Ch10
(Duke's Mansion)
Dutch, Roth and Texas finally made it to the Duke's elaborate estate when they saw the perimeter completely surrounded by Kane's strongest guards and Shockbots. Behind them were more of Kane's men holding the Duke's in tight-nit clusters with their best laser guns pointed at them.
Dutch looked up and saw the Duke himself on his balcony waving his arms around and shouting at the armed forces below. He could not hear what was said due to the loud buzzing of the Bots but Dutch could tell from the Duke's behavior that he was not happy about how his deal with Kane went.
"'Bout time he got what he deserved," he thought and could not help but smirk at the situation.
He turned his attention to his friends just in time to see Texas get ready to leap over the junk pile they were hiding behind. Quickly he and Roth grabbed him by the back of his racing suit and pulled him back down.
"What'd you do that for?" Texas asked him angrily. "Texas was just about to put the hurt on these guys."
Dutch replied, "We can't draw attention to ourselves. If those Bots see us we won't be able to get in and get our rides. We have to be stealthy."
At the last word Texas' tone changed, "Stealthy... like a ninja!"
Texas squatted up and down in circles while Dutch and Roth shook their heads.
Finally Texas stopped and said, "Oh yeah. Texas can do stealthy."
"Then let's go," Dutch whispered and Roth made a quiet beep as all three of them crept behind pile after pile near the Duke's home.
(Duke's Balcony)
"Why don't y'all go home and take a coffee break?!" the Duke shouted. "Kane's already got what he wants now leave the Duke's premises in peace!"
"I hope the pretty kitty knows what she's doing," he thought as he recalled the deal.
(Ten Minutes Ago...)
Julie took a deep breath and said, "Here's the plan, when the Burners come to get their cars back- and we both know they will," she said when it looked like he would interrupt, "you cause a distraction to attract the guards and have a passage open for them. Once they're in give them the keys to the cars, including Mutt, and get them out safely. The guards will tell Kane they saw you and your men the entire time and you'll be in the clear."
The Duke thought for a moment and said, "Very well. I can arrange that, but what's in it for the Duke if he plays the good boy in this game?"
"If you do this then I will deactivate the boots and clean your slate of any misdemeanors against Motorcity."
When the Duke looked like he was thinking about it Julie decided to sweeten the deal.
"You would also be known as a hero," she said in a sing-song voice.
At that the Duke turned his attention back to Julie as she continued, "Think about it. The Burners are nearly done for, their vehicles are taken away and they're left powerless. But just when it seems like all hope is lost the Duke of Detroit, working behind enemy lines, gives them back their cars and they take down the oppressive regime once and for all."
By this time the Duke was inwardly salivating with greed.
He composed himself and said, "Well they say heroes do get more business... Very well then my Deluxian Doll. Consider the Duke of Detroit at your service."
Trying hard not to be offended by the comment Julie was about to hang up when the Duke brought the screen to his lips and kissed Julie's image.
With a pop the Duke stopped "kissing" Julie and said, "Just a little something to seal the deal between two attractive royal dignitaries such as ourselves. Ave-ve-no-say frail-line."
On the other side Julie was beyond disgusted by the Duke's audasity but kept it together as she hung up to call the next number.
(Present Time)
The Duke kept waving his arms at the still standing guards below and caught a glimpse of Dutch, Roth and Texas sneaking near the side door.
He smiled, stopped his waving and casually put both of his hands on top of his cane. Then he tapped a button on his wrist-com to signal his number one henchwoman to open the door.
"This had better be worth losing my prize," he thought.
(Outside)
The three Burners had made it to the side door of the Duke's mansion undetected as it was opened by the owner's red-headed henchwoman. Blowing a bubble and popping it a second later she motioned for them to come inside.
The men and robot hurried in and grabbed the keys to their cars. Once they were in the woman pulled a lever on the wall and a large tunnel formed in the space between the Duke's many self-portraits.
"Make it quick before those grunts come," she said in a passive tone.
With that they started Whiplash and Stronghorn, shot a couple of electro-cables to Mutt, and sped off into the underground track of Motorcity. The wall quickly closing back behind them.
A.N.
Well that takes care of Duke's part in Julie's plan. Now let's see what's going on in Deluxe.
(P.S. I thought it would be like Duke to have a secret road under his mansion. Almost every gang in Motorcity does from what I saw in the series.)