The Trouble With Turncoats

By Gerhard Naudé and Richard Barrere

All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Shadow, the Wild Warriors © Richard Barrere
All Rover Strike names © Gerhard Naudé

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

Prisoners of War Camp
Coastal Region
Western Sahara Territory
West Africa
2 March
3:03 PM:

This is a typical prisoner of war (POW) camp located between the ocean 
and the sands of the sahara desert in the Western Sahara. There is 
chainlink fences around it with guard towers at regular intervals, neat 
rows of bunk houses and the sandstone office building. Moroccan soldiers 
are on duty around the camp while the flag of Morocco is flying above 
the office building. Parked next to it is the Stealth Rover.

Interrogation Room
Office Building
Prisoner of War Camp
3:08 PM:

This a small square room with a single light dangling from the ceiling and
no windows. There is only a single steel door that leads into the room. In
the corner of the ceiling is a security camera. Right now a Berber prisoner 
is tied down to a chair directly under the light. His face looks battered
and bruised from punches given to him. Shadow is here as well, running his 
fingers over his sword while looking at the prisoner. 

Shadow:"So is that the location of all the ammunition dumps?"

Prisoner:"Yes... yes, it is... I know of no other dumps, I swear..."

Shadow leans closer until he is face to face with the prisoner. He looks
at the prisoner with a cold look in his eyes.

Shadow:"You swear on your own grave?"

Prisoner:"Yes, I swear on my own grave!"

Shadow stands up straight.

Shadow:"Good."

Suddenly Shadow takes his sword and stabs the prisoner right in the
stomach. The prisoner gasps with eyes wide in horror, then sighs and
slumps into the chair. Shadow pulls his sword out and begins to clean
it.

Shadow:"As I said: on your own grave."

The sound of the door being unlocked echoes in the room, then the door
swings open to bang against the wall. Striker comes in, his face filled
with anger.

Striker:"Shadow! What the h*** did you do?"

Shadow turns to face Striker, wiping his sword clean.

Shadow:"I did my job. I got the information from him, and he was no 
        longer any use to us."

Striker jabs his finger into Shadow's chest.

Striker:"That is NOT how we treat prisoners! We have a strict set of 
         laws we follow after taking someone in!"

Shadow:"I know. I simply don't believe in them. They don't follow those 
        laws, so I treat them the same. I simply done unto him that which 
        he has done to many innocent people. I'm sure he appreciated the 
        irony in that."

Striker:"You mamparra! We need to bring his people to the bargaining
         table to end this conflict! You CANNOT continue your ideals 
         of killing the enemy! We DON'T do that for a reason, and if 
         you don't follow the rules and laws, governments will turn 
         against you!"

Striker turns around and storms out of the room, muttering in anger 
under his breath. Shadow sheaves his sword, squinting his eyes as they 
glow even brighter.

Shadow:"Not if I turn on them first."

He walks out of the room. Moment later two Moroccan guards come in to 
police the body.

Prisoners of War Camp
Western Sahara Territory
4 April
5:03 PM:

The camp still much the same, with Moroccan guards about and the flag
of Morocco flying over the office building. But not for long. The flag 
is being lowered, while at the gate the last prisoners are being 
transported out of the camp to a cheering crowd of relatives waiting 
outside along the road. It is the first step in the dismantling of the 
camp.

Security Checkpoint
Morocco/Western Sahara Territory
8 April
8:14 AM:

This is basically a wooden hut and barrier along a concrete road running 
over the border. The flag of Morocco is flying above it. The barrier is 
currently raised, while inside the hut the security guards are watching 
convoys of trucks, tanks and jeeps pass by out of Western Sahara, all 
carrying emblems or flags of Morocco.

13 April
4:57 PM:

This is the same security checkpoint, but with major differences. The
flag flying above the hut is that of the United Nations. Inside the
Moroccan security guards have been replaced by Russian soldiers wearing
the blue helmets of UN peacekeepers. They watch as a convoy of white
United Nations APCs, trucks and hummers pass by from Morocco into
Western Sahara.

Office of the Secretary-General
United Nations Headquarters
International Territory
New York City
15 April
9:28 AM:

The secretary-general's office is quite busy. Aside from the pile of
paperwork on the desk and some assistants talking on phones, Norwood
is here talking to Unit STRIKE. Striker and Phoenix are seated by his
desk while the others sit around on any available chair. Norwood is
busy reading a report from Western Sahara.

Norwood:"Okay, everything is going well so far. Western Sahara has
         already scheduled the first elections for mid-July, the new
         national flag has been adopted and our peacekeepers report
         little, if any, kind of hostile activity."

Striker:"Sounds as if the world will soon welcome it's youngest nation 
         to the community. Another victory for you, Mark."

Norwood:"I can't take all the credit. Most of it goes to my special
         envoy, Mohammed al-Salaam. He is the one who managed to wrangle
         out the deal with Morocco to grant Western Sahara its indepen-
         dence."

Illanov:"So why did you call us, comrade?"

Norwood puts the report down, folds his hands together and leans 
forward.

Norwood:"Al-Salaam will be giving a speech in three days in which he
         will announce the interim government members as well as the
         finalized deal that will ensure Morocco will never covet
         Western Sahara again. Trouble is, despite the current peaceful
         situation in the country, there are still many factions who
         would want to kill al-Salaam. Aside from the usual suspects
         like the KH Military and Mayhem Mercenaries, there are the
         hardliners in Morocco who see the granting of independence
         to Western Sahara as giving away parts of Moroccan territory.
         Also in the mix are arms dealers who stand to loose a good
         market, not just with the Moroccans but also with the rebels
         in Western Sahara."

Corsair:"I bet they were a bit unhappy about loosing their customers."

Norwood:"You could hear their screams from here."

Merit:"Actually, you could not. A human's level of volume cannot reach
       the required decibles to be heard over a distance of over 5 to
       10 kilometres approximately."

Some around the room chuckle while Corsair rolls his eyes.

Corsair:"You have a long way to go, Merit."

Merit:"I have? What is the destination I am heading for?"

Corsair groans and buries his face in his arms.

Norwood:"Anyway, the fact is that I'm worried any of these elements will
         attempt to assassinate al-Salaam during his speech. If this
         happens, the whole situation could turn ugly, especially if
         there are Moroccan elements behind this."

Striker:"So you want us to go and protect al-Salaam?"

Norwood:"Yes. I also want you to trace the source of the assassination,
         who is financing and supporting it. That way, we can try and
         prevent future attempts and keep the situation stable."

Norwood digs around in his papers and pulls out a folder. He hands it
over to Striker, who takes it.

Norwood:"Here is the file on Mohammed al-Salaam as well as the needed
         papers and visas for you to carry out your duties in Western
         Sahara. You will also have authorization to make use of any
         peacekeepers in the region as you need it."

Striker opens the folder and quickly looks inside, making sure all the
things are there.

Striker:"Goed. Is there anything else we need to know?" 

Norwood:"Actually yes, there is. Because of al-Salaam's importance, 
         you won't be working alone. You'll be partnered with another 
         team. They're already in the country setting up checkpoints 
         with UN troops. I'm sure they'll have the area where al-Salaam's 
         speech will be scoped out for where best to watch for trouble. 
         I believe you've worked with them before. The freelance team 
         called the Wild Warriors."

Striker looks up immediately at Norwood, closing the file and leaning 
forward in his chair. Everyone else is looking at Norwood as well. 

Striker:"The Wild Warriors? You mean Shadow and his team?" 

Norwood:"That is what your Professor told me. The entire team."

Striker groans while Phoenix leans forward to speak.

Phoenix:"They're practically criminals, Mark. Only Tech and his 
         android kids have any sense of responsibility for interna-
         tional laws. Jade, Rubius and Tig are rough on everybody,
         which is not too bad for us to not work with them, but 
         Shadow is the worst of them all." 

Striker:"Mark, that collie has no regard for the lives of others. On 
         our last mission he killed over twenty people, four of them 
         unarmed POWs after he interrogated them. Why would you put 
         them on a mission like this?"

Norwood:"Because he and his team are the best available to us. Despite 
         their. . .disregard for some things, they have the best 
         record for getting the job done. That is what we need right 
         now, their ability to make sure things go as planned. I don't 
         like how they handle things anymore than you do, but right 
         now, they're the ones whom we need behind the scenes with you 
         to make sure nothing goes wrong." 

Striker sighs and throws his paws into the air.

Striker:"Reg, Mark, I understand. We'll head out as soon as we're ready.
         I just hope that your decision to have Shadow work with us
         does not turn out to make matters worse."

Norwood:"Understood. If Shadow or the Wild Warriors do mess up, let me
         know and I will have them dealt with. Now, I got work to do
         before the next security council meeting. I'll leave you to
         prepare for your mission. Good luck."

Striker:"Dankie, Mark." 

The Strikers all get up and starts walking out, a few of the team 
talking amongst themselves. 

Corsair:"Well, at least it'll be good to see Tech again. He and I 
         never get tired of swapping computer info." 

Merit:"I only hope that his android companion, Adam6, does not attempt 
       to disassemble me. His interest in my systems and how they
       operate can greatly impact my efficiency."

Corsair chuckles as they all file out of the office, leaving Norwood
to begin gathering some papers.

CEO Office
EuroCorp Private Learjet
Somewhere Over China
9:04 AM:

This is a small but good-looking office built into a learjet. It has a
foldaway desk, build-in computers and comfortable chairs, all fixed to
the plane. At the desk is Jacques Rembrandt, who is on his celphone.
Seated on the other side of his desk is his rather attractive and young
secretary. He is making eyes at her while he talks on the phone. She
is blushing and giggling and taking notes.

Rembrandt(into phone):"Oui, so you say this man... al-Salaam were to 
         befall a premature death it would beneficial to you?... Ah,
         I thought so... What would I want? Simple, Monsieur Shar:
         more European Corporation business contracts to be signed by
         your government and less with my... OUR competitors... You
         would agree? Excellent, Monsieur Shar... Non, no need to. I
         will provide you with the manpower and the money to pay for
         the manpower... No need to worry. Mohammed al-Salaam will be 
         dead before the end of the week.. Thank you. I am sure this
         business deal will prove beneficial to us both... Farewell,
         Monsieur Shar."

Rembrandt ends the call and puts his phone down. He looks slyly at his
secretary.

Rembrandt:"You done?"

Secretary:"Almost, Monsieur Rembrandt."

Rembrandt:"Please, call me Jacques."

The secretary giggles again.

Secretary:"Oui, Jacques. Let me just finish writing here and then we
           can share my latest reports."

Rembrandt:"So good of you, Juan."

The secretary smiles back at Rembrandt as he watches her finish writing
on the notepad.

Political Rally
Central Layoune
Western Sahara
18 April
6:47 PM:

A large rally being held in a city square in the new capital of Western
Sahara. At the end of one square is a stage where many dignatries are
gathered. In the square are thousands of spectators, many of them
dressed in the native Berder clothing, waving the new flag of their
country. Around the square UN APCs and humvees are cordoning off the
square, keeping a watchful eye out. The square is surrounded by
government buildings, a few small business buildings and opposite the
stage a five-story office building. The sun is beginning to set over
the country. The stage is lit up with lights and the dignatries are
seated behind a raised podium. Right a local religious leader is 
making a speech. Standing on either side of him is Striker and 
Phoenix, dressed in the golden ceremonial Road Rover uniforms and 
wearing earphones and microphones that are not visible from the crowds.
As the religious leader speaks, Striker makes a quick check on the
radio.

Striker(into radio):"This is Striker to all units. Report status."

At the left side of the crowd is Illanov in his usual outfit, looking
over the crowd with a group of blue-helmeted UN troops. He too has a
earphone like Striker and Phoenix.

Illanov(into radio):"This is Alex. All clear, comrade."

On the opposite end, inside a UN APC being used a command vehicle, 
Corsair and Tech are working with some technicians. They are working 
with computers and surveilance screens of the square. Both Corsair 
and Tech has bigger, more bulky earphones on.

Tech(into radio):"This is Tech, South Gate. All radio and electronic 
    traffic is negative. I'm not picking up anything that sounds out 
    of the ordinary." 

Corsair(into radio):"Corsair here at the South Gate. Cameras aren't 
       showing us anything suspicous. Everything is a-okay here boss." 

At a street level checkpoint behind the podium stand Jade and Rubius, 
along with a team of UN soldiers. Jade holds a small communicator in 
her hand. 

Jade(into radio):"This is Jade at the East Gate. Nothing to report." 

Away from the square Tig walks his patrol alone, watching everywhere. 
He carries a small hand radio like Jade. 

Tig(into radio):"This is Tig in Patrol One. Nothing in sight." 

Striker(from radio):"Tig? I thought Shadow was the one supposed to be 
       giving me the reports." 

Tig(into radio):"He was. Shadow is on Radio Silence right now. He and 
   I split up a minute ago while he checked out something suspisious." 

Striker(from radio):"Wonderlik. Anything we should be watching for?" 

Tig(into radio):"Nah, we're fine. My eyesight's better than his and I 
   didn't see anything. The Captain just gets paranoid on these VIP
   missions."

At the back of the crowd with another group of UN soldiers, is
Shephard. He is watching the crowd atop a humvee, using a pair of
binoculars to scan the square. He wears a special gas mask with 
built-in radio.

Shephard(into radio):"Shephard reporting from the West Gate. No 
        hostiles in sight, sir." 

Back on stage Striker acknowledges the replies with satisfaction. A
few minutes later the religious leader finishes his speech to the
applause of the crowd. Striker and Phoenix escort the leader to his
seat. Then they lead Mohammed al-Salaam to the podium. al-Salaam is
a Saudi Arab with a big black moustache and goatee and wearing a
blue suit. al-Salaam comes to the podium to the applause of the
crowd while Striker and Phoenix take up positions alongside. al-
Salaam waves, then the crowd goes silent to hear him speak.

al-Salaam:"Citizens of Western Sahara. I am certain that this is
           a proud and joyful day for you, for you have gone through
           many trials and tribulations..."

As he speaks, Striker and Phoenix look around for signs of trouble.
The sun is just setting and its rays are being reflected from the
windows. However, one particular reflection catches Striker's eye
and he looks a bit closely. In an open window in the office building
on the other side of the square somebody is moving. When Striker
examines it a bit more closely, he sees it is a guy with what appears
to be a sniper rifle, taking aim towards the podium. Striker acts
and shouts out.

Striker:"Sniper!"

Both Striker and Phoenix immediately reach for al-Salaam. A shot
rings out and a bolt of light flies from the office to the podium.
They grab al-Salaam and pull him out of the way and onto the ground.
On the stage pandamonium breaks out as dignatries run for cover
while UN soldiers and private bodyguards rush up to protect the
VIPs. In the crowd a panic breaks out while UN soldiers and local
police officers try to maintain order. Striker and Phoenix force
al-Salaam onto the ground while Striker shouts out over the radio.

Striker(into radio):"All units! Sniper in that office building!"

There are immediate acknowledgements from Shephard and Illanov. At
the office building Shephard leads a group of UN soldiers and police
officers into the structure. Illanov also takes a group, heading for
the office building. On stage Striker and Phoenix turn al-Salaam
onto his back. They find that the shot had hit him in the chest.

Striker:"Is he breathing?"

Phoenix checks for a pulse and nods.

Phoenix:"Barely. We're loosing him, Striker."

Striker:"Reg. Get some paramedics and take him to the hospital. I'm
         going to go help the others."

Phoenix:"Right. Be careful."

Striker quickly gets up and climbs off the stage as Phoenix calls
to the paramedics running to the stage. By now the commotion in the
crowds have died down somewhat. Inside the office building Shephard
orders the officers and soldiers.

Shephard:"Spread out! Scan the whole complex and block off any means
          of escape!"

Officers, Soldiers:"Yes, sir!"

Everyone spreads out and begin to search every room, corridor and
stairwell. Shephard is among those who goes ahead to the next floor.
He starts to check the doors to the offices. When he finds one door
that is not unlocked, Shephard kicks it open and storms inside. The
sniper is still here, still looking out the open window at the
square below. Shephard stops and takes aim at the sniper with his
M-249.

Shephard:"Hold it right there! Turn around with your hands in the
          air!"

The sniper turns around, aiming a pistol at Shephard. Surprisingly
the pistol is a modified energy pistol with an attached barrel, 
stock, and power supply, making the pistol into a sniper rifle. Even
more surprising is the identity of the sniper: Shadow. His face is
a blank emotion as always.

Shadow:"Failure is not an option. The mission must be completed."

Shephard:"Oh, you crossed the line now, Shadow! Your a** is mine!"

Shephard opens fire, but Shadow quickly goes out the window and
climbs up. Shephard rushes to the window and pokes his rifle through. 
But he looks outside, there is no sign of Shadow anywhere. As he
ducks back in, Striker rushes into the office with some soldiers,
his sonic rifle ready.

Striker:"Shephard! Did you see the sniper?"

Shephard:"Yes, sir, but I've lost him. It's Shadow."

Striker is surprised.

Striker:"Ai yai yai! Shadow? You sure?"

Shephard:"He and I were facing each other and was holding a sniper
          rifle, sir. He said 'Failure is not an option. The mission 
          must be completed'."

Striker growls out in anger.

Striker:"Shadow, you treacherous lunatic! Shephard, which way did he
         go?"

Shephard:"He went out the window and climbed up, but when I went to
          look he was gone."

Striker quickly turns to the soldiers.

Striker:"Seal off the area! And I want the Wild Warriors arrested and 
         brought in for interrogation!"

Soldiers:"Yes, sir!"

They all rush out of the office.

Hospital
Layoune
7:49 PM:

This is a big white-walled hospital with the red crescent symbol on
it. Ambulances are parked outside the emergency entrance while armed
UN soldiers and police officers are guarding area. Nearby is a large
group of reporters, cameramen and journalists. Among them is Melanie
Malloy and her cameraman Samuel Knowles. Melanie giving her report
live on camera.

Melanie:"We have confirmation that United Nations special envoy
         Mohamed al-Salaam has died of his injuries. We also have
         confirmation that the sniper's identity is known to the
         authorities and that all police, military and UN personnel
         have been mobilized to hunt down the assassin."

She continues with her reporting.

Cells
Police Station
Layoune
8:21 PM:

This is a set of five concrete-walled cells inside a police station 
in the city. The cells are all lining one wall and have only a bunk 
and a latrine in them. The paint on the bars has flaked off. Two 
lights hang in the cell room. Outside the cells are several tables 
and chairs, plus some rungs where the cell keys are hung. By the
door that comes into the cells is a large mirror, behind which is
an observation room. The Wild Warriors (sans Shadow) are currently 
in the cells, under guard from police officers, military and UN 
soldiers. Investigators, along with members of Unit STRIKE, are busy 
interrogating and questioning the Wild Warriors. From the observation 
room Phoenix watches everything. She looks at Striker, who is busy
interrogating Rubius and Jade. Though she cannot hear anything, she 
can see Striker and Jade are arguing while Rubius just watches them
silently. After a minute Striker storms away out of the cellblock. He 
comes into the observation room, looking very frustrated. Phoenix 
turns to him.

Phoenix:"Nothing, I take?"

Striker shakes his head and sighs.

Striker:"Niks. None of them know about Shadow or where he is, or even
         if they did, they will not tell us."

Phoenix:"I saw you and Jade arguing. It is a pity. You and I were
         good friends with Rubius and Jade."

Striker:"I know. That is what makes this worse. They are our friends,
         but their team's reputation is not really good. And now
         Shadow's assassination of al-Salaam makes them the prime
         suspects. They are not very popular in this country right
         now."

Phoenix:"The people are screaming for blood. Word got out that it
         was a cano-sapien who did it. The peacekeepers are having a
         hard time keeping things calm as possible."

Striker:"Ai yai yai. This is such an awful mess."

Suddenly Striker's wristwatch beeps, signalling an incoming call. He
lifts his wrist and presses a button on the watch to open the com-
munications channel.

Striker(into com):"Striker here."

Norwood(over com):"About bloody time I got hold of you. My phone's
       been ringing non-stop ever since the first bullet went through
       al-Salaam. Everybody here at the United Nations is going crazy
       over this. I had the Arab League and the African Union calling
       me until my ears hurt."

Striker(into com):"Jammer, Mark. We tried our best to save al-Salaam
       from the assassin."

Norwood(over com):"I know, but it is not enough. The whole process of
       Western Sahara's independence is in the balance. I hear the
       assassin was a cano-sapien?"

Striker(into com):"Ja, it was Shadow."

Norwood(over com):"One of the Wild Warriors?"

Striker(into com):"Ja. We have them all sans Shadow at a police
       station here in Layoune for questioning, but so far we have
       gotten nothing from them."

Norwood(over com):"Wonderful. The anti-sapien camp in the Security
       Council will go apes*** over the news. Listen, find that
       assassin as quickly as possible, whether it is Shadow or not.
       The political fallout from this whole debacle is already
       causing finger-pointing between the Western Saharans and the
       Moroccans. I will handle all that, but you must work as 
       quickly as possible."

Striker(into com):"Reg, Mark. We will."

Norwood(over com):"Good. I need to go. My phone is ringing AGAIN."

Norwood closes the communications channel. Striker lowers his wrist
and sighs again.

Striker:"Ai yai yai."

Phoenix comes up to Striker and hugs him. He returns the hug.

Phoenix:"So what is the plan?"

Striker:"I was thinking we should try and check all the usual
         suspects. Since Shadow works mostly freelance, he might
         have done this as a mercenary job. We can check for him
         in the Mayhem Mercenaries."

Phoenix:"That will be tricky to do. Mayhem doesn't have offices you
         can go to."

Striker:"No, but their financial backer, EuroCorp, does. In fact,
         they have a trade consulate here in Layoune."

Phoenix:"Thinking of paying them a visit?"

Striker:"Ja."

Phoenix:"They are probably closed for tonight."

Striker:"That is not going to stop us. We will go there later tomorrow
         morning. Early."

Phoenix nods. Striker hugs her again, making her snuggle up and murr
softly. He kisses her head.

Striker:"Dankie for the stress relief."

Phoenix:"My pleasure. Really."

Striker and Phoenix finally let go, then he heads out of the obser-
vation room back into the cellblock. Phoenix looks back out through
the window again.

European Corporation Trade Consulate
Uptown Layoune
2:04 AM:

The trade consulate of EuroCorp is a square, grey-walled two-story 
office building located in Layoune's more established and wealthier
section. There are satellite dishes and antennae on top of the
building and a electrical fence around the compound. There is some
small gardens within the compound. There is only a single gate
that leads into the compound and it is locked. The security guard
at the gate is at his post in his security shed. He is busy reading
an adult magazine. Thus, his attention is not on what is going on
outside, particularly on the roof of the building next door. Unit
STRIKE is there, with everybody dressed in black uniforms except
for Merit and Shephard. Elexis looks down at the guard in the shed.

Elexis:"Still distracted. Security here is not really what I expect
        from EuroCorp."

Tanarus:"Well, this isn't really a major consulate. EuroCorp does not
         have much of a commercial presence in Western Sahara. Their
         real offices are in Morocco."

Corsair:"So how many guys are we going to find in there?"

Tanarus:"According to what I've been able dig up, you have the guard
         outside, one inside the security room and three others on
         patrol indoors."

Shephard:"Doesn't sound like good opposition, sirs."

Corsair:"Oh, they aren't the biggest problem, Shep. I've hacked up
         the blueprints of this place. It has several panic buttons
         that triggers the alarm and makes an automatic alert to
         the police. To turn it off, you got to have four people
         standing on four pressure plates throughout the building
         at the same time."

Phoenix:"So where are these plates?"

Corsair:"One's in the front lobby, one in the security room and the
         third in the consul's office."

Phoenix:"You only named three. Where is the fourth one?"

Corsair:"That's the catch. The fourth plate is NEVER mentioned in
         the blueprints. Only the guards would know where it is.
         That's why a lot of robbers who try to cheat the system
         still get caught: they miss the last plate."

Striker:"Do you have the printout of the blueprints?"

Corsair digs around in his backpack and pulls out a rolled-up A4 paper. 
He unfolds it and the others take a look at it using small penlights. 
It shows details of each floor of the trade consulate. Everyone studies
it carefully.

Striker:"Reg. Note the locations of those plates. If the alarm is
         trigger, I want you to know where they are."

Everyone nods their heads.

Illanov:"And what of the fourth plate?"

Striker:"Demand it from the guards. Threaten them if you have to. The
         chances are that they are not the well-trained security forces
         you would find at EuroCorp's more important offices."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade."

Striker:"Corsair, you go to the trade consul's office once the rest of
         us have neutralized the guards and hack into his computer."

Corsair:"Roger, boss."

Striker:"Shephard, you and Merit remain and keep a look-out for anybody
         who might interfere with our mission."

Shephard looks disappointed, but still nods in agreement.

Shephard:"Yes, sir."

Merit:"Confirmed."

Striker:"Phoenix and Elexis will go and take care of the guard in the
         security room, since he will pose the greatest threat. Alex,
         Tanarus and I will then each take a guard. Catch them by
         surprise to keep them from raising alarm too quickly."

Phoenix:"Right, Love."

Tanarus:"Roger."

Illanov:"Dah.

Elexis:"Roger."

Striker:"Goed. Do I need to go through anything, or is everything clear
         to you all?"

Everyone else shake their heads.

Striker:"Reg. Let's go."

Everyone but Shephard and Merit pull black head masks over their heads,
leaving only their eyes visible. Striker signals to Shephard, who
nods and picks up a grappling hook. The hook is tied to a rope that
is secured to an antennae on their roof. Taking careful aim, he
swings the hook above his head and then lets it fly. The hook lands
on the consulate's roof. Shephard then pulls until the hook latches
on securely to the small wall around the roof. He tugs a few times
to make sure the rope is steady, then gives the thumbs-up to the
others. Striker goes first. He hangs upside down from the rope and
proceeds to move along to the consulate. Next comes Phoenix, followed
by Illanov, Corsair, Elexis and finally Tanarus. Soon all six of them
are on the consulate roof. Aside from the satellite dishes and the
antennae there are also several ventilation machines and grates and
a small hut with a door.

Striker(whispering):"Reg, Corsair. Where to next?"

Corsair(whispering):"That hut is the one with the stairs down to the
       second floor, but that's always watched by cameras. Each of
       those five grates lead straight to the second floor. Most of 
       them are outside the view of cameras, except the one that goes
       into the consulate's office."

Striker(whispering):"Reg. I want Corsair and Alex..."

He then notices the ugly looks both Corsair and Illanov are giving
one another. He sighs and shakes his head.

Striker(whispering):"I want Corsair and Phoenix to go into the vent
       that goes to the consulate's office."

Illanov and Corsair look relieved, but Phoenix just shakes her head
and rolls her eyes.

Striker(whispering):"Tanarus and Elexis, you two go through the
       vent at the corner there."

Tanarus and Elexis nod their heads.

Striker(whispering):"Alex, you come with me."

Illanov(whispering):"Dah, comrade."

Striker(whispering):"Let's roll."

Everyone nods their heads and creep over to the correct ventilation
grate. Illanov and Tanarus use toolkits to remove the screws from the
grates, while Phoenix simply melts away the metal covering. It takes
only a few minutes for them to have all three ventilation shafts
open and exposed. Everybody starts to climb into the shafts and head
into the consulate. They make their way through the vents and shafts
of the airducts, careful not to make any noise. Phoenix and Corsair
are the first to reach their destination. Phoenix peers through the
grate into the office. It's richly decorated with Moroccan furniture,
arts and crafts. A fancy computer sits on the desk along with other
standard office equipment. It is dark save for a faint green light 
from the camera in the corner. The camera pans left and right over
the entire office, but it apparently does not spot Phoenix looking
through the grate.

Corsair(whispering):"What do you see?"

Phoenix(whispering):"We're at the consul's office. There's a camera
       in the corner opposite us, but it apparently can't see us
       through the grate."

Corsair(whispering):"Great. Do we wait for the others to put the
       security out to pasture first?"

Phoenix(whispering):"Yes, we do."

Phoenix activates her wristwatch's communicator and calls to Striker.

Phoenix(whispering, into com):"Phoenix here. We're at the office. One
       camera here."

Striker(whispering, over com):"Copy that, Phoenix. Alex and I will
       call when he took care of the security room."

Phoenix(whispering, into com):"Careful."

Striker(whispering, over com):"Altyd. Out."

Elsewhere Striker and Illanov are also crawling their way through
the ventilation shafts. After a few minutes they came to a grate that
is looking downward. Light is shining through it from below. Striker
signals to Illanov about it, and he nods in reply. The two of them
creep more quietly and slowly along to the cover. Striker climbs over
it and turns around so that both he and Illanov can look down into
the room below. The room is a small booth with a window that looks
into the entrance lobby of the consulate. A bank of security screens
show the viewpoints of all the cameras in the building. A single
security guard is here. He is working on a soduko puzzle in the 
local newspaper with a cup of hot coffee next to him. Now and then
he checks the screens, then turns back to the puzzle. Striker looks
up at Illanov and signals to him to go first. Illanov nods in
acknowledgement. He turns invisible, while Striker looks back down at 
the guard. All of the sudden the guard is grabbed in an invisible
choke-hold. The guard struggles and thrashes about, trying to break
free from his invisible attacker and call for help. Striker quickly
climbs down from the vent and punches the guard out cold. Illanov
reappears and sets the guard down on the ground.

Striker:"Secure him, Alex."

Illanov:"Dah."

Illanov takes out some plastic zipcuffs and begins to restrain the
unconcious guard. Striker then goes on his watch's com.

Striker(into com):"Security room is ours. Move in and stop the other
       guards."

Tanarus(over com):"Got it."

Elexis(over com):"Roger."

Striker looks at the security monitors, radioing their positions to
the others. Once Illanov has restrained and gagged the guard, the
two of them open the door of the security room and go into the lobby. 
Elsewhere, in the break room of the building, a guard was busy making
coffee for himself and his comrades using a coffee machine. He is
so focused on the coffee and so sleepy that he does not notice that
the ventilation grate above him being opened. As he pours the milk
from a carton, Elexis drops down right behind him. The guard hears
the soft footfalls and turns around to look. Elexis suddenly sticks
a needle into his chest when he faces her. The guard gasps and tries
to call for help, but his eyes quickly roll in his head. He collapses
on the floor, snoring loudly. Tanarus drops down from the vent to
help Elexis secure the sleeping guard.

Tanarus:"Good work."

Elexis:"Thanks. The anaethetics worked better than I expected. He was
        out in a second."

Tanarus:"Well, he was already sleepy, my dear."

Elexis shrugs and the two of them use zipcuffs and a gag to tie the
guard up. As they work, Striker comes into the break room, dragging
another unconcious guard. He looks at them.

Striker:"Everything reg here?"

Tanarus gives the thumbs-up signal. Striker nods and pulls the guard
alongside his friend. Elexis and Tanarus begin to restrain him, while
Striker waits to hear from Illanov. It does not take long for the
German Shepard to call.

Illanov(over com):"Comrade, I've secured my guard."

Striker(into com):"That should be all of them. Secure him and head
       for the security room. Keep watch on the monitors."

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

As Illanov goes off the com, Striker contacts Phoenix and Corsair.

Striker(into com):"Phoenix, we've secured all the guards. Proceed
       into the office and hack the computer."

Phoenix(over com):"Roger, Love."

Corsair(over com):"Gotcha, boss."

Striker then turns to Tanarus and Elexis, who have just finished with
tying up the second guard.

Striker:"Tanarus. Go on patrols through the building for any suspicious 
         activity. Elexis, keep an eye on the guard at the gate. Take
         care of him should he decide to come in."

Tanarus and Elexis nod their heads, then all three of them head out of
the break room. Back at the consul's office, Phoenix melts loose the
vent and drops it down onto the carpeted floor. She climbs out and is 
followed by Corsair. Phoenix points at the computer.

Phoenix:"Okay, let's get in there."

Corsair:"My pleasure."

Corsair sits down in the consul's chair, then turns the computer on.
Phoenix stands alongside him, watching with him as the computer loads
the operating software. Once it has finished loading, Corsair starts
to do his hacking magic. He snorts at the security in place on the
files.

Corsair:"Man, this place really isn't high priority for EuroCorp. The
         firewalls are outdated and easy to hack. I should have the
         files in no time."

Phoenix just nods her head. Soon Corsair comes up with the files they
are looking for. Corsair brings up a window with the text as Phoenix
leans closer to read it. She grins as she reads the first few lines of
the text.

Phoenix:"Bingo. This is a form documenting Shadow's recruitment by
         EuroCorp. Print this out."

Corsair:"Gotcha."

Corsair starts the printer up. As the machine starts printing the 
first page out, Phoenix begins to read a little further.

Phoenix:"Let's see. Shadow was contacted by EuroCorp via the Mayhem
         Mercenaries freelance system. He..."

Suddenly there is a sound beyond the door. Phoenix and Corsair look
up at the door, with Corsair stopping the printer to listen. They 
can hear someone working on the lock.

Corsair(whispering):"Uh oh. I think we missed one."

Phoenix quickly activates her watch's communicator.

Phoenix(whispering, into com):"Alex, this is Phoenix. Somebody is
       trying to break into the consul's office."

Back in the security room, Illanov has just finished tying up both
guards together. He gets Phoenix's message.

Illanov(into com):"I will try and see who it is on the security
       cameras."

He goes to the bank of monitors and reads the tags underneath which
say where each camera is. He comes to the one marked "CORRIDOR - 
OFFICES". Illanov looks at the screen and gasps. Through the camera
he can see the person at the consul's office door: it is Shadow,
who is using something to try and pick the lock of the door.

Illanov:"Bolshoi!"

Illanov quickly activates his watch's commmunicator so that the whole
team can hear him.

Illanov(into com):"Comrades! Shadow is here, in the building! He is
       trying to get into the consul's office!"

Back in the office Phoenix and Corsair look up at the door in alarm.
Shadow can still be heard working on the lock on the other side.

Corsair(whispering):"Do we pull out guns?"

Phoenix quickly calls Striker.

Phoenix(whispering, into com):"Strikie, what should Corsair and I
       do?"

Striker(over com):"Hide in the office somewhere if you can, but be
       ready to come out of cover. Be careful! Shadow should be
       considered extremely dangerous."

Phoenix(whispering, into com):"Got you, Strikie."

Phoenix turns to Corsair, who is looking at her expectantly.

Phoenix(whispering):"Turn off the computer and hide yourself."

Corsair(whispering):"Gotcha."

Corsair quickly initiates the shutdown procedure, then both he and
Phoenix make themselves scarce in the office. Corsair crawls into
a cabinet under the television set, while Phoenix ducks behind one
of the large guest chairs. As they do, the computer finishes the
shutdown produce and goes dead. Just in time, for Shadow finally
picks the lock and opens the door. Shadow comes in and closes the
door behind him quietly. Shadow is nearly invisible in the dark. All 
that can really be made out are green circles from his night vision 
goggles. He marches over to the desk and turns on the computer. Back
outside the office, Striker has come up the stairs and is peering
down the corridor at the consul's office door. He calls Illanov.

Striker(into com):"Where is Shadow, Alex?"

Illanov(over com):"Inside the office, comrade. He's working at the
       computer."

Striker(into com):"Copy."

Striker readies his sonic rifle, charging it up. He jogs over to the
office door, rifle aimed at it. He puts his ear to the door to listen
to what is going on in the office. Striker hears Shadow typing on the
keyboard and clicking the mouse.

Striker(to himself, whispering):"What are you looking for, Shadow?"

Striker calls everyone on his watch as quietly as possible.

Striker(into watch):"I am going in. Be ready."

He gets whispered acknowledgements from the others. Striker checks
to see that his sonic rifle is fully charged, then looks to make sure
his colt revolver is fully loaded. Satisfied, he takes a deep breath,
steps back and then kicks hard at the door. The wooden door is no
match and the lock shatters from the force. The door swings open
and bangs loudly against a filing cabinet. Striker rushes in with his
sonic rifle raised and switches on the light. Shadow is looking up
at Striker, pulling off his night vision goggles in the bright light 
of the office. Striker growls at him.

Striker:"Paws in the air, traitor!"

Shadow does not respond, but rather keeps a stern face as he looks
back at Striker.

Shadow:"How did you find out I was here?"

Striker:"Pure coincidence, Shadow. We were here to find out about
         your employer. Seems we came just in time before you could
         erase the data."

Shadow sneers.

Shadow:"You think you know the truth, pup? You are mistaken."

Striker is unphased and keeps growling.

Striker:"So are you if you think you will escape prosecution. Paws
         in the air... NOU!!!"

Shadow ignores Striker's demand and reaches for his gun holster.
Striker fires a low-yield sonic blast at Shadow. Shadow quickly
ducks as the blast passed overhead and hits the consul's chair,
knocking it back. Shadow pops back up with his plascaster pistol
ready and fires a quick shot. Striker tries to duck back out of
the office, but not before the shot knocks the sonic rifle out of
his paws. The spaniel yelps a little from the pain, then reaches for
his revolver. As he does this, Shadow quickly grabs the desk and
tips it onto its side, making everything on it crash to the ground.
From inside the cabinet Corsair watches him do this.

Corsair(to himself):"So much for stealth."

Shadow ducks behind the desk as Striker quickly leans out to fire
a shot at the collie. The shot whizzed right above Shadow where he
was a second ago, striking the wall behind him. Striker leans back
as Shadow pops up to fire his own plascaster shot at the spaniel.
The shot strikes the doorframe, blowing apart a piece of it in a
burst of wood splinters. Back inside the security room Illanov is
watching the gun battle on the camera screens. He then spots the
guard who was in the hut outside running to the front door, his
service pistol ready. Illanov quickly calls Tanarus.

Illanov(into com):"Careful, comrade! The guard outside is coming
       in!"

Tanarus(over com):"We see him, Alex! We got him."

Tanarus looks at another security screen that shows the entrance
lobby. Tanarus and Elexis are on either side of the main doors. The 
doors fling open and the guard rushes in. Tanarus quickly grabs the 
guard's hand with the pistol, causing it to go off and blow apart a 
decorative vase. Elexis then rushes up and injects the guard with her 
medical unit. In no time the guard drops the pistol and goes limp in 
Tanarus' arms. Illanov calls again.

Illanov(into com):"Got him, comrade?"

On screen Tanarus can be seen calling back.

Tanarus(over com):"Yes, he's secure."

Illanov(into com):"Good. I'm going up to help comrade Striker."

Tanarus(over com):"Roger."

Illanov quickly picks up his plasma rifle on the table and runs out
of the security room to go help. But unknown to him, one of the
guards in the room was not as unconcious as he looked. When Illanov
runs out, he opens his eyes and forces himself up onto his knees.
He crawls over to the security control panel and presses a red
button with his chin. Immediately red lights are flashing throughout
the consulate and an alarm is blaring loudly. Illanov comes rushing
back into the security room and immediately hits the guard with his
rifle butt, knocking him unconcious for real this time. Back at the
consul's office Shadow and Striker are still exchanging shots even
as the alarm is sounding in their ears. Striker fires off his sixth
shot and ducks back.

Striker:"Ai yai yai. Out of bullets."

Suddenly Shadow shouts out from behind the desk.

Shadow:"Do not dare presume that all you see is true, Striker! You
        will regret it!"

Striker is about to respond, but Shadow gets up and runs for the
window. At this moment Phoenix takes her chance. She gets up and
tosses a fireball at the collie. But Shadow jumps right through the
window, shattering the glass. He falls to the ground as the fireball
tossed by Phoenix flies just over his head. Striker and Phoenix run
up to the window while Corsair wiggles out of the cabinet. They
look around the area, but Shadow has already dissappeared into the
darkness. Striker curses.

Striker:"Bliksem! He's escaped!"

Phoenix:"What was he here for?"

Corsair:"Whatever it was, we won't ever find it from this."

Striker and Phoenix turn to Corsair, who is kneeling next to the
computer case. There is a big bullet hole in it's side. Corsair looks
up at Striker.

Corsair:"The hard drive is history, boss."

Striker:"Ai yai yai. What about the data we came for?"

Corsair holds up the papers from the printer.

Corsair:"These survived your high noon shootout, fortunately."

Striker and Phoenix breathe a sigh of relief. Just then there is a 
beep on their watch coms. Striker is first to answer.

Striker(into com):"Striker here."

Shephard(over com):"Sir! We have to evac now! The police are on their
        way! I can hear the sirens coming!"

Striker(into com):"Copy that, Shephard! Go and get the Stealth Rover
       ready! We are on our way!"

Shephard(over com):"Yes, sir! Out!"

Striker turns to Corsair and Phoenix.

Striker:"Get the evidence and head for the roof!"

Phoenix:"Right, Love!"

Corsair:"Gotcha, boss!"

Striker goes on the com again and calls the others.

Striker(into com):"Alex! Tanarus! Elexis! The police are coming! Back
       to the roof onmiddelik!"

The others acknowledge the call. Phoenix helps Corsair pick up the
papers, then the trio rush out of the office. A minute later they all
come running onto the roof and head for the ropes. Over the blaring
alarm the sound of police sirens are fast approaching. One by one
they climb the rope over to Merit, where the Stealth Rover is hovering
on standby. It does not take long for them to get to the opposite
rooftop, grab the rope and climb into the Stealth Rover. After a few
more moments the Stealth Rover flies off into the night. At that
moment the Layoune police pull up in front of the consulate. Officers
climb out and run to the building, pistols ready. None of them have
seen the Stealth Rover.

Mess Room
Stealth Rover
United Nations-controlled Airfield
Layoune
7:01 AM:

The mess room of the Stealth Rover services as both the dining area
and the briefing room for the craft. A metal table is fixed to floor,
while built-in leather seats form a U around it. Cabinets are in the
walls just above the seats, while against the wall opposite the
table is covered with video screens, both large and small. All Unit
STRIKE's members are seated around the table, back in their normal
outfits and uniforms. On the table lies the printouts from the trade
consulate. Striker looks at Corsair.

Striker:"Reg, Corsair. Tell us what these papers say about Shadow and
         his EuroCorp employers."

Corsair:"Well, boss. It answers yes and no to this whole issue."

Striker blinks.

Striker:"Wat?"

Tanarus:"Could you be a bit more clearer on what you mean?"
   
Corsair:"Sorry about that. According to these documents Shadow was
         indeed contacted by the Mayhem Mercenaries to carry out the
         assassination."

Shephard:"Then he's guilty. An open and shut case, sirs."

Corsair:"I said he was contacted, not actually hired. Shadow declined
         the offer for the reason that he was already employed by
         someone else."

Striker:"Does it say who?"

Corsair:"Yes it does, boss. But that's where the problem is. The page
         that lists the names of those who possibly hired Shadow has
         only one name, and the rest was not printed out in time to
         be spared your bullet showers."

Illanov:"Whether or not he was hired by the Mayhem Mercenaries or not,
         comrades, he is still the guilty party."

Striker:"I agree. What else is in the documents, Corsair?"

Corsair:"That's another thing. Apparently EuroCorp was acting on 
         behalf of someone who wanted al-Salaam dead and had hired
         someone to do the job when Shadow declined the offer."

This bit of information surprises everyone but Corsair and Merit.

Phoenix:"Wait. Does that mean there was another assassin out there?"

Corsair:"That's what these papers are suggesting. Sadly, the page that
         says who the assassin is and who is the guy EuroCorp is
         acting with wasn't printed out."

Elexis:"Looks like Shadow beat them to the punch, but now I wonder
        what Shadow was looking for on the computer. Perhaps he wants
        to know who was his competition?"

Phoenix:"But why would he want to know that?"

Elexis shrugs.

Elexis:"Perhaps we wants to strike back at the assassin because the
        assassin wants revenge on Shadow."

Tanarus:"That's speculation, my dear. It's only based on the incomplete
         information we have from the computer."

Elexis:"Yeah, but I'm just raising all the possibilities."

Striker:"Corsair, what is the name of Shadow's other employer that has 
         been printed out?"

Corsair reads one of the pages again, then looks back at Striker.

Corsair:"Apparently a captain belonging to a KH Epsilon Squadron force
         here in Western Sahara."

Illanov:"The KH Military, comrades. They would indeed had loved to see
         al-Salaam dead."

Striker:"True, Alex. But I know them enough that they tend to do the
         jobs themselves rather than rely on outside help. Or am I
         wrong, Tanarus?"

Tanarus:"Just a little. The KH Military does do most of its dirty
         work on its own. But they made use of resources outside the
         military structure before. It might just be possible Shadow
         is working for the KH Military here."

Striker nods his head.

Striker:"Very well. We're going after the KH Military."

He then looks at Shephard.

Striker:"UN reports did mention a KH Military presence here in Western
         Sahara, né Shephard?"

Shephard:"Yes, sir. It's rather small, but it still not something to
          be messing with. There's a small battalion of Eplison troops
          who are encamped with one of the Western Sahara rebel groups
          out in the desert."

Striker:"Which group is that, Shephard?"

Shephard thinks for a moment, going through his memory.

Shephard:"ISLA, I think. Islamic Sahara Liberation Army. Yeah, that's
          it."

Corsair:"One of those religious fruitcake armies, right?"

Striker looks sternly at Corsair.

Striker:"Corsair, watch your mouth."

Corsair quickly turns to Striker and nods his head.

Corsair:"Sorry, boss."

Striker looks back at Shephard.

Striker:"What is the ISLA?"

Shephard:"They're one of the smaller rebel groups and their goal is
          to free Western Sahara from Morocco and turn it into a
          pure Islamic state. Or so the warlord who leads it is
          claiming."

Illanov:"You saying that the warlord has ulterior motives, comrade?"

Shephard:"It seems that way, sir. That whole Islamic state thing is
          just a smoke screen. The warlord is suspected of buying
          illegal arms and selling them to the other rebel groups at
          grossly inflated prices. And he uses the profits to make
          himself rich instead of building up his forces."

Phoenix:"I'm starting to put two-and-two together here about this
         warlord."

Elexis:"So am I."

Shephard:"And so are United Nations investigators and the government
          in Layoune. They're trying to see if they can charge him
          with illegal trafficking and corruption. Plus there are not
          a few Islamic hardliners who want to see him dead too. And
          now that Western Sahara is independent, his main business
          is also running into trouble."

Striker:"So this warlord would be one of those people who would want
         al-Salaam dead. Why is the ISLA working with the KH Military?"

Shephard:"Most of the warlord's arms deals are through the KH Military.
          Not to mention the KH Military is the reason why the other
          rebels haven't turned on him yet."

Striker:"Miskien is it time to take direct action against this warlord
         and his KH minders. Where is the ISLA encampment?"

Shephard:"At an oasis in the desert some 100 kilometres northeast 
          from Layoune, sir."

Striker:"Goed. We are going to gather up a United Nations strike force
         and assault that encampment."

Shephard rubs his hands in glee.

Shephard:"Finally! Some action!"

Elexis doesn't look so sure about the idea.

Elexis:"A full scale attack? Can we actually do it?

Tanarus:"Yes, my dear. Norwood gave us full authority to use United
         Nations peacekeepers for such operations."

Elexis:"I know that, Tanarus. What I mean is do we have justification
        to do so?"

Illanov:"Comrade, this warlord might be involved in the assassination
         attempt. That's enough reason for us to go after him."

Elexis:"And what if he isn't?"

Illanov:"Then we are attacking him on the grounds that he is helping
         the KH Military, an internationally recognized terrorist
         group. There are enough laws to back us up."

Corsair:"Russian boy is right. Plus, if what Shephard said is true, I
         doubt too many folks in Western Sahara would kick up a fuss
         if something nasty should happen to this warlord."

Striker:"So, are we in agreement? We gather up our forces and assault
         the ISLA encampment."

Everyone nods their heads. Striker then gets up, looking satisfied.

Striker:"Reg. Let's go and gather the United Nations and Western
         Sahara military commanders and prepare for the operation."

Everyone else gets up and follows Striker out of the mess room. 
Corsair picks up the documents and puts them in his backpack as he
heads on out.

United Nations Command Center
Layoune Airport
7:34 AM:

Layoune Airport is a dilapadated airfield that is not very big, but
a few of the buildings, such as the control tower and the terminal,
have been spruced up and upgraded thanks to UN funding. Some of the
runways show recent signs of repair, though it is still in poor shape
in some spots. The UN command center is located inside a terminal
that was previously used by the Moroccan military. Everywhere one can 
see the white UN APCs, tanks, helicopters and other hardware. Troops 
wearing the blue helmets and berets of the UN are going about their 
duties. Flags of both the UN and Western Sahara are flying above the 
airport's buildings. The Stealth Rover is parked on one of the 
available helicopter pads. Unit STRIKE is gathered outside the
entrance to the command center, waiting for Striker to come out from
the building. It takes only a few minutes for him to appear from the
building, and he does not look happy. The others notice this as he
rejoins the group.

Phoenix:"Something wrong?"

Striker:"Ja. The United Nations won't be able to give us military
         support on this mission."

Everyone is surprised.

Illanov:"Why not, comrade?"

Striker:"Apparently al-Salaam's death has triggered unrest throughout
         the country. Several towns and cities are under martial law
         while the UN troops try to contain rioting mobs. Also, border
         tensions with Morocco has forced peacekeeping forces to be
         deployed on the Western Sahara/Moroccan border to avoid any
         kind of escalation. In short: we are on our own."

Shephard:"So what, sir? That means more for us."

Merit:"Correction. That is less, not more. Striker just said that the
       United Nations peacekeeping force will not be providing us with
       the required assistance. Perhaps your audio reception system is
       deficient?"

Shephard rolls his eyes.

Shephard:"Whatever."

Tanarus:"Striker, you're saying the UN has left us without any kind of
         help?"

Striker:"Nie regtig nie. They did give me the location of the camp 
         where that warlord, whose name is Mohammed Bashir, lives
         and the latest information on his troops' strength. But
         any more than that they cannot say."

Tanarus:"Did they have anything on Shadow?"

Striker:"Niks, but then I'm not surprised. Given what we know about
         that traitor, I doubt he would allow himself to be spotted
         so easily by our own devices, much less the United Nations
         or local enforcers."

Tanarus:"I see. So what is the plan now?"

Striker:"We to the camp and interrogate Mohammed Bashir, as we had
         planned. However, we will try and take a more... direct
         approach to this matter. Kom, let's go."

Striker leads the way back to the Stealth Rover, which they all soon
board. A few minutes the Stealth Rover takes off and flies westward
into the desert.

Luxury Palisade
Islamic Sahara Liberation Army (ISLA) Camp
Sahara Desert
Western Sahara
7:59 AM:

The desert here is not one of sand dunes, but rather mostly of barren, 
rocky plains with few dunes and a number of mesas rising from the 
desert floor. However, one spot is an oasis, located against the side 
of a mesa cliff whose shadow provides relief from the harsh sun. The 
oasis is quite large, with green grass and palms growing around. It is 
here that the ISLA camp is located. It is a series of tents pitched 
in a circle around the water pool. Most of them are non-descript tents 
that come in several sizes, but one tent stands out amongst the rest. 
It is a huge tent located right between the oasis and the cliffside, 
with fabric coming in colours of light red with golden strips on the 
edges. The shape of the entire tent resembles a kind of small palace. 
A single red carpet runs from the tent entrance to the pool. Everywhere 
there are ISLA troops, wearing robes and turbans that cover their 
entire bodies except their eyes. Some doing chores, like the laundry or
cooking, while some are doing maintenance work on the various arms and 
weapons that are located in a bazaar-like area adjacent to the camp. 
And each of those soldiers have an AK-47 slung over their shoulders. A 
dozen guards surround the luxury palisade of the group's leader: 
Mohammed Bashir. Many of the guards and soldiers are watching a convoy 
of KH Military vehicles approaching the camp. Three Trojan APCs, three 
Grizzly Trucks and one Radar Sensor with an escort of four Recon Bikes 
and one Mohigan Helicopter are kicking up a huge cloud of dust, which 
can be seen for miles, as they come to the camp. When the convoy 
reaches the camp, they pull up and park or land. Dozens of KH troopers, 
including battle, flame, covert, jump and medical troopers disembark 
from the vehicles. Several troopers escort a KH captain to the tent. 
Their arrival is not only seen by the camp's soldiers, but also by 
someone else. At the top of a nearby mesa is the Stealth Rover, out of 
the line of sight of any guard at the camp. At the cliff edge are 
Striker, Illanov and Tanarus. The three of them are observing the camp 
using high-tech Rover binoculars.

Striker:"What do you think, Tanarus? Which squadron are they?"

Tanarus:"From the markings on their vehicles and trooper suits, they
         are definitely Epsilon Squadron troops."

Striker:"I was expecting that, but I needed to be sure. What do you
         think of Bashir's men and weapons, Alex?"

Illanov:"The men look more like thugs than any real soldier, comrade.
         They probably have more bravery than training. As for the
         weapons, they are typical Warsaw Pact stocks. Still deadly,
         but antiquated. Lots of AK-47s, RPG launchers, mortars,
         machine guns, a few jeeps and trucks and I think I saw a
         T-50 tank there too. But most of that gear are packed into
         the crates. Bashir's men seem ready to move them at a
         moment's notice."

Tanarus:"Probably as soon he makes a sale with someone who will buy
         his arms."

Striker:"Ja, I agree. Bashir's men are not really disciplined troops
         so could easily challenge them. I'm more bekommered about
         the KH soldiers there. Even Epsilon troops are dangerous
         and certainly better than Bashir's men."

Tanarus:"They seem to stick around their vehicles. Guess they don't
         want to mix with the warlord's men."

Striker:"That will make it a little easier for us to deal with them.
         Did you two see that captain entering the tent?"

Illanov:"Dah, comrade."

Tanarus:"Yes, I have."

Striker:"He's our target. We capture and interrogate him, and Bashir,
         about Shadow and what their plans are for Western Sahara.
         This means we will need to strike and reach them before they
         can rally their forces or attempt to escape. Verstaan?"

Tanarus and Illanov nod. Striker lowers his binoculars.

Striker"Goed. Let's go back into the Stealth Rover and plan our
        attack."

The trio head back to the Stealth Rover. Back at the camp the KH
captain, an arctic wolf-sapien, is escorted into the palisade by
some of Bashir's personal guard. When he comes inside he finds him-
self in the midst of luxury. Everywhere there are fine and expensive
tapestries, chairs, pillows, carpets, drapes, vases and jewellery.
A large chair, which resembles a throne, is at the back of the tent.
In front of it is a small table with several chairs around it. On
the table is some hot herbal tea. A young Beduion woman, dressed
like a harem girl, stands on the carpet leading to the throne. She
greets the captain as he approaches.

Woman:"Greetings, Captain Gaza. Welcome."

Captain Gaza nods in reply and looks around. Aside from the woman
and two guards by the throne, there is no one else here.

Gaza:"Where is Bashir?"

Woman:"He won't be long, captain. He is having his morning bath."

The woman indicates to some drawn drapes at one side of the tent. It
is at thi point that Gaza hears the sound of splashing water, giggling
and laughter. He looks back at the woman.

Gaza:"Please tell him not to be too long."

Woman:"Yes, captain. Please be seated."

Gaza nods again, then goes and sits down on one of the chairs by the
table. The woman goes to the drawn drapes and goes behind it. She can
be heard conversing in Arabic with the man behind it. After a few more 
minutes and a few splashes and giggles later, Mohammed Bashir appears 
from behind the drapes along with several more harem girls. He is a 
very tall Bedioun Arab with a bald head and a big black beard. He is 
wearing a red bathrobe with gold trimmings which is belted around his 
waist. Bashir grins widely when he sees Captain Gaza.

Bashir:"Ah, Captain Gaza! How good it is to see you again."

Gaza nods and watches Bashir as he scoots away his harem girls before 
walking to his chair.

Gaza:"You are in a happy mood today, Bashir."

Bashir grins, showing a gold tooth amongst his bad teeth. He sits on
his throne and wiggles a bit to get comfortable.

Bashir:"Very happy, captain. Very happy. You heard about what had
        happened last night in Layoune?"

Gaza:"About al-Salaam's assassination and the turmoil triggered by
      it?"

Bashir:"The very same."

Gaza:"We are fully aware of what went on, though not all the details
      are known to us."

Bashir:"Same here with me, though I don't care how that fool met his
        end."

He looks slyly at Gaza.

Bashir:"Did your people have a hand, or should I say paw, in it?"

Gaza just stares at Bashir as he sips some tee from his cup. Bashir
then shrugs and smirks.

Bashir:"Not that I really care. Just as long as he is dead and this
        whole 'peaceful independence' business goes to the grave with
        him, then I wouldn't care less."

Gaza:"So I take your business will pick up?"

Bashir:"I do hope so. This peace has been bad for my business. You 
        know how hard it is to move all these guns when nobody is 
        using them?"

Gaza:"The peace has not been good for Epsilon Squadron either, Bashir.
      It deprived us of a safe haven for our forces. But now that
      the peace process is unravelling, the KH Military sees this as
      an opportunity to push things over the knife edge."

Bashir:"And you need help with that?"

Gaza:"Yes, we do. We will pay you to flood the local black markets
      with your arms. With all that free firepower, someone is bound
      to throw a match onto the powdered keg."

Bashir smiles, smacking his hands together and rubbing them with glee.

Bashir:"Of course I will! Will you still pay the same as always?"

Gaza nods.

Gaza:"Hard currency. Dollars or Euros of any denomination. It's up to
      you."

Bashir:"Make it Euros this time. It's still a new currency and there
        are plenty of loopholes to make it all disappear through."

Gaza:"Euros, then. Shall we discuss the particulars, Bashir?"

Bashir is about to open his mouth to respond. Suddenly a loud explo-
sion from somewhere outside catches them by a surprise. Gaza spills
his tea while Bashir jumps to his feet.

Bashir:"By the Beard of the Prophet! What was that?"

Gaza jumps up and joins Bashir as they run for the tent entrance. 
Both of them run just in time to see the Stealth Rover fire three
more missiles. One missile hits a Grizzly Truck while two others
hit the tents holding fuel drops. Both the truck and tents explode
into fireballs that throws down the nearby troopers and soldiers.
The Stealth Rover flies through the smoke created by not only its
newly-blasted targets but also from the first Grizzly Truck and
several jeeps that got blasted shortly before. Bashir waves his
fists at the Stealth Rover.

Bashir:"Infidels! I will teach you to mess with me!"

Bashir rushes out to rally his troops. Gaza runs to his convoy and 
shouts out orders to his troopers.

Gaza:"Jump troopers! Engage the hostile aircraft! The rest of you
      deploy in combat formation!"

Troopers:"Yes, sir!"

The Jump Troopers deploy their wings, then take off into the air and
right after the Stealth Rover. The other troopers begin to find good
defensive positions. Meanwhile, the Stealth Rover turns around and
flies back at the base. It fires a few more missiles to distract the
enemy, then flies low and slow along the desert floor. When it comes
to a sand dune right by the camp Striker, Tanarus, Illanov, Phoenix 
and Shephard jump out and use the dune for a soft landing. They roll
down the dune, then jump up with weapons ready.

Striker:"Move in! Get the captain or Bashir alive!"

The others nod, then they split up and rush into the camp. The Stealth
Rover gains altitude and flies over the base again. This time the jump
troopers go airborne and pursue the Stealth Rover. Meanwhile, the
Strikers all toss around some flashbangs and smoke grenades. The
flashbangs explode first, stunning and disorientating the ISLA soldiers
and some of the KH troopers. Next the smoke grenades go off, spewing
out thick clouds of smoke. Some ISLA soldiers choke on the smoke and
cough while their eyes water. The Strikers use this chance to spread
out deep into the camp while escaping detection in the confusion.
Phoenix comes to a large tent, kneels onto the sand and peeks under
the covers. Inside the tent she sees soldiers taking out guns and
ammunition from crates. She lowers the flap and stands up.

Phoenix:"Tsk tsk. Storing ammunition inside a flammable tent."

She creates a flame in her one paw, then rubs that paw along the
length of the tent fabric. Sure enough, the tent quickly catches
fire. From inside the tent comes startled shouts. Phoenix giggles,
then moves on. Amid the confusion some of the soldiers manage to get
the camp's lone T-72 tank up and running. But nearby Tanarus sees
them.

Tanarus:"I think that tank can add to the confusion."

Tanarus pulls out the pin that keeps one corner of a tent up and
dashes for the tank. From the turret a soldier is trying to act as
a spotter for the tank driver. He spots Tanarus and tries to shout
to his comrades while reaching for his gun. Tanarus throws the tent
pin like a dart. The pin hits the soldier square in the chest. As
the soldier groans in pain and disappears into the tank, Tanarus
jumps onto the moving war machine and takes out his spare flashbang.
He pulls the pin, then throws the grenade into the open hatch. He
closes the hatch and quickly jumps off the tank. Seconds later there
is a loud bang and a flash from inside the tank, followed immediately
by pained shouts. The tank makes a wild turn and picks up speed,
smashing right through a tent that acts as a barracks. Dozens of 
surprised soldiers, some still dressing, rush out of the tent as the 
tank plows its way through it. The tank then smashes into some
packed cases containing landmines. The impact triggers a chain of
explosions which tear apart the cases and flipping the tank over, 
its front end torn up by the landmine detonations. Tanarus admires
his work.

Tanarus:"Better than expected."

Meanwhile, Shephard is taking cover behind a large heap of sandbags
as a bunch of soldiers open fire on. He sets his M249 on the sand-
bags and begins to open fire. The soldiers scatter and take cover
behind some fuel barrels. Shephard sees the fuel barrels.

Shephard:"What a dumb idea. This should be easy."

He opens fire, sending bullets flying into the fuel drums. However,
the drums do not ignite. Instead, they just leak petrol from the holes
blasted into them. Shephard stops shooting and stares at the leaking
barrels.

Shephard:"Crud! Guess Mythbusters really were right about bullets and
          fuel tanks."

The soldiers take this lull to lean from cover and open fire. Shephard
ducks down as the bullets whistle past above his head.

Shephard:"Right. Time for a new plan of action."

He reaches for his belt and pulls out two fragmentation grenades in
each hand. He waits for a break in the shooting, then pulls the pins
out. He sits up and throws the grenades towards the fuel drums. One
soldier sees the grenades flying and shouts to the others. Immediately
they all rush to their feet and run for their lives as the grenades
bounce against the metal fuel drums. Shephard ducks back down and
covers his head, waiting for the explosions. Seconds later all the
grenades detonate. The grenade explosions causes some of the barrels'
contents to ignite. The next instant there is a chain of rapid blasts
as each exploding drum causes a chain reaction within less than a
second. A massive fireball bursts from the cluster of drums while
the blast shockwave knocks down the soldiers. The explosions sends
flying barrels flying in all directions to either explode upon impact
or to set fire to nearby tents and vehicles. Shephard peeks over to
look at the devastation, then ducks back down when he feels the heat
from the fire. He grins.

Shephard:"I'm glad that myth wasn't busted."

Up in the air the Stealth Rover is preparing to turn around and make
another pass over the camp. But the jump troopers are moving to
intercept the aircraft by flying towards the likely spot where it
will come out of the turn. Sure enough, when the Stealth Rover comes
out of the turn the jump troopers are right there. They fly up to
the cockpit and land, turning on their magnetic landing boots to
keep from being blown off the hull. Inside the cockpit Elexis (who is
at the flight controls), Corsair (who is seated next to her) look in 
surprise at the jump troopers. Merit, seated behind them, looks at them
in curiousity.

Corsair:"We got hitchhikers!"

Elexis:"I'll try and shake them off. Hold on!"

Corsair and Merit do so. Elexis begins to jerk at the flight controls and
the Stealth Rover begins to violently twist left and right and up and 
down. The troopers struggle to remain upright, but they stay on the
hull. Some of them manage to pull out their KH-50s and open fire even
though they struggle to aim properly. A few bullets manage to hit the
windshield, making circular cracks into the bulletproof glass.

Elexis:"I can't shake them off! Their jump boots are too firmly at-
        tached to our hull!"

Corsair:"How about we use the new burn-off device? I know it hasn't
         been tested, but..."

He lets it hang in the air. Elexis nods her head.

Elexis:"Do it."

Corsair reaches for a new button on the console and presses it. After
a few seconds there is a loud humming noise and the hull of the
Stealth Rover starts to glow red with heat. At first the jump troopers
don't realize what is going. But the heat gets hotter and hotter until
the magnetic boots of the troopers start to melt. Moments later the
searing heat reaches through to their feet, but not before two of the
troopers, whose boots' soles had almost melted away, come loose from
the hull and tumble into the air. The others yelp in pain and take
off, revealing burnt material on the spots where they had stood. In
the cockpit a warning light goes off. Elexis looks at it, then at
Corsair.

Elexis:"Turn it off! We're overheating!"

Corsair quickly presses the same button again and the humming stops.
The red heat glow quickly fades, but Elexis seems to have a little
trouble keeping the Stealth Rover steady. Corsair watches her.

Corsair:"Is there a problem?"

Elexis:"Nothing serious. The burn-off device got those jump troopers
        off us, but I think it's messed up the stabilizers. We're
        going to have to let Merit take a look and make repairs."

Corsair:"So we can't go back and support the others?"

Elexis:"I'm afraid not, but I think they are doing fine without us.
        But let them know we're not going to be able to help out."

Corsair:"Gotcha."

Corsair reaches for a button on the com system and presses it in. He
then calls Striker.

Corsair(into com):"Stealth to unit leader. Stealth to unit leader, 
       come in."

A moment later Striker's voice comes over the speakers.

Striker(over com):"Unit leader here. What's going on up there, David?"

Corsair(into com):"We had some trouble with the troopers and we had to
       use the burn-off device."

Striker(over com):"Did it work?"

Corsair(into com):"Yeah, but it fried some systems so we are forced
       to go and land until they cool. We cannot help out any further
       here."

Striker(over com):"Verstaan. We are pretty much in control here, so go
       ahead and pull back. We will call again if we need help or a
       pickup. Out."

Corsair(into com):"Gotcha. Out."

Corsair releases the button. Elexis then turns the Stealth Rover towards
the mesa they had come from. Below in the camp things have indeed gone
Unit STRIKE's way. Though there are few casualties, many of Bashir's 
men run for whatever mode of transporation they can grab hold of and
flee the camp. The KH soldiers, seeing their supposed allies taking
flight, start to congregate around their vehicles and begin to slowly
pull away from the fight. This allows Unit STRIKE to gather near 
some sandbag piles near Bashir's tent. As they peer around the sides
they can see a few of Bashir's more loyal men gathered near the
entrance.

Shephard:"Well, sir? Do we charge them?"

Striker:"Too far for that unless we distract them."

Striker looks at Illanov.

Striker:"Think you can provide us with one, Alex?"

Illanov:"Certainly, comrade. Give me a moment."

Striker:"Reg. Rest of you, be ready to charge."

Illanov becomes invisible and the others prepare to run. A moment or
two later one of the guards begins to jerk and grunt, his body con-
torting as if he is being punched. The other guards look surprised
at their comrade and even step back, thinking he is possessed.

Striker:"Nou!"

The Strikers jump up and rush towards the distracted guards. By the
time they notice the rushing group, it is too late. Striker, Shephard,
Tanarus and Phoenix use their weapon butts to knock the guards out It 
takes only a minute to subdue the guards. Illanov then reappears from 
out of thin air. Striker then looks at his group.

Striker:"Phoenix and I will go into the tent. The rest of you stay
         here and keep watch."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

Illanov:"Dah, comrade!"

Tanarus:"Roger that!"

As the others take up defensive positions, Striker and Phoenix rush
into the tent. What they find inside surprises the couple. Bashir,
Gaza and the harem girls are here, but so is Shadow and a pair of
dead guards. Bashir is pinned to the carpet by Shadow, who has one
boot on the man's chest and holding a sword to his throat. Shadow
also has a pistol pointed at Gaza, who can do nothing while seated
in the chair. Some of the harem girls are screaming in terror, but
a couple remain calm. Striker and Phoenix immediately raise their
weapons and take aim at Shadow.

Striker:"Shadow! Drop your weapons! You are under arrest!"

Shadow just glances briefly at Striker.

Shadow:"How amusing. Still acting the good cop, aren't we?"

Striker:"Drop your weapons, Shadow. I'm warning you."

Shadow ignores Striker and looks back down at Bashir. He presses his
closes to the warlord's throat.

Shadow:"Now, I will ask again. Who is the man behind al-Salaam's
        death? Talk or I gut you like the pig you are."

Bashir:"Look! I told you! I don't know anything!"

Shadow looks over at Gaza, squeezing the trigger on his pistol a tiny
bit.

Shadow:"And you, captain?"

Gaza:"You are foolish to think I would answer something I don't know
      the answer to."

Shadow:"Well, one of you are lying. Maybe I should just kill you both
        right now."

Shadow's body posture becomes such that it looks like he is about to
carry out his threat. Both Bashir and Gaza's eyes widen while Striker
and Phoenix take careful aim at Shadow. Bashir begins to babble.

Bashir:"I swear to Allah I had nothing to do with the assassination!"

Shadow:"Lying again? I know a few things about you, Bashir. I know 
        your spending habbits. And if you once had Black Widow on your 
        side, you know where the money trail goes."

Bashir's face immediately becomes one of surprise instead of panic.

Bashir:"Black Widow? Are you sure?"

Shadow:"And since Al-Salaam is dead, I want to know where the money 
        she took is."

Bashir groans out in frustration.

Bashir:"That stupid w****. I knew she was going to bring my downfall.
        I should have had her stoned."

Shadow:"So you admit it, then?"

Bashir sighs and nods.

Bashir:"Yes, Black Widow did work for me."

Shadow:"What do you mean by 'did'? She no longer works for you?"

Bashir:"Yes, and by the Prophet I should have killed when she left me
        like that last month. The ungrateful..."

Shadow brings the blade closer and Bashir tenses up and stops talk-
ing.

Shadow:"So who's pawn is she now? Surely you must know."

Bashir:"I don't know, maybe it is that big mercenary group? Mayhem,
        is it?"

Shadow:"Nice try. Black Widow is not a mercenary and the only thing
        that connects her to them is that EuroCorp is providing the
        money for operations. But the only thing I want to know is 
        where the money went. You know where the money is, and that's 
        what I'm here for. Either you tell me, or I'll show you what 
        your insides look like before I let you die!

By now Shadow is pressing the tip of the blade to Bashir's neck so
that it just begins to dig into the skin. Bashir starts to sweat as
he speaks.

Bashir:"Look! I don't know where your money is! Black Widow might have
        taken it already from her new boss!"

Shadow:"Oh really? And where is Black Widow now? Who is this new boss?"

Bashir:"All I have heard of her are some rumours that she is work-
        ing for some bigshot in Casa Blanca! Just rumours, that's
        all!"

This time Striker is the one to ask a question for Bashir.

Striker:"Bashir, what is the name of this bigshot?"

Bashir shakes his head as he looks at Striker.

Bashir:"I don't know."

Shadow looks coldly at Bashir.

Shadow:"You're lying again."

Bashir looks quickly at Shadow again.

Bashir:"No, by Allah I'm not! All I know is that he lives in Casa
        Blanca and has many businesses! Import/export, shipping,
        construction, those kinds! That is all! I swear on my mother's
        grave!"

However, while everyone's attention is on Bashir, neither Shadow nor
Striker and Phoenix notice that the two harem girls who have kept
their cool have gotten up and are reaching for something amongst the
pillows. Suddenly each of them pulls out a pair of scimitars and
move towards Shadow and to Striker and Phoenix. One of the other harem
girls screams, making everyone glance at her for a moment. Just in
time they spot the two women charging down on them. Striker and
Phoenix duck and roll out of the way of the one woman's blades while
Shadow quickly blocks the scimitars of the other woman with his
sword. As the fight begins, Bashir crawls along the floor and hides
himself under some pillows. Gaza, on the other hand, runs to the edge
of the tent and makes an undignified escape by crawling out under the
tent flap. Shadow, Striker and Phoenix do not notice this, their at-
tention focused on the assassins. Shadow is having a sword fight with
his attacker, blocking her scimitar swipes as quickly as he can. He
does not look very happy.

Shadow:"You call yourself a sword fighter? You're an amateur."

The assassin pays no attention to Shadow's taunt and instead tries to
decapitate him with one blade. Shadow ducks and rolls backwards to
avoid the attack. When he sits up he finds himself next to the table
with the hot tea on it. The assassin begins to do a series of spins
with her blades extended, acting like a sawblade. Shadow grabs the
teapot and throws it at the woman. The blades strike the pot, stop-
ping it from reaching the assassin. But the blow shatters the pot,
sending hot tea flying over the woman and into her face. She screams
and stops spinning, covering her face in pain. Shadow siezes the
opportunity and rolls forward, right up to the assassin. He then
sends his sword right into her stomach. The woman gasps, dropping
the scimitars with a look of surprise on her face. Shadow stands up
and pulls the blade free of the assassin, who then collapsed onto
the carpet. Shadow wipes his sword clean, looking at the fallen
assassin.

Shadow:"I stand correct."

He glances over at Striker and Phoenix. The couple are having a hard
time putting distance between them and the attacking assassin. Shadow
goes to one side of the tent, cuts a hole with his sword and makes
his own escape. Striker is trying to fire his sonic rifle at the
assassin, but finds himself trying to avoid and ward off the swipes
from her scimitars. He retreats backwards, then trips on one of the
pillows lying back. The spaniel falls onto his back, dropping his
rifle. Triumphantly, the assassin prepares to run both her scimitars
through Striker. Suddenly a tiny fireball hits the woman and sets
her outfit on fire. The assassin flinches for a moment from the heat,
but amazing does not shout out in pain or even flinch from the flames
on her. But it gives Striker a brief opening. He quickly pulls out
his revolver and fires a single shot at the assassin's chest. The
bullet hits home, the assassin crumpling into a heap on the carpet.
Striker breathes a sigh of relief as the source of the fireball,
Phoenix, comes walking to him. She holds out her paw to him.

Phoenix:"You all right, Strikie?"

Striker nods and takes her paw.

Striker:"I am, dankie. What about you?"

Phoenix pulls Striker back onto his feet.

Phoenix:"None the worse for wear."

Striker picks up his sonic rifle and looks around.

Striker:"Where's Shadow?"

Phoenix:"Looks like both he and the KH commander made a getaway while
         we were occupied."

Striker:"Blikskottel. And what about Bashir?"

Phoenix smirks.

Phoenix:"That's a different matter."

To prove her point she points towards to where Bashir is. He is lying
on the floor being kicked by the harem girls after they saw that no
one was protecting him anymore. They hurl all kinds of abusive words
and curses at him. Striker stares at them.

Phoenix:"Looks like Bashir is getting what was coming to him."

Striker:"Ja, but we still need him. Come on."

They rush up to the women and intervene. The women turn to the two cano-
sapiens.

Striker:"Follow us. We'll take you outside."

Woman:"What about this pig?"

She gives him another kick for good measure, making him yell in pain.

Phoenix:"Don't worry. We will take care of him."

Suddenly one of the women gasps and points. They all turn to look and
see that the fire on the assassin has spread to the pillows and carpet
very quickly.

Striker:"Ai yai yai! Come on! Everybody out!"

Striker and Phoenix shepherd the women to the exit before the fire can
cut them off. As they rush outside they see the other Strikers have
taken up defensive positions around the entrance. Striker quickly grabs
Illanov's arm.

Striker:"Alex, help me get Bashir out! His tent's on fire!"

Illanov:"Dah, comrade!"

The two males rush back into the tent even as the flames begin to eat
at the sides and the ceiling. The others look at the entrance for a
few moments. Striker and Illanov then come running out, carrying Bashir
out by the arms and legs. As they put him down, Striker turns to Illanov.

Striker:"Alex, you're goed with knots. Tie Bashir up as best you can."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade."

As Illanov takes a nearby rope and goes over to secure Bashir, Striker
turns to Tanarus.

Striker:"Report. How are things out here?"

Tanrus:"Bashir's remaining men have fled into the desert. The KH convoy
        have also fled. Look."

Striker turns to look where Tanarus is pointing. Sure enough a large
cloud of dust is being kicked up by the fleeing KH forces. He turns
back to Tanarus.

Striker:"Did you see Shadow? He was in the tent."

Tanarus:"Shadow? Sorry, we never saw him."

Striker swears. Just then the palisade, which is now engulfed in flames, 
falls in on itself. Striker lifts his arm and calls for Corsair on his 
watch com.

Striker(into com):"Unit leader to Stealth. Come in."

Corsair(over com):"Stealth here. How's it looking?"

Striker(into com):"Area is secure and we have Bashir in custody. Shadow
       was here but escaped. KH forces have fled along with most of
       Bashir's militia. Come and pick us up."

Corsair(over com):"Roger that. Be there in seven minutes."

Striker(into com):"Goed. Over and out."

Striker then looks at the harem women.

Striker:"Where do you want us to take you?"

One of the women, who seems to have taken up the role of leader, steps
up to answer.

Woman:"No need to take us. We can get back to our homes from here. Just
       give us some transportation."

Striker:"You certain?"

Woman:"Yes."

Shephard:"Sir, I think I saw some trucks nearby that still looked intact.
          We could hotwire them."

Striker:"Goed. Shephard, Phoenix. Take the women to the truck and get 
         it started. Keep a lookout. We cannot be certain that all of 
         Bashir's have escaped."

Phoenix:"Right, Love."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

Phoenix starts to lead the women to where the trucks are located while
Shephard provides cover. The rest stay behind to guard Bashir and
wait for the Stealth Rover. About 15 minutes later the Stealth Rover
takes off from the camp with Unit STRIKE and their captive, while
down below the harem women drive the trucks into the desert on their
way back home. A large plume of smoke caused by the many fires rises 
from the camp, visible from a good distance over the desert.

Mess Room
Stealth Rover
United Nations-controlled Airfield
Layoune
9:49 AM:

Everyone minus Shephard are seated around the table again, plastic
cups filled with coffee on it. Corsair's open laptop is on the table.
They all turn when Shephard comes in and takes a seat.

Striker:"Did you hand over Bashir to the authorities, Shephard?"

Shephard:"Yes, sir. The UN question him and then give him over to the
          Western Sahara police. They're going to charge him with gun
          running."

Striker:"Goed. Nou, to the business at paw."

Everyone looks at Striker as he prepares to speak.

Striker:"As we all know, Bashir has told us that a female assassin
         called Black Widow might have been involved in killing al-
         Salaam."

Elexis:"Might have been?"

Striker:"We are not certain whether it was her or Shadow who fired the
         fatal bullet. Anyway, we do know that she might have taken
         the money owed to Shadow for the killing. We also know that 
         someone in Morocco might also be involved."

Tanarus:"I hope the media doesn't find that out. Even rumours that a
         Moroccan was involved in al-Salaam's assassination could make 
         the entire region explode into war again."

Striker:"Reg, Tanarus. That's why we need to move before Bashir cracks
         and tells all to the UN or local police. I had David go and
         do a search for possible suspects in Morocco. I'm now giving
         the table to him."

Everyone looks at Corsair. Corsair he takes a deep breath, then starts
to speak.

Corsair:"Okay, I checked on the Internet for any business tychoons 
         who have a place to stay in Casa Blanca and are local."

Illanov:"That would be many people, American. We don't have time to
         go after every businessman."

Corsair sneers at Illanov.

Corsair:"Well, Mister Russia-Is-S..."

Striker quickly elbows Corsair and clears his throat loudly to make it
clear to Corsair not to go any further with the arguement. Corsair
grunts and sighs, then continues.

Corsair:"There are a number of Moroccan businessmen in Casa Blanca,
         but there is only one who has interests in shipping, import/
         export AND construction."

Tanarus:"So who is it?"

Corsair:"Oh, you're gonna love this."

He looks at the screen and reads the information being displayed on
it.

Corsair:"The guy's name is Shar Zarwahir, industrialist, successful 
         businessman and big supporter of capitalism. Has a fortune
         that puts him in the top 100 richest people in the world.
         Not only that, he's a self-admitted liberal democrat and a
         guy who came in line for various peace prizes many times
         before."

Phoenix:"Wow. Bashir was right: he is a bigshot."

Elexis:"And he doesn't sound like someone who'd be behind the kind of
        skullduggery we're dealing with here."

Corsair:"Ah, but wait: there's more!"

He looks at the screen again, then looks at the others.

Corsair:"Shar Zarwahir's brother-in-law is Mohammed al-Salaam."

Everyone looks surprised at Corsair.

Illanov:"You serious?"

Corsair:"You bet your furry Russian butt on it. Plus, Zarwahir was
         also an apparent big supporter of the Western Sahara peace 
         deal."

Striker:"You use the word apparent. Is there something else?"

Corsair:"Yeah. I did a little digging around and found that Zarwahir
         and al-Salaam were not the best of friends. In fact, they
         got into several nasty arguements and fights that made local
         news a few times. About two months ago it got so bad that
         Zarwahir was dropped out of the peace process by Norwood at
         al-Salaam's insistence."

Tanarus:"I can see where this is going."

Corsair:"And here's clincher. Remember when I said he always came in
         line for peace prizes? Well, he always came in second place."

Elexis:"Ah, and the Western Sahara might have been his best shot at
        actually winning one?"

Corsair:"Maybe. Fact, the guy who always beat Zarwahir at the prize
         was none other than al-Salaam."

There is silence around the table as the information sinks in. Finally
Shephard ventures a question.

Shephard:"So this whole d*** business is nothing but a family row?"

Corsair:"Sure looks like it to me."

Phoenix:"But I don't get it. If this is a family feud, what connection
         does Shadow, Black Widow and EuroCorp have with it all?"

Striker leans forward, putting his paws together.

Striker:"I think we had better go to Casa Blanca and question Zarwahir
         himself about this. If for geen other reason than to protect
         him from Shadow. And we need to call Norwood and tell him
         what we discovered."

Tanarus:"Sounds good to me."

Striker nods and stands up, picking up his coffee.

Striker:"Goed. Let's hit the skies!"

Everyone nods, gets up and takes their belongings as they file out of
the room.

Zarwahir Estate
Casa Blanca
Morocco
11:08 AM:

The estate of Shar Zarwahir is located in a posh neighbourhood of the
harbour city of Casa Blanca. It is quite large with wide-open grass
lawns where dozens of prize horses are grazing. The main house is a
large mansion built in a distinctly Arabic style, completely with all
the eminities and even its own mosque. A single large path leads from
the main gate to the front door and the garages. A couple of private
security guards are at the gate. The Rhino, with Striker at the wheel,
pulls up to the gate and stops. One of the guards goes to the driver's
side as Striker rolls down his window.

Guard:"State your business."

Striker:"We are here to see Mister Shar Zarwahir. Is he here?"

Guard:"Yes, he is. What is the reason for your visit?"

Striker:"We are with the United Nations. We want to ask him a few 
         things regarding the recent assassination of Mohamed al-
         Salaam."

Guard:"Do you have papers or identification?"

Striker pulls out a folded paper and gives it to the guard. The guard
unfolds it and reads what is written on it. He then hands it back to
Striker, clearly satisfied.

Guard:"Thank you, sir. You may proceed."

Striker:"Dankie."

The guard signals to his comrade in the security booth. The second
guard electronically unlocks the gate and opens it. The other guards
step aside to let the Rhino drive up the path towards the mansion.
One of the groundskeepers guides their vehicle to a row of parking
lines for guests' vehicles. The Rhino pulls into an unoccupied spot
and comes to a stop. Striker, Phoenix, Illanov, Corsair, Shephard and
Merit climb out of the Rhino while a butler comes down the steps of
the mansion's main entrance and walks towards them. Striker turns to
the butler as he approaches them.

Butler:"Good day, sahib. Security told me you are here to see Mister
        Zarwahir on behalf of the United Nations."

Striker:"That is correct. Is he available?"

Butler:"Yes, he is. Please follow me."

The butler leads Unit STRIKE up into the mansion. The residence is as
luxurious as its exterior suggests. There are all kinds of expensive
furniture, vases, paintings, tapestries, carpets and other icons of
wealth. Merit looks curiously at all the items.

Merit:"Very unusual, this gathering of materials."

Phoenix:"They're part of the benefits of being rich."

Merit:"That is the reason I find it unusual. Why use currency to
       purchase very expensive items that cannot function or serve
       no useful purpose."

Phoenix:"Because it is a way of showing off your wealth and to satis-
         fy one's desires."

Merit:"Ah, I understand. It is to attract a potential mate, correct?"

Phoenix:"Er... sometimes."

Merit:"Interesting."

They make their way through the mansion until they enter a large
living room with many fancy seats, chairs and tables. The butler turns 
to Unit STRIKE.

Butler:"Please be seated. Mister Zarwahir will be with you shortly."

Striker:"Dankie."

The butler leaves the room while the others go and sit down. Corsair
feels the soft, comfortable seat and leans back.

Corsair:"You know, I could get used to this."

Illanov mutters "spoiled American brat" under his breath, but Corsair
fails to hear it. After a few minutes a man and a woman come walking 
into the room. The man is in his late thirties, has a moustache and
is wearing a brown business suit. A name tag on his chest identifies
him as Shar Zarwahir. The woman is wearing a black veil that covers
her entire body save for her eyes. Unit STRIKE all stand up as the
couple approaches.

Zarwahir:"Ah, welcome. You are presentatives of the United Nations,
          you say?"

Striker:"We are affliated with the United Nations. We are actually
         members of the Road Rovers."

Zarwahir:"Road Rovers, you say? A pleasure to have you here."

Zarwahir and Striker shake hands (or paws). The man then motions to
them all.

Zarwahir:"Please be seated."

Everyone goes and sits back down, with the veiled woman sitting next
to Zarwahir. Striker makes his introductions.

Striker(indicating):"I am Striker, the unit leader. This is Phoenix,
       Illanov, Corsair, Sergeant Andrew Shephard and Merit."

He points at the particular person as he names him/her. They all greet
Zarwahir politely. Zarwahir returns the favour.

Zarwahir:"Pleased to meet you. I am Shar Zarwahir, businessman and
          special diplomatic envoy. The lady here..."

He indicates to the woman seated next to him.

Zarwahir:"... is my assistant. Now, what is the reason for your visit
          to my humble abode?"

Striker takes a breath to answer, but Merit goes and answers instead.

Merit:"We are here to question you about your responsibility for the 
       recent assassination of United Nations special envoy Mohammed 
       al-Salaam."

An audible gasp comes from the veiled woman while Zarwahir's face 
becomes a combination of shock and livid anger. The other Strikers
look horrified at Merit.

Corsair:"Merit! You jumped the gun!"

Merit:"Gun? But I am certainly not armed."

Zarwahir jumps to his feet, pointing in anger at Unit STRIKE.

Zarwahir:"How dare you accuse me of such a crime! Begone or I will
          have you all flogged!"

Striker quickly looks at Shephard.

Striker:"Shephard, take Merit out of the room!"

Shephard:"Me, sir?"

Striker:"Ja, you. Do it!"

Shephard sighs and grabs Merit's arm. He then begins up and pulls the
robot along with him.

Shephard:"Come along, you crazy rustbucket."

Merit:"Oh, I say. Did I commit an error?"

As Shephard and Merit leave the room and Striker quickly turns to the
angered Zarwahir.

Striker:"Forgive us, Mister Zarwahir. Merit was wrong to accuse you of
         al-Salaam's death. We have no evidence that you were respon-
         sible and we also know the real identity of the assassin and
         where his money came from. We are just here to follow that
         money trail to the suspect."

Zarwahir listens to Striker carefully, then thinks it over. Finally, 
he nods his head and his anger subsides, though he still does not look
happy.

Zarwahir:"Very well. I will cooperate with you as best I can. But I am
          warning you: anger me again and I will chase you all out of
          my house like the dogs you are."

Striker:"We understand and will try not to anger you."

Zarwahir nods and sits down, as does Striker. Striker looks to make
sure that Merit is out of the room, then turns back to Zarwahir.

Striker:"Reg. As I said we know who the assassin was who shot and
         killed al-Salaam and who gave the money. Nou, the reason we
         are here is that we had interrogated a Western Saharan war-
         lord who mentioned that the assassin might have had an
         accomplice. We have reason to believe this accomplice is
         in your employment within your business empire."

Zarwahir listens to Striker, nodding his head seriously.

Zarwahir:"Do you have this accomplice's name?"

Striker shakes his head.

Striker:"Only her alias. Black Widow."

Phoenix notices the woman's eyes widen for a brief moment at the
mention of the name, but the pomeranian decides not to say anything.
Zarwahir thinks, then shakes his head.

Zarwahir:"Sorry, I do not know that name. But the fact that she is a
          woman does dramatically reduce the number of my employees."

Striker:"According to the warlord she might have joined you about a
         month ago. That is all we have."

Zarwahir:"That further reduces it. Maybe I could get you a list."

Zarwahir claps his hands together several times before a servant comes
into the room. He tells the servant something in Arabic. The servant
nods and leaves again. Zarwahir turns back to Striker.

Zarwahir:"He will go and print out the names of those woman employees
          who joined my companies in the last month."

Striker:"We appreciate your cooperation, Mister Zarwahir."

Zarwahir:"Well, I certainly do not want to be seen as harbouring a 
          criminal. My business competitors as well as some of the
          more... conservative Muslims leader are always looking for 
          an excuse to demonize me."

Illanov:"Because of your liberal democratic stance?"

Zarwahir:"Yes. They call me godless even though I'm a devout Muslim.
          They call me a capitalist pig even though I have helped my
          countymen from poverty and support Islamic charities. I am
          completely supportive of the moderates in Islam and of
          women's rights."

Phoenix:"If true, then why is she wearing the veil?"

Zarwahir frowns, then realizes what Phoenix means. He indicates to the
woman next to her.

Zarwahir:"You mean Sasha? Oh, she chooses to wear the veil out of her
          own choice. I have tried to convince her that she doesn't
          need to wear when with me, but she insists."

Phoenix nods, while she and the woman named Sasha lock eyes. Striker
continues.

Striker:"On the topic of competitors. Have you had business dealings 
         with the European Corporation?"

Zarwahir:"Very likely. My companies do businesses with many others
          around the world."

Striker:"But what about any high-level dealings? Such as a meeting 
         with the CEO or vice president of EuroCorp?"

There is a brief pause before Zarwahir speaks again.

Zarwahir:"No, I have never met any EuroCorp delegates or talked with
          them on the phone."

Striker:"I see. Let me ask you about Mohammed al-Salaam."

Zarwahir frowns a little.

Zarwahir:"Yes?"

Striker:"We have information that says you and al-Salaam were partners
         in the Western Sahara peace process."

Zarwahir:"I would not use the word 'partners', but that is correct."

Striker:"And you were eventually left out of the process by the UN
         secretary-general. Why?"

Zarwahir frowns a bit more and sits up.

Zarwahir:"Are you suggesting...?"

Striker:"Nee, I am not suggesting anything, Mister Zarwahir. We just
         need to make certain you are above suspicion."

Zarwahir relaxes a little bit, then speaks.

Zarwahir:"It is not as much as being 'left out' of the process than
          my own request to withdraw from it."

Striker:"You asked to be left out?"

Zarwahir:"Yes. al-Salaam and I has some disagreements over some of the
          provisions laid out in the Western Sahara deal. I had tried
          to be reasonable with al-Salaam, but unfortunately he re-
          fused my suggestions. Eventually I became so sidelined by 
          him that I asked Mister Norwood to omit me from the process."

Striker:"And what were these privisions you and al-Salaam disagreed
         on?"

Zarwahir:"Nothing political, but rather it was about the economic
          upliftment of Western Sahara. I mean it is good for the
          country to become independent and it is good for Morocco to
          get the proverbial monkey off her back. But I will be frank
          with you, Mister Striker. Western Sahara does not have an
          economy. It's biggest export are a few camels and heaps of
          sand. It cannot stand by itself and needs assistance to
          build up its economy to a point where it would not need any
          kind of assistance."

Illanov:"Assistance from your businesses?"

Zarwahir:"Yes, as a token of goodwill of course."

Illanov:"Exclusively?"

Zarwahir frowns at Illanov.

Zarwahir:"Mister Illanov. When I meant any kind of assistance, I meant
          no assistance from ANYBODY. Not Morocco, not Western Sahara's
          neighbours, not the United Nations, not the Western world,
          not the Islamic world, not from the World Bank, not from the
          IMF, not from foreign investors, not from charities, not
          from humanitarian and non-governmental organizations, not
          from any person in Western Sahara itself."

Everyone looks very surprised at Zarwahir.

Corsair:"Did al-Salaam really say that?"

Zarwahir:"Not really. He hid it amongst all kinds of legalease in the
          peace process agreement, but that is what it basically is."

Corsair:"But that's crazy! Western Sahara will never be able to dig
         itself out of poverty like that!"

Zarwahir nods his head.

Zarwahir:"I know, and I told al-Salaam that, but he refused to listen
          to me. What is saddening to me is that everyone else in the
          peace process, from the United Nations to the Arab League
          and African Union to Western Saharans themselves, agreed to
          this lunacy because they were all focused on ending the
          conflict and making the country independent and democratic."

He leans forward and looks seriously at Unit STRIKE.

Zarwahir:"Let me be straightforward here: democracy in Western Sahara
          means nothing without an economy to pay for it."

While everyone takes this revelation in, the servant arrives with a
books and some folders in his hands. He gives it to Zarwahir, who
thanks and then dismisses the servant. He looks at the Strikers.

Zarwahir:"Here we are. A list of female employees who joined my
          businesses within the past month, and an accounting book
          that deals with their salaries and expenses."

Phoenix looks at Sasha and notices that the woman's eyes were fixed
on the book and the folders. She was clearly very shocked and also
worried. The pomeranian leans over to Striker to whisper.

Phoenix(whispering):"Strikie, this woman is acting suspiciously. She
       doesn't seem to like Zarwahir's idea of letting us see these
       papers."

Striker looks at the woman and also notices the look in her eyes.

Striker(whispering):"I see it too, Firefly. Maybe you should speak
       with her alone once you get the chance."

Phoenix nods her head and they turn back to Zarwahir. Suddenly there
is the sound of loud bangs and a bright flash from the next room.
Everyone quick look to see clouds of smoke billowing through the
doorway.

Shephard(in smoke):"S***! I can't see!"

Merit(in smoke):"Readjusting gamma."

Everyone gets up, with Striker, Phoenix and Illanov pulling out their
weapons. Suddenly a figure appears in the smoke and two tosses two
objects at the group. When they land on the floor, the group can see
it is a pair of grenades.

Striker:"Grenades!"

The Strikers duck behind the chairs while the woman grabs Zarwahir and
forces him down on the floor. One grenade detonates with a loud bang
and a flash, indicating it was a flashbang. The other one pops open
and begins spewing out clouds of smoke that quickly fill the room. It
does not take long for everyone to begin choking on the smoke. The
figure comes up to the table and picks up the book and folders, then
heads for the door that goes out to the back lawn. When the figure
comes out of the smoke, one can see it is Shadow with a gasmask over
his face. He looks triumphantly at his prize.

Shadow:"Ah, gotcha. Now I can see..."

Suddenly the woman comes running out of the smoke and tackles Shadow,
taking the collie by surprise. The two of them collapse onto the
grass while the book and folders land a short distance. The woman is
first to get up and makes a run for the items. But Shadow grabs her
foot. While he doesn't get a grip on her, she does fall over onto the
grass. Shadow then quickly pulls out his plascaster pistol and aims
at the woman, only to find her pointing a silenced glock back at him.
The two opponents look menacingly at each other.

Shadow:"Black Widow. You are just like your namesake: an irritating
        insect."

Black Widow:"And you, Shadow, are foolish enough to go and make a
             scene before so many witnesses. Several scenes, from
             what I have heard."

Shadow:"Certain individuals owe debts to me, and I intend to collect
        those debts by any means necessary."

Black Widow:"The only debt that anyone owes you is a bullet, courtesy
             of the business end of a gun barrel."

Shadow growls and pulls back the hammer on his plascaster. Black Widow
does the same with her glock.

Shadow:"Think you can do that, maggot?"

Before Black Widow can answer, behind them Illanov and Shephard have 
come out of the billowing smoke. Illanov has his plasma rifle ready
and aimed at Shadow while Shephard drops to the patio floor and puts
his M-249 up, also aimed at Shadow. Illanov shouts at Shadow.

Illanov:"Drop your weapons!"

Shadow rolls onto his back and fires his pistol at them. Most of
his shots miss, but one shot manages to hit Shephard in the shoulder. 
Shephard yelps in pain and rolls behind a large concrete flower pot. 
Illanov immediatly opens fire at Shadow, but the collie rolls on the 
grass, firing back each time he was on his back. Illanov in response 
ducks behind another flower pot for cover. Seeing the two taking cover 
Shadow turns to look at Black Widow. She is making a dash for the 
estate wall, carrying the book and folders. Shadow then hears the 
shouts of Zarwahir's own guards closing in. He gets up and runs after 
Black Widow. Back at the house Striker and Phoenix manage to come 
stumbling out of the smoke, coughing. Once their senses clear up they 
see Shephard lying by the pot plant, clutching his wound. They
quickly go to him.

Striker:"Shephard! How serious is it?"

Shephard(in pain):"Just... a flesh wound, sirs... Get Shadow!"

Striker then sees Shadow following the woman. He quickly looks at
Phoenix while pulling out his sonic rifle.

Striker:"Patch Shephard up, Phoenix! I'm going after Shadow!"

Phoenix:"Be careful."

As Phoenix begins to tend to Shephard's wound, Striker begins to run
after Shadow. Illanov gets up and joins Striker. Up ahead Black
Widow reaches the wall and jumps, grabbing the edge. Shadow runs up
as fast as he can and tries to grab her foot again. But this time
Black Widow manages to pull her foot away and get over the wall.

Shadow:"D***it!"

He jumps up and grabs the edge of the wall. When the collie hoists
himself up, he sees Black Widow in the process of stealing a taxi and
throwing out the driver. A frightened passenger stumbles out of the
back door and runs away. As Black Widow gets into the taxi Shadow
quickly climbs over the wall and drops down onto the sidewalk. He
runs for the taxi, but Black Widow then speeds away with the taxi's
wheels screaming. The taxi driver tries to run after his stolen car,
cursing loudly at Black Widow. Shadow fires his pistol at the taxi,
making the driver and passersby run for their lives. But Shadow only
manages to hit the back window. The collie curses loudly, then hears
the sound of an approaching engine. He looks to see a delivery man on
a Vespa scooter coming along the road. Shadow runs in front of the
scooter and aims with his pistol.

Shadow:"Stop and get off!"

The delivery man immediately stops and jumps off his ride, his hands
raised and his wide with fright.

Delivery Man:"Take it! Take it!"

Shadow quickly jumps onto the scooter and speeds up after the taxi. At
that moment Striker and Illanov appear on top of the wall. They see
Shadow speeding away. Both canines curse loudly.

Striker:"Bliksun!"

Illanov:"Mother Russia! Do we take another car, comrade?"

Striker quickly looks around, but doesn't see another vehicle coming
along the road. He then shakes his head.

Striker:"Nee! Back to the Rhino! We'll get the police after them and
         then join the pursuit! Kom, Alex!"

Illanov:"Dah, comrade!"

Striker and Illanov drop back down from the wall and run across the
lawn back to the mansion.

City Streets 
Casa Blanca
11:37 AM:

The streets of Casa Blanca are bustling with traffic, which ranges
from the common taxi and the average sedan to a few luxury cars, some
goods trucks and motorcycles. The taxi commandered by Black Widow is
weaving in and out of traffic at high speed, with Shadow on the scoo-
ter close behind her. Cars and bikes swerve out of the way, their
horns blaring and their drivers cursing. Though Black Widow is driving
faster, Shadow is able to dodge vehicles and pedestrians more easily
as well as squeeze through tight spots. Coming to an intersection,
Black Widow shoots through a red light. She narrowly dodges several
cars, which proceed to brake and collide with each other. Shadow sees
the pile-up in front of him.

Shadow:"This vehicle better prove itself!"

He guns the engine and heads for a car with a sloped back that has
stopped at the red light. The collie lifts the front wheel just as
the scooter hits the car. The bike ramps up the car, breaking the rear
window and startling the driver. The scooter sails through the air
and lands on top of a taxi in the pile-up. Shadow guides the motor-
cycle over the cars' roofs before dropping back on the street on the
other side.

Shadow:"Not bad for a scooter."

Shadow resumes his pursuit of Black Widow. In the taxi Black Widow
looks in the rearview and swears when she sees Shadow is still behind
her.

Black Widow:"The Prophet curse that mongrel!"

Up ahead Black Widow sees the flashing lights of police squad cars
coming up towards her. She quicky looks around and spots an alleyway
where a flea market is. She takes a sharp turn and drives into the
alley. Shadow also turns as the police come up and heads into the
alley, followed by the police cars. In the flea market shoppers and
shopkeepers jump and dodge out of the way as the taxi bullies its
way through, knocking over stalls and smashing products. Shadow does
his best to dodge the debris and scurrying pedestrians. Behind him
the police cars try to keep up, but the leading car gets caught on
the debris and comes to a standstill. At the other end of the flea
market the taxi bursts out onto another street, with shoppers and
pedestrians jumping out of the way. Shadow comes driving out of the
flea market, struggling to keep his balance while trying to get rid
of a frightened chicken on his scooter.

Shadow:"Get off, you feather bag!"

Shadow manages to throw the chicken off just as he passes a street
beggar. The chicken lands right in his arms, much to his delight. He
looks at Shadow as he passes.

Beggar:"Allah's blessing upon you, kind sir!"

Shadow ignores the man, his attention divided between the taxi up
ahead and the two police cars and helicopter that are coming behind
him. The helicopter closes in above the taxi while a voice speaks
out over the chopper's megaphone.

Officer(over megaphone):"Attention, thief! We order you to stop your
       vehicle and surrender immediately!"

Black Widow responds by sticking her gun out the window and firing at
the helicopter. The shots bounce off the chopper, but are enough to
force it to fall back behind Shadow. Shadow ignores the helicopter and
the orders coming from the megaphone, concentrating on the taxi in
front of him. The two vehicles get into a wider street, where the
traffic is flowing more freely. Black Widow looks ahead and sees a
large truck with a trailer full of water barrels.

Black Widow:"Maybe this will discourage you, dog!"

She pulls up alongside the truck cab, pulls out her gun and opens fire
on the truck's tires. All four tires on the side of the truck burst
with loud bangs and straight away the driver starts to lose control.
Black Widow hits the accelarator to get away as the truck turns on the
road and jack-knifes the trailer. Cars are swerving desperately out of
the way of the skidding truck, smashing into lampposts or each other.
Suddenly the trailer detatches from the truck cub and turns sideways.
Shadow sees the chaos up ahead, dodging stopped cars. He sees the truck
cub smash into a news stand while the trailer continues on, turning
almost sideways. Suddenly it begins to tip over. Shadow hits the gas
and drives directly towards the trailer. As he gets close enough he
suddenly turns and slides the scooter on its side, skidding along the
tarmac towards the trailer. By now the trailer's rate of tipping has
picked up speed and is about to fall onto its side, with some of the
barrels coming free. Shadow slides through the closing gap just in
time, his tail almost getting caught between the trailer and the road.
He quickly gets the bike upright as the water barrels fall off, some
bursting open to spill their contents. 

Shadow:"I am like death, Black Widow: Unavoidable."

Behind the trailer the two squad cars stop, their way now blocked by 
the trailer and stalled cars. But the helicopter keep up the pursuit, 
albeit keeping its distance from Shadow and Black Widow. In the taxi
Black Widow curses out loudly as she spots Shadow still behind her.
She then pulls out a cellphone and dials a number. She waits only a
short moment before her call is answered.

Black Widow(into phone):"This is Black Widow! I need an extraction as 
           soon as possible! I have that mongrel Shadow and the entire 
           Casa Blanca police force after me!... How soon?... Where is
           that?... Right, I'm heading there now!"

She hangs up the phone and continues driving. Shadow keeps up his
pursuit. Suddenly more law enforcement vehicles appear, this time led
by the Rhino. Striker is behind the wheel with Illanov seated next to
him and Tanarus in the backseat. Shadow notices them in the scooter's
rearview mirror.

Shadow:"So, insects. Joining the chase too?"

He then proceeds to ignore them, focusing instead on weaving through
the traffic while still keeping up with Black Widow. In the Rhino
Striker pulls out his colt revolver and gives it to Tanarus.

Striker:"See if you can't shoot out the motorcycle's wheels."

Tanarus:"Good idea."

Tanarus takes the revolver while Striker pushes a button on the dash-
board to open up the sunroof. Tanarus up through the sunroof and tries
to take at the scooter by using his one arm as a rest. But he finds
it very difficult due to Shadow's constant weaving as well as all the
civilian traffic. Finally he manages to get a clear shot at the rear
tyre and begins to pull the trigger. But then another civilain car
moves right in the line of fire. Tanarus swears and eases his finger
off the trigger. He then ducks back into the Rhino.

Tanarus:"No use, Striker. Too many civilain vehicles around. Too
         risky."

Striker nods his head.

Striker:"Ja. We will just have to try and force him off the road."

Illanov:"If we can get past all this traffic, comrade."

Striker:"I know. I think I might have to violate a few traffic laws."

To prove his point, Striker suddenly guides the Rhino onto the side-
walk. Pedestrians scatter out of the way, shouting curses at the hum-
mer as it drives past. But this allows the Rhino to quickly catch up
with Shadow, who is also starting to catch up with Black Widow. Black
is sounding the car horn as she gets caught behind slow-moving traf-
fic. When she sees Shadow coming up she curses out loudly.

Black Widow:"Curse you!"

Suddenly Black Widow spots a gap in the form of a nearby shopping mall
entrance. She puts the taxi into gear and turns the wheel, preparing
to take off. Just then, however, Shadow catches up and stands up on
the scooter as he approaches the taxi.

Shadow:"I'm joining your little road trip."

Shadow jumps off the scooter for the taxi just as the vehicle begins to
pull away. Shadow just manages to grab the bumper as the taxi goes onto
sidewalk and towards the glass sliding doors. Pedestrians and shoppers
jump or run out of the way as the taxi smashes through the doors in a
shower of broken glass. Right behind the taxi is the Rhino, which
smashes the overturned scooter out of the way and follows the taxi into
the mall.

Illanov:"Bolshoi! That woman is crazy!"

Striker:"Ja, but we musn't lose them! Just hope no civilian gets injured
         or killed!"

Meanwhile Black Widow is driving through the mall, smashing over benches,
garbage cans, coffee shop tables and shopping carts. Shoppers dodge into
shops, screaming and shouting curses. Shadow struggles to pull himself
up on the bumper while yelping in pain as he hits objects lying on the
mall floor. Behind them the Rhino keeps up by following the path made
by the taxi. Black Widow looks in the rearview and sees only the Rhino
behind her.

Black Widow:"Looks as if Shadow has lost. Now losing these others should
             be easy."

She continues to drive the car through the mall. Shadow manages to get
a foot on the bumper, then lifts himself onto the boot. From there he
gets a better grip to hold on while the chase continues. At last the
taxi breaks through the glass doors of another mall entrance, just
missing a parked delivery van. The Rhino comes out the entrance and
manages to clip the van, knocking the bumper off but still keeping
on course. Two police cars come out of the mall right behind the
hummer while the police helicopter comes flying over the roof. The
chase continues for a while until the taxi reaches a road that goes
out of town. Skipping a red light, Black Widow dodges cars and causes
a pile-up. The Rhino and police cars are forced to stop.

Illanov:"Bolshoi! That woman is mad!"

Striker:"We need to get past this traffic!"

As the Rhino and police try to figure their way past the blockade,
Black Widow keeps on the road leading to an old fort with only the
helicopter following. She seems relieved.

Black Widow:"Finally. Now I can..."

Suddenly she spots Shadow in her rearview as he is climbing onto the
roof. The next moment Shadow pulls out his sword and starts to cut a
hole into the roof. Black Widow grabs her pistol and fires wildly at
the roof with one hand while driving. Shadow rolls to one side, using
his sword as an anchor. The bullets blow holes through the roof, one
of them smashing the taxi's signal light. Shadow loses his footing
and falls off the left side, but still manages to hold on to his
sword. Black Widow sees him dangling through the left rear passenger
door window.

Black Widow:"This time I have you!"

She takes careful aim at him. Suddenly a truck horn blares out, making
Black Widow look forward. She realizes that the taxi had strayed into
the wrong lane and was heading straight for a truck.

Black Widow:"By Allah!"

Dropping the pistol, Black Widow grabs the steering wheel and turns it
wildly. The taxi goes off the road, missing the truck by inches. The
corner of the truck trailer glazes Shadow's arm, making him yelp out
in pain. The taxi then spins before coming to a stop and stalling out.
Shadow lets go of his sword, dropping to the ground and clutching his
bleeding leg. Black Widow jumps out of the taxi, then makes a runner
for the fort, which is now only a short distance away. She pulls out
her radio and makes another call.

Black Widow(into phone):"This is Black Widow! I'm at the fort! Where
           is my help?... How soon?.... Right, hurry! That mutt is
           right behind me!"

Meanwhile, Shadow sees her running off, growling.

Shadow:"No you don't, insect!"

Still holding the wound, Shadow pulls his sword free of the taxi and
hobbles after Black Widow. Despite the collie's injury, he is still
able to keep with the woman, who is struggling to run with her robes
on. Meanwhile, the police helicopter hovers closer to the ground and
to the suspects.

Officer(over megaphone):"Attention, suspects! This is the police! Stop
       and put your hands in the air! Immediately!"

But neither Black Widow nor Shadow pay any attention to the helicopter
as they run towards the main gate of the fort. A crowd of curious
tourists and a few security guards are watching the suspects as they
approach the gate. Black Widow notices the guards.

Black Widow(to herself):"This should slow him down."

Black Widow then begins to scream hysterically, waving her arms at the
guards. This immediately gets their attention. She then points at the
pursuing Shadow.

Black Widow(shouting):"Help me! He's trying to kill me! He's a mur-
           derer!"

The guards fall for it, as do the tourists. As the tourists run away,
the guards let Black Widow pass, then reach for their pistols. When
Shadow approaches, the guards aim their guns at the canine.

Guard:"Stop or we fire!"

Shadow stops, clutching his sword and his leg. He looks threateningly
at the guards.

Shadow:"You dare stop me?"

Guard:"Drop your weapon! Now!"

Shadow looks behind him. The helicopter is still hovering nearby, and
in the distance down the road the Rhino and a large number of police
vehicles are coming towards the fort. He then looks past the guards,
seeing Black Widow run up the steps to the fort. Shadow then begins to
lower his sword to the ground.

Shadow:"All right, I'm..."

Suddenly Shadow pulls out another flash grenade and tosses it at the
guards. As it bounces to their feet, the guards realize with shock what
it is and immediately dive for cover. But neither of them notice that
the pin wasn't pulled out. Shadow runs over, picks up the grenade and
gets past the guards, running after Black Widow. By the time the guards
realize that they've been tricked, Shadow is already well up his way
on the stairs to the fort. The guards get up and run after him while 
the Rhino and police cars drive into the parking lot and stop. Striker, 
Illanov and Tanarus jump out and go after Shadow as well, while other
officers are joining them in the chase. The helicopter begins to
circle the fort, but on the other side of the fort another flying
vehicle comes to land on the roof.

Old Fort
Casa Blanca City Limits
11:58 AM:

The fort, a large construction made from sandstone, is honeycombed
with dozens of corridors and stairs. Here are there the corridors are
cordoned off to keep visiting tourists from getting lost. Black Widow
running along one route, trying to get to the rooftop. Behind her
Shadow is following, using his ears to listen where she is while ig-
noring the sounds of Unit STRIKE and the police trying to follow him
through the fort.

Shadow:"Keep running, insect. Soon you will have nowhere else to go
        to."

As Shadow turns a corner to a flight of stairs, Black Widow at the
top. She opens fire, glazing Shadow in the hip. He yelps in pain and
ducks out of sight as Black Widow fires several shots. She then runs
off, but Shadow is behind her despite his injuries. After a few more
tense moments, Black Widow reaches the roof and sees her escape.

Black Widow:"About time."

Moments later Shadow comes running up the same steps to the roof,
finding himself at the top of the fort battlements with a view over
Casa Blanca and the countryside. But Shadow's eyes are focused in
surprise on what he sees on the roof: Black Widow is boarding a GONV
Air APC, covered by several light drones and two battle drones. One
of the drones, a lieutenant (indicated by green shoulderplates),
points at Shadow.

Lieutenant:"Hostile organic spotted! Protect the primary objective!"

Drones:"Affirmative!"

Shadow immediately drops back down the steps, stumbling and falling
as the drones let loose a storm of lasers. Shadow pulls out his pistol,
but the drones keep up a constant barrage of surpressing fire on the
top of the staircase. Black Widow and the GONV drones quickly board
the Air APC. The engines hum louder as the vehicle lifts off. Shadow
swears and limps up the steps. When he comes at the top, he sees the
transport beginning to fly over the battlements. Shadow fires at the
vehicle, but his shots only make holes in the metal armor. The collie
runs to the edge of the battlements and watched the Air APC pick up
speed and fly away.

Shadow:"So... that explains many things."

Suddenly he hears voices from downstairs.

Voice:"He's on the roof!"

Shadow frowns and looks over the side of the battlements. Making a
quick decision, he jumps over the battlements and disappears from
view. Seconds later Striker, Illanov and Tanarus come running to
the roof with a number of officers, weapons ready. They see the GONV
transport flying away.

Illanov:"Bolshoi, comrades! That looks like a GONV troop carrier!"

Tanarus:"He's right, but did it come and pick up Black Widow or
         Shadow?"

Striker:"Look around! Spread out and search the fort! One of them
         has to be here!"

The Strikers and the police officers split up, looking around the
battlements for Shadow. Meanwhile, Shadow is climbing down the fort
walls, cringing in pain but determined to escape. He reaches the
ground, then runs in amongst some bushes for cover. The helicopter
circles around the fort, looking for the collie but failing to spot
him before he goes out of sight. In the distance more police sirens
can be heard while the GONV transport disappears over the horizon.

Office of the Secretary-General
United Nations Headquarters
International Territory
New York City
7:04 AM:

Mark Norwood is walking around his desk, holding a cup of coffee
while speaking over a vox telephone with Striker. Striker has just
finished explaining what happened in Casa Blanca.

Norwood:"So both Shadow and this Black Widow escaped?"

Striker(over phone):"I'm afraid so, Mark. We searched the entire
       area around the fort and had the Moroccan air force search
       for the transport, but both of them are gone."

Norwood:"I see. So now the GONV is involved? This is just getting more
         and more complicated."

Striker(over phone):"There is another problem, Mark."

Norwood:"Oh? What is that?"

Striker(over phone):"Al-Salaam was trying to destroy Western Sahara,
       not helping it."

Norwood stops, choking on the coffee he was sipping.

Norwood(surprised):"What? What do you mean?"

Striker(over phone):"Zarwahir told us what al-Salaam was doing."

Striker then begins to tell Norwood what Zarwahir had said about the
economic restrictions placed by al-Salaam upon Western Sahara. The
more he speaks, the more shocked Norwood becomes.

Striker(over phone):"Basically, Western Sahara will be economically
       dead."

Norwood:"This is madness! I... I cannot accepted it."

Striker(over phone):"I guessed you would, Mark. Do you have a copy
       of the agreements? Maybe you could verify this."

Norwood pauses, then puts his coffee down.

Norwood:"Hold on."

He goes to his desk and begins to go through his drawers, searching
amongst piles of papers. Finally he pulls out a folder and opens it.
Flipping through several pages, he comes to the point he is looking
for. After reading it briefly, Norwood is shocked again.

Norwood:"My God. How could we have let this happen?"

Striker(over phone):"Was Zarwahir right, Mark?"

Norwood:"I wish he wasn't. I cannot believe al-Salaam would allow this
         to happen, or that we even accepted this."

Striker(over phone):"And he might have decided to change his mind."

Norwood puts the papers down and looks at the phone.

Norwood:"What do you mean?"

Striker(over phone):"Consider the following, Mark. Zarwahir says that
       al-Salaam had held several meetings with several high-ranking
       European Corporation executives, some of whom we know were in
       illegal dealings we had handled. Then you get Black Widow, who
       is a professional assassin and who joined Zarwahir's business
       right after he had left the peace process. Not only that, but
       Zarwahir can confirm that Shadow had indeed visited her a few
       times in recent weeks as well. And now you have the GONV, which
       came and rescued either Black Widow, Shadow or both."

Norwood:"Right, but what is the connection?"

Striker(over phone):"We managed to hack into Black Widow's private
       bank account. She recieved several large payments from another
       account we know is related to EuroCorp. This means both she
       and al-Salaam were working for or at least with EuroCorp. And
       since the GONV came and picked up either her, Shadow or both
       of them, we can say that they are all working for the GONV in 
       a plot of some kind."

Norwood:"So, al-Salaam sets up this outrageous peace agreement under
         the orders of the GONV, either directly or through his Euro-
         Corp paymasters. But then why would Shadow kill al-Salaam
         if they are both working with the GONV?"

Striker(over phone):"I am not 100% certain, Mark. But I think I can
       guess why. I think al-Salaam balked."

Norwood:"Balked?"

Striker(over phone):"Mark, we all know the GONV tried to destroy the
       world during the Techno War. Matrix has made it clear he does
       not like life. I think al-Salaam might have discovered who his
       master was or, if he did know the GONV, that he uncovered the
       GONV's plans for Western Sahara. Fearing he might go and tell
       the world what was going, the GONV sent Shadow to kill him. Or
       another possible scenario is that al-Salaam's conscious got
       the better of him and he tried to convince EuroCorp that the
       deal was off, not knowing the GONV was behind it. Either way,
       he paid with his life."

Norwood rubs his chin, listening carefully to all of this.

Norwood:"Sounds plausible, but these are all just speculations and 
         assumptions, Striker."

Striker(over phone):"Baie waar, Mark, but we are starting to uncover
       more and more of the truth and are getting closer to finding
       out the truth. All we need now is to capture Shadow and/or
       Black Widow and then interrogate him/her about the GONV's
       role in all of this."

Norwood:"Sounds like a plan, but you had better hurry. I think your
         enemies are beginning to realize you are getting closer to
         uncovering their plot."

Striker(over phone):"Reg, Mark. But what are you going to do about
       the peace agreement?"

Norwood looks at the peace agreement papers in his hands, then sighs
and shakes his head.

Norwood:"I will try and have the peace deal declared null and void,
         but the problem will be getting all the other parties to do
         the same. Especially the Western Saharans. They will not be
         happy about losing their independence, even if temporary."

Striker(over phone):"They will be less gelukkig if their economy is
       strangled like that."

Norwood:"I agree. You just find those responsible and leave the diplo-
         matic part to me. Good luck."

Striker(over phone):"Voorspoed, Mark."

The telephone line goes dead. Norwood looks at the papers again, then
tosses them into the rubbish bin. He picks up his cup of coffee.

Norwood:"I am getting too old for this."

He takes a good sip of coffee.

Abandoned Petrol Station
City Limits
Marakesh
Morocco
7:03 PM:

This is an old, run down petrol station that has long been abandoned
on the very outskirts of the city of Marakesh. The petrol pumps have
been removed and the windows are all broken. The signs and logo of
the station have faded and tore off. From inside the building a faint
light is shining from within the car bay. Sitting by the green aura
of a glow stick is Shadow, with his trusy motorcycle Rose parked a
few feet away. Shadow is using a medical kit to treat his wounds. At
the moment he is stitching his leg wound, barely flinching from the
pain.

Rose:"Are you doing all right, Shadow?"

Shadow:"I've had much worse. This is barely a flesh wound."

Rose:"That's more than a flesh wound. You certain you have it treated
      correctly?"

Shadow:"I know what I'm doing. I'm not a fool to let myself die from
        something like an infection. And I'm not going to a hospital.
        Our enemies will be upon me within minutes."

Rose:"If you say so."

Shadow finishes up the stitching, cutting the loose string. He then
begins to wrap a bandage tightly around his leg.

Rose:"What is our next move?"

Shadow:"It's clear to me that my business associates now think I'm a 
        threat to them. After today's events they'll certainly be out on 
        the hunt for my tail. Lucky for us that Black Widow led me to 
        the final clue about our mysterious benefactor. Come tomorrow
        I'll be off to confront them. I'm getting tired of being Tom 
        always chasing the rat."

Rose:"Jerry, you mean."

Shadow:"Whatever."

Suddenly there is the sound of a glass bottle being knocked over.
Shadow immediately looks to the source of the noise, very alert and
tense. He puts down the medical kit and quietly pulls out his sword.
The collie gets up and slowly moves to the doorway where the sound
had come from. He keeps his ears perked for any noise from that di-
rection. Shadow comes to the doorway and peers through it. Though it
is dark, one can still see that it was a tuck shop. The shelves are
all empty barring a few empty cans and bottles. The counter still has 
an empty cash register, while the floor is covered with torn and 
yellow newspapers. The only light comes through the display window 
from a street light outside. Shadow stands in the doorway, scanning
the shop and keeping his ears wide open. A moment there comes the
sound of a squeaking mouse. Shadow remains alert, but he relaxes and
lowers his sword.

Shadow:"Just some vermin."

He turns around to go back into the garage, but suddenly he is hit in
the face with the butt of a rifle. The impact knocks him over onto his
back, knocking the air out of him. Suddenly a boot steps hard on his
sword arm, forcing him to release the sword. Shadow looks up to see
Striker, Shephard and Illanov standing over him, with Illanov holding
his plasma rifle like a club. Before Shadow can react, Illanov hits
him again. The collie groans and blacks out from the blow. As this
happens lights appear outside the petrol station while police sirens
and the whirling of helicopter blades can be heard. Striker kneels
down and checks Shadow.

Striker:"He's unconscious. Shephard, gag and bag him."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

Striker steps back as Shephard begins to place a muzzle over Shadow.
The squeak of a mouse can be heard again, making Striker look towards
the counter. Merit and Corsair have appeared from behind it, with
Corsair holding both his laptop and Illanov's EMP device. Corsair is
looking annoyed at Merit.

Corsair:"Hey, Merit. Will you quit with the mouse noises already? We
         got him."

Merit:"I believe the correct linguistic unit is 'squeaking'."

Corsair(rolling eyes):"Whatever."

Striker then takes Illanov and Phoenix, who has just finished guiding
the police into the station store, into the garage. There they find
Rose still parked there.

Rose(surprised):"How did you get here? My sensors did not pick you
    up at all."

Illanov:"No surprise there, comrade. We used my EMP Jammer on a radio
         frequency to make your scanners think all was clear. Your
         comrade, Tech, helped us in that regard."

Rose:"Where is Shadow?"

Striker:"Being arrested for murder as we speak. And you, Rose, are
         also under detention for the moment. Don't bother resisting.
         Your systems are under our remote control."

There is a brief pause before Rose speaks again.

Rose:"You do not understand Shadow's motives for what he did."

Striker:"Nee, and that is what we will find out back at the UN base
         in Western Sahara."

Striker turns to Illanov.

Striker:"Secure Rose and take her to the Stealth Rover, Alex."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade."

As Illanov goes over to Rose, Striker turns to Phoenix.

Striker:"Gather up all of Shadow's things, Firefly."

Phoenix:"Right, Strikie."

They all go to work as more police officers come in and secure the
petrol station. Shephard pulls a bound and gagged Shadow onto a
stretcher, which is then taken outside to the awaiting prison van.

United Nations Base
20 Kilometres North of Layoune
Western Sahara
11:03 PM:

The UN base is a former Moroccan outpost that has been turned over to
the peacekeepers as a base. Many of the white-coloured APCs, hummers
and tanks are parked here while blue-helmet soldiers are on duty,
either standing guard or maintaining the vehicles. The centre of the
base is a cluster of concrete buildings that serve as the headquarters
for the peacekeepers. One of the buildings houses an interrogation
room: a bare, windowless room with a single lightbulb shining down on
a table and two chairs. A large mirror is against the one wall. Shadow
is chained to one chair, while Striker sits opposite him in the other
chair. Both of them are staring at each other.

Shadow:"I suppose you want me to talk, child."

Striker:"Ja, but I feel you will make it very difficult for me. Reg?"

Shadow:"No, I will make it easy."

Striker raises an eyebrow in surprise.

Striker:"Regtig?"

Shadow:"Really. I am not going to answer anything, so you can leave
        and use your free time to go and shag Phoenix."

Striker frowns again.

Striker:"First question, Shadow. Are you working for the GONV?"

Shadow sneers.

Shadow:"I will not tell you."

Striker:"Has the GONV hired you, using EuroCorp to pay your bills? And
         about Black Widow? Is she your accomplice or competition?"

Shadow:"You are wasting your breath."

Striker:"Did you kill al-Salaam on behalf of the GONV because he was
         getting too greedy? Or was he about to blow the whistle on
         your boss' plans for Western Sahara?"

Shadow:"I sneer in your general direction, kid."

Striker:"Do you watch 24?"

Shadow stops sneering.

Shadow:"What are you talking about?"

Striker:"24, the television show. You about Jack Bauer?"

Shadow:"Yes, I do. What does this have to do with anything?"

Striker stands up and begins to walk around the table, keeping his
eyes on Shadow while the collie keeps his eyes on the spaniel.

Striker:"Wel, Jack has a tendency to be... moeilik on those in his
         custody who do not give him the information he needs. Nou,
         I do not condone torture in most cases..."

He suddenly grabs Shadow's head and presses it hard against the table.

Striker:"... but you, Shadow, are making me very angry. So I will
         make an exception in your case."

Shadow:"You don't have the guts, kid."

Striker grabs Shadow's ponytail and pulls hard, making the collie yelp
in pain.

Striker:"Careful, Shadow. This is just the painless part, so make sure
         of your decisions. Otherwise, I will become your Jack Bauer."

Shadow says nothing and instead sneers, albiet with difficulty, at the
spaniel. Striker finally lets go of his hair and shrugs.

Striker:"Nou goed. You want to be moeilik. Wait here while I go and
         get the tools."

Shadow just watches as Striker walks to the door, opens it and goes out
of the room. The door closes with a loud "clang". Shadow just breathes
out and then proceeds to stare at the mirror.

Stealth Orca
En Route To UN Base
20 Kilometres Outbound North
At That Moment:

Flying low over the countryside of Western Sahara, its engines making
almost no noise, a KH Military Stealth Orca is flying towarsd the base.
At first glance it looks like a black Orca, but closer inspection shows
that is much smaller in size, more sleek and angled. The KH Military
insiginia is on it in a dark grey colour version. Inside the dim
cockpit a Covert Trooper is at the controls, flying the craft. He
goes on the radio.

Trooper(into radio):"This is Kingfisher to Goose. Have pond in visual 
       range. ETA is four minutes."

Goose(over radio):"Copy that, Kingfisher. We have some news for you.
     Sky Eye reports large number of unknown signals approaching the
     pond from the east. They can't say if they are with the pond
     slime or not, so watch yourself."

Trooper(into radio):"Copy that, Goose. I'll be keeping my eye out.
       Will contact you when frog is in the bottle."

Goose(over radio):"Roger that, Kingfisher. Good luck."

Trooper(into radio):"Thanks. Kingfisher, out."

The trooper continues to pilot the Stealth Orca towards the lights of
the United Nations base in the distance.

Interrogation Rooms
United Nations Base
11:17 PM:

Inside a room adjacent to the one where Shadow is being interrogated,
Striker is busy conferring with the rest of his team. Through the two-
way mirror one can see Shadow sitting calmly on his chair, staring at
the mirror. Striker looks at Elexis, while Merit is busy looking out
one of the windows at the desert.

Striker:"Shadow is refusing to talk."

Elexis:"So we've noticed. Seems your threats don't mean much to him."

Striker:"Ja, but I didn't really expect him to crack though I had
         hoped he would."

Elexis:"So do we go ahead with the serum?"

Striker pauses a moment, taking a deep breath as he considers it. He
then nods.

Striker:"Ja."

Elexis gets out her medical kit and prepares to follow Striker back
into the interrogation room. Shephard, meanwhile, notices Merit is
looking out the window.

Shephard:"Hey, Merit. What are you looking at?"

Merit:"I am observing the approach of the large number of automatons
       towards us."

Shephard quickly looks out the window in alarm, but after a few quick
scans he can see the desert is empty. He looks back at Merit with a
frown.

Shephard:"You rust bucket. There's nobody out there."

Merit:"Incorrect. I am 100% certain of what I am observing."

Shephard rolls his eyes.

Shephard:"Merit, there is nothing there. Here, let me turn on my mask's
          night vision and..."

Shephard activates the night vision of his gas mask's goggles and looks
out the window again. This time, however, the desert is not empty: a
column of GONV Light, Heavy, Warfare and Chemicals Drones, backed up by
MKI and MKII mechs, is approaching the base.

Shephard:"Holy s***!"

Everyone quickly looks at Shephard.

Striker:"Shephard, what is it?"

Shephard quickly whips around towards Striker.

Shephard:"Sir, we've got hostiles! A column of GONV robots are coming
          right at us! I only saw them with my night vision goggles!"

The team is shocked at this news. Striker quickly runs over to the win-
dow just in time to see clouds of electricity flash in the desert
before the GONV Forces make themselves.

Striker:"Ai yai yai!"

He turns to the team.

Striker:"Battle stations! Get your weapons!"

Unit STRIKE rushes out of the room. Inside the interrogation room, one
can see Shadow's ears perk up as he hears a siren go off.

United Nations Base
11:22 PM:

Soldiers at the base are scurrying towards their positions while the
siren pierces the silence of the desert night. Not far off the GONV
column is now fully visible and lit up by search lights from the base.
At the head of the chemical drones is Xealot, while the NME is with
the warfare drones. The drones begin to run towards the base when the
mechs let loose a barrage of rockets and bullets. The UN responds
with the firing of tank sabots and mortars. Both sides manage to
hit each other, but most shots fall short of their targets or miss.
When the drones get close enough they begin to fire their lasers at
the soldiers, who duck for cover and then shoot back with bullets.
The Strikers come running onto the roof of their building to look at
the battle beginning.

Striker:"The GONV is launching a full assault on us! We're going to
         have to drive them back!"

Illanov:"You think they're here for Shadow, comrade?"

Striker:"I can't see any other reason, Alex."

Phoenix:"I can see the NME and Xealot amongst the number. The GONV
         must be very determined to get Shadow."

Striker:"We are not giving them the plesier!"

He turns to his team.

Striker:"Corsair, you and Merit head back inside and try to hack into
         those robots. Use what skills you have to stop them."

Corsair:"Gotcha, boss!"

Merit:"Confirmed."

Striker:"The rest of us will go and fight off these machines. Aid our
         UN allies where necessary and use any means necessary to
         stop the GONV from getting Shadow. Verstaan?"

Phoenix:"Definitely, Love."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade!"

Tanarus, Elexis:"We're ready!"

Shephard:"Ready to kick some tin can a**, sir!"

Striker:"Let's hit the battlefield!"

The Strikers spring into action. While Corsair and Merit head back into
the building, the others rush out over the rooftops to get closer to the
action. Striker, Illanov, Phoenix, Tanarus, Elexis and Shephard pull
their weapons out and split up. They each rush to a section of the de-
fensive line. Phoenix reaches her section first, watching the approaching
line of chemical drones. Xealot is marching up ahead, giving orders.

Xealot:"Spray living things with death juice! Kill all living things!"

Drones:"Confirmed. Engaging hostiles."

Phoenix turns to the UN soldiers at her line.

Phoenix:"Watch out for those drones! They are carrying chemical sprayers!
         Aim for their tanks and keep out of range of their sprays!"

The soldiers agree, pulling back a little more before opening fire. The
drones begin to rush for the line. Phoenix creates a series of fireballs
that she rapidly tossed onto the dry brush in front of the drones. The
brush immediately catches fire and soon there is a line of fire with the
ocassional break in it. Unable to spray beyond the flames and their
scanners struggling to differentiate between heat sources, the drones
funnel into the breaks. The soldiers concentrate their fire, resulting in
more of their shots hitting their targets. Despite having dents and even
the occasional hole in them, the drones keep coming.

Phoenix:"Aim for their heads!"

To emphasize her point, she tosses a pair of fireballs at one approaching
chemical drone. One ball misses, but the other hits the drone and blasts
a hole straight through its head. It collapsed onto the sand. The soldiers
readjust their aim and fire away. This time they are more successful. A
number of drones have their heads riddled with holes. The damaged robots
either come to a halt or fall over, further slowing down the assault by
the chemical drones. Phoenix creates more and more flame barriers to stop
their toxic sprays, though a minority does manage to get through and spray
some of the soldiers. Xealot comes charging through one firewall, his
plasma shield protecting him from the heat, and comes in right front of
Phoenix.

Xealot:"Living thing very priority! Xealot make dead living thing!"

Xealot takes aim and fires a jet of radioactive liquid at Phoenix. She
responds by firing a jet of flame to block the spray long enough to get
out of dodge. Xealot begins to pursue Phoenix, breaking from the for-
mation of chemical drones. Behind the drones the MKI's begin to lay out
a barrage of bullets from their chainguns, forcing many defenders to
take cover. The MKII's stop and prepare to fire their rockets by aiming
at an upward angle. Suddenly the mechs lower their aim, their rocket
packs now pointed at the MKI mechs in front of them. The mechs launch
their rockets, blasting the MKI mechs apart, sending debris flying and
leaving only the legs (some of which continue to walk around aimlessly).
The MKII mechs then through their chassis backwards and fall onto their
backs before deactivating. Striker sees all this happening with approval.

Striker(to himself):"Wonderlike boy, that David."

Striker charges up his sonic rifle and runs over to a pair of UN armoured
cars. A group of soldiers are trying to fight back against the oncoming
warfare drones, lead by the NME. The soldiers are struggling to hold back
the drones, but Striker fires off a powerful sonic blast that manages to
knock out a trio of the leading robots. He looks at the soldiers as he
takes cover from the return fire.

Striker:"Concentrate your fire! Shoot one drone at the time! They can't
         take much damage!"

Soldiers:"Yes, sir!"

While Striker recharges his rifle, the soldiers carry out their orders
and fire at one drone. Their concentrated fire is too much for the drone
to sustain and it soon comes to a standstill as it shorts out. As the
soldiers move to the next drone, Striker fires again. His sonic blast
takes out another trio of drones, but it gets the NME's attention. It
charges down at the APC that Striker is hiding behind. His eyes widen
when he sees the charging robot.

Striker:"Look out!"

Striker and the soldiers quickly get out of the way just before the NME
slams into the APC and tips it over. It then marches towards Striker,
ready to strike at him with its claws. Striker rolls on his back as the
NME's claws attack. He rolls to one side, the claw smashing into the
ground and ripping a chunk of earth. Striker jumps to his feet, and then
the NME throws the clod of dirt at him. He turns and the clump hits him
in the side, knocking him over and making him yelp from the pain. The
NME marches toward him again, ripping a lamp post out of the concrete
and preparing to bash Striker with it. Suddenly headlines shine on the
robot, drawing its attention. The next instant an APC rams into the
NME. The NME grabs the APC and tries to make it stop, but before its
legs can get a grip, the vehicle smashes into the concrete wall of a
building, burying the robot under rubble. Striker gets up in time to see
a young UN soldier climb out.

Soldier:"You all right, sir?"

Striker:"I'm all reg, dankie. Go and help the others!"

Soldier:"Yes, sir!"

The soldier runs off to go and help fight back while Striker approaches
the rubble to check on the NME. Parts of it is sticking out of the con-
crete, but it is not moving. Satisfied that the NME is temporary not a
threat, Striker goes to help fight the other robots. He joins Illanov,
who is using his EMP jammer to neutralize the firepower of the drones
that get close to the base. The two cano-sapiens blast part a row of
light drones coming towards them before turning to one another.

Illanov:"Comrade! We are struggling to hold position! We can fight them
         off, but they're too close for comfort right now!"

Striker:"I agree! I think we should abandon parts of the base and fall
         back to the opposite end of the base! It's more easily defend-
         able! You go and get Shadow out of the cells and to the Stealth
         while I order a fall back!"

Illanov:"Dah, comrade!"

Illanov jumps up and runs towards the compound while Striker begins to
fire at approaching GONV robots.

Interrogation Rooms
11:34 PM:

Shadow is still sitting alone in his chair, listening to the sounds of
the battle raging outside. Occassionally a close explosion rocks the
room, causing loose dust and pieces of concrete to fall on the table.
He grunts.

Shadow:"Listen to that sound. The sound of elephants fighting while they
        trample the grass. I can bet those are my former... associates, 
        attempting to correct their mistake by killing me. I had better
        figure a way out of here. I can't end up dying because I'm locked
        inside a room."

Suddenly Shadow looks up to the door as he hears someone opening the lock.
There is an audible click as the door unlocked, then the door handle is
turned. Shadow sneers.

Shadow:"So you come back, pup. Why? Are you..."

But when the door flies open, Shadow is surprised to see not Striker or
any of the other STRIKE members. Instead, it is the KH Military covert
trooper who comes in, tossing a bottle. Shadow tries to react, but he
recovers from the surprise too late and the bottle smashes again his
forehead. The impact sends the collie falling over backwards in the chair
and he lands with a solid thud on the floor, out cold. The trooper
quickly goes over to check up on Shadow.

Trooper:"Ah, good. As expected."

He then turns Shadow onto his stomach, pulls the collie's arms behind
his back and cuffs them. The trooper takes out a syringe filled with a
liquid and injects it into Shadow's rump.

Trooper:"There. That should keep you still until I can get you back to
         my superiors."

He tosses the empty syringe aside, then goes and picks the unconcious and
drugged Shadow up. With his canister rifle in one paw and the other arm
holding Shadow, he makes his way out the door. Suddenly the trooper finds
himself staring down the corridor at Illanov, who is very surprised.

Illanov:"Bolshoi!"

The trooper raises his rifle and fires a few unaimed shots. Illanov ducks
through an open doorway to avoid the shots. The trooper keeps firing a
few wild shots to keep Illanov pinned while he retreats back the way he
had come. Illanov activates his watchcom and calls Striker.

Illanov(into com):"This is Illanov! Shadow is being abducted!"

Striker(over com):"The GONV?"

Illanov(into com):"No, the KH Military! A Covert Trooper is taking him
       away!"

Striker(over com):"Wat de? Why them? Keep him pinned, Alex! I'm coming!"

Illanov(into com):"Dah!"

Illanov turns off the com, then looks around the corner with his plasma
rifle ready. But he just manages to spot the trooper disappearing around
a corner. He gets up and begins walking very quickly after the trooper,
keeping his rifle aimed forward. Meanwhile the Trooper continues up a
flight of stairs, keeping watch behind him for Illanov. He continues up
until he comes to the roof and heads towards the landed Stealth Orca
on the roof. Below, Illanov is ascending the stairs while watching that
he does not blunder into a trap. It takes a minute for him to reach the
roof. As he comes out, he sees the Stealth Orca beginning to take off
into the sky, with the trooper at the controls and the out cold Shadow
strapped in the back seat.

Illanov:"Mother Russia! What kind of Orca is that?"

The Orca fires up its engines and begins to fly off. Illanov takes aim
at it and fires. But his plasma shot just misses it. As the Orca flies
away from the base it draws fire from the remaining GONV forces on the
ground. Down below on the battlefield, Xealot stops chasing Phoenix as
its sensors focus on the escaping Orca.

Xealot:"Prime living thing escaping! Alert commander!"

Xealot sends out an alert signal to the Command Vehicle stationed some
distance away. The Command Vehicle's own scanners also make a visual
on the Orca and sends a pursuit order to a trio of Predator fighters
circling nearby. Back at the base Striker has just gotten to the roof
the interrogation building to join Illanov.

Striker:"Where is Shadow?"

Illanov:"Gone, comrade. I'm sorry, but that trooper managed to escape
         with him in a new kind of Orca."

Striker:"A new orca?"

Illanov:"Dah. It's design looks based on stealth technology."

Striker:"So that's how it managed to get in so close. And the GONV was
         after Shadow. Look."

Illanov and Striker look out over the base. The surviving GONV forces
are beginning to pull back, with Xealot leading the fallback. Some of
the robots are providing covering fire for the retreating forces.

Illanov:"Mother Russia, what is going on? The GONV? The KH Military?
         EuroCorp? This doesn't make sense."

Striker:"Not unless we find Shadow, Alex. Come on."

The two cano-sapiens run back inside and head down the stairs.

Western Sahara Countryside
10 Kilometres East of United Nations Base
11:47 AM:

The Stealth Orca is flying across the Sahara towards the east. The covert
trooper is at the flight controls, which in the seat behind him is the
unconscious and bound Shadow. The trooper is examining the control panel,
paying attention to the radar.

Trooper:"Those GONV fighters are still after me, but it doesn't look like
         they know where I am. Perhaps a few turns..."

Suddenly a powerful arm wraps around the trooper's neck and pulls him
back against his flight seat. Trooper gasps in surprise, one paw grabbing
the arm while the other remains on the flight stick. Behind him Shadow is
the one holding the trooper.

Shadow:"So. Having fun, puppy?"

Trooper:"How the h*** did you get free?"

Shadow:"That's my little secret. Perhaps you should searched me a little
        more carefully."

The wolf-sapien trooper growls at Shadow.

Trooper:"Let go of me, you mongrel! I cannot pilot the craft like this!"

Shadow:"Maybe that's true. That's why I'm going to take over."

Trooper:"Not a chance!"

Shadow:"And what are you going to do about it, welp?"

Trooper:"This!"

The trooper suddenly releases the flight stick and jams his fingers into
Shadow's eyes. The collie yelps in pain and temporarily eases his vice
grip around the trooper. The trooper quickly wiggles free and turns
around to punch Shadow. Shadow is knocked back into his seat. The trooper
tries to attack again, but this time Shadow manages to block his punch
by grabbing his paw, though the collie is still struggling to see. The
trooper quickly turns in his seat and tries to use his other paw to
punch Shadow. During the struggle, the trooper accidentally pushes a
button that causes the words "STEALTH SHIELD DEACTIVATED" to appear on
a small screen. Shadow lies back, then lifts one foot to kick at the
trooper. The trooper dodges it, but is forced back, giving Shadow the
chance to recover. The trooper tries to grab Shadow, but Shadow grabs
the trooper's head and begins to bash it against the side of the cockpit
window. The trooper tries to fight back, but the constant bashing quickly
puts him into unconsciousness. As the trooper slumps in his seat, Shadow
leans over the chair and reaches for the flight stick.

Shadow:"Now I need to get out of here quickly."

But suddenly a laser blast strikes the left engine of the Orca, causing
it to burst into flame. The impact shakes the craft and makes Shadow
fall back into his seat. Behind the Orca the GONV predators have caught
up with it and have opened fire on it. The orca, with one engine out,
begins to loose altitude and spins around. Shadow struggles to try and
get into the pilot seat, but the constant spinning throws him around the
cockpit like a ragdoll. The Orca continues falling to the ground below,
the predators staying close but ceasing fire. At one point Shadow, now
bruised and bleeding from the tossing about, manages to grab the flight
stick. He manages to level the Orca, but by now it is gliding towards
the ground very quickly. The collie tries to pull up, but it is too late.

Shadow:"Oh f..."

The Stealth Orca's belly slams into the ground, making it bounce once
into the air. It then lands hard again, the impact cracking the craft
in half and making the destroyed fall over. The cockpit skids hard
over the ground, then flips over and cartwheels a few times before coming
to a stop. Above the wreckage, the predators circle over the crash site.
Inside the cockpit, sparks are flying from the smashed control panel.
Shadow is lying in his own seat, seriously injured and barely conscious.
He looks up through the broken cockpit glass and sees the predator crafts
circle ominously above him.

Shadow:"Vultures... ugghhh..."

The collie fades out of consciousness. When he reopens his eyes, he finds
himself staring at some GONV light drones that are pulling him out of
the wreckage. By now the GONV attack force has reached the crash site,
with Xealot at the lead.

Xealot:"Take living thing Shadow to protocol leader."

Drones:"Affirmative."

Shadow again passes out as he is taken off towards an awaiting transport.

Crash Site
12:19 AM:

The crash site is now abandoned, with only the burning engine still giving
a little bit of light. The Stealth Rover appears overhead, turning on
searchlights and scanning the debris. It then lowers its landing gear and
gently settles on the Sahara. The walk ramp lowers and Unit STRIKE climbs
off the Stealth Rover. Led by Striker, they approach the wreckage of the
Stealth Orca with their weapons ready.

Striker:"Spread out and keep your eyes open."

Everyone nods and they begin to split up around the crash site. Striker
approaches the cockpit, sonic rifle ready. He looks inside through the
broken glass and sees the covert trooper still in his seat. Striker
reaches in and feels for a pulse.

Striker:"Ah. You are not going to be talking to us, né?"

He examines the rest of the cockpit. Aside from the dead trooper there
is nothing else here except debris. Striker then turns to the others.

Striker:"Find iets?"

Illanov:"We found some tracks, comrade. Merit says they are definitely
         GONV."

Striker:"Any sign of Shadow? Footprints? Blood? A patch of fur?"

Tanarus:"Nothing. The GONV must have extracted him from the wreckage
         and took them to whether they are hiding."

Phoenix:"But if that's the case, then how are we going to find him?"

Shephard:"We really should have put a tracking collar on the punk, sirs."

Corsair:"Don't you just love how such ideas pop up only after they've
         become useless?"

Striker stops and thinks while the others continue to scour the remains
of the crashed aircraft. After a minute or so he looks up at the others.

Striker:"Back to the Stealth Rover. We're going to try and use a dif-
         ferent way of tracking down Shadow."

Striker leads the Strikers from the crash site back into the Stealth 
Rover. The ramp is raised and the engines started. The Stealth Rover
takes off, kicking up a cloud of sand and dust as it flies back to the
UN base.

Garage
United Nations Base
12:40 AM:

The garage of the UN base houses many of its jeeps and APCs and comes
with a full repair bay. Stacks of cabinets filled with tools and tables
littered with all manner of automotive and military parts line the walls.
In the corner of the garage is Rose, who is secured to the floor with
chains and clamps to her wheels. Around the cyclborg UN mechanics are
going about fixing and repairing vehicles damaged in the recent battle.
Unit STRIKE comes into the garage and go straight to the motorcycle.
Rose detects their presence.

Rose:"My scanner shows that the battle is over, but Shadow is moving
      away from here very quickly. Where is he going?"

Striker:"That's what we are here for, Rose. The GONV attacked us for the
         sole purpose of rescuing Shadow. Now you are going to tell us
         where the GONV is taking him."

Rose:"Rescue? You mean abducting him."

Striker:"Enough tricks, Rose. We know the GONV hired Shadow to kill al-
         Salaam."

Rose:"Hired? You are wrong. Shadow was only approached by the GONV and
      offered a certain amount to kill al-Salaam, but he rejected it
      because the United Nations was paying far more."

Shephard:"That's bull! I caught Shadow in the act!"

Rose:"Did you actually see him pull the trigger?"

Shephard:"No, but..."

Rose:"Did it never occur to you that Black Widow, the woman you met in
      Morocco, might have been the one who shot al-Salaam on the GONV's
      behalf?"

Shephard tries to find an answer, but he struggles and falters. Corsair
then tries a different approach.

Corsair:"What about EuroCorp? What did they have to do with Shadow?"

Rose:"They're the source of the money that the GONV wanted to bribe
      Shadow with, but when Shadow turned the offer down the money was
      instead given to Black Widow. We also learned that the GONV had
      used Shar Zarwahir's name and voice to contact EuroCorp, since
      the GONV didn't want to alert EuroCorp to who is really behind the
      plot against Western Sahara."

Phoenix:"Is that why Black Widow was under Zarwahir's employ?"

Rose:"Perhaps. Shadow suspected she might have also been there to keep
      tabs on him and make sure nobody followed up to check if Zarwahir
      really was behind the plot. When we found you speaking to Zarwahir
      and discovered that Black Widow was there, he took action to
      prevent her from making you all befall the same fate as al-Salaam."

This revelation surprises the team.

Illanov:"Mother Russia. So Shadow was actually trying to save us?"

Rose:"Only because, according to him, your deaths would have jeopardized
      his United Nations payment."

Merit:"That demeanor certainly matches the personality patterns we have
       of Shadow."

Striker:"But Rose, why didn't Shadow tell us all of this instead of 
         making us all think he's the culprit?"

Rose:"You should have known better, Striker. Shadow likes to work alone
      and in his own way."

Striker nods a bit sheepishly.

Striker:"Ja, you're reg, Rose. I should have known it. Blikskottel!"

Tanarus, who has been thinking about what Rose said, speaks up.

Tanarus:"I think I now understand what has been going here. The GONV
         attempts to turn Western Sahara's independence into a disaster
         and drafts al-Salaam to ensure that happens. At the same time
         the GONV impersonates Shar Zarwahir in order to trick the
         European Corporation into funding this operation."

Elexis:"And to make it look like the Moroccans are behind it."

Tanarus:"Exactly. At one point al-Salaam either becomes a liability to
         the GONV, either because he was no longer needed or that he
         discovered what the GONV was doing and got cold feet. Either
         way, the GONV decides to kill him. But instead of doing the job 
         itself, it tries to hire Shadow to assassinate him. Shadow
         refuses because he is being paid more by the United Nations.
         The GONV then hires Black Widow instead, using EuroCorp funds."

Phoenix:"And Black Widow succeeds in killing him, but Shadow discovers
         she did and begins hunting her down."

Tanarus:"That's right. And that's why the GONV rescued Black Widow back
         in Casa Blanca."

Elexis:"And abducted Shadow."

Tanarus:"Correct, Dear."

Shephard:"But what's the whole point behind this plot, sir? What does the
          GONV gain from all this?"

Illanov:"Comrade Shephard, the point of the plot is to destabilize the
         the region by triggering a local conflict between the Western
         Saharans and Morocco."

Shephard:"Yeah, sir, but Africa is a continent full of regional conflicts.
          And this area isn't of strategic or economic importance. I
          mean there isn't something like, say, massive oil reserves
          here that could influence the global economy."

Striker:"Shephard is reg. There must be more to this plot than just a
         local war. The GONV has bigger goals in mind. And I think that
         Shadow is key to this plot. We have to find him."

Striker turns back to Rose.

Striker:"Can you track down Shadow?"

Rose:"I wish I could, but he's out of my range."

Striker:"And if we were to give you a better tracking range?"

Rose:"Then I could possibly locate him."

Striker:"That settles it."

He turns to his team.

Striker:"Alex, Shephard. Load Rose onto the Stealth Rover. Corsair and
         Merit. Have Rose interface with our systems so we can track
         down Shadow."

Illanov:"Dah, comrade!"

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

Corsair:"Right on it, boss!"

Merit:"Command recieved."

Phoenix:"Strikie, can I ask something?"

Striker:"Ja, Firefly. Wat is it?"

Phoenix:"Seeing as how we no longer view Shadow as a suspect behind the
         murder of al-Salaam, could we perhaps release the Wild Warriors
         so they could help us against the GONV?"

Striker think for a short while, then finally nods his head.

Striker:"Ja, I think we will need the help. I will contact the autho-
         rities in Layoune and have the Wild Warriors, their equipment
         and their weapons released. They can join us en route. Nou,
         let's hit the road!"

The team immediately gets to work. Illanov and Shephard begin to release
Rose from the clamps and chains while the others head out of the garage.

Central Core
GONV Terra Outpost
Somewhere in Western Sahara
01:31 AM:

This is a circular room with a massive, cylinder-shaped computer in the
middle. Smaller but still big computers are attached to its sides while
carbon fibre cables run from the ceiling down to the entire system. The
walls are made from solid, polished metal with a single sliding door.
Secured to a metal table is Shadow, who is still unconscious. Metal cuffs
are attached to his arms, legs, ankles, wrists and neck, keeping him
fixed to the table. Shadow begins to stir, groaning and trying to open
his eyes. He flinches from the bright light shining down directly at
him and turns his head away slightly. When the collie finally manages to
get his eyes open and into focus, he sees a towering figure in military
fatigues: Patriot the former United States training robot now turned into
GONV-controlled commander.

Patriot:"You awake now, maggot?"

Shadow:"What is this?"

The collie tugs at the straps and discovers that he is tied down.

Shadow:"How dare you tie me down like this."

Patriot:"How dare we? Very easily as a matter of fact, dirtbag!"

The hulking robot leans closer to Shadow.

Patriot:"You've been giving us one h*** of a hard time! If it isn't that
         rat al-Salaam trying to screw us over, it's maggots like you
         trying to screw the whole deal."

Shadow:"I do what I am paid to do. Al-Salaam was under my protection and
        I have to get the culprits for jeopardizing my pay."

Patriot:"Mercenary scumbag!"

Shadow:"Look who's talking! You glorified toasters are trying to turn the
        region into a war zone."

Patriot:"And that's going to happen, maggot! The command protocol's plans
         are fully executed. Now we just need to sit back and watch the
         results."

Shadow:"Mind if you told me just what these 'results' are?"

Patriot suddenly punches Shadow in the belly, knocking the air out of
the collie and making him cringe in pain.

Patriot:"I do mind, dirtbag! You know too much already! And now it's time
         to break you down!"

At that moment another figure steps into Shadow's view: Black Widow, the
female assassin from Morocco. Shadow sneers at Black Widow, though he is
still in pain.

Shadow:"So the itsy bitsy spider crawled out of its hole."

Black Widow:"And the mongrel is now strapped and helpless. You really
             should have taken up their offer, but then I wouldn't be
             here earning what is yours."

Black Widow sneers at Shadow, who glares back at her. Patriot steps back
and looks at Black Widow.

Patriot:"Get rid of this pest and we'll make the final pay. I got some
         other duties to attend to."

Black Widow:"With pleasure."

Patriot turns and walks towards the door. It automatically slides open
to let the big robot walk through, then closes behind Patriot. Black
Widow leans closer to Shadow.

Black Widow:"Do you know why they call me Black Widow?"

Shadow:"Because you are such a low-life?"

The woman looses her smile a bit.

Black Widow:"The black widow contains the most venomous spider poison
             in the world. And many of my, ah, successes are thanks to
             the wide array of poisons I can use in addition to my usual
             rifle and knife skills."

Black Widow then pulls out a pouch, the sound of little bottles clinking
inside of it. She opens the pouch.

Black Widow:"Now, let's see which poison will it be."

Shadow just watches with contempt while Black Widow begins to dig around 
in her poison pouch.

Stealth Rover
En Route To GONV Terra Outpost 
Somewhere Over The Sahara
At That Moment:

The only light coming from the Stealth Rover is from the engines and the
subdued light in the cockpit. Striker is at the flight controls with
Phoenix seated next to him by the communications console. The others
are in their usual seats, though Corsair has activated a small computer
terminal near his seat. Merit, who is seated behind Corsair, has a cable
linking the drone and the terminal. Phoenix is busy answering a call 
from the senior United Nations officer in Layoune. Once she is done with
the call, the pomeranian turns to Striker.

Phoenix:"The Wild Warriors have been released and are on their way to
         rendevouz with us."

Striker:"ETA?"

Phoenix:"About fifteen minutes."

Striker:"Goed. We will need their help assaulting the GONV base."

The cocker spaniel glances back at Corsair.

Striker:"Got anything on the GONV's location?"

Corsair looks up from the terminal and nods his head.

Corsair:"Sure do, boss. Thanks to Rose's tracking device I've been able
         to pinpoint Shadow's location. And with that I also picked up
         computer signals from his location that is definitely that of
         the GONV."

Striker:"Wel gedaan, Corsair. What does the base look like?"

Corsair turns back to the terminal screen to check the readouts before
answering.

Corsair:"According to the info Merit and I have been gather on the place
         it would seem the GONV has set up shop in a World War II-era
         bunker."

Striker:"A bunker?"

Corsair:"Yeah, but we can't tell if its Allied or Axis. Anyway, it's
         designed like a tower, only buried in the ground instead of
         rising up. It's got seven floors, though I suspect those last
         two floors were added by the GONV."

Striker:"How big is it?"

Corsair:"Not very big, boss. It's only slightly bigger than the biggest
         hydrant building back at Road Rover HQ. But the lower levels
         contain a big computerized hub and I'm picking up a number of
         GONV units there. This might be their base of operations for
         this region."

Striker:"How many entrances? And what's the general layout?"

Corsair:"There are four entrances into the bunker, but the GONV has
         sealed up three of them and secured the remaining one. As for
         the layout, the first level is an open bay for vehicles, but
         the others are tightly packed corridors and rooms. If we fight
         in there it will be up close and personal."

Striker:"Which level is Shadow is being held?

Corsair:"I can't pinpoint it exactly, boss, but it looks like he's some-
         where between levels four and seven."

Striker:"Reg. Dankie, Corsair."

The cocker spaniel then looks at the others.

Striker:"Goed, we need to think up a plan of action while we wait for the
         Wild Warriors. We've got to... rescue Shadow and destroy that
         hub. We also need to find out what the GONV's ultimate plans
         are for Western Sahara so we can alert Mark and have the volatile
         situation defused."

The team begins to discuss their plan attack while the Stealth Rover
continues on through the night sky.

Central Core
GONV Terra Outpost
1:52 AM:

Shadow is still trapped to the table while Black Widow is busy setting
down various bottles on a wheeled tray. The bottles contain variously
coloured fluids and a few insects as well. Black Widow takes out some
tweezers, then opens a jar containing several black ants. Carefully
she catches an ant and takes it out before resealing the jar. The ant
is shrieking at the woman. Black Widow looks smugly at Shadow.

Black Widow:"Do you know what this is?"

Shadow:"Yes, I do. It's your mother."

Black Widow frowns, then begins to educate Shadow on the shrieking,
squirming ant.

Black Widow:"This is a bullet ant. It comes from the jungles of South
             America. A very vicious little creature that loves to
             shriek before attacking you. And do you know why it is
             called a bullet ant?"

Shadow doesn't reply, but simply looks defiantly at the woman. Black
Widow brings the ant towards Shadow's exposed arm.

Black Widow:"Let me show you why."

She places the ant against Shadow's arm. Immediately the ant stings
the collie's skin. Shadow's eyes bulge and he yells out in pain from the 
sting, shaking violently.

Shadow:"HOLY S***!!! It's feels like I've been shot!!"

Black Widow chuckles as she keeps the stinging ant on Shadow's arm.

Black Widow:"And that is why it is called the bullet ant."

She picks the ant up, while Shadow cringes in pain from the sting. She
then brings the ant towards his groin area.

Black Widow:"Let us see what happens when I place the ant here."

Shadow watches with fear in his eyes as Black Widow brings the ant closer
to his groin. Suddenly there is a distant sound of a boom, followed by a
rumble, a minor tremor and small bits of concrete falling to the ground.
Black Widow looks around, pulling the ant away from Shadow.

Black Widow:"What was that?"

Suddenly sirens begin to sound while an electronic female voice speaks
over the intercom system.

EFV:"Warning. Top level security door four has been breached. Possible
     hostile action in region."

Shadow sneers at Black Widow following the announcement, though he is
still in some pain.

Shadow:"Looks like pest control has arrived to get rid of you, bug."

Black Widow is about to retort, but then the door opens and Patriot
comes storming in.

Patriot:"Black Widow, get your butt topside! We're under attack!"

Black Widow:"Attack? From whom? How did they find us?"

Patriot:"Get moving or you will not get paid, maggot! Move like you
         got a purpose!"

To emphasize his point, Patriot grabs Black Widow and shoves her to
the door. She drops the teezer holding the bullet ant onto the floor.
She curses, but then gets up and heads out the door. Patriot then goes
to computer core and types something in on the keyboard. A minute later
the screen on the core comes on, showing the silver skull of Matrix.

Matrix:"Your signal is cleared, Unit Patriot."

Patroit:"Commander, we are under attack from the Road Rovers. I have
         instructed our forces to fight back against these maggots."

Matrix:"Ensure they do not breach the core and make an attempt at il-
        legal access."

Matrix notices Shadow lying on the table and looks past Patriot at the
collie.

Matrix:"What is that?"

Patriot:"That maggot? He's the one who has been giving us hard time and
         nearly screwing up the whole deal."

Matrix:"Then why has this organic not been disposed of?"

Patriot:"I had tasked the Black Widow mercenary with the disposal."

Matrix:"Her? Never trust an organic to do the task efficiently. Unit
        Patroit, once the Road Rovers have been beaten back have this
        organic disposed of without delay. And the same order applies to
        Black Widow as well."

Patriot salutes.

Patriot:"Yes, sir!"

The hulking robot then turns leaves the core. Matrix focuses its attention
on Shadow.

Matrix:"So you are the organic named Shadow whom I had been recieving
        reports about."

Shadow:"And I take it you're the one ultimately behind the assassination
        of al-Salaam?"

Matrix:"The disposal of subject al-Salaam was predetermined well in ad-
        vance. What I did not foresee was your intervention aftwards.
        It was an error to allow you to remain active following the
        monetary offer made to you earlier."

Shadow:"That's for sure. Now you are going to tell what all of this is
        about."

Matrix:"Reveal my scripting procedures for this region to you? An absurd
        notion. I do not require you running around with that information
        in the possible event of your escape."

Shadow sneers.

Shadow:"Ah, but you just said enough to make up a confession?"

Matrix:"And how will that benefit you? Who is going to believe what you
        say? Even if you are acquitted of criminal charges, your cha-
        racter is so dubious that anything you say will not be taken
        seriously. If at all."

Shadow says nothing. There is another rumble that causes the room to
shudder.

Shadow:"Feel that? The Rovers are coming for you and they will expose
        your dirty little secrets."

Matrix:"I find that doubtful. I have been tracking them since their
        arrival in the Western Sahara country. The information they
        have acquired is not enough to sway public perception about what
        has happened here. And a few well coordinated assaults and as-
        sassinations can further dilute that information. But this
        conversation has exceeded all necessary bounds. It ends here."
 
Matrix's skull vanishes from the screen. Shadow stares at the screen,
then looks around for a way to get himself free.

Surface Level
GONV Terra Outpost
1:59 AM:

The surface level is basically nothing but some sand dunes safe one
feature: four concrete bunker mouths sticking out from under a fake,
human-made dune. Right now one bunker mouth is opening, where GONV
Flak Tanks are rushing out to engage the attackers: the Stealth Rover
is now joined by Eurocopter Gunships and Blackhawks from the United
Nations. The Stealth Rover, piloted by Tanarus and Elexis is flying high 
and making runs on the outpost. It fires powerful rockets at the three 
remain bunker entrances, which have been bricked up. The rockets blast 
open gaping holes in the walls. The Stealth Rover also manages to draw 
most of the Flak Tanks' fire, the flak they are firing exploding all 
around the sleek, black aircraft. The gunships are providing covering
fire for the Blackhawks, protecting from missiles fired by light drones
armed with AA launchers. Onboard one Blackhawk is Unit Strike, while in
another is the Wild Warriors. The rest of the choppers are filled with
German special forces. Striker gets a transmission from Tanarus via his
watchcom.

Tanarus(over com):"This is Tanarus. We've blown open the two bunker
       entrances. You can move in whenever you're ready, we'll cover
       you."

Striker(into com):"Dankie, Tanarus."

Striker then contacts Jade, the Wild Warriors leader.

Striker(into com):"Jade, come in."

Jade(over com):"Jade here. What's up?"

Striker(into com):"Two of the bunker entrances are now open. Take your
       team to the north entrance and attack from there. We'll take the
       southern end."

Jade(over com):"Roger that. Moving in."

Striker then contacts the rest of his team and the special forces under
his command.

Striker(into com):"Attention, team. We are going to attack the enemy base
       from the southern entrance. The GONV might not have defences in
       place at the entrance yet, but keep alert for hostiles."

Everyone else nods their heads and ready their weapons. The helicopters
split up into two groups. Each group goes to one of the blasted-open 
bunker entrances. As the Blackhawks descend to the ground, Unit STRIKE
and the Spec-Ops get ready to disembark. Once they are on the ground,
the teams quickly jump out and spread out near the rubble of the bunker
entrance. They scan the area, then make their way over the rubble into
the entrance. As they head inside, a line of light drones come running
up towards them. The Strikers and and Spec-Ops quickly lay down a shower
of bullets, lasers, plasma and sonic blasts before they can fire back.
The drones are all struck and knocked down, though a few of them still
try to shoot back while lying on the floor. Striker and Illanov quickly
run up and kick their boots into their visors, smashing the circuitry
in the heads. They keep running under they reach the centre of the first
level of the bunker: a large square room with a big round pillar in the
middle that was recently built there. MKI and MKII mechs are parked here
but none them are online yet. Striker then spots the Wild Warriors and
their escorting Spec-Ops coming in through the other entrance. He calls
out to Jade.

Striker:"Any trouble?"

Jade:"Some light drones, but nothing we can't handle. And you?"

Striker:"Dieselfde."

Suddenly Phoenix grabs Striker's shoulder to get his attention.

Phoenix:"Strikie! Look!"

Striker looks to where Phoenix is indicating. Dozens of maintenance 
drones are appearing from small hatches in the walls and are rolling
up to the mechs. Striker shouts to the others.

Striker:"Stop the maintenance drones! They're trying to get the mechs
         online!"

The groups quickly disperse to try and stop the drones as they approach
the mechs' maintenance panels on their legs. At the same time, a bunch
of Battle Drones come running up rams from the lower levels and start to
open fire, forcing the groups to take cover behind the pillar or behind
the mechs. They try to shoot back, but at the same time are forced to
quickly divert fire to hit the maintenance drones. A few of those drones
are hit and stopped in a shower of sparks, but many of them reach the
mechs and plug into the mechs' panels. In a desperate attempt, the
Strikers and Wild Warriors quickly run to the maintenance drones while
firing back at the Battle Drones. As soon as they reach the drones they
smash their boots into the panels, damaging both it and the drone's
connection probes and making sparks jump from the damaged devices. One
drone manages to activate an MKI mech. It powers up, then steps out of
its parking bay and prepares to spool up its chainguns. But one Spec-Op
soldier manages to stick a pack of C4 on its underside and run for
cover. He pulls out the remote and shouts to the others.

Spec-Ops:"Fire in the hole!"

Everyone takes cover as the Spec-Ops soldier presses the button on his
remote. The C4 detonates, violently blasting the mech into flying chunks
and shards of metal. One shard hits a Battle Drone and chops its head
off, causing it to fire wildly and hit one of its compatriots before
toppling over with a loud "CLANK!". With the mech and two battle drones
now neutralized, the Strikers and Wild Warriors concentrate on taking
out the remaining drones while the Spec-Ops gun down or smash apart the 
remaining maintenance drones. The two Rover units fight their way up to
the ramps and elevators leading to the lower levels. Once they get there,
Jade looks at Striker.

Jade:"Do we take the ramps or the elevators?"

Striker:"The ramps. Elevators are too risky in this place."

Jade:"I thought so. Adam! Eve! Bring that special gift."

Adam06 and Eve07 come running to the elevator, carrying a large drum with
devices and wires attached to it.

Adam06:"Where do we put it?"

Jade:"Put it in the elevator."

Adam06:"Okay!"

As the two of them place the drum into the elevator, Striker looks at it
with curiousity. He then looks at Jade.

Striker:"What is that?"

Jade:"Just a surprise for anybody on the lower levels."

Jade goes into the elevator and pushes a button for the floor below
them. She then quickly gets out before the doors close. As the elevator
begins to move down, Jade looks at Striker.

Jade:"Do we move on to the lower levels?"

Striker:"Ja. Your team takes the right ramp and we'll go left."

Jade:"Okay."

As Jade leads his team to the right ramp, Striker turns to the captain
of the Spec-Ops.

Striker:"Keep this level clear of any hostiles and prevent anyone, or
         anything, from escaping or entering the bunker."

Captain:"Yes, sir!"

Striker then turns to his team.

Striker:"Let's roll!"

Unit STRIKE heads down the left ramp, while the captain and the 
Spec-Ops secure the area and treat their wounded.

Sub-Level 2
GONV Terra Outpost:

A large group of GONV drones gather near the elevators, waiting to use 
them and attack the combined Rover/UN Forces topside. The elevator door 
opens and all the drones move closer. They stop when their scanners spot
the big drum look at the large drum. On the drum is a counter currently 
at 00:01.

Drone:"Error."

The drum explodes with such a powerful force that all the drones 
are immediately destroyed in the blast. The explosion also causes 
all the elevator shafts to collapse upon themselves, leaving the 
shafts filled with flame and smoke.

Sub-Level 1, Left Stairwell
GONV Terra Outpost:

The Strikers are making their way down the concrete stairwell. 
The metal guardrails are thick with rust and the German numbering 
showing the levels are almost faded away. The team members brace 
themselves when the explosion shakes the bunker, causing dust and 
loose debris to fall free. Striker uses his wrist communicator and 
contacts the Wild Warriors.

Striker(into com):"Jade, what was that explosion? Did you feel it 
       too?"

Jade(over com):"Just an explosive that won't be invented for a few 
    more decades. Anything on the second level should be slag now."


Striker(into com):"Reg, but give us a warning before setting off
       any more such big explosions. We don't need surprises."

Jade(over com):"And I thought you Strikers love surprises."

Striker rolls his eyes as Jade closes the channel. Striker looks at
the rest of his team.

Striker:"Let's keep moving. We need to get out of this stairwell
         before we encounter the first drones."

Unit STRIKE continues to make their way down deeper into the old
outpost.

Sub-Level 1, Right Stairwell
GONV Terra Outpost
At That Moment

The Wild Warriors are going down a similiar stairwell that the
Strikers are taking. Jade turns to the rest of the team as they
approach the electronic door leaving the stairwell for sub-level
one.

Jade:"Okay, this is it: everyone power up."

Jade and Rubius touch their suit's collars, causing their suits to 
glow with energy. The glow quickly fades, revealing that their 
suits are now fully armored, including a full helmet and armor 
plating. Both now look like they are wearing Shadow's suit, but 
with added armor. Tig groans and shakes his head.

Tig:"Aww man, I hate suiting up. It always smells inside it."

Jade turns to Tig and speaks to him via her helmet's speaker.

Jade:"Then clean your suit more often. Suit up. Now!"

Tig:"Yes ma'am."

Tig and Tech both click their collars, the same light covering 
their entire bodies. Once the light fades Tig is wearing a suit 
just like Shadow's but with armor plates on the wrists. Meanwhile 
Tech's suit lacks the armor but has a miniture computer console 
on his right wrist. And while Shadow's suit is all black, the 
others have their own coloring: Jade's suit is black with light 
blue highlights, Rubius' has navy blue highlights, Tig's high-
lights are dark green and Tech's is a yellow. They come to the
door.

Jade:"Okay Tech. Get this door open."

Tech:"You got it."

Tech goes up to the door and holds his wrist console up to the
door's electronic lock. He types on the console for a few minutes
before there is a beep and the door slides open.

Tech:"Guess GONV security can't stand for long against technology
      from the future."

Jade:"Right, let's head in."

Jade and Rubius take positions on either side of the door with
their guns ready. Tech gets the door unlocked and it automatically
swings open. The Wild Warriors rush in and find themselves in a
room with dozens of combat and battle drones, deactivated and 
lined up in neat rows.

Adam6:"So many robots. I wonder how do they switch on?"

As if on cue, the lights in the robots' eyes go from blank to
lit up. A humming noise fills the air as the drones go online and
prepare for action.

Tig:"Way to tempt fate."

Jade:"Quick, we got to smash them fast!"

The Wild Warriors jump into action and begin blasting, smash-
ing and disarming the drones at a quick pace. Smoke, sparks and
pieces of metal, circuits and entire robotic parts fly through
the air. While the Warriors are speeding through the ranks of
drones, they are unable to stop all of them. Rubius prepares
to blast a combat drone, but the drone swivels around towards
him and fires at him first.

Rubius:"S***!"

He jumps and rolls out of the way as the energy shots leave burn 
marks on his uniform. The drone turns to take another shot at
Rubius, but this time Rubius fires back and scores a hit on the
drone's sensors. The robot goes nuts and spins in place while
firing madly, shooting several of its allies, the walls and
almost hitting Tech and Tig as well. Rubius fires again at it,
hitting its body and forcing it to come to a stop, smoking from
the holes Rubius had left.

Rubius:"That's one nasty Russian roulette wheel."

A Battle Drone comes online and lifts its guns to begin firing,
but it starts to malfunction. Behind it Adam6 has opened a panel
and is removing parts from the robots, examining each piece he
rips out.

Adam6:"Oooo, interesting. And what is this? Oh! Very powerful."

The robot flails a bit before finally shutting down and falling
over with a loud thud. Adam6 is disappointed, but then sees
another robot with its back to him and goes for it. But a Combat
Drone behind him is taking aim for his own back.

Combat Drone:"Target locked."

Tig suddenly pounces on the robot, obscuring the drone's vision
with his large body.

Combat Drone:"Target lost."

Tig:"You're about to loose more than that."

Tig begins to stab the drone's head with a big knife, plunging
the blade in and out. Sparks and small bits of metal fly through
the air until the robot shuts down and comes to a stop. He jumps
off to find another target, but by now the Wild Warriors have
pretty much decimated all the robots in the room. Satisfied that
the room is secure, Jade looks around and sees a strange terminal
built into a nearby wall. It has several screens, but instead of
a terminal or keyboard it has three metallic sockets. She walks
over and looks at it.

Jade:"Maybe this computer is hooked up to the outpost's main-
      frame. Tech! Come and see if you get into this."

Tech walks over and examines it, frowning when he sees the three
sockets.

Tech:"The GONV has changed their computer designs since the
      Techno War. My gear won't be able to access this if I can't
      find the right tools."

Eve7:"Can't we use these?"

Tech turns around. Eve7 and Adam6 are scouring the damaged drones
and come up with parts that haven't been damaged. Some of those
parts have what look like plugs on them.

Adam6:"These drones can access the computer. Maybe we can build
       something to let us get in?"

Tech smiles.

Tech:"Sure! Bring them here!"

Adam6 and Eve7 go over to Tech and the trio get to work on a
device to let them connect to the terminal. Tech hooks up his
own computer to the terminal via the device Adam6 and Eve7 are
putting together. The plug is placed in one of the sockets and
it immediately clicks into place. Tech works for a bit on his
computer before finally grinning.

Tech:"There! I'm in."

Jade comes closer.

Jade:"Can you get access to the security system?"

Tech:"I can get into parts of it, but the security system is
      very different from what I usually get into. The GONV
      doesn't use cameras but rather motion sensors and bio-
      scanners."

Jade:"Can you bring up something on the screens?"

Tech:"Let me try... just a second."

A minute later something appears on the screens. It is a very
detailed wireframe image of the outpost, so it is difficult
to make out with the naked eye. However, what can be clearly
seen are green dots representing the GONV robots while red
blobs represent any living organism. Most of the red blobs are
in the upper levels except for two at the bottom. Rubius points
to those two blobs.

Rubius:"One of them has got to be Shadow."

Jade:"Tech, can you download a map for us?"

Tech:"From this mess? Okay, I'll try..."

Tech gets to work, but seconds later he loses the connection.
The screens all go blank.

Tech:"Hey! Who kicked me off?"

The screens suddenly all show the skull avatar of Matrix.

Matrix:"I did. I will not allow organics onto my networks. I had
        enough trouble from you."

Before anyone can say anything, Matrix disappears and the whole
terminals shuts down. Moments later some light drones come in
from the lower levels. The Wild Warriors get ready to fight
their way out.

Central Core
GONV Terra Outpost:

Shadow is still struggling to break free from his bonds. He grunts
as he tries to pull his wrists out of the cuffs. But he fails to
accomplish anything.

Shadow:"D****t, I can't break out like this. I'm going to need a
        tool of some kind."

He looks around again. The room shudders a bit from an explosion
somewhere in the upper levels. The bottles on the tray make
clinking noises as they rattle against each other. This makes
Shadow glance at them. His eyes fall on the tweezers lying next
to the bottles.

Shadow:"Hmmm, that could work. Might as well give it a try than
        wait for Black Widow or that big bot to show up again."

He begins to wiggle his paw to reach out for the tray. His finger
tips are just out of reach. The collie tries again, winching in
pain as he tries to stretch his paw out from its bind for the
tray. His fingertips touch the tray.

Shadow:"Just a little more..."

He stretches one more time and his fingertips manage to get over
the tray's edge. He pulls it closer until the tweezers are in
his reach. Shadow grabs them and begins to pick at his paw's
binds. After a minute or so the bind clicks open, freezing his
paw. Immediately Shadow frees his other paw, then his both his
ankles. The collie climbs off the table and stretches.

Shadow:"Ugh, finally! I was beginning to feel stiff."

Voice:"I'll make you stiff all right!"

Shadow whips around and sees Black Widow standing in the doorway
she had left through.

Black Widow:"Good thing I came back for my things, otherwise
             you would have gotten away."

Shadow:"I still intend to do that."

Black Widow:"Oh no! You're not getting that luxury!"

Black Widow reaches into her clothes and pulls out a curved saif 
sword. She charges for Shadow and swings the sword, but Shadow
ducks and rolls out of the way. He rushes for the other exit.

Black Widow:"Get back here you mongrel!"

Shadow:"You didn't say please, b****!"

Black Widow runs after him. The room shudders again from another
explosion above.

Sublevel 4
GONV Terra Outpost:

The fourth level of the outpost is the last part of the old base.
It is a giant square room with four huge sliding doors on each 
side. At each corner is a kind of robot repair/service bay while
in the centre is the top of a massive computer with dozens of
USB ports and a few screens displaying information. Tubes of
flourescent lights on the walls light up the room. One of the
doors explodes in a shower of metal fragments and smoke and in
rushes both Unit STRIKE and the Wild Warriors. They scan the
room, weapons ready and aimed.

Striker:"Clear on the left!"

Jade:"Clear on the right!"

Striker:"Search the area and see if you can open the other doors. 
         And someone look into that machine in the centre."

The two teams split up. Corsair, Merit, Adam6 and Eve7 go to check 
on the computer while the others go to have a look at the doors 
and the machinery nearby. Unit STRIKE goes to the door on the left
while the Wild Warriors go to the right. Striker examines the door
on their side.

Striker:"Locked as well. Shephard, breach this door."

Shephard:"Yes, sir!"

But just as Shephard is about to take out some explosives, the last
door opens up. In comes Patriot, with a platoon of Warfare Drones
and a couple of Nullifier Drones behind him. He slams his metal
hands together.

Patriot:"Just look at all these maggots, boys! We got a real pest
         problem here! I think its time for a fumigation!"

Unit STRIKE and the Wild Warriors immediately turn to Patriot's
group with their weapons raised.

Striker:"Your master's plans are done, Patriot! Surrender!"

Rubius:"Or else we'll turn you into scrap for a tablet!"

Patriot:"Just try it, you maggots! Charge!"

Patriot rushes headlong towards Striker's group while the Warfare
Drones go for the Wild Warriors. The Nullifiers split up to support
both groups. The Strikers scatter as Patriot charges through like
a freight train, smashing hard into the wall behind them. But even
as they try to regroup they can feel the Nullfier's effect on their
powers.

Phoenix:"What the...? My flame powers are gone!"

Striker:"It's that Nullifier! Destroy it!"

Striker fires a sonic blast at it, but with his powers down he
misses and makes the drone pull back further for safety. Patriot
comes out of the wall and marches towards to Corsair.

Patriot:"I'll smash you, maggot!"

Corsair:"Just give it a try, Tin Man!"

Patriot brings a fist down towards him, but the human jumps out of
the way. Patriot's fist smashes the floor and leaves a big crack in
the concrete. Corsair jumps up on Patriot's back and tries to blast
it between the joins. However, the robot is too tough and grabs the
human and tosses him away.

Patriot:"No piggybacks, maggot!"

Phoenix is trying to catch up with the nullifier, which is always
hovering out of her range. She growls.

Phoenix:"I'll get you yet!"

She pounces and tries to grab the drone. She just manages to snatch
a hold on the robot, but barely. The drone keeps on hovering away,
dragging Phoenix along the floor.

Phoenix:"Gah! All this dust will never get out of my clothes!"

The pomeranian tries to pull herself up onto the drone while
also attempting to get on her feet. Finally, with one big pull,
she manages to climb onto the robot and lie on top of it.

Phoenix:"Okay! Let's see where's the off button."

The drone comes to a sudden stop, nearly throwing off Phoenix. It
then spins around like a top trying to shake her off.

Phoenix:"ARG! I HATE MERRY-GO-ROUNDS!"

However Illanov comes to the rescue and kicks the drone. The drone
stops spinning and tries to hover away again, but Illanov grabs
hold of it too. His weight and Phoenix's prove too much and the
robot is slowed to a crawl. Phoenix holds out a paw to Illanov.

Phoenix:"Alex! Give me your rifle!"

Illanov:"Here comrade!"

Illanov passes his plasma rifle to Phoenix. She sits up and grasps
the rifle with both paws before lifting it above her head. She
brings it down hard upon the nullifier's lone eye and smashes
it through. The rifle penetrates deep and sparks fly. The drone
sputters and sparks, then finally drops to the ground with a loud
clank.

Phoenix:"Thanks, Alex! I can feel my powers coming back."

Illanov:"Dah, mine too. Let's go help our comrades."

Phoenix pulls the rifle free of the drone and gives it back to
Illanov before they go to fight Patriot. Shephard is firing his
M-249 at the big robot, who simply shrugs it and marches towards
the human soldier.

Patriot:"Time for a dishonorable discharge, maggot!"

Shephard:"Get it your best shot!"

Patriot suddenly dashes forward and elbows Shephard in the gut
before he can react. Shephard is flung to the floor, coughing and
gasping. Patriot marches forward and prepares to stomp on Shephard.

Patriot:"Dismissed!"

But just before Patriot stomps him, Shephard is pulled away by 
Merit. Merit drags him along the floor away from the hulking machine.

Merit:"It is an established fact that being crushed by a heavy
       object can cause serious injury."

Shephard:"You don't say? Thanks anyway."

Patriot tries to chase them, but Illanov and Phoenix jump on top of
him. Phoenix grabs his head.

Phoenix:"Let's see if you can take the heat!"

She creates fire in her paws and begin to singe Patriot's head. He
begins to try and grab her.

Patriot:"Why you little maggot! Get off!"

Phoenix holds on while Illanov gets thrown off, but Patriot is unable
to get the Pomeranian off. The heat begins to affect his circuits
and moments later he suffers a shutdown.

Patriot:"Systems overheat. Shutting down."

Patriot deactivates and topples over with a loud metallic thud. 
Phoenix takes a diving roll to avoid getting hurt. She grins at 
the big robot.

Phoenix:"Couldn't take it."

With Patriot and the one nullifier out of the way the tide of the
battle begins to shift in favour of the Rovers. They push back
against the robots, destroying them until they take full control
of the room. Corsair, Adam6 and Eve7 finally get access to the
computers in the middle and, after a few minutes, unlock all the
doors. Once done the Strikers and Wild Warriors split up and each
take an exit to leave the room.

Power Hub
Central Core
GONV Terra Outpost:

The power station of the outpost is a big, circular machine with
many pipes and wires running from it. The machine is held up in
a circular room with several catwalks surrounding it. Around the
machine are a number of mechanical claws that operate the various
fuel rods going into the machine. Shadow comes in through one of 
the exits, backing away from Black Widow's sword swings.

Black Widow:"Hold still!"

Shadow:"Not a chance, b****!"

Black Widow screams in frustration, taking another swing that
Shadow manages to dodge again. He keeps backing away until he is
almost right by the edge of the catwalk near the machine. Black
Widow prepares to take another swing, but Shadow turns to face
her.

Shadow:"Give me your best hit!"

Black Widow:"If you're thinking you can trick me into hitting that
             machine behind you and get myself electrocuted then
             you are about to be proven wrong!"

Instead of stabbing at Shadow, Black Widow swings her sword at
Shadow's legs in a horizontal slash. But Shadow jumps into the air
to avoid the sword and then kick at Black Widow. His boot hits her
in the face and knocks her over. The assassin falls onto her back
while dropping her sword. Shadow lands, quickly picks up the sword
and holds the tip of it at Black Widow's throat. He grins wickedly.

Shadow:"Actually, I was hoping you wouldn't hit the machine. Now, I
        think its time for a little primal justice for you, Black
        Widow."

Shadow prepares to stab her, but suddenly the collie gets grabbed
by the mechanical claws. He yelps in surprise and tries to fight
free, but the claws hold him limbs firmly. Suddenly Matrix's voice
comes over the speaker system.

Matrix:"You and your organic allies are a real nuisance."

Shadow tries to break free, but the claws hold him firm with his
limbs kept apart. Black Widow manages to get back onto her feet
and pick up her sword.

Matrix:"Black Widow, kill this organic immediately. Hurry before 
        its allies breach the core."

Black Widow:"It will be a pleasure."

Black Widow prepares to stab Shadow in the heart the sword. Just
as she is about to do so, Illanov materialises behind her and
grabs her sword arm.

Illanov:"Neyt!"

Black Widow:"Let go of me!"

Illanov:"Neyt! We Russians are good at keeping our grip!"

The two of them begin to struggle over the sword. Realising that
the assassin is preoccupied, Matrix starts to use the claws to pull
at Shadow's limbs. Shadow growls in pain.

Shadow:"Arg! So this is what its like to be drawn and quartered!"

The claws pull harder and harder, making the collie whine from the
pain. Suddenly two sonic blasts strike two of the claws holding his
arms and snap at the joints. Now partially freed, Shadow forces the
other claws to open and release his legs. Striker rushes up, firing
at the other claws attempting to counter attack. Once Shadow is free
he drops down to the catwalk. Striker goes up to him.

Striker:"You reg, Shadow?"

Shadow:"I could have handled it myself, pup."

Striker(rolling eyes):"Naturally."

Shadow:"But thank you."

Black Widow manages to shake Illanov free and toss him to the floor.
She readies her sword again to stab the canine, but Shadow comes up
and kicks her in the gut. She gasps, dropping the sword and stumbling
backwards against the railing of the catwalk.

Shadow:"Tisty bitsy spider..."

Shadow grabs the sword and before Black Widow can react, the collie
stabs her in the chest with her own blade. She stares in wide-eyed
disbelief at Shadow.

Shadow:"... went tumbling down and died!"

Shadow gives one last kick. Black Widow is thrown over the railing
and falls to the bottom of the chamber, landing with a loud thud at
the bottom. Striker and Shadow peer over the edge down at the still
body below.

Striker:"I would have preferred to have her alive."

Shadow:"After killing several people and nearly bringing this region
        to the brink of war?"

Striker:"There are courts for that."

Shadow:"If I recall correctly the last time Matrix was in court he
        blew himself up along with the court and everyone in it and
        still escaped."

Before Striker can respond his Watchcom beeps. He answers.

Striker(into com):"Ja?"

Corsair(over com):"Boss, we got into the mainframe and downloading
       some very interesting files. We give this to the UN and we can
       show that the GONV was behind the whole mess."

Striker(into com):"Is the GONV making any attempts to block us?"

Corsair(over com):"We have loaded a program to keep him from inter-
       rupting us, but even so Merit is reporting that the GONV is
       focused on the power core where you guys are."

Striker(into com):"Get as much information as possible."

Just then Matrix can be heard speaking over the loudspeaker system
again.

Matrix:"Pathetic Black Widow! Too fragile, you organics."

Striker:"Give it up, Matrix! Your plans are exposed!"

Matrix:"Only if you leave. And will be denying you that."

The remaining claws begin to push in the fuel rods that are poking 
out of the core. Immediately it begins to glow, faintly but quickly
becoming brighter and hotter. The machine starts to shake and
vibrate violently.

Illanov:"Bolshoi! He's going to overload the core!"

Striker quickly calls all the other teams.

Striker(into com):"All teams, this is Striker! Evacuate the facility! 
       The core is set to explode!"

The Wild Warriors, the German Spec-Ops and the other Strikers
acknowledge. Striker, Shadow and Illanov flee the core as the
machine is glowing bright red, melting the catwalks around it.

Sub-Level 1, Left Stairwell
GONV Terra Outpost:

The Strikers and Spec-Ops are rushing up the stairs as fast as
they can. Suddenly the walls begin to rumble as booming noises
come from somewhere below.

Striker:"The core has gone! Gou!"

They quickly pick up the pace as the booms grow louder and
closer, the walls and stairs beginning to crack from all the
resulting vibrations.

Surface Level
GONV Terra Outpost:

The three teams sprint out of the bunker entrances, which are
littered with the shattered hulks of GONV drones and mechs.
The ground is rumbling from the explosions deep inside the
facility. Just as they get clear of the compound a massive
explosions blasts out of the entrances. Seconds later the bunker 
and part of the surrounding terrain collapses into a large pit
before one final explosion sends up a mushroom cloud of flame 
and smoke. The teams all drop down onto the ground to avoid
the blast and falling debris. Once the explosion is passed they
all get back to their feet.

Striker:"Is everyone all reg?"

Phoenix:"We're fine, Strikie."

Jade:"Everyone's here."

Spec-Ops Leader:"All units accounted for, sir."

Striker:"Goed. Let's get back to the base and report in..."

He then looks around.

Striker:"Haai, where's Shadow?"

Everyone looks around, but Shadow is nowhere to be seen.

Shephard:"I don't see him anywhere, sir. Did he get left behind?"

Rubius:"Can't be. He was in the stairwell right with us as we fled
        the bunker."

Striker:"Merit, can you see him?"

Merit does a scan of the area around them before turning back to
Striker.

Merit:"Negative. Subject Shadow is not within my field of vision."

Striker swears and covers his face with one paw in frustration.

Striker:"He got away again! That d*** collie!"

Jade:"He does that a lot. No use trying to follow him, Striker."

Striker:"Ugh... let's back to base and debrief. We're done here."

Everyone heads back to the aircraft. A short time later they all
airborne and flying back home, leaving behind the smoking crater
that used to be the GONV outpost.

Briefing Room
United Nations Base
6:32 AM:

This is a room with a big table and a large LCD monitor. Gathered
around the table is Unit STRIKE, the Wild Warriors, the German
Spec-Ops commanders and UN top brass. On the screen is Norwood.
Striker has just finished giving the debrief to Mark.

Norwood:"And there is no sign of Shadow?"

Jade:"Nothing. We checked the area and he's nowhere to be found."

Norwood:"You sure he didn't perish inside the outpost?"

Rubius:"I can't imagine him falling behind us. He was running as
        quickly as we were."

Tech:"Faster, actually."

Norwood:"So for now we can assume he is MIA. But that is a minor
         concern. Have you begun distrubing the evidence to all the
         major parties?"

Corsair:"Finished just a short while ago, boss. Everyone should now
         be aware of the GONV's plans to screw over the UN."

Norwood:"Good. Now we just need to call a conference and sort out
         the whole mess. The GONV came close to not only throwing
         the region into war but also badly damaging the United
         Nations' credibility."

Striker:"So what will happen next, Mark?"

Norwood:"For now Western Sahara will fall under United Nations rule
         until we can sort this entire mess out. We don't know how
         far the GONV penetrated the proposed government so we first
         need to weed out all the bad apples, if any, and neutralise
         al the parties involved in this plot."

Jade:"And what about us?"

Norwood:"All the evidence thus far points to your team's innocence.
         Therefore I hereby clear the Wild Warriors of any invol-
         vement in aiding or abetting the plot."

The Wild Warriors all smile and sigh with relief.

Tech:"That's good news. I'm glad its finally sorted out."

Tig:"Though I think it was kind of refreshing to actually be the
     hunted rather than the hunter this time around."

Tech:"Not me. Have you forgotten how filthy those cells we were
      kept in were?"

Tig:"The communal toilet, you mean?"

The rest of the team shudder.

Striker:"What can we do now, Mark?"

Norwood:"Though I doubt it will help, I want you to search for
         Shadow. Find out where he is and bring him back here for
         questioning. I fear, though, that he has long since
         disappeared."

Striker:"We will still try, Mark. It might be easier if the Wild
         Warriors helped."

However, Jade shakes her head.

Jade:"Sorry, Striker. Even if we did want to help we can't because
      we have absolutely no idea where Shadow is. We tried to get
      hold of him via Rose, but she's not answering either. They
      are both like raindrops in the desert: gone."

Norwood:"Nonetheless, carry out a search for a few days. If nothing
         turns up, you can call it off. I can see Shadow is not
         going to let himself be caught. But overall, you did a
         good job stopping this plot. You saved the region and the
         United Nations from the GONV's machinations. Well done."

The Strikers and Wild Warrior all nod in satisfaction at a job
well done. The debriefing continues with a few minor details to
be sorted out.

Headline News
Al-Jazeera News Centre
Abu Dhabi
Qatar
21 April
09:00 AM:

The male news anchor is seated at his desk facing the camera as he
reads the day's first headline news.

Anchor:"Our top story this morning is that the crisis in the newly
        independent Western Sahara has been resolved following the
        revelation that the assasination of United Nations envoy
        Mohammed al-Salaam was part of a plot by the Global Operations
        Network Variation computer to spark a war in the region and
        discrediting the UN. The evidence was given to world leaders
        and the media at a special meeting of the Security Council
        by Secretary-General Markus Norwood. Jerry Andrews has more
        on the story."

The news switches over to the reporter to continue the top story.

Headline News
CNN Centre
Atlanta
United States of America
11 December
12:33 PM:

At the moment there is a story about Western Sahara. A reporter is
providing a voice over of a scene in Layoune, where a woman is being
sworn in to the delight of a large crowd.

Reporter:"With the swearing in of their first president, the citizens
          of Western Sahara today sealed their country's status as an
          independent nation. Despite the seatbacks, including the GONV
          plot earlier in the year, the country is looking towards a
          brighter future for itself. This is Tom Fork, reporting
          from Layoune, Western Sahara."

The scene shifts back to the female news anchor.

Anchor:"And with that, time for the business report."

The scene shifts again with a montage showing that the business 
section is coming up. A few seconds later the camera is now showing 
the business reporter.

Reporter:"It's been a hectic day on Wall Street with the stock 
          exchange riding down on bad news about English banks
          before bouncing back following the listing of a new large
          company called Kia Consortium. While not much is known about
          it, Kia Consortium's massive listing has attracted the 
          attention of the market with attractive shares and a range 
          of good financial services."

The reporter continues with the financial news.

United Nations Warehouse
Industrial District
Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo
5 July
9:03 AM:

This is huge, spacious building located in the centre of the DRC
capital's industrial zone. Massive doors, big enough to let trucks
in, are located on all sides of the building. Overhead there are
some lights, but most of the light comes from the windows built
high up in the walls and ceilings. Right now the warehouse is full
of unlabelled crates and boxes, stacked so high that they make a
lot of dark corridors inside the building. One of the doors is
partially open. Standing there is Striker and a UN worker with
a tablet. Striker is looking over all the crates.

Striker:"And this delivery was made just last night?"

Worker:"That's right, sir. Dozens of trucks came here and unloaded
        these crates in a single night."

Striker:"And they were simply allowed to do so?"

Worker:"Their paperwork and identification documents were all in
        order according to security, sir."

Striker:"Go and find me the head of security and bring him here."

Worker:"Yes, sir!"

The worker quickly runs out the door. Striker begins to walk down
the corridor. He looks at the crates, noting a logo on one of
them with a name under it. He reads it.

Striker:"Kia Consortium. And who brought you lot here, eh?"

Voice:"You just asked the right question, pup."

Immediately Striker kneels down, pulling out his revolver and pointing
it down one of the dark corridors between the stacks. He growls 
when he notices a figure standing in the dark.

Striker:"Come out with your paws up! Nou!"

The figure chuckles.

Voice:"Such shallow threats, pup."

Striker's eyes widen. Stepping out of the darkness is no one else
other than Shadow, the collie dressed in a fine black suit and
boasting a big smirk on his muzzle.


THE END