ENTER THE STALKERS 3: RAINBOW SLAYER
The Merry Prankster

Chapter Four: Eye of the Storm (Part 1)

Rainbow Headquarters Hereford, England 0430 hours September 21, 2000 (Wandererverse)

Clark was reaching for the phone when a loud knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Annika Lofquist stuck her head in and responded, "We have a situation in Japan. It just came in over the wire."

Closing his eyes for a second "Okay, Have the team assemble in the briefing room in one hour. Was there anything else?"

Annika walked over to the desk and handed her boss a sheaf of papers. "Here's what we have so far."

Rainbow Six picked up the first printout and thought back to recent events. He was leaving the office and gave a visible shudder as he finished the following thought.

+++

The briefing room was crowded with various members of Rainbow. The talking quickly ceased when their leader and the woman known as 'Control' walked into the room.

Control started off the briefing by turning down the lights. The projector turned on and a picture of a super tanker filled the screen along with a picture of several armed, oriental men with masks covering their mouths. Looking up from her notes, the young woman began.

"Operation: Arctic Flare"

"Japanese terrorists have seized a PetroMech oil tanker off the coast of Japan and are threatening to destroy it with explosives. Your mission is to board the vessel and neutralize the aggressors before they can trigger the explosive devices.."

Clark had been waiting off to the side, waiting for his turn at the podium.

"Good work in Los Angeles. Intelligence is still trying to figure out how a small-time, regional group like the Islamic Vanguard managed to launch an operation in the States. It's pretty obvious they had help - we just don't know from where. The people holding the tanker are rabid anti-nuclear types. They won't hesitate to blow the ship if they suspect you're on board. If that happens, the resulting oil slick will foul the plumbing of at least three nearby seawater-cooled reactors and bring down half of Japan's power grid. You'll have to hit them hard and fast." Finishing his talk, Clark was quickly replaced by a Englishman of African descent.

John Burke, the picture of stuffy Englishmen, adjusted his glasses for a moment and complemented the operatives on the recent operation in LA. "Intelligence is still trying to figure out how a small-time, regional group like the Islamic Vanguard managed to launch an operation in the States. It's pretty obvious they had help - we just don't know from where.

Now, the people holding the tanker are rabid anti-nuclear types. They won't hesitate to blow the ship if they suspect you're on board. If that happens, the resulting oil slick will foul the plumbing of at least three nearby seawater-cooled reactors and bring down half of Japan's power grid. You'll have to hit them hard and fast.

The hostages are held in two groups in the stern of the ship. The leader is on the bridge - he's the one who'll blow the ship if he finds out you're on board. You'll be inserted near the bow to minimize the likelihood of detection. No heartbeat surveillance this time, I'm afraid - you'll have to locate the hostiles the old fashioned way. Are there any questions? If not, then if you will pull out the yellow folders on your desk..."

+++

The briefing concluded, the various Rainbow operatives began leaving for their assigned areas. Waiting until everybody to leave the conference room, Arkadi Novikov, approached Clark and asked him, "Have you had a chance to talk to 'the Wanderer' about what went down in Los Angeles?"

Rainbow Six shook his head, "Haven't got around to it as yet." The Russian operative began to speak but was silenced with a held hand, "Don't worry, I'll give him a call as soon as I get back to my office. You had better get your gear together."

"Yes sir. It will be interesting to see what the man has to say about it." observed the Russian operative.

++++

317 Bryant Terrace

Sunnydale, California

1330 hours September 21, 2000 (The Wandererverse)

Steve St. Wolfe dropped the suitcase on the living room floor and turned to his companion. "It was great to get away from the rat race for at least a little while."

Buffy wrapped her arms around his shoulders, whispered, "Honey, you don't know how right you are. Two weeks without facing a single demon, vampire, or world ending apocalypse. It's a shame that we have to get back so soon."

"You know, Qui Gon hasn't gone back to LA. I'm sure he wouldn't mind holding down the fort for a little longer while we take care of some more pressing matters."

"I was thinking the same thing." agreed Buffy as they resumed unloading the car.

+++

Willow was manning the computer room when someone called in on the secure line. Answering the phone, the redhead listened for a moment before replying. "If you don't mind, I'm going to put you on hold for a minute while I get Steve."

+++

Steve and Buffy were in the kitchen fixing a quick lunch when Willow walked in and smiled.

"Welcome back. Did you two enjoy your vacation?"

Steve gave Buffy a warm smile before returning his attention to Willow. "Thanks. It was definitely a lifesaver. Was there something else you wanted?" "Yeah, some guy name John Clark is holding on the secure line."

"Did he say what he wanted?" asked Steve.

"He only said that there were a few things he needed to get cleared up. If you don't mind me asking, who is he?"

Steve responded on the way out the door, "The man head of one of the newest counter terrorist groups, named Rainbow. Back during the eighties, he was probably the C.I.A's best field agent. I was honored to have been given the opportunity to work with him back during the Cold War. He is one man you want on your side."

+++

Picking up the phone, Steve answered, "Hey Clark, good to near from you again. What did you want to talk about?"

In a quiet voice, Rainbow Six responded, "Cherokee, I'm going to cut to the chase. Was there anything about your agents that you forgot to mention the last time I called?"

"Could you be a little more specific?"

"How about one of your people making like a refugee from a popular science fiction movie." answered Clark.

Steve sat down and rubbed his head.

"This is something that I cannot get into over the phone, even if it's on a secure line. Why don't you come over and I fill you in personally."

"I wouldn't mind doing just that. But something just came up in Japan that's demanding my full attention. You can bet I'll be taking you up on the offer as soon as my latest situation is taken care."

"If you need anything else just give me call." Offered Steve

"Don't worry, I will."

+++

"Honey, what did Clark want to talk about?" asked Buffy as she and Willow walked into the office.

Steve stood up and shook his head, "Clark was talking about one of our people acting like a refugee from a science fiction movie."

"You don't mean?" commented Willow

"Saint pulled a Luke Skywalker at the museum." added Buffy.

Steve nodded and gave them a evil grin, "Yup. So, I offered to explain the situation if he would come over."

The two ladies looked at one another and as one asked, "Setup?"

"Setup" confirmed Steve.

+++

Serrania Avenue Park Los Angeles, 1800hrs September 21, 2000 (Wandererverse)

"Jessica, I believe it is time for us to head back to the Heart residence." Stated Obi Wan/Ben Quigby as he looked at his watch.

Jessica reached into her bag and threw out another handful of breadcrumbs to the waiting ducks. "Just a few more minutes. I still have some breadcrumbs I need to get rid of."

"You had better make it fast, JD and the Sloans are expecting us for dinner at seven o'clock." reminded the Jedi.

"There, that's the last of the crumbs." stated the young lady as she stood up.

It had been pretty quiet in Los Angeles during the two weeks following the terrorist attack at the museum and the city had gotten back to normal. Earlier that day, Jessica Jade had stopped by the Heart residence to see if Katie would mind going to the local park for a local music concert. As it turned out, the Amazon had already made plans with Anthony and was unable to be there. Fortunately, Obi Wan had finished his meditation early and was more than happy to come with her.

The two were walking through a patch of woods on their way to the front gate when Jessica began suspect something out of the ordinary. Turning to the young Jedi, she asked, "Ben, where are the other people?"

A sinking feeling overcame the young Jedi as he looked around. Composing his thoughts, he responded. "I do not know. While I do not see any other people, I cannot shake this feeling that we are not alone."

Suppressing a shudder, the young lady followed her companion towards the entrance. It was not long afterwards that the young man stopped dead in his tracks and looked towards his right.

"Ben, what are you looking at?" asked Jessica.

Obi Wan held up his hand and continued peering towards a nearby clump of woods. reasoned the Jedi.

The girl continued walking towards the car when she detected movement from the corner of her eye. "Ben, what was tha..." Her question ended quickly as what appeared to be ten robots emerged from the woods. thought the young lady.

Obi Wan opened his jacket and reached for the silver cylinder, hanging from his belt. In a calm voice he commanded "Jessica, when I tell you to, I want you to run to the car as quickly as possible."

Jessica looked back to her companion and remembered Noticing the silver cylinder in Obi Wan's hand, she asked, "Uh, Ben why are you wearing a lightsaber replica on your belt and more importantly, who are those guys coming over here?"

Obi Wan responded through clinched teeth, "Now is not a good time Jessica."

"Oh really, and when will be a good time? In fact, why don't you." Beams of light flashed by her head followed quickly by the snap hum and glowing blue blade of Obi Wan's lightsaber. "OH. MY. GOD!!"

"Get out of here!" shouted Obi Wan as he quickly parried four shots.

Jessica took off towards the car while taking quick glances over her shoulder as she ran. thought the young lady.

Obi Wan sensed his companion's flight towards safety and he moved cover her retreat. The young Jedi quickly fell back on his training as he rushed the oncoming druids. The druids quickly concentrated their fire on the Jedi and tried to overcome his defenses.

Halfway towards his opponents, Obi Wan thrust out his hand towards the farthest group and used 'The Force' to throw four battledroids against a nearby restroom. Crashing into the brick wall, the four druids did not get back up.

The remaining six also advanced towards the Jedi and were quickly within melee range. At that distance, the druids were no challenge to Obi Wan and he quickly turned them into scrap. thought the Jedi.

A twig snapped and he quickly turned around to face his wide eyed companion. The young lady looked first at his still activated lightsaber and back to the destroyed robots. She slowly turned back to the Jedi and with a raised eyebrow asked, "Would you care to explain why you are carrying a weapon that only exists in a movie." Before he could answer, she waved her arm towards the druids, "And, while you're at it, you can also give an explanation for the rest this."

Obi Wan gave her a slight grin and waved his hand in front of her face. In a monotone, he said "There was no lightsaber or druids. All you saw was a group of actors getting ready for a movie."

"No there wasn't. You had a lightsaber and those are battle druids from Star Wars." countered Jessica.

"You didn't see anything. Nothing happened on your way back to the car." suggested the Jedi.

"Nice try Jedi boy." responded the red head teenager. "Looks like the Jedi Mind Trick doesn't affect me. Would you like to try something different?" Jessica asked with a grin. Obi Wan groaned at the thought running through his head.

"You know, your entire family looks like characters from The Phantom Menace. There is no Ben Quigby is there?" Before Obi Wan could answer, she continued, "I bet your real name is Obi Wan Kenobi, isn't it?"

With a sigh he answered, "You are not to reveal this to anybody. If word got out, you would be putting your friend's lives in danger."

Jessica held up her hand to reassure the Jedi. "Don't worry, Obi Wan. In public, I'll still refer you as Ben. But, in private, Lets just say I want to savor the thought of actually dating Obi Wan Kenobi. By the way, does Katie know about you?"

"Yes, as does the rest of the family." admitted Obi Wan. The Jedi replaced his weapon and pulled out a cell phone. "If you don't mind, I have some calls to make about getting this mess cleaned up."

"You go right ahead, my knight in not so shining armor. I'll be waiting in the car." responded the red head as she walked back towards the parking lot.

Obi Wan watched the girl as she moved out of sight. Finally he started dialing the first of many numbers. I had better call JD and tell her what's going on. Master Jinn is still in Sunnydale. I had better take Jessica up to him and get him to replace her memories. Hopefully General Gordon will be willing to spare a clean-up crew to take care of this mess. If that doesn't work, well, there's always Zed and Section 6.

Someone picked up on the other line and Obi Wan began speaking.

***

Author's Note:

To my readers, I apologize for the delay. Like many authors, the real world caught up and took precedence over the writing. Hopefully, with summer I will be back on track. One of the reasons for the length of time between postings has been the length of the chapters. So I'm going to try breaking down the chapters into more manageable parts and give more frequent updates. With that said, here is the first part of Chapter 4, read and enjoy. I could also use some more input from the reader. You know to give me some idea as to what is good what stank and just some reviews.

Cheers, The Merry Prankster