Road Rovers: Reich Of Franco

Episode 8: Banished Migatua

By Gerhard Naudé

Striker, Franco, Norwood, Wolfeye, Stalker, Diehard, Black, Trigger and 
all others related to the KH Military © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
The Migatuas Wolf Pack © Steven Today
Fortus Esquire © Robert Baer Jr.

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

Migatuas Wolf Pack
Somewhere in Montana
United States of America
14 August 1980
2:44 PM:

As far as one can see there are towering mountains and thick forests
on the slopes and the valleys. Deep in the forest resting by a slow-
moving river is the Migatuas wolf pack. Some are sleeping, some are
lapping up water, some are playing and tending to the cubs and some
are just loitering around. A few are keeping an eye out for any kind
of trouble. Lying under a dolman in the centre of the pack are the
alphas of the Migatuas: Wolfeye (still a normal wolf and much younger) 
and his mate Tengesi (a wolf with mainly grey/white fur).

Wolfeye:"We will soon need to move deeper into the mountains before
         the other females give birth to their young."

Tengesi:"And much further away from the humans. Those two hunters would
         have killed most of us if those game rangers had not rescued us
         from them."

Wolfeye:"Do not worry, Tengesi. I had a location scouted out further up
         the mountains north of here that is impassable for the humans
         and their noise monsters."

Tengesi:"That should suit the pack well."

She looks around the pack for a few moments before looking back at her
mate again.

Tengesi:"Where are Agato and Klimt?"

Wolfeye:"Oh, they went to scout the surrounding area for any dangers to
         the pack."

Tengesi:"Or are they up to something mischievous, as usual?"

Wolfeye:"Could be. You know how they are. Always getting in trouble, but
         not when there is danger about."

Tengesi:"Have you decided on which of our sons might become alpha of the
         pack when we are gone one day?"

Wolfeye:"That is difficult to judge. Both of them have strong leadership
         abilities. However, I am in favour of Agato. His personality is
         warmer and friendlier than Klimt's cold and humourless attitude.
         And he is less aggressive than Klimt."

Tengesi:"I concur there. Klimt is always the fighter and loses his temper
         much quicker than Agato."

Wolfeye:"Still, a lot can happen before that day they face each other in
         combat before the pack to decide who shall lead."

Tengesi nods in agreement. Out of view of the pack deeper into the forest
are Wolfeye's and Tengesi's young: Agato (who's fur is a blue/grey colour)
and Klimt (a dark-furred wolf). They are both whispering to each other
while sitting on the ground.

Agato:"I still do not agree with this idea of yours, my brother."

Klimt:"You are too sensitive, Brother. This will work. It cannot fail."

Agato:"That is not what concerns me."

Klimt:"Then what is?"

Agato:"To kill the beta of our pack, then blame the killing on our own
       father and leader. I cannot stomach that."

Klimt:"You were always weak, Agato. It is a wonder that father has not
       decided to do away with you."

Agato:"That is because he loves me, as he loves you."

Klimt:"Bah! That little showing of affection is just a display of power to 
       the rest of the pack. He doesn't love me, nor do I love him. You
       should do the same."

Agato is shocked at this comment.

Agato:"I... I could never do that."

Klimt:"I was right. You really are weak. You just help me when I tell you
       to. Leave the rest of the plan to me."

Agato is still looking at Klimt with a touch of fear and dread. Klimt is
becoming impatient for an answer.

Klimt:"Well?"

Agato sighs and hangs his head.

Agato:"Agreed."

Klimt:"Good. Let's wait until it is nap time before we strike, you follow?"

Agato:"Yes."

Klimt gets up, followed by Agato. They both begin to walk back towards the
pack.

3:03 PM:

It is still the same, but most of the pack is taking a nap with a few of
them who are awake keeping a watchful eye. Lying with Wolfeye and Tengesi
are Klimt and Agato. Their parents are asleep, but they are both wide 
awake. Agato is showing signs of nervousness, but Klimt's expression is
very hard. He looks around at the pack and whispers to Agato.

Klimt:"Good. Most of the pack is now asleep. Let us execute our plan."

Agato:"I am still unsure of this, brother."

Klimt:"Stop worrying. Now, I will go and take Klavir into the woods, then 
       kill him. Once it is done, I will appear on one of the large rocks
       I showed you. When you see me there, you will wake Wolfeye and
       take him to the body. Leave it then to me. Is that clear?"

Agato nods, still unsure of what he is about to take part in. Klimt just
ignores this.

Klimt:"Good. Wait here for my signal."

Klimt gets and starts walking through the pack while Agato watches. After
a few minutes Klimt reaches the Betas of the pack: Klavir (a grey wolf
with a white line from his face to his tail) and his mate, Sasa (a brown
wolf). They are both sleeping, but Klimt advances towards them, then
nudges Klavir with his muzzle. Klavir stirs, then wakes up and looks at
Klimt.

Klavir(groggy):"What? What is it, Klimt?"

Klimt:"My father wants to speak to you, Klavir. It is of utmost concern
       for the pack."

Klavir immediately gets up.

Klavir:"Where is he?"

Klimt:"In the woods. Come with me and I will take you to him."

Klavir nods and follows Klimt into the woods (in a direction that prevents
Klavir from seeing that Wolfeye is still amongst the pack, sleeping). 
After a while the two of them reach a small river some distance from the
pack's current position. Klavir looks around, while Klimt moves so that
he faces towards the Beta's side.

Klavir:"Where is Wolfeye? I do not see h..."

Klimt suddenly attacks without warning and, before Klavir can even react,
has his jaws clamped on his neck. Klavir immediately tries to fight back
and call for help, but Klimt's jaws are like that of a bear trap. He keeps
a firm grip as Klavir struggles to break free and get some air. The
struggle continues for a few minutes more, with Klimt still gripping
Klavir's neck. After a while, Klavir finally stops moving, but Klimt
keeps his jaws closed for some time. When he is satisfied he opens his 
muzzle and Klavir's dead body falls onto the ground, the blood from
his neck flowing over the rocks into the stream. He looks over his handi-
work.

Klimt:"Too easy. Now to signal Agato. He had better not tell Wolfeye
       about this."

He goes over to stream, washes his muzzle clean of blood, then starts
trotting back towards the pack. When he reaches the outskirts of the
pack he stands atop of a rock not far from it. Agato sees him, then
sighs and reluctantly stands up. He goes over to Wolfeye and nudges him
with his muzzle. Wolfeye stirs, then wakes and looks at Agato, smiling.

Wolfeye:"Ah. Agato, my son. What do you want?"

He stands up and yawns.

Agato:"Klavir wants to speak to you, father. Immediately."

Wolfeye:"What about?"

Agato:"He did not say anything except that it was urgent."

Wolfeye:"Oh? Where is he?"

Agato:"He is waiting for you by the stream to the northeast, father."

Wolfeye:"I will go to him now. Do you want to come?"

Agato:"No. He told me that what he had to share was between you and
       him."

Wolfeye:"Very well. You stay here with your mother while I go and talk
         with Klavir."

Agato:"Yes, father."

Wolfeye starts walking into the direction Agato told him to. Unknown to
him Klimt has climbed off from the rock and out of sight. When Wolfeye
disappears Klimt reappears near where Agato is. He trots up to him, 
grinning evilly. 

Klimt:"Well done. Everything is going according to plan."

Agato:"I... I... I..."

Klimt:"Do not worry. This plan will succeed. Now, let us alert the rest
       of the pack."

Agato shakes his head.

Agato:"I... I cannot do this."

Klimt groans.

Klimt:"All right. I will alert the pack. You just play along with this
       and do not look suspicious."

Agato sits on his haunches as Klimt runs off to the wolves on guard. A
small tear rolls down his furry cheek. Meanwhile Wolfeye has just reached 
the stream and is looking around for Klavir.

Wolfeye:"Now where is Klavir?"

He then spots the blood in the stream and becomes fully alert. He looks
up the stream and is shocked when he sees Klavir's body further upstream.

Wolfeye:"Oh no. No!"

He quickly runs over to the body and looks it over, even more shocked
now.

Wolfeye:"Klavir! Not you! No!"

He nudges his body and sniffs and licks his wounds, trying to wake him, 
but naturally fails. In the process he gets blood on his muzzle. 

Wolfeye:"Who did this to?"

Voice(from behind):"You did, father!"

Wolfeye quickly turns around to see the members of the Migatuas Pack
looking towards him. In front are Klimt, Sasa and several strong members 
of the pack. Right behind them are Agato, Tengesi and the rest of pack.
Klimt and the strong wolves all have angry looks on their faces, while
Sasa, Tengesi and the rest of the pack have shocked looks. Agato has a
sad look.

Klimt:"Get away from Klavir!"

Wolfeye:"But..."

Klimt:"NOW!!!!"

He and the strong wolves rush up to him and force him away from the body
while keeping him surrounded, growling viciously at him. Sasa and Tengesi
run up to Klavir's body. Sasa nudges and licks him frantically.

Sasa:"KLAVIR! PLEASE, WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"

She frantically keeps on trying to revive him, but Tengesi knows it is
too late and goes over to Sasa.

Tengesi:"It is too late, Sasa. He is with Wolfrin now."

Sasa looks down at Klavir's body, then, realising her mate is gone, looks 
up and howls, long and mournfully. Tengesi joins her, as does the rest of 
the pack except for Agato, the guarding wolves and Klimt. Wolfeye just 
looks around in shock at what has happened.

Clearing
5:30 PM:

This is a large, open area amongst the trees. At the edge of the clearing
are several large boulders. In the distance the sun was busy setting. All
around the clearing are the Migatuas pack. Seated on the boulders are the
elderly wolves. Klimt, Agato, Tengesi and Sasa are sitting by the boulders
while several strong wolves surround Wolfeye, who is sitting before the
elders, his ears laid back and an expressionless face on him. The main
elder wolf speaks to Wolfeye.

Elder:"Wolfeye. You have been found guilty by the elder council for the
       cold-blooded murder of Klavir, Sasa's mate and the Beta of this
       pack. As such, you have forfeited your position as Alpha and member
       of the Migatuas."

Wolfeye hangs his head.

Elder:"Your punishment is that you are to be forever banished from this
       pack, never to return. If you do return, you will be killed."

The elder points down an aisle behind Wolfeye formed by the pack.

Elder:"Leave us! May you never again befoul this pack for all eternity."

Wolfeye slowly gets up, turns around and starts walking toward the aisle.
He stops for a few moments to look at Klimt, Agato, Tengesi and Sasa.
Sasa is crying onto Tengesi's shoulder, while she looks with shock at
her former mate. Klimt is grinning, but Agato has a distant look on his
face. Wolfeye then resumes walking down the aisle, watched with cold
eyes by the rest of the pack. He walks out and away from the pack, then
disappears in amongst the trees.

Clearing
15 August
7:31 PM:

The sun has risen and the pack is once again gathered here, but this time
the wolves in the centre are Klimt and Agato. Tengesi and Sasa are seated
off to one side and the elders are once again atop the boulders. Both
Klimt and Agato are facing the elder council. The main elder clears his 
throat before speaking.

Elder:"Because of Wolfeye's banishment, we are now left without a male
       Alpha for our pack. Klimt and Agato, being the sons of Wolfeye,
       naturally take his position, but only one can be the Alpha. Today 
       we will decide and choose which of these two young males will be
       our leader."

He looks down at Klimt and Agato. They both have neutral looks on their
faces.

Elder:"Klimt and Agato, sons of Wolfeye. You are both equally matched in
       terms of your strengths and qualities as leaders. Because of this,
       and the fact that you are brothers, we cannot have the usual duel
       in which you two fight to decide the leader."

The elder moves his paw over the pack.

Elder:"Thus the Migatuas Pack will decide who shall be our Alpha by a
       vote using a show of paws. He who has the most votes is decreed
       the Alpha, and he with the least will take Klavir's position as
       Beta."

He then points at Klimt and Agato.

Elder:"Klimt and Agato. Close your eyes to allow us to proceed with the
       voting. You may only open your eyes once the voting has been
       completed."

Klimt and Agato close their eyes. Klimt smiles with confidence, but Agato
retains his neutral look. The elder looks back up at the pack.

Elder:"Now, for the vote. Who proclaims that Klimt should be the Alpha?"

A few paws appear here and there amongst the pack, but they are clearly
in the minority. After a few moments they lower their paws.

Elder:"Who proclaims that Agato should be the Alpha?"

The rest of the pack, including Tengesi and Sasa (but not the elder
council), raise their paws. It is clear to the elder who is the winner.
After a few moments they lower their paws and the elder looks back down
at Klimt and Agato.

Elder:"You may open your eyes, Klimt and Agato."

The two brothers do as they are told and open their eyes, then look up at
the elders.

Elder:"The pack has spoken and our new leader has been chosen."

Klimt swells with pride, but Agato remains passive.

Elder:"It is Agato who shall take the position of Alpha and leader of the
       Migatuas Pack."

Klimt is shocked at this announcement, but Agato does not react.

Klimt:"What!"

Elder:"The decision is final, Klimt. Agato is now Alpha, and you Beta."

Klimt looks with anger at Agato.

Klimt:"How dare you! I am Alpha, not you!"

Agato looks coldly at Klimt.

Agato:"The pack has chosen me, not you, Klimt."

Klimt growls at Agato.

Elder:"Listen to your new Alpha, Klimt. You have lost by a large margin."

Agato hangs his head and folds back his ears.

Agato:"But I cannot accept the position as Alpha of the Migatuas Pack."

This announcement surprises the pack, even Klimt. He quickly regains his
composure and grins.

Klimt:"Aha! I knew you were weak, and you now accept it as well!"

Agato looks back up at Klimt.

Agato:"No. I am not weak. I am declining because I was part of your mad
       scheme, Klimt. I helped you frame my father for the murder of 
       Klavir. A murder which YOU committed."

The entire pack gasps in shock at this. Klimt frantically looks back and
forth at the other wolves.

Klimt:"Lies! All lies! He is lying!"

A shocked Tengesi and Sasa run up to Agato. He looks at them with sorrow. 

Tengesi:"Is this true, my son?"

Sasa:"Did Klimt really murder my mate? And that you helped him?"

He nods slowly.

Agato:"It is true. He lead Klavir to the stream, then murdered him. He
       then signalled me to tell father to meet Klavir by the stream. He
       told me that I was to say that father killed Klavir. I played along
       with his scheme because I could not turn against my own brother."

Klimt:"You cannot do this, Agato! You are just as guilty as I am!"

Agato looks at Klimt.

Agato:"I know, that is why I am declining the position of Alpha. I love
       my father, Klimt, but you do not. That is why I am no longer going
       to remain silent about your scheme."

He grins slightly.

Agato:"And now, you have just confessed to your crime by saying that I
       am just as guilty as you."

The pack is in an uproar. Tengesi and Sasa look at Klimt, both with a mix
of shock and anger. The elders all stand up.

Elder:"This is outrageous! I have never heard of such a foul deed of 
       this nature!"

He points at Klimt.

Elder:"You, Klimt, are the most foul of wolves ever to be a member of
       this pack! We will not tolerate this not a moment longer! You are
       to immediately leave the pack!"

Klimt:"What about Agato! He is guilty as well!!"

Elder:"We shall decide his fate once you have left, Klimt! Be gone!"

Klimt gets up and goes into an attacking stance, facing Agato and growling
menacingly.

Klimt:"You little traitor! I am taking down with me, Agato! DIE!!!"

He jumps at Agato, but Agato ducks down and Klimt jumps over him. When he
lands Tengesi, Sasa and several enraged wolves jump him and grab him with
their jaws. Sasa clamps down on his throat with a very strong grip. Klimt
tries to break free, but the angry wolves (especially Sasa) have a firm 
grip on him. Agato watches contently as Klimt struggles vainly to escape,
but after a few seconds he stops moving. The wolves let him go and his
body falls to the ground. Agato sighs.

Agato:"Sorry, Klimt."

Everyone looks back at Agato, who hangs his head again.

Agato:"I await my punishment from the elder council."

The elders all talk among themselves for a few moments, then the main
elder looks at Agato.

Elder:"Based on the evidence of Klimt's actions and your confession of
       his crime and your involvement, Agato, this council and the pack
       forgive you and ask that you be our leader."

Agato looks up in surprise at the elders, then at the rest of the pack,
some of whom are nodding at him.

Agato:"I... I cannot be leader. I betrayed my father and helped Klimt
       murder Klavir."

Elder:"True, but you have confessed the error of your ways before us all,
       where as Klimt did not. You have proven that you are truly a
       leader to us all."

Agato looks at Tengesi and Sasa, who are both smiling and nodding at him.
He nods back, stands up and looks back at the elders.

Agato:"If the pack decrees that I be the Alpha, then so be it."

Everyone else in the pack smile. The elder then notices something and
signals several of the stronger wolves.

Elder:"Remove Klimt's rotting carcass far from this pack."

The wolves get up, go over to the body and start dragging it away. Agato
looks back up at the elders.

Agato:"Now that you have all heard of Klimt's crimes, and my confession,
       does this mean my father has been cleared of all charges?"

Elder:"Indeed. Your father is now welcomed to the pack and all the charges
       against him have been laid to rest."

Agato immediately becomes very much alert.

Agato:"Then that means my father is still Alpha. I must bring him back to
       the pack."

Elder:"You are right. He must be told that he is no longer a banished,
       but one of us again. Go forth and find him, leader."

Sasa, Tengesi and a large group of wolves go up to Agato.

Sasa:"I will aid in your search, leader."

Tengesi:"We all will, my son."

Agato:"Let us go!"

The group of wolves start running into the direction in which Wolfeye had
left the pack.

Open plain
8:03 AM:

This is a large part of open grassland amongst the forests somewhere in
the mountains. In the middle of the plain sits a Huey helicopter with the
KH Military insignia on the sides. The two wolf-sapien pilots are leaning
against the Huey playing cards while a wolf-sapien captain looks out over
the plains, smoking a cigarette. He watches as a platoon of wolf-sapien
privates in training run across the plain towards the Huey. Watching them
from the edge of the forest is Wolfeye.

Wolfeye:"They are wolves, but they are standing like the humans. And they
         are dressed like them as well."

The captain finishes smoking his cigarette, then extinguishes it and puts
the stump into one of his pockets.

Wolfeye:"I wonder from what pack they are from."

The captain looks at his wristwatch as the platoon comes closer to the
Huey.

Wolfeye:"Either way, I might as well try and find my way into their pack."

He looks back into the direction from which he came.

Wolfeye:"Now that my sons have framed me for murder and had banished me, I
         no longer am Migatua. But one day I will return to retake my
         rightful position amongst my pack."

He looks back at the wolf-sapiens.

Wolfeye:"Even if it means becoming like them."

He gets up and starts running towards the huey. Just about that time the
platoon reaches the huey and the captain stops the timer on his wrist-
watch.

Captain:"40 minutes. An improvement, but still not good enough. Tomorrow
         we will be back here and I will want 20 minutes from you all.
         Now, back into the chopper!"

The exhausted privates groan, then start climbing into the huey. The two
pilots stop playing cards and start climbing into their cockpits. One of
them spot Wolfeye running towards them and signals the captain.

Pilot:"Captain!"

The captain looks at the pilot.

Captain:"What is it, pilot?"

Pilot:"Looks like we have company."

The pilot points towards Wolfeye and the captain turns and looks towards
him.

Captain:"Hmmm. I wonder what he wants. Hold on for a while, pilot. Let me
         see what this lone wolf wants."

They wait as Wolfeye comes closer and closer to the huey. When he reaches
it the captain points at him and begins speaking to him in wolf language.

Captain:"Halt! State your name, wolf!"

Wolfeye:"I am Wolfeye, from the Migatuas Wolf Pack and former Alpha."

Captain:"Alpha, eh? Then what are you doing out here all by yourself?"

Wolfeye:"I have been banished from my pack for a crime I did not commit. I
         wish to join your pack."

The captain rubs his chin.

Captain:"Join, is it?"

Wolfeye:"Yes."

Captain:"Hmmm. Maybe you could be useful. All right. You may join us."

While they were talking to each other, Agato has appeared from the edge
of the forest and spots Wolfeye by the huey.

Agato:"By Wolfrin! Father!"

He starts running as faster as he can towards the huey. The captain
climbs in and Wolfeye follows. The captain signals to the pilots.

Captain:"Head back to HQ."

Pilots:"Copy that, sir."

The huey starts up and the rotors start spinning. From where Wolfeye is
seated in the chopper he can see through the door to the forest. He spots
Agato, but he does say anything. Agato runs faster and faster as he can
to reach the chopper.

Agato:"Father! Wait!!!"

The huey starts lifting off and flying away, Wolfeye looking at Agato with
remorse. Agato frantically shouts out to Wolfeye as he keeps running.

Agato:"Father!!! FATHER!!!!"

The huey picks up speed and turns, cutting Wolfeye's view of his son. 
Agato keeps running, but after a while stops, realizing the huey is now
going too fast for him. He watches it fly away.

Agato:"Father... no..."

He sits down; ears lay back as he watches the huey until it disappears
into the distance. A few minutes after that, tears flow from his eyes.

Agato:"I failed you, father. I failed you."

He howls, long and sorrowfully, and keeps howling for a very long time.

Conference Room
KH Military Headquarters
11 December 1980
8:08 AM:

Diehard, Stalker, Trigger, Black and Fortus are currently seated around 
the table. Fortus is holding a clipboard with note papers attached to it.
He is busy paging through the papers with an annoyed look on his face.

Fortus:"Where is that f***ing stupid list?"

He keeps paging through it. Black yawns loudly.

Black:"This is boring. I'd rather be out fighting than sit around here."

Diehard:"Ze Supreme General has ordered us to find a replacement for ex-
         general Shankar, yah?"

Black:"Is it still boring."

Trigger:"I have to admit: all the candidates Fortus has presented don't
         look promising in terms of squadron leadership."

Stalker:"Words on paper is not the same than actions on the battlefield,
         Trigger. Some of them might have hidden talents that will be
         perfect for the role as squadron general."

Black:"Then why are we sitting here listening to some statistics? We can
       just send the candidates out on a mission to test them, like these
       dumb museum raids we've been doing lately."

Diehard looks at Black again.

Diehard:"I said: Franco's orders."

Trigger looks at Diehard.

Trigger:"Speaking of such, why has the Supreme General all of the sudden
         acquired the need of museum relics? To sell them on the black
         market? Malcolm makes more money legally than we could ever make
         from art smuggling."

Diehard looks back at Trigger.

Diehard:"Zat is classified information zat you do not need to know now,
         yah?"

Fortus finally finds the paper that he has been looking for.

Fortus:"Finally! Here it is. Our latest candidate."

He starts reading it out loud.

Fortus:"Major Wolfeye. 17th Omega Tank Division. Country of origin: the
        United States of America. History: former Alpha of the Migatuas
        Wolf Pack in the state Montana. Banished for murder of pack's
        beta. Claims he was framed by his sons. Joined the Omega Squadron
        in August. Has proven to be a very effective leader and a crack
        shot, as well as loyal to any orders given by his superiors. Is
        currently station at Blue Forest Military Base in central Canada."

The others look at each other.

Black:"That's the best one I've heard so far."

Trigger:"A former Alpha. That is a great advantage in terms of leadership
         skills."

Stalker:"I agree. Major Wolfeye's biography shows the most promise from
         all the candidates we have heard thus far."

Diehard rubs his chin and remains unconvinced.

Diehard:"I am not so sure about him. Murder and treason. Zose are not
         positive traits, yah?"

Stalker:"But sir, he is the best candidate for the position as the Omega
         Squadron's commander. Besides, he did say that was framed for
         a crime he did not commit."

Diehard:"I am still not convinced, Herr Stalker."

Black:"Can I make a suggestion?"

Everyone else looks at Black.

Diehard:"Zis better be good."

Black:"Why don't we take five of the best candidates, including Wolfeye,
       and send them off on a mission where they have to lead a squad?
       He who finishes the mission successfully first, wins."

They all think for a moment.

Trigger:"Sounds like a good idea to me."

Stalker:"I concur, Trigger. General Black certainly has a viable idea."

They all look at Diehard, who is still thinking. After a few minutes he
speaks.

Diehard:"Excellent idea, Herr Black. Such a mission will truly separate
         ze chaff from ze wheat. I will go to ze Supreme General und
         get auzorization for a mission for zese candidates. Dismissed."

Diehard gets up and leaves the room through the door that leads to 
Franco's throne room. Stalker and Trigger look at Black as they all get
up as well.

Stalker:"Well done, Black. Hopefully your idea will help get Wolfeye the
         position of squadron general."

Black:"Actually, sirs, I wanted to end this debate ASAP. I hate long and
       boring meetings like these."

Fortus:"Such are the words of those who are inferior."

Black gives Fortus a cold stare. Stalker elbows Fortus in the stomach and
he groans.

Stalker:"And such is the groaning of an arrogant officer."

Trigger and Black chuckle as they all start filing out of the room.

Striker's Quarters
EDF Headquarters
13 December
11:34 AM:

This is a small square room with only a desk, chair, locker and fold-away
bed. A doorway leads to the bathroom next to it. On the desk is Striker's
picture of him (while he was human) and his family. Striker is sitting on
the unfolded bed reading some documents. There is a knock on his and he
calls out without looking up from the documents.

Striker:"Come in."

The door opens and Norwood steps in. Striker looks up at him as he closes
the door behind him.

Striker:"Môre, Mark."

Norwood:"Good morning, Striker. Doing well?"

Striker:"Fine, Mark."

He looks back down at the documents.

Norwood:"Any luck on those documents you have?"

Striker sighs.

Striker:"Nothing, Mark. There is absolutely no good reason why Franco is
         stealing fine artworks from museums all around the world. It
         cannot be for money, since Malcolm provides enough of it, and
         these items don't have any real significance."

Norwood:"I know. I went through them as well, and I'm just as in the dark
         as you and the rest of the Earth Defence Force. God knows what
         Franco is up to now after his Nuclear Storm plans got derailed."

He walks up to the chair, pulls it out from under the desk and sits down
facing towards Striker.

Norwood:"Any luck with agent Valya?"

Striker stops reading, looks up at Norwood and sighs. He then shakes his
head and goes back to reading.

Norwood:"Rejected?"

Striker nods slightly. Now it is Norwood's turn to sigh.

Norwood:"Pity. And I thought she was open-minded about such issues. You
         are very unlucky when it comes to finding love, Striker."

Striker doesn't respond.

Norwood:"Why don't you try talking to her again? She might change her
         mind."

Striker:"The writing is on the wall, Mark. Valya does not like me and it
         seems to me she has no intention of changing her mind."

Norwood sighs and shakes his head.

Norwood:"How about we change the subject to something important?"

Striker:"Goed."

Norwood gets up, takes out a folder and holds it out to Striker. Striker
looks up at it, then takes and opens it. He starts reading.

Norwood:"One of our agents in Scotland intercepted a transmission from a
         KH checkpost in the highlands. It would appear they are planning
         to launch an attacking upon the mansion of one of the prominent
         Scottish noblemen in that area."

Striker:"Admenting Manor, owned by Duncan McCloud. Wealthy whiskey brewer
         and landowner. Popular amongst noblemen and the local populace.
         No political or military connections."

He looks up at Norwood.

Striker:"What is so important about him? He is just a rich man who minds
         his own business. This is nonsense."

Norwood:"That is why you will be sent to Scotland: to make sense of this
         whole nonsense. Perhaps there is a connection between this
         upcoming attack and all these museum thefts by the KH Military."

Striker looks down at the folder and reads on.

Striker:"Hobbies and pastimes: bag piping, cycling, parties with other
         noblemen, fishing and collecting rare artefacts."

He looks back up at Norwood.

Striker:"If he collects artefacts, then it means that he may have 
         something that Franco wants."

Norwood:"Exactly, but at this point it is only a guess. However, it will
         be good idea to go and stop this raid. It may give us a bit of
         insight into Franco's sudden mania for art."

Striker gets up, closing the folder as he does.

Striker:"When do I leave?"

Norwood:"The attack is scheduled to take place a day or two from now. That
         is when McCloud and his family go out on a fishing trip to Loch
         Ness. You would do well to leave today or tomorrow. Our agent
         branch in Scotland will help you gain access to McCloud's
         property and provide support if required."

Striker:"Have their loyalties been proven, Mark?"

Norwood:"After that little fiasco with Pascal, we have checked and 
         rechecked every one of agents. Then we did it all over again. I
         can safely say that those agents you will be working with won't
         turn against you."

Striker hands Norwood the documents and the folder. 

Striker:"I will go right now."

Norwood:"Good. I'll make the needed arrangements."

He heads for the door, opens it, leaves and closes the door behind him.
Striker goes to his locker, opens it and starts preparing for the journey.

EDF Observation Nest
Near Admenting Estate 
The Highlands
Scotland
3:01 PM:

This is a small, but well camouflaged, hideout hidden amongst a thick
bush in the Scottish highlands. It overlooks the barley fields of Admenting
Estate, the brewery buildings and the large and luxurious mansion on the 
shores of a lake. A single road leads from the mansion and brewery through
the fields to the main road. Inside the nest are two EDF agents, both of
whom are observing the mansion and brewery with high-tech binoculars.

Agent 1:"A drunk's paradise, that brewery is."

Agent 2:"Aye. I wouldn't mind living in that mansion. If only because it
         is not far from the brewery."

Agent 1:"Me too."

They then hear the sound of the Rhino's engines growing louder and louder
as it flies very low over the highlands. The two agents look through their
binoculars at it.

Agent 2:"That ought to be Lieutenant Striker."

Agent 1:"Aye. He is that cano-sapien who did Franco's Nuclear Storm plans
         in."

Agent 2:"We wish we could have seen Franco's face when heard about it."

They both chuckle and go out to meet the Rhino, which is closing in on 
the nest. It lands close to it, out of sight, and Striker climbs out
with his weapons and uniform on. The two agents walk up to and salute
him.

Agent 1:"Agent McGregor, Lieutenant sir."

Agent 2:"Agent Thompson, sir. Welcome to Scotland."

Striker salutes back.

Striker:"At ease, men."

They all stop saluting and Striker looks over to the estate.

Striker:"Status report."

McGregor:"Nothing much so far, sir. All's well."

Thompson:"For now, sir."

They all start walking towards the nest.

Striker:"What is the status on McCloud and his family?"

Thompson:"They are all busy packing up and getting ready to leave for
          their vacation, sir. The workers have all been given a free
          vacation as well until McCloud returns and have all left
          the estate."

Striker:"And the KH Military?"

McGregor:"Preparations of their assault is well underway, though latest
          information we got is that this mission of theirs is a bit
          more complex."

Striker:"Oh? How so?"

They all enter the nest and sit down on the ground.

McGregor:"Apparantly, Franco has ordered this mission not only to steal
          something from the mansion, but also to choose a new squadron
          general for the Omega Squadron."

Striker:"A test, né?"

Thompson:"Aye, sir. Five candidates are competing for the position. The
          goal is simple: he who brings back first what they are supposed 
          to steal, wins."

Striker:"Simple, indeed. Who are the candidates?"

Thompson:"We don't know, sir. They have been withholding the names for a
          while."

Striker:"And who is overseeing this mission?"

McGregor:"Unconfirmed rumours suggests that General Stalker will oversee
          the 'competition', sir. He and his troops will also step in to
          help should things go a little bit too bad." 

Striker:"What kind of forces will they use?"

McGregor:"Rifle and explosives infantry. There may make use of machine
          gun jeeps and a chopper or two, but it is basically grunts  
          that we will see. Each candidate will take a small squad with
          him, nothing else."

Striker:"When will this attack take place?"

Thompson:"Sometime tomorrow night, sir."

Striker:"When will the McCloud family leave?"

Thompson:"Today, sir. No later than late evening. They will be gone for
          an entire week."

Striker:"Goed. We do not need witness, or worse, civilian casualties."

Striker takes a binocular and looks out towards the mansion. McGregor
and Thompson do the same.

Striker:"Any ideas on what it is the KH Military is trying to steal from
         McCloud?"

McGregor:"Not a single idea, sir. He has got dozens of rare artefacts 
          that are worth millions of pounds, but nothing that could be
          of interest to a group of well-funded terrorists."

Thompson:"Franco must have clearly taken leave of his senses, sir."

Striker:"I wonder. He is so insane he is unpredictable. Who knows what
         he needs these art works for?"

They keep looking through the binoculars. Striker can see the McCloud
family busy loading up a very expensive station wagon with travelling
and vacation equipment and supplies.

Striker:"Did you see what kind of alarm systems the mansion has as well
         as what kind of locks and security forces there are?"

Thompson:"Indeed, sir. We have gotten blueprints and files about that
          What he has there will scare away most criminals, but against
          master criminals, terrorists, and EDF agents, it is pathetic.
          He also has the local police come up here four times a day and  
          night, but they always come at regular intervals, so they can
          easily be avoided."

Striker:"Where are those papers?"

Thompson picks up a long plastic tube from behind a container and hands it
to Striker. He unscrews the top of the tube, takes the lid off and removes
the rolled-up papers from it. He unfolds them and starts studying them.

Admenting Mansion
4:11 PM:

The McClouds have just finished packing up their station wagon. Duncan
McCloud is busy locking the front door, while his wife (Dorothy) and two
young children (Larry and Judy) get into the car. When he is done he goes
over to the station wagon and climbs into the driver's seat. He looks at
his family, smiling.

Duncan:"Ready, everyone?"

They all smile back at him.

Dorothy:"Aye, Love."

Larry:"Let's go, Daddy!"

Judy:"Aye! Let's go on vacation, Daddy."

Duncan:"Good. Here we go."

He starts the engine and drives the station wagon onto the road leading
towards the main road. Watching the car from a gully nearby is Striker.
He watches as the car heads out the main gates onto the road, then
driving off. When he is sure all is clear he stands up and starts walking
towards the mansion. He stops before and looks it over.

Striker:"Reminds of me of home."

He sighs, then shakes his head.

Striker:"But I have a mission to do. Time to find the main alarm box."

He walks all along the sides of the mansion until he spots an alarm box
high up against a wall.

Striker:"There it is. Now, to disable it."

He looks around and spots a ladder leading against the garage (which is
a separate building from the mansion). He walks towards it, picks it up
and carries it to the wall. He sets it under the alarm box and climbs 
up to the box. He opens the box, takes out a pair of wire cutters and
starts checking the wires.

Striker:"White wire disconnects all functions.... Ah, here it is."

He grabs the wire and cuts it with the cutters. Nothing happens.

Striker:"Dankie God for EDF intelligence."

He closes the box, climbs down and puts the ladder back where it was. He
puts the cutters away and walks back to the front door. He bends down to
the lock and looks it over.

Striker:"Yale lock. Standard."

He takes out an oddly shaped key with the EDF insignia on it and inserts
in into the lock. He then unlocks the door and pushes it open. He puts
the key away.

Striker:"And to think I thought I saw all types of skeleton keys."

He enters the mansion's main hallway and looks around.

Striker:"Now for the internal security system."

He walks through one doorway into what appears to be a living room with
expensive furniture, stereo system, large TV and VCR. He then walks to
and through another doorway into a very stylish kitchen. He goes to one
of the cabinets and opens it. Inside are boxes of cereal. He removes
the box to reveal the main security switch box.

Striker:"Switches three, five and eight."

He flips the necessary switches, which is then followed by a soft beep.

Striker:"Security system deactivated. Now I can freely walk about this
         mansion."

He takes out a radio and calls McGregor while walking back to the front
door.

Striker(into radio):"The mansion is secure. All security systems have
       been deactivated. Any silent alarms?"

McGregor(over radio):"No, sir. Our sensors show no silent alarms have
        been activated. You are clear, sir."

Striker(into radio):"Goed. I will remain side. You two warn me when the
       KH Military assault begins, when those police units come here to
       investigate and of anyone else who comes onto the premises."

McGregor(over radio):"Aye, sir."

Striker(into radio):"Out."

He turns the radio off and puts it away. He reaches the front door, closes
and then locks it.

Striker:"First, I am going to see what kind of art artefacts McCloud has
         that Franco so desperately wants."

He walks into another room.

Lecture Hall
Harvard University
United States of America
5:03 PM:

This is a large amphitheatre with many chairs and desks arrranged in a
semi-circle around the stage. On the stage is a podium and behind it a
large screen. A lot of people are seated in the chairs while behind the
podium on the stage is William Shepherd. On the screen are diagrams of
the transdogmafier. William is busy delivering a lecture, but those
listening are either bored silly or have a "This guy is nuts" look on
their faces.

William:"With this device, dogs can be transdogmafied into humanoid
         super dogs, each with unique and/or special abilities. They
         will be of great use for fighting crime and international 
         defence of world peace."

He turns to the screen.

William:"As you can see here, these diagrams show the details regarding
         the transdogmafier's..."

As he talks and looks to the screen, the audience seize this opportunity
to quietly file out and leave the lecture hall. William is completely
unaware of this as he finishes up with this section of his lecture.

William:"... and thus it can use these units to..."

He turns around and is shocked when he finds the lecture hall devoid of
any people except himself. He hangs his head and sighs sadly.

William:"Perhaps they are right. Perhaps this idea of mine is mad. I
         guess I should stop this crazy dream of mine." 

A voice calls out to him from the galleria.

Voice:"I would not say that, William Shepherd."

William looks up and sees a cloaked figure standing in one of the open
doorways. One cannot make out his features from under the cloak. Behind 
the figure are two muscular men dressed in black suits. The figure
starts walking down to William.

Figure:"I will sponsor your idea of the transdogmafier."

William is taken aback by this.

William:"Y-you will? Really???"

The figure gets up onto the stage and walks up to William. It then holds
out a piece of paper with gloved hands.

Figure:"Will a cheque of one million dollars be enough to convince you
        that I'm serious about this?"

William quickly takes the cheque and reads it. He is completely ecstatic 
when he sees that it is really for one million dollars. 

William:"This... this... this is real. I'm not dreaming."

Figure:"And with my sponsorship I will make your dream of the transdogma-
        fier a reality."

William looks up at figure.

William:"You will?"

The figure holds out another paper. It is a contract.

Figure:"Certainly. My company, Malcolm Industries, will gain huge amounts
        of interest when this transdogmafier is used for real. Just sign
        the contract and I will begin funding you."

William wastes no time. He takes out a pen, reads the contract carefully
through, then signs his name on it. Once he is done the figure puts the
contract back into his cloak.

Figure:"I hope we will do great business together. I will make calls
        now and then to give you what you need."

William is too happy to do another but to shake has with the figure. The
figure then turns around and heads back up to the two men in the suits,
then leaves the hall. William looks at the cheque again.

William:"Wait 'till Isabel hears about this!"

He quickly starts gathering his things.

Observation Nest
14 December
2:33 PM:

McGregor and Thompson are still inside the nest. The Rhino has now been
well hidden as a conspicuous bush. The two agents are currently eating
their lunches and drinking scotch whiskey.

McGregor:"Ah. Nothing good old fashioned bread dipped in scotch, eh?"

Thompson swallows a piece he had been chewing.

Thompson:"Aye. Just the way Mom made back in the old days."

He looks over to the estate and spots a vehicle entering through the
main gate. He points at it.

Thompson:"Visitors."

McGregor:"Odd."

The two of them drop their lunch and grab their binoculars. They look at
the vehicle: it is the McClouds' station wagon.

Thompson:"Bless me bagpipes! The McClouds! Back!"

McGregor:"We must warn the lieutenant!"

He reaches for the radio.

Study
Admenting Mansion
At that moment:

This is a large room with huge bookcases covering wall-to-wall. Two doors
lead out of the room while a large window lets in the sun. Sitting by a
large oak desk on a plush chair is Striker, who is busy checking a few 
documents from the desk drawers.

Striker:"Where is it? McCloud hides it all too well."

His radio beeps and he takes it out and answers it.

Striker(into radio):"Striker here."

McGregor(over radio):"Sir! We have a problem! The McClouds have returned!"

Striker's eyes widen. He quickly gets up and goes over to the window. He
looks out and sees the station wagon coming up to the mansion.

Striker(into radio):"I thought they were going to be gone for a week at 
       the least!"

McGregor(over radio):"Us too, sir! We do not why they have suddenly come
         back."

Striker thinks for a moment before speaking.

Striker(into radio):"I guess we will have to tell the family about this 
       operation."

McGregor(over radio):"Should we come over and help?"

Striker(into radio):"Negative. You two stay there and carry on with your
       observations. I will take care of the family. Out."

He turns the radio off and puts it away. He looks out the window at the
station wagon.

Striker:"You may have killed my family, Franco, but you will NOT have the
         pleasure of killing this family. Over my dead body."

He turns back to the desk, puts everything back to where they were, then
leaves the study. Outside the station wagon drives up to the front door 
and stops. The family climb out, they all have a little disappointment
on their faces.

Dorothy:"I cannot believe that landslide blocked off all the roads to the
         highway."

Duncan:"Don't worry, Love. The clean-up crews will have the road opened
        in two days' time. Not such a great tragedy."

Larry:"But what about us, Daddy? What are we going to do until then?"

He looks at them and winks.

Duncan:"How about some lovely Disney movies and board games?"

The kids cheer and smile widely.

Judy:"Aye! Let's watch movies!"

Duncan:"Very well. Let's just go inside, get settled, and then watch a 
        movie."

He opens the door and the children rush in first. Dorothy follows before
Duncan goes in after them and closes the door. The kids and wife go up a
set of stairs to the next floor while he goes to the kitchen. He opens
the cabinet and removes the cereal boxes to reveal the security switch
box. He then notices the switches are turned off.

Duncan:"That's unusual. I could have sworn I turned the system on."

He calls to his wife.

Duncan:"Dorothy!"

After a few moments she comes into the kitchen.

Dorothy:"Aye, Love?"

Duncan:"Did I turn the security system on before we left?"

Dorothy:"Of course you did. I double-checked after you."

Duncan:"Then why is the security turned off?"

They then hear the sound of a weapon being armed and quickly turn towards
the living room. They gasp in horror when they see Striker standing in
the middle of the room, holding his sonic rifle. Watching from the corner
of the doorway leading in the hallway are Larry and Judy, both of whom
have happy looks on their faces.

Striker:"Hello, Meneer and Mevrou McCloud."

Duncan:"My God! Who are you?"

Dorothy:"Run, kids! Run away!"

Striker looks over to the kids and smiles.

Striker:"See? I told you your parents would play along."

Larry:"Wow! That is so great!"

Judy:"Better than the movies!"

He looks back at the terrified couple.

Striker:"Listen, I do not mean any harm unless you are willing to listen
         and cooperate with me."

Duncan:"Why should we? You will probably kill us anyway!"

Striker:"Nee, I will not. But those terrorists who are on their way here
         will definitely kill you and your family if they find you here."

The couple are now even more shocked.

Dorothy:"T-t-terrorists???"

Duncan:"The IRA?"

Striker:"Nee. Someone even worse than the IRA it self. Now, are you going
         to calm down and listen? And let me just tell you this: I have
         disabled all your alarm and security systems and several of my
         fellow agents have control over your phone lines, so it would
         be futile to try and contact the local police. Understood?"

The couple look uncertainly at each other, then after a few moments they
look back at Striker.

Duncan:"Will you let me and my family live?"

Striker:"Of course. I am not a cold-blooded murdered who kills civilians
         for fun."

He puts the rifle away.

Striker:"How about you go get that Disney movie you promised you children,
         Meneer McCloud? I am certain they will enjoy it."

Judy:"Oh yes! Please, Daddy!"

Duncan looks at Dorothy.

Duncan:"Make some coffee for us while I get the tape, Dear."

She nods nervously. She starts to make coffee while he leaves through one
of the doorways. Striker sits down on one of the chairs while the kids
run and sit onto the couch facing the TV.

Larry:"This is so fantastic! Our very own Disney friend!"

Striker:"I would not say I am Disney, Larry, but I certainly am you two's
         friend."

Judy:"Wow!"

After a few minutes Duncan enters the room with a tape while Dorothy enters
the room carrying a tray with cups of coffee. He readies the VCR and tape
while she puts the tray on the table that stands between the table. She
looks up at Striker.

Dorothy:"How would you like your coffee, Mister...?"

Striker:"Just call me Striker, Mevrou. As for my coffee, two teaspoons of
         sugar with extra milk, dankie."

She prepares the coffees. Duncan takes a remote, then goes over to the
couch and sits with his children. She hands out the coffees to them.
Once they are all set Striker points at the VCR.

Striker:"Begin the movie."

Judy:"Yes, Daddy!"

Larry:"Start it!"

Duncan uses his remote to begin the movie. Soon the movie begins. It is
"The Little Mermaid". The kids are instantly transfixed to the screen,
but Duncan, Dorothy and Striker are not so interest in the movie.

Duncan:"Now, will you tell us what you are doing in our home?"

Striker takes a sip of coffee before beginning.

Striker:"I am agent Striker of the Earth Defence Force, a special branch
         of the United Nations. I have been sent here to stop an assault
         on your home by a group of terrorists."

Duncan:"An assault? By terrorists?"

Striker:"Ja. They are the KH Military, a group of humanoid wolves who are
         lead by the insane, bloodthirsty and genocidal General Franco."

Dorothy:"Humanoid wolves?? This is ridiculous!"

Striker:"Believe it, Mevrou. I am real as I am before you right now."

Duncan:"But... but this is so far fetched. Earth Defence Force? Talking
        wolf terrorists and a dog who breaks into my home to tell me
        this?"

Striker:"The world is a stranger place than you think, Meneer."

Duncan:"But what do these terrorists want with me? I'm just a local beer
        businessman and art collector."

Striker:"That is the problem, Meneer. You have an art artefact that Franco
         is willing to kill for."

Duncan:"Which artifact?"

Striker:"That is what I was trying to discover, but I couldn't find your
         collection anywhere in your home."

Duncan:"Well, that is because I hide my collection in a secret room. Away
        from the eyes of unwanted visitors. Like you."

Striker:"Where is this secret room?"

Duncan:"I will not reveal where it is to you."

Striker shrugs.

Striker:"That is a shame to hear, Meneer Duncan. After those terrorists
         have killed you and your family they will tear your home apart
         until they find that room. They do not give up that easily."

Duncan:"The police will come to investigate..."

Striker:"...and will be slaughtered. What good are police officers versus
         well-armed and trained soldiers?"

Duncan and Dorothy look certainly at each other.

Striker:"Consider this: you and your family's lives are in danger here. 
         If you do not agree to cooperate with me, then you will have
         signed your death warrants. We will take care of the terrorists
         while you take cover far away from here."

The couple look back at Striker.

Duncan:"Very well. We will cooperate."

Striker smiles.

Striker:"Goed. And I promise you this: you will not remember any of the
         events once this is other."

Dorothy:"I doubt we will be able to forget any of this."

Striker:"Trust me, Mevrou. Now, where is this secret room?"

Duncan gets up, as does Striker. The two of them walk out into the hallway
while Dorothy remains behind with the kids.

Basement
3:04 PM:

This is a large, dimly lit basement with a single flight of stairs leading
up to a door. There are various kinds of clutter about, including boxes,
old furniture, tools and even a washing machine. The door opens and Duncan
and Striker enter the room. They both head down the stairs. When they
reach the bottom Duncan goes to an open part of the wall. He kicks a part
of the wall, causing a "click" sound. The wall then moves away to reveal
a secret room.

Duncan:"In there is my art collection."

Striker goes in, followed by Duncan. They come into a small room that has
shelves on every wall. On every shelf is an exquisite piece of artwork of
high quality. Striker looks around.

Striker:"Hmmmm. I am impressed, Meneer."

Duncan:"It took me many years and quite a bit of money to create this
        collection."

Striker:"Now the KH Military terrorists want one of these artefacts for
         some unknown reason."

He looks at Duncan.

Striker:"Do you have a history record on each of these artefacts?"

Duncan:"Aye. Why do you ask?"

Striker:"I am thinking that one of these artefacts may have a history
         that can explain why the KH Military wants them." 

Duncan:"If you to read through them I can give you my log book."

Striker:"Reg, but once hand it to me I will have to help you and your
         family get to a safe position from here."

Duncan:"The book is hidden in my study. Come. I'll show you where it
        is."

The two of them leave the secret room.

KH Checkpost
40 Kilometres from Admenting Estate
Somewhere in the Highlands
6:28 PM:

This is just a concrete bunker with an antennae that has been painted in 
green colours to disguise it amongst the environment. All around are KH 
soldiers and some machine-gun jeeps. Not far off under stand-by orders are 
two Puma helicopters. The sun is disappearing behind the high mountains 
and so light is coming from inside the bunker. Inside the bunker is
Stalker, along with some of his Alpha Squadron soldiers, and the five
wolf-sapien candidates with their five-wolf squad of Elite Guard troops:
Zastro, Roman, Tukumi, Warfare and Wolfeye (all of them wearing uniforms
that indicate they are commanders). Stalker addresses them around a map.
 
Stalker:"Admenting Estate has low-threat security with the occasional
         visit from the local police. Thus, you should not encounter
         much resistance. However, beware of any Earth Defence Force
         agents that may have found out about this operation. You all
         understand?"

Zastro, Roman, Tukumi, Warfare, Wolfeye:"Sir! Yes sir!"

Stalker:"Good. Now, the goal is simple. You all saw those photos of the
         artefact. Your mission is to get that artefact from the mansion
         and bring it to me. The one who does that first, becomes the new 
         Omega Squadron general. There are no rules of engagement and
         hostile fire between your groups is encouraged. But if in the
         process the artefact is destroyed, all five of you will be taken
         before Franco and killed. So try not to break it, understood?"

Zastro, Roman, Tukumi, Warfare, Wolfeye:"Sir! Yes sir!"

Stalker:"Good. Each of your will be dropped off at one of five landing
         zones 5 kilometres from Admenting Mansion. From there you will
         await my order to begin. Good luck, and may the best wolf win.
         Dismissed."

The candidates salute and lead their squads out of the bunker. They are
then escorted to one of the Pumas taken onboard. Just as Stalker comes
out of the bunker the Puma takes off and flies towards the estate. He
looks at it.

Stalker:"Good thing Franco has asked that we use his own troops. I hope
         all but Wolfeye's wolves are killed. That will be much less for
         the Elite Guard."

He signals the other Puma to be readied for take-off. As the soldiers
prepare the helicopter Stalker looks back at the other Puma, which is
disappearing behind the hills.

Stalker:"I certainly hope Wolfeye wins. Those other candidates are all
         more under Franco's influence than mine."

He turns and walks off to his Puma, which is now almost ready for take
off.

Observation Nest
6:44 PM:

Thompson and McGregor are now joined by the McCloud family, who are all
huddled together in a blanket eating some soup. Their station wagon is
now also hidden alongside the Rhino. McGregor is busy monitoring a radar
device while Thompson looks after the family. The sun has now set and the
stars are blinking in the clear night sky.

Thompson:"Is the soup all right?"

Judy, Larry:"Aye! It tastes great!"

Duncan:"Aye, it is all right. Thank you."

Dorothy:"Are we safe here?"

Thompson:"Safe as the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, Ma'am. Those
          terrorists couldn't find this place even if they stood right
          next to it."

Suddenly McGregor picks up something on his radar: it is the Puma with
the candidates.

McGregor:"Talk of the devil, one KH Puma coming from the north."

Thompson quickly takes out his radio and calls Striker.

Roof
Admenting Mansion
At that moment:

Striker is sitting on the roof, next to the open skylight that leads out
from the attic, looking over the estate. He hears his radio crackle,
then takes it out and answers.

Striker(into radio):"Ja?"

Thompson(over radio):"We have a KH Puma closing on Admenting from the
        north. ETA is about five minutes."

Striker starts climbing back into the attic via a ladder up to the 
skylight.

Striker(into radio):"Keep me informed on where it lands and what troops
       it unloads. Also, try to see what kind of weapons they will be
       using."

Thompson:"Aye, sir."

Striker puts the radio away and closes up the skylight. He then heads to
another ladder leading down from the attic down to a hallway on the
second floor.

Living Room
6:54 PM:

Striker is standing by the window with binoculars looking through the
curtains out over the fields. He watches as the Puma unloads the last
candidate and his group of troops. Unknown to him, the candidate is
Wolfeye.

Striker(to himself):"There is candidate number five. And they also have
       M4A1 rifles and US grenades, just like the others."

He gets out his radio and contacts Thompson.

Striker(into radio):"Thompson, do you hear me?"

Thompson(over radio):"Aye, sir. Loud and clear."

Striker(into radio):"The last candidate is in the fields. And he and his
       wolves are also armed with M4A1 rifles and American grenades."

Thompson(over radio):"Agh. The High Council is going to go absolutely
        over the hills when they hear this, sir."

Striker(into radio):"I do not think that will happen, but it will confirm
       our suspicions that someone within the United States Defence 
       Department is giving the KH Military these weapons."

Thompson(over radio):"What do we do about it, sir?"

Striker(into radio):"We first take care of this raid, then we will tell
       the Council about this."

Thompson(over radio):"Aye, sir. What are your orders?"

Striker(into radio):"Remain where you are and guard the McClouds from any
       harm. I will call your assistance when I need it, but right now
       the family's safety is your primary objective. Your secondary
       objective is to warn me of any KH reinforcements or the local
       police approaching the estate."

Thompson(over radio):"Aye, sir."

Striker(into radio):"Over and out."

He turns off his radio, pulls away from the window and puts both his radio
and binoculars away. He takes out his revolver and sonic rifle, then loads
or charges them for combat. 

Striker:"Time to go to work."

Southern Barley Fields
South Of Admenting Mansion
7:01 PM:

The fields of barley are well grown and tendered for. Lying down on the
ground is Warfare and his five soldiers. He is currently addressing his
wolves.

Warfare:"Rather than rushing for the artefact, we will go in and take
         care of the other candidates before they even reach the mansion."

Soldier 1:"Excellent, sir. Who is first on our hit list?"

Warfare:"Tukumi. He is the strongest of the lot, so he and his group 
         should be disposed of first. After that, we kill off Roman and
         Zatro's groups. That is, if they haven't already killed one or
         the other first."

Soldier 2:"And of Wolfeye?"

Warfare:"Bah! He and his group are the weakest of the lot. We'll leave him
         for last. But first we attack Tukumi's group. We currently have
         the element of surprise, so we can easily ambush him and his
         group with a few well placed grenades."

The soldiers all grin at each other.

Warfare:"Let's move out, troops!"

They get up and start creeping towards the area where Tukumi and his group
have been landed.

Eastern Barley Fields
East of Admenting Breweries
7:11 PM:

The barley fields here are also in a good state. Creeping in the rows in
the fields with their weapons ready, is Tukumi and his men. Tumuki calls
out to one of his soldiers, his accent clearly being Russian.

Tukumi:"Range?"

A soldier carrying a small hand-held US radar device makes a scan.

Soldier:"3 kilometres and closing, sir."

Tukumi:"The other groups?"

The soldier scans again.

Soldier:"I have Zastro and Roman, sir, but I cannot pick up the signals
         from either Wolfeye's or Warfare's groups

Tukumi:"They must be following a strategic path of stealth. Well, let
        them creep and sneak their way to the mansion. In Russia we go
        in and fight for what we need."

They proceed down the row. Unknown to them, up ahead and well hidden
amongst the barley, are grenades who's pins are tied to a wire that has
been stretched across their path. Lying down flat in the barley some
distance away is Warfare and his group, watching Tukumi and his group
approach the trap.

Warfare:"Closer. Closer..."

Tukumi, unknowingly walks up to the trap and his boot starts pulling on 
the wire.

Warfare:"Bye bye, Tukumi."

Front door
Admenting Mansion
At that moment:

Striker has just gotten out of the mansion and is busy closing the door.
Suddenly he hears a loud explosion and quickly readies his sonic rifle
and goes into a defensive stance.

Striker:"What th..."

He is interrupted by several short bursts of loud machine gun fire. Ten
seconds after the explosion it is dead quiet again, with the only sounds
coming from crickets. Striker quickly takes out his radio.

Striker(into radio):"Thompson! What happened?"

Thompson(over radio):"You will not believe this, sir. The one group has
        just ambushed and killed off the other group east of the house."

Striker(into radio, surprised):"Ai yai yai. Are you certain about this?"

Thompson(over radio):"I saw it with me own eyes, sir."

Striker(into radio):"So the five... four groups are allowed to shoot at
       each other. Magtig, this will make our mission much easier."

Thompson(over radio):"And more fun to watch, sir."

Striker(into radio):"Keep me informed on the status of the other four
       groups. I suspect we will soon see more clashes between them."

Thompson(over radio):"Aye, sir. Out"

Striker turns off his radio, puts it away and resumes locking the front
door. He then runs off towards the brewery.

North-eastern Barley Fields
7:17 PM:

This is just like the other fields. Zastro and his group is making their 
way towards the mansion. The soldiers are talking to each other about
the explosion they heard.

Soldier 1:"That was a loud explosion. I bet there isn't much left of
           Tukumi."

Soldier 2:"Or after his squad, after that short exchange of gunfire."

Zastro whips around to his soldiers. 

Zastro:"Caramba! If you do not stop talking I will be doing little exchange
        of gunfire of my on you lot!"

The soldiers quiet down and Zastro looks ahead just in time to have Roman
and his group suddenly appear from another row that joins the one his 
squad is on. The two leaders look at each other in surprise.

Zastro:"Roman!"

Roman:"Mamma mia! If it is not the little Peruvian piece of badly made
       pasta!"

Zastro:"Says who, you Italian scum!"

They and their groups raise their rifles at each other.

North-western Barley Fields
At that moment:

This is just like the other fields. Wolfeye and his wolves are slowly and
cautiously creeping their way towards the brewery, keeping a sharp eye
out. They suddenly stop when they hear gunfire coming the area where
Roman and Zastro are. They listen as the gunfire goes on for a few seconds
before stopping.

Wolfeye:"Which groups were those?"

The soldier carrying the radar makes a quick check-up.

Soldier 1:"That would be Zastro's and Roman's groups shooting at each 
           other."

Soldier 2:"So that means it leaves now us and that Warfare wolf."

Wolfeye:"Proceed quickly but cautiously, and keep your eyes, ears and
         noses on the alert."

Soldier 3:"Why don't we join in the fight, sir?"

Wolfeye:"Our mission objective is to get that artefact, not to fight a
         war amongst own species. Now move it."

Soldiers:"Sir, yes sir."

They all continue towards the brewery.

North-eastern Barley Fields:

The battle is over: Roman and his group are all lying about, dead. Only
Zastro is alive but seriously wounded, his own group dead as well. He
looks at the Roman.

Zastro:"That... senyor Roman... is how we Peruvians fight..."

Suddenly several bullets tear through his body. He tumbles to the ground,
dead. Standing some distance behind him is Warfare and his group. Warfare
has his rifle raised, smoke still coming from the barrel. He lowers it
and grins.

Warfare:"Three down. One to go."

He turns to his radar soldier.

Warfare:"Where is Wolfeye?"

Soldier 3:"He and his group are approaching the brewery, sir."

Warfare:"And that is where we are going. Move out!"

They all start running towards the brewery.

Main Hall
Admenting Breweries
7:24 PM:

This is a large, long hall with huge barrels of beer lined up in rows
inside of it. The only light is moonlight coming through the open windows
in the roof. Wolfeye and his group are slowly making their way down one
of the wider corridors between the barrels. He looks at his radar soldier.

Wolfeye:"Any sign of Warfare's group?"

The soldier makes a check-up, and then shakes his head.

Soldier 1:"I cannot detect them, sir. The barrels are blocking their 
           signals from us."

Wolfeye:"Then keep proceeding with caution. We must not fall victim to
         an ambush by his group."

Voice:"I'm afraid you're already victims, Wolfeye!"

Wolfeye and his group quickly whip around (while simultaneously raising
their rifles) to see Warfare and group standing at the other end of the
corridor, their rifles raised at Wolfeye and his wolves.

Warfare:"So it's down to you and me, eh Wolfeye?"

Wolfeye:"I can see what will happen to the Omega Squadron if you take
         command, Warfare."

Warfare:"Really?"

Wolfeye:"Yes. It will be a treacherous and power hungry collection of
         wolves lead by you. And from what I have heard of Franco, he
         won't take that threat to his authority lightly."

Warfare:"Bah! He's too crazy to even notice that the rest of the KH
         Military wants him six-hundred-feet under. He'll be easy to
         handle once I take control."

Wolfeye:"Before you can do that, you will first have to kill me and my
         wolves."

Warfare grins.

Warfare:"That shouldn't be too difficult."

Suddenly two flash grenades fly from behind the barrels towards each of
the groups. They see this.

Warfare, Wolfeye:"Grenade! Take cover!"

They all jump or duck for cover just as the two grenades explode into a
blinding flash. Striker then rolls out from behind a barrel and fires a 
sonic blast at one of Wolfeye's soldiers, killing him. He then whips 
around in time to fire two blasts at two of Warfare's soldiers before
running behind one the barrels. The two groups recover, hiding behind 
the barrels. At the one group Warfare was growling as he sees the dead
soldiers from his squad

Warfare:"Who in blazes did that???"

Soldier 2:"I don't know, sir!"

Warfare turns to his remain soldiers. 

Warfare:"Hunt down and kill whoever that was, then take care of Wolfeye
         and his wolves! I'm going for that artefact!"

Soldiers:"Sir, yes sir!"

Warfare gets up, looks around to see if the coast is clear, then starts
running down one of the rows towards the exit. At the other group Wolfeye
has turned to his radar soldier.

Wolfeye:"Who was that? A survivor from the other groups?"

Soldier 1:"Negative, sir. We got no signal tag to this one."

Soldier 2:"I managed to spot the bugger before ducking for cover! It's
           that EDF cano-sapien agent, Striker!"

Wolfeye:"You certain of it, soldier?"

Soldier 2:"An orange, humanoid cocker spaniel is kind of hard to miss, 
           sir."

Wolfeye thinks for a moment, then speaks.

Wolfeye:"Keep Striker and Warfare's group occupied inside the brewery. I
         am going to sneak into the mansion and get the artefact before
         anyone else gets to it. Understood?"

Soldiers:"Yes, sir!"

Wolfeye gets up and quietly starts creeping away towards one of the exits
while his group split up into two teams and go off into different direc-
tions. Meanwhile the three members of Warfare's group are busy walking up
and down the rows between the barrels, scanning in all directions for
any enemies. Hiding and lying down atop a barrel is Striker, watching the
group walking down the row.

Striker(to himself):"Three of them. A quick decoy will help me get a
       good shot at this lot."

He takes a metal ball the size of a golf ball, waits for the group to
come to the barrel he is hiding on, then throws it behind the group. The
ball lands and bounces with a loud, echoing metal "clang!". The group
quickly turn and around to see the source of the noise. Striker then
gets up and fires a sonic blast at the group. The blasts manages to
kill two of the soldiers, but the third one survives and quickly looks
to Striker. Just as he raises his rifle Striker quickly pulls out his
revolver and guns down the soldier before he can retaliate.

Striker:"This should get the attention of the other soldiers."

He quickly climbs over to another barrel and lies down just as the 
soldiers from Wolfeye's squad appear on both ends of the row. The one
duel starts moving towards the bodies while the other does the same.
Striker readies his revolver and watches the two groups carefully as
they slowly approach the bodies.

Striker:"Time for a drink."

He takes a deep breath, then aims his revolver at the barrel's tap by
which the one duel is walking. He fires, then quickly aims at the other
tap of the barrel by which the other duel is and first again. The bullets
blow apart the wooden taps, causing a strong jet of beer to spray the
soldiers. Striker gets up. The barrels then burst, flooding their beer
over the soldiers and causing them to slip on the wet floor. Striker
takes this opportunity to fire sonic blasts at the soldiers. The soldiers
are killed before they can even stand up, much less retaliate. Striker
looks at bodies, burst barrels and the beer all over the floor.

Striker:"What a gemors."

He begins to make his way out of the brewery.

Basement
7:36 PM:

It is still as it was before. The wall to the secret room has been closed
up again. Wolfeye opens the door leading into the basement and climbs
down the stairs. He looks around.

Wolfeye:"Let's see. The secret is behind..."

He spots the area where the movable wall is.

Wolfeye:"There."

He runs up to, feels around it and then finds the pressure plate that
activates it. He presses it and the wall slides away again to reveal the
secret room. Wolfeye looks into it and goes inside. He looks around at
all the artefacts.

Wolfeye:"A round gold disk with the face of a sun god on it."

He finds the artefact on one of the shelves. It's a golden, plate-sized
disk with an exotic image of a sun god on it. In the centre is a yellow
gemstone. He goes up to it and removes it from the shelf. He tucks it in
under his uniform and starts walking out of the room. When he walks out
he finds himself looking at Striker, who has his sonic rifle aimed at
Wolfeye.

Striker:"I suppose you found what you were sent here for."

Wolfeye:"And I suppose you are Striker, agent sent in by the Earth
         Defence Force."

Striker:"Ja. And who are you?"

Wolfeye:"I am Wolfeye, of the Migatua Wolf Pack."

Striker:"Well, Wolfeye. Hand over the artefact you took and I might let
         you live."

Voice(from behind):"Rather, he should hand it to me and I might let you
     both live."

Wolfeye and Striker look to see Warfare standing at the top of the stairs
with his rifle aimed at them.

Warfare:"Throw away your weapons, including any hidden in your uniforms. 
         Both of you!"

Striker and Wolfeye do as they are told and throw all their weapons (both
what they hold and what they hide in uniforms) to one side of the room.

Warfare:"Stand next to each other. And no funny business!"

The two do as they are told and stand side by side. Warfare smiles as he
walks down the stairs to the bottom.

Warfare:"This little battle of ours was nice and all, but the clear winner
         here is ME!"

Wolfeye:"You had your men kill off the other candidates and their groups.
         That is not the way of being a good leader."

Striker:"I do not mind. It made my mission much easier."

Warfare growls at Striker.

Warfare:"I'm talking to Wolfeye, mutt! Not you!"

Striker is unfazed. Warfare looks back at Wolfeye.

Warfare:"Now be a good wolf, Wolfeye, and give me the disk. If you don't
         give it, then I will shoot both of you."

Wolfeye looks at Striker, who is not doing a thing. He then takes the
disk out from under his uniform and looks it. Warfare holds out his paw
to him.

Warfare:"Bring it here nice and easy."

Wolfeye looks up at Warfare and grins.

Wolfeye:"Very well. CATCH!!!"

He suddenly throws the disk like a frisbee at Warfare. The disk hits
him in the stomach, knocking his wind out and causing him to drop his
rifle. The disk lands a few short feet from him. Both Wolfeye and Striker
take off running, Wolfeye going for the disk while Striker jumps the
still-gasping Warfare and knocks him to the floor. Wolfeye grabs the
disk and starts running up the stairs. Striker sees this and proceeds
to get up to go after him. Warfare, however, has recover and grabs one
of Striker's feet, causing him to fall to the floor. As Warfare gets up
and reaches for his rifle Wolfeye runs out through the door. Striker
quickly uses his one foot to trip Warfare, then gets up. Warfare reaches
for his rifle, but Striker kicks it away from him. Warfare growls at 
him.

Warfare:"That does it! You're dead!"

He grabs Striker's leg and bites it hard. Striker yelps in pain and tries
to get Warfare off his leg, but he has a firm grip on him. Striker falls
to the ground yelping as Warfare start gnawing on his leg. He frantically
looks around, then sees a pitchfork lying within his reach. He grabs for
it and succeeds in grabbing the handle. He brings the pitchfork to 
Warfare's head. Warfare eyes widen and he lets go of Striker's leg. He
lifts his head just as Striker thrusts the pitchfork. It misses his head,
but it digs into his chest. Warfare gasps, looks down at the pitchfork
in his chest, then falls to the floor and dies.

Striker:"Bad wolf."

He groans in pain as he gets up, picks up his weapons and starts limping
up the stairs.

Northern Barley Fields
7:43 PM:

Wolfeye is running across the field, clutching the disk close to him. In
the night the lights coming from Stalker's Puma can be seen. He runs to
it as it lands in the field. Stalker and several of soldiers open the
door for Wolfeye. When he gets to Puma Stalker calls out to him.

Stalker:"Do you have the disk, Wolfeye?"

Wolfeye:"Yes, General!"

He holds up the disk.

Stalker:"Good work! Climb aboard, soldier!"

Wolfeye does as he is told and climbs into the Puma. The door is closed
and the Puma takes off. From the estate Striker limps out just in time
to see the Puma fly away.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. Wolfeye escaped. And now I have a serious bite on
         my leg."

His radio starts crackling. He takes it out and answers.

Striker(into radio):"Ja?"

Thompson(over radio):"Sir! What happened? We saw one of the candidates
        get loaded into a Puma and extracted."

Striker(into radio):"I'm afraid it is so. Wolfeye, the candidate, escaped
       with one of the artefacts."

Thompson(over radio):"What are our orders, sir?"

Striker(into radio):"Get over here and bring the McClouds along. We will
       need to clear all the bodies and erase their memories before the
       police come here. And bring a medical kit. I'm injured."

Thompson(over radio):"Aye, sir!"

The radio goes dead and Striker puts it away. He then sits down on the
ground and starts examining his bitten leg.

Living Room
Admenting Mansion
8:12 PM:

Dorothy McCloud is busy tending to Striker's leg (which has been bandaged
up) while the kids sit nearby watching. Duncan is seated opposite Striker
and the two of them are talking to each other.

Striker:"What was that artefact they stole?"

Duncan:"It was an Inca Sun God Disk. It was recovered from the tomb of an
        Incan king in the Andes in Argentina before being sold to me at
        an auction ten years ago."

Striker:"Any significant value of that disk besides financial?"

Duncan:"None really, Laddie. It was rumoured to be some kind of key, but
        other than that is was just a valuable piece of Inca treasure."

Striker:"A key? To what?"

Duncan:"Don't know. It was a rumour. Nothing more."

Striker starts thinking. Just then Thompson and McGregor enter the room
and salute Striker.

McGregor:"Sir. The bodies have been cremated and the weapons loaded onto
          our vehicles."

Striker gets up, as do the rest of the family.

Striker:"Goed. Now, one last thing."

He turns to the McClouds and takes out his mind disruptor.

Striker:"We have to leave now, Meneer and Mevrou McCloud. But before we
         do that, we must take a picture of you and your family for our
         files."

Duncan:"Very well. Gather around, everyone."

The family gathers in a group before Striker and smile, especially the
kids. Striker raises the mind disruptor and activates it. There is the
flash, followed by the glow in the family's eyes. Striker puts the mind
disruptor away and turns back to the two agents.

Striker:"It is time leave. Let's go."

McGregor, Thompson:"Aye, sir."

The three EDF agents leave the mansion, closing the door behind them and
leaving the still-paralysed McClouds in the room.

Conference Room
KH Military Headquarters
2:01 AM:

Wolfeye is alone in this room, seated by the table and yawning. Stalker
then walks in and Wolfeye gets up and salutes.

Wolfeye:"Sir!"

Stalker salutes back.

Stalker:"At ease soldier. The Surpreme has checked your evaluation General, 
         and he is glad you brought him the disk."

Wolfeye:"Thank you, sir."

Stalker:"Thus... raise your right paw."

Wolfeye does as he is told and raises his right paw. Stalker does the same
with his right paw.

Stalker:"By the powers invested in me by the Supreme General of the KH
         Military, I hereby promote you to the rank of squadron general of
         the Omega Squadron."

Wolfeye smiles as Stalker paws his some papers.

Stalker:"Here are your rank description files."

Wolfeye takes the papers and shakes Stalker's paw. Stalker shakes back.

Wolfeye:"Thank you, sir."

Suddenly there is a piercing scream echoing through the base, followed by
a gurgling sound and then, silence. Wolfeye's eyes widen, but Stalker is
unfazed.

Wolfeye:"What was that?"

Stalker:"Nothing serious. It is just feeding time for the pet piranhas of
         the Supreme General."

Wolfeye looks surprised at Stalker, who just salutes him and leaves the
room. Striker has protected the McClouds family and has learned a secret
about the artefact Wolfeye, who is now the new Omega squadron general,
stole. What is the real secret behind the strange Inca disk? What is
Franco up to? And what will happen now that Shepherd's plans for the
transdogmafier is being funded by Malcolm Industries... and the KH
Military?


THE END