The Best Christmas Ever
Story by: Phoenix710
Summary: Starlight has been at Road Rover Headquarters for five days now, and she's thoroughly enjoyed herself. As we join our heroes now, they're all out at the beach, enjoying the lovely weather. However, Havoc makes his escape from prison, and then his goons hijack a pair of Air Force C-17's, along with their cargo, which happens to be the parts for the new fighter, the F-37 Excalibur, and it's high-powered Tactical Laser Cannon. The Master sends the Rovers out to put an end to Havoc's plans, and Starlight volunteers to stay home and keep an eye on the kids. Let's see if the Rovers can stop Havoc, and then return home before Christmas Eve.
Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights whatsoever to Road Rovers, or to any of the characters associated with the series. Road Rovers, and all associated characters, are registered trademarks of Warner Brothers. All original characters, and the F-37 Excalibur, are products of my imagination. The C-17 Galaxy is property of the United States Air Force. The Su-37 Terminator is property of the Russian Air Force. The song that Hunter and Colleen sing a duet to in this chapter, "Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You", is property of Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack.
Chapter Three: Time To Save The World
It had been five days now, since Starlight had come to spend the holidays with her son, and the rest of his family and friends. They had gotten their Christmas shopping finished a couple of days ago, and were now taking a rest on the beach, enjoying the clean, crisp morning air. Starlight watched her son playing with Colleen, as they chased each other around, before Hunter picked Colleen up, and twirled her around gently. He set her back on her feet, and then pulled her close, their lips meeting in a long, deep kiss. Blitz and Sam, along with Karina, who was now old enough to walk, were tossing a beach ball around. Exile and Kasha were playing along with their son, Alek, as he happily drove his toy construction vehicles around in the sand. Shag was using his metal detector, and Starlight was looking at a pop-up book with Kayla, as she enjoyed some bonding time with her youngest grandchild. Alexander and Cassie were making a sandcastle nearby, and Starlight smiled at their adorable antics. She was overjoyed, as her son clearly had a wonderful life here. Not only was he the leader of an elite team of canine heroes, but he was also happily married, to a wonderful young lady, namely Colleen, who happened to be Hunter's true soulmate, in every sense of the word. Hunter also had given her three lovely grandchildren, the twins Alexander and Cassie, and little Kayla. Hunter also had the rest of the Rovers, and their kids, that both Hunter and Colleen considered to be a part of their family as well. Starlight stood up, as Hunter and Colleen walked over towards her, and sat down. Hunter pulled three bottles of spring water from the cooler nearby, and handed one to his mother, one to Colleen, and then popped open the third one. Starlight said, "Hunter, you and Colleen are so wonderful together, that it brings a tear to my eye. If I had been able to walk and talk, back when you were only eight weeks old, I'd never have let that farmer take you away from me. Although, if you hadn't left, you'd have been on that farm all this time, helping me keep track of the chickens, instead of fighting terrorists, and you'd probably never have met this lovely lady that I'm so proud to call my daughter, or given me three lovely grandchildren. I'm so proud of you, for all you've done, not only for the world, but also for Colleen. You've become her best friend, stood up for her when she's needed it, protected her, and, most of all, given her your love and devotion, and I know that both of you, will always stay true to one another." Hunter replied, "Mom…I love you…" Starlight replied, "I love you too, Hunter." They hugged, and Colleen joined in, along with the twins. When they pulled apart, Colleen checked her watch, and noticed that it was time to give Kayla a bottle. She pulled it out, but Starlight said, "Colleen, let me try, dear. Go play with Hunter. I'd like to have a little more time to get to know Kayla, before we go in for lunch. Colleen handed the bottle to Starlight, and she gently slid the bottle into Kayla's mouth, the adorable little girl's tiny hands came up and held onto the sides, as she drank hungrily. Hunter and Colleen knew that their little girl was in good hands with Hunter's mother, so the two of them went off to play a game of Frisbee, along with the twins.
Meanwhile…
Havoc was really fuming…his plans had been perfect last time, and those infernal Road Rovers had STILL stopped him. First, they'd trashed his plans in Katzenstok and Eisneria, and then, they'd stopped him from starting a war between the United States and Russia, both of which would have made him incredibly rich. He'd even had the leader of those annoying mutts as a prisoner last time, but that annoying Collie had gone all Bruce Lee on his troops, and saved the mangy mongrel. He needed a new plan…one that would ensure a MASSIVE payoff, and get those pesky dogs out of his way for good. He then remembered what he'd seen on the internet the other night: an article on the U.S. Air Force's new fighter, the F-37 Excalibur. The aircraft was faster than any other operational fighter, capable of speeds of Mach 2.9(1,856mph), and was equipped with a powerful six-barreled 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon in the nose, a pair of heat-seeking AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, and, most strikingly, a Tactical Laser Cannon, mounted on the upper body. It would be perfect for him to steal it, and then sell them to anyone who could afford his price, which he decided to fix at $35 million per jet. He decided that now was the time for his escape. When the guard came in to take his dinner tray, Havoc whacked the man in the head, knocking him out. Stealing the guard's keycard, he freed the rest of his men, and then they made their way out to the impound yard, and stole a truck. Ramming through the gates, they made their getaway. Havoc outlined his plans. "Now, listen up…we're gonna go and link up with some of our boys, that have stolen some Russian Su-37's. They've come across a couple of Air Force C-17's, and they're gonna steal 'em, along with the F-37's inside. When that's done, we'll fly back to Ovitznia, and I'll start selling those beauties to anybody that can afford the $35 million dollar price tag. Pretty soon, we'll all be rich!" Lt. Skeam said, "That's a great plan, sir…but what about the mutts?" Havoc said, "If they show up, we'll get rid of them for sure this time. I've made sure that our base is outfitted with the latest Anti-Aircraft missiles, and the best AA guns that money can buy. Those pesky fleabags don't have a chance this time! HAHAHA!!!"
Katzenstok/Eisnerian airspace, 1:00pm…
Captain Rick McCollum, pilot of the lead C-17 in the two-plane formation of Diamond Flight, looked out the co-pilot's side of his bird, checking on Diamond Two, flown by his close friend, Commander Rick Thompson. They were nearly at their destination, when their radar operator shouted, "CAPTAIN, I'M READING SIX SU-37's COMING IN FAST, WEAPONS HOT!" "What the heck…", said McCollum. They were in friendly airspace, and as such, there should be no reason that Su-37's would be chasing them, unless they were stolen. Ovitznia had a bad habit of making trouble, and McCollum was betting that they'd sent their birds out to harass them. They needed air cover, and fast. Turning to his radioman, Lt. Paul Grant, McCollum said, "Lieutenant, get on the horn to base, and have them send out F-22's ASAP." Grant replied, "Yes, Sir!" He keyed in the frequency, but then the huge airplane bucked heavily. McCollum checked his readouts, and saw that they'd taken 30mm fire from one of the black and red Su-37's behind them. The Su-37 was a fast, maneuverable, and deadly Russian-made fighter. It could maneuver almost as well as the F-22 Raptor, and was heavily armed. It carried an internally-mounted GSh-30-1 30mm gatling cannon in the nose, with 150 rounds, R-73 'Archer' heat-seeking missiles, R-33 'Amos' long range radar-guided missiles, and the new KS-172 long range missile. The pilot of the lead enemy fighter called out, "Attention, American aircraft…land immediately, or you will be shot down. This is your ONLY warning." McCollum said, "How long until we get the Raptors over here?" Lt. Grant replied, "That shot of theirs took out the radio, sir. They got Diamond 2's radio as well, so we couldn't call for help." McCollum said, "Blast!" With no choice, the two aircraft landed, and the enemy pilots took the crews outside, and tied them up. Soon, Havoc's men arrived, via a stolen Russian transport plane, an AN-225 Cossack. Once the cargo of the C-17's was loaded, Havoc and his goons took off, leaving the Americans to their own devices. McCollum and his crew eventually managed to repair the radio, and they called for a rescue chopper. About an hour later, a pair of CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters arrived, and McCollum and his men eagerly climbed aboard. Once they arrived back at base, they informed their superiors, and, after that, the word of the attack quickly spread.
Road Rover Headquarters…
The Rovers were all having lunch together, and Starlight said, "Wow…I didn't know my son was such a fine cook too…this soup is incredible!" Hunter had made his own version of Meatball Alphabet soup, using beef broth, miniature meatballs, and letter-shaped pasta, along with bits of carrots, and some roast beef, for added flavor. When they'd finished their meal, Hunter said, "For your listening pleasure, Colleen and I have decided to perform a duet to one of our favorite songs, 'Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You', by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack. Colleen joined him at the front of the rec room, and Hunter then cued the song up on his stereo. He and Colleen then began singing.
'Tonight I celebrate my love for you
It seems the natural thing to do
Tonight no one's gonna find us
We'll leave the world behind us
When I make love to you
Tonight I celebrate my love for you
And hope that deep inside you feel it too
Tonight our spirits will be climbing
To the sky lit up with diamonds
When I make love to you tonight
Tonight I celebrate my love for you (ooh)
And that midnight song is gonna come shining through
Tonight there'll be no distance between us
What I want most to do
Is to get close to you tonight
Tonight I celebrate my love for youAnd soon this old world will seem brand new
Tonight we will both discover
How friends turn into lovers
When I make love to you
Tonight I celebrate my love for you (ooh)
And that midnight song is gonna come shining through
Tonight there'll be no distance between us
What I want most to do
Is to get close to you
Tonight I celebrate my love for you'
When they finished, the whole room erupted in applause. Starlight said, "Oh my…I've never heard such a lovely melody before…" Hunter said, "You should hear Colleen perform solo…her voice sounds like music from heaven." Colleen blushed at Hunter's compliment, and kissed him. They were about to turn on the television, when The Master's voice rang out. "ROVERS, REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE BRIEFING ROOM!!! THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR SERVICES AGAIN!!!" Hunter said, "If I get my hands on the lousy grinch that's trying to ruin my Christmas, with my family and friends, I'm gonna punch his lights out!" Colleen replied, "You're not the only one, Huntie." Blitz added, "Ja, and I'll bite his tooshie, repeatedly!" Starlight said, "Hunter…I'll watch the kids while you're gone. Come back safe, and you too, Colleen. Good luck, everyone!" Hunter hugged his mother, and so did Colleen. They hugged the kids as well, before heading off to meet with The Master.
When they had all assembled, The Master said, "Rovers, here's our situation. Two hours ago, Havoc's men shot down two U.S. Air Force C-17's, over on the Katzenstok/Eisneria border. They were delivering a shipment of F-37 Excaliburs to the Air Force base up there, when Havoc's men took them down. The crews of the two planes were saved, but Havoc got the cargo, and he plans to sell them to any buyer willing to pay his price of $35 million per fighter. Rovers, get out there, stop Havoc, and reclaim those fighters. Good luck!" Hunter gave his rallying call of, "LET'S HIT THE ROAD, ROVERS!!!" The team headed down to the armory, suited up, and grabbed their weapons. Once they'd geared up, they made their way to the hangar, boarded the Stealth Rover, and Hunter took off. The Rovers were determined to teach Havoc NOT to mess with their Christmas plans.
Next Chapter: The Rovers arrive in Ovitznia's unfriendly skies, and Havoc's flyboys in Su-37's engage them. Can the Rovers knock Havoc's air force out of the fight, and make their way towards his base? Find out next time in Chapter Four: Wings of Freedom.