Special Police DekaOps

33

She wasn’t sure how he was pulling it off but Michelle was always glad when she and Dan could get some time alone away from base. Especially on a day like today. The sun was shining, the weather was pleasant. It was the perfect day to do nothing but walk around town. Of course she’d stop every so often when something in a store window caught her eye. Depending on what it was Dan would either join her or say something real fast and just hang back until she was done. There as a bit of an awkward moment when they passed a jewelry store and she caught him staring at the engagement rings that were on display. Both of them looked at each then quickly continued on to the next store. “How was you talk with Barry last night?”, she asked.

“You know,” he answered, “just a couple of army buddies just exchanging stories.”

“I bet your stories were a little more exciting,” she teased.

“Eh, we’re just shooting the bull.”

“I still can’t believe he caught you using your License.”

“You’re the one who called me,” he told her. “At least I could stop lying about what I’m doing now. At least to Barry, I don’t know if he’s told Paula yet. They still want us over for dinner by the way.”

“The moment you can clear our schedule,” she joked. “Or at least convince command to ease up on the computer or criminal updates.”

“You’re going to have to talk to the Alienizers about that last one.” The jewelry store long forgotten they kept talking until they came noticed a commotion across the street. Dan went on the alert almost immediately looking for any sign of trouble. Then they noticed the TV cameras and a particularly loud jacket. Dan immediately went from alert to annoyed in record time, “I thought he left town.”

“He did,” Michelle said. “I guess he weaseled his way back in.” The ‘he’ in question was one John McGee, ‘reporter’ for the tabloid television show Inside Extra. Not to mention the self proclaimed hunter of the mystery Deka unit. “Last I heard they pulled him from the story because he was racking up a fortune on the show’s credit line. On top of that he wanted to put out a reward for any footage of you guys.”

“How much?”, Dan asked.

“From the rumors I heard, a half a mil.” Dan whistled. “That was the last I heard of him until now.”

“It wasn’t long enough.”

“Hey you!”, they looked around until they saw a fat man with a headset around his neck wave at them.

“Keep going maybe he’ll go away,” Dan mumbled. To his dismay the man chased after them.

“Hey wait up,” he said getting in front of them. “I’m the producer on this segment. Would you guys like to be on TV?”

“No thanks,” Dan quickly told him. “We’re in a hurry…”

“Phil what’s the hold up?”, McGee demanded as he stormed over with a cameraman following him. “Those jackasses only gave us a couple of days in this crap town. We can’t afford to waste time with the twits.”

“I’m trying to talk them into being interviewed,” Phil said. McGee attitude changed immediately.

“Jerry set up right here.”

“Really we don’t have the…,” about then Dan noticed Michelle had separated herself from the pack. She shrugged as he looked at her. “I really don’t have the time.”

“Of course you do,” McGee said. “You’ll be on television and you’ll be famous with all your friends.” The camera guy said they were filming and McGee looked into the lens. “This is John McGee doing man on the street interviews. Today we’re asking the everyman for their comments about the mysterious Deka unit. Considered to be a myth or an urban legend sightings of this unit has been more and more frequent and widespread as of late. With me is…,” he looked over at Dan.

“Steve,” he lied.

“Steve, now Steve SPD has supposedly been upfront with everything but rumors of this unit still persist. Now what do you make of this highly suspicious situation?”

“The more Deka the better,” he said. That stunned McGee enough for him to get away. Michelle held back a bit just to see what McGee would do before heading after him. “I am so going to get you back for that,” Dan told her.

“You or ‘Steve’,” she teased.

***

In his office Dan tried to get that day’s paperwork done. After awhile he figured Ace must be satisfied with how the Machine Tiger was progressing because he found five request forms for parts for the Machine Shepard mixed into his daily reports. Looking at the one in his hand he said, “I really didn’t miss seeing these.” Putting it with the others he went over the rest of the reports. Then he found a sixth. About then the Major walked in and saw it in his hand. He turned around to walk back out the door but Dan stopped him, “Is there something I can do for you sir?”

“Ace has been making up for lost time,” he said. Dan wasn’t amused. “I just got word from the locals. People have been turning up missing, almost like they’ve been abducted into the sky.”

“Do they have any proof of that?”, Dan asked.

“Nothing concrete,” he answered. “Just various reports of people being there one moment and gone the next. It’s happening often enough that it popped up on our radar. I thought it would e a good idea to check it out in case there is some Alienizer involvement.”

“The job would be easier if McGee wasn’t in town,” Dan said. “He’s going to be all over it if he heard about it.”

“Michelle told me he was back in town,” Pierce said. “Well all I can tell you is avoid him if you can. We don’t have any contacts in Inside Extra so I can’t do anything if he gets any footage of you.”

“We’ll do what we can,” Dan said. He just happened to glance down at the remaining paperwork and saw a familiar looking piece of paper sticking out. Before the Major could get up he pulled out a seventh request form and held it in front of him. “Now about these little extras you’re sneaking into my pile.”

“I love to stay and chat but I’m expecting a call from Helen,” Pierce said as he got out of there as fast as his bad leg could take him.

“I’m not done talking about this.

“I’m done listening,” The Major said as he exited the office.

After the door closed Dan muttered, “I am going to talk Michelle into doing things on top of your desk.”

***

“I knew it was a good idea to come back,” McGee said. In his hand was a police file he was able to get from an officer in need of a little extra cash. In motel room he was sharing with Phil and Jerry he leaned back on the bed and stretched out. “These disappearances are just what the doctor ordered. That Deka unit has to come out for this one.”

“They better,” Phil said from the desk in the room. “I had to sweat talk Terri into giving this amount of time. And she only agreed to that because I said we’d pay for our own expenses.”

“That’s not in my contract,” McGee told him. “My expenses are paid for by the show.”

“Within reason,” he reminded him. “We wasted so much time here last time they’re reevaluating your credit line.”

“I’m their number one guy, they’re not going to do anything.”

“You were their number one guy. You hunted this phantom unit for so long the stories you usually got went to the others. Your star is starting to fall, quickly from what I’m hearing.”

“Don’t you worry,” McGee said. “All of that is going to change as soon as we get those bastards on film. They are going to be on their hands and knees begging for forgiveness.”

“It must be great living in your fantasy world,” Phil told him.

“Just do your job,” McGee snapped, “and be grateful if I consider taking you with me. After I break this all of the networks are going to want a piece of me.”

***

“Anything?”, Ace asked Target. She answered with a head shake. Cap had told them what was going on in the city with the disappearances. Given the circumstances both Rev and Michelle theorized that a transporter of some sort might be being used to nab the victims. So Cap had them split up and go over the places people were being reported disappearing from. The working theory was that if it was a transporter there’d be some stray energy readings at the site. She couldn’t say anything about Cap and the others but so far they were getting zip.

“Maybe this thing is broken,” Target offered. Ace doubted it, they calibrated that scanner before they left. Not getting anything from here they headed for the next location. Thinking out loud Target said, “Maybe these guys are using a cloaking field or something.”

“I thought that at first too,” Ace said, “but a cloaking field needs a lot of power. And the less moving parts the better. A captive would be trying to get away so you’d see an outline while the field was trying to compensate.”

“Well it was a thought,” Target said.

“But,” Ace continued, “from what I understand a transporter needs a lot of power too. So there has to be some sort of emitter somewhere. I can’t see whoever it is just trying to grab people blind.”

“Michelle already checked that,” she told her. “There hasn’t been any noticeable spike on the power grid anywhere. And a hand held unit is too unstable and the range isn’t that great.”

“Which leads me to a possible third option.”

“A cloaked ship with a transporter?”, Target finished for her.

“Right in one,” Ace said. “It would have to have a massive engine to support both. And an engine would leave some kind of trail.”

“The scanner in Target’s pocket beeped. “We got a hit. I’m running it through the database back at OpsBase now.”

“Ops5 to Ops1,” Ace spoke into her License.

“Stevens here, go.”

“We might have a hit. Target is doing an analysis now.”

“OpsBase here,” Michelle called in. “Sorry to cut into the conversation but I got a hit on that reading Target just sent in. It is a transporter field energy signature. Unfortunately it’s one used by several different species so it’s going to be hard to narrow down.”

“Is there any way to track that energy signature?” Dan asked.

“Not unless it’s in use,” she told him. “I had the same problem with Waven’s transporter remember.”

“I was kind of out of it for most of that one,” Dan reminded her.

“Well it’s the best I can do at this point is to use this to find the other spots people have been taken from. That way we can find out their preferred hunting ground.”

“Michelle,” Ace spoke up, “see if you can pick up any stray energy trails above those spots while you’re at it.”

“You got an idea Ace?”, Dan asked.

“Just a flimsy hunch at this point.”

“It’s better than what I got at the moment. Michelle can you do it?”

“I’m checking now,” she responded. “I’m picking up some faint reading across the area but nothing I can pinpoint right now.”

“I hate to say it,” Dan said, “but we might have to wait until somebody else gets grabbed.”

“I really hope it doesn’t come to that,” Ace told him.

“So do I Ace, Stevens out.”

“He might be right,” Target said as she closed her License.

“I know,” Ace admitted, “but the idea just sucks.” Target nodded in agreement as they continued down the street.

***

“Hey I think I know that dweeb,” McGee said from the backseat as he pointed toward a blond haired man in a bomber jacket. The car was going too fast for him to get a good look at the guy with him in the green hoodie. But the other guy in the Laker gear was hard to miss.

“I think that’s the guy you tried to interview yesterday,” Phil said trying to get a good look.

“Oh yeah him, how did that dweeb get on the broadcast? He made me look like an idiot.”

“We were able to get a grand total of five people on film,” Phil told him. “We needed him to keep the segment running the length Terri wanted.”

“I swear nobody wants to be on television anymore,” McGee moaned. “Damn internet.”

“Well we got time for a few more location shots before we got to leave tomorrow.”

“Now wait a damn second Phil,” McGee said nearly jumping out of the backseat. “Who said we’re leaving tomorrow?”

“This is all the time I was able to get,” Phil reminded him for the umpteenth time. “Terri wants the camera back by tomorrow night. I’m sorry John but it’s the end of the road for this one.”

“God damn bitch is trying to ruin me,” McGee fumed. “Let’s get those damn shots done with. I got some words for her when I get back.”

“Oh I can’t wait for that performance,” Phil dryly said. There Jerry stopped the car and they piled out. McGee got into position and waited and waited and waited.

“What’s the hell is the hold up?” McGee demanded.

“This damn antique they set us up with,” He answered. “It won’t come on.”

“Oh for the love of…,” McGee tore it out of his hands, “Give it here Jerry. “ Pounding on power button he grunted, “Work you stupid piece of…” Then he disappeared.

“Oh boy,” Phil murmured

McGee found himself on a ship surrounded by people in glass tubes. Some were scared while others were pleading for help. He looked in front of him to see a robot with a spiky head come at him. First he said, “Shit,” and then he did it.

***

Michelle station started to go off as they got a new energy reading from the transporter. Getting that location she checked the area for that energy trail Ace was talking about and found it. More importantly she could track it. “OpsBase to Ops1, we got this one on sensors and are currently tracking their energy trail.”

“Good work Michelle. Keep tracking it until it lands. If we’re lucky we can get them with their pants down.”

“OpsBase out,” Michelle said. Looking at the blip on her screen all she could say was, “Sorry they had to nab you, whoever you are.” A bit later she got the police report on the kidnapping, the victim was one John McGee. “Maybe I’m not that sorry.”

***

With Michelle tracking the energy trail Dan and his group headed for the spot Ace said they’d picked them up with the jeep. Of course part of him really wanted to turn around and head home when he found out who the latest victim was. But he told himself he had a job to do and that he was a little more concerned about the previous victims. “OpsBase to Ops1.”

“What is it Michelle?”, Dan answered.

“The energy trail landed at an old refinery about a mile outside of town.”

“I know where it is,” Boomer said. “Lisa’s Uncle used to work there.”

“Right,” Dan said. “Keep an eye on that place Michelle, let us know if it takes off again.”

“You got it, OpsBase out.”

“Tell me how to get there Boomer,” Ace told him. Traffic seemed to going against them but they finally got there. Fortunately whoever it was didn’t leave the refinery yet. Finding a hole in the fence Dan had them search for an area big enough to fit Ace’s idea of how big the ship would have to be. They found it pretty fast, in fact the ship was uncloaked and they were currently unloading their “cargo”, humans in containment tubes.

“Hurry up and get them out,” An Igadroid ordered to the Anaroids unloading the ship. “The ship needs to be refueled afterwards before we can do another run.” While he was barking orders a fish like alien walked up behind him, a respirator like device around the gill like slits on his neck.

With a gurglely like voice it asked, “All is going well?”

“For the most part,” the Igadroid said. At his command two Anaroids struggled to get McGee, who was still clutching the camera, out of the ship. “This one has proven to be more problematic than the others.”

Fishman looked him over, “He looks weak for the slave trade, and too old. Eliminate him.”

“Now wait a minute,” McGee said after finding his voice. “I’m with the press damn it, you can’t get rid of me.”

Fishman looked at him with those huge eyes, “Eliminate him immediately.”

“I know I’m going to regret this,” Dan muttered while taking out his License. “Change standby. Emergency! DekaOps!” McGee started cowering away from Fishman and the Igadroid while one of the Anaroids went down. The three of them looked over to see a female figure in a blue and black Dekasuit take aim and drop another one as four more were charging the group.

“I knew it,” McGee said as he started working on the camera in his hands.

“Ace, Rev,” Dan ordered, “get those people out of those tubes, Boomer, Target provide cover fire.”

“Rodger,” the four answered.

“Stop them!” Fishman ordered. The Igadroid lead the counter charge as both group met. Target ran behind Boomer. He stopped and she leaped up and jumped off his shoulder. Above the Anaroids she fired at will before landing. Boomer tackled one of the two Anaroids that tried to surround her while she swept the leg out from the other one.

“This is great stuff,” McGee said after he got the camera working. He was drooling at the footage he was getting. That bitch would bend over backwards to keep him happy now.

Ace and Rev made their way to the closest tube after getting past the Anaroids. The woman inside was pounding on the glass begging them to get her out. “I hope you got an idea on how to crack this thing,” Ace told him.

“I am familiar with the device,” he answered. “It was originally a medical aid…”

“Can you open it?”, Ace cut him off. She didn’t want to be rude but they didn’t have time for a history lesson in a middle of a fight. Without another word Rev reached for the base and hit something. A moment later a previous invisible seam opened up. “Rev I love you.”

“You have my humble appreciation Trish.”

The woman rushed out and hugged Rev around the neck, “Thank you thank you thank you!”

“Human interest,” McGee said as he recorded the moment, “who cares.” He proceeded to point the lens elsewhere.

Dan was having a harder time with this Igadroid. This one was obviously programmed to fight hand to hand. In fact it was barely giving him any time to react. Stay on the defensive Dan was slowly being pushed back. Finally he was able to fool the AI by moving in a way it didn’t count on. He used that moment to draw his D-Colt but the Igadroid grabbed his wrist. “Uh,” Dan grunted as the pressure increased. Eventually his hand opened and he dropped the gun. The Igadroid punched him, Dan spun with it his hand going for his pack. As he fell he pulled out his holdout D-Shooter and fired twice. Both bullets penetrated the Igadroid’s head. It stood there for a moment before falling back.

“I’m going to get an Emmy, a Peabody, a Pulitzer. Hell they’re going to have to invent an award for this.”

Fishman came at Dan with a crowbar in his hands. Boomer cut him off giving Target just enough time to shot it out of his hand. Not wasting anytime Dan whipped out his OpsLicense and switched it to Judge, “Target orders.” The area around them went dark as a red X and blue circle flashed between them until only the X remained. “Eliminate target.” The three of them locked their License into their D-Shots and took aim, “Strikeout!” And Fishman was no more, “Got you.”

“I’m never going to have to work again!”, McGee exclaimed. A little too loudly because they looked right at him, “Shit.”

Before he could run out of there with the camera Boomer caught up with him and took it out of his hands, “Wow this is old. Whoa who crapped their pants?”

“Hey!”, McGee protested while trying to get it back.

Opening it up he took out the film inside,” Hey Cap, an actual cassette.”

Over McGee’s protest he tossed to Dan who promptly started pulling the tape out of it. “We’re doing pretty good in this spot right here,” he said pretending to study the film as McGee dropped to his knees.

As he started pulling it out faster Target commented, “It’s starting to pick up there.”

“Did he get my good side?”, Boomer asked.

“You don’t have a good side,” Ace shot at him.

Wrapping the film around the cassette Dan looked at McGee and said, “This might have made your career.” Then he tossed it into the air. Target destroyed it with a couple of shots. “Oops… my bad.”

“You enjoyed that,” Target quipped.

Smiling behind his helmet Dan just said,” Boomer, Target watch him. Ace finish getting those people out of there. Rev, you and me are checking out that building he came out of to see if they are any more captives in there. And we got to find out if he shipped anybody off planet yet.” McGee stared at the remains of the tape crying like a baby.

***

A couple of days later the team was relaxing in the rec room. Unfortunately Fishman was able to get some people off world. But thanks to the D-Hacks Michelle was able to get into his computer and find out where. As of now the other Ops teams were working on that so hopefully they’ll all be home soon. Michelle found out McGee was on permanent reassignment after losing the camera, apparently he was covering dog shows now. And that just made Dan happy.

While they relaxed Michelle came in all excited, “I almost forgot to tell you guys. I recorded Dan’s debut on Inside Extra.” She picked up the remote before he could stop her and brought it up.

“I don’t want to see this,” Dan complained. The others started cheering and whistling when his face appeared. “Look that’s not even me it says the guy’s name is Steve.”

“Oh be quiet and enjoy it ‘Steve’,” Michelle said as she massaged his shoulders.

They watched and hollered again when he said, “The more Deka the better.” The image froze there.

“Are all of you happy now?”, Dan asked.

“Cap that was brilliant,” Boomer told him.

“A true moment of excellence,” Target said before starting to laugh.

“Hey what’s that?” Ace asked. By his head a word balloon started to form. Michelle froze.

Dan squirmed a bit under her grip, “Michelle you’re digging into my shoulders.”

“I didn’t think it recorded this,” she let him go and started to back away toward the door. Dan’s jaw fell to the floor as the words “I am Michelle Chavez’s sex slave” appeared inside it.

“Ooooo,” Boomer said looking at her.

Target shook her head in disbelief, “Wow”. Rev just looked at it, head tilted in confusion.

“You’re dead,” Ace told her.

Not taking his eyes off the screen Dan slowly said, “Michelle”.

Still backing up toward the door she answered, “Yes love of my life who has a wonderful sense of humor and wouldn’t harm a hair on my head.”

“Yeah it’s not my head I’d be worried about,” Ace smirked.

“Shut up,” she quickly snapped.

Dan finished with a, “You have a five second head start.”

“Eep,” she squeaked and ran out the door. Dan sat there and slowly counted to five before getting up and jumping over the couch to give chase.

Rev tried to stop him, “Captain…” Ace got in his way as Dan ran out the door. “Why did you stop me?”

“Did you see that smile on his face?”, she asked him. “He’s not going hurt her. Trust me.”

A few seconds later they heard Michelle cry out, “Hey no fair you’re tickling!”

“Yup, it’s going to be a while before we see them again,” Ace commented.

“Just when I think I have humans figured out,” Rev mumbled to himself.