[Mkguild] More of Super Fox!

[Christian Okane]

  My muse it seems is on a Supers kick at the moment. Here is another tail
involving Misha and Stealth the super heroes. It is set in the City of
Heroes game which i play far too much. A knowledge of the CoH game helps but
it not really needed.

   I always felt the U.S. military got shafted in CoH as their only mention
is with the Sky Raiders. So here is the rest of the story.



Keeping the Faith
by Christian O'Kane


   Being a officer in the American army did have its advantages
unfortunately for Colonel Haslett today had none of them. Fort Benning,
Georgia was always a busy place. Parachute training, the 3rd infantry
division, four infantry brigades, a ranger battalion, a heavy combat brigade
and the army infantry center and school meant that the installation had over
120,000 soldiers there at any one time. That was not to mention the other
troops who where there that rarely were mentioned in the press. The place he
was visiting today was tucked into a quiet corner of the fort. It looked to
be part of the ranger battalion next door or perhaps one of the other small
units in the U.S. armies Special Operations command. Which was true - to a
degree.

   The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) controls and oversees all the
Special Operations of the U.S. Military. Whether Ranger, Green Beret, 1st
Special Operations wing, SEAL,  Marine special Operations Battalion all were
under the control of SOCOM. There was in that organization elements whose
existence was not known to the public. A fact those in SOCOM went to great
lengths to continue.

   The building itself had no sign announcing what organization was inside.
It's sole identification was a building number: 2235A. On the outside it
looked to be just a simple wooden building just like a thousand others all
built during world war two. Inside it was far different. The wooden exterior
walls covered the heavily armored and shielded interior walls. The interior
was divided up into rooms for purposes like Powered armor storage and
repair, laser weaponry storage and teleporter adjustment. One room in
particular was more heavily shielded and protected then the rest. It was the
situation room. Filled with a variety of computers and all the most advanced
communication equipment. From here all the activity of super powered people
was monitored both villains and heroes. At the back of that room was a
window and a door leading to another room. In that room was a desk and chair
of blonde colored oak. Along with the usual stapler and blotting pad was two
phones and a PC with two screens. Seated in the chair was an officer of the
United States army. The patch on one shoulder told of him being a ranger.
His other shoulder should have held a patch of the unit he was currently in
but that was bare. The rank on his collar identified him as a colonel.

   The officer looked at the report on of the screens in front of him. This
particular PC was connected to several servers and networks all devoted to
the military. All the threats the U.S. was facing at the moment were
displayed on the screen. One item caught his attention immediately. A box
popped up in red, blinking letters. He read the information intently. 

   The secure phone on his desk beeped and he picked up the receiver.
"Colonel Haslett speaking." He paused for a moment and listened to the
caller. "Yes general. I just read the report. Of course I intend to handle
the problem, unofficially of course as the city has not asked for our help.
No, all my people are busy trying to contain that Rikti push but I have
someone we trust. One of our own. Yes Misha. Yes sir." He hung up the phone.

   The colonel reached into a pocket and pulled out a small cell phone. It
looked to be one of the phones sold cheaply and in large numbers in
countless stores. But he knew this cell phone was not the poorly made
electronics it looked to be. He did not type in any number but simply spoke
into the phone. "Hello? I wish to speak with Misha," the officer said to the
dial tone. The man felt silly doing this but Misha had been very specific.

   The dial tone stopped. "One moment," came a soft, woman's voice. "Voice
confirmed. Colonel Andrew Haslett." There was a moment of silence and then a
soft click.

   "Hello?" a voice said over the phone. "This is me."

   "Misha this is Andrew Haslett," the general explained.

   "Colonel!" the voice said cheerfully. "Good to hear from you Sir! I want
to thank you for the info on that weapons shipment. The PCPD were really
happy we stopped that."

   "No problem. We're all fighting the same war. I have a favor to ask of
you."

   "A favor?" Misha asked. The surprise plain to hear. "Sure."

   "I have a super problem I need handled," the officer explained.

   "You?" Misha asked. "You have an entire company of supers and you need
me?"

   "The problem is Sky Raiders," the officer said bluntly.

   "I'll do it," Misha answered quickly. "Give me the details and I'll deal
with them," he snarled.

   The officer smiled and relaxed a little. "My information has it that the
Sky raiders have set up a supply base in Independence Port. I want you to
destroy it and recover what information you can."

   "You want any prisoners?" Misha asked sharply.

   "Of course not," the Haslett answered shaking his head. "Scorched earth."

   "Good! "

   "I've sent all the needed information to your email address. I hope it's
as secure as you claim," the colonel said. With one hand he typed on the
keyboard and sent off the needed information.

   "It is Sir, never fear. I'll start immediately on this. I'm headed to IP
now. Can I expect help from that Special company of yours?"

   "No. All of them are busy dealing with the Rikti," the officer answered.
"I wish I could send you help."

   "Never fear Colonel. I'll handle the problem," Misha responded. "This is
personal."

   He sighed deeply. "For all of us," the officer answered.


**************


   Misha was flying low and fast over the polluted waters of Independence
Port. The water was flashing part the fox superhero a mere two feet below
him. In his mind he was reviewing the information the general had sent him.
He brought up a map of the area and then a satellite photo. The location was
a nondescript brick warehouse that resembled the hundred others in the port.
This one was detached from the others and was located on a pier on one of
the side inlets. That put it out of the main ship traffic but still have
access for ships.

   "One hundred or more opponents equipped with advanced weaponry including
advanced assault rifles, SMG's, flamethrowers, rocket launchers and
grenades. For support they have force field generators, at  least ten Porter
troops and four Sky skiffs which mount chain guns and missile launchers."
The voices of the nanites that have given him his superpowers were now
communicating their ideas to him.

   "I am aware of those facts," Misha answered. and went back to his
planning. "I see at least eight flyers buzzing around. The two flying along
the south side I'll get them first." He slowed down and then came to a halt.
Hovering about three hundred meters away from the building.

   "Suggestion; You'll need support. Stealth is nearby. We can contact . ."

   "NO!" Misha barked back. "I'll do this alone."

   "Absurd, these are not street thugs. They are highly trained, combat
veterans."

   "I know that. I trained with most of those people," Misha answered. His
emotions got the better of him for a moment and he was unable to think
clearly. Too much anger, too much pain and betrayal fogged his mind. After a
moment he reined his anger and pain. "I called many of them friend."

   "We understand your desire for revenge and justice but do not let your
emotions cloud your thinking."

  The loud sound of turbine engines came to the fox morph and he flicked his
ears around to locate the machine making the noise. There about one hundred
feet above him were two objects. they were long and box shaped with a
massive engine located on each side. Odd shaped wings and protrusions
sprouted in various places carrying ordinance of various types. They did not
look like they should fly but fly they did. they were fast and maneuverable.
the two were flying close together with barely a meter of air between them.

   "Sky Skiffs," he thought. "And they are flying too close together. Will
make them easier to kill!"

   Misha removed two arrows from the quiver hanging on his back. Instead of
the usual sharp point these arrows were tipped with large cylindrical tubes.
Inside each was a powerful explosive. He nocked one arrow and waited as the
two skiffs came closer. When they were close enough he drew the bow back and
took careful aim. He sighted in on the missile pod on the left side of the
closest skiff. He made minute corrections for the wind and waited another
few seconds. When things were just right he loosed the arrow. then quickly
he nocked and loosed the second one.

   The first arrow slammed into the center of the missile pod nestling among
the many warheads for a moment before exploding. All the missiles went off
and the sky skiff vanished in a massive fireball. Flames and debris from the
explosion slashed into the second skiff, tearing metal, plastic and flesh
and bone with deadly ease. The second skiff rolled over and slammed into the
pavement in a mess of wreckage and flame.

   Misha watched the last bits of wreckage flutter down to the ground for a
moment. Then he looked up and all around. Off to his right he saw another
pair of Skiffs racing toward him. These two were just as close to each other
as the first pair. A pair of missiles raced out from the skiffs and slammed
into the wall below him. The building shuttered and started to collapse.
Misha slowly lifted himself into the air and the building collapsed beneath
him. "Sloppy, sloppy work," Misha shouted out loud and quickly loosed an
arrow at the approaching skiffs.


**************


   On the screen in front of him were the words 'Game Over', repeated by an
annoying voice over.

   "Stealth. Your assistance is needed."

   The cheetah leaned forward to remove the disk and replace it with
another.

   "STEALTH!" came the shout into the cheetah morphs ears.

   "WHAT!" Stealth shouted, he pulled back the game controller, forcing the
cord to pop out of the console prompting an error message on the screen.

   "Misha has gone off on a mission and he is greatly outnumbered."

   "Misha knows what he is doing." The feline sighed as he fumbled with the
cord, "he was a soldier and a ranger."

   "That is the issue. His target are Sky Raiders and he intends to kill
them all by himself."

   "How many has he taken down?" Stealth asked.

   "He has killed twelve already," came the answer.

   The cheetah laughed. He's been busy. How many are there?" he asked.

   "Army intel estimated 100 but if they call for reinforcement that number
could rise quickly."

   The feline let out a curse and leapt out of the chair. "I'll get my gear
and I'll head there."

   Five minutes later the feline was pushing through the doors and out onto
the balcony. From fifteen stories up he could see the entire city. Stealth
ran around the balcony until Independence Port was visible. In the distance
he could see a faint glow. "Where is he exactly?"

   "Just follow the glow."


*******************


   Stealth landed on the old and weathered concrete that had once been a
passenger platform. He dropped down onto his hands and paws and race raced
along the platform on all four limbs. The feline easily leapt over the ten
foot high chainlink fence at the end without pausing. In moments he was
racing down the road moving faster then any natural cheetah ever could.

   "Faster speed is needed."

   "Is Misha in trouble?" he asked and put on a burst of speed. He swerved
past a pair of slow moving trucks and leapt completely over two teenagers in
a sports car.

   "Not yet but he is causing a very large commotion. Communications
monitoring has revealed that Police and SWAT units are in route. At least
nine units."

   "Any supers?" the cheetah asked as he raced along. His limbs were pumping
and his sleek spotted form moved with the speed of a low flowing jet. His
heightened nervous system let him process information faster and react
faster too.

   "No. we have assured the PCPD servers and dispatchers that you are best
choice but they are dispatching two of their officers from the Powered Armor
corp."

   "How is Misha?"

   "We're not sure. He has stopped responding to our requests. But his life
signs are still firm."

   "He's just not talking," stealth explained. He was close now. The sharp
tang of smoke came to his nose and he heard the sounds of weapons fire and
several explosions. Stealth slowed down to a walk and finally stood up on
two legs again. He powered up the small gatling gun he was wearing and
started looking around.

   First thing the feline super saw was a twisted and burned wreck that
might have once been a vehicle. Pieces of debris and wreckage, some burning
and some already burnt out lay everywhere. He stepped around a twisted piece
of wing and came upon a body dressed in a dark blue/green jumpsuit. The
ballistic plastic armor over the bodies chest had a hole surrounded by dried
blood and gore.

   One wall of the warehouse had been blasted down and there was a hole
large enough for the feline to walk through. Inside the warehouse he was
greeted by chaos. Smoke filled the air and he heard the loud sounds of
explosions and machinegun fire.


*****************


   Misha leaned against the brick column and quickly nocked two arrows onto
his bow. Bullets splattered against the other side of the column sending
chips of brick and mortar flying in all directions. the source of the
bullets were two Sky Raider soldiers half hidden behind another column a
hundred feet away.

   He waited patiently as the two emptied their magazines at him. Then when
there was silence he popped out and loosed his arrows. the bow snapped and
the arrows flew lightening fast into the two raiders. Their bodies dropped
to the floor with soft thumping noises. "Lousy fire discipline," he muttered
softly. "You've idiots have forgotten what you learned at Benning?"

   "Misha," the voice sounded in his mind as the nanites and circuits in his
head received the communication over an encrypted communications frequency.
"This is Stealth. What's going on."

   "I'm settling an old debt," the fox answered.

   "What?" Stealth asked confused. He slowed down for a moment then picked
up speed.

   "What do you know about the Sky Raiders?" the archer asked. He looked
about and caught sight of a large pile of green plastic boxes. On them in
yellow were the words "Ball, 10mm NATO standard."

   He nocked an arrow with an explosive tip and sent it flying into one of
the boxes in the middle of the stack. The arrow exploded ripping the box
apart. A second later the ammunition inside went up each round exploding
with a rattle like a machine gun firing. Bullets went flying in all
directions like a cloud of deadly bees. Misha had to duck down to avoid
being hit.

   "The Sky Raiders?" Stealth asked. "Ah . . . Pirates and thieves mostly
with all sorts of high tech gadgets. Deserters and mercenaries. Good
soldiers gone bad. Right?"

   Misha was quiet for a moment before speaking in soft tones. "The original
concept was good. With so many super powered threats the Dept of Defense
needed a unit to handle them. Thus was the Joint Command Special Threat
Response Battalion formed. Colonel Virgil Duray was put in command. The unit
was given the most advanced and powerful equipment and weapons. Personal
were handpicked from all the armed services. Even the Coast Guard!"

   "Were you in it?" Stealth asked.

   "No," Misha answered. He moved from one column to another walking slowly,
his senses alert for any trouble. "I was never asked to join."

   "Why not?" the feline asked. He carefully stepped through a doorway and
into a room filled with the remains of vehicles and people. "A person with
your skills and experience would have been perfect."

   "I'm not sure why but looking back on it now Duray didn't choose me
because I'd never served with him and he didn't know me."

   "The new unit was nicknamed Vigilance. They trained long and hard and
soon they were up to full battalion strength. Then the Rikti attacked and
all hell broke loose. I don't have to tell you how ferocious the fighting
was. Vigilance was in the middle of it. They were good. Really good. They
really ripped up the Rikti but they suffered 80% casualties. But they
weren't the only ones who suffered. Rangers, SEAL, Green Beret, we all
suffered. I jumped into New York city with 120 other Rangers. When it was
over only 24 of us were still standing." Misha shook his head. "I left a lot
of good friends in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and here in Paragon city."

   "What happened then?" Stealth asked.

   Misha shrugged even though the gesture was not seen by his feline friend
on the opposite side of the warehouse. "What could we do? We buried our
dead, healed our wounds as best we could and carried on."

   "What happened to those in Vigilance?" the nanites asked.

   "Everyone in the Special Operations community has been asking that
question ever since they turned traitor," Misha growled. "Even before the
war Colonel Duray did have a reputation in the community of being a little
too hard core about Supers."

   "Too hard core?" the feline asked. "Too hard core for the rangers and
special forces? I didn't think that was possible."

   The fox laughed a little. "That's our way of saying he was crazy. He was
obsessed with the Super threat. Looking back at it now - too obsessed."

   "How did the military miss his insanity? Our investigation has shown
nothing but praise for him from his superiors. There were warnings of his
dislike of Supers but it is shown as a mild thing. It was even considered an
asset for a unit meant to fight supers."

   "They didn't miss anything," Misha said. The super paused for a moment
and counted the number and type of arrows he had left. "We all knew he
disliked supers but that didn't seem to affect him. He even accepted several
supers into the unit. He put all his heart and soul into Vigilance and when
it was ripped to pieces by the Rikti it pushed him over the edge and he lost
it."

   "Combat fatigue is all too common among soldiers," the nanites commented.

   "As is Post Traumatic Stress disorder and a host of other ailments. The
one veteran of WW1 died recently. He had been in and out of  physiciatric
wards since 1918."

   "Note: Be sure to open deeper research into mental illness and it's
cures."

   "Duray wasn't the only one who went crazy but he was the highest ranking
one. One day after we got back to Benning my friend Leo disappeared. Took us
two days to find him hiding up in the attic of the barracks. He had an
assault rifle and enough food and water for a year. He just wouldn't come
down. We finally had to stun him to get him out. Leo's in a mental ward out
in Spokane now. Doctors think he might be willing to go out into the open in
a few years."

    "What went wrong?" Stealth asked. "I can see one person going crazy and
deserting but not a whole company."

   "What went wrong was that Duray was allowed to hand pick each person for
his unit. No questions asked. And he only chose people loyal to him and who
believed in what he did."

   "They were as crazy as he was," Stealth commented.

   But even with 80% losse there must have been some soldiers still loyal in
the unit."

   "There were. For a while," Misha answered with a snarl. "Lieutenant
William Philips killed during a training mission when his jet pack failed
suddenly. Staff sergeant Rogers and corporal Farmer died when their Sky
Skiff went out of control and slammed into a hillside. Captain Bear had his
spine broken when his hummer rolled over in a ditch. Sergeants Anslow, Macon
and Alshek just disappeared the day the unit vanished." Misha paused for a
moment. "We finally found what was left of them several months later. All of
them had been shot in the back of the head and dumped in a hole. Like so
much garbage."

   Misha was silent for a long moment. "I could understand it if they had
just deserted. A person can only take so much before they have to escape.
But what really hurts is that they broke the faith."

   "Broke the faith?" Stealth asked. "You don't mean religion?"

   "Being in a group like the Rangers, SEAL's and Green Beret is like being
in a family. We've all been through the same hardships, the same training.
We all survived, sweated over and bled together. After going through that
type of hardship you become more then friends. You become closer even then
family. There's nothing we wouldn't for each other."

   "We happy few. We Band of Brothers."

   Misha nodded. "Shakespeare did put it best. Old William must have been a
soldier. You knew you could depend on all of them no matter what happened.
You knew that in a firefight they would watch your back as well as you would
watch theirs. You trusted them and had faith in them and never doubted what
would happen or what they did. You just knew that if you got into trouble,
they'd come to your aid and do everything to help. But when Duray and his
people . . " the contempt in Misha's voice was plain to hear. "When they
decided to betray their country they murdered a dozen good soldiers who
trusted them and believed in them. They broke the faith." he was silent for
a moment. His strength suddenly fled him and he leaned against a column for
support. "They broke the faith," he whispered. "They broke the faith."

   "Stay right there, I'm coming to get you," Stealth said. "You're in no
shape to continue."

   "You can come but I'm not waiting. You'll have to catch up. I have people
to kill.," Misha stood up straight. Ahead of him he saw a group of raiders
advancing towards him. Their weapons at the ready

   "Stupid fox."

   "Yes but I'm still going to finish this now,"

    "Not stupid, INSANE fox," the feline superhero snarled

   "Are you coming or just going to make bad comments," came the counter. "I
have to do this Stealth. It's a matter of honor and justice." Misha nocked
an arrow and sent it flying into the lead raider.


*****************


   Stealth leaned against a pile of boxes that rested next to a large roll
up door that probably led to a loading dock. The felines eyes fell on a
large tear in the side of the box out of which was sticking a pair of
handles shaped like the letter c. These handles seemed to be made of bronze
with grips wrapped in fine leather. Curious, Stealth grabbed one of the
handles and pulled. What popped out amazed him. It was a sword with a fine
blade whose cutting edge was beautifully curved but the opposite side was
straight. ""What the . . . "

   "It's a falcata middle2nd century BC and in fine condition. Probably
stolen from a museum of a collection. Check the other one it is probably a
matched pair."

   Stealth pulled the other handle free and it was a match to the first.
"Finely balance," Stealth said as he gave the weapons a few swings. "Too bad
I don't know how to use them."

   "One moment! Downloading required information."

   Instantly Stealth's mind was flooded with a tidal wave of information. It
took a moment for his mind to absorb it all. Suddenly he knew all about
using these swords. He shifted his hands  to the correct grip. He swung the
swords through a series of complex motions that he had not known a minute
before. The blades cutting graceful arcs through the air. "What did you just
do?"

   "We just downloaded the information you need to use those swords
correctly."

   "Just like that?"

   "Just like that."

   "Cool."


******************


   Misha moved slowly through the maze of boxes, barrels and containers on
the edge of warehouse floor. he had battled through several groups of
raiders, sweeping several smaller rooms. this was the last and largest. In
the center of the room were a dozen raiders of various types. Most were low
ranking troopers, like the scores he had already eliminated. Some were
crouched behind boxes, others were piling more boxes into a makeshift
barricade. Others were standing guard but most seemed to simply be standing
doing nothing. But two caught his attention. Both seemed immune to the fear
of the others and were issuing orders in all directions. He examined those
two more closely before coming to a decision.

   "The NCO in the middle and the officer giving orders, confirm their
identities please," Misha said. He reached into his quiver and removed an
arrow. This arrow had an especially sharp point with a eight wings coming
off if it. This arrow was designed for killing. The barbed head would rip
and slice through flesh with a sickening ease.

   "Photo and voice confirmation. Master Sergeant Michael Andrews and
Captain Lyle Jones. Do you need more information?"

   "No," Misha answered. "I just wanted to be sure I was right."

"MASTER SERGEANT ANDREWS AND CAPTAIN JONES," Misha shouted out loud in a
booming voice that echoed all over the vast room. "BOTH OF YOU HAVE BEEN
FOUND GUILTY OF THE FOLLOWING VIOLATIONS OF THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY
JUSTICE; TREASON, DESERTION, FAILURE TO REPORT FOR A MOVEMENT, DESTRUCTION
OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, THEFT OF GVERNMENT PROPERTY AND TWELVE COUNTS OF
MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE."

   Instantly the raiders scattered, dropping to the floor or behind some
cover. The Raider officer laughed out loud. Still standing out in the open.
"You stinking government goons. You're going to arrest me? Put me in jail.
No fool, FBI agent is going to put me in cuffs."

   "I'm not from the FBI and I didn't mention putting you under arrest now
did I?" Misha answered in a whisper that seemed more deadly than his shouted
words."

   "You're one of those stinking super goons," the sergeant said
contemptuously.

   "No," Misha said. "I'm a Ranger. Just like you used to be." His bow
snapped and a second later the arrow slammed into the raiders head smashing
bones and cartilage as it ripped through flesh and muscle. The sergeant was
dead before his body hit the floor.

   The ranger archer nocked another arrow and took aim at the Raider captain
who was racing for the safety of a large container.

   He didn't make it.


*******************


   Stealth climbed to the top of the pile of containers and looked down at
the other side. Right below him were a half down Sky Raiders taking cover
behind a pile of boxes. They were all shooting at another pile of boxes
behind which his felines eyes spotted Misha. The fox was hidden most of the
time but he would pop up suddenly and loose an arrow.

   The feline hefted his mini-gatling gun intending to clear the floor
beneath him. But then he had a better idea. He shifted the gun back into its
storage spot and grasped a sword in each hand. "Let's do this old school
style."

   He jumped off the containers and came rocketing down into the middle of
the Raiders. He landed on top of one knocking the man to the floor. The
feline himself, like all cats landed on his feet, the blades were already
moving. Each blade took out a raiders while a stroke with both blades cut
down another.

   Two of the raiders spun and aimed their weapons at the feline but Stealth
leapt into the air and twisted sideways. the bullets flying past Stealth
missing him by inches. He lashed out with his right leg kicking one of the
raiders in the face sending him flying. The feline lashed out with box
swords in a sweeping  move and the bronze blades slashed through a raider
and the box he was standing next to easily.

   "Nice toys!" Misha said as he pointed to the swords. "Where did you find
them?"

   "They followed me home," Stealth joked. "Can we keep them?"

   Misha nodded slowly and then walked into the center of the room. There
two bodies lay sprawled in pools of blood. Taking a knife from his belt he
cut open the blood stained shirt of one. The man's face was an
unrecognizable mess of blood.

   The feline kept his distance not wanting to see the body any more
clearly. "What are you doing?"

   Misha pulled something from around the man's neck and stared at it for a
moment. Then he spit on the body. The fox turned to the other body and
performed the same actions including spitting on the corpse.

   "What are you doing?" Stealth asked, stunned by his friends actions.

   The foxman walked over to his friend and held up his left hand. Dangling
from his hand was two sets of dog tags; the two metal disks all soldiers
carried for identification. "I am confirming who I killed."


***************


   The was considerable commotion going on outside the warehouse when Misha
and Stealth exited the building. Four police cars were scattered about with
police officers crouched low behind them. Between the cars and the warehouse
stood two figures. Each was at least eight feet tall, covered with thick
plates of armor and seemed to bristle with weapons of all sorts. At first
stealth thought there were robots. The sky raiders were rumored to be using
powerful battlebots. But these were painted a dark blue and had the gold
shield of the Paragon city Police department painted on their chests. He was
looking at two of the powered armored police of the PCPD Powered Armor corp.
Stealth looked up at one of the armored policeman. It was like looking at
the side of a battleship.

   "Identify yourself?" one of the armored cops said in a harsh tone.

   "Misha Brightleaf and Stealth," the fox archer answered. "And we are
registered Supers."

   "What were you doing? Who were you fighting?"

   "Sky Raiders," Misha spat back harshly. "And beware there are at least
two more fliers around."

   "Not anymore," the police officer answered.

   "Two confirmed kills?" Misha asked eagerly.

   "Eight. Two Skiffs and six flying troopers," came the answer.

   "Cool!" the fox answered as his tail wagged back and forth. "I owe you a
big favor for that."

   Standing off to one side of a police car was an individual dressed far
differently than the police. The figure was tall and well muscled but not
overly so. He was wearing a kilt and a leather button down tunic. Both were
colored a deep, rich orange color. Even the plaid on his kilt were shades of
orange instead of the usual greens. He had answered the call over the police
band radio and rushed over but the fighting was already over by the time he
arrived. He didn't speak to anyone  but watched the events unfolding in
front of him. He was very interested in the fox and the cheetah.

   They arrived suddenly. One moment the area off to Stealth's right was
empty. Just the asphalt paving and a few scattered bits of debris. Then
there was a flash of light and six people were suddenly there. They were all
standing back to back with weapons aimed in all directions.

   The new arrivals were dressed far differently than everyone else. These
men and women were wearing the camouflaged plastic and Kevlar armor of an
American army soldier. The heavy helmets they wore protected their heads and
covered their faces. All were carrying weapons that reminded Stealth of the
advanced assault rifles carried by the raiders.

   Misha stiffened and walked briskly over to one of the soldiers. He came
to a position of attention and gave a sharp salute. "Sir! Staff Sergeant
Brightleaf reporting."

   The soldier returned the salute. "I'm Captain Roberts. Sorry we missed
the party but the Rikti staged another raid!"

   Misha nodded his head and pointed to the warehouse. "Warehouse was a Sky
Raider base and has been for some time. We engaged one hundred, eleven
raiders including six skiffs. The police got two of the skiffs and a half
dozen of the troopers. I've also downloaded a large amount of captured data
that has already been sent all to G4. Also there is a large amount of
equipment you'll want to confiscate."

   "A whole load of stolen goods too," Stealth added. "Boxes filled with all
sorts of loot."

   "Loot like those?" the officer said and pointed to the bronze swords the
feline was carrying.

   "He did all right with them Sir," Misha explained.

   The officer nodded and smiled. "Thank you for your help."

   The soldiers clustered round the fox and got very close. "How many did
you get of them?" one of the soldiers asked in a whisper.

   Misha held up his hand in which was the dog tags. "Two. Sergeant Andrews
and Captain Jones."

   "Your sure they're dead?" Roberts asked.

   "Oh yes!"

   The captain laughed loudly and slapped Misha on the back. "Two down, two
hundred, nine left to go."

The End


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