"You're right. I just hope that it will happen in my lifetime."

Isabel:"I'm sure it will."

William starts the car and they drive off. Back at the office door the
executives watch the car drive off.

Executive 1:"Can you believe that guy?"

Executive 2:"Yeah. Turning dogs into superheroes. That's a good one."

The two executives laugh and head back into the office. The third
executive, however, doesn't laugh and keeps looking at the car. He then
takes out his mobile phone and dials a number. After a few rings someone
answers his call.

Executive:"Hello?... Mr Malcolm?... It's me, Rob from Silicon Valley... 
           Listen. We just had a visitor here and he had an idea that
           might interest you and your superiors..."

He begins to talk about their meeting with William Shepherd.

Norwood's Office
EDF Headquarters
2:01 PM:

Striker and Norwood are here. Striker has just finished debriefing
Norwood on his mission.

Norwood:"You were lucky. The KH Military was playing it dangerous with
         this one."

He frowns.

Norwood:"But this report of yours saying the KH Military is busy with
         the development of this 'Colossus Tank' is very disturbing.
         Are you sure about this?"

Striker:"I saw the blueprints with my own two eyes."

Norwood:"Then this new tank will best even the US Military latest
         planned battle tank, the M1 Abram Main battle tank. It might
         even be able to successfully defend itself from the US Air
         Force's new top-secret attack helicopter, the Apache."

Striker:"In other words the KH Military's technology stand is ahead
         of that of the United States."

Norwood:"But not of the EDF. However, they might catch up. Thus far
         they only have had access to mainly third world and sometimes
         even first world weaponry. This news you bring means the KH
         Military might now have the means to produce it's own, more
         powerful weaponry."

Striker:"And with Tesla, they will make weaponry that could challenge
         that of the two major superpowers: the United States and the
         Soviet Union."

Norwood:"Speaking of which, your observation of the warheads being
         taking eastwards means they might be taken into the Soviet
         Union."

Striker:"Do you think the Soviets are supporting the KH Military, Mark?"

Norwood:"No, but there might be people inside the Soviet government and
         military who could aid the KH Military in this mad scheme. If
         so, we must find out who they are and 'ask' them where are 
         the warheads are going."

He looks back at Striker.

Norwood:"For now you should take a break, Striker. I have made special
         preparations for you to go to an isolated cabin in Yellowstone 
         National Park. I know you like to be alone at times, and after
         this you deserve this. As for me, I will have to take your
         report to the EDF high command."

Striker gets up and nods at Norwood.

Striker:"Dankie, Mark."

Norwood smiles.

Norwood:"You're welcome, Striker."

Striker leaves the office and Norwood begins writing down Striker's
report.

Throne Observation Room
KH Military Headquarters
4:33 PM:

This is a small, dark room with a single large window overlooking the
throne room. Inside is Stalker, Trigger, Nomad and Shankar. They are
all looking towards the throne room. Through the window one can see
Franco still sitting on his throne with Champion by his side.

Stalker:"Let us see if Franco will keep his promise."

Shankar:"Fortus wasn't very happy, that's for sure."

Nomad:"Well, you wouldn't feel too great if you had your muzzle
       covered in bandages."

Trigger:"Here they come."

They look out to the throne room.

Throne Room:

The door on the end of the bridge has opened and in walks Fortus (with
his muzzle covered with bandages), Tesla and Hildagarde. They walk up
to the foot of the throne. Franco looks coldly at them.

Franco:"Fools. You failed in your mission and let Striker escape. Tesla!"

Tesla:"Yes, sir?"

Franco:"Did Striker see the plans?"

Tesla:"No, sir. Hildagarde set the blueprints on fire before he could
       discover it. Also, I have a copy I made at the installation."

Franco:"I see. Dismiss!"

Tesla bows, then quickly walks down the bridge and out the door. Franco
then looks at Hildagarde.

Franco:"Explain to me why you let Striker take you hostage."

Hildagarde begins to shake in fright.

Hildagarde:"Er... Sir, I was..."

Franco:"ENOUGH!!! You are pathetic! Count yourself fortunately that
        I'm tired otherwise I would have killed you right now!"

Hildagarde doesn't know how to feel.

Franco:"But you will not go unpunished. Champion!"

Champion looks at Franco.

Champion:"Sir?"

Franco:"You know what to do with HER, don't you?"

Champion grins and rubs his paws with glee.

Champion:"I certainly do, sir."

Franco:"Then do it!"

Champion turns to Hildagarde and walks down to her. She is too frightened
to move. He then grabs and flings her over his shoulder.

Champion:"Now you will find out what a wolf I really am, b****."

Hildagarde whimpers as Champion carries her out of the room. Franco then
looks at Fortus with an angry glare.

Franco:"You fouled up, Fortus. You let Striker escape!"

Fortus:"But sir..."

Franco:"And you said you could handle this!!"

Fortus:"But..."

Franco:"You are pathetic and useless!!!"

Fortus:"B..."

Franco:"SHUT UP!!! I am giving you one last chance, Fortus! Screw up again
        and I will have your internal organs served to me on a plate!"

Fortus is now feeling very meek. Franco points to the door.

Franco:"LEAVE!!!"

Fortus wastes no time and runs down the bridge. Franco then pushes a
button and the bridge disappears beneath Fortus' feet. He falls, but
manages to grab the bridge. He climbs out, then screams in pain as a
piranha grabs his tail. He runs out yelping with Franco laughing
insanely behind him.

Throne Observation Room:

It is still the same. Stalker, Trigger and Shankar are chuckling
while Nomad just remains impassive.

Trigger:"Well, it was close enough."

Stalker:"Not the result I had expected, but it was amusing, I will
         admit."

Shankar:"I hope Fortus will learn his lesson here."

Nomad:"Ha! He is an idiot. He will carry on the way he always did with
       the same vigour."

Trigger:"Perhaps."

Shankar:"Out of curiosity, what is it that Champion specialises with
         woman?"

There is a moment of silence.

Stalker:"We all know that he was a human once called Garris Falken, but
         that he has that lycanthrope disease."

Shankar:"Yes. So?"

Stalker:"Garris was a rapist."

The others then realise what Hildagarde's punishment is going to be.

Trigger:"Oh dear. Poor Hildagarde."

Shankar:"It's monstrous! One doesn't do that to females."

Nomad:"It's the Supreme General's orders, all the same."

Shankar nods.

Shankar:"As always."

Stalker:"We have to leave. Diehard will complain again if he finds us 
         just loitering around."

The others nod. They then all leave the observation room through a door
in the back. Striker had escaped the trap and has uncovered the plans
of the colossus tank. But the question of where the warheads are going
is still unanswered to the EDF. Will they find out the truth about
Frazakastan? What other new weapons does the KH Military have plans for?
And will happen to William Shepherd now that Malcolm has caught wind of
his plans for the Transdogmafier?


THE END