Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel
Captain Bortelli paced the room almost nervously, "So here's the deal soldiers. . .we all know the infamous drug lord Paco Sanchez well the rat, whose also seem to come into the weaponry business is now working for our main target. . .Antonio Moran. Well, we have a confirmed source that says Sanchez is on the Gama 2's surrounding planets. Objective: Capture him. Jack, you will be heading the mission up."
Jack sat silently in the briefing office as Captain Bortelli spoke on and on about their newest mission. Her fellow soldiers that would be accompanying her included Riddick-of course-, Mandol, Corigon, Dannings-a Sergeant Major she'd once been in training with-, Michaels, and Wilkenson-a Sergeant that knew his way around computers REAL well. One woman all men, and SHE was heading up the mission-as usual. Jack smiled triumphantly, okay. . .maybe she was a little smug at times but that was okay. All the shit she had to deal with she deserved that right in all it's entirety. She refocused her attention on Bortelli, listening closely.
"Paco Sanchez has a VERY large group to protect him -and probably some androids as well- so when we go in there you need to be discreet. Jack, Mandol, Corigon. . .that goes for you; none of that bullshit you pulled together on the last mission. Blow out three metropolitan blocks my ass! You hear me Melivenski? Discreet!"
Jack rolled her eyes, no fun at all. "I get you, Captain." Jack looked to Mandol and Corigon her eyes laughing wildly.
"You better! I can't risk my head like that again. So, people be careful. I want you shipped out no later than 18 hundred tomorrow, understood?"
There came a collection of yes sir's as everyone got up from their seat and exited the briefing room. Yay! New mission. Jack was all kinds of giddy.
*********
Jack sat back in her office waiting for the others to arrive; she was on edge once again. Jack laughed, they were going to flip when they came in. She looked absolutely nothing like herself. This should be interesting as to how they'd react. Suddenly the door to the tin office opened to reveal Mandol, Riddick and Corigon-she guessed the rest shouldn't be too terribly far behind.
Jack stood letting the guys get a full look of her. She was decked out in a black sleeveless, v-neck dress. At the neck line and around the bottom of the dress there were delicate ruffles and a slit extending almost up to her hip on her left leg which was also lined with ruffles. Jack's normal straight, black hair was now a big mass of fire red ringlets. Her eyes shadow was blackish-gray while her lips contrasted greatly painted blood red. Her shined eyes were temporarily changed by bright green contacts.
Jack grinned sexily, "Hi there boys." Her normal determined voice was now deep and sultry.
"Hey, hey baby! What's your name?" Mandol moved closer to Jack in the way she'd seem him do to women over and over again. It was that walk where he thought he was going to get a NICE piece of ass. Wrong.
"Call me Jane." Jack smiled again teasingly.
Mandol returned the smile, "Jane what?"
Jack lowered her eye lids slightly, "Just plain Jane."
Just then, Corigon jumped in. "Well, Jane . . .you look like a fun girl but we're busy. Come back some other time." Good Corigon, he was always responsible and knew how to keep his mind where it should be.
"Oh no fun!" Jack pouted in what she thought was a cute way.
So far Riddick had made no moves to show any interest but now he was slowly moving in behind her. Riddick's breath came hot on Jack's neck but it didn't startle her, not in the slightest. She knew his games. He WOULD NOT get the better of her. Riddick's breath then moved to the other side of her neck. He was smelling her. Mandol and Corigon just watched dumbfounded.
After a moment more Riddick spoke, "Hi Jack. You smell nice," Riddick stated it so naturally it was quite the unnerving thing for both Corigon and Mandol. "What is that?"
Jack smiled at the two watching from the sidelines, "Love Spell. Picked it up at the PX."
Riddick sniffed once more, "Nice. . .very nice."
Jack rolled her eyes, "Yeah I thought so too."
Riddick's voice held a tinge of laughter to it, "Should wear it more often." With that said he walked off into Jack's office leaving Mandol, Corigon and Jack to the main room.
Corigon and Mandol just looked at each other in confusion. Had he just indentified Jack by her smell? Freaky shit! What was even worse was that it hadn't phased Jack in the slightest. Freaky shit indeed.
Mandol, with a crooked grin broke the brief silence, "Man that's some shit! I have GOT to learn to do that! Hey Riddick, man, how the fuck did you do that?!" Like a little kid after a new toy, Mandol took off into the other office.
"Wish the rest of this party would get here so we can put a move on it." Corigon stated as he looked at his watch.
Jack smiled, "Nervous there Corigon?"
His reaction was an automatic one, "Yes. I mean NO! Jack, it's just. . . I got a bad feeling. And-"
"Hey, hey Danny." Corigon knew she was serious, Jack never used his first name unless it was some for real. "Don't say that. You know the rules none of that bullshit before a mission." Jack's perfectly sculpted brow furrowed. This wasn't good, shit like 'something feels wrong' doesn't just come out of the blue.
Corigon sighed heavily, "I know, I just, Jack. . .real bad feeling."
What fucking ever! This mission was going to go off without a hitch. It had to. Jack tried to shake the feeling off of Corigon, "It's probably just nerves. Everyone is edgy before go time, especially something this big. Don't worry, it'll be fine, promise. We still team?" Jack held out her hand trying to smile reassuringly.
He tried to smile as well but it was almost pathetic looking. "Always team!" Corigon took Jack's hand and engaged in a special shake that only he, Jack and Mandol knew.
It would be okay. It was just nerves. Just nerves. That's all.
*********
Jack, Mandol, Corigon, Riddick, Michaels, Dannings and Wilkensen stepped off from their transport plane and onto the ground of Gama 2's planet Mercurius. They currently stood approximately 3 clicks from the center where Paco Sanchez was partying. The group was antsy to make their move but still cautious as all hell. Jack radioed into headquarters where Captain Bortelli would be hearing and watching everything along with the tons of other superiors who had just arrived back on Fort Omega to help orchestrate this mission-that and the fact that Bortelli was trying to show off that his men and woman were the best in their league.
"Sesame Street this is black devil. We are in place awaiting our big black stallions." Jack pressed on the tiny ear piece to make ensure that she'd hear the Captain's reply loud and clear.
Captain Bortelli's voice came through a moment later with affirmation, "Roger that black devil. Look to the north and you shall see your steeds."
"Roger that Sesame Street." Jack smiled as she looked to the north. There were two large, black Suburbans pulling up to the group.
Quickly, Michaels, Riddick, Jack and Corigon piled into one of the Suburbans as Mandol, Dannings and Wilkensen jumped into the other. Jack let Corigon ride front seat and sat between Michaels and Riddick.
Jack once again put her hand firmly over her ear and spoke, "Sesame street we are en route to the drop off zone."
"Roger that Black Devil, see you inside."
The ride to the target building was quiet and nerve racking exactly the way Jack liked it.
********
The caravan piled out their vehicles and huddled about Jack.
"Okay guys here's the deal. Wilkenson you'll be heading back to the mother ship where you'll monitor the whole situation and watch our asses. That cool?"
Wilkenson smiled, "Yes Ma'am. You're the boss and it sounds good to me." His southern drawl was somewhat comforting.
Jack then turned, "Dannings and Michaels will stay outside and make sure things are okay. Mandol, Riddick, Corigon and I will be going inside. Mandol and Riddick will ride in separate limos while Corigon and I share one."
Mandol crossed his arm like a four year old, "No fair! How come Corigon gets the girl?"
"Because you always do Mandol! Besides it wouldn't look right for a woman to arrive alone. So suck it up boy!" Jack smiled and found humor in the worst of times. "So Mandol, Corigon and Riddick. . .you will find guns inside the limos along with tuxes to change into." Jack switched her attention over to Dannings and Michaels quickly, "Dannings and Michaels you'll be taken a block from the target by the 'Burbans. No need to change." Jack redirected her attention back to the others, "Once inside I'll get the okay that our supplies shipment has made it in and you all will high tale it out and rack it up. By then I should have Sanchez around my finger. From there we'll play it out. Everyone ooo-rah?" She quickly received an ooo-rah. "Oh and also, inside the limo or respective car will be an ear piece and tiny microphone for all of us to stay in constant touch. Any questions?"
Mandol's smile was impish and huge. Great, this should be just GREAT. "Yeah. What kind of goodies are we getting Jack?"
"Lots of guns, lots of grenades, lots artillery and motor bikes. The good shit guys so let's have fun." Jack smiled, now fully hyped. "Let's moved out boys!"
Everyone quickly moved to their respective places and disappeared into vehicles. So far so good. Jack could only hope this luck would continue.
*********
Jack waited silently, looking out the window until Corigon gave her the okay that he was fully dressed. Not that she cared, she'd seen him before but for respect and privacy Jack turned her head. Now looking at him decked out in a tux she smiled.
"How are you feeling Corigon?" Jack's tone was of pure calmness.
"Great, Jack. Really great." He was lying she could tell.
Jack smiled reassuringly, "No bullshit, Corigon. How are you feeling?"
Corigon sighed heavily, why'd he ever even attempt to lie to her? "I still got that feeling Jack. It just aint right."
"Want to pull the mission?"
"What?!" Corigon asked incredulously.
"Looks, you've never been wrong with those feelings before. If you think something's going to go wrong tell me and we'll abort." Jack was in all seriousness, about to drop the mission if Corigon said the word.
"You'd do that?"
"Yes, without even having to think about it Corigon. I'd rather lose this mission than you. You're too valuable to the Black Knights." Jack paused, "And to me. Corigon, you're safety is more important than this Sanchez jack off. We can always get him later but if we do this and something goes wrong, we might not have you. So yay or nay? I wont hesitate either way."
He sat quietly contemplating what Jack had just offered for a moment. He'd never realized how important he was to her or to anyone. He was always too busy being the good soldier. She really had a heart of gold. No wonder she was such a good leader. But he already knew that. Corigon sighed, "No let's go on with this mission."
Jack's look was skeptical, "You're sure?"
"Positive. Always team."
"Damn right! Always team you crazy mother fucker!" Jack smiled and slugged him the shoulder. Jack turned slightly and touched her ear piece again, "Mission is still a go Sesame Street." Why in fuck's name had she chosen that code name? Why? Well, it had seemed amusing at the time.
*********
Jack and Corigon stepped from the limo and headed into the gigantic building where the party was being held. Inside it was a beautiful mass of color, celebration, booze, and sex. It was just the type of place Jack would enjoy if she wasn't on a mission. Yeah right, she wasn't much of the social type but she could imagine if she was this would be her kind of party. Setting all other thoughts aside, Jack got down to business.
Leaning over to Corigon she whispered in his ear, "Alright, you take the right I'll take the left. Let me know if you located Sanchez. Let's do this." Jack kissed Corigon's cheek and they parted ways. Things were about to get all kinds of crazy.
*********
From the corner of her eye Jack watched as Mandol and Riddick made their separate entrances. Good, everything was going as planned. Slowly Jack sauntered through the crowd in search of her objective. It shouldn't be too hard to find Sanchez. More than likely he'd be surrounded by guards or women but she'd be able to get to him with ease. She had a breast, red hair and green eyes; that was all she would need. Before Jack and the gang had left for the mission they'd been given profiling folders and in them it stated Sanchez had a fancy for green-eyed red heads so here she was all decked out looking like a slut, hoping she'd find him and they could get the fuck out of this little soirée as soon as possible.
As if Jack's thoughts had been heard, a tall, dark Spanish man came into her view. His head turned in her direction, a ghotee. . .yes! it was her man. Paco Sanchez. Hell yes! Someone was watching over her this evening. Jack walked over to his table surprisingly no one sat around him; no guards, no whores, no business partners. He sat alone just watching the people around him. She moved to the table and sat next to him making sure he got a great look at her breast, that would certainly spark his interest if nothing else appealed to him. Jack had come to realize in her years of experience that if you had a pair of tits attached to your body you were immediately written off as a non-threat, which she hated and loved at the same time. It pissed her off beyond belief because people thought just because she was female she could be taken advantage of but she could take advantage of anyone because she was written off that way. The element of surprise, such a wonderful thing to be woman. Tits can give you the power over any man if they are used right. Jack almost laughed at that thought.
"Hi." Jack added a hint of a country accent to her speech as she spoke to Sanchez.
"Hello there little lady," Paco Sanchez's eyes were glued to her breast. Like she said, power. . .aint it great.
"Great party don't you think?"
His Spanish accent was very thick, "Yes it is and it just got better now that I've been given the presence of such a beautiful little senorita."
Jack smiled seductively, "Muchas gracias papi."
"Oh, a little hot Spanish tamale, I see."
Jack wanted to roll her eyes. His antics were terrible if he was trying to come onto her. He wasn't a bad looking guy, it was a pity she'd have to beat the shit out of him. " I guess you do see. Would like to see more?" Jack's lids lowered in a pleading manner as she licked her full red lips.
"Ay, mami. Por favor." The man was pathetic, he was practically begging.
Jack smiled seductively once more bringing her lips dangerously close to his, "Meet me out side in the alley and I'll be there in five minutes." She flicked her tongue out and lazily slid it across Sanchez' lips. If that didn't get to him nothing would.
Paco smiled a stupid grin that said 'I'm getting me some high quality ass tonight.' "I will be awaiting you. . .you know, I never caught your name. I believe we haven't formally met each other until we've exchanged names. I am Paco Sanchez."
"The name is Penny, Penny Lane."
"Well, Miss Penny. . .I will be waiting for you." His smile was starting to get on Jack's last nerves.
"You do that papi." Jack stood from her seat and swaggered away from him.
*********
Ha! Penny Lane. Riddick sat about 50 yards from where Jack was listening to her flirting obnoxiously with Sanchez in his earpiece. Penny Lane. . .the legendary groupie from Earth. Penny Lane was also a deadly woman that was sometimes spoke of in crime circles. It was said that she worked for a government organization and that if things got too crazy with a mob or crime circles that she'd be quick to come skull fuck them in their sleep. There'd been many sightings of Penny Lane, the descriptions never matched though. One time she was blond hair blue eyes and the next she was brown hair brown eyes but she always used the same name and the same tactics: take the guy outside-in an alley or somewhere that if people saw her they wouldn't think twice about it-and she would get them hot and bothered then slice them to shreds, starting by slicing up the vocal cords so if they did scream they'd never be heard. No one knew who Penny Lane was-no one who believed in her at least- but the Black Knights knew, Riddick knew, the government knew. . .Penny Lane was Sergeant Major Jacquelyn M. Melivenski. Funny, guess ole Paco Sanchez had never heard the story of Penny Lane. . .too bad for him, that had been his one and only chance to run.
Jack's voice in his ear interrupted Riddick's thoughts, "All units, this is black devil. . .I have a go. Inside units report to the supply ship at LZ X-Ray supply outside units upon return. I repeated I have a go. Let's do this quick."
Great. Plans were going well so far. Riddick and Mandol were to leave and go to a field about 150 yards from the building they were in and there they would pick up motor cross bikes, serious artillery and armor. Then they'd bring some back for the outside guys and a big gun for Jack-special order of course. Then they'd wait for Jack to tell them it was time to pick up the prisoner and they'd be home free. Piece of cake. So easy but Riddick had learned sometimes the easiest missions can go terribly wrong.
"Roger that black devil, we have a go. This is night eyes heading out." Riddick confirmed.
"Black Devil, understood. we have a go. Ladies Man headed out." Mandol came through.
*********
Jack smiled, good. . .maybe things would be okay. Alright. . .her two inside units were headed out and they'd take care of the two outside units. Now she just had to confirm things with headquarters.
"Sesame Street, we are go. Repeat we are a go. Night Eyes and Ladies Man are out the door and Black Devil is in control of objective."
"Roger that Black Devil. Will be on standby" Captain Bortelli radioed in. "BKFHDW Black Devil." His last phrase gave Jack hope. BKFHDW was an abriviation for the saying that every Black Knight always said before entering battle- Black Knights Fight Hard and Die Well.
"BKFHDW, Sesame Street, BKFHDW." Jack smiled broadly. This WOULD work.
*********
Antonio Moran listened intently to the radioed communications between the Black Knights on mission and their base. They were good, real damn good. They'd gone to a lot of trouble to block all communications while the mission was running but fortunately his inside operative let him in on the frequencies that were being used. Moran had no intentions of harming his Jack yet, he just wanted to know her battle style. . .get inside her head, see how that brain inside her pretty little worked.
Moran was hoping they wouldn't kill Paco Sanchez but if they did no great loss. Sanchez was his chief ammunitions dealer. . .he gave great prices and information. The Black Knights would have their work cut out for them in trying to steal Sanchez away Moran knew that much. They were expecting men for bodyguards but they'd never expect what was to come. Should be interesting to listen to. Very interesting.
*********
"Lucky Charm this is Black Devil come in?" Jack spoke once more. She'd almost forgotten about Corigon, fucking stupid ass! How could she do that? She would scorn herself later.
"Lucky Charm here, what do you want Black Devil." Corigon shook his head. . .he'd never given Jack a code name for him so she improvised, from now on he'd be sure to give her a code otherwise next time it might be Barney or Lam Chops or some bullshit like that.
"Objective in control, waiting in back alley. Inside units en route to supply ship. Black Devil is heading out provide cover."
"All clear Black Devil. BKFHDW." Corigon smiled heartedly across the room to Jack.
"BKFHDW. Everything will be sunny." Jack smiled reassuringly.
*********
"Ay, mami! You're so rough. . . I like it." Paco Sanchez looked down at Jack her seductive smile getting hotter by the seconds.
"Oh so you like the rough girls. Someone who can hold their own? Well let me show you just how ROUGH" Jack whipped his belt out from around his waist, "I can be."
"Mmm, a real tomcat eh? Te quiero mami." Sanchez looked at Jack as her exposed leg came to rest on his hip. She put his hand between her legs. . .no underwear. Just then she abruptly straightened and pushed him around to face the wall, within seconds his belt was wrapped tightly around his arms.
"Guess what Paco Sanchez. . ." Jack pulled off the red wig, releasing deep black waves of beautiful shinning, straight hair. She then flicked out her contacts showing her silver eyes. "You've just been caught. You are under arrest for affiliations and illegal sales to Antonio Moran, warlord and terrorist."
*********
Fuck! The little bitch was a set up! That was okay. . .in his hand was a device that by the press of a button would send his guards flying to where he was, armed and ready to take anything out. Just a little press. . .there! They'd be there in no more than five minutes. Looks like the little bitch wasn't so slick after all. But damn she was even more beautiful with her black hair. She was like the devil in a female form. . .she was the stunningly beautiful face of death. Penny Lane. . .fuck! Why was that familiar. . .Penny Lane? Penny Lane. . .Penny Lane! Oh shit! Was this the woman that so many stories had been told about? It was! She was this deadly creature of beauty, power and strength. Paco Sanchez suddenly became no so sure of his guards getting there in time, quietly he prayed his death would be quick and painless but he was doubting that as well.
********
"Outside units have watchful eyes and secure the perimeter. Inside units hurry up with supplies, objective is safely secured waiting for an angel to come sweep him away."
Mandol's voice was the first to reply to Jack's message, "Look to your left Black Devil. Your angel is on its way."
"Roger that Ladies Man." Jack's gaze remained intently upon Sanchez. "Mother ship unit, come in?"
Wilkensons voice came through Jack's ear piece, "Mother ship unit here. . .whatcha need?"
Jack smiled, things still all in line. "Tell me how things are looking from that point of view."
Wilkensons surveyed the glowing green screen before him, "Everything's looking sunny up here."
"Roger that Mother Ship, over and out." Jack looked to her left, where was Mandol? "Ladies Man put a move on it!"
"I'm about 20 yards away turning the corner now. See me?"
"Roger that." Jack turned the other direction, "Lucky Charm requesting help in securing that the objective is safely removed from the area." In a moments notice Corigon appeared from a corner and headed to Jack. "Sesame Street, we are still on target. Objective is about to be picked up and sent off."
"Roger that Black Devil, we're almost done." Captain Bortelli was thoroughly pleased with how things were going.
********
Paco Sanchez was counting off the seconds, maybe his guards would arrive before it was too late. With all this bullshit the bitch was talking precious survival moments for her were passing by. Then, a man on a motor cross bike came to a screeching hault. He was quickly loaded onto the back. . .fuck! Where the fuck were his guards? Sanchez glanced out of the corner of his eye . . . was that a glint of metal? It was! Looks like he'd be out of here in just the nick of time.
********
"Good! Where's Night Eyes?" Jack looked in both directions making sure things were still clear. Something was starting to seem eerily strange and Sanchez was suddenly much calmer and assured. What the fuck?
"On the way." Mandol handed Jack a big gun and a holster holding to silver magnum with eyes on the handle of the gun, the eyes on the handle the exactly reflection of her own.
Jack looked at Corigon; he was fidgety. He felt it too. Fuck! Something was going to happen. Something was wrong. Then as if on cue a monstrous mass of metal came flying down from the next building and landed no more than ten feet from them. Fuck! Things were getting back quick!
Jack turned to Mandol and Sanchez, "Get the fuck out of here now! Stop at nothing to get him back to the ship! Go, go, go!"
Mandol revved the engine of the bike and took off as another mechanical beast came careening down towards them followed by three more. Jack guessed these were Sanchez's guards. Just then one of the things started running after Mandol, Jack rolled on the ground past Corigon and up onto one knee and shot down the beast while Corigon kept watch on the ones in front of them. Just then another came down in front of Jack. Things were getting thick.
Jack closed a hand over her ear, "Sesame Street we have unfriendlies. Things are about to get hectic. Objective is en route to mother ship. Will keep informed." Jack then turned her head in both directions looking for Dannings and Michaels. Where were they? They had to have heard the commotion, "Outside units requesting back up on southeastern corner of building and put some speed into it!"
Just as Jack finished her sentence one of the machines sent Jack flying towards a wall, she hit it with an auditable thud. Oh fuck did that hurt! Where was Riddick?
Jack got up and dodged another blow from one of the machines, "Night Eyes where in fuck's name are you?! We need serious back up. We are encountering serious hostility."
"Same here black devil. On northwestern corner of target building helping the outside units, can you hold up over there?"
"roger that, Night Eyes." Jack fired off a shot at a metal monster that was starting to take off in the direction of the ship. "Night Eyes and mother ship be advised that these babies are playing for keeps and are probably going to try and head after the objective. DO NOT let them get a hold of him!" Jack turned to Corigon who was having trouble. "Corigon double six-niner alpha."
Corigon nodded as he and Jack began running. The two crisscrossed paths and shot over their shoulders when they could spare a look behind them. The metal monsters stayed right on their tail. Suddenly, one appeared dead before Jack she feel to her knees and slid beneath the body of the beast her knees being torn to shreds. Things were going down hill awfully quickly.
She turned to Corigon. "Run!" Jack screamed, "Get the fuck out of here! We'll meet up at our original positioning. Good luck!"
Jack turned around stopping in her tracks she had her big gun in one had a machine gun in the other and her two magnums in her holster at her side. She was most definitely secure in her staying alive. Jack had enough ammunition to take out a whole platoon, give or take a few.
"All units brace yourselves. Things are about to get all kinds of crazy!