Road Rovers: Reich of Franco

Episode 3: River Raid

By Gerhard Naudé

Striker, Norwood, Ortega, Malcolm, Spectre and all others related to the
KH Military © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners.
Thomas, Andrew and Susan Greystone, Cathy Sanders © Greg Williams

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

Cathy's Place
Stump Hollow
United States of America
11 February 1980
2:22 PM:

This is a restaurant in the small Apache Indian town of Stump Hollow. In
the bar are several costumers enjoying their lunch. Waiters go to and
fro serving them. At the counter is the restaurant owner, Cathy, who is 
busy talking to Susan Greystone.

Cathy:"So what? He's doing it for the good of everyone."

Susan:"I know, but one of these days Tom is going to get killed or 
       something just as bad."

Cathy:"You worry too much. Tom may be working as an FBI agent, but he is
       very good at his job and very respected since he is the only 
       Apache employed by the FBI."

Susan:"I guess so. Still, I wish he would stop taking such life-
       threatening risks."

Voice (from behind):"Oh, really Susan. You worry too much about me."

Susan and Cathy look towards the door. Standing there is Susan's brother,
Thomas Greystone (the future Silver of the Maddogs). He walks up to the
counter and sits next to Susan.

Thomas:"Besides, I have some very good news."

Cathy:"What's that, Tom?"

Susan:"Yes. Don't keep us in suspense."

Thomas:"Andrew made it, Susan."

Susan's eyes widen.

Susan:"He did?"

Thomas smiles.

Thomas:"Yes, he did."

Susan smiles and hugs Thomas, he hugs back.

Susan:"That's wonderful!"

Thomas:"Ain't it?"

Cathy:"What happened to Andrew?"

One of the customers, who is seated next to Susan, also hears the news
and turns to the group.

Customer:"Yeah. What did old Andrew do?"

Thomas:"He has graduated from the US Naval Academy and he is the first
        Apache to do that."

Cathy:"Why. That's wonderful!"

Customer:"Yeah!"

The customer calls the other customers in the restaurant.

Customer:"Hey, everybody! Old Tom's brother has finished Naval Academy!
          Drinks are on me!"

The customers all clap their hands and cheer. Cathy and the other
waiters begin to pour in the drinks. Just then a male Caucasian walks
into the bar. This is FBI agent Cruise, who is also Tom's partner. He
walks up to Tom.

Cruise:"Tom, I hate to bother you but HQ just called."

Thomas:"What's did the chief say?"

Cruise:"He says that our observation of that suspected abandoned 
        warehouse out of town has paid off. A couple of trucks pulled
        up there and the boys on them unloaded some crates. All we have
        to do now is go and see what's in them."

Thomas:"Great! Let's go now."

Thomas gets and up and prepares to leave, but Susan then grabs him by 
the arm. He looks at her.

Thomas:"What is it, sis?"

Susan:"Be careful out there, will you? I don't want to be at your 
       funeral."

Cathy:"Neither do I."

Thomas hugs Susan.

Thomas:"Don't worry, sis. I will come back soon, I promise."

Susan:"Thanks, Tom."

They stop hugging each other. Thomas and Cruise then leave the restaurant
as Susan and Cathy watch them go.

Susan:"God be with you, Brother."

She and Cathy then resume talking.

Adandoned Warehouse
20 Kilometres from Stump Hollow
6:05 PM:

This is a large, old, run-down warehouse next to a tarred road that has 
seen little repair. The lights of the warehouse parking lot have long
since been damaged or destroyed. Tumbleweed gather in heaps against the
fence that surrounds the warehouse. On the parking lot is Thomas' and
Cruise's car. They have just climbed out and are walking towards one of
the doors. Thomas looks at the lock of the door.

Thomas:"Brand new lock. Yup. Somebody has been visiting this place on
        a regular basis."

Cruise:"Well, let's see what they've been hiding."

Thomas:"Good idea."

Thomas takes out his pistol, puts a silencer on it and fires at the lock.
The bullets crack the lock. Thomas then removes the broken lock, opens
the door and walk in with Cruise. Inside it is dark, the only light
coming from the warehouse windows up high in the walls. Cruise finds
the light switch and turns the lights on. The lights reveal a large
number of wooden crates, some stacked on each other. Cruise whistles.

Cruise:"We hit the big time, Tom."

Thomas:"Let's see what they got."

Cruise nods and picks up a crowbar that is lying on one of the crates.
He then proceeds to pry a crate open. When he removes it they look
inside. In the crate is a large number of packets with cocaine. Thomas
picks a packet up and examines it.

Thomas:"Cocaine, Cruise. We hit the jackpot."

Cruise opens another crate. This one holds firearms.

Cruise:"AK-47 rifles, grenades and bazookas. Looks like these guys are
        into firearm smuggling too."

Thomas puts the packet down and then walks down an isle with Cruise,
looking at all the crates as they go.

Cruise:"I bet you this, Tom. This going to be the biggest catch in FBI 
        history."

Thomas then spots some crates that stand from the rest. They are made
of steel. Thomas taps Cruise's shoulder and points at the crates.

Thomas:"Now what is in there?"

Cruise:"Definitely not drugs or guns. Whatever's in there is something
        very valuable."

Thomas:"Let's have a look."

They walk over to a crate. Cruise tries to open it with the crowbar,
but with no success. Thomas walks around the crate and finds a small
computer console on the side of it.

Thomas:"A control panel?"

Cruise walks over to where Thomas is and also sees the console.

Cruise:"What the h*** is in this crate? Some kind of new drug? A new 
        kind of weapon?"

Thomas then notices a large piece of blank paper haphazardly plastered
with sticky tape on the side.

Thomas:"Perhaps if we peel that off we will see what is inside."

They walk over to the paper and quickly peel it off. They gasp in
horror at what it was hiding. On the side of crate is a nuclear
hazard symbol with the words "SS-18 NUCLEAR WARHEAD" written under
it.

Cruise:"A nuke?!!"

Thomas:"Oh my God! Screw the FBI. We have to call the Pentagon and the
        CIA about this."

Cruise:"No kidding! I mean..."

Suddenly the lights go out and envelop the warehouse in darkness. The
sounds of footsteps running towards the two agents, followed by several
thumps, can be heard. It is all quiet.

Voice 1:"Caramba! This was easy."

Voice 2:"Si. Maybe too easy."

The voices laugh.

Norwood's Office
EDF Headquarters
13 February
8:03 AM:

Norwood is seated at his desk busy reading one of the reports that had 
been given to him earlier. Just then Striker enters the office and 
Norwood looks up at him. He smiles.

Norwood:"Good morning, Striker. How are you feeling?"

Striker:"Better now. I've been able to adjust to my current situations."

Norwood:"That's good. Have a seat."

Striker nods and sits on one of the chairs by the desk. Norwood puts the
report to one side and then looks at Striker.

Norwood:"You have been engaged in minor routines and training for some
         time. Now it is time for you to undertake your first real
         mission."

Norwood pushes a button and the holographic project is activates. It
shows a holographic of Venezuela. 

Norwood:"For years the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Brazil
         and their neighbours have been controlled by various powerful
         drug barons and lords. They basically control almost all of the
         illegal global drug trade. Up until now we haven't been that
         concerned about them. But a few days ago our EDF contacts in
         Southern Venezuela picked up something alarming."

Striker:"What is that?"

Norwood:"They were busy monitoring a base when a hover barge came down
         the river towards the base. And what they discovered as they
         x-rayed the hover barge are two hostages... and several nuclear
         warhead containers."

Striker's eyes widen.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. The KH Military's stockpile of nuclear warheads is
         beginning to grow at an alarming pace."

Norwood:"You're right."

Striker:"To whom did that base belong?"

Norwood pushes another button and the holographic image of Venezuela is
replaced by that of Francisco Ortega. He is much younger, his hair is       
shorter, but his moustache and beard can be seen.

Norwood:"This is Francisco Ortega, one of the more powerful drug barons
         in Venezuela. His private drug army controls that base and it
         is his forces that are involved with warhead thefts all over 
         America. The FBI, ATF and DEA have been trying to catch him,
         but with no success. This could be because he is not only a
         KH Military contact, but also Malcolm's head financial agent."

Striker:"So that is why he has never been caught. The KH Military makes
         sure that he does not get arrested by destroying evidence and
         killing witnesses."

Norwood:"Right. And we believe those two hostages might be witnesses. If
         we rescue them, we might be able to put Ortega away for good." 

Striker:"So, where do I come in?"

Norwood:"Your mission, Striker, is to infiltrate the base, free the two
         hostages and destroy the warheads. That is your primary goal. 
         Your secondary objective is to find out where all these warheads
         are heading and, if he is there, kill Ortega."

Striker:"Yes, sir."

Norwood hands Striker a note. Striker takes it.

Norwood:"This shows the location of our contacts. They will fill you in 
         on the situation there." 

Striker nods, puts the note away and gets up. 

Norwood:"Good luck, Striker."

Striker:"Yes, sir."

Striker turns and leaves the office.

Laboratory
Ortega's Base
Near Orinoco River
Southern Venezuela
11:01 PM:

This is a high-tech laboratory somewhere in the base with many machines,
tables covered with equipment and some crates. In a nearby cage lying
on its floor is Thomas and Cruise, both unconscious. However, they then
begin to wake up.

Cruise:"Oooh. Ouch, that hurt."

Thomas rubs his, then notices where they are.

Thomas:"Oh boy. I don't we're in Kansas anymore."

Voice:"You're not even in the United States anymore, senyors."

Thomas and Cruise look towards the source of the voice. Standing in the
doorway of the lab and flanked by South American soldiers wearing dark
blue uniforms, black boots and armed with R-5 rifles, is Francisco 
Ortega. He is wearing a white shirt, blue jacket, denim jeans, black
boots and black gloves. He walks up to the cage.

Thomas:"Who are you?"

Ortega:"I am Francisco Ortega, senyor Greystone. A South American drug
        baron and one of the best."

Cruise:"Where are we?"

Ortega:"You are in my base in Venezuela."

Thomas, Cruise:"Venezuela?"

Ortega:"Correct, senyors. You've been brought here after my soldiers
        caught you two sneaking about in one of my US warehouses. To
        be honest, the FBI has become far too predictable."

Thomas:"Are you the one smuggling all those drugs and guns all over the
        States?"

Ortega:"Si."

Cruise:"Including all those nukes we saw?"

Ortega:"Si, that too."

Thomas:"So you're behind all those thefts of nuclear weapons from all
        those depots we've been seeing on the news!"

Ortega:"Not really, senyor. I am just part of this global operation of
        stealing nukes."

Cruise:"You mean you're part of a syndicate?"

Ortega:"Si. Various other illegal organisations, including terrorist,
        criminal and even some government forces, are working for our
        employer to smuggle nuclear bombs for them."

Thomas:"A mastermind?"

Ortega:"Si."

Thomas:"And who's that?"

Voice (from door):"That is classified information that is best explained
      by me." 

Everyone looks towards the doorway of the lab. Standing there is Malcolm
and several KH soldiers. Thomas and Cruise's eyes widen when they see
them.

Ortega:"Ah. Senyor Malcolm. Good to see you."

Malcolm:"And the same goes here."

Thomas:"What the h***?"

Cruise:"What's with the costumes?"

Malcolm:"These are not costumes, Mister Cruise. We are the real thing."

Thomas:"Prove it."

Malcolm nods to one of the soldiers, who then walk up to Thomas and
holds his muzzle up to Thomas' face. When Thomas feels the hot air
coming from the soldier's nostrils his eyes widen even more.

Thomas:"Oh my God! You're real!"

Cruise:"Holy s***! Tell me I'm dreaming, please." 

The soldier walks back as Malcolm walks up to them.

Malcolm:"Sorry. This is not a dream."

Thomas:"So... you're the mastermind?"

Malcolm:"No, but I am his financial backer. My name is Malcolm and I'm
         the CEO of Malcolm Industries. Mister Ortega here is my trusted
         head financial agent."

Ortega:"Olé, senyor."

Cruise:"So who's in charge?"

Malcolm:"Classified information. You don't qualify to know who we are."

He pauses.

Malcolm:"You know, it is such guys as you FBI agents who prove to be
         irritating little fleabites to an elephant, but even fleabites
         can become a problem if left untended to. Thus, Ortega's men
         will have you two executed in about..."

Ortega:"Four hours, senyor."

Malcolm:"Exactly. You two should have stayed in Cathy's place to get
         very drunk. At least it would have spared your lives, but now
         you must suffer the consequences of your actions."

He turns to Ortega.

Malcolm:"Let's get down to business immediately. I want to leave soon
         for a meeting in Lima."

Ortega:"Si, senyor. I also want to finish soon so I can watch these
        FBI agents' executions."

Malcolm, Ortega and their soldiers leave the lab, closing the door behind
them. Thomas and Cruise look at each other.

Cruise:"Old buddy, I think we have reached the end of line."

Thomas:"And there's nobody who can help us. Not out here somewhere in  
        this forsaken country."

Not quite.

Hidden EDF Post
Near Ortega's Base
At that moment:

This is a camo-nest hidden within the thick jungles by the river. Across
the river is Ortega's base. It is a large concrete structure with various
sections with few windows. Missile turrets and machine gun nests are all
over the base. An electric fence surrounds the base with towers on a
certain section. PT-boats patrol the waters, particularly by the base's
docks. Crane's are busy loading and unloading crates from and onto barges
docked there. There are soldiers everywhere. In the nest are several EDF
agents, dressed like Striker. One of them is busy watching the base with
some high-tech EDF binoculars. He is a large male with black hair and
a stern face. This is Frank Pascal. Just then another agent and Striker
appear from the thick jungle. 

Agent:"Here's our reinforcement."

Frank and the other three agents stop what they are doing and turn to
Striker. The three agents look at Striker with a mixture of fear and
curiousity, but Frank just looks him over quickly and walks up to him.

Frank:"You are agent Striker, right?"

Striker:"Ja. And you are agent sergeant Frank Pascal?"

Frank:"That's correct, mutt."

Striker:"Need I remind you, sergeant Pascal, that I have been sent
         here by Commander Norwood himself to carry out this operation."

Frank:"Ha! Easy for him to say. He's behind a desk in the US. As far as
       I'm concerned he does not have authority here. Thus you will take
       orders from ME."

Striker:"I could have you put on report for your actions."

Frank sniggers.

Frank:"Go ahead and try. I have contacts that will drive you into the
       ground if you so much as breathe as word of this."

Striker:"Have it your way, sergeant. So what is our current situation."

Frank becomes serious again.

Frank:"Our intel shows that the warheads are being readied to be shipped
       out to an unknown destination. We have maps of the facility that
       show were these weapons are being stored, as well as many other
       info such as command posts, security points and cameras as well
       as other important areas."

Striker takes a map from one of the agents, folds it open and begins to
study it.

Striker:"Does it also show where those two hostages are being held?"

Frank:"No, it doesn't. H***, for all we know they are already dead."

Striker:"Pity. Is Francisco Ortega here?"

Frank:"Yes. And he's just recently gotten some company in the from of
       his employer, Malcolm."

Striker looks up at Frank.

Striker:"Malcolm is here?"

Frank:"Sure. If we can kill him along with Ortega we'll have given the
       KH Military one serious smack-down."

Striker nods and looks out at the base.

Striker:"But first we have to get in. Do you know a way to gain access
         to the facility?"

Frank points at the map he is holding and shows it to Striker.

Frank:"We found here an old sewer pipe running from deep in the jungle 
       into the facility. We can get in that way."

Striker:"Is it safe to use the pipe?"

Frank:"I had it checked out. There's only a wire mesh there, probably
       to keep out the native wildlife. We can easily cut it and go
       in."

Striker rubs his chin, thinking.

Striker:"Just a wire mesh?"

Frank:"Just that."

Striker:"I don't know about using that pipe. It looks too inviting."

Frank:"You are too pessimistic, Agent Striker. This is too good a chance
       to pass up. Besides, Ortega's men can't possibly cover all of the
       holes in his brick wall."

Striker:"I still have my doubts about this. In training we learned that
         one must always consider things very, very carefully before one
         proceeds."

Frank:"That's the problem with the EDF today: they never take the easy
       way."

Frank signals the other agents, who begin to load their things and arm
themselves. Frank looks at Striker as he takes out his super M-16 rifle.
The SM-16 is a more advanced and high-tech version of the M-16.

Frank:"We're wasting time here. Let's go."

The other agents nod and follow Frank into the jungle. Striker hesitates,
then shakes his head. He readies his Sonic Rifle and follows the group
into the jungle.

Conference Room
11:34 AM:

This is a small square room with no windows, a single table with two
chairs and phone on it. The only light comes from an overhanging bulb on
a cord. In the corner is an old decaying potted plant. Two doors lead
into the room. Ortega is seated in one chair while Malcolm is in the
other. Two guards stand by the doors while Malcolm and Ortega talk with
one another.

Malcolm:"So you accept the increase, Ortega?"

Ortega:"Si, senyor Malcolm. An extra five-hundred thousand dollars for
        each nuclear warhead is an offer I cannot pass up."

Malcolm:"But then you must remember to keep delivering those warheads
         to us."

Ortega:"That should be very simple, senyor. Even with the thefts of
        their warheads, most of the US states have still not been able
        to safeguard their depots. At this rate you should soon have
        the entire US nuclear arsenal in your control."

Voice:"That is very reassuring, Monsiuer Ortega."

Everyone in the room look around. The guards have their weapons at the 
ready as they, along with Ortega and Malcolm, look around the room.

Ortega:"Who are you? Show yourself if you are man!"

There is no answer. Malcolm then looks at the dead plant.

Malcolm:"Very funny, Spectre."

Ortega looks the plant, then at Malcolm. He is completely. Suddenly
the plant glows brightly, then it begins to morph into a new form. The
form of a wolf-sapien. He is a Red Wolf wolf-sapien with brown fur,
light-brown fur around the face and muzzle and a white streak on the
top of his muzzle. His wearing a brown suit with a red tie and black
shoes. This is Spectre. The guards aim their weapons at him, but 
Malcolm waves them back. Ortega points an angry finger at Spectre.

Ortega:"Who the h*** are you?!"

Malcolm:"Ortega, meet Spectre. The best spy in the KH Military."

Spectre:"And in the world, no?"

Ortega:"What are doing here... Spectre?"

Spectre walks up to the table.

Spectre:"My superiors have sent me here to make sure you weren't cheating
         on us, Monsiuer. I'm glad that you have proven yourself loyal,
         so I won't kill you."

Ortega:"Caramba, that is a relief."

Malcolm:"Any news or rumours from the top, Spectre?"

Spectre:"Only this: we may think that the EDF might strike at this base
         at any moment. Along with them will be that cocker-spaniel,
         Striker."

Ortega:"Bah! They will be taken care off before even a shot can be fired,
        senyors. That I can guarantee you all. As for this Striker, whom
        I've been told by senyor Malcolm, he won't pose a problem."

Malcolm:"I hope so, Ortega. I have a feeling Striker isn't just your
         everyday common cano-sapien EDF agent. He could pose a big 
         threat to the entire KH Military."

Spectre:"That is what I've been trying to tell the Supreme General, but
         you know how he gets when someone tells him something like
         that, no?"

Malcolm rolls his eyes.

Malcolm:"Tell me about it."

Ortega gives an "excuse me" cough. Malcolm and Spectre look at him.

Ortega:"We still have other issues to handle, senyor Malcolm."

Malcolm:"You're right. Now, let's go on to nuclear transporting and 
         the costs that go with it."

Ortega and Malcolm begin to talk business again while Spectre leans in
the one corner. He takes out a glock pistol with a silencer on it and
begins to clean it. The only thing is, is that the pistol and silencer
is made of gold.

Sewage Tunnel
At that moment:

This is a circular tunnel that can just barely be seen. The metal is
rusted, and a small river of water is running through it. Striker,
Pascal and the EDF agents are walking through it, all with weapons at
the ready and their weapons' flashlights activated. They walks slowly
until they come to a wire mesh covering the tunnel. Pascal looks at
one agent and points at the wire mesh.

Pascal:"Cut it."

Agent:"Yes, sir."

The agent takes out a wire-cutter and begins to cut the mesh apart.
Striker whispers to Pascal.

Striker:"Are you sure there are no booby-traps in this tunnel?" 

Pascal looks at Striker, annoyed.

Pascal:"Of course not! I had it checked out. We're clear."

Striker looks back down the tunnel, unconvinced. After a few moments
the agent finishes cutting the wire mesh. He puts the cutter away as
Pascal points down the tunnel.

Pascal:"Let's go, men."

Agents, Striker:"Yes, sir."

The agents, followed by Striker, climb through the hole in the mesh
and begin to walk down the tunnel. Pascal stays where he is, watching
the agents and Striker. Striker and agents walk for a while, the agents
in front while Striker walks a short distance behind them.

Striker:"I don't like this. This is too easy."

Agent:"Oh lighten up, Dog! Once in a while things just go one's way."

Striker is unconvinced as he keeps following the agents. Suddenly he
spots something the agents had not: a small device attach to the tunnel
wall at ankle height. Striker's eyes widen and he shouts at the agents,
who are about to pass by it.

Striker:"LOOK OUT!!!"

The agents turn around. Surprised at Striker's shouting, they walk
backwards as they take defensive positions. The leading agent's leg then
breaks the invisible laser of the trip mine. It beeps loudly and Striker
quickly turns around and runs. Just as the agents realise what is going
on the trip mine explodes, engulfing them in flames. Striker falls to the
ground, the flames just passing over his head.

Conference Room:

It is still the same. Suddenly there is the distant sounds of the
tripmine's detonation. Malcolm and Spectre look around, confused, but
Ortega just smiles.

Ortega:"Boom. Goodbye Striker and several EDF agents."

Spectre looks at Ortega.

Spectre:"What do you mean?"

Ortega:"Simple, senyor Spectre. I knew the EDF agents would try and
        sneak into my base through an old sewage tunnel, so I planted
        a few trip mines there to give them a 'warm' reception."

Malcolm:"But how did you know that they would come through the tunnel?"

Ortega grins evilly.

Ortega:"I have 'friends', senyors."

Malcolm and Spectre then realise what Ortega means and grin as well.

Sewage Tunnel:

Striker is getting up and picks up his Sonic Rifle. He turns and looks
to where the agents were, but there is only a wall of fire now.

Voice (from behind):"So you survived. How unfortunate."

Striker turns and sees Pascal standing behind, holding his SM-16 and
aiming it at Striker. He frowns.

Striker:"Traitor."

Pascal:"So I am. Ortega pays me big money to kill fellow agents, and
        he will most certainly reward me well for killing you. Put
        your weapon down and kick it towards me."

Striker does as he told and puts his Sonic Rifle down. He kicks it to
Pascal, who picks it up and then aims it at Striker.

Pascal:"Now, I will have the pleasure of dealing with you personally."

He laughs and he does so, Striker quickly takes his revolver and aims 
it at Pascal. Pascal stops laughing and before he can react, Striker
pulls the trigger and shoots Pascal through the heart. He falls to
the ground and drops the weapons and Striker runs up to him. He looks
down at Pascal, who looks up at him.

Striker:"In training, they said that when you go up against an enemy
         you never let your guard down."

Pascal tries to say something, but his head just slumps to the one side
and then he dies. Striker picks up his Sonic Rifle and Pascal's SM-16,
then runs through the firewall and down the tunnel. He makes his way 
through the tunnels until he reaches a grate that has light coming from 
it. He uses his rifle to push the grate off the hole, then jumps up and 
climbs out of the tunnel.

Laboratory:

Thomas is busy trying to pick the cage's lock while Cruise keeps an
eye out for danger.

Cruise:"Hurry up, Tom. Before someone comes in here."

Thomas:"I'm trying, but it's not easy picking a very good lock with
        a hairpin."

He continues to pick the lock. Just then Striker appears from behind
a large rack, looking in a different direction and in a defensive
position. Thomas and Cruise spot him and become terrified.

Thomas:"Oh no! Another one."

Striker whips around, aiming his rifle at the cage. He then lowers
it and walks to the cage door. Thomas and Cruise back-off.

Cruise:"Are you going to kill us now?"

Striker:"No, I am not. You two must those hostages we picked up coming
         into this base as prisoners, right?"

Thomas:"Er... right."

Striker makes a reassuring smiles.

Striker:"Don't worry. I will help you out of here."

He takes out a special lock-pick wire and picks the lock in a few
seconds. He opens the cage.

Striker:"Come on."

Thomas and Cruise hesitate, then walk out of the cage. The both become
more relaxed.

Cruise:"Thanks, Mister...?"

Striker:"My name is Striker. I'm with the EDF."

Thomas:"EDF?"

Striker:"Earth Defence Force, a secret division of the United Nations.
         And you two are?"

Thomas:"I'm Thomas Greystone and this is Jack Cruise."

Cruise:"We're with the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Striker:"FBI, is it? How did you two get caught?"

Thomas:"We were investigating an abandoned warehouse just outside my 
        home town of Stump Hollow. We had just uncovered some contraband
        when we were ambushed. Next thing we knew, we were here in this
        base."

Striker:"And some of that contraband was nuclear warheads, right?"

Thomas and Cruise look surprised at Striker.

Cruise:"How did you know?"

Striker:"I was expecting it. Francisco Ortega has been smuggling the
         warheads from the States via Venezuela to his employers." 

Cruise:"Are they large human-like wolves? I mean these employers?"

Striker:"Ja. They are a terrorist faction called the KH Military."

Thomas:"The one we saw called himself Malcolm."

Striker's face becomes more stern as he hears Malcolm's name. He
growls, startling Thomas and Cruise a bit. He the calms down a
bit, then looks at the two agents.

Striker:"Can you operate weapons?"

Thomas and Cruise look at each other, then at Striker.

Thomas, Cruise:"Yeah..."

Striker then takes out the SM-16 and throws it at Thomas while he
tosses his Sonic Rifle at Cruise. They both catch and look the
weapons over while Striker takes out his revolver and reloads it.
Cruise whistles.

Cruise:"Man, this is serious hardware you got."

Thomas:"I agree. I've never seen weapons as cool as this except in
        sci-fi movies." 

Striker:"Well, you are going to use them if we are to ever leave the
         base."

The two agents nod.

Striker:"First though, we must find out where they are holding the
         warheads. Then we must destroy them before they are shipped
         to their unknown destination."

Cruise:"You're right, Striker. Nukes and terrorists make a very nasty
        cocktail."

Thomas:"So let's not waste time. Our 'guards' will soon find out that
        we've escaped and that they have an uninvited guest in the
        house."

Striker:"Ja. Let's go. And keep close."

The agents nod and follow Striker as they leave the laboratory.

Conference Room:

Things are still the same, with Ortega and Malcolm talking finance while
Spectre listens with little interest. Just then a soldier walks into 
the room and salutes Ortega. Ortega turns to him, a smile on his face.

Ortega:"So, I suspect that you've come to tell that those five EDF
        agents are dead."

Soldier:"Si, Senyor. They are dead."

Ortega looks at Malcolm and Spectre.

Ortega:"There you go, senyors. Five agents, now having angel wings and
        playing harps."

Spectre:"Impressive. You will come in good favour with my superior."

Malcolm:"And you got a mark for your record in my good book."

Ortega smiles even wider, but then the soldier interrupts.

Soldier:"Excuse me, senyor Ortega, but there is a small problem
         concerning those numbers."

Everyone looks at the soldier, confused.

Spectre:"What do you mean?"

Ortega then realises what he thinks he means.

Ortega:"Oh, si. Senyor Pascal must be paid. Send him in and I will
        take care of the rest."

Soldier:"But senyor, THAT's the problem. When I said five, I meant
         five INCLUDING him."

Everyone looks shocked at the soldier.

Spectre:"So that means an agent is running loose!"

Malcolm:"Don't tell me it's that humanoid mutt Striker!"

Soldier:"I'm afraid it is him, senyors."

Malcolm:"Oh great!"

Malcolm turns to Ortega.

Malcolm:"Put your men on the alert! Tell them to kill that dog on
         sight! We cannot let him get to the nuclear warheads!"

Ortega:"Calm down, senyor. He alone cannot get past ALL of my guards
        and defences."

He turns back to the soldier.

Ortega:"Put the base on the red alert. Tell them to shoot on sight."

The soldier salutes and leaves. Spectre then takes out his golden
pistol and arms it.

Spectre:"I think I will join in the hunt. It help keep me in good
         shape, no?"

Spectre leaves the room as well. Malcolm and Ortega look at each other.
Ortega then takes an AK-47 from one of the soldiers and arms it. He
gets up.

Ortega:"Senyor Spectre is right. Why not go on a bit of a hunting
        safari for a change? The exercise will do me good anyway."

He gets up and leaves as well. Malcolm sits there and thinks.

Malcolm(thinking):"They're right. Besides I want to have look at this
       Striker fellow first-hand." 

He opens his suitcase and takes out a Desert Eagle. He arms it and
also leaves. The remaining soldiers leave as well.

Docking Bay:

This is a large hangar that covers the docks of the base. An opening
leads out to the river and allows the hover barges to move in and
out freely. Cranes are busy unloading cargo from the hover barges
while soldiers armed with AK-47's keep guard. Several sleek and
black coloured speedboats are in dock here as well. Various doors and
corridors leave from the bay. Overlooking the bay is a control and
monitoring room with technicians overseeing things. Opposite the 
bay opening are a row of large steel doors, all marked with letters
and numbers. On one of the catwalks is a guard who is looking over
the bay with his back to an open door. Just then there is an unusual
scratching noise coming from the room which attracts the guard's
attention. He turns around, weapon at ready, and slowly and cautiously
walks into the room. Suddenly there follows several sounds of fists
meeting face, followed by a body hitting the ground. Striker, Thomas
and Cruise can be heard whispering from the room.

Striker:"Good work."

Cruise:"That's was easy."

Thomas:"For now, I guess."

Striker:"Ja."

The group then peer around the corners of the door and look around
the bay.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. There are too many of them."

Cruise:"No kidding."

Striker takes out a scanner-type device and activates it. He looks at
the scanner, then points at the steel doors.

Striker:"According to the PCTU the warheads are behind those doors."

Thomas:"PCTU?"

Striker:"Plutonium Core Tracking Unit. It detects the plutonium cores
         of nuclear warheads. Each warhead has at least one of those
         cores."

Thomas:"Your agency really has some remarkable tools."

Striker:"Ja, and once we are done here I will show you the most important
         one."

Thomas and Cruise nod as Striker looks around the bay. He then notices
several stacks of fuel barrels standing here and there. He turns to
Thomas.

Striker:"Agent Greystone, I want you to shoot the hangar door with my
         Sonic Rifle at full power."

Thomas:"But won't that alert the guards?"

Striker:"Not while they are occupied..."

He points at the barrels and the two agents nod and understand. Striker
then helps Thomas put the sonic rifle to full power. Striker aims his
revolver at the barrels, then looks at the two agents.

Striker:"Once you have blown open the door you run like h*** right
         behind me, understand?"

Thomas, Cruise:"Right."

Striker looks back the barrels, takes careful aim and pulls the
trigger. The revolver fires a bullet into a barrel, causing it to
explode. The exploding barrel sets off a chain reaction as the
other barrels begin to explode. The guards and personnel dive for
cover or in the water, some them having caught fire. The explosion
sends those barrels which haven't exploded through the air as
fiery missiles, exploding as they hit cranes, boats, hover barges,
the water or some of the guards. Just the explosion had began
Thomas aims the sonic rifle at the door Striker pointed at and
fires a powerful sonic blast that smashes the steel door open.
Striker quickly gets up.

Striker:"Go! Go! Go!"

They group quickly begin to run down the catwalk and some stairs
towards the door, past guards who were still dazed and confused
from the blast. They soon reach the smashed door and run into the
room. They stop, look and gasp. In a large room are dozens of stacks 
of various American-made nuclear warheads.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. The situation is far more serious than the EDF
         had thought of."

Thomas:"My God. Here's enough firepower to wipe out the US!"

Cruise doesn't speak. Instead his jaw drops wide open in shock. Striker
takes two large packets of C4-explosives and hands them to both Thomas 
and Cruise.

Striker:"Attach these to several of the stacks. I know these are not
         enough to destroy all of the warheads, but the blast will
         destroy half of them outright and severely damage most of the
         remain ones."

The agents nod and run in among the stacks while Striker takes out
another device. It is a small high-tech electronic device that has
a timer with a keypad on it. He then runs among the crates. At that
moment Ortega, Spectre and Malcolm enter the bay. Several guards are
busy putting out the fires while medics take care of the injured.
A soldier runs up to Ortega and salutes.

Soldier 1:"Sir, someone blew the fuel barrels up. Damage is rather 
           serious and five are dead." 

Ortega:"Did they see who fired the shot?"

Soldier 1:"No, sir. But several soldiers did hear the sound of a pistol
           or revolver going off from somewhere on or near the catwalks."

Spectre:"It had to be Striker."

Another soldier runs up to Ortega.

Soldier 2:"Sir! The two FBI agents have escaped!"

Ortega:"WHAT?!"

Soldier 2:"They must have picked the lock, sir."

Spectre:"Either that, or Striker let them loose as well, no?"

Malcolm notices the blasted door and points at it, turning to Ortega.

Malcolm:"Ortega, stop me if I'm wrong, but isn't that door the one 
         that leads to where warheads are being stored?"

Ortega looks at the door, his eyes widening.

Ortega:"Caramba! Striker and those FBI agents must be inside!"

Spectre:"Merde. We must stop them." 

The two soldiers raise the alarm and soon most of the soldiers are 
running towards the door, lead by Spectre and Ortega, Malcolm close
behind. Spectre and Ortega stop just by the stacks and look around,
the soldiers behind them and aiming their weapons here and there.
Malcolm stands off to one side.

Ortega:"Senyors Striker, Greystone and Cruise! I know you are all
        in here."

Striker answers from behind one of the stacks.

Striker:"Francisco Ortega, I presume?"

Ortega:"You are well educated, my friend. How about showing yourself
        to me and my compadres?"

Striker:"I would rather not. I prefer to remain hidden."

Spectre:"Monsieur Striker, if you do not appear then Monsieur Ortega
         and I will have to come after you, no?"

Striker:"Who are you?"

Spectre:"My name is Spectre, Monsieur. I am the Supreme General's
         and the KH Military's master espionage agent." 

Striker:"Pleased to meet you, I'm sure. Are there anymore of you
         wolf-sapiens around?"

Malcolm:"I am."

Striker:"And who are you?"

There is a slight pause.

Malcolm:"I am Malcolm."

Striker becomes angry, then stands up behind a rack. He looks towards
the group through the open spaces between the warheads and at Malcolm.
The soldiers aims their weapons at him, but Ortega motions them to
calm down.

Striker:"Malcolm. You are the one my brother met with before the
         wedding."

Malcolm:"You're right. He was a good fellow, and would have made a
         great husband to Michelle. I just couldn't stomach watching
         our choppers mow your people down, but orders are orders."

Striker:"You monster! I'll kill you!"

He aims his revolver at Malcolm, but Spectre is quicker on the draw
and fires at Striker. The bullet glades Striker's shoulder. He yelps
in pain and falls behind cover. Ortega cocks his rifle.

Ortega:"The hunt is on."

Spectre nods and both he and Ortega head in among the stacks. Thomas
and Cruise are busy arming their charges against some of the warheads.
When Thomas is done he turns to arm his charge, then finds himself
looking down the barrel of Ortega's rifle. 

Ortega:"Sorry, senyor Greystone, but you have to get back to your
        cell."

Ortega signals some soldiers who then take Thomas just outside the 
warhead room. Ortega disarms the charge and continues hunting. Mean-
while Cruise is busy placing his own charge when suddenly Spectre
appears from behind and kicks his SM-16 away. Cruise raises his
hands as Spectre aims his pistol at him.

Spectre:"Sorry, Monsieur. You loose."

Several soldiers come and take Cruise to where Thomas was while
Spectre removes the C4. He then morphs into Cruise and proceeds
through the stacks. He soon comes to Striker, who quickly aims
his revolver at him, but then relaxes as he sees that it is Cruise.

Striker:"Agent Cruise."

Spectre runs up to Striker and bends down to him. Striker puts his
revolver away, then puts his paw on his bleeding shoulder.

Striker:"Are the charges set?"

Spectre:"No."

Striker looks surprised at Spectre.

Striker:"Then why not?"

Suddenly Spectre, to Striker's surprise, takes out his pistol and
aims it at Striker. He then charges back to his normal self. Striker
is completely surprised.

Striker:"You are a shapeshifter."

Spectre:"The perfect super power for an espionage agent, no? Move."

Striker does he is told, gets up and begins to walk out of the
warhead room. Spectre behind him. He then joins Thomas and Cruise
by the docks, the soldiers all pointing rifles at them. Ortega
grins widely.

Ortega:"Too bad, senyors. You have been caught and all of the C4
        charges have been removed. I'm disappointed. I was expecting
        better from the Earth Defence Force."

Thomas and Cruise hang their heads in defeat, but Striker remains
firm.

Striker:"As the expression goes, do not count your chickens before
         they hatch."

Ortega looks confused at Striker, then his eyes widen and he looks
around. Striker turns and grabs Thomas and Cruise as he dives for
the water. At that moment the device that Striker had explodes,
with a very large blast that engulfs almost all of the stacks, blows 
open the other steel doors and throws Ortega, Spectre, Malcolm and 
the soldiers to the ground or in the water. Striker, Thomas and
Cruise swim towards a nearby speedboat, it's occupant still standing
and aiming a rifle at them. Striker takes out his Sonic Rifle that
he had regained from one of the soldiers that fell into the water
and fires at the soldier. The blast knocks the soldier out into the 
water. The group then climbs into the speedboat. Cruise goes to the 
wheel, turns the key and starts the engine. The speedboat then speeds 
out of the docking bay with Ortega, Spectre and some of the soldiers 
shooting at them. When them come out into the open the patrol boats 
and soldiers on the rampart and in the towers open fire on the 
speedboat, their shots just falling short. Soon the base disappears 
behind the speedboat. Cruise and Thomas breathe a sigh of relief.

Thomas:"That was close."

Cruise:"Too close. What happened back there? I thought Ortega had
        removed all of the charges."

Striker:"He did, but I wanted him to to lull him into a false sense
         of security so he wouldn't search out for the special 
         Hydrogen Charge that I had hidden. The explosion should have
         taken out most of the warheads."

Thomas:"So it's mission accomplished."

Striker:"Ja. It did go quite the way I had expected, but then I was
         trained to expect the unexpected."

Thomas smiles.

Thomas:"Guess not. Still we came out alive, and both Jack and me are
        thankful that you didn't leave us behind."

Cruise:"Yeah. You may look like a freak, but you have a heart of gold."

Striker:"Thank you."

Cruise:"So where to?"

Striker points the way they are heading. A dragonfly buzzes behind his
head.

Striker:"Continue until I say when to stop. We should reach the EDF
         camp in an hour. From there we can return back to the United
         States."
 
Suddenly the dragonfly turns into Spectre. He quickly grabs Striker
around the neck in a strangle hold.

Spectre:"Surprised, no?"

Striker tries to break free, but Spectre has a good grip. He reaches
for his golden pistol again, but then Thomas punches him. Spectre
lets go of Striker and punches Thomas hard so that he falls back. 
Striker then whips around and kicks Spectre in the chest. The force 
of the of the kick throws Spectre off the speedboat and into the
water with a loud splash. When he surfaces he looks at Striker
angrily.

Spectre:"Sacre bleu! You will regret this, Striker! We will meet 
         again, no?"

The speedboat continues onward. Striker helps Thomas up with his
good arm.

Striker:"Thank you, Thomas Greystone."

Thomas:"My pleasure, and please call me Tom."

Striker:"Very well, Tom."

They both smile. Thomas then begins to check on Striker's wound.

The Director's Office
Havard University
United States of America
14 February
9:44 AM:

This is a well-furnished office in the US' most famous university.
William is here talking to the director of the university.

Director:"You must understand this, Will, but the university will no 
          longer fund your questionable research into this Transdogma-
          gathingy." 

William is upset.

William:"But sir! I'm so close to perfecting a workable prototype! I
         cannot be cut off now!"

Director:"I'm sorry, but turning dogs into super heroes is preposterous,
          laughable at best. Though I do not oppose your idea of canine   
          heroes, many of my colleagues and well-known scientists and 
          researches don't share the same view. They say you are mad."

William:"I'm not mad, sir! Besides, the Transdogmafier can greatly
         benefit mankind!"

Director:"Perhaps, but many think that it can also go terribly wrong.
          That these canines will run amuck or, worse yet, be used by
          communist countries for wars. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that
          your research ends here."

William hangs his head in defeat, but then he pulls himself together.

William:"No! I will not stop my research! I will build the Transdog-
         mafier and prove to the world that it can be beneficial for
         mankind! I will not give up!"

Director:"Suit yourself, though I doubt you will get ANY funding for
          this scheme of yours."

William:"I will find funding... somehow..."

William turns and walks out the office. The director just shakes his
head, then resumes his own work.

The Greystone Residence
5 Kilometres from Stump Hollow
5:21 PM:

This is a modest, two-story wooden house sitting among some farmlands
with a nearby barn. In the distance is Stump Hollow. On the porch is 
an old couch that has seen much use. Sitting on the couch is Susan and 
Cathy. Susan has a very worried look on her face while Cathy tries to 
support her.

Cathy:"I'm sure Tom is okay, Susan."

Susan:"He and Jack have been gone for three days without leaving any
       kind of notice or message. Something must have happened to them."

Cathy:"The FBI are turning the state upside down in their search for
       Tom and Jack. I'm sure they'll find them." 

Susan:"What if they come here with two body bags?"

Cathy:"They won't be. Tom and Jack will be back here, alive and fat."

Susan:"How can you say that?"

Cathy:"Because I have faith in God, and I..."

She is interrupted by the sounds of aerial engines coming from the Rhino
as it appears from behind the house in flight mode. Susan and Cathy 
stand up and look in both dread and awe at the Rhino as it lands on
the roadway in front of the house. Once the dust settles Susan and
Cathy walk off the porch onto the ground, still keeping their distance.
Just then two of the Rhino's doors open and Thomas and Cruise climb
out, smiling. Thomas looks at Susan and Cathy.

Thomas:"Sis! Cathy!"

Susan and Cathy gasp.

Susan:"Tom!"

She runs up to Thomas and gives him a great hug, he hugs back. Cruise
and Cathy move closer as they all group-hug. Tears roll freely down
their cheeks.

Susan:"I feared the worst has happened to you guys."

Thomas:"And it nearly did."

They stop hugging.

Cathy:"What happened?"

Cruise:"We got mixed up with a Drug Baron and some terrorists who are
        simply far too weird to be true. We also discovered who is
        behind nuclear weapons smuggling."

Thomas:"Fortunately, an unusual friend saved our lives."

Susan:"Who is he?"

In response the driver's side of the Rhino opens and Striker climbs
out. Susan and Cathy's eyes widen in shock, but Thomas and Cruise
steady them. Striker walks up to them.

Striker:"You are Susan Greystone and Cathy Sanders? A pleasure to
         meet you."

Thomas:"Sis, this is agent Striker of the Earth Defence Force. He's
        the one who helped us."

Cruise:"If it hadn't been for him, we'd be six feet under."

Susan and Cathy smiles. Susan then hugs Striker.

Susan:"Thank you, Striker. Thank you for bringing my family back alive.
       You may be a monster on the outside, but you are angel on the 
       inside."

Striker:"It was just my duty, Ma'am."

Thomas, Cruise, Susan and Cathy smile at Striker, he smiles. He then
takes out the mind disruptor.

Cathy:"Going to take a picture?"

Striker:"Ja... of your memories."

The group look confused at Striker, then he activates the disruptor.
The same red glow comes from the group's eyes. Striker looks at them,
sighs and then he climbs back into the Rhino. The Rhino takes off and
flies away, the sun setting in the west. The warheads in Ortega's
base have been destroyed, the traitors eliminated and both Thomas
Greystone and Jack Cruise have been rescued. But still, where are the
warheads going? Will William Shephard get funding for his project
to create the Transdogmafier? Time will tell...

THE END