Dark Wolf met Dudley at the desk in the Dormitory lobby as instructed. Dudley could tell this was important.

"Thought I'd show you our top operatives. Just so you know who you'll be working with while you're here."

Dudley felt a little bummed that Kitty wouldn't be with them, but at the same time he was very interested to find out who the best agents around this joint were. Dark Wolf saw that look on his face and chuckled.

"Nervous?"

"A little."

"It's okay, that will change over time. You'll see."

After walking down the hall and making a couple turns, Dark Wolf led Dudley to what appeared to be a restricted section of the base. He punched in a secret code and the doors parted. The inside was a huge science lab with tables that had beakers of liquid bubbling, some machines spinning and some sparks coming from one direction or another. Dark Wolf entered the Room with Dudley following.

"Agent Puppy, this is our head scientist's laboratory. He rarely ever leaves."

"He?", Dudley asked as he looked around, "I don't get it."

Dark Wolf pressed his communicator wristband which beeped.

"Kaiser?"

"Yes Director?", came the voice on the other end.

"Show yourself.", Dark Wolf insisted.

"One moment I'll be right down, I've just about got my project of Gamma radiation and Cold Fusion just about-"

There came a deafening bang as a side of the lab exploded and a dingo wearing a mechanical harness over an orange polo shirt, a pair of very dusty jeans, and gray sneakers came out looking a bit staggering into view. His reddish brown hair was short, and a little singed, and he was wearing goggles and rubber gloves which he removed and placed on a nearby table. The goggles he kept on and he appeared to have regained his balance and focus.

"Must have had the cross sections a little too empowered", he shrugged, "So who's this?"

"My name is Dudley Puppy.", Dudley answered, "And what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Agent Puppy, this is Doctor Dorian Kaiser ESP. Head of research and development.", Dark Wolf informed, "You need a new gadget, something analyzed, or something fixed, this is the guy to ask."

Dudley looked confused.

"ESP?"

"Executive in Scientific Profession.", Dorian explained, "If it's science, I know it. Physiology, psychiatry, rocket science, biology, chemistry, physicist, computer wiz, dental practitioner, you name it."

Dudley looked around.

"You run the whole lab yourself?"

"Not exactly.", Dorian said giving a sneaky smile and dusting his jeans off.

"Uh..what do you mean?", Dudley asked.

"Agent Puppy", Dorian said proudly, "allow me to introduce my...assistants."

Dorian then pulled a small microphone from his harness.

"AlphaBetaGammaDelta!",he called out, "We have a visitor."

Out of the corners of the lab, four long metal snakes slithered over to Dorian. Each seemed to be about 3 meters long and ending with a flat end. They looked as wide as a person's arm. Dudley watched in awe as the metal snakes hoisted their rounded ends up like real snakes and then opening into Y shaped hands big enough to grab someone's face with a lens in the center and a tiny LED light on the top behind the top sections of each hand( yes I based them off Doctor Octopus' arms. I claim nothing). Dorian's assistants kept slithering across the floor and closer to Dudley who was getting a little scared.

"These symbiotic arms are controlled by my brain using my own brainwaves.", Dorian explained, "Using the latest in Nanomorphic technology, and advanced symbiotic infusion, they help me run my lab."

"And you can tell them apart?", Dudley asked.

"Sure can.", Dorian pointed out, "Alpha's circling your left arm and Beta right next to it. Gamma is examining your chest area and Delta is doing it's own thing."

Dudley looked at each arm, but still looked unsure.

"How can you tell them apart?", he asked, "They all look exactly the same."

At that moment the arms started to drop and sounded like they were starting to power down. Dorian turned and his assistants turned their flat ends into four slots on Dorian's back which seemed to be connected to the metal spine on his back. After that, the arms moved freely again.

"Sorry bout that", Dorian shrugged, "They just forget that their battery gets low if they stay out too long. Didn't you?"

The arms' hands started to move in different hand signs while doing a series of computer sounds.

"What are they doing now?", Dudley asked Dorian.

"Talking. This is how they communicate with people. Alpha's the arm above my right shoulder and Beta's right under it. Gamma's above my left shoulder and Delta is below that. See?"

Dudley still looked confused. Dorian saw it.

"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Most people just call me Doc. It's shorter."

Then Alpha brought it's hand close to Dorian and did a few beeps.

"Yes Alpha, we'll get to that car rubble soon."

Dark Wolf believed their stay was over.

"Well Doc, Dudley and I best get a move on. We're meeting your teammates."

"Nice to meet you Doc.", Dudley told Dorian as Dark Wolf and him turned to leave.

"Come back and visit again", Dorian called after them.

Dudley turned to see Alpha and Gamma hoist Dorian into the jumble of pipes and wires in the ceiling and then towards the back. You wouldn't believe how strong those things were. Then the doors closed, and Dark Wolf looked Dudley's way as they continued down the hall.

"Kaiser is smart, but he can get a little carried away with his...experiments. Believe me he does."

Dudley nodded.

"I can tell."

After a few more minutes, Dark Wolf brought Dudley to yet another facility in the base where some agents were seen practicing acrobatics, gymnastics and using wooden daggers on test targets.

"This is one of our stealth facilities where our agile forces sharpen skills on stealth, mobility, and close combat.", Dark Wolf informed, "Now I know she's in here somewhere."

"She?", Dudley asked.

Just then, Dudley felt a tap on his shoulder which caused him to yelp. A Russian blue cat was hanging by her legs from a pipe above their heads and Dark Wolf saw her.

"Roxy, could you come here please?", he asked.

Roxy lifted herself to the pipe and after grabbing some hand holds in the ceiling, unlatched herself from the pipe, and swung down, let go of the holds, and flipped in the air and landed feet first before Dudley. She was wearing gymnast style tights and a tank top tucked in( just like all the other agents practicing in the room).

"Yes Director?", she asked kindly.

"Roxy, where's Patra?"

Roxy shrugged.

"You know her. Always trying to get J's attention."

Roxy then noticed Dudley.

"Name's Roxy. Short for Roxanne. Nice to meet you", she said holding her hand out which Dudley shook in a friendly way.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Dudley Puppy."

"No way.", Roxy said in awe as though she met a famous celebrity, "Not The Dudley Puppy. The partner of Kitty Katswell? I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

"You know Kitty?", Dudley asked in wonder.

"Once or twice.", Roxy informed, "Well, it was nice to meet you, but I best get back to practice. Don't know when I'll be deployed."

And before Dudley knew it, Roxy had back flipped twice, and landed on a balance beam which she started to walk across.

"Yeah.", Dark Wolf stated, "Roxy watches over this facility when Patra's not here. You'll meet her soon."

"Patra hangs with J?",he asked.

"Oh yeah, but I'm not giving away most details.", Dark Wolf informed him with a sneaky smile, "Those you'll do on your own."

As Dudley and Dark Wolf left that room, Dudley started thinking. J was here? And who's Patra? Well, he would know soon enough. A short while later, they passed by a swanky bar/ club where some agents were seen cowing down on hot platters and some were dancing on the dance floor to the beat coming from the karaoke machine by the wall.

"And this is one of our most popular sites: the Sassy Salmon. Our agent's favored place to chill, take a break, and have a ball.", Dark Wolf informed Dudley who took this information well, "So if you feel overwhelmed by work or feeling low, here is where you can go. What better way to relax than a dance?"

Just then a couple agents( a Bengal cat and Beagle dog) came out looking rejuvenated and ready to go. They paused a minute when they passed Dark Wolf.

"Director.", they answered in unification and giving a salute.

"At ease.", Dark Wolf answered, "See ya soon."

The agents walked away while still muttering to themselves. Dudley heard some, but not all.

"You think he'll show up again?"

"After the way he moved? That J can really bust a move."

"One thing is for sure, Patra doesn't go to the Sassy Salmon with just anyone."

Dark Wolf saw Dudley was listening in, so he intervened.

"Alright then, shall I introduce you to your new instructor?"

Dudley felt a little nervous, but it was better than finding out on his own.

Dark Wolf led Dudley to one of the larger rooms where agents were lined in rows, practicing combat with one another, or drawing on chalkboards. Dark Wolf entered the room which caused a pause in the agent's training. They stood straight, looked Dark Wolf's way, and bowed in respect.

"Director.", they answered in unification before going back to their routines.

Dark Wolf looked toward Dudley.

"There's gonna be a simulation test a little later. Why don't you join in?"

"Simulation?", Dudley asked.

"Yep, we use the simulation room across the hall for field training and teamwork exercises.", Dark Wolf explained, "It helps agents overcome their weak points and builds relationships for their teams."

Just then, an alarm went off, and the agents in training were already lining up at the door.

"Well, looks like the simulation is about to start.", Dark Wolf informed Dudley, "Best get in line. I'm needed elsewhere."

Dark Wolf turned and walked down the hall as Dudley joined the ranks. Single file, the agents reported to the room across the hall which was a large storage room where racks of weapons, provisions, and other gear were stashed.

"Attention agents.", came a voice over the loudspeaker in the room, "Simulation starting in five minutes. Please choose your arsenal now."

Some agents were outfitting a battle style with the blaster guns, several rounds of ammunition, provisions, and supplies. Others were inspecting their medical supplies in their chosen arsenal. Dudley just selected a few ammunition rounds, and after gathering some provisions, a voice came in which made them all jump.

"SOLDIERS?!"

The agents stood tall as a white wolf entered the room wearing a bluish gray sneaking suit, black gloves and boots, a utility belt, a black headband that kept his dark brown hair in place, and his cold blue eyes were like two pieces of dark ice.

"Now listen up, cause I'm only going to say this ONCE!", the wolf barked, "Fear is a four letter word. You wanna go to the bathroom in your pants, keep it to yourself. It's time to make your mark!"

Dudley couldn't believe this. This wolf looked awfully familiar, he just couldn't put his finger on it. Then the wolf paused in front of Dudley.

"You, state your name. Last name first, then first name."

"Puppy, Dudley?", Dudley asked nervously.

"Well, Dudley.", the wolf sneered, "I am your new instructor. I lead this simulation, and you better not mess this up. Do I make myself clear?"

The alarm blared again.

"Simulation in one minute. Please report to doors."

"Alright people", the wolf barked as the agents made their way to the huge iron doors at the end of the room, "we are the last line in the United Nations. Our mission: defeat OMEGA. Ready rookies?"

"Ready, sir!", the agents yelled.

The wolf took his place in front of everyone while Dudley had made his way to the front as the loudspeaker began a countdown.

"Simulation in five...four...three...two...one...zero. Simulation begun!"

The agents cocked their guns as the doors opened to massive Plague organisms swarming a populated area. While the agents charged forward, Dudley tried to stay back, but was pushed into the fray. The wolf began shouting orders.

"Left side, secure the pedestrian evacuation. Right side, keep those bogies off us. Medics, tend wounded. Everyone else, fire at the ready."

The agents fired at most targets and hit, but Dudley was too overwhelmed with emotion til a Plague organism landed in front of him and gave a roar with breath that smelled strongly of decay. Luckily Dudley overheard the wolf's next order.

"Hit the heads. They die that way."

The agents were already hitting heads and the targets dispersed when they did. Some were coughing up egg sacs which some were hitting too. Just as things seemed to go well, Dudley was surrounded by Plague organisms that lunged for the kill, then all the room went still, and the area dissolved into a blank white room with Dudley's situation still visible. While the other agents went back to start position, the wolf went for Dudley.

"PUPPY!", he barked.

It was plain to see he was upset. And only when he came close did Dudley's little simulated situation dissolve. Dudley was about to ask what was going on, til the wolf hit him across the face.

"What's the first rule in teamwork?!", the wolf demanded.

"Uh..never go in unprepared?", Dudley guessed.

The wolf hit him across the face again. Harder this time.

"Never do things your way.", the wolf sneered, "My job is to make sure the team gets through this simulation to the end, and your job is to follow orders. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!"

"Yes?", Dudley whimpered.

The wolf then turned to the other agents who stopped and looked his way.

"Alright momma's boys, back to start position. We're gonna take it from the top."

As Dudley got back up, the wolf knocked him down again. One thing was for sure, this dog ment business. Just as he was entering the start position, Dark Wolf was seen with the wolf who led the simulation.

"Oh, I see you met your new partner.", Dark Wolf told Dudley as he walked over.

"Partner?", Dudley asked.

"Yep, may I introduce my best agent and your new mentor, Jeremiah Jackal."

Jeremiah looked at Dudley coldly.

"You want me to train HIM?!", Jeremiah asked still wearing that sneer, "Not a chance."

"I had a feeling you would refuse.", Dark Wolf answered, "So I decided to make it your next mission: train Dudley here to be a real agent. Unless you think you can't do it."

Jeremiah sighed heavily.

"Alright Director, I'll do it. But if I do, what I say goes and if he doesn't prove his worth, he's out of here."

Jeremiah looked at Dudley.

"Got it?", he asked harshly.

Dudley took a breath, and nodded.

"Got it."