<Episode 5>

Jack stood there holding his ribs as the remains of the rabbit slowly burned out. The armor had taken brunt of it and he could breathe with no problem, still it hurt like hell. Maybe a trip to see Freidman wouldn’t hurt. Rachel spoke, “Hey,” and she tossed the staff to him. “You need a little practice with that thing.”

“You think,” Jack hit the end of the staff on top of the belt. In moments he was back in his street clothes. “Almost lost to a rabbit. I’m never going to live that down,” he muttered to himself, Rachel heard it anyway.

“You’re upset because she turned into a rabbit?”, Rachel empathized the word she.

“Hey if she turned into a bull, an elephant, a spider or a cobra I wouldn’t have a problem. It’s just the thought of having my butt kicked by a rabbit.” He turned back to the remains, “But I do feel kinda bad about this one though.”

“Why?”

“Her human form was hot.”

Rachel looked like she was going to say something. Instead she turned around and walked out of the alley, but she did say, “You’re taking this seriously all right?”

“I am taking this seriously,” he told her. “Do you have any idea how many Bug Bunny jokes came to mind when I saw her change? I kept those to myself.” He hurried up after her. Maybe he should have told her the other reason this bothered him instead of that thing. No point in saying it now, she wouldn’t believe it now if he did tell her.

***

Anderson waited in the command center for an early report. Mitchell was hovering near the map, studying it slightly. There were three markers now on the map, two blue and one red. If Davidson did his job soon there would be many more. A phone ringing brought him out of his thoughts as Williams quickly grabbed it. “Hello? Rachel,” everyone in the room got very quiet. “You sure?” She put a hand over the phone, “Jack got her.”

“Alright Jack,” Mitchell exclaimed.

“Did Haily say her?”, Anderson asked. Williams nodded in response, “What was it?”

“Rachel which Drakan was it? A red rabbit.”

“A rabbit?”, Mitchell asked as someone put a red marker on the map at Haily and Davidson position.

“Very good,” he said to the room. “Send a clean up team to clear the remains. Store them with the others when they arrive.”

“I’m sending them now Mr. Anderson.”

He nodded and left the command center with Mitchell in tow. Anderson waited until they were in the elevator before saying anything to the man. “This was unexpected.”

“I take it you knew the rebel?”

“Only by reputation,” he answered. “From my understanding she was one of the rebels best fighters.” Anderson looked sideways to gauge Mitchell’s reaction. Not even a hint of a reaction crossed his face. The man had a poker face that wouldn’t crack, Anderson had to give him that. It was the one of the reason why he got the job. “Maybe it’s time to rethink your position on Davidson’s fighting abilities.”

He still should no signs of a reaction, “I still say he was lucky.”

“One victory can be lucky Mitchell. Four takes a little skill.”

“You can win four times and still be lucky.”

Anderson turned to Mitchell in slight surprise. “If I didn’t know better I would think you were jealous of Davidson.”

“What’s there to be jealous of? The man’s a walking weapon with a lethal right foot. If he couldn’t beat a rebel I’d be suspicious.”

“A very good point. Still, any weapon needs to be fine tuned a little, no matter how good it is. Do you think you can add some training sessions with Davidson to your schedule?”

“I can put him in. Don’t worry Mr. Anderson, I’ll ‘fine tune’ him for you.” There was something in Mitchell’s voice he didn’t care for.

“Just so we’re clear Mitchell, I said fine tune not break.” Mitchell nodded and Anderson left it there. The man was professional enough not to let it go beyond that point. He would only escalate matters if Davidson did. Given Davidson current temperament that was entirely possible. “Of course seeing how he over came one of the rebel’s best I doubt much fine tuning will be needed.”

“You really respect that rebel don’t you?”.

“I respected her reputation,” he clarified.

“Are you going to herald her into the next life then?”.

Anderson looked thoughtful as the doors opened. He walked out saying, “A warrior of her reputation should be shown the proper respect. On the other hand, she was a rebel. Why honor someone who chose to live against tradition.”

***

The blond haired man stood behind the old man as he watched the tape. The old man said nothing as he saw the humans encounter the person on the tape and forced him to reveal his true form. After a few moments the metal insect appeared. The blond man looked down at the old him. He leaned foreword slightly as the insect took on the elephant. Neither of them spoke until the elephant died. “Nasty way to go, “the old man said. “Phil was a good man.”

“Now do you see what I was talking about? We need to stop this thing now.”

“I agree,” the old man said while stopping the tape.

“Then let me go after it.”

“Not yet,” the old man told him.

“Why not!? Anderson created that thing to mock the Drakan race.”

“Maybe so, but we can’t do this alone. We already lost Phil and Kendall.”

“Then what do we do then?”

“I’m going to get the leaders of some of the other cells together. Maybe even Christopher if I can manage it.”

The blond man lip curled in disgust, “And what is that wanna be king going to do about it?”

“Like it or not Christopher commands a lot of respect. After he sees the tape he’s the one who’s going to be able to get everyone together on this.” The blond man snorted and left the room. The old man was right and he knew it. He just didn’t like it.

***

Rachel sat at her desk typing up her mission report. Jack was quietly lying on her couch. For awhile there he was trying to be overly nice to her. He stopped trying about an hour ago, either out of ideas or figured she wasn’t going to crack. Rachel didn’t tell him she wasn’t angry at what he said. Shocked, but not angry. If that was how he felt then it was no problem for her. Again she didn’t tell him that. If making him think that she was angry kept him in line then that just made her job easier.

She looked over the screen at him. Jack still had that jacket on. It was one thing to look mad, but looking like she didn’t care was another. “Why don’t you take that jacket off and relax a little.”

“I’m fine,” was all he said.

She stopped typing for a moment and looked at him. Come to think of it she’d never seen him without that jacket on ever since he got it. Playing a hunch she said, “It’s going to start getting hot pretty soon. Don’t you think that jacket going to get a little uncomfortable?” She caught him pushing back a sleeve to look at his arm and quickly slide it back.

“I’ll live with it.”

“I never realized you were that vain.”

“I’m not,” he said as he sat up. “I’d figured it be easier to explain wearing a jacket in ninety degree weather than explaining all the scars.”

She had to admit he had a point. “Well you can probably move to a cooler climate after you get your blue monkey.”

“Whenever that’s going to be.”

“We’re going to help you find him, that was part of the deal.”

“I’m sure Anderson told his people to put a rush job on that one.”

This was getting them nowhere so she dropped it. Getting back to the job at hand she said, “I’m almost done with the report. Is there anything you want to add?”

“Yeah I got a question that’s been bothering me.”

“You were already told why you look like a bug.”

“Not that,” Jack said with a slight smile. “The smell of their dead sets these thing off right?”

Rachel nodded, “So far that’s been the case.”

“So why send the one guy who smells like Drakan blood in first? If I was a couple of blocks away I could understand, but I was still in the building.”

Rachel didn’t have an immediate answer for him, she was wondering the same thing herself. All she could tell him was, “I’m sure Mr. Anderson has his reasons.”

“I’m sure he does. Still doesn’t mean I’m gonna like it when I hear it.”

“You don’t trust him do you?”

“Usually it’s just rich people in general, but I trust Anderson about as far as a midget could throw him.”

“Maybe you’ll change your tune after you see your new place.” Jack sat a little straighter and she smiled behind the monitor. She knew that would get his attention.

“My new place? When did this happen?”

“Mr. Anderson pulled some strings and got you an apartment in the city.”

“Really?”, he said sounding a little cautious.

“You don’t have to take it.”

“Ok then I won’t.”

Rachel sighed heavily, “At least check it out first before you make a decision.”

“Alright I’ll check it out. But I’m not promising anything.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“So when do we check this place out?”

“You have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. Don’t worry I know where it is.” Jack just nodded and lay back down. Rachel finished her report, putting in the question Jack had. For the things he’s done so far she felt he deserved an answer.

***

Anderson read over Haily report with interest. Davidson was asking the right questions. The man was obviously no fool, a blind man could see that. Anderson just had to make sure he didn’t receive the right answers. He put that thought on hold as Allen came through the door, “Yes?”

“There could be a problem.” Anderson sighed in response. The man was good, in that there was no doubt, but he overreacted to just about everything.

“What is it this time?”

“I just got finished talking to our contacts in the streets. Some of the rebels are starting to notice that Drakan are missing.”

“So? Several of our kind are nomadic in nature. It’s not uncommon for some of us to just disappear without any warning.”

“Not the elephant, our contact said he was never gone from that safe house for more than an hour.”

“It’s not our concern.”

“It’s not…”

‘No it’s not,” Anderson interrupted him. As far as I’m concerned the rebels are learning the price for their defiance. The sooner they come back into the fold the sooner the killing stops.”

“Are you sure this is the right way to handle it?”

“Like I said they brought this onto themselves.” Anderson leaned back in his chair and looked at Allen suspiciously. “You’re not becoming sympathetic to their cause are you?”

“Of course not, “Allen fidgeted a little, Anderson smiled.

“Good, because I would hate to have to send Davidson after you.”

***

Rachel stood by the building manager while Jack wondered around the apartment. It was pretty modest, a combined living room kitchen area, one bedroom and one bathroom, and fully furnished. Considering what he was getting per assignment Jack could easily afford it. The only thing that could break the deal was his attitude toward Anderson. “Well?”, the manager asked.

“Can we have a few moments alone?”, he asked while pointing toward Rachel.

“Of course. You know were to find me,” she said to Rachel.

“Will do Mrs. Windam.”

“Seems like a nice lady,” he said after she left.

“Yes she is. You couldn’t ask for a better landlord.”

“Sounds like you know her personally.”

“I should, I live in the building.”

Jack turned his head to look at her, “You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m going to be two floors above you. If you move in that is.” Jack looked around the room some more. “Are you going to take it?”

“Let me guess, no loud music?”

“The walls are sound proof. You can play your music as loud as you like.”

“Is there a laundry in the building?”

“Of course.”

“Damn,” she thought he heard him mutter.

“You can’t have any pets though.”

“Not a problem, animals don’t like me anyway.” He crossed his arm and looked deep in thought. “I’m going to hate myself later. Looks like I’m taking it.”

Rachel grinned, “Great, we’ll talk to Mrs. Windam about finalizing the deal.”

“So how did Anderson get this place for me anyway?”, he asked.

“One of World Inc. subsidiaries owns the building.”

“Is that a fact?” Jack suddenly grabbed a clock that was on the table and looked it over.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for the bug.”

Rachel was positive he was joking. Of course she was positive he was convinced he was right. “Why would the place be bugged?”

“The way Anderson has this city wired and it never crossed your mind your place might be bugged?” He grabbed a lamp and yelled into it, “You hear that? I’m on to you!”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Nope,” he said with a grin.

Rachel groaned as he put the clock back. “Why do you do that?”

“I get bored.”

“Let’s find Mrs. Windam before she finds out what you’re really like.” Jack acted hurt by the comment and followed her out. As she closed the door she said, “You know one of these days Mr. Anderson is going to ask for a performance review, and I’m going to remember this.”

“Look, I’m shaking,” he said. She liked it better when he was feeling a little guilty.

***

Jack bought Rachel a coffee and they sat on a bench. He was dividing his attention between listening to her and watching the crowd. He felt kinda bad about what he pulled in the apartment. Ok, he didn’t feel that bad and it wasn’t his fault she fell for it. To be honest the whole bugging thing did cross his mind, but even he wasn’t that paranoid. The moment he thought that Jack looked up and saw a camera on a lamp post. What was it his uncle told him, “Just because your paranoid doesn’t mean nobody’s watching you.”

Taking a few moments to think it over he decided the camera didn’t belong to World Inc. So he raised his cup in a toast instead of the hand gesture he was planning on. If Rachel saw what he did she ignored it. She was saying, “The best part off this arrangement is if we get a call for an assignment in the middle of the night I can make sure you actually go.”

Jack didn’t even look at her as he said, “Just remember I haven’t signed any contracts yet. And you’re not exactly saying anything that’s sealing the deal.”

“It doesn’t matter to me if you move in or not,” she said a little defensively.” Do you think I want you that close when you decide to pull a practical joke?”

“Hey,” he pointed a finger at her, “I don’t pull practical jokes. I’m a wiseass, there is a difference.”

“I smell death,” Somebody behind them said. Jack turned to see a man in a business suit standing there. He was sneering right at him. “You killed my kind.”

“Jack let’s get out of here,” Rachel said looking a little worried.

“Rachel it’s alright. I’ve been expecting this.” Jack stood and looked at the man in the suit right in the eyes. “There’s an empty lot over there,” he jerked his thumb to a fenced in area across the street.

“It will do human.” He walked off towards the fence.

“Ok it worked, let’s get out of here,” Rachel pulled on his arm, Jack didn’t budge.

“I can’t,” he told her, “it saw what we look like. It’s bad enough they can smell me, and you too. The last thing either of us need is a picture going around.”

She pulled out her cell phone, “I’m calling command and let them know what’s going on.”

“If they don’t know by now somebody better get fired.” Jack crossed the street and looked around. Nobody was paying attention to him. He pushed back a board he saw the guy used and entered. The guy had already removed his suit jacket and set it on top of his briefcase. Jack raised his left arm across his chest. The grey metal belt appeared around his waist. Moving his left arm over he raised his right arm to his face. The man before him turned into a green frog as he said, “Henshin!,” and slammed his right hand on top of the belt. After the armor formed he said, “We don’t have to do this.”

“My kind must be avenged, tradition commands it.”

“How did I know you were going to say that?” The frog skin glistened as he moved. Jack mirrored the movement. Part of him actually was actually hoping the Drakan would change his mind. No such luck. The frog opened it’s mouth and shot his tongue at him. It wrapped itself around Jack’s ankle and the frog pulled it back. Jack landed hard on his back and look into the sky. Out loud he said, “Sad part is I knew he was going to do that too.”

The frog suddenly entered his vision as it feet were aimed at him. Jack rolled out of the way as the frog landed were his head was. He swung his arm back catching it behind the knees. It crashed on his back and amphibious eyes glared at him. He got on top of the frog and started punching, trying to stay away from its legs. The frog suddenly put its hands on his chest and pushed. Jack went flying off but he rolled back as he landed. The Drakan was stronger than he looked. Both of them were on a knee looking at each other. At the same time they charged each other.

He ducked a punch and kneed the frog in the gut then nailed an elbow to the back of its head. It jumped off the ground to avoid the stomp. Before it landed the frog twisted and kicked him in the chest. Jack stumbled back fighting to keep his balance. The frog jumped at him again and he back flipped to avoid the hit. He tackled it as soon as it landed. The frog used the momentum from the move to flip him off. Jack planted his hand on the ground and swung his leg around. His shin landed flush on the frog temple. He grabbed its head and kneed it a couple of times before punching it in the back of the head. He grabbed it by the shoulders and threw it across the lot. The meter started flashing and his hand went for the button. Jack hesitated before pressing it. “Get up and leave,” he told the frog.

The frog slowly got up and came toward him, “Tradition demands…”

“Idiot,” Jack whispered as he pressed the button. The two mini turbines in the belt started spinning and a charge ran down his right leg. Jack ran at the frog, jumped up and planted his right foot in its chest. The frog flew back into the wall and exploded.

Jack watched the remains. As with the other Drakan he waited for the guilt to set in. It did, but again it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be. In fact he felt less guilt now than he did with the rabbit, or the elephant. Jack was starting to get scared about what that said about him.