Learning the Trade

Bobby had been training with the Special Forces for a few weeks now, and found it wasn't really all the different from his previous job. And under the strict guidance of his instructor Sonya every day was practice, practice, practice with drill, after drill after drill. Bobby hated every minute of it but it did appear to have some positive results on his body, thinning him out some.

Sonya picked her head up to see Bobby standing across from her.

"Any time Corporal." She announced. Bobby put up his fists and prepared to fight. The two circled around each other as Hsu Hao and Kenshi watched on the sidelines. The Bobby lunged forward with a punch only for Sonya to jump out of the way. Then she kicked out her leg and hit Bobby in the back of his thigh, stumbling him but not knocking him down. But she easily swung around and kicked him in his back sending him sliding across the floor on his back.

Bobby slid over to where his fellow Special Forces Agents were sitting.

"Good effort Hill." Commented Hsu Hao." Keep at it."

"Keep your guard up." Kenshi said while showing Bobby with his own arms.

"I just wish we'd move onto something else besides combat." Bobby groaned as he propped himself up.

"You'll thank her for it later." Told Kenshi." There's not anymore here more suited to that job than her."

"Huh?" Bobby said looking at him confused.

"Sonya's a former Army Ranger, one of the only women there ever were in fact." Told Hsu Hao. Somehow that didn't really surprise Bobby.

"Well that's great, good for her." Said Bobby." But it would be great if we did something oh I don't know, maybe a little less hands on."

"Less hands on?" questioned Sonya as she appeared behind Bobby. The young man jolted and turned around to face her.

"Just a moment." Said Jax as he descended from his office and down with the rest of them." I think Bobby would benefit from a little less active work." Jax said with his arm around the young man." Do you agree?" He asked Sonya.

"Well I-"

"Good, then you won't mind if I borrow him for a few minutes." Jax said." Come along Bobby." He said as he guided the young man up to his office.

"He's a good kid that Hill." Commented Hsu Hao once they'd left.

"He's a goofball, doesn't take anything seriously." Sonya corrected him.

"That's a bit harsh don't you think?" responded Hsu Hao.

"Don't you have a machine to fix?" Sonya said to him.

"Not really." He shook his head.

"Go do it anyway." And the strict tone of her voice made Hsu Hao back up slowly, tipping his hat to her before he left. That left just Sonya and Kenshi behind.

"And you." She said turning to him." Go be mystic somewhere else." She said before turning and walking away.

Meanwhile Bobby was taken up to Jax's office.

"So how are you getting along?" he asked.

"Just fine." Bobby said. Even though Bobby had limited interaction with Jax the two got a long very well. Jax was much more of a down to earth character Bobby could speak openly with.

"And I take it your learning well?" Jax asked as he walked behind his desk. Bobby groaned slightly and rubbed some of his aching parts.

"Mostly." He responded.

"Good. Since you're learning our customs I think it's time you learn who our enemies are."

"Yea the guys from other worlds." Bobby almost snickered." So I've heard."

"Some of our enemies are from this world as well." Bobby looked at him confused." This." Said Jax pulling out a mug shot photo and handing it to him." Is our most dangerous enemy of all." Bobby took the paper and observed it.

A picture of a bearded man with black hair, dragon tattoos on his arm and face. But the most noticale thing and weirdest for Bobby was the metal piece on the right side of his face.

"Kano." Bobby said reading the name before scanning the rest of the page." And what is the Black Dragon?"

"A group of thugs involved in various trades of arms, drugs, human trafficking. Anything so long as they gain a profit. And that man there "He pointed to the paper." Is there leader." Now Bobby was starting to get nervous, other worlds was one thing but this man apparently lived on the same planet. Maybe one day Bobby would have to fight him, and that sent a shiver up the boy's spine. His mind was shaking now and he said the first foolish thing that came to his mind.

"H-How did he get to look like that?" Jax perked up at the question but then turned his head the other way.

"I did it." He said crossing his hands on his chest.

"What?!"

"I did it. My only regret is that I couldn't finish the job when I had the chance." Bobby saw Jax's tense up." He's taken a lot of my men." He said as he stood up and walked over to Bobby." So you'd better pay careful attention to Sonya. She might teach you something that could save your life." Jax put a hand on Bobby's shoulder and the boy gulped down a hard breath. Just then there was a knock at the door that got Jax's attention." Enter!" he called out. Bobby was still caught up in what had said he wasn't paying full attention.

Sonya walked in the room.

"Jax." She said." We've got a problem. Situation going down."

"Where?"

"World 03." She responded.

"Let's go." Jax said. And that apparently woke Bobby up and he quickly followed after his two commanding officers. Bobby followed the two out and to the lobby where Hsu Hao, Kenshi and Cyrax were waiting. Along with them was a large circular machine standing against the wall. "What's the situation?" asked Jax as they approached.

"Scanners went off the chart." Told Kenshi ." Increasing fluctuations."

"What's going on?" asked Bobby. But he was ignored by Sonya who quickly walked over to Jax. But luckily for Bobby Hsu Hao was there to keep him in the loop.

"We've got a distress signal from another world." He told.

"Oh right." Said Bobby still not believing in that concept.

"When the scanners go above a certain level it means that there's a fluctuation in that world's normal state of being, meaning that possible someone from another earth has entered the other's realhm of existence."

"And what world's being invade?" asked Bobby.

"Ours." Hsu Hao responded.

"Sonya with Me!" Jax commanded." Kenshi your in charge until we return, I want this place on lock down!"

"Yes, sir." Kenshi nodded.

"Hsu Hao, fire up the portal." Hsu Hao nodded as he left Bobby's side and went to the machine sitting dormant in the room. He walked over and behind it. After pressing a few buttons and flipped a switch.

Now Bobby still didn't believe in the idea of other worlds or aliens but what he saw next surprised him. He watched as the machine began lighting up until a giant blue light appeared in the middle of it.

"What is that?" he asked to Kenshi standing next to him.

"A portal." He responded." It's how we get to other worlds."

"Let's go!" commanded Jax and he ran right for the portal with Sonya right behind him. And as he watched them go Bobby's mind was a flutter with questions. Who were they fighting, why were they fighting them, all of a sudden the idea of other worlds didn't seem as crazy as he thought.

Then acting on instinct Bobby ran out and grabbed Sonya.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she yelled back at him.

"Let me go with you." He said." Let me see what we're fighting for."

"No, absolutely not!" she yanked herself free of Bobby's grip.

"I'm ready, I can go out there."

"You'll be ready when I say you are, not before." Sonya grumbled at him. Then she pushed him away from her and followed after Jax into the portal. One second they were they and the next they were gone, vanished before Bobby's eyes. Moments after their departure the machine began to power down.

"Hsu Hao." Kenshi said to him." I want you to monitor the computers, keep me posted if anything happens."

"Got it." Hsu Hao nodded in reply. He went to go about his duty when he noticed Bobby standing there glumly looking at the portal." He Hill, you alright?" He asked with a hand on his shoulder.

"Yea." Bobby grumbled as he turned and walked away.

"Where are you going?" asked Hsu Hao.

"Home. I've had enough of this for one day."

"You can't leave." Said Kenshi.

"What?" asked Bobby confused.

"Whenever we go through the portal the entire base is put on lock down, no one goes in or out." Told Kenshi." We will remain here until they return, or until we have to go in ourselves." Bobby looked disappointed still.

6:30 pm the Hill Residence.

Hank sat in his chair with the newspaper in hand. He was waiting for Bobby to return from the base so that the two could watch tv together. But Bobby was already late, nearly 45 minutes for dinner. But Hank just waited patiently for his son.

Just then the phone rang and Hank picked it up.

"Hill residence." He said into it.

"Dad." Said Bobby's voice on the other end.

"Bobby? Where are you son, your late for dinner."

"I've been pulled for watch duty." Bobby sounded disappointed.

"Oh." Replied Hank." Well that's just fine, you've gotta do your duty for the country."

"If you say so. I'll talk to you tomorrow Dad."

"Alright, goodbye son. Have fun." And with that Hank put the phone down and returned his attention to his newspaper. There were a few seconds of silence before the phone rang again.

"Hill residence." He said into it.

"Hank old top I need your help."

"Mr. Strickland?"

"We've got some trouble down here at Sugar Foots Hank, I need your help on this one." Hank could tell by Buck's voice that there was crisis on the rise. He'd only ever heard him talk like this when he was drunk but he didn't appear to be on the phone.

"I'll be right over, sir." And with that Hank jumped out of his chair and ran to his truck. Then he shifted the gears on his truck and blazed down at road at the proper speed limit.

Meanwhile at the base with Bobby.

There was very little for anyone to do during lock down. Hsu Hao spent his whole time by the computers, Cyrax was patrolling the perimeter and Kenshi was meditating in the gym.

Bobby tried to preoccupy himself by walked around but it did very little for his boredom.

"You don't have to patrol." Kenshi commented out loud as Bobby walked into the gym." Cyrax is programed for it." Bobby rolled his eyes and even though Kenshi's eyes were covered he looked to Bobby as if they weren't." Or is that not what you're doing?"

"I'm just bored is all." He said walking in closer.

"There's plenty of things you can do for that."

"Such as?" Bobby replied. Kenshi slowly rose to his feet and squared off with Bobby as if he was going to attack him.

"You train with weapons?" He asked. Bobby shook his head." Catch." Kenshi tossed Bobby his sword, the boy catching it clumsily at his chest. Then Bobby was about to take the sword out of its sheath." Ah." Kenshi said taking a step forward and carefully took the sword from Bobby's hands. The young Texan watched as Keshi delicately took the sword from it's sheath.

"Where are you from?" Bobby asked out loud. The way Kenshi acted was not what he was used to, and he'd heard countless stories from his grandfather about the Japanese who had swords like that. Kenshi turned to him.

"Ohio." He responded." But my Father and Mother were born in Japan. My Grandfather was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Imperial Japanese Army."

"My grandfather was a full Colonel in the US Army." Bobby said flatly. Kenshi turned and looked him over." And how did you end up here?"

"Recruited." Said Kenshi casually returning the sword to it's place." Just like you were, only I was in the Marine Corps." Bobby's eyes scanned the room and they landed on Hsu Hao.

"And what about him?"

"To be honest, I don't know. I've never really asked Hsu Hao anything about where he's from. He told us once that he moved here from Mongolia, he joined the Air Force to get his citizenship."

"And later on it led me here!" Hsu Hao called over to them having heard every word of the conversation." Team USA!"

Meanwhile Hank had arrived at Sugar Foot's restaurant.

"Hank Hill, Strickland Propane!" he announced as he entered the building." Mr. Strickland?" But as Hank scanned the area he saw nothing, Nobody was around and all the lights were around. Hank ventured deeper into the building looking for Buck or anyone who might be able to tell him what's going on. But that's when he heard it. The sound of screams and yells coming from the next room.

Cautiously Hank grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open and there he found a curious sight. There was a large crowd of people gathered around in a circle; all jumping, yelling and cursing at two men fighting each other.

Hank was taken out of this daze by someone calling his name.

"Hank old top!" yelled Buck Strickland as he ran up to Hank." Thank god you're here."

"Mr. Strickland what's going on here, who are all these people?"

"Walk with me Hank." Said Buck putting his arm around his assistant manager and leading him away. Hank was led to the right side of the room where he saw many of his fellow employees such as Enrique and Roger, all beaten up from fighting probably." Tell me Hank you used to box back in the day is that right?"

"Well yes, sir I did." Hank replied.

"Good." Buck said." I need someone to fill in for Joe Jack. Hank looked at his boss confused but glancing past him he could that Joe Jack was one of the men fighting at this very moment.

"You want me to fight in in there Mr. Strickland?!" Hank said in shock.

"No yet old top. If Joe Jack can win this one, then we win five to three and you won't have to." But then right at that minute there was a loud thud sound followed by a man's voice announcing the winner. Looking back everyone saw that it was not Joe Jack." What?!" exclaimed Buck in shock. He began sweating and unbuttoned his shirt some more. At the same time Donna and Enrique dragged Joe Jack over and rested him against the wall." Alright Hank." Said Buck getting his attention." Your our last hope, if you can't do this it's all over."

"Sir, I don't think I can-"

"Dang it Hank it's all on you now! I've bet everything in this fight, if you can't win we're all doomed!"

"What?!" Mr. Strickland who'd you bet it to?" Buck turned his gaze and looked across the room and Hank followed it. Standing there across the room with his own group of beat up employees turned fighters was M.F Thatheron." Thatheron!" Hank exclaimed. Buck's old employee turned business rival gave him an evil grin from across the room." Stand aside Mr. Stickland." Hank said confidently." This could get dirty."

Then Hank walked tall and proud to the middle of the circle of people. There he saw little John Sugar Foot's cook acting as a ref while a man as big and old as Hank was standing next to him along with Thatherton.

"Well Howdy Hank." Thatheron addressed him." How nice of you to drop by."

"Thatherton." He grumbled.

"You best pack up now M.F!" Buck called.

"We'll see about that." Said Thatheron as he turned and left the fighting ground.

"You know the rules." Little John said to Hank's opponent." I'm assuming you don't." He turned to Hank.

"No." Hank shook his head.

"The fight goes until one man gives up or is unable to continue. Blood flow is not a reason to stop the fight, you stop you forfeit. A fighter cannot start with a weapon in hand but found weapons are allowed."

"Did you say found weapons?" Hank asked.

"The acceptation being fire arms." Hank turned back and looked at Buck." Any questions?" Hank shook his head." Okay, fight starts when you hear the bell." Little John stepped back and to a small table where a bell was waiting. Hank eyed his opponent down and after a few seconds Little John rang the bell signaling the start of the fight.

Hank had little time to react before his opponent put both hands on his chest and pushed him back. But Hank caught himself and stood up with both his fist raised. They circled each other for several seconds with mock punches being thrown at Hank. But then in one swift burst one of the punches flew out and hit Hank right in the face. Hank stumbled back and raised up his arms just in time to block another punch. Hank swung out a jab which was dodged so he swung out another which was also dodged. But then his opponent swung forward and punched Hank in the face a second time.

Hank stumbled back into the crowd, being caught by Buck and his Strickland employees.

"Word of advice old top." Buck whispered to him." Swing low and hit him where the sun don't shine."

"No, sir." Hank shook his head." That's dirty fighting." Then Hank was pushed back into the fight once more. He and his opponent circled each other some more. Several mock jabs were swung Hank's way but he kept cool. When a real punch was thrown Hank ducked under it and punched his opponent right in the face, then a second time. He stumbled back and Hank followed after him. His opponent stood up and swung another punch but Hank blocked it and punched him again in the face, stumbling his enemy back once more.

With a great sense of pride for what he sold to support his family Hank swung up and hit him right in the jaw. His opponent flew into the air and landed flat on the ground. Everyone went silent as Little John moved in and watched. Hank stood up but his opponent was stirring. After several seconds it was clear he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.

"Winner!" Little John pointed to Hank and the crowd roared with cheers. Hank was quickly surrounded by his co-workers who slapped him with praise. A defeated Thantheron slammed his big cowboy hat off his head and to the ground.

"Pay up you sum-bitch!" Buck said as he approached him.

Everyone slowly disbanded afterwards and began to return to their cars.

"Hank!" called Buck stopping him before he could leave." You did good out there old top. So for your excellent service I see ti fit to reward you." Hank watched as Buck pulled out a large handful of money from his pockets and after counting it out gave a good handful to Hank.

"No, sir." Hank shook his head." I don't need that. I wasn't working for you tonight, I was working for Lady Propane."

"Na Hank you deserve. Once more you've pulled me and my business out of the fire. You've earned it. Consider it as working overtime." And without another word Buck handed off the money before turning and walking away. Hank was left by himself and counted the money. And he was surprised as it was a lot more than he expected, it was almost like a second paycheck.

Meanwhile back at the base.

Bobby was talking with Kenshi and Hsu Hao, learning from the two about the Special Forces. He even heard their stories of other worlds.

"And um.." stammered Bobby." If um.. if you don't mind my asking."

"You'd like to know how I became blind?" Kenshi finshed. Bobby was too nervous to speak and only nodded his head.

"I was in Outworld, doing battle with the Sorcerer Shang Tsung." Bobby although confused did hear mentions of Outworld in their earlier stories." In the struggle I was blinded and he managed to escape. But I evolved after that fight."

"Evolved?" Bobby asked him. Kenshi held up his sword.

"In this Katana lies of the souls of my ancestors. With their help I now see and hear all things around me, greater than ever before." Bobby didn't know if it could be true but it wouldn't be the first thing he'd have to get used to. But as Kenshi and Hsu Hao told him more about themselves Bobby was left thinking about those that were not there, Jax and Sonya.

"And what about Jax and Sonya? Where are those two from?" Hsu Hao and Kenshi looked to each other with confused looks.

"Except for Jax we don't know anything about Sonya, other than what unit she came from." Told Hsu Hao.

"Well could any of you tell me why she's a total kill-joy?" Hsu Hao chuckled while Kenshi responded.

"She's got issues none of us know about, and even I would be afraid to ask her. My best advice is keep your head down and do as she says, you'll stay out of trouble that way."

Just then the portal began lighting up and the three quickly turned to it. They watched as Jax followed by Sonya walked into the room covered in blood and bruises.

"Are you alright?" asked Kenshi as he walked over to the two with Hsu Hao.

"Fine, never better." Said Jax swinging his arms.

"What happened?" asked Hsu Hao.

"Crisis averted." Sonya said." Any and all reminisce of the battle have been cleared up and the public's been reassured nothing serious has happened."

"So all and all, it was a good night's work." Said Jax. He turned around to see Kenshi, Hsu Hao and a few feet behind them Bobby." Thank you boys, that'll be all for tonight."