CHAPTER SIX- The Raid

F.O.W.L. COMPOUND - 2:30 A.M.

The headquarters of the sinister crime syndicate FOWL were situated between Forest City and its more well-known neighbor Saint Canard. It was an expansive fortress constructed almost entirely of indestructible metal alloys. The compound was constructed on the bank of the mighty Hudson River, allowing easy access for shipments of weapons and stolen loot. The only land access to this fortress was a one-lane dirt road.

Chris' plan called for Sly and Andy to be transported by chopper to a wooded area just to the north of the fortress. From there, the two raccoons were to split up. Clark would approach the compound from its back entrance, and Cooper would enter through the front.

This daring raid would test the full skill range of both our young heroes, as well as the planning acumen of one hedgehog.

"This better work, bitch.", Bentley said to Chris as they watched the two thieves take off from the makeshift helipad in Andy's backyard.

"Gentlemen, please.", said Jake. "It's time we headed down to the command center." Jake, Chris, Murray, and Bentley (Tony was piloting the helicopter.) all headed for the secret underground room.

Jake sat down in front of a radio unit. "Tony, come in, Tony.", the bear said into the microphone. "Do you read me?" "Loud and clear.", responded the crow. "We're approximately ten minutes from our destination.", he continued. "10-4.", said Jake.

As expected, the two raccoons were quite nervous. "This is quite possibly the craziest thing I've ever done.", said Andy. "This is my biggest mission since destroying the Fiendish Five a year ago.", Sly remarked.

"Well, four of the Fiendish Five, anyway.", he added. "That evil owl Clockwerk is now the president of Namibia." "How did that happen?", asked Andy.

"The Russian government rebuilt him and installed him as a puppet dictator to protect their interests in the region.", Sly explained. "Oh.", said Andy.

"Gentlemen, we are here.", Tony announced.

Andy opened the helicopter's hatch and tossed out a rope ladder. "Well, here goes nothing.", he said, climbing out. Sly followed.

"Andy and Sly have been dropped off at the entry point.", Tony said into the radio.

"Now we wait.", said Chris. "Yeah. Wait to hear the news report of their death!", responded Bentley. "Bite me, turtle.", Chris said.

"Come on, guys. Grow up.", said Jake.

"Now is the part of the plan where we part ways.", Andy said to his younger compatriot. "Here", he then said, handing Sly a revolver. "A gun?" "Just in case.", said Andy.

"I won't need this.", Sly said. "You never know.", said Andy. "All right.", Sly said, stuffing the weapon in his pack. "Take these, too.", Andy said, handing him another gun and a pair of funny-looking binoculars. "I already have a pair.", Sly said of the binoculars. "But can they see through solid objects?", asked Andy.

"These are X-ray?" "Yep.", Andy responded. "And what of this gun?", Sly then asked. "It's a grappling hook, just like mine.", said Andy, pointing at the holstered gun on his right hip.

"Good luck, friend.", Andy said. The two shook paws, and went their seperate ways.

Sly Cooper quickly crept up to the front wall of the building, and then turned himself invisible. Suckers, he thought, as he walked right into the front door completely unnoticed by the two henchmen guarding the entrance.

Meanwhile, Andy Clark had a slightly easier path into the huge place. The back entrance had no guards, but the door was surrounded by a laser force field. There was also a security camera over the door. Crouched in some bushes, Andy took out his handgun and fired at the camera, destroying it.

He then walked right up to the keypad alongside the door and entered the disarm code as provided to him by his friend Chris. Success! The laser beams shut off.

Andy entered the back part of the building. He heard approaching footsteps and quickly ducked behind some crates.

Using his trusty cane, Sly had made quick work of a whole mess of FOWL's famed Egg Men. He now hid in a metal drum, awaiting some word from Andy. Bentley had linked the two coons' communicators. The duo were to meet in the center of the compound and head upstairs to take out the big bosses.

Andy was now some thirty feet away from Sly, hiding in the cab of a dump truck. "I'm close to ya, buddy.", Andy said softly into his radio. "Good.", replied Cooper. "Are you ready to face the scum?", Sly then asked. "You bet.", responded Andy as he crawled out of the truck.

Clark snuck right up to the stairs leading to the main offices and then hid behind an oil drum. "Hey there.", Sly said, popping out of the drum. "Goddamnit!", Andy exclaimed. "Don't do that!" "Sorry.", said Sly. The two then crept up the stairs.

They were immediately confronted by two FOWL goons. Sly swung his cane and felled the two. "Nice work, buddy.", said Andy. Just then, a door swung open and out stepped the villain Steelbeak.

"Well if it isn't our little thief, back for some more. And this time I see you brought a friend.", cackled the rooster.

"Take this, you ass-master!!", shouted Andy, blasting the bird's metal jaws with his acid gun. Instantly, his once-mighty bill had been dissolved. The enraged fowl then lunged at the two thieves, and Sly knocked him senseless with his cane.

"Now come on in here and face your death, filthy fleabags.", said a mysterious voice from the room ahead. "Sure thing, whoever you are.", said Sly, as the two ringtails entered the darkened office.

Just then, the room filled with a light purple gas. The two raccoons coughed. "What is this shit?", Sly asked. "I am the terror that flaps in the night, I am the raccoon that knocks over your garbage cans. I am Darkwing Duck!", proclaimed the famous superhero.

"This is great.", Andy whispered to Sly as they hid behind a file cabinet. "We can get our gold and let this clown take care of the gang bosses."

"Sounds like a plan.", Sly said, and the two dashed out of the office and down the stairs.

Just as they approached the gold vault, they heard a loud explosion. "Suck gas evil-MOTHER OF GOD NO! AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!", they heard Darkwing scream.

"Wonder what happened.", Sly asked as the two loaded up on gold bars. "Who cares? Let's get out of here before the cops show up.", Andy said.

The two exited the compound, carrying several sacks filled with riches. As they left, they spotted a battered, bruised, and injured Darkwing Duck lying on the ground before them.

"Could one of you fellows help me up?", asked the duck. Andy lifted the wounded hero. "Thanks.", said Darkwing, as he stumbled off.

Just then, the two raccoons felt the earth shake, and watched in awe as FOWL's mighty compound collapsed. "That was unexpected.", said Sly.

"Hey.", Andy said angrily. "That son of a bitch took our gold!" "I could kill you, Cooper. I wasted a whole weekend because of you.", Clark continued.

"Easy, dude.", said Sly. "At least we did away with FOWL." "You're right.", said Andy, reaching for his radio.

"You can come get us now.", he said into it. "Gotcha.", responded Jake.

Andy's truck pulled up and the two dispirited thieves got in. "Where's the gold?", asked Tony. "There is none. Darkwing Duck stole it all.", responded Andy.

"Bull crap.", said Tony. "Just admit you failed." "No. He's right.", Sly said. "But that guy's such a do-gooder.", said Jake.

"Apparently, that's all a lie.", said Andy. "This night wasn't a total loss. We did destroy FOWL's headquarters."

"Well, destroying FOWL doesn't pay our bills.", snapped Bentley. "Aw great. Here he goes.", groaned Sly. "I warned you. I told you this was a bad idea.", the enraged turtle continued.

"Are you guys having money trouble?", Andy asked of Sly. "Mind your business, dickface!", shrieked Bentley.

"I'm trying to help.", Andy snarled back. "Yes. It's been rough going for us the last few weeks.", said Sly.

"Great. Let the whole world know our problems.", said Bentley. "That does it, you fuck!", said Sly, striking his associate with his cane.

"OWWWWW!", screamed Bentley. "I could help you guys out.", said Andy. "Aww, you don't have to do that.", replied Sly. "Anything for a friend.", Andy said.

"Well, if you insist.", Sly said, as they pulled into Andy's driveway. "I am NOT taking a handout from this loser.", asserted Bentley. "You want more of this?", Sly asked, shaking his cane at the turtle.

Andy climbed into the back of the van. He took out his remote control. He pushed a button. Part of the truck's floor slid away, revealing a safe.

"How could such a moron produce such sophisticated technology?", Bentley wondered.

Ignoring him, Andy opened the safe and took out a large stack of bills. "Here's 100 grand, a gift from me to you.", Andy said, handing the money to Sly.

"Thanks! I won't forget this.", said Sly. "Neither will I.", Bentley said. "You ingrate.", Andy remarked. "Forget about him.", said Sly.

"Well, I must be going.", Sly said. "OK. I hope we can get together like this again some time.", said Andy. "Maybe I can come visit you." "That would be great.", said Sly. "Until then, you know my e-mail.", said Cooper. "Bye.", said Andy.

The younger raccoon and his two friends then disappeared.

It sure has been one hell of a weekend, thought Andy Clark as he climbed into bed and fell asleep.

THE END