Rover Strike

The New Arrival

By Gerhard Naudé & Kirsten Coughlan

All Rover Strike names © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners

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

Santa Fe
State of New Mexico
United States of America
8 March
16:34 PM:

One the streets of Santa Fe, a stray female cocker spaniel was carrying her 
newborn cocker spaniel/Pom mix puppy in her mouth. She is crossing the 
street as a van owned by a front company of the Vanguard is speeding down 
the street. As it passes, a man inside of it points out the stray dog to
his comrade.

Man 1:"Hey, there's the target. Come on, stop here."

The van stops some distance further down the street, allowing a group of 
men in plain clothes to climb off. The cocker spaniel runs into the alley 
and hides behind a dumpster. The men walk up the streets, scanning the 
crowds and not yet aware that the cocker spaniel had vanished into the 
alley. The puppy in the cocker spaniel mouth begins to whimper. One of 
the men passes the alley and hears the pup. He looks down it and spots 
the spaniel. He quickly turns to others and whistles, pointing down the
alley. The cocker spaniel runs out of the alley and into the street. She 
doesn't pay attention and a squeal of brakes is heard. When the men emerge 
from the alley they see the cocker spaniel lying in the road, not moving. 
Her newborn puppy whimpers beside her. The men rush over and check on the 
cocker spaniel. One of them kneels and checks her for a pulse.

Man 1:"It's dead."

Man 2:"What?! She can't be dead! The boss wants her alive!"

The men see her pup laying beside her, shaking and whimpering. One of 
them picks up the pup.

Man 3:"At least we still have this one."

Man 2:"Not much, but then it will have to do. Come on, I can hear the 
       police sirens."

The tiny pup whimpers as she is picked up and taken to the Vanguard van. 
She is wrapped in a towel and held by one of the men while the van drives
off and makes its way through the city. Eventually it comes to a warehouse 
that the serves as a front for the Vanguard labs. Dr. Suchong, a Taiwanese
man in a laboratory coat, is waiting impatiently outside the labs for the 
van to arrive, looking irritably at his wristwatch. The van drives into the 
entrance and parks in the unloading zone. Suchong comes walking up to the 
van very quickly. The men come out, one of them holding the puppy.

Suchong:"Did you get that female?"

Man:"No, sir. She got hit by a car. We managed to get her pup."

Suchong doesn't hear the second part at first. He grabs the man's collar 
and shakes him violently

Suchong:"You fool! I wanted her alive! Why did you let her get killed! 
         Idiot!"

Man(fearful):"She ran into the street trying to escape us!"

The puppy whimpers in the towel and Suchong stops when he hears it. He 
goes over and looks at the pup. He glances back at the men.

Suchong:"Where did this come from?"

Man:"The cocker spaniel was carrying the puppy in her mouth."

Suchong picks the pup up by the scruff of her neck and holds her in the 
air, studying it. The newborn pup whines and kicks a little. Suchong 
takes her to the lab where a large, crude machine that resembles the 
Transdogmafier is stored. Several other scientists are at work here as
well.

Suchong:"This one will have to do."

He goes and places the pup under the machine, then turns to his staff 
while putting on his safety glasses.

Suchong:"Start the Mutation Machine up."

The other staff members put on their glasses as well. The machine is 
started up. Electrical beams shoot down from an overhead device onto
the puppy. The young creature yelps as it undergoes the transformation
to a cano-sapien baby. When the machine is turned off, a staff member
goes over to pick it up. The puppy cries loudly as he puts her into an 
awaiting incubator. Suchong takes off his goggles and turns to his staff.

Suchong:"Check on her vitals and follow the usual medical procedures."

Medical Facility
Road Rover Headquarters
State of New Mexico
United States of America
9 March
9:48 AM:

The medical facility of Road Rover Headquarters is a white-walled,
high tech area with many of the latest in medical aid equipment and
furnishings. Inside a section of the facility being used as a waiting
room, Striker and Phoenix are appointment waiting for some results
from a medical test. Both of them are seated on a long couch.

Striker:"Nervous, Firefly?"

Phoenix nods and smiles a bit.

Phoenix:"A little, I guess."

Striker:"Don't be worried, Dear. I'm sure this time we will be lucky."

A female German Shepherd cano-sapien doctor enters the room, carrying a
clipboard and having a sobre look on her face. The nametag on her chest
gives the name "Sidney". The couple look eagerly at her.

Sidney:"I'm sorry, the pregnancy test is negative."

Phoenix is shocked, as is Striker to a lesser extent.

Phoenix:"Again? But we were so sure this time!"

Sidney:"I did some further tests and discovered that Tesla's experiments 
        done on you during your youth are a factor in you not getting 
        pregnant."

Striker stands up, confusion on his face.

Striker:"What do you mean by that? What factor?"

Sidney:"The tests show that Phoenix is unable to release eggs."

Phoenix is stunned. Striker comes up to Sidney.

Striker:"Let me see the test results."

Sidney shows Striker the test results on a clipboard. He examines the
information on the clipboard.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. This is bad."

Phoenix begins to cry. Striker goes over to Phoenix, puts his arms around 
her and tries comfort his weeping wife. Sidney looks sympathetically at
the couple.

Sidney:"I can prescribe Phoenix some fertilty drugs to see if it will 
        help."

The couple look up hopefully at the German Shephard.

Striker:"You think it will work, doctor?"

Sidney:"It might. Here, let me write a perscription for you."

She writes the prescription down on a piece of paper, and then gives it 
to Striker and Phoenix.

Sidney:"You need to go into town to pick it up. We are out of stock in 
        storage."

Striker:"We will. Dankie."

Striker helps a tearful Phoenix to her feet and the two of them leave
the medical area. Sidney sighs, then returns back to her work.

Santa Fe
State of New Mexico
11:56 AM:

The skies above Santa Fe is mostly cloudly while the streets are largely
quiet because most people are at work. Striker is in the city walking
in the commercial district towards a local pharmacy. Unbeknownst to him
the occupants of a white van had spotted him and was parked a short
distance away. Striker goes into the pharmacy, unaware of the van. He 
goes to the counter and shows the prescription to the pharmacist.

Striker:"Do have this prescription in stock?"

The pharmacist takes the paper and looks at it. He nods.

Pharmacist::Yes we do, sir. One minute."

The pharmacist goes to fill the prescription. Striker walks around in the 
store, checking the items on sale while waiting for the pharmacist to come 
back. He doesn't see that one of the occupants in the van is taking 
pictures of Striker with his cellphone and forwarding them to his bosses. 
Striker gets tired of checking the pharmacy inventory and looks outside. 
He spots the van, but he doesn't think of much of as he looks at passing 
traffic and advertisement billboards. The pharmacist comes back with the 
drugs. Striker's eyes move away from the street to the pharmacist as he 
heads back to the counter.

Striker:"Do you have it, Meneer?"

The pharmacist nods and holds out a brown paper bag with the till slip
on it.

Pharmacist:"Here it is, sir."

The spaniel takes the bag.

Striker:"Dankie."

He takes the medicine, pays for it and heads out the pharmacy door. As 
he is heading to his Hummer, he feels a sting on his back. Striker yips 
in pain from the sting. He tries to turn around to see what it was, but 
almost immediately starts to wobble. He grabs a nearby streetlight for 
support, only to slump down against it until he is lying on the pavement.
Nearby a man with a dart gun signals to the white van. Several men come 
out of the van and run over to pick up Striker. They drag the spaniel over
to and load him into the van. The men quickly get in before the vehicle 
drives off. But the pharmacist, having seen what happened, immediately 
grabs the telephone and calls the police. The van drives to the industrial
zone and comes to the hidden laboratory. The vehicle enters the bogus
warehouse and parks in the loading zone. Dr Suchong and a Caucasian man 
are waiting for them here. The men climb of the van and unload the 
unconscious Striker. While some of them carry the spaniel to a cage, the 
leader of the group goes to the man and Suchong and salutes.

Leader:"Found another one, sir. And it looks like a strong one as well."

The man salutes back.

Man:"Excellent. Put him in the cage so we can have a closer look at him."

The men begin to carry the unconscious cano-sapien towards a nearby set
of cages. A flash of recognition comes over the man's face when he sees
Striker. The men drag Striker into an open cage, then close it and lock
it securely. The man goes to the cage and takes a closer look at the
cocker spaniel. He grins, rubbing his hands together.

Man:"Well now. If it isn't that little mutt from the good old days."

Suchong, who was walking with the man, looks surprised at him.

Suchong:"You know this one, Mister Hawkins?"

Hawkins nods, looking at Suchong.

Hawkins:"Sure do. He's from my days as agent of the Earth Defence Force."

Suchong:"Talk about small world."

Hawkins then notices something about the spaniel.

Hawkins:"Odd, though. He still looks as old as he was back in the 1980s. 
         Suchong!"

Suchong winches from the sudden shout.

Suchong:"I'm right here, you know. What is it?"

Hawkins:"Do some tests on him. Check his age for me."

Suchong:"Yes, Mister Hawkins."

Suchong gets some of the lab workers to come and wheel the cage to where
Sunchong's laboratory is. The men push the cage towards it, while Hawkins 
follows behind them. In an incubator in a corner of the lab was the newborn 
Spaniel/Pom puppy that was transformed hours earlier. She was still crying. 
Suchong frowns and turns to one of the female scientists working for him.

Suchong:"Do something about that annoying creature!"

Scientist:"Yes, Doctor."

In his cage, Striker was starting to awaken from the effects of the toxins
he had been injected with. His vision is blurry, but he can hear the puppy 
crying. He groans and blinks, trying to focus his eyes.

Striker:"Ugh... ai yai yai... uh... Phoenix? Who is crying?..."

When his eyes are focused he sees where he is. Upon discovering he is in a
cage in a foreign laboratory, Striker immediately jumps up and growls. He
grabs the bars of his cage.

Striker:"Wat de h**! Where am I?"

Suchong approaches the cage, waving one hand around.

Suchong:"You are in my lab, mutt."

Striker's eyes immediately settle upon Suchong. He growls at him, fangs 
bared.

Striker:"Lab? Who are you? Are you working for EuroCorp?"

Suchong snorts derisively.

Suchong:"I wish I was. No, we are not Euro-Corp, we are the Vanguard."

Striker(frowns):"Vanguard? I've never heard of you before."

Hawkins walks over to the cage.

Hawkins:"We are the new Earth Defence Forces. I'm sure you have heard of 
         that."

Striker stops growling and looks at Hawkins with surprise.

Striker:"New Earth Defence Force? What is this, and who are you?"

Hawkins:"I am Earl Hawkins. I am a former EDF agent until I was fired by
         Norwood."

Striker:"I'm sure Norwood had a good reason, especially with what I am 
         seeing around me."

The female scientist brings a bottle of dog milk with a teat on it to the 
incubator and offers it to Spaniel/Pom mix. The puppy calms down a little 
as she begins suckling on the bottle, but it still whimpered a bit between
each suckle. Striker glances over at the puppy, and then back at Hawkins.

Striker:"What are you doing with that pup?"

Hawkins:"She, like you, is one of our new test subjects. Test Subject 312 
         was mutated earlier today after we took her off the streets. We 
         wanted her mother but she was hit by a car."

Striker(growling):"Probably because of your actions."

Hawkins chuckles dismissively and turns to Suchong.

Hawkins:"You can begin your experiments, Suchong. I'll be in my office."

Suchong:"Yes, Mister Hawkins."

Hawkins begins to walk away. Suchong turns his attention to a nearby
computer terminal. Striker sits down in the cage, looking at the puppy
being fed in the incubator.

Briefing Room
Road Rover Headquarters
At That Moment:

In the circular room that serves as the briefing room for RRHQ, the
other members of Unit STRIKE are gathering in front of the podium
where the Master is standing.

Tanarus:"You called for us, Master?"

Master:"Yes, I have some bad news."

Corsair looks around.

Corsair:"Shouldn't we wait for the boss first? It's kind of odd that
         he isn't here first as he usually is."

The Master looks gravely at the team.

Master:"That's the reason I summoned you all. We just got information that 
        Striker has been kidnapped."

Everyone, especially Phoenix, are shocked by the news.

Phoenix:"What!"

Illanov:"Bolshoi! What happened?"

Master:"A witness in Santa Fe saw him get captured by some men and dragged 
        into a van."

Illanov:"Did they see who the men were, Master? Perhaps got the licence 
         plate number on the van?"

Master:"No, but fortunately was wearing his tracking collar. Our intel
        division have traced his location to a warehouse in the industrial
        area of Santa Fe."

Phoenix looks determined at the Master.

Phoenix:"Master, let us go there and free Strikie!"

Tanarus:"Yes! Let's go and rescue our friend."

Master:"I wouldn't even dare think of stopping you. Go and rescue Striker
        and find out who is behind his abduction."

The Strikers waste no time and immediately run for the hangar. Corsair, 
however, grumbles a bit as he follows the others.

Corsair:"Man, and on the launch day of Half-Life 3 to boot. I really hate 
         these bad guy kidnap plots."

They all run to the Stealth Rover. Once everyone is in, Tanarus starts 
the engines and guides the craft out the hangar and takes off from the 
underground runway. It flies off into the direction of Santa Fe.

Industrial Area
Santa Fe
13:22 PM:

The industrial zone of Santa Fe consits mostly of warehouses, shipping
garages, import/export facilities and depots. The Stealth Rover comes 
flying over the warehouse complex where Striker is being held. The air-
craft stops in hover mode right above it and then Phoenix, Illanov, 
Shephard and Elexis rappled down through the skylight windows. They find
themselves inside Suchong laboratory. At the moment the laboratory is
deserted, but they do see movement outside the lab. They look around at
all the machinery.

Shephard:"This is not ordinary warehouse, sirs. Looks like a drug lab 
          to me."

Illanov:"Neyt, I don't think it is a drug lab, comrade. But I do think
         that somebody doesn't like having visitors here."

Elexis notices a covered incubator with a monitoring next to it nearby. 
She walks over to it and has a quick look before calling Phoenix.

Elexis:"Phoenix, come over here."

The Pomeranian goes over to join Elexis.

Phoenix:"What is it?"

Elexis:"Look at this. This is a medical incubator. There's something
        fishy going on in this lab."

Phoenix:"Is there a baby inside?"

Elexis:"Let's see."

Phoenix and Elexis go over to the incubator. Phoenix removes the cover
from the incubator and looks inside. She sees a red furred newborn puppy 
cano-sapien. Her eyes and ears are still closed. There are wires taped 
to parts of her body. On the incubator it says "Test Subject 312". A file 
about the puppy is laying on a table near the incubator. Phoenix looks at 
the puppy with sympaphy.

Phoenix:"Oh, poor thing. She must be used as some kind of guinea pig."

Elexis picks up the file and looks it over.

Elexis:"Test Subject 312. Father is unknown Pomeranian. Mother is cocker 
        spaniel but deceased. Subject was a stray found on the streets of 
        Phoenix."

She gasps as she reads on.

Elexis:"The people here plan to test biological weapons on her."

The puppy moves a little, whimpering. Phoenix growls.

Phoenix:"Not while I'm here."

She opens the incubator and carefully picks up the puppy in her arms. The 
puppy stops whimpering and begins to coo a little. Phoenix gently rocks 
the puppy in her arms. The puppy cuddles into her. Phoenix smiles and 
holds the puppy close to her breasts. 

Phoenix:"There, there. It's all right. We're to help you."

Meanwhile Shepherd and Illanov go over the rest of the laboratory while
keeping an eye on the doorways. Shephard finds a file with Striker's
photo on it.

Shephard:"I think I got something here, sirs."

He takes a closer look at the file as Illanov joins him.

Illanov:"What have you got, comrade?"

Shephard:"Here's a file with the commander's picture. Seems they caught
          him and turned him into a test subject. They plan to do experi-
          ments on him to see why he hasn't aged since the 80s."

The German Shepherd frowns.

Illanov:"That may be good enough reason for them, but not for us. Does it 
         say where he is?"

Shephard checks through the file some more.

Shephard:"Not that I can see, sir. But I do see these people are an
          organised bunch. They even have a name for their group: the
          Vanguard."

Upon hearing that, Elexis immediately turns to them and quickly runs over
with Phoenix.

Elexis:"What did you say, Shephard?"

Shephard:"I said these guys call themselves the Vanguard."

Elexis:"Oh my god . . ."

Phoenix:"What is it Elexis?"

Elexis:"The game plan has just changed. This is a Vanguard lab."

Illanov:"Vanguard? Who are they?"

Elexis:"They are one of the enemies of the KH Military. They are former 
        Earth Defence Forces agents that were fired by Norwood. The KH 
        Military troops that remained on Earth have been fighting them 
        since 1999."

Phoenix:"Wait. I thought the EDF had been neutralised by 1982."

Elexis:"There were suriviors of the EDF who were not at the main base 
        at the time the Elite Guard attacked and they continued the EDF 
        for a time. Some of the KH Military troopers were not at the 
        battle field at time of the battle with the Elite Guard and they
        got left behind after we teleported to Savara."

Phoenix:"Then why have the Vanguard taken Strikie?"

Illanov looks at Shephard.

Illanov:"Does it say where they've taken our comrade?"

Shephard(shaking his head):"No, sir. Not on this file."

Phoenix(shocked):"But... there has to be some kind of clue!"

The puppy, who is sleeping in Phoenix's arms, stirs a bit. Illanov tugs
on the fur on his chin.

Illanov:"There isn't anybody here, and yet this lab is still being used
         ... maybe our foes will return later?"

Suddenly the door to the lab begins to slide open, alarming the team. 

Phoenix:"Quick, hide!"

Everyone scrambles to hide behind any suitable cover, mostly behind the
machines and computers in the laboratory. A scientist and two guards 
lead a male labloodhound(a labrador/bloodhound mix) cano-sapien in a 
jumpsuit into the lab. The Labloodhound is forced to a table at gunpoint.

Scientist:"Climb onto the table. And no funny business this time."

The Labloodhound growls, but does as he is told and gets onto the table.
The Strikers keep hidden while the Stealth Rover goes to silent mode and 
hovers higher up into the sky. They observe what is happening. The scientist 
brings out some tools and several vials of liquid. The team keeps watching,
noting the tools and vials that are taken out. The labloodhound struggles 
a bit as he is strapped down. The scientist brings out a needle filled 
with a strange orange liquid and brings it over to the cano-sapien. The 
cano-sapien looks in terror. Illanov and Phoenix quickly converse with the 
others on a plan of action.

Phoenix:"We'd better save that poor canine before they inject him with who
         knows what is in those vials."

Illanov:"Dah, and maybe we can question these scientists about where our
         comrade is being held."

Phoenix:"That settles it. On my mark..."

After a minute the Strikers appear from cover, aiming their weapons at 
the scientists and guards. The scientists and guards are completely
caught by surprise.
    
Illanov:"Drop your weapons! Hands in the air!"

The scientists and guards, after dropping their pistols, put their hands 
up. While the others move in to begin arresting the men, Elexis goes to 
get the Labloodhound free. She undoes the straps holding him down and the 
Labloodhound sits up.

Labloodhound:"Thanks for rescuing me... I'm Hutch..."

Elexis:"Are you all right?"

Hutch:"I'm a little pain..."

Elexis:"I'll give you some painkillers. Hold still..."
    
She gives Hutch some injections from her medical kit. The other Strikers 
secure the guards and scientists and tie them up. Once the men are secure,
Illanov questions one of the guards.
    
Illanov:"Which of you is in charge?"

Guard:"Dr Suchong is the one in charge of the lab."

Illanov:"Who is Suchong? And where is he?"

Guard:"He's my employer. He works with all these dogs in this lab for some
       guy. He's in the main laboratory with a new subject."

Illanov:"Main lab? You mean this isn't the real one?"

Guard:"No it's real, but it's more of an auxillary to the main one."

Illanov:"And where is this main lab?"

The guard stays silent, pondering how he is to answer Illanov's question.
But Hutch hears the conversation and looks at Elexis.

Hutch:"I know where it is."

Elexis:"You do? Where is it?"

Hutch:"I'll show you."

Hutch gets up and goes over to steals the key card from one of the guards. 
Elexis looks at Phoenix, who is still holding the puppy.

Elexis:"We'd better get that pup up to the Stealth Rover. Things might
        get nasty from here on out."

Phoenix:"Good idea."

Phoenix radios Tanarus to lower a basket so as to take the puppy out of 
the lab. Above, Merit uses the winch to lower a basket on a hook down 
into the warehouse. Phoenix carefully lays the puppy cano-sapien into 
the basket. The puppy cano-sapien begins to whimper again. Phoenix gives
the pup a pet on the head, which calms her down a bit. She then gives the
signal to Merit. Moments later, the basket is raised up to the Stealth
Rover. Meanwhile, Hutch approaches the others with the keycard.

Hutch:"Come on, I'll show you where the main lab is."

Phoenix:"Lead the way, but be careful."

Hutch takes a quick look out the door for guards and motions the others 
to follow.

Hutch:"Follow me."

The Strikers follow Hutch, keeping their eyes open for any trouble. In 
another part of the warehouse, a significant portion of the spacious
area has been turned into a covert laboratory: the main laboratory inside 
the warehouse. Along with lots of equipment such as work benches, storage
cases, machines and computers there is the duplicate Transdogmafier. A
number of scientists are at work under the watchful eye of several guards.
Striker is strapped down to a table and is struggling to free his limbs 
from the straps holding him down. Suchong is getting his tools out to 
work on Striker, placing them on a wheeled table next to Striker. Hawkins 
is watching nearby. Striker looks at Hawkins.

Striker:"Let me go, Hawkins! I swear that you are going to be in big 
         trouble when my team arrives!"

Hawkins waves a dismissive hand at Striker.

Hawkins:"They will never find you here."

Nearby a female Jack-A-Bee Cano-sapien (Jack Russell/Beagle) is being 
force to build weapons for the Vanguard with various tools and materials 
on a workbench. She is shackled to a post and appears to be on the verge
of passing out. Sunchong notices she is slowing down.

Suchong:"Keep working, Tinker. Don't slack off."

Tinker:"I'm tired and hungry..."

Suchong:"You will eat and sleep when you are finished."

Striker(growling):"You're overworking her. Let her rest."

Suchong turns and glares harshly at the cocker spaniel.

Suchong:"She will do as she is told."

Striker(growling):"She's going to collapse from exhaustion, you mampara! 
       You're working her to death!"

Suchong and Hawkins ignore Striker. Suchong brings out a needle to draw 
out Striker's blood. 

Suchong:"Now let's see what's inside your blood, mutt."

Suddenly the doors to the lab blast open, catching everyone in the room
off the guard. Illanov and Shephard lead the charge into the lab, followed 
by Phoenix, Elexis and Hutch. They point their weapons at the guards.
    
Shephard:"Hands in the air, dirtbags! No funny business!"

The guards do as they are told, putting their hands up without having
time to reach for their guns. Hutch growls when he sees the weakened 
Tinker tied up by the post.

Hutch:"Tinker!"

Tinker(whimper):"Hutch... you're free..."

Hutch:"Hold on!"

Hutch rushes over to Tinker. Shephard then notices that Hawkins is
reaching inside his clothes. He points his M-249 at him.

Shephard:"I said don't move!"

Hawkins ignores him and pulls out his pistol from his suit. He quickly 
fires a shot at the overhead lights. The lights shatter, sending sparks
flying down in a huge shower as darkness envelops the lab. The guards
quickly pull out their pistols and begin to shoot wildly at the group.
The Strikers take cover while Hutch runs to free Tinker. Amid the chaos
Hawkins, Suchong and several scientists flee for the exits. The guards
fire in all directions to keep the Strikers pinned down, but a few stray
shots hit the duplicate Transdogmafier, causing it to begin malfunction-
ing. Sparks fly from the Wolfmatron as bullets damage the computer 
components that keep it from overloading. Once the guards flee with
their bosses, Phoenix jumps from cover and runs over to Striker to begin
freeing him.
    
Phoenix:"Strikie, you all right?"
    
Striker:"I'm fine. Good to see you, Firefly."

Hutch breaks the bonds that hold Tinker and then help her to feet. She
is looking wide-eyed at the malfunctioning machine.

Tinker:"The Mutation Machine is going to blow!"

Phoenix:"Everyone back to the Stealth!"

Phoenix helps Striker to his feet and Hutch picks up Tinker, and then the 
group rushes back to the auxillary lab. Above it the Stealth Rover is 
hovering in place with a rope ladder hanging down through the open skylight.

Illanov:"Everyone up! Come on, comrades!"
    
The team quickly climb up the ladder to the Stealth Rover as sparks and 
small flames erupt from the Mutation Machine. In the Steath Rover everyone
takes their seats in the cockpit as Tanarus guides the aircraft away from
the warehouse. Corsair is holding the puppy in the basket. Phoenix goes 
to check on the puppy while Elexis looks at Tinker. 

Phoenix:"How is she?"

Corsair:"The pup's been whimpering the whole time. And I'm definitely
         not checking to see if it's about her daiper."

The puppy whimpers until Phoenix picks her up. As she cradles the puppy 
in her arms she sits down next to Striker. He immediately notes the pup.

Striker:"Is she all right?"

Phoenix:"She seems fine but I think she needs a full examination back
         at RRHQ."

The puppy cuddles up to Phoenix, opening her eyes for the first time. 
Phoenix smiles and pets the young canine's head. Down below Hawkins,
Suchong and their followers manage to get out of the warehouse just
as the machine overloads, triggers a chain reaction of explosions that 
level the warehouse. As a fireball consumes the building a several of
green bolts fire out of it. One of the bolts strikes Hawkins in the
chest and sends him flying against the wall of another nearby ware-
house. Suchong and the others run over to him.

Suchong:"Are you okay, Mister Hawkins?"

Hawkins groans in pain and is about to say something. Suddenly he feels 
a sharp pain like his insides were getting ripped apart. He drops to the 
ground and screams in pain. To their horror, Suchong and the others see 
Hawkins' body begin to undergo a transformation. They back away with wide
eyes. Hawkins grows larger, his clothing tearing as his body becomes too 
big for them. His arms and legs grow muscular and his head begins to 
change into that of a canine. However, extra limbs begin sprouting from 
his sides while two giant wings sprout from his back. Red/black fur
starts to grow on his skin. Hawkins transforms into a giant, multi-armed 
dobermann with large bat wings. He groans in pain as he lies there, the
others just staring in complete shock. Suchong snaps out of it and turns 
to the others quickly.
    
Suchong:"Get him to safe house, now! Bring the vans!"

The guards run to get the vehicles while Suchong and the scientists
kneel to check up on their unconscious, and transformed, employer.

Medical Facility
Road Rover Headquarters
16:12 PM:

The examination room of Dr. Sidney's office is a small room with a bed
and a few medical instruments and tools. Striker and Phoenix are here,
watching as Sidney examines the puppy. She gives the puppy some puppy-
formula while she looks her over. The puppy whimpers on the table as 
Sidney finishes.

Sidney:"She is in good health, despite what she has been through."

Phoenix:"So she'll be all right?"

Sidney:"She will be fine. Did child services get contacted about the 
        orphan pup?"

Striker:"Not yet."

Phoenix picks up the puppy and the puppy insteadly stops whimpering.

Phoenix:"Awww, you poor little thing. You like a little attention from me, 
         don't you?"

She tickles the pup's chin. The puppy giggles and coos and she nuzzles 
against Phoenix. Sidney smiles.

Sidney:"She has really taken to you."

Phoenix:"Yeah. Almost like..."

Phoenix suddenly gets an idea and looks at Striker, her tail wagging.
    
Phoenix:"Strikie, let's adopt her."

Striker blinks once and turns to stare at Phoenix with astonishment. The 
puppy looks at Striker with a cute puppy look. The spaniel looks at the 
puppy for a bit, then back at Phoenix.
    
Striker:"Are you sure about this, dear?"

Phoenix:"Very sure."

The puppy nuzzles into Phoenix's chest. Striker scratches his head, then 
looks at Sidney.
    
Striker:"I guess we're going to adopt the puppy as our own daughter. So 
         where do we sign the adoption papers?"

Sidney:"Wait here a moment."

Sidney goes into her file cabinet and digs around. Phoenix cuddles and
pets the puppy. Striker comes up to her.

Striker:"You sure about this, Phoenix?"

Phoenix:"I am. Since I can't bear pups of my own, this is the next best
         thing. Besides, she's beautiful isn't she?"

Striker smiles as he looks at the puppy. He reaches out and tickles the
puppy under the chin. The pup giggles and paws playfully at Striker's
fingers. Sidney returns with some papers and a pen and sets them down
on a nearby table. Striker and Phoenix go over to her.

Sidney:"Do you have a name for her?"

Striker looks at Phoenix.

Striker:"What do you think we should name her, Firefly?"

The puppy turns to Striker when he says "Firefly". Phoenix notices this.

Phoenix:"You like that name, Firefly?"

The puppy coos and looks at Phoenix, her tail wagging. Phoenix smiles
and hugs her.

Phoenix:"Firefly, it is."

Both Striker and Phoenix sign the papers for the adoption. Sidney puts
her signature down on the paper, then stamps the forms. She looks at
the couple.

Sidney:"Congratulations. You two are now parents."

Striker looks at Phoenix and smiles.
    
Striker:"Guess we finally have a child of our own."

Phoenix cuddles Firefly and smiles.

Phoenix:"Yes, we do. I'm so happy!"

Firefly coos in Phoenix's arms, and then falls asleep. Striker puts his
paw on Phoenix's shoulder.

Striker:"Come on, let's take you two home. You must be exhausted."

Phoenix:"Yes, I am feeling a bit tired."

He leads his wife and new pup from the medical facility, heading for 
their quarters.

Personnel Quarters
Road Rover Headquarters
16:34 PM:

Striker and Phoenix are walking along the steel corridors that connect
the various rooms where the Rovers stay. As they make their way to their
quarters they come accross Phoenix's parents Elissa and Aydrian. Phoenix
runs up to her parents, tail wagging.

Phoenix:"Mother, father! I am a mom now."

The couple are bit surprised by this announcement, but that quickly turns
to gladness.

Elissa:"That's wonderful, Dear!"

Aydrian:"Congratulations, Phoenix! Is that the pup?"

Phoenix shows her mother and father the sleeping little Firefly in her 
arms. Elissa and Aydrian admire the new arrival.

Elissa:"Oh, she's so beautiful. Isn't she, Aydrian?"
    
Aydrian:"Yes, she. But I thought you were unable to have pups, Phoenix."

Phoenix:"We saved her during our mission from a lab. She was an orphan so 
         Striker and I adopted her."

Aydrian:"Ah, and what is the little one's name?"

Phoenix:"Firefly."

Elissa:"Such a pretty name. I'm sure you two will be good parents for her."

Firefly opens her eyes and yawns. Aydrian tickles Firefly's tummy lightly,
making the pup giggle a bit.

Aydrian:"And you if need help, we're here for you."
    
Phoenix:"Thanks, mother, father."

Firefly coos at Elissa.

Phoenix:"Do you want to hold her, mother?"
    
Elissia(holding out her paws):"Yes, please."

Phoenix gives the pup to her mother. Firefly coos as she lays in Elissa's 
arms. She rocks Firefly in her arms and sings a little lullaby at her. 
Firefly falls back alseep and sucks her thumb.

Elissia:"Oh, she's so precious."

Phoenix(smiles):"Yes, she is. I fell in love with her right away."

Elissa hands Firefly back to Phoenix. Phoenix takes Firefly and cradles 
the pup. Striker comes up and gently pets his new daughter.
    
Striker:"I never thought I would become a father. It takes some getting 
         used to."

Aydrian:"I'm sure you will get the hang of it, son. We'll gladly help
         you two if you need help with the new pup."

Elissa:"That's right. Please excuse us, but the Master wanted to see
        us."

Aydrian:"Ah, right! Almost forgot. You two go and enjoy your new arrival.
         Come on, Dear."

Firefly suckles Striker's finger as Aydrian and Elissa continue on to
the Master's quarters. Striker and Phoenix take the pup back to their 
own place. As they approach their front door Phoenix suddenly stops
and turns to Striker.

Phoenix:"Strikie, we got a problem."

Striker:"What is it?"

Phoenix:"We don't have any stuff to take care of Firefly with."

Striker:"Ai yai yai, you're right. Where is she going to sleep tonight? 
         And where are we going to get her puppy items?"

Phoenix:"We can go into town and pick up some for her. And maybe we can
         ask other Rovers with pups if they can let us borrow some."

Striker:"We'll sort all that out tomorrow when we go shopping. I'll
         sleep on the spare matress while you let Firefly sleep with
         you."

Phoenix:"Good idea."

Striker unlocks their door and opens it. The couple then enter their
quarters and close the door behind them.

Personnel Quarters
Road Rover Headquarters
10 March
7:14 AM:

Striker is coming out of his private quarters, already dressed up for
the day. He looks back inside, where Phoenix is still asleep in their
bed with Firefly snuggled up to her. He closes the door carefully, and
then takes out his mobile phone. He dials a number and then waits for
his call to be answered. It doesn't take long.

Norwood(over phone):"This is Secretary General Norwood speaking."

Striker(into phone):"Mark, this is Striker. Goeie morning."

Norwood(over phone):"Good morning, Striker! It's nice to hear from you
       again. How are you and Phoenix doing?"

Striker(into phone):"Goed. I have some important news: Phoenix and I
       have adopted a pup as our own child."

Norwood(over phone):"Really? You're a dad now?"

Striker(into phone):"Ja, it seems so. Phoenix was rather insistent and
       the new pup, whom we call Firefly, has kind of won me over."

Norwood(over phone):"Congratulations then, Striker! I'm sure you two
       will make very good parents. My wife will be very happy to know
       you finally got kids. And will probably pester me to have you
       visit us to show little Firefly to her."

Striker(into phone):"Dankie, Mark. We'll try and see what we can do.
       But that's not really the reason for my call."

Norwood(over phone):"Oh? What is it?"

Striker(into phone):"We rescued Firefly and a few other sapiens from a
       secret laboratory in Santa Fe, where they were being experimented
       upon. I had been captured by those people as well, but luckily
       the rest of the team came to our rescue."

Norwood(over phone):"I hope you took down that lab?"

Striker(into phone):"We did, but the ones who ran it got away. And that's
       why I'm calling. This group calls itself the Vanguard, and it is
       led by a former EDF agent."

There is silence on the line for a moment.

Norwood(over phone):"Wait a minute, Striker."

Striker nods and waits. There is a click on the line, followed by a deep
sigh before Norwood speaks.

Norwood(over phone):"Was the agent's name Earl Hawkins?"

Striker(into phone):"You know about the Vanguard, Mark?"

Norwood(over phone):"Yes, we do. The Vanguard is a group of former EDF
       agents who were not very happy when the organisation was finally
       disbanded back in 2002. Earl Hawkins was the most vocal of the
       lot, since I believe he was aiming for position as EDF commander.
       So when the EDF disbanded he was very angry about it, and he told
       me as such."

Striker(into phone):"What happened afterwards?"

Norwood(over phone):"Hawkins went around among the former EDF personnel,
       trying to convince them to have the disbanding overturned. While
       most of them flat out rejected his ideas, some of them did join
       up with his cause. Eventually he and a number of former EDF
       agents left and former the Vanguard."

Striker(into phone):"Did they take any EDF equipment or weapons with
       them?"

Norwood(over phone):"Fortunately no. The Pentagon managed to stop that
       before it could happen. Unfortunately, they did make off with a
       good amount of money. Ever since then we've been tracking them
       and trying to get them arrested for the theft, but after a few
       years they had completely vanished from the radar."

Striker(into phone):"So did they end up in a warehouse in Santa Fe?"

Norwood(over phone):"No idea. I thought had turned the Vanguard into
       some kind of mercenary group that was fighting in the wars in
       central Africa. But now it seems they are up to something even
       more sinister."

Striker(into phone):"Mark, we've seen what is in that lab. They had
       their own Transdogmafier, and their scientific staff and labs
       are nothing to sneeze at either. I have a bad feeling that they
       are up to something serious."

Norwood(over phone):"I agree. Tell you what, Striker. I'll get all the
       information we have on the Vanguard and have it sent to you. We
       can then begin to relaunch the investigation. I'll also make a
       few calls to the Pentagon and see if we can some help. The US
       Defence Department still wants the money back."

Striker(into phone):"I'll be waiting for that information. We'd better
       get this Vanguard before whatever plans they have are carried
       out. In the meantime, I'd better go. We need to go do some
       shopping for the little one."

Norwood(over phone):"Then I won't keep you waiting. I promise to send
       you all the information soon. And good luck with the new baby,
       Striker."

Striker(into phone):"Dankie, Mark. I think I'll need it. Tot siens."

Norwood(over phone):"Bye."

Striker hangs up and puts his phone into a pocket. He then walks down 
the corridor to the kitchens for breakfast.

Commercial District
Phoenix
State of Arizona
9:14 AM:

Inside a shopping complex in the centre of the city of Phoenix, Striker, 
Phoenix, Elissa, and Aydrian are busy shopping for items for Firefly. 
Firefly is sleeping in a baby carrier being carried by Striker. They go 
into PupNKitten, a children's store that caters specifically for non-
human sapiens. As they all go inside they take a first look at the 
interior of the store. There are various toys, furniture, and clothes for 
puppies and kittens. Phoenix checks a list she is carrying.

Phoenix:"First we need a crib."

Striker:"How big should it be?"

Phoenix:"Lets go have a look."

They go to where the cribs are. Striker and Phoenix go to check on some 
of the cribs while Aydrian and Elissa look at the others. At the front of
the store a man dressed in a trenchcoat and wearing an oversized cowboy
hat comes in. Under the hat one can see it is actually Ozari in disguise.
The couples are unaware of Ozari as he sneaks towards them, getting ready 
to pull his knife out. Firefly wakes up and sees him. Ozari creeps up
behind Striker, raising his knife and getting ready to stab. Firefly 
frowns and points at Ozari. Several darts appear from her fingers and snag
on Ozari's trenchcoat. Ozari lets out a startled shout as he is pinned to 
a nearby deluxe crib, getting the couples' attention. Phoenix gasps and 
takes Firefly in her arms as Striker turns to Ozari.
    
Striker:"You again, Ozzy? Can't you just drop the act?"

Ozari:"Drop it? Never! The only one I'll drop is you! And my name is
       Ozari"

Ozari tries to pull away from the crib, but he is stuck. He pulls harder,
ripping his clothing as he breaks free. He tries to stab Striker, but
the spaniel simply grabs Ozari and begins to drag him to the store front 
doors. Striker kicks Ozari out the door, who stumbles forward until he 
lands into a garbage bin head-first. Firefly giggles as she watches her
adopted father take care of Ozari. Striker comes up to Phoenix, shaking 
his head.
    
Striker:"That Ozzy, such a nuisance. But I wonder where all those darts 
         came from."

Firefly coos and wags her curly tail. Striker thinks, then goes and looks 
at Firefly, gently poking her with a finger.
    
Striker:"Did you do that, girl?"

Firefly blinks cutely. Striker chuckles and pets Firefly.
    
Striker:"Now we know what your powers are, at least."

Phoenix:"She'll need some training with it. I'd hate to dig darts out
         from the furniture all the time."

Phoenix puts Firefly back in her carrier and she goes look at some of the
cribs. Firefly lays down and sucks her thumb. A minute later Elissa
signals for the others.

Elissia:"Honey, I think we found a good crib for her."

They go to where Elissa is.

Elissia:"What do you two think?"
    
She points to a crib that is lifted up to waist height, with a basket 
underneath for the baby accessories and a colourful puppy mobile dangling 
above it. Phoenix looks it over.

Phoenix:"That is very cute."

Aydrian:"What do you think, son?"

The cocker spaniel rubs the fur under his chin.
    
Striker:"It looks very useful. Is it expensive?"

Aydrian checks the price tag on the crib and shakes his head.

Aydrian:"No, it is a good price for something like this."

Firefly coos and giggles, eyeing the crib.

Phoenix(smiling):"Looks like Firefly approves of the crib."
    
Striker:"Goed, then I'm mark it down on the list."
    
He takes out a notepad and scribbles on it. Phoenix and Elissa take Firefly
and go look for outfits for her. After getting their items for Firefly, 
they head to the tills and pay for all their purchases. Once done, they 
go outside to the parking lot where the Rhino is parked. Striker and 
Aydrian load up the purchased items into the boot. In the backseat, 
Phoenix dresses Firefly in one of her new outfits. She puts a dress on 
her and puts bows around her spaniel like ears. Firefly paws cutley at 
the bows.

Phoenix:"You like your bows, girl?"

Firefly nods, tail wagging. Striker comes around and puts her in her new 
car seat in the back. Striker then secures the buckles around her, making
sure all the clips are locked in place.
    
Striker:"Comfortable?"

Firefly barks and goes to sleep. Striker smiles, gently stroking Firefly's 
head before closing the door. Everyone gets in and they drive back to the 
base.


THE END