Rover Strike: Vortex

Episode 17: The Veil Of Lies

By Gerhard Naudé

All Rover Strike names © Gerhard Naudé
All Road Rovers names © Warner Brothers and rightful owners
Alpha Team © Kristen Coughlan

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

Council Room
Sapien Liberation Army Headquarters
Undisclosed Location in Botswana
30 January
12:01 PM:

The SLA council room is a circular, windowless space located within a
concrete structure. Several doors lead into the room, while the walls
are covered with all kinds of computers, tables, electronic equipment 
and screens haphazardly connected with hundreds of cables. In the centre
of the room is a half-crescent row of tables facing towards a large
screen. A pair of SLA flags (depicting a black lion-sapien on a green
background) hang on either side of the screen. Various sapiens in
military dress are operating the various systems. The leadership of the
SLA are seated in full uniform at the tables, looking towards the screen
where Seneschal can be seen. Seneschal is currently speaking.

Seneschal:"That is why we need your fighters. We cannot protect this
           network without compromising our offensive."

The leader of the SLA, a large muscular lion with several scars on his
face and many decorations on his uniform, leans backward to consider
the request. The name tag above the medals reads "GEN. SARAFA".

Sarafa:"And this operation we are to protect, what is the purpose of
        it?"

Seneschal:"It's purpose is to deprive the humans of valuable minerals
           that we can then sell. The money will be used to fund the
           global liberation and all of our allies, including you."

The council murmur among themselves, apparently liking the idea. A female
leopard seated next to Sarafa leans forward to speak.

Leopard:"What about trying to negotiate with the Road Rovers? We should
         convince them to join the struggle, thus stopping their attacks
         on your network."

Several sapiens nod in agreement with her, but Seneschal shakes his head.

Seneschal:"No, the Road Rovers are beyond negotiations and Supreme General
           Franco is against the idea. Don't waste your time. The Road
           Rovers are too much under the humans' control to be persuaded
           to change sides."

Leopard:"But maybe we can..."

Seneschal(interrupting):"No! No negotiations with the Road Rovers whatso-
         ever! Is the SLA becoming too soft to be part of the liberation?"

Sarafa quickly jumps in.

Sarafa:"No no no! Of course not! She was just suggesting we keep all our
        options open."

Seneschal:"General Sarafa, the Elite Guard has been exploring the option
           of turning the Road Rovers over to our side and all efforts
           have come to naught. Do you really think we'd advocate to keep
           fighting them if he hadn't looked at other avenues."

Several of the council members nod in agreement before Sarafa nods as 
well.

Sarafa:"Understood. We trust the Elite Guard and you have helped our
        movement immensely. I will send all our available forces to
        help protect this resource network."

Seneschal looks in approval at the council.

Seneschal:"The Supreme General appreciates your effort and commitment,
           General Sarafa. In fact, he is even considering giving each
           of you administrative powers over South Africa once we have
           conquered it."

This brings smiles all around the table. However, one rhino sapien leans
forward to speak.

Rhino:"But I still think we should keep the option of talking the Road
       Rovers into joining our side. I believe it is still possible to
       make some of them turn on their human slave masters."

Some council members also murmur their agreement, but Seneschal's face
immediately goes from approval to anger.

Seneschal:"NO! Absolutely not! What is the matter with you?! Are so you
           all so eager to talk to the Road Rovers that you're willing
           to throw the cause away?"

The Rhino immediately goes silent and leans back into his chair while
getting disapproving stares from Sarafa and a few other sapiens. The
wolf-sapien moves closer to the screen.

Seneschal:"There will be NO, repeat, NO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ENEMY. If
           you persist with this idiotic, and fruitless, endeavor we
           will take away all your funding and equipment and give to
           another liberation movement that actually gives a s*** about
           our cause."

Sarafa quickly steps in again.

Sarafa:"Yes, yes! Of course, certainly! No talks with the Road Rovers.
        We understand that completely, General Seneschal."

The other council members nod eagerly. Seneschal calms down, looking
satisfied at the SLA leadership.

Seneschal:"Excellent. Now get your forces moving. Time of the essence
           if we are to achieve victory."

The screen goes dead. There is a moment of silence before Sarafa speaks
up.

Sarafa:"You heard General Seneschal. Our allies need our help, and I
        believe we owe them our assistance."

Leopard:"I still think we can persuade the Road Rovers to join us."

Some of the other sapiens nod their heads, but Sarafa shakes his.

Sarafa:"No, better not. Let's not upset our allies over the matter. But
        if one or more of the Road Rovers do want to defect to us, let
        me know immediately. We might not get them all, but there must
        be a few who are sympathetic to our cause."

Everyone nods their heads in agreement.

Hubert's Laboratory
Road Rover Headquarters
United States of America
31 January
10:14 AM:

The laboratory is cluttered with all kinds of equipment, experiments,
tables with beakers and microscopes, computers, file cabinets and proto-
type devices. Striker is seated on a chair, while propped up on a special
bench is his new cybernetic leg. It has the basic shape and skeletal
structure in place, but it is still being worked on. Exposed wires and
electronic circuits run the length of the advanced prosthetic appendage.
On a table next to the leg is a number of tools, ranging from advanced
programming sticks to basic hammers and wire cutters. Collin and Hubert
are seated on either side of the leg, working on its components. Striker
is busy reading the reports from South Africa.

Hubert:"Wiggle your toes for me, Striker."

Striker does so. The toes on the bionic leg all wiggle except for the
smallest one. Hubert rubs his chin.

Hubert:"So it was the blue one."

He resumes working on the leg. Striker then puts the reports down on his
lap and looks at the two scientists.

Striker:"How long before my new leg is gereed?"

Hubert:"Patience, my boy. Just a few more weeks and you will be up and
        about."

Striker:"Professor, I don't think I have a week. My wife and friends are
         fighting an uphill battle down in South Africa against Franco
         and his Elite Guard while the rest of the world squabbles over
         nothing."

Collin looks up at Striker with curiosity.

Collin:"You call the whole pro-sapien/anti-mutant issue nothing?"

Striker:"Ja, I do. It is all the result of Franco's propaganda machine
         spewing out lies unchallenged and for so insidiously long. And
         to both sides, at that. Both camps have taken up Franco as
         their patron saint, with neither group being able to see that
         he is playing to the other side as well."

Collin:"Then expose him. Show the world that he is really playing a 
        double act. We have that proof your team recovered from Kenya."

Hubert:"Collin, could you pass me some cutters?"

Collin nods and picks up some cutters from the table and gives it to the
Bloodhound. Striker sighs and shakes his head.

Striker:"That won't be enough. The fanatics on both sides will claim 
         that the evidence was made up by the other side to muddy the
         name of their spiritual leader, Franco or Mister F."

Hubert:"I have seen some of those broadcasts, my boy. Maybe you should
        try and show to the world how Franco transforms to Mister F and
        back. After all, he does switch from speaking to the pro-sapien
        camp to addressing the anti-mutant group in a very short period.
        If you can broadcast that period in between, then the world will
        see Franco for the liar he is."

Striker stares at Hubert for a while, then looks off to one side while
rubbing his chin in thought. The two scientists continue to work on the
spaniel's bionic leg.

Radar & Communications Van
Elite Guard First Tactical Brigade
Somewhere Near Ellisras
South Africa
16:09 PM:

The Radar & Communications Van is a sleek, high-tech black truck located
among the other armed forces of the Elite Guard invasion forces. The
interior of the truck consists of single row between two banks of
computers, radars and communications equipment. A few wolf-sapien tech-
nicians are wearing earphones while seated by the equipment they are
operating. A few of the seats are empty at the moment, the earphones
lying on the desks. One of the earphones is still connected to a com
channel that is open. The voices of Seneschal and Diehard can be heard
through the earphones' speakers.

Diehard:"Have you talked to zose SLA fools?"

Seneschal:"Yes, I talked to them yesterday. Haven't you heard that they
           have agreed to our demands?"

Diehard:"I have been busy fighting here against zome real opposition,
         unlike you und your easy time in the west."

Seneschal:"You know, sometimes I get the feeling you don't like me."

Diehard:"I don't, und do not prevent zat you don't know it either. You
         had maneuvered yourself to become appointed as Stalker's re-
         placement the moment zat traitor turned on the Elite Guard vith
         all kinds of smooth talking, yah. I hated you ze moment I saw
         you."

Seneschal:"I've never liked you, either. You acted like a senile old
           wolf because I am simply better than you."

Diehard snorts in contempt.

Diehard:"Vat vere you going to say about the SLA before you started to
         whine?"

Seneschal growls, but then continues to answer Diehard's question.

Seneschal:"They have gladly agreed to help protect the Treasure Ship
           network under the impression that it is to help fund the
           global liberation. Their forces should be moving out to
           their destinations right now."

Diehard:"No objections or suspicions from zeir leadership?"

Seneschal:"None whatsoever. A few of them still wanted negotiations to
           get the Road Rovers to join us, but I made it clear we will
           have none of that."

Diehard:"What?! Are ze still going on about zat?"

Seneschal:"Relax. I read the riot act to them. No negotiations. Full
           stop."

Diehard:"Ach! I knew zis is a big mistake! Ve should get rid of the SLA
         right away, yah?"

Seneschal:"Stop rushing up your blood pressure. The SLA is freeing up
           our troops from guard duty, and the Road Rovers would never
           join our side or convince the SLA otherwise. Besides, we are
           planning to destroy the SLA in the end anyway, so why rush
           it?"

Diehard:"Zere is ze flaw in your plan, Seneschal. The Road Rovers could
         turn the SLA by showing evidence of our Mister F scam. Zey raided
         our base in Kenya, or did you forget zat?"

Seneschal:"You got no proof they ever got evidence from the studio. More
           likely it was destroyed in the eruption."

Diehard:"Und you have got no proof that zey never did."

Seneschal:"Then why haven't they showed the world any of it, yet? I tell
           you now, the only talks the SLA and the Road Rovers will
           engage in is the exchange of bullets. Besides, the Supreme
           General approves of MY idea. What do you say about that?"

Diehard grumbles and concedes the argument.

Diehard:"Fine! I vill go with zis plan. But! I vill send my spies to go
         und keep an eye on the SLA. If zere is even a hint zey are going
         to talk with ze Road Rovers or if ze Rovers do present evidence
         of ze scam, I vill wipe out ze leadership immediately!"

Seneschal:"Suit yourself, but I still say you're getting worked up over
           nothing. I remember how Tesla had warned you not to raise your
           blood pressure like this unless you wanted to suffer a heart
           attack."

Diehard snorts in contempt at the mention of Tesla's name.

Diehard:"Zat old fool? He vas full of hot air. Besides, zat vas over two
         decades ago und I am still alive und very healthy. Now get off
         zis channel! I got IMPORTANT work to do, yah!"

Seneschal:"Whatever."

The line goes dead and the earphones fall silent.

Briefing Room
Jumbo Rover
Windhoek
Namibia
2 February
7:00 AM:

The briefing is mostly empty except for Hunter and the Rover unit he is
addressing: Alpha Team. Alpha Team consists of Arkadiy(a male East Euro-
pean Shepherd), Bard(a female Border Collie/Labrador Retriever), Reese(a
male Irish Terrier), Natsu(a female Shiba-Inu) and Bandit(a male 
Bernese Mountain Dog). They are seated up front and taking notes as
Hunter gives them a briefing.

Hunter:"Okay, I got a special mission for you guys. As you know, since
        yesterday we've been coming up against large contingents of Sapien
        Liberation Army forces while we are attacking Franco's mineral
        smuggling line. We're thinking that the Elite Guard, instead of
        bringing their own forces, are calling on the SLA to do their
        dirty work for them. If we don't do something about it we will
        lose the only weak spot of the invasion force."

Reese(Irish accent):"Och, this SLA has been nothing but trouble for
     us ever since we got pulled into this whole business."

Bard(British accent):"Yeah, they're like an ugly stain that won't wash
     off."

Hunter:"That's why I'm calling on Alpha Team. Late last night our tech
        wizards, with a little help from our friend Miss D, intercepted 
        a transmission between the SLA leadership and one of Franco's 
        generals, a guy called Seneschal."

Arkadiy, the unit leader, speaks up.

Arkadiy:"Was the transmission important?"

Hunter:"Not the transmission itself, nope. It was just a message saying
        the SLA are taking up their new posts. But it was the way the
        message was relayed that it is important. It was bounced off a
        cellphone tower near Zeerust, a town in South Africa that is
        near the Botswana border."

Natsu(Japanese accent):"A cell site? That's not a good method to send
     such important information."

Hunter:"We thought so too, but Colleen suggested that the SLA might have
        rigged the cell tower with their own special transmitter so it
        wouldn't be picked up by anyone other than their own side and
        allies."

Arkadiy:"So what is our mission?"

Hunter:"I want you guys to go to that cell tower and investigate. Check
        for any additions or modifications made to the tower and plant
        a bug so we can listen in on the enemy's conversations. I also
        want you guys to use the tower to trace the calls. We tried
        doing it remotely but something is keeping from tracing any
        transmissions from that tower."

Bandit(Swiss accent):"It doesn't sounds too tough. Actually, it sounds
      kind of boring."

Hunter:"Yeah, we don't think there are any guards posted at the tower.
        But keep your eyes and ears peeled. Franco and his forces have
        sprung a lot of surprises on us so far, so watch yourselves out
        there. Any questions?"

Natsu raises her paw.

Natsu:"Once we trace a location, what should we do?"

Hunter:"Let us know immediately so we can decide a plan of action.
        Otherwise just sit tight. Any more questions?"

No one in the team responds. Hunter smiles and nods.

Hunter:"Cool. All the info you need are in your folders. Happy hunting!"

Arkadiy and his team stand up to salute Hunter, then they start filing
out of the briefing room.

Klu Klux Klan Gathering
Somewhere in Georgia
United States of America
At That Moment:

A gathering of the Klu Klux Klan(KKK) is taking place somewhere in a
clearing within a large forest. A large number of people dressed in white
robes and wearing the distinct cone-shaped masks of the Klan are here
in a festive atmosphere. However, the conversations and several banners
and signs showing anti-mutant messages reveal the true nature of the
gathering. At one end of the clearing is a raised wooden platform with
a white projector screen behind it. The projector itself is located in a
tent with a satellite dish standing outside. On the platform is several
top Klan leaders, one of whom is standing by a microphone. He taps it a
few times to get the crowd's attention.

Klan Leader:"Hear me, brothers and sisters."

The crowd quickly goes quiet as everybody turns to the leader.

Klan Leader:"Hear me. It is time for us to once again hear the inspira-
             tional words of our great visionary, our patron saint, the
             great Mister T!"

A cheer erupts from the crowd as the leader steps back to allow the
projector to place the live transmission on the screen. On the screen
appears the silhouette figure of Mister T and Melanie Malloy, both of
whom are seated and looking towards the camera. Melanie gives a forced
smile as she addresses the crowd.

Melanie:"Good evening and welcome, supporters of humanity, for another
         live interview with Mister T."

The Klan crowd clap hands enthusiastically for a brief moment. Melanie 
turns to Mister.

Melanie:"Mister T, you have been a great inspiration to all humans to
         preserve the natural order. Could you tell us why you took up
         the cause."

Mister T:"I am but a humble servant of the Lord, doing his bidding and
          fighting to preserve the way things should be. When I saw these
          things... these mutants, I was gripped by anger and revulsion.
          Surely the Lord never intended for such beasts to walk on his
          earth, did he?"

The crowd all rumble their agreement and anger.

Mister T:"But thanks to the sins of a few immoral people, these mutants
          now walk among us, taking jobs and houses from simple, humble
          people while boasting so-called super powers. They, no IT,
          claim that they wish to live in 'peace and harmony' with us."

The crowd react with laughter and sarcasm.

Mister T:"Oh, of course some of us tried to accommodate them and what do
          we get? Nothing but contempt for our kind, a desire to over-
          throw us! To make the dog walk the man instead of the man walk-
          ing the dog! You just have to look at South Africa, where the
          mutants are busy swarming over that country, massacring not
          just men, but women, the elderly and the children! Even unborn
          babies are ripped from the womb!"

The crowd reacts with shouts of outrage, disgust and anger.

Melanie:"That is terrible indeed. What are you doing about it?"

Mister T:"Glad you asked. For I, Mister T, have helped coordinate a net-
          work of nations and groups who recognize the threat looming
          over humanity. Money and arms are being funneled around the
          world to help fight this scourge. Our allies in China have
          already sent help to the besieged but deviant South African
          government. Sadly, I cannot say the same about the United
          States of America."

Melanie:"Why is that?"

Mister T:"The US government, unlike its people, is more concerned with
          making peace with these mutants. The current administration is
          filled with liberals who want ordinary, right-thinking and God
          fearing people to take these filthy abominations as 'friends'!"

Jeers come from the crowd.

Melanie:"How do you intend to solve that problem?"

Mister T:"By calling on America's true patriots, the red-blooded people
          of this great nation, to get rid of their toadying government
          like the founding fathers go rid of the British. It is the
          duty of Americans to defend their country from being threatened
          by terrorists, fascists and mutants. So I implore to patriots
          in the US, arise and put in place a true people's government!
          Get of the liberal elites and their mutant masters! Cleanse
          the country and the world, of this abomination against God!"

The Klan members all cheer loudly, clapping enthusiastically. Some of
wave flags and guns around. Melanie turns back to the crowd.

Melanie:"And that concludes our interview with the magnificent visionary
         Mister T. Heed his word and we will beat this scourge!"

The crowd goes wild with rapture, none of them picking up the tone of
disgust in Melanie's voice. When the screen goes dead the Klan begins
to celebrate.

Office of the Secretary-General
United Headquarters
New York City
International Territory
3:31 AM:

Mark Norwood is in his office, where his desk is covered with all kinds
of papers and empty mugs of coffee. His tie is loose and his face is
unshaven. At the moment he is on the phone talking with US President
Barack Obama.

Norwood(into phone):"Yes, Mister President. I saw the broadcast once,
       but it is no different from all the others Franco has made."

Obama(over phone):"True, and I don't expect any better. Problem is
     that there have already been a number of ugly incidents in the
     southern states, and rumors are circulating that a possible coup
     de tat is being planned against the US government."

Norwood(into phone):"That sounds serious, even if it is just rumors."

Obama(over phone):"No doubt. But even if these wild-eyed fanatics
     Franco is stirring up do somehow launch a coup, they will not
     succeed. Americans will never accept a tyrannical government over
     a people's government, and they will fight to keep our freedom."

Norwood(into phone):"Maybe that's what Franco wants."

Obama(over phone):"Excuse me?"

Norwood(into phone):"If a domestic conflict should erupt within the
       United States, then it will probably seriously impact on your
       country's ability to intervene overseas."

Obama(over phone):"You're right. We'll be so busy punching ourselves
     that we'll be ignoring the gorilla in the other corner."

Norwood(into phone):"Meaning Franco will have freer reign to do as he
       likes."

Obama(over phone):"D*****t, Norwood. We need to stop Franco's lies. I
     was told you have evidence of his scheme."

Norwood(into phone):"Yes, we do. But unfortunately it is not enough, or
       as you might say it isn't a smoking gun. It would excellent
       backup evidence, but without conclusive proof that Franco is
       playing everyone for his own it won't convince either the pro-
       sapien nor the anti-mutant groups."

Obama(over phone):"Then what are you or the Road Rovers doing about it?"

Norwood(into phone):"They're working hard to try and find out how to
       expose Franco's scheme. As soon as they find the smoking gun, I
       will let you know."

Obama(over phone):"Please do so... I need to go and meet the Joint Chiefs 
     now. Talk to you later."

Norwood(into phone):"Bye."

Norwood puts the phone down, then rubs his eyes and sighs in exasperation
at the situation.

Cellphone Tower
31 Kilometers West of Zeerust
Northwest Province
South Africa
9:38 AM:

A cellphone tower stands on top of a hill that rises above the grasslands
of the countryside. The tower is seven stories tall and painted in red
and white stripes. At its base is a small shack containing the equipment
to run the tower. A chain-link fence surrounds the tower while a dirt
road leads away from it. Coming in to land nearby is the Jet Rover. The
craft lowers its wheels and lands on the road, taxing up to the tower.
Once it stops and the engine is cut, the side hatch opens and the gangway
is lower. Team Alpha comes out of the Jet Rover, climbing down the steps
onto the ground. Arkadiy looks up at the tower.

Arkadiy:"According to Hunter, this is the tower we're looking for."

Natsu:"Pretty non-descript, wouldn't you say?"

Arkadiy:"That is probably why the SLA and the Elite Guard are using them."

The team walk up the only gate in the fence. A strong lock is in place,
while barbed wire runs the length of the entire fence.

Arkadiy:"Natsu, think you can get that lock open?"

Natsu steps up and looks the lock over for a minute or two, rubbing her
chin in thought.

Natsu:"It's a pretty good lock, but a standard make. I think I can get
       it open."

She digs around in her pockets and pulls out a small wire. She bends it
a few times to make a lock pick, then sticks the end into the lock. After
a couple of seconds of fiddling, the lock clicks open and drops to the
ground. The Shiba-Inu smiles triumphantly as she swings the gate open.

Natsu:"Tada!"

Arkadiy:"Good work. Come on."

They walk through the gate and into the compound, approaching the tower
and its shack. Arkadiy looks the tower over, noting the hatch that leads
to its interior and the shack standing next to it. He then turns to
Reese.

Arkadiy:"Reese, you're the best when it comes to signals. Where do you
         think the SLA is controlling their broadcasts?"

Reese looks the tower over, using his power of cyberpathy to pick up
the signals coming from it. He then points to the shack.

Reese:"In there. I can feel something that isn't originally part of this
       structure."

Arkadiy:"Then let's get you inside."

Arkadiy and Reese walk up to the shack. Ark then kicks the door open to
allow Reese to step inside. Within the shack is a number of sophisticated
eletronics used to run the tower. Reese examines them, keeping his ears
attuned to the various signals coming through here.

Reese:"Lots of chatter. Just the usual phone calls and... wait, I think
       I hear Franco's voice."

Now tuned to the signal, Reese moves closer to the source. He then finds
it: a plastic box hidden in the corner with wires coming out it that are
attached to a signal box.

Reese:"Aha! Found it!"

Arkadiy comes inside and looks at the plastic box Reese is pointing to.

Arkadiy:"Is that it?"

Reese:"Yes. I can pick up the signal carrying Franco's voice."

Arkadiy:"What is he saying?"

Reese:"It's a little unclear, but it sounds like one of his usual rants
       to some human supremacist group."

Arkadiy smiles and pats Reese's should.

Arkadiy:"Then we've found it! Can you track to where it is going?"

Reese:"Not the ultimate destination, but I can now pick up the location
       of the next tower it is being routed to. We can follow it by air
       now without having to stop."

Arkadiy:"Good job, Reese."

The German Shepherd goes outside and motions to Natsu.

Arkadiy:"Bring that bug we've brought. We got the SLA's transmitter."

Natsu:"Coming right up."

Natsu goes into the shack while taking out a small case. She kneels near
the plastic box, examining the wires coming from it. She opens the case
and takes out the bug: a small, clip-on device shaped like a bone. The
Shiba-Inu clips the bug onto the wire.

Natsu:"There we go. It will transmit the signal to us as well now."

Arkadiy:"Good work. Now let's go and follow to where the signal is going
         to."

They all leave the shack, then head out of the gate. Natsu closes the
gate and locks it again. Team Alpha then boards the Jet Rover. The hatch
is closed, the gangway raised and the engines fired up. A few minutes
later the Rover craft lifts off into the sky, leaving behind the tower
as it heads for the next one.

Briefing Room
Jumbo Rover
Windhoek
Namibia
10:12 AM:

Hunter is once again inside the briefing room, this time having given
several Rover units their missions. He is sorting papers on a table
while the teams are filing out when Colleen walks up to him.

Colleen:"Huntie, I think we've made a breakthrough."

Hunter looks up.

Hunter:"What have you got, Colleen?"

Colleen:"Our computer wizards were busy working with bug that Team Alpha
         had planted when they intercepted a broadcast from Franco as
         Mister T. It was a live, and we were able to track it back to
         his war machine in the Elite Guard invasion force."

Hunter:"Now that's good news!"

Colleen:"Yeah, but unfortunately there is a little snag. We couldn't
         gain control of the broadcast, thus cutting off Franco."

Hunter:"Bummer."

Colleen:"But there is good news again. We think the broadcast is routed
         through the cellphone towers to another transmitter owned by
         the SLA. If Team Alpha can locate it and let us gain control of
         it, then we can manipulate the broadcasts from there. We just
         need Ark's team on site to get in there."

Hunter:"Good job. I'll let them know about your discovery. Tell our tech
        wizards to keep it up and find more cracks in Franco's facade."

Colleen:"Will do, Huntie."

Colleen turns around and leaves the briefing room, while Hunter resumes
shuffling the folders around on the table.

Cellphone Tower
5 Kilometers Southeast of Serowe
Central District
Botswana
11:23 AM:

This is a structure similar to the one seen near Zeerust, though it
is owned and operated by a another company and has a different design.
It is standing not far from the road leading to the Serowe in the
distance. The Jet Rover appears from the clouds above and circles
around the tower. Up in the cockpit Arkadiy is at the controls while
Reese sits next to him and the others are seated behind them. Arkadiy
looks at Reese.

Arkadiy:"We're now circling the tower, Reese. You're up."

Reese:"All right."

Reese looks out the side of the cockpit towards the tower below, tuning
his ears and senses to the signals coming from it. The terrier picks up
the transmissions.

Reese:"Nothing much... just some calls by locals... wait, I think I got
       something..."

He concentrates hard to sort out the particular message from all the
other communication traffic.

Reese:"I hear mentions of moving troops and arms... seems a General
       Sarafa is speaking here... I just heard them say something about
       the Elite Guard... Aha! Sarafa just said SLA!"

Arkadiy's ears perk up.

Arkadiy:"Are you sure?"

Reese:"Absolutely, lad... Ah, they just used the name again... I think...
       I think can track it..."

Suddenly Reese claps his paws together, startling some of the team
members.

Natsu:"Geez, Reese! What you are so excited about?"

Reese:"I've followed the signal and found its source! It's a powerful
       transmitter located 400 kilometers to the west!"

Bandit:"Can you actually pick it up that far away?"

Reese:"Why did you think I said it was powerful?"

Bandit:"Touché."

Arkadiy:"That has got to be the location of an SLA base, or even their
         headquarters. Which way is it, Reese?"

Reese listens again to get his bearings, then points westward.

Reese:"That why."

Arkadiy:"Good. Let's go."

Arkadiy takes the Jet Rover out of its circular flight around the tower
and flies west, out towards the Kalahari Desert.

Diehard's Brigade Tank
Elite Guard First Tactical Brigade
Somewhere Near Ellisras
South Africa
11:37 AM:

Sitting in the middle of the massed forces of the Elite Guard is the
command vehicle of General Diehard, a Brigade Tank. The Brigade Tank is
a very large, quad-treaded vehicle (with treads at each corner) which
dwarfs some of the other tanks nearby. It is covered in reactive armor
plating and has a single main turret on the top, which at the corners
are automated minigun turrets. The tank is so big that it sports doors
instead of hatches. Inside the tank has a large, spacious, circular
interior with dozens of computer screens and terminals along with the
usual armament controls. Technicians are working the computers while
the tank crew operate the guns and driving. Diehard is currently
leaning over a communications terminal, wearing earphones and a micro-
phone.

Diehard(into mike):"Zis is General Diehard."

Silhouette(over earphones):"This is Silhouette. You requested that I 
          contact you in case of any potential trouble with the SLA 
          leadership."

Diehard(into mike):"Und...?"

Silhouette(over earphones):"I think that trouble is on its way. We
          have picked up a Road Rover craft flying towards the SLA
          headquarters."

Diehard holds the earphones closer to his ears.

Diehard(into mike):"Are you sure of zis?"

Silhouette(over earphones):"An aircraft shaped like a dog is hard
          to miss, General."

Diehard(into mike):"Listen carefully. Track ze Road Rovers und see
       vat zey do und, more importantly, vat ze SLA doing. If zey
       start fighting, zen just stand back und let them kill each
       other, yah. If ze start talking, zen you have full permission
       to kill zem, yah?"

Silhouette(over earphones):"Including the SLA, General?"

Diehard(into mike):"Especially ze SLA. I vant zem all dead, und I
       definitely vant zeir leaders dead. Every single one! Understood?"

Silhouette(over earphones):"Clearly, General. I will carry out your
          orders to the letter. Silhouette, out."

The earphones go dead. Diehard puts them down, then turns to the other
consoles to continue running his part of the war.

Central District
Botswana
12:38 PM:

The Jet Rover is flying over the Kalahari Desert somewhere in the Central
District province of Botswana. Unlike most deserts, the Kalahari is
covered with vast tracks of light brown grasslands with the occasional 
large tree or bush and giant termite mounds. Inside the cockpit Arkadiy
is following Reese's directions as the Irish Terrier tracks the signals
from the SLA.

Reese:"It's getting stronger and stronger, lad. It can't be much further
       now."

Arkadiy:"Maybe it's beyond this rise."

The Jet Rover comes to a rock-covered hill that rises above the generally
flat desert. Arkadiy slows down and brings the Jet Rover over the hill.
Team Alpha immediately see their destination.

Bard:"That has got to be the SLA base!"

Sitting some distance beyond hill, sure enough, is the main headquarters
of the Sapien Liberation Army. It is a vast camp consisting entirely of
tents. Everything is covered with camouflage netting, ensuring that all
of the SLA's barracks, vehicles, war machines, fuel tanks, ammo depots
and communication huts are hidden from the air. The most prominent
feature is a giant tower with a dish standing next to a big tent, both
painted in light-brown colors. Down below all manner of sapiens are at
work, dressed in military outfits and many of them armed.

Bandit:"So this is where these guys have been hiding out. They got one
        heck of an operation here."

Reese:"I'm picking up a lot of strong signals from that tower. That has
       got to be the SLA's satellite transmitter which is allowing
       Franco to send his broadcasts around the world."

Natsu:"So what's the plan? Do we walk in and blow stuff up? Sneak in and
       blow stuff up? Or just blow stuff up?"

Arkadiy is about to respond when suddenly the radio on the dashboard
crackles.

Voice(over radio):"Unidentified craft! Our radars have sighted you!
     Identify yourself and leave our airspace or we will use force!"

Arkadiy picks up the radio and answers.

Arkadiy(into radio):"This is the Road Rovers."

Natsu:"There goes the sneaking part."

Voice(over radio):"Wait, are you fellows the Road Rovers?"

Arkadiy(into radio):"That's right. Is this the Sapien Liberation Army?"

Voice(over radio):"Depends on what your business is here."

Arkadiy(into radio):"We wish to engage in negotiations between the Road
       Rovers and the Sapien Liberation Army on a possible alliance."

This gets Arkadiy shocked stares from the rest of his team. After a few
seconds of silence the voice on the other end answers.

Voice(over radio):"Hold position. We're relaying the message to the
     leadership council."

Arkadiy(into radio):"Will do."

The radio goes dead, upon which Bard immediately speaks up.

Bard:"Ark, have you gone mad?!"

Arkadiy:"No, I haven't though I did take a big risk there. Hunter told
         me that the SLA has been trying to make us turn over to their
         side, so I'm trying to bluff our way into their base."

Natsu:"That's more than a big risk. That's crazy! They're the bad guys!"

Bandit:"And working with the Elite Guard as well!"

Arkadiy is about to respond when the radio crackles again.

Voice(over radio):"Road Rovers, you are cleared to land on the designated
     airstrip. Our leadership wants to meet with you."

Arkadiy(into radio):"Roger that. Landing now."

The radio goes dead again. Arkadiy looks at his skeptical team.

Arkadiy:"Okay, it looks like they've not called my bluff. This should
         allow us to get close to the transmitter."

Reese:"It's still very risky, lad."

Arkadiy:"I know, but it beats the alternative of having to fight our
         way through them all. Now, keep cool everyone."

Arkadiy guides the Jet Rover towards the SLA base. Not far off a crude
airstrip is revealed as workers clear bogus bushes and grass patches
from the surface. Guided by an SLA worker waving colored flags, Arkadiy
guides the Jet Rover down to land on the strip. The craft kicks up a
cloud of dust until it wheels into an available parking space and comes
to a stop. As he powers down the engines, Arkady looks at his team.

Arkadiy:"Follow my lead and don't do anything unless I say so. We don't
         want to start a fight right in the middle of their camp."

The team nod their heads. Outside General Sarafa and several members of 
the leadership council are gathered near the Jet Rover. As Team Alpha
disembarks from the aircraft Sarafa walks up to them.

Sarafa:"Ah, to finally meet the Road Rovers. Brothers and sisters, I
        welcome you to the Sapien Liberation Army. I am General Sarafa,
        the leader of the SLA."

Sarafa holds out a paw, which Arkadiy takes and shakes.

Arkadiy:"Thank you, General Sarafa. I am Arkadiy, and these are my 
         comrades Bard, Reese, Natsu and Bandit."

The team members greet Sarafa as their names are mentioned. Sarafa smiles
each time.

Sarafa:"A pleasure to meet you all. Now, you said you wished to join the
        liberation?"

Arkadiy:"Dah, general. But let's discuss this in private."

Sarafa:"Of course, of course. Please follow me."

Sarafa leads the group towards the main headquarters while the Road Rovers
draw admiring attention from the other sapiens. They also draw hostile
attention. On the hill the Jet Rover had flown over a pair of Elite Guard
stealth soldiers were hiding in the bushes, looking at the scene down in
the camp.

Soldier 1:"You see that? They're treating them like the lost son. Just as
           we were warned they would do."

Soldier 2:"I never liked working with these idiots. Do you think we'll
           finally get the chance to kill them and rid the Elite Guard of
           their stench?"

Soldier 1:"I'll call the captain and let her know."

The second soldier nods while the first one takes out a radio and makes
the call to Silhouette.

Kalahari Desert
25 Kilometers East of SLA Headquarters
13:09 PM:

There is is very little, if anything, to make this part of the Kalahari
any more distinct from the rest of the region. A lone rhinoceros is
trotting through the tall grass. Suddenly the rhino bums into an invisible
objects that produces a loud metallic bang and causes the beast to stumble
back in a daze. Once it recovers and shakes its head clear the rhino
stares towards the empty space it collided with. What the rhino can't see
is that an Elite Guard combat unit is being hidden by a Cloak Tank. A 
number of Battery Buggies, Rhino Tanks, Armored Soldier Carriers and a 
few Templars and Vulture Fighters are hidden with only a vague, shimmering 
outline visible. All of the soldiers and crews are hiding in their 
vehicles to remain invisible from prying eyes. Sitting inside the cockpit 
of her parked Vulture is Silhouette. She is listening to her scout at the 
SLA base.

Silhouette(into radio):"So there is no fighting going on?"

Soldier 1(over radio):"Negative, captain. The SLA leaders welcomed them
         with open arms."

Silhouette(into radio):"Then that's it. You two hold position until we
          arrive and prepare for combat."

Soldier 1(over radio):"Yes, Ma'am!"

Silhouette then switches her radio over to the frequency of her unit.

Silhouette(into radio):"This is Captain Silhouette. All units prepare
          to move and ready for combat. Our target is the Sapien Libe-
          ration Army headquarters to the east. Everyone will remain
          cloaked and no fire a shot until I give the order. Understood?"

Acknowledgements from the officers below her command can be heard over
her earphones. She nods in satisfaction.

Silhouette(into radio):"All units, advance!"

The wolf-sapien female puts on her pilot helmet and starts up her craft.
All around engines roar to life, causing clouds of smoke to billow out 
of the cloak shield as if appearing out of nowhere. A few minutes later 
the combat unit moves out, kicking up a big dust cloud and leaving the
rhino to snort and stare in confusion at the scene before it.

Council Room
Sapien Liberation Army Headquarters
13:12 PM

Team Alpha is brought into the council room of the SLA and are invited
to sit down around the table alongside the leadership. The big screen
is currently switched off. Arkadiy and Sarafa sit next to each other.

Sarafa:"First, let me express my joy that you have decided to hold these
        talks with us. We have been trying to convince you Road Rovers
        to join our cause, but all our efforts have been thwarted by
        your human slave masters."

Arkadiy:"Dah, I can understand why you would want an alliance between
         the Road Rovers and the SLA. It would strengthen both of us in
         our fight against the enemy. In fact, we were contemplating an
         alliance ourselves."

Sarafa(surprised):"Is is that true? All our reports say that there was
      no effort from your side to even talk with us."

Arkadiy:"Dah, it's true because of one serious problem. The Elite Guard."

The SLA leadership is surprised. The rhino sapien holds up his hand.

Rhino:"Now hold on. How come our alliance with the Elite Guard is a 
       factor? They are our allies. Our comrades in the liberation."

Arkadiy:"The Elite Guard cannot be trusted, comrade. General Franco is
         not fighting for your liberation, he is fighting for himself.
         Some of our members have fought against him in the distant past
         and all evidence points to the fact that this invasion of his
         is simply for his own goals."

The female leopard next to Sarafa looks skeptically at Arkadiy.

Leopard:"I find that hard to swallow. The Elite Guard has given us the
         means to fight against our human oppressors. Franco inspiring
         our allies in other countries to rise up against the hairless
         slave masters."

Natsu:"As the Mister F, who is also the one inspiring the humans to rise
       against our kind as well?"

The Rhino snorts derisively.

Rhino:"That one? He is simply a copycat who wants to discredit our good
       friend. General Franco doesn't need an alias. The whole world can
       see who he is when he is making his broadcasts."

Natsu:"And have you ever seen the broadcasts of 'Mister F'."

Rhino:"When you have seen one, you have seen them all."

Natsu:"Well, here is some news. Franco IS that same Mister F."

Several gasps and shouts of outrage emit from the leadership. The leopard
jumps to her feet.

Leopard:"I refuse to believe such slander!"

Arkadiy immediately looks at Natsu, scowling.

Arkadiy:"Natsu, stop talking."

Natsu, now embarrassed, closes her muzzle. Arkadiy turns back to Sarafa.

Arkadiy:"I do apologize, but Natsu sometimes tends to express herself a
         bit too much."

Sarafa:"I accept your apology, but I must warn you not to make such wild
        accusations again without proof."

Arkadiy:"What if I said we can provide such proof?"

Sarafa:"If you can provide convincing proof, then perhaps we might re-
        consider our relationship with the Elite Guard."

Leopard:"Not that we think such proof exists. Franco is above suspicion."

Bandit(to himself):"Wow, these guys take tail-kissing to a whole new
      level."

Arkadiy:"We can provide it, comrade general. In fact, the proof is right
         under your noses."

Sarafa:"Oh?"

Arkadiy:"Dah. You have a satellite transmitter here, correct?"

Sarafa:"Yes, we do. In fact, it is probably one of the most powerful on 
        the continent."

Arkadiy:"And Franco relays his broadcasts via this transmitter."

Sarafa:"He asked us and we were more than happy to help spread his word
        of liberation."

Arkadiy:"Did you ever check to see what broadcasts he was sending via
         your transmitter?"

Rhino:"No, and why should we? You don't go invading someone's privacy
       for curiosity’s sake. Especially not an ally like Franco."

Arkadiy:"Then perhaps you mind need to take a second look, comrades. If
         you can give us access to your transmitter we can prove to you
         all that Franco has been deceiving you."

The SLA leadership all look skeptically at Team Alpha.

Sarafa:"Are you certain about this?"

Arkadiy:"Dah, general. We can prove it. After all, there can be no
         alliance between the Road Rovers and the Sapien Liberation Army
         as long as the Elite Guard is on your side."

Sarafa stares at Arkadiy for a minute before leaning back.

Sarafa:"We will discuss your request, Arkadiy. Please wait outside until
        we have reached a decision."

Arkadiy:"Very well, comrade."

Sarafa signals to the guards, who come up to Team Alpha just as they rise
up from their seats. As the leadership council begins talking among
themselves and Team Alpha is escorted out, Bard leans close to Arkadiy
and whispers.

Bard(whispering):"You're taking a heck of a lot of chances, Ark."

Arkadiy(whispering):"I know, but it's working. Now we just need access to
       the transmitter."

Bard(whispering):"I hope they do allow that. I'm afraid they might want
    to ask their buddy Franco first."

Arkadiy(whispering):"It's a risk I'm willing to take. Just trust me."

Bard nods, but still looks somewhat unconvinced.

Neo-Nazi Rally
Somewhere in Black Forest
Germany
13:24 PM:

Deep within a clearing in a forest nestled in the southern mountain
ranges a large number of people have gathered for a neo-Nazi rally.
Everywhere there are banners and posters proclaiming anti-mutant messages
in German amongst flags bearing the swarztika. At the one end of the
clearing is a large television screen with a stage in front. At the
moment everyone is chatting to each other. On the stage one of the rally
organizers is talking to the technician operating the screen.

Organizer:"How long before Mister F makes his broadcast?"

Technician:"I've received notice he will make his broadcast at half-past
            the hour."

Organizer:"Guht! Make sure the equipment is in working order while I get
           our comrades together to hear our benefactor."

Technician:"Jawol!"

The technician sprints off the stage while the organizer goes and speaks
to his fellow organizers.

Resistance Gathering
Somewhere in the Amazon
Northwest Brazil
At That Moment:

The Amazon jungle is a green carpet that stretches for kilometers in all
directions, broken up by the occasional river. A cloud layer hangs over 
the jungle, depositing a light drizzle. Hidden amongst the jungles is
the remains of an old Inca settlement. Most of the elaborate and well-
built ancient buildings are still standing, but have long been taken
over by the jungle. The ruins are not abandoned, however. A large number
of sapiens have set up camp here, using the ruins not only as a shelter.
A number of the structures are being used to store weapons, ammo and
all kinds of combat gear. Many of the sapiens on guard duty are armed
with automatic rifles and vests. At the moment most of them have gathered
in the Inca temple, a spacious dome structure now being used as a
meeting hall. Aside from modern additions such as communication systems,
computers and terminals, a large TV screen has been erected over the
altar. Most of the sapiens are seated in front of the TV, mostly chatting
to each other. Two sapiens, a python and a monkey, are busy talking to
one another in Spanish.

Python:"How long will it take? I am eager to hear more from our great
        benefactor, General Franco."

Monkey:"It won't be long now. They told me he will come on in the next 15
        minutes. And never misses a deadline."

Python:"I've heard the human scum also have a Mister F who some say is
        just like Franco in his speeches."

The monkey scoffs at the idea.

Monkey:"A mere copycat. The humans are becoming desperate. They know our
        time is coming, and coming soon."

Python:"Yessss. Very soon."

They continue talking, their conversation lost in the din of the noise
inside the temple.

Council Room
Sapien Liberation Army Headquarters
13:28 PM

The SLA leadership have finished their discussion on Arkadiy's requests,
though many of them are frowning. Team Alpha is ushered in by the SLA
guards are brought to Sarafa. Arkadiy stands in front of Sarafa.

Sarafa:"We have discussed the matter and reached a conclusion."

Arkadiy:"And that is...?"

Sarafa:"We will give you access to our transmitter so you can try and
        prove your case. However, this will be done under our conditions."

Arkadiy:"What is that, comrade general?"

Sarafa:"If you don't turn up any evidence within 30 minutes that back
        your claims, we will consider the matter closed and you will not
        bring it up again. If you do, we will be forced to take you all
        prisoner until we can decide what to do with you."

Arkadiy nods his head.

Arkadiy:"I believe that is enough. We accept, General Sarafa."

Sarafa:"Good. Can one of your team members work on the transmitter?"

Arkadiy nods, pointing to Reese and Natsu.

Arkadiy:"Reese and Natsu. Reese is good at picking up signals and Natsu
         is an expert on electronics."

Sarafa:"Very well. Give them your instructions and I will have them taken
        to the transmitter."

Arkadiy nods, then walks up to Reese and Natsu.

Arkadiy:"I want you two to link up the transmitter with the Jumbo Rover
         so that Hunter and the others can have access too."

Reese:"Aye, lad."

Natsu:"Will do."

Arkadiy nods in satisfaction. Sarafa signals to a pair of guards. They
come up and then escort Natsu and Reese out of the council room while
the rest of Team Alpha take up seats. Natsu and Reese are taken outside
to the giant transmitter that stood just outside the leadership tent.
Like the cellphone towers the transmitter also has a hut housing its
electronic equipment, though it is larger. A guard is on duty outside
the hut and is watching the group approaches him.

Escort Guard:"The council has granted these two access to the transmitter.
              Let them in."

Hut Guard:"Okay, let me just get the keys out."

The hut guard digs around in a pocket for a few seconds before pulling out
a keyring with many keys on it. He searches for the right key, then uses
it to unlock the door of the hut. The door swings open.

Hut Guard:"There you go."

Reese:"Thank you."

Reese and Natsu enter the hut while the guards wait outside, looking in
to make sure the two Road Rovers don't misbehave. Natsu and Reese look
around the hut. It is filled with all kinds of computerized equipment
to operate the transmitter and to recieve/send out transmissions and
signals.

Natsu:"Reese, which one of these systems is hooked up to the Elite
       Guard's own channels?"

Reese concentrates, closing his eyes and flicking his ears as he tries
to sort out the various transmissions. After a few minutes he opens his
eyes and points to one signal box.

Reese:"That one, lass. I can pick up Elite Guard com chatter from it."

Natsu:"Let's have a look."

They go up to the signal box. Natsu takes out her tools and opens the
signal box. Inside is a computer terminal that is currently running.

Natsu:"I think you got something."

She begins typing away on the keypad and looking at the readings that
appear on the screen above it. After a while the Shiba-Inu snaps her
fingers in triumph.

Natsu:"Yes! I got it!"

Reese:"Got what?"

Natsu:"A possible channel for HQ to link up for a direct connection
       into the Elite Guard network."

Reese:"Let's get hold of Hunter."

Natsu:"Go for it. I'll give them the info needed to make the link."

Reese digs out a bone-shaped handheld phone, dials a number and makes
the call. The guards watch with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Hut Guard:"Hey, who are you calling?"

Reese:"Our superiors, lad. Our Road Rover friends want access to one
       of your feeds."

Hut Guard:"What for? Spying?"

Reese:"If it was for spying, then why would I be telling you about it?"

The hut guard feels a bit sheepish while his compatriot chuckles. Reese
then hears his call answered and holds the phone to his head.

Computer Room
Jumbo Rover
Windhoek
Namibia
13:35 PM:

The computer room is a portion of the Jumbo Rover's lower deck that has
partitioned to make a single room. As expected it is filled with banks of
computers, terminals and screens with seats for the operators and plenty
of air conditioning. At the moment most of the Road Rovers' computer 
experts are working here. Hunter is standing by Corsair and holding a
phone to his ear. He is speaking to Reese.

Hunter(into phone):"Yeah, we're working on it right now."

Corsair:"Ask him to have Natsu check what its local area network name
         is."

Hunter repeats the question to Reese, then waits while they get the info
on the other side. A few moments later Hunter gets the reply.

Hunter:"He says it's called the Liberation Network."

Corsair:"How original. Let's see..."

Corsair types and clicks away at the computer keyboard and mouse. After
a few moments some feedback appears on the screen.

Corsair:"I think I got something here. Tell them to switch the second
         and fourth wires and then enter our IP and network name."

Hunter relays the information back to Reese and Natsu. Again they wait
for a few minutes before Hunter gets a reply.

Hunter:"Done."

Corsair:"Okay, time to see if we've hit the jackpot."

Corsair works on the computer again and then waits for feedback. It
appears on the screen in the form of a video feed. On the video one can
see Franco as the darkness-shrouded Mister F as he prepares for his
next broadcast. Hunter grins and Corsair claps his hands in triumph.

Corsair:"Bingo, baby!"

Hunter:"Looks like we've caught Franco on candid camera."

Corsair:"More than that. This is a live feed from Franco's own camera
         crew outside their broadcasting time. So he may think the cameras
         aren't rolling, but they are for us."

Hunter:"Can they trace it?"

Corsair:"Not unless they make a deliberate check. Right now the signal
         is being sent to us like one of his live transmissions, so they
         won't catch on too quickly."

Hunter:"I'm going to get hold of the Master. I want him to see this."

Corsair:"Gotcha, boss."

Hunter goes over to another computer while Corsair watches Franco on the
video feed.

Briefing Room
Road Rover Mission Control
United States of America
A Few Minutes Later:

Striker comes into the briefing room, walking on crutches with his new
leg wrapped in bandages and plaster. He joins the Master and Professor
Hubert, who are seated around the table. On the screens are the images of
Hunter and Norwood with the live feed showing Franco on the centre screen. 
Striker sits down and leans his crutches against the table.

Striker:"Wat do we have?"

Master:"The Rovers have managed to infiltrate the SLA headquarters and
        got us connected to Franco's broadcast studio."

Striker:"Wag, so this live?"

Master:"Yes, it is."

Striker looks at the central screen, where a female wolf-sapien is busy
making the final adjustments to Franco's disguise.

Striker:"And that's Franco?"

Norwood:"Every despicable inch of him. He's disguised as Mister F and
         getting ready to make another propaganda performance."

Striker frowns, watching as the make-up artist steps back and Franco
clears his throat. From somewhere off screen the producer speaks.

Producer(off screen):"And we're live in three... two... one!"

Franco:"Fellow humans! True blood brothers and sisters! I come to you
        once again to bring you news of..."

As Franco AKA Mister F starts to make his speech Striker quickly looks
at Hunter.

Striker:"Can you guys put that on the air?"

Hunter:"It's already on the air, Striker."

Striker:"Nee. I mean, can you have this broadcast put on every single 
         television network in the world? We have to let the world see
         this."

Everyone looks at Striker.

Hubert:"Wait. You want Franco's broadcast to appear on every television
        set in the world?"

Striker:"Ja. We have to show the world that Franco is deceiving the
         whole planet and causing this whole anti-mutant/pro-sapien mess."

Norwood understands what Striker means, his eyes brightening.

Norwood:"Yes, yes! That's right! If Franco takes off his Mister F disguise
         while still on the air it will blow open the whole scheme! This
         is the smoking gun we've been looking for!"

The others also catch on to the idea. The Master quickly looks at Hunter.

Master:"Get this broadcast onto every and all channels, Hunter! Quickly!"

Hunter:"You got it, Master!"

Hunter quickly vanishes from the screen. Everyone else can now only watch
as Franco makes his speech.

Times Square
New York City
United States of America
At That Moment:

It is early morning over Times Square in New York City, but already it is
bustling with pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Large advertisement bill-
boards are on virtually every building and tickers are giving the latest
market updates. The giant screen in Times Square is currently showing an
ad for a big soft drink company. Suddenly the advertisement vanishes into
static, only to be replaced by Franco's broadcast a few seconds later.
Down below a taxi driver standing next to his yellow cab sees this new 
broadcast.

Taxi Driver:"Whoa! Who's that weirdo?"

Soon pedestrians and drivers alike stop and look up at the screen as 
Franco's words echo throughout Times Square.

Sports Bar
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
At That Moment:

The sports bar is packed with fans watching their team playing a football
match against another country. When the screen switches to Franco's visage
there are cries and shouts calling for the game to be brought back. The
bar tender tries to change channels, but every channel is showing Franco
and broadcasting his words.

BBC Headquarters
London
United Kingdom
At That Moment:

In the newsroom everyone is surprised as every single one of their 
television screens switch to show Franco. News anchors are trying to
explain to the audiences the situation, unaware that, they too, have
been replaced by Franco. Off camera the news editors are furious and
shouting at the technicians.

Editor:"What the bloody h*** is going on?!"

Technician:"I don't know! Every channel is showing the same thing!"

Editor:"Fix it, d****it! Fix it now!"

The technicians scramble to try and get the BBC's channels back while
Franco's speech continues.

Television Shop
Shanghai
China
At That Moment:

It is late at night in the Chinese city and the commercial district is
almost deserted. A police officer on patrol is standing at the display
window of a television shop, but he isn't looking for thieves. Every
single television on display is showing Franco.

Neo-Nazi Rally
Somewhere in Black Forest
Germany
At That Moment:

The crowds are cheering as they watch "Mister F" on the big screen. They
are clapping hands, cheering and whistling.

Franco(on screen):"Never let it be said that mankind gave away its
      rightful place at the top of creation! All creatures are subjective
      to the rule of humanity! That is the order of the universe!"

The crowds give a roaring cheer that can be heard deep into the forest.

Resistance Gathering
Somewhere in the Amazon
Northwest Brazil
At That Moment:

Inside the temple the gathering crowd of sapiens are watching with wide
eyes as "Mister F" appears on the screen before.

Monkey:"Who is that guy?"

Python:"It's that Franco copycat Mister F!"

Loud boos and jeers erupt from the crowds along with rude gestures and
angry fist waving. But Franco's speech continues uninterrupted.

War Room
Union Buildings
Pretoria
Republic of South Africa
At That Moment:

Inside the makeshift war room within South Africa's seat of power everyone
is gathered around the television sets. Again, Franco is on the screens
making his anti-mutant speech. President Vorster comes into the room and
looks around.

Vorster:"Reg, what is going on here?"

Intelligence Minister Hangana turns to the president.

Hangana:"You had better see this, Mister President."

Vorster walks over to the group and looks at the television. He frowns 
when he sees the figure known as "Mister F".

Vorster:"Who is that?"

Hangana:"It's that anti-mutant campaigner Mister F."

Vorster:"That silly-looking fool? I thought he was just some kind of joke 
         put on the Internet for amusement."

Hangana:"He looks very real, Mister President."

Vorster:"He also appears to be rambling."

Vorster frowns some more, concentrating on the voice coming from the
figure.

Vorster:"Though that voice sounds familiar..."

Nonetheless, Vorster continues to watch Mister F's speech along with the
rest of his government.

Council Room
Sapien Liberation Army Headquarters
At That Moment:

The SLA leadership is watching Mister F as he nears the end of his speech
on the big screen in the room. None of the council members make any
effort to hide their disgust at the anti-mutant diatribe. Sarafa turns
to Arkadiy with an angry look.

Sarafa:"How long must we sit here and listen to this nonsense?"

Arkadiy:"Just be patient, comrade general. The truth will be revealed
         soon."

Sarafa:"And if it is not?"

Arkadiy:"Then I will apologize for any inconvenience."

Sarafa:"D*** right it is inconvenient!"

They continue to watch Mister F as he winds down his speech.

Computer Room
Jumbo Rover
Windhoek
Namibia
13:51 PM:

Every Rover in the room is now just watching as Mister F makes the last
few statements of his speech. A few others have now come in to join in
the viewing. Colleen leans closer to Hunter to whisper.

Colleen(whispering):"Blimey, I'm really hoping he screws up."

Hunter(whispering):"I think he will. I'm feeling lucky today."

Colleen(whispering):"Let's hope it isn't bad luck."

They keep watching.

Mister F:"So arise, humanity! Rise up and ensure our rightful place in
          this world! Let us show these foul abominations that they
          cannot and never will dethrone us from our position given to
          us by God and destiny! Arise, humanity! Arise!!!"

With that Mister F raises a triumphant fist into the air, which he holds
for a few seconds. At that point the producer can be heard speaking off
screen.

Producer:"Three... two... one... and we are off the air."

Corsair:"That's what he thinks."

The lights come on, showing Mister F with a rubber mask over his head. 
He grabs the mask and peels it off, exposing his ears and then his face 
and muzzle. Mister F is now revealed to be General Franco.

Franco:"Finally... this stupid mask was getting too hot."

Producer:"Still a brilliant performance, Supreme General. I'm sure the
          humans have been energized by your speech."

Franco:"Considering how gullible they have been I would not be surprised.
        And now it's time to do the same with the sapiens."

Every Rover in the room is grinning widely with triumph.

Corsair:"Ha! We got him!"

Hunter:"Yet another expected twist! Awesome!"

The Rovers start cheering and clapping paws/hands together in high-fives
while Franco is still oblivious to what is happening.

Neo-Nazi Rally
Somewhere in Black Forest
Germany
At That Moment:

The crowds give a collective gasp of shock and horror as Mister F reveals
himself to be General Franco.

Neo-Nazi 1:"He's a mutant!"

Neo-Nazi 2:"Nein, it can't be! It has to be a trick!"

Very quickly two camps form, one claiming it to be a trick and the other
claiming they have been deceived. Despite the rally organizers' attempts
to keep people calm, tempers quickly flare up and several fist fights
break out. Within a short while the entire rally has descended into what
can only be described as a riot.

Resistance Gathering
Somewhere in the Amazon
Northwest Brazil
At That Moment:

Like their human counterparts, the sapiens gathered are just as horrified
at the revelation of Mister F as being their patron General Franco.

Monkey:"This... this cannot be!"

Python:"We hasssss been deceived! It was all liessss!"

Several of the sapiens break down in tears while others flee into the
jungles, but most of them are too shocked to do anything but stare at
the screen where Franco's make-up team is getting him ready.

Klu Klux Klan Gathering
Somewhere in Georgia
United States of America
At That Moment:

This is similiar to the earlier Klan gathering held here, only now the
Klan members have also witnesses the stark revelation of the lie that
is Mister F/General Franco. There are angry shouts and cries of feeling
betrayed and lied to. One of the Klan leaders grabs a microphone and
tries to calm the crowds.

Klan Leader:"Brothers, sisters! Please calm down!"

This turns out to be a mistake, as the crowd quickly turns their anger
towards the leadership up on the stage.

Klan Member 1:"You! You did this! You deceived us!"

Klan Leader:"What! That's not true! We didn't..."

Klan Members 2:"Liars! The whole lot of you!"

One Klan members then waves around a bale of rope in his hands.

Klan Members 3:"Let's hang 'em!"

Instantly the crowd surge towards the stage. The frightened Klan leaders
try to escape. A few of them managed to get away while being pursued
by the Klan members, but the rest are grabbed by the furious lynch mob
on the stage.

War Room
Union Buildings
Pretoria
Republic of South Africa
At That Moment:

Everyone but Vorster is surprised at the exposé of General Franco, but
the South African president just snorts and shakes his head in contempt.

Vorster:"General Franco. I knew that voice was familiar."

Safety and Security Minister Grace Haddan turns to Vorster, as does the
rest of his government.

Haddan:"What should we do, Mister President?"

Vorster shrugs.

Vorster:"We continue what we are doing now: defending South Africa from
         the clutches of Franco and his mutant army. Let the rest of the
         world deal with the shock of being led around the nose."

Vorster turns around and exists the room, leaving his ministers and staff
to stare after him. They then slowly return to work, switching off the
televisions.

Briefing Room
Road Rover Mission Control
United States of America
At That Moment:

Everyone in the room and on the screens are jubilant as Franco prepares
for his next speech, still not knowing what had happened.

Norwood(on screen):"That's it! The whole thing has been exposed as one
       big lie. And with the evidence collected in Kenya I can finally
       get all the world's nations back together again."

Master:"When are you going to present it, Norwood?"

Norwood(on screen):"I'm going to give everyone an hour or so to absorb
       this revelation, then give a live speech presenting the evidence
       of Franco's deception."

Just then on the main screen another voice suddenly shouts off screen.

Voice(off screen):"We're still on the air!"

This immediately makes Franco look up from his speech papers.

Franco(on screen):"What's this?"

Producer(off screen):"What are you babbling about?"

Voice(off screen):"We're on every channel right now! Sky, BBC, CCTV,
     CNN! Everybody in the world is watching us!"

Producer(off screen):"That's absurd. We're not broadcasting right now."

While the arguments continue on the screen, Striker looks at Hunter on
the other.

Striker:"Hunter, ask Corsair if he can connect my Watchcom to where
         Franco is. I want to have a word with him."

Hunter(on screen):"Will do, Striker."

As Hunter turns away the Master looks at Striker.

Master:"What are you planning to do, Striker?"

Striker:"I think I am going to pull Franco's whiskers, just for old
         time's sake."

Master:"That might a little unwise."

Striker:"So is this whole master plan of his."

Master:"Touché."

Just then Hunter appears back on the screen, giving a thumbs up.

Hunter:"You're on, Striker."

Striker brings up his Watchcom and switches on the communicator. He
starts to speak while looking up at the screen showing Franco.

Striker:"Hello there, General."

On the screen Franco stands up, looking around in bewilderment.

Franco(on screen):"What? Who is this?"

Striker:"Don't you recognize me? I'm the one who put that bullet that in
         your head."

Franco frowns and bares his teeth.

Franco(on screen):"Striker. I am looking forward to the day that I will
      return the favor."

Striker:"I very much doubt that, Franco. Especially now that you have been
         exposed as a fraud to the whole world."

Franco(on screen):"Ridiculous. They couldn't possibly..."

Producer(off screen):"He's right! Our broadcast has been comprised! The
        world saw you take off your Mister F disguise, sir!"

Franco(on screen):"You had better not be joking!"

Producer(off screen):"Look at this television, sir!"

Franco looks at a television off screen. The look on his face goes from
smug assurance to shocked realization. His eyes go wide and his mouth
drops open.

Franco(on screen):"No..."

Striker:"Ja, Franco. Glimlag for the camera, because everyone is watching
         you."

Franco flies into a rage, throwing his mask to the ground and roaring
with fury.

Franco(on screen):"D*** YOU, STRIKER!!! D*** YOU TO H***!!!"

Suddenly Franco clutches his head and doubles over as if in a great
amount of pain.

Franco(on screen):"Aaarrgg... the pain... stupid bullet..."

Striker:"I am so happy to hear you are enjoying yourself, Franco."

Franco stands up again, holding his head with one paw and pulling out a
firearm with the other. Screaming in anger, he fires at the camera. An
instant later the screen goes to static. Striker is smiling as he turns
his Watchcom off.

Striker:"Franco just made a fool of himself in front of the whole world."

Norwood(on screen):"In that regard he hasn't changed much. But I'm glad
       he's been exposed as a fraud. Now we can get the world back to-
       gether and stop his Elite Guard."

Master:"Let's first wait and see what the rest of the world does after
        this broadcast."

They all nod in agreement, looking at the blank screen where Franco had
been displayed.

Sapien Liberation Army Headquarters
Central District
Botswana
At That Moment:

Inside the council tent the leadership of the SLA are staring at the
blank screen where Franco had been seconds earlier. They are all in a
state of shock and disbelief, their faces pale. Some of them are trying
to say something, but very few of them utter more than a few words.
Sarafa is the only one who manages to say something.

Sarafa:"I... I don't believe it... Franco... he's used us... he's used
        us..."

Arkadiy puts a paw on Sarafa's shoulder.

Arkadiy:"I'm sorry about this revelation, comrade, but we had to let you
         see for yourself that Franco had been using you."

Sarafa:"But... but is this is so unreal..."

Bard:"Oh, but it is as real as you can get, general."

While the SLA leadership is still recovering from the shock, outside at
the main gate into the camp a pair of hyena sapiens are busy chatting
to one another.

Hyena 1:"I wonder if the Road Rovers will be joining the liberation?"

Hyena 2:"I sure hope so. With them and the Elite Guard on our side, we
         will finally be rid of Vorster and our human oppressors."

Hyena 1:"Amen to that. Got a smoke?"

Hyena 2:"Sure."

The second hyena takes out a pack of cigarettes. He takes one and offers
another to his friend, who takes it.

Hyena 1:"Got a light?"

Suddenly both hyenas are incinerated by a powerful and sweeping laser
beam. The remain guards are startled to suddenly see Silhouette’s Elite
Guard forces uncloak just meters away from the camp perimeter. Before
they can realize what is going on, the Elite Guard forces open fire upon
the camp. Guard towers and nearby tents are immediately destroyed and
most of the defenders are taken down. The Battery Buggies lay down a
barrage of rockets upon the camp while the Rhino Tanks bulldoze through
the crude wall and barbed wire that surrounds the camp. The Templars
climb over the obstacles and the ASC vehicles follow through the breach,
the soldiers inside firing out at anyone they can see. Vultures fly
overhead, bombing any anti-aircraft guns before they can return fire and
then proceeding to spray bullets into the tents. Inside the council the
leadership snap out of their shock-induced trace and jump to their feet
along with Team Alpha.

Leopard:"What the h*** is going on?!"

Rhino:"Sounds like we're being attacked!"

At that moment Natsu and Reese rush into the tent and run up to Arkadiy.

Natsu:"Ark! It's the Elite Guard! They're attacking the camp!"

Reese:"We have to get out of here, lads! These b******s are shooting up
       everything in sight!"

Arkadiy quickly turns to Sarafa.

Arkadiy:"Come on, general! We need to get you out of here!"

Suddenly something rips the ceiling of the tent open. Daylight reveals
a Templar, using its claw to tear the fabric apart. Before anyone can
react the Templar reaches down and grab the rhino leader. It then flings
the rhino into the sky like a rag doll, the unfortunate sapien screaming
as he is hurled out of sight. The leopard female quickly pulls out a
pistol and aims at the Templar.

Leopard:"You treacherous fiends!"

She begins firing at the Templar, but the giant mech is unfazed by the
bullets harmlessly ricocheting off its metal surface. The pilot then
takes aim at the female with the Templar's laser cannon and fires. The
blast hits the leopard, vaporizing her before anyone can save her.
Bandit acts quickly and teleports himself right on top of the Templar.
He then goes and lies down on top of the cockpit, obscuring the pilot's
view.

Templar Pilot:"Hey! Get off!"

Bandit:"You didn't ask nicely!"

The pilot begins to shake the Templar, trying to make Bandit fall off.
The Bernese Mountain Dog hangs on, though, and looks at Team Alpha.

Bandit:"Go! I'll keep him occupied!"

Arkadiy grabs Sarafa's paw.

Arkadiy:"Come on, comrade! We have to get out of here!"

Sarafa nods, still dazed and trying to take in what is happening all
around him. Arkadiy leads him and Team Alpha out of the tent while the
Templar tries to shake Bandit off. Bandit keeps hanging on, sliding
over the cockpit window. Seeing he is unable to shake Bandit off, the
pilot then tries to grab at him with the Templar's claw. Bandit sees
the claw coming for him and jumps off, landing on a table that collapses
under his weight. Bandit struggles to his feet as the Templar's claw
makes a grab for the Rover. Bandit manages to quickly teleport a short
distance away, just avoiding the claw. The Templar only manages to grab
the broken remains of the table, but then tries to throw it at Bandit.
Bandit makes a run for the exit and just manages to avoid the debris
thrown at him. The Templar begins to pursue him, but then the pilot
sees the remaining members of the SLA leadership trying to get out
through the other exit. It turns towards them, taking aim with its laser 
cannon. Outside Team Alpha emerge to a scene of chaos. The Elite Guard
forces are rampaging all over the camp while the SLA vainly tries to
fight back against their former allies.

Natsu:"We have to get out of here, Ark! Before the Elite Guard gets to
       the Jet Rover!"

Arkadiy:"You're right! Come on!"

Team Alpha makes their way through the mess, dodging past burning
vehicles and collapsed tents. A loud crash makes them look behind them.
A Rhino Tank has smashed through what remains of the council tent and
is now barreling down towards them. A soldier is on the tank's machine
guns and taking aim at the group.

Arkadiy:"Take cover!"

The team ducks behind a burnt-out jeep as the tank's gunner opens fire.
The bullets bounce off the wreckage that is shielding Team Alpha, but
the gunner is keeping them pinned down while the tank is barreling
towards the wreckage. Bard peeks around the edge and sees the tank
coming.

Bard:"That tank's coming right at us!"

Natsu:"I'll deal with it!"

With those words Natsu quickly phases down into the ground. Meanwhile
the tank is closing in fast on the team's hiding while the gunner keeps
firing the machine gun. Natsu comes out of the ground next to the tank
and hops on. The gunner sees her and quickly swings the machine guns
over to aim at her. Natsu swings her leg at the gunner's head in a karate
kick.

Natsu:"Hi-ya!"

Natsu's foot connects with the gunner's face, knocking him back and 
causing him to collapse back down the hatch. Natsu climbs over the
tank until she comes to the driver's view port. The Shiba-Inu pulls out
a tazer, then phases her arm through the tank. Inside the driver is
startled to see an arm "grow" out of the metal skin.

Driver:"What the h***...?!"

Natsu presses the tazer to the driver's chest and presses the button on
it. The wolf-sapien yelps as the tazer zaps him with an electrical current.
He then slumps in his seat in pain, causing the tank to lose steering
and veer off course. Natsu jumps off just before the Rhino ploughs into
a tent and runs up to Team Alpha.

Natsu:"I took care of the tank."

Arkadiy:"Good work, Natsu. Come on, comrades!"

The group gets up and resumes running for the Jet Rover. The Jet Rover is
still intact and sitting by the edge of the runway. The group quickly
closes the distance between them and their means of escape.

Arkadiy:"Keep running! We're almost there!"

Suddenly a pair of rockets fly over Team Alpha's heads and slam into the
Jet Rover. The aircraft explodes in a huge fireball before collapsing 
into a twisted, burning heap of metal. Silhouette's Vulture passes over
them, having bombed the Jet Rover. Everyone looks in shock at the Jet
Rover's burning remains.

Bard:"Professor Hubert is not going to like this. Now what do we do?"

Sarafa:"Follow me, friends! I can see one of our cargo planes is still
        intact!"

The lion points to a makeshift camo-net tent where a C-130 cargo plane
is sitting. Reese looks a little uneasily at the big aircraft.

Reese:"Och, that thing? It doesn't look like a good escape vehicle."

Bard:"Would you rather want to walk back home, assuming the Elite Guard
      don't get us first?"

Arkadiy:"Come on! To the plane!"

Team Alpha follows Sarafa across the runway to the plane. They quickly
rush up the ladder and into the plane. Arkadiy looks at Bandit.

Arkadiy:"Bandit, you had simulator training on how to fly this plane?"

Bandit:"It's been a while, but I think I can handle it."

Arkadiy:"Good. Get this bird in the air, comrade."

Bandit:"On it!"

Bandit quickly runs up to the cockpit and gets into the pilot's seat.
Reese comes and sits down next to him to help out as a co-pilot. The
two of them work as fast as they can to get the cargo plane started. The
engines sputter a few times before the propellers spin up to full speed.
The aircraft begins to slowly roll out from under cover and out onto
the runway. Bandit guides it to the end of the runway and makes a u-turn
to make the plane face the other way.

Bandit:"Here we go!"

He pushes forward on the throttle and the cargo plane rolls down the
runway, going faster and faster. Both the Elite Guard and the SLA are
too busy fighting each other to notice the C-130 as it lifts off the
ground and takes to the skies. But Silhouette spots the cargo plane
as she finishes another a pass over the camp.

Silhouette:"Sacre bleu! You are not getting away that easily!"

She turns her Vulture around and flies after the C-130, leaving the
Elite Guard forces under her command to mop up the pitiful remnants of 
the Sapien Liberation Army.

C-130 Cargo Plane
En Route To Namibia
14:43 PM:

Bandit and Reese bring the C-130 up to a good flying altitude and plot 
a course. Behind it a plume of smoke is the only sign of the SLA camp
it is leaving behind. Inside General Sarafa is making his way to the
back of the plane, followed by Arkadiy and the rest of his team.

Arkadiy:"Where are you going, comrade?"

Sarafa:"To the cargo bay. I want to see if any of my people managed to 
        escape this massacre."

Bard:"I very much doubt that. The Elite Guard are known to be very
      thorough when it comes to killing."

Sarafa:"I still want to have a look."

Arkadiy:"Very well, comrade. But I think it will be necessary to alert
         the rest of your forces of the Elite Guard's betrayal when we
         return to our base."

Sarafa snarls and clenches his fists.

Sarafa:"Definitely necessary."

They make their way to the back of the plane, where the cargo bay doors
are located. Sarafa flips a switch that makes the doors slide open,
revealing the Kalahari landscape below them. At that moment Silhouette's
Vulture flies up into their view, startling the Rovers.

Arkadiy:"Take cover!"

Everyone jumps for some kind of cover as the Vulture's machine guns open
fire on the aircraft. Sparks fly as the bullets ricochet inside the bay
and shoot rows of holes into the plane's skin. Bandit and Reese hear the
noise and try to look out the windows.

Bandit:"What's going on back there?"

At that moment the Vulture turns to the left and begins to fire at the
engine. Though the shots miss, they manage to blow holes along the edge
of the wing. Reese sees the shots.

Reese:"We're being attacked!"

Bandit:"Evasive maneuvers!"

Reese:"In this thing? That's like a cow trying to dodge a fox!"

Nonetheless, Reese helps Bandit in making the plane take zigzags and
sharp turns to try and throw off the Vulture's aim. Inside the cargo
bay everyone holds on as the plane banks left and right. The Vulture
comes in and out of their view, but Silhouette is clearly not being
shaken off. Sarafa is busy digging in his pockets and working on some-
thing that the others don't notice. The Vulture fires again, this time
trying to shoot the tail. Pieces of metal fly as the bullets tear into
the tail of the C-130. Bard tries firing her pistol at the Vulture's
cockpit, but her shots bounce off the angled sides of the enemy air-
craft.

Bard:"Ark! We got to get that pilot off our tails!"

Arkadiy:"I know, but I'm still thinking how we're going to do it!"

Bard:"You better think fast! That pilot is turning us into Swiss cheese!"

Sarafa then comes up to Arkadiy and puts his paw on the German Shepherd's
shoulder.

Sarafa:"I want to thank you Road Rovers for exposing Franco's lies and
        also apologize for all the trouble we have caused."

Arkadiy:"Save it until we are safely back at HQ, comrade!"

Sarafa:"I'm afraid that is not possible. I had to say it now."

Arkadiy(confused):"Why?"

Sarafa:"Because of this..."

The lions suddenly stands up and runs onto the the cargo bay doors. Before
anyone can stop him, Sarafa jumps and flies through the air towards the
Vulture. Silhouette doesn't see the lion until he lands hard on her cock-
pit. The wolf-sapiens stares at Sarafa, who is growling at her through
the windshield.

Sarafa:"You and your treacherous Elite Guard can all go to h***!"

Silhouette:"You first, mon ami!"

Silhouette pushes on the flight stick and the Vulture starts doing a
continuous barrel roll. The Rovers watch with breath caught at the
scene unfolding in the skies. Despite his best efforts, Sarafa even-
tually loses his grip. The lion is flung into the skies before falling
to his doom. The Rovers watch in horror, but Silhouette is watching the
lion-sapien fall with smugness.

Silhouette:"Farewell, General Sarafa. May your landing be hard."

She chuckles, then something on her windshield catches her. She looks at
it and is shocked to see a hand grenade, the pin removed, stuck to her
craft with some putty by Sarafa.

Silhouette:"Sacre bleu!"

The wolf-sapien tries to reach for the ejection seat button, but the
grenade then donates. The blast seriously damages the cock as well as
the one engine. Now billowing smoke, the Vulture spins out of control
and nose-dives towards the ground. Team Alpha watches the Vulture as
it falls until it finally hits earth, exploding in a huge mushroom-
shaped cloud of smoke and debris.

Natsu:"Oh my, the poor general. He sacrificed himself to get that pilot
       off our tails."

Bard:"I guess he really wanted to make up for all the SLA had done to
      help Franco."

Natsu:"So what do we do now?"

Arkadiy:"Let's head home. There is now nothing left for us to do. We've
         done what we've came here for. Close up that door."

Bard:"I'll do it."

Bard goes and flips the level that operates the cargo bay doors, making
them close up. They then head back up to the cockpit as the C-130 makes
its way back to Namibia.

Zhongnanhai
Beijing
Republic of China
3 February
7:02 AM:

Zhongnanhai is the headquarters of the Chinese government, a large red-
tiled building with traditional Chinese architecture. Two banners are
on either side of the building and a pole with the flag of China stands
out front. Right now several APCs are parked outside with Red Army sol-
diers surrounding them. Some of the soldiers are busy leading a number of
government officials, who are members of the anti-mutant faction, out
of the government building for transport to prison.

Brandenburg Gate
Berlin
Germany
4 February 
11:24 AM:

A big march is being held in the streets of central Berlin, near the iconic
Brandenburg Gate. Hundreds of thousands of people, both human and sapien,
are taking part in a big protest against pro-sapien and anti-mutant ideals.
Many of them are holding banners and posters. Police are everywhere to keep
watch, but the march is generally peaceful.

Congress
Washington DC
United States of America
5 February
14:56 PM:

On the steps leading up to the Congress Building, a large throng of people
have gathered. Activists, protestors and journalists are jostling with one
another while police hold them back. A few disgraced senators and lobbyists
are being escorted by FBI officers down to awaiting police cars. One of the
protestors manages to throw a rotten egg at one senator, splattering on the
man's face. The protestor is quickly detained while the humiliated senator
tries to wipe the mess off his face.

Briefing Room
Road Rover Mission Control
United States of America
7 February
8:04 AM:

Once again everyone is gathered here, either in person or on the screens.
The Master, Striker, Hubert and several others are seated around the table
while on the screens are Norwood, Cadwell and Hunter.

Norwood:"All the major world governments are purging themselves of those
         who haven't resigned following the revelations. There have also
         been a number of apologies and offers of reconciliation between
         the world's nations, but I urged them to first worry about dealing
         with Franco."

Cadwell:"We've spoken with our counterparts in the Chinese army and they're
         willing to work with US forces to stop the Elite Guard. Unfor-
         tunately, the South Africans are not willing to cooperate with
         either us of the Chinese."

Hunter:"Why is that?"

Master:"Since you Rovers will be working with the US and Chinese to fight        
        Franco, Vorster jumped to the conclusion that our intervention
        is actually a mutant plot."

Cadwell:"Oh, come on! He can't possibly still believe in the whole anti-
         mutant business! It's been thoroughly discredited!"

Master:"Not really, Major. All the others were motivated by prejudice and
        racism. Vorster, however, is anti-mutant because of the fact that
        the Elite Guard murdered nearly all the members of his family in
        1979. He is motivated by revenge, and that isn't easy to dismiss
        like the rest."

Cadwell:"D***! So now what?"

Norwood:"I still think the US and Chinese should move in. Vorster might 
         not like it, but some of his subordinates and army commanders
         might be more willing to cooperate. At any rate, the South 
         Africans' biggest problem is still the Elite Guard."

Cadwell:"And ours too. The Elite Guard is making good progress and there 
         are concerns in the White House that Franco will get to Pretoria
         before we do."

Norwood:"I'm also worried about that. The Sapien Liberation Army may be
         out of the way and the Elite Guard had to waste resources and
         manpower to not only secure their mineral convoys and get rid
         of any SLA forces close to them, but they are still marching
         pretty much unopposed."

Master:"Then we will have to slow them down. I will have my Rovers use
        any means necessary to do that. They'll blow up bridges, bomb
        passes, set up booby traps along roads and attack any stray
        Elite Guard units. It won't stop them, but it will but slow
        them down."

Norwood:"It's better than nothing. We may have exposed Franco's lies,
         but there is still a big mountain climb before we can say we
         have won."

Everyone nods in agreement.

President's Office
Union Buildings
Pretoria
South Africa
8 February
13:22 PM:

Vorster is at his desk, which is covered with stacks of papers, reports
and empty coffee mugs. The curtains are partially drawn as Vorster goes
through another report. Just then there is a knock on his door. Vorster
answers without looking up with a report.

Vorster:"Come in."

The door opens and an aged man in military uniform walks into the office. 
As he closes the door behind him Vorster looks up. He is confused as the
military officer, who has the ranking of general, comes up to his desk.

Vorster:"Who are you?"

The general salutes Vorster, who simply nods his head.

General:"I am General Frans Bezuidenhout, Mister President. I am here as
         was instructed to me by the previous government."

Vorster:"You mean my predecessor's administration."

General:"No, the previous government. The one before 1994."

Vorster stares the general in surprise, which turns to incredulity.

Vorster:"Wat is this? A joke?"

The generals answers by taking out a sealed letter and offering it to 
the president. Vorster takes the letter, breaks the seal and opens it.
He begins to read what is on it. After only a few seconds his eyes go
wide with astonishment. He looks up quickly.

Vorster:"Is... is this real?"

General:"Very real, Mister President."

Vorster continues reading, now with much more vigor. Franco's veil of
lies has been exposed, the Sapien Liberation Army has been defeated and
the global animosity between humans and sapiens has been resolved. But
the Elite Guard is moving at a good pace towards Pretoria and time is
running out. Will the Road Rovers be able to slow down Franco's forces
to allow US and Chinese forces to move in? Will Franco actually manage
to reach his goal first? And what is this letter given to Vorster?


THE END