MASK 2:The Next Generation
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Restructuring
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AN:Thank you for your patience and welcome back.
Here, we begin the second part of the story. A new case will present itself and we're going to see some new faces, complete with new vehicles and, of course, masks.
But, enough talk. Let's go.
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The Foxes had gathered in their staging area. Darwood had called a meeting.
"What's this about?" asked Dr. Frankenstein.
"I dunno." said Gearbox. "The last meeting like this I attended was at the supermarket where I worked. They were going out of business."
"Uh oh." said Blades.
Darwood walked in at that moment and looked around. "Oh good." he said. "You all made it. Well, I'm sure you're all wondering what this is all about."
"Yeah, why are we are?" asked Flash.
"Well, I'm sure you're all aware that for the past few months, we've been battling the second MASK team." said Darwood. "I'm sure you're also aware they've been kicking our butts!"
"Can't be helped." said Rocks. "We need to do something different."
"That's the exact reason I called this meeting." said Darwood. "We need to figure out how to improve ourselves. First of all, what advantages has MASK got over us?"
"Well, they outnumber us for one." said Hack. "I think we could call upon some new operatives."
"Some new meat would definitely be a help." said Slash.
"Yes, I agree." said Darwood. "However, we can't just add new agents and expect results. What qualities should we pursue? What qualities do our current members lack?"
"Well, we do have a general low average in the intelligence department." said Gearbox. "We'd be embarrassing if it wasn't for the geek." he added while pointing to Dr. Frankenstein.
"Now, I wonder who's bringing the average down?" cracked Frankenstein as he looked at Gearbox.
"Can we also call on someone who's good at martial arts?" asked Hack. "MASK has a martial artist who keeps wasting us in battle."
"A smart guy and a martial artist." said Darwood. "One more and I've got him already picked out."
"Can we get something to drive?" asked Slash.
"I'm sure we can arrange that." said Darwood. "Now, about your androids, Dr. Frankenstein."
"What about them?" asked Frankenstein.
"We've been relying on them to back us up and they're failing." said Darwood. "They're being knocked out too easily."
"I'm aware of that and I'm working on it." said Frankenstein. "I'm making some improvements on the next versions of the Wasps and Hornets and I'll be definitely working out that little defect."
"What other improvements are you making?" asked Darwood.
"The Hornets will be given increased weapons proficiency." said Frankenstein. "The Wasps will be given additional driving ability. I'm even working on a new vehicle for them."
"Tell me about it." said Darwood.
"I call it the Deviator." said Frankenstein. "It's a roadster that has some pop-out weapons and separates similar to the Rats."
"I like it." said Darwood. "Let's continue these plans later. Very well, we have our game plan. Gearbox and Rocks, I want you to find the brain and the brawler. Flash, I want you to help Hack and Slash track down some vehicles for themselves. Dr. Frankenstein, I want you to continue working on your androids. Blades, I have a special assignment for you. That is all. You have your assignments. Go."
"Come on, guys." said Flash. "I know some prime junkyards we can hit."
"Cool!" said Slash. "I love junkyards!"
"Hey, Rocks." said Gearbox. "I think I know someone who can be our brain and our brawler. You up for a trip to Vegas?"
"Always." said Rocks.
"What do you want?" asked Blades.
"I need you to track down an old friend of mine." said Darwood.
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At MASK headquarters, a similar meeting was taking place.
"Agents of MASK, I'll bet you're wondering why I called this meeting." said Jeremy. "Well, the fact is that the battle against the Foxes has been yielding bittersweet results. They haven't won any battles and none of their plans have worked as yet. On the other hand, we have been unable to capture any of them for any significant time. Any thoughts?"
"We'd probably have a better chance of catching him if he didn't use that bloody Fox mask of his." said Liam.
"Jeremy, if I may." said Michael. "Since the team's inception, half of us have had to ride shotgun. What I'd like to suggest is to give the rest of us vehicles."
"Apparently, the design team agrees with you." said Jeremy. "They're currently rushing vehicles for you into construction."
"It's about time." said Laura.
"Not to complain, but we've had some cases beyond our skills." said Max. "I think we might need some specialized training."
"I'll save you the trouble." said Jeremy. "When I chose the members of this team, there was a list of twenty-five candidates I had to choose from. I chose the nine of you because your skills had the most use. Everyone else's was too specialized. However, many of the missions we face, as Max said, require some of those skills. Therefore, I have put forth a recommendation that the other candidates be put on call in case we require their skills."
"So, we have alternates now." said Caitlin.
"Si, more bulletstoppers." said Enzo. He got a few laughs with the comment.
"Other than that, I have nothing to say." said Jeremy. "You're all dismissed."
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That night in Las Vegas, Rocks pulled into a parking lot behind a hardware store. He and Gearbox climbed out of the Lion and walked over to the store's back door.
"Let me do the talking." said Rocks.
There was a strong-looking man next to the door. He said "Hold it. This place is closed. Come back in the morning."
"I'm just here to hammer some nails." said Rocks.
"Hurry, the second match is about to begin." said the man as he opened the door.
Rocks and Gearbox entered the loading dock and found an underground fighting match taking place.
"Okay, I got you in." said Rocks. "Where's your guy?"
"Right there." said Gearbox as he pointed into the middle of the ring. There were two fighters ready to fight. "He's the blonde." said Gearbox.
Rocks looked at the man in question. He was a well-built man with short blonde hair and a moustache. He was wearing sweat pants and a tank top and was fighting barefoot.
"Ready? Fight!" yelled the referee.
The two fighters moved towards each other. The blonde guy's opponent threw a punch at him, but he caught the guy's wrist and hit back with punches to the elbow, ribs, and jaw within a second.
"His name's Dennis Paulsen." said Gearbox. "He knows four styles of kung fu and was part of the World Styles Confederation. That's a martial arts competition group that specializes in matches between different martial arts diciplines."
"Why'd he leave?" asked Rocks as Paulsen sidestepped a series of punches.
"He lost a match under suspicious circumstances." said Gearbox. "He says he would've won if the other guy had followed the rules."
"I think he very much would have." said Rocks as he watched Paulsen deliver a series of spin kicks to his current opponent. The opponent finally got tired of getting hit and trapped his leg. Paulsen jumped up an kicked him with his other leg.
They both fell to the ground, but Paulsen sprung back to his feet quickly. His opponent got back up and tried to attack, but Paulsen took him down with a kick to the chest. Totally spent, he didn't get back up.
"Alright, who had money on him?" asked the ref.
Paulsen took in the applause. He waved to the crowd, then froze when he saw Gearbox.
"Let's go talk." said Gearbox.
He and Rocks followed him away from the ring. "Dennis!" he called.
"What are you looking for, Lucas?" asked Dennis.
"I need to talk to you about a possible job." said Gearbox.
"In that case, you should talk to me." said another voice. Rocks and Gearbox turned to see a young man with brown, curly hair and glasses approaching. "Leonard Norris, Mr. Paulsen's manager. Well, if it isn't Calvin Lucas."
"Nice to see you haven't lost that Harvard charm." said Gearbox. "Rocks, this is the other guy I was talking about."
"We have a proposal for you." said Rocks. "We have this group of criminals who are looking to pull off some cases you wouldn't believe. We need some new blood..."
"And I'm just the guy you're looking for." said Paulsen. "Thanks, but I'm small time. You're looking for a professional slimeball."
"I'm thinking you could be that professional slimeball." said Gearbox. "I know you have it in you."
"Are you talking about that fencing op in Salt Lake City?" asked Paulsen. "You promised nothing would go wrong!"
"Hey, I didn't know Raines was an undercover cop." said Gearbox. "Besides, I was the one who was caught. Remember?"
"He said no deal." said Norris. "Beat it."
Somebody ran over and yelled "The cops are coming! The cops are coming!"
"I'll tell you what." said Paulsen. "You get us out of here and I'll think it over."
"We, uh, didn't have a ride." said Norris.
"Come on." yelled Rocks.
They ran outside with the rest of the spectators, who all went to their cars.
"Black Hummer with a cow skull on the grill." said Gearbox.
"Nice wheels." said Paulsen as they climbed into the Lion. Rocks was driving, Gearbox took shotgun, and Paulsen and Norris sat in back.
Several of the other spectators got to their cars and tried to drive off. The first to try to leave drove his Chrysler 300 down an alley. He stopped when he encountered two police cars. Another group tried to escape out another alley, but the police sealed that off as well. A pair of patrol cars entered the parking lot and started to round up anyone else.
"Well, this is a great business relationship." said Norris. "Ten minutes in and we get arrested together."
"Not on my watch!" said Rocks. He threw the Lion into gear and charged one of the police cars.
"I've got an idea." said Norris. "Lead him close to that wall." Norris pointed to a wall about as high as a car's roof. On the other side was a hillside.
Rocks steered towards the wall. The police car tried to cut him off.
"Let him get right next to the wall." said Norris.
Rocks backed up a little and the police car was almost parallel to the wall.
"Good, now ram him head on." said Norris.
Rocks rammed the police car and drove up onto the hood.
"Go over the wall!" yelled Norris.
Rocks drove up onto the car's roof and drove over the wall. He continued up the hill on the other side.
"Nice work." said Rocks.
"You're a good director." said Gearbox.
"But what I've always wanted to do is produce!" joked Norris.
"We're almost to the highway." announced Rocks.
Just before he got there, two police trucks appeared in front of him.
"Sorry, I'm out of ideas." said Norris.
"Didn't have room for this earlier." said Rocks. He activated the Lion's transformation sequence.
The body extended to the rear, then rose up with the rear on top of the passenger compartment, itself on top of the front. Missiles were revealed in the rear, cannons swung up onto the sides of the passenger compartment, and the hood swung down, revealing machine guns.
"Whoa!" said Paulsen. "Something tells me this is not standard equipment!"
Rocks aimed at the police trucks and opened fire, heavily damaging them. After that, it changed back into civilian mode and hit the interstate.
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A few hours later, the Lion returned to the Foxes' headquarters.
"Have fun?" asked Darwood as the men got out of the Lion.
"You bet." said Gearbox. "Oh, by the way, meet your new thinking man, Leonard Norris, and your new martial artist, Dennis Paulsen. Guys, meet Malcolm Darwood."
"Wow, this is a shock." said Norris. "I mean I've heard of Malcolm Darwood being involved in shady deals, but a criminal mastermind?"
"Yeah, we're moving up in the world." said Paulsen.
"So, you will be my new operatives." said Darwood. "You're going to need code names and I've got a pair picked out for you. Mr. Norris, you're a thinker and you use your brain a lot. Therefore, I shall name you after your brain's housing, Skull. Mr. Paulsen, you're a fighter and you end up striking and blocking with your arms and legs frequently. I will then call you by what you do with your framework, Crossbones."
"Skull and Crossbones?" asked Norris, a.k.a. Skull.
"Sounds apropriately piratey." said Paulsen, a.k.a. Crossbones.
AN:As of now, Norris will be called Skull and Paulsen will be called Crossbones.
Gearbox walked into the next room and said "Hey, Cass, how'd you do?"
"Check it out." said Flash. She showed off three vehicles she, Hack, and Slash aquired, a '71 Mustang Mach 1, an Isuzu VEHICross, and a Chevrolet Express van.
"These are the vehicles you're using?" asked Gearbox.
"I've already laid claim to the 'Stang." said Hack.
"The Isuzu's mine." said Slash.
"But who's gonna get the van?" asked Gearbox.
"One of the new guys." said Flash.
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The next morning at L.A's FBI branch office, Jeremy walked into his division's office.
"Jeremy!" called a voice. Jeremy looked to see...
"Scooter!" he replied. "What's up? What's wrong?"
"This came over the police wire last night." said Scooter. "I thought you should be notified."
He handed Jeremy a PDA. Jeremy read the file on it.
"Police busted up a street fight in Vegas last night." said Scooter.
"One of the fleeing vehicles matches the Lion's description." said Jeremy. "In fact, it's the only one that got away."
"They wrecked three police vehicles and sent three officers to the hospital." said Scooter. "Everyone at the fight was accounted for, except one of the fighters and his manager."
"Names?" asked Jeremy.
"The fighter was Dennis Paulsen and his manager was Leonard Norris." said Scooter. "What do you think they're up to?"
"I don't know." said Jeremy. "A street fighter and his manager? I think we can probably rule out kidnapping. Dennis Paulsen, there's something familiar about that name."
"What do you want me to do?" asked Scooter.
"Keep looking for Foxes activity." said Jeremy. "I'll give this to my superiors to further justify my request."
"Got it." said Scooter. "I'll catch you later."
As Scooter left, Jeremy looked over the file and asked "What are you doing, Malcolm?"
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A few weeks later, Crossbones was practicing in the Foxes' training center. He had changed into his combat outfit, a white jumpsuit with yellow stripes and no sleeves.
He went through his series of katas, performing various punches and kicks, blocks and strikes. When he was done, he bowed to his imaginary opponent.
"How's the new outfit working?" asked Skull as he entered. He had changed into a blue and red jumpsuit himself.
"Great." said Crossbones. "Looks good. Got my full range of movement. Keeps me warm. Yours?"
"Can't complain." said Skull. "I just wanted to check in on you. Darwood wants me for something."
"Alright, I'll catch you later." said Crossbones.
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Shortly afterward, Skull walked into the planning room to find Darwood, Blades, and Dr. Frankenstein huddled around a table.
"What's up?" asked Skull.
"Come look at this." said Darwood as he directed Skull to the table. Skull walked over to see a holographic projection of an island with a military base on it.
"What is this place?" asked Skull.
"It's the George Island Weapon Disposal Facility." said Dr. Frankenstein. "It's a place they send obsolete and unusable weapons prototypes to be dismantled and melted down."
"And you're looking at this place why?" asked Skull. "To somehow grab onto some piece of weaponry that you might find useful?"
"Sharp thinking." said Darwood. "We're after one piece of equipment specificly."
"How do you know it hasn't been destroyed yet?" asked Skull.
"The facility is years behind schedule." said Blades. "You'd probably find stuff there from the seventies."
"Anyways, this is the plan we had in mind." said Darwood as he punched a few buttons. Their plans started to be displayed across the hologram. "Tell me, will this work?"
Skull walked around the table looking at the plans. After about half a minute, he said "Well, first the good news. After this plan goes south, you'll probably have only a minute of suffering before it's all over."
"Okay, do your best to improve upon this plan." said Darwood. "I'm giving you until tomorrow afternoon to come up with a workable plan."
"I'll see what I can do." said Skull.
"I'll leave you to your work." said Darwood as he, Frankenstein, and Blades left. "Blades, how goes your search for my friend?"
"I found him." said Blades. "He's willing to work for you if you can get him into the country undetected."
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Late that night, Skull was still working on the plan.
"No, that won't work either." he said. "I'm missing something. What?"
"Thinktank got a leak?" asked Blades.
"I keep thinking there's an obvious solution, but it eludes me." said Skull. "I make the plans in my head, but when I check them, they always turn out disastrously."
"I see." said Blades. "If it helps, maybe I should tell you why Darwood wants to raid this place so badly."
"Go ahead." said Skull.
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The following afternoon, the deadline came. Darwood entered the planning area to find Skull leaning against the table.
"Well, where's the plan?" asked Darwood.
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" asked Skull.
"Find what out?" asked Darwood.
"The reason you wanted to raid this facility." said Skull. "The man in charge is retired FBI agent Lawrence Gates. He's the man who formed the second MASK team."
"Yes, that's true." said Darwood. "I don't see how it pertains to your plan."
"That's because I haven't detailed it yet." said Skull. "Here's the deal. You send in two, maybe more, agents to wreak havoc on the base. They'll never be able to defeat the guards, but they can at least look like they're trying. While that's going on, someone else infiltrates the manager's house on the overlooking mountain here. When they have Gates in our control, we get him to surrender everything."
"Gates would never surrender that easily." said Darwood. "Taking him hostage won't work."
"That's why we have to act quickly." said Skull. "I hacked into the base's guest log and it turns out Gates has a visitor he would surrender everything easily for...his daughter Julie."
Darwood smiled. "You have the makings of an excellent agent, Skull." He said. "Very devious."
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A few weeks later, the Foxes were getting ready for the George Island raid. The Mustang, VEHICross, and van had been finished.
Hack leaned against the Mustang. It was painted bright red with silver racing stripes down the hood and roof. Silver stripes also ran down the sides. Mag wheels and a hood scoop completed the look.
Slash stood next to the VEHICross. It was silver with a charging mountain goat painted on either side. A custom brush guard was affixed to the front and it was fitted with off-road tires.
Crossbones looked at the white van with slight dismay. It had been painted to look like a plumber's van, complete with a dripping faucet on the side and the slogan "Before your kitchen resembles Venice, call Paulsen Plumbing. 555-WASH."
"This has got to be a joke." groaned Crossbones.
"You snooze, you lose." laughed Slash.
"Are we doing this?" asked Hack.
"Wait, guys." said Skull. "Darwood said he had something else that was new."
"Indeed I do." said Darwood as he walked over. "We will be travelling to George Island in style. We will be in this."
He held out his hand to a large red plane. "Meet the Foxbat." he said.
"Nice." said Skull.
"Time to load up." said Darwood. "You guys will be flying on the Foxbat's auxillary craft, the Kit."
He pointed to a smaller craft. It was also red and had engines at the ends of its wings.
"Why are we going on the Kit?" asked Crossbones.
"It's smaller than the Foxbat and doesn't require a runway since it's VTOL." said Darwood. "It'll suit our purposes just fine."
"Very well." said Skull. "Let's go, I guess."
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Within hours, the Foxbat and Kit were over the Pacific Ocean on their way to George Island. The Kit was piggybacking on the Foxbat. On board the Kit were Hack, Slash, Skull, Crossbones and their vehicles. Dr. Frankenstein was in the pilot's seat.
"This is your craft?" asked Hack.
"I designed it to insert my androids into a combat zone with little trouble." said Frankenstein. "However, it works for this mission just fine."
"Frankenstein, we are nearing George Island's radar net." said Darwood over the radio. "Prepare to launch."
"Roger, tower." joked Frankenstein. He flipped a few switches and started the engines. He released the locks and broke away from the Foxbat. He flew towards George Island.
"We should be showing up on their radar about now." said Frankenstein.
"Can you get us in before they can react?" asked Skull.
"I'll see." said Frankenstein. He flew the Kit over a river.
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"Sir, I think you should see this." said a radar tech at the George Island facility.
Her supervisor walked over and said "What is it?"
"I've got something approaching the island." said the radar tech. "It's coming in fast. It appears to be...that's weird. It's gone."
"Where did it disappear?" asked the supervisor.
"Here." said the radar tech as she pointed at the screen. "That's right around the river. They might be using it to hide from the radar."
The supervisor took his radio and said "Send out a patrol to the river and increase security. We have a possible intruder in the area."
"Understood, captain." said the person on the other end.
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In a small house overlooking the base, Julie Gates looked out the window as the sirens started to blare.
"Something's going on at the base." she said.
"I just heard." said her father, retired FBI agent Lawrence Gates. "Something showed up on radar and they're on their way to investigate."
"Who is it?" asked Julie. "Malcolm Darwood?"
"No no no." laughed Gates. "I seriously don't think it's him." He turned and walked away. He muttered "If this is Darwood, I'll personally send him to his grave for making me a liar."
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At a bend in the river, the Kit had touched down and released its cargo.
"Okay, have fun storming the castle." said Frankenstein. "See you afterwards."
As Frankenstein flew off, Skull turned to Hack and Slash and said "You guys know the plan?"
"Yeah, I got it." said Hack. "Me and Slash raise a ruckus in the base with the Doberman and Ram while you pay the guy in charge a visit with the Beluga."
"Good, you understand." said Skull as he got into Crossbones' van, the Beluga. "Let's move out."
The three vehicles rolled out. Hack and Slash took the road towards the base while Skull and Crossbones took the road to the overseer's house. Not long after that, Slash noticed a group of vehicles approaching their position.
"Uh, Hack, we've got company." he said.
"No problem." said Hack. "We're almost to the power station. I have a plan."
The patrol drove down the road towards the power station. They passed it shortly thereafter.
"Sir, shouldn't we check the parking lot of the power station?" asked one soldier. "For all we know, they could be hiding there."
"I took a quick glance." said another soldier. "There's nothing out of the ordinary."
The power station's parking lot was filled with civilian vehicles. If the soldiers had given the lot a search, they would have found a Mustang and a VEHICross that didn't belong there.
"They ignored us." said Slash.
"Good thing too." said Hack. "Come on, Skull and Crossbones are depending on us."
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Skull and Crossbones drove up the road to the house.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" asked Crossbones.
"There's no way to be sure." said Skull. "Darwood's map didn't show roads and there are no other maps."
"If there are no maps, how did Darwood get one?" asked Crossbones.
"The Foxbat is a reconnaissance plane as well as a transport." said Skull. "I think we're lucky he was able to get that."
"What the..?" said Crossbones as a pair of Hummers blocked off a bridge in front of them.
"Halt and exit your vehicle now!" ordered a soldier in one of the Hummers.
"No way, Jose." said Crossbones as he turned off the road and drove straight towards the river.
"Sir, we are pursuing a white Chevy Express plumber's van." said one of the soldiers into his radio. "He appears to be heading straight towards the river."
"Here we go." said Crossbones as he drove off the embankment and into the river.
"Sir, the van has driven into the river!" radioed the soldier. "Repeat, the van has driven into the river!"
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"I heard there was an intruder on radar." said one of the guards at the gate.
"That explains the red alert." said his partner. "I'm sure the patrol will find them before they get here."
"Hold it." said the first guard. "You hear that?"
"Sounds like engines." said his partner. "Brace yourself."
Hack and Slash raced towards the main gate in their vehicles.
"Slash, main gate dead ahead." said Hack.
"See it." said Slash. "Lock and load."
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AN:Sorry to leave you hanging like that, but I just realized that if I kept going on like that, I wouldn't have anything for the next chapter. Don't worry. That will be here soon.
I thought it was about time to profile the Foxes' "gruesome twosome". Namely, Hack and Slash.
Hack
Real name:Daniel Hurt
Allegiance:The Foxes
Position:Cat Burglar
Birthplace:Minneapolis
Mask:Gecko (allows him to climb shear surfaces or grab objects from a distance)
Vehicle Code Name:Doberman (Ford Mustang Mach 1/tower tank)
Bio:Hack comes from a long line of sneak thieves, pickpockets, and cat burglars. While following in the family trade, he made the mistake of breaking into a building owned by Malcolm Darwood. He was quickly captured by Darwood's security and given a unique offer: join the Foxes or be mysteriously killed. The offer was a no-brainer.
Slash
Real name:Craig Hudson
Allegiance:The Foxes
Position:Strongarm
Birthplace:St. Louis
Mask:Surge (fires a burst of electricity)
Vehicle Code Name:Ram (Isuzu VEHICross/attack plane)
Bio:One of the conditions Hack put out for joining the Foxes was the enlistment of someone he had worked with before: a strongarm robber named Craig Hudson. What Slash lacks in brains, he makes up for in muscle. (He makes up a lot, but he has a lot to make up for.) The two have been nearly inseparable in battle.
Thank you for reading. We shall continue.