Hi peoples! Another Neopets fanfic from me :)
This one concerns the Cybunny Scout (or just Scout) from the Return of Dr Sloth plot and Tomos from the Lost Desert plot. Because they're both awesome and need more love, and because I'm soppy like that, I've paired 'em up :P
Oh, and the timeline for this is a little weird: in the story, RoS is supposed to have taken place only a few months after LD, and *this* is set a few months after that.
I own nada.
Sorry if nothing makes sense, this has been in progress for about a year and a half :P
Scout stepped through the doors, hearing them whir as they shut behind her. Despite her calm exterior, she was slightly nervous.
She'd only been called to Valka's office a few times before, but every time had been the start of yet another dangerous mission.
The Ixi was standing at the porthole, his back to her, with his hands clasped neatly behind his back as he surveyed the stars. Scout waited quietly, but impatiently. Long years up here had completely dulled the brilliance of the stars for her, and besides, she was itching to know what was going to happen.
Suddenly, the Commander addressed her.
"Ah, Scout. Take a seat. I have a proposition for you."
Scout's heart gave a nervous jump. Part of her felt excited, proud it was her being chosen, but another part remembered the last time she'd heard those words. She'd gotten a bounty on her head and a blaster wound to her leg. She slid into one of the small office chairs.
Valka turned to regard her, and was a silent a few moments. Then he approached his desk and, with a sigh, sank into the ornate chair. He leant his elbows on the desk, hands clasped in front of him.
"Cybunny Scout, this mission is of utmost importance. Are you willing?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly. Much as she loved her job, she wasn't stupid.
"Depends on what you've got in store for me."
Her boss chuckled under his breath.
"Don't worry, I won't be sending you into a nest of bounty hunters this time. In fact, you won't be on the Station at all. You will be going to Neopia. It is common knowledge that there are just as many Sloth supporters as people devoted to preventing his takeover. Your mission is to see the extent of Dr Sloth's influence there."
"But sir," Scout interjected, "surely Sloth's influence has touched everywhere-"
The Ixi inclined his head with a smile.
"Precisely. I intend to send agents to every corner of the globe, so we can survey the situation."
Scout shook her head in disbelief.
"But that would take so much resources - do we even have the manpower to send so many away? We'd be thinning our numbers dramatically - if Sloth took the opportunity to attack-"
"We are not so limited in number as you think, Scout." Valka had opened a drawer in his desk and was pulling out a file. Scout's eyes flickered to it, recognising it as a mission statement. The Ixi continued.
"We gained a significant number of followers after the last invasion, and a good many have been integrated into the agency. Enough, in fact, we can spare a few dozen for surveying Neopia. The loss is quite minimal, I assure you, and we could reap the benefits if we find more people sympathetic to our cause."
Scout inclined her head.
"I think I can see where this is going, sir..."
Valka smiled.
"Of course. Your mission is to survey the area I assign you, determine whether it is mostly Pro- or Anti-Sloth, undermine the efforts of Sloth supporters and attempt to recruit anyone who would be willing to further our attempts to stop the Doctor for good. Do you accept?"
Even before he finished, they both knew she would accept. She was intrigued, and her love for espionage was too great. Scout leant forward, eyes shining.
"Where am I going?"
Valka opened the file and idly glanced down at it. His smile widened.
"The Lost Desert. I daresay I need remind you of the influence Sloth had there a few years back?"
Scout's reply was immediate.
"The Coin. Sloth needed it to open the Gebmid and get the Staff of Alaha- Alihsu- Ale... the one that animated that Rock Beast."
Valka nodded, looking impressed despite her inability to pronounce the Staff's name.
"Indeed. The likely situation is that there is an even match of those who are angry at Sloth's attempted invasion and those impressed by his power. Tread carefully, Scout - and not just because of Sloth. The Lost Desert can be a dangerous place, in many ways. Ensure you are well-equipped before you leave."
Scout stood. She knew a dismissal when she heard one.
"When do I go?"
Valka leant back into the chair and tugged on his moustache.
"Three days from now. I thought that adequate time for you to equip yourself. Dismissed."
Scout inclined her head respectfully, then turned and walked out. Her speed increased to a rapid trot as she went over the required equipment over her head. Practical clothes, hidden holsters for weapons, ways to survey the land. She smiled to herself, eagerly anticipating, as she always did, her new assignment.
You like? Reviews, yes?
