Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
A/N: This is my first ever story so it would be good to get some feedback
Chapter 3
"Do we need any supplies for the new base?" asked Bugler after a few hours of driving in silence.
"Well it has a supply of basic field rations, but nothing for a baby, so yeah, probably a good idea to get some. Is there a department store around here?"
"Do we have money enough to go on a shopping spree?" asked Owen looking around.
"If we find a pawn shop, I can get us a few hundred," volunteered Bugler, while playing with something in his pocket.
"If we find a busy town-centre I'm sure we can relieve some people of the weight in their wallets." Ralph said with a slight smile at the corner of her lips while staring at the road ahead.
"You're talking about committing a felony, without even blinking at it. You're just kids!" exclaimed Owen.
Nikita frowned at him shaking her head. "Never under-estimate anyone Owen, Division should have taught you that! They would never suggest something like this if they didn't have complete confidence in carrying it out safely."
Bugler smiled at Nikita's reaction, it was nice to have somebody stand up for their capabilities without question. It was true that most humans like Owen saw them as children, especially himself. But I'm a trained soldier, just the same as the others!
After a pause, to let her words sink in, Nikita continued, "I have a fair amount at the house that will be our base, but it is a good idea not to become dependent on it. We could get some tools, baby stuff and disposable cell phones. Nothing big."
"The map says there is a retail park coming up at the next junction" said Bugler from the navigator's seat.
As they parked the car they formulated a plan of action, "Owen you and Bugler you are on tools and cell phones. Ralph your with me for baby stuff. If you see something you need then get it, but use discretion. Here is $150 for each team."
"Meet back here in say, an hour?" suggested Owen. The others nodded in agreement.
"Do you know much about tools?" asked Bugler as they made their way through the DIY part of the store.
"I do all the fixing myself and a fair amount of the creation, although nothing fancy. Just what is needed, how about yourself?" from Bugler's slight shake of the head, Owen went into a bit of teacher mode. "Take the tools themselves, for example, you don't want to go for the really top-end expensive stuff. You want the stuff that will actually do the job and last a while." Explained Owen, while picking up a power-drill and placing it in the trolley. "Firstly we need the basics hammer, nails, screwdrivers, screws, maybe a spanner…" he listed them off on his fingers. Then glancing around at the other shoppers, he continued in a lower voice. "Now as this place will be our base for some time, we also need to thing about defensive mechanisms. So we will be getting fine wire, wire cutters and a pair of plyers." Then back to normal volume again, "Bulbs, we might need some of them, but I don't know what the fittings look like, so no point getting them just yet. We should stop by in the camping department, will you remind me later? Oh and I've got a nifty way for heating the house. We don't need paint or wallpaper, who cares about that? Do you see any shopping assistants around?"
Bugler looked around and pointed to a man stacking rolls of wallpaper.
Owen went up to the assistant, "Excuse me please, where would I find tins?" he asked miming with his hands.
The assistant thought for a moment before clarifying, "Paint tins? With paint inside? Or for mixing the paint colours? Or do you mean a tin of nails, sir?" he asked with an inviting smile.
"I was looking for the empty kind if that isn't too much trouble? Perhaps these mixing tins you spoke of?" asked Owen trying to be his most polite.
The assistant smiled at the nice man and his son, it was nice when customers were polite, no need for yelling, "Right this way sir." Owen and Bugler followed the assistant along the aisles, "we have a few sizes as you can see. Is there anything else I can help you with, or shall I just leave you guys to it?"
Owen smiled at the man, "No thank you, I think we will manage the rest. Thank you for your help." As the assistant walked back the way they had come, Owen picked up a few of the empty tins. "Always nice to be polite, they are just doing their job. Plus they tend to notice you more if you raise your voice, and we don't want that. Now all we need is some White Spirit paint stripper and we'll be done."
"How much will this all cost? I was counting earlier; do you think we will have enough money?" Asked Bugler, he had been enjoying his time with Owen, learning new things, but he had lost track of the count and reality was seeping into his happy bubble.
After noticing the lad's face drop into worry he replied, "Nah, we'll be fine, I've got some of my own anyway. This stuff is necessary. Right, anything we have forgotten?"
Bugler's worry eased, he looked up and said, "You wanting to go to camping supplies."
"Ah yes, well remembered kid" he said while rubbing Bugler's head. "We'll buy this stuff first, then head over there. You gonna help carry the bags?" Bugler nodded, and they proceeded towards the check-out.
Meanwhile, in another section of the department store, Ralph and Nikita were having female bonding moments. After the first purchase of the day being a baby-sling so that Baby could be attached to Nikita at all times without the use of her arms. They had purchased other baby necessities such as diapers and onesies, and then they moved on to food stuffs. Baby wouldn't be wanting any kind of solid food for ages yet. So it was all adult food, some fruit, a bit of veg, a loaf of bread and a few tins of soup. Then came the fun part, clothes!
Nikita was currently in the dressing room waiting for Ralph to appear in the new outfit. A few moments later Ralph emerged in nice skin hugging jeans and a pink silky top.
"You look great!" beamed Nikita. "This can be worn casually in public during the day or in the evening", I'm blaming this on my hormones, I'm not usually this into fashion. Amanda had been the first one to teach her the value of fashion and fitting in while undercover. If it is presentable, and I can fight in it then, normally it's fine. But, oh well, today I'm just going with it.
Ralph blushed, "You really think so?" she asked nervously. I've never worn anything like this before, but I love it!
Nikita nodded enthusiastically. "We should go meet up with the boys soon. I just need to get some soft clothes now that I am back to my normal size again." After picking up a few items from the clothes rails, they proceeded to the checkout once more.
"I just remembered we haven't got cell phones yet," said Ralph after having stopped abruptly with the bags.
"Ah yes, well done, we'll head back to the supermarket section," replied Nikita. "Oh and while we are there we could get some loo roll, we did say necessities after all."
"You managing with your bags alright Bugler?" Owen saw him nod, he did insist on doing his share. Then as Owen walked past a stand, "Hey do you want a cell phone?" Another nod and a smile from the boy. "Excuse me could we look at your cell phones?" He asked the stall-holder while placing his shopping bags on the floor. "What are the cheapest ones you've got? And do they come with covers?"
Bugler came over to look, "Could I have a blue one?" he asked, getting better at his innocent child face.
"Does the cell come with credit? Should we get some for your brother and sister?" The first question directed at the stall-holder.
"Five dollars credit is included in the price of the cell, if you buy two, you get a third half price" recited the stall-holder.
"Okay we'll take three and three covers. You get to choose the colours kid."
After a moment's thought, Bugler selected a dark blue, a light green and a dark green. Owen handed over the money, and Bugler placed them into his shopping bags.
They all converged on the car at approximately the same time. "You get what you need? Got money to spare?" asked Nikita cheerily, as they loaded their goods into the boot of the car.
Owen glanced at Bugler, "All gone on our end, you?"
"We have a bit left over" answered Ralph with a smile.
"Where is the next gas station? Or are we doing fine?" asked Owen. "How are the others doing do you know?"
"We got cells now so we can call and ask," replied Bugler "is there anything you were wanting?"
Owen nodded handing Bugler a scrap of paper, "Should be able to get it at a pharmacy".
Bugler, sitting once more in the front passenger seat, assembled a phone and typed in the number for Zero's cell. He then relayed Owen's message quietly over the phone, so that neither of the humans could hear. Of course Ralph did, but she didn't say anything, rubbing oil? What could he want that for? A surprise for Nikita, perhaps? Although they didn't seem very romantically involved… As Bugler hung up the call, he announced to the car, "They are ahead of us, but stopped at a small town for gas and a meal. They said they would get you what you asked for." In answer to which Owen nodded.
After a while of driving Nikita asked "Do we want to stop for something to eat? Or push on to the house?"
"We're nearly there actually, maybe another half an hour on this road, then another half hour on a smaller one?" said Ralph.
"Okay I say we head on, there is stuff to do before we sleep tonight" said Owen.
Bugler sat up straighter, "How's Baby doing? Been nice and quiet for the long drive".
That brought a sleep to Nikita's lips, "Yeah Baby is doing great, sleeping the now."
A/N: I don't know if they sell empty paint tins in America, I'm not from there, but I needed it for my story to work. Reviews? Anybody?