Chapter 10: A Team Once More (Aka On the Road Again.)
The bar was smoky, old, and bloody. It was also quiet and uncrowded. So, when a figure cloaked in black came in and sat in a quiet, dark corner, no one was suspicious. Even when 12 more black-cloaked figures went back to sit with him, no one did anything but serve them drinks and such.
So, when the figures removed their hoods, no one paid them much attention. There was a large, old-looking German Shepherd called Big Al, a red-eyed Siberian Husky whose eyes turned blue when he got mad, code named Mad Mike, a strange looking cat that could be identified as a panther, code named Black cat, Ben, aka Fat Cat, Sean, aka Big Daddy, a very large, kind looking female Pomeranian code named Big Mama, a mean-looking pit bull with scars crisscrossing his face, code named Old Man, a boxer, High-Hittin' Mike, a bloodhound with fur of a dusty red color and a country accent,Ol' Red,2 Dobermans, twins, called the Trigger-Happy Twins, a very large snake, code named City Slicker, and, finally, a very strange-looking Lab. He had thick glasses, a headset, a laptop carrier, and, oddly enough, a pair of sunglasses. Code name: Rookie.
"It's great to see the team back together. It's been awhile..."said Big Al, taking a swig of his drink. He glanced around the bar room, looking for anything...suspicious.
"Too bad we couldn't get the others..."said Ben nervously. He wondered if the others had forgotten he was their friend in the past few years.
"Well, I did get them. But I gave them their instructions already. All we have to do is get there. Jim and Leroy will get the job done...or die trying." he finished. They all sat in silence, remembering having this lesson pounded, slapped, starved, burned, humiliated, pained, and thrown into them as painstakingly as possible.
"So, sugah .how we gonna get dis done? I mean, wha's the plan?"Big Momma asked, her thick country drawl bringing back happy memories to all. Rookie opened his laptop case and pulled out a laptop (what else?).He hit a few buttons and clicked a few times, then turned the screen to show a 3-D image of Las Vegas. He then hit another button, and lines, all in different colors, appeared on the screen,
After studying the map for a while, Mad Mike leaned back and smiled."I like this plan." he said, not even trying to hide his smile.
Sean hesitated before knocking on Charlie door. He had just gotten back from the hospital, and there was no way to know how he was doing.
But the door opened all the same, and a very surprised looking Charlie came out."Sean? What are you-?"
"Have you thought about what I asked? Are you coming?"Sean said, interrupting Charlie.
"Yes, we are."Said a chorus of voices from the room. Sean looked behind Charlie to see several dogs he didn't know, along with Sasha, Itchy, and the rest of the gang.
Sean smile."Are you ready as of right now?"he asked. When they all responded yes, his smile widened."Let's go then." and he led the way
downstairs to the vehicles that would take them to Las Vegas.
"So, brother, you've made your move. No matter." Farren smiled and walked over to the game table. He watched as several black dog-shaped pieces moved from San Francisco towards various spots in North America. But the largest was headed straight towards Las Vegas, Nevada. Farren grinned. Farren then turned and went to prepare his forces.
Jim was still the biggest dog Sean had ever seen...or maybe smallest horse. It was really hard to tell.
Jim stood about chest height to you average male human, and had the strength to match. He was about as strong as your average tank, and had the brains to match. He could follow fairly basic orders for now, but, every time he gained muscle, he lost the equivalent in brain power.
Leroy, however, was the exact opposite. He was more than your average con-dog. He was smarter than your average human, but had to rely on others for strength, though he did carry a knife, just in case.
Together, these two ran the most efficient division of Sean's army, other than Sean's own team. And here they were, for the first time in 20 years, right in front of Sean's face, and yet they joked with him like old pals.
"You guys ready to have some fun?"Sean asked, as casually as if he were asking the weather report from someone.
"Yessir." said Leroy, making a mock salute .After being 'dismissed', and leaving, Sean turned to Ben."Let's go. We have work to do."
New Base Camp, Somewhere Outside Las Vegas.12:00 Midnight
Sean was sitting and staring at the moon. He had been unable to sleep for many reasons. Suddenly, he made a decision. He stood and padded out of camp, leaving no trace behind him.