The Sleet Aleena Chronicles: The Bounty Hunter And The Queen
(A/N: All right, now the ball gets moving. Some of you might be confused, from my story Painful Memories, as to how I portray Mobius. Just think of whatever Mobius you all know and love. From what I can tell, Mobius is one planet with both human and Mobian colonies or cities scattered wherever, and that's what I was going for in both this story and my last. I don't know, I've only ever played two Sonic games. Now personally, and this is just me, I don't like OC's, so whatever character mentioned in this story that isn't in the games or cartoons or comics I won't consider an OC. As far as I'm concerned, everyone has parents, and the other character you see you can picture as whatever and however you want. Feel free to use your own OC's, if you have any, to fill in the names that I omit. I need to know still, what characters to put this story under. I'll have to improvise if I don't get an idea, and people might not like it because they'll come expecting something and I won't have hardly any mention of it. Please enjoy.)
The Queen's Banquet
The young woman gazed out her window quietly, thinking over the months events. The time had passed in a blur. She had hardly had time to comprehend what had happened. Let's see. She had been reading. Her father had come in and solemnly told her something. Next thing she knew she was standing in her mother and father's room looking down on the unmoving form of a woman, lying as if asleep, as if she'd wake up any moment. All at once that woman was in a casket at a funeral, the younger looking down expressionlessly, shocked, her father sobbing his eyes out. She hardly knew she was being guided away from it. Then she had followed the procession as it made its way to the graveyard. She had watched silently as the box was lowered into the ground. It was being covered up, slowly those in attendance dispersed so only she and her father remained.
The rain had begun to fall, and at that moment the impact of what had happened hit her. She was on her knees on the ground sobbing and screaming for her. Her father was there holding her tightly, reassuringly, tears falling from his own eyes. But the King had to be strong now, for his daughter's sake.
She remembered that soon she was left alone. Then the one scene that stuck with her word for word entered her mind. She rehashed it.
She had been alone by the grave. Suddenly a voice was saying timidly, "Excuse me?" The young woman hardly heard. "Excuse me?" the voice repeated a little louder.
This time she heard turned curiously to face where it was coming from. There beside her stood a young rabbit girl about ten years old, she estimated. She looked curiously at the girl. "W-who are you?" the woman asked.
"My name is Vanilla. I'm pleased to meet you," she responded.
The woman curiously looked at her then took her hand saying, "My name is Aleena."
"You mean princess Aleena!" the rabbit exclaimed in awe. Aleena smiled gently and nodded. "Oh, your majesty, I'm sorry. I just saw you over here by yourself crying. I was worried and wanted to see if anything was wrong," the rabbit girl who had said her name was Vanilla replied.
"No, no, it's all right. Don't be afraid just because I'm the princess," Aleena quickly said, not wanting to scare off the girl.
"Well if you're sure you're all right with a commoner talking to you," Vanilla replied.
"I'm no better than anyone else," Aleena modestly said. She liked this girl.
Vanilla smiled, finding she liked Aleena. Her smile fell as she looked at the grave stone. After a moment she said, "I'm sorry, about your loss. I lost someone too recently. Well, my friend did, but I was close to his family."
"I'm sorry," Aleena said.
"Vanilla!" a young voice called. Aleena and Vanilla looked over.
Vanilla grinned widely. "Over here Vector!" she called. Aleena saw the little one look over their way then run towards them. He reached them and tackled Vanilla in a hug. Vanilla beamed at Aleena saying, "This is my friend Vector the Crocodile! He's four."
"Four! He's as big as you!" Aleena exclaimed without thinking. She blushed at the outburst saying, "I'm sorry if I offended you."
"No, you didn't, I know, he's really strong too," Vanilla replied.
"Who's dis Vanilla?" Vector asked curiously.
Vanilla replied, "This is my new friend Aleena! She's the princess!"
"Weally?" Vector asked in awe.
"Yeah!" Vanilla said. She frowned in a ponderous way for a moment.
Aleena said to the crocodile, "It's good to meet you Vector."
"Yeah, you too Aleena. How old are you?" the crocodile said.
"You should call her princess Aleena," Vanilla corrected suddenly.
"It's all right. I'd rather you didn't," Aleena said. "I just turned twenty," she answered.
"Hmm," Vanilla acknowledged, still turning an idea over in her head. The rabbit suddenly brightened saying, "You know what! You should come get ice cream with Vector and me! It'll be fun. It always cheers me up. You don't have to go back to the palace yet, do you?"
"Well, no," Aleena replied, warming to the idea, though cautiously.
"Come on then!" Vanilla said, seizing the young woman's hand and dragging her along before she could protest. Aleena observed in amazement how the girl could fly with her ears.
She'd become friend's with the girl, best friends, and Vector was her friend now too. She smiled quietly. Then there was this week. It too had passed in a blur. Her father had summoned her to him. "What is it father?" she had asked.
He had replied, "Aleena my dear, I'm getting old. This month has taken its toll on me, especially with your mother and all…" He cut off. After a moment he had looked at his daughter and continued, "So I have decided to veto the throne. I am going to step down as king, then you, my dearest daughter, shall take over as Queen, for the other two have rejected it."
She had been awestruck, to say the least. So soon after her mother's death? She hadn't even finished mourning. It resulted in another period of shock where nothing was clear. She was in front of her father as he declared his abstinence of the throne. She remembered kneeling in astonishment, the ceremony was conducted, the crown, her mother's crown, placed upon her head, then being declared the Queen. Queen Aleena. Her father had taken on position of adviser. She saw her childhood friend and close ally, King Max Acorn of Knothole Village and the surrounding area, joint ruler of Mobotropolis, and beamed nervously at him. He, along with his bride Alicia, who held their one year old son Elias and was pregnant once more, smiled reassuringly. Max had always been able to understand her.
She had snuck out that same night to visit her two friends who she had seen in the crowd, Vanilla crying silent happy tears, Vector watching in awe, understanding yet not understanding the events. Vanilla had said sadly, as Vector slept, head on her lap, "So I guess we can't be best friends anymore, huh Queen Aleena?"
She had replied, "Don't even think that! Of course we can still be best friends! Just because I am now Queen doesn't mean I'll abandon you two!" Vanilla had beamed up at her and hugged her.
As it was in the present, she had just awoken from a dream. She shivered as she recalled each detail. She had been sleeping, then like it wasn't even a dream a figure began to glow and come into focus. "Ah, so Aleena, you have finally become a queen. Queen Aleena has such a nice ring to it."
In her dream she had been awed and a little frightened. "Who are you?" she questioned.
"Hush now your majesty; all will be explained," the figure had reassured. "I am the Oracle of Delphius, and I have come to tell you that during your reign many life changing events shall happen to you. Darkness looms on the horizon my queen. I see the distress in your eyes for your people, but fear not, for you shall give birth to heroes, destined to save the universe. However, it will come at a price."
"What do you mean!" she had demanded.
"That is for another time your majesty. Now awaken, Queen Aleena. Know that I will always be here to help you. When you feel the time has come, you must seek me out," he replied. With that he faded away and a mapped route played through Aleena's head. It wound far and wide finally ending in some far away winter wonderland, joining to a cave somewhere deep in the snow. The oracle's hideaway, it had to be. She felt it being imprinted in her mind and knew that she couldn't forget it if she tried. A mother to heroes? Dark times loomed? She shuddered in sleep.
Now she gazed out her bedroom window solemnly. Her father had mentioned something about returning soldiers, and she had wanted to throw a banquet in their honor. Now she simply awaited their procession through the streets, as they came through Mobotropolis to her palace. She heard a knock on the door and her father call, "Aleena, may I come in!"
"Yes father!" she called back.
Her father entered. He saw his daughter gazing out the window. He shook his head affectionately, then quietly came up beside her. He looked out over the land with her. After a moment he said, "You look lovely my dear. Sources tell me that they are nearing the city as we speak." She said nothing and he glanced down at his daughter. After a moment he looked back out, saying, "I hear their general is a dashing young warrior. He's had many adventures in his life he can talk about."
"Father…" Aleena began.
"Please my dear, humor an old man," her father pleaded. "One day you will have to find someone?" It was more a question than an order.
She sighed deeply then grinned at him replying, "All right. I'll give him a chance."
"That's my girl," the old King turned adviser said as he ruffled her hair. "While you're at it you could also try looking to King Acorn."
"Father, he is a dear friend, nothing more. He's like a brother to me, and I'm like a sister to him," Aleena stated. "Besides, he's married now, with a child and another on the way, remember?"
Her father was about to reply, but just then the sound of trumpets was heard and the two looked out. On the horizon they saw the procession nearing the city. "Time to get ready to greet them," her father said. "Hurry dear, no time to waste. All the preparations have been made." With that he hurried away. Aleena looked once more towards the soldiers then headed down.
She was carried, on a portable throne, to the outskirts of the city to greet the General and his men. It seemed like all of Mobotropolis was there. She looked for Vector and Vanilla and caught their eyes. Vanilla waved excitedly. Vector was jumping up and down. Aleena smiled at them then turned.
Soon enough the General ordered, "Halt!" All behind him stopped. The man looked up at the Queen in wonder, instantly taken by the hedgehog's woman's beauty. She blushed at the mesmerized gaze, then smiled, saying, "Welcome back General. I trust all went well for you?"
"Y-yes Queen Aleena," the man stammered out. She noted one soldier; she couldn't make out what he was because of the helmet he wore, roll his eyes, then nudge another while gazing at her and the general. His eyes were the distinct feature she noted. Yellow-orange, maybe amber, were the color. She frowned at this, curious. It was a rare color to see in eyes.
Turning attention back to the warrior, she said, "There is a banquet prepared for you at the palace in honor of your return. You and those of your men who don't live here in Mobotropolis are welcome to stay for a little while, just to prepare for your return home. We'll get you there in time for you all to become accustomed to your rooms, and for you all to prepare for the masquerade. Select what costumes you will from the various selections and come to dinner dressed in whatever way you'd like."
"Your majesty, you are too kind," he stated humbly, bowing low.
"Please, none of that," she said. "You are welcome to join me up here if you'd like," Aleena stated, motioning to a seat lower than her own.
"If you wish," the general replied. They lowered the chair and he clambered on.
"To the palace!" Aleena ordered her own procession as she turned all attention away from the man.
"Soldiers, forward march!" the general ordered. With that they started off.
The banquet went off without trouble. Aleena sat at the head, her father and adviser on a lower chair next to her on the left, the General on a lower chair to her right. King Max Acorn sat at the opposite head laughing and speaking with the soldiers and his own men he had brought along, as well as his wife Alicia. She listened to the warrior's stories of his many adventures in rapt attention, or tried. His life sounded exciting, but he spoke of it as if he didn't care much for it, so she found it impossible to get into his stories like she had hoped she would be able to. She couldn't see any such emotion as excitement or longing in his eyes. Only, well, she couldn't tell. She knew, though, without much thought, that the life he had wasn't one he was fond of. In his eyes she saw a small sparkle as he spoke of his travels and deeds, but his eyes glittered when he spoke of wanting a life without such excitement. He wanted to settle down and never look back on such things again.
Highly commendable for a man. The woman who wed him would be lucky indeed, envied by many. She hoped he would find someone worthy enough to be with him. She noted all too well that he was smitten with her for now, though. She noted the soldier on the general's right, sigh deeply in boredom, as he too listened to the man's tales. She saw his eyes behind the mask and was mildly surprised. It was the same one she had seen roll his eyes when the general first greeted the queen. She smirked at him. At least she wasn't the only one that found the stories hard to get into. The soldier cocked his head curiously then shook his head looking away rudely. She frowned. She interrupted the general's tale suddenly, asking, "What is that soldier's problem?"
The hedgehog man looked surprised at the cut off. He looked at the man then grimaced. Looking back at her he replied, "Never mind him. He has his problems."
"Like…?" she prodded, knowing the warrior wasn't telling everything.
"No one really knows," the general replied standoffishly. "He kept to himself, but he was a valuable aid, whether he wanted to be or not."
Soon enough dinner was cleared, the room emptied of all objects to make room for the dancing. To the side there was a buffet table for refreshments in case anyone got hungry again. Aleena sat on her throne, beaming at the crowd. There was live music ready. Finally it began, and the aristocrats and soldiers instantly began to crowd the dance floor, prepared to waltz to the classical music.
For a time Aleena watched in longing. On seeing this, her father said, "Aleena my dear, go on and have fun."
Aleena blushed, answering, "No one has asked me to dance yet."
As if in answer, the general's voice said, "Well then, we should change that, shouldn't we?" Aleena looked at him in surprise. "Your highness, may I?" the man questioned.
Her father smiled at her. Aleena grinned at her dad, then turned to the warrior and took his hand, answering, "Of course."
After that nothing could make her sit back down. She whirled from the general to the soldiers and guards to even the aristocracy. The general, Argus captain of her personal guard, a noble named Titus who she found a little more skilled than most, and of course her guest King Maximillion Acorn, were her main partners. They could hardly keep up with her. Every single partner was amazed at her skill on the dance floor. Hardly an eye looked away from her, hardly anyone escaped a dance.
All at once she spun from her current partner's hand to yet another. She didn't expect anything like what happened the moment they touched. The man firmly grasped her hand and waist, keeping up to her every move and step. Within moments he was leading her comfortably. She was surprised to see that she actually had to try to keep up to his footwork. He himself seemed amazed that he hadn't lost her yet. From just that touch, that sensation, she could tell that this one was different. She looked up at him in shock. Her eyes widened. It was the soldier she had wondered about, the one with the strange eyes, and he was keeping up to her!
She stared at him in awe as he danced her through the crowds with seemingly no trouble, so she challenged him. He seemed mildly surprised at the change, and took it up, starting to move in more challenging patterns and steps. The other dancers were beginning to stare in shocked disbelief. How was this possible? No one could keep up to the queen! Slowly some of the audience began to stop dancing to murmur. She gazed at the man's masked face. After a moment she said, trying to make conversation, "You're wearing the mask of a wolf."
"Is it really that much of a surprise?" he questioned in an impersonal and slightly cold tone.
"N-no, it's just that, it's strange to see the face of a wolf, even fake. There are so few…" Aleena said looking nervously down. "W-why did you choose it? Is it a memorial in a way?"
"Do you always look for symbolism in everything?" the soldier questioned bitterly.
"I'm sorry, have I offended you in some way?" the queen demanded as she faced him again, slightly put off by his tone.
"Not at all my Queen. If you must know, it was the only one that fit," the man replied. "I take it, though, that you have a fascination with the wolves?"
"I'm curious about them, about why they've all but disappeared, about their culture, and things like that," she replied flicking her gaze nervously away.
"There can't be that few," the man muttered, seemingly to himself.
"The last records taken shows that their kind has one of the smallest populations there is," Aleena declared in answer. The man said nothing a moment. She decided to break the silence by saying, "Are you enjoying the party?"
"I hate music and festivity," the man replied.
"How can anyone hate music!" she asked in disbelief. "It is one of my favorite things!"
"Easily," the man replied, an amused smirk in his voice, without going into detail. He then fell silent.
Soon she decided to break the lull in conversation saying, "So, your general seems wonderful. He's brave, clever, a good leader…"
"Hah!" the man exclaimed sharply, cutting her off. She looked at him in shock.
"Excuse me?" she finally asked.
"Is that what you see?" the man asked. He looked towards the general who was watching the queen. He then continued, "I see a worthless waste of space."
"How dare you insult your General," Aleena hissed, keeping quiet, trying not to make a scene.
"He's brave, yes, and clever enough. If being a good leader is knowing the names of all of your men and being strong in only a handful of things, then he's a good leader, but overall he's nothing, not balanced at all," the soldier stated.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Your majesty, trust me, he could be so much more useful than he is. He takes it upon himself to learn the names of everyone, learn their families. He comes up with strategies that get the job done, but they're only mediocre. The moment things get too tough he pulls back. He fights well and would give his life to save one of his men, but he is weak. A weak, weak, leader," the man continued. Aleena listened in rapt attention. It wasn't even a story and she was captivated by his way of speaking. This time she didn't need to force attention like she had with the warrior. "He never puts his men in dangerous situations if he can help it."
"That's good," Aleena protested, seeing that she could have a meaningful conversation here.
He chuckled cruelly then answered, as they continued to dance, "There are times when you have to take risks my Queen. Whether you want to or not. I can't even count how many times we could have taken over our objectives without any great loss and instead he's pulled back because it seemed too dangerous too his beloved battalion. If anyone had tried to overthrow him he wouldn't have stood a chance. He isn't a man of action. He would rather be farming than exploring the universe."
"Is it wrong to be peaceful!" Aleena demanded heatedly as he spun her around.
"In this case, yes," the man replied flatly. "Once we were ambushed in the middle of the night. All of a sudden we were woken up by shouts and bullets and lasers flying everywhere. Instead of ordering a counter attack he ordered a retreat. I almost laughed. We were surrounded. There was no escape. That, in turn, sent the camp into chaos as everyone scrambled to get out. I told him flat out that we needed to fight back. He was reluctant even then. Finally, though, I persuaded him otherwise. He was too worried about his worthless soldiers, though, to pay any attention to himself. He's a good fighter, and a good shot, but when his fear for his men kicks in, everything else shuts off. He tries to save everyone. Everyone except himself. He ended up bleeding badly at the edge of the woods. Of course the enemy tried to drag him into their midst, and fool that I am, I decided to help him out. He was, as you say, a good leader for getting the love of his army, and the men would only listen to him. The fool almost cost me my life. I was on the brink of leaving him to his fate."
"You would let him die before you let yourself be killed?" Aleena demanded, challengingly.
"Better one than all," her partner replied. "Without any leadership, none of the soldiers you've had such fun dancing with would be here! I was forced to move him into the middle. I told him to order them to listen to me. He did. That is the only reason any of us are here now! Once I was in charge, there was no more fooling around."
"Oh, and how many men died under your orders?" she demanded.
He smirked. "You have some entertainment value, don't you? If you must know, only an eighth of them died, as opposed to all."
"I take it you don't approve of your general," Aleena said.
"Understatement of the year. I don't admire n'er do wrongs," the man replied.
"You mean heroes," Aleena shot.
"Exactly," he replied coldly, not even bothering to hide it. "Not even when they save my life, which he did in a perfect cliché the next time we were dragged into a fight. That time, I'll admit, I should have listened to him. Peace would have been the best way out. That was a mistake I never plan on making again."
"Tell me, what do you think of the Queen?" Aleena asked.
"The dead one or you?" the man answered.
Her eyes hardened. "Both," she said through clenched teeth, ready to defend her mother's honor if the time came.
"I don't care. A tyrant can come in and take over, you can stay in power. It's all the same to me," the man replied. "I could never be bothered with politics or laws. I work for whatever side I need to."
"So you're a criminal," Aleena shot as he dipped her.
"Is that what you suspect?" the man replied, a smirk in his voice though she couldn't see it. He pulled her back up.
"You don't seem to care much for authority either!" the queen shot, feeling increasingly angry.
"The only authority I follow is my own, unless I choose otherwise," the man replied arrogantly.
"Are you a law breaker?" Aleena questioned again.
Cruelly he answered, "Oh you don't know the half of it." The music stopped, and with it the two suddenly noticed that people were staring.
It was then they perceived that the sparks of their argument had caught, alarming all those who heard. Instantly they stopped, him jerking her to a halt. It was only then that they realized how dangerous and potentially violent and fiery their argument had become. It was only then that Aleena realized how enraptured she had been in his tale. So much so that she hadn't sensed a change in the atmosphere, though there had been a definite one, nor how enthralled he himself had been with her.
The guards stood; ready to step in if things got violent. The general had moved to the front right next to them. Aleena suddenly noticed the pain in her hand and waist. He was strong, holding her tightly, and she felt she would have a bruise on her waist sooner than later, and her hand felt as if it was being crushed; but then he was cringing in his own sudden realization of pain from the finger nails she was digging into his shoulder. She could swear she had drawn blood with the pressure she was using. In fact, she knew it.
After a moment the general ordered icily, "Release her soldier, and stand down."
She could sense the scowl the man was giving the general. Suddenly, though, she felt the pressure release, felt that he was grinning cordially once more. "Why, of course sir. Things were getting a little too intense between us, weren't they my Queen?" he said, voice implying all sorts of things that made the general's blood, as well as the Queen's father's blood, boil. She retracted her finger nails from his shoulder. With that he shoved her back into the general, prompting her personal guards to reach for their blades.
Aleena, though, waved her hand, telling them to not bother through a mere gesture. She then stood and curtsied to the man saying, "Thank you for the dance. It was…interesting to say the least. Few have been able to keep up with me."
He bowed cordially, replying, "The pleasure is all mine. If you ever want another, err, dance, I will be glad to oblige. None have been able to keep up to me. You, your majesty, were a welcome relief." He looked to the general saying, "Enjoy her sir." With that he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Aleena looked around then put on a fake grin, saying, "It's all right now. Play the music again!" The musicians looked reluctant, but nonetheless obeyed. Slowly the dancers went back to their dancing.
"Are you all right Queen Aleena?" the general asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," she reassured him with a smile.
"What did he tell you?" he asked.
"Just stories about his disapproval of you. Nothing much. Come, let's dance," she answered.
"If you're sure," the general concernedly said.
"I'm sure," she replied. With that she led him onto the dance floor. After dancing with that soldier, though, she had to admit, this was a little lame. Every other partner, after and before, was dull as well, she glumly realized. At least before she knew what she was missing out on she had been having fun.
She watched as slowly the crowds dispersed. She had returned to her throne to watch the rest of the dancing. She had quickly grown bored. None of them challenged her. Well, that soldier did, but she could hardly stand the thought of him. Then why was she scanning the crowd for him? Her eyes found him soon enough, sulking near the buffet table, scowling at her, once in a while turning to scowl at the general. When finally the festivities ended, all who remained were her, her father, Argus, Titus, King and Queen Acorn, the general, and the soldier.
She rose, saying, "I suppose it's time to retire for the night. I welcome you all, once again, to my palace. I hope you enjoy your stay."
"It was a pleasure to get acquainted with you," the general said.
"Some of us more than others," the mysterious soldier grumbled. Aleena shot him a cold look.
"Know your place soldier," Aleena said, as she stepped from the throne to face him.
"I know it," the soldier replied cheekily.
Suddenly she could take it no more. All at once she went from a peace loving queen to striking the man as hard as she could! "Aleena!" her father exclaimed in horror.
She said nothing. All at once it was just her and the soldier. No one else in the room existed but them. The man slowly turned to look at her. Neither said anything for a long moment. Argus began to advance protectively towards the queen. Suddenly, though, the soldier drew his sword and struck. Aleena reached out seizing Max's blade from her stunned friend, and countered the blow, fire in her eyes.
"Seize him!" she vaguely heard her father order the other men desperately.
She, though, swiftly forced the attacker back and away from the men with her skill. It was obvious, to her, that the man was shocked beyond belief. As he barely managed to block another blow he said, "Well, a queen that can fight! How convenient!"
"For me, you mean. Inconvenient for you!" she declared angrily.
"I suppose so," the man retorted as he lunged at her. She parried without batting an eyelash. She sliced at him but he jumped back. Panting the two glared at each other. The soldier saw the others running towards him, the queen's protectors. He chuckled coldly then replaced his blade. He challenged her with his eyes.
She lowered her own weapon. As the men neared she ordered, "Halt, all of you!" They froze.
"Should I arrest him or not!" Argus furiously demanded.
"Leave him," she quickly replied as she shoved the blade back to its squirrel owner.
"My dear he attacked you! He should be thrown in prison or hung!" her father angrily protested.
"I can court martial him, or put him in the barracks, but you don't need to take his life," the general stated.
"Hand him to the people. They'll deal with him. You are, after all, their beloved Queen," Titus suddenly spoke.
"Aleena, a hostile to royalty can only mean trouble," Max gently tried to reason.
"Hah!" she replied, startling them all. "He's a hostile to everyone," she finished. She turned her back on him, though, adding, "I wish him no ill will. In fact, I'd like to thank him. I haven't been able to practice my fighting for a long time."
"Your mercy will be the death of you," the soldier casually said.
"We'll see," she replied.
"Brave words," he said in an accommodating tone, hostility gone for now.
She answered in a cordial voice as she turned, "You thought me a coward?"
"If I had I certainly wouldn't now," he answered with a smile.
She couldn't help but smirk back. It fell as she said, "Retire to your room now."
"As you wish Queen Aleena," the man replied in his dark tone as he bowed low. Quickly he left the room.
She looked back at the others only to see them staring at her in awe. "The show is over men, to bed now."
"You are a remarkable woman," the general suddenly said in awe.
She blushed and looked away, replying, "Thank you."
He moved to her and took her hand kissing it tenderly. He looked up at her adding, "Goodnight your highness." Soon the throne room was empty.
A figure moved in the darkness, stealthily creeping towards the main door through the throne room. He looked cautiously around then slipped outside. He drew out a communication device saying, "Come in canine one, come in."
A voice crackled and an image appeared saying, "Where the heck are you? Have you discovered anything, found any way to collect the package with minimal threat?"
"Of course I have you fool. You should know me better by now! I'm heading to the rendezvous. Our plans have to be quickly put into action. Canine two out," the figure replied. Stealthily he put it back then crept through the palace grounds and out into the city. This was going to be interesting.