Special Police DekaOps

10

An old warehouse somewhere in Germany, a makeshift arena was built inside and the crowd was buzzing about what they have seen so far. A blue skinned woman in a red bikini strutted around the outside of a six sided cage holding a sign over her head with the number four written in various languages. Inside the cage trainers were talking to their respected fighters. On one side a green lizard-sejin was calmly staring at the back of his opponent as he listened to the instruction grunted at him.

His opponent, on the other hand, was leaning on the cage trying to get his breath back. His blond hair was matted against his head and the eagle tattoo on his back was glistening from the sweat. “Ya did good kid,” His trainer told. The only thing that kept him from looking human was his purple eyes and the horn growing out of his head. “That last round was a fluke, that’s all. Keep your guard up and keep moving, fer God’s sakes keep moving. He’ll give you that opening,” The human nodded his head. “Remember kid eye of the tiger.”

“Combatants!”, the ox looking ref called out. “Next round!”

“Go get ’em kid!” The human walked away and they exited the cage. The trainer looked at his assistant and went, “He’s gonna get killed this round.”

“Combatants ready!”, the ref held up a hand. Both competitors slammed their fist together, sparks flew and the crowd roared in approval as they activated the bands around their fist. The ref brought his hand down, “Do it!”

The lizard came in fast and grazed the human with a right cross he tried to avoid. The blow he hardly felt, the charge from the band spun him around and knocked him to the mat. The ref started to count to ten as the human quickly tried to get his sense back. He got to his feet and slammed his fist together again. “Come on kid! Be smarter than that!”, his trainer shouted. The lizard came in again but the human dropped and aimed a leg sweep at the back of it’s knee. The alien fell hard and the human got on trying to grab an arm. He was knocked back by an elbow smash and the lizard slid out from under him. He backed up until his foot touched the edge of the cage. “Don’t back up! That’s what he wants ya to do!”

He ducked a straight right that hit the cage and made sparks fly. The human hit a quick left jab to the ribs and a right uppercut under it’s chin that staggered it. He turned around, jumped up as he grabbed the cage and climbed up half way. His opponent cleared the cobwebs from his head as he spun toward him as he leaped off and planted both feet into it’s chest as they crashed into the mat. The human rolled backwards from the fall as the lizard got to it’s knees sucking air. He jumped on top of the alien back locking in a rear naked choke. The lizard still tried to get to it’s feet but he wrapped his legs around his waist and started squeezing. The lizard dropped back down to a knee then slapped it’s hand on the mat three times. “He tapped,” the ref called out, “fight’s over!”

The crowd erupted as the trainers rushed into the ring. The human rolled off his opponent as his trainers picked him up. “I knew ya could do it, never a doubt in my head.”

“What a fight ladies and gentlemen,” A red blob of an announcer said as he walked to the center of the cage. “Didn’t I tell you this would be one to remember? Give it up for both or competitors,” he started clapping and the crowd soon followed. “But there can only be one winner, by tap out and approving his record to three and one,” he went to the human and raised his hand, “the American Eagle Daaaaaniel Steeeeevens! Stevens!” The crowd started chanting his name.

***

After the organization “doctors” gave him a clean bill of health he grabbed his winnings and headed for the hotel all the fighters were staying at. It was barely rated a star, but it wasn’t drafty and it didn’t leak. And more importantly it had a bar. He was the last one there, as usual, several of the patrons inside gave him a good fight or a thumbs up. A few sneered or gave him a dirty look. He stopped paying attention to those back on Nagaus 7 and took an empty stool at the bar

“Where did you learn that stomp move,” a bear like alien at the table behind him asked. “I’ve only seen a Zalmanian do anything like that.”

And he was going to have to remember to thank a certain Zalmanian for showing it to him, “Just popped in my head.”

“You should thank whatever deity you believe in you still have a head,” he opponent stormed up to him. “You are extremely lucky, even for a human.”

“Well,” Dan started as he faced him, “to quote former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura, sometimes it better to be lucky than good. But right now I’m more interested in another saying you guys have around here.”

The guys at the table behind him started laughing, “Winner plays, loser pays!”

The lizard slammed his hand on the bar. A squid-sejin wearing a multiarm shirt walked up, “Yeah, what do you want?”

“Give the human a glass of his usual…. on me.”

“Mickey,” Dan said quickly, “change it to a bottle of the good stuff since he’s paying.”

“You got it Danny,” Mickey chuckled.

“I hope you choke on it human,” the lizard sneered.

“If anybody knows anything about choking…,” the bear said loud enough for him to hear and the group laughed again.

The lizard growled at them and stormed off. “Thanks for the beer,” Dan called out as Mickey put down his glass. “Ugh,” he said after he took a drink, “I’m glad I didn’t pay for this.”

“You wouldn’t know the good stuff if it bit you on the ass,” the squid told him.

“It would help if you were born with taste buds to begin with.”

“Go to hell Danny.”

“Like you too Mick,” he grinned.

“Excuse me,” a female voice said. Dan turned around and saw an Asian woman with pink highlights in her hair and wearing a very tight blue dress standing behind him.

“Oh my goodness.” Dan put down his drink, “Well hello and I hope I can help you.”

“I saw your last fight earlier,” she said, “And I just had to say that you’re like totally awesome.”

“Why thank you. It’s always nice to meet a fan, especially when they look like you.”

She giggled a bit then turned around bearing part of her shoulder. A small eagle tattoo was there. “I got this after your third fight last week, but it’s only temporary.” She lowered her head a bit and acted all shy like, “I was hoping could help me think of a reason to make it permanent.”

Dan looked her over, “I think I might be able to come up with a couple of reasons.” He went to take another drink of his beer, remembered the taste and put it back down. “Mick, tell somebody with no taste that this is their lucky day.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Mickey said he took the glass. Dan let her drag him off the stool. Nobody saw Mickey change glasses and dump Dan’s in the garbage.

“Danny!’ the bear shouted out. “Women weaken the knees!”

“I got no plans on standing up,” he told them. That got a few shout out as they left. She latched onto his arm as they made their way upstairs. They reached her hotel room in minutes and she let him in. When she closed the door Dan eyes glazed over and he fell to the floor.

“Cap!”, Ace shouted then started pounding on the door leading to the room next door. “Rev I need you in here now!” The door flew open as Rev and D.E quickly went to Dan side.

“What happened?”, Boomer asked from the doorway.

“I don’t know, he just fell.” Rev and D.E. picked him up and placed him on the bed. Ace quickly went into command mode as Rev started scanning him, “D.E. head out into the hallway and make sure nobody followed us.”

“You got it,” he stuffed an SP-Shooter into his pocket and went out his room’s door.

“Boomer contact OpsBase and let them know what happened.” He nodded. “Rev,” he was busy drawing a quick blood sample and ran it through the scanner “Keep doing what you’re doing.

Rev put a hypospray to his neck and injected him with something. After a few minutes he started groaning and moving a little, she was at his side a moment later. “Ugh… did the floor just hit me?”, he asked sounding very groggy and holding his head.

“Something like that Cap,” she told him, very relived.

“Good, because it was either that or somebody dropped DekaBase on my head.” He started to sit up but got very dizzy, “Oh, that was a bad idea,” he said as he lay back down.

“I would advise you stay in this position for a bit longer Captain,” Rev said running the scanner over him again. “You are still feeling the effects.”

“I guess I hit harder in that last fight than I thought.”

“What were we telling you earlier? Duck and move, duck and move,” Ace joked as she bobbed her head up and down.

“Don’t, it hurts when I laugh.”

“Unfortunately the fight didn’t put him in this position,” Rev told them. “He was poisoned.”

“It had had to be one of the guys from the fight,” Ace said. “They were the only ones close enough to do anything.”

“No, this particular poison only activates when it comes into contact with the acids normally found in the stomach. The Captain had to ingest it.”

“Then it couldn’t have been at that shack of an arena,” Dan said sounding a little stronger. “Everybody was drinking and eating the same stuff. And I only had that beer after the fight.” He stared at the ceiling, “Mickey slipped me a mickey.” He chuckled, “I must be light headed, that was almost funny.”

“Fortunately there was only a small amount in your system,” Rev told him. “A higher amount and I doubt you would have made it this far.”

“Now I’m really glad I ordered the good stuff.”

Ace got off the bed, “Boomer should be still be in contact with OpsBase. I’ll give him the update so he can tell them.”

“God, Michelle’s going to kill me when I get back.”

“I’ll guard you Cap, you got nothing to worry about.” He gave her a weak thumbs up.

“I’ll have you on your feet and out of here in ten minutes Captain,” Rev said while monitoring his vitals.

Dan covered his eyes, “Could you stretch that out by another ten minutes or so? I got a rep to maintain.” Neither of them saw Ace start blushing as that thought ran through her head.

***

Back at OpsBase the Major and Michelle listen as Ace gave them the updated report. Silent op would have been observed but this was a long term undercover mission. Outside of the poisoning the mission was going according to plan. “Where’s Cap now Ace?”, the Major asked.

“Training for his fight next week. He got word to us that nobody looked surprised to see him there. Cap said he talked to everybody he remembered seeing at the bar last night and nobody was acting strange. Or as he put it stranger than usual.”

The Major smiled, “At least he didn’t go after his Mickey person.” Ace hesitated before answering and he stopped smiling. “Don’t tell me he went after him.”

“He waited a few hours before he did,” Ace said. “I had D.E. tail him just in case. Cap just scared the squid silly.”

“That would explain the report from DekaSquad’s temporary CO,” Michelle said. “She reported that a squid-sejin nearly ran them over saying a human he tried to poison threaten him.”

“Do we know who put the squid up to it?”

“Cap said Mickey was more scared of whoever was behind it than he was of him,” Ace answered.

“He didn’t tell Squad either,” Michelle added.

“Well Cap scheduled to meet up with Anna Konstantin in a few hours. Hopefully we’ll learn something new then.”

“We’ll let you know at our next scheduled transmission, Ops5 out,” and the link was cut.

“That idiot better not be pushing himself if he’s still feeling the effect from that poison,” Michelle said to herself.

“Cap got to keep up appearances,” the Major said. “He can’t let whomever behind this know that something wrong with him.”

“I know, but they been undercover for over a month. He’s had a fight a week and according to D.E. a couple of them been pretty brutal. Nobody knows who going up against who until they’re actually in the ring. I’m not sure how much of this he can take.”

“Rev taking good care of him. And I’m going to schedule him for some leave when he gets back to heal up. If he takes it that is.”

“If he doesn’t I’m calling in Hawaii.” The Major wasn’t sure what she meant by that. “I’ll explain it later.”

***

The park was pretty quiet for the time of day. Dan at on a bench in a pretty open area trying to get the smell of alien sweat out of his nose. Here he was thinking he would never have to deal with that particular smell again after Ops training. A person with a hooded jacket sat next to him. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes. Dan rested his arms on the back of the bench and flexed the fingers on his left hand. The person next to him finally said, “I hear the eagle wants to fly with the angels.”

“Then Heaven better close it’s gates,” Dan replied looking straight ahead. “Miss. Konstantin.”

“Ops1,” she replied coolly. “I’m surprised you waited so long in contacting me again. And unprotected too, very sloppy.”

“Who said I was unprotected. My second in command is at two o’clock.” She glanced over and saw Ace in a gray jump suit and pink top look like she was warming up. “My comm. officer is at three.” Boomer was in his Laker gear sitting against a tree with headphones on his ears bobbing his head. “My medic over there at ten.” Rev had his green hoodie on as he studied a water fountain. “And my weapon expert is in sniper position.”

“Don’t you know where he is?”

“Told him to surprise me. And that better be your man watching us from the trees over there because I’m about five seconds away from giving the command to take him down.” She looked over and saw Peter hiding behind a tree. “Three… two…”

“He’s one of mine. Pierce never gave any indication you were like this.”

“I don’t like the idea of operating in a protected region. Too many variables to worry about.”

“And I don’t like the idea of your unit existing to begin with. If I didn’t think one of my men would have been recognized I wouldn’t have contacted Row about that Fire Squad project of his. To say I was confused when he suggested the Ops option doesn’t even begin cover it.”

“Obviously, if you brought him along.”

“That wasn’t planned. He must have overheard me when I made arrangements with your commander. Did you have to get rough with the suspect?”, there was a bit of an edge in her voice.

“Despite the fact the ‘suspect’ tried to poison me I wasn’t rough with him.”

“You threaten to turn him into calamari!”, she wasn’t hiding the anger she was feeling. “No police officer would go that far, not a good one any way.”

Dan smiled a little, just to piss her off, “I was in character, and in case you haven’t heard I’m not police.”

She sat there simmering, “There very little I have heard about you and your unit. I needed Row’s help just to get in contact with Pierce.”

“There’s a reason why our information is commanders only. I’m surprised Row even told you about us.”

“Well it’s a little late to be having second thoughts about calling you in now. Have you heard anything useful?”

“Just stuff from the grapevine. Apparently somebody big is coming in for the next fight night. Word is it’s the guy who organized and runs the entire thing.”

“Good. There has been five reported death connected to this on this planet alone.” She added, “And possibly one attempted murder. That we know of that is. Unfortunately there usually a couple of squads of Anaroids causing havoc on the same nights of the fights so we can’t get close enough to check things out ourselves.”

“Everybody so far is acting like those death go with the territory. Some of them have told me stories of people dying in the ring.”

“I hope that rumor’s true, if we take the boss down we can put a dent in this at least. Keep me informed.”

“Will do.” She got up and left. Dan did the same a few moments later. He stopped by Boomer saying, “You get all of that?”

Boomer kept bobbing his head, “Every word. That mic works like a charm.”

Dan glanced at the watch on his left arm, “I could almost get use to this undercover stuff,” and he continued walking.

***

Ace and the other meet up at a restaurant later. Cap couldn’t join them and chance blowing his cover so he stayed at the hotel. Most of them ordered whatever looked familiar on the menu. Luckily Boomer remembered what “sample platter” was in German and got that for Rev. He sat there contently tasting everything that was before him. Ace smirked as she took a sip of her tea, outside of the mission Rev was having a blast. She put her glass down, “Are all Tokukyou as stiff as she looked?”

“I met one once,” Rev said, “he did have an aura of… confidence about him.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“I dunno Ace,” D.E. spoke up, “word is that Harris guy in Rescue is a kind of a nut.”

Boomer added, “And Leon in Rail is a bit of a show off. Besides from what I hear they mellow out after awhile any way”

“Whatever, I’m just glad we don’t have to deal with one on a regular basis.”

“Never say never Ace,” D.E. told her.

“Maybe,” she started grinning, “it might be worth it to see Cap take him down a peg or two.”

“If it took the heat off me,” Boomer said, “I’ll apply for one right now.”

Ace looked right at him, “Boomer, you’re always going to be a heat magnet.”

“She speaks the truth buddy,” D.E. laughed. Boomer shot him a dirty look.

“Hey,” she pointed at him, “you’re not much better, especially when you’re around Boomer. Both of you are lucky the Major talked Cap out of putting of you two on sewage duty.”

“That because he likes us,” Boomer told her.

“No,” she corrected him, “it was because he didn’t want you two stinking up the place. And for the record, there no way in hell I let either of you aboard the Shepard smelling like crap too. I don’t even want to know how long it would take me to air it out.”

“Great to be loved ain’t it?”, D.E. said flatly to Boomer.

“I think Cap and Michelle are the experts in that department,” Boomer said. He started grinning, “Hey, do you think she gonna lock Cap in her room when we get back?” Ace kicked him under the table. When he looked at her she pointed at D.E.

D.E. looked up from his plate, “What?”

***

A week went by quickly and Dan was back at the warehouse / arena. His trainer was giving him the usual prefight speech as he tapped up his wrists. Dan had heard it before in various forms for as long as he could remember he just tuned it out. So far there hasn’t been any attempts on his life, but the mission wasn’t over yet. He started tuning back when he realized the usual locker room buzz died down in a hurry, even his trainer stopped talking. Dan looked around and saw everybody staring at the door.

“Don’t mind us,” an Igadroid said, “just making sure you guys are in top condition.” He raised an eyebrow, this was new. The bot stood aside and let a green skin alien with pointed ears and a black suit strut in. This was new too. Everybody else in the room was suddenly very still. “He’s over there,” The Igadroid pointed right at him.

“Oh geez,” his trainer mumbled, “keep yer nose clean kid.”

“Zax?”, the green guy said as he came up to them. “They still let you do this? I’m surprised one of your losers hasn’t put you down yet.”

“I don’t coach loser,” then he added, “sir.”

“Even the poorest coach can get a lucky find every now and again.” He stared Dan in the eye and he started right back. “So you’re this amazing human I keep hearing about. Vance McMayhem, owner and originator of this spectacle. I came to this mud ball to see you in action personally. Who knows, if you impress me I might, might help you along to bigger and better things. If you impress me.”

“I’m thrilled,” he replied without any enthusiasm

“Don’t mind ‘im boss,” his trainer stepped in. “My boy here fights to win just like everybody else here.”

“Good to hear.” He got in a little closer and spoke a little lower, “But I find it better to know when to fight to lose. If you get my meaning.”

“Ya want ‘im to throw the fight?”, Zax whispered. “Ya lousy son of a…”, he was cut when the Igadroid brought up it’s cross blade. He stared at it and gulped.

“No wonder you never made it past the local circuit Zax. You never let go of those outdated morals of yours.” His trainer stood there steaming. “The choice is yours of course human. I’m just sure how long you’ll be able to fight if you make the wrong one. Good luck tonight,” he sneered. After he left the entire locker room was staring at them.

“Take a vid!,” he’s trainer yelled at them. “It’ll slaggin’ last longer.”

Dan put a hand on his shoulder, “Cool down a little bit coach. I need you to have a clear head when I’m in the cage tonight. Nobody knows who’s fighting who as usual.”

“Yeah yer right kid,” he took a couple of deep breaths. “So kid, what are ya gonna do?”

“You know us human ain’t that smart.”

Zax started looking very sad, “Nice knowing ya kid. Well, at least yer gonna go out fighting. Now warm up kid,” he slapped him on the chest, “ya got a fight coming up.”

“Sure thing coach.” Dan took his bag into a corner. He noticed that everyone was doing everything they could not to look at him, that made this a little easier. He put the bag down and removed a MP3 player, while making sure his watch was still near the top. As he put the ear bud in a pressed down a small bump behind his ear. A small receiver that Rev implanted before the mission. “Please tell me you heard that?”, he whispered.

“We got every word Cap,” Boomer told him. “We’re getting ready to send what we got to Squad now. See you soon.” Cap removed his finger and started throwing punches at his shadow. He started thinking about what was going to happen to Zax. The old man was ornery but he was a basically a good guy. And Dan started liking the old guy over the past month. He really wished he had his License right about now.

***

A human with any kind of winning record was a rare thing in this thing. It was also a huge draw so they saved his fight for last. The announcer was already in the middle of the cage, mic in hand. “Has tonight delivered or what folks?” The crowd roared their approval. “Well it’s not over yet and we got one more fight for you tonight. Introducing first, at a record of three and one, the American Eagle Daaaaaniel Steeeeeven! Stevens!” A spot light hit the entrance way as some generic patriotic sounding music started playing. Zax led him out and a good part of the crowd was already chanting his name. He got in the cage and raised a hand to acknowledge the crowd.

“And as a special treat for all you fine folk tonight. His opponent, coming in at a record of thirty six and zero. Your Intergalactic Fight Federation champion. The Asteroid Smasher himself. Laaaaaaan Geeeeettor! Gettor!” The crowd nearly blew the roof off the place as his opponent entered. Zax cursed out loud as some alien sounding music started playing and a huge rocky Kordain walked foreword. It snorted smoke out from it’s snout as the crowd by the walk way took a step back. Dan glanced around the arena, where in the hell was DekaSquad? Then he remembered Konstantin say they had an Anaroid problem every time they had one of these fights. He found McMayhem sitting in the front row just smiling, looks like Squad might be real busy tonight if the boss was here.

The ox ref stood in the center of the ring with it’s hand raised, “Combatants ready?” They slammed their fist together. Dan bands didn’t spark. He did it a couple of more time, nothing.

“Shit,” Dan spit out

“Hey,” Zax shouted out, “we got a equipment failure here!” Dan saw the ox’s eyes look over at McMayhem, who was slowly shaking his head. Zax saw it too, “They’re gonna kill ‘im.”

“Go!”, the ref brought his hand down and the bell rang. Dan quickly got the bands off his hands, the piece of crap were useless anyway.”

Ace saw what was happening and made her way to the exit. The operation just went south and according to radio Squad was in several different spots in the city fighting off Anaroids as they popped up. She tapped the jewel on her bracelet twice, time to start plan B.

The Kordian kept throwing hammer like blows as he got out of the way. The thing had a good foot on him and it looked like it spent a lot of time in the weight room. But this wasn’t the first time he seen one of these things. There was one in the group back on Nagaus 7. He watched a sparring match between one and a tiger-sejin he made friends with. Hopefully this one will be dumb enough to fall for the same thing. The Kordain threw a straight right at his head. As he stepped out of the way he grabbed it’s wrist and jumped. He wrapped his leg around it’s shoulder, the added weight and it’s momentum let Dan flip him to the mat as it lost it’s balance. Dan pulled back on the arm with everything he had, even arching his body to get more leverage. His opponent had no choice but to slap the mat three times.

“He tapped,” the ref blurted as the crowd went nuts. Dan let go and climbed and jumped over the top of the cage. He looked at the crowd, McMayhem and his Igadroid was already gone.

“Kid do ya know what ya did?!”, Zax yelled at him

“Yeah, that’s why we got to run.”

“Screw that, yer the champ!” Dan had to drag him out of there. They went past the locker room and headed for the exit. A blast at the floor in front of him stopped them in their tracks. McMayhem and his bodyguard stepped forward blocking the path.

“You know,” McMayhem said, “I really hate idiots. Particularly those who can’t do what I tell them too.” He pulled out a blaster and shot Zax’s assistant right between the eyes. “I told him to get rid of you himself, not to have that incompetent squid do it.” Dan pushed Zax behind him. “No offense kid, but I find human are bad for business. They’re usually way too curious than they need to be.” He waved his hand and two Batsuroids came forward. “Take care of the others boys.”

“Not so fast!”, Ace said as she and Rev hit the Batsuroids with their D-Shooters.

“SPD!”, McMayhem said as he backed up and ran.

“Cap Catch!”, she tossed him a black and white License. He caught it and spun toward the Igadroid.

“Emergency! DekaOps!” The Igadroid threw a grenade down and ten Anaroids formed. Dan got Zax to safety as he looked behind them out the door. McMayhem jumped in a car and sped off. Dan yelled into his License, “We got a runner!”

“We’re on it,” D.E. said. He and Boomer came out of hiding on the Hounds and gave chase.

“We need more Anaroids!”, the announcer cried running their way. “DekaSquad just showed up.” Then he saw Dan and the others, “Oh slag.” He jumped for cover by Zax as the firing started.

“Get that over grown tin can going,” McMayhem screamed into the comm. monitor in his car. “I don’t want those Deka freaks following me!”

“You got it boss,” another Igadroid said. “Kicker will launch now.”

“Your damn right it’s going to launch now.” He punched it off and looked into this rear view mirror. Two black and white motorcycles were following him, ridden by Deka. He speeded up but they were keeping pace, no they were gaining. Every time he tried to turn off the road they fired to keep him on his path. He should have stayed on the main road and not take the back route. The black and blue shot ahead suddenly broke off and shot ahead of his car. He looked back before hitting a button in the bike. A metal spike shot out from under the Deka’s seat and hit the grill of his car. An electrical charge shorted out his engine. The blue one went ahead, turned came back and stop in front of him. McMayhem got out and pointed his blaster at him. “You son of a bitch!”

“You might want to rethink that,” Boomer said behind him pointing his D-Shooter at him. It was just enough of a distraction for D.E. to draw and shoot the blaster from his hand.

“You can’t do this to me! I’m Vance McMayhem dammit!”

“You think that matter to us?” D.E. got off the Hound and switched his License to Judge, “Target orders!”. The area went dark as a red X and a blue circle started flashing before him. A minute later the red X shined brightly, “Eliminate target.” He locked his License into his D-Shot and pulled back the grip. “Strikeout!” a blue stream of energy shot out and vaporized McMayhem. D.E. slung the D-Shot across his shoulder, “Got ya.”

Boomer pulled the spike out of the car and tossed it to him, “Do you think we should do something about the car?”

D.E. thought it over, “I’ll check for any surprises, if it’s clean we’ll leave it for the locals.”

The fight with the bots was over before the witnesses knew it. Dan and the others just fired away since anybody organic was behind them. Short and to the point, besides they were in a rush since the Squad was here. They turned around and saw the other cowering there. Well, not Zax he was staring at Dan, “Kid, yer SPD?”

“Sorry coach.”

“Well at least I can say for a few moments that I coached a champion. Go ahead, judge me, delete me whatever the hell ya do.”

Dan walked up to him and went, “You coached the guy who beat the champion, that’s it.”

Zax shook his head, “League rules kid, the champ fights in the cage the title automatically on the line.”

“Then you coached the guy who never lost the title,” he said as he slapped the D-Whoppers around his wrist. “Do yourself a favor and tell them everything you know about this thing. It’s the best I can do for you under the circumstances.”

“Thanks Champ.”

“Anytime coach.” He backed away and turned to Ace and Rev, who were bust cuffing the rest. “We got to move. Squad going to wonder why these guys are tied up as it is.”

“We’re done here Cap,” Ace said. “You grab your gear back at the hotel. We’ll meet you at the rendezvous point.”

“Right,” Dan nodded and let them go first. He turned around to make sure there wasn’t going to be any surprises coming behind them and looked right at DekaFire. The two red started at each other for a moment. Not sure what else to do, Dan raised two finger to his helmet and gave him a mini salute before heading out. DekaBurst came down the hallway and looked at the door DekaFire was staring at.

“I just saw another Deka Unit,” he said in disbelief.

She told him, “Forget you saw them.”

“But I’ve never seen them before.”

“I’ll explain later if I can but for right now forget you ever saw them. We got a report of a Monster Mech wreaking the place. You and the others need to get the DekaSquadRobo out there and take it down.”

“Rodger,” DekaFire took one more look at the door and ran for the others. DekaBurst sighed, a nice spot for Pierce’s people to leave her in.

***

The Machine Shepard was hidden in a clearing outside of town. They watched from a distance as the DekaSquadRobo took on a kick boxer type of Monster Mech. It took a while but the Squad took it down. Boomer stood there whining, “Dude, I want a robot.”

Dan didn’t even look at him, “Want in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets fuller faster.”

“Why don’t you make one of those unauthorized call to you fiancé and tell her your coming home,” Ace said as she was checking the Shepard’s engines.

“I have not made any unauthorized transmission,” Boomer protested. Then he tried to act like he wasn’t glancing at his watch. “If you will excuse me, I need to…. calibrate the communication array,” and he ran into the ship.

“Go easy on him Cap,” D.E. said, “he’s in love after all.” Dan put his hands in his pockets and said nothing. D.E just stared at him, “Cap, you didn’t”

“Just to let her know I was still I one piece. And it’s my prerogative as field leader to check in sooner than scheduled.”

“Sure Cap, sure,” he said. Then D.E. started singing,” Cap and Michelle…”

“I can talk the Major into letting me put you back on sewage duty,” Dan shot a look at him.

“Ahem,” Anna coughed, she was carrying his bag. “Sorry we were late. This operation had more Anaroids than they knew what to do with it seems. And one of the participants we have in custody is willing to talk. His only condition was that I find away to get this bag back to the, and I quote, only human champ in league history?”

Dan took the bag from her, “Everything will be in the report. I’m sure Pierce will get you a copy of it.”

“I’m sure he will, but you left me with a situation. None of my people were supposed to see you.”

“And I apologize for that, but I’ve been in too many operations to know that things don’t always go according to plan. Tell him what you think you need to. If you want to tell him everything, fine. If you want, lie and say you’re not authorized to explain things at the moment.”

“I don’t think that one is far from the truth. Winggons file on your unit was locked up pretty tight.”

“How is she doing anyway?”

“No change,” she looked down, “but we’re hopeful.”

“We can stay a little longer if you want. My medic been trained to be a healer his entire life.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I doubt one more doctor will wake her up any faster. I better get back before the other start wondering where I am.”

“Right, glad to work with you,” she nodded and walked back into the trees. They entered the Shepard and took their seats, Dan leaned back and buckled up, “Status.”

“The area is clear,” Rev said.

“Radar says the skies are wide open,” D.E. announced

“Base has been contacted and will be expecting us,” Boomer told him.

“Activate the stealth system and let’s get this bird home,” Dan said.

“Stealth activated,” Ace replied after she started the engines, “setting course for home.” The Shepard rose in the air before disappearing. A sudden gust of wind was the only indication of what direction they went.