I really need to learn to set an alarm. I know my Pip-Boar had to have something like that. If it didn't, I'd have to make one. The damn thing had a radio and I didn't even know about it! Things like this tend to keep me awake at night. Or day. Fuck, I still didn't know what time it was. I could reach over and grab my Pip-Boar, but I don't think it would matter what time it was. If there was someplace we were needed, the others would have gotten me by now. Still…

I remember taking it off at some point, just before a panicked robot started pounding at my door. I had to assure Onion that I was fine, that this was probably the safest place to remove it. He started to complain about him being glad he didn't have a heart because it would have stopped a long time ago because of me. I chuckled to myself. He had a heart, just not that kind, otherwise he wouldn't be so worried about me. I was too comfortable lying against Nate to want to get up, but his Pip-Boar was resting on my chest, along with this whole arm as if trying to make sure I didn't drift away. I gently moved it to check the time, but I could have set off a grenade and not woken him. I had to make sure he was breathing with how sound asleep he was. I checked the time on his device.

Two in the morning! Why the fuck was I still awake at two in the morning? I tried to snuggle against Nate's body, using his warmth to lull me to sleep again, but my mind was racing too much to fall asleep again. I had this… dream. It wasn't like those nightmares, thankfully. This one was something I haven't had for a very long time, not since I was still in the Burrow.

When I was younger I often woke up in the middle of the night with these vivid dreams. I would imagine some kind of gizmo or gadget, or the solution to a problem I had. It would be so clear in my head that I was always afraid that if I didn't go write it down right away, it would be lost to my subconscious. By now I had dawdled in bed so much that I figured it would have already faded, but it was still there, clear as day. I couldn't hold back the urge anymore. I needed to build it.

I tried to wake Nate, to ask him if it was okay to use his workshop, but I couldn't get that fox to budge an inch, let alone wake up. He looked too cute to wake right now, plus he looked as if he was having a rather enjoyable dream. I had a feeling that he wouldn't mind if I used it a bit. I slowly pushed myself off of the bed, trying to slip from under his grip. I successfully got out of bed as I saw him move a bit, grab the other pillow and start to coddle it.

I moved to the door but then remembered that I was still naked. I had no idea if they were awake or not, but I wasn't giving Holly any more ammunition for her teasing. I grabbed a shirt and my jeans and threw them on. I didn't bother with any underwear, I really needed to clean them anyways. I was wearing the same ones for way too long. Holly and I are around the same size, I wonder… no, better be safe and not ask her. Maybe I can steal a pair when she's not looking. That'll teach her for messing with me.

The hallway seemed empty, but it did earlier as well. I listened more carefully this time for any noise. I had to remember from the brief tour of the place that Nate's workshop was down the hall in the opposite way of where Holly and Mark slept, but I wanted to make sure. I snuck down the hall to see that their door was closed. Hopefully that meant they were still asleep. I pressed my ear against the door. I heard something, it sounded like…

I felt my entire face, no my entire body get warm from embarrassment. I really shouldn't be listening, but it was hard to pull away… no, bad Olivia! Bad! I didn't need to think… about… the warm feeling faded, replacing it with a coldness. I… they sounded like they were enjoying it, that it was bringing them a pleasure that had been torn from me. I wanted… no, I needed to leave. Needed to push those thoughts out of my head. I wanted to be with Nate, like that, but I didn't know when, or how, with this feeling that still resided in me, after what he…

I had to get my mind on something else. I brought up the images from my dream, as if dragging blueprints out of a drawer. That will keep my mind occupied for now. I slowly moved away from the door and headed towards the workshop. I really hope he has what I needed, it would do wonders to distract me.

There were two things on my mind actually. One I could build from memory, as long as I had the right parts it was easy, the other, however, I needed to make up some basic blueprints. I would need help with this one, and since it's not possible for someone to read my thoughts, I had to be able to visually show it. There were sheets of paper and some pencils scattered along the top of a desk. I grabbed them and started to draw.

The idea originally came to me during that attack from those not-so-nice Guardians with the plasma guns. I didn't know exactly how the armor worked, but I figured it had some kind of computerized system in it. I think I remember Chief Lazlo mentioning something about a Pip-Boar like device integrated into the armor.

During that attack I had at one point thought to myself: 'too bad I don't have one of my remotes' and that triggered the idea for some kind of gun that shot remote 'rounds'. I barely knew how to use a pistol when I first found it, so making a gun was way out of my league, but I had a feeling that between Nate and Holly's knowledge, I could make a gun like this come true.

I heard a loud yawn behind me that scared crap out of me. "Wh-h-h-hat you doing Binky?"

It was Nate, and… did he just call me… Binky? "H-how did you… where did you hear that from?!"

"Oh…" his eyes snapped wide open, "I-I didn't mean to say that! I'm sorry! I-I heard it… you were… you were talking in your sleep… I'm sorry I…"

"You big dummy, it's okay. I was just… shocked to hear that name. My mom used to call me that, but I had forgotten all about it until that place. The illusion was so… real…"

"I'm s-sorry, I didn't… know."

"Come here." I had sat down at the desk but rather than get up, I craned my neck backwards to see Nate slowly moving towards me. When he got close enough I reached up and gave him a kiss. "You can call me that if you want, Pillow, but just don't tell Holly, I'm a bit ticked at her teasing as it is, don't want to add to that."

"Don't worry, your secret is safe, Binky. So, what are you working on?"

"When we fought those guys with the plasma guns…" at the mention of that I felt his paws on my shoulder tighten a bit. I looked up and saw that he was now staring at the scar on my face. I didn't look in mirrors that often, so. I had completely forgotten about it. I lifted one of this paws and put it on the scar. It felt… odd, having his paw touching my bare skin. Mark had said that the damage was enough that fur may not ever grow back. "It's okay, you know that? I… I honestly keep forgetting about this. It's a part of me now, so you just need to accept it. I don't blame you for it. Plus… it probably makes me look a bit more… bad-ass, doesn't it?"

"It… if it doesn't bother you, then it won't bother me."

I wasn't sure if that was a comforting response or if he simply didn't know what to say, but I'll just pretend it was a comforting one. "Anywho, back during that time, a thought hit me. If I had one of my remotes, and I was a bit closer, I may have been able to remotely hack their armor. You guys seem to have it in with Lazlo, is it possible to hack a Guardian's armor?"

"It… perhaps. The armor's computer is protected against electrical attacks, otherwise it'd be too easy to short it out. However, if you were to land it just right, specifically near the suits internal antenna, you might be able to hijack a stray signal and get in that way. You'd need to have a very accurate throwing arm to hit the sweet spot however."

"Or, maybe a gun? Here, take a look."

I showed him the rough sketches I drew as I explained it. "I would basically need to shrink down the tech and place it into some kind of shell. I'd need it to attach, not penetrate, or else I'd risk damaging the remote. I'm just not sure how to not only shrink it down that small, but how to prevent it from simply shattering upon impact."

"That's… a very cool idea actually. I may be able to help you with that."

"There's also one other project. It kinda came to me in my sleep. Problem is, I would need very specific parts, didn't you say that you kept Holly and Nate's Pip-Boars?"

"Yeah, they didn't… I don't think they ever liked them, but I use them here and there to test some code. Why?"

"Could I… if you didn't mind… I needed some parts… from them. Both of them, actually."

"What could you possibly be making to need two Pip-Boars?"

"Well, Drake and Blanche don't have any means of communicating with us, and Onion, well I think he's developing a fear of flying. I know, it sounded odd to me too, but he's not your typical robot. Drake can't use a typical communicator, and I don't have the skills to make something small enough for Blanche to use, but if I were to separate the micro-bus from them, and use them both to create a stable link between them, through a wireless bridge, of course, I could create a way for Blanche and Drake to communicate together and to us simultaneously."

"But how would Drake use it?"

"You know that tiny 'finger' that is on each of his wings? Well, if I use a small button and sync it with the bus, he could just flex it and keep it active. He's loud enough that I don't need to worry about a microphone being close to his mouth. Plus, with the radio transmitters and the Pip-Boar's tagging ability, it would also make them easier to track, and vice versa. So, you up for the challenge? I need the distraction."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing, about distraction, that is. Yeah. You hungry? Let me grab something for us then we can start working."

"Actually, I'm starving. Bring me your best menu Pillow!"

"Whatever you say… Binky."

Nate was in a good mood. I liked that. Despite all this time, he still often got nervous or stuttered around me. I still wasn't sure what went through that complex mind of his, but I did know one way to get him to focus, talking tech. I was planning on working on this alone, but I'm glad he's here. Between the two of us, I think we can solve anything that comes our way.

Well, most anything. There are some things that only time can heal. I think we both know that, and as long as he's willing, I will take as long as we need to heal them.

We worked on the two projects for, hell, I have no idea how long. We finished the two communicators. Drake's was easy. I had the design down and due to his size, I was able to make it small enough for him to wear comfortably, but it was still large enough for my tools. Blanche's, however, was a bit of a challenge. I've worked with rodent tech before, and had a smaller set of tools specifically for that, but Blanche, she was so much smaller than any mammal in the Burrow. I was originally going to make her a miniature Pip-Boar like device to wear on the wrist, but that would have been very difficult for me to create the interface, when even a single one of my claws would have covered up the whole thing.

Then I remembered her tail. While it was hard, it wasn't impossible. Basic neuro-connectors, and that special wire did most of the work once I programmed it. The problem was, I needed to connect my Pip-Boar to it in order to give the initial commands. However, Nate showed me how to take the micro bus and convert it into a nano bus. Sure it would limit the number of connectors, but Blanche didn't need a fancy control interface, she just needed a single button, just like Drake.

"This will be perfect. Thanks." I gave him a small peck on the lips. "So this is out of the way, and we have a test round of the remote bullet, but I still need a gun for it, and a way to test it out. On paper it should work, but it may also shatter into a million pieces upon impact. Hey, you mind doing me a favor?"

"Anything."

Nate seemed to have a very dreamy look in his eyes when he said that. I wonder if he enjoyed working next to me as much as I did with him. "Could you take this to Holly and see if she has any guns to spare, and if it's okay to take one and have her modify it? I want to go check on Blanche and Drake and give them their 'gifts'."

"Of course. I'll let you know as soon as it's ready. Love ya, Binky."

"Love you too, Pillow."

It's going to take some time hearing that name again, but from him it sounds… right. I gathered up the stuff and went to the garage where Drake was, and where I was betting Blanche was as well. Besides the devices, I also had a favor to ask of Blanche and Drake, one that I was unsure if they would agree to after the last… incident, but we were stuck with no leads.

The garage door was slightly ajar as I pushed it open and entered. Drake was hanging from one of the supports on the ceiling. I was glad they could hold his weight. I don't know how I'd react if the roof suddenly collapsed on him. Blanche was nowhere to be seen, but with her size, she could be anywhere.

It looked like he was sleeping, so I slowly walked up to him, trying not to shock him awake. Despite the friendliness he has with us, I wasn't sure if his original instincts were still intact, and an abrupt wakening would definitely be one way to test that. A test I would be glad to never take.

When I got closer to him, I thought I heard something, like a small murmur coming from his mouth. Did deathwings talk in their sleep as well? I turned my ears to get a better listen, but that didn't sound like Drake's usual deep voice, it sounded higher pitched, distant, as if it was coming from… a… mouse… Blanche!

Was Drake eating Blanche?! He didn't look awake, but maybe he was a sleep eater? Panic set in as I tried to think of some logical reason, but all of them was pointing to the same conclusion, Blanche was in trouble! I tried to speak quiet enough to get her attention without waking Drake. The last thing I needed was him to swallow in a panic, or want some… dinner.

"Blanche! I'm here!"

I heard a louder noise, but it was still too muffled to hear. Drake's head, while pointing towards the ground, was still too high for me to reach without jumping. Then I remembered when Holly woke up from her state of unconsciousness, she said she tried to see if Drake was okay with a pole… there it is!

I ran and grabbed the pole. It must have been used to change the lighting fixtures on the ceiling because it had an odd shaped hook on it that matched the installed light fixtures… why the fuck was I thinking about that now? I rushed back to Drake and slowly and gently poked his mouth, trying to open his jaw. The muscles on his mouth were too strong for me. It was like he had it in a death grip. Then, a small bit of metal poked out from his lips.

The bit of metal slowly worked itself between the lips, working as if trying to pick a lock. Was that… "Blanche!"

My voice was a bit louder than I thought as Drake suddenly woke up and dropped from the ceiling. I must have spooked him, causing his feet to let go of what he was holding. I ran over to them and focused on his mouth. I tried to pry it open but his jaws were too strong.

"Drake. Open your mouth. Now!"

The look he gave me was of utter confusion as he obeyed and opened his maw wide. Blanche, her fur matted by his saliva rolled out before stopping, getting back on her feet, and trying to wipe off the spit with a rather disgusted look on her face.

"Blanche! What happened?"

"Ugh. The big lug kept complaining that his mouth hurt. I wasn't planning on going spelunking to see what was wrong, figuring he was a big boy and could solve it himself. Then he started to whimper. Complains I can drown out, that noise? I couldn't take it and agreed to take a look. Apparently a bit of that spider feast he had got lodged in the roof of his mouth, and while I was trying to dislocate it, the ass-twat fell asleep! Can you believe it? I tried yelling, I tried opening his mouth with my paws, but nothing was working. I thought about jabbing him with my sword, but I didn't want to hurt him." She looked over towards where the APC was parked, "…plus I kinda wasn't wearing them. Then I tried my tail. That thing has some strength to it! Kinda makes me glad I got my old one lopped off… almost."

"I'm so glad it wasn't… for a moment I was afraid…"

"That he was eating me? That lug has too soft a heart for it I think. Well, at least with his friends. Tell you the truth, if he were to go crazy and eat us all, I doubt he'd start with me. I'd probably fully digest before his stomach even registered me as food!"

"Just… next time you try to perform oral surgery on something big enough to swallow you whole, at least let us know. Otherwise next time you might just be digested before anyone even knows."

"Guess it's a good thing you came along then. Was there something you needed?"

"Yeah, actually. First, I have a present for you. For both of you."

"Booze? Cause I sure can use a drink right now."

"I'm sure you could, but no. It's a communication device. Here Drake, yeah you stay right there…"

Drake was still on the ground in a rather awkward sitting position. I wonder if he felt bad for what happened? He had an odd expression on his face, one that his typically menacing visage did wonders at fogging up. I reached under his jaw and he pulled it back a bit, but I grabbed his muzzle before he could move more, and gently petted the fur under his jaw.

"It's okay Drake. It was just an accident. Blanche isn't mad at you." I looked towards her, giving her a stern look. "Right?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not mad. Just… don't fall asleep next time, okay?"

I really hope there wasn't a next time. I highly doubt she as any proper medical training, even if it was as simple as pulling a bit of food out of the gums. After I got Drake purring, I knew he was alright.

"Hey Drake, I got something for you. Hold still please."

I had originally thought of a collar system since it would be the most efficient use, but then I remembered the shock collar that that boar had fitted the deathwings with and didn't want to bring any painful memories back. Instead I decided to make a kind of 'ring' for him to wear. The way his large and small 'fingers' were situated on each wing, I was easily able to make something that hopefully could be comfortably worn on his larger 'finger' with the button orientated to be pressed by the smaller one. I didn't know the size of his claw, so I made it adjustable, at least until I got the right fittings. I wanted it to be secure enough that it wouldn't fall off during flights.

"There, does that feel uncomfortable in anyway?"

"Drake. No. Feel."

"Good. Now for you Blanche."

"I ain't wearing no pussy-ass ring! What, you trying to get us hitched or something?"

Hitched? What did she… oh. I started to laugh and I think that angered Blanche even more. "No. It's a communication device. Here, I made a special one for you. It's… well I didn't have the tools to make something small enough for you to comfortably wear, especially lacking a power source that small, but then I remembered your tail. May I see it?"

She wrapped her tail around herself and held it, as if trying to protect a child from being taken. "What do you want with it…"

"I just need to make some adjustments and install this, is all. Trust me. If I wanted to simply take it, I'd just deactivate it with my Pip-Boar. I still have the code to link the two. I kept it just in case…"

"I didn't live up to the end of the bargain? Typical mammals. No one in this fucking world can trust anyone!"

"I… yes, that was what it was for. At first the thought of hiring a mercenary to take down other mercenaries was a bit appalling to me. But I'm glad we met. You might not be the… calmest of us, but I trust you. If I didn't we'd all probably be dead now. Here, as a little token of faith…"

I opened up the sync program right in front of her and switched over to the file that synced it with her tail. I made sure she saw it as I deleted it from my system. I trusted her enough to not be a problem, at least that was what I was hoping. My history with trusting other mammals has been a slippery path. Still, I needed to get this to both of them if the second half of my plan was to work.

"You… okay. Just make it quick."

"Now, hold still, I just need to get my screwdriver… if you keep wiggling this thing is gonna end up somewhere that you probably won't like."

Since I deleted the sync file from my Pip-Boar, I had to manually remove the connectors from the tail. Typically a quick push of a button would automatically detach the couplers allowing the tail to be freed. I'm so glad that I had kept these highly flexible antennas around. I don't think I would have been able to create something so small, especially within the short time I took. Once the last connecting screw was loosened, the entire tail came off, leaving a very thin strand of nano-filament dangling off.

"What is… FUCK! THAT HURT! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!" She had only lightly touched the filament with her paw before screaming in pain.

"That's the nano-filament wire. It's what allows you to control the tail with such fluid movements. It's also directly connected to your brain and touching it, is akin to touching your bare nerve endings. It'll be very susceptible to pain until the tail goes back on. I'd be careful if I were you."

"Fucking ass-twat! You could have warned me!"

"Well. You didn't ask."

Sure I could have told her about it, how the 'tail' would be very open to everything while I was working on this, but then she might have not allowed me to do these adjustments. She said she didn't like pain before, and I had a feeling that telling her it might cause some may not have gone over well with her. Still, it was slightly amusing to me.

It took about twenty minutes to install the new part. It made the base of the tail ever so slightly thicker, and I had to take a micro-drill to make a hole for the button, but it went much more smoothly than I thought it would. Once I was done I went to go put the tail back on but she seemed very hesitant. The entire time she stood like a statue, probably afraid to make any sudden movements that would make her tail hit something. I assured her that the sensation would never go away until the tail was back on.

"You are never, NEVER taking that off again. You hear?"

"Well I may need to make some adj…"

"NEVER!"

"Okay, okay. I'll never take it off again. Now, if you're all calmed down, I would like to show you two how they work. It's rather simple really. I already pre-programmed them both. The devices have a four way link. The first link is between the two of you. The second is between either of you and Nate and my Pip-Boars, while the fourth link is connected to Onion. To put it plainly, it's a communicator."

"Communicator? So what, you can spy on us now?"

"No. They only work when you want them to. Blanche, your activation button is on the base of the tail near your… well it's down there."

"Why the fuck did you install it that close to my ass you… ass!"

"I needed the thickest part of the tail, alright? If you feel down with your paw, you can feel the button. You can either press it then, or with the tip of your tail. Try it."

She felt down there, all the time giving me an evil look. Once she figured out where it was, she started to move her tail until she eventually found it. The communicator in my Pip-Boar became active, along with Drakes. I didn't activate Nate's yet because I needed his Pip-Boar, and his permission, to do so.

"Hello?"

Her voice was very faint in my communicator. "The microphone is in the tip of your tail. Try holding it close to your mouth."

She put it up to her mouth, but looked like she was going to try to eat it. When she spoke, it echoed way too loudly through my arm. "Keep it a little bit from your face, okay?"

She moved it a bit further out and tried again, this time it came in much clearer.

"Good. Now Drake, you have something similar, but yours is in the ring. Your voice is deep enough that I figured it'd be fine to keep the mic in the ring as well. Now, you should be able to push it with your smaller claw. Yeah, perfect. Now say something."

"Drake. Odd."

"Good, I can hear you. Can you hear him Blanche?"

"You fucking ass-twat, the speaker is in my ASS?!"

"It's not in your ass Blanche, it's in the base of the tail. Look, if you can find me something more your size then I'll be happy to make the modifications. Until then… enjoy talking out of your ass."

I knew that would make her angry, but I also knew she wouldn't try anything, and as I expected, she threw out some more expletives before sulking.

"I need a drink."

"I have one more thing to ask of you two."

"Yeah, what the fuck you want now?"

"We need more information on the Legionaries. It's been too long since we heard anything and it's starting to worry me. I would like you two to test out your communicators, and by doing so, go scouting for any signs of Legionary activities."

"No. Fucking. Way. Last time we left your asses alone, you got raped and almost killed! If we were there, it would have all ended before they even took you!"

I had a feeling that would be her reaction. She cared, more than she would ever admit. "This needs to be done, and Drake is the fastest thing we got, and I can't just send him alone, I need someone who can report in with complete details on anything you find," I looked towards Drake, "and you are not the most… eloquent of mammals Drake. No offense."

"Drake. No. Talk. Good."

"My point exactly. So, will you please help us?"

"And what if those fuckers find you here while we're away? These damn things can warn us, but they can't make us get here any faster!"

"What if I were to… sweeten the deal?"

"There's nothing you can say to change my mind ass-twat! Now where did I put my beer?"

"How about some nice, preserved, bourbon?"

She stopped and her ears perked at the sound of my words. "Bourbon, huh? Been a while since I had a good hard drink like that. You don't strike me as a drinker Olivia, so how do I know you have some?"

"Well, surprisingly enough, Nate loves that stuff. I've gotten to like it a little, not the taste but the… effects. You're right about one thing Blanche, it really does help to dull the mind."

"You got that right. Two bottles. I'll do it for two bottles. No less. And they have to be unopened!"

"Deal. Hold on right here, I'll go get them."

Nate had at least a dozen or so bottles, he wouldn't mind if I took two of them. I can't even imagine him drinking all that in his lifetime, so he probably wouldn't even notice. Still, I should probably ask him first. I went back to the workshop to find him passed out on the desk. The remote bullet and gun plans weren't there, so I assumed he delivered them to Holly. He had something else under his paws, but I couldn't make it out. I don't know why he would still be tired, but I didn't want to bother him for something so trivial. I gave him a small kiss on the head and went to where he kept the bottles.

Two wouldn't hurt. I just hope that Blanche didn't decide to down them both before her mission. I needed her at her peak so they can spot the Legionaries before they spot them. I wanted them to scout the area, not engage anyone. I better make sure to let them know that. The last thing we needed was a confrontation when we didn't even have a plan.

I was enjoying this relaxation, but it was nearly about time for it to end. I just hope that we get to live long enough to do this again.

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Stripes]

"Good morning Zootopian wasteland! This is Stripes with Stripes in the Morning! I do apologize for a bit later than typical show. Seems a certain fox tried to slip me some decaf today."

[Max]

"Oh don't lay this on me you striped beluga. YOU decided in your oh so infinite wisdom to ignore my instructions and grabbed the wrong can without ever ONCE looking at the label. Not my fault you can't smell the difference."

[Stripes]

"Why does decaf even exist? It's like alcohol free beer or diet water, it just makes no sense. Anyways, let's kick this show off with today's special guest. He's one wolf that is very difficult to get a hold of, but thanks to a little ingenuity (and the fact that I have been following every Tac-Lifter I see), we finally meet up with Stalker Logan of the Steel Guardians. Good day Stalker Logan. May I call you Logan?"

[Logan]

"No."

[Stripes]

"No? Is that all? No witty banter, no aggressive comeback, just, no?"

[Logan]

"Yes."

[Stripes]

"This interview is going nowhere fast. So Stalker Logan, do you have a first name?"

[Logan]

"Yes, but that's on need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know."

[Stripes]

"I see. Logan it is. Hey, at least I got more than one word out of you."

[Logan]

"…"

[Stripes]

"And now, back to silence. Okay then, let's begin this with a few, hopefully need-to-know questions. First off, how long have you been a member of the Guardians?"

[Logan]

"Twenty-eight years."

[Stripes]

"Twenty-eight? That's a pretty big time so be relatively unscathed, let alone to be alive. The Guardians are known for taking on the biggest, baddest enemies the wasteland knows. Although, to tell you the truth, you don't look to be that old, even with your dark silvery fur. When did you enlist?"

[Logan]

"Twenty-eight years ago."

[Stripes]

"I already got that. Okay, let's try this. When were you born?"

[Logan]

"Twenty-eight years ago."

[Stripes]

"Wait, what? I think I'm a bit confused."

[Logan]

"I was an orphan, a pup only a few months old when Chief Lazlo took me in. He raised me as a soldier from the moment I could walk."

[Stripes]

"Sorry to hear that. Do you know what happened to your biological parents?"

[Logan]

"No."

[Stripes]

"Do you regret not knowing them?"

[Logan]

"No."

[Stripes]

"Okay, these one-line answers are getting annoying. Since I don't think I will get anything else about this out from you, let's move on. You have been called, in many fashion, the bite to Lazlo's bark. Can I get an explanation?"

[Logan]

"As I said, I was raised as a Guardian ever since I could remember. I'm a soldier, a warrior. I know how to use every weapon, multiple styles of martial arts, am skilled in every Guardian tech save for Exo-Suits, and am able to make critical, split second decisions on a battlefield, even in the midst of combat. I'm Chief Lazlo's second in command, and in control of all major military engagements when he is unable to."

[Stripes]

"So tell us, and truthfully please, is the reason that you're the second in command simply due to favoritism? I mean, raising you and training you personally from a cub? You'd think he'd be showing a little bias towards you over some of the other Guardians."

[Logan]

"I took the same tests as everyone else, and the same training. Participated in the same engagements, and worked tirelessly for my whole life to get to where I am. I wasn't given this, I earned it, and if any other mammal were to come along and show greater strength than I, I'll personally see to it that they are given the role. Chief Lazlo might not expect the best out of everyone sometimes, but he deserves the best all the time."

[Stripes]

"You said he doesn't always expect the best. What did you mean by that?"

[Logan]

"Chief Lazlo has the keen ability to see one's potential, but knows that no matter how good you are, there are times where you strain to be better, to force yourself beyond your breaking point, but not every mammal has the ability to break past, and end up breaking themselves instead. In cases like that, he understands if you didn't do your very best, as long as you try. Some of the Guardians don't agree with that, that it shows a weakness, but he doesn't. He says that happy and healthy win more wars than tired and sick."

[Stripes]

"And what do you think?"

[Logan]

"It matters not my own opinions on that. Chief Lazlo has proven time and time again that he's an exemplary leader, and that's what matters most. He abides by the original Guardian edict that says the Guardians are protectors of the innocent, not just soldiers of war. I trust and respect him to follow every decision he makes, and no matter where it takes us, I will be by his side."

[Stripes]

"I don't mean to put a damper on the mood, but everyone knows that while his mind is still sharp, Lazlo is getting old, and he won't be around forever. We also know that he hasn't taken a wife, nor produced an heir to take over the Guardian leadership, as every previous Chief has. What will you do then?"

[Logan]

"Follow his orders until his dying breath. Chief Lazlo keeps his personal life to himself. That said, I'm positive that he knows of his own mortality, and that I have every bit of confidence that he will have made the right preparations for when that time comes. Every Guardian, even him, knows that life is fleeting, and in our line of work, everyday may be the last."

[Stripes]

"Remind me to skip the next recruitment drive. Sheesh. Well then, after that little morbid talk, I think it's safe to wrap this show up. Thank you for your time Stalker Logan. Alright folks, I hope you enjoyed today's episode! This is Stripes signing off, and remember folks, if you ever see those hovering bits of metal they call transports flying overhead, please don't shoot them, they're the good guys, well most of them at least. Take care everyone!"