Slaves of the Family The Road Rovers are property of Warner Bros. This story is written by Kristen Coughlan and Gerhard Naudé. This story is for entertainment proposes only and not for profit. Kya is property of Kristen Coughlan. The Vorster family and Jock are property of Gerhard Naudé Slaves of the Family Kya was taken to the Adriaan's estate and put in a guarded slave pen. One of the bodyguards at the estate locks the gate of the pen. He then calls out into the pen. Bodyguard (shouts) Hey, Slave! Here's something to make you happy. The bodyguards laugh and walk back to their posts. The other slave in the pen comes out of its small hut into the open. It is a male husky with light brown fur and white highlights and brown eyes. He is wearing tarred denim jeans. Kya slowly backs away in fear. The husky stares emotionlessly at Kya, then walks over and kneels before her. He looks her over. Kya whimpers in fear. The husky keeps staring at Kya, then he finally speaks. Husky (calm) You're the minister's new slave? Kya (scared) Ja . . . Husky (calm) Then you had better know your duties or else... Kya still shakes in fear. Husky (calm).... you should probably work in the kitchens, being female and all. And be careful around here. The Minister's wife is all right, but...the Minister himself can be very harsh... if he is home. Kya begins to cry. The husky sighs and pats her shoulder. Husky (calm) I know it's bad right now, but you will get used to it... Kya (crying) I want out of here . . . Husky (shakes head) That's not possible. Vorster's bodyguards are everywhere with orders to shoot if one of us tries to escape. Kya lowers her head in sadness. The husky stands up and offers his paw. Husky (calm) Come. You need rest. I'll show you where you can sleep. She timidly holds out her paw and puts it in his. The husky helps Kya up and takes her to her hut. It is small, barely the size of a small car, with only some straw to sleep on. Kya (timid) How did you become his slave . . .? Husky (calm) That is not important. Go and lie down. You need some sleep. Kya sits down on the straw. The husky prepares to go back to his hut, then stops and looks at Kya. Husky (calm) By the way, my name is Jock. Kya (timid) I'm Kya. Jock smiles a little and nods, then heads back to his hut. Kya lies down and cries. The husky sighs, then goes into his own hut. Jock can hear Kya's crying from his hut. Guard (yells) Shut up in there! Kya cried herself to sleep. She was still sleeping when there is a knock on her hut. Jock is standing by it. Jock (pokes his head inside) Wake up! Breakfast. Kya moans and gets up. She follows Jock out of the hut. Jock goes over to two large bowls with some hot food in them. He takes one bowl and offers to Kya. Jock (calm) Here you go. Kya slowly eats out of her bowl. Jock also chows down on his food. Jock (calm): This is basically all we get to eat: cooked leftovers. The mistress does occasionally give me some sweets, but this is our staple food. At least it is better food than at the camps and it will give you the needed strength until dinner. Jock sees some staff members coming to the pen. One of the staff members appears at the gate. Staff (stern) Husky mutant. You are to pull out those weeds around the rose gardens. As for the female mutant, she is to come to the kitchen when she's done eating. Jock finishes eating, then goes to Kya. Jock (calm): You done? Kya finishes eating and nods. Jock takes her paw and leads her to the pen gate. Jock calls out. Jock (calm): We're ready, Masters. One of the bodyguards comes and opens the gates while two others keep watch on them. Kya timidly follows Jock out of the slave pen. One of the guards hit Kya. Guard (stern) Hurry up, slave! Jock goes over and hurries Kya along, putting himself between her and the guards. Kya whimpers a little as she walked. The guards lead them onward, Jock staying close to Kya as they to a porch by the door that leads to the kitchen. Guard (stern) Female mutant, get in there and get to work. Jock goes and whispers in Kya's ear. Jock (whispers): Don't worry. Once you are inside, you'll be safe. The maid who works there is not as harsh as the guards, and the madam is even better. Kya nods and timidly goes inside. She sees a smallish kitchen with the latest appliances, a door that leads to the dining room plus a "bar" connecting the two rooms. Kya sees the maid coming into the kitchen. The maid, a portly black woman of middle age with a dress and cook napkin around her waist, looks at Kya. Maid (smiles): So you are the new worker here. Can you cook? Kya nods slowly. The maid goes to a closet, opens it and digs around. She takes out an apron and throws it to Kya. Maid (smiles): You can use this. Kya puts the apron on. Adriaan's wife, Mariaan, comes into the dining room and calls out to her maid. Mariaan (voice only): Jeanette! Are you there? Jeanette (calls out): Coming, Ma'am. Just tending to our new cook. Mariaan comes into the kitchen. Mariaan, a beautiful woman in her middle-ages and wearing a nice blue dress, spots Kya. She smiles slightly at her. Mariaan (smiles): Wel, hello daar. En jou naam is? Kya (timid) Kya. Mariaan (smiles): Kya, dit is 'n mooi naam. Van waar kom jy? Kya blinks. Mariaan (smiles): Oh, you don't really understand Afrikaans all that well? Kya nods. Mariaan (smiling): That is all right. I can speak English quite well. (smiles)Tell me, what can you cook for us? Kya (blunt) I can cook almost anything. I usually cook for my family. Mariaan (smiles): That's nice. Who is your family? Kya (blunt): I have five brothers and three sisters. Mariaan (interested): All cano-sapiens? Kya (nods) Ja. Mariaan smiles, then quickly looks around before whispering at Kya. Mariaan: (whispering): I am not as harsh as my husband, nor as Jeanette. But be careful around the guards. Kya nods. Mariaan: Other than that, you can relax around us. How about making us all some tea? Or do you prefer coffee? Kya (relaxes) I prefer tea. Kya begins to make it. Mariaan: That's nice. Bring it to the living room. Jeanette will help you by showing you around. Mariaan turns to Jeanette and nods. Jeanette goes over to Kya and shows her through all the cabinets where the stuff is. Kya finishes the tea and brings it to the living room. The living room is a spacious room with several comfortable couches and chairs around a polished wooden table. Potted plants are in the corners and near the large window looking out over the grasslands of the Northwest Province. Jeanette wipes the table clean, then points to where Kya should set the tea tray down. Kya sets the tea tray down. Jeanette sits down next to Mariaan on the couch. Mariaan takes her cup, then offers a nearby chair. Mariaan: Asseblief, sit down and have some tea. Kya (sits down) Dankie. Mariaan(smiling): You are welcome. Now, tell me more about yourself. Kya: I was born in South Africa. My family became cano-sapiens two years ago. After the non-human act, my family moved out of South Africa. I only came back to help some friends of my mother. Mariaan: And who are these friends, if I may ask? Kya: They were two cano-sapiens who came to South Africa to visit the humans they used to work with when they were canines, not knowing the non-human act was in place. Mariaan sighs and shakes her head. Mariaan (sighs): My husband's hatred for your kind is unheard of. Jeanette: I've heard from reading some of those overseas newspapers that his hatred towards mutants is like that of Hitler towards Jews. Kya (sighs) He doesn't understand not all of us are bad. (sighs again) If only he knew the truth about what happened . . . Mariaan: Truth about what? Kya (sighs) Nothing . . . Later that night, Kya and Jock were returned to the slave pen. Kya sat outside her hut looking at the stars. Jock was sitting along the slave pen's fence. Kya was thinking about what happened that day. Kya (sighs) I made a big mistake . . . Jock looks over at her. Jock (confused) Did you make the mistress mad? Kya (sad) I almost revealed the whole truth about the Vorster murders. Jock (confused): Revealed? But everyone knows who is responsible. Kya (shakes head) Nee. Striker wasn't responsible, the KH Military is. Jock (confused): You mean that group of wolf-sapien terrorists? Kya (nods) Ja. They covered their crime by making it look like Striker did it. Jock (confused) How do you know this information? Kya (sad) Striker is a Road Rover and so am I. Jock frowns, taking in this information. Jock (stern): You have a dangerous friend. Adriaan wants Striker dead, and he will stop at nothing. Kya (sighs): Striker was at the wedding, when he was human . . . Jock (confused): Striker? A human? I find that a little hard to swallow, Kya. Kya (sighs): It is possible for a human to become cano-sapien by accident. Striker was one of them. Jock (frowns): That sounds a lot like fantasy. And I doubt Adriaan Vorster would believe it too. Kya (sighs): Striker was hunting down the KH Military for what they done. He followed them to a power station and battled them. He was kicked into a power generator and the electric shock mutated his DNA and became a cano-sapien. Jock (frowns): And who was he? As a human, I mean. Kya (sighs): Gerard Vorster Jock stares at Kya for a long time, then sternly looks at her. Jock (stern): Listen to me carefully: if you value your life, you will NOT tell that to the mistress, to anyone around here and especially not to Adriaan Vorster. Understand? Kya (sad) I understand . . . Jock (stern): And I strongly recommend you NEVER mention that preposterous information again. It is very dangerous. Kya sighs and turns away from Jock. Jock goes over and pats Kya on the shoulder, then heads over to his hut. Kya (sighs) I thought you would like to know the truth . . . Jock stops, then looks back at her. Jock (shakes head): I do, but as it stands I do not believe it. Sorry. Kya heads towards the fence. Kya (to herself) I'm out of here. Kya climbs the fence and jumps to the other side. Jock looks up in shock at what she is doing. He quickly runs to the fence and whispers loudly to her. Jock (whispers): Kya! Come back! You will only get yourself into more trouble! Kya ignores Jock and runs towards the main fence. Suddenly one of the guards by the main fence spots Kya running. He shouts out to the others. Guard (shouts): Alarm! The mutant slave is escaping! Kya jumps and begins to climb over the main fence. She hears the alarm go off. With her super hearing it hurts her and she slips off the fence. On the ground, she covers her ears in pain. The guards come running up to her, aiming their rifles and shouting at her. Several of them tie her roughly up. As they do, the alarm stops. Kya's ears are still ringing as she is being brought back to the slave pen. The guards toss her back into the hut, then put a collar around her neck and chain the collar to her hut. They leave and lock the gate. Jock comes up to Kya. Jock (concerned): You all right? Kya (whines) It's my dumb super power. Loud noises hurt me. She paws at her ears a little. Jock carefully touches her ears, checking if they are all right. Kya (sad) Most of my family have better powers than me. If I had their powers, I will be long gone. Jock sighs and carefully pats her shoulder again. Jock (concerned): I am sorry for you, but you will have to learn to be careful around here. Kya (sad): I guess have to wait for my friends to rescue me. Jock: That would be best: wait. The main gates open and a limo drives into the estate. Jock looks over at the limo. Jock (nervous): Uh oh. Here comes the master. Adriaan exits the limo. One of the guards informs Adriaan of the events that just happened. Adriaan can be seen staring with a frown at the cages, then says something to the guard. Adriaan (stares at the pens): So that new mutant has a weakness to loud noises. Guard (nods): Ja, sir. When the alarms went on, she grabbed her ears in pain. Adriaan (nods): Reg. Whenever she tries to escape, activate the alarm. Guard (nods): Ja, sir. Adriaan (stern): I want her alive. She is associated with Striker. When he and those other mutants come for her, they will be ours. Guard: Ja, sir! Kya continue to whine in pain. Jock turns back to Kya and begins to rub her ears carefully. Jock (concerned): Go and lie down. It will do you good. Kya nods and goes into her hut. Jock watches her go in, then goes and lies down in front of her hut. The scene shifts to a month later. Kya and Jock are now close friends. Kya is has become homesick and misses her family. Kya (sighs) I never been this long separated from my family. Jock lays a reassuring paw on Kya's shoulder. Jock (sighs): I know how it feels. I've been separated from my parents since I was a pup. Kya (sighs): My mother was banished from the pack a few weeks after me and my eight siblings were born. My father raised us since then. I lost my father to the non-human act when we were escaping. I recently found my mother a few months ago. Both Kya and Jock look toward the estate. Adriaan and Mariaan are showing some guests around. Jock looks at the guests arriving. Jock (points): Those people are members of the New Broederbond. Kya (confused): Who? Jock (explains): The Broederbond was an old organization of whites back in the days of Apartheid. This is the new one, which includes all members of Adriaan's friends in the government, black and white. They are the REAL people in charge of SA. Kya (shocked) Oh my! Jock (nodding): And since Adriaan is the leader of the New Broederbond, he can have so much power even as minister of finance. Kya (sighs): This is not goed. Jock (nods): Definitely. And they are all as anti-mutant as Adriaan. Kya twitches her ears using her super hearing to hear what Adriaan and his followers are saying. Adriaan is busy speaking to Simon Nbudikwe, the top general in the SADF. Adriaan (greets): How are you doing? Ndubikwe (nods): Goed, and you? Adriaan (blunt): Not bad. Still having trouble with the books. They pass the slave pen. Ndubikwe looks at the pen and sees Kya. Ndubikwe (sees Kya): Ah. I see you got another mutant slave. Adriaan (nods): Ja. She did try to escape earlier, she's learned her place. Kya growls under her breath. Ndubikwe (stares): And looks quite strong too. Adriaan (nods): Indeed, though I need her in the kitchens. The other one does all of the big work. Ndubikwe (looks at Adriaan): What about the other mutants? We are running out of space at the camps and international opinion is turning against us. Adriaan (stern): Only parts of the international community. Remember: Only the United States and her allies are in bed with these mutants. The rest of the world sees these mutants for what they are worth. As for the lack of space, make some by "disposing" unwanted mutants. Jock and Kya gasp. Kya (upset) Oh no . . . Ndubikwe: Ah. Something like Hitler did? Adriaan (stern): Why waste the money? Just a bullet through the head is good enough. Kya (upset) This is really not good . . . Jock (nods): Definitely not. Meanwhile, Adriaan and Ndubikwe begin walking back to the house where their spouses are talking. Adriaan (grumbles): Though we need to wait for presidential approval for such an action. That's always the problem. Ndubikwe: Though I am sure we can bring him over to our way of thinking. (grins) We can get you to run for president in the next elections. Adriaan stops to look at Ndubikw, then thinks for a moment. Adriaan (grins): I never thought about it, but it would be a good idea... though I am not sure if the people of South Africa want a white president again. Ndubikwe (grins): Just bring up the mutant issue. You will easily win the elections. Jock and Kya watch as Adriaan and Ndubikwe rejoin the others. Kya (scared): Adriaan Vorster as president of South Africa is really bad. Jock (growls): Not just bad. A nightmare that extends well beyond this country's borders. Kya (scared): Adriaan is becoming the next Hitler. Once he becomes president he could invade surrounding countries and every animal-sapien is in danger. Jock (shakes head): I doubt invasions, but he would able to convince those governments to turn against their animal-sapien citizens. Kya (looks at Jock): I meant if they don't listen to Vorster. Jock (nods): Yes, but I doubt he would go that far. But I could be mistaken. Kya (worried) I'm worried this might cause a war. Jock (sighs): Maybe. But can tell? Either way, Vorster being president would be an animal-sapien's worst nightmare come true. Kya (nods) Ja. Jock (upset): I just hope the rest of world doesn't follow his example. Imagine what would happen if they do... Kya (sad) It would be a world where all animal sapiens are slaves or killed. Jock (sighs): And just as bad: a world divided between animal-sapien haters and lovers. It would be a new cold war. Kya (sighs): All animal-sapien bad guys will be involved as well like the KH Military. Jock (sighs): It would be a mess. Kya (sighs) I wish there was a way to warn everyone. Jock (confused): You mean your friends? Kya (nods) The Road Rovers need to know this information. (sad) Too bad there is no way I can get it to them. Jock sighs and hugs Kya supportively. Kya sobs in Jock's embrace. He hugs her tighter. Jock (sighs): I wonder how things will turn out? The future doesn't look good. Kya (sad) Ja. One of Adriaan's followers throws a bottle at the slave pen. The bottle bounces off the chain-link fence around the pen, then falls onto the grass. Kya growls a little. Adriaan (to one of the guards): Get one of the mutants to pick up that bottle. Guard (nods): Ja, sir! The guard walks over to the pen, being watched carefully by the other guards. He looks inside the pen. Guard (stern): Hey, one of you is going to pick up this bottle. The guard points at Kya. Guard (points): You! Come here! Kya (slowly walks forward) Ja master. The guard opens the pen gate. Guard (stern): Come out, mutant! Jock watches Kya go, keeping an eye on her. Kya walks out of the slave pen. The guard closes the gate behind her, then kicks the bottle away a short distance. Guard (stern): Pick that up! Kya walks toward where the bottle landed. Another guard quickly runs up and kicks the bottle away from Kya. The other guards laugh. Kya growls a little and goes over the bottle. The guards watch her as she approaches the bottle. As she reaches it, another guard kicks the bottle to one of his nearby friends. Guard (laughs): Move, mutant! Pick up the rubbish! The other guards laugh. Jock realizes what is going on and tries to shout at them. Jock (shouts): Stop it! Leave her alone! They ignore him and keep their attention on Kya. Kya begins to cry as keeps on trying to get the bottle. The guards just keep laughing as they kick the bottle around. Jock becomes angry, shaking the fence and shouting at the guards to make them stop. Jock (growls): Stop it! Let her go! I'll pick up the bottle! Just leave her alone! Just then Adriaan can be heard shouting at them. Adriaan (shouts): Haai! Stop this for a while. The general and I are in a meeting. The guards immediately stop, clearly disappointed. One of them leads Kya towards the slave pen. The guard closes the pen then goes to his post. Jock immediately comes over and holds Kya tightly. Kya cries in his arms. Jock holds her in his arms, petting and kissing her head supportively. Kya hugs Jock tightly. Jock (sad): I'm sorry... Kya (looks up at him) For what? Jock (sad): That... I let them hurt you. Guard (sneers) And we are not finished with her. One of guards hits the bars of the gate with his club. Kya grabs her ears and whimpers. Jock helps to cover her ears with his paws while barking angrily at the guard. The guard just sneers and walks off. Kya (upset) Dankie Jock. Jock holds Kya closer and rests his head on hers. Jock (whispers): You're welcome. Kya licks Jock on his cheek. Jock sighs and keeps holding Kya tightly in his arms. Kya can still hear Adriaan and Ndubikwe talking. Ndubikwe (blunt): Our forces are still searching through the remains of that base. We still cannot access the main computer. Adriaan (confused): Good security on the computer? Ndubikwe (nods) Ja. Lot the best code breakers have tried and failed. Adriaan (rubbing his chin): Disappointing, but not surprising. These mutants hide their dirty secrets well. Kya grins still watching them. Kya (to herself) They will never break into the computer. Ndubikwe (confused): Didn't the Scorpions capture a mutant there? Adriaan: Oh ja. A female mutant. She is the one in the pens right now. I decided she might do a little chores around here, as well as serve as bait for her friends. Ndubikwe (blunt): She might know the way to get pass the computer security. Kya gulps. Adriaan rubs his chin and looks towards the pens. Adriaan (evil grin): You know, you may be right. Kya (to herself) Oh nee . . . Adriaan (evil grin): That female does have sensitive ears, so we can play loud noise to make them hurt. Adriaan calls his guards. Adriaan explains what the guards must do. They nod, then begin to approach the pen. Kya runs and hides in her hut. Jock goes to the front of her hut and sits down defiantly in the way. Guard (stern) Move slave! More guards come into the pen, looking threateningly at Jock. Guard (stern): Move! Or do you want to be moved! Jock growls at the guards. One of the guards suddenly takes out a small pistol and fires it at Jock. He yelps as a dart hits his neck. He starts to loose consciousness. Jock (weak): Kya.... He falls out cold to the ground. Some guards move Jock out of the way while others open the hut and grab Kya and take her out of the pen. She struggles in their gasp. The guards drag her out the pen, then close the gate, leaving Jock inside. Kya was taken to a shelter on the other side of the estate and tied to a chair. One of the guards brings with him a loudspeaker. Adriaan comes and stands next to Kya's chair. Kya whimpers a little knowing what is about to happen. Adriaan (stern): Tell me how to access the computer, mutant. Kya (growls) Nee! Adriaan snaps one finger and the guard with the megaphone steps up. He suddenly talks very loudly through it at Kya. Kya's ears fold back, ringing in pain. The guard stops and steps back. Adriaan looks at Kya again. Adriaan (stern): Tell us now, or you get more. Kya (growls) Never! Adriaan nods to the guard and turns the megaphone on again. Kya growls in the pain. Adriaan (grins): More pain? Kya (in pain) I . . . won't . . . talk . . . Adriaan nods to the guard and he turns up the volume. Kya begins to scream in pain. Adriaan (angry): Talk now if you want to keep your hearing! Kya (screams) I'll talk! Adriaan grins and signals to the guard to stop. Adriaan (stern): Reg. Talk. Kya (sad): Only a Road Rover can use the computer. Adriaan (blunt): Ah, wait. Through some kind of identification using a DNA check? Kya (crying) Ja. Adriaan thinks for a moment. Adriaan (blunt): Thumbprints? Kya (crying) Ja. Adriaan (stern): And will you help us access this computer using your DNA? Kya (growls) Nee! Adriaan nods at the guard, who steps closer with the megaphone. Kya (scared) Ja. Ja. Adriaan(smiling): Goed so. I knew you would come to OUR way of thinking, mutant. (to guards) Take her back to the slave pen. Kya is taken back to the pen. She is hides in her hut, crying. Jock (still lying on the ground) moans and begins to get up. Jock hears Kya crying inside her hut. Jock gets up and goes over to Kya's hut. He sticks his head into the hut and looks at her. Jock (concerned): You all right? Kya (crying) Nee . . . Adriaan is going to use me to break into the Road Rover computer. . .If he gets in there all of us are doomed. Jock takes in what he has just heard and then goes over to Kya. He carefully takes her into his arms. Kya (crying) I don't know what I am going to do. I don't want to betray my friends. Jock (holding her): Isn't there a way you could warn them? Kya (drying eyes, brightens) If the voice identification is spoken in Swahili it instant starts up a distress signal that everything spoken afterward is transmitted to the closest bases or craft. It is disguised as a second password. I can't believe I forgot about it. My brother, Astin created that program. A jeep drives into the Vorster residence. Jock looks up at the jeep, then back at Kya. Jock (confused): Isn't there a way you could send a message to your friends at that base of yours using that Swahili? Kya (nods): The distress signal will be spoken in Swahili but it has to be a short message. Jock (confused): But can it work? Kya (worried) I hope so. Jock (nods): Then go for it. Let your friends know you are trapped in this hellhole. A couple of soldiers approach the slave pen. Jock sees the soldiers coming, holding Kya tightly to him. Jock (whispers): Here they come. Good luck with the message. Soldier (stern) Female mutant, get over here. Jock, reluctantly, lets go of Kya and pats her shoulder as she goes. Kya goes to the slave pen's gates. Soldier (stern): You will come with to the base to help. And don't make any strange moves. Kya (sad) Ja, sir. One of the soldiers opens the pen gate while the other cuffs Kya and leads her out to the jeep. Jock watches them go as the soldier closes the pen gate and the other loads Kya onto the jeep. Kya looks back at Jock as two soldiers get into the jeep and drive off. Jock waves slowly at Kya as he watches the jeep head for the main estate gate. After several hours of driving, the jeep reaches the old SA Road Rover base, which is located in the mountains around Cape Town. Kya is lead out of the jeep and the soldiers take her inside. Everywhere there are policemen and soldiers on guard duty and on patrol. The soldiers lead her to the main control room. Several more soldiers are here along with military computer experts. Solider (stern) Unlock the computer, mutant! Kya timidly lays her hands on the computer and it instantly lights up. Computer: Voice Identification Please . . . Kya: Mbwa. Computer: Voice identification confirmed. Type second password. Kya (types): Ibilisi shauri ili pokea zima jumbe. Etu watu ili ndani ya hatari ndani ya. (Translation: Demon plans to take over leadership. Our people are in danger.) One of the computer experts looks at the screen and sees the Swahili. Expert (stern): Mutant! What's that language? Kya stays silence. Unknown to everyone but Kya. Her message is getting relayed to the nearest Road Rover bases and craft. One of them being the Stealth Rover. Inside the Stealth Rover, Phoenix gets the transmission. She looks at one of the screens on the dashboard. Phoenix is confused at the message. Phoenix (to Striker): We got a strange message. Striker looks at Phoenix. Striker (confused): What is it? Phoenix (explains): It was transmitted from the old SA base. In is in a language I can't understand. Striker (confused): What is that language? Merit looks at it. Merit: It is written in Swahili. It translates to: Demon plans to take over leadership. Our people are in danger. Corsair (confused): What does it mean? Phoenix (confused): I'm not sure, but isn't it perhaps a warning? Illanov (brightens): Maybe it is from comrade, Kya. Phoenix (stern): We are getting a transmission from the Cape Hunting Dogs Unit's base. Striker (stern): Voice or keyboard? Phoenix (blunt): This is from the Kenya base. It's Astin on audio. Striker (stern): Put him on. Astin (audio) Did you get that message from SA too? Striker (nods): Ja, Astin. We got it as well. Could you figure out what it means? Astin (audio) Ja. It is from Kya. I know what it means. The first sentence means Adriaan Vorster plans to take over leadership for South Africa. The second sentence means something dangerous is going to happen in the camps. Everyone in the Stealth Rover gasps. Striker (growls) This is terrible news. Astin (audio) I'm watching camera footage from the old SA base. There are police and soldiers forcing her to use the computer. Striker and Phoenix look at each other in shock. The others are rather surprised. Striker looks back the screen. Striker (shocked): They've captured her? Astin (audio, sad) Ja. Striker (sighs): Poor Kya. What else do you know of her status? Astin (audio, sad) This is the first we seen or heard from her in a month. There are no records on where Kya is being held. Striker swears loudly. Striker (confused): Nothing? Astin (audio, sad) Nothing, But if what Kya says is true we are all in danger. Striker (stern): Have they found out the locations of our bases? Astin (audio) Nee. Me and Farren monitored the network from the base 24/7. Whenever they got close to breaking in, we stopped them. Striker (stern): What about information stored on the computers at the base? Astin (audio) Information on RR agents in SA, weapon plans, air and land vehicles. They won't find the Transdogifers. They disappear underground when the base is attacked. Striker (nods): Goed, but this means that every Rover in South Africa is in danger now. Astin (audio): I'm about to shut down the system now. Striker (stern): Go for it. At the South African Road Rover base, the computer begins to flash. Computer: System and Network being disconnected from an outside source. The computer experts suddenly look at the screens. Expert (shouts): Hey! They are disconnecting the base from their networks! Soldier (angry): The mutant must of done something to cause that. The soldier who had escorted Kya in grabs her by the front of her clothing. Soldier (stern): What did you do? Kya (timid) Nothing . . . The soldier glares at Kya a few more seconds, then puts her down and looks at the experts. Soldier (stern): See what the translation of that message was that she typed in. Expert (looks at the screen): It is written in Swahili. The soldier looks at Kya again. Soldier (stern): What does that mean? And to who did you send it? Kya (timid) That is the password . . . The soldier looks unbelieving at Kya, then back at the experts. Soldier (stern): See where she sent this. He looks back at her. Soldier (stern): You are going back to the pens. After several hours Kya is taken back to the pens. A solider talks to Adriaan. Adriaan (stern): Have you determined what that message meant or to whom it was sent to? Solider: Nee, sir. Adriaan looks back at the pen, then back at the soldier. Adriaan (stern): Then find out that information as quickly as possible. The guards lock the slave pen once Kya is inside. Kya (looks around) Jock? Jock comes out of his hut and goes over to Kya. Jock (concerned): Kya, are you all right? Kya (nods) I'm fine. The message got through. The Rovers know of Adriaan's plans. Jock (nods): That's good. (concerned) Did Adriaan's men catch you in the act? Kya (sad) Ja. One of my unit members shut down the network to the computer minutes after the message was sent. Jock (concerned): Oh my. Did they hurt you? Kya lifts her t-shirt sleeve and a big bruise is seen. Jock looks at the bruise and growls Jock (growls): How dare they... If I could only get at Adriaan... Kya whimpers a little. She hears Adriaan talking. Adriaan (angry) Double the work for the female mutant. Guards: Ja, sir! As Adriaan walks away, Jock looks at Kya. Jock (whispers): Don't worry. Just speak to the Madam. She'll you make work load the same. Kya whimpers. Jock hugs her gently. Kya (whimpers) I can't wait to get out of here. Jock (sad): I know. I'm not fond of being hemmed in here too, but at least I get fed. Kya (sad) I miss being with my family and doing missions for the Road Rovers. Jock (nods): It must be hard for you to be separated from your pack. Kya (sad) It is. . .I miss doing stuff in my canine form too. Jock: I understand. Running around like you don't care, chasing tennis balls, marking territory. Kya whimpers and cries. A guard goes to the pen door. Guard (stern): Time for work female mutant! Jock gives Kya one quick hug before backing off a bit. She walks to the slave pen door. Kya (sad) Ja master. The guard take her towards another part of the estate. The guard brings her to a cacti garden near the house. Weeds grow among the cacti. Guard (stern): Get those weeds out, but don't damage the cacti. Kya whimpers as she begins her work. The guard watches and sneers as she has to work amongst the sharp thorns of the cacti. By the time she is finished, her hands and arms are bleeding. Just then Mariaan comes out of the house and goes to the guard. Mariaan (to the guard): I need you to go and help Jeanette get those carrots pulled. Guard (surprised): Ma'am? Mariaan (stern): Now. The guard salutes and runs off. Mariaan turns and goes to Kya. Mariaan (concerned): Poor thing. You're bleeding. Jock (who was now out of the pen) runs over to Kya's side. He goes over to Kya, hugging her. Jock (concerned): You okay? The Madam let me out to come help you. Jock notices that Kya is bleeding. He looks at Mariaan pleadingly. Jock (pleads): Can you help her, Mistress? Mariaan (nods): Ja, I can give her some bandages and disinfectant. Come, bring her into the house. Jock lifts her up and takes her into the house. Mariaan leads Jock into the house into the kitchen. Kya whimpers in pain. Jock notices that the back of Kya's t-shirt was ripped and a bigger bruise can be seen. Jock (concerned): What happened here? Did they hit you? Kya (crying) Ja. Mariaan comes back with a medical kit and a bowl of water. She opens the kit and takes out some salve. Mariaan (concerned): Wash your paws in the bowl. As Kya washes her paws, Mariaan sees the bruise on Kya's back as well. Mariaan (concerned): Poor dear. I'll rub some salve on it, but first your paws. Take them out, dear. Kya takes her paws out. Mariaan rubs some salve onto the cuts, then begins to wrap Kya's paws up in bandages. She ties the bandages up with a bow knot. Kya continues to cry. Jock hugs her, careful not to touch the bruise. Mariaan begins to rub some salve onto the bruise. Adriaan (voice only) Mariaan! Mariaan looks alarmed to where the voice came from, then back at the cano couple. Mariaan (whispers): Got back into the garden and act as if you are working! Jock (helps Kya out) Yes madam. When Jock and Kya leave, Adriaan comes into the kitchen. Adriaan (grins) I got great news. The agents I hired located Striker. Mariaan (smiling a bit): That's nice, dear. Adriaan (grins) When the timing is right he will get what he deserves for murdering my family. Mariaan (smiling a bit): Ja, dear. Adriaan (evil grin) They said he is getting married soon. They plan to get him on the honeymoon. Mariaan (surprised): Oh? And where is the honeymoon going to be? Adriaan tells her where it will be. Mariaan (concerned): But Dear, isn't that in United States territory? Adriaan (stern) It doesn't matter. Mariaan (concerned): You need to be careful with the Americans, dear. Adriaan (evil grin): I don't need to be. I've gotten hold of someone high up in the American intelligence services who will be able to help us get Striker with little or no interferences should Striker honeymoon in the States, which will very likely be the case. In the garden, Kya hears everything with her super hearing. Jock, who is busy pull out some of the weeds, glances at Kya. Jock (concerned): Can you hear them? Kya (nods) Ja. Jock (concerned): What are they saying? Kya (sighs): Adriaan has agents trailing Striker. Jock (confused): Does he say what or who these agents are? Kya (twitches her ear) Something called EuroCorp. Jock frowns and growls softly under his breath. Jock (growls): EuroCorp. They're the ones who separated me from my family and turned me into this. Kya (confused) What is EuroCorp? Jock (growls): EuroCorp is the European Corporation, a conglomerate of European companies and business under one banner, much like a business version of the European Union. It is the second largest company in the world that does trade in all fields of business... and some illegal ones too. Kya (interested) Like what? Jock (growls): Before the second Gulf War, did you know that EuroCorp was secretly trading missile and SAM technology for oil? Kya (shocked) Whoa! Jock (nods): They also have their own commando units which they have used to kill some of their competition. Kya (shocked) Oh my! Jock (growls): They also been doing illegal tests on animals, such as what you see before you. Kya hugs Jock. Jock sighs and puts his one arm around Kya. Guard (stern): Get back to work! Jock immediately lets go of Kya and begins to pull out the more difficult weeds and leaving Kya the easy ones. Kya (whispers) If we ever get free, I can take you back to my family ranch and return you to a canine form. Jock (smiles, whispering): Thank you, Kya. Kya (smiles, whispering) No problem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------