Authoress Update: 'Hey', you're thinking, 'déjà vu!'
And you're right. After posting the original, I went back and re-read it. And decided it was too rough. Kinda choppy. No flow, as it was.
So I've lengthened it, and changed a few scenarios, and added another chapter to hopefully keep you guys dangling lol.
The Future Is Wild!
By Nefertanya dragongurl Ahhotep
Chapter 18: Two of Hearts, One of A Kind
"There's another elevator coming up on the other side! And I can hear two heartbeats!!"
"What? Are ya sure?" Ace's heart sank to his stomach.
"Yes, positive! I can hear two separate heartbeats. One…I think one is taller than the other…they're both beating kinda fast…" Lexi opened her eyes and stared a warning to Ace. "In my experience, that's usually a sign of anxiety or agitation."
"Can ya tell anyt'ing else about 'em?"
"I don't have bionic eyes, Ace. I can't hear anything that sounds like a weapon, if that helps."
"So we're in da dark, huh?" She nodded slightly. Maybe leaving the farm wasn't the stellar an idea she'd thought it'd be…
"Oh, well, that's just dandy." Duck curled his beak into a worried sneer. "What kind of welcome is this for a great hero?"
"When I meet one I'll be sure ta ask him." Ace quipped, sending his female cohort into an appreciative snort.
The waterfowl glared at the lagomorphs. "Very droll. For all we know, these two could be some sort of brute squad! Here to kill us, and mash our bones inta bread!!" He imitated a pestle and mortar with his hands for effect. "They'll put out severed heads on the walls!!"
"Or maybe they're a couple of guys who got letters like we got!" Ace chastised. But Duck was too deep in his melodramatic despair to bother with an alternate interpretation.
Oh hoho!!!" he wailed. "They're probably villainous duck-eating pond scum dwellers from the swamps of Timbuktu! GASP !! AND I'M THE ONLY DUCK HERE! Oh hohoho!!! I'm too young to be eaten!!" Roughly, he shoved Lexi forward, "Here! Eat her, and spare me!!!"
"Hey!!" She squealed as she pitched forward into Ace.
"Not cool, Duck!" Ace was pissed. Being concerned about your own welfare was one thing, but pushing a girl was just plain cowardice in his book! "Panicking like dat ain't helping the situation!"
Behind them, a cheery ding and a red light alerted them to the fact the other elevator had arrived. "And now, t'anks ta you, we don't have time ta make up a plan!"
The doors hissed open, and two dark shapes could be made out in the bleaching light of the shaft. The trio held their breath, each taking a defensive stance unconsciously.
Cautiously, the strangers entered, warily eyeing both the mostly metal surroundings and the 'welcome wagon' ahead of them. A tall, lanky, bright green canine, and a short, muscular, purple Tasmanian Devil1. The latter was panting and drooling heavily as his eyes went helter-skelter. The former kept his golden eyes squarely on Ace, but each could see the tension in the shoulders of the other.
"Eh, what's up, doc?" Ace ventured, cautiously holding out a hand.
The canine had been about to clasp the offered hand, but now halted his progress and blinked. "How did you know I was a doctor?" He asked in surprise.
"Uhh…" was Ace's intelligent reply. "Ta be honest, I didn't!"
The canine was confused. "Then how did you know-"
"He's a comedian. He thinks it's funny." Lexi offered.
"I. see…" he replied, still somewhat mystified.
"Yes, ha-ha. We yuk it up all da time here in da mystery tower. Look, I take it ya got a notice from an odd human woman named-"
"Zadovia? Yes, she recruited me almost a week ago. I can only imagine this…gentleman I met outside was as well."
"#$#$ #$# Pbbbbtt!!!!"
"Ah, yes. Of course." He smiled politely.
"I see." Tech shot a 'do-you-get-it?' glance to the equally flustered trio. "At any rate, allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Tech E. Coyote. I hold a doctorate in physics, biology, chemistry, and dabble heavily in several other scientific branches. I am an excellent mechanic, I was in the top two percent of my class at Borosilicate University, and I was in line to be either a tenured professor at Acmetropolis University or a government scientist at a company which, sadly, I still cannot name."
"My, aren't we the egghead." Duck groused and pouted.
Tech's eyes widened in horror, and he placatingly put up his hands. "Oh, I'm not trying to be a braggart! I simply assumed you'd want to be aware of my qualifications, of what I can 'bring to the party', to use the common vernacular."
Ace smiled and held out a friendly hand. "Well, every team needs a smart guy to create all da fancy gadgets! I'm Ace, Ace Bunny. And dis is Lexi-"
"Hi."
"Enchanted to meet you, Miss Lexi." Tech bowed low over her hand (you can take the boy from his mother…) as he spoke, his voice gentle and warm as sunshine. Which irked Ace and Duck more than a bit. After all, they were there first!
Lexi giggled, pleased by the gentlemanly attention. "A pleasure, I'm sure! Welcome to the team!"
"-And ova' here is Mr. Danger Duck!" Duck froze in the middle of his silent mocking of the girl's girly response. Caught in an awkward moment, he could only blush and wave sheepishly. "Now, dat only leave one of us unaccounted for." Ace stepped over to the purple marsupial. "And who might you be, my purple pal?"
"#$#$$#$ SLAM!!!" The purple critter spun between the rabbit and the coyote, grinning maniacally. When he stopped, he panted heavily and looked expectantly at the rabbit. Ace was at a loss-the devil was impossible to understand2.
"#$#$$#$ SLAM!!!!" He repeated with growing annoyance.
"Um, Slam, was it?" Lexi tried meekly. Her recent experiences in psychology had taught her that short, strong people could be easily vexed if perceived understanding was lacking. Not to mention Tazzie devils were notorious carnivores! "Pleased to meet you, big guy. So, uh, what do you, y'know, bring to the team?"
A majorly toothy grin spread on his face. "SLAM! SLAM!! $$#$#$#$!!!!" In joy, he spun around the group and around the room in, knocking over several chairs in his tornado-like motion before coming to a halt in front of the largest, heaviest looking piece of equipment in the room-a large computer center. With the ease of a toddler lifting a toy, and about as much enthusiasm, hoisted it over his head in triumph. "SLAAAAAAM GOOD BOY!!"
"Like anyone's gonna argue with him?" Duck quipped as they all stared slack-jawed. His point understood, Slam threw the silicate equipment back down, where it became a jumbled mass of hissing, smoking junk.
"I can fix that." Tech quietly replied.
Hey, wait a sec…A realization struck Ace. He'd seen that move somewhere before… "Hey, I know you!!" Ace straightened with an admiring grin as it all clicked. "You're Slam Tasmania, da wrestler, aint'cha! I saw you on da television when I got insomnia, on da Amateur's Amateur Ring Federation show!"
Slam danced up and down with joy, but he was careful not to break anything else. "$#$#$$#$$#!!!!!!!! Slam dunk! Slam dunk!!" With that, he imitated a pile drive for the others, who chuckled appreciatively.
"Well, whaddya know. We got brains and brawn in one fell swoop." Lexi elbowed the coyote gently with a wink, eliciting a smile from the gentleman. "Add that to the token female, the fearless leader, and the comic foil-"
"Hey! What are you looking at me for?!" Duck shrieked
"-And I think we've got your standard team of comic book heroes, huh?"
"I only wish this was as simple as a comic book, Miss Bunny."
A soft red and yellow glow began to form from the center of the largest table. Quickly, the lights shifted and swirled together until a feminine form emerged, staring down at the quintet like a Madonna before an acolyte.
"Zadovia?"
"Greetings, Loonatics."
Chapter 18: Boss Lady, Ma'am
"Welcome, my friends, to your new headquarters. I hope you have found your way here with minimal trouble?"
"New headquarters?" Acecried out in shock. "Whoa, lady, we all just got here, and now yer telling us thins whole place is ours?"
Zadovia smiled warmly. "Of course! It would be awfully awkward if there were a team of heroes on every floor, now wouldn't it? And it would be far too dangerous to allow civilians entrance."
"And government agencies are too nosey." Tech smiled knowingly.
"Indeed. Will you all please have a seat?" Six chairs unfolded from the floor with a pneumatic hiss and pulled back to allow space to sit.
"Six chairs…" Tech noted. "Are we to expect another member?"
"I thought it prudent to allow room for our little group to grow." She cast a hard look at Duck. "And I see we have already sprouted something."
Duck was rather mortified-he was the only one there that didn't have an official letter! That gave them the right to kick his feathered behind onto the street! " Gulp Or worse!" he thought miserably.
"What? Danger Duck?" Ace spoke quickly and brightly to offset the questioning glances the other anthros were now giving the bird. "Boy, it was lucky for me dat you sent him-it woulda taken me days ta get here! Yep, a teleporter is a darned good thing ta have on a team, right Duck?" He squeezed the bird's shoulders as a cue to agree. Ace had gotten him into this mess, and for all the guy's obvious faults, he was damned if he was going to get humiliated in front of the fledgling team. That was his job.
"Uh…Yeah…."
Zadovia scowled in thought. "Teleporter…." She quoted quietly. "Yes, Ace….it was lucky." The tone in her voice implied that she understood the rabbit's designs; damn well didn't like it, but was too cultured to say otherwise. "At any rate, we've much more important things to discuss. I'm sure you're wondering who I am, and what's this all about?"
"Da thought did cross our minds."
"I fear I cannot reveal my identity at this time, as it is far too dangerous both to you, and our mission. Suffice to say, I am fully prepared to give any moral and financial assistance you may need for this endeavor."
"Financial….!" Dollar signs practically ran around Duck's head. "That means… giant mansions! Fast cars! Trophy wives!! Whoo-hoo!" He jumped out of his seat and attempted to kiss the hologram's feet. "Boss lady, may I say you're looking particularly lovely this evening? Now, whilst we're on the equally delicate topic, I'd like to know what kind of benefits package we're talking about-WHOOUF!!"
"Knock it off, will ya?" Ace growled as the money-grubber readjusted his collar. "Eh, as you were saying, Miss Zadovia." He said politely.
She smiled fondly at him. "Please call me Zadovia. And for the record, you will each receive a packet containing all the benefits and salary pertaining to your positions, always available for re-evaluation as time presses on.."
"$$#? Why Slam here?" Slam grunted.
"Hey, he can talk!" Duck squealed.
"SHHH!!"
"Oh right, like you weren't surprised." He pouted.
"Patience, friends! Perhaps I should get down to business. I wouldn't want to create dissension this early in the game. My mission is simple: to encourage the continuation of a peaceful, prosperous, and happy Acmetropolis."
"Make me prosperous, and I'll be happy!" Duck muttered softly,
"As the lot of you are quite aware of, the meteor that struck a few years ago unleashed major changes to both planet and populace. You all have discovered that somehow your bodies can do incredible things-things that give you the edge over the average anthro or homo sapiens."
"And you're afraid we would misuse them?" Lexi asked.
"No. She's implying that others might." Tech answered.
"Indeed. My reason for financing this tower, and employing you, is to be proactive about this potentially lethal threat."
"But …uh, Zadovia, isn't dat type of woik sumthin' for da army ta handle? Dey got hundreds of specialized forces-dere's just five of us!"
"Yes, I realize that, Ace. But few in the military are prepared for these empowered beings, or even willing to acknowledge they exist! I have strong reason to believe that there are many more beings, transformed by that disastrous day, capable of creating chaos on at least a citywide basis. To that end, I decided an equally empowered team, dedicated to the same ideals, was the best way to thwart this increasing threat. Unfortunately, as I said, the military and the government do not see things my way."
"So we're operating outside the government?"
Zadovia nodded. "Keeps the red tape to a minimum, I daresay." Suddenly, an undulating red light flooded the room, accompanied by an urgent klaxhorn.
"What da…?"
"Are we under attack?"
"Wha-ho!! We're gonna die!!"
"#$#$#!"
The quintet became alarmed, and started talking at once in confusion. All save Tech, who was staring intently at the screen in front of him. It had begun listing various bits of information, and the scientist went on automatic and began to study.
"Oh dear." Zadovia sighed. "I had hoped to give you more time to acclimate to all this beforehand."
Ace's eyes widened with growing comprehension. "You don't seriously mean…"
"It's a trial-by-fire, Ace." She apologized. "But know this-your fate is always in your hands, not mine. My sources have given you the necessary information, there is transportation three stories above, fully fueled and prepped. The exit is one elevator ride down-you need only give the word. All I ask is that you never reveal this operation."
They anthros looked at each other, trying to gauge the other's intents. No one really wanted to go and fight, but no one wanted to be the first to quit either. Finally, Ace drew up his pluck, and set his face into strength and determination.
"I'm in. I may not be a Navy SEAL, but I got enough training to try! Besides, I can't go back to da military anyway-not after dat little incident at the Chinese theater."
"Well, using that logic, I suppose I'll add my services after all. As a scientist, I might come in handy. I'm…a little unsure about the fighter part…" Tech blushed lightly as he gave a small, apologetic shrug.
"Dat's okay, doc-er, Doc. I'll fight for da both of us, if need be!"
"SLAM GOOD BOY!!!"
Ace cleaned out his ear as Lexi clamped her hands to her ears, her face contorted with pain. "Eh, I guess dat means your with us. Well, anyone else? Duck? Lexi?"
She shrugged. "I know some karate. My brothers made me learn. I made it to yellow belt!"
"Well then, dat just leave you, Duck. You in…or out?"
Now Duck was really in a pickle. Mortal danger was not among his 'top one hundred things to be in' list. Despite Zadovia's promise, there was no way to get out of this with dignity, especially if you're the only one to back out! He could say he wasn't really a member, that he never received an actual invitation. But then he'd really be a quitter and a phony, wouldn't he? A pretender to the throne of glory.
What would happen if he left? Would he spend his days as a pool boy, watching as the others received accolades and awards as he scrubbed out another chemi-scrubber3? To fetch soggy diapers and highballs for spoiled customers who under tipped because the ice was shaved, not chipped? But what if he stayed? He could be maimed, or even killed! But he could also live his childhood fantasies. Be Duck Dodgers, not just in thought but in deed!
….Ah well, he could always fake an injury, right?
"Yea, yea, I'm in." He replied with much swagger and bravado. "Someone's got to keep your hide in one piece, long ears."
"Mr. Duck!" Zadovia chastised. "While serving as a member of this team, you will refrain from any type of uncouth behavior!"
"Eh, forget about it, Miss Zadovia" Ace slipped a casual arm around the waterfowl. "It's just a kinda male bonding, right, Flatfoot?"
"Yeah right." He grumbled.
"…All right then. We've wasted too much time as is to argue the point further. Take the elevator up to the one hundred and eighth floor. There is a personal aircraft fueled and primed for you. There is also some armor to protect you, as well as some weaponry. All pertinent information will be directed to you, Dr. Coyote, as I believe you will best be able to interpret it all."
"I'm honored by your confidence, Miss Zadovia."
"It's well placed, I assure you. Now, be safe, friends, and return victorious!"
"All right! You guys heard da lady!! Let's move!"
Hee! You guys all thought it'd be TechRev!
So is God, for that matter. But let's not go there, shall we?
Chemi-scrubber: High end pool equipment. Basically, a set of charged metal plates attract waterborne chemicals in the same way a Brita does. Except these work on pools, lakes, and other large bodies of water. They need regular maintenance, esp. in heavily and or recurrently polluting areas. This type of work would be a shoo-in for Mike Rowe in present-day terms of attractiveness.
Is it any better?