The Search For Johnny Cage

Chapter 2: Recruitment Drive

Two weeks since Johnny Cage was abducted, A helicopter lands in the secret air hangar entrance of the BPRD in the Colorado Rockies. The doors of the helicopter open and out walks Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, and The Terror Twins Zophia and Jess all of them wearing their officer uniforms. The group of young women is then walked over to the conference room, sitting at the end of the table of the long table is the director of the BPRD Tom Manning and Kate Corrigan. Both of the veteran BPRD agents look at each other with an unamused gaze seeing that it's four young agents and not one of the experienced vets of the SF.

Manning: Ms. Cage, welcome to the BPRD. Please don't take this the wrong way but when Director Connor told me that he would be sending someone over for a meeting on his behalf, I was under the impression it would've been your mother or Cyrax.

Cassie: I apologize Director Manning but I can assure you we are more than qualified to meet with you sir. We've done ops with the BPRD before, we are aware of your procedures and have a deep respect for your organization.

Manning: Yes, I'm aware. You, Mr. Cage, Ms. Sherman, and Hellboy taking down that cult of Necromancers in China, Brotherhood of Shadow wasn't it?

Cassie: It was sir.

Manning: Well, let's cut to the chase. For those of you who don't know me I'm Tom Manning, Director of the BPRD. Sitting in on this meeting is Professor Kate Corrigan, she's our liaison for our enhanced agents. Ms. Cage who might your associates be?

Cassie: This is Sergeant Jacqueline Briggs, daughter of Major Jackson Briggs. These two are Zophia and Jessica Blazkowicz, the daughters of BJ Blazkowicz.

Kate and Manning both look at each other again only this time a look of shock comes across their face.

Kate: I'm sorry, BJ Blazkowicz... as in William Joseph Blazkowicz? Terror Billy?

Jess: Yes Ma'am.

Kate: Your father has been dead for sometime and you both look like you're barely in your twenties... alternate reality?

Zophia: It's complicated.

Manning: We can circle back to that another time then. What are you all here for exactly?

Cassie: SF has an intel on who and where my dad is. It's a terrorist organization called Shin-Tan, they are lead by a guy called the Yellow Shadow, we have two points of interest as where he could be. Cyrax intercepted communications between an island fortress and somewhere out in San Francisco.

Manning: And so you came to me while I assume your colleagues go recruit others to your cause.

Jacqui: Director Manning, You and a handful of your field agents were at the Hall of Justice during the attack. The Shin-Tan fought some of the world's most powerful superheroes, elite soldiers, and dangerous spies to a complete standstill. If we're going to rescue Mr. Cage, we're going to need the best you have to offer.

Kate: Unfortunately, that's not going to be possible. Hellboy has taken some of our best operatives on a classified assignment.

Cassie: But we came all this way-

Manning: And had we known when Director Connor reached out asking to meet that he wanted to borrow Hellboy, we would've told him the same thing much earlier. I'm sorry Ms. Cage I really am, but we just can't-

A booming voice is then heard in the hallway saying "Hey Myers! Where's my cigars?! You owe me some Cubans!". Through the glass window in the wall the group sees Hellboy walking up to BPRD agent John Myers. Hellboy is also wearing a Motorhead tank top, a towel around his shoulders, and basketball shorts indicating that he hasn't left and will not leave anytime soon. Cassie looks at Kate Corrgian and Director Manning with disappointment and contempt. She promptly gets up from her seat and walks out of the conference room she walks up to Hellboy and grabs his shoulder. The tall demon looks down at Cassie, towering over her like an adult looking down at a small child.

Cassie: Can I borrow you for a second?

Cassie says this sternly and Hellboy looks into the conference room to see Manning's face in the palm of his hand and Kate just shrugs at Hellboy.

Hellboy: Uh yeah... Sure thing kid. Myers, give me a sec would ya?

Myers nods and walks away unsure why Cassie Cage is even at BPRD HQ much less mad at Hellboy. The two begin to talk in the hallway.

Cassie: Why is Ellen Degeneres saying you're on a top secret assignment but you're here looking like you just got out of the gym?

Hellboy: Ya know... Two things can be possible at the same time.

Cassie looks back at Hellboy unamused, the good natured demon just sighs.

Hellboy: Look kid, I'm genuinely on assignment. I leave with my team tomorrow morning, we just had to come back to stock up.

Cassie: Do you not like my dad or something? I thought everything was fine between you two after China?

Hellboy: Do I not like your dad? Kid, I have nothing against your dad. And if I'm being honest with you some of my favorite Friday nights have been just me and Liz getting absolutely wrecked and doing a marathon of your dad's movies. Sure he was a pompous ass hat back in the day but so was everyone. Whatever Kate and Baldie told you and your friends is true we can't help at the moment we're already stretched thin enough.

Cassie looks down at her boots frustrated and walks back into the meeting room, Hellboy looks on disappointed that he can't help her.

Cassie: Let's get out of here girls.

Cassie's team promptly gets out of their chairs and make their way back to the air hangar along the way however something catches the eye of Jess Blazkowicz.

Jess: Holy shit! Sis come look at this!

The other three army brats stop in their tracks to see a framed picture of the day Hellboy was rescued by a young Professor Broom and a handful of Allied Soldiers but one of those soldiers stands out from the rest. Zophia exchanges looks of shock with her sister.

Zophia: You seein' what I'm seein' Kenneth?

Cassie and Jacqui look at each other confused but that's when the realization hits Jacqui realizes that the soldier to the left of baby Hellboy is actually BJ Blazkowicz. Jess responds with a tear in her eye and that's when the home sickness really begins to whammy her.

Jess: I am Arthur, I am.

Cassie is unsure of what they're looking at until Jacqui nudges Cassie and then gestures at where BJ is in the picture. Cassie goes to hug the Blazkocwicz girls and they begin to head back to the air hangar and get back in their helicopter. As the propeller blades begin to spin Hellboy looks from the control room still in his gym clothes but now standing beside Kate Corrigan and Tom Manning.

Hellboy: You sure there's no way we can help those girls?

Manning: I'm afraid so, if our intel is legit we should be the ones meeting with their superiors.

Kate: Come on Red, Liz and the others are waiting for you.

The helicopter begins to fly out of the secret entrance. The pilot of the helicopter turns around and takes off his sunglasses revealing himself to be Nikolai of Task Force 141.

Nikolai: Girls why the long faces?

Cassie: They told us no Nik.

Nikolai: Oh, well that's too bad. But we don't need a big red demon and fiery lady! I know just who to see!

Jacqui: And who might that be?

Nikolai: One of the best men I have fought beside, the Captain himself.

The helicopter flies off into the distance and Cassie calls her mom to see how she's doing tracking down two former operatives of the United States Government that went rogue.

Cassie: Hey can you hear me?

Sonya: Loud and clear, how'd things go with the BPRD?

Cassie: Not great, we were denied by the human q-tip and Ellen DeGeneres.

Sonya: What about the agents that matter, Hellboy? Sherman? Daimio? I'd even take Kraus at this point

Cassie: Manning and Corrigan told us they were all on a top secret assignment and then big red walks by looking like he just came back from the gym. He told us "whatever they told you is true, we're stretched thin at the moment".

Sonya: Understood, I wouldn't stress it too much sergeant. The BPRD like playing their cards close to their chest, always have always will.

Cassie: Alright well enough about me. Any luck on your front?

Sonya: According to our intel after Rico and Sheldon took down the agency with their "Army of Chaos" they became morally righteous guns for hire. They travel all over for their job but they apparently call Sheldon's ranch in Abilene, Texas home.

Cassie: And you said that you knew Rico's handler?

Sonya: When I was a girl he was basically my uncle... He was too me what Jax is too you.

Cassie: So why hasn't he been around in my life? You're using a lot of past tense in your wording.

Sonya: That information is classified to you Sergeant Cage.

Cassie: Well what are you allowed to disclose your daughter General?

Sonya: I'll tell you the story some day, look I'm pulling into a hang out the two of them have been spotted I have to go.

Cassie: Alright... I love you mom.

Sonya hangs up and walks out of her car and into the small dive bar in Abilene, Texas. Within this small dive, Old Violin by Johnny Paycheck is playing in the background from a jukebox and there are very few people in the bar. Sonya wearing a flannel, ball cap, and sun glasses walks passed a Mexican man with a beard and a leather jacket who's at the bar looking down at the bar minding his own business but behind him is a man in a Hawaiian shirt with gray hair and gray beard and a cowboy hat on the table. That man is Tom Sheldon handler of Rico Rodriguez AKA The Scorpion former dictator removal specialist for The Agency and now mercenary for hire. Sonya sits down at the table across from Sheldon who is looking down at menu and has a drink in hand.

Sonya: Sheldon.

She takes off her sun glasses and Sheldon looks up to see his General Sonya Blade. He's surprised to see her and looks to the TV to see Cat Grant reporting about how Sonya is one of the big names leading the manhunt for Johnny Cage.

Sheldon: Hey there kid, long time no talk! You ever think maybe calling your Uncle Tommy once in awhile?

Sonya: This isn't a social visit, I need your help.

Sheldon: What you need an ol' war dog like me for?

Sonya: You know what I want, it's the only reason why people call you on.

Sheldon: Ouch! You know you're father would be so disappointed in his private pumpkin talking to her Uncle Tommy Shelly this way. You know Big Blue and a couple of the green night lights flue to my place out here to invite me and Rico to that Hall of Justice thing personally? Someone out there appreciates what I do!

Sonya: Sheldon cut the shit… Where is Rico?

Sheldon: That information is classified.

Sonya: Is he an agent again? You two took down the agency, I figured that wouldn't exactly make you Uncle Sam's employee of the month.

Sheldon: That information is also classified… what's the op? Would we be going to this "Outworld" I've heard so much about? Or are going straight to the pits of hell to overthrow Lucifer himself?

Sonya: Negative, mission is on planet.

Sheldon: Oh great on planet! Haha If you're asking us to help search for your ex, Rico isn't exactly known for his detective skills-

Sonya: Not that, we have a lead on who took him and two points of interest.

Sheldon: I'm sure you've heard this a lot but most women who are looking for their missing ex husband are bat shit and end up gettin' questioned about his whereabouts.

Sonya: Most women don't have one of the most valuable assets to the United States government as their ex husband. Now are you going to help me or not?

Sheldon: Where are the two points of interest?

Sonya: Some board game shop in San Francisco and an island off the coast of Medici.

The sound of a grappling hook is then heard and Sonya looks to see the Mexican man has a grappling hook device and grappled a chair over to him from an empty table over to him. The man places the back of the chair on the side of the table peaking out from booth. The man sits down with his arms resting on the top of the chair, it takes a second but Sonya realizes that this is none other than Rico Rodriguez himself. Rico looks at his handler and then looks at general Blade.

Rico: When do we start?

Sonya: Nice of you to joy us Mr. Rodriguez. How much did you hear?

Rico: I heard Everything Ms. Blade, including the bit about the possibility of me returning to Medici. I am overdue to visit with Mario, Sheldon what do you say we help the good general find her ex-husband eh?

Sheldon: Well hang on, hang on. How much are you willing to pay?

The door into the bar then opens and a group of six stereotypical bikers walk into the bar, three of them go to the bar while one in the group points out to the table Sheldon and the others are sitting at and brings his friends over to "speak" with Sheldon. As the three bikers walk over to to the table, Sheldon mutters something under his breath.

Sheldon: Shit-

Sonya: Anything I should be aware of?

Rico: Sheldon likes to bet large sums of money in games of pool and then not pay off his debt.

Sonya rolls her eyes at Sheldon as she isn't surprised that he would be in this situation. The leader of the biker gang stands over the group of heroes and locks in on eye contact with Sheldon.

Biker Leader: What's up old man? Where's my money at?

Sheldon: Oh well funny you should ask man, I'm just waiting for this check to clear an-

Biker Leader: That's the same shit you said last week, I know you got money Sheldon. Everybody around here knows what you and your spic pet do!

Sonya: Do you feel tough threatening old men?

Biker Leader: Fuck off blondie, the men are talking.

Rico: I wouldn't talk to her like that if I was you jefe.

Biker Leader: Or what? You gonna do somethin' bout it?

Rico stands up with his fist clenched and looks directly into the eye of the leader of the biker gang.

Rico: You said you know what me and Sheldon do yes? Then you would know that I have put down men that would give you nightmares. If you insult Sheldon or this woman one more time we are going to have a problem.

There is a moment of silence but then the three bikers start laughing in Rico's face. Sheldon looks over at Sonya and Rico both are visibly tense but also ready to go. Rico's fist is still clenched and Sonya has her eyes locked in on the leader of the

Biker Leader: The fuck you think this is a spaghetti western? You think cause you're a leather jacket wearing "bad hombre" you can just talk me to however type of way and expect me to tuck my tail and run?!

The leader of the biker brandishes a switchblade but before he can do anything he's sucker punched in the face by Sonya and falls flat on his face. The remaining two bikers are standing there dumbfounded and Rico smirks and chuckles to himself. The other three bikers turn around and see this from the bar one of them tries to run at Sonya but Rico launches his grappling hook at him and launches another grappling hook into the jukebox causing the biker to crash into the jukebox causing the music to stop abruptly. The other bikers run up to the table but Rico meets them halfway and takes on the other two while Sonya fights the other two bikers by the table. Sheldon sits back and enjoys the action, he slowly sips on his drink as a biker falls down from getting socked in the face by Sonya. This biker tries to get up only to get a swift conk in the head by Sheldon as he tries to get up. Rico grapples one of the bikers he's fight to the pool table, a loud crunching sound is hear as that biker hits the table back first. Sonya sweep kicks one of her bikers and kicks him the face knocking him out cold, the last biker she fights she jumps up to wrap her legs around his neck and uses the speed from her jump to send him crashing into the bar knocking him out cold. Rico looks at Sonya with a look of approval as he beats down his last biker. Sheldon begins to slow clap for the two of them.

Sheldon: That was great! We gotta do that again!

Tom Sheldon walks up to the bar and pulls out a credit card from his wallet and hands it the lone bartender who has been watching the fight unfold. Rico and Sonya both stand behind him as he begins to speak with the bar tender.

Sheldon: Here is my card, give yourself a nice juicy tip and we were never here. Oh! I'll also buy the new jukebox, I'm sorry about that I really liked that thing.

Rico: You know, this could've been avoided if you had just paid them Sheldon.

Sonya: How often does Sheldon do the right thing?

Sheldon: Alright, that's enough both of you.

The three of them walk out of the dive bar and stand out in front of the dive bar. Sonya shakes Rico's hand but when she goes to shake Sheldon's hand he looks at her sideways and hugs her.

Sheldon: It's good to see you Sonya! Whatever you need me and Rico are in!

Sonya: Good, follow me then.

Sonya then hands Rico and Sheldon communicators and walks back into her truck. Sonya starts up her truck while the other two get into their vehicles, Rico on his bike and Sheldon in his truck. Rico sits on his bike and looks at Sheldon, he rolls down the window because Rico has a bothered look on his face.

Rico: You never told me you knew Sonya Blade.

Sheldon: I knew her dad, we served together. Lil' fun fact for ya, I was originally training her for the agency.

Rico: Then what happened?

Sheldon: You did! Now come on Rico, let's not keep my niece waiting!

To Be Continued...