Summary: SHUSH is about to reveal a secret, that could possibly make life for Darkwing and the gang that much more complicated...

Rating for this adventure: K+

Author's note: Despite what it might seem like, this is actually a more Honker centric chpt. This came about from a review I got last chapter. While it was a flame and thus none to polite (it was pretty much ignored) it did point out that I had been writing Honker a bit out of character, and hadn't really given a very thorough explantion why. This one still isn't all that thorough either, but I hope it gets the point across that this isn't quite the same nervous nelly Honker of old. ;)

12.

A FOUL Return

"Well, it's finally November, Honk."

"It certainly is, Gos."

"Fall's coming along well."

"Yep."

"School's coming along well."

"Yep."

"The crime rate in St. Canard has dropped."

"Uh-huh."

"The Fearsome Five are staying out of trouble for the moment."

"Sure are."

"Dad's got a new girl, now."

"Mm-hmm."

"Everything's going along great."

"Yep."

"So why do we have to ruin it all by studying?"

Honker sighed and set down his pencil, reaching under his eyeglasses long enough to rub at his eyes. "Because, Gosalyn, this is the time of year that everyone has to do testing." he explained, not for the first time. "And how can you expect to do well on these tests if you don't study for it?"

"I get that, but think about all of these tests we have coming to us." Gosalyn said, sliding the school book she had been idly flipping through away, disgusted. "The CSAT, the ACT, the ASVAB, and so on! Honk, there's a whole alphabet's worth of these stupid tests! Why do we have to take them?"

"Gos, the tests are used to make sure that you are doing well in school, and learning what you need to." Honker replied autonomously.

"Can't proof that you actually passed your classes be good enough?" Gosalyn asked, frustrated.

"Apparently not." Honker admitted. "Either way, you need to study, so you'll be ready."

"I am ready!" Gosalyn protested. "Remember how well I've been doing in my math classes as of late?"

"Gos, you've only been passing that class by using nonsensical formulas you make up yourself."

"But even you had to admit that was still getting the right answers."

"Well...yes. I have to wonder if you're seeing something in math that the rest of us don't. Some of your formulas could be the next breakthrough in the world of mathematics, for all we know."

"Who cares? I'll just settle for passing my math class."

"But math isn't going to be the only thing on those tests, and furthermore, no matter how good you think you are, it never hurts to study further."

"Yes it does, when it bores you have to death."

"Gosalyn..."

"Stop trying to reason with me Honker. I get it. I do. I just don't like it."

"I've already come to that conclusion, thank you."

"Then come to the conclusion that there's nothing you can do to make me stay and study." Gosalyn said, putting her stuff back in her bag. "I'm going home to go watch TV. Jumpgate: Avalon will be coming on soon. Care to join me?"

"No, I'll stay here and study so I won't live to regret it when I get my tests scores back and see they were lower than they could've been simply because I didn't study." Honker grumbled.

"Fine." Gosalyn said, slipping her arms through the straps of her backpack. "I'll be seeing you then."

She left Honker's room in silence. Honker mentally gave thanks for that. Gosalyn may be his friend, maybe even more than that, but she could get annoying at times. He'll be able to study a whole lot better now that he was alone.

He heard his mother say farewell as Gosalyn left, and savored the silence that followed. He worked for about fifteen minutes until he heard a beeping sound. Surprised, he looked around for it's source. Thinking it was an instant message on his computer, he first went there, bringing the computer out of sleep mode. But as it turned out, that wasn't the source of the beeping sound after all.

But then that only left one other alternative.

"Uh-oh." Honker said, and quickly went to his bedroom door. "Mom!" he called.

"Yes, sweety?" the flowery voice of Binky Muddlefoot echoed back up.

"I'm going to work on a project in my bedroom!" Honker explained. "I need to be left undisturbed for a little while!"

"Okay sweety, just be sure to come get dinner when you're done!" Binky replied.

Honker heaved a sigh of relief, and closed his bedroom door, locking it in the process. What he just said was a complete lie, and he knew it. It pained him to have to say it, but there was a very logical reason for it. Besides, if his mother knew what he was about to do, she'd worry for his safety and probably disallow him from continuing, and his dad...well, he had no clue what he'd think, but if he did know, he'd tell Binky, and that would only land him in the same situation.

His only fear was that one day someone was going to see through the lie, and cause problems. Not that would ever happen though. After his older brother, Tank, moved out, and Honker found he actually had a right to privacy now, he made use of it by conducting various science experiments that required that privacy. And his parents respected that, never interrupting such a project without his permission.

They had yet to do it still, but Honker didn't require that privacy for random science experiments anymore, not after Mr. Mallard from next door volunteered to do some remodeling on Honker's bedroom. See, a month or so back, Gosalyn accidently messed one time too many with a science project Honker was working on for extra credit at school, and in the chaos that followed, ended up in Honker's closet in getting destroyed.

Upon hearing about it, Drake Mallard did something very unusual for him and volunteered to do the repairs for the Muddlefoots, since Gosalyn was partly to blame for it. And, even more surprising, agreed to be repaid by allowing Binky into the Mallard home and giving it a deep cleaning (a decision Gosalyn claims Drake regretted to this day).

But there was a method to this madness. Now that Honker was pretty much the Crimson Avenger's side-kick whether he liked it or not, (he still had his doubts about doing it) Drake reasoned that Honker should probably have a quick and easy means to get to Darkwing Tower. And the remolding job on his closet was cover for installing that route. In the back of Honker's rebuilt closet was a hidden compartment that would transport him directly to Darkwing Tower. The beeping noise was coming from this compartment, and was in essence 'calling' him to come to the tower.

Apparently something had come up and he was needed. Once he was sure that his room was secure from unwanted eyes and ears, Honker stepped into his closet and pressed a hidden control that made a portion of the back wall slide open. Slipping through that opening, Honker readied himself as the wall resealed itself, plunging him into darkness. The next thing he knew, he was sliding along a dark tunnel at high speeds, having lost his sense of direction back in his closest.

But as suddenly as it started, it ended when Honker abruptly arrived at Darkwing Tower by getting thrown out of the arriving compartment and crashing to the floor. Retrieving his lost glasses, he shuddered.

"I will never get used to that journey." he remarked, picking himself up.

"Honk!" Gosalyn cried out suddenly, seeing him, and rushing over to help him up. "Good! You came quickly."

"I take it that I'm here on bad circumstances, then." Honker said, feeling his stomach sink.

Gosalyn nodded. "Director Hooter from SHUSH just called." she explained. "We're to come to his office to be debriefed on a 'grave situation', as he put it."

"Wait, all of us?" Honker asked, surprised. "Why all of us?"

"He didn't say." Gosalyn admitted. "The message was quick and to the point."

"But we're not here to question Hooter's methods, now are we, Honker?" Darkwing asked, as he stepped up, already dressed in his costume. "If he wants all of us to come meet him at his office, then that's what we'll do."

"B-but I've never met the director before." Honker objected, but then remembered all the video conferences he and the others had with the director. "At least not face to face." he amended, but then remembered that they had met face to face last month at the St. Canard Town Square Celebration. "At least not professionally." he amended again, but then was forced to admit that one meeting was on professional terms. "At least not in his office." he amended yet again, only to go on to remember that he had met the director of SHUSH in his office before now. "Maybe I'll just shut up." he finally concluded.

"Don't worry if you're nervous, Honk." Gosalyn said, going to change into her own costume. "Since you're my sidekick, you shouldn't have to do too much talking."

"Thank goodness for small favors." Honker muttered, waiting his turn to change.

"And besides, this will be good practice." Crimson added, reappearing again in her black and red costume.

"Hey DW," Launchpad said, coming up to Darkwing. "You want me to load up the Thunderquack?"

"Yes, LP, it's the only vehicle we've got that'll fit all of us." Darkwing said, following his own sidekick to the awaiting aircraft. "Be quick Honker, I want to leave immediately."

"Yes, Mr. Darkwing, sir." Honker replied in a mumble.

Crimson noticed. "Something wrong, Honk?"

"I don't know." Honker admitted. "I...well...I'm just hesitant, that's all. You know very well that there are many parts of this crime fighting stuff that I don't like. I never really thought I'd get into it so far that I would be requested to come to the office of the leader of one of the most secret organizations on the planet."

"You aren't having second thoughts of being Techno, are you?" Crimson asked, alarmed. "I thought you said you could handle this, and that you were okay with it."

"That what I thought." Honker said. "But now, suddenly, I'm not so sure anymore."

"But I don't get it." Crimson admitted. "Why the sudden change of heart? You were fine with this until now."

"I don't know what brought it on." Honker admitted. "Maybe it's the fact that I thought too much that I'm lying to my parents about what I do these days. Maybe it's just feeling overly nervous about seeing Director Hooter. Or maybe it's just the fact that you got shot not that long ago."

Crimson frowned, and rubbed the area of her shoulder where she had been shot by her Negaverse double not so long ago, still slightly tender and fragile, but healed to the point it hindered her no more. It was only through luck that the wound hadn't been any worse. "I see your point." Crimson said. "You're realizing that there's more danger to this than you first thought."

"Something like that, I guess." Honker admitted.

"C'mon you two, lets go!" Darkwing called across the hideout.

"Go get ready Honker." Crimson urged. "We'll talk about this later."

Honker nodded, and went to go change, hoping Crimson could help get his confidence back.


As the sun set, marking the day's close, Audubon Bay Bridge seemed as peaceful as always. No one knew that Darkwing's hideout was there yet, and this was a fact that Darkwing wanted to keep. So when the tower was revamped not that long ago, one of the things added was a more secluded way for the Thunderquack to come and go through. It no longer entered the hideout by the roof anymore. In fact, it didn't even enter by air anymore.

Some distance down from the bridge, the calm water of Audubon Bay was disrupted when the Thunderquack suddenly shot out of it, switching to jet power to take to the air.

"DW, I know I've said it before, but I gotta say it again." Launchpad remarked as he leveled the jet out at a low altitude over St. Canard. "That water entrance for the Thunderquack was ingenious!"

"That's because I'm Darkwing Duck!" Darkwing exclaimed proudly. "The terror that flaps in the night always has good ideas!"

"Or so he thinks." Crimson murmured to Techno from the backseat.

"I heard that!" Darkwing said in a warning tone. "If you can't keep you're comments to yourself, Crimson, then you aren't coming along on this little outing."

"You really don't think you can keep me off this case, do you Dad?" Crimson grumbled.

"Who said it's a case? Hooter could just want us to transport something." Darkwing pointed out. "And besides, aren't you still recovering from a certain bullet wound?"

"I am recovered!" Crimson protested, showing this by moving her affected shoulder freely in various directions. It ached slightly, but otherwise didn't bother her. "All thanks to Christine's care. She herself said it should be healed enough for me to fight crime again."

"Ah, but we agreed that I would be the judge of that, didn't we?" Darkwing said.

"You wouldn't really use my already healed wound as grounds to keep me home, would you?" Crimson asked.

"I didn't say that." Darkwing pointed out, but he wore a sly grin, regardless.

"But you did imply it, sir." Techno pointed out.

"Whatever the case, just so long as you behave Crimson, you shouldn't have to worry about that happening." Darkwing said, turning around in his seat to look at his adopted daughter. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly." Crimson said, then added under her breath, "lousy dictator."

Darkwing heard, but chose to ignore the remark.

"Approaching SHUSH HQ, DW!" Launchpad announced, pointing at the building in question.

"Good, set us down, LP." Darkwing said. "And this time, try to land on the landing pad and not in Hooter's office, please?"

"Okey doke!" Launchpad said, and brought the jet into a steep dive for the building's roof.

Just when it seemed clear that Launchpad would ram the building, he leveled the jet off, missing the landing pad by a few feet, and skidding to a halt roughly on the roof.

"Oops." Launchpad said. "Forgot to lower the landing gear first."

"At least we're on the ground in one piece." Darkwing grumbled, straightening his hat.

"But we're several stories off the ground, DW." Launchpad pointed out, opening the cockpit so they all could climb out.

"You know what I meant." Darkwing said, looking around.

First Agent Grizzlikof had been waiting for them to land at the landing pad they had missed, and now stepped over to greet them.

"Good day, Darkwing." Grizzlikof said with forced politeness. "I see your pilot missed landing pad again."

"Only by four and a half feet." Techno pointed out, measuring the distance in his head. "That's a half foot shorter than last time."

"Crash was nothing too spectacular, though." Launchpad said.

"It is SHUSH's best interests that crashes be kept to less spectacular." Grizzlikof said with a disapproving frown. "But regardless, Director Hooter is waiting for you in office. Please follow."

He lead the way off the roof, down about two floors, and into Hooter's office.

"Director, the clown parade is here." Grizzlikof announced flatly.

Darkwing shot him a look.

"Ah, Darkwing, glad you came so quickly." Hooter said, turning his desk chair around to face his guests.

"Pleasure's all mine, J. Gander." Darkwing said, helping himself to one of the leather seats in front of Hooter's desk. "What's up?"

"Something you probably should've been the first to see, Darkwing." Hooter said gravely.

"I don't like that tone." Crimson remarked, also taking a seat. "What's happened?"

"Several things, Miss Avenger." Hooter replied. "But we shall begin with an event that occurred two months ago."

"Which is?" Darkwing asked.

"The mass breakout of the St. Canard Supervillain Prison." Hooter replied.

"What?" Darkwing repeated. "What's new about that? It was merely the event in which Quackerjack, Liki, and Bushroot all broke out of jail with the aide of Megavolt and Negaduck."

"Leaving quite a mess in the process, too." Crimson added.

"All of that is true, and still stands." Hooter said. "But there is one thing about that event that you do not know about."

"Which is?" Darkwing asked, intrigued.

"Someone else escaped the prison that day as well." Hooter said.

He then typed in a few commands on a computer that sat on his desk, turning the screen so everyone could see. "Watch these security videos of the breakout." Hooter requested. "They'll answer a few questions. We'll begin with this one to refresh your memories on what happened."

The video began showing an aerial view of one of the many bleak hallways of the prison. Two guards stood outside a cell. An electric field shimmered over its entrance, indicating that this was a high level prisoner. Looking closer, it was clear that the prisoner was the Liquidator. There was no sound with the video, so it was hard to tell what was going on, but the two guards started to become edgy, one talking into a walkie-talkie.

Then, without warning, the electric field flared, and shut down. Liki, almost looking bored, stared at the guards for a moment, before smiling. He stood and approached them. The guards panicked and opened fire with their pistols, but that did no good, seeing Liki was made entirely of water. Liki finally exited the cell, said something, then transformed into a wave of water that washed the guards away and flooded the hallway.

Darkwing was starting to become bored. "We know all this already." he whined. "Where the part we haven't seen?"

"Right now." Hooter replied, pressing another key on his keyboard.

The view changed to show another hallway. This one was identical, with the same two guards and electric field, but held a different prisoner. Who it was couldn't be clearly seen, as he was at the rear of the cell, out of the camera's view. Nothing happened for a few moments, but then a wave of water that was presumably Liki washed by, sweeping the guards away and flooding the hallway with about three feet of water. That water came in contact with the electric field, overloading it and shutting it off.

Darkwing, Crimson, Techno, and even Launchpad gasped as they recognized the figure who came to the cell's entrance, looked around, then fled down the unguarded hallway.

Hooter stopped the video. "I presume then you recognize who that prisoner was." he said.

Darkwing nodded, still slightly shocked. "Steelbeak." he replied. "Former agent for FOWL."

"And he escaped?" Techno remarked.

"Why are we only hearing about this now?" Crimson asked. "I mean, at first, it was understandable, Darkwing wasn't officially back until a few days later. But still..."

"And I agree." Hooter said. "Seeing that it was Darkwing who helped SHUSH bring FOWL down and throw Steelbeak and many of his cohorts into jail, you should have been informed sooner. But apparently, that wasn't my call. My superiors made me wait until now to tell you."

"But...why?" Crimson asked.

Hooter, surprisingly, shrugged. "I do not know." he admitted. "I may be the director of SHUSH, Miss Avenger, but that doesn't mean I know everything. However, if I were to speculate, I would guess it was due to some political matter."

"Politics saves the day again." Darkwing grumbled.

"They probably thought that Steelbeak, being on the run and on his own, would be easy to recapture." Hooter speculated further. "Clearly, though, they were mistaken."

"What's Steelbeak up to, anyway?" Crimson asked, annoyed. "I would've thought that he'd start something once he escaped, not lie low."

"That's what we thought." Hooter said. "Again, if I were to speculate, though, I would presume he was doing both. Starting trouble, but while at the same time, keeping it secret."

"For now, anyway." Crimson added.

"Is it possible he's trying to break other ex-FOWL agents out of jail?" Darkwing reasoned.

"Possible, but unlikely." Hooter said. "When FOWL went under, as I'm sure you can recall, Darkwing, many of the agents went to prison in their respected places of origin. Steelbeak was one of the few St. Canard had jurisdiction over. The rest are scattered all over the world. So far, no attempts to break any of those other agents out have been made."

"What about High Command?" Darkwing asked.

"Ah, that is even less likely." Hooter said. "They have been placed in a top secret prison, separate from everyone else who was involved in FOWL."

"Top secret?" Crimson repeated. "Keen gear, where is it?"

"I'm sorry, but even you and Darkwing don't hold a high enough security clearance to know that." Hooter apologized. "But rest assured, High Command is not going anywhere. Their prison has triple the security the St. Canard Supervillian Prison has. They would be virtually impossible to break out."

"But that's what we thought about the supervillain prison." Techno pointed out.

"And when that breakout occurred, security at the prison High Command is in quadrupled." Hooter said. "I daresay it would be easier to break into Scrooge McDuck's money bin than the prison High Command is locked up in."

"So what could Steelbeak be up to?" Crimson asked.

"SHUSH has a theory." Hooter stated. "Not everyone in FOWL was thrown in jail. For example, most of the Eggmen went free. We believe that Steelbeak is gathering those people back together to resume the basic goals of FOWL, but this time, to take it all for himself."

"We have evidence, too." Grizzlikof added. "SHUSH has been keeping tabs on some former Eggmen. Not long after Steelbeak escaped, they vanished."

"So our mission is to stop Steelbeak from getting the gang back together." Darkwing said, his eyes alight with the prospect of this assignment.

"Partly, yes." Hooter said. "But there's more." he typed a few commands on his keyboard again. "We have received a message from Steelbeak himself." the message appeared on the computer screen for the others to read. "He wishes to speak with, surprisingly enough, you, Darkwing, on neutral grounds under a white flag."

"Me?" Darkwing said, at first surprised, but quickly recovered. "Well, clearly, he got word that I was back, and knew he couldn't handle it. I'll bet he wants to surrender."

"Well, you are partly correct." Hooter said. "It seems Steelbeak has been keeping in touch with the going ons in the world after he escaped."

"He's right." Techno said, reading the message. "This message says Steelbeak wishes to meet with all of us, not just Darkwing. He even lists us all by name. The Crimson Avenger, Techno..."

"And he wants us alone." Crimson added, frowning as she also read the message. "No tricks, and no agents from SHUSH, or any other spy organization." she fiddled with the seam of her red and black cape for a moment. "Sounds like a trap to me, guys."

"I came to that same conclusion." Hooter agreed. "Which is why we're going to break the terms and send two agents with you to the meeting place in secret. If anything happens, they can come and assist."

"We won't need those agents, J. Gander." Darkwing assured him. "We can handle Steelbeak and whatever trap he has for us."

"I trust you, Darkwing, but I don't want to take any chances." Hooter said, and then changed the subject, considering the subject closed. "Agent Grizzlikof will escort you back to your aircraft. Await there until I have selected the appropriate agents to join you. They will not hinder you, I assure you Darkwing, or they will have to answer to me."

Darkwing looked like he wanted to protest again about SHUSH agents joining him on his mission, but kept his silence. "Very well." he said instead. "Just so long as the mission goes smoothly, I think I can handle that."

He got up and turned to leave, Crimson, Techno, and Launchpad who, had remained silent during all of this, following. Darkwing, who lead, did not wait for Grizzlikof to escort them back to the Thunderquack. He knew his way around well enough, and besides, he wasn't exactly happy at the moment.


They did indeed wait for the agents to arrive, however. Standing around the Thunderquack, with the exception of Techno, who sat inside the jet, they waited. Grizzlikof stood nearby, watching them. He clearly did not trust leaving them alone, thinking they would leave without the agents if they weren't watched. But Crimson knew that if Darkwing really wanted to do that, Grizzlikof, despite his superior size and strength to Darkwing, couldn't stop them. Besides, he was outnumbered.

Bored, and ready to do this little mission, Crimson kicked at the rooftop, leaning on one of the Thunderquack's wings. She glanced at Techno, sitting quietly in his seat. Up until now, she thought he was working on something, but now saw that he was just sitting there, deep in thought.

"Hey, Techno." she said, leaning on the side of the open cockpit. "Still reeling in self-doubt?"

Techno nodded. "I know it's a bad time for it, and that I have no logical reason for it, and it would only cause problems on this mission should it continue, but I am." he admitted.

"You know, we could probably send you home, if it makes you feel any better." Crimson offered.

"No, I'll see this through." Techno stated stubbornly. "Besides, you might need my help."

Crimson choose not to deny that, and looked upward at the sky, rapidly filling with stars as night increased it's grip upon the city. At least, as many stars as you'd see in a bright, polluted, metropolis such as St. Canard.

"You do know that I understand how you feel, right?" Crimson asked.

Techno shook his head. "I doubt it." he said. "You are a crime fighter born, Crimson."

"I'm flattered." Crimson said. "But are you forgetting my opinions on crime fighting during those seven years Darkwing was gone?"

Techno was silent for a moment.

"I had given it up, hadn't I?" Crimson asked, answering her own question. "Swore to never get involved in that kind of thing, didn't I?"

"You certainly went back on your word very quickly." Techno remarked.

"That was because I needed to." Crimson pointed out. "I had evidence that Darkwing was still alive, but it wasn't much to go off of, and it was a seven-year-old clue. It could've only led me nowhere. I didn't want to get anybody's hopes up unnecessarily, and Darkwing did request I keep that one clue secret for the time being. The only way I could see to investigate that one clue and keep it secret was resume hero work, at least temporarily. But there's more. Once I was past the point of no return, and saw that I was combating major villains and winning, I knew I could do this."

"But that's my problem." Techno said. "I'm not sure I can do what you do. I never was. You know me, I'm a total whimp."

"That's not true, and you know it, Techno." Crimson said. "You have grown up. I've seen you face your fears and do things I've never thought you would do seven years ago."

Techno snorted. "Like what?"

"When I was searching for Darkwing, and fighting with Negaduck over the super suit, you were always there at my side, helping me." Crimson pointed out.

"But you're my friend, of course I would do that." Techno pointed out.

"But it takes quite a friend to risk his own life to save his friend's." Crimson pointed out.

Techno was silent.

"And there are other times." Crimson went on. "What about the time we were fighting Nanite? It was you that thought quick and stopped Nanite well enough that he could be placed in jail, where he remains today. It was you who came and helped me when Darkwing got all depressed over losing Morgana. It was you who thought to look for Frogduck at the waterworks, and the one who found his hiding spot. It was you who chased after Bad Guy after he wreaked the St. Canard Town Square Celebration, and the one who got close enough to see who and what he was. And I can go on, Techno."

"But there's one thing I didn't do." Techno stated. "I wasn't there when you got shot."

Crimson fell silent for a moment, subconsciously rubbing the healing wound. "Don't blame yourself for that." she said. "You have no idea if things could have played out differently if you were there."

"Maybe not." Techno admitted. "But I wasn't there to help regardless."

"Techno, I doubt there was much you could've done." Crimson said. "But I think I've figured out why you've suddenly lost your confidence. You've convinced yourself that you failed because you weren't there when you thought I needed you the most."

Techno did not deny it.

Crimson sighed. "Techno, you're a great friend, but sometimes you're the dumbest smart guy I know."

"Excuse me?" Techno asked, stunned by the insult.

"You're blaming yourself for something you had no control over, and happened in the past!" Crimson said. "You have no reason to! The damage that was caused isn't even permanent! If you're really as smart as you claim to be, then you wouldn't have allowed this to happen."

Techno sighed. "Maybe you're right." he admitted. "But it still doesn't change how I feel. What can I do to get my confidence back?"

"By proving to yourself that you can do this." Crimson stated.

"And how do I do that?" Techno asked flatly.

"That's for you to find out."

They were silent for a moment. It was then that Grizzlikof, looking disapproving as always, made an announcement.

"Director Hooter has selected agents." he said in his peculiar accent. "They are on their way here."


"How long until we reach the rendevous point, LP?" Darkwing asked as they flew along in the Thunderquack.

"About another half-hour, DW." Launchpad replied.

"That long?" a voice from behind asked.

Darkwing turned in his seat to look at the two SHUSH agents sitting in the back between Techno and Crimson, dressed in neutral grey suits and sunglasses. "There a problem?" he asked, clearly straining to keep his temper in check.

"I know of aircraft that can go from SHUSH Headquarters to this former FOWL storehouse we're to meet Steelbeak at in fifteen minutes." Agent Mia, a young female feline, replied.

"Can this craft not go any faster?" asked Agent Lupis, a male wolf, who as older than Agent Mia, and probably her superior.

"We're already maximum speed." Darkwing said, annoyed that this was too slow for the agents.

"And the Thunderquack is supposed to be the fastest jet in the world." Launchpad bemoaned, not liking the idea of his favorite plane being outclassed.

"Maybe eight years ago." Agent Lupis replied.

"Well, you'll just have to live with it." Darkwing grumbled. "This is the only way we're getting to the rendevous point, and this as fast we can go. So there."

"You do not like us, do you?" Agent Mia asked.

"To be truthful..." Darkwing said, and hesitated for a moment, clearly wondering if he truly wanted to answer that, "...no."

"Is it because you are used to doing things on your own?" Agent Mia asked, seeming to be genuinely curious.

"That, and the fact that SHUSH has some regulations that Darkwing views as...hindering." Crimson replied for Darkwing. "He has his own style of doing things."

"Yes, you would know that very well, wouldn't you, Miss Mallard?" Agent Mia asked.

"Yes, I..." Crimson trailed off as she realized fully what Mia had just said. "Wait, what did you say?"

"Your true name is Gosalyn Mallard, is it not?" Agent Mia repeated.

"I...I don't know anybody by that name." Crimson quickly lied.

"Do not deny it." Agent Lupis said sternly. "SHUSH knows very well your identity." he gave Agent Mia a disapproving look. "However, that is need-to-know information, information that shouldn't be carelessly babbled out."

Agent Mia flushed a deep red color under the reprimanding.

"But...how?" Crimson asked.

Techno cleared his throat, drawing Crimson's attention. "Should I remind you of the incident with the SHUSH super suit?" he asked.

Crimson frowned, remembering that Hooter revealed he knew who she was during that incident, and realized that a costume change probably didn't hide the fact from him that she was still the same person. Hooter had simply decided that it didn't need mentioning.

"What other secrets does SHUSH know that we don't know about?" Darkwing asked, frowning. He clearly didn't like the idea that SHUSH knew the identity of his adopted daughter. "I suppose you all know who we are."

"No, the identities of you and Mr. Techno are still unconfirmed." Agent Lupis said, and left the subject at that.

Darkwing looked like he wasn't satisfied with that answer, but took it anyway. It was clear that even though he didn't like the agents and their presence, he was stuck with them, and fighting with each other wasn't going to help things.

The next several moments of the ride was spent in silence. Watching the two agents carefully, Crimson noticed that they didn't move or speak. They just sat there, staring straight ahead.

"Not very talkative, are you?" she quipped.

Agent Lupis shot her a neutral look. "It's against SHUSH regulations to make small chat while on a mission." he explained flatly.

"Bit boring, to be honest." Agent Mia added, leaning over to whisper in Crimson's ear.

"I heard that." Agent Lupis said warningly.

Agent Mia quickly resumed her neutral attitude.

More moments passed, before Launchpad finally broke the silence.

"We're almost there." he said, pointing out the glass canopy. "Look, that must be the storehouse Steelbeak wants us to meet at."

"Yes it is." Agent Lupis remarked, pulling out a pocket sized version of binoculars and looking through them at the warehouse-like building in the middle of a small, sandy, desert. "You can still see the FOWL logo on it's front. Slightly worn, but still there, nonetheless."

"I wonder why here, of all places." Techno remarked, working with the controls of his visor, displaying something on the visor's lenses. "According to the records SHUSH has on this place, it was used to store raw materials for building the various equipment FOWL would need for their usual projects for world larceny, nothing more. They had hundreds more like this one. If it fell into SHUSH's hands, it was no big loss. In fact, all SHUSH did with it was sweep the place for anything unusual, and then closed it off to the public, leaving it that way."

"Perhaps that wasn't such a good idea if Steelbeak's here." Darkwing noted. He patted his sidekick pilot on the back. "Take us down, LP." but as he realized Launchpad was about to bring the plane into a sharp dive added, "But do it nice and easy, and slow, and try not to crash."

Launchpad nodded, bringing the Thunderquack in for what could've been a perfect landing, had the sand dune not gotten in the way. The craft jerked to a halt when it hit the dune, burying half of it's nose in the sand.

"Um, whoops." Launchpad said, and chuckled nervously. "I guess this spot wasn't as flat as I thought it was."

"Nice going, Launchpad." Darkwing grumbled, flipping the switch that would open the canopy.

A wave of heat attacked them.

"Whoa, big contrast to the nice air-conditioned interior of the Thunderquack!" Crimson remarked.

"Stay here." Agent Lupis announced, hopping out and pulling his sidearm, being followed by Agent Mia. "We will make sure the area is secure."

"Oh, no you don't!" Darkwing exclaimed. "You're only here for the ride! I'll take it from here! You stay here in the jet. If we need you, which I highly doubt, we'll call for you."

"That is against SHUSH regulations." Agent Mia remarked. "We are not allowed to permit our honorary escort venture into a potentially dangerous area without securing the area first."

"I don't care about your stupid SHUSH regulations, I only...wait, honorary escort?" Darkwing repeated, attitude suddenly changing.

"Those were Director Hooter's orders." Agent Lupis offered.

"Oh, well, um..." Darkwing said, flattered. "Still, I think you should stay here. What if Steelbeak, or maybe one of his cohorts sees you? Remember, you two aren't supposed to be here."

"He does have a point." Mia said to Lupis.

Agent Lupis frowned. "We should follow regulations." he said. "We'll be careful."

He started to leave again, with Mia following.

"No, wait!" Darkwing said, grabbing Mia's striped tail and pulling. The feline flinched, and turned to glare at Darkwing. "Er, sorry." he apologized. "But I'm serious you two. Just because SHUSH regulations says otherwise, doesn't mean you shouldn't follow my advice."

"Besides, rules are meant to be broken." Crimson added.

"And I am the honorary escort, right?" Darkwing said, making a proud face. "Don't I get a say?"

The agents looked at one another for a moment. "We will wait here." Lupis finally announced.

"Yes!" Darkwing said. "Don't worry, I'll have everything under control in no time! We'll be right back! Oh, and listen for any calls of 'shush'. That'll be us needing your help. But don't get your hopes up." he motioned for Launchpad, Crimson, and Techno to follow as the agents climbed back into the jet and waited.

They approached the door quickly, pressing their backs into the nearby wall.

"Techno?" Crimson whispered to her friend and sidekick.

"It's hard to tell in all this desert heat..." Techno mumbled, staring at the structure through his visor. "But my visor's infrared sensor indicates that there's definitely somebody in there."

"Where?" Darkwing asked, pulling out his gas gun, and motioning for Crimson to do the same.

"Again, it's hard to tell." Techno said, making a few adjustments to the visor's sensors. "But there's someone standing in the middle of the room, all by himself."

"Steelbeak." Darkwing said, and proceeded towards the storehouse's entrance.

"I still say this is a trap." Crimson remarked, following. "Probably nothing we can't handle, but it'd still be dangerous."

"Then let's get dangerous." Darkwing said.


It was dark inside the large and mostly empty storehouse. Most of it was dark with shade, while the storehouse roof was completely pitch black, hiding everything up there from view. But Darkwing was used to the dark, so he did not hesitate to make his entrance.

"I am the terror that flaps in the night!" Darkwing exclaimed as a cloud of blue smoke filled one corner of the room and he and Launchpad stepped out of it. "I am the school bell that rings at the end of recess! I am...Darkwing Duck!"

"And I am the heir to the cape!" came Crimson's voice from another corner of the room as she and Techno stepped out of a cloud of red smoke. "I am the full memory card on your G-pod! I am the Crimson Avenger!"

"So, some things never change, do they?" a voice echoed out in reply, and figure stepped out to where he could be seen.

Darkwing and Crimson pointed their gas guns at the person.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Steelbeak said, dressed in his trademark white tuxedo. "I'm unarmed!" he held up his arms to show this. "Is this really the hello I get after not seein' ya all in seven some odd years? Don't I at least get a 'how are ya' or somethin'?"

"No." Darkwing and Crimson replied together.

"Now what do you want?" Darkwing continued.

"Would ya believe it was just t' say hi?" Steelbeak asked.

"No." Crimson said, her aim not wavering.

Techno, who's visor was still on infrared, saw something out of the corner of his eye, and turned to look at it.

"Well, yer right." Steelbeak said, lowering his arms, and pulling them idly behind his back. "Get 'em boys!"

And suddenly the quartet found themselves surrounded by Eggmen, all of them armed.

"Uh oh." Launchpad said.

"Now, here's what I want youse t' do." Steelbeak exclaimed, coming up to stand just outside the circle of Eggmen. "Put yer guns down, and slide 'em t' the nearest Eggman. Once yeh do that, put yer hands on yer head." he demonstrated this comically, grinning his metallic beak.

Giving Steelbeak a glare, Darkwing and Crimson set down their gas guns, and slid them towards the Eggman closest to either of them, where they were retrieved by the respected Eggman, before placing their hands on their head. Launchpad was unarmed, so he just put his hands in the air. Techno did likewise, hoping to fool Steelbeak and his cohorts that he didn't have any weapons either.

"Well, it must be my lucky day." Steelbeak said once this was all done, circling his prisoners as he looked them over. "I managed t' do on my first try what High Command could never do. Capture Darkwing. Never thought it'd be so easy, not after all the grief ya caused High Command, heh-heh-heh."

Darkwing did not reply. He just stared at Steelbeak.

"Times really have changed." Steelbeak noted. "Usually you were quite a talkative one, Darkwing. But of course, back then, ya didn't have yer little gang of Darkwing juniors, either." he gestured to Crimson and Techno. "Guess ya decided ya couldn't do it alone, hmm? Needed the help, hmm?"

"Steelbeak, I only have one thing to say to you." Darkwing said.

"And what's that, Dipwing?" Steelbeak asked.

"SHUSH!" Darkwing exclaimed as loud as he could.

One of the Eggmen went to whack Darkwing on the top of his head with the butt of his gun, but Crimson quickly pulled Darkwing out of the way. For their credit, the SHUSH agents didn't take long to get here, for moments after this, they barged into the room, weapons drawn.

"Freeze, Steelbeak!" Agent Lupis exclaimed.

"Ah, so we didn't decide t' play fair after all!" Steelbeak said, not looking alarmed at all. "Very well, I won't either! EGGMAN!"

Suddenly, lights flared on above them, lighting the darkened roof for the first time. Everyone looked up. Darkwing and gang all gasped, while the two SHUSH agents widened their eyes. There, hanging above them was a massive zeppelin. As the roof started to open above the zeppelin, a ladder was lowered to hang next to Steelbeak. He quickly climbed up it. Agent Mia fired a shot at him, but missed. She didn't get to fire anymore, as she and Agent Lupis suddenly found themselves surrounded by two more Eggmen.

"Well, guess I must be off, then!" Steelbeak exclaimed, waving from halfway up the ladder. "Have fun with my Eggmen, heh-heh-heh!"

"Wait a minute Steelbeak!" Darkwing exclaimed. "What was this all about, if you were just going to flee?"

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Steelbeak said, reaching into his pocket. "I wanted t' make an announcement! Here, check out my business card!"

He threw a small card down to them. Crimson caught it and studied it.

"F-O-U-L?" she spelled out, eyes widening.

Darkwing took the card from her and read it himself. "The Fiendish Organization for United Larceny?" he read aloud, stunned.

"What's in a name?" Steelbeak asked with a grin. "And anyway, couldn't be FOWL, cause High Command trademarked th' name. So, if I was gonna be president of a similar organization, I needed a new name!"

"President?" Agent Lupis repeated, also stunned.

"That's right!" Steelbeak confirmed. "Leader of my own larcenist organization now! Yeh'll have t' deal with a new FOUL now! Different name, but same soundin' acronym, heh-heh-heh!" he continued climbing the ladder, entering the zeppelin itself. "Anyway, I must be off! Tak 'er away, Eggman!"

The hatch on the zeppelin closed, and it rose up and out the now fully opened roof, beginning to move forward.

"We can't let him get away!" Crimson exclaimed.

It was at that moment that Techno threw a football shaped pellet over his shoulder, where it landed somewhere outside the surrounding circle of Eggmen. Five seconds later, it exploded. The Eggmen jumped in surprise, and turned to look at the distraction. It was then that everyone reacted. Darkwing and Crimson tackled the Eggmen who had their gas guns, disarming them and then shooting clouds of smoke into the battle, confusing the Eggmen further. Agent Lupis and Agent Mia reacted quickly, taking the confused Eggmen and subduing them. Launchpad even helped attack, by punching and knocking out a few of the FOUL cohorts.

Techno, however, once the smoke started to fill the area, zipped out of the cloud of mixed blue and red smoke to stand under the fleeing zeppelin. He made a mad grab for the ladder Steelbeak had left hanging down, but it had already risen too high for Techno to reach. He sought other options but had none.

Save one.

"Oh, I hate it when I have to do this." Techno muttered, as he pressed a concealed control on his wristband and grabbed the controllers that popped out into his hands, pressing the activation button on them.

His rocket boots flared into life, propelling him forward suddenly. As always when he did this, it took Techno a moment to stabilize his flight, like it always seemed to do in the first few moments of this intense flight. And as a result, he nearly rammed into the zeppelin. He quickly managed to avoid that, by adjusting his flight to fly along the zeppelin's cockpit.

Adjusting his speed so he matched the zeppelin's, he pulled out another little chemical bomb from one of his wristbands, activated it, and threw it at the zeppelin's cockpit. It exploded, breaking one of the glass windows. Techno quickly adjusted his flight to zoom into the cockpit and landed.

A small party of Eggmen stood in the cockpit, and pulled out their weapons when Techno appeared. Ducking the first shots, Techno raised one of his fists, and a stream of a colored gas gushed out of the wristband. All the Eggmen caught in the stream wobbled, then sank to the floor, sound asleep. Soon, all the Eggmen were out like lights.

Techno then turned his attention Steelbeak, who sat in the pilots chair, working the controls, and hadn't even so much turned to look at Techno. He also wore a grin Techno did not like.

"So, one of yeh got through and up here, hmm?" Steelbeak quipped. "Silly me. Shoulda thought about that."

"You're under arrest." Techno said, pulling out a pair of handcuffs and approaching the rooster.

But Steelbeak was still unalarmed. He reached for a switch on the control panel before him. "Yeh shoulda thought I'd have a plan B, kid." he said, flipping the switch.

A rocket suddenly flared on the rear of the cockpit. Wings popped out, as well as a tail. A big broom-like device popped up and swept all of the unconscious Eggmen into a little pen. The device also knocked Techno over.

"Way out of you're league, kid." Steelbeak remarked, as Techno picked himself up. he reached for the throttle control. "See ya."

He pushed the throttle up to full. The rocket suddenly roared. The whole floor of the cockpit suddenly lurched forward, leaving the rest behind, tearing away from it. Techno was thrown off his feet, and had yet to start falling before the glass windows shattered, the metal frame holding half of the cockpit in place snapped, and Steelbeak escaped in his hidden escape craft, quickly vanishing from sight.

Techno managed to grab one of the mangled support beams to stop his fall. But then his eyes caught sight of something previously hidden. A bomb. And it was ticking away to zero. Gasping, Techno let go of the frame, starting to fall. Quickly fumbling with the controls to his rocket boots, he flew away as fast as he could.

Seconds later, the zeppelin exploded, the shockwave reaching Techno faster than he would've liked, pushing his forward, instantly losing control of his rockets. He started to tumble, the rockets pushing in odd directions at random as he somehow continued to go downward. He tried to stabilize his flight, and started to level out, just as the ground rushed up to greet him.

He plowed right into a sand dune, stopping his flight instantly, smothering the rockets, and extinguishing them. Coughing, he spat sand and grit from his mouth, looking wearily around him.

"Just once, I'd like to land properly after a flight like that," he muttered wearily, "and not do a Launchpad-style crash."

Still, he seemed to be okay, just too stunned and buried in sand to move. He heard people coming towards him, and saw the others racing up to him, Crimson in the lead.

She knelt down beside him, checking him over. "Oh, Techno, are you okay?" she asked, worried.

Techno coughed again. "Yeah, I'm alright." he said, sitting up. "Once I get all this sand off of me, anyway."

He started to brush the dirt from him, standing up.

"Techno, that was both the stupidest and bravest thing I have ever seen!" Darkwing exclaimed, a mixture of amazed and worried.

"Look who's talking." Crimson grumbled, supported Techno.

"Hey!" Darkwing objected.

"You really think that, Mr. Darkwing?" Techno asked. "Wow."

"Too bad Steelbeak got away, though." Launchpad remarked, joining them.

"I almost hand him, too." Techno added.

"Oh, Techno, this probably doesn't make you feel any better, does it?" Crimson asked, thinking about his state of depression.

"Actually, I feel much better now." Techno said with a lopsided grin. "Weird, huh?"

"But...how?" Crimson asked, not understanding.

"Crimson, think about it." Techno said. "Would I have done all of that seven years ago?"

Crimson suddenly grinned, catching on. "No." she said.

"See?" Techno said. "What better way to prove myself to myself and get back my self-confidence? I think I really can do this!"

Darkwing looked blankly at them for a moment. "Did I miss something?" he asked, naturally having no idea what they were talking about.

Techno and Crimson shared bemused looks.

"Yeah dad, ya missed something."

"Care to elaborate?"

"No."

"Just between the two of you, then, hmm? Should I be worried?"

"No."

"Well, I am anyway, Tech."

"Well, look on the bright side guys. Those SHUSH agents have all of those Eggmen in that storehouse captured."

"True, LP. I suppose SHUSH will get a few answers about this new FOUL we have to worry about from them."

"I'm not sure I like the sound of that."

"To be honest, I don't know what SHUSH will do in such a situation. I should ask."

"Please don't."

"Hmm, a FOUL run by Steelbeak."

"Seems odd, doesn't it Techno?"

"Actually, I was thinking it should be pretty easy. I mean, it's Steelbeak we're talking about here."

"I completely agree. Why, with Darkwing Duck on the case, Steelbeak won't last the night. He'll probably surrender tomorrow morning."

"Sure dad."