Chapter 6
A while later, the pair returned back to Zadavia's underwater base. Ace and the other Loonatics were working with some of Zadavia's computer facilities. They turned round when Tech and Zadavia walked in, uncommon smiles of contentment on their faces.
"So, you two have a good 'walk'?" Duck teasingly questioned. "You were out most of the night!"
"Rugahbluhjabah worried!" Slam babbled his concern.
"Where've you been?" Lexi asked curiously.
"Around." Both Tech and Zadavia simply replied.
"Ooookaaay then." Lexi acknowledged, deciding not to press them for any more details.
"We-found-out-Dr.-Wilde-has-another-research-base-out-of-town,-on-the-fringes-of-the-Alaskey-forest.-Probably-coz-there-was-plenty-of-wildlife-nearby-in-the-forest-for-him-to-catch-and-experiment-on!-The-fiend!" Rev reported to Tech and Zadavia.
"There's a good chance he may be hiding out there." Ace concluded. "It's worth a check. The cure to his gene splicing formula may be in there."
Zadavia's face seemed to fall at the news.
"Do you need to go and investigate now then?" she asked in a less than enthusiastic tone.
"The sooner the better Zadavia." Ace answered. "Tech, we need you to help us get into the place, so you'll have to come with us. You feeling up for it?"
"Ready to go." Tech replied instantly, putting all other thoughts aside.
"I shall come with you all too." Zadavia unexpectedly announced.
The Loonatics looked at her in surprise. Zadavia was not a usual presence with them whenever they went out onto the field in missions. She rarely left the confines of her underwater headquarters. But if she wanted to come with them this time, they could not stop her. She was their manager after all.
"Zadavia, I don't think that's a wise idea." Tech tried to dissuade her.
"I insist Tech." Zadavia firmly insisted. "You are still somewhat vulnerable in your human state. Consider me protection."
"I still have my powers you know." Tech countered.
Zadavia crossed her arms stubbornly. She would not be budged from her decision. Tech sighed in defeat.
"Errm, okay Zadavia. If you want to." Ace unenthusiastically permitted.
"The boss-lady acting as bodyguard? Aren't we supposed to be 'bodyguarding' her? Something's fishy!" Duck muttered to Slam next to him.
Slam absently pulled his little finger out of the ear he had been picking and glanced at Duck slightly confused.
"Usahbibloorugah fish?" he asked puzzled.
"Never mind." Duck replied unimpressed.
Later, the Loonatics arrived at Dr. Wilde's forest research base on their hover bikes. It was a dome-shaped structure located near the trees. The Loonatics dismounted their rides. Zadavia, who had been riding with Tech, dismounted from behind him. They made their way to the research facility entrance.
"Tech, get that door open." Ace ordered.
A second later, the metal door was enveloped by Tech's glowing green electromagnetic energy and wrenched clear of its hinges. Tech threw the crumpled metal door aside like waste paper.
"Umm, okay, that's one to do it." Ace commented in surprise at Tech's unusual brute-force approach.
"Hey, no need for subtlety now." Tech pointed out.
The Loonatics cautiously entered the dark research building.
"Guys, there are others in here." Lexi informed, her long ears pricking up straight.
Suddenly, all the Loonatics heard the hostile shrieking, growling, snarling, cawing, hissing and snorting of various wild animals emanating from the shadows.
"Slam, is that your stomach again?" Duck accusingly questioned.
"Nu uh!" Slam strongly denied shaking his head.
To the Loonatics' surprise, a roaring lion leapt out of the darkness and pounced on Ace. Ace was pushed to the floor. He struggled to push the lion's gaping jaws away from his face. Slam ran to help his leader and managed to ram the lion off of Ace, but then he was knocked into a wall by a charging rhino from behind. The lion then resumed attacking Ace. The bunny rolled and flipped out of the way to avoid the lion's pounces.
"Where-the-heck-did-all-these-wild-animals-come-from?!" Rev cried in surprise.
The road runner was then attacked by two screeching eagles that swooped down to claw at his head. Rev ducked with his lightning fast reflexes and ran. The eagles pursued him though.
"Hang on Rev! I'll save…" but Duck was interrupted by a snapping crocodile from behind, "…myself! Ahhhh!"
The mallard ran for dear life as the crocodile's jaws snapped ever closer to his tail feathers. Lexi found herself being entangled by a huge python that wrapped its long body around hers, restricting her movement.
"I like hugging as much as the next person, but this is going overboard!" Lexi cried as the python's squeezing hold around her tightened.
Two gorillas threateningly approached Tech and Zadavia from opposite sides. Zadavia fired a stunning blast of her light energy at one of the gorilla's eyes, causing the gorilla immediately to rub its blinded eyes and roar in frustration. The other gorilla charged toward Zadavia.
"Zadavia!" Tech cried.
Tech grabbed Zadavia's wrists and swung her behind himself, out of the second gorilla's path. Then he pulled out some flexible metal cords from his long grey jacket and roped the raging second gorilla. With a sudden sharp pull, he brought the gorilla toppling down onto the floor.
"Impressive work Tech." Zadavia couldn't help complimenting.
Tech gave her a brief smile, but then they heard the cracking of a gun behind them. They spun around to see the odd sight of the first gorilla aiming a long gun at them.
"I would advise your immediate surrender." came a familiar voice. "Mr. Juggles here is intelligent enough to use a gun thanks to my gene splicing improvements."
A man walked out of the shadows from behind the gun-wielding gorilla.
"Wilde!" Tech muttered gritting.
"Ah, the former coyote! I see my human gene splicing formula has worked wonders on you as well. So what's it like being tailless now then?" Dr. Wilde teased Tech.
Tech eyed the gun that the gorilla, 'Mr. Juggles', was holding.
"Different." Tech casually replied to Dr. Wilde.
Suddenly, Tech activated his electromagnetic powers and yanked the long gun out of the gorilla's grasp. He levitated the gun into his waiting palms then turned it on a surprised Dr. Wilde and Mr. Juggles. Mr. Juggles moved back warily.
"You were right Dr. Wilde, Mr. Juggles 'is' a smart gorilla!" Tech mocked. "Now call off your animals from attacking my friends!"
Dr. Wilde remained speechless for a second. Then Zadavia approached him with brightly radiating hands and eyes.
"Do as he says!" Zadavia warningly ordered. Dr. Wilde gulped.
"Cease your attacks!" Dr. Wilde called to all the wild animals that had been attacking the other Loonatics.
The animals obeyed and released or backed off from their targets. Duck angrily swiped his plucked tail feathers back from the crocodile's closed jaws and stomped off, muttering in annoyance.
"You better have an antidote for your human gene splicing formula to make up for your rotten hospitality!" Tech then demanded with glowing green eyes.
Dr. Wilde's fearful, flickering pupils pointed to a storage compartment beside him. Tech followed his unintentional direction of gaze and opened up the storage compartment. He found some individual doses of another orange-coloured chemical and carefully lifted out one. He looked at it with a thoughtful expression on his human face, as if he was considering whether or not to take it. He looked up at Zadavia. Her face was painted with sadness and disappointment as she looked back into his lime-green eyes. Tech returned his gaze to the orange-coloured chemical in his palm.
"I will be as nature intended." he declared in a low, firm tone.
Tech then injected the orange fluid into his left arm. The next thing that happened was the world going black as Tech fell out of consciousness.