As always the standard disclaimer applies: I do not own the Happy Tree Friends; they are the property of Mondo Media. In addition the character of Fresko the Feline belongs to the Deviant Art user Rainbroach (formerly known as Yoshi Lord). I own only my own characters and this story.

79 – ENTERING THE FIELD

After their rescue from Frik and Frak Lifty and Shifty had returned to their quarters for the rest of the day to recover from their ordeal, but the very next day they were back at the safe-house resuming their questioning of the two Marauders. This time Tony Ride didn't take any chances and kept up increased security around the place but he probably needn't have worried. Following their failure to escape from Metramegopolis, and their extremely disorienting experience on the city roof at Fresko's hands, both Frik and Frak seemed to have given up their defiant spirits. They were both much more ready to cooperate with their questioners and gave the raccoon brothers no further trouble. After only a few more days of questioning the raccoons decided that they were done with the interrogation and ready to move to the next stage of their mission, preparing to move out into the field.

Lifty and Shifty knew they would have a big job but set against the largeness of the mission was the need to travel as light as possible. So for their initial trip into the field they would be taking only what they could physically carry on their backs. Once they'd established a semi-permanent base of operations they would send for more equipment on an as needed basis.

Then there was the problem of actually getting to the initial field drop-off point without being detected by the Marauders. This issue was taken care of when it was decided to teleport Lifty and Shifty on a one way trip into the wilderness near the Marauder camp. Sniffles, by now fully versed in the basics of teleportation, had been given the go ahead from the Animal City to re-assemble and operate the teleporter that was being stored in Fresko's flyer. This time it would be calibrated to send but not receive with coordinates pre-set to the raccoon brothers' destination. As there would be no receiving station on the other end of the trip there was a risk that the two brothers might be put down in different places, albeit places within a short distance of each other. If that happened it would then be up to them to find each other so each brother carried a tracer attuned to the other's signal device embedded in his body. They were also given communicators with which they could talk to contacts both in Metramegopolis and the Animal City but they had been warned quite strongly that unless the Mole wanted a report (which would be rare) they were only to use them at times of real need.

So Lifty and Shifty made their preparations and after several more days they were finally ready to leave Metramegopolis to attempt to carry out a mission from which neither might ever return. They were both well aware of this of course but Lifty had been healed a great deal by the Buddhist Monkey's care and instruction and he was now much more ready to go into danger. In fact those people who knew the raccoon brothers to any real degree had detected a subtle shift in their personal dynamic. Although Shifty was still supposedly the dominant brother Lifty had begun quietly asserting himself and his opinions regarding what they might have to do. And Shifty was listening.

The night before they left the Buddhist Monkey had a last private talk with Lifty.

"I know you go into danger" said the Buddhist Monkey, "and I cannot foresee how it will turn out for you. But I would bid you once more to remember what you've learned during your time with me."

"I could never forget you" said Lifty quietly, "I'd probably be completely and unredeemably insane if I hadn't met you."

"Thank you" said the Buddhist Monkey with a small smile, "when you're out there facing the danger that will come never forget to keep yourself centered. You'll be amazed at how much more clearly you'll be able to think if you do."

"I'll meditate whenever I can" said Lifty.

"Good, but even more important than that" said Buddhist Monkey earnestly, "do not hold this turn of events against your brother anymore. It happened, it is done. Now you must go forward."

"I've already forgiven him" said Lifty, "It's not all his fault anyway."

"You will need each other, perhaps far more than you ever have before" said Buddhist Monkey, "always remember that you are brothers. May the blessing of the Buddha go with you. Be strong and I know you will do well. Now good night. I will come see you off in the morning."

"Yes master" said Lifty, bowing to him.

Lifty and Shifty's departure went almost unnoticed in the big bustle of a normal morning in Metramegopolis. Only four people came to see them off in the landing bay where Fresko's flyer was. Sniffles was there to transport them, the Buddhist Monkey came to say good-bye as he had said he would, Toothy was there in an official capacity, and at the last minute Barry decided to come and see them off too. Fresko, however, did not come to see them off feeling (probably rightly) that his presence would not be a good idea.

Sniffles had set-up the teleport station and calibrated it to a set of coordinates that had been given to him by the city intelligence system. Now he cautioned the raccoon brothers as to what would happen.

"The intelligence we've been given has provided a definite location for the main Marauder camp" Sniffles said, "so I have input coordinates to send you to a location a few kilometers to the west of the camp. However we do not know the extent to which the Marauders may be employing perimeter scouts so you'll need to be on your guard the moment you arrive at your destination."

"Understood" said Shifty. Lifty nodded agreement.

"Good" said Sniffles, "the teleport will be ready in a just another moment."

"I wish I had something inspirational to say" said Toothy, "but I think the only thing I can say is good luck, and please be careful."

"Thanks" said Lifty.

"Teleport ready" said Sniffles, "you can step in and go."

"I'll go first" said Shifty. He gave a last nod to the others, stepped in to the station, and was gone. Lifty made to follow him, but stopped for a moment and looked over at the Buddhist Monkey. The Buddhist Monkey didn't say anything, feeling he'd said all that was necessary the previous night, but he nodded to Lifty who nodded back in acknowledgment before stepping into the station and vanishing instantly away.

Sniffles turned off the station.

"That's that" he said, "now it's up to them."

"I almost envy them" said Barry, "going into danger like that."

"Why?" said Toothy in surprise.

"They don't have to deal with a grand assembly, do they?" said Barry wryly. Toothy rolled his eyes, but understood the sentiment.

"Two more days and we have to meet to make a decision on that" Sniffles said.

"I know" said Toothy, "isn't politics really fun?"

The three Councillors left the landing bay accompanied by the Buddhist Monkey and returned to the city where a Council meeting to determine the Mayor's political fate awaited them just a couple of days in the future. However that part of the story will have to wait for another time. For the present we are going to follow Lifty and Shifty as they head into the field with grave danger as their new and ever constant companion.

(To Be Continued)