Road Rovers: Reich Of Franco

Episode 12: Confrontation

By Gerhard Naudé

Striker, Franco, Norwood, Diehard, Stalker, Trigger, Wolfeye, Black, 
Oqulus, Champion, Malcolm, Spectre, Ortega, Tesla and all others related 
to the KH Military © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Hildagarde, Buford Lovejoy © Robert Baer Jr.
The Today Family, Migatuas Wolf Pack © Steven Today
Thomas, Andrew and Susan Greystone, Cathy Sanders © Greg Williams
Plague © Markus Laitinen
Amour, Janne, Brind, Janae © Phillip King
Jannet, Jay & Jayson Lumpford © Eric Hunter

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

Striker's Quarters
EDF Headquarters
12 April 1983
4:00 PM:

Striker, stripped down to his shorts, is busy doing some tybo aerobic
moves in his room while keep his eyes closed. As he exercises there is
a knock on his door. Striker answers without pausing what he is doing.

Striker:"Come in."

The door opens and Norwood walks in. He is wearing a suit and matching
tie and carrying a briefcase.

Norwood:"Good to see you keeping yourself fit."

Striker:"Fit enough so that I can challenge Franco."

Norwood:"Good to hear. Listen, I have to go to the United Nations in
         New York City to attend a secret meeting. We are to discuss
         the recent 'problems' we are having within the Earth Defence
         Force as well as the instability within the KH Military's
         chain of command."

Striker:"So, you haven't yet told anyone else besides the two of us of
         the Ion Cannon and our knowledge of it, Mark?"

Norwood:"That's for certain. The last thing I want is for someone to
         come and screw the two of us up. With that leak still running
         around we cannot afford to be free with the info we had."

He looks down at his watch.

Norwood:"I have to leave, Striker. Call me only when it is absolutely
         essential, okay?"

Striker:"Reg, Mark."

Norwood:"Okay. I'll see you later, then."

Striker:"Totsiens, Mark."

Norwood walks out of the room, closing the door behind him. Striker keeps
on doing his exercises.

5:02 PM:

Striker is now lying on his bed, taking a breather from his exercises 
and still wearing only his shorts. Just then his handheld phone rings 
on his desk. He gets up, goes over to pick it up and answers it.

Striker:"Ja?"

Norwood's voice is on the phone.

Norwood:"Norwood here. Something urgent has come up here at the UN.
         You and I need to talk in private as soon as possible. Meet
         me in New York at the Cornelia Parking Lot."

The line goes dead. Striker looks at the phone.

Striker:"This is rather odd of Mark, but I suppose if it is urgent,
         then I must go and meet him."

He puts the phone down and begins to dress.

Top Level
Cornelia Parking Lot
Lower Manhattan
New York City
7:02 PM:

This is a multi-level parking lot located in lower Manhattan near the
battery park. Currently the parking lot's top level is empty save for
a silver sedan. Norwood is standing here by his car as he waits for
Striker. The Rhino appears from the ramp leading up to the lower level
and drives up to the sedan. Once it stops Striker climbs out and walks
to Norwood.

Striker:"Jammer I'm late, Mark. The traffic in the city makes it very
         difficult for me to get here undetected."

Norwood:"That is all right, Striker. Now, what is this urgent message
         you need to tell me?"

Striker looks confused at Norwood.

Striker:"Me tell you? But it was you who told me you had something
         urgent to tell me."

Norwood is no also confused.

Norwood:"Tell you? You were the one who called me first."

Striker:"I called you? But you called me at the EDF first."

Norwood:"What? What the h*** is this? Some kind of joke?"

Striker:"I have no idea. Somebody must have impersonated our voices
         and brought us here."

Norwood takes out his cell phone and begins to dial a number.

Norwood:"I'm calling the EDF Central Com Unit. If this is some kind
         of joke, then I will shoot the joker myself."

He holds the phone to his hear and listens. He then looks at it in
surprise. Striker notices this.

Striker:"What's wrong, Mark?"

Norwood:"The line is dead. What is going on?"

Striker suddenly gets an uneasy feeling.

Striker:"I'm going back to the EDF, Mark. I have a feeling that things
         there are not well."

Norwood:"Good idea. I have to go back to the UN, but contact me as
         soon as you get to the EDF and if there is something wrong
         there."

Striker:"Reg."

Striker runs to the Rhino, climbs in and immediately drives off.
Norwood climbs back into his sedan and drives off as well, but not
as quickly as Striker. Both vehicles go down the ramp into the lower
levels of the parking lot.

Elevator Room
Secret EDF Entrance
Some In The Pentagon
8:36 PM:

This is a small room with two elevator doors, a maintenance door next
to them, a security desk in the one corner and a security glass door
blocking the corridor leading in the room. Currently there are a
number of Pentagon security guards, EDF agents, military generals and
some maintenance workers here. Clearly the two elevator doors and
the maintenance doors are locked as the maintenance workers try to
get them open. Striker comes through the security door, is checked by
the guards, then allowed to proceed.

Striker:"What is going on?"

One of the agents answer him.

Agent:"We don't know, sir. All entrances leading into the EDF head-
       quarters have been mysteriously closed off."

Striker:"When?"

Agent:"About two and a half hours ago, sir."

Striker:"Ai yai yai."

One of the generals turns to Striker.

General:"And where were you, Lieutenant Striker? I thought you were
         to remain within your quarters in the EDF."

Striker:"Ma... commander Norwood and I both a call from the other to
         meet at a parking lot in New York, but we discovered that
         neither of us had called the other. It was then that I came
         back here."

General:"A bogus call? By whom?"

Striker:"Norwood tried to call the CCU, but the lines were dead."

The general looks at the stuck doors in confusion.

General:"What in tar nation is going down there?"

Striker:"Whatever it is, I do not think it is goed."

He goes over the maintenance door and looks at one of the workers.

Striker:"Is this door locked as well?"

Worker:"Yes, sir. We have been unable to unlock it as well."

Striker takes out his sonic rifle and arms it, much to the shock of 
the maintenance workers and security guards.

Guard:"Sir, you're not seriously thinking of firing that weapon in
       here?"

Striker:"Ja, I am."

Guard:"Sir, I cannot allow you to do that."

The guards move in on Striker, but the general and several agents
stop them.

General:"Stand back, son, and the dog do his job. There is clearly
         something funny going down there and we don't have time to
         dilly dally about with security rules."

Guard:"But, sir, what about the door?"

General:"Put it under collateral damage."

Everyone steps back as Striker charges up his rifle, aims at the door
and fires. The blast blows the door off its hinges and down a flight
of stairs against a wall. Striker then goes in and begins to climb
down the stairs, followed by the agents, guards, generals and the
maintenance workers. As they climb down the stairwell they find the
body of an EDF agent slumped against a wall. Striker and the agents
check him up.

Striker:"He is dead."

Agent:"What the h*** happened?"

Striker then spots a bullet shell lying on the stairs. He picks it
up and examines it before speaking.

Striker:"The EDF has been attacked."

Everyone else is shocked and one of the generals who spoke to Striker
turns up those guards on the stairwell.

General:"Raise the alarm!"

The guards waste no time and rush up the stairs while Striker, the
agents and lastly the generals run down the stairs, weapons at the
ready. When they reach the maintenance door at the bottom Striker
opens the door and a body falls forward onto the floor. Everyone
looks at the body for a second before cautiously going inside.

EDF Warroom:
8:42 PM:

The warroom has been turned into a slaughter house. Everywhere there
are the bodies of EDF agents and personnel. Desk and chairs lie
turned over while bullet holes riddle the walls and shattered office
windows. All the screens have been smashed and the computer and
electronic gear destroyed or seriously damaged. Sparks are flying
from severed cables and lights flicker. Some of the catwalks have
been blasted apart. Striker, the agents and generals rush in and
look at the devastation.

Agent:"My God! This is a morgue."

General:"Who the h*** did this? I'd like to crush his nuts with my
         boots!"

Striker turns to the agents.

Striker:"Luister! Several of you go back up stairs and bring down some
         medics! The rest of you spread and search for survivors! And
         if you come across any hostiles, shoot eerste and ask later!"

The agents all nod grimly and split up. The generals begin to discuss
the crisis while Striker joins in the search and runs up to Norwood's
office. When he gets there finds the office in disarray, but there
are no bodies. As Striker walks to the window he suddenly spots a
reflection in the glass and quickly turns around. He sees Toshi
Yokomitha standing in the doorway, wearing his suit. Striker relaxes
a bit before speaking.

Striker:"Meneer Yokomitha, I'm glad to..."

Toshi:"You and I must quickly speak with each other, privately. Follow
       me."

Toshi walks away with Striker following him with a confused look on
his face.

EDF High Command Council Room
8:52 PM:

The council room is in just as much disarray as the rest of the EDF.
All the dead bodies of the members of the EDF council are all still
in the chairs, though some have fallen over on their backs or onto
the table. Bullet holes riddle the walls, but the light is still
dark and gloomy. Toshi and Striker enter the room and walk into the
centre light. Striker looks at the dead council members.

Striker:"Ai yai yai! They are dead as well. Dankie tog you survived
         the attacks, Meneer."

Toshi then turns to face Striker, a smug grin on his face. Striker
then realises what that means and his eyes narrow.

Striker:"Then again, perhaps it is a pity you survived the attacks."

Toshi:"Yes, Striker. Perhaps for you and the EDF, but for me it
       means I will still get my reward from Franco."

Striker:"So, you are the one who gave sensitive information about the
         EDF to the KH Military as well advanced weaponry and now
         the location of our headquarters. YOU are the leak."

Toshi:"My dead collegues came to same conclusion here just before
       the Elite Guard shot them. Now, we had to come back to get
       you."

Striker:"Who is this 'we'?"

A figure appears from the shadows and walks alongside Toshi. It is
Diehard, also grinning.

Diehard:"US, Herr Striker. Ve came here to take care of you, ja?"

Toshi:"You have been a thorn in our side for far too long. Now it
       is time for us to remove that thorn... permanently."

Diehard:"Javol, Herr Toshi."

Diehard then looks at Toshi and speaks in a completely different
voice that surprises both Toshi and Striker.

Diehard:"Of course, we are talking about a complete different thorn
         for a completely different 'we', no?"

Toshi looks surprised at Diehard. Suddenly Diehard takes out a 
silenced pistol and fires several rounds into Toshi's chest. Toshi
falls to the ground and dies before he can even mutter a word. Die-
hard then looks at Striker.

Diehard:"Thorn removed."

Diehard then suddenly begins to morph until he becomes a wolf-sapien
Striker instantly recognises.

Striker:"Spectre?"

Spectre puts his golden silenced pistol away in his suit.

Spectre:"We, Monsieur Striker. Franco's Elite Guard have long left the
         EDF, but we came back to get you and get rid of Toshi, no?"

Striker:"For what reason?"

Suddenly Striker is hit over the head by a blackjack and he falls to
the floor, unconscious. The one holding the piece of lead, is Stalker.
He looks down smiling at Striker.

Stalker:"We shall explain it to you later, Striker."

Several of Stalker's Alpha Squadron soldiers appear from the shadows
and begin to carry Striker. Stalker looks at Spectre and his soldiers.

Stalker:"Let us leave. We are not altogether welcomed here."

He leads them out through one of the side doors of the room.

Tunnel
9:01 PM:

This is a large tunnel that had been dug by a large machine. The one
end of the tunnel goes into the darkness while the other end opens
into the gymnasium of the EDF. In the tunnel stands a large tunnel-
digging machine that resembles the future KH tunnel tank. Stalker,
Spectre and the soldiers carrying Striker approach those guarding
the machine. Stalker talks to them again.

Stalker:"Let us leave here as quickly as possible."

The soldiers all salute and everyone begins to climb in. Stalker
oversees the last few soldiers outside that are busy lowering Striker
into the machine. Suddenly voices come from the gymnasium.

Voice:"Look! There's another tunnel here."

Several EDF appear at the tunnel entrance and watch in both shock
and surprise at the KH soldiers carrying Striker and the machine.
Stalker quickly takes out a pistol and fires several shots at the
agents, causing them to take cover. He and the soldiers then quickly
get Striker into the machine and close the hatch when the last one
is inside. The machine starts up and begins to drive away as the
reappearing agents fire at the machine with little result. They can
only watch as the machine disappears into the darkness.

Warroom
9:57 PM:

EDF agents and USAF soldiers are everywhere, guarding the base while
medics, maintenance workers and security guards carrying full body
bags rush to and fro. Norwood is here talking to one of the generals.

Norwood:"When did they loose the trail?"

General:"About half-an-hour ago. Those Elite Guard bastards collapsed 
         their tunnels something fierce."

Norwood:"And they had captured Striker?"

General:"Yes, sir. They saw the enemy load him into one of the tunnel
         machines."

Norwood:"And the council?"

General:"All dead. Oddly, though, Mister Toshi Yokomitha was dead
         about an hour AFTER the massacre here."

Norwood thinks for a moment.

Norwood:"Indeed."

He then looks back at the general.

Norwood:"Have someone check out Toshi's personal files on the databanks
         and then print the files out for me to read.  Also, try and
         see which of our operations can be brought back online."

The general salutes and walks away. Norwood sighs and shakes his head
before walking towards his office.

Norwood(in thought):"The KH Military's rebellion against Franco and
       his Elite Guard has begun, and they want Striker to help. I 
       pray he can also destroy the Ion Cannon and finally kill
       Franco for this and all else that he had done."

He keeps on walking, deep in thought.

Medical Tent
Alpha Squadron Camp
30 Kilometres South of KH Headquarters
Gory Byrranga Mountains
Deep in Siberia
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
15 April 1983 
6:03 AM:

This is a well-staffed and equipped medical tent within a temporary
camp of the KH Alpha Squadron. Wolf-sapien soldiers armed with AK-47
rifles are guarding one of the beds. On that bed is Striker, sleeping
soundly. Standing at the end of the bed is Oqulus, watching him with
a stern eye. Striker begins to stir and starts to wake up, opening
his eyes and focusing them on the figures in front of him. When he
clearly sees Oqulus, he is fully awake and upright.

Striker:"Oqulus!"

Oqulus:"Yeah, that's me."

Striker then looks around him and sees where he is, then looks back at
Oqulus.

Striker:"Where am I? And what is going?"

Oqulus:"Listen, I only have orders to keep watch over you while you
        slept off the sedative drugs Tesla gave you. Once you are
        awake, I'm to take you to the squadron generals so that they
        can start the conference. Get up and follow me."

Striker looks sceptically at Oqulus.

Striker:"Why should I trust you all?"

Oqulus:"Simple. If you don't trust us, then Franco will kill every
        living creature on this planet, including you and me."

Striker thinks for a moment, then sighs and gets up.

Striker:"Reg. I am not sure, but it seems I do not have a choice."

Oqulus:"You're right about that. Follow me."

Oqulus walks off towards the tent entrance, followed by Striker, who
is surrounded by the alpha soldiers.

Command Tent
6:10 AM:

This is a very large and spacious tent in the centre of the camp. In
the tent are dozens of communication, command, surveillance and ope-
rations equipment. In the centre of the tent is a long table with
a projector on it and a projector screen at the one end. Seated at
the table is Stalker, Trigger, Wolfeye, Black, Tesla, Hildagarde,
Spectre and Malcolm. Oqulus escorts Striker into the room and Stalker
stands up. He walks to Striker and smiles.

Stalker:"Welcome to Siberia, Striker. I am glad to see that you are
         awake and in good health."

Striker:"It is a surprising welcome, general, considering that is it
         coming from one enemy to another."

Stalker:"Yes, it is. But right now we are both facing a common enemy
         here."

He points to an empty chair next to his own.

Stalker:"Please, have a seat Striker. We will explain what is the
         situation here."

Striker, reluctantly sits down in the chair. Stalker sits down next
to him while Oqulus sits down next to Malcolm.

Stalker:"Let us begin. Firstly, let us explain to you where we are
         are right now."

He nods at Tesla, who is operating the projector. Tesla pushes a
button on it and the first slide appears. It shows the Gory Byrranga
mountains on the northern coast of central Siberia.

Stalker:"This the Gory Byrranga mountains in central USSR. This where
         our main headquarters is located."

The map zooms in at the lake near the mountains. The insignia of the
Elite Guard appears on the coast while the KH Military insignia 
appears at four different locations around the Elite Guard insignia.

Stalker:"The Elite Guard insignia indicates the location of Franco's
         squadron, as well as our main base. The four KH Military
         insignias represent the camps of the Alpha, Delta, Omega
         and Epsilon Squadrons. We set them up as training camps
         while we go on manoeuvres... or so we want Franco to think
         so."

Striker:"Is Franco there right now?"

Black:"I've never even seen him go beyond his private command compound,
       much less the base itself."

Striker's eyes begin to burn with anger and he balls his fists. 
Stalker puts his paw on his fists.

Stalker:"Save your anger for later, Striker. You will get a chance at
         Franco. Let us continue with the briefing."

Tesla pushes the button again and the screen changes to show a full
schematic of a space-based station. It has a large cylinder-shaped
body, three solar panels spaced an equal distance from each other at
the one end. At the other end is a large, multi-sided ball. Attached
to the body via girders at a 45 degree angle is a smaller cylinder
device. Striker immediately realises what it is.

Striker:"The Ion Cannon?"

Stalker:"Yes, Striker. That is the Ion Cannon, about the size of
         New York City's central park and now in orbit around the
         moon. Currently it is on the dark side of the moon to hide
         it from prying eyes."

Striker:"How did you build such a large device?"

Stalker:"We do not know. Franco had, as Diehard called it, a special
         team build that device at a secret location that Franco
         did not tell us. However, Tesla and Hildagarde did work on
         the design of the Ion Cannon and know how it works. I'll let 
         them explain."

Tesla:"The crystal we got from Atlantis is located within the energy
       ball. The power is supplied via the energy pod attached to the
       side. In the centre of the larger body there is a system of
       mirrors which focus the beam fired from the crystal when it
       is fully powered."

Hildagarde:"The power of the beam is determined how much energy is
            charged into the crystal before being fired. The strength
            of the ion beam range from being able to destroy a small
            car to..."

She hesitates to speak further.

Striker:"To what?"

Stalker:"To destroying everything on the surface of the world. Cities,
         countries, continents, every living creature."

Trigger:"Including everyone in this camp and the main base. And that
         is exactly what Franco wants to do."

Striker is shocked.

Striker:"My God. Is Franco serious about this?"

Wolfeye:"Insanely serious."

Striker:"But if Franco is going to fire that Ion Cannon, where will
         he and his Elite Guard go to avoid the blast?"

Black:"Nowhere. He's going to stay at home."

Striker:"What? But he will kill himself and his troops as well."

Trigger:"Apparently, in his utter madness that fact has not gotten
         into his mind."

Striker:"So, Franco has reaches the ultimate point of insanity."

Malcolm:"And he intends to take all of us and every living thing
         on this world down to h*** with him. That's very bad for
         any business."

Stalker:"And that the reason we are going to declare war on him and
         his Elite Guard."

Striker looks at Stalker.

Striker:"Thus it is confirmed: there is rebellion in the KH Military.
         And you want me to aid you."

Stalker:"Precisely."

Tesla pushes the button again and a map of the area appears showing
various battle strategies and plans for attack.

Stalker:"We had moved all our squadron forces out of the base on 
         what we told Franco as manoeuvres. In truth, it allows us
         to formulate an attack without being spied on by the Elite
         Guard."

Striker:"Why didn't you rebel earlier against Franco?"

Stalker:"One name: Fortus Esquire. He was a Franco loyalist who had
         continually breathed down my neck, preventing us from
         organizing a rebellion in secret. With his disappearance
         we were able to begin a rebellion."

Trigger:"For curiosity sake, Striker, what did you do to Fortus?"

Oqulus:"I'm also curious myself."

Stalker:"As we all are."

Striker tells them of how he and Fortus fought in El Dorado and how
he threw Fortus into the lava. Everyone around the table but Striker
is grinning.

Black:"Just the place where I expected him to be: in a hot spot."

Malcolm:"Good riddance is all I can say."

Stalker:"Well, now that we know that Fortus is truly dead, let me
         explain how we will conduct the attack."

Everyone listens carefully to him as he begins to explain the plan
of attack, the timetable and the targets that need to be attacked.
Once he is done he looks at Striker, who is thinking it over.

Striker:"So, Spectre and Hildagarde will smuggle me into the main
         base in a truck. Once there, I am to disable their power
         supplies. Is that all?"

Stalker:"That is all. Shutting down the power will disable the
         powered Grand Cannons, missile launchers and other base
         defences. It is enough for us to easily take the base
         without taking too many losses."

Striker then looks sceptically at Stalker.

Striker:"One last thing: if you win and the Elite Guard is gone, what
         will you do to me?"

To answer, Stalker digs in his pockets, takes something out and throws
it at Striker. Striker catches and looks at it. It is a revolver.

Striker:"A revolver? I already have one."

Stalker:"We know, but we lost your revolver back at the EDF, so we
         give you this one to use."

Striker:"To use?"

Stalker:"Open the chamber and look at the bullet in it."

Striker does as he is told. He opens the chamber, takes out the single
bullet and looks at it. It is the bullet he had written Franco's name
on four years ago.

Stalker:"You have vowed to put that bullet in Franco's head, and thus
         we will allow to freely do it without any interference from
         our side."

Wolfeye:"As if we would."

Everyone but Striker and Stalker chuckle. Stalker looks at Striker
who is still looking at the bullet.

Stalker:"What do you say, Striker?"

Striker puts the bullet back, closes the chamber and looks up, ven-
gence burning in his eyes.

Striker:"Let us go forth, General."

Everyone but Striker smiles. Stalker stands up.

Stalker:"Very well. Let the rebellion begin!"

Everyone gets up, salutes and then leave to begin the preparations.

Main Gate
KH Military Headquarters
7:01 AM:

This is a large, well-guarded chain link gate in the large wall around
the base. The base itself is divided into four squares surrounding a
larger one. Elite Guard soldiers are everywhere and flags of the
Elite Guard is flying over many buildings. A military truck driven
by Spectre and Hildagarde in the passenger seat drives up to the
gate. A gate guard stops them and walks to the driver's side.

Guard:"Password."

Spectre:"The black eagle flies over the red desert."

Guard:"Please state your reason for returning from the manoeuvres."

Spectre:"The Supreme General has given me an order to report to him
         immediately, no?"

Guard:"Very well. Proceed."

The guard signals to the others and they open the gate. Spectre drives
the truck through into the base. After a few minutes, he parks the
truck next to the main Elite Guard power plant (which is a medium-sized 
structure with a cooling tower in the large square ) and then both he 
and Hildagarde climb out of it and leave. Peeping out from behind the 
veil covering the rear of the truck, is Striker. He looks around, then 
spots an Elite Guard engineer walking towards the plant. He ducks behind 
cover, and when the engineer passes, Striker appears and grabs him by 
the muzzle and arms, then pulls him in. There is a loud thump, then 
after a few minutes, Striker climbs out of the back of the truck, 
wearing the engineer's overalls.

Striker:"Not much, but it might help disguise me from long range."

He walks to the entrance of the power plant. By the main doors are 
two bored sentries talking to each other. Striker looks at them.

Striker(to himself):"The bold approach."

He walks to the entrance and walks through the doors, but the two
sentries hardly pay attention, if any, to him. Striker breathes
out a sigh of relief.

Striker:"Dankie God. The Elite Guard's guard is not at all alert to
         what is going on."

He goes deeper into the power plant, passing engineers and guards,
most of whom don't notice him. Those that do just shrug their
shoulders and keep working. He finally arrives at a small, square
room deep inside the power plant. It has many controls and monitors
operating the various functions of the power plant. Striker takes
out some packs of plastic explosives.

Striker:"This C4 may not be as goed as our T11, but it should be
         enough."

He places the C4 plus charge behind one of the control terminals
and sets the timer.

Striker:"Time for a power struggle, Franco."

He turns and begins to walk out of the power plant, fast so that he
can escape the imminent explosion, but too fast to arouse suspicion.
Once he leaves through the plant entrance he goes into an ally 
between two buildings and hides behind a dumpster. He waits there,
until suddenly there is a loud rumbling noise deep within the plant.
It is then followed by a massive explosion that blows apart the
top of the cooling tower as well as sections of the plant itself.
Alarms begin to sound, but they quickly die as they loose power
along with the rest of the Elite Guard base. Everywhere, Elite 
Guard soldiers are running left and right. Striker keeps hiding
behind the dumpster as the scene unfolds.

Striker:"Any moment now..."

Within a few minutes, different kinds of explosions begin to come
from the outer edges of the Elite Guard base as the four KH Military
squadrons begin their assault on their former masters. Striker
takes out his sonic rifle and arms now.

Striker:"Now, Franco, I am coming for you."

He gets up and begins to run for the Franco command complex (which
looks more like a luxury palace), not far from the power plant. As 
he reaches the front door, two Elite Guard soldiers walk out, behind 
them being Champion. They look surprised at Striker.

Champion:"You!"

Striker quickly guns down the two soldiers before they can react, but
Champion ducks back into the building. Striker runs in after him.

Franco's Throne Room
Command Complex
7:18 AM:

Spectre and Hildagarde are standing before the throne, where Franco
is standing and Diehard next to him. Champion has just run in and
has told Franco about Striker and the rebellious squadrons. Franco
is stomping his feet and banging his fists in fury.

Franco:"Damn you, Striker!!! Damn you, Stalker!!! Damn you all!!!"

Diehard:"Ve must leave ze base und regroup our forces in ze hills,
         zen ve can easily strike back und destroy ze squadrons,
         herr General."

Franco quickly whips to Diehard.

Franco:"Do that! And make sure you burn every member of this mutiny
        to nothing but burnt carcasses!!!"

Voice:"FRANCO!!!"

Everyone quickly looks to the exit door. Standing in the doorway is
Striker, his weapon aimed at Franco and fury burning in his eyes.

Striker:"I have come."

He walks down the bridge as Franco sits down and looks at him 
angrily.

Franco:"At last we meet face to face, Striker. I have had enough of
        your constant meddling!"

Striker:"Then allow me to cure that... murderer."

He fires a blast at Franco, but Diehard jumps in the way and takes
the blast instead, knocking him to the floor but still alive. Franco
then pushes the button on his throne and the bridge beneath Striker
gives way. He falls into the water with a big splash as Franco
pushes another button on his throne and a gangway comes from the wall
behind his throne to the island. A door opens in the wall as Franco
gets up and looks at Champion.

Franco:"Get his death on tape! I'm going to the ion cannon and end
        this mutiny once and for all!!!"

Champion:"No problem, sir!"

Franco runs down the gangway and out the door. Champion looks into
the water while Diehard gets up and goes to Spectre.

Diehard:"Come vith me und help me evacuate our forces! Und take
         fraulin Hildagarde with us!"

Hildagarde:"But..."

Spectre:"We, sir."

Diehard runs out the exit with Spectre behind him and dragging 
Hildagarde by the arm. Champion keeps looking into the water, watching
as the submerged Striker becomes surrounded by the piranhas.

Champion:"Bye bye, doggie."

Suddenly there is a powerful sonic blast from Striker than sends up
a large plume of water and piranhas up into the air and causing the
other piranhas to swim away quickly. The water hits Champion and
quickly several piranhas get a bite on him.

Champion:"AH!!!! OUCH!!!! OW!!!!"

He begins to run down the bridge, shaking and thrashing madly to get
the stinging piranhas off him. Striker climbs out of the water and
watches him leave the throne room through the secret door and close
it. Striker runs up the door, but finds it has been locked.

Striker:"You are NOT escaping me that easily, Franco!"

He takes out some C4, attaches it to the door and arms the detonator.
He then runs behind (or in front) of the throne as the C4 detonate
and explode, blasting a large hole into the wall. Even as the blast
is clearing, Striker runs down the gangway and through the hole into
the corridor behind it.

Control Room
Shuttle Hangar
7:26 AM:

This is a small but well equipped control room that looks out into
a large hangar. On the floor are wet footprints with the occasional
snapping piranha leading to one of the doors leading into the hangar.
The hangar has an overhead door and on the launch pad are two shuttle-
like craft, both pointed vertically towards the door. Striker enters 
the control room just as the one shuttle fires up. He looks through 
the protective window and sees Franco and badly bitten Champion in
the cockpit. He can only watch as the shuttle's boosters fire and
the shuttle takes off, flying through the open hangar door into the
sky and towards space. Striker watches for a few minutes, then
turns around and leaves the control room the way he came.

Conference Room
Command Complex
7:56 AM:

Striker (who is seated as far away from anyone as possible), Trigger,
Wolfeye, Black, Oqulus and Malcolm are all seated by the table. 
Striker has an empty look on his face while the others watch him
with comprehension.

Trigger:"Striker?"

Striker does nothing.

Wolfeye:"He seems to be in deep thought."

Black:"Looks more like murder on the mind to me."

Oqulus:"Probably thinking of methods to kill Franco, I'll bet." 

Malcolm:"You're the only taker on that bet. Remember: this was the
         first time that Striker has ever seen in the flesh the wolf
         who murdered his family."

Wolfeye:"I wonder he feels about that fact?"

Voice:"Don't go there, Wolfeye. It is a personal matter."

Everyone looks towards the door that leads to the Supreme General's
throne room. Standing there is Stalker and Tesla, holding a large
gun with gas canisters attached to the sides. Stalker sits down next
to Striker.

Stalker:"A matter that Striker will want to sort out. To his benefit,
         our benefit and the benefit of every living creature on 
         Earth."

Tesla puts the gun down before Striker. Striker takes it and examines
it.

Striker:"Wat is dit?"

Tesla:"Eh?... Oh, that weapon is a new prototype weapon that Franco had
       me build for him. Its called the Dragonball Launcher, otherwise
       it is a napalm gun. There are only two of these, and Franco has
       one of them."

Striker:"Where is my sonic rifle?"

Tesla:"I am afraid the water damaged it rather badly so that I cannot
       complete it in time."

Stalker:"Time which we longer have much of."

Everyone realises what he means by that.

Black:"Is that madwolf really going to do it?"

Stalker:"I am afraid so, Black. He has gone to the Ion Cannon to begin
         the charging sequence."

Trigger:"How long before it fires?"

Tesla:"An hour, at most."

Striker gets up, holding the napalm gun.

Striker:"When do I leave?"

Tesla:"The other shuttle is ready for take off. You can commandeer it
       to the Ion Cannon. Do not worry about finding the Ion Cannon,
       for the shuttle's navigational system will show where to go."

Stalker gets up as well.

Stalker:"Let's get you ready, Striker. This is the final confrontation
         in Franco's Reich, and one you must win."

Striker:"I am ready."

Stalker:"Good. Come on."

Everyone leaves through the door that leads to the shuttle hangar.

Cockpit
Shuttle
Shuttle Hangar
8:14 AM:

This looks like the inside of one of the US space shuttles, only the
controls are much simpler. Striker is strapped to the front seat at
the controls. Through the cockpit window one can see the hangar
doors are open. Stalker's voice speaks over the intercom.

Stalker(over intercom):"Are you fitted in right, Striker?"

Striker:"Ja."

Stalker(over intercom):"Good. We shall commence the countdown. Good 
       luck, Agent Striker. Everyone on Earth is counting on you."

Striker just begins to ready the shuttle. Tesla's voice then speaks
over the intercom.

Tesla(over intercom):"Commencing countdown at 20... 19... 18..."

As the countdown goes on Striker fires up the thrusters.

Tesla(over intercom):"Thrusters activated... 10... 9... 8... 7... 
     gantry removed... 5... 4..."

A rumbling noise can be heard as the shuttle's engines roar into
full life.

Tesla(over intercom):"2... 1... lift off!"

The shuttle shakes and then begins to lift off from its launch pad.
Striker holds on tightly as the shuttle leaves the hangar and heads
for space.

High Orbit Over Earth
8:22 AM:

This is farther than the usual orbits of most satellites. The face
of the Earth is currently towards the sun, with the moon looming
behind it. The shuttle flies into view and begins to fly at a high
speed towards the moon.

Cockpit
Shuttle:

Striker is calmly piloting the shuttle, following the navigation
waypoints on one of the screens. Tesla is speaking to him over the
intercom.

Tesla(over intercom):"Excellent. Keep your current course and you 
     should make visual contact with the Ion Cannon within 15 
     minutes."

Striker(over intercom):"Reg."

He keeps the shuttle on course.

Wedding Ceremony
Near Socorro
New-Mexico
5:06 PM:

This a large open wedding ceremony area, with chairs making an isle
to a decorated podium under a large tree. Not far off are the
tables and food for the reception. Guests are arriving in large
numbers. Off to one side is the groom, William, and his best man
Melvin. William is very nervous.

Melvin:"Calm down, Will. Everything is going to go as planned, plus
        went through this a thousand times."

William:"It doesn't feel like enough to me."

Melvin:"Relax! Nothing is going to go wrong, trust me. This will be
        the best day of your life and Isabel's. Take a few deep
        breaths and relax."

Willaim does so and takes several deep breathes and exhales. He
begins to calm down, slightly.

Melvin:"Good. Now let's get ready. The ceremony is about to begin."

William:"O-okay."

They head back to the ceremony.

Cockpit
Shuttle
Someone near the Moon
8:37 AM:

Striker is watching through the cockpit window to the moon. He then
begins to see something orbiting near the moon.

Striker:"I see something."

Tesla(over intercom):"That has to be the Ion Cannon, Striker."

As the shuttle flies closer to it Striker begins to see what the Ion
Cannon looks like, just like the image he saw back at the camp.

Striker:"Is it really that large?"

Tesla(over intercom):"As we said, the size of Central Park in New
     York, and how Franco's followers ever managed to construct that 
     big a weapon in space is beyond us."

Striker cocks the napalm gun, a grim look on his face.

Striker:"I will deconstruct Franco along with his Ion Cannon."

Stalker(over intercom):"Try not to be TOO reckless, Striker. Your
       shuttle is about to enter a jamming field, which is used to
       hide the Ion Cannon from those on Earth. When you enter it,
       you will be cut from us and on your own."

The intercom goes dead. Striker takes out the colt revolver and
puts in the bullets. The last bullet is the one with Franco's name
on it. He looks at it for a few moments, then puts into the chamber
and loads the revolver. The shuttle keeps flying towards the Ion
Cannon.

Wedding Ceremony
5:14 PM:

Everyone is now seated in the chairs. Standing at the podium before
the pastor are William and Isabel (dressed in a simple but elegant
wedding dress). The couple are both smiling nervously. The pastor
speaks out.

Pastor:"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the
        marriage of these two persons. Anyone who has a reason why
        these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold
        your peace."

No one answers. The pastor continues with the ceremony.

Superstructure Interior
Ion Cannon
8:41 AM:

The inside of the tubular body is largely hollow, but many pressurized
tubes and modules line the sides. Striker pilots shuttle through the
tube until it comes to the docking bay, where Franco's shuttle is 
also in dock. He manoeuvres the shuttle into position, then docks with
its airlock. Once the airlock is pressurized Striker walks out of the
shuttle into the corridor, weapons at the ready. He looks down the
corridor to the other side.

Striker:"This is it, Franco. For my family, for Jess, for Tawla, for
         Grandeur and for all those who perished by your orders, it
         is payback time."

He begins to slowly walk down the corridor. Suddenly Franco's voice
speaks from over the intercom system.

Franco(over intercom):"Gerard Vorster, Striker, I saw the deaths of 
      your family on a video tape. Very graphic, I am pleased to say.
      And I greatly enjoyed it."

He cackles insanely as Striker walks faster with anger burning hotter
within him.

Franco(over intercom):"And I will greatly enjoy your slow, bloody,
      graphic, painful, torturous death. And this I will watch it in
      person."

He cackles again before resuming with his speech.

Franco(over intercom):"Time to die, Striker!!!"

The intercom goes dead as Striker starts to run down the corridor. As
he does so a group of Elite Guard soldiers appear, rifles at the
ready. Striker fires the napalm gun as he runs at them. The gun sends
a ball of fire at the soldiers, who have begun to open fire. They are
only able to fire a few shots before the fireball engulfs them in
flame. The bullets they fired fly right past Striker, although a few
do cause minor flesh wounds. This does not slow him as he keeps on
running. Franco's voice speaks again over the intercom.

Franco(over intercom):"WHAT!!! You can't have the same weapon as mine! 
      It's not fair! Not fair! Not fair!!!"

The intercom goes dead again. Striker keeps running and fights off
the soldiers who appear now in large numbers at regular intervals.
Amazingly, he defeats all the groups and keeps running, even
though he has sustained some bullet wounds to various parts of his
body. Franco's voice speaks again.

Franco(over intercom):"How can this be?! You are a gnat compared to 
      me! Champion! Do something!!!"

The intercom goes dead, while Striker keeps running, ignoring his
injuries. Those few Elite Guard soldiers still alive, having seen
Striker brush aside their comrades, turn tail and run away. As he
gets closer to the large dome, Champion steps out of a corridor,
his arms folded across his bare chest. Striker stops a few feet
from him, panting heavily. Champion grins smugly.

Champion:"Run out of steam, Striker? After what you just did, I am
          surprised you haven't just lie down and play dead, per-
          manently."

Striker:"Stand aside, Garris Falken. I want Franco."

Champion:"Oh! So you know my real name. Good, because I know yours,
          although that doesn't put on level footing. Since I have
          lycanthropy and you only have fleas, this puts the odds
          in my favour."

He cracks his knuckles.

Champion:"Which is just the way I like it."

Striker raises the napalm gun at Champion and pulls the trigger, but
nothing happens. Champion chuckles.

Champion:"Do you really think I would be standing here if I knew
          that you wasted all your fuel? I saw the schematics of the
          weapon too, you know."

He takes out a hunting knife and exposes his claws. He then goes into 
a fighting stance.

Champion:"Now, let's fight. You and me. Werewolf... to dog food."

Striker, without hesitating, quickly takes out the revolver and aims
it at Champion. Before Champion can realise what is happening, 
Striker fires five consecutive shots into the werewolf's chest.
Champion falls onto his back, surprised then in pain as he grabs
his chest.

Champion:"Sure. Silver bullets are the only ones which can kill me,
          but this still hurts a damn lot."

As he groans in pain, Striker runs past him, but then stops for a
few moments. He looks back at Champion, then walks over to him,
holding the napalm gun like a club. He stands before Champion, who
looks at him.

Champion:"You got me. What else do you want to do?"

Suddenly Striker raises the gun, then brings it down hard on the
area between Champion's leg. Champion's eyes bulge out of his head
as he screams out in a deafening, high-pitched voice. He grabs his
groin, withering in extreme pain, while Striker drops the napalm
gun and runs for the dome.

Dome Interior
Ion Cannon
8:52 AM:

This is the inside of the round dome. A single catwalk runs along the
sides in a circle, with an extension leading out to a platform in
the center. On the platform are various control panels. Beneath it is
a large blue glass crystal, with a piece of the crystal (kystill) taken 
from Atlantis suspended inside it. The crystal is pointed to the focusing
device that is attached to the dome. As Striker comes through one of
the doors leading onto the catwalk, he spots his quarry on the central
platform.

Striker:"Franco!"

Franco, who is busy at the controls, looks up at Striker, insanity in
his eyes.

Franco:"You can't stop me, Striker! The Ion Cannon has been activated!
        In a matter of minutes all life on Earth WILL PERISH!!!"

He laughs insanely as takes out his own dragonball launcher and fires
wildly in Striker's direction. Striker immediately runs down the
catwalk over to the where the extension begins, all the while the
fireballs explode inches behind him. Franco keeps laughing as he
fires, but when Striker reaches the extension's beginning, his napalm
gun runs dry. He shakes it violently.

Franco:"Work, dammit! WORK!!!"

He screams and throws the gun over the side. He then charges down on
Striker, who runs towards him. As Franco reaches him, Striker ducks
under him and throws Franco over him. He turns around just as Franco
gets up. Franco throws a punch at Striker, but Striker turns and 
grabs his arm, then twists it. Franco ignores the pain, then uses
his captured arm to grapple Striker over the railings. Striker
quickly grabs the edge of the catwalk and hangs there as Franco
looks down at him.

Franco:"ALL... WHO... STAND IN MY... WAY... ... MUST DIE!!!!!"

His insane laughter echoes through the dome as he begins to hit
Striker's paws with the heels of his boots. Striker yelps in pain,
then lets go. As he falls, however, he stops. His feet are hooked
into the piping that runs under the catwalk. Franco sees this and
screams in frustration.

Franco:"NO!!! YOU MUST DIE!!!"

He leans over and tries to claw at Striker's legs, but he leans too
far and he tumbles over. He screams as he falls all the way down
onto the glass crystal with a loud crash. Broken glass flies every-
where as his body collides with it, leaving his body hung up on the
sharp glass edges of the hole. Striker, with the strength he still
has, climbs back up the railing. He looks down at Franco's unmoving
body, then takes out his revolver. Suddenly a beeping noise from
the control panels draws his attention. He quickly runs to it and
examines the screen as the console voice speaks.

Console:"Warning. Outer containment shell damaged. Abort firing
         sequence or evacuate station."

Striker:"What does that mean?"

He types in something on the console keyboard, then waits for the
voice.

Console:"Damage to outer containment shell will result in destab-
         litation of crystal fusion and subsequent detonation.
         Time until detonation is 5 minutes. Please effect repairs."

Striker:"Ai yai yai. So the Ion Cannon will destroy itself."

He looks back down at Franco, who is still unmoving.

Striker:"I will let you die with your creation of death, Franco.
         Your Reich of death ends here."

He begins to run out of the dome.

Docking Bay
Ion Cannon
9:03 AM:

Striker is running down the corridor that leads to the shuttle, but
he stops when he sees both his shuttle (commandeered by Champion)
and Franco's shuttle (commandeered by surviving Elite Guard soldiers)
leave the docks and fly out of the Ion Cannon. Striker watches them
go, then sighs and sits down, looking out the end of the Ion Cannon's
body at Earth.

Striker:"At least my fight was not in vain..."

Suddenly he hears voices not far off.

Voice:"This way, quick! There are only a few escape pods left!"

Striker quickly turns to the source of the voice, then sees two Elite
Guard soldiers in a nearby corridor going through a door. Striker
immediately gets up and runs for the door.

Escape Pods
Ion Cannon
9:07 AM:

This a large round module on the outside of the Ion Cannon's structure.
Windows look out to the space, while the hatches leading to the escape
pods line the rest of the walls. Striker runs into the module and sees
that all but two of the hatches are closed, the rest having already
been launched.

Striker:"Geluk is on my side."

But as he approaches the one pod, two strong paws grab him and throw
him against a closed hatch. Striker groans and looks up to see a
seriously injured but still determined Franco standing over him.
He gasps.

Striker:"Ai yai yai!"

Franco screams and starts to claw and kick at Striker madly. Striker
tries to ward off the attacks, but Franco's insane fury is too much
for him. Franco then slings him into the middle of the module before
jumping onto him and wrapping his claws around Striker's neck. Franco
begins to squeeze very hard, still screaming insanely. Striker, with
the last bit of effort, takes out the revolver and sticks it into
Franco's screaming mouth.

Striker:"For my family!"

Striker pulls the trigger and the revolver fires the bullet. Franco's
body reels backwards and falls onto its back. Striker groans in pain
as he stands up, looking down at Franco.

Striker:"At last... I have fulfilled my oath... to all those whom I
         cared for..."

He keeps looking down at Franco before an intercom voice speaks.

Intercom:"Attention. Firing sequence in one minute."

Striker snaps back to reality, then goes into the one escape pod.
He closes the hatch, straps down into the chair inside the pod and
hits the red escape button. Outside, the cylindrical pod's boosters
fire and propel the pod away from the Ion Cannon.

Dome Interior
Ion Cannon
9:12 AM:

Everything is still as it was with the exception of the hole in the
glass crystal. A humming sound suddenly come from the machines
around the crystal.

Intercom:"Initiating firing sequence."

Blue beams of energy begin to collect around the kystill crystal as
it begins to charge up.

Intercom:"Activating targeting beam."

A harmless blue beam suddenly fires from the kystill crystal into
the focusing machine, which then fires it down to Earth.

Wedding Ceremony
At that moment:

The couple have just said their vows, smiling at each other. The 
pastor speaks again to William.

Pastor:"You may kiss the bride."

The two pucker up for the kiss. Suddenly the blue beam from the Ion
Cannon surrounds them. This takes everyone aback, especially William 
and Isabel.

Isabel:"What is this? Will?"

William:"I... I don't know..."

They all keep looking up at the beam in surprise and shock.

Dome Interior
Ion Cannon
9:14 AM:

The kystill crystal is still charging up, glowing in a blinding blue
light.

Intercom:"Firing in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."

The last bits of energy is gathered into the crystal. It then sends
out its energy, but the crack in the glass crystal suddenly becomes
a huge crack from all the sudden energy. The crystal then shatters,
damaging some of the machines.

Intercom:"Warning. Malfu..."

The voice is cut off as the kystill crystal, in the blink of an eye,
shatters.

Ion Cannon
High Orbit Over The Moon
At that moment:

Massive energy surges cruise through the entire structure, then it
is suddenly vaporized as the released energy from the shattered
crystal engulfs it and expands in a massive (but silent, since there
is no air for the sound) blue explosion that turns night into day.

Wedding Ceremony:

Everyone cover their eyes to shield them from the bright flash. When
it subdues, they all look up and see in amazement the expanding blue
ball of energy in the sky.

Pastor:"God help us..."

Isabel turns to William. 

Isabel:"Will?"

William turns to her.

William:"Yes?"

She then surprisingly smiles at him.

Isabel:"That's our sign."

William:"A sign? What for?"

To answer, she wraps her arms around him and gives him a long and
passionate kiss. He is instantly swept away and hugs her, kissing
back while the blast in the sky continues above them.

Cathy's Place
Stump Hollow
United States of America:

Everyone has rushed out of the diner into the street to look at the
explosion. Among them are an amazed Thomas, Andrew and Susan Grey-
stone as well as Cathy Sanders and Cruise.

Cruise:"Holy s***! Do you see that?"

Cathy:"If that isn't the darnest thing you've ever seen!"

Susan:"My God, Tom. Andrew. What is that?"

Thomas:"I... I don't know..."

They keep watching the blast.

Drug Processing Plant
Somewhere in Venezuela:

This is a large, and illegal, processing plant for drugs. Guards are
everywhere around the plant, but instead of being on duty they, like
everyone else, is watching the blast. From an office Francisco Ortega
and the plant manager also see the blast.

Ortega:"Caramba! That must be senyor Franco's Ion Cannon! I hope he
        died with it."

They keep watching the blast.

Migatuas Wolf Pack
Somewhere in Oregon
United States of America:

The wolf pack, who were relaxing on a rocky hill, are all alert and
watching the blast. The pack leader, Agato, and his mate as well as
his family are also watching along with the elders.

Elder:"It is a sign, leader Agato."

Agato:"A sign? What kind of sign?"

Elder:"A sign that the pack is destined for great deeds. What they are
       only Wolfrin and time will ever tell."

Agato, a bit confused, looks back at the explosion.

Village Outskirts
Northern Alaska:

This the village where the Today family lives. At their cabin, Steven
and his dog Bear are watching the massive explosion while his sister
Sheba gets their parents Moses and Ester.

Steven:"You see that, Bear?"

Bear barks as the rest of the family rush out in astonishment at the
sight of the blast.

Ester:"My lands, Moses! What is that?"

Moses:"I don't know, dear. It... it looks like some kind of explosion
       in space."

Sheba:"Is it a nuke, Dad? Has World War III begun?"

Moses:"No, no dear. This is something completely different..."

They all keep looking at the blast. All but Bear are stumped as to
what it is.

Training Camp
Somewhere in the Rocky Mountains
United States of America:

This a top secret military training camp built for those who where
part of the Lambda Rebellion. However, everyone is looking up at the
blast instead of training. Among them is Amour, Janne, Brind, Janae,
Jannet and Jayson.

Janne:"Whoa! Something really got smoked up there!"

Jannet:"What an interesting phenomena."

Jayson:"Couldn't it be that thing that Franco had built up there?"

Janae:"If it was, it's gone now."

Amour:"To our benefit, I think."

Everyone keeps looking at the blast.

Passenger Train
Trans-Siberian Railway Line
20 kilometres from Vladivostok
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:

This is an average passenger train with engines, passenger carriages
and caboose travelling to Vladivostok. The passengers inside are all
watching the blast through the windows. Among them is Plague, now
dressed in civilian clothing. Unlike the other passengers, who are
all amazed by the blast, Plague is grinning.

Plague:"Franco is paying the price for not paying MY price."

He laughs as goes back into his seat.

Pentagon Courtyard
United States Of America:

The inner courtyard of the Pentagon is crowded with personnel, 
officers and generals who are all watching the blast. Among them is
Norwood. A general turns to him.

General:"My God, Norwood! Was that the Ion Cannon?"

Norwood:"So it seems..."

He smiles.

Norwood:"Agent Striker has completed his mission."

The general sighs with relief.

General:"Thank God for that. I hope the blast took that maniac Franco
         out with his crazy toy."

Norwood just nods and smiles as he keeps looking up at the blast.

Norwood:"Well done, Striker. Well done."

Courtyard
Command Complex
KH Military Headquarters:

Like everywhere else, everyone is looking up at the blast in the
sky. Among them is Stalker, Trigger, Black, Wolfeye, Malcolm and
Oqulus.

Malcolm:"There goes a bad investment."

Black:"I'll be damned! That mutt actually took it out!"

Wolfeye:"And Franco as well, hopefully."

Stalker:"I think we can very certain about that fact."

Just then Tesla runs out of the command complex and up to Stalker.

Tesla:"Striker's escape pod is coming in. It's going to parachute
       into the lake."

Stalker:"Good. Prepare a pickup to fish him out. We still have need
         for him."

The others begin to carry out his orders.

Newsroom
CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia
United States Of America
16 April 1983
7:00 AM:

The news has begun and the anchor is busy the news headlines.

Anchor:"Scientists and people all around the world are still baffled
        over the massive explosion that occurred in space yesterday,
        while tensions between Washington and Moscow have risen 
        slightly. Both sides are fully denying that they have anything
        to with the explosion. NASA officials are unsure whether the
        blast was caused by an exploding meteor, a natural space
        phenomena, an ICBM or an extra-terrestrial ship. They also say 
        that hundreds of satellites have been completely destroyed while
        many more have been damaged. Costs of repairing and replacing
        the satellites could run into billions of dollars."

He continues to read the news.

Tesla's Laboratory
Science Facility
KH Military Headquarters
17 April 1983
2:33 PM:

This a reasonably high-tech laboratory with all kinds of scientific
equipment and experiments everywhere. Striker is lying on a 
stretcher, still sleeping. He begins to stir and wakes up.

Voice:"Ah. You are awake at last."

Striker gets up and looks to the source of the voice. Standing by
the door is Stalker, Trigger and Tesla.

Striker:"What happened?"

Tesla:"We recovered your escape pod and took you here. You were
       seriously injured, but we were able to heal your wounds and
       let you sleep for the last two days."

Striker:"The Ion Cannon."

Trigger:"All gone. Not one single piece of debris left."

Stalker:"And with it Franco, I presume."

Striker sighs.

Striker:"Ja."

Stalker, Trigger and Tesla smile and shake each other's paw. Striker
looks at them.

Striker:"What are you going to do with me? Kill me?"

Stalker looks back him, chuckling.

Stalker:"Kill you? Do not be absurd."

He walks up to Striker, smiling.

Stalker:"We need you."

Striker(surprised):"You need me?"

Stalker:"Yes, my friend. You see, you joined the EDF and fought against
         us for one simple goal: to kill Franco. After four years,
         you have done it. But what now? What will you do now that
         your arch-nemesis is dead? That is where we come in."

He leans forward on the stretcher.

Stalker:"We want you to join the KH Military. Fight alongside us. We
         can go very far, you and I. And we will reward you what
         you want. Money, power, command, respect, females. Any of
         it can be yours if you enlist."

Striker keeps staring at him.

Stalker:"So what is your decision, Agent Striker?"

Striker keeps staring for a few seconds, then suddenly he frowns and
takes on a defiant face.

Striker:"Nee!"

He then kicks Stalker full in the chest with both feet, causing him
to fall backwards into a large, high-tech-looking machine. Striker
immediately gets up and runs for the door. Trigger takes out his new
M-16, but Stalker, who has recovered from the blow, stops him.

Stalker:"Do not shoot him! We can easily persuade him without using
         violence. Now, let us go after him."

Stalker gets up and joins Trigger and Tesla as they run after Striker.
The machine, however, beings to glow a strange green glow, followed
by a humming sound.

Vehicle Depot
2:42 PM:

This is a large, dirt-covered lot just outside the science facility. 
Tanks, mobile launchers and jeeps are all parked here. Striker runs 
out of the door leading out of the science facility onto the lot. He 
is quickly surrounded by KH soldiers, who aims their rifles at him 
but don't fire. He runs towards a launcher, where is cornered. He
picks up a stone to use as a sort of weapon. Stalker, Trigger and Tesla 
join the soldiers who surround Striker.

Stalker:"Now, now Striker. This is not very helpful to your cause. Why
         do you not just forget about resisting and join us?"

Striker:"Nee!"

He climbs up the launcher and onto the missile on the launcher, holding
on to the wings of the missile. The soldiers now completely surround 
the launcher as Stalker grins at Striker.

Stalker:"Young canine, do not make me come up there and get you."

Striker:"I will NEVER aid the KH Military in their goals, Stalker! I
         would rather die escaping!"

Stalker:"That is quite hollow since you have no means of escape. How
         do you intend to defy us further?"

Striker:"By this!"

He throws the stone down at the exposed missile launching mechanism
and hits it on the mark. The missile is suddenly lifted up and the
boosters fire up, much to the surprise of Stalker and his soldiers.

Stalker:"It is going launch! Fall back!"

They all run away from the launcher as the boosters fully fire up.
Striker clings for dear just as the missile begins to take off, slowly
at first but quickly picking up speed. The missile flies at a low
angle over the base, then finally over a nearby forest where Striker
jumps off and falls into the branches of the trees. From the base
Stalker and Trigger watch him escape.

Trigger:"Incredible! He IS good!"

Stalker:"I will agree with that, that is why we need him alive. This
         little stunt may have gotten him out of the base, but we
         can just send out a search party to get him within the
         hour, right?"

Trigger:"Ri..."

Voice(interrupting):"Sirs! LOOK!!!"

The two generals turn to the source of the voice, then look towards
the science facility to see green shafts of lighting flying off the
attennae and satellite dishes atop the facility. The bolts then
travel every aerial within the base.

Trigger:"What the? What is going on?"

Stalker looks for Tesla, then spots him running frantically back to
the facility. He calls out to him.

Stalker:"Tesla! What is..."

He is cut off when the bolts suddenly become a wave of energy that
engulfs the base.

Forest Edge
At that moment:

This where the forest ends and the grasslands between it and the
base begin. Striker is watching the scene unfolding at the base.

Striker:"Wat is..."

The base is covered with a bright flood of energy and Striker covers
his eyes for a few seconds. When the light clears he uncovers his
eyes and looks towards the base... only there is nothing there
except open ground. He is flabbergasted.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. The entire base has been destroyed!"

He then sighs with relief.

Striker:"At least, that means the end of the KH Military."

He looks at the clearing for a few minutes, then sighs and turns to
walk away. He is suddenly greeted by the butt of a rifle, which
knocks him out cold onto the forest floor.

KH Military Base
At that moment:

The bright flash has cleared and everything is back to normal as it
was. Stalker and Trigger uncover their eyes, along with everyone
else and look around.

Stalker:"What happened? TESLA!"

Tesla runs up to Stalker.

Stalker:"What happened?"

Tesla:"There was some kind of energy surge going through our aerials
       at high velocity. I was fearing it would cause serious damage,
       but I see now that nothing happened."

Trigger, who is looking up, speaks in a shocked tone of voice.

Trigger:"Are you sure, Tesla?"

He points up to the sky. Stalker and Tesla look up, then their eyes
widen in shock.

Solar System:

A planet that looks like Earth is in the foreground, rotating around
the sun. Only the sun is actually two suns close together.

Stalker(sighs):"Now I really hate to travel."

The planet keeps on orbiting the suns.

Epilogue: Seal Of Destiny

Office
Ortega's Villa
Somewhere in Venezuela
20 April 1983
11:41 PM:

This a small but luxurious office deep within Ortega's villa in
the jungles of Venezuela. Ortega is seated at his desk, typing
away at a computer.

Ortega:"Now then, senyor Malcolm, since you are no longer here with
        us, I think I should take care of your company's money."

He grins as he presses enter and all the money from Malcolm Indus-
tries is transferred to his own private account. He rubs his hands
in glee.

Ortega:"Caramba! Now I can finally become THE world's drug lord!"

He laughs wickedly before smoking away at Cuban cigar.

Barn
Unknown location
23 April 1983
6:02 PM:

This is a large, concrete structure with a corrugated iron roof.
Everywhere there are farming tools and equipment, as well as bales
of straw. Lying in a cage, dressed only in dirty clothes, is
Striker. Four figures are watching him not far off.

Voice 1:"A good hunt we had back in Russia, né? Just look at this
         fine specimen of a slave."

Voice 2:"Getting him through customs was difficult, but I think
         having a free slave is worth it."

Voice 3:"Ja, especially since those damned blacks from the ANC won't
         care about a slave dog."

Voice 4:"So when do we put him to work?"

Voice 1:"As soon as the drug wears off. Once that is done, we will
         work him into the ground for his food."

Voice 3:"Not too hard. We want to keep our investment alive for a
         long time, eh?"

They all laugh, leaving the barn and Striker lying on the floor. As
they leave, however, a tear rolls down Striker's cheek.

Shepard's Office
Shepard Laboratories
Near Socorro, New Mexico
United States Of America
28 April 1983
8:07 AM:

This is William's office (as seen in "Reigning Cats And Dogs"). Wil-
liam is at phone, a clearly shocked look on his face.

William(into phone):"But this cannot be true! Malcolm Industries just
       cannot go bankrupt overnight! I need the money!"

Voice(over phone):"I am sorry, sir, but that is the truth. We will
     try and sort out any debts that may be owed to you, but you
     will have to be on a waiting list. Sorry."

The line goes dead, and William puts the phone down before sitting
down, burying his face in his hands.

Voice:"You need some cash, Will?"

William looks up with a start at the person who spoke. Standing in
front of his desk is Jeffery Otitus, who is much younger and dressed
like a slick businessman with a grin.

William:"Who are you?"

Otitus:"Sorry, forgot my manners. Jeffery Otitus, a fellow scientist,
        at your service. And not a moment too soon, I see."

William gets up and shakes Otitus' hand.

William:"What do you mean? Do you want to help?"

Otitus:"You betcha. I mean, at first all the transdogmafying sounded
        like a classic crackpot story, but after seeing your work
        lately I'm thinking in joining in a business venture with
        you."

William:"Business venture?"

Otitus:"Yeah, you heard me. I'm an expert in genetics and biology,
        plus..."

He takes out a pack of dollar notes and waves it in front of William's
face. This clearly draws William's attention.

Otitus:"... I can get you government grants that competitors would
        kill to get. So what do you say, Will? You and me?"

William, without hesitating, holds out his hand to Otitus again. A
big smile forms on his face.

William:"Welcome aboard, partner."

Otitus grins.

Otitus:"Glad we could see eye to eye on this issue, partner."

He takes William's hand and they both shake to the agreement.


THE END... OR THE BEGINNING

("I Am (Ending Theme)" begins to play)

The Author would like to thank the following (no particular order):
- Warner Brothers
- Steven Today
- Greg Williams
- Phillip King
- Robert Baer Jr.
- Markus Laitinen
- Eric Hunter
- Michael Browner