Rover Strike: Vortex

Episode 8: The Great Escape

By Gerhard Naudé

All Rover Strike names © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Hotrod, Alana © David Fountain
Sunrise, Kya © Kristen Coughlan
Dylan © Dylan Rinalds
Marauder © Jeremy Bass

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

Vorster Residence
Gauteng Province
Republic of South Africa
3:48 AM:

All is quiet at the residence of the South African president, safe
for the chirping of crickets and the night shift guards going about
their duties. The only lights on the premises are a few exterior
lamps and the light coming from the guardhouse by the locked gate.
Inside the house everybody is still asleep. Everybody except for
Striker, who is lying beneath Karen Vorster's bed. He is staring at
the bottom of the bed while rubbing the locket around his neck with
his fingers.

Striker(softly, to himself):"Ai, Phoenix..."

Suddenly Striker's pick up the very faint beeping noise coming from
the closet where Corsair is hiding and sleeping. Striker turns his
head into that direction. From behind the closet door he can hear
mumbling, followed by Corsair's whispering voice. After a minute or
so, there is silence for a brief moment. The closet door opens and
Corsair comes out. He sneaks over to the bed and peeks under it.

Corsair(whispering):"Boss... hey, boss..."

Striker(whispering):"I'm awake, David. Who called?"

Corsair(whispering):"Sorry about waking you up. Anyway, it was Billy
       on the line. He says he found us another safe house plus a
       means of getting there without being seen."

Striker(whispering):"Did you tell him where we are?"

Corsair(whispering):"Yeah, and he was pretty excited about it judging
       from the number of bad words he used. He did calm down when I
       told him that Miss Vorster and her daughter were helping us
       hide from Adriaan."

Striker(whispering):"Did he give you the time and location where we
       are to meet his contacts?"

Corsair(whispering):"Yup. His buddy will be at a truck stop near one
       of the main roads out of Johannesburg the whole morning. Once
       we meet him he'll take us to the safe house."

Striker(whispering):"Did he say where this safe house is?"

Corsair(whispering):"Yeah. It's a city called Bloomfuntyne."

Striker(whispering):"Bloemfontein."

Corsair(whispering):"Yeah, that's it. So what's the plan, boss?"

Suddenly a third, more sleepy voice joins in from the bed. It is that
of Karen Vorster.

Karen(sleepy):"What... what is it?"

Corsair quickly sits up alongside the bed, looking towards Karen in
the darkness.

Corsair(whispering):"Hey, Karen. Sorry about waking you. I just needed
       to tell Striker something."

Karen(whispering, sleepy):"Oh, that's all right. No need to apologize
     to me... what is the time?"

Corsair checks the digital alarm clock next to Karen's bed, which
shows the time in glowing red letters.

Corsair(whispering):"Almost four in the morning."

Karen(whispering, sleepy):"My dad's alarm will soon go off. Better go
     and hide again."

Corsair(whispering):"Good idea."

Corsair kneels down and looks under the bed again.

Corsair(whispering):"So we wait until the president is out of here?"

Striker(whispering):"Ja, then we move. Nou go and hide."

Corsair(whispering):"Yes, boss."

Corsair crawls through the darkness back to the closet. He gets back
in and closes the door. In the bed above Karen rolls over and goes 
back to sleep. Down below, Striker closes his eyes and decides to
nap for a while. In the master bedroom both Adriaan and Mariaan are
asleep in their bed. There is also a digital alarm clock on the
table next to the bed. When the timer hits 04:00, the clock starts
to beep loudly. Adriaan groans awake, then reaches out and fumbles
for the switch to turn it off. He finds it and stops the beeping. He
then rubs his eyes, turns on the bed lamp and starts to rise.


Throne Room
Elite Guard Headquarters
Unknown Location
4:01 AM:

Franco is still on his throne, but Champion is not here, having gone
to bed. The general is looking at the monitor bank, but he is also on
the telephone.

Franco(into telephone):"Of course, Mister Lao. The time is now ripe
      for your people to take these mutants and their allies head-on.
      We all saw what happened in South Africa yesterday and I think
      you don't want these terrorists attacking the Chinese people
      or the people's party, yes?... Good. Make sure China gives the
      South Africans the support they need in the United Nations...
      So you would want the usual?... Excellent, I will have my
      people send it to you before the end of the week... It is a
      pleasure to help the cause of humanity against this mutant
      threat... Good day."

Franco puts the telephone down, snickering.

Franco:"Silly humans. They can be very predictable."

At that moment an Elite Guard officer, wearing a red and black
uniform and boots, comes into the throne room. He walks up to the
dias and salutes. Franco turns to him.

Franco:"Yes, officer?"

Officer:"Forgive me for interrupting, Supreme General. We have the
         latest report from the Vorster Residence as requested."

Franco holds out his paw.

Franco:"Give it to me."

The officer climbs up the steps and gives Franco a folded piece of
paper. The officer climbs down, salutes the general and then makes
his way out of the room again. Franco doesn't notice him leave, his
attention now on the unfolded paper in his paws.

Franco:"Hmmm. Maybe it is time to make another call."

He crumbles up the paper and tosses it aside, then picks up the
telephone again. He dials a number and watches one of the monitors
with news on it as he waits for an answer.

Vorster Residence
Republic of South Africa
4:21 AM:

There is now more activity at the residence. A couple of lights are
on it in the kitchen, living room and entrance lobby while two more
lights shine from the master bedroom and bathroom. The number of
guards have increased and the driver is pulling the presidential 
armored car and the BMW escorts from the garage. Up in the master 
bedroom Adriaan Vorster is busy putting on his suit. Mariaan is still 
lying in bed, apparently sleeping. But her eyes are actually open 
while she listens to her husband getting dressed for work. Adriaan 
finishes getting his tie on, then picks up his suit jacket and puts 
it on as well. He goes to look at the mirror of the dresser to make sure 
he is ready. Satisfied, Adriaan goes to close the closet, then heads 
over to Mariaan and gives her a little kiss on the cheek. Then he heads 
out the room, turning the light off behind him. Mariaan listens as her 
husband heads downstairs. She gets up and goes to the window, peeking 
through the curtains at the presidential motorcade below. After a few 
minutes Adriaan comes walking out the house with the butler and seve-
ral bodyguards. He goes to the limo, where the driver opens the rear 
door. Adriaan climbs in and the driver closes the door while the body-
guards get into the escort vehicles. Soon the engines start as the 
gate is opened. The convoy then drives through and away from the 
estate. As soon as this happens, Mariaan closes the curtain, puts on 
a bathrobe and goes out of her room. She goes into Jaco's bedroom 
and turns on the light. Right away Hotrod covers his eyes from the 
sudden flow of light into the room.

Hotrod:"Whoa!"

Mariaan:"Oh, I'm sorry. Everything all right?"

Hotrod waits for his eyes to adjust to the light, then blinks them a
few times before looking at Mariaan. He nods his head.

Hotrod:"Yeah, I'm fine. I heard your husband move about. Is he gone?"

Mariaan(nodding):"He left just now."

She looks towards the figure lying on the bed.

Mariaan:"How is my son?"

Hotrod:"Still sound asleep. I had to taze him once during the night,
        but he's still honky-dory and traveling the la la land
        express."

Mariaan sighs.

Mariaan:"I see. What about your friend, Shephard?"

Hotrod:"Let me wake him up."

Hotrod goes to the closet and opens it. Shephard is lying inside the
closet sound asleep. Hotrod grabs his shoulder shakes him awake.

Hotrod:"Yo, Shep. It's time to get up, bud."

Shephard groans, then flinches from the light and covers his eyes. He
starts to get up, waiting for his eyes to adjust.

Shephard:"Is the area secure?"

Hotrod:"If you mean the coast is clear, you bet."

Mariaan:"I'll go and wake the others."

Mariaan goes out of Jaco's room and heads for Karen's room. She opens
the door and turns on the light. Karen stirs in her bed and opens her
eyes as her mother approaches the bed.

Karen:"Mother? Is father gone?"

Mariaan:"Yes, he's gone."

Karen starts to get up while Mariaan kneels and looks under the bed.
Striker turns his head to her when she does.

Striker:"Is Adriaan out of the house?"

Mariaan:"Ja. His motorcade left a few minutes ago."

Striker:"Goed. We had better wake up and get out of here while it is
         still night. Could you go and wake Sunrise, Kya and Jock up,
         Mariaan? Have them get the Rhino ready for us."

Mariaan:"Ja, I will. You just keep laying there."

Striker nods his head, then Mariaan gets up and heads out the room. A
moment later Karen gets up, yawning and rubbing her eyes. She puts on
her own bathrobe and goes over to the closet. She opens it to find
Corsair sleeping again. She looks at him for a minute, then bends
over to shake Corsair's shoulder.

Karen:"David. David, wake up."

Corsair groans as he is awakened. He then flinches when he tries to
open his eyes. He places both hands over his face.

Corsair:"Oh!... Man, my eyes... is it time to get up again?"

Karen:"Yes, it is. My father's gone and your friends are up."

Corsair:"Okay, just a second..."

Corsair begins to stand up. Karen takes one of his hands and helps
him up. He stretches a few times to loosen his muscles before going
over to the bed. He kneels and looks at Striker.

Corsair:"Morning, boss."

Striker:"Oggend, David. How are you?"

Corsair:"A little cramped in there, but I'm cool. Are we going to get
         going now?"

Striker:"Ja. Go and get Hotrod, Merit and Shephard."

Corsair:"Righto."

Corsair stands up and he heads out the door, with Karen following him
out.

Presidential Motorcade
Leaving Vorster Residence
4:38 AM:

The presidential motorcade with the BMW escorts in front of and behind 
it are making their way along the private road that leads up to the 
main route to Pretoria. Inside the motorcade Vorster has turned on
the light.

Vorster:"I had better call Thozi and find out the latest."

Vorster begins to reach for his briefcase, but then finds himself
looking around for it. After a few moments he swears and taps on the
glass pane separating the back of the motorcade with the front.

Vorster:"Driver! Stop!"

Immediately the driver hits the brakes and the motorcade comes to a

stop. The escorts also stop, their engines lulling. The driver looks
into the rearview at the president.

Driver:"Something wrong, sir?"

Vorster:"Ja, I forgot my briefcase back home."

Driver:"Shall I turn around and go back for it? We haven't gone too
        far, sir."

Vorster:"Asseblief."

The driver nods and begins to the turn the motorcade around. He also
radios the change of direction to the BMW escorts, who also start to
make u-turns. The motorcade heads back to the Vorster residence.

Vorster Residence
4:46 AM:

In the house almost everyone is awake and upstairs, though some of the
lights have been turned off so as not to arouse the curiosity of the
guards outside. In Karen's room Hotrod, Corsair, Jock and Shephard are 
helping Striker up. Karen, Jeanette, Mariaan and Merit are here as
well to provide assistance.

Mariaan:"Have you got him, Jock?"

Jock:"Yes I do, Mariaan."

Mariaan:"What about the rest of you?"

Hotrod:"Don't worry, Ma'am. We got him nice and easy. All we need is to
        get him to the Rhino with letting the guards see us and we're
        clear."

Striker looks at Jock.

Striker:"Have Sunrise and Kya gone to get the Rhino ready?"

Jock:"Yes, but I think we might need to hurry. The guards love to 
      harass us in the mornings and they will certainly become very
      suspicious if they see our cages are empty."

Striker:"Then we had best get going nou."

Everyone else nods in agreement. They begin to carry Striker out of
Karen's room into the hallway while Mariaan leads the way. They make
good progress to the stairs leading down. Suddenly Adriaan Vorster
appears at the top of the stairs and turns into the hallway towards
the group.

Adriaan:"Now where did I put that briefcase?"

Both Adriaan and the group freeze, staring with wide-eyed shock at
each other in absolute silence.

Merit:"This constitutes a serious dilemma."

Striker:"Ai yai yai."

Adriaan's eyes immediately focus upon Striker, his rage clearly
visible on his face.

Adriaan:"You!"

Suddenly Merit plays "TARANTANTAA" loudly from his speakers, startling
everyone and making them look at the robot, Adriaan included. Shephard 
suddenly lets go of Striker's leg and rushes up. He grabs Adriaan, 
places one hand over his mouth and bangs Adriaan's head hard against 
the wall. The blow knocks Adriaan out cold and he collapsed onto the 
floor. Both Mariaan and Karen gasp and rush forward to Adriaan.

Karen:"Father!"

Suddenly the butler Samuel appears at the top of the stairs as well.
Before he has time to realize what is going on Hotrod reacts. He drops
Striker's other leg, rushes up and grabs the butler. He takes out his 
weapon and puts right against the man's cheek.

Hotrod:"Keep quiet or I blow you away right here."

Butler(indignant):"What's the meaning of this?"

Hotrod:"Hey, shut up."

Butler:"One shout and the guards will come and kill you."

Hotrod:"One shout and I put a bullet into your skull."

To emphasize his point he presses the gun barrel right against the
butler's left eye. He gets the point and nods his head in fear. Once
things calm down Striker looks at Mariaan. Jeanette has now joined
her and Karen next to Adriaan.

Striker:"How is he?"

Mariaan feels for a pulse and finds it.

Mariaan:"He seems all right outside, but that blow could have caused
         serious internal injury."

Striker quickly looks at Merit.

Striker:"Merit, check for internal injuries on Adriaan."

Merit:"Affirmative."

Merit moves up next to Adriaan and scans him. After a few moments he
turns to Striker.

Merit:"Aside from a concussion there is no damage to any systems in
       his skull."

Everyone breathe a sigh of relief, especially Mariaan and Karen. But
Corsair shakes his head.

Corsair:"Man, this is one h*** of a wrinkle."

Hotrod:"No kidding. And when Vorster comes back from la la land he's
        going to be p***ed."

Mariaan goes and grabs her husband's shoulders. She looks at Karen.

Mariaan:"Help me carry your father."

Karen nods and goes to grab Adriaan's legs. The two of them then lift
Adriaan from the floor. Mariaan looks at Jeanette.

Mariaan:"Lead them out, Jeanette. And hurry. The guards will find out
         something is wrong soon."

Jeanette:"Ee, Miss."

Mariaan and Karen start to carry Adriaan back to the master bedroom,
but as they pass the group Striker grabs Mariaan's arm. She stops and
quickly looks at him.

Striker:"Mariaan... Dankie for helping us."

Mariaan smiles and nods.

Mariaan:"You're welkom, Gerard."

Her face becomes serious again.

Mariaan:"Now get going. Hurry!"

Striker nods and looks at the others.

Striker:"You heard her, menere. Let's roll!"

The group nods. Jeanette leads the way as the others begin to head down
the stairs while Mariaan and Karen carry Vorster into the bedroom. At
the bottom Jeanette looks around for anyone, then heads over to the
patio door. She opens it and looks around outside. Currently there are
no guards around in the backyard. She looks at the group, who have
just reached the bottom of the stairs.

Jeanette:"Nobody back here. You had better run now or they will catch
          you here."

Striker:"Reg. Let's dash for it, everyone."

The group make their way to the door. Jeanette opens the door a little
wider to let them all through. Once through they make a dash across 
the lawn to the bush that covers the hole in the wall. All the while
they look around nervously for any guards who might spot them. Soon
they make their way into the bush and through the wall just as two
guards come walking around to the back. Jeanette closes the door and
heads back upstairs. Outside the Rovers climb their way down the hill
with Merit in the lead to provide light. It takes a few minutes for
them to finally reach the road at the foot of the hill, where the Rhino
stood parked. Kya and Sunrise are waiting here for the group and open
the doors when they approach.

Sunrise:"You guys got out okay?"

Striker:"Ja, but unfortunately we had to neutralize Adriaan Vorster."

Kya and Sunrise are surprised.

Kya:"But Vorster had left the house before we did."

Corsair:"Yeah, but he decided it would be rude to leave without saying
         goodbye. So he came back and Shephard knocked him out."

Sunrise:"You what?? Do you realize what this means? When he gets up he
         will be livid with rage!"

Striker:"That is why we must leave immediately for Bloemfontein. Do
         you know where it is, Sunrise?"

Sunrise:"Ja, I do. I set up some safe houses there recently."

Striker:"Reg, let's go. Vorster will not remain unconscious for long."

Everyone agrees. Striker is loaded into the backseat with Corsair and
Merit. Shephard and Hotrod get into the very back while Merit folds up
between the front seats. Jock gets in front with Kya on his lap. Once
the doors close Sunrise starts the engine and begins to drive the Rhino
away from the Vorster residence. The first hint of dawn begins to touch
the eastern skies.

Molopo River
Botswana/South Africa border
Southern District
Botswana
5:01 AM:

The Molopo River is the natural border between South Africa and Botswana.
The river is currently dry, though there are a few pools of water left.
Dry shrubs and hardy trees grow all along the riverside, while a few
animals have already come out to drink from the pools. The sun has not
yet shown its face, but already it is becoming daylight. In a clearing
on the Botswana side of the river is the Sonic Rover. Hunter and his
team have just gotten out to stretch their legs and to wait for their
friends. Hunter takes in a deep breath of fresh air.

Hunter:"Ah! Smell that fresh morning air! It reminds of the farm."

However, Exile, Blitz and Shag are all sniffing at the nearby trees.

Blitz::"Ooh, ja! These trees smell excellent! Just like in the Forestry
        Illustrated magazine."

Exile:"Dah, Weird Boy. The aroma reminds me of the Siberian summers
       and marinated deer meat."

Colleen shakes her head and walks over to Hunter.

Colleen:"So what's the story, guv? Are we to wait here until Tanarus
         and his team come here?"

Hunter:"That's what I heard. With things not looking too good on the
        other side the river, we're gonna need stealth to get our
        friends out."

Colleen:"Especially after yesterday's foul up. Who the bloomin' heck
         is this Sapien Liberation Army?"

Hunter:"I don't know, but they don't seem to be on our side. We're
        gonna have to deal with them later."

Colleen nods her head. Suddenly there is a beeping noise from Hunter's
belt. Hunter fumbles around his belt and pulls out a small radio head-
set. He its over his ears.

Hunter(into com):"Hi, you've reached my number. If you'd like to speak 
      to me, press one. If you want to speak to anyone else in my team, 
      press two. If you want to contact Mission Control, press three."

Shephard's voice comes over the radio, but he is clearly talking to
somebody else in the background.

Shephard(over com):"Hey, sir. There's some nut on the horn."

Colleen comes up and knocks Hunter against the back of the head.

Colleen:"Crickey! Stop messing around, Huntie!"

Hunter:"Hey, easy girl. I'm just trying to liven the mood."

Shephard(over com):"Girl? What is this? Who's on the line?"

Hunter(into com):"Hey, Shep. It's Hunter here. Sorry about that."

There is a brief moment of silence, then Shephard can be heard speaking
in the background again.

Shephard(over com):"Then again, I always have had my suspicions about 
        him, sir."

Hunter(confused, into com):"What suspicions?"

Shephard(over com):"Oops! Umm... my superior wishes to speak with you,
        sir."

Hunter(into com):"Oh, cool. Put him on."

There is a moment of background chatter, then Striker's voice comes
over the radio.

Striker(over com):"Hello, Hunter? Can you hear me?"

Hunter(into com):"Loud and clear, bud. What's up?"

Striker(over com):"We are on the move again to a new safe house with
       two freed cano-sapiens. Has Tanarus' team arrived yet?"

Hunter(into com):"Nope, but last I talked to them they were well on
      their way here."

Striker(over com):"Goed. When they arrive tell them to come and pick
       us up at Bloemfontein. It's a city in the middle of South
       Africa."

Hunter(into com):"Bloemfontein, gotcha. We'll check our maps."

Striker(over com):"We also have a probleem."

Hunter(into com):"Yeah? What's that?"

Striker(over com):"Last night we slept over inside Adriaan Vorster's
       residence by mistake, and when we tried to leave this morning
       he stumbled upon us and Shephard had rendered him unconscious."

Hunter listens to all of this with surprise.

Hunter(into com):"Okay, let me get this straight: you spent the night
      inside the house of the South African president and knocking
      him out cold in the morning?"

Colleen looks quickly at Hunter in stunned surprise.

Colleen:"They what?!"

Striker(over com):"Ja, you're reg Hunter. We are in serious trouble
       when he recovers and finds out where we are. So you better
       tell Tanarus to get here as soon as possible."

Hunter(into com):"You got it. Hey, I forgot. How's the legs?"

Striker(over com):"A little beter, but the pain is still sleg. We
       had it treated and cleaned a little, plus they are in a
       splint and wrapped in bandages. But I hope Elexis and Colleen 
       will be gereed to help. My injuries are severe, it seems."

Hunter(into com):"Just hang in there, bud. Colleen's going to come
      with Tanarus' team and once they pick you up they'll patch
      you up good as new."

Striker(over com):"Dankie, Hunter. Luister, I need to get off now.
       We are approaching urban areas and we need to lay low."

Hunter(into com):"No problem. Just stay outta sight and let us
      know when we can come and pick you up."

Striker(over com):"Reg. Tot later!"

The line goes dead. As Hunter removes the headset Colleen comes up
to him.

Colleen:"Well, what's all this of Striker and the president?"

Hunter:"Oh, they had a tiny fight."

Colleen:"A tiny fight."

Hunter:"Yeah, nothing serious."

Colleen:"Except that it will give Vorster another excuse to get at 
         Striker and us and all sapiens."

Hunter:"Well, yeah. But besides that, nothing serious."

Colleen rolls her eyes and walks off, while Hunter just shrugs and
goes over to join the others with the tree sniffing.

Vorster Residence
Republic of South Africa
5:12 AM:

There is now a buzz of activity at the residence, with all the lights
in the house on and guards on patrol everywhere. In the master bedroom
Adriaan is laying on his back on the bed, while Mariaan holds a bag
of ice on the spot where his head hit the wall. Outside the bedroom
guards are going back and forth. Adriaan begins to stir and groan. He
reaches for the sore spot on his head, but Mariaan takes his hand and
holds it.

Mariaan:"Adriaan? How do you feel?"

Adriaan opens his eyes, blinking a few times. Suddenly his eyes go
wide as he remembers what happened. He sits up immediately, dropping
the ice bag on the bed.

Adriaan:"Where is he? Where are they?"

Mariaan quickly picks up the ice bag and puts it against Adriaan's 
head again. She works to reassure and calm her husband.

Mariaan:"Calm down, Adriaan. They are already gone and I've alerted
         the guards."

Adriaan looks at Mariaan, then hears the guards in the hallway out-
side. He sighs, then groans in pain.

Adriaan:"Eina... my head..."

Mariaan:"Just keep the ice on your head. It's not serious, but it is
         swelling."

Adriaan nods and takes over holding the ice bag. He then looks at
his wife with concern.

Adriaan:"Are you all right? What about Karen and Jaco?"

Mariaan:"I'm fine and so is Karen. Jaco was also incapacitated, but
         he is recovering in his bedroom."

Adriaan breathes a sigh of relief.

Adriaan:"Thank God."

He then grows angry.

Adriaan:"What the h*** was Striker doing in my house? IN MY HOUSE!!"

Mariaan tries to calm him, but he quickly looks at her.

Adriaan:"Did they threaten you?"

Mariaan is struggling with herself for the right answer, but Adriaan
is too angry to notice. Finally, she just nods her head. Adriaan goes
and hugs her tightly.

Adriaan:"I swear, I will rip that mutant's fur out with my bare hands
         for threatening you and our children."

He breaks the hug and gets up. He stops and looks at Mariaan again.

Adriaan:"How long were they here?"

Mariaan hesitates, then answers.

Mariaan:"Since early last night. They made us give them shelter here
         in our house for the night."

This really shocks Adriaan.

Adriaan:"Wat? They slept over in our house? Right here? The entire

         night?"

Mariaan just nods her head. Adriaan swears in anger and kicks a trash
bin really loudly. This brings the captain of the guard into the room
immediately.

Captain:"Sir? Are you all right?"

Adriaan goes and grabs the man by the collar, clearly not very happy.

Adriaan:"What the bloody h*** do I pay you for? That mutant and his
         group spent the night in my house! Under your noses!"

The captain is taken aback by this accusation, but he quickly recovers
and tries to defend himself.

Captain:"Yes, sir! Miss Vorster told us what happened when you did not
         come back downstairs. My men and I have locked down the area
         and the police are on their way."

Adriaan:"You had better find me their tracks! And fast! Nou!!"

Adriaan releases the captain roughly, who quickly salutes.

Captain:"Yes, sir!"

The captain turns around and runs out of the room. Adriaan then looks
around the room.

Adriaan:"Where is my suitcase?"

Mariaan:"On the dresser, dear. I have something to tell you."

Adriaan spots the suitcase lying on the dresser and goes over to it.
He opens it and takes his cellphone. As he dials he looks at his wife.

Adriaan:"Just a moment, Mariaan. I need to make a call."

Mariaan nods and sits down on the bed while Adriaan waits for his call
to be answered. After few second he is answered.

Adriaan(into phone):"Hangana? This is Vorster... Ja, I know I'm late.
       You know why?... Striker was in my house last night... Ja, him!
       He slept in my house, threatened my family and assaulted me this
       morning!... No, we are all right but very shaken up. I got one
       h*** of a headache. Are Klopper and Masakela there?... Goed. 
       Tell Klopper to have the police come to my house and question
       every person in the area for the mutant. And have Masakela send 
       a team to my house right away... Yes, now!... No, I can't. Tell
       Thozi to run operations in my place until I can sort this out.
       I'll try and get to Pretoria by this afternoon... Reg, keep me 
       up to date."

Adriaan turns his cellphone off.

Adriaan:"There. The police and Scorpions will be coming here to search
         the house and the area."

He looks at Mariaan.

Adriaan:"Did they steal anything?"

Mariaan:"They took Kya and Jock with them."

Adriaan looks confused at his wife.

Adriaan:"Who is Kya and Jock?"

Mariaan:"The husky and wild dog in the pen. Our workers."

He grunts and shakes his head.

Adriaan:"Oh, the mutant slaves. What a pity, but then you cannot expect
         any better from them. Anything else?"

At that moment Karen comes into the room. She sees her father is up
and about and goes over to him.

Karen:"Father, you all right?"

Adriaan turns to his daughter as she comes up and hugs him. He hugs
her back tightly.

Adriaan:"I'm fine, but I should you the same. Are you all right? Did
         they hurt you?"

Karen:"Nee, I'm all right. Jaco is also all right now."

Adriaan breaks the hug and looks with relief at Karen.

Adriaan:"I'm just glad they didn't harm you or Jaco."

At that moment he spots a tiny camera in her hand.

Adriaan:"Karen, what's that?"

Karen:"Oh, it's another camera, father."

Mariaan gets up and goes over to her daughter, looking at the small
device.

Mariaan:"You found another one, Karen?"

Karen:"Yes, mother. It was hidden between my high school athletics 
       trophies"

Adriaan quickly takes the device and looks at it. He then glances at
Mariaan and Karen.

Adriaan:"What is this?"

Mariaan:"Adriaan, these devices are cameras that were planted to spy 
         on us."

Adriaan is stunned. He looks at the camera again.

Adriaan:"You mean these mutants planted them in our house?"

Mariaan:"No, they didn't plant them. They accidentally stumbled upon
         them. These cameras have been here long before they were. We
         already found five of them in the house."

Adriaan stares at the camera, anger on his face.

Adriaan:"Spying? Somebody dares to spy on me and my family like this?
         Who would dare!"

Karen:"Father, do you see the insignia on the camera?"

Adriaan holds the camera closed, moving it around in his fingers until
he can see the insignia: a yellow triangle in a red circle. He looks
curiously at it.

Adriaan:"Ja, I see it Karen. I don't recognize it, though."

Karen:"I overheard the sapiens talk about it. It belongs to a group 
       they call the Elite Guard."

Adriaan:"Elite Guard? Who are they?"

Mariaan:"We don't know. All that Ger... Striker said was they were
         a group of very dangerous and evil individuals led by a
         maniac named General Franco."

Adriaan frowns, still looking at the Elite Guard insignia.

Adriaan:"Wel, this 'General Franco' made a huge mistake. I will have
         to deal with him."

He goes over to the dresser again, picks up his cellphone and dials
the same number. He looks at the camera while waiting for the answer.

Adriaan(into phone):"Hangana? Ja, it's me again. Listen, someone has
       been spying on my house. My wife and daughter discovered some
       tiny cameras, very small and easy to hide... Nee, it doesn't
       seem to be the mutants... Listen, I want you to send a team
       here to sweep my house for these cameras and listening devices
       and also at the Union Buildings just in case... Reg, and I
       want something else... Ja, the camera I'm holding has an insig-
       nia on it that looks like a yellow pyramid in a red ring. It
       belongs to a group called the Elite Guard, lead by a General
       Franco... My wife and daughter overheard the mutants talk
       about it... Ja, I want you to connect with your colleagues
       overseas. I want to have every scrap of information on this
       Elite Guard on my desk as soon as possible. Every single detail, 
       got it?... Goed, dankie."

Adriaan ends the call and puts the phone down. He looks at his wife
and daughter.

Adriaan:"Look around the house. See if you can find more of these tiny
         devices around here."

Karen:"Yes, father."

Mariaan:"I will, dear."

Adriaan nods, then turns and heads out of the bedroom. Karen looks at
her mother.

Karen:"Does father know the truth?"

Mariaan:"Nee, and I don't think it would be wise to tell him just yet.
         Now go to your room and search it thoroughly for any more
         cameras or devices that you know is not yours."

Karen:"Right."

Karen runs out of the bedroom, while Mariaan goes to the closet doors
and opens them to begin her own search. Outside there is the distant
sound of police sirens that are coming closer.

Route 59
Free State Province
Republic of South Africa
6:49 AM:

This is a simple two-lane road that cuts its way through the country-
side of the Free State. Long, yellow/brown grass with the occasional
green shrub grows here on the plains and the hills that dot the land-
scape. A large green truck with the logo of a furniture moving company
on the side is driving along the road, heading south. The occasional
passing car driver pay little attention to the truck, which looks like
any other from the outside. But in the trailer it is different. The
Rhino is inside, clamped to the floor by the wheels. The Rovers are 
all here, sitting on some of the furniture that have been packed into 
the trailer. Striker is lying flat on the cushions taken from a couch.
Everyone is pretty much idling about and silent, listening to the 
constant hum of the truck engine. Merit looks about at the group.

Merit:"I find the lack of activity and/or conversation rather unusual."

Hotrod:"We don't have much to talk about, Merit. We're pretty quiet
        here."

Merit:"Would it perhaps be helpful if I located a possible topic for
       conversation?"

Hotrod:"Be my guest."

Merit:"Affirmative."

Merit begins to scan about the truck, gathering information for a
topic to talk about. When he comes to Jock, who is leaning back
against the side of the trailer with Kya resting on his lap, he stops
and zooms in for a closer scan.

Merit:"Ah. I do think that I have located a topic worthy of conver-
       sation."

Corsair:"Really, Merit? What is it? The breeding cycle of the dust
         mites on the furniture?"

Merit:"Oh, do you rather wish to converse about dust mites than the
       European Corporation identification mark on Jock's hip? Very
       well."

This gets everyone's attention and all eyes are on Merit.

Striker:"Wat is dit, Merit?"

Merit:"Dust mites are remarkable micro-biological orgasms that..."

Striker:"Nee, Merit. Wat is that about a EuroCorp mark?"

Merit:"Oh. I scanned a European Corporation identification mark on 
       Jock's hip while seeking a topic. I will expand upon it as soon
       as we complete our conversation on the breeding cycle of dust 
       mites."

Sunrise shakes her head.

Sunrise:"Nee, Merit. Tell us about this mark first. It sounds much 
         more important."

Merit:"Actually, dust mite reproduction is essential for..."

Striker sighs and turns his head towards Jock, speaking a little louder
to be heard over Merit's droning.

Striker:"Jock, what is this thing about a mark?"

Merit realizes everyone is ignoring him and stops talking while Jock
turns to the right. He pulls his jeans down enough to show the side
of his hip. Clearly visible is a large black mark. Sunrise leans to
take a closer look at it. While somewhat fuzzy due to the fur, the
mark is clearly that of the European Corporation.

Sunrise:"Merit is right. This is a EuroCorp mark."

Jock nods and pulls his jeans back up.

Jock:"Yes, you're right. I was given the mark when I was a puppy."

Everyone is now listening with interest to Jock.

Striker:"Tell us about you and EuroCorp."

Jock nods, takes a deep breath and begins to tell his story. He tells
how he grew up in the kennels at the labs under the EuroCorp head-
quarters in Brussels with his siblings and the experiments done on
them. Next comes the part of the explosion that killed many of his
family and his transfer to South Africa where he escaped (all this is
from "A Jock's History"). Through all of this he retains his compo-
sure, though there is sadness and anger in his eyes. Kya holds his
paws tightly in hers.

Jock:"And that's basically what EuroCorp did to me and my family."

Hotrod:"D***, man. EuroCorp needs be taken before court for this."

Corsair shakes his head.

Corsair:"Forget it, Rod. EuroCorp has hordes of lawyers ready to step
         on any bad news that comes from its illegal businesses."

Hotrod:"Come on! We got ourselves a witness here. Jock's story could
        take EuroCorp down."

This time Striker shakes his head.

Striker:"Jammer, Hotrod. David is reg. EuroCorp is too good at cover
         ups and Jock's story will not be enough in a court case
         against the company."

Jock sighs.

Jock:"I was afraid of that."

Striker looks back at Jock.

Striker:"But that does not mean it is useless, Jock. We are gradually
         gathering, documenting and recording evidence and testimonies
         against EuroCorp as we get them. One day we will have enough 
         against the company that no defense will be able to fend off."
        
Jock nods, but a small ray of hope enters his eyes. At that moment
Merit, who had remained quiet, speaks up.

Merit:"If I may make an observation, Jock's testimony bears a remarka-
       ble resemblance to the testimony made by Tyrna."

The name gets Jock's attention. His ears perk up as he looks at Merit
with wide eyes.

Jock:"Did you say Tyrna?"

Merit:"That is correct."

Jock:"Is she a female husky?"

Merit:"That is correct. In fact, her age and background could make
       her an acquaintance or even perhaps a family member."

Jock immediately pounces Merit and grabs the robot's shoulders to the
surprise of everyone else. Jock shakes the robot while looking with
eager eyes.

Jock:"Where is she? Where?!"

Merit:"May I point out that such rough handling of my person is not
       recommended?"

Jock keeps shaking Merit, but Shephard and Hotrod quickly work to get
the husky to let go.

Shephard:"Easy, sir. Calm down."

Jock:"But I must know about Tyrna!"

Striker:"Jock, we do know her."

Jock quickly turns to look at Striker.

Jock:"You do?"

Striker:"Ja, we do. She is a member of our organization, the Road 
         Rovers. And Merit is right: her story is the same as yours,
         therefore she is indeed a sibling."

Jock goes on his knees and looks eagerly at Striker, his tail wagging
behind him.

Jock:"How is she?"

Striker puts a reassuring paw on Jock's shoulder.

Striker:"Alive and well and living with us. I think we will contact
         her and have her meet you when we return to our headquarters
         in the United States."

Jock takes Striker's paw and shakes it happily, making the spaniel
winch from the tight grip.

Jock:"Thank you! Thank you! I cannot wait to meet my sister!"

Striker nods and looks at Shephard.

Striker:"Shephard, see if you can call the Master and tell him about
         Jock and have him arrange Tyrna to meet her brother."

Shephard:"With pleasure, sir!"

Jock lets go of Striker's paw and goes to sit back at his spot between
Kya and Sunrise. Kya hugs her mate tightly.

Kya:"You will be reunited with your family, just like me. I'm so happy
     for you, Jock."

Jock puts an arm around Sunrise and Kya, hugging them with a big smile
on his muzzle.

Jock:"I'm happy for all of us."

Everyone else smiles along, the revelation lifting everyone's spirits
a bit. Merit speaks up again.

Merit:"Since we have basically completed this topic, shall I resume
       the conversation on the breeding cycle of dust mites?"

Before anybody can stop Merit, Jock looks at the robot. The husky is
still giddy with happiness.

Jock:"Oh yes! Do tell!"

Merit:"Ah, thank you for your support."

Corsair looks at Jock with a frown.

Corsair:"Yeah... Thanks a lot."

As Merit begins to speak about the dust mites, Corsair groans and
buries his face in his hands.

Corsair(to himself):"I hate to say this, but I'm starting to miss the
       Russian big time."

While Merit drones on about dust mites, Shephard takes out his radio
and begins to call Road Rover Mission Control.

Molopo River
Botswana/South Africa border
Botswana
8:13 AM:

The sun has risen and is shining over the countryside. At the clearing
by the Molopo River the Stealth Rover has just landed alongside the
Sonic Rover. Tanarus and his team (Elexis, Illanov, Aydrian, Dylan and 
Alana) have disembarked and are meeting with Hunter's team. The two 
team leaders shake paws.

Hunter:"Hey, Tan. Glad you guys could make it."

Tanarus:"Same here. Can you give us an update on our friends?"

Hunter nods and lets go of Tanarus' paw.

Hunter:"Yeah. They're on their way to Bloemfontein, a city almost right
        in the middle of South Africa. You guys are to go and pick
        them up there."

Tanarus:"Bloemfontein, is it? We'll check our maps."

Hunter:"Cool. It shouldn't be too hard to find."

Aydrian:"Hunter, how is Striker's leg injuries?"

Hunter:"It's a little better now, but still pretty bad. Striker is
        in a bit of pain."

Elexis:"Have they tried to get his legs taken care of?"

Hunter:"Sounds like it. They did get it patched up and put into a
        splint, but Striker says it's severe."

Elexis:"Then we must pick him up as soon as possible. The more time
        passes while his leg remains untreated the worse it will get."

Colleen:"That's pretty right, sister. That's why I'm coming along to
         help him."

Tanarus:"The Master did tell us to go and pick you up, Colleen, so
         you're welcome."


Colleen:"Thanks, guv."

Alana:"How's Roddie and the others?"

Hunter:"None the worse for wear, despite what happened at Vorster's
        place."

Everybody in Tanarus' team look surprised at Hunter.

Illanov:"Vorster's place? What are you talking about, comrade?"

Hunter:"They spent the night at Adriaan Vorster's house, then knocked
        him out when they left and took two sapiens he held as slaves
        on his estate. Nothing serious."

The team is stunned at this news.

Dylan:"That is nothing serious?"

Hunter:"Yup."

Dylan:"Hunter. No offense, but I sometimes think that you take this
       relaxed attitude a little too far."

Colleen nods her head in agreement.

Colleen:"That thought does cross my mind at times too, Dyl."

Hunter:"Hey, come on. I gotta stay in character."

Alana:"And we gotta get moving. If our friends really did that to
       Vorster, then he will not be a happy chappy when he wakes up
       again."

Tanarus:"Definitely. We're going into South Africa and try to get to
         Bloemfontein as quickly as possible."

Colleen:"Not too close, guv. Bloemfontein has both an army and air
         force base on the city outskirts, so we might want to watch
         out step and make sure we can pick up our friends and get
         out before the South Africans can get to us."

Exile:"And do not forget those SLA baddest sapiens, comrades."

Aydrian:"That group that stormed in on my son-in-law's trial?"

Blitz:"Ja. They are really bad sapiens. I could go and bite all their
       tooshies."

Exile makes a gagging noise. Hunter shakes his head and looks back at
Tanarus.

Hunter:"Yeah, watch those people too. They'll also be trying to get
        Striker away from our human friends."

Elexis:"Even though our human friends are on our side."

Hunter:"Yeah, it's a real bummer."

Tanarus:"Don't worry, Hunter. We will defend ourselves and our friends.
         Both the South Africans and the SLA will discover it is a
         mistake to take us on. But I think we had better get going."

Hunter:"Good idea."

Colleen heads over to Shag and digs around in the big sheepdog's fur.
She pulls out a small Rover medikit.

Colleen:"Thanks, guv."

Shag:"Rho rhopblem."

As Tanarus' team prepare to reboard the Stealth Rover, Hunter grabs
Colleen's arm and pulls her close. She is a little surprised.

Colleen:"What the bloomin'..."

Hunter suddenly gives her a quickly kiss on the lips, making the collie
even more surprised.

Colleen:"... hey..."

Hunter:"Just a little good luck kiss, Colleen."

He winks at Colleen, who then giggles.

Colleen:"Guess you're not as thick as I thought."

Suddenly Blitz stands rights next to Colleen.

Blitz:"I can you a good luck kiss too, pretty collie doggie."

Blitz closes his eyes and puckers up. Colleen growls and punches
the doberman full on the lips instead. Blitz tumbles backwards and
falls to the ground.

Colleen:"No thanks, Bubbles. I don't kiss leprechauns."

Colleen walks away to the Stealth Rover, while Exile covers his mouth
and laughs at Blitz. Blitz sits up, his lips very puffy. He's clearly
dazed from the punch.

Blitz:"Ooooh... nice French kiss, ja?"

He collapses back on the ground. Meanwhile, Colleen boards the Stealth

Rover along with Tanarus' team. A few minutes later the engines come
to life and the Stealth takes off, flying across the Molopo River into
South African airspace.

Hamilton Industrial Zone
Bloemfontein
Free State Province
Republic of South Africa

11:13 AM:

The city of Bloemfontein sits in the grasslands of the Free State
between the dozens of small hills dotting the countryside. Most of
the city consists of buildings no higher than two of three stories
with plenty of trees. In the business district three buildings tower
above the city: a three-armed apartment building, the C.R. Swart
building and the glass-walled municipal offices. On a large hill
near the business district stands a high red and white transmission
tower. In the south of the city is the Hamilton industrial zone, 
located close to the poorer suburbs of the city. Most of the buildings 
here consist of industrial parks, warehouses, manufacturing plants, 
suppliers and service buildings. A 10-story tall replica of the Eiffel 
Tower stands by one of the main roads leading into the city. The green
furniture truck with the Rovers in it pulls into a yard not far from
the tower. On the yard is a large building painted with the same green
colour and having the same logo. Dozens of other furniture trucks are
here while dozens of workers in overalls go about loading and un-
loading the trucks. One workers runs up to the truck and goes to the
driver's side.

Worker:"Where are you from?"

The driver rolls down the window and looks at the worker.

Driver:"I'm bringing Mister S. Biko's furniture."

The worker nods, recognizing the secret password being given. He points
to a loading dock a little out of sight.

Worker:"Right. Unload at dock number 13."

Driver:"Shot, thanks."

The worker nods and goes to do other work. The driver maneuvers the
truck into the right position at the loading dock. The rear of the
trailer is now against the dock, facing a large door. The door is
opened and a number of workers come out. They open the trailer and
begin to unload the furniture. However, they place the furniture on
either side of the dock, blocking the view between the trailer and
the warehouse door. Having done that, the workers unload the Rhino
and help the Rovers out of the trailer. One of the company foremen,
a large black man with big muscles and green overalls, comes up to
the group and looks at Sunrise.

Foreman:"Hey, Sunrise. Welcome back to Bloemfontein. I hope your
         trip was uneventful?"

Sunrise:"Hello, Sampson. Nee, our trip was peaceful. We had no trouble 
         at all."

Foreman:"Shot. And how is Striker?"

Sunrise:"He's fine, but his legs are still in terrible shape."

The foreman looks past Sunrise and watches as the Rovers and some of
the workers unload Striker on a makeshift stretcher. He looks back at
Sunrise.

Foreman:"Can't we take him to a hospital? I have a good friend at
         Pelonomi Hospital who could..."

Sunrise shakes her head.

Sunrise:"Too risky. Besides, our friends will soon be here in an hour
         or two. We can give him the proper medical attention then."

Foreman:"As you wish. Meanwhile, let me take you to our special
         workshop and get you all some breakfast. You must be very
         hungry after such a trip."

Shephard rubs his hands together.

Shephard:"That's affirmative, sir. Lead the way."

The foreman leads the group through the warehouse, where piles of
furniture are standing ready for shipping or are being wrapped up
in plastic by workers. Soon he brings them to a door at the back of
the warehouse marked as a closet. The foreman opens the door and
steps through. The others follow him, revealing that behind the door
is actually a small corridor leading into a large room attached to
the side of the warehouse. Some skylight windows provide light to
the room, where several sapiens are busy cleaning, repairing and
wrapping up furniture. At the back of the room is a small kitchen
and a simple table used for eating. Jock looks around at all the
sapiens working here.

Jock:"What is this place?"

Foreman:"This an extension of the warehouse that the owner had built
         for our sapien employees. Ever since Vorster started his
         anti-mutant policies were had been forced to retrench them,
         so this special room was created for them to stay employed
         with us. It also serves as a safe house for refugees now and
         then."

Sunrise:"Have you had trouble with the police?"

The foreman shakes his head.

Foreman:"At first the police regularly made surprise inspections, but
         nowadays they barely come into Hamilton unless they are called
         here. Makes it easier for us all."

Hotrod, who is holding one arm of Striker's stretcher, looks at the
cocker spaniel.

Hotrod:"And it should make it easier for us to get into the Stealth
        Rover and skedaddle out of here before the cops figure out
        what is going on, Striker."

Striker nods and looks at the foreman.


Striker:"Is there a place we can use to land a large craft?"

Foreman:"You mean an airstrip?"

Striker:"Nee, something like a helipad."

The foreman rubs his chin, thinking.

Foreman:"Well, I don't know about a helipad, but the brick factory
         next door has a large lot where you could land. I will need
         to talk to the factory foreman about it. He owes me a favor
         anyway."

Corsair:"Sounds to me like we pretty much got everything covered. In
         two hours' time we'll be outta here heading home."

Shephard:"Can we at least get something to eat before we leave, sirs?
          I'm starving."

Striker:"You're reg, Shephard. We have not had a descent meal since
         yesterday."

Foreman:"Then follow me. The cook will make you a feast to fill your
         stomachs."

The foreman leads the way to the kitchen, the others following in tow
while Shephard, Jock, Hotrod and Corsair carry Striker along on his
stretcher. The sapien workers continue working, though some pass
admiring glances at Striker.

Monitoring Room
Eta Squadron Headquarters
Unknown Location
11:29 AM:

Sky is here looking at two monitors located alongside each other. One
monitor shows the secret room in the warehouse, where the Rovers and
some of the workers are enjoying a good meal. The other monitor is
showing a live satellite feed of one of the main roads leading into
Bloemfontein, specifically the Hamilton industry zone. Sky can see a 
convoy of three trucks with heavily armed sapiens riding in the back.
On the hoods of the trucks crude images of the Road Rover insignias
have been painted on. The trucks are making their way at high speeds
into the city.

Sky:"Time to throw a spanner in their works."

Sky picks up a telephone, dials a number and waits for an answer. His
eyes shift to the monitor showing the warehouse. On the monitor one
can see Shephard stop eating and hold up his arm to answer his watch
com.

Hamilton Industrial Zone
Bloemfontein
Republic of South Africa
At That Moment:

Everyone is seated around the dining table. Striker has been helped
up onto one of the chairs and is enjoying the same meals as the
others. Shephard has a larger plate of food, but his watch com is
beeping.

Shephard:"Great. Always when I'm eating."

He sighs and lifts his arm. While some of the other Rovers watch, he
answers.

Shephard(into com):"Sergeant Shephard reporting."

Voice(over com):"Sergeant, there is a convoy of trucks driving up the
     road leading in the Hamilton Industrial Area. They are carrying
     heavy armed members of the Sapien Liberation Army."

Everybody immediately stops eating and look at Shephard.

Voice(over com):"I recommend that you leave immediately. The SLA is
     after Striker and will use violence to get him. And I'm certain
     that any firefights will draw the attention of the authorities."

Shephard(into com):"Hold on here. Who is this?"

Suddenly there is a click and the line goes dead.

Shephard(into com):"Hello? Hello? D***, he hung up."

Hotrod:"Was that guy serious? Is the SLA really on its way?"

The foreman gets up and digs around in his overalls.

Foreman:"I will quickly call the lookout. He's a got a good view of
         the entire industrial area where he is. He should tell us if
         your mysterious friend is right."

The foreman pulls out a walky-talky and radios the lookout, while
everyone else looks at him in anticipation.

Foreman(into walky-talky):"Alpha One to Lima One, come in... Yes, I
       hear you too, Lima One. We got information that several SLA
       hotels are coming up the main Hamilton road. Can you confirm?
       Roger..."

There is a few seconds of tense silence as they wait for the lookout
to radio back. Moments later the foreman gets the lookout's report.

Foreman(into walky-talky):"I hear you, Lima One. Can you see any-
       thing?..."

A second later the foreman swears out loud.

Corsair:"I think that's our answer."

Foreman(into walky-talky):"How many are there, Lima One?... Three
       trucks with hotels.... Heavy armed... Roger that. ETA?...
       Roger that. Hold position. Out."

The foreman quickly tucks the radio back into his overalls. Sunrise
gets up as she looks at the foreman.

Sunrise:"How long before the SLA gets here, Sampson?"

Foreman:"Less than seven minutes at most."

The foreman suddenly pulls out a whistle from his breast pocket and
blows several loud shrills on it. Kya yelps and covers her ears as
the whistling triggers the alarm in the building. Jock looks concerned
at his mate.

Jock:"Are you all right, Kya?"

Kya nods and uncovers her ears.

Kya:"Yes, it's just that the whistling was so loud in my ears."

Hotrod looks at Striker.

Hotrod:"What is the plan, Striker?"

Striker:"We have to get into the Rhino and get out of here. We need
         to draw the SLA away from the warehouse."

The foreman looks confused at Striker.

Foreman:"What for? We have weapons and can easily turn this building
         into a fortress."

Striker:"Nee, that is a bad idea. Even if we beat back the SLA, your
         cover will be blown when the police come to investigate. We
         must leave here quickly and lure the SLA away."

The foreman tries to protest, but Sunrise shakes her head and steps
in.

Sunrise:"No, Sampson. Striker's right. Your cover as a safe house is
         too important for many sapiens. We cannot afford to have it
         compromised."

The foreman sighs and nods.

Foreman:"Very well. I'm sorry that I can't really help."

Striker:"You have already helped us. No need to apologize."

Striker looks at Sunrise.

Striker:"Sunrise, go and get the Rhino ready."

Sunrise:"Right."

Sunrise runs for the exit while Striker turns to Corsair.

Striker:"Corsair, call Tanarus and find out what their ETA is. Also
         inform him what is going on."

Corsair:"Righto, boss."

Striker:"The rest of you help me get to the Rhino."

Hotrod, Shephard and Merit come up to help Striker from the chair to
the stretcher. Some of the sapien workers also help them. The foreman
goes out, shouting orders. Corsair uses his watch com to try and
radio Tanarus' team.

Cockpit
Stealth Rover
En Route to Bloemfontein
Approaching Northern Cape/Free State Border
At That Moment:

The Stealth Rover is flying low over the savannah countryside of the
Northern Cape Province as it heads for Bloemfontein. In the cockpit
Tanarus is at the flight controls with Elexis seated next to him.
In the seats behind them are Dylan, Alana, Aydrian, Illanov and
Colleen. A beeping noise comes from the console before Elexis and
she pushes the corresponding button. A voice comes through the
console's communication speakers.

Corsair(over com):"Stealth Rover, are you there? This is Corsair."

Elexis(into com):"Corsair, this is Stealth Rover. We hear you loud
      and clear."

Corsair(over com):"Great, because the doo just smacked the fan here."

Everyone looks surprised towards the console.

Tanarus(into com):"What's wrong, Corsair?"

Corsair(over com):"We're getting into the Rhino. The SLA is on our
       butts and they know where we're hiding. Someone must have gone
       and ratted us out."

Tanarus(into com):"Can't you stay at your current position?"

Corsair(over com):"No go. We could blow apart our friends' cover here
       with all this. We're bugging out to lure the SLA away from them.
       What's your ETA?"

Tanarus makes some quick checks on the flight controls, then turns back
to the communications.

Tanarus(into com):"ETA is t-minus 20 minutes."

There is a few seconds of silence.

Corsair(over com):"Nuts. You guys better hustle. We don't know how long
       we can hold out."

Tanarus(into com):"We'll get there as fast as we can. Just hang tight."

Corsair(over com):"Okay. We're bugging out. Hurry, will ya?"

The communications goes dead.

Colleen:"Blimey. Those SLA blokes are just not getting it, are they?"

Alana growls and nods.

Alana:"And if they hurt Roddie or the others, then I'll make sure that
       they do get it!"

Tanarus:"We'd better hurry."

Tanarus pushes a button on the flight console. Almost right away the
Stealth Rover picks up speed as the afterburners are activated. They
are all pressed back into their seats by the high speed.

Bloemfontein
Free State Province
11:49 AM:

At the furniture plant the Rovers have all gotten in the Rhino with
Hotrod behind the wheel and Striker sitting on the back seat. Sunrise
is seated up front with Merit folded up neatly on the dashboard.
Corsair and Kya are with Striker in the back while Shephard and Jock
have gotten into the back under the canopy. Sunrise is talking to
the foreman while several workers quickly open the gate.

Sunrise:"And remember: if the police ask, we were never here and you
         never saw us. Reg?"

Foreman:"Got it, Miss Sunrise. As far as we know, you all never
         existed."

Sunrise:"Thank you, Sampson. Good luck."

Foreman:"You too."

The foreman steps back as Hotrod starts to drive the Rhino towards
the gate. The workers give nods of farewell as the hummer goes past
and onto the streets. Hotrod then drives the Rhino towards the main
road running past Hamilton. He looks in the rearview at Striker.

Hotrod:"Which way now, Striker?"

Striker:"Into the city. We might as well try and lose the SLA in the
         urban areas."

Hotrod:"Gotcha."

The Rhino is approaching the main road, which has a number of cars
and trucks driving on it. Suddenly three large flatbed trucks turn
into their street.

Merit:"My scanner readings are displaying a considerable number of
       armed sapiens in the vehicles."

Striker:"Get their attention, David. And get ready to move, Hotrod."

Hotrod:"Gotcha."

Corsair:"Righto, boss."

The flatbeds approach quickly, the sapien drivers not yet aware of
the Rhino's occupants. Corsair rolls down his window and sticks his
head out the window. As the first flatbed comes past, Corsair shouts
at the armed sapiens, who are all wearing very crude versions of the
metallic Road Rover armor.

Corsair:"Hey, uglies! Look over here!"

Some of the sapiens immediately look at Corsair, clearly not happy at
being insulted by a human. But then several of them spot Striker in
the Rhino. They start shouting to the others, including the driver.
The flatbeds immediately come to a screeching halt. But Hotrod hits
the accelerator and the Rhino takes off. He drives right into the
traffic on the road, causing several cars to sound their horns and
swerve to avoid an accident. Corsair gets back in and rolls the window
up.

Corsair:"I'd say we got their attention now."

Striker:"They were armed. Hotrod, press the third red button from the
         left on the row above the fuel gauge."

Hotrod:"Gotcha."

Hotrod finds the button and pushes it. Right away the Rhino's armor
plating is slid over the windows and wheels. An armored canopy folds
over the back of the Rhino as well. Behind the Rhino the three 
flatbeds go on the road, driving at high speeds to catch up with the 
Rhino. Hotrod looks at the flatbeds in the rearview.

Hotrod:"Shall we pepper them with some blackjack mines?"

Striker shakes his head.

Striker:"Nee. Those mines could hit a civilian car."

He looks into the back at Shephard and Jock.

Striker:"Can you use a gun, Jock?"

Jock:"I never handled one."

Striker nods.

Striker:"Reg. Shephard, show Jock how to use a gun. Then open fire on
         the flatbeds behind us."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

Shephard pulls out his Desert Eagle and gives it to Jock. He gives 
the husky a few quick instructions on how to use it. Behind them the
first flatbed is about a few car lengths away when some of the
sapiens on the back mount up on the roof and open fire with AK-47
and R-5 rifles. As expected the bullets don't penetrate the armor
of the Rhino, but some do ricochet off in all directions with some
event hitting civilian vehicles. Several cars drive off the road or
swerve to avoid the bullets. Striker looks at Hotrod.

Striker:"Rod, swerve! Don't let them get a good aim on us!"

Hotrod:"Why? Our armor is holding up nicely."

Striker:"Ja, but those bullets are bouncing off all the over place
         and hitting civilian cars. We got to prevent that."

Hotrod:"Hey, you're right! Let's not get some innocent killed here
        today!"

Hotrod starts to swerve all over the road, causing a few cars to
blow their horns and drive off the road. On the flatbed the sapiens'
gunfire becomes far more sporadic as they struggle to get an aim on
the Rhino. The shots they do fire end up hitting the street asphalt
instead. In the back of the Rhino Shephard has finished instructing
Jock on how to use the pistol.

Shephard:"Okay, I'm going to open up a small hatch we can use to
          shoot at the hostiles. Remember: aim for the engine."

Jock:"Are we going to blow up their engine?"

Shephard:"Engines don't blow up like they do in the movies, sir. But
          our bullets will certainly mess up stuff like the hoses,
          battery or radiator. That should bring it to a stop."

Shephard reaches for the handle that opens the hatch.

Shephard:"Ready?"

Jock holds the Desert Eagle ready and nods.

Jock:"Ready."

Shephard:"Let's kick some a**!"

Shephard opens the hatch, revealing a small opening the size of a 
bread box. Both Shephard and Jock aim out of the opening at the
flatbed and open fire as the Rhino approaches a bridge going over
some railway lines. Immediately the sapien driver and passengers
take cover from the bullets flying at them. It takes only a few
seconds for the bullets to do their work. A massive cloud of steam
explodes from behind the engine grill and under the hood. The flatbed
suddenly makes a sharp right at the top of the bridge. It smashes
through the concrete barriers and plummets onto the railways with a
loud crash, sending the sapiens on the back flying through the air.
Shephard and Jock duck back under cover to reload.

Shephard:"Not bad for a first timer, sir."

Jock:"Thank you."

The Rhino comes over the bridge with the two other flatbeds still in
hot pursuit. One flatbed accelerates to catch up with the hummer as
they approach a large intersection. Hotrod spots flashing lights
coming along one of the other roads.

Hotrod:"Uh oh. He comes the cops."

The Rhino jumps the red light, barely missing several cars that sound
their horns and swerve out of the way. A police squad car comes from
the other road and begins to turn to go after the Rhino. Unfortunately
it goes right in front of the second flatbed. The flatbed smashes the
tail of the squad car, sending it spinning like a top into a traffic
light. The flatbed driver loses control from the impact and the big
vehicle takes a sharp turn towards the sidewalk, heading towards a
large parked tanker truck next to a filling station. The tanker driver
and station attendants run for their lives while the sapiens try to
jump off their out of control flatbed. But it only takes a few quick
seconds for the flatbed to careen right into the tanker. Luckily the
tanker is empty and does not explode, but the impact causes the flatbed
to go airborne and then fall onto its side. Everyone looks back at
the scene of destruction behind them.

Corsair:"Well, that will certainly get attention."

Merit:"You are correct in your assumption. I am detecting several
       telephonic calls being made to law enforcement offices as well
       as an increase in police radio transmissions."

Hotrod:"Great. We're going to have cops all over the place."

Kya is looking very worried.

Kya:"What are we going to do?"

Striker:"We must keeping moving and avoid both the police and the SLA
         long enough for Tanarus to get here. Sunrise, do you know
         the streets of Bloemfontein well?"

Sunrise:"A little bit, but not really that good."

Striker thinks for a moment, then looks at Corsair and Merit.

Striker:"David, I want you and Merit to monitor police radio traffic
         to find out about any road blocks they might try to put up.
         We cannot afford to be cornered."

Corsair pulls out his laptop and a cable from his backpack.

Corsair:"You got it, boss."

Corsair reaches over and plugs the cable into one of Merit's sockets.
He then plugs the cable into his laptop, turns the laptop and begins
to type away. Hotrod continues to swerve in and out amongst the cars
on the road, while the last flatbed behind them tries to keep up.
Suddenly he spots a couple of police squad cars coming towards them,
their sirens wailing.

Hotrod:"Oh boy!"

He spins the wheel and takes a sharp turn left, narrowly missing a
minibus taxi. The two police cars also make the turn into the street
after the Rhino. The street quickly comes to a t-intersection, where
Hotrod turns left again. A hearse swerves to avoid the Rhino, but then
collided with one of the police cars. Both vehicles come to a stop,
but the second squad car is still in hot pursuit. Behind it the flat-
bed comes turning into the street as well. Corsair is looking at the
laptop with concern.

Corsair:"Man, Merit wasn't kidding. Our escapades here has put every
         cop in the city on our hides."

Striker:"Any roadblocks?"

Corsair:"Nothing yet, boss. They're still coming out in full force."

The Rhino continues on the road, passing by some of the houses and
apartments near the industrial district. Soon they come to another
intersection where the street meets a double lane road. Hotrod makes
a sharp left turn onto the road, then guns it. The squad car makes
the turn as well, followed by the flatbed. Further up the road are
more flashing lights of police cars. The Rhino goes over a bridge
crossing some railway lines, then drives along the city's large fair
grounds. Suddenly Sunrise sees something coming towards them in the 
opposite lane: a pair of technical pickup trucks with mounted machine
guns.

Sunrise:"Technicals!"

Hotrod:"I see them! D***, the SLA is really on to us!"

The technicals suddenly cross over into their lane, the sapiens manning
the machine guns opening fire.

Striker:"Get us off the road, gou!"

Hotrod:"Gotcha!"

Hotrod turns the Rhino, then guns the engine towards the closed gates
of the empty fairgrounds. The Rhino smashes apart the gate as it heads
onto the brick walkway. Behind it the technicals come through the newly
created gap. The squad car follows through it as well, but the flatbed
has to squeeze through the gap. As a result, the metal bars of the gate
blow the truck's tires. The flatbed swerves around before smashing into
the walls of a large shed. The Rhino continues on the path, bullets
flying all around from the machine gunners on the technicals. As the
Rhino turns left at a walkway intersection, Striker looks over at
Hotrod.

Striker:"Hotrod, these fairgrounds are empty. You can nou use the
         blackjacks."

Hotrod grins.

Hotrod:"About time."

Hotrod makes a right turn, then turns right again to bring the Rhino
onto a horse race track. The Rhino's wheels kick up dust as it goes.
The two technicals get onto the track, each one going in a separate
direction. The police squad car stops at the track entrance. Hotrod
looks in the rearview as the first technical approaches. He reaches
for the appropriate button.

Hotrod:"Poker time!"

He pushes the button. Two disc launchers appear from underneath the
Rhino's tail section. The launchers fire small metal discs with
blinking lights like Frisbees at the technical. Many of the discs
hit the technical, then detonate in small explosions. The technical's
front is torn up by the explosions before one detonation sends it
onto its side. All the other discs then detonate after five seconds.
Hotrod grins, looking at the wreckage.

Hotrod:"I love card games."

He then spots the other technical coming along the other side of the
truck, effectively coming head-on. Hotrod pushes another button to
bring out the Rhino's sonic cannon. He begins to charge it up.

Hotrod:"I ain't playing chicken today."

As the Rhino and the technical come to a bend in the track where they
face each other, Hotrod pushes the fire button. The sonic cannon fires
a powerful sonic blast at the technical. The driver tries to swerve
out of the way, but the blast catches the vehicle at a full broadside.
The technical is flung through the track barriers and through the
display glass of a farming tools shop. Hotrod drives the Rhino through
the opening in the barrier.

Hotrod:"Now that's what I'm talking about."

The police squad car comes driving along the path running the track, 
trying to catch up with the Rhino. The Rhino makes several turns and
heads in amongst the cattle and sheep pens. The squad car soon loses
track of the Rhino, leaving it wandering the pens while the Rhino
goes on towards another large gate. Again it smashes through, coming
onto the dirt parking lot of the fair. But as the Rhino is driving
on the parking lot towards the street that leads back to the double 
lane road, a flight of three helicopters (two Little Birds and a
Huey) appear from behind a nearby hill and fly towards the Rhino.
Shephard and Jock spot the helicopters.

Jock:"Is that the police?"

Shephard quickly turns forward.

Shephard:"Sirs! We got three birds behind us!"

While the others look back at the trio of helicopters, Striker turns
to Corsair.

Striker:"Are they police or military?"

Corsair:"Just a sec."

Corsair types on his laptop quickly, then reads the information that
appears on the screen. He shakes his head.

Corsair:"Nope. Not police or military, boss."

Striker:"Then it has to be the SLA."

The Rhino comes to a traffic light at the double road, with the green
light against it. Hotrod hits the gas and the Rhino shoots across
the double lane onto a street with houses on the left and a school on
the right. Behind the Rhino the two Little Birds are closing in fast.
The next instant both Little Birds open fire with their machine guns
on the Rhino. Everyone ducks as the bullet hail causes the tar to
explode into flying chunks. Shephard starts to dig around in the back.
Jock looks at him.

Jock:"What are you looking for?"

Shephard:"A rocket launcher, sir! Help me find it!"

Jock joins Shephard as they search for the weapon. Meanwhile Hotrod is
trying to swerve around to throw off the aim of the Little Birds, but
the helicopters just compensate by firing all over the place. Finally
Shephard pokes his head out from the back to look at the others.

Shephard:"Sirs, where's a rocket launcher?"

Striker:"Isn't there one back there, Shephard?"

Shephard:"Only a grenade launcher, and I don't want to use that on
          the birds. I might miss and hit something civilian."

Striker:"How can that be that there isn't ten minste one rocket
         launcher?"

Merit turns to Striker to answer.

Merit:"The armament stock was to be fully replenished 14 days ago
       as scheduled. However, our operation in South Africa had
       delayed the task until after we return."

Corsair just shakes his head as he keeps on typing. Hotrod takes a
sharp turn, bringing them parallel to the railway line they had
crossed earlier running through the suburbs. The street and the 
railway is separated by a field of yellow grass. Behind them the
three helicopters make the turn to keep up their pursuit and then
to open fire again. Civilians at a gas station and café that they
pass run for cover as the bullets blast apart the road alongside 
the Rhino. Hotrod keeps his eyes on the road as he begins to speak
with Sunrise.

Hotrod:"Sunrise, you said the SLA is a fringe group, right?"

Sunrise:"Ja, I did. Why?"

Hotrod:"If they are a fringe group, then how the h*** can they be
        packing so much heat? They surely can't afford or even steal
        all of this hardware."

Sunrise:"I know, Hotrod. I'm also surprised that the SLA can have
         such weapons and use them so freely within South Africa."

Striker:"They are getting outside help, Sunrise. Somebody is either
         giving them these weapons, or giving them the money to buy
         them. Or both."

Kya:"But who would be helping them? And why are they after us?"

Striker:"Geen idee who their benefactor is. And they are after me.
         I seemed to have become something like an icon for their
         cause."

Shephard:"They're not very bright upstairs if they believe that
          bull, sir."

Striker:"Nee, but they are after me nietemin."

Sunrise:"We will have to investigate the SLA more thoroughly than
         in the past."

Corsair:"If we ever get out of here!"

Hotrod tries his best to dodge the helicopters, swerving about in the
road. Up ahead he spots a big bridge going over the railway tracks
and a road running alongside it. He gets an idea.

Hotrod:"Got an idea! Hold on!"

The Rhino swerves onto the field, the bumps throwing everyone around
and making Striker wince in pain. The helicopters are caught by
surprise by this sudden change in direction and overshoot. The Rhino
keeps going over the field while the helicopters change direction.
He smashes through the fence along the railway line, goes over it,
through another fence and then finally on the road. Hotrod then floors
it towards the bridge, the houses on the right side passing by in a
blur. The helicopters get back behind the Rhino and also match their
speed with the hummer. Hotrod glances at the others.

Hotrod:"I'm going to make a very sharp turn, so hang on!"

Everyone nods and grabs hold of anything solid. Hotrod puts the pedal
to the metal and the Rhino speeds towards the underpass. The choppers
also accelerate to keep up. The Rhino then comes to the bridge and
goes under the brief underpass. Suddenly Hotrod hits the brakes and
turns sharply. The Rhino's tires scream as it makes an abrupt u-turn
under the bridge. Everyone is tossed against the one side of the 
vehicle, but they don't suffer too much pain. Once the Rhino has
turned facing back the way they came Hotrod hits the gas again. As
the Rhino shoots out from the underpass the helicopters just pass
over at full speed. The hummer speeds up the road, then makes a
sharp turn to the left into a street leading into the suburb at top
speed. Meanwhile, the chopper pilots have realized what has happened
and stop to turn around. But the Rhino is already speeding through
the suburb, going over a double lane road again into other side
street. It makes a sharp turn left, then turns right in front of a
church. As they head down that street Shephard looks out the back
for the helicopters.

Striker:"Can you see them, Shephard?"

Shephard:"Yes, sir. They're turning around... they seem to be... I
          think they're checking under the bridge... I think we lost
          them, sir!"


Everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

Kya:"Thank goodness! Nothing can go wrong now."

As they approach a double lane road again, Hotrod takes a quick
shortcut on the wrong side of the road before taking an opening in
the median to get onto the right side. There are very cars on the
road right now. Hotrod looks at Sunrise.

Hotrod:"Where does this road lead?"

Sunrise:"Into the city, I think."

Hotrod:"Then we'll be spotted really soon."

Corsair:"We've already been spotted. Listen."

Corsair pushes a button on his laptop. The next moment the others
can hear someone speaking on a radio through the laptop's speakers.

Voice(over radio):"This is Air Unit One. We have the target vehicle
     in sight going eastbound on Haldon Way."

Some of the Rovers look up through the windows. Above them they can
see a police helicopter flying above.

Shephard:"Crud! Police chopper. The cops are going to be all over us
          soon."

Striker turns to Shephard.

Striker:"Call Tanarus. Ask them their ETA."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

As Shephard sits down and begins to call the Stealth Rover, they can
hear and then see police patrol cars coming up from the road in the
opposite lane. Behind two more squad cars are driving fast and hard
to catch up with the Rhino. Striker turns to Hotrod.

Striker:"Rod, get us airborne."

Hotrod:"Which button is it again?"

Striker tells him which button it is. Hotrod reaches for it and pushes
it in. It takes only a few seconds for the flight engines and VTOL
systems to come into effect. Hotrod then takes the Rhino to the air,
much to the surprise of the police officers. So surprised, in fact,
that one of hits the brakes and the other one rear-ends the first. The
Rhino goes up until it is about 10 stories above the ground, flying
above the city. Nearby they can now see the police helicopter more
clearly, hovering some distance away.

Kya:"Will that helicopter attack us?"

Sunrise:"I doubt it, sis. Police helicopters don't carry guns."

Corsair(looking at the laptop screen):"Nope, but they can call in ones
       that do. The police are calling for help from the air force."

Hotrod:"That doesn't sound good. How far is the base?"

Sunrise:"Right next to the city airport, which is right outside the
         eastern part of the city."

Hotrod:"Crud! So if their birds are airborne they will get here really
        soon."

Just then Shephard pokes his head into the back, looking at Striker.

Shephard:"Sir, ETA is less than 10 minutes."

Striker:"Goed, dankie."

Striker leans forward as best as he can and taps Hotrod on the shoulder
to get his attention.

Striker:"Do you see that large brown building with the round top?"

The spaniel points towards the building in particular, standing not
too far away in the city business core. Hotrod sees it and nods.

Hotrod:"Yeah?"

Striker:"Land on the roof. We will wait there for extraction."

Hotrod:"Good idea."

Hotrod turns the Rhino towards the building and flies towards it. The
police helicopter follows them, staying a good distance away. Down in
the streets the police cars also try to follow through the streets.
And some distance back the three SLA helicopters are coming into view
again.

Stealth Rover
En Route to Bloemfontein
70 Kilometers From The City
12:02 PM:

The Stealth Rover continues on its flight towards Bloemfontein, coming
to a large lake formed by a dam. It skims across the water, causing
rather large wakes. A boat full of fishermen nearly capsized from the
waves in the lake. The fishermen shake their fists and shout curses
at the Stealth Rover. But the Stealth Rover just continues on its way.

Rooftop
CR Swart Building
Bloemfontein
12:03 PM:

The rooftop of the oblong building is mostly covered with gravel. The
curtains of the large circular restaurant at the top are open, letting
the surprised customers watch as the Rhino comes and lands on the
gravel. The hummer reverts back to its road configuration. Not far off
the police helicopter stops and hovers. Doors open and Hotrod, Jock,
Sunrise and Shephard all get out, their weapons ready. Jock sees the
people in the restaurant.

Jock:"What about them?"

Shephard looks towards the people and shakes his head.

Shephard:"Civilains. Not our problem unless they start pulling out guns
          and open fire on us."

Hotrod looks at the hovering police helicopter nearby.

Hotrod:"Why aren't they coming closer? I know our choppers back home 
        are not scared to fly above our heads"

Sunrise:"I think I know why."

Hotrod looks confused at Sunrise, who points towards the south. Hotrod
looks in that direction as well and sees the three SLA helicopters
flying towards them. Hotrod frowns.

Hotrod:"Man, I'm so sick and tired of these t***s."

Sunrise:"They'll be here before our friends. We're going to have to
         fight them off."

Shephard:"We got more trouble incoming, sirs."

Everyone turns to Shephard, who is looking over the side to the ground
below. They run up to him and also look down. At ground level police
vehicles have surrounded the building and police officers are running
in through the main entrance.

Jock:"Do you think we can get out of here before they reach the roof?"

Hotrod:"Depends, but it's gonna be real close. But those choppers are
        a bigger worry for us."

They all turn their attention back to the helicopters, which are
quickly coming closer. Striker looks at the others.

Striker:"Get inside, gou! They're going to strafe us!"

Shephard, Jock, Hotrod and Sunrise quickly go and climb back into the
Rhino, then close all the doors and windows again. They wait anxiously
for the attack. But instead of attacking, the helicopters come up to
the side of the building and stop. The Little Birds keep their guns
pointed towards the Rhino, but the Huey turns so that its side is to
the hummer. The door slides open, revealing a number of armed sapiens
wearing very crude Road Rover uniforms. The sapiens point their rifles
towards the Rhino, while one of them, a big male cheetah, takes out a
loudspeaker. He begins to call to the Rhino with it.

Cheetah:"This is the Sapien Liberation Army! We got you cornered! Hand
         over Striker and we will let you go! That is all we ask!"

Back inside the Rhino Striker, Jock, Kya and Sunrise all growl at the 
cheetah and his demands.

Striker:"This is absurd! We must not even think of entertaining these
         bliksums' demands."

Sunrise:"I agree. But they are not going to give up until they have...
         rescued you."

Striker:"I know. We must find some way of driving them or at least keep
         them occupied long enough for the others to arrive and extract
         us."

Hotrod:"Pity that the Rhino is facing the wrong way. We could have given
        them a good blast with the sonic cannon or the blackjacks."

Just then there is a beep on Striker's watch com. He presses a button 
and answers.

Striker(into com):"Striker here."

Tanarus(over com):"This is Tanarus. We can see the city. Give us a few
       minutes and we'll be there."

Striker(into com):"Reg. We are waiting for you."

The communications channel is closed again. At that moment Corsair taps
Striker's shoulder to get his attention.

Corsair:"Boss, chatter on the line shows that the air force choppers
         will take off and head our way in a few minutes."

Sunrise:"We're being hemmed in. The police, the army and SLA will soon
         be here on this roof. And it will not be pretty."

Striker:"I agree. We will have to get rid of the SLA helicopters. I
         think I have an idea."

Striker turns to Shephard.

Striker:"Give me a flash bang if you still got one, Shephard."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

Shephard grabs a flash bang and pulls it free from his belt. He gives 
it to Striker. The spaniel then looks at Sunrise and Jock.

Striker:"Nou, I want you two to carry me out to the helicopter."

Sunrise:"What have you got in mind?"

Striker:"The SLA wants to 'rescue' me, so they will not expect me to
         toss them this flash bang with the pin out."

Hotrod:"Good idea, Striker. That should surprise them."

Shephard:"And maybe we can even fight back while they're stunned."

Striker:"Goed. Jock, Sunrise. Help me out. And do not provoke the
         SLA until the flash bang detonates."

Outside of the Rhino the cheetah prepares to make another call to the
Rhino's occupants. When Jock and Sunrise come out, the sapiens raise
their rifles. But the cheetah warns them back when Jock and Sunrise
open the rear Rhino door and help bring Striker out. The cheetah
turns to the pilot.

Cheetah:"Get us closer!"

Pilot:"Roger!"

The cheetah looks back the trio while the pilots bring the Huey up to
the edge of the roof. The cheetah holds out a paw to Striker.

Cheetah:"Striker, give me your paw!"

Striker:"Goed, but first you need to catch something! It is of vital
         importance!"

Cheetah:"Okay, toss it to me!"

Behind his back, Striker pulls the pin from the flash bang. He then
throws the flash bang to the cheetah. The cheetah catches it and is
about to give it to another sapien. Then he realizes what he is really
holding. Striker, Jock and Sunrise duck down and look away.

Cheetah:"My fo..."

The flash bang detonates in a brief but blinding white flash. Several
yelps, screams and shouts come from inside the helicopter as it lurches
away from the building. In the Little Birds the pilots are also blinded
by the light and struggle to keep their helicopters steady while trying
to recover their sight. While the sapiens are all blinded the Rovers
spring into action. Hotrod and Shephard jump out of the Rhino and run
up to the edge of the building. Both of them are carrying two Rover
Tennis Net Launchers and take aim with them at the Huey and one Little
Bird. They pull the triggers, firing two tennis balls that open up
upon being launcher. Large fishnets come out of the balls and spread
open as they fly towards the helicopter's propellers. The nets are
caught and then tangled up in the blades, bringing them to a sudden
halt. The two helicopters then plummet down the sides of the building
to the alleyway below. The building workers in the alley quickly get
out of the way before both choppers smash into the tarmac, crumpling
into two heaps of twisted metal. Hotrod and Shephard watch the two
choppers hit the ground.

Hotrod:"I'd say they're not going to chase us for a good while."

Shephard:"I agree, sir. Let's get the other one."

Hotrod and Shephard pull out their regular weapons and run to the
other Little Bird. However, the pilots have recovered from their
blindness and were now turning the guns towards the duo. As Hotrod
and Shephard raise their weapons, the Little Bird turns to them to
open fire. Both of them see this happen, but only Hotrod quickly turns 
and runs back to the Rhino. Shephard keeps his ground and opens fire.
Just as he does, the Little Bird opens fire as well. That's when
something amazing happens: Shephard moves so that he is right between
the lines of fire of the machine guns and opens fire at the chopper.
The helicopter tries to move left or right to get the line of fire
on Shephard, but Shephard immediately reacts and moves left and
right with the pilots. The pilots try a few jerking motions to catch
Shephard off-guard, but Shephard reacts amazingly fast even as the
bullets fly past him either side. All the while he keeps his M-249
aimed and firing at the helicopter. Finally the bullets manage to
hit something vital that causes the engine to smoke badly. The pilots
decided to break off the attack and fly away, their chopper billow-
ing a trail of black smoke. Shephard stops firing and watches them
go while the other Rovers stare at Shephard. He then walks back to
the Rhino.

Hotrod:"Man, Shep. You took a real chance there. I was almost certain
        that chopper was going to turn you into Swiss cheese."

Corsair:"I think you're crazy, Shep."

Striker:"Shephard, that was dangerous what you did."

Shephard:"I apologize, sir. But it felt so easy."

Striker:"Easy?"

Shephard:"As soon as the chopper opened fire everything went into
          slow motion for me. I could see the bullets gliding past me
          and how the chopper was trying to turn. It was easy for me 
          to react at my leisure, sir."

Corsair:"Dude, that sounds to me like bullet time."

Everyone looks to Corsair, confused.

Kya:"Bullet time?"

Striker:"You know what happened to Shephard, David?"

Corsair:"Yeah, I think so. This bullet time is when things seem to go
         into slow motion, like in a movie. Only it happens in real
         time for him. So while he make be moving at normal speed to
         us, to him he is going in slow-mo."

Merit:"This is curious. I believe it deserves more study."

Suddenly there is movement from a fire escape nearby. A group of police
officers rush onto the roof, aiming their pistols at the Rovers.

Officer:"Freeze! Put your hands in the air! Drop your weapons!"

All the Rovers look in shock towards the police officers as more of
them climb onto the roof and take aim at them.

Hotrod:"Crud. Now what do we do?"

As if to answer, a shadow appears over the roof. Everyone looks up to
see the Stealth Rover hovering directly above. A hatch opens under the
craft and suddenly out comes Alana, Dylan and Colleen, flying in the
air with the Rover rocket packs. The three of them fly directly at the 
officers, who either scatter or duck. The trio then comes flying back
at them. Dylan plants his boots into the chest of an officer, knocking
the wind out of him. Colleen does her trademark karate kicks to the
officers, knocking away their guns or knocking them to the ground.

Colleen:"Charles Lindberg!"

Alana swoops down and grabs two officers by their uniform's necks.
She picks up the struggling cops and flies directly at the restaurant.

Alana:"Let's do lunch!"

She released them and flies over the restaurant. Momentum sends the
officers smashing right through the windows and on the tables inside.
As the Stealth Rover lands the other Rovers rush up to help fight
back the police officers. Dylan flies alongside the fire escape,
where more police officers were rushing up, and throws in several gas
grenades. When they grenades go off they produce thick clouds of some
that engulf the fire escape. The officers are either forced to flee
or stand and cough. The Stealth Rover finally lands and the cargo
hatch is opened while a ramp is lowered. Illanov, Aydrian and Elexis
run down the ramp and up to the Rhino. Striker smiles with relief
when he sees them.

Striker:"It's goed to see you all."

Illanov:"Same here, comrade Striker! How are you?"

Striker:"Could be better. I can no longer feel my legs, though. And
         the pain that I do feel is throbbing."

Elexis comes up to Striker and takes a quick look at his legs. She
frowns and shakes her head.

Elexis:"This is serious. He will need surgery. Get him into the sick
        bay."

Illanov and Aydrian begin to help Striker out of the Rhino. Hotrod
and Shpehard come up and begin to help out as well. Striker looks at
Sunrise as she approaches.

Striker:"Get the Rhino into the hangar. Quick!"

Sunrise:"Reg!"

Corsair:"Yeah, we better hurry! Here comes trouble!"

Corsair points to the east. A flight of helicopters in the distance 
are coming towards the building.

Hotrod:"That's gotta be the attack choppers."

Merit:"Indeed you are correct. Rooivalk attack helicopters, to be
       precise."

Striker:"Let's roll, everyone!"

Everyone picks up the pace. Striker is carried up the ramp into the
hangar, followed by Sunrise driving the Rhino up into the hangar.
The others run up the ramp, with Jock helping his pregnant wife Kya
up to the hangar. Finally Colleen, Dylan and Alana fly into the
hangar. Once everyone is inside, the ramp is raised and the hangar
door closed. The Stealth Rover lifts off the roof and turns to the
northwest. It then flies off, quickly picking up speed. Directly
behind the Rooivalks try to fly after the Stealth Rover, but they
are quickly left behind. The Stealth Rover soon disappears into the
distance.

Sick Bay
Stealth Rover
12:16 PM:

The sick bay of the Stealth Rover is a small, white-walled room with
three beds against the one wall and some medical equipment and compu-
ters against the other. On the wall opposite the door are cupboards,
a table and a sink. Everything is fixed and secured to the walls and
floor. Aydrian, Illanov, Hotrod and Shephard come into the room with
Striker and carry him to one bed. They lift him up carefully and put
him on the bed. Once on the bed he rests his head and breathes a sigh
of relief.

Striker:"Dankie, everyone."

Shephard:"You're welcome, sir."

Hotrod:"No problem, bud."

Aydrian:"It's a relief to see you alive, son."

Striker:"Same here. How is Phoenix?"

Aydrian smiles and puts a reassuring paw on his son-in-law's shoulder.

Aydrian:"Worried sick, but otherwise she is fine. I promised her to
         bring you back to her alive."

Striker smiles back. At that moment Elexis, Colleen, Alana and Tanarus
come into the sick bay. While Elexis and Colleen go to examine the
spaniel's broken legs, Alana makes a beeline for Hotrod. Hotrod is
taken by surprise as Alana embraces him tightly.

Hotrod:"Whoa! Easy, Alana!"

Alana:"Just missed you, Roddie. How are you?"

Hotrod:"Tired and worn out, but I'm okay."

Alana:"Good, because once we get home you're going to be getting more
       tired and worn out."

Alana winks at Hotrod, who blushes.

Hotrod:"Maybe just a nice hot shower. I sure need one."

Alana wrinkles her nose and waves her paw in front of her face.

Alana:"You sure do."

Alana giggles while Hotrod just smiles and shakes his head. Tanarus
goes up to Striker.

Tanarus:"Sorry about taking so long, Striker."

Striker:"Geen problem, Tanarus. I'm just relieved to finally be
         leaving his nightmare behind."

Tanarus:"Seems Vorster's government was hot on your tails."

Striker:"As well as the Sapien Liberation Army. They seem to think of
         me as an icon for the cause, like a kind of Nelson Mandela."

Tanarus:"That's ridiculous."

Striker:"Ja, I know. But they are very dangerous. Plus, we suspect
         that somebody is working behind them, giving them arms and
         money."

Tanarus:"Any idea who it is?"

Striker shakes his head.

Striker:"Geen idea."

Meanwhile Elexis has finished making an analysis of Striker's legs
while Colleen is cutting away his bloodied pants with some shears.
The collie looks at the coyote.

Colleen:"How does he look?"

Elexis:"Not good. Merit was right. Multiple bone fractures and neural
        damage. Some significant blood loss. He's going to require
        surgery."

Colleen:"Crickey. Well, we will need to clean up and repair these 
         wounds of his as best as we can. The bandages have helped
         keep infections at bay, but he needs fresh wrappings plus
         cleaning and stabilizing."

Elexis:"I agree. Let's go get what we need."

Elexis and Colleen head the supply cupboards to get their things. The
others had heard what they had said.

Illanov:"That doesn't sound good, comrades."

Striker:"It feels even worse, Alex."

Aydrian:"Are you in pain, son?"

Striker:"Not as much as yesterday, but it still hurts when I try to
         move around."

Aydrian:"Well don't. You need your rest."

Hotrod:"Oh, we all do."

Tanarus:"Good idea. It is going to be a few hours' flight before we
         finally reach home base, so you can all relax and rest up."

Everyone nods their heads as Colleen and Elexis bring some medical
supplies and tools on a tray. The two females then begin working on 
Striker's legs while Shephard, Hotrod and Alana leave the sick bay
to get some rest and refreshments.

Throne Room
Elite Guard Headquarters
Unknown Location
15:01 PM:

Franco, seated on his throne with Champion behind him, is looking
down at the mysterious individual known as Mister T.

Franco:"So Striker is now out of South Africa?"

Mister T:"Our sources confirm it, general."

Franco:"What is Vorster's reaction to this?"

Mister T:"Furious, from what I hear. No only because of Striker's
          escape but also what the SLA has done. He is vowing to go
          after the SLA no matter what."

Franco leans back on his throne, tapping his fingers together as he
thinks.

Franco:"What about the SLA's use of the Road Rovers' insignia and
        uniforms?"

Mister T:"That is causing quite a shouting match between Pretoria and
          Washington DC. The South Africans are accusing the United
          States of harboring terrorists while the Americans are
          hitting back by saying the Vorster government's 'apartheid'
          policies are the root cause of these troubles."

Franco:"And the rest of the world?"

Mister T:"Split. Countries are either siding with the United States 
          or with South Africa, and all the rest are abstaining. It
          is paralyzing the United Nations and any other international
          institution."

Franco grins with glee.

Franco:"Excellent. I think conditions are ripe for the next phase."

He looks back down at Mister T.

Franco:"Thank you, Mister T. You may leave."


Mister T nods his head.

Mister T:"My pleasure, general."

Franco watches Mister T as the lupo-sapien turns around and walks to
the exit.

Heli-Docks
Road Rover Mission Control
State of New Mexico
United States of America
15:31 PM:

This is the primary launch area for the Road Rovers' aquatic vehicles
as well as helicopters. It is a large domed chamber with helipads and
docks. The sides of the chamber have all manner of flora growing here.
Waiting here by the docks are Phoenix, Elissia, Vicki and the Master.
They watch as the Stealth Rover hovers through the open door in the
top of the chamber and come to a landing on one of the unoccupied
helipads. As soon as it touches down the cargo bay door is opened,
the bay ramp is lowered, the cockpit hatch opens and a step ladder is
dropped down from it. An anxious Phoenix, accompanied by her mother,
Vicki and the Master, walk up towards the Stealth Rover. Hotrod, Alana,
Corsair, Dylan and Merit descend down the step ladder to meet them.

Master:"Hotrod, Corsair and Merit. It's good to see you back."

Corsair:"Home sweet home. I'm glad to see you too, chief."

Hotrod:"Same here, Master."

Merit:"You can quote me on that response as well."

Phoenix:"Where's Striker?"

Dylan points towards the cargo bay door and they all look towards
it. Coming down the ramp Shephard, Illanov, Tanarus and Aydrian are
carrying each corner of the stretcher that Striker is lying on.
Colleen and Elexis walk alongside, the collie holding a plastic bag
while the coyote checks the spaniel's vital signs. Phoenix gasps and
breaks away from the group. She runs up to the stretcher and grabs
Striker's paw.

Phoenix:"Strikie! Oh, my Strikie! You're home again!"

Striker looks relieved at Phoenix.

Striker:"Oh, Firefly. I missed you so much."

Phoenix leans over and nuzzles Striker, tears rolling down both the
couple's cheeks. Colleen then pushes Phoenix away.

Colleen:"Sorry, guv. We have to get him into surgery right away."

Phoenix is about to protest, but Elissia and Alana quickly step in
and each take hold of her paws.

Elissia:"Let them go, Dear. Striker must be taken care of."

Alana:"Don't worry. We'll go along with him."

Phoenix nods, walking alongside the stretcher with the others as they
take Striker to the hospital area for surgery.

Waiting Area
Hospital Sector
Road Rover Mission Control
18:21 PM:

This is a small square room located at the main entrance to the hospital
sector. There are benches and small tables with magazines on top and
vending machines for those who have to wait here. A pair of automatic
sliding doors leads out of the sector while a pair of swing doors go
into the sector proper. Phoenix is seated on a bench, flanked by her
mother and father. Hotrod and Alana and Illanov and Vicki are seated
with each other on another bench. Corsair is seated with Tanarus, Merit, 
Dylan and the Master on another bench. Shephard is standing by the 
vending machines with a soda in one hand. Everyone is listening to 
Corsair as he described their adventure in South Africa, specifically 
at the Vorster Residence.

Corsair:"... and then we raced as fast as we could away from the place.
         We don't know how long Vorster was out cold, but it's safe to
         say he was probably VERY cranky when he woke up again."

Master:"I'm glad that you managed to get out of there. And that you've
        rescued Kya and her mate and reunited her with Sunrise."

Vicki:"Where is Sunrise and Kya, anyway? I didn't see them get off the
       Stealth."

Tanarus:"We gave them over to Hunter so he could take them to over to
         the Cape Hunting Dogs' ranch in Kenya. They will be safe over
         there. Plus, we can now train Jock to be a fighter."

Hotrod:"As soon as things are settled, I'll be going over there to
        teach him about using a sniper rifle. He's got a good eye and
        it would be a same to waste it."

Dylan:"What worries me about this is that this whole business has more
       to it than just what we see on the news. It's as if there are
       bigger players behind it all."

Illanov:"Like the Elite Guard and the SLA, comrades?"

Master:"You're right, Alex. This has moved beyond what most people
        assume of this issue. What concerns me more is how the SLA
        had gone and used our insignia and uniforms. They have gone
        and dragged the good name of the Road Rovers through the
        mud."

Hotrod:"Yeah, we gotta do something about those guys. And pronto."

Shephard:"I hear that, sir."

Phoenix pretends to listen to them, but her thoughts are clearly on
her mate inside the hospital undergoing surgery. After a while the
swing doors fly open and Marauder, Colleen and Elexis walk in. The
others get up and look at the trio. Phoenix, in particular, is
anxious.

Phoenix:"Well, how is he?"

Colleen:"We've managed to stabilize his right leg. Give a month or
         two at most in recovery and it should be fine."

Phoenix:"And the other leg?"

Colleen and Elexis look at Marauder, who sighs before speaking.

Marauder:"I tried to reconnect his major arteries and nerves and get
          the bones set best I could... but I'm afraid in the end the
          damage was simply too extensive."

Corsair:"From the wheel? Come on. I've seen people have busses drive over
         their legs."

Marauder:"Yes, but not armored personnel carriers that stood on their
          legs for several minutes and then driving off from them. His
          bones were shattered and the fragments tore his arteries and
          nerves up bad. Add to the fact that he did not receive surgery
          for more than 24 hours after the incident..."

The labrador shakes his head.

Marauder:"I'm sorry to say that he had to amputate Striker's left leg."

There is a stunned silence in the waiting as everyone stares blankly at
Marauder. Finally Merit breaks the silence.

Merit:"So this in effect means that he is now a defect and should be
       disposed of. Pity, my approval of his efficiency had increased by
       127% since the closure of the Techno War."

Corsair groans and looks at Merit.

Corsair:"Not disposed of, you metal head. He's invalid."

Merit:"Oh, has he suffered a programming error then?"

Corsair's mouth falls open and Illanov steps in to explain.

Illanov:"No, comrade Merit. Comrade Striker simply won't be able to walk
         anymore. He can still many other things, but not walk."

Phoenix is shocked.

Phoenix:"You mean he will never be able to walk. He can no longer go
         on missions with me... with us."

Elexis:"Unless he gets a new leg. But for now I would recommend not
        letting him go on any mission. He still needs to rest the leg
        he still has left."

Aydrian:"But that still means he will not longer be able to carry out
         his duties."

Colleen:"Unless he gets a new leg, guv."

Elissia:"A prosphetic? I don't think we can do the kind of missions he
         used to do."

Colleen:"Aye, but we can build him a leg that is better than any pros-
         phetic in the world."

Master:"Are you thinking of building him a bionic leg, Colleen?"

Colleen:"Yes, Master. It's the only way he'll ever be able to get back
         to work with Unit STRIKE."



Marauder:"I've done all the checks and I also highly recommend a bio-
          nic leg for Striker."

Phoenix looks hopeful.

Phoenix:"Will Striker be able to walk with this new leg?"

Colleen:"If the leg works properly and Striker gets used to it he will
         be up and about as if he never had this amputation."

Master:"I will call Hubert, Buford, Riley and Collin and have them
        assigned to build Striker that new leg and to help with our
        friend's rehabilitation."

Phoenix:"Can I go and see Striker?"

Elexis:"He's sleeping off the effect of the anesthetics, but you can
        stay next to his bed if you like. Your scent nearby can help
        him rest better."

Colleen and Elexis then lead Phoenix and her parents through the swing
doors. The others watch them go.

Dylan:"Bionic leg or not, for Striker to lose a leg is going to be very
       hard on him."

Master:"Striker is stronger than you think, Dylan. But you are right:
        he will need our love and support from this event and on his
        path to recovery."

The Master then becomes serious.

Master:"In the meantime we have work to do. We need to more about the
        Sapien Liberation Army and their mysterious benefactors on top
        of our chasing down of the Elite Guard and the monitoring of
        the Vorster Administration."

Tanarus:"I can't help but wonder, Master, whether there isn't some kind
         of connection between the Elite Guard and both the SLA and the
         Vorster Administration. We did discover those cameras in the
         Vorsters' home."

Master:"I share your concerns, Tanarus. We must step up our efforts in
        tracking down the Elite Guard and to find out what their plans
        are. For now, I think we can use a rest. Go and relax and rest
        for tomorrow, it will be a busy day."

Everyone nods their heads and disperse, leaving through the automatic
doors out of the hospital sector.

Recovery Ward
Hospital Sector
19:34 PM:

This is a long room with lines of hospital beds on either side of an
aisle. Each bed can be automatically adjusted by a patient. There are
also some small amenities such as a magazine rack and a television for
each bed. Each bed has a set of curtains that be drawn for privacy. At
the moment only one bed in the ward is occupied. Striker is sleeping
off the effects of anesthetics while Phoenix is sitting on a chair
next to his bed. She is reading a female-centered magazine when Striker
opens his eyes and looks at her.

Striker:"Phoenix?"

Phoenix quickly puts the magazine down and takes hold of one of her
mate's paws.

Phoenix:"How are you, Striker?"

Striker:"I'm reg, but I'm more bekommered about you."

Phoenix:"I'm fine, Strikie. You're the one who had surgery."

Striker:"I feel alright, though I'm getting this strange feeling in my
         left leg."

Phoenix squeezes Striker's paw tightly.

Phoenix:"Strikie, you don't have a left leg anymore."

Striker looks surprised at Phoenix, then lifts the covers on his bed
and looks at where he expects his left leg to be. All he sees, however,
is a bandaged stump. He stares at it for a moment, then lowers the
covers and lies back down. Phoenix looks concerned at him as he sighs,
staring at the ceiling.

Striker:"Ai yai yai, what an irony."

Phoenix:"What do you mean?"

Striker:"In the Earth Defense Force, they taught you to accept the
         possibility that you could lose a limb or two, become paralyzed 
         or brain-dead, or even die in the course of your duties. I always 
         accepted this would happen sooner or later, even after had left
         the EDF and became a Road Rover. So it is ironic that, after
         so many missions in which we faced dangerous enemies and deadly
         situations, that I have to lose a leg because of a reckless
         police driver."

He chuckles a little. Phoenix smiles a little bit.

Phoenix:"Glad to see you are taking this well."

Striker:"Wel, it is no use crying over it. It is done."

Phoenix:"Not yet, Strikie."

Striker looks at Phoenix.

Striker:"What do you mean?"

Phoenix:"The Master is going to have a new bionic leg built for you."

Striker:"Like the one Otto has?"

Phoenix:"Yes, just like the bionic parts Otto has. If things go well you
         will soon be back on your feet."

Striker smiles and squeezes Phoenix's paw. But then she goes and lies
her head down on his chest, sighing with disappointment. This does not
go unnoticed by the spaniel.

Striker:"Wat is wrong?"

Phoenix:"I feel as if I have let you down, Striker. Staying here while
         you had to brave the dangers down there in South Africa."

Striker takes hold of Phoenix's head and lifts it up to him. He looks
into her eyes.

Striker:"Phoenix, you had done the best you could under the circum-
         stances. Alana and your father told me how well you had
         handled yourself during my trial and the chaos that followed
         after it. I'm proud of you and I love you for it."

He brings her head closer and gives her a kiss. Phoenix murrs and goes
to return the kiss. After they break, she rests her head on chest while
he runs his fingers through her hair.

Phoenix:"Welcome home, Strikie."

Striker:"Dankie, Firefly."

The couple smile contentedly, saying nothing more. Striker and the others
have escaped both the Vorster government and the Sapien Liberation Army
and have rescued Jock and Kya from slavery. But the cost had been steep
with Striker losing his leg. Will be able to get a new bionic leg and
return to Unit STRIKE? Who is really backing the SLA and causing the
trouble in South Africa? And what will General Franco and his Elite
Guard do next?


THE END