Rover Strike: Vanguard

Episode 7: Uncovering Up

By Gerhard Naudé

All Rover Strike names © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Casa Lupo & Residents © Kirsten Coughlan

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

Flo's Residence
Casa Lupo
Northern Italy
1 July
11:02 AM

The sun is shining through the clouds over the village of Casa Lupo.
At the edge of town near the woods is a big log cabin with a wooden
fence around it. The yard is divided into the back lawn, which has
a single tree and a sandpit, and a small vegetable garden. In the
garden is a female red wolf-sapien named Flo, who is busy watering the
vegetables with a hose. In the sandpit is her grandson, Chester. 
Chester is busy building a sandcastle with a bucket and spade. He is 
very much enjoying himself. Watching from the branch of a tree is a
small squirrel. Montecore and Teddy appear at the fence and wave at 
her.

Teddy:"Hey mother!"

Flo looks up at the two. 

Flo:"Montecore, Teddy. How can I help you?"

Montecore:"We want to ask you about installing some security and
           safety measures around you place."

Flo:"Is this because of the Vanguard attack last time?"

Teddy:"That and the neighbours we now keep, mother."

Flo nods, putting down the hose and walking over to the fence to
talk to the two. Meanwhile, Chester continues to enjoy himself in
the sandpit. The squirrel watches Flo move away and scurries down
the tree. It goes across the lawn, stopping now and then to look
at Flo. However, Chester catches sight of the squirrel.

Chester:"Toy!"

Chester crawls over towards the squirrel. The squirrel is unaware
of Chester until the wolf pup grabs him. The creature squeaks as
Chester picks it up with glee.

Chester:"Little thing!"

The squirrel tries to get free, but Chester holds firm as he
crawls back to the sandpit. Chester begins to play with the
squirrel and the sandcastle.

Chester:"King of castle!"

Chester plops the squirrel on top of one of the towers. The
squirrel keeps struggling and squirming. Finally the squirrel
bites Chester's paw. The pup yips with pain.

Chester:"Bad! Bad!"

Chester begins pounding the squirrel into the sandpit over and
over. As this happens, Flo is still talking to Teddy and Monte-
core, unaware of events in the sandpit.

Flo:"So it won't take long?"

Montecore:"No at all. All we got to do is make sure that..."

Teddy stops him, his eyes and ears alert. Flo notices this.

Flo:"Something wrong?"

Teddy:"I'm sensing someone who isn't supposed to be here."

Montecore:"Where?"

Teddy looks around before pointing to the sandpit.

Teddy:"There! That thing Chester has! I think its a shapeshifter!"

Flo gasps. Montecore jumps over the fence and rushes towards 
Chester, who is still pounding the squirrel into the sand. He
focuses his attention on the creature and starts to use his power
on it. Moments later the squirrel changes from a tiny creature
into a full-grown wolf-sapien male. It is Spectre, still dazed
from all the pounding. Chester blinks.

Chester:"Big toy?"

Flo rushes over and grabs Chester, pulling him away from Spectre.
Teddy and Montecore rush over, grab Spectre by the arms and lift
him to his feet. Flo growls.

Flo:"Spectre! I don't believe this!"

Teddy growls as well.

Teddy:"My mongrel of a father."

Spectre recovers from his headache and looks at Flo, trying to
maintain some semblance of dignity.

Spectre:"Flo, my dear. You are looking fine."

Flo:"Can't say the same for you! What are you doing here?"

Spectre:"I'm just... paying a visit, non?"

Teddy:"By sneaking around and hiding as a woodland creature? Not
       a visit to me. More like stalking."

Spectre:"Its... a surprise visit. Oui! That's it!"

Montecore:"I'm certainly surprised. Flo, who is this wolf?"

Flo growls once more at Spectre before looking at Montecore.

Flo:"This is Spectre. He got me pregnant during a one night
     stand and left me when he found out.

Montecore:"So this explains why Teddy is a shapeshifter, but unlike
           his father not a scumbag, it seems. What should we do
           with him?"

Flo:"I want him out of my sight!"

Teddy:"Mother, he will just come back again. And we can't be here
       each time he does that."

Flo:"Then give him to the KH Military! Just get rid of him."

Teddy rolls his eyes.

Teddy:"Ugh, we already have enough problems with the KH. And I don't
       think they'll restrain him."

Montecore:"That's an idea. Remember that special cell Boom built?"

Teddy:"You mean the one that can nullify someone's powers while he
       or she is inside it?"

Montecore:"That one. Let's stick your father in there for a while."

Spectre looks alarmed between them.

Spectre:"You wouldn't dare!"

Teddy grins.

Teddy:"Let me help you."

Teddy grabs Spectre's one arm while Montecore holds the other. The
two of them drag Spectre while Flo sighs with relief and goes to
put Chester back in his sandpit.

Thorn's Office
Casa Lupo
2 July
3:34 PM:

The office of the leader of Casa Lupo is a wood-walled square 
room with a single window looking out over the village. A big 
wooden desk is on the one side of the room while opposite are some 
shelves filled with personal effects, filed papers and boxes. On
his desk is a laptop computer, a tablet and two trays filled with
more papers. Thorn is seated behind his desk holding a video
conference with General Trigger, who is onboard the KHA Alexander.

Trigger:"I was wondering where he was. What was he doing there?"

Thorn:"He was stalking Flo, but her son Teddy and Montecore
       managed to catch him. Flo is still angry with him over the
       fact that he got her pregnant some time back and left her
       when he found out."

Trigger sighs and shakes his head.

Trigger:"Oh great. I knew something like was going to happen
         eventually. What did you do with him?"

Thorn:"We've put him in a special cell Boom built. It will keep
       him from using his shapeshifting power to escape."

Trigger:"Good. Keep him there until he learns his lesson and then
         turn him over to us. Meanwhile, now that you mention
         imprisonment, when are we going to get Vanderberg?"

Thorn:"The Vanguard prisoner? We got a plan for him."

Trigger:"What plan?"

Thorn:"Teddy is going to take his shape and then we will release
       him, hoping the Vanguard will not notice the switch. Then
       he can spy on them for us, maybe even find out where Stalker
       is."

Trigger's ears perk up at this news.

Trigger:"Sounds like a good plan, Thorn. I have just one request."

Thorn:"What's that?"

Trigger:"That you use Spectre instead of Teddy for the mission."

Thorn is shocked.

Thorn:"What?!"

Trigger:"Spectre is very good with his shapeshifting powers and he
         has impersonated many, many people during his career as a
         spy, both for the KH Military and the Elite Guard. Teddy
         is nice and all, but Spectre has much more experience
         than him and a greater chance to succeed at our goals."

Thorn:"Hmmm, that is true. But Flo will not be very happy about us
       releasing Spectre."

Trigger:"How about I make an offer? If you agree to the deal I will
         keep Spectre under my control and far away from Flo as I
         can. Spectre knows I can be very nasty if I get upset, so
         he will get in line and stay there. In fact, just putting
         him on this assignment will help keep his mind busy and
         off his estranged family."

Thorn thinks it over, then finally nods.

Thorn:"All right, I agree to the deal. BUT! Spectre will remain in
       his cell until he has to begin his mission."

Trigger chuckles and nods.

Trigger:"Very good, Thorn. And I agree, he still needs to cool off
         a bit. Get him away from his high life a bit."

Thorn nods. The two of them then begin to discuss the rest of the
plan's details and goals.

Casa Lupo
3 July
12:34 PM:

The village is largely deserted since most of the residents are
indoors for lunch. The situation is much the same at the KH
outpost: most of the soldiers are in the mess halls with only
the sentry guards out on duty. Within a cell located in an under-
ground prison under the village is Reggie Vanderberg. He is looking 
very miserable as a wolf guard brings him food.

Guard:"Hey, Reggie! Lunch time."

Vanderberg:"Something different this time?"

Guard:"There should be a little bit more spinach."

Vanderberg groans as the guard slides the tray of food into his
cell through a special slot. The guard grins.

Guard:"Look on the bright side. Tomorrow the Road Rovers will be
       coming to pick you up to take you to their place."

Vanderberg looks up at the guard while taking his tray.

Vanderberg:"I thought they were bankrupt by now."

Guard:"No. Seems some big corporation bailed out their tails just
       in time. They're back in business."

Vanderberg sighs and sits down to eat while the guard goes back
to his regular duties. The wolf checks on another, where another
wolf-sapien is being held in a bright yellow jumpsuit. The guard
grins.

Guard:"Still enjoying your accommodations, Cutler?"

Cutler snarls at the guard.

Cutler:"The Elite Guard will make you pay for this."

Guard:"Not if they don't even know where you're are. Here's your
       lunch."

The guard slides the tray into Cutler's cell. Cutler keeps growling
until the guard moves on, then grabs the tray and strarts to eat
while grumbling to himself. The guard comes to the next cell, but
this one is slightly different: it is a big glass box with a small
machine on the outside that generates a frequency through the glass.

Guard:"Here's your lunch, Spectre."

Spectre rushes up to the bars.

Spectre:"Monsieur! You have to let me go! You can't keep me here!"

Guard:"That's what you think, Spectre. Thorn wants to keep you here
       until you've learned your lesson. In fact, Boom made this little 
       machine that keeps you from escaping with your powers."

The guard pats the machine.

Guard:"Now eat your lunch."

Spectre looks at the tray being slid into his cell, clearly not
happy with what he sees.

Spectre:"Mondeu... not spinach again."

Guard:"Hey! Its quite popular around here. The other prisoners were
       simply delighted."

The guard laughs and walks off, leaving Spectre staring helplessly
at the tray. Back on the surface, on the road leading to the village 
two of the village guards are sitting down outside their guard hut 
to enjoy their hot meals.

Guard 1:"Ah, deer meat for once. I was getting tired of chicken."

Guard 2:"Not me. I prefer poultry myself. This deer is still well-
         prepared, though."

Suddenly the first guard spots something and gestures to his friend.

Guard 1:"We got company."

The other wolf looks up the road. Coming towards the village is a
red and white SUV, the licence plate on its bumper indicating that
it belongs to a rental company. The wolves put down their plates,
grab their weapons and stand up. They stand in the middle of the
road and signal to the SUV. The SUV slows down and then stops.

Guard 1:"Out of the vehicle."

The door opens and out steps the driver: it is a female ursa-sapien 
panda standing at 6 feet 7, with mostly white fur and black fur 
around her eyes, across her chest, her arms, legs and the tip of 
her short tail. She has black hair dyed deep purple, tied in two 
buns behind her ears and two ponytails dangling from them to her 
shoulders. She is wearing a red Chinese jacket, deep red pants and 
golden wrist and ankle bracers with Ying Yang symbols on them. 
Dangling from her neck is a press tag. The tag reads "MEI JING: CTN 
REPORTER".

Guard 1:"Who are you?"

Mei:"I'm Mei Jing, reporter for China Television News."

Guard 2:"CTN? Don't you mean CCTV?"

Mei:"That's government. I'm private."

Guard 1:"What are you doing here anyway, Miss Jing?"

Mei:"I'm here for an interview with the leader of your village. I'm
     doing a story about non-human settlements around the world for
     a documentary my station wants to broadcast."

Guard 1:"I didn't hear anything about that."

Mei:"Then perhaps you could call your leaders and ask them. I'm sure
     my company called in ahead."

Guard 1:"Very well, I'll do so. Meanwhile, mind if we search your
         vehicle?"

Mei shakes her head and steps away from the SUV.

Mei:"You're welcome."

Guard 2:"I'll handle this."

While the first guard takes out a radio to make the call, the second
guard begins to open the SUV's doors and look around inside. Mei 
Jing stands off to one side, waiting patiently. The guard searches
the vehicle thoroughly and finally closes the doors. He looks at
the ursa-sapien.

Guard 2:"Nothing unusual here, Miss Jing. You're all clear to go
         in once you get the go-ahead."

Mei:"Thank you."

Guard 2:"You know, I didn't expect to see an ursa-sapien. Usually
         its canines or felines, but a panda?"

Mei:"I was part of a EuroCorp experiment in China, to see if they
     could make sapiens from other than dogs or cats."

Guard 2:"EuroCorp. No surprise there, considering all the stories
         I heard."

The guard spits to the ground. The other guard then comes over
to them.

Guard 1:"Okay, Miss Jing. We will let you in, but you will first
         be questioned by Raine. She is the second-in-command of
         Casa Lupo and she will first watch to make sure you are
         to be trusted."

Mei:"Sounds fair to me. Where do I go?"

The guard points towards a particular cabin in the village.

Guard 1:"Park right there. Raine will be there to see you in a
         minute. We'll let you through."

Mei:"Thank you again."

Mei Jing climbs into the SUV and starts the engine while the guards
raise the barrier for her. The ursa-sapien drives through and
heads towards the cabin, getting a few stares from the villagers
and some of the KH troopers in the outpost's guard towers. She
stops by the cabin and stops the engine. As she gets out, Raine
comes out of the cabin and approaches her.

Raine:"Hello, you're Mei Jing the reporter?"

Mei Jing nods and holds out a paw.

Mei Jing:"CTN, to be exact. And you're Raine?"

Raine nods, shaking Mei Jing's paw.

Raine:"Yes, I am. My father's the leader of Casa Lupo, so I take
       up a lot of duties around here. Among them, screening 
       visitors like you."

Mei:"I can imagine why you take such precautions. First you have
     an unwanted KH Military outpost just outside your village,
     then you recently came under attack by some unknown party."

Raine:"News really travels fast?"

Mei Jing grins.

Mei:"In this age of high speed information, news spreads very
     quickly. And only quick thinkers can make sure they break
     the news before anyone else. Shall we conduct the interview?"

Raine:"Let's get this over with. Follow me."

Mei:"Lead on, Miss Raine."

Raine and Mei Jing enter Raine's cabin. As they go in, Mei Jing
turns to Raine.

Mei:"May I ask to use your bathroom? It's been a long trip and I
     need some relief."

Raine nods and points the way.

Raine:"Go left, second door on the right. Don't take too long and
       wash your paws afterwards."

Mei:"My gratitude."

Mei Jing follows the directions and goes into the bathroom, closing
the door behind her. The bathroom is simple but clean, with a few
potted plants for decorations. Mei Jing looks around to make sure
all is well. She then puts a finger to her ear, where a very small
earpiece is clipped on.

Mei:"This is Lotus Blade. I'm in."

Voice:"Confirmed, Lotus Blade. Proceed. Extraction team is ready
       and waiting for you and your customer."

Mei:"Out."

Mei Jing takes a deep breath, then closes her eyes and frowns as if
concentrating. Seconds later something happens to her clothing:
they appear to dissolve into a kind of grey cloud before taking on
new shapes. Within a matter of moments the grey cloud turns into
a new outfit: a blue, Chinese-style open robe with gold trimmings
and sides, pauldrons and legguards that have the same matching
colour, a mask that covers her muzzle and mouth and finally a
pair of glowing shurikens floating around her paws. Suddenly there
is a knock on the door.

Raine:"You okay in there?"

Mei Jing turns and walks to the door. She unlocks the door and
opens it. Raine is waiting here.

Raine:"I was won..."

Raine stops and blinks in momentary surprise as she stares at the
ursa-sapien and her new outfit.

Raine:"What the...?"

Mei Jing suddenly grabs Raine by the one arm and yanks her into
the bathroom. Raine yelps, caught off guard and falls to the floor.
The panda then grabs her head and bangs it on the floor until Raine
is unconscious. Mei Jing then runs out the room and proceeds out of
the cabin. She looks around to make sure no guards are around. She
then makes a dash for Gunter's sheriff office cabin. As she comes
to it, the cabin door begins to open. Mei Jing quickly kneels down
and suddenly a faint cloud appears around her that shifts the light
and turns her invisible. Gunter steps out of the cabin, holding a
suitcase. He begins to walk towards Raine's cabin, passing Mei Jing
by mere inches.

Gunter:"I wonder how the interview with the reporter is going? I
        hope Raine isn't having trouble with her."

Mei Jing waits until Gunter has moved away far enough before getting
up, uncloaking and coming to his door. She then kicks the door open,
breaking the lock apart. The ursa-sapien looks around.

Mei:"It should be around here in this cabin."

Following her instincts the panda goes into one of the rooms and
spots a large pool table. She examines it closely and notices that
something is off.

Mei:"Fresh scuff marks. Been moving furniture, have we?"

Mei Jing approaches the pool table. She notices the white ball on
the table and reaches for it. She finds it is fixed to floor. After
messing around with it for a minute the panda manages to twist it
like a doorknob. Mei Jing steps back as the table lifts up a little,
then swings around to reveal a staircase underneath it.

Mei:"The way is revealed."

The ursa-sapien goes down the stairs, keeping her eyes and ears
open for any trouble.

Dungeons
Casa Lupo:

Mei Jing reaches the bottom of the steps and finds herself inside
a concrete tunnel. It is very simple with a single bulb in the
roof providing some light. The panda looks around.

Mei:"It should be this way."

She goes down one of the corridors, walking at a quick pace while
keeping her eyes and ears open. She approaches a thick steel door
with a keypad.

Mei:"This looks promising."

But as she approaches the door is unlocked and begins to swing
open. Mei Jing stops in her tracks as a guard appears in the 
doorway.

Guard:"You want anything too? A drink or..."

The guard spots Mei Jing. The panda sprints for the door. The
guard tries to close it, but Mei jams the door with her armored
leg. The guard jumps back, yelling for his comrades.

Guard:"Intruder!"

Mei Jing kicks the door open and rushes for the guard. The guard
tries to pull out a firearm, but Mei Jing jumps up and dropkicks
him in the chest. The wolf yelps in pain and falls backwards into
the wall behind him. Nearby two other guards seated around a table
jump to their feet while reaching for their weapons. But Mei Jing
spins around and tosses one of the shurikens at a guard. Before the
guard can dodge the shuriken impales his right arm. The wolf yelps
out loud in pain, dropping his pistol. The other guard manages to
take aim and fire at the panda. The bullet manages to hit Mei,
but some kind of invisible shield around her body causes the bullet 
to ricochet away. Mei Jing rushes the third guard, who is still 
firing wildly at the ursa-sapien. The panda stops in front of the
guard and spin-kicks him in the face. The guard smashes against the
table and tumbles over it.

Mei:"Such a lack of grace."

She then sees a second, heavily bolted door and marches towards it.
The panda uses the shurikens to cut apart the locks and bolts before
kicking it open. She enters it and finds herself looking at the
prison cells of the dungeon.

Mei:"Here we are."

As Mei Jing comes in, Cutler rushes to his bars and looks at the
panda.

Cutler:"Hey! Get me out of here!"

Mei:"I am not interested in you."

Cutler:"What! Get me out or you'll pay!"

Mei:"No, my employers pay. Now hush before I silence you." 

She flings a shuriken at Cutler's cell. The wolf yelps and jumps back
with fright as the shuriken parts his hair. Mei Jing passes Spectre's
special cell, but Spectre is not there. The panda ignores the
empty cell and comes to the one she's looking forward. Vanderberg
is standing by his cell door.

Vanderberg:"You here for me?"

Mei:"Yes. Hawkins sent me specifically."

Vanderberg:"Great! Get me out of here before more of those fleabags
            show up!"

Mei Jing wastes no time. Using her shurikens she cuts apart the
lock to the cell door and pulls it open. Vanderberg steps out
of the cell.

Mei:"Let's go! And hurry, the alarm will soon be raised."

Vanderberg:"You have the lead."

Mei Jing heads back the way she came with Vanderberg right behind
her. The two of them quickly go back through the dungeons and up
the steps into Gunter's office. Mei Jing motions for Vanderberg
to wait while she looks out the door. She doesn't see anything
out of the ordinary while looking at her SUV parked near Raine's
cabin. While there is nobody around the car, Mei does see a
crowd of wolves around the entrance to Raine's cabin. She looks
back at Vanderberg.

Mei:"Can you drive?"

Vanderberg:"Yes, why?"

Mei Jing tosses the SUV's keys to Vanderberg, who manages to
catch them.

Mei:"We will need to make a quick escape, and I need you to drive
     while I ensure we do not get hindered."

Vanderberg:"Got it."

Mei:"Excellent. Ready? Let's run!"

Mei Jing and Vanderberg run out of the office and go straight for
the SUV. Mei Jing shadows Vanderberg, one eye on the group of wolves.
They manage to reach the SUV without being spotted. Vanderberg opens
the driver's door and gets in while Mei Jing climbs onto the roof,
still watching the group. It is only when Vanderberg starts the 
engine that one of the wolves' spots them.

Wolf:"There! They're escaping!"

The group's attention immediately shift to the SUV. Vanderberg gets
it started and begins to drive off, dirt flying as the wheels spin.
Mei Jing manages to stay on the roof, flinging shurikens at any 
wolves who try to shoot at them. The SUV speeds through the 
village and then smashes through the barricade at the gate. The 
two guards rush out of the hut and shoot at the SUV, but by then 
the vehicle is out of effective range. Mei Jing climbs into the 
SUV and gets into the passenger seat.

Vanderberg:"Where to?"

Mei:"To the extraction point. Keep driving and I'll guide you 
     to it."

Vanderberg breathes a sigh of relief.

Vanderberg:"Thanks again for getting me out of that s***hole of a
            prison."

Mei:"Just following our superiors' orders. And by the way, you will
     give me some good information for my news story, right?"

Vanderberg:"I thought that was just a cover, the whole reporter
            schick."

Mei:"Oh no. I really am a reporter. A bit more proactive in some
     regards, but if you want the good stories then sometimes you
     need to help make the news."

Vanderberg:"That's news to me."

The SUV speeds on along the road, while behind them the sound of
alarms being raised fade into the distance.

Thorn's Office
13:08 PM:

Thorn is standing by his desk listening to Gunter giving a report
on the attack. Trigger's face is on the screen of Thorn's laptop,
while off to one side is Vanderberg, still tied up and gagged and
flanked by a pair of KH Covert Troopers.

Thorn:"So they got away clear?"

Gunter:"Pretty much. A Vanguard helicopter was waiting for them
        and they got on immediately. Our scouts did check the SUV
        they left behind, but there was nothing important in there."

Thorn:"Very well. How is Raine and the injured?"

Gunter:"Raine is all right, if a bit sore in places. Some of the
        guards needed surgery, but they'll live."

Thorn:"That's fortunate. That Vanguard agent was a dangerous one."

Trigger:"Yes, I didn't expect that. I thought they were going to
         send a small strike team of operatives, not this loner."

Thorn:"At least the plan worked, General Trigger. They took Spectre
       disguised as our prisoner here."

Thorn gestures to Vanderberg, who is struggling against his bonds
again. One of the troopers hits him in the stomach with the butt of
his canister rifle. Vanderberg grunts in pain and stops.

Trooper:"Stop that or you will get more of that."

Thorn turns to Trigger.

Thorn:"Have you gotten a signal from Spectre."

Trigger:"He sent us a quick beep from the signalling device. No
         tracking devices, though. We don't know the capabilities
         of the Vanguard fully yet and I don't want any risk of
         Spectre being found out. Meanwhile, what do you plan to
         do with the prisoner now, Thorn?"

Thorn looks at Vanderberg, then back at Trigger.

Thorn:"While the Vanguard may now think they have Vanderberg, I am
       going to have him taken away from Casa Lupo. His presence
       here is a risk to the residents."

Trigger:"Who are you going to had him over to? Us?"

Thorn shakes his head.

Thorn:"No, the Road Rovers."

Trigger frowns at this.

Trigger:"The Road Rovers? Why them, Thorn? Why not us?"

Thorn:"Because I, and others, trust them."

Trigger:"And we're not?"

Thorn:"Not to the same degree, I would diplomatically say. Besides,
       Vanderberg is a prisoner of Casa Lupo, not the KH Military.
       His fate is my ultimate decision, not yours. And you are bound
       to respect that via our treaty."

Trigger sighs and throws his paws up in the air.

Trigger:"Very well. He's served his main purpose anyway. I need to
         find my brother and save him."

Thorn nods in satisfaction.

Thorn:"Glad you could see my point of view, General. I'll contact 
       the Rovers and have them pick up Vanderberg as soon as 
       possible. That means I would like him to be kept in our 
       dungeons since I know you and the Rovers have... a history."

Trigger simply nods, a little irritated.

Trigger:"An understatement, Thorn. But I will do as you ask."

Trigger looks at the two troopers flanking Vanderberg.

Trigger:"Take him to the Casa Lupo dungeons."

Troopers:"Yes, General!"

While the troopers get Vanderberg to his feet, Thorn looks at 
Gunter.

Thorn:"Lead them to the dungeons and make sure to double the
       guard until the Road Rovers arrive."

Gunter:"Yes, sir!"

The troopers follow Gunter as he leads them out, dragging the
struggling Vanderberg from Thorn's office.

The Master's Quarters
Road Rover Headquarters
United States of America
4 July
7:02 AM:

The Master is seated at his terminal, speaking to Striker via
video conference. He looks tired but more upbeat than he was 
before. Striker looks a bit exhausted.

Striker:"Goeie more, Professor. Glad to see you are looking
         well this morning."

Master:"Thank you, Striker. I can see you also had a busy night
        last night."

Striker sighs.

Striker:"Chester teleported into Firefly's crib last night and
         the two of them starting playing. I had to puppysit
         them while Phoenix slept. I cannot believe how much
         energy pups have."

The Master chuckles to himself.

Master:"As a father, I can relate. Otherwise, you all settled
        in there?"

Striker:"Ja, we have an established base here now. Are you
         getting funding from Shadow's company up there?"

Master:"Yes, we are finally getting the money. Not quite the
        same as the amount we got from the United Nations, but
        enough to keep us afloat and resume many of those
        functions that we had to suspend or cancel."

Striker:"Goed, but that will not be enough to allow us to keep
         doing our jobs at our best. Not to mention the Vanguard
         won't just sit back and let us recover. They are bound
         to try and cut our funding again."

Master:"That is why I have some urgent tasks for your team,
        Striker. We firstly need to find out the truth about
        really happened at the Baytown Refinery and secondly we
        have to rescue General Stalker from the Vanguard."

Striker is taken aback.

Striker:"Rescue Stalker? Professor, have you lost your senses?"

Master:"No, I have not. Listen, I myself would want Stalker to
        face justice for his crimes, but right now the Vanguard
        is using him for propaganda purposes or, worse, forcing
        the KH Military to do dirty work that will make them
        look like the good guys. So we need to get Stalker out,
        or least away from the Vanguard's clutches."

Striker still shakes his head.

Striker:"Miskien, Professor. But I'm still not convinced. We'll take
         care of the first issue about Baytown and then decide
         what to do about Stalker."

Master:"If you wish to think about it first, then fine. But once
        the Baytown matter is resolved we should consider it."

Striker:"Again, miskien. Any idea of what leads we could follow,
         Master?"

Master:"I may have one, but I will need to see you in person. I
        do not want to let this be known over the airwaves."

Striker nods.

Striker:"I understand. Phoenix and I will head over right away.
         We need to bring Chester back anyway."

Master:"Let me know when you are coming. Have a safe journey."

Striker:"Dankie, Master."

The Master ends the video call, then looks off to his left.

Master:"Your turn, Jaco."

Jaco, who has been waiting just outside the room, approaches the
Master.

Master:"How are you progressing with Sleek?"

Jaco:"Nothing yet, Professor. We have tried to catch her off guard,
      but she still manages to give us the slip each time."

Master:"Then perhaps it is time for a different approach, Jaco.
        You need to find out what happened to those uniforms that
        went missing. I am almost certain they were worn by those
        responsible for the Baytown Incident."

Jaco:"But we haven't found a trace of the uniforms, Professor."

Master:"No, but try and imagine what you would do if you were Sleek
        and you had to smuggle out the uniforms, or something of
        value. How would you bypass all the security measures and
        without anyone seeing? Perhaps you might discover something
        that Sleek overlooked."

Jaco:"I suppose I will give it a try. Should we still try and follow
      Sleek?"

Master:"If a good opportunity arises, yes. But for now your main
        focus is on finding the clues we need to expose Sleek and
        her taskmasters. In addition, we'll soon be taking in a
        very important Vanguard prisoner. Try and keep Sleek in the
        dark and away from the prisoner lest she cause us more
        trouble."

Jaco:"Yes, Professor. But why keep her around if she's working for
      our enemies? What is keeping you from firing her?"

Master:"I had considered it several times, Jaco. I even thought
        about doing it, but ultimately that would cause more problems
        than it solves. We don't know what Sleek has done for the
        Vanguard to compromise us or how badly she let them penetrate
        our systems. And the Vanguard might have more than one mole
        here who could take over from her. It is just too risky right
        now to get rid of her without knowing the extent of her role."

Jaco sighs.

Jaco:"Then I will just have to tolerate her until then."

Master:"Thank you, Jaco."

Jaco turns around and leaves the Master's quarters. The Master turns
back to his terminal to begin doing work on getting the Rovers back
on their feet.

Meeting Room
Vanguard Complex
Unknown Location
19:11 PM:

Hawkins is seated at the one end of the table while seated on
the opposite side is Mei Jing, back in her normal clothes, and
Vanderberg, who is now wearing casual clothing instead of the
prison overalls he wore earlier.

Hawkins:"A job well done, Mei Jing. Once again you prove that
         your recruitment was a good choice for the Vanguard."

Mei:"I always try and do my job as best I can, Mister Hawkins."

Hawkins:"And did your Nano Combat Suit perform as well in the
         field as it did during tests."

Mei:"Very much. I am completely satisfied with its performance."

Hawkins:"Good! That should prove good news to the boys in the
         R&D department. As usual, monetary payment along with
         information about possible news scoops?"

Mei Jing nods.

Mei:"As well as that other... benefit?"

Hawkins:"Ah yes, that benefit. You can visit the medical section
         here to pick up what you need. You certain you do not
         want our scientists to fix the... after effects of that
         breeding program you were put through when you were in
         the zoo?"

The panda shakes her head.

Mei:"No thanks you, Mister Hawkins. I'm happy with it."

Hawkins shrugs.

Hawkins:"Very well, your choice Mei Jing."

He then looks at Vanderberg.

Hawkins:"And Vanderberg. You don't seem worse the wear for your
         little stay in prison."

Vanderberg:"Just glad to be out of there, boss. I won't miss the
            place, especially the food."

He shudders, making Hawkins chuckle.

Hawkins:"Really? Perhaps some real food was good in place of all
         the junk food you keep eating. But nevermind! You're back
         with us and we can get our plans back on track."

Hawkins picks up a flash drive and hands it over to Vanderberg.

Hawkins:"Here, take it this and get to work. We need the data
         ready and the new programs up and running by the end of
         the month."

Vanderberg takes the flash drive.

Vanderberg:"Yes, boss."

Hawkins:"Good. Get going. Mei Jing and I need to discuss some
         business matters."

Vanderberg nods, gets up and leaves the room. Hawkins turns back
to Mei Jing.

Hawkins:"I got a special assignment for you, Mei Jing. You've
         been keeping up to date on what's been going with the
         Road Rovers, right?"

Mei:"They've managed to get a sponsorship from the Kai Consortium,
     which is just enough to keep them from going completely
     bankrupt."

Hawkins:"Exactly, and its a real problem. I was hoping the Rovers
         would be finished, but this company has now saved their
         tails."

Mei:"So you want me to do something about it?"

Hawkins shakes his head.

Hawkins:"No, I have some other people working on how to deal with
         Kai. What I have in mind for you is for you to handle any
         missions the Rovers may launch against us. Our agent in the
         Rovers will inform us of any missions, at which point you
         must step in and stop them. We will also provide you with
         any troops or hardware as you need."

Mei:"And of course I get to keep any juicy stories that may arise
     from my missions?"

Hawkins:"Of course. The Vanguard wouldn't dare think of crushing
         media freedom, would we?"

But while they are talking, just outside the room Vanderberg is
listening in. As he does, he is talking to a small microphone in
his shirt and listening to a tiny earpiece in his ear. But it is 
not Vanderberg's normal voice: it is Spectre's.

Spectre(into com, whispering):"Qui, I am inside the base... Non, I
       don't know where we are right now... Qui, I will send the
       information as soon as possible. Out."

Spectre as Vanderberg continues to listen to the meeting between
Hawkins and Mei Jing while also staying alert for anyone who might
come along.

Briefing Room
Road Rover Headquarters
United States of America
5 July
09:02 AM:

The briefing room is currently full of wolf-sapiens milling
around in several groups, chatting to each other and looking
at the big screens that have news channels on. Two of the wolves
by the entrance of the briefing room look familiar: it is Vice
and his mate Jinx, who are busy talking to Hunter.

Hunter:"So everybody on your list is here, Vice?"

Vice:"That's right. Jinx double checked it for me one last time
      just now."

Jinx:"You do sometimes miscount you know, mate."

Vice rolls his eyes.

Vice:"Yeah, I know."

Hunter:"Cool! I'll go and get the Master. We'll be here shortly
        to hand out jobs for you guys."

Vice:"Glad to be of help, Hunter."

Hunter turns around to leave. Just as he does, Striker and Phoenix
enter the briefing room and bump into him.

Hunter:"Hey! Striker and Phoenix, welcome back to HQ. You guys had
        a good flight?"

Striker:"Hello Hunter. Yes, we had an uneventful flight."

Phoenix:"If you ignored Chester playing around all the time."

Striker sighs.

Striker:"Ja, I'm just glad he's now in the RRMC creche."

Hunter chuckles.

Hunter:"That's parenthood for you. Anyway, I'm going to get the 
        Master so he can meet the volunteers we got here. Mingle 
        with them a bit, will you?"

Striker:"Ja."

Hunter:"Thanks bud!"

Hunter leaves the briefing room while Striker and Phoenix approach 
the group. The first ones they encounter are Vice and Jinx, who
turn to them.

Vice:"Are you also volunteers?"

Striker:"Nee, we are full time Road Rovers. I'm Striker, leader of
         Unit STRIKE."

Vice:"I'm Vice, unofficial leader of this group. Pleased to meet 
      you."

Striker:"Likewise."

The two of them shake paws. Vice then gestures to Jinx.

Vice:"And this is my mate, Jinx."

Jinx:"How do you do?"

Phoenix holds out her paw.

Phoenix:"Nice to meet you, Jinx. I'm Striker's mate, Phoenix."

Jinx:"Likewise, Phoenix."

The two females shake paws, but the moment they do Jinx suddenly
gasps and pulls her paw back to Phoenix's surprise.

Phoenix:"What's wrong?"

Jinx:"My power just... just activated on its own."

Phoenix:"It did? What is your power?"

Jinx:"My power is healing any injury of the person I touch."

Phoenix folds her ears back in confusion.

Phoenix:"But I'm not injured."

Striker:"You seker, Firefly? You didn't hurt yourself recently?"

Phoenix:"No, I haven't gotten hurt in a while. Not even as much
         as a papercut."

Vice:"Then why did your power activitate on its own, Jinx?"

Jinx shakes her head, at a loss at what happened.

Jinx:"I have no idea, Dear."

Striker:"Maybe you should go see Professor Hubert after the
         meeting and let him have a look. He's head scientist
         at RRHQ and he might be able to diagnose what has
         happened."

Phoenix:"Plus we got a few Rovers here with good training in
         various medical fields."

Jinx smiles and shakes her head.

Jinx:"No, its all right. I'm sure it is nothing."

Now it is Vice's turn to shake his head.

Vice:"The heck it is. Once we're done here, its off to the doc
      with you."

Jinx:"Oh, come on Vice. I'm okay."

Vice:"Let's not take chances, Jinx."

Jinx:"Oh fine! But you owe me a hunting trip after this."

Vice:"It's a deal."

Just then the Master appears on the balcony while Hunter comes
into the briefing room. He claps his paws together to get the
group's attention.

Hunter:"Okay, everyone! The Master is here."

Master:"Thank you, Hunter. And I would personally like to thank
        you all for offering up your time and effort to volunteer
        to help us. As you know, the Road Rovers are going through
        a difficult time and we appreciate any assistance in         
        getting us through it. We will offer free food and lodging
        while you are here. Its not much, but we are still pressed
        financially for now. Please tell Hunter here your names,
        what your skills are and your powers so that we can begin 
        assigning you all to various duties around Mission Contol.
        Again, I thank you for your aid."

The wolves all clap their paws. Hunter then begins to move among
them with a clipboard to begin taking details. Striker and Phoenix
then make their way to the podium to talk personally with the
Master.

Master:"Welcome back to headquarters, Striker and Phoenix. How are
        you all settling in South Africa?"

Striker:"We have everything ready at my family residence. It is a
         fully functional base of operations."

Master:"Excellent. Now, I have a possible mission for you and your
        team. Come into my quarters."

Phoenix:"Coming, Master."

The couple leave the briefing room along with the Master, leaving
Hunter to handle the group of wolves. Unbeknownst to anyone, Sleek
is watching from one of the other entrances.

The Master's Quarters
09:27 AM:

The Master, Striker and Phoenix are seated around one of the tables
in the Master's room.

Striker:"What is the mission about, Professor?"

Master:"As I hinted earlier, we might have a possible lead on the
        Baytown Incident and who was really responsible. But I
        needed you here personally, since we now believe that our
        communications have been compromised."

Phoenix:"How badly?"

Master:"We don't know. It could either be eavesdropping, or our
        secure channels have been breached. Regardless, it was
        too risky to let this information go out over the airwaves."

Striker:"What is the mission?"

Master:"I have an agent in Baytown who has managed to uncover what
        really went on at the refinery. However, due to the communi-
        cations issue I mentioned the agent cannot reveal what was
        learned to us."

Striker:"We have to go meet him?"

Master:"Her. Her name is secret, but her codename is Athena. And
        yes, I need Unit STRIKE to go to Baytown and get the info
        she has, then bring it here."

Phoenix:"Can't the other teams do it?"

Master:"Not in their current state, I'm afraid. We need them to
        keep everything running until the funding issues have been
        resolved. Unit STRIKE is currently the only unit I can
        use."

Striker:"Where do we meet Athena, Professor?"

The Master reaches into his coat and holds out a folded piece of
paper.

Master:"Here's the coordinates of the safehouse we arranged for in
        Baytown. She will be there."

Striker nods and takes the paper.

Striker:"Reg, Professor. We'll call the rest of the team and then
         go for Baytown to get Athena."

Master:"Thank you, Striker. Get that information as soon as possible."

Striker:"We will, Professor."

Phoenix:"You can always count on Unit STRIKE, Master."

Master:"Good luck."

They all stand up and the Master escorts the couple out of his 
quarters.

Female Restrooms
Road Rover Headquarters
09:49 AM:

This is a single blue door with a females-only logo on the front
of it. Opposite is the green door for the males. Sleek opens the
blue door, looks around the corridor a few times and then leaves
the restroom. Once she is out of sight, the male restroom door
opens. Jaco and Riptide emerge.

Jaco:"She's gone."

Riptide:"Okay. Go in there and look around."

Jaco:"You certain about this?"

Riptide:"Don't worry. I'll make sure you're not interrupted."

Jaco nods and goes the female restroom. He opens the door and
goes inside. Riptide stands outside the door and keeps watch for
anyone coming. The minutes pass, but it remains quiet. After a
while the door opens. Riptide turns to see Jaco coming out.

Riptide:"Anything?"

Jaco shakes his head.

Jaco:"Nothing. I didn't see any kind of hidden microphone or
      communication device or bug. But she must be talking to
      someone in there."

Riptide:"Then we will have to plant a bug ourselves."

He holds up a grey plastic bag. Jaco takes it, opens it and
looks inside.

Jaco:"You sure you want us to bug the female restroom? The girls
      might not like it."

Riptide:"We'll only use it when Sleek is in there. We've not
         going to spy on the others. The Master would certainly
         not have agreed to this if that was our intention."

Jaco:"If the Master is fine with this..."

Riptide:"Go in there and plant it. I'll cover you."

Voice:"Cover what?"

Both of them jump with surprise. Leaning against a wall is Roz,
arms crossed.

Riptide:"Roz! What...?"

Roz:"You should know you don't wander around the ladies' room,
     you two."

Jaco:"Hey, look. We're trying to pin something on Sleek and we
      want to bug the restroom."

Roz:"What for? This isn't one of those... you know."

Jaco groans and shakes his head.

Jaco:"Nee, not that! We can to intercept her calls. We know she
      goes in there to call her contacts and we want to use this
      bug to catch her."

He holds up the bag with the bug in it. Roz walks up and grabs
the bag from Jaco.

Roz:"I'll plant it for you."

Jaco:"You will? Why?"

Roz:"Sleek had tried to hit on my mate here. I want to repay her
     for that."

Riptide:"Just can't let go of that, can you?"

Roz:"No."

Roz goes inside the restroom with the bag. Again Riptide keeps 
an eye out with Jaco helping him out, but nobody comes along 
here. A short while later Roz comes out, crumpling the empty 
bag.

Roz:"It's planted."

Jaco:"Well hidden?"

Roz:"Under and behind the sinks. That okay?"

Riptide:"Perfect. Come on, let's go before someone sees us."

The three of them walk off.

Construction Site
Baytown
United States of America
14:03 PM:

This is a large, 20-story hotel being built in the business
district of Baytown near a park. A pair of cranes however over
the half-built skeletal frame of the hotel's upper floors, while
scaffolding covers the bottom half. But there is no construction
work going on: there are no workers and all the machinery are
standing quiet. Attached to the front of the main gate into the
site is a sign that says "CONSTRUCTION HALTED UNTIL FURTHER
NOTICE. BY ORDER OF BAYTOWN CITY COUNCIL." Seated on a bench in
the park is Striker and Phoenix. They look around the park,
seeing only a few people walking or jogging around the area.

Phoenix:"All's quiet around here. I guess the shock from the
         Baytown incident is still fresh in everybody's memories."

Striker:"A goeie thing, too. I was worried we might come
         under harrassment from the locals about it. We don't
         need that kind of trouble."

Phoenix then points.

Phoenix:"There they are."

Striker looks. Walking towards them is Illanov and Corsair, both
of them wearing casual clothing. Corsair waves as they approach.

Corsair:"Hey boss. How's things?"

Striker:"Goed. How are you?"

Illanov:"All is well so far, comrade. We departed as soon we got
         the message. We left the Stealth Rover outside the city
         in a copse of trees. Comrades Shephard and Merit are in
         the Rhino, not far from here."

Striker:"See anyone suspicious?"

Corsair:"Not that we noticed, boss. Merit scanned the area a few
         times before we got off. But then again, who knows what
         the Vanguard has up its sleeve with all the EDF toys they
         got."

Striker nods and gets up, as does Phoenix.

Corsair:"So what's the plan, boss?"

Striker:"Our contact told us to meet us at that construction site
         over there."

Corsair and Illanov look at the half-built hotel.

Illanov:"What time will she be there?"

Striker:"She only said she will meet us when we get there."

Corsair:"Not exactly a firm timetable."

Illanov:"With the Vanguard prowling around you can't have a fixed
         timetable, American."

Corsair:"Yeah, I guess living in KGB Land does that to you doesn't 
         it, Russian?"

Striker:"Nee, don't start you twee. Let's get going."

The group starts to walk towards the construction site. As they do,
Striker uses his Watchcom.

Striker(into com):"Shephard, Merit. You read me?"

Shephard(over com):"Shephard here, sir. We're reading you loud and
        clear."

Merit(over com):"Communication successfully received."

Striker(into com):"Are you alert for any hostiles?"

Shephard(over com):"Yes, sir. Merit's scanning the area, but so far
        nothing odd has come up."

Striker(into com):"Goed. We are going to the construction site. Are
       you two ready to come in case of trouble?"

Shephard(over com):"Merit is in his battle shell and I got my own
        SpecOps suit on."

Striker(into com):"Wonderlik. Stay as close as you can and keep an
       eye out for the Vanguard. Out."

Shephard(over com):"Yes, sir. Over and out."

Merit(over com):"Executing patrol routine."

Striker closes the channel and continues leading the team towards 
the construction site. They come to the entrance gate, which is
secured with a lock and chain.

Striker:"David, pick that lock."

Corsair:"Sure boss."

While the others keep watch, Corsair goes to the gate. He takes
out a lockpick from one of his backpack's pockets and begins to
fiddle with the gate lock. After a few moments the lock clicks
open.

Corsair:"Open for business."

He removes the lock and chain, then swings the gate open. The
Strikers enter the construction site and go into the building.
The interior of the hotel is full of bare gray walls, exposed
wiring and scaffolding. Here and there are spots where wallpaper
is being applied, tiles laid or paint brushed on.

Phoenix:"Where to next, Strikie?"

Striker:"Upper floors, as high as we can."

They all make their way through the building, climbing up some
of the built stairways or up some of the scaffolding ramps. They
soon emerge into the open air, where the current floor is still
being built. They look around.

Striker:"Anything?"

Illanov:"Nothing so far, comrade."

Corsair:"All clear in my view, boss."

Phoenix:"Do we wait for the contact?"

Striker:"Ja, and take up defensive positions and scout for
         possible routes of entry and cover. We might need it if
         there is trouble."

They all nod and spread out amongst the various construction
materials, equipment and girders. Back on street level an bright
blue sports car pulls up into an opening parking space opposite
the construction site. The driver's door swings up and open. Out
climbs Mei Jing. She closes the door and locks it while looking
the construction site over.

Mei:"This is the place. Time to get my story."

She looks around to make sure nobody is watching before going
across the street towards the building. However, from a good
distance away is the Rhino, parked almost out of sight. Merit is
scanning the panda female from his battle shell.

Merit:"I have completed my scan of the individual."

Shephard, who is behind the wheel of the Rhino and wearing his
SpecOps Suit, keeps his eye on the distant figure with binoculars.

Shephard:"Is she armed?"

Merit:"Negative. I detect no visible arnaments."

Shephard:"Weird. Then what is she doing here? I better alert the
          others."

Shephard brings up his Watchcom and tries to open a channel, but
all he gets is static. He frowns.

Shephard:"Hey, I got no open channel. Merit, can you call them?"

Merit:"Attempting connection... connecting... connecting...
       connection failed. I cannot establish contact."

Shephard checks the Rhino's own communication program, but it also
fails to call the rest of the team.

Merit:"Could it possibly be a network issue?"

Shephard:"Not all three at once. Merit, this has got to be jamming.
          I'm bringing the Rhino up to the site, you scan for any
          hostiles."

Merit:"Confirmed."

As Shephard starts up the Rhino, a large dark blue 18-wheeler
truck drives past. Merit scans it.

Merit:"Possible hostiles detected. I am picking up a number
       of positive arnament readings from within that transport
       vehicle that passed us."

Shephard sees the 18-wheeler.

Shephard:"Then we'd better move! This is an ambush happening!"

Shephard pulls the Rhino from its parking spot and races after
the truck. But as he pulls up behind it, the trailer's doors
swing open and out jumps a Vanguard HECU right in front of
them.

Merit:"Blocking the road constitutes a traffic hazard."

Shephard:"S***!"

Shephard hits the brakes and hits a button to bring up the
armor plating just as the HECU takes a shot at them. The
blast strikes the front of the Rhino, knocking it back a
bit and denting the armor plating. The HECU marches forward
and fires another blast. Again the Rhino is knocked back.

Merit:"Oh dear, the front armor plating will require urgent
       repairs."

Shephard:"Stop stating the obvious, Tin Can!"

He quickly reverses and swerves out of the way of another
blast from the HECU. Meanwhile the 18-wheeler rams through
one of the gates of the construction yard and stops inside.
Jumping out of is a number of Vanguard Operatives, including
N-Ops and Task Operatives. From high above Illanov sees them.

Illanov:"Comrades, we got company! Its the Vanguard!"

Striker pulls out his sonic rifle.

Striker:"Arm yourselves and take up defensive positions!"

The others get their weapons out and ready. Corsair runs over
to the steps they had climbed, only to find himself facing Mei 
Jing as she comes to the top of the steps.

Corsair:"Whoa! Who are you? And you're... a panda?"

Mei:"An ursa-sapien. I am Mei Jing, reporter for China Television
     News."

Corsair:"Uh, okay. Thing is, this is kind of a bad time..."

Mei:"Indeed it is."

The panda frowns and then her nanosuit transforms from her
civilian outfit to her combat outfit. Corsair stares in surprise
at this.

Corsair:"Whoa! How did you do that? That looked awesome!"

Mei:"Yes, the Vanguard has been generous."

Corsair's eyes go wide with shock.

Corsair:"Oh c***."

Mei Jing forms an energy shuriken in her one paw and immediately
throws it at Corsair. Corsair ducks, the shuriken narrow missing
him and cutting into girder behind him. He quickly ducks for
cover.

Corsair:"Boss! I got trouble here!"

Striker turns and sees Mei Jing. He aims his sonic rifle at her.

Striker:"Stop net daar!"

Mei immediately flings a shuriken Striker's way. Striker ducks
and simultaniously fires a sonic blast at the panda. But the
panda makes no effort to dodge the blast. Instead, the blast
explodes against an invisible field in front of her, leaving her
unharmed. Mei rushes Striker, who retreats while firing another
blast at her. She jumps into the air, over the blast, and lands
right by Striker. Before the spaniel can react, the panda ducks
down and kicks his legs out from under him. Striker falls to
the floor, yelping from the impact. Phoenix sees this.

Phoenix:"Hold on, Strikie!"

She creates two fireballs and tosses them at Mei Jing. Mei
tosses two shurikens at them. Both fireballs collide with the
shurikens and disperse, but the shurikens keep going. Phoenix
ducks behind a wall, then leans out and fires her laser pistol
at the panda. Mei dives out of the way behind another wall.
Striker takes this chance to crawl over to Phoenix.

Phoenix:"You okay, Strikie?"

Striker:"A bit winded but fine, Firefly."

Phoenix:"Who is she? Vanguard, you think?"

Striker:"A goeie guess. I suspected that the Vanguard might
         fall for the trap we set them."

Phoenix:"Except now it looks like we're the ones caught in the
         trap, not them."

Striker:"I agree. We need to fight our way back down before
         they completely lock us down."

Phoenix:"Won't the police object to that?"

Striker:"Not if the Vanguard convinced the Baytown authorities
         that we are the enemy, which would not be difficult
         considering what we 'allegedly' did."

Phoenix:"So we really need to get off this place before the
         cops also get involved."

Striker:"Beslis. Let's get Alex and David and head down, gou!"

Phoenix nods. Meanwhile, Mei Jing is trying to sneak around the
couple from the otherside. Suddenly Illanov appears right next
to her, his plasma rifle aimed at her. She stops and immediately
looks at the German Shepherd.

Illanov:"Stop right there and don't move."

But Mei Jing immediately drops down and gives a sweeping kick
to Illanov's legs. Illanov is knocked over and falls onto his
back, accidentally firing his plasma rifle into a nearby wall
and blasting it apart in a shower of concrete. Mei Jing stands
up and prepares to throw a shuriken at him, but Illanov turns
invisible again. The shuriken she tosses hits the now-empty
spot where the Russian was. Alarmed, Mei Jing quickly looks
around her while holding two shurikens ready. At this moment,
Striker gets on his Watchcom.

Striker(into com):"Alex, David! Regroup! We need to get off this
       building!"

Illanov(over com):"Copy, comrade!"

Corsair(over com):"Right on, boss!"

Striker(into com):"Shephard! Get the Rhino to the site nou!"

There is a brief pause.

Shephard(over com):"I'm trying, sir, but Merit and I got a
        Vanguard drone on our case! We're trying to get rid of
        it, but its allies have charged on for the site! You
        got multiple hostiles coming, sir!"

Striker swears.

Striker(into com):"Get past that drone any way you can, but we
       will need to escape, Shephard! And dadelik!"

Shephard(over com):"Yes, si... D***! That was close!"

Striker turns back to the others, who are now grouped with him.

Striker:"We must go or we'll get trapped! Vanguard soldiers 
         are coming up and Shephard is being held back by their
         robots!"

Corsair:"Crud! And we're stuck up here with the kung fu panda!"

Illanov:"I saw another stairway, comrade Striker. We can take
         that."

Striker:"Lead the way, Alex. Come on!"

They follow Illanov through the floor until they come to another
flight of half-built stairways. The group quickly climbs down
the steps. They make good progress down the steps, but halfway
down they run into another group coming up: a team of Task
Operators and N-Ops, lead by Hounder in a Proto-H Suit. Both 
groups stop.

Hounder:"Well, what a surprise. Hold it there! We're taking
         you into custody!"

Striker:"Back, almal!"

Both Striker and Hounder fire at each other. Striker's sonic blast
knocks Hounder back against his operatives, while the blast from
Hounder's plasma rifle grazes Striker's side. The spaniel yelps
and falls back on the stairs. Phoenix rushes over and pulls him
up.

Striker:"Go into the hotel!"

The Strikers rush through a doorway into the current floor they
are at. Hounder gets back up on his feet just as Mei Jing comes
sprinting down the steps.

Mei:"Where are they?"

Hounder:"They headed into the current floor. We got them trapped."

Mei:"Your operatives covered the exits?"

Hounder:"Every exit off this floor is ours. And our HECU is
         keeping their backup away."

Mei:"Then let's go get them."

Hounder:"After you, lovely lady."

Mei:"Flirting, are we?"

Hounder grins.

Hounder:"Not at all. Not on duty, anyway."

Mei:"We'll see."

Mei Jing goes through the doorway, followed by Hounder and his
team of operatives. Back on the streets the Rhino is backing
up from the charging HECU. Shephard gets the Sonic Cannon
charged up and fires a blast at the robot. The blast hits the
HECU and sends it flying into a parked car. The car is crushed
and the car alarm goes off, but the HECU stands up with almost
no damage and responds by firing a small volley of rockets at
the Rhino. Shephard quickly shifts gears and drives the Rhino
into alley, the rockets smashing into the walls behind them.
Merit scans behind them.

Merit:"That was significant damage to private property."

Shephard:"Never mind that! Where's that bot?"

Merit:"It is currently staying at its current location and
       not pursuing us."

Shephard:"It doesn't have to. It just has to keep us away from
          the construction site to do its job."

Merit:"Then how shall we circumvent it?"

Shephard:"We could drive around the other way, but then we might
          end up fighting both it and any Vanguard hostiles at
          the site. We're going to have to take it down."

Shephard thinks for a moment, then gets an idea. He looks at
Merit.

Shephard:"Okay, I think I got an idea. Here's what we're going
          to do."

Merit:"Please do provide information."

Shephard begins explaining his plan of action. Meanwhile the HECU
takes up a patrol route near the construction site. It scans the
streets for any sign of the Rhino. A short time later Merit comes
rolling out of an ally in his battle shell, in view of the HECU.
The big robot spots the smaller one immediately.

HECU:"Hostile sighted. Moving in to engage."

The HECU stomps towards Merit, opening up its rocket packs. Merit
waits in the middle of the street for it.

Merit:"Holding position..."

The HECU fires several rockets at Merit. Merit turns his guns
on the incoming projectiles, locks on and fires. The drone manages
to shoot down the rockets, though the detonations send scrapnel
flying everywhere, damaging walls and parked cars. Merit surveys
the damage.

Merit:"Oh my. Such a mess."

The big HECU still comes charging towards Merit, this time with
gun barrels ready.

Merit:"Oh! Executing tactical withdrawal."

Merit quickly rolls back into the alley, but the HECU goes after
him into the alley. At that moment the Rhino comes around a corner
and quickly speeds past towards the site. The vehicle smashes
through the fence and comes to a stop by the hotel. Shephard
quickly jumps out and rushes for the entrance. At that moment a
Vanguard operative is coming out.

Operative:"Where is that HE..."

The operative sees Shephard charging at him and tries to ready
his sonic rifle. Shephard acts fast and gives the operative a
solid kick in the gut. The man gasps and is knocked back hard
onto his back. Before he can recover, Shephard gives him another
kick to the head to knock him out. Shephard then rushes into
the hotel proper, M-249 ready. Meanwhile several floors up, the
rest of Unit STRIKE are trying to find a way off the floor they
are on. It is a partially constructed area, where many of the
walls seperating rooms have not yet been put in place. The team
is trying to hide, while the Vanguard operatives spread out in
teams of two. Mei Jing prowls the corridors and rooms in search
of her prey. The Strikers make their way into a half-finished
hotel room, where most of the walls have been put in but there
are still several workbenches and machines still here. Striker
points to them.

Striker:"Barricade the entrances!"

They take the workbenches, flip them over and push them against
the doorways to form makeshift barriers and covers. They then
push the machines against them for added weight. Illanov and
Corsair take up positions by their door. Striker points to the
others.

Striker:"Phoenix, if the Vanguard try to get past here, set fire
         to the benches."

Phoenix:"Got it, Strikie."

Phoenix creates two fireballs and waits by the other entrance.
Striker goes to the window and looks out and around. They are
still several floors up and there is nothing soft below.

Striker:"Blikskottel, we can't get out through the window. Do
         we have any rope?"

Illanov:"Neyt, comrade."

Corsair:"No, sorry. Its all in the Rhino."

Striker swears and goes to join Phoenix. Just then Mei Jing comes
into the room next to theirs. She approaches their room. Striker
pops out and fires a sonic blast at her. Mei Jing quickly jumps
to one side and rolls out of the way of the blast, which hits a
wall behind her and blowing a hole into it. Mei Jing jumps to her
feet and calls out.

Mei:"Our quarry is here!"

There are shouts from the other operatives and the sound of 
running.

Illanov:"Here they come, comrades!"

At one of the entrances Hounder peers around the corner. Phoenix
spots him and tosses a fireball at him, but he ducks back and
avoids the projectile.

Hounder:"We got them trapped! Secure all exists and get some sonic
         grenades in there!"

The Vanguard operatives gather in the corridor outside the room.
The N-Ops flank either side of the doorway while the Task Ops get
their grenades out. None of them notice Shephard appearing at the
one end of the corridor, drop to the floor and set up his M-249.
He takes aim at one Task Op prepping his sonic grenade.

Shephard:"Pull the pin... come on..."

The operative arms his grenade and prepares to toss it. Shephard
fires and hits him in the arm. The Task Op drops the grenade to
the alarm of his colleagues.

Hounder:"Take cover!"

The others quickly run and duck into other rooms. The grenade goes
off, the power sonic blast throwing the Task Op through a wall and
into a workbench, crushing it with his weight. Shephard begins to
fire down the corridor to keep the others pinned. At the same time
he calls the other Strikers.

Shephard(into com):"This is Shephard, sir! I'm covering the hall-
        way!"

Striker(over com):"Shephard! How did you defeat that robot?"

Shephard(into com):"Merit is distracting it, but I don't know how
        long! Suggesting we get out and into the Rhino, sir!"

Striker(over com):"I concur, Shephard. Keep them pinned, but hold
       fire when we come out!"

Shephard(into com):"Yes, sir!"

Shephard resumes firing before a Task Ops can take a shot at him.
Meanwhile Striker turns to the others.

Striker:"Shephard has the corridor outside. We need to get out and
         join him before the Vanguard can recover from the surprise
         attack. On my mark, we fire a quick burst and run out while
         they are taking cover. Ready?"

The others nod. Striker gives the same order to Shephard via his
watchcom, who agrees. Striker waits, then gives the signal.

Striker:"Fire!"

All of them come out of cover and fire their weapons. Mei Jing, 
Hounder and the operatives are forced to take cover again.

Striker:"Go! Go!"

Unit STRIKE quickly rush out of the room and into the corridor.
They run down it towards Shephard. Hounder tries to get a shot
in, but Shephard forces him back with another burst from his
M-249. When the team regroups, Shephard jumps up.

Shephard:"This way, sir!"

They all quickly follow him through the hotel. Hounder sees that
they have escaped and shouts.

Hounder:"They're getting away! Hurry!"

Hounder and the operatives quickly run after Unit STRIKE, but Mei
Jing is not among them. Unit STRIKE reaches ground floor and run
out to the Rhino. They quickly climb in, Striker getting behind
the wheel and starting the vehicle. They drive off just as Hounder
and his team come out. Hounder throws blades of energy at the
Rhino but only manages to hit a parked cement mixer.

Hounder:"To the truck! Quick!"

They rush for their vehicle. The Rhino drives away from the site.
Not far off, Merit is in a basketball court, circling the HECU as
it tries (and fails) to get a proper lock on the drone. The court
has a big black circle of treads that Merit left.

HECU:"Acquring lock... target lost... acquring lock... target 
      lost... acquiring target... target lost... acquiring target..."

Merit:"The damage to this surface is utterly unacceptable."

Suddenly a powerful sonic blast broadsides the HECU and sends it
flying into the chain link fence around the court. The Rhino
drives onto the court and pulls up next to Merit.

Striker:"Merit! Climb onboard!"

Merit:"I must first repair the damage inflicted to this property."

Shephard:"GET! IN! THE! CAR! NUMBSKULL!"

Merit:"There is no need to shout."

Shephard groans as Merit climbs into the Rhino's back. The Rhino
then races off. Unknown to them, Mei Jing is dashing after them
on the rooftops of the buildings. She leaps from building to
building in pursuit of her quarry. The Rhino turns a corner and
passes by the building Mei Jing is on. She runs to the edge,
times her jump and leaps off. The panda drops down and lands
gracefully but loudly on the roof of the humvee.

Corsair:"Whoa! What was that?"

Striker:"Someone's on our roof!"

Phoenix:"I'm on it!"

Phoenix opens her door and leans out to see. She sees Mei Jing
looking back at her.

Phoenix:"Hey! No free rides!"

Mei:"I agree!"

The panda throws an energy shuriken at Phoenix. Phoenix ducks
back in the Rhino to avoid it. She growls and makes a fireball
in her paw.

Phoenix:"Its that panda!"

Phoenix leans out to toss the fireball, but Mei Jing kicks
her arm. Phoenix yelps and is nearly knocked out of the Rhino,
but Illanov manages to grab her in time.

Illanov:"Got you, comrade!"

Illanov pulls her back in. Striker growls and begins to swerve
the Rhino around, taking sharp turns around corners and dodging
traffic. Mei Jing lies flat on the roof, holding on to avoid
getting thrown off. Despite the violent movements of the Rhino,
Mei remains on the vehicle's roof.

Mei:"I'm not so easily cast aside."

Striker keeps swerving, dodging traffic in the process.

Striker:"Has she fallen off?"

Corsair:"Nope! She's still on our roof!"

Striker:"She's tanacious. Let's try this."

Striker pushes a button on the dashboard to activate the Rhino's
Sonic Cannon. Mei Jing hears the sound of the weapon deploying
and looks behind her. The cannon is coming up and is about to
land right on top of her. The panda quickly leaps up and over
the cannon just as it comes to a rest on the roof. Inside the
Rhino the team is looking for any sign of the operative.

Striker:"Anyone see her?"

They all look carefully. Illanov sticks his head out of the window
and looks about on the roof. He then ducks back in.

Illanov:"Neyt, she isn't on the roof."

Shephard:"Nothing on my side, sir."

Corsair:"Nobody here too, boss. I think we've shaken her off."

Striker:"Goed. I think we had better fall back and call the
         Professor about what has happened."

Corsair:"Whoa, wait. I thought we were to meet our contact."

Striker:"We were, but the Vanguard reacted very quickly to our
         presence here. Either they have observers all over
         Baytown, or..."

Illanov:"... the Vanguard are intercepting our communications."

Striker:"It may be worse than that, Alex."

Phoenix:"So what's the plan now?"

Striker:"We return to the Stealth, but first we need to find a
         place to lie low. The Vanguard are still out there and
         they will be hunting us. Once we know they haven't got
         fix on our location, we will try and go for the Stealth
         contact the Professor."

Phoenix:"This is ridiculous. No matter what we have done, the
         Vanguard has been one step ahead of us."

Shephard:"I'm beginning to suspect we got a rat in our ranks, sir.
          And it isn't the ones Shag and I had to chase out of the
          food pantry last time."

Striker:"Let's not speculate until we've spoken with the Profes-
         sor about the current situation."

The Rhino drives on, weaving through traffic and taking a long,
winding route to loose any pursuit. Unbeknownst to Unit STRIKE,
Mei Jing is hanging on to the back of the Rhino, staying out of
sight.

Holding Cells
Vanguard Laboratories
Unknown Location
At That Moment:

It is mostly quiet here in the cells. The guards are mostly
idling, occassionally giving a yawn. Inside his cell, Stalker is
lying asleep on the floor in one corner. Though drugged, he is
squirming and groaning as he is dreaming. Within his dream Stalker
finds himself standing atop a kind of plateau overlooking a flat
and desolate land. The skies above are thick with black clouds.

Stalker:"Where... where am I?"

His ears perk up as he hears a battle raging. Stalker turns his
head and looks down. Below on the plains he can see the various
KH squadrons fighting against a seemingly endless onslaught of
enemy forces: the Elite Guard, the old EDF, the Road Rovers and 
the Vanguard. The KH Military wolves are fighting hard and 
bravely, but they are being crushed by the overwhelming flood of 
hostiles. Stalker's eyes watches with horror, seeing his forces 
being destroyed before his eyes.

Stalker:"No! I can't let this happen!"

He tries to move, but for some reason he is unable to. He looks
down and finds his feet shackled to the ground.

Stalker:"What the..."

Suddenly there is a loud boom noise up in the sky. Stalker looks
up just in time to see the KHA Alexander come plummeting to the
ground in flames, pursued by a swarm of GONV fighters. The ship
smashes nose-first in the ground and explodes in a massive cloud
of fire and debris.

Stalker:"By Fenrir!"

Voice:"Stalker!"

Stalker gasps and turns around. Standing behind him is Tosca,
who is lying on the ground bloodied and injured badly. Behind her
stands Suchong, encased in a cloud of noxious gasses and grinning
wickedly. He is holding a huge syringe filled with Halucigen.

Tosca:"Stalker... help me..."

Stalker:"Tosca! Hold on!"

Suchong:"Time for shots!"

Suchong stabs the needle into Tosca, making her yelp loudly in
pain. He then injects the contents into her body. She immediately
spasms violently for a minute before she goes still, her eyes 
wide open. Suchong laughs. All the while Stalker can only watch
with horror, unable to move.

Stalker:"TOSCA!!! NOOOOOOO!!!"

Suddenly a huge Earl Hawkins emerges from the edge of the plateau
behind Suchong. Hawkins is smiling wickedly, while Stalker looks
at the giant with his mouth open.

Hawkins:"Oh, looks like I got a cockroach here. Better squash the
         little bug."

Hawkins reaches out with a single finger, which is as big as a
redwood tree trunk. Stalker tries to run away, but he is still
unable to move a muscle. He screams as Hawkins crushes him with
his finger. Stalker then wakes up, sweating and whimpering in
terror.

Stalker:"No....."

He continues whimpering, to the amusement of one of the guards
checking up on him through the cell door window.

Pumping Station
Cedar Bayou
South of Baytown
17:09 PM:

Located on the shores of the Cedar Bayou is an oil pumping station
that services the refinery. Several large, white tanks cluster
around the pump station. Two pipes run from the station, one into
the bayou and the other into the countryside. Right now the
station is shut down and vacant due to the refinery still being
out of operation. Parked near some of the prefabricated staff
buildings and offices is the Rhino. Members of Unit STRIKE are
loitering around the vehicle while keeping an eye out for trouble.
Merit is scanning the road leading from the station to the main
road. Striker is standing next to him.

Striker:"Anything?"

Merit:"Negative. No contacts visible, though the route of traversal
       is very filthy."

Striker:"Better than other kinds of filth we've seen today.."

Striker then goes over to Corsair, who is sitting on the hood of
the Rhino with his laptop.

Striker:"Pick up anything?"

Corsair shakes his head.

Corsair:"Nothing boss. I can't pick anything over the airwaves or
         any attempts by the Vanguard to track us down."

Striker:"Goed. So we have lost them."

Phoenix:"So do we call the Master?"

Striker:"Ja. We need to tell him what happened."

Striker climbs into the Rhino. Unbeknownst to them, Mei Jing is
sneaking amongst the oil tanks. She is keeping her eye on the
group, moving when they aren't looking in her direction. The
panda gets closer and closer until she reaches the prefab staff
building.

Mei:"What are you up to?"

Mei Jing listens as best as she can. In the Rhino, Striker gets
the Master on a video screen.

Master:"Hello Striker. How are things in Baytown?"

Striker:"Not goed, Professor. We tried meeting our contact at
         the agreed meeting point, but the Vanguard ambushed us.
         We barely managed to escape."

The Master frowns.

Master:"And you didn't tell anyone about it outside our team?"

Striker:"Nee, Professor."

The Master thinks for a moment before responding.

Master:"Then it gives a clear indicator of what has been happening
        here."

Striker:"Come again?"

Master:"Striker, the mission I gave your team is a dud. There is
        no contact in Baytown named Athena. The meeting point was
        a random location I chose off a map. And yet the Vanguard
        came."

Striker is taken aback.

Striker:"Then we are even more compromised than we feared!"

Master:"Yes, but your mission wasn't entirely in vain. It makes
        me certain about who is behind the leaks and how bad it
        really is."

Striker:"Who is it?"

Master:"I can't say yet. Right now, I want you to get back here
        as soon as possible before the Vanguard discovers our
        bluff. I got a plan."

Striker nods.

Striker:"We will return as quickly as possible."

Striker ends the call and gets out of the Rhino. He gathers his
team and begins to explain what the Master told them. They are
all either shocked or surprised.

Corsair:"Geez! The Vanguard might as well have an office in our
         base with a big neon sign out front!"

Phoenix:"No wonder the Vanguard has always been one step ahead.
         And I'll bet that's how they managed to frame us for the 
         Baytown attack."

Striker:"We need to return to headquarters. The Master has a plan
         to finally purge the Vanguard from our systems."

However, Mei Jing has overheard everything and is frowning while
discussing the situation to herself.

Mei:"This is a bad development for my employers. They won't
     like being deceived like this. And honestly, neither do I."

Mei gets herself ready and jumps up onto the roof of the staff
building. She then positions herself and leaps into the air at
the group. Before anyone can react or realise the panda is there,
right on the roof of the Rhino. Phoenix sights her first.

Phoenix:"Its her again!"

Immediately Phoenix creates and tosses two fireballs at Mei, but
the panda jumps through the air and avoids the projectiles. She
lands right in front of Phoenix just as the Pom is pulling out
her laser pistol. Phoenix manages to fire a shot at Mei, but the
laser is stopped by an invisible shield.

Mei:"Your weapons are no good against me!"

Mei kicks the pistol out of Phoenix's paw, then kicks her in the
gut. Phoenix yelps and doubles over. Striker growls and fires his
sonic rifle at her. He hits Mei, but again her shield blocks the
damage even though the impact knocks her backwards. Mei Jing turns
and throws a pair of energy shurikens at him. He tries to dodge
them, but one of them manages to graze his shoulder, tearing his
uniform and cutting a gash in his arm. Striker yelps and grabs
the wound. Meanwhile, Corsair dashes out of the Rhino and ducks
behind the prefab offices. Merit moves over to him as Shephard
tries to fire at Mei.

Corsair:"Geez, did you see that? Those shots didn't even hit her!"

Merit:"I have conducted a scan of the ursine female. Her clothing
       is in fact a collection of nanomachines that can provide
       offensive and defensive services."

Corsair:"Nanomachines? Can we program them?"

Merit:"Negative. The nanomachines have been programmed with coding
       that allows only the user access. We cannot access it."
       
Corsair:"Well, crud! Any vulnerabilities?"

Merit:"According to my scans, the nanomachines are not secured
       against outside electronic interferences."

Corsair(thinking):"Is that so? I might have an idea. Where's the
       Russian?"

Merit:"He is located due north west of our position."

Corsair frowns, trying to figure out the location. He peeks
around the corner. He finds Illanov behind the Rhino, taking
potshots at Mei Jing, who is trying to kick Shephard's gun
away. Corsair gets on his watchcom.

Corsair(into com):"Hey, Russian!"

Illanov stops shooting and ducks behind cover to answer.

Illanov(into com):"Dah! What you want, American?"

Corsair(into com):"How's that EMP device of yours? Is it charged
       up?"

Illanov(into com):"I always keep it charged. Why do you ask?"

Corsair(into com):"Merit here says that panda's outfit is actually
       a bunch of nanomachines that she can control. The catch is,
       they're not EMP proof. So maybe that jammer of yours can
       make our day a little easier, right?"

Illanov(into com):"If comrade Merit thinks so, I will give it a
       try."

Illanov digs around in his uniform and takes out his EMP jammer.
Mei Jing has just kicked Shephard to the ground, kicking away his
M-249 and then his Desert Eagle. Illanov switches on the jammer.
Almost immediately there is an effect. The colours of Mei Jing's
outfit all turn dark grey, then suddenly it begins to fall off
her like a heap of sand. The panda gasps as she left wearing
only her wrist and ankle bracelets. Shephard blinks.

Shephard:"What the h***?"

Mei:"My suit! What happened to my suit?!"

Corsair's eyes go wide and his mouth drops open. Phoenix jumps
to her feet, laser pistol pointed at the now-naked panda.

Phoenix:"Put your paws in the air, now!"

Mei Jing spins around, creating an energy shuriken in one paw.
However, this shuriken is clearly a weaker version of what she
has been throwing. She still tosses it, but it doesn't go as
fast and Phoenix is easily able to dodge it. The pomeranian
fires her pistol at the panda and hits her leg. Mei Jing yells
and grabs her legs, collapsing to her knee.

Mei:"Arg! My leg!"

Phoenix rushes up, pistol pointed.

Phoenix:"No more funny business. Lie flat on your stomach."

Mei Jing glares at Phoenix, but does as she is told. Shephard
comes up, his M-249 pointed at the panda.

Phoenix:"Cover me while I secure her."

Shephard:"Yes, Ma'am!"

Phoenix takes out some plastic cuffs and begins to secure Mei's
paws behind her back. Illanov comes up to Corsair and pats his
back.

Illanov:"That was a good id..."

Corsair is still staring at Mei Jing. Illanov growls and slaps
him on the back of the head. Corsair snaps out of it.

Corsair:"Hey!"

Illanov:"Stop staring, American!"

Corsair:"Make me."

Illanov puts his one paw over Corsair's eyes. He groans.

Corsair:"I should have kept quiet."

While Phoenix secures Mei Jing, Striker comes over clutching
his wounded arm. Once Phoenix secures the panda she goes over
to her mate with a medical kit while Shephard stands guard
over the operative. Striker flinches as Phoenix begins treating
him.

Phoenix:"Don't do that, Strikie."

Striker:"Jammer, Firefly. It just stings a bit."

Phoenix(smirking):"Big puppy."

Striker then turns serious as he looks directly at Mei Jing and
makes eye contact specifically.

Striker:"How did you know about our meeting?"

Mei Jing just frowns and stays silent. Shephard slaps her on
the back of her head.

Shephard:"He asked a question!"

Mei:"You cannot hurt me. I'm a member of the media."

Shephard:"Funny. Last time I looked the media didn't actually
          engage in combat. Unless you like making headlines
          yourself."

Mei Jing doesn't answer. Shephard is about to slap her again
when Merit comes up to Striker.

Merit:"Pardon my intrusion, but our captive's allies are ap-
       proaching our current location."

Striker looks sharply at the drone.

Striker:"How long before they get here?"

Merit:"Approximately 3 minutes and 56 seconds."

Striker:"Everyone in the Rhino! We're going back to HQ!"

Shephard gestures to Mei Jing.

Shephard:"And her?"

Striker:"Leave her here."

Shephard nods and hits Mei Jing on the back of the head with the
butt of his rifle, knocking her out. The Strikers pile into the
Rhino and quickly drive off into the nearby bushes. They leave
just in time as the Vanguard trucks come up the road towards the
pump station.

Laboratory
Vanguard Complex
Unknown Location
18:03 PM:

Hawkins is back inside his chamber and looking at Hounder and Mei
Jing on a split screen. He has his headphone on and frowning as he
listens to the two.

Hawkins:"Is that what they said?"

Mei:"Yes, Mister Hawkins."

Hawkins:"And you didn't stop them?"

Mei:"I tried to, but..."

The ursa-sapien explains what happened to her.

Hawkins:"I'll have our scientists have a look at that flaw and
         ensure it never happens again."

Hounder smirks.

Hounder:"A bit of a pity. I enjoyed the view when we arrived."

Mei blushes and glares at Hounder, who just winks at her. Hawkins
frowns at him.

Hawkins:"This is no time for games! I want you to report back to
         our main US base for debrief and preparation for the next
         mission ASAP."

Hounder, Mei:"Yes, sir!"

Without any further word Hawkins ends the call. He then dials 
another number. Short time later, Thomason appears on the screen.

Thomason:"Yes, sir?"

Hawkins:"We got a problem, Thomason. The Road Rovers have finally
         gotten wise to the fact they got a mole in their ranks.
         I have no doubt they are going to be taking action soon."

Thomason:"So her cover is blown?"

Hawkins:"Pretty much, but they haven't gotten her yet. I need you
         to get a team together to get her out before they catch
         her. She still knows the extent of our infiltration into
         their communication networks. The sooner she is out, the
         better."

Thomason:"I'll get on it right away, sir."

Hawkins:"Good. And get one of Hounder's units to join in too."

Thomason:"Very well, sir."

Hawkins ends the call abruptly and takes off the headphone. He lies
back, deep in thought and rubbing his forehead.

The Master's Quarters
Road Rover Headquarters
United States of America
21:01 PM:

Unit STRIKE has gathered in the Master's quarters with the Master.
He is listening to Striker as he gives the debrief. Once Striker is
done, the Master nods.

Master:"As I thought. I apologise putting you through that, but it
        helps us further confirm what we suspect."

Phoenix:"About the leak?"

Master:"And who is causing it. Jaco believes Sleek is the guilty
        party."

Striker:"That new recruit he's been working with?"

Master:"That's right. Jaco is working to have her exposed, but so
        far he hasn't been lucky. After this mission, however, we
        can now take action."

Illanov:"What are we going to do, Professor?"

Master:"Jaco is going to intercept any calls between Sleek and her
        Vanguard. Once we have that, I will need your help to get
        her arrested. I suspect that, after that bogus mission of
        yours, the Vanguard will realise we are on to her and will
        try and get her away from us."

Shephard:"Can't we just take action and arrest her now, sir?"

Master:"Without proper evidence she will still walk free in court."

Shephard:"So shoot her."

Phoenix is shocked.

Phoenix:"You can't just murder her like that, Shephard!"

Shephard:"Say it was an accident, Ma'am."

Corsair:"You haven't been taking advice from Dick Cheney, have you?"

Shephard:"Didn't vote for him."

Master:"If we do things right, then there might not be a need for
        such... er, drastic measures. I just need you all here and
        ready to help take Sleek into custody."

Striker:"We will be ready, Professor."

Master:"Thank you. Now, go take a rest. I think you may need it
        soon."

Striker:"We will."

Striker leads his team out of the Master's quarters. The Master
gets up, goes to one of his computers and gets to work.

Holding Cells
Vanguard Laboratories
Unknown Location
At That Moment:

Everything is still normal. The guards are still keeping watch,
while Stalker is still lying in his cell. Vanderberg comes in.

Vanderberg:"Is... Stalker still here?"

Guard:"Yes, why are you asking?"

Vanderberg:"The boss wants to be sure he is still all right. For
            the next public appearance, you see."

Guard:"Ah! Well, you can come see here for yourself."

The guard taps on the small window in the door. Vanderberg walks
up and looks inside. Stalker is in the corner, curled up and fast
asleep.

Vanderberg:"He looks all right."

Guard:"He's fine. He had one of his crying sessions an hour ago
       and then fell asleep."

Vanderberg:"Crying sessions?"

Guard:"Yes, those drugs they give him seems to mess with his head.
       He keeps having nightmares and then cries for a bit before
       going to sleep again."

Vanderberg:"How often do they drug him?"

Guard:"The scientists come here once a day to poke him with a
       needle."

Vanderberg:"I see. Okay, I've seen enough. I'll go and tell the
            boss."

Guard:"Glad to help."

Vanderberg leaves the room while the guard takes him his usual
position by the cell door. When he is out of sight, Vanderberg
ducks into a janitor closet and uses a small radio to make a
call.

Vanderberg(into radio):"This is Spectre. Come in, HQ."

HQ(over radio):"This is HQ, Spectre."

Vanderberg(into radio):"I got a special report. I found Monsiour
          Stalker."

The Vanderberg-impersonating Spectre begins to relay information
about Stalker to the KH Military, keeping his ears alert for any
trouble.

Dining Room
Trigger's Quarters
KHA Alexander
Somewhere over Polynesia
19:32 PM:

The dining room of Trigger's residence isn't big, but it is large
enough to host a dining table and an assortment of chairs. Two
doorways lead out, one to an adjacent kitchen and the other to
the living room. The table is stocked with hot food, consisting
mostly of fried venision and steaks with some siders and a little
salad here and there. Trigger is seated at the head of the table
with Flower next to him. Around the table are the members of his
family: Lavalee and her boyfriend Whiplash, Jasmine, Chopper,
Throttle and Laxer. Most of them are enjoying the food.

Throttle:"This is really good meat, mother."

Flower:"I'm glad you like it, Throttle. I made it just the way
        you like it."

Whiplash:"I have to agree, Ma'am. You cook very tasty food. I
          haven't tasted a good steak in ages."

Flower:"Thank you, Whiplash. I sure hope my daughter will be able
        to learn how to make the same steaks when you get married."

Lavalee blushes furiously.

Lavalee:"Mother!"

Flower winks.

Flower:"Just teasing you, dear. Whiplash looks like a wolf who can
        take hood care of himself."

Whiplash:"Thank you, Ma'am. I've learned how to survive on my own
          while hunting down wolf poachers for the KH canned hunt
          compound."

Lavalee:"Tell mother about that big one you brought in recently!"

Whiplash:"Oh, that. Well, the poacher I caught is a big name in
          poacher circles. He's made a name for himself by killing
          wolves and coyotes in the United States, all in the name
          'protecting' farmers and their livestock. So it was with
          some satisfaction that I caught him in the woods using
          a trap he's used so many times, just scaled up to human
          size. He walked right into it."

Whiplash beams with pride while Lavalee wags her tail happily.
Throttle nods in approval, then looks over at Laxer.

Throttle:"At least he's serving in the very front lines, unlike
          some others who like to play in the chair force."

Laxer growls at Throttle.

Laxer:"Hey! My role is just as important to the KH Military as
       yours, Throttle."

Throttle smirks.

Throttle:"Is that so?"

Laxer:"Yes, that's so!"

Flower:"Now, now. Play nice, you two."

Flower then notices that Trigger is just pushing his food around 
on his plate. He looks rather depressed and tired.

Flower:"You still worried about your brother, Trigger?"

Trigger:"Sorry, Flower. I'll eat now."

Flower:"You really should try and keep focus. You are in charge now,
        and the KH Military needs you in the face of the Vanguard's
        propaganda."

Chopper growls, stabbing at his steak with his fork.

Chopper:"Those Vanguard b*****ds! I'll rip them apart for what they
         are doing to Uncle Stalker!"

Flower looks sternly at Chopper.

Flower:"Chopper! Don't talk like that."

Chopper:"But mother, you saw the news. The Vanguard parading him
         in front of the world like he is a trophy."

Flower:"I know, but that is no reason to behave like that around 
        the table. I brought you up better than that."

Chopper folds his ears back sheepishly.

Chopper:"Sorry mother."

Just then there is a buzz from the front door. Laxer puts down 
his eating utensils and gets up.

Laxer:"I'll get it!"

He jogs over to the door and opens it. There is a Psychic Trooper
from the Eta Squadron. Unlike other troopers, the Psychic Trooper
only wears the armored boots, pauldrons, bracers and pads of the
regular Battle Trooper suit. Otherwise he ears a grey doublet and
pants with purple highlights. His face is partially covered with
a helmet, revealing his muzzle but not his eyes. On the helmet's
forehead is the KH insignia. He is holding a sealed folder.

Trooper:"Is the Supreme General here?"

Laxer:"Yes, he's here."

Trooper:"The Eta Squadron has very important information regarding
         General Stalker."

Laxer:"I'll get him."

Laxer runs over to Trigger.

Laxer:"Father, they got info on Uncle Stalker."

Immediately Trigger gets up and quickly goes to the front door. He
looks at the trooper, who salutes him.

Trooper:"Pardon me, sir. We have this information."

The trooper holds out the folder. Trigger grabs it.

Trigger:"Thank you."

The tropper salutes and leaves. Trigger closes the door, opens 
the folder and sits down to read the contents. Flower comes up
to him.

Flower:"I hear they have something on Stalker?"

Trigger nods, still reading.

Trigger:"Its from Spectre. He's found Stalker. They're keeping
         him in a solitary cell, heavily drugged. But he's still
         all right."

Flower:"Where is he being held?"

Trigger:"Spectre hasn't been able to confirm the location, but
         it seems to be the Vanguard headquarters or one of
         their main bases. He'll try and get a signal out for
         us to track and locate."

Flower:"And then...?"

Trigger closes the folder and sighs.

Trigger:"I have no idea what then. The Vanguard will not easily
         relinquish my brother and they can threaten us with
         his death if we try something."

Flower sits down next to him.

Flower:"I'm sure you will come up with a plan. I'm confident in
        you."

Trigger sighs again, then gives Flower a hug. Flower snuggles
and strokes his headfur. He puts the folder down on the table
before him, staring at it.

Striker & Phoenix's Quarters
Road Rover Headquarters
United States of America
22:01 PM:

Striker and Phoenix have just come into their old residence,
turning on the lights and putting down their carry bags. Their
place had been cleared of personal posessions, but basics like
the furniture and the bed are still here.

Phoenix:"Home, sweet home. Right, Strikie?"

Striker:"Sort of. Road Rovers isn't quite on its feet yet for
         us to move back in."

Phoenix:"At least we can still stay here. Glad to see the bed
         is still here."

Striker:"Ja, we could do with the rest."

Phoenix:"Indeed."

She then grins and turns around, putting her arms around Striker's
neck and licking his snout. Striker is caught by surprise.

Striker:"Haai, Firefly... what is it now?"

Phoenix smiles, wagging her tail.

Phoenix:"Before we can rest we need to do what married couples
         always do in bed."

Phoenix begins to drag him towards the bed. Striker can only
laugh helplessly.

Striker:"Really, Firefly. You just can't help it, can you?"

Phoenix:"Not one bit! Now come here, Strikie!"

She pulls him onto the bed and the two of them begin kissing
and embracing one another. The Rovers are close to exposing
the Vanguard mole in their midst, but the Vanguard know they
are on to them. Will the Rovers be able to stop the mole from
escaping? Will the Vanguard be able to get their mole out? And
what will Spectre learn about where Stalker is being held?


THE END