Road Rovers: Reich Of Franco Episode 6: Nuclear Storm (Ground Zero) By Gerhard Naudé Striker, Norwood, Franco, Diehard, Champion and all others related to the KH Military © Gerhard Naudé All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners Shankar © Robert Baer Jr. Any question, comments, complaints, feedback or suggestions can be sent to gnaude_@hotmail.com. Author's Note: A map of Frazakastan is available at: http://gerhard.n.tripod.com/tiger/artwork/frazakastan.gif Control Room Headquarters Frazakastan 31 July 1980 5:01 AM: This is a squarish room with many computers and control panels facing towards several tactical maps of Frazakastan. Frazakastan is an island chain north of the Siberian coastline and consists of a large, round island surrounded by several smaller islands, the largest being a U- shaped island half the size of the main island. The map is dotted with various icons representing military units, structures, etc. Wolf-sapien technicians work at the control panels while KH soldiers stand guard around the room. At one of the computers is Shankar, looking at a screen showing Franco sitting in his chair, with Champion and Diehard on his sides. Franco:"Are you sure that you have all the available nuclear warheads?" Shankar:"Yes, General. All the warheads are now ready." Diehard:"When shall you be able to launch?" Shankar:"In 48 hours, sir." Franco:"Why so long? You just told me all the warheads are ready." Shankar:"Sir, though we have all the warheads, not all of them are attached to a propulsion unit and that will take time to set them in place. Then we have to fuel those units before we can obtain launch status." Franco:"Speed the process up, stupid!" Shankar:"But sir, our crews are working as fast as they can. We cannot possibly get an earlier launch without taking shortcuts that could end up jeopardizing Nuclear Storm." Franco:"I don't care! I want those warheads ready to launch in 24 hours!" Before Shankar can respond Franco speaks again. Franco:"I am sending General Diehard to motivate your men. He should do a better job than you are." The screen goes dead. Shankar sighs, then turns to his commanders who are standing nearby. Shankar:"Contact our crews and try and get them to work faster. Also, inform me when General Diehard's craft appears on our radar screens." Commanders:"Sir, yes sir." Shankar leaves the control room. USS Apollo 50 Kilometres West Of Frazakastan Artic Sea 7:12 AM: This is a high-tech, sleek Aegis Cruiser flying the flags of the United States, United Nations and the Earth Defence Force. EDF soldiers are on patrol on the ship's decks. Far in the distance is the shores of Frazakastan. Briefing Room USS Apollo 7:14 AM: This is a square, well-lit room with a large computer screen on the wall. Facing it are several desks and chairs. At the back of the room is a door and above it in the corner is a security camera. Seated at the front is Norwood and Striker while Sergei Molovich is briefing them. On the screen is a map of Frazakastan, with a blue dot some distance from the islands representing the Apollo. Standing nearby is Toshi. Molovich:"Frazakastan was an independent state which had non-existent diplomatic links with other countries. Thus, no country ever heard of the KH Military's take-over of this small nation a few years ago. The problem is that Frazakastan had many nuclear depots on the islands, and the inflow of stolen warheads only increased the stockpile. The reason for this, as you all know comrades, is to execute Operation Nuclear Storm, in which the KH Military will launch several missiles at the United States and the Soviet Union, provoking a full-scale nuclear war. For what purpose only General Franco knows. In any case, Nuclear Storm must be stopped. But before you can begin, you first need to execute a crucial task. Comrade Toshi." The screen zooms in on an small island below the main U-shaped one. An icon of a radar dish appears on it. Toshi steps up while Molovich steps back. Toshi:"This is the main radar and communications station for the KH Forces stationed in Frazakastan. It provides the entire island's radar and communications coverage. A loss of this station will leave both islands isolated from each other and will allow you to proceed with your mission without alerting the entire armed forces. Before you destroy the installation, you will upload a specially created virus into the station's computer systems. This virus will allow you to access the entire island's computer system while simultaneously locking the KH Military out." The screen then moves to a small island some distance from the U-shaped island and a white dot appears on it. Toshi:"Hiding here in his small camp is an agent we sent earlier to gain for us this information, codenamed Delphi. He programmed the virus and has it with him now. However, he cannot stay for long there for fear of the KH Military stumbling upon his camp. You must go to him and get the virus from him, then go to the radar station and install the virus. Once done, we will begin to counter Nuclear Storm. Delphi says that the KH Military will launch the missiles in 24 hours time, so you will have to hurry." The screen is replaced by a technical image of an Apache attack chopper. Toshi:"This is the new AH-64 Longbow Apache, the United States' latest military attack helicopter that will soon be introduced to the public. You two will pilot the Apache into Frazakastan and use it to complete your objectives. I presume you both understood what you were taught about the Apache during training." Striker, Norwood:"Yes, sir." Toshi:"Good. Let us now begin to stop Franco's insane plans of Nuclear Storm. Go forth and kick his a**. Dismiss and remember: you have only 24 hours." Striker, Norwood:"Yes, sir." Striker and Norwood get up and leave the room. Helicopter Deck USS Apollo 7:30 AM: The Apache is sitting on the deck, it's cockpit open and crews making the final checks for the flight. Striker and Norwood appear on the deck. They are now both carrying their weapons and flight helmets. They walk towards the Apache. Norwood:"Look at her, Striker. The latest in military technology at our fingertips." Striker:"Impressive, but the Apache is only as good as it's crew. Any mistake on our part and that technology will mean nothing." Norwood nods. Norwood:"And with this operation, we cannot afford mistakes." They reach the helicopter, climb up the ladders and into the cockpit: Norwood at the pilot controls and Striker at the gunner's. They close the cockpit and put on their helmets. Norwood radios Striker. Norwood:"Can you hear me, Striker?" Striker:"Ja, Mark. Loud and clear." Norwood:"All right. Ready to save the world?" Striker:"As long as you are." Norwood smiles. Norwood:"Good. Let's go." They begin to start up the Apache. The rotors start spinning as the crews back away. Soon the Apache lifts off the deck and flies towards the small country of Frazakastan. Delphi's Camp 8:03 AM: This is a small tent camp with a fire in a clearing amid many pine trees. Several crates and electronic equipment are under the tent. Sitting just outside the tent is a satellite dish. Standing by the fire keeping his hands warm is Agent Delphi. He is an Australian wearing an EDF uniform. Delphi:"Sometimes I wished I just stayed with that security firm guarding wallaby farms in the Outback." He then hears the distant sound of a helicopter and looks up towards the source. He spots the Apache closing in on his camp. Delphi:"That must be them." He backs off a bit as the Apache flies over and stops above the clearing. It then lands on the clearing, Delphi watching out for the strong winds from the rotors. Once the rotors slow down enough he steps up as Norwood and Striker open the cockpit and climb out. They walk up to one another. Norwood:"Agent Delphi?" Delphi:"G'day, Mate. You are the ones who are going to give Franco a good kicking?" Norwood:"Yes, that's us. I'm commander Markus Norwood, and this is my companion, Agent Striker." Delphi looks at Striker for a few moments. Delphi:"So the stories are true. We finally have a wolf-sapien on our side." Striker:"Correction: I am a cano-sapien." Delphi:"Same thing. Still, it's better to fight fire with fire." Norwood:"And Striker is the best we got. Enough of the small talk. Do you have the virus, Delphi?" Delphi digs around in his pocket and stakes out a floppy disk. He hands it to Norwood. Delphi:"This is a very potent virus, mate. It will let you in, lock them out and shut down their radar and communications systems. Just put it in and get it up and running. Leave the rest to it." Norwood:"Thank you, Agent Delphi. The EDF will send a chopper to come and pick you up." Delphi:"Thank you, mate. And good luck." Norwood and Striker climb back into the helicopter, start the rotors and soon take off and fly away. In the cockpit Norwood radios Striker. Norwood:"Now we need to plant the virus at the radar and communications center." Striker:"Won't they see us coming with their radar?" Norwood:"Yes, but we'll be flying low enough to get close to the center. The radar will only be able to pick up our signal from about 5 kilometres. The problem is that once that happens it will be only 2 minutes before they identify us as the enemy, so we got to hit the radar dish before it can identify us. Once done, we must quickly go into the center and upload the virus before they know what is going on." Striker:"How much time will they allow us?" Norwood:"I would say about 5 to 10 minutes at the most. That is if their communications isn't by a dish or transmitter atop the center." Striker shakes his head. Striker:"Ai yai yai. That isn't much, so we'll have to shoot on the run." Norwood:"Yes. We will make it if we move fast enough. What is the ETA at the center?" Striker checks his navigation controls. Striker:"20 minutes." They continue flying onward. Radar Control R&C (Radar and Communications) Center 8:23 AM: This is a well-equipped room with various radar computers. Wolf-sapien radar controllers are at work at the computers. Their radar screens show many blue dots, representing KH Military units. One of them then notice a grey, unidentified dot appearing on his screen. Controller:"Oh great. Another one." He looks towards the chief radar controller. Controller:"Boss! I got another one." The chief controller walks up to the controller. He points at the grey dot. Controller:"Another unidentified object." Chief:"Is it ours?" Controller:"Can't tell for now. It's coming in very low towards us, so I cannot tell whether it's ours or not." Chief:"It will mostly be one of ours. You know how many of these radar equipment still need to be updated to pick up our signals." Controller:"If only the Supreme General wasn't so nuts." They continue watching the screen. Apache 4 Kilometres from R&C Centre At that moment. The Apache is closing in on the forest island where the center is located. Striker calls Norwood. Striker:"They saw us, Mark." Norwood:"Can you lock onto the radar itself?" Striker:"Rather moeilik from this altitude. The trees are breaking up the signal and any missile we fire might get caught in the branches and explode." Norwood:"So we'll have to go higher?" Striker:"Only for a few seconds, Mark. That will be enough time for me to lock onto the radar and fire before we duck down again." Norwood thinks. Norwood:"Risky, but it might work. Get ready. I'm pulling up." Norwood pulls back on the stick and the Apache begins to fly higher and higher. In the cockpit Striker watches his target indicator on the radar dish. After a few moments he gets a good lock. Striker:"Lock! Firing hellfire!" He pushes the fire button on his stick. The Apache shudders a bit as the missile launches and flies towards the radar. Norwood pushes forward on the stick and the Apache dips down to it's original altitude. Striker monitors the missile as it continues on it's flight. Striker:"3000 metres... 2500...." Radar Control R&C Center: The controller and chief are still watching the screen. They see another, smaller grey dot coming from the main one, closing in fast on their own location. Controller:"What the h*** is that? It looks like a...." They both look at each other, eyes very wide now. Controller:"Uh oh." The chief controller looks at all the others. Chief:"GET DOWN!!!" Everyone falls to the floor. Radar Dish Outside R&C Center: This is a large, dark-green, rectangular dish rotating on a control block. The wolf-sapien soldiers around it spot the incoming missile and quickly scatter away from the dish. The missile appears over the trees and in the blink of an eye slams into the block, followed by a large explosion that causes the dish to collapse onto the ground in a heap of mangled and twisted metal. Apache: Striker has just seen the destruction of the radar dish on his screen. Striker:"Kolskoot, Mark! The dish is destroyed." Norwood:"And just in time as well. Plus, I've got some more good news: the center's communications antennae is on the top of the roof and a perfect target. If we take that out, we don't have to worry about any emergency signal going out to the rest of the KH Military." Striker:"Shall I ready rockets or Hellfires?" Norwood:"Chainguns only. We don't want to hit the computer relay tower before we've uploaded the virus." The Apache flies closer to the R&C Center until they are at visual range of the center. Down below KH soldiers are still scurrying about trying to figure out what is going on. Norwood:"They are too occupied for the moment to worry about us. Lock onto the com antennae and open fire at it's base." Striker:"Reg, Mark." Striker aims the Apache's chaingun at the foot of a tall metal tower on the roof of the center. His HUD (heads-up-display) identifies the com- munications antennae and locks onto it. Striker pushes the fire button on his flight stick and the Apache's chaingun opens fire at the base of the antennae. After a few seconds of sustained fire the antennae's base the antennae starts tilting and after a few moments topples over off the center and onto the ground into a heap of twisted metal. Striker:"There. The communications antenna is destroyed." Norwood:"Good. Now, let's clear out any guards around the center, then we can land and enter the building." Striker:"Reg, Mark." Norwood pilots the Apache around the center while Striker uses the chaingun to shoot any soldiers around the center who are attempting to fight back. After a few minutes there is no soldiers left around the center. The Apache lands in front of the entrance and Norwood and Striker climb out, each holding his weapon (Norwood is holding a SM-16 with his laser magnum in a holster attached to his belt and Striker has his sonic rifle ready). They run into the center. Computer Control 8:35 AM: This is a square room with computer generators and processors against the walls and computer terminals arranged in a U around the room. At the moment the guards are running out through one door towards the sounds of fighting while the computer technicians are running out through another door away from the sounds. After a few moments the fighting becomes silent and Norwood and Striker enter the room, looking around for any remaining guards. When they see it is all clear Norwood turns towards Striker. Norwood:"Guard the doorways. I will upload the virus." Striker nods and takes up a defensive position between the two doorways while Norwood runs up to a terminal. He activates it and inserts the disk into the terminal's drive. Terminal:"Reading drive A... Warning. Virus detected. Activating anti- virus pro... Process cancelled. Reading file 'viro911' from drive A... Please enter user name..." Norwood types in his name. Terminal:"Verifying user name.... User name accepted. Hello, Markus Norwood. Please enter command..." Norwood tipes in the command "copy file 'viro911' to main military network". Terminal:"Executing command... Copying... 25%... 53%... 84%... 100%. Task completed. Please enter command..." Norwood smiles and looks at Striker. Norwood:"That's it. The KH Military is now blind and deaf. We can now continue our mission without alerting Franco and setting off Nuclear Storm." He turns back to the terminal and types in a new command. Terminal:"Reading... Command received. Executing self-destruction task. You have five minutes to evacuate the center. Have a nice day." Norwood quickly turns to Striker. Norwood:"Five minutes before this center explodes!" The two of them run out of the room. Apache 8:40 AM: The Apache is flying over the trees in a northern direction. Behind it the center explodes into a huge mushroom-shaped fireball. Striker:"Now that we've destroyed the center and uploaded the virus what is our next objective, Mark?" Norwood reads the computer screen on his console before speaking. Norwood:"The next objective is a busy one: we have to destroy the two nuclear missile bunkers on this island. They house a large portion of the land-based ICBMs on this island and control the silos here as well. The problem is that the only access to the bunker in the south is from the northern bunker. To make things worse, the bunker is protected by MIGs launched from the airfield north of our current position, so the fighters will have to be destroyed before they spot us and take off." Striker:"Ai yai yai. Won't that airfield have it's own radar and communi- cations dish for it's own fighters?" Norwood:"Yes, but with the destruction of the R&C its range has been severely reduced and it won't be able to identify us until we are in visual range. Also, there is a way we can completely shut down the radar by cutting the power to the airfield." Striker:"How?" Norwood:"Between us and the airfield is a nuclear power station that provides power to all the facilities on the island. If we can destroy some of the power pylons from the plant to the airfield we can turn that radar off as well as any defences that need the power to operate." Striker:"Sounds like a good recommendation to me." Norwood:"Let's go, then. Ready some rockets and let them loose once we are near the pylons." Striker:"Reg, Mark." Striker prepares the rocket launchers while Norwood pilots the Apache towards the power plant. Shankar's Office Command Bunker Off Frazakastan Coast At that moment: This office contains a desk, chair, a rubbish bin and a file cabinet. Sitting at his desk and resting is Shankar. There is a knock at his door and he looks up at it. Shankar:"Come in." The door opens and a wolf-sapien general walks in and closes the door behind him. He walks up and salutes Shankar. General:"Sir." Shankar salutes back. Shankar:"Have you General Diehard's helicopter on radar?" General:"No, sir. We a bit of a problem there." Shankar cocks his eyebrows. Shankar:"What kind of problem?" General:"Sir, we have lost all communications and radar functions across Frazakastan. Even worse, we cannot access our computer systems for the reason that our passwords and user names are no longer valid." Shankar becomes concerned. Shankar:"Have you tried calling the personnel at the R&C center?" General:"We have already tried that, sir, but so far we haven't been very successful at contacting the center, or with other units on the islands." Shankar is deep in thought. The general speaks up again. General:"Sir, if I may say so, this is not the first time this has hap- pened." Shankar looks up at the general. Shankar:"Oh? Is there something wrong with the equipment, general?" General:"Yes, there is, sir. The equipment of the Frazakastan armed forces were old, antiquated and in serious need of replacement long before we took control. Franco refused to have them replaced with newer equipment despite my best pleas, thus we have to make do with these junkyard specials, sir." Shankar thinks for a moment before speaking. Shankar:"This might be what you say it is, but in the interest of this operation's security put our forces on standby, just in case this isn't just a simple glitch." General:"Yes, sir." The general salutes and leaves. Shankar leans back in his chair. Shankar:"If this what I think it is, then I hope it lasts long enough to make Franco see some sense." Control Tower Airfield 9:03 AM: This is a concrete military control tower amongst various buildings, bunkers and hangars at the airfield. Soldiers are about on guard duty while wolf-sapien technicians are busy tending to some F-15 Eagles's in the hangars. Around the airfield are some immobile SAM launchers. In the control tower the airfield captain is busy talking to the chief engineer (both of them wolf-sapiens). Captain:"How long will it take you to get our radar and communications equipment upgraded to an improved state?" Engineer:"How should I know? We don't know what's going over at the R&C center and we don't have the needed tools to get these machines to work better without risking a reduction in per- formance." The captain sighs. Captain:"Try to get the machines upgraded as much as you can without causing any performance reduction." Engineer:"Yes, sir." The engineer leaves. Suddenly all the control computers and the lights in the control tower go dead. Everyone except the captain looks around in confusion. The captain groans. Captain:"Great. Now what?" The chief engineer comes back in running and goes up to the captain. Engineer:"We've lost power!" Captain:"I can see that." Engineer:"Not just here, sir! The entire airfield is as dead as fresh road kill!" The captain looks shocked at the engineer. Captain:"You must be joking!" Engineer:"I'm not! My boys are trying to call the wolves at the nuclear plant, but until then this airfield is offline!" Captain:"Get some auxiliary power running! And tell our men to prepare the fighters and get those chaparrals out!" Engineer:"On my way!" The engineer leaves again. After a while outside the F16's start moving out onto the main runway. From some of the bunker appear several mobile chaparrals. Chaparrals are tracked vehicles with a quad radar missile launcher on the back. They move out to various areas around the airfield. Apache 9:13 AM: The Apache is flying low over the countryside alongside the power pylons that lead to the airfield. Further behind it is a plume of smoke where the rockets have destroyed several pylons. Striker:"Not too moeilik. No one hasn't engaged us in combat so far." Norwood:"That might change when we reach the airfield. They may have some old mobile AAA weapons out onto the airfield, but they should pose little or no threat to the Apache." He checks his console. Norwood:"We are closing in on the airfield. Striker, see if you can scan it and find out what the status of the MIGs are as well as what kind of defences we should expect." Striker:"Already on it." He scans the airfield for a while, then stops with a look of concern on his face. Striker:"Mark, I think we are underestimating the KH Military." Norwood:"Oh? What makes you say that?" Striker:"The MIGs are not MIGs at all, nor are those old AAA old AAA." Norwood:"Then what are they?" Striker:"The MIGs and old AAA are really United States F-15's and the Chaparrals AA defence system." Norwood gasps. Norwood:"You're kidding!" Striker:"Nee, Mark. What I am seeing here is your country's weapons in the paws of the KH Military." Norwood is in shock. Norwood:"This. This can't be. Those weapons have just recently been pushed into service of the USAF, and now the KH Military has them in their armoury as well?" Striker:"I hate to say this, Mark, but I think that the Pentagon or even the EDF might have a leak or two in its air tight security." Norwood:"The council isn't going to like this one bit." Striker:"Nee, but we have a new problem: how do we fight past those new Chaparrals out around the airfield? I know enough that their missiles can shoot us down rather quickly." Norwood thinks for a moment. Norwood:"What is the status of those fighters?" Striker looks at his console. Striker:"They are all on the runway ready for take-off the moment we are spotted." Norwood:"How many?" Striker checks his console again. Striker:"Ten." Norwood:"Ouch. Too many of them to take out with the seven hellfires we still have left." Striker:"I think I may have a plan, Mark, but it is very risky." Norwood:"After that trick at the R&C center I'm willing to help pull it off, Striker. What is your plan?" Striker:"We make ourselves seen by the defenders other than those awful Chapparells so that those fighters begin to take off. As they do we crater the runway with some rockets, causing a lot of them to crash and burn on impact with the craters. Then we quickly take the rest out with hellfires and rockets and then disappear before the Chaparrals can get a lock on us." Norwood thinks. Norwood:"Yes. The fighters will attempt to all take off at the same time to avoid being destroyed on the ground. By cratering the runway we can cause some of them to crash, blocking the rest of them from taking off." Striker:"There is still the risk of some of them taking off." Norwood:"We have four stinger anti-aircraft missiles under our wing, but they might not work against the sophisticated countermeasures of the F-15's." He thinks some more, then shakes his head. Norwood:"No, your plan is the best option we have. We simply cannot let those F-15's take off, nor can we directly confront so many Chaparrals at once. We'll risk it. Ready rockets, Striker. We are going to execute this plan of yours." Striker:"I just hope it works." The Apache continues flying towards the airfield. Airfield 9:21 AM: The airfield is a flurry of activity. On the end of the main runway are the ten F-15's. They all have their pilots in the cockpits and some of them have fuel trucks refuelling the planes from large fuel tanks along a road running next to the runway. Not far off are the Chaparrals, their missiles systems now scanning the sky for any hostiles. Not far from the airfield, but still out of view of the airfield personnel and defences, the Apache is slowly flying towards the other end of the main runway, hugging the ground as close as possible. Norwood:"We are almost in position. Now, first we will briefly fly up higher and let them spot us. Once done we will duck down until those fighters start moving down the runway. When that happens, we will duck up again and you will let loose the rockets onto runway. After cratering the runway and causing some fighters to crash, we will reappear for the last time to destroy the few surviving F-15's before flying away." Striker:"And we only have one chance at this, né?" Norwood:"Yes, so you had better be at your best now." Striker:"Don't worry, Mark. I'm ALWAYS at my best when it comes to aiming and shooting." Norwood:"Good. Get ready. I'm going to let them spot us now." Striker nods. The Apache hovers behind some trees, facing towards the runway. It hovers upwards into view for a few moments. Several soldiers spot the Apache and raise the alarm. When the air raid siren goes off, the Apache ducks behind the trees. On the runway the pilots ready their fighters for take-off while technicians and the fuel trucks move away from them to the safety of the hangars and bunkers. Striker monitors the fighters. Striker:"Working so far, Mark. Those fighters are all preparing to scramble to engage us." Norwood:"Ready rockets and tell me when they start rolling down that runway." On the runway the fighters fire their engines one after the other and start moving down the runway, quickly gaining speed. Striker watches them on his console. Striker:"Now, Mark!" Norwood brings the Apache up out of cover for a second time. The F-15's are just about to take off. Striker pushes his fire button and the Apache fires a dozen rockets towards the runway before disappearing behind the trees again. Just as the lead fighter starts taking off its wing gets blown off by a rocket and it tumbles back into the runway, exploding into a fireball. The other rockets blast small but significant craters into the runway. Two fighters hit the craters and smash nose- first into the tarmac and explode. Three more plough into the wreckages while one goes off the runway onto the grass. It looses its balance and falls onto its wing, ripping it off and causing it to crash and explode. The three remaining fighters quickly brake and stop. Striker monitors the entire event from his console. Striker:"Got seven of them! The three remaining ones have stopped! Again, Mark!" Again Norwood brings the Apache out of cover. Striker fires a few more rockets at the fighters. The pilots see this and quickly eject before their fighters are struck by the rockets and destroyed. The Chaparrals are now rushing towards the Apache. Striker:"We had better leave, Mark! Those Chaparrals are onto us!" Norwood:"Away we go!" Norwood pilots the Apache just as one Chaparrals fires a missile. It is in vain and the missile simply detonates against a tree, setting a clump of them on fire while the Apache flies away to the east. In the cockpit both Striker and Norwood breathe a sigh of relief. Norwood:"We did it, and very well too. Good work, Striker." Striker:"Ditto, Mark. I was expecting to destroy at least one or two in first attack, but not seven of them." Norwood:"They were trying to scramble all at once. Not a good tactic, as you just saw. Now, with them out, we only have to worry about local ground forces on this island." Striker:"We are off to the northern missile bunker, then?" Norwood:"Yes. We have to find out how we can get from that bunker to the other before we can destroy them." The Apache continues flying eastward. Missile Control Northern Missile Bunker 10:04 AM: This is a high-tech launch control room with many computers, monitors, consoles and terminals. On a large screen is a map of the island showing the bunker and various missile silos across the island. Currently the only ones here are dead wolf-sapien soldiers. Norwood and Striker come running into the room. Norwood:"This is ridiculous! This bunker has got to have a way to the southern bunker and so far we haven't any sign of a secret door or hatch or anything indicating a way to it." Striker:"And we cannot stay here for very long too. Someone might see the dead soldiers and destroyed defences about the place and run to call reinforcements." Norwood:"We'll do a sweep again. You start from the north and I will begin in the south." Striker nods and they both begin to run out, Norwood going first. Just as Striker is about to leave he hears the sound of his feet hitting a loose tile on the floor. He stops and looks at the tile for a few moments, then moves it away to reveal a ladder leading down a shaft. He looks down it, then shouts to Norwood. Striker:"Mark! I think I found something!" After a few moments Norwood comes running in, Striker squatting by the hatch. Striker:"Where do you think this leads?" Norwood:"It might just lead to what we are looking for. You go down and I'll follow." Striker starts climbing down the ladder with Norwood following him. Once they reach the bottom they look around. They are now in some kind of power room with large generators creating power and wires leading the power through the wall next to a door. Striker:"This is some kind of power room, but what is it providing power to? Isn't the nuclear plant supposed to power the bunkers instead?" Norwood:"Very odd. Perhaps the answer is behind that door." Striker:"I'll take a close look." They move closer to the door, their weapons pointed at it. Once they get to it they go along either side of it. Striker quietly opens the door and pushes it open just wide enough for a small space to see through. Striker peers through. Striker:"I see a large group of soldiers behind a machine gun. They are all looking at what appears to be elevator doors." Norwood:"How many?" Striker:"I can see ten, but there may be more of them that I cannot see." Norwood:"Hydrogen grenades, then." They both take out a hydrogen grenade (which looks like a green golf ball) each. They arm them, then Norwood looks at Striker. Norwood:"Ready?" Striker:"Always." Norwood:"Now." Striker pushes the door a bit more open and the two of them toss their grenades towards the soldiers before closing the door. The soldiers who heard the noises spot the grenades, but before they can even warn their comrades the grenades explode. The explosion engulfs most of the soldiers and blows away the door which Striker had opened, but the two agents are shielded by the power generators. When the blast dies down they both get up and rush out of the room, scanning for any surviving soldiers. They find none, but Striker spots something through the smoke. Striker:"Mark, there is something over there." They run out of the smoke to the object, which is actually a very long tunnel running southwards. On rail tracks, which run with the tunnel, is an electric tram. Norwood:"That has got to lead to the southern bunker. We'll climb into it and before we reach the other end we jump out to avoid getting shot by guarding troops. We can then run down the tunnel behind the tram, shooting at any soldiers. Got it?" Striker:"Ja." Norwood:"Move." They both climb into the tram, start it up and start moving down the tunnel towards the southern bunker. Tram Station Southern Missile Bunker 10:20 AM: This is just like the one back at the northern bunker, except there are no soldiers about. The electric tram appears and stops at the end of the rail, but Striker and Norwood isn't inside it. After a while they both appear, weapons at the ready. Striker:"Looks like the guards here haven't been alerted to what is now going on here in Frazakastan." Norwood:"Thank God for Agent Delphi and his virus. We'll use the ladder again if there is one. The elevator will be better guarded than that." Striker goes over to the door, opens it and checks inside for any hostiles. He finds none and they both enter the power room. Once there they begin climbing up another ladder. When reaches the top he lifts the tile up slightly and looks around for any soldiers. When he sees none he quickly moves the tile away and jumps out, weapon ready and scanning for soldiers. He sees that he is inside a silo with a nuclear ICBM (Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile) inside. Attached to it are various support beams and fuel lines. Norwood comes out next. Striker:"Either this is the bunker, or we may have just entered one of the island's silos." Norwood:"No, I don't think they would build such a rail system to just one of their silos. This must be the bunker." Striker:"If so, how are we going to destroy it?" Norwood:"I had a look at the other bunker. At the center of the bunker is the ICBM storage bay. The ICBMs are moved into a silo after one has launched, sort of like a gun that reloads. What's more, these ICBMs are moved on rails to the silos and when they get there, they can be launched." Striker:"You have a plan, Mark?" Norwood:"Yes. We are going to let this gun have a live round explode in its barrel." Striker looks a bit worried at Norwood. Striker:"Are you going to detonate a warhead? Or just the missile?" Norwood:"Just the missile. A nuclear explosion will alert every soldier across Frazakastan, but not a simple missile explosion. I'll explain when we get to the storage bay." They begin running down some rails towards the bay. After a few minutes they reach the bay. It contains several dozen ICBMs on rail carts, with the window of the bay control facility high in the bay wall. Striker and Norwood run behind a silo to avoid being spotted, then they begin to talk again. Striker:"I think I know what you want to do, Mark. You are going let one of the missiles launch inside this bay into the bunker above it, destroying the bunker." Norwood:"You catch on fast. Yes, that's my plan. Now, I will stay down here and try to jam one ICBM's rail cart so that won't be able to move away while you go up to that control facility and ready the missile's launch. Once there, you will set the missile to launch in about five minutes after its cart has begun 'moving'. That should give us enough time to escape before the ICBM launches." Striker:"Goeie idea, Mark. Let's do it." Striker runs towards the service ladder that leads up to the control facility while Norwood goes over to an ICBM and starts working on its rail cart. Striker climbs the ladder to the door that leads into the facility. He opens it and rushes into the facility, weapon ready, but all he finds is a technician who is busy checking something under the control panel. The technician speaks up. Technician:"Ah, good. You're back. Did you get that screw driver I asked for?" Striker:"No, but I got something else." The technician pops his head out from under the panel, right into the thrusting boot of Striker's. He is knocked against the console and falls to the floor, unconscious. Striker then walks up to the console and then starts working to get the missile working. Down below Norwood succeeds in applying, then breaking, the manual brakes of the cart. He walks away and looks up towards the control facility and sees Striker working at getting the missile ready. Inside Striker finally readies the missile and checks the console screen. On it appears "ICBM-14 LAUNCH INITIATED. TIME LEFT UNTIL LAUNCH: 5:00". The timer begins counting down. Striker heads out the control facility, grabs the ladder and quickly slides down to Norwood. Striker:"Five minutes, Mark!" They both start running. At the ICBM the cart begins to move, but just as quickly stops due to the brakes. The ICBM's boosters start heating up for the launch. Tram Station: Striker and Norwood run out of the power room and jump onto the tram. They start it up and begin moving back towards the northern bunker. ICBM Storage Bay: The ICBM's booster fire up and the missile lifts off, heading upwards towards the ceiling of the bay. Southern Missile Bunker: The bunker is a large, square cement structure with four missile silos at each corner and surrounded by guard towers, pillboxes and a chain link fence. The entire complex sits not far from a forest in open grassland. Suddenly the top of the bunker bursts open, letting out a massive explosion, while fireballs rush out of open doorways, windows and hatches around the bunker. The blast knocks down several guard towers and knocks those soldiers who weren't caught in the blast to their feet. Tram Station Northern Missile Bunker: The tram arrives at the end of the rail again and both Striker and Norwood jump off and run back into the power room. Behind the tram a fireball from the blast rushes down the tunnel to the station. Just as Striker and Norwood take cover again in the power room the blast reaches the station. The fireball throws the tram off the tracks and into a wall, smashing it. The room is engulfed in flames. After a few moments the fireball dies down and the two agents reappear from cover. They both breathe a sigh of relief. Norwood:"That was close." Striker:"Maybe... nah, that cliché is old. I'll just agree with you." Norwood:"Now that we have destroyed the southern bunker, let's do the same with this one." They both begin climbing up the ladder again. Apache 5 Kilometres from Northern Missile Bunker 10:45 AM: The Apache is flying low once again over the countryside, leaving behind the bunker, which has now been destroyed in the same way as the southern one and smoking and burning heavily. The Apache is heading northwest. Striker:"What is our next objective, Mark?" Norwood:"Our next objective is the last one we have to do here before we head off for the main island. North of the island is a small island with a significantly large submarine pen. This pen now holds all the KH Military's submarines that can fire ICBMs. Our job is to sink everyone of those subs before they leave for open water." Striker:"What is the plan to sink them, if we have one?" Norwood:"Simple. This one is an all-guns-a-blazing attack. We go in and sink the subs with our weapons while avoiding getting shot down by the defenders." Striker grins. Striker:"This should be good." The Apache continues flying towards the sub pens. Submarine Pens 10:59 AM: The submarine pens are several concrete piers that branch out from the island. On the island is a large harbour control building while at the docks are Typhoon-class nuclear submarines. Cranes on the piers are busy loading ICBMs into the subs from the trucks that transport them. Patrolling the piers and around the building are several Chaparrals and some ZSU-11 tanks. Apache En route to Submarine Pens 11:12 AM: The Apache is flying just above the waves of the sea towards the sub pen in the distance. Norwood:"We have visual of the island with the pens. Give me a scan of the island, Striker." Striker scans the island via his console for a while, then he gives a report. Striker:"We have five Typhoon submarines in dock and being loaded with ICBMs and considerable defences in the form of ZSU-11 tanks and more of those Chaparrals." Norwood:"First Chapparells and F-15's, now Typhoon subs. How did they get these weapons? Certainly not from the black market." Striker:"Someone inside the government military must be selling these to the KH Military, and very discreetly as well. You don't sell a state-of-the-art Typhoon like milk tarts at a bazaar." Norwood:"It might be a shady hidden government within a government who is on Malcolm Industries' payroll." Striker:"Greed. Don't you just love it?" Norwood:"We'll worry about this problem later. Right now we have to send those Typhoons to Davy Jones' locker, but those Chaparrals will be the first obstacle we will have to deal with. We can always jink out of the way of the shots of those ZSU-11's, but the missiles of those Chaparrals will hunt us like piranhas. How many are there?" Striker:"I counted four, all of them on the piers. And each of them will be carrying four anti-aircraft missiles." Norwood:"We need to avoid them from launching those missiles at us. See what structures are there, Striker." Striker:"Sure. Planning to use them as cover?" Norwood:"Yes, especially if it is a valuable structure. They can fire bullets all they can at us, but it is a better choice than getting shot at by those Chaparrals." Striker scans the island again, then reports in. Striker:"The largest structure there is the harbour control building. It is located by the docks and all the Typhoons are well within range of our missiles and rockets if we use that building as cover." Norwood:"Perfect. Here's our plan: we charge in, alert the harbour, then shoot at those Chaparrals using the harbour control building as cover. Once done, we destroy any threatening ZSU-11 or kill any soldiers with bazookas before we take on those Typhoons. In their current state of loading, they will take a while before they can launch for open water. By then we will have destroyed enough of the defences to turkey-shoot those Typhoons." Striker:"Sounds good to me." Norwood:"Very well. Let's do it." The Apache continues towards the submarine pens. Submarine Pens 11:17 AM: Everything is still the same, until a warning siren goes off as the Apache appears and rockets an exposed ZSU-11 before ducking behind the harbour control building. Norwood:"Good. We got their attention. I'll take us up so you can see where the Chaparrals are so you can quickly target and fire." Striker:"Reg, Mark." Norwood bring the Apache up above of the harbour building and Striker scans and notes the locations of the Chaparrals (who are now moving in on the Apache's location). The Apache dips behind cover while soldiers inside the building open fire on it, their bullets bouncing off the thick armour. Norwood:"Do you have their general locations?" Striker:"Perfectly. Just take us out from cover and let me do the rest." Norwood jinks the Apache to the right of the building. Striker targets the first Chaparral and fires a hellfire at it before the Apache ducks behind cover. The crew of the Chaparral jump off and run as the missile closes in. The missile slams straight into the Chaparral, blowing it apart into large pieces of debris. Striker:"Kolskoot! Next, Mark." Norwood repeats the process, this time jinking the Apache to the left of the building. Striker locks onto the next Chaparral and fires a set of rockets at it before they duck behind cover again. The Chaparral tries to dodge these rockets, but fails. The rockets smash into the ground right under the front of the Chaparral, sending it flying through the air before it lands into the water next to the pier. Striker:"Got number two. Again, Mark." Again the Apache appears from cover (from the top of the building) and Striker fires another hellfire. The Apache dives behind cover while the hellfire travels towards a Chaparral which is behind a loading crane. The missile strikes the crane's base and explodes, the blast sending large chunks of metal flying into the Chaparral and smashing it apart. The crane, like a sawn pine tree, falls and collapses on top of a Typhoon, forcing the Typhoon's rear end under the water and letting water rush into the open hatches. The crew of the Typhoon abandon ship as the sub starts sinking. Striker(gunning down a soldier with a bazooka):"Kolskoot! And we also sunk a Typhoon into the bargain!" Norwood:"Wonderful! Last one." Striker then notices from the corner of his eye, a ZSU-11 appearing from the left side of the building. Striker:"Mark! A Zeus at our 9!" Norwood quickly turns the Apache to face the ZSU, and the ZSU points its turret at the Apache. Striker fires a rocket and blows the tank's turret apart. Striker:"They are using the same tactic as we are now, Mark." Norwood:"Then we will jump out of cover immediately. You quickly take out that last Chaparral and then we go after the subs." Norwood brings the Apache out of cover for the last time. Striker spots and fires at the last Chaparral with some rockets. The blasts of the rockets knocks the Chaparral onto its side and damages it beyond repair. Striker:"Last one is gone." Norwood:"Now for the subs. Aim for the conning tower so that we can conserve ammunition." Striker nods as Norwood brings the Apache to two Typhoons docked on either side of a pier. Striker aims and lets fly a rocket at each sub's conning tower. The rockets blast apart the towers, leaving the Typhoons like dead metal logs in the water. They then go over to the other sub which is docked opposite the one that was sunk by the crane and smashes its tower as well. It is then that Striker and Norwood notice something. Norwood:"You said there where five Typhoons?" Striker:"Ja, but where is that last one? I clearly saw him during my scan." Norwood:"If it launched while we were dealing with the Chaparrals then we've failed our mission." They continue scanning the area, then they both spot the conning tower of the last Typhoon above the water as it leaves the sub pen for the open ocean. Striker:"There is it!" Norwood:"It's already launched! We must quickly go in and sink it before it goes underwater!" The Apache quickly flies towards the Typhoon, ignoring the shots coming from ZSU's and soldiers. The Typhoon is now submerging quickly. When the Apache gets to it, it is too late. The periscope disappears under the waves. Norwood:"It's gone! We're finished!" Striker:"Not yet! Bring us over the sub!" Norwood:"Rockets and missiles won't work! They will detonate on the surface!" Striker:"That's why I'm using the chaingun!" Norwood:"You'll never be able to sink the Typhoon with bullets!" Striker:"Mark, they always ask on the television: 'Do you feel lucky, punk?'. Well, this punk is feeling lucky! Bring me in!" Norwood does so and brings the Apache close over the water where the dark shadow of the Typhoon is quickly disappearing. Striker opens fire with the chaingun on the shadow. Beneath the water the Typhoon is now descending, the bullets flying past through the water. The bullets miss the sub or is stopped by the friction of the water. One bullet hits the hinge of the hatch on the conning tower while another hits the spot where the hatch meets the opening's side. The pressure increases on the hatch, then it gives way and the hatch is forced down into the conning tower along with the sea water. On the surface the air from the sub bubbles on the surface. Norwood:"I think you may have hit something critical." Under the waves the Typhoon lets air into its ballast tanks and it quickly heads back to the surface, but slows down as it gets nearer and nearer to the surface. Above, Striker and Norwood watch anxiously as the shadow comes closer to the surface. The nose of the sub breaks the surface, then remains suspended in the air for a few moments before slipping back under the water. Striker:"Kolskoot." Norwood:"I cannot believe it! You actually sunk the Typhoon! You did it, Striker!" Striker:"Just doing my job, Mark." Norwood smiles broadly. Norwood:"I now definitely look forward to going along with you on future missions, Striker." Striker:"Regtig, Mark? Then you will be signing a contract that guarantees you will get grey hairs before you reach the age of 30." Norwood laughs out loud. Striker smiles a little bit. Norwood:"Let's go. We are done here." The Apache flies away in a northeast direction. Garage The Shepherd Residence Socorro, New-Mexico United States of America 1:00 PM: It's a simple garage clutters with dozens of auto parts, equipment, tools, etc. Inside, instead of a car, is a crude device that bears a resemblance to the Transdogmafier. William is here working on the device. He is wearing some stained overalls. Outside the window of the garage one can see that it is dark (due to timezone differences between Socorro and Frazakastan). William:"There. Let me see if this will work." He connects two wires with each other and gets a powerful jolt of eletricity. He jumps away. William:"Ouch!" Just then Isabel walks in carrying two cups of hot chocolate. William gets up and goes over to Isabel to take his cup. William:"Thanks. This will taste nice." Isabel smiles. Isabel:"No problem. How are you progressing with the device?" William takes a sip of chocolate before speaking. William:"I just need to fix a few cliches here and there and we'll soon have a working prototype." Isabel:"That's good." She looks the device over. Isabel:"It doesn't quite look like the one you had built back at the university." William:"No, but she can still work. If she does, I could transdogmafy a dog and use him as proof that my idea of the transdogmafier is a reality." Isabel:"That's nice, but right now it's almost time for that movie." William looks at his wristwatch. William:"Oh yes! I'd better get changed so we can see it." They both leave the garage and William turns off the light. Through the window one can see the sinister eyes of a nightvision goggle. It continues looking at the device through the window before disappearing into the night. Bridge KH Destroyer "Liquidator" 2 Kilometres from Main Island of Frazakastan 2:34 PM: This is the bridge of an American World War II destroyer. Wolf-sapien sailors are busy with navigation and controls while the captain is busy reading a report. Captain:"Good. Our gunner crews are ready for the operation and the helicopters have been launched. We should be ready to commence the battle in a few minutes." Apache Not far off: 2:37 PM: The Apache is flying at normal altitude through a cloud towards the main island. Striker:"So we are now done with the first island?" Norwood:"Yes. We've accomplished all the objectives for that arena. Now it is on to the main island to destroy the remaining nuclear launch areas and to dismantle the KH command structure in preparation for the Soviet invasion of Frazakastan." Striker:"What is our first objective?" Norwood:"Our first objective, however, is to fly over to the refinery on the island by the main one to steal some fuel for our Apache. We are running a bit low, but this should be simple. The refinery is large and poorly defended, so we won't have any difficulty in completing this mission." Just as they clear the cloud they suddenly find themselves in the middle of a large group of various military helicopters with the KH insignia on them. Norwood and Striker look in shock at the helicopters. Norwood:"What the h***? Where did these come from?" Striker looks down on his console. Striker:"Radar isn't showing anything." Norwood:"What? But it should." Striker:"Unless..." He checks the console, then his eyes widen. Striker:"Ai yai yai! Our radar has been damaged!" Norwood:"Damaged? But they haven't opened fire on us yet." Striker:"The radar was damaged a while ago! Wasn't the computer supposed to immediately tell us about this?" Norwood:"Yes, it should hav.... Oh no!" Striker:"What?" Norwood:"Outside! On our right!" Striker looks to his right and gasps. On their right is the Liquidator, it's guns aimed at them. Striker:"Ai yai yai yai yai yai!" Bridge KH Liquidator: The captain is looking towards the helicopters with some binoculars. Captain:"Excellent. We got them. Tell our gunners that they may fire when ready." Sailors:"Aye, Captain!" The sailors begin to relay the captain's orders. Apache: Striker and Norwood are still looking at the Liquidator. Striker:"I think we have been lead into a trap." Norwood:"I think that you are right, but how in the wo...." The liquidator's guns open fire with machine guns and artillery. In an instant the air is filled with flying shells. Several of the choppers explode into fireballs as they get struck by shells. Striker:"What is going on? Why are they shooting their own forces down as well?" Norwood:"I don't know, but we had better get out of here quickly before we suffer the same fate!" Norwood pushes hard on the stick and the Apache quickly accelerates as more choppers explode around them. Gunner's Nest Machine Gun Onboard the Liquidator: The wolf-sapien gunner has just shot down another chopper and is looking for his next target. He spots the Apache. Gunner:"Look at that one! He will look nice on my kill card." He takes aim and opens fire. Apache: The shells from the machine gun fly past the Apache. Striker:"One of them has us in his sights!" Norwood:"I will try jinking to shake him off!" The Apache starts shifting left and right to avoid the shots. Gunner's Nest: The gunner is trying to keep his aim on the Apache, but he doesn't seem to be frustrated at this. Gunner:"Feisty one, aren't you?" He gets the Apache in his sights. Gunner:"Got you!" He opens fire again. Apache: The bullets come flying past the Apache again, but Norwood manages to dodge them with his continuous jinking. Norwood:"We'll fly at top speed to the refinery. They won't dare shoot us there!" Suddenly a shell rips into the engine of the Apache and causes it to explode into a fireball. Norwood:"We're hit!" Striker:"Can you make it to the island?" Norwood:"I'll try!" He struggles to keep the Apache on course to the island, but they are loosing altitude at an increasing rate. Gunner's Nest: The gunner watches the Apache smoke, burn and drop lower and lower. Gunner:"You never could avoid me. Now, who's next?" He looks around for his next target. Apache: The Apache is closing in on the island, with the oil refinery in the distance, but it is burning severely and dropping rapidly. Norwood:"We are not going to land this one safely!" Striker:"We eject then?" Norwood:"Yes! Get ready!" Striker and Norwood grab their weapons as the Apache drops ever closer to the approaching shore of the island. After a few seconds Norwood shouts out to Striker as the Apache clears the ocean. Norwood:"That's it! NOW!!!" They both hit the eject buttons next to their seats. The blades of the Apache's rotors shoot away, then the cockpit shoots away. Norwood's seat is rocketed up and away from the dying Apache, but Striker's seat fails to eject. Striker:"Ai yai yai!" He starts struggling to undo his seat belts. As he does, the Apache starts dropping like a stone towards the ground. As Striker undoes his one belt he looks ahead of him and his eyes widen in horror as he sees the ground coming at him. The Apache hits the ground nose first, then the fires ignite the fuel tanks. The Apache explodes into a fireball and the explosion sets off the rockets, missiles and bullets, making the explosion even larger. When the explosions die down, all that is left of the Apache, and Striker, is a burning heap of unrecognisable, twisted and mauled metal. TO BE CONTINUED...