Special Police DekaOps

5

He found the place he was looking for, a rundown hotel in a seedy part of the city. No one saw him as he walked up to the front desk and looked over the registration book. Flipping through a few pages he found the alias he was looking for. Now if the room number he was told was correct he should get this over with rather quickly. The clerk behind the desk looked away from the TV show he was watching when he thought he saw the book move but returned to his program, lousy humans. He walked the stairs and hallways quietly as he headed for his destination. Knocking twice on the door marked 5D he had to wait a moment before hearing, “Alpha.”

“Centauras,” he replied. The door opened and a gray reptilian alien walked out into the hallway seeing no one there. He returned to his room and closed the door and was surprised to see a being wearing a hooded cloak standing by his bed, “Hello Radon,” the hooded creature said.

“Chatrox,” the reptile hissed.

“Agent Chatrox to you,” he removed the hood revealing a chameleon-sejin underneath.

“Agent,” he grunted, “still the luckiest bastard in the universe I see.”

The chameleon looked smug, “You weren’t saying that when I conveniently forgot I saw you in Sigma Alpha four.”

Radon’s features darkened, “I’m surprised SPD didn’t delete you on sight when they found out you were working for the bosses.”

“I’d rather be deleted than be assigned to this planet with these,” he spit out the word, “humans.” Chatrox put the case he was carrying on top of the bed. “Here is what you asked for.” He opened the case revealing a couple of alien pistols. “Two Zirikian hand guns. Able to turn most organics into atoms.” Radon reached for the guns but Chatrox closed the case, “Payment first.”

“Fine,” he reached under the bed and pulled out a bag that he handed to the agent. Chatrox counted it quickly and stopped the reptile from taking the case.

“This is only half of what was agreed too.”

“I had to pull in every favor I had to get this much,” he pleaded.

“Sorry Radon, you don’t have the full amount you don’t get the weapons.”

“Then one gun then,” Radon was desperate at this point. “You said yourself it was half. That has to be worth one of them at least.”

Chatrox thought it over and opened the case, taking out one of the pistols. “You’re lucky I’m in a generous mood today. For old time sake I’ll give you a week to raise the funds for the second one. If not I’ll take the other one back from you.” Chatrox didn’t let him answer, he opened the door and disappeared from sight.

***

At the OpsBase Pierce and the other were watching Dan and D.E. go hand to hand, training with some fake knives. It was pretty much a stalemate until Dan knocked away D.E. knife hand and started slashing the air making him back up. D.E. spun out of the way suddenly and kicked Dan behind the legs. D.E. got him down to his knees, stood on the right side of him and put the “blade” to his throat, “Got ya Cap.”

His lip curled slightly in a smile and he looked at him out of the corner of his eye, “You sure about that?”

“Cap if you do anything you’re dead, I got you dead to rights.”

“Then you better already have kids.”

D.E. was confused by what he said. Then Ace whistled while Boomer cried, “Oh,” and crossed his legs. He looked over to them wondering what they were seeing that he wasn’t. Pierce pointed down so D.E. looked down and his eyes went wide. The point of Dan’s knife was aimed right at his crotch.

Dan grin got a little bigger, “You might kill me but you’ll remember me for the rest of your life. You want to call it a draw?” D.E. backed away and let him get to his feet. Dan clapped him on the shoulder, “Good going though, you gave me a pretty good fight.”

“Now I know I didn’t teach you that,” Pierce said as he walked to them with the other following.

“Was that not a rather dirty tactic?”, Rev asked.

“When it’s life or death there’s no such thing as a dirty trick,” Dan told him. To D.E. he said, “You did good but you made a couple major mistakes that I saw. You thought the fight was over before it actually was. It ain’t over until someone either tied up, knocked out or dead. And,” he flipped his knife into the air and caught it by the blade, “you lost track of this. You have to remember at all times to keep track of an opponent’s weapon. Trust me, I know it’s real easy to lose track of it.” Dan raised his shirt showing them a scar above the right side of his waist.

“And that’s not an appendix scar either boys and girl,” Pierce added.

“What did you do to get that?”, Ace asked.

“I was on guard duty. Me and a couple of other were trying to subdue a guy with a knife. I learned the hard way don’t lose track.”

“Ouch.”

“I said I little more than ouch when it happened.” Dan rubbed the scar from the memory. “Alright guys, practice is over. Shower up and get something to eat.”

***

“I am never going to get used to that,” Boomer said in the cafeteria. He, D.E. and Ace were watching Rev eat a pile of raw meat on his tray. Boomer shuddered and tried to concentrate on his tray.

“Cap, over here,” Ace called out and waved when she saw Dan carrying his tray. He hesitated as he looked at them.

“He’s not going to sit with us,” Boomer said, “he never does.”

“I think he just proved you wrong buddy,” D.E. told him. Dan sat at their table, between them and Rev. “Hey Cap, I didn’t thank you for agreeing to the hand to hand lesson.”

“You’re my team mate, I’m supposed to help you guys get better.”

Ace tilted her head to read the spine of the book on his tray. “Matthew Stover, isn’t he a fantasy writer?”

“I took you for the Tom Clancy type,” Boomer said.

“I don’t care what it is as long as it’s good.”

“Sounds, like my Grand Dad,” D.E. said. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

“Hey guys,” Michelle came up and sat next to Dan. “Rev, do you have that spice from you home planet on that?”

“Yes, I find Earth meat to be rather, and forgive me for saying this, bland.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s why they invented steak sauce Rev,” Boomer said.

“Do you wish to try some?”, Rev offered as he held out his tray. “It is perfectly alright for humans.” Boomer declined right away.

“You should try it,” Michelle told them, “it’s actually pretty good.” Dan, Ace and D.E. looked at each other then they all picked up a fork. Each of them picked out the smallest piece they could find and tried it. Boomer made a face watching them.

After a bit Dan said, “A little… bloodier than I like it, but it’s not that bad.” The other agreed and Rev looked pleased.

“Come on Boomer, you got to try some,” D.E. told him.

He looked at Rev’s tray and paled a little, “Maybe next time.”

“Wuss,” D.E. teased him.

“You’re all here good,” Pierce said as he joined them at the table. “We just got something in from one of our informants. There’s an Alienizer robbing jewelry stores in the area.”

“No offense Major,” Boomer interrupted,” but isn’t a jewel robbery a little plain for us.”

“We’re still cops Boomer,” D.E. told him.

“He’s right, you guys are a covert unit but you’re still officers of the law. Even when DekaRail gets going we’re still going to have to take on one of these on occasion.”

“Just tell me it’s not a cat burglar,” Dan said. “I mean a literal ‘cat’ burglar.”

“Did Cap just attempt a joke?”, Ace said in mock disbelief.

He shot her a look, “Quiet.”

“No cat, just a lizard. The informant said his name was Radon. He’s a bit of a weapon nut according to reports. So much so he resorted to pulling jobs for the Alienizers to support his obsession.”

“I’ll do a search to see what he has exactly,” Michelle said. “Chances are good he has used some of his collection in his robberies. I’d better see if there’s a pattern as well.”

“You might be right about him using his collection. Reports we were given had him using a,” Pierce pulled out a small notebook and flipped though a few pages,” a Zirikian pistol.”

“Damn,” D.E. blurted out.

“Do you think he knows something,” Ace deadpanned.

“This things a nasty piece of work,” he told them. “It’s not exactly illegal but it’s hard as hell to get your hands on one. People shot with this thing had to be identified by the left over ashes.”

“And I just lost my appetite,” Boomer slid his tray away from him.

“That weapon alone means he’s one of ours,” Dan said as he got up

“One more thing,” Pierce said, “since you’ll be in the city you’ll be going out in civvies. I was able to keep information about you to a minimum back in Turkey because of the small number of people involved. A city this size is going to a lot harder, especially of you fight in public. So keep it to a minimum. You’re only going to have you License and SP-Shooters with you so be careful with this one, because I don’t think the vests are going to help much.”

“You heard the Major,” Dan said as that sunk in. “So which one of you really know this city?”

D.E. raised a hand, “My family’s been living here for five years.”

“Fine, you’re driving.”

***

They waited until nightfall to pile into a jeep and head out. Dan had a red shirt, black jeans and his bomber jacket on. D.E. was wearing a dark colored shirt and pants and a blue wind breaker on behind the wheel. Ace was in back with the others wearing a pink T-shirt under her jean jacket and blue jeans. Boomer was wearing some yellow L.A. Laker gear while Rev had his Green hoodie over his uniform. D.E. stopped the jeep in front of the last store reported robbed and they got out. All of them stared at the hole in the glass door. “This guy doesn’t know the meaning of the word subtle,” Boomer commented.

Dan switched his License over to Phone, “Michelle, anything on a pattern yet?”

“Only that his targets are pretty close together,” she said. “If he strikes again it should be on that block or one close to you.”

“Thanks Michelle. Let us know if you find anything else.”

“Will do Cap.”

He looked at the others, “I’d know what we do in the Army. But you guys are the cops, what would you do in this situation? Give me some options.”

Ace started, “If it was me, I’d split us up into two groups and search the area. See if anybody saw or heard anything while we’re looking for him.”

“That’s what my gut is telling me,” D.E. added

“I would check the store for anybody residue he left might have left behind,” Rev said. “If there is enough I might be able to track where he has been.”

“I’d have a little easier time with that plan if we had the Shepard,” Dan admitted. “Can you do it with a hand scanner?”

“He can if I help him,” Boomer said.

“Sounds like we got a plan. Rev, you and Boomer scan that store. Me, Ace and D.E are going to scope out the surrounding area in the Jeep. Before I forget,” Dan reached into the glove box and pulled out some wallets. He opened them up showing them the police badge and ID card inside. “Michelle had these made up, if anybody asks you’re part of the Springfield PD.” He handed one to each of them. “Do your best to explain Rev if it comes up. While you two are scanning that store remember that there’s still a jewelry store on this block that hasn’t been hit yet so keep an ear open. If you hear or see this guy call us and we’ll come as fast as we can. And if he got the weapon we think he does don’t try to take him unless you have to.”

“I understand,” Rev told him.

“We’ll be careful,” Boomer added. Dan and Ace jumped back into the jeep and drove off. “Time to do some actual police work Rev.”

***

Radon walked over a bridge fingering the pistol under his tunic. One more hit, that had to be enough to buy the other one. Just one more hit was all he needed. Unless that bastard Chatrox decided to up the price of the other one. He wouldn’t put it past that damn chameleon. Old time sake, right. Chatrox would sell out his own mother the moment he thought it would save his hide. Well nothing was going to keep him from getting the other pistol. And if Chatrox tried to take this one, then he’d be sorry.

He was interrupted in his thinking when a human walked into him. A drunk one at that. “Watch it you… you freak,” he said. “Those Earth First guys are right. You are… you are trying to take over everything.” He stumbled into a fighting stance. “Well… well I won’t… won’t let ya do it. Put up your dukes.”

“How about I put up this instead,” he pulled out the pistol and aimed it at the human’s head. He sobered up pretty quickly.

“Now wait a moment,” he started sweating. “I didn’t mean anything. I… I was only playing around.” The human started running away, Radon shot him in the back. There was a scream for a brief moment before the human turned to ashes.

A jeep passed by that instant and stopped. A blond haired human stood in the passenger seat and shouted, “Radon!” The human jumped out of the vehicle and pulled out SP-Shooters.

“Deka,” Radon said as he fired. The jumped behind any cover they could find before they returned fire.

Dan pulled out his License and called the others, “Rev, Boomer we located Radon. We need you at these coordinates now.”

“We’ll be there as fast as we can Cap,” Boomer said.

“Cap, he’s running!”, D.E. called out

“We don’t have a choice, change stand by.” They ran after with their License out. “Emergency! DekaOps!” The Dekesuits appeared in a digital flash of light. “Stop or we’ll fire.” Radon kept running and Dan ordered, “Fire a warning shot.” He pulled out his D-Colt and the other their D-Shooters and fired over his head. Radon stopped, turned and fired wildly at them. They had to jump out of the way. He reached under his tunic and pulled out a grenade. Eight Anaroids and two blue headed Batsuroids formed. “I’m seriously starting to hate those things.”

“Fire,” one of the Batsuroids ordered. They jumped to the ground to avoid the shot. Radon started running again.

“Come on!” Dan got up and started firing with his D-Colt. An Anaroid went down and D.E. and Ace started firing theirs. The Batsuroids avoided the shots and fired back. Dan and Ace got hit with the shots and went down. D.E. jumped up and started firing at the group. Ace got to a knee and started firing away with her D-Shot. Dan switched to multishot and started firing too. Radon jumped off the bridge onto the street below.

“I’m after Radon, D.E. shouted.

“D.E. don’t,” Dan ordered but he already jumped off after him. Where was a rank fearing private when you needed one?

Ace charged the group, knocked down an Anaroid and rolled under a shot one of the Batsuroids fired. She came up with her D-Shot aimed at its chest and fired. She turned to find the other one right there and got hit and dropped her weapon. Dan planted his D-Knife into the chest of one Anaroid and tried to reach her. Two Anaroids got in his path, one was able knocked the D-Colt out of his hands. Ace was thrown into the bridge railing and barely avoided the Batsuroids kick. She was able to pull out her D-Knife and stab it in the shoulder of its weapon arm. She didn’t think it was possible but the robot looked like it was getting angry.

Dan took out his D-Rod and blocked a swipe at his head. He started swinging and was able to back them off. He pressed a button on the handle and the rod started glowing red. Dan slashed through two of the Anaroids and they dropped. A couple of more took their place and he saw Ace’s D-Shot right behind them. This was going to be tricky. He reached into his backpack and waited a moment. One of the Anaroids took a swing that he blocked and shot the other one with his holdout D-Shooter, one shot. The other one tried to react but he shot it as well, two shots two left. He fired the last two at the Batsuroid, grabbed the D-Shot and tossed it over the robot had, “Ace catch!”

She caught it, pumped it and fired. The Batsuroid stood there so she fired again, this time it went down. Rev and Boomer ran up just then and took out the remaining Anaroids. “Could you cut it a little closer next time?!”, she yelled at them.

“You were the ones with the jeep!”, Boomer yelled back.

Dan knelt beside Ace, “You all right?”

“I’m great,” she said sarcastically.

“Where is Terry?”, Rev asked looking around.

“After Radon, anybody see an exit ramp leading to that street?”

“I’m pretty sure we passed one on the way here,” Boomer said handing the D-Colt back to Dan.

“Lead the way.”

***

D.E. chased after Radon and finally caught him. He tackled him to the ground by the legs. Radon was able to get a foot free and kicked him away. They both got to their feet and started fighting. D.E. was a little stronger but Radon was faster. D.E. spun away from a punch and pulled his D-Shooter. They both turned around and was staring into the barrel of the others gun, standoff. “Do you have any honor human?”, Radon asked out of the blue.

“What do you mean?”

“I believe there is an old custom on this planet called a duel. Back to back then walk ten paces, I believe that how you humans do it.”

“Give me one good reason why I should do that,” he demanded.

“Because if you don’t I’ll shoot you now.”

“That’s a pretty good reason.” Slowly they lowered their weapons to their side and stood back to back. Walking ten paces D.E. turned around and found himself staring down the barrel of the Zirikian pistol. “What happened to the duel?”

“I changed my mind and I already shot one of you humans in the back already. Do you have anything to say before I send you to the afterlife?”

D.E. nodded, “It’s not over until somebody’s captured or dead.” he dropped back and fired hitting Radon in the leg. D.E whipped his leg up and kicked the pistol out of his hands. “And you forgot about my gun. A buddy of mine says that a big no no.” He got to his feet, knocked Radon back and switched his License over to Judge, “Target orders,” holding it out in front of him he pressed the button.

The area went dark and a red X and a blue circle started flashing in front of Radon. After he was scanned the X shined brightly, “Eliminate target.” He closed his License and unlatched his D-Shot. D.E. connected the two and aimed it at the reptile. Pulling back the grip caused energy to flow through the weapon and entered the barrel. “Strikeout!” he shouted and pulled the trigger. A blue energy beam shot out and hit the alien, Radon was deleted. “Got ya.”

Dan and the other found him a moment later and they deactivated the Dekametal. “Where’s Radon?”, Dan asked.

D.E. waved his License in front of him, “Scanned and deleted.”

“Good. And for future reference, when I tell you to stop you stop, got it?”

“I hear you Cap.” D.E started grinning, “But to be fair you yelled out ‘don’t’ not ‘stop’.”

“Don’t get smart,” Ace said as she was going to smack him but Dan stopped her.

“Ace, I’m only going to tell you this once. You can yell at them, you can push them to their limits, you can even send them to their death. But for some reason you can’t hit them.” D.E. relax until he saw Dan look at him with a wicked looking grin on his face. “You can, however, get creative on how you want to get your point across. Think I’ll leave that one up to you.”

“Anything goes?”, she asked.

“Almost anything,” he clarified,” and I have to approve it first.”

Ace thought for a second, “Can I have him detail the Shepard?”

“That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Whew,” D.E. blew out.

After a moment Dan said, “Make it the Hounds, both of them.”

“With a toothbrush?”, Ace offered.

“I’ll allow it,” Dan said before walking off.

Ace clenched her hands in front of her chest, “Yes.”

“Glad I’m not you buddy,” Boomer said while slapping him on the back.

“You better start praying I don’t swipe your toothbrush behind you back,” D.E. told him

“I am never going to understand these humans,” Rev muttered.

***

Nearby Chatrox saw the entire thing and his cold blood boiled. That was Stevens he saw the other night. Being assigned to this back water planet might not be so bad if he could eliminate that human while he was here. Looking down he saw a leaflet for Earth First and grinned. This was going to take some planning, and some pride swallowing, but it will do nicely. There was no better way to take out an enemy than to make sure he was distracted by something else first.