“I don't suppose it's too late to turn back now?" Fade asked nervously under his black helmet as they approached the gates of the Coalition State of Texas.
"Not nervous, are we Fade?" She glanced at him, not yet wearing her helmet.
"Yes. That's not what I'm worried about."
"Shut up, we're almost there."
"Yes Ma'am," Fade replied sarcastically.
The radio hummed. "Identify yourself," it demanded.
"This is the 'D-Bee Crusher' Cargo Transport, carrying supplies to the Lone Star Underground Facilities."
A moment of considerate silence followed.
"Come on Randy…" Anim whispered desperately.
"Transmit your clearance code."
Her fingers flew across a small numeric keypad, numbly hoping their order was correct. Her breath paused in the slender corridor of her throat. Fade glanced at Anim, and realized he was not breathing either. So far Randy had come through, if this did not pass…
"Thank you. Proceed to Hangar 16," the voice confirmed.
“Thank you.” With a click the communication ended.
"You know where we're going?"
"Yes," she hesitated. "At least I think I do."
"Now I am getting nervous," Fade said.
"Can't be that difficult."
"No, of course not. It's only a great way to fool D-Bee spies like us."
"We're not spies," she said, looking annoyed.
"Aren't we? We're here to infiltrate enemy secrets. Isn't that what spies do?"
"I…" her eyes narrowed, "damn you! My friends are not enemy secrets."
"Not to us they aren't…"
"Screw the CS!" she cursed furiously at Fade with a harsh glare.
"You know what? That's damn fine with me," Fade said. Then; "look out!"
A smaller cargo ship, traveling at too high a velocity to avoid the path of the Death's Head transport, zipped out in front of them. Anim managed to turn the massive APC aside soon enough to evade disaster.
The radio hummed again.
"Hey there."
"Uh, hi. Sorry about that," Fade said rather uneasily into the receiver.
"No prob. No better way to get someone's attention than to try and hit them."
Anim raised an eyebrow.
"Hey there," she said, leaning forward to assure the clarity of her voice.
"Hey there pretty lady."
She smiled. Fade gazed at her.
"What are you thinking?" he asked quietly.
"Pretty Lady, hm? Answer me this…" she began, putting a finger to her lips. Fade answered her gesture with the appropriate silence.
"And what might that be, my dear?"
Fade might have found the exchange pleasant in any other situation other than the one they were currently in. As it was, the least of it was nervousness.
"What do you know about the ninth level?" she seemingly ventured.
"No more than any other CS fearing Dead Boy."
"Eighth?"
"Plenty of delicate subjects there, my sweet."
"And Seventh…?"
"Oh, Seventh Heaven you mean? Wouldn't that be the last time we…"
'Hai?'
'I believe it would be foolish to speak of such acts in the presence of others,' he stated in fluent Japanese.
With a faint blush, she smiled warmly, 'hmm, no doubt.' She reverted to American. "Randy came through again, Fade. This man's our contact."
Geez, Randy could have at least told me this is how we'd meet, the elf thought tiredly.
And leave you with the illusion of having control? the man over the radio laughed in Fade's mind. Don't be ridiculous.
You could well have knocked.
I could have.
You’re Carl?
You’re well informed.
It’s no mistake I’m here, fellow.
Good. Now be quiet.
Yes sir.
"Lead on," Anim said with good humour.
"Of course."
The crater of a vessel turned around beneath the hull of the considerably larger APC, and headed towards one of the smaller buildings in the State.
"So how have you been, Drake hon? How are the supplies?"
"Not good. Unfortunately, they're planned to ship within the hour. We don't have much time."
"Damnit."
"Hey," his concerned tones offered, "if you want to get together after we deliver, I'm all yours…"
Slowly her face warmed.
"I'd like that. I'd like that a lot." Her face was lit by a soft smile.
I care about you.
I know that. “C’mon, tell me you will.”
Listen honey, would you resent an offer of something a little more involving than, well, you know…
She paused, stunned by the open nature of his statement. I… Ca- um… Drake, I'm not… I mean I'd love to, but… We need to talk. I care about you a lot too, more than I've ever cared for anyone, but things are so… messed up right now. “I’m not so sure.”
“The supplies?"
"Yeah…” We might want to go back.
Did it ever cross your mind that I'd be willing to accompany you.
Anim's face hardened. How can you say that? You know so little about me.
Hey, the way I figure it, anything will be worth the trouble just to be with you.
That's so corny… she smiled warmly, loving the fact that he meant every syllable. And so cool.
Hey, I try. So? Have I got your vote?
I…
It's simple Minako, yes or no.
It's impolite. To call me 'ko', she replied, feeling her eyes mist with emotion. You can be so brutish… but I trust you.
Brutish? I am sorry. Thank you.
There was a time of silence as they flew through Texas, bent on their destination. Anim was not sure what she would do when they rescued Usagi "Okay, land. I'll join you shortly."
"Just don't crash Mr. Drake," Fade interjected.
"Sage advice," the voice replied coolly. "Welcome back."
"Eh, well, thanks."
"No prob. Now, here's the tough part."
That arrogant little loudmouth is going to get us killed, Carl, Anim projected. Are you sure about this? I mean really?
Fade is a wild card I can handle. He wouldn't be alive right now if I wasn't certain of that.
Her eyes fell to the ground. She looked rather uncomfortable. How are we going to do this anyway? How do you know Ami and Usagi aren't already dead?
I don't. I've got to trust my people down there.
With misty vision, Anim leaned against the console. Everything's so damned bleak Carl. I miss my friends, I miss my old life… I…
Sssh, after this, you and I are going to have a long talk. There are some important things you need to know about me.
She gazed up for moment; You're a magical being.
Yes, but it's a little more dramatic than that. I'm a dragon.
Anim did not move, nor did she tense. I know.
You and I do need to talk!
The silent passage of several minutes saw Anim's tears dried. Carl thought, You aren't going to break down on me in there, love…? If you are, you're better off waiting here for us.
Her eyes narrowed. Carl, if you really knew what I've been through to get to this point, you'd know I'd be damned if I didn't see this through. I'm not giving up on them. Not for Karl Prosek, not for any of them.
It is your choice, but know that I will protect you. I swear it.
@~%~~~
For all outward appearances, the upper layers of the stronghold known as Lone Star seemed calm. No expense was spared; the only grunts visible wore the new style light and medium Dead Boy armour. Grunts who sat in the cusps of the towers bore impressive looking rail guns, and even more impressive were the new Smiling Jack SAMAS PAs, and the DeathWings. Carl held a certain appreciation for the level of technology the CS was able to produce from such a small State. The self-sufficiency was primarily a result of technolog
y borne from the Golden Era of Man, before the Cataclysm of the Rifts.
The nine levels were capable of housing several thousand people, complete with manufacturing plants for all necessities, from toiletries right down to the design and construction of old and new SAMAS armors, among other similar technology. With the inclusion of the Genetic Engineering Division, Lone Star represented the most incredible technological achievement of mankind. Also, one of the very few to survive the holocaust. As they approached the entry to the elevators to lower levels, they were set upon by a small group of Dead Boy troopers. The first of the five member squad spoke:
"Greetings Dr. Silver. We've been asked by Dr. Bradford to see that you reach the GECA division without molestation." Not waiting for a response, the squad leader signalled for his grunts to assume a preplanned defensive position about the three.
"Would you prefer I had one of my men handle the SDB?" the trooper asked.
"Why?" Carl asked, curious at the young man's offer.
"If I may say, sir, Private Jarre has some," he cleared his throat, "attitude problems. I would hardly consider him trustworthy."
The unusually piquant ‘Private Jarre’ huffed under his breath: "Figures."
"May I ask your name?"
"Yyone, sir."
"Yyone. Thank you. You may be surprised to learn that Jarre was responsible for the capture of this young female creature."
"Sir? He was stationed at… Chi-Town, correct?" A tone of doubt shone in his voice.
"Yes. She was sent to me by Prosek himself. You understand."
"Yes sir. Of course sir. Sorry sir," the trooper nodded curtly and fell silent. They entered the elevator, which began descending shortly after Carl punched in the appropriate security sequence.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Yyone?"
"Why is the female so attractive if she is evil?"
Anim tensed, snarling faintly. They both seemed to ignore her. Carl said, "You mistake her. She is not evil by nature. She has no more wish to harm you than I. What threatens our race is the multitude of aliens like her. They would overwhelm us by sheer numbers if we did not act to deter them."
"What about her beauty?"
"Being alien does not always mean being unattractive, at least from the human perspective."
"You seem to have a great understanding of these things, sir."
"And you ask many questions. Why is that?"
"I wish to serve the State to the best of my ability. May I speak freely?"
"In front of your squad?"
"They share a similar mindset, sir," he replied with a trace of hesitance.
"Permission granted."
"Frankly, I wouldn't ask these questions of the other doctors, sir. Certainly not Dr. Bradford."
"And why not?"
"He disturbs me."
Carl smiled privately. "Continue."
"Sir, it seems to me that you are the most open to other thoughts. Dr. Bradford's elite are insane, and so his he. I've taken very particular efforts to serve with you."
"Yes, I've noted this, Yyone. Your squad has been quite attentive."
"I've noticed you choose to assist the D-Bees at every chance, rather than conduct experiments."
"What are you implying?" Carl turned to the trooper, face revealing nothing, yet.
"Well, frankly, sir, we've heard rumours."
"Such as?"
"That you are allied with an outside force that would be willing to take on those with," his voice betrayed his nervousness, "Unusual talents."
"Well that's pretty specific."
"Yes sir. Hopes are high."
"Very well," he replied sternly. "May I offer a conjecture?"
"Of course sir," the trooper answered.
"That you weren't sent by Dr. Bradford as you said."
"No sir."
"Obviously you intended to approach me with the problems of your squad, and yourself," Carl said, drawing out the as yet unknown conclusion for the undeniably nervous young man.
"Yes sir."
Carl could feel with his mind that the young man was stretched to the point of breaking, and the only thing holding him together was his training. and fervent hope, the latter as mentioned.
"May I ask you something else?"
"Of course sir."
"If I am to accept you, you must be willing to betray the Coalition completely. This includes your squad. Can you vouch with unwavering conviction that they are trustworthy?"
The trooper glanced over at one of the grunts, who responded more than she should have by returning his gaze.
"Well Dakota, are you in?"
"Sir…" the young woman replied uncertainly. "This is one heckuva pinch, y'know!"
"Agreed." Carl turned to her with an expression that could have cracked stone. "We act now, with as few as choose to join us. She," he gestured towards the bound woman, "is restrained only because she chooses to be. When she breaks loose, it is her friends we will taking when we break out."
Her eyes fell upon Anim, who did not respond.
"No kiddin'?"
The bound blond simply nodded, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
"Cool."
"Call me Carl. The plan is this, get in, locate Cases 210, 211-A, B, and 118, then return to me. Can you do this?" He faced the leader of the squad once again.
"Sir, you'd be surprised how many of the CSM are stationed at Lone Star," Yyone replied, sounding relieved.
"Probably not. Yyone, may I ask your first name?"
"Yes sir. It's Jake, sir," he replied. Carl was sure he was smiling behind that black and white helmet.
"Get all of your," he quirked an eyebrow, "'CSM' together, tell them to meet just outside of cell 204. How many are there?"
"Twenty-seven," he said, darkness marring his voice. "We lost three to the monsters of the Rifts."
Carl nodded sympathetically. "Unfortunate. You are doing the right thing, Yyone."
"You'n my sister hope, sir. If I cut through this I'll have a tale for her, to be sure."
"We're almost there," Anim said, breaking her bonds easily. A series of gasps washed through the cargo elevator, eyebrows knitted as she slipped the heavy white jacket from her torso and arms.
Carl gazed at Jake. "I need to know what each of the members of your squad is capable of."
He nodded deftly.
"Greg - Hawkeye - here can teleport just about anywhere he's been, or can see - which is pretty damned far, and heals really quickly. Sarah - Hard Edge - can fly, can shoot energy bolts, and can turn her skin into stone. Callan, or Canary, can turn into just about any animal he wants, can stun people just by touching them, and seems to be able to control water. Dakota is our brute. She's wrestled Skel-bots barehanded to a standstill and she can dominate people with her looks; her beauty has a habit of getting her into trouble."
“Knock it off,” she griped.
"Never. The last of us, Jenny - she doesn't have a nickname - can turn into water and metal. She's the powerhouse of the group, really," he said, as if finished.
"And what about you?" he asked pointedly.
"Me? Well," he cleared his throat. When he spoke again, his voice was a clear and unmistakable rendition of Carl's. "I imitate voices. If I've heard it, I can parrot it." His voice altered to its original state. "Not much else I can do is terribly useful. I can turn intangible, so that no one can touch me. Problem is, I can't touch anything else like that. It's handy for quick entry and exit. I can also turn my arms, or whatever else, into bladed or blunt weapons."
"We call him Untouchable," Dakota said with a hidden smirk and a hint of laughter.
"Wait," Jake said, indicating the requirement of silence with a raised hand. Moments passed as Jake seemed to listen to something. Finally, he looked at Carl.
"It's too late. They've broken out. 210 is missing, and so is 211 A and B. We're a little late."
"118?" Anim asked, eyes wide.
"No word," Jake confirmed. "Must still be there.
"
Carl's eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Greg, can you get your group out of here?"
The fellow nodded. "Yes sir. Where do I go?"
Carl closed his eyes. Here, he said in the young man's mind as an image followed. If it takes more than one jump, then so be it. We can't risk blowing your cover now. Your friends would be in danger. We'll come back for them later if we can.
Right. You'll meet us there?
Yes. Just focus on that image and go! Now!
Without further pause for thought, the five armoured men and women disappeared.
"What now?" Fade asked, shedding his helmet.
"We make sure they aren't missed," he stated, pulling a small cube from his pocket. He wedged it against the control panel of the industrial elevator.
"Cover me," he commanded, touching both their shoulders. Before they could think, the scene had changed. Mind you, not by a large degree.
"Mina!" A familiar voice gasped in stark disbelief.
"Usagi-chan!" she replied, running over to her. Usagi had been bound to a wall by wrists and ankles. Anim grabbed the bonds and pulled at them, feeling no give. Anim started as she felt a jolt, like a solitary quaking of earth. Gazing around a moment later indicated her reaction was quite uniform.
"What the…?!" Usagi chirped, as if shocked awake by the blast.
"Carl?" Anim pined nervously.
"Later! There's no way you'll break her bonds," Carl decreed sharply. "Come here!" Fade stepped quickly up to them, at which point, they also disappeared.
Chapter 25
Bunny Hunter