Rover Strike: Vortex

Episode 13: Our Mutual Friends

By Gerhard Naudé

All Rover Strike names © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Dylan © Dylan Rinalds
Hotrod, Criminal, Alana, Kenya © David Fountain
Kya, Armand, Cape Hunting Dogs, Fola, Bastiff, Harva, Maya © Kirsten Coughlan

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

Communications Room
Road Rover Mission Control
United States of America
20 January
6:06 AM:

The communications room is a circular room with two exits and an ele-
vator in the centre. Around the room are banks of computer terminals
and monitors. At one of the terminals is Striker and the Master, with
Phoenix on the screen. Striker's crutches lean against his chair. They
are listening to a recording played off the DVD recovered by Unit STRIKE
in Sudan. Hildagarde's voice can be heard over the speakers.

Hildagarde(recording):"I'm assuming you have managed to survive the new
          buzzblades' attack and discovered that the beacon unit had
          been destroyed. My name is Hildagarde, chief scientist of the
          Elite Guard. I am willing to help you defeat General Franco in
          exchange for my freedom from the Elite Guard as well as that of
          my colleagues who wish to get away from these fanatics. If you
          agree to help, go to the coordinates that I will give at the
          end of this message and leave a signal flare at the location."

The recording stops.

Phoenix(on screen):"According to the coordinates she gave us, the location
       is somewhere in the Serengeti region of Kenya. We still need to
       pinpoint the exact location."

Master:"So what are your plans, Phoenix?"

Phoenix sighs and shakes her head.

Phoenix(on screen):"To be honest I don't know, Master. This could be a
       trap. But we don't have any more leads on the location of the
       Elite Guard."

Striker, who had been thinking, finally shakes his head.

Striker:"Nee, I do not think this is a trap. I've known Hildagarde, and 
         she is certainly not an Elite Guard loyalist. She would vir seker
         jump at the chance to get away from these bliksums. Also, these
         buzzblades were left there with the expectation by the Elite
         Guard that you would be killed."

Master:"But who had left the message there in the first place? Surely
        Franco wouldn't let someone like her out into the field."

Striker:"Not her, but miskien one of these colleagues that she mentions
         could have done it."

Phoenix(on screen):"So you think we should take up her offer, Strikie?"

Striker:"Ja. This is an excellent chance for you all to find the Elite
         Guard. But stay on your guard in geval this is a trap. From
         what Franco has been up to in the past few weeks, I would not
         be surprised at further tricks by Franco."

Phoenix(on screen):"What kind of tricks?"

Master:"Striker and I and a few others have been studying some of the
        extremist anti-mutant and pro-sapien groups, and we've realized
        that both sides have a benefactor by the name of Mister F. He
        would appear on screens at rallies and give some flammatory and
        insulting speech to stir up the crowds. After watching a few of
        speeches, we've come to the conclusion that Mister F might, in
        fact, be General Franco."

Phoenix blinks in confusion.

Phoenix(on screen):"He's making speeches to both sides? That doesn't make 
       sense."

Striker:"Ja, and I find that frustrating. This isn't the General Franco
         I had fought all those years ago. He has gone from a lunatic
         to something... more dangerous."

Master:"Also, Hunter has been keeping me up to date on what is going on
        in Namibia. Seems the Namibian president is behaving strangely
        while at the same time some of the usual villains have begun to
        stir up trouble. Which makes me believe that the war in Namibia
        isn't as straightforward as we thought."

Phoenix(on screen):"I'm getting a really bad feeling about all of this."

Master:"That is why you must hurry and find Franco and put a stop what-
        ever machinations he may have in progress. I don't think time is
        on our side."

Striker:"The Master is reg, Firefly. You must find Franco and stop him,
         even if you have to listen to Hildagarde. But asseblief, be
         careful: the Elite Guard will pull no stops in trying to kill
         you all."

Phoenix(on screen):"We'll be very careful. You take care, Love."

She blows Striker a kiss on screen. He smiles at her.

Striker:"Take care, Firefly. And good luck."

Phoenix's image disappears from the screen, which Striker stares at for
a brief moment. He then turns to the Master.

Striker:"I had better contact Mark. I have this horrible feeling that we
         are on the verge of discovering something big. Something that
         Franco will use to make us all pay dearly."

Master:"Good idea. Meanwhile, I am going to have any and all available
        espionage agents assigned to track all these rally speeches of
        Mister F. See if we can't pick up hints of whatever he is up
        to."

Striker:"Goeie idea."

Striker turns to the terminal to call Mark Norwood, while the Master
goes to another terminal to begin gathering up all the agents he can.

Shopping Centre
Nairobi
Kenya
21 January
8:06 AM:

The shopping centre located in one of Nairobi's new middle-class
neighborhoods is a large, posh building with while walls and red
rooftops. Inside the centre there are many shops, selling everything
from common household items and foodstuffs to food and furniture and
luxury goods. There are many Kenyan shoppers going about to do their
purchases or just browsing the shops. Among the shoppers are Bleki and
Kya, who is now very late into her pregnancy. Both of them are carrying
shopping bags as they browse the stores. They come to one where clothes
are being sold.

Kya:"How about we go look for something here? The prices look good."

Bleki:"Why not? We got all morning."

The two female cano-sapiens enter the store and begin to browse the racks
of clothing. But unknown to them, they are being watched. A Kenyan man
dressed in casual clothing and sunglasses and carrying a camera watches
them go inside. He pulls out his cellphone and makes a call.

Man(into phone):"This is Tabby One. Subjects have entered Clothes of Kenya 
   store."

Voice(over phone):"Copy that. Hold observation position. Surgical team
     is coming to your location."

Man(into phone):"Roger that."

The man puts his cellphone away and sits down to mock-read a newspaper at
a cafe. Inside the store Bleki is trying out some of the new jeans that
are on a special while Kya gives her approval. They don't know another
cano-sapien, this one a male called Armand, coming into the store along 
with a number of casually-dressed men with distinct military bearings. He
goes up to the two females.

Armand:"Hello, Bleki."

Bleki and Kya look. Bleki immediately smiles and turns to Armand.

Bleki:"Armand! What a surprise to meet you here!"

Armand:"Good to see you too, Bleki. And this is..."

Kya:"I'm Kya. Pleased to meet you, Armand."

Armand and Kya shake paws, and then the trio begins to engage in small
talk. Meanwhile, the men who followed Armand are moving closer to the
group while acting as if they are browsing the racks. They look around
for cameras and any person who could be trouble. Two of them are digging
in their pockets. Neither Kya nor Bleki notice.

Bleki:"So what are you doing here in Kenya?"

Armand:"Oh, I'm here on a business trip."

Bleki:"Business trip? Who do you work for?"

At that moment the two men who had been digging in their pockets move
behind Bleki and Kya and nod to Armand. Armand gets the signal.

Armand:"I work for a big company. Could you excuse me a moment?"

Bleki:"Uh... sure."

Armand takes a step back and turns around, pretending to sneeze. The two
men kneel and toss the objects they were carrying: a pair of silver tubes
minus the pins that were in them. Bleki and Kya hear the tubes and turn
to look down at the tubes.

Bleki::What the he..."

The tubes suddenly spew out two jets of gas into the two females' faces.
Kya and Bleki try to look away, but it is too late. The two of them
quickly pass out and collapse onto the floor. This immediately gets the
attention of the store clerks and other customers. Armand and the two
men run up to the two collapsed females. Armand kneels next to Bleki
while the men quickly scoop up the tubes before the crowd can gather. The
rest of Armand's team mingles with the gathering crowd and keep watch.
A clerk kneels next to Kya, looking at Armand.

Clerk:"What happened to them?"

Armand:"I don't know. I called an ambulance to come and pick them up."

While Armand keeps watch over Kya and Bleki, a large crowd has now
gathered around the store. Minutes later men in paramedic outfits
rush in with stretchers and medical equipment. Armand and the others
step back as the paramedics begin to treat the females, then put them
on the stretchers. The paramedics then carry the unconscious Kya and
Bleki out of the store and the shopping centre to an ambulance waiting
at one of the entrances. All the while Armand stays close while his
men stay a step or two behind. Kya and Bleki are loaded into the am-
bulance, after which the paramedics and Armand jump in. The ambulance
drives off, sirens wailing. Inside, Armand looks at one paramedic.

Armand:"How are they?"

Paramedic:"Looking good. The new quick stun gas did a good job. Do we
           go to the LZ?"

Armand:"Yes."

The paramedic signals to the driver while Armand pulls out a radio and
calls his superiors.

Armand(into radio):"This is Chief Surgeon. Transplant was a success. The
      patients will be brought to the ICU soon."

The ambulance continues on through the streets of Nairobi.

Closet
Airport Terminal
Hosea Kutako International Airport
45 Kilometers Outside Windhoek
Namibia
8:29 AM:

This is a very small, square room with a single door and light shining
from above. Shelves against the wall hold items such as floor cleaners,
buckets, wet floor signs, towels and brushes. The Road Rovers are here
in the room, sitting on whatever item makes a good chair. They all look
at Hunter.

Colleen:"So, Huntie. Care to explain to us why we are here in a bloomin' 
         closet?"

Blitz:"Ja, this place is very dirty and full of spiders."

Hunter:"Well, we are for a special meeting."

Exile:"Are we hereski to discuss the new bathroom policies again?"

Hunter shakes his head.

Hunter:"No, Exile. We do that back at HQ, and only when Shag is drinking
        out of the toilet bowl again."

Shag mumbles something.

Hunter:"Don't worry, Shag. I'm sure your old habit hasn't come back after
        that therapy session."

Shag breathes a sigh of relief, while Colleen sighs in exasperation.

Colleen:"Hunter. The reason for being here. Discuss, please."

Hunter:"Oh, right!"

Hunter clears his throat before speaking.

Hunter:"Okay. I call you here because we need to figure out a plan for
        how to deal with the Namibian president. We have somebody follow
        him to see where he goes, and look who shows up?"

Blitz:"Santa Claus?"

Exile scratches his head and checks his watch.

Exile:"It Christmas already?"

Hunter:"No, Blitz. Not Santa. Havoc and his goons."

Blitz:"Oh, ja. He's not a good Santa at all."

Hunter:"Er... yeah. Anyway, so Havoc and his henchmen are back in jail,
        but it seems Storm and Parvo and their henchmen..."

Colleen:"And henchwoman..."

Hunter:"... and henchwoman were sprung from prison not long ago. From
        what Havoc told us, or blubbered out in panic, we can expect the
        others to also get in the way."

Colleen:"Okay, so we got some of the usual suspects to deal. So why are
         we meeting here? We could do this in the Jumbo Rover."

Hunter looks around suspiciously, and then looks back at his team.

Hunter:"Cause I think that someone is spying on us."

The rest of the team looks surprised at Hunter.

Exile:"Bolshoi! A spying, comrade?"

Colleen:"Crickey! How is that possible?"

Hunter:"Dunno, but the clues are there."

Blitz:"So who is? The South Africans? The SLA?"

Hunter:"I don't think so. Call me crazy, but I think whoever is spying
        on us, include the president."

The Rovers all gasp.

Blitz:"Ach! Zat is crazy, Hunter!"

Hunter:"Told ya so."

Colleen:"I agree with Blister for once! That is absurd! Why would the guy
         we are protecting be spying on us? And for what reason?"

Hunter shrugs.

Hunter:"It's a hunch I have. Every team I've assigned to protect him re-
        port him doing some strange things. So the reason we are here is
        to explain a plan to check him out."

Exile:"Without himski knowing? Sounds like KGB digging for skulls."

Colleen:"It's skullduggery, Exile."

Exile:"Dah, that is what I said, comrade."

Colleen rolls her eyes.

Hunter:"Yeah, anyway. I got a plan. Listen carefully."

The Rovers move closer to Hunter to hear the plan.

Hunter:"I've told the president which team will be looking after him to-
        day. In actual fact, I ordered that team to head out into the
        field. We will then secretly watch and follow the president to
        wherever he goes during the day. His bodyguards and escorts will
        be keeping their eyes out for that bogus team, but not for us.
        That should trick both him and whomever may get in our way. How
        does that sound?"

The Rovers look amongst each other.

Exile:"Sounds like a good plan, comrades."

Blitz just shrugs.

Blitz:"As long as I can bite a tooshie or two, I'll go with it."

Exile and Colleen make faces. Shag gives the thumbs up to the plan.

Shag:"Rha!"

Colleen nods her head.

Colleen:"I'm game, guv."

Hunter:"Excellent. We'd better get going. It won't be long before the
        president goes on one of his 'inspections' and we need to be
        ready to follow. Let's go."

Colleen:"Finally we can get out of here."

They all get up and then leave the closet.

Cape Hunting Dog Ranch
Serengeti Region
Kenya
9:01 AM:

The sprawling ranch of the Cape Hunting Dogs lies on the flat savannah 
grasslands of the Serengeti. Most of the buildings are clustered around 
the main ranch residence, while dozens of vehicle trails lead to the 
gates of the fence that surrounds the ranch. The Stealth Rover comes
flying over the ranch before hovering and then landing on an empty piece
of ground. As it lands, several of the Cape Hunting Dogs come out to
greet the new arrivals: Sunrise, Astin, Kallima and Farren wait until
the dust settles before approaching the Stealth Rover. The ramp is
lowered and the group of Rovers come climbing down the steps. Phoenix
and Sunrise shake paws and then hug.

Sunrise:"Welcome to the ranch, Phoenix. Had a safe journey?"

Phoenix:"Nothing unusual since we've last called you. We took some pre-
         cautions in making sure we weren't followed here."

Sunrise:"That's good. I bet the rest of you would like to wash up and
         have a bite?"

Phoenix:"I think that's a good idea."

Sunrise:"Then let's head to the dining hall. Alana, Slingshot, Dysis
         and Kenya are there preparing some snacks."

Phoenix turns to the others.

Phoenix:"Okay, everyone. Let's go and get refreshed."

Tanarus:"Good idea. I feel I need a bath."

Elexis puts her arm around her husband's and smirks.

Elexis:"We both need it."

Tanarus smiles and joins the group as they head to the ranch. Hotrod and
Jock go over to Kallima.

Hotrod:"Hey, Doc. How is Alana doing with her pregnancy?"

Kallima:"She's doing fine, Hotrod. Your kid is giving her a hard time with
         all the kicks he or she has been giving her. But I'm certain
         Alana will be happy enough to forgive you for that."

Hotrod blushes and coughs a little uncomfortably.

Hotrod:"That's... nice."

Kallima chuckles before turning her attention to an anxious Jock.

Jock:"Where's Kya?"

Kallima:"She and Bleki went to do some shopping in Nairobi for the pup's
         room. They should be back in a few hours or so. Both she and
         the pup are in very good health. So just relax and have a good
         time while you wait."

Jock(slightly relieved):"Thank you, Doctor Kallima."

Kallima:"Just Kallima will do."

Jock:"Oh, all right."

Meanwhile, Corsair and Astin meet up, sharing an excited handshake.

Astin:"Hey, David! How are you?"

Corsair:"Astin, man I'm glad to meet another fellow computer whiz. I'm
         really up for some gaming."

Astin:"Me too. I've loaded up some games for us to play on the net."

Corsair:"Cool! Can we play now?"

Astin:"Sure, but first let's go and get the mail. I can see the mailman's
       bike approaching the gate."

Astin points to the main gate. A man on a motorcycle is busy placing mail
into the mailbox at the gate. Corsair shrugs and nods.

Corsair:"Okay. I need to stretch my legs anyway."

Astin:"Come on, then."

The two of them start to walk to the gate to fetch the mail. The rest of
the group head to the ranch and enter the main dining hall through a
pair of sliding glass doors. On a long table a number of drinks and snacks
have been prepared. Alana, Slingshot, Dysis and Kenya are here getting
the food and dishes ready. Alana smiles when she sees Hotrod and runs up
to hug him.

Alana:"Roddie! Glad to see you're back!"

Hotrod:"Hey, Alana! Easy with the kid!"

Alana giggles as she stops hugging.

Alana:"Sorry, Honey. I'm just happy to see you."

Hotrod:"As am I."

The two of them kiss. Meanwhile, Shephard doesn't wait and right away
picks up a plate and begins to gather up a good amount of food. At the
same time Kenya is watching him, looking him over and studying him. Dylan
notices this and taps Illanov's shoulder.

Illanov:"Dah, comrade?"

Dylan:"Who is that wild dog over there?"

Dylan points to Kenya. Illanov looks and sees her.

Illanov:"Ah, that is Kenya. I don't know her personally, but I hear she
         is the princess of a tribe of wild dogs who live in the Seren-
         geti National Park."

Dylan:"Oh, but why is she looking at Shephard like that?"

Illanov then notices how Kenya is looking at Shephard, who is already
eating away. He realizes what is going on and grins.

Illanov:"Ah, I think I know why. Our comrade had better watch out."

Dylan:"What do you mean?"

Illanov moves closer and whispers into Dylan's ears. Dylan blinks, then
smirks and chuckles.

Dylan:"Oh, I get it now. Poor Shep."

Illanov:"Poor for now, but if Kenya keeps it up, he will become very
         rich."

Dylan:"Oh yeah. Heheh."

Illanov and Dylan join everyone else as they sit around the table and
begin to dig in. Phoenix and Sunrise are sitting next to one another,
getting some food while talking to one another.

Sunrise:"What's the word from our agent at Vorster's place? Otieno has
         been struggling to get a meeting with him ever since the war
         in Namibia started."

Phoenix:"Bastiff says Vorster spends most of his time either directing
         the war or studying documents, sometimes at home."

Sunrise:"War documents?"

Phoenix:"Yeah, plus another set of documents he hasn't been able to get
         hold of. He seems to think those documents might be declassified
         files from an overseas organization, but he hasn't been able to
         get a good look at it."

Sunrise:"It's probably more bad news. And the fighting between the pro-
         sapien and anti-mutant camps are getting worse."

Phoenix:"There might be a catch in that regard."

Sunrise:"Something to do with that anti-mutant Mister F?"

Phoenix:"Yeah, and here is the catch: he's also the benefactor of the pro-
         sapien groups too."

Sunrise blinks in surprise as she pours her and Phoenix some marula juice
into glass cups.

Sunrise:"You're kidding."

Phoenix:"Nope. Mister F is definitely playing to both sides without either
         one knowning it."

Sunrise:"It makes more sense now. Looks like Mister F is trying to make
         people fight amongst themselves to his own ends. But still, how
         come he's causing trouble on such a huge scale? And who is he
         anyway?"

Phoenix:"We don't know the reason for the former, but we have an idea as
         to the latter. Strikie believes that Mister F is his former
         arch-nemesis and ex-leader of the KH Military, General Franco."
     
Sunrise:"He's the wolf-sapien you're hunting down, right?"

Phoenix:"Yes. And that's why we are here."

Sunrise chews a piece of meat.

Sunrise:"Oh?"

Phoenix:"We recently lost Franco's trail, but we did find out somebody in
         Franco's Elite Guard is willing to help us if we are willing to
         help her or them defect. We are to rendezvous with one of the
         defectors at a spot in southwestern Kenya."

Phoenix bites on a piece of fruit while Sunrise speaks.

Sunrise:"Sounds like you could use some help with it. A little suspicious
         about these 'defectors?'"

Phoenix swallows the chewed fruit before answering.

Phoenix:"Well, we seem to think they might be genuine. But the Elite
         Guard is not to be trifled with, from what Striker had told us
         about them. So we want to be cautious on this. We want to make
         contact with the defectors while being certain we don't blunder
         into a trap of some kind."

Sunrise:"Would you like our help with that?"

Phoenix:"If it's possible."

Sunrise:"If it means bringing an end to all the anti-sapien attitudes and
         extremism, then we are ready to help us."

Phoenix:"Thanks, Sunrise. Once we're done eating we should..."

Suddenly Astin and Corsair come running into the dining hall, rushing
past everyone. Everyone looks at the two as they come to Sunrise and
Phoenix.

Corsair:"Boss, we have a big problem."

Phoenix:"What's wrong? Something to do with the defectors?"

Corsair:"No, it ain't. It's the mercenaries. They've kidnapped Kya and
         Bleki."

Immediately there are several shocked gasps, especially from Jock, who
quickly jumps to feet.

Jock:"What! How? Where is she?"

Sunrise:"Astin, how did you two find this out?"

Astin:"We checked the mail and found a video recording in an envelope.
       Corsair and I went to my place and played it. The mercenaries
       were on it and they had Kya and Bleki."

Jock:"Is she okay? Is she hurt?"

Corsair:"Not from what we saw, but Deadeye Jane has some pretty nasty
         conditions attached to her welfare and Bleki's. She's demanding
         that Jock show his face to them before they release the girls."

Phoenix:"Where? Where must he show himself?"

Corsair:"Brussels. And I'll bet you ten bucks that means the European
         Corporation's HQ."

Dylan:"I smell a trap."

Dysis:"Me too."

Elexis:"I agree. This is nothing but an attempt by EuroCorp to get back
        what they believe to be their property. And I really doubt that
        CEO Jacques Rembrandt or any of his executive lackeys who are
        behind this scheme will stick to their word."

Jock begins to head for the exit.

Jock:"I'm going to rescue her!"

Immediately there are protests from around the table. Farren quickly
jumps to his feet and stands in front of Jock.

Farren:"Not so fast, cowboy! You're being stupid."

Jock:"Stupid! Is rescueing my mate stupid?"

Farren:"If it means falling into EuroCorp hands, yes."

Tanarus:"Farren is right, Jock. The only thing worse than EuroCorp getting
         Kya and Bleki is that they should get a hold of you. They WANT
         you to go alone. You know it's not to be trust."

Jock quickly turns to the others, looking desperate.

Jock:"But we got to do something!"

Sunrise:"We will, Jock. We are not leaving Kya and Bleki to the mercy of
         these people."

Illanov:"But this leaves us with a dilemma, comrades. We have got to meet
         those Elite Guard defectors tonight if we are to find Franco.
         If we abandon the search for him in favor of the rescue, we
         might never be able to make contact with them again. But we
         must rescue our comrades from the mercenaries and EuroCorp as
         well."

All eyes then turn to Sunrise and Phoenix for guidance. The two female
leaders look at each other.

Phoenix:"Do you think your team can go and help Jock rescue Kya and Bleki?"

Sunrise:"I wish I could, but with most of the Rovers who are usually on
         the ranch now in South Africa we're a bit understaffed."

Phoenix looks off to one direction, thinking. Everyone else watches her
and waits for a response. Merit looks at the Pomeranian, then turns to
Shephard.

Merit:"Is she in a state of loading data?"

Shephard:"Er... yeah. Something like that."

Merit:"Perhaps she should run a defragmentation of her brains or even
       format it for better optimization."

Shephard stares at Merit with a look of "what did he say" on his face.
At that moment Phoenix makes the decision.

Phoenix:"I think we should split up our team. Some of us will go with
         the Cape Hunting Dogs to rescue Kya and Bleki while the rest
         goes to meet the Elite Guard defectors."

Everyone else contemplates the decision.

Tanarus:"I think it's the best option we have right now."

Illanov:"Dah, I agree. So how will we split the team?"

Phoenix:"Well, I was thinking Jock, Hotrod and Dylan should go with the
         Cape Hunting Dogs while Unit STRIKE continues after Franco."

She looks at three Rovers in question.

Phoenix:"What do you three say?"

Jock:"I am definitely not abandoning my wife to these greedy fiends."

Dylan:"As long as I can help out, I'm in."

Hotrod:"I for one would jump at the chance to get at EuroCorp. I've got a
        little score to settle with them. Plus I could get Gunslinger to
        help us out too."

Phoenix:"Who is Gunslinger?"

Hotrod:"A buddy of mine who knows how to get guns and how to use him. In
        a fight he can kick a lot of butt."

Shephard:"Sounds like somebody I would like."

Hotrod:"Yeah, he is. In fact, he is much like ol' Shep when it comes to
        fights and firepower."

Phoenix:"Okay."

She then turns to Sunrise.

Phoenix:"What do you say, Sunrise? Can you do with four extra members?"

Sunrise:"Sure can. The more we are the better our chances against Euro-
         Corp and the mercenaries."

Phoenix nods and then looks at her own team.

Phoenix:"What do you guys say? Any objections?"

Most of the team shake their heads, but Corsair raises his hand.

Phoenix:"Yes, Corsair?"

Corsair:"First off, I'm not again the rescue operation..."

Illanov:"... but again everything else in life."

Corsair glares at Illanov.

Corsair:"Smart**s."

He looks back at Phoenix.

Corsair:"Anyway, now that we're splitting up, does that mean we're not
         gonna have reinforcements to back us up if this meeting with the
         defector turns out to be a booby trap?"

Phoenix:"It doesn't look like it."

At this point Kenya raises her paw to get the others' attention.

Kenya:"Maybe I can be of assistance."

Phoenix:"You can?"

Kenya:"Yes. I am the princess of my tribe of wild dog cano-sapiens, and
       we all owe a debt to you for helping us."

Phoenix:"How can your tribe help us?"

Kenya:"Me and my tribe members possess some abilities and skills in 
       weapons that could be very handy to you all."

Phoenix looks at Sunrise.

Phoenix:"What do you say, Sunrise?"

Sunrise:"Kenya's got a good idea there, and I back up her words. Her
         tribal followers are more than capable of fighting, and Kenya
         herself is a good fighter."

Phoenix nods and looks back at the female wild dog.

Phoenix:"In that case we welcome your offer, your highness."

Kenya:"I just need to go back to my village and pick up my warriors."

Phoenix:"We can take you there, your highness. We might as well get
         going anyway."

Sunrise:"And I think we should begin preparations to leave as well. We
         must get to Europe and rescue Kya and Bleki as soon as we can."

Phoenix:"Then that's settles it. Let's get out teams together and then
         ahead."

Everyone nods or speaks in agreement. They then all rise up and start to
make the preparations for departure.

Presidential Residence
Windhoek
Namibia
9:20 AM:

Parked in the road in front of the presidential residence's front doors
is the usual motorcade: the limousine and its police and army vehicle
escorts. Armed suits are keeping watch for suspects. Colleen is waiting
by the limo. The doors are opened and the Namibian president comes out
with a group of guards. The president notices Colleen.

President:"Ah, Miss Colleen. How may I help you today?"

Colleen:"Good day, guv. I'm just here to tell you which group will be
         looking after you today."

President:"Oh? I though you had told me about it yesterday."

Colleen:"Yes, but an emergency came up so we had to get another team on
         the job. Sorry about that, guv."

President:"Ah, I see. So which team is it today?"

As Colleen and the president keep talking, a small remote-controlled
racer that looks like a miniature version of the Street Rover races 
from behind the garden bushes. It continues onto the bricked road and
finally stops directly underneath the limo. A small arm then pushes up
a small device up, which then attaches to the chassis with a magnet.
The RC turns around and speeds back to the bushes the way it had come
without anyone noticing it. Meanwhile Colleen finishes speaking with
the president.

Colleen:"... and that is how it all will work for today."

President:"I appreciate your group's assistance. Thank you."

Colleen reaches up and pats the president on the collar.

Colleen:"Just doing our job, guv."

The president nods and then climbs into the limo. When Colleen takes
her paw away, no one notices the small electronic bug she had pinned
to the president's suit collar. The collie begins to walk away quickly
as the motorcade starts up and moves. When the convoy is out the gate,
Exile comes out of the bushes carrying the RC and the remote control.
The husky joins up with Colleen.

Exile:"Tracking device is attachski. Yours?"

Colleen:"Bug is in place, guv. Let's go back to Hunter and fast."

Exile:"Dah, let's make a split."

Colleen:"Exile, you don't have to say 'make a split'. Just 'split'."

Exile(confused):"But I say split."

Colleen groans while they continue on their way back.

Vorster Residence
Gauteng Province
Republic of South Africa
At That Moment:

Inside the living room of the residence, Minister Grace Haddan and 
Army Chief Achmed Pahad are waiting to see Vorster. Bastiff and Fola
are lying behind the chairs and listening as the two officials are
talking to the butler.

Butler:"The president is currently on the telephone, but I have told
        them you are here to see him. He will come down to meet you as
        soon as he is finished."

Achmed:"Thank you. This is very urgent."

Butler:"Please be seated while I have some beverages prepared."

Haddan:"Thank you."

The butler heads for the kitchen while Haddan and Achmed sit down on
the chairs. Bastiff and Fola listen carefully as the two begin to talk
with one another.

Achmed:"Why are you here to see Vorster, Minister Hadden?"

Haddan:"I want to give him the latest information we have on the SLA
        terrorists. Seems we've got them on the run."

Achmed:"Oh really?"

Haddan:"All my provincial commissioners have reported that SLA cells have
        either been exposed and dealt with or have fled South Africa
        because of the emergency powers."

Achmed:"That's good news. And it should bolster the case I'm to put to
        the president."

Haddan:"What case is that, Chief Achmed? You want join the hunt for the
        mutant terrorists?"

Achmed:"No, but something close enough. I want to ask permission to have
        all available military units in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northwest
        and Gauteng to be moved to Namibia."

Haddan looks surprised, as are Bastiff and Fola.

Haddan:"You mean the forces stationed for the defense of the country?"

Achmed:"Exactly. The Namibians and their mutant allies only number so
        many despite their successes against us. With these reinforce-
        ments we can overwhelm them with sheer numbers."

Haddan:"But won't that leave us vulnerable in those provinces?"

Achmed shakes his head.

Achmed:"Not at all. Botswana and Mozambique won't invade us. They're on
        our side. And you're telling me the mutant terrorists are in
        retreat. That means I can pull those forces into the main in-
        vasion force. They are just idling in their bases anyway."

Haddan:"And what about Zimbabwe? Things are not very... stable there at
        the moment."

Achmed snorts.

Achmed:"The Zimbabweans? Swaziland has a better chance of success if they
        invade us. Zimbabwe is an economic ruin and Mugabe is having a
        hard time keeping his soldiers fed. He's also not sympathetic to
        the mutants. The only invasions we can expect from that basket
        case of a country are more illegal immigrants, and Home Affairs
        can handle that if they would just get their a**es into gear."

Haddan:"That is true."

Achmed:"Indeed. And Vorster will agree with me."

At that moment Vorster comes down the stairs while Jeanette walks in with
a plate carrying a tea pot and some cups. Haddan and Achmed stand up and
greet Vorster, afterwards the meeting continues around tea. Bastiff and
Fola continue to listen in.

Wild Dog Village
Serengeti Plains
Southwest Kenya
10:07 AM:

Located deep within one of the Serengeti's game reserves is the village
of Princess Kenya's wild dog cano-sapien tribe. Although the village is
small, the buildings are very sturdy, modern and substantial constructions 
made from stone and wood. Mixed in with the traditional African styles
are more modern additions such as satellite dishes, electricity gene-
rators and jeeps. Everywhere there are wild dog cano-sapiens, with the
females outnumbering the males, though there is a small group of Maasai
men meeting with a group of wild dogs. The Stealth Rover has landed
nearby and Unit STRIKE, led by Kenya, are making their way to the vil-
lage. Kenya points at an older wild dog couple who are dressed very well
and are wearing several prominent jewels.

Kenya:"That's my parents, though my mother is really the dominant pa-
       triach of my tribe."

Phoenix:"Seems females have a bit more status over the males."

Kenya:"Yes, we are a matriarchal society, though not by much. We don't
       want to let the males feel left out."

Shephard looks around at the wild dogs, noting the gender disparity.

Shephard:"Looks like there are more women than men here too."

Kenya smiles at Shephard.

Kenya:"Indeed, so that makes the males highly prized here. Especially
       single males."

She winks at Shephard, who immediately blushes and coughs. Corsair no-
tices this and chuckles, pointing at the soldier.

Corsair:"Heheheh. Better watch out, Shep. Seems the princess has her
         eyes on you."

Illanov:"YOU should watch out too, American."

Corsair frowns at Illanov.

Corsair:"And what's that supposed to mean?"

Illanov:"You are single, and take a good look around."

Corsair blinks, then does so. As he looks around, he can see not a few
females are looking towards him and Shephard. Merit notices Corsair
blushing.

Merit:"I say. I think your display settings may be slightly corrupted."

Corsair:"Er... maybe I'll play some games to keep my mind busy."

The group joins the royal couple and the Maasai group. Kenya goes up to 
her parents and hugs them.

Kenya:"Hello, father. Mother."

King:"Welcome back, my princess."

Queen:"Indeed. Welcome home."

Kenya's mother then looks at the group.

Queen:"Are these your friends you told us about?"

Kenya:"Yes, Mother. This one here..."

She indicates to Phoenix.

Kenya:"... is their leader, Phoenix."

Phoenix bows her head.

Phoenix:"Your highness."

Queen:"Welcome to our tribe, Phoenix. Kenya told me you needed our
       help?"

Phoenix:"Yes, we do, your highness."

Queen:"Could you perhaps tell us what it is about?"

Phoenix:"Of course. Let me explain."

As Phoenix begins to explain the situation to the matriarch, Corsair
takes out his laptop and sits down on a bench against one of the
buildings. He starts it up and prepares to play. As he does, a few of
the Maasai men stand close by and look at him curiously. Corsair
notices this and looks up.

Corsair:"Er... hi."

The men all nod their heads in greeting, grinning widely. Corsair then
realizes they are looking at his laptop. He tries to explain what the
device is, using hand gestures.

Corsair:"Lap-top. It is box that show pictures from around world. Very
         expensive, much money to make."

The men all nod their heads. More confident, Corsair continues on. At
the same time, some of the other team members and a few wild dogs are
looking with amusement at what is going on.

Corsair:"See? Press button..."

He pushes a key on the keyboard to make a window appear on the screen.

Corsair:"... makes pictures show."

The men all look impressed.

Corsair:"Make message with buttons. Send message to friend far, far
         away with e-mail. Very fast."

Merit:"How very unusual.

The men all nod again, looking all the more impressed. Suddenly there
is the sound of a ring tone. The Maasai dig into the folds of their red 
robes and pull out cellphones. One man then turns to his friends.

Maasai 1:"It's mine!"

He answers it and walks away to talk while the others put away their
phones and look back at Corsair. Corsair is staring at them, his hands
hanging in the air in the middle of a gesture. One of the men points
at the laptop.

Maasai 2:"Pardon me, young friend, but can I perhaps use your laptop 
          to check my Hotmail?"

The men then suddenly make wide grins of amusement as Corsair realizes
he has been duped.

Corsair:"Er... yeah. I guess so..."

Immediately there is laughing from the men, the wild dogs and from some
of the Unit STRIKE members. Especially from Illanov, who is doubled over 
in laughter. Corsair can only glare with anger and embarrassment at the
German Shepherd. As the laughter dies down, Phoenix finishes telling the
story to the tribal queen and king.

Phoenix:"... and that's why we are here."

King:"It's very fortunate that you did come to us for help. We can help
      with the dogpower. And despite how it may look like, our tribe's
      warriors are well-trained in the use of firearms."

Phoenix:"I hope it doesn't come to that, your highness."

King:"It never hurts to be prepared for anything, Phoenix."

Queen:"We might have some information that could be of interest to you
       as well. When Kenya mentioned that the rendezvous point was in
       the southwest, I recalled something the Maasai told us before.
       That is why they are here."

Phoenix perks her ears up with curiously as the queen turns to a Maasai
man, whose many bead necklaces indicate he is the group leader.

Queen:"This is Mwai Odingu from the Maasai tribe and a good friend. He
       can explain further."

The man called Odingu steps up and greets Phoenix.

Odingu:"Greetings and welcome to Kenya, Phoenix."

Phoenix:"A pleasure, Mister Odingu. Now what is this you want to tell us
         about?"

Odingu takes a deep breath as the members of Unit STRIKE gather up to
listen to his story. He begins to speak.

Odingu:"The territory of my tribe, the Maasai, is in the southwest of the
        country. Within that territory is the Mount Longonot National
        Park, named after the volcano in the park. We Maasai call it
        Oloonong'ot, or the Mount of Steep Ridges. It was home to many
        animals and even had a satellite station on its edges. Many
        tourists used to follow the trail up to the crater."

Tanarus:"Judging from your use of the past tense in those last two sen-
         tences, things have charged there?"

Odingu:"Yes, and for the worse. We are not exactly certain when these
        troubles started, but about three years ago people began to dis-
        appear around the volcano. It was first isolated incidents, but
        gradually more and more people started to vanish. Then the bodies
        began to turn up. Many of them were horribly mutilated or burnt.
        The government tried to investigate, but then the entire inves-
        tigation vanished. And when the staff of the station went missing
        and one turned up dead, rumors of a curse started to spread.
        Today nobody dares go near the volcano, not even our tribesmen.
        Even the government is too afraid to go near the volcano."

Elexis:"I got a hunch somebody doesn't want nosy parkers snooping around
        that place."

Phoenix:"Odingu, did anybody see anything unusual at the volcano? Like
         what had killed them."

Odingu:"Only rumors. Some say they saw flying monsters that three eyes
        and swung knives around. Others claimed they saw evil spirits.
        And yet others claimed a huge demon stalked the lands."

Illanov:"I don't know about the latter two, comrades, but that first one
         sounds like those flying orbs we encountered in Sudan."

Tanarus:"And the defectors told us to meet us near the volcano. Trap or
         not, we must be getting close."

Phoenix:"Mister Odingu, thank you for your information."

Odingu:"We appreciate that you are willing to listen to us. The Maasai
        elders are very worried about the events around the volcano, and
        no one wants to help us. If you can drive away the curse or who-
        ever is causing it, the Maasai will be very grateful."

Phoenix smiles at Odingu. She then turns to the King and Queen.

Phoenix:"We will need those warriors as soon as possible, your highness. 
         We must meet with these defectors and find out is what is going 
         on."

King:"We will go and rally my finest warriors for you."

Queen:"Princess Kenya will lead the warriors. She is a very good fighter
       and survivalist."

Kenya smiles broadly, looking at Shephard again. Shephard tries to ignore
her, but Merit notices something.

Merit:"Are you perspiring?"

Shephard:"What? No, I'm not. It's... the weather, yeah. Very hot."

Merit:"How strange. My sensors must not functioning properly. Heat and
       humidity levels are not high enough to cause perspiration."

Shephard:"Merit, shut up."

Merit:"I say."

As the king goes to get his warriors together, the queen turns to the
group.

Queen:"Would you like to freshen up? Have a bite? We have some refresh-
       ments for you."

Phoenix:"We've already eaten, but we wouldn't mind cleaning up a bit
         before we leave."

Queen:"Then follow me."

The queen leads Unit STRIKE towards one of the larger huts, with Kenya
staying near Shephard.

Supply Checkpoint Delta
Unknown Location
At That Moment:

Inside a huge, dug-out cavern below ground is a large railway depot. Four
railway tracks come out from tunnels to a station built in the cavern
before going on into four other ongoing tunnels. Cranes, warehouses, sheds
and quarters have been built here while large floodlights provide light
inside the cave. Right now it is very busy. Electric train engines are
either stopping or leaving the station with many cargo wagons and troop
carriages. Wolf-sapien workers are going about doing checks on the trains
and their cargoes while loading up additional equipment and supplies. 
There are also many Elite Guard soldiers keeping watch on catwalks along 
the cavern walls. In a shed in the wall that overlooks the entire depot
is General Franco, two officers and the depot foreman. Just outside on 
the catwalk is Champion and a few of Franco's Paladin bodyguards. Franco
is busy getting a report from the foreman.

Franco:"Are operations proceeding smoothly, foreman?"

Foreman:"Yes, Supreme General. These trains are among the last loads we
         are taking through here to the deployment stations. We should
         be done this week, maybe even tomorrow if all goes well."

Franco:"Any irregularities? Security breaches?"

Foreman:"None, Supreme General. The security captains report all is
         well, as are my workers. Things are proceeding as smoothly as
         a pretty female's behind."

Franco:"And what of the supplies for my Wardrome?"

Foreman:"The last supplies came through here yesterday. Your Wardrome
         should have received it by now, Supreme General."

Franco:"Excellent work. Carry on."

The foreman salutes.

Foreman:"Yes, Supreme General!"

Franco heads out of the shed while the foreman turns back to his work. As
Franco steps outside, one of the officers salute to get his attention.

Franco:"Yes?"

Officer:"Pardon me, Supreme General, but Captain Silhouette has called.
         They have successfully destroyed the entire remaining relay
         beacons."

Franco:"Excellent. And did they say something about Striker's team?"

Officer:"They have left some traps at a few of the relay beacons, but
         otherwise they are monitoring the situation to see whether they
         will still reach us regardless."

Franco:"Good. Inform them I am pleased with their progress and urge them
        to make sure Unit STRIKE dies long before they find out what is
        going on here."

Officer:"Yes, Supreme General!"

Franco:"Dismissed."

The officer salutes and walks away. Franco then proceeds with his body-
guards and officers down some stairs towards the depot. A train engine
whistles as it begins to head out.

Industrial District
Gobabis
200 Kilometers East of Windhoek
Namibia
11:52 AM:

The industrial district of the town of Gobabis consists large of storage
yards and warehouses for the goods and raw materials that are transported
through here. Other buildings include cattle pens and cattle farming
equipment factories. At the edge of the industrial district the presi-
dential convoy drives through the gates of an enclosed warehouse, after
which two presidential guards go to guard the open gate. The president
climbs out and then heads into the warehouse alone while his guards keep
watch outside. Not too far away a brown, nondescript van with black tinted
windows pulls into an alleyway and stops. A small dish, in the shape of a 
dog's open mouth with ear-shaped antennae, appears at the top of the van 
and turns to face to the warehouse. Inside the van are high-tech eaves-
dropping equipment. Exile and Blitz are each working on the equipment,
wearing earphones and sitting back-to-back, while Shag is sitting at the
wheel eating a bag of chips. Exile and Blitz are adjusting to pick up
the bug's signal.

Blitz:"Did pretty she-doggie really put the bug on the president?"

Exile:"Comrade Colleen assured me she did."

Blitz:"But I can't hear a thing... Ach, wait! I think I got something."

The two Rovers press their earphones closer, listening to the voices on
the other end. Exile flips a switch to put the audio on the speakers. A
voice can be heard.

Voice 1:"Are you alone? I'm still nervous about your 'escorts'."

Another voice comes over the speaker, but this time with a French accent.

Voice 2:"Do not worry about them. As long as I am president and it is
         still war time, they won't deviate from orders."

Exile and Blitz look confused at one another.

Blitz:"The president seems to have gone French."

Exile:"This weirdski... wait, listen."

The two resume listening.

Voice 1:"And what about the Road Rovers? They do keep tabs on you as
         well."

Voice 2:"Oui, but they are easy to fool and avoid as long as I keep up
         this charade. I assure you they are still far away from here."

Voice 1:"It is disappointing that they continue to fight alongside the
         humans rather than coming over to aid the liberation."

Voice 2:"Them?"

The second voice can be heard snorting.

Voice 2:"Never. They are all thick in the head. Besides, half of the
         international community now hates them because of their
         standing up to the South Africans."

Voice 1:"That's actually what my leaders want to know. When are your
         people going to being this big plan you have been telling us
         about? We're been idling for too long."

Voice 2:"The plan is in the final stages of preparations. If things
         proceed as scheduled you should see the first stages of it
         kicking off five days from now. A week at most, no?"

Voice 1:"That will be good news for my leaders. And of course we will
         be part of it?"

Voice 2:"Oui, completely. The general simply demands that you will be
         ready when the time comes."

Voice 1:"You have our word that our forces are ready."

Voice 2:"Excellent. And they still are at their usual locations? The
         general does not want us to trip over each other, no."

Voice 1:"We've had to abandon a few outposts due to commando raids from
         South Africa and Mozambique, but our main bases are all intact
         and well hidden."

Voice 2:"Good. The general will be sure to reward your alliance with us
         well."

Voice 1:"And we are forever indebted to your organization."

Voice 2:"Are there any other issues you wish to discuss?"

Voice 1:"A few minor issues. They are all written on that paper in front
         of you."

Voice 2:"Let's see..."

As the voices stop talking, Exile and Blitz look at each other.

Exile:"You recorded that, Weird Boy?"

Blitz:"Yah, I got it all. Loud and clear undt on high definition too.
       Want it on DVD too?"

Exile:"No thankski. We'd better split the banana and tell the others."

Blitz:"It's 'make like a sauerkraut and split'."

Exile scratches his head in confusion.

Exile:"I don't remember it like that."

Blitz shrugs, then takes off the earphones and goes up front. He taps 
Shag on the shoulder to get the sheepdog's attention.

Blitz:"Get us out of here, Mop Boy."

Shag:"Rha."

Shag tosses the bag of chips aside, then starts up the engine. The van
drives back the way it had come, the antennae quickly folding back out
of sight.

Abandoned Resort
Mount Longonot National Park
Kenya
12:00 PM:

The resort is a collection of thatched-roof buildings located not far 
from the ridged sides of the volcano Mount Longonot. Though it had been 
frequented by tourists in the past, it is now abandoned. The structures'
walls are peeling, the thatch is missing in chunks, the grass is growing
in the lobby of the main reception building and the round accommodation
huts have been emptied of contents. The swimming pool's water is now an
ugly green while a few bucks are grazing on the overgrown lawns. The
bucks suddenly scatter as a trio of Elite Guard Stealth Choppers fade
into view and hover over the lawn. A door slides open, revealing Raul,
Silhouette and the Stealth Soldiers accompanying them. Silhouette is
watching Raul prepare to disembark why readying his backpack.

Silhouette:"So why are we here?"

Raul:"We've completed our mission, haven't we? The Rovers can't possibly
      locate us now that we've destroyed the beacons."

Silhouette:"Oui, but that is not what I asked. Why are we dropping you
            off at this desolate village? We should be reporting back to
            the Supreme General."

Raul:"You can do that for me, Captain. I myself am going hunting."

Silhouette raises an eyebrow.

Silhouette:"Hunting? For what?"

Raul:"Trespassers, of course."

He jumps off the helicopter with his backpack, turning around to look at
the female wolf-sapien.

Raul:"I've been tracking some spies who've been using this resort to keep
      watch over the volcano. I think they might be from the government."

Silhouette frowns.

Silhouette:"Ridiculous. What government official haven't we scared or
            bribed off to stay away from here?"

Raul:"There are splinter factions within the Kenyan government, captain.
      And you know we can't always bribe or frighten off a few determined
      individuals. That's why I'm going to wait here until they show up,
      then I'll take them down."

Silhouette looks at Raul for a few moments, while he just stares back at
her. Finally she just shrugs.

Silhouette:"If you say so, but I expect you to report back to the
            Supreme General as soon as you can, understood?"

Raul:"Yes, captain."

Silhouette nods, then looks towards the pilots.

Silhouette:"Let's leave!"

Pilot:"Roger that."

Raul backs away from the helicopters, the downdraft pushing the grass flat
as the helicopters begin to take off. Once airborne, they shimmer back out
of sight and fly off. Raul then heads in amongst the buildings. However
the helicopters only fly a shortage before Silhouette turns to the pilots
again.

Silhouette:"Land here."

The pilots look confused at Silhouette.

Pilot:"Ma'am?"

Silhouette:"Put me down. I'm taking a few soldiers back there."

Pilot:"Yes, Ma'am."

As the pilots begin to bring the stealth choppers down towards the ground
again, Silhouette turns to the four Stealth Soldiers with her.

Silhouette:"Prepare for combat, soldiers."

Soldier:"Don't believe Raul's story, eh captain?"

Silhouette:"Not one word of it. I'm going to check on him myself."

The choppers come close to the ground. Silhouette and her soldiers quickly
disembark and move away. The choppers then take off and fade out of sight
again. Silhouette, her weapon ready, signals to the soldiers. The group
then active their cloaking devices and they shimmer out of sight. A short
while later the Stealth Rover flies over the abandoned resort before
landing nearby. The ramp is lowered and Unit STRIKE, along with Kenya
and her wild dog warriors (who are armed with rifles confiscated from 
poachers), disembark. Corsair looks at the resort.

Corsair:"What a dump. This place has definitely seen better days."

Kenya:"Yes, it was pretty popular with the tourists. But tourists don't
       like trouble and they started to stay away. Eventually the place
       folded."

Illanov:"It looks so overgrown. Whatever's been going on here has been
         happening for a good number of years. This isn't something
         that happened yesterday, comrades."

Phoenix:"Just keep your eyes peeled, everyone."

They cautiously approach the resort, holding their weapons ready. As
they get closer, Tanarus pulls out a small signal flare and tosses it
onto the lawn. It begins to billow out a cloud of red and orange
smoke. Moments later Raul appears at the entrance lobby of the reception
building. Everyone turns towards him.

Raul:"Were you followed?"

Phoenix steps closer, though she still holds her laser pistol ready.

Phoenix:"No, we are alone. Are you the contact?"

Raul:"Yes, I am. Come inside the lobby. It's a bit more secluded."

Phoenix:"All right."

The group moves towards the lobby, but they don't let their guard down.
They come inside, standing and keeping watch for trouble while Phoenix
goes up to Raul.

Raul:"You are Phoenix, right?"

Phoenix:"Maybe. Who sent you?"

Raul:"Hildagarde sent me. She wishes to defect along with a few others."

Phoenix:"A few others?"

Raul:"I am one of them. My name is Raul."

Phoenix:"Okay, Raul. Why are we here?"

Raul:"I had to meet you in a remote location. I couldn't risk making
      direct contact from our base under Mount Longonot."

This gets everyone's attention.

Kenya:"Wait a minute. You mean this Elite Guard we've heard about has a
       base inside the mountain?"

Raul:"Yes, and it is a very large one as well, but I don't know if it is
      the only one. But what you see around you is the result of the
      Elite Guard's efforts to keep anyone from finding that out. Until
      now, that is."

Phoenix:"Is this the Elite Guard HQ?"

Raul:"I think it is, yes. General Franco has been staying there ever
      since I was forced to join them a year or two ago."

Shephard:"Sounds like we struck gold, sirs."

Tanarus:"Raul, do you know what General Franco is planning?"

Before Raul can answer, however, an old telephone on the receptionist
desk suddenly rings, startling everyone. All eyes immediately shift to
the ringing phone.

Merit:"I say, I do believe we have an incoming transmission."

Elexis:"But would be calling to this place? And at the same time we are
        here? This smells really fishy."

Phoenix looks at Raul.

Phoenix:"Raul, is this part of Hildagarde's doing?"

Raul shakes his head.

Raul:"I don't know. I didn't even know there was a phone there."

Phoenix then turns to Tanarus.

Phoenix:"Could you answer it, Tan? And put it so we can all hear it, if
         possible?"

Tanarus:"Will do."

Tanarus walks up to the desk, then pushes a button on the ringing phone.
A moment later a voice speaks up over the telephone.

Voice:"Ah, you are all here."

Raul frowns.

Raul:"You sound familiar."

Voice:"Indeed I am, but let's not discuss that at the moment. You may all
       refer to me as your mutual friend."

Phoenix:"A friend? And how do we know we can trust you, 'friend?'"

Voice:"For a start, Miss Phoenix, take a step to your left."

Phoenix blinks in confusion, but takes a step to her left. An instant 
later a bullet tears into the wooden desk, passing through where she had
stood. Everyone is briefly stunned.

Tanarus:"Sniper! Take cover!"

Immediately everyone rushes for cover as a few windows are shattered
by incoming bullets. In a matter of moments everyone has taken cover,
though one of the wild dog warriors is cradling a wound in his side.
Elexis is busy treating him while Phoenix looks at Raul as they hide
under one window.

Phoenix:"I thought you said you came alone."

Raul:"So did I, but thanks to our friend you managed to escape becoming
      a corpse."

Phoenix:"Do you think it is the Elite Guard?"

Raul:"Maybe, but I can't understand how they found out about our meeting."

Phoenix:"Well, your friend certainly did know. You seem to know him."

Raul:"Yes, but I know he isn't Elite Guard."

Phoenix:"How can you be sure of that? He could a Franco plant tricking
         you into exposing yourself and Hildagarde."

Voice:"Skeptical?"

Phoenix and Raul turn their attention back to the telephone on the desk.

Voice:"How about I tell you who is attacking you and how many of them
       there are? Unless you would like to stay here, hiding from the
       stealth soldiers until Elite Guard reinforcements arrive."

Raul:"Stealth soldiers? You mean Silhouette's team?"

Voice:"Of course. You really didn't think that she would believe that
       half-baked story of yours, did you?"

Raul curses. Phoenix keeps her attention on the phone.

Phoenix:"Can you tell us how many there are?"

Voice:"There are seven of them, including Silhouette. I will call again
       when, or if, you defeat them. Good luck."

Phoenix:"Wait!"

But the telephone immediately goes dead. Illanov, who is hiding behind
an old, torn-up couch with Corsair, looks at Phoenix.

Illanov:"Comrade Phoenix, we have to get rid of that team. We stay too
         long and they will get help, like our mutual friend said. And
         this resort is not a good place to get pinned down."

Phoenix:"Definitely not."

She then looks at Raul.

Phoenix:"Raul, what can you tell us about these stealth soldiers?"

Raul:"They're the scouts and snipers of the Elite Guard. Their EGS-06
      rifles are very powerful and accurate, and their uniforms contain
      a cloaking technology that renders them almost invisible to the
      naked eye."

Corsair:"Invisible? Man, how are we going to fight these guys if we
         can't even see them?"

Tanarus:"Maybe Merit can see them. His eyes are better than ours at
         spotting anomalies. It's a pity we didn't bring his combat
         shell and we can't run to the Stealth Rover to get it lest we
         get shot at by the snipers."

Merit, who is standing behind an open door next to Tanarus, looks at 
the coyote male.

Merit:"I, for the record, wish to state that I prefer not to become
       restrained in that shell. I find it very cumbersome and a waste
       of energy."

Shephard, who is hiding by another window with Kenya and some of her
warriors, rolls his eyes and looks at Merit.

Shephard:"You're just saying that because you don't like shooting at
          people even when they are shooting at you."

Merit looks at Shephard.

Merit:"Correct. I am designed to, amongst other tasks, to repair and
       reassemble. Not disassemble and destroy."

Shephard:"You'd fit right into the Democratic Party back in the States."

Merit:"I decline that offer. Politics are against my programming."

Shephard just rolls his eyes. Phoenix looks at Merit.

Phoenix:"Merit, can you spot those soldiers and pinpoint their locations
         for us?"

Merit:"Performing orders."

However, Merit goes and stands right in the middle of the door to look
outside, much to the group's horror.

Phoenix:"Not there, Merit!"

Suddenly a shot strikes Merit in the chest, knocking the robot over on
the floor. Tanarus quickly goes and drags Merit back into cover before
helping the drone sit up.

Tanarus:"Merit! Are you okay?"

Merit:"All systems functional, but several of my toolkit wires have
       been damaged and will have to be repaired."

Tanarus then notices the neat hole in Merit's chest.

Tanarus:"Can you still use the toolkit?"

Merit:"Not without proper repairs first."

Phoenix:"Merit, did you see the snipers?"

Merit:"Affirmative. They are currently stationary on an elevation to
       the east."

Phoenix:"How many?"

Merit:"Four."

Shephard:"Four? Then where are the rest?"

Tanarus:"Probably elsewhere around us, but I don't think we should send
         Merit out to scout again."

Phoenix then looks over at Illanov.

Phoenix:"Alex, do you think you can sneak over behind those snipers
         while invisible?"

Illanov:"It will be close, but I think I can make it, comrade. What
         should I do when I get there?"

Phoenix:"Observe them and see if the give you clues about the location
         of the others. Then radio that info over to us. We'll work
         from there."

Illanov"Dah, comrade."

Illanov gets up and sneaks over to the closet doorway possible. He
quickly sneaks a peek to make sure the coast is clear, and then turns
invisible. The others can only hear the sound of him running off. Kenya
looks surprised at what Illanov does.

Kenya:"My goodness! How did he do that?"

Shephard:"That's the secret behind the Road Rovers' success, you high-
          ness. Though I admit it kinda creeps me out sometimes."

Kenya:"Please, call me Kenya. Or Ken, if you prefer."

Shephard:"Err... Yes, your highness... I mean, Kenya!"

Kenya giggles while Corsair the whole business.

Corsair(to himself):"Man, Shep is gonna dig himself a hole he's not
       going to get himself out of with that girl. Lucky punk."

On a small hill near the resort, Illanov fades back into view just
as his invisible power wears over. He quickly looks around to make
sure he isn't spotted, then lies down flat in the grass and starts
to creep to the edge. He then spots the Stealth Soldiers, or rather
their impressions in the grass. They are all lying flat towards the
resort, the faint outlines of their rifles just visible. Illanov moves
closer to listen. He then hears one of the soldiers talking.

Soldier 1:"Captain Silhouette, number three and four have secured the
           western edge of the resort. They report the traitor and his
           accomplices have not moved from their current location."

Silhouette:"Excellent. And what is the status of five and six?"

Soldier 1:"They are moving to secure the northern and southern edges.
           We will have them surrounded within minutes."

Silhouette:"Perfect. Once we have them pinned down, radio HQ for re-
            inforcement. I will go to their craft and destroy it with
            some explosives."

Soldier 1:"Affirmative, ma'am."

Illanov backs away a short distance from Silhouette and her team, then
calls Phoenix on his watchcom.

Illanov(into com):"Comrade Phoenix, I've located the leader of the 
       snipers to the east. They're trying to surround us from all
       sides before calling for reinforcements."

Phoenix(over com):"How many are there?"

Illanov(into com):"Four here, including the leader. There seems to be
       four others around the resort."

Phoenix(over com):"Okay. Hold on a moment."

Back inside the resort, Phoenix looks over at Tanarus.

Phoenix:"Tanarus, Alex says he's got four snipers, including the leader,
         to our east, plus four more all around us. Do you think we can
         storm the leader's position? He says they're trying to surround
         us before calling for reinforcements."

Tanarus:"If that's the case, then you're right. We have to got to break
         out and challenge these snipers and neutralize the leader before
         they can alert the others. The longer we stay here the greater
         the danger to us. Have Alex distract the snipers while some of
         us rush their position, but a few of us should remain here and
         fire some random shots to draw the other snipers' attention."

Phoenix:"Then let's do it."

She calls Illanov again.

Phoenix(into com):"Okay, Alex. We're going to try and storm their posi-
       tion. Can you keep them occupied?"

Illanov(over com):"Dah, comrade."

Phoenix(into com):"Good. Wait for our signal."

Back on the hill, Illanov pulls out his EMP jammer while waiting for the
signal from Phoenix. After a minute, he gets the signal in the form of
shots being randomly fired from the resorts towards the north, west and
south. This also gets the stealth soldiers' attention.

Soldier 1:"They've opened fire, ma'am."

Silhouette:"It's just panic fire. They can't see us, let alone shoot at
            us. Ignore it."

Soldier 1:"Yes, ma'am."

Illanov readies his EMP Jammer, then switches it on. A moment later the
four snipers shimmered back into view, much to their surprise.

Soldier 2:"What the...? Our cloaking devices have stopped working!"

Soldier 1:"Is this a malfunction?"

Silhouette:"Fix your units, quick!"

As the four snipers try to figure out what is wrong, Phoenix, Elexis,
Tanarus and Kenya rush out of the resort towards them. As they climb
the hill, one of the stealth soldiers spots them.

Soldier 3:"They're storming our position, ma'am!"

Silhouette quickly turns to look at the rushing group.

Silhouette:"Take them down!"

Silhouette and her troops raise their rifles and take aim at the Strikers.
However, when they try to fire they find their rifles are no longer in
working condition.

Soldier 1:"My rifle! It's dead!"

Silhouette:"Sacre bleu! What devilry is this?!"

Phoenix and her team continue up the hill and are almost upon Silhouette's
team. The snipers reach for their backup weapons, but suddenly Illanov
comes up from behind and hits Silhouette on the back of the head with his
plasma rifle. She yelps once before collapsing to the ground. The other
soldiers barely have time to reach when Phoenix and the others reach the
top and attack. Two of the soldiers are knocked down by strong punches
before they can react. The third one tries to make a break for it, but
Kenya runs after him and then tackles him. The two stumble to grass and
roll. Kenya is first to get up and jump onto the troop, pinning him to the
ground before punching him out cold.

Kenya:"You should know we wild dogs are good hunters."

Once Silhouette's team is down, they are tried up and secured with plastic
straps and gagged. Illanov turns off his EMP Jammer as Phoenix turns to
him.

Phoenix:"Good work, Alex."

Illanov:"You too, comrade. We got the advantage now."

Phoenix:"Then let's use it."

She turns to her team.

Phoenix:"Kenya, stay here and guard these soldiers. The rest of us, move
         out around the resort and search for those other snipers."

Kenya:"Will do, Phoenix. These creeps are going nowhere."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade."

Tanarus, Elexis:"Roger."

With Kenya staying behind to guard Silhouette and her three companions,
the team splits up and begins to sneak around the outer edge of the area
around the resort. They stay low while keeping an eye out for the snipers.
Tanarus spots the next sniper when he fires a shot from behind a tree 
towards the resort. He points at him for Elexis. She nods, then the two 
of them whisper something. They then nod their heads and creep closer and 
closer, staying low and out of sight. When they get close enough, Elexis 
stands up and tosses her Widowmaker boomerang towards the sniper. The 
sharp edges of the boomerang slices through the barrel of the rifle, 
startling the stealth soldier and causing him to move. Tanarus then goes 
and opens fire with his chaingun. The soldier yelps as he hit, dropping 
out of the tree and landing hard on the ground. The couple rush up to
his position to find the stealth soldier, now uncloaked, lying on the
ground and bleeding.

Tanarus:"Treat his wounds while I tie him up."

Elexis:"Okay."

Tanarus takes out the plastic straps and secures the soldier's ankles and
wrists while Elexis uses her medikit to heal the sniper. Meanwhile, Il-
lanov and Phoenix make their way around the other side of the resort,
surprising another sniper before knocking him out with Illanov's plasma
rifle butt. They tie the sniper down, then proceed onward until they
meet up with Tanarus and Elexis, who have just neutralized the final
soldier.

Phoenix:"Everything all right?"

Elexis:"Yeah, we got two. You?"

Phoenix:"One. That's all of them, right?"

Illanov:"Dah, comrade. I think it's all of them."

Tanarus:"Guess we can give the all clear."

Phoenix:"Right. And now we can have a word with Raul. I think I'm more
         willing to listen to his side of the story now that we know the
         Elite Guard is after him as well."

As Illanov, Tanarus and Elexis go to fetch the captured snipers, Phoenix
is walking back towards the resort. Through one of the resort windows
Shephard is looking towards Phoenix.

Shephard:"All clear, ma'am?"

Phoenix:"All clear, Shephard. We got all the snipers before they can call
         for help. Have Kenya's warriors come and help us with the pri-
         soners."

Shephard:"Yes, ma'am!"

As Shephard goes to gather up the wild dogs, Phoenix heads into the resort
and goes to Raul. Raul is by the desk with the telephone on it. He looks
up as Phoenix approaches.

Raul:"I hear you took care of the stealth soldiers."

Phoenix:"Yes, it's save now. Silhouette and her troops are now our cap-
         tives. And I think I'm more willing to believe what you're
         telling us about a defection. But first you should tell me
         just who is this 'mutual friend' of yours."

Raul:"I can't really answer that largely because I don't know much about
      him. I think he might be with the KH Military, but I can't say for
      certain."

Phoenix:"I suppose we will have to figure that out later. Right now we
         need your help in finding the Elite Guard headquarters. Sil-
         houette and her team's absence might get noticed soon."

Raul:"Right. I must get you to Hildagarde soon."

Phoenix:"Do you know a way that he can go in without being seen by the
         Elite Guard security?"

Raul:"Hildagarde gave me a map of the facility's ventilation system.
      We can sneak in through one of the air ducts, though we will need
      to be careful of the security systems that are in the ducts."

Phoenix:"You can tell us about it on the way there."

Raul nods in agreement. Phoenix then goes up to Kenya as she and her
warriors round up the captured soldiers.

Phoenix:"Can you keep watch over these prisoners for us, your highness?
         We can't afford to let them get away and alert our enemies of
         what is going on."

Kenya:"Don't worry, Phoenix. We'll make sure they stay put, though it
       is a shame that I won't be able to accompany you further."

Nearby, Shephard gives an unseen sigh of relief when he hears what the
wild dog female says.

Phoenix:"I don't want to endanger you, your highness. We seem to be
         close to the Elite Guard's base of operations and they are not
         to be messed around with."

Kenya:"I understand. You just make sure you drive them out of their
       hole so that the people of Kenya can reclaim these lands from
       their grip."

Phoenix:"We promise, your highness."

Kenya smiles.

Kenya:"Go and kick some butt."

Phoenix and Kenya laugh. Phoenix then gathers up Raul and her team before
heading back to the Stealth Rover. Kenya and her wild dog warriors force
Silhouette and her soldiers onto feet before giving them marching orders.
As the two groups are beginning to depart from the resort, however, from
a tree the last stealth soldier watches them go. She takes activates her
helmet's radio.

Soldier 3(into radio):"HQ, HQ, this is Stealth Unit 824.... HQ, do you
         read me?"

The soldiers continues making the radio call as the Strikers and the Wild
Dogs depart from the resort.

Command Centre
Unknown Location
12:38 PM:

This is a large, square room with leveled tiers running down from a central
elevator shaft. On each tier are computer terminals and screens, each with
its own swivel chair. At the top is a large throne similar to the one in
the Elite Guard HQ, which is facing towards large windows. Although high-
tech, it is still undergoing final preparations. Technicians are busy
installing cables and programming computer systems while the windows are
covered with plastic sheets to block the view of the outside. Seated at
his almost-completed throne is General Franco, who is on his phone with
some of his rankings officers standing close by.

Franco(into phone):"I appreciate the information, Mister T, but I think
      that my plans have reached the point where I am no longer worried
      about they find out over there. I had actually thought they would
      discover it earlier, but they are only beginning to figure it out.
      It's already too late... Yes, so I don't think I will be keeping
      Spectre there for much longer. I will need him in Zimbabwe for the
      next phase... The Road Rovers? Bah! They're only going to find it
      out on CNN, and they won't be able to get the support needed to
      stop me. In fact, nobody in the world will be able to stop me once
      the next phase gets underway... Good, I will appreciate any more
      information you and your organization can provide... Thank you,
      Mister T. Now please excuse me..."

Franco ends the call and puts the phone down. But he barely does it when
it rings again. He picks it up and answers.

Franco(into phone):"Yes, speak... Major Hagar, what is the problem...
      yes, what he want?..."

As Franco listens his eyes widen and he sits up straight.

Franco(into phone):"Captured! By whom?... The Road Rovers? Ridiculous!
      Captain Silhouette told me they had destroyed the beacons!...
      Come again... A traitor? A traitor! Who?!"

He suddenly bangs his fist hard on the throne and swears, startling some
of the technicians.

Franco(into phone):"That treacherous little b*****d! How dare he! Where
      is he now?... Going to Longonot with the Rovers. D*** him! He's
      trying to expose our Africa headquarters!... He got orders from
      the inside? You telling me we have more traitors in our midst?!"

He stands up, now livid with anger.

Franco(into phone):"Major Hagar, listen carefully. Alert the base but do
      not raise the alarm just yet. Wait until they gotten into the base
      and made contact with these other traitors. Once that happens,
      kill the Rovers and capture the traitors... Yes, Major. Capture. I
      first want to see who betrayed me before they are executed... Yes,
      and call Champion and have them there with you immediately. And if
      Captain Silhouette arrives have her help out... Keep me informed."

He slams the phone down hard on the throne, swearing again and startling
the working wolf-sapien technicians.

Ventilation Shaft
Slopes of Mount Longonot
At That Moment:

The Stealth Rover is quietly hovering above a ventilation shaft that has
been cleverly disguised as a large boulder. Hanging from the edge of a
step ladder lowered from the vehicle is Merit, who is using a wielding
torch from his toolkit (whose hatch had been removed due to the bullet)
to cut apart the grate covering the hole. Watching from the open hatch
where the ladder has been hoisted from is Phoenix, Raul and Tanarus.
Phoenix looks up at Raul.

Phoenix:"Are you sure this is the right vent?"

Raul nods, still looking down.

Raul:"Positive. That shaft heads down to an air exchange which connects
      to the vent that goes straight into Hildagarde's lab."

Phoenix:"Aren't there any security systems in those vents?"

Raul:"There are a few laser tripwires and sealed grates, but those will
      not pose a problem. There might be a turret in the exchange, but
      that can be bypassed with some electronic tampering."

Phoenix:"I hope so."

She looks back down at Merit, who is almost finished cutting through the
grate. A few minutes later Merit finishes the cutting, then closes up
his toolkit and removes the grate from the hole. The robot puts it down
next to the rock before looking up to Phoenix.

Merit:"Task completed."

Phoenix:"Good work, Merit. Stay there next to the hole while the rest of
         us climb down."

Merit:"Orders recieved."

As Merit waits below, the rest of Unit STRIKE (sans Tanarus and Elexis)
and Raul climb down the ladder to the ground. Once on the ground, Phoenix
contacts Tanarus while Elexis raises the ladder and then closes the
hatch.

Phoenix(into com):"Tanarus, keep out of sight until we contact you again.
       We'll try and come back the way we came, but we'll call if we need
       to go out another way."

Tanarus(over com):"Roger that, Phoenix. Be careful. Franco is not some-
       body to tangle with easily."

Phoenix(into com):"Don't worry. We'll be on our guard."

As the Stealth Rover flies off, Unit STRIKE gathers around the rock with
the open vent. Phoenix looks at Raul.

Phoenix:"You lead the way, Raul. You know the way better than us."

Raul:"All right, but stick close. We don't to get lost and then have one
      you come out in the barracks instead of Hildagarde's lab."

Raul climbs onto the rock, then begins to climb down in the vent using
a ladder against the side of shaft. Phoenix and the others then follow
the wolf-sapien down the vent. The shaft is lit up with faint yellow
lights while some distance below a fan blade is spinning behind a grate.
As they go lower, Raul counts the side shafts they pass.

Raul:"One... two... three... four! In here."

He points to the open vent, then climbs over into it. Phoenix and the
others follow him into the vent, then crawl their way along the shaft.

Merit:"I find it curious that many secure facilities we have penetrated
       have poor or non-existent security within their ventilation
       systems."

Corsair:"Now that you mention it Merit, it is kind of a cliché."

Suddenly Raul stops, making the others stop as well.

Raul:"Well, we break the mould at that. Look."

Everyone looks past Raul. Just a foot away are four blue laser beams
coming from small devices attached to the vent sides. Just beyond the
beams is a small keypad.

Phoenix:"Tripwires?"

Raul:"Yes. When the beams are broken, sensors are activates inside the
      vents to check what it was. Anything bigger than a rodent will
      cause the system to release the buzzblades. I think you encountered 
      them in Sudan: those flying balls with the saw blades."

Some of the Strikers shudder.

Shephard:"Those things cut us up bad."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade, and that was in the open air. I hate to think what 
         will happen if we have to fight them in these vents."

Raul:"We won't have to, friends."

Raul carefully sticks his paw and arm between the beams, reaching for the
keypad. He slowly types in a code. There is a short beep, then the laser
beams turn off.

Raul:"Come on. There are two more beams we need to pass before we get to
      the lab."

They continue on through the vents. They take several turns and climb up
and down a few more shafts. Corsair takes notice of this.

Corsair:"Hey, Raul. Is this really the shortest route to the lab?"

Raul:"As a matter of fact, no it's not."

Corsair:"Then what's the deal with taking the long way?"

Raul:"I'm guiding us along vents that do not run over frequented areas.
      I would rather not want someone to hear us crawl through these
      vents and then begin to riddle it, and us, with bullets. Unless
      you enjoy being shot with enough lead to turn you into a pencil."

Corsair blinks, then lifts one hand off the vent he was pressing on. The
metal sheet bounces back to its normal form with an audible noise.

Corsair:"Oh."

They continue onward. After a few minutes and deactivating another set of
beams, they come to a loose grate. Raul lifts it off the floor and climbs
out, followed by Phoenix and the others. They find themselves inside a
large room filled with all manner of scientific equipment, computers,
tables, cupboards, microscopes and beakers. Waiting to greet them is
Hildagarde, the female wolf-sapien scientist. She goes up to them.

Hildagarde:"Did it go all right, Raul?"

Raul:"Almost. We had some trouble with Silhouette's team, but we had
      neutralized them. The alarm won't be raised."

Hildagarde:"Are you sure?"

Raul:"Certain of it."

Hildagarde nods, then turns her attention to the Strikers. She goes up to
Phoenix and takes her paw.

Hildagarde:"You're Striker's mate Phoenix, right?"

Phoenix shakes Hildagarde's paw back.

Phoenix:"Yes I am. Hildagarde, right?"

Hildagarde:"Correct. Former assistant to Tesla in the KH Military and now
            chief scientist of the Elite Guard for the past 20 years."

Phoenix then notices a few marks and cuts on Hildagarde's face.

Phoenix:"From what I see those 20 years have not been the best."

Hildagarde nods sadly.

Hildagarde:"Champion has been... harassing me for years. Not as much
            these days, but in the past it was bad."

Shephard:"This Champion is moving very quickly up my priority list of
          bad guys who need an a**-kicking."

Illanov:"I personally know of a gulag I would love to send him to."

Phoenix:"Is that the reason you want to defect, Hildagarde?"

Hildagarde:"One of them. I have other, personal reasons to want to get
            away from Franco and his army of fanatics. And there are few
            others, including Raul, who are willing to come with me."

Phoenix:"How many?"

Hildagarde:"Aside from me and Raul there is Maya, Harva and the Namibian
            president."

The Strikers all blink in surprise when Hildagarde mentions this.

Phoenix:"Wait a minute. Did you say the Namibian president?"

Hildagarde:"Yes. Franco had him kidnapped and placed into the prison cells
            here in the base."

Corsair:"Man, Hunter is not gonna be a happy dog when he hears the guy
         they're supposed to guard got kidnapped under their noses."

Hildagarde:"Actually, the president was abducted before the South African
            invasion of Namibia."

Now the team is really surprised by this information.

Merit:"I say, we appear to have duplicate presidents."

Shephard:"But then who is the guy Hunter and the others have been helping
          and guarding in Namibia?"

Hildagarde:"That would most likely be Franco's shape shifter, Spectre. He
            has assumed the identity of the president and with that the
            leadership of the country. Spectre probably provoked the
            South Africans into attacking Namibia and then lured the Road
            Rovers in to help him fight off the invasion."

The team is now stunned by this revelation.

Corsair:"Holy cow! You mean to tell me Franco took us all for a ride?"

Illanov:"Bolshoi! We must contact our comrades in Namibia and warn them
         about this farce. And we've got to get the president back to his
         country and expose this fraud to the world."

Phoenix nods her head in agreement.

Phoenix:"Absolutely right, Alex. Franco has played us all for suckers."

She then turns back to Hildagarde.

Phoenix:"Hildagarde, why did Franco do all this? I mean, what's the 
         point of this deception?"

Hildagarde shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders.

Hildagarde:"I have no idea. Franco wouldn't trust me with his plans. He
            only shares them with his most trusted generals and agents.
            The only things I have are stuff that I had overheard, and
            I don't know what they mean."

Phoenix:"Tell us about it. Maybe it could be useful."

Hildagarde:"It isn't much. I occasionally hear that this is all part of
            a diversion and that they're busy moving things along the
            underground train tunnels."

Illanov:"A diversion? A diversion for what? And what are these tunnels?"

Hildagarde:"Over the years the Elite Guard built a series of electric
            railway tracks that run in underground tunnels. The main hub
            is at the lower levels of this base, but I don't know where
            the tunnels lead to or what they are moving through them."

Illanov:"This is beginning to sound like Franco has a kind of master plan,
         an uber plan, in motion."

Shephard:"Sounds to me like big trouble brewing, sirs."

Phoenix looks at Raul.

Phoenix:"How much do you know about this plan, Raul?"

Raul shakes his head.

Raul:"Only as much as Hildagarde knows. None of us who want to defect
      knows more, either."

Phoenix then turns her attention to Illanov.

Phoenix:"What do we do next, Alex? Do we first take the defectors out of
         here, or do we try and find out more about Franco's plans?"

Illanov:"That's up to you to decide, comrade Phoenix. Both options have
         their advantages and risks. We can take them to safety first
         while we have the opportunity, but someone might notice their
         abscene and raise the alarm. We can also try to discover what
         Franco is up to while they are not yet alert, but we then risk
         having the defectors caught out with us. A compromise might be
         possible, in that someone stays with us while the rest are
         evacuated."

Phoenix listens carefully to what Illanov says and then thinks about it.

Phoenix:"That compromise might be the best idea. I think we should call
         Tanarus and get his advice and suggestions on this."

Illanov:"That's a good idea, comrade."

Phoenix brings up her watchcom and begins to call Tanarus.

Stealth Rover
Holding Position Over Mount Longonot
12:59 PM:

The Stealth Rover is flying low around the summit of Mount Longonot.
Tanarus is at the flight controls while Elexis is seated next to him at
the command console. They are watching the mounting for danger.

Tanarus:"Anything, Dear?"

Elexis checks the console and shakes her head.

Elexis:"Nothing so far... wait..."

She takes a closer look at the console.

Elexis:"I'm picking up something big in the distance, on the other side
        of the mountain."

Tanarus:"Let's go around and have a quick look."

Tanarus pilots the Stealth Rover around the summit to the other side,
where they see something that makes their eyes widen. Hovering above
the landscape near the foot of Longonot is the KHA Victoria. Below it,
Celtic Squadron forces are being unloaded and prepared in columns,
clearly massing for an attack.

Elexis:"It's the Celtic Squadron! But how did they find out about the
        base? Or that they are this close without the Elite Guard
        knowing about it?"

Tanarus:"We'd better tell them to get out of there soon. This could get
         very ugly."

At that moment there is a beeping on the communications console that
gets Elexis' attention.

Elexis:"That must be them now. I'll..."

Suddenly an arm comes from behind and wraps around Elexis' neck. An
instant later a knife tip is pressed against her throat. Tanarus hears
her gasp and quickly turns to look. To his shock, he sees Ozari holding
his mate in his grip and a knife to her throat. The mugger grins at
Tanarus.

Ozari:"You didn't think you could forget so easily?"

He grins more widely and presses the knife closer to Elexis' throat.

Laboratory
Elite Guard Headquarters
At That Moment:

Phoenix is waiting for an answer from the Stealth Rover, but her call
goes unanswered. She looks up at Illanov.

Phoenix:"Odd. I'm getting through to the Stealth Rover, but neither
         Tanarus nor Elexis are answering me."

Illanov:"Let me try, comrade."

But just as Illanov is about to use his watchcom, the lab door bursts
open and a large number of Alpha Soldiers rush in with their rifles
aim at the entire group.

Soldiers:"Paws in the air! Lift them! Now!"

Unable to draw their weapons, the group is forced to raise their hands
or paws into the air. The Alpha Soldiers surround the group while two
of them shove Maya and Harva into the group. Hildagarde looks in shock
at them.

Hildagarde:"What happened! What's going on?"

Maya:"I don't know! They just grabbed us and brought us here!"

Harva:"Champion says we're in trouble!"

Voice:"D*** right you are."

All eyes turn to the voice: coming into the lab behind the soldiers is
Champion, holding an M14 rifle in his paws. He sneers at the group.

Champion:"Look what we have here, boys. The traitors and their Road
          Rover masters."

Phoenix and Hildagarde growl defiantly at Champion.

Hildagarde:"How dare you call me that."

Champion:"Oh, but I have every right to call you that. We found out about
          Raul and you and your little plan."

He looks over at Phoenix.

Champion:"You thought you captured Silhouette and all her troops, but
          luckily one soldier avoided capture and alerted the boss to
          what was going on here."

There are shocked looks on the faces of Unit STRIKE and Raul.

Corsair:"You mean we missed one? Crud and double crud!"

Champion:"And we'll go and rescue Silhouette and her team from those
          wild dogs who captured them, but first..."

He marches up to Phoenix, grabs her long hair and yanks her close to him.
She yelps in pain while the others watch in shock. Illanov growls.

Illanov:"You monster! You don't treat a woman like that!"

Champion grins at Illanov.

Champion:"Oh, but I can. Especially with such a cute rump."

He goes and grabs Phoenix's rear, causing her to yip out in surprise. She
tries to bite him, but he just grabs her muzzle with his big paws.

Shephard:"You keep doing that and I'll crush your coconuts with my boot."

Champion ignores Shephard and instead forces Phoenix to her knees by
one of the tables. He grabs her paws and places them on the table while
he leers at her.

Champion:"You know, I didn't get mine the last time we met."

Phoenix:"You'll never get either!"

Champion:"You're right, not while you still have paws with which to turn
          me into a match. Luckily, we can remedy that."

He reaches over and picks up a dissecting knife. The werewolf forces
Phoenix's paws flat onto the table and prepares to cut her paws with the
knife while the others watch in horror. Merit, however, is the only one
not terrorized as he watches.

Merit:"May I please highlight the fact that the removal of organic ap-
       pendages can severely hamper subject functions and can even re-
       sult in termination if not properly conducted with the correct
       medical equipment and procedures."

Champion stares at Merit.

Champion:"Man, f*** you."

He turns his attention back to Phoenix. The Pomeranian is trying to put
on a brave face but is watching in terror as Champion brings the knife
closer and closer to her paw. Will Unit STRIKE escape this deadly pre-
dicament? Will Ozari take over the Stealth Rover? What is the Celtic 
Squadron going to do?


TO BE CONTINUED...