Part 6-Saving Person Tawny
Ren and her troops gathered at the Stevens house for a war conference. As Ren told them what happened, the gang grew angry. Angry because Tawny was still hostage to Landtear. Upset by reason of Landtear's treachery.
"Wait!" called Donny. "I'm tired of this jerk Kenny."
"He's a scumbag." said Lewis.
Hank nodded.
"I think we should charge in and grab Tawny." stated Donny. "Stop talking and whip Kenny."
The angry babble rose.
"Quiet!" boomed Hank. There was silence.
"Donny is right." continued Hank. "Negotiation with Landtear is futile. Donny's plan is the smart way."
Donny smiled. Someone smarter than Ren had complimented him.
"Whip Kenny, whip Kenny! Whip Kenny, whip Kenny!" he chanted.
Everyone else including Ren joined in the chat.
After a minute, Ren calmed them.
"Thank you, Donny." she said. "Could you take the rest of the gang to the backyard and do some weapons practice? Bean, Hank and I need to plan."
Donny nodded.
Hank pulled up a plan of Landtear's mansion. Discussion followed.
"Bring in the rest." said Ren to Hank.
After a pep talk by Ren, they left for Landtear's mansion. ***
Tawny looked at the video of the encounter at Your Toast and said,
"I just don't get it"
"Get what?" asked Landtear.
"Why you can't take a reasonable deal." she asked. "Why you must be so melodramatic."
"It suits my purpose." sneered Landtear.
"Oh." replied Tawny. "And that is being a B-movie megalomaniac?"
"No." replied Landtear. "Acquiring power, control and money.
"Well." said Tawny. "That's understandable."
"You think I'm bent on world conquest?" he laughed.
"It looked like it." she replied. "Thank you for clearing that up."
"My pleasure." he sneered. "And you will watch while I defeat your pitiful associates."
"You know my friends will come in force." said Tawny. "They are very angry."
"They are weak." replied Landtear.
"Really?" asked Tawny.
"Yes, little girl." sneered Landtear. "Hank has psi power. He didn't kill me when he could have. Weakness."
"Try compassion." answered Tawny.
"And he will lose because of it." snapped Landtear. "And you will watch them be beaten before your very eyes!" He laughed evilly.
"Now I know what Kim Possible goes through." sighed Tawny.
Outside the Landtear compound, Bean and Ren flew up into the trees and peered out.
"A herd of robots resembling Tom Jones." said Ren over the comlink to Hank.
"It's not unusual." replied Hank. Ren groaned inwardly at the Tom Jones song reference. "Given what we've seen."
"Less armor that the Tin Lizzie." added Bean. "But more EMP resistance. That's what's new, pussycat."
"Chill with the song references." said Ren.
"Ok." replied Bean and Hank. Hank punched a few buttons on his weapon. His EMP charges would now deliver more energy.
"Execute plan theta seven-one now." said Ren.
Hank focussed his telekinetic power on the front gate and thought. The gate flew apart.
"Thunderball!" he cried, charging forward.
The 'bots saw the intrusion and sprinted to meet the intruders.
"Error!" they droned. "Must sterilize!"
With Donny in the lead, Lewis, Twitty and Hank closed on the bot's. Hank raked the machines with EMP charges. Twitty and Lewis blasted the enemy with armor busting crossbow bolts and slingshot-thrown penetrators.
They closed to hand weapon range. Bean and Ren charged in from the flanks, smashing the enemy with battleaxe and sword. Hank, Lewis and Twitty veered off, supporting Donny, Ren and Bean with EMP and projectile fire.
These tactics quickly destroyed most of the Tom Jones 'bots. But a stubborn core of resistance centered around one. Hank scanned it.
"Ren, that's the controller." he said over the comlink.
"Bean and I can't break off." she replied. "Take it out."
Hank moved the selector from burst to full auto and raked the 'bots with a fusillade of EMP charges. The magazine emptied and he replaced it.
The 'bots, disoriented by the EMP charges, staggered away, exposing the controller. Hank fired again, peppering the controller with EMP bursts. The machine wobbled drunkenly. Hank triggered his fighting stick and it morphed into a one-handed poleax.
"Delilah lives!" he shouted, cleaving the controller's head open. Parts and sparks flew. Another chop smashed its chest open. Hank swung again, slicing through the power cell in a cascade of blue sparks.
The other 'bots lost direction and were quickly dispatched by the others.
"Nice work." said Ren.
"It ain't over yet." said Hank. "There's the inner courtyard."
"Yes." replied Ren.
Hank and Bean went forward to reconnoiter. They looked into the inner courtyard and saw a horrible sight.
The space was full of purple and green pygmy tyrannosaurs with stupid grins.
"Is that what I think it is?" said Ren. She was watching through the comlink.
"Yes." replied Hank.
"Pitiful." added Bean.
"And they're putting out some kind of EM field." said Hank.
"What does it do?" asked Ren.
"Inhibit neural activity." answered Bean. "Of a specific kind."
"Return." said Ren.
Ren, Bean, and Hank conferred.
"The EM field those creatures put out knocks down your intelligence." said Bean. "The higher your IQ, the worst the effect. I'm immune to it."
"Which means if Ren and I get close, we get dumb real quick." stated Hank."
"Right on." replied Bean. "Lewis, Donny and Twitty won't be affected as much."
"Which means I'll have to put Bean in command." stated Ren.
"You sure about that, Ren?" asked Bean.
"You want Lewis in command?" answered Hank. "Or Donny? Or Twitty?"
"Point taken." replied Bean.
"The plan is this: Donny, Twitty and Lewis do close combat." stated Ren. "Hank and I hang back and provide supporting fire. Bean leads the assault."
"Let's do it." said Bean.
Ren explained the plan to the others and turned command over to Bean. Hank handed his weapon to Ren and said,
"I'll use my psi powers."
After all the troops took positions, Bean ordered the attack.
Hank ran and stood in front of the herd of creatures. He drew deep breaths, gathering his power. Then he fired a TK force bolt at the creatures.
The bolt ploughed through the monsters. Into the breach charged Donny, Bean, Twitty and Lewis. Ren floated above, pouring precise fire into the enemy.
But Hank's bolt, though deep, did not completely split the enemy. He picked off creatures, but that did not seem to speed the slowing advance of Bean and his companions.
"Ren, can you put us both in bullet time?" asked Hank over the comlink. "It may shield us from the mind zap field."
"You'll have to be touching my shoulder when I do it." replied Ren.
"Do it." said Bean. "We're getting stomped."
"You heard the leader." said Hank.
Hank raced toward Ren. They ran beside each other, and both felt their minds numbing as they drew near the monsters. Hank reached over and put his hand on Ren's shoulder. Ren engaged bullet time.
The enemy slowed to a crawl. The mental numbness disappeared. The monsters moved so slowly it was easy to cut down them like wheat.
The last creature fell and time resumed its normal flow. Hank scanned for Tawny and pointed. Lewis raced in that direction. Ren and the others followed.
They burst into a room and saw Tawny tied to a chair. Lewis raced forward and cut her loose. He then held her in a passionate embrace and kissed her.
"I love you Tawny!" he cried.
Tawny smiled. This was more like it.
A loud cheer erupted from the group.
After awhile, the cheering ceased.
"Thank you." said Tawny. "You are the best friends ever!"
"Where's Landtear?" asked Bean.
"Who cares?" replied Lewis. "We have Tawny."
Tawny smiled at Lewis.
"He may be trying to pull a stunt." said Hank.
"Hank, Bean, you're with me." said Ren.
The trio went in the direction of the sound. They soon came to another court. They looked out and saw a glorious sight.
Landtear was in the grip of two large men. Several more on skates stood around. Commanding them was a small, young woman. She wore a light-colored floral print dress that came to mid-calf and white mid-heel pumps.
"Is that--?" said Ren.
"Yes." replied Hank. "The real Avril." He waved at her. Avril gave him a stunning smile.
Bean told the others that is was safe via comlink.
The trio advanced toward Avril and her entourage.
"You cloned me, you jerk!" shouted Avril.
"It was for a good cause." pleaded Landtear.
"Yeah right." she replied. "Keep your hands off my DNA, dipwad!"
"Hi Avril." said Ren. "I see you don't like Landtear."
"Correct." she said.
"We just rescued Tawny from his clutches." said Ren.
"Is she ok?" asked Avril.
"Yes." answered Ren.
"How did Landtear get your DNA?" asked Ren. "If that's ok."
"We were lovers." she replied. "Until I got smart. Not one of my better relationship choices."
"I understand." replied Ren.
"However, I did get a hit out of it." she said.
"Complicated?" asked Ren.
"Yes." answered Avril.
Lewis, Twitty, Donny and Tawny arrived. The three men saw Avril and threw themselves on the ground crying, "We're not worthy!"
"Hi." said Avril. "A little adoration is ok, but let's be cool about it." The three men arose.
"In case you're wondering, the punk clothes are a stage thing." she said. "This is what I like to wear. But let's keep it off the record. Show biz."
"Ok." said Ren with a smile.
Just then several men in dark suits and sunglasses entered.
"FBI." said one of them, holding up a badge. He looked.
"Kenny Landtear, you are under arrest." he said.
Everyone watched with amazement as the G-men lead Landtear away.
"Pardon me, Avril." said Ren. "But why did you take up with Landtear?"
Avril smiled and said,
"I don't know. He was a real jerk. But while I was his lover, I made a friend. One of his employees.
This guy was wonderful. I could talk to him about anything. He was so gentle and smart, with a great sense of humor. And he made the most wonderful things."
"Wow." said Ren. "That's so sweet."
"It was Hank." said Tawny.
"How did you know?" giggled Avril.
"You described Hank very well." replied Tawny.
"As I realized what a jerk Kenny was, " continued Avril. "I grew closer to Hank. And I fell in love with him and he with me. But we couldn't be together just then. I hadn't yet broken away from Kenny and Hank was working for him. Now that's all changed."
"Yes." replied Ren. She pointed. "There he is."
"Don't be subtle." added Tawny.
"Hank!" called Avril. "Please come over here."
"Sure." replied Hank.
When Hank was near, Avril open her arms and said,
"Take me, I'm yours!"
Hank smiled and walked to Avril. He tenderly embraced her and gave her a long, tender kiss on the lips. Avril closed her eyes and felt the warm pleasure spread all over her body.
"How sweet." said Tawny.
Avril and Hank disengaged. Bean motioned Hank away and said,
"I forgot to tell you, but you are the owner of everything that was Landtear's"
"And how did that happen?" asked Hank.
"I did some hacking." answered Bean. "It was booby trap to keep Landtear honest during the parley. I forgot to tell you about it."
"So when Landtear tried to pull a fast one, the booby trap activated?" asked Hank.
"Yes." replied Bean. "Isn't it that cool."
"I think it best not to look an alien hack in the code." responded Hank. He and Bean rejoined the group.
"Let's celebrate!" said Donny. "We won."
"I say go to Your Toast." called Lewis.
"Yes!" cried Ren.
"Ren and I will do a karoke duet" said Avril.
"Yes!" replied Ren. "To what song?"
"Skater Boy!" said Bean.
"Won't that be complicated?" asked Hank.
Everyone laughed deeply at Hank's pun.
Everyone piled in Hank's van. They drove to Your Toast, ordered, and watched Ren and Avril do a karoke version of Skater Boy. As they left the stage, someone said to Avril.
"You sound just like Avril Lavigne."
"Why thank you!" responded Avril with a smile.
The whole gang laughed when they heard this.
"What did I tell you?" said Avril to Ren. "I wear the clothes I want to, and nobody knows who I am."
The order arrived. The pieces of toast had faces formed with scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon. On the faces were hash browns arranged to look like splats.
"It's a Kenny-splat." said Hank. "A permanent addition to the menu."
Tawny burst out laughing. Lewis looked at her strangely.
"While Landtear was holding me hostage I told him he'd be on the menu at Your Toast." She giggled. "And he is!"
The whole gang howled with laughter.
The End
Ren and her troops gathered at the Stevens house for a war conference. As Ren told them what happened, the gang grew angry. Angry because Tawny was still hostage to Landtear. Upset by reason of Landtear's treachery.
"Wait!" called Donny. "I'm tired of this jerk Kenny."
"He's a scumbag." said Lewis.
Hank nodded.
"I think we should charge in and grab Tawny." stated Donny. "Stop talking and whip Kenny."
The angry babble rose.
"Quiet!" boomed Hank. There was silence.
"Donny is right." continued Hank. "Negotiation with Landtear is futile. Donny's plan is the smart way."
Donny smiled. Someone smarter than Ren had complimented him.
"Whip Kenny, whip Kenny! Whip Kenny, whip Kenny!" he chanted.
Everyone else including Ren joined in the chat.
After a minute, Ren calmed them.
"Thank you, Donny." she said. "Could you take the rest of the gang to the backyard and do some weapons practice? Bean, Hank and I need to plan."
Donny nodded.
Hank pulled up a plan of Landtear's mansion. Discussion followed.
"Bring in the rest." said Ren to Hank.
After a pep talk by Ren, they left for Landtear's mansion. ***
Tawny looked at the video of the encounter at Your Toast and said,
"I just don't get it"
"Get what?" asked Landtear.
"Why you can't take a reasonable deal." she asked. "Why you must be so melodramatic."
"It suits my purpose." sneered Landtear.
"Oh." replied Tawny. "And that is being a B-movie megalomaniac?"
"No." replied Landtear. "Acquiring power, control and money.
"Well." said Tawny. "That's understandable."
"You think I'm bent on world conquest?" he laughed.
"It looked like it." she replied. "Thank you for clearing that up."
"My pleasure." he sneered. "And you will watch while I defeat your pitiful associates."
"You know my friends will come in force." said Tawny. "They are very angry."
"They are weak." replied Landtear.
"Really?" asked Tawny.
"Yes, little girl." sneered Landtear. "Hank has psi power. He didn't kill me when he could have. Weakness."
"Try compassion." answered Tawny.
"And he will lose because of it." snapped Landtear. "And you will watch them be beaten before your very eyes!" He laughed evilly.
"Now I know what Kim Possible goes through." sighed Tawny.
Outside the Landtear compound, Bean and Ren flew up into the trees and peered out.
"A herd of robots resembling Tom Jones." said Ren over the comlink to Hank.
"It's not unusual." replied Hank. Ren groaned inwardly at the Tom Jones song reference. "Given what we've seen."
"Less armor that the Tin Lizzie." added Bean. "But more EMP resistance. That's what's new, pussycat."
"Chill with the song references." said Ren.
"Ok." replied Bean and Hank. Hank punched a few buttons on his weapon. His EMP charges would now deliver more energy.
"Execute plan theta seven-one now." said Ren.
Hank focussed his telekinetic power on the front gate and thought. The gate flew apart.
"Thunderball!" he cried, charging forward.
The 'bots saw the intrusion and sprinted to meet the intruders.
"Error!" they droned. "Must sterilize!"
With Donny in the lead, Lewis, Twitty and Hank closed on the bot's. Hank raked the machines with EMP charges. Twitty and Lewis blasted the enemy with armor busting crossbow bolts and slingshot-thrown penetrators.
They closed to hand weapon range. Bean and Ren charged in from the flanks, smashing the enemy with battleaxe and sword. Hank, Lewis and Twitty veered off, supporting Donny, Ren and Bean with EMP and projectile fire.
These tactics quickly destroyed most of the Tom Jones 'bots. But a stubborn core of resistance centered around one. Hank scanned it.
"Ren, that's the controller." he said over the comlink.
"Bean and I can't break off." she replied. "Take it out."
Hank moved the selector from burst to full auto and raked the 'bots with a fusillade of EMP charges. The magazine emptied and he replaced it.
The 'bots, disoriented by the EMP charges, staggered away, exposing the controller. Hank fired again, peppering the controller with EMP bursts. The machine wobbled drunkenly. Hank triggered his fighting stick and it morphed into a one-handed poleax.
"Delilah lives!" he shouted, cleaving the controller's head open. Parts and sparks flew. Another chop smashed its chest open. Hank swung again, slicing through the power cell in a cascade of blue sparks.
The other 'bots lost direction and were quickly dispatched by the others.
"Nice work." said Ren.
"It ain't over yet." said Hank. "There's the inner courtyard."
"Yes." replied Ren.
Hank and Bean went forward to reconnoiter. They looked into the inner courtyard and saw a horrible sight.
The space was full of purple and green pygmy tyrannosaurs with stupid grins.
"Is that what I think it is?" said Ren. She was watching through the comlink.
"Yes." replied Hank.
"Pitiful." added Bean.
"And they're putting out some kind of EM field." said Hank.
"What does it do?" asked Ren.
"Inhibit neural activity." answered Bean. "Of a specific kind."
"Return." said Ren.
Ren, Bean, and Hank conferred.
"The EM field those creatures put out knocks down your intelligence." said Bean. "The higher your IQ, the worst the effect. I'm immune to it."
"Which means if Ren and I get close, we get dumb real quick." stated Hank."
"Right on." replied Bean. "Lewis, Donny and Twitty won't be affected as much."
"Which means I'll have to put Bean in command." stated Ren.
"You sure about that, Ren?" asked Bean.
"You want Lewis in command?" answered Hank. "Or Donny? Or Twitty?"
"Point taken." replied Bean.
"The plan is this: Donny, Twitty and Lewis do close combat." stated Ren. "Hank and I hang back and provide supporting fire. Bean leads the assault."
"Let's do it." said Bean.
Ren explained the plan to the others and turned command over to Bean. Hank handed his weapon to Ren and said,
"I'll use my psi powers."
After all the troops took positions, Bean ordered the attack.
Hank ran and stood in front of the herd of creatures. He drew deep breaths, gathering his power. Then he fired a TK force bolt at the creatures.
The bolt ploughed through the monsters. Into the breach charged Donny, Bean, Twitty and Lewis. Ren floated above, pouring precise fire into the enemy.
But Hank's bolt, though deep, did not completely split the enemy. He picked off creatures, but that did not seem to speed the slowing advance of Bean and his companions.
"Ren, can you put us both in bullet time?" asked Hank over the comlink. "It may shield us from the mind zap field."
"You'll have to be touching my shoulder when I do it." replied Ren.
"Do it." said Bean. "We're getting stomped."
"You heard the leader." said Hank.
Hank raced toward Ren. They ran beside each other, and both felt their minds numbing as they drew near the monsters. Hank reached over and put his hand on Ren's shoulder. Ren engaged bullet time.
The enemy slowed to a crawl. The mental numbness disappeared. The monsters moved so slowly it was easy to cut down them like wheat.
The last creature fell and time resumed its normal flow. Hank scanned for Tawny and pointed. Lewis raced in that direction. Ren and the others followed.
They burst into a room and saw Tawny tied to a chair. Lewis raced forward and cut her loose. He then held her in a passionate embrace and kissed her.
"I love you Tawny!" he cried.
Tawny smiled. This was more like it.
A loud cheer erupted from the group.
After awhile, the cheering ceased.
"Thank you." said Tawny. "You are the best friends ever!"
"Where's Landtear?" asked Bean.
"Who cares?" replied Lewis. "We have Tawny."
Tawny smiled at Lewis.
"He may be trying to pull a stunt." said Hank.
"Hank, Bean, you're with me." said Ren.
The trio went in the direction of the sound. They soon came to another court. They looked out and saw a glorious sight.
Landtear was in the grip of two large men. Several more on skates stood around. Commanding them was a small, young woman. She wore a light-colored floral print dress that came to mid-calf and white mid-heel pumps.
"Is that--?" said Ren.
"Yes." replied Hank. "The real Avril." He waved at her. Avril gave him a stunning smile.
Bean told the others that is was safe via comlink.
The trio advanced toward Avril and her entourage.
"You cloned me, you jerk!" shouted Avril.
"It was for a good cause." pleaded Landtear.
"Yeah right." she replied. "Keep your hands off my DNA, dipwad!"
"Hi Avril." said Ren. "I see you don't like Landtear."
"Correct." she said.
"We just rescued Tawny from his clutches." said Ren.
"Is she ok?" asked Avril.
"Yes." answered Ren.
"How did Landtear get your DNA?" asked Ren. "If that's ok."
"We were lovers." she replied. "Until I got smart. Not one of my better relationship choices."
"I understand." replied Ren.
"However, I did get a hit out of it." she said.
"Complicated?" asked Ren.
"Yes." answered Avril.
Lewis, Twitty, Donny and Tawny arrived. The three men saw Avril and threw themselves on the ground crying, "We're not worthy!"
"Hi." said Avril. "A little adoration is ok, but let's be cool about it." The three men arose.
"In case you're wondering, the punk clothes are a stage thing." she said. "This is what I like to wear. But let's keep it off the record. Show biz."
"Ok." said Ren with a smile.
Just then several men in dark suits and sunglasses entered.
"FBI." said one of them, holding up a badge. He looked.
"Kenny Landtear, you are under arrest." he said.
Everyone watched with amazement as the G-men lead Landtear away.
"Pardon me, Avril." said Ren. "But why did you take up with Landtear?"
Avril smiled and said,
"I don't know. He was a real jerk. But while I was his lover, I made a friend. One of his employees.
This guy was wonderful. I could talk to him about anything. He was so gentle and smart, with a great sense of humor. And he made the most wonderful things."
"Wow." said Ren. "That's so sweet."
"It was Hank." said Tawny.
"How did you know?" giggled Avril.
"You described Hank very well." replied Tawny.
"As I realized what a jerk Kenny was, " continued Avril. "I grew closer to Hank. And I fell in love with him and he with me. But we couldn't be together just then. I hadn't yet broken away from Kenny and Hank was working for him. Now that's all changed."
"Yes." replied Ren. She pointed. "There he is."
"Don't be subtle." added Tawny.
"Hank!" called Avril. "Please come over here."
"Sure." replied Hank.
When Hank was near, Avril open her arms and said,
"Take me, I'm yours!"
Hank smiled and walked to Avril. He tenderly embraced her and gave her a long, tender kiss on the lips. Avril closed her eyes and felt the warm pleasure spread all over her body.
"How sweet." said Tawny.
Avril and Hank disengaged. Bean motioned Hank away and said,
"I forgot to tell you, but you are the owner of everything that was Landtear's"
"And how did that happen?" asked Hank.
"I did some hacking." answered Bean. "It was booby trap to keep Landtear honest during the parley. I forgot to tell you about it."
"So when Landtear tried to pull a fast one, the booby trap activated?" asked Hank.
"Yes." replied Bean. "Isn't it that cool."
"I think it best not to look an alien hack in the code." responded Hank. He and Bean rejoined the group.
"Let's celebrate!" said Donny. "We won."
"I say go to Your Toast." called Lewis.
"Yes!" cried Ren.
"Ren and I will do a karoke duet" said Avril.
"Yes!" replied Ren. "To what song?"
"Skater Boy!" said Bean.
"Won't that be complicated?" asked Hank.
Everyone laughed deeply at Hank's pun.
Everyone piled in Hank's van. They drove to Your Toast, ordered, and watched Ren and Avril do a karoke version of Skater Boy. As they left the stage, someone said to Avril.
"You sound just like Avril Lavigne."
"Why thank you!" responded Avril with a smile.
The whole gang laughed when they heard this.
"What did I tell you?" said Avril to Ren. "I wear the clothes I want to, and nobody knows who I am."
The order arrived. The pieces of toast had faces formed with scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon. On the faces were hash browns arranged to look like splats.
"It's a Kenny-splat." said Hank. "A permanent addition to the menu."
Tawny burst out laughing. Lewis looked at her strangely.
"While Landtear was holding me hostage I told him he'd be on the menu at Your Toast." She giggled. "And he is!"
The whole gang howled with laughter.
The End