Chapter 8 - Reunion

(Middletown Tails building)

Rodrigo ran inside the building and didn't see where Nicky had landed. The only thing he did find was a lobby filled with terrified people because all the damage he did.

Rodrigo's thoughts: Where is he? I threw him as hard as I can so that I could knock him ou-

Rodrigo: Argh! *Falls onto the floor, groaning in pain*

Rodrigo felt a painful force him on his side and when he saw the person who caused it and saw Nicky grasping his left shoulder with his right hand.

Nicky: *Points index finger on left hand at Rodrigo* You're good...*pant*... but not good enough. I guess we're done here, *pant* for now. *Runs outside using hunter speed*

(Author's Note: Yes, I am calling it that)

Rodrigo didn't know how long the pain will last for, but he sure hoped it doesn't last forever. He crawled to a nearby couch and sets his back onto the side of the couch.

Rodrigo's thoughts: And to think this day just couldn't be anymore lucky. It's going to take a miracle to help me now.

As Rodrigo was finishing up his final thoughts, he heard a familiar feminine voice saying his name.

???: Rodrigo?

Rodrigo looked at the direction of the voice and saw the first Anthropoid he met after his release from the cryogenic chamber, Vicky.

Rodrigo's thoughts: Thank you God!

Rodrigo: *Smiles* So we meet again. I never thought I might never see your face again Vicky.

Vicky: *Smiles* I was thinking the same thing too. *Looks at the damage of the room then back to Rodrigo* So what happened here and why do you look so beaten?

Rodrigo: It's a long story. But I should probably rest for now. Do you know any places that might be hidden away from anyone?

Vicky: I know a few, but I wouldn't recommend them for you with that condition you're in.

Rodrigo: Okay, so is there anywhere I can go?

Vicky: Well there's my apartment. I have a first-aid kit that might be useful.

Rodrigo: Fine, we'll go there and lets not hope there's -

???: Hey Vicky.

Rodrigo: Who the hell?

As Rodrigo looked at the direction of the new voice and saw Ed Starkley approach both him and Vicky.

Rodrigo: *Looks at Vicky* Do you know him?

Vicky: Rodrigo, this is my colleague, Ed Starkley. Ed, this is my cru- I mean, the human that I accidently freed while I was at that Special Projects building.

Ed: *Looks at Rodrigo* So you must be Rodrigo, Vicky here was talking about you non-stop.

Rodrigo: Non-stop?

Vicky started to motion her hands to signal Ed to stop talking.

Ed: Yeah, she said how well-built you were, the color of your eyes, your skin as caramel-like, your hair, and she did mention that you were a extemely -.

Vicky decided to end the conversation before Ed would say the C word.

Vicky: My, would you look at the time! I guess we better get going! *Starts to push Rodrigo to the exit and gave Ed a death stare*

Ed: *Talks inaudible while smiling* What?

(Vicky's car, 5 minutes)

Vicky was driving with a face full of embarassment while Rodrigo was in the passengers side in the front, staying quiet. As they got to a large building, both Vicky and Rodrigo got out of the car and was heading to the entrance of the building. As they both entered, they were both greeted by and eldery female cat.

Eldery female cat: Hello Vicky, who's you're friend.

Vicky: Hello Mrs. Jones, and he's is a friend of mine.

Rodrigo: Nice to meet you, my name is Rodrigo Samuel Rivera.

Mrs. Jones: It's nice to meet you too, Rodrigo. Oh, and Vicky, you recieved mail earlier today.

Vicky: Thank you. *Walks to the mailboxes and takes out her keys*

Vicky inserted her one of her keys into a box which has the label "4B" on it. The box opened and Vicky reached her hand into it and grabbed a few envelopes. She was looking at them.

Vicky: Bills, *Smiles* mom and dad, and ... you've got to be kidding me, why does she do this to me every month?

Rodrigo: Who's doing what to you every month?

Vicky: My sister and she's one year older than me. She's a wife of some wealthy feline guy named Zhou, and she boasts on what she has and what she's doing at me.

Rodrigo: I guess you're getting sick of it.

Vicky: Yeah, we should probably go to my apartment. *Closes the box and walks up the stairs*

As they walked up the stairs they reached the fourth floor and went to the room to the far right which also had the label "4B" on it. Vicky brought out the same key she used to open the mailbox. Both her and Rodrigo entered the apartment.

(Presidental Mansion, Middletown)

Leonard in his office, frustrated about the current situation about the damage that Rodrigo and this dark-cloaked human had made individually and in their little brawl.

But one problem stood out about Rodrigo: how did the Jackals and this 'mafia' know about the abilities Rodrigo has? A sudden knock on the door interrupted Leonard's thoughts.

Leonard: You may come in.

The door opened revealing Sargent Wiker with a folder alongside a lemur name Dirk, although he like to be prefered as Dirk the Cutter. Both Wiker and Dirk walked to the front of Leonard's desk and Wiker handed the folder to Leonard and said:

Wiker: These are the men that were part of the factions that are after Rodrigo for his abilities. And the sightings of Rodrigo himself.

Leonard opened the folder and saw photos of a grey jackal and a deceased bear. He also saw Rodrigo with a somehow familiar Anthropoid wolfess.

Leonard's thoughts: So, Rodrigo made a friend. I wonder how he did it.

Wiker: The jackal, whose name is Hal Peterson, was obviously working as a spy from the Jackal Clan so that he can gain access to some files that we had. We managed to arrest him and took him into custody. The bear, who is named Tony Matthews, was working for the mafia and also gained access of the files. He destoryed every evidence of information and commited suicide when we found out where he lived. The photo of Rodrigo and this civilian wolfess wasn't the first time they met. They first met at the old Special Projects building at the city ruins. The name of the wolfess is Victoria Winston or "Vicky" as some may call her. We found where she lives at and we might find Rodrigo hiding there. May we have permission go and retrieve Rodrigo and take Vicky for questioning?

Leonard: No, Rodrigo is already a target for the jackals and the mafia. It's better if he stays low at her place until we can sort the problem out. Dirk, I'm sending you to Vicky's place to keep a watchful eye on Rodrigo's movements.

Dirk: Will do, boss.

Leonard: It's Mr. President, Dirk. We aren't part of EXA anymore.

Dirk: Whatever.

(Middletown Maxium Security Prison, Middletown)

A duo of guards were on their nighttime shift. Their shifts were almost over when a explosion destroyed the ceiling above them. When the dust cleared the guards pointed their pistols to the ceiling, only to see a thick disc-like object with holes around it fall to the ground. The guards were confused at first, but when the disc jumped up, it fired multiple projectiles, killing the guards. After the guards were killed, a few jackal soldiers came from the hole. The soldiers inserted cylinder-like explosives on each corner and side of a cell. They ran a small distance and one soldier pulled out a detonator and pressed the trigger. The explosives created small explosions that destroyed the sides and corners. Which made the cell door fall. When the door had fallened, a black jackal exited the cell. One of the jackal soldiers came up to the black jackal and said:

Jackal soldier: How are you Mr. Narmer Caan?

Narmer: I'm fine. May we escape this place before more guards come?

TO BE CONTINUED