Here it is, at last. I've been working on the edited version of this story for near-on two and a half months. Even so, I have no doubt whatsoever that it is pock-marked with error, so please tell me if you find something or have questions. These errors will be due mostly to the difference in writing styles of the author (S.C. Wolfe) and the editor (yours truly).
I'd like to note that I made very few considerable modifications to this story. I mostly did spelling and grammar work. This remains largely Wolfe's work until somewhere around chapter seven, or so.
However, I feel as though this story doesn't work quite right, but when I read it, my mind fills in the details that are missing. Please, tell me where the story needs editing, as I take great pride in my work, and dislike giving anything but my best.
Thanks for reading!
The X-Generation
Original by S.C. Wolfe
Edit and Revisions by Stephen89
Chapter 1 – Abduction
The Master looked at the data screen in front of him. He ran his hand over Scout's head, who was fast asleep on the floor. This was the only place (other than in combat) that Scout was ever taken out of his restrainer. When he was with the Master, his interest in ripping things to ribbons seemed to go away. The data tables in front of the Master flashed the latest news updates. He was on the lookout for anything to do with Parvo. Key words were the best thing to look for. "Ransomed, mad scientist, strange militia, unknown weapon," and "ufo sighting" were all of the most common ones. If there was one thing Parvo was poor at, aside from defenses, it was subtly. He was more of the in-your-face kind of villain.
The Master finished scrolling through the latest news-reads, then cut the power to the monitor. Nothing from Pavro, but there was still work to be done in the world. The Master activated the Rover Beacon and went to the transdogmafier room. Blitz and Colleen were the first to arrive. The Master rubbed his forehead, hoping Hunter or Exile would get here double quick, or this was going or get really awkward.
"Ah, pretty girl-dog. How lovely to see you with me here…alone."
"Nah, I don't see that happening." She said running her fingers through her fur.
"Okay, okay. Maybe I'm stepping out of line here, but I don't think our relation ship is making the progress it should be."
Colleen stretched, and gently walked over to Blitz. "Fluffy, darling," she said coolly. Colleen suddenly grabbed Blitz's snout and yanked him to eye level. "Either you're gonna start leaving me alone, or your face is gonna make us a new paint color for these walls! Got it Bub?"
"Dah! Dah!" Blitz yelled, muffled by Colleen's grip.
"Okay, Colleen. I think he gets it." Hunter said. He was leaning against his transdogmafier tube, tossing a tennis ball against the wall. "It's a good show, but let's save the butt kicking for someone more deserving of it."
"Niet, niet! I love this show!" Exile exclaimed. Hunter shook his head with a smile. "Well, is there a sequel then?"
"Hey!" Blitz suddenly butted in. "I am too deserving of a tooshie biting! More deserving than any of you!"
"Well, cant argue with that logic." Colleen mumbled.
Blitz paused to think about what he said. "Oh…uh, I meant to say I'm above getting my tooshie kicked. Why would you want to kick me? I'm too pretty!" he flexed in his combat armor. "And besides, I'm the one who'll be doing all of the tooshie biting!"
"Don't be a weird boy." Exile said rubbing his eyes.
"Well, now that we're all done acting like puppies down there, I'd like to get on to today's objectives." The Master said.
"Yes, sir!" the Rovers stood at attention.
"We have a relatively lax day ahead of us. The U.N. is going to be signing a treaty between the United States and Mexico to support a stronger free trade program with stronger border patrolling. You need to see to it that this is signed, as it's been under some threat from Mexican Cartels. Other than that, there are rumors of unauthorized drilling in Antarctica, in addition to reports of illegal exotic bird trades taking place in Africa. I want you to investigate and tell me if you find anything. That is all." The Master made to leave just as Hunter was calling "Let's hit the road, Rovers," but cut him off at 'road'. "Actually, there's one more thing. Scout's not coming with you this time. Him and I are spending the day with each other."
"I understand, sir." Hunter said. "It's been a while since you two spent time together. Tell us how it goes."
"Oh, Hunter. I interrupted what you were saying. Please, carry on."
"I thought you'd never ask." Hunter said. "Let's hit the road, Rovers!"
The signing of the treaty went much more smoothly that anticipated. The only interruption was then Blitz made the embarrassing discovery that not every toupee in the room was out to get him. Hunter wondered why they took him on U.N. missions anymore. The flight to Africa was a long one. The Rovers passed the time in their own ways. Shag managed to make an MRE both edible and tasty, Colleen slept, Blitz practiced flexing his muscles in front of a mirror, while Hunter and Exile went head to head in a game of chess. It was "Rover-chess," though, so the pieces moved however you wanted them to.
Colleen stirred from her sleep. "Eh, Huntie. 'Ow much longer we got to fly?"
Hunter checked the auto-flight gauges. "Just about an hour. Why?"
"Just wondering."
Blitz came over t where the others were sitting. He leaned over to Colleen. "Hey, pretty girl dog. Now that you're awake-"
"Do I know you?"
"Please don't do this," Blitz said as he slumped over. "We're making such progress!" he whined.
"I was wondering if anyone else thought this jet could use some new paint?"
Blitz scooted away. Hunter and Exile shrugged.
The jungle was a horrid place for almost anyone who can't stand heat. It is much more horrid if you're a dog. In addition to the heat, there is the fur on your body. The temperature was well over a hundred degrees that day. Too hot for either Exile or Shag to join the investigation, as it was.
As it was, the remaining three were soaking in sweat and panting heavily. "The Master said that they were only rumors?" Blitz offered, rubbing his forehead with a damp rag.
"No. We can't leave until we know for a fact that there are no bird poachers around." Hunter rebuked the unspoken beg to move on to the next mission. He rubbed the back of his neck. All around them, the sounds of birds filled the air. The rumor had dictated that the smuggling operation was centralized in a small area of jungle that was almost inaccessible.
"Who would come all the way out here just to make a dollar?" Colleen wondered aloud. "There are places with the same birds that are way easier to get to."
"Maybe it was worth the extra work to keep their smuggling operation from detection?" Hunter suggested.
"They'd have been almost undetectable in any other location. Why this one?" Colleen asked. Nobody had an answer.
The trees were growing so thick here, that it was almost impossible to see more than a few meters ahead of their group. "This is ridiculous. I can't see through these trees, I can hardly breathe in this humidity, and I'm getting dehydrated. Huntie, let's turn back. There's nothing here."
Hunter sighed, but nodded. "I guess you're right.
"Dah. Since when are we bird Hunters anyway." Blitz shook himself, sprinkling the ground in sweat.
"Alright, then." Hunter reported back to the ship, where the others were waiting. "There's nothing here. We're off to Antarctica!"
The Rovers spread out over the massive sheet of ice and snow. "Wowski! Was not even this cold and empty in Siberia!" Exile whispered in awe.
Blitz stood shivering in his boots. "Why, why, why cant we ever have missions where the weather is nice?"
"Let's just keep our eyes open for anything suspicious." Hunter said.
"Like that?" Colleen asked, pointing at a giant black structure in the clouded distance.
"Yeah! Exactly like that!"
The Rovers made their way over to the building, but it proved only to be the skeleton of a construction sight. "This is odd." Exile muttered looking at the construction. "Why would someone stop building structure when is almost done?"
"I donno. Let's check it out." Hunter suggested.
The building was hardly anything more than a bunch of metal and cement floors. They searched it twice but failed to find anything of consequence. It wasn't until they were leaving the odd structure that Blitz stumbled over a trip wire, hidden in a small snow drift. A net sprung out of a wooden crate near by, sweeping Blitz off of his feet. He gave a cowardly yelp and babbled, "Please don't hurt me. I'm do pretty to die!"
Hunter didn't bother to listen. "Heads up, team! There may be more of them. Shag, Colleen, see if you can get Blitz out of there. Exile, get back to the Sky Rover and get her up and running."
As Shag and Colleen were making their way toward Blitz. They were swept up in a second net. This one had not been triggered via trip wire. It had been triggered manually! Hunter turned to call to Exile, but he only had time to see Exile vanish into a hidden hole in the ground. Hunter heard a rushing sound, and using his super speed to sprint out of the way, narrowly avoided being swept up by a net that had been shot at him. Blitz was already free of his net, but several swishes filled the air, enveloping him in three more. Hunter made a run for Shag and Colleen. If he could cut that net, he'd free two of the Rovers at once. Aside from that and on a personal note, Colleen was being crushed by Shag. He dodged two more nets, but didn't expect the man in full-white camo to step in his way. The man tossed a wire weighed on either end by a small metal ball. The trip wire caught Hunter's feet together, and he fell to the floor, right below Colleen and Shag.
"Didn't see that coming." He flipped over to untie the wire, but found instead that he was surrounded by five gunmen. "Well, I'm gonna call that a day." He said with a smile and a shrug.
"My knight in shining armor." Colleen grunted from under shag's massive bulk.
"Hey, did my best." Hunter argued, but it was all he could say. A black sack was thrown over his head, and a chemical in the cloth made him pass out of consciousness.