A/N: To any of my "Blue" readers - given my recent relationship breakup - i'm not feeling quite the romantic at the moment. So please, stand by - when i'm in a better mood - i'll update it soon.
"Looks like everyone is here, so let's get it started. Our contact within the Darkness clan has given us information on a possible attack. Today is the first of four citywide tag sales. It's the perfect place for them to attack. Big area, lots of people around - it's a shooting gallery for terrorists. We believe their primary plan of attack is to set a bomb in a location with a timer or remote trigger. Disarming any tactical incineration devices is your primary objective."
Bryan took a breath, looking out over the room of agents. His own team, the walking few from Star Fox, and Brea's team were seated in different locations all around the room, each jotting what notes they would need.
"Alright, now, Team A - that's Brea's team - you guys area on patrol duty. Listen to your team lead; she'll set up tactical points around the area for you guys to take up. You will be in military uniform and primary weapons visible. Hopefully that will be a deterrent to the terrorists. If not, Team B, our team, will act as buyers out on the town looking to pick up some new stuff for the house. Half of the team will be in plain clothes, hidden weapons; the other half will wear almost the same thing, just the added DCTU jackets. Team C, Star Fox, since there is only really two of you up and about, you guys are on Highground cover. Krystal and Fox are out of the strike zone for this one, so we are relying on you guys for any information you can give us from your vantage points. Now, with that said, Katt will be running our HQ today. She'll be in position in the tactical operations center bus a few blocks over. That will be guarded by the Cornerian Military, so you should be safe."
Pausing again, he let everyone take their notes.
"The only real thing to add is that we are to have check in is every half hour. However, if at any point a unit doesn't respond, we go on full alert and change out patrols to cover all areas, including the one of the unit we can't find. With that said, each team will be assigned a color and unit. Mei will be handing those out." He finished, turn to look over his shoulder as Mei stood up behind him.
"Alright guys, starting off. Team A, your color is red. Talk to your team leader for your designation. Team B, guys, we're blue and keeping our unit numbers. Team C, you're the green team. Falco, you're 45, Slip 38. Looks like Peppy is sitting this one out to take some time to visit the other two. Everyone ready?" She asked, receiving nods from everyone, she continued. "Alright, weapons loadouts. Today we'll be using Earth based weapons since they have shields to plasma and organic shots. Team A, you'll be receiving M-16s and Glock 18s, all with Full Metal Jacket rounds, so place your shots very carefully. Team B, we'll be getting our Colt 1911s. Instead of the FMJ rounds, we'll be using hollow points, nine mil. Team C, you guys will be getting the Colts as well. Oh! In addition, Team A, you guys will be receiving CS Gas, Flashbangs, and Stingers. Team B, we'll have just the gas and stingers. As for Team C, since your Highground we're giving you CS Gas for safety should you get ambushed."
"Sounds good." Bryan concluded, arms folded as he now stood in the corner of the room. "Alright, the vans are loaded up and ready to go, let's get moving."
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Katt sat down in front of the several monitors, the fact was that the entire wall was fall of them, while she had four set on the desk before her along with a giant keyboard. Picking up the headset, she set it into her ears, adjusting the microphone slightly.
"Alright guys, dispatch HQ here, radio check. Commanders on down. Copy?"
"Brea here, I'm clear."
"Falco, same here."
"This is Bryan, I'm clear."
"Alright, let's start with the teams. Positions and status."
"Red 42 and Red 43, we're set at the main entrance. Everything's real quiet."
"Red 27 and Red 22, we're on patrol path one, nothing suspicious."
"Red 15 and Red 44 - out on the veranda, patrol three, all clear."
"Red 6 and Red 9, we are on patrol path two. Nothing yet."
"Copy red team. Blue?"
"27 Adam, wish I could give you guys something, but I'm clear."
"Don't cut yourself short Dean, this is the only time where nothing is better than something - 337 Inu, clear."
"Yah, what Mei said. Ivan - 46 Radar, clear."
"Copy guys, finally, team Green, let's hear some good news."
"34 - Falco here, I'm clear."
"Slippy, I-I'm clear!"
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On the battlefront, Bryan was pretending to do some shopping for the new house. Course, his wingman Mei tagged along by his side, she was dressed in normal clothes while he was the one wearing his DCTU jacket.
"This looks nice." He said, holding up a blue object.
"Yah… but what is it?"
"You might wanna put that down… let's just say it's something you wouldn't want to buy." Falco laughed over the radio, clearing watching through the binoculars. Bryan quickly dropped it back on the table while Mei laughed at him. "I have no clue what I just picked up, but I really feel like I need a shower."
They moved on to the next stall, this time Bryan kept his hands in his pockets. While Mei leaned over to look at something, he looked around him. Spotting one of the patrolling guards he acted as if they had never met, the other did the same.
"Red 15 here, I've got a possible attacker. Dark blue clothing, brown fur, blue eyes, kind of messy hair…sitting just a click away from the west exit."
"Highground - Falco - here, I see him, he appears to be talking to another. This ones is wearing almost the same thing… just red fur, can't see his eyes."
"Red Lead here, Falco, Slip, check around, see if anymore people are wearing dark blue clothing. Also, check their patterns, see if they all seem to be heading in the same direction."
"Copy, call yah back in a few."
Bryan himself, looked around him, counting another two furs with dark blue clothing.
"55 David, Blue Lead - hey guys, I've got another two suspects in dark blue clothing. Both with midnight blue fur, one with red eyes, another with green." He said, ducking out of sight with Mei as they passed him.
"Highground, Falco here. I've counted another seventeen furs. That makes, what? Twenty-one total?"
"Who knew he was good at Math? Eh, hold tight, I'm gonna pull up Red's helmet cams, see what I can find and try and get an ID for you." Katt responded, everyone could imagine Falco snorting at her comment.
Bryan stuck his hands back into his pockets, looking up to catch Mei staring back at him.
"You don't really think they'll do something in this area do you? They've got to know that we're here - and it isn't hard to spot the guards in full tactical gear."
"It wouldn't surprise me in the least if they just started shooting." Bryan responded, pulling her into an abandoned booth, closing the curtain. He unzipped his jacket, shrugging it off as he layed out his gear on the table, double-checking it while Mei held fast on the door.
"Here's what I got thanks to Red 15's cam. These guys are members of the Militia Group Neon Blue. Not really sure about their name… but I guess it takes the color of the jacket well. Either way, these guys have deep ties with Darkness so keep them under close watch. While the General gave us flexibility, that doesn't include shooting without reason in really crowded places. Only thing I can think of is try a call out."
"Red Lead, copy. I'll have by boys call them out."
"Falco here, I'll cover you the best I can with the high power sniper rifle. Slip, keep watch for me."
"Sure thing."
"55 David here, Brea, hold fast, let me set up some sort of ambush just in case. Try and get your team to call them out near 'The Old Town Bazaar'. Me and Mei can get them if they try and start something. We've got Twenty-One to deal with, odd one outs probably our bomber."
"Uh… copy."
Bryan watched two of Brea's team members take up positions on either side of the walkway, watching as two of the Militia members walked into the area, they stepped into the crowd.
"Public Security! Hold it right there!" One of them called, holding a single paw up in a stop sign. Instead of stopped the two furs turned around, finding that two more guards had blocked their exit.
By now, Mei and Bryan had taken separate rooftops. The roofs were low and with a quick jump and a small amount of pulling up, they were able to get perfect spots. They both kneeled down, hands holding CS Gas canisters.
"I said hold it! Blue Jackets! You two, right there!" The guard called again.
"Hey guys, something is happening, all the blue-jays just turned in one direction, they all look like their heading for where your boys are trying to detain two of them. Possible firefight. Orders?"
"Dispatch here, Pepper says do what you guys gotta do, Just check your fire!"
"Copy."
The crowd was watching now as four guards in tactical gear approached two furs with extreme caution. Suddenly, one of them reached into their jacket as one of the guards yelled. "Everyone down!"
Mei stuck her canister back into its Velcro pocket, this time pulling out her sidearm. Clicking off the safety, she jumped from the roof, just as Bryan tossed his canister down into the crowd.
Shots were fired and screams were heard within the mist of thick gray smoke. After it cleared, the aftermath of the entire scene could be seen more clearly. Several civilians were laying on the ground covering their heads while two of Brea's guards were sweeping with their rifles to check for any additional threats. The remaining two pinned down the fur who hadn't taken a hit.
"Police! Everybody stay down!" Bryan called, holstering his weapon to begin helping civilians up and out of the area.
"This is Dispatch HQ, we're going to shut down the whole area. I've got multiple CTVs heading to your location. Grab the civilians and load'em up. I've also got Military Transports on stand-by for any suspects you guys don't poke holes in."
"Team Red, copy."
"Blue, copy."
"Highground, we copy."
"It's clear!" One of the guards called, adjusting the strap of his weapon slightly.
"Suspect down, injured but breathing. I've got another in a healthy state, secure."
"Alright." Mei said, reloading her weapon. "Star Checking Civilians, get them inside the building, Falco said we've got multiple hostiles heading in our direction."
"Guys, the Civilian Transports have arrived, along with medics and the military transport units. We're loading them up. Take my four you've got with you right now, use them in conjunction with Highground. Good luck." Brea called over the radio.
"Alright, let's get moving!" Mei called, helping people up.
"You guys got about thirty seconds before they're on top of you. I only see about four weapons, so watch yourselves."
Bryan sighed, they had all of the civilians in the buildings and under cover. However, putting together an affective attack in less then ten seconds was not an option. "Duck and cover people! Ready Flashbangs and Stingers! Three and three!" Bryan called, ducking behind one of the street stands. Looking across he found that one of the guards had taking the opposite post. He watched as the helmet came off to reveal another female.
And here I was thinking Brea's team was all male. Hard to tell over the radio.
He heard the footsteps coming down the pathway.
"Ready when you guys are." Mei said over the radio. Bryan nodded.
"Alright guys, toss and jump."
Four seconds later three Flashbangs and another three stingers went off, feeling the walkway with blinding light and rubber balls. Each guard and agent broke cover, popping up.
"Police! Down!"
"Dean here, we're moving to your local right now! Just hold on!"
A shot found it way right above Bryan's head as he ducked back down into his cover while a few guards starting firing.
"Ah, fuck!" He heard Mei yelled out.
"What is it?"
"Damn thing's jammed. Cover, I'm clearing."
Bryan popped back up, firing multiple rounds at anything shooting at him. Seeing a few of the enemy fall he ducked under again to reload, popping back up a few seconds later to fire a few more shots.
Watching as a few more fell to their knees while other hit the ground he came out behind his cover, the guard off to his right doing the same as they advanced forward.
"Down! Hands up!"
"Police!"
"DCTU!"
"Public Security! Let me see your hands!"
"I surrender! Don't shoot!" Someone shouted as the four formed a line across the walkway, weapons aimed and ready to fire, just in time for Dean and Brea to come running out of an alleyway.
"Holy shit… you guys did this?"
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Bryan leaned up against the back of the transport truck. They were riding back to HQ and while the seats were slightly uncomfortable, they weren't too bad. He sighed slightly before opening one eye to look across the way, Mei was staring at him again.
"Not the look… anything but the look. What did I do now?" He asked, opening his eyes and looking around him to see who else was listening. Other than him and Mei, Brea, Dean, Falco, and one of the guards had been crammed into the back of the transport unit. The others all had their eyes closed, it was obvious that everyone was tired and sleeping.
"You know damn well… You failed to tell me something."
"What? The hell are you talking about?"
Mei jolted her head in the direction of Brea.
"What about her?" He asked, looking over at her to see her ear twitch slightly. It was obvious that she was listening in.
"Well… I've noticed your reactions to her since the day you went to go check out our new weapons and units. I've also been watching the way she walks and talks, hell - even the look in her eyes. I gotta tell you Bryan, I'm not like the others, I observe those around me at all times, on duty and off. Much like you do."
Bryan nearly gulped. Was it possible that Mei had figured it out?
"I know you know something… and I want to know why you haven't told me…"
"There is nothing to tell."
"Don't lie… I know who she really is."
Bryan sighed, leaning slightly to his left in order to get slightly more comfortable. "Can we talk about this later? I've got a pounding headache from all the CS and Flashbangs."
"Oh we'll talk commander."
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Bryan opened up his gun storage locker at the new base, placing his sidearm in its respective slot while pulling out a bottle or painkillers. While doing so he checked his phone, seeing he had a missed call and checked his voice mail.
Holding the phone between his shoulder and his ear, he pulls a pad and pen, writing down a few numbers before hanging up. Walking out of the locker room he walks past Brea, coming out of the women's locker room, her fur is still slightly wet from the obvious shower she had taken.
"Hey, going somewhere?" She asks, wigging a claw around in her ear to let loose some water.
"Yah, Krystal called, she said that the physical therapy session won't allow them to get James from school, wanted to know if I could grab him and hang out with him for a few hours."
"Sounds good. Mind if I tag along? I've got nothing to do anyway."
"Uh yah… alright. Let's go then."
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The school yard was full of children young children running to their parents, older ones hanging around and chatting with friends, and teachers - some giving stern looks to a few of the students. Bryan himself was leaning against the black SUV that they had parked out front, sun glasses added a semi-movie effect to the scene as Brea herself typed away on her laptop.
James walked down the school stairs with his head tilted towards the ground.
"Uh-oh. I used to have that look when I had a bad day." Brea commented, putting her computer away and stepping out. Bryan nodded, walking up to meet him at the bottom of the stairs.
"Uncle? Where's mom?"
"She couldn't make it…. Uncle, eh? When did that start?"
James just shrugged as Bryan took his bag, tossing it into the back seat.
"So? I've seen that look before, what's wrong?"
"I got in trouble today… my teacher wants to talk to my parents. She told me to come out and grab them for her…"
Brea sighed, rubbing his head playfully.
"Well… what do you say? Wanna chat?" Brea asked Bryan, jabbing him in the ribs slightly, who groaned. "I don't wanna go to school today." He said, walking towards the school building.
Inside, James showed them his classroom. Inside, a medium sized female feline sat at her desk, seeming busy with work. Hearing the door click shut she looked up, seeing James and two people other than his parents behind him. Her eyes zooming in on the holsters that were attached to their hips.
"James, I know these aren't your parents. For one thing, they're both the wrong species."
"I know Ms. Banach."
"Sorry, miss. Krystal called and said she wouldn't make it in time to grab him from school."
"I see… and you are?"
"Oh, sorry. I'm Bryan Daniels, and this is my partner, Brea Shutt."
"Alright, so you'll be standing in from Mr. and Mrs. McCloud?"
"For the time being, yes. So, I understand you wished to speak with us?" Brea asked, sitting on one of the desks. James had taken a seat in the back of the room, almost as if he didn't want to be apart of this.
"Well here is the thing… James has been disturbing the class lately. Lots of talking, he is missing homework assignments, he even skipped the art class yesterday. And I was well and ready to let that slide with the understanding that it wouldn't happen again, but - today took the cake. Not only did he swear in class, but also he talked about killing and death! Even so far as to explain terrorist plans to over throw Corneria! Not only that, but I collected some free write papers today - here, read this!" She said, thrusting it into Bryan's hands.
After a moment of blank staring, he handed it over to Brea who read the writing a lot better than he could. After a moment, she looked up. "Alright, I'll admit, that is a little… mature for someone his age. Nevertheless, given who his parents are and what he has to live with, isn't it understandable? Almost everyone he knows is in the military or holds a job to that standard."
"Maybe, but not the way he talks about it in class. I am a mandated reporter, Ms. Shutt. I have to report such things to the police."
"Well, consider them reported then." Brea retorted, clearly not liking the teacher's attitude.
"And what do you plan to do about it officer?"
"I don't see a threat here. He's just a kid, an only child who knows more adults and kids. He is bright and knows the difference between right and wrong. The kid knows a lot better than to ever pull a stunt like a terrorist."
The teacher's eye narrowed slightly. "I don't like your assessment. What agency do you work for? I want to speak to your superior."
Anyone could see the grin hiding on Brea's muzzle.
"DCTU, miss. Would you like my Commander's business card?"
"That would do nicely."
Brea nodded, jabbing Bryan once again who passed over his own card. The teacher took it, reading it over before frowning.
"This is your own card."
"Yes, I'm her superior."
"So then who is yours?"
"General Pepper. And I am sure he would agree with us on this topic as he knows the kid too."
The teacher sighed. "I'm not going to win this one… look the fact of the matter is, that if his behavior doesn't change soon, he could be suspended, possible kicked out."
"I'll walk with him. This won't happen again." Brea said, turning around to wave James over. He stood walking, slowly to the front of the room. "Ready to go little buddy?" She asked, he only nodded.
Bryan just smirked, he did the same thing when he used to get in trouble all the time.
Brea led him out as Bryan bid the teacher farewell. As they piled into the car, there was a moment of pure silence.
"You're going to tell Mom and Dad, aren't you… Please don't! Dad will be mad and Mom will be upset!"
"Don't worry about it." Brea assured. "Our lips are sealed… on one condition. Tune down the death talk, and no more skipping classes. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Well since your parents won't be back for at least two more hours… what do you say we head out and grab a bite to eat. Maybe hit the park or something." Bryan asked, pulling out of the parking spot.
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It was six hours later and everyone sat in the living room of the new house.
"No one has heard anything?" Falco asked, pacing around the room.
"Nothing. Their session had ended four hours ago." Mei answered, just as Bill hung up his cell phone. "That was the hospital. They don't have any record of anyone with the name McCloud having a session today."
"Alright… so what does that mean?" Mei asked, leaning forward.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I pulled the message from Bryan's cell. I'm running through it to see if I can hear anything. But other than the occasional horn, nothing."
"So we know they are on the move… we can't trace the signal because their phone is now all. So… is it safe to assume they have been taken hostage?" Dean asked, sitting on the arm of the chair.
"Yup." Bryan responded, rubbing his temples now.
"Guys… I can hear another attacker in the background. He's said Akita's name twice now."
"Ok, so it's confirmed, they've been kidnapped… foxnapped…" Ivan began. "What do we know all-in-all about the Darkness Clan?"
Bryan started the chain. "Alright, recap. Here is what we do know either from strait information or inference. The original Darkness was created by either Akita or a blood relative that shared the same views. The original plan was to either whip out Corneria, or a good portion of it using a nuclear detonation device. Their plan failed when we intervened with two teams. Dynamic and Stealth. The mission ended in a success but at the cost of a dear friend. You're next Mei."
"Right - few months later they reappear. This time was a new leader, crew, ship - the works. They've also developed yakuza tactics, either by training with or observing the actual gang. During this time they successfully blew up a street corner market witch brought on the injury of two of our own, Fox and Krystal. However, none of that happened before they completed their first credited kidnapping - Moran's kid. Passing the ball to Falco."
"Lets see, next we find out that they have ties to Star Wolf and an underground Militia group. However, the Star Wolf ties seem to fade when they find out that people are being abducted. But, wither or not their severed has yet to be seen. We also discover that they have planted a mole inside of DCTU, along with the attempted plant of another. At the same time, we get a grasp on one of their own."
"Right," Brea picked up. "Teresa. She says that he's been studying our moves, knows our tactics and just about everything else. She also tells us their weapons of choice, along with their own tactics and such. We also learn, that while they are trained in team tactics, they have yet to develop them. This became obvious when two surrendered and others were wounded or killed during the Temple City Ambush. The two we've got are not talking and the ones in the hospital are either in critical condition, or just too out of it to give us anything. And how's this for a finish? Two of our own are missing and suspected to be abducted by Akita's crew. No doubt we'll be getting a call." She finished up, putting her headphones back on to listen to the tape again.
"That's it… why would they take Fox and Krystal… what do they have that the rest of us do not…" Dean wondered aloud.
"Well… something doesn't fit… Akita is smart enough to know that Krystal has telekinesis or that mind power thing… whatever its called… with that said, it wouldn't be wise to take her because she could easily get away…" Mei continued.
"Well, almost. She has this weakness to chloroform. I mean, most of us are kind of immune to its effects, but to her - its like poison, heavy enough dose and… well, lets say we'll be short a blue vixen." Falco shook his beak at the grim news.
Bryan nodded. "Alright… well let's hope Akita did enough homework to figure out how to use it without killing her. Which also means we are working against the clock. Which means we are waiting for two things, a call, or a clue."
"Well, I'll keep reviewing this… but other than Akita's name and a few horns, can't get much for you. Though… one of these sounds like a train horn. I'll check track and train schedules, see what I can find."
"Yah… I'll make a few calls too, see if we could possible get a signal beacon for the last known location." Mei added.
"What should the rest of us do?" Falco asked, looking around. "I can't just sit here!"
"Well, we've got two choices. Couple stay here to keep tabs on the phone, the rest of us go out and about and look for clues. But first… someone should tell James."
"I'll tell him." Brea said, setting her headsets down. "Kid should hear it from me anyway, we got along good today."
"Alright… keep it smooth Brea, let me know how it goes. One of us will alert Pepper, and from their we'll figure out wither or not to alert the media. Meanwhile, if you've got a mode of transport - use it, cower the city. Leave no stone unturned, no building unchecked. A few of us will put some pressure on our live ones too. Someone has to know something they are not telling, and I'll be dammed if we don't find it out soon."
"You sure you want the media to know, Bryan? Might be a crusade…"
"We tell them nothing other than at some point today, to Star Fox members were taken hostage by the Darkness Clan. Nothing more other than if you have anything to call DCTU or Military HQ. Simple."
"Alright. Let's get moving - as of this moment, time is an enemy."