Author's Notes - Read this before you read this story
The year is 2020; the universe is at peace and everyone is learning to get along whatever species they are. However; there are those who wish to see the peace of the universe crumble and vanishes forever. One man in particular Atomic Dog wants no peace in the universe, only chaos.
To combat him and other terrorists who plan to throw the universe into chaos. The head Universal Nations (previously United Nations), Commander Captain Ian has set up a team of operatives with orders to protect the peace at all costs. Leading this group is Captain Lem Lemming, loyal friend to the boss of the Universal Nations. In his team is former Terrorist Decoy, a human who had half of his face burnt off when he was in terrorism. Mallory McMallard, a female duck, and member of the Puckworldian Special Forces (if you watch Disney's Mighty Ducks you might know!). Nosedive; male duck professional Ice Hockey player and also gun swinger. Former Puckworld thief Duke, male duck who is good hockey player who knows how to steal. Former Galaxy Police officer Kiyone, a promising woman who quit the GP force due her former partner. Prince Tenchi of the planet Jurai; honourable warrior and teenager. Princess Ayeka, loyal friend of Tenchi, can't stay away from him. Former Evil Demon Ryoko, deadly women who also can't keep off Tenchi. Professor Washu, universal female Genius and Professor Jeremy Clem, the smartest Lemming in the known universe ( He is also companies by Machine, first of the U.N military soldiers).
This special team is the universe first, and only line of defences against the dangerous terrorists and maniacs who want to reign in chaos. They are The New Generation! [TNG]
Author's note additional - This story is follow on from another story of mine not put up on Fan Fiction.net due to the fact it really focuses on my characters and not the others. If you are intrested about the story previously before this then e-mail me. This can be a stand alone story too so enjoy.
MAN HUNTER - Part One
The alarm clock rang; it was half past seven in the morning. Decoy reared his head from under his only bed pillow and turned it off. There was a small sunbeams coming through the blind window to the side of the bed. With a little groan of tiredness; Decoy sat up in his bed. It had been six long weeks for him to get over his separation from Alicia. Not technically a separation of marriage; he only discovered six weeks ago that he had never been married to Alicia. The wedding was just a shame; her parents never even wanted a former criminal marrying their daughter. Decoy had been upset ever since but he was coming back to his usual self.
Since the separation, Decoy had a spare room made up by the team and he moved in to the room as soon as he could. His room was the old storage room, but Clem had managed to change it into a nice cosy living quarters within a few days. Everything in the storage was moved to the loading bay. His room therefore now consisted of a small bedroom and a small bathroom. He had plenty of room to put his clothes in wardrobes and belongings in cupboards. The place looked like he had been there for quite some time.
With no current operations the team needed to undertake, it was a lot easier for Decoy to put the problems behind him and return to his old cheery but usually serious self. Decoy, still sitting in the bed paused before he got out of the bed. He just remembers to keep it together and everything would be alright for him; he somehow kept his wedding ring as a reminder of what he had been through. Still on his index finger, Decoy looked at the gold ring. He sighed and got out of bed. In a t-shirt and shorts, he plodded over to the bathroom to shave and clean himself up.
After doing that, he pulled out his usual business grey suit which he wore, his white shirt and black tie. With his clothes, he got dressed and started to leave, he remembered his facemask. Decoy proceeded back to the bathroom and opened up the cupboard where his aftershave and shaving equipment were. He took out a human facemask with eyeholes and a mouthpiece. Before he put it on, he looked in a mirror and saw his real face.
The metal plate over the left side of his face had been there for many years; it sought of grown with it ever since it was burnt off. The plate had his bionic eye in it so he could see with both eyes, rather than with one. Decoy then put the mask on and it transformed him to a regular person, the mask just felt like a real human face. His metal plate was no where to be seen. The mask was a work of genius by Clem and Washu. It made him able to blend in with the crowd again; something he wanted to do for a long time, it also stopped people from looking at him with a curious and worried look. With his mask on Decoy walked out of his quarters and locked the door.
* * * * * *
" How's tin plate going?" asked Nosedive to Lem who was sitting at the kitchen table reading a newspaper.
" I dunno, six weeks," said Lem. " Being separated for that long should have brought him back to his usual self."
" I guess things change when ya get married."
" Things do change when you discover that your marriage has been a shame for five years," said Lem putting the newspaper down. " Do we have any orange juice left this morning? I swore that Kiyone made another batch."
" I think they took the juicer down to the gym," said Nosedive eating his cereal.
" That gym is getting more and more popular," said Lem a bit annoyed. " What's so special about it?"
" Allows us to get fit and be on our best performance when we come to facing terrorists."
" That's what the training rooms are for, the fight simulators, the weapons range, heck the damn bomb defusing simulators as well. I haven't seen anyone use them for a while, except for Mallory who always seems to be firing off a weapon of some sort."
" Haven't you use the gym?" asked Nosedive finishing his cereal and leaving the spoon in the bowl.
" No, I haven't," said Lem. " I don't want to any way, I'm better at fist fights than knug fu thank you very much!"
" Really? How come you can flip, dive, and kick high in the air against guys?"
" Pure Lemming ability, we can do that if we're fat."
" You seem lean to me."
" Well, a high balance diet of cookies and milk help."
" Funny," said Decoy walking into the kitchen. " You stopped eating those cookies and drinking that milk when you became Captain of this team. When you had a residence at Castle Acorn, you always were in the kitchen chewing down on a sort of cookie, choc chip, mint chip, nutty and all those other sorts."
" You seem to be a little more lively today," said Lem looking at Decoy who was making a cup of coffee. " Manage to come to terms yet?"
" Sort of," said Decoy. He came over to the table with a cup of coffee and sat down. " I heard Alicia's on leave because of the events. Has she sent word on when she's coming back to the team?"
" Three days from now," said Lem. " She will be staying in the room she has always been in. Adjacent from my quarters."
" My old home," said Decoy sighing.
" Hey, don't get so upset about it," said Nosedive getting up. " You and Alicia are close friends still, this little slip up doesn't mean the end of your friendship."
" Yeah, but I don't know if I could look at her the same way again. It's going to be very very different."
" It's going to be like it ever has been, unless you or her start a strange relationship with someone else then it will be different." said Lem.
" Guess so," said Decoy. He drank down his coffee with one gulp and got up. " I better go and watch some television."
" Good idea," said Nosedive starting to walk off into the lounge. " I'll join you."
" Wait," said Lem. " Nosedive, you can watch the television. Decoy, I want you to round up Tenchi, Mallory, and Ryoko."
" Why?" asked Decoy curious of what Lem was going to do.
" I'll tell you when you get the others. Go! I heard that Ryoko's in the gym, Tenchi and Mallory are in the weapons range."
" Ah ha," said Decoy. He walked out of the kitchen leaving Lem and Nosedive again.
" Busy are we?" asked Nosedive.
" I've got a meeting with the boss and some guests. I've just got a little job for them to do." said Lem. " And don't ask me anything more or I'll remove watching WWF from the television rights."
* * * * * *
Decoy walked down a number of corridors until he came to door with the word's gym on it. Along the way, he had passed other teammates quarters, along with the labs, briefing room and the karaoke room. The gym was the latest addition to the headquarters. Only added three weeks ago thanks to Washu's dimension generator, it managed to turn a broom cupboard into a nice big gym area. The gym consisted of the regular workout machines, like a treadmill and weights. But the gym also contained a large area for practice close combat. Several members of the team, including himself had very good skills in close combat. The area was used for testing and improving skill.
Decoy opened the door and looked in to see the brightly lit gym. The gym equipment was not being used at all; they were more of part of the scenery. But behind the equipment, Decoy could see the combat area, and that's where there was noise coming from. Without making himself know, Decoy quietly walked in and headed to the area. He sat down on a stool and watched who was fighting. It seemed to be a three-way fight between Kiyone, Ryoko and Ayeka. The three didn't seem to notice Decoy watching. Ryoko and Ayeka seemed to be having yet another argument, but this time it wasn't over Tenchi!
" Are you finished yet Ayeka?" asked Ryoko standing there not showing that she had been fighting for a long time. " You've tried every attack you know, and you still can't even touch me!"
" Shut up!" cried Ayeka who had been fighting for a long time. It showed because she was trying to catch her breath. " I'll hit you! Just you wait!"
" You two ready?" asked Kiyone standing in between them.
" Yes," said Ayeka and Ryoko together. Each on either side of Kiyone.
" Ok, round 10," said Kiyone. She waved her hand up in the air. " Fight!"
Ayeka suddenly charged at Ryoko with both of her hands changed into fists. She jumped at her and threw two punches at Ryoko; one from each hand. Ryoko just smirked and vanished before Ayeka's fist hit her. Ryoko reappeared behind Ayeka and sweeped Ayeka off her feet with her right leg. Ayeka landed on her back on the matted floor and Ryoko jumped up and came down on Ayeka with both feet together. Ayeka, to Ryoko's surprise, brought her feet up to meet Ryoko's feet. Ryoko suddenly paused and noticed that she was just standing on top of Ayeka's feet. Ayeka laughed and pushed her legs up. Ryoko fell back up into the air and then landed back on the floor on her feet. Ayeka flipped back up so she was standing up right.
" That move was just a fluke!" cried Ryoko. " If you didn't see me, I would have given you stomach ache with my feet."
" Good thing my feet pushed you back Ryoko," said Ayeka happily. " If you think I can't dodge anything else you throw at me, then go right ahead and hit me."
" Ok!" shouted Ryoko. She then took out her energy sword. " Try avoiding being a Swiss cheese!"
" No weapons allowed!" cried Kiyone stepping in front of Ayeka. " You know that Ryoko."
" No," said Ayeka. She pushed Kiyone to the side " Let the poor demon try."
" Your funeral," said Kiyone shrugging. " Carry on!"
Ryoko charged forward and swiped her sword, horizontally at Ayeka's stomach. To Ryoko's amazement, Ayeka backflipped and avoided the blade. Trying her luck again, Ryoko tried to hit her with the blade vertically. Ayeka's force field suddenly erupted and Ryoko's blade just hit the clear bubble around Ayeka. Ryoko got a little stressed out.
" HEY!" shouted Ryoko. " NO SHIELDS!"
" Sorry Ryoko," said Ayeka smiling at her in the force field. " You wanted to use your sword allowing me to use my Jurai force field."
" You bitch!" snarled Ryoko putting her sword away. Ayeka turned off her force field. " Back to hands and feet!"
Ryoko threw a punch at Ayeka. Ayeka caught her hand by the wrist with one hand and then Ayeka tried to hit Ryoko with the other. This time, Ryoko caught the hand coming towards her, with her spare hand. The two just stood there holding one another's hands. It then became a type of wrestling match; the two women suddenly began pushing towards each other. The two only moved inches forwarded and then inches backwards. It was a real stalemate. Decoy was just watching this little fight with a grin on his face. Ryoko suddenly noticed him.
" Hey look," said Ryoko loosening her grip on Ayeka's hand. " It's Decoy." Ayeka then pulled Ryoko over herself and Ryoko landed on the floor on her back. Ayeka quickly saw her chance and put her foot of her stomach, pinning Ryoko to the ground. " No fair!"
" It is I'm afraid," said Ayeka. " Never let your guard down! And this time, I win."
" That was just luck," said Ryoko laying on the floor. " If he wasn't there then I would have won that."
" It wouldn't have made a difference," said Decoy getting up from his stool and walking over to the three. " You can remove your foot from her stomach now Ayeka."
" Sorry," said Ayeka. She removed her foot and stood back from Ryoko. Decoy pulled Ryoko up with his hand.
" Thank you," said Ryoko standing back up. She turned to Decoy. " How long have you been there for."
" Just a few minute," said Decoy. " I've got to admit it, you two are becoming really good fighters."
" It comes from a long grudge," said Ayeka.
" Yeah a grudge of who gets to be better than each other," said Ryoko.
" I would have won anyway," said Ayeka in a posh matter. " I do have the more sense in my brain."
" No you wouldn't. You would have discovered that your lipstick is running and freaked out."
" Yeah?"
" Yeah!
" Ok, one more round!" shouted Ryoko.
" I agree." shouted Ayeka and the two suddenly threw punches at each other. Decoy caught both of their hands and pulled the two of them onto the floor on their backs again.
" Sorry," said Decoy standing over Ayeka and Ryoko both on their backs holding one of their hands. " I'm going to have to break up this little catfight."
" Good move," said Kiyone impressed.
" I learn it from a book," said Decoy. He pulled the two girls off the floor and helped them stand back up. " I think we can learn a lesson from this. Ryoko never let your guard down, Ayeka stop intimating your opponent. You might never know what they are capable of."
" I'll learn that," said Ryoko. " So why are you here?"
" Well, Lem has asked me to gather you, Tenchi and Mallory for some reason. We're to meet him as soon as possible."
" I see," said Ryoko walking off towards the changing rooms starting to remove out of her red and black battle outfit. " Let me change out of my battle outfit."
" Ayeka, why don't you fight Kiyone? I think you might learn a lesson or two from her," said Decoy turning to the young Jurai princess. " She's had some experience as a galaxy police officer. I bet she had to do some close combat training."
" That sounds like a good idea," said Kiyone looking at Ayeka. " That ok with you?"
" Sure," said Ayeka smiling back at Kiyone. " I've got nothing else to do today."
" Ready," said Ryoko coming back over in a black t-shirt and jeans.
" You were quick," said Decoy amazed at Ryoko's speed to change.
" I know, being a powerful demon means I can do a lot of stuff quickly."
" I see," said Decoy nodding his head. " We better move. I'll see you two later."
" Bye," said Ayeka and Kiyone. Decoy and Ryoko walked off towards the door. When the two had left the room; the two women looked at each other.
" Is he over Alicia yet?" asked Kiyone.
" I guess so," said Ayeka. " Why you ask?"
" No reason, I guess we team mates look out for one another."
" More like a date?"
" NO!" cried Kiyone. " I wouldn't date anyone from work. It can be bad luck.'
" Maybe your right but anyway. I'm not sure what to do, Ryoko wants Tenchi, and I want Tenchi. If only Ryoko backed off Tenchi and go find some other person then I'll be happy."
" Do be so mean," said Kiyone trying to make Ayeka keep her from being rude.
" I really can't imagine Ryoko with anyone else." said Ayeka shrugging her shoulders.
" Are we fighting or what?"
" I guess so," said Ayeka getting in a ready stance. Kiyone did the same. " Ready?"
" Yes."
" Go!" shouted Ayeka.
Ayeka quickly dashed forward to launch a kick into Kiyone's stomach. Kiyone however just caught her foot with her hand and pushed her back onto the floor. Ayeka sat up and looked at the dark green hair women who was smiling.
" Got to try better than that Princess," said Kiyone chuckling.
* * * * * *
" So," said Ryoko walking with Decoy. " How's it been since the separation?"
" So-so." said Decoy.
" Why?"
" I dunno," said Decoy. " I'm trying to get use to a single life again, that means I could do anything I wanted without Alicia watching over me and telling me what to do. I do have to admit it takes a load off the back when she isn't there to remind me of stuff. Every time I had to see her parents, I had to look neat and
tidy."
" You've always been tidy," said Ryoko. She pointed to Decoy's suit. " You wear that silly business suit each day."
" It's a habit," said Decoy. " Plus I like wearing this, makes people think I am not capable of kicking their ass."
" And I'm well aware of that," said Ryoko. " I couldn't see how you caught mine and Ayeka's fists at once."
" Reflex reaction. Always happens when something close to you happens. Your case, your reflex action is to jump on to Tenchi all the time; poor guy doesn't see it coming."
" I like to tease him; it's just a nice sight to see him squirm."
" Until Ayeka cuts in and you two scrap like in the gym." Said Decoy. " I don't understand how the guy becomes so…. What's the word…sparkling to you girls."
" More like attractive," said Ryoko. " I don't know what gets my blood pumping for him, the way he reacts to the silliest things, the way he just acts, maybe something else."
" I don't quite remember what attracted Alicia to me," said Decoy changing his tone of voice to a cheery to a more depressed one. " The fact that everyone hated me when I came out of that frozen state or was it something else."
" Well," said Ryoko thinking. " I think she was taking pity on you. The fact was that you were one of the most dangerous terrorists out in the world at that point, you were on the news everywhere saying that you had done this and you had done that. And with you being frozen for around 11 years while someone else runs amok, that a clone of you, the one that got impaled by your brother who still thought it was you off your head; no body knew the truth that you we're in that frozen state trying to mend your ways."
" It wasn't easy," said Decoy. " I would probably be dead if I wasn't in that freezing machine at the end of the beginning of the last decade. Didn't know someone would release a clone of me."
" Did they ever find out who did that?"
" Nope," said Decoy trying to change the subject. " And I don't want to know."
" I see, more like putting the past behind and the future in front then."
" Exactly, it took me months to win their trust, Lem was perhaps one of the more understanding people like Alicia. After around two months after I had been unfrozen then they started to trust and I became a part of the family of the old Universal Nations team. Then the rest is history, I got engaged to Alicia, we got married, and then five years later find out the marriage had been a scam and separated. That is something I do not want to go through again, never!"
" How about we change the subject," said Ryoko noticing Decoy's distress at the matter. " Why did Lem ask for us?"
" Haven't a clue and confused."
" He just told you to get us?"
" Yes! It's one of those Lem knows best things."
" I see," said Ryoko. The two arrived at the firing range.
" I'm only going to be a second, do you want wait here?" asked Decoy to Ryoko as he opened the firing range door.
" Sure," said Ryoko. " I don't mind the wait."
" Thank you," said Decoy giving a quick smile to Ryoko. She smiled back and Decoy entered the range. The door closed and Ryoko sighed.
" I hate to see you upset Decoy," said Ryoko to herself.
She remembered when the team came back from Castle Acorn regarding the scam marriage Decoy and Alicia had. The two had become separated and no one knew what was going to happen about it. All Ryoko could still remember was helping Decoy back to his quarters. The thing that got Ryoko feeling sorrow for him was that he started to cry when she had left him on his own. One thing Ryoko didn't want to see or hear again. Ryoko just waited for Decoy to come out with Mallory and Tenchi.
* * * * * *
" Now," said Mallory reloading her pistol. " This Tenchi is my favourite weapon apart from the pump handle rocket launcher."
" And That is?" asked Tenchi who had a headache from the past twenty rounds Mallory let off from various weapons.
" The Puck Pistol, loads pucks, just likes real bullets but these actual inflict damage to the body than killing it. One shot on your arm, and it would be instantly broken."
" Ouch," said Tenchi. " I take it you're a no fuss person then."
" Well, if I'm being shot at by real guns, then I would use a desert eagle or Glock. Like Decoy would."
" Glad to here it," said Decoy coming in with headphones around his neck.
" Hey Dec," said Mallory. " Haven't seen you here for a while, you ok?"
" Fine," said Decoy. " I'm rested, mind focus and ready to kick people's butt." He noticed Mallory's gun. " Don't tell me your using that one."
" What? I thought you liked the Puck Pistol."
" No use for an automatic desert eagle." Said Decoy picking his favourite silver pistol off the weapons bench. He took out a clip and reloaded it into the gun. " Quick game, let's see who has the better aim, one clip at the target at the end of the range."
" Alright," said Mallory. " Been a long time since I've used one of those."
" Yeah, you handle that rocket launcher like a shotgun," said Tenchi standing back from the firing bays. Decoy put his headphones on and aimed the gun down the alley at the target. He took one look at the target and squeezed the trigger of the gun, firing it off once. After the first shot, he fired eight more shots straight. He then pulled the trigger and then a click sound was made.
" Empty," said Decoy. He took out the clip, smoking from the rapid fire and reloaded it. He then passed it to Mallory. " Your turn."
" Ok," said Mallory turning to the target range. She aimed at the target next to Decoy's. The gun was a bit heavier than a puck pistol, so she held the butt with two hands. When she was comfortable. She pulled the trigger; the gun barrel smoked when she fired the first shot. She then, in her own time, fired eight more shots from the gun. When the gun was empty, she unloaded the clip.
" I'm done," said Mallory handing the gun back to Decoy.
" Bring up the targets Tenchi," said Decoy. Tenchi nodded and pressed a button on the range console. The two targets came forward. Mallory couldn't believe the result.
" No way!" said Mallory. " Man, your good."
" It comes with being a ex-terrorist," said Decoy looking at his target. Eight hole, all within 1mm of each over, all in the head. While Mallory had her bullets scattered around the body. Decoy then remembered that Ryoko was outside. " Ah! I just remembered. Mal, Tenchi, you two are to come with me and Ryoko to met Lem in the brief room, now."
" Why us?"
" I dunno, perhaps he wants some advice on something," said Decoy putting the gun away. " Anyway, let's get a move on. I don't want to keep Ryoko waiting any longer."
The year is 2020; the universe is at peace and everyone is learning to get along whatever species they are. However; there are those who wish to see the peace of the universe crumble and vanishes forever. One man in particular Atomic Dog wants no peace in the universe, only chaos.
To combat him and other terrorists who plan to throw the universe into chaos. The head Universal Nations (previously United Nations), Commander Captain Ian has set up a team of operatives with orders to protect the peace at all costs. Leading this group is Captain Lem Lemming, loyal friend to the boss of the Universal Nations. In his team is former Terrorist Decoy, a human who had half of his face burnt off when he was in terrorism. Mallory McMallard, a female duck, and member of the Puckworldian Special Forces (if you watch Disney's Mighty Ducks you might know!). Nosedive; male duck professional Ice Hockey player and also gun swinger. Former Puckworld thief Duke, male duck who is good hockey player who knows how to steal. Former Galaxy Police officer Kiyone, a promising woman who quit the GP force due her former partner. Prince Tenchi of the planet Jurai; honourable warrior and teenager. Princess Ayeka, loyal friend of Tenchi, can't stay away from him. Former Evil Demon Ryoko, deadly women who also can't keep off Tenchi. Professor Washu, universal female Genius and Professor Jeremy Clem, the smartest Lemming in the known universe ( He is also companies by Machine, first of the U.N military soldiers).
This special team is the universe first, and only line of defences against the dangerous terrorists and maniacs who want to reign in chaos. They are The New Generation! [TNG]
Author's note additional - This story is follow on from another story of mine not put up on Fan Fiction.net due to the fact it really focuses on my characters and not the others. If you are intrested about the story previously before this then e-mail me. This can be a stand alone story too so enjoy.
MAN HUNTER - Part One
The alarm clock rang; it was half past seven in the morning. Decoy reared his head from under his only bed pillow and turned it off. There was a small sunbeams coming through the blind window to the side of the bed. With a little groan of tiredness; Decoy sat up in his bed. It had been six long weeks for him to get over his separation from Alicia. Not technically a separation of marriage; he only discovered six weeks ago that he had never been married to Alicia. The wedding was just a shame; her parents never even wanted a former criminal marrying their daughter. Decoy had been upset ever since but he was coming back to his usual self.
Since the separation, Decoy had a spare room made up by the team and he moved in to the room as soon as he could. His room was the old storage room, but Clem had managed to change it into a nice cosy living quarters within a few days. Everything in the storage was moved to the loading bay. His room therefore now consisted of a small bedroom and a small bathroom. He had plenty of room to put his clothes in wardrobes and belongings in cupboards. The place looked like he had been there for quite some time.
With no current operations the team needed to undertake, it was a lot easier for Decoy to put the problems behind him and return to his old cheery but usually serious self. Decoy, still sitting in the bed paused before he got out of the bed. He just remembers to keep it together and everything would be alright for him; he somehow kept his wedding ring as a reminder of what he had been through. Still on his index finger, Decoy looked at the gold ring. He sighed and got out of bed. In a t-shirt and shorts, he plodded over to the bathroom to shave and clean himself up.
After doing that, he pulled out his usual business grey suit which he wore, his white shirt and black tie. With his clothes, he got dressed and started to leave, he remembered his facemask. Decoy proceeded back to the bathroom and opened up the cupboard where his aftershave and shaving equipment were. He took out a human facemask with eyeholes and a mouthpiece. Before he put it on, he looked in a mirror and saw his real face.
The metal plate over the left side of his face had been there for many years; it sought of grown with it ever since it was burnt off. The plate had his bionic eye in it so he could see with both eyes, rather than with one. Decoy then put the mask on and it transformed him to a regular person, the mask just felt like a real human face. His metal plate was no where to be seen. The mask was a work of genius by Clem and Washu. It made him able to blend in with the crowd again; something he wanted to do for a long time, it also stopped people from looking at him with a curious and worried look. With his mask on Decoy walked out of his quarters and locked the door.
* * * * * *
" How's tin plate going?" asked Nosedive to Lem who was sitting at the kitchen table reading a newspaper.
" I dunno, six weeks," said Lem. " Being separated for that long should have brought him back to his usual self."
" I guess things change when ya get married."
" Things do change when you discover that your marriage has been a shame for five years," said Lem putting the newspaper down. " Do we have any orange juice left this morning? I swore that Kiyone made another batch."
" I think they took the juicer down to the gym," said Nosedive eating his cereal.
" That gym is getting more and more popular," said Lem a bit annoyed. " What's so special about it?"
" Allows us to get fit and be on our best performance when we come to facing terrorists."
" That's what the training rooms are for, the fight simulators, the weapons range, heck the damn bomb defusing simulators as well. I haven't seen anyone use them for a while, except for Mallory who always seems to be firing off a weapon of some sort."
" Haven't you use the gym?" asked Nosedive finishing his cereal and leaving the spoon in the bowl.
" No, I haven't," said Lem. " I don't want to any way, I'm better at fist fights than knug fu thank you very much!"
" Really? How come you can flip, dive, and kick high in the air against guys?"
" Pure Lemming ability, we can do that if we're fat."
" You seem lean to me."
" Well, a high balance diet of cookies and milk help."
" Funny," said Decoy walking into the kitchen. " You stopped eating those cookies and drinking that milk when you became Captain of this team. When you had a residence at Castle Acorn, you always were in the kitchen chewing down on a sort of cookie, choc chip, mint chip, nutty and all those other sorts."
" You seem to be a little more lively today," said Lem looking at Decoy who was making a cup of coffee. " Manage to come to terms yet?"
" Sort of," said Decoy. He came over to the table with a cup of coffee and sat down. " I heard Alicia's on leave because of the events. Has she sent word on when she's coming back to the team?"
" Three days from now," said Lem. " She will be staying in the room she has always been in. Adjacent from my quarters."
" My old home," said Decoy sighing.
" Hey, don't get so upset about it," said Nosedive getting up. " You and Alicia are close friends still, this little slip up doesn't mean the end of your friendship."
" Yeah, but I don't know if I could look at her the same way again. It's going to be very very different."
" It's going to be like it ever has been, unless you or her start a strange relationship with someone else then it will be different." said Lem.
" Guess so," said Decoy. He drank down his coffee with one gulp and got up. " I better go and watch some television."
" Good idea," said Nosedive starting to walk off into the lounge. " I'll join you."
" Wait," said Lem. " Nosedive, you can watch the television. Decoy, I want you to round up Tenchi, Mallory, and Ryoko."
" Why?" asked Decoy curious of what Lem was going to do.
" I'll tell you when you get the others. Go! I heard that Ryoko's in the gym, Tenchi and Mallory are in the weapons range."
" Ah ha," said Decoy. He walked out of the kitchen leaving Lem and Nosedive again.
" Busy are we?" asked Nosedive.
" I've got a meeting with the boss and some guests. I've just got a little job for them to do." said Lem. " And don't ask me anything more or I'll remove watching WWF from the television rights."
* * * * * *
Decoy walked down a number of corridors until he came to door with the word's gym on it. Along the way, he had passed other teammates quarters, along with the labs, briefing room and the karaoke room. The gym was the latest addition to the headquarters. Only added three weeks ago thanks to Washu's dimension generator, it managed to turn a broom cupboard into a nice big gym area. The gym consisted of the regular workout machines, like a treadmill and weights. But the gym also contained a large area for practice close combat. Several members of the team, including himself had very good skills in close combat. The area was used for testing and improving skill.
Decoy opened the door and looked in to see the brightly lit gym. The gym equipment was not being used at all; they were more of part of the scenery. But behind the equipment, Decoy could see the combat area, and that's where there was noise coming from. Without making himself know, Decoy quietly walked in and headed to the area. He sat down on a stool and watched who was fighting. It seemed to be a three-way fight between Kiyone, Ryoko and Ayeka. The three didn't seem to notice Decoy watching. Ryoko and Ayeka seemed to be having yet another argument, but this time it wasn't over Tenchi!
" Are you finished yet Ayeka?" asked Ryoko standing there not showing that she had been fighting for a long time. " You've tried every attack you know, and you still can't even touch me!"
" Shut up!" cried Ayeka who had been fighting for a long time. It showed because she was trying to catch her breath. " I'll hit you! Just you wait!"
" You two ready?" asked Kiyone standing in between them.
" Yes," said Ayeka and Ryoko together. Each on either side of Kiyone.
" Ok, round 10," said Kiyone. She waved her hand up in the air. " Fight!"
Ayeka suddenly charged at Ryoko with both of her hands changed into fists. She jumped at her and threw two punches at Ryoko; one from each hand. Ryoko just smirked and vanished before Ayeka's fist hit her. Ryoko reappeared behind Ayeka and sweeped Ayeka off her feet with her right leg. Ayeka landed on her back on the matted floor and Ryoko jumped up and came down on Ayeka with both feet together. Ayeka, to Ryoko's surprise, brought her feet up to meet Ryoko's feet. Ryoko suddenly paused and noticed that she was just standing on top of Ayeka's feet. Ayeka laughed and pushed her legs up. Ryoko fell back up into the air and then landed back on the floor on her feet. Ayeka flipped back up so she was standing up right.
" That move was just a fluke!" cried Ryoko. " If you didn't see me, I would have given you stomach ache with my feet."
" Good thing my feet pushed you back Ryoko," said Ayeka happily. " If you think I can't dodge anything else you throw at me, then go right ahead and hit me."
" Ok!" shouted Ryoko. She then took out her energy sword. " Try avoiding being a Swiss cheese!"
" No weapons allowed!" cried Kiyone stepping in front of Ayeka. " You know that Ryoko."
" No," said Ayeka. She pushed Kiyone to the side " Let the poor demon try."
" Your funeral," said Kiyone shrugging. " Carry on!"
Ryoko charged forward and swiped her sword, horizontally at Ayeka's stomach. To Ryoko's amazement, Ayeka backflipped and avoided the blade. Trying her luck again, Ryoko tried to hit her with the blade vertically. Ayeka's force field suddenly erupted and Ryoko's blade just hit the clear bubble around Ayeka. Ryoko got a little stressed out.
" HEY!" shouted Ryoko. " NO SHIELDS!"
" Sorry Ryoko," said Ayeka smiling at her in the force field. " You wanted to use your sword allowing me to use my Jurai force field."
" You bitch!" snarled Ryoko putting her sword away. Ayeka turned off her force field. " Back to hands and feet!"
Ryoko threw a punch at Ayeka. Ayeka caught her hand by the wrist with one hand and then Ayeka tried to hit Ryoko with the other. This time, Ryoko caught the hand coming towards her, with her spare hand. The two just stood there holding one another's hands. It then became a type of wrestling match; the two women suddenly began pushing towards each other. The two only moved inches forwarded and then inches backwards. It was a real stalemate. Decoy was just watching this little fight with a grin on his face. Ryoko suddenly noticed him.
" Hey look," said Ryoko loosening her grip on Ayeka's hand. " It's Decoy." Ayeka then pulled Ryoko over herself and Ryoko landed on the floor on her back. Ayeka quickly saw her chance and put her foot of her stomach, pinning Ryoko to the ground. " No fair!"
" It is I'm afraid," said Ayeka. " Never let your guard down! And this time, I win."
" That was just luck," said Ryoko laying on the floor. " If he wasn't there then I would have won that."
" It wouldn't have made a difference," said Decoy getting up from his stool and walking over to the three. " You can remove your foot from her stomach now Ayeka."
" Sorry," said Ayeka. She removed her foot and stood back from Ryoko. Decoy pulled Ryoko up with his hand.
" Thank you," said Ryoko standing back up. She turned to Decoy. " How long have you been there for."
" Just a few minute," said Decoy. " I've got to admit it, you two are becoming really good fighters."
" It comes from a long grudge," said Ayeka.
" Yeah a grudge of who gets to be better than each other," said Ryoko.
" I would have won anyway," said Ayeka in a posh matter. " I do have the more sense in my brain."
" No you wouldn't. You would have discovered that your lipstick is running and freaked out."
" Yeah?"
" Yeah!
" Ok, one more round!" shouted Ryoko.
" I agree." shouted Ayeka and the two suddenly threw punches at each other. Decoy caught both of their hands and pulled the two of them onto the floor on their backs again.
" Sorry," said Decoy standing over Ayeka and Ryoko both on their backs holding one of their hands. " I'm going to have to break up this little catfight."
" Good move," said Kiyone impressed.
" I learn it from a book," said Decoy. He pulled the two girls off the floor and helped them stand back up. " I think we can learn a lesson from this. Ryoko never let your guard down, Ayeka stop intimating your opponent. You might never know what they are capable of."
" I'll learn that," said Ryoko. " So why are you here?"
" Well, Lem has asked me to gather you, Tenchi and Mallory for some reason. We're to meet him as soon as possible."
" I see," said Ryoko walking off towards the changing rooms starting to remove out of her red and black battle outfit. " Let me change out of my battle outfit."
" Ayeka, why don't you fight Kiyone? I think you might learn a lesson or two from her," said Decoy turning to the young Jurai princess. " She's had some experience as a galaxy police officer. I bet she had to do some close combat training."
" That sounds like a good idea," said Kiyone looking at Ayeka. " That ok with you?"
" Sure," said Ayeka smiling back at Kiyone. " I've got nothing else to do today."
" Ready," said Ryoko coming back over in a black t-shirt and jeans.
" You were quick," said Decoy amazed at Ryoko's speed to change.
" I know, being a powerful demon means I can do a lot of stuff quickly."
" I see," said Decoy nodding his head. " We better move. I'll see you two later."
" Bye," said Ayeka and Kiyone. Decoy and Ryoko walked off towards the door. When the two had left the room; the two women looked at each other.
" Is he over Alicia yet?" asked Kiyone.
" I guess so," said Ayeka. " Why you ask?"
" No reason, I guess we team mates look out for one another."
" More like a date?"
" NO!" cried Kiyone. " I wouldn't date anyone from work. It can be bad luck.'
" Maybe your right but anyway. I'm not sure what to do, Ryoko wants Tenchi, and I want Tenchi. If only Ryoko backed off Tenchi and go find some other person then I'll be happy."
" Do be so mean," said Kiyone trying to make Ayeka keep her from being rude.
" I really can't imagine Ryoko with anyone else." said Ayeka shrugging her shoulders.
" Are we fighting or what?"
" I guess so," said Ayeka getting in a ready stance. Kiyone did the same. " Ready?"
" Yes."
" Go!" shouted Ayeka.
Ayeka quickly dashed forward to launch a kick into Kiyone's stomach. Kiyone however just caught her foot with her hand and pushed her back onto the floor. Ayeka sat up and looked at the dark green hair women who was smiling.
" Got to try better than that Princess," said Kiyone chuckling.
* * * * * *
" So," said Ryoko walking with Decoy. " How's it been since the separation?"
" So-so." said Decoy.
" Why?"
" I dunno," said Decoy. " I'm trying to get use to a single life again, that means I could do anything I wanted without Alicia watching over me and telling me what to do. I do have to admit it takes a load off the back when she isn't there to remind me of stuff. Every time I had to see her parents, I had to look neat and
tidy."
" You've always been tidy," said Ryoko. She pointed to Decoy's suit. " You wear that silly business suit each day."
" It's a habit," said Decoy. " Plus I like wearing this, makes people think I am not capable of kicking their ass."
" And I'm well aware of that," said Ryoko. " I couldn't see how you caught mine and Ayeka's fists at once."
" Reflex reaction. Always happens when something close to you happens. Your case, your reflex action is to jump on to Tenchi all the time; poor guy doesn't see it coming."
" I like to tease him; it's just a nice sight to see him squirm."
" Until Ayeka cuts in and you two scrap like in the gym." Said Decoy. " I don't understand how the guy becomes so…. What's the word…sparkling to you girls."
" More like attractive," said Ryoko. " I don't know what gets my blood pumping for him, the way he reacts to the silliest things, the way he just acts, maybe something else."
" I don't quite remember what attracted Alicia to me," said Decoy changing his tone of voice to a cheery to a more depressed one. " The fact that everyone hated me when I came out of that frozen state or was it something else."
" Well," said Ryoko thinking. " I think she was taking pity on you. The fact was that you were one of the most dangerous terrorists out in the world at that point, you were on the news everywhere saying that you had done this and you had done that. And with you being frozen for around 11 years while someone else runs amok, that a clone of you, the one that got impaled by your brother who still thought it was you off your head; no body knew the truth that you we're in that frozen state trying to mend your ways."
" It wasn't easy," said Decoy. " I would probably be dead if I wasn't in that freezing machine at the end of the beginning of the last decade. Didn't know someone would release a clone of me."
" Did they ever find out who did that?"
" Nope," said Decoy trying to change the subject. " And I don't want to know."
" I see, more like putting the past behind and the future in front then."
" Exactly, it took me months to win their trust, Lem was perhaps one of the more understanding people like Alicia. After around two months after I had been unfrozen then they started to trust and I became a part of the family of the old Universal Nations team. Then the rest is history, I got engaged to Alicia, we got married, and then five years later find out the marriage had been a scam and separated. That is something I do not want to go through again, never!"
" How about we change the subject," said Ryoko noticing Decoy's distress at the matter. " Why did Lem ask for us?"
" Haven't a clue and confused."
" He just told you to get us?"
" Yes! It's one of those Lem knows best things."
" I see," said Ryoko. The two arrived at the firing range.
" I'm only going to be a second, do you want wait here?" asked Decoy to Ryoko as he opened the firing range door.
" Sure," said Ryoko. " I don't mind the wait."
" Thank you," said Decoy giving a quick smile to Ryoko. She smiled back and Decoy entered the range. The door closed and Ryoko sighed.
" I hate to see you upset Decoy," said Ryoko to herself.
She remembered when the team came back from Castle Acorn regarding the scam marriage Decoy and Alicia had. The two had become separated and no one knew what was going to happen about it. All Ryoko could still remember was helping Decoy back to his quarters. The thing that got Ryoko feeling sorrow for him was that he started to cry when she had left him on his own. One thing Ryoko didn't want to see or hear again. Ryoko just waited for Decoy to come out with Mallory and Tenchi.
* * * * * *
" Now," said Mallory reloading her pistol. " This Tenchi is my favourite weapon apart from the pump handle rocket launcher."
" And That is?" asked Tenchi who had a headache from the past twenty rounds Mallory let off from various weapons.
" The Puck Pistol, loads pucks, just likes real bullets but these actual inflict damage to the body than killing it. One shot on your arm, and it would be instantly broken."
" Ouch," said Tenchi. " I take it you're a no fuss person then."
" Well, if I'm being shot at by real guns, then I would use a desert eagle or Glock. Like Decoy would."
" Glad to here it," said Decoy coming in with headphones around his neck.
" Hey Dec," said Mallory. " Haven't seen you here for a while, you ok?"
" Fine," said Decoy. " I'm rested, mind focus and ready to kick people's butt." He noticed Mallory's gun. " Don't tell me your using that one."
" What? I thought you liked the Puck Pistol."
" No use for an automatic desert eagle." Said Decoy picking his favourite silver pistol off the weapons bench. He took out a clip and reloaded it into the gun. " Quick game, let's see who has the better aim, one clip at the target at the end of the range."
" Alright," said Mallory. " Been a long time since I've used one of those."
" Yeah, you handle that rocket launcher like a shotgun," said Tenchi standing back from the firing bays. Decoy put his headphones on and aimed the gun down the alley at the target. He took one look at the target and squeezed the trigger of the gun, firing it off once. After the first shot, he fired eight more shots straight. He then pulled the trigger and then a click sound was made.
" Empty," said Decoy. He took out the clip, smoking from the rapid fire and reloaded it. He then passed it to Mallory. " Your turn."
" Ok," said Mallory turning to the target range. She aimed at the target next to Decoy's. The gun was a bit heavier than a puck pistol, so she held the butt with two hands. When she was comfortable. She pulled the trigger; the gun barrel smoked when she fired the first shot. She then, in her own time, fired eight more shots from the gun. When the gun was empty, she unloaded the clip.
" I'm done," said Mallory handing the gun back to Decoy.
" Bring up the targets Tenchi," said Decoy. Tenchi nodded and pressed a button on the range console. The two targets came forward. Mallory couldn't believe the result.
" No way!" said Mallory. " Man, your good."
" It comes with being a ex-terrorist," said Decoy looking at his target. Eight hole, all within 1mm of each over, all in the head. While Mallory had her bullets scattered around the body. Decoy then remembered that Ryoko was outside. " Ah! I just remembered. Mal, Tenchi, you two are to come with me and Ryoko to met Lem in the brief room, now."
" Why us?"
" I dunno, perhaps he wants some advice on something," said Decoy putting the gun away. " Anyway, let's get a move on. I don't want to keep Ryoko waiting any longer."