Note: Sorry guys! I reloaded it after I realized how many typos were in here! Most of them should be fixed. If I have to, I'll reload it again. lol. Enjoy!

~Annika

On the way to our next destination, Sly gave me the low-down on all that had happened. Apparently their trip to Australia was quite eventful. He had said something about a "Mask of Dark Earth" or whatever. Of course, the Guru had to tell me more about it since Sly was failing to explain very well. The Guru was quite interesting and it was obvious that he and Murray were pretty close.

While in Australia, Carmelita got possessed by the mask and became gigantic. It was a pretty wild story but, somehow it was kind of believable.

As soon as we had gotten to Holland, Bentley sat down and tried to make some plans on how to get into the Cooper Vault. Nothing he drew up made it possible. So, Bentley found someone named Penelope on Thiefnet. When Bentley tried to ask for her help, she politely declined and said the she worked for only "the best". Which brings us to her boss, The Black Baron. He was a big time Dogfight Champion and had even set up his own international competition called ACES.

A few days later, Penelope replied to us with a counter offer. If we could defeat the Black Baron she would believe that we not just some knock-off thieves and worth her time. With that in mind, Murray and Bentley got to work with building a plane while Sly and I got our pilot's license the fast way. Not that I would be able to fly since we only had one plane. I would be Sly's backup in case something happened. As well as everybody's cover if they get caught. It was unlikely to happen but, you never know. While Sly and the others were doing their shenanigans, I would be hanging around the other pilots so that no suspicion arose.

Sly and I donned our disguises and made our way into the meeting area. As soon as we got in, he pulled out his binocu-com to talk to Bentley. I listened in with my own earpiece.

"If we're going to succeed in this year's ACES competition we'll need to learn who we're flying against," Bentley told us.

"What? They keep the flight roster a secret?" Sly asked.

"I'm sure it has a lot to do with making sure there's no craziness going on before the dogfight," I said quietly.

"You would be correct, Annika. In years past, competitors would go out at night and sabotage each other's planes."

Sly grinned. "That makes sense. They keep it a secret so nobody knows who to mess with."

"Precisely. Look Sly, you're a good pilot but we only have one plane… and you'll be up there against dozens of bogeys."

Sly made a funny face. "You know… I would usually make some sarcastic remark on how 'overwhelmed I am about your confidence in me' but… Those are some grim odds… And, you know I'm always up for some sabotage."

"Glad to hear it. Now, the flight roster is kept secret from the other pilots but not the event staff."

"So we have a mole on the inside?" I asked.

"Our 'friend' Dimitri has been hired on to do some color commentary during the dogfights. He'll know where the roster's hidden. Annika, keep an eye out for anyone who gets suspicious while Sly is sweet talking Dimitri. If anything starts between us and the other pilots, we'll get kicked out of the competition."

"In other words, we play nice. And then we can blow each other to bits at 300 feet."

Bentley disconnected from us. Sly turned to me.

"You heard the man…"

I nodded. "You take care of Dimitri. I've got your back."

He went to it. I wandered around the lobby, scoping out the competition and keeping an eye out for Sly. Just as Sly was finishing up, the Black Baron made his appearance.

"I bid you all a most flamboyant welcome my esteemed comrades of the skies," he announced. "Welcome, welcome to another year of the ACES competition. We've got teams here from across the globe. Canada, Belgium, Ecuador, Iceland, Korea and many, many more. Not the least of which is last year's deadly runner-up, Team Muggshot."

In one of the balconies was an enormous bulldog.

"This time we're goin' to drill you guys fulla holes!"

Some of the pilots chuckled at that threat.

"Now, we all know in year's past we all know that some teams engaged in a little 'good-natured' late night hi-jinx."

A few pilots had a few things to say about that.

"Yes, yes that was all so VERY funny," the Baron continued. "But no more! You know the rules, no one, absolutely NO ONE is to leave the hotel after sunset. If my guards catch you outside you will be beaten to within an inch of your life. No exceptions! This WILL BE a fair competition. I bid you all an exuberant and exaggerated farewell pilots... Tonight, sleep like geese and tomorrow… soar like eagles!"

There was quite a roar from that last comment. The Baron took his leave and Sly came to me.

"I don't like the sound of all that mess he just said…" I murmured.

"You sure you'll be alright by yourself?" Sly asked.

I nodded. "Bentley mentioned that there will be holograms of you guys in the beds in the hotel room. You all should be well covered."

"Thank you again for your help Annika…"

I waved it off. "Don't. While you guys are working, I'll be sleeping. Granted, I'll keep an ear and an eye out for a little bit just to make sure that no one is planning anything."

He nodded to me then made his way out the front door.

About an hour later, Bentley radioed me.

"Annika, have you heard anything yet?"

"Not yet. What's going on?"

"We have the line-up. We're facing Team Iceland and Team Belgium tomorrow. This may get a little sticky…"

"Excellent. This is where the sabotage begins, right?"

"Yes. We're going to frame them and pit them against each other."

"Good. I'll hang here and cover the tracks. It should be an easy job. Most of the pilots here have already retired to their rooms. I'll let you know if I catch whiff of anything."

"Alright. Murray and I will be in later to steal a hanky from one of Team Belgium's pilots."

I looked around and spotted a few members of Team Belgium.

"You're in luck, Wizard. A few of them are still hanging around."

"Good then. Keep us posted."

He hung up with me. I made myself comfy on one of the couches. Just as Bentley had said, he and Murray came in a little later and managed to get one of the handkerchiefs from the pilot. It was pretty silly looking but they got what they needed and left without so much as a scuffle. Murray stuck around for a little bit to make sure no suspicion arose then left quietly.

A little later, I was hearing some low whispers about some team coming tonight to make a mess of our hangar. I immediately radioed Bentley.

"Bentley, do you hear me? Some rumors are flying around."

"Yes, so I've been informed. Penelope heard as well and shot me an email," he said.

I pouted a little. "What's the point of me being here if your Gal Pal is getting to you first?"

"You know why Annika. Just hang out there, we have it covered here. Go ahead and get some rest."

I sighed then yawned. "Will do. I'll meet you at the hangar in the morning."

I got a few Zs in and left the hotel to go to the hangar. The gang was already getting Sly supped up and ready to go for the dogfight.

"Good morning," I said as I came in. "How are you feeling Sly?"

He grinned. "Pretty good actually. I'm pretty hyped.

"Glad to hear it." I smiled back at him. "I have no doubt that you'll do just fine."

We loaded the plane up to the flying deck and Sly let it rip. He was in the air with the others. Just as Bentley had planned, Belgium and Iceland were taking each other down instead of going after Sly. All Sly had to do was shoot down the stragglers. And in no time he was named the winner. I literally jumped up and down with excitement. He landed the plane and came straight to me.

"That was awesome! I can't believe it!" I cried as I hugged him. "You were amazing up there!"

He hugged me back. "You know I aim to please."

"Alright you two," Bentley said. "We have more pressing matters at hand. Time for briefing."

We all went into the hangar so Bentley could give us our next plan of action. I would still be hanging out at the hotel until the finals while everyone else took out the competition once more. The rules of the finals were a little different this time. It's all about taking down the defending champ. In other words, the Baron was who we needed to focus. Taking out Muggshot would be a cinch. Bentley would challenge Muggshot to a fist fight while Sly got Carmelita to follow him to town square. In other words, ol' Carm would be taking out Muggshot for us while Sly dealt with the Baron. It seemed easy enough.

Along with all that mess, Bentley would drug an enormous wolf so that the Guru could take care of some of the local guards. Again, it seemed easy enough as long as everything went without a hitch. Not only would we get the title but Penelope would join us as well. I felt good about Bentley's plan. I would still be covering for them at the hotel but at least he would update me on what was going on.

As soon as we got done briefing, we got to work. I went back to my position at the hotel, lounging in one of the chairs waiting for Bentley to come and challenge Muggshot. The big guy was there as planned. And right on cue, Bentley wheeled himself in and challenged him. I kind of giggled to myself. It was silly looking to see someone like Bentley challenging Muggshot.

I saw Muggshot agree to his challenge then Bentley made his leave.

"Nice going Bentley," I said into the com. "He took the bait. Sly, how are things with Carmelita?"

"It would be better if two cops weren't here," he said.

Two cops? That only meant one thing.

"Kaylita is here?" I asked.

"Yeah. Don't worry. They have each other to cover their backs. They'll be fine."

I nodded. "Alright. Keep me posted."

A little bit later, I heard from Bentley.

"Muggshot is taken care of and the gunmen are down."

"Nice job guys!" I said.

"Annika, come to the hangar," he said. "We have to get ready for the next dogfight."

"On the way."

I made it to the hanger quickly. Sly was already ready there getting ready to fly again while Murray, Bentley and the Guru did some last minute preparations.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him. I helped put on his flight jacket and buttoned it for him.

"I'm a little more nervous this time."

"I know you'll do fine." I pat his jacket. "Go kick some butt out there."

He mock saluted me then launched the plane.

I watched from below as Sly went straight for the Baron. Just as the Baron seemed to be going down, the windmill propeller went through threw two of the Baron's gun-blimps. He then landed on a much larger plane. After a few minutes, the huge plane landed. When we went to see what happened, we found Sly unharmed and Penelope in the Baron's suit. But before anything could be explained to us, the guys and I were ushered to the winner's circle. Not that it really mattered to me. Sly and the others did all the work while I stood by and covered their tracks. It was all their glory. And, quite honestly, I didn't mind at all.

There was quite a bit of awkwardness between Penelope and Bentley. Apparently the pictures they had sent each other were a bit… Off. She had explained later that the suit was created to get by the strict age requirements for the dogfights. However, the Baron soon became famous and she found herself putting on the suit more often. But now that the Baron had lost, she was able to join the team, in which she did without hesitation. We vacationed for a week in Holland then moved on to our next mission. We were off to China to get our demolitions specialist.