The St. Canard rocket proving grounds were quiet that evening. There had not been a launch in some time, and for budget reasons none were planned in the near future. But they did keep several models of trial rockets in storage, built of inexpensive materials, they were suitable for general research and could easily be replaced. Which is what the intruders breaking into the grounds at that moment were counting on.
There was one guard in the main building; as no sensitive work went on there, it was felt that there wasn't a need for more security. In fact, he felt his shift was quite boring most of the time, and even longed for some excitement. He was about to find it, as out of a corner of his eye a shadow fell across the floor.
"Put your hands up, barefaced scum." came a muffled voice. The guard looked up in disbelief at the the figure in a green jumpsuit and Bushroot mask. Then he passed out.
"The weakling." remarked one of the Husk-Men. "Typical of an unmasked jellyfish."
"Never mind, let's get what we came for. Bushroot X is waiting." said the other. Grabbing the keys from the unconcious guard, they set off down the hallway. By the time the guard had awakened, they had completed thier work and made good thier escape.
"Hey, Dad! Breaking news on the all news channel! Looks like Bushroot X has struck again!" was how Gosalyn greeted her father the next morning as she leaped onto the bed.
"What are you talking about?" mumbled Drake, only half awake.
"Two guys who looked like Bushroot broke in, they knocked out the guard and stole some top secret thing!" said Gos. "Come on, it's on TV right now!" Drake wearily got up, got dressed and went downstairs to have his coffee. Then he checked out the news story.
"What could those green suited goons have been after?" asked Drake as he watched. "More to the point, what does that nut Bushroot X want with whatever they stole? I guess we'll have to speak to the guard. I'll drag LP out of bed and we'll go over there."
"We? You mean I get to go?" asked Gos.
"No, you get to stay home where it's safe. Well, maybe Beth can find something for you both to do."
"That's just like being baby sat!" protested Gosalyn.
"Baby sat is such an ugly phrase." replied Drake. "Let's call it damage control." With that, he strode from the room.
Beth had also been watching the news. They wouldn't comment on exactly what was taken, but it was a rocket base, so it was reasonable to assume it had some connection with rockets. It was also reasonable to assume it would mean bad news for the city if Bushroot X carried out whatever he planned to do with it. Beth fingered the tight collar of her turtleneck sweater as she thought. Drake would surely go there and start working on the case, along with Launchpad. Maybe she'd go over and see what was going on at the house. Just then, her cell rang, and it was Gosalyn.
"Hey Beth, doing anything today? Dad's going to the rocket base...did you know about what happened there last night?"
"Yeah." Beth said. "I take it he didn't want you along."
"I don't know what's wrong with him!" exclaimed Gosalyn. "It's like he thinks I'll get in the way or something!"
Beth couldn't help chuckling a bit. "Well, don't worry about that. We'll find something to do, I understand World of H2O has a new super high, insane water slide, want to see how insane it is?"
"All right!" said Gos enthusiastically. "Give me about 15 minutes to get ready?"
"I'll be over in 15 minutes." said Beth with a smile. She hung up and went upstairs to get her waterproof sweater.
"For the last time, all I can tell you is that two guys wearing Bushroot masks broke in, and I fainted. When I woke up, they were gone. That's all." said the guard.
"Did you even bother to look around to see what they took?" asked Darkwing. He was running low on patience.
"I can't tell you that." insisted the guard.
"I'll try one more time." said the crimefighter. "Those guys work for Bushroot X, who is insane. Not just slighty askew, like he used to be. I mean off the rails crazy. Whatever he plans to do with whatever he stole, it's not going to be good news for this city, possibly not for the world. I'm the only one who can stop him, because the police in this city can't find their behinds with two hands and a flashlight. So you tell me what was taken, and you tell me NOW!" he shouted.
"Um, DW..." said Launchpad, thinking Darkwing was getting a little carried away.
"What?" snapped DW.
"Er, nothing."
Darkwing swung around to the guard. "So...are you going to play nice, or do we wait until that masked maniac has turned the city into one big salad bowl?"
The guard told him.
Inside his mask, the blue eyes of Bushroot X glowered as he watched the work going on in the room next to him. "You got the right one, I trust?" he asked.
"It's the one you specified." said the Husk-Man standing next to him. "We're checking it over to make sure it's suitable, as you ordered."
"And how long is that going to take?" snapped the mad plant-duck.
"Not more than a day or so. Then we'll be ready to execute your plan."
"Good." nodded Bushroot X. "The world will never know what hit it...but something is missing. I want someone with me, someone at my side when victory comes. I need a bride."
The Husk-Man stood there, not quite understanding and afraid of saying the wrong thing to the unbalanced plant-duck.
"What are you standing there for?" demanded Bushroot X. He swung his arm around and flattened the hapless Husk-Man. "Find me the perfect bride!"
To be continued...
Darkwing Duck and related characters are the property of Disney. The concept of Bushroot X and the Husk-Men are property of the author. Beth Webfoot is property of Rebecca Kelly and used with permission. (C) 2008 Eric Smith.
