Finally, after walking for nearly six hours, the gang had made it to Cleo's house and now were taking a rest in the living room while they still enjoyed their recent victory.
- Woohoo! - Dudley cheered. - We're so awesome!
- I gotta admit it, it was quite a great plan, and yes, we're awesome. - Dylan said.
- So Cooper... what's the plan now? - Camila asked Sly.
- I don't know, Kitty and I made the last plan but it's normally Bentley and Penelope who do all the planning. - Sly said.
- Right now we can't do anything, but Keswick, Penelope and I have been working on something. - Bentley said while he rolled into the living room with his wheelchair.
- And what is it? - Katherine asked.
- Whatever you're working on isn't going to blow up, right? - Barton said.
- That's in-in-insulting! - Keswick said. - My inventions ne-ne-never explode!
Suddenly, something in the kitchen explodes and everyone glances at the scientific with a face that said "Really?".
- Well, almost none. - Keswick said while he scratched the back of his neck.
- Anyways, everyone here knows that we lost our vehicles in the last mission, right? - Penelope said.
- Why do you have to make Murray suffer? - Jing asked in a scolding tone.
- I'm sorry but that's the point, we've managed to take many of the remains of both the Van and the TUFF Mobile, we couldn't risk to let the villains get their hands on the Slipspace cannon tech, the energy shields, the antimatter generator, nor the plasma-laser weapons systems of the Van, and whatever tech Dudley, Kitty and the others had in the TUFF Mobile.
- What do you mean? We all ran like a soul to the Devil when the vehicles exploded. - Herbert said.
- Not true Chief, Bentley pulled out tha-tha-that strange bluish cube and took mo-mo-most of the rests. - Keswick explained.
- It's called Hyperbolic Cube of Techno-Magically Extended Space, or simply hyper-cube for short. - Bentley said.
- Why did you say it was "Magically Expanded"? - Kelly asked.
- Because it is, it's kinda hard to explain but we know certain people that can use magic, ki, the Force and chakra, also we know an organization that is not supossed to exist. - Penelope explained.
- Yeah, I know, you're hiding info about wizards, fighters, Jedi, Shinobi and the UNSC. - Kitty said.
- How do you know? - Carmelita asked.
- Sly told me everything, he also told the Chief, Barton and Dudley about all that.
Carmelita, Bentley, Alice, Murray and Penelope glanced at Sly with a not amused look on their faces while the thief shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
- We told them we were going to tell them about all that. - Sly said.
- Anyways, come, we gotta show you something. - Bentley said.
- Wow, you guys work fast. - Cecilia said.
- It's because we aren't here. - The three geniuses said while their images started flickering.
The rest of the gang showed not amused looks on their faces and followed the holograms.
The team followed the holograms to an underground part of Paris, to something that looked like a military base.
- This is awesome. - Carlos said.
- When did you build this secret base under my house? - Cleo asked.
- We build it a few months ago, and we improved it while you were asleep. - The fake Penelope said as a matter of fact.
- You guys are just as weird as Keswick. - Dudley said.
- That's why I'm not afraid of Penelope. - Keswick's hologram said.
- Halt! - An alien soldier said.
Everyone's eyes went wide when they saw that the alien was 8 feet tall, had four mandibules, had scales on its skin and was wearing an armor.
- Identify immediately or prepare to meet your doom. - The alien said while he turned on an energy sword.
- Calm down, Ikiul, it's me. - Sly said.
- I-Den-Ti-Fy IMMEDIATELY!
Sly and Carmelita groaned, then they pulled out their UNSC badges. Ikiul looked at the badges and his eyes went wide open, then he bowed and saluted nervously at the Coopers.
- Forgive me! I did not recognize you! - Ikiul said.
- Ikiul, I'm gonna kick your butt if you ever do this again! - Sly warned the Sangheili.
Ikiul moved and let the team pass.
- Well, getting back at what we were speaking about, you should be scared of me, Keswick. - Penelope's hologram said with an evil grin.
Sly snapped his fingers a few times and said:
- Focus guys, we're here because you wanted to show us something.
- Right, just let me open the door for you. - Bentley's hologram said.
The hologram typed some things on a nearby keyboard while most of the Team TUFF Cooper wondered how a hologram could type things on a keyboard.
- How can a hologram type words on a keyboard? - Asked Scarlett.
- Easy, a hard-light hologram can do such a thing. - Keswick answered.
- Hard-light? Plasma-laser? Slipspace cannons? What's next? A Magnetic Acceleration Cannon? - Dylan said.
- It exists and it's called MAC gun for short. - Murray said.
Dylan glared at the hippo and the door opened, revealing three large objects hidden by blankets. And also the three real geniuses covered in oil and other mechanical fluids.
- Ah, you finally arrive. - The real Penelope said.
- You are no-no-not needed anymore, so go away. - Keswick said to the holograms.
The holograms flickered once more and disappeared, then the geniuses turned to see the rest of the Gang and vice versa.
- Ok, as you know, we called you because we gotta show you something we've been working on. - Bentley said.
- Yeah, and you made me feel sad again. - Murray said.
- Sorry for that again, big guy, but I'm sure this will make everyone's day. - Penelope said.
Keswick, Penelope and Bentley took a blanket each, they smiled warmly at their teammates and pulled the blankets.
To say that everyone was outstanded was an understatement.
In front of them they saw three vehicles like they've never seen before. A car that looked like the TUFF Mobile, a modified M-Wing Starfighter and a van that looked like Murray's destroyed van, all three vehicles were black, silver and blue.
Bentley, Keswick and Penelope smirked at their friends amazement, they knew that they'd react like that once they saw the secret projects.
- Well guys, whatcha think? - Bentley said with an amused grin.
Everyone was speechless, but Murray and Dudley managed to push their astonishment and replace it with excitement.
- THIS IS SO AWESOME! - The dog and the hippo yelled excitedly.
- Yep, but you gotta know a few things about these vehicles. - Keswick said.
- Just tell us already! - Murray ordered.
- Ok, ok, first of all, the body and the chassis of both vehicles is made of Forcidium-Z, making them lighter, faster and mostly invulnerable to almost everything except against plasma-laser rounds. - Penelope explained.
- Then we got a ne-ne-new weapons system composed by two plasma-laser cannons in the fro-fro-front of each vehicle and a turret in the rear, a small MA-MA-MAC gun, an Energy Projector, rechargeable energy shields, a proton torpedo launcher and an Archer missile pod with thirty missiles.
- And finally, they also possess the ability to travel at faster-than-light speeds, go through Hyperspace and Slipspace, they have the Slipspace Rupture Cannon, they resist EMPs and any kind of radiation, and the power source is an antimatter generator that would make Bulma go green with envy. - Penelope said.
- Any other thing? - Sly asked.
- Yep, they're equipped with a device that can expand them without increase the size outside, so we all should be able to fit in.
- This is crazy and awesome, sis, crazy but awesome nontheless. - Katherine said to Kitty.
- You'll get acustomed with some time, don't worry. - Jing told Katherine.
- Question is: where did you get all the funds to make this projects? - Carlos asked with a hand on his chin.
- Easy, Bentley made some ca-ca-calls, he explained his situation to someone called John and he sent him the materials to make them. - Keswick said.
- John helped you? - Carmelita asked.
- Yes, he said he was busy so he sent some resources to rebuild the van and the TUFF Mobile right away. - Penelope said.
- Well, certainly this vehicles are the best I've ever seen. - Sly said while pointing at the ground vehicles. - But what about the M-Wing?
- It's like a common M-Wing but we added some special things like a MAC gun, an Energy projector, stronger shields, it's faster than the average model and also more resilient. - Keswick explained.
- How do you know about the M-Wings, Keswick? - Kitty asked.
- Bentley and Penelope told me while we were working on this vehicles.
- Which reminds me that they aren't finished. - Penelope said.
Penelope went to a tool box, she took out some sprays and threw them at Murray, Dudley, Sly, Kitty, Jing, Cleo, Scarlett and Carmelita, who just stared at the sprays.
Penelope got exasperated and groaned.
- What are you waiting? - Penelope asked sarcastically. - We gotta mark the vehicles as ours.
- I'll put the TUFF mark in the car. - Dudley said.
- I'll mark the van as the Cooper Team Van number II! - Murray said.
However, before any of them could move, Sly stopped them short with the soul rubber and his cane.
- Wait. We're not two organizations, we're a team. - Sly said with a devious smirk.
- We're a team, and we'll still be even if the vehicles are marked differently. - Kitty said.
- No, we need a mark, a mark that combines TUFF and the Cooper Gang and that can show that we're together till the end.
- Like what? - Asked Katherine.
- By any chance does any of you guys have any TUFF logo?
- Yes, here. - Herbert said while he gave Sly a presentation card.
Sly took the card and he saw it. Then he smirked, took black, silver and white sprays, then he got closer to the new van and he started painting. A few minutes later Sly stopped spraying paint over the side of the new van and nodded at his master piece.
- Done. - Sly said while he stepped back a few paces.
Everyone got closer to the new logo and saw it. It was a black Cooper symbol with a white trim placed upon the TUFF acronym, it was very simple but it was really good.
- So this is what you meant, big bro? - Alice said.
- Yep, isn't it awesome? - Sly asked.
- Gotta hand it to you, Cooper, it's quite ingenious. - Cecilia said.
- I like it. - Cleo said.
- Then it's settled, "the New Cooper Gang" officially changes its name to "Team TUFF Cooper". - Dylan said.
- Nice name, Dylan. - Carlos said.
- Well, if aren't we being really creative today. - Bentley said with a smirk.
- Well, do you have any plans? - Cleo asked.
- Yeah, I've been itching to get some action. - Scarlett said.
- Kind of, we're already trying to decide what should we do first. - Keswick said.
- What's on our "To do" list? - Mz Ruby asked.
- First we gotta make sure the villains didn't get any plans, blueprints or info of our former vehicles, if they do, we'll be in trouble. - Bentley said.
- I don't think it'll be worse than that time when the Didact returned, he even made John so angry that he became a Super Saiyan. - Sly let out.
- Ok, now I'm officially confused. - Pat said.
- You're not the only one, compadre. - Camila said.
- Anyways, I sent the data disks of the old TUFF Mobile and the Van to Cortana, she should have the answer in a few seconds. - Penelope said.
- Actually, I already have them. - Said a suave woman voice.
Most of the team startled, they turned and tried to see who had spoken.
- You won't find me there, I'm over here. - Said the same voice.
The team turned again and gasped when they saw a bluish, transparent women, about the same high that Kitty. Kelly, Katherine, Carlos, Camila, Cecilia, Dylan, Dudley, Jing, Herbert, Barton, Cleo, Scarlett, Pat, Dimitri and the Guru yelled:
- AHHHHHH! A GHOST!
Keswick, Mz Ruby, Sly, Penelope, Murray, Carmelita, Bentley and the bluish woman, known as the UNSC Smart AI CTN 0452-9, aka Cortana, facepalmed and sighed.
- I should've known this would happen. - Cortana said.
- You should have told them that she was an AI, Bentley. - Carmelita said.
- I didn't have time. - The turtle replied.
- Anyhow. - Said Penelope. - What are the resulsts, 'Tana.
- First off, you know how much I hate when you short my name, "'Lope", and second, you won't like the results. - Cortana said.
(Meanwhile, in the DOOM Hideout in Petropolis)
- This is an outrage! - Yelled Jack Rabbit. - We were this close to win!
- That stupid Cooper Gang played its last card, they're gonna die the next time we see them! - Doctor Rabies snarled.
- I will rip Agent Katswell apart with my bare claws! - Madame Catastrophe said.
- I will kill Carmelita and have my revenge of what she did to me! - Neyla said.
While the villains ranted and cursed for their most recent defeat against the Cooper Gang, McCullen was leaning on a wall, but the most curious thing was that he had a smirk in his face and was chuckling slightly at the scene. Soon, McCullen's chuckles turned into loud laughs, full of evil. The villains stayed quiet and looked at the assassin as if he was crazy.
- What's so funny, you idiot? - The Contessa said.
- You are calling me an idiot? - McCullen said with an amused expression. - No, if there is someone who is not an idiot in this room is just me.
- You're the most idiot in this room! You said that Sly Cooper couldn't beat you, and yet he did! - Rajan yelled.
McCullen's expression changed and it became a scowl with bared teeth and accompanied by snarls.
- NEVER COMPARE ME TO THAT CURSED SLY COOPER AGAIN OR I WILL CUT YOUR BALLS OFF! - McCullen yelled at the tiger. - Cooper only beat me because his armor was five hundred years ahead of mine, not because he was better at fighting!
- Those are just excuses, McCullen, and you know it. - Rabbit said.
McCullen pulled out his dagger, he moved so fast that in the blink of an eye he was in front of Rabbit, holding him by the neck and with his dagger about to slit his throat.
- Do not tempt your luck, Rabbit, I am not in a good mood and certainly I could "relieve some stress" by slitting your throat. - McCullen menaced.
Neyla gasped when she heard McCullen's warning. The evil raccoon pressed Rabbit's neck harder and the latter started gasping, trying to get some air.
- Let him go! - Neyla demanded with tears in her eyes.
McCullen smirked, he let go of Rabbit's neck and chuckled.
- I did not know you were into rabbits, Patel. - McCullen said.
Neyla didn't listened McCullen's comment, she was more worried about Jack's well-being.
- Well, whatever. - McCullen said while he put his dagger away. - I said I was not stupid unlike you because I had a plan B, I knew something like this could happen, so I did a few things.
- What kind of things, if we could know, McCullen? - Dr M asked.
McCullen's smirk grew wider and pulled out two square pieces from his pocket.
- You wanted to know some more about that United Nations Space Command, did not you? - McCullen asked as he showed everyone the data disks of the TUFF Mobile and the Van.
(Back with the Team TUFF Cooper)
- You can't be serious, Cortana! - Bentley yelled.
- I am, these data disks are empty, whatever info you had is now in the hands of that Unnamed Criminal Association. - Cortana said. - Sly, you've always been good with inventing nicknames, why didn't you create a good acronym for that group?
- We have no time for that, Cortana! - Sly snapped. - If they manage to develop the technology stored in those data disks, we're all doomed.
- I'm going to tell John about this, I'll also tell Lord Lasky, Admiral Marcus Riggins and Captain Maxwell Riggins to be ready if things get out of hand. - Cortana said.
- You do that, and also call the other boys, we're gonna need their help if this gets too out of hand. - Murray said.
Cortana nodded and disappeared, leaving a confused team.
- What was all that about? - Asked Pat.
- Looks like McCullen stole the real data disks in the TUFF Mobile and the Van, and with the info into the Van's data base, they're sure to find out how to build a spaceship, how to make plasma-laser weapons, how to use the Force, the Ki, the Chakra and the Magic... - Carmelita explained before she remembered something really important. - Penelope, please tell me that the info about the Seven Big Ones was not stored in that disk.
Penelope's eyes went wide at the realization, the data was indeed inside the data disk, and she knew what a ship like the ones in the Seven Big Ones Fleet could do.
- Double drat! - Cursed the mouse. - If somehow they manage to build a fleet like the Seven Big Ones we're as good as dead.
- What's with those Seven Big Ones? - Asked Cleo.
- The Seven Big Ones are seven ships, they're the best ships that this galaxy has seen till the date. - Keswick said. - Bentley told me a-a-about them and the one that I heard is the better is a ship called Zillar Of Actum or something like tha-tha-that.
- The UNSC Pillar Of Autumn II, the first and only Super-Halcyon-class cruiser of the universe. - Bentley said. - It's the terror among those organizations that dare to challenge the UNSC and the New Republic.
- We built that battle cruiser during the Rebellion and some of us have commanded it, we've seen first hand what a ship of that power is capable of. - Murray said.
- So we're doomed? - Dimitri asked.
- No, fortunately there's one thing that Dr M won't have to build that ship. - Penelope said.
- What? - Murray asked.
- Forcidium, the only metal resilient enough to imitate the armor-plating of the Autumn is the adamantium, and not even that can resist plasma-laser shots. - Bentley said.
- We gotta call Admiral Riggins and tell him to bring the Autumn here, we're gonna need it in case they build a copy! - Carmelita said franticly.
- Carm, calm down. - Camila said. - That Cortana girl said that she's already doing it and from what I've seen, we can trust her.
- I'm also afraid that they can replicate the Spartan serum that Doctor Halsey made, if McCullen is injected with that serum, we'll be done for. - Bentley said.
- Halsey saved the info in the Van's data disk? - Murray asked quite confused.
- Yes, she said that she wouldn't allow her investigation to fall into the wrong hands within the UNSC, but looks like her decision backfired.
- That's really bad, but we need to focus on the task at hand. - Sly snapped. - We also need to remove these stupid anulators from mine and Carm's chests.
- Oh, so that's what it is, I thought it was some kind of gimmick. - Cecilia said.
- What kind of gimmick can shock you when you try to use your powers?! - Carmelita yelled.
- Calm down, Carmelita. - Katherine said. - I'm sure she didn't know.
- Yeah girl, she just got confused with all this things about the United Nations Space Command stuff. - Dylan said.
- It's like being hit by a funky-train, Inspector Fox. - Dimitri said.
- I'm sorry, Cecilia, it's just that I'm too stressed, I thought that after the Rebellion nothing could make me feel this uneasy.
- It's okay, big sis, though I would've liked to know you were part of a space organization that was hidden from most people.
- We gotta stop changing subjects. - Sly snapped. - Bentley, was there any other dangerous info?
- Unfortunately yes, the MJOLNIR Mark IX info was there too.
- We need to do something. - Jing said. - Or else this is going to become an arms race.
- No Jing, this is an arms race, and we're gonna win it. - Murray said. - Bentley, call Bulma, Dr Finkelstein, Hermione, and the other Scientists, we gotta know if we can improve the Mark IX and fast.
- I'm already trying to do so, but I'll need a lot of help.
- We'll help you, Bentley. - Penelope and Keswick said.
- I can test the armor if you want. - Carlos said.
- I'm sorry Carlos, but no, Sly and Carmelita are the only ones here that have experience using MJOLNIR armors, so they'll have to test them. - Penelope said.
- Oh Hell no! - Carmelita said. - The last time we and the others tested a MJOLNIR we broke our arms.
- We have senzu beans, John send them also. - Bentley said.
- Is that supposed to convince me?
- Those were just prototypes, these new MJOLNIRs will be safer than any other model. - Penelope reassured.
- I'll test it. - Sly said. - By the way, my old MJOLNIR didn't protect me that well against the shock that this thing produces. - He pointed at the Inhibitor in his chest.
- Hmm, I need to take a closer view to it.
- In the meantime, we need to stay in perfect shape when the time for attack comes, does any of you guys built any room where we can train? - Scarlett asked.
- Yes, it's going through that way, the first door to your right. - Penelope said while she pointed a hallway in the back of the room.
- I'm gonna call Halsey and the Scientists. - Bentley said.
- No need, Bentley. - Said an English woman voice. - We might not be there physically but we can still help you.
Everyone glanced behind the three geniuses and found Cortana, a woman who was around eighty years old with her left arm amputeed, a brown-haired woman with bushy hair, a duck-like creature wearing a lab coat and using a wheelchair, a teal-haired woman wearing a red dress, a pink-haired woman wearing a shinobi outfit with a lab coat, a man-like golden droid and something that looked like a rolling trash can.
- Who are you and why most of you are weird? - Dudley asked bluntly.
THe pink-haired woman roared and tried to lunge at Dudley, but thankfully her hologram was not made of hard light. The hologram got up again and glared daggers at the mutt.
- How dare you call me weird?! - The woman snapped.
- Sakura, calm down, he's just too innocent for his own good, besides, your hair is weird. - Carmelita said.
- And you call yourself my friend?
- Sakura, just stay away from Dudley, he's a bit like Naruto. - Sly said.
- A total "baka"?
- Precisely.
- Does baka means "handsome"? - Dudley asked.
Sly, Carmelita, Murray, Bentley, Penelope and the holograms facepalmed themselves.
- You were right after all, Sly. - The brown-haired said.
- Ok, let's get down to business. - Said the older woman. - Cortana said that you have some troubles.
- I wouldn't call it just so-so-some troubles. - Keswick said.
All the holograms looked at Keswick and gasped.
- I know this is rude, but what kind of creature are you? - The teal-haired woman asked.
- Bulma, shut up. - Carmelita said.
- Fine, but I'm gonna find out sooner or later.
- Again with the subject changes! - Sly said. - We must improve our MJOLNIRs, otherwise everything will be doomed.
- So I've heard, what's worse is that you said that the info of most of our weapon information was stolen, we cannot allow anyone but us to have a ship like the Autumn. - The duck-like creature said.
- Would you mind introducing yourselves? - Kitty asked sarcastically.
- Oh, where are my manners? - Said the golden droid. - It looks like R2's manners have taken a toll on my programming.
The short droid beeped furiously and turned his upper part several times in complain.
- Who are you calling idiotic philosopher?! - The droid complained.
- While those two argue, I'll introduce myself. - The older woman said. - My name is Catherine Elizabeth Halsey.
- I'm Sakura Haruno. - The pink-haired woman said.
- I'm Bulma Briefs, nice to meet you. - The teal-haired woman said.
- I'm Doctor Finkelstein. - The duck-like man in the wheel chair said.
- I'm Hermione Granger, it's a pleasure. - The brown-haired woman said.
- I am C-3PO, human-cyborg relations. - Said the golden droid. - And this is my companion, R2-D2. - He added while he gestured at the shorter droid.
- Ok, why did you come here? - Dylan asked.
- Did you forget? They're here to help Bentley, Penelope and Keswick to improve our tech. - Pat said.
- Oh right, looks like obliviousness is inheritated after all.
- Well, what exactly are you gonna do? - Kelly asked.
- We can't tell you, even though this is a really secured part of Paris and we're using UNSC technology, we could be detected. - Dr Halsey said.
- So what? Do you need privacy? - Asked Katherine.
- Yes, if you were so kind.
- Ok fellas, let's go to the training room. - Sly said.
- Just make sure you don't start the Flood attack simulation. - Bentley said.
- Why did you even created one? - Sly replied while he and the rest of the team started walking towards the training room.
- It's better to be prepared for anything.
The geniuses started talking among themselves and the others went to train into the training room.
(Again in DOOM)
- Well, what did you found? - Said Jack Rabbit.
- This is amazing. - Dr M said. - I have information of so much UNSC technology and alien species, Cooper is such an idiot!
- So what? Are we gonna build any of these? - Neyla asked.
- We'll build everything, but first we need this. - Dr M while he showed everyone the image of a rare a stone.
- A stone? Really? - Snaptrap said.
- I told you, shut it, Snaptrap. - McCullen said. - And you idiots, that thing is the rarest metal in the world, that is adamantium.
- Exactly, it's what I need to create this. - Dr M showed everyone the photo of a large ship.
- What's that? - Raliegh asked.
- That's the UNSC Pillar of Autumn, the "Pride of the UNSC Fleet".
- Yes it is, but why are we stealing adamantium when we need Forcidium to make the armor-plating of that thing? - McCullen asked.
- Because we need a Jedi and a wizard to make a single plate, besides the needed metals to make the alloy can't be found on Earth, they're spread throughout Sangheilios, Balaho and Reach.
- Whatever, what else do you need?
- We need to steal some materials from a UNSC base, the Base Segundo Terra in Mexico.
(Twenty-nine years ago)
Connor, Alexander, David and Ramiro were fighting with the Sons of the Night, a group conformed by Rodentius Snaptrap, James McCullen, Jacques Le Paradox and Julián Álvarez. The only bad thing was that they were losing.
Connor crashed against a wall hard, then David fell over him, Alexander followed suit and finally Ramiro fell on top of his friends. The Righteous Four groaned and tried to stand up to keep fighting.
- Damn... it... - Connor said.
- You... said... it... - Ramiro said between gasps.
- Who would've ever thought that you, the Great Righteous Four, would be crawling in the ground like the pathetic worms you really are. - Rodentius mocked.
- Shut up, Snaptrap... - Ramiro said.
- Like if you could give us any orders, Inspector Fox. - Julián said with a wicked smile in his thick Mexican accent.
Connor pushed all his friends off of him, he struggled to stand up again and glared at the Sons of the Night.
- I... will not... LET YOU WIN! - Connor yelled.
- We already won, Cooper, we have your weapons, your families, and most importantly, we got you where we want you. - Le Paradox said.
- That's what you think! - Some man yelled from behind the Sons of the Night.
Julián, Rodentius, James and Jacques turned, only to be meeting the fists of Jim McSweeny, Constable Francisco Ramírez, Agent Edward Johnson and Kyle Connors. The Sons of the Night fell to the ground, they never expected this. However, the Righteous Four thought in a different way.
- You're late... again. - David said.
- Better late than never, pal. - Kyle said.
- Luckily you weren't too late. - Connor let out.
- It was mostly thanks to my driving, Conor. - McSweeny said.
- You liar, we almost die because yo drive like crazy Jim. - Constable Ramírez said.
- SHUT UP! - McCullen yelled.
Everyone turned around again and saw that McCullen and the others were standing again.
- Did you actually thought that just because your stupid friends came here you're safe? - Rodentius asked with a wicked smile.
- I don't know what's worse, your stupid ideas or your smile. - Alexander said in a mocking tone.
- Laugh all you want, I also brought some friends. - McCullen said before snapping his fingers.
A lot of dust was raised, the Righteous Four and their partners covered their eyes and waited for the dust to be cleared. Once it did, they gasped in surprise.
The Fiendish Five and the Sons of the Night were working together.
- Hello Cooper, it's been such a long time. - Clockwerk said.
If the ancient owl wouldn't have been mechanical, everyone could have seen his malicious grin.
(Present time, Base Segundo Terra)
McCullen got out of an air vent inside the mexican UNSC base. He dusted himself a bit and raised his wrist.
- McCullen here, where are you, Rabbit? - McCullen said through his communicator.
- We're outside the base, just neutralize the defenses and we'll get in. - Rabbit replied through the communicator.
- Roger that, make sure everyone is in position.
- Copy that, Rabbit, out.
McCullen smirked maliciously. "This is going to be interesting", the evil raccoon thought.
McCullen stuck his head out of the room, watching to see if there was any guards or soldiers that might stop him, when he saw that the coast was clear, he got out and ran silently and swiftly.
A few minutes later, McCullen was getting close to the command center, but his path to it was through the hangar. He saw at least a hundred soldiers wearing armors, some of them were aliens with four mandibules.
"They all look tough, I would like to test myself with them, but right now I am in a hurry, I will have to wait until another time", McCullen thought.
McCullen hid behind some kind of air transport, he moved through the shadows and ran to the command center. He got inside and connected his computer to the main console, then he put a virus in the system, shutting down all the defenses of the base, but setting off an alarm.
- Darn it! I hope those idiots can survive the attack. - McCullen said.
- What's going on, McCullen?! We can hear an alarm from here! - Neyla's voice said through the communicator.
- Get inside the base now! Go to the armory and take some of the weapons, then meet me at the hangar, I will download some files from this console. - McCullen said through the communicator.
- What makes you think you can defeat us? - A voice said behind McCullen.
McCullen smirked and pulled out his dagger.
"Looks like I will be able to test myself with those aliens", McCullen thought with malicious intentions.
(Meanwhile with the other criminals)
- Move! We gotta get inside! - Rabbit said to the other criminals.
- This'd be easier if there weren't any soldiers shooting at us! - Snaptrap said.
- Shut it, Snaptrap! - Neyla said.
- Stop there or we'll open fire! - A soldier yelled while he and other five pointed their guns at the criminals.
- We don't think so! - Muggshot replied while he punched all the soldiers away.
- Great! Now take their weapons and move! - Rabbit ordered.
The criminals took the weapons from the inconscious soldiers and ran to the entrance. Once they got inside, they followed the signs to find the armory.
A few minutes later, the criminals got inside the armory, and found a whole arsenal.
- How do we take this back to the DOOM Headquarters? - The Chameleon asked.
- Look, it's like that cube that Cooper uses the whole time. - Dr. Rabies said while he took a small bluish cube.
- Perfect, let's find out how much stuff we can put in one of those. - Rabbit said while he took all the cubes.
The criminals took a cube each and started to grab everything they could, not leaving anything.
Then, after they had emptied the armory, they put on some armors they found in the back of the armory.
- Let's get the heck outta here! - Madame Catastrophe said.
The criminals ran out of the armory and were surrounded by soldiers.
- By the authority of the United Nations Space Command and the New Republic, you are all under...! - A soldier tried to say.
A powerful beam hit the soldiers, knocking them out immediately. The criminals saw the guilty and McCullen was carrying soem kind of cannon over his shoulder, he walked towards his comrades and dropped the cannon.
- Always in the nick of time, isn't it, McCullen? - Rabbit said.
- What can I say? I love to make big entrances. - McCullen said with a grin. - Do you have the weapons?
- More than just the weapons. - Neyla said while she and the others showed their cubes.
- Excellent, does any of you took the adamantium?
- Yes, I did. - Tsao said.
- Perfect, now let's go.
The criminals started to run, they got inside one of the flying transports, something the UNSC called "Pelican", Neyla went to the cabin and ignited the motors.
- You look like you know a lot about this Pelican. - Raliegh let out.
- I used to be a pilot when I was one of the leaders of the Pirates. - Neyla replied while the Pelican raised the flight.
The criminals started to hear gunfire, they looked through the hatch in the back of the transport and saw that at least a hundred soldiers were shooting at them.
- Someone take the turret while I raise the shields! - Neyla ordered.
A turret was shown from the roof of the hatch, McCullen took the place as gunner and opened fire on the soldiers, whom took cover behind some crates, pillars and vehicles.
- Get us outta here! - McCullen yelled.
The Pelican got out of the hangar, only to be encountered with five fighters with M-like wings.
McCullen opened fire and shot down two fighters hat were behind them, while Neyla took care of the other three.
- McCullen to M, we got what you wanted and even more. - McCullen reported through the communicator.
- Excellent, come back immediately. - M said with evil satisfaction.
- Hmm, that's strange. - Neyla let out.
- What is it, gorgeous? - Rabbit asked.
- The UNSC bases are never this easy to break in.
- It's a mexican base. Mexico doesn't have the best of security systems, you know? - McCullen said.
- We'll be in trouble if the UNSC sends its troops to help Cooper.
- Not if we kill Cooper and his friends before.
McCullen started to laugh evilly, being followed by the others very soon.
(UNSC base "Étoile du Matin")
- Several hours of speaking about strategies and how they'd improve their technology, the Scientists are now speaking about what the UCA would be doing next.
- Do you really think they'd do something that risky? - Hermione's hologram asked Halsey's.
- If we attacked the main shipyard of the Empire when our forces had been halved because of the Rebel Season, why do you doubt they'd do this? - Halsey's hologram replied.
- True, true. - Penelope let out. - We gotta do something to prevent that from happening.
- I thi-thi-think we must get everything and e-e-everyone out of here. - Keswick said.
- It's too late to stop the UCA from taking something from us. - Said Cortana. - There are reports that an unnamed criminal association broke into the UNSC base near Mexico City, the Base Segundo Terra.
- Then we gotta get working on the MJOLNIRs Mark XI, we must make sure they won't have the technological advantage. - Said Bulma.
- Ok then, do you think they'll be able to copy the Mark Xs, we all know that has happened in the past. - Penelope asked.
- Yes, don't you remember the Battle of Kuat? We may have won but that doesn't takes off the fact that the Empire and every other faction copied our Seven Big Ones.
- Ok, let's get to work then. - Bentley said firmly.
(In the training room)
The team was now training hand-to-hand combat with hard-light clones of themselves. To make the trainig more challenging, they made their clones a bit btter than them.
- So, how many things are out there? You know, like planets and aliens and stuff. - Dylan asked while he sparred with his clone.
- Too many to count, not enough are known yet. - Carmelita replied while she fought hand to hand with her clone.
- Why are we fighting with our hard-light clones? - Dudley asked while he made his clone trip.
- There's no better opponent than yourself, Dudley. - Carlos said while he punched his clone in the stomach.
While most of the team was not having too much difficulty to defeat their clones, Sly and Kitty had made their clones ten times better than themselves, which meant the clones were practically mopping the floor with them.
Sly was thrown face first against a wall, then the clone grabbed his head and slammed his face again. The thief elbowed the clone and kicked him away, but the clone responded with a backflip kick to the chin.
Meanwhile, Kitty tried a roundhouse kick against her clone, but the clone stopped her foot mid-air and threw her to the ground. The former agent kicked the clone in the face and freed herself, only to be kicked on the back and pinned face-first on the ground when she stood up.
Jing and Murray saw this, Jing used one of her father's Flame-Fu techniques and Murray used his Fists of Flame to punch the clones away from Sly and Kitty.
- You guys really need to stop pushing yourselves so hard, you could've hurt yourselves. - Murray said.
- We were trying to become stronger. - Sly said between pants.
- You must learn patience and self-control, Sly, and you too Kitty. - Jing said.
- Jing, we're facing a problem of galactic proportions, we need to forget about measure and self-control. - Kitty said.
- That never works, she's right, Kit, I'm speaking... - Sly tried to say.
- From experience, I know, but it's just that I'm confused. - Kitty lets herself fall and huffs. - I never thought something like this could happen.
The rest of the team walks to them.
- We know it's hard, but we gotta keep going, sis. - Katherine said.
- We also think this is crazy, but it's really cool. - Dylan said.
- Besides, we're all friends, we'll always be there if any of us is in trouble, isn't it, guy? - Dudley asked.
- "Truer words were never said". - Sly quoted himself.
- C'mon, we must eat something, I'm starving. - Murray let out.
- A warning, the UNSC food is horrible but at least is a lot more natural than any other. - Carmelita said while the team started to walk out of the training room.
(Minutes later)
- Yuck, this food is nasty. - Herbert said.
- And I was complaining about the donuts in the office. - Barton let out.
- Eat up, I know it's hard to do so, but after a few more mouthfuls and your taste buds will be dead for hours, that way you won't feel the flavor. - Sly said before he munched on a forkful of tasteless spaghetti.
- You do know that there's always ramen since I became the UNSC Chief Director, don't you, Cooper? - A booming and authoritary voice said.
The team lift their heads and gasp when they see a 6'7 ft. tall man with palish skin and some freckles. He also looked really strong and a bit old, he was also accompanied by a escort of seven soldiers.
Sly smiled and shaked hands with the newcomer.
- What brings the Legendary Master Chief Petty Officer and new Chief Director of the UNSC to the Parisian Facilities? - Sly asked.
- You know him? - Dudley and Kitty asked Sly under their breaths.
- Yep, Team TUFF Cooper, meet another of the 7 Heroes, John McArthey, the UNSC Chief Director, and an old friend of mine.
- It's an honor. - John said with his booming voice while he saluted.
- So, what's going on? Are you checking the UNSC facilities one by one? - Murray asked jokingly.
John frowned and put a serious face.
- No, Cortana told me that an "Unnamed Criminal Association" broke inside the Base Segundo Terra and stole UNSC technology. - John explained.
The team's eyes went wide when they heard John say "Unnamed Criminal Association".
- You gotta be kidding me. - Scarlett said.
- Impossible. - Jing let out.
- That can't be true. - Pat said.
- I never lie about something like that, I wish it was a lie, though. - John said.
- What did they steal? - Carmelita asked.
- Information about our defenses around earth, the locations of our bases, data about our fleet, some weapons, armors and other stuff.
- (Slams his fist on the table) Damn it! - Sly cursed. - I'm so stupid!
- What are you talking about?
- My team had them surrounded, and because of my arrogance, I let them escape.
- It's not entirely your fault, we knew it was a bad idea and yet we agreed to do so. - Kitty said.
- Still, I'm such an idiot!
- I know you are, Sly. - John said. - But you can correct your mistake, however.
- No, I am going to correct it, no matter what.
- Good to hear it, you deserve a gift for that speech. - John said while he gestured a soldier to bring something.
The team saw the soldier went out of the room with other two, then they both came back with four briefcases. The soldiers put the briefcases on a table, saluted at the team and John, and left.
- What's in those briefcases, John? - Murray asked.
- It's a surprise. - John said with an amused grin. - Come on, open them.
Sly, Dudley, Kitty and Carmelita went to a briefcase, they opened them slowly and gasped. The rest of the team got closer to Sly and the others and also gasped.
Inside the briefcases there were some weird and new watch-like devices. Sly took one of the devices, it was blue colored, he attached it to his left wrist and admired it.
- It seems lighter, are these...? - Sly asked.
- Yes, Halsey gave them to me, I know those should come in handy for you guys to finish your mission. - John responded.
- Wait, are you saying that...? - Dylan asked.
- Yes, you are now authorized to continue by the UNSC, we'll be there if you need help too.
- Wow. - Carlos said. -This is just overwhelming.
- It's hard, but you'll make it.
- We know, it's our duty to stop them. - Carmelita said.
- What I don't understand is what you're doing with an S-Class criminal like Mz. Ruby. - John let out.
- I am part of this team, Cooper gave me a chance. - Mz. Ruby replied.
- Fine, but once this is over, you and I got a lot to talk about. - John said to Sly.
- You're wearing one of these armors too. - Sly said while he saw the watch-like device in John's left wrist.
- Hehe, do you really think I'll let any of my soldiers use a MJOLNIR Armor without testing it myself first?
- Wait, you mean that we're also...? - Dudley asked.
- Yes. - John said while he pulled out some badges from a hyper-cube. - Welcome to the United Nations Space Command, we'll talk about your ranks and places when you are done with your mission.
Sly, Kitty, Dudley and Carmelita smirked, then Kittty, Dudley and Carm took an armor and attached them to their wrists, they took the armors and gave them to the rest of the team.
- Alright team, let's do this! - Sly said with a smirk.
- They won't even know what hit 'em! - Pat said.
- We'll teach the UCA a lesson! - Scarlett added.
- We'll kick their butts! - Cleo let out.
- We've been upgraded and we're ready for anything! - Dudley said.
- I love to see your enthusiasm. - John let out with a smile. - If you need any help, don't doub on ask the UNSC for it.
- We'll keep that in mind. - Kitty said. - Thanks for everything, Chief.
The team saluted at John and the latter did the same.
- Good luck, may the Force be with you, guys. - John said.
- Thanks, John, may the Force be with you too. - Carmelita said. - Say hello to Parisa for me.
- I will.
The team got out of the dining hall and ran to the room were the Scientists were still discussing.
- I still think Keswick is some kind of kangaroo. - Bulma said.
- No, I think he's a fusion of many animals. - Hermione said.
- No, he's probably some missed experiment. - Penelope let out.
- Would you mind not speaking about me? - Keswick asked quite anoyed.
- That's right guys, Keswick, Penelope and Bentley have work to do. - Sly said while he and his team bursted inside the room.
- What's going on? - Cortana asked.
- They've been authorized by the UNSC to continue. They gotta get working on a plan to stop that Unnamed Criminal Association. - John said while he entered the room behind the team.
- Well, before we were talking 'bout Keswick's species, we spoke about a plan of action, a retribution for what they did to the Base Segundo Terra. - Bentley said.
- Ok, what's the plan? - Kitty said.
- We know what they're trying to do, they're trying to replicate the Autumn. - Penelope said.
- How do ya know? - Scarlett asked.
- The UCA stole not only weapons and data, but also the Hell Rider armors and all our supply of adamantium. - Cortana explained.
- I see, do you think we can stop them before they make the copy? - Pat asked.
- No, we'll have to destroy it on a space battle, and given to the fact that they're cowards, I'm sure they won't even be inside their ship. - Bentley said.
- However, we have ma-ma-managed to make a Plan B, in case Plan A doesn't works. - Keswick explained. - Plan A is to destroy the ship and face them on the ground below the battle.
- And I guess Plan B is to defeat the UCA in Kaine Island, isn't it? - Sly said.
- You're really smart, Sly. - Hermione said.
- Well, then let's keep training. - Sly said while he turned to the rest of his team. - Activate your armors, we gotta make sure you know how to use them when the time comes.
- How do we do that? - Barton asked while he scratched his ear.
- Easy, just press the middle button at the right side of the dial. - Carmelita said while she did what she had said. - Then, when the dial lifts, push it down and the armor will activate.
Carmelita pushed the dial of her watch and it turned into a full-body armor with orange plating and blue body suit.
The other team members did the same than Carmelita and were covered by their armors, which had different colors.
- Alright, let's go! - Sly said while he raised his fist in the air.