Here is Part 2 of He Who Tames the Iron Horse

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(Sly POV)

I was shaken awake by Bentley who informed me that he got the plan ready and is waiting on me and Regina to join him and Murray. Once he walked away, I looked down to see the angel wrapped in my arms, resting peacefully with a gentle smile on her face. Smiling down at her, I combed my fingers through her hair. She started to stir and opened her eyes and smiled up at me.

"Good morning" She said.

"Hello" I replied before leaning down for a good morning kiss. It was short because we had to get up, but it was still heaven to wake up with my woman in my arms, the way it should be. We pulled away and climbed out of the van. Then we met up with the others who were waiting at the table. We sat down with my arm wrapped around her shoulders and Bentley got started with his presentation.

"Things are going great. We've already stolen one of Jean Bison's 3 Clockwerk Parts. However Ironhorse 2 and 3 are going to be a little tougher to crack. First I'll need to hop aboard Iron Horse # 2 and do a little pre-emptive RC Chopper strike to clear out the air defenses. Once cleared, it'll be up to Sly and Regina to work their magic in the interior to get at that 2nd lung. Murray, you'll need to trap some of the local bear cubs in order to unlock a nearby handcar. We're going to need it to catch up with Iron Horse #3. But don't worry, the cubs won't be hurt. Although I can't say the same for the guards." Bentley instructed. Knowing what our jobs were, Bentley and Murray went out first while Regina and I stayed here until Bentley gave us the all clear.

(Murray POV)

Bentley and I split up to complete our jobs while Sly and Regina stayed at the safe house. I really appreciated what she did to help me get away from Inspector Fox, but I was still mad that she sacrificed herself. Aw heck! I can't stay mad forever. I may not know Regina as well as Sly does, but she's like a little sister to me. I'm glad she's with us. I keep on imagining how cool it would be if she joined us as a 4th member. I had to be careful now. Ever since we broke Regina out of her cage, Jean Bison's goons and her sister have been patrolling all over. In fact, Inspector Fox was patrolling close by, so I had to sneak around her to get to a waypoint Regina located for me on a platform on the side of the tracks. Once I got there, I called her.

"Ok Murray, while Bentley is out taking care of the defenses on Iron Horse #2 for me and Sly, I'll help you out with your job. According to Bentley, we'll need the hand car located in the center of town to catch up with Iron Horse # 3. But it looks like it's all fenced in."

"No problem, Regina. I'll tear that fence apart." I said, confidently.

"The metal is too resilient for Bentley's bombs and your muscle. Thankfully Bentley had a plan all set. You're gonna have to rely on a stronger force, The Love of a Mother for her Child."

"Huh?"

"I've located 2 juvenile bear cubs. If you put them together inside that fence, they'll start fighting. According to Bentley, bears at that age are very antisocial. Noise from the squabble should bring their mother around to free the angry cubs."

"I get ya. That big Mama Bear will be able to smash that fence no problem to free her cubs."

"Exactly!"

"Beware cubs, for you are hunted by the Murray!" I said before disconnecting. I looked around and saw that the first cub was up by a cabin close to the plane I used earlier. Waiting until the approaching train passed by, I jumped down and ran to the cabin. The cub was asleep, so I crept up and then stomped to pick him up in my hands. The cub growled and struggled in my grasp, alerting any guards nearby. I couldn't fight them so I just ran away and then threw the cub into the fence when I got there.

"Great work Murray, unfortunately the 2nd cub is located the bear cave, be careful." Regina warned.

"Don't worry about me, Regina. The Murray ain't afraid of no bear!" I said confidently causing Regina to chuckle. This was a little tricky, there was a bear leaving the cave and another going in. I had to wait until both bears were far enough to where they couldn't catch my scent. I then went into the cave and stole the sleeping cub. The adult bear heard the growling cub and started to chase me.

"Uh oh!" I said before I ran towards a guard and the bear attacked him. While the bear was distracted, I carried the cub to the cage and threw him in with the other one. Just like Regina said, they started fighting each other. All I could see was a whirlwind of fur and I could hear them growling as they fought.

"That was fast, the mother is already on her way!" Regina said. The mother arrived and didn't pay attention to me as she smashed the fence and broke the cubs apart. The cubs quit fighting and followed their mother back into the wilderness.

"Wow, I watch a lot of Nature Documentaries, but that was amazing!" Regina said as I watched the family disappear from sight before heading back to the safe house after a job well done.

(Meanwhile Bentley POV)

While Murray went out to get the cubs to destroy the fence with Regina guiding him, I had Sly set me up with a waypoint to begin my job: take out the aerial defenses on Iron Horse #2 for him and Regina. Arriving at the base of the mountain holding the satellite dish, I contacted Sly to get the run down.

"Heads up Bentley, Iron Horse # 2 is heading towards your position. You and that RC Chopper of yours ready?"

"We'll get the job done, provided I CAN CATCH UP WITH THAT TRAIN!" I exclaimed while running after I hung up. The train was a little ways away and I had to knock out guards that were in my way. I managed to get to the train tracks as soon as the train was passing below and I jumped down onto the caboose, climbed inside and prepped my RC Chopper.

"This had better work; Sly and Regina won't stand a chance making it through this unless I neutralize the aerial defenses! Good thing I outfitted the RC Chopper with a new cannon" I said to myself before launching the chopper. The camera beneath the chopper showed that the first car only had some guards standing at their post. Once I used my bombs to take them out, 2 cannons popped out of the sides of the cars and launched missiles at me. I had to drop bombs on the cannons while avoiding the missiles. Each cannon took 3 bombs each to be destroyed. There were no guards on the next car, but small planes flew around trying to crash into me. I used my new cannon and shot every plane down. Next came 2 armed helicopters that I had to shoot down while avoiding the missiles they shot at me. Moving on to the next car, there were more cannons, guards, planes and helicopters to take out. It got really dicey the further down the train I moved but eventually I managed to take out the last of the defenses.

"Bentley strikes again! Yes! The aerial defenses are down… now it's all up to the lovebirds to finish the job!" I exclaimed, knowing that Sly and Regina were listening.

"We appreciate the compliment Bentley! We're geared up and ready to go work our magic!" Sly said, while I heard Regina giggle in the background.

"puh lease!" I said before jumping off the train and headed back to the safe house.

(Sly POV)

After that Lovebird comment, Regina and I left the safehouse to make our move for the 2nd Clockwerk Lung. It was a shame that she couldn't space jump. It would've been a lot easier to get the lung, ah well. Anyway Bentley sent us to the cabin on top of the cliff by the icy water. Once we got there, we got on the horn with Bentley.

"Iron Horse # 2 is coming too fast, you and Regina might not have time to get on it." Bentley said, worriedly.

"Don't worry Bentley, there's more than 1 way to get on to that caboose." Regina said. We both hung up and then rushed over to the train. Using our thieving senses, we grabbed onto the pipe on the caboose, and climbed up. I opened the caboose hatch and then turned towards Regina with a smirk.

"After you milady." She smirked back at me, kissed my cheek, and then jumped inside. I froze a little like always when she kisses me and then quickly followed her.

"The other Clockwerk Lung should be hooked up to the Engine's furnace. Sneak your way up there and grab it. Be careful Regina, the guards are still looking for you." Bentley instructed.

"Don't worry about me Bentley, I can take care of myself. That Clockwerk Lung is as good as ours." Regina said before we hung up and got to work. There were 2 guards in the 1st car and they nodded off every now and then so we waited until they dozed off before sneaking past them. The next car had floor lasers with one that moved from side to side along with spotlights. We had to stay in the center and jumped over the moving laser to avoid getting burned. We climbed on top of the next car and snuck around the patrolling and dozing guards then jumped down to the next car. Moose guards were either patrolling or sleeping. As we were moving forward, Jean Bison came on the horn with an announcement.

"Attention Iron Horse #2, in case you haven't heard, some lucky varmint managed to rescue the Vulpez girl and make off with the Clockwerk Lung in Iron Horse 1. All the guards on duty have been punished according to the Lumberjack Code! Don't let the same thing happen to you! You boys have done some real good work lately and I'd hate to have to put you out on… disability. That's it, keep your axes sharp!" He said before disconnecting. Regina snickered as we snuck past the last of the guards and made it to the engine. I snatched the lung off the furnace and stuffed it in my pouch.

"Fantastic, we're raking in the Clockwerk Parts left and right!" Bentley exclaimed. I did a little celebration of my own by pulling Regina into a kiss. I could tell she was shocked but quickly melted into it and wrapped her arms around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist and molded her body into mine. We pulled away as we came into view of the safehouse, jumped off and headed back. Bentley quickly got the next presentation ready and got it going just as soon as we both sat down.

"Ok everyone, this is it. It's time to break into Iron Horse # 3 and carry away the Clockwerk Stomach. Now the train is moving too fast to jump on to in town, so we'll have to catch up to it with Murray's new hand car. Once we're in position, Sly and Regina will hop aboard and make their way up to the engine. While they travel through the interior, I'll provide air support with the RC Chopper. I've planned this as a text book train robbery. If we all do our jobs right, what could possibly go wrong?" Bentley finished. We all understood the plan and headed out for the hand car. Bentley, Regina and I rode on it, while Murray pumped the car and we quickly caught up with the train.

"Got it! Strong work, Murray!" I exclaimed as we caught up with the train.

"Yeah, sure… The Murray's knows no limit!" Murray panted out.

"You're on, you two. Break into that train and steal the Clockwerk Stomach." Bentley instructed.

"I have to say I'm a little creeped out. That Jean Bison's one strange guy, the Klaww Gang divides up the Clockwerk Parts, and he walks away with 2 lungs and a stomach." Regina said, shivering. I nodded in agreement.

"Get creeped out later when we aren't riding an antique hand car at breakneck speeds." Bentley complained.

"Good point. It's time for a train robbery!" I said, before jumping aboard and then helped Regina on board. We climbed up the ladder and inside through the caboose. The guards were wide awake so we couldn't sneak by them. We looked around and Regina pointed out that we could climb on the rafters and get around the guards. I followed her past them and onto the next car. It looked like this was the luggage car. It was full of luggage and lasers were moving above them. I got Regina to follow me under the lasers and moved through the luggage. Once we got past the luggage car, we came to the next one where lo and behold, Jean Bison was inside stomping around.

"Ain't nobody getting past me! That Clockwerk Stomach is as safe as a snowman in Winter. If that Vulpez girl wants it, she'll have to come through this car and that's when I'll grab her! I'd like to meet the varmint that's been looting my Iron Horse trains and keeping that Vulpez Girl away. By jiminy, I get hot 'neath the collar just thinkin' about how I cut that boy down! I'd kill him like a Spotted Owl, I sure would!" He growled out. I could see that Regina was getting angry but was also scared, if the way she was breathing was anything to go by. I grabbed her paw and stroked it. She looked at me and it put a finger to my lips telling her to stay calm and quiet as we snuck past the stupid buffalo. Regina climbed up to the roof and I followed her. Suddenly, rapidly fired missiles were shot at us and I dove at Regina.

"REGINA WATCH OUT!" I shouted. She shrieked when I dove at her and got us both off the roof.

"WHAT THE…" She started to say.

"OI! Cooper, Vulpez! Thought I might find you here! You two can't stay away from these Clockwerk Parts!" Neyla called out from her fighter jet she was riding.

"Nah, I just do it to meet exciting ladies like this lady beside me!" I replied back as I held Regina in my arms trying to calm her down as she was shaking like a leaf.

"If you want some real excitement, why not climb on top of the train with your pathetic girlfriend. I'm sure to get both your hearts pumping, maybe even show you my new ride." Neyla offered. Regina finally calmed down and pulled away.

"I think we've seen enough from you already Neyla!" She growled out.

"What's the problem poodles? Afraid you can't take me on? Have to call your little friend?" Neyla teased, making Regina angrier. I pulled her into my arms to keep her calm.

"Sly, we're heavily unarmed against Neyla, there's no way to take her on without us getting killed." She said. I nodded and called to Bentley.

"Come in, 'little friends' Neyla's got us pinned down… any chance of air support?" I asked. It was now up to Bentley to take care of this annoyance.

(Bentley POV)

"Come in, 'little friends' Neyla's got us pinned down… any chance of air support?" Sly asked from the train.

"I've already launched the RC Chopper-she won't know what hit her." I reassured Sly as I launched the chopper.

"Come on Cooper…let's play…" She started to taunt, until I shot at her.

"What in blazes?! Alright little RC friend, this should be a quick bit of destruction!" She said before we engaged into battle. Neyla flew right in front of me so I had to shoot her while avoiding her missiles that she released while moving from side to side. I did this by following her movements and squeezed between the missiles. After shooting at her for a while, she dispatched planes to try and crash into me and take me out. I easily avoided them and her missiles and shot out her engine.

"YOU RUMMY BLIGHTER! THIS IS A… WHUH? OH NO OH NO!" She shouted with growls and flew out of sight, out of control.

(Sly POV)

Bentley had it all under control and eventually Neyla flew off, while losing control of her fighter.

"That was some fancy flying, 'little friend'" I said.

"Whatever you say, poodle!" Bentley said with a tease, causing Regina to laugh. Once again, Regina and I climbed over the top of the train car and continued our way while avoiding the Giant Eagles.

"Hey guys, get to that Clockwerk Stomach fast! This old hand car is starting to fall apart!" Murray warned. We quickly dodged the guards and finally made it to the engine. And there it was, the Clockwerk Stomach.

"I'd never thought I'd see the day when a stomach got turned into a tool for evil!" Murray cried out.

"Looks like Jean Bison's wised up and bolted the Stomach down. We'll have to crack the Engine Block to get it free." Regina called out to Bentley. It was up to him again.

(Bentley POV)

"Then that's just what we'll do Regina. A well-placed bomb down the train's smoke stack will knock it loose. Just make sure you two take cover." I warned while launching the chopper again.

"Not so fast, Chum! The Clockwerk Part is MINE! THEY WILL ALL BE MINE!" Neyla shouted, coming back into view. Her fighter was barely hanging on. I shot at it while avoiding her shots and missiles. Suddenly she changed trajectory and started flying under the chopper. I changed tactics and started dropping bombs on her. She launched missiles that exploded into little bullets I had to avoid while dropping the bombs on her. After getting hit with several bombs she flew back up in front of me and I used rapid fire and permanently took out her last engine.

"You won't stop me! Not the Cooper Gang! Not Interpol! NOT ANYONE!" She shouted before she crashed into the snow and her fighter exploded. I navigated the RC Chopper over to the smokestack.

"Stand clear you two, this might get messy!" I warned before dropping a bomb down the smokestack.

(Sly POV)

It sounded like Neyla came back for more and Bentley took her out again, this time for good for now.

"Stand clear you two, this might get messy!" Bentley warned. I pulled Regina away before a bomb fell and exploded.

"Sly? Regina? You guys ok?" Bentley asked. I picked up the stomach and shoved it into my pouch.

"We've got an upset stomach on our hands other than that – we feel great!" Regina said. We both headed back to the hand car with the stomach in our possession and headed back to the safehouse, Mission Accomplished!

The gang and I pulled off the impossible! We'd successfully rescued Regina, robbed all of Jean Bison's Iron Horse trains, and we were walking away with 3; count them; 3 Clockwerk Parts. And as some added bonuses: Regina had unofficially joined me in the Gang, and we shut down the Spice Distribution in all of North America. Needless to say, we were pretty pleased with ourselves.

Although Regina was angry with Carmelita for lying to her and arresting her, I could tell that she missed her and missed working with her. Although it wasn't who she was to begin with, it's what bonded the 2 sisters and Carmelita was the only family Regina had left. A blind man could see that both sisters were taking the separation hard. Plus, having Regina chase me down, was what made it fun for me. I made a promise to Regina, that I would find a way to talk to Carmelita, clear her name and reunite the 2 sisters. Some way that doesn't include turning myself in. But until then, Regina was by my side and I vowed to keep her safe and make sure nothing happens to her.

There you have it, only 2 more levels and it's game completed. Thank you all so much for your support as I write. I am so glad you enjoy my stories, but I must ask you not to PM me, asking when I am going to post. I've got some things going on with work and my family that my story is not really the top priority right now, so I'll write when I can.

Til next time.

SSF-18